JPH1040342A - Form reader - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a character reading device capable of automatically selecting a dictionary to be used according to a position on which a form is placed, and performing reading scanning by determining a reading area. SOLUTION: Four point sensors 6 set at specific positions,
Upon detecting a form on which two pairs of 7, 8, and 9 are placed, the scanning unit 3 automatically scans and moves a specific area corresponding to the placement position detected by the point sensors 6, 7, 8, and 9. A character image is input, and the first dictionary 20a or the second dictionary 20b associated with the point sensors 6, 7, 8, and 9 is selected to perform a character recognition process.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form reader for reading characters described in a predetermined area on a form.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, recognition technology for reading characters on a form has been developed until characters of handwritten Chinese characters can be read. A form reading device for reading characters on a form in office automation (OA) reads a data entry of alphabets, numbers, and symbols, a first name, a last name, and an address written in a predetermined position on the form using kanji and katakana. Such a form reading apparatus greatly contributes to rationalization and efficiency in window operations and office work as a data input device to a computer.

[0003] In the above-described character reading apparatus, characters described in a predetermined area on a form to be read are read. The reading method includes the following two methods. One is a method of transporting a form while fixing the line sensor, and the other is a method of moving the line sensor while fixing the form. One method of reading an image is to skip and convey a form to a position designated in advance by a control means such as a CPU, and raster-scan the area from the designated position to obtain an image. The other image reading method is to physically move the line sensor to a specified position and raster-scan the specified area to obtain an image.

[0004] If both the read area and the direction and type of the read characters differ for each form to be read, the instruction mark added to each form is recognized in advance, and the information is automatically recorded on the form corresponding to the instruction mark. When a type image is determined, and then a predetermined image is input or a form for which a mark cannot be added is processed, an operator gives an instruction each time by pressing a switch corresponding to the form, for example, and then responds to the instruction. Characters in a predetermined area.

[0005] However, in the above-described form reading apparatus, an instruction mark can be added to a dedicated form, but if it is not a dedicated form, it must rely on an operator's instruction.

Therefore, when reading a form in which the reading area and the direction and type of the read characters are different as described above, every time the form is read, the operator must read the direction and type of the read area and the read characters. Has to be performed, and the burden on the operator is large.

[0007]

