JP2010049531A - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus that, when confirming seals in a document, refrains from determining that the seals in the document are correct if the number of extracted areas likely to be seals is different from the number of predetermined seals in the document. <P>SOLUTION: An image reception means of the image processing apparatus receives an image including seals. A seal information reception means receives the number of seals in the image received by the image reception means. An extraction means extracts areas likely to be seals from the image received by the image reception means. A seal counting means calculates the number of seals in the image received by the image reception means according to the number of areas extracted by the extraction means. A comparison result output means outputs the results of comparison of the number of seals calculated by the seal counting means with the number of seals received by the seal information reception means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

The workflow system uses a document processing flow as an electronic message flow, and distributes an electronic message according to a business flow, manages an electronic message distribution process, and the like.
Even if a workflow system or the like is introduced, in order to determine whether the document is correctly processed according to the business flow, it is confirmed whether there is a predetermined approval mark or the like at a predetermined position in the document. There is a need. For this purpose, the document is read with a scanner or the like (hereinafter also referred to as scanning), and it is recognized whether or not a predetermined approval mark or the like is pressed, and the person in charge performs a final visual confirmation. Yes.

As a technology related to this, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a user can accurately recognize the accuracy of a recognition result so that correction work can be performed efficiently, and the cause of erroneous recognition can be easily determined. The confidence factor determination unit comprehensively determines the confidence level of the recognition result based on the information obtained in each processing stage until the final recognition result is obtained. This information is added to the recognition result for display or printing, and if necessary, candidates with low confidence in the intermediate processing stage are eliminated, or the process is interrupted, and the confidence until a certain processing stage is further obtained. It is disclosed that it is reflected in the processing before or after.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-182014

  In the present invention, when checking an imprint in a document, the imprint in the document is valid when the predetermined number of imprints in the document is different from the number of areas that may be extracted imprints. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program that are capable of suppressing the determination as being.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image receiving unit that receives an image including an imprint, an imprint information receiving unit that receives the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving unit, and an image that is received by the image receiving unit. Extraction means for extracting an area that may be an imprint, and an imprint number calculating means for calculating the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means according to the number of areas extracted by the extracting means; An image processing apparatus comprising: a comparison result output unit that outputs a comparison result between the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation unit and the number of imprints received by the imprint information reception unit. is there.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a degree of imprint indicating the degree to which an image in the area is an imprint based on an overlap between the imprint in the area extracted by the extracting means and an image other than the imprint. The imprinting degree calculating means further calculates the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means according to the imprinting degree calculated by the imprinting degree calculating means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

  In the invention of claim 3, the imprint information accepting means accepts a region to be imprinted in the image accepted by the image accepting means, and the extracting means is within the area accepted by the imprint information accepting means, The image processing apparatus further includes an imprint degree correcting unit that extracts an area that may be an imprint and corrects the imprint degree calculated by the imprint degree calculating unit according to the area received by the imprint information receiving unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus is characterized in that:

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the imprint information accepting unit accepts a target phase in the workflow and a region to be imprinted in the image in the phase, and the extracting unit is accepted by the imprint information accepting unit. An area that may be an imprint is extracted from the area, and the imprint degree calculated by the imprint degree calculating unit is corrected according to the target phase in the workflow received by the imprint information receiving unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an imprint degree correcting unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the imprint information accepting unit accepts the number of imprints in the image in a target phase in the workflow, and the comparison result output unit is an imprint of the imprint calculated by the imprint number calculating unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a comparison result between the number and the number of impressions in the target phase is output as a comparison result in the phase.

  The invention of claim 6 is received by the image receiving means for receiving an image including an imprint, the imprint information receiving means for receiving the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means, and the image receiving means. Extraction means for extracting an area that may be an imprint from the image, and the number of imprints for calculating the number of imprints in the image received by the image reception means according to the number of areas extracted by the extraction means An image that functions as a comparison result output unit that outputs a comparison result between a calculation unit, and the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation unit and the number of imprints received by the imprint information reception unit. It is a processing program.

  According to the image processing apparatus of claim 1, when confirming an imprint in a document, a predetermined number of imprints in the document differ from a number of regions that may be extracted imprints. Therefore, it can be determined that the seal stamp in the document is valid.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the region that may be the extracted seal impression by using the overlap between the seal impression and other images.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to increase the accuracy of an area that may be an extracted seal by using a predetermined seal area in the document.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the region that may be the extracted seal impression by using the target phase in the workflow.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the user can know the comparison result in the phase being dealt with.

