JPH1032665A - Facsimile image reading processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To correctly read original characters from received facsimile image data even if the characters are written in a vertical type or a horizontal direction. [Structure] At least three marks 1 spaced apart from each other
2a. 12b. Using the transmission papers 11 and 11a on which 12c is printed and on which a plurality of character frames 13 are printed in advance, characters are entered in the character frames and the transmission facsimile 14
, The image data is received by the reception-side facsimile 16 via the communication line 15, three marks included in the received image data are read, and the direction of the image data is determined. Further, each character frame included in the image data is detected, the unit image data 35 included in the character frame is extracted, and the unit image data extracted based on the shape of the reference character frame is expanded and compressed and corrected. Characters are identified from the pattern of the unit image data 36 corrected based on the determined direction, and are output as character codes.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile image reading processing system for reading characters from image data received by facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in various ordering slips exchanged between distributors and manufacturers such as stores, wholesalers and manufacturers, and various contracts used in the financial industry, the amount of money,
Quantity, date, issuer name, issuer name. The entry position of the contract content and the like is predetermined, and the entry position is printed in a drop-out color such as a light red system or a light blue system.

[0003] Then, the writer writes characters in a square style at the position indicated by the dropout color. Forms and contracts in which necessary items are entered are set in an OCR (optical image reading device). The OCR recognizes characters written at each position, extracts the characters as character codes, and transmits them as, for example, read data to a host device.

However, when the place where the form or contract is issued is far from the place where the OCR is installed, the form or contract is transmitted by facsimile and received by the facsimile installed on the OCR side. Then, the received facsimile image is set in the OCR, the characters described in the OCR are read, and transferred to the host device.

Further, without printing out the facsimile image received by the facsimile on the receiving side on paper, for example, each character is directly read from image data for one form or one contract by a character recognition device and transferred to the host device. In some cases.

Such a facsimile image reading processing system is configured as shown in FIG. 5, for example. As described above, for example, the form 1 in which necessary characters are entered at the entry position printed in a dropout color is read by the transmitting facsimile 2 and received by the receiving facsimile 4 via the public line 3. Is done. The received image data is transferred to the character recognition device 5 as it is. The character recognition device 5 reads characters from the image data and transfers the characters to the host device 6.

In general, in a facsimile, a form 1 set in an insertion slot is conveyed at a constant speed by a paper feed roller, and an image is moved by a line sensor in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.
The data is read and transmitted in order for each line. Therefore, if the paper feed speed of the form 1 in the paper feed roller fluctuates for some reason, the image data received by the facsimile machine 4 on the receiving side has a paper feed direction, that is, a facsimile (FA).
The expansion / compression phenomenon occurs in the transmission direction of X). When the decompression phenomenon occurs, a problem arises in that characters cannot be read correctly by the character reading device 5.

In order to solve such inconvenience, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the character entry area (reading area) 7 of each line in the form 1 is set to be orthogonal to the paper feed direction (FAX transmission travel) of the form 1 and the character entry area (character reading area) of each line is set. 7, a timing mark 8 for line position correction is printed in advance on the left end. And the character recognition device 5
On the side, the character reading area (character writing area) 7 of each line
The start position of the paper feed direction (FAX transmission traveling) is detected by the timing mark 8.

Therefore, the character recognizing device 5 can correctly read the characters entered in each line written in the original form 1 from the received image data, convert the characters into character codes, and transmit them to the host device 6.

FIG. 7A shows the original form 1, and FIG.
(A) shows the original character shape. FIG. 7B shows that the paper feed speed of the facsimile machine 2 on the transmitting side is reduced.
FIG. 8B shows the image data 9 received by the facsimile machine 4 on the receiving side with a reduced line interval, and FIG. 8B shows the character shape compressed in the paper feeding direction (transmission direction).

FIG. 7C shows corrected image data 10 in which the line spacing of the image data 9 is extended to the original line spacing of the form 1 by using the timing mark 8 in the character reading device 6. FIG. 8C shows the character shape expanded to the original shape. Then, characters in each line are pattern-recognized from the corrected image data and converted into character codes. In this way, by attaching the timing mark 8 to each line of the form 1, each character written in each line can be correctly read.

