Information input apparatus

A sheet information input apparatus for an electronic file system comprises an sheet input device for inputting an image sheet into the apparatus, a sheet recognition device responsive to the input device for judging a type of specific code on the inputted sheet, and an information reading device responsive to the judging device for reading information from the sheet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an information input apparatus, and more 
particularly to an improved information input apparatus for an electronic 
file system including a sheet type of recognition device which recognizes 
a specific code on a sheet inputted for reading and inputting information 
on the sheet. 
In a conventional document information input apparatus, an image such as 
characters or figures on a document sheet are scanned by an optical 
scanner, and a quantized image produced by scanning is inputted into and 
read by a central processing unit of a computer or the like. 
The above document information input apparatus is suitable for inputting an 
image contained on the document sheet. However, a key word or a title 
relating to the inputted information has to be inputted by a manual 
operation for each document sheet or each predetermined amount of the 
document sheets for retrieving the inputted images, so that the document 
information input time is relatively long when the image of each of a 
number of document sheets are to be inputted. Also, an input device which 
inputs the specific information such as the title or the key word must be 
additionally required for retrieving the images of the document sheets 
stored. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet type of 
recognition device for recognizing a specific type of code such as a mark 
or a character on a sheet. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a sheet 
information input apparatus including a sheet type of code recognition 
device for recognizing a specific type of code such as a mark or a 
character on the sheet. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved 
code detecting device for recognizing a specific type of code on a sheet 
for inputting or reading specific sheet information. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sheet 
information input apparatus for an electronic file system including a 
sheet type of recognition device for determining whether an OMR (Optical 
Mark Reader) sheet, an OCR (Optical Character Reader) sheet, or a document 
sheet containing some other type of image or information is inputted. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sheet 
information input apparatus for inputting information for recognizing a 
specific type of code on a sheet. 
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide sheet 
information input apparatus for inputting diverse information relating to 
each type of several specific types of code by recognizing each type of 
code on a sheet. 
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention 
will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It 
should be understood, however, that the detailed description of and 
specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the 
invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes 
and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sheet information 
input apparatus comprises inputting means for inputting a sheet image into 
the apparatus, recognition means responsive to the input means for 
recognizing a specific type of code on the inputted sheet, and reading 
means responsive to the recognition means for reading sheet information. 
The sheet may be selected from one or more optical mark sheets, optical 
character sheets, or document sheets each containing some image or 
information. 
The sheet information input apparatus, further, includes sheet supply means 
for automatically supplying each of the sheets to the inputting means. 
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a circuit for 
detecting a type of sheet comprises inputting means for inputting an image 
sheet code recognition means of the coded information on the sheet, means 
responsive to the coded information for determining a type of coded 
information, recognized and means responsive to the type of coded 
information for determining the type of sheet at said inputting means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a sheet information input apparatus 
including a sheet type of recognition device according to an embodiment of 
the present invention. 
The sheet as used herein includes an OMR sheet, an OCR sheet and a document 
sheet each containing some image or information such as some pattern, For 
description sake, mainly the document sheet and the OMR sheet are 
exemplified hereinbelow. Character information recorded on the OCR sheet 
can be read out by discriminating between the dark character portions from 
the white sheet background portion in view of light reflection differences 
at the reader. 
A sheet information input apparatus according to an embodiment of the 
present invention comprises sheet type recognition means for determining 
whether either a document sheet, an OMR sheet, or an OCR sheet is 
inputted, document input means for inputting an image of the document 
sheet, an optical mark reader for inputting specific information such as a 
key word or a title by reading specific marks on the OMR sheet, and an 
optical character reader for inputting imformation such as the key word or 
the title by reading characters on the OCR sheet. 
With reference to FIG. 1, an optical scanner 1 comprising a CCD camera 
scans one page(or a piece) of the sheet transfered. The optical scanner 1 
shows a reading resolution of about 12 lines/mm, for example. Information 
such as an image obtained by scanning the one page (or the piece) of the 
sheet is converted to electric signals and is stored in a memory 2. In the 
embodiment of the present invention, the information on the sheet is 
converted to electric signals with 12(row) .times.12(column) picture 
elements/mm.sup.2. For example, if the sheet is an A4 size sheet (297 
mm.times.210 mm), 8,981,280 picture elements (297 mm.times.12 picture 
elements.times.210 mm.times.12 picture elements) are stored in the memory 
2. 
In response to the memory contents (the information an the page (or the 
piece of the sheet) of the memory 2, a controller 3 is operated to detect 
whether the sheet is either of an OMR sheet, an OCR sheet or a document 
sheet, and the controller 3 outputs the sheet information in accordance 
with the type of sheet recognized. 
The controller 3 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 3a, a 
binary-coding circuit 3b, a counter 3c and an operation circuit 3d. 
