JP2020004170A - Image reading system, control method of image reading system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image reading system, a control method of an image reading system, and a program capable of making identical a sorting result for each stream in a multi-stream function and efficiently generating an image desired by a user.SOLUTION: An image reading device generates an image group of a first stream following setting of the first stream from an image group read from plural manuscripts and an image group of a second stream following setting of the second stream and outputs them to a PC. The PC's application detects a partitioned image included in the image group of a first stream (S904 to S905), inserts a delimiter into the image group of a second stream (S909 to S912) on the basis of a detection result, and groups the image group of a second stream on the basis of a delimiter and outputs each group as an image file (S913).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading system, an image reading system control method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art In a system for reading a large number of documents such as a form, it has been conventionally known that read images are sorted and stored for each group using a separation sheet.
For example, in order to sort images, an operator of the image reading apparatus inserts a special separator sheet serving as a predetermined separator between forms, and continuously reads a bundle of forms including the separator. There is a related art in which each image is sorted for each form group by identifying the inserted separator sheet as a separator.

This method has a relatively high detection accuracy of the separation sheet, but requires labor for the operator to insert the separation sheet before reading the image and to collect the separation sheet after the operation is completed.
Note that a document having a blank back surface or a document on which a special mark is printed is used as the separation sheet.

Also, there has been proposed a method in which delimiter information such as a barcode is printed in advance on a form without using a dedicated delimiter sheet, and the read information is detected by an image reading device to sort the read images.
The delimiter information may be a character or a character string. The delimiter information may be used as delimiter information by comparing a character string recognized by optical character recognition (OCR) with a character string registered in advance. it can.

  Also, feature points are detected based on the shape of the ruled line of the form, and the characteristic points of the ruled line shape of the form registered in advance are compared to determine that the form is a specific form and used as delimiter information. You can also.

  Note that the recognition accuracy of barcode recognition and character recognition differs depending on reading settings such as the resolution at the time of image reading. In addition, the recognition accuracy is deteriorated even when the image is read in a skewed manner, the color of a form character, dirt, or the like when reading an image. For this reason, after reading the image, it is necessary for the operator to correctly detect the delimiter information and check whether the images have been sorted, and it is desired to improve the accuracy of the delimiter information detection.

  In the image processing system disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a proposal has been made to improve the accuracy of image classification by considering the recognition result of the first form and the recognition result of the second form.

Japanese Patent No. 4255766

By the way, in a system that reads a large number of documents such as forms, the read image is stored as a file on a hard disk of a server or the like. Since the capacity of the storage area such as the hard disk of the server is limited, the setting for image reading may be such that the file size is reduced, or a low-resolution binary image (monochrome) may be preferred. .
However, the image reading setting for reducing such a file size is different from the image reading setting that is optimal for detecting delimiter information such as a barcode. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to reduce the size of the read image and to efficiently perform the grouping by improving the sorting accuracy of the read image.

  In addition, there is a function called a multi-stream for generating and outputting a plurality of images having different settings in one scan, and the image output by the multi-stream function is classified as described above. In such a case, there is a problem that the sorting result differs for each stream.

  In view of the above, a reading unit capable of sequentially reading images of a plurality of documents, a first image group according to a first setting from a group of images read by the reading unit, and a second image group according to a second setting Generating means for generating, based on the first setting, delimiting means for generating delimiter information, and inserting means for inserting a delimiter at a position where the image of the second image group is delimited based on the delimiter information; Output means for dividing the second image group into groups based on the breaks inserted in the second image group, and outputting the group as an image file.

  According to the present invention, the sorting result for each stream in the multi-stream function can be made the same, and an image desired by the user can be efficiently generated.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship among an application, a scanner driver, and an image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface according to the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a break detection process when the multi-stream setting is invalid. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a list of read images and delimiter information when a multi-stream setting is disabled. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the image reading apparatus when the multi-stream setting is valid. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a break detection process when the multi-stream setting is valid. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a list of read images and delimiter information when multistream settings are enabled. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the folder which saves the sorted image. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen displayed by an application. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen displayed by an application.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image reading system of the present embodiment is a system in which an image reading device (scanner) 1 and an information processing device (PC; personal computer) can communicate.

  The image reading device 1 has a known general-purpose connection interface (for example, a USB interface). The image reading device 1 is communicably connected to a PC 201 via a general-purpose cable 200 connected to a connection interface. Further, the image reading apparatus 1 and the PC 201 may be connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). Further, the image reading apparatus 1 may be an interface for wireless communication in addition to an interface for wired communication, and may include both interfaces for wired communication and wireless communication.

