JP2018093306A - Image reading device, image formation device, and mage reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading device capable of reducing time and effort of a user occurring when classifying image data read from respective scripts, and an image formation device and an image reading method.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes a reading processing section for reading image data sequentially from respective scripts, a detection processing section for detecting a classification image included in the image data read by the reading processing section, a determination processing section for determining whether or not a category folder 84 associated with the classification image exists in a shared folder 81, when the image data read by the reading processing section includes the classification image, and a first storage processing section for generating the category folder 84 associated with the shared folder 81, when a determination is made that the category folder 84 associated with the classification image does not exist, and storing the image data including the classification image in the generated category folder 84.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads image data from a document, an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus, and an image reading method.

  An image reading apparatus such as a scanner for reading image data from a document is known. In this type of image reading apparatus, image data read from a document is stored in a preset storage destination. Here, a configuration in which image data read from a document can be stored in a storage destination associated with sticky information detected from the image data is known as a conventional technique (see Patent Document 1). . In the configuration of the prior art, it is possible to sort the image data read from each original to a storage destination according to the feature of the tag attached to the original.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-26978

  However, in the configuration of the prior art, when sorting image data read from each original, the user needs to associate the feature of the tag and the storage destination in advance.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image reading method that can reduce the trouble of a user that occurs when sorting image data read from each original.

  An image reading apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reading processing unit, a detection processing unit, a determination processing unit, and a first storage processing unit. The reading processing unit sequentially reads image data from each document. The detection processing unit detects a predetermined sorting image included in the image data read by the reading processing unit. When the image data read by the reading processing unit includes the sorted image, the determination processing unit includes the sorting image in a first storage unit provided with a folder in which image data read by the reading processing unit is stored. It is determined whether or not the folder associated with is present. The first storage processing unit stores the folder associated with the sorting image in the first storage unit when the determination processing unit determines that the folder associated with the sorting image does not exist. The image data including the sorted images is stored in the generated folder.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the image reading device and an image forming unit. The image forming unit forms an image based on the image data.

  An image reading method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a reading step, a detecting step, a determining step, and a storing step. In the reading step, image data is sequentially read from each document. In the detection step, a predetermined sorting image included in the image data read in the reading step is detected. In the determining step, when the image data read in the reading step includes the sorted image, the first storage unit in which a folder in which the image data read in the reading step is stored is associated with the sorted image. It is determined whether or not the specified folder exists. In the storing step, when it is determined in the determining step that the folder associated with the sorting image does not exist, the folder associated with the sorting image is generated in the first storage unit, Image data including the sorted images is stored in the generated folder.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the user that occurs when sorting image data read from each original.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a file system constructed in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of correspondence information stored in the RAM of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the first sorting process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of the first sorting process shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second sorting process executed by the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of the second sorting process shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. In FIG. 3, the classification folder 84 generated in the shared folder 81 is indicated by a broken line.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function and a copy function, as well as a scan function for reading image data from a document and a print function for forming an image based on the image data.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a control unit 5, an operation display unit 7, And a storage unit 8. Here, an apparatus including the image reading unit 2 and the control unit 5 is an example of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. The present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus such as a scanner apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and a copying machine.

  The ADF 1 includes a document setting unit, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document pressing unit, and a paper discharge unit, and conveys a document read by the image reading unit 2. The image reading unit 2 includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD, and can read image data from the document.

  The image forming unit 3 can form an image by electrophotography based on the image data read by the image reading unit 2. The image forming unit 3 can also form an image based on image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and a paper discharge tray. The sheet feeding unit 4 includes a sheet feeding cassette, a sheet conveyance path, and a plurality of conveyance rollers, and supplies sheets to the image forming unit 3. The image forming unit 3 forms an image based on the image data on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4. The sheet after image formation by the image forming unit 3 is discharged to the paper discharge tray. The image forming unit 3 may form an image by another image forming method such as an ink jet method.

  The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (registered trademark) (not shown). The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage medium in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile storage medium, and the EEPROM is a nonvolatile storage medium. The RAM and the EEPROM are used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. In the control unit 5, various control programs stored in advance in the ROM are executed by the CPU. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 may be an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that controls the image forming apparatus 10 in an integrated manner. May be.

