JP6545573B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and chapter division processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a chapter division processing method which perform processing of sorting document image data relating to documents of a plurality of pages into chapters.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus capable of reading a document consisting of a plurality of pages and having a plurality of chapters and creating printed matter and an electronic document from the read document image data is disclosed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that extracts candidates for chapter division locations under a combination of one or more of the following conditions.
(1) When the character size of the line in the document image is larger than the character size designated by the user, the line is made a chapter division candidate.
(2) When the number of blank lines in the document image is larger than the number of blank lines specified by the user, the line following the blank line is set as a candidate for division into chapters.
(3) The first line in the document image matching the page number designated by the user is set as a chapter division candidate.
(4) When the character string of the line in the document image includes the character string designated by the user, the line is set as a chapter division candidate.
(5) A line designated by the user in the document image is used as a chapter division candidate.

JP, 2010-109420, A

  However, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the user needs to set the conditions under any conditions, and although it is complicated as user usability and convenience, it is difficult for the user to use easily. There's a problem.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 only discloses the process of dividing a chapter, and does not mention the use of the result of dividing the chapter.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to separate original image data relating to a plurality of pages of an original image data into chapters in the case of performing sorting for each chapter. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a chapter division processing method capable of performing processing of chapter division for sorting into chapters easily and appropriately with respect to such document image data.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention performs character recognition processing on the document image data in an image processing apparatus that performs processing to separate document image data related to documents of a plurality of pages for each chapter, and the maximum character size A character size detection unit that detects a size, a character string extraction unit that extracts a character string having the maximum character size, and a storage unit that stores a chapter number pattern representing a chapter division on a chapter start page And a chapter information acquisition unit which extracts a number based on the pattern from the extracted character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, and acquires a page number related to the extracted character string from the document image data; The storage unit is characterized by storing the extracted character string and the page number in association with the extracted number.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of extracted numbers, the number of missing numbers in the ascending and descending order is obtained based on the numbers and page numbers acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit, and the missing numbers are complemented. It has a missing part complementing part.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the number of extracted numerals is one, the missing complement unit complements the missing numerals with respect to a range defined by the page number and the final page number of the document. It is characterized by doing.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the character size detection unit performs the detection only for the character string on the first line of each page.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the character string extraction unit performs the extraction only on the character string on the first line of each page.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the chapter information acquisition unit searches for an extracted character string in which the first one or more characters of the extracted character strings match the pattern, and the extracted character string is searched , And a digit corresponding to the chapter number included in the corresponding pattern is extracted.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet-like recording medium, and a tray containing specific paper. The method is characterized in that, when performing the image formation, an insertion section for inserting a specific sheet is provided to switch the chapter based on the result of the processing.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming unit associates the number and page number related to the extracted character string acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit with the extracted character string, and the image of the table of contents related to the document It is characterized by performing formation.

  A chapter division processing method according to the present invention includes a storage unit storing a chapter number pattern representing division of a chapter on a page at the beginning of a chapter, and performs image processing on document image data related to a plurality of pages of documents In the chapter division processing method of performing classification processing for each chapter in an image processing apparatus for performing character recognition, character recognition processing is performed on the document image data to detect a maximum character size, and a character string having the maximum character size Are extracted, a number is extracted from the extracted character string based on the pattern stored in the storage unit, a page number related to the extracted character string is obtained from the document image data, and the extracted number is extracted. And storing the extracted character string and the page number.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform chapter division processing easily and properly on original image data.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a digital color copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a control system that controls each part of the entire copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing reading processing of document image data and chapter division processing in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing the chapter display character string pattern, chapter number character count table, and final Letter Index table stored in the hard disk in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of maximum character size detection performed by the character size detection unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. In the copying machine concerning this embodiment, it is a flow chart explaining processing of character string extraction performed by a character string extraction part. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a chapter information acquisition process performed by the chapter information acquisition unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a chapter character pattern search process performed by the chapter information acquisition unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a chapter number character matching process performed by the chapter information acquisition unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the process of missing complementation performed by the missing supplement unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the process of missing complementation performed by the missing supplement unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a first complementation performed by a missing part complementation unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a first complementation performed by a missing part complementation unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of second complementation performed by the missing part complementing unit in the copying machine according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings, taking as an example a case where it is applied to a so-called copying machine.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of a digital color copying machine according to the present embodiment. A document table 111 and an operation panel to be described later are provided on the upper surface of the copying machine 1, and an image reading unit 110 and an image forming unit 210 are provided inside the copying machine 1.

A double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) 112 is mounted on the upper surface of the document table 111 so as to be openable / closable relative to the document table 111.

  Furthermore, the double-sided automatic document feeder 112 first conveys the document so that one side of the document faces the image reading unit 110 at a predetermined position of the document table 111. At this time, reading of the image on the side is performed. It will be. After the image reading on the one side is completed, the double-sided automatic document feeder 112 reverses the document so that the other side faces the image reading unit 110 at a predetermined position of the document table 111 and the predetermined position of the document table 111 And image formation on such a surface is performed. Then, after the double-sided automatic document feeding device 112 completes the double-sided image reading of one sheet of document, it discharges this document, and similarly executes the double-sided conveyance operation for the next document. The operation of the above-described duplex automatic document feeder 112 is controlled in relation to the operation of the entire copying machine.

  The image reading unit 110 is disposed below the document table 111 in order to read an image of a document conveyed to a predetermined position on the document table 111 by the duplex automatic document feeder 112. Further, the image reading unit 110 reciprocates in parallel along the lower surface of the document table 111 (when reading a document placed on the document table 111) document scanning bodies 113 and 114, an optical lens 115, and photoelectric conversion And a CCD line sensor 116 which is an element.

  The document scanning bodies 113 and 114 are composed of a first scanning unit 113 and a second scanning unit 114. The first scanning unit 113 has an exposure lamp for exposing the surface of the document, and a first mirror for deflecting a reflected light image from the document toward a predetermined direction, and the document is placed on the document table 111 In this case, it reciprocates in parallel at a predetermined scanning speed while maintaining a fixed distance from the lower surface of the document table 111. Further, when the original is conveyed by the duplex automatic document feeder 112 and the original is read, the document is stopped at a predetermined position.

  The second scanning unit 114 has second and third mirrors for further deflecting the reflected light image from the document deflected by the first mirror of the first scanning unit 113 in a predetermined direction, When an original is placed on the original table 111, the original is reciprocated in parallel with the first scanning unit 113 while maintaining a constant speed relationship.

  The optical lens 115 reduces the reflected light image from the document deflected by the third mirror of the second scanning unit 114, and forms the reduced light image at a predetermined position on the CCD line sensor 116.

  The CCD line sensor 116 photoelectrically converts the formed light image sequentially and outputs it as an electric signal. The CCD line sensor 116 is a 3-line color CCD that can read black and white images or color images and output line data separated into color components of R (red), G (green) and B (blue). .

