JP2009188995A - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately compress data while not only suppressing increase in the capacitance of a buffer to be used but also reducing the time required for matching, using a dictionary. <P>SOLUTION: In an image processing apparatus, a registration unit 42 registers extracted dictionary target data as Symbol information, assigns identification information to the Symbol information and registers, correspondingly to the identification information, Symbol position information, indicating the place in image data where the Symbol information exists. A dictionary buffer 43 holds therein the registered Symbol information and Symbol position information and when the output presence/absence information is set to a first state by a setting unit 45, an output unit 44 outputs to a compression-encoding unit 46 the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer 43. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of compressing data.

  Conventionally, many data compression methods are known. As one of data compression methods, entropy coding represented by Huffman coding and arithmetic coding is known. As pre-processing for entropy encoding, modeling processing for extracting data features and converting the data is performed. For the modeling process, methods such as LZ77 and LZ78, which are data compression algorithms developed by Jacob Jiv and Abraham Lempel, are known. LZ77 and LZ78 are methods for compressing data by storing the occurrence positions and lengths of existing characters. In addition to LZ77 and LZ78, modeling is known as a technique called universal coding (dictionary-based coding) (hereinafter referred to as `` dictionaryization ''). Describe). Similar to LZ77, this dictionary can be expected to have a higher compression effect as the amount of data increases.

  As an example of a technique in which this lexiconization is applied to image compression, there is Symbol Dictionary Coding of binary image compression technique “JBIG2” internationally standardized by ISO / IEC14492. In the compression by lexicization, an image bitmap (for example, a one-character bitmap) is registered in the dictionary, a common bitmap is handled as the same dictionary, and compression is performed using the dictionary and position information. Therefore, compression by this dictionary is not only effective for character codes, but if you register an image bitmap in the dictionary, images with a specific pattern (such as character images and halftone images) Also effective against. For example, when a character image “ABCBAD” is compressed without using dictionary compression, conventionally, “ABCBAD” is entirely compressed as an image. On the other hand, when the image “ABCBAD” is compressed using compression by dictionary conversion, since there are two images “A”, only one image “A” is retained and the remaining “A” is retained. For the image “A”, the data is compressed by having only the position information, and the data is reduced. Specifically, in the above case, the following data is created by compression by dictionary conversion.

Dictionary (Symbol) 4 types: “A” “B” “C” “D”
Dictionary (Symbol) position information 6 types: (image A: position (0,0)), (image B: position (6,0)),
(Image C: Position (12,0)), (Image B: Position (18,0)),
(Image A: Position (24,0)), (Image D: Position (30,0))

  When data is created by compression by dictionary conversion, the following processing is executed. That is, an image to be lexicized is extracted, it is determined whether the extracted image to be lexicized is the same as an existing dictionary (symbol), and if it is determined to be the same as the existing dictionary, the dictionary While the position information of (Symbol) is registered, if it is determined that it is different from any of the existing dictionaries, the information of the dictionary (Symbol) and the position information of the dictionary (Symbol) are registered. Thus, high compression can be realized by compressing the dictionary information and the position information of the dictionary.

  For speeding up the compression process, there is a technique for speeding up and compressing data by treating a single piece of data (such as a character string) as one dictionary candidate or by bringing the position of the comparison target closer. Proposed. These techniques are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 10-150366 and 2003-264703, respectively.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-150366 JP 2003-264703 A

  However, with this compression method using lexicization, the greater the amount of data to be compressed, the higher the compression effect.However, only a large-capacity buffer is needed to temporarily hold dictionary data. However, as the number of dictionaries (symbols) increases, there is a problem that the time required for matching between the image to be dictionaryd and the dictionaries (symbols) also increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and not only suppresses an increase in the amount of buffer usage, but also allows data to be suitably compressed while reducing the time required for matching with a dictionary. An object is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanning unit that reads image data relating to a document, an extraction unit that extracts lexicographic target data from the image data, and the extraction unit that extracts the data to be dictionaryd. The data to be lexicized is registered as symbol information, identification information is assigned to the symbol information, and symbol position information indicating where the symbol information exists in image data is associated with the identification information. A registration unit for registration, a dictionary buffer for storing the symbol information and the symbol position information registered by the registration unit, and a predetermined encoding method for the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer. A compression encoding unit that compresses and encodes the data using a dictionary, and the dictionary based on whether or not the number of documents in the dictionary has reached a predetermined unit number A setting unit for setting output presence / absence information related to whether or not to output the symbol information and the symbol position information held in a buffer to the compression encoding unit in the first state or the second state, and the setting unit An output unit that outputs the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit when the output presence / absence information is set to the first state; If the extracted lexical object data matches any of the symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the registration unit does not register the lexical object data as new symbol information, and the dictionary While registering the Symbol position information in association with the identification information assigned to the Symbol information that matches the data to be converted, the lexicization extracted by the extraction unit If the data does not match any of the symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the registration unit registers the data to be dictionaryd as new symbol information and assigns the identification information to the symbol information In addition, the symbol position information is registered in association with the identification information.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image processing method of the present invention reads image data relating to a document, extracts lexical object data from the image data, and registers the extracted lexical object data as Symbol information. , Assigning identification information to the Symbol information, registering the symbol position information indicating where the Symbol information exists in the image data in association with the identification information, and registering the Symbol information The symbol position information is retained, and the stored symbol information and the symbol position information are compression-encoded using a predetermined encoding method, and whether or not the number of originals in the dictionary reaches a predetermined unit number On the basis of whether or not the symbol information and the symbol position information to be output are to be output, the output presence / absence information is set to the first state or the second state. When the presence / absence information is set to the first state, the Symbol information and the Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer are output, and the extracted data to be lexicized is held in the dictionary buffer. If the symbol information matches the symbol information, the symbolization target data is not registered as new symbol information, but is associated with the identification information assigned to the symbol information that matches the dictionary target data. While registering position information, if the extracted lexical object data does not match any of the Symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the lexical object data is registered as new Symbol information, and the Symbol information And the symbol position information is registered in association with the identification information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanning unit that reads image data relating to a document, an extraction unit that extracts lexicographic target data from the image data, and the extraction unit that extracts the data to be dictionaryd. The data to be lexicized is registered as symbol information, identification information is assigned to the symbol information, and symbol position information indicating where the symbol information exists in image data is associated with the identification information. A registration unit for registration, a dictionary buffer for storing the symbol information and the symbol position information registered by the registration unit, and a predetermined encoding method for the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer. A compression encoding unit that compresses and encodes the data using a dictionary, and the dictionary based on whether or not the number of documents in the dictionary has reached a predetermined unit number A generator for generating an output control signal for outputting the symbol information and the symbol position information held in a buffer to the compression encoder; and the dictionary buffer according to the output control signal generated by the generator Output the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the compression encoding unit, and the dictionary target data extracted by the extraction unit is held in the dictionary buffer When the symbol information matches the symbol information, the registration unit does not register the dictionary data as new symbol information, but associates it with the identification information assigned to the symbol information that matches the dictionary data. The Symbol position information is registered, and the lexicographic target data extracted by the extraction unit is stored in the dictionary buffer. If the information does not match the mbol information, the registration unit registers the data to be dictionaryd as new symbol information, assigns the identification information to the symbol information, and associates the symbol position information with the identification information. Registered.

