JP2006279886A - Image-compositing method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect automatically a source position which rearranges characters, by which the user does not need to specify, and arrange characters easily in the source position where a capability that the user's desire is high. <P>SOLUTION: This method is for compounding a first document image containing a background image, and a second document image containing characters and executes performs processing (#11) which extracts characters region included in the first document image, processing (#12) which deletes characters from the first document image and creates the background document image, processing (#13) which establishes a region comprising characters region of the first document image as a relocation region, and processing (#14) which rearranges characters contained in the second document image at a source position to the relocation region on the background document image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and an image processing apparatus for combining a document image including a background image and a document image including characters.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses called MFPs or MFPs that have various functions such as a copy, a scanner, a FAX, and a network printer have become widespread. As one of the functions of such an image processing apparatus, there is a function of rearranging and printing the content read from a document (document) on another sheet.

That is, conventionally, an image processing apparatus that scans a plurality of originals and rearranges scanned characters on a predetermined sheet is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for combining and printing a character such as a fixed sentence or an address name and a background image (template image) to create a New Year's card or the like. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for arranging and editing a plurality of frame figures composed of index character strings so as not to overlap each other on a map or the like.
JP-A-10-294854 JP-A-7-282074

  However, in the case of Patent Document 1 described above, the user himself / herself has to specify the position and size at which characters and the like are arranged on the background image, which is cumbersome and inconvenient for the user. In addition, when there are characters in the rearrangement area on a predetermined sheet, the characters are overlapped due to the rearrangement, which causes a problem.

  It is also possible to automatically search for a blank area in the background image and rearrange characters in the searched area, but in that case, there is a high possibility that it will be placed at a position different from the user's desire. .

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses only a technique for rearranging a plurality of frame figures composed of index character strings so as not to overlap each other, and an arbitrary document image including characters is synthesized with various background images. There is no mention of that.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and automatically detects a position where a character is rearranged, so that it is not necessary for the user to specify the position, and the position that the user is likely to desire is high. An object of the present invention is to provide an image composition method and an image forming apparatus capable of easily arranging characters.

  A method according to the present invention is a method of combining a first document image including a background image and a second document image including characters, and a process of extracting a character region included in the first document image; A process of deleting a character from the first document image to create a background document image, a process of setting an area including the character region of the first document image as a rearrangement region, and the re-processing on the background document image And a process of rearranging characters included in the second document image at a position corresponding to the arrangement area.

  When a plurality of document images are used as the first document image, an area including a character area for each of the plurality of documents is set as a rearrangement area. Further, the background document image is created by taking the logical sum of the images obtained by deleting the characters for each of the plurality of documents.

  Further, when rearranging the characters, when the characters protrude in the width direction of the rearrangement area, the characters are arranged with a reduced number of characters so that the characters fit within the width of the rearrangement area. In addition, when the character protrudes from the rearrangement region, the character is reduced and placed so as to fit in the rearrangement region.

  When the second original image includes a graphic or a photograph, the graphic or the photo is rearranged in the blank area on the background original image and synthesized.

  In the apparatus according to the present invention, an image reading unit that reads an image on a document sheet, and a first input that inputs an image obtained by reading the document sheet including a background image and characters by the image reading unit as a first document image. Means, second input means for inputting an image obtained by reading an original paper containing characters by the image reading means as a second original image, means for extracting a character area included in the first original image, Means for deleting a character from the first original image to create a background original image; means for setting an area including the character area of the first original image as a rearrangement area; Means for rearranging characters included in the second original image at a position corresponding to the arrangement area.

  Then, the image forming apparatus includes means for setting a region for prohibiting the rearrangement of characters on the first document image.

  The computer program according to the present invention includes a process of extracting a character area included in the first document image, a process of creating a background document image by deleting characters from the first document image, The computer executes processing for setting an area including the character area as a rearrangement area and processing for rearranging characters included in the second original image at a position corresponding to the rearrangement area on the background original image. Let

  According to the present invention, the position where the characters are rearranged is automatically detected, so that it is not necessary for the user to specify the position of the rearrangement, which is convenient. In addition, since the area including the character area of the original image including the background original is set as the rearrangement area, it is possible to easily arrange the character at a position that is highly likely to be desired by the user.

