JP2002305649A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid thumbnail characters to become too small by selecting a portion of an area of a summarizedly printed original so as to make it a thumbnail. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with a means for scanning the original and generating image data, a storing means for storing the image data by each document group, a means for making a user select image data for generating the thumbnail from image data constituting a document group, a means for making the user select a fist area in the image data selected by the user, a means for generating the thumbnail of the document group from the first area, a means for presenting the thumbnails of the whole or portion of the document groups in the storing means to the user and for making the user select a thumbnail, and a means for reading the image data of a document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user and performing image formation of the image data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for reading a document and outputting an image, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having a function of storing image data of a read document and outputting the stored image data again.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, after a paper document is copied, image data of a read document is sometimes stored in a hard disk or the like in order to print the same document again. With this configuration, it is not necessary to read the document at the time of additional printing, and the workability can be improved. The image data of the stored document is managed by setting a name to the image data or generating a reduced version of the image data of the document (hereinafter, referred to as a thumbnail). Thus, the user can specify and select a desired stored document by selecting a name or a thumbnail.

[0003] Usually, a document often has a plurality of pages, and the whole document is treated as one unit. In addition, the first page (hereinafter referred to as a front page) of the plurality of pages often serves as a headline of the document. Therefore, the front page of the document was reduced and used as a thumbnail representing the document.

[0004] As described above, if a thumbnail is created for each document, thumbnails of a plurality of documents can be displayed collectively, and a user can select a document from the thumbnails. Further, by reducing the size of the image, the size of the image file is reduced, and the drawing speed and the transfer speed can be increased.

[0005]

However, depending on the type of the original, a problem may occur if the entire original is reduced as it is. For example, originals are mainly composed of images and those mainly composed of characters. In many cases, outlines of originals mainly composed of images can be understood even when they are reduced in scale. On the other hand, when a text-based document is reduced, characters may be crushed and become indistinguishable, making it difficult to select a document effectively. The problem is that the resolution of the document output from the printer is 400 dpi or more, while the resolution of the monitor is from 80 dpi to 90 dpi.
Since it is only about pi, it becomes remarkable when a thumbnail is displayed on a monitor.

Further, this problem is not a problem when the characters on the front page of the document are large, but becomes remarkable when the characters are small. In particular, when a thumbnail is generated from an aggregate print original in which a plurality of pages are printed on one page, this is very remarkable. The purpose of aggregate printing is to conserve paper resources, etc. Because the original materials of presentation participants are often large, six pages of originals may be printed on one page of paper. . As another example of aggregate printing, when copying a book, two facing pages may be printed on one sheet of paper. Such Two in On
In the case of an aggregate print original such as an e original, the front page and the second and subsequent pages are printed together on the same original.

When a document to be selected is specified by a thumbnail, the document can often be selected and specified effectively only by the image data of the front page. This is because the second and subsequent pages are mainly composed of characters, and characters are often indistinguishable when reduced. Therefore, if the aggregate print original is reduced as it is, a thumbnail including a page that is not necessary for selecting and specifying a document is created. Therefore, the front page is reduced more than necessary, and it is difficult for the user to select and specify a document.

As described above, when managing a document stored using thumbnails, it is sometimes difficult for a user to manage the document if the entire document is reduced to generate thumbnails.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and it is possible to prevent a thumbnail character from being too small by selecting a partial area of a document and generating a thumbnail. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which facilitates management of a document by using a thumbnail. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of accurately selecting a region to be a thumbnail from a document.

