JP2006313969A - Apparatus and program for image processing, storage medium stored with computer-readable program, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a user from repeatedly registering image data having the same keyword with image data which is already registered as a file when registering image data in an area allocated to a storage device. <P>SOLUTION: An apparatus for image processing which has a hard disk drive 160 for storing image data is characterized in that a controller 110 extracts a keyword from image information read out of a document and image information stored on the hard disk drive 160, decides the degree of matching of the extracted keyword, and controls replacing registration of the read image data for image data stored on the hard disk drive 160. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and image processing method for reading a document image, storing it in a storage device and processing it so as to be searchable, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program.

  In general, in a digital copying machine, a copy function and other functions such as a printer function are combined.

  As this digital copying machine, image data read by a scanner and image data obtained by developing PDL data received from a host computer via a network are temporarily stored in a storage device such as a hard disk.

  Some of them have a function of repeatedly reading out arbitrary image data from the storage device and printing it out.

  In the digital copying machine, a personal box function is realized for the user himself / herself to print out data that is not desired to be seen by others, such as confidential documents.

  The personal box function is a function for storing personal image data in an area provided in advance in a storage device such as a hard disk, and reading out the image data from this area using a password or the like and printing it out.

  For example, when a user creates data to be a confidential document and prints it out, the personal box function temporarily stores the created data in a predetermined area of the storage device, and then the user uses a digital copier. Enter the password via the operation panel.

  By inputting this password, data is read out from a predetermined area of the storage device and printed out.

  In this way, if the personal box function is used, data that is not desired to be seen by others can be output without being seen by others.

In addition, in order to avoid the area of the storage device provided for the personal box function being filled with data, the data stored in this area can be erased by the user at any timing. It has become.
JP 2001-350763 A

  In the conventional personal box function, when the image data read from the scanner is stored in an area in the storage device, the user inputs a unique name as the data name.

  In order to confirm the contents of the data once stored, the relationship between the name of the data and the contents is managed with the user's confidence, or data information confirmation means such as a preview function provided in the digital copying machine Will be used.

  However, such a confirmation method is very troublesome when the number of data in the area increases.

  Therefore, when the image data newly read from the scanner is the same as the data already registered in the area or updated data, the old data is not necessary, but it is different. The name will exist in the area, and the storage capacity will be wasted.

  In addition, there is a drawback that data management is difficult because data that is desired to remain in the area and unnecessary data are mixedly loaded.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to register an image data for an area allocated to a storage device when the user registers the image data. It is possible to prevent duplicate registration of image data having a keyword equivalent to the image data as a file.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of efficiently retrieving image data registered in an allocated finite area, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and a program. .

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data, wherein an extraction means for extracting a keyword from image information read from a document and image information stored in the storage means, and extraction by the extraction means And a control unit for controlling replacement registration of the read image data and the image data stored in the storage unit.

  Also, a reading unit that reads image information from a document and converts it into first image data, a storage unit that stores the first image data converted by the reading unit, and the first unit that stores the first image data. First extraction means for extracting a keyword from the image data, second extraction means for extracting a keyword from second image data stored in advance in the storage means, and an extraction result by the first extraction means Comparing the first image data and the second image data based on the comparison result of the comparison means, and comparing means for comparing the extraction result by the second extraction means with the second image data. And replacement means for replacing the first image data with the first image data.

  The image processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data, wherein an extraction step for extracting a keyword from image information read from a document and image information stored in the storage means, and the extraction And a control step for determining a degree of coincidence of the keywords extracted in the step and controlling replacement registration of the read image data and the image data stored in the storage means.

  An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data read from a document, wherein the first image data stored in the storage means and the second image stored in the storage means An extraction step of extracting a keyword from the data, and a replacement step of replacing the second image data with the first image data in accordance with the degree of matching of each keyword extracted in the extraction step. To do.

  According to the present invention, when a user registers image data for an area allocated to a storage device, image data having a keyword equivalent to that of already registered image data is registered as a file. The image data registered in the allocated finite area can be efficiently searched.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image input / output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, an image input / output system having a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and a box function will be described as an example of the image processing apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, the image input / output system 100 includes a reader unit 200, a printer unit 300, a control device 110, an operation unit 150, and a hard disk driver acquisition (HD drive) 160.

  The reader unit 200 includes a document feeding unit 250 for feeding a document. A scanner unit 210 for reading an image on a document fed from the document feeding unit 250 is provided. The image data read by the scanner unit 210 is input to the control device 110.

