JPH05114044A - Character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten the reading time of a slip group in which plural different slip formats are intermingled. CONSTITUTION:This character reader is provided with a storage part 7 including an area storage part 71 for storing reading area specifying information read out from an image storing part 6 and converted based upon the contents of a slit format storing part 3 and an accumulative storage part 72 for storing the accumulating information of format codes, a storing information output means 21 for retrieving the storage part 71 when the format code of a slip 4 is inputted from a reading part 1 and outputting the reading are specifying information of a format corresponding to the format code to the reading part 1, a preceding specification means 22 including a forecasting means 23 for forecasting a slip format from the information stored in the storage part 72 and precedently specifying one format code prior to the determination of the format at the time of reading out the format code of the slip 4, and a preceding reading means 11 for reading out and storing the image information of a reading area with the precedently specified format together with the format code under pipeline control, and when the determined format code of the slip 4 coincides with the precedently specified format, converting the stored image information into an information exchanging code and outputting the converted code.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character reading device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a character reading device capable of reading a slip in which a plurality of different slip formats are mixed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional character reading apparatus of this type, as shown in FIG. 3, one or more data areas which differ depending on the form of a slip 4 are used as a distance from a reference point on the slip 4 such as mm or inch. Of the voucher format storage section 3 in which data represented by analog numerical values are stored, and the voucher 4 is conveyed one by one to input the content data on the voucher into the built-in image storage section 6, and the image storage section 6, the information recognized from the image data of the designated area is converted into an information exchange code and output to the host computer 5, and the analog area data of the slip format storage section 3 is converted into the image storage section 6. A reading area instructing section 2 ′ for instructing the reading section 1 ′ to generate a reading area instruction information by converting it into a digital numerical value unique to the character reading apparatus such as an address or data size of the area to be input. It consisted of

Further, on each of the slips 4, a form code indicating the form of the slip is recorded at a fixed position of all the slips.

When this conventional character reading device reads a voucher, first, when the voucher 4 is carried into the reading section 1 ', the reading section 1'reads the style code recorded in the voucher and indicates the reading area. Transfer to section 2 '. The reading area instruction unit 2'is
The form is "determined" by the form code input from the reading unit 1'or the host computer 5, and the slip form storage unit 3
The data indicating the reading area of the corresponding format is input from, is converted into the reading area instruction information of the image storage unit 6, and is output to the reading unit 1 ′.

The reading unit 1 ', as shown in FIG.
Each area of the image storage unit 6 designated by the line control is
In each case, "Character cutout SG (SG₁ , SG₃ , SG_Four ) 」,
"Feature extraction FE (FE₁ , FE₃ , FE_Four ) ”,“ Judgment
DT (DT₁ , DT₃ , DT _Four ) ”In three stages in parallel
Read.

When the reading of the first voucher 4 is completed in this way, the voucher 4 is discharged from the reading section 1'and the next voucher 4'is obtained.
The loaded, the style code of the Document 4 'time T ₁ through T ₃
The reading area instructing section 2 ′ “determines” the format of the slip 4 ′ at time T ₄ according to the format code, and inputs the required data from the slip format storing section 3 to generate the reading area instruction information. Then, the reading area of the image storage unit 6 is instructed to the reading unit 1 ′, and the reading unit 1 ′ “switches” to the reading area in the style of the new slip 4 ′ in which the reading area is instructed at time T ₄ , and then the pipe for reading of the area during the time T ₆ through T ₉ in line control.

Similarly, each time the slip is loaded, the processing steps of reading the format code, generating the format "decision" and the reading area instruction information, "switching" the reading area by this instruction information, and reading the area are performed. This order was repeated and the slip group supplied to the feeder was read.

[0008]

In the above-described conventional character reading apparatus, when different slip formats are mixed, each time a slip is carried in, the style code is read to "decide" the slip format, and an image is displayed. Since the reading area instruction information for the storage unit is converted and generated from the data in the slip format storage unit, the reading area can be "switched", and the image in that area is read after that, so the pipeline control "determines the reading area". However, there is a drawback in that it is necessary to generate the reading area instruction information every time the slip is read, and it takes time to perform the "switching" and the reading time of the entire slip cannot be shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a character reading apparatus capable of shortening the reading time of a slip in which different slip formats are mixed.

[0010]

According to a first character reading apparatus of the present invention, when an area storage unit in which generated read area instruction information is stored and saved and a format of a carried-in slip are determined, First, it has a storage information output means for searching the area storage section and immediately outputting the reading area instruction information to the reading section when the reading area instruction information corresponding to this format is stored.

Further, the second character reading device of the present invention specifies any one style code before starting the reading of the style code of the slip, and outputs the reading area instruction information of the area corresponding to the designated style code. The preceding instruction means and the preceding reading means for reading the image storage information of the area designated by the preceding instruction means in parallel with the reading of the form code of the slip by pipeline control.

