JP2009206685A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for processing a character image of a document. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprising a display means for displaying image data as a preview image on a panel screen when reading the image data of a document, and a touch pen 302 for pointing a position on the image is provided with: a character identifying means 504 for identifying character image data corresponding to a character in image data in a range specified by the touch pen 302, a character display means 506 for displaying the character image data identified by the character identifying means 504 as a preview image on the panel screen, and a processing means 507 for processing the character image data specified by the touch pen 302. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of processing a character image of a document.

  In recent image forming apparatuses, when image data of a document is read, a preview image corresponding to the image data is displayed once on a screen of a touch panel provided in the image forming apparatus before the image data is printed on a sheet. Functions are being provided. With the above function, the user can confirm the image of the printed matter, and can prevent the output of the printed matter unintended by the user.

  However, in many cases, the read image data includes image data that does not need to be printed, and even if the image forming apparatus described above can confirm the image data that does not need to be printed in the preview image, It cannot be edited or processed. Therefore, there is a problem in that an image that does not need to be printed is inevitably printed, and toner, ink, and the like accompanying the printing are wasted.

  In order to solve the above problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-277056 (Patent Document 1) displays an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data for printing from an application, and a print preview image of the acquired image data. An arbitrary range in the print preview image can be selected based on a preview display processing unit to be displayed on the unit and a command by an external operation input by the input unit, and the selected range is displayed on the display unit in an identifiable state. Selection range display processing means, image data processing means for performing image processing processing for processing a print preview image in units of images within the selection range, and print instruction means for instructing the printing apparatus to print the print preview image An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: With the above configuration, it is possible to perform image processing such as deleting a portion that does not need to be printed by a simple operation on the print preview image, and wasteful consumption of toner, ink, and the like in the printing apparatus can be suppressed. It is said.

In addition, a technique has been developed in which handwritten operation information is input to a displayed preview image to add item information corresponding to the handwritten operation to the preview image. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-41947 (Patent Document 2) includes a display unit that displays image information read from a document, item information that defines an output format of image information, and an input unit that inputs item information. In an image forming apparatus that outputs from an operation panel based on input item information, an item input unit that receives input of item information, and a preview image that generates preview image information that visually represents the input item information Generation means, preview image display means for displaying the generated preview image information on the display unit of the operation panel, operation input means for receiving input of handwritten operation information indicating an instruction of item information from the operation panel, and input handwriting Motion recognition means for converting the motion information into item information, and the item input means further receives input of the converted item information. Image forming apparatus is disclosed, wherein the kick. With the above configuration, the input item can be confirmed in the preview image, and further, the item information can be input to the displayed preview image by handwritten operation information, thereby realizing an intuitive and easy-to-understand user interface. It is said that high operability can be obtained.
JP 2006-277056 A JP 2006-41947 A

  However, for example, in the case of image data in which character image data and photographic image data are mixed, when only photographic image data corresponds to image data that does not require printing, the technique described in Patent Document 1 Since all of them are deleted, there is a problem that photographic image data that does not need to be printed cannot be deleted appropriately. Further, since the selection range is designated by a predetermined shape (for example, a rectangle, a circle, etc.), there is a problem that it is difficult to designate photographic image data having an irregular shape, for example.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, item information corresponding to a handwriting operation can be added to a preview image, but it is added separately to image data that requires printing and image data that does not require printing. For example, there is a problem that predetermined information cannot be added only to character image data that needs to be printed.

  Furthermore, the image data that needs to be printed out of the image data in the preview image is in most cases character image data, and you want to process the character image data or image data other than character image data. There is a user's request to delete the. For example, if the document is dirty or if there is a deposit or the like around the image reading unit, the image data resulting from the stain or the deposit is generated along with the content of the document. Although the image data resulting from the attached matter can be confirmed in the preview image, the above-described technique cannot cope with it, and eventually there is a problem that stains and the like are printed together with the character image.

