JP5485194B2 - Information collection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information collecting apparatus that collects a description made on a designated sheet by a user.

  Conventionally, questionnaires have been used as a method for collecting user opinions about products and services. In such a questionnaire, it is necessary to improve the accuracy of answering the questionnaire in order to analyze the collected answers and grasp the tendency of the user's opinion. That is, it is necessary to collect answers from all users without any bias. Therefore, various techniques for increasing the collection rate of questionnaires and the like have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a questionnaire collection device that issues a coupon printed with a questionnaire, reads an answer described in the coupon, and issues a new coupon based on the read answer. . Similarly, Patent Document 2 discloses a market research system that distributes a questionnaire including coupons to respondents who have a cumulative number of responses to a distributed questionnaire that is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. Yes. Patent Document 3 discloses an opinion collecting apparatus that prints reward information such as a coupon on a paper or the like and provides it to a respondent when answering a questionnaire.

  In these techniques, a reward such as a coupon is provided when answering a questionnaire, so that the user's willingness to answer can be invited, and as a result, the questionnaire collection rate can be improved.

JP 2009-282886 A JP 2004-151834 A JP 2009-037431 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 in which a questionnaire is printed on a coupon ticket, it functions as a coupon ticket even before the questionnaire response, and thus may be used as a coupon ticket before the questionnaire response. In this case, in the operation of collecting coupon coupons in exchange for goods / services, the user cannot answer the questionnaire. If the operation is to provide products / services by presenting coupons, the user can answer the questionnaire. However, if the coupon is already used at the time of answering the questionnaire, the user may collect only the coupon issued newly by the answer and leave the used coupon describing the answer as it is. In view of the fact that the questionnaire collection device is installed in a store or the like, the situation where the coupon coupon with the questionnaire is left around the device is not aesthetically pleasing.

  Further, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, a new coupon is printed each time a questionnaire is answered, and therefore a large amount of paper is required to carry out a questionnaire for many users. In addition, since these papers are no longer necessary after use, a large amount of waste is generated. Such a problem cannot be solved by the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 that print coupons on separate paper or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information collecting apparatus that can collect information at low cost without using a large amount of paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the information collecting apparatus according to the present invention employs the following technical means. That is, the present invention is an information collection device that collects user descriptions on designated sheets, and includes an image reading unit, a sheet determination unit, a description extraction unit, a description determination unit, and an information printing unit. The image reading unit generates image data of a document. The paper determination unit determines whether the document is the designated paper based on the image data generated by the image reading unit. The description extracting unit extracts a description by the user from the image data when the original is a designated sheet. The description determination unit determines whether or not the description extracted by the description extraction unit satisfies a predesignated condition. When the description determination unit determines that the condition is satisfied, the information printing unit prints the additional information associated with the condition on the designated sheet.

  According to the information collecting apparatus, it is possible to print additional information on the designated sheet on which the description is made in accordance with the description made on the designated sheet by the user. Therefore, for example, when a user describes the contents of responses or necessary items on a designated form for questionnaire responses, quiz responses, or sweepstakes applications, a coupon is used on the form without using a new form. , Points, or application receipt number can be printed. As a result, the information described by the user can be collected at low cost without using a large amount of paper.

  In the information collecting apparatus, the sheet determination unit acquires an identifier attached to the specified sheet for specifying each specified sheet based on the image data generated by the image reading unit, and the information printing unit receives the specified sheet. There may be further provided a history holding unit that records the history of printing performed in association with the identifier acquired by the paper determination unit. In this configuration, the information printing unit determines whether to perform printing based on the identifier of the designated sheet acquired by the sheet determination unit and the printing history corresponding to the identifier held in the history holding unit. With this configuration, even when a plurality of additional information is printed in order at different times on the same designated sheet, it is possible to prevent the same additional information from being overprinted.

