JP2017068011A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that enables a person who answers questions to obtain correct answers.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a reading part 3, a storage part 7, a first extraction part 91, and a printing part 4. The reading part 3 reads an examination paper image that is an image of an examination paper including at least one question. The storage part 7 stores question related information 71 related to the questions. The first extraction part 91 extracts correct answers to the questions included in the examination paper from the question related information 71 on the basis of the examination paper image. The printing part 4 prints the correct answers extracted by the first extraction part 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

  In recent years, techniques for extending the functions of image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus having a function of scoring answer sheets.

  Specifically, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 recognizes an answer by an answerer included in an answer sheet, and determines whether or not the answer is successful, and performs scoring.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-76681

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an answerer can obtain a scoring result, but cannot obtain a correct answer or a hint that leads to a correct answer.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system in which an answerer can obtain a correct answer or a hint that leads to a correct answer.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit, a storage unit, a first extraction unit, and a printing unit. The reading unit reads an answer image on an answer sheet including at least one question. The storage unit stores problem-related information related to the problem. The first extraction unit extracts the correct answer or hint of each question included in the answer sheet from the question related information based on the answer image. The printing unit prints the correct answer or the hint extracted by the first extraction unit.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes an external terminal and an image forming apparatus. The external terminal includes a first communication unit and a storage unit. The first communication unit communicates with the image forming apparatus. The storage unit stores correct answers or hints. The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit, a reading unit, an extracting unit, and a printing unit. The second communication unit communicates with the external terminal. The reading unit reads an answer image on an answer sheet including at least one question. The extraction unit extracts, based on the answer image, the correct answer or hint of each of the questions included in the answer sheet from the storage unit via the first communication unit and the second communication unit. The printing unit prints the correct answer or the hint extracted by the extraction unit.

  According to the present invention, the answerer can obtain a correct answer or a hint that leads to a correct answer.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the answer image which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the correct answer print image which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hint print image which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the correct rate print image which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hint print image with a correct rate which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the evaluation comment print image which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hint print image with an evaluation comment which concerns on Embodiment 6 of this invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the image forming apparatus according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is not repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral or a copier.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 2, a reading unit 3, a printing unit 4, a device storage unit 7, and a device control unit 9.

  The operation unit 2 receives an input operation by the user and transmits a signal corresponding to the input operation to the device control unit 9.

  The reading unit 3 reads an image of a document and generates image data. In the present embodiment, the reading unit 3 reads an image of an answer sheet including at least one question. The reading unit 3 generates image data of an image of a read answer sheet (hereinafter referred to as an answer image).

  The device storage unit 7 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The device storage unit 7 stores a control program PG. In the present embodiment, the device storage unit 7 stores problem-related information 71 related to the problem included in the answer sheet. The question related information 71 includes information indicating a correct answer of a question included in the answer sheet and information indicating a hint. The question related information 71 includes information on a layout image for printing a correct answer. Further, the question related information 71 includes information on the total number of questions included in the answer sheet. The question related information 71 includes information indicating the position of the answer column on the answer sheet, the position to add the hint, and the position to add the comment.

  The device control unit 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and the like. The apparatus control unit 9 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a control program PG stored in advance in the apparatus storage unit 7. The apparatus control unit 9 uses the RAM as a work area when executing the control program PG. The apparatus control unit 9 functions as if it has a problem-related information extraction unit 91 and an image data generation unit 92 by executing the control program PG. The problem related information extraction unit 91 is an example of a first extraction unit.

  The problem-related information extracting unit 91 extracts predetermined information from the problem-related information 71 based on the answer image. For example, the problem-related information extraction unit 91 extracts information indicating the correct answer or information indicating a hint included in the answer sheet from the problem-related information 71.

  The image data generation unit 92 generates image data based on the information extracted by the problem related information extraction unit 91. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a correct answer mode and a hint mode as operation modes. When the operation mode is the correct answer mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a correct answer print image. The correct answer print image is an image including the correct answer corresponding to each question. When the operation mode is the hint mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the hint print image. The hint print image is an image including a hint corresponding to each of the problems. In the present embodiment, the hint print image is an image obtained by adding a hint image to the answer image. The operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is selected (set) by the user operating the operation unit 2.

