JPH04299787A - Facsimile character recognition processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate labor for retrieving a relevant slip at a transmission source by returning the image data of the slip, in which any trouble is discovered, to the transmission source of the slipt as it is. CONSTITUTION:When the trouble of the slip is discovered at the work station of a block center 30 and it is judged that confirmation at a branched shop is required (S1), an operator requests the return of the image data of the relevant (S2) slip to a control part by operating the keyboard of the work station or the like. Based on a serial number applied to each slip to be processed in advance, the control part reads the image data of the relevant slip by retrieving a first storage part. The image data and any comment are returned through a public line to the branched shop 10 by using a facsimile transmission/reception part. When the facsimile reception of the troubled slip is executed, the branched shop 10 confirms and corrects the troubled item (S5) while observing the contents. Further, the slip is transmitted to the block center 30 again by a facsimile (S6) after the correction.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

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

0002

[Prior Art] For example, in a financial institution such as a bank, a district center receives a transfer request form from a branch by facsimile, automatically reads the characters written on the transfer form, and transfers it to a host computer. A data processing system is employed. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of such a conventional facsimile character recognition system. As shown in the figure, the sales office 10 is equipped with a plurality of facsimile terminals 11 for sending out transfer requests. These facsimile terminals 11 are connected to a district center 30 via a public line 20. The district center 30 is provided with a facsimile transmission/reception section 31, a control section 32, a character recognition section 33, and a verification/correction section 34. The facsimile transmitting/receiving section 31 is connected to the public line 20.
This is a device for receiving facsimile input via 0 and obtaining its image data. Further, the control unit 32
It is composed of a computer and the like for controlling the operation of each device installed in the district center 30. The character recognition unit 33 is a device that recognizes characters included in the image data received by the facsimile transmission/reception unit 31 and obtains code data.

[0003]Furthermore, in addition to this, a facsimile transmitting/receiving section 3
A first storage unit 35 is provided to temporarily store the image data received by the character recognition unit 33, and a second storage unit 35 is provided to temporarily store the code data recognized by the character recognition unit 33.
6 is provided. Further, a printer 37 is provided to print out the output when the control section 32 performs a predetermined process. A plurality of workstations 341 are connected to the verification/correction section 34. An operator is placed at this workstation 341, who compares the image data with the code data, verifies whether the recognition results are correct, and corrects any errors. . Therefore, this workstation 341 is composed of a personal computer equipped with a display, a keyboard, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional general system operation flowchart as described above. In the figure, first, in step S1, the facsimile transmitting/receiving section 31 shown in FIG. 2 receives a transfer request form sent by the sales office 10, for example. This image data is stored in the first storage unit 3 in step S2.
It is stored in 5. The character recognition unit 33 reads out this image data and performs character recognition (step S3). Then, code data corresponding to the character is obtained and stored in the second storage section 36 (step S4). After that, the control section 32
sends the code data to the verification/correction section 34. In the verification/correction section 34, the operator operates the workstation 341 to compare and match the image data with the code data that has been recognized (step S5). here,
It is determined whether the character recognition unit 33 has correctly recognized the image data (step S6). Then, if the recognition is normal, the correction code data is generated as is, and if the recognition is incorrect, the correction code data is generated in step S7. Then, such processing results are temporarily stored in a storage unit (not shown) provided separately in the workstation 341, and code data that has been correctly recognized or corrected is reported to the host device 1 by the control unit 32. (Step S8). When the host device 1 receives the character code corresponding to the characters written in the transfer request form in this way, the transfer process based on the request from the branch 10 is then executed.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, the following matters are written in the above-mentioned transfer request form. In addition,
In this specification, a document received by facsimile, such as a transfer request form, will be simply referred to as a form. FIG. 4 shows a front view of an example of such a form. As shown in the figure, a form 1 for requesting a transfer is provided with an item entry section 2 for entering various items such as the transfer destination, recipient, client, etc., and a verification stamp section 3 for stamping the handler's seal. .