  According to the present invention, it is possible not only to suppress an increase in buffer usage, but also to suitably compress data while reducing the time required for matching with a dictionary.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The block diagram which shows the functional structure which can be performed by the control part in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of an image made into a dictionary. The figure which shows the kind of dictionary (Symbol). 3 is a flowchart for explaining dictionary processing in the image processing apparatus in FIG. 2. The figure which shows a mode that a scanning part scans 2 pages of originals and makes the image of the 1st page and the image of 2 pages into a dictionary. The figure which shows the state 1 of a dictionary buffer. The figure which shows the state 2 of a dictionary buffer. The figure which shows the state 3 of a dictionary buffer. The figure which shows the state 4 of a dictionary buffer. The figure which shows the state 5 of a dictionary buffer. The figure which shows the state 6 of a dictionary buffer. The block diagram which shows the functional structure which can be performed by the control part in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows the table which shows the correspondence of the dictionary information output flag based on the number of process pages, the number of dictionary unit pages, the number of dictionary unit pages, the final process determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag. The block diagram which shows the functional structure which can be performed by the control part in 3rd Embodiment. The figure which shows the table which shows the correspondence of the dictionary information output flag based on the number of process pages, dictionary buffer usage, dictionary buffer allowance, dictionary buffer usage, final process determination flag, and dictionary information output flag.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, a printer driving unit 12, an image data interface 13, a page memory 14, an image processing unit 15, a scanner unit 16, and an operation panel 17. The control unit 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, a bus 24, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 25, and an external communication unit 26. The CPU 21 executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 22 or various application programs loaded from the HDD 25 to the RAM 23, generates various control signals, and supplies the control units to the image processing apparatus 1. Control all over. The RAM 23 appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. The CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, and HDD 25 are connected to each other via a bus 24. An external communication unit 26 including a modem, a terminal adapter, a network interface, and the like is connected to the bus 24. The external communication unit 26 performs communication processing via the network 18.

  A printer drive unit 12, an operation panel 17, and an image data interface 13 are connected to the control unit 11. The operation panel 17 includes a panel control unit 31, a display unit 32, and operation keys 33. The display unit 32 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). An image processing unit 15 and a page memory 14 are connected to the image data interface 13. A scanner unit 16 is connected to the image processing unit 15. Here, the flow of image data when an image is formed will be described. When the document is set on the platen glass, the scanner unit 16 reads the image data of the document, and the read image data is supplied to the image processing unit 15. The image processing unit 15 is configured by, for example, an ASIC and acquires image data of an original document supplied from the scanner unit 16, and the acquired image data is subjected to, for example, shading correction, various kinds of filtering processing, gradation processing, gamma, and the like. Make corrections. Of course, the image processing unit 15 may be implemented as software in the control unit 11 or the like. The processed image data is stored in the page memory 14 via the image data interface 13 as necessary. The printer driving unit 12 is driven according to the control of the control unit 11.