[0010]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; and storage means for storing the image data for each document group. Means for allowing a user to select image data for generating a thumbnail from image data constituting a document group, means for allowing the user to select a first area in the image data selected by the user, Means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the area, means for presenting the user with the thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means for selection, and image data of the document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user And an image forming means for reading the image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; means for generating image data; means for allowing a user to select a first area in the image data; Means for generating thumbnails of image data from the first area, means for storing thumbnails for each image data, means for presenting and selecting a thumbnail of all stored image data to a user, Means for reading out image data corresponding to the thumbnail and forming an image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; storage means for storing image data for each document group; Means for allowing the user to select the aggregate format of the document, means for allowing the user to select image data for generating a thumbnail from the image data constituting the document group, and means for selecting from among the image data selected by the user. Means for allowing the user to select the first area based on the aggregation format; means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the first area; and presenting the user with the thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means. And a means for reading out image data of the document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user and forming an image. The features.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; storage means for storing image data for each document group; Means for allowing the user to select the aggregate format of the document, means for allowing the user to select image data for generating a thumbnail from the image data constituting the document group, and means for selecting from among the image data selected by the user. Means for allowing the user to select a first area based on the aggregation format; means for allowing the user to select a second area within the first area; means for generating a thumbnail of a document group from the second area; Means for presenting to the user thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means for selection, and a document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user It reads out the image data, characterized by having a means for image formation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; means for allowing a user to select a format in which image data is aggregated; Means for transforming the image data;
A unit that aggregates the image data deformed based on the aggregation format selected by the user to generate aggregated image data, a storage unit that stores the aggregated image data for each document group,
Means for generating a thumbnail of a document group from the image data, means for presenting a thumbnail of all or a part of the document group in the storage means to the user for selection, and Means for reading out image data and forming an image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: means for scanning a document to generate image data; means for allowing a user to select a format for collecting image data; Means for transforming the image data;
A unit that aggregates the image data deformed based on the aggregation format selected by the user to generate aggregated image data, a storage unit that stores the aggregated image data for each document group,
Means for allowing the user to select aggregated image data for generating a thumbnail from the aggregated image data forming the document group, and providing the user with a first area in the selected aggregated image data based on the obtained aggregated format Means for selecting, means for generating thumbnails of document groups from the first area, means for storing thumbnails for each document group, and presenting to the user thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means It is characterized by having means for making a selection, and means for reading out the aggregated image data of the group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user and forming an image.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising means for transmitting and receiving data via a network.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a copying machine according to a first embodiment in which an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is suitably implemented. The copier 100 includes an image reading unit 101, an image processing unit 102, a printing unit 103, an image data storage unit 104, a document management unit 105, and an operation panel 10.
6, an operation panel control unit 107, a display unit 108, a network communication unit 109, and a control unit 120.

The image reading section 101 reads a document and digitizes the document to generate image data. Image reading unit 10
As 1, a scanner or the like can be used. The image processing unit 102 performs various image processing and encoding of the read image data. The printing unit 103 prints image data output from the image processing unit. The image data storage unit 104 stores image data, document group information, and the like according to an instruction from the document management unit 105. As the image data storage unit 104, a hard disk or the like can be used. The document management unit 105 manages a plurality of image data and the like stored in the image data storage unit 104 by using a management table, and adds an image data management number and a document group management number to one document group. The operation panel 106 is a portion that receives an input from a user, and a touch panel or the like can be used. An operation panel control unit 107 controls the operation panel 106. The display unit 108 presents information to the user. The network communication unit 109 transmits and receives data via a network. As the network communication unit 109, a modem, an NCU, or the like can be used. Control unit 12
0 controls all parts of the copying machine 100.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 2 shows a flow of the document reading operation of the copying machine 100. The user scans the document into the image reading unit 10
1 contact glass or ADF (AutoDocument Fee)
der: automatic document feeder) (step S10)
1). When the user presses the start button after the preparation for reading the document is completed, the image reading unit 101 scans the document and generates image data (step S10).
2). The printing unit 103 prints the image data generated by the image reading unit 101 (Step S103).

Next, the document management unit 105 adds an image data management number to the image data (step S10).
4). Further, the document management unit 105 generates or updates a management table for managing the image data, and stores the image data and the image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 in association with each other based on the management table (step S).
105).

If all originals have not been read (step S106 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S102.
The copying machine 100 repeats the above procedure until all originals are read (steps S102 to S106). The determination as to whether or not all the originals have been read may be made by the user designating the number of originals in advance, or the user may input a command to finish reading via the operation panel 106. When the ADF is used, the control unit 120 may determine that all originals have been read when the feeder runs out of originals.

