JP2017194832A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the filling out of an answer column becoming difficult.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes: an input part for inputting image data of a manuscript including a document; and an image processing part for generating the image data of a vermin problem and distinguishing a marking area from among the image data of the manuscript and converting the marking area into an answer column. The image processing part obtains the number of pixel lumps which is the lumps of the pixel greater than or equal to a threshold value in pixel value by performing a labelling process for the marking area when the image data of the vermin problem is generated, and recognizes the number of pixel lumps as the number of letters of the marking area, obtains the number of letters adding the number of margins to the number of letters of the marking area as the number of answer column letters, and changes the size of the answer column to the size corresponding to the number of answer column letters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that generates image data of a worm-eaten problem.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which a manuscript (textbook or the like) that is a basis for a worm-eating problem is read and image data for a worm-eating problem is generated using image data obtained by reading the manuscript. Such a technique is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

  In Patent Document 1, the target character image (the image of the character string presented as a problem to the answerer) among the image data of the manuscript that is the basis of the worm-eating problem can be converted into a blank answer column. Specifically, among the image data of the manuscript that is the basis of the worm-eaten problem, blindfold data is pasted on the target character image, and the pasting location of the blindfold data is used as an answer column.

JP 2002-287607 A

  There are various methods of using image data for worm-eating problems. For example, worm-eating problems can be displayed on the display. Alternatively, after the image data of the worm-eaten problem is generated, the worm-eaten problem can be printed on a sheet based on the generated image data.

  Usually, when printing a worm-eaten problem on paper, it is assumed that characters are entered in the answer column of the worm-eaten problem paper. However, if the target character image (the image of the character string presented as a question to the answerer) is simply converted into a blank answer field, the size of the answer field on the worm-eaten problem sheet is reduced when the worm-eaten problem is printed on paper. In some cases (the smaller the text size of the manuscript that is the basis for the worm-eating problem, the smaller the size of the answer column). If the size of the answer column becomes too small, there is a disadvantage that it becomes difficult to enter characters in the answer column.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of suppressing the difficulty of entering characters in an answer column.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an input unit for inputting image data of a document including a document to the image processing apparatus, and a marking area marked by a user in the image data of the document. And an image processing unit that generates image data of a worm-eaten problem by determining and converting the marking area into a blank answer field. The image processing unit obtains the number of pixel blocks that are pixel blocks whose pixel values are equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold by performing a labeling process on the marking area when generating image data of the worm-eaten problem, The number of pixel blocks obtained is recognized as the number of characters in the marking region, the number of characters obtained by adding the number of margins to the number of characters in the marking region is obtained as the number of characters in the answer column, and the size of the answer column in the first direction, which is the direction in which characters are written Change the size according to the number of characters in the answer field.

  In the configuration of the present invention, the size in the first direction of the answer column is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column. Here, since the number of characters in the answer field is the number of characters in the marking area plus the number of margins, the number of characters in the answer field is larger than the number of characters in the marking area. For this reason, if the size of the answer column in the first direction is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column, the size of the answer column in the first direction becomes larger than the size of the marking area in the first direction. In other words, the size in the first direction of the answer column does not become smaller than the size in the first direction of the marking area. This prevents the inconvenience that it becomes difficult to enter characters in the answer field due to the size of the answer field of the worm-eaten problem sheet printed based on the image data of the worm-eaten problem Can do.

  In the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress difficulty in entering characters in the answer column.

The figure which shows the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention Diagram for explaining the labeling process The figure which shows an example of the setting screen (screen for performing the setting regarding a worm-eaten problem creation mode) displayed on the operation panel of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of image data of an original document that is a basis of image data of a worm-feeding problem generated by a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure for demonstrating the labeling process performed when the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the image data of a worm-eaten problem. The figure for demonstrating the labeling process performed when the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the image data of a worm-eaten problem. The figure which shows an example of the image data of the worm-eaten problem which the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates The figure for demonstrating the expansion process of the answer column performed when the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the image data of a worm-eaten problem The figure for demonstrating the image movement process performed when the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the image data of a worm-eaten problem The figure for demonstrating the image movement process performed when the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention produces | generates the image data of a worm-eaten problem 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing performed when the multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention generates image data of a worm-eaten problem.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) equipped with a plurality of functions such as a copy function as an example.

<Overall configuration of MFP>
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 1 and a printing unit 2. The image reading unit 1 reads a document and generates image data of the document. The printing unit 2 forms a toner image based on the image data while conveying the sheet along the sheet conveying path 20. Then, the printing unit 2 transfers (prints) the toner image onto the sheet being conveyed.

