JPH0916623A - Method and device for character information reading-in processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enter character information without omitting it and to output a necessary part out of the entered information by converting image data of character information received as image information into text data recognized as the character information. CONSTITUTION: A reading-in means 2 reads character information displayed on a prescribed position in an object to be read such as an automobile inspection note in a storage means 3 as image information, an arithmetic means 4 converts the read image information into text data to be recognized as the character information. A text data storing means 9a stores the text data and a data managing means 5 extracts the character information from the text data, classifies the character information for each prescribed information, adds the character information to master data, and then stores the master data in a master data storing means 6. A data managing means 5 extracts the stored master data from the means 6 and an output means 7 outputs necessary character information to execute display, printing and so on.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reading and processing character information, for example, a method for reading and processing the character information described in an automobile inspection certificate (hereinafter referred to as vehicle verification). And its device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Character information is displayed at predetermined positions on vehicle inspections, various slips and documents, securities, medical records, X-ray films, and the like. For example, the vehicle verification contains vehicle information such as the registration number and model of the vehicle, and customer information such as the name and address of the user of the vehicle. For example, for an automobile maintenance company that repairs and maintains vehicles such as automobiles and motorcycles, the information described in the vehicle verification is extremely important for the performance of business, and therefore the content of the vehicle verification is managed and used. This is the basic part of business execution. Therefore, for all the vehicles to be handled, the content of the character information described in the vehicle verification of each vehicle is often input to the data processing device for management. In this case, the character information is entered from the keyboard of a personal computer (personal computer) to manage the data.

[0003]

However, the number of items such as the registration number, the model, the name and address of the user, etc. described in the vehicle verification is 30 or more. Therefore, it takes, for example, about 5 to 10 minutes or more per sheet to input all of the contents described in all items into the data processing device from the keyboard, and the input operation is complicated. As a result, input mistakes are likely to occur, which is a heavy burden on paperwork.

Since the input operation is complicated and time-consuming, it is the current situation that only the minimum required items of all items are input from the keyboard, and even the minimum required items are input. They tended to be delayed and often hindered the performance of the original work. In particular, when the operator is not familiar with the operation of the personal computer, the input operation from the keyboard is troublesome and reluctant, so that the number of input items tends to be omitted. Moreover, there were many input mistakes, so it took time to correct them. Moreover, if a complicated input operation is interrupted in the middle of the operation, the operation has to be restarted from the beginning when the operation is restarted, and thus the input work takes more and more time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and the character information displayed at a predetermined position of the object to be read can be easily and quickly read and saved without omission, and It is an object of the present invention to provide a character information reading processing method and apparatus capable of outputting various character information. Another object of the present invention is to read and save the character information described in the vehicle verification easily and in a short time without omitting it, and output the necessary customer information and vehicle information.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a character information reading processing method according to the present invention reads character information displayed at a predetermined position of an object to be read as image information. As data, the image data is converted into text data recognized as the character information, the character information is extracted from the text data, then classified by predetermined information, added to master data, and registered. The necessary character information is extracted from the master data and output to the output means.

[0007] Preferably, the object to be read is one of the group consisting of an automobile inspection certificate, a slip, a document, securities, a medical record chart, and an X-ray film. The “master data” is basic data such as a basic ledger registered in a storage device such as a hard disk or a flexible disk, and specific data processing is performed based on this master data.

When the object to be read is an automobile inspection certificate, the reading processing method is to read only the character information including the customer information and the vehicle information described in the automobile inspection certificate as image information to obtain image data. Is converted into text data recognized as the character information, and after extracting the character information from the text data, the character information is separated into the customer information and the vehicle information and added to master data to be registered, The necessary customer information and vehicle information are extracted from this master data and output to the output means. It is preferable that the character information is read as image information after unnecessary display contents of the vehicle inspection certificate are removed by copying the vehicle inspection certificate.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a character information reading processing device for realizing the above method. The reading processing device 1 reads the character information displayed at a predetermined position of the object to be read such as an automobile inspection certificate as image information, and the image data of the image information read by the reading means 2. Operation means 4 for converting into text data recognized as the character information, and data management for taking out the character information from the text data created by the operation means 4, classifying it into predetermined information and adding it to master data. Means 5, a master data storage means 6 for storing the master data to which the character information is added by the data management means 5, and a master data storage means 6
From the master data stored in the data management means 5
Output and display the necessary character information extracted by
An output means 7 for printing or the like is provided.

