JP2007166244A - Document-processing apparatus, document-processing method, program and information recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document-processing apparatus for overwriting and printing overwritten information, such as a page number on a document so that the information may not be interferent in reading the contents of the document. <P>SOLUTION: An image input 1 reads a document and inputs image data. In an image processor 205, an information region is extracted from the document image data to check for overlap between overwritten region and information region. If they overlap, the image processor 205 performs processing of shifting the overwriting region, to a position where it is not overlapped on the information region, generates overwriting print data used for applying overwriting printing of the overwriting information to the overwriting region after shifting, and transmits the data generated to an image output 2. The image output 2 prints the overwriting print data on a surface, from which the image of the document has been read. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document processing apparatus and a document processing method for overprinting a page number and other overwrite information on a document.

  The document reading device described in Patent Document 1 includes an endorser unit for printing alphabets and numbers on a document, and the endorser unit prints status information or maintenance information on the document after image reading. It is the structure to do.

  The image reading and recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes means for reading an image of a document and means for printing on the document, and transfers the read image data of the document to a PC. On the PC side, for example, the size of the frame in the document is detected from the document image data, print data corresponding to the frame size is transferred to the image reading and recording apparatus, and the print data is printed in the frame of the document.

JP 2004-80643 A JP 2005-178261 A

  When creating a meeting material or the like, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, documents 501, 502, and 503 for the first half of the page are created by a certain application software, and documents 504, 505, and 506 for the latter half of the page are created. It is not uncommon to create a file with another application software. In this case, if a document is printed out with a page number assigned to each application software, the page number of the document does not become a serial number as shown in FIG.

  As a method for avoiding such inconvenience, as shown in FIG. 16, documents 511 to 516 without page numbers (blank page number portions) are printed for each application software, and these documents are copied. In this case, the page number is inserted into the page number portion of each document by using the “page insertion function” of the copying machine, thereby obtaining documents 521 to 526 with consecutive page numbers as shown in FIG. It is possible. However, the page-numbered documents 521 to 526 obtained by this method have a problem that the image quality deteriorates because they are generation copies of the original document. Further, depending on the layout of the document or the like, the page number may be inserted in a form overlapping the characters or other information in the document, and there is a concern that the interpretation of the information in the document may be hindered.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is not a copy of a document, but a document that efficiently adds a page number and other information (for example, date, logo mark, etc.) to the document itself without interfering with the interpretation of the information in the document. A processing apparatus and a document processing method are provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input unit that reads an image of a document and inputs document image data, an information region extraction unit that extracts an information region from the document image data and generates information region data, and overwrite information Overwriting print control means for generating overwriting print data for overprinting in the overwriting area of the document, and image output means for printing the overwriting print data on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means And the overwriting print control means determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, the overwriting area does not overlap with the information area of the document. Before performing overwriting printing of the overwrite information in the overwritten area after the processing. A document processing apparatus and generates the overwrite print data.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input unit that reads an image of a document and inputs document image data, an information region extraction unit that extracts an information region from the document image data and generates information region data, and overwrite information Overwriting print control means for generating overwriting print data for overprinting in the overwriting area of the document, and image output means for printing the overwriting print data on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means The overwriting print control means performs processing for processing the overwriting information when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data. Generating the overwriting print data for overprinting the later overwriting information; It is a device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input unit that reads an image of a document and inputs document image data, an information region extraction unit that extracts an information region from the document image data and generates information region data, and overwrite information Overwriting print control means for generating overwriting print data for overprinting in the overwriting area of the document, and image output means for printing the overwriting print data on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means And the overwriting control unit suppresses printing of the document by the image output unit when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data. A document processing apparatus that performs control.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input unit that reads an image of a document and inputs document image data, an information region extraction unit that extracts an information region from the document image data and generates information region data, and overwrite information Overwriting print control means for generating overwriting print data for overprinting in the overwriting area of the document, and image output means for printing the overwriting print data on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means And a means for a user to specify a processing method when the overwriting area and the information area of the document overlap with each other, and the overwriting print control means uses the information area of the document based on the area information data. (1) The user can move the overwrite area as the processing method. When the method to be performed is designated, the overwriting area is moved to a position that does not overlap with the information area of the document, processing is performed, and the overwriting print data for overwriting printing the overwriting information in the overwriting area after the processing is performed. (2) When a method for processing the overwrite information is designated by the user as the processing method, the processing for processing the overwrite information is performed, and the overwrite information is printed for overwriting the overwrite information after the processing. (3) When the user designates a method for canceling the overwrite printing of the overwrite information as the processing method, control is performed to suppress printing of the document by the image output means. Is a document processing apparatus characterized by the above.

