JP2009100257A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of readily changing the arrangement of a document of image data that contain a plurality of documents. <P>SOLUTION: When changing the arrangement of a document, image data of the document are read and stored and a QR code is retrieved. When the QR code is not contained, an inquiry screen for document arrangement state is displayed, and a user is made to select a document arrangement state (steps 101-105). Next, an order designation screen for document arrangement is displayed; and when an arrangement is determined, after an order has been designated, arrangements of the documents are changed, in the designated order (steps 106-115). An inquiry screen for QR code imparting is displayed, thereafter. When the user instructs imparting of the QR code, the QR code of document arrangement information of image data with the changed arrangement of image data is generated, embedded, and combined in the image data, with the changed arrangement of documents, and printing processing is carried out (steps 116-121). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus having a function of changing the arrangement of originals of image data including a plurality of originals.

  In a digital multi-function peripheral or copier having a copy function, a facsimile function, a print function, etc., a plurality of (2, 4, 6, 8) originals are reduced and printed out on a single sheet. Some have an aggregation (Nin1) copy function.

On the other hand, recently, two-dimensional barcodes such as QR (Quick Response) codes have been written on printed materials such as leaflets, and it has become possible to access information such as URLs contained therein by reading them with a mobile phone or the like. It is coming. Also in digital multi-function peripherals, it is considered that QR code is searched and decoded at the time of document scanning or printing, and various functions are executed based on the result, or converted into new information and encoded again. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-115021 A

  When such a QR code is used in a digital multi-function peripheral, if the original layout information is added as a QR code when the Nin1 copy function is used, the image layout position can be recognized when the image is read. .

  As described above, when a plurality of originals are gathered into one, such as copy materials using the Nin1 function of a digital multi-function peripheral or distribution materials created by PowerPoint (registered trademark), when copying or printing The arrangement varies depending on the order specified in. For this reason, when multiple such materials are distributed, it is necessary to consider the orientation when filing, and it is necessary to check the order of arrangement when reviewing the materials, so review the materials. There was a problem that it took time and effort.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily changing the arrangement of originals of image data including a plurality of originals.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image including a plurality of originals, a display unit that displays a document arrangement state of image data read by the image reading unit, An image processing apparatus comprising: an instruction unit that instructs placement of a plurality of documents displayed on a display unit; an image recording unit that records image data; and a control unit that controls each of the units. A plurality of originals of image data are rearranged in the arrangement designated by the instruction unit and then recorded by the image recording unit.

  According to another image processing apparatus of the present invention, in the above-described image processing apparatus, the information code present in the image data read by the image reading unit is searched and analyzed, and the information code search for generating the information code is performed. An image provided with a generation unit, which displays on the display means the order of document arrangement of image data including a plurality of documents based on the information code analyzed by the information code search and generation unit, or rearranged document arrangement An information code regarding the order of arrangement of data originals is added to image data and recorded.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, by instructing the arrangement of a plurality of originals in a state where the original arrangement state of the image data including the plurality of originals is displayed, the image data in which the arrangement of the originals is arbitrarily rearranged is displayed. Can be recorded. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a document in which documents are arranged in an order desired by the user, facilitating filing, and easily reviewing the order of arrangement of a plurality of documents when reviewing a file that has been filed. Become.

Further, if the order of document arrangement of image data including a plurality of documents is displayed on the display unit based on the information code analyzed by the information code search and generation unit, the user can easily understand the order of document arrangement. be able to.
Furthermore, if an information code relating to the order of document placement of the image data in which the placement of the document is rearranged is generated and added to the image data and recorded, when distributed to other users, the other user can easily create the document code. You can understand the order of placement.

  Embodiments in which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multifunction machine will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral. The digital multifunction peripheral includes a CPU 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) 3, a display / operation unit 4, and a reading unit. 5, image memory 6, recording unit 7, codec 8, modem 9, network control unit (NCU) 10, QR code processing unit 11, and LAN interface (LAN I / F) 12. It is connected.

