JP2022044456A - Program and device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technology that, when a plurality of documents are read by an image reading device, reduces the time for a user to search images.SOLUTION: According to a scanner driver 23, a PC 1 acquires images from a scanner 3. When the scanner 3 receives a scan command from the PC 1, it reads a plurality of placed documents one by one and transmits, to the PC 1, images of the read documents. In addition, when the PC 1 receives the images of the documents read by the scanner 3 to acquire the plurality of images from the scanner 3, it acquires, for each of the received images, a thumbnail image and a character string image indicating the characteristics of the image, organizes the images indicating the characteristics acquired for each of the images to create a contents image, and outputs, to a file, the plurality of received images and the created contents image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The technical field disclosed in the present specification relates to a technique for reading a plurality of documents and generating image data based on images of the scanned plurality of documents.

Conventionally, there is known a technique of scanning a plurality of documents and generating image data based on the images of the scanned plurality of documents. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image processing apparatus having a so-called Nin1 function, which reduces the read N images and generates arranged image data in which the reduced N images are arranged in an N-equally divided region on one page. Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-296409

When scanning a plurality of documents, it is difficult for the user to find a desired image from the scanning results. If there is a viewer program that can display the images of the reading results collectively, it will be easier to find the desired image, but there is room for improvement because it depends on the viewer program and is not necessarily highly versatile.

The present specification discloses a technique for reducing the time and effort required for a user to search for an image when a plurality of original documents are read by an image reading device.

The program made for the purpose of solving this problem causes the computer of the information processing device to execute the first acquisition process of acquiring an image from the image reading device, and the image reading device receives a scan command from the information processing device. Then, the set plurality of originals are read one by one, the image of each of the scanned originals is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, and the image of each of the originals read by the image reader is further transmitted to the computer. By receiving, when a plurality of the images are acquired from the image reading device in the first acquisition process, the second acquisition process of acquiring the feature data indicating the characteristics of the image for each received image. , A generation process for generating a table of contents data summarizing the feature data acquired for each image in the second acquisition process, and a file of the plurality of received images and the table of contents data generated by the generation process. It is characterized by the fact that the output processing to be output to is executed.

By executing the program disclosed in the present specification, the information processing apparatus acquires feature data for each of the images of a plurality of scanned documents, generates table of contents data summarizing the feature data, and outputs the data to a file. do. This makes it easier for the user to search for a desired image from the feature data of each image included in the table of contents data. In addition, since the table of contents data is output to a file, it is difficult to depend on a specific application and it is highly versatile.

A device that executes the processing of the program, a control method for realizing the function of the program, and a storage medium that can be read by a computer that stores the program are also new and useful.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of original documents are read by an image reading device, a technique for reducing the time and effort required for the user to search for an image is realized.

It is a schematic block diagram of the scan system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a scan process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the manuscript divided into parts. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the table of contents generation process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output file. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output file. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output file. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of output processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments in which the scanning system is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. This embodiment discloses a scanning system including a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") and a scanner connected to the PC.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scan system 100 of the present embodiment is a system including a PC 1 and a scanner 3 in which they are connected to each other. The PC 1 is a device having at least a communication function with the scanner 3 and transmitting a scan command to the scanner 3, receiving scan data as a reading result from the scanner 3, and the like. The PC 1 is an example of an information processing device and an example of a device. Instead of PC1, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 of the present embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. Further, the PC 1 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “user IF”) 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication IF”) 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. .. The controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used for controlling the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware that actually exists in the PC 1.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operation. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The memory 12 includes various programs such as a start program for starting the PC 1, various application programs for using the scanner 3 (hereinafter referred to as “applications”), and various data such as image data and document data. Is a storage area to be stored. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the memory 12 of the PC 1 of the present embodiment stores the OS 21, the scan application 22, and the scanner driver 23. OS21 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark).

The scan application 22 is a program that accepts user's instructions such as designation of a device for executing scan, designation of a scan data storage format and storage location, and scan execution instruction. The scan application 22 may further accept an instruction to edit an image based on the scan data received from the scanner 3.

The scanner driver 23 is a program that controls the operation of the scanner 3, and accepts various settings related to scanning. The scanner driver 23 is a program corresponding to the model of the scanner 3, and is activated by the scan application 22, for example, when the scan application 22 receives an instruction to execute a scan by the scanner 3. The scanner driver 23 is an example of a program. The scanner driver 23 may be part of the scan app 22.

The scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment has a function of generating a table of contents image for searching a desired image from a plurality of images based on a plurality of scan data received from the scanner 3. Users who manage a large number of documents such as accounting documents such as receipts, personnel documents such as resumes, and planning documents such as proposals scan each document and save it as image data, and if necessary, the desired image. May look for data. The scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment accepts a table of contents generation setting for generating a table of contents image file by collecting information indicating the characteristics of each image when a plurality of images are scanned. The details of the table of contents generation function will be described later.

An example of the memory 12 is not limited to the ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built in the PC 1, and may be a storage medium that can be read and written by the CPU 11. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitional medium. In addition to the above examples, the non-transitory medium also includes recording media such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM. The non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a signal medium that can be read by a computer, which is a kind of medium that can be read by a computer, but is a storage that can be read by a non-transitory computer. Not included in the medium.

The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying information and hardware for accepting operations by the user. The user IF 13 may be a touch panel having a display function and an operation acceptance function, or may be a set of a display having a display function and a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball or the like having an operation acceptance function.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a scanner 3. The communication standard of the communication IF14 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB and the like. The communication IF 14 may include a plurality of configurations corresponding to a plurality of communication standards.

The scanner 3 of the present embodiment is a device having a communication function with the PC 1 and an image reading function of reading an image of a document and generating scan data. The scanner 3 is an example of an image reading device. As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner 3 of this embodiment is provided with an automatic document transfer device (hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) 31 and automatically selects documents one by one from a bundle of a plurality of documents set in the ADF 31. It can be transported and read continuously. The scanner 3 is not limited to a device having a single scanning function, and may be, for example, a multifunction device, a copier, or a fax machine.

Next, the processing by the scanner driver 23 will be described. The following processing basically indicates the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "decision", "specification", "acquisition", "acceptance", and "control" in the following description are the processes of the CPU 11. Represents. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS. In this specification, the operation of each program will be described by omitting the description of the OS. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may refer to "program B controls hardware C using the API of the OS". Further, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program may be described in abbreviated wording. For example, it may be described as "CPU 11 performs". Further, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instruction described in the program may be described by a wording that omits the CPU, such as "program A performs".

Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without the CPU 11 requesting is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires the data". Further, the "data" in the present specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having the same substantial meaning and different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in the present specification. Further, "requesting" and "instructing" are concepts indicating that information indicating that a request is being made or information indicating that an instruction is being given is output to the other party. Further, the information indicating that the request is made or the information indicating the instruction is simply described as "request" or "instruction".

Further, the process of determining whether or not the information A indicates that the information A is the matter B by the CPU 11 is conceptually described as "determining whether or not the information A is the matter B from the information A". There is. The process of determining whether the information A indicates that the information A is the matter B or the matter C by the CPU 11 is "determined from the information A whether the information A is the matter B or the matter C." It may be described conceptually as in.

Hereinafter, the procedure of the scan process executed by the PC 1 in the scan system 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The scan process is executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 1 when the scan application 22 or the like receives the scan execution instruction by the scanner 3. The scan process of this embodiment is a process by the scanner driver 23.

In the scan process, the CPU 11 acquires the scan settings (S101). The scan settings are various parameters set by the scan application 22 or the scanner driver 23 before receiving the scan execution instruction, and are set based on the user's operation or the like.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the acquired scan settings include a setting for creating a table of contents (S102). When it is determined that the setting for creating the table of contents is not included (S102: NO), the CPU 11 performs a normal scan process (S103) and ends the scan process. Normal scanning is a process of generating image data of a scanned image of a document and not generating a table of contents image, and since it is an existing technique, the description thereof will be omitted.

When it is determined that the setting for creating the table of contents is included (S102: YES), the CPU 11 generates a scan command and transmits the generated scan command to the scanner 3 (S104).

The scanner 3 scans the documents set in the ADF 31 one by one based on the received scan command, and transmits the scan data to the PC 1. The scanner 3 may transmit scan data every time one original is scanned, or may collectively transmit scan data of a plurality of originals. When the scanning of all the documents set in the ADF 31 is completed, the scanner 3 transmits the end information to the PC 1.