  1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is an image processing apparatus. FIG.

  In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral (MPF) that integrates functions such as copying, network printing, scanner, fax, and document server. The image processing apparatus 1 can communicate with other image processing apparatuses, terminal devices, and FAX terminals via a communication line such as a LAN, the Internet, a public line, or a dedicated line. However, the image processing apparatus 1 can take various forms in addition to such a form. For example, a dedicated machine that performs only image processing on input image data, or a personal computer installed with an image processing program may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a processing unit (CPU) 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, an operation panel 14, a scanner unit 15, a printing unit 16, a hard disk 17, a network interface 18, and the like.

  In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 reads a background document and a content document with the scanner unit 15. In the composition processing, content (characters, figures, photographs, etc.) obtained from the content original is automatically rearranged and synthesized on the background image obtained from the background original. The synthesized image obtained by the synthesizing process is stored in the hard disk 17 or the like in the form of a file, written to a recording medium, or transmitted to a terminal device or the like via a line. Further, it is printed on paper by the printing unit 16 as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the composition processing function GS functions in the image processing apparatus 1 in cooperation with a document manager DM that is software for document management. The first document image FD1 including the background image and the second document image FD2 including the content are read and input to the document manager DM, and output as a document file DF through various processes including a composition process.

  The operation panel 14 includes a display and a plurality of operation buttons. When the operation button is pressed, a signal indicating the operation button is transmitted to the processing unit 11. The display is formed or combined with a screen for giving a message or an instruction to a user who operates the image processing apparatus 1, a screen for the user to input setting contents and processing contents, and the image processing apparatus 1. A screen showing images and processing results is displayed. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is used as the display. Therefore, the display has a function of detecting a position on the touch panel touched by the user with a finger and transmitting a signal indicating the detection result to the processing unit 11. As described above, the operation panel 14 serves as a user interface for a user who directly operates the image processing apparatus 1.

  In order to allow the user to use the image processing apparatus 1 from a remote place, a terminal device connected to the terminal apparatus includes a driver for controlling the image processing apparatus 1 and processing performed by the image processing apparatus 1. Software for specifying conditions is installed. A personal computer or a workstation is used as such a terminal device.

  The scanner unit 15 includes a document feeding unit, an image reading unit, and the like, and optically images images such as characters, figures, and photographs drawn on a document sheet (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “document”). Read image data to generate image data. Note that image data may be simply referred to as “image”.

  The printing unit 16 includes a paper feed unit, a paper discharge unit, a drive system, and the like, and prints an image read by the scanner unit 15, an image synthesized based on the image, other images, and the like on paper.

  The network interface 18 is a device for communicating with a terminal device, a FAX terminal, or the like. As the network interface 18, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, a TA (Terminal Adapter), or the like is used.

  Various storage areas required for processing are allocated to the hard disk 17. The hard disk 17 is installed with basic functions such as the copy function described above, various application functions, and programs and data for realizing the functions of the units shown in FIG. Part or all of the program or data may be stored in the ROM 13. The program and data are loaded into the RAM 12 as necessary, and the program is executed by the processing unit 11. Alternatively, some or all of these functions may be realized by hardware, not by software, but by a processor (control circuit) or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 includes a first input unit 21, a second input unit 22, a character region extraction unit 23, a rearrangement region setting in order to realize the composition processing function GS. A section 24, a background document image creation section 25, a blank area extraction section 26, a character extraction section 27, a character rearrangement section 28, a graphic extraction section 29, a graphic rearrangement section 30, and a prohibited area setting section 31 are formed.

  The first input unit 21 inputs an obtained image as a first document image FD1 when a document including a background image and characters is read by the scanner unit 15. Note that a plurality of documents of the same size containing different characters in the same background image may be read. In that case, all or each of the plurality of documents becomes the first document image FD1.

  The second input unit 22 inputs the obtained image as the second document image FD2 when the document including characters is read by the scanner unit 15. Note that the user can operate the operation panel 14 to instruct whether the image read by the scanner unit 15 corresponds to the first document image FD1 or the second document image FD2.

