JP2011155548A - Device, program and method for creation of file - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file creation device that automatically sets a file name of an image data file while taking into consideration the contents of image data of a document read by a document reading unit. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 as the file creation device includes the image reading unit 9 which reads an image of a document surface as document image data, an image processor 23 which recognizes characters or a character string in the document image data read by the image reading unit 9, a memory which stores the document image data, and a controller 21 which sets the characters or character string recognized by the image processor 23 as at least a part of a file name of the document image data and stores the document image data. Consequently, for example, the distinctive characters or character string symbolizing the contents of the document image data is set as the part of the file name. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating an image data file and a document file, a file creation program, and a file creation method.

  When copying an original or reading an original image with an image forming apparatus typified by a copying machine or a scanner, the original on which an image such as a character, figure, or pattern is drawn is stacked on the original conveying device, or the upper surface of the image reading unit. Or placed on the contact glass. In the document conveying device, the documents are separated one by one and sent out, and the image is read by the image reading unit. For an original on the contact glass, an image is read by scanning light in the image reading unit.

  The image forming apparatus may store the image read as described above as an image data file in a hard disk (HDD) provided in the apparatus. The file name of the image data file may be automatically set using the model of the image forming apparatus, the date and time of reading, and the serial number. An example of such a file creation apparatus and method can be found in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830. In the image information storage apparatus and method described in Patent Document 1, an original image scanned by a scanner is stored as an image data file with a file name using a serial number.

  Further, the automatic setting of the file name can also be seen in a data file other than image information as in Patent Document 2 listed as another example, a document file of word processor software used in a word processor or a personal computer, and the like. In the file name automatic setting method described in Patent Document 2, a file name using a department code or date / time is set.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-200457 (page 4, FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-256092 (second page, FIG. 3)

  However, when setting a file name using a date, serial number, or the like, it is difficult to grasp the contents only by looking at the file name. Accordingly, it is necessary to open the files one by one in order to grasp the file contents, which takes time. If there are many files whose names are set by the same method, it may take more time to confirm the contents, and the work efficiency may be greatly reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a file creation apparatus and file creation capable of automatically setting the file name of an image data file in consideration of the content of image data of a document read by a document reading unit It is an object to provide a program and a file creation method. It is another object of the present invention to provide a file creation apparatus, a file creation program, and a file creation method capable of automatically setting a file name in consideration of the contents of a document file.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a file creation apparatus that includes an image reading unit that reads an image on the surface of a document as document image data, and a character or a character string in the document image data that is read by the image reading unit. An image processing unit to be recognized; a storage unit for storing the document image data; and the storage unit configured to set the character or character string recognized by the image processing unit as at least a part of a file name of the document image data. And a control unit to be stored. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string that symbolizes the content of the document image data is set as a part of the file name.

  In the file creation device having the above-described configuration, the image processing unit may recognize one of the recognized character or character string size, color, or font, or a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document image data, or The recognized character or the character string that appears multiple times among the recognized character string is identified, and the control unit identifies the character or character string identified by the image processing unit as at least one of the file names of the document image data. It was decided to set in the department. According to this configuration, for example, a relatively large character or character string symbolizing the content of the document image data, a character or character string such as red, for example, a special font character or character string, or a title, for example, An area character or character string, or a frequently used character string, for example, is set as a part of the file name.

  Note that the “predetermined area” is a specific range on a predetermined original sheet. For example, a title area of a document generally arranged at the upper end when assuming a horizontally written document on a vertically long paper or the right edge when assuming a vertically written document on a horizontally long paper is appropriate. In the embodiment to be described later, the “predetermined area” is set as the upper end when a horizontally written document on a vertically long sheet is assumed, but it is not limited to such a setting. Further, the term “predetermined region” used in a plurality of places in the following means means a specific range on the paper set in the same manner, but not all are the same place.

