JPH09259196A - Optical character reader and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the process time for image reading, etc., and decrease the operation steps by reading in plural areas on the same document successively in individual density modes. SOLUTION: This optical character reader is provided with a format detecting means 66, a format analyzing means 64, a document format storage means 44, a document management means 42, and a position sensing means 36, which are composed of a microcomputer. Namely, the device is equipped with a CPU, a memory, an input/output device, etc., and the density mode of a specific area can be specified by detecting the position coordinates of an area where an image is read, finding the same position coordinates with a position coordinates recorded in a format, and setting the density mode corresponding to the position coordinates. Therefore, plural areas on the same document can be read in successively in the individual density modes by changing areas where images are read according to a specific rule.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention optically reads an image of a form, cuts out a predetermined area of the image, recognizes characters written in a predetermined area on the form, and recognizes it as predetermined data. An optical character reader for capturing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Optical character readers are used as data input means when data is processed by a computer. Usually, handwritten characters written on a form according to a certain format are optically read and encoded to be recognized as character data.

The image of the form can be captured as white / black information having different tones or color information represented by three primary color signals. Further, since images of different areas on the same form can be captured as image data having different densities, images of different areas on the same form can be captured with different numbers of gradations. Further, it is possible to effectively capture only the color desired to be captured from each image data signal of the three primary color signals. Then, the captured color signal components can be captured at different capture densities.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional optical character reading apparatus, although it is possible to take in data of different gradation numbers or color as described above, the instruction is given from the outside. Had to be done by input means. Therefore, for example, when capturing images of different areas on the same form as data of different densities, the following procedure is required.

First, at the time of reading an image, first, an image of the entire form is read in the first density mode, and then an image of the entire form is read in the second density mode. Was needed. Since such a procedure is necessary, there are problems that the processing time is long and the number of operations by the operator is large.

Therefore, it has been desired in the past to provide an optical character reader capable of performing gradation or color processing with a short processing time and a small number of operations.

[0007]

According to the optical character reading apparatus of the present invention, an optical scanning means for reading an image of a form and outputting image data, and a density of capturing the image data according to a density mode of the image. In the optical character reader including a density processing means for setting the density, an image memory for storing the image data for which the density is set, and a recognition unit for identifying characters from the image data for which the density is set, A format detection area is provided in the area to read the image in this area, a format analysis means for analyzing the image in the format identification area to obtain the identification label of the form, and an image density mode in a predetermined reading area. And of the data about the position coordinates of this reading area A form format storage means for storing a format consisting of rows with the identification label attached to the format, a position sensing means for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of image reading, and a position sensed by the position sensing means. It is characterized by further comprising a form management means for knowing the coordinate density mode from the format and designating the import density.

The format detection means reads the image of the format discrimination area provided on the form, and the format analysis means analyzes the captured image to obtain an identification label.

Here, the format means an array of data. In this format, information about the image density mode in a predetermined area on the form and the position coordinates of the area is set. The above-described form format storage means stores this format. Each format stored in the form format storage means is provided with an identification label for designating a corresponding form. Therefore, a desired format can be designated from the identification label analyzed by the format analyzing means.

The position sensing means is means for detecting the position coordinates in the area where the image of the form is being read. The form management means is means for designating the density mode corresponding to the output of the position sensing means from the above-mentioned format. Therefore, by detecting the position coordinates of the area where the image is being read, finding the same position coordinates as the above-mentioned position coordinates recorded in the format, and setting the density mode corresponding to the position coordinates. , The density mode of the above area can be specified.
Therefore, a plurality of areas on the same form can be continuously read in different density modes by changing the area where the image is being read according to a predetermined rule.

In carrying out the present invention, it is preferable to include a plurality of the image memories, and an image memory switching means for distributing each image data to each of the image memories according to the capture density set by the density processing means. Is.

Further, according to the optical character reader of the present invention, the optical scanning means for reading the image of the form and outputting the image data, and the color for setting the fetch color of the image data for each color mode of the image. In an optical character reading device including a processing means, an image memory for storing color-set image data, and a recognition unit for identifying characters from the color-set image data, a format determination is made in a predetermined area of a form. A format detecting means for providing an area and reading an image in this area, a format analyzing means for analyzing the image in the format discrimination area to obtain an identification label of the form, a color mode of an image in a predetermined reading area and the reading area About position coordinates of A form format storage means for storing a format consisting of an array by adding the identification label to the format, a position sensing means for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of image reading, and a position sensed by the position sensing means. It is characterized by comprising a form management means for knowing a color mode of coordinates from the format and designating a fetched color.

As described above, the above-mentioned format detecting means, format analyzing means, form format storing means, position detecting means and form managing means are applied to the optical character reading device having the color processing means,
By detecting the position coordinates of the area that is reading the image, finding the same position coordinates as the above-mentioned position coordinates recorded in the format, and setting the color mode corresponding to the position coordinates, You can specify the color mode of the area. Therefore, a plurality of areas on the same form can be continuously read in different color modes by changing the area where the image is being read according to a predetermined rule.

Further, according to the optical character reader of the present invention, the optical scanning means for reading the image of the form and outputting the image data, and the color for setting the capture color of the image data for each color mode of the image. A processing means, a density processing means for setting the density of the image data to be taken for each density mode of the image, an image memory for storing the color-set and density-set image data, and the color-set and density-set image data. In an optical character reading device having a recognition unit for identifying characters from a format, a format detection area is provided in a predetermined area of a form to read an image in this area, and an image in the format determination area is analyzed. To obtain the identification label of the form A form format storage means for storing a format including a mat analysis means and an array of data on a color mode, a density mode of an image in a predetermined reading area and position coordinates of the reading area, with the identification label attached to the format. And a position sensing means for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of image reading, and a form for designating a capture color and a capture density by knowing the color mode and the density mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means from the format. It is characterized by comprising management means.

