JPS613239A - Pen plotter and plotting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate operation when a document where characters and graphic forms are drawn together and to prevent malfunction by constituting the interactive plotting system by using the pen plotter which serves as a page reader for OCR input. CONSTITUTION:An operation procedure is displayed on a graphic display device 4 and an operator uses a keyboard 2 to generate a character code string file and the map of space positions on an OCR document on an interactive basis. Then, data are inputted on the keyboard 2 on an interactive basis as mentioned above by using the pen plotter 6 to generate an OCR document artwork. Graphic information on this OCR document artwork is stored in a graphic file. In this case, the preliminary printing graphic and character, and the character frame for OCR are drawn using different kinds of line. A procedure command file for controlling an X and a Y control beam is generated from the graphic file generated simultaneously with the generation of the OCR document artwork so as to read trailer characters on the OCR document.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a pen plotter that also serves as a page reader for OCR input, and an interactive drawing system configured using this pen plotter.

Such a pen plotter is particularly suitable as a page reader when creating and using OCR forms using an interactive drawing system.

[Background of the Invention] Conventionally, when using an OCR reader as a component of an interactive design support system, an inexpensive and simple hand scan reader is generally used. Such hand scan readers have no problem when reading documents with a simplified arrangement such as data sheets, but they do not have a problem when reading documents with a simplified arrangement such as data sheets, but they do not have a problem when reading documents with a simple arrangement such as data sheets. In the case of a form in which figures, characters on the front side, etc. are irregularly mixed, the operation is complicated and there are many opportunities for erroneous operation.

On the other hand, when a page reader is used as an OCR reader, system initiation of the page reader (setting of a reading area for each character) in accordance with the form design is complicated. This becomes extremely complicated, especially in the case of a form design in which a text area is provided mixed with figures, illustrations, etc. for the convenience of the person filling out the form. Furthermore, if there is an error in the setting of the character area, there is a problem that the identification margin is lowered, causing reading errors.

In addition, the user can design the above forms using an interactive drawing system, such as the construction settlement original form, and use the OC.
When used for R forms, it would be convenient if the output pen plotter could also be used as an OCR page reader.

[Object of the invention] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the conventional type described above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a plotting system that simplifies operations in an OCR reader, prevents erroneous operations, and is convenient for use in creating and reading forms, and a pen plotter suitable for this system. - [Configuration and Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides the above-mentioned Y position control mechanism, OC
The optical reader for R input and the above-mentioned drawing tool can be installed in a switchable manner, and when the optical reader is installed, the optical reader is moved by a scanning control signal given from the OCR means. A pen plotter is characterized in that the reading section scans a character entry area and doubles as a page reader for OCR input, and the optical reading section of this pen block uses such a pen plotter and reads characters. This interactive drawing system is equipped with an OCR means for reading characters based on a signal obtained by scanning a writing area, and the character writing area frame is interactively drawn using a line type different from the others, and the line type is The interactive drawing system is characterized in that a scanning control signal for reading the characters is generated from the graphic information and is transmitted to the pen plotter.

Therefore, according to the present invention, an interactive drawing system is configured using a pen block that serves as a page reader for OCR input and a pen plotter, and characters are automatically read from graphic information input in an interactive format when creating a block. Since a scanning control signal is generated for the system, the following effect can be achieved: when a system user uses various and non-standard OCR forms for designing himself/herself, the initial setting work for reading can be simplified.

Part of the entry in the original form, not the OCR-specific form ;o C
In the case of an operation such as reading with R (for example, a cost estimation/procurement planning system for construction parts), the stroke of the mechanical part is smaller than that of the reading mechanism of the terminal type for copying the telegraph in stock, making it faster and easier.

It is useful for small-scale workstations because peripherals can be shared for input and output.

It is also possible to operate as a single-sheet system that processes OCR input information and outputs the result on an input form, and is suitable for physical fitness measurement data processing systems and the like.

Effects such as these are expressed.

[Summary of the invention] The present invention is specifically expressed as follows.

1. A pen plotter can be equipped with an optical reading section having an array sensor and a preamplifier instead of a composition tool. This optical reading section is replaced and operated manually or automatically.

2. Different line types for preprinted figures/characters and OCR character frames in the interactive drawing system (generate commands to change the pen for the plotter or perform Z-axis control intermittently according to specifications in the figure file) Create a diagram using

3. A procedure command file for performing X-Y position control (scanning control) for scanning the reading unit in order to read trailing characters from the OCR form is generated from the graphic file.

4. This procedure instruction file is transferred to the pen plotter in batches or sequentially, and the characters are read as pixel bit strings and transferred to the character recognition section.

5. Preprint registration marks on the form and give an offset to the above procedure command file to correct positional deviations due to form deformation, positional deviations during mounting, etc.

