JP2008072281A - Image reader and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader and an image forming apparatus which are capable of accurately detecting double feed of documents without complicated work when reading document images from documents having page numbers added thereto. <P>SOLUTION: Image readers 2 and 3 including an image reading means 34 for reading a document image, a storage means 301 for storing the document image, an area designation means for setting a designated area to the document image, a character information extraction means 303 for extracting character information from the designated area, and an output means 304 for outputting the document image include a page number extraction means 305 for extracting page numbers from designated areas of at least two consecutive document images, a page number determination means 306 for predicting a page number of the next document image on the basis of the extracted page numbers, and a page number determination means 307 for determining whether the predicted page number coincides with the page number of the next document image or not, and a notification means 308 for notifying a determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes an image reading unit that reads a document image from a document, a storage unit that stores a document image read by the image reading unit, and a region specifying unit that sets a specified region in the document image stored in the storage unit. An image reading apparatus comprising: character information extracting means for extracting character information from a designated area of the document image set by the area designating means; and output means for outputting the document image stored by the storage means, and the image reading apparatus. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including

  Conventionally, in an apparatus equipped with an image reading device for reading a document image, when reading a document image from a plurality of documents including a document with a page number, the document image of a desired document is read based on the page number. Or an apparatus capable of detecting double feeding of documents has been proposed.

  As such an apparatus, in Patent Document 1, a page turning mechanism for turning a page of a book that has been bound, a scanner unit for reading image data of a page turned by the page turning mechanism, and data read by the scanner unit are stored. A first storage means that reads out the page number from a predetermined portion of the data in the storage means, recognizes the number of pages, and a second storage that stores the number of pages recognized by the character recognition means There has been proposed an image reading apparatus characterized by comprising: a means; a judging means for judging double feeding when the number of pages is discontinuous; and a third storing means for storing the judged result.

In Patent Document 2, an image display unit that displays an effective area in a frame memory that stores an image of a read book document is provided, and a guidance display unit is provided in or outside the image display unit. There has been proposed an image reading apparatus for book manuscripts, which can be displayed and corrected, and displays an image according to the numerical values on the image display unit.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-259596 Japanese Patent No. 3386280

  However, in the apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a document is read on the premise that one page number is assigned to the document and the page number is incremented by “1”. Yes, for example, a document image with a plurality of page numbers attached to one document image, such as a document image with page numbers assigned and printed, for example, for each “table of contents”, “chapter”, and “section” Documents with discontinuous page numbers as a whole, such as independent page numbers, for example, all manuscripts are given odd page numbers, or page numbers are assigned in descending order. When reading a document image from a document or the like with a page number that does not increase by “1”, such as decreasing by “1”, it is possible to read the document image without causing double feeding in all documents. Despite success, it will output an image reading error. .

  In addition, in the apparatuses described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to designate the exact position of the page number assigned to the document on the document image, which requires complicated work.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to read a document image from a document with a plurality of page numbers, or from a document with page numbers that increase discontinuously or does not increase by “1”. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can accurately detect double feeding of documents without performing complicated operations.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first characteristic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading means for reading a document image from a document, and the image as described in claim 1 of the claims. Character information is stored from the storage means for storing the original image read by the reading means, the area specifying means for setting the specified area for the original image stored in the storage means, and the specified area of the original image set by the area specifying means. In an image reading apparatus comprising character information extracting means for extracting and output means for outputting the document image stored in the storage means, each of the character information extracted from the designated area of at least two consecutive document images. A page number extracting means for extracting a page number; a page number predicting means for predicting a page number extracted from the next document image based on the page number extracted by the page number extracting means; A page number judging means for judging whether or not the page number predicted by the means and the page number extracted by the page number extracting means from the next document image match, and a notifying means for informing the judgment result of the page number judging means It is in the point with.

  When the page number determination means determines that the page number predicted by the page number prediction means matches the page number extracted by the page number extraction means from the next original image, it is considered that no double feed of the original has occurred. When it is determined that the page number predicted by the page number predicting means and the page number extracted by the page number extracting means from the next original image do not match, the original image is not read normally. There seems to be a possibility.

  According to the above-described configuration, the user can confirm whether or not there is a possibility that the document has been double-fed by confirming the determination result of the page number determination unit notified by the notification unit.

