JP4922151B2 - Form reading system, form reading method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention form read tosylate stem, form reading method, and a program.

A form may be read as image data and displayed as an image. If the form is read at a high resolution at this time, the visibility of the image is improved, but the data amount of the image data is increased, which is not suitable for transferring or storing the image data. When read at a low resolution, the amount of data can be kept small, but the visibility of the image may be reduced.
In addition, after reading a sheet on which information is described as low-resolution image data, a technique for reading an arbitrary portion of the sheet with high-resolution image data and combining these images into one image data is disclosed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-80138 A

By the way, an identifier for identifying an item to be entered may be printed on a form. This identifier is printed with a relatively small character size, and as a result, it is often necessary to read with a higher resolution than other parts.
However, it takes a lot of labor to select only the area where the identifier exists from the form and read it separately from the other parts.
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a form reading device, a form reading system, and a program that can easily classify the resolution between an identifier and another part.

A form reading apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a unit that reads, as image data, a form on which an identifier composed of a plurality of consecutive characters for identifying items entered by a user is printed, Means for storing the size of the character, means for detecting the identifier from the image data based on the stored character and the size of the character;
The apparatus comprises: means for determining an area surrounding the identifier arranged on the form based on the detection result; and means for storing the arrangement of the determined area.

  The form reading system according to one aspect of the present invention includes means for storing an area on a form in which an identifier for identifying an item to be entered by a user is arranged, and the character or mark entered by the user Means for reading a form as first image data; means for dividing the first image data into second image data corresponding to the area; and third image data not corresponding to the area; Means for converting the resolution of the image data to a low resolution, means for transmitting the second and third image data, arrangement information of the third image with respect to the second image, and the second and third The image data, means for receiving the arrangement information of the third image relative to the second image, means for combining the second image and the third image based on the arrangement information, and the combination Image data Characterized in that it comprises a Shimesuru means.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a unit that reads a form on which an identifier composed of a plurality of consecutive characters for identifying items to be entered by a user is printed as image data; Means for storing the size, means for detecting the identifier from the image data based on the stored character and the size of the character, and the identifier arranged on the form based on the detection result A computer is caused to function as means for determining an area to be enclosed and means for storing the arrangement of the determined area.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a form reading apparatus, a form reading system, and a program that can easily classify the resolution between an identifier and another part.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a form processing system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The form processing system 1 reads the form as image data, automatically determines the part of the image data whose resolution should be changed, divides it into high-resolution image data and low-resolution image data, and combines them into one This is a form reading system that outputs an image.
The form processing system 1 includes a table creation apparatus 100, a form reading apparatus 200, and a form display apparatus 300. The table creation device 100 and the like are connected by, for example, a LAN (local area network) and / or the Internet.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form 400a. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a form 400b showing a state where a user (user) has entered various information in the form 400a shown in FIG.
The form 400a is read as high-resolution image data by the table creation apparatus 100. The form 400b is read as high-resolution image data by the form reading apparatus 200.
“High resolution” is, for example, a resolution of 300 dpi (Dot Per Inch) or higher. Resolutions below 300 dpi are referred to as “low resolution”. For example, the image data can be read in a BMP (Bit Map) file format.
Image data read as a BMP file can be converted into compressed image data such as GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) or JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group).

Frames 401 to 412 composed of vertical and horizontal line segments are arranged on the form 400a.
Frames 401 to 412 are areas in which a user's (user) character or mark (for example, “◯” (circle mark)) is written with a writing tool (for example, a pencil or a ballpoint pen).
A plurality of items are printed in the frames 401 to 412, and marks representing items selected by the user (user) are arranged. The items printed and marked are, for example, the characters “address” in the frame 402, the characters “new” and “continue” in the frame 408, and the dotted line “◯” to indicate that this character has been selected.

In the frames 402 to 406 and the frames 409 to 412, areas 407 a to 407 i in which item numbers 406 a to 406 i are printed are arranged, respectively. The “item number” is sometimes abbreviated as “item number”. In general, it may be referred to as “item code”.
The item numbers 406a to 406i function as identifiers indicating items to be entered by the user (user) using the writing tool.
The item numbers 406a to 406i are all composed of three characters. The item numbers 406a to 406i can be expressed by appropriately combining numbers, katakana and alphabets such as “123”, “I 04”, and “B a5”.

The item numbers 406a to 406i are printed with different character sizes in accordance with the widths of the frames 402 to 406 and the frames 409 to 412, respectively. The size of the character is represented by P (point).
For example, in the form 400a, item numbers 406a to 406g are printed in 7 to 8P (7 to 8 points), and item numbers 406h and 406i are printed in 5P.
Among the item numbers 406a to 406i, when the forms 400a and 400b are read as low-resolution image data, those printed with the size of characters that are crushed on the image data are referred to as “minimum item numbers”.

