JP2024077272A - Form processing device, form processing system, and form processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To reduce the burden on workers when further processing processed forms in a form processing device, form processing system, and form processing method. [Solution] A form processing device that accepts a form and executes processing, comprising: a first acquisition unit that acquires first information from a character string on a form 200 that indicates the content of the processing; a second acquisition unit that acquires second information from a figure 201 that indicates the content of the processing when the figure 201 is written on the form 200; a processing execution unit that executes processing based on the first information or the second information; and a marking unit that assigns a mark 51 to the form that enables a distinction to be made between a first type of form that has been processed based on the first information and a second type of form 200B that has been processed based on the second information. [Selected Figure] Figure 9

Description

The present invention relates to a document processing device, a document processing system, and a document processing method.

For example, in the document processing device (referred to as a "document handling device" in the literature) disclosed in Patent Document 1, a process is performed to obtain information indicating the content of the process from the form's figure (referred to as a "barcode" in the literature). Furthermore, if obtaining information from the form's figure fails, a process is performed to obtain information indicating the content of the process from the form's character string (referred to as an "OCR character" in the literature).

Japanese Patent No. 4110258

However, conventional document processing devices do not leave a record on the document as to whether the document processing device obtained information from a figure on the document or from text on the document. As a result, for example, when a worker further processes a document that has already been processed by the document processing device, he or she is unable to distinguish whether the document processing device obtained information from text or text on the document, which can lead to incorrect judgment or unnecessary checking work, which can be time-consuming for the worker.

The present invention aims to reduce the burden on workers when further processing processed documents in a document processing device, document processing system, and document processing method.

The present invention, which is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object, is a form processing device that accepts a form and executes processing, and is characterized in that it includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information from a character string on the form that indicates the content of the processing, a second acquisition unit that acquires second information from a figure that indicates the content of the processing when the figure is written on the form, a processing execution unit that executes the processing based on the first information or the second information, and a marking unit that assigns a mark to the form that enables a distinction to be made between a first type of form on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of form on which the processing has been performed based on the second information.

According to the present invention, the marking unit marks the form with a mark that allows a distinction between a first type form and a second type form. Therefore, when a worker further processes a form that has already been processed by the form processing device, the worker can easily distinguish whether the form processing device obtained information from a character string or a figure on the form. Therefore, the burden on the worker is greatly reduced when further processing a form that has already been processed by the form processing device.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that the marking unit marks the mark in the receipt stamp column on the document.

A document often contains a variety of information. For example, if a mark is placed so that it overlaps with letters or other figures, there is a risk that the worker will not be able to read the letters or figures, which places an unnecessary burden on the worker. On the other hand, the receipt stamp column often has blank areas in places other than the central part where the receipt stamp is placed, making it a suitable place to place a mark. In other words, with this configuration, the marking unit places a mark in the receipt stamp column on the document. Then, the mark is not placed so that it overlaps with letters or other figures outside the receipt stamp column. This avoids the risk that the worker will not be able to read the letters or figures.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that the marking unit applies the marking by printing.

With this configuration, the marking means is printing, making the marking unit simple and low-cost.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that the marking unit applies the mark by stamping.

With this configuration, the marking means is a stamp, making the marking unit simple and low-cost.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that the document includes a notification piece that can be used to notify the remittance destination, and the marking unit adds the mark to the notification piece.

In some cases, a notification piece is sent to the remittance destination to notify the remittance destination that the processing of the document has been completed. In this invention, the marking unit marks the notification piece. Therefore, the worker can easily check from the mark whether or not a notification piece needs to be used to notify the remittance destination.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that the document includes a copy kept by the remittance originating business, and the marking unit marks the copy.

The remittance business entity keeps a copy of the document as proof that the document processing has been completed. In this invention, the marking unit marks the copy. This allows the worker to easily confirm whether the information was obtained from the text or the graphics on the document and processed from that.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that it is provided with a storage section that stores the first type of document and the second type of document separately.

With this configuration, the first type of forms and the second type of forms are separated in the storage unit. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the first type of forms and the second type of forms are not separated in the storage unit, when an operator further processes forms that have already been processed, the first type of forms and the second type of forms can be easily separated.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that it is provided with a storage unit that stores the first type of document separately, the document on which the figure is printed and the document on which the figure is not printed.

Among the first type of forms, forms containing figures are considered to be forms for which the second acquisition unit failed to acquire the second information, even though the figures are actually contained on the form. With the present invention, forms containing figures and forms not containing figures are separated in the storage unit. Therefore, when an operator further processes processed forms, the operator can easily distinguish from among the first type of forms those for which the second information failed to be acquired.

Another feature of the document processing device of the present invention is that it is equipped with an output unit that outputs the second information to the outside.

With this configuration, the second information acquired from the figure by the second acquisition unit can be easily utilized outside the document processing device.