  In the second feature configuration, as described in claim 2, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the informing means may provide a page number if the page number extraction means cannot extract the page number. Is that it is informed that it is not extracted.

  When detecting double feeding of a document, it is important to correctly extract page numbers assigned to document images. However, when the page number is assigned to the original and the background color of the page number is the same color as the color assigned to the page number, or because the original image is soiled, the page number extracting means causes the original image Page numbers may not be extracted from Of course, in a document with no page number attached, even if the document image is normally read, the page number extracting means cannot extract the page number from the document image.

  According to the above-described configuration, the user who has been notified that the page number could not be extracted can check the corresponding document image and take a response according to the reason why the page number could not be extracted. For example, if the confirmed document image is given a page number that matches the page number predicted by the page number predicting means, but the page number cannot be extracted, it is assumed that the document is not double-fed. The image reading operation may be continued.

  In the third feature configuration, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the page number predicting means may be configured such that the page number extracting means determines the page number from the document image. If the original document image cannot be extracted, the page number extracted from the next original image is determined based on the respective page numbers extracted from at least two consecutive original images. The point is to make a new prediction.

  In many cases, page numbers are not attached to the cover of the original, and when reading original images from multiple originals with different numbering systems across the cover, etc. In the original image, the numbering system of page numbers attached to the original image is different.

  According to the above-described configuration, it is highly possible that the numbering system is different from the page number assigned to the document on the front side of the document image, and it is possible to detect a document double feed from the document image next to the document image. .

  The fourth feature configuration includes a deletion unit that deletes the document image stored in the storage unit, in addition to any of the first to third feature configurations described above, as described in claim 4. When the page number determination means determines that they do not match, a deletion control means is provided for determining whether the deletion means is to be activated or not.

  If the page number determination means determines that there is a mismatch, there is a possibility that a double feed of the document has occurred. If a double feed has actually occurred, the read document image is deleted, and the document image is Will read.

  According to the above-described configuration, when the page number determination unit determines that there is a mismatch, and the user confirms that double feeding of the document has occurred, the deletion control unit operates the deletion unit to read the document Images can be deleted.

  In the fifth feature configuration, in addition to the fourth feature configuration described above, when the deletion control unit determines that the deletion unit is inoperative, the page number prediction unit The document image whose page numbers do not match is the first, and the page number extracted from the next document image is predicted again based on each page number extracted from at least two consecutive document images. It is in.

  If the page number determination means determines that they do not match, but there is actually no double feeding of the original, the original on the front side of the original image and the original on the back side of the original image including the original image The numbering system of the attached page numbers is considered to be different. That is, the reading of the document image is normally performed, and it is not necessary to delete the read document image, and the deletion control unit determines the non-operation of the deletion unit.

  According to the configuration described above, it is possible to detect double feeding of a document again from the document image with a page number different from the page number attached to the document image before the document image.

  In addition to any of the first to fifth feature configurations described above, the sixth feature configuration is determined to match if the page number determination means determines that they match. Output permission means for permitting output of the original image.

  The document image determined to be coincident by the page number determination means is unlikely to cause double feeding with at least the previous document image.

  According to the above-described configuration, the output permission unit permits the output of a document image that is unlikely to be read without causing double feeding of the document.

  In the seventh feature configuration, as described in claim 7, in addition to any of the first to sixth feature configurations described above, all of the document images stored in the storage means are output by the output means. The notification means notifies when all the document images have been read by the image reading means.

  When reading a document image from a document, it is complicated and inefficient to check the determination result notified by the page number determination means each time.

  According to the above-described configuration, since all document images are read and output, or when all document images are read, the user is notified of the possibility of document double feed. Can be confirmed together.

  A characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is that the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided as described in claim 8.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a document image is read from a document with a plurality of page numbers or from a document with page numbers that increase discontinuously or does not increase by “1”. At this time, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can accurately detect double feeding of originals without performing complicated operations.

