JPH11202749A - Image processor and distribution system and method using the image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of depending on manual aid for the distribution work of answer sheets, to save the manpower, to improve the efficiency and to reduce the returning cost by extracting only information required for an answerer from the answer sheet, printing and outputting it on a sheet of paper and distributing and returning it. SOLUTION: In an image read means 101, the entire area of an already marked answer sheet is converted into image data read in an image reader. Then, correction or the like is judged based on the information of a mark sheet column corresponding to an answer column from the image data, and in the case of being other than a correct answer, the processing of segmenting only answer column entered by the answerer to the answer column is performed by an image data extraction means 102. Then, in an image data editing/ arrangement means 103, the partial image data of the segmented answer column are automatically synthesized and edited by an answerer unit and are printed and outputted to a sheet of paper through an image data output means 104. Then, the sheet of paper for which only the answer column is extracted and edited is returned to the answerer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing system and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method suitable for application to a journal sending process such as answer sheets having a fixed form and classification of documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various mock tests for school children and students at elementary, junior high and high schools, a test taker selects a mark sheet in an answer column and reads the mark sheet with an OMR (optical mark reading device). In such a simple alternative method, although the scoring method can be automated, the correct answer may be accidentally entered, or the mark may be incorrectly painted, etc. Is not handwritten, it is difficult to accurately determine the examinee's knowledge, ability, and the like with a simple mark sheet.

[0003] For this purpose, recently, the answerer himself / herself writes the answer by hand on an answer sheet, and the grader gives a correct / incorrect answer.
Alternatively, select the relevant points and add a mark (mark) to the scoring result, and if the answer sheet is incorrect, correct what is wrong, etc. A test method (OMR scoring method) has been adopted in which a mark sheet method (OMR) is read by the OMR and the scoring and counting work is automated.

FIG. 1 schematically shows an answer sheet of the OMR scoring system. Referring to FIG. 1, in this mathematical answer sheet, the answerer writes down the answer for each question by hand, and next to the question, the grader marks the score result (correct or incorrect in FIG. 1) on a mark sheet. Mark. At the time of totaling the scores, the answer sheet is read into the OMR to determine whether the answer is correct or incorrect, and the score of the answerer is automatically derived from the score previously assigned to the question and the correct / incorrect result.

[0005]

However, the above prior art has the following problems.

[0006] In practice tests, etc., the scored answer sheets are provided with a list of total results (average score, deviation value, ranking of excellent performers, analysis, etc.) and advertisement notice information such as the schedule of the next test, etc. Will be returned to In this case, the mock test organizer will send the mail to the respondent by mail or home delivery. For example, a large number of answer sheets for each test subject such as English, mathematics, national language, society, science, etc. are sorted and sorted for each answerer, and the work is usually performed manually.

[0007] At this time, if a large number of examinees participate in the simulation test, the sorting work requires a huge number of man-hours, which leads to an increase in cost and is inefficient.

Further, until now, the answer sheet has been returned to the answerer as it is (that is, the original sheet), and when the number of test subjects becomes three or five, the cost of mailing is reduced. It is difficult.
In particular, due to the nature of the answer sheet, paper that is durable so as not to be damaged even if erased several times with an eraser is used, and thin paper cannot be used. This has prevented a reduction in mailing costs.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to eliminate the need to rely on manual work for sorting answer sheets, thereby achieving labor saving and efficiency. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for reducing the return cost.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention reads, as image data, a sheet of paper in which a determination criterion result of the information is set as a mark in an information column, Extracting a required information field with a predetermined reference mark as partial image data, automatically editing the extracted partial image data on the image, and printing the extracted required information on a sheet. And

Further, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention,
Means for reading, as image data, a scored answer sheet in which a score of a question is marked by marking a column provided in correspondence with the answer column by the grader, and the mark is read from the read image data. Means for extracting an answer column of a question indicating an incorrect answer; means for automatically editing and arranging the extracted partial image data for each question on the image data, preferably on one sheet; Means for outputting image data.