  The printer unit 300 includes a paper feed unit 310, a marking unit 320, and a paper discharge unit 330. The paper feed unit 310 is equipped with a plurality of cassettes that accommodate recording papers of different sizes, and feeds the recording paper from each cassette.

  The marking unit 320 is a unit having an image forming process by electrophotography.

  In this marking unit 320, image data generated from PDL data input from the PC (host computer) 411, 412 connected to the LAN 400 or the scanner unit 210 via the control device 110 or image data input by the scanner is used. Based on this, image formation is performed on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 310.

  The paper discharge unit 330 sorts and staples the recording paper on which the image is formed by the marking unit 320 and discharges the paper.

  The control device 110 is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and is connected to a LAN 400 that accommodates the PCs 411 and 412 and a public line (not shown).

  The control device 110 implements a copy function by reading image data of a document with the reader unit 200 and controlling the image data to be output to the printer unit 300 to form an image on recording paper.

  Further, the scanner function is realized by converting the image data read by the reader unit 200 into code data and transmitting the code data to the PCs 411 and 412 via the LAN 400.

  Further, the printer function is realized by converting the code data received from each of the PCs 411 and 412 via the LAN 400 into image data and controlling the image data to be output to the printer unit 300.

  Further, the image data of the original is read by the reader unit 200, the image data is output to a FAX board (not shown), which will be described later, and the image data sent to the public line is received via the FAX board to receive the printer unit. By outputting to 300, the facsimile function is realized.

  Further, a hard disk drive (HD drive) 160 is connected to the control device 110, and a storage area of the hard disk drive 160 is divided into a plurality of areas as will be described later, and image data is stored in each area.

  The control device 110 implements a box function using the hard disk of the hard disk drive 160. Details of the box function will be described later.

  The operation unit 150 includes various keys for inputting instructions to the control device 110 and a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an interface screen with the user, and generates corresponding signals according to operations on the various keys. Output to the control device 110.

  In the image input / output system configured as described above, the control device 110 extracts keywords from the image information read from the document and the image information stored in the hard disk drive 160, and the degree of coincidence of the extracted keywords is determined. The control device 110 controls the determination based on the control procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 and the like to be described later, for example, after the replacement registration of the image data to be read and the image data stored in the hard disk drive 160.

  Specifically, a scanner unit 210 that reads image information from a document and converts it into first image data, and a personal box area (authentication process) in the hard disk 160 that stores the first image data converted by the scanner unit 210. Are included).

  Then, the control device 110 performs a first extraction function for extracting a keyword from the first image data stored in the personal box area in the hard disk 160.

  Further, the control device 110 performs a second extraction function for extracting a keyword from the second image data stored in advance in the personal box area in the hard disk 160.

  Further, the control device 110 has a comparison function for comparing the extraction result by the first extraction function with the extraction result by the second extraction means.

  Further, the control device 110 replaces the second image data with the first image data in accordance with the degree of coincidence between the first image data and the second image data based on the comparison result of the comparison function. And have.

  Note that the control device 110 performs the above-described delivery processing by executing a control program (details will be described later) stored in the hard disk 160, for example.

  Thus, it is determined whether or not the storage area allocated to the personal box area in the hard disk 160 contains the same or updated data as the read image data.

  If the data exists, the old data is deleted to avoid registering the duplicated image data file to the allocated finite storage area, and the user can save the unnecessary file. Generation of data, and easy data management in the area.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 of the image input / output system illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 are integrally configured. The reader unit 200 includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds the documents one by one from the top to the platen glass 211 one by one, and each time the reading operation of each document is completed, the document is discharged from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown). To discharge.

  When the document is fed onto the platen glass 211, the reader unit 200 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the moving unit 213.

  The scanning of the original on the platen glass 211 is performed by the movement of the moving unit 213. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, so that the image on the document is on the imaging surface of the CCD 218. Is imaged.

  The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is input to the control device 110 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The printer unit 300 includes a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322 based on the image data input from the control device 110.

  As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned.

  An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronism with the irradiation timing of the laser beam, recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred. The image is transferred onto the recording paper fed by the unit 325.

  Then, the recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveying belt, and the fixing roller pair 326 heat-presses the recording paper to transfer the toner image on the recording paper. Fix on recording paper.

  The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 330 by the paper discharge roller pair 327. The paper discharge unit 330 includes a sheet processing apparatus that can perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording paper is conveyed to the paper discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the paper discharge roller pair 327 is reversed at a predetermined timing, and the paper is conveyed again by the flapper 328. Guide to Road 329.

