JP2002290706A - Copying machine, copying system, copy processing method, copy processing program and computer-readable recording medium for recording the copy processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copy processing technique which can provide an advantage for both users and information providers by automatically adding appropriate information satisfying user's demands. SOLUTION: A copying machine 10 has a reader 11 which reads a document and outputs image data, a printer 12, and a controller 16. The controller 16 recognizes the character string included in the output image data, decides a keyword out of the recognized character string, and then chooses such information an advertisement based on the decided keyword. The printer prints composite information of the image data and the chosen information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a copy processing technique for reading a document, recognizing characters of the output image, and adding information corresponding to the contents of the document when copying the document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, JP-A-10-320145 and JP-A-11-2
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 49861 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-59554, a device for adding predetermined information such as an advertisement to image data and printing the image data, for example, a copying machine is known.

If the advertisement to be added does not meet the needs of the user, the value of the added advertisement is small for the user. Even for advertisers, sufficient advertising effects cannot be obtained. It is conceivable that the user himself / herself selects the information to be added. However, since the operation at the time of copying becomes complicated, there is a possibility that the copy mode to which the advertisement is added may not be selected. For this reason, if information such as an appropriate advertisement that matches the needs of the user can be automatically added, this is a great advantage for both the user and the advertiser.

[0004] However, the prior art does not take into account the automatic addition of appropriate information that meets the needs of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy processing technique capable of providing both a user and an information provider with a great advantage by automatically adding appropriate information that meets a user's request.

[0006]

The present invention for achieving the above object is constituted as follows for each claim.

(1) A reading unit for reading a document and outputting image data, a character recognizing unit for recognizing a character string included in the output image data, a determining unit for determining a keyword from the recognized character string, A copying machine comprising: a selection unit that selects information based on a determined keyword; and a printing unit that prints the image data and the selected information.

(2) The copying machine according to (1), wherein the information is information relating to an advertisement.

(3) There is further provided a first storage unit for storing a plurality of keywords, wherein the determination unit determines a keyword based on the recognized character string and the plurality of keywords stored in the first storage unit. The copying machine according to the above (1).

(4) There is further provided a second storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of information in association with a keyword, wherein the selection unit stores information matching the keyword from the second storage unit based on the determined keyword. The copying machine according to the above (1) to be called.

(5) An extraction unit for extracting supplementary information unrelated to the keyword, and a third storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of information in association with the keyword and the supplementary information, wherein the selection unit determines The copying machine according to (1), wherein information matching the keyword and the supplementary information is retrieved from the third storage unit based on the keyword and the extracted supplementary information.

(6) The copying machine according to (5), wherein the supplementary information includes an installation position of the copying machine, operating conditions set for the copying machine, or a current time.

(7) There is further provided a fourth storage unit for storing specific information not related to the keyword, wherein the selecting unit calls the specific information from the fourth storage unit when the keyword is not determined. The copier according to (1).

(8) An identification section for identifying whether or not data relating to information is already included in the image data, and whether or not the information selected based on the determined keyword is different from the already included information. A determining unit for determining whether the selected information is different from the already-included information, and a creating unit for creating a new image by replacing the already-included information with the selected information. The copying machine according to (1), wherein the printing unit prints the created new image.

(9) The character recognition section recognizes a character string included in image data corresponding to a part of the document.
The copier according to the above.

(10) The copying machine according to (1), wherein the printing unit prints the selected information on the back of a sheet on which the image data is printed or on a sheet different from the sheet on which the image data is printed.

(11) The copying machine according to (1), further comprising a combining unit that combines the selected information and the image data, wherein the printing unit prints the combined image.

(12) The composition unit according to (11), wherein the combining unit combines the selected information and the image data so that the selected information is printed in a blank portion generated when the image data is printed. Copier.

(13) In a copying system having a copying machine and an information processing device connected to the copying machine, the copying machine reads a document and outputs image data; A character recognizing unit that recognizes a character string included in a character string, a determining unit that determines a keyword from the recognized character string, and a printing unit, wherein the information processing apparatus performs information processing based on the keyword determined by the determining unit. A copying unit that prints the image data and information selected by the information processing apparatus.