  The operation display unit 7 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information in response to control instructions from the control unit 5, and an operation key or touch panel that inputs various types of information to the control unit 5 in response to user operations. And so on.

  The storage unit 8 is a nonvolatile storage medium. For example, the storage unit 8 is a storage medium such as a flash memory, an SSD (solid state drive), or an HDD (hard disk drive).

  As shown in FIG. 3, a file system FS used for managing files such as image data and document data is constructed in the storage unit 8. The file system FS has a plurality of folders hierarchized by a tree structure. Here, the folder is a storage location of the file used for classification and organization of the file. Specifically, the file system FS includes a root folder 80, a shared folder 81, a plurality of personal folders 82, an unclassified folder 83, and the like.

  The root folder 80 is a folder that represents the root of the tree structure of the file system FS. As shown in FIG. 3, the root folder 80 includes a shared folder 81 and a plurality of personal folders 82.

  The shared folder 81 is a folder that can be used by each user of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the shared folder 81 includes an uncategorized folder 83. Further, a classification folder 84 is generated in the shared folder 81 as shown in FIG. The unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 will be described later.

  The personal folder 82 is a folder assigned to each user of the image forming apparatus 10. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 10, a login process for authenticating a user using a user ID and password registered in advance is executed. In the image forming apparatus 10, each time an authenticable user is registered, a personal folder 82 corresponding to the registered user is generated in the root folder 80. In the image forming apparatus 10, access to the personal folder 82 by a user who has not logged in to the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited. Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, access to the personal folder 82 corresponding to another user by a user who has logged in to the image forming apparatus 10 is prohibited.

  By the way, a configuration capable of storing image data read from a document in a storage destination associated with tag information detected from the image data is known as a conventional technique. In the configuration of the prior art, it is possible to sort the image data read from each original to a storage destination according to the feature of the tag attached to the original.

  However, in the configuration of the prior art, when sorting image data read from each original, the user needs to associate the feature of the tag and the storage destination in advance. On the other hand, as will be described below, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention can reduce the labor of the user that occurs when sorting image data read from each original.

  Specifically, the ROM of the control unit 5 stores in advance a first sorting program for causing the CPU to execute a first sorting process described later (see the flowchart of FIG. 5). The first sorting program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and read from the recording medium and installed in the storage unit 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 5 includes a first reading processing unit 51, a detection processing unit 52, an identification processing unit 53, an output destination detection unit 54, a judgment processing unit 55, a third storage processing unit 56, A first storage processing unit 57, an output processing unit 58, and an erasing processing unit 59 are included. Specifically, the control unit 5 executes the first sorting program stored in the ROM using the CPU. Accordingly, the control unit 5 includes a first reading processing unit 51, a detection processing unit 52, an identification processing unit 53, an output destination detection unit 54, a determination processing unit 55, a third storage processing unit 56, a first storage processing unit 57, It functions as an output processing unit 58 and an erasing processing unit 59.

  The first reading processing unit 51 sequentially reads image data from each document. Specifically, the first reading processing unit 51 reads first image data from a document placed on the document table of the image reading unit 2 every time a predetermined reading operation is performed on the operation display unit 7. Read processing is executed. Here, the first reading processing unit 51 is an example of a reading processing unit in the present invention.

  For example, the first reading processing unit 51 causes the operation display unit 7 to display a reception screen that can accept the reading operation in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 7. And the 1st reading process part 51 performs a said 1st reading process, whenever the said reading operation is received, while the said reception screen is displayed. For example, the reading operation is a touch operation on the reception screen or an operation on a predetermined hard key.

  The image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 is stored in the unclassified folder 83 or one of the classified folders 84 according to the detection result by the detection processing unit 52 described below.

  The detection processing unit 52 detects a predetermined sorting image included in the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51. For example, the sorting image is a sticky note or tape image affixed to a document.

  For example, the detection processing unit 52 performs a background color detection process for detecting a background color in the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51. Next, the detection processing unit 52 detects an area of a color different from the background color detected by the background color detection process in the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51. Then, when the different color area corresponds to a rectangular area of a predetermined size, the detection processing unit 52 converts the rectangular area of the different color and the size to the image of the tag ( It is determined that it is the sorting image). Note that the detection processing unit 52 may determine that a rectangular area protruding outward from the outer edge of the document is a tag image.