  The printing unit 4 performs printing on the sheet based on the image data generated by the reading unit 3 and the image data generated by the image data generation unit 92.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the answer image D. In the present embodiment, the problem included in the answer sheet is a hole filling problem.

  When the answer image D shown in FIG. 2 is read by the reading unit 3, image data of the answer image D is generated. The answer image D includes a plurality of question images Q (hereinafter referred to as question images Q), an answer image An (hereinafter referred to as an answer image An), and an answer identification information image dr (hereinafter referred to as an answer). It is described as an identification information image dr). The answer is the answer of the answerer to the problem. The answer identification information is information for identifying the type of answer sheet. In the present embodiment, the answer identification information includes symbols such as numbers and letters, for example.

  The device controller 9 identifies the type of answer sheet based on the answer identification information image dr included in the answer image D. For example, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is used to recognize the answer identification information. Information included in the problem related information 71 is associated with answer identification information. When the answer sheet type is identified, the problem-related information extracting unit 91 extracts information corresponding to the identified answer sheet type from the problem-related information 71.

  When the correct answer mode is selected as the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1, the question related information extraction unit 91 extracts information indicating the correct answer and information on the layout image for printing the correct answer from the problem related information 71. The image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a correct answer print image based on the information extracted from the problem related information 71.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the correct answer print image P1. In the present embodiment, the correct answer print image P1 includes an image of a correct answer collection in which correct answers of a plurality of questions are collected. As shown in FIG. 3, the correct answer print image P1 includes correct answer images c corresponding to each of a plurality of questions. Each correct answer image c is arranged in the layout image. The printing unit 4 prints the correct answer print image P1 on the sheet based on the image data of the correct answer print image P1 generated by the image data generating unit 92. In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode, the printing unit 4 prints the answer image D on one side of the sheet and prints the correct answer print image P1 on the other side of the sheet. .

  When the hint mode is selected as the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1, the problem-related information extraction unit 91 extracts information indicating the hint and information indicating the position where the hint is added from the problem-related information 71. In the present embodiment, the hint is information for leading to a correct answer. For example, the hint may be a reference page number of a textbook or a keyword close to a correct answer. The image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image in which a hint image is added to the answer image D based on the image data of the answer image D and information extracted from the problem-related information 71.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hint print image P2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image P2 in which a hint image h is added to the answer image D. The hint print image P2 includes a hint image h corresponding to each of a plurality of problems. In the present embodiment, the image data generation unit 92 adds the hint image h to the answer image D according to the information indicating the position where the hint is added. Specifically, each hint image h is added to a position different from the position of each question image Q in the answer image D. The printing unit 4 prints the hint print image P2 on the sheet based on the image data of the hint print image P2 generated by the image data generation unit 92.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the answer image D is read by the reading unit 3 (step S102), the apparatus control unit 9 identifies the type of the answer sheet based on the answer identification information included in the answer image D (step S102). S104). Next, the problem-related information extracting unit 91 extracts information indicating correct answers of the plurality of questions included in the identified answer sheet from the problem-related information 71 (step S106). Further, the problem related information extraction unit 91 extracts information on the layout image corresponding to the identified answer sheet type from the problem related information 71. When the information is extracted by the problem related information extraction unit 91, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P1 based on the extracted information (step S108). Next, the printing unit 4 prints the answer image D on one side of the sheet based on the image data of the answer image D, and the correct answer print image P1 on the other side of the sheet based on the image data of the correct answer print image P1. Is printed (step S110). As a result, the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set. Note that steps S102 and S104 shown in FIG. 6 are the same processes as those described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the type of the answer sheet is identified by the apparatus control unit 9 (step S104), the problem-related information extracting unit 91 obtains hints for each of the plurality of questions included in the identified answer sheet. Information to be shown is extracted from the problem-related information 71 (step S202). Further, the problem-related information extracting unit 91 extracts information indicating the position to add a hint corresponding to the identified answer sheet type from the problem-related information 71. When the information is extracted by the problem-related information extraction unit 91, the image data generation unit 92 obtains the image data of the hint print image P2 based on the image data of the answer image D and the information extracted from the problem-related information 71. Generate (step S204). The printing unit 4 prints the hint print image P2 on the sheet based on the image data of the hint print image P2 generated by the image data generation unit 92 (step S206), and the process ends.

