JP2006295794A - Image processor, image processing method, image processing program and computer-readable recording medium recorded with the program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a load of the detection processing of an image of a stamp indicating the type of an original without limiting the recording position of the image, and to attain automatic classification processing for making a storage means store an original image based on the detected image (partial image of the stamp). <P>SOLUTION: This image processor is configured to detect a back projection image existing in an opposite face image obtained by reading an image on the opposite face of the processed face of an original (S1), to detect the image of a stamp or the like on the processed face corresponding to back projection image (S3), and to perform data classification processing (distribution of storage folder, S5, S7) when making the storage means store the image of the processed face based on character information acquired by character recognition processing (S4) based on the image of the stamp or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads and processes a document image, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the image is recorded, and particularly detects a show-through image such as a stamp from the document image. In addition, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the data processing is performed for performing data classification processing when storing a document image in a storage unit based on the detected image. .

Image processing apparatuses such as scanners, copiers, and facsimile machines perform processing such as reading an image from a document, storing the read image in a storage unit, sending it to another device, and recording (image formation) on a recording sheet. Do.
By the way, manuscripts handled by companies, etc. often include a specific stamp or seal indicating the creator, issuing department, presentation destination (individual, department, company, etc.), issue date, etc. By detecting this image, it is possible to determine what kind of document is to some extent.
Conventionally, as a technique for controlling the processing of an original image based on an original image, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260260, when information described in a predetermined area of a transmission original and matching information registered in advance match. , A facsimile machine for stopping facsimile transmission is shown.
Further, in Patent Document 2, before actual recognition processing is performed to determine whether or not a document is a specific document, pre-scanning is performed as preprocessing to determine whether or not the document is a specific document, and based on this, actual recognition is performed. An image processing method for adjusting an algorithm for processing has been proposed.
Patent Document 3 proposes an image processing apparatus that switches a criterion for determining whether or not a document is a specific document according to an input path of image data of the document.
On the other hand, in an image processing apparatus having a function of storing an image read from a document in a storage unit such as a hard disk, when a large number of images (image data) are stored, a target image can be easily selected from them. It is desirable to be able to select.
In a conventional image processing apparatus, when an image is read, a folder as a storage destination of the read image and classification information (title, etc.) of the image are specified or input through a predetermined operation input unit, and the read image is input to the specified folder. Or is stored in association with designated classification information.
As a result, the data is stored by a known file system that manages the storage destination of data in units of folders, a known database system that retrieves target data from a database associated with each classification information (attribute information), or the like. An image to be accessed can be easily selected from a plurality of images.
JP-A-7-170361 JP-A-9-305075 JP-A-4-205277

However, in order to classify the read image (original image) and store it in the storage means so that the target image can be easily selected from a plurality of stored images, a plurality of folders are set in advance. A troublesome operation such as designating a folder to be stored every time a document is read and inputting classification information every time a document is read requires a heavy burden on the user.
On the other hand, when the document type is determined by the above-described conventional technique and the classification process is performed when storing the document image based on the determination result, a large calculation load is required for the process, and the processing speed decreases. Or a high-speed arithmetic device is required.
In the conventional document type determination, since a specific partial image (an image such as a stamp) recorded thereon is detected based on an image of a processing target surface (front surface) of the document, This is because a large calculation load is required for the process of extracting a specific partial image from the entire processing target surface.
On the other hand, if the recognition process of a specific partial image is simplified in order to reduce the calculation load, there is a problem that the determination accuracy of the document type (document image type) deteriorates and erroneous determination is likely to occur. .
In addition, if the position where the specific partial image is recorded (stamp recording position, etc.) is determined in advance, the calculation load can be reduced to the extent that the process of searching for the specific position of the specific partial image becomes unnecessary. In this case, the recording position of a specific partial image is limited, and the degree of freedom is sacrificed.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to suppress the load of image detection processing without limiting the recording position of an image such as a stamp representing the type of document. An image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program, and an image processing apparatus capable of performing automatic classification processing when storing a document image in a storage unit based on the detected image (partial image such as a stamp) Is to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, an image processing program for performing processing for storing an image read from one processing target surface of a document in a storage means, or a computer reading in which the image processing program is recorded. The present invention is applicable to a recording medium that can be used, and is an image obtained by reading an image on the opposite side of the processing target surface (an image on the opposite side) and showing through from the processing target surface (backside due to ink bleeding) And a partial image (an image such as a stamp) existing at a position corresponding to the detection position of the show-through image is detected from the image on the processing target surface, and the image is based on the partial image. Then, data classification processing is performed when the image of the processing target surface is stored in the storage means.
As a result, it is possible to automatically classify the read images without causing the user to input classification information every time the image is read.
In addition, for the following reasons, it is possible to execute the automatic classification process of the image on the processing target surface according to the content of the partial image such as a show-through stamp image by a simple calculation with a low calculation load.

