JPH1198290A - Image inputting and outputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image inputting and outputting device which is equipped with a function for referring the destination or number of an image, function for simply identifying the image content, and function for converting the image data into a character data. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a picture inputting device 1 for inputting a picture original, data inputting device for inputting designation (number) data added to the read picture data, storage device 4 for storing the additional data and picture data, outside IF device 5 for receiving a signal/data from an outside connected data receiving device, and a system controller part 2. The system controller part 2 adds the inputted designation (number) data to the picture data, integrates the designation (number) data for editing designation list data, stores the designation list data in the storage device 4, and transfers the designation list data to a data receiving device in response to a request signal from the data receiving device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input / output apparatus, and more particularly to an image input / output apparatus applicable to a scanner, a digital copying apparatus, a filing system, a WWW server, an image database system, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image input / output device capable of reading an image document and storing the read image data in a built-in storage device is provided via a data receiving device which is an externally connected file server or client machine. It has a function of taking out stored image data from a storage device based on requests from all users and sending it to a data receiving device.

In a conventional image input / output device having such a configuration, a name or a number relating to the image data is added to the image data in order to easily specify the stored image data. Both have a function of storing data in a storage device.

Further, the system is provided with an operation panel for designating and inputting the name or number to be added.

[0005]

However, in the image input / output device having the above-mentioned conventional configuration, there is a problem that the management becomes difficult as the number of stored image data increases. In particular, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to cope with a case where the number of image data increases and the name or number is confused or the name or number is forgotten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has a function of referring to the name or number of an image, a function of easily identifying the content of an image, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input / output device which has a format conversion function and can expand a data use range and reduce a required storage capacity.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input / output device capable of reading an image original, and a name added to the read image data. Alternatively, a data input device capable of inputting data of a number, means for adding the input data of the name or number to the image data, and storage of the image data to which the data of the name or number is added is possible. An image input / output device comprising: a storage device; and image data designated by a name or a number from an externally connected data receiving device, and means for reading from the storage device and transferring the read data to the data receiving device. Alternatively, name list data is organized by accumulating and sorting the number data, and the name list data is stored in the storage device. When the name list data from the data receiving apparatus is stored in the storage device is requested, characterized in that it comprises means capable of transferring the names list data to the data receiving apparatus.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, even when the user forgets the name or number added to the image data, the user can view the name list data of the image data stored in the storage device and read the image list which is originally required. Data can be selected. In addition, since the name list data is created and stored in advance on the device side, there is no need to perform those processes on the data receiving device (file server or client machine) side, and thus the load on the data receiving device side is reduced. You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input / output device capable of reading an image original, and a data enabling a data input of a name or a number added to the read image data. An input device, a unit for adding the input data of the name or number to the image data, a storage device capable of storing image data to which the data of the name or number is added, and data externally connected Means for reading image data designated by a name or a number from a receiving device, means for reading from the storage device and transferring the data to the data receiving device, wherein for each of the image data, thumbnail data is organized; The thumbnail data is stored in the storage device, and the thumbnail data stored in the storage device from the data receiving device is stored in the storage device. If the nail data is requested,
It is characterized by comprising means capable of transferring the thumbnail data to the data receiving device.

According to the above arrangement, even if the user forgets the name or number added to the image data, the user can view the thumbnail data of the image data stored in the storage device and read the image data originally required. Selection becomes easy. In addition, since the thumbnail data of the image data is created and stored in the device in advance, the data receiving device (the file server or the client machine) does not need to perform those processes, thereby reducing the load on the data receiving device. Is done.

Alternatively, an image input / output device according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises: an input device capable of reading an image original;
A data input device for inputting data of a name or a number added to the read image data, a unit for adding the input data of the name or the number to the image data, and A storage device capable of storing the added image data, and a unit for reading image data designated by a name or a number from an externally connected data receiving device from the storage device and transferring the read image data to the data receiving device When the image data to which the name or number data is added is stored in the storage device in the image input / output device provided with the image data, the converted data obtained by performing the OCR process on the image data and converting it into character data is also stored in the storage device. When the conversion data stored in the storage device is requested from the data receiving device, the conversion data is Characterized in that it comprises means capable of transferring data to the data receiving apparatus.