  The character area extraction unit 23 extracts a character area MR included in the first document image FD1. As the method for extracting the character region MR itself, various known methods can be used. When there are a plurality of first document images FD1, a character region MR is extracted for each.

  The rearrangement area setting unit 24 sets an area including the character area MR of the first document image FD1 as the rearrangement area SR. That is, the rearrangement region SR includes the character region MR and is a region wider than the character region MR. When there are a plurality of first document images FD1, an area including all the character areas MR is set as the rearrangement area SR. The rearrangement region SR is normally set as a rectangular region. However, a region other than a rectangle may be used.

  The background document image creation unit 25 creates a background document image HK by deleting characters from the first document image FD1. When there are a plurality of first document images FD1, the logical sum of images obtained by deleting characters for each of the first document images FD1 is calculated. By taking the logical sum, the missing part is filled with the background image. It should be noted that various known methods can be used for the method itself for deleting characters.

  The blank area extraction unit 26 extracts a blank area KR on the background document image HK. The blank area KR is an area excluding the rearrangement area SR and the background image area. Alternatively, the area excluding the rearrangement area SR may be set as the blank area KR, and the background image area may be set as the prohibited area NR. Further, when a partial area of the background image is set as the prohibited area NR, the area excluding the rearrangement area SR and the background image area not set as the prohibited area NR may be set as the blank area KR.

  The character extraction unit 27 extracts characters (including character strings) included in the second document image FD2.

  The character rearrangement unit 28 rearranges the characters included in the second original image FD2 at a position corresponding to the rearrangement region SR on the background original image HK. As a result, a composite image is created. When the characters are rearranged, slide processing, folding processing, reduction processing, or the like is performed.

  The slide process is a process of translating characters so that the first character of the second document image FD2 coincides with the start point position in the rearrangement region SR. With this process, the character start position coincides with the rearrangement region SR, but the character may protrude from the rearrangement region SR. The folding process is a process of arranging characters with a reduced number of characters so that the characters fit within the width of the rearrangement region SR when the characters protrude in the width direction of the rearrangement region SR. In other words, in the folding process, the character string is folded at the end so as to be within the width of the rearrangement region SR. In the reduction process, when the characters of the second document image FD2 protrude in the width direction, the height direction, or both directions of the rearrangement region SR, the size and interval of the characters are reduced so as to fit in the rearrangement region SR. It is a process to arrange.

  When the second document image FD2 includes a graphic or a photograph (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “graphic or the like”), the graphic extraction unit 29 extracts the graphic or the like. The graphic rearrangement unit 30 rearranges the graphic or the like included in the second original image FD2 at a position corresponding to the blank area KR on the background original image HK. In that case, the position of a figure or the like on the second document image FD2 is given priority. As a result, a final composite image is created. When rearranging a figure or the like, processing such as slide processing or reduction processing is performed. The contents of these processes are the same as in the case of characters.

  The prohibited area setting unit 31 sets a prohibited area NR that prohibits rearrangement of characters or figures on the background document image HK in accordance with a user operation instruction or the like. When the prohibited area NR is set, a character or the like at a position corresponding to the prohibited area NR on the first document image FD1 may be regarded as a background image. In addition, when the prohibited area NR is set, characters or the like at positions corresponding to the prohibited area NR on the second document image FD2 may not be rearranged.

  In setting the prohibited area NR, for example, in order to set the rectangular prohibited area NR, the start point (upper left corner point) and end point (lower right corner point) of the prohibited area NR on the first document image FD1 or the background document image HK. The user designates the coordinates of the points with numerical values. Also, the start point and end point may be designated on the screen. Alternatively, a color to be set as the prohibited area NR may be specified, and an area where the specified color matches the color read from the first document image FD1 may be set as the prohibited area NR. For example, a letter header and a footer area are set as the prohibited area NR. When the prohibited area NR is set, the rearrangement of figures and the like is not performed in the prohibited area NR on the background document image HK.

