JP2001084332A - Reader and reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely set the filling range of a character string on paper sheets and to improve the reading precision of the character string by overlapping the filling range judged from picture data with picture data and displaying/ correcting it. SOLUTION: Picture data of a mail supplied from a recognition part is displayed on the reading position adjusting picture of a liquid crystal display unit 12 and a cursor frame 15 corresponding to a rectangular area based on coordinate positions (a left upper part and a right lower part) on the mail is displayed on picture data. An operator recognizes whether or not the address area of the mail coincides with the cursor frame 15 with the display. When the cursor frame 15 is shifted as a whole, two change keys 15a and 15b installed in the cursor frame 15 are depressed and the position is roughly adjusted. When the cursor frame 15 is slightly shifted, the cursor frame 15 is slightly moved and adjusted while depressing adjusting keys 16a and 16b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading apparatus for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine for performing sorting processing based on an address (character string) described in, for example, a mail. It relates to a reading method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, most postal items sent from government offices and major companies have postal labels attached thereto, so that the postal code and address of the destination are fixed to some extent with respect to the postal items. Often have. Since such printed type mails (bulk mails) are handled in large quantities, by accurately reading the mails, the sorting operation of the mail processing can be made more efficient.

[0003] In order to improve the reading performance of mail, there has been proposed a specification device which can easily specify the position of a postal code or a destination address written on a mail.

This designation device includes a reading position adjuster for designating a position of a "address" described on a mail, a device for converting two coordinate positions of the reading position adjuster into a digital signal, and a digital signal. And a control CPU for reading the data.

The control CPU has a function for correcting a difference between a coordinate position and a digital signal when the difference occurs.

The reading position adjuster includes two cursors and a table on which a mail is placed to indicate the coordinates between two points on the diagonal line of the address description range. The two cursors can move up, down, left and right. Consists of a mechanical mechanism, a transparent plate at the tip, a knob for moving the plate, a variable resistor that moves and changes it horizontally, and a variable resistor that moves and moves it vertically Have been.

In the above-mentioned designation device, since the position where the mail is written is mechanically designated, the mechanically movable part for moving the cursor eventually breaks down when the designation device is used, or the horizontal position is changed. Or, a variable resistor or the like that changes when moved in the vertical direction breaks down. In this case, a new unit must be replaced or readjusted. However, a deviation may occur between the actual cursor position (coordinates) and the digital signal, and the correction of the control CPU may be performed to correct the deviation. There was a troublesome point that correction was performed using the function. Also, when using this designated device, the mail must be placed in a certain fixed direction (such as a stamp or another postpaid mark on the upper right), so that the operator may have to put the mail in the wrong direction. If you put, you may specify the wrong position. Further, the reading position adjuster has a problem that a large space for mounting the unit is required in the operation unit of the sorting machine in order to allow designation of the largest mail to be handled.

Therefore, the image data of the postal matter to be actually classified is read, the addressing range is determined from the read image data, and the addressing of another mail is recognized based on the determined addressing range. Things have been suggested.

In this case, the addressing range is determined based on the image data read from the postal matter. However, the addressing range may be determined to include a portion other than the description portion of the postal code or address as the address. There is a possibility that the judgment may be made with a deviation, and there is a disadvantage that an accurate description range of the address cannot be set in some cases.

For example, when a sender's address or message that is mistaken for the address is described in addition to the address, the sender's address or message is erroneously determined to be the address description range, or the background portion or the background. If the part is dark color or the advertisement character is written, it will be judged that the addressing range is wider than it actually is, or the part where the dark label is pasted other than the addressing name will be incorrectly addressed. May be judged.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention eliminates the disadvantage that the description range of a character string on a paper sheet is not set accurately and the reading accuracy of the character string is poor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reading device and a reading method that can accurately set the description range of a character string and improve the reading accuracy of the character string.

