JP2828363B2 - Facsimile character recognition management method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile character recognition management method for recognizing characters from image data received by a facsimile and improving reliability in performing a series of processing for reporting to a host device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a financial institution such as a bank, a district center receives a transfer request form from a branch office by facsimile, automatically reads characters written on the transfer form, and transfers it to a host computer. A data processing system is employed. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of such a conventional facsimile character recognition system. As shown in the figure, the office 10 is provided with a plurality of facsimile terminals 11 for sending out a transfer request form. These facsimile terminals 11 are connected to a district center 30 via a public line 20. The district center 30 includes a facsimile receiving unit 31, a control unit 32, a character recognition unit 33, and a verification correction unit 34. The facsimile receiving unit 31 is connected to the public line 20 and
This is a device for receiving a facsimile input through a PC and obtaining the image data. The control unit 32 includes a computer for controlling the operation of each device provided in the district center 30. The character recognition unit 33
The facsimile receiver 31 is a device that recognizes characters included in the image data received and obtains code data.

In addition, a facsimile receiving unit 31
In order to temporarily store the received image data,
Is provided in the second storage unit 36 for temporarily storing the code data obtained by the recognition by the character recognition unit 33.
Is provided. Further, a printer 37 is provided to print out the output when the control unit 32 performs a predetermined process. A plurality of workstations 341 are connected to the verification correction unit 34. This workstation 341 has an operator,
The image data and the code data are collated to verify whether or not the recognition result is correct, and to correct any errors. For this reason, the workstation 341 is composed of a personal computer having a display, a keyboard, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the conventional general system operation as described above. In the figure, first, in step S1, the facsimile receiving unit 31 shown in FIG. 2 receives, for example, a transfer request sent from the business office 10. This image data is stored in the first storage unit 35 in step S2.
Is stored in The character recognition unit 33 reads out the image data and performs character recognition (step S3). Then, code data corresponding to the character is obtained and stored in the second storage unit 36 (step S4). After that, the control unit 32
Sends the code data to the verification and correction unit 34. In the verification / correction unit 34, the operator operates the workstation 341 to compare and match the image data with the code data that recognizes the image data (step S5). Here, it is determined whether or not the character recognition unit 33 has performed the normal recognition of the image data (step S6). Then, if the recognition is normal, the correction code data is generated in step S7 if the recognition is incorrect. And such a processing result is separately sent to the workstation
341 is temporarily stored in a storage unit (not shown) provided, and the code data that is correctly recognized or corrected is reported to the host device 1 by the control unit 32 (step S8). When the higher-level device 1 receives the character code corresponding to the characters described in the transfer request form in this way, a transfer process based on the request from the sales office 10 is thereafter performed.

[0005]

However, during operation of this type of system, a decrease in the recognition rate by the character recognition unit 33 may increase the burden on the verification and correction unit 34 by the operator. Note that the character recognition rate is a ratio between the number of characters read correctly by the character recognition unit 33 and the number of all characters actually read. For example, "1, 2,
It is assumed that as a result of reading the five characters “3, 4, 5” by the character recognition unit 33, the three characters “1, 3, 5” are correctly read. In this case, the number of correctly read characters is 3, and the number of all characters actually read is 5, so the ratio is 5
3 / min, that is, 0.6. Therefore, the recognition rate is expressed as 60%. Causes of the decrease in the recognition rate include contamination of the reading optical system of the facsimile on the transmission side and failure of other parts. In addition, the occurrence of an error in the public line 20 connecting the facsimile on the transmission side and the facsimile character recognition system on the reception side and other data transmission circuits may be mentioned. Further, there is a failure of the computer on the receiving side.

However, in this type of system, a retransmission correction method is used, and data transmission errors are detected and corrected. Therefore, when an error occurs on a data transmission circuit, the detection and correction are automatically performed. Done in In addition, a computer failure is notified in advance by a management device of the system itself, and it is hard to imagine that the operation of the system is continued with the failure. Therefore, finding the facsimile abnormality on the transmission side promptly improves the reliability of the system. However, there is a problem in that it is not easy to determine whether the decrease in the recognition rate is due to mere contamination of the facsimile machine on the transmission side or a failure.