When all the originals have been read (step S106 / No), the document management section 105 sets the image data stored in the image data storage section 104 as one document group in a series of processes. At this time, the document management unit 105
Stores data such as the number of pages of the stored image data and the first stored image data management number (start image data management number) in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table. In addition, the document management unit 105 adds a document group management number to this document group and stores the document group in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table (step S1).
07). In order to facilitate access to a document group consisting of a plurality of pages, the document group management number is increased by 1 each time a new document group is acquired. That is, the document management unit 105 sets one document group management number for a document group including a group of a plurality of image data. Accordingly, the document management unit 105 manages the image data of a plurality of pages as one document group.

Thereafter, the user operates the image data storage 104
The image data is arbitrarily selected from among the image data of the document group stored in the document group, and an area serving as a thumbnail is designated in the image data (step S108). Here, select multiple image data from the document group,
An area serving as a source of a thumbnail may be designated for each, or only one image data may be selected and only one thumbnail may be generated. The image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail from the area in the designated image data (step S109).

Next, the image processing section 102 executes step S10.
A method for generating a thumbnail in No. 9 will be described. However, the thumbnail generation method described below is one example, and the present invention is not limited to this. First, consider a case where the entire page is simply reduced. The image data is 4800 dots in the main scanning direction and 67 in the sub-scanning direction.
It is assumed that 20 dots are represented by 1 byte per pixel. on the other hand,
The thumbnail is assumed to be 75 dots in the main scanning direction and 105 dots in the sub-scanning direction and is represented by one byte per pixel. In this case, the image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail in which the image data is reduced to 1/64 in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

The image processing unit 102 converts a block of 64 × 64 pixels into one pixel to reduce an image. There are various methods of conversion, such as a method of setting the average value of the densities of the respective pixels in the pixel block to the converted density, or a method of thinning a representative pixel of a 64 × 64 pixel block as the converted pixel. There are methods. Here, a case where a thumbnail is created by thinning will be described as an example. This conversion method is a known matter.

Next, consider a case where a thumbnail is generated from a partial area of image data. Here, a case where a quarter area of the image data of the document is reduced is taken as an example. The image data including the front page generated by the image reading unit 101 is stored in the image data storage unit 104. The document management unit 105 reads out corresponding image data based on the image data management number. As shown in FIG. 3, in this image data, data in the main scanning direction is sequentially written from left to right, and this is repeated in the sub-scanning direction. When the lower right part d is selected as the area to be reduced, the image processing unit 102 reads the image data in the lower right area as indicated by the arrow. The arrangement of the data read at this time is shown in FIG.
Shown in The upper side of the figure is the head of the image data, and the hatched portions indicate the data to be read.

The number of pixels in the area d reduced by the image processing unit 102 is 2400 dots in the main scanning direction and 336 in the sub-scanning direction.
0 dots. Also, the thumbnails are 75 in the main scanning direction.
The dots and the sub-scanning direction are 105 dots. Therefore, the image processing unit 102 converts the image data into 1/32 in both directions.
Is generated.

Assuming that one pixel is represented by one byte, the image processing unit 102 reads data every 32 bytes in the area d. Further, the image processing unit 102 performs the same operation in the sub-scanning direction every 32 lines. The image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail by using the 1-byte data read in the above order as new image data.

In FIG. 3, the size (byte) in the main scanning direction is width, and the size in the sub scanning direction is length.
Then, of the data position to be read from the beginning of the file
fset is as shown below. If the specified area is the upper left area (a): offset = 0 If the specified area is the upper right (b): offset = width / 2 If the specified area is the lower left (c): offset = width × length / 2 The specified area is the lower right ( In the case of d), offset = width × length / 2 + wid
Even when the th / 2 reduced area is different from the above example, a thumbnail of an arbitrary area can be created by appropriately setting offset. In other embodiments, the image processing unit 102 creates a thumbnail in the same manner.

