JPH0514581A - Character recognition system for facsimile communication - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a high recognition rate by sending an image data easily recognized from a sender equipment to a receiver character recognition device in the facsimile communication. CONSTITUTION:When the user enters a specified character by using an entry section 15b such as a key board to a prescribed position in a format of an order slip displayed on a display section 15a of an information input output section 15 in a sender facsimile equipment 10, the inputted character data is arranged to a location decided based on the format and the entire data is converted into an image data and sent to a line from a communication control section 17 through a MODEM 16. A receiver side character recognition device converts the sent image data into the character code. Thus, since the ordering slip is generated by the entry from the key board or the like not by means of hand-writing according to a command of the display section 15a, the character recognition rate is much improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In the present invention, a user who is a sender sends various order data such as handwritten characters to a processing center at a remote place by using facsimile communication, and the character is sent to a processing center which is a receiving side. The present invention relates to a character recognition method by facsimile communication in which a recognition device is installed and automatically converted into a character code to perform a job.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Facsimile machines (hereinafter referred to as FAX machines) have been established as media next to telephones, and some systems using them have been realized. In such an environment, a character recognition method using facsimile communication by a fax machine is provided for commercial service under the name of pay-by-fax, etc. in a bank, for example, and numbers are mainly handwritten on a transfer slip, It is used for bank account transfers / transfers and transfer destination registration. Further, in an ordering / ordering system for merchandise such as a wholesaler and a retailer, as shown in FIG. 4, a user such as a store owner of the retailer fills out an order for the merchandise by handwriting on the order sheet, and the FAX machine is used to operate the wholesaler. It is used in the FAX ordering system for sending to.

In FIG. 4, 100 is a customer, 200 is a processing center for receiving and placing facsimile orders, and the two are connected by a line 300. Customer 100 is order slip 101
To the G3 FAX machine 102 and place an order, and the processing center 2
When the order is confirmed from 00, the order confirmation document 103 is discharged. The processing center 200 is a facsimile communication unit 20.
1 through the media converter 202, the image scanner 203, the character recognition device (LISCAR: Line S
cannable Cellular Array processor) 204, data processor 205, hard disk 206, printer 20
7, the host machine 208, etc. are connected, and the customer 1
When the order voucher 101 from 00 is sent through the line 300, the order voucher 101 is confirmed, and the order acceptance 103 is sent to the customer 100 through the line 300.

As described above, in the character recognition system by the current facsimile communication, the order entry based on the handwritten characters by the user is mainly based on the generally used FAX machine.

By the way, in the G3 FAX machine which is widely used in the current analog lines, the G3 FAX machine is used in the fine mode.
7 lines / mm, 3.85 lines / mm in the normal mode, compared to 12 lines / mm which is often used in a stand-alone character recognition device without communication such as general facsimile communication. Only coarse image data can be transmitted.
Therefore, it is used under severe conditions from the viewpoint of a normal character recognition device. Furthermore, since it is used by the general unspecified number of people, unlike handwritten characters by trained specialized operators, there are many characters whose character recognition rate decreases when viewed from a normal stand-alone character recognition device. There is a possibility.

In addition, when using the FAX machine,
Dirt on the optical system of the reading part of the FAX machine, dirt on the input original and the form itself, skewing when the input original is inserted into the FAX machine (the original enters at an angle, and the receiving side also receives an oblique original). Disturbances in the transmitted document due to friction in the input mechanism of, and disturbances in the transmitted document due to line noise in facsimile communication, etc., are major factors that reduce the character recognition rate and hinder smooth operations.

[0007]

In the character recognition method, the OCR character has long been known as a guideline as a means for improving the character recognition rate of handwritten characters according to JIS.
Etc. (a) Handwritten characters (Katakana) JIS for optical character recognition
X 9005-1979 (b) Handwritten characters (numbers) for optical character recognition JIS X
9006-1979 (c) Handwritten characters (alphabet) JIS X for optical character recognition
9007-1981 (d) Handwritten characters (symbols) JIS X for optical character recognition
9008-1981 These are so-called stand-alone character recognition devices.If a specialized operator enters handwritten characters using the character shape specified in the Japanese Industrial Standards above, the character recognition device will recognize the required recognition. Secure a rate. Therefore, the character recognition device has a dictionary of characters based on these standards. In addition, recently, recognition of printed characters has been actively carried out, and a character recognition device such as a printer having a dictionary of printed characters has appeared, which contributes to making a database from documents such as magazines and patent publications. .