(14) In a copying system having a copying machine and an information processing device connected to the copying machine, the copying machine includes a reading unit for reading a document and outputting image data, and a printing unit. The information processing apparatus includes a character recognition unit that recognizes a character string included in the image data output from the reading unit, a determination unit that determines a keyword from the recognized character string, and information based on the determined keyword. A copying unit that prints the image data and the information selected by the information processing apparatus.

(15) The copying system according to (13) or (14), wherein the copying machine and the information processing apparatus are connected via a network or locally connected.

(16) A step of reading an original and outputting image data; a step of recognizing a character string included in the output image data; a step of determining a keyword from the recognized character string; And a step of printing the image data and the selected information.

(17) A copy processing program for adding information when copying an original, a procedure for reading the original and outputting image data, a procedure for recognizing a character string included in the output image data, A copy processing program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for determining a keyword from a recognized character string, a procedure for selecting information based on the determined keyword, and a procedure for printing the image data and the selected information.

(18) A computer-readable recording medium on which a copy processing program for adding information when copying a document is recorded, wherein a procedure for reading the document and outputting image data is included in the output image data. A step of recognizing a character string to be recognized, a step of determining a keyword from the recognized character string, a step of selecting information based on the determined keyword, and a step of printing the image data and the selected information. A computer-readable recording medium on which a copy processing program to be executed is recorded.

[0025]

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

(First Embodiment) FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment.

The copying machine 10 includes a reading unit 11 for reading an original and outputting image data, a printing unit 12 for printing an image, and an operation panel unit 1 on which a user operates keys.
3, a display unit 14 including a liquid crystal panel or the like, and a storage unit 1
5, a control unit 16 that executes a copying process and controls each unit, and a timer 17.

The reading unit 11 includes an automatic document feeder (A
DF). A plurality of originals stacked on the ADF are conveyed one by one to a predetermined reading position. The operation panel unit 13 is provided with ten keys for setting the number of copies and the like, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and the like. The user operates the operation panel unit 13 to switch the display screen and the copy mode, and to input the number of copies and the like.

The control unit 16 recognizes a character string included in the image data output from the reading unit 11, determines a keyword from the recognized character string, and selects information based on the determined keyword. Here, the information is not particularly limited, but may be an advertisement or a notice used in a public facility such as a library. In the following description, an advertisement is taken as an example.

The storage unit 15 stores a plurality of keywords, a plurality of advertisements associated with the keyword, a plurality of advertisements associated with the keyword and the supplementary information, and a specific advertisement not associated with the keyword. Here, the supplementary information is information not related to the keyword. In particular,
The supplementary information is information extracted by the control unit 16 and includes an installation position of the copying machine 10, an operating condition set for the copying machine 10, a current time, and the like.

The copying machine 10 has a normal mode for executing a normal copying process without adding an advertisement, and an advertisement adding mode for executing a copying process for adding an advertisement. The copy fee charged to the user is changed depending on the selected mode. When the advertisement addition mode is selected, the copy fee per sheet is set at a low price. The reduced price of the copy is equivalent to the advertisement fee, and is charged to the advertiser.

In general, a user allows an advertisement to be added when the copy price becomes low. However, depending on the user, for example, a user who copies an official document or the like may not want to add an advertisement. Therefore, the copying machine 10 has a selection unit for the user to select the normal mode or the advertisement addition mode. The selection means includes buttons provided on the operation panel unit 13 and the like.

In addition to the mode set by the user in advance as described above, a mode may be used in which the user is inquired about the necessity of adding an advertisement every time the start key is pressed. Further, depending on the installation location of the copying machine 10, there may be a case where it is desired to forcibly add a notice as information. In such a case, a restriction that the normal mode cannot be selected may be added.

The operation of the control unit 16 of the copying machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The processing shown is executed when the user selects the advertisement addition mode. When the reading unit 11 reads a document and outputs image data, the control unit 16 recognizes a character string included in the output image data (S1).
0). The control unit 16 sequentially cuts out character images from the image data, recognizes the character images, and converts the character images into character code data. In character recognition, character images included in a text area and a table area are subjected to character recognition. Recognizable characters include all characters, numbers, and symbols to which character code data is assigned, and also include external characters registered by the user as patterns. The control unit 16 also recognizes the font, font size, font color, and character modification.