  A copier as an example of an image forming apparatus provided with an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine 1 includes an operation unit 2 in which a plurality of menu setting keys for setting various menus, a start key for starting a copying operation using the set menu, and the like, and an original table 30. An image reading unit 3 that sequentially reads a series of sheet-like originals placed face-up and converts them into electronic data, and forms a copy based on the original image output from the image reading unit 3 and outputs a copy. It is equipped with various parts and performs image formation and copy output by known techniques. The operation unit 2, the image reading unit 3, and the various units include a control unit including a CPU, a ROM that stores an operation program of the CPU, a RAM that is a work area, and the like. It is controlled by the control unit. The operation unit 2 and the image reading unit 3 operate in cooperation as an image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  The operation unit 2 is arranged on the front side of the image reading unit 3, and is a touch panel type provided at the center of the operation unit 2 that displays a plurality of menu keys and detects an operation on each menu key. The display unit 20 includes various input keys 21 and mode selection keys 22 provided on both sides of the display unit 20. The operation unit 2 includes an operation control unit 200.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading unit 3 serves as a document table 30 for placing a document, a document transport unit 36 for transporting a document placed on the document table 30, and an image reading unit of the present invention. An optical system device 34 that reads a document image from a document, and a document discharge tray 37 that discharges the document read by the optical system device 34 are provided. The image reading unit 3 includes an image reading control unit 300.

  The optical system 34 includes a lamp 341 as a light source for illuminating the document, and a mirror group 342 that takes in reflected light from the document and guides the reflected light to the imaging unit 33 through a path indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 343 and 344, and a lens scanning type optical system comprising a lens 345 for focusing the light flux from the mirror 344 on the imaging unit 33.

  When the document is placed on the contact glass 35, the image reading unit 3 operates in a mirror scanning mode in which the optical system device 34 scans from the leading end side to the trailing end side of the document to read the document image of the document. When the document is placed on the document table 30, the optical system device 34 fixed at the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing is used to transfer a series of documents conveyed from the document table 30 by the document conveying unit 36. It is configured to be switchable so as to operate in a sheet through mode for reading a document image. It should be noted that when operating in the see-through mode, the original on which the original image has been read is discharged to the original discharge tray 37.

  Hereinafter, detection of double feed of a document when reading a document image from the document will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control units of the respective units of the copying machine 1 are connected by an internal bus 4 and can transmit and receive control data and the like via the internal bus 4. The units other than the operation unit 2 and the image reading unit 3 are simplified as the other units 5, and the control units of the units other than the operation control unit 200 and the image reading control unit 300 are simplified as the other control units 500. Are shown.

  The operation control unit 200 detects a display control unit 201 that controls a screen displayed on the display unit 20 and an operation performed on the operation unit 2 based on a request from each control unit. Is provided with an operation detecting means 202 for outputting to each unit.

  The image reading control unit 300 includes a storage unit 301 that stores a document image read by the optical system device 34, a region specifying unit 302 that sets a specified region in the document image stored in the storage unit 301, and the region Character information extraction means 303 for extracting character information from the designated area of the document image set by the designation means 302, output means 304 for outputting the document image stored in the storage means 301, and at least two continuous document images. A page number extracting unit 305 for extracting each page number from the character information extracted in the designated area, and a page number extracted from the next document image is predicted based on the page number extracted by the page number extracting unit 305. Page number predicting means 306, page number predicted by the page number predicting means 306 and page number extracted by the page number extracting means 305 from the next original image A page number determination means 307 determines coincidence or non-coincidence, and a notification control unit 308 for controlling the notification of the determination result of the page number determination means 307. Further, the image reading control unit 300 activates or deactivates the deletion unit 309 when the deletion unit 309 that deletes the document image stored in the storage unit 301 and the page number determination unit 307 determine that they do not match. When it is determined that the deletion control unit 310 for determining the page number coincides with the page number determination unit 307, an output permission unit 311 for permitting output of the document image determined to match is provided.

  The area designating unit 302 detects an outer peripheral part from the document size of the original image stored in the storage unit 301, and sets the detected outer peripheral part as a designated area.

  The character information extracting means 303 extracts character information included in the designated area by a known technique such as OCR (Optical Character Reader). Here, when a large amount of character information is extracted from the specified area, the area specifying unit 302 is requested to reduce the specified area, and when character information cannot be extracted from the specified area, the area specifying unit 302 is requested. Requests that the specified area be extended. Further, the character information extraction unit 303 grasps the position where the character information is extracted in the document image in association with the character information.