  Here, in the present embodiment, two methods are assumed when a plurality of originals are scanned and the data after scanning is compressed. The first method will be described. First, after the scanner unit 16 performs multi-page scanning on a plurality of documents, the control unit 11 temporarily stores the scanned data in the HDD 25 of the control unit 11 as a temporary file. Next, the control unit 11 expands and compresses the temporary file related to the multipage stored in the HDD on the RAM 23. The second method will be described. First, while the scanner unit 16 performs multi-page scanning of a plurality of documents, the control unit 11 sequentially stores the scanned data as a temporary file in the HDD 25 of the control unit 11. In parallel with the storage of the temporary file in the HDD 25, the control unit 11 sequentially expands and compresses the temporary file stored in the HDD on the RAM 23. The present embodiment can be applied to any of the above compression methods.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration that can be executed by the control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 1 includes, as a characteristic configuration of the present invention, a dictionary data extraction unit 40, a symbol match determination unit 41, a symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42, and a dictionary buffer 43. A dictionary information output unit 44, a dictionary information output flag setting unit 45, and a compression encoding unit 46. These configurations are implemented as software on the CPU 21 of the control unit 11.

  The lexical object data extraction unit 40 reads out image data as scan data, extracts lexicographic object data from the read image data, and uses the extracted lexical object data as a symbol match determination unit 41 and Symbol information / The information is output to the Symbol position information registration unit 42.

  The symbol coincidence determination unit 41 includes a symbol comparison unit 51 and a symbol comparison result output unit 52. The Symbol comparison unit 51 compares and determines whether the data to be lexicized matches with any of the symbol information temporarily held (buffered) in the dictionary buffer 43, and the match determination result (That is, a result indicating that the two match, and a result indicating that they do not match if both do not match) are output to the Symbol comparison result output unit 52. To do. The symbol comparison result output unit 52 acquires the match determination result from the symbol comparison unit 51 and outputs the acquired match determination result to the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. When the symbol comparison unit 51 compares and determines the data to be dictionaryd, the data to be dictionaryd and any of the symbol information temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43 do not match 100% in terms of pixel values. However, if there is a correlation greater than the required reference value, the symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the two match.

  The Symbol information / Symbol position information registration unit 42 includes a Symbol information / ID registration unit 53, an ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54, and a selector 55. The Symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd as new symbol information and assigns an ID number to the registered symbol information. The Symbol information / ID registration unit 53 outputs the registered Symbol information to the Symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and outputs the ID number assigned to the registered Symbol information to the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54. To do. The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 registers Symbol position information indicating where the data to be registered exists in the image in association with the ID number, and registers the registered Symbol position information and ID. The number is output to the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. The selector 55 acquires the match determination result from the symbol match determination unit 41, and if the acquired match determination result is a result indicating that they do not match, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 performs the symbol information And the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 controls the Symbol information / ID registration unit 53 and the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 so that the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 registers the symbol position information. . On the other hand, if the acquired match determination result is a result indicating that the two match, the selector 55 does not execute the processing by the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 but the ID / symbol position information registration unit 54. The symbol information / ID registration unit 53 and the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 are controlled so that the symbol position information is registered by the above.

  The dictionary information output unit 44 includes a gate 58 and a dictionary buffer initialization unit 59. When the dictionary information output flag set by the dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 is ON, the gate 58 buffers the symbol information buffered in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the symbol position information buffer 57. The symbol position information read out from the dictionary buffer 43, and the read symbol information and symbol position information are output to the compression encoding unit 46, and the symbol information buffer of the dictionary buffer 43 is output after the output of the symbol information and the symbol position information. 56 and an initialization ON signal for initializing the symbol position information buffer 57 are output to the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59. On the other hand, when the dictionary information output flag is OFF, the gate 58 compresses the symbol information buffered in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the symbol position information buffered in the symbol position information buffer 57. An initialization OFF signal for not initializing the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 is output to the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 without being output to the initialization unit 46.

  The dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 initializes the dictionary buffer 43 in accordance with the initialization ON / OFF signal from the gate 58. That is, the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 generates an initialization signal for initializing the dictionary buffer 43 when the initialization ON / OFF signal from the gate 58 is an initialization ON signal, and generates the generated initialization. The signal is output to the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. On the other hand, when the initialization ON / OFF signal from the gate 58 is the initialization OFF signal, the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 does not generate an initialization signal for initializing the dictionary buffer 43. Therefore, the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 does not output the initialization signal to the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to ON or OFF based on the parameter relating to the number of lexicographic unit pages input by operating the operation panel 17 by the user. The compression encoding unit 46 acquires the symbol information and the symbol position information from the gate 58 of the dictionary information output unit 44, and compresses and encodes the acquired symbol information and the symbol position information.

  Here, conventionally, when compressing the image “ABCBAD” shown in FIG. 3 using compression by dictionary conversion, since there are two images “A”, only one image “A” is retained. On the other hand, with respect to the remaining image “A”, the data is compressed by having only position information, thereby reducing the data. Specifically, in the above case, the following data is created by compression by dictionary conversion.

4 types of dictionaries (Symbols) shown in Fig. 4: "A""B""C""D"
Dictionary (Symbol) position information 6 types: (image A: position (0,0)), (image B: position (6,0)),
(Image C: Position (12,0)), (Image B: Position (18,0)),
(Image A: Position (24,0)), (Image D: Position (30,0))

  However, with the conventional compression method based on lexiconization, the greater the amount of data to be compressed, the higher the compression effect, but only a large capacity buffer that temporarily holds the data of the dictionary (Symbol) is required. In addition, as the number of dictionaries (Symbols) increases, the time required for matching between the dictionary target image and the dictionary (Symbol) also increases. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to prevent an increase in the amount of buffer usage that accompanies an increase in the amount of input image data and an increase in processing time associated with an increase in the time required for matching, a dictionary is used when creating a dictionary. A timing control signal is provided, and data held in the buffer is output and encoded for each predetermined condition. As a result, not only an increase in the amount of buffer usage can be suppressed, but also the data can be suitably compressed while reducing the time required for matching with the dictionary.

