JPH0721344A - Image forming storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily retrieve the desired index information on an index sheet so as to speedily obtain the image information corresponding thereto. CONSTITUTION:A file of each directory fetched from a storage medium is fetched in order, an index picture image (index information) is fetched therefrom, and by a relative order discrimination processing, the relative order of plural index picture images is discriminated based on a prescribed condition (a feature obtained from the index picture image itself and a feature of a document to which its picture image belongs, etc.), and the order of the index picture image formed on paper is controlled based on the relative order of its discriminated index picture image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention stores image information received from an external device or image information of a read original in a storage medium together with corresponding index information in document units, and stores the stored image information as needed. The present invention relates to an image forming storage device capable of forming an image on a sheet and outputting (printing out) it, and forming an image on the sheet of stored index information to output an index sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an optical filing system has been developed and spread in order to organize a large amount of documents created or collected in an office or the like in a space-efficient manner so that they can be used at any time. However, the conventional optical filing system is generally expensive and requires complicated and sophisticated operations, so that it cannot be easily used by anyone.

Therefore, for example, a digital copying machine constructed by combining an image reading means (scanner) for reading an image of a document and an image forming means such as a laser printer is integrally provided with an optical disk device as a means for storing and managing image information. The provided image forming storage device has been developed.

In such an image forming storage device,
For example, JP-A-3-291753 and JP-A-3-2975
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1754 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-10067, the image of a document is read and its image information (document information) is stored and stored on a storage medium in document units, and the stored document information is stored. To create abstract information (index information) corresponding to each document information, form an image on paper, and create an index (abstract)
It has been proposed to output a sheet.

[0005]

In the conventional image forming storage device described above, the arrangement of each index information (image) formed on the index sheet is determined by the position (order) of the document (image information) in the storage medium. ), Each index information seems to be arranged in order of the input time (including the time) at first glance.

However, the arrangement of files in the storage medium differs depending on the logical configuration method of the storage medium. Further, due to processing such as deleting a document, the order in the storage medium and the order of input times may be different. Furthermore, in the case of a logical structure having a plurality of directories, it is advantageous that the input documents can be arranged in different directories, and therefore the arrangement is different from the input order.

Therefore, when the user wants to obtain a desired document, he has to search the index information on the index sheet corresponding to the document, but there is a disadvantage that the search takes a lot of time. Therefore, when a plurality of similar documents are required at the same time, the above-mentioned search will take much time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to easily retrieve desired index information on an index sheet and quickly obtain image information of a corresponding document. The purpose is to do so.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing image information together with corresponding index information in document units, and image formation of the index information stored by the means on a sheet. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, an image forming storage device provided with an index sheet output means for outputting an index sheet is provided with the following respective means.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, index information relative order determination means for determining the relative order of a plurality of index information based on a predetermined condition is provided, and the index sheet output means determines the index information relative order determination means. It is provided with means for controlling the order of the index information formed on the sheet based on the relative order of the generated index information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the index information relative order determination means is means for using a characteristic obtained from the index information itself as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index information relative order determination means is the size of the image forming the index information.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index image relative order discrimination means is an attribute obtained from a character included in an image forming the index information. According to the invention of claim 5, the attribute obtained from the characters included in the upper image is the size of the characters appearing in the image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the attribute obtained from the characters included in the image is the interval between the characters appearing in the image. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the attribute obtained from the characters included in the image is the spacing between lines appearing in the image. . According to the invention of claim 8, the attribute obtained from the character included in the image is the type of the character appearing in the image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index information relative order discrimination means is an attribute relating to a layout obtained from an image forming the index information.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the direction of the line appearing in the image.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the direction of the image. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the amount of character information in the image. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the amount of information other than the character information in the image. According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, information other than the character information in the image is used as a picture area included in the image.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is used as information about ruled lines in the image. According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the specific pixel amount in the image. According to the invention of claim 17, the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is used as the information of the column appearing in the image.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the index information relative order determination means is means for using the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition. The invention of claim 19 relates to claim 18
In the image forming / storing device, a document reading unit for reading an image of a document and a time measuring unit for measuring time are provided, and the storage unit is provided with a unit for storing a reading time of the document by the document reading unit as a time stamp. The characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs is the time stamp stored in the storage means.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming storage device according to the eighteenth aspect, an original reading unit for reading an image of an original and a personal name input unit for inputting a name of a person who has read the image of the original by the unit. Is provided in the storage means,
Means for storing the name of the person input by the person name input means together with the image information of the document are provided, and the feature of the document to which the index information belongs is the name of the person stored in the storage means.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the invention, in the image forming storage device of the eighteenth aspect, a document name input means for inputting the document name of the document to be stored is provided, and the storage means inputs the document name together with the image information of the document. The document name input by the means is stored, and the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs is the document name stored in the storage means.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, the image forming storage device according to any one of the first to twenty-first aspects is provided with means for inputting an attribute for determining the relative order of the index information. The invention of claim 23 relates to claims 1 to 21.
In any one of the image forming storage devices described above, means for inputting the attribute for determining the relative order of the index information and its priority order is provided.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the above-mentioned image forming storage devices, as a feature for relative order for discriminating which feature in the index sheet output by the index sheet output means, the index information. It is provided with a means for outputting whether or not it has been used.

[0022]

In the image forming storage device according to the present invention, the index information relative order discriminating means discriminates the relative order of a plurality of index information based on a predetermined condition, and the index sheet output means discriminates the discriminated index information. Since the order of the index information formed on the paper is controlled based on the relative order, the user can know the order of the index information formed on the index sheet, and the desired index The location of the information is known, which makes the search easier.

The index information relative order determining means obtains from the characteristics obtained from the index information itself as the predetermined condition, for example, the size of the image forming the index information and the characters included in the image forming the index information. Attributes (character spacing between characters or lines appearing in the image, type of characters, etc.), or attributes related to the layout obtained from the images that make up the index information (direction of lines appearing in the image, image direction, character information in the image) The amount of information, the amount of information other than the character information in the image (the area of the picture included in the image), the information about the ruled lines in the image, the amount of specific pixels in the image, the information about the columns that appear in the image, etc. If it is used as an attribute, when the user needs a plurality of similar documents at the same time, it is characterized that they are similar. Without having, each of its index information is likely looking for.

Alternatively, the index information relative order discriminating means determines the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs as the predetermined condition, for example, the reading time (time stamp) of the document or the name or document name of the person who has read the document. Even if it is used as the reference attribute, the user can easily search for the desired index information on the output index sheet.

Further, by inputting an attribute for determining the relative order of the index information, or by inputting an attribute for determining the relative order of the index information and its priority, it is possible to respond to the user's intention. Since it is possible to output an index sheet, it becomes easier to search for desired index information. Further, by outputting which feature is used as the feature for the relative order for determining the index information in the index sheet output by the index sheet output means,
The user can easily retrieve the desired index information when using the index sheet later.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. As an embodiment of the image forming storage device according to the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine will be described in terms of its configuration and basic processing.

<Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital copying machine as a typical example of the image forming storage device according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 is a digital copying machine (main body), which is mounted on a table 11. It is placed. The digital copying machine 1 is provided with an operation unit 2, a document pressure plate 12, a main switch (power switch) 15, etc., and a paper feed cassette 13 for storing paper as a recording medium can be detachably attached to the paper feed side of the main body. It is mounted, and a paper discharge tray or sorter 14 is mounted on the paper discharge side.

The original pressing plate 12 has its rear end hinged to the main body so that it can be opened and closed, and covers and presses the original placed on the contact glass provided on the upper surface of the main body. In the digital copying machine 1, a scanner unit which is a reading unit that optically scans the lower surface of a document placed on the contact glass to read the image as image data, and image data based on the read image data A storage unit that stores the image data of the storage unit 13
Prints on the paper fed from the sorter 14
The printer unit includes a printer unit that discharges paper to a bin, a control unit that controls the entire digital copying machine 1 including these units, performs data processing, and the like.

It should be noted that a paper feed cassette or a large-volume paper feed unit can be mounted in the table 11 so as to provide a paper feed mechanism therefor, a double-sided unit for the printer unit to perform double-sided printing, and a control unit. It is also possible to incorporate a controller or the like forming a part. Details of the operation unit 2 having the operation and display functions of the digital copying machine 1 will be described later.

Further, an automatic document feeder (ADF) can be mounted instead of the document pressure plate 12. In that case,
When a plurality of originals are set on the original tray of the ADF and the reading is started, the originals are sequentially fed onto the contact glass one by one from the upper side or the lower side, and the image is read.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of the digital copying machine 1, which is the operation section 2, the storage section 3, and the above-mentioned.
It comprises a scanner section 4, a printer section 5, a control section 6, a mode setting section 7, an original input section 8, an index sheet output section 9, and an index sheet utilization operation section 10 according to the present invention.

The operation unit 2 comprises input means for performing various operations and display means for displaying various states and image images. Through this operation unit 2, the user sends a command to the digital copying machine 1 and obtains the information displayed there. A key switch or the like is typical as the input means, and a display device using a cathode ray tube or a display device using liquid crystal is typical as the display means. Alternatively, a display / input combined device such as a touch panel that can be used as both a display device and an input device may be used.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the appearance of the operation unit 2. In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a display / input combined device using a touch panel. Further, the operation unit 2 assigns a frequently used function to one key. For example, a start key 22, an interrupt key 23, a mode switching key 24, a clear / stop key 25, a numeric keypad 26 for inputting numbers (designating the number of sheets and magnification), an automatic paper selection key 27, a paper selection key 2
8, equal magnification key 29, automatic magnification selection key 30, variable magnification key 3
1, a group of keys such as a double-sided function key 32 for setting functions of a so-called digital copying machine, and a copy mode setting key 33,
Index output key 34, index use key 35
There are keys for functions unique to this invention such as.

Functions other than these dedicated keys are selected by operating the mode switching key 24 or the like to display a guide for function selection on the display / input device 21 and touching each guide position. It can be so.

The storage unit 3 in FIG. 1 is for storing the image data read by the scanner unit 4, and comprises a storage medium 40 and a storage medium operation unit 41 as shown in FIG. The storage medium 40 is typically a magneto-optical disk 42 or the like, but may be a large-capacity storage medium for storing an optical image, such as an online storage memory 43 such as a hard disk (magnetic disk).

The image data read from the original by the scanner unit 4 is stored in the storage medium 40 as one unit (file) for each reading of one unit. Further, in the storage medium 40, a plurality of files are collectively managed in the form of a directory. The storage medium 40 writes therein information for identifying the storage medium itself in the form of volume information.