Next, the configuration of the image forming unit 210 and the configuration of each unit related to the image forming unit 210 will be described.
Below the image forming unit 210, sheet feeding mechanisms 211a to 211c are provided which separate the recording sheets P stacked and accommodated in the sheet tray one by one and supply the recording sheets P toward the image forming unit 210. The recording paper P separated and supplied one by one is conveyed to the image forming unit 210 with its timing controlled by a pair of registration rollers 212 arranged in front of the image forming unit 210. Further, the recording sheet P on which the image is formed on one side is re-supplied and conveyed to the image forming unit 210 in timing with the image formation of the image forming unit 210.

Further, below the image forming unit 210, a transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 is disposed. The transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 electrostatically attracts the recording sheet P to the transfer conveyance belt 216 stretched so as to extend substantially in parallel between the driving roller 214 and the driven roller 215 and conveys the recording sheet P. A pattern image detection unit is provided in proximity to the lower side of the transfer conveyance belt 216.

Further, on the downstream side of the transfer conveyance belt mechanism 213 in the sheet conveyance path, a fixing device 217 for fixing the toner image transferred and formed on the recording sheet P on the recording sheet P is disposed. The recording sheet P having passed between the pair of fixing rollers of the fixing device 217 passes through the conveyance direction switching gate 218 and is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 220 attached to the outside of the copying machine 1 by the discharge roller 219.

  The switching gate 218 selects the transport path of the recording sheet P after fixing, between the path for discharging the recording sheet P to the sheet discharge tray 220 and the path for resupplying the recording sheet P toward the image forming unit 210. Switching. The recording sheet P whose transport direction has been switched back to the image forming unit 210 by the switching gate 218 is reversed over the front and back through the switchback transport path 221, and then supplied again to the image forming unit 210.

  The first image forming station Pa, the second image forming station Pb, the third image forming station Pc, and the image forming station 210 are located above the transfer conveying belt 216 in the image forming unit 210 and close to the transfer conveying belt 216. The fourth image forming station Pd is juxtaposed in order from the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path.

  The transfer conveyance belt 216 is frictionally driven by the drive roller 214 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z in FIG. 1, and carries the recording sheet P fed through the sheet feeding mechanisms 211a to 211c as described above. The sheet is sequentially transported to the forming stations Pa to Pd.

Each of the image stations Pa to Pd has substantially the same configuration. Each of the image stations Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd includes photosensitive drums 222a, 222b, 222c, and 222d which are rotationally driven in the direction of arrow F shown in FIG.

Around the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, charging devices 223a, 223b, 223c, and 223d for uniformly charging the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, respectively, and electrostatic latent formed on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d are provided. Developing devices 224a, 224b, 224c and 224d for developing the image, and dischargers for transfer 225a, 225b, 225c and 225d for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d to which the image was developed, and photosensitive Cleaning devices 226a, 226b, 226c and 226d for removing the toner remaining on the body drums 222a to 222d are sequentially arranged along the rotational direction of the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d.

  Laser beam scanner units 227a, 227b, 227c, and 227d are provided above the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d, respectively. The laser beam scanner units 227a to 227d are semiconductor laser elements (not shown) that emit dot light modulated according to image data, and polygon mirrors 240a to 240a for deflecting laser beams from the semiconductor laser elements in the main scanning direction. 240 d, fθ lenses 241 a to 241 d for forming laser beams deflected by the polygon mirrors 240 a to 240 d on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 222 a to 222 d, mirrors 242 a to 242 d, 243 a to 243 d, and the like.

  The laser beam scanner 227a has a pixel signal corresponding to the black component image of the color original image, the laser beam scanner 227b has a pixel signal corresponding to the cyan color component image of the color original image, and the laser beam scanner 227c has a color original image And the pixel signal corresponding to the yellow color component image of the color original image are input to the laser beam scanner 227d.

  Thus, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the color-converted original image information are formed on the respective photosensitive drums 222a to 222d. The black toner is stored in the developing device 224a, the cyan toner is stored in the developing device 224b, the magenta toner is stored in the developing device 224c, and the yellow toner is stored in the developing device 224d. The electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 222a to 222d are developed with the toners of the respective colors. As a result, the original image information color-converted by the image forming unit 210 is reproduced as a toner image of each color.

  In addition, a sheet adsorbing charger 228 is provided between the first image forming station Pa and the sheet feeding mechanism 211a, and the adsorbing charger 228 charges the surface of the transfer conveyance belt 216 to feed the sheet. The recording paper P supplied from the mechanism 211 a is transported without deviation between the first image forming station Pa and the fourth image forming station Pd in a state where the recording paper P is securely attracted onto the transfer conveying belt 216.

On the other hand, a static eliminator 229 is provided almost immediately above the driving roller 214 between the fourth image station Pd and the fixing device 217. An alternating current for separating the recording sheet P electrostatically attracted to the conveyance belt 216 from the transfer conveyance belt 216 is applied to the static eliminator 229.

In the copying machine 1 configured as described above, cut sheet-like paper is used as the recording paper P. When the recording sheet P is fed out of the sheet feeding tray and fed into the guide of the sheet feeding conveyance path of the sheet feeding mechanisms 211a to 211c, a leading end portion of the recording sheet P is detected by a sensor (not shown). And is temporarily stopped by the pair of registration rollers 212 based on the detection signal output from this sensor.

Then, the recording sheet P is sent onto the transfer conveyance belt 216 rotating in the direction of the arrow Z in FIG. 1 in timing with each of the image stations Pa to Pd. At this time, since the transfer conveyance belt 216 is charged by the suction charger 228 as described above, the recording paper P is stably conveyed and supplied while passing through the image stations Pa to Pd. It will be done.

  In each of the image stations Pa to Pd, toner images of the respective colors are respectively formed, and are superimposed on the supporting surface of the recording paper P which is electrostatically attracted and conveyed by the transfer conveyance belt 216. When the transfer of the image by the fourth image station Pd is completed, the recording paper P is peeled off from the transfer conveyance belt 216 sequentially by the discharging device from the leading end portion, and is guided to the fixing device 217. Finally, the recording sheet P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto the discharge tray 220 from a sheet discharge port (not shown).

  In the above description, the laser beam is scanned and exposed by the laser beam scanner units 227a to 227d to write light on the photosensitive member. However, instead of the laser beam scanner unit, a writing optical system (LED head) comprising a light emitting diode array and an imaging lens array may be used. The LED head is smaller in size than the laser beam scanner unit, and has no moving parts and is silent. Therefore, it can be suitably used in an image forming apparatus such as a tandem digital color copying machine which requires a plurality of light writing units.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a control system that controls each part of the entire apparatus of the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine 1 includes a control unit 4. The control unit 4 includes a CPU 40 (insertion unit), a RADF control unit 41, a scanner control unit 42, an image preparation control unit 43, and an image formation control unit 44. A paper feed tray control unit 45, a post-processing control unit 46, a character size detection unit 47, a character string extraction unit 48, a chapter information acquisition unit 49, and a omission complement unit 50 are provided.

