JPH1011517A - Optical character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely keep the printed character strings within a print range in an optical character reader having a print function. SOLUTION: The light beams reflected on a business form 1 are sent to a photoelectric transducer device (CCD) 4 via a lens 2. The output signal of the CCD 4 is sent to an image memory 7 via an AMP 5 and an A/D converter 6, and the image data on the form 1 are stored in the memory 7. A recognition part 20 refers to the image data on the form 1 and the business form format data stored in a memory 22 to recognize the characters of the form 1. A serial print control part 27 detects the tilt of the form 1 based on the image data stored in the memory 7 and expands a print pattern of a stepped character string corresponding to the tilt of the form 1 to a print buffer 29. Based on this print pattern, the character strings having no tilts against the form 1 are printed via a serial print mechanism 28 and a print head 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical character reader (hereinafter referred to as OCR) having a function of recognizing characters printed or written on a form and performing serial printing on the form. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a conventional OCR. In order to obtain the image of Form 1, this OC
R includes a lens 2, a light source 3 for giving light to the form 1, and a CCD 4 for photoelectrically converting an optical image of the form 1 collected by the lens 2. The output side of the CCD 4 is connected to an analog / digital converter (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D converter) 6 via an amplification means (hereinafter, referred to as AMP) 5. The output side of the A / D converter 6 is an image memory 7
It is connected to the. The image memory 7 is connected to the recognition unit 8. The recognizing unit 8 is controlled by a CPU 9 that controls the entire operation of the OCR, and has a function of recognizing characters and the like entered in the form 1. The CPU 9
A memory 10 and a file control unit 11 are connected, and a file device 12 is connected to the file control unit 11. The CPU 9 is further connected with an external interface (external i / f) 13, a transport control unit 14, and a serial print control unit 15. The transport control unit 14 controls a transport system that transports the form 1. The serial print control unit 15 is configured to control a serial print mechanism unit 16, and a print head 18 that performs printing on the form 1 is connected to the serial print mechanism unit 16. A print buffer 17 is connected to the serial print control unit 15.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the OCR of FIG. 2. The operation of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S1 of FIG. 3, when the conveyed form 1 comes under the light source 3, the light emitted by the light source 3 is reflected by the form 1, and the light is reflected as a light beam by a plurality of mirrors (not shown). Further, the light passes through the lens 2 and reaches the CCD 4. Thereby, the image of the form 1 is projected on the CCD 4. The CCD 4 performs photoelectric conversion on the light beam,
The photoelectrically converted signal is amplified by AMP5. AM
The analog signal output from P5 is input to the A / D converter 6
Is converted into a digital signal and stored in the image memory 7 as image data. The image memory 7 stores image data of the entire form 1. In step S2, the recognition unit 8 performs character recognition of characters in the form 1 from the image data stored in the image memory 7.
Reads the common format data from the memory 10.
The common format data is previously stored in the memory 10 together with the form format data by one of the following two methods. One method is to receive the common format data from an external device (not shown) using the external interface 13 and store it in the memory 10. In another method, the file control unit 11 reads out the common format data stored in the file device 12 in advance and stores it in the memory 10. Form I that limits the type of form 1 is included in the contents of the common format data.
Data indicating the position where D is printed, the number of characters of the ID, the character type, and the like are included.

In step S3, the recognizing unit 8 cuts out the data of the character position to be read from the image data stored in the image memory 7. The extraction position at this time is determined based on the common format data that has been read into the memory 10 in advance. Then, character recognition is performed on the data extracted in step S4. That is, in step S3, based on the common format data, the recognizing unit 8 cuts out characters corresponding to the form ID, and in step S4 performs character recognition of the cut out form ID. In step S5, form format data based on the form ID obtained as a result of the character recognition in step S4 is extracted from the memory 10, and in step S6, the recognition unit 8 sets the character to be read at the character position indicated by the form format data. Is extracted from the image memory 7. In step S7, the recognizing unit 8 performs character recognition at a predetermined position on the form 1 based on information such as the character type indicated by the form format data. In step S8, the character recognition result is stored in the file device 12 by the file control unit 11, or transmitted to an external device by the external interface 13.

In step S9, based on the printing information in the form format data, the serial printing mechanism 16 moves the form 1 so that the position of the print head 18 is at the printing position of the form 1. Subsequently, the serial print control unit 15 moves the print head in the main scanning direction via the serial print mechanism unit 16 and determines a character string determined in advance corresponding to the character recognition result of the form 1 or a character string related to the recognition result. The determined character string is printed on the form 1. When there are a plurality of print lines, the form 1 is moved to the next print position and then printed again. In the subsequent step S10, based on the result of the character recognition, the transport control unit 14
Is discharged to, for example, an accept stacker or a reject stacker. The accept stacker accepts a form 1 that has been read normally, and the reject stacker accepts a form that has not been successfully read.

[0006]

However, the conventional OCR has the following problems. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a serial print result of the OCR of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. When serial printing is performed on the form 1 in a state where the form 1 is tilted from a normal state due to the skew, as shown in FIG.
Lean against. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a problem that the printed character is shifted from the original position to be printed, and overlaps with another entered character or overlaps with another printed character.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image data read from a form in which ID information for identifying a form type and characters are written is provided. An image memory for storing, based on form format data given in advance corresponding to the ID information of the form, a recognition unit for cutting out image data of a character to be read from the image memory and recognizing the character; Printing means for printing a character string at a predetermined location on the form based on the
R has the following configuration. That is, in the OCR according to the first aspect of the invention, the printing unit detects the inclination of the form at the time of performing the printing, and generates a stair-like printing pattern of the character string based on the detection result to print. Configuration.