  The first embodiment has been described above. According to the present embodiment, just by causing the image forming apparatus 1 to read the answer image D, the correct answer print image P1 is printed based on the answer image D. That is, the answerer of the answer sheet can obtain the correct answer of each question included in the answer sheet. This improves the convenience of the answerer.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the hint print image P2 in which the hint image h is added to the answer image D simply by causing the image forming apparatus 1 to read the answer image D. That is, the answerer can obtain a hint that leads to the correct answer of each question included in the answer sheet. Thereby, the answerer can learn by relying on the hint.

  In the present embodiment, the answer image D is printed on one side of the sheet and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the correct answer print image P1 may be printed on the sheet.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first external terminal 100 stores the problem related information 71. Hereinafter, matters different from the first embodiment will be described with respect to the second embodiment, and descriptions of matters overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming system 200 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming system 200 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a first external terminal 100. The first external terminal 100 is, for example, a server or a client PC.

  The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a device communication unit 5 as an example of the first communication unit. The device communication unit 5 is a communication interface. The device communication unit 5 performs communication with the first external terminal 100 connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The first external terminal 100 includes a terminal communication unit 101, a terminal storage unit 102, and a terminal control unit 110, which are examples of a second communication unit. The terminal communication unit 101 is a communication interface. The terminal communication unit 101 is communicably connected to the device communication unit 5. The terminal storage unit 102 includes an HDD, a RAM, and a ROM. In the present embodiment, the terminal storage unit 102 stores problem related information 71.

  The terminal control unit 110 is configured by a CPU or the like. When the transmission of information included in the problem-related information 71 is requested from the problem-related information extraction unit 91 of the image forming apparatus 1, the terminal control unit 110 displays the information requested from the problem-related information extraction unit 91 as the terminal storage unit 102. Extracted from (problem related information 71). The extracted information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via the terminal communication unit 101.

  The second embodiment has been described above. According to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 does not need to store the problem related information 71. As a result, the storage area of the device storage unit 7 can be saved.

  In the present embodiment, the case where there is one image forming apparatus 1 constituting the image forming system 200 has been described as an example. However, the number of image forming apparatuses 1 constituting the image forming system 200 is not limited to one. For example, two or more image forming apparatuses 1 constituting the image forming system 200 may be provided. In this case, the answerer can select the image forming apparatus 1 that causes the answer image D to be read from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1. As a result, the convenience of the answerer is improved.

[Embodiment 3]
Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment is different from the first and second embodiments in that the image data of the answer image D is transmitted to the second external terminal 300. Hereinafter, matters different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described with respect to the third embodiment, and descriptions of matters overlapping with the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the device communication unit 5 is communicably connected to a second external terminal 300 connected to a network such as a LAN. The second external terminal 300 is, for example, a server or a client PC. In the present embodiment, the second external terminal 300 is a server or a client PC that is used by the answerer of the answer sheet. When the reading unit 3 reads the answer image D, the device control unit 9 transmits the image data of the answer image D to the second external terminal 300 via the device communication unit 5. Note that when the image data of the answer image D is transmitted to the second external terminal 300, the apparatus control unit 9 may notify the questioning person by e-mail or the like.

  The second external terminal 300 stores the image data of the answer image D transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1. The examiner can obtain the answer image D based on the image data of the answer image D stored in the second external terminal 300.

  Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set. As shown in FIG. 9, compared to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), step S302 is added between step S102 and step S104.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the reading unit 3 reads the answer image D (step S <b> 102), the device control unit 9 transmits the image data of the answer image D to the second external terminal 300 via the device communication unit 5. (Step S302). Thereafter, processing is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (steps S104 to S110).

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set. As shown in FIG. 10, compared to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), step S302 is added between step S102 and step S104. That is, before the answer sheet type identification process (step S104) is executed, the image data of the answer image D is transmitted to the second external terminal 300 (step S302).

