JP2012185741A - Image formation device, information processor, image processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide information on a map conveniently.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes reading means for reading the image of a map, extraction means for extracting a specific character string in the map from the image of the map, acquiring means for acquiring, based on the extracted specific character string, information associated with the specific character string through a network, combining means for combining the acquired information with the image of the map, and outputting means for outputting the information and the image of the map which are combined.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program.

  Conventionally, a map called a house map has been issued. On the house map, a door alias, a tenant name, a store name, etc. are written in the outer shape of each building. According to the house map, the target building can be found relatively easily.

  For example, in the real estate industry, there is a growing need for customer guidance using residential maps. In this case, if it is possible to quickly provide information on stores or the like posted in the vicinity of the residence or the like intended by the customer in the housing map, it is possible to provide a very useful service for the customer. As a means for obtaining information on a building (for example, a store) posted on a house map, use of an Internet search site or a telephone directory is conceivable.

  However, it is not easy to obtain information about a small store in a specific area from a search site or a telephone directory.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a program that can provide information relating to a map conveniently.

  In order to solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus includes a reading unit that reads a map image, an extraction unit that extracts a specific character string in the map from the map image, and the extracted specific character. An acquisition means for acquiring information associated with the specific character string via a network, a combining means for combining the acquired information and the map image, the combined information and the information; Output means for outputting a map image.

  Such an image forming apparatus can provide information relating to a map with good convenience.

  According to the present invention, information about a map can be provided with good convenience.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing system in 1st embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating an example of the process sequence which an image processing system performs. It is a figure which shows an example of a map. It is a figure which shows an example of an extraction list | wrist. It is a figure which shows an example of the coordinate system with respect to a map image. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a map relevant-information memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the map with which the map relevant information was synthesize | combined. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the extraction process of the character string from a map image. It is a figure which shows the example of a division | segmentation of the band unit of a map image. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process sequence of the search process of map relevant information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing system in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the information management apparatus in 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to the first embodiment. In the image processing system 1 in the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 and the information management apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via a network 30 (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. It is connected.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine that realizes any two or more functions of printing, scanning, copying, FAX transmission / reception, and the like by a single casing. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 only needs to have a scan function and a print function.

  The information management device 50 is a computer that stores and manages information related to a character string written on a map (hereinafter referred to as “map related information”). The map of the present embodiment is similar to a house map, for each building or facility such as a house, condominium, store, or building, such as a door alias, tenant name, building name, facility name, lot number, or place name. It is desirable that a character string is described. With regard to such a map, the map-related information can be said to be information related to a character string target (a building, a condominium, a store, a building, or a building such as a building) written on the map.

  Note that the information management device 50 may be a computer constituting a computer system operated by a map maker or the like. Although only one image forming apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 may be included in the image processing system 1.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, an operation panel 15, a network interface 16, and an SD card slot 17.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, an NVRAM 115, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 records programs and various data used by the programs. In the NVRAM 115, various setting information and the like are recorded.

  The scanner 12 is hardware for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing print data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The operation panel 15 is hardware including input means such as buttons for accepting input from the user, display means such as a liquid crystal panel, and the like. The liquid crystal panel may have a touch panel function. In this case, the liquid crystal panel also functions as an input unit. The network interface 16 is hardware for connecting to a network such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). The SD card slot 17 is used for reading a program recorded on the SD card 80. That is, in the image forming apparatus 10, not only the program recorded in the ROM 113 but also the program recorded in the SD card 80 can be loaded into the RAM 112 and executed. The SD card 80 may be replaced by another recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory). That is, the type of recording medium corresponding to the positioning of the SD card 80 is not limited to a predetermined one. In this case, the SD card slot 17 may be replaced by hardware corresponding to the type of recording medium.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image processing system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a UI control unit 121, a scan control unit 122, an image processing unit 123, a composition unit 124, a map related information acquisition unit 125, a print control unit 126, and the like. These units are realized by processing executed by the CPU 111 by a program installed in the image forming apparatus 10.

  The UI control unit 121 performs screen display on the operation panel 15, processing control according to input to the operation panel 15, and the like. The scan control unit 122 controls reading of image data from the document by the scanner 12. In the present embodiment, a sheet on which a map is printed (hereinafter, simply referred to as “map”) is a reading target. The image data read from the map is hereinafter referred to as “map image”.