The scanner 3 may have a continuous scanning function. The scanner 3 having a continuous scanning function receives an instruction as to whether to continue or stop after the scanning of all the documents set in the ADF 31 is completed. When the instruction to continue is received, the scanner 3 further scans the document newly set in the ADF 31, and continuously transmits the scan data to the PC 1. In this case, the scanner 3 transmits the end information to the PC 1 after receiving the end instruction.

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the information received from the scanner 3 is the end information (S105). When it is determined that the information is not the end information (S105: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the scan setting includes the part division setting (S106).

The scanner driver 23 of this embodiment has a part division function of dividing scan data obtained by scanning a plurality of documents into parts with a blank sheet or the like as a delimiter and storing the scan data. When a scan instruction in a scan setting including a part division setting is received, the scanner driver 23 divides scan data including a blank sheet into different parts before and after the blank sheet, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Specifically, the scanner driver 23 has the first image from the first image to the image before the blank paper as the first part, and the second image from the next image of the blank paper to the image before the next blank paper as the second part. Save to a folder. A user who uses this part division function prepares a bundle of documents in which a blank sheet is sandwiched between parts in advance, and sets the document bundle in the scanner 3.

When it is determined that the scan setting includes the part division setting (S106: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the scan data received from the scanner 3 is blank image data (S107).

When it is determined that the scan setting does not include the part division setting (S106: NO), or when it is determined that the data is not blank image data (S107: NO), the CPU 11 uses the received scan data as a temporary file. , Save in a temporary folder (S108). S108 is an example of the first acquisition process. When the part division setting is not included, the CPU 11 may use the blank image data as one of the original images, or may ignore the blank image data as not the original image.

If the part division setting is included and it is determined that the data is a blank image (S107: YES), the CPU 11 does not save the data and prepares the next temporary folder for saving the scan data of the next part. (S109). S109 is a process for separating and storing the scan data following the blank image from the scan data preceding the blank image, and is an example of the classification process. After S108 or S109, the CPU 11 returns to S105 and further receives data from the scanner 3 until it receives the end information.

When it is determined that the end information has been received (S105: YES), the CPU 11 executes the table of contents generation process (S111). The table of contents generation process is a process of generating a table of contents image based on the images of a plurality of received scan data. The procedure of the table of contents generation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of types of table of contents images that can be generated and their file configurations, and accepts more detailed settings when the table of contents generation is set in the scan settings. As a setting related to the table of contents image, the scanner driver 23 accepts selection of an item image type indicating each item included in the table of contents image and a file configuration type of the table of contents image and the original image which is an image obtained by reading each document. The item image is an image showing the characteristics of each manuscript image in the table of contents image, and is, for example, a thumbnail image or a character string image. The file structure includes, for example, a structure in which the table of contents image and each manuscript image are separate files, a structure in which the table of contents images is one file and all of the manuscript images are in another file, a structure of the table of contents images and all manuscripts. There is a structure that combines images into one file.

Examples of the file generated by the scanner driver 23 are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is an example when a thumbnail image is selected as the item image. The table of contents image of FIG. 5 is an image in which thumbnail images of each manuscript image are arranged in the order of the manuscript images and put together into one. FIG. 5A is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image and each manuscript image are separate files, and a table of contents image file 51 and four image files 52 to 55 for each manuscript are generated. FIG. 5B is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image is one file and all of the manuscript images are set as another file, and the table of contents image file 56 and the image file 57 including the four manuscript images as each page are shown. And are generated. FIG. 5C is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image and all the manuscript images are combined into one file, the table of contents image is the first page, and the image file 58 including the four manuscript images from the second page. Is generated.

FIG. 6 is an example when a character string image is selected as the item image. The character string image is an image of the character string included in each manuscript image. The table of contents image of FIG. 6 is an image in which the character string images extracted from each manuscript image are arranged in the order of the manuscript images and put together into one. FIG. 6 is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image and each manuscript image are separate files, and a table of contents image file 61 that summarizes character string images and four image files 62 to 65 for each manuscript are generated. Will be done. Although not shown, the file structure of the table of contents image based on the character string image is the same as that of FIG. 5B, such as the structure of generating the table of contents image file and the image file of all manuscript images. Similar to FIG. 5C, it is possible to select a configuration for generating one file in which the index image and all the original images are combined.

