JP2018093337A - Image processing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily combine character data for input to an image requiring input of the character data for input.SOLUTION: In an image forming apparatus 2, a storage part 19 stores, as a template, a document image and box information on boxes as input areas to which character data for input is input obtained by associating images indicating rectangles designated as the boxes, and identification information on the images indicating rectangles. A control part 21 stores, in the storage part 19, the character data for input acquired by the a character data for input acquisition part 26 and the identification information associated with the character data for input, as an input data file. An image processing part 27 performs synthesis processing on the character data for input included in the input data file and associated with the same identification information, in an area of an image indicating a rectangle designated as a box indicated in the identification information in the document image indicated in the template, to create a synthesis result image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for processing a read original image.

  In the image forming apparatus, for example, a document in a predetermined format for inputting necessary items such as various notification sheets is read, and image data such as characters and ruled lines indicating the read document is used as a template for the document. Etc. are stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus prints an image of a document on a recording medium based on such a template.

  For example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, when storing the template of the original, an image that acquires and stores image data indicating a rectangle as an input area in which the necessary items are entered (input) is stored. There is a processing device. Further, the image processing apparatus reads another document in which the input character data is described, and reads the input character data image and image data indicating a rectangle into which the input character data is input. The data is stored in the storage unit as a template for the other document. In this image processing apparatus, a technique has been proposed in which, based on image data indicating a rectangle stored in the storage unit, corresponding input character data is automatically combined in an image area indicating the rectangle. Yes.

JP 2008-131381 A

  However, in the image processing apparatus as described above, it is difficult to change the input content of the character data for input to the image area indicating the rectangle as the input area. In other words, in this image processing apparatus, when the user changes the input content of the input character data, the user needs to read a new style original with the changed input content and create a new template. . Furthermore, the user needs to read another document in which character data for input corresponding to the change of the input content is described. As described above, in this image processing apparatus, when the user changes the input content of the input character data, it is necessary to perform a new reading operation of two types of documents.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to make it possible to easily synthesize input character data with respect to an image for which input of input character data is required. To do.

An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus via a network,
An original image, an image indicating a rectangle included in the original image, and an image indicating the rectangle designated in a box as an input area into which input character data is input, and an image indicating the rectangle A storage unit for storing a template including box information of a box associated with the identified information;
A communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the information processing apparatus through the network;
Input character data acquisition for acquiring input character data input to the box from the information processing apparatus via the network and the identification information associated with the input character data via the communication unit And
A control unit that causes the storage unit to store the input character data acquired by the input character data acquisition unit and the identification information associated with the input character data as an input data file;
Input characters that are included in the input data file and are associated with the same identification information as the identification information within the area of the image that indicates the rectangle specified in the box indicated by the identification information in the document image indicated by the template And an image processing unit for synthesizing data and creating a synthesis result image.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus and an image forming unit that forms the synthesized result image created by the image creating unit on a recording medium. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily synthesize input character data for an image for which input character data is required to be input.

1 is a diagram illustrating an entire image forming system using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the principal part structure of PC. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for creating a document image template in the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in PC. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for creating a composite result image in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document obtained by reading by an image reading unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of an image indicating an extracted rectangle and identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle in a document image obtained by reading by an image reading unit. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of box information. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of PC. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the document data memorize | stored in HDD of PC. It is the figure which showed an example of the display screen displayed on the display part of PC. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of templates and input data files stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is the figure which showed the specific example of the template and input data file which are synthesize | combined. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an entire image forming system using an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the PC.

  The image forming system 100 includes a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 1 as an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus 2 as an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 are connected to each other via a network 3 such as the Internet or a LAN.

  Further, in the image forming system 100, for example, in response to an operation instruction from a user, a print job is transmitted from the PC 1 to the image forming apparatus 2, and the image forming apparatus 2 performs print processing (image processing). Forming process). Furthermore, in the image forming system 100, as will be described in detail later, input character data created on the PC 1 side is sent to the image forming apparatus 2, and the image forming apparatus 2 uses a box associated with identification information described later. In the area of (input area where input character data is input), a combining process for combining the input character data associated with the same identification information as the identification information is performed.

  The image forming apparatus 2 is an MFP (multifunction machine) having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 2 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an image memory 13, an operation unit 14, a touch panel 15, a communication unit 16, an image reading unit 17, an image forming unit 18, and a storage unit. 19. These components can transmit / receive data or signals to / from each other through a bus.

  The image reading unit 17 includes a scanner that optically reads a document, generates image data indicating an image of the read document, and stores the image data in the image memory 13 or the storage unit 19.

  The image forming unit 18 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum (not shown), exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum, forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and statically removes the surface of the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image, and the toner image (image) on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the recording paper via the intermediate transfer belt, the toner image on the recording paper is fixed, and the recording paper is discharged. . For example, an image indicated by the image data generated by the image reading unit 17 is printed on a recording sheet.

  The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, and the like.

  A touch panel 15 is arranged on the screen of the display unit 12. The touch panel 15 is a so-called resistive film type or capacitive type touch panel, and detects a contact (touch) of a user's finger or the like with the touch position along with the touch position, and a detection signal indicating coordinates of the touch position. Is output to a control unit 21 described later of the control unit 11. Accordingly, the touch panel 15 serves as an operation unit to which a user operation on the screen of the display unit 12 is input.

  The operation unit 14 includes hard keys such as an enter key and a start key.

  The communication unit 16 is a communication interface including a communication module.