  In addition, when dirt or the like is read together with the character image of the document, if handwritten information is further added to the character image data, the image data resulting from the dirt or the like hinders the visibility of the character image data, and the character image data There is a problem that handwritten information cannot be accurately added. Therefore, even if handwritten information is added, there is a problem that the contents of the document are difficult to see due to image data such as dirt, and printing itself is wasted.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of processing a character image of a document.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit that displays image data as a preview image on a panel screen when reading image data of a document, In an image forming apparatus comprising a pointing device for designating a position on a screen, character identifying means for identifying character image data corresponding to a character among image data within a range designated by the pointing device, and the character identifying means Character display means for displaying the character image data identified by the above on the screen of the panel as a preview image, and processing means for processing the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  As the panel, for example, a sensor can be prepared directly on the glass of the display, and a touch panel having a pointing device that allows the user to obtain position coordinates by directly touching the screen with a finger can be employed. Furthermore, when adopting a touch panel, it is preferable to use a touch pen that can accurately specify position coordinates on the touch panel.

  In addition to the touch panel, the pointing device can employ a mouse, a track pad, a track ball, or the like that is an input device for designating position coordinates on the panel screen.

  The image data within the specified range corresponds to, for example, image data included in an area specified from the position coordinates of two points, and the shape of the area is, for example, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, a circle, or the like. Can be adopted. Furthermore, you may comprise so that an area | region may be specified from two or more position coordinates.

  A method for identifying character image data corresponding to a character is, for example, comparing designated image data with a character pattern stored in advance, and if there is image data that matches the character pattern, the image data is A method of identifying as character image data can be employed.

  Further, the processing means can be configured to add handwritten information formed by the pointing device to the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  The processing means can be configured to add document related information corresponding to the characteristics of the character image data to the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  The character image data designated by the pointing device corresponds to, for example, character image data included in an area specified from the position coordinates of two points, character image data touched with the pointer of the pointing device, or the like.

  The characteristics of the character image data can include at least one of the font, format, color, density, and character string direction of the character image data.

  The document related information can include at least one of underline, double line, black paint, white paint, and correction mark.

  The processing means can be configured to delete the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  Further, the processing means can be configured to enlarge or reduce the character image data designated by the pointing device to a predetermined magnification.

  Further, it can be configured to include image forming means for forming an image on the sheet based on the character image data processed by the processing means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, among the image data within the range specified by the pointing device, the character image data is displayed as a preview image on the panel screen, and is processed into the character image data specified by the pointing device. It is configured to apply.

  As a result, a character image necessary for printing can be confirmed in the preview image, and among the character images, a character image that needs to be processed can be processed by a user's pointing device operation. For this reason, for example, even when the document is smudged or when an adhering material or the like adheres to the periphery of the image reading unit, the character image data is not disturbed by the image data such as the smudge. Can be processed.

  Moreover, it can comprise so that the handwritten information formed with the pointing device may be added to the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  Thus, even when the original is very dirty, the handwritten information is not easily recognized due to the image data resulting from the dirty, and the handwritten information according to the user's intention is appropriately applied to the character image data. It becomes possible to add to.

  In addition, it is possible to add the document related information corresponding to the characteristics of the character image data to the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  As a result, even document-related information such as underline, double line, and black fill that cannot be input properly with the pointing device can be added according to the font, format, color, etc. of the character image data. Is possible. Therefore, when the user adds the document related information to the character image data, it is possible to add the optimum document related information without taking time and effort.

  Further, it is possible to configure to delete the character image data designated by the pointing device.

  Thereby, it is possible to easily and appropriately delete character image data including a trade secret designated by the pointing device. For this reason, it is possible to omit the painting operation of character image data which has been conventionally performed, and it is possible to quickly delete the character image of the document.

  The character image data designated by the pointing device can be enlarged or reduced at a predetermined magnification.

  Thereby, for example, even when the character image of the document is smaller or larger than the normal character, it is possible to enlarge or reduce the character image data that the user wants to check with the pointing device. For this reason, the above-described enlargement or reduction makes it possible to appropriately process the character image data according to the user's intention, and the image forming apparatus can be flexibly handled without impairing the user's convenience.

  Furthermore, it can be configured to form an image on the sheet based on the processed character image data.

