Separate Node

Separate Node 

Use the Separate Node to split multi-page documents apart based on the presence of blank pages, barcodes, or the document page count. Use this option to allow users to batch scan larger groups of documents that need to be broken down into individual elements. By inserting separator pages into batch of documents, the Workflow can automatically separate (“burst”) the scanned multi-page file into two or more separate documents. (You can also separate by Zone in a Template. Refer to Zone Properties for details.)

When separation by blank pages is added to a Workflow, documents can be scanned or otherwise imported in batches and wherever a blank page is encountered, automatically broken out into separate documents.

Using separation by barcodes is a highly efficient means for document separation when scanning records in batches. It allows you to create Zones where barcodes are read and the data is used to index documents automatically to a specific Field. The document can either have a barcode incorporated into its lead page or a cover page can be used which uses a barcode as the indicator for separation. The barcode can be placed horizontally or vertically on the page and may be run from left to right or top to bottom. GlobalCapture supports virtually any 1-D barcode type including the most common Code 39 and Code 128.

You could also choose to use a predefined page count (starting from page one) which automatically separates documents coming into Workflows. Use this for batch-scanning documents with standardized page counts. For example, if you know that the first document in a batch is two pages long, set a separation to occur at page three.


Separate Node Settings dialog.


  1. Drag the Separate Node from the Nodes Pane to the Design Canvas.

  2. In the Separate Node Settings dialog that appears, enter a unique name and a description for the Node.

Separate by Blank Page

  1. To split documents at blank pages, in the select Blank Page.

    Separate Node Settings dialog with Separation Type Blank Page selected.

  2. To increase the threshold of sensitivity for determining if a page is blank or not, move the Blank Threshold slider to the right. Move it to the left to decrease the threshold.
    When you select the slider, a percentage indicator will appear. The default setting is 99 percent.

  3. Optionally, enable Documents Scanned in Duplex Mode.
    Enabling Documents Scanned in Duplex Mode will enforce a rule where separation will only occur when both sides of a page are blank (i.e., odd page and even page). This separator page deletes automatically, so you don’t need to use the Delete Pages Node after the Separation Type.  When performing separation, it's critical to know how documents were scanned.  You can not mix and match documents scanned single-sided (simplex) and double-sided (duplex) in the same node. 

  4. If you need to increase the OCR accuracy for the purpose of separation, enable Force Black and White Detection. This will perform a temporary color dropout while deleting pages.

  5. Click Save.

 

Adjust for Noise and Color

Try 85% and 99% threshold level. If there is any “noise” on the scanned image (often as a result of dust and other artifacts on a scanner or paper), there may be speckling or other pixilation on the scanned image. A white-pixels threshold level of 100% at which the blank page separation feature will activate would throw an error. Setting a lower percentage could correct that. The optimum threshold level will vary, but a start value between 85% and 99% is often a good starting point for adjustment.

Use Force Black and White Detection to eliminate color interference. “Blank” pages may contain specks, watermarks, or other artifacts that may cause a false reading when detecting blank pages (used in the Separate and Delete Pages Nodes). The Force Black and White Detection setting gives you greater control when assessing which pages to separate or delete by temporarily performing a color dropout while processing the image in the Node.

This image conversion only occurs for the duration of time documents spend in this step in the Workflow processing and then the image returns to its original image formatting. As this uses processes time, only enable this if you need to adjust detecting blank pages.color photos with an insurance claim.

Separate by Barcode

  1. To split documents at barcodes on the pages, select Barcode Recognition.

    Separate Node Settings dialog with Separation Type Barcode Recognition selected.

  2. Select a barcode setting from the list in the Barcode Formats group. The default format is Code 39.

  3. From the Orientation group, select the Left to Right, Top to Bottom, Right to Left, or Bottom to Top barcode orientation. The default orientation is Left to Right.

  4. To increase the threshold percentage for determining the presence of a barcode, move the Scan Sensitivity slider to the right for more sensitivity and to the left for less sensitivity.
    The default level of 5 reads bars that at set at a typical distance apart.

  5. To set a custom prefix for recognizing your barcodes, enable Detect Prefix and enter a prefix in the Prefix text box.
    Use Detect Prefix if there are (or could be) more than one barcode present in the file.

  6. To enhance the document image temporarily before scanning the barcode, enable Enhance Document Prior to Recognition.

  7. Click Save.


Separate by Page Count

  1. To separate documents at a predefined page count, select Page Count.

  2. Type a number in the text box to indicate the specified number of pages where the separation should take place.

  3. Click Save.

    Separate Node Settings dialog with Separation Type Page Count selected.