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a verification screen for verification in the workstation described above. As shown in the figure, a verification screen 4 is displayed on the display of the workstation, and the image data and code data of each item shown in FIG. 4 are displayed vertically side by side. The verification screen 4 shown in the figure has an image data display section 5 with hatching and a code data display section 6 surrounded by a white frame, corresponding to each item such as bank name, branch name, amount, etc. ing. The operator verifies the character recognition results while looking at such a screen. Further, the verification screen 4 is also provided with a verification stamp display section 7, and the presence or absence of the verification stamp can be confirmed. Since character recognition is not possible for this stamp, it goes without saying that it is displayed as is on the verification screen 4.

[0007] If the operator can discover errors in the character recognition results through such verification and correct them while comparing them with the image data, the processing results can be reported to the host device using the procedure described above. be done. However, if a problem occurs, such as an omission in information to be written on a form or a missing stamp, the workstation cannot perform any further processing. Therefore, you will have to contact the branch and request them to issue the form again.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a conventional method in such a case. In the figure, first, the district center 30 discovers a problem with the form at the workstation and determines that confirmation at the branch 10 is necessary (step S1).
, telephone contact is made from the district center 30 to the sales branch 10. The sales office 10 receives the communication and recognizes the details of the problem (step S3). After making such a telephone contact, the district center 30 deletes and discards the corresponding image data and code data (step S).
2). On the other hand, after receiving the above-mentioned notification, the sales office 10 performs a search to find the corresponding defective form from among the group of forms that have already been sent by facsimile and stored (step S4). Then, in step S5, defective items are confirmed and corrected. Thereafter, in step S6, the corrected form is sent by facsimile. The district center 30 receives this form by facsimile (step S7), and again performs the reprocessing including image data storage and character recognition processing described above with reference to FIG. 2 (step S8).

However, according to the conventional method as described above, an operator operating a workstation at the district center 30 makes a telephone call to the sales office 10, and the sales office 10 receives the serial number of the form and the details of the problem. They are required to perform relatively complicated tasks such as receiving explanations, searching and confirming forms. Therefore, for example, a corresponding form may not be retrieved due to a misreading of the serial number, or a defective item that should be corrected may be overlooked. Furthermore, if there are a large number of forms sent from the sales office 10 to the district center 30, a large amount of time will be spent searching for defective forms. Therefore, there is a problem in that a heavy burden is placed on the operator at the regional center to explain the details of the problem and the person in charge at the branch. The present invention has been developed with the above-mentioned points in mind, and it reduces the work of contacting branch offices when a problem with a form is discovered, the burden on workstation operators at regional centers, and the burden on personnel at branch offices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile character recognition processing method that reduces the number of errors.

0010

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first aspect of the present invention is to transmit a form by facsimile via a communication line, temporarily store received image data in a storage unit, and write characters included in the image data. At the same time, the character recognition result is compared with the items recorded in the form, and if a defect is found in the items recorded in the form, the image data stored in the storage unit is sent back to the source of the form. This invention relates to a characteristic facsimile character recognition processing method. A second aspect of the present invention is to transmit a form by facsimile via a communication line, temporarily store the received image data in a storage unit, recognize characters included in the image data, and obtain the result of the character recognition. and the items recorded in the form, and if a defect is found in the items recorded in the form, the image data stored in the storage unit is combined with the comment pointing out the defect converted into image data. , relates to a facsimile character recognition processing method characterized in that the form is returned to the originator thereof. A third aspect of the present invention is to transmit a form by facsimile via a communication line, temporarily store the received image data in a storage unit, recognize characters included in the image data, and use this character recognition data. is compared with preset evaluation standard data, and if a flaw is found in the items listed in the form based on the result of this check, the image data stored in the storage unit is converted into image data with a comment pointing out the flaw. A factor in the faximile character recognition processing method that is characterized by synthesizing the one and returned to the source of the form.

