JPH08161350A - Method and device for electronic filing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To systematically process document information read by means of a scanner, etc., and document information prepared by general application. CONSTITUTION: When a scanner 9 inputs document information, a document structure analyzing means 10 area-divides document information to extract a character area and to generate document information file. A character recognition means 11 character-recognizes to the character area to generate a character code. The generated character code string is related with the name of the document information file to be registered in a data base 7 by a data base register means 13. A text analytic means 12 is started by a processing similar to printing in general application to extract the character code, which is related with the file name to be registered in the data base by the data base register means 13. When a character string is specified from an operator, a data base retrieving means 14 retrieves all the sentences of text information registered in the data base 7 and outputs the name of the document information file and the file name.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to electronic filing, and in particular, a document created by a general application such as document creation or spreadsheet of a personal computer and a document input by a scanner can be easily operated. Registration,
The present invention relates to a searchable electronic filing method and device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a document management system that manages documents created by general applications such as document creation and spreadsheet of a personal computer and an electronic filing system that manages documents input by a scanner or the like are independent. Existed.

[0003]

Conventionally, there has been a document management system in which a user adds a comment to a document file created by a general application and a text search is performed for the comment. However, the user needs to add the comment.
Since only the comment part is searched by text, many comments must be added, which is not convenient.

Further, there has been proposed a system for recognizing a document image input from a scanner or the like to create text information and retrieving the text information. However, in order to register a document created by a general application, once It had to be printed on paper with a printer and input with a scanner, which was inconvenient and lacked reliability.

That is, in the conventional technique, it is not possible to handle documents created by both the document management system and the electronic filing system in a unified manner. Furthermore, the document could not be easily registered and searched.

An object of the present invention is to perform a text search with high accuracy without requiring a troublesome operation for a document created by a general application, and also for an image document input by a scanner or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic filing method and device that can be searched by operation.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic filing method and apparatus which can perform not only a text search but also a search using document layout information and can search a document which does not include text information or a document in which character recognition is difficult. Is to provide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic filing method and apparatus which can automatically start an application for a document created by a general application and easily update the document.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by a character information analysis means for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, and reading the document information. Reading means,
An analyzing unit that analyzes the document structure of the read document information, a creating unit that creates character information for the document information that is analyzed as a character portion by the analyzing unit, and a document that includes the created character information There is provided an electronic filing device comprising: a storage unit that stores information and the analyzed character information; and a search unit that searches the stored character information.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a character information analysis means for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, and a document information created by the general application software. Regarding the document structure analyzing means for analyzing the document structure, the reading means for reading the document information, the analyzing means for analyzing the document structure of the read document information, and the document information analyzed by the analyzing means as a character part, Creating means for creating character information, storage means for storing the document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information and the document structure,
An electronic filing device comprising: a search unit that searches the stored character information or document structure.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a character information analysis means for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, and a document information created by the general application software. Document structure analyzing means for analyzing a document structure, starting means for starting an application that created the document information, reading means for reading the document information, analyzing means for analyzing the document structure of the read document information, and the character Regarding the document information analyzed as a part, a creating unit that creates character information, a storage unit that stores the document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information, and the document structure, A search unit for searching the stored character information or document structure and the document information created by a general application by the search unit are searched. If it is, to provide an electronic filing apparatus characterized by comprising control means for controlling to start the application that created the document information.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by analyzing character information in document information created by general application software, reading the document information, and reading the document of the read document information. For the step of analyzing the structure and for the document information analyzed to be the character portion, the step of creating character information, the document information including the created character information, and the analyzed character information are stored. A step of retrieving the stored character information,
There is provided an electronic filing method comprising:

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a process of analyzing character information of document information created by general application software and a document structure of document information created by the general application software. A step of analyzing, a step of reading the document information, a step of analyzing the document structure of the read document information; a step of creating character information for the document information analyzed as the character portion; Storing the document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information, and the document structure,
And a step of retrieving the stored character information or document structure.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a process of analyzing character information for document information created by general application software and a document structure of document information created by the general application software. A step of analyzing, a step of activating an application that created the document information, a step of reading the document information, a step of analyzing the document structure of the read document information, and a document analyzed to be the character part Regarding information, a step of creating character information, a step of storing document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information and a document structure, and retrieval of the stored character information or document structure When the document information created by the general application is searched, the application that created the document information is started. To provide an electronic filing method characterized by comprising the steps of: so that control, the.

