Device for identifying types of document files

According to one embodiment, a device for identifying types of document files includes an extraction unit, an evaluation unit, and a document type identification unit. The extraction unit extracts document feature information indicating distinguishing information for a document included in a document file. The evaluation unit verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit. The document type identification unit identifies a type of the document file corresponding to the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit if the document feature information is valid.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a device for identifying types of document files which identifies, for example, types of document images obtained by scanning, and feature information according to the types of the document images.

BACKGROUND

Document papers recorded in a recording medium such as a recording paper have a plurality of types. The plural types of document papers are respectively read by a scanner to generate document images. Each of the document images undergoes a predetermined process according to the type of the document. If a document image the document type of which is unknown is input, the document processing device identifies the document type of the document image and performs a predetermined process for the document image according to the result of the identification.

A method of automatically identifying document types collectively stored features of plural document types, for example, the sizes of recording media, the number of characters, and the like in a database in advance. If a document image the document type of which is unknown is input, the method compares features of the input document image with the features of document types stored in the database, and searches pertaining document types. A technique regarding a method of identifying documents is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-2001-318941.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a device for identifying types of document files includes an extraction unit, an evaluation unit, and a document type identification unit. The extraction unit extracts document feature information indicating distinguishing information for a document included in a document file. The evaluation unit verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit. The document type identification unit identifies a type of the document file corresponding to the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit if the document feature information is valid.

FIG. 1shows a functional block configuration diagram of a device for identifying types of document files. The device includes a scanned file obtaining unit1, a document type identification unit2, a document feature information extraction unit (hereinafter, abbreviated to an “extraction unit”)3, a document feature information extraction method storage unit (hereinafter, abbreviated to an “extraction method storage unit”)4, a document feature information evaluation unit (hereinafter, abbreviated to an “evaluation unit”)5, a document feature information storage unit6, a document file registration unit7, a document file storage unit8, and a document file presentation unit9.

The scanned file obtaining unit1scans a recording medium where a document is recorded to obtain a scanned image, and analyzes the scanned image to obtain a document file including document feature information. The recording medium where a document is recorded includes, for example, a recording paper where a document is recorded. The document feature information indicates distinguishing information for a document included in a document file. The document feature information is decisive information indicating, for example, contents of a document such as a title of the document. The document file is constituted by character information, layout information of characters, or the like. The document file is constituted by, for example, a PDF (portable document format) file, or the like.

The document type identification unit2receives the document file from the scanned file obtaining unit1, and identifies the type of the document file. The type of the document file includes, for example, a written request for patent application, a written request for revision of manuscripts for patent application, and a written request for review of response to reasons for refusals of patent application (written request for review of response to refusal).

The document files are different in document feature information for each type. The document files are different in form for each type. The form is standardized for each type of document file.

The document files include document feature information for each type. For example, the document feature information for the written request for application includes, for example, a written request for application to a country A, a written request for application to a country B, and a written request for application to a country C.FIG. 2shows an example of a form of, for example, the written request for application to a country A F1. The written request for application to a country A F1describes “request for application” in the first line and “request for application to a country A” in the second line.

The document feature information for the written request for revision of manuscripts includes, for example, aa patent office, bb patent office, and cc patent office.FIG. 3shows an example of a form of a written request for revision of manuscripts F2from, for example, the cc patent office. The written request for revision of manuscripts F2describes “date” in the first line, “recipient” in the second line, and “cc patent office” in the third line.

The written request for review of response to refusal includes, for example, establishment of a right necessary, establishment of a right unnecessary, and others. The establishment of a right necessary indicates planning to establish a right to patent application. The establishment of a right unnecessary indicates that establishment of a right to patent application is not necessary.FIG. 4shows an example of a form of a written request for review of response to refusal F3. The written request for review of response to refusal F3describes writing needing checks, for example, establishment of a right necessary, establishment of a right unnecessary, and others, in the middle thereof.

The extraction unit3receives the document file from the scanned file obtaining unit1via the document type identification unit2, and extracts document feature information indicating distinguishing information for the document included in the document file. The extraction unit3can read information from the extraction method storage unit4.

The extraction method storage unit4stores extraction method information100used to extract document feature information from a document file. The extraction method information100defines a plurality of methods for the respective types of document files.

FIG. 5shows a schematic diagram of an example of the extraction method information100. The extraction method information100describes a document type and an extraction method of document feature information as a pair. The extraction method information100describes an extraction method of document feature information for each of a written request for application, a written request for revision of manuscripts, and a written request for review of response to refusal, as the document type. The extraction method information100describes position information in the document file used to extract the document feature information for the respective types of document files, for example, for each of the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal. The extraction method for the written request for application is, for example, “to obtain writing in the second line.” The extraction method for the written request for revision of manuscripts is, for example, “to obtain writing in the third line.” The extraction method for the written request for review of response to refusal is, for example, “to obtain writing checked in the middle of the document.”

