JP2023018850A - program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a program to be used for control of a scanner, configured to simplify processing to synthesize a transparent text on an image of a document read by the scanner.SOLUTION: Through a function provided by an operating system, the operating system generates a synthetic image by synthesizing a specific-color image including a text color with a copy image of a document image on the basis of transparency, draws only a part of the synthetic image corresponding to a mask part of a mask image on the document image by use of the mask image corresponding to a position of a text to output output image data indicating an output image formed by synthesizing the text with designated transparency with the document image, and calculates a color after the synthesis. Accordingly, processing of a program for outputting an image synthesized with a text with designated transparency can be simplified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program used to control a scanner. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique of synthesizing text with an image read by a scanner using a program installed in an information processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique of synthesizing text with an image read by a scanner using a program installed in an information processing apparatus. For example, in Patent Document 1, a document is read by a scanner, a bitmap image is generated, a text bitmap image is generated as management information, and the bitmap image of the document and the bitmap image of the text are synthesized. An arrangement for generating an image is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-211710

2. Description of the Related Art When outputting an image obtained by synthesizing text with an image of a document read by a scanner, there is a demand for designating the transparency of the text and synthesizing the transparent text based on the transparency. In this case, the program installed in the information processing device calculates the post-composition color for each pixel from the color of the original image that is the background image and the color and transparency of the text, and draws with the calculated color. However, the processing tends to be complicated. For example, if the operating system (OS) of the information processing device is Windows (registered trademark), a module or library for synthesizing images is provided by the OS manufacturer. However, since the transparency of the text cannot be specified, there is room for improvement in the processing for synthesizing transparent text.

This specification discloses a program used to control a scanner, which simplifies processing for synthesizing transparent text with an image of a document read by the scanner.

A program made for the purpose of solving the above-described problems is a program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing device and that is used for controlling a scanner,
to the computer;
document image acquisition processing for acquiring document image data representing an image of the document read by the scanner;
a text data acquisition process for acquiring text data associated with transparency and color information;
Copy image generation for generating copy image data representing a copy image of a portion including at least a text drawing area of the image of the document shown in the document image data acquired in the document image acquisition process. processing;
The copy image has the same size as the copy image shown in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process, and has a color corresponding to the color information associated with the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process. specific color image generation processing for generating specific color image data representing a specific color image to be constructed;
Using the function provided by the operating system of the information processing apparatus, the specific color image generated in the specific color image generation process is added to the copy image shown in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process. a synthetic image generation process for generating synthetic image data representing a synthetic image obtained by synthesizing the specific color image represented by the color image data based on the transparency associated with the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process; ,
The text shown in the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process is displayed in white on a black solid image having the same size as the copy image represented in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process. mask image generation processing for generating mask image data representing the drawn mask image;
Using a function provided by an operating system of the information processing apparatus, the synthesis generated in the synthetic image generation process is added to the image of the document indicated in the document image data acquired in the document image acquisition process. generating output image data representing an output image obtained by rendering a portion corresponding to a white portion of the mask image represented by the mask image data generated by the mask image generation processing, in the composite image represented by the image data; output image generation processing;
is characterized by executing

In the above-described configuration, a function provided by the operating system is used to generate a composite image in which a copy image of an original image is composited with a specific color image composed of text colors based on transparency. Using the mask image corresponding to the position of , the composite image is drawn on the original image only in the part corresponding to the mask part of the mask image, and the text with specified transparency is combined with the original image. can output output image data indicating Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, compared to the case where the program itself calculates the post-composition color for each pixel corresponding to the text portion, the operating system can take care of the calculation of the post-composition color. , which simplifies the processing of the program when outputting an image composed of text with specified transparency.