  The invention described in claim 5 is the document processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, and has a means for the user to specify arbitrary overwrite information from a plurality of overwrite information. The overwriting print control means is a document processing apparatus for generating the overwriting print data for overprinting the overwriting information designated by the user.

  The invention described in claim 6 is the document processing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and from which document the user starts overwriting the overwriting information. The overwriting print control unit suppresses overwriting printing of overwriting information when it is determined that the document read by the image input unit is a document before the document to be overwritten. The document processing apparatus is characterized in that control is performed.

  The invention according to claim 7 is an image input step of reading an image of a document by an image input means and inputting document image data, and an information region extraction step of generating an information region data by extracting an information region from the document image data And an overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overprinting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document, and the overwriting by the image output means on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means An image output step for printing print data, and when the overwriting control step determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, A process of moving to a position that does not overlap the information area of the document is performed, and the overwrite area after this process is performed. A document processing method characterized by generating the overwrite print data for overwriting print the overwritten information.

  An invention according to claim 8 is an image input step of reading an image of a document by an image input means and inputting document image data, and an information region extraction step of generating an information region data by extracting an information region from the document image data And an overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overprinting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document, and the overwriting by the image output means on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means An image output step for printing print data, and when the overwriting control step determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, the overwriting information The overwriting for overwriting the overwritten information after the processing is performed. A document processing method and generates a lint data.

  The invention according to claim 9 is an image input step of reading an image of a document by an image input means and inputting document image data, and an information region extraction step of generating an information region data by extracting an information region from the document image data And an overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overprinting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document, and the overwriting by the image output means on the surface of the document whose image is read by the image input means An image output step of printing print data, and when the overwriting control step determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, A document processing method characterized by controlling overwriting of overwriting information. .

  The invention according to claim 10 is the document processing method according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the user has a step of designating from which document the overwriting of the overwriting information is started. The overwriting print control step controls to suppress overwriting of the overwriting information when it is determined that the document read by the image input means is a document before the document to be overwritten. This is a document processing method characterized by the above.

  The invention described in claim 11 is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the document processing method according to the invention described in claim 7, 8, 9 or 10.

  The invention described in claim 12 is a computer-readable information recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the document processing method according to the invention described in claim 7, 8, 9, or 10 is recorded. .

According to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, overwriting information (page number, date, logo mark, etc.) can be overwritten and printed on a document. Since the document is overwritten on the document itself, there is no concern that the image quality of the document will deteriorate unlike a method using the page insertion function of the copying machine.
According to the inventions of claims 1 and 7, when it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps with the information area of the document, the process of moving the overwrite area to a position not overlapping with the information area is performed. The reading is not hindered. Therefore, documents with various layouts can be processed.
According to the second and eighth aspects of the present invention, when it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps with the information area of the document, the process for processing the overwrite information, that is, the color or density of the overwrite information is obstructed from reading the information area. Since the process of changing to a color or density that is unlikely to occur is performed, the overwriting information does not make it difficult to interpret the document contents. Therefore, documents with various layouts can be processed.
According to the third and ninth aspects of the present invention, when it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps with the information area of the document, the overwrite printing of the overwrite information is suppressed, so that the interpretation of the document content is prevented by the overwrite information. Absent. Therefore, documents with various layouts can be processed. According to the invention of claim 4, the user can move the overwrite area as a processing method when it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps with the information area of the document according to the content or usage of the document. Either a method of processing overwriting information or a method of suppressing overwriting printing can be selected.
According to the invention of claim 5, the user can select necessary overwrite information from various overwrite information, and can print it over the document.
According to the sixth and tenth aspects of the present invention, for example, in the case of a document made up of a table of contents document followed by a body text document, the page number is not overwritten on the table of contents and the page number is overwritten only on the body text. , And the like can be controlled.
The invention according to claims 7 to 10 can be implemented by a computer by loading the program according to the invention of claim 11 into the computer.
The inventions according to claims 7 to 10 can be implemented by loading a program recorded on the information recording medium according to claim 12 into a computer.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a document processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The document processing apparatus includes an image input / output unit 100 and a control / processing unit 200.