Documents imaged by recent printers, copiers, facsimile machines, etc., rarely have their recorded information (images) reflected on the back side of the recording paper. On the other hand, specific images (partial images) such as stamps and seals that can specify the type of the original, such as the creator, issuing department, presentation destination (individual, department, company, etc.), issue date, etc. In many cases, it is recorded manually by a recording means using ink or the like.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example (a front surface and a back surface) of a document on which a predetermined stamp is stamped. Here, FIG. 4A represents the front surface (the surface to be processed), and FIG. 4B represents the back surface (the opposite surface). As shown in FIG. 4, recording information (stamp image or the like) by manual operation using ink is usually reflected to the back side of the document (the side opposite to the processing target surface). That is, in most cases, it can be said that the image that appears on the opposite side (back side) of the processing target side of the document is only a show-through image (reflection image) such as a stamp image. There is no need to identify and extract other images.
Therefore, according to the above-described processing, it is possible to detect a show-through image such as a stamp image by a simple calculation with a low calculation load without limiting the recording position of the stamp image representing the type of the original (image). And the detection of the image (the partial image) at the position corresponding to the show-through image (the back position) can be performed without erroneous detection. As a result, the image of the processing target surface can be accurately classified and stored in the storage unit in accordance with the contents of the partial image such as a stamp image from which the show-through has occurred.
It should be noted that if the image reading from the opposite surface is performed in parallel with the image reading from the processing target surface, it is preferable because the reading time of the original can be shortened. A configuration may be adopted in which image reading on the processing target surface and image reading on the opposite surface are sequentially (in no particular order) read.

Here, as the data classification process, a process of allocating the storage destination (data folder or the like) of the image of the processing target surface in the storage unit based on the partial image, or specifying the classification information corresponding to the partial image from the partial image Then, a process for associating the classification information with the image of the processing target surface and storing it in the storage means can be considered.
As a result, in order to improve the efficiency of selecting an image to be accessed from among a plurality of stored images by a known file system or database system, it is necessary to input classification information every time the image is read. Can be prevented from occurring to users.
Further, if the data classification process is performed based on the character information by recognizing (extracting) character information from the partial image, the data classification process is highly flexible according to various partial images (stamp images, etc.). Data classification processing is possible.
For example, based on the recognized character information, a folder name as the storage destination of the image is determined. If there is a folder having the same name as the folder name, the folder is determined as the storage destination. Otherwise, the determined folder name is determined. By creating a new folder in which is set and setting the new folder as a storage destination, it is possible to sort the storage destination of the image on the processing target surface.
Further, the recognized character information can be stored as classification information in the storage means in association with the image of the processing target surface.
As a result, there is no need for the user to previously register setting information in which the partial image is associated with the folder name and classification information corresponding to the partial image.
Further, there may be a configuration in which access to the image of the processing target surface stored in the storage unit is restricted according to the classification result by the data classification processing.
For example, when the partial image is a stamp image such as “confidential” or “confidential” indicating that the document is a confidential document, or a stamp image indicating a document signature of a document issuer, a preset password is used. It is conceivable that the access is permitted on the condition that authentication based on authentication information such as a department code is established.