[0012]

A reading apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
Used for a sorting machine that sorts paper sheets based on a character string described on a paper sheet, and reads a character string on the paper sheet, and reads image data on the paper sheet. Means, first determining means for determining a written area of a character string from image data read by the reading means, and displaying the image data read by the reading means,
Display means for displaying a cursor frame indicating the written area of the character string determined by the first determination means so as to be superimposed on the displayed image data; and movement of the cursor frame displayed on the display means A second determining means for determining, when the written area of the character string is corrected by changing the range, the position and range of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet as the written area of the character string; Changing means for changing the position and range of the cursor frame displayed by the display means based on the description area of the character string determined by the second determination means; Based on the position and range of the cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet, the image data of the written area of the character string in the image data read by the reading means is extracted, and the extracted image data Consisting of a recognition means for performing recognition of a character string by.

The reading apparatus of the present invention is used in a sorting machine for sorting sheets based on a character string described on a sheet, and reads the character string on the sheet.
Reading means for reading as density data of a plurality of levels of density values for each pixel of the image data on the sheet, and a bit based on whether or not each pixel of the image data read by the reading means is equal to or more than a predetermined density value A first changing unit for changing to map data, a first determining unit for determining a writing area of a character string based on the bitmap data from the first changing unit, and a bitmap data from the changing unit. Display means for displaying the image data and displaying a cursor frame indicating the description area of the character string determined by the first determination means so as to be superimposed on the displayed image data; and When the description area of the character string is corrected by moving the cursor frame or changing the range, the position of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet A second determining means for determining the description area of the character string; and a second method for changing the position and range of the cursor frame displayed by the display means based on the description area of the character string determined by the second determining means. 2 changing means,
Setting means for setting the density change of the image data displayed by the display means; and setting the bitmap data by the first changing means based on the density change of the image data set by the setting means. A third changing means for changing the density value, and each pixel of the image data read by the reading means is converted into bitmap data by the first changing means based on the density value changed by the third changing means. An image of a character string description area in the bitmap data by the processing unit based on a processing unit to be changed and a position and a range of a cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet determined by the second determination unit A recognition unit that extracts data and recognizes a character string based on the extracted image data.

A reading apparatus according to the present invention is used in a sorting machine for sorting sheets based on a character string described on a sheet, and reads the character string on the sheet.
Reading means for reading the image data on the paper sheet, first determining means for determining the written area of the character string from the image data read by the reading means, and displaying the image data read by the reading means Display means for displaying a cursor frame indicating the description area of the character string determined by the first determination means so as to be superimposed on the displayed image data; and display of the cursor frame displayed on the display means. When the description area of the character string is corrected by moving or changing the range, a second determination unit that determines the position and range of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet as the description area of the character string. Changing means for changing the position and range of the cursor frame displayed by the display means based on the description area of the character string determined by the second determining means; Setting means for setting a writing direction of a character string to be written; and an image read by the reading means based on a position and a range of a cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet determined by the second determining means. The image data of the description area of the character string in the data is extracted, and each character in the extracted image data is compared with the character pattern stored in the dictionary corresponding to the writing direction of the character string set by the setting unit. And recognition means for recognizing a character string by comparison.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a sheet sorting machine 1 incorporating a reading apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting machine 1 stores, for example, a plurality of mails in a standing position as paper sheets on which a destination name (character string) such as a postal code or an address is described, Supply unit 2 for sequentially supplying articles to a predetermined take-out position
It has. A take-out section 4 is provided at the take-out position of the postal matter for taking out the postal matter supplied by the supply section 2 one by one along the main transport path 3.

The postal matter taken out by the take-out section 4 is conveyed through the main conveyance path 3 having a conveyance belt running at a constant speed. On the main transport path 3, a foreign matter / hardness detecting unit 5 is provided for detecting foreign matter in the mail when the mail contains foreign matter and also detecting the hardness of the mail itself. On the transport path branched off from the main transport path 3 on the downstream side of the foreign substance / hardness detecting section 5, an exclusion stack for removing postal matter which is judged to be impossible to machine by the detection of the foreign substance / hardness detecting section 5 Part 5
a is provided.