  In the file creation device having the above-described configuration, the control unit may include a character or a character string identified on the condition of a size, a color, or a font in the image processing unit, a character in a predetermined area in the document image data, or At least two of the character string and the character string appearing a plurality of times in the document image data are combined and set as at least a part of the file name of the document image data. According to this configuration, for example, a relatively large character or character string such as red that symbolizes the content of the document image data is set as a part of the file name.

  The file creation apparatus having the above configuration includes an operation panel capable of displaying, inputting, and selecting characters or character strings, and the control unit identifies the size, color, or font in the image processing unit as a condition. The displayed character or character string, the character or character string in a predetermined area in the document image data, and the character string appearing a plurality of times in the document image data, and the character or character string displayed on the operation panel. Are selected from the operation panel and set to at least part of the file name of the document image data. According to this configuration, the user selects a character or character string that symbolizes the content of the document image data and sets it as a part of the file name.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the file creation program, the present invention provides a computer with image processing for recognizing characters or character strings in image data and the characters or character strings recognized by the image processing. And a file name setting process for setting at least a part of the file name of the image data. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string symbolizing the content of the image data is set as a part of the file name.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the file creation method, the present invention provides an image processing step for recognizing characters or character strings in image data, and the characters or character strings recognized in the image processing step as the image. And a file name setting process step for setting at least a part of the file name of the data. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string symbolizing the content of the image data is set as a part of the file name.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a file creating apparatus for recognizing characters or character strings in a document file, and for recognizing the characters or character strings recognized by the character recognition means in the document. A file name setting means for setting at least a part of the file name of the file and a storage means for storing the document file are provided. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string that symbolizes the contents of a document file is set as a part of the file name.

  In the file creation device having the above-described configuration, the character recognition unit may recognize one of the recognized character or character string size, color, or font, or a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document file, or recognition. The character or the character string that appears a plurality of times among the characters or the character string is identified, and the file name setting means assigns the character or the character string identified by the character recognition means to at least one of the file names of the document files. It was decided to set in the department. According to this configuration, for example, a relatively large character or character string that symbolizes the contents of a document file, a character or character string such as red, for example, a special font character or character string, or a title area, for example, Or a character string frequently used, for example, is set as a part of the file name.

  In the file creation device having the above-described configuration, the file name setting unit includes a character or a character string identified by the character recognition unit on the condition of size, color, or font, or a character in a predetermined area in the document file. Alternatively, at least two of the character string and the character string appearing multiple times in the document file are combined and set as at least a part of the file name of the document file. According to this configuration, for example, a relatively large red character or character string that symbolizes the contents of the document file is set as a part of the file name.

  In the file creation device having the above-described configuration, the file name setting unit includes a character or a character string identified by the character recognition unit on the condition of size, color, or font, or a character in a predetermined area in the document file. Alternatively, a character string and the character string appearing a plurality of times in the document file are displayed on a display device, and the character or a combination of character strings is selected and set to at least a part of the file name of the document file. It was decided. According to this configuration, the user selects a character or character string that symbolizes the contents of the document file and sets it as a part of the file name.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a file creation program for causing a computer to recognize a character or character string in a document file and the character or character string recognized in the character recognition process. And a file name setting process for setting at least a part of the file name of the document file. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string that symbolizes the contents of a document file is set as a part of the file name.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a file creation method comprising: a character recognition processing step for recognizing a character or a character string in a document file; and the character or character string recognized in the character recognition processing step. And a file name setting processing step for setting at least a part of the file name of the document file. According to this configuration, for example, a characteristic character or character string that symbolizes the contents of a document file is set as a part of the file name.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, for example, a relatively large character or character string, a red character or character string, a special font, a character or character string in a title area, a plurality of characters, which symbolize the contents of image data of a document or a document file Character strings that appear twice are extracted from document image data and document files. In this way, it is possible to provide a file creation device, a file creation program, and a file creation method that can automatically set the file name of an image data file in consideration of the contents of document image data. In addition, it is possible to provide a file creation apparatus, a file creation program, and a file creation method capable of automatically setting the file name in consideration of the contents of the document file.

