JP2007226353A - Image reading method, program, and image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading method, a program, and an image reading device, which detect such a page reading error as multiple transmission while reducing a load for setting a region whose page recognition is performed by a user. <P>SOLUTION: This image reading method is characterized by reading an original as image data, and to displaying the read image data, setting a recognition object region for recognizing a page number for the displayed image data, also setting a new recognition object region by correcting the set recognition object region, recognizing a page number in the new recognition object region, and deciding a page reading error from the recognition result of the page number. This image reading method is provided with a program stored in a recording medium so that the image reading method is executed by the computer, and an image reading device for reading an image by the image reading method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading method, a program, and an image reading apparatus.

  An image reading apparatus such as a copying machine or a scanner has been improved to read a reading target with high accuracy and efficiency. As an example, there is one that recognizes a page number of a book or the like read using a character recognition technique and uses the page number for processing.

  For example, an image reading apparatus provided with a page turning mechanism has an unavoidable error of double feeding that turns two or more pages. In order to eliminate this error, the scanner unit that reads the image data of the page turned by the page turning mechanism, the page number is read from the data read by the scanner unit, the page number is recognized, and the page number is discontinuous. In this case, an image reading apparatus that can determine double feed and return the page even if double feed occurs, read it again, and digitize the contents of the bound book without any data (page) skipping. It has been devised (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, when scanning a multi-page document image with a scanner, a function to specify an attribute (reading condition) called a non-read target region is introduced so that only the recognition target region on the document image can be read accurately and efficiently. By doing so, a character recognition device has been devised that can eliminate the same adjustment work over a plurality of pages, facilitate the reading work, and improve the reading accuracy (see Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-259596 JP 2002-269495 A

  In the example of Patent Document 1, the portion where the page number is described by the manuscript is different, so it is necessary to designate the region where the page number is described each time. For example, when reading a plurality of pages at a time, such as when reading a book in a double-page spread, there is a problem in that an area must be designated by the number of pages. In addition, there is a problem that it is not possible to deal with a case where the reading target is not in page order. Furthermore, it cannot cope with a case where a plurality of documents having the same page number are read.

  In the example of Patent Document 2, there is a problem that a user has to individually set an area where character recognition is desired. It is also possible to automatically set an area for recognition and whether or not to perform recognition. However, the condition for whether or not to perform recognition is determined for each document or each content included in an area such as text or image data. It is necessary to store the default settings beforehand or set the conditions by the user. Moreover, the details of the conditions for performing recognition are not mentioned. Furthermore, it is not the structure which can detect double feeding.

  With the above problem as a background, the present invention provides an image reading method, a program, and an image reading method capable of detecting a page reading error such as double feeding while reducing a load for a user to set an area for page recognition. An object is to provide an apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An image reading method for solving the above-described problem is a method of reading a document as image data, displaying the read image data, and setting a recognition target area for recognizing a page number for the displayed image data. Correction is performed in accordance with the set recognition target area, a new recognition target area is set, a page number is recognized in the new recognition target area, and a page reading error is determined from the page number recognition result. And

  With the above-described configuration, the recognition target area is corrected to an optimal position and size according to the original, so that the operation load for setting the user's recognition target area is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to recognize the page number for the entire document, it is possible to shorten the time required for image reading including the recognition of the page number. Further, it is possible to deal with errors such as “page number duplication” other than double feed such as “page skip”.

  In addition, the image reading method of the present invention includes a page number table for storing the recognized page number, and is configured to determine a page reading error when the recognized page number is already stored in the page number table. You can also

  With the above configuration, a page reading error can be determined only by the recognized page number, and the time required for image reading including the recognition of the page number is reduced and the time required for determining the page reading error is reduced. It becomes possible.

  The image reading method of the present invention can also be configured to perform a predetermined countermeasure when it is determined that a page reading error has occurred.

  With the above configuration, it is possible not only to detect and notify a page reading error to the user, but also to take the user's troubles such as re-reading the document by performing an appropriate countermeasure. It can be used effectively.

  In addition, the image reading method of the present invention can be configured not to store the read image data as a response when it is determined that a page reading error has occurred.

  With the above configuration, the document (image data) read first is stored as correct. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the document of the same page from being stored twice.

  In addition, the image reading method of the present invention can be configured to replace the already stored image data of the page number as a response when it is determined as a page reading error.

  With the above configuration, a document (image data) read later is stored as correct. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the document of the same page from being stored twice, and to replace the document with a good state when the state of the previously read document is bad.

  In addition, the image reading method of the present invention adds information indicating that there are a plurality of image data including the page number to the page number table as a response to the case where it is determined as a page reading error, and the plurality of image data Can also be configured to save.

  With the above configuration, all the image data whose page numbers are recognized are saved, so that it is not necessary for the user to re-read the document. In other words, after reading a document, it is possible to work in a one-way flow, such as browsing image data saved using commercially available image editing software, rearranging data, or changing page numbers. For this reason, no backtracking process occurs and the user's work efficiency is improved.

  In addition, the image reading method of the present invention adds information indicating that there are a plurality of image data of the page number to the image data name and handles the plurality of image data as a response when it is determined that a page reading error has occurred. Can also be configured to save.

  With the above configuration, for example, when an image data name is assigned for each image data (for each page number), duplication of names can be avoided. Further, since all the image data whose page numbers are recognized are stored, the user does not need to re-read the original, and no backtracking process occurs, improving the user's work efficiency.

  Further, the page number table in the image reading method of the present invention includes information on whether or not the page number is recognized from the image data, and sorts the image data based on the information on whether or not the page number is recognized and the page number, The image data may be stored based on the sorting result.

  For example, there is a page where the page number is not described, such as a chapter break page. When such a page is read, it was conventionally determined as a page reading error. However, in the above configuration, the page number is not recognized when the page is read, but it is not determined as an error. It is stored together with the image data whose page number is recognized by the sorting rule. Further, it is possible to cope with the case where the reading target is not in page order. Therefore, even in the above-described configuration, a back-end process such as rereading of a document does not occur, and the user's work efficiency is improved.

  The page number table in the image reading method of the present invention includes information indicating the number of image data of the page number, and a page reading error is determined from the total number of the image data and the page number included in the page number table. It can also be configured.

