Image generating apparatus

An image generating apparatus having a character recognizing function and a graphic function. Recognizing means recognizes contents of a document, while arithmetic operating means performs arithmetic operations with the recognized information. Graph formating means produces image data for graphing the results of arithmetic operations and delivers them to printing means, whereby the contents of the document are outputted in the form of a graph. A categorzied total table representative of the recognized information is outputted together with the graph. The results of recognition by the recognizing means are correctable. The recognized information from the recognizing means is optically indicated on a display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an image generating apparatus having a 
character recognizing function and a graphic function. 
Extensively used in the imaging art today are a character recognizing 
device capable of reading and recognizing characters which are written in 
paper, and a graphic device capable of drawing a desired image based on 
image data, especially a graphing device which processes numerical data to 
form a graph. Such devices have heretofore been proposed in various forms, 
as enumerated below. 
(1) With one prior art graphing device, a person inputs and edits graph 
data while watching a display and by using a keyboard, mouse, etc. The 
resulting graph is outputted by a printer or similar output unit. This 
kind of graphing device is applicable to a digital copier or similar 
equipment and is implemented as a computer application, software, or 
exclusive computer. 
(2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 61-255483, for 
example, discloses an optical character reader (OCR) of the type reading a 
slip on which frames are printed by using ordinary printing ink as 
distinguished from dropout colors. This OCR is directed toward decreasing 
the cost of slips and promoting easy identification of frames in which 
characters may be written. 
(3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publcation (Kokai) No. 62-290984, for 
example, proposes a slip having frames each being provided with a guide 
pattern therein beforehand. One may trace desired segments of the guide 
pattern. This uniformizes the style of handwriting and thereby improves 
the matching of input patterns and a registered dictionary. 
(4) An image generating apparatus capable of printing out a combined image 
on a special paper sheet which is customarily attached to a gift is shown 
and described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 58-85670, for 
example. Specifically, the apparatus reads an application blank which has 
been filled in a predetermined format by marking a portion of interest. 
The apparatus determines the kind of the gift on the basis of the marked 
portion of the application, reads the pattern of a word associated with 
the determined kind out of a memory, combines the read pattern with the 
pattern of a sender's name written in the application blank, and print out 
the combined patterns on the paper sheet. This allows a desired pattern 
intended for a gift to be selected and to be combined with the sender's 
name with ease. 
(5) A facsimile machine advantageously usable to send and output a graph is 
taught in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 54-118720, for 
example. This type of facsimile machine scans a document 
two-dimensionally, codes the optically read data, extracts the codes and 
quantities associated with individual items, and transmits them to a 
destination. At the destination, a graph is generated by using the codes 
and quantities. Such a facsimile machine cuts down the required 
transmission capacity by coding and, therefore, promotes effective use of 
a communication channel while reducing the transmission time. 
(6) Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (Kokai) No. 62-281082, for 
example, discloses a character recognizing device which recognizes 
handwritten characters or similar symbols, prints out the recognized 
symbols, and informs a person of the similarity or difference between the 
inputted symbols and the recognized symbols. The result of evaluation 
outputted together with the result of recognition helps educating a 
copyist as to the entry of characters and urges the copyist to acquire a 
writing method which is desirable for accurate character recognition. 
However, all the prior art implementations (1) to (6) described above have 
problems left unsolved. The graphing device (1), for example, formats and 
outputs a graph automatically and thereby reduces the processing time, but 
it relies on manual work when it comes to entering and editing graph data. 
Hence, the entering and editing time occupies substantial part of the 
total graphing time. Specifically, this prior art device is implemented as 
a computer application, software, or exclusive computer and is used with a 
keyboard, tablet, mouse, or similar inputting implement, as stated 
earlier. Such a device is, therefore, difficult to use for those who are 
not familiar with computers and cannot be handled without resorting to 
substantial knowledge regarding the complicated operation flows. A problem 
with the OCR (2) is that when the frames are broken off, blurred or 
smeared, the frames and the characters cannot be accurately separated from 
each other, resulting in misreading. For example, the frames are apt to 
blur when use is made of a copy of an original slip. The slip (3) is 
disadvantageous in that it is not easy for a person to write characters in 
the ordinary order of strokes. The image generating apparatus (4) does not 
allow more than a certain number of patterns to be stored beforehand and, 
since the sender's name is simply copied, it is not capable of executing 
any other secondary processing which uses the recognizing means. The 
application of the apparatus (4) is, therefore, substantially limited to 
gifts. The facsimile machine (5) basically sends a graph or similar 
graphic image faithfully and lacks a function of recognizing the contents 
of a graph and transforming them into another format. Further, the 
character recognizing device (6) informs a copyist only of whether or not 
the handwritten characters have defects, i.e., concrete image information 
is not available. Hence, the copyist cannot readily estimate the cause of 
misreading. Generally, when a document is read by a scanner, the read 
images and the written characters are not always identical. For example, 
when the reading density of the scanner is low, the read images are often 
blurred or broken off; when it is high, the read images often suffer from 
batter. Further, it is likely that noise is introduced in the output of 
the scanner or an inclined image is entered, depending on the position of 
a document. It follows that the cause of misreading can in many cases be 
estimated if read images themselves are displayed. With the apparatus (6), 
however, the estimation of the cause of misreading is not easy because the 
apparatus does not have such a displaying function. Thus, the current OCR 
technologies are directed toward improving recognizability only and are 
not concerned with how to correct misread characters or with the 
correction of a slip which may be needed later despite exact recognition. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image 
generating apparatus capable of enhancing efficient manual operations for 
entering data to be graphed. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image 
generating apparatus capable of recognizing with accuracy even characters 
which are written in a slip adapted for OCR in an ordinary style of 
handwriting, thereby executing highly reliable graphing and totalizing 
processing with the outputs of an OCR. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image 
generating apparatus capable of recognizing the contents of a document 
and, at the same time, outputting them in the form of a graph. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image 
generating apparatus capable of displaying an image signal outputted by a 
reading section as an image. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a generally 
improved image generating apparatus. 
In accordance with the present invention, an image generating apparatus 
comprises an image inputting unit for producing binary image data by 
optically reading a document in which numerical values for graphing, 
characters representative of a title and so forth are handwritten, a 
character image cleaving unit for cleaving images representative of the 
characters and numerals located at predetermined positions out of the 
binary image data, a character recognizing unit for outputting character 
codes and numeral codes by recognizing the cleaved images, a graph 
formating unit for producing a graph image on the basis of character and 
numeral data recognized by the character recognizing unit, and a mode 
selecting unit for selecting either one of an ordinary copy mode and a 
graph mode. 