1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an image forming apparatus as an example of a file creation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing processing relating to file name setting of document image data. It is the schematic which shows an example of the original image data concerning description of file name setting. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the automatic setting of the file name in the liquid crystal display part of the operation panel of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of manual input setting of a file name on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel of FIG. 3. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the file creation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on the file name setting of a document file. It is the schematic which shows an example of the document file which concerns on description of file name setting. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the automatic setting of the file name in the display apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the manual input setting of the file name in the display apparatus of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, an image forming apparatus is described as an example of a file creation apparatus. This image forming apparatus executes an image forming process based on various programs stored in the apparatus, and may be a computer that executes a file creation program for saving document image data read by an image reading unit as a file. Function.

  First, an image output process of the image forming apparatus as a file creation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described while explaining the outline of the structure with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional front view of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a front view of an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. This image forming apparatus is of a color printing type in which a toner image is transferred onto a sheet using an intermediate transfer belt.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feed cassette 3 is disposed below the inside of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feed cassette 3 stores and accommodates paper P such as cut paper before printing. The sheets P are separated and sent one by one toward the upper left of the sheet feeding cassette 3 in FIG. The paper feed cassette 3 can be pulled out horizontally from the front side of the main body 2.

  A first paper transport unit 4 is provided in the main body 2 and on the left side of the paper feed cassette 3. The first paper transport unit 4 is formed substantially vertically along the left side surface of the main body 2. The first paper transport unit 4 receives the paper P sent from the paper feed cassette 3 and transports it to the secondary transfer unit 5 vertically upward along the left side surface of the main body 2.

  A manual paper feed unit 6 is provided above the paper feed cassette 3 and on the right side, which is the side opposite to the left side of the main body 2 where the first paper transport unit 4 is formed. In the manual paper feed unit 6, paper of a size that is not in the paper feed cassette 3, or paper that is to be manually fed, such as thick paper and OHP sheets, is placed.

  A second paper transport unit 7 is provided on the left side of the manual paper feed unit 6. The second paper transport unit 7 is located immediately above the paper feed cassette 3, extends substantially horizontally from the manual paper feed unit 6 to the first paper transport unit 4, and joins the first paper transport unit 4. The second paper transport unit 7 receives the paper fed from the manual paper feed unit 6 and transports the paper to the first paper transport unit 4 substantially horizontally.

  On the other hand, a document conveying device 8 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 2 of the image forming apparatus 1, and an image reading unit 9 is provided in the main body 2 below the main body 2. When the user copies an original, an original on which an image such as a character, a figure, or a pattern is drawn is stacked on the original conveying device 8 or placed on the contact glass 9a on the upper surface of the image reading unit 9. To do. In the document conveying device 8, one or a plurality of documents are separated and sent one by one, and the image reading unit 9 reads the image. With respect to the original on the contact glass 9 a, an image is read by scanning light within the image reading unit 9.

  The image reading unit 9 is provided with a lamp for irradiating the document with light, a mirror for guiding the reflected light to the lens, a lens for collecting the guided light, and an image sensor for receiving the light from the lens. The image sensor has a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line. Each light receiving element outputs a voltage in accordance with the amount of light received, and an amplifier and an A / D converter are provided in the image sensor and accompanying the image sensor. In addition, a correction processing unit that performs shading correction or the like on the data after A / D conversion may be provided. Here, as the image sensor in the present embodiment, for example, a color-compatible one having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a line for each of R, G, and B colors can be used.

  The reading of the document image, that is, the start of image formation is executed using the operation panel 10 provided on the front side of the image reading unit 9 at the top of the main body 2. The operation panel 10 accepts print condition settings such as the type and size of paper used for printing by the user, the number of copies, enlargement / reduction, and presence / absence of double-sided printing, and transmission destination settings in a facsimile.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 10 that is a display device includes a liquid crystal display unit 10 a at the center thereof. The liquid crystal display unit 10a is provided with a touch panel unit (not shown) so as to overlap the liquid crystal display unit 10a. The liquid crystal display unit 10a displays items such as inputs, settings, and instructions using liquid crystal. The touch panel unit accepts selection of items displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 10a and key input when the user touches with a finger or the like.

