Business management system

Claim 2

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said reading apparatus is provided with means for generating timing, when handwriting data are being generated, as required for time stamp data indicting the time that said handwriting data were generated; and said transmission means transmit those time stamp data together with said handwriting data.

Claim 3

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said reading apparatus also comprises means for generating both data for identifying that reading apparatus and other additional information; and said transmission means transmit this additional information together with said handwriting data.

Claim 4

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said reading apparatus comprises means for assimilating such images as seals and signatures affixed to writing media, and generating image data therefrom; and said transmission means transmit said image data together with said handwriting data.

Claim 5

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein: said transmission means in said reading apparatus comprise an output circuit for outputting data, inclusive of handwriting data, in conformity with a prescribed bus standard, and input/output slot or slots configured so as to make it possible to output said data, inclusive of handwriting data, from said output circuit; and said input/output slot or slots are configured so that portable information communications equipment capable of radio-communicating those data, inclusive of handwriting data, can be attached thereto.

Claim 6

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising: selection means by which a writer may select one writing medium from among a plurality of types of writing media; and said transmission means transmit style definition data for specifying the writing medium selected by a user using said selection means.

Claim 7

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said reading apparatus further comprises: reception means for receiving data sent from outside; and character display means for displaying characters based on data received by said reception means.

Claim 8

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein, in said reading apparatus, means for detecting pen point coordinates comprise: a pen for outputting prescribed signals; and a digitizer for receiving the signals output from said pen.

Claim 9

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein: said reading apparatus further comprises a memory circuit configured so that it can store data, inclusive of handwriting data, for a plurality of writing media; and said transmission means transmit data, inclusive of a plurality of handwriting data, stored in the memory circuit, to said character recognition apparatus in batches.

Claim 10

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises: means for identifying writing medium formats used, on the basis of data which specify a writing medium selected by a user, sent from said reader apparatus; and means for performing character recognition based on style definition data which specify said identified writing medium formats.

Claim 11

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises: means for detecting positions of said handwriting relative to said reading apparatus, based on data inclusive of handwriting data; and means for determining positions of writing media relative to said reading apparatus, based both on style definition data which specify the writing medium format of writing media on which said handwriting is written, and on relative positions of said handwriting relative to said reading apparatus.

Claim 12

The business management system according to Claim 11, wherein: said means for detecting relative positions of said handwriting detect positions relative to said reading apparatus for handwriting entered into a plurality of mandatory entry columns which are always to be filled in; and means for determining relative positions of said writing media determine the orientation of said writing media relative to said reading apparatus, based on positions of said handwriting entered into said mandatory entry columns, relative to said reading apparatus.

Claim 13

The business management system according to either Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises correction means for correcting positional misalignments of said writing media relative to said reading apparatus, based on relative positions of said handwriting and relative positions of said writing media, in relationship to said reading apparatus.

Claim 14

The business management system according to either Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein correction means for said character recognition apparatus detect inclinations in said writing media, based on relative positions of said handwriting and relative positions of said writing media, in relationship to said reading apparatus, and correct said inclinations in said writing media.

Claim 15

The business management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises: means for segregating characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups comprising character strings representing said handwriting data sent from said reading apparatus; and means for recognizing said segregated characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups and converting them to recognized character strings made up of character codes.

Claim 16

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, recognize characters both by results of character recognition based on image data reproduced from said handwriting data, and by results of character recognition based on direction elements that indicate directions from one sampling point in said handwriting to the next sampling point therein.

Claim 17

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, recognize characters on the basis of stroke counts for each said character, symbol, figure, or character or symbol group segregated by said means for segregating said characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups.

Claim 18

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, recognize characters on the basis of numbers of intersections found in each said character, symbol, figure, or character or symbol group segregated by said means for segregating said characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups.

Claim 19

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, recognize characters on the basis of whether or not each said character, symbol, figure, or character or symbol group segregated by said means for segregating said characters, symbols, figures, and character and symbol groups is contained within a prescribed area.

Claim 20

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, upon having detected, in a recognized character string, a character string wherein a predetermined special figure has been written superimposed thereupon, disallows the recognition of the character string to which the special figure has been superimposed.

Claim 21

The business management system according to Claim 15, wherein means for converting to recognized character strings, in said character recognition apparatus, are configured so that, in cases where a character string having a predetermined special figure written superimposed thereupon is detected in a recognized character string, and another character string is recognized written alongside or above said original character string, recognition of said character string over which said special figure is written is disallowed, and, in its place, said character string written alongside or above is recognized and inserted into said recognized character string.

Claim 22

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises means for determining, in cases where it has been recognized that a predetermined type of character, symbol, or figure has been written in a prescribed column on said writing medium, whether such writing medium should be deleted.