For example, item numbers of 6P or less are minimum item numbers. That is, item numbers 406h and 406i are minimum item numbers.
The areas 407a to 407i are arranged one by one near each printed item (for example, the area 407a is arranged near the right side of the “address” printed in the frame 402).

  Here, the image data of the form 400b (see FIG. 3) divided into high-resolution image data and low-resolution image data by the form processing system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing image data of the divided form 400b.

Here, in order to simplify the description, a case will be described in which the item numbers 406a to 406i arranged on the form 400b are all minimum item numbers.
The form 400b is read as high-resolution image data 500 by the form processing system 1. The image data 500 is divided into image data 500a to 500i including the printed minimum item number and image data 500j not including the image data 500a to 500i.

  That is, the image data 500j is image data obtained by extracting the image data 500a to 500i from the image data 500. Note that the diagonal lines of the image data 500j in FIG. 4 are for easy viewing of the extracted image data 500a to 500i, and there is no diagonal line in the actual image data 500j.

  The image data 500j is converted into low-resolution image data by the form processing system 1, and then combined with the image data 500a to 500i. The combined image data is the same as the image data 500. However, the resolution of the portion corresponding to the image data 500j is different from that of the image data 500.

Next, the table creation apparatus 100, the form reading apparatus 200, and the form display apparatus 300 that constitute the form processing system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the minimum item numbers arranged in the forms 400a and 400b are the item numbers 406h and 406i as shown in FIGS.
First, the table creation apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the table creation device 100.
The table creation device 100 functions as a form reading device that reads the form 400a.
The table creating apparatus 100 extracts the minimum item number printed on the form 400a, and determines any of the regions 407a to 407i where the extracted minimum item number is to be divided as high-resolution image data. To do.

The table creation device 100 includes a form image reading device 110, a storage unit 120, a form reading device main body 130, a display unit 140, an input unit 150, and an external communication unit 160.
The form image reading apparatus 110 is an apparatus that optically reads a form 400a (see FIG. 2), for example, a scanner, and includes a form holding unit 111, a form extraction unit 112, and a form reading unit 113.
The form holding unit 111 holds the form 400a. The form 400a is taken out from the form holding unit 111, read, and returned.
The form image reading apparatus 110 starts reading the form 400a by an operation of an operator called an operator.
The form image reading apparatus 110 reads the form 400a in order to extract the item numbers 406h and 406i which are the minimum item numbers arranged in the form 400a.
Based on the read image data of the form 400a, the regions 407h and 407i where the image item numbers 406h and 406i are arranged are determined as parts to be divided as high-resolution image data.
The form takeout unit 112 takes out the form 400 a from the form holding unit 111 and sends it to the form reading unit 113, and returns the read form 400 a to the form holding unit 111.
The form reading unit 113 optically reads the form 400a. That is, the form reading unit 113 is means for reading the form 400a as image data.

  The form reading unit 113 includes a light source, a linear sensor, and a scanning drive unit. The light source irradiates the form 400a with light. In the linear sensor, photoelectric conversion elements such as a CCD are arranged one-dimensionally, and the reflected light from the form 400a is output as an electrical signal of luminance data. The scan driver scans the linear sensor on the form 400a. By continuously scanning the linear sensor on the form 400a, two-dimensional image data of the form 400a can be obtained.

The storage unit 120 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and includes an item number pattern storage unit 121, an image data holding unit 122, and an item number area information holding unit 123.
The item number pattern storage unit 121 stores in advance item number patterns corresponding to the item numbers 406a to 406i printed on the form 400a. “Pattern” is a character string corresponding to the item numbers 406a to 406i arranged in the form 400a (for example, “123”, “I 04”, “B a5”).
The image data holding unit 122 holds the image data of the form 400 a read by the form reading unit 113. The form reading apparatus main body 130 includes a reading control unit 131, a frame extraction unit 132, a minimum item number extraction unit 133, a minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134, and a minimum item number correction unit 135.

The apparatus main body 130 can be configured by a computer and a program (for example, an OS (operating system), an application program). A CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the computer operates as a program, so that the computer functions as the reading control unit 131 and the like.
The reading control unit 131 controls the form image reading apparatus 110 to read the form 400a as image data, and cause the image data holding unit 122 to hold the read image data. Note that the reading control unit 131 reads the form 400a as high-resolution image data. The image data of the form 400a read at high resolution is converted into low resolution (for example, 200 dpi) image data only in the area where the minimum item number is arranged later.