  The image preparation control unit 43 controls the document reading unit 110. The image control unit 53 stores an image to be printed temporarily. The exposure control unit 51 controls the laser beam scanner units 227a to 227d. The units for print image preparation constituting the copying machine 1, such as the hard disk 55 for image data storage, are managed by sequence control, and image processing such as filter processing, scaling processing, masking processing, and gamma processing is performed. Further, communication with the image formation control unit 44 is performed to cooperate with the image formation control unit 44 to execute a print job.

  Further, the image formation control unit 44 is connected in a mutually communicable state with the paper feed tray control unit 45 that controls the paper feed mechanisms 211 a, 211 b, and 211 c and the post processing control unit 46 that controls the post processing. The sensor of the engine load unit 56 is input to control the output of the motor and the like, and the sequence control of various places is performed to form a print image.

  The scanner control unit 42 receives a document image signal from the CCD line sensor 116, sends it to the image preparation control unit 43, and communicates with a double-sided automatic document feeder (RADF) to perform document feed control. The scanner control unit 42 outputs a control signal for performing sequence control to the scanner load unit 52 including a motor, a solenoid, etc. of the document reading unit 110, and a display unit, a touch panel covering the display unit, ten keys, etc. Communication is performed with the operation board unit 54 constituting the operation panel to monitor the operation situation and perform various display controls.

  The flow of processing of the entire copying machine 1 will be described by taking the case of copying using the duplex automatic document feeder 112 as an example.

  The user places an original on the duplex automatic document feeder 112 of the copying machine 1 and operates the operation panel appropriately to display a setting screen for receiving settings relating to copying on the display unit, and to display the number of copies, etc. After setting, the start key is instructed by operating the start key.

  The scanner control unit 42 moves the first scanning unit 113 of the image reading unit 110 to a predetermined position for reading the document conveyed from the double-sided automatic document feeder 112, and the document conveyed by the double-sided automatic document feeder 112 Start reading.

  At this time, the CCD line sensor 116 performs color separation to obtain an RGB analog image signal. Further, the scanner control unit 42 converts the analog image signal into a digital signal. Image data (original image data) sent to the scanner control unit 42 and converted into digital signals is sent to the image preparation control unit 43, stored in the image memory 53, and the image data stored in the image memory 53 are sequentially It is temporarily stored in the hard disk 55. At the same time, the image preparation control unit 43 sequentially notifies the image formation control unit 44 that the image data (print image data) for printing is stored.

  The image formation control unit 44 sequentially requests the image preparation control unit 43 for the print image data for printing, and the image preparation control unit 43 sequentially reads the requested print image data from the hard disk 55, and the image memory After storing in 53, image processing is performed in the order of filter processing, scaling processing, masking processing, gamma processing, and multilevel processing. Thereafter, the image preparation control unit 43 transfers the print image data to the exposure control unit 51, and notifies the image formation control unit 44 that the transfer of the print image data for printing is completed.

  The image formation control unit 44 receives the notification of transfer completion of the print image data from the image preparation control unit 43, and starts printing. When the print processing speed of the image forming unit 210 is slower than the document reading speed of the image reading unit 110, the image data read sequentially in the hard disk 55 is sequentially stored along with the print processing. Are read out from the hard disk 55, and printed after image processing.

  The character size detection unit 47 performs character recognition processing for each page of the document image data, and detects the maximum character size of the document image data. Further, the character size detection unit 47 performs known OCR processing on the document image data for each page, and performs character recognition of each page of the document image data by the pattern matching method. At this time, the character size detection unit 47 detects the maximum character size only for the character string on the first line of each page of the document image data (hereinafter, also referred to as a document).

  That is, generally, on the beginning of a chapter, a heading including a chapter number representing the division of the chapter and a title is described in large letters at the top of the chapter display character string representing the chapter. There is. As such chapter display character strings, for example, “Chapter X XX”, “Chapter X XX”, “# X XX”, “X; XXX”, “X. "○○○○" etc. may be mentioned as an example. Here, “X” is a letter representing an integer, and includes, for example, Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, Roman numerals and the like. Note that "○○○○" is the title of the chapter.

  Therefore, as described above, by performing such detection only for the character string on the first line of each page, it is possible to more efficiently extract the chapter display character string to be described later, perform chapter division processing, etc. It can.

  The character string extraction unit 48 extracts, from the document image data, a character string having the maximum character size detected by the character size detection unit 47 as a candidate for the chapter display character string. More specifically, the character string extraction unit 48 extracts the character string having the maximum character size only for the character string on the first line of each page of the document image data, and the extracted chapter display character string candidate The hard disk 55 stores (hereinafter referred to as a candidate character string). Therefore, as described above, chapter display character string extraction, chapter division processing, and the like can be performed more efficiently than when such extraction is performed on all character strings of each page.

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines (extracts) a number included in the candidate character string, and acquires a page number (hereinafter, chapter page number) on which the candidate character string is described from the document image data. Such processing is performed based on the chapter number pattern included in the chapter display character string, and the chapter number pattern is stored in the hard disk 55.

  More specifically, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 first detects a candidate character string in which one or more characters at the beginning of the candidate character strings extracted by the character string extraction unit 48 match the pattern of the chapter number. Do. Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines, from the detected candidate character string, a number matching the chapter number relating to the pattern of the chapter number corresponding to the candidate character string as a chapter number. The chapter information acquisition unit 49 sets the chapter number thus identified as an index, and stores the character string and the corresponding chapter page number in the hard disk 55 in association with the chapter number. In the following, the chapter number, a character string corresponding to the chapter number (hereinafter, also referred to as a chapter string), and a chapter page number are also referred to as chapter information. Also, the pattern of the chapter number will be described in detail later.

  In addition, the missing-completion unit 50 checks the presence of a chapter display character string (chapter number) in a place other than the first line of each page, and the chapter display character string (chapter number) that could not be detected is displayed. If there is a complement. More specifically, the missing part complementing unit 50 first determines whether the number (chapter number) calculated by the chapter information acquiring unit 49 is one or more than one. Next, when there are a plurality of numbers determined, the missing part complement unit 50 determines the number of missing numbers in ascending or descending order, that is, the number of missing chapter numbers (hereinafter referred to as missing chapter numbers), and missing chapters. Perform the process of complementing the numbers (completing of the missing numbers). Hereinafter, such processing is also referred to as processing for missing and complementing. Further, when the number (chapter number) determined is one, the missing part complementing the missing chapter number with respect to the range defined by the page number and the final page number of the document.

  The CPU 40 controls the various hardware described above by loading a control program stored in advance in the ROM (not shown) onto the RAM (not shown) to execute the control of the various hardware described above. The copying machine 1 is operated.

  The copying machine 1 having the above-described configuration can read, for example, document image data of a document including a plurality of pages including one or a plurality of chapters, and can perform a chapter division process of sorting into chapters. Details will be described below.

  FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining reading processing of document image data and chapter division processing in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. In the following, it is assumed that the hard disk 55 stores the chapter number pattern (hereinafter also referred to as a chapter number pattern), a chapter number character number table, and a final Letter Index table.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing the chapter number pattern, chapter number character number table, and final Letter Index table stored in the hard disk 55 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C respectively show a chapter number pattern (chapter number pattern), a chapter number character table and a final Letter Index table.