[0008] A second invention is an ID for identifying the type of a form.
An image memory for storing image data read from a form in which information and characters are written;
A recognition unit that cuts out image data of a character to be read from the image memory based on the form format data given in advance corresponding to the D information, and recognizes the character; and stores a character in a predetermined position of the form based on the form format data. An OCR provided with a printing means for printing a row has the following configuration. That is, in the OCR according to the second aspect of the invention, the printing unit detects the inclination of the form at the stage of performing the printing, and generates and prints a rotated printing pattern of the character string based on the detection result. It has a configuration. According to a third invention, the printing means of the first or second invention is configured to detect the inclination of the form at the stage of performing the printing from the image data stored in the image memory. According to a fourth aspect, the printing means of the first, second or third aspect detects the inclination of the form at the stage of performing the printing from the inclination of the upper side of the form in the image data stored in the image memory. It has a configuration. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing means of the first or the second aspect of the present invention comprises the step of: The inclination of the form is detected.

According to the first aspect, as described above, the OCR
Is read, the form is read, the image data is stored in the image memory, and the recognition unit cuts out the image data of the character to be read and performs character recognition. Then, a character string is printed at a predetermined position on the form based on the form format data by the printing means.
Here, the printing means detects the inclination of the form at the time of printing, generates a stepwise print pattern of the character string based on the detection result, and prints it. That is, the inclination of the print character string caused by the inclination of the form is corrected. According to the second aspect, the form is read, the image data is stored in the image memory, and the recognition unit cuts out the image data of the character to be read and performs character recognition. Then, a character string is printed at a predetermined position on the form based on the form format data by the printing means. here,
The printing means detects the inclination of the form at the printing stage, generates a printing pattern in which the character string is rotated based on the detection result, and prints it. That is, the inclination of the print character string caused by the inclination of the form is corrected. According to the third invention, in the printing means of the first and second inventions, the inclination of the form at the printing stage is detected from the image data stored in the image memory. According to the fourth invention, in the printing means of the first, second or third invention, the inclination of the form at the printing stage is detected from the inclination of the upper side of the form in the image data stored in the image memory. . According to the fifth invention, in the printing means of the first or second invention,
The inclination of the form at the printing stage is detected from the time difference of the form passing through the position of two sensors provided on the conveyance path for conveying the form. Therefore, the above problem can be solved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an OCR showing a first embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. Is attached. The OCR includes a conventional lens 2 for collecting reflected light from the form 1, a light source 3 for the form 1, and an optical system of the form 1 collected by the lens 2 in order to obtain an image of the form 1. And a CCD 4 for photoelectrically converting a target image. these,
The lens 2 and the CCD 4 form an OCR optical system. The output side of the CCD 4 is connected to the A / D converter 6 via the AMP 5, and the output side of the A / D converter 6 is connected to the image memory 7. The image memory 7 is connected to the recognition unit 20. The recognizing unit 20 is controlled by a CPU 21 that controls the entire operation of the OCR, and forms an OCR recognizing unit. That is, the recognizing unit 20 has a function of recognizing characters and the like entered in the form 1 using the image memory 7.

A memory 22 and a file control unit 23 are connected to the CPU 21, and the file control unit 23
A file device 24 is connected. File device 24
Stores form format data for each form type. The CPU 21 further includes an external interface 25, a transport control unit 26, and a serial print control unit 2.
7 are connected. The transport control unit 26 controls a transport system that transports the form 1. The serial print control unit 27 is connected to a serial print mechanism unit 28 and a print buffer 29. The serial print control unit 27 controls the serial print mechanism unit 28, and the print head 18 that prints on the form 1 is connected to the serial print mechanism unit 28. The serial print control unit 27, the serial print mechanism unit 28, the print buffer 29, and the print head 18 form a printing unit of the OCR.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transport system and the optical system of FIG. The transport system and optical system in this OCR are
, A feed roller 31 for sending out the form 1 from the hopper 30, a separation roller 32 and a reverse roller 33 for separating the form one by one, and a transport path 34 for the form 1. At a predetermined position on the transport path 34, a reading unit 36 of an optical system including the light source 3, a plurality of mirrors 35, the lens 2, and the CCD 4 is provided. The print head 18 is set at a point where the sheet has passed the reading section 36 of the transport path 34, and a blade 37 for switching the discharge direction of the form 1 is provided at the last point of the transport path 34, and the form 1 is an accept stacker 38 or Reject stacker 39
It is configured to be discharged to Accept Stacker 3
Numeral 8 is for receiving the form 1 that has been read normally, and the reject stacker 39 is for receiving the form 1 that has not been read normally.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the operation of the OCR of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.
The operation of R will be described. When the form 1 is set in the hopper 30, the transport control unit 26 controls a driving unit (not shown) to raise the hopper 30 based on an instruction from the CPU 21.
When the hopper 30 moves up, the form 1 comes into contact with the feeding roller 31. At this time, the transport control unit 26 rotates the feeding roller 31 in the direction of FIG. 3 using a motor (not shown), and moves the form 1 to the separation roller 32. By rotating the separation roller 32 and the reverse roller 33 by a motor (not shown), the form 1 can be transported while the double feed is prevented.
Sent to By rotating another roller (not shown), the form 1 is conveyed to the position of the light source 3 of the reading unit 36. When the conveyed form 1 comes under the light source 3, the light emitted by the light source 3 is reflected on the form 1 in step S11 in FIG. Further, the light passes through the lens 2 and reaches the CCD 4. Thereby, the image of the form 1 is projected on the CCD 4. The CCD 4 performs photoelectric conversion on the light beam 40,
The photoelectrically converted signal is amplified by AMP5. AM
The analog signal output from P5 is input to the A / D converter 6
Is converted into a digital signal, which is stored in the image memory 7 as image data.