The present invention is also applicable to a document processing system. In this case, the document processing system is a document processing system that accepts a document and executes processing, and is characterized in that it includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information from a character string on the document that indicates the content of the processing, a second acquisition unit that acquires second information from a figure that indicates the content of the processing when the figure is written on the document, a processing execution unit that executes the processing based on the first information or the second information, and a marking unit that assigns a mark to the document that enables a distinction to be made between a first type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the second information.

According to the present invention, the marking unit marks the form with a mark that allows a distinction between a first type form and a second type form. Therefore, when an operator further processes a form that has already been processed by the form processing system, the operator can easily distinguish whether the form processing system obtained information from a character string or a graphic on the form. Therefore, the burden on the operator is greatly reduced when further processing a form that has already been processed by the form processing system.

Another feature of the document processing system of the present invention is that it is provided with a storage unit that stores the second information acquired by the second acquisition unit and used in the processing as information for external transmission, a third acquisition unit that acquires information indicated by the figure from the document containing the figure among the first type of document as third information, and an addition unit that adds the third information to the information for external transmission.

A form of the first type that contains a figure is considered to be a form that actually contains a figure, but for which the second acquisition unit failed to acquire the second information. With this configuration, the third acquisition unit acquires the third information from the figure of the first type form, and the adding unit adds the third information to the information for external transmission. Therefore, even for a form for which the second acquisition unit failed to acquire the second information, the third information is acquired from the figure of the form, and the third information is stored in the storage unit together with the second information as information for external transmission. This makes it easier to manage forms that contain figures as information for external transmission.

The present invention is also applicable to a form processing method. In this case, the form processing method is a form processing method performed by a form processing system that accepts a form and executes processing, and is characterized in that it includes a first acquisition step of acquiring first information from a character string on the form that indicates the content of the processing, a second acquisition step of acquiring second information from a figure that indicates the content of the processing when the figure is written on the form, a processing execution step of executing the processing based on the first information or the second information, and a marking step of adding a mark to the form that enables a distinction to be made between a first type of form on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of form on which the processing has been performed based on the second information.

According to the present invention, the marking step marks the form with a mark that allows a distinction between a first type form and a second type form. Therefore, when an operator further processes a form that has already been processed in the form processing system, the operator can easily distinguish whether information was obtained from character strings or figures on the form and used to execute the process. Therefore, the burden on the operator is greatly reduced when further processing a form that has already been processed.

Another feature of the form processing method of the present invention is that it includes a storage step for storing the second information acquired in the second acquisition step and used in the processing as information for external transmission, a third acquisition step for acquiring information indicated by the figure from the form containing the figure among the first type forms as third information, and an addition step for adding the third information to the information for external transmission.

A form of the first type that contains a figure is considered to be a form that actually contains a figure but for which the second acquisition step failed to acquire the second information. With this configuration, the third acquisition step acquires the third information from the figure of the first type form, and the adding step adds the third information to the information for external transmission. Therefore, even for a form for which the second acquisition step failed to acquire the second information, the third information is acquired from the figure of the form, and the third information is stored together with the second information as information for external transmission. This makes it easier to manage forms that contain a figure as information for external transmission.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an automated transaction device and a document. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document receiving unit. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a document processing system including an automatic transaction device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a display input unit. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of a form. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of a form. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first type of document to which a receipt stamp is attached. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first type of form on which a receipt stamp is attached and a graphic is drawn. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second type of document to which a receipt stamp and a mark are added.

The automated transaction device 100 (an example of a document processing device) and document processing program according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The automated transaction device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a financial institution or the like, and is a device that automatically recognizes the contents of a document 200 (such as a payment slip or invoice) and automatically performs payment transactions for taxes, utility fees, etc. The document 200 shows character strings and frames indicating the type, collection destination, collection business contractor, fees to be paid (an example of a payment amount), a figure 201, a receipt stamp field 202, etc. The figure 201 can be, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a data matrix, a barcode, or a color code. The receipt stamp field 202 is a field where a receipt stamp 50 is affixed (a field for receipt stamp 50).

The slip 200 is provided with a notice piece 200u, a copy piece 200v, and a receipt piece 200w. The notice piece 200u is a so-called "delivery notice" (delivery notice), and is mailed to the remittance destination 400 when it is necessary to mail it to the remittance destination 400. In other words, the notice piece 200u can be used to notify the remittance destination 400. The notice piece 200u shows a figure 201 and a first receipt stamp field 202a. The copy piece 200v is kept by the remittance source 300 business for a preset period of time. The copy piece 200v shows a second receipt stamp field 202b. The receipt piece 200w is returned to the user when the user's payment is completed. The receipt piece 200w shows a third receipt stamp field 202c.

The functions, configuration, and operation of the automated transaction device 100 are described in detail below. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the automated transaction device 100 has a display input unit 1, a document receiving unit 2, a card processing unit 3, a money receiving unit 4, a change storage unit 5, a numeric keypad 6, a communication unit 7, a memory unit 8, a marker providing unit 26, and a control unit 10. Note that Figure 3 shows an example of a document processing system of the present invention including the automated transaction device 100.