According to the present invention, after detecting a show-through image existing in an opposite side image obtained by reading an image on the opposite side of the processing target surface of the document, the partial image of the processing target surface corresponding to the show-through image is detected. Since a data classification process is performed when detecting (an image such as a stamp) and storing the image of the processing target surface in the storage unit based on the partial image, it is troublesome to input classification information every time the image is read. Automatic classification is possible without causing the user. As a result, when the image of the processing target surface stored in the storage unit is accessed, the processing to be accessed based on the classification result by the data classification processing by a known file system or database system or the like The image of the target surface can be selected efficiently.
In addition, since it is not necessary to distinguish and extract a show-through image such as a stamp image from other images in the image on the opposite side, the partial image that is the source of the show-through can be obtained by a simple calculation with a low calculation load. Accurate automatic classification processing according to the contents of
In addition, as long as character information is recognized (extracted) from the partial image and the data classification processing is performed based on the character information, highly flexible data corresponding to various partial images (such as stamp images). Classification processing becomes possible.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the image processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view around the image reading unit of the image processing apparatus X, and FIG. 3 is the image processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a document stamped with a predetermined stamp.
The image processing apparatus X according to the embodiment of the present invention stores an image read from one processing target surface of a document in a data storage memory (storage means) or a storage means of an external host device such as a personal computer. It has a scanner function and a facsimile function for transmitting the image data to a designated transmission destination, and a function corresponding to a predetermined operation input is selected by a control unit described later.

First, the configuration of the main part of the image processing apparatus X will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus X includes a communication unit 11a, a line control unit 11b, an operation / display unit 12, a first image memory 13a, a second image memory 13b, a storage memory 14, a control unit 15, A first image reading unit 16a, a second image reading unit 16b, an image processing unit 17, a printing unit 18, a paper feeding unit 19, and the like are provided.
The communication unit 11a performs communication control with a predetermined host device via a communication line, and the host of image data (hereinafter referred to as target surface image data) read by a first image reading unit 16a described later. The transmission processing to the apparatus is performed.
The line control unit 11b performs communication control via a public line (telephone line), and performs transmission processing of the target surface image data to a destination facsimile machine.
The operation / display unit 12 is input / output means and display means including a liquid crystal touch panel.
The first image memory 13a and the second image memory 13b each temporarily store the target surface image data and image data (hereinafter referred to as opposite surface image data) read by a second image reading unit 16b described later. A storage means including a RAM and the like.
The storage memory 14 is a storage unit including a large-capacity hard disk device or the like for storing various setting information (including preset image information and the like) and the target surface image data.
The control unit 15 includes a CPU and peripheral devices (ROM, RAM, etc.), and controls the image processing apparatus X by executing processing according to a predetermined program stored in the ROM.
The first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit 16b (an example of the opposite surface image reading unit) are respectively from a processing target surface (front surface) and an opposite surface (back surface) of the document. An image reading means for reading an image.
The image processing unit 17 includes a ROM in which a predetermined image processing program is stored and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that executes the program. The image processing unit 17 performs shading correction of the read image data and the stamp image included in the image. Various image processing such as detection processing is performed.
The printing unit 18 forms the image on recording paper based on the target surface image data, and the paper feeding unit 19 supplies the recording paper to the printing unit 18.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view around the image reading units 16a and 16b of the image processing apparatus X.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus X is formed with one processing target surface (an image to be subjected to a specified processing such as storage in the storage memory 14, copying, or facsimile transmission). The first image reading unit 16a that reads an image from the surface) and the second image reading unit 16b (an example of the opposite surface image reading unit) that reads an image opposite to the processing target surface are provided independently. ing.
When a document is placed on the document tray 31 by a user and a predetermined reading start operation is performed from the operation / display unit 12, the paper feed roller 32, the transport roller 33 and the like are rotated by the control of the control unit 15. Driven, the originals placed on the original tray 31 are sequentially fed one by one, and finally discharged onto the discharge tray 34. At that time, the first image reading unit 16a reads an image from the processing target surface (lower surface in FIG. 2) of the document being conveyed, and in parallel with this, the second image reading unit 16b An image is read from the opposite side. As a result, images can be read from both sides of the document in a short time.