  With the above configuration, even when a page without a page number is read, a page reading error such as “page skip” can be determined. In this case, even if it is determined that there is an error, all pages have been read, so that it is possible to take appropriate countermeasures such as assigning missing page numbers by the user.

  Moreover, the program for solving the said subject is comprised as a program memorize | stored in the storage medium so that one of the image reading methods mentioned above can be performed with a computer.

  By causing the computer to read and operate the program, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the image reading method described above.

  In addition, an image reading apparatus for solving the above-described problems performs a reading unit that reads a document as image data, a display unit that displays the read image data, and recognizes a page number for the displayed image data. A recognition target area setting means for setting a recognition target area, a recognition target area correction means for performing correction corresponding to the set recognition target area and setting a new recognition target area, and a page number in the new recognition target area And a page error recognition unit for determining a page reading error from the page number recognition result.

  With the above-described configuration, the recognition target area is corrected to an optimal position and size according to the original, so that the operation load for setting the user's recognition target area is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to recognize the page number for the entire document, it is possible to shorten the time required for image reading including the recognition of the page number. Further, it is possible to deal with errors such as “page number duplication” other than double feed such as “page skip”.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention further includes a page number table for storing the recognized page number, and the reading error determining means determines that a page reading error has occurred when the recognized page number is already stored in the page number table. It can also be configured to.

  With the above configuration, a page reading error can be determined only by the recognized page number, and the time required for image reading including the recognition of the page number is reduced and the time required for determining the page reading error is reduced. It becomes possible.

  Further, the image reading apparatus of the present invention can also be configured to include a read error handling unit that performs a predetermined countermeasure when it is determined that a page reading error has occurred.

  With the above configuration, it is possible not only to detect and notify a page reading error to the user, but also to take the user's troubles such as re-reading the document by performing an appropriate countermeasure. It can be used effectively.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention may further include a storing unit that stores image data, and the reading error handling unit may be configured not to store the read image data in the storing unit.

  With the above configuration, the document (image data) read first is stored as correct. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the document of the same page from being stored twice.

  The image reading apparatus of the present invention can also be configured to include a storage unit that stores image data, and the read error handling unit can replace the image data of the page number already stored in the storage unit.

  With the above configuration, a document (image data) read later is stored as correct. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the document of the same page from being stored twice, and to replace the document with a good state when the state of the previously read document is bad.

  The image reading apparatus of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores image data, and the reading error handling unit adds information indicating that there are a plurality of image data including the page number to the page number table and A plurality of image data may be stored in the storage unit.

  With the above configuration, all the image data whose page numbers are recognized are saved, so that it is not necessary for the user to re-read the document. In other words, after reading a document, it is possible to work in a one-way flow, such as browsing image data saved using commercially available image editing software, rearranging data, or changing page numbers. For this reason, no backtracking process occurs and the user's work efficiency is improved.

  The image reading apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storing unit that stores image data, and the reading error handling unit adds information indicating that there are a plurality of image data of the page number to the image data name and The image data may be stored in a storage unit.

  With the above configuration, for example, when an image data name is assigned for each image data (for each page number), duplication of names can be avoided. Further, since all the image data whose page numbers are recognized are stored, the user does not need to re-read the original, and no backtracking process occurs, improving the user's work efficiency.

  Further, the page number table in the image reading apparatus of the present invention includes information on whether or not the page number is recognized from the image data, and sorts the image data based on the information on whether or not the page number is recognized and the page number. It is also possible to configure to include means and storage means for storing image data based on the sorting result.

  For example, there is a page where the page number is not described, such as a chapter break page. When such a page is read, it was conventionally determined as a page reading error. However, in the above configuration, the page number is not recognized when the page is read, but it is not determined as an error. It is stored together with the image data whose page number is recognized by the sorting rule. Further, it is possible to cope with the case where the reading target is not in page order. Therefore, even in the above-described configuration, a back-end process such as rereading of a document does not occur, and the user's work efficiency is improved.

  The page number table in the image reading apparatus of the present invention includes information indicating the number of image data of the page number, and the reading error determination means reads the page from the total number of the image data and the page number included in the page number table. It can also be configured to determine an error.

  With the above configuration, even when a page without a page number is read, a page reading error such as “page skip” can be determined. In this case, even if it is determined that there is an error, all pages have been read, so that it is possible to take appropriate countermeasures such as assigning missing page numbers by the user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading method, a program, and an image reading apparatus capable of detecting a page reading error such as double feeding while reducing a load for a user to set an area for page recognition. Read as data, display the read image data, set the recognition target area to recognize the page number for the displayed image data, make corrections corresponding to the set recognition target area, and create a new The recognition target area is set, the page number is recognized in the new recognition target area, and the page reading error is determined from the page number recognition result.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading method and an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a scanner system 100 as an example. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a scanner system 100 and a block diagram of a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC) 1. The PC 1 operates together with the connected multifunction peripheral 10 including the image reading function. When the PC 1 transmits a reading command, the multifunction peripheral 10 that receives the instruction performs a reading process using the image reading function. The PC 1 includes a scanner driver program 3P as a program of the present invention, and this functions as a scanner driver. Hereinafter, a detailed description of each component will be given.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 is configured as a well-known personal computer, and includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 3, a communication I / F (Interface) 4, a display unit 5, an operation unit 6, an image processing unit 7, and these. A connected control circuit 2 is provided.

  The HDD 3 includes an OS program 3S that functions as an operating system (OS) that operates the PC 1, an application program 3W that functions as an application that operates on the OS, and a scanner driver program 3P that also functions as a scanner driver that operates on the OS 3S. A page number detection area list 3L, a character recognition data storage area 3D, a scan data storage area 3R, a page number table 3T (details will be described later), and the like are stored. The HDD 3 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention.

  The communication I / F 4 includes a network adapter having an interface function with a communication network 50 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and communicates with a device such as the MFP 10 connected to the communication network 50. It is possible.

  The display unit 5 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display. The operation unit 6 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and operation means such as a keyboard. The display unit 5 corresponds to the display means of the present invention. The operation unit 6 corresponds to a recognition target area setting unit of the present invention.