  The PC 201 includes, as hardware, a motherboard on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like are mounted. Various programs, data, and the like are stored in the ROM. The RAM functions as a work area for the CPU. The HDD is a hard disk drive that stores various programs and data. Note that another storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be provided instead of or in combination with the HDD. The CPU performs various processes by loading a program stored in a ROM, a HDD, or the like into a RAM as needed and executing the program.

  The PC 201 is connected to a display device 202 for displaying the processing contents, a keyboard 203, a pointing device 204, and the like.

  Note that an operating system (OS) of the PC 201 and programs such as various applications are installed in the PC 201 as software. The application includes driver software for reading information and image data of the image reading device 1 connected to the PC 201. Further, the application includes software for displaying the image data read from the image reading device 1 on the display device 202 and editing the image data, and storing the image data in a designated folder or sending it as an e-mail. Software and software for outputting to a printer are also included.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of the image reading device 1.
When the image reading apparatus 1 receives an image reading instruction from a capture application or the like running on the PC 201, the image reading apparatus 1 starts processing. Thereby, the image reading apparatus 1 sequentially reads the images of the plurality of originals placed on the original placing section 4 and transmits the images to the PC 201 side. The details will be described below.

  First, the image reading apparatus 1 separates the originals placed on the original placing section 4 one by one so that the separation rollers 6 do not double-feed the originals. 14 is fed downstream.

  Further, when the registration sensor 9 detects that the leading edge of the document has passed, the image reading device 1 sets L_1 as the distance between the registration sensor 9 and the front image reading unit 10 and v as the transport speed of the document 17. Since the document 17 reaches the front image reading unit 10 after “L — 1 / v”, the time is measured using a timer (not shown), and “L — 1 / v” is calculated from the time when the leading end of the document 17 passes over the registration sensor 9. After the elapse, the front image is read.

  Further, assuming that the distance between the registration sensor 9 and the back image reading unit 11 is L_2 and the conveying speed of the document 17 is v, the image reading device 1 sends the document 17 to the back image reading unit 11 after “L_2 / v”. Since the time has arrived, the time is measured using a timer (not shown), and the back image is read after a lapse of “L_2 / v” from the time when the leading edge of the document 17 has passed over the registration sensor 9.

  After reading the front image and the back image, the image reading apparatus 1 transfers the image data to the PC 201 via the general-purpose cable 200 and discharges the document 17 to the document discharge unit 13. Further, the image reading apparatus 1 that has finished reading the back image updates the number of originals read by a reading counter (not shown). Note that the image reading device 1 detects the presence or absence of a document with the paper feed sensor 15 and the paper discharge sensor 16.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a control configuration of the image reading device 1.
The image reading apparatus 1 includes a system bus 305, a CPU 301, a nonvolatile storage medium (Flash) 303, a RAM 302, an external I / F 304, an ADF unit 306, a data processing unit 307, a paper feed sensor 15, a paper discharge sensor 16, and the like. Have.

  The CPU 301 controls the reading operation. The Flash 303 stores various programs and data executed by the CPU 301, and is a flash memory in the present embodiment. The RAM 302 temporarily stores read image data, various data, programs, and the like. The external I / F 304 is, for example, a USB interface, and enables external communication with an external device such as the information processing device such as the PC 201 via the general-purpose cable 200.

  An ADF (Auto Document Feeder) unit 306 includes a line image sensor (not shown), an A / D conversion unit that converts digital data, and an image processing unit. The ADF unit 306 reads an image in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 301 and stores the read image data in the RAM 302. The data processing unit 307 performs editing processing of the read image.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the application executed by the PC 201, the scanner driver, and the image reading device 1. Hereinafter, a relationship between an application (hereinafter, “application”) 401 installed in the PC 201 connected to the image reading apparatus 1, a scanner driver (hereinafter, “driver”) 402, and the image reading apparatus 1 will be described.

  For example, when the user purchases the image reading device (scanner) 1, the user installs the application 401 and the driver 402 on the PC 201. The installed application 401 communicates with the image reading device 1 via the driver 402. Communication is performed between the application 401 and the driver 402 and between the driver 402 and the image reading device 1 by a predetermined protocol. In the present embodiment, the application 401 and the driver 402 communicate with each other using a protocol defined by a standard called Twain. The driver 402 and the image reading apparatus 1 communicate with each other using a protocol determined by, for example, a USB standard. However, the protocol is not limited to these. For example, in addition to Twain, in addition to ISIS, WIA, and USB, standards such as IEEE1394 may be used.