The extraction unit3extracts document feature information from the document file according to the extraction method information100stored in the extraction method storage unit4. Specifically, the extraction unit3extracts document feature information by applying all the methods described in the extraction method information100stored in the extraction method storage unit4to the document file. The extraction unit3sequentially assumes the document file as having one of a plurality of types, and extracts document feature information from the document file by the method corresponding to the type in the assumed order. The extraction unit3sequentially assumes the document file as, for example, the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal, and extracts document feature information from the document file by the corresponding methods in the assumed order of the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal.

The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3. The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3according to reference document feature information stored in the feature information storage unit6. The evaluation unit5can read information from the feature information storage unit6.

The feature information storage unit6stores document feature information which is referred to in relation to document feature information to be extracted by the extraction unit3for each of the plural types, that is, stores reference document feature information101.FIG. 6shows a schematic diagram of the reference document feature information101stored in the feature information storage unit6. The reference document feature information101is defined, for example, corresponding to each of the plural types of document files. The reference document feature information101defines a pair of a document file and document feature information which is referred to. The reference document feature information101describes, as types of document files, the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal. The document feature information for the written request for application describes, for example, the written request for application to a country A, the written request for application to a country B, and the written request for application to a country C. The document feature information for the written request for revision of manuscripts describes, for example, as patent office, bb patent office, and cc patent office. The document feature information for the written request for review of response to refusal describes, for example, establishment of a right necessary, establishment of a right unnecessary, and others.

The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information by applying all of the reference document feature information101stored in the feature information storage unit6to the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3.

The document type identification unit2identifies types of document files as described above. In this case, if the document feature information is valid as a result of the verification of the validity of the document feature information by the evaluation unit5, the document type identification unit2identifies types of document files corresponding to document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3.

The document file registration unit7stores types of document files identified by the document type identification unit2in association with document files and document feature information, in the document file storage unit8.

The document file presentation unit9presents the document files stored in the document file storage unit8or both of the document files and the document feature information to the outside. The document file presentation unit9presents the document files stored in the document file storage unit8along with document file names, the types of document files, or the document feature information associated with the document files, to a user.

FIG. 7shows a configuration diagram of a document system10to which the device is applied. The document system10includes a digital multi-functional device (hereinafter, referred to as an “MFP”)11. The MFP11works as a copier for copying a recording medium where a document is recorded, a printer for printing image data sent from an external device on a recording medium, or the like. The MFP11handles three types of written request for application, written request for revision of manuscripts, and written request for review of response to refusal, as the document types.

The MFP11is connected to a scanner12and a control panel13. The scanner12scans a recording medium where a document is recorded to obtain a scanned image. The control panel13sets various types of operations of the MFP11, for example, by operation of a user. The MFP11is connected to a document processing server15, a document management server16, and a client personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a “client PC”)17via a local area network (LAN)14. The document processing server15performs various types of processes, for example, for document files. The document management server16manages, for example, document files. The client PC17is, for example, a personal computer used by a client.

The MFP11includes the scanned file obtaining unit1. The document processing server15includes the document type identification unit2, the extraction unit3, the extraction method storage unit4, the evaluation unit5, and the document feature information storage unit6. The document management server16includes the document file registration unit7, the document file storage unit8, and the document file presentation unit9. The client PC17includes the document file presentation unit9. The client PC17has a web browser. The client PC17can have access to document files and types of document files or document feature information associated with the document files provided from the document file presentation unit9through the web browser by operation of a user. The client PC17can have access to the document file storage unit8to read document files and types of document files or document feature information associated with the document files.

The MFP11, the document processing server15, the document management server16, and the client PC17are connected to each other via the local area network15, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

The document processing server15has a program memory15m. The program memory15mstores a program for identifying types of document files which is readable by a computer mounted on the document processing server15. The program for identifying types of document files extracts document feature information indicating distinguishing information for a document included in a document file from the document file according to the extraction method information100stored in the extraction method storage unit4, and verifies the validity of the extracted document feature information according to the reference document feature information101stored in the document feature information storage unit6. If the document feature information is valid, the program identifies the type of the document file corresponding to the extracted document feature information.

The extraction method information100describes a plurality of methods used to extract document feature information from document files for the respective types of document files.

The reference document feature information101is referred to in relation to document feature information to be extracted from a document file for each of the plural types.

In addition, the program of identifying types of document files may be dispersedly stored in one or both of the document processing server15and the document management server16.

A process of scanning a recording medium where a document is recorded and registering a scanned file in the document file storage unit8will now be described with reference to a flowchart illustrating identification of types of document files inFIG. 8.

