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

Abstract: A slip (1), a method of automatic reading of the slip (1), and an apparatus used therefor comprising a slip (1) with delineated thereon a control mark (20) made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing a kind of format, information marks (21, 22) spaced apart from the control mark (20), each thereof being made up of line segments (a-e) of different sizes arranged sequentially in a line, for representing task data, and information marks (23-25) spaced apart from the information marks (21, 22) representing numerical data consisting of regions where numerals are written in and regions where bar patterns are written in, a scanning device receiving the slip (1) as input thereto and outputting image data therefrom, a file unit previously storing therein formats corresponding to control marks (20), criterion coordinates and criterion numerical values corresponding to information marks (21, 22) representing task data, and criterion coordinates corresponding to information marks (23-25) representing numerical data, read only memories storing therein in advance image data of numerals 0 - 9 and image data of predetermined bar patterns corresponding to the numerals 0 - 9, and a central processing unit for specifying the kind of the slip (1) by comparing the image data with data from the file unit, deciding whether or not following data should be taken in, and comparing the image data with image data from the read only memories thereby to recognize numerals written in the information marks (23-25) representing the numerical data.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a slip used for accounting and method of and apparatus for automatic reading and recognition of such a slip received through facsimile transmission. The document US 4,108,368 describes a coded record and method of and system for interpreting the machine readable record or label, which includes alternating areas of different reflectivity providing a binary coded data record. The record is made by selecting the widths of the areas such that an increase in the relative widths of any two consecutive areas of different characteristics represents a binary "1" and a decrease in the relative widths of any two consecutive areas represents a binary "0". The document EP 0 103 788 describes a method and apparatus for reading mark sheets provided with plural mark rows, each of which includes a reference mark, a skew detection mark and mark writing regions. The mark sheet is read by use of a predetermined nominal scan window address for each of the regions. There has been in practice a system in which handwritten slips or statistic data are read by an optical character recognition apparatus or facsimile unit whereby the data are input to a data processor such as a computer. As a method for inputting an incoming signal transmitted through a facsimile system or the like to a data processor such as a computer, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-26945 is known. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it is adapted in the prior art such that a slip 51 is scanned by a facsimile unit, not shown, and only the portion corresponding to the position of a box 53 is read by an input unit, whereby it is detected whether or not there is a mark 54 in the box 53. The position of the box 53 is recognized by counting the number of pulses of a clock signal to be started at the leading edge of a detection signal of a start mark 52 on the slip 51. However, conventional numeral recognition apparatus have not yet been made competent for a full automatic operation. Slips for use in payment and receipt of money in banks or the like, in particular, are required to be 100 percent accurate because banks have the public as their customers. Therefore, even now, such slips are handled completely dependent upon inputting by an operator using a keyboard. With conventional automatic input systems, there has been such a problem, when the synchronism with the clock pulses is disturbed by some external disturbance after the start of reading the start mark 52, that it becomes difficult to correctly locate the position of the box 53 and the detection of the mark 54 results in a failure, and as a result the efficiency in data transmission is lowered. There has also been such a problem that correct reading is made impossible when there are present some stains in the marks 52, 54 or their color is faded to some grayish color. In the case of the slip 51 of FIG. 9, it is arranged such that decision of type of the format of the slip 51 is made according to a written classification mark 61 in a classification box 60, and therefore, the classification mark 61 has to be written into a correct position of a predetermined region in the classification box 60. Therefore, for the sake of safety, such an arrangement has been only applicable to a simple slip system. Thus, there has not been existent such an accurate apparatus for numeral recognition that enables a signal of a slip for payment and receipt of money transmitted through a facsimile unit or the like to be input to a data processor such as a computer directly, and there has been no way other than relying upon assistance of human power furnished by an