  The sorting image may be a predetermined graphic image attached to the document. Further, the sorting image may be an image of a predetermined character, number, or symbol attached to a predetermined position on the document.

  The identification processing unit 53 identifies the feature of the sorted image detected by the detection processing unit 52. For example, the characteristic of the sorted image is the color of a sticky note or tape attached to a document.

  The feature of the sorted image may be a position where a sticky note or a tape is attached to the document. In addition, the feature of the sorting image may be a combination of the color of a sticky note or tape attached to the original and the position where the sticky note or tape is attached to the original. The feature of the sorted image may be one or both of the color of the graphic attached to the document and the position on the document. The feature of the sorted image may be a color of a figure, a character, a number, or a symbol attached to the document.

  The output destination detection unit 54 detects output destination information indicating the output destinations of the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 included in the sorted image. For example, the output destination of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 is any one of the personal folders 82 in the file system FS. In this case, the output destination information is identification information used for identifying the personal folder 82 such as a user ID of a user who can log in to the image forming apparatus 10 or a folder name of the personal folder 82.

  For example, the output destination detection unit 54 performs OCR (optical character recognition) processing for recognizing characters included in the sorted image. Then, the output destination detection unit 54 detects the output destination information based on the execution result of the OCR process.

  Note that the output destination of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 may be a USB memory connected to the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the output destination information is predetermined information indicating that the output destination of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 is the USB memory. The output destination of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 may be a folder in a storage device provided in an information processing apparatus connected via a network such as a LAN (local area network). In this case, the output destination information may be information used for specifying the folder in the network.

  When the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 includes the sorted image, the determination processing unit 55 classifies the shared folder 81 with the feature of the sorted image identified by the identification processing unit 53. It is determined whether or not the folder 84 exists. Here, the shared folder 81 provided in the storage unit 8 is an example of the first storage unit in the present invention.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the feature of the sorted image and the classification folder 84 in a predetermined storage area in the RAM of the control unit 5 by the first storage processing unit 57 described later. Is stored. The determination processing unit 55 determines whether or not the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image exists in the shared folder 81 based on the correspondence relationship information stored in the storage area of the RAM. To do. Here, the storage area in the RAM of the control unit 5 is an example of the second storage unit in the present invention. The correspondence relationship information may be stored in the storage unit 8.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows correspondence information D11 to D13 as an example of the correspondence information stored in the storage area of the RAM of the control unit 5. The correspondence relationship information D11 is information indicating that the classification folder 84A (see FIG. 3) generated in the shared folder 81 is associated with a red tag. The correspondence relationship information D12 is information indicating that the classification folder 84B (see FIG. 3) generated in the shared folder 81 is associated with a yellow tag. The correspondence relationship information D13 is information indicating that the classification folder 84C (see FIG. 3) generated in the shared folder 81 is associated with a blue tag.

  When the determination processing unit 55 determines that there is a classification folder 84 associated with the sort image type, the third storage processing unit 56 converts the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 into The data is stored in the classification folder 84 corresponding to the feature of the sorted image included in the image data.

  Further, the third storage processing unit 56 stores the image data not including the sorted image in the unclassified folder 83 when the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 does not include the sorted image.

  When the determination processing unit 55 determines that the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image does not exist, the first storage processing unit 57 stores the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image. The image data is generated in the shared folder 81, and image data including the sorted images is stored in the generated classification folder 84.

  Specifically, the first storage processing unit 57 adds a new classification folder 84 to the shared folder 81 when the determination processing unit 55 determines that there is no classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image. And generating the correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the generated new classification folder 84 and the feature of the sorted image, and storing the generated correspondence information in the RAM of the control unit 5. Store in the area.

  For example, the first storage processing unit 57 generates the classification folder 84 </ b> A in the shared folder 81 when the determination processing unit 55 determines that the classification folder 84 associated with the red tag does not exist. The correspondence relationship information D11 indicating the correspondence relationship between the classified folder 84A and the red tag is generated, and the generated correspondence relationship information D11 is stored in the storage area in the RAM of the control unit 5. Then, the first storage processing unit 57 stores the image data including the red tag image in the classification folder 84A.