In step S12, when the line corresponding to the form ID is stored in the image memory 7, the recognizing unit 20 reads out the common format data from the memory 22 in order to perform the character recognition of the characters in the form 1. . This common format data is stored in the memory 22 in advance together with the form format data in one of the following two methods. One method is to receive the common format data from an external device (not shown) using the external interface 25 and store it in the memory 22. Another method is to read out the common format data stored in the file device 24 in advance by the file control unit 23 and store it in the memory 22. The contents of the common format data include data indicating the position where the form ID of the ID information for limiting the type of the form 1 is printed, and the ID of the position.
And the number of characters and the character type. Step S13
, The recognizing unit 20 cuts out image data of characters in a field corresponding to the form ID from the image data stored in the image memory 7. The position where the recognition unit 20 cuts out is determined by calculation based on the common format data read in the memory 22 in advance. Step S1
In 4, the recognition unit 20 performs
Perform character recognition. That is, the form ID is recognized.

In the following step S15, step S
The form format data is extracted from the memory 22 based on the form ID obtained from the character recognition result of No. 14. In step S16, the recognition unit 20 obtains and cuts out image data corresponding to the character to be read by calculation based on information such as a character cutout position and a character type in the form format data. In step S17, the recognizing unit 20 performs character recognition on each of the extracted characters to be read.
In step S18, the character recognition result is stored in the file device 24 by the file control unit 23,
Alternatively, the data is transmitted to an external device by the external interface 25. Steps S19 to S after step S18
In the process of 23, a character string determined in advance corresponding to the character recognition result of the form 1 or a character string determined regardless of the recognition result is printed on the form 1. The printing here is performed in consideration of the inclination of the form 1, that is, the skew.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the skew amount in the image data, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the setting of the print position for the form shown in FIG. With no skew,
If the form 1 is read by the reading portion 36 of the optical system, the image memory 7, image data is stored as a normal image I _o, shown in dashed lines in FIG.
However, the slope of the form, that is, when the skew is generated, the image data is stored as an image I ₁ indicated by a solid line. In the present embodiment, position coordinates are provided in the image memory 7 to represent the skew amount.
The points a and b on the horizontal axis are set to be sufficiently narrow in advance so as to be applicable to the narrowest form that can be read, or the width of the form 1 is measured and Set appropriately to come to. That is, a line that is vertically lowered from each of the points a and b always crosses the upper side of the form 1.

First, in step S19, the vertical position coordinates of the intersection of the perpendicular line descending from the point a and the upper side of the form 1 are c, and the vertical position coordinates of the perpendicular line intersecting the upper side of the form 1 from the point b. , And the serial print control unit 27 calculates the skew amount P of the form 1 by the following equation (1). P = (dc) / (ab) (1) FIG. 10 is a view for explaining correction corresponding to the skew amount in FIG. Normally, the print data on the form 1 is set as shown in FIG. 9 by a distance Y from the upper side and a distance X from the reference side, and is set in the form format data. Here, the serial print control unit 27 corrects a print character according to the skew amount P as shown in FIG. That is, in step S20, with reference to the position of the top left of each character in the print string, 1 the pitch of the characters, n the character of the print position (X _n, Y _n) When, in the following (2),
By applying equation (3), the serial print control unit 27
Determines the print position of each character.

[0018] _{X n + 1 = X n +1} (n = 0,1,2, ...) ··· (2) Y n + 1 = Y n + P × 1 (n = 0,1,2, ...) · (3) Then, the serial print control unit 27 develops and stores the obtained step-like print position in the print buffer 29. That is, a step-like print pattern is generated. Step S
In 21, the serial print control unit 27 reads out the print pattern of the character string developed in the print buffer 29 by dividing the print pattern into printable heights within a print range at one time. In step S22, the serial printing mechanism 28 moves the form 1 based on the print information in the form format data so that the position of the print head 18 is at the print position of the form. The serial print control unit 27 moves the print head 18 connected to the serial print mechanism unit 28 in the main scanning direction, and performs one-to-one printing for the divided and read print patterns.
Perform printing in the second print area.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the printing of the OCR of FIG. By the first printing, for example, of the character string "ABCDEFG" to be printed in the printing range, "FG" and a part of "CDE" as shown in FIG. 11A are printed. In step S23, the serial print control unit 27 determines whether or not the serial printing has been completed. If the serial printing has not been completed, the process repeats steps S21 to S23 again. By this repetition, for example, the printing in the second printing range as shown in FIG. 11B is performed, and the remaining characters “AB” and “CDE” of the character string “ABCDEFG” which were not printed in the first printing are performed. The part is printed. When there are a plurality of printing lines, the same printing is performed again after moving the form 1 to the next printing position.
In the subsequent step S24, based on the result of the character recognition, the transport control unit 26 switches the blade 37 in FIG. 6, and discharges the form 1 to the accept stacker 38 or the reject stacker 39. As described above, in the first embodiment, the skew amount P of the form 1 is obtained from the inclination of the upper side of the form 1 on the image data, and the print position corrected according to the skew P is obtained. 29, which is divided, read out, and serially printed.
It is possible to perform serial printing.