operator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problems, and accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a slip which will be read correctly at a high order of accuracy and provide easy checking for any error or omission in entry made therein. It is another object of the present invention to provide a slip which will enable accurate reading of information and correct recognition of numerals entered therein even if there is present certain noise due to external disturbance so that a signal relative to payment and receipt of money incoming through facsimile transmission or the like may be input automatically, without the need of human power, to a data processor, as well as to provide method of and apparatus for the relative automatic reading with the use of the slip. These objects are solved by the slip according to claim 1, the methods according to claim 2 or claim 3, and the apparatus according to claim 4, respectively. In general, a slip of the present invention includes delineated thereon a control mark made up of unit patterns varied in size in sequence of arrangement such as, for example, a linear arrangement of segments of lines of varied lengths, information marks for data transmission arranged in the rear of the aforesaid control mark made up of liner arrangements of segments of lines whose lengths are varied in sequence of arrangement, and information marks for data to be processed arranged in the rear of the aforesaid information marks, each thereof being made up of a square region for entering numerals therein and its corresponding square region for drawing a plurality of bar patterns therein. In the present invention, it is further arranged such that the slip is subjected to photoelectric conversion whereby image data are generated, which image data are subjected to data transfer to be input to an automatic input unit, wherein coordinates of the control mark and both the information marks on the slip are calculated from the detected image data. Then, dimensions of adjoining line segments of the control mark are compared with one another in sequence of the arrangement whereby a binary numeral is calculated, and thereupon, a format corresponding to the binary numeral is read out of a file unit. From the format, criterion coordinates and binary numerals of the information marks for the data transmission as well as criterion coordinates of the information marks for the data to be processed are read out. The detected and calculated coordinates are compared with the criterion coordinates for both of the information marks, and according to the result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not subsequent data are to be taken in from the slip. Then, from the information marks for data transmission, binary numerals are calculated through comparison of dimensions of adjoining line segments in sequence of the arrangement and the binary numerals are compared with the criterion binary numerals, and acccording to the result of the comparison, it is determined whether or not subsequent data are to be taken in from the slip. Thereupon, the image data of the information marks for the data to be processed are divided into portions for numerals and for bar patterns, whereupon the image data of a numeral is compared with a predetermined criterion numerical image, whereby the entered numeral is recognized directly. The image data of a bar pattern is also compared with a predetermined bar pattern image, whereby a numeral corresponding to the bar pattern is recognized. Then, the above described directly recognized numeral is compared with the numeral recognized by the correspondence just above, and thereby, the numeral entered in the information mark box for the data to be processed is finally recognized. Generally, the detected image data photoelectrically converted from a slip are transmitted through a line to be input to an automatic input unit. A binary numeral relative to a control mark is calculated from the image data, whereby a format corresponding to the binary numeral is read out from a file unit, and also, coordinates on the slip of two sets of information marks are calculated from the detected image data. Criterion coordinates and binary numerals for each mark are read out from the format, and thereupon, the calculated coordinates are compared with the criterion coordinates for both of the information marks, and according to the result of the comparison, whether or not subsequent data should be taken in from the slip is determined. Then, binary numerals for the information marks for data transmission are calculated and these binary numerals are compared with the criterion binary numerals, and according to the result. of the comparison, it is again determined whether or not subsequent data should be taken in from the slip. Then, relative to the information mark representing numerical data, image data of its numeral is compared with a criterion numerical image so that the entered numeral is directly recognized, and also, the image data of its bar pattern is compared with a criterion bar pattern image and the numeral corresponding to the bar pattern is recognized, and thereupon, the above directly recognized numeral and the recognized numeral by the correspondence just above are compared with each other, so that the