JP2001101213A - Information processor, document managing device, information processing sysetm, information managing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor capable of efficiently arranging documents by automatically sorting, storing and managing image data of various documents. SOLUTION: When image information 202 obtained by electronizing (scanning) a paper document 202 is stored in a storage means, sorting means 203 to 205 automatically sort the information based on the contents of the image information 202 and store the sorted information in prescribed places for storage (folders) of the storage means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, scanning a paper document into an image document, and converting the image document data into a document content such as a "private document", "public document", or "photo document". An information processing device, a document management device, an information processing system, an information management method, and a processing step for executing the information processing device, a document management device, and an information management device, which are used in an apparatus or a system for classifying and managing the information, are stored in a computer readable manner. It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a paper document is scanned into an image document and the image document data (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image data") is stored, a creator of the paper document needs to copy the image data. Assign a name to the file or storage location for storage management so that the field of the paper document content ("Private Document", "Public Document", "Photo Document", etc.) can be specified. save. In this way, various types of paper documents are managed for each field.

Specifically, for example, when obtaining image data of a paper document to be managed by a scanner connected to a personal computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as “PC” or “PC”), first, a user Start application software such as image handling application software on the personal computer, and instruct the scanner to start inputting an image. Thereby, the paper document set at a predetermined position of the scanner is scanned, and the image data on the paper document obtained by the scanning is taken into the personal computer.

[0004] Therefore, when the user saves the image data taken into the personal computer under a name, the user may store the image data in an arbitrary storage location (folder, file, etc.) in the personal computer.
A name (a name that can specify the document content) corresponding to the image data to be saved is given in advance. As a result, the user specifies a specific storage location with a name indicating a field corresponding to the image data to be stored as the storage location of the image data. Therefore, the image data to be stored is stored in a specific storage location with a name indicating the field.

[0005] As described above, the user organizes and manages paper documents of various contents in fields in electronic form.

On the other hand, in contrast to the above-described image input method (an image input method in which the personal computer instructs the scanner to input an image), the scanner instructs an image input,
There is an image input method of transmitting image data obtained by a scanner to a personal computer in accordance with this instruction. This image input method is called a PushScan method and is used in a document scanner, a digital copying machine, and the like, and enables high-speed image input.

[0007]

However, in the conventional image input method based on the PushScan method as described above, the scanner side assigns a name to the image data obtained as a result of scanning, and assigns a name to the image data. Detailed setting work such as naming the storage location (folder, file, or the like) of the image data on the sending side (here, a personal computer) was considerably troublesome. Therefore, the image data is stored in a folder name “Te
mp "in the storage location" A01.
Tif "(a name that is automatically added in the order of generation in alphanumeric characters).

Therefore, conventionally, it has been very difficult to identify what kind of content the image data of various documents sequentially stored in the personal computer is. This is very problematic in document management.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages, and realizes a configuration for automatically classifying and storing and managing image data of various documents, thereby achieving an efficient document. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, a document management device, an information processing system, an information management method, and a storage medium in which a computer can store the processing steps for implementing the information processing device.

[0010]

For such a purpose,
A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that stores input image information in a storage unit, and includes a classification unit that automatically classifies the image information when storing the image information in the storage unit. And

According to a second aspect, in the first aspect,
The classification means automatically classifies the image information based on the content of the image information.

[0012] In a third aspect based on the second aspect,
An analysis unit that analyzes the content of the image information, the classification unit stores the image information in a predetermined storage location of the storage unit based on an analysis result of the analysis unit,
Alternatively, the classification information is registered in the index of the database so as to be stored in a predetermined storage location.

[0013] In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect,
The analysis means analyzes a layout of the image information.

[0014] In a fifth aspect based on the third aspect,
The analysis means analyzes characteristics of the layout from the analysis result of the layout.

In a sixth aspect based on the second aspect,
Setting means for setting information on the image information,
The classification means stores the image information in a predetermined storage location of the storage means based on the information set by the setting means, or stores the classification information in an index of a database so as to store the image information in a predetermined storage location. It is characterized by registering.

[0016] In a seventh aspect based on the first aspect,
The storage means has a folder structure classified into a plurality of fields.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document management apparatus for digitizing and saving a paper document, wherein the image information which is the digitized information of the paper document is automatically classified.

According to a ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect,
A feature of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image information is automatically classified and stored.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices is according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 10. The function of the information processing device, or claim 8 or 9.
It has the function of the document management device described in the above.