  As a result, even if there is an image or the like due to dirt or attached matter on the original, it is possible to output the printed matter based on the character image of the original. In addition, toner, ink, and the like accompanying unnecessary printing are not consumed. Therefore, for example, when newly copying a collection or the like as a printed material, the output printed material does not include unnecessary image data but is a beautiful printed material including a necessary character image, which is optimal.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not. In addition, the alphabet “S” added in front of the numbers in the flowcharts means steps.

<Image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 100. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention corresponds to, for example, a printer, a single scanner, or a multifunction machine including a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax machine, and the like.

  As an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus when providing a document copy function using a multifunction peripheral will be briefly described.

  When the user prints, for example, a document P using the multifunction device 100, the document P is placed on the document table 101 or the mounting table 102 shown in FIG. 1 and the operation unit 103 provided near the document table 101 is operated. Print instructions. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 104 and a platen cover 105 that is attached above the main body 104. A document table 101 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 104, and the document table 101 is opened and closed by a platen cover 105. The platen cover 105 is provided with an automatic document feeder 106, a placement table 102, and a sheet discharge table 107.

  The automatic document feeder 106 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 105, a pickup roller 109 and conveyance rollers 110A and 110B provided in the platen cover 105, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the mounting table 102 to the paper discharge table 107 via a reading position X where reading is performed by the image reading unit 111 provided in the main body 104.

  The automatic document feeder 106 pulls out documents one by one from a plurality of documents placed on the table 102 to the inside of the conveyance path 108 by a pickup roller 109, and passes the document drawn by the conveyance rollers etc. through the reading position X. Then, the paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 107 by the transport roller 110B. When the document passes through the reading position X, the document is read by the image reading unit 111.

  The image reading unit 111 is provided below the document table 101, and its details are shown in FIG. The image reading unit 111 includes a first light source 112 that illuminates the document table 102 in the scanning direction, a slit 113 that selectively allows light from the document table, and a mirror 114 that guides light from the document table. The movable carriage 115, the second movable carriage 117 including mirrors 116A and 116B that reflect the reflected light from the first movable carriage 115 again, and the lens group 118 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror, An image sensor 119 that receives light corrected by the lens group 118, and an image data generator 120 that converts the light received by the image sensor 119 into an electrical signal and performs correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like as necessary. It consists of and.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 106, the light source 112 moves to a position where the reading position X can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 112 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 101 and passes through the reading position X, and is guided to the image sensor 119 by the slit 113, mirrors 114, 116A, and 116B, and the lens group 118. The image sensor 119 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 120. The light received by the image sensor 119 is input to the image data generation unit 120 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 120 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and generates image data including a plurality of unit data by performing correction processing, image quality processing, compression processing, and the like on the unit data.

  Further, the image reading unit 111 can read not only a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 106 but also a document placed on the document table 101. When reading the document placed on the document table 101, the first carriage 114 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting the light source 112, so that the optical path length from the light source 112 to the image sensor 119 is constant. The second moving carriage 117 moves in the direction of the image sensor 119 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 115.

  The image sensor 119 electrically outputs the light from the document placed on the document table 101 based on the light guided to the mirrors 114, 116 A, and 116 B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 106. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 120 generates image data and stores it in the storage unit 120B.

  An image forming unit 121 that prints image data is provided below the image reading unit 111 of the main body 104. Image data that can be printed by the image forming unit 121 is generated from the image data generating unit 120 as described above, or from a terminal such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus 100 and a network such as a LAN. Received via the interface.

  As a printing method performed by the image forming unit 121, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 122 is uniformly charged by the charger 123, and then a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 122 by irradiating the photosensitive drum 122 with a laser 124, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 125. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred to a transfer medium by a transfer roller.

  In the image forming apparatus corresponding to the full-color image, the developing device (rotary developing device) 125 is rotated in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis configured in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A developing unit storing color toner is disposed at a position opposite to the photosensitive drum 122. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 122 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 125 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 126A. The developing unit 125 includes four developing units 125 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K), respectively. (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 126A for each color, a full color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 126A.

  A transfer medium on which a visible image is printed, that is, a sheet, is placed on a sheet feeding tray such as a sheet feeding cassette 132, 133, or 134.