numeral entered in the information mark representing the numerical data is finally recognized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall view of a slip according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an information mark for data to be processed according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a diagram of the information mark of FIG. 2 in which numerals and bar patterns are written; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an apparatus for automatic slip reading according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a decoding method of a control mark and information marks; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of records made in a RAM; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a memory arrangement in a file unit; and FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing pattern inputting sheets of a prior art automatic reading system. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a format of a slip for use in inputting of data in the present invention, wherein 1 denotes a sheet of the slip of which size is optional. On the sheet 1, there is written or printed a classification mark 20 as a control mark. The classification mark 20 is made up of unit patterns such as five line segments a, b, ... , e of different lengths horizontally arranged in succession, which are to be subjected to a sequential comparison as to relative length between preceding one and subsequent one. That is, of this classification mark 20, the segment a is compared, in length, with the preceding "0", or the segment a is directly compared with the segment b, and then, the segment b is compared with the segment c. Similar comparison is kept on until the segment d is compared with the segment e, whereby relative lengths are sequentially determined. The classification mark 20 is the mark to specify the kind of the slip, which, in the present example, is provided with an indication "Transfer Slip" at the corresponding position so that the user can identify the kind of the slip at a glance. Below the classification mark 20 at a predetermined distance therefrom, there is delineated an information mark 21 made up of line segments for representing task data which task data is for the addressee. Below the information mark 21 at a predetermined distance therefrom, there is delineated an information mark 22 made up of line segments for representing another task data, which task data is for the sender. The information marks 21 - 22 are ones for the transmission of the data, and each thereof is formed, the same as the classification mark 20, of five line segments a, b, ... , e of different lengths horizontally arranged in succession. These segments a, b, ... , e are sequentially compared, the same as in the case of the classification mark 20, as to relative length between preceding one and subsequent one. Below the information marks 21 - 22, there are delineated information marks 23 - 25 for representing numeral data arranged in frames. These marks are ones for the data to be processed. That is, for example, the information mark 23 constitutes a box indicating the amount, the information mark 24 constitutes a box indicating the bank account number, and the information mark 25 constitutes a box indicating the date, and in the positions corresponding to the information marks 23, 24, 25, there are provided indications of "Amount Paid In", "Number of Bank Account", and "Date", respectively, so that users can recognize them at a glance. The information marks 23, 24, 25 are horizontally arranged one after another and provided with rectangular frames 31, 32, 33, respectively, of which two sides meeting at the top left-hand corner are given in thick lines. For any specific classification mark 20, the coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, y2), ... , (x5, y5) of the written positions of both the segment and the frame information marks 21 - 25, or the positions of the left-hand ends of their first line segments and the points at the top left-hand corners where the two sides meet are previously specified. Now, a detailed description of general form of the frame information mark 23 - 25 will be given with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Within each of the frames 31, 32, 33, there are a plurality of rectangles or squares arranged in a matrix. Below the squares 2 arranged in the first line, there are arranged, at a predetermined distance therefrom, rectangular columns 3, each thereof opposing a side of each of the squares 2. Each of the columns 3 is divided longitudinally into six squares, the first square 4, second square 5 to the sixth square 9, naming them from the closest one to the square 2. The boundary between the first squares 4 and the second squares 5 is indicated by a specially thick line or double lines. FIG. 3 shows a state of the squares 2 with numerals "0 - 9" entered therein and the first squares 4 to the sixth squares 9 of the columns 3 with bar patterns 10 drawn therein, each of which is defined so as to univocally represent the corresponding numeral. Namely, it is defined such that the numeral "0" is indicated by drawing a bar pattern 10 all the way from the first square 4 to the sixth square 9 in the longitudinal direction of the column 3, the