Further, in the scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment, when the scan setting includes the part division setting, the original image on the first page of each part is used as the item image of the table of contents image. The image on the first page of each part is an image of a manuscript arranged at the head of each part in a bundle of manuscripts, and is likely to have the characteristics of the image of that part. FIG. 7 is an example in which a part division setting is included and a thumbnail image is selected as an item image, and a table of contents image summarizing the thumbnail images of the original manuscript image at the beginning of each part is generated.

FIG. 7A is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image and each manuscript image are separate files, and separate folders 72 to 74 are created for each part, and each manuscript image is in each folder 72 to 74. It is saved as an image file in. Specifically, each manuscript image of the first part is saved as image files 721 to 723 in the folder 72, and each manuscript image of the second part is saved as image files 731 to 732 in the folder 73, and the third part. Each manuscript image of is saved in the folder 74 as image files 741 to 743. Further, the table of contents image file 71 is saved separately from the folders 72 to 74.

FIG. 7B is an example of a configuration in which the table of contents image is one file and the manuscript image of each part is one file for each part. Another image files 76 to 78 are saved. When the part division setting is selected, the scanner driver 23 does not accept the selection of the configuration in which all the images are regarded as one file. Further, the scanner driver 23 accepts the selection of the character string image as the item image of the table of contents image even when the part division setting is included.

In the table of contents generation process, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there are a plurality of temporary folders (S201). As described above, when the blank part division setting is specified and the manuscript is divided into parts, a temporary folder is created for each part. When it is determined that there are a plurality of temporary folders (S201: YES), the CPU 11 sets the image of the first page of each temporary folder as the target image (S202). The target image is an image to be generated for each item image of the table of contents image. When it is determined that there is only one temporary folder (S201: NO), the CPU 11 uses the images of all the temporary files stored in the temporary folder as the target image (S203).

Next, the CPU 11 determines whether the thumbnail image is selected or the character string image is selected as the item image used for the table of contents image in the scan setting (S210). When it is determined that the thumbnail image is selected (S210: thumbnail), the CPU 11 reduces each target image to create a thumbnail image (S211). The thumbnail image is an example of feature data showing the features of the original target image, and S211 is an example of the second acquisition process.

When it is determined that the character string image is selected (S210: character), the CPU 11 performs character recognition (OCR) processing on each target image and acquires the character string included in the image (S212). The CPU 11 may be rotated so that the directions of the characters included in the image are aligned before the OCR processing. Then, the CPU 11 extracts the character string of the first word / phrase from the character strings acquired from each target image (S213).

The CPU 11 determines whether or not the extracted character string is the same character string as the character string extracted from another target image (S214). If it is determined that they are the same (S214: YES), the CPU 11 extracts the character string of the next phrase (S215), returns to S214, and compares it with another target image. If it is determined that the character strings are not the same (S214: NO), the CPU 11 determines the extracted character string as the item image of the target image. Further, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the extraction of the character string has been completed for all the target images (S216). If it is determined that the process has not ended (S216: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S213 and extracts a character string from the next target image. The character string included in the target image is an example of feature data indicating the characteristics of the target image, and S213 or S215 is an example of the second acquisition process.

After S211 or when it is determined that the extraction of the character string for all the target images is completed (S216: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not this process is a process of adding an item to the created table of contents. Is determined (S220). As will be described later, the scanner driver 23 scans a bundle of documents to create a table of contents, then scans another bundle of documents, and receives an instruction to add a newly scanned image item to the created table of contents. ..

When it is determined to add to the existing table of contents (S220: YES), the CPU 11 adds the thumbnail image created in S211 or the image of the character string extracted by S213 to S215 to the existing table of contents image, and adds the image of the character string extracted by S213 to S215 to the table of contents. The image data of the image is generated (S221). When it is determined that the process is to create a new table of contents instead of adding to the existing table of contents (S220: NO), the CPU 11 uses the thumbnail image created in S211 or the character string extracted by S213 to S215. The images of are arranged side by side to generate image data of a table of contents image (S222). S221 and S222 are examples of generation processing, and the image data of the table of contents image generated in S221 or S222 is an example of table of contents data. After S221 or S222, the CPU 11 ends the table of contents generation process and returns to the scan process.

Returning to the description of the scanning process of FIG. After the table of contents generation process of S111 is completed, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an additional document (S112). For example, the scanner driver 23 causes the user IF 13 to display a screen for accepting the selection of completion or continuation of scanning, and accepts the selection via the user IF 13. S112 is an example of the selection process.