Also, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for producing an image signal by 
reading a slip in which numerals are handwritten in a predetermined 
format, an analog-to-digital converting unit for converting the image 
signal into a digital image signal, a preserving unit for preserving the 
digital image signal, a recognizing unit for recognizing the digital image 
signal preserved by the preserving unit, a graph formating unit for 
totalizing results of recognition by the recognizing unit and formating 
the totalized results into a graph, a printing unit for printing out the 
graph formated by the graph formating unit and the results of recognition 
in combination, a storing unit for storing a pattern of the slip on which 
frames for writing numerals are defined by lines and a style of 
handwriting of the numerals is indicated together with the lines, an 
operating unit for commanding print-out of the pattern of the slip stored 
in the storing unit, and a selecting unit for selecting either one of an 
ordinary copy mode and a graph mode. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for reading a slip in which numerals 
are handwritten in a predetermined format, a recognizing unit for 
recognizing contents read by the reading unit, a graph formating unit for 
performing arithmetic operations with the recognized contents and 
formating the recognized contents into a graph on the basis of results of 
the arithmetic operations, an operating unit for instructing the graph 
formating unit the kind of a graph to be produced, a printing unit for 
combining and printing out the graph formated by the graph formating unit 
and data representative of the results of recognition by the recognizing 
unit, and a correcting unit for correcting the recognized contents. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for reading a slip in which numerals 
are handwritten in a predetermined format, an image storing unit for 
storing contents read by the reading unit as an image, a line recognizing 
unit for recognizing, on the basis of the contents read by the reading 
unit, lines which define frames on the slip, a separating unit for 
separating the lines recognized by the line recognizing unit and character 
portions, a character recognizing unit for recognizing characters included 
in the separated character portions, a displaying unit for optically 
displaying results of recognition by the character recognizing unit, a 
character storing unit for storing the results of recognition by the 
character recognizing unit, a location indicating unit for indicating 
locations of the character storing unit where the results of recognition 
are stored, a correcting unit for correcting the recognized contents 
stored in the character storing unit, an arithmetic operating unit for 
performing arithmetic operations with the recognized contents stored in 
the character storing unit, a graph formating unit for formating the 
recognized contents into a graph on the basis of results of the arithmetic 
operations, a printing unit for combining and printing out the graph 
formated by the graph formating unit and the results of recognition by the 
character recognizing unit, a graph selecting unit for selecting a graph 
of a desired kind, an interrupting unit for executing, while recognizing 
and graphing processing is under way, another image generating processing, 
and a mode selecting unit for selecting either one of an ordinary copy 
mode and a graph mode. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for reading a slip, an image storing 
unit for storing contents read by the reading unit as an image, a line 
rcognizing unit for recognizing lines which define frames on the slip and 
are included in image data stored in the image storing means, a separating 
unit for separating the lines recognized by the line recognizing unit and 
character portions, a character recognizing unit for recognizing 
characters included in the character portions, a character storing unit 
for storing results of recognition by the character recognizing unit, a 
printing unit for printing out the results of recognition stored in the 
character storing unit, a correcting unit for correcting the recognized 
contents stored in the character storing unit, an identifying unit for 
identifying contents of a mark sheet, an address calculating unit for 
determining, on the basis of a mark on the mark sheet identified by the 
identifying unit, an address of a location where one of the results of 
recognition is stored, an arithmetic operating unit for performing 
arithmetic operations with the recognized contents stored in the character 
storing unit, a graph formating unit for formating the recognized contents 
into a graph on the basis of results of the arithmetic operations, a 
printing unit for combining and printing out the graph formated by the 
graph formating unit and the results of recognition, a graph selecting 
unit for selecting a graph of a desired kind, an interrupting unit for 
executing, while recognizing and graphing processing is under way, another 
image generating processing, a mode selecting unit for selecting either 
one of an ordinary copy mode and a graph mode, a switching unit for 
switching over mark identifying processing and character recognizing 
processing, and a conflict preventing unit for preventing the graphed data 
from conflicting with data particular to the other image generating 
processing. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for reading a slip in which numerals 
are handwritten in a predetermined format, an image storing unit for 
storing contents read by the reading unit as an image, a line recognizing 
unit for recognizing, on the basis of the contents read by the reading 
unit, lines which define frames, a separating unit for separating the 
lines and character portions on the basis of results of recognition by the 
recognizing unit, a character recognizing unit for recognizing characters 
included in the character portions, a character storing unit for storing 
results of recognition by the character recognizing unit, a printing unit 
for printing out the results of recognition by the character recognizing 
unit, an image displaying unit for displaying an image which is read by 
the reading unit and to be recognized, in addition to the results of 
recognition, a correcting unit for correcting contents recognized by the 
character recognizing unit, a location indicating unit for indicating a 
location where a content to be corrected is stored, an inputting unit for 
inputting a portion to be corrected and a correct value, a calculating 
unit for performing arithmetic operations with the contents recognized by 
the character recognizing unit, a graph formating unit for formating the 
recognized contents into a graph on the basis of results of arithmetic 
operations, a printing unit for printing out the graph formated by the 
graph formating unit and the results of recognition, a graph selecting 
unit for selecting a graph of a desired kind, an interrupting unit for 
executing, while recognizing and graphing processing is under way, another 
image generating processing, a mode selecting unit for selecting either 
one of an ordinary copy mode and a graph mode, and a conflict preventing 
unit for preventing results of the recognizing and graphing procedure from 
conflicting with results of the other image generating processing. 
Further, in accordance with the present invention, an image generating 
apparatus comprises a reading unit for reading a slip in which numerals 
are handwritten in a predetermined format, an image storing unit for 
storing contents read by the reading unit as an image, a line recognizing 
unit for recognizing, on the basis of the contents read by the reading 
unit, lines which define frames, a separating unit for separating the 
lines and character portions on the basis of results of recognition by the 
line recognizing unit, a character recognizing unit for recognizing 
characters included in the character portions, a storing unit for storing 
results of recognition by the character recognizing unit, a printing unit 
for printing out the results of recognition by the character recognizing 
unit, a correcting unit for correcting contents recognized by the 
character recognizing unit, a location indicating unit for indicating a 
location of the storing unit where any of the contents to be corrected is 
stored, an inputting unit for inputting a portion to be corrected and a 
correct value, a calculating unit for performing arithmetic operations 
with the contents recognized by the character recognizing unit, a graph 
formating unit for formating the recognized contents into a graph on the 
basis of results of the arithmetic operations, a printing unit for 
combining and printing out the graph formated by the graph formating unit 
and the results of recognition, a graph selecting unit for selecting a 
graph of a desired kind, an interrupting unit for executing, while 
recognizing and graphing processing is under way, another image generating 
processing, a mode selecting unit for selecting either one of an ordinary 
copy mode and a graph mode, and a conflict preventing unit for preventing 
results of the recognizing and graphing processing from conflicting with 
results particular to the other image generating processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Preferred embodiments of the image generating apparatus in accordance with 
the present invention will be described hereinafter. 
First Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an image generating apparatus embodying the 
present invention is shown. As shown, the apparatus comprises a digital 
scanner or similar image input unit for inputting an image, a computer 2, 
a display, printer, plotter or similar image output unit 3, and a monitor 
4. The computer 2 includes character image cleaving means 5, character 
recognizing means 6, graph formating means 7, a first memory 8, a second 
memory 9, a third memory 10, graph drawing means 11, and graph outputting 
means 12. 
FIG. 3 shows a specific format of a document applicable to the illustrative 
embodiment and having frames 21 to 28. After the frames 21 to 28 of the 
document have been filled up with numerical values associated with a 
desired graph as well as the title of the graph, the apparatus executes a 
sequence of steps shown in FIG. 2 for generating an image. The sequence 
shown in FIG. 2 begins with a step S2-1 wherein the image input unit 1 
reads the document to generate image data. In the subsequent step S2-2, 
the character cleaving means 5 extracts out of the image data the data 
which are representative of characters and numerals written in the frames 
21 to 28 of the document, the extracted data being written in the first 
memory 8. This is followed by a step S2-3 for sequentially reading the 
characters and numerals out of the first memory, causing the character 
recognizing means 6 to recognize them, and then storing the results in the 
second memory 9. Subsequently, in a step S2-4, the recognized characters 
and numerals are read out of the second memory 9 and applied to the graph 
drawing means 11. In response, the graph drawing means formulates a graph 
such as shown in FIG. 4 in the third memory 10. Finally, in a step S2-5, 
the graph outputting means 12 delivers the graph having been stored in the 
third memory 10 to the monitor 4 or the image output unit 3. 
The illustrative embodiment constructed and operated as described above has 
the following advantages. 
(1) Once the document shown in FIG. 3 has been inputted in the image input 
unit 1, the apparatus does not need any manual operations till the end of 
the graphing procedure. All that is required of a person is filling up the 
frames of the document. 
(2) Since the numerals associated with a graph are written by hand, the 
apparatus frees one from awkward data inputting manipulations. 