  In any case, the application 401 and the driver 402 as described above and the software pre-installed in the image reading apparatus 1 execute processing while communicating with each other. As a result, a function of acquiring a desired image from the image reading apparatus 1 and displaying it on the screen of the PC 201 or saving it in a designated storage area is realized. Thus, an image reading system is configured by combining the image reading device 1 and the PC 201.

[Multi-stream]
Here, the multi-stream will be described.
The multi-stream is a function of generating and outputting a plurality of images having different settings in one scan. For example, the image reading apparatus 1 scans a document and outputs a first stream as a color image and a second stream as a gray (monochrome) image to the PC 201 from one image read by scanning. Further, in the PC 201, the application 401 performs a process of detecting a break and storing the image in a file for each image of the first stream and the second stream. The number of streams may be three or more.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed by the application 401.
Hereinafter, the setting when the multi-stream is enabled (ON) will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5A illustrates a user interface for performing settings (scan mode settings) for reading an image from the image reading apparatus 1. This screen is displayed when the scan mode tab at the top of the initial screen and the user interface screen is selected.
When reading an image in multi-stream, the valid (ON) of the multi-stream setting 5101 is selected, and the stream number is selected in the stream selection setting 5102. In the present embodiment, description will be made using the stream numbers “1” and “2”, but three or more stream numbers can be selected. Although the description is omitted here, the streams subsequent to the stream number “3” (third stream) are the same as the second stream.

  Image reading setting 5103 is performed for each stream number selected in the stream selection setting 5102. The image reading setting 5103 includes setting items of a reading mode such as a color mode such as color / gray / monochrome, a paper size such as A4 / A5 / B5 / Letter, a resolution, and one-sided / two-sided. The setting items that can be set in the multi-stream are described as color mode, size, resolution, and reading surface, but the setting items are not limited to these. For example, setting items such as ON / OFF of a color drop-out function for removing any of R (red) component, B (blue) component, and G (green) component in an image, brightness, and contrast are set in the image reading setting 5103. May be included.

FIG. 5B shows a user interface for performing a detection setting of a break (batch separation setting) for images continuously read from the image reading apparatus 1. This screen is displayed when the batch separation tab at the top of the user interface screen is selected.
When reading an image in multiple streams, a stream number is selected in the stream selection setting 5201. For each stream number selected in the stream selection setting 5201, a delimiter separation method 5202 and a separation paper setting 5203 are performed.

  As the delimiter method 5202, a delimiter method such as a bar code delimiter, an OCR delimiter, a blank delimiter, or a mark delimiter can be selected. In the case of "bar code delimiter", a bar code is placed in a predetermined area of the document serving as a delimiter, in the case of "OCR delimiter", a character string is placed in a predetermined area of the document serving as a delimiter, The mark is printed in advance in a predetermined area of the original. In the “blank sheet separation”, a blank sheet is inserted between originals to be separated.

  In the delimiter method 5202, a barcode detection type, an OCR detection language, and a detection area for detecting them can be set in an interface (not shown). As an initial setting when not set, the entire image is a detection area. Note that when the stream number “2” is selected, the “separation common with the first stream” item can be selected in the delimiter method 5202. “Common delimiter with first stream” is a function that can apply a delimiter result detected in the first stream to the second stream. For example, in accordance with the barcode delimiter information detected in the first stream (scanning with the reading setting for barcode recognition. For example, reading setting in which the color mode is set to 24-bit color), the second stream (file saving) Scan with scanning settings for scanning) can also generate a scanned image with a break in the same position. Also, the barcode information of the first stream read at the time of detection can be used for the file name of the second stream. Note that in the present embodiment, the default setting (initial setting) of the separation method 5202 when the stream number “2” is selected is “common delimiter with the first stream”, but the setting can be changed by the user.

  The delimiter sheet setting 5203 allows the user to select whether to delete the delimiter image when a delimiter is detected, or to include in a group before or after the delimiter. Note that in the separation method 5202 when selecting the second stream, when “common separation with the first stream” is selected, the separation sheet setting 5203 cannot be selected, and the setting of the first stream is applied.

FIG. 5C shows a user interface for performing a file output setting (output destination setting) for an image read from the image reading apparatus 1.
When reading an image in multiple streams, a stream number is selected in the stream selection setting 5301. The settings 5302 to 5304 are set for each stream number selected in the stream selection setting 5301.