  The image processing unit 123 performs image processing on the map image read by the scanner 12. In the present embodiment, character recognition is performed as image processing. That is, the image processing unit 123 extracts a character string included in the map image. The map related information acquisition unit 125 acquires map related information related to the character string extracted from the map image from the information management device 50. The combining unit 124 combines the map related information acquired by the map related information acquiring unit 125 into a map image. The print control unit 126 causes the printer 13 to print the map image combined with the map related information.

  On the other hand, the information management device 50 includes an information management unit 51, an information storage unit 52, and the like. The information storage unit 52 stores map related information. The information management unit 51 searches the information storage unit 52 in response to a search request for map-related information received via the network.

  Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the image processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of a processing procedure executed by the image processing system.

  When the start key of the operation panel 15 is pressed while a map is placed on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or a pressure plate of the image forming apparatus 10, the UI control unit 121 scans the scan control unit 122. Is requested to execute (S101).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map. As shown in the figure, a character string indicating a door alias, a tenant name, a building name, a facility name, a lot number, or a place name is written on the map M1 of the present embodiment.

  In response to the scan execution request, the scan control unit 122 causes the scanner 12 to read the map M1 (S102). The scan control unit 122 records the map image read by the scanner 12 in the RAM 112, for example. The contents of the map image are the same as the map M1 shown in FIG. Therefore, hereinafter, the map image read from the map M1 is referred to as “map image M1”.

  Subsequently, the scan control unit 122 requests the image processing unit 123 to perform character recognition (OCR (Optical Character Recognition)) on the map image M1 (S103). The image processing unit 123 performs a character recognition process on the map image M1, and extracts a character string group from the map image M1 (S104). The character string group to be extracted is a specific character string written on the house map, such as a door alias, a tenant name, a building name, a facility name, a lot number, or a place name. Note that, for example, a location for character recognition may be specified. Specifically, marking is applied to the map M1 around or around a character string that is to be subjected to character recognition. Alternatively, the character string may be painted with a highlighter pen or the like. In this case, the image processing unit 123 limits the character recognition range to a character string that has been marked. Further, a marking sheet may be placed on the map M1, and the marking sheet may be scanned together with the map M1. In this case, the image processing unit 123 limits the character recognition range for the map image M1 to a range corresponding to the marked part on the marking sheet. Alternatively, the image processing unit 123 may display the map image M1 on the operation panel 15 or the like, and cause the character recognition portion to be designated on the displayed map image M1 via the touch panel. In this case, the image processing unit 123 limits the character recognition range to a character string related to a location specified via the touch panel. The range of character recognition may be limited by other methods.

  The image processing unit 123 also associates position information indicating the extracted position (position on the map image M1) with respect to each extracted character string. As a result, information as shown in FIG. 6 (hereinafter referred to as “extraction list”) is generated.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the extraction list. As shown in the figure, the extraction list includes the coordinate value from which the character string is extracted for each character string extracted from the map image M1. The coordinate value is an example of position information of a character string, and is, for example, a value in a coordinate system as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a coordinate system for a map image. In the figure, an example is shown in which the main scanning direction when the map image M1 is read is the X axis, and the sub scanning direction is the Y axis. The coordinate system of the map image M1 is not limited to the form shown in FIG. For each character string, another coordinate system may be applied as long as the position on the map image M1 can be specified.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 123 inputs the extraction list to the synthesis unit 124 (S105). The synthesizing unit 124 designates the input extraction list and requests the map related information acquisition unit 125 to acquire the map related information (S106). Subsequently, the map related information acquisition unit 125 transmits a search request for map related information for each character string included in the extraction list to the information management unit 51 of the information management device 50 (S107). The information management unit 51 performs a search corresponding to the search request to the map related information storage unit 52 (S108).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the map-related information storage unit. In the figure, the map-related information storage unit 52 includes, for example, a place name code, an address, a notation name, a postal code, a telephone number, a FAX number, and other information for each notation of a map of buildings or facilities all over Japan. Includes keywords. Each of these items constitutes map related information in the present embodiment. However, the map related information may be configured by other items.

