System and method for setting data extraction fields for scanner input

A method for setting data extraction fields for scanner input comprising the steps of:

• generating electronic document image data from an associated tangible document, the tangible document having a predefined layout associated therewith;
• generating a document image corresponding to the electronic document image data on an associated display;
• generating at least one zone area as a sub-portion disposed with the document image on the display;
• receiving positioning data from an associated user, the positioning data being representative of a user-selected location of the at least one zone area relative to the electronic document image;
• receiving user-selected tag data associated with each of the at least one zone areas;
• storing tag data associatively with positioning data in accordance with a document identifier corresponding to the tangible document in a data storage;
• generating image data corresponding to each of a plurality of tangible documents, each of a plurality of tangible documents having the predefined layout associated therewith;
• extracting character data from image data corresponding to each of the plurality of tangible documents in accordance with stored positioning data;
• and
• storing extracted character data from each of the plurality of tangible documents associatively with tag data corresponding thereto in an associated database.

A system for setting data extraction fields for scanner input comprising:

• a display;
• means adapted for generating electronic document image data from an associated tangible document, the tangible document having a predefined layout associated therewith;
• means adapted for generating a document image corresponding to the electronic document image data on the display;
• zone indicia generator means adapted for generating at least one zone area as a sub-portion disposed with the document image on the display;
• means adapted for receiving positioning data from an associated user, the positioning data being representative of a user-selected location of the at least one zone area relative to the electronic document image;
• zone tag data input means adapted for receiving user-selected tag data associated with each of the at least one zone areas;
• a data storage means for storing tag data associatively with positioning data in accordance with a document identifier corresponding to the tangible document;
• means adapted for generating image data corresponding to each of a plurality of tangible documents, each of a plurality of tangible documents having the predefined layout associated therewith;
• means adapted for extracting character data from image data corresponding to each of the plurality of tangible documents in accordance with stored positioning data;
• and
• means adapted for storing extracted character data from each of the plurality of tangible documents associatively with tag data corresponding thereto in an associated database.