[0011]

[Operation] In the present invention, when a defect is found in a form, image data of the corresponding form is returned to the sender. In this case, comments pointing out deficiencies are also sent to the sender as image data. Therefore, there is no need for the sender to search for the original form, and defective items can be immediately confirmed and corrected. In addition, if the character recognition results are automatically compared with preset validity check data, and comments that are also prepared in advance to point out defects are automatically selected and returned along with the image data of the form, the operator can This can further reduce the burden on

0012

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first method according to the present invention. In carrying out the present invention, it is assumed that the system configuration is similar to the conventional system shown in FIG. Also, regarding the processing when a facsimile is received from a branch and the characters are correctly recognized,
The operation is similar to the conventional operation already explained in FIG. Here, in the present invention, if a defect in the form is discovered at the workstation of the district center 30 and it is determined that confirmation at the branch is necessary (step S1), the operator calls the branch to that effect. Before doing so, take the following steps: That is, in the system shown in FIG. 2, for example, the operator operates the keyboard of the workstation 341 and requests the control unit 32 to return the image data of the corresponding form. Based on the assigned serial number, the first storage unit 3 shown in FIG.
5 and read the image data of the corresponding form. Then, using the facsimile transmitting/receiving section 31, the image data is sent back to the sales office 10 via the public line 20 (step S2).

Returning to FIG. 1 again, when the sales office 10 receives the defective form by facsimile (step S4), it confirms and corrects the defective items while viewing the contents thereof (step S5). Note that if the branch 10 is unable to immediately discover a defective item, it will receive a telephone call from the district center 30 and receive necessary explanations. After making such a notification, the district center 30 deletes the corresponding image data and code data (step S3). In addition, once the branch office 10 has finished checking the defective items, the corrected form is sent to the district center 30 again.
A facsimile transmission is sent to (step S6). When the district center 30 receives this facsimile (step S7), it executes reprocessing again in the manner described above with reference to FIG. 3 (step S8).

[0014] By performing the above-described processing, it is possible to relatively easily discover the defective item by looking at the contents of the form returned to the sales office 10. Furthermore, when the operator at the district center 30 makes a phone call to the branch 10, the person in charge at the branch 10 receives the indication of the defect item while looking at the defect report, so it is possible to understand the details of the defect in a short time. be. Therefore, the burden on the operator of the district center 30 is reduced to a greater extent than in the past. In addition, since defective forms are returned by facsimile, the person in charge at the sales branch 10 does not have to search for already sent forms, and can perform other tasks such as checking and correcting defective items and resending them to the district center 30. can also be done extremely quickly. Therefore, the burden on the person in charge at the branch is also reduced.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of a second method according to the present invention. In this method, not only the image data of the corresponding form is returned, but also a comment pointing out the problem is added and returned. That is, when a problem with the form is discovered at the workstation of the district center 30 and it is determined that confirmation at the branch 10 is necessary (step S1).
, the operator simultaneously creates a comment pointing out the defect (step S11). This work is done using the workstation's keyboard and screen, similar to a word processor. The comment is transferred to the control unit 32 shown in FIG. 2, where it is converted into image data (step S12). Note that this conversion into image data is performed using font data that is commonly used in printers and the like. Then, the image data of the corresponding form stored in the first storage unit 35 shown in FIG. 2 and the image data of the comment created in step S12 are combined (step S13), and the facsimile transmitting/receiving unit 31 shown in FIG. The product is returned to the sales office via the Internet (step S14). The subsequent process in step S15 is similar to the method in step S3 and subsequent steps of the first invention described in FIG. In this case, if the content of the comment is appropriate, there is no need for telephone contact. Therefore, the burden on the operator at the district center is further reduced.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the returned image data according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, along with image data 15 of the form, image data 16 of comments for pointing out defects are returned to the branch in order to help the branch confirm and correct the defective items. Ru. If such image data is received, the person in charge at the sales branch can immediately start correcting the form.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of a method according to a third aspect of the present invention. In both the first and second inventions, the operator of the workstation discovers defects in the form and creates comments to point out the necessary defects. However, in reality, there are relatively many simple problems, such as omissions in necessary information or stamps on forms. In this third invention, the discovery of such defects and the sending of comments are all automated. That is, step S2 in FIG.
In step 1, character recognition results are mechanically compared with validity check data to discover defects. Specifically, Figure 8
When the image data of a form as shown in Figure 2 is recognized as a character, a computer performs a simple check on the validity of each item and whether there are any omissions. For example, judgments that can be made easily and reliably, such as whether there are any omissions in the designated date of transfer or the names of recipients, clients, etc., are executed. Then, in step S22, image data of a comment corresponding to the content of the defect is selected.

