JP3145265B2 - Character recognition device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character recognition processing device. In particular, the present invention relates to a character recognition device of a type in which an operator indicates an area to be recognized by the character recognition device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional character recognition processing apparatus, an operator designates an area of image data to be subjected to recognition processing (hereinafter, this area is also referred to as a recognition processing area). Is executed. For this reason, this type of character recognition device includes an image storage unit that stores image data of characters and graphics on a medium, a display unit that displays image data, an input unit that specifies a recognition processing area of the image data, and a specification unit. And a recognition unit that recognizes characters by cutting out image data in character units from the recognized recognition processing area.

[0003] Specifically, the input unit is constituted by a pointing device such as a light pen or a mouse, and the display unit is constituted by a display such as a CRT. And C
An operator specifies a desired position of the image data displayed on the RT using a pointing device, thereby specifying a recognition processing area.

[0004]

However, in the conventional character recognition processing device, a portion divided into two or more regions is regarded as one recognition processing region in order to prevent a reduction in the recognition speed due to overlapping recognition of the same region. They were specified individually without being specified. In addition, when specifying an area including a character having a different size or an area including an area in which a character line is partially shifted, in consideration of the recognition accuracy of the character or the like, the size of the character or the character line is determined for each character line. The area had to be divided and specified. For this reason, in particular, when specifying a recognition processing area from an image in which characters and the like having different sizes are complicatedly complicated, the area to be recognized must be divided into small pieces and specified one by one. As a result, there is a problem that the number of designated areas increases and the work load of the operator often increases.

In some cases, it is necessary to consider the order in which the areas are specified in consideration of the output order of the recognized characters.

For this reason, it has been desired to realize a character recognition processing device in which a recognition processing area can be easily specified.

[0007]

According to the character recognition apparatus of the present invention, an image storage section for storing image data, a display section for displaying the image data, and an input for designating a recognition processing area in the image data. A character recognition device having a recognition unit for recognizing a character by cutting out image data in character units from the recognition processing region, comprising a priority setting unit for setting a priority of the recognition processing region; When there is an overlapping area between the recognition processing areas, the recognition processing area having the lower priority is set so as to be within the range of the recognition processing area and to include the entire range of the recognition processing area excluding the overlapping area. , An area processing unit for changing to one or more new recognition processing areas.

[0008] Preferably, the priority setting unit sets the designation order of the recognition processing areas as the priority of the recognition processing areas.

Preferably, the area processing section includes an area overlap detecting section for detecting an overlapping area between the specified recognition processing areas, and the recognition processing area having the lower priority is assigned to the area having the lower priority. An area change unit that changes to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to be within the range of the recognition processing area and to include the range of all lower recognition processing areas except for the overlapping area is provided. good.

Preferably, the area processing section includes an area pixel conversion section for converting coordinates of the designated recognition processing area into coordinates of all pixels belonging to the recognition processing area,
Pixels that belong to two or more recognition processing areas are
It is preferable to include a pixel belonging storage unit that belongs to the recognition processing area having a higher priority and stores the coordinates of each pixel and the recognition processing area to which each pixel belongs.

Further, it is desirable that the display unit is configured to display a plurality of recognition processing areas having different priorities in a manner that can be visually distinguished from each other.

[0012]

According to the character recognition processing device of the present invention, the character recognition processing device is provided with a priority order setting unit for setting the priority order of the recognition processing regions. Area processing for changing the recognition processing area to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to be within the range of the recognition processing area and to include the entire range of the recognition processing area except for the overlapping area. Department. Therefore, a portion divided into two or more regions can be designated at one time as one recognition processing region.

Therefore, when designating a recognition processing area, the number of times the recognition processing area is designated can be reduced. As a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the work load on the operator can be reduced.

Further, if the priority order is set in the priority order setting section with the designation order of the recognition processing areas as the priority order, the priority order can be automatically set without the operator having to give each instruction. Therefore, as a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the work load on the operator can be further reduced.

