JP2019083430A - Image processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus and a program that allow a user to simply designate various types of executable processing.SOLUTION: In an image processing apparatus 1, a plurality of processing execution units 12 can execute a plurality of types of processing different from each other. An image reading unit 11 reads images of a plurality of documents and outputs read image data showing the images of the plurality of documents. An extraction unit 141 extracts, from the read image data, object image data of a processing object and style image data having a predetermined style. A recognition unit 142 recognizes, from the style image data, processing information indicating processing to be executed on the object image data and condition information indicating a processing condition. A processing control unit 143 instructs a processing execution unit 12 corresponding to the processing information to process the object image data with the processing condition based on the condition information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of processes on read image data generated by an image reading unit, and a program.

  The image processing apparatus includes, for example, a plurality of processing execution units capable of executing processing such as scanning, copying, electronic mail transmission and reception, fax transmission and reception, and a control unit that controls processing of the plurality of processing execution units.

  The control unit generally specifies the execution processing unit to process read image data obtained from an image reading unit and processing conditions based on information input from an operation input unit that receives a user operation. . The control unit further causes the identified processing execution unit to execute processing on the read image data in accordance with the processing condition.

  On the other hand, the user simply designates one of four predetermined types of processing and processing conditions to the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus specifies the processing and processing conditions specified by the user. There has been proposed a method of recognizing H. (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2016-131309, A

  The image processing apparatus can execute various processes on the read image data. Therefore, there is a demand for the image processing apparatus that allows the user to easily specify the various processes.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and program capable of easily specifying various executable processes by a user.

  An image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of processing execution units, an image reading unit, an extraction unit, a recognition unit, and a processing control unit. The plurality of process execution units can execute a plurality of different processes. The image reading unit reads images of a plurality of documents, and outputs read image data representing the images of the plurality of documents. The extraction unit extracts target image data to be processed and format image data having a predetermined format from the read image data. The recognition unit recognizes, from the form image data, processing information indicating processing to be executed on the target image data and condition information indicating processing conditions. The process control unit instructs the process execution unit corresponding to the process information to process the target image data under the process condition based on the condition information.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program comprising: read image data generated by reading an image of a plurality of originals by an image reading unit; target image data to be processed; and a style image having a predetermined style A step of extracting data, a step of recognizing processing information indicating processing to be executed on the target image data, and condition information indicating processing conditions from the form image data, and a plurality of different processing are executed. A program for causing a computer to execute the process of processing the target image data under the processing condition based on the condition information among the plurality of possible process execution units, the process execution unit corresponding to the process information .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and program that allow a user to easily specify various executable processes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an address list stored in the storage unit of FIG. FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a first example of the additional document according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3B is a view showing a second example of the additional document according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a third example of the additional document according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a view showing read image data generated by the image reading unit of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying the prohibition relation list stored in the storage unit of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a control command list stored in the storage unit of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an additional original according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing read image data according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a view showing an additional original according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a view showing additional original read image data according to the third embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiments are merely specific examples of the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

First Embodiment
In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions, and can execute various processes such as scan processing, copy processing, fax transmission processing, and electronic mail transmission processing, for example.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 10, an image reading unit 11, a plurality of processing execution units 12, a storage unit 13, a control unit 14, and the like.

  The operation display unit 10 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays information. The operation unit includes a touch panel that receives information input based on a user operation, an operation button, and the like.

  The image reading unit 11 includes a document table 1101 including a plate-like transparent glass or the like. The document table 1101 has a rectangular document placement area on which a plurality of documents can be placed on the upper surface of the document platen 1101.

  The image reading unit 11 includes a light source, a mirror, an optical lens, a charge coupled device (CCD), and the like in addition to the document table 1101. The image reading unit 11 scans light in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction toward the document placed on the document table 1101 when the scanning process is performed.

  The image reading unit 11 reads the images of the plurality of documents based on the reflected light from the document, and generates and outputs the read image data indicating the images of the plurality of documents.

  The plurality of process execution units 12 can execute a plurality of different processes on image data. The plurality of processing execution units 12 include an image forming unit 121, a fax transmission unit 122, and an electronic mail transmission unit 123, corresponding to the various types of processing.

  The plurality of processing execution units 12 may include one or more selected from the image forming unit 121, the fax transmission unit 122, and the e-mail transmission unit 123. Further, processing execution units other than the image forming unit 121, the fax transmission unit 122, and the electronic mail transmission unit 123 may be provided in the image processing apparatus 1 as a plurality of processing execution units 12.

  The image forming unit 121 receives image data to be described later when the copying process is performed.

  The image forming unit 121 forms an image indicated by the image data on a printing sheet, and discharges the image as a printed matter to the outside of the image processing apparatus 1. The image forming method may be either an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. When the electrophotographic method is adopted, the image forming unit 121 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like.

  When the fax transmission process is performed, the fax transmission unit 122 transmits the image data to a facsimile on a communication party (not shown) according to a predetermined facsimile standard. Since the fax reception process is not an essential part of the present invention, the description of the fax reception process will be omitted.

