JP4278524B2 - Image processing apparatus, method and program, and image processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, method and program for acquiring and storing character data corresponding to a character string based on image information representing the character string, and an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus is applied.

  Conventionally, from the image information obtained by optically reading medical records such as medical charts, each column on the form (for example, medical record number, patient name column, patient address column, doctor name column in charge, examination result column, etc.) A system has been proposed in which handwritten characters are extracted as divided image information, and character data corresponding to a character string represented by each piece of divided image information is acquired and stored (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-143973). In this conventional system, an image processing computer captures image information from a scanner that optically reads a form, and the image processing computer extracts divided image information corresponding to each column on the form from the image information. Then, the image processing computer distributes and transmits the divided image information corresponding to each column on the form to a plurality of worker terminals via the input management computer and the network.

  In each worker terminal, the image of the column on the form represented by the received divided image information is displayed on the screen, and the character data corresponding to the character string (written in hand) written in the column by the worker while viewing the image is displayed. Is input, the character data is transmitted to the input management computer. When the input management computer receives character data corresponding to each column on the form from each worker terminal, the input management computer stores and manages the character data as representing the character string described in each column on the form.

According to such a system, an image representing a character string described in each column of a form is distributed as divided image information to a plurality of work terminals, and information (for example, input work at each work terminal is very limited) Since only the character string described in one column) is performed, even if the personal information is described on the form, each worker cannot know the entire personal information. Accordingly, it is possible to convert characters handwritten on the form into character data that can be processed by a computer while maintaining a high level of privacy protection.
JP-A-11-143973

  However, in the system as described above, since the order of the divided image information to be distributed to each work terminal is not particularly considered, the input operation at each work terminal cannot always be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional drawback, and an image processing apparatus and method capable of more efficiently acquiring character data corresponding to a character string from image information representing the character string. And an image processing system to which such an image processing apparatus is applied.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network, and the first processing terminal should be ordered according to at least a predetermined rule. Image information storage means for storing the first image information representing the character string and the second image information representing the second character string representing the second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string, A first image information transmitting unit configured to transmit a predetermined number of first image information stored in the image information storing unit to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be displayed; When a predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of first character data is received. A first image representing a first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by Image distribution order determining means for determining the distribution order of the second image information associated with the information, and a predetermined number of second images stored in the image information storage means in accordance with the distribution order determined by the image distribution determination means Second image information transmitting means for transmitting the image information as information to be displayed to the second operator terminal via the predetermined network, and the transmitted first information received from the second operator terminal. Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the second image information, and second image information associated with the second image information representing the second character string corresponding to the second character data. Represented by one image information The first character string in association with first character data corresponding a configuration and a data storage control means for storing in the data storage means that.

  With such a configuration, when a predetermined number of first image information is transmitted to the first operator terminal, the first operator terminal is represented by each of the predetermined number of first image information. The first character data input operation corresponding to one character string can be performed. When the predetermined number of the first character data is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of character strings represented by the predetermined number of first character data are ordered according to a predetermined rule. The distribution order of the second image information associated with the first image information representing the first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data is determined. If the character string represented by the first character data input at the first operator terminal matches the first character string, the first character string and the second character string have a predetermined relationship. Therefore, the distribution order of the second image information (representing the second character string) determined as described above is the ordering according to the predetermined rule for the first character string and the first order. This is in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the character string and the second character string. Therefore, the second operator terminal has a distribution order corresponding to the ordering according to the predetermined rule for the first character string with a predetermined relationship between the first character string and the second character string. A predetermined number of second image information is transmitted.

  When a predetermined number of second image information is transmitted to the second operator terminal according to such a distribution order, the second operator terminal is represented by each of the predetermined number of second image information according to the order. The second character data input operation corresponding to the second character string can be performed. That is, in the second operator terminal, in an order corresponding to the ordering according to the predetermined rule for the first character string with a predetermined relationship between the first character string and the second character string, The second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by each of the predetermined number of second image information can be input.

  When the second character data is received from the second operator terminal, the first image information associated with the second image information representing the second character string corresponding to the second character data The first character data corresponding to the first character string to be represented is associated and stored in the data storage means. As a result, the first image information and the second image information representing the first character string and the second character string having a predetermined relationship correspond to the first character string and the second character string. It is converted into one character data and second character data, and these character data are associated and stored in the data storage means.

The first operator terminal and the second operator terminal may be configured by the same computer device or may be configured by separate computer devices. Further, when they are configured by separate computer devices, the network connecting the first operator terminal to the image processing device and the network connecting the second operator terminal to the image processing device are the same. May be different.

  The image processing apparatus may be composed of a single computer apparatus or a plurality of computer apparatuses connected to each other.

  The number of first image information (predetermined number) to be transmitted to the first operator terminal and the first character data received from the first operator terminal necessary for determining the distribution order of the second image information The number (predetermined number) and the number of second image information (predetermined number) transmitted to the second operator terminal may be the same or different.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the image distribution order determination unit is specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. A queue accumulating unit for accumulating the file name every time the first character data is received from the first operator terminal as a file to be processed, and a predetermined number of file names accumulated in the queue accumulating unit Sorting means for sorting in order of ordering according to a predetermined rule, and determining the distribution order of the second image information in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted by the sorting means It can be set as the structure to do.