The first image reading unit 16a includes a light source 21, a mirror 22, an optical lens 23, and a CCD 24. Irradiation light irradiated on the document by the light source 21 becomes reflected light (reflected light from the document) including image information on the processing target surface of the document, and the reflected light is deflected by the mirror 22 and collected by the optical lens 23. Light is input to the CCD 24. The CCD 24 photoelectrically converts input light information, and an image information signal converted into an electrical signal is input to the image processing unit 17 and processed.
The second image reading unit 16b is a contact-type image reading sensor with a built-in light source and CCD, and outputs an image information signal obtained by converting image information on the opposite side of the document into an electrical signal, which is used for the image processing. Input to the unit 17 for processing.
Each of the CCD 24 provided in the first image reading unit 16a and the CCD provided in the second image reading unit 16b includes a plurality of CCD elements in the document width direction (direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, depth direction in FIG. 2). It has an arrayed array structure, and is configured to be able to simultaneously read an image for one line in the width direction of the document.
When it is detected that a document is placed by a predetermined document sensor 35 provided on the document tray 31 and a predetermined document reading start operation is performed from the operation / display unit 12, the control unit The paper feed roller 32 and the transport roller 33 are driven by the control 15 to transport the original.
While the document is being conveyed, the image on the processing target surface is read from the document by the first image reading unit 16a, and the image on the opposite surface is read by the second image reading unit 16b in parallel with this. At this time, image data (image data after processing such as shading correction by the image processing unit 17) of each side of the read original is stored in the first image memory 13a and the second image memory 13b, respectively. Recorded (stored).
In FIG. 2, the first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit 16b are arranged at positions almost facing each other, and are configured to read an image from a document at almost the same time. It is good also as a structure which arrange | positions by shifting and reads in parallel, shifting reading timing.
In addition, although the reading time is somewhat longer, only one of the first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit 16b is provided, and an image reversal conveyance mechanism is provided, so that images on both sides of the document are sequentially transferred. It may be configured to read.

In the image processing apparatus X, when a predetermined document reading / saving process is started through the operation / display unit 12, the control unit 15 causes the first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit to be operated. 16a is controlled to read the image of the processing target surface and the opposite surface of the document.
Further, the following image storage processing is executed by the control unit 15 and the image processing unit 17.
That is, in the image storage process, first, the opposite surface image data (the first image memory 13a) obtained by the image processing unit 17 by the second image reading unit 16b (an example of the opposite surface image reading unit). The show-through image (image show-through from the processing target surface) existing in the image (the image on the opposite side) is detected (an example of the show-through image detection means).
Further, the show-through image detected on the opposite surface from the image (image of the processing target surface) by the image processing unit 17 based on the target surface image data read by the first image reading unit 16a. A partial image existing at a position corresponding to the position (back position), that is, an image such as a stamp (hereinafter referred to as an image such as a stamp) from which a show-through has occurred is detected (an example of a partial image detecting unit). ).
Finally, the control unit 15 performs a data classification process when storing the image (the entire image) of the processing target surface in the storage memory 14 based on the image such as a stamp (an example of a partial image) ( An example of data classification means).

Next, an example of the procedure of the image storage process executed by the control unit 15 and the image processing unit 17 in accordance with a predetermined program will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. This image storage process is performed after the first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit 16b read each image on the processing target surface and the opposite surface from the document. Hereinafter, S1, S2,... Represent identification codes of processing procedures (steps).
When the image reading from both sides of the original by the first image reading unit 16a and the second image reading unit 16b is completed, first, the opposite surface image data recorded in the second image memory 13b by the image processing unit 17 is performed. Based on the above, a show-through image detection process (S1) from the processing target surface is performed on the image. At that time, the position (coordinates) of the show-through image is also detected.
Here, since a white paper is usually used for the original, the show-through image detection in the opposite-side image data is performed, for example, when the image luminance level in the opposite-side image is equal to or lower than a predetermined level (that is, When a pixel having an image density level equal to or higher than a predetermined level (that is, a visible image having a color other than white) occupies a predetermined ratio or more per predetermined unit area, the pixel group is determined to be a show-through image. Etc. are considered.
Alternatively, when a pixel group having a predetermined luminance level or less (a predetermined density level or more) occupies a predetermined ratio or more per predetermined unit area, an image including the pixel group is stored in the storage memory 14 (predetermined in advance). It is determined whether or not it is approximate to any of the images specified by each of one or a plurality of predetermined registered image information, and if it is approximated, it is determined that the pixel group is a show-through image This is also possible.
In this case, for example, when it is determined that the image such as the stamp is an image having a circular frame, the registered image representing a circle is stored in the storage memory 14 in advance, and the detected show-through image is detected. It is conceivable to detect the show-through image by determining whether or not the contour image extracted from is circular or substantially circular. The determination of the circular shape or the substantially circular shape may be made, for example, by determining whether or not the aspect ratio, circularity, etc. of the contour of the opposite image is within a preset range.