  The page number extracting unit 305 extracts each page number from the character information extracted by the character information extracting unit 305 in the designated area of at least two continuous document images. Here, the page number is generally decorated with a decoration symbol, such as “-1-”, and the page number is extracted by performing general pattern matching of the page number. The page number extracting means 305 is configured to be able to extract even if the page number is written in Roman numerals or Chinese numerals as well as Arabic numerals.

  When the document image A from which the page number is extracted is composed of a plurality of document images a (a1 to a4) to which page numbers are assigned by layout printing or the like, for example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of page numbers “−p + 2−” and “−p + 3−” are extracted from the document image. In this case, the page number extracting unit 305 selects the youngest page number “−p + 2−” as the representative page number, and in the document image, the representative number from the position information of the character information grasped by the character information extracting unit 303. The position X assigned with the page number is grasped, and the page number extracted from the next document image is extracted from the same position X.

  Further, the page number extracting unit 305 outputs the page number extraction result from the document image from which the page number has been extracted to the page number predicting unit 306 and the page number determining unit 307. That is, the page number extracting means 305 outputs the page number extracted in association with the corresponding document image when the page number is extracted from the designated area, and responds when the page number cannot be extracted from the designated area. The fact that the page number could not be extracted in association with the original image to be output is output.

  Hereinafter, the operation of extracting the page number from the document image in the image reading unit 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that reading of the document image from the document by the image reading unit 3 may be performed in either the mirror scanning mode or the see-through mode.

  When reading of the document image is started by the image reading unit 3 (SA1), the document image is read from the document (SA2), and the read document image is stored in the storage unit 301 (SA3).

  The area designating unit 302 detects the outer periphery of the original image from the original size obtained by reading the original image and sets it as the designated area (SA4), and the character information extracting unit 303 extracts the character information from the designated area (SA5). .

  The page number extracting means 305 extracts the page number from the extracted character information (SA6), and associates the page number extraction result with the page number predicting means 306 and the page number in association with the original image from which the page number has been extracted. It outputs to the judgment means 307 (SA8).

  The page number predicting means 306 continuously outputs page numbers from the original image (hereinafter referred to as nth original image) and the next original image (hereinafter referred to as n + 1 original image) with the page number extracting means 305. Sometimes, the prediction of the page number extracted from the next original image (hereinafter referred to as the (n + 2) original image) of the n + 1 original image is started, and thereafter, the n + 1 original image is set as the nth original image. Using the n + 2 document image as the (n + 1) th document image, page number prediction is repeated for all read document images in the same procedure.

  More specifically, the page number predicting unit 306 determines the next page based on each page number extracted by the page number extracting unit 305 from at least two continuous document images stored in the storage unit 301. Predict numbers. That is, when the image reading unit 3 reads document images from a plurality of three or more documents in which page numbers are assigned to all the documents, the document is double-fed in the third and subsequent documents. Can detect whether or not.

  For example, when the page numbers extracted from the nth original image and the (n + 1) th original image by the page number extracting unit 305 are “1” and “5”, the page number is predicted to increase by “4”. The page number predicting means 306 predicts the page number extracted from the (n + 2) th original image as “9”. Further, when the page numbers extracted from the nth original image and the (n + 1) th original image are “12” and “8”, the page number is predicted to decrease by “4”. The page number predicting means 306 predicts the page number extracted from the (n + 2) th original image as “4”.

  Further, the page number predicting means 306 starts the prediction of the page number, and when the deletion control means 310, which will be described in detail later, determines that the deleting means 309 is not operated, that is, the document image whose page numbers do not match. Is determined as the first image (hereinafter referred to as the nth document image), and at least two consecutive document images (the nth document image and the n + 1th document image) are determined. ) To predict the page number extracted from the next original image (the (n + 2) original image) again.

  However, since the page number could not be extracted from the (n + 2) original image, and the page numbers do not match, the page number predicting means 306 takes at least two consecutive originals with the n + 3 original image as the first sheet. Based on each page number extracted from the image (the n + 3 original image and the n + 4 original image), the page number extracted from the next original image (hereinafter referred to as the n + 5 original image) of the n + 4 original image is changed. Works as expected.