  The printing unit 2 includes a paper feeding unit 3, a paper transport unit 4, an image forming unit 5, and a fixing unit 6. The paper feed unit 3 includes a pickup roller 31 and a paper feed roller pair 32, and supplies the paper stored in the paper cassette 33 to the paper transport path 20. The paper transport unit 4 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 41 and transports the paper along the paper transport path 20.

  The image forming unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a charging device 52, an exposure device 53, a developing device 54, a transfer roller 55, and a cleaning device 56. The image forming unit 5 forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers the toner image to a sheet. The fixing unit 6 includes a heating roller 61 and a pressure roller 62, and fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet by heating and pressing.

  The multifunction device 100 also includes an operation panel 7. The operation panel 7 is provided with a touch panel display 71. For example, the touch panel display 71 displays software keys for accepting various settings and accepts various settings from the user (accepts touch operations on the software keys). Further, the operation panel 7 is also provided with hardware keys 72 such as a start key and a numeric keypad.

<Hardware configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a memory 112, and an image processing unit 113. The CPU 111 operates based on a control program and data. The memory 112 includes a ROM and a RAM. Control programs and data for operating the CPU 111 are stored in the ROM and expanded in the RAM. Then, the control unit 110 (CPU 111) performs operations of the image reading unit 1 and the printing unit 2 (the paper feeding unit 3, the paper transport unit 4, the image forming unit 5, and the fixing unit 6) based on a control program and data. Control. Further, the control unit 110 controls the operation of the operation panel 7.

  The image processing unit 113 includes an image processing circuit 114 and an image processing memory 115. The image processing unit 113 performs various image processing such as enlargement / reduction, density conversion, and data format conversion on the image data.

  Here, the image processing unit 113 binarizes the image data with a predetermined threshold value, and performs a labeling process on the binarized image data. When performing the labeling process, the image processing unit 113 performs a raster scan on the binarized image data and searches for a pixel having a pixel value equal to or greater than the threshold value. Note that the threshold value used when binarizing the image data can be arbitrarily changed.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the image processing unit 113 assigns a label number to a pixel block (pixel block) having a pixel value equal to or larger than the threshold (the same for each pixel constituting the same pixel block). Assigned label number). Thus, the number of pixel blocks existing in the image data can be obtained based on the number of labels assigned to each pixel block. In FIG. 3, one square corresponds to one pixel, and the label number assigned to the pixel is shown in the square. Each pixel block is surrounded by a thick line.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 120. The communication unit 120 is communicably connected to the external device 200. For example, a personal computer (PC) used by a user is connected to the communication unit 120 via a LAN. As a result, the image data generated by the MFP 100 can be transmitted to the external device 200. In addition, data transmission from the external device 200 to the multifunction device 100 is also possible.

<Creation of bug-eating problem>
The multi-function device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a worm-eaten problem creation mode for creating a worm-eaten problem in which a part of the document is a blank answer column. When creating a worm-eaten problem using the worm-eaten problem creation mode, the user prepares a manuscript that is the basis for the worm-eaten problem, and places a blank answer column in the manuscript document with a highlighter or other means. Is done. Then, various settings relating to the worm-eaten problem creation mode are performed on the multifunction peripheral 100.

  For example, when a predetermined operation for shifting to the worm eating problem creation mode is performed on the operation panel 7, the control unit 110 transitions to the worm eating problem creation mode. At this time, the control unit 110 causes the operation panel 7 to display a setting screen 700 (see FIG. 4) for accepting various settings related to the worm-eaten problem creation mode. On this setting screen 700, for example, settings relating to the size of the answer column for worm-feeding questions (setting of the number of margins, setting of the character size, etc.) can be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, input fields 701 and 702 are arranged on the setting screen 700. The input field 701 is a field in which the number of margins set by the user is written, and the input field 702 is a field in which the character size set by the user is written. For example, when the input field 701 is touched, the setting target is the number of margins, and in this state, the numerical value is input using the numeric keypad of the operation panel 7 to set the input numerical value as the number of margins (the input numerical value in the input field 701). Is written). When the input field 702 is touched, the setting object becomes the character size, and in this state, the numerical value is input using the numeric keypad of the operation panel 7 to set the input numerical value as the character size (the input numerical value in the input field 702). Is written). In this configuration, the operation panel 7 corresponds to a “reception unit”.