When the instruction to continue is accepted, that is, when it is determined that there are more documents to be added to the same table of contents (S112: YES), the CPU 11 returns to S104 and transmits the scan command to the scanner 3 again. As a result, the scanner 3 scans the document again and transmits the scan data to the PC 1. The CPU 11 newly creates a temporary folder different from the scan data received in the previous scan, and saves the scan data continuously received from the scanner 3 in the created temporary folder. S108 when the instruction to continue is received and executed again is an example of the third acquisition process.

Further, the CPU 11 also executes a table of contents generation process for newly received scan data. When the scan data is continuously received, the CPU 11 determines that it will be added in S220 of the table of contents generation process, and adds an item image based on the newly received scan data to the table of contents image generated based on the previously received scan data. Add to generate a table of contents image.

When the completion instruction is received, that is, when it is determined that there is no document to be added to the same table of contents (S112: NO), the CPU 11 executes the output process (S113). The output process is a process of outputting each document image acquired by reading the document and the table of contents image generated by the table of contents generation process to a file.

The procedure of output processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the output process, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the scan setting includes the part division setting (S301). When it is determined that the part division setting is not included (S301: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not to save the table of contents image in a file different from the original image (S302). As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when it is determined that the table of contents image is saved in a file different from the original image (S302: YES), the CPU 11 stores each original image in an individual file. It is determined whether or not to save in (S305).

As described above, the scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment has three types of file structures for storing the table of contents image and the original image, and accepts a selection from them. The CPU 11 determines S302 or S305 based on the table of contents settings included in the scan settings.

When it is determined to save in an individual file (S305: YES), the CPU 11 saves each original image saved as a temporary file as an image file in a designated save destination in a designated save format (S306). .. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5A, the images A to D are stored as one image file 52 to 55, respectively.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the files are saved together in one file instead of individual files (S305: NO), the CPU 11 creates a file containing each image saved as a temporary file as each page and is specified. Save to the save destination (S307). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the image file 57 including the images A to D is saved. The image file 57 is an example of the first file.

After S306 or S307, the CPU 11 embeds link information indicating a storage path of the corresponding original image in each item image of the table of contents image generated by the table of contents generation process (S310). Further, the CPU 11 saves the table of contents image in which the link information is embedded as a table of contents image file in a designated save destination (S311). S311 is an example of output processing. As a result, the table of contents image file 51 shown in FIG. 5A or the table of contents image file 56 shown in FIG. 5B is output.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, the link destination indicated by the link information is indicated by a broken line arrow. For example, a storage path indicating the image files 52 to 55 is embedded in each item image of the table of contents image file 51 in FIG. 5 (A). The table of contents image file 51 of FIG. 5A is an example of a file for table of contents data, and the table of contents image file 56 of FIG. 5B is an example of a second file. The table of contents image file may have the same file format as the image file or a different file format.

When it is determined that the tabletop image is not made into a separate file from the original image but is combined into one file (S302: NO), the CPU 11 sets the tableware image generated in the tableware generation process as the first page, and each page starts from the next page. A manuscript image is arranged to create an image file composed of image data of a plurality of pages (S320). Further, the CPU 11 embeds the link information indicating the page of the corresponding image in the item image of the table of contents image of the created image file (S321). The CPU 11 saves the image file in which the link information is embedded in the designated save destination (S322). S322 is an example of output processing. As a result, the image file 58 shown in FIG. 5C is output.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the part division setting is included (S301: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not to save each original image in an individual file (S330). S330 is the same determination as S305.

When it is determined to save in an individual file (S330: YES), the CPU 11 creates a folder for each part corresponding to each of the temporary folders in the folder designated as the save destination (S331). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, folders 72 to 74 for each part are created. Further, the CPU 11 saves each original image stored in each temporary folder in each folder created in S331 as an image file in a designated storage format (S332). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the image files 721 to 723, 731 to 732, and 741 to 743 are stored in the folders 72 to 74, respectively. The image files 721 to 723, 731 to 732, and 741 to 743 are examples of files for images.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the original files are stored together in one file instead of individual files (S330: NO), the CPU 11 collects the manuscript images stored in each temporary folder and puts them together in one file for each temporary folder. Is created and saved in the specified save destination (S333). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the image files 76 to 78 for each part are saved. The image files 76 to 78 are examples of the first file.