The scanner12scans a recording medium where a document is recorded, for example, a recording medium disclosing “to EF company” and “request for revision of manuscripts from the cc patent office” shown inFIG. 3, thereby obtaining a scanned image (ACT1).

The scanned file obtaining unit1receives the scanned image obtained by the scanner12, and analyzes the scanned image to obtain a document file including document feature information. Specifically, the scanned file obtaining unit1performs an optical character recognition (OCR) process for the scanned image (ACT2).

The scanned file obtaining unit1performs the OCR process, obtains layout information indicating where characters are present in the scanned image, and obtains character information indicating what is disclosed. The scanned file obtaining unit1combines the scanned image, the layout information, and the character information into one, and creates a document file. A format of the document file is, for example, a PDF file.

The extraction unit3sets i=1 so as to count the number of application of the extraction methods of document feature information (ACT3).

The extraction unit3sequentially assumes the document file as having any one of the plural types, and extracts document feature information from the document file by methods corresponding to types in the assumed order. For example, the extraction unit3sets, for example, the written request for application in the extraction method information100shown inFIG. 5to i=1, the written request for revision of manuscripts to i=2, and the written request for review of response to refusal to i=3.

The extraction unit3applies extraction methods corresponding to all of the document types stored in the extraction method storage unit4to a document file the document type of which is unclear (ACTs4to6).

Hereinafter, the extraction method will be described. If the document type of a targeted document file is unclear, the extraction method temporarily assumes the document type and applies an extraction method to the assumed document type.

The extraction unit3applies the extraction method for the written request for application set to i=1 to the document file, thereby extracting document feature information (ACT4). In other words, the extraction unit3assumes the document file as the written request for application and applies the extraction method corresponding to the written request for application. The extraction method for the written request for application is, for example, “to obtain writing in the second line” as shown inFIG. 5.

The extraction unit3obtains the writing in the second line from the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3according to the extraction method “to obtain writing in the second line.” The extraction unit3obtains “to EF company.”

The extraction unit3determines whether or not all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3(ACT5). As a result of the determination, since the extraction method for the written request for application set to i=1 was applied to the document file, the extraction unit3counts up to i=i+1, returns to ACT4, and applies the extraction method for the written request for revision of manuscripts set to i=2 to the document file, thereby extracting document feature information. In other words, the extraction unit3assumes the document file as the written request for revision of manuscripts and applies the extraction method corresponding to the written request for revision of manuscripts. The extraction method for the written request for revision of manuscripts is, for example, “to obtain writing in the third line” as shown inFIG. 5.

The extraction unit3obtains the writing in the third line from the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3according to the extraction method “to obtain writing in the third line.” The extraction unit3obtains the character string “cc patent office.”

The extraction unit3determines again whether or not all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3(ACT5). As a result of the determination, since the extraction method for the written request for revision of manuscripts set to i=2 was applied to the document file, the extraction unit3counts up to i=i+1, returns to ACT4, and applies the extraction method for the written request for review of response to refusal set to i=3 to the document file, thereby extracting document feature information. In other words, the extraction unit3assumes the document file as the written request for review of response to refusal, and applies the extraction method corresponding to the written request for review of response to refusal. The extraction method for the written request for review of response to refusal is, for example, “to obtain writing checked in the middle of a document” as shown inFIG. 5.

The extraction unit3performs the extraction method “to obtain writing checked in the middle of a document” for the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3. There is no checked writing in the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3. The extraction unit3obtains a “null” result indicating nonexistence of “writing checked in the middle of a document” in the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2.

The extraction unit3determines again whether or not all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3(ACT5). As a result of the determination, since the extraction method for the written request for review of response to refusal set to i=3 was applied to the document file, the extraction unit3determines that all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 9shows an example of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3. When the document file was assumed as the written request for application, “to EF company” is extracted. When the document file was assumed as the written request for revision of manuscripts, the character string “cc patent office” was extracted. When the document file was assumed as the written request for review of response to refusal, the result was “null.”

The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3. The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3according to the reference document feature information101inFIG. 6stored in the feature information storage unit6(ACT7). In this case, the evaluation unit5applies all of the reference document feature information101stored in the feature information storage unit6to the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3, thereby verifying the validity of the document feature information.

The evaluation unit5, as shown inFIG. 9, verifies the validity of the string “to EF company” obtained when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for application. Referring to the reference document feature information101shown inFIG. 6, the document feature information of the written request for application is any one of the written request for application to a country A, the written request for application to country B, and the written request for application to a country C. On the other hand, the document feature information actually obtained is “to EF company” as shown inFIG. 9, which does not correspond to any one of the written request for application to a country A, the written request for application to country B, and the written request for application to a country C. Thus, the evaluation unit5evaluates the document feature information of “to EF company” extracted when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for application, as not being valid.