  The image input / output unit 100 reads an image of a document and inputs the image data to the control / processing unit 200. The image input unit 1 receives image data provided from the control / processing unit 200. The image output unit 2 is a means for printing the read document using ink or toner.

  An example of a specific configuration of such an image input / output unit 100 is shown in FIG. The image input unit 1 includes a paper feed unit 3 that fetches documents 4 placed on a paper feed tray one by one, a transport unit 16 that transports the captured document, a lamp 5 that illuminates the transported document, and a document. The image reading unit 14 receives the reflected light of the image through the reading optical system 15 and converts it into image data, and an interface 17 for inputting the image data to the control / processing unit 200.

  In FIG. 2, the image on the lower side of the document being conveyed by the conveyance unit 16 is shown to be read by the image reading unit 14, but this is for the convenience of drawing, and actually the upper side of the document. A lamp 5, a reading optical system 15, and an image reading unit 14 are arranged in a positional relationship where a surface image is read. It should be noted that the lower surface of the document may be read, and a mechanism for inverting the front and back of the document after reading may be provided in the transport unit 16, and this aspect is also included in this embodiment.

  The image output unit 2 includes an interface 18 with the control / processing unit 200, a laser optical system 7 to which overwrite print data is input from the control / processing unit 200 via the interface 18, and a laser emitted from the laser optical system 7. A photosensitive member 9 on which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the overwriting print data is formed by scanning with light, a developing device 6 for developing toner on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 9, and a toner image on the photosensitive member 9 A transfer charger 13 that transfers the toner image transferred to the upper surface of the document conveyed by the conveying unit 16 (the surface read by the image input unit 1), a fixing device 12 that fixes the toner image transferred to the document, and fixing. The paper discharge unit 11 is configured to discharge a document that has passed through the container 12. A charger 8 for uniformly charging the surface of the photoconductor 9, a cleaner 10 for removing residual toner on the photoconductor 9, and the like are disposed around the photoconductor 9.

  Note that the image output unit 2 may be configured to print an image by ejecting or transferring ink.

  Please refer to FIG. 1 again. The control / output unit 200 performs control of the image input / output unit 100, generation of image data (overwrite print data) to be printed by the image output unit 2, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control / output unit 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes control or processing according to a program, a memory 202 that is used for temporary storage of a program executed by the CPU 201, image data, and the like, an image data program, and the like. A hard disk device 203 used for storage, an operation unit 204 used for input of various designations by a user, and an image processing unit 205 that performs processing such as overwriting print data generation processing are interconnected by a bus 206. The program executed by the CPU 201 is loaded into the memory 202 from the hard disk device 203. However, a separate ROM (read only memory) storing the program may be provided in addition to the memory 202.

  Such a control / processing unit 200 can be either physically independent from the image input / output unit 100 or integrated with the image input / output unit 100.

  The image processing unit 205 can take either a form realized using hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a form realized by a program executed by the CPU 201. That is, the control / processing unit 200 can be realized by a program using hardware resources of a general computer including a CPU, a memory, and the like. Such a program and various information recording (storage) media that can be read by a computer, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor storage element, on which the program is recorded are also included in the present invention.

  Here, an outline of the operation of the document processing apparatus will be described. In response to an instruction from the CPU 201, one document placed on the paper feed tray is fed to the transport unit 16 by the paper feed unit 3, and an image of the document transported by the transport unit 15 is displayed by the image reading unit 14. Read. The read document image data is input to the control / processing unit 200 through the interface 17 and stored in the memory 202, for example. The document whose image has been read is conveyed to a position before the transfer charger 13 by the conveyance unit 16.