Second Embodiment FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an OCR according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This OCR performs character recognition on the form 1 using the common format data and the form format data, as in the first embodiment.
Serial printing is performed on the form 1. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in the print character skew correction, the entire pattern of the print character string is rotated and printed. The OCR includes a lens 2 similar to that of FIG. 1, a light source 3, and a CCD 4 as a photoelectric conversion unit. Lens 2 and CCD 4
Form an OCR optical system. The output side of the CCD 4 is connected to the A / D converter 6 via the AMP 5,
The output side of the D converter 6 is connected to the image memory 7. The image memory 7 is connected to the recognition unit 20. The recognizing unit 20 forms a recognizing unit in the OCR, and has a function of recognizing the character of the form 1 using the image memory 7. The recognizing unit 20 uses the CR
This is a configuration controlled by the CPU 21 that controls the entire operation. The CPU 21 has a memory 22 similar to that of FIG.
, File control unit 23 and external interface 25
And a transport control unit 26, and a file device 24 is connected to the file control unit 23. This O
Further, a serial print control unit 41 having a function different from that of the first embodiment is connected to the CPU 21 of the CR. The serial print control unit 41 is configured to control the serial print mechanism unit 42.
Is connected to a print head 18. A print buffer 43 is connected to the serial print control unit 41. These serial print control unit 41 and serial print mechanism unit 42
And the print buffer 43 and the print head 18 constitute printing means. Note that the transport system and the optical system in FIG. 12 are the same as those in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the operation of the OCR of FIG. 12. Referring to FIG.
Operation 2 will be described. As in the first embodiment, the form 1
Is set in the hopper 30, the transport controller 26 raises the hopper 30 based on an instruction from the CPU 21. When the hopper 30 moves up, the form 1 comes into contact with the feeding roller 31. The form 1 is transported to the separation roller 32 by the rotation of the feeding roller 31. By rotating the separation roller 32 and the reverse roller 33, the form 1 is sent to the conveyance path 34 while preventing double feeding. Then, the form 1 is conveyed to the position of the light source 3 for reading 36. In the second embodiment, steps S11 to S18 of the first embodiment are performed.
By the processing of steps S31 to S38 similar to the above, character recognition of the characters printed in the form is performed. That is, when the conveyed form 1 comes under the light source 3, in step S31,
The light emitted by the light source 3 is reflected by the form 1 and becomes a light ray 40 which is reflected by a plurality of mirrors 35 and further passes through the lens 2 to reach the CCD 4. Thereby, the image of the form 1 is projected on the CCD 4. CCD 4 is ray 4
The photoelectric conversion for 0 is performed, the photoelectrically converted signal is amplified by the AMP 5, further converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 6, and stored in the image memory 7 as image data.

In step S32, when the row corresponding to the form ID is stored in the image memory 7, the recognizing unit 20 performs the same operation as that of the first embodiment. Read the format data. In step S33, the recognizing unit 20 calculates data corresponding to the form ID among the image data stored in the image memory 7 from the common format data, and cuts out data corresponding to the character. The contents of the common format data include data indicating the position where the form ID of the ID information for limiting the type of the form 1 is printed, the number of characters of the ID, the character type, and the like. The position where the character image data is cut out is determined based on the common format data that has been read in the memory 22 in advance. In step S34, the recognition unit 20
Performs recognition on the extracted data to obtain a form ID. In a succeeding step S35, the form format data of the form 1 is extracted from the memory 22 based on the form ID obtained as a result of the character recognition in the step S34. In a step S36, a character cutout position, a character type and the like indicated by the form format data are designated. The recognition unit 20 cuts out the image data of the character to be read based on the above information. Step S3
In 7, the recognition unit 20 performs character recognition on the image data of each character to be read. In step S38, the character recognition result is stored in the file device 24 by the file control unit 23 or transmitted to an external device by the external interface 25.

Steps S39 to S after step S38
In the process of 43, the OCR performs serial printing on the form 1. The printing here is also performed in consideration of the skew of the form 1. In order to represent the amount of skew, position coordinates are provided in the image memory 7, and as shown in FIG.
And the point b are set so that a line drawn vertically from the points a and b always intersects the upper side of the form 1. First, in step S39, the vertical position coordinate of the intersection between the perpendicular drawn from point a and the upper side of the document 1 is c, and the vertical position coordinate of the perpendicular drawn from point b and the upper intersection of the report 1 is d.
And The coordinate position is set in this manner, and the serial print control unit 41 determines the length of each side A, B, and C of the triangle shown in FIG. 8 as the skew amount of the form 1 by using the following equations (4) to (6). Ask for. B = ab (4) C = dc (5) A = √ (B ² + C ² ) (6) FIG. 14 shows a correction corresponding to the skew amount in FIG. FIG.