The evaluation unit5, as shown inFIG. 9, verifies the validity of the character string “cc patent office” obtained when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for revision of manuscripts. Referring to the reference document feature information101shown inFIG. 6, the document feature information of the written request for revision of manuscripts is any one of the aa patent office, the bb patent office, and the cc patent office. At this time, the document feature information actually obtained is “cc patent office” as shown inFIG. 9, which corresponds to one of the aa patent office, the bb patent office, and the cc patent office. Thus, evaluation unit5evaluates the document feature information of the “cc patent office” extracted when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for revision of manuscripts, as being valid.

The evaluation unit5, as shown inFIG. 9, verifies the validity of the “null” character string obtained when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for review of response to refusal. Referring to the reference document feature information101shown inFIG. 6, the document feature information of the written request for review of response to refusal is any one of the three options: the establishment of a right necessary, the establishment of a right unnecessary, or others. On the other hand, the document feature information actually obtained, as shown inFIG. 9, is “null” which does not correspond to any one of the establishment of a right necessary, the establishment of a right unnecessary, or others. Therefore, the evaluation unit5evaluates the “null” document feature information extracted when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for review of response to refusal, as not being valid.

As a result, the evaluation unit5evaluates the character string “cc patent office” obtained when the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2was assumed as the written request for revision of manuscripts, as being valid.

The document type identification unit2receives the evaluation result from the evaluation unit5and decides the document type and document feature information of the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2(ACT8). As a result of verifying the validity of the document feature information by the assumption of the document type, only the case of assuming the document file as the written request for revision of manuscripts is evaluated to be valid. The document type identification unit2decides that the document type of the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2is a written request for revision of manuscripts and the document feature information is the cc patent office.

The document file registration unit7stores the type of the document file identified by the document type identification unit2in association with the document file and the document feature information in the document file storage unit8(ACT9).FIG. 10shows a schematic diagram of an example of document file storage information102stored in the document file storage unit8. The document file storage information102stores a document file name, a document type and document feature information in association with one another.

The document file presentation unit9presents document files stored in the document file storage unit8to a user along with document file names, types of the document files, or document feature information associated with the document files.

As described above, according to an embodiment, document feature information included in a document file is extracted from the document file according to the extraction method information100, the validity of the extracted document feature information is verified according to the reference document feature information101, and if the document feature information is valid, the type of the document file corresponding to the extracted document feature information is identified. Thereby, even if a document file on a recording medium the document type of which is unclear is input, it is possible to simultaneously decide the document type and document feature information of the document file. In the decision of the document type and the document feature information of the document file, there is no need to process two steps of determining the document type of a document file and thereafter of extracting feature information according to the document type.

Upon operation by a user, the document file presentation unit9may present the document file names, the types of document files, and the document feature information stored in the document file storage unit8, to the user. The user can see the types of document files and the document feature information as well as the document file names.

The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.

FIG. 11shows a modified example of the flowchart illustrating the identification of types of document files inFIG. 8. Differences from the flowchart illustrating the identification of document files shown inFIG. 8will be described.

The extraction unit3applies the extraction method of the written request for application set to i=1 to a document file, thereby extracting document feature information from the document file (ACT4).

The evaluation unit5verifies the validity of the document feature information extracted by the extraction unit3according to the reference document feature information101inFIG. 6stored in the feature information storage unit6(ACT7).

The extraction unit3determines whether or not all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2shown inFIG. 3, and the validity of the document feature information extracted by all of the extraction methods was verified (ACT5).

As a result of the determination, if all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file, and the validity was not verified, the extraction unit3counts up to i=i+1, returns to ACT4, and applies the subsequent extraction method for the written request for revision of manuscripts to the document file, thereby extracting document feature information.

As a result of the determination, if all of the extraction methods (i=3) were applied to the document file and the validity was verified, the document type identification unit2receives the evaluation result from the evaluation unit5and decides a document type and document feature information of the document file of the written request for revision of manuscripts F2(ACT8).

The types of document files are not limited to, for example, the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal, but may be applied to recognition of various types of written requests and the like. The document feature information in various types of document files such as the written request for application, the written request for revision of manuscripts, and the written request for review of response to refusal is not limited to the written request for application to a country A, the written request for application to a country B, and the written request for application to a country C shown inFIG. 2, . . . , as patent office, bb patent office, and so on, but may use other distinguishing information in a document file.

The extraction method of document feature information of a document file may change extraction positions in the document file according to each form of each type.

The form of a document file is not limited to the standard. For example, if feature information is to be extracted from a form, character strings before and after a predetermined phrase are extracted as feature information. Thereby, it is possible to implement an extraction method not depending on absolute positions of characters in a document. It is possible to extract feature information even from a non-standardized form.