  The electronic mail transmission unit 123 receives an electronic mail including the image data from the control unit 14 when the electronic mail transmission process is executed. The electronic mail transmission unit 123 further transmits the electronic mail according to a predetermined standard and communication protocol. It transmits to the information processing apparatus of the receiving side which is not shown in figure.

  The storage unit 13 includes, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive, and can store in advance a program 131 executed by the control unit 14 and various information used by the control unit 14.

  The various information includes the address list 132 shown in FIG.

  The address list 132 includes, for example, a plurality of e-mail addresses used by a plurality of recipients who can receive the e-mail. In addition, it is shown as an e-mail address in some drawings. The e-mail address is synonymous with an e-mail address.

  The plurality of e-mail addresses are, for example, associated with colors that do not overlap with each other, in accordance with the manner described later. For example, orange is associated with A as the recipient, and blue is associated with B as the recipient. The color is hereinafter referred to as a specific color because it is used to identify the recipient.

  The control unit 14 includes a processor and, for example, volatile semiconductor memory or the like.

  Here, technical problems to be solved by the present invention will be described.

  In general, the image processing apparatus can execute various processes on read image data. Therefore, there is a demand for the image processing apparatus that allows the user to easily specify the various processes.

  An object of the present embodiment is to allow a user to easily designate various processes that can be executed by the image processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the control unit 14 includes an extraction unit 141, a recognition unit 142, a processing control unit 143, and a notification control unit 144 as functional blocks when the processor executes the program 131. Note that one or more of the functional blocks 141 to 144 may be configured by an electronic circuit.

  Next, prior to the description of the process by the control unit 14, the preparation work by the user of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described.

  The user prepares the plurality of originals. The plurality of originals include a target original and an additional original.

  The target document indicates a target image to be processed by the image processing apparatus 1. The target document is, for example, a document printed on the printing sheet.

  The additional document has a size that can be placed on the document table 1101 in parallel with the target document. The size of the additional original is, for example, smaller than the size of the target original. In the additional document, information such as characters, numbers or colors indicating the processing request to the image forming apparatus 1 by the user is described.

  The processing requirements are written, for example, on a sheet smaller than the printing sheet, using letters and / or symbols in accordance with the above-mentioned format.

  The additional document indicates, as the processing request, the processing to be performed on the target image and processing conditions, for example, by a plurality of sheets.

  Hereinafter, the characters and / or symbols will be referred to as characters and the like. Further, among the sheets, a sheet for which the processing is indicated is referred to as a processing sheet, and a sheet for which the processing condition is indicated is referred to as a processing condition sheet.

  The processing sheet and the processing condition sheet have, for example, a predetermined shape or a predetermined size for extraction processing described later.

  Further, the characters and the like are recorded in a recommended color which is a predetermined color capable of correctly performing an optical character recognition (OCR) process described later. For example, black may be considered as the recommended color.

  Also, the processing and the processing conditions can be expressed in color.

  For example, the e-mail address can be specified by the color of the reading surface of the processing condition sheet. That is, the color of the reading surface represents the specific color, and the specific color can also be the processing condition. The reading surface is a surface on which light is scanned by the image reading unit 11.

  The e-mail address may be recorded on the processing condition sheet by the characters or the like in addition to being represented by the specific color of the reading surface of the processing condition sheet. In this case, the color of the reading surface of the processing condition sheet is a color other than the specific color. The non-specific color also indicates one of the processing conditions.

  Note that the processing and the processing conditions may be stylized according to an expression method other than the characters and the like or the color.

  As another expression method, for example, it is conceivable that the processing and the processing condition are expressed by the code recorded on the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet. As the code, a one-dimensional code such as a bar code or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) can be considered.

  Further, the processing and the processing conditions are indicated on the reading surface side of the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet.

  The same processing and processing conditions as those on the reading surface side may be indicated on the opposite side of the reading surface, that is, the non-reading surface, of the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet. Thus, when placing the additional document on the document table 1101, the user can easily recognize the processing on the side of the reading surface or the processing condition by visually observing the non-reading surface.

  In addition, since the processing and the processing conditions on the non-reading side are not processing targets of the image processing apparatus 1, they may not be in accordance with the style, and characters or the like recognizable by the user or simple patterns are used. It should be shown.

  In addition, if the processing on the non-reading side and the processing conditions conform to the format, the user can place the document on the document table 1101 without regard to the reading side and the non-reading side. it can.

  Furthermore, all of the processing and the processing conditions may be shown in one sheet. Hereinafter, a sheet in which both the processing and the processing conditions are indicated is referred to as a processing / processing condition sheet.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C, an example of the additional original according to the above-mentioned format will be described.

  FIGS. 3A to 3C show additional originals 21a to 21c as an example of the additional original.

  In FIG. 3A, the additional original 21a includes a processing sheet 211a and a processing condition sheet 212a as an example of the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet.

  The characters "copy" are recorded on the reading surface of the processing sheet 211a. The character "copy" is one of the modes, and indicates that the process is the copy process.

  A number "3" is recorded on the reading surface of the processing condition sheet 212a. The numeral “3” is one of the forms, and indicates the processing condition that the number of copies required for printing is three in combination with the character “copy”.