The display input unit 1 is a device that displays information to the user and accepts operations and inputs from the user, and is, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal monitor. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a figure confirmation unit 1a and a normal confirmation unit 1b are displayed on the display input unit 1. The figure confirmation unit 1a is displayed on the display input unit 1 to allow the user to confirm whether or not a figure 201 exists on the form 200, and accepts manual operations by the user. The normal confirmation unit 1b is used to give priority to processing based on the character string of the form 200 (conventional processing) to the control unit 10. Note that, as described below, even if the normal confirmation unit 1b is operated, if the control unit 10 detects the figure 201 on the form 200 and succeeds in reading the figure 201, the control unit 10 executes processing based on the figure 201.

The form receiving unit 2 is a device that receives a form 200 from a user. As shown in FIG. 2, the form receiving unit 2 includes an insertion table 21, a transport roller 22, a transport path 23, a cutter 24, an image capturing unit 25, a marking unit 26, and a storage unit 27. The image capturing unit 25 is, for example, a camera or a document scanner.

When the document 200 is placed on the insertion table 21, the document receiving unit 2 drives the transport roller 22 to take the document 200 into the transport path 23. The document 200 is transported on the transport path 23, and the photographing unit 25 photographs the document 200. After the payment transaction related to the document 200 is confirmed, the marking unit 26 attaches a receipt stamp 50 to the receipt stamp column 202 (first receipt stamp column 202a, second receipt stamp column 202b, and third receipt stamp column 202c) of the document 200. The document 200 is then returned upstream, and the cutter 24 separates the receipt piece 200w from the document 200. The notification piece 200u and the copy piece 200v are left on the document 200 from which the receipt piece 200w has been separated. Then, the notification piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the document 200 are transported to the storage section 27 and stored therein. The receipt piece 200w is transported to the insertion table 21 and returned to the user. Details will be described later, but in this embodiment, the storage section 27 is provided with a first storage section 27a, a second storage section 27b, and a third storage section 27c. In addition, in this embodiment, the marking section 26 is provided with a stamping section 26a and a printing section 26b. The stamping section 26a stamps the receipt stamp 50 in the receipt stamp column 202 of the document 200 by stamping with a so-called seal. The printing section 26b stamps the receipt stamp 50 in the receipt stamp column 202 of the document 200 by printing with, for example, ink, toner, or the like.

The card processing unit 3 is a device that accepts the insertion of a card (cash card, credit card, etc.) by the user and reads and writes information.

The cash receiver 4 is a device that accepts bills and coins inserted by the user and dispenses change to the user.

The change storage unit 5 is a device that stores coins to be dispensed as change from the money collection unit 4 to the user. The change storage unit 5 transmits the balance of the stored coins to the control unit 10.

The numeric keypad 6 is a device that accepts input of a PIN number, etc. from the user.

The communication unit 7 is an interface for performing data communication with a higher-level system or a connection destination on the Internet via a wireless LAN or the like. The communication unit 7 corresponds to the "output unit" of the present invention.

The storage unit 8 (an example of a memory) is a device that stores data, and is composed of storage devices such as a HDD and non-volatile RAM.

The memory unit 8 stores feature data that is the criterion for the type identification unit 12 (described below) to determine whether or not to accept. The feature data stored in the memory unit 8 includes data indicating the features of the contents of multiple types of forms 200. The feature data is, for example, data indicating character strings written on the form 200 and the positions of ruled lines shown on the form 200.

The control unit 10 is an electronic control device that controls the entire automated transaction device 100, and has a document reading unit 11, a type identification unit 12, and a processing execution unit 13. Programs corresponding to the functions of each of these units are stored in a ROM (not shown) or a non-volatile memory (not shown). The programs are loaded into a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed. This causes processes, threads, tasks, etc. corresponding to the functions of each of these units to be executed.

The document reading unit 11 uses known image recognition technology to read the contents of the document 200 from the image captured by the image capture unit 25 of the document receiving unit 2, and obtains description information indicating the contents of the document 200.

In this embodiment, the form reading unit 11 is equipped with a first acquisition unit 11a and a second acquisition unit 11b. The first acquisition unit 11a extracts character strings on the form 200 from an image of the form 200 captured by the imaging unit 25 of the form receiving unit 2, and acquires written information from the character strings. A known optical character recognition (OCR) technique is used to extract the character strings. The second acquisition unit 11b also attempts to detect a figure 201 from the image of the form 200 captured by the imaging unit 25 of the form receiving unit 2, and acquires written information from the figure 201 if the figure 201 is detected.

In this embodiment, the written information obtained from the character string is referred to as "first information," and the written information obtained from the figure 201 is referred to as "second information." In other words, the form reading unit 11 is equipped with a first acquisition unit 11a that acquires first information from the character string that indicates the content of the process in the form 200, and a second acquisition unit 11b that acquires second information from the figure 201 when the figure 201 indicating the content of the process is written in the form 200.