  The place name code is an identifier of the place name. As the place name code, for example, a town / letter code set by the National Geographical Society of Japan is suitable. The town / letter code is a code that expresses the prefecture, city (county) town, village, large letter / common name, and letter / chome by 11 digits (http://www.kokudo.or.jp/master/record. see html). However, the place name code may be a JIS code that is the upper six digits of the town / letter code, or may be another code that can distinguish the city (county) town.

  The address is a so-called address. The written name is a name written on the map. The postal code, telephone number, and FAX number have the same meanings. Other keywords are additional information that is not limited to a specific format.

  In step S108, for each character string specified in the search request, a record (map related information) that matches the character string is searched. The record that matches the character string is a record that includes the character string in the value of any item.

  Subsequently, the information management unit 51 returns a record group as a search result to the map related information acquisition unit 125 (S109). Note that steps S107 to S109 are performed for each character string so that, for example, the relationship between each character string included in the extraction list and the map-related information as a search result is ensured. However, as long as the relationship between each character string and the map related information is ensured, the map related information for each character string may be searched by a single search request.

  Subsequently, the map related information acquisition unit 125 outputs the map related information returned in association with each character string included in the extraction list to the synthesis unit 124 (S110). The combining unit 124 combines (or superimposes) each map related information on the map image M1 (S111). More specifically, in the map image M1, the values of some or all items of the map-related information are combined at the position indicated by the coordinate value of the character string corresponding to the map-related information or the position deviated by a predetermined amount from the position. Is done.

  For example, the UI control unit 121 may display a list of map related information on the operation panel 15 and allow the user to select map related information or items to be combined from the list. In this case, the synthesizing unit 124 limits the synthesis target to the selected map related information or item. In addition, the items to be combined may be designated in advance in a setting file or the like. The setting file or the like may be stored in the HDD 114, for example.

  Subsequently, the synthesizing unit 124 requests the print control unit 126 to print a map image in which the map related information is synthesized (or superimposed) (S112). The print controller 126 causes the printer 13 to print the map image (S113). As a result, a map in which the map related information is combined is output.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map in which map-related information is combined. In the map M2 in the figure, an example is shown in which respective map-related information R1 or R2 is synthesized in the vicinity of “◯ □ store” and “◯ △ store”. That is, this figure is an example in which the map related information to be synthesized is limited by the user.

  Note that the output form of the map image in which the map related information is combined (or superimposed) is not limited to printing. For example, the synthesis unit 124 may request the UI control unit 121 to display the map image. In this case, the UI control unit 121 may display the map image on, for example, the operation panel 15 or output it to a display terminal (not shown) via a network. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 10 may perform e-mail transmission or FAX transmission of the map image to a predetermined destination (for example, e-mail address or FAX number). The predetermined destination may be stored in the HDD 114 or the NVRAM 115 or a storage device (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network. The map image may be stored in a storage device (not shown) connected to the HDD 115 or the image forming apparatus 10 via a network.

  Further, the map related information acquired from the information management device 50 may be registered in an address book managed by the image forming apparatus 10 using the HDD 115. The address book is information indicating a list of transmission destination selection candidates such as image data scanned by the image forming apparatus 10. Normally, the address book is manually input by an administrator or the like. However, according to the present embodiment, the address book relating to the area to which the map M1 corresponds is automatically registered by scanning the map M1. Can do.

  Next, details of step S104 in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure for extracting a character string from a map image.

  In step S201, the image processing unit 123 divides the map image M1 into band units.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of band division of a map image. As shown in the figure, the map image M1 is divided in band units in the sub-scanning direction. A band is a unit of image data division generally used in image processing.

  Subsequently, the image processing unit 123 performs character recognition for each band (S202). Character recognition may be performed using a known technique. For example, for a tilted character, the map image is rotated and character recognition is performed. Subsequently, the image processing unit 123 generates, for example, in the RAM 112, an extraction list including each character string extracted by character recognition and a coordinate value indicating a position on the map image M1 from which each character string is extracted. (S203). Each character string is included in the extraction list (FIG. 6) in the order of extraction, for example.

  Next, details of steps S107 to S109 in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing procedure of map-related information search processing.