numeral "5" is indicated by drawing a bar pattern 10 only in the first square 4 in the longitudinal direction, the numeral "1" is indicated by drawing a bar pattern 10 only in the second square 5, the numeral "2" is indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 in the second square 5 and the third square 6, and the same rule is applied to the following until the numeral "4" is indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 all the way from the second square 5 to the fifth square 8. Further, it is defined such that the numeral "6" is indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 in the first square 4 and the second square 5, and the same rule is applied to the following until the numeral "9" is indicated by linearly drawing a bar pattern 10 all way from the first square 4 to the fifth square 8. The squares 2 and the columns 3 are provided as the guides for entering the numerals and bar patterns 10 therein, which may also be given by squares in some color to which a later discussed scanning device of an optical reading apparatus is not sensitive. A one-digit numeral is represented by a pair of the square 2 and the column 3 and a two-digit numeral is represented by two pairs of the squares 2 and the columns 3 arranged somewhat close to each other in the horizontal direction. In like manner, a numeral consisting of more digits can be represented by additionally arranging one pair of the square 2 and the column 3 closely to the original pairs for each increase of the digit. A 14-digit numeral is shown in the example of FIG. 3. The person who writes out the slip will enter one out of the numerals 0 - 9 in the squares 2 according to the need and draw bar patterns 10 as defined in the foregoing in the columns 3 corresponding to the entered numerals. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an overall arrangement of an automatic input apparatus of the slip, wherein reference numeral 11 denotes a facsimile unit as a scanning device, 12 denotes an adapter operating as a substitute for the facsimile unit, and 13 denotes a central processing unit (CPU). The facsimile unit 11 and the adapter 12 are capable of communicating with a remote facsimile unit through a public line or facsimile (F) line. Such an apparatus scans and converts photoelectrically the marks 20 - 23 etc. delineated on a sheet 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes a buffer memory, 15 denotes a random access memory (RAM), 16, 17 denote read only memories (ROMs), 18 denotes a file unit, and 27 denotes a binary numeral reading unit. The image data generated by the facsimile unit 11 are supplied to the buffer memory 14. The image data are processed by the CPU 13 on the RAM 15 as a work memory together with data from the ROMs 16, 17, file unit 18, and the binary numeral reading unit 27, and interim result and final result are temporarily stored in the RAM 15. The final result of the processing is adapted to be delivered converted to a numerical code through the CPU 13 to a host computer or other data processor. The ROM 16 stores therein in advance the numerals 0 - 9 and the criterion bar patterns univocally corresponding thereto as defined above, whereas the ROM 17 stores therein in advance criterion numeral patterns 0 - 9 as image data on, for example, a 5 x 7 dot matrix. These ROMs 16, 17 are used for recognizing or decoding the frame information marks 23 - 25. The binary numeral reading unit 27 is a device for calculating a binary numeral by comparing the lengths of the segments of the information mark 20 - 22 in sequence of the arrangement. The file unit 18 is constituted of large-capacity magnetic disks or the like, in which formats of various slips to be specified by the classification mark 20, such as formats of transfer slip, refund slip, remittance slip, tax payment slip, and so on, are stored previously. Below will be described the operation of the automatic input apparatus of the slip with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7. When remittance from a company BBBB whose code number is 0110 to a company AAAA whose code number is 1010 is to be made by the use of a transfer slip, the transfer slip for use of the company BBBB is selected and the bank account number, date, and the amount are entered therein in the form of the above described numerals and bar patterns. The sheet 1 of the transfer slip finished with the entry is subjected to scanning by the facsimile unit 11, whereby the classification mark 20 and others are photoelectrically converted into image data to be stored in the main buffer memory 14. Otherwise, the sheet 1 is scanned by a facsimile unit located remotely in the company BBBB, whereby data are transmitted to the company AAAA and are put in the main buffer memory 14 through the adapter 12. The CPU 13 first separates the classification mark 20 stored in the first storage area from the buffer memory 14 and transfer the same to the RAM 15 so that the data is decoded therein. The CPU 13 first measures the length of the first segment a, and then measures the lengths of the segments b - e in succession and stores the data in the RAM 15. Thereupon, the CPU 13 relatively compares the lengths of the segments a - e between adjoining segments, i.e., a and b, b and c, ... , in succession. By defining