According to the above arrangement, the image data is stored in the OCR
When it is desired to process and convert the data into character data, the data obtained by OCR processing the image data on the device side and converted into the character data is stored in advance, so that the data receiving device (file server or client machine) performs such processing. And the load on the data receiving device side is reduced. In addition, since the character data subjected to the OCR processing is smaller in data amount than the image data, the response performance of transmission and reception is improved.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the image input / output device according to the present invention. Also, FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a system controller unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image input / output device 10 according to the present invention includes an image input device 1 capable of reading an image of an original or the like, and data of a name or a number added to the read image data. A data input device 3 such as an operation panel for inputting, a storage device 4 for storing image data to which data of a name or a number is added,
An external 1 / F device 5 that controls a bus interface that is externally connected to an external data receiving device via a network or the like.
And a system controller 2.

The image input device 1 is a device for reading an original, and can send the read image data to the system controller 2.

The data input device 3 is composed of an operation panel or the like. When a user inputs the name or number data of image data from the operation panel or the like, the input data is sent to the system controller 2.

The storage device 4 stores image data obtained by reading an original, data such as destination information of image data, various set values,
A device capable of storing programs and the like, and a hard disk device or a volatile / nonvolatile memory device is applied.

The external 1 / F device 5 receives a request reception signal 5a via a network with a file server or client machine as an external data receiving device, and transmits a data output signal 5b to the file server or client machine. Send it.

The system controller 2 is a part for controlling the entire system, and as shown in FIG. 2, the overall controller 2A, the request receiving and processing unit 2B,
It comprises input data processing means 2C, storage data processing means 2D, name list data creation means 2E, thumbnail data creation means 2F, and OCR processing means 2G. The overall control unit 2A controls the entire system.

The request receiving and processing means 2B transmits a signal 5a relating to a request sent from a data receiving device (file server or client machine) to an external I / O.
The data 5b is received through the F unit 5 and transferred to the data receiving device through the external I / F unit 5.

Request signal 5a sent from data receiving device
Is a signal requesting the capture of the image data stored in the storage device 4,
D is driven to read out image data from the storage device 4 and transfer it as data 5b to the data receiving device through the external I / F unit 5.

Request signal 5a sent from data receiving device
Is a signal requesting the name list data stored in the storage device 4, the storage data processing means 2D is driven to read out the name list data from the storage device 4, and this is read as data 5b from the external I / F. The data is transferred to the data receiving device through the unit 5.

The request receiving and processing means 2B transmits the request signal 5a sent from the data receiving device to the storage device 4
If the signal is a signal requesting the thumbnail data stored in the storage device 4, the storage data processing means 2D is driven to read the thumbnail data from the storage device 4, and this is read from the data device 5.
The data is transferred to the data receiving device through the external I / F unit 5 as b.

Further, the request receiving and processing means 2B
When the request signal 5a sent from the data receiving device is a signal requesting the converted data stored in the storage device 4 and subjected to the format conversion by the OCR process,
The conversion data is read from the storage device 4 by driving the storage data processing means 2D, and the converted data is read as data 5b from the external I / F.
The data is transferred to the data receiving device through the unit 5.

The input data processing means 2C receives the name or number data input by the user or the like from the data input device 3, and adds the input name or number data to the image data. Alternatively, the data of the received name or number is sent to the name list data creating means 2E.

The storage data processing means 2D sends the image data with the name or number added by the input data processing means 2C to the storage device 4 for storage. Then, the image data designated by the name or the number from the data receiving device (file server or client machine) is read out from the storage device 4 and passed to the request receiving and processing means 2B.

The storage data processing means 2D receives the name list data created by the name list data creation means 2E and sends it to the storage device 4 for storage. Then, based on the request reception and the instruction from the processing means 2B,
The stored name list data is read from the storage device 4 and passed to the request receiving and processing means 2B.

Alternatively, the storage data processing means 2D receives the thumbnail data created by the thumbnail data creation means 2F, sends it to the storage device 4, and stores it. Then, based on the instruction from the request receiving and processing means 2B, the stored thumbnail data is read out from the storage device 4 and passed to the request receiving and processing means 2B.

Further, the storage data processing means 2D comprises:
Receiving the converted data which has been subjected to the OCR processing and the format conversion by the OCR processing means 2G, the converted data is stored in the storage device 4G.
To be stored. And request receiving and processing means 2
B, reads out the stored conversion data from the storage device 4 based on the instruction from
Hand to B.

The name list data creating means 2E accumulates the name or number data sent from the input data processing means 2C, sorts the data, and organizes the name list data. Then, the name list data is sent to the storage data processing means 2D and stored in the storage device 4.

The thumbnail data creating means 2F creates thumbnail data, which is a list of images, based on the image data. Next, the thumbnail data is sent to the storage data processing means 2D and stored in the storage device 4.