An eleventh invention is directed to an image input device for scanning a paper document and inputting image information of the paper document, and a management device for storing and managing the image information input by the image input device in storage means. And an information processing system communicably connected to each other, and having the function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or the function of the document management apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. Features.

[0021] A twelfth invention is an information processing method for digitizing a paper document and storing the same in a storage means, wherein the image information, which is the digitized information of the paper document, is stored in the storage means. The method includes a classification step of automatically classifying image information.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the classification step includes a step of storing the image information in a predetermined folder of the storage means according to the content of the image information.

A fourteenth invention is characterized in that, in the thirteenth invention, the storage means is constituted by a plurality of folders which are classified into categories according to fields of document contents.

In a fifteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect, the categorizing step includes analyzing information set externally when the paper document was digitized, and analyzing the image information obtained after the paper document was digitized. The image information is automatically classified based on at least one of the information.

In a sixteenth aspect based on the fifteenth aspect, the analysis information of the image information includes at least one of information of a plurality of areas constituting the paper document and overlapping information of the areas. It is characterized by.

In a seventeenth aspect based on the sixteenth aspect, the analysis information of the image information is at least one of the number of areas having the same attribute, the degree of overlap with the area having another attribute, and the size of the area. It is characterized by including such information.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a document management apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, or means provided in the information processing system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect. Is a storage medium in which a computer stores a processing program for executing the program.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a computer readable storage medium stores the processing steps of the information processing method according to any one of claims 12 to 17.

More specifically, for example, a paper document is scanned by an image input device (such as a digital copying machine) having a scanning function to obtain image information of the paper document, and the image information is transferred to a document management device (a personal computer). Etc.) and save it in the device (Pu
In the case of saving image information by the image input method of the shScan method), information that the user easily inputs (sets) when scanning a paper document, information that the image input device itself has (scan date, color, resolution, etc.) The present invention provides a mechanism for automatically classifying image information of a paper document based on a predetermined rule based on the result of the analysis processing of the image information of the paper document and storing the image information.

For this reason, (1) the image input device holds input time information (information on whether or not a paper document is a public document, information on a creator of the paper document, etc.) necessary for automatic classification. (2) Analyze the layout of the image information input by the image input device. For example, Text, Table, Pi
An attribute such as a “cture”, its area information, and overlap information are obtained as an analysis result. (3) From the layout analysis result, the layout characteristics for automatic classification are further analyzed. For example, based on the analysis result of the layout, the number of Blocks (the number of areas), the number of Text attributes, the degree of overlap with other attribute Blocks, the Tab
The feature analysis is performed on the number of le attributes, their size, the number of pictures, their size, and the like. (4) Automatic classification is performed based on input information and layout feature analysis information. Means for performing each function. With such a configuration, the image information of the paper document is stored in the storage location of the document management device corresponding to the content (field).

The structure of the storage location (folder structure) in the document management apparatus is divided into categories such as a large classification and a medium classification, and the large classification includes a "private document" and a "public document". In the middle category, the structure is further classified as "photo document", "office document", "information collection document".

[0032]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to, for example, a system 100 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a digital copier 101 having a scanner function and a document management server for managing scan data (document image data) obtained by the scanner function of the digital copier 101. 202 and
It is configured to be communicably connected via the network 103.

In the system 100 according to the present embodiment, the scanner function of the digital copier 101 scans a document set by a user to obtain image data of the document, and the image data is stored in the document management server 202. When you enter and manage (save) for,
In particular, the content of the image data to be managed (content of the document)
According to the result of the analysis, the data is automatically stored in the storage location of the corresponding field.

For this reason, for example, the digital copying machine 10
2, a memory 208 for holding input information used at the time of automatic classification, a layout analysis unit 203 for performing layout analysis on image data 202 of the document 200 obtained by the scan function 201, A layout feature analysis unit 204 that analyzes the layout features of the image data 202 from the analysis result of the analysis unit 203
From the analysis result of the layout feature analysis unit 204 and the information (input information) in the memory 208, the image data 202
Classification analysis unit 20 that analyzes which field the data belongs to
5 and the analysis result (classification information 20
And a storage processing unit 207 for storing the image data 202 in a predetermined storage location of the document management server 202 based on 6).