When a priority change unit is provided, the priority of each recognition processing area set once can be changed. As a result, for example, when the characters are output in the recognized order, the priority of the recognition processing area can be re-designated to a desired order in consideration of the output order of the recognized characters. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the output order when specifying the first recognition processing area. As a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the operator's work load can be further reduced.

An area pixel conversion unit is provided to convert the coordinates of the designated recognition processing area into the coordinates of all the pixels belonging to the recognition processing area. If the pixels that belong to the recognition processing area of the above belong to the recognition processing area of higher priority, the lower recognition processing area is changed to one or more new recognition processing areas excluding the overlapping area. can do. In this case, by paying attention to the affiliation of the pixel, the overlap region is substantially detected. Therefore, in this case, there is no need to provide another means for detecting the overlapping area.

Further, if the display unit is configured to display a plurality of recognition processing areas having different priorities in a form that can be visually distinguished from each other, the operator can determine the range and priority of the recognition processing areas. This is more preferable because it can be easily confirmed whether or not it is intended.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an example of a character recognition device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the drawings referred to merely schematically show the sizes, shapes, and arrangements of the components so that the present invention can be understood. Therefore,
It is clear that the invention is not limited only to the illustrated examples.

First Embodiment (Description of Configuration) First, the configuration of the character recognition device of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the character recognition device of the first embodiment.

The character recognition processing device 90 of the first embodiment includes an image storage unit 10 for storing image data, a display unit 12 for displaying the image data, an input unit 14 for designating a recognition processing area of the image data, A recognition unit 16 is provided for recognizing characters by cutting out image data in character units from the recognition processing area.

The character recognition device includes a priority setting section 18 and an area processing section 20. Further, in this embodiment, these units are connected via the control unit 22.

The recognition section 16 of this embodiment includes a line position detection section 24, a character cutout section 26, and an identification section 28. The line position detection unit 24 cuts out character line data from a specified recognition processing area in the image data stored in the image storage unit 10. Then, the character extracting unit 26 extracts character pattern data from the character line data in units of one character. Then, the identification unit 28 identifies the cut-out character pattern data by comparing it with, for example, a dictionary.

The priority setting section 18 is configured to set the priority of the recognition processing area. In this embodiment, the priority order setting unit 18 is configured to set the priority order based on the order in which the recognition processing areas are specified.

Further, when there is an overlapping area between a plurality of recognition processing areas, the area processing section 20 changes the recognition processing area having a lower priority within the range of the recognition processing area, and The configuration is changed to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to include the entire range of the recognition processing area except for the overlapping area.

In this embodiment, the recognition processing section 20 includes an area overlap detection section 30 and an area change section 32.
The area overlap detection unit 30 detects an overlap area between the specified recognition processing areas. Then, the area changing unit 32 determines that the recognition processing area having the lower priority is within the range of the recognition processing area having the lower priority, and
The area is changed to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to include the range of all lower recognition processing areas excluding the overlapping area. If there are two or more new recognition processing areas, the new recognition processing areas are divided into areas that do not overlap with each other.

In this embodiment, the display unit 12
Has a configuration in which a plurality of recognition processing areas having different priorities are superimposed and displayed in a format that can be visually distinguished from each other. Specifically, for example, it is configured to display with different line types, colors, or luminances, and to overlap and display.

(Description of Operation) The operation of the character recognition device of this embodiment will be described below.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are views for explaining the recognition processing area in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, character recognition of image data composed of the character group shown in FIG. 2 is performed. FIG. 2 shows a character group including character types having different sizes. In this character group, a relatively large character type is vertically arranged in the center, and a relatively small character type character group is arranged on both sides of the large character type.

(Operation when Designating Recognition Processing Area) Next, the operation of the character recognition device when designating a recognition processing area in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. I do.