Next, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the show-through image has been detected in step S1 (S2). If not detected, the control unit 15 passes the operation / display unit 12 through the operation / display unit 12. After the process for causing the user to specify the folder to store the read image (the image to be processed) is executed (S6), the process proceeds to step S6.
In this step S6, for example, names of a plurality of folders that are data storage destination candidates set in advance through the operation / display unit 12 are displayed on the operation / display unit 12 as selection menus and designated as storage destinations. Let the user select one of these folders.
On the other hand, if it is determined (S2) that the show-through image has been detected (if there is a show-through), the image processing unit 17 uses the target surface image data in the first image memory 13a. , Detection processing of the image such as the stamp (S3, partial image) that is an image existing in a position (rear position) corresponding to the position (coordinates) of the detected image in step S1 (show-through image detection processing) from the image Detection).
For example, when the above-described circular frame image is detected as the show-through image, the same circle is detected at the coordinate position obtained by horizontally inverting only the X coordinate (coordinate in the width direction of the document) of the detection coordinates of the circular frame image. Since an image of the frame should exist, it is conceivable to detect (extract) an image inside the coordinate position corresponding to the circular frame reversed left and right as the image such as the stamp.
In this way, the presence position of the image such as the stamp (partial image) on the processing target surface is specified (detected) by detecting the show-through image from the image on the opposite surface (S1). Unlike the case of extracting the image such as the stamp directly from the image of the surface, the image such as the stamp does not need to be identified and extracted from the other images. As a result, it is possible to detect the show-through image of the stamp or the like and to show the show-through by a simple calculation with a low calculation load without restricting the recording position of the image such as the stamp representing the type of the original (image). It is possible to detect an image (partial image) at a position (back position) corresponding to the image without erroneous detection.

Next, the image processing unit 17 performs character information recognition processing for recognizing (extracting) character information from the image (partial image) such as the stamp detected in step S3 (S4, an example of character recognition means).
Here, a known character recognition algorithm may be applied to the process of recognizing (extracting) character information from image information.
For example, a plurality of characters that may be included in the image such as a stamp (including numbers and symbols assigned with character codes) and images of word candidates that are combinations thereof (hereinafter referred to as character candidate images) are stored in advance. Stored in the memory 14 or the like and extracted by matching the character candidate image with the character candidate image by matching or almost matching the character candidate image (the difference is within a predetermined allowable range). It may be possible to recognize (extract) character information from an image such as a stamp.

Next, a storage destination (storage destination) of the target surface image data (processing target surface image) in the storage memory 14 based on the character information recognized by the control unit 15 in the character recognition processing in step S4. The determination process of the folder to be executed is executed (S5).
For example, a folder whose name (folder name) is a character string represented by the character information recognized in step S4 is determined (determined) as a storage destination. Alternatively, correspondence information between character information (character string) and a folder to be stored is stored in advance in the storage memory 14 or the like, and the character information (character string) recognized at step S4 and the correspondence information are stored. The folder specified by is determined as the storage destination.
Then, the control unit 15 saves (stores) the target plane image data in the saving destination folder determined in step S5 or the saving destination folder designated in step S6 in the saving memory 14. (S7), the image storage process ends.
At this time, if the determined folder already exists, the folder is stored as a storage destination. Otherwise, the determined folder is newly created, and the new folder is stored as the storage destination.
Further, as the file name of the stored data, for example, the date and time at that time measured by the clock function provided in the control unit 15 is set. Alternatively, a configuration in which a file name is set by the user through the operation / display unit 12 may be considered.
The stamp image (an example of a partial image) detected in the process of step S3 (partial image detection process) by the processes of steps S4, S5, and S7 executed by the control unit 15 and the image processing unit 17 described above. ), The storage destination (storage destination) when the target surface image data (image of the processing target surface) is stored in the storage memory 17 is sorted (an example of data classification processing).
As a result, in order to improve the efficiency of the process of selecting the image data to be accessed from among the plurality of image data stored in the storage memory 14, information on the save destination folder is input every time the image is read. It is possible to prevent the user from having to do the trouble of doing so.
In addition, since data classification (sorting of storage destinations) is performed based on character information recognized (extracted) based on the image such as the stamp, flexible data classification processing according to various images such as the stamp is possible. It becomes.