  According to the image processing program of claim 6, when confirming an imprint in a document, a predetermined number of imprints in the document differ from the number of areas that may be extracted imprints. Therefore, it can be determined that the seal stamp in the document is valid.

Hereinafter, examples of various preferred embodiments for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the situation where this embodiment is used will be described.
This embodiment may be linked with a workflow system or the like. As described above, the workflow system uses the flow of document processing as the flow of electronic messages, and manages electronic messages according to the business flow. The business flow is composed of processes, and the processes are divided for each phase. The workflow system is often used in combination with a groupware system, a progress management program, and the like. This embodiment is used when a person in charge scans a document and visually confirms whether a predetermined approval mark or the like is pressed.
In recent years, in internal control, etc., documents must be scanned and stored electronically to visualize the so-called business flow, and it is necessary to confirm and prove that the business flow is being implemented appropriately both inside and outside. There is. The present embodiment may be used in conjunction with such an internal control system or a workflow system that performs an internal control business flow. In the internal control system, management is performed according to the business flow, and the business flow is composed of processes, and the processes are divided into phases.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the first embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment also serves as an explanation of a computer program, a system, and a method. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. It is the control to be stored in the device. In addition, the modules correspond almost one-to-one with the functions. However, in mounting, one module may be composed of one program, or a plurality of modules may be composed of one program. A plurality of programs may be used. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.).
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. “Predetermined” means before the target process, and before the process according to the present embodiment is started, even after the process according to the present embodiment is started, It is used according to the situation / state at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the situation / state up to that point.
In the following, the seal impression refers to an image of a mark mark on a paper or the like when a stamp (such as a stamp, stamp, seal, or seal) is pressed on the paper or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment includes a scan condition designation module 110, an image reception module 120, a scan condition automatic determination module 130, an imprint extraction module 140, an imprint degree calculation module 150, an imprint number calculation module 160, A control condition setting module 170, a determination module 180, and a result notification module 190 are included.

  The scan condition designating module 110 is connected to the image receiving module 120, the imprint extraction module 140, and the imprint degree calculation module 150. When the image receiving module 120 reads an image with a scanner, the reading condition is designated to the image receiving module 120. Then, the specified image reading condition may be passed to the seal extraction module 140 and the seal degree calculation module 150. Specifically, the reading conditions include, for example, designation of resolution, compression rate, and image format (JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) and the like).

The image receiving module 120 is connected to the scan condition specifying module 110, the scan condition automatic determining module 130, and the seal impression extracting module 140. An image including an imprint is received, and the image is transferred to the imprint extraction module 140. Accepting an image includes reading an image with a scanner, receiving an image with a fax, reading an image from an image database, and the like. The image may be a single image or a plurality of images. The contents of the image may be a document, a form, a slip (receipt, etc.) used for business.
When the image receiving module 120 reads an image with a scanner, the image receiving module 120 may receive a reading condition designation from the scan condition designation module 110. In addition, the received image may be passed to the scan condition automatic determination module 130, or the condition when the image is read by the scanner may be passed in accordance with an instruction from the scan condition automatic determination module 130.

  The scanning condition automatic determination module 130 is connected to the image receiving module 120, the seal extraction module 140, and the seal degree calculation module 150. When the image includes a reading condition, the image is received from the image receiving module 120, and the image is analyzed to extract the reading condition. Further, an instruction may be given to the image receiving module 120 so as to pass the reading condition, and the reading condition may be received from the image receiving module 120. Then, the reading condition may be passed to the imprint extraction module 140 and the imprint degree calculation module 150. Specific examples of the reading conditions include, for example, designation of resolution, compression rate, and image format. In addition to the reading conditions specified by the scan condition specifying module 110, reading conditions set by the scanner of the image receiving module 120 according to the image, for example, reading in a color mode, document (a business document with only one black color, limited Number of business documents, maps, photos, etc.) may be included in a mode suitable for the mode.

  The imprint extraction module 140 is connected to the scan condition designation module 110, the image reception module 120, the scan condition automatic determination module 130, and the imprint degree calculation module 150. An area that may be an imprint is extracted from the image received by the image receiving module 120. Then, the extracted area is transferred to the imprint degree calculation module 150 or the imprint number calculation module 160. Further, when extracting an area, the reading condition received from the scan condition specifying module 110 or the automatic scan condition determining module 130 may be used. That is, the extraction method and parameters used for the extraction are changed according to the reading conditions. Specifically, for example, when reading in the color mode is received as a reading condition from the scanning condition automatic determination module 130, a region such as red or blue that is a general color used for imprinting is extracted. I do. Further, a specific shape such as a circle or a rectangle used for the outer shape of the seal impression may be extracted.

