Slip and method of and apparatus for automatic reading of the slip

A slip, a method of automatic reading of the slip, and an apparatus used therefor comprising a slip with delineated thereon a control mark made up of line segments of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing a kind of format, information marks spaced apart from the control mark, each thereof being made up of line segments of different sizes arranged sequentially in a line, for representing task data, and information marks spaced apart from the information marks representing numerical data consisting of regions where numerals are written in and regions where bar patterns are written in, a scanning device receiving the slip as input thereto and outputting image data therefrom, a file unit previously storing therein formats corresponding to control marks, criterion coordinates and criterion numerical values corresponding to information marks representing task data, and criterion coordinates corresponding to information marks representing numerical data, read only memories storing therein in advance image data of numerals 0-9 and image data of predetermined bar patterns corresponding to the numerals 0-9, and a central prcessing unit for specifying the kind of the slip by comparing the image data with data from the file unit, deciding whether or not following data should be taken in, and comparing the image data with image data from the read only memories thereby to recognize numerals written in the information marks representing the numerical data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Prior Art 
The present invention relates to a slip used for accounting and method of 
and apparatus for automatic reading and recognition of such a slip 
received through facsimile transmission. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
There has been in practice a system in which handwritten slips or statistic 
data are read by an optical character recognition apparatus or facsimile 
unit whereby the data are input to a data processor such as a computer. As 
a method for inputting an incoming signal transmitted through a facsimile 
system or the like to a data processor such as a computer, one disclosed 
in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-26945 is known. 
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is known in the prior art that a slip 51 can 
be scanned by a facsimile unit, not shown, and only the portion 
corresponding to the position of a box 53 is read by an input unit, 
whereby it is detected whether or not there is a mark 54 in the box 53. 
The position of the box 53 is recognized by counting the number of pulses 
of a clock signal to be started at the leading edge of a detection signal 
of a start mark 52 on the slip 51. 
However, conventional numeral recognition apparatus have not yet been made 
competent for a full automatic operation. Slips for use in payment and 
receipt of money in banks or the like, in particular, are required to be 
100 percent accurate because banks have the public as their customers. 
Therefore, even now, such slips are handled completely dependent upon 
inputting by an operator using a keyboard. 
With conventional automatic input systems, there has been such a problem, 
when the synchronism with the clock pulses is disturbed by some external 
disturbance after the start of reading the start mark 52, that it becomes 
difficult to correctly locate the position of the box 53 and the detection 
of the mark 54 results in a failure, and as a result the efficiency in 
data transmission is lowered. 
There has also been such a problem that correct reading is made impossible 
when there are present some stains in the marks 52, 54 or their color is 
faded to some grayish color. 
In the case of the slip 51 of FIG. 9, it is arranged such that decision of 
type of the format of the slip 51 is made according to a written 
classification mark 61 in a classification box 60, and therefore, the 
classification mark 61 has to be written into a correct position of a 
predetermined region in the classification box 60. Therefore, for the sake 
of safety, such an arrangement has been only applicable to a simple slip 
system. 
Thus, there has not been existent such an accurate apparatus for numeral 
recognition that enables a signal from a slip for payment and receipt of 
money transmitted through a facsimile unit or the like to be input to a 
data processor such as a computer directly. There has been no way to input 
data from the slip other than relying upon assistance of human power 
furnished by an operator. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problems, and 
accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a slip 
which will be read correctly at a high order of accuracy and provide easy 
checking for any error or omission in entry made therein. It is another 
object of the present invention to provide a slip which will enable 
accurate reading of information and correct recognition of numerals 
entered therein even if there is present certain noise due to external 
disturbance so that a signal relative to payment and receipt of money 
incoming through facsimile transmission or the like may be input 
automatically, without the need of human power, to a data processor, as 
well as to provide method of and apparatus for the relative automatic 
reading with the use of the slip. 