The storage medium operating unit 41 comprises a logical operating unit 44 and physical operating units 45, 45. The logic operation unit 44 is
According to the instruction from the control unit 6 of the digital copying machine 1,
The physical operation unit 45 is used to operate the storage medium 40, and the operation is performed using the logical structure name of the storage medium 40. The physical operation unit 45 replaces an instruction from the logical operation unit 44 with a physical operation instruction to directly access (write, read, edit, etc.) the storage medium 40, and the type of the storage medium 40 (magneto-optical disk). 42, the memory 43 for online storage, etc.).

The scanner unit 4 in FIG. 1 operates according to a command from the document input unit 8, optically scans the document set on the above-mentioned contact glass, and detects the image by a CCD image sensor or the like. , Output as a picture image. The scanner unit may include a device for dynamically processing a read document such as the above-described automatic document feeder (ADF) as a part thereof.

The printer unit 5 receives the image image read by the scanner unit 4, the image image read out from the storage unit 3, or the image image formed by the index sheet output unit 9 (index sheet image), and on the paper. To print. To the printer unit 5, a paper feeding / conveying device for feeding a paper to a position for forming an image, a photoconductor drum and an image forming process device for charging, exposing, developing, transferring, fixing, etc., and ejecting a printed paper. Including equipment.

The control unit 6 detects various states and notifies them to each unit, distributes necessary processing to each unit, and notifies the necessary processing units as processing instructions. Control unit 6
There is state detection means for monitoring the change in the state of each part, and it constantly monitors the state of each part, rewrites necessary status information as necessary, and generates an interrupt event to each part. Communicate changes in state.

In the following explanation of the operation, it is described that one unit directly operates another unit, or one unit operates by directly receiving information from another unit. By issuing or receiving an operation command to another section via the, the processing is performed in that section. However, the reason for passing through the control unit 6 is to make it possible to easily maintain uniformity and consistency, and is not essential.

The mode setting unit 7 sets the mode of each unit according to the input from the user sent through the operation unit 2 and the state of the digital copying machine 1. (As described above, the operation is performed indirectly through the control unit.)

The document input unit 8 activates the scanner unit 4 in response to a user's instruction to read the image of the document and temporarily store it as an image image in the memory (image buffer) of the intermediate storage area. Then, the read image of the original is sent to the storage unit 3 or the printer unit 5.

The index sheet output unit 9 reads out index image data from the storage unit 3 in accordance with a command from the user, forms an index sheet image, and prints it out on paper through the printer unit 5.

The index sheet use operation unit 10 causes the scanner unit 4 to read the index sheet set on the contact glass of the document input unit 8, and in response to an instruction on the index sheet or an instruction sent through the operation unit 2. Then, the storage unit 3 is operated. Alternatively, the image data is read from the storage unit 3 according to the instruction, and the image is formed on the paper through the printer unit 5.

In this embodiment, the respective units 6 to 10 enclosed by a broken line in FIG. 1 store a main arithmetic unit (CPU) and a data memory such as a RAM associated therewith, and a processing program of each processing unit. Program memory such as ROM,
And a general von Neumann type computer system including an auxiliary circuit such as an input / output circuit (I / O). However, it is fully possible to realize with hard-wired logic. Also, it is all right to realize all of these parts with one computer system.

Further, as the memory of the intermediate storage area for processing and storing the image image and the state of the mode, each section may store its own memory, or the common memory may store the respective intermediate storage areas. It may be provided. In the following description, it is assumed that each unit has its own intermediate storage area memory.

<Logical Structure of Storage Medium> Here, the logical structure will be described assuming that a typical magneto-optical disk 42 is used as the storage medium 40 of the storage section 3 shown in FIG. The magneto-optical disk has a logical structure as shown in FIG. 5 or 6. In these figures, those enclosed in {} are elements that allow repetition, and those enclosed in [] are optional and optional elements. A :: = ab is A
Means a sequence of abs.

The head area of a magneto-optical disk (hereinafter also simply referred to as "disk") stores information about the volume of the disk. In this area, there are a disc (medium) ID given when the disc is initialized, an initialization date and time, a final writing date and time of the disc, and the like. Also, the disk has a directory structure. The configuration is such that one disk can store n directories.

The directory file is composed of a directory name, a time stamp (final writing date and time) to the directory, the number of files included in the directory, and a list of pairs of the file and the access pointer. This directory is set to group any number of files for easy management. The file must belong to some directory. Therefore, the first directory is used as an unnamed directory, and is used as a default directory unless otherwise specified by the user.

A file is a unit in a disk for collectively storing and managing images related to one reading unit. In the logical structure shown in FIG. 5, this file has a file name, the last writing date and time, a comment character string (comment), accompanying information, image information, and index information. As the accompanying information, paper size and orientation, image orientation, document type, ADF usage information, and the like can be considered.

As the image information, the number of images and image image data corresponding to the number are stored. Further, as the image accompanying information, information on both sides and the like, and information such as a special paper size for allowing the change of the paper size in the same file are entered.
The index information contains the number of index images and the number of index image image data.

In the case of the logical structure shown in FIG. 6, instead of holding the index information separately, an index image flag is provided in the image accompanying information to indicate whether or not it is an index image. As for this part, it is only necessary to know which image is the index image after all, and various logical configurations are conceivable.
The processing logic of the actual call of the index image may differ due to the configuration of this portion, but it is not related to the essence of the present invention unless otherwise stated. In the following description, the logical structure shown in FIG. 5 is assumed unless otherwise specified.

<Processing Flow> Next, the processing flow of the part of the digital copying machine by the computer system surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG.

FIG. 7 shows an outline (main routine) of the overall processing flow. When the main switch 15 shown in FIG. 2 is turned on (turned on) and the power is turned on, the control unit 6 of FIG. 1 is activated, and first, step 1 (in the drawings and the following description, the step is abbreviated as “S”). Then, each unit is initialized, and then in S2, a standby state is entered, and if there are various state changes, the processing associated therewith is performed.

That is, in the standby state of S2, the control unit 6
Each time a state change is detected, the state change or instruction is notified to each section, and each section performs processing according to the instruction. Main switch 15 is turned off (turns off)
Then, the control unit 6 detects this, performs post-processing of each unit in S3, and ends the process.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of the subroutine of the state change detection in the standby state and the processing associated therewith in the main routine of FIG. In the standby state, the control unit 6 waits for a change in the state of each unit (including a change in the input of an instruction) in S21, and when a state change is detected, the process proceeds to the next S22 and the power is turned off.
It is determined whether it is FF. If it is OFF, this process is ended and the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 7 to perform post-processing of each part and then end all the processes. OF
If it is not F (if it is ON), the process proceeds to the subroutine of S23, and the processing in each unit is performed according to the state change.

The state change of each section includes a change of input due to receipt of a user's instruction from the operation section 2 and a change of state of each processing section and detection of an error state. If the state change (hereinafter also referred to as “event”) is accompanied by the end of the file, the process of bringing the file into the read end state is performed.

The contents of this processing are shown in FIG. First, S2
In 4 it is judged whether it is an event to make the file end state,
If YES, the file end state is set, and if NO, the process directly proceeds to S26 and thereafter.

The event for setting the file end state is, for example, a mode change from the user such as setting of an automatic paper selection (hereinafter also referred to as “APS”) function and an automatic magnification selection (hereinafter also referred to as “AMS”) function. Instructions, user actions such as setting documents in the automatic document feeder (ADF),
Timer interrupt due to the fact that the state has not changed for a certain period of time from an event (in this case, a timekeeping means is required)
Etc. are possible.

The instructions from the operation unit 2 are roughly divided into "command for mode setting (including various state changes)", "copy command", "command for outputting index sheet", and "command for using index sheet". 9 and discriminates it in S26 to S29 of FIG. 9, and proceeds to any of S30 to S33 according to the discrimination result, and respectively sets the mode setting unit 7, the document input unit 8, the index sheet output unit 9, or the index. The sheet use operation unit 10 is started, and “mode setting processing (including internal state setting)”, “manuscript input processing”, “index sheet output processing”, or “index sheet use processing” is started according to the type of event. Execute processing. Then, when this process ends, FIG.
Return to S21 (standby state).

<Explanation of each process and each mode> Here, in FIG. 9, "mode setting process" in S30, "manuscript input process" in S31, "index sheet output process" in S32, and "S33" in FIG. The processing using the index sheet "and each mode thereof will be described in detail.

(1) Mode setting process (FIG. 10) The mode setting unit 7 is activated and the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed to set the mode of each unit. First, it is judged whether or not the mode can be set at present, and if the mode is NO, processing such as error display is performed and the processing is terminated.

If YES (a mode that can be set), then it is determined whether or not the accompanying information is necessary. If YES, a request display of the accompanying information and input of the accompanying information based on the request are displayed, and then NO. If there is, the process immediately proceeds to the process of setting the mode of each unit according to the set mode (and accompanying information). When the setting is completed, the process ends.

In this mode setting, naturally, there may be another mode which is automatically turned off when a certain mode is set. For example, setting the APS function cancels the AMS function. Also, the modes associated with physical operations are handled in the same manner. For example, the control unit 6 detects a physical operation and sends a command corresponding to the physical operation to the mode setting unit 7.

By the way, the operating conditions of each processing system are changed depending on the mode to be set. The mode setting by the user is made by inputting operation conditions and operation modes from the operation unit 2 and switch operation for each hardware. In addition, the operation unit 2 is configured so that a mode associated with a certain operating condition can be input only when the operating condition is set. However, for frequently used ones, a key that can be directly set is provided.

The mode setting state is held in the control unit 6, and when a new state is detected, it is changed as necessary. In addition, the information is sent together with the commands to the other parts. However, a common status status area may be provided and the status information may be written in the common status status area, and each unit may refer to the common status status area.

Each unit has a clocking means (timer), and the mode is set by the timer in the following cases. The time when the mode setting by the timer occurs is different in each case. Discontinuation time during processing of mode and various condition settings → Clear mode setting Suspension time after copying → File end processing Suspension time in each setting state → Clear mode default

(2) Manuscript input process (FIGS. 11 to 16) When a copy command is issued in the standby state (in this embodiment, the copy command is issued when the start key 22 is pressed), the manuscript input The process of is executed. That is, the document input unit 8 and the scanner unit 4 are activated, and the document is read by the scanner unit 4 as an image. The image image is sent to the storage unit 3 and / or the printer unit 5 in accordance with the mode, and storage in the storage medium 40 and various processes associated therewith and / or image formation (printing process) on paper are performed. Let me do it.