The frame extraction unit 132 extracts the frames 401 to 412 on the form 400a from the image data held in the image data holding unit 122.
The frame extraction unit 132 detects vertical and horizontal line segments on the image data of the form 400a in order to extract the frames 401 to 412. The frame extraction unit 132 has a threshold for determining a line segment. This threshold is information indicating the length.
The frame extraction unit 132 compares this threshold value with the length of the detected line segment. If the line segment detected as a result of the comparison is longer than the threshold value, the line segment detected in the extraction region 13 is determined as a line segment constituting the frames 401 to 412.

The frame extraction unit 132 generates coordinate information of intersections of line segments that form the frames 401 to 412. This coordinate information is represented by the distance (relative distance) between the reference position of the form 400a and the four corners of the detected intersection.
The reference position is appropriately defined on the form 400a (as an example, the upper left corner and the lower right corner of the form). The reference position may be one, but it is preferable to set the reference position to two or more in consideration of the possibility that the form is read in a tilted state.
The frame extracting unit 132 causes the item number area information holding unit 123 to hold the calculated coordinate information.

The minimum item number extraction unit 133 reads the coordinate information generated by the frame extraction unit 132 from the item number region information holding unit 123, and item numbers 406a to 406i are arranged in the frames 401 to 412 corresponding to the read coordinate information. It is determined whether or not.
The minimum item number extraction unit 133 detects vertical and horizontal line segments in the frames 401 to 412 to determine whether or not the item numbers 406a to 406i are arranged, and the character strings in the frames 401 to 412 are detected. Extract and further extract the size of this string.
The minimum item number extraction unit 133 compares the extracted character string with the item number pattern stored in the item number pattern storage unit 121, and determines whether or not the extracted character string is the item number 406a to 406i. .

The minimum item number extraction unit 133 determines the character size on the form of the character string determined as one of the item numbers 406a to 406i. The minimum item number extraction unit 133 has a threshold for character size determination. The threshold is information indicating 6P, for example.
The minimum item number extraction unit 133 determines the item number 406a to 406i that is 6P or less as the minimum item number (here, item numbers 406h and 406i).
The minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 generates the coordinate information of the regions 407a to 407i in which the minimum item numbers determined by the minimum item number extraction unit 133 are arranged as the minimum item number coordinates (here, the coordinate information of the regions 407h and 407i). Is generated). The coordinate information of the areas 407a to 407i is represented, for example, by the distance (relative distance) between the reference position of the form 400a and the four corners of the extracted minimum item number.

The minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 creates a table T1 in which the minimum item number coordinate and information indicating that the item number corresponding to the minimum item number coordinate is the minimum item number are associated with each other.
The minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 holds the table T1 in the item number region holding unit 123.
The minimum item number correction unit 135 corrects the extraction results of the item numbers 406a to 406i in the minimum item number extraction unit 133 based on the operation of the operator (operator), and reflects the correction results in the table T1.

For this correction, the display unit 140 and the input unit 150 are used.
“Correction of minimum item number” is to determine the item number that is not extracted by the minimum item number extraction unit 133 among the item numbers 406a to 406i as the minimum item number.
The display unit 140 is a display device that displays an image, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display device.
The display unit 140 displays an image of the form 400a read by the form image reading device 110.
The display unit 140 can also display a pointer controlled by the input unit 150.
The input unit 150 is an input device for inputting information for correcting the extraction results of the item numbers 406a to 406i in the minimum item number extraction unit 133, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

The external communication unit 160 outputs the table T1 to the form reading device 200.
As described above, according to the table creating apparatus 100, the minimum item number on the image data of the form 400a is extracted, and any one of the areas 407a to 407i in which the extracted minimum item number is arranged is divided as high-resolution image data. The site to be determined can be automatically determined. Therefore, it is possible to easily classify the resolution between the minimum item number and the other part.
Further, this part can be arbitrarily designated by an operator (operator).

  Next, the form reading apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the form reading apparatus 200. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing image data divided by the form reading apparatus 200. FIG.

The form reading device 200 divides the image data of the form 400b (see FIG. 3) into one of the image data in the areas 407a to 407i where the minimum item numbers printed on the form 400b are arranged and the other image data. .
The form reading device 200 includes a form image reading device 210, a storage unit 220, a form reading device main body 230, a display unit 240, an input unit 250, and an external communication unit 260.
The form image reading apparatus 210 is an apparatus that optically reads one or a plurality of forms 400b, for example, a scanner, and includes a form holding unit 211, a form extraction unit 212, and a form reading unit 213.

The form image reading apparatus 210 has substantially the same configuration and functions as the form image reading apparatus 110, and detailed description of the form holding unit 211 and the like is omitted here.
The arrangement of the frames 401 to 412 on the image data of the form 400b read by the form image reading apparatus 210 corresponds to the arrangement on the image data of the form 400a read by the form image reading apparatus 110.