The type identification unit 12 identifies the type of the document 200 based on the first information or the second information acquired by the document reading unit 11. The type of the document 200 may be, for example, a payment slip for utility charges (electricity charges, gas charges, water charges, communication charges, public housing rent, broadcast reception fees, public school tuition fees, etc.) or a payment slip for taxes (corporate tax, fixed property tax, automobile tax, etc.).

Specifically, the type identification unit 12 compares the description information generated by the document reading unit 11 with multiple pieces of feature data stored in the memory unit 8. Then, if there is feature data among the multiple pieces of feature data that matches or is similar to the description information acquired by the document reading unit 11, the type identification unit 12 identifies the type of the document 200. On the other hand, if there is no feature data that matches or is similar to the description information acquired by the document reading unit 11, the type identification unit 12 determines that the document 200 cannot be accepted. At this time, the control unit 10 transports the document 200 to the insertion table 21 and returns it to the user.

The process execution unit 13 executes payment processing based on the first information or second information acquired by the document reading unit 11. In this embodiment, the document 200 for which the processing has been performed based on the first information is referred to as a first type document 200A, and the document 200 for which the processing has been performed based on the second information is referred to as a second type document 200B. The process execution unit 13 has a payment amount determination unit 13a, a payment acceptance unit 13b, and a withdrawal unit 13c.

The payment amount determination unit 13a determines the payment amount of the document 200 based on the information written on the document 200. Specifically, the payment amount determination unit 13a determines the payment amount of the document 200 based on at least one of the first information and the second information acquired by the document reading unit 11.

The payment acceptance unit 13b accepts payments from users. Specifically, the payment acceptance unit 13b displays the payment amount on the form 200 identified by the payment amount identification unit 13a on the display input unit 1, prompts the user to make payment, and controls the card processing unit 3 and the money collection unit 4 to accept payment from the user. This allows the user to make payment by card settlement or with cash such as bills and coins.

The withdrawal unit 13c withdraws money from the change storage unit 5 when the amount of payment accepted by the payment acceptance unit 13b is greater than the payment amount. Specifically, the withdrawal unit 13c compares the amount of money accepted by the payment acceptance unit 13b in the money collection unit 4 with the payment amount on the form 200 identified by the payment amount identification unit 13a. Then, when the accepted amount of money is greater, the withdrawal unit 13c withdraws the difference from the change storage unit 5 and pays it out to the user as change in the money collection unit 4.

After the payment process by the process execution unit 13 is confirmed, the process execution unit 13 transmits the written information (first information or second information) to the remittance source data center 30 of the remittance source 300 via the communication unit 7. The marking unit 26 also stamps receipt stamps 50 in the first receipt stamp column 202a of the notification piece 200u, the second receipt stamp column 202b of the copy piece 200v, and the third receipt stamp column 202c of the receipt piece 200w. The cutter 24 then separates the receipt piece 200w from the slip 200, and the receipt piece 200w is transported to the insertion table 21 and returned to the user. The notification piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the slip 200 are also transported to the storage unit 27 and stored. The remittance source data center 30 corresponds to the "storage unit" of the present invention.

The written information acquired by the document reading unit 11 is stored in the remittance source data center 30 of the remittance source 300. The remittance source 300 is, for example, an office of a financial institution that owns the automated transaction device 100. In the remittance source 300, the second information acquired by the second acquisition unit 11b from the written information is sent as is to the remittance destination data center 40 of the remittance destination 400. In this invention, the second information stored in the remittance source data center 30 is referred to as "information for external transmission". The remittance destination 400 is, for example, a local government or an institution to which public utility bills are paid.

At the remittance source 300, the first information acquired by the first acquisition unit 11a from among the written information may be misrecognized. For this reason, an employee compares the first information with the characters recorded on the first type form 200A, and corrects the first information if there is an error in the first information. The first information is then managed, for example, by the financial institution of the remittance source. Note that the case where a figure 201 is recorded on the first type form 200A processed based on the first information will be described later.

The processing performed by the automated transaction device 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. First, in step #01 shown in FIG. 5, a reading process is performed on the form 200 accepted by the form acceptance unit 2. At this time, the form reading unit 11 acquires written information from an image of the form 200 captured by the imaging unit 25 of the form acceptance unit 2. Also, in step #01, the first acquisition unit 11a acquires first information from a character string indicative of the content of the process in the form 200. Step #01 corresponds to the "first acquisition step" of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the graphic confirmation section 1a is displayed on the display input section 1 (see FIG. 4). The user can prompt the automated transaction device 100 to read the graphic 201 by operating the graphic confirmation section 1a. For this reason, the control section 10 checks whether the graphic confirmation section 1a on the display input section 1 has been operated (step #02).

When the figure confirmation unit 1a is operated (step #02: Yes), the process moves to step #03 shown in FIG. 6 via the flow indicated by "A" in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has detected the figure 201 (step #03). If the second acquisition unit 11b does not detect the figure 201 (step #03: No), the control unit 10 sets the value of the flag Fg to 0 (step #17), and moves to step #19 shown in FIG. 5 via the flow indicated by "C" in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which will be described later. The flag Fg is, for example, a variable stored in the internal memory of the control unit 10.

