JP2006086727A - Image reading system, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To respond to a request of a general user desiring of obtaining image data read with high image quality by providing image reading or the like with high image quality and realizing a system imposing charging thereon. <P>SOLUTION: Data of a file form are generated by using image data of an original read by an image reading apparatus 8. Then the data after generation are transmitted to a transmission destination such as a desired medium. A coin rack 101 is used to impose charging on the image reading, data generation and their transmission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading system that reads an image of a document, a program that realizes the image reading system, and a storage medium that stores the program.

  Existing convenience stores provide color copying services using digital full-color multifunction devices as copying services. As a recent trend, there are many cases where a network-compatible multifunction peripheral is connected to a convenience store network system to provide a multimedia content output service or the like. A proposal of such a system corresponding to a change in the environment is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

  In addition, a service for printing out an image recorded on a FAX, a memory card, or a mobile phone is also implemented.

  Furthermore, with respect to an OCR (Optical Character Reader) device that reads an image of a document with a scanner, extracts characters from the image, recognizes the characters, and converts them into a character code string, a scanner that reads the image, In many cases, a computer that executes a process of performing recognition, a process of correcting the recognition result, and a process of storing the recognition result is connected to the computer.

JP 2002-189945 A

  Although the conventional copying machine has a scanner function, it is necessary to connect a computer such as a personal computer to retrieve the scanned image data. The image data is scanned at a convenience store, and the scanned image data is stored by the user. It was not possible to charge for this service.

  Also, it is conceivable to use a scanner owned by a general individual at home, but a scanner owned by a general individual at home often has low performance, and there are limitations on both image quality and scan speed. .

  Furthermore, when an individual performs OCR or PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format) conversion of images, it is necessary to purchase expensive dedicated software.

  Therefore, if a service that can use a high-performance commercial scanner is provided, and OCR or PDF conversion can be used to charge for the use of these services, scanned images with high image quality can be used. It can meet the demands of general users who want to obtain data.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality image reading and the like and realize a system that charges for this, so that it can meet the demands of general users who want to obtain image data read at high quality. That is.

  The present invention relates to an image reading device for reading an image of a document, a charging device for charging, a means for generating predetermined data using image data read by the image reading device, and the generated data as predetermined An image reading system comprising: means for transmitting to a transmission destination; and means for charging by the charging device for the reading, generation of the data, and transmission.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to an image reading device that reads an image of a document, a charging device that performs charging, and a unit that receives a selection of execution of prescan when the image reading device reads the document. When this execution is accepted, a means for executing a pre-scan when the image reading apparatus reads the original, a means for transmitting the read data to a predetermined transmission destination, the reading and the transmission The image reading system is provided with means for charging by the charging device.

  From another aspect, the present invention generates predetermined data using image data read by the image reading device in a computer connected to an image reading device that reads an image of a document and a charging device that performs charging. And a means for transmitting the generated data to a predetermined transmission destination and a means for charging by the charging device for the reading, the generation of the data and the transmission. It is a program.

  From another aspect, the present invention relates to a computer connected to an image reading device that reads an image of a document and a charging device that performs charging, and performs prescanning when the image reading device reads the document. Means for accepting the selection, means for executing pre-scanning when the image reading apparatus reads the original when the execution is accepted, means for transmitting the data after the reading to a predetermined transmission destination, And a means for charging the reading and transmission by the charging device.

  According to the present invention, charging is performed for reading a document, generating predetermined data from the read image data (or performing pre-scanning when reading the document), and transmitting the read or generated data. Therefore, if the image reading system is provided as a system that enables high-quality image reading and the like, it is possible to meet the demands of general users who want to obtain image data read with high image quality.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an internal structure of the multifunction peripheral. This multi-function machine 1 implements the image reading system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the structure of the multifunction device 1 is roughly divided into an image processing unit A and an information processing unit B, and the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 belong to the image processing unit A. The operation panel P and the external media input / output device 9 belong to the information processing unit B. The image processing unit A is an image processing device that executes predetermined processing relating to an image, and the information processing unit B is an information processing device.

