Business management system

• US 6,618,504 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1998
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toho Business Management Center
• Original Assignee: Toho Business Management Center
• Inventors: Yoshino, Eiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kassa, Yosef
• Application Number:
  US09/101,387
• Time in Patent Office: 1,882 Days
• Field of Search: 382/180, 382/181, 382/187, 382/186, 382/188, 382/189, 382/309, 382/119, 382/209, 382/217, 382/218, 382/219, 382/220, 382/224, 382/228, 382/229, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/19.01, 178/20.01, 345/773, 345/779, 345/716, 345/782, 345/719, 235/380, 235/382
• US Class Current: 382/187
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/32 Digital ink
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/412 Layout analysis of documents structured with printed lines or input boxes, e.g. business forms or tables

Abstract

A reading apparatus (10) comprising means for detecting pen point coordinate changes over time, for handwriting made by pen on writing media, and means for generating handwriting data indicating those coordinate changes for each writing medium, a character recognition apparatus (2) for performing character recognition on handwriting data, and a business processing apparatus (4) for executing business processing in response to recognized character strings are provided. Handwritten particulars entered on vouchers are immediately subjected to character recognition, and used in business management, and handwritten vouchers can also be preserved. Accordingly, the redundant work involved in entering handwritten particulars again to a computer can be reduced, input errors can be prevented, and processing can be done speedily.

Claims

1. A business management system comprising:

a reading apparatus, which comprises a structure that secures a writing medium to be handwritten upon and detects coordinates of a pen point while items are being written by pen on said writing medium, and generates and transmits handwriting data representing, for each writing medium, coordinate changes over time for said pen point;

a character recognition apparatus that performs character recognition on said handwriting data; and

a business processing apparatus that executes prescribed business processes based on recognized character strings;

said reading apparatus is configured so that one writing medium can be selected from among one or more types of writing media by the operations of a writer; and

said character recognition apparatus comprises;

means for referencing style definition data that specify a format for a writing medium selected by said reading apparatus, and performing position correction processing on a writing medium based on said handwriting data transmitted from said reading apparatus; and

means for performing character recognition on said handwriting data while referencing said style definition data after position correction.

2. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said means for performing position correction processing in said character recognition apparatus comprise:

means for detecting relative positions of said handwriting with respect to said reading apparatus based on said handwriting data; and

means for determining relative position of said writing medium with respect to said reading apparatus based on said style definition data and on relative positions of said handwriting with respect to said reading apparatus.

3. The business management system according to claim 2, wherein:

said means for detecting relative positions of said handwriting detect relative positions of handwriting entered in a plurality of mandatory entry columns wherein entries must always be made, with respect to said reading apparatus; and

means for determining relative position of said writing medium determine orientation of said writing medium with respect to said reading apparatus, based on relative positions of handwriting entered in said mandatory entry columns, with respect to said reading apparatus.

4. The business management system according to claim 2, wherein means for performing position corrections in said character recognition apparatus comprise correction means for correcting positional displacements of said writing medium with respect to said reading apparatus, based on relative positions of said writing and on relative positions of said handwriting medium with respect to said reading apparatus.

5. The business management system according to claim 2, wherein means for performing position corrections in said character recognition apparatus detect inclinations in said writing media based on relative positions of said handwriting and on relative positions of said writing medium with respect to said reading apparatus, and correct inclinations in said writing media.

6. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises:

means for segregating characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups configuring character strings representing handwriting data transmitted from said reading apparatus; and

means for performing character recognition on said segregated characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups and converting them to recognized character strings made up of character codes.

7. The business management system according to claim 6, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings in said character recognition apparatus perform character recognition based on direction elements that indicate directions from one sampling point to next sampling point, including position where handwriting begins and position where handwriting ends.

8. The business management system according to claim 6, wherein means for converting to said recognized character strings in said character recognition apparatus prohibit recognition of character strings over which special predetermined have been written, upon detecting such overwritten character strings in recognized character strings, and, upon detecting character strings written above or alongside said overwritten character strings, perform character recognition on said character strings written above or alongside, and insert those character strings in said recognized character strings, in place of character strings overwritten by said special graphics.

11. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus is configured so that new style definition data can be designed by connecting said reading apparatus, and so that, when data representing a plurality of coordinates are input from said reading apparatus while designing style definition data, a range specified by said plurality of coordinates can be set as a new entry column in said new style definition data.

12. The business management system according to claim 11, wherein means for setting style definition in said character recognition apparatus are configured so that, when said one entry column has been set, attributes of said entry column can be set together therewith.

13. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein:

said reading apparatus comprises an output circuit for outputting data inclusive of said handwriting data so as to be compatible with a bus standard, and an input/output slot configured to permit the output of data inclusive of handwriting data output from said output circuit; and

said input/output slot is configured so that a portable information communications device capable of radio-communicating data inclusive of said handwriting data can be attached thereto.

14. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said reading apparatus is configured so that time stamp data indicating a time of creation, at prescribed timing intervals, when said handwriting data are generated, are incorporated in said handwriting data;

said character recognition apparatus is configured so that, among said handwriting data sent from said reading apparatus, handwriting data pertaining to a signature can be output without modification to said business processing apparatus; and

said business processing apparatus is configured so that, when handwriting data pertaining to a signature are contained in said handwriting data, said handwriting data pertaining to said signature can be compared against pre-registered comparative data, and so that a determination can be made as to whether or not said signature is proper based on time stamp data contained in said handwriting data pertaining to said signature.

15. The business management system according to claim 14, wherein said business processing apparatus accumulates usage times for each said reading apparatus, based on time stamp data contained in said handwriting data, and performs prescribed business processing according to accumulated usage times.

16. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said business processing apparatus comprises:

means for sequentially reading time stamp data contained in said handwriting data; and

means for performing prescribed processing on said handwriting data when said time stamp data so read indicate that some data were recorded after a certain time period had elapsed relative to a time or times indicated for other data.

17. The business management system according to claim 16, wherein means for performing prescribed processing in said business processing apparatus, as to said prescribed processing, process said writing medium as invalid when some time stamp data indicate that they were recorded after said certain time period had elapsed.

18. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus is configured so that, when an authorization process indicating that a writing medium subjected to character recognition has been authorized has been implemented by a manager over that character recognition apparatus, seal image data certifying that said writing medium has been authorized can be added to said handwriting data and sent to said business processing apparatus.

19. The business management system according to claim 18, wherein said business processing apparatus permits handwriting data to be processed only when a code has been added to said handwriting data indicating that authorization processing has been performed for that writing medium.

20. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system that pertains to an operation process designating system for implementing a certain operation, wherein:

said writing medium designates a series of processing procedures for accomplishing said operation, designed with check columns provided for each process, wherein entries are made by a person in charge of implementing said operation; and

said business processing apparatus is configured so that said series of operations can, overall, be managed, based on results of having recognized handwriting data on said writing medium, and configured so that, whenever marks are made by said person in charge of implementation in check columns on said writing medium, processes associated with said check columns are executed one by one.

21. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system that pertains to a scoring processing system, wherein:

said writing medium is an answer sheet designed so as to comprise solution columns for prescribed problems and solution step entry columns therefor;

said character recognition apparatus is configured so that handwriting entered in said solution step entry columns can be transmitted as image data to said business processing apparatus; and

said business processing apparatus is configured so that, in addition to performing scoring processing, based on recognized character strings, to obtain scores for each examinee, overall averages, averages by problem, deviation values and the like, image displays can be made on an image display apparatus, both of image data entered by said examinees in said solution step entry columns, and of results of said scoring processing.

22. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system pertaining to a transaction management system for card use, wherein:

said reading apparatus is configured so as to be able to read characters entered on a card use voucher which is said writing medium;

said character recognition apparatus is configured so that, upon recognizing that characters other than characters of a predetermined type have been entered in a prescribed column on said card use voucher, said voucher is determined to be invalid, and so that, upon recognizing that characters of said predetermined type have been entered therein, said voucher is determined to be valid; and

said business processing apparatus manages card use transactions according to recognized characters on said card use voucher when determined to be valid by said character recognition apparatus.