  The file name setting 5302 sets a file name when the read image is converted into a file. The file name can be set so as to add barcode information and character information detected at the time of detecting the date, serial number, and break to the file name. As described above, in the first stream, it is possible to set so that a character string based on the delimiter given to the file name according to the delimiter setting is added to a part of the file name. Can add to the part of the file name the same character string as the character string based on the delimiter applied to the first stream.

  The file format setting 5303 can select a file format such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) for converting a read image into a file. The file format setting 5303 allows the user to select whether to output one file for each detected break.

  The storage location setting 5304 can select a storage location folder for the read image. In the storage location setting 5304, it is possible to select whether to create a subfolder in the storage location folder for each detected segment. As the subfolder name, barcode information and character information detected at the time of detecting a date, a serial number, and a break can be added to the folder name.

  When the multi-stream is enabled (ON), the read result of the stream number “1” (first stream) is not stored, and only the read result of the stream number “2” (second stream) and subsequent streams is stored. It is also possible to save it or to save the reading result of all the streams.

Note that the break may be inserted at the beginning of the read document image. Hereinafter, a case where a leading delimiter is inserted will be described.
If the information obtained from the recognition result, such as a barcode, is used as the delimiter setting and it is set to be reflected in the file name and folder name, the file based on the recognition result is also used for the first document. It is necessary to obtain the name and folder name. In this case, it is desirable to insert a head delimiter because it is impossible to obtain a file name or a folder name for the head group without the head delimiter. In particular, when a file name is displayed as a delimited image on a preview screen as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 to be described later, it is desirable to insert a head delimiter. If a subfolder is created to save the document based on the separator and the document is saved, if the first document is not assigned a separator based on the recognition result, the first document will be saved. Are stored in the root folder of the designated storage location shown in FIG. If a leading delimiter has been added, a subfolder is also generated for the file of the leading document and stored in the subfolder.

[When the multi-stream setting is invalid (OFF)]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a description will be given of a process of detecting a break when the multi-stream setting 5101 is invalid (OFF). In the present embodiment, the delimiter method 5202 is “bar code delimiter”, the delimiter paper setting 5203 is “include in group after delimiter”, the file name setting 5302 is “add a delimiter detection result”, and the file format setting 5303 is “PDF”. Format ".

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a break detection process when the multi-stream setting 5101 is invalid (OFF). The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 and the flowchart of FIG. 9 described below is realized by the CPU of the PC 201 loading a program stored in a ROM, an HDD, or the like into the RAM as necessary and executing the program. Note that the processing executed by the CPU of the PC 201 based on the application 401 will be described mainly for the “application 401”.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a list of read images and delimiter information generated when the multi-stream setting 5101 is invalid (OFF).

  First, the application 401 obtains an image from the image reading apparatus 1 via the driver 402 (S601), performs detection processing (delimitation detection) of delimiter information (for example, a barcode) in the detection area of the image, and performs detection. The result is stored in the storage area in the RAM 302 (S602).

  Next, the application 401 determines whether or not a delimiter information image has been detected in the detection area in the process of S602 (S603). If the application 401 determines that a delimiter information image has been detected in the detection area (Yes in S603), the application 401 advances the processing to S604.

  In S604, the application 401 reads information from the delimiter information image detected in S602, and stores the information in the image list 700 for managing the image list as shown in FIG. 7 according to the setting in the delimiter paper setting 5203 (701 in FIG. 7). ). In this case, in S605, the application 401 adds the delimiter information 701 immediately before and stores the image acquired in S601 in the image list 700 as indicated by 702 in FIG. Note that the image list 700 is generated in the RAM of the PC 201 or the like by the application 401.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S603 that the delimiter information image has not been detected in the detection area (No in S603), the application 401 proceeds to S605. In this case, in S605, the application 401 stores the image acquired in S601 in the image list 700 as indicated by 703 in FIG.

  Next, the application 401 checks whether or not there is a next acquired image (S606). When it is determined that the next acquired image exists (Yes in S606), the application 401 repeats S601 to S606, and adds an image to the list 700 as illustrated in FIG. 7 (for example, from 704 in FIG. 7). 706).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the next acquired image does not exist (No in S606), the application 401 advances the processing to S607.