  First, the image processing unit A will be described. The image processing unit A realizes an image processing apparatus that executes predetermined processing relating to an image. In this example, as predetermined processing, image formation, facsimile transmission / reception, and the like are performed. The image processing unit A including the printing device 7 and the image reading device 8 includes an image processing control unit 10 that performs overall control of image processing in the image processing unit A. The image processing control unit 10 includes a printing unit. A print control unit 11 that controls the apparatus 7 and an image reading control unit 12 that controls the image reading apparatus 8 are connected.

  The print control unit 11 outputs a print instruction including image data to the printing apparatus 7 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and causes the printing apparatus 7 to form and output an image on a medium such as transfer paper. The printing device 7 is capable of full-color printing. In addition to the electrophotographic method, the printing method includes various methods such as an inkjet method, a sublimation type thermal transfer method, a silver salt photography method, a direct thermal recording method, and a melt type thermal transfer method. Can be used.

  The image reading control unit 12 drives the image reading device 8 under the control of the image processing control unit 10, and reflects the reflected light of the lamp irradiation on the surface of the document to a light receiving element (for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device)) using a mirror and a lens. Light is collected and read, and A / D converted to generate 8-bit RGB digital image data.

  Such an image processing control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13 which is a main processor and an SDRAM (Synchronous) which temporarily stores image data read from the image reading device 8 for image formation by the printing device 7. Dynamic Random Access Memory) 14, ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 storing a control program, NVRAM 16 capable of holding data even when the power is turned off to record system log / system setting / log information, The microcomputer is configured with a bus connection.

  Further, the image processing control unit 10 includes an image processing unit via an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 17 serving as a storage device for storing a large amount of image data and a job history, and a HUB 19 which is a concentrator provided inside the device. A LAN control unit 18 for connecting the part A to the LAN 2 and a FAX control unit 20 for performing FAX control are connected. The FAX control unit 20 is connected to a private branch exchange (PBX) 22 that communicates with the public telephone network 21, so that the multi-function device 1 can communicate with a remote facsimile machine.

  In addition, a display control unit 23 and an operation input control unit 24 are connected to the image processing control unit 10. The display control unit 23 outputs an image display control signal to the information processing unit unit B via the communication cable 26 connected to the control panel I / F 25 under the control of the image processing control unit 10. The image display is controlled on the operation panel P. Further, the operation input control unit 24 connects an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P of the information processing unit B to the control panel I / F 25 by the control of the image processing control unit 10. Input via the communication cable 26. That is, the image processing unit A is configured to be able to directly monitor the operation panel P of the information processing unit B via the communication cable 26.

  Accordingly, the image processing unit A is configured such that the communication cable 26 is connected to the image processing unit provided in the conventional image processing apparatus, and the operation panel P of the information processing unit B is used. That is, the display control unit 23 and the operation input control unit 24 of the image processing unit A operate as if they are connected to the operation panel P.

  With this configuration, the image processing unit A analyzes the print data that is image information from the outside (server computer 3, client computer 4, facsimile, etc.) and a command that instructs printing, and uses the print data as output image data. The bitmap is developed so that it can be printed, and the print mode is analyzed from the command to determine the operation. The print data and command are received and operated through the LAN control unit 18 or the FAX control unit 20.

  Further, the image processing unit A externally print data stored in the SDRAM 14 or the HDD 17, document reading data, output image data processed for output, and compressed data obtained by compressing them externally (server computer 3, Client computer 4, facsimile, etc.).

  Further, the image processing unit A transfers the read image data of the image reading device 8 to the image processing control unit 10, corrects signal deterioration due to quantization to the optical system and digital signals, and stores the image data in the SDRAM 14. Write. The image data stored in the SDRAM 14 in this way is converted into output image data by the print control unit 11 and output to the printing apparatus 7.

  Next, the information processing unit B including the operation panel P will be described. The information processing unit part B has a microcomputer configuration controlled by a general-purpose OS (Operating System) used in an information processing apparatus generally called a personal computer. The information processing unit section B has a CPU 31 that is a main processor, and the CPU 31 includes a memory unit that includes a ROM that is a read-only memory that stores a RAM that is a work area of the CPU 31, a startup program, and the like. 32 and a storage device control unit 35 that controls input / output of data to / from a storage device 34 such as an HDD that stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs are connected via a bus.

  The CPU 31 is connected to a LAN control unit 33 for connecting the information processing unit unit B to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19. The IP address that is the network address assigned to the LAN control unit 33 is different from the IP address assigned to the LAN control unit 18 of the image processing unit A described above. That is, two IP addresses are assigned to the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment. That is, the image processing unit part A and the information processing unit part B are connected to the LAN 2 and can exchange data between the image processing unit A and the information processing unit part B. Yes.