  The storage unit 19 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  The control unit 11 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, ASIC, or the like. The control unit 11 includes a control unit 21, a display control unit 22, a rectangular extraction unit 23, and an identification information allocating unit 24 when the image processing program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 19 is executed by the processor. , Function as a box information creation unit 25, an input character data acquisition unit 26, and an image processing unit 27. The control unit 21, the display control unit 22, the rectangle extraction unit 23, the identification information allocation unit 24, the box information creation unit 25, the input character data acquisition unit 26, and the image processing unit 27 of the control unit 11 are based on a program. Regardless of the operation, each may be configured by a hard circuit.

  The control unit 21 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 21 has a function of accepting a user operation on the touch panel 15 based on a detection signal output from the touch panel 15. Further, the control unit 21 has a function of accepting a user operation on the hard key of the operation unit 14. The operation unit 14 and the touch panel 15 are examples of an operation reception unit in the claims.

  Further, the control unit 21 has a function of controlling the communication operation by the communication unit 16. The communication unit 16 transmits and receives data to and from the PC 1 and the like through the network 3 under the control of the control unit 21.

  The display control unit 22 controls the operation of the display unit 12. The display control unit 22 displays, on the display unit 12, for example, an input screen for setting detailed items for a box or the like that is an input area in which character data for input is used, which is used for composition processing, an information input screen, Alternatively, an operation guidance for the image forming apparatus 2 is displayed.

  The rectangle extraction unit 23 performs pattern matching on a document image obtained by reading by the image reading unit 17 using an image indicating a predetermined rectangle stored in the storage unit 19 or the like. An image showing a rectangle (a square or a rectangle including a rectangle) is extracted from the document image. Further, the rectangle extracting unit 23 detects the size and position of the image representing the rectangle based on the coordinate position of the image representing the rectangle in the document image. The extracted image showing the rectangle is used as the box in response to an operation instruction from the user, as will be described in detail later.

  When the image indicating the rectangle is designated by the user as a box and the input character data is input, the image processing unit 27 is based on the size and position of the box in the document image. Input (synthesize) character data for input in the box area. As a result, the input character data to be input can be reliably input to this input area (box).

  The identification information allocating unit 24 sequentially allocates identification information to the image indicating the rectangle extracted by the rectangle extracting unit 23.

  When the identification information allocating unit 24 sequentially assigns identification information to the extracted image indicating the rectangle, the control unit 21 performs rectangle extraction on the image indicating the rectangle extracted by the rectangle extracting unit 23 and the image indicating the rectangle. The size and position of the original image detected by the unit 23 and the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 19. Further, when the display control unit 22 displays the document image read by the image reading unit 17 on the display unit 12, the display control unit 22 superimposes the associated identification information on the image indicating the rectangle extracted by the rectangle extraction unit 23. Display on the display unit 12.

  The box information creation unit 25 sends a designation request for designating an image indicating a rectangle displayed on the display unit 12 from the user as a box which is an input area to which input character data is input. When the touch panel 15) accepts, the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box by the specification request is associated with the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle, and is generated as box information of the box. Further, the box information includes the size and position of the image indicating the rectangle designated in the box by the designation request in the original image.

  Further, the box information creation unit 25 includes (i) a standard box in which at least one character is input as the input character data, (ii) as the specification request from the user and the type of the box specified by the specification request. ) Any one of a concatenated box in which a plurality of boxes each of which input character data is input is connected as one box; and (iii) a check box in which a predetermined check mark is input as the input character data. When the operation accepting unit accepts a selection request for selecting the image, the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box by the specification request, the size and position of the rectangle in the document image, and the image indicating the rectangle The identification information allocated to the box is further associated with the type of box selected by the selection request, and the box of the box is selected. To create as scan information.

  In addition, when the box information creation unit 25 creates the box information, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the box by a different display method for each type of box when displaying the original image on the display unit 12.

  When the box information creation unit 25 creates the box information, the control unit 21 stores the document image read by the image reading unit 17 and the box information in the storage unit 19 as a template. Further, the control unit 21 causes the communication unit 16 to transmit the original image template stored in the storage unit 19 and the instruction signal to the PC 1 via the network 3. The instruction signal associates the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle with the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box on the display unit 82 of the PC 1, and displays the image indicating the rectangle and the identification information. It is instructed to be displayed as an input screen superimposed on the original image indicated by the template.

  Further, when the control unit 21 causes the PC 1 to transmit the template of the document image stored in the storage unit 19 to the communication unit 16 via the network 3, the control unit 21 transmits the instruction to the PC 1 as the document image. Along with the signal, an image included in the template and having a different display method for each type of box is transmitted to the communication unit 16 and displayed on the display unit 82 of the PC 1 as an input screen.

  The display control unit 22 receives the designation request for designating the box from the user by the operation accepting unit (the operation unit 14 and the touch panel 15), and then each value of the size of the box, that is, the height and width of the box. An image for accepting the change from the user is displayed on the display unit 12.

  Then, when the operation receiving unit (the operation unit 14 and the touch panel 15) receives a change instruction by inputting a value specifying the size of the box, the control unit 21 sets the size indicated by the received change instruction to the box. Is stored in the storage unit 19 as box size information as the size of the image showing the rectangle designated as.

  The input character data acquisition unit 26 transmits the input character data input to the box from the PC 1 via the network 3 and the identification information associated with the input character data via the communication unit 16. Get.

  When the input character data acquisition unit 26 acquires the input character data and the identification information associated therewith, the control unit 21 uses the acquired input character data and identification information as an input data file. The data is stored in the storage unit 19. The storage unit 19 only needs to store at least one template, but in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of templates are stored in the storage unit 19. The storage unit 19 only needs to store at least one input data file, but in the present embodiment, the storage unit 19 stores a plurality of input data files. The display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a list of templates stored in the storage unit 19 and a list of input data files stored in the storage unit 19.

