JP2007201752A - Program, device, system, and method for inputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program, device, system, and a method for inputting images by which documents in which a plurality of paper size are mixed are continuously read and automatically cropped by each document size. <P>SOLUTION: A computer 3 connected to a scanner 6 which reads image data from the documents by predetermined size is functioned as an image data input means 10 for inputting the image data, a document size calculation means 12 for calculating size of a document part out of the image data, a paper size storage means 13 for storing a plurality of preset paper sizes and a cropping means 15 for comparing the calculated size of the document part with the plurality of paper sizes stored in the paper size storage means 13 to crop the image data by the closest paper size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input program, an image input device, an image input system, and an image input method for inputting a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed in each document size.

  Conventionally, when a document such as a form in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed is continuously read by an image reading apparatus and an image is cut out at each original size (hereinafter referred to as “crop”), the performance and calculation of the image reading apparatus Can't crop at exact size due to error. For this reason, in order to obtain a uniform image size for a document of the same paper size among a plurality of paper size documents, all the documents are once sorted into the same size, and each is read with a fixed size, and then again. All the originals need to be rearranged in the original order, and the read image data must be rearranged in the same order as the originals.

By the way, when copying or faxing, when reading a non-standard size document, the aspect ratio of the image data is detected, and from this aspect ratio, the standard size corresponding to this image data is selected, and this image data is selected. A technique for copying non-standard-size image data onto a standard-size sheet without missing an image by treating it as selected standard-size image data is described, for example, in (Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-36904 A

  As described above, when cropping an image with multiple paper sizes mixed at each original size, all the originals are once sorted into the same size, scanned in a fixed size, and then all originals are restored. It is an extremely complicated task to re-arrange the read image data in the same order as the original.

  Therefore, in the present invention, an image input program, an image input apparatus, an image input system, and an image input method capable of continuously reading a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed and automatically cropping each document size. The purpose is to provide.

  The technique described in (Patent Document 1) selects a standard size larger than this image data so that non-standard size image data is not lost. The technical problem is different from the present invention in which cropping is performed at the original size.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention inputs image data, calculates the size of a document portion in the image data, compares the calculated size of the document portion with a plurality of preset paper sizes, The image data is cropped with the closest paper size.

  According to the present invention, when a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed is continuously read, the closest paper size from a plurality of paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the document portion of each image data Since the image data is cropped in this way, the image data can be automatically cropped at the respective document sizes. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a process for storing size information relating to the vertical and horizontal lengths of the standard paper and an image of a document having a plurality of sizes mixed from an external reading device are input to a computer. Processing, detecting the size of each image in the mixed document, comparing the size of each detected image with the size information stored in the storage means, and the size of the image in the storage means An image input program that, when approximating the stored size information, regards the image as an image of a standard paper having the approximated size information, and executes a process of cutting and displaying the image from the size information area; When a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed is continuously read, a plurality of preset values are set according to the size of the document portion of each image data. Since the image data is cropped closest paper size from the paper size, it becomes possible to automatically crop the image data for each document size. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when there is no size information that approximates the size of the document in the size information stored in the storage means, the actual size of the image. Is an image input program for executing a process of displaying an image, and if the calculated size of the document portion is within an allowable range of each paper size set in advance, the document is It is determined that the document is a document having a preset paper size, and the document is cropped. In other cases, the document can be cropped as it is as a document having a size other than the preset paper size.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading program is an image input program that is read at a maximum size, and a document having a plurality of paper sizes mixed is continuously provided. Since the image data is cropped with the paper size closest to a plurality of standard paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the original portion of each image data, Image data can be automatically cropped with a close standard paper size.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present invention is the image input program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of paper sizes stored in the storage means are standard paper sizes, When a document with multiple paper sizes mixed is read continuously, the paper size to be compared with the size of the document part in each image data is arbitrarily input, and the comparison is also made from this input paper size. The image data is cropped with the closest paper size.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present invention is the image input according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the computer further functions as paper size input means for inputting the paper size stored in the storage means. This is a program, and when a document with multiple paper sizes mixed is read continuously, the paper closest to a plurality of paper sizes preset according to the size of the document portion of each image data Since the image data is cropped according to the size, the image data can be automatically cropped at each original size. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image input program and an image reading device that reads the image data from a document with a predetermined size are provided. This is an image input system, and when a document having a plurality of paper sizes mixed is continuously read, the largest of the plurality of paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the document portion of each image data. Since the image data is cropped at a close paper size, the image data can be automatically cropped at each original size. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing size information relating to the vertical and horizontal lengths of standard paper, and input means for inputting an image of a document having a plurality of sizes mixed from an external reading device. The size of each image in the mixed document is detected, the size of each detected image is compared with the size information stored in the storage means, and the size of the image is converted into the size information stored in the storage means. In the case of approximation, the image is regarded as an image of a standard paper having the approximate size information, and the image input device includes a control unit that cuts out and displays the image from the size information area. When a document with mixed paper sizes is scanned continuously, the image data with the closest paper size from a plurality of paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the document portion of each image data. There therefore is cropped, it becomes possible to automatically crop the image data for each document size. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  The invention described in claim 8 of the present invention includes a step of storing size information regarding the vertical and horizontal lengths of the standard paper, a step of inputting an image of a document in which a plurality of sizes are mixed from an external reading device, The size of each image in the mixed document is detected, the size of each detected image is compared with the size information stored in the storage means, and the image size approximates the size information stored in the storage means. In this case, the image input method comprises the step of displaying the image as a standard paper image having the approximate size information and cutting out the image from the size information area, and a plurality of paper sizes are mixed. When the original to be read is continuously read, the image data is obtained with a paper size closest to a plurality of paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the original portion of each image data. Since the drop, it becomes possible to automatically crop the image data for each document size. Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image input system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1, an image input system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication network 2 such as a local area network, a notebook computer 3 and a desktop computer 4 connected via the communication network 2. And a printer 5 as an image forming apparatus and a scanner 6 as an image reading apparatus for reading image data from a document with a predetermined size.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the notebook computer 3 and the scanner 6 of FIG. Although not described below, the computer 4 has the same configuration as the computer 3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 31 that performs various processes, a read-only memory (ROM) 32 that records a program for operating the CPU 31, and arithmetic processing by the CPU 31. A random access memory (RAM) 33 for temporarily storing time data, a hard disk device (HDD) 34 for storing various data, an operation unit 35 such as a keyboard and a pointing device, and a display unit 36 such as a display. And an interface (I / F) 37 for connecting to the communication network 2. Each unit 31 to 37 is connected by a bus 38.