Normally, the print data on the form 1 is set by a distance Y from the upper side and a distance X from the reference side, which are defined in the form format data. Based on the value, the print pattern of the character string is rotated by the angle θ of the triangle in FIG. 8 with reference to the upper left position of the first character to correct the print character. That is, in step S40, correction is performed by applying the following equations (7) and (8) to all print dots in the print character string, and a print pattern as shown in FIG. 14 is obtained. X ′ = Xcosθ−Ysinθ = X ^* B / A−Y ^* C / A (7) Y ′ = Xsinθ + Ycosθ = X ^* C / A + Y ^* B / A (8) And the serial print control unit Reference numeral 41 expands the obtained print position in the print buffer 43 and stores it. That is, a rotated print pattern is generated. In step S41, the serial print control unit 41 reads out the print pattern of the character string developed in the print buffer 43 by dividing the print pattern into printable heights within a print range at one time. Step S42
, The serial printing mechanism 42 moves the form 1 based on the print information in the form format data so that the position of the print head 18 is at the print position of the form. The serial print control unit 41 performs printing in the first print range for the divided and read print patterns while moving the print head 18 connected to the serial print mechanism unit 42 in the main scanning direction.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show the OCR of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a printing method of FIG. By the first printing,
For example, the character string “ABCDEF” to be printed in the print range
G, “FG” and “CD” as shown in FIG.
Part of E "is printed. In step S43, the serial print control unit 41 determines whether or not the serial printing is completed. If not, the process is repeated from step S41 to S43. By this repetition, for example, the second printing as shown in FIG. 15B is performed, and of the character string “ABCDEFG”, the remaining portions of “AB” and “CDE” that were not printed in the first printing are replaced. If there are a plurality of printing lines, the same printing is performed again after moving the form 1 to the next printing position, and in step S44, based on the result of the character recognition,
The transfer control unit 26 switches the blade 37 in FIG. 6 and accepts a stacker 38 or a reject stacker 39.
Then, the form 1 is discharged. As described above, in the second embodiment, the skew amount of the form 1 is obtained from the inclination of the upper side of the form 1 on the image data, and all the print dots are determined according to the angle θ of the upper side of the skew amount. By performing the conversion, the print pattern of the corrected print character string is obtained and stored in the print buffer 43, which is divided and read out for serial printing. , Serial printing can be performed. The printed characters have no inclination with respect to the form 1.

Third Embodiment FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of an OCR showing a third embodiment of the present invention. As in the first embodiment, the OCR is configured to perform character recognition on the form 1 using the common format data and the form format data, and perform serial printing on the form 1. The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the skew amount of the form 1 is not determined based on the image data in the image memory 7 and the skew amount is determined by two sensors provided on the transport path. The point is to seek.
This OCR includes a lens 2 similar to that of FIG. 1, a light source 3, and a CCD 4 which is a photoelectric conversion unit. The lens 2 and the CCD 4 form an OCR optical system. CCD
The output side of the A / D converter 4 is connected to the A / D converter 6 via the AMP 5, and the output side of the A / D converter 6 is connected to the image memory 7. The image memory 7 is connected to the recognition unit 20. The recognition unit 20 forms recognition means in the OCR, and utilizes the image memory 7 to
It has a function of performing character recognition of the form 1. Recognition unit 20
Is a configuration controlled by the CPU 21 that controls the entire operation of the OCR. The CPU 21 is connected to a memory 22 similar to that of FIG. 1, a file control unit 23, an external interface 25, and a transport control unit 26, and a file device 24 is connected to the file control unit 23.
The OCR CPU 21 is further connected to a serial print control unit 51 having a function different from that of the first embodiment. The serial print control unit 51 is connected not only to the serial print mechanism unit 52 and the print buffer 53, but also to a skew amount measurement sensor unit 54. The skew amount measuring sensor unit 54 is formed by two sensors. The print head 18 is connected to the serial print mechanism 52. These serial print control section 51, serial print mechanism section 52, print buffer 53
The skew amount measuring sensor unit 54 and the print head 18
Constitute printing means.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the transport system and the optical system of FIG. A transport system and an optical system in the OCR include a hopper 30 for setting the form 1, a feeding roller 31 for sending the form 1 from the hopper 30, a separation roller 32 and a reverse roller 33 for separating the form into one sheet, Transport path 34. At a predetermined position on the transport path 34, a reading unit 36 of an optical system including the light source 3, a plurality of mirrors 35, the lens 2, and the CCD 4 is provided. A skew amount measurement sensor unit 54 is set at a point on the transport path 34 that has passed through the reading unit 36. The print head 18 is set at a point passing through the skew amount measuring sensor unit 54. A blade 37 for switching the discharge direction of the form 1 is provided at the last point of the transport path 34, and the form 1 is used to accept the form stacker 38 or the reject stacker 3.
9 is discharged. That is, a configuration is provided in which a skew amount measurement sensor unit 54 is newly provided in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the processing steps of the operation of the OCR of FIG. 16. Referring to FIG.
6 will be described. When the form 1 is set on the hopper 30, the transport control unit 26 raises the hopper 30 based on an instruction from the CPU 21. When the hopper 30 rises, the form 1
Comes in contact with the feeding roller 31, and the form 1 is conveyed to the separation roller 32 by the rotation of the feeding roller 31. By rotating the separation roller 32 and the reverse roller 33, the form 1 is sent to the conveyance path 34 while preventing double feeding. Then, the form 1 is conveyed to the position of the light source 3 for reading 36. In the third embodiment, steps S51 to S58 similar to steps S11 to S18 of the first embodiment are performed.
The character recognition of the character printed in the form is performed by the processing of. That is, when the conveyed form 1 comes under the light source 3, in step S51, the light irradiated by the light source 3 is reflected on the form 1, and it becomes a light ray 40 and is reflected on the plurality of mirrors 35. , Through the lens 2 to reach the CCD 4. Thereby, the image of the form 1 is projected on the CCD 4. The CCD 4 performs photoelectric conversion on the light beam 40, and the photoelectrically converted signal is amplified by the AMP 5, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 6, and stored in the image memory 7 as image data.