  As will be described in detail later, the larger the setting value of the number of margins, the larger the size of the answer column in the writing direction (direction in which characters are written). Further, as the set value of the character size is increased, the size of the answer column in the writing direction can be increased, and the size of the answer column in the direction orthogonal to the writing direction can be increased.

  In addition, a determination key 703 is arranged on the setting screen 700. When the control unit 110 detects a touch operation on the enter key 703, the numerical value input in the input field 701 is determined as the number of margins, and the numerical value input in the input field 702 is determined as the character size. Then, the control unit 110 causes the operation panel 7 to notify that the image data of the manuscript (a manuscript on which a part of the document is marked) as a basis for the worm-eating problem is urged to be input. In the following description, the image data of the manuscript that is the basis of the worm-eating problem may be referred to as target image data.

  The target image data can be input to the multi-function peripheral 100 by reading a document that is a source of the worm-feeding problem by the image reading unit 1. In this configuration, the image reading unit 1 corresponds to an “input unit”. Alternatively, the target image data can be input to the multifunction device 100 via the communication unit 120. In this configuration, the communication unit 120 corresponds to an “input unit”.

  When the target image data is input to the multifunction peripheral 100, the control unit 110 transfers the target image data to the image processing memory 115 of the image processing unit 113. In addition, the control unit 110 gives the image processing unit 113 a command to create image data for the worm-eaten problem. Upon receiving this command, the image processing unit 113 uses the target image data stored in the image processing memory 115 to generate image data for the worm-eaten problem.

  Hereinafter, the generation of the image data of the worm-feeding problem performed by the image processing unit 113 will be described by taking as an example the case where the target image data D1 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 8 is attached to the area marked by the user. In the following description, the marked area is referred to as a marking area 8. Further, the writing direction (row direction) of the document is referred to as a first direction, and the direction orthogonal to the first direction is referred to as a second direction. Here, when the document is written horizontally (see FIG. 5), the writing direction is the left-right direction. On the other hand, when the document is written vertically (not shown), the writing direction is the vertical direction.

  The image processing unit 113 determines the marking region 8 present in the target image data D1 when generating image data of the worm-eaten problem. The marking area 8 is determined based on the pixel value (density value) of each pixel of the target image data D1. Although not particularly limited, a pixel column composed of pixels having a higher density than the pixels of the background image may be searched, and a region in which the pixel column is continuously arranged in a direction orthogonal to the column direction may be determined as the marking region 8.

  When the marking area 8 is determined, the image processing unit 113 performs a labeling process on the marking area 8. As a result, the image processing unit 113 obtains the number of pixel clusters (pixel clusters having pixel values equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold) existing in the marking area 8. That is, the image processing unit 113 acquires the number of labels obtained by performing the labeling process on the marking area 8. Then, the image processing unit 113 recognizes the obtained number of pixel blocks (number of labels) as the number of characters in the marking area 8.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, when the labeling process for the marking area 8 including the character string “end” (hereinafter referred to as the marking area 8a) is performed by the image processing unit 113, as shown in FIG. In addition, a label number is assigned to each pixel block (each character image) existing in a plurality of regions surrounded by a solid circle. That is, the number of labels is “3”. Therefore, the image processing unit 113 recognizes that the number of characters in the marking area 8a is “3”.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 5, when the image processing unit 113 performs a labeling process on the marking area 8 including the character string “raised” (hereinafter, referred to as the marking area 8 b), it is shown in FIG. 7. In this way, a label number is assigned to each pixel block (character image) existing in a plurality of regions surrounded by a solid circle. That is, the number of labels is “4”. Therefore, the image processing unit 113 recognizes that the number of characters in the marking area 8b is “4”.

  Note that a plurality of label numbers may be assigned to a character image for one character depending on the type of character and the setting of a threshold when binarizing the target image data D1. For example, focusing on the character image “RI” in the marking area 8a, the character image for one character may be classified into a left pixel block and a right pixel block, and a separate label number may be assigned to each pixel block. is there. Similarly, for the character image “End” in the marking region 8a and the character image “Ta” in the marking region 8b, the character image for one character may be classified into a plurality of pixel blocks. As a result, the number of characters in the marking area 8 recognized by the image processing unit 113 is larger than the actual number of characters in the marking area 8. In the following description, for convenience, it is assumed that a single label number is assigned to a character image for one character.