The control unit 16 compares the recognized character string with a plurality of keywords stored in the storage unit 15, and determines a keyword from the recognized character string (S11). The keyword is not one letter, for example, "computer"
This is a character string consisting of a plurality of characters such as "" and "travel".
When a plurality of keywords appear in the candidates, the control unit 16 determines whether the frequency of appearance is large, the font size is large, the font color is different from other fonts, or character modification such as bold or italic is used. A keyword is determined by considering the user's intention, that is, whether or not the user uses the character string as an important character string, based on whether or not the character string is added. If the keyword stored in the storage unit 15 does not exist in the recognized character string, the keyword is not determined.

The control unit 16 determines whether a keyword has been determined (S12). If the keyword has been determined (S12: YES), the process proceeds to step S13, and if the keyword has not been determined (S12:
NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

The copier 10 is preset with one of a first mode for selecting an advertisement based on only keywords and a second mode for selecting an advertisement based on both keywords and supplementary information. The user is in the first mode or the second mode
The mode may be selectable.

The controller 16 determines whether the first mode has been selected (S13).

When the first mode is selected (S
13: YES), the control unit 16 selects an advertisement based on the determined keyword, and calls an advertisement matching the keyword from the storage unit 15 (S14).

If the second mode is selected (S
13: NO), the control unit 16 extracts, as supplementary information, the position where the copying machine 10 is installed, the copying operation conditions set for the copying machine 10, the current time, and the like (S15). Copier 10 used by unspecified number of users
The location where is installed is, for example, a convenience store, a school, a station, a library, a facility of a national or local government, or the like. The data relating to the installation position is set when the copying machine 10 is installed, and is stored in the storage unit 15. The control unit 16 calls out data related to the installation position from the storage unit 15. The copy operation conditions are set by the user operating the operation panel, and include, for example, a color copy mode and a monochrome copy mode. The control unit 16 extracts data relating to copy operation conditions when copying is started. Then, the control unit 16 selects an advertisement based on the determined keyword and the extracted supplementary information, and calls an advertisement that matches the keyword and the supplementary information from the storage unit 15 (S16).

The advantages of selecting an advertisement based on both keywords and supplementary information are as follows. If the keyword is determined to be, for example, “restaurant”, the copying machine 1
Select an advertisement for a restaurant close to the location where 0 is installed, select an advertisement for a restaurant available at the current time, print a color advertisement when the color copy mode is set, and so on. be able to. Therefore, in the second mode, an advertisement more suitable for the user's request can be selected than in the first mode. As a result, more accurate ads can be added to the copy,
For the user, it is possible to extract information that meets his needs.

As a method of searching for an advertisement based on a keyword or based on a keyword and supplementary information, a general method in a database system or the like is used.

If the keyword cannot be determined (S12: NO), the control unit 16 selects a specific advertisement not related to the keyword, and calls the specific advertisement from the storage unit 15 (S17).

A document to which an advertisement has been added may be copied again. The control unit 16 determines whether or not the data regarding the advertisement is already included in the image data (S18 in FIG. 3). The advertisement includes, as a part thereof, an identification code including a code number and a bar code. This identification code can be recognized as a character in step S10 described above. The control unit 16 determines whether or not the recognized character string includes an identification code. If the identification code is included, it is determined that the document already includes the advertisement (S18: YE).
S), when the identification code is not included, it is determined that the original does not include the advertisement (S18: NO).

In the case of a manuscript not including an advertisement (S18:
NO), the control unit 16 executes a process of combining the selected advertisement with the image data (S23).

In the case of a manuscript already including an advertisement (S18:
YES), the control unit 16 stores the identification code of the advertisement in the storage unit 15. Steps S14, S16 and S17
Also, the control unit 16 stores the identification code of the selected advertisement in the storage unit 15.

The control unit 16 determines whether the selected advertisement is different from the already included advertisement (S19).
This determination is made by comparing the identification code of the selected advertisement with the identification code of the advertisement already included in the document.

If they are the same (S19: NO), there is no need to replace the already included advertisement with the selected advertisement. Therefore, the control unit 16 does not perform the process of synthesizing the selected information and the image data, and proceeds to step S2.
Proceed to 2.

If different (S19: YES), the control unit 16 replaces the already included advertisement with the selected advertisement (S20) and creates a new image (S21).

Then, the control section 16 outputs the data synthesized in step S23 or the new image data created in step S21 to the printing section 12 (S22).

After the processing in the control section 16 is completed, the printing section 12 prints the data output from the control section 16. Thus, a series of copy processing for adding the advertisement is completed.