  In addition, the information collection apparatus described above may further include a paper conveyance port for carrying the designated paper into the information printing unit, and a notification unit that notifies the user of the request. In this configuration, when the description determination unit determines that the description extracted by the description extraction unit satisfies a predesignated condition, the notification unit installs the designated sheet from which the image data has been acquired at the paper transport port. To request. The information printing unit prints additional write information on a designated sheet installed at the sheet conveyance port. With this configuration, a mechanism for conveying the designated paper placed on the image reading unit to the information printing unit is unnecessary, and an information collecting apparatus can be realized at low cost. For example, a chargeable image forming apparatus (copier) widely installed in convenience stores, public facilities, etc. can be used as an information collecting apparatus. In this configuration, it is preferable that the information printing unit is configured to print additional information on the installed designated paper when the designated paper is placed in the paper transport port within a predetermined time. As a result, the information collection device is not occupied in the state of waiting for the designated paper to be set in the paper transport port, and the operating rate can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently collect information described by a user at low cost without using a large amount of paper.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an operation panel of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the designation | designated paper in one Embodiment of this invention The flowchart which shows an example of the information collection procedure which the multifunctional machine in one Embodiment of this invention implements The figure which shows an example of the operation request | requirement screen which the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows an example of the operation request | requirement screen which the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows an example of the abnormality avoidance request | requirement screen which the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows an example of the abnormality avoidance request | requirement screen which the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention displays The figure which shows the other example of the designation | designated paper in one Embodiment of this invention. Functional block diagram showing a modification of the multi-function machine in one embodiment of the present invention

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the present invention is embodied as a digital multifunction machine. The digital multi-function peripheral of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a plurality of functions including an image reading function and an image forming function. This digital multi-function peripheral is installed, for example, in a convenience store or public facility, and is used by an unspecified number of users (users).

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a main body 101 including an image reading unit 120 and an image forming unit 140, and a platen cover 102 attached above the main body 101. A document table 103 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 101, and the document table 103 is opened and closed by a platen cover 102. Further, the platen cover 102 includes a document conveying device 110.

  An image reading unit 120 is provided below the document table 103. The image reading unit 120 reads an image of a document with the scanning optical system 121 and generates digital data (image data) of the image. The document can be placed on the document table 103 or the document transport device 110. The scanning optical system 121 includes a first carriage 122, a second carriage 123, and a condenser lens 124. The first carriage 122 is provided with a linear light source 131 and a mirror 132, and the second carriage 123 is provided with mirrors 133 and 134. The light source 131 illuminates the document. The mirrors 132, 133, and 134 guide reflected light from the document to the condenser lens 124, and the condenser lens 124 forms an optical image on the light receiving surface of the line image sensor 125. In the scanning optical system 121, the first carriage 122 and the second carriage 123 are provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction 135. By moving the first carriage 122 and the second carriage 123 in the sub-scanning direction 135, the image of the document placed on the document table 103 can be read by the image sensor 125. When reading an image of a document set on the document conveying device 110, the image reading unit 120 temporarily fixes the first carriage 122 and the second carriage 123 according to the image reading position, and passes the image reading position. Are read by the image sensor 125. The image sensor 125 generates image data of a document corresponding to, for example, each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) from the light image incident on the light receiving surface.

  The generated image data can be printed on paper in the image forming unit 140. Further, the data can be transmitted to other devices through the network 162 by the network adapter 161. Further, facsimile transmission can be performed through the public communication line 164 by the FAX adapter 163.

  The image forming unit 140 receives image data obtained by the image reading unit 120, image data received from another device (not shown) connected to the network 162, and image received by the FAX adapter 163 through the public communication line 164. Print data on paper.

  The image forming unit 140 includes a photosensitive drum 141. The photosensitive drum 141 rotates in one direction at a constant speed. Around the photosensitive drum 141, a charger 142, an exposure unit 143, a developing unit 144, and an intermediate transfer belt 145 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the rotation direction. The charger 142 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 141. The exposure device 143 irradiates the surface of the uniformly charged photoconductor drum 141 with light according to the image data, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 141. The developing device 144 attaches toner to the electrostatic latent image and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 141. The intermediate transfer belt 145 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 141 onto a sheet. When the image data is a color image, the intermediate transfer belt 145 transfers each color toner image onto the same sheet. The RGB color image is converted into C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) format image data, and the image data of each color is input to the exposure unit 143.

  The image forming unit 140 feeds paper from the manual feed tray 151, the paper feed cassettes 152, 153, and 154 to the transfer unit between the intermediate transfer belt 145 and the transfer roller 146. Various sizes of paper can be placed or stored in the manual feed tray 151 and the paper feed cassettes 152, 153, and 154. The image forming unit 140 selects a sheet specified by the user or a sheet corresponding to the automatically detected document size, and feeds the selected sheet from the manual feed tray 151 or the cassettes 152, 153, and 154 by the feeding roller 155. . The fed paper is transported to the transfer section by transport rollers 156 and registration rollers 157. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 148 by the conveyance belt 147. The fixing device 148 has a fixing roller 158 and a pressure roller 159 with a built-in heater, and fixes the toner image on the sheet by heat and pressing force. The image forming unit 140 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 148 to the discharge tray 149.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an operation panel included in the multifunction peripheral. The user can use the operation panel 200 to give the MFP 100 a start of copying and other instructions, and to confirm the status and settings of the MFP 100. On the operation panel 200, a display 201 with a touch panel and operation keys 203 are arranged. The display 201 includes a display surface including a liquid crystal display that displays operation buttons, messages, and the like, and a sensor that detects a pressed position on the display surface. The detection method of a press position is not specifically limited. Any method such as a resistance film method, a capacitance method, a surface acoustic wave method, and an electromagnetic wave method can be employed. The user can input through the display 201 using his / her finger or the touch pen 202.