As described above, for the optical character reading device having the color processing means and the density processing means,
Format detection means, format analysis means,
By applying the form format storage means, the position sensing means, and the form management means, the position coordinates of the area where the image is being read are detected, and the same position coordinates as the aforementioned position coordinates recorded in the format are found. By setting the color mode and the density mode corresponding to the position coordinates, the color mode and the density mode of the above-mentioned area can be designated. Therefore, a plurality of areas on the same form can be continuously read in different color modes and density modes by changing the area where the image is being read according to a predetermined rule.

In carrying out the present invention, it is preferable to include a plurality of the image memories, and an image memory switching means for distributing each image data to each of the image memories according to the capture density set by the density processing means. Is.

According to the preferred control methods of the present invention described above, upon reading the format discrimination area of the optical character reader, the format detecting means is the optical scanning means and the format analyzing means. In the case of the recognition unit, knowing the identification label by these optical scanning means and recognition unit, stopping the conveyance of the form in the forward direction, and then conveying it in the direction opposite to that before the stop. It is characterized in that the form is cueed, the form is conveyed again in the forward direction, and the capture density or the capture color of the image data of the form is controlled according to the format read by the identification label.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings are only schematically shown to the extent that the present invention can be understood, and the present invention is not limited to the numerical conditions and the like described below. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. Not limited.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a first embodiment of an optical character reading apparatus according to the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention includes at least the components of the optical scanning unit 15, the density processing unit 30, the image memory 18, and the recognition unit 20 as in the conventional case. First, these will be described. In this first configuration example, a multi-valued signal of white / black (white / black means white, black, and intermediate brightness between white and black) is image data (also referred to as white / black information). It is an example of the case of handling as. The optical scanning unit 15 is a unit that reads an image of the form 10 and inputs image data, and includes a CCD sensor 12 and an A / D conversion unit 14. The image of the form 10, which is a reading medium, is read by the CCD sensor 12. The CCD sensor 12 is a charge-coupled device, and collects and receives light from a light source (not shown) reflected by the form 10 by an optical system (not shown). The form 10 is a CCD sensor 1
Constant direction with respect to 2 (direction indicated by arrow a in FIG. 1)
The entire area of the form is optically scanned by the CCD sensor 12 by being conveyed to the. CCD sensor 1
The output signal 2 is converted into a digital signal (image data) by the A / D converter 14. In this embodiment, this digital signal is a multi-valued signal with 8-bit 256 gradations, and this multi-valued signal is input to the density lookup table 16 of the density processing means 30.

The density processing means 30 is composed of a density lookup table 16 and a density processing designation register 28, and has a function of setting the image data acquisition density for each density mode of the image of the form. The density lookup table 16 is mainly used as a gradation number lowering means for reducing the gradation of the input multi-valued signal. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned multilevel signal is reduced to 8 gradations (3 bits).

The density processing designation register 28 is a register for designating the recording density of capture. For example, when reading the text area of the form, "1" is set,
When reading the seal imprint area, "0" is set. Then, according to the instruction of the density processing designation register 28, the density look-up table 16 fetches the image data read from the character area of the form at 200 dpi according to the setting value “1”, and from the seal imprint area of the form. The read image data is taken in at 400 dpi according to the setting value “0” described above. As in this example, according to the present invention, a relatively large character written in a handwritten character area is captured as low density data, and a relatively fine pattern imprint imprinted in the imprint area is used as high density data. Can be captured.

The 3-bit 8-gradation multivalued signal (that is, the image data having the density set) output from the density lookup table 16 is stored in the image memory 18. The image memory 18 is composed of, for example, a static memory or a dynamic memory. The image data captured in the image memory 18 is
It is taken into the recognition unit 20. Normally, the image memory 18
The image data captured by the cutout control unit 22
It is taken into the recognition unit 20 via. Cutout control unit 2
2 is a recognition unit 2 which cuts out a predetermined data area (corresponding to an image of an area in which characters on a form are written) of the image data held in the image memory 18.
Send to 0. Then, the recognition unit 20 identifies a character from the image data for which the density is set. Therefore, the recognition unit 20 recognizes the character from the image data by referring to the dictionary file by the feature point extraction pattern matching method or the like, and obtains the corresponding character code. In this way, the character on the image is recognized as the character on the data, for example, the character code. The result recognized as this character code is used as required. For example, the recognition unit 20 may be provided with a computer system including a display device and other external output means 90 so that the character code can be displayed as characters on the display device. In addition, the image data is extracted by the cutout control unit 22
It is also possible to directly input to the recognition unit 20 without going through. In this case, the recognition unit 20 does not perform the above-described recognition operation. For example, normally, the seal imprint portion of the image data is passed through the recognition unit 20 without being processed, and the seal imprint image is displayed by the external output means 90.

Here, the "character" in this optical character reading device is not limited to a narrow meaning including a numeral,
It has a wide meaning including figures. Even characters in these broad senses can be called "characters" if they can be compared by a dictionary file. However, since such a definition makes the distinction between the seal imprint and the character ambiguous, the "character" is defined in the narrow sense in this embodiment. In this embodiment, in particular, handwritten characters described in a normal character entry field of a voucher transacted at a bank or the like are read by the optical character reading device of this configuration example, and from the shape of the read character, It is assumed that characters are recognized and captured as data. At the same time, the imprint of the stamp field of the slip is captured as image data.