[Explanation of Examples] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block configuration of a pen plotter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a logic device, 2 is a keyboard that inputs commands and numerical values, and also serves as a system console for the logic device 1, 3 is a cursor control input device such as a digitizer, solid state mouse, joystick, etc., and 4 is a CRT, etc. Graphic display devices such as dot liquid crystal displays,
5 is a direct access external storage device such as a fixed disk, a disk pack, a floppy disk, etc., and 6 is a pen plotter which is a feature of the present invention.

The logic device 1 performs interactive drawings, creation of a page reader command file from a graphic file, X-Y control of the pen plotter 6, character identification, and the like. In this case, a sub-logic device may be provided that performs specific calculations for each function.

The pen plotter 6 has a pen holder 6 as shown in FIG.
1 attached to the Y control beam 62 and this Y control beam 62
is attached to be movable in the Y direction and the guide rail 63.6
It has an X-Y position control mechanism consisting of an X Ill m beam 65 that moves in the X direction on 4.

This pen plotter 6 can be used as a normal pen plotter by attaching a pen or the like as a drawing tool (not shown) to the pen holder 61, and an optical reading section 7 which is detachable and replaceable with the pen is attached to the pen holder 61. This allows it to be used as a page reader for OCR input. That is, the pen plotter 6 is
Outputs R-form version and reads handwritten characters. This function is a function unique to this system that is added to normal drawing output.

3(a) to 3(C) are a partially cutaway bottom view (a), a vertical sectional view (b), and an electric circuit diagram (c) showing the configuration of the optical reading section 7 of FIG. 2, respectively. ). Figure 3 (
In a) and (b), 71 is an array light receiving element constituting an array sensor, 72 is a rectangular light source for illumination, 73 is a preamplifier, 74 is a lens barrel, 75 is a housing, and 76 is engaged with a recess in a pen holder. 77 is a signal cable, 78 is a light shielding plate for shielding light leaking from the light source to the light receiving element, and 19 is an OCR form to be read.

In FIG. 3(C), A is a circuit mounted in the optical reading unit 7 mounted on the pen holder 61, 82 is a light receiving element constituting the array light receiving element 71, and 83 is an amplifier circuit with level control. An array 84 is an amplification cell having expansion characteristics constituting the amplifier circuit array 83, 85 is a synchronous/asynchronous transmission/reception block, and 86 is a level control signal. The preamplifier 73 shown in FIG. 3(b) includes an amplifier circuit array 83 and a synchronous/asynchronous transmission/reception block 8 on a printed wiring board.
5 is attached. Returning to FIG. 3(C), B is a circuit mounted on a fixed part (not shown) in the pen plotter of FIG. 89 is a synchronous/asynchronous transmission/reception block, 90 is a pixel block buffer register, 91 is a transfer signal to the character recognition section buffer memory, and 92 is a forwarding level detection section. Here, the gate 88 is a two-axis (pen up and down) signal 87
The received pixel signals (serialized) are gate-controlled for each character area block. Further, the forwarding level detection section 92 transfers the averaged signal level of the Z-axis signal off (while the reading section is forwarding) to the amplifier circuit array 83 in order to correct other average reflectances of the form.

Next, while referring to the system operation diagram in Figure 4,
The operation of the device shown in the figure will be explained.

First, by displaying instructions such as operating procedures on the graphic display device 4 and receiving input from the operator from the keyboard 2, a character code string file and OCR are created in an interactive manner.
Create a map (OCR character code string file) of spatial positions on the form.

Next, the operator attaches a pen to the pen holder 61 of the pen plotter 6, performs input from the keyboard 2 in the same interactive manner as described above, and creates an OCRM form version. The graphic information under this OCR form version is stored in a graphic file. In this case, the preprinted figures/characters and the OCR character frame should be of different line types (replace the pen for the print or generate a command to perform two-axis control intermittently according to the specifications in the figure file).
Create a diagram using

This OCR form version or graphic file is sent to OCR form printing outside this drawing system.

On the other hand, in the drawing system, the X control beam 65 and the Y control beam 62 are controlled to scan the array sensor 61 in order to read trailing characters from the OCR @ form from the graphic file created at the same time as the OCR form draft. Generate a procedure command file to do this. At this point, the pen plotter 6 is equipped with an optical reading section 7 having an array sensor and a preamplifier 73 in place of the drawing tool, thereby completing the initialization of the system as an OCR page reader. In this way, by drawing the OCR form version using this interactive drawing system and automatically generating the page reader control code from the graphic file, it is possible to overcome the drawback that the system initiation of conventional OCR input page readers is complicated. It can be resolved.