  In step S301, the map related information acquisition unit 125 initializes the value of the variable i to 1. The variable i is a variable indicating a position in the extraction list (FIG. 6). Subsequently, the map related information acquisition unit 125 acquires i-th to N character strings from the extraction list (S302). The value of N may be an arbitrary value as long as it is 1 or more and is equal to or less than the number of items in the extraction list. Initially, the value of i is 1. Therefore, for example, when the value of N is 3, “X hill”, “X △ Rokuro”, and “X store” are acquired from the extraction list shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the map related information acquisition unit 125 generates a search condition using the acquired N character strings as an OR condition, and transmits a search request including the search condition to the information management unit 51 of the information management device 50. (S303). That is, the search condition includes any one of N character strings. The search condition is, for example, ““ ○ △ hill ”OR“ ○ △ Rokuro ”OR“ ○ □ store ””.

  In response to the search request, the information management unit 51 searches the map-related information storage unit 52 for a record (map-related information) including any of the N character strings. In the search condition, the items in the map related information storage unit 52 may be limited. For example, the search condition may include any of N character strings in the “notation name”. The information management unit 51 returns a record (map related information) that matches the search condition to the map related information acquisition unit 125 as a search result. For example, a record including “XX Hill”, a record including “XX Rokuro”, and a record including “XX store” are returned.

  Here, the map-related information storage unit 52 stores map-related information about Japan. Therefore, the map related information returned as a search result is not necessarily limited to the map related information regarding the area corresponding to the map M1. For example, if a plurality of records having the same notation name, such as the same family name, are registered in the map related information storage unit 52, records regarding a plurality of regions can be searched for the same character string. Specifically, there is a possibility that a plurality of records including “◯ △ hill” are searched across regions in Japan.

  Therefore, the map related information acquisition unit 125 executes a process for extracting the map related information related to the map M1 from the search results in step S304 and subsequent steps. In the present embodiment, “area” is a unit distinguished by a place name code.

  In step S304, the map related information acquisition unit 125 classifies the record group included in the search result based on the place name code. Each set of classified map-related information with a common place name code is hereinafter referred to as a “group”. That is, a group is formed for each record group having the same place name code.

  Subsequently, the map related information acquisition unit 125 extracts a group that satisfies all AND conditions of N character strings (S305). That is, a group in which N character strings are included in any record belonging to the group is extracted. Specifically, if N character strings are “○ △ hill”, “○ △ rokuro”, and “○ □ store”, ““ ○ △ hill ”AND“ ○ △ rokuro ”AND“ ○ □ store ” Groups that satisfy "" are extracted. In other words, a group including a record including “XX Hill”, a record including “XX Rokuro”, and a record including “XX store” is extracted.

  Here, step S305 corresponds to the map M1 based on the idea that a combination of character strings (notation names, etc.) included in the map M1 is unlikely to be included in a map of a region other than the map M1. This is a process for narrowing down the groups that are highly likely to do. However, this possibility is not zero. Therefore, the map related information acquisition unit 125 determines whether or not the number of extracted groups is M or less (S306). The value of M may be set to an arbitrary value of 1 or more based on how many regions corresponding to the map M1 are considered to be appropriate. For example, when the map M1 extends over a plurality of regions, the condition may be too severe when M = 1. That is, there is a possibility that the region (place name code) corresponding to the map M1 cannot be specified. If the value of N is sufficiently large, it is considered that even if the value of M is increased, it is unlikely that a group related to an area that does not correspond to the map M1 will be extracted.

  When the number of extracted groups is M or less (Yes in S306), the map related information acquisition unit 125 uses the place name code corresponding to the extracted group to map each character string included in the extraction list. The related information is searched from the information management apparatus 50 (S307). For example, when the place name code corresponding to the extracted group is “110100000...”, The search using the AND condition of this value and “◯ △ hill” as a search condition is the information management unit of the information management device 50. 51 is required. The information management unit 51 searches the map related information storage unit 52 for a record (map related information) that matches the search condition, and returns the record as a search result. For other character strings included in the extraction list, a search is performed according to an AND condition with the place name code. As a result, the possibility of acquiring map-related information related to an area other than the area corresponding to the map M1 is reduced. In addition, when there are a plurality of extracted groups, a search may be performed for each N character strings using an AND condition with a place name code corresponding to each group as a search condition. For example, when the number of extracted groups is 2, the AND condition of the place name code corresponding to the first group and the AND condition of the place name code corresponding to the second group with respect to “O hill” A total of two searches may be performed based on each of the above.