First, the image data S is stored in the image storage unit 10 (1). Next, the image data S in the image storage unit 10 is read into the control unit 22, and the image data and color data for displaying the image data are transferred to the display unit 12 (2). Next, the image data transferred from the control unit 22 is displayed on the display of the display unit 12 in the color designated by the control unit 22 (3). In this embodiment, the character group shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. The color at the time of display can be arbitrarily set by the input unit.

(First designation) Next, the operator uses the pointing device or the like of the input unit 14 to designate a recognition processing area from the image data displayed on the display unit 12 (4). Here, a rectangular recognition processing area 100 surrounded by points A, B, C, and D shown in FIG.

Next, the input unit 14 outputs the coordinates (points A, B, C, D) of the designated recognition processing area 100 to the control unit 22 (5). Next, the priority setting unit 18 sets a priority in the specified recognition processing area 100 via the control unit 22 with the specified order of the recognition processing areas as a priority (6). Therefore, the recognition processing area 100 is 1
Since it was specified the second time, it has the first priority.

Next, from the control unit 22, the recognition processing area 10
The coordinates of 0 are output to the area overlap detection section 30 in the area processing section 20 (7). Next, the overlapping area detecting unit 30 detects an overlapping area between the already specified recognition processing area and the newly specified recognition processing area (8). Here, there is no overlapping area since it is the first designation. Next, when there is no overlapping area, only the coordinates (points A, B, C, and D) of the recognition processing area 100 are output to the area changing unit 32 in the area processing unit 20 (9a).

Next, the area changing unit 32 executes the recognition processing area 1
When only the coordinates of 00 are input, that is, when there is no overlapping area, the coordinates (points A, B, C, and D) are output to the control unit 22 as they are (10a). Next, the control unit 22
Are the coordinates of the input recognition processing area 100 (points A, B,
C, D) and the color data for displaying the boundary of the recognition processing area are transferred to the display unit 12 (11).

Next, the display unit 12 displays the coordinates (points A, B, C, and D) of the recognition processing area 100 transferred from the control unit 22.
The boundary line of the recognition processing area 100 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the already displayed image data according to the color data. This display is shown in FIG. 2A (12).
If there is no unspecified recognition processing area, the operation of specifying the recognition processing area ends here.
A second recognition processing area is specified.

(Second designation) Next, similarly to the first designation, a recognition processing area is designated from the image data displayed on the display unit 12 (4).
In the second time, a rectangular recognition processing area 102 surrounded by points E, F, G, and H shown in FIG. 2B is specified. Next, the input unit 14 outputs the coordinates (points E, F, G, H) of the specified recognition processing area 102 to the control unit 22 (5).

Next, the priority setting unit 18 sets the priority in the designated recognition processing area 102 through the control unit 22 with the specified order of the recognition processing areas as the priority (6). . Therefore, the recognition processing area 102 has the second priority since it has been designated for the second time. Next, the control unit 2
From step 2, the coordinates of the recognition processing area 100 are output to the area overlap detection section 30 in the area processing section 20 (7). Next, the overlapping area detecting unit 30 detects an overlapping area between the already specified recognition processing area and the newly specified recognition processing area (8).

In detecting the overlapping area, for example,
What is necessary is just to detect as follows. First, in the recognition processing area,
Check whether the specified area already exists (whether another area is included). If there is an already specified area, all of the included areas become overlapping areas. Next, a boundary line of the recognition processing region is virtually created, and a point at which this boundary line intersects with the boundary line of another region is confirmed. This is to confirm whether or not the regions intersect. Here, the boundary lines intersect with each other, and the recognition processing area 102 specified for the second time and the recognition processing area 100 specified for the first time are areas surrounded by points a, b, c, and d ( In FIG. 2 (B), large characters (areas including vertical writing "Iue") overlap. Therefore, this area is detected as an overlapping area.

Next, when an overlapping area is detected, the coordinates (points a, b, c, and d) of the overlapping area and the recognition processing area having a lower priority, that is, the second time are specified in this case. The coordinates (points E, F, G, H) of the recognition processing area 102 are output to the area change unit 32 in the area processing unit 20 (9b).