Main transport path 3 downstream of foreign matter / hardness detector 5
An optical character reading section 8 for optically reading image data of a mail is provided above.

At the end of the main transport path 3 on the downstream side of the optical character reading section 8, a sorting / stacking section 6 for sorting and stacking mails into predetermined sorting pockets (sorting destinations) 7 is connected. still,
The sorting destination refers to the position of the sorting pocket 7 where mail is sorted and collected.

The section stacking section 6 has a plurality of section pockets 7 divided into a plurality of steps and a plurality of rows. For example, it is constituted by 200 section pockets 7 in 8 rows and 25 rows. A sorting gate (not shown) is provided above each sorting pocket 7, and mail is sorted into a predetermined sorting pocket 7 by selectively switching these sorting gates. .

In FIG. 1, a plurality of switching gates 10 are provided near the end of the main transport path 3 toward the sorting / stacking section 6 so as to correspond to each stage pass section 9 of the sorting / stacking section 6. By selectively switching, the main transport path 3 is selectively connected to any of a plurality of stages through each stage path unit 9.

Further, an operation panel section 11 on which various input operations are performed by a staff member is provided on the left front side of the sorting machine 1 in the figure.

The operation panel section 11 includes a liquid crystal display 12 on which operation guidance and the like are displayed, and a transparent touch sensor 1 provided so as to cover the display surface of the liquid crystal display 12.
3. The touch sensor 13 is configured by two-dimensional coordinate points, and when any location on the touch sensor 13 is pressed, the touch sensor 13 is output as a two-dimensional coordinate value to a panel control CPU 31 described later.

The liquid crystal display 12 of the operation panel section 11 displays an initial screen as a normally displayed screen as shown in FIG. This initial screen includes a cursor key 14 for changing to a mode for setting a destination area, that is, a reading position adjustment mode, when processing printed type mail.
Is displayed. This cursor key 14
By pressing, the mode is changed to the reading position adjustment mode, and a reading position adjustment screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

On the read position adjustment screen, a read image of a postal matter is displayed, and a cursor frame 15 is displayed which is superimposed on the read image and indicates a range corresponding to a portion determined to be a destination area. It has become. The display position and range of the cursor frame 15 are changed to the upper left change key 15.
a and a change key 15b at the lower right can be changed (coarsely adjusted). Cursor frame 1
The display position and range of 5 can be changed (finely adjusted) by the adjustment keys 16a and 16b. Adjustment key 16a
By moving the change key 15a, fine adjustment of the display position and the range of the cursor frame 15 is performed, and by moving the change key 15b with the adjustment key 16b, the fine adjustment of the display position and the range of the cursor frame 15 is performed. Is what you do.

On the reading position adjustment screen, writing direction setting keys 17a, 17b for setting the writing direction of print characters are displayed.
17c and 17d, density change keys 18 and 18 for instructing to change the density of the displayed read image (character) of the mail and the current density state display 19 are displayed, and other processing modes such as change of processing mode are displayed. A switching key and the like are displayed.

Writing direction setting keys 17a, 17b, 17
As for c and 17d, “long” and “short” are determined by each key.
"Longitudinal reverse" and "vertical writing" are set. As shown in FIG. 4A, the "longitudinal" set by the writing direction setting key 17a is described by erecting the characters of the address along the longitudinal direction of the mail, and by the writing direction setting key 17b. The "short hand" to be set is, as shown in FIG.
The characters of the address are written upright along the short side of the postal matter, and the "reverse length" set by the writing direction setting key 17c is, as shown in FIG. The characters of the address are written in reverse (rotated 180 degrees from the erect state) along the direction, and the "vertical writing" set by the writing direction setting key 17d is, as shown in FIG. The characters of the address are described by being rotated 90 degrees from the erect state along the longitudinal direction of the object.

Writing direction setting keys 17a, 17b, 17
c and 17d are set in the panel control CP described later.
It is output to the recognition unit control CPU 41 by U31.

