JP2002099496A - Information processor, method, system and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, method, system and storage medium capable of automatically inputting data without requiring complicated operation and a starting application suitable for input data. SOLUTION: Reading start will information is received by the depression (input) of the start button 18 of scanner equipment 40, a scanner software is started, and image reading is automatically performed in the scanner equipment 40 on the basis of a designated value due to the negotiation with a scanner driver. Read image data are transferred to the scanner software to perform image analysis, as the result, the image data are judged on any of document data, image data and graphic data, a bus corresponding to each data is read from a register table TB to start the application corresponding thereto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a method, a system, and a storage medium for inputting image data or the like with an input device such as a scanner and processing the input data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, input devices such as a scanner device for reading an image are known, and these input devices are generally communicably connected to an information processing apparatus such as a host computer to constitute an information processing system. Usually, the information processing apparatus stores driver software for controlling operation of an input device and application software for processing input data. For example, applications for image data include OCR software for performing character recognition from document data, photo processing software for processing image data, and image editing software for performing image editing on graphic data.

For example, in a first conventional information processing apparatus and system, when a scanner device is used, image editing or OC
Scanner driver (software) for the scanner device that you want to use from the application, such as R.
To start the scanner driver. In general, the scanner driver performs settings for the scanner device according to the purpose of use, reads the image, and transfers the read image to the application started first. This is also a general operation procedure of a user in a normal image reading apparatus and system.

Further, in the second conventional information processing apparatus and system, a scanner device main body is provided with, for example, a start button, and when the button is pressed, scanner software is activated, and an application selected for the purpose is automatically activated. Next, if a scanner driver corresponding to the scanner device is registered, the scanner driver is automatically started from the application. The scanner driver performs various operations related to image reading in the same manner as in the first conventional information processing apparatus, performs actual image reading, and transfers the read image data to an application. Was.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned first conventional information processing apparatus and system, the user determines which application corresponds to the purpose of use, and executes an executable file such as a folder, an executable program, and the like. It is necessary to search for the execution programs of the application software from the stored storage area and execute them by an actual selection operation. In addition, after the application is started, the scanner driver must be searched for from a selection means such as a menu and started, and after the scanner driver is started, the setting operation is performed after understanding the meaning of various setting items related to image reading. Then, the image cannot be read unless the reading is executed by an actual operation. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to determine an appropriate operation, and that the operation itself is complicated.