  According to such a configuration, a predetermined number of file names that respectively specify the file names of the first character data are sorted in the order of ordering according to a predetermined rule for the first character string, and the sorted predetermined The distribution order of the second image information is determined in the order of the number of file names. Since the file name is represented by a character string of a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data of the file specified by the file name, the distribution order of the second image information is This corresponds to the order of ordering the predetermined number of character strings represented by the predetermined number of first character data according to the predetermined rule.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the first character string may be a kana character string, and the second character string may be a kanji character string corresponding to the kana character string.

  According to such a configuration, the distribution order of the second image information representing the kanji character string corresponds to the predetermined ordering order for the kana character string corresponding to the kanji character string. Therefore, in the second operator terminal, the second character data corresponding to the kanji character string represented by the second image information can be input in accordance with the order corresponding to the predetermined ordering for the kana character string. become.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that the ordering according to the predetermined rule is an ordering according to the order of 50 notes.

  According to such a configuration, the distribution order of the second image information representing the kanji character string can be set in the order according to the order of the Japanese syllabary. In the second operator terminal, the kanji character represented by the second image information. The second character data input operation corresponding to the column can be performed in the order of the Japanese syllabary.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that the number of characters in the first character string is smaller than the number of characters in the second character string.

With such a configuration, the input operation of the second character data corresponding to the second image information representing the second character string having a larger number of characters is made to a predetermined rule for the first character string having a smaller number of characters. It becomes possible to perform in the order corresponding to the order of the ordering according to. Therefore, the input operation of the first character data corresponding to the first character string representing the first image information and the second character data corresponding to the second character string representing the second image information is efficient as a whole. Can be done automatically.

  Furthermore, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that the first character string is a character string representing a zip code, and the second character string is a character string representing an address corresponding to the zip code. be able to.

  According to such a configuration, the distribution order of the second image information representing the address corresponds to the predetermined ordering order for the zip code corresponding to the address. Therefore, the second operator terminal can perform an input operation of the second character data corresponding to the address represented by the second image information in accordance with the order corresponding to the predetermined ordering order with respect to the zip code.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that the ordering according to the predetermined rule is an ordering according to the ascending order or descending order of the zip codes.

  With this configuration, the distribution order of the second image information representing the address can correspond to the order according to the ascending order or the descending order of the zip code. In the second operator terminal, the second image information The second character data input operation corresponding to the address represented by can be performed in the order corresponding to the ascending order or descending order of the postal codes.

  An image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method in an apparatus in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network, and is ordered according to at least a predetermined rule. Image information storage means for storing first image information representing a first character string to be associated with second image information representing a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string A first image information transmission step of transmitting a predetermined number of first image information stored in the first image information to the first operator terminal as information to be displayed via the predetermined network; When the predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the image information is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of first character data is represented. A predetermined number of character strings associated with first image information representing a first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule. An image distribution order determining step for determining the distribution order of the second image information, and a predetermined number of second image information stored in the image information storage means according to the distribution order determined in the image distribution determining step. A second image information transmitting step for transmitting to the second operator terminal as information to be provided to the second operator terminal, and the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal. Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the second character information and first image information associated with the second image information representing the second character string corresponding to the second character data. Represented The first character string in association with first character data corresponding a configuration and a data storage control step of storing in the data storage means that.

  Further, in the image processing method according to the present invention, the image distribution order determination step is specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. A queue control step for storing the file name in the queue storage means each time the first character data is received from the first operator terminal as a file to be processed, and a predetermined number stored in the queue storage means A sorting step for sorting the file names in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule, and the second image information in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted in the sorting step The distribution order may be determined.

  A program according to the present invention is a program for executing processing steps in a computer device in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network, and at least according to a predetermined rule First image information representing a first character string to be ordered and second image information representing a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string are stored in association with each other. A first image information transmission step of transmitting a predetermined number of first image information stored in the image information storage means to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be displayed; and the transmission When a predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information is received from the first operator terminal, A first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by the number of first character data An image distribution order determining step for determining the distribution order of the second image information associated with the first image information representing, and the image information storing means according to the distribution order determined in the image distribution determining step. A second image information transmission step for transmitting the predetermined number of second image information as information to be displayed to the second operator terminal via the predetermined network; and a second image information transmission step received from the second operator terminal. Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the transmitted second image information, and a second image representing the second character string corresponding to the second character data Information and association The computer device is configured to execute a data storage control step of associating and storing the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information displayed in the data storage means. .

  In the program according to the present invention, the image distribution order determination step is specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. A queue control step for storing the file name in the queue storage means each time the first character data is received from the first operator terminal as a file, and a predetermined number of files stored in the queue storage means Sorting the names in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rules, and distributing the second image information in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted in the sorting step It can be set as the structure which determines an order.