Flag Fg is a variable for determining whether or not figure 201 is present in document 200. When flag Fg has a value of 0, this means that figure 201 was not detected in document 200. When flag Fg has a value of 1, this means that figure 201 was detected in document 200 and second acquisition unit 11b failed to read figure 201. If step #03 returns No, this means that figure 201 was not detected in document 200 even though the user operated figure confirmation unit 1a. For this reason, flag Fg is set to 0, and processing based on the first information is executed in steps #19 and onward.

If the second acquisition unit 11b detects the figure 201 (step #03: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has succeeded in reading the figure 201 (step #04). In other words, in step #04, the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has succeeded in acquiring the second information from the figure 201.

If the second acquisition unit 11b fails to read the figure 201 (step #04: No), the second acquisition unit 11b attempts to read the figure 201 again, and the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b succeeded in re-reading the figure 201 (step #05). In other words, in step #05, the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b succeeded in acquiring the second information from the figure 201. In step #05, the second acquisition unit 11b uses an algorithm different from the algorithm used to read the figure 201 in step #04, and attempts to read the figure 201 with higher accuracy than when the figure 201 was read in step #04.

If the second acquisition unit 11b fails to re-read the figure 201 (step #05: No), the control unit 10 increments a predetermined counter and determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has failed to re-read the figure 201 N times in a row (step #06). The predetermined counter is, for example, a variable stored in the internal memory of the control unit 10. N times is a preset number of times. If the number of consecutive failures by the second acquisition unit 11b to re-read the figure 201 has not reached N times (step #06: No), the process of step #05 is repeated. At this time, the algorithm for reading the figure 201 may be configured to be different each time step #05 is repeated. Steps #04 and #05 correspond to the "second acquisition step" of the present invention.

If the number of consecutive failures by the second acquisition unit 11b in re-reading the figure 201 reaches N times (step #06: Yes), the control unit 10 sets the value of flag Fg to 1 (step #18) and proceeds to step #19 shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, via the flow indicated by "C" in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In other words, even though the figure 201 was detected in the document 200, the second acquisition unit 11b failed to read the figure 201. Therefore, processing based on the first information is executed in steps #19 and onward.

When the second acquisition unit 11b succeeds in reading the figure 201 (step #04: Yes or step #05: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the type identification unit 12 has accepted the form 200 (step #07). At this time, the type identification unit 12 identifies the type of the form 200 based on the second information acquired by the form reading unit 11. When the type identification unit 12 has not accepted the form 200 (step #07: No), the control unit 10 executes a return process for the form 200 by transporting the form 200 to the insertion table 21 (step #12).

When the type identification unit 12 accepts the form 200 (step #07: Yes), the processing execution unit 13 executes the payment processing based on the second information (step #08). The payment processing of step #08 also includes a process of transmitting the second information to the remittance source data center 30 of the remittance source 300. That is, the communication unit 7 outputs the second information to the external remittance source data center 30. The remittance source data center 30 stores the second information acquired by the second acquisition unit 11b and used in the processing as information for external transmission. As described above, in this embodiment, the form 200 on which the processing has been performed based on the second information is referred to as the second type form 200B. Step #08 corresponds to the "processing execution step" and "storage step" of the present invention.

After the payment process by the process execution unit 13 is completed, the stamping unit 26a of the marking unit 26 stamps the receipt stamp 50 in the receipt stamp column 202 (the first receipt stamp column 202a, the second receipt stamp column 202b, and the third receipt stamp column 202c) of the second type of document 200B (step #09). The receipt stamp 50 may include a date, and the printing unit 26b may print the date portion. The printing unit 26b also stamps the corners of the first receipt stamp column 202a of the notification piece 200u and the second receipt stamp column 202b of the copy piece 200v of the second type of document 200B with a mark 51 indicating that the figure 201 has been successfully read (step #10). The mark 51 indicates that the second acquisition unit 11b has acquired the second information from the figure 201. Step #10 corresponds to the "marking step" of the present invention.

After the marks 51 are made in the first receipt stamp column 202a and the second receipt stamp column 202b, the notification piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the second type of form 200B are transported to the third storage section 27c of the storage section 27. Then, the notification piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the second type of form 200B are stored in the third storage section 27c (step #11). In other words, the second type of form 200B is stored in the third storage section 27c. Also, in step #11, the receipt piece 200w of the second type of form 200B is returned to the user.

In this way, when the user operates the graphic confirmation unit 1a and the second acquisition unit 11b successfully reads the graphic 201, the payment process based on the second information is executed by the processing of steps #03 to #11. Below, the case where the user does not operate the graphic confirmation unit 1a (when the normal confirmation unit 1b is operated, step #02: No) will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

If the figure confirmation unit 1a has not been operated (step #02: No), the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has detected the figure 201 (step #13). If the second acquisition unit 11b has not detected the figure 201 (step #13: No), the control unit 10 sets the value of the flag Fg to 0 (step #15) and proceeds to step #19, which will be described later. In other words, the figure 201 is not detected in the document 200, and processing based on the first information is performed in steps #19 and onward.