Further, in the second conventional information processing apparatus and system, it is possible to automatically start an application or a scanner driver, but the operation after starting the scanner driver is various and complicated. In addition, it is necessary to understand the meaning of various setting items such as the image type and the resolution, and to learn the setting operation method. Therefore, there is a problem that the image cannot be read by a simple operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to automatically input data and start an application suitable for input data without complicated operations. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a method, a system, and a storage medium that can perform the information processing.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and an input device is communicably connected. An input start intention information receiving means for receiving information indicating a data input start intention from the input device, and when the information indicating a data input start intention is received by the input start intention information receiving means, Data input executing means for causing an input device of information to execute data input, input data receiving means for receiving input data input by the input device from the input device, and data received by the input data receiving means Based on input data analysis means for analyzing the input data, and an analysis result by the input data analysis means;
An application selecting means for selecting an appropriate application from the plurality of types of stored applications, and an application activating means for activating the application selected by the application selecting means.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the input device is an image reading device, and the input data is read image data. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the application selecting means performs processing on the read image data read by the input device. An image processing means for performing image processing in accordance with the selected application is provided.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the data input execution means is provided in the input device. When executing data input, the driver software for the input device is activated, and a specified value required for controlling the input device is automatically specified to the driver software.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the input data analyzing means is configured to receive the received data. It is characterized in that it is determined whether the input data is document data, image data or graphic data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, as a result of the analysis by the input data analyzing means, the received input data is converted to a document data. If it is not any of the image data and the graphic data, the application starting means specifies an application set as a default and starts the specified application.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 8 of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 7, specifies each of the plurality of types of stored applications. Specific information registering means for registering specific information for determining the specific information based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means, and selecting an application corresponding to the determined specific information. It is characterized by the following.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and an input device is communicably connected. An input start intention information receiving step of receiving information indicating a data input start intention from the input device; and if the information indicating the data input start intention is received in the input start intention information receiving step, A data input execution step of causing a transmission source input device to execute data input; an input data reception step of receiving input data input by the input device from the input device; and an input data received by the input data reception step An input data analysis step of analyzing the stored data based on an analysis result of the input data analysis step. Characterized in that it has an application selection step of selecting an appropriate application among several applications, and an application activation step of activating the application selected by the application selection process.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method according to the ninth aspect, the input device is an image reading device, and the input data is read image data. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing method according to claim 11 of the present invention is the information processing method according to claim 10, wherein the read image data read by the input device is processed by the application selecting step. An image processing step of performing image processing according to the selected application is provided.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method according to any one of the ninth to eleventh aspects, the data input execution step includes the step of: When executing data input, the driver software for the input device is activated, and a specified value required for controlling the input device is automatically specified to the driver software.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method according to the twelfth aspect, the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. It is characterized by.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the same object, in the information processing method according to any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the input data analyzing step includes the step of: It is characterized in that it is determined whether the input data is document data, image data or graphic data.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the fifteenth aspect, as a result of the analysis by the input data analyzing step, the received input data is converted to a document data If it is not any of image data and graphic data, the application launching step specifies an application set as a default and launches the specified application.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing method according to claim 16 of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of claims 9 to 15, specifies each of the plurality of types of stored applications. A specific information registering step of registering specific information for determining the specific information based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing step, and selecting an application corresponding to the determined specific information. It is characterized by doing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system comprising a host computer storing a plurality of types of applications and an input device communicably connected to each other. Wherein the input device comprises: an input start intention information transmitting unit that transmits information indicating a data input start intention to the host computer; and an input data transmitting unit that transmits input data to the host computer. The host computer receives the information indicating the data input start intention transmitted by the input start intention information transmitting means, and the information indicating the data input intention is received by the input start intention information receiving means. If the data is input, the input device that transmitted the information performs data input. Data input executing means, input data receiving means for receiving input data input by the input device and transmitted by the input data transmitting means, and input data analyzing means for analyzing input data received by the input data receiving means Application selecting means for selecting an appropriate application from the plurality of types of stored applications based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means; and application activation for activating the application selected by the application selecting means Means.

To achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 18 of the present invention is the information processing system according to claim 17, wherein the input device is an image reading device, and the input data is read image data. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing system according to the eighteenth aspect, wherein the image selecting unit reads the image data read by the input device by the application selecting means. An image processing means for performing image processing in accordance with the selected application is provided.

In order to achieve the same object, according to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects, the data input execution means is provided in the input device. When executing data input, the driver software for the input device is activated, and a specified value required for controlling the input device is automatically specified to the driver software.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 21 of the present invention is the information processing system according to claim 20, wherein the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. It is characterized by.

[0029] In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system of claim 22 of the present invention is the information processing system according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the input data analysis means is configured to receive the received data. It is characterized in that it is determined whether the input data is document data, image data or graphic data.

In order to achieve the same object, the information processing system according to claim 23 of the present invention, in the configuration according to claim 22, is characterized in that:
If the received input data is not any of document data, image data or graphic data,
The application starting means specifies an application set as a default, and starts the specified application.

In order to achieve the same object, an information processing system according to claim 24 of the present invention, in the configuration according to any one of claims 17 to 23, specifies each of the plurality of types of stored applications. Specific information registering means for registering specific information for determining the specific information based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means, and selecting an application corresponding to the determined specific information. It is characterized by the following.

To achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 25 of the present invention is used in an information processing method in an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and an input device is communicably connected. A code for an input start intention information receiving step for receiving information indicating a data input start intention from the input device, and a data input start intention code for the input start intention information receiving step. When information indicating is received, a code of a data input execution step of causing the input device of the source of the information to execute data input, and input data for receiving the input data input by the input device from the input device A code for a receiving step and an input for analyzing input data received by the code for the input data receiving step A code of an application selecting step for selecting an appropriate application from the plurality of stored applications based on a result of the analysis by the code of the data analyzing step and the code of the input data analyzing step; And a code of an application starting step for starting the application selected by the above code.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 26 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the input device is an image reading device, and the input data is read image data. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 27 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 26, wherein the code of the application selection step is added to the read image data read by the input device. And a code for an image processing step for performing image processing in accordance with the application selected by (1).

To achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 28 of the present invention is a storage medium according to any one of claims 25 to 27.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the code of the data input execution step, when causing the input device to execute data input, while activating the driver software for the input device, the specified value required for control of the input device The driver software is automatically designated.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 29 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the specification of the specified value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. Features.

In order to achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 30 of the present invention is a storage medium according to any one of claims 25 to 29.
In the configuration described in the paragraph, the code of the input data analysis step determines whether the received input data is document data, image data, or graphic data.

In order to achieve the same object, the storage medium according to claim 31 of the present invention is the storage medium according to claim 30, wherein as a result of analysis by the code in the input data analysis step, the received input data is converted into a document. If it is not any of data, image data or graphic data, the code of the application starting step specifies an application set as a default,
Activating the specified application.

In order to achieve the same object, a storage medium according to claim 32 of the present invention is a storage medium according to any one of claims 25 to 31.
In the configuration described in the section, storing a code of a specific information registration step of registering specific information for specifying each of the plurality of types of stored applications, the code of the application selection step, the code of the input data analysis step The specific information is determined based on the analysis result by the code, and an application corresponding to the determined specific information is selected.

[0040]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In this system, a host computer 30 has a scanner device 40 (input device, image reading device).
Are connected by a communication cable 12.

The host computer 30 is provided with a ROM 2, a RAM 3, a keyboard input device (keyboard) 4, a display 6, and an HD (CPU 1) (data input executing means, input data analyzing means, application selecting means, application starting means, image processing means). A system bus 11 includes a hard disk device (specific information registration unit) 7, an FD (floppy disk device) 8, an external storage device 9, and a communication I / F (interface) 10 (input start intention information receiving unit and input data receiving unit). Connected and configured. A mouse 5 is connected to the keyboard 4.

In the host computer 30, the ROM
Reference numeral 2 stores a program executed when the host computer 30 is activated. The RAM 3 is used to load programs necessary for various processes and temporarily store various data. The keyboard 4 and the mouse 5 as a pointing device are used by a user to input various instructions. The display 6 visually displays various types of information, and performs, for example, screen display related to scanner software and scanner driver software described later.

The HD 7 is a large-capacity storage device that is used not only for storing programs and files, but also for temporarily storing data that cannot be controlled by the RAM 3 or the like. A registration table TB described later is also stored in the HD 7. The HD 7 further stores various applications including application software for processing image data read from the scanner device 40.

The FD 8 reads and writes data from and to a floppy disk (not shown). The external storage device 9 is an HD
7 and a storage device (for example, CD-RW, DVD, etc.) using media different from FD8. The communication I / F 10 controls communication with the scanner device 40 and other input devices. The system bus 11 is connected to the host computer 3
0, data is exchanged between the components. C
The PU 1 controls the entire host computer 30 via the system bus 11.

The communication cable 12 physically connects the host computer 30 and the scanner device 40,
Communication of data, signals, etc. between the two is enabled.

The scanner device 40 is a device-side CPU 15
The device-side communication I / F 13 (part of input start intention information transmitting means, input data transmitting means), the device-side RAM 14, the image input unit 16, the device-side ROM 17, the start button 18
(Part of input start intention information transmitting means)
It is connected and configured.

In the scanner device 40, the device-side CPU
Reference numeral 15 controls the entire apparatus. Device side communication I / F13
Controls communication with the host computer 30. Various programs and the like are stored in the device ROM 14.
The image input unit 16 has a sensor and a drive system (not shown) for optically reading an image such as a document or a photograph. The device-side RAM 17 is used for temporarily storing read image data.