  The display 201 displays an operation screen having a button display unit 204 and a status display unit 206. The button display unit 204 displays a button group 205 including a plurality of operation buttons. In the example of FIG. 2, as the button group 205, an operation button for selecting each function of monochrome copy, mono color copy, full color copy, information reading, and FAX transmission, and an operation used when selecting other functions. Buttons are arranged. For example, when the user performs an operation of pressing the “monochrome copy” button 207, a pop-up screen requesting the insertion of money such as money or a prepaid card into a billing apparatus (not shown) provided in the multifunction device 100 is displayed. It is displayed over the operation button group 205. When the user inserts money into the billing apparatus, the multifunction peripheral 100 is in a state where it can execute monochrome copying. Note that even when the user presses the “mono color copy” button, the “full color copy” button, or the “FAX transmission” button, a pop-up screen requesting the insertion of money is displayed over the operation button group 205. When the user presses the “other” button, a pop-up screen including operation buttons for selecting other functions such as ticket purchase is displayed on the operation button group 205 in an overlapping manner.

  When the user presses the “information reading” button 208, the multi-function device 100 enters the information reading mode. In the information reading mode, as will be described in detail below, the multi-function peripheral 100 acquires image data of a designated sheet placed on the document table 103 or the document conveying device 110, and describes the description made by the user on the designated sheet. get. Here, the designated sheet is a sheet registered in advance in the copying machine 100, and is a sheet format such as characters and ruled lines described in advance on the description surface of the sheet, a barcode attached in advance to the description surface of the sheet, and the like This means a sheet whose type can be specified.

  The status display unit 206 displays device status information as necessary. In this display, detection results of various sensors included in the multifunction peripheral 100 are reflected. The device status information means a message that notifies the user of a warning that prompts the user to respond to an abnormality although the device is in an operable state. For example, the fact that the remaining amount of paper is low and the document table 103 is dirty are included. Further, the device status information may include out-of-paper, conveyance jam, and the like.

  The operation keys 203 include a power key 209, a numeric keypad 210, a start key 211, a clear key 212, and the like. For example, the power key 209 is used to switch the MFP 100 on and off. The numeric keypad 210 can be used for specifying the number of copies and specifying the destination of FAX transmission. The start key 211 is used for a start instruction for copying, FAX transmission, and image reading. The user operates the clear key 212 when canceling the setting made by the user.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control system in the multifunction machine. The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 303, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 304, an original transport device 110, and an image reading unit 120. A driver 305 corresponding to each drive unit in the image forming unit 140 is connected via an internal bus 306. The ROM 303, the HDD 304, and the like store programs, and the CPU 301 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 in accordance with the instructions of the control program. For example, the CPU 301 uses the RAM 302 as a work area, and controls the operation of each driving unit by exchanging data and commands with the driver 305. The HDD 304 is also used for storing image data obtained by the image reading unit 120.

  An operation panel 200 and various sensors 307 are also connected to the internal bus 306. The operation panel 200 receives a user operation and supplies a signal based on the operation to the CPU 301. The display 201 displays the above-described operation screen according to a control signal from the CPU 301. The sensor 307 includes various sensors such as an open / close detection sensor for the platen cover 102, a document detection sensor on the document table 103, a temperature sensor for the fixing device 148, and a detection sensor for the conveyed paper or document. The CPU 301 executes, for example, a program stored in the ROM 303 to realize each of the following means (functional blocks) and controls the operation of each means according to signals from these sensors.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the multifunction peripheral 100 of this embodiment includes a paper determination unit 401, a description extraction unit 402, a description determination unit 403, and an information printing unit 404. In addition, an operation recognition unit 411 that recognizes an operation performed on the display surface of the display 201 and pressing of the operation key 203 of the operation panel 200 is provided.