Next, when the coordinates of the overlapping area are input, that is, when the overlapping area is detected, the area changing unit 32 replaces the recognition processing area having the lower priority with the corresponding lower priority processing area. One or more new recognition processing areas are changed so as to be within the range of the recognition processing area and to include the range of all the lower recognition processing areas excluding the overlapping area.

Here, "including all the recognition processing areas" means that the characters and figures included in the designated recognition processing area are included in any of the changed recognition processing areas without being missed. Meaning. Therefore, as a result of changing the recognition processing area, a gap may be generated between adjacent areas.

Here, the recognition processing area 1 having a lower priority order
02 in the first change area 10 surrounded by points E, a, d, and H
2a and a second change area 10 surrounded by points b, F, G, and c
2b. Then, the coordinates (points E, a, d, and H) and (points b, F, G, and
c) is output to the control unit 22 (10b).

Next, the control unit 22 determines the coordinates (points E, a, d, and H) of the changed input recognition processing area 102a,
The coordinates (points b, F, G, and c) of 102b and the color data for displaying the boundaries of the recognition processing areas 102a and 102b are transferred to the display unit 12 (11).

Next, the display unit 12 displays the coordinates of the first changed area (points E, a, d, H) and the coordinates of the second changed area (points b, F, G, c) transferred from the control unit 22. 3) Display each boundary line in accordance with the color data so as to overlap the already displayed image data. This display is shown in FIG. 2C (12).

In this embodiment, since the recognition processing areas of all the areas to be subjected to the recognition processing in the image data are specified by the twice specification, the operation of specifying the recognition processing areas is completed.

(Operation when Changing Priority Setting) Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the operation of the character recognition apparatus when changing the priority of the recognition processing area in the first embodiment. explain. When the priority of the designated recognition processing area is changed, the operation is performed as follows.

First, the operator uses the pointing device or the like of the input unit 14 to sequentially specify the recognition processing areas in accordance with the new priority order in the same manner as when specifying the recognition processing areas (1). In response to this, the priority setting unit 18 sets the priority of the designated recognition processing area via the control unit 22 with the specified order of the recognition processing areas as the priority (2).

However, when the priority order is changed, the control unit 22 is again instructed to delete the image data S in the image storage unit 10 in order to delete the recognition processing area already displayed on the display unit.
Is read, and the image data and the color data for displaying the image data are transferred to the display unit 12 (3). Next, the image data transferred from the control unit 22 is displayed on the display of the display unit 12 in the color designated by the control unit 22 (4).

Next, the control section 22 sequentially outputs the coordinates of the recognition processing area to the area overlap detection section 30 in the area processing section 20 according to the newly set priority order (5).
Hereinafter, by the same operation as the above-described operation of specifying the recognition processing area, the recognition processing area can be specified according to the changed priority. * 1 in FIG. 5 is connected to * 1 in FIG. Also, the one in FIG. 3 is connected to the one in FIG.

(Operation at Character Recognition) Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the operation of the character recognition device in the first embodiment when the priority of the recognition processing area is changed will be described. In this embodiment, character recognition is performed by a conventionally well-known character recognition method.

First, the coordinates of the recognition processing area are transferred from the control unit 22 to the row position detection unit 24 in the recognition unit 16 (1). Next, the line position detection unit 24 scans the transferred recognition processing area in a predetermined direction (in this case, the vertical direction on the paper surface because vertical writing is to be recognized as shown in FIG. 2). Then, the peripheral number is extracted by measuring the cumulative number of black pixels for each row. Then, a line position is detected based on the peripheral distribution, and the line position is output to the character cutout unit 26 (2).

Next, the character cutout unit 26 scans the line area in a predetermined direction (in this case, the horizontal direction of the paper) based on the input line position, and accumulates black pixels in column units. Calculate the number and extract the marginal distribution. Then, character pattern data is cut out in units of one character based on this peripheral distribution, and the character pattern data is output to the identification unit 28 (3).