  The image processing unit 27 performs various types of image processing on image data in the image memory 13 such as a document image obtained by document reading by the image reading unit 17. In addition, the image processing unit 27 synthesizes the input character data included in the input data file stored in the storage unit 19 with the image indicating the rectangle that is the box specified by the specification request. For example, the image processing unit 27 synthesizes the input character data that is included in the input data file and is associated with the same identification information as the identification information allocated to the box in the area of the box in the document image indicated by the template. Processing to create a composite result image.

  When the display control unit 22 displays the template list and the input data file list on the display unit 12, the operation accepting unit selects from the template list according to an operation instruction from the user. When receiving an instruction to specify one selected template and one input data file selected from the list of input data files, the image processing unit 27 displays the original image indicated by the selected one template. An input character that is included in the selected one input data file and is associated with the same identification information as the identification information in the area of the image that indicates the rectangle specified in the box indicated by the identification information in FIG. The data is synthesized and a synthesis result image is created.

  Further, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the synthesis result image created by the image processing unit 27.

  The PC 1 includes a control unit 70, an operation unit 81, a display unit 82, a transmission / reception unit 83, and an HDD 84. These units can transmit / receive data or signals to / from each other via a CPU bus.

  The operation unit 81 includes a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The operation unit 81 includes a print instruction for specifying print data (print job) to be printed and the image forming apparatus 2 to be used by the user. Is entered.

  The display unit 82 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays operation guidance for the user.

  The transmission / reception unit 83 includes a communication module such as a LAN board, and transmits / receives various data and signals to / from the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3 connected to the transmission / reception unit 83. The transmission / reception unit 83 receives a document image template from the image forming apparatus 2.

  The control unit 70 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, or ASIC. The control unit 70 is configured as a control unit 71, a display control unit 72, a reception unit 73, and a print job generation unit 74 by executing the input character data creation program stored in the HDD 84 or the like by the above processor. Function. Note that the control unit 71, the display control unit 72, the reception unit 73, and the print job generation unit 74 of the control unit 70 may each be configured by a hardware circuit regardless of the operation based on the input character data generation program. . The same applies to each embodiment unless otherwise specified.

  The control unit 71 governs overall operation control of the PC 1.

  The display control unit 72 controls the operation of the display unit 82. In addition, the display control unit 72 performs control to display an input screen described later on the display unit 82 in accordance with the instruction signal received by the receiving unit 73.

  The accepting unit 73 accepts the instruction signal that instructs the display method of the template on the display unit 82 from the image forming apparatus 2 via the transmission / reception unit 83 (details will be described later).

  In addition, the control unit 71 reads out document data stored in the HDD 84 or externally from the PC 1, for example, a USB memory connected to the USB port of the PC 1, in accordance with a user operation on the operation unit 81. .

  The document data is data including special characters such as Japanese characters such as hiragana and kanji created by an application such as a word processor executed on the PC 1, alphabets, numbers, and at and postal marks.

  The print job generation unit 74 generates a print job from the document data read by the control unit 71. For example, the print job generation unit 74 operates according to a printer driver stored in the HDD 84 to convert the document data into a format in a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus 2 and print data (for example, a PRN file). A print job for print processing including this print data is generated. The print job has the print data (that is, input character data converted into the format) and identification information associated with the input character data (details will be described later).

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system 100 configured as described above will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for creating a document image template in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the PC. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for creating a composite result image in the image forming apparatus.

  First, in the image forming apparatus 2, when the user sets the original G shown in FIG. 7 in the image reading unit 17 and operates the start key of the operation unit 14, the original reading instruction is received by the control unit 21 and the control is performed. The unit 21 causes the image reading unit 17 to read the image of the original G, and stores the image data (original image G1) indicating the read image of the original G in the image memory 13 (step S1).

  Subsequently, the rectangle extracting unit 23 extracts an image indicating a rectangle from the document image G1 of the document G obtained by reading (step S2). In addition, the rectangle extraction unit 23 extracts an image indicating the rectangle from the document image, and detects the size and position of the image indicating the rectangle in the document image.

  If the rectangle extraction unit 23 cannot extract any image indicating a rectangle from the document image G1 (NO in step S2), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the rectangle extracting unit 23 can extract at least one image showing a rectangle from the document image G1 (YES in step S2), the identification information allocating unit 24 extracts the rectangle extracted by the rectangle extracting unit 23. Identification information is sequentially allocated to each image indicating (step S3). For example, in the original image G1, when an image showing 30 rectangles is extracted by the rectangle extraction unit 23, as shown in FIG. 8, the images showing 30 rectangles are displayed according to the order of extraction. The identification information allocating unit 24 allocates each identification information (1) to (30) to the position of the image indicating the corresponding rectangle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the display control unit 22 displays the document image G1 read by the image reading unit 17 on the display unit 12 and also shows a rectangle included in the template stored in the storage unit 19. The image and the identification information assigned to the image indicating the rectangle are superimposed on the document image G1 and displayed on the display unit 12 (step S4).

  Subsequently, the control unit 21 determines whether a designation request for designating an image indicating a rectangle in the document image G1 as the box is received by the touch panel (operation receiving unit) 15 (step S5). For example, in the display screen (input screen) shown in FIG. 9, when a part that displays an image indicating a rectangle designated as a box is pressed by the user and detected by the touch panel 15, the control unit 21 issues the designation request. It is determined that it has been accepted. If the control unit 21 determines that the designation request has not been accepted, the process ends (NO in step S5).