According to the technology disclosed in the present specification, a technology that simplifies the process of synthesizing transparent text with a document image read by a scanner, which is a program used to control a scanner, is realized.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a scanning system according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a main setting screen in a state where a user selects a color photo selection button; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a Digital Imprinter basic setting screen; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen; 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of scanning processing; 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of scanning processing; (A) to (F) are explanatory diagrams showing examples of various images generated on the memory as the scanning process progresses. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an output image output to a file through scanning processing according to the present embodiment; (A) to (F) are explanatory diagrams showing examples of various images generated in the memory as the scanning process proceeds according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5B is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 5B showing the procedure of output processing according to the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a character drawing area when characters are arranged obliquely in the second embodiment;

(First embodiment)
Embodiments embodying a scanning system will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a scanning system including a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") loaded with a program according to the present invention and a scanner.

A scanning system 100 of the present embodiment is a system including a PC 1 and a scanner 3, which are connected to each other, as shown in FIG. The PC 1 has at least a communication function with the scanner 3, and is a device that transmits a scan command to the scanner 3, receives scan data as a reading result from the scanner 3, and the like. The PC 1 is an example of an information processing apparatus and an example of a device. For example, a smart phone or a tablet computer may be used instead of the PC 1 .

The PC 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12, as shown in FIG. The PC 1 also 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. . Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used to control the PC 1 and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the PC 1 .

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user's operations. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The memory 12 stores various programs such as a boot program for booting 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 in which is stored. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed.

The memory 12 of the PC 1 of this embodiment stores an OS 21, a scan application 22, and a scanner driver 23, as shown in FIG. The OS 21 is Windows (registered trademark). The OS 21 may be, for example, macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark) in addition to Windows.

The scan application 22 is, for example, a program that accepts user instructions such as designation of a device for executing scanning, designation of a scan data storage format and storage location, and execution of scanning. The scan application 22 may also receive an image editing instruction 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 receives 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 when, for example, the scan application 22 receives an instruction to execute scanning with the scanner 3 . 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 this embodiment accepts various settings related to scanning. Further, the scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment displays characters (including numbers, symbols, pictograms, etc.) input by the user on the image of the document generated based on the scan data received from the scanner 3, that is, on the background image. ), and a function of generating a synthesized image by synthesizing serial numbers, dates, etc., that is, an imprinter function. Note that characters are an example of text.

Further, the scanner driver 23 of this embodiment can display the main setting screen 4 shown in FIG.

This main setting screen 4 has a color photo selection button 41, a web material selection button 42, and a monochrome document selection button 43 for the user to select an image type. The main setting screen 4 shown in FIG. 2 shows a state in which the user has selected the color photo selection button 41 .

The main setting screen 4 with the color photo selection button 41 selected includes a resolution selection field 44, a number of colors selection field 45, an original size selection field 46, a detailed settings button 47, a save button 48, and a default A button 49, a scan start button 35, and a prescan button 36 are provided.

Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, when the user selects the color photo selection button 41, the appropriate resolution and number of colors for scanning a color photo original with the scanner 3 are automatically selected in the resolution selection field 44 and the color number selection field. preset to 45. When the user selects the web material selection button 42 or the monochrome document selection button 43 , the main setting screen 4 also displays a selection field suitable for each button. Properties are preset.

Further, the scanner driver 23 of this embodiment displays a detailed setting screen (not shown) on the user IF 13 when the user operates the detailed setting button 47 via the user IF 13 . In this state, when the user further selects the "Digital Imprinter" function displayed on the detailed setting screen via the user IF 13, the scanner driver 23 displays the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. 3 on the user IF 13. do.

The Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 is a screen for accepting various basic settings related to the imprinter function of the scanner driver 23 . Therefore, the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 includes a selection button 51 for selecting whether the imprinter function is enabled or disabled, and whether to apply the imprinter function to the first page only or to all pages. a character input field 53 in which the user can input one or more characters via the user IF 13; and a serial number selection field 54 for setting the initial value of the serial number. , a display format selection field 55 for selecting the display format of the date and time, a Digital Imprinter detailed setting button 56, an OK button 57 for receiving various settings set by the user on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5, and a user setting screen. and a cancel button 58 for canceling the various settings made and returning to the main setting screen 4 shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user inputs characters in the character input field 53 via the user IF 13 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5, the scanner driver 23 converts the characters based on the scan data received from the scanner 3. Synthesis is performed on the image of the original to be generated, that is, on the background image. Specifically, in the state shown in FIG. 3, since the user has entered four characters of "text" in the character input field 53, the scanner driver 23 uses the four characters of "text" as the background image. Composite on the original image.

Further, when the user operates the Digital Imprinter detailed setting button 56 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 via the user IF 13, the scanner driver 23 of the present embodiment displays the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. indicate.

This Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 is a screen for receiving various detailed settings related to the imprinter function of the scanner driver 23 . Therefore, the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 includes an insertion position selection field 61 for selecting the insertion position of characters, a character display direction selection field 62 for selecting the display direction of characters, and a font name for characters. a font selection field 63 for selecting a character size, a character size selection field 64 for selecting a character size, a character style selection field 65 for selecting a character style, and a character color selection field for selecting a character color 66 and a transparency setting field for setting the transparency of characters, that is, how much transparency the characters are to be synthesized on the image generated based on the scan data received from the scanner 3, that is, on the background image. 67, and after receiving the Digital Imprinter detailed settings set by the user on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6, return to the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. and a cancel button 69 for returning to the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. 3 after canceling the Digital Imprinter detailed settings set by .

On the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. 4, the characters input in the character input field 53 of the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. In the character display direction selection field 62, the character display direction is set to "horizontal"; in the font selection field 63, the character font is set to "system font" used in the PC 1; , "48 points" as the character size of the characters, "standard" as the character style in the character style selection field 65, "color" as the character color in the character color selection field 66, and transparency setting A column 67 shows a state in which the user sets "50%" as the character transparency through the user IF 13 .

Therefore, in this embodiment, the scanner driver 23 displays four characters of "text" input by the user in the character input field 53 of the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. Synthesis is performed based on the detailed settings set by the user on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the character color set in the character color selection field 66 is not limited to a single color, and may be a single color or a color that has undergone processing such as gradation using multiple colors. It's okay. Further, the character color set in the character color selection field 66 may be black including gray. In this embodiment, the character color is set by the user in the character color selection field 66 via the user IF 13, but a fixed character color preset on the scanner driver 23 is used. It can be anything.

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

The user IF 13 includes hardware that displays a screen for reporting information and hardware that accepts user operations. The user IF 13 may be a touch panel having a display function and an operation reception function, or may be a combination of a display having a display function and a keyboard, mouse, trackball, etc. having an operation reception function.

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

The scanner 3 of this embodiment is a device having a function of communicating 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 includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as "ADF") 31, which automatically feeds documents one by one from a stack of documents set on the ADF 31. It can be transported and read continuously. The scanner 3 is not limited to a device with a single scanning function, and may be, for example, a multifunction device, a copier, or a FAX device.

Next, processing by the scanner driver 23 will be described. It should be noted that the following processing basically shows the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions described in the program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "specification", "acquisition", "acceptance", "control", etc. in the following description are performed by the CPU 11. represent. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes processing using API of the OS. Also, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in the program may be described with abbreviated words. For example, it may be described as "performed by the CPU 11". In addition, the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions described in the program may be described by abbreviating the CPU, such as "performed by the program A."

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 it is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires data." Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Further, "request" and "instruct" are concepts indicating outputting information indicating requesting or instructing to the other party. Also, information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction is simply referred to as a "request" or an "instruction."

In the scanning system 100 of the present embodiment, the procedure of scanning processing executed by the PC 1 will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5A and 5B. The scanning process is executed by the CPU 11 of the PC 1 when an instruction to execute scanning by the scanner 3 is received by the scan application 22 or the like. The scanning process of this embodiment is performed by the scanner driver 23 .

