JPH10301928A - Outgoing information creation support method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a transmission information creation support method that enables immediate transmission of information on the Internet by inputting simple information using an image information input device. SOLUTION: Image information from an image information input device transmitted from an information provider is received and stored by an input unit 1, and a writing area of the information provider is cut out from the received information, and The material generation unit 2 recognizes characters in the display method designation portion, extracts an image of the cut-out entry area from the received information, and extracts the extracted image in the information display / deletion unit 3 according to the content of the display method designation portion. Edit and update to generate outgoing information on the Internet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmission information creation support system for supporting creation and updating of transmission information on the Internet using an image information input device such as an image scanner, a facsimile, and a handwriting pad.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to transmit information to the Internet, a special hardware environment such as a personal computer, a description language, software for processing and editing information, and familiarity with them have been required.

[0003] On the other hand, the basic concept and feasibility of creating a home page using a facsimile as a tool for transmitting information without requiring such a special environment have already been reported. (For example, "FA
Examination of Homepage Creation Method by X Character Recognition "The Institute of Image Electronics Engineers of Japan Media Integration Technology Study Group MT5-S2-3), which processed only input images to create a homepage.

[0004]

The information transmitted to the Internet is described in the HTML language, and various information materials are mixed. Therefore, in order to transmit information, the hardware environment for creating materials, HTM
L-language, software for creating information, and familiarity with usage were required.

[0005] Even when information is transmitted in an environment suitable for transmitting information, it takes time to generate the material of the transmitted information, lacks immediacy, and the operation of information generation is large with respect to the amount of information to be transmitted. At present, the frequency of updating was low.

On the other hand, a facsimile is sometimes used as an image information input device in order to facilitate updating of information. However, since the image information transmitted by the facsimile is directly displayed and transmitted, the information transmitter must transmit the transmitted image in advance. In view of the fact that the information is displayed, it is necessary to process and edit the transmitted information so as to be suitable, and the method of specifying the coloring is insufficient.

[0007] Also, with regard to the above-described technology for creating a home page using a facsimile, distortion and inclination often occur in commercial use due to the characteristics of the paper of a facsimile that is widespread, and the recognition of areas and characters is difficult. Since an error or a problem such as difficulty in viewing the displayed information occurs, it is necessary to correct the input image.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a transmission information creation support system which enables immediate transmission of information on the Internet by inputting simple information using an image information input device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a transmission information creation support system for supporting creation and update of transmission information on the Internet using an image information input device. Receiving and storing means for receiving and storing image information from the image information input device transmitted from the information provider; and area identifying means for cutting out an entry area by the information provider from the received information stored by the receiving and storing means. Character recognition means for character-recognizing a display method designation portion in the entry area cut out by the area identification means; and image extraction means for extracting an image of the entry area cut out by the area identification means from the received information. Editing and updating the image extracted by the image extracting means in accordance with the contents of the display method designation portion recognized by the character recognizing means, Transmission information generation means for generating transmission information on the Internet, and return means for returning the transmission information on the Internet generated by the transmission information generation means to an information provider on the transmission side for confirmation. Is the gist.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, image information from an image information input device transmitted from an information provider is received and stored, and a writing area is cut out from the received information. In addition to character recognition of the display method designation portion in the entry area, the cut-out image of the entry area is extracted from the received information, and the extracted image is edited and updated in accordance with the content of the display method designation portion, and is updated on the Internet. Generate outgoing information to.

The present invention described in claim 2 is the same as the claim 1.
In the invention described in the above, the conversion means for recognizing the entry information in all the entry areas cut out by the area identification means and converting the information into text, and the accumulation means for accumulating the information converted by the conversion means as an input history are provided. It is the gist to have.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the input information in all the input areas is recognized, converted into text,
The converted information is stored as an input history.

Further, the present invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
The gist of the invention described above is to have an image correcting means for correcting distortion and noise of the received information accumulated by the receiving and accumulating means and performing size conversion.

According to the present invention, distortion and noise existing in the received information are corrected and the size is converted.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic transmission information generation apparatus for implementing a transmission information creation support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transmission information automatic generation device according to the present embodiment is used to create and update information transmitted from the information provider such as a small retail store owner to the Internet using an image information input device such as an image scanner, a facsimile, and a handwriting pad. It is to support.

More specifically, when the information provider transmits fixed forms S1 and S2 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 using an image information input device such as a facsimile, the transmission information is received by the present apparatus. This is edited to create transmission information as shown in FIG. 8, and this transmission information is transmitted from the server to the Internet.