  The image data information of the document is subjected to image processing via a control unit and an image processing unit, which will be described later, and then is located above the second sheet conveying unit 7 and in the central portion of the main body 2. 11 is sent. The exposure apparatus 11 irradiates the image forming unit 12 with laser light L controlled based on the image data.

  A total of four image forming units 12 are provided above the exposure device 11, and an intermediate transfer belt 13 using an intermediate transfer member in the form of an endless belt is provided above each image forming unit 12. The intermediate transfer belt 13 is supported by being wound around a plurality of rollers, and is rotated clockwise in FIG. 1 by a driving device (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the four image forming units 12 are of a so-called tandem type arranged in a line from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction along the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer belt 13. The four image forming units 12 are an image forming unit 12Y for yellow, an image forming unit 12M for magenta, an image forming unit 12C for cyan, and an image forming unit 12B for black in order from the upstream side. These image forming units 12 are replenished with a developer (toner) by a developer supply container and a conveying unit (not shown) corresponding to each color.

  In the following description, the identification symbols “Y”, “M”, “C”, and “B” of the image forming unit 12 are omitted unless particularly limited. The image forming apparatus 1 can select color printing or monochrome printing, but performs color printing unless otherwise specified.

  In each image forming unit 12, an electrostatic latent image of a document image is formed by the laser light L emitted by the exposure device 11, and a toner image is developed from the electrostatic latent image. The toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 by a primary transfer unit 14 provided above each image forming unit 12. Then, the toner image of each image forming unit 12 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 at a predetermined timing as the intermediate transfer belt 13 rotates, so that four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13. A color toner image is formed by superimposing the toner images.

  The secondary transfer unit 5 is disposed at a position where the intermediate transfer belt 13 is suspended on the sheet conveyance path. The color toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 is transferred to the paper P sent in synchronization by the first paper transport unit 4 at the secondary transfer nip portion formed in the secondary transfer unit 5.

  After the secondary transfer, deposits such as toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 are the cleaning device for the intermediate transfer belt 13 provided on the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 13 in the rotation direction of the image forming unit 12Y for yellow. 15 is cleaned and collected.

  A fixing unit 16 is provided above the secondary transfer unit 5. The sheet P carrying the unfixed toner image in the secondary transfer unit 5 is sent to the fixing unit 16, and the toner image is heated and pressed by the heat roller and the pressure roller to be fixed.

  A sheet guide device 17 is provided above the fixing unit 16. The paper P discharged from the fixing unit 16 is discharged from the paper guide device 17 to the in-body paper discharge unit 18 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 1 when double-sided printing is not performed.

  The discharge port portion from which the paper P is discharged from the paper guide device 17 toward the in-body paper discharge portion 18 functions as a switchback portion 19. When performing duplex printing, the switchback unit 19 switches the transport direction of the paper P discharged from the fixing unit 16. Then, the sheet P passes through the sheet guide device 17 and is sent downward through a sheet conveying path 20 for double-sided printing provided on the left side of the fixing unit 16 and on the left side of the transfer unit 5, and again the first sheet conveying unit. 4 is sent to the secondary transfer section 5.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 21 constituted by a CPU 22 and other electronic parts (not shown) in the main body 2 as shown in FIG. The control unit 21 uses a CPU 22 and an image processing unit 23 which are central processing units, and stores an image reading unit 9 and an image forming unit based on programs and data stored and input in a main storage unit 24 including a RAM and the like. 12, a series of image forming processes are realized by controlling components such as the intermediate transfer belt 13 and the fixing unit 16. The image reading unit 9 includes an external storage unit 25 configured by, for example, an HDD, which stores an image on the surface of the document as a document image data file.

  Note that the image processing unit 23 can perform processing using, for example, optical character recognition technology (OCR, Optical Character Recognition) for recognizing characters in document image data. As for OCR, for example, an OCR processing unit may be provided in the image processing unit 23, or an OCR program may be stored in the main storage unit 24 and the OCR process may be performed using the CPU 22 and the main storage unit 24. good.