The storage unit 220 is an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and includes a minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221 and an image data holding unit 222.
The minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221 holds the table T <b> 1 output from the table creation device 100. That is, the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221 holds information indicating that the minimum item number coordinate of the form 400a and the item number corresponding to the minimum item number coordinate are the minimum item numbers.
The image data holding unit 222 holds image data of the form 400b read as an image. The image data holding unit 222 also holds image data obtained by dividing the image data of the form 400b and converting the resolution from a high resolution to a low resolution.

The form reading apparatus main body 230 includes a reading control unit 231, an image dividing unit 232, and a resolution converting unit 233.
The form reading apparatus main body 230 can be configured by a computer and a program (for example, an OS (operating system), an application program). A CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the computer operates as a program, so that the computer functions as the reading control unit 231 and the like.
The reading control unit 231 controls the form image reading apparatus 210 to read the form 400b as a high-resolution image and hold the read image data in the image data holding unit 222.
The reading control unit 231 causes the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221 to hold the table T <b> 1 received from the table creating apparatus 100 via the external communication unit 260.

The image dividing unit 232 converts the image data of the form 400b held in the image data holding unit 222 into low-resolution image data 600a (see FIG. 7) and high-resolution image data 600b (see FIG. 8) and 600c. (See FIG. 9).
The high-resolution image data 600b and 600c are image data corresponding to any of the areas 407a to 407i in which the minimum item numbers are arranged, and here are the image data of the areas 407h and 407i on the form 400b.
The low-resolution image data 600a is image data of a form 400b that does not include the regions 407h and 407i corresponding to the minimum item number coordinates.

The image dividing unit 232 refers to the table T1 held by the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221 for image data division.
The image dividing unit 232 causes the image data holding unit 222 to hold the divided image data 600a to 600c. At this time, the image dividing unit 232 adds to each of the image data 600a to 600c information indicating which resolution image they are, and correspondence information indicating that the image data 600b and 600c can be combined with the image data 600a.
“Correspondence information” is information for associating that the image data 600a to 600c is originally one image data.

The image dividing unit 232 further adds minimum item number coordinates to each of the image data 600b and 600c. That is, information indicating the arrangement positions of the image data 600b and 600c on the image data 600a is added.
The resolution conversion unit 233 converts the resolution of the image data held in the image data holding unit 222. The resolution conversion unit 233 converts this resolution with reference to “information indicating which resolution image” added to the image data 600a to 600c.
For example, the resolution conversion unit 233 reads the image data 600a from the image data holding unit 222 and converts the image data 600a from high resolution of 300 dpi to low resolution image data of 200 dpi.
The image data 600 a converted into low-resolution image data can be held in the image data holding unit 222.

The resolution conversion unit 233 does not convert 300 dpi high resolution image data 600b and 600c.
The display unit 240 is a display device that displays an image of the form 400b, such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 240 displays the image of the form 400b read by the form image reading device 210.

The input unit 250 is an input device for inputting information, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.
The external communication unit 260 receives the table T1 output from the table creation device 100. The external communication unit 260 outputs the image data 600 a to 600 c converted by the resolution conversion unit 233 to the form display device 300.
As described above, according to the form reading device 200, the image data of the form 400b is decomposed into high-resolution and low-resolution image data by referring to the table T1 output from the table creation device 100, and these The resolution can be converted.
The amount of image data can be reduced by converting the image data read at high resolution into low-resolution image data 600a and outputting it.

  Further, by outputting the regions 407h and 407i in which the minimum item numbers are arranged as the high-resolution image data 600b and 600c, it is possible to suppress a decrease in visibility when the minimum item numbers 407h and 407i are displayed. .

Next, the form display device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the form display device 300.
The form display device 300 is an apparatus for creating a database of the description content of the form 400b by an operator called a puncher. The work of creating the database of the form 400b is called punching work. The form display device 300 combines and displays the image data 600a to 600c divided when creating a database.

The form display device 300 includes an image combining unit 310, an image data holding unit 320, a display unit 340, an input unit 350, and an external communication unit 360.
The display unit 340 is a device for displaying an image of the form 400b that the operator (puncher) wants to create a database and an input window for inputting information for creating the database. For example, the display unit 340 is a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. .
Character strings corresponding to the item numbers 406a to 406i are arranged in the input window.
The operator (puncher) refers to the image of the form 400b displayed on the display unit 340, and inputs various information while associating the item numbers 406a to 406i on the image with the character strings arranged in the input window. (For example, referring to “456” of item number 406b, “Taro Yamada” is input as a name in the input window).
Information is input using the input unit 350.

