JPH08212331A - Electronic filing method and electronic filing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It was made possible to search and confirm a desired document or the like with a simple operation, such as a document created by a predetermined application or a document image input by a scanner or the like. A text analysis unit 6 analyzes text information, an image forming unit 7 creates a document image, a database registration unit 3 registers the document image and text information in a database 2, and a database search unit 4 stores the database 2 Is displayed and displayed on the image display means 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic filing method and an electronic filing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the existence of a document management system for managing a document file created by a predetermined application software such as a document creation by a personal computer or a spreadsheet, or an electronic filing system for managing a document input by a scanner or the like. Existence is known.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, in order to confirm the document content managed by the document management system, it is necessary to activate the application software that created the document. There is a problem in that it takes a long time to confirm and it is impossible to confirm a large number of documents at the same time.

Further, in the prior art, it is impossible to search and confirm a document created by a predetermined application software and a document image input from a scanner or the like by the same operation, and search and confirm by separate systems. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time and labor to operate because it has to be done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and electronic filing capable of searching and confirming a document created by a predetermined application software, a document image input by a scanner or the like by a simple operation. It is an object to provide a method and an electronic filing device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic filing method according to the present invention analyzes text information with respect to document information created by a predetermined application to create a document image, and then, The feature is that after registering the document image and the text information in the database, the database is searched and the image is displayed.

Further, it is characterized in that the searched database is image-transmitted to a communication terminal, and further, the searched database is output to a printer.

Further, the document image is hierarchically compressed and registered in a database, and then the searched database is expanded and displayed as an image. The application software that created the document image is activated. The feature is that the document image is edited.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a text area is extracted from a document image input by the image input means or a document image received by a facsimile machine, and characters in the text area are recognized to generate text information. It is characterized in that the layout of document information created by application software is analyzed and the layout information is registered.

Further, the electronic filing apparatus according to the present invention is a text analysis means for analyzing text information with respect to document information created by predetermined application software, an image forming means for creating a document image, and the image forming means. Database registration means for registering the document image created by the above and the text information analyzed by the text analysis means in a database, database search means for searching the database registered by the database registration means, and search by the database search means Image display means for displaying an image of the created database as an image.

Further, it is characterized in that a communication control means is connected to the database searching means, and a printer control means is connected to the database searching means.

Further, the image forming means comprises image compression means for hierarchically compressing the document image and supplying it to the image forming means, and image expanding means for expanding the compressed document image and supplying it to the image display means. Further, an application starting means for starting the predetermined application is connected to the image display means.

A document for analyzing the document structure of the document information output from the image input unit or the facsimile device is connected to the image input unit for reading the document image and the facsimile device for transmitting and receiving the document image. It is characterized by comprising a structure analysis means and a character recognition means for recognizing the characters of the text information analyzed by the document structure analysis means, and further analyzing the layout of the document information created by the predetermined application software. It is characterized in that it has a document layout analyzing means for performing.

[0014]

According to the electronic filing method and the electronic filing apparatus described above, the document information created by the predetermined application software is searched for as text information, displayed as an image, transmitted to the partner communication terminal, or output from the printer.

By having the image compression means and the image decompression means, the compressed image information is registered in the database, decompressed and displayed as an image.

The document image displayed as an image can be edited by activating a predetermined application software that created the document image.

Further, the document information created by the predetermined application and the document information obtained by the image input means or the facsimile transmission can be searched by the same operation to display the image.

Further, by analyzing the layout of the document information, a document having no text information is similarly searched and displayed as an image.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment (first embodiment) of an electronic filing apparatus according to the present invention. The electronic filing apparatus operates on document information created by predetermined application software. A document information processing means 1 for analyzing text information and creating a document image, a database 2, a database registration means 3 for registering text information and document image information in the database 2, and a search for text information in the database 2. The database search means 4 to perform, and the image display means 5 for searching the text information by the database search means 4 and displaying the document image.
It consists of and.

Further, the document information processing means 1 comprises a text analysis means 6 for analyzing text information and an image forming means 7 for creating a document image, and is started by a process similar to printing in predetermined application software. .

