JP2015114734A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a program, which designate a part of a document to be written to, as a target of computation for forming a differential image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus performs: storing at least a part of a pre-update document to be written to as a differential extraction zone; reading a post-update document; generating a differential image that is a difference between the differential extraction zone of the pre-update document and the differential extraction zone in the post-update document; and, in a case where a differential image is formed by differential image forming-means, updating the differential extraction zone on the basis of the differential image.

Description

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

  Conventionally, documents such as medical charts created by handwriting are managed as paper documents, and are sometimes managed as electronic documents by reading the paper documents with a scanner or the like.

  Patent Document 1 below describes a document management system that extracts difference information and stores the difference information in association with the original electronic document when a document already stored in the document management server is scanned again.

  The following Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus that compares image data of a printed matter to which handwritten characters and dirt are added with original image data, extracts difference data, and selects difference data desired to be reflected. Yes.

JP 2006-164109 A JP 2010-62998 A

  However, if the entire document is a calculation target for generating a difference image every time the document is updated, a portion that is not scheduled to be written is calculated, and the calculation efficiency is poor.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image processing apparatus and a program that use a scheduled writing portion of a document as a calculation target for generating a difference image.

  In order to solve the above problem, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, a document storage unit that stores at least a portion to be written as a difference extraction area in a document before update, a document reading unit that reads an updated document, The difference image is generated when the difference image is generated by the difference extraction area of the pre-update document, the difference image generation means for generating the difference image of the difference extraction area in the updated document, and the difference image generation means. And a difference extraction area updating means for updating the difference extraction area based on.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document storage means stores a plurality of the difference extraction areas.

  The image processing apparatus may further include a display unit that classifies and displays the difference image generated by the difference image generation unit according to an original difference extraction area related to the difference image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the display means classifies and displays the difference images generated by the difference image generation means at the time of generation of the difference image. This is an image processing apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer provided in the image processing apparatus, a document storage unit that stores at least a portion to be written in a pre-update document as a difference extraction area, a document reading unit that reads a post-update document, When the difference image is generated by the difference extraction area of the pre-update document, the difference image generation means for generating the difference image of the difference extraction area in the updated document, and the difference image generation means, It is a program characterized by functioning as a difference extraction area updating means for updating a difference extraction area based on the program.

  According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, the scheduled writing portion of the document is a calculation target for generating a difference image.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, a plurality of regions are set as calculation targets for generating a difference image.

  According to invention of Claim 3, a difference image is classified and displayed by the difference extraction area | region relevant to the said difference image.

  According to invention of Claim 4, a difference image is classified and displayed by the time of the said difference image production | generation.

It is a block diagram which shows the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the document read into the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the memory | storage part of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the difference extraction area | region memory | storage part of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the difference extraction area | region of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the difference image memory | storage part of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the content of the document memory | storage part of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the difference production | generation process of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the difference extraction area update of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the difference display screen of the image processing apparatus in the Example of this invention.

  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 apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a display unit 20, a storage unit 30, a control unit 40, a scanner unit 50, and an input unit 60. In addition, the control part 40, the display part 20, the memory | storage part 30, and the input part 60 function as a computer integrally.

  The display unit 20 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a document image read into the image processing apparatus 1, a generated difference image, and the like. Further, information necessary for operating the image processing apparatus 1 is displayed.

  The storage unit 30 includes, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 30 stores a program executed by the control unit 40 and also functions as a work memory for the control unit 40. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 30 includes a difference extraction area storage unit 31 that stores information necessary for executing the program. Note that the program executed by the control unit 40 stored in the storage unit 30 may be provided via a telecommunication line or stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a semiconductor storage element. And may be provided.

  The control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire image processing apparatus 1 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 30. For example, the control unit 40 controls the display unit 20 when displaying the read sentence. Further, the control unit 40 generates a difference image by executing a difference image generation program based on the information stored in the storage unit 30. Specific contents of the processing will be described later.

  The scanner unit 50 reads a paper document and takes the document into the image processing apparatus 1 as electronic data. The electronic data of the captured document is stored in the document storage unit 33 included in the storage unit 30.

  The input unit 60 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and outputs a user instruction to the control unit 40.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a document 70 read in the present embodiment. The document 70 is specifically a medical chart or the like. The document 70 includes a personal information entry field 80. The information written in the personal information entry field 80 is, for example, the name and date of birth of the patient, and is information that cannot be rewritten once written. Therefore, it is a column with no possibility of additional writing or change.