The image data newly created for the thumbnail is also stored in the image data storage unit 104 in association with the document group management number by the management table. Further, the document management unit 105 sets and manages the created thumbnail by setting a name that can be specified as a thumbnail.
With this configuration, the user can arbitrarily select a desired document group from a list of thumbnails of all document groups or a part of document groups stored in the image data storage unit 104 displayed on the display unit 108 and call up a desired document group. Becomes possible. FIG. 5 shows a display example of a list of thumbnails. Further, the image data of the called document group is printed by
If printing is set in step 3, image data of the stored document group can be easily reprinted.

Next, a method for managing image data and document groups will be described. FIG. 6 shows an example of a management table for managing image data and document groups. Here, it is assumed that the image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 is handled as one image data for each document.
In this case, as shown in the figure, one document group is changed from “start image data management number” to “start image data management number +
It is composed of image data corresponding to the image data management number up to “page number−1”. By using such a management table, it is possible to manage the entire document group using the image data management number.

Further, the copying machine 100 according to the present invention can be connected to a network and used as a copying system. FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a copying system using the copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment. This copying system has a copying machine 100, a PC terminal 200, and a network 500. As the PC terminal 200, a known terminal can be applied.
Input unit 201, display unit 202, network communication unit 20
3 The input unit 201 is a means for a user to input, and a keyboard, a mouse, and the like can be used. The display unit 202 has a function of displaying image data. As the display unit 202, a display or the like can be used. The network communication unit 203 transmits and receives data via a network. As the network communication unit 203, a modem or an NCU can be used.

When the user of the PC terminal 200
An example in which a desired document group is selected from a plurality of document groups stored in the document group will be described. The user operates the PC terminal 200 via the input unit 201 to request the copying machine 100 to transfer the thumbnail. Copier 10
0, in response to this request, displays the thumbnail of the document group stored in the image data storage unit 104 on the network 5
00 to the PC terminal 200. This gives P
The C terminal 200 acquires a thumbnail from the copier 100. The PC terminal 200 causes the display unit 202 to display a list of thumbnails as shown in FIG. The user selects a thumbnail corresponding to a desired document group from the displayed thumbnails via the input unit 201. Thus, the user can call the document group associated with the thumbnail from the image data storage unit 104. Further, as shown in the figure, the user can select a document group based on storage date information added when the document group is stored. It should be noted that the copying machine according to another embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a copying system similarly to the present embodiment by having a configuration including a communication unit.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, and has a configuration in which the network communication unit 109 is removed from the copying machine 100 according to the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the copier 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 9 shows a flow of the original reading operation of the copying machine 100. The user sets the mode of the copier 100 via the operation panel 106 (step S20).
1). Examples of the setting mode include a mode in which only copying is performed, a mode in which only storing is performed, and a mode in which copying and storing are performed.

After the setting of the mode is completed, the user places the original on the contact glass of the image reading unit 101 or the A.
Set to DF (step S202). After the preparation for reading the document is completed, when the user presses the start button, the image reading unit 101 scans the document and generates image data (step S203).

In step S201, when the user sets the mode for executing copying (step S204).
/ Yes), the image processing unit 102 transmits the image data to the printing unit 1
03 is output. Thereby, the printing unit 103 prints the image data (step S205).

Thereafter, in step S201, when the mode is set to execute the saving (step S206).
/ Yes), the document management unit 105 adds an image data management number to the image data (step S207). Further, the document management unit 105 generates a management table for managing the image data, and stores the image data and the image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 in association with each other based on the management table (step S208).

If all the originals have not been read (step S209 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S203.
The copying machine 100 repeats the above procedure until all the originals are read (steps S203 to S209). To determine whether all the originals have been read, the user may specify the number of originals in advance, or the user may input a command to finish reading via the operation panel 206. When the ADF is used, the control unit 120 may determine that all originals have been read when the feeder runs out of originals.