To achieve the aforementioned objects, a slip of the present invention 
includes delineated thereon a control mark made up of unit patterns varied 
in size and sequence of arrangement such as, for example, a linear 
arrangement of segments of lines of varied lengths, information marks for 
data transmission arranged in the rear of the aforesaid control mark made 
up of linear arrangements of segments of lines whose lengths are varied in 
sequence of arrangement, and information marks for data to be processed 
arranged in the rear of the aforesaid information marks, each thereof 
being made up of a region for entering numerals therein and its 
corresponding region for drawing a plurality of bar patterns therein. In 
the present invention, it is further arranged such that the slip is 
subjected to photoelectric conversion whereby image data are generated, 
which image data are subjected to data transfer to be input to an 
automatic input unit, wherein coordinates of the control mark and both the 
information marks on the slip are calculated from the image data. Then, 
dimensions of adjoining line segments of the control mark are compared 
with one another in sequence of the arrangement whereby a binary numeral 
is calculated, and thereupon, a format corresponding to the binary numeral 
is read out of a file unit. 
From the format, criterion coordinates and binary numerals of the 
information marks for the data transmission as well as criterion 
coordinates of the information marks for the data to be processed are read 
out. The calculated coordinates are compared with the criterion 
coordinates for both of the information marks, and according to the result 
of the comparison, it is determined whether or not subsequent data are to 
be taken in from the slip. Then, from the information marks for data 
transmission, binary numerals are calculated through comparison of 
dimensions of adjoining line segments in sequence of the arrangement and 
the binary numerals are compared with the criterion binary numerals, and 
according to the result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not 
subsequent data are to be taken in from the slip. Thereupon, the image 
data of the information marks for the data to be processed are divided 
into portions for numerals and for bar patterns, whereupon the image data 
of a numeral is compared with a predetermined criterion numerical image, 
whereby the entered numeral is recognized directly. 
The image data of a bar pattern is also compared with a predetermined bar 
pattern image, whereby a numeral corresponding to the bar pattern is 
recognized. Then, the above described directly recognized numeral is 
compared with the numeral recognized by the correspondence just above, and 
thereby, the numeral entered in the information mark box for the data to 
be processed is finally recognized. 
The present invention functions in the following manner. Image data 
photoelectrically converted from a slip are transmitted through a line to 
be input to an automatic input unit. A binary numeral relative to a 
control mark is calculated from the image data, whereby a format 
corresponding to the binary numeral is read out from a file unit, and 
also, coordinates on the slip of two sets of information marks are 
calculated. Criterion coordinates and binary numerals for each mark are 
read out from the format, and thereupon, the calculated coordinates are 
compared with the criterion coordinates for both of the information marks. 
According to the result of the comparison, whether or not subsequent data 
should be taken in from the slip is determined. Then, binary numerals for 
the information marks for data transmission are calculated and these 
binary numerals are compared with the criterion binary numerals. According 
to the result of the comparison, it is again determined whether or not 
subsequent data should be taken in from the slip. Then, relative to the 
information mark representing numerical data, image data of its numeral is 
compared with a criterion numerical image so that the entered numeral is 
directly recognized. Also, the image data of its bar pattern is compared 
with a criterion bar pattern image and the numeral corresponding to the 
bar pattern is recognized. Thereupon, the above directly recognized 
numeral and the recognized numeral by the correspondence just above are 
compared with each other, so that the numeral entered in the information 
mark representing the numerical data is finally recognized.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with 
reference to accompanying drawings. 
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a format of a slip for use in inputting of data 
in the present invention, wherein 1 denotes a sheet of the slip of which 
size is optional. On the sheet 1, there is written or printed a 
classification mark 20 as a control mark. The classification mark 20 is 
made up of unit patterns such as five line segments a, b, . . . , e of 
different lengths horizontally arranged in succession, which are to be 
subjected to a sequential comparison as to relative length between 
preceding one and subsequent one. 
That is, of this classification mark 20, the segment a is compared, in 
length, with the preceding "0", or the segment a is directly compared with 
the segment b, and then, the segment b is compared with the segment c. 
Similar comparisons are made on until the segment d is compared with the 
segment e, whereby relative lengths are sequentially determined. 