  The scanner 6 temporarily stores a central processing unit (CPU) 61 that performs various processes, a read-only memory (ROM) 62 that records a program for operating the CPU 61, and data during arithmetic processing by the CPU 61. A random access memory (RAM) 63 for storing data, an operation panel 65 for setting various reading conditions, a reading unit 66 for reading a document, and an interface (I / F) 67 for connecting to the communication network 2 With.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the computer 3 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 3 executes the image input program recorded in the HDD 34, thereby calculating the image data input means 10 for inputting the image data, and the size of the original portion of the input image data. A document size calculation unit 11 to perform, a sheet size storage unit 12 to store a plurality of preset sheet sizes, a sheet size input unit 13 to input a sheet size stored in the sheet size storage unit 12, and a sheet size storage The paper size stored in the means 12 and the size of the original part calculated by the original size calculation means 11 are compared, and the cropping means 14 for cropping the image data with the closest paper size, and the image data after this cropping process. It functions as storage means 15 for storing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of paper sizes stored in the paper size storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the paper size storage means 12 includes preset standard Japanese paper sizes such as A3 and B3, and standard paper sizes that are frequently used outside the standards such as letters, 2L, and business cards. An arbitrary custom paper size input by the user through the paper size input means 13 is stored.

  Hereinafter, image input processing by the image input system having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of image input processing by the image input system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a document read by the image input system of FIG. Note that the originals to be read in the present embodiment are originals of a plurality of paper sizes as shown in FIG. 6, and the originals 100a, 101a, 102a, 103a, 100b, and 101b of each of Mr. A, B, and C are used. , 102b, 103b, 100c, 101c, 102c, and 103c are composed of a plurality of paper sizes. The originals 100a, 101a, 102a, and 103a, the originals 100b, 101b, 102b, and 103b of B, and the originals 100c, 101c, 102c, and 103c of C are sequentially read. The originals 100a, 100b, and 100c are the same paper size, the originals 101a, 101b, and 101c are the same paper size, the originals 102a, 102b, and 102c are the same paper size, and the originals 103a, 103b, and 103c are the same paper. The originals 100a, 101a, 102a, and 103a have different paper sizes.

  First, the originals 100a, 101a, 102a, 103a, 100b, 101b, 102b, 103b, 100c, 101c, 102c, and 103c are continuously read by the scanner 6 (step S100). At this time, the originals 100a, 101a, 102a, 103a, 100b, 101b, 102b, 103b, 100c, 101c, 102c, and 103c may be read at the largest size, but may be read at the maximum size that can be read by the scanner 6. .

  The read image data is output to the computer 3 via the communication network 2, and the computer 3 inputs this image data by the image data input means 10 (step S101). Next, the computer 2 calculates the size of each document portion of the input image data by the document size calculation means 11 (step S102). The size of the original portion can be calculated by image processing such as known deskew processing.