Claim 23

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises means for determining, in cases where it has been recognized that a predetermined type of character, symbol, or figure has been written in a prescribed column on said writing medium, that a recognized character string based on handwriting data written in a column associated with said prescribed column should be deleted.

Claim 24

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus recognizes character strings, writing medium by writing medium, taking handwriting data corresponding to each single writing medium as a unit, based on handwriting data units output respectively from a plurality of reading apparatuses.

Claim 25

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises: means for setting style definition data that specify said writing medium based on data inclusive of handwriting data sent from said reading apparatuses connected to that character recognition apparatus; and means for transmitting said style definition data so set to said reading apparatuses.

Claim 26

The business management system according to Claim 25, wherein, when multiple coordinates have been designated by data inclusive of said handwriting data, means for establishing style definition data in said character recognition apparatus establish the range specified by that plurality of coordinates as one input column.

Claim 27

The business management system according to Claim 26, wherein means for establishing style definition data in said character recognition apparatus are configured so that, when establishing one input column, attributes therefor can be set also.

Claim 28

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said business processing apparatus takes, from among character strings recognized by said character recognition apparatus, character strings corresponding to one or to two or more predetermined columns in a writing medium, constituting these retrieval index data; comprises a database wherein are contained these index data, associated with data that include writing medium handwriting data; and, based on said index data, reads, writes, and performs retrieval operations on records contained in said database.

Claim 29

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said character recognition apparatus, with respect to said handwriting data output from said reading apparatus, disallows said character recognition for prescribed areas in said writing media, and outputs said handwriting data contained in those areas, without modification to said business processing apparatus.

Claim 30

The business management system according to Claim 29, wherein said business processing apparatus compares handwriting data resulting from a signature made in a specified column on said writing medium against pre-registered comparative handwriting data, and performs said business processing based on results of that comparison.

Claim 31

The business management system according to Claim 30, wherein said business processing apparatus compares handwriting data resulting from said signature on the basis of stroke orders indicated in said handwriting data.

Claim 32

The business management system according to Claim 30, wherein said business processing apparatus compares handwriting data resulting from said signature on the basis of writing times indicated in said handwriting data.

Claim 33

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said business processing apparatus, when an authorization operation has been performed indicating authorization of a writing medium for handwriting data subjected to character recognition by that character recognition apparatus, appends, to said handwriting data at issue, seal print data verifying that said writing medium has been authorized.

Claim 34

The business management system according to Claim 33, wherein said business management system permits transfer of handwriting data only when a code indicating that a writing medium authorization process has been performed for those handwriting data is added.

Claim 35

The business management system according to Claim 3, wherein: said business processing apparatus is configured so as to be able to identify the reading apparatus which is the processing object of that business processing apparatus, by pre-registering reading apparatus identification data; and, when said reading apparatus sends out an identifier code for itself, a decision is made to enable or disable business processing according to whether or not said identifier code for that reading apparatus coincides with a pre-registered identifier code.

Claim 36

The business management system according to Claim 3, wherein: said business processing apparatus is configured so as to be able to identify users qualified to use a reading apparatus by pre-registering handwriting data for users' signatures; and, when said reading apparatus sends out handwriting data for the signature of a user wishing to use that reading apparatus, a decision is made to allow or disallow business processing depending on whether or not said user's handwriting matches pre-registered handwriting.

Claim 37

The business management system according to Claim 2, 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 the writing medium at issue when time indicated by said time stamp data so read indicates that a certain period of time has elapsed.

Claim 38

The business management system according to Claim 37, wherein means for performing prescribed processing, in said business processing apparatus, as that prescribed process, treat the current writing medium as invalid when said time stamp data detected indicate that a certain period of time has elapsed.

Claim 39

The business management system according to Claim 2, 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 processing according to those accumulated usage times.

Claim 40

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said writing media are designed to be suitable for receiving clients; said reading apparatus is used by personnel receiving said clients; said character recognition apparatus conducts character recognition based on data inclusive of handwriting data sent from said reading apparatus while said personnel receiving said clients are meeting with them; and said business processing apparatus comprises a database containing information on clients, searches said database on the basis of character strings recognized by said character recognition apparatus, and, when information concerning said clients meeting with said receiving personnel is available, produces character strings based on that information and transmits them so that they can be displayed on said reading apparatus.

Claim 41

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said writing media are designed to be suitable for inventory processing; said reading apparatuses are used by inventory supervisors; and said business processing apparatus comprises a database containing information on product inventory quantities, searches said database on the basis of character strings recognized by said character recognition apparatus, and updates said database with product inventory quantities indicated by those recognized character strings.

Claim 42

The business management system according to Claim 41, wherein said business processing apparatus sends said product inventory quantities read out from said database so that they can be read by said reading apparatuses.