The combining process in step S23 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.
6 shows an example of the originals 20 and 23 and copies 20a and 23a of the originals 20 and 23 in the advertisement addition mode.
23b is shown.

The control unit 16 determines whether or not the document has a margin based on the image data obtained by reading the document (S3).
0), if there is a margin (S30: YES), the size of the selected advertisement is scaled according to the size of the margin, and the advertisement and the image data are combined (S31).

If there is no margin (S30: NO), the control unit 16 determines whether double-sided printing is possible (S32). If the two-sided copy mode is not selected, the control unit 16 determines that the two-sided printing is possible (S32: YES), and combines the data for printing the advertisement on the back side of the paper on which the image data is printed. I do. If the duplex copy mode is selected, the control unit 16 determines that duplex printing is not possible (S3).
2: NO), a blank space is forcibly created by reducing the image data or shifting the image data in a predetermined direction (S3).
3). Thereafter, the control unit 16 scales the size of the selected advertisement according to the size of the forcibly created margin, and combines the advertisement with the image data (S31).

As shown in FIG. 5A, the original 20 originally has a margin 21 in the lower part. A copy 20a of the manuscript 20 has an advertisement 22 in the margin as shown in FIG.
Is printed.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case of a document 23 having no margin, if double-sided printing is possible, the document 2
3B, the image of the document 23 is printed on the front side of one sheet of paper, and the advertisement 24 is printed on the back side, as shown in FIG. If double-sided printing is not possible, an advertisement 24 is printed on the copy 23b of the original 23 in a margin forcibly created as shown in FIG. Therefore, the advertisements 22 and 24 can be added to the copy without being limited by the amount of description of the originals 20 and 23.

The position where the advertisement is printed is not limited to the existing margin of the paper, the back side of the paper, or the forcibly created margin.
For example, the advertisement can be printed on a sheet different from the sheet on which the image data is printed.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a document to which an advertisement has been added and a copy of the document in the advertisement addition mode.

As shown in FIG. 7A, this original 25
Is a document to which an advertisement has been added, and corresponds to the copy 20a in FIG. 5B. As a result of the determination in step S19 in FIG.
An example in which the advertisement 26 already included is different will be described. In this case, the copy 25a of the original 25 is replaced with the advertisement 27 selected from the already included advertisement 26, and the advertisement 27 is printed, as shown in FIG.

As described above, when the user selects the advertisement addition mode, the copying machine 10 according to the first embodiment recognizes and recognizes a character string included in image data obtained by reading a document. A keyword is determined from a character string, an advertisement is selected based on the determined keyword and supplementary information, and the image data and the selected advertisement are printed. Based on the keywords determined by recognizing the contents of the manuscript, it is possible to analyze the user's intention, quickly select an appropriate advertisement that matches the user's request, and automatically add the advertisement to the copy it can. As a result, the value of the added advertisement is large for the user, and a sufficient advertisement effect can be obtained for the advertiser.
Can provide significant benefits to both users and information providers.

When the original 25 to which the advertisement has been added is copied again, if the advertisement is further added, only the advertisement becomes conspicuous and the copy becomes difficult to see. In the first embodiment, in consideration of this point, the selected advertisement 27 is added in a form to replace the already added advertisement 26, so that there is no possibility that the copy becomes unsightly. Moreover, the user can obtain the latest advertisement 27, which is very significant.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment is a stand-alone copy machine in which the present invention is applied to a copy system having a copier and an information processing apparatus connected to the copier. This is different from the first embodiment in which the machine 10 is taken as an example.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing the copying system 30.

In the copying system 30, a copying machine 31 and servers 32 and 42 are mutually connected via networks 33 and 41. The network 33 has a personal computer 3
4, a scanner 35, a printer 36, a facsimile 37 and a gateway 38 are also connected. The network 33 is connected to the Internet 39 via a gateway 38, and can communicate with each other via the Internet 39 with a network 41 connected to a gateway 40. At least a server 42 is connected to the network 41. An example will be described in which information such as an advertisement is stored in the server 42 and the server 42 functions as an information processing device.