  Here, the chapter number character table is a list of the number of characters of the chapter number contained in the chapter display character string in association with the chapter number pattern. In the chapter number pattern, several characters corresponding to the chapter number are listed, for example, in ascending order. The chapter number pattern is determined by "Chapter Pattern Index", and the several characters have, for example, patterns of "1", "I", "i", "one" and the like.

  In the following, each few characters listed in ascending order are identified by "Letter Index". Further, the final "Letter Index" in each chapter number pattern is described in the final Letter Index table. Note that “Letter Index” starts from “0”.

  Further, in the following description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, it is a case of reading an original consisting of 100 pages and consisting of 10 chapters. "○○○" shall be included.

  First, the user places the original on the double-sided automatic original feeding device 112 of the copying machine 1 and operates the operation panel to instruct copying of the original. At this time, the CPU 40 receives a copy instruction from the user via the operation panel.

  The scanner control unit 42 controls the image reading unit 110 according to an instruction from the CPU 40, reads the document one by one, and obtains document image data for the document. An OCR process is performed on the document image data obtained in this manner.

  Next, the character size detection unit 47 detects the maximum character size for the document image data (step S101). The process of detecting the maximum character size will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the process of detecting the maximum character size performed by the character size detection unit 47 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The process of maximum character size detection will be described in detail below.

  First, the character size detection unit 47 initializes a variable (step S201). More specifically, the variable “Page” representing the page of the document is initialized to “1”, and the variable “Letter Size” representing the maximum character size is initialized to “0”.

  Next, the character size detection unit 47 acquires the total number of pages of the document based on the document image data (step S202).

  Further, the character size detection unit 47 acquires the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page" from the document image data (step S203), and the acquired image data of the predetermined page is displayed on the first line. The character size of the first character of the character string is detected (step S204).

  Subsequently, the character size detection unit 47 determines whether the detected character size is larger than the character size corresponding to "Letter Size" (step S205).

  If the character size detection unit 47 determines that the detected character size is larger than the character size corresponding to “Letter Size” (step S 205: YES), the character size corresponding to “Letter Size” is detected as the detected character size Replace (step S206).

  After the process of step S206, or when it is determined that the detected character size is not larger than the character size corresponding to "Letter Size" (step S205: NO), the character size detection unit 47 corresponds to the current "Page". It is determined whether the number to be processed is equal to the total number of pages of the original (step S207).

  If it is determined that the number corresponding to the current "Page" is not equal to the total page number of the document (step S207: NO), the character size detection unit 47 adds "1" to the current "Page" Is newly set to "Page" (step S208), and the process returns to step S203.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the character size detection unit 47 that the number corresponding to the current "Page" is equal to the total number of pages of the document (step S207: YES), the maximum character size detection process ends.

  By the above-described processing of the maximum character size detection, the maximum character size, that is, “Letter Size” in the document image data is detected.

  Returning to the explanation based on FIG. 3 again.

  Thus, when the maximum character size is detected in step S101, subsequently, the character string extraction unit 48 displays the character string having the maximum character size detected by the character size detection unit 47 as a chapter display character string Are extracted as candidates (step S102).

  FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the character string extraction process performed by the character string extraction unit 48 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of character string extraction will be described in detail.

  The character string extraction unit 48 initializes a variable (step S301). More specifically, the variable “Page” representing the page of the document is set to “1”, and the variable “Index” is initialized to “0”.

  Next, the character string extraction unit 48 acquires the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page" from the document image data (step S302), and the character of the first line is acquired for the acquired image data of the predetermined page. The character size of the first character of the column is detected (step S303).

  Subsequently, the character string extraction unit 48 determines whether the detected character size is equal to the character size corresponding to the predetermined maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S304).

  If the character string extraction unit 48 determines that the detected character size is not equal to the character size corresponding to the maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S304: NO), the process proceeds to step S309.

  On the other hand, when the character string extraction unit 48 determines that the detected character size is equal to the character size corresponding to the already determined maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S 304: YES), from such image data, The character string of the first line is extracted (step S305).

  Next, the character string extraction unit 48 associates the extracted character string (hereinafter, also referred to as an extracted character string) with the variable “Index”, and stores it in, for example, the hard disk 55 (step S306). That is, a number corresponding to the current "Page" is associated with the "Index" and stored, for example, in the hard disk 55 (step S307). Subsequently, the character string extraction unit 48 adds “1” to the current “Index” and sets it as a new “Index” (step S308). In other words, the extracted character string and the page number are stored in the hard disk 55 in association with each “Index”.

  After step S308, the character string extraction unit 48 determines whether the number corresponding to the current "Page" is equal to the total number of pages of the document (step S309).

  When it is determined that the number corresponding to the current "Page" is not equal to the total number of pages of the document (step S309: NO), the character string extraction unit 48 adds "1" to the current "Page". Is newly set to "Page" (step S310), and the process returns to step S302 again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the character size detection unit 47 that the number corresponding to the current "Page" is equal to the total number of pages of the document (step S309: YES), the character string extraction process ends.

  By the above-described processing of maximum character size detection, a character string having the maximum character size “Letter Size” is extracted from the document image data.

  Returning to the explanation based on FIG. 3 again.

  As described above, after the maximum character size is detected and the character string having the detected maximum character size is extracted, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 performs processing for acquiring the chapter information (step S103).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining chapter information acquisition processing performed by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The following describes the chapter information acquisition process in detail.

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 initializes the variable (step S401). More specifically, a value obtained by subtracting "1" from "Index" (see step S308) related to the character string extraction process is taken as "final index". Also, the variable “Chapter Pattern” is initialized to “0”, the variable “Index” is initialized to “0”, and the Error Flag is reset.

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 reads the extracted character string corresponding to the current "Index" from the hard disk 55 (step S402), and performs a chapter character pattern search process (step S403).

  FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a chapter character pattern search process performed by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The processing of the chapter character pattern search will be described in detail below.

  First, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 initializes a variable (step S601). More specifically, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 initializes “Chapter Pattern” and “Chapter Pattern Index” (see FIG. 4A) to “1” and “0”, respectively.

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 extracts the first character of the extracted character string read in step S402 (step S602). Also, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 reads “several characters related to chapter number” (see FIG. 4A) corresponding to the current “Chapter Pattern” from the chapter number pattern stored in the hard disk 55 (step S603).

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether the extracted first character is equal to the read “several characters related to chapter number” (step S604). That is, when a description such as “X. ○ ○ ○” is present as the chapter display character string, the first character “X” is compared with the “several characters relating to the chapter number”.

  When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the extracted first character is equal to the read "several characters related to the chapter number" (step S604: YES), the "Index" and "Chapter Pattern" are associated with each other. , And the processing of the chapter character pattern search ends.

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the extracted first character is not equal to the read "several characters related to the chapter number" (step S604: NO), the current "Chapter Pattern" is "1. The number obtained by adding "" is newly set as "Chapter Pattern" (step S605).