The input unit 350 is an input device for inputting information, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.
The image combination unit 310 includes an image control unit 311 and a combination execution unit 312. The image control unit 311 controls the combination execution unit 312 and the like.
The image combining unit 310 is operated by an operator (puncher) using the input unit 350 to create a database of the form 400b (for example, by pressing a button such as “Start processing” using the input unit 350), and the image data 600a to 600c. The image data 600a to 600c are combined into one image data by selecting one of them.

The image control unit 311 receives the image data 600 a to 600 c from the form reading device 200 via the external communication unit 360 and causes the image data holding unit 320 to hold the image data.
The combining execution unit 312 refers to the correspondence information added to any of the image data 600a to 600c, and extracts the image data 600a and the image data 600b and 600c that can be combined with the 600a.
The combining execution unit 312 refers to the minimum item number coordinates added to the image data 600b and 600c, and pastes the image data 600b and 600c at the position on the image data 600a corresponding to the minimum item number coordinates (combined). ) Create image data.

In other words, the combination execution unit 312 creates image data of the form 400b having a low resolution area and a high resolution area.
The combination execution unit 312 outputs the created image data of the form 400b to the display unit 340.
The display unit 340 displays the output combined image data.
As described above, according to the form display device 300, the image data 600a to 600c divided into different resolutions can be combined into image data of one form 400b.
The operator (puncher) refers to the combined image displayed on the display unit 340 and creates a database using the input unit 350.

(Operation procedure of form processing system 1)
Next, a procedure from reading a form to dividing and displaying an image in the form processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the table creation device 100. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation procedure of the form reading apparatus 200. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the form display device 300.

(About operation | movement of the table preparation apparatus 100)
(1) Reading form 400a (step S100)
As the reading control unit 131 controls the reading device 110, the form 400a is optically read and held in the image data holding unit 122 as image (image) data.
The read image of the form 400 a is displayed on the display unit 140.

(2) Extraction of frame (step S101)
The frame extraction unit 132 extracts the frames 401 to 412 of the form 400a using the image data of the form 400a. Specifically, vertical and horizontal line segments are detected from the image data of the form 400a, and a frame is extracted by comparing with a threshold value.

(3) Extracting item numbers 406a to 406i from the frame (step S102)
The minimum item number extraction unit 133 determines whether or not the item numbers 406a to 406i are arranged in the frames 401 to 412. Specifically, vertical and horizontal line segments in the frames 401 to 412 are detected, a character string in the frames 401 to 412 is extracted, and the size of the character string is further extracted.

  Thereafter, the item number pattern stored in the item number pattern storage unit 121 is compared with the extracted character string, and the character string that matches the item number pattern is determined to be the item numbers 406a to 406i.

(4) Determination of minimum item number (steps S103 to S104)
The minimum item number extraction unit 133 compares the threshold value of the minimum item number extraction unit 133 with the size of the characters of the extracted item numbers 406a to 406i. As a result of the comparison, the minimum item number extraction unit 133 determines item numbers 406a to 406i having character sizes smaller than the threshold as minimum item numbers. The display unit 140 displays the item number determined as the minimum item number among the item numbers 406a to 406i on the image of the form 400a with a color so that the operator (operator) can easily confirm on the screen.

(5) Minimal item number coordinate generation (step S105)
The minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 generates coordinate information (minimum item number coordinates) of a region (any one of the regions 407a to 407i) where the minimum item number determined by the minimum item number extraction unit 133 is arranged.

(6) Determination of whether item numbers have been extracted in all frames 401 to 412 (step S106)
It is determined whether or not item numbers have been extracted in all the frames 401 to 412, and if there are unprocessed frames among the frames 401 to 412, steps S102 to S105 are repeatedly executed.

(7) Creation of table T1 (step S107)
The minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 creates a table T1 in which the minimum item number coordinates are associated with information indicating that the item number corresponding to the minimum item number coordinate is the minimum item number.

(8) Correction of minimum item number (steps S108 to S109)
Based on the operation of the input unit 150 by the operator (operator), the minimum item number correcting unit 135 corrects the minimum item number. Specifically, the operator (operator) uses the input unit 150 to select an arbitrary item number among the item numbers 406 a to 406 i on the image of the form 400 a displayed on the display unit 140.
For example, the operator (operator) uses the input unit 150 to click the pointer displayed on the screen on one point of any region 407a to 407i, and drags (moves) the pointer from this one point to a predetermined point on the diagonal line. ) To select any of the item numbers 406a to 406i.
The minimum item number correcting unit 135 generates the coordinate information of the areas 407a to 407i designated by the input unit 150 as the minimum item number coordinates, and the item number corresponding to the minimum item number coordinate and the minimum item number coordinate is the minimum item number. Corresponding information indicating the presence is added to the table T1.