such that "1" is represented by the length of a preceding segment being smaller than a subsequent segment, i.e., by a < b, and, conversely, "0" is represented by b > c, a result as indicated in FIG. 5A is obtained. Thus, the CPU 13 decodes the classification mark 20 into a binary numeral 1011. Thereupon, the CPU 13 sets up a storage area with the binary numeral 1011 used as its head. In like manner, the CPU 13 compares the lengths of the segments drawn in succession constituting the information marks 21 to 22, and therefrom, binary numerals 1010 and 0110 are decoded, respectively. FIG. 5B shows the process of binary decoding of the mark 21 for the addressee and FIG. 5C indicates the process of binary decoding of the mark 22 for the sender, respectively. These binary numerals 1011, 1010, 0110 are stored in the RAM 15 at their respective addresses 40, 41, 42 as shown in FIG. 6. Then, from the image data of the segment and the frame information marks 20 - 25 stored in the buffer memory 14, coordinates of starting positions of the marks 20 - 25 are read out by the CPU 13. That is, with the starting position of the classification mark 20 taken as the origin (0, 0), the starting point coordinates (x1, y1), of the information mark 21 for the addressee, the starting point coordinates (x2, y2) of the mark 22 for the sender, and the starting position coordinates (x3, y3) - (x5, y5) of the frame information marks 23 - 25 are read out to be stored in the RAM 15 at the addresses 41 - 45 as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, the CPU 13 searches through the file unit 18 with the binary numeral 1011 of the classification mark 20 used as a guide and retrieves the data list collected therein under the head of the code 1011 as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the data list is a format of the transfer slip, from which data in the columns or boxes for the addressee and the sender as well as criterion coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), ... , (X5, Y5) of the positions where entries in the boxes for the addressee, sender, amount, bank account No., and the date are to be started, corresponding to the information marks 21 - 25, can be read out. Then, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the read out coordinates (x1, y1), (x2, y2), ... , (x5, y5) of the information marks 21 - 25 are in agreement with the predetermined coordinates (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), ... , (X5, Y5). That is, the CPU 13 makes comparisons to determine whether or not the read out coordinates (RAM data) of the information marks 21 - 25 are in agreement with the predetermined coordinates from the file unit 18, and also, whether or not the binary numerals (RAM data) read out from the marks 21 to 22 are in agreement with the criterion binary numerals from the file 18. More specifically, first, the CPU 13 calculates difference between the read out coordinate x1 of the mark 21 and the criterion coordinate X1, x1 - X1 = I1 , and the differences to follow, I2 - I5. The CPU 13 then checks whether or not the results of the calculation are in the same direction (of the same symbol) and of the same length. In like manner, it checks whether or not the differences of the coordinates y1 - Y1 = m1 and the following m2 - m5 are in the same direction and of the same length. If I1 - I5 and m1 - m5 are found to be in opposite directions and of different lengths, the CPU 13 judges that something abnormal has occurred in the scanning of the sheet 1, for example, after scanning of the mark 20 was made, and rejects the following data, because it is considered that some error has occurred in the course of the data transfer from the facsimile unit 11 and therefore the data are not accurate. If I1 - I5 are in the same direction and virtually of the same length and m1 - m5 are in the same direction and virtually of the same length, the following data are accepted on the assumption that some skipping has been made in the scanning of the sheet 1 by the facsimile unit 11 after the classification mark 20 was read but there has not occurred anything abnormal after the mark 21 was read. If I1 - I5 and m1 - m5 are close to zero, the data transfer is judged to have been normal. Then, when the difference I1, for example, as to the read out coordinate of the information mark 21 for the addressee is expressed as I1 > k (k is an allowance for the difference), that is, even when there is present a certain slippage in position, the CPU 13 takes the read out image data, if the extracted binary numeral and the criterion value 1010 from the file unit 18 are equal to each other, as that addressed to the company of itself (company AAAA) and accepts the transmitted data. In the same way, if the binary numeral extracted from the information mark 22 for the sender is equal to the criterion value 0110, it recognizes the sender as company BBBB, its business acquaintance. After making acknowledgment of the transfer slip, the CPU 13 turns to recognition of the written data in the frame information marks 23 - 25. The CPU 13 separates a piece of numeral image data in the square 2 and a piece of bar pattern image data in the column 3 for each digit from the image data for the frame information marks 23 - 25 in the buffer memory 14. The numeral