  The CPU 1 controls each part of the hardware of the digital multifunction peripheral via the bus 13 and executes various programs based on the programs stored in the ROM 2. The ROM 2 performs various programs and operations necessary for the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral. Messages and the like are stored in advance. In addition, the SRAM 3 stores temporary data generated at the time of execution of a program such as the order of arrangement of the original image data and information such as QR code restoration information or information encoded into a QR code.

The display / operation unit 4 includes a display unit for displaying an operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral or displaying an operation screen for various functions, and a plurality of keys for operating the digital multifunction peripheral. As described above, the display unit 21 includes the LCD display unit 21 and a number of operation keys. The LCD display unit 21 is provided with a touch panel switch, and by pressing an item portion displayed on the LCD display unit 21, a corresponding item can be selected and a function can be executed.
In the present embodiment, the LCD display unit 21 performs both functions of a display unit for displaying the document arrangement state of the image data of the present invention and an instruction unit for instructing the arrangement of a plurality of documents displayed on the display unit. To do.

  As operation keys, a numeric keypad 22, a start key 23, a reset key 24, a stop key 25, a plurality of one-touch dial keys 26, a cross key 27, a return key 28, and a set key 29 are provided. Further, a FAX switching key 30, a copy switching key 31, and a scanner switching key 32 are provided as function switching keys. Note that some or all of these operation keys or function switching keys can be substituted by the LCD display unit 21.

The reading unit 5 includes a reading document placing table such as an auto document feeder (ADF) or a flatbed scanner (FBS), reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data.
The image memory 6 is configured using a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, or image data read by the reading unit 5. The recording unit 7 includes an electrophotographic printer or the like, and prints out received data, copy original data, or print data transmitted from an external personal computer or the like.

  The codec 8 encodes and decodes corresponding to a predetermined protocol, encodes the read original image data by the MH, MR, or MMR method, and decodes the image data received from the outside. The codec 8 also encodes and decodes in correspondence with the TIFF method, which is an image format generally used as a file that can be attached to an e-mail.

  The modem 9 is connected to the bus 13 and has a function as a fax modem capable of facsimile communication. The modem 9 is also connected to the NCU 10 connected to the bus 13. The NCU 10 is hardware that closes and opens an analog line, and connects the modem 9 to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) as necessary.

  On the other hand, the QR code processing unit 11 searches the attachment position of the QR code from the input image data, extracts the QR code, and stores the QR code by decoding the extracted QR code. Get information. The QR code processing unit 11 also generates a QR code by encoding the input information.

  The LAN interface 12 is connected to a network such as a LAN, receives signals from a personal computer connected to the network, and transmits signals or data to the network, and performs interface processing such as signal conversion or protocol conversion. Execute.

  The digital multi-function peripheral has the above-described configuration. When the facsimile is transmitted, the image data of the original is read by the reading unit 5, compressed by the codec 8, and stored in the image memory 6. The compressed image data is read from the image memory 6, modulated by the modem 9, and transmitted from the NCU 10 to the communication partner through the PSTN. At the time of facsimile reception, the received image data is demodulated by the modem 9, stored in the image memory 6, decoded by the codec 8, and printed by the recording unit 7.

  Further, when the user performs copying, an original is set on the ADF or FBS of the reading unit 5, and the recording paper size is selected and the number of copies is set on the copy setting screen. Thereafter, when the start key 23 of the display / operation unit 4 is pressed, the image data of the document is read by the reading unit 5, compressed by the codec 8, stored in the image memory 6, and then decoded by the codec 8. Printed by the recording unit 7.