[0015]

1 is a block diagram of an electronic filing apparatus of the present invention.

1 is an electronic filing device, 2 is a CRT,
3 is a keyboard, 4 is a CPU, 5 is a RAM for loading a program or as a work area, and 6 is a ROM
The programs of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 described later are stored. 7 is a program, image data of the flowcharts of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 described later,
Hard disk for storing database information (hereinafter referred to as H
D), 8 is an external interface for inputting image data from the scanner, and 9 is a scanner. Note that each device, the memory, and the like are connected by a bus 25.

Next, the flow of data read from the scanner 9 will be briefly described.

First, the image data input from the scanner 9 is temporarily stored in the RAM 5 through the external interface 8 and is read according to the document structure analysis program and the character recognition program loaded from the HD 7 or the ROM 6 to the RAM 5 to be 4 The CPU analyzes the image data, creates text information, and stores the image data in the HD 7. Then, according to the database registration program loaded from the HD 7, the CPU associates the text information with the file name of the image data to create database information and saves it in the HD 7.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 1 is an electronic filing device, 10 is a document structure analysis means for performing a document layout analysis on a document image input by a scanner, and extracting a text area, and 11 is a character recognition for the text area to generate a character code. Character recognition means, 12 is text analysis means for analyzing text information with respect to document information of general applications, 13 is database registration means for registering text information in a database, and 14 is database search means for performing text information search on the database. , 7 are databases and correspond to HD7 in FIG. 9 is a scanner.

Next, the processing flow will be described with reference to FIG.

When an image of a document is input by the scanner 9, the document structure analysis unit 10 divides the document image into regions to extract text regions and creates a document image file. Character recognition is performed on the text area by the character recognition means 11 to generate text information, that is, a character code. The generated character code string is associated with the document image file name and registered in the database 7 by the database registration means 13.

The text analysis means 12 is activated by a process similar to printing in a general application, and a drawing code issued by the operating system,
For example, in Windows, which is an operating system of Microsoft Corporation, GDI (Graphics D
database interface 1 by extracting a character code from the device interface) and associating it with a file name.
Register with 3 in the database. Database search means 1
In 4, when a character string is specified by the operator, the text information registered in the database 7 is searched in full text, and the document image file name or file name associated with the text information including the specified character string is output. .

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of registering the document image input by the scanner 9 in the database 7.

In step 201, the document image input by the scanner 9 is subjected to analysis of the document structure to be divided into areas, a text area is extracted, and a document image file is created. The process of step 201 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. In step 202, character recognition processing is performed on the text area extracted in step 201 to generate text information. As for the character recognition processing, a generally known character recognition technique is used, and therefore its explanation is omitted. In step 203, the text information generated in step 202 and the document image file name are associated and registered in the database 7.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of registering the document information created by the general application in the database.

In step 301, the text information is analyzed from the drawing code to generate the text information. Step 30
In step 2, the text information generated in step 301 is associated with the file name and registered in the database.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the document structure analysis means.

In step 501, one page of a document image is divided into small areas of 400 dots vertically and horizontally. Step 50
In 2, in each small area, a histogram of black dots is created for each of the x direction and the y direction. In step 503, the x direction,
It is determined whether or not a portion having many dots in the y-direction black dot histogram is periodic. If it is periodic, the process proceeds to step 504, the small region is determined to be a text region, and the process proceeds to step 507. move on. If it is not periodic, the process proceeds to step 505, and it is determined whether or not the small region is less than or equal to a certain size. If it is not, the process proceeds to step 506, the small region is divided into four, and each of the enlarged four A small area is created and the process proceeds to step 502. Step 5
In 07, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed small area. When the processing of all the small areas is completed, the processing ends, and when there is an unprocessed small area, the process proceeds to step 502. By performing this process, the text area can be extracted from the document image data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one of the small areas created in step 506.