  With reference to the flowchart in FIG. 5, the dictionary processing in the image processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 2 will be described. In the dictionary processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, to simplify the description, as shown in FIG. 6, the scanning unit 16 scans a two-page document and the first page image and two pages. Assume that the image of the above is made into a dictionary. Note that, before the lexicalization processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, “2” is input in advance as a parameter value related to the number of lexicographic unit pages input by operating the operation panel 17 by the user. The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to ON every time the registration of the image of the two-page image is completed based on the input parameter value “2” regarding the number of lexicized unit pages. To do.

  In operation 1, the lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 reads out image data as scan data, extracts lexicalization target data from the read image data, and uses the extracted lexicalization target data as a symbol match determination unit 41. Are output to the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. Specifically, the lexical object data extraction unit 40 extracts lexical object data from the image data of the first page shown in FIG. The lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from left to right and from top to bottom from the image data of one page shown in FIG. 6, and detects the black pixel at the position (2, 0). The upper left position is (0, 0). The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts a connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (2, 0), thereby creating a lexicon “A” from the image data of one page shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  In the operation 2, the symbol comparison unit 51 of the symbol match determination unit 41 matches the data to be dictionaryd and any of the symbol information temporarily held (buffered) in the dictionary buffer 43. A comparison determination result is output to the Symbol comparison result output unit 52. The symbol comparison result output unit 52 acquires the match determination result from the symbol comparison unit 51 and outputs the acquired match determination result to the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. Specifically, when the data to be lexicized “A” is extracted from the image data of one page shown in FIG. 6, the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 still has “A”. Since Symbol is not held, the Symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the data to be dictionaryd does not match any Symbol information temporarily held in the dictionary buffer 43. Note that a specific symbol may be registered and held in the dictionary buffer 56 in advance.

  When the symbol comparison unit 51 of the symbol match determination unit 41 in operation 2 determines that the data to be dictionaryd does not match any symbol information temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43, the symbol match determination unit The symbol comparison unit 51 of 41 outputs the coincidence determination result to the symbol comparison result output unit 52. The symbol comparison result output unit 52 acquires the match determination result from the symbol comparison unit 51 and outputs the acquired match determination result to the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. In operation 3, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (the symbol “A”) as new symbol information, and assigns an ID number to the registered symbol information. Specifically, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (symbol “A”) as new symbol information and assigns an ID number (ID1) to the registered symbol information. .

  The Symbol information / ID registration unit 53 outputs the registered Symbol information to the Symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and outputs the ID number assigned to the registered Symbol information to the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54. To do. The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 registers Symbol position information indicating where in the image the data to be registered exists in association with the ID number. Specifically, the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 displays the Symbol position information (the first page ((Symbol “A”)) that indicates where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “A”) exists. 0,0)) is registered in association with the ID number (ID1).

  The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 outputs the registered Symbol position information and ID number to the Symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 7 shows state 1 of the dictionary buffer 43.

  In operation 5, the gate 58 of the dictionary information output unit 44 determines whether or not the dictionary information output flag is ON. When the lexicalization data of the symbol “A” is registered as the symbol information, the dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to OFF because the dictionary registration of the two-page image is not completed. Set. When the dictionary information output flag is set to OFF, the gate 58 compresses the Symbol information buffered in the Symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the Symbol position information buffered in the Symbol position information buffer 57. Without outputting to the encoding unit 46, an initialization OFF signal for not initializing the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 is output to the dictionary buffer initializing unit 59. As a result, the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 does not generate an initialization signal for initializing the dictionary buffer 43, and the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 does not use the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. Is not initialized.

  Thereafter, the processing returns to operation 1.

  Next, the lexical object data extraction unit 40 extracts lexicographic object data from the image data of the first page shown in FIG. At this time, the lexicalization target data extracting unit 40 extracts lexicalization target data by excluding Symbols registered by the already performed lexicization process. The lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from left to right and from top to bottom in the image data of one page shown in FIG. 6, and detects a black pixel at the position (6, 0). The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts the connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (6, 0), thereby creating a lexicon “B” from the image data of one page shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  Note that the lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts image data input to the lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 in order to extract lexicalization target data by excluding Symbols registered by the already performed lexicization processing. You may exclude registered symbols from.

  Thereafter, the processing proceeds to operation 2, and the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 holds the symbol “A” but does not yet hold the symbol “B”. No. 51 determines that the data to be lexicized does not match any symbol information temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43. In operation 3, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (Symbol “B”) as new symbol information, and an ID number (ID 2) for the registered symbol information. assign. The ID / Symbol position information registering unit 54 displays Symbol position information (Symbol (6, 0) on the first page) indicating where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “B”) exists. (Location information) is registered in association with the ID number (ID2).

  The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 8 shows state 2 of the dictionary buffer 43. Thereafter, the processing returns to operation 1.

