Method and system for processing a document transmitted via facsimile in

Abstract

A document processing method and system are provided in which data is inscribed as handwritten information on a blank form in a document form hitherto used or a blank form for a document produced by a word processor or the like. The blank form with the handwritten information data is facsimile-input and is transmitted to a computer which in turn receives the data directly and recognizes the received data to process the document. Initially, the contents or format of a blank form are read to obtain and store information regarding ruled lines and handwritten character input areas. Upon execution of document processing, an input document image received via facsimile is searched for reference ruled lines on the basis of the ruled line information initially stored to positionally adjust the document image and ruled line images in handwritten character input areas are erased from the adjusted document image on the basis of the handwritten character input area information initially stored to recognized handwritten characters. A function of returning the result of recognition or the result of processing by the computer to a sender facsimile or a function of eliminating improper facsimile transmission may be provided by receiving a sender facsimile number as data upon reception of the facsimile document image and storing it or comparing the received number with transmission-allowed facsimile numbers previously registered.