[0007] The image data read by the transmission side includes information that does not necessarily need to be transmitted to the reception side. For such information, a so-called dropout color that is not converted into image data when reading is used. However, if the reading level adjustment on the transmitting side is not good, the image data in such a dropout color is read and sent to the receiving side. Therefore, maintenance and inspection of the reading device on the transmission side are also important issues. Another important issue is whether reading is performed at a uniform level over the entire sheet. This type of management is preferably performed on the transmitting side.

[0008]

The present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION sends image data read by the transmission side of the facsimile to the receiving side facsimile character recognition systems, facsimile character processing to recognize a character from among the image data at the receiving side
In the recognition management method , character recognition is performed from the image data of the test information sent from the transmission side, the recognition rate is obtained, and the reception side compares the recognition rate with a preset reference recognition rate. If the character recognition rate of the test information is equal to or less than the reference recognition rate, a maintenance request is transmitted to the facsimile on the transmitting side.

The present invention also provides a facsimile character recognition management method for transmitting image data read by a facsimile on a transmission side to a facsimile character recognition system on a reception side, and recognizing and processing characters from the image data on the reception side. On the receiving side, the recognition rate for cleaning request and the recognition rate for repair / replacement request lower than the recognition rate for cleaning request are set,
Compare the recognition rate for cleaning request and the recognition rate for repair / replacement request with the actual character recognition rate, and if the character recognition rate is lower than the recognition rate for cleaning request and higher than the recognition rate for repair / replacement request, The present invention relates to a facsimile character recognition management method characterized by requesting cleaning of a transmission-side facsimile, and requesting the transmission side for repair and replacement when the character recognition rate is lower than the recognition rate for repair / replacement request.

[0010]

[0011]

Further, according to the present invention, in the facsimile character recognition management method described above, the facsimile on the transmitting side reads the test information including the image of the dropout color which is not converted into the image data and the grid pattern for confirming the vertical and horizontal reading states. The present invention relates to a facsimile character recognition management method capable of outputting a copy and confirming a reading level.

[0013]

In this method, the image data of the test information is transmitted from the transmitting side to the receiving side, and the character recognition rate is obtained on the receiving side. If the recognition rate is below a certain standard, a request for facsimile cleaning or repair / replacement is sent to the transmission side. The reading level of the facsimile on the transmitting side can be confirmed using certain test information. Thus, the reliability of recognition in the facsimile character recognition system is improved.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a management method using a test chart according to the present invention. In this method, a test chart is sent from a transmitting side to a receiving side. The receiving side compares the character recognition rate with a predetermined reference, and notifies the transmitting side when the recognition rate decreases. The method of the present invention is performed by a system as shown in FIG. Before starting the description of FIG. 1, an example of a test chart (test information) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram of an example of a test chart used in the present invention. As shown in the figure, the test chart is made up of paper on which various large and small characters such as a large number of numbers and Chinese characters are described. The type, number, size and the like of the characters are set in accordance with the size and the like of the characters that actually need to be recognized. Then, when the image data of the test chart is received on the receiving side and normal character recognition is performed, if the recognition rate is 100%, the recognition rate at which normal operation is possible is set as the reference recognition rate. deep. In step S1 of FIG. 1, for example, the reference recognition rate, the number of characters of the test chart, and the like are stored in the nonvolatile memory 38 of the district center 30 as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S2, the test chart as shown in FIG. 4 is read by the facsimile terminal 11 of the office 10 shown in FIG. 2 and the image data is transmitted to the district center 30 on the receiving side. In step S3, in the district center 30 , the facsimile receiving unit 31 receives the image data. Then, in step S4, the character recognition unit 33 recognizes the data. Next, in step S5, the control unit 32 calculates the character recognition rate. That is, the control unit 32 compares the number of characters of the test chart previously stored in the non-volatile memory 38 with the actually recognized data, and obtains the ratio of the number of characters correctly recognized among all the numbers of characters.