In such an optical character reading device, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned characters and imprints described on the same transaction voucher (form) described above are scanned by a single scanning operation at different capture densities. In order to enable reading, in addition to the above-mentioned conventional components, a format detection area 66 is provided in a predetermined area of the form and a format detection means 66 for reading an image in this area, and an image in this format determination area are analyzed. Format analysis means 6 for obtaining the identification label of the form
4, a form format storage means 44 for storing a format consisting of an image density mode in a predetermined reading area and an array of data on the position coordinates of this reading area with the above-mentioned identification label attached thereto, and an image. The position sensing means 36 for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of reading, and the form management means 4 for knowing the density mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means from the format and designating the loading density.
2 and.

Here, the density mode means the image of each area set on the form which is the object of image reading,
Of the preset capture densities, it refers to the type assigned to this area from the viewpoint of which density is suitable for capturing. Further, the position coordinates are represented by a combination of distance values measured from two points on the form with reference to one point on the form. However, in this embodiment, since the areas of different density modes on the form are arranged along the transport direction,
The position coordinates are one-dimensionally represented by the length from the leading end of the form to the reading position along the transport direction.

The format detecting means 66 is composed of a bar code sensor and is provided on the front side of the CCD sensor 12. Therefore, when the form 10 is carried in the carrying direction a, the form detecting means 66 is first. , The barcode sensor 66, and then the CCD sensor 12. With this barcode sensor, a barcode provided in a predetermined area (format determination area described later) of the form 10 is read.

The format analyzing means 64 encodes the light and shade of the bar code pattern read by the bar code detecting means 66 and reads the data by this combination. This data is a form number for identifying the type of the form. It is.

As the form format storage means 44, a format table memory is used. A ROM, which is a non-volatile memory, is used as the format table memory. This form format storage means 4
In FIG. 4, formats of several types of forms are stored.

The position sensing means 36 is composed of a first position sensing sensor 24, a second position sensing sensor 26, a signal processing unit 29, a timer 32 and a medium length counter 34 for detecting the scanning position of the form 10. The first position detection sensor 24 is provided at the rear stage of the CCD sensor 12, and the second position detection sensor 26 is provided at the front stage of the CCD sensor 12. Therefore, when the form 10 is conveyed in the conveying direction a, first, it passes through the barcode sensor 66, and then,
It passes through the first position sensitive sensor 26, then the CCD sensor 12, and finally the second position sensitive sensor 24.

First and second position detecting sensors 24, 26
Senses whether the conveyed form 10 has reached a position directly below the CCD sensor 12. Each of the 1st and 2nd position detection sensors 24 and 26 is comprised by the combination of a photodiode and a light emitting diode, for example. The light receiving surface and the light emitting surface of the photodiode and the light emitting diode are arranged to face each other, and when the form is not conveyed, the photodiode receives the light emitted from the light emitting diode and is in a low level state. By transferring the form between these and blocking the light,
Light does not reach the photodiode, and the photodiode is in a high level state. Therefore, for example, each of the sensors 24 and 26 outputs a high level “1” (H state) signal, that is, a valid signal when the document 10 is directly below them, and a low level “0” in other cases. (L state)
The signal of is output. That is, these sensors 24 and 26 generate output signals according to the presence or absence of the form.

The signal processing unit 29 receives the respective outputs of the first and second position detecting sensors 24 and 26 and the constant period pulse signal of the timer 32 as input, and one of the outputs of both sensors 24 and 26 is at a high level. In the illustrated example, an OR circuit 29a having two inputs added from the sensor output and O
The output of the R circuit 29a and the output of the timer 32 are added,
It is composed of an AND circuit 29b having two inputs. These OR circuit 29a and AND circuit 29b
Is composed of, for example, TTL. The output of the signal processing unit 29 is connected to the medium length counter 34. The medium length counter 34 counts and stores the number (number) of output pulse signals of the signal processing unit 29. In this way, the medium length, that is, the form 1
The length from the front end to the end in the direction 0 of the conveyance direction a is measured.

The form management means 42 controls the density processing means 30, the format analysis means 64, the form format storage means 44 and the position sensing means 36 described above. The form management means 42 is composed of a control unit 38 and a frequency counter 40.

The frequency counter 40 has a control section 38.
In accordance with the command, the number of mode switchings (the number of switchings is referred to as the number of mode areas) is read from the format of the form 10 to be read, which is stored in the form format storage means 44, and the read value is counted. It is a counter that counts down from this maximum number to zero at the same time as it is set in the counter 40 as the maximum number.

In addition to the above-mentioned number counter 40, the control section 38 includes the medium length counter 34 and the timer 3 described above.
2. Each of the form format storage means 44 and the format analysis means 64 is connected by a data line to control each of these constituent elements, and based on these control results, the mode is switched to the density processing designation register 28. It is an element to order. The form format storage unit 44 described above is a format table memory (simply,
Also called a format memory. ), Various types of information regarding the format of the form 10 are readablely stored as will be described later.

The format detecting means 66 and the format analyzing means 3 of the optical character reading apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration.
6, form format storage means 44, form management means 42
The position sensing means 36 is composed of a microcomputer. Therefore, a CPU (central processing unit), a memory, an input / output device, and other necessary components are provided, and all or a part of these components are optical scanning means 15, which are other components, depending on the design. The density processing unit 30, the image memory 18, the cutout control unit 22, and the recognition unit 20 can be shared, or each can be provided separately.