As described above, in the conventional character recognition method, some methods for improving the character recognition rate have been developed. However, the problem caused by using a FAX machine or using facsimile communication is solved. There is a need to take new measures. For example, let an unspecified number of people who are users understand the character recognition method by faqrimiri communication,
Forces the characters to be entered and forces clean OCR characters,
There are methods such as encouraging periodical maintenance of the fax machine, managing slips (cleaning) and cautions when inserting, and handling when not recognizing by returning to the user by fax and forcing re-communication. Is an unbearable place for an unspecified number of amateurs.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to
The form format based on the work to be performed by the system is stored in advance in the sending device such as a FAX device or a personal computer, and the key-in of the user's input data is executed by the application program of the sending device.
When sending to the character recognition device on the receiving side by facsimile communication,
By providing a character recognition method by facsimile communication that can realize a high recognition rate by replacing a handwritten character with a character font specified by JIS standard and sending it, to provide smooth business. is there.

[0010]

In the character recognition method by facsimile communication according to the present invention, the sending side apparatus presets character data input by a user with prescribed characters based on a certain task. In addition to arranging the input character data at a position determined based on the form format in the sending side device, it has means for converting the entire form into image data,
Image data is transmitted to a character recognition device using facsimile communication, and the character recognition device on the receiving side converts the image data sent by facsimile communication into a character code.

Further, the sending device has a character font defined by the receiving character recognition device, and the image data is calibrated by this character font.

Further, a keyboard for inputting characters necessary for carrying out the work, and a display for instructing confirmation and operation of input data are provided on the sending side device.
It has a data communication means necessary for facsimile communication, a character font, and a means for providing application software necessary for performing these tasks.

[0013]

In the present invention, when the user inputs the character data with the specified characters, the character data is arranged at the position determined based on the preset form format, and the entire form is converted into image data. Then, it is sent to the character recognition device by facsimile communication. Therefore, a higher recognition rate can be obtained than handwritten characters.

Further, since the device on the sending side is provided with the character font of the image data defined by the character recognition device, the recognition rate can be further increased by inputting the character data using this.

Further, in the sending side device, by inputting necessary alphanumeric characters, kana, kanji, etc. from the keyboard according to the display on the display, it is possible to input the character data suitable for the character font of the character recognition device.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a fax machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows the relationship between the block diagram of 0 and the IC memory card 20, and FIG. 2 shows a software configuration showing necessary functions in the IC memory card 20.

Even if the IC memory card 20 is only a memory that is connected to the device side with multiple contacts, or is a chip card with a built-in CPU that complies with the ISO international standard, its function is stored externally. Any device can be used as long as it can function as a device.

In FIG. 1, 10 is a fax machine, 11 to 11.
Reference numeral 17 is a unit that constitutes the FAX apparatus 10
Is a main control unit, and 12 is a memory card coupling unit, which is a unit that delivers data and programs via the IC memory card 20 inserted into the FAX apparatus 10 and a connector. Reference numeral 13 denotes an in-card program execution unit that executes based on data and programs in the IC memory card 20,
Reference numeral 14 is a FAX mechanism section for performing normal facsimile transmission / reception using a document, 14a is a document output section, and 14b is a document output section.
Is an original input section. Reference numeral 15 is an information input / output unit, and reference numeral 15a therein is a display unit including a liquid crystal display, etc.
Reference numeral 5b is an input unit composed of a keyboard for inputting numbers and the like, 16 is a modem required for facsimile communication, and 17 is a communication control unit for controlling communication with the outside.

Each of these units is connected to the main control section 11 by an internal bus or the like, and the main control section 11 is connected to the fax machine 10.
Control the overall behavior of the. In addition, the FAX mechanism unit 1
4 is a general FAX that can be used, and the IC memory card 20 is usually controlled by the main control unit 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the IC memory card 20
The main control unit 11 reads the business program in the card via the memory card coupling unit 12, and the in-card program execution unit 1
3 includes a system BIOS (basic input / output system: Basic
There is a system for hardware control called "Input Output System", and the main control unit 11 uses the IC memory card 20.
According to the application program 20A (see FIG. 2), the system BIOS 13A is called to perform the work.

