JPH096863A - Method and system for document image generation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the document image generation system which can easily generate a document image based upon an existent document form. CONSTITUTION: An image reader 11 reads document structure printed on a document form (blank form). A character recognition device 12 inputs character information from the image. A graphic recognition device 13 inputs graphic information from the image. A document image generation device 14 generate a document image on the basis of the said character information and graphic information according to a control program. The generated document image is displayed at a display device 17 by a controller 15. Then characters and graphics constituting the document image are automatically corrected. An operator corrects the characters, etc., constituting the document image by using an input device 16. The corrected document image is stored in the internal buffer of a printer 18. The printer 18 prints the document image and data at the same time to generate a document.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form image generating method and system for generating a form image to be used for forming a form based on a form structure printed on an existing form sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to create a form in a business of a company, a dedicated form sheet preprinted with a form image (form structure information such as frames, ruled lines, characters, etc.) is used. It has been done that an operator writes predetermined data on a sheet. When a personal computer or the like is introduced to improve the efficiency of creating a form, the operator sets the above-mentioned dedicated form paper in a printer, and creates data to be written on the dedicated form paper on the computer. Then, the operator creates the form by printing the data created on the computer on the dedicated form sheet, as shown in FIG.

With recent advances in printers, it has become possible to store the form image in a buffer or the like provided in the printer and print the form image when necessary. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the operator can print the created form image and predetermined data on white paper at the same time. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to use a dedicated form sheet on which a form image is printed in advance when creating a form. In this case, the operator creates the form image on the computer in order to store the form image in the buffer or the like of the printer in advance.

By the way, when the operator creates the form image on a computer, the operator determines the positions and sizes of the characters and figures by referring to, for example, a graduated sheet. When there is a dedicated form sheet, the operator determines the position and size of the character / graphic by referring to the dedicated form sheet.

[0005]

As described above, when creating a form image, the operator determines the positions and sizes of the characters / figures by referring to the scaled paper or the existing exclusive form paper. It was In this case, the operator
Since each character / figure is created by hand while visually observing it, a huge amount of time is wasted each time a form image is created. Further, the operator feels that the work of creating the form image is complicated, and a great burden is imposed. Therefore, there is a demand for a form image generation system that can easily obtain a form image based on an existing dedicated form paper or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a form image generating method and system which can easily form a form image based on an existing form sheet.

[0007]

A form image generation system according to the present invention prints a form in which data is written by printing a form image displayed on a display in which an operator inputs various data. In the form image generation system to be created, an image reading means for reading the form structure printed on the existing form sheet and capturing the form structure as an image, and a character for recognizing the characters included in the form structure and capturing character information A recognition means, a graphic recognition means for recognizing a graphic included in the form structure and taking in graphic information, and a control means for synthesizing the character information and the graphic information to generate the form image and displaying it on a display. It is characterized by having.

[0008]

First, the image reading means reads the contents of an existing form sheet to capture the form structure printed on the form sheet. The character recognition means recognizes a character included in the form structure and takes in the character information. On the other hand, the figure recognition means recognizes a figure included in the form structure and takes in the figure information. After that, the control means synthesizes the character information and the graphic information to generate a form image and displays it on the display. The operator inputs various data to the form image displayed on the display and prints it to create a form in which the data is written. As a result, a form image based on the existing dedicated form paper or the like can be easily generated.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a form image generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the form image generation system includes an image reading device 11. The image reading device 11 has a scanner and can read the contents of documents and the like. For example, when a sample form sheet (data is not written) is given, the image reading device 11 reads a form structure such as a frame, ruled line, and characters printed in advance on the form sheet, and the form structure is read. Is captured as an image.

The character recognition device 12 is the image reading device 1 described above.
The character included in the image captured by 1 is recognized, and the character information is captured. The captured character information includes “identification code”, “position”, and “size” of each character, and is represented by a numerical value or the like. The “identification code” is represented by a character code based on JIS standard, for example. The "position" is represented by the line and the column (or coordinate value) where the character is located. The "size" is represented by the number of points of a character, for example. When the character information is captured, the character recognition device 12 is configured to generate reliability data indicating the certainty of recognition of each captured character.

On the other hand, the graphic recognition device 13 recognizes a graphic included in the image captured by the image reading device 11 and captures the graphic information. The imported figure information includes "type", "position", and "size" of each figure.
Each is represented by a numerical value. The “type” indicates a type such as ruled line, circle, square, or the like. The "position" is represented by the coordinate value at which the figure is located. The “size” represents, for example, the distance from the center of the figure to the outside.

The form image generation device 14 includes the character information taken in by the character recognition device 12 and the graphic recognition device 1.
A form image is generated by synthesizing the graphic information taken in 3).