23. The business management system according to claim 22, wherein said business processing apparatus comprises display means and is configured so that character-recognized names of card users who can be handled at a counter can be specified and their names displayed on said display means.

24. The business method management system according to claim 1, being a business management system pertaining to a transaction management system wherein:

said reading apparatus is configured so as to be able to function as a teller processing terminal in reading items from customer vouchers which constitute said writing media; and

said business processing apparatus is configured so as to be able to process prescribed teller operations in response to recognized character strings, handles recognized handwriting data as invalid when predetermined columns on said voucher have no entries made therein within a prescribed time interval after the pen point has been removed from said voucher, and processes recognized handwriting data as valid data when entries have been made in said predetermined columns on said voucher.

25. The business management system according to claim 24, wherein said reading apparatus further comprises customer detection means for detecting whether or not a customer has approached said reading apparatus, and handles detected handwriting data as invalid when no special mark has been made in either said confirmation column or said cancellation column, said customer detection means detects that the customer has moved away from the reading apparatus, and no entries have been made in said predetermined columns on said voucher.

26. The business management system according to claim 24, wherein:

said reading apparatus is configured so as to be able to transmit said handwriting data after including therein time stamp data indicating time said handwriting data were entered; and

said business processing apparatus comprises display means for displaying unprocessed vouchers in chronological order according to said time stamp data, based on said handwriting data and said time stamp data received from said reading apparatus.

27. The business management system according to claim 24, wherein said business processing apparatus recognizes character strings representing at least personal names or organization names in information entered on unprocessed vouchers, and comprises advisory means for making public notice of said character strings to a plurality of customers.

28. The business management system according to claim 27, wherein said advisory means comprise speech synthesis means for reading said character strings representing said personal names or organization names.

29. The business management system according to claim 27, wherein said teller processing terminal moves back the order of processing for a customer when said customer fails to appear at a counter within a prescribed time interval after public notice has been made of said customer'"'"'s personal name or organization name on said advisory means.

30. The business management system according to claim 24, wherein said character recognition apparatus identifies the type of a voucher by determining whether or not a special mark has been made designating one of a plurality of voucher names listed on said voucher.

31. The business management system according to claim 24, wherein said character recognition apparatus identifies the type of a voucher by determining whether or not an amount has been entered in one of a plurality of amount columns listed on said voucher.

32. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system pertaining to a medical information input system, wherein:

said reading apparatus is configured so as to be able to generate handwriting data from medical vouchers which constitute said writing media; and

said business processing apparatus comprises storage means for storing recognized character strings as medical information data, and moves back processing order for a patient when said patient fails to appear at a counter within a prescribed time interval after public notice has been made of patient'"'"'s name by a display means.

33. The business management system according to claim 32, wherein said business processing apparatus is configured so as to be able to compare handwriting data for signatures detected by said reading apparatus against pre-registered handwriting data, and permit access to said medical information data when two sets of handwriting data agree.

34. The business management system according to claim 32, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises a conversion table for converting recognized abbreviated character strings to regular character strings.

35. The business management system according to claim 1, wherein said business processing apparatus comprises a database for prescribed information, searches said database on basis of characters read by said reading apparatus and subjected to character recognition, and extracts information corresponding to said characters.

36. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system pertaining to an inventory processing system, wherein:

said reading apparatus is configured so as to be able to read inventory lists that constitute said writing media, wherein entries are made by persons in charge of stocktaking; and

said business processing apparatus comprises a database for accumulating information on product inventory quantities, searches said database on basis of character strings recognized by said character recognition apparatus, and updates said database with product inventory quantities indicated by retrieved character strings.