(3) The apparatus is easy to handle because one needs only to fill up a 
predetermined paper sheet, i.e., one does not have to memorize complicated 
operating procedures. 
(4) The apparatus produces a desired graph immediately without being 
occupied over a long period of time. 
FIG. 5 shows a digital copier which is implemented by the first embodiment 
of the present invention described above. The digital copier shown in the 
figure has an input unit 30 having a glass platen. After a document having 
a predetermined format and filled up with characters and numerals has been 
laid on the glass platen, a graph mode is selected and, thereafter, a copy 
button (not shown) is pressed. In response, document inputting means 32 
begins reading the document. Character cleaving means 33 cleaves 
characters and numerals out of the image which the document inputting 
means 32 has read, while character recognizing means 34 recognizes them. 
Graph drawing means 35 develops the resulting data in a memory to 
formulate a graph, and then graph outputting means 36 prints out the graph 
on a paper sheet 37. The paper sheet 37 carrying the graph thereon is 
driven out of the copier. The application of the illustrative embodiment 
to a digital copier, therefore, allows a graph to be produced by an 
operation as easy as an ordinary copying operation, establishing a 
desirable man-machine relationship. 
Second Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, a second embodiment of the present invention is 
shown. In this embodiment, a document may be implemented as a slip, as 
shown in FIG. 7. This embodiment includes a reading section 100 for 
reading the slip 117 which has been filled up by hand, thereby producing 
an image signal. Preserving means in the form of a frame memory 104 
preserves the image signal. An OCR section 105 serves as recognizing means 
for recognizing the contents of the slip 117 on the basis of the image 
signal while outputting the recognized information. A drawing and 
totalizing section 111 produces image data. A ROM 112 is loaded with the 
pattern of the slip 117 beforehand. A printing section 115 prints out an 
image. An operating section 113 is accessible for entering information by 
hand. The operating section 113 constitutes mode selecting means for 
selecting either one of an ordinary copy mode and a graph mode, and 
operating means for commanding the print-out of the slip pattern stored in 
the ROM 112. 
As shown in FIG. 7, the slip 117 is provided with straight lines 118, 
standard character patterns 119, inhibited character patterns 120, notes 
121, and a mark 122 thereon. The straight lines 118 define frames in which 
characters may be written. The standard character patterns 119 are 
selected in conformity to a dictionary registered in the OCR section 105 
and will be referenced as a model. On the other hand, the inhibited 
character patterns 120 show poor characters which have to be avoided. 
After the slip 117 has been filled up according to the notes 121, it will 
be loaded on the scanner 102 in a particular orientation as indicated by 
the mark 122. 
Referring again to FIG. 6, the reading section 100 has a glass platen 101 
to be loaded with the slip 117, a scanner 102 for scanning the slip 117 to 
convert its contents into an electric signal, and an analog-to-digital 
(AD) converter 103 for transforming the electric signal into a digital 
image signal. The output of the AD converter 103 is interconnected to a 
frame memory 104 via a shaping section 100a. The shaping section 100a 
processes the digital image signal to reduce the image size and to remove 
noise, the resulting signal being written in the frame memory 104. The 
drawing and totalizing section 111 and ROM 112 are also interconnected to 
the input side of the frame memory 104. The OCR section 105 and printing 
section 115 are interconnected to the output side of the frame memory 104. 
In the OCR section 105, a line recognizing subsection 106 recognizes the 
lines 118 shown in FIG. 7 on the basis of the image signal which is 
written in the frame memory 104. A character cleaving subsection 107 draws 
out the frames defined by the lines 118 one by one in response to 
information which is fed thereto from the line recognizing subsection 106. 
A character recognizing subsection 108 recognizes handwritten characters 
existing in the individual cleaved frames, thereby producing a character 
signal. When any of the characters existing in the frames, e.g., a numeral 
is illegible due to poor handwriting or noise, the character recognizing 
subsection 108 produces a reject signal. When any of the frames is left 
blank with no characters being written therein, the subsection 108 
produces a blank signal. A memory 110 is connected to the output of the 
character recognizing section 108 in order to store the output information 
of the section 108, i.e. the character signal, reject signal, and blank 
signal. 
The drawing and totalizing section 111 is interconnected to the output of 
the memory 110. Although not shown in the figure, this section 111 has an 
arithmetic operating subsection for performing numerical operations with 
the recognized information, and a drawing subsection for generating image 
data representative of a table and a graph which show the results of 
numerical operations. The image data are fed from the drawing subsection 
to the printing section 115 via the frame memory 104. FIG. 8 shows a graph 
123 and a table 124, for example, which are representative of the result 
of arithmetic operations as mentioned above and may be printed out on a 
paper sheet 125 by the printing section 115. The paper sheet 125 carrying 
such images thereon is driven out of the image generating apparatus 
through a discharging section 116. 
In operation, one fills necessary items of the slip 117 shown in FIG. 7 by 
hand and then lays it on the glass platen 101. By reading the slip 117, 
the scanner 102 generates an electric signal and feeds it to the AD 
converting section 103. The shaping section 100a subjects the resulting 
digital signal to preprocessing such as reduction and noise removal. The 
output of the shaping section 100a is written in the frame memory 104. 
Subsequently, the recognizing subsection of the OCR section 105 recognizes 
the image signal stored in the frame memory 104 as numerals, while the 
drawing and totalizing section 111 totalizes the numerals and draws a 
graph. On the other hand, the frame recognizing subsection 106 of the OCR 
section 105 recognizes information associated with the arrangement of the 
frames and included in the image data, e.g. the positions, sizes and 
inclinations of the lines 118 and the number of frames. Based on such 
information, the character cleaving section 107 separates character 
portions and the lines of the individual frames and cleaves characters one 
by one. The character recognizing subsection 108 recognizes the cleaved 
characters as numerals and stores the results of recognition in the memory 
110. 
The drawing and totalizing section 111 calculates, by using the results of 
recognition stored in the memory 110 and in response to a selection 
command entered on the operating section 113, the maximum and minimum 
values and the intervals of a graph, the proportions of individual items 
to the entire graph, regions to draw, etc. Then, the section 111 produces 
a graph by assigning a different pattern to each associated region for 
discrimination purpose. Also, the section 111 totalizes the numerical 
values by a particular method which is instructed on the operating section 
113. The graph and the results of categorized totalization are fed as 
image data to the frame memory 104 together with the results of 
recognition which have been stored in the memory 110. The image data are 
delivered to the frame memory 104 by a path 114 which implements an 
ordinary digital image generating function, so that the printing section 
115 prints them out on the paper sheet 125 shown in FIG. 8. Assume that 
one has entered a command on the operating section 113 for printing out a 
format pattern representative of the slip 117. Then, such a format pattern 
is read out of the ROM 112 and then written in the frame memory 104 as 
slip pattern data. The slip pattern data is printed out on the paper sheet 
125 by the printing section 115 together with the abovementioned graph, 
results of totalization, and results of recognition. 
As described above, this particular embodiment loads the ROM 112 with a 
pattern of the slip 117 and causes the printing section 115 to print out 
such a pattern as needed. Hence, numerals handwritten in the slip 117 can 
be accurately recognized in a uniformized manner at all times. This 
insures extremely reliable graph drawing and totalizing procedure based on 
the output of the OCR section 105. 
Third Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, a third embodiment of the present invention is 
shown. The third embodiment is essentially similar to the second 
embodiment except for part of the construction and operation which will be 
described hereinafter. In the figures, the same or similar components are 
designated by like reference numerals, and redundant description will be 
avoided for simplicity. The construction of the illustrative embodiment 
will be described together with its operation. 
As shown in FIG. 9, a person fills necessary items of a document 224, FIG. 