The arrangement of the originals in the image data including a plurality of originals can be rearranged at the time of copying, and the operation when the arrangement of the originals is rearranged will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When the user designates the sorting function on the copy setting screen displayed on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4, the CPU 1 starts the program shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is started, the CPU 1 first reads the image data of the document set on the reading document placing table of the reading unit 5 by the reading unit 5, compresses it by the codec 8, and stores it in the image memory 6. Accumulate (step 101).
Next, after reading the compressed image data from the image memory 6, the CPU 1 inputs the bitmap data decoded by the codec 8 to the QR code processing unit 11, and instructs to search for the QR code (step 102). Thereby, the QR code processing unit 11 starts searching for the QR code from, for example, the upper left corner of the document, and when the QR code is found, the restoration information obtained by decoding the extracted QR code is output.

After instructing the QR code processing unit 11 to start searching for the QR code, the CPU 1 determines whether the QR code restoration information is output from the QR code processing unit 11, so that the QR code is included in the read image data. It is determined whether it is included (step 103).
If it is determined that the read image data does not include a QR code, the CPU 1 displays a document placement state inquiry screen on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4 (step 104).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the above-described document arrangement state inquiry screen. As shown in FIG. 4, examples of document arrangements of 2, 4, 6, and 8 divisions are displayed on the screen. By selecting and touching any of the items, the document arrangement state can be selected.

  After displaying the document arrangement state inquiry screen, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has instructed the document arrangement state by determining whether or not the user has touched any document arrangement state on the inquiry screen. (Step 105). For example, when it is determined that the user has instructed the document arrangement state of four divisions, the CPU 1 displays an order designation screen for four-part document arrangement on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4 as shown in FIG. Is displayed (step 106).

  The user can designate the order of arrangement sequentially from the smallest number on the display by touching the document arrangement position where the arrangement order is not decided on the document arrangement order designation screen. Further, when the user touches the document arrangement position where the order is set again, the arrangement order number can be deleted, and the user can reorder.

  That is, after displaying the document placement order designation screen of FIG. 5, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has touched any of the document placement positions (step 107). If it is determined that the user has touched any document placement position, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a number has already been assigned to the document placement position (step 108). It should be noted that an order storage area corresponding to the document placement position on the document placement order designation screen is provided in the SRAM 3, and it is determined whether or not a number has already been assigned to the document placement position by checking this order storage area. can do.

If it is determined that no number is assigned to the document placement position touched by the user, the CPU 1 assigns the smallest number not yet assigned to the document placement position and stores it in the order storage area. Is displayed on the document arrangement order designation screen (step 109).
On the other hand, if it is determined that a number has already been assigned to the document placement position touched by the user, the CPU 1 deletes the already assigned number from the sequential storage area of the SRAM 3 (step 110).

After the number assignment or deletion, or when it is determined in step 107 that the user has not touched the document placement position, the CPU 1 displays the “placement setting” button on the document placement order designation screen shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not a touch is made (step 111).
When it is determined that the user has not touched the “placement setting” button and the placement has not been confirmed, the CPU 1 returns to step 107 and again determines whether or not the user has touched the document placement position. . If the user touches the “placement setting” button and determines that the placement is confirmed, the CPU 1 determines whether or not an order is assigned to all document placement positions (step 112).

If it is determined that the order is not assigned to all the document placement positions, the CPU 1 displays the order designation request screen shown in FIG. 6 (step 113), returns to step 107, and again returns to the document placement position by the user. It is determined whether or not is touched.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 112 that the order is assigned to all the document placement positions, the CPU 1 decodes the compressed image data read from the image memory 6 by the codec 8 and stores a plurality of documents in the designated order. The arrangement is rearranged (step 114). Thereafter, the CPU 1 compresses the image data in which the arrangement of the originals is rearranged by the codec 8 and stores it in the image memory 6 (step 115).