Further, the operation unit 2 can be instructed to change or set the index image of the file in the storage medium 40 of the storage unit 3, or change the file structure. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, this document input process is performed by AD
F It is determined whether or not the document is in use. If YES, the document input process by the ADF (FIG. 12) is executed, and if NO, A
A document input process other than DF (FIG. 16) is executed.

Now, description will be given of the mode which is the operation condition of the process mainly associated with the copy command of the document input section 8 shown in FIG. For example, by pressing the copy mode setting key 33 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, the following three types of modes can be switched. Which copy mode is selected is displayed on the display / input combined means 21. 1. Copy only (paper output only) 2. Copy and memory 3. Memory only (no paper output)

The automatic paper selection (APS) function is provided on the operation unit 2.
It is set by pressing the automatic paper selection key 27. If a magnification is set, that magnification is maintained. AM
If S is set, cancel the AMS and increase the magnification to 100.
Set APS as%.

The automatic magnification selection (AMS) function is provided on the operation unit 2.
It is set by pressing the automatic magnification selection key 30 of. If a magnification is set, that magnification is cleared.
If the paper feed tray is selected, hold it as it is.
If no paper feed cassette is selected, the default paper feed cassette is used. If the APS is set, cancel the APS and use AMS as the default for the paper feed tray.
To set.

The magnification can be switched by pressing the scaling key 31. The magnification can be switched between a pre-loaded magnification (paper size mutual magnification, etc.) and a magnification that is arbitrarily set by operating the ten keys 26. When the scaling key 31 is pressed, the AMS function is canceled. When the same magnification key 29 is pressed, the magnification becomes 100%, which is the same as the setting of variable magnification.

Further, by pressing the paper selection key 28, the paper feed cassette can be switched. When the paper selection key 28 is pressed, the APS function is released. When the clear stop key 25 is pressed, the execution of copy, use of index, output of index, etc. is stopped if the execution is in progress. If it is not executed yet, the settings such as the number of sheets and the magnification are canceled, and the default settings are restored.

The ten-key pad 26 is used to set the magnification in the magnification setting mode. In the waiting state,
Specify the number of sheets of paper to output. Further, by pressing the double-sided key 32, it is possible to switch to the double-sided copy mode. In addition, simple editing such as erasing a frame, and designation of shading of a document can be performed.

In the process of inputting a document accompanying a copy command, the process is discriminated according to the method of setting the document to be read, as described above with reference to FIG. That is, the ADF part as a part of the scanner part 4 exists and is in the standby state, and the document is set in the ADF (in the case of the document input by the ADF), and the other cases.

The document input processing by the ADF is the same as the above AD.
It is started when a start command is input from the operation unit 2 while the conditions for the document input by F are met. The fact that the ADF is in the standby state is sent to the control unit 6 when it is detected that the ADF itself is in a state suitable for the standby state (for example, the ADF is set in the main body in a usable state). When the standby state is changed to an unsuitable state, the control unit 6 is notified of the non-standby state.

The document set on the ADF is detected by inserting the document into the document feeder of the ADF or the like, and the signal is sent to the controller 6. When the control unit 6 detects that the start command is issued from the operation unit 2, the control unit 6 notifies the document input unit 8 that the start command has been issued together with the state of the ADF and various modes. The document input unit 8 receives the command and performs the following processing according to each mode.

1. Reading of Originals The original feeding section of the ADF is activated, the originals are fed one by one onto the contact glass, and the scanner unit 4 reads the images of the originals one by one as an image image. Specifically, AD
F processes the original according to whether it is a double-sided original or a single-sided original and sends it to a readable position, and then outputs a read preparation completion command. The control unit 6 that has detected this issues a scan command to the scanner unit 4, and the scanner unit 4 is activated to read the image of the document placed at the readable position, and the intermediate image in the document input unit 8 is read as digital image information. Send to storage (image memory).

When the mechanism of the ADF is the front side ADF, the original reading is started from the last page of the set original, but the original is turned inside the ADF and the front side (front side) is faced down. Make the image read.
Further, in the case of copying from a double-sided original, first the scanner unit 4 is made to read the image on the back side without turning over the original,
One sheet is processed, then the original is turned over to read the image on the front side, and the same processing is performed. In any case, the reading of the document is sequentially performed from the last page to the first page.

2. Processing of Read Image The following processing is performed in each copy mode. (a) Copy-only mode (copy mode 10) An image is sent to the printer unit, an image is formed on a sheet, and the sheet is ejected. The image forming and the paper output are changed according to the setting of various modes.

For example, when the magnification is set, image formation is performed at that magnification. If the number of sheets is set, the same number of images are formed and the sheets are discharged. Hereinafter, the output processing from the digital image in the intermediate storage unit onto the paper according to the mode is referred to as “copy output processing”. These processes are nothing but the copying process in a so-called digital copying machine.

(B) Storage limited mode (copy mode 01) The image is sent to the storage unit 3 and stored as a part of the file in the storage medium 40. That is, the output process to the storage medium 40 is performed.

(C) Copy and storage mode (copy mode 1
1) A copy mode of the default (simply "default" means a mode or state set when initialized), and performs both processes (a) and (b).

The document input process by this ADF is shown in FIG.
ADF is executed according to the flowchart shown in 2.
It consists of pre-processing when using, a main routine when using ADF, and post-processing when using ADF. First, in the pre-processing when using the ADF, it is determined whether or not the output is to the storage medium, and if it is not output to the storage medium, immediately, if it is output to the storage medium, "file initialization processing" is performed. Go to the main routine when using the ADF.

In the main routine, first, the scanner unit 4 reads one document and stores it as a digital image in the intermediate storage unit. When the document is exhausted (when the document is finished), the main routine is terminated and the ADF is used. Go to post-processing.

Next, it is checked whether or not the mode is a mode for requesting output to paper, and if it is that mode, "print processing" is performed. Finally, it is checked whether or not the mode is a mode in which output to the storage medium is requested, and if it is that mode, "image image storage processing" to the storage medium is performed. Either of the “print processing” and the “image image storage processing” may be performed first.

The above-described main routine processing is repeated until there are no more originals set in the ADF, and when the originals are exhausted, post-processing when using the ADF is performed. There, it is checked whether it is a mode that requests output to a storage medium, and if it is that mode, "default index image setting processing"
Is performed, and if it is not in that mode, the processing ends.

FIG. 13 shows an outline flow of the "file initialization process" in the above-described pre-process when using the ADF.
In this process, first, it is checked whether or not the current storage status is reading a file. If the file is being read, the process is terminated and the process proceeds to the main routine of FIG. 12, and if the file is not being read. ,
Set the status while reading a file.

Then, a new file area is secured in the storage medium and a file is added to the directory. Allocate the new file as the last file in the unnamed directory, which is the default directory. At this time, the free area in the storage medium is inspected, and if there is no free area above a certain amount left in the medium, medium free area error processing is performed.

Specifically, one file is added to the unnamed directory. The file name at this time is a time stamp (character string of time) in the digital copying machine. And secure the file in the free area,
The new file in the directory should point to this file.

However, before pressing the start key 22, the file name or directory to be stored can be specified from the operation unit 2. In this case, a file area can be secured at the time of designation. When an existing file is designated, the file is added to the file and the initialization process is not performed.

Next, each counter in the secured file is reset and various stored information is initialized. It also stores the copy mode and machine mode. Specifically, it is written at the same time whether the ADF is used, whether it is double-sided or not.

In this embodiment, the file initialization process is started immediately after the start command is issued. However, inside the main routine of FIG. 12, the file read state is judged after reading the first image. Then, the file initialization process may be started when the file is not being read. However, as a matter of course, it is activated only in the mode of requesting output to the storage medium.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic flow of the "image image storage process (output process to storage medium)" in the main routine when the ADF is used. When one document is read, the image image of the document is subjected to a predetermined compression process, and then stored together with its size in the image data area of the file as image image data. Then, the image number counter of the image file is incremented. If necessary, the image accompanying information is added and the process is terminated.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic flow of the "default index image setting process" in the post-process when using the ADF. In this process, the first image image (the image image of the front surface of the first original) is taken out and stored as an index image image. When reading a document fed from the ADF, since the reading is performed from the final document, the first image image is the last registered image image. In other cases, the image registered first is used. After that, the index image number counter is incremented and the process is terminated.

Here, the end of the file will be described.
When the end of file is recognized, the current status is set to end of file. That is, in the case of reading when using the ADF, the above-mentioned "default index image setting process" is performed. If double-sided printing is designated and the ejected paper is inside the printer unit 5, the paper is also ejected.

The typical end-of-file recognition conditions are listed below. In the case of scanning while using the ADF, the time when all the documents (usually a large number of stacked documents) set in the ADF have been read. However, if the continuation is designated, it is considered continued.

In the case of reading without using the ADF, the time from when the start command is issued to when the next original is set exceeds a certain time. If the APS is set, the file is not recognized as the end of the file even if the reading of the original is finished, and the APS setting is canceled by the instruction from the user or the shift to the default mode by the timeout, or File end processing is performed by changing the paper feed sheet in the APS. AM
When S is set, when AMS is canceled, and when the selection of the paper feed tray is changed, the file end processing is performed.

Next, the content of the document input processing other than the ADF in the flow of FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. When a start command is input through the operation unit 2 when any condition of the document input processing by the ADF is missing, the document input processing is performed when the ADF is not used. In this case, a document is set on a document table (contact glass) that is a part of the scanner unit 4, and the size and orientation of the paper is detected by the optical detection means, and the control unit 6 is notified. There are many.

When the start command is recognized by the control unit 6, the start command is sent to the document input unit 8 together with the above-mentioned state information and various mode information, and the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 16 is started. First, the document input unit 8 activates the scanner unit 4 to read an image image from the document set on the platen and stores it in the intermediate storage area of the memory.

Then, it is checked whether or not the mode is a mode for requesting output to paper, and if it is that mode, "print processing" is executed. That is, the digital image stored in the intermediate storage area is sent to the printer unit 5, and the printer unit 5 forms an image on a sheet and discharges it. The image forming method, paper selection, or the number of paper sheets may differ depending on the various modes.
This is the same as when using the ADF.

Immediately after the printing process, or if the mode for requesting output to paper is not in effect, it is immediately checked whether or not the mode is for requesting output to the storage medium. If not in that mode, the process ends. If you are in that mode, first see the current status information. Then, only when the status information is not the read state but the file end state, the "file initialization process" is performed and then the "default index image setting process" is performed at this stage.