10, by hand and then lays it on the glass platen 101. By reading the 
document 224, the scanner 102 generates an electric signal and feeds it to 
the AD converting section 103. The resulting digital signal is written in 
a memory 204. The OCR section 105 recognizes the image signal stored in 
the frame memory 204 as numerals, while a drawing device 210 produces a 
graph on the basis of the recognized numerals. First, the line recognizing 
subsection 106 recognizes information associated with the arrangement of 
the frames and included in the image data, e.g. the positions, sizes and 
inclinations of the lines 118 and the number of frames. Based on such 
information, the character cleaving section 107 cleaves characters one by 
one out of the individual frames. The character recognizing subsection 108 
recognizes the cleaved characters as numerals. If any of the handwritten 
characters in the frames is illegible due to poor shape or noise, for 
example, the character recognizing subsection 108 produces a result of 
recognition in the form of a reject symbol 245a, FIG. 12, showing that the 
character cannot be recognized. If any of the frames is left blank with no 
characters being written therein such as a frame 244, FIG. 10, the 
subsection 108 produces a blank symbol indicating that the frame is blank. 
The result of recognition from the subsection 108 is written in a second 
memory 209. 
The drawing device 210 has an arithmetic operating subsection 211. When the 
reject signal 245a is absent, the arithmetic operating subsection 211 
calculates, by using the results of recognition stored in the second 
memory 209, the maximum and minimum values and the intervals of a graph 
selected on an operating section 207, proportions of the individual items 
to the entire graph, regions to draw, etc. In response to the results of 
such arithmetic operations, a drawing subsection 212 produces a graph by 
assigning a different pattern to the associated region of each item for 
discrimination purpose. The graph produced by the drawing section 212 is 
written in a third memory 213 as image data. The image data generated by 
the OCR 105 and drawing device 210 and then stored in the third memory 213 
are transferred to the printing section 115 over a path of an ordinary 
digital image forming apparatus and thereby printed out. By the procedure 
described so far, the contents handwritten in the document 224 which is 
laid on the glass platen 101 are outputted in the form of the graph 123, 
FIG. 8, through the discharging section 116. The result of recognition 
124, FIG. 8, produced by the OCR section 105 and stored in the second 
memory 209 is also printed out on the paper sheet 125. 
Assume that a certain numeral has been rejected by the OCR section 105. 
Then, the drawing device 210 does not execute the image drawing operation, 
and only the result of recognition by the OCR section 105 is fed to the 
printing section 115 over a data bus 116 and thereby printed out as 
recognition result data 124. The result of recognition by the OCR section 
105 regarding the graph 123 or the recognition result data 124 and 
outputted at the discharging section 116 is compared with the numerals 
actually written in the document or slip 224. Subsequently, a portion 
where the reject symbol 245a exists and a portion where the recognized 
character is not correct (misread portion 246a) are corrected by reentry 
(as represented by a reentered portion 234 shown in FIG. 11). 
Specifically, when the rejection symbol 245a exists, a correction input 
mode is automatically set up via the control bus 218. When a misread 
character is found, the correction input mode is manually set up on the 
operating section 207 via the control bus 206. Correct characters 
associated with the rejected portion and misread portion only are written 
in another slip 226, as represented by the reenentered portions 234 in 
FIG. 11. The other portions of this slip 226 are simply left blank. Then, 
the slip 226 for correction is laid on the glass platen 101 and then read 
by the scanner 102. 
In the correction input mode as selected by a mode selecting section 205, 
the locations of the memory 209 corresponding to those portions of the 
second or correction slip 226 where a blank symbol has occurred are not 
rewritten. On the other hand, the locations of the memories 209 
corresponding to the portions of the slip 226 where the new characters are 
recognized are replaced with the new input recognition results. The 
contents of the second memory 209 corrected as stated are held and, in 
response to the kind of a desired graph entered on the operating section 
207, graphed any desired number of times. The second memory 209 is 
initialized as commanded on the operating section 207 via a control bus 
222. The OCR section 105 and drawing device 210 have a recognizing and a 
drawing function which are independent of an ordinary digital image 
generating function. Hence, while the OCR section 105 and drawing device 
210 are operated, ordinary digital image generating processing can be 
executed in parallel via a data/address bus 229. In such a case, a buffer 
231 serves to prevent the data/address bus 229 from conflicting with an 
adding section 230 as to the ropagation of data. 
In FIG. 10, the reference numeral 233 designates numerals which are written 
by hand. 
The illustrative embodiment allows handwritten numerical data to be 
presented in a graph which is easy to see by intuition. Since some 
different kinds of graphs are available with this embodiment, it is 
possible to present the numerical data in an optimal format in matching 
relation to the contents and nature thereof. The numerical data are 
printed out together with a graph, i.e., one can see objective data 
together with an intuition-oriented image. Such concrete presentation of 
numerical data is achieved simply by writing them by hand, so that any one 
can graph necessary data with ease. Furthermore, the exclusive recognition 
and graphing procedure can be executed independently of an ordinary 
digital image generating procedure, whereby efficient office work is 
promoted. 
Fourth Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 13 to 19, a fourth embodiment of the present invention 
is shown. This alternative embodiment is essentially the same as the third 
embodiment except for part of the construction and operation which will be 
described. In the figures, the same or similar components are designated 
by like reference numerals, and redundant description will be avoided for 
simplicity. 
As shown in FIG. 13, the fourth embodiment has a switching section 232 
which is interconnected to an operating section 223 by a signal line 233 
in order to switch over the data propagation path from the first memory 
204. The operating section 223 is interconnected to the second memory 209 
by the control bus 222. A display such as a touch panel 219 shown in FIG. 
14 is included in the operating section 223 for displaying recognized 
information optically. Recognized information appears on the touch panel 
219 in the same format as the slip 224, FIG. 10, which is read by the 
reading section 100. The display positions on the touch panel 219 are 
individually associated with the addresses of the second memory 209 where 
recognized information is to be stored. The operating section 223 and data 
bus 222 in combination constitute correcting means for entering correction 
data in the second memory 209. Specifically, when the operator touches a 
desired frame and a desired character or characters on the touch panel 219 
to enter correction data, the correction data are fed to corresponding 
addresses of the second memory 209 via the data bus 222 so as to replace 
the recognized information having been stored therein. A control bus 220 
interconnects the operating section 223 and mode selecting section 205. 
When a draw command is entered on the operating section 223, it is 
delivered to the mode selecting section 205 via the control bus 220 
resulting in the recognized information being read out of the second 
memory 209 and fed to the drawing section 210 and so forth. 
The operating section 223 and the control bus 221 extending between the 
operating section 223 and the drawing section 210 serve as selecting means 
which is available for entering a select command indicative of the kind of 
a desired graph and meant for the drawing section 210. In response to the 
select command, the drawing section 210 determines the maximum and minimum 
values and the intervals of a graph, the proportions of the individual 
items to the entire graph, regions to draw, drawing patterns, etc. The 
operating section 223, switching section 232, a signal line 233 
interconnecting the operating section 223 and switching section 232, and a 
data/address bus 229 interconnecting the switching section 232 and a 
buffer 231 constitute interrupting means which allows an image signal from 
the reading section 100 to be selectively transferred to the printing 
section 115. A graph mode and an ordinary copy mode are switched over by 
entering a command on the operating section 223 which is destined to the 
mode selecting section 205. 