  Next, processing relating to the setting of the file name of the document image data will be described using FIGS. 5 to 7 along the flow shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing relating to file name setting of document image data, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of document image data relating to the description of file name setting, and FIG. 6 shows file names in the liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of automatic setting, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of manual input setting of a file name on the liquid crystal display unit.

  When document image data read by the image reading unit 9 is stored as a file in the external storage unit 25 using the image forming apparatus 1 (start of FIG. 4), the control unit 21 causes the image reading unit 9 to copy the image on the surface of the document to the document. The image data is read (step # 101 in FIG. 4). The document image data is read by the image reading unit 9 by using the document conveying device 8 or placing the document on the contact glass 9a. Here, it is assumed that the document image data F stored as a file is in the form depicted in FIG. 5, for example.

  Then, the control unit 21 causes the image processing unit 23 to perform character recognition in the document image data read by the image reading unit 9 (step # 102). For example, the aforementioned OCR is used for character recognition. The image processing unit 23 performs character recognition processing on the document image data, and recognizes and extracts characters or character strings. The character recognition process may be executed by the control unit 21.

  In particular, the character recognition process is executed by paying attention to the size, color, and font of the character or character string, and the character or character string that meets each recognition condition is identified (step # 103). For the size of the character or character string, for example, an identification condition such as “16 pt or more” is stored in the main storage unit 24, and “production plan” is identified in the example shown in FIG. For the color of the character or character string, for example, an identification condition such as “red” is stored in the main storage unit 24, and “production target” is identified in the example shown in FIG. ). For the font of the character or character string, for example, an identification condition such as “Mincho” is stored in the main storage unit 24, and “December 2009” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  Further, in step # 103, character recognition is executed with attention paid to characters or character strings existing in a predetermined area. The predetermined area is a specific range on the original paper surface set in advance. Here, for example, a predetermined region S surrounded by a two-dot chain line is set at the upper end when a horizontally long document such as shown in FIG. 5 is assumed. As a character identification condition, a predetermined area is stored in the main storage unit 24, and “Osaka production factory” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  Further, in step # 103, character recognition is executed with attention paid to a character string that appears multiple times in the document image data. As the number of appearances of the character string, an identification condition such as “3 times or more” is stored in the main storage unit 24, and “production” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  The identification conditions as described above in the character recognition process may be set using, for example, the liquid crystal display unit 10a of the operation panel 10 or may be set from an external device (for example, a computer) connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network. I do not care. Thereby, the user or the administrator can individually set the identification condition in the recognition process of the character or character string that is desired to be used for setting the file name of the document image data in accordance with individual circumstances and circumstances.

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not automatic setting is ON for the file name setting of the document image data read by the image reading unit 9 (step # 104).

  Here, the user can specify whether the file name setting after character recognition of the document image data is performed automatically or manually by the user before the document image is read. As shown in FIG. 6, the user selects automatic setting ON or OFF using a file name automatic setting selection screen 30 displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 10 a of the operation panel 10. When the automatic setting of the file name is selected, the identification condition for the file name candidate character is further selected.

  When the automatic setting of the file name is selected (Yes in Step # 104), the control unit 21 automatically detects the character or character identified by the character recognition process based on the condition selected on the file name automatic setting selection screen 30. A character string is set as the file name of the document image data (step # 105). Note that the control unit 21 may automatically set the character or character string identified by the character recognition process as the file name without depending on the user's selection. When the file name of the document image data is set, the control unit 21 ends the series of processes (END in FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, when the automatic setting of the file name is not selected (No in Step # 104), the control unit 21 displays the file name candidate character selection screen 31 on the liquid crystal display unit 10a of the operation panel 10 as shown in FIG. Display (step # 106). The user uses the file name candidate character selection screen 31 to select a character or character string identified by the character recognition process by manual input (step # 107).