  Then, the computer 2 compares the size of the document portion calculated by the document size calculation unit 11 with the plurality of sheet sizes stored in the sheet size storage unit 12 by the cropping unit 14, and the difference between these is set in advance. It is determined whether or not each paper size is within the permissible range (step S103). If it is within the permissible range, the closest paper size registered in the paper size storage means 12 within the permissible range is used. The image data is cropped (step S104). On the other hand, if it is not within the allowable range, the cropping unit 14 crops the image data with the size of the document portion calculated by the document size calculating unit 11 (step S105).

  Finally, the computer 2 stores the cropped image data in the storage unit 15.

  As described above, in the image input system according to the present embodiment, image data is input, the size of the document portion of the image data is calculated, the calculated size of the document portion, and a plurality of preset paper sizes. Since the image data is cropped with the closest paper size, the originals 100a, 101a, 102a, 103a, 100b, 101b, 102b, 103b, 100c, 101c, 102c, and 103c having a plurality of paper sizes are mixed. When image data is continuously read, the image data is cropped to the closest paper size from a plurality of paper sizes set in advance according to the size of the original portion of each image data. Image data can be automatically cropped.

  Accordingly, when using an OCR (optical character reader), an error in the position information of the document is reduced, so that an error is less likely to occur. Further, since originals of the same size, for example, 100a, 100b, and 100c are acquired as image data of the same size, the size displayed by the image viewer software or the like is unified at the dot level. Further, since the image data of the document is cropped according to a preset paper size in the image data, the cropped image becomes a beautiful edge image that does not include the shadow or noise of the document.

  Further, in the image input system according to the present embodiment, a standard paper size is stored in the paper size storage unit 12, and when a document having a mixture of a plurality of paper sizes is continuously read, each image data Since the image data is cropped at the closest paper size from a plurality of preset standard paper sizes according to the size of the original part, the image data is automatically generated at the fixed paper size closest to each original size. Can be cropped. In the image input system according to the present embodiment, the user can customize the paper size to be arbitrarily cropped by the paper size input means 13, so that it is possible to cope with an atypical paper size.

  In the present embodiment, the computer 3 and the scanner 6 are connected via the communication network 2, but are directly connected using another I / F such as a universal serial bus (USB). A configuration is also possible.

  The present invention is useful as an image input program, an image input device, an image input system, and an image input method for inputting a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed in each document size. In particular, the present invention is preferable in that a document in which a plurality of paper sizes are mixed can be continuously read and automatically cropped at each document size.

Configuration diagram of an image input system in an embodiment of the present invention 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the notebook computer and scanner of FIG. Block diagram of the computer of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the several paper size memorize | stored in a paper size memory | storage means The flowchart of the image input process by the image input system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a document read by the image input system of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image input system 2 Communication network 3, 4 Computer 5 Printer 6 Scanner 10 Image data input means 11 Document size calculation means 12 Paper size storage means 13 Paper size input means 14 Crop means 15 Storage means 31, 61 CPU
32, 62 ROM
33, 63 RAM
34 HDD
35 Operation section 36 Display section 37, 67 I / F
38, 68 Bus 65 Operation panel 66 Reading section

Claims (8)

On the computer,
Processing for storing size information about the vertical and horizontal lengths of the standard paper;
A process of inputting an image of a document having a plurality of sizes mixed from an external reader;
The size of each image in the mixed document is detected, the size of each detected image is compared with the size information stored in the storage means, and the size of the image is stored in the storage means When approximating to size information, the image is regarded as an image of a standard paper having the approximated size information, and an image input process is performed to cut out and display an image from the size information area program. When there is no size information approximate to the size of the document in the size information stored in the storage means, the actual size of the image is set as the size of the image, and a process of displaying the image is executed. The image input program according to claim 1, wherein: The image input program according to claim 1, wherein the image is read at a maximum size. The image input program according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of paper sizes stored in the storage unit are standard paper sizes. 5. The image input program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to function as paper size input means for inputting a paper size stored in the storage means. 6. An image input program according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image input system comprising: an image reading device that reads the image data from a document with a predetermined size. Storage means for storing size information regarding the vertical and horizontal lengths of the standard paper;
Input means for inputting an image of a document having a plurality of sizes mixed from an external reading device;
The size of each image in the mixed document is detected, the size of each detected image is compared with the size information stored in the storage means, and the size of the image is stored in the storage means When approximating size information, the image is regarded as an image of a standard paper having the approximate size information, and control means for cutting out and displaying an image from the size information area is provided. Input device. Storing size information about the vertical and horizontal lengths of the standard paper;
Inputting an image of a document having a plurality of sizes mixed from an external reader;
The size of each image in the mixed document is detected, the size of each detected image is compared with the size information stored in the storage means, and the size of the image is stored in the storage means An image input comprising: when approximating size information, treating the image as an image of a standard paper having the approximate size information, and cutting and displaying the image from the size information area. Method.

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