Therefore, the digital copying machine 1 as described above
01, the image data 202 of the document 200 is automatically stored in a predetermined storage location of the document management server 202 (hereinafter, this case is referred to as “automatic classification mode”). The set document 200 is scanned to obtain image data 202 on the document 200.

At this time, the user inputs predetermined settings using the operation panel. 3 (a) to 3 (c)
Shows an example of a display screen on the operation panel provided in the digital copying machine 101.

A screen 301 shown in FIG. 3A is an initial setting screen, and includes a scan button 302 for instructing a scanning operation, a density setting unit 303 for setting an image density for a copy function (copy), Numeric keys 304, an ID input button 305 for inputting an ID to be described later, an ID display unit 306 displaying the ID input by the ID input button 305, a date / time display unit 307 displaying the current date / time, a ten key 304 A numeric keypad information display unit 308 for displaying the input by the user and a setting button 309 for setting various information are provided.

In the automatic classification mode, the user performs the same settings (various settings for the normal copy function) as those for the document copy (copy mode) on the initial setting screen 301. In addition to this, in particular, three main settings of (1) ID setting, (2) disclosure setting, and (3) creator setting are performed.

(1) ID Setting First, copying machines in recent years are often shared, and for example, a mechanism for charging for each department has been installed. The digital copying machine 101 here can also be shared, and therefore, the system is configured to check the use status of each department by ID (department code). By inputting the ID, the user's affiliation can be recognized together with the use status of each department. That is, the digital copier 101 cannot be used unless an ID is input.
ID input is an essential input item.

The ID input is the ID on the initial setting screen 301
This is performed by the input button 305 and the ten keys 304. For example, when the ID input button 305 is pressed, the ten keys 304 function as ID input. After the ID is thus input, the setting button 309 on the initial setting screen 301 can be operated.

When the setting button 309 is operated, a public setting screen 320 as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the publication setting screen 320 mainly includes a document setting unit 321 for designating whether the document 200 is a public document or a private document, and a user (the document 200). Creator setting section 3 for setting the creator's name
22.

(2) Publication Setting For example, when the document 200 is a document (public document) to be circulated to a department, the document setting unit 321 may be set to “ON”. On the other hand, if the document 200 is a document that is personally managed (private document), the document setting unit 321 sets “OF”.
F ".

(3) Creator Setting In the creator setting section 322, the above-described ID input button 30
5 allows the user to select and input a corresponding name from a list of names of members belonging to the department corresponding to the ID input. For example, list information of the names of the members belonging to the respective departments corresponding to the respective IDs is prepared in the memory (the memory 208 or the like) in advance, and the information corresponding to the ID input by the ID input button 305 is selected from the information. The list information to be obtained is obtained, and is used in the creator setting unit 322. Incidentally, the input in the creator setting section 322 may be, for example, a configuration in which a name can be directly input.
Thus, even a new user can set the creator.

When the above-described settings of (1) ID setting, (2) disclosure setting, and (3) creator setting are completed,
As shown in FIG. 3C, the setting information includes, as setting information 330 (input information 208 ′ in FIG. 2), image information 331 and an image 332 (image data 202 in FIG. 2). Stored in the memory 208.

The memory 208 stores <DATE> to <DATE> in which current date information (date of use of the scanner function 201) is set.
/ DATE> area, user name input by creator setting section 322 is set. <Creator> to </ Cr
eater> area, ID (department code) input by the ID input button 305 is set <Division
n> to </ Division> area, document setting unit 321
<Public> to </ Pub, which sets the document type (whether it is a public document or a private document) specified by
lic> area and an image data area.

Therefore, for example, if the current date is "1"
December 31, 999 "and the ID input button 305
"1234" (department code = 1234) is input by the user, and "Suzuki" (Suzu
When “uki Tarou” is selected and the document setting unit 321 is set to “OFF” (the document 200 is a private document), the memory 208 stores <Date> 1999.12.31 </ DATE><Creator> Suzuki. Tarou </ Cr
eater><Division> 1234 </ Division><Public> Private </ Public> Various types of information are set, and the image data 202 is stored following the setting information.

As described above, when scanning the document 200 by the scanner function 201, the user sets various information, and the setting information 330 (input time information 20) is set.
8 ′) is a document 20 obtained by the scanner function 201.
0 is stored in the memory 208 together with the image data.

The image data 202 of the document 200 obtained by the scanner function 201 is stored in the layout analysis unit 2.
03. The layout analysis unit 203 analyzes the layout attribute of the document 200 from the image data 202.