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is "5" (step S606). If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is not "5" (step S606: NO), the chapter information acquisition unit 49 adds a "1" to the current "Chapter Pattern Index" to newly add "Chapter". It is set as "Pattern Index" (step S607). Thereafter, the process returns to step S603.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 that the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is "5" (step S606: YES), in other words, "several characters related to chapter number" corresponding to the first character Is not found, processing is performed on the assumption that there is a description such as "Chapter X XX" as the chapter display character string. That is, the processing of the chapter character pattern search is performed on the second character.

  When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines “YES” in step S606, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 initializes “Chapter Pattern Index” to “0” again (step S608).

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 extracts the second character of the extracted character string read in step S402 (step S609). Also, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 reads out “several characters related to the chapter number” (see FIG. 4A) corresponding to the current “Chapter Pattern” (step S610).

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether the extracted second character is equal to the read “several characters related to chapter number” (step S611). If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the extracted second character is equal to the read “several characters related to the chapter number” (step S 611: YES), such “Index” and “Chapter Pattern” It associates and stores, and ends the processing of the chapter character pattern search.

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquiring unit 49 determines that the extracted second character is not equal to the read "several characters related to the chapter number" (step S611: NO), the current "Chapter Pattern" is " A number obtained by adding "1" is newly set as "Chapter Pattern" (step S612).

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is "5" (step S613). When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is not "5" (step S613: NO), the chapter information acquisition unit 49 adds a "1" to the current "Chapter Pattern Index" to "Chapter". It is set as "Pattern Index" (step S614). Thereafter, the process returns to step S610.

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Chapter Pattern Index" is "5" (step S613: YES), in other words, "the number related to the chapter number corresponding to the second character If no character is found, the fact is stored in the hard disk 55 (step S615). Specifically, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 stores that “Chapter Pattern” is “0”, thereby indicating that “several characters relating to the chapter number” corresponding to the extracted character string read in step S402 does not exist. Remember.

  It returns to the explanation based on FIG. 7 again.

  In this manner, after the chapter character pattern search process is performed on the extracted extracted character string, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether “Chapter Pattern” is “0” (step S404). ).

  If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that "Chapter Pattern" is "0" (step S404: YES), that is, if there is no matching "several characters related to the chapter number", the current "Index" is It is determined whether it is equal to the "final Index" (step S415).

  If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Index" is equal to the "final Index" (step S415: YES), it sets an error flag (step S416). That is, when all the extracted character strings do not match any of the "several characters related to chapter number", the fact is stored by setting the Error Flag.

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Index" is not equal to the "final Index" (step S415: NO), the number obtained by adding "1" to the current "Index" is newly added. In step S417, the process returns to step S402, and the above-described process is performed on the next "index".

However, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that “Chapter Pattern” is not “0” (step S404: NO), the variable “Chapter Number Next Index” is set to “0” (step S405), and “Chapter "data" is initialized (step S406). Here, “Chapter data” is so-called two-dimensional data.

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 again reads out the extracted character string corresponding to the current "Index" from the hard disk 55 (step S407), and performs chapter number character matching verification processing (step S408).

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines the chapter number included in the chapter display character string based on the chapter number pattern in the chapter number character matching process, and the chapter number corresponding to the chapter number as an index. Associate and store column and chapter page numbers.

  FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the chapter number character matching process performed by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The process of chapter number character matching will be described in detail below.

  First, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 sets a variable (step S701). More specifically, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 sets the variable “Chapter Number” to “0”, and substitutes “Chapter Number Next Index” for the variable “Letter Index”.

  Here, “Letter Index” indicates the order of enumeration of several characters in “several characters related to chapter number” of the chapter number pattern shown in FIG. 4A, and the enumeration order is in ascending order. Also, "Chapter Number Next Index" starts from "0".

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether or not “Chapter Pattern” is “6 or less” for the extracted character string based on the processing result of the chapter character pattern search performed in step S 403 of FIG. 7. The determination is made (step S702). That is, it is determined whether the first character corresponds to the chapter number and the second character corresponds to the chapter number.

  If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that “Chapter Pattern” is “6” or less for the extracted character string (step S 702: YES), that is, if the first character corresponds to the chapter number, The number obtained by subtracting "1" from "Chapter Pattern" is substituted for "Chapter Pattern Index" (step S703), and the "Chapter Number Configuration" shown in FIG. 4B corresponding to the "Chapter Pattern Index" and "Letter Index". The number of characters is read out from the hard disk 55 (step S704).

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 extracts one or two characters from the first character of the extracted character string based on the "number of characters constituting the chapter number" (step S705).

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that “Chapter Pattern” is not less than “6” for the extracted character string (step S702: NO), that is, the second character corresponds to the chapter number. In this case, the number obtained by subtracting "7" from the "Chapter Pattern" is substituted for "Chapter Pattern Index" (step S709), and the "chapter" shown in FIG. 4B corresponding to the "Chapter Pattern Index" and "Letter Index". The number of characters constituting the number is read out from the hard disk 55 (step S710).

  The chapter information acquisition unit 49 extracts one or two characters from the second character based on the “number of characters constituting the chapter number” for the extracted character string (step S711). Hereinafter, one or two characters extracted in step S705 or step S711 are referred to as extracted characters.

  After the process of step S705 or step S711, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 reads out "several characters related to chapter number" of the chapter number pattern corresponding to the "Chapter Pattern Index" and the "Letter Index" (step S706). ). Further, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether or not the read “several characters related to chapter number” is equal to the extracted character (step S 707).

  When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the “several characters related to the chapter number” and the extracted characters are equal (step S 707: YES), “1” is added to the current “Letter Index”. A number is substituted as "Chapter Number" (step S708). The chapter number can be determined by this.

  On the other hand, when it is determined by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 that the read “several characters related to chapter number” is not equal to the extracted character (step S 707: NO), confirmation is made as to whether it matches the next chapter number. I do.

  That is, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 reads the final Letter Index table of FIG. 4C from the hard disk 55 (step S 712), and based on the final Letter Index table, whether the current “Letter Index” is equal to the final Letter Index The determination is made (step S713).

  If the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Letter Index" is not equal to the final Letter Index (step S713: NO), the number "Letter Index" plus "1" is added to the new "Letter". It substitutes as "Index" (step S714), and returns a process to step S702.

  On the other hand, if the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Letter Index" is equal to the final Letter Index (step S713: YES), that is, if the chapter number can not be determined, "Chapter Number" End the process of such chapter number character matching by leaving 0 ".

  It returns to the explanation based on FIG. 7 again.

  Thus, after the chapter number character matching collation process on the extracted extracted character string, the chapter information acquiring unit 49 determines whether "Chapter Number" is "0" (step S409). ). When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that “Chapter Number” is “0” (step S409: YES), the process proceeds to step S413.

  On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that “Chapter Number” is not “0” (Step S 409: NO), “Chapter Number” is substituted for “Chapter Number Next Index”, and the variable “Chapter Index” A numerical value obtained by subtracting "1" from "Chapter Number" is substituted for (Step S410).

  Next, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 stores the extracted character string read in step S407 as a chapter character string in, for example, the hard disk 55 in association with "Chapter Index" (step S411), The page number (chapter page number) relating to the extracted character string is stored in the hard disk 55 in association with "Chapter Index" (step S412).