Next, the internal configuration of the control circuit of the sorting machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, in the control circuit of the sorting machine 1, a main control CPU 21 controlled by the sorting machine 1 is provided. The main control CPU 21 recognizes the address based on the image data of the address area in the image data read by the optical character reading section 8 and outputs the section designation data corresponding to the address of the mail as a recognition result. A recognition unit 22, a conveyance control unit 23 that controls the conveyance of mail in the sorting machine 1, a sorting specification control unit 24 that performs sorting control of mail based on the sorting specification data output from the recognition unit 22 as a recognition result, And the operation panel section 11 are connected.

As shown in FIG. 5, the operation panel section 11 has a panel control CP for controlling the entire operation panel section 11.
U31 is provided. The panel control CPU 31 includes a program storage memory 32 in which a control program is recorded, and a program execution memory 3 in which data is recorded and a program required to execute the program is executed.
3. an image storage memory 34 for storing compressed image data, a communication device 35 for communicating data with the main control CPU 21, a communication device 36 for communicating data with the recognition unit 22, and the liquid crystal display 12 And a touch sensor input circuit 38 for outputting a two-dimensional coordinate value corresponding to a part pressed by the touch sensor 13.

The recognizing unit 22 is provided with a recognizing unit control CPU 41 for controlling the entire recognizing unit 22 as shown in FIG. The recognizing unit control CPU 41 has a memory 42 in which a control program is recorded and data is recorded, a plurality of image recognizing devices 43 for performing image recognizing processing of postal matter,. A communication device 44 for receiving data, a communication device 45 for communicating data with the main control CPU 21, and a communication device 46 for communicating data with the operation panel unit 11 are connected.

A plurality of image recognition devices 43,... Are provided so that continuous mail can be subjected to image recognition processing in parallel. The image recognition device 43 stores image data (density data having gradations) supplied from the optical character reading unit 8 via the communication device 44 in the image data storage unit 43a. The image recognition device 43 converts the density data having a gradation stored in the image data storage unit 43a into data (1, 0) indicating black or white for each pixel by comparing the density data with a predetermined slice level. By generating bitmap data and performing horizontal projection and vertical projection of the generated bitmap data, a block for each character line is detected, and an address of a plurality of character lines is determined based on an arrangement of the detected character lines. Is determined, and the area surrounding the plurality of character lines is determined as a destination area, and the coordinate position (upper left and lower right) on the mail corresponding to the destination area is determined as destination area information (address description information). Output.

The image recognizing device 43 outputs compressed image data of the generated bitmap data corresponding to the liquid crystal display 12 to the operation panel section 11. Since the full-size image cannot be displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display 12 of the operation panel unit 11 as it is, compression processing (thinning processing) is performed.

The image recognition device 43 includes the operation panel unit 1
The bitmap data of the area based on the addressing area information supplied from No. 1 is subjected to character line detection cutout, character string detection cutout, and character detection cutout, and the character is compared with a pattern in the dictionary. The address (address) is read by recognizing the address. There is a separate dictionary corresponding to each of the writing direction setting keys 17a,..., And the dictionary used can be limited by setting the writing direction setting keys 17a,.

Next, in the above-described configuration, the address used by the recognizing unit 22 when sorting bulk mail (a large amount of mail) whose address is printed at a predetermined position in print type. The description area setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, with the initial screen as shown in FIG. 2 being displayed on the liquid crystal display 12 of the operation panel 11 (ST1), the operator operates the liquid crystal display 12 to process printed type mail. Is pressed (ST2).
The panel control CPU 31 recognizes that the cursor key 14 has been pressed by this pressing, that is, by a detection signal from the touch-type sensor 13, and switches and displays the reading position adjustment screen on the liquid crystal display 12 as shown in FIG. 3. (ST
3).

At this time, the fact that the cursor key 14 has been pressed is output from the panel control CPU 31 to the main control CPU 21 so that the main control CPU 21 determines the reading position adjustment mode in the print type mode, and , And the section designation control unit 24.

Also, the panel control CPU 31
The image data compressed to 2 and a request signal for the coordinate position (initial reading position information (coordinate data, address description information)) on the mail corresponding to the destination area are transmitted (ST4).