[0012]

However, the facsimile image reading processing system shown in FIG. 5 still has the following problems to be improved. That is, generally, the form of various forms and contracts is not a square but a rectangle such as A4, A5, B5 or the like. In general, as shown in FIG. 7A, characters are written in the horizontal direction (X direction) orthogonal to the vertical direction (Y direction) of the form 1.

However, in some cases, as shown in FIG. 9, each character may be described in the vertical direction (Y = direction) of the form 1a. However, depending on the type of facsimile, there is a case where the form 1 or 1a can be inserted only in the vertical direction (Y direction) due to the limitation of the width of the line sensor.

In such a facsimile 2, it is necessary to insert a horizontal form 1a in the vertical direction (Y direction) as shown in FIG. In this case, when the paper feed speed of the facsimile machine 2 fluctuates, the length of each line is expanded and compressed in each line. As a result, each character is expanded and compressed in the width direction as shown, and greatly deviates from the reading range of each character in the character reading device 5. However, each timing mark 8
Since the length of each line cannot be corrected, characters that greatly deviate from the reading range cannot be corrected. As a result, this character cannot be read correctly.

In order to eliminate such inconvenience, it is necessary to change the horizontal form 1a to the vertical form 1b as shown in FIG. However, when the format of the form is changed, if the number of characters required for one line is large, the horizontal form 1a may not always be changed to the vertical form.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and by printing a character frame indicating the entry position of each character on a transmission sheet in advance, characters written in either the vertical or horizontal direction are printed. However, an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile image reading processing system that can accurately correct the original character pattern and can always read correct characters from the transmitted image data.

[0017]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a facsimile image reading processing system according to the present invention, a mark is printed in at least three places separated from each other and a plurality of character frames are printed in advance. A transmission facsimile that reads an image on a transmission sheet with characters written in each character frame and sends it out to the communication line, and a reception facsimile that receives an image from the transmission facsimile via the communication line. Read the three marks included in the image data received by the receiving facsimile,
Direction determining means for determining the direction of the image data, character frame detecting means for detecting each character frame included in the image data, and unit image data extracting means for extracting unit image data included in the detected character frame A unit image data correction unit that expands and compresses the unit image data extracted based on the shape of a predetermined reference character frame, and converts characters from the corrected unit image data pattern based on the determined direction. And a character recognizing means for identifying and outputting as a character code.

[0018]

In the facsimile image reading and processing system thus configured, since at least three marks are printed on the transmission sheet in advance, the direction of the image data received by the receiving facsimile can be grasped.

Next, each character frame included in the image data is detected and compared with the reference character frame to detect in which direction and how much each character frame has been compressed and expanded. The unit image data included in each character frame is extracted, and the unit image data is compressed and expanded in the direction opposite to the degree of compression and expansion,
Corrected to the original correct unit image data.

From the corrected pattern of the unit image data and the detected direction, a correct character is recognized and output as a character code. Therefore, even if the characters are written in any direction on the transmission paper,
Regardless of the direction in which the transmission sheet is set, each character written on the transmission sheet can be correctly read from the reception data.

[0021]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a facsimile image reading processing system according to an embodiment.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a form as a transmission sheet. As shown in FIG. 2, a first mark 12a is printed on the upper left end of the form 11 when the characters are placed so as to be seen in the correct direction, and a second mark 12a is printed on the upper right end of the form 11, as shown in FIG. Mark 12b is printed, and a third mark 12c is printed at the lower left end of the form 11, for example, in black. Further, a rectangular character frame 13 is printed as a black line at the position of each character on the form 11 for each character.

The form 11 in which necessary characters are entered in each character frame 13 is set on the transmission-side facsimile machine 14. The facsimile machine 14 on the transmission side sets the set 1
1 is transported at a constant speed by a paper feed mechanism, and in this transport process, the image of the form 11 is read one line at a time in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction and transmitted by a line sensor arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. I do.

The image data read by the transmitting facsimile 14 is transmitted via the public line 15 to the receiving facsimile 16
Received at. The receiving-side facsimile 16 transmits the received image data to the character reading device 1 via the LAN transmission path 17.
8 and to the data correction terminal 19.