  On the other hand, if there is no group that satisfies all AND conditions of N character strings (No in S305), the map related information acquisition unit 125 determines whether i + N exceeds the number of extraction lists ( S308). That is, when 1 is added to i in step S308, it is determined whether or not N character strings are included in the extraction list after the i-th.

  When i + N is equal to or smaller than the number of extraction lists (No in S308), the map related information acquisition unit 125 adds 1 to i (S309), and repeats Step S302 and the subsequent steps. That is, N character strings acquired from the extraction list are shifted by one in the extraction list. This is to try to specify a place name code corresponding to the map M1 by a combination of character strings different from the previous one.

  On the other hand, when i + N exceeds the number of items in the extraction list (Yes in S308), the map related information acquisition unit 125 determines whether the value of N is 2 or more (S310). That is, it is determined whether or not the value of N can be further reduced. When the value of N is 2 or more (Yes in S310), the map related information acquisition unit 125 subtracts 1 from N (S311), and repeats step S301 and subsequent steps. In this case, since the value of N is small, the AND condition in step S305 is relaxed. Therefore, the possibility that the place name code corresponding to the map M1 is specified can be increased.

  On the other hand, when the value of N is not 2 or more (Yes in S310), that is, when the value of N is 1, the value of N cannot be further reduced. Therefore, the map related information acquisition unit 125 gives up specifying the place name code corresponding to the map M1.

  If the number of groups that satisfy all AND conditions of N character strings exceeds M (No in S306), the map-related information acquisition unit 125 adds 1 to N (S312). In this case, there is a possibility that map-related information relating to an area that does not correspond to the map M1 may be acquired, so that the search condition is to be stricter. Subsequently, the map-related information acquisition unit 125 determines whether the value of N exceeds the number of character strings included in the extraction list (S313). If the value of N exceeds the number of character strings included in the extraction list (Yes in S313), the search condition cannot be tightened any more, so the map related information acquisition unit 125 is extracted at the present time. The map information related to each character string included in the extraction list is searched from the information management device 50 using the place name code corresponding to the group being selected (S307).

  On the other hand, when the value of N does not exceed the number of character strings included in the extraction list (No in S313), the map related information acquisition unit 125 repeats Step S301 and the subsequent steps. In this case, the value of N is larger than the previous time. Therefore, it is expected that the AND condition in step S305 becomes stricter and the number of extracted groups decreases.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can obtain map-related information related to the character string written on the map by causing the image forming apparatus 10 to scan the map. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 can provide information related to the drawings with good convenience. In particular, the map-related information can be provided in a form that is excellent in portability, such as a printed matter, by printing the result of combining the map-related information with the map image read from the scanned map. . At this time, each map related information is synthesized in the vicinity of a character string related to the map related information. Therefore, it is possible to easily recognize the correspondence between the character string on the map and the map related information.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same parts as those in FIG.

  The image processing system 2 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an information processing apparatus 20. The information processing apparatus 20 is an information processing apparatus that executes a part of the processing that has been executed by the image forming apparatus 10 in the first embodiment. The information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network 40 such as a LAN (whether wired or wireless). Further, the information processing apparatus 20 is connected to the information management apparatus 50 via the network 30 so as to be communicable.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the information management apparatus according to the second embodiment. 14 includes a drive device 200, an auxiliary storage device 202, a memory device 203, a CPU 204, and an interface device 205, which are mutually connected by a bus B.

  A program for realizing processing in the information management apparatus 20 is provided by a recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 201 on which the program is recorded is set in the drive device 200, the program is installed from the recording medium 201 to the auxiliary storage device 202 via the drive device 200. However, it is not always necessary to install the program from the recording medium 201, and the program may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 202 stores the installed program and stores necessary files and data.