The text analysis means 6 is, specifically, a drawing code (for example, GDI (Graphical Device Interf) for Windows) issued by an operating system (for example, Windows of Microsoft Corporation, USA).
ace) extracts text information, that is, character code. The image forming means 7 also creates a document image from the drawing code. Then, the text information and the document image are registered in the database 2 by the database registration means 3 in association with the file name created by the application software. Further, the database search means 4 performs a full-text search of the text information registered in the database when a predetermined character string is designated by the operator, and a document image and a file associated with the text information including the predetermined character string. The name is output and displayed on the image display means 5.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a registration procedure for registering in the database 2 by the document information processing means 1.

That is, in step S1, the text analysis means 6 analyzes the text information from the drawing code to generate text information, in step S2 the image forming means 7 generates a document image, and in the subsequent step S3, the database registration means 3 is generated. Then, the text information, the document image data, and the file name are associated with each other and registered in the database 2, and the process is terminated.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation of the image display means 5. In step S11, the image display means 5 displays the document image and the process ends.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the operator performs the same process as the printing on the document information created by the predetermined application software, and only activates the text analysis means 6 to obtain the document information. Since it can be registered, there is no need to perform a troublesome process. Further, since the full text search of the text of the document information is performed in the text information search, it is possible to reliably search for a document including a specified predetermined character string. Furthermore, because the document image is displayed according to the search result, you can easily check the content of the document, and you can check it at high speed compared to when you search by launching the application software that created the document information. It will be possible. In particular, when a large number of documents are output as a search result, it is difficult to simultaneously start a large number of application software. On the other hand, in the first embodiment, a large number of document images can be displayed at the same time. The desired document can be easily confirmed. Furthermore, even a device that cannot use the application software that created the document image or an operator who cannot operate the application software can easily search and confirm the document by displaying the document image.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the second embodiment. The electronic filing apparatus 8 according to the second embodiment is provided with a communication control means 9 in addition to the first embodiment. And is connected to the facsimile apparatus 10.

That is, in the second embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 10 connected to the communication control means 9 can transmit a document image to a remote place via a communication line such as a public network.

In the second embodiment, since the document image has already been created by the image forming means 7, it is necessary to immediately send the document image to the remote location via the facsimile device 10 for the document information as the search result. You can

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment. The electronic filing apparatus 8 according to the third embodiment has a printer control means 11 in addition to the first embodiment. It is provided and connected to the printer 12.

In the third embodiment, since the image forming means 7 has already created the document image, it is possible to immediately output the document image to the document information as the search result via the printer 12.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the fourth embodiment. In the electronic filing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the document processing information means 13 is the text analysis means 6 and the image forming means 7. In addition to the above, an image compression unit 14 for performing hierarchical image compression is provided, and an image decompression unit 15 for decompressing the compressed image compressed by the image compression unit 14 and displaying it on the image display unit 5 is provided. As a method of hierarchically compressing an image, a standardized still image encoding method such as JBIG or JPEG is used, so that the area ratio of the compressed image is 1/4, 1/16, 1/64, etc. The image of can be reproduced.

In the fourth embodiment, since the image data can be compressed and registered in the database 2 by the database registration means 3, the required memory amount can be reduced. Further, for example, when there are few search results, each document image can be displayed in a large size, and when there are many search results, each document image can be displayed in a small size, so that the search results can be easily and quickly confirmed. .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the fifth embodiment. The electronic filing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is provided with an application starting means 16 in addition to the fourth embodiment. And the application starting means 1
6, the application software that created the document information is running.

According to the fifth embodiment, the search result can be confirmed by displaying an image, and if it is desired to modify and edit the searched document image, the application software can be activated and edited. For example, it is also preferable that "edit" is provided in a menu button (not shown) for image display, and the operator clicks the menu button to activate the application software.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment. The electronic filing device 8 according to the sixth embodiment receives a document image input by the scanner 17 and a facsimile device 10. Document structure analyzing means 18 for analyzing the structure of the created document image, and the document structure analyzing means 18
The character recognition means 19 for recognizing the character analyzed by and generating a character code which is text information.