When all the originals have been read (step S20)
9 / No), the control unit 120 sends the document management unit 105
Confirms whether there is image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 (step S210). If there is no image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 (step S210 / No), the copying machine 100 ends the processing.
On the other hand, if there is image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 (step S210 / Yes), the document management unit 105 sets the image data stored in a series of processing as one document group. At this time, the document management unit 105
Stores data such as the number of pages of the stored image data and the first stored image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table. The document management unit 105
Adds a document group management number to this document group and uses the management table to store the image data
(Step S211). In order to facilitate access to a document group consisting of a plurality of pages, the document group management number is increased by one each time a new document group is acquired. That is, the document management unit 105 sets one document group management number for a document group including a group of a plurality of image data. Accordingly, the document management unit 105 manages the image data of a plurality of pages as one document group.

After that, as in the first embodiment, the user arbitrarily selects image data from the image data stored in the image data storage unit 104, and stores an area in the image data that serves as a thumbnail. (Step S21)
2). Here, a plurality of image data may be selected from a document group, and an area serving as a source of a thumbnail may be designated for each. Alternatively, only one image data may be selected to generate only one thumbnail. May be. The image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail from the area in the designated image data (step S213).

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The copying machine according to the present embodiment is the same as the copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flow of the operation of the copier 100 when reading a document. Steps S301 to S30
The operations up to 5 are the same as steps S201 to S205 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

If the user sets the mode for executing the saving in step S301 (step S306 /
Yes), the control unit 120 causes the display unit 108 to display an aggregation format selection screen. FIG. 11 shows a display example of the aggregation format selection screen. The figure shows no aggregation from the left side, 2-page aggregation, 4-page aggregation,
The format of 6-page aggregation is shown. On this screen, the user
The user selects an aggregation format indicating how the read aggregated printing original has been aggregated printed with the arrow keys, and determines the aggregation format with the enter key (step S307). In the display example, the aggregation format is selected by citing the aggregation example of the second, fourth, and sixth pages. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to select from other aggregation formats.

Next, the document management unit 105 adds an image data management number to the read image data (step S308). Further, the document management unit 105 generates or updates a management table for managing the image data, and associates the image data with the image data management number and associates the image data with the image data storage unit 10 according to the management table.
4 (step S309).

If all the originals have not been read (step S310 / Yes), the process proceeds to step S303.
The copying machine 100 repeats the above procedure until all the originals have been read (steps S303 to S310). If a plurality of originals are all in the same aggregate format, the user may set the aggregate format before reading the original. With this configuration, it is not necessary to select the aggregation format every time the document is read, and the workability is improved.

Whether all originals have been read or not is determined by
The user may specify the number of documents in advance, or the user may input a command to finish reading via the operation panel 106. When the ADF is used, the control unit 120 may determine that all originals have been read when the feeder runs out of originals.

When all the originals have been read (step S310 / No), the control unit 120 checks whether or not there is image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 by the document management unit 105 during processing (step S311). ). If there is no image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 (step S311 / No), the copying machine 100 ends the processing. On the other hand, if there is image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 (step S311 / Yes), the document management unit 105 sets the image data stored in a series of processing as one document group. At this time, the document management unit 10
Reference numeral 5 stores data such as the number of pages of the stored image data and the first stored image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table. Further, the document management unit 10
5 adds a document group management number to this document group and uses the management table to store the image data in the image data storage unit 10.
4 (step S312).

Thereafter, the control unit 120 causes the display unit 108 to display a scale area selection screen. FIG. 12 shows a display example of the scale area selection screen. FIG. 12 shows an example in which four-page aggregation is selected when an aggregation format is selected. The user selects an area of the page to be reduced from the grouped pages on the screen using the arrow keys, and determines the area using the enter key (step S313). In general, the upper left area is often the front page and is often used as a thumbnail. Therefore, it is preferable to set the upper left area in the initial setting.