  In FIG. 3B, the additional document 21b includes a process / process condition sheet 211b as an example of the process / process condition sheet.

  The characters "email" are recorded on the reading surface of the processing / processing condition sheet 211b. Also, the reading surface has the specific color.

  The character "mail" is also one of the modes, and indicates that the process is the e-mail transmission process.

  The particular color is also one of the styles. The specific color indicates the destination of the e-mail as the processing condition in combination with the character “e-mail”. The destination is the e-mail address specified by the specific color. Specifically, if the specific color is orange or blue, the recipients are A and B.

  In FIG. 3C, the additional original 21c includes the processing sheet 211c and the processing condition sheet 212c as an example of the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet.

  The character “e-mail” is recorded on the reading surface of the processing sheet 211 c as in the processing / processing condition sheet 211 b.

  Further, one or more electronic mail addresses are recorded on the reading surface of the processing condition sheet 212c.

  The reading surface of the processing condition sheet 212c has the non-specific color when the e-mail address as the processing condition is written by the character or the like.

  It is one of the modes that the e-mail address is expressed by the characters and the like. The e-mail address represented by the character or the like indicates the destination of the e-mail as the processing condition by combining with the character “mail”.

  If the reading surface of the processing condition sheet 212c has the specific color, the e-mail address represented by the character or the like is used as the destination or the e-mail address represented by the specific color is selected. It can not be specified whether it is the destination. Therefore, the reading surface of the processing condition sheet 212c has the non-specific color.

  The processing and the processing conditions are various in the development stage of the image processing apparatus 1 so as to cover the processing and the processing conditions that can be executed by the image processing apparatus 1 other than those illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The form is defined.

  For example, the combination of the processing sheet in which the character "FAX" is written and the processing condition sheet in which a FAX number is written indicates the above-mentioned form of transmitting a facsimile indicating the image data to the FAX number. .

  Besides, for example, the combination of the processing sheet in which the character “scan” is written and the processing condition sheet in which the folder created in the storage unit 13 is described is the image to the storage area specified by the folder name. It shows the above-mentioned manner of storing data.

  Note that identification information indicating the position of the character or the like on the reading surface may be added to each sheet for extraction processing described later.

  Specifically, identification information 213a, 213b, 213c as an example of the identification information is added to the processing sheets 211a, 211c, the processing condition sheets 212a, 212c, and the processing / condition sheet 211b.

  Each of the identification information 213a to 213c includes, for example, four different marks.

  The four marks are recorded around the characters etc. written on the reading surface. The four marks do not overlap the characters and have a predetermined positional relationship.

  As a specific example, the four marks are black squares, triangles, rhombus, and circles, and are arranged to form a square. In the present embodiment, the square, triangle, rhombus, and circle marks are recorded, for example, in the upper left corner, the upper right corner, the lower right corner, and the lower left corner of the reading surface.

  The identification information 213a to 213c may be expressed in other manners as well as the four marks as long as the position of the character or the like can be specified.

  Further, in consideration of the visibility of FIGS. 3A to 3C, reference numerals 213a to 213c are attached to only one of the four marks.

  The user further directs the reading surface side of the target document and the additional document indicating the desired processing and the processing conditions on the document table 1101 in order to request the processing to the image processing apparatus 1. Place it.

  The target document is placed on the left side of the additional image in the document placement area.

  When the additional document is a combination of the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet, the processing sheet and the processing condition sheet are arranged in the main scanning direction.

  Further, the target image and the additional image are separated from the outer periphery of the document placement area by a predetermined distance in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. Furthermore, each of the sheets included in the target image and the additional image is separated from the other sheets by a predetermined distance in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction.

  The user does not close the document platen cover (not shown) for extraction processing described later. Alternatively, a solid black background mat may be superimposed on the target document and the additional document on the document table 1101. Thereby, in the read image data generated by the image reading unit 11, the colors of the images of the plurality of originals and the colors of the background image other than the plurality of originals can be clearly differentiated.

  The user further operates the operation display unit 10 to start the processing by the control unit 14. In response to the operation, the control unit 14 starts executing the program 131.

  The processing of the control unit 14 will be described below with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 14 controls the scan process (step S101).

  Specifically, under the control of the control unit 14, the image reading unit 11 scans the light in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction within the maximum scanning range. Here, the maximum scanning range is, for example, the entire area of the document placement area.

  Further, the image reading unit 11 collectively reads the images of the target document and the additional document on the document table 1101. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the image reading unit 11 generates read image data 3 indicating the images of the target document and the additional document, and outputs the read image data 3 to the control unit 14.

  The read image data 3 includes target image data 31, a plurality of format image data 32, a plurality of identification image data 33, and background image data 34.

  The target image data 31 indicates the target image and is to be processed by the processing execution unit 12.

  Each of the plurality of format image data 32 is an image indicating the processing according to the format or the processing condition.

  Each of the plurality of identification image data 33 is an image indicating the identification information. Note that the feature amount of the identification information is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 as one of the various types of information for the extraction process described later.

  Background image data 34 indicates the background image.

  Specifically, the background image data 34 is a pixel area present around the target image data 31, each form image data 32 and each identification image data 33 in the read image data 3.

