JP3604283B2 - Attribute information registration system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an attribute information registration system, and more particularly to an attribute information registration system suitable for registering attribute information of data input as an image in a database or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information is fetched from paper or the like by an image scanner, and the fetched image information is registered in a database system. At the time of registration in this database, attribute information of the captured image is also registered. Such a system is widely used for drawing management and document management, and forms a kind of image filing system.
[0003]
In a conventional image filing system, attribute information and image information are separately created, and a data input user compares and associates both information and then registers the information in a database.
[0004]
Specifically, first, the data input person prepares attribute information in advance by using an application such as spreadsheet software while looking at a key portion on the paper (base paper) to be captured.
[0005]
On the other hand, the image information is obtained by inputting a base paper by a scanner in the order of the created attribute information and forming the image.
Here, before the definitive registration in the database, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the attribute information and the image information correspond to each other as described above. The association between the two pieces of information is performed while comparing the content of the characteristic portion serving as a key on the base paper with the created attribute information.
[0006]
At this time, the key characteristic portions differ depending on the size of the drawing or the document, and it is impossible to fix them in advance. Therefore, the entire image information to be registered in the confirmation work is displayed. On the other hand, the attribute information is also displayed at the same time, and if both correspond, the data entry person registers in the database.
As described above, the association between the attribute information and the image information is performed while displaying and confirming the entire image one by one.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional method, it is necessary to perform the scanner input in the order in which the attribute information is created.
Further, even when performing the final registration confirmation after inputting the scanner, the entire image information must be displayed, which also requires a confirmation operation for each case, which takes time. Although the burden is large even in this normal check, if the order of the image information and the attribute information does not basically match, the burden of the above-described association work becomes extremely large. For this reason, it is required that the scanner input be performed in the order in which the attribute information is created as described above.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and hassle-free associating image information with its attribute information to reduce trouble in scanner input and to perform collation of a plurality of image information at a time. It is an object of the present invention to provide an attribute information registration system capable of making an associating work as efficient as possible.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an invention according to claim 1 is an attribute for registering image data captured by a scanner from an image capture target with an attribute for associating attribute information of the capture target with the image data. This is done for the information registration system.
[0010]
First, by the symbol image extracting means, only a square inner region surrounding a portion marked on the capturing target is extracted as a symbol image from the image data captured by the scanner.
[0011]
Then, the association processing means, together with the list attribute information and cut-out symbolic image capturing target, you associate the image data to be registered and attribute information of the image data prepared beforehand input processing Is accepted.
[0012]
Since the extracted symbol image is a part of the captured image data, a plurality of the symbol images can be displayed together with a plurality of pieces of attribute information in the list display. Therefore, the work of associating the image information with the attribute information thereof can be made easy to reduce the trouble in the scanner input, and a plurality of image information can be collated at once so that the work of association can be made efficient.
[0013]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a mark is attached to a characteristic portion in a color that is not used for an image capturing object and a symbol image is cut out. The capture of the target image data is performed by a color scanner.
[0014]
In the symbol image extracting means, first, the mark identification means calculates the coordinate value of the mark position based on the color of the mark, and further, the characteristic portion marked based on the coordinate value is used as a symbol image as a mark part. It is cut out by extraction means.
[0015]
Therefore, a reliable symbol image can be cut out using the color of the mark.
Next, the invention corresponding to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the image data to be registered is a color filter having the same color as the mark, separately from the image data to be extracted as the symbol image. The image is captured by the color scanner via the printer.
[0016]
Therefore, the image data as the image capture target can be registered regardless of the mark.
Next, an invention corresponding to claim 4 is a recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize the invention corresponding to claim 1.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image filing system to which an attribute information registration system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
[0018]
In the image filing system shown in FIG. 1, a color scanner 2, an input device 3, such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display device 4, and a database system 5 are connected to an attribute information registration system 1. Here, the attribute information registration system 1 and the database system 5 are configured by a computer such as a personal computer, a workstation, or a mainframe. The database system 5 is configured separately from the attribute information registration system 1 in this embodiment, but may be configured in the attribute information registration system 1.