  Note that the control unit 5 may not include the identification processing unit 53. In this case, when the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 includes the sorted image, the determination processing unit 55 determines whether or not the classification folder 84 associated with the sorted image exists in the shared folder 81. Determine whether. Further, when the determination processing unit 55 determines that the classification folder 84 associated with the sorted image exists, the third storage processing unit 56 converts the image data read by the first reading processing unit 51 into the sorting. Stored in the classification folder 84 associated with the image. Further, when the determination processing unit 55 determines that the classification folder 84 associated with the classified image does not exist, the first storage processing unit 57 stores the classification folder 84 associated with the classified image as a shared folder. The image data including the sorted images is stored in the generated classification folder 84.

  The output processing unit 58 outputs the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 provided in the shared folder 81.

  For example, when the output destination information is detected by the output destination detection unit 54, the output processing unit 58 outputs the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 to the output destination indicated by the output destination information.

  In addition, when the output destination information is not detected by the output destination detection unit 54, the output processing unit 58 outputs the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 to the output destination designated by the user operation.

  When the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 10, the output processing unit 58 may output the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 to the personal folder 82 corresponding to the logged-in user. Further, the output processing unit 58 may output only the classified folder 84 when no image data is stored in the unclassified folder 83.

  The erasure processing unit 59 erases the correspondence information stored in the storage area in the RAM of the control unit 5.

  For example, when the output processing unit 58 outputs the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84, the erasing processing unit 59 erases the correspondence information stored in the storage area in the RAM of the control unit 5. .

  Note that the control unit 5 may not include the output destination detection unit 54. Further, the control unit 5 may not include the output destination detection unit 54 and the output processing unit 58. The control unit 5 may not include the output destination detection unit 54, the output processing unit 58, and the erasing processing unit 59.

[First sorting process]
Hereinafter, the procedure of the image reading method according to the present invention will be described together with an example of the procedure of the first sorting process executed by the control unit 5 in the image forming apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. Here, steps S10, S11,... Represent the numbers of processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 5. Note that the control unit 5 executes the first sorting process when a user operation is performed to instruct the operation display unit 7 to execute the first sorting process.

<Step S10>
First, in step S <b> 10, the control unit 5 causes the operation display unit 7 to display the reception screen that can accept the reading operation.

<Step S11>
In step S11, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the reading operation has been received on the reception screen displayed in step S10.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the said reading operation was received (Yes side of S11), it will transfer a process to step S12. If the reading operation is not accepted (No side in S11), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S19.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 5 executes the first reading process.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 5 executes a detection process for detecting the sorted image included in the image data read in step S12. For example, the control unit 5 detects a tag image included in the image data read in step S12. Here, the process of step S13 is an example of the detection step in the present invention, and is executed by the detection processing unit 52 of the control unit 5.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the sorting image is detected in step S13.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the said sorting image was detected by step S13 (Yes side of S14), it will transfer a process to step S15. If the sorting image is not detected in step S13 (No in S14), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S141.

<Step S141>
In step S141, the control unit 5 stores the image data read in step S12 in the uncategorized folder 83. Here, the process of step S <b> 141 is executed by the third storage processing unit 56 of the control unit 5.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 5 executes an identification process for identifying the feature of the sorted image detected in step S13. For example, the control unit 5 identifies the color of the image of the tag detected in step S13 as the feature of the sorted image. Here, the process of step S <b> 15 is executed by the identification processing unit 53 of the control unit 5. This makes it possible to provide a classification folder 84 corresponding to each feature of the sorted image.

<Step S16>
In step S <b> 16, the control unit 5 executes an output destination detection process for detecting the output destination information indicating the output destinations of the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 included in the sorted image detected in step S <b> 13. Here, the process of step S <b> 16 is executed by the output destination detection unit 54 of the control unit 5.

<Step S17>
In step S <b> 17, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image identified in step S <b> 15 exists in the shared folder 81. Here, the process of step S17 is an example of a determination step in the present invention, and is executed by the determination processing unit 55 of the control unit 5.

  If the control unit 5 determines that the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image identified in step S15 exists in the shared folder 81 (Yes side of S17), the control unit 5 shifts the processing to step S18. . If the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image identified in step S15 does not exist in the shared folder 81 (No side in S17), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S171. .

<Step S18>
In step S18, the control unit 5 stores the image data read in step S12 in the classification folder 84 corresponding to the feature of the sorted image included in the image data. Here, the process of step S <b> 18 is executed by the third storage processing unit 56 of the control unit 5.