As described above, when reading a form in which the reading area and the direction and type of the read character are different, each time the form is read, the reading area and the read character are not read. This removes the drawback of poor operability because the user must perform operations to specify the direction and type, and forms that have different reading areas or different reading character directions and reading character types The object of the present invention is to provide a form reader that can automatically determine a reading area, a direction of a read character, and a type of a read character according to a placement position of a form in a device that reads characters from a document, thereby improving operability. I do.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a form reading apparatus for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, provided at a lower portion of the mounting table, and mounted on the mounting table. Detecting means for detecting whether the position of the form to be read is the first position or the second position, a first dictionary composed of the first character pattern sequence, and a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence Storage means for storing a second dictionary comprising: a first dictionary stored in the storage means when the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection means; When the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detecting means, the second position stored in the storage means is stored.
Selecting means for selecting a dictionary, scanning means for scanning a form placed on the mounting table, converting means for converting an image from the form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, An extracting unit for extracting a signal for each character by an electric signal, a signal for each character extracted by the extracting unit and a first character pattern string or a second character pattern string of the first dictionary selected by the selecting unit. It is composed of identification means for identifying a character by comparing it with the second character pattern string in the dictionary.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reading apparatus for reading a character written on a form placed on a placement table, wherein the position of the form placed on the placement table is provided below the placement table. Detecting means for detecting the first position or the second position;
When the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detecting means, the first reading area of the form is selected, and the detecting means detects the form of the form. Selecting means for selecting a second reading area of the form when the position is detected as the second position; and selecting the first form selected by the selecting means for the form placed on the mounting table. Scanning means for scanning an area or a second area, converting means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, and cutting out a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means Delivery means,
It is constituted by identification means for identifying a character by comparing a signal for each character extracted by the extraction means with a character pattern string of a dictionary stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reader for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, wherein the position of the form mounted on the mounting table is provided below the mounting table. Detecting means for detecting the first position or the second position;
Storage means for storing a first dictionary consisting of a first character pattern string and a second dictionary consisting of a second character pattern string different from the first character pattern string; Is detected as the first position, the first dictionary stored in the storage means and the first reading area of the form are selected, and the detection means sets the position of the form to the second position. A selection unit for selecting a second dictionary stored in the storage unit and a second reading area of the form when the form is detected; Scanning means for scanning the selected first area or second area, conversion means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, and for each character by the electric signal converted by the conversion means Extraction means for extracting signals By comparing the signal for each character extracted by the extracting means with the first character pattern string of the first dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary selected by the selecting means, , And identification means for identifying characters.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reading apparatus for reading characters written on a form placed on a placement table, provided at a lower portion on one end side of the placement table, to a first position on the placement table. A first detector for detecting the placement of the first table, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the table, and detecting the placement at a second position on the table, the first detector; Storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence; When the placement at the first position is detected, the first dictionary stored in the storage means is selected, and the placement of the form at the second position is detected by the second detector. Selecting means for selecting the second dictionary stored in the storage means, Scanning means for scanning a form to be scanned, converting means for converting an image from the form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, extracting means for cutting out a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means, By comparing the signal for each character extracted by the extraction means with the first character pattern string of the first dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary selected by the selection means, It consists of identification means for identifying characters.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reader for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, provided at a lower portion on one end side of the mounting table, to a first position on the mounting table. A first detector for detecting the placement of the above, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the above-mentioned table, and detecting the placement at a second position on the above-mentioned table, a character pattern string Storage means for storing a dictionary comprising: when the first detector detects placement of a form at a first position, selects a first reading area of the form; Selecting means for selecting a second reading area of the form when the placement of the form at the second position is detected by the detector; selecting means for the form placed on the mounting table; The first selected by
Scanning means for scanning the area or the second area, converting means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, and extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means It is composed of an extracting means for identifying a character by comparing a signal for each character extracted by the extracting means with a character pattern string of a dictionary stored in the storage means.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reading apparatus for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, provided at a lower portion on one end side of the mounting table, to a first position on the mounting table. A first detector for detecting the placement of the first table, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the table, and detecting the placement at a second position on the table, the first detector; Storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence; When the placement at the position 1 is detected, the first dictionary stored in the storage means and the first reading area of the form are selected, and the second detector is used to select the second area of the form. When the placement at the position is detected, the second data stored in the storage means is stored.
Selecting a dictionary and a second reading area of the form, and scanning the form placed on the mounting table by scanning the first area or the second area selected by the selecting means. Means, converting means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means, extracting by the extracting means And the first signal of the first dictionary selected by the selecting means.
By comparing the character pattern string of the second dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reading apparatus for reading characters written on a form placed on a placement table, wherein the form is provided below the placement table and the position of the form placed on the placement table is changed. Detecting means for detecting the first position or the second position;
Storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a regular character string and a second dictionary composed of an inverted character string; and when the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection means, the storage means Select the first dictionary of stored regular strings,
Selecting means for selecting a second dictionary of inverted character strings stored in the storage means when the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detection means, a form placed on the mounting table; Scanning means for scanning, a conversion means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, a cutout means for cutting out a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the conversion means, this cutout A signal for each character cut out by the means and a regular character string of the first dictionary or an inverted character string of the second dictionary selected by the selecting means, for identifying the character. Have been.

According to the present invention, there is provided a form reading apparatus for reading characters written on a form placed on a placement table, wherein the form is provided below the placement table, and the position of the form placed on the placement table is determined. Detecting means for detecting the first position or the second position;
A storage unit for storing a first dictionary composed of a regular character string and a second dictionary composed of an inverted character string different from the regular character string, and the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection unit. At this time, selecting a first dictionary of regular character strings stored in the storage means and a first reading area of the form,
Selecting means for selecting a second dictionary of inverted character strings stored in the storage means and a second reading area of the form when the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detection means; Scanning means for scanning the first area or the second area selected by the selection means with respect to the form placed on the mounting table, converting an image from the form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal Converting means for converting; extracting means for extracting a signal for each character based on the electric signal converted by the converting means; a signal for each character extracted by the extracting means and the first signal selected by the selecting means It is composed of identification means for identifying characters by comparing a regular character string in the dictionary or an inverted character string in the second dictionary.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 show the configuration of a form reading apparatus according to the present invention. That is, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body, and an operation panel (not shown) is provided at a front portion of an upper surface of the main body 1. A form placing table (platen glass) 2 made of transparent glass is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 1. FIG. 3 shows the form mounting table 2.
As shown in FIG. 4, a form Pa to be read is placed on the left reference, and a form Pb to be read is placed on the right reference as shown in FIG. Form mounting table 2
Is larger than the size of the form Pa or the form Pb.