In step S 52, when the row corresponding to the form ID is stored in the image memory 7, the recognition unit 20 reads out the common format data from the memory 22. In step S53, the recognizing unit 20 calculates the character image data of the field corresponding to the form ID from the common format data among the image data stored in the image memory 7, and cuts out the data. The contents of the common format data include data indicating the position where the form ID of the ID information for limiting the type of the form 1 is printed, the number of characters of the ID, the character type, and the like. The position where the data is cut out is determined based on the common format data which has been read in advance together with the form format data into the memory 22. In step S54, the recognizing unit 20 performs character recognition on the extracted data, and recognizes the form ID. In the following step S55, form format data is extracted from the memory 22 based on the form ID obtained as a result of the character recognition in step S54,
In step S56, the recognizing unit 20 cuts out image data of a character to be read based on information such as a character cutout position and a character type specified by the form format data. In step S57, the recognition unit 20 performs character recognition on each character to be read. In step S58,
The character recognition result is stored in the file device 24 by the file control unit 23 or transmitted to an external device by the external interface 25. In the process of step S59 after step S58, the serial printing mechanism unit 52 moves the form 1 by rotating a roller (not shown), and passes the form 1 through the position of the skew amount measuring sensor unit 54. Here, if there is a skew amount in form 1,
The timing at which the two sensors of the skew amount measurement sensor unit 54 are turned on is shifted. The serial print control unit 51 detects a shift in the timing at which the two sensors of the skew amount measurement sensor unit 54 are turned on, that is, a time difference, as the skew amount.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of skew amount detection by the skew amount measuring sensor unit in FIG. Two sensors 54a and 54b of the skew amount measuring sensor unit 54
Are set on the transport path 34 at sufficiently narrow intervals in advance so that they can be applied to the narrowest form that can be read. Based on the time difference when the upper end of the form 1 passes through the positions of the two sensors 54a and 54b, it detects how many driving pulses of the transport motor the form 1 has traveled, and this is represented by G (unit: pixel). And From this value G and the distance L (unit: pixel) between the sensors, the serial print control unit 51
Calculates the skew amount P of the form 1 by the following equation (9). P = L / G (9) On the other hand, based on the print position information in the form format data, the serial printing mechanism 54 copies the form 1 so that the position of the print head 18 is at the print position of the form 1. Move. In step S60, the serial print control unit 51
Performs correction of a print character according to the skew amount P. Normal,
The print data on the form 1 is set by a distance Y from the upper side and a distance X from the reference side, which are defined in the form format data. Therefore, the serial print control unit 51
Performs correction of a printed character according to the skew amount P as shown in FIG. Specifically, assuming that the character pitch is 1 and the print position of the nth character is (X _n , Y _n ) based on the upper left position of each character in the print character string, the following (10), (1)
By applying the expression 1), the serial print control unit 51 determines the print position of each character.

[0031] _{X n + 1 = X n +1} (n = 0,1,2, ...) ··· (10) Y n + 1 = Y n + P × 1 (n = 0,1,2, ...) · (11) Further, the serial print control unit 51 develops and stores the obtained step-like print position in the print buffer 53. That is, a step-like print pattern is created. Step S61
, The serial printing mechanism 54 moves the form 1 based on the print position information in the form format data so that the position of the print head 18 is at the print position of the form 1. Further, the serial print control unit 51 reads out the print data of the character string developed in the print buffer 53 by dividing the print data into printable heights in a print range at one time. In step S62, based on the print information in the form format data, the serial print control unit 51 moves the print head 18 connected to the serial print mechanism unit 52 in the main scanning direction, and separates the read print data. Is printed for the first time.

In step S63, the serial print control unit 51 determines whether or not the serial printing has been completed. If the serial printing has not been completed, the process returns to step S63.
61 to S63 are repeated. By repeating this, printing similar to that of the first embodiment is performed, and a character string is printed. When there are a plurality of printing lines, the same printing is performed again after moving the form 1 to the next printing position. In the subsequent step S64, based on the result of the character recognition, the transport control unit 26 switches the blade 37 in FIG. 17 to transfer the form 1 to the accept stacker 38 or the reject stacker 39
To be discharged. As described above, in the third embodiment,
A skew amount measuring sensor unit 54 having two sensors is provided on the transport path 34, and a skew amount P when the form 1 passes through the position of the skew amount measuring sensor unit 54 is obtained.
Printing is performed by creating a step-like print pattern corresponding to the skew amount P. Therefore, a character string that does not deviate from the print range can be printed.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of an OCR showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This OCR performs character recognition on the form 1 using the common format data and the form format data, as in the third embodiment.
The serial printing is performed on the form 1 using a sensor. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that in printing character skew correction, the entire pattern of a printing character string is rotated and printed.
This OCR includes a lens 2 similar to that shown in FIG.
And a CCD 4 serving as a photoelectric conversion unit. The lens 2 and the CCD 4 form an OCR optical system.
The output side of the CCD 4 is connected to an A / D converter 6 via an AMP 5.
And the output side of the A / D converter 6 is connected to the image memory 7. The image memory 7 is connected to a recognition unit 20 that is a recognition unit. The recognizing unit 20 uses the CR
This is a configuration controlled by the CPU 21 that controls the entire operation. The CPU 21 has the same memory 2 as in FIG.
2, file control unit 23, external interface 25
And a transfer control unit 26, and a file device 24 is connected to the file control unit 23. This OC
Further, a serial print control unit 61 having a function different from that of the third embodiment is connected to the CPU 21 of R. The serial print control unit 61 is connected to a serial print mechanism unit 62, a print buffer 63, and a skew amount measurement sensor unit 64. Serial print control unit 61
Is a configuration for controlling the serial print mechanism 62, and the print head 18 is connected to the serial print mechanism 62. The serial print control unit 61, the serial print mechanism unit 62, the print buffer 63, the skew amount sensor 64, and the print head 18 form a printing unit. Note that the transport system and the optical system in FIG.
Is the same as