The copying machine 31 according to the second embodiment has
As with the copying machine 10, the reading unit 11 and the printing unit 1
2, operation panel unit 13, display unit 14, storage unit 15
, A control unit 16 and a timer 17. Copier 3
1 further has a communication unit for exchanging data with other devices connected to the networks 33 and 41. The control unit 16 of the copying machine 31 recognizes a character string included in the image data output from the reading unit 11 and determines a keyword from the recognized character string. The storage unit 15 stores a plurality of keywords, and further stores only specific advertisements that are not related to the keywords among the advertisements.

The server 42 has a control unit mainly composed of a CPU, a communication unit for exchanging data with other devices connected to the networks 33 and 41, and a storage unit. The keyword transferred from the copier 31 is input to the control unit of the server 42 via the communication unit. The control unit selects an advertisement as information based on the keyword. The storage unit stores a plurality of advertisements associated with the keyword and a plurality of advertisements associated with the keyword and the supplementary information.

The operation of the control unit of the copying machine 31 in the copying system 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The processing shown is executed when the user selects the advertisement addition mode. When the reading unit 11 of the copying machine 31 reads a document and outputs image data, the control unit 16 recognizes a character string included in the output image data (S40) and determines a keyword (S41). When the keyword has been determined (S42: YES), the control unit 16 executes an inquiry process to the server 42 (S43). If the keyword cannot be determined (S42: NO), the inquiry process is not executed.
The control unit 16 selects a specific advertisement and calls the specific advertisement from the storage unit 15 (S45).

Inquiry processing to server 42 (S4
In 3), the control unit 16 transmits the determined keyword and the extracted supplementary information to the server 42 via the communication unit.
Output to The supplementary information in this case also includes data indicating whether the user has selected the first mode or the second mode. Further, the control unit 16 receives the advertisement transferred from the server 42 via the communication unit.

When the reception of the advertisement is completed (S44: YE
S), the control unit 16 determines whether an advertisement is already included in the image data (S46 in FIG. 10). In subsequent steps S47 to S51, step S1 shown in FIG.
Processes similar to those in 9 to S23 are executed.

Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The operation of the control unit of the server 42 in the copying system 30 will be described.

When there is an inquiry request from the copying machine 31 (S60: YES), the control unit of the server 42 receives the keyword and the supplementary information output from the copying machine 31 via the communication unit (S61).

If the data indicating that the first mode is selected is included in the supplementary information (S62: YES), the control unit selects an advertisement based on the keyword, and the keyword matches from the storage unit. The advertisement is called (S63).
When data indicating that the second mode is selected is included in the supplementary information (S62: NO), the control unit selects an advertisement based on the keyword and the supplementary information, and reads the keyword and the supplementary information from the storage unit. Is called (S65). Then, the control unit transfers the selected advertisement to the copying machine 31 via the communication unit (S64).

The server 32 may function as an information processing device. In this case, the copying process is performed in the same procedure.

The copying system 30 according to the second embodiment includes:
As in the first embodiment, based on the keyword determined by recognizing the contents of the document, the user's intention can be analyzed, and an appropriate advertisement that matches the user's request can be quickly selected and the advertisement can be selected. Can be automatically added to the copy. As a result, the value of the added advertisement is large for the user and a sufficient advertisement effect can be obtained for the advertiser, and the copying system 30 can provide a great advantage to both the user and the information provider.

The present invention is not limited to the specific examples of the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical concept of the present invention. . For example, the following changes or modifications are conceivable.

If the time required from the start of copying to the selection of the advertisement is too long, the user has a long waiting time and feels discomfort. Therefore, for example, the timer 17 is started when the keyword is determined (S12: YES) or when the inquiry processing to the server 42 is started (S43), and the elapsed time is measured. When the elapsed time reaches the set time (several seconds), the time is over and the advertisement selection work (S13 to S16 or S62, S63, S65) is stopped. The control unit 16 of the copying machines 10 and 31 includes a storage unit 15
Is selected (S17 or S4).
5) Perform subsequent processing. In this way, the waiting time of the user can be limited, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

The timing of starting the character recognition (S10 or S40) may be before the reading of all the originals is completed. In this case, the control units 16 of the copying machines 10 and 31 and the control unit of the server 42 recognize a character string included in image data corresponding to a part of the document. Here, the "part of the document" includes both a meaning of a predetermined range of one document (for example, half of the document size) and a meaning of an arbitrary number of documents of a plurality of documents. . By doing so, the character recognition (S10 or S40) can be started at the same time as the reading of a part of the document is completed, and the reading of the remaining part of the document and the keyword determination (S11 or S41) are performed in parallel. Can be executed. As a result, the waiting time of the user is reduced, and the responsiveness can be improved even in the advertisement addition mode.