Thus, the recognition unit control CP of the recognition unit 22
U41 switches to the reading position adjustment mode in response to the request signal.

Further, the operator sets a target mail item as 1
Only the supply is supplied from the supply unit 2. As a result, the postal matter supplied to the supply unit 2 is conveyed by the main conveyance path 3, and the optical character reading unit 8 reads the entire image data (density data having gradations) on the postal matter. Data read by the optical character reading unit 8 is stored in the image data storage unit 43a of the image recognition device 43 via the communication device 44. The image recognition device 43 compares the density data having the gradation stored in the image data storage unit 43a with a predetermined slice level, thereby obtaining data (1,
0) is generated, and a horizontal projection and a vertical projection of the generated bitmap data are performed to detect a block for each character line. Is determined as a destination name, an area surrounding the plurality of character lines is determined as a destination name area, and coordinate positions on the mail corresponding to the destination name area (upper left and lower right, initial reading position information (Coordinate data)) is output to the operation panel unit 11 as destination area information. At this time, the image recognizing device 43 also outputs to the operation panel unit 11 the compressed image data of the generated bitmap data that has been compressed corresponding to the liquid crystal display 12.

As a result, the panel control CPU 31 of the operation panel section 11 displays the image data of the mail supplied from the recognition section 22 on the reading position adjustment screen of the liquid crystal display 12, as shown in FIG. At the same time, a cursor frame 15 corresponding to a rectangular area based on the coordinate position (upper left and lower right) on the mail is displayed on the image data (ST5, 6, 7).

With this display, the operator confirms whether or not the address area of the mail coincides with the cursor frame 15. If the cursor frame 15 is totally displaced, 2 is provided in the cursor frame 15. Change keys 15a, 15
Press b to roughly adjust the position. If the cursor frame 15 is slightly displaced, the cursor frame 15 is moved little by little while pressing the adjustment keys 16a and 16b for adjustment.

Further, if the displayed image becomes dark or light, the operator presses the density change keys 18 and 18 to instruct the adjustment of the density.

Thus, when the cursor frame 15 changes, the panel control CPU 31 determines that the density change keys 18 and 18 have been changed.
Is pressed, the coordinate value of the cursor frame 15 and the information on the shading are output as address description information to the recognizing unit control CPU 41 of the recognizing unit 22 again (ST8, 9).

Then, the recognition section control CPU 41 sets a destination area based on the coordinate value of the cursor frame 15 in each of the image recognition devices 43,.

Therefore, each of the image recognition devices 43,.
Based on the address description information from the operation panel section 11, the reading range of mail to be processed is limited. As a result, it is possible to execute the recognition process with high accuracy except for a character description portion (for example, a pattern or an advertisement) other than the postal code and the destination name.

The recognizing unit control CPU 41 changes the slice level at the time of generating the bitmap data based on the information on the density.

Further, the operator further supplies one other mail in the bulk mail from the supply unit 2 to the sorting machine 1. As a result, the postal matter supplied to the supply unit 2 is conveyed by the main conveyance path 3 and image data (density data having gradation) on the entire surface of the postal matter by the optical character reading unit 8.
Is read. Data read by the optical character reading unit 8 is stored in the image data storage unit 43a of the image recognition device 43 via the communication device 44. The image recognition device 43 compares the density data having the gradation stored in the image data storage unit 43a with the above-mentioned slice level, and converts the density data into data (1, 0) indicating black or white for each pixel. Generates data, detects the horizontal and vertical projections of the generated bitmap data, detects blocks for each character line, and identifies multiple character lines as a destination name based on the arrangement of the detected character lines. The area surrounding the plurality of character lines is determined to be a destination area, and the coordinate positions (upper left and lower right, reading position information (coordinate data)) on the mail corresponding to the destination area are assigned to destination area information. Is output to the operation panel unit 11. At this time, the image recognition device 43
The operation panel unit 11 also displays compressed image data of the generated bitmap data corresponding to the compressed liquid crystal display 12.
Output to

As a result, the panel control CPU 31 of the operation panel section 11 displays the image data of the mail supplied from the recognition section 22 on the reading position adjustment screen of the liquid crystal display 12 as shown in FIG. At the same time, a cursor frame 15 corresponding to a rectangular area based on the coordinate position (upper left and lower right) on the mail is displayed on the image data.