  In addition, when entering an address in the personal information entry field 80, if considering the possibility that the address will be changed later, a differential extraction area described later is set as a specific area in the personal information entry field 80. You may do it.

  A two-dimensional code 90 is attached to the personal information entry field 80. The two-dimensional code 90 is obtained by coding the document format and usage of the document 70. The coded information may include the contents written in the personal information entry field 80. In this case, the two-dimensional code 90 may be printed after the information is entered in the personal information entry field 80.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the same code is attached to a series of documents. For example, it may be necessary to add additional information to a personal medical chart and there is no need for additional information on a new sheet. In such a case, a series of documents are included on the new sheet. The same code that can be recognized as one of the documents is attached.

  The document 70 includes a first entry field 100, a second entry field 110, and a third entry field 120. Each entry field is properly used according to the contents to be described. In the case of the document 70 shown in FIG. 2, the letters “A” are written in the first entry field, and the letters “Iloha” are entered in the second entry field. Written and the letters “ABC” are written in the third entry field. In the present embodiment, the list of characters as described above is given as an example of written characters, but it is assumed that meaningful sentences are written. Further, the written contents are not limited to characters, and may be diagrams.

  The dotted frame surrounding each entry field represents the first difference extraction area 130, the second difference extraction area 140, and the third difference extraction area 150, respectively. These frame lines are not printed on the paper surface of the document 70, but are virtually shown for the purpose of explaining the present embodiment.

  In each difference extraction area, the four corners of the frame line are designated using coordinates with the upper left vertex of the document 70 as the origin. For example, in the case of the first difference extraction area 130, the coordinates of the upper left corner of the area are (x1, y1), the coordinates of the lower left are (x1, y2), the coordinates of the lower right are (x2, y2), and the coordinates of the upper right are ( x2, y1). The same applies to the other difference extraction areas. In addition, the solid line which shows the coordinate axis and coordinate attached | subjected to the document 70 is attached | subjected virtually.

  The coordinates of the difference extraction area are stored in the difference extraction area storage unit 31 included in the storage unit 30. FIG. 3 shows the contents of the storage unit 30 in the present embodiment. The storage unit 30 includes a difference image storage unit 32 and a document storage unit 33 in addition to the difference extraction area storage unit 31.

  FIG. 4 shows the contents of the difference extraction area storage unit 31. The difference extraction area storage unit 31 stores coordinates for designating each difference extraction area as described above. In the present embodiment, the difference extraction area is assumed to be a rectangle, and the difference extraction area is designated by the coordinates of the four corners. However, the difference extraction area may be a polygon, a circle, or the like. In the case of a circle, the difference extraction area is designated by the center point and the diameter.

  The difference extraction area storage unit 31 stores difference extraction area coordinate groups related to a plurality of document formats. The image processing apparatus 1 decodes the two-dimensional code 90 of the document 70 read by the scanner unit 50, specifies the document format of the read document 70, and selects an appropriate difference extraction area coordinate group.

  In the present embodiment, the document format of the document 70 is specified by the two-dimensional code 90. However, when the document 70 is read by the scanner unit 50, a frame line such as an entry field is determined, and the determination is made. The apex of the frame line may be set as a difference extraction area coordinate group. Further, the user may appropriately designate the difference extraction area.

  FIG. 5 shows two examples of how to take the difference extraction area. FIG. 5A shows the third entry field 120 and the third difference extraction area 150. In this case, the letters “ABCDEFG” are written in the third entry field 120. FIG. The way of taking the third difference extraction area 150 shown in FIG. 5A is the same as that shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, in the case shown in FIG. 5B, the enlarged third difference extraction area 160 is used. In this case, the difference extraction area is set so as to largely surround the third entry field 120, and even if the character “ABCDEFG” is written outside the third entry field 120, the entire character is differentiated. It can be included in the extraction area.