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment has been described above. According to the present embodiment, the image data of the answer image D is transmitted to the second external terminal 300 used by the answerer of the answer sheet. Therefore, the answerer causes the image forming apparatus 1 to read the answer image D in consideration of the fact that the answer image D is transmitted to the examinee. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an action to easily obtain a correct answer or a hint that leads to a correct answer.

[Embodiment 4]
Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, unlike the first to third embodiments, the printing unit 4 performs printing only when the recognizable answer ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. The recognizable answer ratio indicates the ratio of the number of recognizable answers to the total number of questions included in the answer sheet. The number of recognizable answers indicates the number of answers that can recognize characters. Hereinafter, matters different from the first to third embodiments will be described with respect to the fourth embodiment, and description of matters overlapping with the first to third embodiments will be omitted. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the device control unit 9 functions as if it has a problem-related information extraction unit 91, an image data generation unit 92, an answer recognition unit 93, and a calculation unit 94.

  The problem-related information extracting unit 91 calculates information of the total number of questions included in the identified answer sheet and information indicating the position of the answer column in the identified answer sheet in order to calculate the recognizable answer ratio. Extract from 71.

  The answer recognizing unit 93 recognizes the answer of the answerer to the problem included in the answer sheet. Specifically, the answer recognition unit 93 recognizes the answer image An included in the answer image D (see FIG. 2) based on the information indicating the position of the answer column extracted from the question related information 71. The answer recognizing unit 93 recognizes characters (answers) included in the answer image An. For example, OCR technology is used for character recognition.

  The calculation unit 94 calculates the number of answers whose characters are recognized by the answer recognition unit 93 (the number of recognizable answers). The calculation unit 94 calculates a recognizable answer ratio. Specifically, the calculation unit 94 calculates the recognizable answer ratio by dividing the number of recognizable answers by the total number of questions extracted from the problem related information 71.

  The device storage unit 7 stores a control program PG, problem-related information 71, and a first threshold value T1. The first threshold T1 is a threshold set for the recognizable answer ratio. The first threshold value T1 is arbitrarily set in advance by the questioner and is stored in the device storage unit 7.

  In the present embodiment, the device control unit 9 determines whether or not the recognizable answer ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold T1.

  Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 12 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set. As shown in FIG. 12, compared with the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5), steps S402 to S406 are added between steps S104 and S106.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the type of the answer sheet is identified by the apparatus control unit 9 (step S104), the answer recognizing unit 93 recognizes the answer of the answerer to the problem included in the answer (step S402). Next, the calculation unit 94 calculates a recognizable answer ratio (step S404). The device control unit 9 determines whether or not the recognizable answer ratio calculated by the calculation unit 94 is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 (step S406). The first threshold T1 is, for example, 80%.

  When the device control unit 9 determines that the recognizable answer ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 (step S406: Yes), the process is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (steps S106 to S110). . On the other hand, when the device control unit 9 determines that the recognizable answer ratio is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1 (step S406: No), the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 13 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set. As shown in FIG. 13, compared with the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6), steps S402 to S406 are added between step S104 and step S202. That is, the hint print image P2 is printed only when it is determined that the recognizable answer ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold T1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment has been described above. According to the present embodiment, the printing unit 4 prints the correct answer or hint only when the recognizable answer ratio is equal to or greater than the first threshold value T1. In other words, the printing unit 4 does not print the correct answer or hint when the recognizable answer ratio is less than the first threshold value T1. Therefore, for example, by causing the image forming apparatus 1 to read the answer sheet without entering any answer, the act of the answerer who wants to obtain a correct answer or a hint can be suppressed.

[Embodiment 5]
Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fifth embodiment, unlike the first to fourth embodiments, the printing unit 4 prints a comment print image in which a comment image (hereinafter referred to as a comment image) is added to the answer image D. Hereinafter, matters different from the first to fourth embodiments will be described with respect to the fifth embodiment, and description of matters overlapping with the first to fourth embodiments will be omitted. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the device storage unit 7 stores a control program PG, problem-related information 71, the number of readings 72, the number of correct answers 73, and a second threshold T2. The reading number 72 indicates the number of answer sheets of the same type read by the reading unit 3. The second threshold value T2 is a threshold value set for the parameter of the correct answer rate of each question included in the recognized answer sheet. In the present embodiment, the number of readings 72 is a parameter of the correct answer rate. The second threshold value T2 is arbitrarily set in advance by the questioner and stored in the device storage unit 7.