An image processing system according to the present invention includes an image processing device, a first operator terminal connected to the image processing device via a predetermined network, and a first operator terminal connected to the image processing device via a predetermined network. And a second operator terminal, wherein the image processing apparatus includes at least first image information representing a first character string to be ordered according to a predetermined rule, and a predetermined relationship with the first character string. Image information storage means for storing the second image information representing the second character string in association with each other, and a predetermined number of pieces of first image information stored in the image information storage means via the predetermined network. First image information transmitting means for transmitting to the first operator terminal, wherein the first operator terminal includes a first display unit and the image First display control means for displaying the first character string on the first display unit based on the first image information received from the physical device, and the first display unit in response to an input operation of an operator The first character data input means for inputting the first character data corresponding to the first character string displayed on the first character data, and the first character data input by the first character data input means is the predetermined character First character data transmission means for transmitting to the image processing apparatus via the network, the image processing apparatus corresponds to the first character string represented by the transmitted first image information When a predetermined number of received first character data is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of character strings represented by the predetermined number of first character data are ordered according to the predetermined rule. In order, Image distribution order determining means for determining a distribution order of second image information associated with the first image information representing the first character string corresponding to each of the first character data, and the image distribution determination Second image information transmission means for transmitting a predetermined number of second image information stored in the image information storage means to the second operator terminal via the predetermined network in accordance with the distribution order determined by the means And the second operator terminal displays the second character string on the second display unit based on the second display unit and the second image information received from the image processing apparatus. Second display control means for causing the second character data input means for inputting second character data corresponding to the second character string displayed on the second display unit in response to an input operation of the operator; , Second character data transmission means for transmitting the second character data input by the second character data input means to the image processing device via the predetermined network, the image processing device, Furthermore, the second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal, and the second character data Data stored in the data storage means in association with the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information associated with the second image information representing the second character string The storage control unit is included.

  The first operator terminal and the second operator terminal may be configured by the same computer device or may be configured by separate computer devices. Further, when they are configured by separate computer devices, the network connecting the first operator terminal to the image processing device and the network connecting the second operator terminal to the image processing device are the same. May be different.

  The image processing apparatus may be composed of a single computer apparatus or a plurality of computer apparatuses connected to each other.

  The number of first image information (predetermined number) to be transmitted to the first operator terminal and the first character data received from the first operator terminal necessary for determining the distribution order of the second image information The number (predetermined number) and the number of second image information (predetermined number) transmitted to the second operator terminal may be the same or different.

  In the image processing system according to the present invention, the first operator terminal is a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data input by the first character data input means. Control means for causing the first character data transmission means to transmit the first character data as a file specified by a file name represented by the character of the image, and determining the image distribution order in the image processing apparatus Each time the means receives the first character data as the file, a queue accumulation control unit that accumulates a file name that identifies the file in a queue accumulation unit, and a predetermined accumulation stored in the queue accumulation unit Sorting means for sorting a number of file names in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule, and the predetermined number of files sorted by the sorting means. At the name of the order, it may be configured for determining the distribution order of the second image information.

  According to the image processing apparatus, method, program, and image processing system according to the present invention, the second operator terminal includes the first character string and the first character string in order according to the predetermined rule with respect to the first character string. A predetermined number of second image information is transmitted in a corresponding distribution order with a predetermined relationship between the two character strings. Then, the second operator terminal can input the second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by each of the predetermined number of second image information according to the distribution order. become. For this reason, the input operation of the second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by each of the predetermined number of second image information is performed with the first character having a predetermined relationship with the second character string. It becomes possible to perform in an order depending on the order of ordering according to a predetermined rule for the character string, and an efficient input operation of the second character data can be performed.

Accordingly, an image processing apparatus, method and program capable of more efficiently acquiring character data corresponding to a character string from image information representing the character string, and an image processing system to which such an image processing apparatus is applied are realized. can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A form having an image to be processed by an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, on a surface 10a of a sheet-like form 10, a Kana name column 11a, a kanji name column 12a, a postal code column 13a, an address column 14a, a telephone number column 15a, each of which is composed of characters and lines, The column 16a and other columns are printed as a visible image with visible ink. Further, on the back surface 10b of the form 10, a barcode (hereinafter referred to as the Kana name column barcode) 11b associated with the Kana name column 11a and a barcode ( Hereinafter, a bar code associated with the postal code field 13a (hereinafter referred to as a postal code field bar code) 13b and a bar code associated with the address field 14a (hereinafter referred to as an address field bar code). ) 14b, the barcode (hereinafter referred to as the telephone number column barcode) 15b associated with the telephone number column 15a and the barcode (hereinafter referred to as the name column barcode) 16b associated with the name column 16a are invisible with invisible ink. It is printed as an image. The invisible ink is used for printing an image that cannot be visually recognized under natural light that has been conventionally known but can be visually recognized by irradiating with light of a special wavelength (for example, ultraviolet rays). Ink. Therefore, the bar codes 11b to 16b cannot be visually recognized with the naked eye on the tenth form.

  Each bar code includes a document identification code for specifying the type of the form 10, an acceptance code issued for each form, an item code for specifying an associated field (Kana name field, Kanji name field, etc.), and It includes at least a position coordinate code representing position information (for example, position coordinates of each vertex of the rectangular area) in the form 10 (10a) of the predetermined area (rectangular area) including the associated column.