The start button 18 is a button for receiving an intention to start image reading from the user, and is pressed by the user. When the start button 18 is pressed, as will be described later, the device-side CPU 15, the device-side ROM 14,
The device-side RAM 17 operates in synchronism, and an image is automatically read.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the application registration and data input processing according to the present embodiment.

First, initial settings for the entire system are performed (step S101). In this initial setting, in addition to the activation of the host computer 30 and the scanner device 40, all processes for satisfying the prerequisites necessary for the functioning of the present system are performed.

Next, it is determined whether or not a new application is to be registered (step S102). This determination may be made by a dialog or the like, or may be made by a user's selection during the process of proceeding in the wizard format. The application registered here is an application such as OCR software for performing processing on image data read by the scanner device 40, and is registered in the registration table TB.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing an example of the registration table TB.

As shown in the figure, the registration table TB has fields for registering a feature T (specific information), a name, and a path. The name is the name of the application that the user wants to register, such as OCR software, photo processing software, image editing software, and the like. The path is information indicating the execution file of the application in a folder or directory existing in a storage area such as the HD 7, and indicates the storage location of the execution file of the application to be registered and the name of the execution file. The feature T is information for specifying the name and path of each application, and the feature T, name, and path of the application that the user wishes to register should be consistent with each other.

As will be described later, the real registration table TB
It is used to specify an application corresponding to the input data. When the feature T is determined based on the input data, the application corresponding to the feature T is also determined.

Returning to FIG. 2, when the application is newly registered as a result of the determination in step S102, the characteristic T of the application is input (step S10).
3). The feature T is input by the user by key operation or selection designation on the display screen. Next, the user inputs the name of the application to be newly registered (step S
104). This name is registered in the name column corresponding to the input feature T in the registration table TB. Next, the path of the application to be newly registered is input (step S105). This path is registered in the path field corresponding to the input feature T and name in the registration table TB.

In the case where an improper input such as inconsistency is not obtained in the process of steps S103 to S105 or an unexpected system failure occurs, a series of processes is absorbed as an error process. . Although detailed description is omitted, these error processes are incorporated in each processing block.

Next, the file counter is increased (incremented) by "1" (step S106). This file counter is a counter for counting the number of applications registered in the registration table TB.
It also functions as a pointer indicating the storage location on B.

Next, it is determined whether or not to continue registration of the application (step S107). If the result of the determination is that registration of the application is to be continued, the process returns to step S103 to repeat the registration process, while ending the registration of the application. If so, the step S10
Return to 2.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S102 that the application is not newly registered, it is determined whether or not the start button 18 has been pressed (input) in the scanner device 40 (step S108).
Pressing of the start button 18 is a signal that the scanner device 40 wants to start image reading, and information indicating that (hereinafter, referred to as “start intention information”) is transmitted to the host computer 30 via the communication cable 12. You. When the host computer 30 receives the start intention information, it is determined that the start button 18 has been pressed. In the scanner device 40, pressing of the start button 18 is physically detected by a known method, but may be detected by another method.

As a result of the determination, if the start button 18 has not been pressed, the process returns to the step S102. If the start button 18 has been pressed, the scanner software is started (step S109). This scanner software is in charge of several processing blocks in the present embodiment, and is for executing central processing for functioning as an information processing system.

Next, the scanner software negotiates with the scanner driver to receive capabilities such as the functions of the scanner device 40,
It determines the specified value such as the mode and resolution to be specified according to the capability. More specifically, a capability such as a color mode, a resolution, and a document reading range that can be executed by the scanner device 40 is received from the scanner driver, and a designated value for the capability is determined in step S111.

Here, the scanner driver controls the scanner device 40 by exchanging actual commands with the scanner device 40, and controls the device serving as an actual image capturing port. Software. In the present embodiment, the scanner driver takes a separate form called a scanner driver in order to structure the scanner software as a system, exchanges data with the scanner software through a predetermined interface, and functions. Note that the scanner driver may be included in the scanner software.