Reference numeral 601 denotes an original small area, and 602 is one of the small areas created by dividing the small area into four and enlarging it.

In the present embodiment, the operator can perform the same processing as the printing on the document information created by the general application, and the document information can be registered only by activating the text analysis means, so that no complicated processing is required. . Further, in the text information search, the full text search of the text of the document information is performed, so that it is possible to reliably search for a document including a specified character string. In addition, since the text area is automatically extracted and the character recognition is performed for the document image input by the scanner, and the full text search is performed for the character recognition result in the text information search, registration without troublesome processing, You can search. Further, since a similar search can be performed between a document created by a general application and a document input by a scanner, the operator does not need to be aware of how the document was created and is easy to use.

(Second Embodiment) Although the text information is registered in the database in the above embodiment, the document structure for analyzing the column information of the document and the document layout information such as the presence / absence of images and the presence / absence of figures. The analysis unit 10 may be provided, the document layout information may be registered in the database 7, and the document layout information may be searched.

For example, it means to retrieve only the document including the image.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the second embodiment.
In the document structure analyzing means, the document image input from the scanner 9 is divided into areas such as a text area, an image area, and a graphic area, and the document layout information is analyzed and sent to the character recognizing means 11. To create. The character recognition means 11 performs character recognition processing on the text area to generate text information, and registers the text information, the document layout information, and the document image file name in association with each other in the database 7. The document structure analysis means 15 creates a document image from the drawing code, analyzes the document layout information for the document image, associates the document layout information with the file name, and registers them in the database.

In the database search means 14, when the document layout information such as the column information or the presence / absence of an image is designated, the database 7 is searched by the designated document layout information and the corresponding document image file name or file name is output. .

The document structure analysis means of 15 may analyze the document layout information directly from the drawing code. In this embodiment, since the document layout information can also be searched, a document containing no text or a document in which character recognition is difficult can be searched.

(Third Embodiment) Although the electronic filing apparatus 1 and the scanner 9 are connected in the above-described embodiment, the electronic filing apparatus 1 and the scanner 9 are separated from each other, and data is moved by a portable memory device. It can be a system that can.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the third embodiment.
Is an image processing apparatus connected to the scanner 9, and performs document structure analysis processing and character recognition processing on the document image input by the scanner 9, and outputs data to the magneto-optical disk control means 1
The data is stored in the magneto-optical disk of the magneto-optical disk device of 18 through 7. Eighteen magneto-optical disk devices are connected to the electronic filing apparatus 1, and data is read from the magneto-optical disk 18 via the magneto-optical disk control means 19 and text information and document layout information of the document image are displayed. It is registered in the database 7 in association with the file name.

In this embodiment, since the scanner 9 and the electronic filing device 1 are separated, the scanner can be shared by a plurality of electronic filing devices.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the above embodiment, the electronic filing apparatus 1 and the scanner 9 were directly connected.
The electronic filing device 1 and the scanner 9 may be connected via a network.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the fourth embodiment. 16
The image processing apparatus connected to the scanner 9 of 1 and the electronic filing apparatus of 1 are connected via a network,
The communication control means 21 and 21 communicate with each other.

In this embodiment, even if the scanner 9 and the image processing apparatus are located apart from each other, they can be controlled and used by the network.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the above embodiment, the database 7 is provided in the electronic filing apparatus 1.
The database 7 may be connected via a network.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the fifth embodiment. Two
Reference numeral 2 is a database-dedicated computer. The database-dedicated computer and the electronic filing apparatus 1 are connected by a network and communicate with each other through communication control means 20 and 21, respectively. In this embodiment, a database-dedicated computer can be shared by a large number of electronic filing devices by connecting via a network.

(Sixth Embodiment) In the above embodiment, the database searching means 14 outputs the document image file name or the file name. However, the means for activating the application is provided, and the document information created by the general application is stored. If found, the application that created the document may be launched.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the embodiment, 24 is a software starting means for starting an application that created a document, and 23 is an image displaying means for displaying the document image input by the scanner 9. .