According to the image processing method of the present invention, a graded answer sheet, which is scored by marking the answer provided by the grader in a column provided corresponding to the answer column, is input as image data. Extracting an answer field of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer from the input image data, and automatically editing the extracted partial image data for each question so that the extracted partial image data fits on one sheet of image data, preferably. And arranging and printing out the edited image data.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In a preferred embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, an answer sheet (see FIG. 1) in which a score of a question answer is made by a grader marking a column provided corresponding to the answer column. Means for reading the entire scored answer sheet as image data (101 in FIG. 2), and means for extracting an answer field of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer from the read image data (1 in FIG. 2).
02) and means for automatically editing and arranging the extracted partial image data for each question on the image data, preferably so as to fit on one sheet (103 in FIG. 2 and outputting the edited image data Means (104 in FIG. 2)
And.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image data editing and arranging means includes a partial image extracted from a plurality of answer sheets based on the answerer's personal information (see FIG. 1) entered on the answer sheet. The data is sorted for each answerer and attached to the image data corresponding to one sheet, and the extraction results of the answer sheets for multiple subjects are preferably journalized on one sheet by the image data output means and printed out. I do.

In this case, the answerer's personal information on the answer sheet and the answerer's address information stored in advance in the database of the host computer of the simulation test organizer are searched, and the address of the printed paper for return is sent to the envelope. , And the return printed paper that has been printed out is automatically enclosed in an envelope.

That is, the answer sheet (201 in FIG. 3) in which a plurality of subjects have been graded (the answer to the question is marked as correct or incorrect) is placed on the image processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 200), only the answer column of the incorrect answer is extracted, and a plurality of subjects are preferably printed out on a single sheet of paper (202 in FIG. 3). (210 in FIG. 2) is activated, and the answerer's personal information on the answer sheet and the answerer destination information stored in advance in the database (not shown) of the host computer of the simulation test sponsor are searched and printed out. The destination of the return paper is automatically printed on a sealed letter, and the printed out return paper is automatically enclosed in the sealed letter. Column after the extraction output If, operate in conjunction with the output of the image processing apparatus is not always necessary.

That is, the image data, which is the output of the image processing apparatus, which is obtained by synthesizing the answer column of the incorrect answer, is temporarily stored in a file device by performing a compression process or the like, and by accessing the file device, print output and automatic An enclosing step may be performed.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a scoring result collection process can be performed by the image processing apparatus. However, a scoring process including a large number of calculation processes such as a sorting process is performed according to the number of examinees. Aggregation processing, statistical processing, and the like may be performed on the host computer connected to the image processing apparatus via a network.

As an embodiment of the present invention, OMR
Although the sorting process of the answer sheet of the method has been described, the present invention is also applicable to, for example, a process of a sheet in which a determination reference result of the information is set by a mark in an information field handwritten. Is read as image data, a column of information with a predetermined reference mark (mark) is extracted as partial image data, and the extracted partial image data is edited and preferably printed out on paper, so that Only information can be extracted.

Further, in the present invention, it is necessary that the image reading means (101 in FIG. 2) and the partial image extracting means (102 in FIG. 2) for extracting the answer column of the incorrect answer are formed integrally with the apparatus. Instead, the partial image data extracting means (102 in FIG. 2) may of course be configured to input an image data file already read as image data by another device via a recording medium or a network.

In the present invention, the answer sheet is O
The present invention is not limited to the MR method, but is also applicable to a mark sheet type answer sheet in which the answerer directly selects a mark for the question. In this case, the correctness of the answer is determined from the position of the mark, and only the answer column of the incorrect answer is extracted as the partial image data. That is, the present invention, in a preferred embodiment thereof, reads a mark sheet type answer sheet in which the answerer directly selects a mark for the question as image data, and fills in the answer column for a question that is an incorrect answer from the read image data. Means for extracting partial image data for each question, means for automatically editing and arranging at least the partial image data extracted for each question on the image data, preferably so as to fit on one sheet of paper, Means for automatically journaling the image data for each answerer based on the answerer information entered in the answer sheet and printing out the data. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to an answer sheet (see FIG. 4) in a form in which the mark sheet method and the OMR method are mixed.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an answer sheet sorting / returning system implemented on the organizer side of a simulation test or the like will be described.