The read processing device 1 includes a read means 2
The image data storage unit 3 which stores the image information read by the CPU as the image data and outputs the image data to the calculation unit 4, and the text data created by the calculation unit 4 connected to the calculation unit 4 and the data management unit 5. It is preferable to further include text data storage means 9a for storing the text data and outputting the text data to the data management means 5. As the reading means 2, an optical character reader (OCR) such as an image scanner is used.

The calculation means 4 and the data management means 5 are a main processing unit 8 such as a CPU which controls the read processing unit 1 in a centralized manner.
Included in. The main processing unit 8 is connected to input means 9 for inputting commands and correcting data.
A CRT, a printer, a flexible disk, a hard disk or the like is used as the output means 7, but another data processing device may be used as the output means.

[0012]

In the present invention, the image data in which the character information is read as the image information is converted into the text data recognized as the character information. Therefore, the same information as the character information which is directly input from the keyboard is used. However, in the present invention, data is automatically input and data processing is performed.

By extracting the necessary character information from the thus obtained text data, confirming the contents and making necessary corrections, classifying each of the predetermined information, adding it to each master data, and registering it. , Master data including customer information will be updated and saved. When the necessary character information is called from the master data registered in this way, this character information is output by the output means.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a character information reading processing device according to the present embodiment. The illustrated read processing device 10 is a device that handles vehicle verification (automobile inspection certificate) as a read object. 3 is a flow chart showing a procedure for reading character information in the read processing method, FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a procedure for processing and outputting text data, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a concrete procedure of the present embodiment. 6
7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle verification format and description contents, FIG.
Is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of vehicle information, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of customer information.

As shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle verification 11 having a common form throughout the country has a large number of items (that is, 30 or more items) to be described, and serves as a family register of the vehicle. For example, each item includes a vehicle registration number 12, registration date 13,
Vehicle information such as the vehicle name 14 and chassis number 15 and customer information such as the owner's name and address 16 and the user's name and address 17 are described as character information. That is, the character information 16 and 17 described in a predetermined item is customer information, and the character information described in other items is vehicle information.

As shown in FIG. 2, the read processing device 10
Is a vehicle inspection certificate data reading means 20 for reading only character information described in the vehicle verification 11 including customer information and vehicle information as image information, and the image information read by the data reading means 20 is stored as image data. Image data storage means 21, a calculation means 22 for converting the image data stored in the image data storage means 21 into text data recognized as the character information, and the text data created by the calculation means 22. The text data storage means 28 to be saved, and the character information is extracted from the text data stored in the text data storage means 28, and is separated into the customer information and the vehicle information, and the master data of the customer information and the vehicle information are stored. The data management means 23 for adding to the master data and the data The customer information storage unit 24 and the vehicle information storage unit 25 store the master data of the customer information and the master data of the vehicle information calculated by the management unit 23, and the customer information storage unit 24 and the vehicle information storage unit 25, respectively. It is provided with an output means 7 for outputting the necessary customer information and vehicle information respectively fetched by the data management means 23 from the customer information master data and the vehicle information master data respectively stored.

The calculation means 22 and the data management means 23 are included in a main processing device 27 such as a CPU which performs calculation and overall control of the read processing device 10. In the main processing unit 27,
Input means 9 such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected.
The operator can input various commands to the main processing unit 27, add, correct, search, etc., various data to the main processing unit 27 and operate and control the reading processing unit 10 via the main processing unit 27. It is like this.