The imprint degree calculation module 150 is connected to the scan condition designation module 110, the scan condition automatic determination module 130, the imprint extraction module 140, and the imprint number calculation module 160. Based on the overlap with an image other than the impression for the impression in the area extracted by the imprint extraction module 140, an impression degree indicating the degree to which the image in the area is an imprint is calculated. Then, the calculated imprinting degree is passed to the imprint number calculation module 160. Further, when calculating the degree of imprinting, the reading condition received from the scanning condition specifying module 110 or the automatic scanning condition determining module 130 may be used. As the degree of imprinting, the numerical value may be increased (large) when the imprinting likelihood is high (for example, 100 is high like imprinting), and conversely, the numerical value may be decreased (small) (for example, 1 is more like a seal.) Also, it may be a binarized code (for example, “A” has a high imprinting degree, “B” has a low imprinting degree, etc.). In the following description, the degree of imprinting is high, and the degree of imprinting is used to increase the numerical value.
The imprint degree calculation module 150 calculates, as the imprint degree, the degree to which the imprint extracted by the imprint extraction module 140 overlaps with other images (characters, ruled lines, etc.). Therefore, if the image does not overlap with other images, the imprinting degree becomes high. In addition, when the area overlapping with other images is large, the imprinting degree is low.

The imprint number calculation module 160 is connected to the imprint degree calculation module 150 and the determination module 180. According to the number of regions extracted by the seal impression extraction module 140, the number of seals in the image received by the image reception module 120 is calculated. Further, the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving module 120 may be calculated according to the seal degree calculated by the seal degree calculating module 150. Then, the calculated number of imprints is passed to the determination module 180.
When calculating the number of imprints according to the imprinting degree calculated by the imprinting degree calculating module 150, the number of imprints having an imprinting degree equal to or higher than the threshold is counted in comparison with a predetermined threshold. As a result, only the imprints at the correct positions are counted. The position where the original seal should be should be a blank area where there is no other image, and when there is an overlap with another image, it corresponds to the case where it is not considered valid in internal control etc. It is.

  The control condition setting module 170 is connected to the determination module 180. The number of seals in the image received by the image receiving module 120 is received. For example, the number of seals that should be originally in the image, which is input by the user's operation, is received. Alternatively, the number of imprints corresponding to the image may be read from a storage device that stores the number of imprints corresponding to the document of the target image in advance. In addition, the control condition setting module 170 cooperates with the workflow system to detect what phase the document of the target image is currently in and receive the number of imprints in that phase. May be.

  The determination module 180 is connected to the imprint number calculation module 160, the control condition setting module 170, and the result notification module 190. The number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation module 160 is compared with the number of imprints received by the control condition setting module 170. Then, the comparison result is passed to the result notification module 190.

  The result notification module 190 is connected to the determination module 180. The comparison result is received from the determination module 180 and is output. As a comparison result, when the number of imprints that should be and the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation module 160 do not match, the user is notified. The notification here includes displaying that fact on a display device such as a display, printing on a printing device such as a printer, sending it by e-mail, passing it to a workflow system or the like. In addition to the fact that the number of stamps does not match, the contents to be notified may be something that prompts the user to change the reading conditions with the scanner or to correct the document.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the first exemplary embodiment. A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS.
In step S <b> 202, the scanning condition designation module 110 designates the scanner reading conditions to the image reception module 120 in accordance with the user's operation.
In step S <b> 204, the scan condition automatic determination module 130 determines the reading condition of the image reception module 120.

  In step S206, the image reception module 120 reads the document under the reading conditions in steps S202 and S204. For example, the image of the document image 300 shown in FIG. 3 is read. The document image 300 has a seal column 350. In addition, there are an imprint 310 and an imprint 320 in the stamp column 350, and an imprint 330 in a place outside the stamp column 350. That is, there are two items stamped in the stamp field 350 of the document image 300 and one item stamped in other locations.