  The device control unit 9 functions as if it has a problem-related information extraction unit 91, an image data generation unit 92, an answer recognition unit 93, a correct answer determination unit 95, and a comment acquisition unit 96. The device control unit 9 counts the number of answer sheets read by the reading unit 3 for each type of answer sheet. The device control unit 9 stores the count value in the device storage unit 7 as the reading number 72. In addition, the device control unit 9 determines whether or not the parameter of the correct answer rate (the number of readings 72) is equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2.

  The problem-related information extraction unit 91 obtains information indicating the position of the answer column on the identified answer sheet and the position to which the comment (comment image) is added from the problem-related information 71 in order to generate image data of the comment print image. Extract. Furthermore, in this embodiment, even when the operation mode is the hint mode, the problem related information extraction unit 91 extracts information indicating the correct answer from the problem related information 71.

  The correct answer determination unit 95 determines whether or not the answer of the answerer for the problem included in the answer sheet is correct, based on the characters (answers) recognized by the answer recognition unit 93. Specifically, the correct answer determination unit 95 determines whether or not the answer of the answerer is correct depending on whether or not the correct answer of the question extracted by the question related information extraction unit 91 matches the answer recognized by the answer recognition unit 93. Determine.

  The comment acquisition unit 96 acquires a comment corresponding to the determination result by the correct answer determination unit 95. In the present embodiment, the comment acquisition unit 96 includes a correct answer rate acquisition unit 961. The correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 acquires the correct answer rate of each question included in the answer sheet. Specifically, the correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 counts the number of times the correct answer determination unit 95 determines that the answer is correct for each question included in the answer sheet. The correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 stores the count value as the correct answer number 73 in the device storage unit 7. The correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 acquires the correct answer rate based on the correct answer number 73 corresponding to each question and the read number 72.

  The image data generation unit 92 generates an image of a comment print image based on the image data of the answer image D, the information indicating the position to which the comment extracted by the problem related information extraction unit 91 is added, and the comment acquired by the comment acquisition unit 96. Generate data. In the present embodiment, image data of an image in which an image with a correct answer rate (hereinafter referred to as a correct answer image) is added to the answer image D as a comment is generated. The image data of the comment print image is generated when the number of readings 72 (the parameter of the correct answer rate) is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2.

  The printing unit 4 prints the comment print image on the sheet based on the image data of the comment print image generated by the image data generation unit 92.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the accuracy rate print image P3 according to the fifth embodiment. When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P3 as a comment print image. In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode, the correct answer rate print image P3 is printed on one surface of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 (see FIG. 3) on the other surface of the sheet. Is printed. As shown in FIG. 15, the accuracy rate printed image P3 includes an accuracy rate image cm1 as a comment image. In the present embodiment, the accuracy rate image cm1 is a fractional image.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hint print image P4 with a correct answer rate according to the fifth embodiment. When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the hint mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image P4 with a correct answer rate as a comment print image. In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the hint mode, the hint print image P4 with the accuracy rate is printed on one surface of the sheet. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the hint print image P4 with a correct rate includes a hint image h and a correct rate image cm1.

  Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 17 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set.

  As shown in FIG. 17, when the answer image D is read by the reading unit 3 (step S502), the apparatus control unit 9 identifies the type of the answer sheet based on the answer identification information included in the answer image D (step S502). S504). Next, the problem-related information extraction unit 91 extracts predetermined information from the problem-related information 71 based on the answer image D (step S506). That is, information corresponding to the identified answer sheet type is extracted from the problem-related information 71. Specifically, information indicating the correct answer, information on the layout image, information indicating the position of the answer column, and information indicating the position where the comment is added are extracted from the problem-related information 71.