  Then, the control unit 21 sets the character or character string selected by the user as the file name of the document image data (step # 108), and as shown in FIG. Display above. When there are a plurality of characters or character strings selected as file name candidates, the control unit 21 combines them and sets them as a file name. The arrangement order of the characters or character strings is, for example, arranged in the order selected by the user, and can be changed. When the user accepts the file name of the document image data and presses the OK button, the control unit 21 ends the series of processes (END in FIG. 4).

  The file name extension of the document image data is input by the user from the liquid crystal display unit 10a before the document image is read.

  In this way, characteristic characters or character strings that symbolize the contents of the document image data are set as part of the file name. For example, a relatively large character or character string specified to be 16 pt or more, a character or character string whose color is red, a character or character string whose font is Mincho, or a character or character string described at the top of the page A character string that appears three or more times is set as a part of the file name. These can be combined, and the combination can be selected by the user.

  According to the configuration of the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 as a file creating apparatus capable of automatically setting the file name of the image data file in consideration of the contents of the document image data, the file creating program, and the file creating method Can be provided.

  Next, the outline of the structure of the file creation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the file creation apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the file creation apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101 composed of a CPU 102 and other electronic components (not shown) for operation control of the entire apparatus. The control unit 101 uses a CPU 102 as a central processing unit, and performs various processes based on programs, data, and files stored and input in a main storage unit 103 configured by a RAM or the like and an external storage unit 104 configured by an HDD or the like. Is realized. A document file or the like created by a user input through the input device 105 is stored in the external storage device 104, but may be temporarily read and stored in the main storage unit 103 during editing.

  The input device 105 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The user inputs characters and numerical values using the keyboard. In addition, the user moves the cursor in an arbitrary direction on the screen of the display device 106 using the mouse, and selects a menu or other options. Based on information obtained from the input device 105, the control unit 101 executes various processes on programs, data, and files stored in the main storage unit 103 and the external storage unit 104, and performs display processing on the display device 106. Or run.

  The display device 106 includes a liquid crystal display or a CRT. The control unit 101 displays windows, icons, menus, and the like on the display device 106 based on the processing of the program to be executed. Further, the control unit 101 displays characters or numerical values input by the user on the display device 106 based on information from the input device 105, and displays a cursor to be moved by the user.

  The file creation apparatus 100 can use, for example, optical character recognition technology (OCR, Optical Character Recognition) that recognizes characters in a document file. For this reason, the OCR program 107 as character recognition means is stored in the main storage unit 103, and the control unit 101 can use it as needed. As for OCR, the OCR program 107 may be stored in the external storage unit 104, or an OCR processing unit may be separately provided in the file creation apparatus 100.

  Next, processing relating to the automatic setting of the file name of the document file created by the file creation device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 along the flow shown in FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing related to the file name setting of the document file, FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the document file according to the description of the file name setting, and FIG. 11 is a display example of automatic setting of the file name on the display device. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display example of manual input setting of a file name on the display device.

  When the file creation apparatus 100 automatically sets the file name of the document file and stores it in the external storage unit 104 (start of FIG. 9), the control unit 101 causes the main storage unit 103 to temporarily read the document file (FIG. 9). 9 step # 201). Here, it is assumed that the document file D has a form drawn in FIG. 10, for example.

  The control unit 101 executes character recognition in the document file (step # 202). If the document file contains text information such as text data, word processor document file, spreadsheet software file, etc. (character decoration, font, font size, font decoration such as color), character information in the document file is recognized. To do. On the other hand, if the image data does not include character information, character recognition processing is performed on the target document file using the OCR program 107 to recognize and extract characters or character strings.

  Then, the control unit 101 executes character recognition in the target document file using the OCR program 107 (step # 202). Character recognition processing is performed on the document file using the OCR program 107 to recognize and extract characters or character strings.