  The control circuit 2 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a CPU 2a, a ROM 2b, a RAM 2c, an input / output interface (I / O) 2d, and a bus line 2e for connecting these configurations. The CPU 21 performs control based on the OS program 3S stored in the HDD 3. The OS program 3S is executed on the RAM 2c with the OS work memory 2S as a work area. The application program 3W and the scanner driver program 3P are executed in the RAM 2c in such a manner that the application work memory 2W and the scanner driver work memory 2P are used as work areas. The control circuit 2 corresponds to a recognition target area correcting unit, a reading error determining unit, a reading error handling unit, and a sorting unit of the present invention.

  The image processing unit 7 includes an image processing circuit that analyzes an image that is read by the scanner unit 24 (see FIG. 2) of the multifunction machine 10 and acquired via the communication network 50 by a known technique such as pattern recognition. Composed. The image processing unit 7 corresponds to the page recognition unit of the present invention.

  The multi-function device 10 is connected to the communication network 50 and is capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the PC 1 and performs various processes such as image reading in response to commands from the PC 1. Thus, in order for the multifunction machine 10 to operate as an image reading apparatus, the scanner driver 3P corresponding to this needs to be installed in the PC 1. In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 is indirectly connected to the PC 1 via the communication network 50, but may be directly connected to the PC 1 via a parallel port or USB port (not shown).

  FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the multifunction machine 10. In the configuration of the present invention, it is not always necessary to use the multifunction machine 10, and a scanner device having an image reading function may be used.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12 having a work memory 12a, a ROM 13 for storing various programs, a bus line 14, an input / output unit 15 (indicated as I / O in FIG. 2), a memory 16, and a communication interface 18 (in FIG. 2). And a reception buffer 17 for temporarily storing received data such as print control data.

  The ROM 13 stores a print control program 13a, a scanner control program 13b, a FAX control program 13c, a communication program 13d, and an image processing program 13e.

  The input / output unit 15 includes an operation panel 20 (see FIG. 3, details will be described later), a printing unit 23 including a well-known inkjet printing mechanism, laser printing mechanism, thermal transfer printing mechanism, dot impact printing mechanism, an image sensor, and the like. A scanner unit 24 that reads a document including a fax, a fax unit 25 that includes a fax modem and the like and performs facsimile communication, and an image processing unit 26 that performs various processing of image data read by the scanner unit 24 are connected as control targets. ing. The operations of the printing unit 23, the scanner unit 24, the FAX unit 25, and the image processing unit 26 are well known, and the corresponding print control program 13a, scanner control program 13b, FAX control program 13c or image processing stored in the ROM 13 are performed. The operation of the program 13e is controlled by the CPU 11 executing the work memory 12a of the RAM 12. The scanner unit 24 corresponds to the reading unit of the present invention.

  The communication interface 18 includes a communication interface circuit for transmitting / receiving data and the like to / from the PC 1 via the communication network 50. Transmission and reception of various data via the external communication network connected to the communication network 50 is performed by the CPU 11 executing the communication program 13d.

  The memory 16 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable & Programmable Read Only Memory). For example, image data read by the scanner unit 24 is stored. In addition, for example, a telephone book in which transmission destination information such as a telephone number is added to, for example, a person name or a company name is stored. Using this telephone directory, facsimile transmission to a desired telephone number can be performed. Further, a hard disk device may be used as the memory 16.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation panel 20 of the multifunction machine 10. The operation panel 20 includes an operation unit 21 and a display unit 22. The operation unit 21 uses a mechanical key, and a function selection button 21c including a power button 21a for turning on / off the multifunction machine 10, a cursor key 21b, a copy button 21c1, a FAX button 21c2, and a scanner button 21c3. , A numeric keypad 21d, a one-touch button 21e for registering information such as a telephone number and a FAX number, a start button 21f for starting various operations, a stop button 21g for interrupting or stopping various operations, a speaker 21j, and the like.

  The display unit 22 includes a known dot matrix type color liquid crystal display and a driver circuit (not shown) for performing liquid crystal display control. The driver circuit uses, for example, an active matrix driving method in which a transistor is attached to each pixel so that the target pixel can be surely turned on and off, and the display circuit and display screen data sent from the input / output unit 15 are used. Display based on. Further, an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display or a plasma display may be used as the display unit 22.

  Further, a touch panel integrated with the display unit 22 may be used as the operation unit 21. In the touch panel, an electric circuit is wired in a X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction through a gap called a spacer on a glass substrate and a transparent film on the screen of the display unit 22, and a pressed part when the user touches the film. Since the voltage value changes due to short-circuiting of the wiring, a so-called resistive film method of detecting this as a two-dimensional coordinate value (X, Y) is widely used. In addition, a so-called capacitance method may be used.

(Image reading process 1: Page number detection area list selection)
An image reading process for reading an image to determine a page reading error will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5 and 6. First, the scanner driver program 3P is activated on the PC 1, and a scan mode setting dialog for setting functions of the scanner (multifunction device 10) as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the scan mode includes a method for setting a predetermined resolution or color according to a document type such as a color photograph or a monochrome document as “easy setting” and individual parameters such as resolution or color. There is a method in which the user can freely set. The user sets the scan mode by any one of these methods (S1).

  When the scan mode is set, the document is set on the document reading table included in the scanner unit 24 of the multifunction machine 10 and the “Preview” button is clicked (S2: Yes). Next, a preview scan command is sent from the PC 1 to the multifunction device 10, and a preview scan operation is performed in the scanner unit 24 (S 3). The preview result is sent to the PC 1 and displayed on the preview screen H. At this time, the scan area G is also displayed (S4).

  If it is desired to detect the page number of the document, click the check box to the left of “Page Sort” in the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. When the check mark is added (S5: Yes), the page number detection area is set and corrected, and the result is displayed on the preview screen H (S6: described later). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the page type that is the scan area G may be “vertical 1 page” and the page number detection area F may be “lower center” as a default state. When the page number detection area F is displayed, the process returns to step S1 and waits for the next operation input.

  On the other hand, when the check mark is not added (S5: No), the process returns to step S1 and waits for the next operation input. In this state, when it is desired to detect the page number (S7: Yes) or change the page type (S8: Yes), the same page number as in step S6 as shown in FIG. 16 according to the changed page type. The detection area is set and corrected, and the result is displayed on the preview screen H (S9: described later).