  The background image data 34 includes a predetermined number or more of pixels determined based on the predetermined distance in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. In addition, since the platen cover is not closed in the scanning process, the value of each pixel included in the background image data 34 indicates black.

  After step S101, the control unit 14 functions as the extraction unit 141 to execute the extraction process (step S102).

  In step S102, the extraction unit 141 extracts, from the read image data 3, the target image data 31 to be processed and the form image data 32 having the predetermined form. Hereinafter, a specific example of the extraction process will be described.

  The extraction unit 141 first generates intermediate image data in which the background image data 34 is removed from the read image data 3. Here, the background image data 34 is characterized in that black pixel values in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction are continuous by the predetermined number or more. Removal of the background image data 34 is performed based on the features.

  The extraction unit 141 further extracts all identification image data 33 included in the intermediate image data by image recognition processing using a feature amount of the identification information and the like.

  The extraction unit 141 further specifies and extracts each of the pixel areas having a predetermined positional relationship with each of the extracted identification image data 33 as the form image data 32.

  For example, when the identification information is identification information 213a, each identification image data 33 is an image showing the four marks. In this case, a pixel area surrounded by the image indicating the four marks may be extracted as the form image data 32.

  The four marks are different from each other and have a predetermined positional relationship. Therefore, even if a plurality of identification image data 33 exist in the intermediate image data, each identification image data 33 can be correctly identified.

  The extraction unit 141 treats, in the intermediate image data, a portion remaining after extraction of each identification image data 33 and each format image data 32 as target image data 31.

  When the extraction processing is successful, the extraction unit 141 passes the target image data 31 and each form image data 32 to the recognition unit 142.

  When the extraction process is not successful, the extraction unit 141 passes, to the notification control unit 143, message information indicating that the extraction process has failed.

  The extraction unit 141 may extract the target image data 31 and the form image data 32 from the read image data 3 by another known multi-crop technique.

  After step S102, the control unit 14 functions as the recognition unit 142, and executes the process and the recognition process of the process condition (step S103).

  Specifically, in step S103, the recognition unit 142 executes an OCR process on each of the form image data 32 received from the extraction unit 141. The recognition unit 142 recognizes processing information indicating processing to be executed on the target image data 31 and condition information indicating the processing conditions from the form image data 32 through the OCR processing.

  By the OCR processing, text data indicating characters included in each form image data 32 with a predetermined character code is acquired as the processing information and the condition information.

  The process information indicates the process to be performed on the target image data 31.

  The condition information indicates the processing condition.

  When the process / process condition sheet is placed on the document table 1101, both the process information and the condition information are recognized from one style image data 32.

  Furthermore, the recognition unit 142 removes the pixel indicating the recommended color from each form image data 32. The recognition unit 142 acquires values of pixel areas other than the pixel area of the recommended color as background color information indicating the background color of each style image data 32. The recognition unit 142 also handles the background color information as the condition information.

  The recognition unit 142 passes the combination of the processing information and the condition information to the processing control unit 143 when the recognition processing is successful.

  If the recognition process is not successful, the recognition unit 142 passes, to the notification control unit 144, message information indicating that the recognition process has failed.

  After step S103, the control unit 14 functions as a notification control unit 144.

  The notification control unit 144 determines whether the message information has been received from any of the extraction unit 141, the recognition unit 142, and the processing control unit 143 (step S104).

  If the notification control unit 144 determines that the message information has been received (YES in step S104), the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the notification control unit 144 can not execute the processing on the target image data 31 because extraction of the target image data 31 and the form image data 32 or recognition of the processing information and the condition information is not successful. It generates and outputs notification information that indicates that information is displayed by image or sound.

  When the notification information is an image, the notification information is output to the display device. The display device displays an image based on the input notification information.

  When the notification information is voice, the notification information is output to a speaker (not shown), and the speaker outputs voice based on the input notification information.

  The display or voice output based on the notification information allows the user to recognize that the process on the target image data 31 can not be performed.

  The notification control unit 144 ends the process of FIG. 4 after the end of step S105.

  On the other hand, when the notification control unit 144 determines that the message has not been received (NO in step S104), the process proceeds to step S106.

  By the way, the processing request by the user is made, for example, by a combination of the processing and the processing conditions. It is also conceivable that the combination of the process and the process conditions is incorrect at the time of the process request.

  In such a case, the combination of the process indicated by the process information and the process condition indicated by the condition information is in a contradictory relationship, and the image processing apparatus 1 can not execute the process on the target image data 31 correctly. .

  As the prohibition relationship, it is conceivable that the processing information indicates the character "copy" and the condition information indicates the e-mail address such as a character.

  In the storage unit 13, a prohibition relation list 133 in which the prohibition relations are recorded is stored in advance as one of the various types of information. In the prohibition relationship list 133, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, a combination of the processing information and the condition information in the prohibition relationship is recorded.

  In step S106, the control unit 14 functions as a process control unit 143.

  The process control unit 143 first determines whether the combination of the process information and the condition information received from the recognition unit 142 is recorded in the prohibition relation list 133 (step S106).