Referring to FIG. 2, the IC memory card 2 of FIG.
By installing 0, card application program 2
0A is started, and the system call is done by inputting DNSEND (telephone automatic selection signal transmission) and center number as a system call.
Prompt IOS13A. The system BIOS 13A is shown in FIG.
The necessary items are displayed on the display section 15a of, and the user looks at it and inputs the dial signal. The system BIOS 13A returns the result as an event to the completion of dialing and the card application program 20A. It also notifies the card application program 20A when the other party responds and when the line connection is established. Hereinafter, the system BIOS 13A proceeds with the work according to the program of the card application program 20A.

The user advances the key input of the input unit 15b of the FAX machine 10 based on the operation support of the display unit 15a, arranges the input data at a position determined based on the form format, and displays the entire form as an image. The data is converted into data, and the modem 16 and the communication control unit 17 are controlled to communicate with the outside. Some of the IC memory cards 20 shown in FIG.
It has a character font and form format necessary for character recognition as shown in. That is, the data input at the required position based on the form format is converted into image data with reference to the character font.

Although FIG. 3 shows an order form used for handwriting, the customer number, delivery date, product code, quantity, etc. are conventionally handwritten, and the order form is transmitted to the FAX machine 10 and sent. In the invention, since the format of the order form is displayed on the display unit 15a, if the data is input to a required place from the input unit 15b such as a keyboard according to the ordered product, the entire order form (form) is converted into image data. ,
It is sent as it is to the character recognition device on the receiving side.

The system constructed in this way is shown in FIG.
Unlike the conventional example, instead of sending the handwritten letter order form by FAX, if the user creates order data from the input unit 15b such as a keyboard according to the business program of the FAX machine 10, the order form is automatically generated. It is created and transmitted to the character recognition device on the processing center side.

In this character recognition system by facsimile communication, the sending side device operated by the user may be, for example, a personal computer.

[0026]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the system in which the receiving side has the character recognition device and the user side uses the FAX device to make an order entry mainly on handwritten characters, the order slip is automatically In the sending device, the character data entered by the user with the specified characters based on a certain job is created at the position determined based on the form format in the sending device set in advance. In addition to arranging the character data input to, and having a means for converting the entire form into image data, the image data is transmitted to the character recognition device using facsimile communication, and the character recognition device on the receiving side uses the facsimile communication. Since the image data sent by is converted into a character code, the recognition rate Character recognition system according to high facsimile communication can be realized.

In addition, the user may find it difficult to recognize the machine due to, for example, a bad writing, stains on the FAX optical system,
The input document and the form itself are free from the trouble of being difficult to recognize due to skewing when inserting the document.

Further, with respect to the line noise, which is one of the factors that lowers the recognition rate, if an error correction procedure (for example, ECM communication procedure in facsimile communication) is used, reliable image data is transmitted to the center. You can also

Further, since the sending side device has a character font defined by the receiving side character recognition device, and the image data is calibrated by this character font, the recognition rate can be improved.

Further, since the device on the sending side is provided with the keyboard, the display, the data communication means, the means for providing the application software, etc., the user can easily perform the input.

As described above, the present invention can theoretically expect a recognition rate of 100% by removing the factor that reduces the character recognition rate in the character recognition system by facsimile communication.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a relationship between a FAX apparatus and an IC memory card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an in-card program execution unit in the FAX apparatus and an IC memory card according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a format of an order sheet for facsimile communication.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional ordering system by facsimile.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 FAX machine 11 Main control unit 12 Memory card connection part 13 Card program execution unit 14 FAX mechanism 14a Document output section 14b Document input section 15 Information input / output section 15a display section 15b Input section 16 modem 17 Communication control unit 20 IC memory card

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A character entered by a user at a predetermined position is sent as image data to a character recognition device at a remote place using facsimile communication, and the image data sent by the character recognition device. Is converted into a character code, and various operations are performed based on the converted character code. In the character recognition method by facsimile communication, in the device on the sending side, the user inputs a prescribed character based on a certain operation. Character data, the input character data is arranged at a position determined based on a form format in a preset sending side device, and a means for converting the entire form into image data is provided,
By facsimile communication, the image data is transmitted to the character recognition device using facsimile communication, and the character recognition device on the receiving side converts the image data sent by facsimile communication into a character code. Character recognition method. 2. The device on the sending side has a character font defined by the character recognition device on the receiving side, and the image data is calibrated by this character font.
Character recognition method by the described facsimile communication. 3. A keyboard for inputting characters necessary for carrying out business, a display for instructing confirmation and operation of input data, and a data communication means necessary for facsimile communication, on the sending side device. And a character font,
The character recognition system by facsimile communication according to claim 1, further comprising means for providing application software necessary for performing these tasks.