  Next, a specific example of the composition process by the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of basic processing in the composition processing function GS, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of rearrangement processing for graphics and the like in the composition processing function GS, and FIG. 6 is a case where a prohibited area NR is set. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of character rearrangement processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting the rearrangement region SR from a plurality of first document images FD1. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for creating a background document image HK from a plurality of first document images FD1.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the first original image FD11 is drawn on the background image paper PH1, and the second original images FD21 and 22 are drawn on the content papers PM1 and PM2. . In the first document image FD11, lines LK1 and LK2 are drawn at the top and bottom, and two groups of characters (character strings) MK1 and MK2 are drawn between them. Two groups of characters (character strings) MJ1, 2 and MK3, 4 are drawn on the second document images FD21, 22 respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, characters MK1 and MK2 are deleted from the first document image FD11, and a background document image HK1 composed of lines LK1 and LK2 is created. This process is performed by extracting the character areas MR1 and MR2 from the first document image FD11. Further, the rearrangement regions SR1 and SR2 are set based on the character regions MR1 and MR2 for the characters MK1 and MK2 of the first document image FD11.

  As shown in FIG. 4C, the characters MJ1, 2, MK3, 4 included in the second document images FD21, 22 are rearranged at positions corresponding to the rearrangement regions SR1, 2 on the background document image HK1, respectively. As a result, two pages of composite images GF1 and GF2 are created. The composite image GF1 includes lines LK1 and 2 and characters MJ1 and MJ2, and the composite image GF2 includes lines LK3 and 4 and characters MJ3 and 4. Thus, the two lines LK1 and LK2, which are the background images of the paper PH1, are drawn as a common background image in the combined images GF1 and GF2 of each page.

  As described above, the background image is extracted from the first document image FD11, and the positions where the characters MJ1 to MJ4 are rearranged are automatically detected. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to specify the position of rearrangement, which is excellent in convenience. In addition, in the composite images GF1 and 2, the characters MJ1 to MJ4 of the content sheets PM1 and PM2 are respectively drawn in the rearrangement areas SR1 and SR2, which are the same area as the character area MR of the background image sheet PH1. For the user, the positions where the characters MJ1 to MJ4 are rearranged can be predicted, and the possibility that the characters MJ1 to MJ4 will be different from the user's wish is extremely low.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, a graphic ZK1 is further drawn on the first original image FD12 of the background image paper PH2. On the second original images FD23 and FD of the content sheets PM3 and PM4, graphics ZJ1 and ZJ2 are further drawn.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the characters MK1 and MK2 are deleted from the first document image FD12, and a background document image HK2 including lines LK1 and 2 and a graphic ZK1 is created. Further, the rearrangement regions SR1 and SR2 are set based on the character regions MR1 and MR2 for the characters MK1 and M2 of the first document image FD12. A region excluding the rearrangement regions SR1 and SR2 and the region of the graphic ZK1 is extracted as a blank region KR.

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the characters MJ1, 2, MK3, 4 are rearranged at positions corresponding to the rearrangement regions SR1, 2 on the background original image HK2, and composite images GF3, 4 are created. . The graphic ZJ1 of the second original image FD23 is arranged at the same position as the original in the blank area KR1, and the graphic ZJ2 of the second original image FD24 is arranged at the same position as the original in the blank area KR1. As a result, the two lines LK1 and LK2 and the figure ZK1 which are background images of the paper PH2 are drawn as a common background image in the composite images GF3 and GF of each page.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, forbidden areas NR1 and NR2 are set in the first original image FD13 of the background image paper PH3. In the second document image FD25, 26, characters MJ5, 6 are drawn at the lower end or the upper end. As shown in FIG. 6B, from the first document image FD13, a background document image HK3 composed of lines LK1, 2 and figures ZK2-4 is created.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the characters MJ1, 2, MK3, 4 are rearranged at positions corresponding to the rearrangement regions SR1, 2 on the background original image HK3, and the composite images GF5, 6 are created. . In the composite images GF5 and 6, the characters MJ5 and 6 are not rearranged in the areas set as the prohibited areas NR1 and NR2. This is because the prohibited areas NR1 and NR2 function so as not to rearrange characters or graphics in the areas of the second document images FD25 and 26. In the combined images GF5, 6, characters MK3, 4 drawn in the first original image FD13 are drawn above and below the lines LK1, 2, respectively. This is because the prohibited areas NR1 and NR2 regard the first document image FD13 as characters or graphics in the area as a background image.