<Step S171>
In step S171, the control unit 5 generates a classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image identified in step S15 in the shared folder 81, and the generated classification folder 84 is read in step S12. Stores image data. Here, the process of step S171 is an example of a storage step in the present invention, and is executed by the first storage processing unit 57 of the control unit 5.

<Step S19>
In step S19, the control unit 5 determines whether or not an end operation for instructing the end of the first sorting process has been performed on the reception screen displayed in step S10.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the end operation has been performed on the reception screen (Yes in S19), the control unit 5 shifts the processing to step S20. If the end operation has not been performed on the reception screen (No side of S19), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S11 and waits for the end operation to be performed on the reception screen. The reading operation is accepted. Here, the processes of Step S10 to Step S12 and Step S19 are an example of the reading step in the present invention, and are executed by the first reading processing unit 51 of the control unit 5.

<Step S20>
In step S20, the control unit 5 executes an output process described below.

[Output processing]
Next, an example of the procedure of the output process executed in step S20 of the first sorting process will be described with reference to FIG.

<Step S201>
First, in step S201, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the output destination information is detected in step S16 of the first sorting process.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the said output destination information was detected by step S16 of the said 1st sorting process (Yes side of S201), it will transfer a process to step S202. If the output destination information is not detected in step S16 of the first sorting process (No side in S201), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S203.

<Step S202>
In step S202, the control unit 5 outputs the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 to the output destination indicated by the output destination information detected in step S16 of the first sorting process. For example, when the process of step S16 of the first sorting process is executed a plurality of times and a plurality of the output destination information is detected, the control unit 5 outputs an output destination corresponding to the output destination information detected last. The unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 are output. Here, the process of step S202 is executed by the output processing unit 58 of the control unit 5.

<Step S203>
In step S <b> 203, the control unit 5 causes the operation display unit 7 to display an input screen used for inputting the output destinations of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84. Then, the control unit 5 determines whether or not a user operation for inputting output destinations of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 has been performed on the input screen.

  If the control unit 5 determines that a user operation for inputting the output destinations of the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 has been performed (Yes in S203), the control unit 5 shifts the processing to step S204. If the user operation for inputting the output destinations of the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 is not performed (No side in S203), the control unit 5 outputs the output destinations of the uncategorized folder 83 and the classified folder 84 in step S203. Wait for user operation to enter.

<Step S204>
In step S204, the control unit 5 outputs the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 to the output destination of the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 input in step S203. Here, the process of step S <b> 204 is executed by the output processing unit 58 of the control unit 5.

<Step S205>
In step S205, the control unit 5 erases the correspondence information stored in the storage area in the RAM. Here, the process of step S205 is executed by the erasure processing unit 59 of the control unit 5. Thereby, a new classification folder 84 is generated every time the first sorting process is executed. Therefore, image data sorted in the first sorting process executed in the past is not mixed in the unclassified folder 83 and the classified folder 84 output in step S202 or step S204. In addition, since the correspondence information stored in the storage area in the RAM is automatically erased according to the output of the unclassified folder 83 and the classification folder 84, an operation for erasing the correspondence information to the user There is no need for trouble.

  In the first sorting process, the processes of step S15, step S16, and step S20 may be omitted.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, when there is no classification folder 84 associated with the sort image type included in the image data read from the document, the shared folder 81 corresponds to the sort image type. The attached classification folder 84 is generated, and image data including the sorted images is stored in the generated classification folder 84. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the user's trouble that occurs when sorting image data read from each original.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 5 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, the ROM of the control unit 5 stores in advance a second sorting program for causing the CPU to execute a second sorting process described later (see the flowchart of FIG. 8).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 5 includes a second reading processing unit 60, a detection processing unit 52, an identification processing unit 53, an output destination detection unit 54, a determination processing unit 55, a third storage processing unit 56, A first storage processing unit 57, an output processing unit 58, an erasing processing unit 59, a second storage processing unit 61, and a movement processing unit 62 are included. Specifically, the control unit 5 uses the CPU to execute the second sorting program stored in the ROM, whereby a second reading processing unit 60, a detection processing unit 52, an identification processing unit 53, an output It functions as a destination detection unit 54, a determination processing unit 55, a third storage processing unit 56, a first storage processing unit 57, an output processing unit 58, an erasing processing unit 59, a second storage processing unit 61, and a movement processing unit 62. The detection processing unit 52, the identification processing unit 53, the output destination detection unit 54, the determination processing unit 55, the third storage processing unit 56, the first storage processing unit 57, the output processing unit 58, and the erasing processing unit 59 are as follows. Since there is no difference from the first embodiment except that the processing is performed on the image data read by the second reading processing unit 60, the description thereof is omitted.