Claim 43

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said writing media are designed so as to designate a series of steps pertaining to a prescribed business operation, having a check box for each step; said reading apparatuses are used by those in charge of implementing said prescribed business operation; and said business processing apparatus is configured so that, when results of character recognition by said character recognition apparatus indicate that a check box has been marked, the step associated with that check box can be processed.

Claim 44

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said writing media are designed so that entry columns are provided for use with prescribed bidding; said reading apparatuses are used, respectively, by a plurality of bidders; and said business processing apparatus is configured so that, referencing character strings that have been sent from a plurality of reading apparatuses for each said reading apparatus recognized by said character recognition apparatus, any desired character string can be displayed, based on the size of a numerical value indicated by each character string.

Claim 45

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein said writing media are designed so as to comprise solution columns for prescribed problems; said reading apparatuses are used by examinees submitting solutions for said prescribed problems; and said business processing apparatus, based on character strings sent from said reading apparatuses and recognized by said character recognition apparatus, performs scoring processing such as scoring each examinee, finding overall averages, finding averages for each problem, and determining deviation values.

Claim 46

The business management system according to Claim 45, wherein: said writing media are designed so as to comprise, in addition to said solution columns, columns for entering solution steps; said character recognition apparatus sends handwriting entered in said solution step entry columns, as image data, to said business processing apparatus; and said business processing apparatus is configured so as to be able to display images based on image data from said solution step entry columns wherein entries have been made by any of said examinees.

Claim 47

The business management system according to Claim 7, wherein said writing media are configured so as to comprise entry columns relating to ticket reservation and sales; said reading apparatuses are used by persons acting as ticket reservation and sales agents; and said business processing apparatus comprises a database wherein are recorded remaining numbers of salable tickets, references said database when a character string recognized by said character recognition apparatus constitutes data indicting a desire to purchase prescribed tickets, and sends data to said reading apparatuses indicating that it is permissible to sell those tickets when there is a remaining number of those tickets.

Claim 48

The business management system according to Claim 47, further comprising a ticket issuing apparatus for receiving data sent from said business processing apparatus, and, when data so sent indicate that it is permissible to sell said tickets, issuing those tickets.

Claim 49

The business management system according to Claim 47, further comprising a cash register for receiving data sent from said business processing apparatus, which said cash register, when data so sent indicate that it is permissible to sell said tickets, is capable of charging the price of those tickets.

Claim 50

A business management system comprising: a character recognition apparatus comprising: means for detecting pen point coordinates for handwriting written by a pen on writing media; means for generating handwriting data representing pen point coordinate changes over time, for each writing medium; and means for performing character recognition on said handwriting data; and a business processing apparatus for executing prescribed business processes in response to recognized character strings.

Claim 51

The business management system according to Claims 1 to 49, wherein said reading apparatus and said character recognition apparatus are accommodated in the same apparatus, configured so as to be capable of communications with said business processing apparatus.

Claim 52

The business processing apparatus cited in Claims 1 to 51, wherein: said reading apparatus reads characters entered in card-use voucher items; and said business processing apparatus manages card-use transactions in response to recognized characters.

Claim 53

The business management system according to Claim 52, wherein said character recognition apparatus, upon recognizing that characters other than characters of a predetermined type have been entered in a designated column on said card-use voucher, determines that the current recognition results are in error.

Claim 54

The business management system according to either Claim 52 or Claim 53, wherein said business processing apparatus comprises display means and displays information concerning transactions done within a prescribed time.

Claim 55

The business management system according to any one of Claims 52 to 54, wherein said reading apparatus, upon detecting that the pen point has passed through a predetermined area on the card-use voucher, cancels any transaction concerning that card-use voucher.

Claim 56

A business processing method comprising the steps of: reading card information recorded on a card by a reading apparatus and transmitting same to a business processing apparatus; certifying said card information in said business processing apparatus and permitting credit card use upon determining that credit card is valid; entering amount used and signature, by means of a pen, on a card-use voucher in said reading apparatus; transmitting amount used and signature as handwriting data to said business processing apparatus; recognizing said amount used in said business processing apparatus; certifying said signature in said business processing apparatus by comparing said signature handwriting data and pre-registered signature handwriting data; and determining whether or not said signature handwriting data approximate said pre-registered handwriting data and prohibiting credit card use when said two sets of data do not approximate each other.

Claim 57

The transaction management method cited in Claim 20, further comprising a step for certifying signatures by pre-registering characters having stroke orders contrary to regular stroke orders.

Claim 58

The business processing apparatus cited in Claim 51, wherein: said reading apparatus is used for reading customer vouchers at a counter; and said business processing apparatus processes prescribed counter business in response to recognized character strings.

Claim 59

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said reading apparatus handles detected handwriting data as valid when a special mark has been entered in a predetermined confirmation column on said vouchers.