The main body 1 is provided with a scanning section 3 below the form placing table 2. The scanning unit 3 is provided below the form placing table 2 and reciprocates along the lower surface of the form placing apparatus 2 in the direction of arrow a in the drawing to optically convert the form Pa (Pb) set on the form placing table 2. An illumination lamp (fluorescent lamp) 4 for illuminating the form Pa (Pb), a photoelectric converter 5 for receiving light reflected from the form Pa (Pb), and a light reflected from the form Pa (Pb). It is composed of an optical system (not shown) leading to the photoelectric converter 5 and a carriage (not shown) supporting these.

The photoelectric converter 5 photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the form Pa (Pb) to form the form Pa (Pb).
It outputs the image of b) as an electric signal, and is mainly composed of, for example, a CCD type line image sensor.

Below the form mounting table 2, a form Pa,
Point sensors 6, 7, 8, 9 for optically detecting the presence or absence of Pb
Is provided. The point sensors 6 and 7 detect the form Pa placed on the basis of the left side of the form placing table 2, and the point sensors 8 and 9 detect the form Pb placed on the basis of the right side of the form placing table 2. It is supposed to be.

In the form Pa, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a regular character string is described in the area Sa. In the form Pb, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, an inverted character string is described in an area Sb.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the overall control system. That is, when the detection outputs from the point sensors 6, 7, 8, and 9 are supplied to the mounting position determination unit 10, and the detection outputs are supplied only from the point sensors 6, 7,
It is determined that the form Pa to be read is placed on the basis of the left side of the form placing table 2, and when the detection output is supplied only from the point sensors 8 and 9, the form is read on the basis of the right side of the form placing table 2. It is determined that the target form Pb is placed. The determination result from the placement position determination unit 10 is supplied to the control unit 11. The control unit 11 controls the whole, outputs a selection signal of a regular character string or an inverted character string to the dictionary 20 based on the determination result from the above-described placement position determination unit 10, and outputs the area setting unit 13 An area setting signal for Sa or area Sb is output. Further, a moving mechanism 12 for moving the carriage is connected to the control unit 11. The moving position of the scanning unit 3 by the moving mechanism 12 is output to the area setting unit 13.

The area setting section 13 outputs an operation signal to the scanning section 3 when the moving position of the scanning section 3 by the moving mechanism 12 is within an area corresponding to the area setting signal from the control section 11. It has become. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when an area setting signal when the form Pa is placed is supplied, and when the scanning unit 3 faces the area Sa,
An operation signal is output to the scanning unit 3 and, as shown in FIG. 4, when an area setting signal when the form Pb is placed is supplied, when the scanning unit 3 faces the area Sb, An operation signal is output to the scanning unit 3.

The scanning section 3 operates in response to an operation signal from the area setting section 13, and an output from the photoelectric converter 5 is supplied to an A / D conversion section 14. The A / D conversion unit 14
The A / D converter converts an analog signal supplied from the photoelectric converter 5 into a digital signal. The output is supplied to a binarization unit 15. This 2
The digitizing section 15 is composed of a binarizing circuit or the like, and converts the digital signal supplied from the A / D converting section 13 to "1", "0".
The signal is binarized by the binarization unit 14.
The binarized image data that has been binarized is supplied to the character line cutout unit 16.

The character line cutout section 16 cuts out each character line from the binarized image data supplied from the binarization section, and the character line data cut out by the character line cutout section 16. Is supplied to the character extracting section 17.