Specifically, for example, when the document 200 is the document 401 as shown in FIG.
No. 3 performs area division as shown by "402" in the figure by utilizing a technique as a so-called pre-processing of the character recognition processing. At this time, each area (block) in the area division 402
Is a text (Text) block, a picture (Pic)
(Ture) block or a table (Table) block.

The analysis result of the layout analysis unit 203 is as follows.
For example, as shown in “203 ′” in FIG. 2, <Block> 23 </ Block><Text top = ****, bottom = **, right = **, left = **> ABC </ Tex
t><Table top = top = ****, bottom
= **, right = **, left = **> Tbll <// Ta
ble><Picture top = top = ***, bott
om = **, right = **, left = **> Picl <// Pi
culture><Line top = top = ****, bottom =
**, right = **, left = **, slant = ve
rtical> Linel </ Line><Frame top = top = ****, bottom
= **, right = **, left = **> Frml <// Fr
ame>. Such an analysis result 203 'is supplied to the layout feature analysis unit 204.

The layout feature analysis unit 204 generates a document 200 based on the analysis result 203 ′ of the layout analysis unit 203.
Is analyzed, and various analysis methods are conceivable. Here, an example thereof will be described below.

For example, when the document 200 is the document 501 as shown in FIG. 5, a result as shown by "502" in the figure is obtained as the analysis result 203 'by the layout analyzer 203.

From the analysis result 502, it is possible to recognize that the document 501 is a document having a layout in which rectangular areas are neatly separated (a document in which blocks overlap little). In the case of a document having such a layout area arrangement, a flag (Layout) indicating a layout level is used as the information.
_Level flag), a value L (x1) corresponding to the high level is set.

The analysis result 502 indicates that “Pict
It can be recognized that a “Text” area exists in the “ure” area (two “Text” areas in FIG. 5), and in this case, “Text” is included in the “Picture” area.
TextInPictu indicating that a t "area exists
For the re flag, information L corresponding to the existence status
(X2) is set. For example, "Picture1, T
Then, information L (x2) “ext2” is set, whereby the “Text” area is managed in the same Picture.

For example, when the document 200 is a document 601 (a document such as a magazine) as shown in FIG. 6, the analysis result 203 'of the layout analysis unit 203 is as shown by "602" in FIG. Results are obtained.

From the analysis result 602, it can be recognized that the document 601 is a document in which the degree of block overlap is considerably large. In the case of a document having such a layout and area arrangement, a value L (x3) corresponding to a low level is set in the Layout_level flag.

At this time, a flag (Block_overlap flag) indicating the degree of overlap of each block is also set. Here, if the blocks slightly overlap with each other, the degree of overlap corresponding thereto is set in the Block_overlap flag.
At this time, the degree of over-
From the degree of block overlap at 0, for example, it is represented by a numerical value in five stages. Therefore, Bl for document 601
For the ock_overlap flag, a value L (x4) indicating that the degree of overlap of the block is considerably large.
Is set.

The analysis result 602 indicates that “Tex
There are many places where the “Picture” area exists in the “t” area, and “P” in the “Picture” area.
It can be recognized that there are many places where the “picture” area exists, and in this case, “Pi” is included in the “Text” area.
Picture indicating the existence of a "cture" area
The information L (x5) corresponding to the existence status is set in the InText flag, and “Picture” is set.
Information L (x6) corresponding to the existence state is set to a PictureInPicture flag indicating that a “Picture” area exists in the area.

For example, when the document 200 is a document 701 (a document such as a photograph) as shown in FIG. 7, the analysis result 203 'by the layout analysis unit 203 is as shown by "702" in FIG. Results are obtained.

From the analysis result 702, the document 701 can be recognized as a document in which a considerable area is occupied by the "Picture" area. In the case of a document having such a layout area arrangement, a value L (x7) corresponding to the occupancy is set for a flag (Picture_level flag) indicating the occupancy of the “Picture” area (high level is set). .

For example, when the document 200 is a document 801 (a document such as a table or a form) as shown in FIG. 8, the analysis result 203 'of the layout analysis unit 203 is "802" in FIG. The results shown are obtained.

From the analysis result 802, the document 801 can be recognized as a document in which a considerable area is occupied by the “Table” area. In the case of a document having such a layout area layout, a value L (x7) corresponding to the occupancy is set for a flag (Table_level flag) indicating the occupancy of the “Table” area (high level is set). .