Next, in step S111, the color mode, resolution, document reading range, and the like received in step S110 are designated as designated values from the scanner software to the scanner driver. As the designated value, the largest one of the capabilities of the scanner device 40 received in step S110 is designated. By doing so, image processing for optimizing an image for a target application later becomes easy.

Next, the scanner driver is started (step S112). The activation here is performed by loading a scanner driver into the RAM 3 or the like of the host computer 30 and
This means that the scanner device 40 is set to an execution state in which commands can be directly transmitted / received to / from the scanner device 40, and the user interface of the scanner driver does not necessarily need to be displayed on the screen of the display 6.

Next, automatic image reading is executed (step S113). That is, the scanner driver performs various settings on the scanner device 40 based on the specified value specified in step S111, and sequentially processes programs such as an image reading command and an image receiving command. Automatically read an image from a document.

Next, the image read by the scanner device 40 is transferred to the scanner software as image data (step S114), and the scanner driver is terminated (step S115). By the end processing of the scanner driver, it becomes possible to cope with the processing loop of the entire processing re-expanded from the step S102.

Next, image analysis, that is, analysis of image data transferred from the scanner driver to the scanner software is performed (step S116). In this image analysis, features of an image are extracted, and the most suitable use of the feature is selected. Regarding the image analysis method, a number of logical methods are known technologies, and in a system in which the technologies are combined in a complex manner as in the present embodiment, it is regarded as one of the processing blocks, Detailed description is omitted. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S117 in FIG.

Steps S117, S126 and S1 in FIG.
At 31, the scanner software determines the result of the image analysis. As the most suitable use selected from the image feature extraction, specifically, as a result of image analysis, it is determined whether the transferred image data is document (document) data, image data, or graphic data. .

First, in step S117, it is determined whether or not the image data is document data as a result of the image analysis. If the result of the determination is that the image data is not document data, whether or not the image data is image data is determined. Is determined (step S126), and as a result of the determination,
If the image data is not image data, it is determined whether or not the image data is graphic data (step S131).

If the result of determination in step S117 is that image data is document data, the scanner software refers to a section corresponding to "document" from the registration table TB shown in FIG. 4 (step S11).
8). Although the contents of the registration table TB are expressed as words for convenience, even when these are assigned by numbers or codes, similar processing is realized if the registration table TB itself is storage information of a logically correct format. It goes without saying that it is possible.

Next, from the reference result, the registration table TB
It is determined whether or not an application corresponding to “document” is registered (step S119). The presence / absence of registration of the corresponding application is determined by the presence / absence of “document” in the registration table TB. As a result of the determination, if there is no “document” in the registration table TB and the corresponding application is not registered, the process proceeds to step S136.

On the other hand, if “document” is registered in the registration table TB and the corresponding application is registered, the scanner software converts the image data transferred from the scanner driver to the application (here, OCR software). Next, the image is processed into an OCR image (step S120). Here, the OCR image corresponds to, for example, a grayscale image in which one pixel is represented by 8-bit data.

Next, the processed OCR image is stored (step S121). The information on the storage destination of the OCR image is stored in the RAM 3 or the HD 7 of the host computer 30.
Is stored in a temporary file that is created.

Next, the scanner software reads the contents of the path corresponding to “document” from the registration table TB (step S122). As described above, the path to the execution file of the application having the feature “T” as “document” is specified in this path.

Next, an application (here, OCR software) corresponding to “document” is started according to the path read in step S122 (step S123).

Next, the scanner software ends (step S124). Note that a method of executing the application from the scanner software by using a path of some executable file is well known in a program that operates on a general computer system, and thus a detailed description is omitted. Next, the OCR image saved in step S121 is opened on the activated application (step S125).

Next, it is determined whether or not termination of the present process has been instructed (step S140). If the result of this determination is that termination of the present process has not been instructed, the process returns to step S102. If this is done, the present process ends.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S126 is that the image data is image data as a result of the image analysis, the scanner software refers to the item corresponding to "image" from the registration table TB (step S1).
27).

Next, from the reference result, the registration table TB
It is determined whether an application corresponding to “image” is registered (step S128). If the result of the determination is that there is no “image” in the registration table TB and the corresponding application has not been registered, the process proceeds to step S136.