  When the combination of the process information and the condition information is recorded in the prohibition relationship list 133 (YES in step S106), the process control unit 143 indicates that the combination of the process information and the condition information is in a prohibition relationship. The message information is passed to the notification control unit 144, and the process proceeds to the above-described step S105.

  The notification control unit 144 outputs the notification information on the assumption that the instruction to the process execution unit 12 corresponding to the process information can not be issued in step S105.

  In the case of YES in step S106, the process control unit 143 does not instruct the process execution unit 12 corresponding to the process information, on the assumption that the combination of the process information and the condition information is in a predetermined prohibition relation.

  If the combination of the process information and the condition information is not recorded in the prohibition relation list 133 (NO in step S106), the process control unit 143 proceeds with the process to step S107.

  In step S107, the process control unit 143 instructs the process execution unit 12 corresponding to the process information to process the target image data 31 under the process condition based on the condition information.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, a control command list 134 in which a control command and an output destination of the control command are linked is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 for each of the processing information.

  The process control unit 143 reads a control command corresponding to the process information received from the recognition unit 142 from the control command list 134.

  The process control unit 143 adds the process condition indicated by the condition information as a parameter to the read control command.

The process control unit 143 outputs the control command including the parameter and the target image data 31 to the process execution unit corresponding to the process information.
To direct.

  For example, when the process information indicates the character “copy”, the process control unit 143 generates a control command A for the image forming unit 121 and outputs the control command A to the image forming unit 121.

  The control command A is generated in a description language that can be interpreted by the image forming unit 121, and includes one or more parameters.

  The target image data 31 is designated by each of the parameters, and the number of print copies indicated by the condition information is designated. When the condition information indicates the number "3," 3 is designated as the number of copies.

  The image forming unit 121 performs a process of forming an image based on the target image data 31 specified by the control command A on a printing sheet and discharging it as a printed matter as specified by the parameters included in the print command A. Repeat as many times as the number of copies.

  Further, for example, when the processing information indicates the character “e-mail” and the background color information as the processing condition information matches the specific color, the processing control unit 143 causes the address list 132 of the storage unit 13 to perform the processing. Read out the e-mail address corresponding to a specific color.

  The processing control unit 143 further generates a control command B to be output to the electronic mail transmission unit 123 according to the predetermined standard.

  The control command B includes parameters. The read e-mail address and the target image data 31 are designated by the parameters.

  In addition, when the processing information is the character “mail”, the background color information as the condition information matches the non-specific color, and the condition information is an electronic mail address, the control command B to the electronic mail transmission unit 123 The parameter indicates the e-mail address indicated in the condition information.

  The e-mail transmission unit 123 transmits the e-mail and the target image data 31 in accordance with the control command B as described above.

  Further, when the processing information is the character “FAX” and the condition information is the FAX number, the processing control unit 143 generates a control command C to the fax transmission unit 122 according to the facsimile standard.

  Control command C includes parameters. By the parameters, the FAX number indicated in the condition information and the target image data 31 are designated.

  In accordance with the control command C, the fax mail transmission unit 112 transmits the target image data 31 received from the processing control unit 143 to the facsimile on the communication partner side specified by the FAX number.

  If the combination of the processing information and the condition information is the character “scan” and the folder name, the processing control unit 143 generates a control command D according to the file system of the image processing apparatus 1 and stores the control command D in the storage unit 13. Output.

  Control command D includes parameters. The target image data 31 and the recording area specified by the folder name indicated by the condition information are designated by the parameters.

  The storage unit 13 stores the target image data 31 sent from the processing control unit 143 in the storage area in accordance with the input control command D.

  In addition to the above, when a unique number is assigned to each e-mail address in the address list 132, an example of the following processing may be considered.

  By using the processing sheet described as “e-mail” and the processing condition sheet described as the number “2”, the present image processing apparatus 1 can set the e-mail address whose number is “2” in the address list 132. Send an email to the address.

  In addition to the control commands A to D, the process control unit 143 may generate and output various control commands.

  For example, the processing sheet described as "mail", the processing condition sheet described as "1", and the processing condition sheet described as "2" can be used. In this case, the image processing apparatus 1 transmits the e-mail to the e-mail address whose number is “1” and “2” after the above-mentioned scan processing, extraction processing and recognition processing. In the case of the combination of the processing sheet described as “e-mail”, the processing condition sheet described as “1”, and the processing condition sheet described as “2”, the present image processing apparatus 1 determines that the number is “ It is also conceivable to send the e-mail to the e-mail address of 12 ".

  Further, the recognition unit 142 can recognize the orientation of the character or the like shown on the processing sheet by a known OCR process. In this case, the direction of characters or the like shown on the processing sheet can be used as the processing condition.

  More specifically, when the recognition unit 142 recognizes that the three characters of “mail” on the processing sheet are arranged along the sub-scanning direction, the electronic mail transmission unit 123 is under the control of the processing control unit 143. Then, the e-mail is sent to the first e-mail address in the address list 132.

  Conversely, when it is recognized that the three characters are aligned along the main scanning direction, the electronic mail transmission unit 123 is configured to control the second electronic mail address in the address list 132 under the control of the processing control unit 143. Send the e-mail to the address.