A text data storage means 28 is connected to the arithmetic means 22 and the data management means 23. The text data storage means 28 stores the text data created by the arithmetic means 22 and stores it in the data management means 23. Is output. The customer information storage means 24 and the vehicle information storage means 25 constitute a master data storage means 6. As the storage means 6, 21, 28, for example, a flexible disk or a hard disk provided in the personal computer 29 (FIG. 5) is used. Although the image data storage means 21 and the text data storage means 28 may be omitted, once the image data and the text data are stored in the storage means 21 and 28, respectively, a series of reading processing procedures will be performed. Since each partial procedure for creating each data can be independently performed, it is preferable because it is easy to use when the operation is interrupted.

Next, the vehicle verification 1 by the read processing device 10
The reading processing method of No. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. A special pattern 32 is printed on the entire surface of the paper used for the vehicle verification 11 to prevent forgery. Therefore, when the actual vehicle verification 11 is read by the image scanner 30 as the vehicle inspection certificate data reading means, the pattern 32 on the paper surface is also read in addition to the character information, and the character information and the pattern 32 cannot be distinguished. .

Therefore, first, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 (A), the vehicle verification 11 is copied by the copying machine 31 to remove the unnecessary display pattern 32 other than the character information. The verified copy vehicle verification 11a is created (step 101). As a result, the image scanner 30 can read the character information, and the read image data can be converted into text data recognized as the character information. The image scanner 30
However, if it has the function of reading only the character information without reading the pattern 32, step 101 is not necessary.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the copy vehicle verification 11a is set on the image scanner 30 and only the character information including the customer information and the vehicle information described in each item of the vehicle verification is displayed. It is read as image information and made into image data 33 (step 102).
Is stored in the image data storage means 21 (step 1
03). This reading operation can be performed with the same feeling as when copying with a copying machine. Since the vehicle verification 11 has the same format nationwide, the position coordinates of each item can be uniquely determined by expressing them as relative coordinates with the lower left corner P of the paper as the origin. Therefore, if the position coordinates of each item are set in advance, the character information in each item can be accurately read.

Then, the character information of all the items including the contents 12 to 17 of each item of the vehicle verification 11 shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the hard disk or the like of the personal computer 29 as image data in the form of characters. . Then, the image data 33
It is determined whether or not the storage of is completed (step 104),
When there are a plurality of vehicle verifications 11, steps 101 to 10
4 is repeated to sequentially store the image data 33 for each vehicle verification 11 in the image data storage means 21.

After the storage of the image data 33 is completed,
The calculation means 22 calls the image data 33 stored in the image data storage means 21 (step 105). Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the calculation means 22 converts the accumulated image data 33 into text data 34 recognized as character information (step 106).
That is, the image data 33 is sent to the arithmetic means 22 as a digital signal and analyzed, and the image data in the form of characters is converted into characters such as kanji such as kanji JIS code, hiragana, katakana, English letters and numbers. These characters may be so-called full-width or half-width characters. As a result, the character information 12 to 17 of each item of the vehicle verification 11 is obtained. The character information of each of these items is a vehicle code number unique to each vehicle (for example, "0345").
(Fig. 7) is added to manage each. Also,
Customer information includes a unique customer number for each customer (for example,
“0123”) (FIGS. 7 and 8) is attached.

Next, the calculation means 22 uses the text data 3
After storing 4 in the text data storage means 28 (step 107), it is determined whether or not the storage of the text data 34 is completed (step 108). If not completed, steps 105 to 108 are repeated. If the saving is not completed, the process may return to step 101. When the storage is completed in step 108, the procedure for reading the character information is completed. In this way, since the image data 33 and the text data 34 are temporarily stored in the storage means 21 and the storage means 28, respectively, the data read processing operation can be partially completed. Therefore, even if the reading operation is interrupted, it is not necessary to restart the operation from the beginning when the operation is restarted.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5D and 5E, the text data 34 is processed and output. FIG. 4 shows a procedure for extracting, storing, and outputting customer information and vehicle information from the text data 34 for vehicle verification. The data management means 23 extracts necessary character information from the text data 34 that can be recognized as character information, and then separates this character information into customer information and vehicle information and adds the character information to the master data for registration. That is, the data management means 23 calls the text data 34 from the text data storage means 28 (step 201), and the vehicle verification 11
The vehicle information of necessary items (for example, all items) is extracted from each item of (step 202).