After S332 or S333, the CPU 11 proceeds to S310 and embeds link information indicating a storage path of each image in the table of contents image. In this case, since the table of contents image is created based on the image of the first page of each part as described above, the save path embedded in the table of contents image is the save path of the image of the first page of each part. .. Further, the CPU 11 proceeds to S311 and saves the table of contents image in which the save path is embedded as the table of contents image file 71 or the table of contents image file 75. The table of contents image file 71 is an example of a file for table of contents data, and the table of contents image file 75 is an example of a second file. After S311 or S322, the CPU 11 ends the output process and returns to the scan process.

Returning to the description of the scanning process of FIG. After the output process of S113 is completed or after S103, the CPU 11 ends the scan process.

In this embodiment, the processing of the scanner driver 23 included in the PC 1 has been described, but for example, the scanner 3 itself may have a table of contents generation function. That is, the scanner 3 may accept input of scan settings including the setting of table of contents generation via its own user IF. When such a scanner 3 receives a scan instruction via its own user IF, it reads the original and acquires an image, and generates image data based on the scan settings accepted via its own user IF. .. If the accepted scan settings include the table of contents generation setting, the scanner 3 generates an image file and a table of contents image file based on the images obtained by scanning a plurality of documents. The scanner 3 may transmit the generated file to the PC 1 or the like. In this case, the scanner 3 is an example of a device. The process of scanning a document and acquiring an image with the scanner 3 is an example of an image acquisition process, and the process of acquiring feature data used for a table of contents image is an example of a feature acquisition process.

As described in detail above, according to the scan system 100 of the present embodiment, the PC 1 has a thumbnail image or a thumbnail image as an item image showing the characteristics of each of the plurality of original images received from the scanner 3 by the scanner driver 23. The character string image is acquired, the acquired item images are put together to generate a table of contents image, and the image is output to a file. Therefore, the user can easily find a desired image from the item images included in the table of contents image. In addition, since the table of contents image is output to a file, it is difficult to depend on a specific application and it is highly versatile.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the link information is embedded in the table of contents image, it becomes easy to access the desired image and the convenience of the table of contents image is improved. Further, in this embodiment, since a table of contents image in which thumbnail images and character string images are arranged is generated, it is easy for the user to grasp the contents of the images.

Further, in this embodiment, the continuation of scanning is accepted even after the table of contents image is generated, and the continuously received scan data is also included in the table of contents image. Therefore, even if there are many documents, the table of contents summarizes the features of those images. You can generate an image. That is, it is easy for the user to search for a desired image from a plurality of images including the added image by one table of contents image.

Further, in this embodiment, when the part division setting is specified, the part is divided by detecting a blank sheet, so that the part can be easily divided without performing complicated image analysis. Also, when a manuscript divided into parts by inserting a blank sheet is accepted, the image is saved separately for each part and the table of contents image is generated using the image on the first page of each part, so it is a large number of manuscripts. However, the complexity of the table of contents image is suppressed, and the user can easily access the image file.

Further, in this embodiment, the format of the table of contents image file and the image file can be selected from three types. If you output the table of contents image and all the images together in one file, it is convenient to carry the file. Further, if the file of the table of contents image and the file in which each image is put together are output, the table of contents image and each image can be read out separately. Further, if the file of the table of contents image and the individual file for each image are output, the table of contents image and each image can be read out separately, and the images can be used individually.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, as a matter of course, the present invention can be improved and modified in various ways within the range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the number of PCs and scanners constituting the scan system 100 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

Further, in the present embodiment, the user's selection of the type of item image used as the table of contents image and the file structure to be saved is accepted, but the scanner driver 23 may determine in advance. Further, detailed settings related to the table of contents image may be accepted in advance as scan settings, or may be accepted via the user IF 13 after the scan is executed. Further, the item image of the table of contents image is not limited to the thumbnail image and the character string image, and may be, for example, a partial image or color information. Further, when the manuscript is divided into parts, a table of contents for each part may be further generated in addition to the entire table of contents.

Further, in this embodiment, the link information is embedded in the item image, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a mark or the like indicating link information may be added adjacent to the item image. Further, a table of contents image that does not include link information may be generated.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a character string image is used as the item image, the same character string is not selected as the item image of a plurality of original images, but the same character string may be selected as the item image. In that case, S214 and S215 of the table of contents generation process are unnecessary.

Also, the method of separating parts is not limited to inserting a blank sheet. It may be a solid color other than white. Further, for example, a mark or the like for dividing a part may be set. In that case, the scanner driver 23 may analyze the image of the scan data and detect the mark or the like. Further, for example, if the scanner 3 has a function of transmitting delimiter information, the user creates and sets a bundle of originals for each part, and gives an instruction to transmit the delimiter information after transmitting the image of the bundle of originals. You may enter in.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is said that the continuation of the scan is accepted after the table of contents generation process, but it is not necessary to accept it. Further, the instruction to continue the scan may be accepted before the table of contents generation process, or may be accepted both before and after.

Further, for example, the scanner 3 may not be equipped with the ADF 31. In that case, the user needs to set the originals one by one on the platen and give an instruction to execute scanning, but by selecting the completion of scanning, a table of contents image is generated.

Further, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiment, the plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel as long as the processing contents do not conflict with each other.

Further, the process disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the process disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various aspects such as a recording medium or a method in which a program for executing the process is recorded.

1 PC
3 Scanner 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 User IF

Claims (12)

To the computer of the information processing device
When the first acquisition process of acquiring an image from the image reading device is executed and the image reading device receives a scan command from the information processing device, the image reading device reads a plurality of set originals one by one and scans each of the originals. The image of is transmitted to the information processing apparatus,
Further, when the computer receives the image for each document read by the image reading device, and the plurality of the images are acquired from the image reading device in the first acquisition process, the computer receives the image.
A second acquisition process for acquiring feature data indicating the features of the image for each received image, and
A generation process for generating table of contents data that summarizes the feature data acquired for each image in the second acquisition process, and a generation process.
Output processing that outputs the received plurality of the images and the table of contents data generated by the generation processing to a file, and
To execute,
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the generation process, the table of contents data in which the link information of the image corresponding to the feature data is associated with the feature data acquired for each image in the second acquisition process is generated.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1 or 2.
In the second acquisition process, a thumbnail image of the image is acquired as the feature data for each received image.
In the generation process, the table of contents data that summarizes the thumbnail images for each of the images acquired in the second acquisition process is generated.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1 or 2.
In the second acquisition process, characters included in the image are extracted for each received image, and at least a part of the extracted characters is acquired as the feature data.
In the generation process, the table of contents data that summarizes the feature data that is at least a part of the characters for each image acquired in the second acquisition process is generated.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
To the computer
After the acquisition of the image is completed in the first acquisition process, a selection process for accepting selection of completion or continuation of scanning is executed via the user interface of the information processing apparatus.
Further to the computer
Even when continuation is selected in the selection process, a third acquisition process for further acquiring an image from the image reader is executed, and the image is further acquired in the third acquisition process. The second acquisition process and the generation process are executed, and in the generation process, the feature data acquired in the second acquisition process is converted into the table of contents data generated by the previously executed generation process. Add and
When the selection of the completion of the scan is accepted in the selection process, the output process is executed.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
To the computer
A division process for dividing a plurality of received images into a plurality of parts is executed.
In the second acquisition process, among the plurality of received images, the feature data of the image on the first page of each part classified by the classification process is acquired.
In the generation process, the table of contents data that summarizes the feature data of the image on the first page of each part acquired in the second acquisition process is generated.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 6,
In the classification process, when a blank image is detected from the received image, the part is classified into an image preceding the blank image and an image following the blank image.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 6 or 7.
In the output process, a folder corresponding to each part divided by the division process is created, and the file including the image of the part corresponding to each folder is output in each folder.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the output process, the plurality of received images and the table of contents data generated by the generation process are output to one file.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the output process, the plurality of received images are output to the first file, and the table of contents data generated in the generation process is output to the second file.
A program characterized by that. In the program according to claim 1,
In the output process, the received images are divided into image files and output, and the table of contents data generated in the generation process is output to the table of contents data file.
A program characterized by that. User interface and
With a computer
Is a device equipped with
The computer
An image acquisition process for acquiring an image for each document in which a plurality of documents are read one by one when a scan instruction is received via the user interface.
For each image acquired in the image acquisition process, a feature acquisition process for acquiring feature data indicating the characteristics of the image and a feature acquisition process.
A generation process for generating a table of contents data that summarizes the feature data acquired for each image in the feature acquisition process, and a generation process.
An output process for outputting the plurality of images acquired in the image acquisition process and the table of contents data generated in the generation process to a file, and
To execute,
A device that features that.

Images