In the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment of FIG. 9, the OCR 
section 105 recognizes an image signal and produces recognized information 
as shown in a flowchart in FIG. 15. Specifically, the slip 224 shown in 
FIG. 10 is laid on the glass platen 101 and then scanned by the scanner 
102, whereby the contents of the slip 224 are transformed into an electric 
signal. The AD converter 103 converts the electric signal into a digital 
image signal. This image signal is written in the first memory 204 and 
applied to the OCR section 105 via the switching section 232. The 
procedure described so far is represented by a step S15-1. This is 
followed by a step S15-2 for causing the line recognizing section 106 to 
separate segment components out of the image signal. If the distance 
between nearby segment components is smaller than a predetermined number 
of dots, the segment components are interconnected to form a segment of a 
line. If the distance between a separated segment and a segment adjacent 
thereto is smaller than a predetermined threshold, they are interconnected 
to form a frame; if the resulting frame is smaller than a predetermined 
threshold as to size, it is not recognized as a frame. In this manner, 
based on the image signal stored in the first memory 204, there are 
recognized and extracted the positions, thicknesses and inclinations of 
the lines 225 on the slip 224 of FIG. 10, the number of frames 242 defined 
by the lines 225, etc. 
In the next step S15-3, different addresses of the memory are allocated to 
the individual frames 242 which are different in vertical and horizontal 
positions from each other, on the basis of the above-stated information. 
Then, the character cleaving section 107 cleaves information associated 
with the multiple frames 242 frame by frame, i.e., it separates the 
individual frames 242 from one another (step S15-4). Subsequently, 
vertical and horizontal projections are produced by using the information 
associated with the individual frames 242, and the portions corresponding 
to the lines 225 and the portions corresponding to the handwritten 
characters 243, for example, are distinguished from each other (step 
S15-5). The character recognizing section 108 compares the separated 
hand-written characters such as the characters 243 with a dictionary (step 
S15-6). At the same time, the character recognizing section specifies the 
handwritten characters and produces signals representative of such 
characters (step S15-7). If the section 108 cannot specify any of such 
characters, it analyzes the contour of the character (step S15-8). If the 
character is illegible due to poor handwriting or noise as determined by 
the analysis, the section 108 produces a reject signal. If any of the 
frames 242 is left blank with no characters being written therein (blank 
portion 244 shown in FIG. 10), the section 108 produces a blank signal. By 
the same procedure, all the characters on the slip 224 are recognized 
(step S15-9). 
The contents of the recognized information produced by the above procedure 
S15-1 to S15-9 are individually stored in predetermined addresses of the 
second memory 209. More specifically, designating means sequentially 
designates the leading addresses of the locations of the second memory 209 
in association with the positions on the slip 224, so that the recognized 
information may be sequentially written in the memory 209 from the leading 
addresses. At the same time, the recognized information is fed to the 
touch panel 219 of the operating section 223 via the data bus 222. The 
positions on the touch panel 219 corresponding to the locations in the 
memory 209 are determined to display the recognized information thereon, 
i.e., the recognized information is displayed on the touch panel 219 in 
the same format as on the slip 224. The touch panel 219 displays the 
optical characters 243a of FIG. 12 in matching relation to the handwritten 
characters 243 of the slip 224, displays the blank portions 244 of the 
slip 244 as blanks 244a, and displays the reject symbol 245a if any of the 
characters 245 on the slip 224 is illegible. 
FIG. 16 shows a sequence of steps for correcting any of the recognized 
information appearing on the touch panel 219. Specifically, the operator 
compares the recognized information appearing on the touch panel 219 shown 
in FIG. 14 with the contents of the slip 224 shown in FIG. 10. Assume that 
the operator finds that the character 246 on the slip 224 has been misread 
as the character 246a of FIG. 12 or that the character 245 has been 
replaced with the reject symbol 245a, for example. Then, the operator 
touches an input command area 219a provided on the touch panel 21 so as to 
set up the correction input mode (step S16-1). In response, an address 
counter 250, FIG. 17, indicates a leading address 251 associated with the 
recognized result (step S16-2). Subsequently, the operator touches the 
particular portion of the touch panel 219 where the misread or rejected 
character is positioned, enters coordinates for correctionm and thereby 
designates the frame to correct (step S16-3). As a result, a relative 
address of the coordinates is calculated (step S16-4) to load the address 
counter 250 with the designated address 252 instead of the leading address 
251 252 (step S16-5). In this condition, the operator touches a numerical 
input section 219b on the touch panel 219 to enter a correct numerical 
value (step S16-6). In response, the recognized information 253 located at 
the address 252 is rewritten (step S16-7). By the same procedure, all the 
illegible characters and rejected characters are corrected (step S16-8). 
FIG. 18 indicates an interrupt procedure for transferring the image signal 
from the reading section 100 to the printing section 115 via the 
data/address bus which interconnects the switching section 232 and buffer 
231. For this procedure, the operating section 232 is manipulated to set 
up a recognize and draw mode, i.e., a graph mode (step S18-1). 
Specifically, the switching section 232 is operated to connect the 
information delivery path to the OCR section 105 (step S18-2). On the 
delivery of the image signal to the OCR section 105 via the switching 
section 232, recognizing and drawing processing is executed (step S18-3), 
and then whether or not an interrupt mode has been set up is determined 
(step S18-4). If the answer of the step S18-4 is NO, all the information 
propagating through the adding section 230 such as the image data are 
routed to the path 214 (step S18-5), the information fed from the third 
memory 213 via the adding section 230 as well as other information routed 
through the adding section are transferred to the path 214 (step S18-6), 
and the information temporarily stored in the buffer 231 is also delivered 
to the path 214 (step S18-7). In response to these information, the 
printing section 115 prints out the image. 
On the other hand, if the answer of the step S18-4 is YES, the switching 
section 232 switches the information delivery path into connection with 
the data/address bus 229 (step S18-8). Thereupon, the image signal is 
inputted via the switching section 232 (step S18-9), the image signal is 
fed from the buffer 231 to the printing section 115 via the data/address 
bus 229 (step S18-10), and the printing section 115 prints out the image 
based on the image signal from the reading section 100, i.e., performs an 
ordinary printing operation (step S18-11). Subsequently, whether or not 
the image data have been formatted and propagated through the adding 
section 230 is determined (step S18-12). If the answer of the step S18-12 
is YES, the image signal propagated through the data/address bus 229 is 
stored in the buffer 231 (step S18-13). This is followed by the steps 
S18-5 and S18-6 stated earlier. Finally, the image signal stored in the 
buffer 231 is also delivered to the printing section 115 via the path 214 
to be printed out (step S18-7). If the answer of the step S18-12 is NO, 
the program returns to the step S18-9. 
The illustrative embodiment has various advantages, as enumerated below. 
(1) The OCR section 105 recognizes the contents of the slip 224 shown in 
FIG. 10, while the arithmetic operating section 211 performs numerical 
operations by using the recognized contents. The drawing section 212 
produces image data for graphing the results of the numerical operations 
and feeds them to the printing section 5. In response, the printing 
section 5 prints out the contents of the slip 224 as a graph 123, for 
example, as shown in FIG. 8. Any person can, therefore, readily graph 
desired numerical data simply by writing them in the slip 242 or similar 
document. 
(2) The kind of a graph is selectable by entering a select command on the 
operating section 223. Hence, numerical data can be presented in an 
optimal format matching the contents and nature of numerical data, further 
facilitating intuitive recognition of the numerical data. Since the 
recognized information is written in the second memory 209, they can be 
read out and outputted as various kinds of graphs and any desired number 
of times. The categorized total table 124 shown in FIG. 8 is outputted 
together with the graph 123, so that one can see the objective data in 
addition to the intuition-oriented data. 
(3) While the drawing section 210 is operated to perform arithmetic 
operations and generate image data, the operating section 223 may be 
manipulated to set up an interrupt mode in which interrupting means allows 
ordinary image generating processing to be executed in parallel. This is 
successful in increasing the efficiency of clerical work. When image data 
are fed from the drawing section 210, the image signal propagated through 
the data/address bus 229 is temporarily lodged in the buffer 231. Hence, 
data belonging to two different systems are prevented from conflicting 
with each other. 