The character extracting unit 17 extracts character by character from the character line data supplied from the character line extracting unit 16, and the character data extracted from the character extracting unit 17 is normalized and processed. The data is supplied to the sampling unit 18.

The normalization / sampling unit 18 performs normalization processing for adjusting the character size and position, etc., of the character data supplied from the character extraction unit 17, performs sampling processing, and performs similarity processing. Generated as pattern data for calculation. The pattern data normalized and sampled by the normalization / sampling unit 18 is sent to the character identification unit 18.

The character discriminating section 19 includes a normalizing / sampling section 18
And the first dictionary 2 of the regular character string whose access is selected in the dictionary 20 as shown in FIG.
By comparing the 0a sampling pattern or the inverted character string sampling pattern of the second dictionary 20b, a similarity calculation is performed, and a candidate character having a high similarity is output as an identification result.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the form P to be read is based on the left side of the form placing table 2.
a is placed (ST1). Then, detection outputs from only the point sensors 6 and 7 are supplied to the placement position determination unit 10 (ST2). Thus, the placement position determination unit 10 determines that the form Pa to be read is placed on the basis of the left side of the form placement table 2 and outputs the determination result to the control unit 11 (ST3). Based on the determination result, the control unit 11 outputs a selection signal of a regular character string to the dictionary 20 and outputs an area setting signal of the area Sa to the area setting unit 13 (ST4). As a result, the first of the regular character strings in the dictionary 20
Of the dictionary 20a is selected (ST5).

In this state, the moving mechanism 12 is controlled by the control section 11, and the scanning section 3 is moved. Scanning unit 3
Is located in the area Pa of the form Pa, the area setting unit 1
3 in accordance with the operation signal from the scanning unit 3, and the output from the photoelectric converter 5 of the scanning unit 3 is output to the A / D conversion unit 14 (ST
6). The A / D converter 14 converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and the signal converted into the digital signal is supplied to the binarizer 15 (ST7). The binarization unit 15 converts the supplied signal into a signal “1” and a signal “0” by two.
The binarization processing is performed, and the binarized signal is supplied to the character line cutout unit 16 (ST8). The character line cutout unit 16 cuts out each character line based on the supplied binary signal (ST9). The extracted character line data is further extracted for each character by the character extracting unit 17 (ST10). The characters cut out character by character in the character cutout unit 17 are normalized and sampled by the normalization / sampling unit 18 (ST
11).

The character discriminating section 19 includes a normalizing / sampling section 18
Is compared with the sampling pattern of the first dictionary 20a of the regular character string whose access in the dictionary 20 is selected, a similarity calculation is performed, and candidate characters having a high similarity are identified as identification results. Output (ST12).

A form Pb to be read is placed on the basis of the left side of the form placing table 2 (ST1). Then, detection outputs from only the point sensors 8 and 9 are supplied to the placement position determination unit 10 (ST2). Thereby, the placement position determination unit 1
0 is the form P to be read based on the right side of the form placing table 2
b is mounted, and the result of this determination is
1 (ST3). Based on the determination result, the control unit 11 outputs a selection signal of an inverted character string to the dictionary 20 and outputs an area setting signal of the area Sb to the area setting unit 13 (ST13). As a result, access to the second dictionary 20b of the inverted character string in the dictionary 20 is selected (ST
14).

In this state, the moving mechanism 12 is controlled by the control section 11, and the scanning section 3 is moved. Scanning unit 3
Is set to the area setting unit 1 when facing the area Sb of the form Pb.
3 in accordance with the operation signal from the scanning unit 3, and the output from the photoelectric converter 5 of the scanning unit 3 is output to the A / D conversion unit 14 (ST
6). The A / D converter 14 converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and the signal converted into the digital signal is supplied to the binarizer 15 (ST7). The binarization unit 15 converts the supplied signal into a signal “1” and a signal “0” by two.
The binarization processing is performed, and the binarized signal is supplied to the character line cutout unit 16 (ST8). The character line cutout unit 16 cuts out each character line based on the supplied binary signal (ST9). The extracted character line data is further extracted for each character by the character extracting unit 17 (ST10). The characters cut out character by character in the character cutout unit 17 are normalized and sampled by the normalization / sampling unit 18 (ST
11).