The classification mark 20 is the mark to specify the kind of the slip, 
which, in the present example, is provided with an indication "Transfer 
Slip" at the corresponding position so that the user can identify the kind 
of the slip at a glance. Below the classification mark 20 at a 
predetermined distance therefrom, there is delineated an information mark 
21 made up of line segments for representing task data. Which task data is 
for the addressee. Below the information mark 21 at a predetermined 
distance therefrom, there is delineated an information mark 22 made up of 
line segments for representing another task data, which task data is for 
the sender. 
The information marks 21-22 are ones for the transmission of the data, and 
each thereof is formed, the same as the classification mark 20, of five 
line segments a, b, . . . , e of different lengths horizontally arranged 
in succession. These segments a, b, . . . , e are sequentially compared, 
the same as in the case of the classification mark 20, as to relative 
length between preceding one and subsequent one. Below the information 
marks 21-22, there are delineated information marks 23-25 for representing 
numeral data arranged in frames. These marks are ones for the data to be 
processed. That is, for example, the information mark 23 constitutes a box 
indicating the amount, the information mark 24 constitutes a box 
indicating the bank account number, and the information mark 25 
constitutes a box indicating the date, and in the positions corresponding 
to the information marks 23, 24, 25, there are provided indications of 
"Amount Paid In", "Number of Bank Account", and "Date", respectively, so 
that users can recognize them at a glance. 
The information marks 23, 24, 25 are horizontally arranged one after 
another and provided with rectangular frames 31, 32, 33, respectively, of 
which two sides meeting at the top left-hand corner are given in thich 
lines. 
For any specific classification mark 20, the coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, 
y2), . . . ,(x5, y5) of the written positions of both the segment and the 
frame information marks 21-25, or the positions of the left-hand ends of 
their first line segments and the points at the top left-hand corners 
where the two sides meet are previously specified. 
Now, a detailed description of general form of the frame information mark 
23-25 will be given with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. 
With each of the frames 31, 32, 33, there are a plurality of rectangles or 
squares arranged in a matrix. Below the squares 2 arranged in the first 
line, there are arranged, at a predetermined distance therefrom, 
rectangular columns 3, each thereof opposing a side of each of the squares 
2. Each of the columns 3 is divided longitudinally into six squares, the 
first square 4, second square 5 to the sixth square 9, naming them from 
the closet one to the square 2. The boundary between the first squares 4 
and the second squares 5 is indicated by a specially thich line or double 
lines. 
FIG. 3 shows a state of the squares 2 with numerals "0-9" entered therein 
and the first squares 4 to the sixth squares 9 of the columns 3 with bar 
patterns 10 drawn therein, each of which is defined so as to unequivocally 
represent the corresponding numeral. 
In the example of FIG. 3, the numeral "0" is indicated by drawing a bar 
pattern 10 all the way from the first square 4 to the sixth square 9 in 
the longitudinal direction of the column 3. The numeral "5" is indicated 
by drawing a bar pattern 10 only in the first square 4 in the longitudinal 
direction. The numeral "1" is indicated by drawing a bar pattern 10 only 
in the second square 5. The numeral "2" is indicated by linearly drawing a 
bar pattern 10 in the second square 5 and the third square 6. The same 
rule is applied to the following numeral until the numeral "4" is 
indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 all the way from the second 
square 5 to the fifth square 8. 
Further, the numeral "6" is indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 
in the first square 4 and the second square 5. The same rule is applied to 
the following numeral until the numeral "9" is indicated by linearly 
drawing a bar pattern 10 all way from the first square 4 to the fifth 
square 8. The e squares 2 and the columns 3 are provided as the guides for 
entering the numerals and bar patterns 10 therein, which may also be given 
by squares in some color to which a later discussed scanning device of an 
optical reading apparatus is not sensitive. A one-digit numeral is 
represented by a pair of the square 2 and the column 3 and a two-digit 
numeral is represented by two pairs of the squares 2 and the columns 3 
arranged somewhat close to each other in the horizontal direction. In like 
manner, a numeral consisting of more digits can be represented by 
additionally arranging one pair of the square 2 and the column 3 closely 
to the original pairs for each increase of the digit. A 14-digit numeral 
is shown in the example of FIG. 3. 
The person who writes out the slip will selectively enter the numerals 0-9 
in the squares 2 according to the need and draw bar patterns 10 as defined 
in the foregoing in the columns 3 corresponding to the entered numerals. 