  In addition to the above description, when the user specifies an image indicating a rectangle as the box, the user is assigned to the image indicating the rectangle among the unillustrated numeric keys provided on the operation unit 14. An instruction indicating a number may be input by pressing a number key corresponding to the identification information, and the control unit 21 may determine that an image in which the input number indicates a rectangle is a designated box.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the designation request has been accepted (YES in step S5), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the type of box has been selected by the user for the box designated by the designation request. For example, the control unit 21 indicates that the user presses the input key 12a, subsequently presses the part that displays an image indicating a rectangle designated as the standard box, and further presses the save key 12e. When it is detected by the touch panel 15, it is determined that a selection request for setting the box as a standard box has been received (step S6). Further, when the cancel key 12f is pressed by the user and detected by the touch panel 15, the control unit 21 determines that the designation request in step S5 has been canceled.

  If it is determined that a selection request for a standard box has been received (YES in step S6), the control unit 21 determines whether or not an instruction for specifying the size of the standard box has been input (step S7). For example, when the control unit 21 receives a selection request to be a standard box and then detects that the user presses a part that displays an image indicating a rectangle designated as the standard box, the control unit 21 An instruction for specifying the size of the standard box (that is, the range of the input area) is received.

  When the control unit 21 determines that an instruction to specify the size of the standard box has not been input (NO in step S7), for example, as a standard box within a predetermined time after the save key 12e is pressed. If the touch panel 15 does not detect that the part that displays the image indicating the designated rectangle is pressed by the user, the box information creation unit 25 creates box information (step S9).

  That is, the box information creation unit 25 has the size and position in the document image G1 of the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box in the specification request in step S5, the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle, The box type selected by the selection request is associated with the box type and created as box information of the box.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when an image showing four rectangles each assigned identification information (18), (27), (29), and (30) is selected as a standard box The box information creation unit 25 is the size and position of the image showing each of these four rectangles in the document image G1, the identification information assigned to the image showing the corresponding rectangle, and the information indicating that it is a standard box Box information is created for each of the four boxes. And the control part 21 memorize | stores these box information in the memory | storage part 19 as a template. Note that the size and position of the image representing the rectangle in the document image G1 is defined as an arbitrary point (for example, the uppermost and leftmost point) in the coordinates of the document image G1 that is a rectangle as (0, 0). Xy coordinates. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the storage unit 19 stores, as box information, identification information assigned to an image indicating a rectangle designated for the box, a box type, and an original document indicating the rectangle. The size and the position of the four points of the image showing the rectangle as the position in the image G1 are stored.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 21 determines that an instruction to specify the size of the standard box has been received (YES in step S7), the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. . For example, when an image indicating a rectangle to which the identification information (18) is allocated is selected as a standard box and the control unit 21 receives a change in the size, display control is performed as illustrated in FIG. The unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a height input key 12g and a width input key 12h for inputting the changed height and width, respectively. Then, the user operates the numeric keys (not shown) on the touch panel 15 or the operation unit 14 and inputs desired height and width values. Thereby, the input height and width are received by the control unit 21 as the changed height and width. As shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 22 displays the received height and width in the area of the height input key 12g and the width input key 12h. Further, when the execution key 12i is pressed by the user and the pressing is detected by the touch panel 15, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG.

  In addition to the above description, after the desired height and width values for the standard box are input, the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e is pressed and the touch panel 15 detects the press. In some cases, the height and width input as the height and width after the change in the standard box may be accepted. In addition to the user inputting the desired height and width values using the numeric keys, the user can drag the image indicating the rectangle selected as the standard box on the touch panel 15 to change the size of the image. Accordingly, the control unit 21 may accept a change in the size of the standard box.

  Then, when the save key 12e is pressed by the user and detected by the touch panel 15, the box information creation unit 25 uses the received height and width values after the change as identification information (18). The size of the image indicating the allocated rectangle is included in the box information of the box corresponding to the image indicating the rectangle to which the identification information (18) is allocated, and is stored in the storage unit 19.

  Further, when it is determined that the selection request for the standard box has not been received (NO in step S6), the control unit 21 determines whether the selection request for the connection box has been received (step S10). For example, the control unit 21 touches the touch panel that the input key 12a is pressed by the user, a part for displaying an image indicating a rectangle designated as a connection box is subsequently pressed by the user, and the connection key 12c is further pressed by the user. When it is detected by 15, it is determined that a selection request for using the box as a connected box has been received.

  When it is determined that the selection request for the connection box is received (YES in Step S10), the control unit 21 determines whether an instruction for designating the size of the connection box is input (Step S7). For example, when the control unit 21 receives a selection request for a connection box and detects that the user presses a part that displays an image indicating a rectangle specified as the connection box, the control unit 21 detects this. An instruction to specify the size of the connection box (that is, the range of the input area) is received.

  When the control unit 21 determines that an instruction to specify the size of the connection box has not been received (NO in step S7), for example, after the connection key 12c is pressed, the connection unit is used as a connection box within a predetermined time. If the touch panel 15 does not detect that the part that displays the image indicating the designated rectangle is pressed by the user, the box information creation unit 25 creates box information (step S9).

  For example, when images indicating three rectangles to which the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) shown in FIG. 9 are allocated are selected as linked boxes, the box information creation unit 25 One box information indicating that each of the three rectangles is a single connected box, the size and position of the image representing the respective rectangles in the document image G1, and the identification information allocated to the image representing the corresponding rectangle. create. In this box information, images showing three rectangles to which the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) are allocated are sub-boxes in which character data for input can be input independently of each other. Information indicating that it is present is included.