In S607, the application 401 performs a file output process.
In the file output process, the application 401 first displays a preview screen as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 to be described later for an image in a list (for example, the list 700 in FIG. 7). Although details will be described later, the application 401 outputs images of the list to a file for each group in accordance with a user operation on the preview screen. In the example of FIG. 7, the images of the group indicated by 702 to 703 are output to the file 707 “0001.pdf”, and the images of the group indicated by 705 to 706 are output to the file 708 “0002.pdf”. Note that it is also possible to create a subfolder in the folder specified as the storage location, and to specify that the folder is to be divided into folders for each sorted group and saved. If this designation has been made, the application 401 creates a folder for each group and saves the image of the group in the corresponding folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 described later, a folder “0001” and a folder “0002” which are subfolders are created in a folder designated as a storage location, and a file “0001.pdf” is stored in the folder “0001”. Then, the file “0002.pdf” is stored in the folder “0002”. When the delimiter information is reflected on the folder name, the delimiter information does not necessarily need to be reflected on the file name.

[When the multi-stream setting is valid (ON)]
Next, the processing of the image reading apparatus 1 when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid (ON) will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the image reading apparatus 1 when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid (ON). The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 301 of the image reading apparatus 1 loading a program stored in the Flash 303 or the like into the RAM 302 as necessary and executing the program. Note that the processing executed by the CPU 301 of the image reading device 1 based on the program will be described mainly for the “image reading device 1”.

  In the present embodiment, as the settings of the first stream, the image reading setting 5103 is set to color / resolution 300 dpi / single-sided reading, the separating method 5202 is set to the barcode separation, and the separating paper setting 5203 is included in the group after the file setting. It is assumed that 5302 is used to select the file format setting 5303 to which the delimiter detection result is added and the file format setting 5303 is used. Further, as the settings of the second stream, it is assumed that the image reading setting 5103 is set to monochrome / resolution 200 dpi, and the delimiter method 5202 is common to the first stream. Other settings of the second stream are the same as those of the first stream.

  The image reading apparatus 1 starts an image reading process when receiving an image reading instruction from the driver 402 (S801).

  At this time, the image reading apparatus 1 compares each setting (color mode, size, and resolution) of the reading setting of the first stream and the reading setting of the second stream, and performs image reading with the reading setting of a larger value. That is, when both color and monochrome are selected in the color mode, the color is set. If A4 and B5 are selected as the paper sizes, A4 is set. When 200 dpi and 300 dpi are selected as the resolution, 300 dpi is set. Therefore, in the above-described example, the image reading device 1 reads a document at color / 300 dpi. Since the paper size is not set, the start and stop of reading are controlled based on the timing detected by the registration sensor 9.

  After reading the image, the image reading device 1 determines whether image generation is necessary for transmitting the image of the first stream (S802). If it is determined that image generation is not necessary for transmitting the image of the first stream (No in S802), the image reading apparatus 1 proceeds to S803. In the case of the above example, the reading setting of the first stream is color / 300 dpi, and the read image (color / 300 dpi) satisfies the reading instruction from the driver 402. Judge that it is not necessary. In this case, the image reading device 1 transmits the read image to the driver 402 as a first stream read image (S803).

  Next, in S805, the image reading device 1 determines whether or not there is an image transmission of the next stream. If it is determined that there is image transmission of the next stream (there is a remaining image) (Yes in S805), the image reading device 1 returns the process to S802.

  If it is determined in step S802 that image generation is necessary to transmit the image of the first stream (Yes in step S802), the image reading apparatus 1 proceeds to step S804. In the case of the above example, the reading setting of the second stream is monochrome / 200 dpi, and the read image (color / 300 dpi) does not satisfy the reading instruction from the driver 402. Therefore, the image reading apparatus 1 generates a new image. Judge as necessary. In this case, the image reading apparatus 1 generates a second stream image (monochrome / 200 dpi) based on the read setting (monochrome / 200 dpi) of the second stream based on the read image (color / 300 dpi) (S804). Then, the image reading device 1 transmits the second stream image generated in S804 to the driver 402 (S803).

If it is determined in S805 that there is no image transmission of the next stream (no remaining image) (No in S805), the image reading apparatus 1 discards the read image and ends the processing of this flowchart. I do.
As described above, when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid, the image reading apparatus 1 generates an image of the first stream by performing image conversion on the read image group so as to satisfy the setting of the first stream. The image of the second stream can be generated by performing image conversion on the read image group so as to satisfy the setting of the second stream.

Next, the processing of the application 401 when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid (ON) will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a break detection process when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid (ON).
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a list of read images and delimiter information generated when the multi-stream setting 5101 is valid (ON).

First, the application 401 acquires an image from the image reading device 1 via the driver 402 (S901), and acquires a stream number of the acquired image (S902).
Next, the application 401 determines whether or not the stream number acquired in S902 is “1” (first stream) (S903). If it is determined that the stream number is “1” (first stream) (Yes in S903), the application 401 advances the process to S904.

The application 401 performs a detection process (delimitation detection) of the delimiter information (for example, a barcode) in the detection region of the image based on the setting of the first stream, and stores the detection result in a storage region in the RAM 302 (S904). ).
Next, the application 401 determines whether or not a delimiter information image has been detected in the detection area in the process of S602 (S905). If it is determined that the delimiter information image has been detected in the detection area (Yes in S905), the application 401 advances the processing to S906.

  In S906, the application 401 reads information from the delimiter information image detected in S904, and stores the information as delimiter information (1001 in FIG. 10) in the image list 1000 that manages a list of images of the first stream as shown in FIG. . That is, in the above S904 to S906, the application 401 performs the detection processing of the delimiter information image in the detection area of the image based on the setting of the first stream, creates the delimiter information based on the detection result, and adds Give. As a method of adding to the list 1, the information may be stored in association with the list 1. In the present embodiment, the delimiter information is inserted into the list 1. Here, the break is inserted in S906 and the image is inserted in S907, but a structure in which the break is inserted at an appropriate position after the image is inserted may be adopted. In this case, in S907, the application 401 stores the image acquired in S901 in the image list 1000 as indicated by 1002 in FIG. The image list is generated in the RAM of the PC 201 or the like by the application 401.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S905 that the delimiter information image has not been detected in the detection area (No in S905), the application 401 proceeds directly to S907. In this case, in S907, the application 401 stores the image acquired in S901 in the image list 1000 as indicated by 1003 in FIG.

  Next, the application 401 checks whether or not there is a next acquired image (S908). If it is determined that the next acquired image is present (Yes in S908), the application 401 returns the processing to S901.

  If it is determined in S903 that the stream number is not “1” (for example, the second stream) (No in S903), the application 401 advances the process to S909.

  In step S909, the application 401 refers to the break detection result of the first stream, and determines whether a break has been detected in the first stream (S910). If it is determined that a break has been detected in the first stream (Yes in S910), the application 401 advances the process to S911.

  In step S911, the application 401 acquires the delimiter information of the first stream (for example, 1001 in FIG. 10), and stores the delimiter information (for example, 1002 in FIG. 10) in the image list 1100 that manages the image list of the current stream (for example, the second stream). 1101). In this case, in S912, the application 401 stores the image acquired in S901 in the image list 1100 as in 1102 in FIG. 10, and proceeds to S908. Here, a break is inserted in S911 and an image is inserted in S912, but a configuration in which a break is inserted at an appropriate position after inserting an image may be adopted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S910 that a break has not been detected in the first stream (No in S910), the application 401 proceeds to S912. In this case, in S912, the application 401 stores the image acquired in S901 in the image list 1100, as in 1103 in FIG. 10, and proceeds to S908.

  If it is determined in S908 that the next acquired image does not exist (No in S908), the application 401 proceeds to S913.

In S913, the application 401 performs a file output process.
In the file output process, the application 401 first displays an image of each list (for example, the lists 1000 and 1100 in FIG. 10) on a preview screen as shown in FIGS. In response to a user operation on the preview screen, the application 401 outputs an image of a list (for example, the list 1100 in FIG. 10) corresponding to the stream to be saved to a file for each group. Here, a configuration will be described in which the image of the first stream used for the break detection is discarded without being output to a file, but the image of the first stream may be output to a file. Further, the stream to be stored may be configured to be specified by the user. Note that the setting of discarding the image of the first stream used for the break detection and storing an image other than the first stream may be a default setting (initial setting).

When the first stream is discarded and only the second stream is stored, in the example of FIG. 10, the images of the groups indicated by 1102 to 1103 are output to a file “0001.pdf”, and the images of the groups indicated by 1101 to 1106 are output. Output to file “0002.pdf”. In addition, it is also possible to create a subfolder in the folder specified as the storage location, and to specify that the data is divided into folders for each sorted group and saved. If this designation has been made, the application 401 creates a folder for each group and saves the image of the group in the corresponding folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a folder “0001” and a folder “0002” which are subfolders are created in a folder designated as a storage location, and a file “0001.pdf” is stored in the folder “0001”. The file “0002.pdf” is stored in the folder “0002”.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a folder that stores sorted images.
When there are a plurality of streams to be stored, a stream number may be added to a folder name or a file name.