In the scanning process, first, in S10, the CPU 11 acquires each setting content set on each setting screen. Each setting is various parameters set by the scan application 22 or the scanner driver 23 before receiving a scan execution instruction, and is set based on a user's operation or the like. Note that the process of S10 is an example of the text data acquisition process.

Specifically, in this embodiment, in S10, the CPU 11 selects each setting set on the main setting screen 4 shown in FIG. , and the document size selected in the document size selection column 46 are acquired.

Further, in this embodiment, in S10, the CPU 11 selects each setting content set on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. information on whether the imprint function is applied to only the first page or applied to all pages in the application range selection button 52; Character information (character code) input via the user IF 13, information on the initial value of the serial number set in the serial number selection field 54, and the display format of the date and time selected in the display format selection field 55. Get information and

Further, in this embodiment, in S10, the CPU 11 receives each setting set on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. Information on the display direction of the character selected in the character display direction selection field 62, information on the font name of the character selected in the font selection field 63, information on the character size selected in the character size selection field 64, and the character Information on the character style selected in the style selection field 65, information on the character color selected in the character color selection field 66, and information on the transparency set in the transparency setting field 67 are acquired.

Next, in S<b>11 , the CPU 11 generates a scan command and transmits the generated scan command to the scanner 3 .

The scanner 3 scans the document set on the ADF 31 one by one based on the received scan command, and stores the scan data in its own memory (not shown).

Based on the received scan command, the scanner 3 reads the scan data for one document stored in its own memory from its own memory and transmits it to the PC 1 . Note that the scanner 3 may be configured to scan one document and store it in its own memory each time it receives a scan command. Also, when a scan command is received, first, a plurality of originals are scanned collectively and stored in its own memory, and then the scan data of one original is read out from its own memory and sent to the PC 1. Alternatively, a plurality of originals may be collectively transmitted to the PC 1 .

Next, in S<b>12 , the CPU 11 receives the scanned data of the document transmitted from the scanner 3 and stores it in the memory 12 . Note that the process of S12 is an example of the document image acquisition process.

Next, in S13, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the reception of the scan data of one document has been completed. When the CPU 11 determines that the document scan data has not been received yet (S13: NO), the CPU 11 returns to S12 and continues to receive the document scan data transmitted from the scanner 3 .

On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines in S13 that the reception of the scan data of one document has been completed (S13: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to the next S14. Note that the determination of the CPU 11 in S13 may be based on one-page end information attached to the end of the scan data of one document transmitted from the scanner 3 .

Next, in S14, the CPU 11 determines whether the imprinter function is valid. Here, if the user has selected enablement of the imprinter function with the selection button 51 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. 3 (the selection button 51 is checked in FIG. 3). , the CPU 11 determines in S14 that the imprinter function is valid (S14: YES), and proceeds to the next S15.

On the other hand, if the user has selected disabling (skipping) of the imprinter function with the selection button 51 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. In S14, the CPU 11 determines that the imprinter function is not valid (S14: NO). Next, in S22, the CPU 11 performs normal scan output processing, and then ends the scan processing. Here, the normal scan output process is to generate the image data of the image read from the document based on the received scan data by repeatedly executing the processes of S12 to S14 and S22 to S23 which will be described later. Since this is an existing technology, the description is omitted.

Next, in S15, the CPU 11 determines whether or not only the first page is set. Here, if the user has selected "First Page Only" in the application range selection button 52 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. S15: YES), the process proceeds to the next S16.

Next, in S16, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the received scan data of the document is the scan data of the first page. When it is determined that the received scan data of the document is the scan data of the first page (S16: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S17. That is, in the case of the received scan data of the first page of the document, the imprint function processing is executed on the scan data of the document, and image data of the image read from the document is generated and output.