The layout feature analysis unit 204 as described above
The analysis result of <Block_overlap> 12 </ Block_
overlap><Layour_level> 2 </ Layour_l
level><Picture_level> 3 </ Picture
_Level><Table_level> 1 </ Table_lev
el><TextInPicture> Text1, Pict
ure3 </ TextInPicture><PictureInPicture> Picture
2, Picture3 <// PictureInPict
ure>. Such an analysis result 204 ′ is transmitted to the classification analysis unit 2
05.

The classification analysis unit 205 analyzes which field the document 200 belongs to from the analysis result 204 ′ from the layout feature analysis unit 204 and the input information 208 ′ stored in the memory 208. .

Specifically, for example, the classification analysis unit 205
First, the document 200 is classified into a public document and a private document as a major classification.
Is a public document, the department to which the creator of the document 200 belongs and the date when the document 200 is automatically classified are distinguished. Document 2
If 00 is a private document, its creator is distinguished. Further, it is determined whether the document 200 is an office document, a photograph document, a table or a form document, a magazine, or another document.

The classification analysis result of the document 200 by the classification analysis unit 205 is, for example, as shown in “205 ′” in FIG. 2, as follows: <public document><affiliation> 1234 development room </ affiliation><creator> Suzuki Tarou </ creator><creationdate> 1999.12.31 </ creation date><documentimage> abc. img </ document image><documenttype> Office document </ document type></ publication document> or <private document><affiliation> 1234 development room </ affiliation><creator> Suzuki Tarou </ creator><Creationdate> 1999.12.31 </ Creation date><Documentimage> xyz. img </ document image><documenttype> magazine document </ document type></ private document> Such a classification analysis result 205 ′ (classification information 2
06) is supplied to the storage processing unit 207.

The storage processing unit 207 converts the corresponding image data 202 stored in the memory 208 into the document management server 202 based on the classification information 206 (information necessary for automatic classification) from the classification analysis unit 205. Save to the designated storage location. At this time, the image data 20 to be saved
2, the classification information 206 may be added.

The document management server 202 has a database 104 having a folder structure 105 as shown in FIG. The folder structure 150 here is
"Public documents", "Private documents" as a major category, "Photo documents", "Office documents", "Information collection documents" as a middle category, or "Photo documents", "Office documents", "Information collection" as a major category It is structured to be categorized by field, such as "document" and "public document" or "private document" as a middle classification. Such a database 104
In each folder of the folder structure 105, the storage processing unit 207 stores the image data of the document having the corresponding content.

FIGS. 9 to 13 are flowcharts showing the operation of the digital copying machine 101 (operation in the automatic classification mode) as described above.

(1) Acquisition of document image data 202 and input time information 208 ': see FIG.

First, the user sets the document 200 to be stored at a predetermined position of the scanner function 201 (step S901).

The user operates the digital copier 101
From the upper operation panel (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), information necessary for automatic classification is input (step S902).

The scanner function 201 is executed in step S901.
Is scanned on the document 200 set in step (step S903).

The input information 208 ′ input by the user in step S 902 and the image data 20 of the document 200 obtained by the scanning operation in step S 903
2 is stored in the memory 208 (step S90)
4).

(2) Layout Analysis of Document 200: FIG.
0 reference

First, the layout analysis unit 203 acquires the image data 202 obtained by the scanner function 201 (step S911), and analyzes the layout of the document 200 from the image data 202 (step S91).
2). As a result of these step processes, an analysis result 203 'as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained (step S91).
3).

(3) Characteristic analysis of layout of document 200: see FIG.

First, the layout feature analysis unit 204 obtains the analysis result 203 'of the layout analysis unit 203 (step S921), and obtains the document 2 from the analysis result 203'.
The number of 00 blocks is recognized (step S922).

Next, the layout feature analysis unit 204 determines “Tex” for each block existing on the document 200.
t ”number of blocks, and“ Text ”blocks and“ Pi ”
Then, the degree of overlap of the “cure” block is recognized (step S923).
This is reflected on the overlap flag (see FIG. 6) and the like.

Next, the layout feature analysis unit 204 determines “Pict” in each block existing on the document 200.
The number of “ure” blocks and the size of the “Picture” block are recognized (step S924), and the result of this recognition is reflected in the Picture_level flag (see FIG. 7).