If the second acquisition unit 11b detects the figure 201 (step #13: Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has succeeded in reading the figure 201 (step #14). In other words, in step #14, the control unit 10 determines whether the second acquisition unit 11b has succeeded in acquiring the second information from the figure 201. At this time, the second acquisition unit 11b does not re-read the figure 201 while changing the algorithm as in step #05 described above, but instead performs the same process as step #04 only once.

If the second acquisition unit 11b succeeds in reading the figure 201 (step #14: Yes), the process moves to the flow indicated by "B" in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and then to step #07 shown in FIG. 6, and then to step #12 or step #08. If the second acquisition unit 11b fails to read the figure 201 in step #14 shown in FIG. 5 (step #14: No), the control unit 10 sets the value of flag Fg to 1 (step #16) and moves to step #19 described below. In other words, even though the figure 201 was detected in the document 200, the second acquisition unit 11b failed to read the figure 201. Therefore, processing based on the first information is executed in the processing from step #19 onwards.

After the value of flag Fg is set in step #15, step #16, step #17, or step #18, the control unit 10 determines whether the type identification unit 12 has accepted the document 200 (step #19). At this time, the type identification unit 12 identifies the type of the document 200 based on the first information acquired by the document reading unit 11. If the type identification unit 12 has not accepted the document 200 (step #19: No), the flow indicated by "D" in Figures 5 and 6 is followed, and the return process of step #12 shown in Figure 6 is performed. The return process of step #12 is the same as the case after the determination of No is made in step #07 shown in Figure 6.

When the type identification unit 12 accepts the form 200 (step #19: Yes), the processing execution unit 13 executes payment processing based on the first information (step #20). As described above, in this embodiment, the form 200 for which the processing has been performed based on the first information is referred to as the first type form 200A. Step #20 corresponds to the "processing execution step" of the present invention.

After the payment process by the process execution unit 13 is completed, the stamping unit 26a of the marking unit 26 stamps the receipt stamp 50 in the receipt stamp column 202 (first receipt stamp column 202a, second receipt stamp column 202b, and third receipt stamp column 202c) of the first type of document 200A (step #21). At this time, the mark 51 is not added to the first type of document 200A. The mark 51 indicates that the figure 201 was successfully read. Therefore, the mark 51 is not added to the first type of document 200A in which the figure 201 was not read and the payment process based on the first information was performed. This allows, for example, when a worker organizes the documents 200, to distinguish between the first type of document 200A in which the process was performed based on the first information and the second type of document 200B in which the process was performed based on the second information. In other words, the marking unit 26 adds a mark 51 to the form 200 that enables a distinction to be made between a first type of form 200A that has been processed based on first information and a second type of form 200B that has been processed based on second information.

After the receipt stamp 50 is stamped in the receipt stamp column 202, it is determined whether the value of the flag Fg is 0 or 1 (step #22). If the value of the flag Fg is 0, in step #23, the receipt piece 200w of the first type of form 200A is returned to the user. Also, in step #23, the notice piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the first type of form 200A are transported to the first storage section 27a of the storage section 27 and stored in the first storage section 27a. If the value of the flag Fg is 1, in step #24, the receipt piece 200w of the first type of form 200A is returned to the user. Also, in step #24, the notice piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the first type of form 200A are transported to the second storage section 27b of the storage section 27 and stored in the second storage section 27b (step #24). In other words, among the first type of forms 200A, those in which the figure 201 was not detected are stored in the first storage section 27a, and those in which the figure 201 was detected but the second acquisition section 11b failed to read the figure 201 are stored in the second storage section 27b.

In this way, when the figure confirmation unit 1a is operated, the control unit 10 repeatedly attempts to read the figure 201 while increasing the reading accuracy based on the processing of steps #04 to #06. Also, even when the normal confirmation unit 1b is operated, if the control unit 10 detects the figure 201 on the document 200 and succeeds in reading the figure 201, it executes processing based on the second information.

The storage unit 27 stores the first type of form 200A and the second type of form 200B separately. The storage unit 27 also stores the form 200 containing the figure 201 of the first type of form 200A separately from the form 200 not containing the figure 201.

Figure 7 shows the first type form 200A stored in the first storage section 27a. The first type form 200A shown in Figure 7 does not have a figure 201 and does not have a mark 51. The notice piece 200u of the first type form 200A stored in the first storage section 27a is mailed to the remittance destination 400 after being checked by an operator. Figure 9 shows the second type form 200B stored in the third storage section 27c. The second type form 200B shown in Figure 9 has a figure 201 and a mark 51. The notice piece 200u and the copy piece 200v of the second type form 200B stored in the third storage section 27c are stored as they are in the storage 33 of the remittance source 300. The copy piece 200v of the first type form 200A is also stored in the storage 33.