  When the “scan” button is clicked (S10: Yes), a scan command based on the scan mode set in the multifunction device 10 is sent from the PC 1, and a scanning operation is performed in the scanner unit 24 (S11). The image data of the document read in the scanning operation is sent to the PC 1, and the page number detection set and corrected as described above in the image processing unit 7 when the check box on the left of “Page Sort” is checked. A page number detection process in the area is performed (S12).

  In the page number detection process of step S12, the image processing unit 7 performs a general binarization process on the image data sent from the multi-function device 10 to convert it into digital multi-value image data for each pixel. And it is discriminate | determined from the obtained multi-value image data whether a page number is contained using a general image processing method.

  In addition to the page number, the object to be detected may be a predetermined character, symbol, or figure generally called header information or footer information. Data to be detected is stored as character recognition data in the character recognition data storage area 3D of the HDD 3.

  When the page number is detected, the detected page number is associated with the image data, sorted in the order of the page number, and stored in the scan data storage area 3R of the HDD 3 (S13). FIG. 6 shows an example, and page number 1 is detected in scan page 1 which is data obtained by reading the first page of the document. Therefore, scan page 1 is stored in association with page number 1. Then, the processes from step S11 to S13 are repeated until the scanning of all pages is completed (S14: Yes).

  Also, when the “scan” button is not clicked (S10: No) in the scan mode setting dialog of FIG. 5 (S15: Yes), the scan mode setting dialog is closed and the process is terminated. To do. On the other hand, when the “cancel” button is not clicked (S15: No), the process returns to step S1 and waits for the next operation input.

  Next, a page number detection area display process corresponding to steps S6 and S9 in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the check box to the left of “Page Sort” in the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. 5 is clicked, for example, “vertical 1 page” is displayed in the “page type” field, and “bottom center” is displayed in the “page number detection area” field. Is displayed on the preview screen H.

  If you want to change the page type from the default data settings, click “▽” on the right of the “Page Type” column to display the pull-down menu as shown in FIG. 8 (b)), “horizontal 1 page” (FIG. 8 (c)), “vertical 2 pages” (FIG. 8 (d)), “horizontal 2 pages” (FIG. 8 (e)) A type is selected (S21).

  If you want to change the page number detection area from the default data settings, click “▽” on the right of the “Page number detection area” column to display the pull-down menu as shown in FIG. To select “entire surface” (S22). For example, “bottom” is the portion below the broken line in FIG. 9B, “bottom center” is FIG. 9C, and “bottom left and right” is the portion surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 9D. It becomes a detection area.

  Since the page number detection area F set above is displayed on the preview screen H, it is possible to check the setting contents together with the scan area G and to correct the setting contents (S23). Note that the scan area G is approximately equal to the size of the scanned document, but the size of the scan area G can be changed with a mouse or the like.

  Next, the page number detection area for correcting the page number detection area F is calculated (S24), and the result is displayed on the preview screen H (S25).

  The page number detection area has a uniform initial value or an initial value corresponding to the page type and the size of the document to be read, as the horizontal (M) and vertical (N) lengths in the page number detection area list 3L of the HDD 3 in advance. Although stored, if the page number detection area does not have enough characters, symbols, or patterns to be detected, the “page number detection area size” field in the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. Thus, the user can input an arbitrary value for the horizontal (M) and vertical (N) lengths to correct the page number detection area F.

  An example of correcting the size of the page number detection region F in the “lower center” in the preview image data of the page type “vertical 1 page” will be described with reference to FIG. First, the page number detection area F is represented by a rectangular area of horizontal: M and vertical: N. The size of the scan area G is horizontal: X, vertical: Y, and the coordinates of its four vertices P0, P1, P2, P3 are P0 (0, 0), P1 (X, 0), P2 (X, Y), P3. (0, Y). At this time, the coordinates of the top left vertex Pf00 of the page number detection area F represented by the rectangular area are represented by Pf00 ((X−M) / 2, (Y−N)). The other three vertices Pf01, Pf02, and Pf03 are Pf01 ((X + M) / 2, (Y−N)), Pf02 ((X + M) / 2, Y), and Pf03 ((X−M) / 2, Y), respectively. It is expressed.

  Similarly, when correcting the size of the page number detection area “lower left and right” in the preview image data of the page type “vertical 1 page”, the coordinates of the upper left vertex of the page number detection area “lower left” are ( 0, (Y−N)), the coordinates of the upper left vertex of the “lower right” page number detection area are ((X−M), (Y−N)).

  Further, when the size of the page number detection areas F8a, F8b, F8c, and F8d in the “lower left and right” in the preview image data of the page type “vertical two pages” as shown in FIG. The coordinates of the top left vertices Pf8a0, Pf8b0, Pf8c0, and Pf8d0 of the page number detection areas F8a, F8b, F8c, and F8d are Pf8a0 (0, (YN)), Pf8b0 ((X / 2-M), ( YN)), Pf8c0 (X / 2, (YN)), Pf8d0 ((XM), (YN)).

  Further, when correcting the size of the page number detection areas F1, F2, F3, and F4 in “lower left and right” in the preview image data of the page type “horizontal two pages” as shown in FIG. The coordinates of the upper left vertices Pf10, Pf20, Pf30, and Pf40 of the page number detection areas F1, F2, F3, and F4 are Pf10 (0, (Y / 2-N)), Pf20 ((X-M), ( Y / 2-N)), Pf30 (0, (YN)), Pf40 ((X-M), (Y-N)). The size of the page number detection area (F, etc.) can be changed simply by designating only the length (N).