More specifically, the form image generation device 14
Is equipped with a control program for generating a form image based on the character information and the graphic information. By executing this control program, the form image is automatically generated. That is, the form image generation device 14 generates a text-format source file based on the character information and the graphic information by executing the control program. Further, the form image generation device 14 converts the obtained source file into an object file according to the control program, and
The object file is processed to finally generate a form image (form structure information).

The control device 15 is a form image generation device 1
The form image generated by No. 4 is displayed on the display device 17, and the corrected / corrected form image is stored in a buffer (not shown) built in the printer 18. Further, the control device 15 can receive the data input from the input device 16 by the operator and display the data on the display device 17.

Further, the control device 15 has a function of visually expressing on the display device 17 a difference in the certainty of each of the captured characters so that the operator can easily correct the character (probability display function). Is equipped with. That is, the control device 15 receives the reliability data generated by the character recognition device 12 via the form image generation device. Then, the control device 15 causes the display device 17 to display each character by color according to the reliability data. in this case,
The operator, for example, corrects a character of a color indicating that the probability is low. The operator can freely select whether or not to perform this correction.

Further, the control device 15 has a function (position correction function) of automatically correcting the position of each character and each graphic forming the form image displayed on the display device 17 to the correct position. That is, the control device 15 can set the position of each character and each graphic to be displayed on the display device 17. The operator uses the input device 1
The position of each character and each figure is preset in the control device 15 through 6. After displaying the form image, the control device 15 corrects the position of each character and each graphic displayed on the display device 17 to the set position. The operator can freely select whether or not to perform this correction.

Further, the control device 15 automatically corrects the size of each character forming the form image displayed on the display device 17 to the correct size (size correction function).
It has. That is, the control device 15 controls the display device 1
The size of each character to be displayed on 7 can be set. The operator sets the size of each character in the control device 15 in advance through the input device 16. After displaying the form image, the control device 15 corrects the size of each character displayed on the display device 17 to the set size. The operator can freely select whether or not to perform this correction.

Further, the control device 15 has a function of automatically correcting the line thickness of each figure forming the form image displayed on the display device 17 to a correct line thickness (line thickness correction function). I have it. That is, the control device 15 can set the line thickness of each figure to be displayed on the display device 17. The operator sets the thickness of each line in the control device 15 in advance through the input device 16. After displaying the form image, the control device 15 corrects the thickness of each line displayed on the display device 17 to the set thickness. The operator can freely select whether or not to perform this correction.

The input device 16 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and the operator inputs data to be recorded in a form to be created or inputs parameters for setting various parameters described above. To do. Further, the display device (display) 17 displays the generated form image, data to be entered on the form image, and the like. The printer 18 prints the generated form image and necessary data on a white paper in response to a print instruction from the control device 15. That is, the printer 18 simultaneously prints the data sent from the control device 15 and the form image stored in the built-in buffer (not shown).

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the above embodiment will be described. The control device 15 is
It is assumed that various correction functions (probability display function, position correction function, size correction function, line thickness correction function) have been set in advance by the operator.

First, when a form sheet as a sample (with no data entered) is given, the image reading device 11
Reads the form structure such as frames, ruled lines, and characters printed in advance on the form sheet, and takes in the form structure as an image (step A1).

Next, the character recognition device 12 recognizes the character information (“identification code”, “position”, “size” of each character) included in the image captured by the image reading device 11 and Character information is fetched (step A2). At this time, the character recognition device 12 generates reliability data indicating the certainty of recognition of each character when the character information is captured. On the other hand, the figure recognition device 13 is the image reading device 11
The graphic information (“type”, “position”, “size” of each graphic) included in the image captured by is recognized, and the graphic information is captured (step A3).

The form image generation device 14 generates a text-format source file based on the character information fetched by the character recognition device 12 and the graphic information fetched by the graphic recognition device 13 in accordance with the control program (step). A4). Next, the form image generation device 14 converts the obtained source file into an object file according to the control program (step A5), processes the object file, and forms the form image (form structure information).
Is generated (step A6). Then, the generated form image is displayed on the display device 17 by the control device 15.

Next, the controller 15 performs various correction processes as described below (step A7). Control device 1
5 first receives the reliability data generated by the character recognition device 12 via the form image generation device. And
The control device 15 causes the display device 17 to display each character by color according to the reliability data. Then, the operator refers to each color-coded character and corrects the color of the character having a low certainty.

Next, the controller 15 corrects the position of each character and each graphic displayed on the display device 17 to the set position in accordance with the instruction from the user. Next, the control device 15 corrects the size of each character displayed on the display device 17 to the set size according to an instruction from the user. Next, the control device 15 determines the thickness of each line displayed on the display device 17 according to the instruction from the user.
Correct to the thickness set above. After various correction processes are performed in this way, the control device 15 stores the corrected form image in a buffer built in the printer 18.