  Also, the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines whether the current "Index" is equal to the "final Index" (step S413).

  When the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Index" is not equal to the "final Index" (step S413: NO), the number obtained by adding "1" to the current "Index" is newly added to the "Index". Then (step S414), the process returns to step S407.

On the other hand, when the chapter information acquisition unit 49 determines that the current "Index" is equal to the "final Index" (step S413: YES), the process is ended.
By the above processing, chapter information including a chapter number, a chapter character string corresponding to the chapter number, and a chapter page number is acquired.

  Returning to the explanation based on FIG. 3 again.

  As described above, after the chapter information acquisition unit 49 performs the process of acquiring the chapter information, the CPU 40 determines whether an error has occurred (step S104).

  If the error flag is set in step S103, the CPU 40 determines that an error has occurred (step S104: YES), and displays on the display unit that there is no chapter information (step S108). Thereafter, the process ends.

  If the Error Flag is not set in step S103, the CPU 40 determines that an error has not occurred (step S104: NO), and the missing complement unit 50 performs the missing complement processing (step S105).

  FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts for explaining the process of the dropout complementation performed by the dropout complement unit 50 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of the missing complement will be described in detail.

  The missing complement unit 50 initializes the variable (step S501). More specifically, "Chapter Index" is substituted for "Last Chapter Index" indicating the last chapter, and "1" is set for "Chapter Index". Also, substitute “1” for “Start Chapter Number Index”.

  Next, the missing complement unit 50 determines whether the "Last Chapter Index" is "0" (step S502). That is, since “Chapter Index” is a value obtained by subtracting “1” from “Chapter Number” in step S410, such determination determines whether such a document includes one or more chapters. Ru.

  If it is determined that the “Last Chapter Index” is “0” (step S 502: YES), that is, if there is one chapter, the dropout complementing unit 50 advances the process to step S 515.

  If it is determined that the “Last Chapter Index” is not “0” (step S 502: NO), that is, if there are a plurality of chapters, the missing complement unit 50 corresponds to the current “Chapter Index”. The chapter page number to be read is read out from the hard disk 55 (step S503).

  Next, the missing part complement unit 50 determines whether the chapter page number read out is equal to "0" (step S504). In other words, the missing part complement unit 50 determines whether or not there is a chapter page number corresponding to the chapter number according to the current "Chapter Index".

  If it is determined that the chapter page number read out is not equal to "0" (step S504: NO), it is determined whether or not the current "Chapter Index" is equal to the "Last Chapter Index". (Step S505).

  When it is determined that the current “Chapter Index” is equal to the “Last Chapter Index” (step S505: YES), the missing part complement unit 50 proceeds the process to step S515.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current "Chapter Index" is not equal to the "Last Chapter Index" (step S505: NO), the missing completion unit 50 substitutes the chapter page number for the variable "Chapter Page Start" Step S506) A number obtained by adding “1” to the current “Chapter Index” is newly set as “Chapter Index”, and “Chapter Index” is substituted for “Start Chapter Number Index” (Step S507). Thereafter, the process returns to step S503.

  However, if it is determined in step S504 that the missing chapter complementing section 50 determines that the read chapter page number is equal to "0" (step S504: YES), in other words, if there is a missing chapter number, it is missing. The variable "Adjust Chapter Number" representing the number of chapter numbers is set to "0" (step S508).

  Next, the missing completion unit 50 newly sets a number obtained by adding "1" to the current "Adjust Chapter Number" as "Adjust Chapter Number" (step S509), and "1" in the current "Chapter Index". The added number is newly set as "Chapter Index" (step S510).

  Further, the missing part complement unit 50 reads out the chapter page number corresponding to the current "Chapter Index" from the hard disk 55 (step S511).

  Next, the missing part complement unit 50 determines whether the read chapter page number is equal to "0" (step S512). In other words, the missing part complement unit 50 determines whether or not there is a chapter page number corresponding to the chapter number according to the current "Chapter Index".

  If it is determined that the chapter page number read out is equal to “0” (step S 512: YES), the process is returned to step S 509, and calculation of the chapter number missing in ascending order is continued.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the chapter page number read out is not equal to “0” (step S 512: NO), the missing part complementing unit 50 performs the first complementation processing relating to the missing complement (step S 513).

  12 and 13 are flowcharts for explaining the process of the first complementation performed by the missing part complementing unit 50 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of the first complement will be described in detail.

  The missing complement unit 50 initializes a variable (step S801). More specifically, the missing completion unit 50 substitutes the variable "Page Index" for the first page number "Chapter Page Start" in the chapter, and the last page "Page End Index" for the next chapter. Substitute "Chapter Page-1" by subtracting "1" from the chapter page number. In addition, the missing completion unit 50 substitutes “Start Chapter Number Index” into “Chapter Number Next Index” that indicates the next chapter.

  The missing part complement unit 50 reads out the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page Index" from the document image data, and detects the number of lines in the image data (step S802).

  Next, the missing part complement unit 50 substitutes a numerical value obtained by subtracting “1” from the detected number of lines into “Line End Index” indicating the final line (step S 803), and “1” in “Line Index”. Is substituted (step S804). That is, such processing is performed from the second line except for the chapter character string.

  Also, the missing part complement unit 50 reads out the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page Index", and extracts the character string data related to the line corresponding to the current "Line Index" (step S805).

  The missing character complementing unit 50 determines whether the character size of the extracted character string data is equal to the character size corresponding to the predetermined maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S806).

  If it is determined that the character size of the extracted character string data is not equal to the character size corresponding to the maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S806: NO), the process proceeds to step S814 .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the character size of the extracted character string data is equal to the character size corresponding to the maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S806: YES), the missing character complementing unit 50 extracts the extracted character string data The chapter information acquisition unit 49 performs the chapter number character matching check process (step S807). The processing of the chapter number character matching by the chapter information acquisition unit 49 has already been described in FIG. 9, and the detailed description will be omitted.

  Thus, after the chapter number character matching process, the missing character complementing unit 50 determines whether the "Chapter Number" is "0" (step S808). When it is determined that the "Chapter Number" is "0" (step S808: YES), the missing part complement unit 50 proceeds with the process to step S814.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the "Chapter Number" is not "0" (Step S808: NO), the missing completion unit 50 substitutes "Chapter Number" for the "Chapter Number Next Index", and sets the variable "Chapter Index". The value of "Chapter Number" minus "1" is substituted (Step S809).

  Next, the missing complement unit 50 stores the character string data read in step S805 as a chapter character string, for example, in the hard disk 55, in association with "Chapter Index" (step S810). A numerical value obtained by adding “1” to the current “Page Index” in association with “Index” is stored in the hard disk 55 as a chapter page number (step S811).

  Since one missing chapter (missing chapter number) is detected by the above processing, the numerical value obtained by subtracting "1" from the "Adjust Chapter Number" is substituted for a new "Adjust Chapter Number" (step S812). .