Further, this optical character reading device has a keyboard, a ten-key pad or other external input means 8.
8 is provided, and external information from these can be input to the control unit 38. The electric components described above are supplied with predetermined electric power from a power source (not shown) so that they operate in a necessary synchronization with each other. Since it does not have the features of the present invention, its explanation is omitted.

In this embodiment, an example of the structure of the form 10 which is the object of image reading will be described with reference to FIG. This form 10 is usually rectangular in shape,
In this example, the longitudinal direction is taken as the transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow a in the figure), and the density mode changes along this direction. In the configuration shown in the figure, from the top of the form 10, first, the character capturing area 46 as the first area and then the seal imprint capturing area 4 as the second area.
8. Finally, the form is a form in which the character capturing area 50 is assigned as the third area. In the character capture areas 46 and 50, there is a column of the entry frame 52, and the entry character 54 is described in the box. It should be noted that the character capture area 46 that is the leading edge (the side indicated by the arrow b in the figure) of the form.
A medium format barcode 68 (also simply referred to as a barcode 68) is provided as a format discriminating area. Further, in the seal imprint capturing area 48, there is a seal imprint 56 formed by imprinting red ink.

FIG. 2 shows a timing chart of the output signals of the respective components of the position sensing means 36, which are arranged next to the form 10, in addition to the diagram showing the structure of the form 10. In FIG. 2, 58 is a read valid signal from the OR circuit 29a, 60 is a pulse having the same period from the timer 32, and 62 is a medium length count pulse which is an output from the AND circuit 29b. As already described with reference to FIG. 1, the first and second position sensing sensors 24,
When there is a document directly under either or both of 26, the read valid signal 58 which is the OR output of these sensors 24, 26 is in the H state. At this time, timer 3
The pulse 60 having the same period as the output of 2 is input to the medium length counter 34 as the medium length count pulse 58. The scanning position (positional coordinate) of the form 10 is detected from the pulse number of the medium length count pulse 58.

FIG. 3 shows the format 84 of this form 10.
It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of. The format 84 is a form number indicating the type of the form. Is set corresponding to. In the data forming the format 84 in this embodiment, the number of switching times n representing the number of modes and the position coordinates of the i-th (where i = 1, 2, ..., N) reading area on the form are shown. Existing capture area X _i , and density processing specification Y that specifies the density mode of each capture area
_i have. These respective types of data n, X _i , and Y _i are arranged based on a fixed processing procedure. For example, in the illustrated example, n, X ₁ , Y ₁ , X ₂ , Y ₂ , X ₃ , and Y ₃ are arranged in this order.

The form N of the form 10 (FIG. 2) having the above-mentioned configuration
o. However, for example, No. Suppose it is 2. The form No. recorded in the barcode 68 by the format detecting means 66 and the format analyzing means 64. Read,
It is sent to the control unit 38. Control unit 38
Is the form number sent. In accordance with this No. A format 84 with 2 as an identification label is called from the form format storage means 44. In the example of this form 10,
Since the three areas 46, 48 and 50 are allocated, the number of switching times n = “3” is arranged at the front of the format 84 corresponding to this form. The form 10 in the character capture area 46 that is the first capture area
Since the length along the transport direction a from the position of the leading end (the position indicated by the arrow b in FIG. 2) of X is set as X ₁ , the format 84
"X ₁ " is arranged in the column of the capture area in the column next to this n. The length X ₁ is represented by the time for scanning the character capturing area 46. And this time,
It is represented by the number of pulse signals 60 generated by the timer 32.

Next, since a parameter that specifies the mode of the character read-out area 46 is set to Y _1, are arranged "Y _1" is a mode field for this region 46 of the format 84 (processing designation box). In the case of the form 10 of this configuration example, for example, the mode of the character capturing area is set to “1” and the mode of the seal imprint capturing area is set to “0”. Therefore, in this case Y ₁ = 1.

In the same way as the above-mentioned example, next to Y ₁ , the second imprint area, which is the imprint imprint area 48, is taken.
“X ₂ ” representing the region length of the region 48, followed by “Y ₂ ” designating the density mode of this region 48, and then “X ₃ ” representing the region length of the character capturing region 50 which is the third capturing region, “Y ₃ ” designating the mode of this area 50 is subsequently arranged.

The configuration of the first embodiment has been described above. Next, the operation of this configuration example will be described.

The form management means 42 manages each component according to the above-mentioned format recorded in the form format storage means 44. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the form management means. First, Step 1
(Hereinafter, it may be abbreviated as S1.) In the conveyance direction (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the form 10 which is a reading medium.
Direction indicated by arrow a. ) To (S in FIG. 4)
1). Then, the barcode 6 provided at the tip of the form 10
8 is read by the first position detection sensor 26, and “form bar code read” is performed (S2 in FIG. 4). From the image of the barcode read by the first position detection sensor 26, the barcode analysis unit 64, which is a format analysis unit, determines that the form No. Is analyzed (S3 in FIG. 4), and the control unit 38 controls the form No. Is read from the format table memory 44, which is the form format storage means (S4 in FIG. 4).