Thereafter, the control unit 32 compares the reference recognition rate with the actual recognition rate in step S6. As a result of the comparison, if the actual recognition rate is higher than the reference recognition rate, the process proceeds to step S7, and the corresponding facsimile terminal
Then, a notification of the normality is output to terminal 11. Step S
If it is determined in step 6 that the actual recognition rate is lower than the reference recognition rate, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether the recognition rate of the test chart transmitted from the same branch is lower than the reference recognition rate a plurality of times. to decide. That is, in this case,
The test chart image data of the same content is repeatedly received from the same business office, and each recognition rate is obtained. As a result of the comparison, when the value falls below the reference recognition rate a plurality of times, step S9 is performed.
And outputs to the facsimile terminal 11 a notification that the device has been repaired or replaced. In other words, in such a case the sales office to stop the use of the corresponding facsimile terminal, using only another normal facsimile terminal, to repair the failed facsimile terminal. On the other hand, step S8
If, for example, the number of times the number is lower than the reference recognition rate is only one time, the process proceeds to step S10, and a notification to the effect that the corresponding facsimile terminal needs to be cleaned is output. Upon receiving the notification, the sales office cleans the optical system of the reading device of the facsimile terminal 11 in step S11. Thereby, the facsimile terminal 1
Function 1 is restored, and normal system operation becomes possible.

FIG. 5 shows a facsimile end of a sales office as described above.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of notification to terminal 11 . (A) of the figure shows the notification of the normality. For example, if the recognition rate is 95.2%,
A notification such as " FAX is normal." (B) is a notification of a cleaning request, and the recognition rate is 7
In the case of 4.8%, a notification such as " FAX is dirty. Please clean." further,
(C) is a notification of an exchange request. As a result of calculating the recognition rate several times, the first time is 58.1% and the second time is 4%.
If a result of 9.2% is obtained, such as 52.5% for the third time, the function is not recovered and the operation cannot be performed as it is, so the notification "Please replace FAX ." Become. As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
Send test chart image data to the center, etc.
Procedures such as receiving an inspection are performed. However, it is preferable to perform this type of management even during operation of the system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a management method during operation of the system. In this method, image data such as a form is actually received instead of a test chart, and the image data is evaluated. Therefore, for example, the verification correction unit 34 shown in FIG.
, When the operator corrects the recognition result,
The recognition rate is calculated based on the degree of the correction. This recognition rate is the target of the evaluation. First, step S1 in FIG.
, The cleaning request recognition rate and the repair / replacement request recognition rate are stored in the district center 30 in advance. For example, the cleaning request recognition rate is 90%, and the repair / replacement request recognition rate is 50%.
If the cleaning request recognition rate is below the facsimile end as described later
Request cleaning of end 11
If so, request an exchange. In step S2, off
The form is actually transmitted from the facsimile terminal 11 . Here, the normal work is started. In step S3, the image data is received by the district center 30 , and in step S4
Recognize the data. In step S5, the recognition rate is calculated based on the verification result of the operator. Thereafter, in step S6, it is determined whether the recognition rate is equal to or higher than the cleaning request recognition rate. If it is equal to or higher than the cleaning request recognition rate, the process proceeds to step S7 and the system is continuously operated. On the other hand, if it is lower than the cleaning request recognition rate, step S8 is executed.
Then, it is determined whether the recognition rate is equal to or higher than the repair / replacement request recognition rate. If it is determined that the rate is equal to or higher than the repair / replacement request recognition rate, the process proceeds to step S9, and a notification of the cleaning request is output to the corresponding facsimile terminal 11 . In step S10, the office receives the notification and the corresponding facsimile terminal
Clean 11 Then, the process proceeds to step S11, and the continuous operation of the system is instructed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the rate is equal to or lower than the repair / replacement request recognition rate, the process proceeds to step S12, and a notification to the effect that the facsimile terminal 11 requests replacement of the apparatus is output.

[0019] FIG. 7 shows a notification example illustration of a time of operation of the branch office of the facsimile terminal. In the method as shown in FIG. 6, a notification as shown in FIG. 7 is sent to the transmitting side. First, (a) is a notification of a cleaning request, for example, during the period from October 1 to October 3, the recognition rate is 69.2.
%, It says " FAX is dirty.
Please. Is notified. On the other hand (b)
Is a notification of a request for replacement. During the period from October 4 to October 6, the recognition rate is 44.8%, so " FAX is determined to be malfunctioning and should be repaired or replaced." Is requested. In this case, this notification may be created using the average value of the recognition rates over several days, instead of the recognition rate per form. In the present invention, for example, a method of issuing a notification only when the recognition rate of a plurality of times is lower than the reference recognition rate, the cleaning request recognition rate, the repair replacement request recognition rate, or the like, or an average value of these methods. Various methods, such as issuing a notification when the value falls short, can be adopted.