  The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 329 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the control device 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device 110 in the image input / output system shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, a control device 110 has a main controller 111 that controls the entire device. The main controller 111 is provided with a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, various I / F controller circuits (not shown), and the like. ing.

  Further, the ROM 114 is connected to the main controller 111 via the I / F 115, and the DRAM 116 is connected via the I / F 117.

  The CPU 112 performs various processes according to a program read from the ROM 114 via the I / F 115.

  For example, PDL (page description language) data received from each of the PCs 411 and 412 is interpreted, and a development process for developing the raster image data is performed. The work area of the CPU 112 is provided by the DRAM 116. The DRAM 116 also stores image data.

  Further, the control processing shown in the flowchart described later in the image processing apparatus is realized by reading a control program stored in the ROM 114 or the HD 162 into the DRAM 116 and processing the CPU 112 based on the control program.

  In addition, a codec 118 is connected to the main controller 111 via an I / F 120. The codec 118 compresses the raster image data stored in the DRAM 116 by a method such as MH / MR / MMR / JBIG, and conversely decompresses the compressed and accumulated code data into raster image data.

  A work area associated with the processing of the codec 118 is provided by the SRAM 119. Data transfer between the codec 118 and the DRAM 116 is performed by the DMA system, and the control is performed by the bus controller 113.

  Further, a network controller 121 is connected to the main controller 111 via an I / F 123, and the network controller 121 has a network function such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The network controller 121 is provided with a connector 122, which is connected to the LAN 400 (shown in FIG. 1).

  Furthermore, an expansion connector 124 and an I / O control unit 126 for connecting an expansion board are connected to the main controller 111 via a general-purpose high-speed bus 125. Here, the general-purpose high-speed bus 125 is a PCI bus, for example.

  In this embodiment, in order to realize the facsimile function, a FAX board (not shown) is connected to the extension connector 124, and this FAX board is connected to a public line.

  The I / O control unit 126 includes a 2-channel asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the CPUs of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and scans the scanner I via the I / O bus 128. / F140 and printer I / F145.

  A panel I / F 132 is connected to the I / O control unit 126, and the panel I / F 132 is an interface with the operation unit 150. An LCD controller 131 is connected to the panel I / F 132, and the LCD controller 131 drives a liquid crystal display panel provided in the operation unit 150.

  The panel I / F 132 includes an I / F 130 for capturing a key signal input in response to an operation of a hard key and a soft key of the operation unit 150.

  Further, a real-time clock module 133 and an E-IDE connector 161 for updating and saving the date and time managed in the apparatus are connected to the I / O control unit 126. The real time clock module 133 is backed up by a backup battery 134.

  The E-IDE connector 161 is a connector for connecting an external storage device, and image data can be written to and read from the external storage device by connecting an external storage device such as a hard disk or an MO drive.

  In this embodiment, a hard disk drive (HD drive) 160 is connected, and this HD drive 160 drives a hard disk (HD) 162.

  The scanner I / F 140 is connected to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141, and a connector 142 for connecting to the reader unit 200 is provided.

  The scanner I / F 140 and the connector 142 are connected to each other via a synchronous step-synchronous serial I / F 143 and a video I / F 144.

  The scanner I / F 140 has a processing function for performing optimal binarization processing, scaling processing, and the like on the image received from the reader unit 200. Further, it has a function of generating a control signal based on the video control signal received from the reader unit 200 and outputting the control signal to the main controller 111 via the scanner bus 141.

  Here, data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is controlled by the bus controller 113.

  Similarly, the printer I / F 145 is connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146, and a connector 147 for connecting to the printer unit 300 is provided.

  The printer I / F 145 and the connector 147 are connected via a synchronous step-synchronous serial I / F 148 and a video I / F 149.

  The printer I / F 145 has a function of performing a smoothing process on the image data output from the main controller 111 and outputting it to the printer unit 300.

  Further, it has a function of generating a control signal based on the video control signal received from the printer unit 300 and outputting the control signal to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146.

  Transfer of raster image data developed on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit 300 is controlled by the bus controller 113 and transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

  Next, a logical usage method of the hard disk 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a state where the storage area of the hard disk 162 of the image input / output system shown in FIG. 1 is logically divided into a plurality of areas.

  In FIG. 4, the storage area of the hard disk 162 is logically divided into a temporary area 401 and a box area 402.

  The temporary area 401 is an area for temporarily storing the PDL development data and the image data from the scanner unit 210 in order to change the output order of the image data or to enable output in a single scan when outputting a plurality of copies. It is.