(4) Since the recognized information from the OCR section 105 are displayed 
on the touch panel 219, one can examine them immediately. Further, one can 
readily compare the recognized information appearing on the touch panel 
219 with the contents of the slip 224 because the former is displayed in 
the same format as the latter. When any of the recognized data appearing 
on the touch panel 219 is not correct, the operator can correct it easily 
and rapidly by touching a particular area and character on the panel 219. 
Fifth Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 20 to 22, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is 
shown. This embodiment is essentially similar to the fourth embodiment 
except for part of the construction and operation which will be described. 
In the figures, the same or similar components will be designated by like 
reference numerals, and redundant description will be avoided for 
simplicity. 
As shown in FIG. 20, a switching section 261 is disposed between the output 
of the switching section 232 and the input of the OCR 105. The output of 
the switching section 261 is selectively caused into connection with the 
OCR section 105 and mark reading means in the form of an optical mark 
reading (OMR) section 262. FIG. 21 shows a document for correction such as 
a mark sheet 270 applicable to the illustrative embodiment. Specifically, 
the OMR section 262 reads, on the basis of the image signal fed thereto 
via the switching section 261, marked frames 271 of the mark sheet 271 and 
enters correction data for correcting recognized information. The second 
memory 209 is interconnected to the output of the OMR section 262 via an 
address calculating section 263. The address calculating section 263 
determines an address of the memory 209 where the recognized information 
associated with the correction data is stored. The data bus 217 and 
drawing section 210 are interconnected to the output of the memory 209, as 
in the fourth embodiment. A bus 264 is connected at one end to the data 
bus 217 and at the other end to the input of an adding section 266 
together with a bus 265 which extends from the operating section 260. The 
output of the adding section 266 is interconnected to the switching 
section 261. The operating section 260, buses 264 and 265, adding section 
266 and switching section 261 constitute switching means for switching the 
information delivery path from the first memory 204 between the OCR 
section 105 and the OMR section 262. 
This embodiment lacks the touch panel or display 219, adding section 218 
and control bus 220 which are included in the fourth embodiment. 
In the illustrative embodiment, the OCR section 105 recognizes an image 
signal and outputs recognized information in the same manner as in the 
fourth embodiment, i.e., according to the procedure shown in FIG. 15. Such 
a procedure, therefore, will not be described to avoid redundancy. 
The recognized information produced by the steps S15-1 to S15-9 of FIG. 15 
are stored in predetermined addresses of the second memory 209, as in the 
fourth embodiment. Specifically, the leading addresses of the memory 209 
to be assigned to the recognized information are specified in 
correspondence with the positions on the slip 224 shown in FIG. 10, so 
that information may be sequentially stored from the leading addresses. 
The contents of the recognized information are outputted by ordinary 
outputting means. Specifically, the printing section 115 prints out the 
recognition result table 241, FIG. 12, in the same format as the slip 224, 
FIG. 10. The recognition result table 241 shows characters 243a of FIG. 12 
which match the handwritten characters 243 of the slip 224 of FIG. 10, 
shows blanks 244a which match the blank portions 244 of the slip 224, and 
shows a reject symbol 245a when any of the characters 245 of the slip 224 
is illegible. The results of recognition by the OCR section 105 stored in 
the second memory 209 are corrected in exactly the same manner as has been 
described with reference to FIG. 16. 
FIG. 22 indicates how the OCR section 105 and the OMR section 262 are 
switched over and how the recognized information is corrected. First, the 
operator compares the recognized information indicated on the recognition 
result table 241 with the contents of the slip 224 shown in FIG. 10. When 
any of the characters on the slip 224 has been misread or rejected as 
represented by the character 246 or the reject symbol 245a, the operator 
sees if the recognition is the initial recognition or the correcting 
recognition. If it is the correcting recognition, the operator selects the 
OMR section 262 and then manipulates the operating section 260 to feed a 
switchover signal to the switching section 261 via the adding section 266. 
As a result, the switching section 261 brings the information delivery 
path into connection with the OMR section 262. When a character is 
rejected as represented by the character 245, the resulting reject signal 
is fed from the second memory 209 to the switching section 261 via the 
buses 217 and 264 and adding section 266. In this case, therefore, the OCR 
section 105 is automatically replaced with the OMR section 262. When the 
correction input mode (correcting recognition) is set as stated above, the 
address counter 250 shown in FIG. 17 is reset by the step S22-2. 
Subsequently, the operator marks the frames of interest on the mark sheet 
270 which is adapted for correction. Specifically, the operator marks a 
particular frame 271 in a row inputting area of the mark sheet 270 to 
designate the row of interest, a particular frame in a column inputting 
area 273 to designate the column of interest, and a particular frame in a 
numeral inputting section 274 to designate the character of interest. 
Thereafter, the reading section 100 reads the mark sheet 270 and delivers 
the resulting image signal to the OMR section 262 via the first memory 204 
and switching sections 232 and 261. Then, the OMR section 262 reads the 
mark 271 in the row inputting section 272 of the mark sheet 270 on the 
basis of the image signal (step S22-3) and, in the same manner, reads the 
mark in the column inputting section 273 (step S22-4). The address 
calculating section 263 determines a particular address defined by the 
particular row and column (step S22-5), and then the address counter is 
shifted from the leading address to the determined address (step S22-6). 
Thereafter, the OMR section 262 recognizes the mark in the numeral 
inputting section 274 of the mark sheet 270 on the basis of the image 
signal and inputs the correct value (step S22-7). As a result, the 
recognized information having been stored in the address as indicated by 
the address counter 250 is rewritten (step S22-8). Such a procedure is 
repeated until all the illegible and rejected characters have been 
corrected (step S22-9). Finally, the corrected information is fed to the 
drawing section 210. 
Subsequently, the step S22-1 is executed to set up the recognize mode 
(initial recognition) on the operating section 260. This causes the 
information delivery path into connection with the OCR section 105 instead 
of the OMR section 262. Then, an initialize command is fed to the second 
memory 209 via the data bus 222 to initialize it, so that the leading 
address is set in the address counter (step S22-11). In this condition, 
the line recognizing section 106 recognizes the lines 225 of FIG. 10 (step 
S22-12), as in the fourth embodiment of FIG. 15. The character extracting 
section 107 extracts the frames 242 defined by the lines 225 one by one 
(step S22-13), while the character recognizing section 108 recognizes the 
handwritten characters 243 existing in the individual frames 242 to 
thereby produce a character signal (step S22-14). Then, addresses 
associated with the individual frames 242 are set up (step S22-15), and 
the character signal and other recognized information are written in the 
associated addresses (step S22-16). After such recognition processing has 
been completed (step S22-17), the recognized information stored in the 
second memory 209 by the above procedure are fed to the drawing section 
210. 
The above sequence of steps is followed by interrupt processing, i.e., 
ordinary image generating processing as in the fourth embodiment of FIG. 
18. Specifically, an image signal produced by the reading section 100 is 
transferred to the printing section 115 via the data address bus 229 which 
interconnects the switching section 232 and buffer 231. 
The fifth embodiment described above has the following advantages. 
(1) The OCR section 105 recognizes the contents of the slip 224, FIG. 10, 
while the arithmetic operating section 211 performs arithmtic operations 
with the recognized information. The drawing section 212 generates image 
data based on the results of arithmetic operations and delivers them to 
the printing section 115 for printing out a graph. Hence, the contents of 
a document in which numerical data have been written by hand, e.g., the 
slip 224 can be outputted in the form of a graph 123, for example, by the 
printing section 115. This allows any one to graph desired numerical data 
with ease. 
(2) The kind of a graph is freely variable on the operating section 260. 
Stated another way, numerical data can be graphed in an optimal format on 
the basis of the contents and nature thereof, further promoting easy 
recognition by intuition. Since the recognized information is written in 
the second memory 209, they can be read out and outputted as various kinds 
of graphs any desired number of times. The categorized total table 124 
shown in FIG. 8 is outputted together with the graph 123, so that one can 
see the objective data in addition to the intuition-oriented data. 