On the other hand, if the CPU 11 determines in S16 that the received scan data of the document is not the scan data of the first page (S16: NO), the process proceeds to the next S22. That is, when "First Page Only" is selected in the application range selection button 52, in the case of the scanned data of the document other than the first page, the imprint function processing for the scanned data of the document is skipped. The image data of the image read from the original is generated and output.

On the other hand, if the user has selected "All Pages" in the application range selection button 52 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. NO), the process proceeds to the next step S17. That is, when "All Pages" is selected in the application range selection button 52, the image data of the image read from the document is generated after performing the imprint function processing on the scanned data of all pages of the document. and output.

Next, in S17, the CPU 11 generates an image 71 of the original as a background image on the memory 12 based on the received scan data (see FIG. 6A), and creates a copy image obtained by copying the image 71. 72 is generated on the memory 12 (see FIG. 6(B)). Note that the process of S16 is an example of the copy image generation process.

Next, in S18, the CPU 11 generates, on the memory 12, a rectangular character color image 73 entirely filled with the character color (see FIG. 6C). The character color referred to here is the character color selected in the character color selection field 66 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. Also, the size of the character color image 73 is the same as the size of the image 71, but it does not have to be exactly the same as long as the size is larger than the area in which the character to be synthesized can be drawn. A specific example in which the character color image 73 is different in size from the image 71 will be described later as a second embodiment. Note that the process of S17 is an example of the specific color image generation process.

In this embodiment, since the size of the character color image 73 is the same as the size of the image 71, processing such as trimming is not required, and processing is simplified.

Next, in S19, the CPU 11 is a part of the OS 21 and uses a function included in a library provided by the manufacturer of the OS 21 (in this embodiment, the AlphaBlend function of the Windows API) to perform the processing shown in FIG. A character color image 73 shown in FIG. 6(C) is synthesized with the copy image 72 shown in FIG. The transparency here reflects the transparency set in the transparency setting field 67 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. Note that the process of S18 is an example of the synthetic image generation process. Also, the character color composite image is an example of the composite image.

Next, in S20, the CPU 11 generates a mask image 75 in which characters are drawn in white on a black background on the memory 12 (see FIG. 6E). The characters referred to here are characters input by the user via the user IF 13 in the character input field 53 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. is entered in the character input field 53 . Note that the process of S19 is an example of the mask image generation process.

The character position, character display direction, character font type, character size, and character style on the mask image 75 are selected in the insertion position selection field 61 on the Digital Printer detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. character display direction selected in the character display direction selection field 62, font name of the character selected in the font selection field 63, character size selected in the character size selection field 64, character style selection field Each character style selected at 65 is reflected.

Next, in S21, the CPU 11 uses a function (in this embodiment, the MaskBit function or PlgBit function of the Windows API) included in the library provided by the manufacturer of the OS 21 to generate the background image 71 (Fig. 6 ( A))), the character color composite image 74 (see FIG. 6 (D)) is drawn only the white portion (character portion) of the mask image 75 (see FIG. 6 (E)) to produce an output composite image 76. It is generated on the memory 12 (see FIG. 6(F)). Note that the output composite image is an example of the output image.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in S21, the CPU 11 allows the user to input text into the character input field 53 on the Digital Printer basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. The four characters 77 labeled "text" generate an output composite image 76 composited based on the transparency set in the transparency setting field 67 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. Note that the process of S21 is an example of the output image generation process.

Next, in S22, the CPU 11 executes output processing, and then proceeds to S23. The output processing here is processing for outputting the output composite image generated in S21. Specifically, the scan data is received and the result of image processing is passed to the scan application 22 side for output. The scan application 22 displays the received image data on the user IF 13 , converts it into a designated image format, and stores it in the memory 12 .

Next, in S23, the CPU 11 determines whether all pages of the scan data have been received. Here, if the scan data of the next page exists, the CPU 11 determines that all pages have not been received (S23: NO), returns to S12, and processes the scan data of the next page. .

