JPH09138678A - Optical character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical character reader capable of providing the character data answering to a handwritten character like front through the read of an original. SOLUTION: The original is read by a scanner means 1, and the image data are outputted from the scanner means 1. The image data are stored in an image data storage means 2, and the stored data in the image data storage means 2 are searched by a character recognition means 3, and the character data are segmented. The character data are converted to a character code by a code conversion means 4, and the handwriting data answering to the converted character code are read out from a handwriting data storage means 5 storing the individual handwriting data. The segmented character is converted to the handwritten character answering to the individual handwriting, and the printing type of the original is converted to the handwritten character of the individual handwriting, and the document data of the handwritten character and the character data of a sign are provided in a short time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical character reader for directly optically reading a document, discriminating characters and inputting them to a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical character reading device (Optica) which directly optically scans an original, discriminates character data from the read image data, and inputs it to a computer.
l Character Reader) has been used.

[0003]

In the conventional optical character reading device, the character data read from the original is the character data corresponding to the font used for normal printing by the printer, that is, the character data corresponding to Mincho or Gothic. It was However, since a handwritten character-like font document gives the reader of the document a fresh and familiar feeling to a document of typeface in Mincho or Gothic type which is usually printed by a printer, for example, in an advertisement of a product. Copying and printing of handwritten characters are used to improve advertising effects. However, copying and printing a large number of documents takes time and effort for document creation, and it is expected that the characters of the directly read original will be converted into handwritten characters by an optical character reader and printed by a printer. Was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned demand for printing handwritten character sentences, and its purpose is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical character reading device capable of reading a document and providing character data corresponding to a handwritten character-like font.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is a scanner means for reading an original and outputting an image signal, and an image signal from the scanner means is stored as image data. The image data storage means and the stored data in the image data storage means,
A character recognition means for cutting out character data; a code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code; and a handwriting data storage means for storing personal handwriting data corresponding to the character code. , The handwriting data corresponding to the character code converted by the code converting means,
It is characterized by comprising character conversion means for converting the characters read out from the handwriting data storage means and cut out into handwritten characters corresponding to the handwriting of the individual.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 2 is a scanner means for reading a document and outputting an image signal, and an image signal from the scanner means is stored as image data. Storage means, character recognition means for searching the stored data of the image data storage means to cut out character data, code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code, and a character code Ratio data storage means for storing the font scaling ratio data corresponding to, and ratio data corresponding to the character code converted by the code conversion means are read from the ratio data storage means, and are cut out into characters.
It is characterized by comprising a magnification conversion means for converting the cut-out character into a handwriting style by applying a corresponding font scaling.

Similarly, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is the image data in which the scanner means for reading the original and outputting the image data, and the image signal from the scanner means are stored as the image data. Storage means, character recognition means for searching the stored data of the image data storage means to cut out character data, code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code, and a character code The curvature data storage means for storing the curvature data of the font curvature setting corresponding to, and the curvature data corresponding to the character code converted by the code conversion means are read from the curvature data storage means, and the characters are cut out into a font. A curvature converting means for converting the cut-out character into a handwriting style by setting a curvature. Is shall.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the character conversion of this embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a CPU 7 for controlling the entire system optically scans a document via a bus B and outputs an image signal based on reflected light from a document image. A scanner unit 1 for outputting, an image data storage unit 2 in which an image signal from the scanner unit 1 is stored as image data, and a character recognition unit 3 for cutting out character data by searching stored data in the image data storage unit 2 Are connected. Similarly, in the CPU 7, via the bus B, a code conversion unit 4 for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition unit 3 into a character code, a handwriting data storage unit 5 in which personal handwriting data is stored, and a code. The handwriting data corresponding to the character code converted by the converting means 4 is read from the handwriting data storage means 5, and the character converting means 6 for converting the cut-out character into a handwritten character corresponding to an individual handwriting is connected.

The operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described. In the present embodiment, according to a command from the CPU 7,
A document including print characters is optically scanned by the scanner unit 1, an image of the document is read based on the reflected light from the document, an image signal is output from the scanner unit 1, and the image signal is stored as image data. It is stored in the means 2.

Next, in response to a command from the CPU 7, the character recognition means 3 searches the image data storage means 2, and the character data is cut out from the image data stored in the image data storage means 2. This character data is converted into a code. It is converted into a character code by the means 4.

Then, in response to a command from the CPU 7, the character converting means 6 operates, the handwriting data corresponding to the character code converted by the code converting means 4 is read from the handwriting data storing means 5, and the read handwriting is read. The data is transferred to a computer (not shown).

In this way, according to the present embodiment,
2A, the handwritten character data based on the handwriting data is transferred to the computer by the character conversion means 6 with respect to the typed characters of the original document read by the scanner means 1, and based on the handwritten character data. Then, a handwritten character as shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the character data is cut out from the image data of the original image read by the scanner means 1 by the character recognition means 3 and converted into the character code by the code conversion means 4. ,further,
The handwriting data corresponding to the character code converted by the character conversion unit 6 is read from the handwriting data storage unit 5 and transferred to the computer.
It becomes possible to provide the handwritten character document data and the signature character data in a short time by converting the handwritten character of an individual handwriting.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing magnification conversion of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, instead of the character converting means 6 of the first embodiment already described with reference to FIG. 1, the character code converted by the code converting means 4 is used. Further, there is provided magnification conversion means 8 for converting the characters cut out by the character recognition means 3 into a handwriting style by applying a corresponding font magnification. Further, instead of the writing data storage means 5 of the first embodiment, the character element for the character of the standard font of the manuscript which is cut out by the character recognition means 3 for each character data and converted into the character code by the code conversion means. A ratio data storage unit 9 is provided for storing the vertical and horizontal font ratios. This font ratio is a ratio that indicates what kind of font scaling is applied to the length and width of a character element to make it look like a handwritten character when the characters cut out by the character recognition means 3 are printed with characters of a standard font. Is. The configuration of the other parts of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment already described,
No duplicate explanation will be given.

In the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the type character "1" of the standard font of the original of (a) is read, the magnification conversion means 8 causes the type data character to be read from the ratio data storage means 9. The vertical and horizontal font ratios for "1" are read out, and the read black characters are scaled down by scaling the vertical black pixel ratio to 0.8 and the horizontal black pixel ratio to 0.5. By continuously displaying the black pixels, it is possible to obtain a handwriting-like character of a pen as shown in FIG. The other operations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment already described.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the character data is cut out from the image data of the original image read by the scanner means 1 by the character recognition means 3 and converted into the character code by the code conversion means 4. ,further,
The font ratio corresponding to the standard font of the converted character code is read from the ratio data storage unit 9 by the magnification conversion unit 8, and the standard font is scaled and changed by the read font ratio. Since the doubled font data is transferred to the computer, it is possible to provide handwritten document data from the printed characters of the original document and meet the user's request for the handwritten font.

[Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing curvature conversion of the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the character code converted by the code conversion means 4 is used in place of the character conversion means 6 of the first embodiment already described with reference to FIG. By setting the corresponding font curvature to
A curvature conversion means 10 is provided for converting the characters cut out by the character recognition means 3 into a handwriting style. Further, instead of the writing data storage means 5 of the first embodiment, the character element for the character of the standard font of the manuscript which is cut out by the character recognition means 3 for each character data and converted into the character code by the code conversion means. A curvature data storage means 11 is provided for storing the curvature set in step 1. This curvature is a curvature that indicates what kind of curvature should be set for a character element to make it look like a handwritten character when a character cut out by the character recognition unit 3 is printed with a character of a standard font.
The configuration of the other parts of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment already described, and therefore, will not be described repeatedly.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, when the type character "1" of the standard font of the original as shown in FIG.
The curvature for the print character "1" is read from the curvature data storage means 11, and the curvature indicated by the curve C in FIG. 7B is set at each position of the character element for the read character and the standard font A character similar to the handwritten character of a pen is obtained, as shown in FIG. 7B, in which a curvature is set in the character element of the original character “1”. Other operations of this embodiment are
This is the same as the first embodiment already described.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the character data is cut out from the image data of the original image read by the scanner means 1 by the character recognition means 3 and converted into the character code by the code conversion means 4. ,further,
The curvature corresponding to the standard font of the character code converted by the curvature conversion means 10 is the curvature data storage means 11
The curvature is set to the character elements of the standard font by the curvature read from the, and the curvature-converted font data is transferred to the computer, so handwritten document data is provided from the printed characters of the manuscript. It becomes possible to meet the user's request for a handwritten font.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the document is read by the scanner means, the image data is output from the scanner means, the image data is stored in the image data storage means, and the character recognition means causes the image data to be stored. The stored data in the image data storage means is searched and character data is cut out. This character data is converted into a character code by the code conversion means, and handwriting data corresponding to the converted character code is stored as personal handwriting data. Since the characters read out from the handwriting data storage means and cut out are converted into handwritten characters corresponding to the personal handwriting by the character conversion means, the print characters of the manuscript are converted into the handwriting characters of the personal handwriting. It becomes possible to provide the document data of a handwritten letter and the character data of a signature in a short time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the document is read by the scanner means, the image data is output from the scanner means, the image data is stored in the image data storage means, and the image data is stored by the character recognition means. The stored data in the storage means is searched and character data is cut out. This character data is converted into a character code by the code conversion means, and the converted character code is subjected to corresponding font scaling by the magnification conversion means. By cutting, the cut out characters are converted into a handwritten style,
It is possible to provide handwritten document data from printed characters of a manuscript and meet the user's request for a handwritten font.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the document is read by the scanner means, the image data is output from the scanner means, the image data is stored in the image data storage means, and the image data is stored by the character recognition means. The stored data in the storage means is searched to cut out character data, the character data is converted into a character code by the code conversion means, and the curvature conversion means sets a corresponding font curvature to the converted character code. By doing so, the cut-out character is converted into a handwritten character, so that it becomes possible to provide handwritten character document data from the printed characters of the manuscript and meet the user's request for a handwritten character font.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing character conversion according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing magnification conversion according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing curvature conversion according to the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 scanner means 2 image data storage means 3 character recognition means 4 code conversion means 5 writing data storage means 6 character conversion means 7 CPU 8 magnification conversion means 9 magnification data storage means 10 curvature conversion means 11 curvature data storage means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A scanner means for reading a document and outputting an image signal, an image data storage means for storing the image signal from the scanner means as image data, and a search for stored data in the image data storage means. Character recognition means for cutting out character data, code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code, and handwriting data storage means for storing personal handwriting data corresponding to the character code And a handwriting data corresponding to the character code converted by the code converting means, read from the handwriting data storage means, and a character conversion means for converting the cut out character into a handwritten character corresponding to the handwriting of the individual. An optical character reading device having. 2. A scanner unit for reading an original and outputting an image signal, an image data storage unit in which the image signal from the scanner unit is stored as image data, and data stored in the image data storage unit for searching. Character recognition means for cutting out character data, code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code, and ratio data storage for storing ratio data of font scaling corresponding to the character code Means, and the ratio data corresponding to the character code converted by the code conversion means is read from the ratio data storage means, and the cut-out character is multiplied by a corresponding font to convert the cut-out character. And an optical character reader having a magnification conversion means for converting into a handwriting style. 3. Scanner means for reading a document and outputting image data, image data storage means for storing image signals from the scanner means as image data, and data stored in the image data storage means for searching. Character recognition means for cutting out character data, code conversion means for converting the character data cut out by the character recognition means into a character code, and curvature data storage for storing curvature data of font curvature setting corresponding to the character code Means, and the curvature data corresponding to the character code converted by the code conversion means is read from the curvature data storage means, and the font curvature is set to the cut character, whereby the cut character is written in a handwriting style. An optical character reader having a curvature converting means for converting into an optical character.