The LAN transmission path 17 includes a data correction terminal 19 and a host device 20 in addition to the character reading device 18.
Is connected. The character reading device 18 recognizes the characters described in each line of the form 11 from the image data received by the reception-side facsimile 16, sends the characters to the host device 20 as character codes, and compresses and expands the characters by designating the direction of each character. The ratio α is transmitted to the data correction terminal 19.

The data correction terminal 19 corrects the image data input from the receiving facsimile 16 with the compression / decompression ratio α obtained by the character reading device 18, reproduces the correct image data, and sends it to the host device 20. I do.

The host device 20 performs predetermined data processing on the character code of each line read by the character reading device 18, and prints out the input character code 21a by a printer if necessary. Also, the host device 2
0 prints out the corrected correct image data inputted from the data correction terminal 19 as the image data 21b by, for example, a dot printer.

Next, the character reading device 18 will be described. The character reading device 18 is composed of a kind of microcomputer and has a plurality of software means configured on an application program.

The image data for one sheet of the form 11 transferred from the receiving facsimile 16 is temporarily stored in the image data storage unit 23 via the data input unit 32. The mark detection unit 24 detects the positions of three marks from the image data of one form stored in the image data storage unit 23.

Each mark 12a, 12b, 12c is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), since the mark located at each vertex of the right-angled triangle is the mark 12a at the upper left corner of the form 11,
Can be determined. When the mark 12a at the upper left corner can be specified, the direction of the image data is uniquely determined.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, there are four setting directions for the form 11 with respect to the transmission-side facsimile 14, as shown in FIG. However, the positional relationship between the three marks is detected, and the mark at the right angle of the right triangle formed by the three marks is the mark 12a at the upper left corner of the form 11.
Therefore, the direction of the image data can be specified. The direction determining unit 26 determines the direction of the image data and sends the image data to the next character recognition unit 31.

The 3D detected by the mark detection unit 24 is
The positional relationship between the two marks is sent to the skew correction unit 25. The skew correction unit 27 corrects a direction shift of the image data stored in the image data storage unit 23. That is, when setting the form 11 on the transmission-side facsimile machine 14, the form 11 is set to be slightly inclined, or even if set correctly, is slightly inclined with respect to the paper feeding direction and is incorporated into the rollers of the paper feeding mechanism. Then, the received image data also slightly tilts. When the image data is inclined, there is a concern that the accuracy of character pattern recognition is reduced.

Therefore, the skew correction unit 25 corrects the inclination of the entire image data so that the line connecting the marks is correctly perpendicular or parallel to the reading direction.
The character frame detecting section 27 performs the skew-corrected image data 34.
Are sequentially detected and sent to the unit image data extraction unit 28. The unit image data extracting unit 28 extracts each unit image data 35 included in each of the character frames 13 detected in order, and sends it to the next unit image data correcting unit 29.

The character frames 13 detected by the character frame detection unit 27 are sequentially input to the unit image data correction unit 29.
Further, a reference character frame having no expansion / compression is input from the reference character frame memory 30 to the unit image data correction unit 29. The unit image data correction section 29 compares each of the sequentially input character frames 13 with the reference character frame, and indicates in which direction and how much the sequentially input character frames 13 are expanded and compressed. Is calculated for each character frame 13.

Then, the unit image data correction section 29 is. The unit image data 35 sequentially input is multiplied by the reciprocal of the expansion / compression ratio α that specifies the direction of the character frame 13 from which the corresponding unit image data 34 has been extracted, and the unit image data 36 having a shape corresponding to the reference character frame is obtained. Are sequentially corrected. The sequentially corrected unit image data 36 is input to the next character recognition unit 31.

The character recognizing section 31 stores the pattern of each unit image data 36 sequentially inputted and the pattern database 3
2 is compared with a character pattern obtained by changing the direction of the character pattern of each character in the direction input from the direction determination unit 26 to identify the character included in each unit image data 36, and as a character code. It is sent to the code sending unit 33.

The code transmitting section 33 transmits the character codes of each line obtained by the character recognizing section 31 to the host device 20 via the transmission line 17. The unit image data correction unit 2
9 shows the calculated expansion / compression ratio α of each character frame 13 as the transmission path 17
To the data correction terminal 19 via the

As described above, the host device 20 performs predetermined data processing on the character code of each line received from the character reading device 18 and, if necessary, the character code 21a input by the printer. Is printed out.