Here, the preview screen will be described with reference to FIGS.
12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of a preview screen displayed by the application 401.
In this preview screen, the display of the sorted images can be switched for each stream, and the sorting result can be edited. For example, FIG. 12 corresponds to a state where the first stream is displayed on the preview screen, and FIG. 13 corresponds to a state where the second stream is displayed on the preview screen.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, reference numeral 1201 denotes a thumbnail display unit, on which delimiter information and thumbnail images of read images stored in the above-described image list are displayed.
In the thumbnail display unit 1201, the user can edit the result of sorting read images by performing an operation of adding / moving / deleting delimiter information between arbitrary thumbnail images. At this time, if the setting is made such that the break position of the second stream is common to that of the first stream, the break information edited in the thumbnail display unit 1201 of one stream is displayed in the thumbnail display unit 1201 of the other stream. It may be reflected.

A read image display unit 1202 displays a read image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in the thumbnail display unit 1201.
Reference numeral 1203 denotes a stream switching button. When this button is pressed, the stream displayed on the preview screen is switched. When the stream switching button 1203 is pressed, the display is switched to the image in the other stream corresponding to the image displayed on the read image display unit 1202 at that time. Specifically, when the stream switching button 1203 is pressed while the image of the third page in the first stream is displayed, the image of the third page in the second stream is displayed.
With this configuration, the user can easily compare the same images while switching streams.

Reference numeral 1204 denotes an additional scan button. When this button is pressed, the image reading process in the image reading apparatus 1 is continued, and it becomes possible to additionally read a document.
Reference numeral 1205 denotes a completion button. When this button is pressed, the sorted image (if the sorting result is edited on the preview screen, the edited image) is saved as a file.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to apply the result detected with the reading setting that is optimal for the break detection to the output file desired by the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the delimiter information is also inserted into the image list of the first stream used for delimiter detection. However, if the image of the first stream is not stored, the delimiter information is inserted into the image list of the first stream. Insertion of delimiter information may be omitted. Further, generation of the image list of the first stream may be omitted. In this case, it is assumed that the delimiter information is inserted into the image list of a stream other than the first stream based on the delimiter detection result based on the first stream.

In the above-described embodiment, the multi-stream image is generated by the image reading device 1, but may be generated by the driver 402 or the application 401.
In this case, the driver 402 or the like receives the image from the image reading apparatus 1 and compares the settings (color mode, size, and resolution) of the reading settings of the first stream and the reading settings of the second stream, and determines whichever is larger ( The value of the larger data amount is instructed to the image reading apparatus 1. In response to this instruction, the image reading device 1 reads the image and transmits the read image to the driver 402. The driver 402 or the like receives an image from the image reading device 1, determines whether or not image generation is necessary for each stream, and if necessary, generates an image corresponding to the stream from the received image. For example, it is assumed that the second stream image (monochrome / 200 dpi) is generated based on the read image (monochrome / 200 dpi) of the second stream based on the read image (color / 300 dpi).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the application 401 performs the sorting process has been described, but the image reading apparatus 1 may perform the sorting process. In the case of this configuration, it is assumed that the processing of the application 401 described above is executed by the CPU 301 of the image reading apparatus 1 based on a program stored in the Flash 303 or the like.
In this case, the image reading device 1 may be configured to discard the image of the first stream used for the break detection and transmit the image of the stream other than the first stream to the driver 402. It may be configured to transmit to the driver 402. For example, the image of the stream designated to be stored may be transmitted to the driver 402, and the image of the other stream may be discarded.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the break of the second stream is determined based on the break detection result information of the first stream. However, the break detection is performed on an image of a stream other than the first stream (for example, the second stream). May be applied to images of other streams (for example, the first stream).

  As described above, in the image reading system according to the present embodiment, the image of the document is sequentially read from the document bundle, and the first image group according to the first setting and the second image according to the second setting are read from the read image group. Generate a group of images. Further, based on the first setting, a delimiter image included in the first image group is detected, delimiter information is created based on the detection result, and delimiter information is provided to the first image group. At this time, the delimiter information given to the first image group may be stored in association with the first image group, and the first image group may be stored in the first image group based on the given delimiter information. A break may be inserted at a position where a group of images is separated. Further, in accordance with the result of the addition of the delimiter information, the delimiter information is inserted into the second image group at a position where the images of the second image group are delimited. Furthermore, the second image group, or both the first image group and the second image group, are grouped based on the delimiter information inserted in the image group, and each group is output as an image file. With such a configuration, an image desired by the user can be efficiently generated. Further, the accuracy of image grouping can be improved. As a result, both generation of a user-desired stored image with the size of the read image suppressed and improvement in the sorting accuracy of the read image and efficient grouping can be achieved at the same time. Also, the sorting result for each stream in the multi-stream function can be made the same. Therefore, the sorting result for each stream in the multi-stream function can be made the same, and an image desired by the user can be efficiently generated.

Note that the configurations and contents of the various data described above are not limited to those described above, and may be configured with various configurations and contents according to applications and purposes.
Although an embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device.
Further, all configurations obtained by combining the above embodiments are also included in the present invention.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program for realizing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or the apparatus read and execute the program. It can also be realized by the following processing. Further, it can be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or to an apparatus including a single device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a description has been given of a case where a document is conveyed and read from a document bundle. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a flat bed type image reading device, a plurality of documents placed on a platen May be applied to those which read image data and store them as an image list in a specific order.
Further, in the above embodiment, as a method of generating an image group using the multi-stream function, an original is read under a reading condition capable of generating an image group based on each reading setting for a plurality of streams from one image group, An example in which an image group is generated from the obtained image group in accordance with the reading setting for each stream has been described as an example. The present invention is not limited to this, and a document may be read a plurality of times with reading settings corresponding to a plurality of streams. This can be suitably implemented especially in the flatbed type image reading apparatus described above.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and those are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not. That is, the present invention includes all configurations obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and their modifications.

1 Image reading device (scanner)
201 Personal computer 401 Application 402 Scanner driver

Claims (13)

Reading means for sequentially reading images of a plurality of documents,
A generating unit configured to generate a first image group according to a first setting and a second image group according to a second setting from an image group read by the reading unit;
A delimiter for generating delimiter information based on the first setting;
Insertion means for inserting a break at a position where the image of the second image group is separated based on the break information;
An output unit configured to divide the second image group into groups based on the delimiter inserted in the second image group, and to output each group as an image file;
An image reading system comprising:   The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the delimiter assigns the delimiter information to the first image group.   The image reading system according to claim 2, wherein the delimiter inserts a delimiter at a position where an image of the first image group is delimited based on the delimiter information.   The output unit divides both the first image group and the second image group into groups based on the delimiter inserted in the image group, and outputs each group as an image file. The image reading system according to claim 3, wherein   The method according to claim 1, wherein the separation unit detects a separation image included in the first image group based on the first setting, and creates the separation information based on the detection result. The image reading system according to claim 1. The delimiter image is a barcode or a character string,
The delimiter information is information recognized from the delimiter image,
The image reading system according to claim 5, wherein the file name of the image file is a file name based on the delimiter information. The delimiter image is a barcode or a character string,
The delimiter information is information recognized from the delimiter image,
The image reading system according to claim 5, wherein the image file is output into a folder based on the delimiter information. The first image group is generated by performing image conversion on the image group read by the reading unit so as to satisfy the first setting,
8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second image group is generated by performing image conversion on the image group read by the reading unit so as to satisfy the second setting. Item 12. The image reading system according to Item 1. The image reading system is a system in which an image reading device and an information processing device can communicate,
The image reading device includes the reading unit and the generating unit,
9. The image reading system according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device includes the separation unit, the insertion unit, and the output unit. 10. The image reading system is a system in which an image reading device and an information processing device can communicate,
The image reading device has the reading unit,
The information processing apparatus includes the generation unit, the separation unit, the insertion unit, and the output unit,
The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:   The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an image reading device including the reading unit, the generating unit, the separating unit, the inserting unit, and the output unit. Image reading system. An image reading device and a method for controlling an image reading system with which an information processing device can communicate,
A reading step in which the image reading device sequentially reads images of a plurality of documents,
A generation step in which the image reading device or the information processing device generates a first image group according to a first setting and a second image group according to a second setting from the image group read in the reading step;
The image reading device or the information processing device, a separation step of creating separation information based on the first setting;
The image reading device or the information processing device, based on the delimiter information created in the delimiter step, an insertion step of inserting a delimiter at a position where the image of the second image group is delimited,
An output step in which the image reading device or the information processing device divides the second image group into groups based on the delimiter inserted in the second image group, and outputs each group as an image file;
A control method for an image reading system, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to function as the separating means, the inserting means, and the output means according to any one of claims 1 to 11.