In this embodiment, when a document created by a general application is output as a search result, the application is automatically started and editing can be performed as it is. In the case of a document image input by a scanner, You can check it by displaying an image.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A text analysis unit for analyzing text information with respect to document information created by a general application is provided, and a text generation unit for generating text information with respect to a document image input by a scanner or the like is provided, and the text information is associated and registered. Therefore, it is possible to perform highly accurate text search without the need for complicated operations for documents created with general applications, and to perform similar operations on document images input with a scanner. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, document layout analysis means for analyzing the document layout information for the document information created by the general application is further provided, and the document layout information for the document image input by the scanner or the like is provided. Equipped with a document layout analysis means for analyzing
Since the document layout information is associated and registered, documents created by general applications can be searched by the document layout information, documents that do not contain text can be searched, and document images input by a scanner etc. can be searched. Even if the character recognition is difficult, it is possible to search with the document layout information.

Further, according to the present invention, an application is automatically started for the document information created by the general application, so that the document obtained as the search result can be easily updated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic filing device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in which an image input by a scanner is registered in a database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation of registering document information created by a general application in a database.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document structure analysis means.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a document structure analysis unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 electronic filing device 2 CRT 3 keyboard 4 CPU 5 RAM 6 ROM 7 HD (database) 8 external interface 9 scanner 10 document structure analysis means 11 character recognition means 12 text analysis means 13 database registration means 14 database search means 15 document structure analysis Means 16 Image processing device 17, 19 Magneto-optical disk control means 18 Magneto-optical disk device 20, 21 Communication control means 22 Database dedicated computer 23 Image display means 24 Software starting means

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A character information analyzing unit for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, a reading unit for reading the document information, and an analyzing unit for analyzing the document structure of the read document information. And for the document information analyzed as a character part by the analyzing means, a creating means for creating character information, a memory for storing the document information including the created character information, and the analyzed character information. An electronic filing apparatus comprising: a means and a search means for searching the stored character information. 2. A character information analysis unit for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, and a document structure analysis unit for analyzing a document structure of document information created by the general application software. A reading means for reading the document information; an analyzing means for analyzing the document structure of the read document information; and a creating means for creating character information for the document information analyzed by the analyzing means as a character part. A storage unit for storing the document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information and the document structure, and a searching unit for searching the stored character information or the document structure. And electronic filing equipment. 3. A character information analysis means for analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, and a document structure analysis means for analyzing a document structure of document information created by the general application software. A starting means for starting the application that created the document information, a reading means for reading the document information, an analyzing means for analyzing the document structure of the read document information, and the document information analyzed as the character part. With regard to, the creating means for creating the character information, the storage means for storing the document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information and the document structure, the stored character information or the document structure Search means for searching, and when the search means searches for document information created by a general application, retrieves the document information. Electronic filing method and apparatus characterized in that it comprises a control means for controlling to start an application form, a. 4. A step of analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, a step of reading the document information, a step of analyzing a document structure of the read document information, and the character Regarding the document information analyzed as a copy, a step of creating character information, a step of storing the document information including the created character information and the analyzed character information, the stored character information And a step of searching for the electronic filing method. 5. A step of analyzing character information for document information created by general application software, a step of analyzing a document structure of document information created by the general application software, and reading the document information. A step of reading, a step of analyzing the document structure of the read document information, a step of creating character information for the document information analyzed as the character portion, and a document information including the created character information And a step of storing the analyzed character information and the document structure, and a step of searching the stored character information or the document structure. 6. A step of analyzing character information of document information created by general application software, a step of analyzing a document structure of document information created by the general application software, and a step of analyzing the document information. A step of activating the created application, a step of reading the document information, a step of analyzing the document structure of the read document information, and a step of creating character information for the document information analyzed as the character part A step of storing document information including the created character information, the analyzed character information, and a document structure; a step of retrieving the stored character information or document structure; And controlling the application that created the document information to be started when the created document information is retrieved. An electronic filing method comprising: