JP2017072941A - Document distribution system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a burden on a user during registration of image data.SOLUTION: There is provided a document distribution system distributing image data obtained through scanning to groups according to the types of the image data, comprising: detection means that detects character strings corresponding to group names through image analysis of correct answer image data belonging to each of the plurality of groups to which the image data is distributed, the groups having information indicating the types of the image data as group names; registration means that registers information indicating an area where the character strings are detected, as enlarged area information indicating enlarged areas of the image data to be distributed to the groups, in association with the group names; and display control means that, when a group name is selected by a user, controls such that display means enlarges and displays, of areas in the image data to be distributed, the enlarged area indicated in the enlarged area information associated with the selected group name.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a document distribution system, an information processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a document sorting system that takes a printed matter such as a form as a scan image, analyzes the scan image by a program, specifies the type of the scan image, and sorts the scan image according to the type. A document distribution system may be constructed using a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) that combines functions such as a copier, printer, image scanner, and facsimile. For example, the MFP scans a document, analyzes the program to identify the type of the document, and stores the scanned image in a preset folder.

  In the document distribution system, a document type, a correct image for each document type, and a document storage folder are linked in advance according to a user operation. Then, the document sorting system uses the image classification technique based on the comparison between the scanned image and the correct image by analyzing the scanned image, and by specifying which correct image the scanned image matches, the document type corresponding to the scanned image Is identified. The document sorting system sorts the scanned image into folders according to the document type. With regard to this technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for highlighting a difference between a correct image and an image to be classified.

  The image classification technique may not be able to classify the scanned image with high accuracy. In this case, the user confirms the scanned image and specifies the classification destination folder. When the display screen of the scan image is small, the scan image is enlarged and displayed. On the other hand, a technique for registering an enlarged region of a scanned image in association with a folder when registering a correct image is also known. Thereby, the document distribution system can perform the enlarged display of the corresponding enlarged area when the type of the document is designated by the user.

JP 2011-118513 A

  However, in order to automatically perform enlarged display as in the prior art, it is very time-consuming to specify and register an enlarged area in advance. In particular, there is a problem that the user needs to register a plurality of correct images, and it is a burden on the user to register the enlarged region each time.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden on the user when registering image data.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a document distribution system that distributes image data obtained by scanning into groups corresponding to the types of image data, wherein the image data includes information indicating the type of image data as a group name. Detecting means for detecting a character string corresponding to the group name by image analysis of correct image data belonging to each of a plurality of groups, and information indicating an area in which the character string is detected is distributed to the group Registration means for registering in association with the group name as enlargement area information indicating an enlargement area of target image data to be distributed, and when the group name is selected by a user, among the areas in the target image data, The display means enlarges the enlargement area indicated in the enlargement area information associated with the selected group name. It characterized by having a display control means for controlling to display.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when registering image data.

It is a figure which shows a document distribution system. It is a flowchart which shows a correct image data registration process. It is explanatory drawing of a correct image data registration process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a correct image registration screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an expansion area designation | designated screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which associates the kind of document, and expansion area information. It is a flowchart which shows object image data distribution processing. It is explanatory drawing of object image data distribution processing. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a folder designation | designated screen. It is a figure which shows an example of object image data. It is a flowchart which shows the correct image data registration process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a document distribution system according to the first embodiment. The document distribution system according to the present embodiment analyzes image data obtained by scanning a document, specifies a corresponding document type, and stores the image data in a folder set in advance according to the document type. Store. Here, a folder is an example of a group. The document distribution system includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) 100, an information processing apparatus 110, and a DB server apparatus 120.

  The MFP 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an HDD 104, a display unit 105, an input unit 106, a communication unit 107, a printer 108, and a scanner 109. The CPU 101 reads the control program stored in the ROM 102 and executes various processes. The RAM 103 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area for the CPU 101. The HDD 104 stores various information such as image data and various programs. The display unit 105 displays various information. The input unit 106 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and accepts various operations by the user. The communication unit 107 performs communication processing with an external apparatus such as the information processing apparatus 110 or the DB server apparatus 120 via a network. Note that the functions and processing of the MFP 100 described later are realized by the CPU 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 102 or the HDD 104 and executing the program.

  The information processing apparatus 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an HDD 114, a display unit 115, an input unit 116, and a communication unit 117. The processing of the CPU 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, HDD 114, display unit 115, input unit 116, and communication unit 117 is the same as the processing of the CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, HDD 104, display unit 105, input unit 106, and communication unit 107, respectively. . Further, functions and processes of the information processing apparatus 110 to be described later are realized by the CPU 111 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the HDD 114 and executing the program.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing correct image data registration processing by the document distribution system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of correct image data registration processing. Here, the correct image data is image data obtained by the MFP 100 scanning a correct document (correct document) prepared in advance for each type of document to be scanned, that is, for each folder. That is, correct image data is image data belonging to a corresponding folder. First, as shown by “1” in FIG. 3, the scanner 109 of the MFP 100 scans the correct document 300 in accordance with a user operation. In step S201, the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 acquires correct image data.

  Next, in S202, the CPU 101 associates the correct image data, the correct document type corresponding to the correct image data, and the folder (group) (see “2” in FIG. 3). At this time, the CPU 101 displays an enlarged area designation screen 400 shown in FIG. On the enlarged area designation screen 400, a document type area 401, a folder name area 402, and an OK button 403 are displayed. In the document type area 401, a plurality of type buttons indicating document types are displayed. In the folder name area 402, a plurality of folder name buttons indicating the folder names (group names) of folders for storing image data corresponding to documents are displayed. In the enlarged area designation screen 400, the user presses an OK button 403 after selecting the type of correct document to be scanned and the folder name of the folder to be linked. On the other hand, the CPU 101 associates the selected type with the folder name, and further associates the correct image data with the selected type. In step S203, correct image data, type, folder, and association information indicating that these are associated are transmitted to the information processing apparatus 110 (see “3” in FIG. 3).

  When the correct image data or the like is received in S203, the information processing apparatus 110 advances the process to S204. In S204, the CPU 111 of the information processing apparatus 110 performs image analysis of correct image data. Specifically, the CPU 111 performs region division processing and character recognition (OCR) processing on the entire correct image data. The area dividing process is a process of analyzing a scanned image and dividing the scanned image into areas for each attribute such as a text, a figure, a table, and a caption.

  Next, in S205, the CPU 111 confirms whether or not the character recognition process obtained in S204 includes the same character string as the folder name associated with the correct image data. If there is the same character string (Yes in S205), the CPU 111 advances the process to S206. If there is no same character string (No in S205), the CPU 111 advances the process to S207. Note that the processing in S205 is an example of detection processing for detecting a character string corresponding to a folder name. In the present embodiment, the same character string as the folder name is set as the detection target. However, the detection target character string may correspond to the folder name, and is not limited to the embodiment. It is assumed that a condition for the CPU 111 to specify a character string corresponding to the folder name is set in the HDD 104 or the like in advance. As another example, when the CPU 111 includes a character string that matches a partial character string in the folder name, such as the character string “estimation” for the folder name “estimate”, the corresponding character is included. It may be determined that a column is included.

  In S206, the CPU 111 identifies an area where the same character string as the folder name is detected as an enlarged area. Then, the CPU 111 associates the document type, the folder name, the correct image data, and the enlarged area information indicating the enlarged area, and registers them in the DB 310 (see “4” in FIG. 3). Here, the process of S206 is an example of a registration process. The DB 310 is a storage unit realized by the HDD 114. As another example, the CPU 111 may register the document type or the like in the DB server device 120 via the communication unit 117 instead of the DB 310.

  On the other hand, when there is no same character string, the CPU 111 cannot specify the enlarged region from the result of character recognition. In step S207, the CPU 111 displays an enlargement area designation screen for the user to designate an enlargement area. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the enlargement area designation screen 500. The enlarged area designation screen 500 displays correct image data 501 and document type 502. The correct image data 501 is the correct image data received in S203, and the document type 502 is a document type associated with the correct image data 501. The user designates an enlarged area on the correct image data 501 via the input unit 116 as shown in FIG. Corresponding to this, in S208, the CPU 111 accepts an area designated by the user as an enlarged area (accepting process). Then, the CPU 111 associates the document type, the folder name, the correct image data, and the enlarged area information indicating the enlarged area and registers them in the DB 310 (“4” in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of information 600 that associates the document type with the enlarged region information. In the example of FIG. 6, the document type “estimate” 601 and the enlarged area 602 are linked. “10, 20, 120, 150” in the enlarged area 602 in FIG. 6 represents the upper left coordinates (10, 20) and the lower right coordinates (120, 150) of the character string area. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the enlarged region is a rectangle, and the enlarged region information is information indicating the coordinates of two points on the upper left and lower right of the rectangle. However, the shape of the enlarged region is not limited to the embodiment, and information for specifying the enlarged region is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing target image data distribution processing. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of target image data distribution processing. Here, the target image data is image data obtained by the MFP 100 scanning a document to be scanned (target document). In other words, the target image data is image data that is a target of distribution processing to a folder prepared in advance. First, as shown by “1” in FIG. 8, the scanner 109 of the MFP scans the target document 800 in accordance with a user operation. In step S <b> 701, the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 acquires target image data. Next, in S702, the CPU 101 transmits the target image data to the information processing apparatus 110 (see “2” in FIG. 8).

  When the information processing apparatus 110 receives the target image data in S702, the information processing apparatus 110 advances the process to S703. In step S <b> 703, the CPU 111 of the information processing apparatus 110 analyzes target image data. Specifically, the CPU 111 compares each correct image data registered for each document type in the DB 310 with the target image data received in S702 (see “3” in FIG. 8). Then, the CPU 111 calculates a reliability, which is an index indicating the certainty that the target image data is each correct image data, based on the comparison result (calculation process). For example, the CPU 111 calculates the similarity between the two images as the reliability. Further, the CPU 111 identifies the type of document associated with the identified correct image data, and identifies enlarged area information associated with the identified document type. In step S <b> 704, the CPU 111 transmits the analysis result and enlarged area information corresponding to each document type to the MFP 100 (see “4” in FIG. 8). Here, the analysis result includes the reliability for each document type obtained in S703.

  In step S704, when the MFP 100 receives the analysis result and the enlarged area information, the MFP 100 advances the processing to step S705. In step S <b> 705, the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 compares the maximum reliability value as the analysis result received in step S <b> 704 with a threshold value. Here, it is assumed that the threshold is set in advance in the HDD 104 or the like. If the maximum value is equal to or greater than the threshold (Yes in S705), the CPU 101 advances the process to S706. Note that the case where the maximum value is equal to or larger than the threshold value is a case where the document type corresponding to the correct image data indicating the maximum value can be specified as the document type corresponding to the target image data. Therefore, in this case, in S706, the CPU 101 specifies the folder associated with the document type corresponding to the correct image data indicating the maximum value as the distribution destination folder of the target image data, and thereafter performs the processing. Proceed to S710.

  On the other hand, if the maximum value is less than the threshold value in S705 (No in S705), the CPU 101 advances the process to S707. Note that when the maximum value is less than the threshold value, the CPU 101 cannot automatically specify the document type corresponding to the target image data. Therefore, in this case, a process for allowing the user to specify a distribution destination folder is performed. That is, in S707, the CPU 101 displays a folder designation screen (see “5” in FIG. 8). FIG. 9 is a view showing a display example of the folder designation screen 900. The folder designation screen 900 displays target image data 901, a document type area 902, and a reliability area 903. In the document type area 902 and the reliability area 903, the document type and the reliability calculated for the document type are displayed correspondingly.

  If the user selects a folder name button indicated in the document type area 902, the CPU 101 accepts designation of a folder name corresponding to the folder name button in the target image data 901 in S708. Then, the CPU 101 controls the display unit 105 to display an enlarged area indicated by the enlarged area information associated with the designated folder name among the areas in the target image data (display control process). As shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, when the user selects the “estimate” folder name button 911, enlarged image data 910 is displayed. Here, the enlarged image data 910 is an image in which the enlarged region of the target image data 901 is enlarged and displayed. In the present embodiment, target image data 901 cut out so that the enlarged region is positioned at the center of the enlarged image data 910 is displayed as the enlarged image data 910.

  If the user selects an incorrect folder name button, enlarged image data corresponding to the folder name button is displayed. In this case, an area not intended by the user is enlarged and displayed. For this reason, the user can grasp from the enlarged image data that the folder name is incorrect, and can select another folder name button again.

  The user confirms the enlarged image data 910 and confirms whether or not the distribution destination of the target image data is a folder corresponding to the folder name button being selected. Then, the user confirms that the folder corresponding to the currently selected folder name button is acceptable, and presses an OK button 904. In response to this, in step S709, the CPU 101 specifies a folder corresponding to the folder name button being selected as a distribution destination folder, and then advances the processing to step S710.

  In S710, the CPU 101 stores the target image data in the folder specified in S706 or S709 (see “6” in FIG. 8). Note that the storage destination of the target image data as a folder is the DB 810, and the DB 810 is a storage unit realized by the HDD 104. As another example, the CPU 101 may be a storage unit such as the HDD 104 of the MFP 100. As another example, the CPU 101 replaces the DB 810 with the DB server device 120 via the communication unit 107. The target image data may be registered in the external device. This completes the target data distribution process.

  In many cases, the folder name to which the target image data is specified by the user indicates the type of document. For example, a document of the type “estimate” is often set to be distributed to a folder having a folder name of “estimate”. In addition, a document of the type “estimate” is highly likely to include the character string “estimate” in the document. In view of these points, the document distribution system according to the present embodiment searches for a character string that is the same as the folder name of the distribution destination, and automatically registers this character string area as an enlarged area. Thereby, it is not necessary to register an enlarged area by a user operation, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

  As a first modification of the first embodiment, correct image data registration processing and target image data distribution processing realized by the cooperation of the MFP 100 and the information processing device 110 are, for example, one information processing device 110 or the like. It may be performed by the device. In this case, the data transmission / reception process (S203, S702, S704) is unnecessary.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, differences between the document distribution system according to the second embodiment and the document distribution system according to the first embodiment will be described. Like the target image data 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10, the target image data 1000 may include a plurality of character strings that are the same as the folder name. The target image data 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes two character strings 1001 and 1002 of “estimation” that are the same as the folder name. In the document distribution system according to the second embodiment, in the correct image data registration process, when the analysis result includes a plurality of character strings that are the same as the folder name, one character string is specified and specified. The registered character string area is registered as an enlarged area.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing correct image data registration processing by the MFP 100 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same number is attached | subjected to the same process as each process of the correct image data registration process shown in FIG. In S205, if the analysis result includes the same character string as the folder name (Yes in S205), the CPU 111 advances the process to S1101. In S1101, the CPU 111 checks whether or not there are a plurality of character strings that are the same as the folder name in the analysis result. If there are a plurality of the same character strings (Yes in S1101), the CPU 111 advances the process to S1102. If the same character string is one (No in S1101), the CPU 111 advances the process to S207.

  In step S1102, the CPU 111 checks whether or not there is a character string that is displayed alone and has a maximum font size in a plurality of character strings. Here, being displayed alone means that, for example, it is not displayed in a state of being combined with other character strings like a character string in a sentence, but is displayed as a single character string like a headline. If there is a character string that is displayed alone and has the largest font size (Yes in S1102), the CPU 111 advances the process to S206. In step S206, the CPU 111 specifies a character string that is displayed alone and has the largest font size, and registers the specified character string area as an enlarged area.