  The second reading processing unit 60 sequentially reads image data from each document. Specifically, the second reading processing unit 60 executes a second reading process that sequentially reads image data from each document conveyed by the ADF 1. Here, the second reading processing unit 60 is another example of the reading processing unit in the present invention.

  The second storage processing unit 61 is a case where the image data read by the second reading processing unit 60 does not include the sorted image, and the first image data that does not include the sorted image is read by the reading processing unit. If the image data is not image data, the image data not including the sorted image is stored in the classified folder 84 or the unclassified folder 83 in which the previous image data read by the second reading processing unit 60 is stored.

  Further, the second storage processing unit 61 is a case where the image data read by the second reading processing unit 60 does not include the sorted image, and the second reading processing unit 60 receives image data not including the sorted image. If it is the first image data to be read, the image data not including the sorted image is stored in the unclassified folder 83. Here, the uncategorized folder 83 is an example of a specific folder in the present invention.

  When the sorting image is detected by the detection processing unit 52 and the image data is stored in the unclassified folder 83, the movement processing unit 62 displays the image data stored in the unclassified folder 83. The classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image detected by the detection processing unit 52 is moved.

[Second sorting process]
Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the second sorting process executed by the control unit 5 in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the control unit 5 executes the second sorting process when a user operation is performed to instruct the operation display unit 7 to execute the second sorting process. In the following description, the processing contents common to the first sorting process are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first sorting process, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Step S30>
First, in step S <b> 30, the control unit 5 executes the second reading process, and starts reading image data from each document placed on the document setting unit of the ADF 1. Here, the process of step S30 is another example of the reading step in the present invention, and is executed by the second reading processing unit 60 of the control unit 5.

<Step S31>
In step S31, the control unit 5 executes a second storage process described below.

[Second storage process]
Here, an example of the procedure of the second storage process executed in step S31 of the second sorting process will be described with reference to FIG. The description after step S32 of the second sorting process will be made after the description of the second storage process is completed.

<Step S311>
First, in step S311, the control unit 5 is the image data that is first read by the second reading process for the image data determined that the sorting image has not been detected in step S14 of the second sorting process. Determine whether or not.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the image data for which it is determined that the sorted image has not been detected is the image data first read by the second reading process (Yes in S311), the process is performed. The process proceeds to step S313. On the other hand, if the image data for which it is determined that the sorted image has not been detected is not the image data first read by the second reading process (No in S311), the control unit 5 moves the process to step S312. Transition.

<Step S312>
In step S312, the control unit 5 determines that the image data determined not to have been detected in step S14 of the second sorting process is the classified folder 84 or the unclassified folder 83 in which the image data was stored immediately before. To store. Here, the process of step S <b> 312 is executed by the second storage processing unit 61 of the control unit 5.

<Step S313>
In step S <b> 313, the control unit 5 stores, in the uncategorized folder 83, image data determined that the sorted image has not been detected in step S <b> 14 of the second sorting process. Here, the process of step S313 is executed by the second storage processing unit 61 of the control unit 5. This is the end of the description of the second storage process, and the description of the process after step S32 of the second sorting process is resumed.

<Step S32>
In step S <b> 32, the control unit 5 determines whether image data is stored in the uncategorized folder 83.

  If the control unit 5 determines that image data is stored in the uncategorized folder 83 (Yes in S32), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S33. If no image data is stored in the uncategorized folder 83 (No in S32), the control unit 5 moves the process to step S34.

<Step S33>
In step S33, the control unit 5 executes a moving process for moving the image data stored in the unclassified folder 83 to the classification folder 84 associated with the feature of the sorted image detected in step S13. Here, the process of step S <b> 33 is executed by the movement processing unit 62 of the control unit 5. As a result, after the sorting image is attached to the uppermost document in the document stack placed on the document setting unit, an additional document to be sorted into the same sorting destination as the uppermost document is the uppermost document. It is not necessary to add the sorting image again even if it is overlaid on the top.