  In addition, the image processing unit 113 performs the marking region with respect to the marking vicinity region 9 that is one region (upper side) of the regions on both sides in the second direction of the marking region 8 and is a region in the vicinity of the marking region 8. A labeling process similar to the labeling process performed on 8 is performed (the number of pixel blocks existing in the marking vicinity region 9 is obtained). For example, the image processing unit 113 sets the range from the end position in the second direction of the marking area 8 to the position separated by a predetermined number of pixels in the second direction (upward) as the marking vicinity area 9. To do. In the following description, the marking vicinity area 9 corresponding to the marking area 8a is denoted by reference numeral 9a, and the marking vicinity area 9 corresponding to the marking area 8b is denoted by reference numeral 9b.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the character string “Jyosho” is attached as a ruby to the character string “rising” in the marking region 8 b. In other words, a pixel block exists in the marking vicinity region 9b. In this case, the image processing unit 113 recognizes the number of pixel blocks present in the marking vicinity region 9b (the pixel block is surrounded by a broken-line circle) as the number of characters. Note that the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9b recognized by the image processing unit 113 is “6”.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the character string in the marking area 8a is not attached with ruby (no pixel block exists in the marking vicinity area 9a). Therefore, the image processing unit 113 recognizes the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9a as “0”.

  After performing the labeling process (after recognizing the number of characters in the marking area 8 and the marking vicinity area 9), the image processing unit 113 generates image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem as shown in FIG. The image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem is image data obtained by converting the marking area 8 of the target image data D1 shown in FIG. Specifically, the image of the marking area 8 is erased, and a frame image with a blank inside is inserted instead. At this time, the image in the marking vicinity region 9 is also erased. In the following description, the answer column 10 corresponding to the marking region 8a is denoted by reference numeral 10a, and the answer column 10 corresponding to the marking region 8b is denoted by reference numeral 10b.

  When generating the image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem, the image processing unit 113 obtains the number of answer column characters by adding a margin to the predicted number of characters that can be entered in the answer column 10. The number of characters in the answer column is the number of characters obtained by adding the number of margins to the total number of characters in the marking area 8 and the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9.

  For example, assume that the number of margins set on the setting screen 700 (see FIG. 4) is “2”. In this case, since the number of characters in the marking area 8a is “3” and the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9a is “0”, the number of characters in the answer field of the answer field 10a is “5 (= 3 + 0 + 2)”. Further, since the number of characters in the marking area 8b is “4” and the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9b is “6”, the number of characters in the answer field in the answer field 10b is “12 (= 4 + 6 + 2)”.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when converting the marking area 8 into the answer column 10, the image processing unit 113 makes the size of the answer field 10 in the first direction larger than the size of the marking area 8 in the first direction. . Further, the image processing unit 113 makes the size of the answer column 10 in the second direction larger than the size of the marking region 8 in the second direction.

  First, the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column. For example, the image processing unit 113 obtains a first value (size in the first direction per character) obtained by dividing the size in the first direction of the marking region 8 by the number of characters in the marking region 8, and answers the first value. The second value multiplied by the number of characters in the column is set as the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction. As a result, the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction is larger than the size of the marking region 8 in the first direction.

  Alternatively, when the size in the width direction per character set on the setting screen 700 (see FIG. 4) is larger than the first value, the image processing unit 113 per character set on the setting screen 700 A value obtained by multiplying the size in the width direction by the number of characters in the answer column is set as the size in the first direction of the answer column 10. In this case, the larger the size in the width direction per character set on the setting screen 700 is, the larger the size in the first direction of the answer column 10 is.

  Here, there are various types of characters on the worm-eaten question form, and some respondents enter answers using only hiragana (katakana), and some respondents enter answers using both hiragana and kanji. . For example, when an answer is written using only hiragana, the number of characters is larger than when an answer is written using both hiragana and kanji. Therefore, it is preferable to change the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction to a size larger than the size of the corresponding marking region 8 in the first direction. For this reason, even if the number of characters in the marking region 8 recognized by the image processing unit 113 is larger than the actual number of characters in the marking region 8 (even if the number of answer column characters required by the image processing unit 113 is large). ) No particular problem.