As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle information 38 is
It is displayed on the screen 36 of the CRT 35 as the output means 7. Since the displayed characters are automatically converted by the calculation means 22, it is confirmed whether or not these characters have been correctly converted so as to match the characters described in each item of the vehicle verification 11. (Step 203). Screen 3
Customer information 39 is also displayed in FIG. The calculation means 22 correctly converts the image data into text data at a conversion rate of 95 to 99%, for example. Therefore, after the erroneously converted portion is corrected to a correct character via the input means 9 such as a mouse or a keyboard (step 2)
04), the vehicle information 38 is added to the vehicle information master data 37 and registered (step 205). If the conversion rate is 100%, this correction work becomes unnecessary.

Next, the data management means 23 extracts the customer information from the text data 34 and displays the customer information 39 on the screen 36 as shown in FIG. 8 (step 206). It is preferable that the same contents of the items of the vehicle information 38 and the customer information 39 are registered as common master data because the amount of data to be saved becomes small. For example,
Customer number 39 (for example, "0123") in the customer information 39
Customers are distinguished by 45 and registered as master data.

Next, it is confirmed whether or not the displayed customer information 39 has been converted into correct characters (step 20).
7) Correct the incorrectly converted portion to correct characters via the input means 9. At this time, desired information such as the comment 43 and the telephone number 44 not described in the vehicle verification 11 can be freely added to the customer information 39 (step 208).

Next, the customer information 39 is added to the customer information master data 40 and registered (step 209), and it is determined whether or not the reading process is completed (step 21).
0). In this way, the contents of the customer information master data 40 and the vehicle information master data 37 are updated, and each storage means 2 is updated.
It is stored in 4,25. If the reading process is not completed, the process returns to step 201, but if the reading process is completed and information is not output (step 211), the data reading process procedure is completed.

When the information registered in the master data 40, 37 is output (step 211), the data managing means 23 uses the customer information storing means 24 and the vehicle information storing means 25 to output the customer information master data 40 and the vehicle information master. Call each of the data 37 (step 21
2) The necessary customer information 39 and vehicle information 38 are retrieved (step 213). Then, the printer 41 as the output means 7 prints a document 42 such as a delivery note for customers, an invoice, and an application for government agencies (step 21).
4). Thus, the procedure for processing and outputting the text data 34 is completed. In the present embodiment, the case where the image data 33 and the text data 34 are respectively stored in the storage means 21 and 28 is shown, but the procedure of storing in the storage means 21 and 28 is omitted and the image information is read (step 102) to registration (step 209) may be continuously performed.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the vehicle verification 1
It is possible to automatically read the character information of a large number of items of 30 items or more described in 1 for all the items with almost no keyboard operation, and easily store the character information. Therefore, even an operator who is unfamiliar with the keyboard operation of the personal computer can easily perform the reading operation, eliminate input mistakes, and omit omission of input items. In addition, it is possible to easily correct the read information and add the information. Further, conventionally, it took, for example, 5 to 10 minutes to input the vehicle verification 11 for one sheet, but in the present embodiment, the reading and the data processing can be performed quickly and accurately within 1 minute for each sheet. And input and data processing time is reduced.

Further, the car verification 11 is copied by the copying machine 31 to remove the display contents 32 unnecessary for car verification, and then the character information is read. As a result, the image scanner 30 does not read the pattern 32 of the vehicle verification 11, and the calculation unit 22 can convert the image data 33 into the text data 34 with high accuracy.