  In particular, the character recognition process is executed by paying attention to the size, color, and font of the character or character string, and the character or character string that matches each recognition condition is identified (step # 203). For the size of the character or character string, for example, an identification condition such as “16 pt or more” is stored in the main storage unit 103, and “minutes” is identified in the example shown in FIG. For the color of the character or character string, an identification condition such as “red” is stored in the main storage 103, and “2011 product development” is identified in the example shown in FIG. "Development" is drawn in red). For the font of a character or character string, an identification condition such as “Mincho” is stored in the main storage unit 103, and “December 9, 2009” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  Further, in step # 203, character recognition is executed with attention paid to characters or character strings existing in a predetermined area. The predetermined area is a specific range on the original paper surface set in advance. Here, for example, a predetermined area S surrounded by a two-dot chain line is set at the upper end when a horizontally long document such as shown in FIG. 10 is assumed. As such a character identification condition, a predetermined area is stored in the main storage unit 103, and “product planning section” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, in step # 203, character recognition is executed with attention paid to a character string that appears multiple times in the document file. As the number of appearances of the character string, an identification condition such as “3 times or more” is stored in the main storage unit 103, and “product” is identified in the example shown in FIG.

  The identification conditions as described above in the character recognition processing can be input using the input device 105 on a setting screen displayed on the display device 106, for example. Thereby, the user or the administrator can individually set the identification condition in the recognition process of the character or character string to be used for setting the file name of the document file according to individual circumstances and circumstances.

  Next, the control unit 101 determines whether or not automatic setting is ON for the file name setting of the target document file (step # 204).

  Here, before the character recognition process, the user can specify whether the file name setting after character recognition of the document file is automatically performed or the user himself / herself manually performs the input. As shown in FIG. 11, automatic setting ON or OFF is selected using a file name automatic setting selection screen 110 displayed on the display device 106. When the automatic setting of the file name is selected, the identification condition for the file name candidate character is further selected.

  When the automatic setting of the file name is selected (Yes in Step # 204), the control unit 101 automatically detects the character or character identified by the character recognition process based on the condition selected on the file name automatic setting selection screen 110. The character string is set as the file name of the document file (step # 205). Note that the control unit 101 may automatically set the character name or character string identified by the character recognition process as the file name without depending on the user's selection. When the file name of the document file is set, the control unit 101 ends the series of processes (END in FIG. 9).

  On the other hand, when the automatic setting of the file name is not selected (No in Step # 204), the control unit 101 displays the file name candidate character selection screen 111 on the display device 106 as shown in FIG. 12 (Step # 204). 206). The user uses the file name candidate character selection screen 31 to select the character or character string identified by the character recognition process by manual input using the input device 105 (step # 207).

  Then, the control unit 101 sets the character or character string selected by the user as the file name of the document file (step # 208), and on the file name candidate character selection screen 111 as “current file name” as shown in FIG. To display. When there are a plurality of characters or character strings selected as file name candidates, the control unit 101 combines them and sets them as a file name. The arrangement order of the characters or character strings is, for example, arranged in the order selected by the user, and can be changed. When the user accepts the file name of the document file and presses the OK button, the control unit 101 ends the series of processes (END in FIG. 9).

  The file name extension of the document file is automatically selected and displayed by the control unit 101.

  In this way, a characteristic character or character string symbolizing the contents of the document file is set as a part of the file name by the control unit 101 serving as the file name setting means. For example, a relatively large character or character string specified to be 16 pt or more, a character or character string whose color is red, a character or character string whose font is Mincho, or a character or character string described at the top of the page A character string that appears three or more times is set as a part of the file name. These can be combined, and the combination can be selected by the user.

  According to the configuration of the above embodiment, it is possible to provide the file creation apparatus 100, the file creation program, and the file creation method that can automatically set the file name in consideration of the contents of the document file.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an image forming apparatus for color printing that transfers a toner image onto a sheet using an intermediate transfer belt. The apparatus is not limited to such a type, and may be an image forming apparatus that does not use an intermediate transfer belt or an image forming apparatus for monochrome printing.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the character form to be listed as a file name candidate is the size, color, font, presence / absence within a predetermined area, but the character form is not limited to these, and other forms May be used. In addition, the character identification condition is set to “16 pt or more” for the size, “red” for the color, “Mincho” for the font, “upper end of the paper” for the predetermined area, and “3 or more” for the number of appearances. However, the identification conditions are not limited to these, and other conditions may be used. The character form and identification conditions may be set by the user using the operation panel 10, the input device 105, and the display device 106.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, it is assumed that there is one type of character string that is identified by the conditions of size, color, font, presence / absence in a predetermined area, and the number of appearances. However, a plurality of characters or character strings may be identified for each identification condition so that a desired one can be selected from those characters or character strings.