  Next, the apparatus control unit 9 determines whether or not the number of readings 72 is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2 (Step S508). The second threshold T2 is 10, for example. When the apparatus control unit 9 determines that the number of readings 72 is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2 (step S508: Yes), the answer recognition unit 93 recognizes the answer of the answerer to the problem included in the answer sheet ( Step S510).

  Next, the correct answer determination unit 95 determines whether or not the answerer's answer to the problem included in the answer sheet is correct (step S512). Next, the correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 acquires the correct answer rate of the problem included in the answer sheet (step S514). Next, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data (step S516). Specifically, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a correct answer print image P3 in which the correct answer image cm1 is added to the answer image D. In addition, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P1. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of readings 72 is not equal to or greater than the second threshold T2 (step S508: No), the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P1.

  The printing unit 4 performs printing based on the generated image data (step S518). Specifically, when it is determined that the number of readings 72 is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2, the correct rate print image P3 is printed on one side of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reading number 72 is not equal to or greater than the second threshold T2, the answer image D is printed on one side of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. As a result, the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 18 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set. Note that step S502, step S504, and step S508 to step S514 shown in FIG. 18 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the apparatus control unit 9 identifies the type of answer sheet (step S504), the problem-related information extraction unit 91 extracts predetermined information from the problem-related information 71 based on the answer image D ( Step S602). That is, information corresponding to the identified answer sheet type is extracted from the problem-related information 71. Specifically, information indicating the correct answer, information indicating the position of the answer column, information indicating the hint, information indicating the position where the hint is added, and information indicating the position where the comment is added are extracted from the problem-related information 71. .

  If the device control unit 9 determines that the number of readings 72 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value T2 (step S508: Yes), the same process as in the correct answer mode is performed, and each question included in the answer sheet is processed. A correct answer rate is acquired (steps S510 to S514). Next, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image P4 with a correct answer rate obtained by adding the hint image h and the correct answer image cm1 to the answer image D (step S604).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of readings 72 is not equal to or greater than the second threshold T2 (step S508: No), the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the hint print image P2 (see FIG. 4) (step S604). ).

  The printing unit 4 prints the hint print image P2 or the hint print image P4 with a correct answer rate on the sheet based on the generated image data (step S606). As a result, the process ends.

  The fifth embodiment has been described above. According to the present embodiment, an image obtained by adding the accuracy rate image cm1 to the answer image D is printed on the sheet. As a result, the questioner can save the trouble of writing the correct answer rate as a comment on the answer sheet. As a result, the convenience of the questioner improves.

  In the present embodiment, the printing unit 4 prints the correct answer rate as a comment when the number of readings 72 is equal to or greater than the second threshold T2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the correct answer rate may be printed regardless of the number of readings 72.

  In the present embodiment, the accuracy rate image cm1 is a fraction, but the accuracy rate image cm1 is not limited to this. For example, the correct answer rate image cm1 may be a value obtained by dividing the correct answer number 73 by the total number of questions.

[Embodiment 6]
Next, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the sixth embodiment, unlike the first to fifth embodiments, the printing unit 4 prints an image in which an evaluation comment image (hereinafter referred to as an evaluation comment image) is added to the answer image D as a comment print image. To do. Hereinafter, matters different from the first to fifth embodiments will be described with respect to the sixth embodiment, and description of matters overlapping with the first to fifth embodiments will be omitted. FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sixth embodiment.

  The device storage unit 7 stores a control program PG, problem-related information 71, a reading count 72, a correct answer count 73, an evaluation comment 74, a third threshold T3, and a fourth threshold T4. The evaluation comment 74 includes, for example, a comment such as “Excellent”. The third threshold T3 is a threshold set for the correct answer rate of each question included in the identified answer sheet. The device control unit 9 determines whether or not the value of the correct answer rate is less than the third threshold value T3. The third threshold T3 is, for example, 10%. The fourth threshold T4 is a threshold set for the number of readings 72. In the present embodiment, the fourth threshold value T4 is the same value (10) as the second threshold value T2 described in the fifth embodiment. The third threshold value T3 and the fourth threshold value T4 are arbitrarily set in advance by the examiner and stored in the device storage unit 7.