Further, in the second character reading apparatus, the cumulative reading frequency for each style code and the cumulative frequency for each permutation in the order of arrangement of the style codes of at least two vouchers successively carried in are sequentially. A cumulative storage unit that is updated and stored,
When a voucher is carried in, it has a predicting means that refers to the voucher code of the voucher read immediately before and the information stored in the cumulative storage unit to specify the selected most frequent mode code.

[0013]

When the same-form slips are carried in with the different-form slips sandwiched therebetween, the read-out area instruction information of the previously-formed slips of the same form is input from the area storage section, The process of switching the reading area is simplified.

Further, when the slip is carried in, the reading area instruction information of any one format output by the reading area instruction unit before the reading of the format code allows the image storage of the one format before the determination of the slip format. The reading of the partial area is started, and the image reading time is shortened.

Further, when a style code having a high frequency is selected from the data having a cumulative storage unit and storing the cumulative frequency of permutations of style codes, etc., the hit rate of the preceding style is high. Therefore, the read ahead becomes more effective.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the character reading apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the character reading apparatus of this embodiment has a reading unit 1 including a preceding reading unit 11 and an image storage unit 6, a predicting unit 23, a preceding instructing unit 22, and a stored information output unit. 21 and the reading area instructing section 2 and the slip 4
The slip format storage unit 3 stores data for displaying the upper data area, and the storage unit 7 including the area storage unit 71 and the cumulative storage unit 72. The data of the slip 4 is read and converted into an information exchange code. And outputs it to the host computer 5.

The area storage unit 71 stores the reading area instruction information generated by the reading area instruction unit 2, and the reading area instruction unit 2 firstly stores the area when the format code is input by the storage information output means 21. When the area 71 is searched and the reading area instruction information corresponding to this style code is stored, the instruction information is immediately output.

The cumulative storage unit 72 stores the reading frequency for each style code of the read voucher and the cumulative frequency for each permutation of the order of the two successive slips. For example, the reading order format is A-B-C-A-A-
In the case of B-B-A-A, A is 5, B is 3 and C is 1 in each form total, and AA and A-B are 2 each in permutation and B-A. , BB, BC and CA are stored as 1 respectively.

The reading area instructing section 2 reads either one of the slips by the preceding instructing means 22 before reading the form code of the next slip 4, or an arbitrary specified style code, or
The style code predicted by the prediction means 23, that is,
One of the most frequent format codes is output by referring to the format code of the slip read immediately before and the cumulative frequency stored in the cumulative storage unit 72. For example, in the case of the last A format in the above example, the predictive format code of the predicting means 23 is first selected from two maximum values A and B of the permutation totals, and the format code of A with the most totals by style. Becomes

The reading unit 1 pipes the information in the image storage unit 6 in the reading area of the format designated by the reading area designating unit 2 in parallel with the reading of the format code of the slip 4 carried in by the preceding reading unit 11. If the format of the delivery slip is determined by line control and the designated areas are the same, the read information is converted to an information exchange code and output. When a different reading area is designated, the read image is stored. The information in the area is discarded, and the information in the area designated later is read, converted, and output.

Next, when the slip 4 having the same format code area being processed and two data areas 1 and 2 different for each format is read by the pipeline control, the N _1-th successful prediction When the processing of the _second sheet of predictive failure N, explained by the time chart of FIG.

Reading of the previous slip 4 is completed (time T
₀ , T ₅ ) and the predicting means 23 predicts the format of the next voucher by referring to the cumulative storage unit 72, and when the next voucher is carried in (time T ₁ , T ₆ ), reading the format. The area instruction information is transferred from the area storage unit 71 to the reading unit 1. At the same time, the form code of the slip that has been carried in is input and "character cutout SG ₁ " is performed.

Next time T₂ , T₇ Then, of the style code
"Feature extraction FE₁ ], Time T₁ , T ₆ Instructed by
"Character cutout SG in data area 1_d ’” Is executed and time
T₃ , T₈ Then, the form code "Judgment DT₁ And data
"Feature extraction FE of area 1_d ’” And “character in data area 2
Cut out SG_d "" Is executed.

At time (T ₄ , T ₉ ), "determination DT _d '" in data area 1 and "feature extraction FE in data area 2"
_The reading area instructing unit 2 determines the format of the slip 4 (N _1st sheet or N _2nd sheet) that has been carried in and executes the immediately preceding slip 4 (N _0th sheet or N _1st sheet). 1 is added to the data in the cumulative storage unit 72 of the permutation in which this style follows the style of the first sheet), and this style is compared with the prediction style instructed in advance by prediction at time T ₁ or T ₆ .