[0019]
The color scanner 2 includes a red filter 6, performs a normal color scan and a color scan through the red filter 6 in a single reading from the paper surface (base paper) to be image-captured, and stores the two captured image data in attribute information. It is sent to the registration system 1. Note that the two image data captures may be realized by two readings.
[0020]
The attribute information registration system 1 includes an input unit 11, an image data input processing unit 12, a mark identification unit 13, a mark extraction unit 14, an association processing unit 15, an image data registration processing unit 16, a spreadsheet software 17, and a storage device 18. Have. These units are realized from hardware resources such as a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, or the like, or software resources, such as data or a program, provided in the attribute information registration system 1, or a combination thereof.
[0021]
The input unit 11 receives a user's input from the input device 3 and provides the input information to each unit.
The image data input processing unit 12 controls the color scanner 2 in accordance with an instruction from the input unit 11, and stores the marked image and the unmarked image read from the base paper in the storage device 18. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the base paper is marked with a red mark on the characteristic portion, and the image data with the red mark is obtained by both use and non-use of the red filter 6 in the color scanner 2. Image data without the red mark is obtained. After storing the image data, the image data input processing unit 12 notifies the mark identification unit 13 of the fact to perform the next process.
[0022]
Here, the storage device 18 includes a primary storage device 21 such as a memory and a secondary storage device 22 such as a hard disk. The primary storage device 21 stores the marked image (A), the extracted coordinate values (C) and the related information file (F), and the secondary storage device 22 stores the unmarked image (B), the symbol image (D), and the attribute list (E). ) Is stored.
[0023]
The mark identifying unit 13 calculates the coordinate value of the feature data attached to the base paper using the mark from the captured image with mark (A) and stores the coordinate value in the extracted coordinate value (C) of the storage device 18.
[0024]
The mark extraction unit 14 deletes the portion other than the portion surrounded by the coordinate values from the unmarked image (B) based on the extracted coordinate value (C), extracts only the image of the characteristic portion of the base paper, and The image is stored in the storage device 18 as an image (D).
[0025]
The spreadsheet software 17 is generally used application software, and is used by a user to create a list of attributes serving as keywords corresponding to the characteristic portions of the base paper. The created attribute list (E) is stored in the storage device 18 in a CSV file format.
[0026]
The association processing unit 15 is a part that executes service processing necessary for the user to perform the association processing between the symbol image (D) and the attribute list (E). Specifically, an attribute list (E) and an image list including a plurality of symbolic images (D) are displayed in a list on the same screen of the display device 4, and the user compares the attribute list (E) with the list screen. ) And an unmarked image (B). The association processing unit 15 stores the result of association between the attribute list (E) and the unmarked image (B) in the storage device 18 as a related information file (F).
[0027]
After completion of the associating process, the image data registration processing unit 16 refers to the contents of the related information file (F) and uses the information of the attribute list (E) as the attribute of the image data and the corresponding unmarked image (B). as the image data to be stored, and stores each attribute storage unit 7 and the image data storage unit 8 in the database system 5 while associating the two.
[0028]
The database system 5 is a part of the image filing system, and in the present embodiment, a relational database is used. However, the database format is not limited to a relational database, but may be an object-oriented database or a database system of another format.
[0029]
Next, the operation of the attribute information registration system configured as described above according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first half of the attribute information registration system in the present embodiment.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the latter half of the attribute information registration system in the present embodiment.
First, the system user creates an attribute list (E) from the keyword by looking at the characteristic portion of the base paper and registers it in a CSV file format in advance.
[0031]
Next, the process of capturing the image of the base paper is started. Here, the number of base papers to be captured is usually a large number.
First, the user sets a stencil to be captured in the color scanner 2 and inputs a capture instruction from the input device 3.
[0032]
As a result, the color scanner 2 is controlled by the input processing unit 12, and the image of the base paper is captured (FIG. 2: ST1). At this time, if the scanner 2 has an automatic feed function, it is only necessary to set a plurality of base papers at once, and it is not necessary to be present during image capture. Further, it is not necessary to particularly care about the order of setting the base paper.
[0033]
Here, the image data input processing unit 12 stores the marked image data (A) and the unmarked image data (B) captured by the color scanner 2 in the storage device 18 (FIG. 2: ST2).