  In each column 11a to 16a printed on the surface 10a of the form 10, characters are entered by handwriting. That is, the name in the Kana name column 11a is Kana characters (for example, “Morita Hiroyuki”), the name in the Kanji name column 12a is in Kanji (for example, “Yuji Morita”), and the postal code column 13a is in the address. , The address field 14a, the telephone field 15a, the telephone number, and the name field 16a, the matters relating to the right holder, are entered by handwriting.

  The image processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as shown in FIG.

2, this system includes a processing server 100 (image processing apparatus), a form reading terminal 110, an image scanner 120, and a plurality of operator terminals 211 (1),..., 211 (n), 221 (1), ... 221 (m),... Are connected to the LAN. In this system, operator terminals 211 (1) to 211 (n) are operator terminals 221 () as a terminal group 210 for inputting kana character data corresponding to the kana name entered in the kana name column 11a of the form 10. 1) to 221 (m) are used as a terminal group 220 for inputting kanji name character data corresponding to the kanji name entered in the kanji name column 12a of the form 10. Although not shown, a terminal group for inputting numeric data corresponding to the postal code entered in the postal code column 13a and a terminal group for inputting character data corresponding to the address entered in the address column 14a. A terminal group for inputting numeric data corresponding to the telephone number entered in the telephone column 15a, and a terminal group for inputting character data corresponding to matters related to the holder entered in the name column 16a Included in the operator terminal.

  The image scanner 120 has a light source (for example, an LED) used for reading a visible image and a light source (for example, an ultraviolet light source) used for reading an invisible image, and is described above under the control of the form reading terminal 110. As described above, visible images (including images of handwritten characters described in each column and each column) formed on the front surface of the form 10 and invisible images (including barcodes associated with each column) formed on the back surface 10b thereof. (Including the image) is optically read in one scan of the form 10. Each time a visible image and an invisible image are read for one form 10, image information representing the visible image (hereinafter referred to as document image information) and image information representing the invisible image (hereinafter referred to as a bar image) are read from the image scanner 120. A pair of code image information) is taken into the form reading terminal 110.

  When the form reading terminal 110 captures the document image information and the barcode image information as a pair, the form reading terminal 110 prints a canadian printed from the barcode image information at a predetermined position on the back surface 10b of the form 10 as shown in FIG. A name column barcode 11b, a kanji name column barcode 12b, a postal code column barcode 13b, an address column barcode 14b, a telephone number column barcode 15b, and a nominee column barcode 16b are extracted, and from each barcode, The document identification code, reception code, item code, and position coordinate code are read. The form reading terminal 110 groups the read document identification code, reception code, item code, and position coordinate code, and responds from the captured document image information based on the position coordinate code of each code group. Cut out divided image information representing the image in the column. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the divided image information 11 corresponding to the kana name field 11a, the divided image information 12 corresponding to the kanji name field 12a, the divided image information 13 corresponding to the postal code field 13a, and the address field 14a are displayed. The corresponding divided image information 14, the divided image information 15 corresponding to the telephone number column 15a, and the divided image information 16 corresponding to the name column 16a are obtained. Parameters 1 to 6 for specifying the divided image information are associated with each divided image information 11 to 16.

  The parameters for specifying each divided image information include a document identification code, a reception code, an item code, and a file name (image file name) of the divided image information. In this way, for example, the divided image information 11 corresponding to the Kana name field 11 a includes the document identification code that identifies the type of the form 10, the reception code issued for each form 10, and the Kana name field in the form 10. It is specified by the item code for specifying 11a and the image file name of the document image information 11.

  Each time the form reading terminal 110 generates parameters (document identification code, reception code, item code, and image file name) for each piece of divided image information for one form 10, each piece of divided image information and parameter is paired. Send to processing server 100. The processing server 100 generates a management record as shown in FIG. 5 from the parameters paired with the divided image information representing each column printed on the surface 10a of the form 10, and each divided image information is stored in the management record ( It accumulates in a database (storage device) in a state of being associated with each other by a basic key.

  The processing server 100 is installed with a program for executing processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 6 (including the procedure shown in FIGS. 7 and 11), and executes the processing according to this program. This program can be provided to the processing server 100 by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a semiconductor memory, or can be provided via a predetermined network.

In FIG. 6, each time the processing server 100 receives each piece of divided image information and parameters from the form reading terminal 110 due to the reading of the form 10 by the image scanner 120 as described above, the processing server 100 manages each piece of divided image data. Records (see FIG. 5) are accumulated in the queue 101. In the course of such processing, the processing server 100 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, the queue 101 is monitored (S1), and whether the read image file (set of divided image information files for one form 10) specified by the management record accumulated in the queue 101 has reached a predetermined number It is determined whether or not (S2). If it is determined that the number of read image files has reached a predetermined number (YES in S2), the processing server 100 sets operator terminals 211 (1), 211 ( 2),..., 211 (n), a predetermined number of files (Kana name character string image files) of divided image information 11 corresponding to the Kana name field 11a are distributed (S3). The Kana name character string image file can be distributed to each operator terminal 211 (1), 211 (2),..., 211 (n) in response to a request from each operator terminal. You may actively carry out from the processing server 100.