  The box area 402 is an area used for the box function, and is divided into a predetermined number of areas.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the box area 402 is divided into areas 403 to 407. Each area (personal box area) 403 to 407 is assigned to each user or department, and each area 403 to 407 is assigned a corresponding box number, box name, and password.

  The user can access the area corresponding to the box number by specifying the box number from the operation unit 150 or the like, for example, and by reading the password, the image data in the corresponding area is read out and printed out or transmitted. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the user designates an area in the box area 402 of the hard disk (HD) 162, stores the image data in the designated area, reads out the image data at an arbitrary timing by a user operation, and prints it out. A function that can perform facsimile transmission is called a box function.

  Specifically, the box function is divided into three functions: box registration, box printing, and box transmission.

  In the box registration, a corresponding area in the box area 402 is designated from the PC 411, 412 or the reader unit 200, and image data (PDL development data or image data read by the scanner unit 210) is stored in the designated area. It is a function to do.

  In the box print, an area in the box area 402 is designated, image data (PDL development data or image data read by the scanner unit 210) is read from the designated area, transferred to the printer unit 300, and printed out. It is a function to do.

  In the box transmission, an area in the box area 402 is designated, image data (PDL development data or image data read by the scanner unit 210) is read from the designated area, and sent to the PCs 411 and 412 via the LAN 400. Sent. There are also functions for performing facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, E-mail attachment transmission, re-mode copy transmission, and the like via a public line.

  Next, box registration of the box function will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image input / output system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the box registration procedure in the image input / output system shown in FIG. S501 to S505 indicate each step.

  Here, a case where the PDL data transmitted from the PC 411 is stored in a designated area in the box area of the hard disk 162 will be described.

  In box registration, as shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S501, the user performs print settings on the PC 411.

  In this print setting, the number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, page output order, sort output, presence / absence of stapling, etc. are set. In step S502, a box number (BOX number) is input on the PC 411 to specify an area in the box area 402 of the hard disk 162.

  For example, when the box number “1” is input by the user, the area 403 in the box area 402 is designated as the area corresponding to the box number “1”.

  In step S503, the PDL data is transferred to the control device 110 of the image input / output system 100 via the LAN 400.

  Specifically, when a print instruction is given on the PC 411, the printer driver installed on the PC 411 converts code data to be printed into PDL (page description language) data in accordance with the print instruction. To do.

  This PDL data is transferred to the control device 110 together with the print setting parameters set in step S501.

  In step S504, the PDL data transferred by the control device 110 is developed (rasterized) into image data. In step S505, the developed image data is converted into a designated area in the box area 402 of the hard disk 162. To store.

  For example, when the area 403 in the box area 402 is designated by the box number “1”, the image data is stored in the area 403.

  When the area 404 in the box area 402 is designated by the box number “2”, the image data is stored in the area 404.

  The above procedure is a procedure for storing the PDL data transmitted from the PC 411 in a designated area in the box area of the hard disk 162. The image read by the reader unit 200 is designated in the box area of the hard disk 162. The same procedure is used when storing in the designated area.

  In this case, instead of the print setting in step S501, scan settings such as image processing are performed, and after the box number is specified in the same manner as in step S502, a scan start instruction is issued from the operation unit 150, thereby the reader unit 200. The image data read in step S3 can be stored in a designated area in the box area 402. Details will be described later.

  Similarly, when an image remotely distributed from another device on the LAN 400 is registered, it can be stored in a corresponding area in the box area 402 by designating the box number.

  Next, box printing and box transmission of the box function will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image input / output system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the box print and box transmission procedures of the image input / output system shown in FIG. S601 to S605 indicate each step.

  When performing box printing or box transmission, as shown in FIG. 6, first, in step S601, in order to access an area in the box area 402 of the hard disk 162 in which image data is stored, the box number is input from the operation unit 150. Is specified.

  For example, in the operation for designating the box number, the box key of the operation unit 150 is first pressed. As the box key is pressed, a box area selection screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the touch panel of the operation unit 150.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a box area selection screen displayed on the operation unit 150 when box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system shown in FIG. 1 are performed.

  In FIG. 7, on the box area selection screen, information 701 for the areas 403 to 407 in the box area 406 of the hard disk 162, up and down cursor keys 702 and 703 for scrolling the screen up and down, and this screen are closed. Then, a key 704 for returning to the standard screen (initial screen) is displayed.