(3) While the drawing section 210 is operated to perform arithmetic 
operations and generate image data, the operating section 260 may be 
manipulated to set up an interrupt mode in which interrupting means allows 
ordinary image generating processing to be executed in parallel. This is 
successful in increasing the efficiency of clerical work. When image data 
are fed from the drawing section 210, the image signal propagated through 
the data/address bus 229 is temporarily lodged in the buffer 231. Hence, 
data belonging to two different systems are prevented from conflicting 
with each other. 
(4) The recognized information from the OCR section 105 is outputted in the 
same format as the slip 224 and, therefore, it can be readily compared 
with the contents of the slip 224. One can correct the recognized 
information easily and rapidly simply by smearing frames of interest 
provided on the mark sheet 270. 
Sixth Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, a sixth embodiment of the present invention 
is shown. This embodiment is essentially similar to the fourth embodiment 
except for part of the construction and operation which will be described. 
In the figures, the same or similar components are designated by like 
reference numerals, and redundant description will be avoided for 
simplicity. 
As shown in FIG. 23, the sixth embodiment has an operating section 280 or 
similar correcting means for entering correction data. The correction data 
include a location which needs correction, and a correct value. The 
operating section 280 has numeral keys 281 and a liquid crystal display 
(LCD) 282. Buses 283 and 284 are interconnected to the output of the 
operating section 280. The bus 283 is interconnected to the second memory 
209 via an address calculating section 285 which determines, in response 
to the correction data, an address where the associated recognized 
information is stored. The bus 284 is interconnected to the second memory 
209 via an adding section 286. A bus 287 branching off the data bus 217 is 
interconnected to the adding section. The data bus 217, adding section 
230, buffer 231 and printing section 115 constitute outputting section for 
causing the printing section 115 to print out the recognized information. 
In the sixth embodiment, the touch panel (display) 219, adding section 218 
and control bus 220 included in the fourth embodiment are omitted. 
The illustrative embodiment causes the OCR section 105 to recognize and 
output recognized information by the sequence of steps which have been 
described with reference to FIG. 15. Recognized information produced by 
the steps S15-1 to S15-9 is stored in predetermined addresses of the 
second memory 209, as in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the 
recognized information is sequentially written in the memory 209 from the 
leading addresses each being associated with respective one of the filled 
items of the slip 224. When the reject signal has appeared, the content of 
the associated recognized information is outputted, i.e., the recognition 
result table 241 shown in FIG. 12 is printed out on a paper sheet by the 
printing section 115 in the same format as the slip 224 shown in FIG. 10. 
Then, the paper sheet is driven out through the discharging section 116. 
In the table 214, the handwritten characters 243 appear as characters 243a 
as shown in FIG. 12 while the blank portions 244 appear as blanks 244a. 
When any of the characters 245 on the slip 224 is illigible, a reject 
symbol 244 is printed out on the slip 224. When the reject signal does not 
appear, the drawing section produces image data in response to the 
recognized information so as to allow the printing section 115 to print 
out the graph 123 and table 124 shown in FIG. 8. 
Recognized information in the recognition result table 241 may be corrected 
by the procedure which has been described with reference to FIG. 16. 
Specifically, the operator compares the recognized information, i.e., the 
table 241 with the slip 224 of FIG. 10. Assume that the character 246a in 
the table 241 has been misread, and that a rejection signal 245a is 
printed out in place of a particular character of the slip 224. Then, the 
operator manipulates the operating section 280, FIG. 24, to select a 
correction input mode (step S16-1, FIG. 16). When a character such as the 
character 245 is rejected, a reject signal is fed from the second memory 
209 to the memory 209 itself via the buses 217 and 287 and adding section 
286 and is thereby automatically caused into the correction input mode. In 
this condition, the address counter 250, FIG. 17, is loaded with the 
leading address of the recognized information stored in the second memory 
209 (step S17-2, FIG. 17). This is followed by the same sequence of steps 
for correcting the recognized information as the sequence of the fourth 
embodiment. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, interrupt processing, i.e., 
ordinary image generating processing is executed for transferring the 
image signal from the reading section 100 to the printing section 115 via 
the data/address bus 229. The interrupt procedure proceeds as described 
with reference to FIG. 18. 
The illustrative embodiment has various advantages, as enumerated below. 
(1) The OCR section 105 recognizes the contents of the slip 224 shown in 
FIG. 10, while the numeral operating section 211 performs arithmetic 
operations by using the recognized contents. The drawing section 212 
produces image data for graphing the results of the arithmetic operations 
and feeds them to the printing section 115. In response, the printing 
section 115 prints out the contents of the slip 224 in the form of a graph 
123, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. Any person can, therefore, readily 
graph desired numerical data simply by writing them in the slip 242 or 
similar document. 
(2) The kind of graph is selectable by entering a select command on the 
operating section 280. Hence, numerical data can be presented in an 
optimal format matching the contents and nature of numerical data, further 
facilitating intuitive recognition of the numerical data. Since the 
recognized information is written in the second memory 209, they can be 
read out and outputted as various kinds of graphs any desired number of 
times. The categorized total table 124 shown in FIG. 8 is outputted 
together with the graph 123, so that one can see the objective data in 
addition to the intuition-oriented data. 
(3) While the drawing section 210 is operated to perform arithmetic 
operations and generate image data, the operating section 280 may be 
manipulated to set up an interrupt mode in which interrupting means allows 
ordinary image generating processing to be executed in parallel. This is 
successful in increasing the efficiency of office work. When image data 
are fed from the drawing section 210, the image signal propagated through 
the data/address bus 229 is temporarily lodged in the buffer 231. Hence, 
data belonging to two different systems are prevented from conflicting 
with each other. 
(4) Since the recognized information from the COR section 105 is outputted 
in the same format as the slip 224 by the printing section, one can 
compare them with ease. Furthermore, recognized information can be 
corrected simply by entering the row and column where an illegible or 
rejected numeral exists and a correct value and, therefore, easily within 
a short period of time. 
Seventh Embodiment 
Referring to FIGS. 25 to 30, a seventh embodiment of the present invention 
is shown. This embodiment is essentially the same as the fourth embodiment 
except for part of the construction and operation which will be described. 
In the figures, the same or similar components are designated by like 
reference numerals, and redundant description will be avoided for 
simplicity. 
As shown in FIG. 25, the seventh embodiment has the operating section 280 
or similar correcting means for entering correction data. The correction 
data include a location which needs correction, and a correct value. The 
operating section 280 has the numeral keys 281 and 282. Buses 283 and 284 
are interconnected to the output of the operating section 280. The bus 283 
is interconnected to the second memory 209 via the address calculating 
section 285 which determines an address where the associated recognized 
information is stored. The bus 284 is interconnected to the second memory 
209 via the adding section 286. The bus 287 branching off the data bus 217 
is interconnected to the adding section 286. A fourth memory 291 is 
interconnected to the first memory 204 in order to store information 
associated with the lines 225 which have been recognized by the line 
recognizing section 106. The line recognizing section 106 is 
interconnected to the input side of the fourth memory 291, while a bus 292 
is interconnected to the output of the memory 291. The bus 292 is 
interconnected to the input of the third memory 213 via an adding section 
290. The data bus 217 is also connected to the input of the third memory 
213 via the adding section 290. The fourth memory 291 and printing section 
115 constitute displaying means for displaying recognized information and 
an image based on the image signal. 
In the seventh embodiment, the touch panel (display) 219, adding section 
218 and control bus 220 included in the fourth embodiment are omitted. 
The illustrative embodiment causes the OCR section 105 to recognize and 
output recognized information by the sequence which has been described 
with reference to FIG. 15. Recognized information produced by the steps 
S15-1 to S15-9 is stored in predetermined addresses of the second memory 
209, as in the fourth embodiment. Specifically, the recognized information 
is sequentially written in the memory 209 from the leading addresses each 
being associated with respective one of the filled frames of the slip 224. 