  When the image forming unit 121 performs printing, one transfer medium is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays by using the pickup roller 135, and the transferred transfer medium is intermediate transfer belt by the transport roller 136 or the registration roller 137. It is fed between 126A and the transfer roller 126B.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 126A is transferred to the transfer medium fed between the intermediate transfer belt 126A and the transfer roller 126B, the image forming unit 121 uses the transport belt 127 to fix the visible image. The transfer medium is sent to the fixing unit 128 (fixing device). The fixing unit 128 includes a heating roller 129 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 130 pressed against the heating roller 129 with a predetermined pressure. When the transfer medium passes between the heating roller 129 and the pressure roller 130, the visible image is fixed to the transfer medium by heat and a pressing force to the transfer medium. The fixed transfer medium is discharged to a discharge tray 131.

  Through the above procedure, the multifunction peripheral 100 provides the user with a copy function process. Note that a means for executing reading of an image of the original P as image data after irradiating the light source 112 to the original P is an image reading means, and a means for performing an image forming process on the sheet based on the image data is an image forming means. (To be described later).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the operation unit 103 provided in the multifunction machine 100. The user uses the operation unit 103 to input setting conditions for image formation as described above, and to confirm the input setting conditions. When the setting condition is input, the touch panel 301, the touch pen 302, and the operation key 303 provided in the operation unit 103 are used.

  The touch panel 301 has both a function for inputting setting conditions and a function for displaying the setting conditions. That is, by pressing an item in the setting screen displayed on the touch panel 301, a setting condition associated with the item is input. In addition, since the background color of the item is changed from white to gray in conjunction with the input setting condition, the input setting condition is confirmed by the background color of the item.

  A touch pen 302 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301. When the user touches the touch pen 301 with the tip of the touch pen 302, a sensor provided under the touch panel detects the touch destination. Since the tip of the touch pen is almost close to a point, the sensor detects, for example, the contact point in dot units (minimum unit). Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the position in the touch panel 301 is designated by a finger, the position designated by the touch pen can be designated more accurately.

  The setting screen designated by the touch pen 302 includes a preview image 304 imitating a printed matter generated from the read image data of the original, and a predetermined number of selection items 305 displaying predetermined instructions for the preview image. Is displayed. The user can designate a predetermined position in the preview image 304 with the touch pen 302, and can select and press the displayed selection item 305.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 303 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 301, and for example, a ten key 306, a start key 307, a clear key 308, a stop key 309, a reset key 310, and a power key 311 are provided. The numeric keypad 306 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 401, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 402, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 403, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 404, and a driver 405 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 406. The CPU 401 uses, for example, the RAM 403 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like, and receives data and instructions from the driver 405 and the operation unit 103 (not shown) based on the execution result. The operation of each drive unit shown in FIG. 1 is controlled. In addition, each means (shown in FIG. 5) other than the above-described drive unit is realized by the CPU 401 executing a program. The ROM 402, the HDD 404, and the like store programs and data that implement each means described below.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a procedure in which the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention processes a character image of a document will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the MFP 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention.

  First, when the user places the document P on the document table 101 and turns on the power of the multifunction peripheral 100, the initial screen display unit 501 displays an initial screen (here, a copy setting screen shown in FIG. 7A) on the touch panel 301. ) Is displayed. On the initial screen, a “preview” button 701 is displayed in addition to the normal items for setting the copy service. Therefore, when the user presses the “preview” button 701, the image reading unit 502 starts image reading processing of the document (FIG. 6: S101).

  When the image reading unit 502 finishes reading the image data of the document, the read image data is transmitted to the preview display unit 503, and the preview display unit 503 that has received the image data generates a preview image corresponding to the image data. Further, the preview display means 503 displays a preview image display screen displaying the preview image 702 and a predetermined number of selection items 703 from the initial screen on the touch panel 301 (FIG. 6: S102).