In the present embodiment, the premise is that in a practice test or the like, a grader fills a mark provided at a position corresponding to the answer box with a correct answer by the answerer on the answer sheet, so that the correct answer is correct. , Or the number of points is set (see FIG. 1).

When the answerer applies for the mock test, personal information such as his / her name and address (destination) are registered in a database or the like of the information processing device on the host side of the mock test. Assigned. The answerer writes the identification information of the answerer, that is, the name or ID information registered in advance in a predetermined column of the answer sheet at the time of the test, and writes the ID.
The information processing apparatus that has input the information can associate (correlate) the answer sheet with the answerer.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the present embodiment,
In the image reading means 101, the entire area of the scored answer sheet is read by the image reading device and converted into image data. From this image data, correctness or the like is determined based on the information in the mark sheet column corresponding to the answer column, and the correct answer is determined. Otherwise, the process of cutting out only the answer column entered by the answerer in the answer column is performed by the partial image data extracting means 102.
In the image data editing / arranging means 103, the partial image data in the answer column cut out by the partial image data extracting means 102 is automatically synthesized and edited in answerer units, and one image is output via the image data output means 104. Print out on paper. Then, only the wrong answer column is extracted and edited and returned to the answerer. Note that a high-speed image scanner or the like is used as the image reading unit 101.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that, for the answer sheets of a plurality of subjects taken by the examiner, image data obtained by cutting out the answers in the answer column of the wrong answer as an image is collected, and classified into each subject to form one sheet. Edit and paste so that it fits on the paper. In this case, the partial image data cut out for each subject is temporarily accumulated and held in a predetermined storage device or storage area.

As for the answer sheet of the test, the position information and the shape / dimension information of the answer column of each question can be obtained when the answer sheet is created.

In the present embodiment, the incorrect answer columns extracted from the information on the position information, the shape, etc. and the size information of the output target paper are tabulated and edited for each test subject, preferably on a single sheet of paper. The layout is automatically edited to fit.

In this embodiment, the mark sheet type scoring section for the answer section for each question of each subject is also provided in the OMR.
Instead of reading the mark sheet, a process is performed to determine whether or not a mark is attached to the corresponding position on the read image data based on the position information in the answer sheet of the mark sheet. As described above, in this embodiment, the score result is determined on the image data instead of reading the mark sheet by the OMR, so that the processing speed is improved and the degree of freedom of the layout of the answer sheet is far more than the conventional method. It expands to.

The paper used for the return is thin paper, which can be easily folded in several layers, and has a larger size than the answer paper.

In this embodiment, in order to support such a process, the answerer generally needs information on how to make a mistake about the wrong answer, and the correct answer is given to the question answered correctly by the answerer. Even if the answer is returned again, it is based on an empirical rule that the answerer does not have any particular information to learn from this correct answer, and as in this embodiment, only the wrong answer by the answerer is extracted and returned. There is no problem in conducting the test. Conversely, OMR
In the scoring test, handwriting input by the respondent is considered important, and it is sufficient if information on what points are wrong in the answer input by hand in the answer column is sufficient. The value of the test is not lost even if the returned answer column is returned after being subjected to a reduction process or the like. In addition,
If the wrong answer is blank (not filled),
Whether or not to extract this as an incorrect answer is appropriately selected in the system design.

Alternatively, an answerer who prints image data of an answer sheet may be optionally returned to the answerer who wishes to return all correct and incorrect answers as they are.
Also in this case, in the present embodiment, the sheet returned to the answerer may be a sheet thinner than the answer sheet, and the size is reduced and printed out, which is smaller than the case where the normal answer sheet is returned. Also reduce mailing costs.