  Each operator terminal 211 (1), 211 (2),..., 211 (n) is installed with a program for executing processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. Execute. This program can be provided to each operator terminal by a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a semiconductor memory, or can be provided via a predetermined network. Hereinafter, when the operator terminals 211 (1), (2) 211 (2),..., 211 (n) are described generically, the reference number 211 is used.

  In FIG. 8, when the operator terminal 211 receives a predetermined number (for example, six) of the Kana name character string image file (the divided image information 11 representing the Kana name field 11a) from the processing server 100, an image display of the Kana name character string is displayed. Processing is performed (S11). As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, six character image display fields 213a, 214a, 215a, 216a, 217a, and 218a are formed on the display screen of the operator terminal 211, and the divided image information 11 (Kana) is displayed in each character image display field. An image of the name field 11a represented by (name character string image file) is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 9, only the character string image of the Kana name handwritten in the Kana name column 11a is shown to simplify the description. On the display screen of the operator terminal 211, kana input fields 213b, 214b, 215b, 216b, 217b, and 218b corresponding to the character image display fields 213a to 218a are formed.

In this state, the operator of the operator terminal 211 uses an input unit (for example, a keyboard) to input the kana character corresponding to the kana name image to the kana input fields 213b to 218b corresponding to the character image display fields 213a to 218a. Perform input operations. The operator terminal 211 performs input processing of Kana name character data according to the input operation of the Kana character (S12). As a result of this input process, the input Kana name characters are displayed in the Kana input fields 213b to 218b. For example, the input Kana name character “Morita Yumi” is displayed in the Kana input field 213b corresponding to the character image display field 213a in which the Kana name character string image “Morita Yumi” is displayed.

  Next, when the operator performs a predetermined operation using the input unit, the operator terminal 211 displays a predetermined number of characters (for example, characters corresponding to the characters) from the beginning of the Kana name characters displayed in the Kana input fields 213b to 218b. A file name represented by (JIS code) is generated (S13), and Kana name character data corresponding to the Kana name character is transmitted to the processing server 100 as a file specified by the file name (S14). Thereafter, the operator terminal 211 is the same as the process (S11 to S14) according to the operation of the operator while the divided image information 11 representing the Kana name field 11a transmitted from the processing server 100 exists (YES in S15). Perform processing.

When the processing server 100 receives the Kana name character data file (file name) from the operator terminal 211, the processing server 100 accumulates the Kana name character data in the database and corresponds to the Kana name character data as shown in FIG. The file name (character data file name) of the Kana name character data is added to the management record for managing the divided image information 11.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the processing server 100 receives the Kana name character data from any of the operator terminals 211 (1), 211 (2),. Each time the file is received, the management record to which the character data file name is added (see FIG. 10) is accumulated in the queue 102. In the course of such processing, the processing server 100 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. That is, the queue 102 is monitored (S21), and it is determined whether or not the number of Kana name character data files specified by the management record accumulated in the queue 102 has reached a predetermined number (S22). When it is determined that the predetermined number of Kana name character data files has reached the predetermined number (YES in S22), the processing server 100 converts the predetermined number of Kana name character data file names into the syllabary order (JIS). By sorting according to the ascending order of the codes, the management records specifying the Kana name character data file are sorted (103 in FIG. 6 and S23 in FIG. 11). Split images of kanji name characters (kanji name column 12a) corresponding to kana name characters (kana name column 11a) represented by the kana name character data in the order of the file names of the sorted kana name character data. The distribution order of the information 12 is determined.

  In accordance with the determined distribution order, the processing server 100 assigns the divided image information 12 file (kanji name text string image file) corresponding to the kanji name field 12a to each operator terminal as the terminal group 220 for inputting the kanji name. 221 (1), 221 (2),..., 221 (m) are distributed by a predetermined number (S24). It should be noted that the distribution of the kanji name character image file to each operator terminal 221 (1), 221 (2),... 221 (m) may be performed in response to a request from each operator terminal. Actively from the server 100 may be performed.

  Each operator terminal 221 (1), 221 (2),..., 221 (m) is installed with a program for executing processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. Execute. This program can be provided to each operator terminal by a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a semiconductor memory, or can be provided via a predetermined network. Hereinafter, the reference numbers 221 are used when the operator terminals 221 (1), 221 (2),... 221 (m) are described generically.

  In FIG. 12, when the operator terminal 221 receives a predetermined number (for example, six) of the kanji name character string image file (the divided image information 12 representing the kanji name column 12a) from the processing server 100, the operator terminal 221 displays an image of the kanji name character string. Processing is performed (S31). As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, six character image display fields 223a, 224a, 225a, 226a, 226a, 227a, 228a are formed on the display screen of the operator terminal 221, and the divided image information 12a is formed in each character image display field. An image of the kanji name column 12a represented by (kanji name character string file) is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 13, only the character string image of the Chinese character name handwritten in the Chinese character name field 12 a is shown to simplify the description. In this case, since the kanji name character string image file is distributed according to the kana name order corresponding to the kanji name that it represents, the kanji characters are displayed in the character image display fields 223a to 228a in the order according to the kanji name order. A character image of the name (for example, “Kazuo Morita”, “Shiro Morita”, “Jiro Morita”, “Taro Morita”, “Kazu Morita”, “Yumi Morita”) is displayed.