  Similarly, the lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom in the image data of one page shown in FIG. 6, and the black pixel at the position (12, 0). Is detected. The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts a connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (12, 0), thereby creating a lexicon “C” from the image data of one page shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  Thereafter, the processing proceeds to operation 2, and the symbols “A” and “B” are held in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43, but the symbol “C” is not yet held. The symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the data to be lexicized does not match any symbol information temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43. In operation 3, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (symbol “C”) as new symbol information, and an ID number (ID 3) for the registered symbol information. assign. The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 stores Symbol position information ((12, 0) on the first page) indicating where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “C”) exists. (Location information) is registered in association with the ID number (ID3).

  The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 9 shows state 3 of the dictionary buffer 43.

  Subsequently, since the dictionary registration of the image of the first page is completed, the dictionary registration of the image of the second page shown in FIG. 6 is performed. The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts lexicalization target data from the image data of the second page shown in FIG. The lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom from the two pages of image data shown in FIG. 6, and detects the black pixel at the position (0, 0). The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts a connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (0, 0), thereby creating a lexicon “B” from the two pages of image data shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  Thereafter, the processing proceeds to operation 2, and the symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” are held in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43, and the symbol “B” is already held. Therefore, in the operation 2, the symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the data to be dictionaryd matches the symbol information temporarily held in the dictionary buffer 43. That is, the symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the symbol “B” as the data to be dictionaryd matches the symbol “B” on the first page temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43. In operation 4, the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 then displays Symbol position information (second page) indicating where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “B”) exists. (Position information (0, 0)) is registered in association with an ID number (ID2) for identifying the symbol “B” on the first page.

  The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 10 shows state 4 of the dictionary buffer 43. Thereafter, the processing returns to operation 1.

  Next, the lexical object data extraction unit 40 extracts lexical object data from the image data of the second page shown in FIG. The lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom in the two pages of image data shown in FIG. 6, and detects the black pixel at the position (6, 0). The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts a connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (6, 0), thereby creating a lexicon “A” from the two pages of image data shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to operation 2, and the symbols “A”, “B”, and “C” are held in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43, and the symbol “A” is already held. Therefore, in the operation 2, the symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the data to be dictionaryd matches the symbol information temporarily held in the dictionary buffer 43. In other words, the symbol comparison unit 51 determines that the symbol “A” as the data to be dictionaryd matches the symbol “A” on the first page temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43. In operation 4, the ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 then displays Symbol position information (second page) indicating where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “B”) exists. (Position information (6, 0)) is registered in association with the ID number (ID1) for identifying the symbol “A” on the first page.

  The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 11 shows state 5 of the dictionary buffer 43. Thereafter, the processing returns to operation 1.

  Further, the lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts lexicalization target data from the image data of the second page shown in FIG. The lexicographic object data extraction unit 40 searches for black pixels from the left to the right and from the top to the bottom from the two pages of image data shown in FIG. 6, and detects the black pixel at the position (12, 0). The lexicalization target data extraction unit 40 extracts a connected component of the detected black pixel at the position (12,0), thereby creating a lexicon “D” from the two pages of image data shown in FIG. Extract the target data.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to operation 2, and since the symbol “D” is not yet held in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43, the symbol comparison unit 51 temporarily stores the data to be dictionaryd and the dictionary buffer 43. It is determined that it does not match any of the symbol information held in the database.

  When the symbol comparison unit 51 of the symbol match determination unit 41 in operation 2 determines that the data to be dictionaryd does not match any symbol information temporarily stored in the dictionary buffer 43, the symbol match determination unit The symbol comparison unit 51 of 41 outputs the coincidence determination result to the symbol comparison result output unit 52. The symbol comparison result output unit 52 acquires the match determination result from the symbol comparison unit 51 and outputs the acquired match determination result to the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. In operation 3, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (the symbol “D”) as new symbol information, and assigns an ID number to the registered symbol information. Specifically, the symbol information / ID registration unit 53 registers the data to be dictionaryd (symbol “D”) as new symbol information and assigns an ID number (ID4) to the registered symbol information. . The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 stores Symbol position information ((12, 0) on the second page) indicating where in the image the data to be registered (Symbol “D”) exists. (Location information) is registered in association with the ID number (ID4).

  The ID / Symbol position information registration unit 54 outputs the registered Symbol position information and ID number to the Symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43. The symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 buffer the symbol information and the symbol position information from the symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42. FIG. 12 shows state 6 of the dictionary buffer 43.

  In operation 5, the gate 58 of the dictionary information output unit 44 determines whether or not the dictionary information output flag is ON. When the data to be lexicographed for the symbol “D” is registered as symbol information, the dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to ON because the dictionary registration of the two-page image has been completed. . When the dictionary information output flag is set to ON in the operation 58 in the gate 58, the symbol information buffered in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the symbol position buffered in the symbol position information buffer 57 are displayed. Information is output to the compression encoding unit 46 and an initialization ON signal for initializing the symbol information buffer 56 and the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 is output to the dictionary buffer initializing unit 59. The compression encoding unit 46 acquires the symbol information and the symbol position information from the gate 58 of the dictionary information output unit 44, and compresses and encodes the acquired symbol information and the symbol position information. The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 outputs the symbol information buffered in the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the symbol position information buffered in the symbol position information buffer 57 to the compression encoding unit 46. After that, the dictionary information output flag is set to OFF.

  In operation 7, the dictionary buffer initialization unit 59 generates an initialization signal for initializing the dictionary buffer 43, outputs the generated initialization signal to the dictionary buffer 43, and displays the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43. The Symbol position information buffer 57 is initialized.