  Next, in response to an instruction from the CPU 201, the image processing unit 205 recognizes the document information area from the input document image data, and overwrite information (page number, date, etc.) so as not to make it difficult to read the contents of the document information area. , Logo marks and other images, etc.) are generated. Details of the overwriting print data generation processing will be described later.

  Next, under the control of the CPU 201, the image output unit 2 executes overwrite printing on the document with overwrite print data. That is, the overwrite print data is input to the laser optical system 7 through the interface 18, and an electrostatic latent image of the overwrite information is formed on the photoreceptor 9, and this is developed with toner by the developing device 6. The developed toner image is transferred to the document conveyed by the conveyance unit 16 by the transfer charger 13 and is discharged to the paper discharge unit 11 via the fixing unit 12.

  The CPU 201 checks whether or not a document remains on the paper feed tray of the image input unit 1, and if it remains, starts a similar process for the next sheet. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the image input unit 1 is provided with a detector for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the paper feed tray, and the detection signal is input to the control / processing unit 200. . The CPU 201 can determine whether or not a document remains from this detection signal.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a functional configuration of the image processing unit 205. The image processing unit 205 includes an information area extraction unit 301 and an overwrite print control unit 304.

  The information area extraction unit 301 is a unit (or process) for recognizing the information area of the document from the document image data 310 input from the image input unit 1 and stored in the memory 202. It is composed of circumscribed rectangle generating means 303.

  The binarization processing unit 302 is a unit (or process) for binarizing the document image data 310. This binarization is performed by a simple binarization method in which a pixel whose luminance is lower than a predetermined threshold is a black pixel and a pixel whose luminance is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is a white pixel. However, other binarization methods can be used. The binarized data 311 of the document image data is temporarily stored in the memory 202.

  The circumscribed rectangle generating unit 303 is a unit (or process) that generates a circumscribed rectangle for various information areas such as a character area 400, a picture area 401, and a table area 402 as illustrated in FIG. 8 from the binarized data 311. . As can be understood from this example, an area in which some meaningful information other than the margin of the document is described is collectively referred to as an information area. A known method used in the OCR field or the like can be used to generate a circumscribed rectangle for such an information area. For example, the connection of the black pixels is examined from the binarized data 311 or the OR compressed image data thereof, and the circumscribed rectangle of the black pixel connected component is extracted, and then the circumscribed rectangle of the black pixel connected component is extracted in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. It is possible to use a method of generating a circumscribed rectangle of the information area by integrating. The vertex coordinates of the circumscribed rectangle of the extracted information area are temporarily stored in the memory 202 as information area data 312.

  The overwrite print control unit 304 generates, based on the information area data 312, overwrite memory data 314 in the memory 202 for overwriting and printing the overwrite information on the document so as not to prevent interpretation of the contents of the information area of the document. (Moshihaku process). The overwrite information 313 is read into the memory 202 from the hard disk device 203, for example.

  For example, the operation unit 204 includes a display unit 211 with a touch panel as shown in FIG. This display unit 211 is used for displaying radio buttons and the like for the user to input various designations. On the outside of the display unit 211, a button 212 and a numeric keypad 213 for confirming designation using a software radio button are provided. Control related to the operation unit 204 is performed by a program executed by the CPU 201, and information such as input designation is notified to the overwrite print control unit 304 of the image processing unit 205.

  The operation of the document processing apparatus will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the user inputs necessary designations using the operation unit 204 (step 0). This designation input will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG.

  First, an overwrite information selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 211 of the operation unit 204. The example of the overwrite information selection screen shown here includes radio buttons 214 to 218 for designating overwrite information, and thumbnail images 219 to 223 of the overwrite information corresponding to this. The user can input designation of the overwrite information by touching a radio button corresponding to the desired overwrite information (touching a finger or a pen) and pressing a button 212. In order to select more overwrite information, for example, a scroll button may be provided on the overwrite information selection screen so that thumbnail images of the overwrite information that can be selected by the operation are scroll-displayed.