  Next, the missing part complement unit 50 determines whether the current "Adjust Chapter Number" is "0" (step S813). If it is determined by the missing complement unit 50 that the current "Adjust Chapter Number" is "0" (step S813: YES), since there is no missing chapter number, the processing of the first complement is ended.

  If it is determined that the current "Adjust Chapter Number" is not "0" (step S813: NO), the missing complement unit 50 determines whether the current "Line Index" is equal to the "Line End Index". (Step S814).

  When it is determined that the current "Line Index" is not equal to the "Line End Index" (step S814: NO), the missing part complement unit 50 newly adds a number obtained by adding "1" to the current "Line Index". To “Line Index” (step S815), and the process returns to step S805 again.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current "Line Index" is equal to the "Line End Index" (step S814: YES), the missing complement unit 50 processes the page image data related to the current "Page Index". If it has ended, it is judged again whether or not the current "Page Index" is equal to the "Page End Index" (step S816).

  When it is determined that the current “Page Index” is not equal to the “Page End Index” (step S 816: NO), the missing complement unit 50 newly adds a number obtained by adding “1” to the current “Page Index”. To “Page Index” (step S 817), and the process returns to step S 802. That is, the same process is performed on the next page.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current "Page Index" is equal to the "Page End Index" (Step S816: YES), the missing complement unit 50 sets an Error Flag (Step S818), and performs the first complement processing. finish. That is, it stores that there is a missing chapter number that can not be complemented.

  It returns to the explanation of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 again.

  As described above, after the process of the first complement is completed, the missing complement unit 50 determines whether the current "Chapter Index" is equal to the "Last Chapter Index" (step S514).

  When it is determined that the current "Chapter Index" is not equal to the "Last Chapter Index" (step S514: NO), the missing complement unit 50 returns the process to step S506 again.

  Further, when it is determined that the current “Chapter Index” is equal to the “Last Chapter Index” (step S514: YES), the missing part complement unit 50 advances the process to step S515.

  That is, if it is determined in step S514 that the current "Chapter Index" is equal to the "Last Chapter Index", or if it is determined in step S502 that the "Last Chapter Index" is "0". In the final chapter (including the case where there is only one chapter), handle the completion of the missing chapter number.

  The missing part complement unit 50 acquires the final page number based on the document image data (step S515).

  Next, the missing part complement unit 50 sets a value obtained by adding “1” to “Chapter Page” in “Chapter Page”, and sets “Adjust Chapter Number” to “0” (step S516). Also, the missing part complement unit 50 reads out the chapter page number corresponding to “Last Chapter Index” from the hard disk 55 (step S517).

  Thereafter, the missing part complementing unit 50 performs the second complementing process related to the missing part complementation (step S518).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the second complementation performed by the missing part complementing unit 50 in the copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of the second complement will be described in detail.

  The missing complement unit 50 initializes a variable (step S901). This process is the same as the process of step S801 in FIG. 12, and thus the detailed description is omitted. Further, the missing part complementing unit 50 reads the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page Index" from the document image data, and detects the number of lines in the image data (step S902).

  Next, the missing complement unit 50 substitutes a numerical value obtained by subtracting "1" from the detected number of lines into "Line End Index" indicating the final line (step S903), and substitutes "1" into "Line Index". (Step S904).

  Also, the missing part complement unit 50 reads the image data of the page corresponding to the current "Page Index", and extracts the character string data related to the line corresponding to the current "Line Index" (step S905). The missing character complementing unit 50 determines whether the character size of the extracted character string data is equal to the character size corresponding to the predetermined maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S 906).

  If it is determined that the character size of the extracted character string data is not equal to the character size corresponding to the maximum character size “Letter Size” (step S 906: NO), the process proceeds to step S 912. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the character size of the extracted character string data is equal to the character size corresponding to the maximum character size "Letter Size" (step S906: YES), the missing character complementing unit 50 extracts the extracted character string data The chapter information acquisition unit 49 executes the chapter number character matching collation process (step S 907).

  As described above, after the chapter number character matching process, the missing character complementing unit 50 determines whether "Chapter Number" is "0" (step S908). When it is determined that the "Chapter Number" is "0" (step S908: YES), the missing part complement unit 50 proceeds the process to step S912.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that “Chapter Number” is not “0” (Step S 908: NO), the missing completion unit 50 substitutes “Chapter Number” for the “Chapter Number Next Index”, and sets “Chapter Index” for the variable. The value of “Chapter Number” minus “1” is substituted (Step S 909).

  Next, the missing completion unit 50 stores the character string data read in step S 905 as a chapter character string in association with “Chapter Index” (step S 910), and in association with “Chapter Index”. A numerical value obtained by adding "1" to the current "Page Index" is stored as a chapter page number (step S911).

  The missing part complement unit 50 determines whether the current "Line Index" is equal to the "Line End Index" (step S912). When it is determined that the current "Line Index" is not equal to the "Line End Index" (step S912: NO), the missing part complement unit 50 newly adds a number obtained by adding "1" to the current "Line Index". To "Line Index" (step S913), and the process returns to step S905.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current “Line Index” is equal to the “Line End Index” (step S 912: YES), the missing complement unit 50 again sets the current “Page Index” as the “Page End Index”. It is determined whether they are equal (step S914).

  When it is determined that the current “Page Index” is not equal to the “Page End Index” (step S 914: NO), the missing complement unit 50 newly adds a number obtained by adding “1” to the current “Page Index”. To "Page Index" (step S915), and the process returns to step S902.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current “Page Index” is equal to the “Page End Index” (step S 914: YES), the missing complement unit 50 ends the processing of the second complement.

  By performing the above process, the process of the missing complementation shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is completed.

  Returning to the explanation based on FIG. 3 again.

  As described above, after the process of the missing complementation is performed by the missing complement unit 50, the CPU 40 determines whether an error has occurred (step S106).

  For example, if the error flag is set in step S105, the CPU 40 determines that an error has occurred (step S106: YES), and displays on the display unit that there is a missing chapter (step S107). Thereafter, the process ends.

  If the error flag is not set in step S105, the CPU 40 determines that an error has not occurred (step S106: NO), and the chapter division processing according to the present embodiment ends.

  According to the processing described above, in the present embodiment, the chapter image information (chapter number, chapter character string, chapter page number, etc. is included for each chapter easily and appropriately for such manuscript image data). Can be divided into chapters and stored.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, when printing (image formation) based on the document image data of such a document using chapter information divided into chapters in this manner, so-called matching between chapters and chapters is made. Paper (specific paper) can be inserted to facilitate user distinction of the chapters. At this time, the CPU 40 may be configured to play a role as a so-called insertion unit. Further, the read document image data can be divided into chapters and stored, and can correspond to the printing instruction for each chapter in the following.

  In addition, it is also possible to create a table of contents in which titles of each chapter are described using chapter information divided into chapters.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, detection of the maximum character size is performed (step S101), and a character string having the detected maximum character size is extracted as a chapter display character string candidate (step S102), and the extracted character string The chapter information is acquired (step S103) and then the missing complement process is performed (step S105).