(9) Output of table T1 (step S110)
The external communication unit 160 outputs the table T1 to the form reading device 200.

(Regarding the operation of the form reading apparatus 200)
(1) Reception of table T1 (step S200)
The external communication unit 260 receives the table T1 output from the table creation device 100.
The table T 1 received by the reading control unit 231 is held in the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221.

(2) Reading of form (step S201)
When the reading control unit 231 controls the reading device 210, the form 400b is optically read and held in the image data holding unit 222 as image (image) data. Note that steps S200 to S201 may be performed in the order of processing.

(3) Image data division (step S202)
The image dividing unit 232 refers to the table T1 held in the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221, and divides the image data of the form 400b held in the image data holding unit 222 into image data 600a to 600c.
Specifically, the image dividing unit 232 refers to the minimum item number coordinate associated with the information indicating that it is the minimum item number of the table T1.
Further, the image dividing unit 232 reads the image data held in the image data holding unit 222. The image dividing unit 232 outputs the image data of the coordinate position on the image data of the form 400b corresponding to the referenced minimum item number coordinates as cut-out image data 600a to 600c.
Here, the image data 600b and 600c are image data corresponding to the regions 407h and 407i where the minimum item numbers 406h and 406i are arranged. The image data 600a is image data including all areas other than the areas 407h and 407i.
The image dividing unit 232 adds image information indicating which resolution image these are to the divided image data 600a to 600c and correspondence information indicating that the image data 600b and 600c can be combined with the image data 600a to hold the image data. Held by the unit 222.

(4) Changing the resolution of image data (step S203)
The resolution conversion unit 233 converts the image data 600a held in the image data holding unit 222 into low-resolution image data. The resolution conversion unit 233 converts this resolution with reference to “information indicating which resolution image” added to the image data.

(5) Transmission of image data (step S204)
After the resolution conversion unit 233 converts the resolution of the image data 600a, the external communication unit 260 outputs the image data 600a to 600c to the form display device 300.

(About the operation of the form display device 300)
(1) Reception of image data (step S300)
The external communication unit 360 receives the image data 600a to 600c output from the form reading device 200.

  The image data holding unit 320 holds the image data 600 a to 600 c received by the image control unit 311.

(2) Start database processing (step S301)
An operator (puncher) operates the input unit 350 to start processing for creating a database of the contents of the form 400b.

(3) Image data combination (step S302)
The combination execution unit 312 combines the image data 600a to 600c of the form 400b that the operator (puncher) wants to create a database. Specifically, the combination execution unit 312 refers to the correspondence information added to any of the image data 600a to 600c, and the image data 600a and the image data 600b and 600c that can be combined with the image data 600a are stored in the image data holding unit. Read from 320.
The combination execution unit 312 refers to the minimum item number coordinates added to the image data 600b and 600c, and pastes (combines) the image data 600b and 600c at positions corresponding to the minimum item number coordinates on the image data 600a. The data is output to the display unit 340 as image data of one form 400b.

(4) Display of combined image (step S303)
The display unit 340 is combined to display an image of the combined form 400b. The operator (puncher) creates a database with reference to the displayed image of the form 400b.

  As described above, the form processing system 1 divides image data in any of the regions 407a to 407i in which the minimum item numbers are arranged into high-resolution image data 600b and 600c, and includes an image including item numbers other than the minimum item numbers. The data 600a can be output as low-resolution image data. That is, it is possible to easily classify the resolution between the minimum item number and other parts.

Further, it is possible to reduce the amount of image data of the form 400b and save the capacity consumed by the image data holding unit 320 and the like. If the amount of image data of the form 400b is reduced, it is possible to reduce the burden on communication when the image data 600a to 600c is transmitted and received using a communication line such as the Internet.
Furthermore, by setting the area where the minimum item number is arranged as a high-resolution image, it is possible to prevent characters from being crushed when the combined form 400b image is displayed on the display unit 340.

In the punch business, there have been the following problems.
In some cases, the image data of the form 400b is output as a low resolution image without being divided.
In this case, the visibility is poor and item numbers are likely to be overlooked when creating a database. The oversight of item numbers may lead to a reduction in the efficiency of database creation.
There is a case where a process called overlay is performed to improve visibility by overlaying mechanical characters on the minimum item number where visibility is lowered. In this case, it is necessary to newly program an overlay program corresponding to the form 400b, which is costly.

In addition, in overlay processing, it is necessary to check whether or not all items have mechanical characters, and it takes time for a form with many items.
Furthermore, since mechanical characters are directly superimposed on the original image, it is necessary to define the alignment of the coordinate positions to be overlaid one by one, which causes a problem that the load on the operator is heavy and the definition work takes time.
Although it is conceivable to print all the item numbers of the forms 400a and 400b with large characters, it is often difficult to print with large characters because the size of the form is finite, and the cost is high.