  When the user touches the radio button 217 and designates “page number” 222 as overwriting information, a designation screen as shown in FIG. 6 for designating from which document to start overwriting printing. Is displayed on the display unit 211. For example, when the user wants to overwrite the page number from the third document, the user inputs “3” by operating the numeric keypad 213. The input numerical value is displayed on the display window 231. This input can be canceled by touching the cancel button 232. By pressing the button 212, designation can be input. Note that the same designation may be made even when overwrite information other than the page number is selected, and such an aspect is also included in the present embodiment.

  After inputting such a designation, a designation screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display unit 211 of the operation unit 204 in order to allow the user to select a processing method when the overwrite area and the information area overlap. . On this designation screen, a radio button 241 for designating “move” of the overwrite area, a radio button 242 for designating “processing” of the overwrite information, and a radio for designating “cancel” of the overwrite print. A button 243 is included. The user touches one of the radio buttons and presses the button 212 to input the designation of the processing method when the overwrite area and the information area overlap.

  When the designation input by the user is performed, the CPU 201 issues a reading instruction to the image input / output unit 100, and the image input unit 1 feeds one document placed on the paper feed tray. A reading operation is performed, and image data of the document is input (step 1). The details of this reading operation are as described above.

  When the CPU 201 notifies the image processing unit 205 of the end of image reading of one document, the overwriting print control unit 304 of the image processing unit 205 confirms whether or not the read document is an overwriting target ( step 2). As described above, when the page number is designated as the overwrite information, the designation of how many sheets (N sheets) to start overwriting is input on the designation screen of FIG. The overwrite print control unit 304 counts the number n of the read documents. When the page number is designated as the overwrite information, the counted number n is compared with the designated number N. If n <N, the overwriting is overwritten. Judged out of scope. If overwrite information other than the page number is specified, it is always determined to be overwritten. However, as described above, when the same designation is made for the overwrite information other than the page number, the above determination is performed regardless of the type of the overwrite information.

  If the overwriting print control unit 304 determines that the read document is not to be overwritten, it issues a paper discharge request, and the CPU 201 performs an operation for causing the image input / output unit 100 to discharge the document as it is to the paper discharge unit 11. (Step 11). That is, control for suppressing overprinting is performed for the document.

  If it is determined that the read document is to be overwritten, the image processing unit 205 performs processing for recognizing the information area of the document (step 3). That is, the information area extraction unit 301 performs binarization processing of the document image data 310 of the document by the binarization processing unit 302, and generates a circumscribed rectangle of the information area from the obtained binarization data 311. Information area data 312 is obtained by the circumscribed rectangle generating means 303.

  Next, the overwrite print control unit 304 checks the overlap between the overwrite area and the information area by comparing the information area and the overwrite area of the document based on the information area data (step 4). Here, the overwrite area is an area where the overwrite information is to be overwritten on the document, the size of which is determined by the size of the overwrite information specified by the user on the document, and its initial position is the default Is set. However, the user may be allowed to specify the initial position, and this aspect is also included in the present embodiment.

  When it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps with the information area (step 4, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 checks the processing method designated on the designation screen in FIG. 7 (steps 5, 6), and processing according to the result Execute.

  First, when “move” is designated as the processing method by the user (step 5, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 moves the overwrite area so as not to overlap the information area (step 7), and overwrites after the move. Overwrite print data 314 for overwriting the area with overwrite information is generated (step 9). Next, an overwrite print request is issued from the overwrite print control unit 304, and in response to this, the CPU 201 transfers the overwrite print data 314 to the image input / output unit 100 and executes the print operation (step 10). The details of this printing operation are as described above. As an example, in the case of a document having an information area as shown in FIG. 8, when the overwrite area 411 overlaps with the information area (in this example, the document area 400) as shown in FIG. The overwrite area 411 is moved to a different position. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, overwrite print data 314 in which overwrite information 413 (here, a page number) is pasted on the moved overwrite area is generated. Accordingly, the overwrite information 413 is overwritten on the original as shown in FIG. In this way, the overwriting information is overwritten and printed so as not to overlap the information area of the document, so the overwriting information does not hinder the reading of the contents of the information area of the document.