Further, the controller 3 is connected with a data memory 4 such as a 
random access memory (RAM). The central processing unit (CPU) 3a is 
connected with a read only memory (ROM) 5. Microprocessor "Z-8000" 
supplied by SHARP CORPORATION, Japan provides the elements of FIG. 1 
except the optical scanner 1. 
The binary-coding circuit 3b is responsive to the contents of the memory 2 
for detecting whether the level of the video signal (the electrical 
signal) is smaller or greater than that of a constant threshold value, and 
the video signals (the electric signals) are converted to black codes "1" 
and white codes "0". If the sheet is the A4 size sheet, 8,981,280 picture 
elements are converted to black codes "1" and white codes "0". 
The CPU 3a is operable to determine whether each of a picture elements is 
the black code "1" or a white code "0" by searching the sheet in response 
to the output of the binary-coding circuit 3b. 
The counter 3c is operated in response to the operation of CPU 3a to 
measure a distance from one end of the sheet to a predetermined point for 
changing the black code "1" to the white code "0", or to a point for 
changing the white code "0" to the black code "1". 
The data memory 4 stores each of the measurement results of the counter 3c, 
or the calculation results of the arithmetic operation circuit 3d, or the 
like. 
The arithmetic operation unit 3d determines values relating to the specific 
codes on the OMR sheet, the OCR sheet and the document sheet in response 
to the contents of the memory 2. 
The ROM 5 stores values relating to the size and position of a timing mark 
M as the specific code of the OMR sheet, or the size or position of a 
writing zone for writing characters or numericals on the OCR sheet, or the 
like. 
The CPU 3a outputs a sheet type of recognition signal by comparing the 
calculation results of the arithmetic operation unit 3d or the contents of 
the memory 4, with the stored values of the ROM 5. 
The operation for determining whether the sheet is a document or an OMR 
sheet will now be described as follows. 
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an OMR sheet. FIG. 3 shows a partially enlarged 
view of the OMR sheet of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a flow chart which explains 
the operation required for determining a sheet type. 
Timing marks M on the OMR sheet appear in a read zone in the X (row) 
direction and in the Y (column) direction. The timing marks M are black, 
and the timing mark M is thus formed by a pattern of black code "1". 
The document sheet does not have timing marks M appearing in showing the 
read zone, so that the sheet transferred is detected as a document sheet 
or a OMR sheet by noting whether fixed size timing marks (black marks) 
form a specific pattern. The type of sheet can be determined accordingly. 
Step S1: Information (image) on the one page (or the piece) of the sheet is 
stored in the memory 2 by the optical scanner 1. 
Step S2: A search for a timing mark M starts in the Y direction from the 
point aO which has a distance X1 along the X direction far from the origin 
A of the sheet. The distance X1 was previously stored in the ROM 5. 
Step S3: Step S3 is executed to detect whether a black code "1" for a 
timing mark M is present or absent on the sheet in response to the output 
of the binary-coding circuit 3d. 
Step S4: If a black code "1" for a timing mark M is present on the sheet, a 
distance a1 is stored in the data memory 4. The distance a1 is a distance 
from one edge of the sheet to a point where the white code "0" changes to 
the black code "1" and is counted by the counter 3c. Further, the search 
for the timing mark M is continued in the Y direction. 
Step S5: Step S5 is next executed to detect whether a white code "0" is 
present or absent. 
Step S6: If a white code "0" is present on the sheet, a distance a2 is 
stored to the data memory 4. The distance a2 is a distance from the edge 
of the sheet to a point where the black code "1" changes to the white code 
"0" and is also counted by the counter 3c. 
Step S7: The width a21 (a.sub.a -a.sub.1) of the first timing mark M is 
calculated by the arithmetic operation unit 3d, and is stored into the 
data memory 4. 
Step S8: The CPU 3a is operated to detect whether the width a21 of the 
first timing mark M is present within a range from a predetermined width 
A-.DELTA.A to another predetermined width A+.DELTA.A. For example, 
A-.DELTA.A&lt;a21.ltoreq.A+.DELTA.A where a21=a2-a1. The predetermined width 
A of the timing mark M and error .+-.A were previously stored into the ROM 
(Read Only Memory) 5. 
Step S9: If the width a21 of the first timing mark M is absent between the 
widths A.+-..DELTA.A, the sheet is judged to be a document sheet. If the 
width a21 of the first timing mark M is present between the widths 
A.+-..DELTA.A, the next step is executed. 
Steps S10-S16 corresponds to a report of the steps S3-S9. The steps S10-S16 
are operated to detect whether a second timing mark M is present or absent 
on the sheet. If the second timing mark M is present, a distance a3 from 
the edge of the sheet, where the white code "0" changes to the black code. 
Code "1", is measured by the counter 3c, and a distance a4 from the edge 
of the sheet where the black code "1" changes back to the white code "0" 
is measured by the counter 3c. When the width a43(a.sub.4 -a.sub.3) of the 
second black mark M is present between the widths A.+-..DELTA.A, step 17 
is executed. 