In addition, the display screen of the operator terminal 221 includes kanji input fields 223b, 223c, 224b, 224c, 225b, 225c, 226b, 226c, 227b, 227c, 228b, and 228c corresponding to the character image display fields 223a to 228a, respectively. It is formed. One kanji input field 223b (224b, 225b, 226b, 227b, 228b) corresponding to each character image display field is a field for inputting the “surname” of the kanji name, and the other kanji input field 223c ( 224c, 225c, 226c, 227c, and 228) are columns for inputting “name” of the kanji names.

  In this state, the operator of the operator terminal 221 uses the input unit to input the kanji characters corresponding to the kanji name image to the kanji input fields 223b to 228b and 223c to 228c corresponding to the character image display fields 223a to 228a, respectively. Perform input operations. Then, the operator terminal 221 performs input processing of kanji name character data in accordance with the input operation of the kanji characters (S32). In this case, since the kanji names are arranged in the alphabetical order in the character image display fields 223a to 228a, the character string (Morita) of the “last name” input to the kanji input field 223b corresponding to the character image display field 223a. As a result of the copy operation, the character string of the “last name” (Morita) in the kanji input fields 224b, 225b, etc. corresponding to the character image display fields 224a, 2225a, etc., where the kanji name image of the same “last name” as that “last name” is displayed. (See the broken line in FIG. 13). In addition, kanji with the same sound can be input continuously. As described above, the names of the Chinese characters are arranged in the character image display fields 223a to 228a in the order of the Japanese syllabary, so that the character strings of the names of the Chinese characters can be efficiently input. In the copy operation as described above, the information processing program of each operator terminal 221 detects the cursor movement (return key input, tab input, etc.) of the operator, and from the kanji input field before the movement to the kanji input field after the cursor movement. Just execute.

  Next, when the operator performs a predetermined operation using the input unit, the operator terminal 221 displays the kanji input field pairs (223b, 223c), (224b, 224c), (225b, 225c), (226b, 226c), A file name is generated for the kanji name character data corresponding to the kanji name displayed in (227b, 227c), (228b, 228c) (S33), and the kanji name character data is specified by the file name. The file is transmitted to the processing server 100 as a file (S34). Thereafter, the operator terminal 221 is similar to the process (S31 to S34) according to the operation of the operator while the divided image information 12 representing the kanji name field 12a transmitted from the processing server 100 exists (YES in S35). Perform processing.

  When the processing server 100 receives the kanji name character data file from the operator terminal 221, the processing server 100 accumulates the kanji name character data in the database and also manages a management record (document) for managing the divided image 12 corresponding to the kanji name character data. The file name (character data file name) of the kanji name character data is added to the identification code, the reception code, the item code (specifying the kanji name field 12a), and the image file name) (see FIG. 10). As a result, the management name (basic key) to which the file name of the Kana name character data as described above is added and the file name of the Kanji name character data representing the Kanji name corresponding to the Kana name represented by the Kana name character data are added. Kana name character data and kanji name character data associated with the management record (basic key) thus stored are accumulated in the database 105 (see FIG. 6). However, as already described in the description of FIG. 1, in this image processing system, the document identification code, the reception code, and the like that are the basis of the management record (basic key) are printed with invisible ink on the form 10. Therefore, when information is input using the form 10, the personal name, address, and other attributes specified on the form 10 are associated with the document identification code or the reception code included in the management record. The possibility of being grasped by a person (for example, an operator who inputs character information or a handler of the form 10) is extremely low.

Regarding the divided image information 13 corresponding to the postal code field 13a and the divided image information 14 corresponding to the address field 14a, the divided image information 11 corresponding to the kana name field 11a and the divided processing information corresponding to the kanji name field 12a are also described. The processing similar to the processing for 12 is performed in the processing server 100 and other operator terminals. Thereby, in the operator terminal that inputs the divided image information corresponding to the zip code field 13a, the zip code character data input in accordance with the operation of the operator is represented by characters corresponding to a predetermined number of characters from the head of the zip code. A file name is generated, and a file of postal code character data specified by the file name is sent from the operator terminal to the processing server 100. Then, the processing server 100 sorts the file names of a predetermined number of zip code character data in ascending or descending order, thereby sorting the management records specifying the zip code character data files. Then, in the order of the file name of the sorted postal code character data, the divided image information 14 of the address corresponding to the postal code represented by the postal code character data (the number of characters is larger than the number of characters of the postal code). Distribution order is determined.

  A file of divided image information 14 (address character string image file) corresponding to the address field 14a is distributed from the processing server 100 to the operator terminal in accordance with the determined distribution order. In each operator terminal, address images corresponding to postal codes ordered in ascending or descending order are displayed in order, so that the operator can continuously input address character data representing addresses in the same region (prefecture). Thus, an efficient input operation can be performed.

  For the divided image information 15 corresponding to the telephone field 15a and the divided image information 16 corresponding to the name field 16a, the divided image information 11 corresponding to the Kana name field 11a and the divided image information 13 corresponding to the postal code field 13 are used. Processing similar to the processing is performed, and telephone number character data representing a telephone number and nominee character data are stored in the database of the processing server 100.