The OCR processing means 2G performs OCR processing on the basis of the image data obtained from the image input device 1 to generate text data, and creates conversion data. Then, the converted data is sent to the storage data processing means 2D, and the storage device 4
To memorize.

Next, the operation of the image input / output device of the present invention will be described with reference to the processing flowchart of FIG. The image input / output device of the present invention is initialized after startup (step S1).
It is in a state of waiting for an information transfer request from the data receiving device (step S2).

Here, the original is set on the image input device,
The reading of a document is started by a start key from a data input device such as an automatic or operation panel, and image data is captured (step S3).

When a name or number is input from the data input device (step S4), the name or number data is added to the image data stored in the storage device and stored.

As additional data, name list data, thumbnail data, and OCR-processed character data are also created (step S5) and stored in the storage device (step S6). Thereafter, the process returns to step S2,
The state is again waiting for the original reading / waiting for an information transfer request from the data receiving device.

Here, when an information transfer request (a transfer request for image data / name list data / thumbnail data / character data) is received from the data receiving device, the designated information (image data / name list data / thumbnail data / character) is received. Is transferred to the data receiving device (step S7).

[0038]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
According to the image input / output device according to the above, even if the user forgets the name or number added to the image data, the user can view the name list data of the image data stored in the storage device to obtain the originally required data. There is an effect that image data can be selected.

Further, by generating name list data on the device side in advance and storing this, the client machine does not need to perform those processes.
Therefore, there is an effect that the load on the client machine can be reduced.

Further, according to the image input / output device of the present invention, even if the user forgets the name or number added to the image data, the thumbnail of the image data stored in the storage device can be used. By viewing the data, the user can easily and instantly select the image data originally required.

Further, since the thumbnail data is created and stored in advance on the device side, it is not necessary to perform those processes on the data receiving device (file server or client machine) side, and the load on the data receiving device side is reduced. There is also an effect that can be done.

Further, according to the image input / output device according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the image input / output device stores the data obtained by performing the OCR process on the image data in advance and converting it into the character data, the user can input the image data. When data is to be converted to character data by OCR processing, the data can be read out and used immediately, so that there is no need to perform such processing on the data receiving device (file server or client machine) side. This has the effect of reducing the load on the side. In addition, since the amount of character data that has been subjected to OCR processing is much smaller than that of image data, there is also an effect that transmission / reception response performance improves.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the image input / output device shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image input device 2 system controller unit 2A overall control means 2B request receiving and processing means 2C input data processing means 2D storage data processing means 2E name list data creation means 2F thumbnail data creation means 2G OCR processing means 3 data input device 4 storage device 5 External interface device 5a Request reception signal 5b Data output signal 10 Image input / output device

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image input device capable of reading an image document, a data input device capable of inputting data of a name or a number added to the read image data, and data of the input name or number Means for adding image data to the image data, a storage device capable of storing image data to which the data of the name or number is added, and image data designated by a name or number from an externally connected data receiving device. An image input / output device comprising means for reading from the storage device and transferring the data to the data receiving device, wherein the name or number data is accumulated, sorted and organized into name list data, and the name list data is The name list data stored in the storage device and stored in the storage device from the data receiving device is required. If it is, the image output apparatus characterized by comprising means capable of transferring the names list data to the data receiving apparatus. 2. An image input device capable of reading an image document, a data input device capable of inputting data of a name or a number added to the read image data, and data of the input name or number. Means for adding image data to the image data, a storage device capable of storing image data to which the data of the name or number is added, and image data designated by a name or number from an externally connected data receiving device. Means for reading from the storage device and transferring the data to the data receiving device, wherein thumbnail data is organized for each of the image data,
The thumbnail data can be stored in the storage device, and when the data reception device requests the thumbnail data stored in the storage device, the thumbnail data can be transferred to the data reception device. An image input / output device comprising means. 3. An image input device capable of reading an image original, a data input device capable of inputting data of a name or a number added to the read image data, and data of the input name or number. Means for adding image data to the image data, a storage device capable of storing image data to which the data of the name or number is added, and image data designated by a name or number from an externally connected data receiving device. Means for reading from the storage device and transferring the data to the data receiving device, wherein when the image data with the name or number data added is stored in the storage device, the image data is subjected to OCR processing. The converted data converted to the character data is also stored in the storage device, and the data reception device transmits the converted data to the storage device. If the converted data is stored is requested, the image output apparatus characterized by comprising means capable of transferring the converted data to the data receiving apparatus.