  The page number determining unit 307 is configured to extract the page number predicting unit 306 from the n + 2 document image based on the page number extracted from the nth document image and the (n + 1) th document image by the page number extracting unit 305. Whether the predicted page number and the page number extracted by the page number extraction unit 305 from the n + 2 original image are determined to match or not, and the determination result is output to the notification control unit 308. Further, when the page number extracting means 305 cannot extract the page number from the original image and the determination result is not coincident, the fact is output together.

  Further, the page number determination unit 307 outputs a determination result of coincidence to the output permission unit 311 when the determination result is coincidence, and the determination result of non-coincidence to the deletion control unit 310 when the determination result does not coincide. Is output.

  The notification control unit 308 notifies the display unit 20 of the determination result of the page number determination unit 307 via the display control unit 201. In other words, the notification control unit 308 displays the determination result on the display unit 20.

  That is, the notification control unit 308 determines that the original document before the original document and the original document are identical when the determination result of the page number determination unit 307 matches the original image from which the page number extraction unit 305 has extracted the page number. When the display unit 20 displays on the display unit 20 that there has been no double feed between the page numbers, and the page number determination unit 307 does not match the determination result of the page number extracted by the page number extraction unit 305, Alternatively, when the page number extraction unit 305 cannot extract the page number from the document image and the determination result is not coincident, there is a possibility that double feeding has occurred between the document before the document and the document. A message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 20, and when the page number cannot be extracted, it is further displayed on the display unit 20 that the page number is not extracted from the corresponding document image. That is, the display unit 20 is a notification unit in the present invention.

  In detail, when there is a document image whose determination result does not match, the notification control unit 308 determines that the determination result does not match and the document image before the document image is between the document image and the document image. The display unit 20 displays a message that there is a possibility that double feeding has occurred, the original image, the original image before and after the original image, a delete execution button for the read original image, and an output execution button. Since the page number could not be extracted from the document image, when the determination result does not match, a message indicating that the page number could not be extracted from the original image is displayed together to prompt the user to input an operation. The operation content of the operation input performed by the user is detected by the operation detection unit 202 and output to the deletion control unit 310.

  The deletion control unit 310 determines the operation or non-operation of the deletion unit 309 based on the operation content. That is, when the delete execution button is pressed, the deletion control unit 310 determines the operation of the deletion unit 309, and the operated deletion unit 309 deletes the read original image from the storage unit 301 and outputs the output. When the execution button is pressed, the deletion control unit 310 determines that the deletion unit 309 is inoperative, and the page number prediction unit 306 and the page number prediction unit 306 indicate that the output execution button has been pressed for the corresponding document image. Output to the output permission means 304.

  When the output permission unit 311 receives from the page number determination unit 307 that the determination result is the same, or receives from the deletion control unit 310 that the output execution button has been pressed by the user, the corresponding document Allow image output.

  Here, even if page numbers are assigned to the first and second original images read out of the plurality of originals read by the image reading unit 3, the page number predicting unit 306 Since the page number extracted from the second original image cannot be predicted, the output permission unit 311 always permits the output of the read first and second sheets.

  Until the page number extracting unit 305 extracts each page number from at least two continuous document images (the nth document image and the n + 1th document image), the page number predicting unit 306 includes at least Since the page numbers extracted from the document images up to the (n + 2) th document image cannot be predicted, the output permission unit 311 always permits the output up to the (n + 1) th document image.

  The output unit 304 outputs the document image permitted to be output by the output permission unit 311.

  After the page number prediction is started, the page number prediction operation by the page number prediction means 306 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  After receiving the page number extracted from a certain original image (hereinafter referred to as the nth original image) (SB1), the page number predicting means 306 receives the page number extracted from the n + 1th original image (SB2). A page number extracted from the n + 2 original image is predicted (SB3).

  The page number determining unit 307 determines whether the page number predicted by the page number predicting unit 306 is extracted from the n + 2 document image and the page number extracted from the n + 2 document image are identical or inconsistent. The determination result is output to the notification control unit 308, the deletion control unit 310, and the output permission unit 311 (SB4), and the notification control unit 308 displays the determination result and the like on the display unit 20 via the display control unit. (SB5).