When a filler writes desired handwritten characters into an OCR form printed outside the system and the form is supplied to the system after initialization, the logical device 1 is transferred to the external storage device 5 in the drawing system. The procedure command file is read out all at once or sequentially and transferred to the pen plotter 6. As a result, in the pen plotter 6, the X control beam 65 and the YM m beam 62 are
A scanning control signal is generated, and the optical reading unit 7 scans the character writing area on the form, and the light projected from the rectangular illumination light source 12 and reflected by the portion corresponding to each pixel on the form surface is received by each array. The light enters the element 82 and is photoelectrically converted. The electrical signal output from each array light receiving element 82 is amplified by an amplification cell 84, parallel-to-serial converted by a transmitting/receiving block 85, and sent to a gate 88 and a transmitting/receiving block 89 as a pixel bit string signal corresponding to the character string written on the form. It is transferred to the character g recognition section of the logic device 1 via the character g recognition section.

FIG. 5 shows scanning on a form by the X-Y position control mechanism. In the figure, an OCR form 100 is provided with preprinted figures and characters 103, handwritten character entry frames 121 to 125, registration marks 108, and the like. 106 is the scanning start point of the preceding character block, and the dotted line 105 is the reading forwarding locus, indicating that the two-axis signal 87 is turned off and the reading section 7 is moved in a raised state. Further, a solid line 104 is a character pixel reading locus, which indicates that the Z-axis signal 87 is turned on and the reading section 7 is moved in a lowered state.

In addition, by reading the registration mark 108 on the preprint before starting character reading, and using this reading position information to give an offset to the procedure command file to correct positional deviation due to deformation of the form 100, positional deviation at the time of mounting, etc. ,
It is possible to more reliably prevent a reduction in the identification margin and malfunctions due to these positional deviations.

A supplementary and brief explanation of the process of generating an X-Y position control procedure command file from a graphic file under an OCR form will be provided. A character reference point is generated from a rectangle as a unit figure (primitive) inputted in a figure file according to the line type of the form frame, and a scan is performed to sequentially connect these points to generate an X-7 position M control locus of the circuit. If the pixel rows are rearranged on the path leading to the character identification section, the trajectory can be shortened again by reverse scanning or the like.

[Scope of Application of the Invention] In addition to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention can be applied in many other fields as shown in the following examples. For example, in order to use it for on-bed macro accuracy testing of the X-Y control mechanism,
By compressing the pixels of a figure on a test chart and registering it as a model, and then offsetting the pixel columns of the read figure and comparing it with the model, it is possible to know the macroscopic accuracy distribution value. In this case, part of the character system's hardware and software can be reused and used as a built-in self-test function for the workstation. In addition, in a ticket input/output system, multiple X-Y control mechanisms can be controlled in groups by the control unit of a workstation or one inquiry/transaction device that alternately uses multiple X-Y control mechanisms for OCR reading and output plotting. It is useful for increasing the value of communication through the use of graphical information that utilizes and returns the results.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an interactive drawing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the pen plotter in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an optical reading unit in FIG. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the structure and electric circuit configuration, Figure 4 is an operational system diagram of the dialogue drawing system in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is the
3 is an external view of an OCR form created and used in the interactive drawing system shown in FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Logic device, 2...Keyboard, 3...Cursor control input device, 4...Graphic display device, 5...
direct access external storage device, 6... pen plotter, 7
...Optical reading section, 61...Pen holder, 62...
-Y control beam, 65 = -X III ml beam.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. For a pen plotter equipped with a drawing tool and an X-Y position control mechanism that moves the drawing tool in parallel to the drawing surface, the above-mentioned X-Y position control mechanism is provided. is configured so that it is possible to switch between an optical reading section for OCR input and the above-mentioned drawing tool, and when the optical reading section is installed, O
A pen plotter characterized in that the optical reading section is moved by a scanning control signal given by a CR means to scan a character entry area, and also serves as a page reader for OCR input. 2. Use a pen plotter that has an X-Y position control mechanism that can switch between an optical reading section and a drawing tool that correspond to multiple pixels, and drive the X-Y position control mechanism to This interactive drawing system is equipped with an OCR means for reading characters based on a signal outputted by scanning a character writing area by a reading unit, and the character writing area frame is interactively drawn using a different line type from the others. , An interactive drawing system characterized in that a scanning control signal for reading the characters is generated from graphic information of the line type and transmitted to the pen plotter. 3. An interactive drawing system according to claim 2, wherein two or more registration marks are provided on a form, and the scanning control signal can be corrected by reading the marks prior to reading the characters. . 4. The interactive drawing system according to claim 2, wherein after reading the characters, a character code is transferred from the character identification section of the OCR means and the machine writing typeface characters are entered by the pen plotter.