  As described above, in the page number detection area list 3L, when the page number detection area of each page type has a horizontal (M) / vertical (N) length and the page number detection area (F, etc.) is rectangular, It is only necessary to store the coordinates of the upper left vertex, and since it is not necessary to store the coordinates of the other three vertices, the capacity occupied in the storage area of the HDD 3 can be reduced. If the page number detection area (F or the like) is a circle, the coordinates of the center of the circle and the radius or major axis and minor axis (in the case of an ellipse) may be stored. In the case of a polygon, the type of polygon, the coordinates of the center, and the distance from the center to the vertex may be stored.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 11, in the preview image data of the page type “vertical 1 page”, when “lower right” is selected in “page number detection area” of the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. A1 is set. In the page number detection area calculation process (S24), for example, the page number detection area is located at a symmetrical position with a straight line passing through the midpoint Q of the side parallel to the scan width W direction and perpendicular to the scan direction Y as the axis of symmetry. B1 is set (corrected). Further, the page number detection area A1 'may be set at a vertically symmetrical position.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the case of image data of the page type “vertical 1 page”, when “lower right” is selected in “page number detection area” of the scan mode setting dialog of FIG. 5, first, the page number detection area A2 Is set. Then, in the page number detection area calculation process (S24), the page number detection area B2 is set at a symmetrical position with a straight line passing through the midpoint S of the side parallel to the scan direction X and perpendicular to the scan direction X as a symmetry axis. (Corrected). Further, the page number detection region C2 is set (corrected) at a symmetrical position with a straight line passing through the midpoint between the vertex R and the midpoint S of the scan region G and perpendicular to the scan direction X as a symmetry axis. Alternatively, the page number detection region D2 may be set at a bilaterally symmetrical position with a straight line passing through the midpoint between the midpoint S and the apex T and perpendicular to the scan direction X as a symmetric axis.

(Image reading process 2: Page number detection area mouse selection)
Another example of the image reading process of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the process of FIG. 13, steps S31 to S35, steps S37 to S38, and steps S42 to S47 are the same as steps S1 to S5, steps S7 to S8, and steps S10 to S15 of the process of FIG. Detailed explanation is omitted. However, when the scanning of all the pages is completed (S46: Yes), the contents of the detected or edited page number detection area are stored in the HDD 3 (S48). An example is shown in FIG. The page number detection area includes a number or name for identifying the stored page number detection area, page type, upper left (or center) coordinates of the page number detection area, horizontal length of the page number detection area, page The length in the vertical direction of the number detection area is included. These stored page number detection areas can be selected from a pull-down menu of “page number detection area” in the scan mode setting dialog as shown in FIG. 5 when setting the subsequent page number detection areas.

  When correction of the page number detection area in the page number detection area display process (to be described later) corresponding to step S39 is desired to be corrected or edited (edited) and saved (S40: Yes), step S39 is executed. The page number detection area can be edited and saved in the same manner (S41). The corrected content or edited content is added to or overwritten in the page number detection area list 3L of the HDD 3. Then, it can be selected and used from the pull-down menu of “page number detection area” from the next image reading process.

  The page number detection area display process corresponding to steps S36 and S39 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the page type displayed on the preview screen H of the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. 14 is confirmed (S51). When the check box to the left of “Page Sort” is checked (S35: Yes or S38: Yes in FIG. 13), the previously designated page number detection area F stored in the predetermined area of the HDD 3 is displayed. Is done. FIG. 14 shows an example in which the previously specified content is that the page type is “vertical 1 page” and the page number detection area F is “lower center”.

  To change the page type, click “▽” on the right of the “Page type” column in the scan mode setting dialog of FIG. 14 to display a pull-down menu as shown in FIG. Select the page type. An example is shown in FIG. When the page type is changed when the previously specified content is Fa1 and Fa2 with the page type “vertical 1 page” and the page number detection area “bottom left and right” as shown in FIG. When “2 pages”, Fb1 to Fb4 as shown in FIG. 16B, when “horizontal 1 page”, Fc1 and Fc2 as shown in FIG. 16C, and when “2 pages”, FIG. Fd1 to Fd4 are displayed on the preview screen H as page number detection areas.

  Next, the range of the scan area G is confirmed (S52). The scan area G is approximately equal to the size of the document that has been read, but the size of the scan area G can be changed with a mouse or the like.

  Next, a page number detection area calculation process (S53: described later) for correcting the page number detection area F is executed, and the result is displayed on the preview screen H (S54).

  The page number detection area calculation process corresponding to step S53 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, click the frame of the page number detection area (such as F in FIG. 14) displayed on the preview screen H of the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. 14 with a mouse or the like to change the size or move the position. To newly add a page number detection area, click the “Add” button in the scan mode setting dialog shown in FIG. 14 and specify the start point and end point of the page number detection area to be added. That is, a new page number detection area is a rectangle starting from the first clicked position with the mouse and ending at the next clicked position.

  Then, when the “Confirm” button is clicked, the page number detection area is corrected so as to be able to cope with a book spread. An example is shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, when the number of pages per document to be read is “1 page” (S61: Yes), the page type is “1 page vertically” (S61: Yes). The position (coordinates) of the rectangular page number detection area and the length of each side (corresponding to N and M) are obtained from the coordinates of the scan area G as shown in FIG. Then, correction such as addition of the page number detection area or size change is performed according to the obtained position of the page number detection area (S63). Then, the correction result is displayed on the preview screen H (S64).

  In the example of FIG. 18A, since the user has set the page number detection area F19a to “lower right”, the page number detection area F19a and a new position at the position symmetrical to the vertical direction of the page (“lower left”). The page number detection area F19b is added, and the page number detection area is corrected to “lower left and right”. In the example of FIG. 18B, the user sets the page number detection area F19c “near the lower center”. However, since the size in the horizontal direction is slightly smaller because it is slightly shifted to the left from the center, The correction is made so that the horizontal size is increased while moving so as to be positioned at the “center”. Here, correction for adding a page number detection region (not shown) at a vertically symmetrical position such as “upper left and right” in FIG. 18A and “upper center” in FIG. 18B may be performed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18C, when the page type is “2 vertical pages” and the number of pages per document to be read is 2 pages (S61: No), If the page is the first page and the left page is the second page, first, the position (coordinates) of the page number detection area and the length of each side (corresponding to N and M) set in the first page Determination (S65), and correction such as addition of the page number detection area or size change is performed according to the position of the calculated page number detection area (S66). Next, similarly, the position (coordinates) of the page number detection area and the length of each side are obtained on the second page (S67), and the page number detection area is added or the size is changed according to the obtained position of the page number detection area. Is corrected (S68). Then, the corrected results of the first page and the second page corrected above are synthesized (S69), and the result is displayed on the preview screen H (S64).