  The sheet determination unit 401 determines whether the document read by the image reading unit 120 is a designated sheet based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 120. Such a determination can be performed, for example, by recognizing the paper identification information from the generated image data. For example, paper identification information is registered in advance in the paper determination unit 401, and it is determined whether or not the paper is a designated paper depending on whether or not the registered paper identification information is included in the generated image data. Can do. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, when the multifunction peripheral 100 is in the information reading mode, the image reading unit 120 is configured to temporarily hold the generated image data, and the held image data The sheet determination unit 401 performs the above-described determination. The sheet identification information may be information that can identify the designated sheet. For example, it is possible to use a paper format including characters, ruled lines, and the like described in advance on the paper description surface. Alternatively, a mark such as a barcode attached to the paper in advance can be used as the paper identification information. When a mark such as a bar code is used, information indicating the position of the mark on the paper is also registered in the paper determination unit 401 as paper identification information.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the designated sheet in the present embodiment. In this example, a questionnaire is described on the designated sheet, and the multifunction peripheral 100 collects responses to the questionnaire described by the user on the designated sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, the designated sheet 501 includes a barcode written on the upper right of the sheet as the sheet identification information 502. In this embodiment, in this example, the sheet identification information 502 can be used for image data direction determination (top / bottom determination). That is, the upper right of the designated sheet can be detected based on the position in the image data generated by the image reading unit 120.

  The designated form 501 includes a plurality of questions as a questionnaire. Each question item is provided with an area for describing an answer, and the user describes the answer to each corresponding question item in the description area. In addition, from the viewpoint of facilitating user's answer, it is preferable that the question area and the corresponding description area are adjacent to each other. However, if a description area for the question is specified, the description area can be arranged at an arbitrary position on the sheet description surface. For example, a description area for each question may be arranged below the question items.

  FIG. 5 exemplifies a question item 503 for obtaining an answer to the degree of satisfaction with the product assortment and a question item 505 for obtaining an answer to the sales request product. In this example, a question area 503 is provided with a description area 504 including “Yes” and “No” in which answer squares are written together. The user answers the question 503 by filling one square. The question item 505 is provided with a description area 506 including a rectangular answer field. The user answers the question 505 by describing a desired product name or the like in the rectangular column.

  In addition, an additional recording area 507 is arranged on the designated sheet 501. In the additional write area 507, additional write information is printed. In the present embodiment, coupon information (information indicating a coupon or points) is printed as additional information. In the example of FIG. 5, the additional recording area 507 is indicated by a rectangle, but it is not essential to add a rectangle, and the arrangement position on the sheet is also arbitrary.

  The description extraction unit 402 extracts a description by the user from the image data generated by the image reading unit 120 when the paper determination unit 401 determines that the original is a designated paper. In the present embodiment, the description extracting unit 402 extracts descriptions for the description areas 504 and 506 arranged on the designated sheet 501. For example, for the description area 504, the description extracting unit 402 extracts “Yes” or “No” by identifying which square is filled. As described above, since the position of the description area is specified, it is relatively easy to identify which square is filled. For the description area 506, the description extraction unit 402 extracts the user's description by extracting image data corresponding to the description area 506. The description extraction unit 402 may extract the user's description as character information by performing character recognition on the description area 506. In the present embodiment, information indicating the position of the description area included in the designated sheet is stored in the sheet determination unit 401 in association with the sheet identification information, and the description extraction unit 402 is stored in the sheet determination unit 401. The description area is specified based on the information.

  The description determination unit 403 determines whether or not the description extracted by the description extraction unit 402 satisfies a predesignated condition. The condition is a condition for determining whether or not additional information is printed, and an arbitrary condition can be set. For example, when collecting questionnaire responses, it is possible to set “there is a description in all the description areas” and “at least a description in the required description area” as the determination condition. In the present embodiment, the determination condition is “one square of the description area 504 is filled” for the designated sheet 501 shown in FIG. In addition, from the viewpoint of avoiding that additional information is printed in the additional recording area 507, “no additional information is printed in the additional recording area 507” may be set as the determination condition. Such determination of the presence / absence of additional information can be realized by, for example, a configuration in which the description extraction unit 402 extracts an area corresponding to the additional area 507.

  When the description determination unit 403 determines that the condition is satisfied, the information printing unit 404 prints additional information associated with the condition on a designated sheet. The information printing unit 404 performs the printing through the image forming unit 140. The additional recording information may be information added to the designated sheet. In the present embodiment, the information printing unit 404 prints coupon information as additional write information in the additional write area 507 of the designated paper 501.