  If it is determined that the overwrite area and the information area do not overlap (step 4, No), the overwrite print control unit 304 generates overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area at the initial position (step 9). The print operation is executed (step 10).

  When “processing” is designated as the processing method by the user (step 6, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 processes the overwrite information so as not to interfere with the interpretation of the contents of the information area of the document (step 8). . Specifically, the overwrite information is processed into a color and density that do not hinder the interpretation of the contents of the information area. Note that it is possible to adopt either a method for predetermining the changed color or density, or a method for adaptively determining the color or density according to the color or density of the information area overlapping the overwrite area. In the latter method, the average color and density of the document image data 310 are calculated for the information area overlapping the overwrite area, and the overwrite information is changed to the optimum color and density based on the color and density. Then, the overwrite print control unit 304 generates overwrite print data 314 in which the processed overwrite information is pasted in the overwrite area at the initial position (step 9), and executes the print operation (step 10).

  When “stop” is designated as the processing method by the user (step 5 and step 6, No), the overwriting print control unit 304 causes the document to be ejected (step 11). That is, control is performed to suppress overwriting of overwriting information for the document. However, when the overwrite information is a page number, the page number is incremented by 1 even when overwriting is not performed.

  When the processing for one document is completed, the CPU 201 checks whether or not an unprocessed document remains on the paper feed tray as described above (step 12). If the document remains (step 12, Yes), the process returns to step 1 and processing for the next one document is started. When all the documents on the paper feed tray have been processed (step 12, No), the series of operations ends.

  In the case of the operation described with reference to FIG. 4, the processing method when the overwrite area first overlaps the information area is designated so that the user is not involved in the processing of each document. Such an operation mode can efficiently process a large amount of documents.

  However, it is also possible to take an operation mode in which the user determines the processing method when the overwrite area overlaps the information area in the course of processing each document. Such an operation mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the user inputs the designation as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 using the operation unit 204 (step 20). However, the designation of the processing method as described with reference to FIG. 7 is not input.

  When the designation input by the user is performed, the CPU 201 issues a reading instruction to the image input / output unit 100, and the image input unit 1 feeds one document placed on the paper feed tray and performs a reading operation. And the image data of the document is input (step 21).

  When the CPU 201 notifies the image processing unit 205 of the end of image reading of one document, the overwriting print control unit 304 of the image processing unit 205 confirms whether or not the read document is an overwriting target ( step 2). This confirmation is performed by the same method as in step 2.

  If the overwriting print control unit 304 determines that the read document is not to be overwritten, it issues a paper discharge request, and causes the image input / output unit 100 to perform an operation of discharging the document to the paper discharge unit 11 as it is. (Step 33).

  If it is determined that the read document is to be overwritten, the image processing unit 205 performs processing for recognizing the information area of the document (step 23). This process is the same as in step 3.

  Next, the overwrite print control unit 304 checks the overlap between the overwrite area and the information area by comparing the information area and the overwrite area of the document based on the information area data (step 24).

  When it is determined that the overwrite area and the information area do not overlap (step 24, No), the overwrite print control unit 304 generates overwrite print data for overwriting the specified overwrite information in the overwrite area at the initial position (step 31). The printing operation is executed (step 32).

  When it is determined that the overwrite area overlaps the information area (step 24, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 displays a processing method designation screen on the display unit 211 of the operation unit 252, and inputs the designation of the processing method to the user. (Step 25). For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the designation screen includes a preview image 251 of overwriting print and radio buttons 253 to 255 for designating “move”, “process”, and “cancel”. The preview image 251 is displayed by, for example, performing a process of pasting the designated overwrite information 252 on the document image data 310 in the overwrite area at the default position and reducing the processed image data. However, the preview image 251 may not be displayed. The user can input a designation of a processing method by selecting a processing method, touching a corresponding radio button, and pressing a button 212. When “processing” is specified, a screen for specifying the processed color and density may be displayed on the display unit 211 so that the user can specify the color and density. Included in the embodiment.

  When the designation of the user is input, the overwrite print control unit 304 checks the designated processing method (steps 26 and 27) and executes a process according to the result.