Figure 8 shows the first type of form 200A stored in the second storage section 27b. The first type of form 200A shown in Figure 8 has a figure 201, but no mark 51. The notification piece 200u on the first type of form 200A stored in the second storage section 27b is taken out of the second storage section 27b and then transported to the figure reading device 31 of the remittance source 300, where an attempt is made to read the figure 201 again. The figure reading device 31 is, for example, a camera or a document scanner. The figure reading device 31 may be configured to read the first type of form 200A with higher accuracy than the image capture unit 25 in the automated transaction apparatus 100.

If the graphic reader 31 successfully reads the graphic 201, the worker compares the characters on the first type form 200A with the information read by the graphic reader 31, and then operates the operation terminal 32 to add the read information to the remittance source data center 30. If the graphic reader 31 fails to read the graphic 201, the worker inputs the characters on the first type form 200A into the operation terminal 32 and obtains information equivalent to the information indicated by the graphic 201. The worker then adds the information equivalent to the information indicated by the graphic 201 to the remittance source data center 30. Note that if the graphic reader 31 successfully reads the graphic 201, the read information may be added directly to the remittance source data center 30 without confirmation by the worker.

In this embodiment, the information of the figure 201 acquired by the figure reading device 31 and the information equivalent to the information of the figure 201 acquired by the worker from the characters written on the first type form 200A are each referred to as the third information. The figure reading device 31 and the operation terminal 32 correspond to the "third acquisition unit" of the present invention. In other words, the figure reading device 31 and the operation terminal 32 as the third acquisition unit acquire the information indicated by the figure 201 from the form 200 on which the figure 201 is written of the first type form 200A as the third information. Then, the operation terminal 32 adds the third information to the information for external transmission stored in the remittance source data center 30. The operation terminal 32 corresponds to the "addition unit" of the present invention. The acquisition of the third information by the figure reading device 31 corresponds to the "third acquisition step" of the present invention. Also, the addition of the third information to the information for external transmission stored in the remittance source data center 30 corresponds to the "addition step" of the present invention.

The first type form 200A stored in the second storage section 27b does not have a mark 51. Therefore, the worker can distinguish between the first type form 200A, which has the figure 201, and the second type form 200B by the mark 51. As a result, even if the second type form 200B is mistakenly brought to the figure reading device 31 of the remittance source 300, the worker of the remittance source 300 can quickly notice the error by the presence or absence of the mark 51. This prevents unnecessary rework or confirmation work from occurring.

[Another embodiment]
The present invention is not limited to the configurations exemplified in the above-described embodiments, and other representative embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(1) At least one of the remittance source data center 30, the graphic reader 31, the operation terminal 32, and the storage 33 shown in FIG. 3 may be incorporated into the automated transaction device 100.

(2) The control unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 is incorporated in the automated transaction device 100. This is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the control unit 10 may be configured to be incorporated in a smartphone or a mobile computer, or may be configured to be built in a dedicated server.

(3) In the above embodiment, the mark 51 is not added to the first type of form 200A, and the mark 51 is added only to the second type of form 200B. This embodiment is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the mark 51 may be added to the first type of form 200A and the second type of form 200B with different patterns (which may also include colors). In this case, the mark adding unit 26 may add the mark 51 to the first type of form 200A immediately after the processing of step #21 shown in FIG. 5. Also, for example, the mark 51 may not be added to the first type of form 200A that does not have the figure 201, and the mark 51 may be added to the first type of form 200A that does have the figure 201. In this case, the mark 51 may be added to the first type of form 200A that does not have the figure 201 and the second type of form 200B that has the figure 201.

(4) In the above embodiment, the marking unit 26 marks the mark 51 in the receipt stamp column 202 of the document 200. This is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the marking unit 26 may be configured to mark the mark 51 in at least one of the four corners of the document 200.

(5) In the above embodiment, the marking unit 26 has a stamping unit 26a and a printing unit 26b. The marking unit 26 may have at least one of the stamping unit 26a and the printing unit 26b.

(6) In the above embodiment, the marking unit 26 marks the mark 51 in the first receipt stamp column 202a in the notification piece 200u and the second receipt stamp column 202b in the copy piece 200v. This is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the marking unit 26 may be configured to mark the mark 51 only in the first receipt stamp column 202a in the notification piece 200u.

(7) In the above embodiment, a payment slip for utility bills or taxes was given as an example of the document 200. However, the document 200 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be, for example, a bill, a medical questionnaire, a health check sheet, etc.

(8) In the above embodiment, the storage unit 27 stores the first type of form 200A on which the figure 201 is printed and the first type of form 200A on which the figure 201 is not printed separately in the second storage section 27b and the third storage section 27c. This embodiment is not limited to this embodiment, and for example, the storage unit 27 may not be provided with the third storage section 27c, and the first type of form 200A on which the figure 201 is printed and the first type of form 200A on which the figure 201 is not printed may be stored together in the second storage section 27b.