  Next, the size in the second direction of the answer column 10 is changed to a size corresponding to the size in the height direction per character set on the setting screen 700 (see FIG. 4). For example, the image processing unit 113 sets the size in the height direction per character set on the setting screen 700 as the size in the second direction of the answer column 10. Thereby, the size in the second direction of the answer column 10 increases as the size in the height direction per character set on the setting screen 700 increases. When the size in the height direction per character set on the setting screen 700 is too small, the size in the second direction of the answer column 10 becomes smaller than the size in the second direction of the marking area 8. There is. In this case, the setting on the setting screen 700 may be invalidated, and the size in the second direction of the answer column 10 may be made larger than the size of the marking region 8 in the second direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when converting the marking area 8 into the answer column 10, the image processing unit 113 answers the first image 80 </ b> A and the second image 80 </ b> B existing before and after the marking area 8 in the first direction. The distance L1 between the first image 80A and the second image 80B is made larger so as not to overlap the column 10. For example, the image processing unit 113 moves the second image 80B in the direction D11 away from the marking area 8.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the image processing unit 113 causes the third image 80C to prevent the third image 80C and the fourth image 80D existing before and after the marking region 8 in the second direction from overlapping the answer column 10. And the fourth image 80D are further increased in distance L2. For example, the image processing unit 113 moves the entire row including the fourth image 80D in the direction D12 away from the marking area 8. Then, the image processing unit 113 arranges a line including the marking area 8 at a middle position in the second direction between the line including the third image 80C and the line including the fourth image 80D (the line including the marking area 8). The whole is moved in the direction D12 away from the third image 80C).

  Thereby, image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem as shown in FIG. 8 is generated. Also, the image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem is output to the printing unit 2. Note that the worm-eaten problem image data D <b> 2 output to the printing unit 2 is converted into exposure control data for controlling the exposure device 53. Then, the printing unit 2 prints the worm-eaten problem on a sheet based on the worm-eaten problem image data D2 (exposure control data).

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the image 80B existing behind the marking region 8 in the first direction is shifted in the direction D11, and the row including the marking region 8 and the rear of the row in the second direction. The existing row is shifted in the direction D12. For this reason, the paper size of the paper on which the worm-eaten problem is printed is larger than the document size of the document on which the worm-eaten problem is based.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, the flow of processing when generating image data D2 for a worm-eaten problem will be described. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, target image data D1 (image data of a document that is a basis for the worm-feeding problem) is transferred to the image processing unit 113, and the control unit 110 sends the image data D2 of the worm-feeding problem to the image processing unit 113. Starts when a creation command is given.

  In step S1, the image processing unit 113 determines the marking area 8 from the target image data D1. Subsequently, in step S <b> 2, the image processing unit 113 performs a labeling process on the marking area 8 and the marking vicinity area 9. Thereby, the image processing unit 113 calculates the number of pixel blocks (number of labels) in the marking area 8 and the number of pixel blocks (number of labels) in the marking vicinity area 9. In step S3, the image processing unit 113 recognizes the number of labels in the marking area 8 as the number of characters in the marking area 8 (the number of characters existing in the marking area 8), and determines the number of labels in the marking vicinity area 9 as the marking vicinity area. The number of characters is recognized as 9 (the number of characters existing in the marking vicinity region 9).

  In step S4, the image processing unit 113 adds up the number of characters in the marking area 8 and the number of characters in the marking vicinity area 9, and obtains the number of characters by adding the number of margins to the total value as the number of answer column characters. Thereafter, in step S5, the image processing unit 113 determines the size of the answer column 10 based on the number of characters in the answer column and the character size set on the setting screen 700 (see FIG. 4).

  In step S <b> 6, the image processing unit 113 converts the marking area 8 of the target image data D <b> 1 into the answer column 10. Thereby, the image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem is generated. In step S <b> 7, the image processing unit 113 outputs the image data D <b> 2 (exposure control data) for the worm-eaten problem to the printing unit 2. Receiving the image data D2, the printing unit 2 prints the worm-eaten problem on a sheet and outputs the sheet.