  The form processing system 1 of the present invention can easily solve the above problems.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a modified example of the table creation apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the image data of the form 400b divided by the form processing system 1 including the table creation apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, which is a modification of the table creation apparatus 100, will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing division of image data of the form 400b (see FIG. 3).

Here, in order to simplify the description, a case will be described in which the item numbers 406a to 406i arranged on the form 400b are all minimum item numbers.
The form 400b is read as high-resolution image data 700 by the form processing system 1 of the present embodiment.
The image data 700 is divided into fine grid-like areas by the form processing system 1 (dotted lines on the image data 700 in FIG. 14). For example, it is divided into 10 × 11 areas.
Note that a dotted line on the image data 700 in FIG. 14 virtually indicates a sectioned area.
The image data 700 is divided into image data 701a to 701k of a divided area including the printed minimum item number and image data 701l (701l is 701 L) not including the image data 701a to 701k.

  That is, the image data 701l is image data obtained by extracting the image data 701a to 701k from the image data 700. 14 is for making it easy to see that the image data 701a to 701k have been extracted, and the actual image data 701l does not have this diagonal line.

The image data 701l is converted into low-resolution image data by the form processing system 1, and then combined with the image data 701a to 701k. The combined image data is the same as the image data 700. However, the resolution corresponding to the image data 701l is different from that of the image data 701.
The high-resolution image data 701a to 701k divided by the form processing system 1 of the present embodiment has a larger image size than the image data 600b and 600c divided by the form processing system 1 of the first embodiment. .
For example, the image data 701a has a larger image size than the image data 600b. This is because, in the form system 1 according to the present embodiment, the square-shaped area that is divided because it is divided with high resolution is more than the areas 407a to 407i that are divided with high resolution in the form system 1 according to the first embodiment. Because it is big.
In addition, when the grid-like area | region of this embodiment is divided by the same magnitude | size as the area | regions 407a-407i of 1st Embodiment, the image data 701a and the image data 600b become the same magnitude | size.

Next, the table creation apparatus 101 included in the form processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a table creation apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the table creating apparatus 101 does not include the minimum item number correcting unit 135 included in the table generating apparatus 100, but instead includes an area sorting unit 800, a minimum item number area determining unit 801, and a minimum item number area correcting unit 802. Prepare.
Further, the table creation device 101 includes a minimum item number region coordinate holding unit 803 instead of the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 123 included in the table creation device 100.
Since other configurations are the same as those of the table creating apparatus 100, the same reference numerals as those of the table creating apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

The area classifying unit 800 classifies the image data of the form 400a read by the form image reading apparatus 110 into fine grid-like areas.
This division is performed, for example, by extracting the length from one end to the other end of the image data of the form 400a and equally dividing the section from one end to the other end.
The area segmentation unit 800 generates coordinate information for each segmented area. The region sorting unit 800 causes the minimum item number region coordinate holding unit 803 to hold the generated coordinate information.
The area sorting unit 800 outputs the image data of the form 400a to the display unit 140 so that the sorted area can be visually recognized by the user. The display unit 140 superimposes and displays ruled lines corresponding to the divided areas on the image of the form 400a.

The minimum item number region determination unit 801 determines whether any of the regions 407a to 407i including the minimum item number exists in the divided region.
Specifically, the coordinates of the regions 407a to 407i generated by the minimum item number coordinate determination unit 134 are referred to with reference to the coordinate information of the divided regions held in the minimum item number region coordinate holding unit 803. It is determined whether it is included in the coordinates of the area.
The minimum item number region determination unit 801 determines that a divided region where any of the regions 407a to 407i including the minimum item number exists is a region including the minimum item number.
The minimum item number region determination unit 801 creates a table T1 in which the coordinate information of the region including the determined minimum item number is associated with the information indicating that the region corresponding to this coordinate information includes the minimum item number.
Based on the operation of the operator (operator), the minimum item number region correction unit 802 corrects the determination result of the region including the minimum item number in the minimum item number region determination unit 801, and reflects the correction result in the table T1. .
“Correction of determination result of region including minimum item number” is to determine a region that is not determined by minimum item number region determination unit 801 as a region including minimum item number. For this correction, the display unit 140 and the input unit 150 are used. Specifically, the operation is performed by an operator (operator) clicking an area surrounded by a ruled line on the image of the form 400 a displayed on the display unit 140 using the input unit 150.

As described above, according to the table creating apparatus 101 of this embodiment, an area including a minimum item number can be automatically determined. Therefore, the resolution can be easily divided between the minimum item number and other parts.
Further, this area can be arbitrarily designated by an operator (operator). The table T1 is transmitted to the form reading device 200. The form reading apparatus 200 divides a predetermined part of the form 400b corresponding to the area including the minimum item number, for example, as image data 701a to 701k and 701l shown in FIG.