After the processing, or immediately in the reading state, the "image image storing processing" is performed to end the processing. However, when the end of the file is recognized, the end-of-file status is set in S24 and S25 in the flow of FIG. To This is performed in the waiting loop of the control unit 6.

Here, selection of an index image and input of additional information will be described. After inputting the original, it is possible to change the belonging directory and file name, additional information, and select an index image. Further, setting of the belonging directory, a part of information such as the file name and additional information can be performed immediately before the input of the document.

For example, when the edit key 36 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 3 is pressed, the display / input dual-purpose device 21 is selected with the file input immediately before selected as the default selection.
Display the file edit screen on. When the "Edit Name" guide is touched on the file edit screen, an input guide appears on the screen, and the file name, directory name, comments in additional information, etc. can be entered and edited in the manner of Romaji-Kana conversion.

When the "Edit index" guide is touched on the file edit screen, the index edit screen is displayed. On that screen, the number of index images of the currently selected file is displayed. Also, an index image can be displayed. If you touch "Delete index" while the index image is displayed, that image is removed from the index image and the number of index images is decremented.

Also, images other than the index image can be combined and displayed from the image data stored one after another for display. Here, if "index setting" is touched, the image is stored as an index image and the number of index images is incremented.

(3) Index Sheet Output Processing (FIGS. 17 to 20) When the index sheet output command is input from the operation unit 2 to the control unit 6 while the digital copying machine shown in FIG. The sheet output unit 9 is activated,
A necessary index image image is taken out from the storage unit 3, an index sheet image is formed by appropriately arranging the taken out index image image, printed on a sheet through the printer unit 5, and outputted as an index sheet.

Before issuing the index sheet output command, it is possible to specify the index sheet output target, the output method, the index image arrangement method, the type of additional information to be output accompanying the index image, and the output method thereof. is there.

The outline of the index sheet output processing by the index sheet output unit 9 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a work area required for outputting the index sheet, that is, various buffers, output character strings, and the like are initialized. What is this string?
For example, the index sheet ID information is formed as a character string of volume information of the storage medium, a date, a serial number (initialized to 0), and an array of directory names (depending on the mode).

The index sheet ID information is used for collating the index sheet with the storage medium when the index sheet is used. In the following description, this ID information is always output on a sheet (paper). Although described, it is also possible to substitute this by a method of inputting the relevant information from the operation unit 2 without outputting it on the sheet.

When the work area is initialized, the process for forming the index sheet image is started. In this process, first, the storage unit 3 stores the directory designated as the output target (all directories if the output target is not designated).
The storage media are sequentially taken out. Then, it is judged whether or not the target directory is ended, and if it is ended, the “image image output process” is executed and the process is ended. Judgment is made and "processing for the directory" is performed until the page breaks in the directory, then the next target directory is taken out, and the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

When the directory page break occurs, the "image image output process" and the work area re-initialization are performed, and then the "process for the directory" is performed. Then, the next target directory is taken out, and the above processes are repeated.

"Processing for directory" is shown in FIG.
As shown in the flow chart, the files in the respective directories taken out from the storage medium are taken out in order, the file information and the index image image are taken out in order, and "expansion of the index image image" is performed. That is, the extracted index image images are sequentially expanded in the index image image buffer.

If the index image image buffer becomes full in the middle of the process, the index image image is sent to the printer section 5 by the "image image output process", and an image is formed (printed) on the paper and the index image is printed. Eject as a sheet. After that, the index image image buffer is cleared and the index sheet ID is updated (the serial number in the ID information is incremented).
And the above processing is continued.

When all the files are retrieved from the directory, the routine returns to the routine of FIG. 17 to retrieve the next target directory, all the directories to be processed are completed, and the index image remains in the index image buffer. In this case, the output process of the index image image is performed and the process ends.

"Development of index image image" means
As shown in the flow in FIG. 19, the index image development position is calculated, and the index image data is developed by applying a predetermined modification to the calculated index image development position.

In the "image image output processing", as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 20, after the index sheet image is developed into an image and printed on the front surface of the sheet, the image portion of the index sheet image is reversed right and left. An index sheet image is constructed, the index sheet image is developed into an image, printed on the back side of the above paper, and discharged.

The index sheet output mode will be described in more detail. By pressing the index output key 34 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, the mode for defining the index output unit 9 is set. Then, in the display / input device 21 having a touch panel, for example, as shown in FIG.
The "index sheet output mode setting screen" as shown in 1 is displayed. When the start key 22 is pressed or the "output" guide position on the screen of the display / input device 21 is touched, the index sheet output process is performed.

When the screen of the display / input device 21 is in the display state of FIG. 21, by touching the display portions of "directories 1 to 8", the directory to be output of the index sheet is designated / released (ON). / OFF)
it can. When the start key 22 is directly pressed after the directory is designated, the index sheet output process is performed while keeping the designated state.

When "ALL DIRECTORY" is touched, all directories are designated. In FIG. 21, each shaded guide display indicates a designated state. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 21, all directories are designated.

Alternatively, when a command for setting the output target directory is issued through the operation unit 2, the index sheet output unit 9 accesses the storage unit 3 and reads all directory information to obtain the directory name, the last write time, etc. Information may be displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 2 and presented to the user, and the user may set the output target directory by sequentially inputting the numbers of the displayed directories.

Next, the designation of the output format will be described.
In the display state shown in FIG. 21, by touching each guide display for designating an output format, each output format of paper, image size, image array, and directory page break can be designated.
Selection of paper, that is, a paper feed cassette can be set by pressing the paper selection key 28 shown in FIG. 3 in the display state shown in FIG. 21, and the setting state is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

The size of the image is designated by touching the guide area corresponding to the size of the image and using the ten keys 26 to specify the number of images to be accommodated in one sheet. Other specifications can be specified on the image array detail screen. The array of index images is
The guide display of "other (detail screen)" is touched to display the menu, and detailed designation can be performed on the screen, but the description of the screen and the like will be omitted.

By touching the guide display of "ON" or "OFF" in the directory page break area, ON / OFF of the page break can be designated for each directory. By touching the "help" guide display on the screen of FIG. 21, detailed information of the directory can be obtained.

After selecting a directory on the screen of FIG. 21 and touching the "file index sheet output" guide display, the screen of the display / input dual-purpose device 21 displays the "file index sheet output mode setting screen" shown in FIG. It changes to ". Therefore, the file to which the file index is output is specified by touching one of the guides in the file name list (files 1 to 10) displayed side by side on the left side of the screen. If the previous file name does not fit on one screen, up and down arrows are displayed as shown in the figure, and the file name can be scrolled.

The output format designation is almost the same as in the case of the index sheet output, but the file page break designation is used instead of the directory page break designation. If you touch the "Help" guide display, detailed information in the file will be displayed.

Next, the index sheet ID will be described. The index sheet ID is formed centering on the volume information of the storage medium. FIG. 23 shows an example of the logical structure of the index sheet ID. Further, examples of printed index sheet ID images are shown in FIGS.
Show.

The index sheet ID information is formed as a character string of the volume information of the storage medium, the last writing time (year, month and day and time), the serial number (initialized to 1), and the array of directory names (depending on the mode). As the character information, an image is formed on the index sheet 16 and output as shown in FIGS. However, the following differences occur depending on the index target image and the output form.

For all directories, the directory names are arranged in a null character string as in the example shown in FIG. If the target directory is specified, then FIG.
As in the example shown in (1), the sequence of the names (character strings) of the designated directory and the sequence of the designated directories are configured. The punctuation mark "," is used as the character that separates the sequence. in this case,
Do not allow punctuation in the directory name string.

However, when the page break is specified, the area where the directory names are arranged becomes the character string of the directory name which is the target at that time,
The serial number is reinitialized each time the target directory changes.

The index sheet ID image image is
The index sheet ID information represents each area as a character string and is expanded as a character image, which is expanded at a predetermined position when the index image buffer is initialized. That is, printing is performed at a predetermined position on the index sheet (a portion near the upper edge of the sheet 16 in the example of FIGS. 24 and 25).

In order to form and output the index sheet, various buffers necessary for outputting the index sheet and character strings for output are first initialized as described above with reference to the flow chart of FIG. . For example, the index sheet ID information is formed as a character string of the volume information of the storage medium, the date and time, the serial number (initialized to 0), and the array of directory names (depending on the mode).

Further, the directories to be indexed are set in the target directory array. If the directories to be indexed are all directories (not specified), set all directories. this is,
This is done when specifying the output target directory. Then, the target directories are taken out one by one from the target directory array, and the following processing is performed.

If there is a directory page break designation,
Output processing of the remaining image is performed. In this process, it is first checked whether or not there is an index image image in the index image image buffer. This check can be easily performed by checking the index image counter described later. As a result, only when there is an index image image, the contents of the index image image buffer are sent to the printer section and printed out on paper.

After that, the work area is re-initialized, the index image image buffer is cleared, and
The serial number of the index sheet ID information is set to 1, the directory name is set to the current target directory name, and the index sheet ID image image is expanded to the specified position in the buffer. Also, an index image counter for determining the position where the index image is developed is initialized.

Finally, processing for the directory (processing for files in the directory) is performed. When all the processing of the target directory is completed, the remaining image image output processing is performed, and the index sheet output processing is terminated.

The processing for the directory is performed first in FIG.
The files are read from the directory one by one, as outlined by the flowchart in FIG. That is,
An index is extracted from the directory in the storage medium to the file information, and the file information is accessed to extract the file name, time stamp, password, comment information and index image information. And
Perform the following processing, and if all have been processed, end.

The index image images in the index image information are taken out one by one, and the target index image is expanded. At this time, the value of the index image counter is incremented each time one index image is formed, and when the value reaches the specified value, the index image image buffer is full,
The contents of the index image buffer are sent to the printer and printed out on paper.

After that, the index image image buffer is cleared, the serial number of the index sheet ID information is incremented, and then the index sheet ID image image is expanded to the specified position in the buffer. In this index image image expansion processing, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 19, the expansion position of the index image is determined based on the index image counter, and the image is expanded at that position. In this embodiment, the size of the index sheet and the size and orientation of the index image are fixed.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram of the index sheet developed in this case. In this figure, a is the page top margin, b is the page left margin, c is the top area margin, d is the index sheet ID image area (fixed area), and IPU1 to IPU20 are each one index image area. Is shaded. e is the vertical length of the one area, f is also the horizontal length, g is the upper margin within the area, h is the left margin within the area, and i is the actual developed area. .

In this example, the number of expansions of the index image area in the index sheet 16 in the horizontal direction is 5, and the number of expansions in the vertical direction is 4. In this method, the number of expansions in the horizontal direction and the number of expansions in the vertical direction are constant. The size of one index (for example, 10% of A4 size
The size of the area for expanding the index image (the size of the area with left and right margins) is also determined accordingly.

First, the method of determining the expansion position will be described. The development relative position is obtained from the value of the index image counter by the following formula. Relative column: Index image counter% Number of horizontal expansions (% is remainder operator) Relative row: Index image counter ÷ Number of horizontal expansions +1 (÷ represents closed division by integer)

Therefore, the start position of the index image expansion area is as follows. X: page left margin + horizontal length of one area x (relative column-1) Y: margin on page + height of index sheet ID area + vertical length of one area x (relative row-1) However, the actual developed position in the area is the position obtained by adding the left margin in the area and the upper margin in the area to these X and Y.

The target index image is compared with the size when developed and the size as the index image to be developed in the buffer, and is reduced or enlarged at an appropriate magnification. The up / down determination unit also determines up / down. When the paper direction matches the index image direction, the downward image is rotated 180 degrees and developed. The upward image is expanded as it is. If the paper direction does not match the index image direction, the downward image is rotated clockwise by 90 degrees and the upward image is rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees. This makes it possible to align the directions of the images.

In the index image image output processing (residual image output processing), the index sheet image is first printed by the printer unit 5 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
In, it is developed as an image on paper and fixed as an output image. Next, after the following processing is applied to the image buffer in the index sheet output unit 9, the paper is inverted in the printer unit 5, the image is developed and fixed on the image non-formed surface, and then discharged.

Here, the processing applied to the image buffer is left-right inversion of the position of the index image development area. Specifically, it is realized by replacing the Nth data from the left and the Nth data from the right in each row. However, N is the number of expansions in the horizontal direction from 1/2
Change in order. As a result, as shown in FIG. 27, index sheet images in which the relative positions of the index images are reversed are formed on the front and back sides.

Thus, the process is performed when the index sheet is placed on the pressure-sensitive reading means such as a touch panel, the index image to be selected is input by applying pressure with a finger, and the image is directly read by the reading means. Can be simplified. Of course, it is also possible to output exactly the same thing on the front and back sides and correct it when using the index sheet. Needless to say, it is also possible to output on only one side of the paper and operate it through the operation unit 2.

Next, the output of the file index sheet will be described. The index sheet outputs the index image of each file to the directory, whereas the file index sheet outputs the image of each page in the file to the file instead of the index image.

Therefore, the file name is entered in the directory area of the ID area. In the process of expanding the index image image, each page of the target file is converted into an index image image and expanded. that time,
ADF read files are processed in the reverse order of reading.

The file index sheet output is shown in FIG.
The mode is switched to the file index sheet output mode by using the mode switching key 24 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG. However, if it is not specified, when the start key 22 is pressed, a selection request screen is displayed to prompt input. Further, at the time of processing the index sheet use command, it is possible to request the file index output after selecting the file by the index image.

28 and 29 show flowcharts of the file index sheet output processing. FIG. 28 shows FIG.
It is almost the same as the process of 7 index sheet output,
The "directory page break" check is changed to "file page break" check, and the "process for directory" is changed to "process for file".

As shown in FIG. 29, the process for the file is performed by checking whether the ADF is used or not.
When the ADF is used, the extraction order of the image images in the file is set in the reverse order, and when the ADF is not used, it is set in the normal order. Then, the image images in the file are taken out in the set order, and the following process is repeated until all the processes are completed.

It is checked whether or not the file index image image buffer is full, and if it is not full, the image image is expanded in the file index image image buffer. When the file index image image buffer is full, the image image output process (common to the case of index sheet output) is performed, the file index image image buffer is cleared, and the file index ID is updated and expanded. File index Image Expands a new image in the image buffer.

The file index sheet ID area is constructed as shown in the first line of the structural example shown in FIG. 30 in order to distinguish it from the normal index sheet. An output example of the file index sheet ID image is as shown in FIG. The index sheet and the file index sheet can be distinguished by identifying the third area of this ID. Further, an identification code may be added, or different distortion correction marks may be attached.

(4) Index Sheet Utilization Process (FIGS. 32 to 42) Next, the index sheet utilization process executed when there is an index sheet utilization command in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. The instruction to use the index sheet is given by the index use key 35 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG.
It is issued by pressing the start key 22 in the index sheet use mode with the (or mode switching key 24).

When the index sheet use mode is set with the index use key 35, the "index sheet use mode setting" screen shown in FIG. 32 is displayed on the display / input device 21 and is surrounded by an oval frame. By touching the guide position displayed as "", "use file index sheet" and various settings regarding the used index sheet can be performed. After that setting, when the start key 22 is pressed, an instruction to use the index sheet is issued, and the command shown in FIG.
The process according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In this process, the index sheet is first read by the scanner section 4 in FIG. This is the reading of a general image image, and is the same as when a document is input. Then, the image image (image information) is stored in the memory in the index use operation unit 10.

Next, from the image image of the index sheet, the index sheet ID is recognized and read by the character recognizing means in the index sheet utilizing operation unit 10. The read index sheet ID is collated. Then, it is checked whether or not there is a contradiction or a problem between the information (information such as volume, date, directory, etc.) in the read index sheet ID and the storage medium in the storage unit 3.

If there is a contradiction or a problem as a result, an error or warning is displayed on the operation unit 2 to wait for confirmation, and the user's instruction or response is requested. The user replaces the storage medium, replaces the index sheet, corrects the character recognition, and gives a continuation instruction.

If there is no contradiction or problem, and if there is a continuation instruction, it is checked whether or not the instruction is embedded in the index sheet. If the instruction is embedded, the instruction is interpreted and interpreted. Confirm and perform processing according to the instruction. In this case, processing contents are displayed on the display / input device 21 of the operation unit 2 to request confirmation. When the command cannot be read, an image showing the position of the index image in the index sheet is displayed on the operation unit 2, and the user's command is requested and the command is followed.

Now, collation of the index sheet ID will be described. The index sheet ID is checked from the image image of the index sheet read as a digital image, and the following processing is performed. First,
The index sheet ID image area (see FIG. 26) is cut out. Since the index sheet ID image area is constant with respect to the size and orientation of the index sheet, it can be easily cut out. Further, the correction is added in consideration of the positional deviation of the paper. For example, a correction pattern is printed on the index sheet and the correction is performed.

Next, the image is rotated according to the index sheet ID image area. Therefore, the correction amount and the rotation amount are calculated according to the position of the cut out index sheet ID image area. Next, the index sheet ID image area is recognized using a character recognition technique, and the following check is performed with the storage medium using the index sheet and the index sheet ID information.

1) Media ID (Volume Information) The problem arises when they do not match. 2) If there is a directory mismatch. 3) Last write time When the write time of the storage medium is new.

If there is a problem in the above check, on the screen of the display / input combined device 21 of the operation unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, a problematic inconsistency point or the like is displayed as shown in FIGS. 34, 35 and 36. Display and ask the user to take action. At that time, if there is a means for generating a warning sound, a warning sound is emitted to call attention. FIG. 34 is an example of a display screen when there is a mismatch in volume information, FIG. 35 is an example of a display screen when a directory does not exist, and FIG. 36 is an example of a display screen when there is a discrepancy in the last write time.

The user touches any of the guide areas surrounded by the elliptical frame in these display screens to switch the disk as a storage medium and execute it, and replace the index sheet to execute. It is possible to select and instruct execution, correction, directory list display, or help as is.

As a result, when the storage medium is replaced by the user, when the start key 22 is pressed after the replacement, the index sheet ID collation processing is executed. If the user's response is to replace the index sheet, the operation is restarted with the start key 22, and the processing is executed from the reading of the index sheet. If the user's response is to correct the read information, the corrected start key 2
The processing is continued by pressing 2. At this time, the character recognition unit may learn the character recognition information according to the correction information.

If the user's correspondence is as it is, if the media IDs do not match, the information that the IDs match is corrected and the process returns to the index sheet ID collation processing. In the case of a directory and the time, those that do not match are ignored and processing continues.

Next, the reading of a command from the index sheet will be described. Cut out the index image from the corrected screen. At this time, when the fixed index image area is taken as shown in FIG. 26, the cutout position can be determined by the relative position with the index sheet ID image area. If the file information is printed, characters are recognized from the image.

Further, the user's instruction is cut out from the image. The user's instruction is, for example, to individually enclose a specific index image (IPU) with a line of a designated color as shown by a thick line in FIG. 37, or to designate an unnecessary index image (IPU) as shown in FIG. You can do this by marking the cross with a colored line. Alternatively, the index image (IPU) may be marked with a special polarization color, or characters may be written to give an instruction.

These instructions are recognized by the image recognition technique and separated from the index image, and at the same time, which index image is given which instruction is stored.
If an instruction from the user is embedded in the index sheet, the instruction is followed. For example, in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the index image is surrounded by the line of the designated color, the file having the surrounded (selected) index image (IPU1, IPU4) is output.

As shown in FIG. 38, when the index image has a designated color x, it is interpreted as an instruction to delete the file. Correspondence between them is decided and processing is performed according to the correspondence. In this case, it is also possible to display which file has been selected on the display / input device 21 to request confirmation.

When there is no instruction from the user in the image,
The process is performed after waiting for the user's instruction from the operation unit 2. First, the cut out index images are further reduced and displayed on the input / display combined device 21. This time,
The layout on the screen is equivalent to the read layout normalized to top, bottom, left and right. Alternatively, only the frame may be displayed instead of the reduced image.

If all the index images cannot be displayed on the screen of the display / input dual-use device 21 at a time, the screen shown in FIG.
As shown in, a mark indicating scrolling (upward arrow and downward arrow) is displayed, and the mark is touched to scroll. Nine square frames shown in the left half of the figure are the reduced images of the index images.

By touching this reduced image (frame) on the screen, the user can select a file having the image at that position as an index. This touch switch (by a touch panel) is a toggle switch, and when the selected image (frame) is touched, the selection is released. Also, an image (frame) that is not selected
Touch to add to the selection. This allows multiple files to be selected.

A numeric keypad may be used instead of the touch switch for selection. The selected index image can be distinguished from the unselected index image by highlighting it as shown by the thick frame in FIG. Further, by pressing the start key 22, it is possible to print each page of the selected file (the file in which the selected index image is matched by the matching described later). That is,
It is possible to perform the same processing as when each page is sequentially input and read.