  Next, after displaying the QR code assignment inquiry screen shown in FIG. 7 (step 116), the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has instructed to assign a QR code (step 117). When the user touches the “YES” button on the inquiry screen of FIG. 7 and determines that the user has instructed to give a QR code, the CPU 1 displays the document arrangement information of the image data in which the arrangement of the documents is rearranged. The code is sent to the code processing unit 11 to generate a QR code (step 118). Thereafter, the CPU 1 reads out the image data in which the arrangement of the originals is rearranged from the image memory 6, decodes it by the codec 8, and then embeds the synthesized QR code image at a specific position of the image data (step). 119). Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the start key 23 of the display / operation unit 4 has been pressed (step 120). If it is determined that the start key 23 has been pressed, the image data in which the QR code is embedded is recorded. Printing is performed by the unit 7 (step 121).

  On the other hand, when the user touches the “NO” button on the inquiry screen of FIG. 7 and determines that the user has instructed not to give the QR code, the CPU 1 similarly determines whether or not the start key 23 is pressed. (Step 120) and print processing is executed (Step 121). That is, the CPU 1 reads the image data in which the arrangement of the originals is rearranged from the image memory 6, decodes it by the codec 8, and prints it by the recording unit 7.

Next, the operation when it is determined that the image data read in step 103 includes a QR code will be described.
FIG. 8 shows an example of a QR code. As shown in FIG. 9, this QR code is an example of a QR code of 4-in-1 image data in which originals are arranged in the order shown in FIG. , (1) to (4), the data obtained by digitizing the document position is QR-coded.

  When it is determined that the QR code is included in the image data read in step 103, the CPU 1 stores the QR code restoration information output from the QR code processing unit 11 in the SRAM 3 (step 122). Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 1 displays both a document layout displaying the current document layout order based on the QR code restoration information and a document layout for specifying the document layout order. A document layout order designation screen is displayed (step 123).

  Thereafter, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has touched any document placement position on the order designation screen in FIG. 10, but the subsequent operation is the same as when the QR code is not included. Detailed description is omitted.

  As described above, if the order of arrangement of a plurality of documents is specified in a state where the document arrangement state of image data including a plurality of documents is displayed, image data in which the arrangement of the documents is arbitrarily rearranged can be recorded. . Therefore, it is possible to obtain a document in which documents are arranged in the order desired by the user, facilitating filing, and to easily understand the order of arrangement of a plurality of documents when reviewing a file that has been filed. Become.

In the above-described embodiment, the document arrangement order designation screen is displayed and the user is allowed to sequentially specify the document arrangement order. However, the user can select from a plurality of arrangement patterns in which the document arrangement order is set in advance. It is also possible to select one pattern.
Hereinafter, an operation in the case of rearranging the document layout by causing the user to select one of a plurality of layout patterns will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the user designates the sorting function on the copy setting screen displayed on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4, the CPU 1 starts the program shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is started, the CPU 1 first reads the image data of the document set on the reading document placing table of the reading unit 5 by the reading unit 5, compresses it by the codec 8, and stores it in the image memory 6. Accumulate (step 201).

  Next, after reading the compressed image data from the image memory 6, the CPU 1 inputs the bitmap data decoded by the codec 8 to the QR code processing unit 11, and instructs to search for the QR code (step 202). As a result, the QR code processing unit 11 starts searching for a QR code, and when a QR code is found, outputs restoration information obtained by decoding the extracted QR code.

After instructing the QR code processing unit 11 to start searching for the QR code, the CPU 1 determines whether the QR code restoration information is output from the QR code processing unit 11, so that the QR code is included in the read image data. It is determined whether it is included (step 203).
If it is determined that the read image data does not include a QR code, the CPU 1 displays the document arrangement state inquiry screen shown in FIG. 4 on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4 (step 204).

  After displaying the document arrangement state inquiry screen, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has instructed the document arrangement state by determining whether or not the user has touched any document arrangement state on the inquiry screen. (Step 205). For example, when it is determined that the user has instructed the four-part document placement, the CPU 1 sets the order of the four-part document placement on the LCD display unit 21 of the display / operation unit 4 as shown in FIG. The plurality of arranged patterns are displayed (step 206).