(Other embodiments)
Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be expanded and modified. The expanded and modified embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the form 400a is read by the table creating apparatus 100 or the table creating apparatus 101, and the created table T1 is transmitted to the form reading apparatus 200. However, the configurations and functions of the table creating apparatus 100 and the table creating apparatus 101 are the same. The form reading apparatus 200 can also be provided.
In other words, the form reading apparatus 200 can read the form 400a, create a table T1, and hold the table T1 in the minimum item number coordinate holding unit 221.
In this case, the form processing system 1 includes a form reading apparatus 200 and a form display apparatus 300 having the configuration and functions of the table creation apparatus 100.

It is a block diagram showing the form processing system 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the form 400a. It is a figure which shows the state which the user entered various information in the form 400a described in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the image data of the divided | segmented form 400b. 1 is a block diagram showing a table creation device 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a form reading apparatus 200. FIG. It is a figure which shows the image data for low resolution which the form reading apparatus 200 divides | segments. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating high-resolution image data divided by the form reading apparatus 200. It is a figure which shows the image data for high resolutions different from the image data shown in FIG. 8 which the form reading apparatus 200 divides | segments. 3 is a block diagram showing a form display device 300. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure of the table creation device 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the form reading apparatus 200. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of the form display device 300. FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the division | segmentation of the image data of the form 400b. It is a block diagram which shows the table creation apparatus 101 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Form processing system, 100, 101 ... Table preparation apparatus, 110, 210 ... Form image reading apparatus, 111, 211 ... Form holding part, 112, 212 ... Form extraction part, 113, 213 ... Form reading part, 120, 220 ... storage unit, 121 ... item number pattern storage unit, 122, 222, 320 ... image data holding unit, 123 ... item number region information holding unit, 123 ... item number region holding unit, 123, 221 ... minimal item number coordinate holding unit 130, 230 ... form reading device main body, 131,231 ... reading control unit, 132 ... frame extraction unit, 133 ... minimum item number extraction unit, 134 ... minimum item number coordinate determination unit, 135 ... minimum item number correction unit, 140 , 240, 340 ... display unit, 150, 250, 350 ... input unit, 160, 260, 360 ... external communication unit, 232 ... image division unit, 233 ... resolution conversion unit, 00 ... Form display device, 310 ... Image combination unit, 311 ... Image control unit, 312 ... Combination execution unit, 400a, 400b ... Form, 401 to 412 ... Frame, 406a to 406i ... Item number, 407a to 407i ... Area , 500a to 500j, 600a to 600c, 700, 701a to 701l ... image data, 800 ... area segmentation section, 801 ... minimum item number area determination section, 802 ... minimum item number area correction section, 803 ... minimum item number area coordinate holding Department.

Claims (3)

Means for storing an area on a form in which an identifier for identifying an item filled in by a user is arranged;
Means for reading the form in which characters or marks are entered by a user as first image data;
Means for dividing the first image data into second image data corresponding to the region and third image data not corresponding to the region;
Means for converting the resolution of the third image data to a low resolution;
Means for transmitting the second and third image data and arrangement information of a third image with respect to the second image;
Means for receiving the second and third image data and arrangement information of a third image with respect to the second image;
Means for combining the second image and the third image based on the arrangement information;
The combined Ru book form reading system and means for displaying the image data. Storing means for storing an area on the form in which an identifier for identifying an item to be filled in by a user is arranged;
A step of reading the form in which characters or marks are written by a user as first image data;
Dividing means for dividing the first image data into second image data corresponding to the region and third image data not corresponding to the region;
Means for converting the resolution of the third image data to a low resolution;
Means for transmitting information, transmitting the second and third image data and arrangement information of the third image with respect to the second image;
Means for receiving information, receiving the second and third image data and arrangement information of the third image with respect to the second image;
Means for combining images, combining the second image and the third image based on the arrangement information;
Means for displaying image data, displaying the combined image data;
A form reading method. Means for storing an area on a form in which an identifier for identifying an item filled in by a user is arranged;
Means for reading the form in which characters or marks are entered by a user as first image data;
Means for dividing the first image data into second image data corresponding to the region and third image data not corresponding to the region;
Means for converting the resolution of the third image data to a low resolution;
Means for transmitting the second and third image data and arrangement information of a third image with respect to the second image;
The second and third image data and the arrangement information of the third image with respect to the second image
Means for receiving;
Means for combining the second image and the third image based on the arrangement information;
A program for causing a computer to function as means for displaying the combined image data .

Images