  The comment acquisition unit 96 includes a correct answer rate acquisition unit 961 and an evaluation comment extraction unit 962 which is an example of a second extraction unit. The evaluation comment extraction unit 962 extracts an evaluation comment 74 corresponding to the correct answer rate acquired by the correct answer rate acquiring unit 961 and the determination result by the correct answer determining unit 95 from the device storage unit 7. In the present embodiment, the evaluation comment extraction unit 962 extracts the evaluation comment 74 from the device storage unit 7 when the correct answer determination unit 95 determines that the answer is correct.

  Based on the image data of the answer image D, the information indicating the position to which the comment extracted by the problem related information extracting unit 91 is added, and the evaluation comment 74 extracted by the evaluation comment extracting unit 962, the image data generating unit 92 Image data of an image obtained by adding the image to the answer image D is generated. Specifically, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of an evaluation comment print image in which an evaluation comment image is added to the answer image D. When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the hint mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image with an evaluation comment in which the hint image h and the evaluation comment image are added to the answer image D.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation comment print image P5 according to the sixth embodiment. The image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the evaluation comment print image P5 as a comment print image when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode. In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the correct answer mode, the evaluation comment print image P5 is printed on one side of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 20, the evaluation comment print image P5 includes an evaluation comment image cm2 as a comment image.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hint print image P6 with an evaluation comment according to the sixth embodiment. When the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 is in the hint mode, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of a hint print image P6 with an evaluation comment as a comment print image. In the present embodiment, when the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is the hint mode, a hint print image P6 with an evaluation comment is printed on one surface of the sheet. As shown in FIG. 21, the hint-printed image P6 with an evaluation comment includes a hint image h and an evaluation comment image cm2.

  Subsequently, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 22 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set. As shown in FIG. 22, compared to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 described in the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 17), step S702 and step S704 are added after step S514, and step S706 and step S708 are performed. The process is executed in place of S516 and S518.

  When the accuracy rate acquisition unit 961 acquires the accuracy rate (step S514), the device control unit 9 determines whether or not the accuracy rate is less than the third threshold T3 (step S702). If the device control unit 9 determines that the correct answer rate is less than the third threshold value T3 (step S702: Yes), the evaluation comment extracting unit 962 is provided on the condition that the answer to the question is correct. 7, information indicating the evaluation comment 74 is extracted (step S704).

  The image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the evaluation comment print image P5 based on the image data of the answer image D, the evaluation comment 74, and information extracted from the problem related information 71 (step S706). Specifically, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of an image in which the evaluation comment image cm2 is added to the answer image D. In addition, the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P1. On the other hand, when the device control unit 9 determines that the correct answer rate is not less than the third threshold value T3 (step S702: No), the image data generation unit 92 generates image data of the correct answer print image P1.

  The printing unit 4 executes printing on the sheet based on the generated image data (step S708). Specifically, if it is determined that the accuracy rate is less than the third threshold T3, the evaluation comment print image P5 is printed on one side of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. On the other hand, when it is determined that the correct answer rate is not less than the third threshold T3, the answer image D is printed on one side of the sheet, and the correct answer print image P1 is printed on the other side of the sheet. As a result, the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, FIG. 23 shows the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the hint mode is set.

  As shown in FIG. 23, compared to the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in which the correct answer mode is set (see FIG. 22), steps S802 and S804 are executed instead of steps S706 and S708. That is, when it is determined that the correct answer rate is less than the third threshold T3 (step S702: Yes), the hint image h6 with the evaluation comment in which the hint image h and the evaluation comment image cm2 are added to the answer image D. Image data is generated (step S802). The printing unit 4 prints the hint print image P6 with an evaluation comment on one side of the sheet (step S804). As a result, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the accuracy rate is not less than the third threshold T3 (step S702: No), image data of the hint print image P2 is generated (step S802). The printing unit 4 prints the hint print image P2 on a sheet (step S804). As a result, the process ends.