  Since the multifunction device 1 is connected to the LAN 2 via the HUB 19, it appears that only one IP address is assigned. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance is not impaired, and handling such as connection can be facilitated.

  Further, a display control unit 36 and an operation input control unit 37 that control the operation panel P are connected to the CPU 31. The operation panel P includes a display device 40 that is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation input device 41. The display control unit 36 outputs an image display control signal to the display device 40 via the control panel I / F 38 and causes the display device 40 to display predetermined items corresponding to the image display control signal. On the other hand, the operation input control unit 37 receives, via the control panel I / F 38, an input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator in the operation input device 41.

  In addition, a control panel communication unit 39 connected to the control panel I / F 25 of the image processing unit A via the communication cable 26 is connected to the CPU 31. The control panel communication unit 39 receives the image display control signal output from the image processing unit unit A, and receives the input control signal according to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P. Forward to. Although details will be described later, the image display control signal from the image processing unit A received by the control panel communication unit 39 is subjected to data conversion processing for the display device 40 of the operation panel P and then output to the display control unit 36. The input control signal corresponding to the function setting or input operation by the operator from the operation panel P is input to the control panel communication unit 39 after being subjected to data conversion processing in a format according to the specifications in the image processing unit A. .

  As described above, the storage device 34 stores an OS (Operating System) and application programs executed by the CPU 31. In this sense, the storage device 34 functions as a storage medium that stores application programs. In the multifunction device 1, when the user turns on the power, the CPU 31 activates the activation program in the memory unit 32, reads the OS from the storage device 34 into the RAM in the memory unit 32, and activates the OS. Such an OS activates a program, reads information, and stores information in accordance with a user operation. As a representative OS, Windows (registered trademark) and the like are known. These operation programs running on the OS are called application programs. The OS of the information processing unit unit B is the same OS as the information processing apparatus (server computer 3, client computer 4 and the like), that is, a general-purpose OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark) and the like).

  As described above, the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment includes the storage medium M that stores various program codes (control programs) such as the OS, device drivers, and various application programs, image data, and the like, that is, a flexible. Disk, hard disk, optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MO), semiconductor media, etc. A flexible disk drive device, an optical disk drive device, an MO drive device, a medium that reads program code, image data, and the like stored in the storage medium M, or writes program code, image data, and the like to the storage medium M External media such as drive devices Output device 9 is mounted. Such an external media input / output device 9 is controlled by an input / output device control unit 42 connected to the CPU 31 by a bus.

  Therefore, the application program stored in the storage device 34 may be one in which the application program recorded in the storage medium M is installed. Therefore, the storage medium M can also be a storage medium that stores application programs. Further, the application program may be imported from the outside via, for example, the Internet network 6 and the LAN 2 and installed in the storage device 34.

  Various interfaces 43 such as USB, IEEE 1394, and SCSI are also connected to the input / output device control unit 42, and various devices (such as digital cameras) can be connected via the various interfaces 43.

  In the present embodiment, a charging device, in this example, a coin rack 101 having a well-known configuration, is connected to the information processing unit unit B via various interfaces 43. The billing device is not limited to a coin rack, but various devices that can perform billing, such as the FeliCa reader 102 that charges from electronic money, and the Debit card reader that charges by debiting from a bank account. Can be used. Further, a plurality of types of apparatuses having different charging forms may be used. “FeliCa” is a contactless IC card technology method developed by Sony.

  Next, the contents of characteristic processing performed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described.

  In the information processing unit B, the application program stored in the storage medium M is read by the external media input / output device 9 and installed in the storage device 34. The process described below is a process executed by the CPU 31 based on this application program.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of processing executed by the CPU 31 based on the application program.