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

In the facsimile character recognition system as described above, the burden of the verification work by the operator increases due to a decrease in the character recognition rate. In this case, if it is caused by the optical system on the transmitting side, it is always easy to determine whether the dirt is the main factor or whether the function of the image sensor element has been reduced or damaged. Can not. On the transmitting side, when a cleaning request or a device replacement request is received from the receiving side, it is preferable to take appropriate measures as soon as possible. The following test chart is used for this purpose. FIG. 10 shows an explanatory diagram of an example of a test chart for reading level confirmation on the transmission side. This test chart is for outputting a copy on the transmission side and determining a correct treatment method including a notification of a cleaning request from the receiving side and a notification of a request for replacement of the apparatus.

That is, the test chart is provided with a dropout color section 55, a checkerboard section 56, and a character section 57. In the drop-out color section 55, a checkerboard with a drop-out color is described. The dropout color refers to a color that is not converted into image data at the time of reading by a facsimile on the transmission side, such as light blue, for example. If such an image is actually read and sent to the receiving side due to a maladjustment of the facsimile on the transmitting side, unnecessary information increases and causes a reading error. Therefore, a copy operation is performed on the transmission side, and it is confirmed that such a lattice pattern due to the dropout color is not read. In the checkerboard portion 56, checkerboards of colors that can be read normally are described.
By reading such a lattice pattern, it is possible to determine the failure or deterioration of the element of the reading device on the transmission side. That is, if the degree of such blurring or cutting of the grid pattern is confirmed, it is possible to determine the failure of the reading element at that portion. The character section 57 is for determining an actual character reading state. Also for this copy, it is determined whether any fading, cutting, dirt, or the like has appeared.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart for confirming the read level by copying using the test chart as described above. In the figure, first, in step S1, a test chart is copied in each office facsimile. Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the dropout color of the copy has dropped out.
That is, it is determined whether or not an image in the dropout color has been read. Further, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the grid pattern of the copy is blurred or cut. Further, it is determined in step S4 whether the characters of the copy are not blurred or cut off. In step S5, it is determined whether or not the copy is stained. If all of these are cleared, step S6
Is determined to be a normal facsimile. If there is any problem, the process proceeds to step S7, and the corresponding facsimile is cleaned or replaced. Through the above processing, the reading state of each facsimile itself can be diagnosed and its reliability can be improved.

[0026]

According to the facsimile character recognition management method of the present invention described above, the character recognition rate is obtained from the image data of the test information sent from the transmitting side. If the character recognition rate does not satisfy a certain standard, a maintenance request or cleaning request is made. Alternatively, since a repair / replacement request or the like is issued, an appropriate response can be accurately and promptly made to a failure of a facsimile on the transmission side.
Further, by copying a test chart using a dropout color or the like, the transmitting side can diagnose the transmitting side facsimile itself. With such a method, the reliability of the character recognition system can be improved, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a management method using a test chart according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional facsimile character recognition system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a general system operation.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a test chart example.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of notification to an office facsimile.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a management method during operation.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an example of notification to an office facsimile at the time of operation.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a test chart for reading level confirmation.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a reading level confirmation procedure by copying.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Step S1 to Step S11 Processing procedure

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile character recognition management method for transmitting image data read by a facsimile on a transmission side to a facsimile character recognition system on a reception side and recognizing and processing characters from the image data on the reception side. The character recognition is performed from the image data of the transmitted test information to determine the recognition rate, and the receiving side compares the character recognition rate of the test information with the reference recognition rate that is set in advance to be lower than the reference recognition rate. Wherein a maintenance request is transmitted to the facsimile on the transmitting side. 2. A facsimile character recognition management method in which image data read by a facsimile on a transmission side is sent to a facsimile character recognition system on a reception side, and a character is recognized and processed from the image data on the reception side. , Set the recognition rate for cleaning requests and the recognition rate for repair and replacement requests lower than the recognition rate for cleaning requests, and compare the recognition rate for cleaning requests and the recognition rate for repair and replacement requests with the actual character recognition rate. If the character recognition rate is lower than the cleaning request recognition rate and higher than the repair / replacement request recognition rate, the sender is requested to clean the sender facsimile, and the character recognition rate is lower than the repair / replacement request recognition rate. A facsimile character recognition management method, wherein a request for repair and replacement is sent to the transmitting side. 3. The facsimile character recognition management method according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile on the transmitting side reads the test information including the image of the dropout color that is not converted into image data and the grid pattern for checking the vertical and horizontal reading states. A facsimile character recognition management method that can output a copy and check the reading level.