  First, when “move” is designated as the processing method by the user (step 26, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 moves the overwrite area so as not to overlap the information area (step 29), and overwrites after the movement. Overwrite print data 314 for overwriting the area with overwrite information is generated (step 30), and the printing operation is executed (step 32).

  When “processing” is designated as the processing method by the user (step 27, Yes), the overwrite print control unit 304 processes the overwrite information so as not to interfere with the interpretation of the contents of the information area of the document (step 30). Then, overwrite print data 314 in which the processed overwrite information is pasted in the overwrite area at the initial position is generated (step 31), and the printing operation is executed (step 32).

  When “stop” is specified as the processing method by the user (step 26 and step 27, No), the overwrite print control unit 304 causes the document to be discharged (step 33). That is, the overwrite information is not overwritten on the document. However, when the overwrite information is a page number, the page number is incremented by one even when overwriting is not performed.

  When the processing for one document is completed, it is checked whether or not an unprocessed document remains on the paper feed tray as described above (step 34). If the document remains (step 34, Yes), the process returns to step 21 and processing for the next one document is started. When all the documents on the paper feed tray have been processed (step 34, No), the series of operations is terminated.

<Regarding Document Processing Method, Program, and Information Recording Medium>
The embodiment of the document processing apparatus according to the present invention has been described above. If each means in this description is read as a process step, it is obvious that the above description is also an explanation of the document processing method according to the present invention.

  That is, step 1 in FIG. 4 or step 21 in FIG. 13 corresponds to an image input process in which an image input unit reads an image of a document and inputs document image data, and step 3 or step 23 extracts an information area from the document image data. Step 9 or step 31 corresponds to an overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data, and step 10 or step 32 is used to write the overwrite print data into a document by the image output means. This corresponds to an image output process for printing (claims 7 to 10). Step 7 or step 29 corresponds to a process of moving the overwrite area to a position not overlapping the document information area when it is determined that the document information area and the overwrite area overlap (step 7), and step 8 or step 30 is the document. This corresponds to a process for processing the overwrite information when it is determined that the information area overlaps with the overwrite area (claim 8), and step 11 or step 33 is overwritten when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwrite area overlap. This corresponds to control for suppressing the above (claim 9). In step 0 or step 20, the user designation input on the designation screen of FIG. 6 corresponds to a step in which the user designates from which document the overwrite print of the overwrite information is started, and in step 11 or step 22 Jumping to Steps 11 and 33 when it is determined that the document read by the image input means is ahead of the document to be overwritten corresponds to control for suppressing overwriting.

  Each step of the document processing method according to the present invention can be executed by a program using a computer. Such a program corresponds to an embodiment of the invention described in claim 11. Various information recording (storage) media that can be read by a computer, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor storage element, on which such a program is recorded correspond to the embodiment of the invention described in claim 12.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the whole structure of the document processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a typical section lineblock diagram showing the example of an image input / output part. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the functional structure of an image process part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a document processing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the designation | designated input by a user. It is a figure for demonstrating the designation | designated input by a user. It is a figure for demonstrating the designation | designated input by a user. It is explanatory drawing of the information area of a document. It is a figure which shows the overlap example of an overwrite area | region and an information area. It is a figure which shows the example of a movement of an overwrite area | region. It is a figure which shows the example of overwrite print data. It is a figure which shows the example of an overwrite print result. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other operation | movement form of a document processing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating a user's designation | designated input. It is a figure which shows the example in which a page number does not become a serial number. It is a figure which shows the example which makes a page number blank. It is a figure which shows the example which attached the continuous page number.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image input part 2 Image output part 100 Image input / output part 200 Control / processing part 201 CPU
202 Memory 203 Hard Disk Device 204 Operation Unit 205 Image Processing Unit 301 Information Area Extraction Unit 302 Binarization Processing Unit 303 circumscribed rectangle generation unit 304 Overwrite print control unit

Claims (12)