Next, the layout feature analysis unit 204 determines “Tabl” in each block existing on the document 200.
The number of “e” blocks and the size of the “Table” block are recognized (step S925), and the result of this recognition is reflected in the Table_level flag (see FIG. 8) and the like.

Next, the layout feature analysis unit 204 recognizes the arrangement degree of each block existing on the document 200 (step S926). The result of this recognition is
_Level flag (see FIGS. 5 and 6) and the like.

As a result of each of the above-described step processes, an analysis result 204 '(layout feature analysis information) as shown in FIG. 2 is obtained (step S927).

(4) Classification analysis of document 200: see FIG.

First, the classification analysis unit 205 stores the analysis result 204 ′ of the layout feature analysis unit 204 and the memory 208.
Is obtained (step S931).

Next, the classification analysis unit 205 determines in step S9
From the input information 208 ′ acquired at step 31, the document 200
Is a public document (step S93).
2). As a result of this determination, only when the document 200 is a public document, the public document flag (such as an internal flag) is set to “ON” (step S932).

Next, the classification analysis unit 205 determines in step S9
By recognizing the attribute of each block existing in the document 200 (whether the block is a “Text” block or a “Picture” block), its size, and the like from the analysis result 204 ′ acquired at 31, the document 200 as a table or form document (step S935) and a photograph document (step S9).
36) and other documents (step S937).

As a result of the classification in step S934, document 2
If 00 is classified into another document (step S937), the classification analysis unit 205 determines that the document exists in the document 200 based on the analysis result 204 'obtained in step S931. "
By recognizing the degree of overlap between the “Text” block and the “Picture” block and the degree of arrangement of the blocks, the document 200 is converted into an Office document (step S9).
39) and magazines and other documents (step S940)
Document.

As a result of each of the above-described steps, the classification information 206 (classification analysis information 205 ') as shown in FIG.
Is obtained.

(5) Storage of Document 200: See FIG.

First, the storage processing unit 207 includes the classification analysis unit 2
05, and the image data 202 stored in the memory 208 is acquired (step S941), and the image data 202 should be stored in the folder structure 105 of the database 104 of the document management server 202 according to the classification information 206. The folder is recognized, and the image data is stored in the folder (step S942).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the information (input information 208 ') input by the user and the result of the analysis processing on the image data 202 of the document 200 (layout analysis result 203', layout feature Analysis result 2
04 ′, classification analysis result 205 ′),
0 is automatically classified and stored in a corresponding storage location of the document management server 202. Thereby, even in the image input method by the PushScan method, the image data of various documents can be
It can be automatically and easily managed for each field. Therefore, convenience for the user can be improved.

Information input by the user on the operation panel of the digital copying machine 101 includes:
(1) ID, (2) whether or not the document 200 is a public document, and (3) the creator name, so that the image data 202 of the document 200 can be input to the document management server 202 with a small input of information. Can be automatically saved to the storage location of the corresponding field. This is particularly effective when the digital copying machine 101 is a shared device and is used by many users. For example, it is possible to prevent a certain user from occupying the digital copier 101 for a long time to input detailed information for storing the document 200. In addition, incorrect information input can be prevented. As a result, in the document management server 202, the image data of various documents is arranged and stored in a form in which correct information is added.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, Pu
Even with the image input method based on the shScan method, it is possible to realize a mechanism for automatically classifying and storing image data of a document according to fields according to the contents.

In the above embodiment, PushS
At the time of image input by the can method, the image data 202 of the document 200 is stored and managed in a predetermined folder of the folder structure 105 of the database 104 of the document management server 202. For example, a predetermined index in a specific folder is used. May be stored in the location indicated by. In this case, index information is used instead of the information indicating whether the document is a public document or a private document in the input information 208 '. As a result, various documents can be automatically classified in a specific folder, and can be stored and managed in predetermined locations indicated by the corresponding indexes.

Also, even in a configuration in which all data are stored in a specific folder, it is possible to realize the organization and storage.
In this case, the classification information corresponds to an index of the database, and the information is registered in the database. Then, the entity of the image is stored in the database. This allows the user to use the document image as if it were stored in an organized place. For example, FIG.
As shown in (1), in the case of folder management, a name is given to a folder so that its contents can be specified. In the database, this folder name is managed as a table called an index. By outputting this index recognizable to the user (display output, etc.), the user can recognize the file as if it exists in the specific folder.