Step S17: Step S17 is operates to detect whether a distance interval L is 
present between the center of the width a21 of the first timing mark M and 
the center of the width a43 of the second timing mark M within a range 
from a predetermined interval B-.DELTA.B to another predetermined interval 
B+.DELTA.B. The predetermined interval B between centers of two timing 
marks and errors .+-..DELTA.B has been previously stored in the ROM 5 
shown in FIG. 1. For example, B-.DELTA.B.ltoreq.L.ltoreq.B+.DELTA.B where 
L=(a43/2+a3)-(a21+a1). 
Step S18: When the interval L is absent between the intervals 
B.+-..DELTA.B, the sheet is judged to be a document sheet. If the interval 
L is present between the intervals B.+-..DELTA.B, a next or third timing 
mark M is searched by for by again repeating the steps S10-S16. In the 
step S15 for the third timing mark M, when the width of the third timing 
mark M is present between the widths A.+-..DELTA.A, the steps S17 and S18 
for the third timing mark M are again executed. In the steps S17 and S18 
for the third timing mark M, the interval between the center of the width 
of the second timing mark M and the center of the width of the third 
timing mark M is compared with the intervals B.+-..DELTA.B. 
Although the search for timing marks M is stopped when the sheet is judged 
to be a document sheet, or when the search of the timing mark M reaches 
the upper edge of the sheet in the Y direction, the search for a timing 
mark M is also executed in the X direction by the same operation. The 
values A, .+-..DELTA.A, B, .+-..DELTA.B are changed dependent on the size 
of the timing mark M in the X direction. 
In the search of the timing mark M in the X direction, the search of the 
timing mark M is stopped when the sheet is judged to be a document sheet 
or the search of the timing mark M reaches the right edge of the sheet in 
the X direction. When the search of the timing mark M reaches the end of 
the sheet in the X direction, step S19 is executed. 
Step S19: After the foregoing search for the timing marks M is executed in 
the X and Y directions, the sheet is judged to be an OMR sheet. 
The values .+-..DELTA.A and .+-..DELTA.B can be selected dependent on 
printing accuracy of the OMR sheet or the OCR sheet and reading accuracy 
of the optical scanner 1. 
When the sheet has been noted to be the OMR sheet and the OMR sheet 
detecting signal is outputted from the CPU 3a, the mark position on the 
OMR sheet is optically read (for example, N) and the mark information is 
outputted and stored in a predetermined memory according to the ordinary 
skill in the art. 
If a sheet is judged to be a document sheet and the document sheet 
detecting signal is outputted from the CPU 3a, the image on the document 
sheet is read and inputted according to the ordinary skill in the art. 
In the present invention, an OCR (Optical Character Reader) sheet can be 
used in place of an OMR sheet. Also, each type of sheet including the OCR 
sheet, the OMR sheet, and the document can be determined. 
If both a document sheet and an OCR sheet are used in the sheet information 
input apparatus, the document sheet or the OCR sheet can be detected by 
noting the specific code related to the writing zone on the OCR sheet 
where characters or numerals are written and can be optically read. 
Accordingly, when the sheet is noted to be an OCR sheet, an OCR sheet 
detection signal is outputted from the CPU 3a, and the characters or 
numerals on the OCR sheet are optically read and inputted into a 
predetermined memory in accordance with the ordinary skill in the art. 
According to the present invention, a sheet supply means may be installed 
in the optical scanner for automatically feeding sheets and OMR sheets or 
OCR sheets can be selectively inserted between one or more of a plurality 
of the document sheets, so that the key word or the title corresponding to 
each of the plurality of the documents will be automatically inputted. 
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sheet 
containing both OMR information zone and/or an OCR information zone, and a 
document image zone can be used. 
After the above sheet is inputted into the memory 2 by the optical scanner 
1, the controller 3 operates to determine whether the OMR information zone 
and/or the OCR information zone are/is present or absent on the sheet by 
detecting the timing marks M in the OMR information zone or the specific 
code relating to the OCR information zone. The controller 3 is capable of 
detecting a sheet number recorded on the sheet and assigned to the sheet 
of the type containing the document image zone and, the OMR information 
zone and/or the OCR information zone. By reading the sheet number, the 
sheet presently read is determined to be of the "mixture-type". The ROM 5 
can store some necessary information regarding the "mixture-type" sheets. 
The OMR information zone and/or the OCR information zone can store the key 
word, the title information while the document image zone can store the 
image pattern, all on a single sheet. These items of information are 
outputted as being related to each other. 
In the present invention, the coded image is stored in the memory 2 the 
image obtained by scanning is converted to black codes "1" or white codes 
"0". The embodiment of the present invention can be used in the electronic 
file system. 
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be 
varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure 
from the spirit and scope of the invention, and accordingly all such 
modifications coming within the scope of the following claims are intended 
to be included.