FIG. 30 shows a procedure for printing out the graph 123 and categorized 
total table 124 of FIG. 8 and a recognition result table of FIG. 26. The 
procedure beings with a step S30-1 for determining whether or not the 
character recognizing section 108 has generated a reject signal. If the 
answer of the step S30-1 is YES, the first memory 204 is accessed on the 
basis of the fourth memory 291 (step S30-2). The image signal stored in 
the first memory 204 is copied on the third memory 213 (step S30-3). The 
image signal stored in the second memory 209 is copied on the third memory 
213 (step S30-4). Then, a recognition result table 299, FIG. 26, is 
printed out by the printing section 115 (step S30-5). In the table 299, 
characters 243b of FIG. 26 which are based on the image signal are printed 
out in correspondence with the handwritten characters 243 of the slip 224 
of FIG. 10, while characters 243a are printed on the basis of the result 
of recognition. Likewise, blanks 244a in the table 299 correspond to the 
blank portions 244 of the slip 224. When a particular character 245 of the 
slip 224 is illegible, a reject symbol 245a is printed out. When a 
character signal or a blank signal has been generated and the character 
recognizing section 108 has not outputted a reject signal as determined by 
the step S30-1, whether or not a draw mode has been set up is determined 
(step S30-6). If the answer of the step S30-6 is NO, the step S30-2 to 
S30-5 are executed. If the answer of the step S30-6 is YES, drawing 
processing is executed (step S30-7), the image data from the drawing 
section 210 are copied on the third memory 13 on the basis of the 
recognized information (step S30-8), the recognized information stored in 
the second memoy 209 is copied on the third memory 213 (step S30-9), and 
the printing section 115 prints out the graph 123 and categorized total 
table table 124 of FIG. 8 (step S30-10). 
The procedure for printing out the recognition result table 299 will be 
described in more detail with reference to FIG. 27. As shown, the fourth 
memory 291, i.e., a location where frame information has been stored is 
accessed (step S27-1). Then, information stored in the first memory 204 
and associated with the lines 225 as will be described with reference to 
FIGS. 28 and 29 is read out (step S27-2). Subsequently, the position 
address of the third memory 213 is loaded in the address counter (step 
S27-3). By using this position address as a leading address, a destination 
address of the third memory 213 is set up (step S27-4). Thereafter, a 
portion of the image signal stored in the second memory 209 and associated 
with the line information which has been read out of the first memory 204 
is copied (step S27-5). The recognized information stored in the memory 
209, e.g., a character font associated with the result of recognition is 
copied on the third memory 213 in correspondence with the image signal 
(step S27-6). Such a procedure is repeated with all the characters written 
in the slip 224 (step S27-7). Finally, the characters and lines are 
printed out on the basis of the information stored in the third memory 
213. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the information associated with the 
lines 225 and stored in the fourth memory 291 includes X-Y coordinates 
indicative of the positions, lengths and heights of the individual frames. 
The recognized information printed out in the recognition result table 299 
may be corrected as shown in FIG. 16, i.e., in the same manner as in the 
fourth embodiment. Also, the initialization of the second memory 209 and 
the interrupt processing are executed in the same manner as in the fourth 
embodiment. 
The illustrative embodiment has various advantages as enumerated below. 
(1) The OCR section 105 recognizes the contents of the slip 224 shown in 
FIG. 10, while the arithmetic operating section 211 performs numerical 
operations by using the recognized contents. The drawing section 212 
produces image data for graphing the results of the arithmetic operations 
and feeds them to the printing section 115. In response, the printing 
section 115 prints out the contents of the slip 224 in the form of a graph 
123, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. Any person can, therefore, readily 
graph desired numerical data simply by writing them in the slip 242 or 
similar document. 
(2) The kind of a graph is selectable by entering a select command on the 
operating section 280. Hence, numerical data can be presented in an 
optimal format matching the contents and nature of numerical data, further 
facilitating intuitive recognition of the numerical data. Since the 
recognized information is written in the second memory 209, they can be 
read out and outputted as various kinds of graphs any desired number of 
times. The categrozied total table 124 shown in FIG. 8 is outputted 
together with the graph 123, so that one can see the objective data in 
addition to the intuition-oriented data. 
(3) While the drawing section 210 is operated to perform arithmetic 
operations and generate image data, the operating section 280 may be 
manipulated to set up an interrupt mode in which interrupting means allows 
ordinary image generating processing to be executed in parallel. This is 
successful in increasing the efficiency of office work. When image data 
are fed from the drawing section 210, the image signal propagated through 
the data/address bus 229 is temporarily lodged in the buffer 231. Hence, 
data belonging to two different systems are prevented from conflicting 
with each other. 
(4) The contents of an image signal from the reading section 100 and the 
recognized information from the OCR section 105 are printed out as the 
recognition result table 299, as shown in FIG. 26. This allows one to 
confirm the contents of recognized information immediately. Since the 
contents of an image signal are displayed, one can see by eye whether or 
not the image signal has suffered from the break-off, blur and/or batter 
of characters, noise, and so forth when the scanner 102 has read the 
characters. Hence, it is easy to see the cause of illigibility or 
misreading which may occur in the OCR section 105. 
(5) Furthermore, recognized information can be corrected simply by entering 
the row and column where an illegible or rejected numeral exists and a 
corrected value on the numeral keys 281 shown in FIG. 24 and, therefore, 
easily within a short period of time. 
In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides an image 
generating apparatus having various advantages as enumerated below. 
(1) Recognizing means recognizes the contents of a document, while 
arithmetic operating means performs arithmetic operations based on the 
recognized information. Drawing means produces image data for graphing the 
results of arithmetic operations and delivers them to printing means, 
whereby the contents of a document are outputted in the form of a graph, 
for example. Hence, a slip or similar document in which numerical data 
have been written by hand can be transformed into a graph as printed out 
by the printing means. This allows any one to graph numerical data with 
ease. 
(2) A categorized total table showing the recognized information is 
outputted together with the graph. Therefore, one can see objective data 
as well as the data which is easy to recognize by intuition. 
(3) When the recognized information is calculated or the image data is 
produced in a graph mode, one may manipulate operating means to set up an 
ordinary copy mode. It is possible, therefore, to execute ordinary image 
generating processing in parallel with the calculation or data generation, 
whereby efficient office work is promoted. 
(4) The operator is capable of selecting a graph of a desired kind on the 
operating means. Hence, numerical data can be presented in a format 
matching the contents and nature thereof, further promoting intuitive 
recognition of the numerical data. 
(5) The manipulations for entering data to be graphed are extremely easy. 
The apparatus, therefore, will enhance efficient man-machine communication 
when applied to a digital copier, for example. 
(6) Even when characters are handwritten in an exclusive slip for an OCR in 
an ordinary style, they can be recognized correctly. It follows that 
reliable graphing and totalizing operations are achievable with the 
outputs of the OCR. 
(7) The contents recognized by the recognizing means can be corrected with 
ease. 
(8) The recognized information from the recognizing means may be optically 
displayed to allow one to examine the contents of the information rapidly. 
(9) An exclusive document for correction may be marked and read by the 
reading means so as to correct recognized information. Hence, recognized 
information can be corrected by simple manipulations and within a short 
period of time. 
(10) One can correct the recognized information simply by entering the row 
and column of interest and a correct value, i.e., rapidly within a short 
period of time. 
(11) The recognized information and an image based on the image signal can 
be displayed on displaying means. This promotes rapid confirmation of the 
contents of the recognized information and easy estimation of the cause of 
illigibility and/or misreading which may occur in the recognizing means. 
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art 
after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing 
from the scope thereof.