FIG. 21 is a processing step showing the operation of the OCR of FIG. 20, and the operation of FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As in the third embodiment, when the form 1 is set in the hopper 30, based on the instruction from the CPU 21,
The transport controller 26 raises the hopper 30. Hopper 30
Rises, the form 1 comes into contact with the feed roller 31, and the form 1 is transported to the separation roller 32 by the rotation of the feed roller 31. By rotating the separation roller 32 and the reverse roller 33, the form 1 is sent to the conveyance path 34 while preventing double feeding. Then, the form 1 is conveyed to the position of the light source 3 for reading 36. In the fourth embodiment, the characters printed on the form are recognized by the processing in steps S71 to S78 similar to the steps S51 to S58 in the third embodiment. That is, when the conveyed form 1 comes under the light source 3, in step S71, the light radiated by the light source 3 is reflected on the form 1, which becomes a light ray 40 and is reflected by the plurality of mirrors 35. , Through the lens 2 to reach the CCD 4. Thereby, the image of the form 1 is projected on the CCD 4. The CCD 4 has its light beam 40
And the photoelectrically converted signal is A
The signal is amplified by the MP5, further converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter section 6, and stored in the image memory 7 as image data.

In step S 72, when the row corresponding to the form ID is stored in the image memory 7, the recognition unit 20 reads the common format data from the memory 22. In step S73, the recognizing unit 20 calculates the character image data of the field corresponding to the form ID from the common format data among the image data stored in the image memory 7, and cuts out the data. The contents of the common format data include data indicating the position where the form ID of the ID information for limiting the type of the form 1 is printed, the number of characters of the ID, the character type, and the like. The position where the data is cut out is determined based on the common format data which has been read in advance together with the form format data into the memory 22. In step S74,
The recognizing unit 20 performs character recognition on the extracted data and recognizes the form ID. In the following step S75, the form ID obtained from the character recognition result in step S74
The form format data is extracted from the memory 22 based on the information, and in step S76, based on the information such as the character cutout position and character type indicated by the form format data,
The recognition unit 20 cuts out image data of a character to be read. In step S77, the recognition unit 20 performs character recognition on each character to be read. In step S78, the character recognition result is stored in the file device 24 by the file control unit 23 or transmitted to the external device by the external interface 25.

In the processing of step S79 after step S78, the serial printing mechanism 62 moves the form 1 by rotating a roller (not shown), and passes the form 1 through the position of the skew amount measuring sensor 64. . Here, when the form 1 has a skew amount, the timing at which the two sensors of the skew amount measuring sensor unit 64 are turned on is shifted. The serial print control unit 61 detects, as a skew amount, a difference between timings when two sensors of the skew amount measuring sensor unit 64 are turned on, that is, a time difference. The two sensors included in the skew measurement sensor unit 64 include:
In order to be applicable to the narrowest form that can be read, the sheet is set on the transport path 34 at a sufficiently small interval in advance. The serial print control unit 61 obtains the length of each side of the triangle assumed in FIG. Based on the time difference at which the upper end of the form 1 passes through the two sensors, the number of drive pulses of the form motor which the form 1 has traveled is detected based on the time difference, and this is represented by G (unit: pixel).
And From the value G and the distance L between sensors (unit: pixel), the length of the side K of the triangle assumed in FIG. 19 is expressed by the following equation (12).

A = √ (L ² + G ² ) (12) Normally, the print data on the form 1 is set by the distance Y from the upper side and the distance X from the reference side, and this is set as the form format data. Since it is determined, the serial print control unit 61
, Based on these values, rotates the print pattern of the character string by the angle θ of the triangle in FIG. 19 based on the upper left position of the first character, and corrects the print character. That is, in step S80, correction is performed by applying the following (13) and (14) to all print dots in the print character string, and a print pattern is obtained. X ′ = Xcos θ−Ysin θ = X ^* L / K−Y ^* G / K (13) Y ′ = Xsin θ + Ycos θ = X ^* G / K + Y ^* L / K (14) And the serial print control unit 61 expands the obtained print pattern in the print buffer 63 and stores it. That is, a print pattern in which the character string is rotated is generated.