It is also possible to instruct the output of the file index sheet by touching the "file index sheet output" guide position displayed in the screens shown in FIGS.

Alternatively, the file name and additional information of the selected file can be displayed by touching the "file name display" guide position. In particular, by outputting information such as the size and the both sides of the paper, it becomes possible to appropriately determine the output method (size of the paper and use of both sides) when outputting the file. It should be noted that in the display state as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, the display / input dual-purpose device 21 can make settings relating to the copy mode such as double-sided use, paper size, and magnification, and reflect the settings at the time of output. it can.

In the matching of index images, the designated index image and the index image of each file in the storage medium are matched (in the form of normalized upper and lower sides). This results in matching of digital images. A threshold is determined, and a file having an index image with a pixel ratio equal to or higher than the threshold is selected.

By the way, it is possible to provide a work area, store the most recently read index sheet image (most recent index sheet image), and enable processing equivalent to reading from paper. Also, the index sheet can be output.

When the start key 22 is pressed while the file index sheet is being used by the input from the mode switching key 24 and the display / input combination device 21 shown in FIG. 3, the same processing as that of the index sheet is performed. Done. In this case, processing is performed assuming that the page in the file is specified instead of the file and the file is specified instead of the directory. If the identification code of the file index sheet is given, the normal index sheet processing and the file index sheet processing can be distinguished by the presence or absence of the code.

For the command to the file index sheet, for example, as shown in FIG. 41, a plurality of index images (IPUs) are collectively enclosed by a line of a designated color, and these index image groups are made into separate files. As shown in FIG. 42, it is possible to instruct the replacement or movement of the page order of individual index images (IPUs) by a line with an arrow of the designated color.

<Functions Unique to the Present Invention> The present invention basically relates to the index sheet output unit 9 and the control unit 6 shown in FIG. It should be noted that the storage unit 3 may be assumed to be an optical filing system or may access the external large-capacity storage via communication.

The processing according to the present invention is performed by the index sheet output unit 9 and the control unit 6 in the basic embodiment described above.
In the flow of the processing of each part according to the state change shown in FIG. 9, the "index sheet output processing" is performed by the index sheet output command.

In the above-described basic embodiment, the "index sheet output process" sequentially processes each index image image of each file in each directory and expands it on the index image image buffer, and the buffer becomes full. At the time or when the output is designated, the image of the index image in the buffer is formed on the paper by the printer unit 5 and is output as the index sheet.

On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the index image images of the files in the directories are arranged, the index image for determining the relative order of the index image images based on a predetermined condition. Image relative order determination processing (hereinafter referred to as "relative order determination processing") is performed, and the above index image images are expanded in the index image image buffer based on the relative order determined by the processing, and the buffer becomes full. When the output is designated or when the output is designated, the image of the index image in the buffer is formed on the paper by the printer unit 5 and output as an index sheet.

Actually, the relative attributes are sequentially identified by the relative order discrimination process, and if necessary, the table is prepared in advance to be matched to a number to be mapped to recognize the relative magnitude relation (numerical value). If that is the case, that value is used as is), and then each index image image (pointer to) is stored and stored in the aligned buffer while maintaining the relative order relationship, and that index image image is used as the index image during output processing. After being developed into an image, the printer unit 5 forms an image on a sheet and outputs it as an index sheet.

Specifically, the process shown in FIG. 43 (corresponding to the process in FIG. 17) is performed. That is, similarly to the process of FIG. 17, after the work area required for outputting the index sheet is initialized, the directories designated as the output target are sequentially extracted from the storage medium of the storage unit 3, and the target directory ends or the directory is output. In case of page break, move to "Expand index image",
Then, the extracted index image image is developed and output (an image is formed on a sheet and output as an index sheet). In other cases, the "process for directory" shown in FIG. The target directory is taken out and the above processing is repeated.

In the "processing for directories" shown in FIG. 44, first, the files in each directory taken out from the storage medium are taken out in order, and the index image image is taken out from there, and the "relative order discrimination processing" directly relating to the present invention, that is, After performing the "identification process" and the "sort process (merge process to the sorted buffer)", the next index image image is taken out, and the same process as above is repeated thereafter, and the process for all files is completed. The process ends at this point.

The "identification process" recognizes a predetermined attribute, and performs mapping to a numerical value if necessary, although it depends on a predetermined condition (attribute, feature) used for relative order discrimination. This mapping can be realized by, for example, preparing a table for associating the value of the attribute with a numerical value and performing a table search.

The "alignment process" can be realized as a merge (insertion) process into the aligned buffer as shown in FIG.
That is, take one data from the aligned buffer
(Sequentially starting from the beginning position or the last position), determine whether or not the extraction is completed, and if it is not completed, based on the identification result by the identification processing, the index image image of the target image that was previously extracted from the file Compare the insertion position in the aligned buffer with the extraction position of the data currently fetched from the aligned buffer.

If the insertion position is not located at the same position as the extraction position and thereafter, the process returns to the first step and repeats the same process as described above. The target index image image is inserted into the above-mentioned take-out position (current position), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the extraction of the data from the aligned buffer is completed, the target index image image is inserted into the last extraction position and the process is terminated.

It is to be noted that what is stored in the aligned buffer is actually a pair of a pointer to the index image and a key value. The point is that the index image images need to be ordered and accessible.

In the "expansion of index image image" in FIG. 43, as shown in FIG. 45, first, an initialization process surrounded by a broken line, that is, the index image image buffer is initialized and the index sheet ID is updated and expanded. After the index image image (1 piece) is taken out from the aligned buffer, the following process is performed, and after all the processes, the index image image in the index image image buffer is formed on the paper by the printer unit 5 and the index sheet is formed. Is output, and the process ends.

Index image images are taken out one by one from the head position (or the last position) of the aligned buffer, and the target index image image is expanded. That is, the expansion position of the index image image in the index image image buffer is determined based on the index image counter, and the index image image is expanded by applying a predetermined modification to the position.

At this time, the index image counter value is incremented each time one index image image is expanded, and when the value reaches the specified value, the index image image buffer is full, so the index image image An image of the index image in the buffer is formed on the paper by the printer unit 5, an index sheet is output, and the same initialization process as described above is performed.

The index sheet output unit 9 uses the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself or the characteristic of the document to which the index image image belongs as a reference attribute as a predetermined condition, and based on them, FIG.
The relative order determination process shown in 4 is performed. Each example will be described below.

First, the characteristics obtained from the index image image itself as a predetermined condition, here, the size of the image forming the index image image, the attributes obtained from the characters included in the image (the size of the character appearing in the image , The character spacing, the line spacing, the type of character), or the layout-related attributes obtained from the image (line direction appearing in the image, image direction, amount of character information in the image, character information in the image) Relative order discrimination processing when the amount of information other than the above, the area of the picture included in the image, the information of the ruled line in the image, the amount of specific pixels in the image, and the information of the columns appearing in the image) are used as reference attributes explain.

When the feature obtained from the index image image itself is the size of the image forming the index image image, the size of the image is identified as shown in FIG. 47, and based on the identification result. Performs merge processing (sort processing) to the sorted buffer.

That is, the size of the index image image (original image) when it is developed is checked. This can be expressed in the form of length of long side × length of short side. Map this to the plate and set the size of the image to A
Apply to 3, B4 size. Then, for example, using the order of the tables A3, B4, A4, B5, A5 in descending order as a key, or the ordinal number of the table as shown in Table 1 as a key, the merged data into the aligned buffer shown in FIG. Perform processing.

At the time of output, as shown in FIG. 45, the index image images are taken out one by one from the aligned buffer (actually, the pointer is taken out, the storage medium is accessed and the index image images are taken out), and the index image images are taken out. The index image is expanded by applying a predetermined modification to the image buffer.

In the above example, the size is mapped to the plate shape, but the length of the long side or the length of the short side may be used as a key. Also, the length of the long side × the length of the short side (that is, the area) can be used as a key. Further, in the method of mapping on the printing form, it is possible to rewrite the table that defines the size relationship according to the instruction from the user. Specifically, it can be realized by the user designating the order of the printing form output from the operation unit 2. In this case, it is possible to easily limit the version to be output.

Also, by designating the forward order and the reverse order, the order of the index image images formed on the paper can be set to the forward order or the reverse order. Then, the index image images may be sequentially extracted from the beginning position of the aligned buffer at the time of output in the case of normal order, and from the final position of the aligned buffer at the time of output in the case of reverse order.

[0206]

[Table 1]

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the size of the character appearing in the image among the attributes included in the image forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Characters are sequentially cut out from the image, the average size of the first N characters is averaged, and the merge process to the aligned buffer is performed based on the average value.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means (OCR), and the size of each character is recognized. This is indicated by vertical x horizontal. This can be mapped to the number of points. From the beginning, this process is performed for N characters set in advance, and the average number of points is calculated. After that, the average number of points is used as an alignment key to perform a merge process into the aligned buffer shown in FIG.

When the number of characters is less than N, the number of existing characters is averaged. It is also possible to allow the user to specify N. Further, in the above-mentioned example, the number of points is mapped, but the size of the length × width can be used as it is. However, in that case, it becomes necessary to have a character identifying means, determine whether it is an English character or a Japanese character such as Kanji, and make a correction. For example, in the case of English characters, the horizontal length is multiplied by M (for example, 2).

Furthermore, although the average is taken in the above example, the number of points of the largest character or the smallest character can be used. It is also possible to take the number of points of the character having the largest number of points and take the average when the number is the same.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the spacing of the characters appearing in the image among the attributes included in the image forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Characters are sequentially cut out from the image, the distance between the first N characters is measured, the average thereof is taken, and merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the average value.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means, and the size of each character is recognized. This is vertical ×
Shown beside. By performing this process, it is possible to measure the distance between two adjacent characters. Since the starting position and width of the character are known, the measurement is easy. From the beginning, this process is performed for a preset N character interval, and the average is obtained. At this time, this process is not performed where the line changes. After that, the average number of points is used as an alignment key to perform a merge process into the aligned buffer shown in FIG.

When the number of characters is less than N, it is advisable to average the number of existing character intervals. Also,
It is possible to allow the user to specify N.
Furthermore, in the above example, the average character spacing is taken,
The largest character spacing or the smallest character spacing can also be used.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the spacing of the lines appearing in the image among the attributes included in the image forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Rows are sequentially cut out from the image, the distance between the first N rows is measured, the average thereof is taken, and merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the average value.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means. By doing so, line recognition can be performed simultaneously.
The line interval can be easily measured because the start position of the adjacent line and the vertical length of the character are known. The predetermined N rows are processed and the average row spacing is calculated. After that, the line interval is used as the sort key to perform the merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG.