On the other hand, when "image" is included in the registration table TB and the corresponding application is registered, the image data transferred from the scanner driver is adapted so as to be suitable for the application (here, photo processing software). Process into an image (step S12
9). Next, the processed image is stored in the same manner as the document data (step S13).
0).

Subsequent steps S122 to S125, S14
In the case of 0, as in the case of document data, processes such as reading of a path from the registration table TB, activation of a corresponding application (here, photo processing software) according to the path, opening of an image, and the like are performed for “image”. .

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S131 is that the image analysis is a result of the image analysis and the image data is graphic data, the scanner software
B refers to a term corresponding to “graphic” (step S132).

Next, from the reference result, the registration table TB
It is determined whether or not an application corresponding to “graphic” is registered (step S133). If the result of the determination is that there is no "graphic" in the registration table TB and the corresponding application has not been registered, the process proceeds to step S136.

On the other hand, when “graphic” is stored in the registration table TB and the corresponding application is registered, the image data transferred from the scanner driver is converted to be suitable for the application (here, image editing software). The image is processed into a graphic image (step S134). Next, the processed graphic image is stored in the same manner as the document data (step S135).

Subsequent steps S122 to S125, S14
In the case of 0, as in the case of document data, processing such as reading of a path from the registration table TB, activation of a corresponding application (here, image editing software), opening of an image, and the like according to the path is performed for “graphic”. .

If the result of determination in step S131 is that image data is not graphic data as a result of image analysis, the image data is not any of document data, image data or graphic data, and the flow advances to step S136.

In step S136, the image data transferred from the scanner driver is stored as it is (without processing) (step S136), and the contents of the path corresponding to "default" are read from the registration table TB (step S137). . That is, a versatile application that can perform general image processing on image data that could not be referenced from the registration table TB by image analysis is specified. As this application, for example, image editing software is prepared.

Subsequent steps S123 to S125, S14
In the case of "0", processes such as activation of a corresponding application (here, image editing software) and image opening are performed for "default", as in the case of document data.

According to the present embodiment, the scanner device 40
If the start button 18 is pressed (input),
The scanner software is automatically started, a designated value is designated by negotiation with a scanner driver, and an image is automatically read by the scanner device 40. Based on the image analysis result of the read image data, Since the application corresponding to the image data is selected from the applications registered in the registration table TB and automatically started, the image data can be automatically input and input without any complicated operation. An application suitable for image data can be started.

Further, since the image data is processed and stored so as to be suitable for the selected application,
Image data suitable for the selected application can be obtained without requiring a complicated operation.

Further, when causing the scanner device 40 to execute automatic reading, the driver software is activated and the optimum specification values such as the mode and resolution are automatically specified to the driver software by negotiation. In addition, complicated operations can be further avoided.

Further, since the default application is prepared, the minimum processing can be secured and the complicated operation can be minimized.

Further, since a registration table TB is provided and necessary applications can be registered in advance, if an application is registered in advance, an application more suitable for input image data is selected, and more appropriate processing can be performed.

It is possible to select and configure a plurality of image analysis processing blocks and analysis results by the software library, and these are not limited to applications. For example, analysis results are classified into document (document) data, image data,
The data is not limited to graphic data and may include other types of data.

Although the scanner device 40 is exemplified as an input device in the present embodiment, the present invention is applicable to other input devices as long as the device is connected to the host computer 30 to input data and transfer the data to the host computer 30. It is possible.