  The multifunction device 100 further includes a notification unit 405. The notification unit 405 notifies various requests to the user. The notification unit 405 performs notification by any method that allows the user to recognize the content, such as display and voice. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 405 notifies the request item by display on the display 201. Note that the notification unit 405 requests the user to execute the next operation or avoid an abnormality, as will be described in detail below.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information collection procedure performed by the multifunction peripheral 100 described above. The procedure starts, for example, when the MFP 100 is in the information collection mode as a trigger. As described above, when the user presses the “information reading” button 208 displayed on the display 201, the multifunction peripheral 100 enters the information reading mode.

  The operation recognizing unit 411 that has recognized the pressing of the “information reading” button 208 instructs the notification unit 405 to notify the designated sheet placement request (step S601). Upon receiving the instruction, the notification unit 405 displays a screen for requesting installation of the designated sheet on the display 201.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 201 by the notification unit 405 at this time. In this example, the display screen 701 shows a request message “Please set the paper on the platen and then press the start button”. The display screen 701 includes a “read start” button 702. Reading of the document is not started until the user presses the “reading start” button 702 or the start key 211 (see FIG. 2) (No in step S602). In this example, installation of the designated sheet on the document table 103 is requested, but a configuration requesting installation on the document conveying device 110 may be used.

  The operation recognition unit 411 that has recognized the reading start instruction by the user notifies the image reading unit 120 to that effect. Receiving the notification, the image reading unit 120 starts reading the designated sheet placed on the document table 103 and generating image data (Yes in step S602). The image reading unit 120 that has completed the generation of the image data notifies the paper determination unit 401 to that effect (step S603).

  Upon receiving the notification, the sheet determination unit 401 determines whether the document read by the image reading unit 120 is a designated sheet based on previously registered sheet identification information (step S604). Here, the sheet determination unit 401 reads the document when the sheet identification information (the sheet identification information 502 of the designated sheet 501) included in the image data generated by the image reading unit 120 matches the sheet identification information registered in advance. Is a designated sheet (step S604 Yes). In addition, when the paper identification information included in the image data generated by the image reading unit 120 does not match the paper identification information registered in advance, or when the paper identification information is not included in the image data, a document is designated. It is determined that the sheet is not a sheet (No in step S604).

  The sheet determination unit 401 that has determined that the document read by the image reading unit 120 is a designated sheet notifies the description extraction unit 402 to that effect (Yes in step S604). Upon receiving the notification, the description extracting unit 402 extracts the description by the user from the image data generated and held by the image reading unit 120 (step S605). The description extracting unit 402 inputs the extracted description by the user to the description determining unit 403.

  The description determination unit 403 determines whether or not the description extracted by the description extraction unit 402 satisfies a predesignated condition (step S606). Here, as described above, since the determination condition is that “one square of the description area 504 is filled” with respect to the designated sheet 501 shown in FIG. 5, the description determination unit 403 includes one of the description areas 504. When the square is filled, it is determined that additional information is to be printed (step S606 Yes). If both squares of the description area 504 are not filled and if both squares of the description area 504 are filled, it is determined that the additional information is not printed (No in step S606).

  The description determination unit 403 that has determined to print the additional information notifies the information printing unit 404 of the fact. Receiving the notification, the information printing unit 404 instructs the notification unit 405 to notify the specified sheet placement request to the sheet conveyance port in order to print additional information on the specified sheet read by the image reading unit 120 (Yes in step S606). , S607). Upon receiving the instruction, the notification unit 405 displays a screen for requesting installation of the designated sheet at the sheet conveyance port on the display 201. In the present embodiment, the manual feed tray 151 functions as a paper transport port.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 201 by the notification unit 405 at this time. In this example, the display screen 801 displays a request message “Please set paper in the right side tray” together with a sentence indicating gratitude for the questionnaire response. Further, the display screen 801 displays a diagram showing the direction in which the designated paper is set on the manual feed tray 151. Note that the additional information is not printed until the user places the designated sheet on the manual feed tray 151 (No in steps S608 and S611).