  Further, for example, when an image showing four rectangles to which the identification information (19), (20), (21), and (22) shown in FIG. The information creation unit 25 indicates the size and position of the image representing each of the four rectangles in the document image G1 and the identification information allocated to the image representing the corresponding rectangle as one linked box. Create one box information. The box information includes information indicating that the images indicating the four rectangles to which the identification information of (19), (20), (21), and (22) are allocated are the sub-boxes. It is. The box information creating unit 25 stores these box information in the storage unit 19 as a template.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 21 determines that an instruction to specify the size of the connection box has been received (YES in step S7), the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. . For example, when an image indicating a rectangle to which the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) is allocated is selected as a connection box and an instruction for specifying the size is received, FIG. As illustrated, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a height input key 12g and a width input key 12h for inputting values indicating the changed height and width, respectively. Then, the user inputs desired height and width values to the numeric keys (not shown) on the touch panel 15 or the operation unit 14. Thereby, the input height and width are received by the control unit 21 as the changed height and width. As shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 22 displays the received height and width in the area of the height input key 12g and the width input key 12h, respectively. Further, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. 9 when the execution key 12 i is pressed by the user and detected by the touch panel 15. When the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e is pressed, the box information creation unit 25 sets the received height and width values to (14), (15), and ( 16) As a size of an image showing one rectangle formed by combining three rectangles to which the identification information of (16) is allocated, the rectangle to which the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) is allocated. It is included in the box information of the connected box shown and stored in the storage unit 19.

  In addition to the above description, the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e is pressed by the user after the desired height and width values for the connection box are input, and the touch panel 15 detects the press. In some cases, the height and width input as the changed height and width in the connection box may be accepted. In addition to the user inputting the desired height and width values using the numeric keys, the user can drag the image indicating the rectangle selected as the connection box on the touch panel 15 to change the size of the image. Thereby, the structure which receives the change of the magnitude | size of the said connection box by the control part 21 may be sufficient.

  When the control unit 21 determines that a selection request for a connection box has not been received (NO in step S10), it determines whether a selection request for a check box has been received (step S11). For example, the control unit 21 determines that the user presses the input key 12a, subsequently presses the part that displays an image indicating a rectangle specified as a check box, and further presses the check key 12d by the user. When it is detected by No. 15, it is determined that a selection request using the box as a check box has been received.

  If the control unit 21 determines that a selection request for a check box has been received (YES in step S11), the control unit 21 determines whether an instruction for specifying the size of the check box has been received (step S11). S7). For example, when the control unit 21 receives a selection request as a check box and detects that the user presses a part that displays an image indicating a rectangle designated as the check box, the control unit 21 detects this request. An instruction to specify the size of the check box (that is, the range of the input area) is received.

  If the control unit 21 determines that an instruction to specify the size of the check box is not received (NO in step S7), for example, the check key is specified as a check box within a predetermined time after the check key 12d is pressed. When the touch panel 15 does not detect that the part displaying the image indicating the rectangle is pressed by the user, the box information creation unit 25 creates box information (step S9).

  For example, when an image showing four rectangles to which identification information of (5), (6), (7), and (8) shown in FIG. The unit 25 correlates the size and position of the image indicating each of the four rectangles in the document image G1, the identification information allocated to the image indicating the corresponding rectangle, and the information indicating the check box, Box information is created for each of the four boxes. The box information creation unit 25 stores the box information in the storage unit 19 as a template, as will be described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the control unit 21 has received an instruction to specify the size of the check box (YES in step S7), the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. . For example, after an image indicating a rectangle to which the identification information (5) is allocated is selected as a check box and an instruction to specify the size is received, display control is performed as illustrated in FIG. The unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a height input key 12g and a width input key 12h for inputting the changed height and width, respectively.

  Then, the user inputs desired height and width values to the numeric keys (not shown) on the touch panel 15 or the operation unit 14. Thereby, the input height and width are received by the control unit 21 as the changed height and width. As shown in FIG. 11, the display control unit 22 displays the received height and width in the area of the height input key 12g and the width input key 12h, respectively. Further, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG. 9 when the execution key 12 i is pressed by the user and detected by the touch panel 15. When the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e has been pressed, the box information creation unit 25 assigns the received height and width values to the identification information of (5). It is treated as the size of the image indicating the rectangle, and is included in the box information of the check box corresponding to the image indicating the rectangle to which the identification information (5) is allocated and stored in the storage unit 19.

  In addition to the above description, after the desired height and width values for the check box are input, the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e is pressed by the user and the touch panel 15 detects the press. In some cases, the height and width input as the height and width after the change in the check box may be accepted. In addition to the user inputting the desired height and width values using the numeric keys, the user can drag the image indicating the rectangle selected as the check box on the touch panel 15 to change the size of the image. Accordingly, the control unit 21 may accept a change in the size of the check box.

  If the control unit 21 determines that a selection request for a check box has not been accepted (NO in step S11), the process returns to step S5.

  When the box information creation unit 25 finishes creating the box information, the control unit 21 determines whether or not creation of the box information is finished for all boxes (step S12). If the box information creation unit 25 determines that the creation of box information has not been completed for all boxes (NO in step S12), the process returns to step S5.

  On the other hand, when the box information creation unit 25 determines that the creation of box information has been completed for all boxes (YES in step S12), the control unit 21 creates the original image G1 and the box information creation unit 25. All the box information is stored in the storage unit 19 as the template T of the document image G1 (step S13).