  Here, the information 701 for each of the areas 403 to 407 includes a box number key indicating a box number assigned to each of the areas 403 to 407, a box name, and the number of stored documents.

  For example, when the user inputs the box number “1”, the user can input the box number “1” by pressing the box number key “1”.

  When a box number for designating an area in the box area 402 is input on the box area selection screen, a password input screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a password input screen displayed on the operation unit 150 when performing box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the password input screen includes a password input field (*** in the figure), a cancel key 801 for canceling the password input, and an OK key 802 for confirming the input password. Is displayed.

  When the cancel key 801 is pressed, the screen returns to the box area selection screen shown in FIG.

  The password input on the password input screen is performed by operating the numeric keypad of the operation unit 150, and the password input by operating the numeric keypad is not recognized even if viewed by another person as shown in the figure. Displayed as “***”.

  When the input of the password is completed, an OK button 802 is pressed, and the input password is sent from the operation unit 150 to the control device 110.

  The control device 110 performs correct / incorrect determination (authentication processing) of the input password. Here, when the password is incorrect, an incorrect password input display is performed and the screen returns to the password input screen.

  If the input password is correct, the process advances to step S602 to display, for example, a document (file) selection screen shown in FIG. 9 on the touch panel of the operation unit 150, and specify a file in the area corresponding to the specified box number.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a document selection screen displayed on the operation unit 150 when box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system shown in FIG. 1 are performed.

  In FIG. 9, a document (file) selection screen is a screen for selecting a file in the area of box number 2. In this screen, information 901 and information 901 for each file in the designated area are displayed. Up and down cursor keys 902 and 903 for scrolling up and down are arranged.

  Also, a print key 904 for setting a box print for printing out the file selected on this screen is arranged.

  Further, an erase key 905 for erasing the selected file without printing out or transmitting is arranged. Further, a key 906 for closing the screen and returning to the screen shown in FIG. 7 and a transmission key 907 for setting box transmission for transmitting the file selected on this screen are displayed.

  The information 901 for each file in the designated area includes the stored date and file name for each file.

  Here, when the display area of the file (date and time, file name) to be selected by the user is pressed, the file is displayed in reverse video, which indicates that the file is selected.

  This file can be selected by pressing a display area of another file (date and time, file name). Further, when the selected file is deleted without being printed out or transmitted, the delete key 905 is pressed.

  When a file is selected on this document selection screen, the user can select whether to print out (box print) or send (box send) the selected file, or delete it without printing out or sending it. (S603).

  When selecting the box print, the print key 904 is pressed, and when selecting the box transmission, the transmission key 907 is pressed.

  Here, when the transmission key 907 is pressed, a screen (not shown) for setting a transmission mode for box transmission is displayed.

  On this screen, transmission modes such as transmission to the PCs 411 and 412, facsimile transmission, Internet facsimile transmission, E-mail attached transmission, and re-mode copy transmission are selected, and necessary settings are made for the selected transmission mode. .

  In step S604, after printing or transmission is executed in step S603, it is determined whether to delete the file. Then, in the screen shown in FIG. 9, when the selected file is deleted after being printed out or transmitted, the delete key 905 is pressed, so the instruction state is judged and deletion is not selected. If the process is terminated and erasure is selected, the selected file is erased (S605), and the process is terminated.

  Next, box registration in the case where an image read by the reader unit 200 according to the present invention is stored in a designated area in the box area of the hard disk 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the image input / output system according to the present invention, and corresponds to the box printing and box registration procedures of the image input / output system shown in FIG.

  S1001 to S1011 indicate each step. Here, a case where image data read from the reader unit 200 is stored in a designated area in the box area of the hard disk 162 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the box registration shown here, first, in step S1001, a box number is designated from the operation unit 150, and an area in the box area 402 of the hard disk 162 to which image data is transferred is specified. For example, a box number is designated from the box area selection screen shown in FIG.

  When the user inputs a box number and inputs the password from the password input screen shown in FIG. 8, when the input password is correct, the process proceeds to step S1002, and a scan start instruction is issued from the operation unit 150. A document reading operation is started from the reader unit 200.

  In step S1003, the name of the document is input. As an input method, for example, a UI display as shown in a document name setting screen 1101 shown in FIG. 11 is performed.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of the document name setting screen 1101 displayed on the operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 1 and is displayed on the operation unit 150 under the control of the LCD controller 131.

  In the UI screen shown in FIG. 11, a document name is input using the keyboard of the operation unit 150, and an “OK” button BT1 or a return key (not shown) is pressed.