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall arrangement of an automatic 
input apparatus of the slip, wherein reference numeral 11 denotes a 
facsimile unit as a scanning device, 12 denotes an adapter operating as a 
substitute for the facsimile unit, and 13 denotes a central processing 
unit (CPU). 
The facsimile unit 11 and the adapter 12 are capable of communicating with 
a remote facsimile unit through a public line or a facsimile (F) line. 
Such an apparatus scans and converts photoelectrically the marks 20-23 
etc. delineated on a sheet 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes a buffer 
memory, 15 denotes a random access memory (RAM), 16, 17, denote read only 
memories (ROMs), 18 denotes a file unit, and 27 denotes a binary numeral 
reading unit. 
The image data generated by the facsimile unit 11 are supplied to the 
buffer memory 14. The image data are processed by the CPU 13 on the RAM 15 
as a work memory together with data from the ROMs 16, 17, file unit 18, 
and the binary numeral reading unit 27, and interim result and final 
result are temporarily stored in the RAM 15. 
The final result of the processing is adapted to be delivered and converted 
to a numerical code through the CPU 13 to a host computer or other data 
processor. The ROM 16 stores therein in advance the numerals 0-9 and the 
criterion bar patterns unequivocally corresponding thereto as defined 
above, whereas the ROM 17 stores therein in advance criterion numeral 
patterns 0-9 as image data on, for example, a 5.times.7 dot matrix. These 
ROMs 16, 17 are used for recognizing or decoding the frame information 
marks 23-25. 
The binary numeral reading unit 27 is a device for calculating a binary 
numeral by comparing the lengths of the segments of the information mark 
20-22 in sequence of the arrangement. 
The file unit 18 is constituted of large-capacity magnetic disks or the 
like, in which formats of various slips to be specified by the 
classification mark 20, such as formats of transfer slip, refund slip, 
remittance slip, tax payment slip, and so on, are stored previously. 
Below will be described the operation of the automatic input apparatus of 
the slip with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7. 
When remittance from a company BBBB whose code number is 0110 to a company 
AAAA whose code number is 1010 is to be made by the use of a transfer 
slip, the transfer slip for use of the company BBBB is selected and the 
bank account number, date, and the amount are entered therein in the form 
of the above described numerals and bar patterns. The sheet 1 of the 
transfer slip finished with the entry is subjected to scanning by the 
facsimile unit 11, whereby the classification mark 20 and others are 
photoelectrically converted into image data to be stored in the main 
buffer memory 14. Otherwise, the sheet 1 is scanned by a facsimile unit 
located remotely in the company BBBB, whereby data are transmitted to the 
company AAAA and are put in the main buffer memory 14 through the adapter 
12. 
The CPU 13 first separates the classification mark 20 stored in the first 
storage area from the buffer memory 14 and transfers the same to the RAM 
15 so that the data is decoded therein. The CPU 13 first measures the 
length of the first segment a, and then measures the lengths of the 
segments b-e in succession and stores the data in the RAM 15. 
Thereupon, the CPU 13 relatively compares the lengths of the segments a-e 
between adjoining segments, i.e., a and b, b and c, . . . , in succession. 
By defining such that "1" is represented by the length of a preceding 
segment being smaller than a subsequent segment, i.e., by a &lt;b, and, 
conversely, "0" is represented by b&gt;c, a result as indicated in FIG. 5A is 
obtained. Thus, the CPU 13 decodes the classification mark 20 into a 
binary numeral 1011. Thereupon, the CPU 13 sets up a storage area with the 
binary numeral 1011 used as its head. 
In like manner, the CPU 13 compares the lengths of the segments drawn in 
succession constituting the information marks 21 to 22, and therefrom, 
binary numerals 1010 and 0110 are decoded, respectively. FIG. 5B shows the 
process of binary decoding of the mark 21 for the addressee and FIG. 5C 
indicates the process of binary decoding of the mark 22 for the sender, 
respectively. 
These binary numerals 1011, 1010, 0110 are stored in the RAM 15 at their 
respective addresses 40, 41, 42 as shown in FIG. 6. 