  In the preview image display screen, as shown in FIG. 7B, the preview image 702 and a predetermined number of selection items 703 such as “initialization”, “return”, “erase all characters”, “erase all”, “Enlarge”, “Reduce”, “Specify color”, “Add information”, “Handwriting”, “Save” are displayed. When the “save” button displayed on the screen is pressed, the preview image data displayed on the preview image display screen can be stored in a predetermined storage unit.

  If, for example, image data 704 corresponding to irregular dirt and black dot image data 705 caused by the deposit on the image reading unit exist in the left corner of the displayed preview image, the user is provided in the operation unit 103. When the touch pen 302 is used to designate one point 706 at the upper left position and one point 707 at the lower right position for the image data, the preview display means 503 displays the second point so as to surround the image data. A rectangular frame 708 having diagonal points is displayed (FIG. 6: S103).

  Furthermore, when the user presses the selection item “Erase Characters” 709 with the touch pen 302, the preview display unit 503 transmits the image data in the rectangular frame 708 to the character identification unit 504, and the character identification unit 504 receives the received data. Among the received image data, character image data corresponding to the character is identified (FIG. 6: S104).

  A method for identifying character image data is, for example, extracting image data having a density higher than a predetermined threshold from the image data, comparing the extracted image data with a character pattern stored in advance, If there is image data that matches the character pattern, a method of identifying the image data as character image data can be used. The predetermined threshold is determined so as to extract image data corresponding to the density of black or gray, which is the density of the character image data.

  Specifically, when the character identification unit 504 receives the image data 801 (708) shown in FIG. 8C1, image data equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold (for example, a density value corresponding to gray) is extracted from the image data. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C2, the character identification unit 504 performs image data excluding image data 802 (704) caused by dirt, that is, image data 803 based on the character image “a” and black dots caused by attached matter. Image data 804 (705). Further, the character identification unit 504 refers to the character identification information storage unit 505 storing the predetermined character pattern, compares the extracted image data with the predetermined character pattern, and, for example, the character image “a”. Is identified as character image data because it matches the character pattern “a”, and black dot image data is not identified as character image data because there is no matching character pattern. As a result of the above processing, as shown in FIG. 8C3, the character identification unit 504 identifies the character image data “a” 803 excluding the black dot image data 804 (705) caused by the deposit, and the character image data It becomes possible to identify correctly. Note that the first extraction process is a process for accurately identifying the character image data, and may be omitted.

  The identified character image data 803 is transmitted to the character display means 506, and the character display means 506 generates a preview image corresponding to the character image data and displays it on the preview image display screen of the panel screen (FIG. 6). : S105, FIG. 8D). At this point, the rectangular frame 708 previously specified with the touch pen is displayed as it is.

  Therefore, when the user presses the selection item “enlarge” 805 while viewing the preview image, the processing unit 507 detects that the “enlarge” 805 is pressed, and the character image data displayed by the character display unit 506 in the rectangular frame 708. The character image data is subjected to enlargement processing at a predetermined magnification, and the enlarged character image data is retransmitted to the character display means 506. Then, as shown in FIG. 9E, the character display means 506 displays the enlarged character image data on the preview image display screen (FIG. 6: S106). The predetermined magnification is a magnification at which the character image data acquired by the processing unit 507 can be displayed on all preview images displayed on the preview image display screen. The background color of the “enlarged” 805 is displayed in gray.

  Next, when the user presses the selection item “handwriting” 901 while viewing the preview image of the enlarged character image data shown in FIG. 9E, the position information of the touch pen 302 in which the character display unit 506 contacts the preview image display screen is displayed. When the user draws “bc” 902 on the preview image display screen using the touch pen 302, the processing unit 507 displays the background color of the “handwriting” 901 in gray. The position information corresponding to “bc” 902 drawn by the above is detected, black image data corresponding to black dots is added to the position information, and the black image data is transmitted to the character display means 506. The character display unit 506 that has received the black image data adds the black image data to the previous character image data to generate a preview image, and displays the preview image on the preview image display screen (FIG. 6: S107). For example, when a red color belonging to “color designation” is selected by the user, the processing unit 507 adds red image data corresponding to a red dot to the position information instead of the black dot described above. .