The control section 38 first reads the value of the number of times of switching n, which is the first data of the format, and sets the value of n in the number of times counter 40 (S in FIG. 4).
5). Next, the control unit 38 determines the value X _i of the area length X and the value Y _{i of the} density mode Y of each area from the format.
(S6 in FIG. 4), first, the parameters of the character reading area 46 which is the first reading area are read, and the X value (X = X ₁ ) is set in the medium length counter 34 (S7 in FIG. 4). ), The Y value (Y
= Y ₁ ) is set (S8 in FIG. 4). Area designation number i
The initial value of is 1.

After the above parameter setting is completed, the reading of the image of the form 10 (medium reading) is started (S9 in FIG. 4). In addition, as the form 10 is transported,
1 is added to the count R of the medium length counter 34 in accordance with the medium length count pulse signal 58 synchronized with the conveyance speed of the form 10 (S10 in FIG. 4). The initial value of the count R is set to 0. The control unit 38 monitors that the count R becomes equal to the set X value (S11 in FIG. 4), and steps 9 to 11 are repeated until X _i −R = 0.

Next, when X _i -R = 0, step 12
Proceed to. In this step, 1 is subtracted from the n value set in the frequency counter 40 (S12 in FIG. 4). Then, the control unit 38 monitors that the n value becomes 0 (S13 in FIG. 4). When the n value is not 0, it means that the second capture area exists, and therefore the steps S7 to S11 described above are performed on the second capture area. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 14 and 1 is added to the area designation number i (S14 in FIG. 4). Next, the count R set in the medium length counter 34
The value of is reset to R = 0 (S15 in FIG. 4), and the process returns to step 7 (S7 in FIG. 4). Step 7 above
From step 15 to step 15 are repeated until the n value becomes 0, and the form 10 is read. Since n = 3 is set here, the third capture area exists, and therefore, the processing of steps 7 to 15 is repeated twice to n = 0, and the operation of this flow ends.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in the form in which the characters and the seal imprints are mixedly filled, the data can be read in two kinds of density modes by one reading operation. It will be possible. Further, without being limited to this embodiment, it is possible to prepare two or more density modes. In this way, it is possible to read images of a plurality of density mode forms with a shorter processing time and a simpler operation than in the conventional case. Further, by providing a bar code on the form to specify the type of the form and providing a means for reading the bar code, the format is automatically determined without giving an external command, and the process proceeds. It is possible. Therefore,
Even forms with different formats can be handled continuously.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second configuration example, one image memory in the first configuration example is replaced by two image memories 70 and 72.
Image memory switching means 74
It has a structure with. In the illustrated example, the output of the density look-up table 16 is input to the first and second image memories 70 and 72 in parallel, and the outputs of the image memories 70 and 72 are input to the recognition unit 20 via a common output image. It is configured to input. Further, the image data stored in the first and second image memories 70 and 72 can be input to the recognition unit 20 via the cutout control unit 22. Further, an image memory switching register 74 is used as the image memory switching means. The register 74 is connected to the control section 38 and the density processing designation register 28, and the individual outputs A and B of the register 74 are set to the first and The second image memories 70 and 72 are individually input.

The output of the density lookup table 16 is
Outputs A and B of the image memory switching register 74
Accordingly, the data is distributed and input to both the first image memory 70 and the second image memory 72. The image memory switching register 74 operates according to an instruction from the control unit 38.

With the above configuration, the image data output from the density lookup table 16 is
Since they are alternately stored in the first and second image memories 70 and 72 in accordance with the instruction from the control unit 38, the images of the form 10 captured at each data density can be stored in separate memories. Data with different data density (for example, 1-bit data and 3-bit data)
Are stored in the same memory, one data storage area is the one with the highest data density (for example, 3 bits)
However, with the above configuration, image data with different data densities can be acquired separately in two memories,
An efficient data storage state can be obtained.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. The same steps as those of the operation (the flowchart shown in FIG. 3) described in the first embodiment will be omitted. In addition, the form 10 (FIG. 2) and the format 84
The same applies to the configuration (FIG. 4).

In this embodiment, after the step S8 of setting the Y value which is the density mode information in the density processing designation register 28, the step S9 of "medium read" for starting the reading of the image of the form 10 is started. Previously, a step of setting the Y value in the image memory switching register 74 (S16 in FIG. 6) is added to add S8 → S16 → S9.
4 is different from the flow in FIG. 4 in that the processing is performed in the order of. The control unit 38 validates the output A or B of the image memory switching register 74 according to this Y value read from the format memory 44.

For example, when the control unit 38 reads Y = 1 from the format memory 44, the form 1
Since it has detected that the character area of 0 is read,
Y = 1 is set in the density processing designation register 28. Further, when the control unit 38 reads Y = 0 from the format memory 44, it is detected that the seal imprint area of the form 10 is read. Therefore, Y = 0 is set in the density processing designation register 28. . When reading the character area together with setting the Y value in the density processing designation register 28, Y = 1 is input to the image switching register 74, at which time the output B becomes valid and the image data of this character area is It is stored in the second image memory 72, and conversely, when reading the imprint area, Y = 0
Is set in the image memory switching register 74,
The output A becomes valid, and the image data of this imprint area is stored in the first image memory 70.

The cut-out control section 22 takes in the image data stored in the second image memory 72 to the recognition section 20 and recognizes it. In this embodiment, only character recognition is performed and the seal imprint ends only in image capturing. However, this seal imprint recognition may be performed in the same manner as character recognition. In this case, First image memory 7
The output of 0 is also output to the recognition unit 2 via the cutout control unit 22.
It should be incorporated into 2. In this case, for example, the first image memory 70 stores fine character image data in high density data and stores it, and the second image memory 72 stores rough character image data in low density data. By storing the characters in the same form, it is possible to capture characters of different sizes on the same form at different densities and recognize both as character codes.

[Third Embodiment] Next, an aspect associated with color processing will be described. It should be noted that the description of the components overlapping the configurations of the first and second modes will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment.
In this configuration example, a color CCD sensor 82 is used as an image sensor, and the output is passed through the A / D conversion unit 14,
The configuration is such that three primary color signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) can be obtained. Each of these three primary color signals is a multi-valued signal, and has 8-bit 256 gradations in this embodiment. Each of these three primary color signals is input to the color lookup table 76.

The color processing means 80 comprises a color look-up table 76 and a color processing designation register 78, and has a function of setting a capture color of image data for each color mode of the image of the form. Here, in the color mode, it is appropriate to effectively take in which of the three primary color signals of each level, the image of each area set on the form that is the image reading target, according to a preset threshold value. It refers to the type assigned to this area from the perspective of whether or not it exists. The color lookup table 76 uses the combination of the levels (gradations) of the respective signal components R, G, B of the input three primary color signals,
The color processing specification register 78 determines the color of the input image and determines whether or not to capture the color effectively. Then, if the color lookup table 76 is an image of a color that should be effectively captured, multi-valued white /
A black signal is output, and if it is not an image of a color to be captured, a background color is designated and output (for example, “0” output).

The color processing designation register 78 is a register for designating the color of capture. For example, when reading the text area of the form, "1" is set,
When reading the seal imprint area, "0" is set. Then, the color processing designation register 78
In response to the command, the color lookup table 76, for example, when the characters are written in black in the character area of the form, the image data read from the character area is set in accordance with the setting value “1” described above. A white / black signal is output when the input signal indicates black, and a background color is designated and output for the input of other character areas. When the seal imprint of the seal imprint area is red, the image data read from the seal imprint area is output as a white / black signal when the input signal indicates red according to the set value “0”. , The background color is specified for other inputs of the imprint area. As in this example, when the image to be read is multicolored, the optical character reading device having this configuration can effectively read only the color of the reading target to obtain the image data.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the color processing means 80. How the color is determined will be described together with a threshold setting example. In the upper part of the figure, the area of the image to be read and its color are shown.
In the lower part of the figure, the vertical axis represents the level of each of the three primary color signals R, G, and B when the upper image is read, that is, the brightness of reflected light (arbitrary unit), and the horizontal axis represents the upper image. A graph is shown with corresponding positions along the x-direction. For example, the image in the illustrated example has a white tile 9
4 has a red mark 96 in the shape of a quadrangle arranged in the center, and when this image is read and scanned in the x direction in the figure, the level of the R signal component is maximum at the position of the white tile 94. In comparison, the level slightly drops at the position of the red mark 96. For reading the same image, the levels of the G and B signal components are R at the position of the white tile 94.
The level is the same as the signal component, and the level decreases at the position of the red mark 96, indicating that the reflected light is dark. Therefore, for the R signal component, the threshold THR (the level indicated by the broken line THR in the figure) is set below the level at the position of the red mark 96, and for the G and B signal components the threshold THG (see the figure). Level indicated by a broken line THG) and THB (broken line T in the figure)
It is determined that the read image is red by setting the level (HB) above the level at the position of the red mark 96. In this way, it is also possible to judge other colors, and the color lookup table 76 is instructed by the color processing specification register 78 to take in a color, and only the image of that color corresponds to that level. Output as a white / black signal.

In this embodiment, the output white / black signal is a multi-valued signal having 8-bit 256 gradations. At this time, as described above, the dropout color and the color of the image capture target (text or imprint) are separated,
Only the image to be captured is output as valid image data, and this image data is input to the image memory 18.

Here, the dropout color refers to, for example, the color of the paper in the form, the color of the description column of the character or the imprint, and the background color. Usually, these colors are changed to a color different from the background color in order to effectively read the color of the character or imprint to be read. Therefore, the dropout color is specified by setting an appropriate threshold value as described above. Conventionally, the drop color is specified by issuing an instruction to the color processing specification register 78 from the outside. However, since the color of the character and the color of the seal imprint may be different, it is often necessary to specify different drop colors on the same form. In the configuration example of this embodiment, when different dropout colors are designated in a plurality of areas on the same form, this designation is automatically performed. This point will be described below.

In such an optical character reading apparatus, according to the present invention, different dropout colors can be designated in a plurality of areas on a form, and characters and imprints can be read in different scanning colors by one scanning. Therefore, in addition to the above-described conventional components, a format detection area 6 is provided in a predetermined area of the form to read an image in this area.
6 and a format analysis means 64 for obtaining the identification label of the form by analyzing the image of the format discrimination area.
And a form format storage means 44 for storing a format consisting of an image color mode in a predetermined reading area and an array of data on the position coordinates of this reading area with the above-mentioned identification label attached thereto, and image reading. It comprises a position sensing means 36 for sensing the position coordinates of the form at a time, and a form management means 42 for knowing the color mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means from the format and designating the fetched color.