  As described above, a plurality of methods for taking the difference extraction area may be prepared, and the user of the image processing apparatus 1 may select as appropriate. In this case, it is assumed that a plurality of difference extraction region coordinate groups are stored in the difference extraction region storage unit 31, and the selection is entrusted to the user. In that case, it may be possible to select a method as shown in FIG. 5A and a method as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows the contents of the difference image storage unit 32. The difference image storage unit 32 stores a difference image acquired by the image processing apparatus 1 together with an acquisition source entry field and a generation date. In this embodiment, the document 70 shown in FIG. 2 is in a state in which it is read before being updated on April 1, 2013 after being written on February 1, 2013. The last update of the document 70 was performed on May 1, 2013, and it can be read that the column written at that time is only the third entry column. In the present embodiment, the generation date is stored. However, the hour, minute, and second may be stored, or may be stored together with the name of the person who made the additional writing. For example, in the case of a medical chart, the person who has added information is a doctor, a nurse, or the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the contents of the document storage unit 33. The document storage unit 33 stores the pre-entry document and each updated document along with the update date. In the present embodiment, in the update on May 1, 2013, when the character “GHI” is written in the third entry field 120 of the document 70, the blank space disappears and “abcd” is added to a new sheet with the same code. "Is written. Therefore, two documents are stored in the update on May 1, 2013.

  Looking back at FIG. 6, it can be seen that the difference image obtained from the third entry field on May 1, 2013 is the characters “GHI” and “abcd”. In this way, even if the paper is changed and written, if the difference image acquisition source is the same entry field, a series of difference images are continuously stored.

  In addition, when writing by changing the paper, it may be determined that the document is a series of documents based on the two-dimensional code 90 attached to the document, or stored when the scanner unit 50 captures the document. It may be possible to specify that it is a continuation of the document.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the difference generation program executed by the control unit 40. Below, the specific content of the said process is demonstrated.

  First, the control unit 40 reads the data of the document 70 scanned by the scanner unit 50 (S1). The document 70 to be read may be before entry or may have been entered and updated several times.

  Next, the control unit 40 stores the read document 70 in the document storage unit 33 included in the storage unit 30 (S2). At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be stored together with the update date, and other information such as the name of the person who made the addition may be added.

  The control unit 40 detects and decodes the two-dimensional code 90 attached to the read document 70 (S3). Thereby, information such as the document format of the read document 70 is obtained.

  Next, the control unit 40 determines whether a completed document with the same code as the read document 70 is already stored in the document storage unit 33 (S4). Here, it is assumed that the flow in the case where there is an already filled document, that is, the case where the determination is YES, is followed first.

  When a completed document with the same code as that of the read document 70 is already stored in the document storage unit 33, an appropriate difference extraction area discriminated from the two-dimensional code 90 attached to the read document 70 The coordinate group is read from the difference extraction area storage unit 31 (S5). In the present embodiment, for example, a plurality of difference extraction areas as shown in FIG. 2 are designated.

  Next, the control unit 40 reads the immediately preceding pre-update document from the document storage unit 33 from the update history of the read document 70 (S6). For example, when the document updated on February 1, 2013 and April 1, 2013 is further written on May 1, 2013 and read into the image processing apparatus 1, the control unit 40 The document as of the first day of the month is read as the immediately preceding document before update.

  And the control part 40 compares the difference extraction area | region of the document before and behind an update, and produces | generates a difference image (S9). In the above example, characters or the like that are written in the document as of May 1, 2013 but not written in the document as of April 1, 2013 are generated as a difference image.

  On the other hand, if the completed document with the same code as the read document 70 is not stored in the document storage unit 33, the difference extraction area coordinate group of the pre-entry document with the same code as the read document 70 is stored. Is read from the difference extraction area storage unit 31 (S7).

  Further, the pre-entry document with the same code as the read document 70 is read from the document storage unit 33 (S8).

  Then, the control unit 40 compares the difference extraction areas of the document before and after the update, that is, the pre-entry document and the read document 70, and generates a difference image (S9).

  The difference image thus generated by the control unit 40 is stored in the difference image storage unit 32 together with the entry column number and the generation date (S10). As described above, various additions can be considered for information stored together with the difference image.

  Finally, the control unit 40 updates the difference extraction area (S11). This process will be described next.

  FIG. 9A shows the third difference extraction area 150 before update, and FIG. 9B shows the updated third difference extraction area 170. Here, the third difference extraction area 150 shown in FIG. 9A reads the document 70 and reads the difference extraction area coordinate group from the difference extraction area storage unit 31 (in S5 or S7 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8). Stage) state. On the other hand, the updated third difference extraction area 170 shown in FIG. 9B shows a state where the difference image generation is finished and the process of S11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is finished.

  The character “ABCDEFG” is written in the third entry field 120, but the character portion is not included in the third difference extraction area 170 updated by the difference extraction area update process (S11). During the update process of the difference extraction area (S11), the control unit 40 subtracts the part that generated the difference image from the third difference extraction area 120 and sets it as the updated third difference extraction area 170.