  According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The process and the process condition to be performed on the target image can be recorded on the additional document. Further, the user places the additional image according to the instruction to the image processing apparatus 1 on the document table 1101 together with the target document. The user can comprehensively specify various processes and the process conditions that can be executed by the plurality of process execution units 12 by using various additional originals based on the format.

  Further, the control unit 14 executes the program 131, and the image reading unit 11 generates read image data 3 indicating images of the plurality of originals including the target original and the additional original on the original table 1101 (step S101).

  The extraction unit 141 extracts the target image data 31 and the form image data 32 from the read image data 3 (step S102).

  The recognition unit 142 recognizes the processing information and the condition information from the form image data 32 (step S103).

  The processing control unit 143 instructs the processing execution unit corresponding to the processing information to process the target image data 31 under the processing condition based on the condition information (step S107).

  By steps S101 to S103 and S107, it is possible to provide the image processing apparatus 1 and the program 131 which allow the user to easily designate various processes that can be executed.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment described below, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. This point is the same as in the third embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the control command to one process execution unit 12 is output in one scan process.

  The second embodiment aims at enabling the process control unit 143 to output the control command and the like to a plurality of process execution units 12 in one scan process. In other words, it is an object to enable a plurality of processes to be executed substantially simultaneously in parallel in one scan process.

  In order to achieve the above object, the user first prepares an additional original 21d and a target original 22d as shown in FIG.

  The additional document 21d includes a plurality of sets of the processing sheet 211d and the processing condition sheet 212d, and thereby indicates the plurality of processes to be executed concurrently and the plurality of processing conditions.

  Each processing sheet 211 d individually indicates the plurality of processes.

  Each processing condition sheet 212 d individually indicates the processing conditions corresponding to the processing shown in the same set of processing sheets 211 d.

  In the example of FIG. 8, one processing sheet 211 d is described as “e-mail”, and another processing sheet 211 d is described as “FAX”.

  Also, one processing condition sheet 212 d is the same as the processing sheet 211 d of “e-mail” and indicates an e-mail address.

  Further, another processing condition sheet 212 d is the same as the processing sheet 211 d of “FAX”, and indicates a FAX number.

  Also in the second embodiment, the identification information 213d similar to the identification information 213a and the like is added to the processing sheet 211d and the processing condition sheet 212d.

  The user places a plurality of additional originals 21 d on the original table 1101 as follows.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the user arranges the processing sheets 211d in parallel with each other at a predetermined distance from the adjacent processing sheet 211d along a predetermined sub-scanning line L in the document placement area. The predetermined sub-scanning line L may be, for example, a sub-scanning line including a scanning origin O.

  Each processing condition sheet 212d is separated from the same set of processing sheets 211d by the predetermined distance in the main scanning direction. In addition, each processing condition sheet 212d is separated from the adjacent processing condition sheet 212d by the predetermined distance in the sub scanning direction.

  When the user operates the operation display unit 10 to cause the control unit 14 to start the process, the process of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 9 is started.

  First, read image data 4 as shown in FIG. 10 is generated by the above-described scan processing (step S101).

  FIG. 10 shows a scan origin O and an orthogonal coordinate system based on the scan origin O for the convenience of description. In the orthogonal coordinate system, the x-axis indicates the main scanning direction, and the y-axis indicates the sub-scanning direction.

  The read image data 4 is different from the read image data 3 of the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of form image data 41 instead of the plurality of form image data 32.

  A plurality of format image data 41 indicates images of the plurality of processes and the plurality of processing conditions according to the format.

  Next, as in the first embodiment, the extraction unit 141 extracts the target image data 31 from the read image data 4 and extracts a plurality of format image data 41 (step S102).

  In the second embodiment, the extraction unit 141 further derives the representative pixel position P typ of each form image data 41 (step S201). Here, each pixel position is specified by the x-coordinate value Px and the y-coordinate value Py in the coordinate system.

  The representative pixel position Ptyp includes the minimum x-coordinate value Pxmin and the minimum y-coordinate value Pymin among the pixel positions constituting each style image data 41. Hereinafter, the representative pixel position Ptyp may be described as (Pxmin, Pymin).

  The representative pixel position Ptyp may be defined as the maximum x coordinate value Pxmax and the maximum y coordinate value Pymax instead of the x coordinate value Pxmin and the y coordinate value Pymin.

  When the extraction processing is successful, the extraction unit 141 passes the combination of the plurality of format image data 41 and the corresponding representative pixel position P typ and the target image data 31 to the recognition unit 142.

  The recognition unit 142 recognizes the processing information or the condition information from each of the plurality of form image data 41 as in the first embodiment (step S103).

  In the second embodiment, when the notification control unit 144 determines that the message has not been received (NO in step S104), the recognition unit 142 further executes step S202.

  The recognition unit 142 adds a representative pixel position Ptyp corresponding to each piece of processing information to each piece of processing information received from the extraction unit 141, and generates a plurality of combinations of the processing information and the representative pixel position Ptyp. (Step S202).

  In step S202, the recognition unit 142 further generates a plurality of combinations of the condition information and the representative pixel position Ptyp.