A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to an information processing apparatus or system, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus set.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

The functions of each of the above-described embodiments are realized not only by the computer executing the readout program code, but also by the operating system running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0103]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
According to the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the information processing method according to the ninth aspect, the information processing system according to the seventeenth aspect, or the storage medium according to the twenty-fifth aspect, data input is automatically performed without complicated operation. In addition, an application suitable for input data can be started.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the information processing method according to claim 10, the information processing system according to claim 18, or the storage medium according to claim 26,
It is possible to automatically input image data and start an application suitable for the input image data without requiring a complicated operation.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, the information processing method according to claim 11, the information processing system according to claim 19, or the storage medium according to claim 27,
Image data suitable for the selected application can be obtained without requiring a complicated operation.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention, the information processing method according to claim 12, the information processing system according to claim 20, or the storage medium according to claim 28,
Designation of a designated value necessary for control of the input device is automatically performed, and a complicated operation can be further avoided.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 5, the information processing method according to claim 13, the information processing system according to claim 21, or the storage medium according to claim 29,
The specified value is automatically and appropriately specified as the optimum value.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, the information processing method according to claim 14, the information processing system according to claim 22, or the storage medium according to claim 30,
For example, an application most suitable for input data can be started, such as OCR software for document data, photo processing software for image data, and image editing software for graphic data.

According to the information processing apparatus according to claim 7, the information processing method according to claim 15, the information processing system according to claim 23, or the storage medium according to claim 31,
For example, a highly versatile application can be started, minimum processing can be secured, and complicated operations can be minimized.

According to the information processing apparatus of claim 8, the information processing method of claim 16, the information processing system of claim 24, or the storage medium of claim 32,
If an application is registered in advance, an application more suitable for the input data is selected, and more appropriate processing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an application registration and data input process in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 2 showing an application registration and data input process in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a registration table TB.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CPU (data input executing means, input data analyzing means, application selecting means, application starting means, image processing means) 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 keyboard input device 6 display 7 HD (specific information registering means) 10 communication I / F (input) Start intention information receiving means, input data receiving means) 13 Device-side communication I / F (part of input start intention information transmitting means, input data transmitting means) 14 Device-side RAM 15 Device-side CPU 16 Image input unit 17 Device-side ROM 18 Start button (part of input start intention information transmission means) 30 Host computer 40 Scanner device (input device, image reading device) T Feature (specific information) TB registration table