image data is compared with criterion numeric patterns from the recognition dictionary in the ROM 17, and a certain recognized candidate numerals arranged in the order of degree of resemblance as well as their degrees of resemblance (%) are calculated to be temporarily stored in the RAM 15. If, for example, a numeral written by hand in the square 2 is a deformed "1", the CPU 13 may select "1" as the first candidate numeral with a degree of resemblance of 70% and select "7" as the second candidate numeral with a degree of resemblance of 30%, and store these data temporarily in the RAM 15. Then, the corresponding bar pattern image data is compared with a criterion bar patterns from the ROM 16 as the pattern dictionary. Thereby, patterns of high degrees of resemblance are selected and, from the corresponding numerals, the recognized candidate numerals and the degrees of resemblance (%) are calculated and stored temporarily in the RAM 15. Since the bar pattern 10 is subjected to the comparison only for its length, recognition of its corresponding numeral is considerably easy. Thus, the combination of the numeral "1" and its criterion pattern is selected with a degree of resemblance of 100% and the first candidate numeral "1" and the degree of resemblance 100% are temporarily stored in the RAM 15. Thereafter, the candidate numeral "1" in the square 2 and its degree of resemblance 70% are first read out from the RAM 15 and the candidate numeral "1" in the column 3 and its degree of resemblance "100%" are read out to be compared with each other. The next candidate numeral "7" in the square 2 and its degree of resemblance 30% and the next candidate numeral in the column 3, or a "NULL" signal because there is no candidate numeral in the present case, are read out and compared with each other. The CPU 13 recognizes and outputs the numeral, of which the candidate numerals agree with each other and sum of the degrees of the resemblance thereof gives the maximum value, as the numeral written in the information mark 23. Namely, from the degree 100% of the first candidate "1", the numeral "1" is selected and its code signal (0001) is output to the computer side. In the described manner, the numerals of the data entered in the amount box of the information mark 23, the bank account number box of the information mark 24, and the date box of the information mark 25 are recognized and output to the subsequent computer side. Thus, the kind of the slip is acknowledged by the CPU 13 from the classification mark 20 in the input sheet for the slip. Whereupon, from the information marks 21 - 22, it is determined whether the slip is addressed to the company of itself (Company AAAA) and it is from its business acquaintance company BBBB. Further, the numerals of data written in the frame information marks 23 - 25 are recognized, and thereby, necessary data on the slip are read out and delivered to the computer side. Since duplicate or triplicate logical decisions are made in the described manner, accurate and highly effective data transmission can be executed, and besides, highly accurate numeral recognition can be attained. In digital data transfer by facsimile transmission, there are frequently cases where the quality of the line of the facsimile network becomes unsteady at the time of the transmission and as a result the positions of entry of the items are deviated, but even if there are present some data which are questionable in appearance by the effect of the transmission condition, the data can be accepted if its normality is confirmed. Since separative power is high against such noise as stains or wrinkles in the sheet and the condition for preparing a slip is tolerant, the data transfer is possible even if the segments are drawn by hand when in a hurry. Although, in the above described embodiments, the segment a was, at first, compared with the segment b in length, followed by the comparison between the segments b and c and so on, the first segment a may be compared with the preceding imaginary 0 so that the first bit will always become 1 because 0 < 1, and such a 1 may be used for error checking. The code is not limited to that of binary numerals but may be of other number system with any number used as the base. Further, the unit patterns of different sizes are not limited to line segments but they may be such patterns as triangles, squares, circles, and bands. According to the present invention as described so far, effective data transmission can be executed because accurate data are extracted even if there is involved certain noise by making positive decision as to whether the data should be rejected or accepted. Since numerals and bar patterns written on a slip by hand are independently recognized and the results of the recognition are checked up with each other before a final recognition is made, fully automatic inputting of a hand-written slip is made possible. By using a facsimile unit as a scanning device and transmitting image data through a public line from a remote branch to a data center in the head office or the like, it is made possible to input accurate data directly to a data processor, without requiring any assistance of human power. Similar data transfer from a facsimile unit in the same site (in the same office) is also possible.