With this display, the operator confirms whether or not the image of the postal matter that has been correctly adjusted is displayed on the reading position adjustment screen. If the adjustment is not sufficient, the operator performs the adjustments in steps 5 to 9 described above. Repeatedly, if satisfactory, the reading position adjustment mode is terminated (ST10).

In this way, after the adjustment is completed, the operator continuously supplies the target bulk mail (print-type mail) to the sorting machine 1 and performs the sorting process.

As described above, the address description range determined from the image data on the postal matter is displayed in a manner superimposed on the image data of the postal matter. The description range is indicated.

As a result, it is possible to accurately set the address writing range on the postal matter, and to improve the address reading accuracy.

Also, without using hardware that is prone to failure, the mail to be processed is supplied as it is, and the cursor is displayed by directly touching the cursor indicating the reading position displayed on the display screen of the operation panel section with the finger ( ), The operability is very simple, and there are few failures.

In the above embodiment, the case where the coordinates are changed by the change keys 15a and 15b located at the upper left and lower right, however, is not limited to this. The same applies to the case where 15a and 15b are provided.

Alternatively, the coordinates of each of the four points of the cursor frame 15 may be changed.

[0059]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a reading device and a reading method capable of accurately setting the writing range of a character string on a sheet and improving the reading accuracy of the character string. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a paper sheet sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an initial screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of an operation panel unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a reading position adjustment screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of an operation panel unit.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a writing direction of characters of an address corresponding to a writing direction setting key.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control circuit and an operation panel unit of the sorting machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a recognition unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a setting process of a destination description area.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a reading position adjustment screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of the operation panel unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a reading position adjustment screen displayed on a liquid crystal display of the operation panel unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting machine 8 ... Optical character reading part 11 ... Operation panel part 12 ... Liquid crystal display 13 ... Touch sensor 15 ... Cursor frame 15a, 15b ... Change key 21 ... Main control CPU 22 ... Recognition part 31 ... Panel control CPU 41 ... Recognition unit control CPU 43 ... Image recognition device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reading device for reading a character string on a paper sheet used in a sorting machine that sorts the paper sheet based on a character string described on the paper sheet, Reading means for reading the image data of the first, first determining means for determining the written area of the character string from the image data read by the reading means, and displaying the image data read by the reading means; Display means for superimposing and displaying a cursor frame indicating the description area of the character string determined by the determination means on the displayed image data; moving the cursor frame displayed on the display means;
When the description area of the character string is modified by changing the range,
A second determining means for determining the position and range of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet as a character string writing area; and a character string writing area determined by the second determining means. Changing means for changing the position and range of the cursor frame displayed by the display means based on the position and range of the cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet determined by the second determining means; A reading device, comprising: recognition means for extracting image data of a written area of a character string in the image data read by the reading means, and recognizing the character string based on the extracted image data. 2. A reading device for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine that sorts the paper sheet based on a character string described on the paper sheet. Reading means for reading as density data of a plurality of levels of density values for each pixel of the image data, and changing to bitmap data based on whether each pixel of the image data read by the reading means is equal to or more than a predetermined density value A first changing unit; a first determining unit for determining a writing area of a character string based on the bitmap data from the first changing unit; and image data corresponding to the bitmap data from the changing unit. A display unit for displaying a cursor frame indicating a description area of the character string determined by the first determination unit so as to be superimposed on the displayed image data; That the movement of the cursor frame,
When the description area of the character string is modified by changing the range,