  In the example of FIG. 18C, since the user has set the page number detection area F19d in the “bottom right” of the first page on the right side, the position symmetrical to the page number detection area F19d with respect to the vertical direction of the page. A new page number detection area F19e is added to ("bottom left"), and the page number detection area is corrected to "bottom left and right". Correction is performed to add page number detection areas F19f and F19g so that the number detection area becomes “lower left and right”. Similarly to FIG. 18A, “upper left and right” correction may be performed.

  In the above configuration, not only the user's operation is unnecessary, but the page number detection area can be set according to the previewed document (image data) even when documents of different page types are mixed. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to collect manuscripts for each type.

(Image reading process 3: Page number detection area automatic setting)
A further example of the image reading process of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the process of FIG. 19, steps S71 to S75 and steps S78 to S88 are the same as steps S31 to S35 and steps S37 to S47 of the process of FIG.

  The page type and page number detection area search processing corresponding to step S76 in FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a page number is searched in a predetermined page number search area for the preview scanned image data (S91). Then, a page type and a page number detection area are set based on the retrieved result (S92). Then, the page number detection area is corrected and displayed on the preview screen H (S77 in FIG. 19).

  FIG. 21 shows an example of the page number search area F22. The page number search area F22 has a page number detection area of upper, upper center, upper left / right, lower, lower center, lower left / right, entire surface, and page type of vertical 1 page, horizontal 1 page, vertical 2 pages, horizontal 2 pages. Is searchable. Further, the data of the page number search area F22 is stored as coordinate data in the page number detection area list 3L of the HDD 3, for example.

  For example, when the page number is searched only in the area F22a, first, the page type is set to “vertical 1 page”, and the page number detection area (F22a) is “lower left”. ) Is added as a page number detection area, and the page number detection area is corrected to “lower left and right”. When the page number is searched only in the area F22c, the page type is set to “vertical 1 page”, and the page number detection area is set to “lower center”. When the page number is searched in the area F22a and the area F22d, the page type is set to “2 horizontal pages”, and the areas F22b and F22e are added as the page number detection area.

(Scanning process 1)
22, for example, corresponding to steps S <b> 12 and S <b> 13 in FIG. 4, a page reading error determination according to the present invention is performed based on the page number detected by detecting the page number, and a scan process including a page sorting process is performed. Details will be described. First, as described above, the scan mode is set in the scan mode setting dialog as shown in FIG. 5 (S101). Next, using any of the above-described methods, a command is sent from the PC 1 to the multi-function device 10 and a document preview scan is performed to set a page number detection area (S102).

  Then, the page number table 3T (details will be described later) stored in the HDD 3 is initialized, for example, as zero clear (S103).

  Next, a command is sent from the PC 1 to the multifunction device 10 to scan the previewed page (S104). The scanned page image data is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the scanner driver work memory 2P or the HDD 3 (S105). Then, page sorting processing is performed based on the page numbers detected when the page image data is read (S106: described later). The processes in steps S104 to S106 are performed for all pages (originals).

  When scanning of all documents is completed (S107: Yes), the page image data of all pages read in the sorted page number order is stored as a single file (multi-page file) in the scan data storage area 3R of the HDD 3, and the scanner driver. And the page number table corresponding to the multi-page file in the work memory 2P (S108). Then, a page number table confirmation process (109: described later) is performed, and the result is displayed on the preview screen H or on a different screen from the preview screen H (S110).

Any of the following display methods may be used.
(1) An error is displayed when an error is detected during page sorting.
Example: “Could not read page number 3”
(2) If no error is detected during page sorting, the scan result is displayed.
Example: “Scanned pages from page number 1 to page number 10”

  The page number that has been normally read and the page number that has not been normally read can be read from the contents stored in the page number table 3T.

  The page sorting process corresponding to step S106 in FIG. 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 23 and FIG. First, the page number is detected from the set page number detection area in the image processing unit 7 by the method described above (S121). Next, the page number table 3T is read out to the scanner driver work memory 2P (S122).

  Then, the page number detected this time is compared with the page number stored in the page number table 3T, and if the page number detected this time is the largest value (S123: Yes), the page detected this time The number is added to the end of the page number already stored in the page number table 3T (S124).

  In the example of FIG. 24, the page number table 3T includes a page number and the number of pages that is the number of pages read from the page including the page number. When the page number table 3T is initialized, the page number and the page number are cleared to zero as shown in FIG.

  When the page number 1 is detected in the initialized state, the page number 1 becomes the maximum, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 24B, the page number 1 and the page number 1 are displayed in the top area of the page number table 3T. Remembered. Next, when page number 4 is detected, page number 4 is the largest, so as shown in FIG. 24B, page number 4 and page number 1 are stored in the next free area in which page number 1 is stored. Is memorized.

  On the other hand, if the page number detected this time is not the largest value (S123: No), it is checked whether the page number detected this time is stored in the page number table 3T (whether the page numbers overlap), If the numbers do not overlap (S126: No), the page number detected this time is inserted into the corresponding position in the page number table 3T (S127).

  For example, when page number 2 is detected when page number table 3T is in the state as shown in FIG. 24B, it is inserted between page number 1 and page number 4 as shown in FIG. .

On the other hand, if the page numbers overlap (S126: Yes), an error process such as setting an error flag for ensuring an area in the scanner driver work memory 2P or the like is performed (S128). The following processing may be performed as error processing.
(1) The page image data scanned this time is not saved.
(2) Replace page image data with the same page number. That is, the page image data having the same page number is deleted, and the page image data scanned this time is inserted.
(3) The page number table 3T is updated by inserting page image data so that page image data of the same page number is continuous. For example, when there are two page numbers 1, the number of pages corresponding to page number 1 in the page number table 3T is two.

  The page number table confirmation process corresponding to step S109 in FIG. 22 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 25 and FIG. First, when the error flag is set in the page image data sorting process (step S106 in FIG. 22) (S131: Yes), the process is terminated without doing anything.

  On the other hand, if the error flag is not set (S131: No), the page number table 3T is referred to, and the first page number A (minimum page number) stored in the page number table 3T is used as the scanner driver work. Reading to the memory 2P (S132). Next, the last page number B (maximum value of the page number) stored in the page number table 3T is read to the scanner driver work memory 2P (S133).