In the above-described embodiment, the above-described FIG.
Is provided in the digital copying machine 101. For example, the layout analyzer 203 shown in FIG.
May be provided to a device (management device or the like) on the network 103 or the document management server 202.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, Pu
The present invention is not limited to the image input method based on the shScan method. For example, it is also possible to realize a mechanism in which image data such as a document sent by facsimile (FAX) is received by a personal computer and is automatically classified.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal of the above-described embodiment to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing a program code stored in a storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. ROM, as a storage medium for supplying the program code,
Floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card or the like can be used. By executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized, but also the OS and the like running on the computer perform actual processing based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above is performed, and the processing realizes the function of the present embodiment. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in an extension function board inserted into the computer or a function extension unit connected to the computer, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the present embodiment.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention, image input by the PushScan method or the like in which image information is transmitted to a personal computer (document management device) by issuing an instruction from a scanner (image input device). Even in such a case, image information such as a paper document can be automatically stored in a predetermined storage location (folder) by an operation with few users. This makes it possible to efficiently manage image information of various documents and the like, and to easily reuse image information once stored in a folder in which image information is organized and stored. Image information to be extracted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine of the above system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation panel of the digital copying machine and input information obtained by inputting on the operation panel.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a document to be stored in the system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a layout analysis result when the document to be stored is an Office document.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a layout analysis result when the document to be stored is a magazine or another document.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a layout analysis result when the document to be stored is a photograph.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a layout analysis result when the document to be stored is a table or a form.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process of acquiring document image data and input information in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a layout analysis unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a layout feature analysis unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a classification analysis unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a storage processing unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the present invention is applied to folder management.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 system 101 digital copying machine 102 document management server 202 103 network 104 database 105 folder structure 200 document 201 scanner function 202 image data 203 layout analysis unit 203 ′ layout analysis result 204 layout feature analysis unit 204 ′ layout feature analysis result 205 classification analysis unit 205 '(206) Classification analysis result 207 Storage processing unit 208 Memory 208' Input information

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for storing input image information in a storage unit, comprising: a classification unit for automatically classifying the image information when storing the image information in the storage unit. Information processing device. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said classification means automatically classifies said image information based on the contents of said image information. 3. An analysis means for analyzing the contents of the image information, wherein the classification means stores the image information in a predetermined storage location of the storage means based on an analysis result by the analysis means. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said analysis means analyzes a layout of said image information. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said analysis means analyzes characteristics of said layout from an analysis result of said layout. 6. A setting unit for setting information on the image information, wherein the classification unit stores the image information in a predetermined storage location of the storage unit based on the information set by the setting unit. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage means has a folder structure classified into a plurality of fields. 8. A document management device for digitizing and saving a paper document, wherein the image management device automatically classifies image information as digitized information of the paper document. 9. The document management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image information is automatically classified and stored by the function of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 10. An information processing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An information processing system having a function or the function of the document management apparatus according to claim 8. 11. An image input device that scans a paper document and inputs image information of the paper document, and a management device that stores and manages the image information input by the image input device in a storage unit. An information processing system, comprising: a function of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a function of the document management apparatus according to claim 8 or 9. Processing system. 12. An information processing method for digitizing a paper document and storing the same in a storage unit, wherein when the image information, which is digitized information of the paper document, is stored in the storage unit, the image information is automatically stored. An information processing method comprising a classification step of classifying. 13. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein said classifying step includes a step of storing the image information in a predetermined folder of said storage means according to the contents of said image information. 14. The information processing method according to claim 13, wherein said storage means is constituted by a plurality of folders classified into categories of document contents. 15. The classification step according to at least one of information set externally when the paper document is digitized and analysis information of the image information obtained after the paper document is digitized. 13. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein the image information is automatically classified. 16. The information processing method according to claim 15, wherein the analysis information of the image information includes at least one of information on a plurality of areas constituting the paper document and information on overlapping of the areas. Method. 17. The analysis information of the image information includes at least one of the number of areas having the same attribute, the degree of overlap with the area having another attribute, and the size of the area. Item 18. The information processing method according to Item 16. 18. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or a document management apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, for implementing means provided in the information processing system according to claim 10 or 11. A computer-readable storage medium storing the processing program according to the above. 19. A storage medium, wherein the processing steps of the information processing method according to claim 12 are readable by a computer.