  When the designated paper is set on the manual feed tray 151, the information printing unit 404 prints coupon information as additional information in the additional writing area 507 of the designated designated paper installed through the image forming unit 140 (Yes in steps S608 and S609). The installation of the designated paper on the manual feed tray 151 can be detected by, for example, a paper detection sensor provided on the manual feed tray 151. In this example, when one square of the description area 504 is filled, the additional information is printed uniformly in the additional area 507. However, the coupon information to be added may be varied depending on the user's description. For example, when only “Yes” is painted, when “Yes” is painted and there is a description in the description area 506, different coupon information is described in the additional recording area 507 for three cases where “No” is filled. It may be a configuration. Such a case classification is configured such that the description determination unit 403 notifies the information printing unit 404 of the classification of the case classification, and the information printing unit 404 prints postscript information registered in advance in association with the type. This can be easily realized.

  In this embodiment, even when a paper other than the designated paper is installed on the manual feed tray 151, coupon information is printed on the paper. However, in the store or the like, the coupon information is printed on the paper other than the designated paper. If the coupon information is disabled, no particular problem occurs. In addition, as described above, if “additional information is not described in the additional recording area 507” is included in the determination condition, coupon information is printed a plurality of times once using the designated paper on which the additional information is printed. Nor. Note that the additional information may be printed as a trigger when the user presses a start key 211 or a “print start” button provided on the display screen 801, for example.

  When the printing of the additional information in the image forming unit 140 is completed, the MFP 100 resets the settings and ends the procedure (step S610). When the setting is reset, the MFP 100 enters an instruction standby state for displaying the operation screen shown in FIG.

  Even when the designated sheet is not placed on the manual feed tray 151 within a predetermined time after the description determination unit 403 determines that additional information is to be printed, the setting is reset in the MFP 100 (No in step S608). S611 Yes, S612, S610). In this case, for example, a warning message such as “The operation has been interrupted for a long time. Please try again from the beginning.” Is displayed on the display 201 by the notification unit 405. In this way, even when the multifunction device 100 is left in a state of waiting for the designated paper to be placed on the manual feed tray 151, the setting can be automatically reset, and the operation rate of the multifunction device 100 can be reduced. The decrease can be suppressed.

  On the other hand, in step S604, the sheet determination unit 401 that determines that the document read by the image reading unit 120 is not the designated sheet notifies the notification unit 405 to that effect (No in step S604). Upon receiving the notification, the notification unit 405 displays a screen for requesting avoidance of abnormality on the display 201 (step S612).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 201 by the notification unit 405 at this time. In this example, the display screen 901 shows an abnormality avoidance request message indicating that the paper set on the document table 103 is not the designated paper. Further, since there may be an abnormality in which it is not possible to recognize that it is a designated sheet even though it is a designated sheet, a request message for requesting contact with a store clerk is also shown. After the display screen 901 is displayed on the display 201 for a predetermined time, the setting of the multifunction device 100 is reset (step S610).

  In step S606, the description determination unit 403 that has determined that additional information is not printed notifies the notification unit 405 to that effect (No in step S606). Upon receiving the notification, the notification unit 405 displays a screen for requesting avoidance of abnormality on the display 201 (step S612).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on the display 201 by the notification unit 405 at this time. In this example, the display screen 1001 shows an abnormality avoidance request message indicating that the description on the designated sheet is inappropriate. In addition, there may be an abnormality in which the description on the designated form is appropriate, but it cannot be recognized as appropriate, so a request message for requesting contact with a store clerk is also shown. After the display screen 1001 is displayed on the display 201 for a predetermined time, the setting of the multifunction device 100 is reset (step S610).

  As described above, according to the description made on the designated sheet by the user, the multifunction peripheral 100 can print additional information on the designated sheet on which the description is made. Therefore, when answer contents and necessary items are described on a designated sheet for answering a questionnaire, coupons, points, etc. can be printed on the sheet without using a new sheet. Therefore, the information described by the user can be collected at a low cost without using a large amount of paper as in the prior art. Further, in the above-described case, since rewards such as coupon information are provided when answering a questionnaire, the user's willingness to answer can be invited. As a result, the questionnaire collection rate can be improved, and questionnaire responses can be efficiently collected. The collected information can be stored in the HDD 304 or transmitted to the information accumulation apparatus such as a server via the network 162 by the network adapter 161 or the public communication line 164 by the FAX adapter 163. Then, the collected information is analyzed.

  In the above example, only one side of the paper is used. However, both sides of the paper may be used. For example, an additional writing area for printing additional writing information may be arranged on one side of the description surface by the user. In this case, a lot of additional information can be printed.