On the other hand, if all pages of scan data have been received, it is determined that all pages of scan data have been received (S23: YES), and this processing ends. Note that the determination of the CPU 11 in S23 may be determined based on the scan data end information transmitted from the scanner 3. FIG.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the user selects "First Page Only" in the application range selection button 52 on the Digital Printer basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. , characters 77 input by the user via the user IF 13 in the character input field 53 are displayed on the first sheet based on the transparency set by the user in the transparency setting field 67 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. For the second and subsequent documents, only the image of the document is output to the file without the character 77 being synthesized with the image.

On the other hand, if the user has selected "All Pages" in the application range selection button 52 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. Based on the transparency set by the user in the transparency setting field 67 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. 4, the input characters 77 are superimposed on the original image of all pages and output to a file.

The image shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a final output image 78 output to a file through the scanning process of this embodiment. In this embodiment, in the output process of S22, the CPU 11 displays the serial number set in the serial number selection column 54 on the Digital Printer basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. A management record character 79 consisting of the date and time selected in the column 55 is synthesized. When synthesizing the management recording characters 79, the user may synthesize them based on the transparency set in the transparency setting field 67 on the Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 6 shown in FIG. In this case, it is necessary to perform the processing of S17 to S21 described above also for the management recording characters 79. FIG.

(Second embodiment)
A scan processing procedure according to the second embodiment of the scan system will be briefly described below. As described above, in the first embodiment, the CPU 11 stores the copied image 72 (see FIG. 6B) of the same size as the original image 71 (see FIG. 6A) generated in the memory 12 in the memory 12. generate above. In addition, in S17 shown in FIG. 5, a rectangular character color image 73 having the same size as the document image 71 (see FIG. 6A) and filled with the character color is generated in the memory 12 (FIG. 6C). reference). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the sizes of the copy image 82 and the character color image 83 are configured to be the same size as the character area in which characters can be drawn. The first embodiment and the second embodiment are significantly different. In the description, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that have the same effects as those of the first embodiment. The size of the copy image 82 and the size of the character color image 83 need only be equal to or greater than the size of the character area in which the characters to be synthesized can be drawn, and need not be exactly the same. The effect of lowering the occupancy rate of

That is, in this embodiment, in S30 shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 11 generates an image 71 of the document in the memory 12 based on the received scan data (see FIG. 8A). Also, a character drawing area 81, which is a character drawing area, is extracted from the image 71, and a copy image 82, which is a copy of the extracted part, is generated in the memory 12 (see FIG. 8B). Note that the character drawing area 81 has a rectangular shape or a square shape including the area where the characters are drawn.

Next, in S31, the CPU 11 generates in the memory 12 a character color image 83 which has the same size as the character drawing area 81 and is entirely filled with the character color (see FIG. 8C).

Next, in S32, the CPU 11 uses a function included in a library that is part of the OS 21 and is provided by the manufacturer of the OS 21 (in this embodiment, the AlphaBlend function of the Windows API) to perform the processing shown in FIG. A text color image 83 shown in FIG. 8(C) is combined with the copied image 82 shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the sizes of the copy image 82, the character color image 83, and the character color composite image 84 are set to be the same size as the character drawing area 81, so that their sizes are smaller than those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the occupation rate on the memory 12 can be reduced, and the load on the memory can be reduced.

Note that the character drawing area 81 is the character input by the user in the character input field 53 on the Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 5 shown in FIG. The insertion position of the character selected in the selection field 61, the display direction of the character selected in the character display direction selection field 62, the font name of the character selected in the font selection field 63, and the character selected in the character size selection field 64 It is set based on information such as the size and the character style selected in the character style selection field 65 .

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, when the user selects "upper right diagonal 45 degrees" for the character display direction in the character display direction selection field 62, the character drawing area 81 where the characters are drawn is , is enlarged compared to when "Normal" is selected.