When the number of rows is less than N, it is advisable to average the existing row spacing. It is also possible to allow the user to specify N. Further, although the average line spacing is taken in the above example, the maximum or minimum line spacing may be used.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the kind of the character appearing in the image among the attributes included in the image forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Characters are sequentially cut out from the image, the font of the first N characters is checked and set to the largest one, and merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on that font.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means, and the respective characters are recognized. At that time, matching is performed with the dictionary of characters, which is performed according to the type of each character. The type of character is the type of character font such as Gothic or Mincho and / or the presence or absence of character modification such as bold, italic or underlined.

Then, it maps to numbers using a predetermined character type table. For example, for mapping to numbers, there is a method in which a character font type table and a character decoration table are prepared separately, and the two values are digitized with different positions. Then, the digitized character type is used as an alignment key to perform merge processing into the aligned buffer shown in FIG.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the direction of the line appearing in the image among the attributes related to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Rows are sequentially cut out from the image, the direction is identified, and merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the identification result.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means. Thereby, the line recognition can be performed at the same time. For the time being, the processing is performed assuming that the line is lying (horizontal writing original). The line spacing in this case can be easily measured because the start position of the adjacent line and the vertical length of the character are known. Then, the predetermined N rows are processed and the average of the row intervals is obtained.

Further, since the starting point position and the width of each character are known, the character interval of each character can be measured, and this processing is performed from the beginning for a preset M character interval to obtain the average. The character spacing is compared with the line spacing, and if the character spacing is wide, it is determined to be vertical writing, and if the line spacing is wide, it is determined to be horizontal writing, and mapping is performed to a numerical value. If the character cannot be recognized, the value is Min. After that, the mapped value is used as a sort key to perform a merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the direction of the image among the layout-related attributes obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. The direction (vertical and horizontal) of the paper is examined from the cut-out character direction, and based on the result, the merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed.

That is, the size of the index image image (original image) when developed (the size of the image forming the index image image) is checked. This can be expressed in the form of length of long side × length of short side. Next, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means,
Recognize each character. Then, depending on whether the long side of the image is parallel to the characters or the short side is parallel to the characters,
Recognize landscape orientation and map to numeric values. If the recognition of the character fails, set to min. After that, the mapped value is used as a sort key to perform a merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG.

In this case, N characters set in advance are processed and a large number of characters are used. Alternatively, when a large number is used, if a small number exceeds a certain ratio, it may be set as min or min '.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the amount of character information in the image among the attributes relating to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Characters are sequentially cut out from the image, the number of them is counted, and the merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the counted number.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means, each character is recognized, and the number of characters in the page is counted. After that, the number of characters is used as the alignment key in FIG.
The merge processing to the aligned buffer shown in 6 is performed.
It is also possible to recognize the character size and use the product of the number of characters and the character size (average, etc.) as the alignment key.
It is also possible to perform the same processing by targeting only a certain proportion of the image.

FIG. 55 shows the case where the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the amount of information other than the character information in the image among the attributes relating to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image. As described above, the character area is sequentially cut out from the image, the size of the area is identified, and the merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the result.

That is, by using the optical character reading means, the image forming the index image image is divided into an area (character area) which is the object of character recognition and an area which is not, and the character area is recognized and the entire image is recognized. The size of the character area is calculated with respect to the size of the entire image. Then, the obtained ratio is used as the sort key to perform the merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG. The absolute value of the size of the character area or the absolute value of the size of the area other than the character area may be used.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the area of the picture included in the image among the attributes related to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. Then, the character area is sequentially cut out from the image, the size of the area other than the blank area of the area other than the area is identified, and the merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the result.

That is, by using the optical character reading means, the image forming the index image image is divided into an area (character area) which is the object of character recognition and an area which is not, and the character area is recognized and the entire image is recognized. Is also recognized, and the ratio of the size of the area excluding the portion without information (blank portion) in the area other than the character area to the entire image is obtained. Then, the obtained ratio is used as the sort key to perform the merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG. The absolute value of the obtained area may be used.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the information of the ruled line in the image among the attributes relating to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG.
Vertical and horizontal line segments are taken out from the image, their lengths are summed, and merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the summed length.

That is, straight lines parallel to the respective sides of the image are recognized from the images forming the index image, and the lengths thereof are summed. Then, the total length is used as an alignment key to perform merge processing into the aligned buffer shown in FIG. The number of recognized straight lines may be used as a key. Further, the minimum value of the length of the straight line to be recognized may be set (only the line segment having a certain length or more is recognized). Further, the thickness of the recognized straight line or the product of the thickness and the length may be used.

When the characteristic obtained from the index image image itself is the specific pixel amount in the image among the attributes relating to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG.
Information having a specific pixel is extracted from the image, counted, and merged into the aligned buffer based on the counted number.

That is, the area occupied by the points which meet the preset conditions is cut out from the images forming the index image, and the ratio of the area occupied in the entire image is obtained. Then, the obtained ratio is used as the sort key to perform the merge process into the sorted buffer shown in FIG. The size of the area may be used for this processing.
Further, the specific pixel is, for example, an area of a black pixel (a point having a value of 1) when it is developed as a binary image of 0.1 for black and white pixels, and is a color image represented by an RGB plane. Pixels satisfying a combination of planes having a certain width.

When the characteristics obtained from the index image image itself are the information of the columns appearing in the image among the attributes related to the layout obtained from the images forming the index image image, as shown in FIG. , The number of columns of the image is recognized, and the merge processing to the aligned buffer is performed based on the recognition result.

That is, the characters are sequentially cut out from the images forming the index image image by using the optical character reading means, and the size of each character is recognized. This is indicated by vertical x horizontal. By performing this process, it is possible to measure the distance between two adjacent characters. Since the starting position and width of the character are known, the measurement is easy. The number of columns is determined by a method such as checking this character spacing for one line and recognizing that a character spacing larger than the others is a column. After that, the number of the determined columns is used as an alignment key to perform the merge process into the aligned buffer shown in FIG.

Next, a first example of the relative order determination processing in the case where the characteristic of the document to which the index image image belongs is used as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition will be described. In this example, when the document image is read by the scanner unit 4,
The reading time (document input date and time) is recognized by a timer (not shown), and it is stored as a time stamp. The document input date and time is the date and time when the last document was read (stored).

Specifically, when the ADF is used at the last write date and time in the file shown in FIG.
The document input date and time from the timer is stored as a time stamp immediately before or after the default index image setting process in FIG. To do. Further, in the process of setting the file end state in FIG. 9, the stored time stamp is written in the file (document).

Therefore, at the time of outputting the index sheet, as shown in FIG. 60, the time stamp (numericalized) in the document is recognized as a feature of the document to which the index image image belongs, and it is used as an alignment key in FIG. The merge processing to the aligned buffer shown in is performed. The digitization may be a relative number of seconds from a specific time, as used in UNIX (registered trademark) or the like, or year, month, day, hour, minute, second (all are used). Can be realized by mapping (not necessary) to a certain digit.

[0241] Next, a second example of the relative order determination processing when the characteristic of the document to which the index image image belongs is used as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition will be described. In this example, when a person's name (character information such as a person's name or affiliation name) is input from the operation unit 2 at the time of reading the document image by the scanner unit 4 or after the reading, the information is regarded as one of the accompanying information in the document. Store and save as a part.

If a person's name is not input, a predetermined name or blank character string is stored and saved. The person's name may have a table in the system and may be index information indicating the table.

Specifically, for example, the display / input combined device 2
1 displays a "user name input screen (guidance screen)" as shown in FIG. 61 to prompt the user to input. This screen can be displayed at the end of reading when reading using the ADF, for example.

Here, the user inputs kana using the Japanese syllabary kana table on the left side of the screen, touches the "conversion" guide position to convert it into the optimum kanji, and touches the "execute" guide position to display the document. It is set in the information. Also, "Register"
If you touch the guide position of, it will be stored in the registered buffer and displayed as the registered name on the right side of the screen. Further, when the guide position of “document selection” is touched, the screen switches to a screen for inquiring which document in the storage medium the input is to.

Instead of using the kana to input, it is possible to input by touching the display portion of the registered name. The screen of FIG. 61 can also be displayed by calling the user name input screen in the standby state. Further, in this example, a table of Japanese syllabary is displayed, but of course alphabets may be used. In addition, for example, in the case of a digital copying machine that uses a card or the like for identifying the user and allows only the user to pass through a card reader, the information or name for identification stored in the card It is also possible to use the information as it is.

Therefore, at the time of outputting the index sheet, as shown in FIG. 62, a person's name is recognized as a feature of the document to which the index image image belongs, and the person's name is used as an alignment key and merged into the aligned buffer shown in FIG. Perform processing. When the person's name is used as the sort key, it is based on the character code (number) in the information. However,
It is possible to have information such as reading in the system and use it as the alignment key. It is also possible to adopt a method such as a telephone directory method.

Next, a third example of the relative order determination process in the case where the characteristic of the document to which the index image image belongs is used as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition will be described. In this example, when a document name (character string information) is input from the operation unit 2 at the time of reading the original image by the scanner unit 4 or after the reading, the information is stored as a file name in the document. If the document name is not input, a blank character string or a character string of the date and time input by the timer is stored and stored.

Specifically, for example, the display / input combined device 2
1 displays a "document name input screen (guidance screen)" as shown in FIG. 63, and prompts the user to input. This screen
For example, when reading using the ADF, it can be displayed at the end of reading.

Here, the user inputs a kana using the Japanese syllabary kana table on the left side of the screen, touches the "conversion" guide position to convert it into the optimum kanji, and touches the "execute" guide position to display the document. It is set in the information. Also, by touching the guide position of “document selection”, the screen is switched to a screen for inquiring which document in the storage medium the input is to.

The screen of FIG. 63 can also be displayed by calling the document name input screen in the standby state. Further, in this example, a table of Japanese syllabary is displayed, but of course alphabets may be used. Therefore,
At the time of outputting the index sheet, as shown in FIG. 64, the document name is recognized as a feature of the document to which the index image image belongs, and the document name is used as an alignment key to perform merge processing into the aligned buffer shown in FIG.

Incidentally, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the operation unit 2
It is possible to input the sorting method when outputting the index sheet from. For example, when the index output mode is designated, the “index sheet output mode setting screen” (FIG. 21) shown in FIG.
The guide position for alignment is added to the screen of.) Is displayed.