Claims: A slip comprising delineated on a sheet (1 ) a control mark (20) made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing the kind of slip format and frame information marks (23, 24, 25) spaced apart from said control mark (20) for defining information zones, said frame information marks being made up of a first region (2) in which numerals are written and a plurality of second regions (3) in which bar patterns (10) are written whereby each bar pattern univocally represents a corresponding numeral in said first region and whereby said slip format specifies predetermined criterion coordinates of said frame information marks. A method for automatic reading of a slip having a control mark (20) made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing the kind of slip format and information marks (21, 22) spaced apart from said control mark (20), each of said information marks (21, 22) being made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing task data, the method comprising the step of photoelectrically converting said control mark (20) and said information marks (21, 22) thereby to obtain image data, the step of subjecting the image data to input to an automatic reading apparatus, the step of detecting coordinates (x₁, y₁; x₂ y₂) of said information marks (21, 22) with respect to the coordinates (0, 0) of said control mark (20) on said slip from said image data, the step of decoding the numerical value of said control mark (20) in said image data by sequentially comparing the lengths of adjoining line segments (a-e) of said control mark (20) thereby to select a reference slip format corresponding to the decoded numerical value from a file unit (18), the step of reading out predetermined criterion coordinates (X₁, Y₁; X₂, Y₂) of criterion information marks of said selected reference slip format stored in said file unit (18), the step of comparing each of said detected coordinates (x₁, y₁; x₂, y₂) with its corresponding predetermined criterion coordinate (X₁, Y₁; X₂, Y₂) to determine the difference for each comparison, and the step of comparing said differences to determine whether or not the following data should be accepted from said slip. A method for automatic reading of a slip having a control mark (20) made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing the kind of slip format and frame information marks (23, 24, 25) spaced apart form said control mark (20) for defining information zones, said frame information marks being made up of a first region (2) in which numerals are written and a plurality of second regions (3) in which bar patterns (10) are written whereby each bar pattern univocally represents a correponding numeral in said first region, the method comprising the step of photoelectrically converting said control mark (20) and said frame information marks (23, 24, 25) thereby to obtain image data, the step of subjecting the image data to input to an automatic reading apparatus, the step of detecting coordinates (x₃, y₃; x₄, y₄; x₅, y₅) of said frame information marks (23, 24, 25) with respect to the coordinates (0, 0) of said control mark (20) on said slip from said image data, the step of decoding the numerical value of said control mark (20) from said image data by sequentially comparing the lengths of adjoining line segments (a-e) of said control mark (20) thereby to select a reference slip format corresponding to the decoded numerical value from a file unit (18), the step of reading out predetemined criterion coordinates (X₃, Y₃; X₄, Y₄; X₅, Y₅) of criterion frame information marks of the selected reference slip format from said file unit (18) the step of comparing each of said detected coordinates (x₃, y₃; x₄, y₄; x₅, y₅) with its corresponding predetermined criterion coordinate (X₃, Y₃; X₄, Y₄; X₅, Y₅) to determine the difference for each comparison, the step of comparing said differences to determine whether or not the following data should be accepted from said slip, the step of separating the numeral image data from the bar pattern image data in said frame information marks (23, 24, 25), the step of comparing said image data of numerals written in said first region (2) with criterion numeral pattern images thereby directly to recognize the numerals written in said first region, the step of comparing said image data of bar patterns written in said plurality of second regions (3) with predetermined criterion bar pattern images thereby relationally to recognize the numeral represented by each bar pattern, and the step of comparing said directly recognized numeral with said relationally recognized numeral to decide the numeral written in said frame information marks (23, 24, 25). An apparatus for automatic reading of a slip having delineated thereon a control mark (20) made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing the kind of slip format and information marks (21, 22) spaced apart from said control mark (20), each of said information marks (21, 22) being made up of line segments (a-e) of different lengths sequentially arranged in a line for representing task data, and frame information marks (23, 24, 25) spaced apart from said information marks (21, 22) for defining information zones, said frame information marks being made up of a first region (2) in which numerals are written and a plurality of second regions (3) in which bar patterns (10) are written, said reading apparatus comprising a scanning device (11) receiving said slip and outputting image data therefrom, a file unit (18) previously storing therein reference slip formats, each of said reference slip formats comprising the numerical value of a control mark and criterion coordinates (X₁, Y₁; X₂, Y₂; X₃, Y₃; X₄, Y₄; X₅, Y₅) of criterion information marks and criterion frame information marks, and a read only memory (16, 17) storing therein criterion numeral pattern images and criterion bar pattern images relating to said numeral pattern images, and a central processing unit (13) for selecting the kind of slip format by decoding the numerical value of said control mark (20) from said image data and for deciding whether or not the following data from the slip should be accepted by comparing said criterion coordinates of criterion information marks and criterion frame information marks with the coordinates of the information marks (21, 22) and the frame information marks (23-25) in said image data, and for deciding the numeral value written in said frame information marks (23, 24, 25) by comparing said criterion numeral pattern images and said criterion bar pattern images with the numerals and bar patterns in said image data from said scanning device (11). An apparatus for automatic reading according to claim 4, wherein said scanning device (11) is a facsimile unit.

Inventors: NAKAYAMA MAMORU, NAKAYAMA, MAMORU
Applicants: ICS TSUSHO KK, I.C.S. & TRADING CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G06K19
IPC codes: G06K7, G06K19