Next, the identification unit 28 is a character cutout unit 26
The feature of the character pattern data input from the above is extracted by a suitable method conventionally used, and the identification result obtained by comparing the feature with a dictionary prepared in advance is outputted to the control unit 22 (4). Next, the control unit 22 outputs the input identification result to the display unit 12. The display unit 12 displays the identification result on the display (5).

Next, the operator confirms the displayed recognition result. If there is an erroneous or missed reading in the recognition result, it is corrected by the input unit 14 as necessary (6). Next, as a result of the confirmation, if the identification has been correctly performed or the correction has been completed, the confirmation result is output to an external device as a character name output (7).

Second Embodiment (Description of Configuration) First, the configuration of a character recognition device according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the character recognition device of the second embodiment.

The character recognition processing device 90 of the second embodiment includes an image storage unit 10 for storing image data, a display unit 12 for displaying the image data, an input unit 14 for designating a recognition processing area of the image data, A recognition unit 16 is provided for recognizing characters by cutting out image data in character units from the recognition processing area. The character recognition device includes a priority setting unit 18 and an area processing unit 36. Further, in this embodiment, these units are connected via the control unit 22.

The recognition section 16 of this embodiment includes a line position detection section 24, a character cutout section 26, and an identification section 28. The line position detection unit 24 cuts out character line data from a specified recognition processing area in the image data stored in the image storage unit 10. Then, the character extracting unit 26 extracts character pattern data from the character line data in units of one character. Then, the identification unit 28 identifies the cut-out character pattern data by comparing it with, for example, a dictionary.

The priority setting section 18 is configured to set the priority of the recognition processing area. In this embodiment, the priority order setting unit 18 is configured to set the priority order based on the order in which the recognition processing areas are specified.

In this embodiment, the area processing unit 36
Comprises an area pixel conversion unit 38 and a pixel belonging storage unit 40. The area pixel conversion unit 38 converts the coordinates of the designated recognition processing area into the coordinates of all pixels belonging to the recognition processing area. Then, the pixel belonging storage unit 40
Assigns pixels that belong to two or more recognition processing areas to a recognition processing area having a higher priority, and
The coordinates of each pixel and the recognition processing area to which each pixel belongs are stored.

In this embodiment, the display unit 12
Has a configuration in which a plurality of recognition processing areas having different priorities are superimposed and displayed in a format that can be visually distinguished from each other. Specifically, for example, it is configured to display with different line types, colors, or luminances, and to overlap and display.

(Description of Operation) The operation of the character recognition device of this embodiment will be described below. Also in the second embodiment, character recognition of image data composed of the character group shown in FIG. 2 is performed.

(Operation when Designating Recognition Processing Area) Next, the operation of the character recognition device when designating a recognition processing area in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. I do.

First, the image data S is stored in the image storage unit 10 (1). Next, the image data S in the image storage unit 10 is read into the control unit 22, and the image data and color data for displaying the image data are transferred to the display unit 12 (2). Next, the image data transferred from the control unit 22 is displayed on the display of the display unit 12 in the color designated by the control unit 22 (3). In this embodiment, the character group shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. The color at the time of display can be arbitrarily set by the input unit.

(First designation) Next, the operator uses the pointing device or the like of the input unit 14 to designate a recognition processing area from the image data displayed on the display unit 12 (4). Here, a rectangular recognition processing area 100 surrounded by points A, B, C, and D shown in FIG.

Next, the input unit 14 outputs the coordinates (points A, B, C, D) of the designated recognition processing area 100 to the control unit 22 (5). Next, the priority setting unit 18 sets the priority of the specified recognition processing area 100 via the control unit 22 with the specified order of the recognition processing areas as the priority (6). Therefore, the recognition processing area 100 is 1
Since it was specified the second time, the priority is the first. The operation up to this point is the same as the specified operation in the first embodiment.