Then, from the image data of the segment and the frame information marks 
20-25 stored in the buffer memory 14, coordinates of starting positions of 
the marks 20-25 are read out by the CPU 13. That is, with the starting 
position of the classification mark 20 taken as the origin (0, 0), the 
starting point coordinates (x1, y1) of the information mark 21 for the 
addressee, the starting point coordinates (x2, y2) of the mark 22 for the 
sender, and the starting position coordinates (x3, y3)-(x5, y5) of the 
frame information marks 23-25 are read out to be stored in the RAM 15 at 
the addresses 41-45 as shown in FIG. 6. 
Thus, the CPU 13 searches through the file unit 18 with the binary numeral 
1011 of the classification mark 20 used as a guide and retrieves the data 
list collected therein under the head of the code 1011 as shown in FIG. 7. 
That is, the data list is a format of the transfer slip, from which data in 
the columns or boxes for the addressee and the sender as well as criterion 
coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), . . . , (X5, Y5) of the positions where 
entries in the boxes for the addressee, sender, amount, bank account No., 
and the date are to be started, corresponding to the information marks 
21-25, can be read out. 
The, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the read out coordinates (x1, 
y1), (x2, y2), . . . , (x5, y5) of the information marks 21-25 are in 
agreement with the predetermined coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), . . . , 
(X5, Y5). 
That is, the CPU 13 makes comparisons to determine whether or not the read 
out coordinates (RAM data) of the information marks 21-25 are in agreement 
with the predetermined coordinates from the file unit 18, and also, 
whether or not the binary numerals (RAM data) read out from the marks 21 
to 22 are in agreement with the criterion binary numerals from the file 
18. 
More specifically, first, the CPU 13 calculates difference between the read 
out coordinate x1 of the mark 21 and the criterion coordinate X1, 
x1-X1=11, and the differences to follow, 12-15. 
The CPU 13 then checks whether or not the results of the calculation are in 
the same direction (of the same symbol) and of the same length. In like 
manner, it checks whether or not the differences of the coordinates 
y1-Y1=ml and the following m2-m5 are in the same direction and of the same 
length. 
If 11-15 and m1-m5 are found to be in opposite directions and of different 
lengths, the CPU 13 judges that something abnormal has occurred in the 
scanning of the sheet 1, for example, after scanning of the mark 20 was 
made, and rejects the following data, because it is considered that some 
error has occurred in the course of the data transfer from the facsimile 
unit 11 and therefore the data are not accurate. 
If 11-15 are in the same direction and virtually of the same length and 
ml-m5 are in the same direction and virtually of the same length, the 
following data are accepted on the assumption that some skipping has been 
made in the scanning of the sheet 1 by the facsimile unit 11 after the 
classification mark 20 was read but there has not occurred anything 
abnormal after the mark 21 was read. If 11-15 and m1-m5 are close to zero, 
the data transfer is judged to have been normal. 
Then, when the difference 11, for example, as to the read out coordinate of 
the information mark 21 for the addressee is expressed as 11&gt;k (k is an 
allowance for the difference), that is, even when there is present a 
certain slippage in position, the CPU 13 takes the read out image data, if 
the extracted binary numeral and the criterion value 1010 from the file 
unit 18 are equal to each other, as that addressed to the company of 
itself (company AAAA) and accepts the transmitted data. In the same way, 
if the binary numeral extracted from the information mark 22 for the 
sender is equal to the criterion value 0110, it recognizes the sender as 
company BBBB, its business acquaintance. 
After making acknowledgement of the transfer slip, the CPU 13 turns to 
recognition of the written data in the frame information marks 23-25. The 
CPU 13 separates a piece of numeral image data in the square 2 and a piece 
of bar pattern image data in the column 3 for each digit from the image 
data for the frame information marks 23-25 in the buffer memory 14. 
The numeral image data is compared with criterion numeric patterns from the 
recognition dictionary in the ROM 17, and a certain recognized candidate 
numerals arranged in the order of degree of resemblance as well as their 
degrees of resemblance (%) are calculated to be temporarily stored in the 
RAM 15. 