First, the initial screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation panel P (step S1). When the scanner service 201 is selected from the various services displayed here, the menu screen in FIG. Is displayed (step S2). Here, in this example, when the optical medium 202 or the memory 203 is selected as the medium to be used, the user is prompted to set the medium as shown in FIG. Free space is detected (step S3). Then, it is determined from the free space whether image data or the like can be written (step S5). If the writing is possible, the process proceeds to step S6. If not, the medium is replaced as shown in FIG. A prompting display is performed on the operation panel P (step S4), and the process returns to step S2. Note that when the optical medium 202 or the memory 203 is selected on the screen of FIG. 5, the type of the media can be selected in more detail on the screens of FIGS. Further, instead of allowing the user to select the type of media, if the information processing unit B detects that the user has set a document on the image reading device 8 with a predetermined sensor (step S6), the image shown in FIG. Can be read in color or monochrome, and color or monochrome type can be selected. The resolution of the image can also be selected on the screen shown in FIG. 11 (step S7). Then, on the screen shown in FIG. 12, the format of image data to be read and stored by the image reading device 8 is selected (step S8). That is, a desired file format is selected from TIFF, JPEG, png, PDF, and the like. Alternatively, when it is desired to apply OCR to the read image, execution of OCR is selected on the screen of FIG. 13 (note that execution of OCR is performed based on the OCR software included in the application program described above).

  Then, on the screen of FIG. 14, it is possible to select whether or not to perform pre-scanning when reading by the image reading device 8 (details of pre-scanning will be described later) (step S9). When execution of pre-scan is selected in this way, pre-scan is executed (step S10), and a pre-scan image is displayed as shown in FIG. 15 (step S11). In this image, as shown in FIG. A range to be selected (performed by selecting between two desired points in the prescan image on the operation panel P) (step S12), or if prescan execution is not selected in step S9 17 is selected on the screen of FIG. 17, and scanning is executed by the image reading device 8 (step S13). Next, it is determined whether or not the free space of the media selected by the user is sufficient to store the image data scanned by the image reading device 8 (step S14), and when it is insufficient, the screen of FIG. 18 is displayed. After the warning, the process returns to step S6, and when sufficient, the process proceeds to step S15.

  Here, the details of the pre-scan described above will be described.

  In a scanner, there is a high need for a pre-scan function for determining a scan range. The pre-scan function is an essential function even when scanning with a personal computer. In other words, a scanned image using the maximum scanner performance is very large in image size, takes time, and hinders user convenience. Therefore, the entire scan target is acquired in a short time with a low resolution, and the user selects only the necessary part and scans the part with a high resolution, thereby reducing the scan time and the scan image size. And convenience can be improved. A scan executed at this low resolution is a pre-scan.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S15, the process proceeds to step S6 when the document is further scanned, and when the scan of the document is terminated, the charge for the scanner service is calculated in step S16, as shown in the screen of FIG. indicate. This charge is calculated by looking up a predetermined table based on factors such as whether the scanned image is color or monochrome, resolution, image format, document size, number of documents, whether or not prescan is executed, etc. To calculate.

  When it is confirmed that the fee displayed by the user has been inserted into the coin rack 101 (when the charging device is the coin rack 101), or when the fee is insufficient, the user pays the insufficient fee to the coin rack 101. When it is confirmed that the image data has been input (step S17), the scanned image data is written to the medium selected by the user (at this time, the screen of FIG. 20 is displayed). Then, it is verified by pressing a predetermined start key (step S19), a predetermined fee is withdrawn from the coin rack 101 (step S20), and the process returns to step S1 (at this time, the screen of FIG. 21 is displayed). .

  The image data read by the image reading device 8 is once stored in the SDRAM 14, and the information processing unit B acquires the image data via the LAN 2 and stores it in the memory unit 32 or the storage device 34.

  In the above example, the image data read by the image reading device 8 in the scanner service is recorded on a predetermined medium. However, the image data may be attached to an e-mail and distributed to a desired address. Good. In this case, the screen of FIG. 22 is displayed instead of the screen of FIG. 5, and by selecting mail delivery 204, it is selected to attach the image data to the e-mail. When the mail delivery 204 is selected, the screen of FIG. 23 is displayed, and the destination mail address is entered in the input field 205. This input is performed by operating the software keyboard 206 displayed at the same time.

  Further, the image data read by the image reading device 8 in the scanner service can be selected to be uploaded to the multifunction device 1 or a server device provided on a network such as an external predetermined Internet. Also good. In this case, the user accesses the Internet or the like and downloads the image data at home or the like.

  Furthermore, instead of the above-described media, it may be possible to transmit to a device (such as a portable information terminal device) having a memory owned by the user by communication means such as wireless / infrared communication. In this case, it is necessary to add predetermined wireless / infrared communication means to the information processing unit B system.