  On the other hand, the image processing apparatus X is equipped with a known file system that manages the storage destination of data in the storage memory 14 in units of folders. This function is realized by executing a predetermined file management program by the control unit 15. With this file system, the desired target surface image data stored in the storage memory 14 is converted into image forming processing by the printing unit 18, FAX transmission processing by the line control unit 11b, or the communication unit 11a. It can be easily selected as target data for data transmission processing to the host device (hereinafter referred to as access target data). That is, according to a predetermined operation input through the operation / display unit 12 by the file system, selection of a folder storing the desired target plane image data and the target plane image stored in the selected folder Data selection is performed, and the selected target surface image data becomes a target of various processing (access target).

On the other hand, according to the result of the data classification process (data storage destination distribution process) in steps S5 and S7 by the file system embodied by the control unit 15, the target surface image stored in the storage memory 14 is stored. Access control for restricting access to data (the image of the processing target surface) is performed.
For example, a folder having a specific name such as “confidential”, “confidential”, or a specific department name, each with a unique password (hereinafter referred to as an access restriction folder) is stored in advance. Is set in the storage memory 14. As a result of the image storage process described above, the target surface image data of a specific document on which a specific character image such as “confidential” or “confidential” is stored is stored in this access restricted folder.
Then, when a call operation (selection operation) of the target plane image data existing in the access restricted folder is performed through the operation / display unit 12, a password is transmitted through the operation / display unit 12 by the control unit 15. Only when input is requested and password authentication is performed by comparing with a password set in the access restriction folder in advance, the selected target surface image data is allowed to be the access target data, and password authentication is performed. If the above is not established, the access target data is prohibited.
As a result, it is possible to prevent leakage of confidential information in which the image data of the confidential document (confidential manuscript) is referred to by others.

In the embodiment described above, the example of performing the classification process of the target surface image data based on the character information obtained by the character recognition process on the detected image such as the stamp has been described. However, the character recognition process is not necessarily required. is not.
For example, correspondence information (hereinafter referred to as a stamp correspondence table) between possible image candidates such as stamps and folders corresponding to the respective candidates is stored in the storage memory 14 in advance, and the control unit 15 Thus, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a folder as a storage destination (storage destination) is determined (determined) by applying an image such as a stamp detected from a document image to the stamp correspondence table.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which data classification is performed by a process of allocating the storage destination (folder) of the target surface image data in the storage memory 14 based on the detected image such as a stamp. The data classification process is not limited to this.
In the data classification process, for example, the control unit 15 identifies classification information corresponding to the stamp image (partial image), and classifies the classification information and the target surface image data (processing target surface image). It is also conceivable that the processing is associated with and stored in the storage memory 14.
More specifically, one record is configured for each target plane image data, and a database in which the classification information is associated as one or a plurality of attribute information (fields) for each record is stored in the storage memory 14. Let
Thus, for example, among character information (character string information) recognized from the image such as the stamp, the numerical character string information is classified information indicating the issue date, and the other character string information is classified information indicating the document type. It is possible to individually determine the database and associate the plurality of pieces of classification information with each target surface image data.
On the other hand, the image processing apparatus X is equipped with a known database system that manages access to the database in the storage memory 14. The function of this database system is realized by executing a predetermined database management program by the control unit 15. With this database system, it is possible to search for desired target plane image data (database) stored in the storage memory 14 and use it as the access target data.
Also in this case, when the classification information representing the document type is “confidential”, “confidential”, etc., the target surface image data associated with the classification information representing such confidentiality by the database system. Can be controlled through password authentication in the same manner as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the processing target surface image data is stored in the storage memory 14 included in the image processing apparatus X. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the above-described file system or database system is mounted on a predetermined server device connected to the network through the communication unit 11a, and is stored by the image processing device X so as to be stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk provided in the server device. The folder name and classification information obtained based on the target plane image data and the image such as the stamp may be transmitted to the server device through the communication unit 11a.
In this case, the image processing apparatus X and the server apparatus can be regarded as an image processing apparatus (system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, the above-described embodiment is assumed to be a dedicated image processing machine such as a scanner device or a copying machine. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an embodiment in which a similar function is realized by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. Conceivable.
In this case, the present invention is an image processing program that realizes the same function as that of the above-described embodiment by being executed by a computer such as a personal computer to which a scanner is connected, for example, or such an image processing program. Is configured as a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded.