In step S81, the serial print control section 61 reads out the print data of the character string developed in the print buffer 63 by dividing the print data into printable heights within a print range at one time. In step S82, the serial printing mechanism 62 moves the form 1 based on the print information in the form format data so that the position of the print head 18 is at the print position of the form. Serial print control unit 61
Is the print head 1 connected to the serial print mechanism 62.
While moving 8 in the main scanning direction, the first printing is performed on the print data divided and read. Step S8
In 3, the serial print control unit 61 determines whether or not the serial printing has been completed. If the serial printing has not been completed, the process repeats steps S81 to S83 again. By repeating this, printing similar to that of the second embodiment is performed, and printing of the character string is completed. In the subsequent step S84, based on the result of the character recognition, the transport control unit 26 switches the blade 37 in FIG. 17 and discharges the form 1 to the accept stacker 38 or the reject stacker 39.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment,
A skew amount measurement sensor unit 64 having two sensors is provided on the transport path 34, and the skew amount when the form 1 passes through the position of the skew amount measurement sensor unit 64 is obtained. In accordance with the above, all the print dots are obtained, the print pattern of the corrected print character string is obtained, developed and stored in the print buffer 63, and it is divided and read out for serial printing. Serial printing can be performed without deviating from the printing range of No. 1. Also, the printed characters are
With no inclination of the character.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, there are the following modifications. (1) In the first to fourth embodiments, printing is performed by moving the print head 18 having one line of print dots in the sub-scanning direction in the main scanning direction. The present invention is also applicable to a case where a print head having print dots is used. In addition, as a serial printing method, printing is performed using a print head for one main scan line having a maximum form width or a limited size smaller than the maximum form width, for example, a thermal transfer printing mechanism or an electrophotographic printing mechanism. You may do so. (2) In the first and second embodiments, the skew is detected based on the upper side of the form 1 in the image data. However, if a cutting error or the like is expected in the form 1, the form 1 May be detected from the image data, and the skew amount may be obtained based on the detection result.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect, in the OCR provided with the recognizing means and the printing means, the printing means detects the inclination of the form, and correspondingly the stairs of the character string. Since the configuration is such that a print pattern is generated and printed, even if the form is inclined, the character string to be printed does not deviate from a predetermined location. Therefore, the other description items and the print character string are not mixed. According to the second aspect, in the OCR including the recognition unit and the printing unit, the printing unit is configured to detect the inclination of the form and generate and print the rotated print pattern of the character string. Even if is inclined, the printed character string does not deviate from a predetermined position. Therefore, the other description items and the print character string are not mixed. In addition, since printing is performed based on the rotated print pattern, each character in the print character string is not inclined with respect to the form. According to the third and fourth aspects,
The printing means in the first or second invention is configured to detect the inclination of the form based on the image data stored in the image memory. Can be prevented from deviating. According to the fifth invention, the printing means in the first or second invention is configured to detect the inclination of the form based on the time difference when the form passes through the positions of the two sensors provided on the transport path. Therefore, it is possible to easily prevent the print character string from being shifted from a predetermined place without depending on visual observation or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an OCR according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a conventional OCR.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing processing steps of the OCR of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a serial print result of the OCR of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transport system and an optical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing steps of the operation of the OCR of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a skew amount in image data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing setting of a print position for the form of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a correction corresponding to a skew amount in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a printing method of the OCR of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an OCR according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing processing steps of the operation of the OCR of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a correction corresponding to a skew amount in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a printing method of the OCR of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of an OCR according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a transport system and an optical system of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing processing steps of the operation of the OCR in FIG. 16;

19 is an explanatory diagram of skew amount detection of the skew amount measurement sensor unit in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of an OCR according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a processing step illustrating the operation of the OCR in FIG. 20;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 form 2 lens 3 light source 4 CCD 5 AMP 6 A / D converter 7 image memory 18 print buffer 20 recognition unit 21 CPU 22 memory 23 file control unit 24 file device 25 external interface unit 26 transport control unit 27, 41, 51, 61 Serial print control unit 28, 42, 52, 62 Serial print mechanism unit 29, 43, 53, 63 Print buffer 54, 64 Skew amount measurement sensor unit

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yuichi Fuse 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image memory for storing image data read from a form in which ID information for identifying the type of form and characters are written, and form format data given in advance corresponding to the ID information of the form A recognition unit that cuts out the image data of the character to be read from the image memory based on the form data, and a printing unit that serially prints a character string at a predetermined location on the form based on the form format data. In the optical character reading device, the printing unit is configured to detect a tilt of the form at the stage of performing the printing, and to generate and print a stair-like printing pattern of the character string based on the detection result. An optical character reader characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. An image memory for storing image information read from a form in which ID information for identifying the type of form and characters are written, and form format data given in advance corresponding to the ID information of the form A recognition unit that cuts out the image data of the character to be read from the image memory based on the form data, and a printing unit that serially prints a character string at a predetermined location on the form based on the form format data. In the optical character reading device, the printing unit may be configured to detect a tilt of the form at the time of performing the printing, and to generate and print a rotated printing pattern of the character string based on the detection result. An optical character reader characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. An optical system according to claim 1, wherein said printing means detects the inclination of said form at the time of performing said printing from image data stored in said image memory. Type character reader. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit detects the inclination of the form at the time of performing the printing from the inclination of the upper side of the form in the image data stored in the image memory. 4. The optical character reader according to 1, 2, or 3. 5. A configuration in which the printing means detects the inclination of the form at the stage of performing the printing, based on the time difference when the form passes through the positions of two sensors provided on a transport path for transporting the form. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The optical character reader according to the above.