FIG. 10 shows an explanatory diagram of a table for selecting image data of such a comment. This table has
Comment image data A, B, and C are stored in association with defect items A, B, and C. That is, for example, if the defect item A is the item "No inspection stamp", image data with the content "No inspection stamp" is stored in the image data A of the comment. Of course, it is also possible to store it as code data instead of image data and convert it to image data when sending it back by facsimile. Subsequent steps S23 and S24
, S25 are performed in exactly the same manner as in the embodiment of steps S13, S14, and S15 of the second invention described in FIG.

[0019] By doing the above, very simple defects in the form, that is, so-called simple mistakes, can be automatically verified in the control unit 32 shown in FIG. Since the information is returned and processed, the burden on the operator at the workstation is further reduced. In addition, regarding such defects, once the sales side receives it along with the necessary comments,
Immediate confirmation and corrections can be made, which is faster than having to go through an operator at a workstation.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The comment image data for pointing out a problem that is sent back together with the image data of the form may be superimposed on the image data of the form or the color may be changed, for example. Furthermore, when character recognition results are automatically verified, if the validity check data prepared for verification is devised, more complex verification can be performed automatically and the burden on the operator can be further reduced. Also,
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned transfer request forms, but can be widely adopted in systems that transmit various forms by facsimile via communication lines and perform recognition and verification thereof.

[0021]

[Effects of the Invention] According to the facsimile character recognition processing method of the present invention as described above, the image data of a form in which a defect is discovered is returned to the originator of the form as is.
It is possible to save the trouble of searching for a corresponding form from among the forms that have already been sent at the sender. Furthermore, if a comment pointing out the defect is converted into image data and sent back together with the image data of the form, it becomes easier for the sender to confirm and correct the defect. In addition, if character recognition results are mechanically checked against preset validity check data, image data containing pre-prepared comments for pointing out defects is selected and sent back to the sender. The recognition and matching of characters included in image data can be automated, reducing the burden on operators. Furthermore, by using the above method, telephone calls and verbal explanations can be significantly omitted and shortened, making it possible to carry out work even more quickly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a first method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional system.

FIG. 3 is a general system operation flowchart.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example of a form.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the verification screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a conventional method.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of a second invention related to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of returned image data according to the method of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method of a third invention related to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a comment image data selection table.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Sales branch 30 District Center

Claims (3)

[Claims] Claim 1: A form is transmitted by facsimile via a communication line, the received image data is temporarily stored in a storage unit, characters included in the image data are recognized, and this character recognition result and the form are A facsimile character recognition processing method, characterized in that, if a defect is found in the form by checking the written items, the image data stored in the storage unit is returned to the originator of the form. 2. A form is transmitted by facsimile via a communication line, the received image data is temporarily stored in a storage unit, characters included in the image data are recognized, and the result of this character recognition and the form are If a defect is found in the form by comparing the entered items, the image data stored in the storage unit is combined with the comment pointing out the defect converted into image data,
A facsimile character recognition processing method characterized in that the form is returned to the originator. [Claim 3] A form is transmitted by facsimile via a communication line, the received image data is temporarily stored in a storage unit, characters included in the image data are recognized, and the character recognition results are set in advance. If a defect is found in the form based on the result of this comparison, the image data stored in the storage unit is mechanically compared with the validity check data that has been checked, and the image data stored in the storage unit is
A facsimile character recognition processing method characterized by combining image data including comments prepared in advance and sending the resultant form back to the source of the form.