When the printer 18 receives the print instruction from the control device 15, the data sent from the control device 15
The form image stored in a built-in buffer (not shown) is printed on white paper at the same time (step A8).
As a result, a form in which both the data and the form image are printed is created.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, after the form structure of the form form sheet as a sample is recognized by being divided into character information and graphic information, these are combined again to form a form image. Therefore, it is possible to faithfully reproduce the form structure of the sample form paper on the computer, and it is possible to easily generate a form image with such a high reproducibility. Further, by using various correction functions, various kinds of errors can be corrected in multiple directions. In this case, since the characters and figures included in the form image can be individually corrected, higher-definition reproduction is possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the case where the generated form image is stored in the buffer in the printer has been described in the present embodiment, the form image may be stored in another storage medium.

[0029]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily generate a form image based on an existing dedicated form sheet, etc., and print the form image by using the generated form image. The work efficiency of creation can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a form image generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the form image generation system in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a procedure for creating a form in a conventional form image generation system.

[Description of Reference Signs] 11 ... Image reading device, 12 ... Character recognition device, 13 ... Graphic recognition device, 14 Form image generation device, 15 ... Control device, 16 ... Input device, 17 ... Display device, 18 ... Printer.

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A step of reading a form structure printed on an existing form sheet and capturing the form structure as an image; a step of recognizing characters included in the form structure and capturing character information; the form structure Recognizing a figure included in the figure, capturing the figure information, synthesizing the character information and the figure information to generate the form image, and displaying the form image on a display. And a form image generation method for creating a form in which data is written by printing the generated form image at the same time. 2. A step of reading a form structure printed on an existing form sheet and capturing the form structure as an image; a step of recognizing characters included in the form structure and capturing character information; and the character information. Generating reliability data indicating the certainty of recognition of each character when capturing the text, recognizing the graphic included in the form structure and importing the graphic information, and combining the character information and the graphic information. Generating the form image and displaying it on the display, and color-coding each character forming the form image according to the reliability data so that an operator can easily correct the character information on the display. By printing various data input by the operator and the generated form image at the same time, Document image generation method to create a written document. 3. A step of generating reliability data indicating a certainty of recognition of each character when the character information is captured, and an operator can easily modify the character information on a display according to the reliability data. 2. The form image generation method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying each character included in the form image in different colors on a display. 4. A step of setting a correct position of each character and each figure to be displayed on the display, and a step of correcting the position of each character and each figure displayed on the display to the set position. The form image generating method according to claim 1, wherein the form image generating method is provided. 5. The method further comprises the step of setting the size of each character to be displayed on the display, and the step of correcting the size of each character displayed on the display to the set size. The form image generating method according to claim 1, wherein: 6. The step of setting the line thickness of each figure to be displayed on the display, and the step of correcting the line thickness of each figure displayed on the display to the set thickness The form image generating method according to claim 1, wherein the form image generating method is provided. 7. The method further comprising the step of allowing an operator to select whether or not to correct the line thickness of each figure displayed on the display to the set thickness. The form image generation method described in 6. 8. A form image generation system for creating a form in which data is written by printing various data input by an operator to a form image displayed on a display, and printing on existing form paper. Read the form structure,
A unit for capturing the form structure as an image; a unit for recognizing characters included in the form structure and capturing character information; a unit for recognizing a graphic included in the form structure and capturing graphic information; and the character information A form image generation system comprising: means for generating the form image by synthesizing the graphic information and displaying the form image on a display. 9. The form image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device includes a scanner. 10. The form image generation system according to claim 1, wherein the character information captured by the character identification means includes an identification code, a position, and a size of each character. 11. The form image generation system according to claim 10, wherein the graphic information taken in by the graphic identification means includes the type, position and size of each graphic. 12. The control means generates means for generating a text-format source file based on the character information and graphic information, means for converting the source file into an object file, and the form according to the contents of the object file. 2. The form image generation system according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating an image. 13. The character recognizing means includes means for generating reliability data indicating the certainty of recognition of each character when the character information is taken in.
The form image generation system described. 14. The control means includes means for displaying on the display the characters included in the form image in different colors according to the reliability data so that an operator can easily correct the character information on the display. 14. The form image generation system according to claim 13, characterized by being provided. 15. The control means sets a correct position of each character and each figure to be displayed on the display, and corrects the position of each character and each figure displayed on the display to the set position. The form image generation system according to claim 1, further comprising: 16. The control means comprises means for setting the size of each character to be displayed on the display, and means for correcting the size of each character displayed on the display to the set size. The form image generation system according to claim 1, wherein 17. The control means sets a line thickness of each figure to be displayed on the display, and corrects the line thickness of each figure displayed on the display to the set thickness. The form image generation system according to claim 1, further comprising: 18. The control means further comprises means for allowing an operator to select whether or not to correct the line thickness of each figure displayed on the display to the set thickness. The form image generation system according to claim 17.