  The recognition unit 142 passes the target image data 31, the plurality of sets of the processing information and representative pixel position Ptyp, and the plurality of sets of condition information and representative pixel position Ptyp to the processing control unit 143.

  Next, the processing control unit 143 selects a plurality of representative pixel positions Ptyp that satisfy the following condition from among all the received representative pixel positions Ptyp.

  The condition is that the absolute value of the difference value between the x coordinate values Pxmin is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and the absolute value of the difference value between the y coordinate values Pymin is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.

  The process control unit 143 selects the process information and the condition information corresponding to the representative pixel position Ptyp that satisfies the condition as a set of the process information and the condition information (step S203).

  The process control unit 143 executes the process after step S106 on each set of the process information and the condition information. As a result, the processing control unit 143 instructs the processing execution unit 12 corresponding to the plurality of pieces of processing information to process the target image data 31 under the processing conditions based on the plurality of pieces of condition information. Further, in response to an instruction from the processing control unit 143, the plurality of processing execution units 12 simultaneously and concurrently execute processing on the input target image data 31.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment according to the present invention will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, it has been described that the number of target documents is one.

  The second embodiment aims to provide an image processing apparatus 1 and a program 131 capable of executing processing on a plurality of target documents.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image reading unit 11 further includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and an ADF glass.

  A document is conveyed by the ADF onto the ADF glass. Further, when the scanning process is performed, the image reading unit 11 scans light in the main scanning direction from the lower side of the ADF glass toward the ADF glass.

  Further, the document is conveyed on the ADF glass in the sub-scanning direction by the ADF.

  By scanning in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, the image reading unit 11 can optically scan and read a document, and can output the read image data indicating the content of the document.

  The user first prepares an additional original 21e and a plurality of target originals 22e as shown in FIG.

  The additional original 21 e includes a processing sheet 211 e and a plurality of processing condition sheets 212 e.

  The processing sheet 211 e shows the processing according to the mode.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the processing sheet 211 e is indicated as “copy”.

  The plurality of processing condition sheets 212 e individually indicate the processing conditions corresponding to the processing according to the manner. In the example of FIG. 11, each of the plurality of processing condition sheets 212e includes, for example, a combination of a layout designation sheet 2121e and a number of copies designation sheet 2122e, and indicates a set of the processing conditions.

  In the example of FIG. 11, three combinations of the layout designation sheet 2121 e and the number of copies designation sheet 2122 e are shown.

  The layout designating sheet 2121 e indicates the number of target originals 22 e to be printed together on one sheet for printing, and more specifically, “1 in 1”, “2 in 1” and “4 in 1” as an example of the processing condition Characters etc. are recorded.

  The character “1 in 1” indicates that one target original 22e is printed on one printing sheet in combination with the character “copy”.

  The characters “2 in 1” and the characters “4 in 1” indicate that two and four target originals 22 e are printed on one printing sheet in combination with the character “copy”.

  The number of copies designation sheet 2122e indicates the number of copies of the printed matter including the plurality of target originals 22e. More specifically, the numbers “1”, “5” and “2” are recorded as an example of the processing condition on the number-of-copying specification sheet 2122 e.

  For example, the numeral "1" indicates that one copy of the printed matter is generated in 1 in 1 in combination with the character string "1 in 1".

  Further, the numeral "5" indicates that 5 copies of the printed matter are created in 2 in 1 in combination with the character "2 in 1".

  Further, the numeral "2" indicates that two copies of the printed matter are created in 4 in 1 in combination with the character "4 in 1".

  Also in the third embodiment, the same identification information 213eg as the identification information 213a of the first embodiment is added.

  The user sets a plurality of target originals 22e in the ADF.

  The user further places a plurality of additional originals 21 e on the original table 1101 as follows.

  First, the user places the processing sheet 211e closer to the sub scanning line L than the plurality of processing condition sheets 212e.

  The processing sheet 211e is separated from the plurality of processing condition sheets 212e by the predetermined distance or more in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction.

  Alternatively, each processing condition sheet 212 e is placed at a position satisfying the following condition in the document placement area.

  The first condition is that the same set of layout designation sheets 2121 e and number of copies designation sheets 2122 e are arranged along the main scanning direction.

  The second condition is that the same set of layout designating sheets 2121 e and number of copies designating sheets 2122 e are separated from the adjacent set of layout designating sheets 2121 e and number of copies designating sheets 2122 e by the predetermined distance or more in the sub-scanning direction.

  When the user operates the operation display unit 10 to cause the control unit 14 to start the process, the process of the image processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 12 is started.

  First, the control unit 14 controls the scan process (step S301).

  The image reading unit 11 collectively reads the image of the additional document 21 e on the document table 1101 under the control of the control unit 14, generates additional document read image data 5 as shown in FIG. Do.

  The additional original read image data 5 includes a plurality of format image data 51, a plurality of identification image data 52, and a background image data 53.

  Each of a plurality of format image data 51 is an image that indicates the processing according to the format and indicates a plurality of sets of processing conditions according to the format.

  Each of the plurality of identification image data 52 is an image that exists around the pixel area constituting each form image data 51 and indicates the identification information.