The character discriminating section 19 includes a normalizing / sampling section 18
Is compared with the sampled pattern of the second dictionary 20b of the inverted character string whose access is selected in the dictionary 20, the similarity calculation is performed, and the candidate character having the high similarity is identified. Is output (ST12).

As described above, the dictionary to be used is automatically selected according to the position on which the form is placed, and the reading area is determined and scanning is performed. With this, when reading characters from a form having a different reading area and regular characters or inverted characters, the reading area and the read characters are automatically determined to be regular characters or inverted characters according to the placement position of the form. Can be determined, and operability can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the case of the normal character and the reverse character having different read character directions has been described.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the types of read characters may be different. For example, this is a case where the type of the read character is OCR-A or OCR-B, which are JIS font characters. In this case, corresponding dictionaries are prepared. In addition, other fonts may be different.

[0036]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a character is read from a form in which the reading area is different or the direction of the reading character or the type of the reading character is different, the placement of the form is performed. It is possible to provide a form reading apparatus that can automatically determine the reading area, the direction of the reading character, and the type of the reading character according to the position, and can improve operability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form reading device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form reading device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form reading device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a character string of a form.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a character string of a form.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form reading device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a dictionary.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a form reading operation;

[Description of Signs] 2 ... Placement Table 3 ... Scanning Unit 6-9 ... Point Sensor 10 ... Placement Position Judgment Unit 11 ... Control Unit 12 ... Moving Mechanism 13 ... Area Setting Unit 14 ... A / D Conversion Unit 15 ... Binary Transformation unit 16 ... Character line extraction unit 17 ... Character extraction unit 18 ... Normalization / sampling unit 19 ... Identification unit 20 ... Dictionary 20a ... First dictionary 20b ... Second dictionary Pa, Pb ... Form