  The present invention can be used in an apparatus for creating an image data file or a document file, a file creation program, and a file creation method.

1 Image forming device (file creation device)
9 Image Reading Unit 10 Operation Panel (Display Device)
10a Liquid crystal display unit 21 Control unit 23 Image processing unit 24 Main storage unit 25 External storage unit 100 File creation device 101 Control unit (file name setting means)
103 Main storage unit 104 External storage unit 105 Input device 106 Display device 107 OCR program (character recognition means)

Claims (12)

An image reading unit that reads an image on the surface of the document as document image data;
An image processing unit for recognizing characters or character strings in the document image data read by the image reading unit;
A storage unit for storing the document image data;
A control unit that sets the character or character string recognized by the image processing unit as at least a part of the file name of the document image data and stores the character or character string in the storage unit;
A file creation device comprising: The image processing unit may be one of a recognized character or character string size, color, or font, or a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document image data, or a plurality of recognized characters or character strings. Identifying the character string appearing once,
2. The file creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets the character or the character string identified by the image processing unit as at least a part of a file name of the document image data.   The control unit includes a character or character string identified on the condition of size, color, or font in the image processing unit, a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document image data, and the document image data. 3. The file creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the character strings appearing a plurality of times are combined and set as at least a part of a file name of the document image data. An operation panel capable of displaying, inputting, and selecting characters or character strings is provided, and the control unit is a character or character string identified on the condition of size, color, or font in the image processing unit, and the original image A character or a character string in a predetermined area in the data and the character string appearing a plurality of times in the document image data, each of which is displayed on the operation panel and the character or character string combination is selected from the operation panel; 4. The file creation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the file creation apparatus is set to at least a part of a file name of the document image data. On the computer,
Image processing for recognizing characters or character strings in image data;
A file name setting process for setting the character or character string recognized in the image processing as at least a part of the file name of the image data;
A file creation program characterized by executing An image processing step for recognizing characters or character strings in the image data;
A file name setting process step for setting the character or character string recognized in the image processing step as at least a part of the file name of the image data;
A file creation method characterized by comprising: A character recognition means for recognizing characters or character strings in a document file;
File name setting means for setting the character or character string recognized by the character recognition means to at least a part of the file name of the document file;
Storage means for storing the document file;
A file creation device comprising: The character recognizing means may recognize a size, color, or font of the recognized character or character string, or a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document file, or a plurality of times of the recognized character or character string. Identifying the string that appears;
8. The file creation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the file name setting unit sets the character or the character string identified by the character recognition unit as at least a part of the file name of the document file.   The file name setting means includes a character or character string identified on the condition of size, color, or font by the character recognition means, a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document file, and the document file. 9. The file creation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least two of the character strings appearing a plurality of times are combined and set as at least a part of a file name of the document file.   The file name setting means includes a character or character string identified on the condition of size, color, or font by the character recognition means, a character or character string in a predetermined area in the document file, and the document file. The character string that appears a plurality of times is displayed on a display device, the character or a combination of character strings is selected, and set to at least a part of a file name of the document file. File creation device. On the computer,
Character recognition processing for recognizing characters or character strings in document files;
A file name setting process for setting the character or character string recognized in the character recognition process as at least a part of the file name of the document file;
A file creation program characterized by executing A character recognition processing step for recognizing characters or character strings in a document file;
A file name setting process step for setting the character or character string recognized in the character recognition process step as at least a part of the file name of the document file;
A file creation method characterized by comprising:

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