An image input means for reading an image of a document and inputting document image data;
Information area extracting means for extracting information area from the document image data and generating information area data;
An overwrite print control means for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
Image output means for printing the overwrite print data on the surface of the document on which the image is read by the image input means;
When the overwriting print control means determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, the overwriting control section moves the overwriting area to a position that does not overlap with the information area of the document. And generating the overwriting print data for overwriting the overwriting information in the overwriting area after the processing. An image input means for reading an image of a document and inputting document image data;
Information area extracting means for extracting information area from the document image data and generating information area data;
An overwrite print control means for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
Image output means for printing the overwrite print data on the surface of the document on which the image is read by the image input means;
The overwriting print control means performs processing for processing the overwriting information when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, and the overwriting information after this processing is performed. A document processing apparatus for generating the overwriting print data for overprinting a document. An image input means for reading an image of a document and inputting document image data;
Information area extracting means for extracting information area from the document image data and generating information area data;
An overwrite print control means for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
Image output means for printing the overwrite print data on the surface of the document on which the image is read by the image input means;
The overwriting print control unit performs control to suppress printing of the document by the image output unit when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data. Feature document processing device. An image input means for reading an image of a document and inputting document image data;
Information area extracting means for extracting information area from the document image data and generating information area data;
An overwrite print control means for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
Image output means for printing the overwrite print data on the surface of the document on which the image is read by the image input means;
Means for a user to specify a processing method when the overwriting area and the information area of the document overlap;
When the overwriting print control unit determines that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, (1) the user moves the overwriting area as the processing method. When a method is specified, the overwriting area is moved to a position that does not overlap with the information area of the document, processing is performed, and the overwriting print data for overwriting printing the overwriting information in the overwriting area after the processing is generated (2) When a method for processing the overwriting information is designated as the processing method by the user, the overwriting information is processed, and the overwriting for overwriting the overwritten information after the processing is performed. Print data is generated, and (3) the user performs overwriting printing of the overwriting information as the processing method. When a method of stopping is designated, a document processing apparatus and performs control to suppress the printing with respect to the document by the image output unit. The user has a means to specify arbitrary overwrite information from multiple overwrite information,
5. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the overwriting print control unit generates the overwriting print data for overprinting overwriting information designated by a user.   The user has a means for designating from which document the overwrite print of the overwrite information is started, and the overwrite print control means is a document in which the document read by the image input means should start the overwrite print. 6. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the document is determined to be an earlier document, control is performed to suppress overwriting of overwriting information. An image input step of reading the image of the document by the image input means and inputting the document image data;
An information area extraction step of generating information area data by extracting an information area from the document image data;
An overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
An image output step of printing the overwrite print data by an image output means on the surface of the document from which the image is read by the image input means;
In the overwriting print control step, when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, the overwriting area is moved to a position that does not overlap with the information area of the document And generating the overwriting print data for overwriting the overwriting information in the overwriting area after the processing. An image input step of reading the image of the document by the image input means and inputting the document image data;
An information area extraction step of generating information area data by extracting an information area from the document image data;
An overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
An image output step of printing the overwrite print data by an image output means on the surface of the document from which the image is read by the image input means;
In the overwriting print control step, when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, a process for processing the overwriting information is performed, and the overwriting information after this processing Generating the overwrite print data for overprinting the document. An image input step of reading the image of the document by the image input means and inputting the document image data;
An information area extraction step of generating information area data by extracting an information area from the document image data;
An overwrite print control step for generating overwrite print data for overwriting the overwrite information in the overwrite area of the document;
An image output step of printing the overwrite print data by an image output means on the surface of the document from which the image is read by the image input means;
In the overwriting print control step, when it is determined that the information area of the document and the overwriting area overlap based on the area information data, the overwriting printing of the overwriting information on the document is suppressed. Characteristic document processing method.   A step in which the user designates from which document the overwrite print of the overwrite information is to be started, and the overwrite print control step is a document in which the document read by the image input means is to start the overwrite print 10. The document processing method according to claim 7, wherein control is performed to suppress overwriting of the overwrite information when it is determined that the document is an earlier document.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the document processing method according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10.   11. A computer-readable information recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the document processing method according to claim 7, 8, 9, or 10 is recorded.

Images