  As described above, the MFP 100 (image processing apparatus) of the present embodiment includes the image reading unit 1 (input unit) for inputting the target image data D1 (image data of a document including a document) to the MFP 100, and Image processing for determining the marking area 8 marked by the user from the communication section 120 (input section) and the target image data D1, and generating image data D2 of the worm-eaten problem in which the marking area 8 is converted into a blank answer column 10 Unit 113. When the image processing unit 113 generates the worm-eaten problem image data D <b> 2, the image processing unit 113 performs a labeling process on the marking region 8, thereby generating a pixel block that is a pixel block having a pixel value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The number of labels (number of labels) is calculated, the number of pixel blocks obtained is recognized as the number of characters in the marking area 8, the number of characters obtained by adding the number of margins to the number of characters in the marking area 8 is determined as the number of characters in the answer column, and the characters are written The size of the answer column 10 in the first direction is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, the size in the first direction of the answer column 10 is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column. Here, since the number of characters in the answer column is the number of characters obtained by adding the number of margins to the number of characters in the marking region 8, the number of characters in the answer column is larger than the number of characters in the marking region 8. Therefore, when the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer column, the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction becomes larger than the size of the marking region 8 in the first direction. In other words, the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction does not become smaller than the size of the marking area 8 in the first direction. As a result, there is a disadvantage that it becomes difficult to enter characters in the answer column 10 due to the size of the answer column 10 of the worm-eaten problem sheet printed based on the worm-eaten problem image data D2 being too small. Can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the image processing unit 113 is one of the two regions in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the marking region 8 and in the vicinity of the marking region 8. If the labeling process is performed on the marking vicinity area 9 that is an area, and a pixel block exists in the marking vicinity area 9, the number of pixel blocks existing in the marking vicinity area 9 is recognized as the number of characters. The number of characters obtained by adding the number of margins to the total number of characters in the marking vicinity region 9 is obtained as the number of characters in the answer column. According to this configuration, for example, if a kanji with ruby is marked, the number of ruby characters is added to the number of characters in the answer field, so the size of the answer field 10 in the first direction becomes larger (the more the number of ruby characters is, , The size of the answer column 10 in the first direction is increased). Thereby, when writing the character corresponding to the kanji with the ruby with the hiragana, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the space for the answer column 10 is insufficient.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the operation panel 7 (accepting unit) accepts the setting of the number of margins from the user. Then, the image processing unit 113 uses the number of margins received by the operation panel 7 when determining the number of characters in the answer column. According to this configuration, it is possible to easily adjust the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction (change the number of margins), so that the convenience of the problem creator is improved. For example, if it is desired to increase the size of the answer column 10 in the first direction, the value input in the input column 701 of the setting screen 700 need only be increased.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the operation panel 7 receives a character size setting from the user. Then, the image processing unit 113 increases the size of the answer column 10 in the second direction as the character size received by the operation panel 7 increases. According to this configuration, the size adjustment (change of the character size) in the second direction of the answer column 10 can be easily performed, so that the convenience of the problem creator is improved. For example, when it is desired to increase the size of the answer column 10 in the second direction, it is only necessary to increase the value input to the input column 702 of the setting screen 700.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when the image processing unit 113 converts the marking area 8 into the answer column 10, the distance between the images existing before and after the marking area 8 in the first direction is determined as the current distance. And the distance between images existing in the second direction of the marking area 8 is made larger than the current distance. Thereby, even if the size of the answer column 10 is enlarged with respect to the size of the marking area 8, the answer column 10 does not overlap other images.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

1 Image reading unit (input unit)
2 Printing Department 7 Operation Panel (Reception Department)
8 Marking area 9 Marking vicinity area 10 Answer field 113 Image processing part 120 Communication part (input part)

Claims (6)

An input unit for inputting image data of a document including a document to the image processing apparatus;
An image processing unit that determines a marking area marked by a user from the image data of the document and generates image data of a worm-eaten problem in which the marking area is converted into a blank answer field;
When the image processing unit generates the image data of the worm-feeding problem, the image processing unit performs a labeling process on the marking area, thereby determining the number of pixel blocks that are pixel blocks having a pixel value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A first direction which is a direction in which the number of pixel blocks obtained is recognized as the number of characters in the marking area, the number of characters obtained by adding a margin number to the number of characters in the marking area is obtained as the number of answer column characters, and characters are written The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the answer field is changed to a size corresponding to the number of characters in the answer field.   The image processing unit is configured to perform the labeling with respect to a marking vicinity region that is one of the regions on both sides in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction of the marking region and is a region in the vicinity of the marking region. If processing is performed and the pixel block is present in the marking vicinity region, the number of pixel blocks existing in the marking vicinity region is recognized as the number of characters, and the sum of the number of characters in the marking region and the number of characters in the marking vicinity region The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of characters obtained by adding the margin number to the answer field character number is obtained. A reception unit for receiving a setting of the margin number from a user;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit uses the number of margins received by the reception unit when determining the number of characters in the answer column. It has a reception unit that accepts text size settings from users,
The said image processing part enlarges the size of the 2nd direction orthogonal to the said 1st direction of the said answer column, so that the said character size received by the said reception part is large. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The image processing unit, when converting the marking area into the answer column, makes the distance between images existing before and after the marking area in the first direction larger than the current distance, and the marking area of the marking area The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between images existing in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is made larger than a current distance.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a printing unit that performs printing based on the image data of the worm-eaten problem generated by the image processing unit.