  As a result, the user operates the operation panel 17 before lexicographic processing to specify parameters relating to the number of lexicographic unit pages, whereby the dictionary information is output to the compression encoding unit 46 and the dictionary buffer 43 is initialized. Timing can be set arbitrarily. Therefore, one dictionary can be created for each known page, or one dictionary can be created after all pages are made into one file by multi-page scanning. Further, since the dictionary buffer 43 can be frequently initialized at an arbitrary timing desired by the user, the dictionary buffer 43 can be saved and used. As a result, the dictionary processing can be suitably executed even in a situation where a sufficient work memory cannot be secured. As described above, it is possible not only to suppress an increase in the buffer usage amount but also to suitably compress data while reducing the time required for matching with the dictionary. In particular, if one dictionary is created for each page, the amount of memory area in the dictionary buffer 43 can be reduced. If one dictionary is created for all pages, the file size can be minimized. Furthermore, if one dictionary is created for every several pages, the file size can be reduced while reducing the amount of memory area of the dictionary buffer 43.

  Of course, in the case of the dictionary processing described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, to simplify the description, as shown in FIG. 6, the scanning unit 16 scans a two-page document and the first page image and 2 Although the case where the image of the page is converted into a dictionary is assumed, for example, when the image of the 10 page is converted into a dictionary, the dictionary information output flag is set to ON every time the dictionary registration of the image of the 2 page is completed, and the page 10 It is possible to execute lexicographic processing of the images.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 13 illustrates a functional configuration that can be executed by the control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 13, the image processing apparatus 1 includes, as a characteristic configuration of the present invention, a dictionary target data extraction unit 40, a symbol match determination unit 41, a symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42, and a dictionary buffer 43. A dictionary information output unit 44, a dictionary information output flag setting unit 45, and a compression encoding unit 46. These configurations are implemented as software on the CPU 21 of the control unit 11. The components corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted because it will be repeated.

  The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 includes a lexicon timing determination unit 61 and a calculation unit 62. The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to ON or OFF based on the parameter related to the number of lexicized unit pages and the parameter related to the number of processed pages input by operating the operation panel 17 by the user. To do. Specifically, the lexicalization timing determination unit 61 determines whether or not it is lexicographic timing based on the parameter regarding the number of lexicographic unit pages and the parameter regarding the number of processed pages, and determines that it is the lexicization timing. In this case, the dictionary information output flag is set to ON. That is, when the total number of pages for which lexicization processing is performed is 5 and the number of lexicographic unit pages is 3, the lexicalization timing determination unit 61 determines that the number of pages currently lexicized is the 3rd page. In some cases, it is determined that it is a lexicalization timing, and the dictionary information output flag is set to ON. In other cases, it is determined that it is not a lexicization timing, and the dictionary information output flag is set to OFF. The lexicalization timing determination unit 61 outputs an ON / OFF setting signal of a dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages to the calculation unit 62. On the other hand, the dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the final process determination flag to ON when the page currently being dictionaryd is the final page, and sets the final process determination flag to OFF otherwise. To do. The final processing determination flag ON / OFF setting signal is input to the calculation unit 62. The calculation unit 62 performs an OR calculation process based on the ON / OFF setting signal of the dictionary information output flag and the ON / OFF setting signal of the final processing determination flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages from the lexicization timing determination unit 61, The calculation result is output to the dictionary information output unit 44 as a dictionary information output flag setting signal.

  FIG. 14 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between the number of processed pages, the number of lexicized unit pages, the dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicized unit pages, the final processing determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag. As shown in FIG. 14, when the total number of pages for which lexicographic processing is executed is 5 pages and the number of pages is simply 3 pages, when the current number of processed pages is “1”, lexicization is performed. The dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag based on the number of unit pages are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. When the current processing page number is “2”, the dictionary information output flag, the final processing determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. . When the current processing page number is “3”, the dictionary information output flag, the final processing determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages are “ON”, “OFF”, and “ON”, respectively. . When the current processing page number is “4”, the dictionary information output flag, the final processing determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. . When the current processing page number is “5”, the dictionary information output flag, the final processing determination flag, and the dictionary information output flag based on the number of lexicographic unit pages are “OFF”, “ON”, and “ON”, respectively. .

  Therefore, when the total number of pages for executing the dictionary processing is 5 pages and the number of pages is simply 3 pages, the symbol information registered in the dictionary buffer 43 in the third and fifth pages is stored in the dictionary information. And the symbol position information are output to the compression encoding unit 46, and the symbol information and the symbol position information buffered in the dictionary buffer 43 are initialized. Even in the case of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 13, the dictionary processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. However, in the case of the image processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 2, the encoding timing and initialization timing of Symbol information and Symbol position information registered in the dictionary buffer 43 are different.