Also, the answer sheet is read as image data, the identification information of the answer sheet is subjected to character recognition by OCR processing or the like, and the name and destination address information of the answerer already registered in the database or the like are searched, and the answer sheet is returned. By automatically printing a destination label for each answer sheet for a sealed letter and arranging a known automatic enclosing device (210 in FIG. 3) in a post-process of the printer, the answer sheet printed out on the printer can be read by the answerer. It is also possible to configure a system that automatically sorts each time. This system is effective for labor saving and efficiency of the sorting process in tests with thousands or tens of thousands of examinees.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the process of reading the scored answer sheet of the OMR scoring method as image data was performed.
As for the answer sheet that has been scored by the OMR scoring method, it is sufficient that only the image data file can be obtained, and image data already read by another host computer equipped with an image processing device is input via a network or a recording medium, The apparatus may be configured as a device having a function of performing a process of extracting an incorrect answer column from the input image information and performing automatic sorting. That is, in this embodiment, the image reading device and the device for performing the wrong answer extraction and editing process for returning the answer sheet may be configured to be distributed. In this case, since the image data input via the network or the recording medium is compressed, it is decompressed, and then the mark is discriminated and the wrong answer column is extracted.

As still another embodiment of the present invention, a sheet on which a determination criterion is set by a mark sheet is read as image data, an information column having a predetermined criterion mark is extracted, and the extracted partial image data is read. The paper may be edited and printed, and the paper may be sorted for each person.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Extract only the information necessary for the answerer from the answer sheet,
Preferably, the configuration is such that printout is performed on a single sheet of paper and the return is distributed, so that the distribution processing can be automated without impairing the premise of the purpose, function, and customer service of the test, thereby achieving labor saving. In addition, the mailing cost for return is significantly reduced, and its practical value is extremely high.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an answer sheet in which a marking result is made by a mark sheet method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an answer sheet sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an answer sheet in which a mark sheet method is mixed with an OMR method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image reading means 102 Partial image data extracting means 103 Image data synthesizing means 104 Image data output means 200 Image processing device 210 Automatic sealing device

Claims (17)