The transmission information automatic generation device shown in FIG. 1 receives an image information from an image information input device transmitted from an information provider A, and generates received image data. The description area of the received image data is identified, divided into still images, the material generation unit 2 for recognizing the description content of the display designation, and each still image is re-described in transmission information on the Internet and displayed. The information display / deletion unit 3 returns a display image for confirmation to the facsimile of the information provider.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 1 is composed of an image information transmitting / receiving function unit 11 and a conversion function unit 12.
The image information transmitted using the two types of fixed forms S1 and S2 as shown in FIG. 7 is received by the image information transmission / reception function unit 11 of the input unit 1, and the received image information is input still image A0n (n = 0, 1,..., N: number of received pages). Note that, in this case, two times in one communication
It is also possible to mix types of forms.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the forms S1, S2
Has a display period entry field, which is the period for sending information together,
A heading entry field is provided. Form S1 shown in FIG.
The entry column is a format for each item. Fill in each item name, price and remarks column as necessary, and a column for specifying emphasis and a column for mark for each item are provided as a display method designation section. The designation of the emphasis and the designation of the mark in the display method designating section can be used to arrange outgoing information on the Internet. The form S2 shown in FIG. 7 is a form in which the form can be freely entered, and an area other than the display period and the heading entry field is provided as a free entry field common to both forms.

The image information transmission / reception function section 11 converts the input still image A0n converted from the received image information as described above.
Is transmitted to the conversion function unit 12 using a communication means such as an e-mail. The conversion function unit 12 extracts only the still image portion from the e-mail received from the image information transmission / reception function unit 11, and restores the input still image A0n for each page. Further, the conversion function unit 12 generates a page management information file AM in which management information of each page is described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the material generation unit 2
An image shaping function unit 21, a format analysis function unit 22, and an image extraction function unit 23. The input still image A0n from the conversion function unit 12 of the input unit 1 is input to the image shaping function unit 2.
1, where a shaped still image A1n is generated by correcting distortion and noise, such as tilt, at the time of input of the input still image, converting the paper size, and shaping.

More specifically, the image shaping function unit 21
In detail, as shown in FIG.
a, size conversion function unit 21b, noise removal function unit 21c
The correction is performed by the distortion correction function unit 21a so that the still image can be read in the correct direction even if the input still image is inclined.

That is, the distortion correction function unit 21a takes histograms at various angles with respect to the input still image A0n,
Obtain the angle at which the peak indicating that a straight line is included,
A distortion-corrected still image A0yn is generated using a method of rotating the entire still image by the angle.

Further, the image shaping function section 21 checks whether or not the paper used by the image information input device uses a paper other than A4. If the system is designed on the basis of the A4 paper size, the whole of the input still image A0n is received as the A4 size when transmitted on paper of a size larger than A4,
As a result, the forms S1 and S2 in the input still image are reduced, and the size conversion function unit 21b that converts the form into an A4 size still image is processed. The size conversion function unit 21b obtains a histogram for the distortion-corrected still image A0yn corrected in the correct direction by the distortion correction function unit 21a, determines a portion where input pixels exist and a margin portion, and performs The area of the form in the corrected still image A0yn is determined. The size conversion function unit 21b cuts out the information in the determined area and enlarges the information to the same still image size as that of the A4 size paper, thereby obtaining the A4 size still image A.
Generate 0an. At this time, the enlargement ratio has a standard for the size of the sheet, and is a ratio corresponding to each standard based on A4.

Further, in the image shaping function section 21, the noise removing function section 21c is provided with an A4 size still image A0an.
Removes noise at the time of input and corrects halftone. As noise removal, 3 × 3 pixels around an arbitrary pixel of the A4 still image A0an are examined, and the process of filling the pixel of interest with the largest color among the 9 pixels is performed on the A4 still image A0an. This is performed for all pixels.

The shaped still image A1n generated by the processing performed by the image shaping function unit 21 as described above is supplied to the format analysis function unit 22, and recognition of the area of each entry column in the shaped still image A1n is performed. Done.

In recognizing the area by the format analysis function unit 22, character recognition is performed on the description contents of the display designation area and the product name area, and a format analysis result R0 is generated. When the format analysis result R0 is generated in the format analysis function unit 22, the image extraction function unit 23 divides the shaped still image A1n into each area based on the format analysis result R0, and
GMm (m = 0,..., M: total area still image number) is generated.

In the image extracting function unit 23, the format analysis result R0 and the generated area still image IMGm
Generates an information file I describing a list of
It is supplied to the deletion unit 3.

In the information display / deletion unit 3, as shown in FIG.
1 generates an HTML file H for arranging each area still image IMGm.

The layout function unit 31 arranges the information file I in the HTML file H by designating the information provider A for display. That is, for each item of the form S1, the item with the emphasis designation from the information provider A is arranged with the highest priority and is placed at the top, and then all the items are filled in. Finally, the arrangement is performed in the other order. The date information entered in the sale period indicating the valid period of the information is converted into a text from the result of the character recognition, and is displayed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, for the form S2, a heading is displayed and a free entry field is displayed, in accordance with the form format of the form.