[0034]
The base paper is marked in red with characteristic features and scanned in color mode. Therefore, the part marked with red is recognized as red and the others are recognized as black and white, and are imaged with the mark. This is the marked image (A). On the other hand, in the base paper input in the color mode through the red filter 6, a portion marked with red is recognized as white, and is imaged without a mark. This is the unmarked image (B).
[0035]
After the image data is captured, the coordinate value of the characteristic portion marked in red is determined by the mark identification unit 13 based on the marked image (A) (FIG. 2: ST3).
[0036]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating a coordinate value of a characteristic portion by the mark identification unit.
First, FIG. 4A shows the vicinity of the characteristic portion of the marked image (A). As can be seen from the figure, the characteristic portion 31 is surrounded by a red mark 32.
[0037]
The mark identifying unit 13 specifies points x1, x2, y1, and y2 (a total of four points) that are the maximum value and the minimum value of the red mark 32 in the x and y coordinate directions of the red mark 32. As described above, since the image other than the red mark 32 is captured in black and white, the mark identifying unit 13 can easily execute the specification by using the color information.
[0038]
Next, of the identified points, a line is extended in the y direction from the x coordinate maximum / minimum point, and a line is extended from the point in the x direction with respect to the y coordinate maximum / minimum point (FIG. 4 ( c)).
[0039]
The intersections a, b, c, and d of the lines thus extended are squares surrounding the characteristic portion 31, and the coordinate values of the characteristic portion are determined (FIG. 4C).
The determined extracted coordinate value (C) is stored in the storage device 18 and is notified to the mark portion extracting unit 14 to start the next process.
[0040]
In the extraction processing by the mark part extraction unit 14, a symbol image (D) obtained by cutting out only the characteristic portion 31 of the base paper from the unmarked image (B) and the extracted coordinate values (C) is obtained (FIG. 2: ST4).
[0041]
For this purpose, first, image data is created by deleting the area inside the extracted coordinate values (C) from the unmarked image (B). Next, the deleted image data is subtracted from the unmarked image (B). Thus, only the characteristic portion 31 remains and is stored in the storage device 18 as the symbol image (D).
[0042]
When the processing up to this point is completed, the user is notified via the display device 4 to that effect, and the attribute information registration system 1 enters the next input waiting state.
When the user receives the notification of the completion of the acquisition of the image data and the acquisition of the symbol image (D) from the system 1, the user performs the following association processing. Note that the creation of the attribute list (E) described above may be performed at this time.
[0043]
The user activates the association process using the input device 3. Thereby, the association processing by the association processing unit 15 is started (FIG. 3: ST5).
First, in response to a user 's instruction, the association processing unit 15 displays the attribute list (E) and the symbol image (D) side by side on the display device 4 on one screen. Here, the attribute list (E) is for displaying the attribute information of a plurality of unmarked images (B) at a time, and the symbolic image (D) is correspondingly displayed on a single screen as an image list. Things. Since the symbol image (D) is only a partial area of the base paper, it can be displayed in a large number on the display device. An example of this display is shown in FIG.
[0044]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image list is displayed in the order of capture by the scanner 2 and has a capture number 34. On the other hand, the display order of each piece of attribute information in the attribute list does not always correspond to the import order. The attribute list on the display device 4, related Tsukeran 35 is provided for the association between capture order and attribute list display order, this association column 35 is in the initial blank.
[0045]
The user compares the information of the image list and the information of the attribute list while watching the screen display, and inputs the number of the corresponding import number 34 in the image list into the association column 35 of the attribute list. This number input process (association process) is performed simultaneously on one screen for a large number of marked images. FIG. 3 shows a state where the number is input.
[0046]
The number information thus input is stored in the related information file (F) by the association processing unit 15. That is, mapping is performed based on the list display. When all the numbers have been input by the user, the associating process is completed, and the effect is notified from the associating processor 15 to the image data registration processor 16.
[0047]
The associated information file (F) is read out by the image data registration processing unit 16 that has received the notification, and the attribute information on the attribute list (E) and the unmarked image (B) are associated based on the association information. Then, both are registered together in the database system 5 (ST6, ST7). Specifically, path information to image information based on the related information file (F) is added to the attribute list (E), and the path information is stored in the attribute storage unit 7, and the unmarked image (B) is stored in the image information storage section 7. It is stored in the unit 8.