Next, the control unit 22 sends the recognition processing area 10
The coordinates of 0 are transferred to the area pixel conversion section 38 in the area processing section 36 (7). Next, the area pixel conversion unit 38 converts the transferred coordinates of the recognition processing area 100 into the coordinates of all pixels belonging to the recognition processing area. Then, the coordinates of the pixel and the priority are output to the pixel belonging storage unit 40 in the area processing unit 36 (8).

Next, the pixel assignment storage unit 40 assigns the pixels belonging to two or more recognition processing areas to the recognition processing area having a higher priority, and stores the coordinates of each pixel and each pixel. Are respectively stored in the recognition processing areas to which. Then, the affiliation of each pixel is output to the control unit 22 (9a). In this case, since the first designation is made, all the pixels belonging to the recognition processing area 100 belong to the recognition processing area 100.

Next, the control unit 22 displays, for each pixel, color data corresponding to the recognition processing area to which each pixel belongs, on the display unit 1.
Transfer to 2. Here, all the pixels are displayed in a color corresponding to the recognition processing area (10). Next, the display unit 12
Displays each pixel transferred from the control unit 22 on the already displayed image data according to the color data (11). If there is no unspecified recognition processing area, the operation of specifying the recognition processing area ends here.
Subsequently, a second recognition processing area is designated.

(Second designation) Next, similarly to the first designation, a recognition processing area is designated from the image data displayed on the display unit 12 (4).
In the second time, a rectangular recognition processing area 102 surrounded by points E, F, G, and H shown in FIG. 2B is specified.

Next, the input unit 14 outputs the coordinates (points E, F, G, H) of the designated recognition processing area 102 to the control unit 22 (5). Next, the priority setting unit 18 sets the priority of the specified recognition processing area 102 via the control unit 22 with the specified order of the recognition processing areas as the priority (6). Therefore, the recognition processing area 102
Since it was specified the second time, the priority is the second.

Next, from the control unit 22, the recognition processing area 10
The coordinates of 2 are output to the area pixel conversion section 38 in the area processing section 36 (7). Next, the area pixel conversion unit 38 converts the transferred coordinates of the recognition processing area 102 into the coordinates of all pixels belonging to the recognition processing area. Then, the coordinates of the pixel and the priority are output to the pixel belonging storage unit 40 in the area processing unit 36 (8).

Next, the pixel assignment storage unit 40 assigns the pixels belonging to two or more recognition processing areas to the recognition processing area having a higher priority, and stores the coordinates of each pixel and each pixel. Are respectively stored in the recognition processing areas to which. Then, the affiliation of each pixel is output to the control unit 22 (9b). In this case, since the designation is the second time, in FIG. 2B, the pixels in the area surrounded by points a, b, c, and d already belong to the recognition processing area 100. Therefore, the pixels belonging to the recognition processing area 102 designated for the second time are located in the area surrounded by points E, a, d, and H and points b, F, G, and c in FIG. There are only pixels.

Next, the control unit 22 displays the color data corresponding to the recognition processing area to which each pixel belongs for each pixel.
2 (10). Next, the display unit 12 controls the control unit 2
Each pixel transferred from 2 is superimposed and displayed on the already displayed image data according to the color data (11). In this embodiment, the recognition processing areas of all the areas to be subjected to the recognition processing in the image data are specified by specifying twice.
The operation of designating the recognition processing area ends here.

In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to change the priority of the recognition processing area once designated. Further, in the second embodiment, the operation at the time of character recognition is the same as the operation in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

In each of the embodiments described above, only examples in which the present invention is configured under specific conditions have been described. However, the present invention can be subjected to many changes and modifications. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, a rectangular recognition processing area is specified, but in the present invention, the outline of the recognition processing area may be an arbitrary outline. For example, an L-shaped contour recognition processing area can be specified.

