JPH0934988A - Character recognizing sheet and processor for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide versatility and the degree of freedom for the format of a character recognizing sheet and to provide flexibility for the kind of the format and the purpose of use by providing a mark for read timing control for images described in a character description column and control information column. SOLUTION: The reading of an OCR sheet 1 by a scanner 2 is performed by detecting the timing mark. When the timing mark is detected, based on the position where this timing mark is detected, image data at the part of the character description column (frame) and image data in the control information description column at the position corresponding to this character description column are read and stored in a memory 11. First of all, the recognition of control information is performed corresponding to the image data read from the control information description column. Next, the processing routine of image data read from the character description column is selected based on the recognized result of this control information. That processing routines is divided into 16 and any one of them is executed according to the recognized result of control information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character recognition sheet used for machine processing of handwritten data and a processing apparatus therefor.

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional character recognition sheet, a character entry field in which a character to be recognized is entered and a mark for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the character entry field are provided in advance by printing. It was Further, the conventional character recognition processing device for performing the recognition processing of the character recognition sheet described above specifies the reading position of the character entry box by the mark for the reading timing control, and the reading position is specified in the specified character entry field. It is configured to read an existing image and perform recognition processing. At this time, the type of characters to be entered in each character entry field of the above character recognition sheet is specified in advance for each position of the entry field, and the recognition processing of the image entered in each character entry field based on this specification. Was being done. For example, regarding a character entry field in which a number of “0” to “9” is designated, the entered number is “0” to “” on the assumption that the image described in the character entry field is a number.
A process of recognizing which of "9" is performed is executed.
Similarly, regarding the character entry fields in which alphabetic characters “A” to “Z” are designated, the written alphabets “A” to “” are assumed on the assumption that the image described in the character entry field is the alphabet. Processing for recognizing which of the “Z” is performed is executed. In this way, by previously specifying the attributes such as the character type for each position of the character entry field, it is possible to perform the character recognition process from the image entered in the character entry field with high efficiency and high accuracy. .

However, according to such a configuration, the format of the character recognition sheet does not have versatility and flexibility, the types of formats that can be recognized are limited in advance, and the format of each format is limited. There is a problem that the usage is limited to a single type. The above problem occurs for the following reasons. That is, the recognition process of the character entered on the character recognition sheet is performed based on the character attribute determined by the position of the entry field in which the character is entered. The relationship between the position of this entry field and the character attribute must be registered and set in advance, and otherwise the character recognition process cannot be performed. Therefore, the types of formats that can be recognized are limited in advance, and the types of each format are limited to a single use. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a character recognition sheet having a versatility and flexibility in the format of the character recognition sheet, which allows flexibility in the type and use of the format, and It is an object to provide the processing device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a character recognition sheet in which a character entry field in which a character to be recognized is entered and a character entry field. It is provided with a control information field in which control information regarding the recognition process is entered, and a mark for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the character entry field and the control information field. Further, the character recognition processing device, a reading means for reading an image written on a print sheet having a plurality of entry fields in which a character entry area and a control information area are associated with each other,
An image control unit that distinguishes and extracts a character image and control information from the image read by the reading unit, a first storage unit that stores the character image, and a second storage unit that stores the control information. And an analysis unit that analyzes the control information stored in the second storage unit and specifies the recognition process.
The recognition processing means is provided for recognizing the character image stored in the first storage means by using the recognition processing designated by the analyzing means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a character recognition processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is an OCR sheet as a character recognition sheet, 2 is a scanner as a reading means, 3 is an image controller, and 4 is A recognition information storage memory, 5 is a control information analysis unit, 6 is a character recognition processing unit, 11 is a control image data storage memory, 12 is a data storage memory for storing recognition output data, and 13 is an OCR format information storage unit. Where OCR
The sheet 1 has a plurality of entry fields in which a character entry area and a control information area are associated with each other, the details of which will be described later. The scanner 2 is composed of a lens 7 forming an imaging optical system, a CCD image sensor 8, a reading control unit 9, an A / D converter 10, and the like, and reads the OCR sheet 1. The image control unit 3 extracts character image data including character information and control image data including control information from the image data read by the scanner 2. Recognition information storage memory (first
Storage means 4) temporarily stores the character image data and the control image data. The data stored in the recognition information storage memory 4 is separated into character image data and control image data, the character image data is transferred to and stored in the character recognition processing unit 6, and the control image data is stored in the control image data storage memory ( It is transferred to and stored in the second storage means) 11. The control information analysis unit 5 includes a control image data memory 11
The control information stored in is analyzed to specify the recognition processing program (recognition analogy). Character recognition processing unit 6
Performs a character recognition process of the character image data stored in the recognition information storage memory 4 using a recognition processing program designated by the control information analysis unit 5. The character data recognized by this execution is the data storage memory 12
Stored in. FIG. 2 shows a schematic structure of an OCR sheet (recognition sheet) according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, in FIG. 1A, 1 is an OCR sheet, 101 is a character entry field in which characters to be recognized are entered, and 102 is control information regarding the recognition process of the characters entered in the character entry field 101. Control information column, 103 Character entry column 101
And the marks for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the control information column 102, respectively. FIG. 2B shows only one of the character entry field 101 and the control information field 102. In this case, the character entry field 101 and the control information field 102 are associated with each other. FIG. 3 shows an example of control information entered in the control information column 102 and its definition. In the case of the example shown in the figure, each control information column is 4
The marking frame (mass) is arranged in one row in each column, and various definitions for defining the recognition processing method are expressed by a combination of whether or not each marking frame is filled. In this case, the following definitions are prepared, for example. First, with respect to the left column of FIG. 3, each character entry column is defined as in (1) to (7) below. (1) If all of the cells in the four columns are blank (blank), the character attribute of the character entry field corresponding to this control information field 102 is defined to be a number, and by this definition, a character recognition program dedicated to numbers is used. It is specified. (2) If the first column is a mark (fill) and the second, third, and fourth columns are blanks (blanks) among the cells in the four columns, the character entry column corresponding to the control information column 102 The recognition control is defined to be "alphabetic", and this definition specifies a recognition program dedicated to alphabetic characters. (3) In the case where the second column is a mark (fill) and the first, third, and fourth columns are blanks (blanks) among the cells in the fourth column, the character entry column corresponding to the control information column 102 The recognition control is defined as "katakana", and this definition specifies a recognition program dedicated to katakana. (4) In the case where the first and second columns are the mark (fill) and the third and fourth columns are blank (blank) in the squares of the fourth column, the character entry column corresponding to the control information column 102 The recognition control is defined as "image", and in this case, the image in the corresponding character entry field is directly treated as image information. (5) The third column is a mark (fill),
When the 2nd and 4th columns are blank (blank), the recognition control for the corresponding character entry field is defined as "habit character", and the recognition program dedicated to the habit character is designated. (6) The first and third columns are marks (fills),
When the second and fourth columns are blank (blank), the recognition control for the corresponding character entry field is defined as "reverse", and the recognition program corresponding to the reverse is designated. (7) The second and third columns are marks (painted),
When the first and fifth columns are blank (blank), the recognition control for the corresponding character entry field is defined as "speech reading", and the recognition program corresponding to the speech reading is designated. Next, regarding the right column of FIG. 3, for example, the following (1) to
As in (7), a batch definition is made for each line or for a plurality of character entry fields. That is, when the fourth column is a mark (filling), the definitions corresponding to the marks / blank patterns in the first to third columns in the left column are collectively performed on a row-by-row basis. For example, if the mark / blank pattern in the 1st to 3rd columns is “blank / mark / blank,” “Katakana” is individually defined in the left column, but that “Katakana” is collectively defined in line units in the right column. It Figure 4 is OCR
An example of the processing flowchart at the time of performing a character etc. recognition process from a sheet | seat is shown. In the figure, the OC by the scanner
Reading the R sheet is performed by detecting the timing mark. When the timing mark is detected,
Based on the detected position of the timing mark, the image data of the character entry field (frame) and the image data of the control information entry field corresponding to the position of this character entry field are read and stored in the memory. Then, first, the control information (OMR) is recognized based on the image data read from the control information entry field. Next, the processing routine of the image data read from the character entry field is selected based on the recognition result of the control information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the processing routine is divided into 16 and any one of them is executed according to the recognition result of the control information. FIG. 5 shows a main part of another embodiment of the OCR sheet (recognition sheet). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the character entry column (frame) 101 and the control information entry column 102
Are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, but in the embodiment shown in FIGS.
Only one control information entry field 102 is provided for each row. Even in this case, the mark 102 for designating each line in the control information entry column 102 of each line
By adding 4, all character entry fields in that line 1
A processing program for 01 can be designated. In this case, the mark 102-4 for designating a line unit
By printing the so-called line designation mark 102-4 on the mark (fill-in) in advance, the time and effort of the writer can be greatly saved. FIG. 6 shows an example of a processing flowchart when the recognition processing is performed on the OCR sheet including the row designation mark as shown in FIG. In the process shown in the figure, reading of the character entry field and storage in the memory are performed in units of lines. Further, a flag is registered whether or not the line designation mark is recognized from the image data read from the control information entry field. A recognition processing routine for the image data read from the character entry field (R1 to R1
6) is selected according to the recognition result of the image data read from the control information entry field. Each recognition processing routine (R
1 to R16), recognition processing is executed in individual frame units or line units according to the presence or absence of the flag registration, that is, the presence or absence of the line designation mark. When the character recognition processing routine is selected according to the recognition result in the control information column, the character code of the recognized character is output to the memory.
When the image processing routine (R16) is selected according to the recognition result in the control information column, the image data read from the corresponding character entry column is output to the memory with an image file number. FIG. 7 shows an example of the contents of the OCR format information storage unit 13 shown in FIG. O
The CR format information storage unit 13 stores format information for performing the above-described recognition process. In the figure, in the area 14, general format types such as the timing mark size standard, the OCR sheet size standard, the inter-character spacing, and the maximum number of characters are described.
The area 15 includes the total number of timing marks, the distance from the leading edge of the document to the leading mark (timing mark), the distance between the marks, and the recognition control table 16 that compares the recognition control code with the control definition content. The required specific information is described in. Furthermore, the standard O
A specific recognition control table 161 is also provided for the recognition processing on the CR sheet. The specific recognition control table 161 is used when performing a recognition process on a standard OCR sheet in which a recognition process program and various process parameters are predetermined. FIG. 8 shows an example of the case where the image processing location is designated in the OCR sheet 1 in units of frames. As shown in the figure, 1 in the character entry field on one line
By making an entry for designating image processing in the control information column corresponding to the position of one frame, only the image data read from the character entry column (frame) can be processed as image information. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the image processing location is designated in the OCR sheet 1 in units of lines. in this case,
If the image processing is designated in the control information column at the head of each line designated by the timing mark 103, the image processing can be designated on a line-by-line basis. FIG. 10 shows an example in which characters (for example, numbers, letters, and katakana) and images are mixedly specified in one line. In this case, the OCR sheet 1 in which the character entry fields (frames) 101 and the control information entry fields 102 are provided in a one-to-one manner is used, and the control information is entered in each control information field, so that one line Multiple character types and images can be mixed in. FIG. 11 shows an example in which a plurality of image areas are designated in the designated area by the X and Y coordinates on the OCR sheet 1. In the figure, (X11, Y11),
(X21, Y21) is the upper left corner of each image area,
(X12, Y12) and (X22, Y22) designate the lower left columns of the respective image areas. These pieces of coordinate information are given from the specific recognition table 161 of FIG. 7, for example. FIG. 12 shows an example in which the outside of the mark is processed as an image area on the OCR sheet 1. In this example, the area outside the area designated by the timing mark 103 is regarded as an image area in advance and processed. FIG.
In the OCR sheet 1, as in the case of FIG. 11, an example in which an arbitrary area designated by X and Y coordinates is used as an image area is shown. The coordinate information (X1, Y1)-(X2, Y2
Is given from the specific recognition table 161 of FIG. 7, for example. FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an operation flowchart of the character recognition processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, OC
In the routine R1 which is first executed after starting the reading of the R sheet, the timing mark is detected, the control information is detected from the image information cut out based on the detected position of this timing mark, and based on this control information The presence or absence of line designation. If it is determined that no line is designated, the routine R2 performs character recognition processing while determining the character attribute of each character based on the control information for each character. If it is determined that the line finger is present, the routine R3 performs the character recognition process in each line while determining the character attribute for each line based on the control information for each line. At this time, "image" may be designated as the control information for each character or the control information for each line. In this case, the information of the portion designated by the "image" is processed as an image file. FIG. 15 shows an example of the storage format of the image file. As shown in the figure, the image information is divided into an image data (compressed data) file 4A which is actual information and an image search file 4B for searching the storage destination address thereof and is made into a file. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing when the image data file 4A is searched from the image search file 4B and is transmitted and output. In the figure, the image data stored in the image data storage memory 41 is selectively read out based on the address information given from the image search file 4B, and is transmitted and output together with the character code data. In this case, images such as characters for which image processing is specified by the control information are
The data is stored in the image data storage memory 41 after being converted into compressed data of the MH coding system by the data compression unit 31. The MH-compressed and stored data is selectively output based on the address information given from the image search file 4B. FIG. 17 shows a case in which control information for designating a sentence attribute or the like is collectively arranged in an area different from an entry frame for characters and the like in the OCR sheet 1 as a recognition software designation item. In the figure, (a) is OC
A part of the R sheet 1 is shown. The OCR sheet 1 is provided with a character entry field 101.
The program information for recognizing 01 image information, that is, the control information such as character attributes, is summarized in the recognition software designation item 110 provided separately from the character entry field 101, as shown in (b). Has been described. That is, the program information for recognizing the characters and the like described in the character entry field 101 is collectively described in the recognition software designation item 110. This recognition software designation item 11
0 is placed in a predetermined area on the OCR sheet 1. FIG. 18 shows an example of a flow chart when the recognition processing of the OCR sheet 1 of FIG. 17 is performed. In the figure, in the routine R1 that is first executed after starting reading the OCR sheet, the timing mark is detected, and the recognition software designation item 110 of the recognition software designation item 110 is obtained from the image information cut out based on the detection position of the timing mark. Presence / absence is searched. Here, when there is no recognition software designation item 110, that is, when the recognition software designation item is invalid, in the routine R2, the recognition processing based on the control information of the control information entry column provided for each character entry column. Is executed. On the other hand, if the recognition software designation item 110 matches, that is, if the recognition software designation item is valid, the routine R
At 3, the recognition process based on the control information in the recognition software designation item 110 is executed. As described above, according to the present embodiment, since both the character image and the control information such as attributes necessary for the recognition processing of this character image can be obtained from the recognition sheet, the character recognition sheet format The versatility and the degree of freedom can be given to the, so that it becomes possible to have flexibility in the types and uses of the formats. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various embodiments other than those described above are possible.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the character entry field in which the character to be recognized is entered and the control information regarding the recognition process of the character entered in the character entry field are entered. A character image and this character image are recognized by using a character recognition sheet having a control information section, a character entry section, and a mark for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the control information section. Since both of the control information such as attributes required when performing the character recognition sheet can be obtained from the character recognition sheet, it is possible to give versatility and flexibility to the character recognition sheet format. It has the effect that flexibility can be given to the intended use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a character recognition sheet and a processing apparatus thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an OCR sheet (recognition sheet) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of control information entered in a control information column and its definition.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example when recognizing characters and the like from an OCR sheet.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main part of another embodiment of the OCR sheet.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example when recognizing an OCR sheet including a row designation mark.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of contents of an OCR format information storage section shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example in which an image processing location is specified in frame units on an OCR sheet.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a case where image processing locations are specified in units of lines on an OCR sheet.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a character and an image are mixedly specified in one line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of image areas are coordinate-designated in a designated area on an OCR sheet.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which the outside of the mark is processed as an image area on the OCR sheet.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a coordinate-designated area is used as an image area on the OCR sheet 1.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an operation flowchart of the character recognition processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of an image file.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing for reproducing and outputting image data from an image search file.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a case where the OCR sheet is collectively arranged in an area different from the entry frame for characters and the like.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing example when the OCR sheet of FIG. 17 is recognized.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 OCR sheet as a character recognition sheet 2 Scanner as a reading unit 3 Image control unit 4 Recognition information storage memory 5 Control information analysis unit 6 Character recognition processing unit 7 Lens forming an imaging optical system 8 CCD image sensor 9 Reading control unit 10 A / D converter 11 Control image data storage memory 12 Data storage memory for storing recognition output data 13 OCR format information storage unit 101 Character entry column 102 Control information column 103 Mark for read timing control 110 Recognition software designation item 31 Data compression Section (MH compression section)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A character entry field in which a character to be recognized is entered, a control information field in which control information regarding recognition processing of characters entered in the character entry field is entered, the character entry field and the control. A character recognition sheet having a mark for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the information column. 2. The character recognition sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a control information field for collectively designating recognition processing of each character entered in a plurality of character entry fields. 3. A character entry field in which characters to be recognized are distinguished by attributes such as character types, and control information designating a recognition processing program corresponding to the above classification is entered for the entire character entry field. The character recognition sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a control information entry field and a mark for controlling the reading timing of the image entered in the character entry field. 4. A character entry field in which a character to be recognized is entered, a control information field in which control information regarding the recognition processing of the character entered in this character entry field is entered, the above-mentioned character entry field and the above control information. The character recognition sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: an area provided outside the area in which the entry field is set and an image entry field in which image information is entered. 5. A reading means for reading an image written on a print sheet having a plurality of entry fields in which a character entry area and a control information area are associated with each other, and a character image from the image read by the reading means. And an image control section for separately extracting control information, a first storage means for storing the character image, a second storage means for storing the control information, and a second storage means. An analyzing means for analyzing the control information and designating the recognition processing and a recognition processing means for performing the recognition processing of the character image stored in the first storage means by using the recognition processing designated by the analyzing means. A character recognition processing device provided. 6. The character recognition processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising processing means for collectively designating recognition processing for a plurality of character images according to one control information. 7. A processing means for converting a character image whose image processing is designated by the control information into compressed data of MH coding system and outputting the compressed data.
Alternatively, the character recognition processing device according to item 6. 8. The character according to claim 5, wherein when the control information area on the print sheet is blank, the character image recognition process is performed assuming that a specific recognition process is designated. Recognition processing device. 9. A reading means for reading an image written on a print sheet having a plurality of character writing areas, a format storing means for storing format information relating to the setting of the character writing area, and the reading based on the format information. An image control unit for extracting an image to be recognized from an image read by the means, a storage unit for storing the image extracted by the image control unit, and an attribute of the image written in the character writing area. A character recognition processing device, comprising: a recognition processing means for switching a recognition processing program to perform recognition processing of an image stored in the storage means.