  When the user presses “handwriting” 901 while viewing the preview image display screen to which “bc” 902 is added, the background color of “handwriting” 901 is displayed in white, and the handwritten information corresponding to “bc” 902 is displayed. Addition is decided. In addition, when “handwriting” 901 is pressed and “color designation” is selected as white, white image data can be added to image data in a small dot unit by the operation of the touch pen 302, in other words, the small value. Image data can be deleted. The small image data corresponds to, for example, image data resulting from scratches on the platen glass.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9F, when the user forms a second rectangular frame 904 so as to surround predetermined character image data 903 with the touch pen 302 and presses “add information” 905, the character display means 506 is displayed. However, the background color of “information addition” 905 is displayed in gray, the document related information storage unit 508 is referred to, and predetermined document related information associated with the “information addition” 905 is displayed. Examples of the document-related information include “underline”, “double line”, “black paint”, “white paint”, “correction mark”, and the like, and additional information used for characters in the document Is shown.

  Accordingly, when the user presses the “double line” 906 using the touch pen 302, the processing unit 507 acquires the character image data surrounded by the second rectangular frame 904 from the character display unit 506, and the character is displayed. The characteristics of the image data, for example, font, format, color, density, and character string direction are determined. For example, the processing unit 507 refers to the character characteristic information storage unit 509 that stores the characteristic pattern of the predetermined character image data, and the acquired character image data and the characteristic pattern of the predetermined character image data. And, if there is a matching characteristic pattern of the character image data, the characteristic of the character image data is determined as the characteristic to which the characteristic pattern belongs.

  When the processing unit 507 determines the characteristics of the character image data, the document related information of the “double line” 906 that matches the characteristics is acquired from the document related information storage unit 508 and added to the designated character image data. To the character display means 506. For example, if the font is determined to be 10 points among the characteristics of the designated character image data, the processing means 507 adds a “double line” 906 corresponding to 10 points to the character image data. . Further, the character display unit 506 generates a preview image corresponding to the received character image data, and re-displays the preview image on the preview image display screen as shown in FIG. 10G (FIG. 6: S108).

  When the user presses “add information” 905 while viewing the preview image display screen to which “double line” 906 is added, the background color of “information addition” 905 is displayed in white, and “double line” 906 is displayed. It is determined to add document related information corresponding to.

  Further, when the user presses the selection item “reduction” 1001, the processing unit 507 detects the pressing of the “reduction” 1001, performs reduction processing on the processed character image data at a predetermined magnification, and the character display unit 506. A preview image corresponding to the reduced character image data is displayed (FIG. 6: S109).

  When the user confirms the degree of processing and presses the start key 307, the character display unit 506 transmits the processed character image data to the image forming unit 510, and the image forming unit 510 receives the received character image. An image is formed on the sheet based on the data (FIG. 6: S110).

  As described above, the image data within the range specified by the touch pen 302 is displayed as a preview image on the screen of the panel, and the character image data specified by the touch pen 302 is processed. .

  As a result, a character image necessary for printing can be confirmed in the preview image, and among the character images, a character image that needs to be processed can be processed by a user's touch pen operation.

  The handwritten information formed by the touch pen 302 can be added to the character image data designated by the touch pen 302.

  Thus, even when the original is very dirty, the handwritten information is not easily recognized due to the image data resulting from the dirty, and the handwritten information according to the user's intention is appropriately applied to the character image data. It becomes possible to add to.

  In addition, it is possible to add to the character image data designated by the touch pen 302 document related information corresponding to the characteristics of the character image data.

  As a result, even document-related information such as underline, double line, and black fill that cannot be input properly by the operation with the touch pen 302 is added corresponding to the font, format, color, etc. of the character image data. Is possible.

  Further, the character image data designated by the touch pen 302 can be configured to be enlarged or reduced to a predetermined magnification.

  Thereby, for example, even when the character image of the document is smaller or larger than a normal character, it is possible to enlarge or reduce the character image data that the user wants to check with the touch pen 302.

  Furthermore, it can be configured to form an image on the sheet based on the processed character image data.

  As a result, even if there is an image or the like due to dirt or attached matter on the original, it is possible to output the printed matter based on the character image of the original. In addition, toner, ink, and the like accompanying unnecessary printing are not consumed.