  The page number number C is calculated as (page number number C) = (page number B) − (page number A) +1 (S134). Then, the total number of pages is obtained from the number of pages corresponding to each page number. If the page number C matches the total number of pages (S135: Yes), it is determined that there is no error and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the number of page numbers C does not match the total number of pages (S135: No), it is determined that there is an error, and an error flag that secures an area in the scanner driver work memory 2P is set (S136).

  In the example of FIG. 26, since page numbers 1, 2, and 4 are stored, the number C of page numbers is 4 of 4-1 + 1. The total number of pages is 3 (1 × 3). Since the page number number C (4) and the total number of pages (3) do not match, it is determined as an error. That is, the error is due to the fact that page number 3 was not detected. In addition, in a book or the like, there may be a plurality of pages such as a foreword in addition to the original page to which a page number is assigned, but when the page number becomes 0 and minus to correspond to the foreword. Is also available.

  With reference to FIG. 27, another example of the page image data sorting process corresponding to step S106 in FIG. 22 will be described. This process is for dealing with a case where a page without a page number is scanned, such as a chapter break page. First, the page number is detected from the set page number detection area in the image processing unit 7 by the method described above (S141). Next, the page number table 3T is read into the scanner driver work memory 2P (S142).

  If the page number is not detected (S143: Yes), the image data is added as the last page stored in the page number table 3T (S146). On the other hand, when the page number is detected (S143: No), a flag indicating that the page image data of the page number included in the page number table 3T has been read is set (S144).

  Note that the processing contents of steps S145 to S150 are the same as the processing contents of steps S123 to S128 of FIG. 23, respectively, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  28 and 29 show an example of the page number table 3T used in the page sorting process of FIG. As shown in FIG. 28A, when a document is scanned, the page number detected from the scanned page image data, and the number of pages from which the page number is detected (1 when normal scanning processing is performed). , And a flag indicating the presence or absence of a page number in the page image data is stored in the page number table 3T. FIG. 28A shows a state where pages 1 to 3 of the document are read and the page number is detected from each of them. When the page number is not detected from the page image data read following the state of FIG. 28A, “page” is displayed in the area next to page number 3 at the end of the data as shown in FIG. Number 4, no page number "is stored.

  FIG. 29A shows a state where two page image data for which no page number has been detected are stored. These page image data are temporarily stored as page numbers 1 and 2, but when the page number detected from the page image data read subsequently is 2, in order to prevent duplication of data. As shown in FIG. 29B, the page image data stored as page number 2 in FIG. 29A is given a page number in which no data such as page number 0 is stored.

(Scanning process 2)
With reference to FIG. 30, another example of details of scan processing including page reading error determination according to the present invention corresponding to, for example, steps S <b> 12 and S <b> 13 of FIG. This process does not create a multi-page file for storing page image data of a scanned document as one file as shown in FIG. 22, but stores it as one file for each page image data of the scanned document. . First, a default file name is set (S161).

  The default file name is a common part of the file name of the scanned page image data. For example, a character string such as a date and time or a document title is set. The setting is performed in a default file name setting dialog (not shown) displayed when “scan” is clicked in the scan mode setting dialog in FIG. The set contents are stored in the scanner driver work memory 2P.

  Next, as described above, the scan mode is set in the scan mode setting dialog as shown in FIG. 5 (S162). Next, using any of the above-described methods, a command is sent from the PC 1 to the multi-function peripheral 10 and a document preview scan is performed to set a page number detection area (S163).

  Next, a command is sent from the PC 1 to the multifunction device 10 to scan the previewed page (S164). The scanned page image data is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the scanner driver work memory 2P or the HDD 3 (S165). Then, a file name setting process is performed based on the page detected together with the reading of the page image data (S166: described later). The processes in steps S164 to S166 are performed for all pages (originals).

  When all the originals have been scanned (S167: Yes), a page number table confirmation process (S168) as shown in FIG. 25 is performed, and the result is displayed on a preview screen or the like as in step S110 of FIG. 22 (S169). ).

  The file name setting process corresponding to step S166 of FIG. 30 will be described using FIG. First, the page number is detected from the set page number detection area in the image processing unit 7 by the method described above (S171). Next, the page number table 3T as shown in FIG. 26 is read out to the scanner driver work memory 2P (S172). At this time, the page number table 3T is initialized. Next, the default file name is referred to (S173). Here, the default file name is the date at the time of scanning (20051202).

  If the page number detected in the current scan is not already stored in the page number table 3T, that is, if the page numbers do not overlap (S174: No), the scanned page image data is detected as the default file name. The added page number is added as a file name (S175) and stored in the scan data storage area 3R of the HDD 3 in a predetermined file format (S176). For example, in the case where the page data in which the page number 10 is detected is stored in the TIFF (Tag Image File Format) format, 20051202_10. tif.

  Then, the page number detected in the current scan is stored in the contents of the page number table 3T as shown in FIG. 24 or FIG. 28 (S177).

On the other hand, if the page numbers overlap (S174: Yes), an error flag is set in the area secured in the scanner driver work memory 2P, and any of the following error processing is performed (S178).
(1) Delete the page image data scanned this time.
(2) Replace page image data with the same file name. That is, the file having the same file name is deleted, and the file name is assigned to the page image data scanned this time and stored.
(3) In addition to the detected page number, a subscript indicating a plurality of pages is added to the default file name. Example: 20051202_10 (2). tif.
In this case, the page number of the corresponding page number in the page number table 3T is updated. That is, when the number of pages is 1, it is incremented by 1 and becomes 2.

  With reference to FIG. 32, another example of the file name setting process corresponding to step S166 of FIG. 30 will be described. This process is for dealing with a case where a page without a page number is scanned, such as a chapter break page. First, the page number is detected from the set page number detection area in the image processing unit 7 by the method described above (S181). Next, the page number table 3T as shown in FIG. 28 is read out to the scanner driver work memory 2P (S182). At this time, the page number table 3T is initialized. Next, the default file name is referred to (S183).

  When the page number is not detected (S184: Yes), a file name is obtained by adding a page number not already stored in the page number table 3T to the default file name (S187), and a predetermined file format such as tif Is stored in the scan data storage area 3R of the HDD 3 (S188). Finally, the page number detected this time and information indicating that the page number has not been read are stored in the page number table 3T (S189).