[0048]
As described above, in the attribute information registration system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the red paper-marked base paper is taken in by the color scanner 2 with the red filter, and only the characteristic portion is symbolic image (D) based on the mark. As a result, the symbolic images are arranged in a large number in the attribute list as an image list, and a plurality of symbol images can be simultaneously associated with the image data while confirming the two. Therefore, it is possible to collate a plurality of pieces of image information at a time, and it is possible to make the association work efficient.
[0049]
As described above, since the associating operation is performed easily and efficiently, there is no necessity to read the images in the order of the attribute list, and the user does not need to be on the scanner even when inputting the scanner. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble in the scanner input.
[0050]
Therefore, when the present invention is applied to, for example, an image filing system as in the present embodiment, the batch registration of the image capturing target is efficiently performed.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.
[0051]
For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the color scanner 2 is provided with the red filter 6 and the characteristic portion of the base paper is marked in red is dealt with, but the present invention is not limited to the case of the red mark. For example, the color scanner 2 may be provided with a filter of blue, green, or the like, and a mark may be applied to a characteristic portion of the base paper in a color corresponding to the filter.
[0052]
The method described in the embodiment may be a program (software means) that can be executed by a computer (computer), for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), semiconductor It can also be stored in a storage medium such as a memory, or transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium side includes a setting program for causing the computer to execute software means (including not only an execution program but also a table and a data structure) to be executed in the computer. A computer that realizes the present apparatus reads a program recorded in a storage medium, and in some cases, constructs software means using a setting program, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the software means.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the work of associating image information with its attribute information is made easy, so that the labor in scanner input is reduced, and the associating work is made possible by collating a plurality of image information at once. An attribute information registration system that can be made efficient can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image filing system to which an attribute information registration system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first half of the attribute information registration system in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart showing the operation of the latter half of the attribute information registration system in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating a coordinate value of a characteristic portion by a mark identification unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Attribute information registration system 2 Color scanner 3 Input device 4 Display device 5 Database system 6 Red filter 7 Attribute storage unit 8 Image information storage unit 11 Input unit 12 Image data input processing unit 13 Mark identification unit 14 Mark extraction unit 15 Association processing unit 16 Image data registration processing unit 17 Spreadsheet software 18 Storage device 21 Primary storage device 22 Secondary storage device 31 Characteristic part 32 Red mark 34 ... Import number 35 ... Relation column (A) ... Image with mark (B) ... Image without mark (C) ... Extraction coordinate value (D) ... Symbol image (E) ... Attribute list (F) ... Related information file

Claims (4)

When registering image data captured by a scanner from an image capture target, in an attribute information registration system for associating the capture target attribute information with the image data,
Symbolic image cutout means for cutting out only a square inner region surrounding a portion marked for the capture target as a symbolic image from image data captured by the scanner,
Wherein while taking target attribute information and lists the excised symbolic images, association processing means for receiving an input process you associate the image data to be registered and attribute information of the image data created in advance An attribute information registration system comprising: The mark is attached to the characteristic portion in a color that is not used for the image capture target, and capture of image data to be a symbol image cutout target is performed by a color scanner,
The symbol image extracting means,
Mark identification means for calculating the coordinate value of the mark position based on the color of the mark,
2. The attribute information registration system according to claim 1, further comprising a mark portion extracting means for extracting a characteristic portion marked based on the coordinate value as the symbol image. The image data to be registered is separately captured by a color scanner via a color filter of the same color as the mark, separately from the image data to be extracted as the symbol image. Described attribute information registration system. When registering the image data captured by the scanner from the image capture target, a program that controls an attribute information registration system for associating the attribute information of the capture target with the image data,
Symbolic image cutout means for cutting out only a square inner region surrounding a portion marked for the capture target as a symbolic image from image data captured by the scanner,
With list attribute information and the cut-out symbolic image of the capturing target, as association processing means for receiving an input process you associate the image data to be registered with the pre-made attribute information,
A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function is recorded.

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