The object to be read may be any as long as it contains character information, and in addition to the vehicle verification 11, various slips, documents, securities, medical charts, or X-ray films may be used. In particular, if the customer information is described in these read objects, the customer information can be managed. In the case of X-ray film, the content of the name column is customer information,
The image portion is handled as image information and processed, and only the image data relating to the customer information is converted into text data.

According to the present invention, data can be managed without storing paper or film. It is preferable that the object to be read has a constant format because the position coordinates of each item are always constant and the reading of character information is easy. In addition,
In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0035]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to easily read and save the character information displayed at a predetermined position in a short time and output the necessary character information without omitting it. . Further, it is possible to easily and quickly read and save the character information described in the vehicle verification without omitting it, and output necessary customer information and vehicle information.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a character information reading processing device according to the present invention.

2 to 8 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the read processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of reading character information in a character information reading processing method.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for processing and outputting text data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific procedure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle verification format and description contents.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of vehicle information.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display state of customer information.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 10 read processing device 2 read means 3,21 image data storage means 4,22 arithmetic means 5,23 data management means 6 master data storage means 7 output means 9a, 28 text data storage means 11 vehicle inspection certificate (read object ) 20 vehicle inspection certificate reading means (reading means) 24 customer information storing means (master data storing means) 25 vehicle information storing means (master data storing means) 30 image scanner (vehicle inspection certificate data reading means) 32 pattern (unnecessary display) Contents) 33 image data 34 text data 35 CRT (output means) 37 vehicle information master data (master data) 38 vehicle information 39 customer information 40 customer information master data (master data) 41 printer (output means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. The text information displayed at a predetermined position of the object to be read is read as image information into image data, and the image data is converted into text data recognized as the text information. After extracting the above-mentioned character information from the above, it is classified for each predetermined information, added to the master data and registered, and the necessary character information is extracted from this master data and output to the output means. Read processing method. 2. The reading process of character information according to claim 1, wherein the object to be read is one of a group consisting of an automobile inspection certificate, a slip, a document, a medical record, and an X-ray film. Method. 3. Only character information, which is written on an automobile inspection certificate and includes customer information and vehicle information, is read as image information to form image data, and the image data is converted into text data recognized as the character information, After extracting the character information from the text data, the character information is separated into the customer information and the vehicle information, added to master data and registered, and the necessary customer information and vehicle information are extracted from the master data. A method of reading character information, characterized by outputting the information to an output means. 4. After removing unnecessary display contents of the vehicle inspection certificate by copying the vehicle inspection certificate,
The character information read processing method according to claim 3, wherein the character information is read. 5. A reading means for reading character information displayed at a predetermined position of a read object as image information, and image data of the image information read by the reading means is recognized as the character information. And a data managing means for extracting the character information from the text data created by the calculating means, classifying the character information into predetermined information and adding the master data to the master data, and the data managing means. Master data storage means for storing the master data to which the character information is added, and output means for outputting the necessary character information extracted by the data management means from the master data stored in the master data storage means. An apparatus for reading character information, comprising: 6. An automobile inspection certificate data reading means for reading only character information including customer information and vehicle information written on an automobile inspection certificate as image information, and image data of the image information read by the data reading means. Is converted into text data recognized as the character information, and the character information is extracted from the text data created by the calculation means and separated into the customer information and the vehicle information. Data management means for adding the master data of the customer information and the master data of the vehicle information, and a customer information storage means and a vehicle for storing the master data of the customer information and the master data of the vehicle information calculated by the data management means. The information storage means and the customer information storage means and the vehicle information storage means, respectively. Character information comprising: output means for outputting the required customer information and vehicle information extracted by the data management means from the existing customer information master data and vehicle information master data, respectively. Read processing device. 7. An image data storage means for storing the image information as the image data and outputting it to the arithmetic means, and a text for storing the text data created by the arithmetic means and outputting it to the data management means. 7. The character information read processing device according to claim 5, further comprising a data storage unit.