  By the way, in the above-described case, the configuration in which one additional recording information is printed on one designated sheet has been described, but a plurality of additional recording information may be printed on one designated sheet. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a designated sheet on which a plurality of additional information is printed. Also in this example, a questionnaire is described in the designated sheet in the same manner as the designated sheet 501 shown in FIG. 5, and the multifunction peripheral 100 collects responses to the questionnaire described on the designated sheet by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the designated sheet 1101 includes a barcode written on the upper right of the sheet as the sheet identification information 1102. In this example, the bar code includes not only information that can identify the type of the designated sheet, but also an identifier such as a sheet ID assigned to the designated sheet in order to specify each designated sheet. That is, by recognizing the paper identification information 1102, each designated paper can be specified. In the configuration in which the paper type is recognized based on a paper format including characters, ruled lines, and the like described in advance on the description surface of the paper, an identifier for specifying each designated paper is separately provided. In this case, the identifier can be expressed by a mark such as a barcode or a character.

  A plurality of questions described as questionnaires in the question area 1103 of the designated form 1101 are each provided with an area for describing an answer, like the designated form 501 shown in FIG. The user describes the answer to the corresponding question item in each description area. The additional recording area 1104 in which additional recording information is printed corresponding to the description for these description areas is also the same as the designated sheet 501.

  The designated sheet 1101 further includes a first additional question area 1105 and a second additional question area 1107 on which a question item and a description area are printed. In addition, the designation form 1101 includes a description area 1106 in which additional information is printed corresponding to a description of the description area included in the first additional question area 1105 and a description of the description area included in the second additional question area 1107. Correspondingly, an additional recording area 1108 in which additional recording information is printed is arranged. That is, a plurality of additional write areas are provided in which additional write information is printed according to the description of the description area. The first additional question area 1105 and the second additional question area 1107 may have question items and description areas printed from the beginning. In this example, the first additional question area 1105 and the second additional question area 1105 are printed. A question item and a description area are printed in 1107 afterwards. In this way, by configuring the question items and the description area to be printed afterwards, it becomes possible to carry out an additional questionnaire or the like according to the answer (description) by the user. In this case, a question item and a description area which are printed after the fact can be said to be a kind of additional information.

  Although not particularly limited, here, when the answer to the question area 1103 is appropriate (satisfying the determination condition of the description determination unit 403), coupon information corresponding to the answer in the question area 1103 is printed in the additional writing area 1104. A question item and a description area corresponding to the answer are printed in the first additional question area 1105. When the answer to the first additional question area 1105 is appropriate, coupon information corresponding to the answer to the first additional question area 1105 is printed in the additional writing area 1106, and the question items and description area corresponding to the answer are displayed. Printed in the second additional question area 1107. Further, when the answer to the second additional question area 1107 is appropriate, coupon information corresponding to the answer to the second additional question area 1107 is printed in the additional writing area 1108.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction device particularly suitable for use of the designated paper shown in FIG. In the multifunction device 1200, the sheet determination unit 401 acquires an identifier attached to a designated sheet to identify each designated sheet based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 120. As described above, in the designated paper 1101 in FIG. 11, the identifier is recognized based on the paper identification information 1102.

  The MFP 1200 includes a history holding unit 406 in addition to the configuration of the MFP 100 described above. The history holding unit 406 records the history of printing performed on the designated sheet by the information printing unit 404 in association with the identifier acquired by the sheet determination unit 401. Other configurations are the same as those of the multi-function device 100, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In this configuration, the identifier is acquired by the sheet determination unit 401 in step S604 shown in FIG. In step S609, when the information printing unit 404 prints the additional write information, information indicating the print content is recorded in the history holding unit 406 as a print history. Although not particularly limited, for example, identification information such as an ID that can uniquely specify each print content can be used as the information indicating the print content. Information indicating the print contents is recorded in the history holding unit 406 in association with the identifier of the designated sheet acquired by the sheet determination unit 401.

  Further, in this configuration, when it is determined in step S606 shown in FIG. 6 that the additional information is printed by the description determination unit 403, and when the information printing unit 404 is notified to that effect, the information printing unit 404 performs the paper determination unit. Whether or not to perform printing is determined based on the identifier of the designated sheet acquired by 401 and the print history corresponding to the identifier held in the history holding unit 406. That is, the information printing unit 404 does not perform printing for the additional information stored in the print history that has already been printed, and performs printing only for the additional information that is not stored in the print history.

  For example, in the designated form 1101 shown in FIG. 11, the user answers the questionnaire, and additional information corresponding to the answer (here, coupon information printed in the additional writing area 1104 and question items printed in the first additional question area 1105) And the description area) are printed in the history holding unit 406.