[0076]

According to the character recognition processing device of the present invention,
A priority setting unit configured to set a priority of the recognition processing area; and when there is an overlapping area of a plurality of recognition processing areas, a recognition processing area having a lower priority is located within the range of the recognition processing area. And an area processing unit for changing to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to include the entire range of the recognition processing area except for the overlapping area. Therefore, a portion divided into two or more regions can be designated at one time as one recognition processing region.

Therefore, when specifying the recognition processing area, the number of times the recognition processing area is specified can be reduced. As a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the work load on the operator can be reduced.

Further, if the priority order setting section sets the priority order based on the order in which the recognition processing areas are specified, the priority order can be automatically set without the operator having to specify each time. Therefore, as a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the work load on the operator can be further reduced.

When a priority change unit is provided, the priority of each recognition processing area set once can be changed. As a result, for example, when the characters are output in the recognized order, the priority of the recognition processing area can be re-designated to a desired order in consideration of the output order of the recognized characters. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the output order when specifying the first recognition processing area. As a result, the recognition processing area can be easily specified, so that the operator's work load can be further reduced.

An area pixel conversion unit is provided to convert the coordinates of the designated recognition processing area into the coordinates of all the pixels belonging to the recognition processing area. If the pixels that belong to the recognition processing area of the above belong to the recognition processing area of higher priority, the lower recognition processing area is changed to one or more new recognition processing areas excluding the overlapping area. can do. In this case, by paying attention to the affiliation of the pixel, the overlap region is substantially detected. Therefore, in this case, there is no need to provide another means for detecting the overlapping area.

If the display unit is configured to display a plurality of recognition processing areas having different priorities in a superimposed manner in a format in which each of the recognition processing areas can be visually distinguished, the operator can determine the range and priority of the recognition processing areas. This is more preferable because it can be easily confirmed whether or not it is intended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a character recognition device according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams for explaining a recognition processing area in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character recognition apparatus when a recognition processing area is specified in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart leading to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character recognition device when the priority of the recognition processing area is changed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character recognition device during the character recognition processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a character recognition device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character recognition apparatus when a recognition processing area is specified in the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart leading to FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Image storage unit 12: Display unit 14: Input unit 16: Recognition unit 18: Priority setting unit 20: Area processing unit 22: Control unit 24: Line position detection unit 26: Character cutout unit 28: Identification unit 30: Area Overlap detection unit 32: region change unit 36: region processing unit 38: region pixel conversion unit 40: pixel belonging storage unit 90: character recognition device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06K 9/00-9/82

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image storage unit for storing image data, a display unit for displaying the image data, an input unit for designating a recognition processing area of the image data, and cutting out image data in character units from the recognition processing area A character recognition device comprising a recognition unit for recognizing characters by means of a priority setting unit for setting a priority of the recognition processing regions, wherein when there is an overlapping region between the plurality of recognition processing regions, the priority is Change the lower-order recognition processing area to one or more new recognition processing areas so as to be within the range of the recognition processing area and to include the entire range of the recognition processing area except for the overlapping area. A character recognition device comprising an area processing unit that performs the processing. 2. The character recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the priority order setting unit sets the designation order of the recognition processing areas as the priority order of the recognition processing areas. Recognition device. 3. The character recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the area processing unit includes an area overlap detection unit that detects an overlap area between the specified recognition processing areas, and the recognition processing having a lower priority. The region is added to one or more new recognition processing regions so that the priority is within the range of the recognition processing region having a lower priority and includes the range of all the lower recognition processing regions except the overlapping region. A character recognition device comprising an area changing unit for changing. 4. The character recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the area processing unit calculates coordinates of a specified recognition processing area.
An area pixel conversion unit that converts the coordinates of all the pixels belonging to the recognition processing area into pixels is provided.
A character recognition device, comprising: a pixel belonging storage unit that is assigned to a recognition processing area having a higher priority and stores a coordinate of each pixel and a recognition processing area to which each pixel belongs. 5. The character recognition device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to display a plurality of the recognition processing areas having different priorities in a form in which each of the recognition processing areas can be visually distinguished. A character recognition device characterized in that: