JP2019179989A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of making a user recognize the difference, when there is a difference in the content of a file.SOLUTION: An image output device includes an acquisition part, a judgment part, a determination part and an output control part. The judgment part judges whether or not a first identification image based on the content of a first file is similar to a second identification image based on the content of a second file. When the judgment part judges that the first identification image is not similar to the second identification image, the determination part determines multiple images, including the first and second identification images, as the output image, otherwise determines multiple images, including a first specific image based on the content of the first file and different from the first identification image, as the output image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an image output apparatus.

  There has been proposed an image output apparatus configured to be able to output a list of index images so that a user can understand the contents of a document file (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the technique described in Patent Document 1, an index image is created based on the first page of a document file. However, if an error occurs when creating an index image due to an element included in the specified page, select another page that does not include the element causing the error instead of the first page. Then, an index image is created based on the other page. In addition, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 described below also disclose a technique capable of presenting the contents of a document file to a user as an index image.

JP 2010-46985 A JP 2008-296507 A JP 2010-57064 A

  Even if there is a difference between the contents of a plurality of document files, if the contents of the first page of each document file are the same or very similar, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the index image corresponding to each document file is The same or very similar index image is output. Therefore, even if the user looks at the same or very similar index images, the user cannot recognize whether there is a difference in the contents of the document file corresponding to each index image.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a technology that allows a user to recognize a difference in the contents of a file.

  One aspect of the present disclosure is an image output device, which includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, a determination unit, and an output control unit. The acquisition unit acquires a plurality of files including the first file and the second file. The determination unit relates to the first file and the second file acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the first identification image based on the content of the first file is the second identification image based on the content of the second file. Determine whether they are similar. When the determination unit determines that the first identification image is not similar to the second identification image, the determination unit outputs a plurality of images including the first identification image and the second identification image as an output image. When the determination unit determines that the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, the first specific image is based on the content of the first file and is different from the first identification image. A plurality of images including the first specific image are determined as output images. The output control unit outputs the output image determined by the determination unit to the output unit.

  According to the image output device configured as described above, when the first identification image is not similar to the second identification image, a plurality of images including the first identification image and the second identification image are output. To the output. On the other hand, when the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, a plurality of images including the first specific image are output to the output unit. Therefore, the user can recognize that the first file is different from the second file based on the first specific image.

  Note that an image output method, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the program for realizing the above-described image output apparatus are also novel and useful. A communication system including the image output apparatus and other devices is also new and useful.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the index printing process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for determining whether or not a file can be distinguished. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of additional information creation processing in the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a file stored in the USB memory. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the file 44 shown in FIG. FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the file 45 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printed matter printed by the index printing process of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of additional information creation processing in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating a printed matter printed by the index printing process of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of additional information creation processing in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram related to bookmark information. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a printed matter printed in the index printing process of the third embodiment.

Next, the above-described image output apparatus will be described with an exemplary embodiment.
(1) First Embodiment [Configuration of MFP]
Illustrated below is a multifunction device 1 having a configuration as an example of an image output device, as shown in FIG. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a printing unit 14, a reading unit 15, a LAN I / F unit 16, a USB I / F unit 17, and the like. The control unit 11 includes a known CPU, ROM, RAM, NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM), and the like. The CPU executes predetermined processing in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM or RAM, thereby controlling each unit of the multifunction device 1.

  The operation unit 12 includes a touch panel and various switches. The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display and various lamps. The touch panel included in the operation unit 12 is disposed so as to overlap the surface of the liquid crystal display included in the display unit 13. The liquid crystal display displays an image of buttons necessary for operation on the touch panel, and is configured to be able to detect that a touch operation on such an image has been performed on the touch panel. In addition, information related to the multifunction device 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

  In the case of this embodiment, the printing unit 14 is configured to be able to form an image on a sheet-like recording medium by an inkjet method. However, the printing unit 14 may be configured to be able to form an image by a known recording method (for example, an electrophotographic method) other than the ink jet method. The reading unit 15 includes a one-dimensional image sensor having reading elements arranged in one direction. The reading unit 15 moves the image sensor in a direction (sub-scanning direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (main scanning direction) of the reading elements of the image sensor, and reads an image of the document placed on the transparent document table. It is configured to be readable. The reading unit 15 is configured to be able to read an image of a document conveyed by an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder).

  The LAN I / F unit 16 is configured by a communication interface device compliant with a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard. The LAN I / F unit 16 may be configured by a communication interface device that conforms to the wireless LAN standard. Further, both communication interface devices corresponding to the wired LAN and the wireless LAN may be provided. The multifunction device 1 is connected to the LAN via the LAN I / F unit 16. Accordingly, the multifunction device 1 can communicate with a network device (for example, a PC (Personal Computer) 21 illustrated in FIG. 1) connected to the LAN.

  The USB I / F unit 17 is configured by a communication interface device compliant with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. Various devices conforming to the USB standard (for example, the USB memory 31 illustrated in FIG. 1) can be connected to the USB I / F unit 17. The multifunction device 1 includes various configurations other than the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, but illustration and description of configurations that are not related to the main parts of the present disclosure are omitted.

[Functions of MFP]
The multifunction device 1 has a function of printing the contents of a file stored in a removable medium (for example, the USB memory 31) connected to the multifunction device 1. Hereinafter, this function is referred to as a direct printing function. If the direct printing function is used, the contents of the file stored in the removable medium can be printed without using an external device (for example, PC 21) different from the multifunction device 1.

  The multifunction device 1 also has a function of printing a list of files stored in a removable medium connected to the multifunction device 1. Hereinafter, this function is referred to as an index printing function. A printed matter printed by the index printing function is referred to as an index sheet. On the index sheet, information about files stored on the removable medium, for example, a list of file names, file sizes, reduced images (thumbnail images) representing file contents, and the like are printed.

  The user can know the outline of the file stored in the removable medium by printing the index sheet using the index printing function. If the list of files printed on the index sheet includes a file that the user wants to print, the contents of the file can be printed using the direct printing function.

[Index printing process]
Next, index printing processing executed in the multifunction machine 1 when the index printing function is used will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the USB memory 31 stores five files 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 as illustrated in FIG. The files 41 to 45 are PDF (Portable Document Format) format files. Each of the files 41 to 45 has the file name described in FIG. 5A (for example, “FileName1.pdf” in the case of the file 41). Each of the files 41 to 45 has a plurality of pages. FIG. 5A illustrates an image of the first page of each of the files 41 to 45.

  The details of the file 44 are shown in FIG. The details of the file 45 are shown in FIG. Specifically, FIGS. 5B and 5C illustrate images from the first page to the fourth page of the file 44 and the file 45, respectively. 5B and 5C illustrate bookmark information (information surrounded by a broken line in the figure) included in each of the file 44 and the file 45.

  Bookmark information is information created in a format conforming to the PDF standard, and is associated with an arbitrary page. When searching for a desired page from among the pages in the PDF file displayed on the display unit (for example, a viewer in the terminal device), the user can view the bookmark information without looking at the plurality of pages in order on the display unit. The page corresponding to the bookmark information can be reached by referring to it. Information (for example, a title) indicated by bookmark information is displayed together when each page in the PDF file is displayed on the display unit. For example, when the user is looking for a page in which a star is displayed in the file 44, a predetermined operation is performed to open the page corresponding to the bookmark information displayed as “3. Star # Image” on the display unit. As a result, the fourth page in the file 44 is immediately displayed on the display unit.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation for using the index printing function in the multifunction machine 1, the multifunction machine 1 starts the index printing process shown in FIG. When the index printing process is started, first, the multifunction device 1 acquires a file from the USB memory 31 in S100. Subsequently, in S110, the multifunction device 1 determines whether there is a reduced image. A file to be processed in the index printing process may already include a reduced image or may not include a reduced image.

  If each file does not include a reduced image, the multi function device 1 determines that there is no reduced image in S110, and generates a reduced image in S120. The reduced image generated in S120 may be a reduced image of an arbitrarily selected page. In the present embodiment, in S120, a reduced image of the first page of each file is generated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S110 that there is a reduced image, the process proceeds to S130 without executing S120. Moreover, also when S120 is finished, it progresses to S130. In S130, the multi function device 1 determines whether all files are completed. If S100 to S120 have not been executed for all the files to be processed in the USB memory 31, the multi function device 1 determines in S130 that all files have not been completed, and returns to S100.

  On the other hand, if S100 to S120 are executed for all the files to be processed in the USB memory 31, the multi function device 1 determines that all files are complete in S130, and performs a process for determining whether to distinguish between files in S140. Execute.

  Details of the process for determining whether to distinguish between files are shown in FIG. When the file distinction determination process is started, first, in S210, the multifunction device 1 compares the reduced images. In S210, reduced images are compared for all combinations when two files are selected from a plurality of files.

  Various methods can be considered as methods for comparing reduced images. In the case of the present embodiment, the two reduced images are converted into black and white, and then histograms are created based on the frequencies of the white pixels and the black pixels, respectively. It is determined whether or not the two reduced images are similar depending on whether or not there is a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Note that the two reduced images may be compared as they are without being converted into black and white. When comparing color images, the pixels included in the color images have luminance values of a plurality of gradations (for example, 256 gradations) for each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue). A histogram as described above may be created based on the luminance value. Alternatively, the color image may be grayscaled, and the histogram as described above may be created based on the luminance value of the pixels included in the grayscaled image.

  Subsequently, in S220, the multifunction device 1 determines whether or not the difference is small for all combinations when two files are selected from a plurality of files. If the multifunction device 1 determines that the difference is large in S220, the multifunction device 1 proceeds to S230, and determines that the two files to be determined are distinguishable. On the other hand, if the MFP 1 determines that the difference is small in S220, the process proceeds to S240 and determines that the files cannot be distinguished.

  For example, when the file 44 illustrated in FIG. 5B and the file 45 illustrated in FIG. 5C are to be determined, the reduced images on the first page of the files 44 and 45 are to be compared. In this example, there is a slight difference between the reduced images on the first page of each of the files 44 and 45. However, if there is only such a slight difference, the above threshold value is set so that the difference is determined to be small in S220. When S230 or S240 is completed, the file distinction availability determination process in FIG. 3 is terminated, and S140 in FIG. 2 is terminated.

  When S140 ends, in S150, the multi function device 1 determines whether or not the files can be distinguished. In S150, the determination result in S230 or S240 is referred to. If the MFP 1 determines that the file cannot be distinguished in S150, the MFP 1 proceeds to S160 and executes additional information creation processing.

  The details of the additional information creation process are shown in FIG. When the additional information creation process is started, first, in S310, the multifunction device 1 determines whether or not there is a difference in the bookmark information. For example, if the file 44 illustrated in FIG. 5B and the file 45 illustrated in FIG. 5C are to be determined, character strings included in both bookmark information are compared from the first line, When “1.Circle # Image” and “1.Face # Image” are compared in the bookmark information of each of the files 44 and 45, it is determined that there is a difference.

  If the multifunction peripheral 1 determines that there is a difference in the bookmark information in S310, the multifunction peripheral 1 proceeds to S320, generates a reduced image of the page corresponding to the difference, and determines that there is a difference in the reduced image as additional information. . In S320, if there is no difference in the reduced image, until the reduced image having the difference is obtained, the next bookmark information having the difference is referred to and the reduced image of the page corresponding to the bookmark information is obtained. Good.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S310 that there is no difference in the bookmark information, the multifunction device 1 proceeds to S330, generates a reduced image of an arbitrary page, and if there is a difference in the reduced image, determines as additional information. Arbitrary pages may be selected in any way. For example, page selection may be repeated in order of the second page, the third page, and so on until a page with a difference in the reduced image is found. Alternatively, the selection of pages may be repeated randomly regardless of the page order.

  In the case of the file 44 illustrated in FIG. 5B and the file 45 illustrated in FIG. 5C, as described above, “1.Circle # Image” and “1.Face #” in the bookmark information of each of the files 44 and 45. Since it is determined that there is a difference from “Image”, in S320, the second page image corresponding to each bookmark information is set as a reduced image, and the reduced image is determined as additional information. When S320 or S330 is completed, the additional information creation process in FIG. 4 is terminated, and S160 in FIG. 2 is terminated. If S160 ends or if it is determined in S150 that the files can be distinguished, the process proceeds to S170, and an image for index printing is generated. Subsequently, in S180, the multifunction device 1 prints the image generated in S170. When S170 ends, the index printing process of FIG. 2 ends.

  In S170, an image as illustrated in FIG. 6 is generated. The images generated in S170 are images that can list information on the five files 41 to 45. In the image generated in S170, an area representing the three files 41, 42, and 43 includes a standard reduced image (a reduced image stored in advance in each file or a reduced image generated in S120. Identification in the present disclosure). Equivalent to the image.)

  On the other hand, in the area representing the two files 44 and 45, in addition to the standard reduced image, the reduced image generated in S320 (the reduced image of the page corresponding to the bookmark information having the difference. Equivalent.) Is incorporated. In the case of the files 44 and 45, even if a standard reduced image is viewed, the difference between the reduced images is small. Therefore, in the case of the files 44 and 45, it is difficult for the user to determine what kind of difference is in the contents of the file even if only the standard reduced image is viewed. However, by looking at the additional image generated in S320, the user can determine what difference is in the file contents.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as an acquisition unit in the present disclosure by executing the above S100. In addition, the control unit 11 functions as a determination unit in the present disclosure by executing the above S140 (specifically, S210 to S240). Further, the control unit 11 functions as a determination unit in the present disclosure by executing the above-described S150 to S160 (specifically, S310 to S330). The control unit 11 functions as an output control unit in the present disclosure by executing the above-described S170 to S180.

[effect]
As described above, according to the multifunction device 1, when two reduced images are not similar, such as a reduced image of the file 41 and a reduced image of the file 42, a plurality of images including the two reduced images are included. Images will be printed. On the other hand, when two reduced images are similar, such as a reduced image of the file 44 and a reduced image of the file 45, additional reduced images corresponding to the file 44 and the file 45 are printed. Therefore, even if the reduced image of the file 44 and the reduced image of the file 45 are similar, unlike the technique in which only the similar reduced images are printed, the user can change the file 44 from the file 45 by an additional reduced image. Can be recognized as a different file.

  In the case of the first embodiment, a reduced image of a page corresponding to bookmark information is set as an additional reduced image. When a plurality of pages included in a file are classified into groups having chapters or sections as a unit, bookmark information is often set in association with the first page of such groups. Therefore, if the reduced image of the page corresponding to the bookmark information is an additional reduced image, among the multiple pages included in the file, an image based on the content of the characteristic page representing the beginning of a chapter or section is added. There is a high possibility that the image can be reduced. Therefore, this can increase the possibility that the user can grasp the contents of the file.

  In addition, if there is a plurality of pages and the first page of a group is specified based on bookmark information and an additional reduced image is generated, a page suitable as an additional reduced image without referring to the bookmark information Compared with the case where it searches suitably, the page which has the suitable content as an additional image can be found more rapidly.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Each of the second and subsequent embodiments is an example in which the “additional information creation process (see FIG. 4)” illustrated in the first embodiment is changed to another process. Therefore, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the detailed description of the same parts as those of the first embodiment will be omitted. Also in the second embodiment, when the index printing process shown in FIG. 2 is executed and S160 is executed, the “additional information creation process” shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  In the additional information creation process illustrated in FIG. 7, first, in S410, the multifunction device 1 determines a specific rectangular area including a difference portion. The difference portion may be determined by scanning the entire reduced image, or may be determined by scanning a predetermined range. When the entire reduced image is scanned, it is possible to determine the location where the difference is the largest as the difference location. On the other hand, scanning is performed until a difference of a certain degree or more is found, and if a difference of a certain degree or more is found, the difference portion may be determined without scanning the remaining range. The specific rectangular area including the difference portion may include a portion having no difference as long as at least the difference portion is included.

  When S410 ends, in S420, the multi function device 1 generates an additional information image in which the specific rectangular area is enlarged. When S420 is completed, the additional information creation process of FIG. 7 is terminated, and S160 of FIG. 2 is terminated. After S160, the same processing steps as in the first embodiment are executed. By executing such an index printing process, the multi function device 1 prints an index sheet as illustrated in FIG.

  In the index sheet illustrated in FIG. 8, the reduced image of the first page is printed in the area corresponding to the file 44 and the file 45. However, since the reduced image on the first page has very little difference, it is difficult for the user to identify the difference. However, in the case of the second embodiment, an additional image obtained by enlarging a rectangular area including a difference portion in the reduced image on the first page is printed next to the reduced image on the first page. Therefore, by looking at this additional image, the user can identify what kind of difference is present. In the second embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as a determination unit in the present disclosure by executing the above-described S150 to S160 (specifically, S410 to S420).

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. Also in the third embodiment, when the index printing process shown in FIG. 2 is executed and S160 is executed, the “additional information creation process” shown in FIG. 9 is executed.

  In the additional information creation process illustrated in FIG. 9, first, in S <b> 510, the multifunction device 1 extracts bookmark information. Subsequently, in S520, the multifunction device 1 detects the size of the bookmark information. The size in S520 is the size when bookmark information (in particular, a character string displayed on the display unit) is printed with a predetermined font size, a predetermined character pitch, and a predetermined line feed width. Subsequently, in S530, the multifunction device 1 determines whether the size of the bookmark information detected in S520 is larger than a predetermined size.

  If the multifunction device 1 determines in S530 that the size of the bookmark information is larger than the predetermined size, the multi-function device 1 proceeds to S540 and thins out the low-level bookmark information. For example, when the bookmark information has a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 10A, in S540, the bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10B is generated by thinning out the bookmark information of the lowest hierarchy. As a result, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, the size of the bookmark information in the horizontal and vertical directions can be reduced. If the bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10B is still larger than the predetermined size, the bookmark information as shown in FIG. It may be generated. As a result, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C, the size of the bookmark information in the horizontal and vertical directions can be further reduced.

  Subsequently, in S550, the multi function device 1 collects bookmark information having a small difference from the continuous bookmark information. For example, in the case of bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10D, a character string having no difference is described over a plurality of lines. In such a case, bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10 (E) is generated by combining lines with no difference into one line. As a result, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 10D and FIG. 10E, the vertical size of the bookmark information can be reduced.

  Subsequently, in S560, the multi function device 1 cuts bookmark information of a long character string from among character strings of the same hierarchy determined to be output in S530 and S540 so as to be shortened. For example, in the case of bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10F, a long character string is described in the horizontal direction. In such a case, bookmark information as shown in FIG. 10G is generated by leaving a predetermined number of characters from the beginning and cutting characters other than the remaining characters. As a result, as apparent from a comparison between FIG. 10F and FIG. 10G, the size of the bookmark information in the horizontal direction can be reduced.

  When S560 is completed, the process proceeds to S570. If it is determined in S530 that the size of the bookmark information is not larger than the predetermined size, the process proceeds to S570. In S570, the multi-function device 1 images the text of the bookmark information. When S570 is completed, the additional information creation process of FIG. 9 is terminated, and S160 of FIG. 2 is terminated. After S160, the same processing steps as in the first embodiment are executed. By executing such an index printing process, the multi function device 1 prints an index sheet as illustrated in FIG.

  In the index sheet illustrated in FIG. 11, the reduced image of the first page is printed in the area corresponding to the file 44 and the file 45. In the third embodiment, an additional image corresponding to bookmark information is printed next to the reduced image on the first page. Therefore, when viewing this additional image, the user can recognize that the file 44 is a file different from the file 45.

  In the third embodiment, S540 to S560 are configured to execute all three processing steps in order, but if any one or more processing steps are executed, the effect can be obtained as it is. . Further, in S530, it is determined whether or not the size of the bookmark information is larger than a predetermined size, but the horizontal size and the vertical size of the bookmark information may be determined individually. In that case, if the size in the horizontal direction is large, at least one of S540 and S560 may be executed. If the vertical size is large, at least one of S540 and S550 may be executed. In the third embodiment, the control unit 11 functions as a determination unit in the present disclosure by executing the above-described S150 to S160 (specifically, S510 to S570).

(4) Other Embodiments While the image output apparatus has been described with the exemplary embodiment, the above-described embodiment is merely exemplified as one aspect of the present disclosure. In other words, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea of the present disclosure.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a PDF file is exemplified as a file to be printed by the index printing function. However, a file other than a PDF file may be used. Examples of files other than PDF files include image files such as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) files and JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) files. Further, it may be a printable file created by various software such as a document file created by a word processor.

  Moreover, although the example which prints an index sheet was shown in the said embodiment, the output method of an index sheet is not limited to printing. For example, when the display unit 13 has a sufficiently large display area, the display unit 13 may perform display corresponding to an index sheet. Alternatively, an index sheet may be output as a file. In this case, the user can print or display the output file.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the second reduced image is added to both of the two files when the reduced images of the two files are similar is shown. On the other hand, a second reduced image may be added.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the additional image was produced | generated by the method different for every embodiment, you may produce | generate an additional image by another method. For example, a character string used for a chapter name or a section name may be extracted from text objects included in each page, and such a character string may be imaged to generate an additional image. . Alternatively, a character string having a different font size may be extracted, and such a character string may be imaged to generate an additional image.

  In addition, although not mentioned in the above embodiment, if a reduced image is not generated from any page as in the case where the completely same file exists, an additional image is not obtained. May not be output, or an additional image may be output even for the same image. Alternatively, a predetermined image indicating that an image with a difference cannot be obtained may be output.

  In the above embodiment, the reduced images are compared to determine whether the files can be distinguished in S210. However, the files before the reduction corresponding to the reduced images are compared, and the files are distinguished. It may be determined whether or not it is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction device 1 having a configuration corresponding to the image output apparatus of the present disclosure has been illustrated, but whether or not the configuration as the multifunction device 1 is provided is arbitrary. For example, a personal computer (PC) having a configuration corresponding to the image output apparatus of the present disclosure may be used. In this case, the above-described index sheet is configured to be printed by a printer controlled by the PC. It only has to be.

  In addition to the above, the function realized by one component in each of the above embodiments may be configured to be realized by a plurality of components. Moreover, you may comprise so that the function implement | achieved by the some component may be implement | achieved by one component. Moreover, you may abbreviate | omit a part of structure of each said embodiment. In addition, at least a part of the configuration of each of the above embodiments may be added to or replaced with the configuration of the other above embodiments.

  In addition to the image output device described above, various forms such as a system including the image output device of the present disclosure as a constituent element, a program for causing a computer to function as the image output device of the present disclosure, a recording medium storing the program, and the like. The present disclosure can also be realized.

(5) Supplement As will be apparent from the exemplary embodiments described above, the image output device of the present disclosure may further include the following configurations.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, when the determination unit determines that the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, the determination unit determines the first specific image and the second file based on the content of the second file. A plurality of images including two specific images and a second specific image different from both the second identification image and the first specific image may be determined as output images.

  According to the image output apparatus configured as described above, when the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, the first specific image and the second specific image are output to the output unit. Therefore, the user can recognize that the first file and the second file are different depending on the first specific image and the second specific image.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, each of the first file and the second file may be a file including a plurality of pages. The plurality of pages may be classified into hierarchical groups configured such that a lower group belongs to an upper group. The first file and the second file may include bookmark information indicating a correspondence relationship between a plurality of pages and a hierarchical group.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit may specify a first page of a group based on bookmark information, and may determine an image based on the content of the specified first page as a specific image.
According to the image output apparatus configured as described above, an image based on the content of the first page of a certain group is set as the specific image. Therefore, it is highly possible that an image based on the contents of a more characteristic page among a plurality of pages included in the file can be a specific image, and the possibility that the user can grasp the contents of the file can be increased. In addition, since the first page of a group is specified based on the bookmark information, a page having a suitable content as a specific image is more quickly compared with a case where the content of a suitable page as a specific image is searched without referring to the bookmark information. To find out.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit may determine an image indicating a correspondence relationship between a plurality of pages and a hierarchical group as a specific image.
According to the image output apparatus configured as described above, an image showing a correspondence relationship between a plurality of pages and a hierarchical group is a specific image. Therefore, when a file is different, an image showing a different correspondence relationship is output. The possibility that the user can grasp the contents of the file can be increased.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit selects, as an image indicating a correspondence relationship between a plurality of pages and a hierarchical group, a group in a hierarchy lower than a specific hierarchy from among the hierarchical groups indicated by the bookmark information. By omitting, an image configured to fit within a predetermined size may be determined as the specific image.

  According to the image output apparatus configured as described above, an image in which a part of a hierarchical group is simplified becomes a specific image, and therefore, compared with a case where the entire hierarchical group is output without being simplified. The specific image can be output simply and compactly.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit may determine, as the specific image, an image that represents a part of the content of the file corresponding to the identification image in an enlarged manner than the identification image.
According to the image output apparatus configured as described above, the portion that is difficult to identify in the identification image is enlarged and output in the specific image, so that the possibility that the user can grasp the contents of the file can be increased.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit creates a histogram based on the feature values of the constituent elements of the first identification image and the second identification image, and the first identification image and the second identification by the histogram. It may be determined whether the images are similar.

  In one aspect of the present disclosure, whether the first identification image is similar to the second identification image with all combinations of the first file and the second file that can be selected from a plurality of files being processed It may be configured to determine whether or not.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Display part, 14 ... Printing part, 15 ... Reading part, 16 ... LAN I / F part, 17 ... USB I / F part.

Claims (10)

An acquisition unit for acquiring a plurality of files including a first file and a second file;
Regarding the first file and the second file acquired by the acquisition unit, a first identification image based on the content of the first file is a second identification image based on the content of the second file. And a determination unit for determining whether or not it is similar to
When the determination unit determines that the first identification image is not similar to the second identification image, a plurality of images including the first identification image and the second identification image are output images. And when the determination unit determines that the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, the first specific image based on the content of the first file is the first specific image. A determination unit that determines, as the output image, a plurality of images including a first specific image different from the identification image;
An output control unit that outputs the output image determined by the determination unit to an output unit;
An image output apparatus comprising: The image output device according to claim 1,
When the determination unit determines that the first identification image is similar to the second identification image, the determination unit determines a second based on the first specific image and the content of the second file. A plurality of images including a second specific image different from both the second identification image and the first specific image as the output image. The image output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Each of the first file and the second file is a file including a plurality of pages,
The plurality of pages are classified into hierarchical groups configured such that a lower group belongs to an upper group,
The image output device, wherein the first file and the second file include bookmark information indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of pages and the hierarchical group. The image output device according to claim 3,
The determination unit specifies an initial page of a group based on the bookmark information, and determines an image based on the content of the specified initial page as the specific image. The image output device according to claim 3,
The determination unit is an image output device that determines, as the specific image, an image indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of pages and the hierarchical group. The image output device according to claim 5,
The determination unit omits a group in a hierarchy lower than a specific hierarchy from among the hierarchical groups indicated by the bookmark information as an image indicating a correspondence relationship between the plurality of pages and the hierarchical group. An image output device that determines an image configured to fit within a predetermined size as the specific image. The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The said determination part is an image output apparatus which determines the image which expands and expresses a part of content of the file corresponding to the said identification image rather than the said identification image to the said specific image. An image output apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The determination unit creates a histogram based on a feature value of each component of the first identification image and the second identification image, and the first identification image and the second identification image are generated based on the histogram. An image output apparatus that determines whether or not they are similar. The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Whether all the combinations of the first file and the second file that can be selected from a plurality of files are processed, and whether the first identification image is similar to the second identification image or not An image output device configured to determine. A processor included in the image output device;
An acquisition unit that acquires files,
Regarding the first file and the second file acquired by the acquisition unit, the first identification image based on the content of the first file is similar to the second identification image based on the content of the second file. A determination unit for determining whether or not to
When the determination unit determines that the first identification image is not similar to the second identification image, at least one image including at least the first identification image is determined as an output image, and the determination When the first identification image is determined to be similar to the second identification image by the unit, an image based on the content of the first file and different from the first identification image is selected as the first image. A determining unit that determines at least one image including at least the first specific image as an output image as the specific image; and
An output control unit for outputting the output image determined by the determination unit to an output unit;
Program to function as.