  In step S208, the seal impression extraction module 140 extracts a region that seems to be a seal from the image read in step S206. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the seal imprint extraction module 140 extracts a seal imprint from the document image 300 using a color area. For example, if it is determined in step S204 that reading is in the color mode, the color area 420 and the color area 430, which are areas other than black, are extracted. For example, the imprint 320 and the imprint 330 are extracted using limited colorization (extracting an image region of a specific color (for example, red)). Then, the imprint 310 is extracted by performing pattern matching with a specific shape such as a circle or a rectangle on other regions. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the imprint extraction module 140 extracts an area that may be an imprint from the document image 300. An imprint candidate area 510 surrounding the imprint 310, an imprint candidate area 520 surrounding the imprint 320, and an imprint candidate area 530 surrounding the imprint 330 are extracted. Here, the imprint candidate area is a circumscribed rectangle of the imprint.

In step S210, the imprint degree calculation module 150 calculates the imprint degree of the image of the imprint in the area extracted in step S208. That is, it calculates how much an image in a region that seems to be an imprint overlaps an image (character, ruled line, etc.) that is another object.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the stamp 610 to be extracted. For example, the imprint candidate area 620 is divided into blocks, and the number of blocks where an image other than the imprint 610 exists and the number of blocks where only the imprint 610 exists are counted, and the ratio (number of blocks where only the imprint exists / other than imprint) The number of blocks in which the image is present (when the denominator is 0, the denominator is 1) is calculated as the impression degree. In addition, the number of pixels in the imprint candidate region is counted, and the ratio (the predetermined number of imprint pixels / imprint) to a predetermined original imprint (the number of pixels of a predetermined imprint, teacher imprint) The number of pixels in the candidate area × 100 (%)) may be calculated as the imprinting degree. If only the seal is imprinted, the value approximates 100%, but the value decreases when other images overlap. In addition, it may be divided into layers (hierarchies) for each color, the number of pixels in the imprint candidate region in that layer may be counted, and a ratio with a predetermined number of imprint pixels may be calculated as the imprinting degree. . If the seal is a color, the seal degree may be calculated based on the number of pixels other than the color in the seal candidate area. Alternatively, the degree of imprinting may be calculated by comparing the pixel density (number of pixels other than white / total number of pixels) in the imprint candidate region with the pixel density in the circumscribed rectangle of the original imprint. Further, the degree of imprinting may be calculated based on the number of pixels overlapping with the outline of the imprinting (for example, a circle portion, a rectangular portion, etc.).

In step S212, the imprint number calculation module 160 calculates the number of imprints that do not overlap with images that are other objects. That is, the imprint degree calculated in step S210 is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and imprints having an imprint degree equal to or greater than the threshold value are counted.
In step S214, the determination module 180 compares the number of imprints calculated in step S212 with the number of imprints accepted by the control condition setting module 170 (the number of imprints that should be originally).
In step S216, the result notification module 190 notifies the user who is the user of the comparison result in step S214. Then, notification of changing a reading condition by the scanner, prompting correction of a document, or the like may be made.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second embodiment includes a scan condition designation module 710, an image reception module 720, a scan condition automatic determination module 730, an imprint position specifying module 735, an imprint extraction module 740, an imprint degree calculation module 750, An imprint degree correction module 755, an imprint number calculation module 760, a control condition setting module 770, a determination module 780, and a result notification module 790 are provided. Compared with the first embodiment, the scan condition designation module 710 is in the scan condition designation module 110, the image reception module 720 is in the image reception module 120, the scan condition automatic determination module 730 is in the scan condition automatic determination module 130, and the imprinting. The extraction module 740 determines the imprint extraction module 140, the imprint degree calculation module 750 determines the imprint degree calculation module 150, the imprint number calculation module 760 determines the imprint number calculation module 160, and the control condition setting module 770 determines the control condition setting module 170. Since the module 780 corresponds to the determination module 180 and the result notification module 790 corresponds to the result notification module 190 and has the same function and function, redundant description is omitted.

  The image receiving module 720 is connected to a scan condition specifying module 710, a scan condition automatic determination module 730, and an imprint position specifying module 735. The image reception module 720 passes the received image to the imprint position specifying module 735.

  The imprint position specifying module 735 is connected to the image receiving module 720, the imprint extraction module 740, and the control condition setting module 770. An image is received from the image receiving module 720, and an area that may be an imprint is specified in the area received by the control condition setting module 770. For example, for an image received from the image receiving module 720, an area with an original seal in the image is received from the control condition setting module 770. Alternatively, the original document form of the image received from the image receiving module 720 may be received from the control condition setting module 770, and the form of the document may be analyzed to identify an area with a seal. Then, the specified area is passed to the seal impression extraction module 740.