  Such update processing of the difference extraction area is performed by updating the difference extraction area coordinate group stored in the difference extraction area storage unit 31. In the case of the present embodiment, the four difference extraction area coordinates in the third entry column shown in FIG. 4 are updated, and the six vertices of the hexagon shown in FIG. 9B are traced counterclockwise from the upper left. Coordinates are newly stored.

  By updating the difference extraction area in this way, the already described portion can be excluded from the calculation target for difference generation, so that the time required for the difference extraction processing can be sequentially reduced. .

  In the present embodiment, a difference image is generated by a rectangular area surrounding a character. At this time, a rectangle having a minimum area surrounding the character is selected, but a margin may be provided. Further, the difference image may be generated by a polygonal region surrounding the character or may be circular. Furthermore, it is good also as a user being able to select suitably whether a difference extraction area | region is updated.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a method for displaying a series of difference images stored in the difference image storage unit 32 on the display unit 20. In the present embodiment, for each entry field, it is possible to select whether to display all of the difference images generated from the entry field, specify the generation date period, or not display it at all.

  FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a case where all the difference images generated in the first entry column 100 and the third entry column 120 are displayed in the order of generation date. The difference image generated from the first entry field 100 is displayed in the selection difference image display field (1) 190, and the difference image generated from the third entry field 120 is displayed in the selection difference image display field (2) 200. Has been. Here, in the selection difference image display field (2) 200, the characters “abcd” written in the third entry field 120 of another sheet are also displayed in succession, and the list property is more than that in the case of a paper document. It can be seen that it has improved.

  FIG. 10B displays all the difference images generated in the first entry column 100 and the difference images generated in the second entry column 110 and the third entry column 120 during April 2013. It is a figure which shows the case where it is supposed to do. The difference image generated from the first entry field 100 is displayed in the selected difference image display field (3) 210, and the difference image display field (4) 220 is generated in April in the second entry field 110. The selected difference image is displayed, and the difference image generated from the third entry field 120 is displayed in the selected difference image display field (5) 230.

  In addition to this, for example, when the difference image is stored together with the name of the person who performed the additional recording, the difference image may be classified by the person who performed the additional recording and the difference image to be displayed can be selected.

  By making it possible to select the difference image to be displayed in this way, it becomes possible to view the update history in a form different from the layout in the paper document. Thereby, a layout configuration according to the purpose of browsing is possible, and display with improved listability and searchability can be performed.

  As described above, the difference image is generated and displayed in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above. For example, the image processing apparatus 1 may be connected to a communication network and generate and display a difference image for a document or the like acquired via the communication network.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus, 20 Display part, 30 Storage part, 31 Difference extraction area storage part, 32 Difference image storage part, 33 Document storage part, 40 Control part, 50 Scanner part, 60 Input part, 70 Document, 80 Personal information etc. Entry field, 90 Two-dimensional code, 100 First entry field, 110 Second entry field, 120 Third entry field, 130 First difference extraction area, 140 Second difference extraction area, 150 Third difference extraction area, 160 Enlarged Third difference extraction area, 170 Updated third difference extraction area, 180 Difference browsing image, 190 Selected difference image display field (1), 200 Selected difference image display field (2), 210 Selected difference image display field (3), 220 Selection difference image display field (4), 230 Selection difference image display field (5).

Claims (5)

Document storage means for storing at least a part to be written in the pre-update document as a difference extraction area;
A document reading means for reading the updated document;
Difference image generation means for generating a difference image of the difference extraction area of the pre-update document and the difference extraction area of the post-update document;
A difference extraction area update means for updating a difference extraction area based on the difference image when a difference image is generated by the difference image generation means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The document storage means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the difference extraction areas are stored. The image processing apparatus includes:
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a display unit that classifies and displays the difference image generated by the difference image generation unit according to an original difference extraction area related to the difference image. The display means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the difference images generated by the difference image generation unit are classified and displayed according to the time of generation of the difference image. A computer provided in the image processing apparatus,
Document storage means for storing at least a portion to be written in the pre-update document as a difference extraction area,
Document reading means for reading the updated document,
Difference image generation means for generating a difference image of the difference extraction area of the pre-update document and the difference extraction area of the post-update document;
A difference extraction area update means for updating a difference extraction area based on the difference image when a difference image is generated by the difference image generation means;
A program characterized by functioning as

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