In the first configuration example, the image data is a multi-valued signal of white / black, but in the third configuration example, three multi-valued signals of R, G, B (hereinafter, R signal, G signal, and B signal). Each color of the input image is represented by the combination of the levels (gradations) of the three multilevel signals. According to this configuration example, the format detection means 66 described in the first embodiment,
By applying the configurations of the format analysis unit 64, the form format storage unit 44, the position sensing unit 36, and the form management unit 42, it is effective by comparing the captured colors of each of the three primary color signals, that is, the set threshold value of each signal. Since it is possible to set the reading level for each reading area and read it, it is possible to perform this with a single reading operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a form according to this embodiment. Character capture areas 46 and 5 of the form 10
The background color of 0 is blue, the color in the entry frame 52 is white, and the color of the entry character 54 is black. In addition, the seal imprint capture area 48
Is assumed to be blue and the color of the imprint 56 is red. As described above, even when the background color of each reading area on the same form is different, it is possible to effectively read the reading target (characters and imprint) by designating the color to be read from the outside. According to the third configuration example, it is possible to automatically specify the color according to the format stored in the form format storage means 44 without externally designating the color.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format structure of this embodiment. In the data forming the format 86 in this embodiment, a color process designation Z designating the color mode of each capture area is set. Then, each type of data n, X, and Z are arranged based on a fixed processing procedure. In this example,
n, X ₁ , Z ₁ , X ₂ , Z ₂ , X ₃ , and Z ₃ are arranged in this order.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the third configuration example. In this embodiment, which is the operation step of the first embodiment, "a step in which the control unit 38 reads the value X _i of the area length X and the value Y _i of the density mode Y of each area from the format 84 (see FIG. 4). S6) "
This is an operation step of the first embodiment instead of the step in which the control unit 38 reads the value X _i of the area length X and the value Z _i of the color mode Z of each area from the format 86 (S17 in FIG. 10). The step of setting the Y value (Y = Y ₁ ) in the density processing designation register 18 (S8 of FIG. 4) is the same as the Z value (Z =
Z ₁ ) is set instead of the step (S18 of FIG. 10), and the other steps are the same as the operation of the first configuration example. Therefore, the description is omitted.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of the fourth embodiment. This configuration example is an example of a configuration including the means for performing the density processing described in the first and second embodiments after the means for performing the color processing described in the above-described third embodiment. .
The A / D converter 14 of this configuration example outputs the three primary color signals described in the third embodiment. This A / D converter 14
Each of the three primary color signals R, G, B output from the above is first input to the color lookup table 76 which constitutes the color processing means 80 described above. As described in the third embodiment, by the color processing means 80,
The image data in which which color is effectively detected is converted into a multi-valued white / black signal and input to the density lookup table 16 which constitutes the above-described density processing means 30. The image data input to the density processing means 30 is stored in the image memory 18 with a capture density corresponding to the density mode of each area of the image data, as described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the format configuration of this embodiment. The structure of the form in this embodiment is the same as that of the form (FIG. 8) used in the third embodiment. In the data forming the format 92 of this embodiment, the number of switching times n, the capturing area X, the color processing designation Z, and the density processing designation Y are set. Then, each type of data n,
X, Z, and Y are arranged based on a certain processing procedure. In this illustrated example, n, X ₁ , Z ₁ , Y ₁ , X ₂ , Z ₂
, Y ₃ , X ₃ , Z ₃ , and Y ₃ are arranged in this order.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the configuration example of this embodiment. This embodiment is the first
Which is an operation step of the embodiment of "control section 3
8 is a step of reading the value X _i of the area length X of each area and the value Y _i of the density mode Y from the format 84 (S6 in FIG. 4) ". X _i , the value Z _{i of the} color mode Z
And a step of reading the value Y _i of the density mode Y (see FIG. 1).
3) S19) instead of the steps of setting the X value (X = X ₁ ) in the medium length counter 34 (S7 in FIG. 4), which is the operation step of the first embodiment, and the density processing designation register 18 Step (S8 in FIG. 4) for setting the Y value (Y = Y ₁ ) to the color processing designation register 7
8 is added to the step of setting the Z value (Z = Z ₁ ) (S18 of FIG. 10), and the other steps are the same as the operation of the first configuration example. Therefore, the description is omitted.

According to the configuration example of the fourth embodiment,
In a form in which characters and imprints are mixed and filled in by each color, it is possible to specify a dropout color and take in data in two kinds of density modes by one reading operation. Further, without being limited to this embodiment, it is possible to prepare two or more density modes. In this way, it is possible to read images of a plurality of color mode and density mode forms with a shorter processing time and a simple operation as compared with the conventional technique. Further, by providing a bar code on the form to specify the type of the form and providing a means for reading the bar code, the format is automatically determined without giving an external command, and the process proceeds. It is possible. Therefore, even forms having different formats can be continuously processed.

Further, it is possible to provide a plurality of image memories and image memory switching registers described in the second embodiment, and image data having different data densities can be separately obtained in two memories. It is possible to obtain an efficient data storage state.

[Fifth Embodiment] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment. This form example is a case in which the barcode sensor 66 and the barcode analysis unit 64 used in the first to fourth embodiments are not provided, and in that case, the barcode is read and the form number. Is a control method of an optical character reading device for analyzing the.

In this embodiment, the CCD sensor 12
Or using the color CCD sensor 82, the bar code 68
Read the image of. First, the reading medium form 10
Is conveyed to a position where the barcode 68 can be read by the CCD sensor 12 (S20 in FIG. 14). The position of the form in this case is also determined by the first and second position detection sensors 24 and 26. Then, in the next "form barcode read" step, the CCD
The image of the barcode 68 is read by the sensor 12 (S21 of FIG. 14). Next, the image data of the bar code 68 fetched in the image memory 18 is output to the external output means 90 and the form number. Is read (analyzed) (S22 in FIG. 14).

Next, in the step of "medium stop", the forward direction of the form 10 (direction indicated by arrow a in FIG. 1)
14 is stopped (S23 in FIG. 14), the form 10 is conveyed in the opposite direction (the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow a in FIG. 1), and the form 10 is cued (S24 in FIG. 14). ).

By the above steps 20 to 24, the form No. (Form type) has been deciphered. Subsequent steps are performed according to the steps described in the operations of the first to fourth embodiments. Therefore, following the above-mentioned step S24, this form No. To the step (S4 in FIGS. 4, 6, 10 and 13) of reading the format corresponding to the above from the form format storage means 44.

In the fifth embodiment, the form N
o. Although the analysis is performed by the external output means 90, for example, the barcode analysis unit 64 may be provided and the analysis may be performed by this. Further, in order to carry out the document conveying operation, for example, a program for automatically controlling this by the control unit 38 may be set up.

[0077]

According to the optical character reader of the present invention, the format detecting means, the format analyzing means,
It has a position sensing means, a form format storage means, and a form management means. As a result, a plurality of different areas on the same form can be continuously read in different density modes. Therefore, the present invention has remarkable effects such as reduction of processing time and operation steps such as image reading.

Further, according to the present invention, by applying the above-mentioned constituent elements to the color processing as well, images of different areas on the same form can be continuously captured in different color modes. Therefore, the same effect as the above is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a form.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a format.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a form management unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the form management unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of a form.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of a format.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the form management unit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a structure of a format.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the form management unit.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a barcode reading operation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the color processing unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Form 12: CCD sensor 14: A / D conversion unit 16: Density lookup table 18: Image memory 20: Recognition unit 22: Cutout control unit 24: First position detection sensor 26: Second position detection sensor 28: Density Processing designation register 29: Signal processing section 29a: OR circuit 29b: AND circuit 30: Density processing means 32: Timer 34: Medium length counter 36: Position sensing means 38: Control section 40: Count counter 42: Form management means 44: Form Format storage means 46, 50: Character capture area 48: Imprint capture area 52: Entry frame 54: Entry character 56: Imprint 58: Read valid signal 60: Same period pulse 62: Medium length count pulse 64: Format analysis means 66: Format Detecting means 68: Barco for media format Do 70: First image memory 72: Second image memory 74: Image memory switching register 76: Color look-up table 78: Color processing designation register 80: Color processing means 82: Color CCD sensor 84, 86, 92: Format 88: External input means 90: External output means 94: White tile 96: Red mark

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Onuma 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An optical scanning means for reading an image of a form and outputting the image data, a density processing means for setting a taking-in density of the image data according to a density mode of the image, and storing the density-set image data. In an optical character reading device including an image memory for reading and a recognition unit for identifying a character from the image data set to a density, a format detection area is provided in a predetermined area of a form to read an image in the area. Means for analyzing the image of the format discrimination area to obtain an identification label of the form; and a format composed of an array of data on an image density mode in a predetermined reading area and position coordinates of the reading area. , With the identification label attached to the format A form format storing means for storing, a position sensing means for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of image reading, a form for knowing the density mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means from the format, and designating a capture density. An optical character reading device comprising a management means. 2. An optical scanning means for reading an image of a form and outputting the image data, a color processing means for setting a capture color of the image data for each color mode of the image, and storing the color-set image data. In an optical character reading device including an image memory for reading and a recognition unit for identifying characters from the color-set image data, a format detection area is provided in a predetermined area of a form to read an image in the area. Means for analyzing the image of the format discrimination area to obtain an identification label of the form; and a format consisting of an array of data on a color mode of an image in a predetermined reading area and position coordinates of the reading area. , The identification label in the format A form format storage means for attaching a bell to store, a position sensing means for sensing the position coordinates of the form at the time of image reading, and a color mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means are known from the format and imported. An optical character reading device comprising a form management means for designating a color. 3. An optical scanning means for reading an image of a form and outputting image data, a color processing means for setting a capture color of the image data for each color mode of the image, and the image for each density mode of the image. An optical system comprising a density processing means for setting a data acquisition density, an image memory for storing color-set and density-set image data, and a recognition section for identifying characters from the color-set and density-set image data. In a static character reading device, a format detection means for providing a format discrimination area in a predetermined area of a form and reading an image of the area, and a format analysis means for analyzing the image of the format discrimination area to obtain an identification label of the form , The image coverage in the specified reading area Error mode,
Form format storage means for storing a format consisting of an array of data on the density mode and position coordinates of the reading area, and a position for sensing the position coordinates of the form when reading an image. Knowing the sensing means and the color mode and density mode of the position coordinates sensed by the position sensing means from the format,
An optical character reading device comprising: a form management unit that specifies a capture color and a capture density. 4. The optical character reading device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the image memories and each image data of a capture density set by the density processing means are stored in each of the image memories. An optical character reading device comprising image memory switching means distributed to each image memory. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein:
The optical character reading device according to the item 1, wherein the format determination area is a bar code. 6. Any one of claims 1 to 5
In controlling the reading of the format discriminating area of the optical character reading device according to the item 1, the format detecting means is the optical means, and the format analyzing means is the recognition section. Knowing the identification label by the operation means and the recognizing unit, stopping the forward transportation of the form, then transporting the form in the direction opposite to that before the stop, cueing the form, and again ordering the form. A method for controlling an optical character reading device, characterized in that it is conveyed in a predetermined direction and the density or color of image data of the form is controlled according to the format read by the identification label.