  Under this circumstance, when the information is read in the information reading mode of the MFP 1200 in the state where the description is not made in the description area of the first additional question area 1105, the description determination unit 403 is already described. Since the description of the question area 1103 is appropriate, the information printing unit 404 is notified of this. However, in this configuration, since the print history in which the additional information corresponding to the notification from the description determination unit 403 is printed exists in the history holding unit 406, the information printing unit 404 does not perform printing (No in step S606). Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the same additional information from being printed on the same designated sheet. In this case, information acquired from the designated sheet 1101 is discarded without being accumulated.

  On the other hand, if there is no print history in which the additional information corresponding to the notification from the description determination unit 403 is printed, the information printing unit 404 executes printing (step S606 Yes). For example, when the information is read by the information reading mode of the MFP 1200 in the state where the description is made by the user in the description area of the first additional question area 1105, the description determination unit 403 displays the first additional question area 1105. If the description is appropriate, the information printing unit 404 is notified accordingly. Upon receiving the notification, the information printing unit 404 refers to the history holding unit 406. In this case, since there is no print history in the history holding unit 406 in which the additional information corresponding to the notification from the description determination unit 403 is printed, the information printing unit 404 executes printing. Note that the additional information printed in this case includes coupon information printed in the additional writing area 1106 and a question item and description area printed in the second additional question area 1107.

  As described above, with this configuration, even when a plurality of additional recording information is sequentially printed on the same designated sheet at different times, it is possible to prevent the same additional recording information from being overprinted. .

  In the above, the case of collecting questionnaire responses using the designated form has been explained. However, for the quiz answer and sweepstakes application, etc., the contents of the answer and necessary items (name, contact information, etc.) are described. Paper can also be used. In this case, information including the response contents and necessary items is acquired from the designated sheet, and information for specifying the fact of reading information such as an application reception number is printed on the designated sheet as additional information. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, information described by a user can be collected at low cost without using a large amount of paper.

  The above-described embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and various modifications and applications other than those already described are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the order of the steps can be changed as appropriate within a range where an equivalent operation is achieved.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a particularly preferable example, the present invention is embodied by a digital multifunction peripheral having an image reading function and a printing function. However, the present invention is not limited to such a digital multifunction peripheral. It can also be realized by any device that can collect. For example, the present invention can be applied to an information collecting apparatus having a dedicated configuration in which a designated sheet inserted into a sheet insertion slot passes through an image reading unit and is then automatically carried into an image forming unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently collect information at low cost without using a large amount of paper, which is useful as an information collecting apparatus.

100, 1200 MFP (information collection device)
120 Image Reading Unit 140 Image Forming Unit 151 Manual Tray (Paper Transport Port)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 Display 401 Paper determination part 402 Description extraction part 403 Description determination part 404 Information printing part 405 Notification part 406 History holding part 501, 1101 Designated paper 502, 1102 Paper identification information 504, 506 Description area 507, 1104, 1106, 1108 Additional area

Claims (3)

An information collection device that collects user descriptions on a designated form,
An image reading unit for generating image data of a document;
A sheet determination unit that determines whether or not a document is the designated sheet based on image data generated by the image reading unit;
A description extracting unit that extracts a description by a user from the image data when the original is a designated sheet;
A description determination unit that determines whether the description extracted by the description extraction unit satisfies a pre-specified condition;
When the description determination unit determines that the condition is satisfied, an information printing unit that prints additional information associated with the condition on the designated sheet;
Based on the image data generated by the image reading unit, the sheet determination unit obtains an identifier attached to the specified sheet for specifying each specified sheet, and the information printing unit has made the specified sheet. A history holding unit that records a printing history in association with the identifier acquired by the paper determination unit;
The information printing unit collects information for determining whether to perform printing based on the identifier of the designated sheet acquired by the sheet determination unit and the printing history corresponding to the identifier held in the history holding unit. apparatus. A paper carrying port for carrying the designated paper into the information printing unit;
A notification unit for notifying the user of the request;
Further comprising
When the description determination unit determines that the description extracted by the description extraction unit satisfies a predesignated condition, the notification unit uses the designated sheet from which the image data has been acquired is installed in the sheet conveyance port who the requesting, the information printing unit prints the additional information to the installed paper specified in the sheet conveyance port claim 1 Symbol placement information collecting apparatus. The information printing unit, if the specified sheet to the paper transfer port is installed in the pre-designated time, for printing the additional information to the installed designated sheet, according to claim 2 Symbol placement information collection device.

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