  Note that the character display unit 506 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to display a preview image corresponding to the identified character image data, but instead of the character image data or together with the character image data depending on the user's selection, You may comprise so that image data other than the said character image data may be displayed. With the above configuration, when the user wants to output an image other than a character image as a printed matter, the MFP 100 can be flexibly handled without impairing the convenience of the user.

  The processing unit 507 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to add document related information corresponding to the characteristics of the character image data to the character image data designated by the touch pen 302. Instead, the designated character image data may be deleted. With the above configuration, it is possible to easily and appropriately delete the character image data including the trade secret designated by the touch pen 302. For this reason, it is possible to omit the painting operation of character image data which has been conventionally performed, and it is possible to quickly delete the character image of the document.

  Further, the character display unit 506 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to display a preview image corresponding to the identified character image data. However, a preview image corresponding to image data other than the character image data can be selected by the user. May be configured to be displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11I, when a rectangular frame is designated with the touch pen 302 so as to include a character image in the preview image of the read image data, and the selection item “letter erase” 1101 is pressed, Character image data included in the frame is identified by the character identifying means 504, the character image data is deleted, and a preview image corresponding to image data other than the character image data is displayed.

  With the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 11J, it is possible to clearly recognize a background image that has been difficult to visually recognize until now. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly proceed with the character image deletion work required for poster creation, pamphlet creation, painting research, and the like.

  In addition, the character display unit 506 in the embodiment of the present invention is configured to display a preview image corresponding to the identified character image data. However, the character display unit 506 is further provided with a character image data storage unit and processed according to the user's selection. The character image data that has been recorded may be stored in the character image data storage means. With the above configuration, the processed character image data is in line with the user's intention, but even if a problem such as inappropriate paper for output occurs, the processed character image data can be read and reproduced immediately. Is possible.

  In addition, the character identification unit 504 in the embodiment of the present invention compares the designated image data with a character pattern stored in advance, and if there is image data that matches the character pattern, the character data is converted into character data. Although a method of identifying as image data is employed, any method can be employed as long as it can identify a character image. For example, the specified image data is divided into predetermined sections, a predetermined characteristic value is calculated from the divided data, and the characteristic value is referred to by referring to a table in which the characteristic value and the character pattern are stored in association with each other. You may comprise so that character image data may be identified from the presence or absence of corresponding character image data. The above-described character recognition technology includes, for example, OCR (Optical Character Reader), MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition), offline character recognition, online character recognition, and related technologies. Can be adopted. The same applies to the method for determining the characteristics of the character image data.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP 100 is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In the above-described configuration, the above-described program is read by the multi-function device 100, and the multi-function device 100 implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the copy service is employed. However, the present invention can also be employed for a scanner service, a facsimile service, a printer service, and the like.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like, and is effective as an image forming apparatus capable of processing a character image of a document.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is an enlarged view of the image reading part which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the whole structure of the operation part which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the multifunctional device which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 301 Touch panel 302 Touch pen 501 Initial screen display means 502 Image reading means 503 Preview display means 504 Character identification means 505 Character identification information storage means 506 Character display means 507 Processing means 508 Document related information storage means 509 Character characteristic information storage means 510 Image forming means

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays image data on a panel screen as a preview image when reading image data of a document; and a pointing device that specifies a position on the screen.
Character identifying means for identifying character image data corresponding to a character among image data within a range specified by a pointing device;
Character display means for displaying the character image data identified by the character identification means on the screen of the panel as a preview image;
Processing means for processing the character image data designated by the pointing device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit adds handwritten information formed by the pointing device to the character image data designated by the pointing device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit adds document related information corresponding to characteristics of the character image data to the character image data designated by the pointing device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit deletes the character image data designated by the pointing device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit enlarges or reduces the character image data designated by the pointing device to a predetermined magnification.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the characteristics of the character image data include at least one of a font, format, color, density, and character string direction of the character image data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the document related information includes at least one of underline, double line, black paint, white paint, and a correction mark.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising image forming means for forming an image on the sheet based on the character image data processed by the processing means.

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