  The sixth embodiment has been described above. According to this embodiment, the evaluation comment 74 is printed. This saves the examiner from having to write the evaluation as a comment on the answer sheet. Also, the answerer can obtain an evaluation of his / her answer. As a result, the motivation of the answerer can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the printing unit 4 prints the evaluation comment on the sheet when the parameter of the correct answer rate is equal to or greater than the fourth threshold value T4 and the correct answer rate is less than the third threshold value T3. Is not limited to this. For example, an evaluation comment may be printed on a sheet when the accuracy rate is less than the third threshold T3 regardless of the parameter of the accuracy rate.

  In this embodiment, the case where the evaluation comment 74 is printed when the answer by the answerer is correct has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the evaluation comment 74 may be printed when the answer by the answerer is an incorrect answer. In this case, the evaluation comment 74 may be printed when the accuracy rate is equal to or greater than the fifth threshold. The evaluation comment 74 may be, for example, “Let's work harder”. The fifth threshold is 60%, for example.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 23). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

  For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the present invention is applied to the hole filling problem has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the question sheet and the answer sheet are different sheets.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the correct answer print image P1 is an image of the correct answer collection has been described as an example. However, the correct answer print image P1 is not limited thereto. For example, the correct answer print image P1 may be an image in which the answer image An is added to the answer sheet image.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the hint print image P2 is an image in which the hint image h is added to the answer image D has been described as an example. However, the hint print image P2 is not limited to this. For example, the hint print image P2 may be an image of a hint collection in which hints for each problem are collected.

  In addition, the matter demonstrated in each Embodiment 1-6 can be combined suitably. For example, the configuration described in the second embodiment and the configuration described in the third embodiment may be combined. In this case, the problem related information 71 is stored in the first external terminal 100, and the image data of the answer image D is transmitted to the second external terminal 300.

  The present invention is useful for an image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Reading part 4 Printing part 7 Storage part 91 Problem relevant information extraction part

Claims (10)

A reading unit that reads an answer image of an answer sheet including at least one question;
A storage unit for storing problem-related information related to the problem;
A first extraction unit that extracts a correct answer or a hint of each of the questions included in the answer sheet based on the answer image;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints the correct answer or the hint extracted by the first extraction unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the answer image with the hint image added thereto.
An answer recognizing unit for recognizing an answer of an answerer to the question included in the answer sheet based on the answer image;
A calculation unit that calculates the number of recognizable answers that have been recognized by the answer recognition unit;
The said printing part prints the said correct answer or the said hint only when the ratio of the number of the said recognizable answer with respect to the total number of the said questions contained in the said answer sheet is more than a 1st threshold value. The image forming apparatus described in 1.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first extraction unit extracts the correct answer or the hint from the question related information based on identification information included in the answer image. 5. .
A correct answer determination unit that determines whether the answer of the answerer to the question included in the answer sheet is correct based on the answer image;
A comment acquisition unit that acquires a comment according to a determination result by the correct answer determination unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the comment acquired by the comment acquisition unit together with the correct answer or the hint.
The comment acquisition unit includes a correct rate acquisition unit that acquires a correct rate of the question included in the answer sheet,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing unit prints the accuracy rate as the comment.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printing unit prints the accuracy rate only when a parameter of the accuracy rate is equal to or greater than a second threshold.
The storage unit further stores information indicating a predetermined evaluation comment,
The comment acquisition unit
A correct rate acquisition unit for acquiring a correct rate of the problem included in the answer sheet;
A second extraction unit that extracts the evaluation comment according to the accuracy rate acquired by the accuracy rate acquisition unit and the determination result by the accuracy determination unit from the storage unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the printing unit prints the evaluation comment as the comment when the second extraction unit extracts the evaluation comment.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit that transmits image data of the answer image to an external terminal when the reading unit reads the answer image.
An image forming system comprising an external terminal and an image forming apparatus,
The external terminal is
A first communication unit communicating with the image forming apparatus;
A storage unit for storing correct answers or hints;
The image forming apparatus includes:
A second communication unit communicating with the external terminal;
A reading unit that reads an answer image of an answer sheet including at least one question;
Based on the answer image, an extraction unit that extracts the correct answer or hint of each of the questions included in the answer sheet from the storage unit via the first communication unit and the second communication unit;
An image forming system comprising: a printing unit that prints the correct answer or the hint extracted by the extraction unit.

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