DOCUMENT CATALOGING DEVICE

Abstract: The document cataloging device is disclosed for reading, processing and cataloging, with higher reliability and quick action of black/white and multi-coloured documents with a standardized format as bank cheques, bank statements, TOTO-forms etc., providing cataloging of documents by given symptoms. The device includes image scanner means, comprising an optical system, CCD sensor, A/D converter, and image processor for scanning and converting images on a document that has a buffer memory (9) whose output is connected in parallel with first means for image zoning (10) and second means for image zoning (11). The output of the first means for imae zoning is serially connected with a formalized image generator (12), a block transforming the formalized image to the original (13) and a comparison means (14), as the output of the first means for image zoning (10) is connected with the second input of the comparison means (14) as well. The output of the second means for image zoning (11) is connected in parallel with a means for adaptive zone binarization (15), a generator for zone symptoms (16) and second input of the compression means (6). The output of the means for adaptive zone binarization (15) is connected with third input of the compression means (6) and with first input of the image recognition block (17), whose second input is connected with the output of the generator for zone symptoms (16), and the output of the image recognition block (17) is connected with fourth input of the compression means (6). The output of the operating means (8) is connected with second inputs of the first (10) and the second (11) means for image zoning and with database means (7). The output of the comparison means (14) is connected with third inputs of the first (10) and the second (11) means for image zoning (11).

Description: DOCUMENT CATALOGING DEVICE FIPIH nfthp invpnrinn The present invention relates to document cataloging device, for reading, processing and cataloging of different documents with a standardized formats as bank cheques, bank statements, inquiry forms, TOTO-forms etc RarkgrnnnH nfthp invpntinn A document scanner is known IM used for scanning documents, made in two considerably differing colours, which comprises a means for image creation connected in series with an optical lense, CCD line sensor, amplifier, A/D converter and image processing means . The output of the image creation means is connected with image processing means, which contains two equal, binarizing circuits, connected in parallel, corresponding to first and second threshold levels. The output of the first binarizing circuit is connected with the input of the first from the three serially connected, delay lines as the outputs of the three are connected with the three inputs of a filter, whose output is connected with an image memory. The output of the second binarizing circuit is connected with the input of the first from another three, serially connected, delay lines, whose outputs are connected respectively with three inputs of a faded character compensation circuit , which fourth intput is connected with the output of the second delay line of the first binarizing circuit. The output of the faded character compensation circuit is connected with a OCR circuit. It is possible, if necessary the known device to be supplied with an illuminating system used to illuminate the document,subject to processing. However, this device is with a low reliability due to the fact that two only levels are analysed in three only neighbouring rows of image; low quick action, as the image is unclearly read it is necessary another scanning of the document on other threshold level for getting new additional image data; limited application, as the device is directed only to document processing, performed in two, completely different colours. It is thus desirable to provide a document cataloging device with a higher reliability and quick action, with universal application in reading and processing of black/white and multi-coloured documents in standardized format and to make document cataloging by given symptoms. Summary of the invention The present invention is directed to a document cataloging device, comprising document carrier, situated in a focal plain of optical system, connected in series with an image sensor and a shaping circuit containg serially connected video processor, A/D (analog-to-digital) converter and image memory. An illuminating system is installed above the document carrier. A compression means, a database means and an operating means are connected in series with the output of the device. The output of the shaping circuit is connected also with the input of image processing means containing buffer memory, with the output of which are connected in parallel first means for image zoning and second means for image zoning. The output of the first means for image zoning is connected in series with a formalized image generator , with a block transforming the formalized image to the original and a comparison means as the output of the first means for image zoning is connected also with the second input of the comparison means. The output of the second means of image zoning is connected in parallel with a means for adaptive zone binarization, a generator for zone symptoms and a second input of the compression means. The output of the means for adaptive zone binarization is connected with a third input of the compression means and with first input of image recognition block, whose second input is connected with the output of the generatoror for zone symptoms and the output of image recognition block is connected with fourth input of the compression means. The output of the operating means is connected with a second input of the first means for image zoning, with a second input of the second means for image zoning and with a second input of the database