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A form reading device for reading characters written on a form placed on a placement table, wherein a position of a form provided on a lower part of the placement table and placed on the placement table is a first position. A first dictionary composed of a first character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence. And a first dictionary stored in the storage means when the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection means, and the position of the form is detected by the detection means. Selecting means for selecting a second dictionary stored in the storage means when is detected as a second position; scanning means for scanning a form placed on the mounting table; Converts an image from a scanned form into an electrical signal Converting means; extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means; and a signal for each character extracted by the extracting means and the first signal selected by the selecting means. A document reading apparatus, comprising: identification means for identifying a character by comparing the first character pattern string of the dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary. 2. A form reading device for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, wherein the position of the form provided on a lower part of the mounting table and placed on the mounting table is a first position. Detection means for detecting the position of the form or the second position; storage means for storing a dictionary composed of character pattern strings; and when the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection means, When the first reading area is selected and the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detecting means,
Selecting means for selecting a second reading area of the form, and scanning means for scanning the first area or the second area selected by the selecting means with respect to the form placed on the mounting table. Converting means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal; cutting means for cutting out a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means; A document reading apparatus, comprising: an identification unit for identifying a character by comparing the output signal for each character with a character pattern string of a dictionary stored in the storage unit. 3. A form reading device for reading characters written on a form placed on a placement table, wherein the position of the form provided on a lower part of the placement table and placed on the placement table is a first position. A first dictionary composed of a first character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence. A first dictionary stored in the storage unit and a first reading area of the form when the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detection unit; And selecting means for selecting a second dictionary stored in the storage means and a second reading area of the form when the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detection means; Select the form placed on the table by the above selection means Scanning means for scanning the first area or the second area, conversion means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, and characters based on the electric signal converted by the conversion means. Extracting means for extracting a signal for each character, a signal for each character extracted by the extracting means, and a first character pattern string of the first dictionary or a second character string of the second dictionary selected by the selecting means. 2. A form reading device, comprising: identification means for identifying a character by comparing the character pattern string with a second character pattern string. 4. A form reading device for reading a character written on a form placed on a mounting table, the form reading apparatus being provided at a lower portion on one end side of the mounting table and mounted on a first position on the mounting table. A first detector for detecting the placement, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the placement table, and configured to detect placement at a second position on the placement table; Storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence; When the placement at the first position is detected, the first dictionary stored in the storage means is selected, and the placement of the form at the second position is detected by the second detector. Selecting means for selecting the second dictionary stored in the storage means, Scanning means for scanning a form scanned by the scanning means, converting means for converting an image from the form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal, and extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means. And comparing the signal for each character extracted by the extracting means with the first character pattern string of the first dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary selected by the selecting means. A document reading apparatus, comprising: identification means for identifying a character. 5. A form reading device for reading a character written on a form placed on a mounting table, the form reading apparatus being provided at a lower portion on one end side of the mounting table, and mounted on a first position on the mounting table. A first detector for detecting the placement, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the placement table, for detecting placement at a second position on the placement table, and a character pattern sequence Storage means for storing a dictionary consisting of: a first reading area of the form is selected when the placement of the form at the first position is detected by the first detector; Selecting means for selecting a second reading area of the form when the placement of the form at the second position is detected by the detector of the above; Scanning means for scanning the first area or the second area selected by the selection means; Converting means for converting an image from the inspected form into an electric signal; extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means; and for each character extracted by the extracting means And a discriminating means for identifying a character by comparing a signal of the character string with a character pattern string of a dictionary stored in the storage means. 6. A form reading device for reading a character written on a form placed on a mounting table, wherein the form reading apparatus is provided at a lower portion at one end of the mounting table, and is mounted on a first position on the mounting table. A first detector for detecting the placement, a second detector provided at a lower portion on the other end side of the placement table, and configured to detect placement at a second position on the placement table; Storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a character pattern sequence and a second dictionary composed of a second character pattern sequence different from the first character pattern sequence; When the placement at the first position is detected, the first dictionary stored in the storage means and the first reading area of the form are selected, and the second detector detects the first reading area of the form. When the placement at the position 2 is detected, the second dictionary stored in the storage means and the Selecting means for selecting a reading area, scanning means for scanning a first area or a second area selected by the selecting means on a form placed on the mounting table, Converting means for converting an image from the scanned form into an electric signal; extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means; and for each character extracted by the extracting means And an identification means for identifying a character by comparing the signal of the first dictionary with the first character pattern string of the first dictionary or the second character pattern string of the second dictionary selected by the selection means. A form reading device characterized by the following. 7. A form reading device for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, wherein the position of the form provided on a lower part of the mounting table and placed on the mounting table is a first position. Detecting means for detecting the first position or the second position; storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a regular character string and a second dictionary composed of an inverted character string; When the first position is detected, the first dictionary of the regular character strings stored in the storage unit is selected, and when the position of the form is detected as the second position by the detection unit, Selecting means for selecting a second dictionary of inverted character strings stored in the storage means; scanning means for scanning a form placed on the mounting table; and an image from the form scanned by the scanning means Conversion means for converting the Extracting means for extracting a signal for each character by the converted electric signal; a signal for each character extracted by the extracting means; a regular character string of the first dictionary selected by the selecting means; And a discriminating means for identifying a character by comparing the inverted character string of the dictionary. 8. A form reader for reading characters written on a form placed on a mounting table, wherein the position of the form provided on the lower part of the mounting table and placed on the mounting table is a first position. Detecting means for detecting the position of the first character string or the second position; storage means for storing a first dictionary composed of a regular character string and a second dictionary composed of an inverted character string different from the regular character string; When the position of the form is detected as the first position by the detecting means, the first dictionary of the regular character string stored in the storage means and the first reading area of the form are selected, and the detecting means is selected. Selecting means for selecting a second dictionary of inverted character strings stored in the storage means and a second reading area of the form when the position of the form is detected as a second position by the For the form placed on the table, the form selected by the selection means Scanning means for scanning the first area or the second area; converting means for converting an image from a form scanned by the scanning means into an electric signal; signal for each character by the electric signal converted by the converting means Extracting means for extracting a character string for each character extracted by the extracting means and a regular character string of the first dictionary or an inverted character string of the second dictionary selected by the selecting means. A document reading apparatus, comprising: identification means for identifying a character.