  Thereby, it is possible to create a dictionary for each predetermined number of pages, and it is possible to control the timing of dictionary formation on the last page. 13 and 14, parameters related to the number of processed pages are received from the operation panel 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 11 of the image processing apparatus 1 counts up the number of pages. You may make it do. Further, the number of pages to be processed is not limited, and a dictionary may be formed in units of processing areas (for example, a half area of one page or a one-third area). As described above, since the dictionary buffer 43 can be frequently initialized at an arbitrary timing desired by the user, the dictionary buffer 43 can be saved and used. As a result, it is possible to ensure that the amount of work memory is more efficiently reduced. Then, the user can easily adjust the balance of the code amount and the used memory amount arbitrarily. Therefore, it is possible not only to suppress an increase in the buffer usage amount but also to suitably compress the data while reducing the time required for matching with the dictionary.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 15 illustrates a functional configuration that can be executed by the control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 15, the image processing apparatus 1 includes, as a characteristic configuration of the present invention, a dictionary target data extraction unit 40, a symbol match determination unit 41, a symbol information / symbol position information registration unit 42, and a dictionary buffer 43. A dictionary information output unit 44, a dictionary information output flag setting unit 45, and a compression encoding unit 46. These configurations are implemented as software on the CPU 21 of the control unit 11. 2 and FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be repeated, and will be omitted as appropriate.

  The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 includes a lexicon timing determination unit 61 and a calculation unit 62. The dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the dictionary information output flag to ON or OFF based on the dictionary buffer usage amount and the dictionary buffer allowable amount from the dictionary buffer 43. Specifically, the lexicalization timing determination unit 61 determines whether it is lexicographic timing based on the dictionary buffer usage amount and the dictionary buffer allowable amount from the dictionary buffer 43, and determines that it is the lexicization timing. If it does, the dictionary information output flag is set to ON. That is, when the dictionary buffer allowable amount from the dictionary buffer 43 is 100 KB, the lexicon timing determination unit 61 determines that the dictionary buffer usage amount is larger than the dictionary buffer allowable amount when the dictionary buffer usage amount is 105 KB. The dictionary information output flag is set to ON and the dictionary information output flag is set to OFF when the dictionary buffer usage amount is less than the dictionary buffer allowable amount. Set. The lexicalization timing determination unit 61 outputs an ON / OFF setting signal of a dictionary information output flag based on the dictionary buffer usage amount to the calculation unit 62. Note that the dictionary buffer 43 manages the dictionary buffer usage, and sequentially increments the dictionary buffer usage according to the usage of the dictionary buffer. Further, as the usage amount of the dictionary buffer 43, the usage amount of the Symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 may be used, or the usage amount of the Symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 may be used. The total amount of use of the dictionary buffer 43 combined with the amount may be used.

  On the other hand, the dictionary information output flag setting unit 45 sets the final process determination flag to ON when the page currently being dictionaryd is the final page, and sets the final process determination flag to OFF otherwise. To do. The final processing determination flag ON / OFF setting signal is input to the calculation unit 62. The calculation unit 62 performs OR calculation processing based on the ON / OFF setting signal of the dictionary information output flag and the ON / OFF setting signal of the final processing determination flag based on the dictionary buffer usage from the dictionary timing determination unit 61, The result is output to dictionary information output unit 44 as a dictionary information output flag setting signal. Note that before the dictionary buffer usage amount exceeds the dictionary buffer allowable amount, the symbol information and the symbol position information registered in the dictionary buffer 43 may be encoded and initialized.

  FIG. 16 is a table showing the correspondence between the number of processed pages, dictionary buffer usage, dictionary buffer allowable amount, dictionary information output flag based on dictionary buffer usage, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag. As shown in FIG. 16, when the dictionary buffer allowable amount is 100 KB, and the current dictionary buffer usage amount is “30 KB”, the dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information based on the dictionary buffer usage amount The output flags are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. When the current dictionary buffer usage is “70 KB”, the dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag based on the dictionary buffer usage are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. . When the current dictionary buffer usage amount is “105 KB”, the dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag based on the dictionary buffer usage amount are “ON”, “OFF”, and “ON”, respectively. . When the current dictionary buffer usage amount is “45 KB”, the dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag based on the dictionary buffer usage amount are “OFF”, “OFF”, and “OFF”, respectively. . If the current dictionary buffer usage is “70 KB” and the current number of processed pages is the last page, the dictionary information output flag, final processing determination flag, and dictionary information output flag based on the dictionary buffer usage are each set to “OFF”. ”,“ ON ”, and“ ON ”.

  Accordingly, when the total number of pages to be subjected to lexicographic processing is 5, when the usage amount of the dictionary buffer 43 exceeds the dictionary buffer allowable amount and the last page, the symbol information registered in the dictionary buffer 43 as a dictionary is used. And the symbol position information are output to the compression encoding unit 46, and the symbol information and the symbol position information buffered in the dictionary buffer 43 are initialized. Even in the case of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 13, the dictionary processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 5.

  As a result, the dictionary buffer 43 can be efficiently used while managing the usage of the dictionary buffer 43, and the dictionary can be dictionaryd based on the allowable amount of the certain dictionary buffer 43. Timing can be controlled. This is particularly effective when the usage amount of the symbol information buffer 56 of the dictionary buffer 43 and the usage amount of the symbol position information buffer 57 of the dictionary buffer 43 are determined. As a result, it is possible to ensure that the amount of work memory is more efficiently reduced. Therefore, it is possible not only to suppress an increase in the buffer usage amount but also to suitably compress the data while reducing the time required for matching with the dictionary.