  The imprint extraction module 740 is connected to a scan condition designation module 710, a scan condition automatic determination module 730, an imprint position specifying module 735, an imprint degree calculation module 750, and a control condition setting module 770. From the image received by the image receiving module 720, an area that may be an imprint is extracted from the area specified by the imprint position specifying module 735. Further, an area that may be an imprint may be extracted from the area received by the control condition setting module 770. Then, the extracted area is transferred to the impression degree calculation module 750 or the imprint number calculation module 760. Further, when extracting an area, the reading condition received from the scan condition specifying module 710 or the scan condition automatic determination module 730 may be used.

  The imprint degree calculation module 750 is connected to a scan condition designation module 710, a scan condition automatic determination module 730, an imprint impression extraction module 740, an imprint degree correction module 755, and a control condition setting module 770. Based on the overlap with an image other than the imprint for the imprint in the region extracted by the imprint extraction module 740, an imprint degree indicating the degree to which the image in the region is an imprint is calculated. Then, the calculated imprinting degree is passed to the imprinting degree correction module 755. Further, when calculating the degree of imprinting, the reading condition received from the scan condition specifying module 710 or the automatic scanning condition determination module 730 may be used, or information on the imprint received by the control condition setting module 770 (for example, Original seal imprint) may be used.

  The imprint degree correction module 755 is connected to the imprint degree calculation module 750, the imprint number calculation module 760, and the control condition setting module 770. The seal degree calculated by the seal degree calculation module 750 is corrected according to the area received by the control condition setting module 770. In other words, since the degree of overlap with the imprint differs depending on the type of area with the imprint (whether it is an area that does not easily overlap with other images or an area that easily overlaps with other images) Correct the imprinting degree. Then, the corrected imprinting degree is passed to the imprint number calculation module 760. Further, the imprinting degree calculated by the imprinting degree calculating module 750 may be corrected according to the target phase in the workflow accepted by the control condition setting module 770. That is, since the region where the imprint is present varies depending on the phase, the imprint degree may be corrected depending on the phase.

  The imprint number calculation module 760 is connected to an imprint degree correction module 755, a control condition setting module 770, and a determination module 780. The number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving module 720 may be calculated according to the degree of imprinting corrected by the imprinting degree correcting module 755. Then, the calculated number of imprints is passed to the determination module 780. In a specific example, for example, the number of imprints having an imprint degree equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold is counted. Here, since the imprinting degree is corrected by the imprinting degree correcting module 755, for example, the imprinting degree of the imprinting in the region where the overlapping with other images is likely to occur becomes a high value, and those imprinting are also counted. Become. Then, the calculated number of imprints is passed to the determination module 780.

The control condition setting module 770 is connected to an imprint position specifying module 735, an imprint extraction module 740, an imprint degree calculation module 750, an imprint degree correction module 755, an imprint number calculation module 760, and a determination module 780. The number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving module 720 is received.
Further, the control condition setting module 770 may accept a region to be stamped in the image accepted by the image acceptance module 720. The area to be imprinted in the image here is an area where an imprint should originally exist, and specifically, the area is, for example, a rectangle, coordinates indicating the upper left position, a rectangle Accepts the width and height of.
Further, the control condition setting module 770 may accept a target phase in the workflow and a region to be stamped in the image in that phase.
Further, the control condition setting module 770 may accept the number of imprints in the image in the target phase in the workflow.

The determination module 780 is connected to an imprint number calculation module 760, a control condition setting module 770, and a result notification module 790. The number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation module 760 is compared with the number of imprints received by the control condition setting module 770. Then, the comparison result is passed to the result notification module 790.
Further, the determination module 780 compares the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation module 760 with the number of imprints in the target phase received by the control condition setting module 770. Then, the comparison result is passed to the result notification module 790 as in that phase.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment. A specific example will be described with reference to FIGS.
The processing from step S802 to step S806 is equivalent to the processing from step S202 to step S206 of the processing example according to the first embodiment shown in the example of FIG.