In order to charge the advertiser for the advertisement fee, it is necessary to grasp how much each advertisement has been printed. Therefore, the number of times of printing is preferably counted and recorded for each advertisement. In the copying system 30, the number of times that the server 42 has transferred may be counted and recorded for each advertisement.

Although the copying system 30 is shown as the copying system 30 in which the copying machine 31 and the servers 32 and 42 are connected via the networks 33 and 41, the copying system 30 is a copying system in which the copying machine and the information processing device are locally connected. You can also.

Although the copying system 30 in which the server 42 selects an advertisement based on the keyword determined by the copying machine 31 has been described, it may be modified as follows. That is, the information processing apparatus on the copying system recognizes the character of the image data transferred from the copying machine, determines a keyword, selects information,
The selected information may be transferred to a copying machine. The copier in this case has a function of reading a document and outputting image data, a function of printing image data and information selected by the information processing apparatus, and a function of communicating with the information processing apparatus. You only need to have it.

Although the embodiment in which the information stored in the storage unit is used has been described, the administrator updates the information stored in the copying machine 10 using a flexible disk or a CD-ROM storing the information. Or may be downloaded to the server 42 via a network or the like.

Further, by providing a program storing code data in which a copy processing method is programmed and a storage medium storing the program,
It is also possible to make an existing copying machine function as the copying machine according to the present invention. The program is provided in a storage medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, and is executed by being installed in a computer built in the copying machine.

[0085]

According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained for each claim.

According to the copying machine of the first to fourth aspects, information such as an appropriate advertisement that matches the user's request is quickly selected based on the keyword determined by recognizing the content of the document. The information can be automatically added to the copy, which can provide significant benefits to both the user and the information provider.

According to the copying machine of the fifth and sixth aspects, since information is selected based on the keyword and the supplementary information, it is possible to select information that further matches the user's request.
More accurate information can be added to the copy.

According to the copying machine of the seventh aspect, even when a keyword is not determined, specific information can be added to a copy.

According to the copying machine of the eighth aspect, when a document to which information has already been added is copied again, there is no danger that only the added information will be conspicuous and the copy will not be unsightly. The user can obtain the latest information because the selected information is replaced with the selected information and printed.

According to the copying machine of the ninth aspect, the recognition of the character string can be started at the same time when the reading of a part of the original is completed, and the reading operation of the remaining part of the original can be performed.
The task of determining the keyword can be executed in parallel, and the waiting time of the user can be reduced.

According to the copying machine of the present invention, the information is printed on the back side of the paper on which the image data is printed, on the paper different from the paper on which the image data is printed, or on an existing or forcibly created margin. Thus, information can be added to a copy without being limited by the amount of description of a document.

According to the copying system of the present invention, similar to the invention of the first aspect, appropriate information meeting the user's request is quickly selected, and the information is converted to a copy. It can be added automatically and can provide significant benefits to both users and information providers.

According to the copy processing method of the present invention, it is possible to quickly select appropriate information that meets the needs of the user and automatically add the information to the copy.
It can provide significant benefits to both users and information providers.

According to the copy processing program of the present invention, by executing this program on a computer, appropriate information that meets the user's request can be quickly selected, and the information is automatically added to the copy. Can provide significant benefits to both users and information providers.

According to a computer-readable recording medium on which the copy processing program according to claim 18 is recorded,
By reading and executing the program stored in the recording medium by a computer, it is possible to quickly select appropriate information that matches the user's request and automatically add the information to a copy. And provide significant benefits to both information providers.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a combining process.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a document.
FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of copying the original when the user selects a copy mode to add an advertisement.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a document.
FIGS. 4B and 4C are diagrams illustrating an example of copying of the original when the user selects a copy mode in which an advertisement is added.