The image processing section 102 generates a thumbnail by reducing the image of the selected area (step S31).
4). Here, a plurality of image data may be selected from the document group, and an area serving as a thumbnail may be designated for each. Alternatively, only one image data may be selected and only one thumbnail may be generated. May be. Note that, when a document that has been combined with the paper surface is shifted by 90 °, such as a document for two-page combined printing, the thumbnails may be created by changing the x and y directions.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The copying machine according to the present embodiment is the same as the copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the copier 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 13 shows a flow of the operation of the copier 100 when reading a document. Steps S401 to S41
The operations up to 3 are the same as the operations from steps S301 to S313 of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

When the user selects an area in step S413, control unit 120 causes display unit 108 to display a reduced area determination screen. FIG. 14 shows a display example of the reduced area determination screen. The user specifies an area to be reduced in the selected portion on the screen using the arrow keys, and determines with the enter key (step S414). As an example of the method of designating the area, a method of designating two vertices on a diagonal line of a quadrangle and the like may be cited, and the coordinates of vertices may be designated by a user using a ten-key (not shown). The image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail by reducing the image data of the designated area (step S415).

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The copying machine according to the present embodiment is the same as the copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the copying machine 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 15 shows a flow of the document reading operation of the copying machine 100. The user sets a document on the contact glass or ADF of the document reading unit 101 (step S501). When the user presses the start button after the preparation for reading the document is completed, the image reading unit 101
Scans the original and generates image data (step S
502).

When the reading of the original is completed, the printing unit 10
3 prints the image data (step S503). Thereafter, the control unit 120 causes the display unit 108 to display an aggregation format selection screen as shown in FIG. The user selects the one corresponding to the document aggregation format from the aggregation formats displayed on the screen (step S504). Then the document management unit 1
In step S505, an image data management number is added to the image data (step S505). Further, the document management unit 105 generates or updates a management table for managing the image data, and stores the image data and the image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 in association with each other based on the management table (step S506).

If not all the originals have been read (step S507 / Yes), the flow advances to step S502.
The copying machine 100 repeats the above procedure until all the originals are read (steps S502 to S507). The determination as to whether or not all the originals have been read may be made by the user designating the number of originals in advance, or the user may input a command to finish reading via the operation panel 106. When the ADF is used, the control unit 120 may determine that all originals have been read when the feeder runs out of originals.

When all originals have been read (step S50)
7 / No), the document management unit 105 sets the image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 in a series of processing as one document group. At this time, the document management unit 105 stores data such as the number of pages of the stored image data and the initially stored image data management number (start image data management number) in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table. Further, the document management unit 105 adds a document group management number to this document group and stores the document group in the image data storage unit using the management table (step S508). In order to facilitate access to a document group consisting of a plurality of pages, the document group management number is increased by 1 each time a new document group is acquired. That is, the document management unit 105 sets one document group management number for a document group including a group of a plurality of image data.
Accordingly, the document management unit 105 manages the image data of a plurality of pages as one document group.

Next, the user selects an area to be reduced and set as a thumbnail (step S509). FIG. 16 shows a display example of the reduced area determination screen. In this embodiment, the user can specify an area for a plurality of pages in the area to be reduced in scale. By doing so, the image data storage unit 104
Even if a similar document group of the front page as shown in FIG. 17 is stored, it can be easily distinguished. When the designation of the area is completed, the image processing unit 102 reduces the image data of the designated area to generate a thumbnail (step S510). Note that a plurality of image data may be selected from a document group and an area serving as a thumbnail may be specified for each. Alternatively, only one image data may be selected and only one thumbnail may be generated. Is also good.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 18 shows the configuration of a copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment. The copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment has an image data storage unit 110 in addition to the components of the copying machine 100 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The image data storage unit 110 is a RAM
And temporarily stores the image data generated by the image reading unit 101.

Next, the operation of the copier 100 when reading a document will be described. FIG. 19 shows a flow of the document reading operation of the copying machine 100. The user selects a format for combining documents (Step S601). At this time, the control unit 120
Is displayed on the display unit 108, and the user may select a desired aggregation format from the displayed aggregation formats.

