Image analysis – Editing – error checking – or correction – Correcting alphanumeric recognition errors
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-12
2004-08-24
Johnson, Timothy M. (Department: 2625)
Image analysis
Editing, error checking, or correction
Correcting alphanumeric recognition errors
C382S187000, C382S311000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06782144
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document scanner for scanning, locating and deciphering data in data fields on one or more documents imprinted with data, a computer system therefor and a method therefor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Although document scanners are relatively widely available (those scanners obtaining an image of a document) and there are computer software programs which read the information from the scanned image of the document and decipher and extract information from the document (such as OCR or optical character reader programs), there is a need for a stand alone, computer based unit which scans a document imprinted with data, locates the data on the document, deciphers the data and outputs the data in a common format to other computer systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,108 to Cotte et al. discloses a Document-Driven Scanning Input Device which communicates with a computer via an RS232 interface. Col. 4, line 54. In FIG. 12, and beginning at col. 10, line 29, Cotte '108 discloses the use of an input device 214 which sends information codes via an RS232 cable to host computer 210. In one embodiment, the host computer 210 recognizes the codes generated by input device 214 and processes the information in accordance with the code. This processing may include faxing the scanned image, sending the image in an e-mail message or performing word processing on the image. Col. 10, line 47, line 48, and line 54. In an alternate embodiment (col. 10, line 54), input device 214 analyzes the data stream from the scanned document to locate the code on the document. In one embodiment, the code on the document is a special symbol which input device 214 recognizes. Col. 11, lines 24-30. A graphic symbol may be used. Col. 11, lines 34-35. The input device 214 may be trained with symbol recognition software to recognize a particular symbol. Col. 11, lines 44-46. Predefined or predetermined graphic signals can be printed on the document to be scanned. Col. 11, lines 53-55. FIGS. 26-28 show graphic symbols identified in a “hot zone” or data field. These graphic symbols are recognized by input device 214. Particularly, reference point 406 provides an index point for the symbol recognition and the recognition software captures data commands in hot zone 404 (FIG. 26) or hot zone 404 in (FIG. 27) or hot zone 410 in FIG. 28. See col. 12, lines 5-20.
Cotte '108 also discloses the use of a preprinted document form for each type of operation. Col. 13, lines 26-28. Hand drawn symbols are also recognized by input device 214. Col. 13, lines 38-42. “FIG. 16 represents the classes of embodiments where the command symbols 243 and 245 are placed either in hot zone which are not on the top of the page or randomly placed on the page. Recognition of symbols where random placement on the page is practiced is more easily performed when formalized symbols or stickers are used which the recognition software has already been trained to recognize.” Col. 13, lines 54-61. After the input device 214 recognizes the symbol, the input device then compares the captured command and compares it to a list of previously stored symbols in order to decode the command. Col. 14, lines 7-12. Hence, Cotte '108 decodes the scanned data field. “The input device software then generates the appropriate commands to send to the host software package invoked by the command symbol to cause the host software so invoked to appropriately process the data received from the input device.” Col. 14, lines 30-34.
Cotte '108 describes FIG. 13A as obtaining a scanned image data which is compressed by the input device. Col. 14, line 52. FIG. 13B is described at col. 15, lines 8-55 as a routine wherein the input device scans the document, generates a command to the host computer and the user on the host computer then selects a menu option for that scanned image. Cotte '108 seems to output the scanned item as an image file rather than as a data file.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,149 to Comerford et al. discloses a Method and Apparatus for Improving the Paper Interface to Computing Systems. The two major components utilized in Comerford '149 include a digitizing tablet 10 and a hand held scanner 15. See FIGS. 1-2; Col. 5, lines 9-13. The document is scanned and stored in an ordinary manner. Col. 7, lines 7-12. A control document is also prepared such that the control document links the scanned document file with other files such as an annotation file. The scanned image files and the files containing electronic representation of handwritten notes (an annotation file) are processed at a work station after being downloaded from the notepad to the work station. The analysis is conducted with a character recognition software and with handwriting recognition software. Col. 9, lines 7-20.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,447 to Schlack et al. discloses an Image-Based Electronic Pocket Organizer with Integral Scanning. In this computerized pocket organizer or personal data assistant, the operator interacts with the computer system through a touch sensitive electronic display panel 14 based upon various overlay screens or windows. The operator interacts with the windows by touching the screen to perform various functions such as data entry, hand printed text entry, virtual alpha numeric keyboard operations, organizer navigational operations, among others. Col. 3, lines 60-69. After a document is scanned, the electronic file is processed by an optical character recognition system or a photo or image processing system. Col. 6, lines 48-57. To process business cards, the business card is scanned by the scanning unit and character recognition software is applied to this electronic scanned image data to identify the text information therein. Col. 8, lines 37-44. A relational database is utilized to link various information and certain data fields. However, with respect to the input of business card information, the operator is prompted at the initiation of the scanned operation to identify and attach a file tag containing one or more of the linking fields to the image being scanned. In this manner, each scanned image can be easily identified and cross-referenced with tagged data files. Col. 9, lines 51-62. With respect to medical insurance information which is scanned directly from the patient's medical card, the system performs a text identification routine (OCR) on the image bit map of the scanned medical card to identify areas of the bit map that contain text information. “A box is drawn around each of the areas that are determined to contain text information.” The system then decodes the image and extracts text information in the box. “The operator can then transfer the identified text data within selected boxes into the text information file by touching a selected box to fill in a template field that is overlayed on the display. The template field continues to prompt the user to select a box for each of the fields in the text information file.” Col. 10, lines 26-43.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,338 to Solberg et al. discloses a Computer System for Converting Documents Bearing Symbols and Alphanumeric Text. Solberg '338 states that it is particularly well suited to converting a raster image of a scanned hard copy source document bearing a drawing view of the three dimensional object, symbols and alphanumeric text relating to height, width, length, depth and angle of edges of the three dimensional object into mathematically accurate vector computer drawing files which files are based on the symbols in alphanumeric text scanned from the source document. The automated system includes the use of commercially available text recognition software for automatic conversion of raster text, including handwritten, upper and lower case text, and rotated text into AUTO CAD text strings. Col. 15, lines 47-52. The disclose states that after alphanumeric text has been recognized, the user can edit the resulting ASCII text as necessary. The preset optical character recognition parameters can automatically subject questionable text recogn
Bellavita Jorge Luis
Pucci Jorge Pablo
Fleit Kain
Johnson Timothy M.
Kain, Jr. Robert C.
Multiscan Corp.
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