  In FIG. 7, FIG. 7 (A) shows an example of slide processing, FIG. 7 (B) shows an example of folding processing, and FIG. 7 (C) shows an example of reduction processing.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, in the slide process, the character MJ is translated so that the first character MJ of the second document image FD2 matches the inside of the left end in the rearrangement region SR. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the folding process, the character MJ is folded with a reduced number of digits so that the character MJ does not protrude in the width direction of the rearrangement region SR. As shown in FIG. 7C, in the reduction process, the size and interval of the character MJ are reduced so that the character MJ of the second document image FD2 is completely within the rearrangement region SR.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, lines LK1 and LK2 which are common background images and characters MK5 to MK10 having different contents and positions are drawn on the three background image sheets PH4 to PH6. ing. As shown in FIG. 8B, three character regions MR3 to MR5 are obtained from the three first document images FD1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8C, these three character regions MR3 to MR5 are overlapped with each other, and as shown in FIG. 8D, the region including them as a whole, that is, the logical sum of the character regions MR3 to MR5. A rectangular area including the area is set as the rearrangement area SR.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, on the three background image papers PH7 to 9, graphics ZK5 and 6 which are common background images are drawn. In addition, a character MK is drawn on these figures ZK5 and ZK6. As shown in FIG. 9B, the character MK is deleted from each of the three first document images FD1 shown in FIG. In this case, the traces of the characters MK remain white on the figures ZK5 and ZK6. As shown in FIG. 9C, the background image HK is created by superimposing the three images of FIG. 9B and taking the logical sum of them. As a result, the trace of the character MK almost disappears and a beautiful background document image HK is obtained.

  Next, a composition process in the image processing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the composition process in the image processing apparatus 1, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the composition process in detail.

  In FIG. 10, first, a character region MR included in the first document image FD1 is extracted (# 11). Character MK is deleted from first document image FD1 to create background document image HK (# 12). An area including the character area MR of the first document image FD1 is set as the rearrangement area SR (# 13). The characters MJ included in the second original image FD2 are rearranged at positions corresponding to the rearrangement region SR on the background original image HK (# 14). Note that these orders may be different.

  In FIG. 11, a plurality of first document images FD1 serving as background images are input (# 21). Also, a plurality of second document images FD2 which are content images are input (# 30). The number of pages of the first document image FD1 is “bpage”, and the number of pages of the second document image FD2 is “cpage”. The variable i is set to 1 (# 22). Steps # 24 to 29 are repeated until i becomes equal to “bpage”.

  In step # 24, the character, graphic, and photo areas are divided for the first original image FD1. Then, the rearrangement region SR is determined from the character region MR (# 25). The determined rearrangement area SR is stored in the database of the hard disk 17 (# 26). The character MK is deleted from the first document image FD1 (background image) to create a background document image HK (# 27). The created background document image HK is stored in the database (# 28).

  In Step # 31, the maximum area of the rearrangement area SR is acquired from the plurality of rearrangement areas SR stored in the database, and this is newly set as the rearrangement area SR. Then, from the blank area KR of the background document image HK, a position for rearranging a figure or the like is determined (# 32). The background original image HK is read from the database (# 33), and the variable p = 0 is set (# 34). Steps # 36-40 are repeated until p is equal to cpage.

  In step # 36, the character, graphic, and photo areas are divided for the second original image FD2. Then, the layout is adjusted when the characters MJ are rearranged (# 37). Also, the layout is adjusted when rearranging the figures (# 38). Thereafter, rearrangement is performed (# 39).

  According to the above embodiment, the background image PH is automatically extracted from the first original image FD1 using the existing background paper PH on which the character MK is written, and the position where the character MJ is rearranged is automatically set. Detected. Therefore, there is no inconvenience for the user to specify the position of rearrangement. In addition, the character MJ is arranged at a position that is highly likely to be desired by the user. Further, when the content is rearranged, the rearrangement process is made different according to the attributes of the areas such as characters, graphics, and photographs, so that the rearrangement suitable for those attributes is performed.