  On the other hand, when the page number is detected (S184: No), a flag indicating that the page of the page number included in the page number table 3T is read is set (S185). Next, referring to the page number table 3T, it is checked whether or not data relating to the page number detected this time is stored. If not stored (no page numbers overlap) (S186: No), the default file name is stored. Is added to the detected page number (for example, 20051202_10) as a file name (S187), and stored in the scan data storage area 3R of the HDD 3 in a predetermined file format (S188). Finally, the page number detected this time, information indicating that the page number has been read, and the number of read pages (1) are stored in the page number table 3T (S189).

  On the other hand, when the page numbers are overlapped (S186: Yes), an error process such as step S178 in FIG. 31 is performed (S190).

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the spirit of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.

  For example, the above-described image reading process, scan process, and processes included in these processes performed by the PC 1 may be executed by the multifunction machine 10. In this case, operations such as scan mode setting, page number detection area correction, and scan execution instruction are performed using the cursor key 21b of the operation unit 21, and the scan mode setting dialog and accompanying messages are displayed on the display unit 22. Is done. Further, image reading processing, scanning processing, and the like are included in the image processing program 13e and executed by the CPU 11. The page number detection area list 3L, the character recognition data storage area 3D, the scan data storage area 3R, and the page number table 3T are secured in the memory 16. Further, for the area where the area is secured in the scanner driver work memory 2P, the area is secured in the work memory 12a. The page number is detected by the image processing unit 26.

1 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus and a PC. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction machine. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel of a multifunction machine. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image reading processing 1; The figure explaining a scan mode setting dialog. The figure which shows the memory content of the read data. The flowchart explaining a page number detection area display process. The figure which shows the pull-down menu of "page type". The figure which shows the pull-down menu of "page number detection area". The figure which shows the example of a page number detection area | region calculation. The figure which shows the example of correction | amendment of a page number detection area | region. The figure which shows another example of correction | amendment of a page number detection area. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image reading processing 2; The figure explaining a scan mode setting dialog. The flowchart explaining a page number detection area display process. The figure which shows the example from which a page number detection area changes corresponding to a page type. The flowchart explaining a page number detection area | region calculation process. The figure which shows an example of page number detection area correction | amendment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image reading processing 3; The flowchart explaining the search processing of a page type and a page number detection area. The figure which shows an example of a page number search area | region. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining scan processing 1; The flowchart explaining the sort processing of a page. The figure which shows an example of a page number table. The flowchart explaining a page number table confirmation process. The figure which shows an example of the page number table used in FIG. The flowchart explaining another example of the sort processing of a page. The figure which shows an example of the page number table used in FIG. The figure which shows another example of the page number table used in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining scan processing 2; The flowchart explaining a file name setting process. The flowchart explaining another example of a file name setting process. The figure which shows an example of the example of a memory | storage of a page number detection area | region.

Explanation of symbols

1 Personal computer (PC)
2 Control circuit (recognition target area correcting means, reading error judging means, reading error handling means, sorting means)
3 HDD (storage means)
3P scanner driver program 5 Display section (display means)
6 Operation unit (recognition target area setting means)
7 Image processing unit (page recognition means)
10 MFP 21 Operation Unit 22 Display Unit 24 Scanner Unit (Reading Unit)
26 Image Processing Unit 100 Scanner System

Claims (19)

Scan the document as image data,
Displaying the read image data;
Set a recognition target area for recognizing page numbers for the displayed image data,
Correction is performed in accordance with the set recognition target area to set a new recognition target area,
Recognizing the page number in the new recognition target area;
An image reading method, wherein a page reading error is determined from a recognition result of the page number. A page number table for storing the recognized page number;
The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein the page reading error is determined when the recognized page number is already stored in the page number table.   The image reading method according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined countermeasure is performed when the page reading error is determined.   The image reading method according to claim 3, wherein the read image data is not stored as a response to the case where the page reading error is determined.   The image reading method according to claim 3, wherein the image data of the page number already stored is replaced as a response when the page reading error is determined.   The information indicating that there are a plurality of image data including the page number is added to the page number table and the plurality of image data are stored as a response when the page reading error is determined. Image reading method.   4. The image reading according to claim 3, wherein information indicating that there are a plurality of image data of the page number is added to the image data name and stored as the response when it is determined that the page reading error is detected. Method.   The page number table includes information on whether the page number is recognized from the image data, sorts the image data by the information on whether the page number is recognized and the page number, and the sorting result The image reading method according to claim 2, wherein the image data is stored on the basis of the image data. The page number table includes information indicating the number of image data of the page number,
The image reading method according to claim 2, wherein a page reading error is determined from the total number of the image data and a page number included in the page number table.   The program memorize | stored in the storage medium so that the image reading method of any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9 was executable with a computer. Reading means for reading a document as image data;
Display means for displaying the read image data;
Recognition target area setting means for setting a recognition target area for recognizing page numbers for the displayed image data;
Recognition target area correction means for performing correction corresponding to the set recognition target area and setting a new recognition target area;
Page recognition means for recognizing the page number in the new recognition target area;
A reading error determination means for determining a page reading error from the recognition result of the page number;
An image reading apparatus comprising: A page number table for storing the recognized page number;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the reading error determination unit determines that the page reading error occurs when the recognized page number is already stored in the page number table.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a reading error handling unit that performs a predetermined handling procedure when the page reading error is determined. Comprising storage means for storing the image data;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the reading error handling unit does not store the read image data in the storage unit. Comprising storage means for storing the image data;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the reading error handling unit replaces image data of the page number already stored in the storing unit. Comprising storage means for storing the image data;
14. The image according to claim 13, wherein the read error handling unit adds information indicating that a plurality of image data including the page number exists to the page number table and stores the plurality of image data in the storage unit. Reader. Comprising storage means for storing the image data;
14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the reading error handling unit adds information indicating that a plurality of image data of the page number exists to the image data name and stores the image data in the storage unit. The page number table includes information on whether the page number is recognized from the image data,
Sorting means for sorting the image data by information on whether the page number is recognized and the page number;
Storage means for storing the image data based on the sorting result;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: The page number table includes information indicating the number of image data of the page number,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the reading error determination unit determines a page reading error from a total number of the image data and a page number included in the page number table.

Images