JPH04245772A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To remarkably reduce operator's working load by automatically outputting the non-detection of a check mark on a document during the reception of an image and making it unnecessary to detect the abnormality of check mark detection after completing image transmission or execute document resending processing. CONSTITUTION:The image data of a document transmitted by a facsimile(FAX) are converted into binary image data, which are sent to a detection part 2 and a monitoring part 3. The detection part 2 successively retrieves the binary image data in respective lines forming the image, and when a previously printed check mark is correctly detected by the retrieval, the detecting information is outputted. When the correct detection of the check mark is not obtained even in the reception of a transmitted image while monitoring the outputs of the conversion part 1 and the detection part 2, a monitoring part 2 outputs the information.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus for extracting and recognizing characters from images transmitted by facsimile.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image recognition device of this type has an image data storage means and sequentially stores received image data in the storage means, completing the reception and storage of data for one image. After that, the image data stored in the storage means is read out, and confirmation marks and characters pre-printed on the transmitted form are detected and characters are recognized.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The conventional image recognition device described above detects the confirmation mark printed in advance on the form in the received image after the reception is completed, so the reception of the transmitted data is difficult. There were cases where the confirmation mark could not be detected even if the issue was completed normally. For example, if the sender of a fax accidentally sets a form upside down or upside down, both the sender and the receiver will be able to successfully transmit the image data, but the confirmation mark will not be detected. It turns out. In this case, the non-detection of the confirmation mark becomes apparent only when the confirmation mark is detected by the image recognition device, so there is a drawback that it cannot be detected while the image is being transmitted.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The device of the present invention is an image processing device that extracts and recognizes a character pattern from an image of a form transmitted by fax, and converts the transmitted image data line by line into a binary image. a converting means for converting the binary image data into data; a detecting means for sequentially searching the binary image data line by line, detecting a confirmation mark printed in advance on the form, and outputting detection information; Monitoring means that monitors detection information and generates an abnormal signal if the confirmation mark is not detected within a preset detection range of the confirmation mark, and provides the above table regarding detection and non-detection of the confirmation mark during image transmission. It is composed of:

[0005] Furthermore, in the device of the present invention, the confirmation mark is
It has a configuration that targets a pair of documents printed symmetrically across a predetermined number of lines on a form.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a converter 1 as a converter that sequentially converts transmitted image data into binary image data line by line, and a converter 1 that converts the binary image data obtained by the converter 1 into an image. A detection unit 2 as a detection means sequentially searches each line to detect a confirmation mark, and a detection unit 2 which uses the binary image data output from the conversion unit 1 to monitor the detection information of the detection unit 2 and when a confirmation mark is not detected. The apparatus includes a monitoring section 3 as a monitoring means for outputting a non-detection signal of a confirmation mark.

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

The converter 1 sequentially converts image signals input from the signal line 41 and outputs image data to the data line 11 for each line forming an image.

The detection unit 2 inputs the image data sent to the data line 11, searches for a confirmation mark pattern in the image sequentially every time one line of the image is input, and when a confirmation mark is detected, detects the signal line. A detection signal is generated at 21.

The monitoring unit 3 has a data line 11 and a signal line 21.
If the confirmation mark that should be included in the image data in the preset range sent to the data line 11 cannot be detected, that is, the data line 11
If no detection signal is obtained from the signal line 21 while a certain number of lines of image data are being sent out, an alarm signal is generated on the signal line 31. As a result, data line 11
An alarm signal is generated on the signal line 21 when an image with a certain number of lines is input to the image data and no confirmation mark can be detected from the image data.

[0012] The internal configuration of the detection section 2 will now be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detection unit 2 in detail. The detection unit 2 includes a pattern extraction unit 5, pattern processing units 6 and 7, counters 8 and 9, a determination unit 10, and a data line 1.
1, 51, 52, signal line 61, 62, 71, 72, 81
, 91, and 21.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(a),
An image of a form 103 on which two confirmation marks 101 are printed symmetrically on the left and right sides of the form is input.

When the image data is sent to the data line 11, the pattern extracting unit 5 extracts two partial patterns from the image data, each of which targets the confirmation mark 101 of the form, over a predetermined number of lines onto the data line 51. ，
52. For example, if the image pattern of line 102 in FIG. 3(a) is input, that is, if the image data as shown in FIG. 3(b) is input, the parts shown in the partial patterns P1 and P2 of FIG. 3(b) The patterns are output to data lines 51 and 52, respectively.

The pattern processing units 6 and 7 operate each time one line of the partial pattern sent to the data lines 51 and 52 is input, and when a partial pattern consisting of all white pixels is input, In this case, a reset signal is sent to the counters 8 and 9 via signal lines 61 and 71. Also, if a partial pattern that is not entirely white is input,
That is, when the confirmation mark 101 is black, a count-up signal is sent to the counters 8 and 9 via the signal lines 62 and 72.

The counters 8 and 9 are counters that reset and count up using the above-mentioned reset signal and count-up signal, and when the count exceeds a certain value that forms a confirmation mark, a carry signal is sent to the signal line 81. , 91.

The determination unit 10 outputs a detection signal to the signal line 21 when carry signals are input from both signal lines 81 and 91.

In this way, the detection unit 2 sequentially searches for partial patterns corresponding to the confirmation mark 101 from the image data of the form 103 as shown in FIG. Two black block images having a size greater than the value are detected, and a detection signal is generated only when both are found.

As explained above, in this embodiment, FIG.
When the image data of a form as shown in a) is connected to the transmission signal line, even if the image is being transmitted, one or both of the two confirmation marks printed on the form will be detected and detected. Can be notified.

[0020]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, the present invention makes it possible to immediately notify the transmitting operator of an abnormality by detecting the non-detection of a confirmation mark even when an image of a form is being transmitted electronically. When a detection is detected, reception of image data is interrupted and communication is terminated abnormally, thereby eliminating the need to detect the presence or absence of a confirmation mark detection abnormality after image transmission and resending forms for this purpose, significantly reducing the operator's workload. There is an effect that it can be done.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the detection unit 2 of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (a) showing a check mark on a form, which is the object of the present invention, and a diagram (b) showing a partial pattern to be detected by the check mark.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Conversion section 2 Detection part 3 Monitoring Department 5 Pattern extraction section 6, 7 Pattern processing section 8,9 Counter 10 Judgment section

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing device for extracting and recognizing a character pattern from an image of a form transmitted by fax, comprising: converting means for sequentially converting transmitted image data into binary image data line by line; a detection means that sequentially searches the value image data line by line, detects a confirmation mark printed in advance on the form, and outputs detection information; and the confirmation that is set in advance while monitoring the binary image data and the detection information. and monitoring means for generating an abnormal signal when the confirmation mark is not detected within a mark detection range and providing information regarding detection and non-detection of the confirmation mark during image transmission. Processing equipment. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation mark is a pair of confirmation marks printed symmetrically across a predetermined number of lines of the form.