  In the above embodiment, the background paper PH and the content paper PM have the same size. However, if these sizes are different, for example, one of them may be enlarged or reduced so that the sizes match. Good. Further, if the unnatural composite image GF is not obtained even if the sizes are not matched, the composition processing may be performed with different sizes.

  In addition, the structure, shape, dimensions, number, material, image content, position, and the like of the whole or each part of the image processing apparatus 1 can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention is used in a copying machine, a multifunction machine, and other image processing apparatuses to create a composite image by combining two types of originals.

It is a figure which shows the example of a hardware structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the positioning of the synthetic | combination process in an image processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the example of the basic process in a synthetic | combination process function. It is a figure explaining the example of rearrangement processing, such as a figure, in a synthetic | combination processing function. It is a figure explaining the example of the process at the time of setting a prohibition area | region. It is a figure explaining the example of the rearrangement process of a character. It is a figure explaining the example of the method of setting a rearrangement area | region from several 1st original image. It is a diagram for explaining a method of creating a background document image from a plurality of first document images. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the synthetic | combination process in an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a synthetic | combination process in detail.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 11 Processing unit (image processing apparatus)
15 Scanner unit (image reading means)
21 1st input part (1st input means)
22 2nd input part (2nd input means)
23 Character area extraction unit (means for extracting character area)
24 reallocation area setting unit (means for setting as reallocation area)
25 Background manuscript image creation unit (means for creating a background manuscript image)
27 Character extractor (means for extracting character area)
28 Character rearrangement section (means for rearranging characters)
31 Prohibited area setting section (means for setting prohibited area)
FD1 First original image FD2 Second original image MR Character area SR Relocation area

Claims (10)

A method of combining a first original image including a background image and a second original image including characters,
Processing for extracting a character area included in the first document image;
Processing to delete a character from the first document image and create a background document image;
A process of setting an area including the character area of the first document image as a rearrangement area;
A process of rearranging characters included in the second document image at a position corresponding to the rearrangement region on the background document image;
A method of synthesizing images. A plurality of document images are used as the first document image,
An area including the character area for each of a plurality of documents is set as a rearrangement area.
The image composition method according to claim 1. A plurality of document images are used as the first document image,
Creating the background document image by taking the logical sum of images obtained by deleting characters for each of a plurality of documents;
The image composition method according to claim 1 or 2. In rearranging the characters, when the characters protrude in the width direction of the rearrangement area, the characters are arranged with a reduced number of digits so that the characters fit within the width of the rearrangement area.
The image composition method according to claim 1. In rearranging the characters, when the characters protrude from the rearrangement region, the characters are reduced and placed so as to fit in the rearrangement region.
The image composition method according to claim 1. When a graphic or photo is included in the second original image, the graphic or the photo is rearranged in a blank area on the background original image and synthesized.
The image composition method according to claim 1. An image processing apparatus that combines a first original image including a background image and a second original image including characters,
Means for extracting a character region included in the first document image;
Means for creating a background document image by deleting characters from the first document image;
Means for setting an area including the character area of the first document image as a rearrangement area;
Means for rearranging characters included in the second original image at a position corresponding to the rearrangement region on the background original image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing apparatus for combining images of a plurality of document sheets,
Image reading means for reading an image on a document sheet;
First input means for inputting, as a first original image, an image obtained by reading an original paper including a background image and characters by the image reading means;
Second input means for inputting, as a second original image, an image obtained by reading original paper including characters by the image reading means;
Means for extracting a character region included in the first document image;
Means for creating a background document image by deleting characters from the first document image;
Means for setting an area including the character area of the first document image as a rearrangement area;
Means for rearranging characters included in the second original image at a position corresponding to the rearrangement region on the background original image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Means for setting an area for prohibiting the rearrangement of characters on the first document image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. A computer program for combining a first document image including a background image and a second document image including characters,
Processing for extracting a character area included in the first document image;
Processing to delete a character from the first document image and create a background document image;
A process of setting an area including the character area of the first document image as a rearrangement area;
A process of rearranging characters included in the second original image at a position corresponding to the rearrangement area on the background original image;
A computer program that causes a computer to execute.