  In step S1004, a keyword setting screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the keyword setting screen 1102 displayed on the operation unit 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. The keyword setting screen 1102 is displayed on the operation unit 150 under the control of the LCD controller 131.

  The example shown in FIG. 12 corresponds to a state in which “scan”, “box”, and the like are input as keywords for the document name A shown in FIG.

  In step S1005, if image data is stored in the hard disk 162 in the box area designated in step S1001, a document name / keyword matching search is performed for each image data.

  The search performed here checks the ratio of how many characters match the number of characters in the document name input in step S1003 and how many match the keywords input in step S1004.

  Whether or not they match is determined by comparison with a predetermined value registered in advance by the user. If the search result in step S1005 exceeds the predetermined value, the same document is determined in step S1006. In step S1007, the determined document list is displayed on the operation unit 150 under the control of the LCD controller 131.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the document search result list screen 1201 displayed on the operation unit 150 shown in FIG. 1 and is displayed on the operation unit 150 under the control of the LCD controller 131.

  In FIG. 13, a document determined to be the same document is displayed on 1201, and up and down cursor keys 1202 and 1203 for scrolling the screen in the vertical direction are displayed. In addition, a “detailed information” key 1204 used for the user to confirm the contents of each document, a “update” key 1205 for selecting whether or not to update the document, and a “do not update” key 1206 are displayed. The

  Here, a case where the predetermined value for the document name is 60% and the predetermined value for the keyword is 80% is shown. As for the documents B and C, the document A matches the two characters “document”, so the document name matching rate is displayed as 66%. The keyword matching rate of document C being 100% indicates that there is a possibility that it is the same document as document A or a document that has been partially changed.

  When the user wants to confirm the contents of each document, the document name to be confirmed, the number of pages, the creation date, and the keyword contents are displayed by selecting the document to be confirmed on the screen and pressing a detailed information key 1204.

  As detailed information, a preview image can be displayed on the operation unit 150, or all pages or a part of pages can be printed, so that the contents of each document can be determined from the display result and the print result. Anyway.

  If there is no image data determined to be the same document in step S1006, the process proceeds to step S1010, and the scanned image data is stored in the box as a new document.

  In step S1008, the user determines whether to update the old document in the box area. If the user determines to update, the image data to be updated is selected from the document list, and the “update” key 1205 is selected. You can do this by pressing.

  Here, when the document C is selected by the user and the “update” key 1205 is pressed, the selected document C (old document) is deleted in step S1009, and the scanned document A is stored in the box in step S1010. The old document can be updated by storing it in.

  On the other hand, when the “not update” key 1206 is pressed in step S1008, a screen (FIG. 14) for selecting whether or not to register the scanned image data as a new document is displayed on the operation unit 150.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a new document registration setting screen 130 displayed on the operation unit 150 illustrated in FIG. 1, and is displayed on the operation unit 150 under the control of the LCD controller 131.

  In step S1011, when the "register" key 1301 shown in FIG. 14 is pressed, the document A scanned in step S1002 is stored in the box.

  On the other hand, if the “not registered” key 1302 is pressed, the process ends without storing the scanned document A in the box in step S1002.

  As a result, keywords can be extracted from the image data when the image data read from the reader unit 200 is registered in the box.

  Then, by comparing keywords with image data already registered in the box, the user stores in the box that the image data that is the same as or partly different from the scanned document exists in the box. Can be recognized before.

  As a result, unnecessary image data (for example, image data with exactly the same contents but different document names or image data before update) can be prevented from being generated in the box, thereby improving usability. be able to.

[Second Embodiment]
In this embodiment, the image data storage destination in the box registration is the hard disk drive 160 in the image input / output system 100. However, the image input / output system is not limited to the image input / output system 100 but via a network or the like. You may comprise with the external storage device connected with 100. FIG.

[Third Embodiment]
Further, in the present embodiment, the method in which the user inputs from the operation unit 150 when registering the document name in step S1003 shown in FIG. 10 has been described. .

  For example, the reader unit 200 is provided with an unillustrated OCR (character recognition) function, and the character recognition result is used to display several patterns of words having a large font size on the manuscript or positioned at the head, and allowing the user to select Is provided.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, in step S1004 shown in FIG. 10, when extracting a keyword of the document body, a method is performed by matching with a keyword registered in advance by the user using the display screen 1102 shown in FIG. Although shown, you may comprise as follows.

  For example, the reader unit 200 is provided with an OCR (character recognition) function (not shown), and a word frequently appearing on a document is automatically registered as a keyword using a character recognition result.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the case where the old document file is deleted in step S1008 shown in FIG. 10 has been described. However, the following configuration may be adopted.