  The memory device 203 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 202 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 204 executes functions related to the information management apparatus 20 in accordance with a program stored in the memory device 203. The interface device 205 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image processing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 15, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In the image processing system 2 of FIG. 15, the information processing apparatus 20 includes a reception unit 21, a map related information acquisition unit 125, a transmission unit 22, and the like. Each of these units is realized by processing that a program installed in the information processing apparatus 20 causes the CPU 204 to execute.

  The receiving unit 21 receives a character string group extracted from the map image M1 in the image forming apparatus 10. The map related information acquisition unit 125 acquires map related information regarding the character string received by the reception unit 21 from the information management device 50. The transmission unit 22 transmits the map related information acquired by the information management device 50 to the image forming apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a communication control unit 127. The communication control unit 127 transmits the character string group extracted by the image processing unit 123 to the information processing apparatus 20 and receives map-related information regarding the character string group returned from the information processing apparatus 20.

  The processing procedure executed by the image processing system 2 may be the same as that of the first embodiment except that the execution subject of the processing procedure of FIG.

  The relationship between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus 20 may be one-to-one or many-to-one.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Image processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Operation panel 16 Network interface 17 SD card slot 20 Information processing apparatus 21 Reception part 22 Transmission part 30 Network 50 Information management apparatus 51 Information management part 52 Information Storage unit 80 SD card 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
115 NVRAM
121 UI Control Unit 122 Scan Control Unit 123 Image Processing Unit 124 Composition Unit 125 Map Related Information Acquisition Unit 126 Print Control Unit 127 Communication Control Unit 200 Drive Device 201 Recording Medium
202 Auxiliary storage device 203 Memory device 204 CPU
205 interface device

JP 2004-062247 A

Claims (14)

Reading means for reading a map image;
Extracting means for extracting a specific character string in the map from an image of the map;
An acquisition means for acquiring information associated with the specific character string via the network based on the extracted specific character string;
Combining means for combining the acquired information and the map image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: the combined information and an output unit that outputs an image of the map. The extraction means associates the character string with positional information on the image from which the character string is extracted for each of the extracted specific character strings,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combining unit combines the acquired information with a position indicated by the position information associated with the specific character string corresponding to the information on the map.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit performs one of printing, display, and transmission of the image via a network.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit extracts the specific character string related to a location designated for the map from an image of the map. 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information associated with the specific character string from an information management apparatus connected via a network.   The said acquisition means acquires at least any one of an address name, a notation name, a postal code, and a telephone number associated with the specific character string via a network. Image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving a specific character string extracted from an image read from a map by the image forming apparatus, transmitted from an image forming apparatus connected via a network;
An information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire information associated with the specific character string via a network based on the received specific character string.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit information associated with the specific character string acquired by the acquisition unit to the image forming apparatus.   The acquisition means stores information associated with the plurality of specific character strings from the information storage means for storing information associated with the specific character string in association with an identifier of a place name. Based on the network, classifying the acquired information into a plurality of sets based on the identifier, and each of the plurality of specific character strings belonging to the set included in any of the information The information processing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein information is extracted.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information associated with the specific character string from an information management apparatus connected via a network.   The said acquisition means acquires at least any one of an address name, a description name, a postal code, and a telephone number associated with the specific character string via a network. Information processing device. An image processing system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected to each other via a network,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Reading means for reading a map image;
Extracting means for extracting a specific character string in the map from an image of the map;
Communication control means for transmitting the extracted specific character string to the information processing apparatus and receiving information associated with the specific character string from the information processing apparatus;
Combining means for combining the received information and the map image;
An output means for outputting the synthesized information and the map image;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the specific character string from the image forming apparatus;
An acquisition means for acquiring information associated with the specific character string via a network based on the specific character string;
An image processing system comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit information associated with the specific character string acquired by the acquisition unit to the image forming apparatus. Reading procedure to read the map image,
An extraction procedure for extracting a specific character string in the map from an image of the map;
An acquisition procedure for acquiring information associated with the specific character string via the network based on the extracted specific character string;
A combining procedure for combining the acquired information and the map image;
A program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute the combined information and an output procedure for outputting an image of the map. A reception procedure for receiving a specific character string extracted from an image read from a map by the image forming apparatus, transmitted from an image forming apparatus connected via a network;
A program for causing a computer to execute an acquisition procedure for acquiring information associated with a specific character string via a network based on the received specific character string.

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