Here, when the user touches the guide position for alignment designation, the screen is switched to the alignment feature setting screen as shown in FIG. 66, for example. On this screen, a plurality of features (attributes for determining the relative order of index image images) to be used as the alignment key can be designated. In addition, when a plurality of items are specified, the order of priority can be specified.

When these designations are made, in the identification processing during the processing of FIGS. 43 to 46, the features are identified from each index image image (and the document information to which it belongs) according to the designated priority. In the sorting process, the merging process into the sorted buffer is performed according to the designated priority. Further, at the time of output, the selected feature name is indexed according to the priority order, for example, as shown in FIG.
An image is formed in the area of the D image and output.

The embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine have been described above, but other than that, the image reading means (scanner or the like) or the external information receiving means (host I / O) may be used.
The present invention can be applied to any image forming storage device (including an optical filing device) including an F storage device (F, etc.), an image storage device (optical disc device, etc.), and an image forming device (printer, etc.).

[0255]

As described above, in the image forming storage device according to the present invention, the index information relative order determination means determines the relative order of a plurality of index information based on a predetermined condition, and the index sheet output means operates. Since the order of the index information formed on the sheet is controlled based on the determined relative order of the index information, the user knows the order of the index information formed on the index sheet. be able to.

Therefore, since the approximate position of the desired index information is known, the search is facilitated, and the image information of the document corresponding to the index information can be quickly obtained. Particularly, since each similar index information is formed adjacent to the index sheet, it is very convenient when image information of a plurality of similar documents is required at the same time.

It should be noted that the index information relative order determination means obtains from the characteristics obtained from the index information itself as the above-mentioned predetermined condition, for example, the size of the image forming the index information and the characters included in the image forming the index information. Attributes (character spacing between characters or lines appearing in the image, type of characters, etc.), or attributes related to the layout obtained from the images that make up the index information (direction of lines appearing in the image, image direction, character information in the image) The amount of information, the amount of information other than the character information in the image (the area of the picture included in the image), the information about the ruled lines in the image, the amount of specific pixels in the image, the information about the columns that appear in the image, etc. If it is used as an attribute to determine the relative order of multiple index information, the user may need multiple similar documents at the same time. If this is even without characterization such like, a plurality of index information similar formed in the index sheet can be easily found.

Alternatively, the index information relative order discriminating means determines the characteristics of the document to which the index information belongs as the predetermined condition, for example, the reading time (time stamp) of the document, the name of the person who has read the document, or the document name. Even if the relative order of a plurality of index information is determined by using as a reference attribute, the user can easily search for desired index information on the output index sheet.

Further, if an attribute for determining the relative order of the index information or an attribute for determining the relative order of the index information and its priority is input, it is possible to respond to the user's intention. Since it is possible to output an index sheet, it becomes easier to search for desired index information. Further, by outputting which feature is used as the feature for the relative order for determining the index information in the index sheet output by the index sheet output means,
The user can easily retrieve desired index information when using the index sheet later.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a digital copying machine that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of its appearance.

3 is a plan view showing details of an operation unit 2 of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a storage unit in FIG.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a logical configuration of a storage medium in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the logical configuration of the storage medium.

7 is a flowchart showing an outline (main routine) of overall processing by the digital copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a subroutine of processing associated with waiting and various state changes in FIG.

9 is a flowchart of the processing of each unit according to the state change in FIG.

10 is a flowchart of a mode setting process in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of a document input process in FIG.

12 is a flowchart of a document input process by the ADF in FIG.

13 is a flowchart of the file initialization process in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the image image storing process in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a default index image setting process in FIG.

16 is a flowchart of a document input process other than the ADF shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an index sheet output process in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a process for the directory in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for developing the index image image in FIG.

20 is a flowchart of an output process of the image image in FIG.

21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet output mode setting screen displayed on the combined display / input device 21 of FIG. 3. FIG.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a file index sheet output mode setting screen similarly.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a structural example of an index sheet ID.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet ID image when an individual directory is designated.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet ID image when all directories are specified.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of an index sheet in a fixed area.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram of a front and back reverse index sheet.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of file index output processing.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart of the process for the file in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a file index sheet ID.

[FIG. 31] Similarly, the file index sheet ID
It is a figure which shows the example of an output of an image.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet use mode setting screen.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of index sheet use processing in FIG. 9.

FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet check result display screen.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the same.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing yet another example.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of an instruction for copying or the like in the index sheet image.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a file erasing instruction similarly.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an index sheet.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of screen display after selecting the index sheet.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an instruction in a file index sheet image.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of another instruction.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart of an index sheet output process in the embodiment of the invention of claims 1 to 24;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of processing for the directory in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart for developing the index image image in FIG. 43.

46 is a flowchart of the alignment process in FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a first example of relative order determination processing in FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a flow chart showing a second example of the relative order determination process.

FIG. 49 is a flow chart showing a third example of relative order determination processing.

FIG. 50 is a flow chart showing a fourth example of relative order discrimination processing.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing a fifth example of relative order determination processing.

FIG. 52 is a flow chart showing a sixth example of relative order determination processing.

FIG. 53 is a flow chart showing a seventh example of relative order determination processing.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart showing an eighth example of relative order discrimination processing.

FIG. 55 is a flow chart showing a ninth example of relative order determination processing.

FIG. 56 is a flow chart showing a tenth example of the relative order determination process.

FIG. 57 is a flow chart showing an eleventh example of relative order determination processing, similarly.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing a twelfth example of the relative order determination processing, similarly.

FIG. 59 is a flow chart showing a thirteenth example of the relative order determination processing, similarly.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing a fourteenth example of the relative order determination process, similarly.

FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user input screen displayed on the display / input combined device 21 of FIG. 3 in the embodiment of the present invention.

62 is a flowchart showing a fifteenth example of the relative order determination processing in FIG. 44. FIG.

FIG. 63 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a document name input screen displayed on the display / input combined device 21 of FIG. 3 in the embodiment of the present invention.

64 is a flowchart showing a sixteenth example of the relative order determination processing in FIG. 44.

65 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet output mode setting screen displayed on the display / input combined device 21 of FIG. 3 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 66 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an alignment feature setting screen.

FIG. 67 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an index sheet ID image when an alignment feature is specified on that screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Digital copying machine 2: Operation part 3: Storage part 4: Scanner part 5: Printer part 6: Control part 7: Mode setting part 8: Original input part 9: Index sheet output part 10: Index sheet use operation part 11: Table 12: Document pressure plate 13: Paper feed cassette 14: Sorter 15: Main switch 16:
Index sheet 21: Display / input combination device 22: Start key 23: Interruption key 24: Rude switching key 25: Clear / Stop key 26: Numeric keypad 27: Automatic paper selection key 28: Paper selection key
29: same size key 30: automatic magnification selection key 31: scaling key 3
2: Double-sided key 33: Copy mode setting key 34: Index output key 35: Index use key 40: Storage medium 41: Storage medium operation unit 42: Magneto-optical disk 43: Online storage memory 44: Logical operation unit 45: Physical operation Department

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI technical display location H04N 1/00 B 7232-5C (72) Inventor Tatsuro Yoshioka 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 6 In Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Watanabe 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Incorporated (72) Inventor Fumio Kurizumi 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Company Ricoh

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing image information together with corresponding index information on a document-by-document basis, and an index sheet output unit for forming an image of the index information stored by the unit on a sheet and outputting an index sheet. In the image forming storage device, index information relative order determining means for determining the relative order of the plurality of index information based on a predetermined condition is provided, and the index sheet output means is determined by the index information relative order determining means. An image forming storage device comprising means for controlling the order of index information formed on a sheet based on the relative order of index information. 2. The index information relative order determining means is means for using a characteristic obtained from the index information itself as the reference attribute as the predetermined condition.
The image forming storage device described. 3. The image forming storage device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index information relative order determination means is the size of an image forming the index information. 4. The image forming storage device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index image relative order determining means is an attribute obtained from a character included in an image forming the index information. . 5. The attribute obtained from the characters included in the image is the size of the characters appearing in the image.
The image forming storage device described. 6. The image forming storage device according to claim 4, wherein the attribute obtained from the characters included in the image is a space between characters appearing in the image. 7. The image forming storage device according to claim 4, wherein the attribute obtained from the characters included in the image is a line interval appearing in the image. 8. The image forming storage device according to claim 4, wherein the attribute obtained from the character included in the image is the type of character appearing in the image. 9. The image forming storage device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic obtained from the index information itself used by the index information relative order discrimination means is a layout-related attribute obtained from an image forming the index information. 10. The layout-related attribute obtained from the image is the direction of lines appearing in the image.
The image forming storage device described. 11. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the direction of the image. 12. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is the amount of character information in the image. 13. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the layout-related attribute obtained from the image is an amount of information other than character information in the image. 14. Information other than character information in the image is
The image forming storage device according to claim 13, wherein the image forming storage area is a picture area included in an image. 15. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the layout-related attribute obtained from the image is information on ruled lines in the image. 16. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is a specific pixel amount in the image. 17. The image forming storage device according to claim 9, wherein the attribute relating to the layout obtained from the image is information on a column appearing in the image. 18. The means for determining the relative order of index information is means for using a characteristic of a document to which the index information belongs as a reference attribute as the predetermined condition.
The image forming storage device described. 19. The image forming storage device according to claim 18, further comprising a document reading unit for reading an image of a document and a time measuring unit for measuring time, wherein the storage unit reads the document reading time by the document reading unit. Is stored as a time stamp, and the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs is the time stamp stored in the storage means. 20. The image forming storage device according to claim 18, further comprising a document reading unit for reading an image of a document and a personal name input unit for inputting a name of a person who reads the image of the document by the unit. The storage means has means for storing the name of the person input by the personal name input means together with the image information of the document, and the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs is the name of the person stored in the storage means. And an image forming storage device. 21. The image forming storage device according to claim 18, further comprising a document name input means for inputting a document name of a document to be stored, wherein the storage means is input by the document name input means together with image information of the document. An image forming storage device having means for storing the document name, wherein the characteristic of the document to which the index information belongs is the document name stored in the storage means. 22. The image forming storage device according to claim 1, further comprising means for inputting an attribute for determining a relative order of index information. . 23. The image forming storage device according to claim 1, further comprising means for inputting an attribute for determining a relative order of index information and its priority order. Image forming storage device. 24. The image forming storage device according to claim 1, wherein a relative order for discriminating which feature is included in the index sheet output by the index sheet output unit is used. An image forming storage device, which is provided with means for outputting whether or not it has been used as a feature.