If the prediction hits right here, that is, 2
When the two formats match (N _1st sheet), the reading of the data areas 1 and 2 designated at time T ₁ is continued, the data is converted into the code for information exchange, and the code is transferred to the host computer 5. Also, if the mispredicted, i.e., if the two modes do not match (N ₂ sheet) is already reading process SG _d, FE _d or DT _d of conducted all the data in the data area 2 After discarding, the read area instruction information corresponding to the determined form of the N _2nd slip 4 is SG _D , FE _D
, DT _D , the image is read from the area storage unit 71 and sent to the reading unit 1 to switch the image reading area. At this time, if the reading area instruction information of this format is not stored in the area storage unit 71, the data is input from the slip format storage unit 3 as usual to generate the reading area instruction information, and the reading area instruction information is transferred to the reading unit 1. After that, after time T ₁₀ , the images of the switched new data areas 1 and 2 are read through the same process, converted into the code for information exchange, and output.

In this embodiment, one voucher format is predicted and preceded, and the reading of the data area is read by pipeline control in parallel with the reading of the present voucher format, and is once converted and generated. It was applied at the same time to store and save the reading area instruction information of the image memory.
Even if only one of them is applied, each effect can be achieved. In addition, the slip format to be instructed in advance is one specific type, for example, the maximum number of slip formats in the slip group, or when the slip group has a certain periodicity, the format code having the periodicity. It may be preliminarily stored in the storage unit 7 as a column from the outside.

Further, when the storage unit 7 can be attached and detached and is used each time the same kind of work is repeated, the information of the form code is accumulated, and when the change of the slip form is periodic, the predictive preceding instructed form is used. The hit rate is higher and the effect is even higher.

[0030]

According to the character reading apparatus of the present invention, by providing an area storage unit for storing and storing the reading area instruction information generated from the data in the data reading area of the read form of the slip, the data of the slip form storage unit is provided. It is possible to reduce the processing time for converting the image data into the reading area instruction information of the image memory and switching the information, and also to designate the image reading area of any one style at the time of reading the style code of the slip so that the pipe can be read before the style is determined. By providing the preceding instruction means and the preceding reading means for reading the image in this area by line control in parallel with the reading of the form code of the slip, the reading time can be further shortened.

Furthermore, by using the predicting means for selecting the most frequently occurring style, the chances of the processing of the preceding determination and switching of styles becoming effective are increased, and a plurality of different slip styles are mixed and are the same. There is an effect that the reading time of the slips in the case of reading the slip group in which the form slips are read repeatedly intermittently can be shortened and the processing speed can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a character reading device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a conventional character reading device.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of a conventional character reading device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 reading unit 2 reading area instruction unit 3 slip format storage unit 4 slip 5 host computer 6 image storage unit 7 storage unit 11 pre-reading unit 21 stored information output unit 22 advance instruction unit 23 prediction unit 71 area storage unit 72 total storage unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A voucher format storage unit storing a format code and data indicating a data area on a voucher for each format,
A reading area instructing unit that determines the format of the slip based on the format code, retrieves data corresponding to the format from the slip format storage unit, and generates instruction information of the reading area in the image storage unit; And a reading unit for reading the information in the image storage unit in the area designated by the reading area designation information, converting the information into a code for information exchange, and outputting the code, and a plurality of different slip formats are mixed. In a character reading device for reading a voucher, when the area storage unit in which the generated reading area instruction information is stored and the format of the carried-in slip are determined, first, the area storage unit is searched and A character reading device comprising: stored information output means for immediately outputting the reading area instruction information to the reading unit when the corresponding reading area instruction information is stored. 2. A voucher format storage unit storing a format code and data indicating a data area on the voucher for each format,
A reading area instructing unit that determines the format of the slip based on the format code, retrieves data corresponding to the format from the slip format storage unit, and generates instruction information of the reading area in the image storage unit; And a reading unit for reading the information in the image storage unit in the area designated by the reading area designation information, converting the information into a code for information exchange, and outputting the code, and a plurality of different slip formats are mixed. In a character reading device for reading a voucher, a preceding instruction means for designating an arbitrary one style code before starting to read the style code of the voucher and outputting reading area instruction information of an area corresponding to the designated style code, And a preceding reading means for reading the image storage information of the area designated by the preceding designating means in parallel with the reading of the form code of the slip by pipeline control. Character reader to symptoms. 3. A cumulative storage unit for sequentially updating and storing a cumulative reading frequency for each style code and a cumulative frequency for each permutation of the order of style codes of at least two slips that have been successively carried in. When the slip is carried in, the preceding instruction means refers to the form code of the slip read immediately before and the information stored in the cumulative storage unit, and selects the most frequently used form. The character reading device according to claim 2, further comprising a prediction unit that specifies a code.