Claim 60

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said reading apparatus handles detected handwriting data as invalid when a special mark has been made in a predetermined cancellation column on said vouchers.

Claim 61

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said reading apparatus handles detected handwriting data as invalid when, within a prescribed time after the pen point is removed from the voucher, a special mark is entered in neither said confirmation column nor said cancellation column, and predetermined columns on said voucher have no entries made therein.

Claim 62

The business management system according to Claim 58, 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 a special mark is entered in neither said confirmation column nor said cancellation column, said customer detection means detects that customer has moved away from said reading apparatus, and no entries have been made in predetermined columns on said voucher.

Claim 63

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said reading apparatus sends time stamp data indicating time handwriting data were handled as valid, and/or terminal number data for said reading apparatus, together with said handwriting data, to said business processing apparatus.

Claim 64

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said business processing apparatus comprises display means for displaying unprocessed vouchers in chronological time stamp order, based on handwriting data and time stamp data received from said reading apparatus.

Claim 65

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said business processing apparatus recognizes, from handwriting data, character strings that represent at least the personal name or organization name from information entered on unprocessed vouchers, and comprises advisory means for making public notice of these character strings to a plurality of customers.

Claim 66

The business management system according to Claim 65, wherein said advisory means comprise speech synthesizing means for reading out character strings representing personal names or organization names.

Claim 67

The business management system according to Claim 65, wherein said counter processing terminal moves a customer's processing order back when that customer fails to appear at the counter within a prescribed time after public notice was made of said customer's personal name or organization name by said advisory means.

Claim 68

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said character recognition apparatus identifies voucher types by determining whether or not a special mark has been made at any of a plurality of voucher names listed on said vouchers.

Claim 69

The business management system according to Claim 58, wherein said character recognition apparatus identifies voucher types by determining whether or not an amount has been entered in any of a plurality of amount columns listed on said vouchers.

Claim 70

A business processing method comprising the steps of: detecting handwriting data representing changes over time in pen point coordinates when a customer makes entries on a voucher in a reading apparatus; handling detected handwriting data as invalid when a special mark has been entered in a predetermined cancellation column on a voucher, and handling detected handwriting data as valid when a special mark has been entered in a predetermined confirmation column on a voucher; handling detected handwriting data as invalid when, within a prescribed time after the pen point is removed from a voucher, no special mark is entered in either said confirmation column or said cancellation column, and entries have not been made in predetermined columns on said voucher; sending time stamp data indicating time said handwriting data were handled as valid to a counter processing terminal together with said handwriting data; displaying unprocessed vouchers in chronological order according to time stamp data; recognizing, based on handwriting data, character strings for at least a personal name found among information entered on an unprocessed voucher; moving a voucher processing order back for a customer when that customer fails to appear at a counter within a prescribed time after public notice was made of said customer's personal name or organization name; detecting pen coordinates as handwriting data when at least a filled-out voucher is received from a customer appearing at a counter, and additional entries are made to said voucher; recognizing character strings based on said handwriting data and, in conjunction therewith, displaying said character strings; and performing counter business based on recognized character strings and vouchers received from customers.

Claim 71

A business management system, wherein: said reading apparatus detects handwriting data representing changes over time in coordinates of a pen point on medical vouchers; and said business processing apparatus comprises storage means for storing recognized character strings as medical information data.

Claim 72

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said business processing apparatus compares handwriting data for signatures detected by said reading apparatus with pre-registered handwriting data, and permits access to said medical information data when both sets of handwriting data agree.

Claim 73

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said business processing apparatus stores said medical information data by individual patient.

Claim 74

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said character recognition apparatus comprises a conversion table for converting recognized abbreviated character strings to regular character strings.

Claim 75

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said reading apparatus has a new record placed therein for each patient treatment.

Claim 76

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said vouchers include at least one type selected from among new patient reception vouchers, medical records, treatment procedure vouchers, injection vouchers, test vouchers, transfusion vouchers, material transfer vouchers, records of physician rounds, surgery vouchers, invoices for medical services, and receipts.

Claim 77

The business management system according to Claim 71, wherein said business processing apparatus moves a patient's processing order back when that patient fails to appear at a counter within a prescribed time after public notice was made of said customer's name on display means.

Claim 78

A business management method comprising the steps of: detecting as handwriting data results of physician's rounds to hospital ward patients entered on a medical voucher, using a portable reading apparatus; maintaining said handwriting data in said reading apparatus separately for each ward patient; transferring said handwriting data maintained in said reading apparatus to a character recognition apparatus; performing character recognition on transferred handwriting data, using said character recognition apparatus; and storing results of character recognition as medical information data separately for each ward patient;

Claim 79

The business management system according to Claim 1, wherein: said business processing apparatus comprises a database for prescribed information; searches said database based on character-recognized characters read by said reading apparatus; and extracts information corresponding to said characters.