  When the determination result is coincident (SB6), the output permission unit 311 permits the output of the n + 2 original image (SB9), and when the determination result is disagreement (SB6), the display unit 20 Based on the operation of the user who confirmed the displayed determination result, the deletion control unit 310 determines whether the deletion unit 309 is activated or deactivated (SB7).

  When the operation of the deletion unit 309 is determined (SB7), the deletion unit 309 is operated to delete the read original image stored in the storage unit 301 (SB8), and the non-operation of the deletion unit 309 is determined. Sometimes (SB7), the deletion control means 310 does not deactivate the deletion means 309, and the output permission means 311 permits the output of the n + 2 original image (SB9).

  When the page number cannot be extracted from the (n + 2) original image and the determination result is inconsistent (SB10), the page number predicting means 306 uses the original image next to the (n + 2) original image as the nth original image. (SB11) The page number is predicted again (SB1), and when the page number can be extracted from the n + 2 original image but the determination result is not coincident (SB10), the page number prediction means 306 The n + 2 original image is set as the nth original image (SB12), and the page number is predicted again (SB1).

  Another embodiment will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine, which is an image forming apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, has been described. However, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is used alone such as a scanner. Also good. Further, the image forming apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus according to the present invention may be other than a copying machine as long as it is provided with the image reading apparatus, and may be, for example, a FAX or a multifunction machine.

  In the configuration described above, the notification control unit 308 displays the determination result on the display unit 20 every time the page number extraction unit 305 outputs the determination result of the page number determination unit 307 for the document image from which the page number has been extracted. However, when all the document images stored in the storage unit 301 are output by the output unit, or when all the document images are read by the optical system device 34 as an image reading unit, The display unit 20 may notify the determination result. According to this configuration, the user does not need to determine whether or not to output the document image every time the determination result of the document image is output.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the description. The specific configuration of each part is appropriately selected within the scope of the effects of the present invention. Needless to say, it can be changed.

Functional block diagram of a copier equipped with the image reading apparatus of the present invention Illustration of copier Illustration of image reading device The figure used for explanation of page number extraction from a document image including a plurality of document images Flowchart used to explain page number extraction operation from document image Flowchart used to explain page number prediction operation by page number prediction means after page number prediction is started

Explanation of symbols

2: Operation unit 3: Image reading unit 20: Notification means (display unit)
34: Image reading means (optical device)
200: Operation control unit 300: Image reading control unit 301: Storage unit 302: Area designation unit 303: Character information extraction unit 304: Output unit 305: Page number extraction unit 306: Page number prediction unit 307: Page number determination unit 308: Notification control means 309: deletion means 310: deletion control means 311: output permission means

Claims (8)

Image reading means for reading a document image from a document, storage means for storing a document image read by the image reading means, area specifying means for setting a specified area in the document image stored in the storage means, and the area specification An image reading apparatus comprising: character information extracting means for extracting character information from a designated area of the original image set by the means; and output means for outputting the original image stored in the storage means,
Page number extracting means for extracting each page number from character information extracted in a designated area of at least two consecutive original images, and extraction from the next original image based on the page number extracted by the page number extracting means Page number predicting means for predicting the page number to be executed, page number for judging whether the page number predicted by the page number predicting means and the page number extracted by the page number extracting means from the next document image are coincident or non-matching An image reading apparatus comprising: a determination unit; and a notification unit that notifies a determination result of the page number determination unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies that the page number is not extracted when the page number extraction unit cannot extract the page number.   When the page number extraction unit cannot extract the page number from the document image, the page number prediction unit extracts the document image next to the document image as the first sheet and extracts it from at least two consecutive document images. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page number extracted from the next document image is predicted again based on each page number.   A deletion unit that deletes a document image stored in the storage unit, and a deletion control unit that determines whether the deletion unit is activated or deactivated when the page number determination unit determines that they do not match. 4. The image reading apparatus according to any one of 3 above.   When the deletion control unit determines that the deletion unit is not in operation, the page number prediction unit extracts each of the document images whose page numbers do not match as the first document image from at least two consecutive document images. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the page number extracted from the next document image is predicted again based on the page number.   6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output permission unit that permits output of a document image determined to match when the page number determination unit matches.   7. The notification device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the notification device notifies when all of the document images stored in the storage device are output by the output device or when all the document images are read by the image reading device. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

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