7A illustrates an example of a document to which an advertisement has already been added, and FIG. 7B illustrates an example of a copy of the document when the user selects a copy mode in which an advertisement is added. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating a copying system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit of the copying machine in the copying system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit of the copying machine in the copying system.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of a server as an information processing device in the copying system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Copy machine 11 ... Reading part 12 ... Printing part 15 ... Storage part (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th storage part) 16 ... Control part (character recognition part, determination part, selection part, extraction part,
20, 23, 25 ... manuscript 20, 23a, 23b, 25a ... copy 21 ... margin 22, 24, 26, 27 ... advertisement (information) 30 ... copy system 31 ... copy Machine 32, 42 ... server (information processing device) 33, 41 ... network

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA09 AA13 AB01 BA03 BB12 BD02 BD14 CA04 CA05 CA12 CA13 CB07 CB12 DA02 2C187 AE01 AF01 CD07 DC01 5C062 AA05 AB22 AB41 AB42 AC09 AC24 AC51 AF00 5C076 AA13 AA16 BA02 BA04 BA06 CA08

Claims (18)

[Claims] A reading unit that reads an original and outputs image data; a character recognition unit that recognizes a character string included in the output image data; a determination unit that determines a keyword from the recognized character string; A copying machine, comprising: a selection unit that selects information based on a selected keyword; and a printing unit that prints the image data and the selected information. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the information is information on an advertisement. A first storage unit that stores a plurality of keywords, wherein the determination unit determines a keyword based on the recognized character string and the plurality of keywords stored in the first storage unit. The copier according to claim 1. 4. A second storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of information in association with a keyword, wherein the selection unit calls information matching the keyword from the second storage unit based on the determined keyword. The copier according to claim 1. 5. An extraction unit for extracting supplementary information not related to a keyword, and a third storage unit for storing a plurality of pieces of information in association with the keyword and the supplementary information, wherein the selection unit determines the determined keyword. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein information matching the keyword and the supplementary information is called from the third storage unit based on the extracted supplementary information. 6. The copying machine according to claim 5, wherein the supplementary information includes an installation position of the copying machine, an operating condition set for the copying machine, or a current time. 7. A storage device further comprising: a fourth storage unit that stores specific information not related to a keyword, wherein the selection unit is configured to:
The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein specific information is called from the fourth storage unit. 8. An identification unit for identifying whether or not data relating to information is already included in the image data, and whether or not information selected based on the determined keyword is different from information already included. And a creating unit that creates a new image in which, when the selected information and the already included information are different, replaces the already included information with the selected information. 2. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the created new image. 9. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the character recognition unit recognizes a character string included in image data corresponding to a part of the document. 10. The printing unit according to claim 1, further comprising:
The copier according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed on a back surface of a sheet on which the image data is printed or on a sheet different from a sheet on which the image data is printed. 11. The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising a combining unit that combines the selected information and the image data, wherein the printing unit prints the combined image. 12. The copying apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the combining unit combines the selected information and the image data so that the selected information is printed in a margin generated when the image data is printed. Machine. 13. A copying system having a copying machine and an information processing device connected to the copying machine, wherein the copying machine reads a document and outputs image data; A character recognition unit for recognizing the included character string; a determination unit for determining a keyword from the recognized character string; and a print unit, wherein the information processing apparatus stores information based on the keyword determined by the determination unit. A copying unit that prints the image data and information selected by the information processing apparatus. 14. A copying system having a copying machine and an information processing device connected to the copying machine, wherein the copying machine includes: a reading unit that reads a document and outputs image data; and a printing unit. The information processing device may further include a character recognition unit that recognizes a character string included in the image data output from the reading unit, a determination unit that determines a keyword from the recognized character string, and information based on the determined keyword. A copying unit that prints the image data and information selected by the information processing apparatus. 15. The copying system according to claim 13, wherein the copying machine and the information processing device are connected via a network or locally connected. 16. A step of reading an original and outputting image data; a step of recognizing a character string included in the output image data; a step of determining a keyword from the recognized character string; And a step of printing the image data and the selected information. 17. A copy processing program for adding information when copying an original, comprising: a step of reading the original and outputting image data; a step of recognizing a character string included in the output image data; A copy processing program for causing a computer to execute a procedure of determining a keyword from the determined character string, a procedure of selecting information based on the determined keyword, and a procedure of printing the image data and the selected information. 18. A computer-readable recording medium on which a copy processing program for adding information when copying a document is recorded, wherein a procedure for reading the document and outputting image data is included in the output image data. A computer executes the following steps: a step of recognizing a character string; a step of determining a keyword from the recognized character string; a step of selecting information based on the determined keyword; and a step of printing the image data and the selected information. A computer-readable recording medium recording a copy processing program for causing a computer to execute the processing.