  If there is no character string that is displayed alone and has the largest font size (No in S1102), the CPU 111 advances the process to S207. That is, in this case, the user is allowed to specify an enlargement area. In S1102, the conditions for the CPU 111 to specify one character string from a plurality of character strings are registered in advance in the HDD 104 or the like by a designer or the like. Moreover, this condition is an example and is not limited to the embodiment. As another example, the CPU 111 may simply register the maximum character string area as an enlarged area. As another example, the CPU 111 may register a character string whose font type is different from that of other character strings or an area of a bold character string as an enlarged area. Here, the process of S1102 is an example of a specifying process for specifying one character string in accordance with a predetermined condition. Other configurations and processes of the document distribution system according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the document distribution system according to the first embodiment.

  As mentioned above, according to each embodiment mentioned above, a user's burden at the time of image data registration can be eased.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

(Other examples)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

100 MFP
110 Information processing apparatus

Claims (7)

A document distribution system that distributes image data obtained by scanning into groups according to the type of the image data,
Detecting means for detecting a character string corresponding to the group name by image analysis of correct image data belonging to each of a plurality of groups for distributing the image data, the information indicating the type of the image data as a group name;
Registration means for registering information indicating an area in which the character string is detected in association with the group name as expansion area information indicating an expansion area of target image data to be distributed to the group;
When the user selects the group name, control is performed so that the display means displays an enlarged region indicated by the enlarged region information associated with the selected group name among the regions in the target image data. A document distribution system comprising: When the detection unit does not detect a character string corresponding to the group name, the detection unit further includes an accepting unit that accepts designation of the enlarged region from a user,
The document distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit registers enlarged area information indicating an enlarged area related to the designation received by the receiving unit in association with a group name. The registration means further registers the correct image data in association with the group name,
Comparing the target image data with the correct image data associated with each group name, the image processing apparatus further includes a calculation unit that calculates a reliability indicating the likelihood that both images are corresponding images,
The document distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs control so that the enlarged region is enlarged and displayed when the maximum value of the reliability is less than a threshold value. When the detecting means detects a plurality of character strings corresponding to the group name from one correct image data, the detecting means further has a specifying means for specifying one character string according to a predetermined condition,
The registration means registers information indicating an area in which the character string specified by the specifying means is detected in association with the group name as the enlarged area information. Document distribution system described in the section. An information processing apparatus that distributes image data obtained by scanning into groups according to the type of the image data,
Detecting means for detecting a character string corresponding to the group name by image analysis of correct image data belonging to each of a plurality of groups for distributing the image data, the information indicating the type of the image data as a group name;
Registration means for registering information indicating an area in which the character string is detected in association with the group name as expansion area information indicating an expansion area of target image data to be distributed to the group;
When the user selects the group name, control is performed so that the display means displays an enlarged region indicated by the enlarged region information associated with the selected group name among the regions in the target image data. An information processing apparatus comprising display control means. An information processing method executed by a document distribution system that distributes image data obtained by scanning into groups according to the type of the image data,
A detection step of detecting a character string corresponding to the group name by image analysis of correct image data belonging to each of a plurality of groups for distributing the image data, the information indicating the type of the image data as a group name;
A registration step of registering information indicating an area in which the character string is detected in association with the group name as expansion area information indicating an expansion area of target image data to be distributed to the group;
When the user selects the group name, control is performed so that the display means displays an enlarged region indicated by the enlarged region information associated with the selected group name among the regions in the target image data. An information processing method comprising: a display control step. Computer
Detecting means for detecting a character string corresponding to the group name by image analysis of correct image data belonging to each of a plurality of groups for distributing the image data, the information indicating the type of image data as a group name;
Registration means for registering information indicating an area in which the character string is detected in association with the group name as expansion area information indicating an expansion area of target image data to be distributed to the group;
When the user selects the group name, control is performed so that the display means displays an enlarged region indicated by the enlarged region information associated with the selected group name among the regions in the target image data. A program for functioning as display control means.

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