  Through the processing described above, the database of the processing server 100 stores the Kana name, kanji name, postal code, address, telephone number, and name-related character data representing items related to the holder, which are handwritten on one form 10. Kanji name character data, postal code character data, address character data, telephone number character data, and nominee item character data are stored in the database in a state of being associated with each other by a management record as shown in FIG. Each character data can be used, for example, when outputting a form according to a predetermined format.

  Further, in this image processing system, the document identification code, the reception code, etc. that are the basis of the management record (basic key) are printed with invisible ink on the form 10. Therefore, when information is input using the form 10, the personal name, address, and other attributes specified on the form 10 are associated with the document identification code or the reception code included in the management record. The possibility of being grasped by a person (for example, an operator who inputs character information or a handler of the form 10) is extremely low. Therefore, when the form 10 is used for various applications or applications, there is a very low possibility that the third party will grasp the applicant or the applicant's personal information.

  With this function, this image processing system can be used for various applications or applications at financial institutions, securities companies, credit companies, card companies, various private institutions such as loan companies, city halls, tax offices, police and other public institutions. It contributes to the safe handling of personal information in applications or applications for loan contracts, installment sales, driver's license renewal, membership to various organizations, etc.

In the above-described embodiment, the processing server 100 distributes the divided image files 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 to different terminal groups. However, all the divided image files are batched. Can be distributed to each operator terminal, and only an image corresponding to a specific divided image file can be displayed on each operator terminal. Each operator terminal processes only a single type of divided image file. However, each operator terminal can process a plurality of types of divided image files with a time difference.

  In the above-described embodiment, the names of kana and kanji and the postal code and address have been described as examples of related character strings. However, other combinations of character strings such as combinations of silver numbers and bank names are also possible. Similar processing can be performed.

  In the embodiment described above, the divided images of the form 10 are generated by the image scanner, stored in different image files, and these files are set as a set and associated with the management record shown in FIG. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and processing. For example, a single image may be generated from the form 10 and the coordinate information of each item may be held in the management record.

  And, for example, when inputting a Kana name, the Kana name part image is cut out and displayed in the character image display field, and Kana name input and Kana name sorting of management records are performed. In this case, the image of the kanji name portion may be cut out and displayed in the character image display field. In addition, when inputting the zip code, the image of the zip code part is cut out and displayed in the character image display field, and the zip code is input and sorting is performed by the zip code of the management record. What is necessary is just to cut out the image of a part and to display it on a character image display column. Also. You can enter a financial institution code and financial institution name in the same way.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus, method, program, and image processing system according to the present invention can more efficiently acquire character data corresponding to a character string from image information representing the character string. Useful as an image processing apparatus, method and program for obtaining and storing character data corresponding to a character string based on image information representing the character string, and an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus is applied is there.

It is a figure which shows the form which has an image used as the object of the process of the image processing system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram showing an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the form which should be read with the image reader in the image processing system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the divided image cut out from the image read from the form, and the parameter which specifies the divided image. It is a figure which shows the structure of the management record for specifying the divided image cut out as shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the process sequence in the processing server of the divided image information cut out as shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in which a process server delivers the divided image information of a Kana name to an operator terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the input processing procedure of the Kana name character string in an operator terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the operator terminal which inputs a Kana name character string. It is a figure which shows the structure of the management record for specifying character data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the processing server which determines the distribution order of the divided image information corresponding to a Chinese character name column, and distributes the divided image information. It is a flowchart which shows the input processing procedure of the kanji name character string in an operator terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen of the operator terminal which inputs a Chinese character name character string.

Explanation of symbols

10 Form 11 Divided Image Information 11a Kana Name Field 11b Kana Name Field Bar Code 12 Divided Image Information 12a Kanji Name Field 12b Kanji Name Field Bar Code 13 Divided Image Information 13a Zip Code Field 13b Zip Code Field Bar Code 14 Divided Image Information 14a Address Field 14b Address field barcode 15 Divided image information 15a Telephone number field 15b Telephone number field barcode 16 Divided image information 16a Name field 16b Name field barcode 100 Processing server 110 Form reading terminal 120 Image scanner 210, 220 Terminal group 211 (1 ) To 211 (n) operator terminal 221 (1) to 221 (m) operator terminal

Claims (13)