means. The output of the comparison means is connected with the third input of the first means for image zoning and with the third input of the second means for image zoning. Thus, the document cataloging device, according to the invention, has a high reliability, because a great number of brightness levels for each image pixel are analysed. The document cataloging device is with a raised quick action, because an adapted to the original formalized image or model is used; with an universal application, enables reading and processing of black/white and multi-coloured documents with a standardized formats as well as it provides document cataloging under mentioned symptoms. The invention will be better understood from the following more detailed description taken with the accompanying drawing and claims. Brief Description of the Drawing The Fig. shows a block diagram of the document cataloging device in accordance with the present invention . Detailed Description A document carrier 1 is situated in the focal plain of an optical system 2, connected in series with an image sensor 3 and shaping circuit 4, comprising a video processor, A/D converter and image memory, connected in series. An illuminating system 5 is installed above the document carrier 1. The image sensor 3 is a matrix with dimentions (Xd, Yd), where Xd and Yd are determined by the number of the sensitive elements (pixels). The output of the shaping circuit 4 is serially connected with a compression means 6, a database means 7and an operating means 8. The output of the shaping circuit 4 is connected also with a buffer memory 9, the outputs of which are connected in parallel with first means for image zoning 10 and second means for image zoning 11. The output of the first means for image zoning 10 is connected in series with a formalized image generator12, with a block transforming the formalized image to the original 13 and a comparison means 14, as the output of the first means for image zoning 10 is connected also with a second input of the comparison means 14. The output of the second means for image zoning 11 is connected in parallel with a means for adaptive zone binarization15, with a generator for zone symptoms16 and a second input of the compression means 6. The output of the means for adaptive zone binarization 15 is connected with a third input of the compression means 6 and with a first input of the image recogniton block 17, which second input is connected with the output of the generator for zone symptoms 16. The output of the image recognition block 17 is connected with a forth input of the compression means 6. The output of the operating means 8 is connected with a second input of the first means for image zoningl O, with a second input of the second means for image zoning 11 and with a second input of the database means 7. The output of the comparison means 14 is connected with the third input of the first means for image zoning 10 and with the third input of the second means for image zoning 11. The compression means 6 contains a circuit for conversion of the thri-dimensional (X, Y, Z) matrixes, received at the output of the second means for image zoning, at the co-ordinate Z, in di- dimensional (X|<, Yk) matrixes, which contain all image co-ordinates along the axes X, Y at least once and form the following types of filters: • filters for information containing regions (don't contain any zone interests) and cataloging factors; • filters for image recognized regions and cataloging factors; • filters for binarized image (black/white or colour) regions and cataloging factors; • filters for halftone colour image regions and cataloging factors. Database means 7 contains memory, where the missed by the filters of the compression means 6 recognized images and pictures are written with respective catalogue numbers as a result of the missed cataloging factors. Operating means 8 contains the peripherial devices for influence on the first means for image zoning 10 and on the second means for image zoning 11 (buttons, keyboard, lighting pen etc). The first means for image zoning 10 contains four groups of filters, connected in parallel with: • first group - for determination of zones with different image class; • second group - for increase of image quality in the relevant zones; • third group - for image conversion in the zones from one grade to another; • fourth group - for discovery of typical objects, finding out co¬ ordinates and links between them. The formalized image generator 12 contains a card-index of formalized document images, built as matrixes, with co-ordinates, correlations between co-ordinates, geometrical dimensions and idealized images (standards) of TOTO-forms. These matrixes are supplemented, if necessary, by the operating means 8, as a result of which new formalized images are created in the card-index of the formalized image generator 12, by introducing of co-ordinates of other rectangular zones and new standards (new games) in the first means for image zoning 10. The block transforming the formalized image to the original 13 contains line and non-line filters and tables for converting the co¬ ordinate systems, so as to deform the formalized image and to convert it nearest to the real one. The comparison means 14 contains a concurrence circuit, the first input of which is connected with the output of the first means for image zoning 10, and the second input is connected with the block transforming the formalized image to the original 13. The second means for image zoning 11 contains a group of filters, built as tri-dimensional matrixes ( X, Y, Z ), for which the axes X and Y coincide with these of the converted image, and along the axe Z the interests are reflected : the way of processing and the way of cataloging. Part of these matrix filters is built in advance, on the base of the formalized images from which a card-index is created. The card-index can be supplemented