When the size of the area still image IMGi in the free entry column of the form S2 exceeds a threshold defined by the system, the large area still image IMGi is linked as an independent file.

The display date specified by the information provider A is obtained from the information file I, and the HTML file H and the area still image IMGm are transferred to the information storage location of the information provider A of the information transmission server 32 on the display date. The transferred information is dynamic information that is frequently updated with respect to universal information about the information provider A, such as a store name and a location, and the system of the present embodiment generates this dynamically provided information. I have. The information provider browses the updated information by making a display request from the universal information to the linked dynamic information.

Further, the layout function unit 31 acquires the product name described in the form from the information file I, searches the additional still image DB in the system for a suitable still image based on information that can be inferred from all the product names, and obtains the additional image as additional information. It is arranged together with the area still image IMGm of the product name.

At this time, it is possible to perform character recognition on all the areas and convert them into text information.
In this embodiment, in consideration of commercial use, the emphasis is on making it possible to implement as inexpensively as possible. Using still images, maintaining reliability,
The recognition result shows a case where the recognition result is used as information to be referred to by the system when a related still image is added.

On the display end date designated by the information provider A, the end HTML file HE describing the end message is transferred to the information storage location of the information provider A of the information transmission server 32 and used until that time. Area still image IM
Delete Gm. In this case, if the HTML file H has been updated after the display date specified by the information provider A, the new information has been transmitted from the information provider A, and thus the end HTML file HE is not transferred. Also,
The deletion of the currently displayed information from the information provider A can be specified by transmitting a blank form, in which case the display specification columns of the information file I are all blank, and the layout is changed. The function unit 31 determines that the designation is to be deleted, and immediately transmits the end HTML file HE to the information transmission server 32, where the used area still image IM is used.
Gm is deleted.

Further, the layout function unit 31 returns the display image PI displayed on the information transmission server 32 to the information provider A by facsimile in order to confirm the actual transmission information by the information provider A.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Receiving the image information from the image information input device transmitted from the information provider, cutting out the entry area from the received information, recognizing characters in the display method designation portion in the cut out entry area, and extracting the cut-out area. The image of the entry area is extracted from the received information, and the extracted image is edited and updated according to the content of the display method designation portion to generate transmission information on the Internet. Information can be transmitted on the Internet by description, additional information can be generated using character recognition, and various display specifications can be made by inputting only necessary information. In addition to performing processing such as arrangement and display according to the user's specification, it is also possible to edit information with various expressions , And the minimal operating also little information update, can provide information or the like to be updated every day as a practical service.

Further, according to the present invention, since distortion and noise existing in received information are corrected and size conversion is performed, various shifts occurring at the time of actual input can be corrected accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission information automatic generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an input unit used in the automatic transmission information generation device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a material generation unit used in the automatic transmission information generation device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image shaping function unit used in the material generation unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information display / deletion unit used in the automatic transmission information generation device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of entry of a form S1 used by an information provider for an image information input device in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of entry of a form S2 used by an information provider for an image information input device in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

8 is a diagram showing a display example of transmission information generated by the automatic transmission information generation device shown in FIG. 1, which is emphasized and added with additional information.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input part 2 Material generation part 3 Information display / deletion part 11 Image information transmission / reception function part 12 Conversion function part 21 Image shaping function part 22 Format analysis function part 23 Image extraction function part 31 Layout function part 32 Information transmission server

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masami Oguro 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An outgoing information creation support method for supporting creation and updating of outgoing information on the Internet using an image information input device, wherein an image information from an image information input device transmitted from an information provider is received. Receiving and storing means for storing and storing, an area identifying means for cutting out an entry area by the information provider from the received information accumulated by the receiving and accumulating means, and a display method designation portion in the entry area cut out by the area identifying means. A character recognizing means for recognizing; an image extracting means for extracting an image of the entry area cut out by the area identifying means from the received information; and a display in which the image extracted by the image extracting means is recognized by the character recognizing means. Sending information generating means for editing and updating according to the contents of the method designating portion to generate sending information on the Internet; Returning means for returning the transmission information on the Internet generated by the generating means to the information provider on the transmitting side for confirmation. 2. A conversion means for recognizing entry information in all entry areas cut out by the area identification means and converting the information into text, and a storage means for storing the information converted by the conversion means as an input history. 2. The transmission information creation support method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission information creation support method is provided. 3. The transmission information creation support method according to claim 1, further comprising image correction means for correcting distortion and noise of the reception information accumulated by said reception accumulation means and performing size conversion.