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has touched any of the arrangement patterns on the display screen of the plurality of arrangement patterns in FIG. 12 (step 207). If it is determined that the user has touched any arrangement pattern, the CPU 1 decodes the compressed image data read from the image memory 6 by the codec 8 and arranges the arrangement of the originals based on the designated original arrangement pattern. Change (step 208). Thereafter, the CPU 1 compresses the image data in which the arrangement of the originals is rearranged by the codec 8 and stores it in the image memory 6 (step 209).
Next, the CPU 1 displays an inquiry screen for assigning a QR code (step 210). Since the operations of the subsequent steps 210 to 215 are the same as those of the steps 116 to 121 in the flowchart of FIG. Description is omitted.

  On the other hand, when determining that the image data read in step 203 includes a QR code, the CPU 1 stores the QR code restoration information output from the QR code processing unit 11 in the SRAM 3 (step 216). Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 1 displays a document layout displaying the current document layout order based on the QR code restoration information, and a plurality of layout patterns in which the document layout order is set. An arrangement pattern designation screen on which both are displayed is displayed (step 217).

  Thereafter, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the user has instructed any of the arrangement patterns on the arrangement pattern designation screen of FIG. 13 (step 207), but the subsequent operation includes the QR code in the image data. Since it is the same as the case where there is no, detailed description is omitted.

  As described above, the user can easily specify the position of the original by selecting one of the plurality of arrangement patterns in which the order of arrangement of the original is set, and the plurality of originals can be designated by the user. Image data rearranged in a desired arrangement can be easily obtained.

In the above embodiment, the QR code is described as an example of the information code. However, the image processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to other information codes.
In the above embodiment, the example in which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital multi-function peripheral has been described. However, the image processing apparatus of the present invention can also be applied to other image processing apparatuses such as a copying machine. It is.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of a display / operation part. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when rearrangement of document arrangement is executed. It is an example of the inquiry screen of an original arrangement state. It is an example of a four-part document arrangement order designation screen. It is an example of an order designation request screen. It is an example of the inquiry screen of QR code provision. It is an example of a QR code. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a document arrangement indicated by the QR code in FIG. 8. It is an example of the order designation | designated screen which displayed both the original arrangement | positioning which displayed the present order based on the restoration information of QR Code, and the original arrangement | positioning for designating an order. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when document arrangement is rearranged by selecting one of a plurality of arrangement patterns. It is an example of the arrangement | positioning pattern designation | designated screen which displayed the some arrangement | positioning pattern in which the order was set. It is an example of an arrangement pattern designation screen on which both a document arrangement displaying a current order based on QR code restoration information and a plurality of arrangement patterns for which the order is set are displayed.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 SRAM
4 Display / Operation Unit 5 Reading Unit 6 Image Memory 7 Recording Unit 8 Codec 9 Modem 10 NCU
11 QR code processing part 12 LAN I / F
13 Bus

Claims (3)

An image reading unit that reads an image including a plurality of originals, a display unit that displays a document arrangement state of image data read by the image reading unit, and an instruction to arrange a plurality of originals displayed on the display unit An image processing apparatus comprising: an instruction unit; an image recording unit that records image data; and a control unit that controls each of the units.
An image processing apparatus, wherein the control unit records a plurality of originals of image data in an arrangement instructed by the instruction unit and then records the image data by the image recording unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information code that exists in the image data read by the image reading means is searched and analyzed, and an information code search and generation unit that generates an information code is provided.
An image processing apparatus, wherein the control means displays on the display unit the order of document arrangement of image data including a plurality of documents based on the information code analyzed by the information code search and generation unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The information code search and generation unit generates an information code related to the document arrangement order of the image data in which the document arrangement is rearranged, and the control unit adds the information code to the image data in which the document arrangement is rearranged. Then, the image processing apparatus is recorded by the image recording unit.

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