  Further, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the standard box, the connection box, and the check box in the template T by using different display methods. For example, when the box information creation unit 25 creates the box information of the box, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the box by a different display method for each type of box. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display control unit 22 is assigned an image indicating the selected rectangle in the standard box, that is, identification information of (18), (27), (29), and (30). An image showing four rectangles is displayed surrounded by a one-dot chain line rectangle. In addition, the display control unit 22 displays an image indicating a rectangle selected in the connection box, that is, an image indicating three rectangles to which the identification information items (14), (15), and (16) are allocated, and (19 ), (20), (21), and an image showing four rectangles to which the identification information of (22) is assigned are displayed surrounded by a two-dot chain line rectangle. In addition, the display control unit 22 displays an image indicating the rectangle selected in the check box, that is, an image indicating the four rectangles to which the identification information items (5), (6), (7), and (8) are allocated. Is surrounded by a dotted rectangle. Such display on different display units 12 is performed every time the box information creation unit 25 creates box information of a box. In addition to this description, for example, the display control unit 22 may enclose and display a box with different color rectangles for each type of box. Further, the sub-boxes included in the connection box may be displayed on the display unit 12 by a display method different from other boxes.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 sends the original image template T stored in the storage unit 19 to the PC 1 via the network 3, and the original image and box included in the template T in the display unit 82 of the PC 1. The communication unit 16 is caused to transmit an image indicating a rectangle designated to the image and an instruction signal instructing that the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle is displayed in association with the image (step S14). Further, the control unit 21 instructs the instruction signal to display a box in a different display method for each type of box included in the template T on the input screen displayed on the display unit 82 of the PC 1. An instruction signal to be included is included.

  Subsequently, in the PC 1, it is determined whether or not the reception unit 73 has received the template T and the instruction signal from the image forming apparatus 2 via the transmission / reception unit 83 (step S15). If the template T and the instruction signal are not received (NO in step S15), the PC 1 enters a standby state.

  On the other hand, if the accepting unit 73 accepts the template T and the instruction signal via the transmission / reception unit 83 (YES in step S15), the control unit 71 inputs characters for input to the box included in the template T. It is determined whether or not data creation is started (step S16). For example, when the receiving unit 73 receives the template T and the instruction signal, the control unit 71 displays a display for inquiring whether to start the creation of input character data via the display control unit 72. 82. If the operation unit 81 does not accept an operation of an instruction to start creating character data for input from the user (NO in step S16), the control unit 71 places the PC 1 in a standby state.

  If the operation unit 81 accepts an operation of an instruction to start creation of input character data from the user (YES in step S16), the display control unit 72 accepts it according to the instruction signal accepted by the acceptance unit 73. The template T is displayed on the display unit 82 as shown in FIG. 13 (step S17). The user activates an application such as a word processor by operating the operation unit 81, and creates document data (input character data) using the application (step S18).

  In the input screen, as shown in FIG. 13, in the template T displayed on the display unit 82, in addition to the document image, an image indicating the rectangle designated in the box in step S5 and the rectangle are displayed. The identification information assigned to the image and the selected type of box are displayed. That is, in this input screen, the input area (box) where the input character data is input is displayed together with the identification information assigned to the image indicating the corresponding rectangle, so that the user can recognize the box while Document data input to the box can be easily created.

  For example, the user activates an application such as a word processor or spreadsheet software on the PC 1 and creates a data file D having a predetermined format using the application. The user uses an application to input and arrange numbers and “input characters” by operating the operation unit 81 according to the arrangement indicated by the format, and thereby data having an arrangement as shown in FIG. File D is created. In the data file D, numbers indicating the identification information are arranged at predetermined positions. Then, numerical values, characters, and the like as input character data are arranged at positions where a predetermined number of spaces are left from the arrangement positions of the identification information. By arranging the identification information and the input character data in this way, it is possible to read the identification information and the input character data from the data file D by the image processing unit 7 or the like in the image forming apparatus 2. The data file D is stored in the area of “Form Application” 84a in the storage unit 84.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 14, “777” is input as character data for input for a standard box corresponding to an image showing a rectangle, adjacent to the position where the identification information of (18) is allocated.

  If the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) is identification information as a connection box, the input for the connection box is made adjacent to the position where the identification information of (14) is allocated. As the character data, input character data input in the respective sub-boxes are arranged in succession with a predetermined delimiter (for example, “,”) interposed therebetween. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the input character data in units of sub-boxes are “07”, “25”, and “2016”, and “07, 25, 2016” is adjacent to the identification information of (14). Is arranged.

  If the identification information of (5) is identification information as a check box, “x” is placed as input character data for the check box adjacent to the position where the identification information of (5) is allocated. Is done.

  Thereafter, in the PC 1, when the data file D is selected from the “Form Application” 84 a area of the HDD 84 as a target to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 2 by the operation of the operation unit 81 by the user, the print job generation unit 74 A print job is generated using the selected data file D (step S19).

  For example, when the user activates the printer driver by operating the operation unit 81, the display control unit 72 causes the display unit 82 to display an input screen in which the tab of the job 82a is selected as illustrated in FIG. . Then, when the user operates the operation unit 81 to select the “Form Application” 82 b field on the input screen and further select the data file D from the “Form Application” 84 a area of the HDD 84, the print The job generation unit 74 uses the data file D as the print data suitable for the image forming apparatus 2 (data converted into a format in a printer language suitable for the image forming apparatus 2), and for print processing including the print data. Generate a print job.

  At this time, the print job generation unit 74 converts only the input character data portion in the data file D into print data. The print job generation unit 74 adds information indicating the corresponding input character data to the identification information portion, and then incorporates it into the print job as separate data. That is, in this print job, the identification information (5), (6), ----, (29), (30) is not converted into print data in the data file D shown in FIG. Only the input character data is converted into data for printing in the image forming apparatus 2.

  Subsequently, the control unit 71 causes the transmission / reception unit 83 to transmit a print job including the input character data input to the box and the other data to the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3 (step S20). .