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and an input device is communicably connected, and input start intention information for receiving information indicating a data input start intention from said input device. Receiving means; data input execution means for executing data input by an input device of a source of the information when the information indicating the data input start intention is received by the input start intention information receiving means; Input data receiving means for receiving input input data from the input device; input data analyzing means for analyzing the input data received by the input data receiving means; based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means, An application for selecting an appropriate application from the plurality of types of stored applications. And Deployment selecting means, an information processing apparatus characterized by comprising an application activation unit that activates the application selected by the application selection means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input device is an image reading device, and the input data is read image data. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an image processing unit that performs image processing on the read image data read by the input device in accordance with the application selected by the application selection unit. Information processing device. 4. The data input execution means activates driver software for the input device and causes a specified value required for control of the input device to be transmitted to the driver software when causing the input device to execute data input. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information is automatically specified.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 3. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input data analyzing means determines whether the received input data is document data, image data, or graphic data. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 7. When the received input data is not any of document data, image data and graphic data as a result of the analysis by the input data analyzing means, the application starting means sets the application set as a default. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the specified application is specified and the specified application is started. 8. An identification information registering unit for registering identification information for identifying each of the plurality of types of stored applications, wherein the application selection unit is configured to output the identification information based on an analysis result by the input data analysis unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the application is determined, and an application corresponding to the determined specific information is selected. 9. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and an input device is communicably connected, and receives information indicating a data input start intention from the input device. An input start intention information receiving step, and a data input execution step of, when information indicating a data input start intention is received by the input start intention information receiving step, causing the input device of the information source to execute data input; An input data receiving step of receiving input data input by the input device from the input device, an input data analyzing step of analyzing the input data received by the input data receiving step, and an analysis result by the input data analyzing step Of the plurality of types of stored applications, based on the And application selection step of selecting a processing method characterized in that it comprises an application activation step of activating the application selected by the application selection process. 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, wherein said input device is an image reading device, and said input data is read image data. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an image processing step of performing image processing on the read image data read by the input device in accordance with the application selected in the application selection step. Information processing method. 12. The data input execution step, when causing the input device to execute data input, activates driver software for the input device, and transmits a designated value necessary for controlling the input device to the driver software. The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the information is automatically specified. 13. The information processing method according to claim 12, wherein the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. 14. The input data analyzing step according to claim 9, wherein said received input data is one of document data, image data and graphic data. An information processing method according to claim 1. 15. If the received input data is not any of document data, image data, or graphic data as a result of the analysis in the input data analysis step, the application starting step includes the step of setting an application set as a default. 15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the specified application is designated and the designated application is started. 16. An identification information registering step of registering identification information for identifying each of the plurality of types of stored applications, wherein the application selection step is performed based on an analysis result by the input data analysis step. The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein information is determined, and an application corresponding to the determined specific information is selected. 17. An information processing system in which a host computer storing a plurality of types of applications and an input device are communicably connected to each other, wherein the input device transmits information indicating a data input start intention. An input start intention information transmitting unit that transmits the input data to the host computer; and an input data transmission unit that transmits input data to the host computer. The host computer transmits the data input transmitted by the input start intention information transmitting unit. Input start intention information receiving means for receiving information indicating a start intention, and when information indicating a data input start intention is received by the input start intention information receiving means, data is input to an input device of a transmission source of the information. Data input execution means to be executed; and Input data receiving means for receiving the input data transmitted by the data transmitting means, input data analyzing means for analyzing the input data received by the input data receiving means, based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means, An information processing system comprising: an application selecting unit that selects an appropriate application from the plurality of types of stored applications; and an application starting unit that starts an application selected by the application selecting unit. 18. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein said input device is an image reading device, and said input data is read image data. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing on the read image data read by said input device in accordance with the application selected by said application selection means. Information processing system. 20. The data input executing means, when causing the input device to execute data input, activates driver software for the input device and transmits a designated value necessary for controlling the input device to the driver software. 20. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein the information is automatically specified. 21. The information processing system according to claim 20, wherein the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. 22. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said input data analyzing means determines whether the received input data is document data, image data, or graphic data. An information processing system according to claim 1. 23. As a result of the analysis by the input data analysis means, if the received input data is not any of document data, image data or graphic data, the application starting means sets the application set as a default. 23. The information processing system according to claim 22, wherein the specified application is started and the specified application is started. 24. A storage device, comprising: specific information registering means for registering specific information for specifying each of the plurality of types of stored applications; wherein the application selecting means includes: specific information based on an analysis result by the input data analyzing means. 24. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein an application corresponding to the determined specific information is selected. 25. A storage medium storing a program used in an information processing method in an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of types of applications are stored and to which an input device is communicably connected, wherein A code of an input start intention information receiving step for receiving information indicating a data input start intention, and when information indicating a data input start intention is received by the code of the input start intention information receiving step, a source of the information is transmitted. A code of a data input execution step of causing the input device to execute data input; a code of an input data receiving step of receiving input data input by the input device from the input device; and a code of the input data receiving step. Code for an input data analysis step for analyzing input data A code of an application selecting step of selecting an appropriate application from the stored plurality of types of applications based on the analysis result by the application, and an application starting step of starting the application selected by the code of the application selecting step. A storage medium characterized by storing a code. 26. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said input device is an image reading device, and said input data is read image data. 27. An image processing step of performing image processing on read image data read by the input device in accordance with the application selected by the application selection step code. Item 29. The storage medium according to Item 26. 28. The code of the data input execution step,
When causing the input device to execute data input, while activating the driver software for the input device,
28. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein a designated value required for controlling the input device is automatically designated to the driver software. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the designation of the designated value is performed through negotiation with the driver software. 30. The code of the input data analyzing step,
30. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein it is determined whether the received input data is document data, image data, or graphic data. 31. If the received input data is not any of document data, image data or graphic data as a result of the analysis by the code of the input data analysis step, the code of the application start step is set as a default. 31. The storage medium according to claim 30, wherein a designated application is designated, and the designated application is started. 32. A code for a specific information registration step for registering specific information for specifying each of the plurality of types of stored applications, wherein the code for the application selection step is based on the code for the input data analysis step. The storage medium according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the specific information is determined based on the analysis result, and an application corresponding to the determined specific information is selected.