[Claims] (A) A sheet in which a determination criterion result of the information is set as a mark (mark) in an information column is read as image data, and (b) a required information marked with a predetermined reference mark is read. A column is extracted as partial image data, and (c) the extracted required information is printed out on paper by automatically editing the extracted one or more partial image data on the image. Processing method. 2. A means for reading, as image data, a sheet in which a determination criterion result of the information is set as a mark (mark) in an information column, and a column of required information marked with a predetermined criterion mark is a partial image. Image processing means for extracting data as data, and means for automatically editing the extracted one or more partial image data on the image and printing out the extracted required information on paper. apparatus. 3. An answer sheet in which a score of a question is marked by marking a predetermined column provided corresponding to the answer column by a grader, and the scored answer sheet is used as image data. Reading means; means for extracting, from the read image data, an answer column of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer as partial image data for each question; and at least extracting the partial image data extracted for each question on the image data. Preferably, the image processing apparatus further comprises: means for automatically editing and arranging the edited image data so as to fit on one sheet of paper, and means for outputting the edited image data. 4. An answer sheet, which is scored by putting a mark on a predetermined column provided corresponding to the answer column by a grader, and reads the scored answer sheet as image data. Means for extracting, from the read image data, an answer column of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer as partial image data for each question; and at least extracting the partial image data extracted for each question on the image data. Means for automatically editing and arranging preferably so as to fit on one sheet of paper, means for automatically editing the edited image data for each answerer based on the answerer information entered in the answer sheet, and printing out. A sorting method, comprising: 5. An answer sheet in which a score of an answer of a question is given by marking a predetermined column provided corresponding to the answer column by a grader, and the entire scored answer sheet is used as image data. Means for reading, means for extracting an answer field of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer from the read image data, and answering of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer over a plurality of answer sheets taken by one answerer. Means for automatically editing and arranging the extracted plurality of partial image data on the image data so as to preferably fit on one sheet of paper; and filling the edited image data in the answer sheet Means for automatically journalizing and printing out each answerer based on the answerer's personal information obtained. 6. The destination of the printed sheet is automatically printed on a sealed letter from the answerer's personal information of the answer sheet and the previously stored answerer address information, and the printed sheet is replaced with the sealed letter. 6. The sorting method according to claim 4, further comprising a means for automatically enclosing the container. 7. An answer sheet in which a score of a question is scored by a scorer marking a column provided corresponding to the answer column, and the scored answer sheet is input as image data. From the input image data, the answer column of the question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer is extracted as partial image data, and the extracted partial image data for each question is preferably fit on one sheet of image data. Automatically editing and arranging, and printing out the edited image data. 8. An answer sheet in which a score of a question is marked by marking a predetermined box provided corresponding to the answer box by a grader, and the scored answer sheet is input as image data. Then, a section of the answer of the question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer is extracted as partial image data over the answer sheets of a plurality of subjects of one answerer as partial image data, and the extracted plurality of partial image data is preferably stored on one sheet. Automatically edits and arranges the image data on the image data, and automatically sorts the edited image data into one sheet for the answer sheets for a plurality of subjects based on the answerer's personal information entered in the answer sheet. A sorting method characterized by journalizing and printing out. 9. (a) An answer sheet which is scored by putting a mark on a predetermined column provided in correspondence with the answer column by the grader to score the answer to the question, and (B) extracting, as partial image data, an answer column of a question in which the mark indicates an incorrect answer from the read image data, and (c) preferably extracting the extracted partial image data for each question. Is a step of automatically editing and arranging on the image data so that it fits on one sheet of paper; (d) Automatically separating and editing the edited image data for each answerer based on the answerer information of the answer sheet. Outputting the printed out sheet to the answerer,
A method for sorting answer sheets, characterized in that: 10. An answer column for a question in which a mark indicates an incorrect answer is extracted over a plurality of answer sheets of a subject taken by one answerer, and the extracted plurality of partial image data is stored on one sheet. 10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising automatically editing and arranging the image data on the image data. 11. A means for reading, as image data, an answer sheet of a mark sheet type in which the answerer directly selects a mark for a question, and an answer column for a question which is an incorrect answer from the read image data for each question. Means for automatically editing and arranging at least the partial image data extracted for each question on the image data, preferably so as to fit on one sheet of paper; and Means for automatically journalizing and printing out each answerer based on the answerer information entered on a sheet, and a means for sorting. 12. A means for reading, as image data, a mark sheet type answer sheet in which the answerer directly selects a mark for a question, and an answer column for a question which is an incorrect answer from the read image data for each question. Means for extracting an answer column of a question which is a wrong answer over a plurality of answer sheets taken by one answerer, so that the extracted plurality of partial image data preferably fits on one sheet. Means for automatically editing and arranging on the image data; and means for automatically journaling and outputting the edited image data for each answerer based on the answerer's personal information entered in the answer sheet. Distributing method characterized by having. 13. An automatic printing of the address of a printed sheet on a sealed letter from the answerer's personal information of the answer sheet and pre-stored answerer address information, and replacing the printed sheet with the sealed letter. 13. The sorting method according to claim 11, further comprising a means for automatically enclosing the container. 14. A mark sheet type answer sheet in which the answerer directly selects a mark for the question is input as image data, and an answer column of a question which is an incorrect answer is extracted as partial image data from the input image data. An image processing method for automatically editing and arranging the extracted partial image data for each problem so that the partial image data fits on a single sheet of paper, and prints out the edited image data. . 15. An answer sheet of a mark sheet type in which the answerer directly selects a mark for the question is input as image data, and a section of the answer of the question which is an incorrect answer is provided in a plurality of answer sheets of one answerer. It is extracted as image data, and the plurality of extracted partial image data is automatically edited and arranged on the image data so as to preferably fit on one sheet, and the edited image data is written on the answer sheet. A method for automatically sorting out answer sheets for a plurality of subjects on a single sheet for each answerer based on individual personal information and printing out. 16. A step of reading, as image data, a mark sheet type answer sheet in which the answerer directly selects a mark for the question, and (b) a part of an answer column of a question which is an incorrect answer from the read image data. (C) automatically editing and arranging the extracted partial image data for each problem on the image data so as to preferably fit on one sheet of paper; (d) the edited Automatically sorting the image data for each answerer based on the answerer information on the answer sheet and journalizing and printing out, and returning the printed out sheet to the answerer.
A method for sorting answer sheets, characterized in that: 17. A section of a question answer which is an incorrect answer is extracted as partial image data over a plurality of answer sheets of a subject taken by one answerer, and the extracted plurality of partial image data is stored on one sheet. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the answer sheet is automatically edited and arranged on the image data.