  The present invention can be used for an image processing apparatus or the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an image processing apparatus X according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view around an image reading unit of the image processing apparatus X. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of image storage processing in the image processing apparatus X. The figure which represented typically an example of the original document which the predetermined stamp was impressed.

Explanation of symbols

11a ... Communication unit 11b ... Line control unit 12 ... Operation / display unit 13a ... First image memory (image memory on the surface to be processed)
13b ... second image memory (image memory on the opposite side)
14 ... Storage memory 15 ... Control unit 16a ... First image reading unit 16b ... Second image reading unit (opposite surface image reading means)
17 ... Image processing unit 18 ... Printing unit 19 ... Paper feeding unit X ... Image processing devices S1, S2, ... Processing procedure (step)

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that performs processing of storing an image read from one processing target surface of a document in a storage unit,
An opposite surface image reading means for reading an image on the opposite surface of the processing target surface;
Show-through image detection means for detecting an image show-through from the processing target surface present in the image on the opposite surface obtained by the opposite-surface image reading means;
Partial image detection means for detecting a partial image existing at a position corresponding to the position of the detected image by the show-through image detection means from the image of the processing target surface;
Data classification means for performing data classification processing when storing the image of the processing target surface in the storage means based on the partial image;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data classification process by the data classification unit is a process of allocating a storage destination of the image of the processing target surface in the storage unit based on the partial image.   The data classification process by the data classification unit is a process of specifying classification information corresponding to the partial image from the partial image, and associating the classification information with the image of the processing target surface and storing it in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to 1.   The data classification means comprises character recognition means for recognizing character information from the partial image, and performs the data classification processing based on the character information recognized by the character recognition means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   5. The access restriction unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an access restriction unit that restricts access to the image of the processing target surface stored in the storage unit according to a classification result by the data classification process in the data classification unit. An image processing apparatus according to 1. An image processing method for performing processing for storing an image read from one processing target surface of a document in a storage means,
An opposite surface image reading step for reading an image on the opposite surface of the processing target surface;
A show-through image detection step of detecting an image show-through from the processing target surface present in the image of the opposite surface obtained by the opposite-surface image reading step;
A partial image detecting step of detecting a partial image existing at a position corresponding to the position of the detected image by the show-through image detecting step from the image of the processing target surface;
A data classification step for performing a data classification process when storing an image of the processing target surface in a storage unit based on the partial image;
An image processing method comprising: An image processing program for causing a computer to execute processing for storing an image read from one processing target surface of a document in a storage means,
An opposite surface image reading process for reading an image of the opposite surface of the processing target surface;
A show-through image detection process for detecting an image show-through from the processing target surface present in the image on the opposite surface obtained by the opposite surface image reading process;
A partial image detection process for detecting a partial image existing at a position corresponding to the position of the detected image by the show-through image detection process from the image of the processing target surface;
A data classification process for storing an image of the processing target surface in a storage unit based on the partial image;
An image processing program for causing a computer to execute.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the image processing program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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