  In step S808, the seal imprint position specifying module 735 receives the original document form of the document read in step S806 from the control condition setting module 770, and analyzes the document form. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a registration form 900. The registration form 900 is an unfilled request form, and has a seal column 910 and a seal column 950. The stamp column 910 includes three individual stamp areas 920, 930, and 940. From this registration form 900, the imprint position specifying module 735 shows the processing target area 1020 shown in the example of FIG. 10A including each individual stamped area 920 and the example shown in FIG. 10B including each individual stamped area 930. The processing target area 1030, the processing target area 1040 shown in the example of FIG. 10C including the individual stamped areas 940, and the processing target area 1050 shown in the example of FIG. 10D including the sealing column 950 are specified. For example, the seal imprint position specifying module 735 receives the registration form 900 from the control condition setting module 770, extracts a region having a predetermined area such as a rectangle or a character such as “mark”, and each individual stamp region 920, The regions 930, 940, and 1060 are obtained, and the processing target regions 1020, 1030, 1040, and 1050 that are larger regions surrounding them are specified. Further, the individual stamped areas 920, 930, 940, and 1060 may be received from the control condition setting module 770.

  In step S810, the seal impression extraction module 740 extracts a part that seems to be a seal impression from the area specified in step S808. FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a document image 1100 received by the image receiving module 720. That is, the registration form 900 shown in the example of FIG. 9 is filled in. The document image 1100 has a stamp column 1110 and a stamp column 1150. The stamp column 1110 has individual stamp areas 1120, individual stamp areas 1130, and individual stamp areas 1140. Each imprint area 1120 includes an imprint 1160, and the imprint column 1150 includes an imprint 1170. The areas specified in step S808, that is, the processing target areas 1020, 1030, 1040, and 1050 shown in the example of FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of extracting a region that may be an imprint in the processing target region. Of the processing target areas, the seal stamp extraction module 740 determines that there is an imprint 1160 in the processing target area 1020 and an imprint 1170 in the processing target area 1050.

Step S812 is equivalent to the process of step S210 of the process example according to the first embodiment shown in the example of FIG.
In step S814, the impression degree correction module 755 corrects the impression degree calculated in step S812. In other words, the degree of imprinting is corrected according to the type of region where the imprinting is present. As a specific example, for example, in the case of the processing target area 1020 shown in the example of FIG. 10A, the imprinting degree is set so that the person who is not touching the frame or the like can determine that “the seal is correctly pressed”. Do not correct. That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 13A, the imprint degree after correction is made proportional to the imprint degree calculated in step S812 with a positive inclination. Further, in the case of the processing target area 1050 shown in the example of FIG. 10D, the imprinting degree is such that the larger area that overlaps the character “mark” can be determined as “the stamp is correctly pressed”. Correct. That is, as shown in the example of FIG. 13B, the imprint degree after correction is inversely proportional to the imprint degree calculated in step S812. In this way, the correction method is changed according to the presence or absence of another image in the region where the seal is originally present.

In step S816, the imprint number calculation module 760 calculates the number of imprints that are correctly stamped. That is, the imprint degree corrected in step S814 is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and an imprint having an imprint degree equal to or higher than the threshold value is counted.
In step S818, the determination module 780 compares the number of imprints calculated in step S816 with the conditions accepted by the control condition setting module 770. Specifically, for example, the current phase in the workflow system, the number of imprints corresponding to the phase (the number of imprints that should be originally), and the area to be impressed corresponding to the phase (the imprint is originally present) There is a place to be. For example, the control condition setting module 770 may store a control condition table 1400 illustrated in the example of FIG. The control condition table 1400 has a registration form field 1410, a phase field 1420, a stamped area field 1430, and an imprint number field 1440. In other words, for the document form (registration form field 1410), for each phase (phase field 1420), the area to be imprinted (imprinted area field 1430) and the number of imprints (imprint number field 1440) are stored in association with each other. ing. The imprint number field 1440 stores the number of imprints for each area in the stamp area 1430.

  In step S820, the result notification module 790 notifies the user who is the user of the comparison result in step S818. For example, it is notified that there is no imprint in the target area B even though it is currently in the approval 1 phase in the workflow system.

  With reference to FIG. 15, a hardware configuration example of the above-described embodiment will be described. The configuration shown in FIG. 15 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1517 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1518 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1501 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, an imprint extraction module 140, an imprint degree calculation module 150, an imprint number calculation module 160, an imprint position specifying module 735, and an imprint degree correction module. It is a control part which performs the process according to the computer program which described the execution sequence of each module, such as 755.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1502 stores programs used by the CPU 1501, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1503 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1501, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1504 including a CPU bus.