  As described above, the multifunction device 1 generates predetermined data using the image data read by the image reading device 8 (in this example, data in a predetermined file format is generated by selection in step S8, or image data is converted into image data). OCR processing is performed) and the generated data is transmitted to a predetermined transmission destination (in this example, transmitted to a desired medium, a predetermined mail address, a predetermined server device, etc.) Since the coin rack 101, which is a charging device, charges for reading, data generation, and transmission, it is possible to meet a request from a general user who wants to obtain image data scanned with high image quality by the multifunction device 1.

  Further, it is possible to selectively perform pre-scanning when the image reading device 8 reads, and to read a document accompanied by the pre-scan and to transmit the read image data (in this example, a desired medium) (Send to a predetermined mail address or a predetermined server device) is charged by the coin rack 101 which is a charging device, and thus it is desired to obtain image data scanned with high image quality by the multifunction device 1 It can respond to user requests.

1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of electrical connection of the multifunction machine. It is a flowchart of the process which an information processing unit performs. It is a top view of the initial screen displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which performs selection of the medium displayed on an operation panel. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a screen that prompts the user to set media displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a screen prompting replacement of media displayed on the operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the classification of the memory displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the classification of the optical media displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the color of the image displayed on an operation panel, and a monochrome classification. It is a top view of the screen which selects the resolution of the image displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the file format of the image displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the presence or absence of execution of the OCR process displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects the presence or absence of execution of the pre-scan displayed on the operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which designates the area | region to prescan displayed on the operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which designates the area | region to prescan displayed on the operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which selects execution of the scan displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which warns about the free space of the medium displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a screen for selecting execution of recording of scanned image data on a medium displayed on an operation panel. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a screen displayed during execution of recording of scanned image data displayed on an operation panel onto a medium. It is a top view of the screen which tells the end of the scanner service displayed on an operation panel. It is a top view of the screen which enables selection of transmission by e-mail in addition to selection of media displayed on the operation panel. It is a top view of the input screen of the mail address displayed on an operation panel.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading system 8 Image reading apparatus 101 Charge apparatus B Computer M Storage medium

Claims (15)

An image reading device for reading an image of a document;
A charging device for charging;
Means for generating predetermined data using image data read by the image reading device;
Means for transmitting the generated data to a predetermined destination;
Means for charging by the charging device for the reading, generation of the data and the transmission;
An image reading system comprising:   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the data generating unit converts the read image data into a predetermined file format as the data generation.   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the data generation unit performs OCR processing on the read image data as the generation of the data.   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits and stores the generated data to a desired medium as the transmission.   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the generated data as an e-mail as an e-mail and transmits a desired e-mail address.   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the generated data to the predetermined server device as the transmission. An image reading device for reading an image of a document;
A charging device for charging;
Means for accepting selection of execution of pre-scan when the image reading apparatus reads the original;
Means for executing a pre-scan when the image reading device reads the original when the execution is accepted;
Means for transmitting the read data to a predetermined destination;
Means for charging by the charging device for the reading and the transmission;
An image reading system comprising: To a computer connected to an image reading device for reading an image of a document and a charging device for charging,
Means for generating predetermined data using image data read by the image reading device;
Means for transmitting the generated data to a predetermined destination;
Means for charging by the charging device for the reading, generation of the data and the transmission;
A program that can be read by a computer.   The program according to claim 8, wherein the data generation unit converts the read image data into a predetermined file format as the data generation.   The program according to claim 8, wherein the means for generating data performs OCR processing on the read image data as generation of the data.   The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the means for transmitting transmits the generated data to a desired medium as the transmission.   The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transmission means transmits the generated data as an e-mail and transmits a desired e-mail address as the transmission.   The program according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the generated data to the predetermined server device as the transmission. To a computer connected to an image reading device for reading an image of a document and a charging device for charging,
Means for accepting selection of execution of pre-scan when the image reading apparatus reads the original;
Means for executing a pre-scan when the image reading device reads the original when the execution is accepted;
Means for transmitting the read data to a predetermined destination;
Means for charging by the charging device for the reading and the transmission;
A program that can be read by a computer. The storage medium which has memorize | stored the program as described in any one of Claims 8-14.

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