  The background image data 53 is a pixel area other than the plurality of format image data 51 and the identification image data 52 in the additional original read image data 5 and indicates a background image.

  Hereinafter, the description of the process for the plurality of identification image data 52 and the background image data 53 will be omitted. This is because processing similar to the plurality of identification image data 33 and background image data 34 in the second embodiment is performed.

  When the reading of the additional original 21e is completed, the image reading unit 11 scans the light through the ADF glass on the target original 22e sequentially transported by the ADF on the ADF glass, and sequentially transmits a plurality of target originals 22e. read. Thereby, a plurality of target image data 6 (see FIG. 13) respectively indicating the content of the plurality of target documents 22e are generated.

  The image reading unit 11 first transmits the additional document read image data 5 e to the control unit 14, and then transmits a plurality of target image data 6.

  Next, in the control unit 14, the extraction unit 141 extracts a plurality of format image data 51 from the additional original read image data 5 in the same manner as the extraction process of the second embodiment (step S 302). The representative pixel position P typ of the image data 51 is derived (step S303).

  When the extraction processing is successful, the extraction unit 141 passes the plurality of pieces of target image data 6 and the combination of the style image data 51 and the representative pixel position Ptyp to the recognition unit 142.

  The recognition unit 142 recognizes the processing information and the condition information from each of the received form image data 51 in the same manner as the recognition processing described above (step S103).

  If the notification control unit 144 determines that the message has not been received (NO in step S104), the recognition unit 142 performs the same process information or condition information as the step S202 in the second embodiment. A combination of representative pixel positions Ptyp is generated (step S304).

  The recognition unit 142 passes the plurality of pieces of target image data 6, the processing information and the representative pixel position Ptyp, and the plurality of sets of the condition information and the representative pixel position Ptyp to the processing control unit 143.

  The processing control unit 143 selects a representative pixel position Ptyp that satisfies the following condition from among all the received representative pixel positions Ptyp, and extracts format image data 51 indicating the processing information (step S305).

  The condition is that the x-coordinate value Pxmin included in the representative pixel position Ptyp is minimum.

  The processing control unit 143 treats the form image data 51 having the representative pixel position P typ that satisfies the above conditions as the form image data 51 indicating the processing information.

  In step S305, the processing control unit 143 further selects a plurality of representative pixel positions Ptyp that satisfy a predetermined condition from among the representative pixel positions Ptyp not selected in step S303. Here, the predetermined condition may be the same as the condition used in step S203 of the second embodiment.

  The form image data 51 having the representative pixel position P typ that satisfies the condition is handled by the processing control unit 143 as a set of the condition information.

  The process control unit 143 executes the process after step S106 on the process information and each set of the condition information. As a result, the process control unit 143 instructs the process execution unit 12 corresponding to the process information to process the target image data 6 under the plurality of process conditions based on the plurality of condition information.

  Specifically, when processing the additional document 21 e shown in FIG. 11, the process control unit 143 generates the following control command and outputs the control command to the image forming unit 121.

  In the control command, the target image data 6 is designated by various parameters, and a plurality of sets of layouts and the number of copies indicated by the condition information are designated.

  The processing execution unit 12 executes processing on the input target image data 6 under different processing conditions in response to an instruction from the processing control unit 143.

  By the above processing, the image processing apparatus 1 and the program 131 capable of executing processing on a plurality of target documents can be provided.

Reference Signs List 1 image processing apparatus 11 image reading unit 12 multiple processing execution units 13 storage unit 14 control unit 141 extraction unit 142 recognition unit 143 processing control unit 144 notification control unit

Claims (6)

A plurality of process execution units capable of executing a plurality of different processes;
An image reading unit that reads images of a plurality of documents and outputs read image data indicating images of the plurality of documents;
An extraction unit for extracting target image data to be processed and format image data having a predetermined format from the read image data;
A recognition unit that recognizes processing information indicating processing to be executed on the target image data and condition information indicating processing conditions from the style image data;
A processing control unit that instructs the processing execution unit corresponding to the processing information to process the target image data under the processing condition based on the condition information;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The extraction unit extracts a plurality of the style image data.
The recognition unit recognizes the processing information and the condition information from the plurality of form image data.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The process control unit does not instruct the process execution unit corresponding to the process information when the process information and the condition information have a predetermined prohibition relationship.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the target image data and the format image data are not extracted, the processing information and the condition information are recognized, or when the processing execution unit corresponding to the processing information can not be instructed, the processing on the target image data is performed. A notification control unit that outputs notification information indicating that it can not
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: The plurality of documents include a target document indicating the target image to be processed, and an additional document indicating the processing to be performed on the target image and the processing conditions.
The image reading unit has a document table on which the target document and the additional document can be placed, and outputs the read image data indicating an image of the target document and the additional document.
The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Extracting target image data to be processed and form image data having a predetermined form from read image data generated by reading an image of the plurality of originals by an image reading unit;
Recognizing processing information indicating processing to be performed on the target image data and condition information indicating processing conditions from the form image data;
Allowing the process execution unit corresponding to the process information to process the target image data under the process condition based on the condition information among a plurality of process execution units capable of executing a plurality of different processes from each other;
Is a program that causes a computer to run.

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