  In the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 21 determines whether the input character data acquisition unit 26 has received a print job from the PC 1 via the communication unit 16 (step S21). The control unit 21 places the image forming apparatus 2 in a standby state until the input character data acquisition unit 26 receives a print job (NO in step S21).

  On the other hand, when the input character data acquisition unit 26 receives a print job from the PC 1 via the communication unit 16 (YES in step S21), the control unit 21 receives the input character data included in the print job and The other data (including identification information) is stored in the storage unit 19 as an input data file (step S22). As shown in FIG. 16, the storage unit 19 stores the input data file in the input data file area 19b, the original image G read by the image reading unit 17 in the template area 19a, and the box information creation unit 25. A template T including the created box information is stored.

  In response to a user operation on the operation accepting unit, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a list of templates T and input data files stored in the storage unit 19 (step S23). For example, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the display screen illustrated in FIG.

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines whether one template and one input data file are selected in accordance with a user operation instruction to the operation unit 14 (step S24). If one template and one input data file are not selected (NO in step S24), the image forming apparatus 2 enters a standby state.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 21 detects that one template and one input data file are selected (YES in step S24), the control unit 21 uses the selected template and input data file. The image processing unit 27 is made to perform the combined processing (step S25).

  For example, when step S24 is performed, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display a display screen illustrated in FIG. In this display screen, when the user presses the “Payment Form” column from the display column 12j indicating the list of templates, and this pressing is detected by the touch panel 15, the control unit 21 sets the “Payment Form” as the template. The selection is accepted. In addition, when the user presses the “Payment Form Info” field from the display field 12k indicating the list of input data files on the touch panel 15, and this pressing is detected by the touch panel 15, the control unit 21 controls the “Payment Form Info”. "Is accepted as an input data file.

  Further, when the composite key 12l is pressed by the user and this press is detected by the touch panel 15, the control unit 21 reads the selected “Payment Form” template, the “Payment Form Info” input data file, The image processing unit 27 is caused to execute a combining process using

  In the above composition processing, as shown in FIG. 18, the image processing unit 27 converts the “Payment Form” template T and the “Payment Form Info” input data file I to be combined into template regions of the storage unit 19, respectively. 19a (FIG. 16) and input data file area 19b (FIG. 16). Then, the image processing unit 27 is included in the input data file of “Payment Form Info” in the region of the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box indicated by the identification information in the document image indicated by the template T of “Payment Form”. Then, the input character data associated with the same identification information as the identification information is arranged and the two images are combined to create a combined result image. Further, the created synthesis result image is stored in the image memory 13 or the storage unit 19.

  For example, the image processing unit 27 displays an image indicating a rectangle designated in a box (assumed to be a standard box) indicated by the identification information (27) in the input data file I of “Payment Form Info” shown in FIG. In this area, “Taro Yamada” as input character data associated with the same identification information (27) is arranged, and these two images are combined. The image processing unit 27 determines that the box indicated by the identification information in (27) is a standard box based on the box information included in the “Tayment Form” template T. The image processing unit 27 indicates that the input character data associated with the identification information of (27) is “Taro Yamada” and uses the input character data corresponding to the identification information included in the other data. It discriminate | determines based on the information shown.

  In addition, the image processing unit 27 includes, in the region of the image indicating the three rectangles designated in the box (assuming that it is a linked box) indicated by the identification information of (14), (15), and (16). “07, 25, 2016” as input character data associated with the identification information (14) having the identity is read from the input data file I of “Payment Form Info”, and is associated with the identification information of (14). “07” is placed in the box, “25” is placed in the box associated with the identification information of (15), and “2016” is placed in the box associated with the identification information of (16). Then, an image showing a rectangle as each box is combined with an image of input character data. The image processing unit 27 determines that the box indicated by the identification information of (14), (15), and (16) is a linked box based on the box information included in the template T of “Payment Form”. To do. Then, in this case, the image processing unit 27 sets the input character data arranged adjacent to the identification information of the smallest number among the continuous identification information as input character data used for the composition. “07”, “25”, “2016” delimited by “,” in “07, 25, 2016” as the character data, the smallest number among the sub-boxes that form the linked box in the order of arrangement. The sub boxes corresponding to the identification numbers are sequentially arranged.

  In addition, the image processing unit 27 arranges “x” as input character data in the area of the image indicating the rectangle designated in the box (check box) indicated by the identification information of (5). Then, these two images are combined. The image processing unit 27 determines that the box indicated by the identification information in (5) is a check box based on the box information included in the “Tayment Form” template T. The image processing unit 27 indicates that the input character data associated with the identification information of (5) is “x” and indicates the input character data corresponding to the identification information included in the other data. Determine based on information.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 19, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the composite result image F created by the image processing unit 27 (step S26).

  Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines whether or not printing of the composite result image F is requested (step S27). For example, when the control unit 21 detects that the user presses the print key 12n on the display screen shown in FIG. 19, the control unit 21 determines that printing of the composite result image F is requested. Then, the image forming unit 18 is caused to perform printing processing of the composite result image F (step S28).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 21 detects that the save key 12e is pressed by the user, the control unit 21 determines that printing of the composite result image F is not requested at present, and displays the composite result image F as a result. The data is stored in the storage unit 19 (step S29).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the template T is created, the rectangle extracting unit 23 extracts an image indicating a rectangle from the document image obtained by reading by the image reading unit 17, and an original image of the image indicating the rectangle. The identification information is sequentially allocated to the image indicating the extracted rectangle by the identification information allocating unit 24. In addition, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 12 to display the document image, the image indicating the extracted rectangle, and the identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle in association with each other. The box information creation unit 25 also includes an image indicating the rectangle designated in the box by the designation request, the size and position of the image representing the rectangle in the document image, and identification information allocated to the image representing the rectangle. Are created as box information of the box. Further, when the box information creation unit 25 creates the box information, the control unit 21 stores the document image and the template including the box information in the storage unit 19.