An image processing apparatus in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network,
At least first image information representing a first character string to be ordered according to a predetermined rule, and second image information representing a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string; Image information storage means for storing the information in association with each other,
First image information transmission means for transmitting a predetermined number of first image information stored in the image information storage means to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be displayed;
When a predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the transmitted first image information is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of first characters A first image representing a first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by data Image distribution order determining means for determining the distribution order of the second image information associated with the information;
The second operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be provided for display with a predetermined number of second image information stored in the image information storage means in accordance with the distribution order determined by the image distribution determination means Second image information transmitting means for transmitting to
Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal, and a second character data corresponding to the second character data Storage control for associating and storing in the data storage means the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information associated with the second image information representing the character string of And an image processing apparatus. The image distribution order determination means determines the first character data as a file specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. Queue storage means for storing the file name every time it is received from the first operator terminal;
Sorting means for sorting a predetermined number of file names stored in the queue storage means in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule;
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution order of the second image information is determined in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted by the sorting means. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first character string is a kana character string, and the second character string is a kanji character string corresponding to the kana character string. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the ordering according to the predetermined rule is an ordering according to the order of 50 notes. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of characters of the first character string is smaller than the number of characters of the second character string. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first character string is a character string representing a zip code, and the second character string is a character string representing an address corresponding to the zip code. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ordering according to the predetermined rule is ordering according to an ascending order or a descending order of postal codes. An image processing method in an apparatus in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network,
At least first image information representing a first character string to be ordered according to a predetermined rule, and second image information representing a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string; First image information transmitted to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be displayed as a predetermined number of pieces of first image information stored in the image information storage unit Sending step;
When a predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the transmitted first image information is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of first characters A first image representing a first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by data An image distribution order determining step for determining a distribution order of the second image information associated with the information;
The second operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be provided for display with a predetermined number of second image information stored in the image information storage means in accordance with the distribution order determined in the image distribution determination step A second image information transmission step to be transmitted to
Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal, and a second character data corresponding to the second character data Storage control for associating and storing in the data storage means the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information associated with the second image information representing the character string of And an image processing method. In the image distribution order determination step, the first character data is defined as a file specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. A queue control step of storing the file name in a queue storage means each time it is received from the first operator terminal;
A sorting step of sorting a predetermined number of file names stored in the queue storage means in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule;
9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the distribution order of the second image information is determined in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted in the sorting step. A program for executing processing steps in a computer device in which a first operator terminal and a second operator terminal are connected via a predetermined network,
At least first image information representing a first character string to be ordered according to a predetermined rule, and second image information representing a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string; First image information transmitted to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be displayed as a predetermined number of pieces of first image information stored in the image information storage unit Sending step;
When a predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the transmitted first image information is received from the first operator terminal, the predetermined number of first characters A first image representing a first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by data An image distribution order determining step for determining a distribution order of the second image information associated with the information;
The second operator terminal via the predetermined network as information to be provided for display with a predetermined number of second image information stored in the image information storage means in accordance with the distribution order determined in the image distribution determination step A second image information transmission step to be transmitted to
Second character data corresponding to the second character string represented by the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal, and a second character data corresponding to the second character data Storage control for associating and storing in the data storage means the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information associated with the second image information representing the character string of For causing the computer apparatus to execute steps. In the image distribution order determination step, the first character data is defined as a file specified by a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data. A queue control step of storing the file name in a queue storage means each time it is received from the first operator terminal;
A sorting step of sorting a predetermined number of file names stored in the queue storage means in an order of ordering according to the predetermined rule;
11. The program according to claim 10, wherein the distribution order of the second image information is determined in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted in the sorting step. An image processing apparatus, a first operator terminal connected to the image processing apparatus via a predetermined network, and a second operator terminal connected to the image processing apparatus via a predetermined network,
The image processing device represents at least first image information representing a first character string to be ordered according to a predetermined rule, and a second character string having a predetermined relationship with the first character string. Image information storage means for storing the second image information in association with each other;
First image information transmission means for transmitting a predetermined number of first image information stored in the image information storage means to the first operator terminal via the predetermined network;
The first operator terminal includes a first display unit,
First display control means for displaying the first character string on the first display unit based on the first image information received from the image processing device;
First character data input means for inputting first character data corresponding to the first character string displayed on the first display unit in response to an input operation by the operator;
First character data transmission means for transmitting the first character data input by the first character data input means to the image processing device via the predetermined network;
The image processing apparatus receives the predetermined number of first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the transmitted first image information from the first operator terminal. A first character string corresponding to each of the predetermined number of first character data in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule of the predetermined number of character strings represented by the number of first character data Image distribution order determining means for determining the distribution order of the second image information associated with the first image information representing
A second number of second image information stored in the image information storage unit according to the distribution order determined by the image distribution determination unit is transmitted to the second operator terminal via the predetermined network. Image information transmission means,
The second operator terminal includes a second display unit,
Second display control means for displaying the second character string on the second display unit based on second image information received from the image processing device;
Second character data input means for inputting second character data corresponding to the second character string displayed on the second display unit in response to an input operation by the operator;
Second character data transmission means for transmitting the second character data input by the second character data input means to the image processing device via the predetermined network;
The image processing apparatus further includes second character data corresponding to a second character string represented by the transmitted second image information received from the second operator terminal, and the second character data. Data in association with the first character data corresponding to the first character string represented by the first image information associated with the second image information representing the second character string corresponding to the character data of An image processing system comprising data storage control means for storing in a storage means. The first operator terminal is a file name represented by a predetermined number of characters from the beginning of the character string represented by the first character data input by the first character data input means. Control means for transmitting the first character data as the specified file to the first character data transmitting means;
The image distribution order determination means in the image processing apparatus, each time the first character data is received as the file, a queue accumulation control means for accumulating a file name for identifying the file in a queue accumulation means,
Sorting means for sorting a predetermined number of file names stored in the queue storage means in the order of ordering according to the predetermined rule;
13. The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the distribution order of the second image information is determined in the order of the predetermined number of file names sorted by the sorting means.

Images