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the process of the missing complement may be omitted. Even if the omission complementing process is omitted, the chapter division process is not impeded, and the process is shortened and the burden on the apparatus can be reduced.

Third Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the omission of the process of the missing complement is described, but the present invention is not limited to the above description.

  For example, in the case of an original consisting of all N chapters, the missing complement process is the missing complement process (steps S503 to S514) for each page from the first chapter to the N-1th chapter, and the Nth (final And the process of missing complementation (steps S515 to S518) for each page of the chapter.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any one of the processing of "step S503 to step S514" and the processing of "step S515 to step S518", for example, only the processing of "step S503 to step S514" You may configure it.

  As a result, in the third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the apparatus side by shortening the processing and to take measures against the chapter omission.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus 1 which performs processing of sorting document image data for documents of a plurality of pages into chapters, character recognition processing is performed on the document image data, and A character size detection unit 47 for detecting character size, a character string extraction unit 48 for extracting a character string having the maximum character size, and a chapter number pattern representing chapter division on a chapter start page A chapter information acquisition for extracting a number based on the pattern from the storage unit 55 and the extracted character string extracted by the character string extraction unit 48 and acquiring a page number related to the extracted character string from the document image data The storage unit 55 is characterized by storing the extracted character string and the page number in association with the extracted number.

  According to the present invention, the character size detection unit performs character recognition processing on the document image data to detect a maximum character size, and the character string extraction unit extracts a character string having the maximum character size. The chapter information acquisition unit extracts a number based on the pattern from the extracted character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, and acquires a page number related to the extracted character string from the document image data and is extracted The extracted character string and the page number are stored in association with numbers.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, when there are a plurality of extracted numbers, the number of missing numbers in the ascending and descending order is determined based on the numbers and page numbers acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit 49, and the remaining numbers are calculated. A feature of the present invention is to provide a missing complement unit 50 that complements.

  According to the present invention, when there are a plurality of extracted numbers, the missing complement unit determines the number of the missing digits in the ascending / descending order based on the numbers and the page numbers acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit and determines the missing digits. To complement.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, when the number extracted is one, the missing part complementing the missing number with respect to the range defined by the page number and the final page number of the document. It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, when the number extracted is one, the missing portion complements the missing number in a range defined by the page number and the final page number of the document.

  In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the character size detection unit 47 performs the detection only on the character string on the first line of each page.

  According to the present invention, the character size detection unit performs processing of detecting the maximum character size only for the character string on the first line of each page.

  In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the character string extraction unit 48 performs the extraction only on the character string on the first line of each page.

  According to the present invention, the character string extraction unit performs processing of extracting a character string having the maximum character size only for the character string on the first line of each page.

  In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the chapter information acquiring unit 49 searches for an extracted character string in which the first one or more characters of the extracted character string match the pattern, and the extracted character searched It is characterized in that a digit is extracted from the column that matches the chapter number included in the corresponding pattern.

  According to the present invention, the chapter information acquisition unit searches for an extracted character string in which the first one or more characters of the extracted character strings match the pattern of the chapter number, and the extracted character string searched for From this, the numbers matching the chapter numbers included in the corresponding pattern are extracted as chapter numbers.

  In an embodiment 7 of the present invention, the image processing apparatus according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-like recording medium, a tray containing specific paper, and At the time of performing image formation, it is characterized by including an inserting section for inserting a specific sheet at chapter switching based on the result of the process.

  According to the present invention, when performing the image formation, the insertion unit inserts the specific sheet stored in the tray at the switching of the chapter based on the result of the chapter classification process by the image processing apparatus.

  In the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the image forming unit associates the numeral and page number of the extracted character string acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit 49 with the extracted character string, and It is characterized in that image formation is performed.

  According to the present invention, the image forming unit forms an image of a table of contents relating to the document. That is, the numbers and page numbers related to the extracted character string acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit are associated with the extracted character string, and an image is formed as a table of contents.

  In the ninth embodiment of the present invention, a storage unit 55 storing a chapter number pattern representing division of chapters at the beginning of a chapter page is provided, and image processing is performed on document image data related to a plurality of pages of documents. In the chapter division processing method of performing classification processing for each chapter in the image processing apparatus 1 for performing character recognition, character recognition processing is performed on the document image data to detect the maximum character size, and the character having the maximum character size A row is extracted, a digit is extracted from the extracted extracted character string based on the pattern stored in the storage unit 55, a page number related to the extracted indication character string is acquired from the document image data, and extracted The extracted character string and the page number are stored in association with the designated number.

  According to the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, character recognition processing is performed on the document image data to detect a maximum character size, and a character string having the maximum character size is extracted and stored in the storage unit. Based on the current pattern, a number is extracted from the extracted extracted character string, a page number related to the extracted indication character string is acquired from the document image data, and the extracted character string is associated with the extracted digit. And the page number is stored.

1 copier 40 CPU
44 image formation control unit 47 character size detection unit 48 character string extraction unit 49 chapter information acquisition unit 50 missing complement unit 55 hard disk 210 image formation unit 43 image preparation control unit

Claims (9)

In an image processing apparatus that performs processing of sorting document image data related to documents of a plurality of pages for each chapter,
A character size detection unit that performs character recognition processing on the document image data and detects a maximum character size;
A character string extraction unit that extracts a character string having the maximum character size;
A storage section that stores a chapter number pattern representing a chapter division on the chapter start page,
And a chapter information acquisition unit that extracts a number based on the pattern from the extracted character string extracted by the character string extraction unit, and acquires a page number related to the extracted character string from the document image data;
The image processing apparatus, wherein the storage unit stores the extracted character string and the page number in association with the extracted number.   When the number extracted is plural, the number of missing numbers in the ascending and descending order is obtained based on the numbers and page numbers acquired by the chapter information acquiring portion, and a missing value complementing portion that complements the missing numbers is provided. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   The missing part complementing part performs complementing of the missing number with respect to a range defined by the page number and the last page number of the document when the extracted number is one. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the character size detection unit performs the detection only on the character string on the first line of each page.   The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the character string extraction unit performs the extraction only on the character string on the first line of each page. The chapter information acquisition unit
Searching for an extracted character string in which the first one or more characters of the extracted character string match the pattern;
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a number matching the chapter number included in the corresponding pattern is extracted from the extracted extracted character string. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet-like recording medium;
A tray containing specific paper,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an inserting section for inserting a specific sheet at chapter switching based on a result of the processing when forming the image.   The image forming unit performs image formation of a table of contents related to the document by associating numbers and page numbers related to the extracted character string acquired by the chapter information acquiring unit with the extracted character string. Item 8. An image forming apparatus according to item 7. The image processing apparatus is provided with a storage unit that stores a chapter number pattern indicating chapter divisions at the beginning of a chapter page, and performs image processing on original image data related to a plurality of pages of original In the chapter division processing method that performs processing to separate
Character recognition processing is performed on the document image data to detect a maximum character size,
Extract a string having the maximum character size,
Based on the pattern stored in the storage unit, a number is extracted from the extracted extracted character string, and a page number related to the extracted character string is acquired from the document image data,
And storing the extracted character string and the page number in association with the extracted number.

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