  The host bus 1504 is connected to an external bus 1506 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1505.

  A keyboard 1508 and a pointing device 1509 such as a mouse are input devices operated by an operator. The display 1510 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1511 includes a hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1501 and information. The hard disk stores the scanned document image, the seal image extracted by the seal image extraction module 140, and the like. Further, various computer programs such as various other data processing programs are stored.

  The drive 1512 reads out data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1513 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out as an interface 1507 and an external bus 1506. , To the RAM 1503 connected via the bridge 1505 and the host bus 1504. The removable recording medium 1513 can also be used as a data recording area similar to the hard disk.

  The connection port 1514 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1515 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1514 is connected to the CPU 1501 and the like via an interface 1507, an external bus 1506, a bridge 1505, a host bus 1504, and the like. The communication unit 1516 is connected to a network and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1517 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1518 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  The hardware configuration shown in FIG. 15 shows one configuration example, and the above-described embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 15, and the modules described in the above-described embodiment can be executed. Any configuration may be used. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 15 may be connected to each other via communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. Further, it may be incorporated in a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction machine (an image processing apparatus having any two or more functions of a scanner, a printer, a copying machine, a fax machine, etc.).

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blue-ray disk), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, random Access memory (RAM) etc. are included.
The program or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, etc., or wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the document image which an image reception module receives. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example which an imprint extraction module extracts an imprint from a document image using a color area | region. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example which the imprint extraction module extracts the area | region which may be an imprint from the document image. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the imprint to extract. It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a registration form. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a process target area | region. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the document image which an image reception module receives. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example which extracts the area | region which may be an imprint in a process target area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the relationship between an imprint degree and the imprint degree after correction | amendment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of a control condition table. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves 1st and 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Scan condition designation module 120 ... Image reception module 130 ... Scan condition automatic determination module 140 ... Imprint extraction module 150 ... Imprint degree calculation module 160 ... Imprint number calculation module 170 ... Control condition setting module 180 ... Determination module 190 ... Result notification module 710: Scan condition designation module 720 ... Image reception module 730 ... Automatic scan condition determination module 735 ... Imprint position specifying module 740 ... Imprint extraction module 750 ... Impression degree calculation module 755 ... Impression degree correction module 760 ... Imprint number calculation module 770 ... Control Condition setting module 780 ... Judgment module 790 ... Result notification module

Claims (6)

Image receiving means for receiving an image including an imprint,
Imprint information receiving means for receiving the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means;
Extraction means for extracting a region that may be an imprint from the image received by the image receiving means;
An imprint number calculating means for calculating the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means according to the number of areas extracted by the extracting means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a comparison result output unit that outputs a comparison result between the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation unit and the number of imprints received by the imprint information reception unit. An imprint degree calculating means for calculating an imprint degree indicating the degree to which an image in the area is an imprint based on an overlap with an image other than the imprint on the imprint in the area extracted by the extracting means Further comprising
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the imprint number calculating unit calculates the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving unit according to the imprinting degree calculated by the imprinting degree calculating unit. Processing equipment. The imprint information receiving unit receives a region to be imprinted in the image received by the image receiving unit,
The extraction means extracts an area that may be an imprint within the area received by the imprint information reception means,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an imprint degree correcting unit that corrects the imprint degree calculated by the imprint degree calculating unit according to an area received by the imprint information receiving unit. . The imprint information receiving means receives a target phase in the workflow and a region to be imprinted in the image in the phase,
The extraction means extracts an area that may be an imprint within the area received by the imprint information reception means,
The imprint degree correcting means for correcting the imprint degree calculated by the imprint degree calculating means in accordance with a target phase in the workflow received by the imprint information receiving means. An image processing apparatus according to 1. The imprint information accepting unit accepts the number of imprints in the image in the target phase in the workflow,
The comparison result output means outputs a comparison result between the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation means and the number of imprints in the target phase as a comparison result in the phase. Item 5. The image processing device according to any one of Items 1 to 4. Computer
Image receiving means for receiving an image including an imprint,
Imprint information receiving means for receiving the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means;
Extraction means for extracting a region that may be an imprint from the image received by the image receiving means;
An imprint number calculating means for calculating the number of imprints in the image received by the image receiving means according to the number of areas extracted by the extracting means;
An image processing program that functions as a comparison result output unit that outputs a comparison result between the number of imprints calculated by the imprint number calculation unit and the number of imprints received by the imprint information reception unit.

Images