(9) The present invention is also applicable to the above-mentioned document processing device and document processing method in the document processing system. In this case, the above-mentioned step #01 corresponds to the "first acquisition step" of the present invention. The above-mentioned steps #04 and #05 correspond to the "second acquisition step" of the present invention. The above-mentioned steps #08 and #20 correspond to the "processing execution step" and "storage step" of the present invention. The above-mentioned step #10 corresponds to the "marking step" of the present invention. The acquisition of the third information by the graphic reader 31 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the "third acquisition step" of the present invention. Also, the addition of the third information to the external transmission information stored in the remittance source data center 30 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the "addition step" of the present invention.

(10) The present invention is also applicable to a form processing program executed by a computer in the above-mentioned form processing device or form processing system. In this case, the above-mentioned first acquisition unit 11a has a "first acquisition function". The above-mentioned second acquisition unit 11b has a "second acquisition function". The above-mentioned processing execution unit 13 has a "processing execution function". The above-mentioned marking unit 26 has a "marking function". The remittance source data center 30 has a "storage function". The above-mentioned graphic reading device 31 has a "third acquisition function". The above-mentioned operation terminal 32 has an "addition function".

(11) In the above embodiment, the display input unit 1 displays the graphic confirmation section 1a and the normal confirmation section 1b. This is not limited to the embodiment, and for example, the display input unit 1 may be configured to display only one of the graphic confirmation section 1a and the normal confirmation section 1b. The display input unit 1 may also be configured to display neither the graphic confirmation section 1a nor the normal confirmation section 1b. In these configurations, when the second acquisition unit 11b detects the graphic 201, the control unit 10 may automatically execute processing based on the second information.

The configurations disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, so long as no contradiction occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

The present invention is applicable to a form processing device that accepts forms and executes processing. The technical features of the form processing device of the present invention are also applicable to a form processing system. Furthermore, the technical features of the form processing device of the present invention are also applicable to a form processing method. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiment can be configured as a form processing method.

7: Communication section (output section)
11a: First acquisition unit 11b: Second acquisition unit 13: Processing execution unit 26: Marking unit 27: Storage unit 30: Remittance source data center (storage unit)
31: Graphic reader (third acquisition unit)
32: Operation terminal (additional unit)
50: Receipt stamp 51: Mark 200: Document 200A: First type document 200B: Second type document 200u: Notice piece 200v: Copy piece 201: Figure 300: Remitter 400: Remitter

Claims (13)

A form processing device that receives and processes forms,
a first acquisition unit that acquires first information from a character string of the form indicating the content of the process;
a second acquisition unit that acquires second information from a graphic representing the content of the process when the graphic is written on the form;
a process execution unit that executes the process based on the first information or the second information;
A document processing device comprising: a marking unit that marks the document so as to distinguish between a first type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the second information. The document processing device according to claim 1, wherein the marking unit marks the mark in a receipt stamp column on the document. The document processing device according to claim 1, wherein the marking unit applies the marking by printing. The document processing device according to claim 1, wherein the marking unit applies the mark by stamping. The document includes a notification piece that can be used to notify the remittance destination,
The document processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the marking unit is configured to mark the notification piece. The document includes a copy kept by the remittance originating business,
The document processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the marking unit is configured to mark the copy of the document. The document processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is provided with a storage section that stores the first type of document and the second type of document separately. The document processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a storage unit that stores the first type of document, the document on which the figure is printed, and the document on which the figure is not printed, separately. The document processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an output unit that outputs the second information to the outside. A form processing system that receives and processes forms,
a first acquisition unit that acquires first information from a character string of the form indicating the content of the process;
a second acquisition unit that acquires second information from a graphic representing the content of the process when the graphic is written on the form;
a process execution unit that executes the process based on the first information or the second information;
A document processing system comprising: a marking unit that marks the document so as to distinguish between a first type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the second information. a storage unit that stores the second information acquired by the second acquisition unit and used in the process as information to be transmitted to an external device;
a third acquisition unit that acquires information indicated by the figure from the form on which the figure is printed, among the first type of forms, as third information;
The form processing system according to claim 10 , further comprising: an adding unit that adds the third information to the information for external transmission. A form processing method carried out in a form processing system that receives and processes forms, comprising:
a first acquisition step of acquiring first information from a character string of the form indicating the content of the process;
a second acquisition step of acquiring second information from a graphic indicating the content of the processing when the graphic is written on the form;
a processing execution step of executing the processing based on the first information or the second information;
A document processing method comprising a marking step of adding a mark to the document to distinguish between a first type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the first information and a second type of document on which the processing has been performed based on the second information. a storage step of storing the second information acquired in the second acquisition step and used in the processing as information to be transmitted to an external party;
a third acquisition step of acquiring information indicated by the graphic from the form on which the graphic is printed, among the first type of forms, as third information;
The form processing method according to claim 12, further comprising: an adding step of adding the third information to the information for external transmission.

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