The document structure analyzing means 18 divides the document image input by the scanner 17 or the document image received by the facsimile apparatus 10 into a text area, a graphic area, an image area, etc., and character-recognizes the text area. Send to means 19. Then, the database registration means 3 registers the character code string and the document image data in the database 2 in association with each other.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, whether the operator is the document created by the predetermined application software, the document input by the scanner 17 or the document received by the facsimile apparatus 10. It is possible to search and confirm document images without being aware of.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a seventh embodiment. In the electronic filing apparatus 8 according to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the sixth embodiment, the document layout analysis means 21 is provided. It is provided in the document information processing means 20. That is, the document layout analysis unit 21 sets the columns, presence / absence of images, of the document image generated based on the document information created by the predetermined application software,
Document layout information such as the presence or absence of a figure can be registered and searched.

With this, even a document without text information can be easily searched and confirmed.

[0041]

As described above in detail, according to the electronic filing method and the electronic filing apparatus of the present invention, a highly accurate database search can be performed on a document created by a predetermined application software without any troublesome operation. By displaying the document image, the desired document can be searched and confirmed quickly and easily. Further, a large number of documents can be confirmed at the same time, and it is not necessary to activate the application software for confirmation, and the desired document can be confirmed even by a device that cannot activate the application software.

Further, the desired document can be transmitted by facsimile or output to a printer, and various applications are possible depending on the application.

Further, by having the image compression means and the image decompression means, it is possible to reduce the required memory for registering in the database as much as possible, and it is possible to display document images of different sizes as needed. You can
The desired document can be confirmed quickly and easily.

Further, after confirming the desired document, a predetermined application software is activated as necessary, whereby the document can be edited and the document can be updated.

By extracting a text area from the document image input by the image input means or the document image received by the facsimile apparatus and recognizing the characters in the text area to generate text information, predetermined application software can be used. It is possible to search and confirm by the same operation without paying attention to the created document image or the document image obtained by the image input means or the facsimile transmission.

By analyzing the layout of the document information created by the predetermined application software, it is possible to search / confirm even a document having no text information. Moreover, by having an image compression means, the search condition and search can be performed. The display form can be changed based on the result, and the document can be confirmed quickly and easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment (first embodiment) of electronic filing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart (1/2) showing an operation procedure of the electronic filing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart (2/2) showing an operation procedure of the electronic filing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block configuration diagram of a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram of a seventh embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 database 3 database registration means 4 database search means 5 image display means 6 text analysis means 7 image forming means 9 communication control means 10 facsimile machine 11 printer control means 12 printer 14 image compression means 15 image decompression means 16 application starting means 17 scanner ( Document image input means) 18 Document structure analysis means 19 Character recognition means 21 Document layout analysis means

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Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A document image is created by analyzing text information of document information created by a predetermined application, then the document image and text information are registered in a database, and the database is searched to display an image. An electronic filing method comprising: 2. The electronic filing method according to claim 1, wherein the searched database is image-transmitted to a communication terminal. 3. The electronic filing method according to claim 1, wherein the retrieved database is output to a printer. 4. The document image is hierarchically compressed and registered in a database, and then the searched database is expanded and displayed as an image. Electronic filing method. 5. The electronic filing method according to claim 1, wherein the application software that created the document image is activated to edit the document image. 6. A text area is extracted from a document image input by an image input means or a document image received by a facsimile machine, and characters in the text area are recognized to generate text information. The electronic filing method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. The layout of document information created by the predetermined application software is analyzed, and the layout information is registered in a database.
7. The electronic filing method according to claim 6. 8. A text analysis means for analyzing text information with respect to document information created by predetermined application software, an image forming means for creating a document image, a document image created by the image forming means, and the text. Database registration means for registering the text information analyzed by the analysis means in the database, database search means for searching the database registered by the database registration means, and image display for displaying the image of the database searched by the database search means An electronic filing device comprising: 9. The electronic filing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a communication control means is connected to the database search means. 10. The electronic filing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a printer control means is connected to the database search means. 11. An image compression means for hierarchically compressing a document image and supplying it to the image forming means, and an image expanding means for expanding the compressed document image and supplying it to the image display means. The electronic filing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein 12. The electronic filing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an application launching unit that launches the predetermined application is connected to the image display unit. 13. A document structure for connecting an image input unit for reading a document image and a facsimile device for transmitting and receiving the document image, and for analyzing a document structure of document information output from the image input unit or the facsimile device. 13. The electronic filing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an analyzing unit and a character recognizing unit that recognizes a character of the text information analyzed by the document structure analyzing unit. 14. The electronic filing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a document layout analysis unit that analyzes a layout of document information created by the predetermined application software. .