  In the present embodiment, the image processing unit 27 includes the same identification information as the identification information included in the input data file in the region of the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box indicated by the identification information in the document image indicated by the template T. Since the input character data associated with the image data is arranged and the two images are combined to create a combined result image, the user can easily print a desired character or the like at a desired position in the document image. be able to. Also, the user can easily change the arrangement position of the input character data in the document image and the contents of the input character data by creating the template T and the data file D described above.

  That is, in the present embodiment, when the user changes the position of the box for inputting the input character data in the read document, the control unit 21 reads the document image included in the document image template from the storage unit 19. Is read out and the box after the change is recognized by the processing by the rectangle extracting unit 23 and the identification information allocating unit 24 for the document image. Thereafter, the box information creating unit 25 performs box information corresponding to the box after the change. Can be used to easily change the position of the box for inputting the input character data without performing a new reading operation of the document.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, unlike the conventional case, it is possible to easily synthesize the input character data with respect to an image for which input character data is required to be input.

  In the above description, the case where the print job generation unit 74 that operates according to the printer driver is provided on the PC (information processing apparatus) 1 side has been described. However, the present invention provides the input character data acquisition unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 2. For example, the input character data acquisition unit 26 acquires the document data generated by the PC 1 as input character data, and the acquired input data is obtained. The character data may be converted into print data for print processing by a printer driver provided in the image forming apparatus 2. In this case, the image forming apparatus 2 includes the print job generation unit 74.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure and process which were shown by the said embodiment using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 19 are only one Embodiment of this invention, and are not the meaning which limits this invention to the said structure and process.

2 Image forming device (image processing device)
12 display unit 14 operation unit (operation reception unit)
15 Touch panel (operation reception part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Image reading part 18 Image formation part 19 Memory | storage part 21 Control part 22 Display control part 23 Rectangle extraction part 24 Identification information allocation part 25 Box information creation part 26 Input character data acquisition part 27 Image processing part

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus connected to an information processing apparatus via a network,
An original image, an image indicating a rectangle included in the original image, and an image indicating the rectangle designated in a box as an input area into which input character data is input, and an image indicating the rectangle A storage unit for storing a template including box information of a box associated with the identified information;
A communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the information processing apparatus through the network;
Input character data acquisition for acquiring input character data input to the box from the information processing apparatus via the network and the identification information associated with the input character data via the communication unit And
A control unit that causes the storage unit to store the input character data acquired by the input character data acquisition unit and the identification information associated with the input character data as an input data file;
Input characters that are included in the input data file and are associated with the same identification information as the identification information within the area of the image that indicates the rectangle specified in the box indicated by the identification information in the document image indicated by the template An image processing apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that combines data and creates a combined result image.   In the box information, the box is a standard box in which at least one character is input as the input character data, a connected box in which a plurality of boxes into which the input character data is input are connected as one box, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: information indicating which type of check box is a predetermined check mark input as the input character data. The image processing unit
In the standard box, one character is synthesized as the input character data,
In the connection box, each of the plurality of sub-boxes included in the connection box is a character separated by a predetermined delimiter, and the character associated with the sub-box is the input character. Synthesized as data,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined check mark is synthesized as the input character data in the check box. A display unit;
A display control unit for displaying a list of the templates stored in the storage unit and a list of the input data files stored in the storage unit on the display unit;
An operation receiving unit that receives one template selected from the list of templates and one input data file selected from the list of input data files according to an operation instruction from a user;
When the selection of the one template and the one input data file is received by the operation receiving unit, the image processing unit displays the identification information in the document image indicated by the selected one template. In the region of the image indicating the rectangle specified in the box to be displayed, the input character data included in the selected one input data file and associated with the same identification information as the identification information is synthesized, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a composite result image is created.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display a synthesis result image created by the image processing unit. A display unit;
An image reading unit for reading an image of a document;
A rectangle extracting unit that extracts an image indicating a rectangle from the document image obtained by reading by the image reading unit, and detects a size and a position of the image indicating the rectangle in the document image;
An identification information allocating unit that sequentially allocates identification information to an image indicating a rectangle extracted by the rectangle extracting unit;
A display control unit that causes the display unit to display the document image and an image indicating a rectangle extracted by the rectangle extraction unit in the document image;
An operation reception unit for receiving operation instructions from the user;
When the operation accepting unit accepts a designation request for designating an image showing a rectangle displayed on the display unit from the user as a box that is an input area into which input character data is input, Box information of the box by associating an image indicating the rectangle specified in the box, a size and position of the image indicating the rectangle in the document image, and identification information allocated to the image indicating the rectangle A box information creation section to create as
A storage unit;
When the box information creating unit creates the box information, a control unit that stores the original image and a template including the box information in the storage unit;
A communication unit that transmits and receives data to and from the information processing apparatus through the network;
Input character data acquisition for acquiring input character data input to the box from the information processing apparatus via the network and the identification information associated with the input character data via the communication unit And
An image processing unit,
The control unit causes the storage unit to store the input character data acquired by the input character data acquisition unit and the identification information associated with the input character data as an input data file,
The image processing unit corresponds to the same identification information as the identification information included in the input data file within an image area indicating a rectangle designated by a box indicated by the identification information in the document image indicated by the template. An image processing apparatus for synthesizing input character data attached to create a synthesized result image. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms the combined result image created by the image processing unit on a recording medium.