  For example, a configuration is provided in which thumbnails of image data registered before deletion are displayed, the contents are visually confirmed, and the deletion process is executed.

[Sixth Embodiment]
In the above embodiment, the case of deleting an old document file has been described in step S1008 shown in FIG. 10. Is configured to be transferred to another box area of the user and managed as a discard file.

[Seventh Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the read image data is registered as new contents has been described as being registered in the hard disk drive 160 as it is, but may be configured as follows.

  For example, the file name, registration date, and the like of the replaced file can be registered as an updated file management file, and managed so that the status of the updated file can be confirmed later.

  As a result, information indicating other update marks and the like can be given in front of the file name and displayed in an identifiable manner in the document file list shown in FIG. 13 for the convenience of the user.

[Eighth Embodiment]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the image input / output system apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the image input / output system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 10 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

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

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

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on the recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will recognize that the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to the specific descriptions in the present specification, but the following embodiments. Needless to say, is also included. Hereinafter, Embodiments 1 to 14 will be described.

[Embodiment 1]
An image processing apparatus (for example, the image input / output system 100 shown in FIG. 1) having storage means (hard disk drive 160 shown in FIG. 1) for storing image data, which stores image information read from a document and the storage means. The extraction means (step S1004 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1) for extracting a keyword from the image information being determined, and the degree of matching of the keywords extracted by the extraction means, Control means for controlling replacement registration of image data to be read and image data stored in the storage means (steps S1008 to S1010 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1). An image processing apparatus.

  As a result, when the user registers the image data for the area allocated to the storage device, the image data having the same keyword as the already registered image data is registered as a file. It is possible to prevent or to efficiently search for the image data registered in the allocated finite area.

[Embodiment 2]
Reading means (scanner unit 320 shown in FIG. 1) for reading image information from a document and converting it into first image data, and storage means (FIG. 1) for storing the first image data converted by the reading means. Hard disk drive 160), first extraction means for extracting a keyword from the first image data to be stored in the storage means (step S1004 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1), By a second extraction means (step S1005 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1) for extracting a keyword from the second image data stored in advance in the storage means, and the first extraction means Comparison means for comparing the extraction result with the extraction result by the second extraction means (the scan shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1). S1006) and replacement means for replacing the second image data with the first image data in accordance with the degree of coincidence between the first image data and the second image data based on the comparison result of the comparison means. An image processing apparatus comprising: steps S1008 to 1010) shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG.

As a result, when the user registers the image data for the area allocated to the storage device, the image data having the same keyword as the already registered image data is registered as a file. Or efficiently searching for image data registered in a finite area allocated to the third embodiment.
The image processing apparatus includes an operation panel that receives an operation by a user, and the replacement unit displays a result of the comparison unit on the operation panel, and the first image data based on a selection instruction state by the user The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second image data is replaced.

  Thereby, it is possible to confirm the content of the updated image data before the replacement.

[Embodiment 4]
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first extraction unit performs a character recognition process on the first image data to extract a keyword.

  This makes it possible to extract keywords in conjunction with document reading, thereby reducing the keyword setting burden on the user.

[Embodiment 5]
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first extraction unit extracts a keyword that matches a character string previously designated on the operation panel by the user on the first image data.

  Thus, when a document is read, a character string directly input by the user is used as a keyword, so that the keyword intended by the user can be registered in the image data regardless of the content of the image data.

[Embodiment 6]
The storage area of the storage means is managed by being divided into a plurality of areas, and the storage location of the first image data can be designated as an arbitrary area within the storage area of the storage means from the operation panel. An image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 2.

  Thereby, the read image data can be freely registered in an area selected from a plurality of storage areas by the user.

[Embodiment 7]
An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having a storage means for storing image data, wherein an extraction step (see FIG. 1) extracts a keyword from image information read from a document and image information stored in the storage means. Step S1004) shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 10 and the degree of coincidence of the keywords extracted in the extraction step are determined, and the read image data and the image data stored in the storage means An image processing method comprising control steps for controlling replacement registration (steps S1005 to S1010 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1).

  As a result, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Embodiment 8]
An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data read from an original, wherein the first image data stored in the storage means and the second image data stored in the storage means The second image data is extracted according to the extraction step (step S1004 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1) and the matching degree of each keyword extracted in the extraction step. An image processing method comprising a replacement step (steps S1005 to S1010 shown in FIG. 10 executed by the control device 110 shown in FIG. 1) for replacement with first image data.

  Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the second embodiment is obtained.

[Embodiment 9]
The image processing apparatus includes an operation panel that receives an operation by a user, and the replacing step displays the result of the comparison unit on the operation panel, and the first image data based on a selection instruction state by the user. 9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the second image data is replaced.

  Thereby, there exists an effect equivalent to Embodiment 3.

[Embodiment 10]
9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the extraction step performs character recognition processing on the read image data to extract a keyword.

  Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the fourth embodiment is obtained.

[Embodiment 11]
9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the extracting step extracts a keyword that matches a character string previously designated on the operation panel by a user on the read image data.

  Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the fifth embodiment is obtained.

[Embodiment 12]
The storage area of the storage means is managed by being divided into a plurality of areas, and the storage destination of the image data to be read can be designated as an arbitrary area within the storage area of the storage means from the operation panel. The image processing method according to the eighth embodiment.

  Thereby, there exists an effect equivalent to Embodiment 6. FIG.

[Embodiment 13]
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the image processing method according to any one of Embodiments 7 to 12.

  Thereby, there exists an effect equivalent to Embodiment 7-12.

[Embodiment 14]
A program causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of embodiments 8 to 12.

  Thereby, there exists an effect equivalent to Embodiment 8-12.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image input / output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit of the image input / output system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control apparatus in the image input / output system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the state which divided | segmented the storage area of the hard disk of the image input / output system shown in FIG. 1 into the some area | region logically. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the image input / output system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the image input / output system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a box area selection screen displayed on an operation unit when performing box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the password input screen displayed on the operation part in the case of performing box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document selection screen displayed on an operation unit when performing box printing and box transmission of the image input / output system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd data processing procedure in the image input / output system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document name setting screen displayed on an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the keyword setting screen displayed on the operation part shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document search result list screen displayed on an operation unit illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a new document registration setting screen displayed on the operation unit illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the image input / output system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image Input / Output System 110 Control Device 150 Operation Unit 160 HD Drive 200 Reader Unit 300 Printer Units 411 and 412 PC

Claims (14)

An image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data,
Extracting means for extracting a keyword from image information read from a document and image information stored in the storage means;
Control means for determining the degree of coincidence of the keywords extracted by the extraction means and controlling replacement registration of the read image data and the image data stored in the storage means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Reading means for reading image information from a document and converting it to first image data;
Storage means for storing the first image data converted by the reading means;
First extraction means for extracting a keyword from the first image data stored in the storage means;
Second extracting means for extracting a keyword from second image data stored in advance in the storage means;
Comparison means for comparing the extraction result by the first extraction means and the extraction result by the second extraction means;
Replacement means for replacing the second image data with the first image data in accordance with the degree of coincidence between the first image data and the second image data from the comparison result of the comparison means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus includes an operation panel that receives an operation by a user,
The replacement means displays the result of the comparison means on the operation panel and replaces the first image data and the second image data based on a selection instruction state by a user. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first extraction unit extracts a keyword by performing a character recognition process on the first image data.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first extracting unit extracts a keyword that matches a character string previously designated on the operation panel by the user on the first image data. 4.   The storage area of the storage means is managed by being divided into a plurality of areas, and the storage location of the first image data can be designated as an arbitrary area within the storage area of the storage means from the operation panel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data,
An extraction step of extracting a keyword from image information read from the document and image information stored in the storage unit;
A control step of determining the degree of matching of the keywords extracted by the extraction step and controlling replacement registration of the read image data and the image data stored in the storage unit;
An image processing method comprising: An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having storage means for storing image data read from an original,
An extraction step of extracting a keyword from the first image data stored in the storage means and the second image data stored in the storage means;
A replacement step of replacing the second image data with the first image data in accordance with the degree of matching of each keyword extracted in the extraction step;
An image processing method comprising: The image processing apparatus includes an operation panel that receives an operation by a user,
9. The replacing step displays the result of the comparing means on the operation panel, and replaces the first image data and the second image data based on a selection instruction state by a user. The image processing method as described.   9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the extraction step performs character recognition processing on the read image data to extract a keyword.   9. The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein the extracting step extracts a keyword that matches a character string previously designated on the operation panel by the user on the read image data.   The storage area of the storage means is managed by being divided into a plurality of areas, and the storage destination of the image data to be read can be designated as an arbitrary area within the storage area of the storage means from the operation panel. The image processing method according to claim 8.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the image processing method according to claim 7.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

Images