After the user selects the aggregation format, the user places the original on the contact glass of the original reading unit 101 or A
Set to DF (step S602). When the user presses the start button after the preparation for reading the document is completed, the image reading unit 101 scans the document and generates image data (step S603). Printing unit 103
Prints the image data generated by the image reading unit 101 (step S604). Further, the image processing unit 102
In step S601, image data is reduced based on the aggregation format selected by the user. The image data storage unit 110 temporarily stores the reduced image data (Step S60)
5).

When the number of read originals has reached the combined number (the n-th sheet in the case of combining n pages) (step S606 / Y)
es), the image processing unit 102 aggregates the image data stored in the image data storage unit 110 into one page and generates aggregated data. After the generation, the contents stored in the image data storage unit 110 are cleared. The document management unit 105 adds an image data management number to the aggregated data (step S607). Further, the document management unit 105 generates or updates a management table for managing the aggregated data, and stores the aggregated data and the image data management number in the image data storage unit 104 in association with each other according to the management table (step S60).
8).

If all the originals have not been read (step S609 / Yes), the flow advances to step S603.
The copier 100 repeats the above procedure until the processing is completed for all the originals (steps S603 to S60).
9). In this way, the copier 100 generates one page of aggregated data each time the originals of the aggregated number are read.
The determination as to whether or not all the originals have been read may be made by the user designating the number of originals in advance, or the user may input a command to finish reading via the operation panel 106. When using the ADF, the control unit 1 determines that all originals have been read when there are no more originals in the feeder.
20 should make a decision.

When all the originals have been read (step S60)
9 / No), the control unit 120 checks whether or not there is image data in the middle of aggregation (step S610). If there is image data in the middle of aggregation (step S610 / Ye
s), the image processing unit 102 generates aggregated data as blank image data for the number of sheets less than the aggregated number. The document management unit 105 adds an image data management number to the aggregated data (Step S611). After the generation of the aggregated data, the contents stored in the image storage unit 110 are cleared. Document management unit 1
The image data storage unit 104 associates the aggregated data generated in step S611 with an image data management number using a management table in the same manner as other aggregated data, and
(Step S612).

Thereafter, the document management unit 105 sets the image data stored in the image data storage unit 104 in a series of processing as one document group. At this time, the document management unit 1
Reference numeral 05 stores data such as the number of pages of stored image data and the first stored image data management number (start image data management number) in the image data storage unit 104 using a management table. Further, the document management unit 105 adds a document group management number to the document, associates the thumbnail with the document group management number, and stores the thumbnail and the document group management number in the image data storage unit 104 using the management table (step S613).

Next, the control unit 120 causes the display unit 108 to display a scale area selection screen as in the third embodiment. The user selects an area of the page to be reduced from the consolidated pages (step S614). The image processing unit 102 generates a thumbnail by reducing the image data of the selected area (step S615). Note that a plurality of aggregated data may be selected from a document group and an area serving as a thumbnail may be designated for each. Alternatively, only one aggregated data may be selected and only one thumbnail may be generated. Is also good.

[0068]

As is apparent from the above description, claim 1
The described image forming apparatus can store the read image data of the document, and can generate a thumbnail from a part of the image data. Further, the document can be managed using the thumbnail. An image forming apparatus capable of easily managing stored documents can be provided.

The image forming apparatus according to the second aspect can generate a thumbnail from a part of a document. For this reason,
It is possible to prevent the original image data from being unable to be specified even if the characters of the thumbnail become too small.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, when reading an aggregate print original, an aggregate format can be selected. Also, a thumbnail can be generated from a part of the area. As a result, it is possible to appropriately select a range to be used as a thumbnail according to the aggregate format of the aggregate print document. For this reason, document management using thumbnails becomes easy.

The image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect can generate a thumbnail from a part of an arbitrary area selected according to the aggregation format. As a result, it is possible to select a portion where the original image data is easily specified and generate a thumbnail. Therefore, management of documents by thumbnails can be facilitated.