37. The business management system according to claim 1, being a business management system pertaining to a ticket reservation and sales system, wherein said reading apparatus reads vouchers which constitute said writing medium comprising entry columns concerning ticket reservation and sales wherein entries are made by a person in charge, and said business processing apparatus comprises a database wherein are recorded remaining numbers of salable tickets, and is configured so as to be able to reference said database when character strings recognized by said character recognition apparatus constitute data indicating a desire to purchase prescribed tickets, and transmit data to said reading apparatus granting permission to sell said tickets when said tickets are still available.

9. A business management system comprising:

a reading apparatus, which comprises a structure capable of securing a voucher or other writing media, that secures a writing medium and detects coordinates of a pen point while items are being written by pen on said writing medium, and generates and transmits handwriting data representing, for each writing medium, coordinate changes over time for said pen point;

a character recognition apparatus that performs character recognition on said handwriting data, wherein said character recognition apparatus, upon recognizing that a predetermined type of character, symbol, or graphic has been entered at four corners or other predetermined complete-text-deletion columns in said writing medium, determines that said writing medium, in its entirety, is to be designated for deletion; and

a business processing apparatus that executes prescribed business processes based on recognized character strings;

said reading apparatus is configured so that one writing medium can be selected from among one or more types of writing media by the operations of a writer; and

said character recognition apparatus comprises;

means for referencing style definition data that specify a format for a writing medium selected by said reading apparatus, and performing position correction processing on a writing medium based on said handwriting data transmitted from said reading apparatus; and

means for performing character recognition on said handwriting data while referencing said style definition data after position correction.

10. A business management system comprising:

a reading apparatus, which comprises a structure capable of securing a voucher or other writing media, that secures a writing medium and detects coordinates of a pen point while items are being written by pen on said writing medium, and generates and transmits handwriting data representing, for each writing medium, coordinate changes over time for said pen point;

a character recognition apparatus that performs character recognition on said handwriting data, wherein said character recognition apparatus, upon recognizing that a predetermined type of character, symbol, or graphic has been entered at beginning of each entry line or other predetermined record-deletion columns in said writing medium, determines that recognized character strings based on handwriting data entered in entry lines corresponding to said record-deletion columns are to be designated for deletion; and

a business processing apparatus that executes prescribed business processes based on recognized character strings;

said reading apparatus is configured so that one writing medium can be selected from among one or more types of writing media by the operations of a writer; and

said character recognition apparatus comprises;

means for referencing style definition data that specify a format for a writing medium selected by said reading apparatus, and performing position correction processing on a writing medium based on said handwriting data transmitted from said reading apparatus; and

means for performing character recognition on said handwriting data while referencing said style definition data after position correction.

38. A business management method comprising the steps of:

reading card information recorded on a card and transmitting said information to a business processing apparatus;

certifying said card information in said business processing apparatus, and permitting credit card use upon determination that said credit card is proper;

selecting a card use voucher from style definition data specifying a format for a writing medium in a reading apparatus;

entering use amount and signature on the card use voucher in a reading apparatus, using a pen;

transmitting said use amount and signature as handwriting data to said business processing apparatus;

recognizing said use amount in said business processing apparatus by referring to the style definintion data;

certifying said signature in said business processing apparatus by comparing handwriting data for said signature against pre-registered signature handwriting data; and

determining whether or not handwriting data for said signature approximates said pre-registered handwriting data, and prohibiting use of said credit card when said two sets of handwriting data do not approximate each one another.

39. The business management method according to claim 38, wherein, in said step for certifying said signature, said signature is certified, recognizable character by recognizable character, based on pre-registered regular stroke orders and stroke orders differing from regular stroke orders.

40. A business management method comprising the steps of:

selecting a medical voucher from style definition data specifying a format for a writing medium available on a portable reading apparatus;

detecting, as handwriting data, results of physician'"'"'s rounds of hospital ward patients entered on medical vouchers using the portable reading apparatus;

holding said handwriting data in said reading apparatus, ward patient by ward patient;

transferring handwriting data held in said reading apparatus to a character recognition apparatus;

performing character recognition on transferred handwriting data by referring to the style definition data, using said character recognition apparatus; and

storing results of said character recognition as medical information data, ward patient by ward patient.