If, for example, a numeral written by hand in the square 2 is a deformed 
"1", the CPU 13 may select "1" as the first candidate numeral with a 
degree of resemblance of 70% and select "7" as the second candidate 
numeral with a degree of resemblance of 30%, and store these data 
temporarily in the RAM 15. 
Then, the corresponding bar pattern image data is compared with a criterion 
bar patterns from the ROM 16 as the pattern dictionary. Thereby, patterns 
of high degrees of resemblance are selected and, from the corresponding 
numerals, the recognized candidate numerals and the degrees of resemblance 
(%) are calculated and stored temporarily in the RAM 15. Since the bar 
pattern 10 is subjected to the comparison only for its length, recognition 
of its corresponding numeral is considerably easy. Thus, the combination 
of the numeral "1" and its criterion pattern is selected with a degree of 
resemblance of 100% and the first candidate numeral "1" and the degree of 
resemblance 100% are temporarily stored in the RAM 15. 
Thereafter, the candidate numeral "1" in the square 2 and its degree of 
resemblance 70% are first read out from the RAM 15 and the candidate 
numeral "1" in the column 3 and its degree of resemblance "100%" are read 
out to be compared with each other. The next candidate numeral "7" in the 
square 2 and its degree of resemblance 30% and the next candidate numeral 
in the column 3, or a "NULL" signal because there is no candidate numeral 
in the present case, are read out and compared with each other. 
The CPU 13 recognizes and outputs the numeral, of which the candidate 
numerals agree with each other and sum of the degrees of resemblance 
thereof gives the maximum value, as the numeral written in the information 
mark 23. Namely, from the degree 100% of the first candidate "1", the 
numeral "1" is selected and its code signal (0001) is output to the 
computer side. 
In the described manner, the numerals of the data entered in the amount box 
of the information mark 23, the bank account number box of the information 
mark 24, and the date box of the information mark 25 are recognized and 
output to the subsequent computer side. 
Thus, the kind of the slip is acknowledged by the CPU 13 from the 
classification mark 20 in the input sheet for the slip. Whereupon, from 
the information marks 21-22, it is determined whether the slip is 
addressed to the company of itself (Company AAAA) and it is from its 
business acquaintance company BBBB. Further, the numerals of data written 
in the frame information marks 23-25 are recognized, and thereby, 
necessary data on the slip are read out and delivered to the computer 
side. 
Since duplicate or triplicate logical decisions are made in the described 
manner, accurate and highly effective data transmission can be executed, 
and besides, highly accurate numeral recognition can be attained. 
In digital data transfer by facsimile transmission, there are frequently 
cases where the quality of the line of the facsimile network becomes 
unsteady at the time of the transmission and as a result the positions of 
entry of the items are deviated, but even if there are present some data 
which are questionable in appearance by the effect of the transmission 
condition, the data can be accepted if its normality is confirmed. 
Since separative power is high against such noise as stains or wrinkles in 
the sheet and the condition for preparing a slip is tolerant, the data 
transfer is possible even if the segments are drawn by hand when in a 
hurry. 
Although, in the above described embodiments, the segment a was, at first, 
compared with the segment b in length, followed by the comparison between 
the segments b and c and so on, the first segment a may be compared with 
the preceding imaginary 0 so that the first bit will always become 1 
because 0&lt;1, and such a 1 may be used for error checking. 
The code is not limited to that of binary numeral but may be of other 
number system with any number used as the base. 
Further, the unit patterns of different sizes are not limited to line 
segments but they may be such patterns as triangles, squares, circles, and 
bands. 
According to the present invention as described so far, effective data 
transmission can be executed because accurate data are extracted even if 
there is involved certain noise by making positive decision as to whether 
the data should be rejected or accepted. 
Since numerals and bar patterns written on a slip by hand are independently 
recognized and the results of the recognition are checked up with each 
other before a final recognition is made, fully automatic inputting of a 
hand-written slip is made possible. 
By using a facsimile unit as a scanning device and transmitting image data 
through a public line from a remote branch to a data center in the head 
office or the like, it is made possible to input accurate data directly to 
a data processor, without requiring any assistance of human power. Similar 
data transfer from a facsimile unit in the same site (in the same office) 
is also possible.