in the process of work, by changing the parametres of some filters by the help of the operating means 8. The means for adaptive zone binarization 15 contains line and non - line filters for conversion of homogeneous halftone image regions into binar, i.e. only these image parts (Xd, Yd, Zd) for which Z from the matrix zones (X, Y. Z) takes values zi, which require binarization as a way of image processing. These line and non - line filters for conversion of homogeneous halftone image regions into binar work by comparison the brightness of each pixel with one threshold value, defined for this part of the image by one of the following ways: - measurement of the brightness distribution in given surrounding area; - measurement of the brightness gradient (finding frames); - finding of pixel groups with near brightness values; - estimation of the maximum difference between the brightness of the separate pixel and the medium brightness in the processed region, etc The generator for zone symptoms 16 contains a card-index of symptoms and regulations Q(q) for object recognition, grouped in accordance with the selected recognition treatment . The image recognition block 17 contains a comparison circuit, in the first input of which enters the signal for binarized image for the given zone, received at the output of the means for adaptive zone binarization 15, and in the second input enters a relevant serie of symptoms for image recognition. Operation of the device as follows: The TOTO-form , with marking signs made by hand, is placed on the document carrier 1, situated in the focal plain of the optical system 2. The image sensor 3, a matrix with dimentions (Xd, Yd) / where Xd Yd are determined by the number of the sensitive elements (pixels) in accordance with the two axes converts the optical signal into electrical. By the video processor of the shaping circuit 4, containing generators and circuits for management of image sensor 3, the analogue video information from each pixel enters in the input of analogue digital converter (A/D converter) and as a whole number it is written on the Zd axe in the video memory, where the matrix of the original image (Xd, Yd / Zd) is formed. In this way the brightness of the black/white image of the TOTO-form is written with whole numbers on the Z axe. The image, written in the video memory of the shaping circuit 4 is analysed and disadvantages in the image are eliminated, for example: unevennesses, introduced by the optical system 2 are balanced; the high frequency noises due to destroyed or defective pixels of the image sensor 3 are removed as it is appropriate the average value from the neighbouring pixels. The received signal for halftone digital image at the output of the shaping circuit 4 enters in the input of connected in series a compression means 6, a database means7 and an operating means 8. The received signal for halftone digital image at the output of the shaping circuit 4 also enters in the input of the buffer memory 9, where it is written and enters in first input of the first means for image zoning 10 and in first input of the second means for image zoning 11. In the first means for image zoning 10, by the help of connected in parallel and in series filters with transmission functions, containing proportionate, diferentiate and/or integrate links, trigonometrical and logarithmical converters, summaries, multipliers and stops are determined as follows: • distribution of brightness levels; • maximum , minimum and average brightness levels; • homogeneous image regions; • crossing lines; • co-ordinates of: - centres of contrast point objects (code of the game), - the crossing points of the lines at right angles (the co¬ ordinates of the black frame of the TOTO-form). These co-ordinates and the relations between them form the zones in relevance with the four filter groups. In accordance with the zones, created by the first means for image zoning 10, the formalized image generator 12 calls in its memory the matrix for the TOTO-form (Xf, Yf) with the same zones and this matrix together with the zone image enters the input of the block transforming the formalized image to the original 13. In the block transforming the formalized image to the original 13 is built a matrix of factors for changing the co-ordinates of the formalized image (Xf, Yf) in accordance with these of the image original (Xd, Yd)- As a result a converted formalized image matrix is formed (Xp, Yp), and both with the original one (Xd, Yd) enter respectively in the two inputs of the comparison means 14. The correspondence degree is given beforehand and is controlled by the comparison means14. When the given correspondence degree is reached the comparison means 14 builds at his input a signal, which is forbidding for the first means for image zoning 10 and permitting for the second means for image zoning 11. The second means for image zoning 11 forms (X, Y, Z) matrix, for which the axes X and Y coincide with these from the converted image Xp and Yp, received at the input of the block transforming the formalized image to the origina 1 13 and permitted by the comparison means 14 , and along the axe Z are reflected the interests as each value zj of Z forms a matrix (x,y,zj), containing in the (X, Y, Z) matrix. In the practical example the following matrixes are formed: (x, y, 0) no interest (x, y, a) binarization (x, y, b) printed text (x, y, c) hand-written signs (x, y, d) recognition of printed text (x, y, e) recognition of hand -written signs (x, y,h) saving (x, y,m) catalogue symptom (x, y, I) defined by the operating means (8) (x, y, k) micsellaneous (other) In the second means for image zoning 11 together with the image signal, received at the input of the comparison means 14 a signal also enters from the operating means 8. The signal of the general matrix (X, Y, Z) , formed in the second means for image zoning 11 , enters at the inputs of: - compression means 6; - means for adaptive zone binarization 15; - generator for zone symptoms 16. The line and non-line fitters for conversion of homogeneou halftone image regions in binars, in the means for adaptive zone binarization 15 work by comparing the brightness of each pixel with one threshold value, defined for this part of the image by one of th following ways: - measuring the brightness distribution in a given surroundin area; - measuring the brightness gradient (finding of frames); - finding groups of pixels with near brightness values; - evaluation the maximum difference between the brightness o the separate pixel and the average brightness in the processed region etc In this way the means for adaptive zone binarization 15 admits in the binarization filters only these image parts (Xd, Yd, Zd), for which zj from the matrix of the zones (X,Y,Z) takes the values a, b, c, d and e. The transmission functions of the adaptive filters fo binarization F (A), F (B), F (C), F (D) and F (E) are determined by th help of filters, connected in series and in parallel, corresponding t the filters included in the first means for image zoning 10, as in accordance with the interest zj work over these parts of image, fo which zj = a, b, c, d and e. In the generator for zone symptoms 16 are activated th circuits comprising groups of symptoms and regulations Q (d) 11 Q (e) for recognition of printed text (zj = d) and hand-written signs (zj = e). When the correspondence between the binarized images and the relevant groups of symptoms and recognition regulations { for (x, y, d) is included Q (d), and for (x, y, e) - Q (e) } and they reach preliminary given value, at the output of the image recognition block 17 is formed the code of the recognized image. By the comparison circuit is determined the coincidence degree (the difference) between the two signals for each symptom or each group of symptoms in the lot . When this difference becomes smaller than the preliminary given value (threshold), at the output of the image recognition block 17 is formed code of the recognized image. The received signal (code of recognized image) at the output of the image recognition block 17 enters the compression means 6 together with the signal, received at the output of the means for adapted zone binarization 15. The compression means 6 creates the map for image compression as it uses co-ordinate attached zones in the second means for image zoning 11 ; these zones form the filters as well, by which an image is written in the memory of the database means 7. The image consists of: - regions, without information; - regions with recognized images; - regions, containing an original halftone digital image. All results from the TOTO-forms processing are written in a card-index in the database means 7, which is processed and used by a personal computer (PC) and corresponds to the requirements of different consumption levels. The operating means 8 is the means over which the operator effects if necessary or at will. A possibility is foreseen for operator's interference in determination of the zones of interests (supplement or reduction). By the operating means 8 in the card-index of formalized images of documents of the formalized image generator 12 are formed new formalized images by introduction of co-ordinates of rectangular or other zones in the first means for image zoning 10. USED LITERATURE I .European Patent Application N° 0 504 576 A2,G 06 K 9/20: Document scanner.

Claims: CLAIMS: A document cataloging device comprising a document carrier, situated in a focal plain of optical system , connected in series with an image sensor, A/D coverter and an image processing means, as an illuminating system is situated above the document carrier is characterized that the A/D converter is connected serially with video processor and image memory, which form together with A/D converter a shaping circuit (4), connected in series with a compression means (6), a database means (7) and an operating means (8), as the output of the shaping circuit (4) is connected with the image processing means, containing buffer memory (9), and its output is connected in parallel with first means for image zoning (10) and second means for image zoning (11), as the output of the first means for image zoning (10) is connected in series with a formalized image generator (12), a block transforming the formalized image to the original (13) and a comparison means (14), as the output of the first means for image zoning (10) is connected with second input of the comparison means (14) as well, and the output of the second means for image zoning (11) is connected in parallel with a means for adaptive zone binarization (15), a generator for zone symptoms (16) and second input of the compression means (6), as the output of the means for adaptive zone binarization (15) is connected with first input of the image recognition block (17) and with third input of the compression means (6), and the output of the generator for zone symptoms (16) is connected with a second input of the image recognition block (17), whose input is connected with fourth input of the compression means (6), and the output of the operating means (8) is connected with second input of the database means (7), with the second input of the first means for image zoning (10) and with the second input of the second means for image zoning (11), whose third inputs are connected with the output of the comparison means (14).

Inventors: DJABAROV GEORGY NIKOLOV, DJADALA-MARIA JAMIL ALEXANDER, HRISTOV ROUSLAN VILEV, PELOV NIKOLAY VIKTOROV, STOYANOV ASSEN DIMITROV, STOYANOVA NADEZHDA ASSENOVA, DJABAROV, GEORGY, NIKOLOV, DJADALA-MARIA, JAMIL, ALEXANDER, HRISTOV, ROUSLAN, VILEV, PELOV, NIKOLAY, VIKTOROV, STOYANOV, ASSEN, DIMITROV, STOYANOVA, NADEZHDA, ASSENOVA
Applicants: RISS INT S A, RISS INT. S.A.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G07D7
IPC codes: G07D7