  The series of processes described in the embodiments of the present invention can be executed by software, but can also be executed by hardware.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the steps of the flowchart show an example of processing that is performed in time series in the order described. However, even if they are not necessarily processed in time series, they are executed in parallel or individually. The processing to be performed is also included.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Printer drive part, 13 ... Image data interface, 14 ... Page memory, 15 ... Image processing part, 16 ... Scanner part, 17 ... Operation panel, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Bus, 25 ... HDD, 26 ... External communication unit, 31 ... Panel control unit, 32 ... Display unit, 33 ... Operation key, 40 ... Dictionary data extraction unit, 41 ... Symbol match determination , 42 ... Symbol information / Symbol position information registration unit, 43 ... Dictionary buffer, 44 ... Dictionary information output unit, 45 ... Dictionary information output flag setting unit, 46 ... Compression encoding unit, 51 ... Symbol comparison unit, 52 ... Symbol Comparison result output unit 53... Symbol information / ID registration unit 54. ID / Symbol position information registration unit 55. Selector 56. Symbol information buffer 57. Symbol position information buffer 58. ... dictionary buffer initialization unit, 61 ... Dictionary of timing determination unit, 62 ... arithmetic unit.

Claims (10)

A scanning unit that reads image data relating to the document;
An extraction unit for extracting data to be dictionaryd from the image data;
The lexicographic target data extracted by the extraction unit is registered as Symbol information, identification information is assigned to the Symbol information, and a Symbol position indicating where the Symbol information is present in the image data A registration unit for registering information in association with the identification information;
A dictionary buffer that holds the symbol information and the symbol position information registered by the registration unit;
A compression encoding unit that compresses and encodes the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer using a predetermined encoding method;
Whether to output the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit based on whether or not the number of lexicographic originals reaches a predetermined unit number A setting unit for setting the output presence / absence information to the first state or the second state;
An output unit configured to output the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit when the output presence / absence information is set to the first state by the setting unit;
When the lexical object data extracted by the extraction unit matches any of the Symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the registration unit does not register the lexical object data as new Symbol information. The symbol position information is registered in association with the identification information assigned to the symbol information that matches the dictionary target data, while the dictionary target data extracted by the extraction unit is stored in the dictionary buffer. If it does not match any of the held symbol information, the registration unit registers the data to be dictionaryd as new symbol information, assigns the identification information to the symbol information, and sets the symbol position information. An image processing apparatus that registers and associates with the identification information.   The output unit does not output the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit when the output presence / absence information is set to the second state by the setting unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer are output to the compression encoding unit by the output unit, the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer are initialized. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an initialization unit.   The setting unit sets the output presence / absence information to the first state when the number of documented documents reaches the unit number, and the number of documented documents reaches the unit number. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if there is no output, the output presence / absence information is set to the second state.   5. The image according to claim 4, wherein the setting unit sets the output presence / absence information to the first state when the number of documentized documents reaches the final number of processed documents. 5. Processing equipment.   The setting unit outputs the output presence / absence information from the first state to the second after the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer are output to the compression encoding unit by the output unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is set to a state of   The setting unit sets the output presence / absence information to the first state when a usage amount of the dictionary buffer in which one or both of the Symbol information and the Symbol position information is held reaches a predetermined reference value. In addition, when the usage amount of the dictionary buffer in which one or both of the symbol information and the symbol position information is held does not reach a predetermined reference value, the output presence / absence information is set to the second state. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined unit number is specified in accordance with a predetermined operation. Scan image data about the document,
Extracting dictionary data from the image data,
Registering the extracted data to be dictionaryd as symbol information, assigning identification information to the symbol information, and identifying the symbol position information indicating where in the image data the symbol information exists Registered in association with information,
Hold the registered Symbol information and Symbol position information,
The symbol information and the symbol position information held are compression encoded using a predetermined encoding method,
Based on whether or not the number of lexicographic originals has reached a predetermined unit number, the presence / absence information on whether or not to output the symbol information and the symbol position information to be held is displayed in the first state or the first state. Set to state 2
When the output presence / absence information is set to the first state, the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer are output,
When the extracted lexical object data matches with any of the Symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the lexical object data matches with the lexical object data without registering the lexical object data as new Symbol information. When the symbol position information is registered in association with the identification information assigned to the Symbol information, the extracted data to be dictionaryd does not match any of the Symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, An image processing method comprising: registering the lexical data as new symbol information, assigning the identification information to the symbol information, and registering the symbol position information in association with the identification information. A scanning unit that reads image data relating to the document;
An extraction unit for extracting data to be dictionaryd from the image data;
The lexicographic target data extracted by the extraction unit is registered as Symbol information, identification information is assigned to the Symbol information, and a Symbol position indicating where the Symbol information is present in the image data A registration unit for registering information in association with the identification information;
A dictionary buffer that holds the symbol information and the symbol position information registered by the registration unit;
A compression encoding unit that compresses and encodes the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer using a predetermined encoding method;
Output control for outputting the symbol information and the symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit based on whether the number of lexicographic originals reaches a predetermined unit number A generator for generating a signal;
In accordance with the output control signal generated by the generation unit, an output unit that outputs the Symbol information and Symbol position information held in the dictionary buffer to the compression encoding unit,
When the lexical object data extracted by the extraction unit matches any of the Symbol information held in the dictionary buffer, the registration unit does not register the lexical object data as new Symbol information. The symbol position information is registered in association with the identification information assigned to the symbol information that matches the dictionary target data, while the dictionary target data extracted by the extraction unit is stored in the dictionary buffer. If it does not match any of the held symbol information, the registration unit registers the data to be dictionaryd as new symbol information, assigns the identification information to the symbol information, and sets the symbol position information. An image processing apparatus that registers and associates with the identification information.

Images