Second determining means for determining the position of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the sheet as a character string description area; and a character string description area determined by the second determination means. Second changing means for changing a position and a range of a cursor frame displayed by the display means; setting means for setting a density change of image data displayed by the display means; and an image set by the setting means Third changing means for changing a density value when changing to bitmap data by the first changing means based on a density change of data; and each pixel of the image data read by the reading means is changed to the third Processing means for changing to bitmap data by the first changing means based on the density value changed by the changing means, and the above-mentioned judgment made by the second judgment means. Based on the position and range of the cursor frame in the leaf image data, the processing means extracts the image data of the written area of the character string in the bitmap data, and recognizes the character string based on the extracted image data. And a reading device. 3. A reading apparatus for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine for sorting paper sheets based on a character string described on the paper sheet, Reading means for reading the image data of the first, first determining means for determining the written area of the character string from the image data read by the reading means, and displaying the image data read by the reading means; Display means for superimposing and displaying a cursor frame indicating the description area of the character string determined by the determination means on the displayed image data; moving the cursor frame displayed on the display means;
When the description area of the character string is modified by changing the range,
A second determining means for determining the position and range of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet as a character string writing area; and a character string writing area determined by the second determining means. Changing means for changing the position and range of the cursor frame displayed by the display means based on the setting information; setting means for setting the writing direction of a character string written on the sheet; and the second determining means Based on the determined position and range of the cursor frame in the image data of the sheet, the image data of the written area of the character string in the image data read by the reading unit is extracted, and Recognizing means for recognizing a character string by comparing each character with a character pattern stored in a dictionary corresponding to the writing direction of the character string set by the setting means. To reader. 4. A reading device for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine that sorts the paper sheet based on a character string described on the paper sheet. The read image data is read, the written area of the character string is determined from the read image data, the read image data is displayed, and the cursor frame indicating the written area of the determined character string is displayed above. When the displayed area of the character string is corrected by moving the cursor frame and changing the range of the displayed cursor frame, the image data of the paper sheet of the corrected cursor frame is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image data. The position and range in are determined to be the description area of the character string, and the position and range of the displayed cursor frame are changed based on the determined description area of the character string, and the image of the determined sheet is determined. To the data A method for extracting image data of a description area of a character string in the read image data based on a position and a range of a cursor frame in the read image data, and recognizing the character string based on the extracted image data. 5. A reading device for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine that sorts the paper sheet based on a character string described on the paper sheet. Is read as density data of a plurality of levels of density values for each pixel of the image data, and is changed to bitmap data based on whether each pixel of the read image data is equal to or higher than a predetermined density value, and Judgment area of the character string is determined, image data corresponding to the bitmap data is displayed, and a cursor frame indicating the determined area of the character string is displayed so as to be superimposed on the displayed image data. When the written area of the character string is corrected by moving the cursor frame displayed or changing the range, the position of the corrected cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet Judgment is made as the description area of the character string, the position and range of the displayed cursor frame are changed based on the determined writing area of the character string, and the density change of the displayed image data is set. The density value when changing to the bitmap data is changed based on the density change of the read image data, and each pixel of the read image data is changed to the bitmap data based on the changed density value. Then, based on the determined position and range of the cursor frame in the image data of the sheet, the image data of the written area of the character string is extracted, and the character string is recognized based on the extracted image data. Characteristic reading method. 6. A reading device for reading a character string on a paper sheet, which is used in a sorting machine for sorting paper sheets based on a character string described on the paper sheet, The read image data is read, the written area of the character string is determined from the read image data, the read image data is displayed, and the cursor frame indicating the written area of the determined character string is displayed above. When the displayed area of the character string is corrected by moving the cursor frame and changing the range of the displayed cursor frame, the image data of the paper sheet of the corrected cursor frame is displayed so as to be superimposed on the image data. Is determined as the description area of the character string, and the position and range of the displayed cursor frame are changed based on the determined description area of the character string, and the character described on the paper sheet is changed. Each character in the column Is set, and based on the position and range of the cursor frame in the image data of the paper sheet determined above, image data of a written area of a character string in the read image data is extracted. Reading a character string by comparing each character in the image data with the character pattern stored in a dictionary corresponding to the writing direction of each character in the character string set by the setting means. Method.