As described in detail above, according to the scan system 100 of the present embodiment, functions included in a library that is part of the OS 21 and provided by the manufacturer of the OS 21 (in this embodiment, the AlphaBlend function of the Windows API) are is used to generate a text-color composite image by synthesizing a text-color image composed of text colors with a copy image of an original image serving as a background image on the basis of the degree of transparency. Using the function included in the library (in this embodiment, the MaskBit function or PlgBit function of Windows API), the mask image corresponding to the position of the character is used to superimpose the character color composite image on the original image. By drawing only the portion corresponding to the masked portion of , it is possible to output output image data representing an output composite image obtained by combining characters whose transparency is specified with the original image. Therefore, compared to the case where the program (scanner driver) itself calculates the post-composition color for each pixel corresponding to the text portion, the task of calculating the post-composition color is left to the OS 21. It is possible to simplify the processing of the program when outputting an image synthesized with the specified text.

It should be noted that the present embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the number of PCs and scanners constituting the scanning system 100 is not limited to one, and may be plural.

Further, for example, the scanner 3 may not have the ADF 31 . In this case, the user needs to set the documents one by one on the platen and issue a scan execution instruction.

Further, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed in execution order or executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in the processing contents.

Also, the processing disclosed in the embodiments may be performed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the processes, a method, and the like.

1 PC
3 Scanner 4 Main setting screen 5 Digital Imprinter basic setting screen 53 Character input field 6 Digital Imprinter detailed setting screen 66 Character color selection field 67 Transparency setting field 11 CPU
12 memory 13 user interface
71 Original image 72 Copy image 73 Text color image 74 Text color composite image 75 Mask image 76 Output composite image

Claims (5)

A program executable by a computer of an information processing device and used for controlling a scanner,
to the computer;
document image acquisition processing for acquiring document image data representing an image of the document read by the scanner;
a text data acquisition process for acquiring text data associated with transparency and color information;
Copy image generation for generating copy image data representing a copy image of a portion including at least a text drawing area of the image of the document shown in the document image data acquired in the document image acquisition process. processing;
The copy image has the same size as the copy image shown in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process, and has a color corresponding to the color information associated with the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process. specific color image generation processing for generating specific color image data representing a specific color image to be constructed;
Using the function provided by the operating system of the information processing apparatus, the specific color image generated in the specific color image generation process is added to the copy image shown in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process. a synthetic image generation process for generating synthetic image data representing a synthetic image obtained by synthesizing the specific color image represented by the color image data based on the transparency associated with the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process; ,
The text shown in the text data acquired in the text data acquisition process is displayed in white on a black solid image having the same size as the copy image represented in the copy image data generated in the copy image generation process. mask image generation processing for generating mask image data representing the drawn mask image;
Using a function provided by an operating system of the information processing apparatus, the synthesis generated in the synthetic image generation process is added to the image of the document indicated in the document image data acquired in the document image acquisition process. generating output image data representing an output image obtained by rendering a portion corresponding to a white portion of the mask image represented by the mask image data generated by the mask image generation processing, in the composite image represented by the image data; output image generation processing;
A program characterized by causing the execution of A program according to claim 1,
In the copy image generation process,
extracting a portion of a text area, which is an area in which text is drawn, from the image of the document indicated by the document image data acquired by the document image acquiring process, and the copy image being a copy of the extracted portion; generating said copy image data indicative of
A program characterized by A program according to claim 1,
In the copy image generation process,
generating the copy image data indicating the copy image, which is a copy of the entire image of the document indicated in the document image data obtained in the document image obtaining process;
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The mask image shown in the mask image data generated in the mask image generation process is a binary image.
A program characterized by A program according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
to the computer;
executing a reception process for receiving the transparency and the color information using the user interface of the information processing device;
In the text data acquisition process,
obtaining the text data associated with the transparency and the color information received in the receiving process;
A program characterized by

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