In the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, image data can be aggregated when reading a document. As a result, it is possible to accurately select an area to be used as a thumbnail when originals are combined. Therefore, management of documents by thumbnails can be facilitated. Further, it is possible to reduce the user's labor in the aggregation work.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, image data can be aggregated when reading an original. further,
It is possible to select an area to be a thumbnail in accordance with the document aggregation format. This makes it easy to manage documents using thumbnails.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein data can be transmitted / received to / from a terminal device or the like connected via a network. Thus, the user can read out the image data of the document group corresponding to the thumbnail from a terminal device or the like connected via the network and form an image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of an original reading operation of the copying machine according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a writing state of image data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of image data to be read.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of a thumbnail display screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a management table for managing image data and document groups.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying system using a copying machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine according to a second embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of an original reading operation of a copying machine according to a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of an original reading operation of the copying machine according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an aggregation format selection screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reduced area selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of an original reading operation of a copying machine according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reduced area determination screen.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of an original reading operation of a copying machine according to a fifth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a reduced area selection screen.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document group having a similar front page.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine according to a sixth embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a flow of a document reading operation of the copying machine according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 copier 101 image reading unit 102 image processing unit 103 printing unit 104 image data storage unit 105 document management unit 106 operation panel 107 operation panel control unit 108, 202 display unit 109, 203 network communication unit 110 image data storage unit 200 PC terminal 201 input unit 500 network

Claims (7)

[Claims] A scanning unit that scans a document to generate image data; a storage unit that stores the image data for each document group; and an image data for generating a thumbnail from the image data forming the document group. Means for allowing the user to select; means for allowing the user to select a first area in the image data selected by the user; means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the first area; and storage means Means for presenting to the user thumbnails of all or a part of the document groups in the user and selecting the same, and means for reading out image data of the document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user and forming an image. Image forming apparatus. 2. A means for scanning a document to generate image data; a means for generating the image data; a means for allowing a user to select a first area in the image data; Means for generating a thumbnail of the image data; means for storing the thumbnail for each image data; means for presenting and selecting a thumbnail of all stored image data to a user; Means for reading out the corresponding image data and forming an image. 3. A means for scanning a document to generate image data; a storage means for storing the image data for each document group; Means for selecting, means for causing a user to select image data for generating a thumbnail from image data constituting the document group, and image data selected by the user in an aggregate format selected by the user. Means for allowing a user to select a first area based on the first area; means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the first area; and presenting to the user thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means. Means for selecting image data of a document group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user, and means for forming an image. An image forming apparatus, comprising. 4. A means for scanning a document to generate image data; a storing means for storing the image data for each document group; Means for selecting, means for causing a user to select image data for generating a thumbnail from image data constituting the document group, and image data selected by the user in an aggregate format selected by the user. Means for allowing a user to select a first area based on the first area; means for allowing a user to select a second area within the first area; means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the second area; Means for presenting to the user the thumbnails of all or a part of the document groups in the storage means for selection, and corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user. Reads out the image data of the document group, the image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a means for imaging. 5. A means for scanning a document to generate image data, a means for allowing a user to select a format in which the image data is aggregated, and deforming the image data based on the aggregation format selected by the user Means, means for aggregating the transformed image data based on the aggregation format selected by the user to generate aggregated image data, storage means for storing the aggregated image data for each document group, and the image Means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from data; means for presenting and selecting a thumbnail of all or a part of the document group in the storage means to the user; and a document corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user Means for reading out image data of a group and forming an image. 6. A means for scanning a document to generate image data, a means for allowing a user to select a format in which the image data is aggregated, and deforming the image data based on the aggregation format selected by the user Means, means for aggregating the deformed image data based on the aggregation format selected by the user to generate aggregated image data, storage means for storing the aggregated image data for each document group, and the document Means for allowing the user to select aggregated image data for generating a thumbnail from the aggregated image data forming the group; and selecting the first area in the selected aggregated image data based on the acquired aggregated format. Means for generating a thumbnail of the document group from the first area; and means for storing the thumbnail for each document group. Means for presenting to the user thumbnails of all or some document groups in the storage means for selection, and means for reading out aggregated image data of the group corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user and forming an image. An image forming apparatus comprising: 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting and receiving data via a network.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.