<Step S34>
In step S34, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the second reading process is finished. For example, the control unit 5 determines that the second reading process is completed when there is no document placed on the document setting unit. The control unit 5 determines the presence or absence of a document in the document setting unit using a sensor (not shown) such as an optical sensor provided in the document setting unit.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the said 2nd reading process was complete | finished (Yes side of S34), it will transfer a process to step S20. If the second reading process is not completed (No in S34), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S13.

  In the second sorting process, the processes in steps S32 and S33 may be omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, when the image data read from the document does not include the sorted image, the image data not including the sorted image is the classification folder 84 in which the image data is stored immediately before or not. It is classified into the classification folder 83. This eliminates the need for the user to attach a sorting image such as a tag to all the documents to be sorted. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the trouble of the user that occurs when sorting image data read from each original.

1 ADF
2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feeding unit 5 Control unit 7 Operation display unit 8 Storage unit 10 Image forming apparatus 51 First reading processing unit 52 Detection processing unit 53 Identification processing unit 54 Output destination detection unit 55 Determination processing unit 56 Third storage processing unit 57 First storage processing unit 58 Output processing unit 59 Erase processing unit 60 Second reading processing unit 61 Second storage processing unit 62 Movement processing unit

Claims (10)

A reading processor that sequentially reads image data from each original;
A detection processing unit for detecting a predetermined sorting image included in the image data read by the reading processing unit;
When the image data read by the reading processing unit includes the sorting image, the first storage unit provided with a folder in which the image data read by the reading processing unit is provided is associated with the sorting image. A determination processing unit for determining whether or not the folder exists;
When the determination processing unit determines that the folder associated with the classification image does not exist, the folder associated with the classification image is generated in the first storage unit, and the generated A first storage processing unit for storing image data including the sorted images in a folder;
An image reading apparatus comprising: An identification processing unit for identifying characteristics of the sorted image detected by the detection processing unit;
The determination processing unit determines whether the folder associated with the feature of the sorted image identified by the identification processing unit exists,
When the determination processing unit determines that the folder associated with the feature of the sorted image does not exist, the first storage processing unit moves the folder associated with the feature of the sorted image to the first storage processing unit. Generating in one storage unit and storing the image data including the sorted images in the generated folder;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. When the image data read by the reading processing unit does not include the sorting image, and the image data not including the sorting image is the first image data read by the reading processing unit, the sorting image If the image data not including the sorting image is stored in a predetermined folder and the image data not including the sorting image is not the first image data read by the reading processing unit, the image data not including the sorting image is stored. A second storage processing unit for storing in the folder in which the previous image data read by the reading processing unit is stored;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2. When the sorting image is detected by the detection processing unit, and the image data is stored in the specific folder, the image data stored in the specific folder is detected by the detection processing unit. A movement processing unit for moving to the folder associated with the feature of the sorting image;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 3. The first storage processing unit is generated by generating the folder in the first storage unit when the determination processing unit determines that the folder associated with the feature of the sorted image does not exist. Storing correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the folder and the feature of the sorted image in a predetermined second storage unit;
The determination processing unit determines whether the folder associated with the feature of the sorted image exists in the first storage unit based on the correspondence information stored in the second storage unit. And
The image reading apparatus includes an erasing processing unit that erases the correspondence information stored in the second storage unit.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 2. An output processing unit that outputs the folder provided in the first storage unit;
The erasure processing unit erases the correspondence information stored in the second storage unit when the folder is output by the output processing unit;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 5. An output destination detection unit that detects output destination information indicating an output destination of the folder by the output processing unit included in the sorting image;
The output processing unit outputs the folder to an output destination indicated by the output destination information when the output destination information is detected by the output destination detection unit.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 6. The sorting image includes an image of a sticky note attached to a document.
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A reading step for sequentially reading image data from each original;
A detection step of detecting a predetermined sorting image included in the image data read by the reading step;
When the image data read by the reading step includes the sorted image, the folder associated with the sorted image is provided in a first storage unit in which a folder for storing the image data read by the reading step is provided. A determination step for determining whether it exists,
When the determination step determines that the folder associated with the sorting image does not exist, the folder associated with the sorting image is generated in the first storage unit, and the generated folder Storing the image data including the sorted image in
An image reading method including:

Images