In the facsimile image reading processing system configured as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, as a result of setting the horizontal form 11a on the transmission side facsimile 4 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction), As shown in FIG. 4B, it is assumed that the receiving-side facsimile 16 has obtained image data 34 expanded in the transport direction (Y direction).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4C, each character frame 13 of the received image data 34 has a shape elongated in the horizontal direction. Then, each unit image data 35 present in each horizontally extending character frame 13 is extracted. Therefore, even if it is expanded in the horizontal direction, each character frame 13 always includes a character pattern for one character.

Then, in the unit image data correction unit 29,
The unit image data 35 is corrected to the original correct unit image data 36. As a result, the character is correctly read by the character recognition unit 31.

By the way, in the conventional system shown in FIG.
Is fixed, as shown in FIG. 4D, if the character pattern is expanded so as to exceed the character reading root area 7, this character cannot be read.

As described above, in the embodiment system, the three marks 12a.
12b. 12c is printed in advance, so this form 1
Regardless of which direction 1, 1b is set with respect to the transmitting facsimile machine 14, the character recognition device 18 can correctly determine the direction.

Since the character frame 13 is printed in advance at the position where each character is written in each of the forms 11, 11a, the form 1 in which the character is described in either the vertical or horizontal direction is used.
Even if it is 1.11b, and even if the paper feeding speed of the transmitting facsimile machine 14 fluctuates greatly without considering the setting direction with respect to the transmitting facsimile machine 14, the image data 34 caused by the fluctuation will The deformation of each included character pattern is correctly corrected.

Therefore, any form of the form 11.
11a, and in any direction in the transmitting facsimile machine 14, each character described in the form 11.11a can be accurately read.

The present invention is not limited to the system of the embodiment described above. In the example system,
Although the vertical or horizontal form 11.11a is used as the transmission paper, the invention can be applied to various documents describing contracts and other various fixed forms as the transmission paper.

[0047]

As described above, in the facsimile image reading processing system of the present invention, a character frame indicating the entry position of each character is printed in advance on a transmission sheet, and marks are printed in at least three places. .

Therefore, even if the characters are written in either the vertical type or the horizontal type, or when the transmission paper is set in the transmission facsimile in any direction,
The original character pattern can be accurately corrected, and the correct character can always be read from the transmitted image data.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile image reading processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a print format in a form adopted in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining operations of a mark detection unit and a direction determination unit of the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a character frame of a form and a character pattern in a character frame of image data in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional facsimile image reading processing system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a print format of a form adopted in the conventional system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a comparison between a form before transmission, received image data, and corrected image data in the conventional system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a comparison between a character described in a form before transmission, a character included in received image data, and a character included in corrected image data in the conventional system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the conventional system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a problem of the conventional system.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 111a: form, 12a, 12b, 12c: mark, 13: character frame, 14: facsimile machine on the transmission side, 15:
Public line, 16: receiving facsimile, 17: transmission line,
18 Character reading device, 19 Data correction terminal, 20 Host device, 21a Character code, 21b Image data, 22 Data input unit, 23 Image data storage unit, 2
4 mark detection unit, 25 skew correction unit, 26 direction determination unit, 27 character frame detection unit, 28 unit image data extraction unit, 29 unit image data correction unit, 30 reference character frame memory, 31 Character recognition unit, 32: pattern database, 33: code transmission unit, 34: image data, 35, 3
6 Unit image data

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transmission sheet in which a mark is printed at least at three places separated from each other and a plurality of character frames are printed in advance, and an image of the transmission sheet in which characters are written in each of the character frames. A transmitting facsimile for reading and transmitting to the communication line, a receiving facsimile for receiving the image from the transmitting facsimile via the communication line, and three marks included in the image data received by the receiving facsimile, Direction determining means for determining the direction of the image data, character frame detecting means for detecting each character frame included in the image data, and unit image data for extracting unit image data included in the detected character frame Extracting means for extracting and expanding and compressing the extracted unit image data based on a shape of a predetermined reference character frame; A facsimile image reading processing system comprising: a character correcting unit; and a character recognizing unit that identifies a character from the corrected unit image data pattern based on the determined direction and outputs the character as a character code.