JP6604320B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of executing a job that involves reading a document.

  An image forming apparatus capable of executing a job that involves reading a document includes an image reading unit that reads the document and generates image data. In a job that involves reading a document, a user performs an operation of setting a document to be read on the image forming apparatus. Thereafter, when receiving a job execution instruction from the user, the image reading unit reads a document set on the image forming apparatus and generates image data. Note that, when the image reading unit continuously reads a plurality of documents, the image reading unit collects a plurality of pages of image data respectively corresponding to the plurality of documents into one file.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of aligning the longitudinal direction (short direction) of image data of a plurality of pages in one direction. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a job is executed, setting reception is performed in a user-specified direction among the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 aligns the long side direction of a plurality of pages of image data with a user-specified direction.

JP-A-9-46507

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the user-specified direction is the vertical direction, if the longitudinal direction of the image data matches the longitudinal direction, the image data is not rotated and the longitudinal direction of the image data is the longitudinal direction. If it does not coincide with the direction, a rotation process for rotating the image data by 90 ° is performed. Further, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the user-specified direction is the horizontal direction, if the longitudinal direction of the image data matches the lateral direction, the image data is not rotated and the longitudinal direction of the image data If the image data does not match the horizontal direction, the image data is rotated by 90 °. As a result, the longitudinal direction (short direction) of the image data of a plurality of pages is all aligned with the direction designated by the user.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the user-specified direction is the vertical direction. Further, it is assumed that the longitudinal direction of each page of image data (referred to herein as first image data) and the image data of another page (referred to herein as second image data) is the vertical direction.

  In this case, even if the directions of the characters in the first image data and the characters in the second image data are not aligned, the longitudinal directions of the first image data and the second image data coincide with the vertical direction. The rotation process for the one image data and the rotation process for the second image data are not performed. Therefore, in order to align the orientation of the characters in the first image data and the characters in the second image data, the orientation of the characters of each document is aligned in one direction when the document to be read is set on the image forming apparatus. Work is required. For example, an operation for confirming the direction of characters of each document one by one must be performed. For this reason, it is cumbersome and inconvenient for the user.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving workability when a document to be read is set on the image forming apparatus. .

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads a plurality of documents and generates a plurality of pages of image data corresponding to each of the plurality of documents, and each of the plurality of pages of image data. In addition to recognizing characters included in the image data and performing orientation determination processing for determining the orientation of the recognized characters as the orientation of the image data, the image data of the first page among the image data of a plurality of pages is then used as the reference data When the different direction data exists, it is determined whether or not there is different direction data in which the orientation determined by the orientation determination process is different from the reference data in the image data of the plurality of pages. Rotate the different direction data by rotating the different direction data so that the direction of the different direction data matches the direction of the reference data. And a control unit for.

  In the configuration of the present invention, the orientation of the image data determined by the orientation determination processing by the control unit matches the orientation of the characters included in the image data. For example, if the orientation of characters included in the image data is upward, the orientation of the image data is determined as upward. Then, when there is different direction data in which the direction determined in the direction determination process is different from the reference data (first page image data), the control unit matches the direction of the different direction data with the direction of the reference data. As a result, the orientations of the characters included in the image data of the plurality of pages are aligned in the same direction as the orientations of the characters included in the image data of the first page. Therefore, when setting a document to be read on the image forming apparatus, an operation of aligning the direction of characters of each document in one direction (an operation of checking the direction of characters of each document one by one) becomes unnecessary. Thereby, it is possible to improve workability when setting a document to be read on the image forming apparatus.

  With the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to improve workability when setting a document to be read on the image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plurality of pages of image data generated by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a plurality of pages of image data generated by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of orientation adjustment processing (first processing) performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating image data of a plurality of pages whose orientations are adjusted by performing an orientation adjustment process (first process) by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating image data of a plurality of pages whose orientations are adjusted by performing an orientation adjustment process (first process) by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the predetermined area | region made into object when the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention performs a character recognition process 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of orientation adjustment processing (second processing) performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing image data of a plurality of pages whose orientation is adjusted by the orientation adjustment processing (second processing) performed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

<Device configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an image reading unit 10 and a printing unit 20. The image reading unit 10 reads the document D when executing a job that involves reading the document D, and generates image data of the document D. The printing unit 20 forms an image and prints it on the paper P when a job involving printing of the image on the paper P is executed.

  The image reading unit 10 includes optical members such as a lamp 11 and an image sensor 12, and optically reads the document D. Optical system members such as the lamp 11 and the image sensor 12 are accommodated in a housing (reading housing) of the image reading unit 10. Note that contact glasses G1 and G2 are fitted on the upper surface of the reading housing. The contact glass G1 is a contact glass for conveyance reading, and the contact glass G2 is a contact glass for placement reading.

  The image reading unit 10 includes a document transport unit 13. The document transport unit 13 is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the upper surface of the reading housing. The document transport unit 13 is provided with a document transport path 13P, a document set tray 131, and a document discharge tray 132. The document transport path 13P extends from the document set tray 131 to the document discharge tray 132 via a predetermined position on the contact glass G1. The document transport unit 13 feeds the document D set on the document set tray 131 to the document transport path 13P, transports the document D along the document transport path 13P, and places the document D on the document discharge tray 132. Discharge.

  In the conveyance reading, the document D is set on the document setting tray 131 by the user. The document transport unit 13 feeds the document D on the document set tray 131 to the document transport path 13P, and transports the document D along the document transport path 13P. As a result, the document D passes over the contact glass G1. Then, the image reading unit 10 reads the document D passing over the contact glass G1, and generates image data of the read document D.

  In the placement reading, the document D is set on the contact glass G2 by the user. The image reading unit 10 reads the document D set on the contact glass G2, and generates image data of the read document D. At this time, the document D set on the contact glass G <b> 2 can be pressed by the document transport unit 13. The image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a continuous reading function. When the ON / OFF setting of the continuous reading function is turned on, a plurality of pages of image data obtained by the placement reading can be combined into one file.

  The printing unit 20 transports the paper P along the paper transport path 20P. The printing unit 20 forms a toner image based on image data (for example, image data of the document D obtained by reading the document D by the image reading unit 10). Then, the printing unit 20 prints a toner image on the paper P being conveyed. The printing unit 20 is transferred to the paper feeding unit 21 that feeds the paper P stored in the paper cassette to the paper transport path 20P, the image forming unit 22 that forms a toner image and transfers the toner image onto the paper P, and is transferred to the paper P. A fixing unit 23 for fixing the toner image on the paper P.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with an operation panel 30. The operation panel 30 includes a touch panel display 31. The touch panel display 31 displays a screen on which software keys and messages are arranged, and accepts a touch operation on the display screen (software key) from the user. The operation panel 30 includes a plurality of hardware keys 32. The hardware key 32 includes a start key for receiving a job execution instruction from the user.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130.

  The control unit 110 is connected to the image reading unit 10 and controls the image reading operation of the image reading unit 10 (including the document conveying operation of the document conveying unit 13). The control unit 110 is connected to the printing unit 20 and controls the printing operation of the printing unit 20. Further, the control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 30. Then, the control unit 110 controls the display operation of the touch panel display 31 or detects a touch operation on the touch panel display 31 (software key) or a press operation on the hardware key 32.

  Further, the control unit 110 performs a character recognition process that is a process of recognizing characters (including numbers and symbols) included in the image data of the document D obtained by reading the document D by the image reading unit 10. In the character recognition process by the control unit 110, for example, an OCR (Optical Character Reader) technique is used.

  In order to cause the control unit 110 to perform character recognition processing, for example, a character database that stores character patterns for pattern matching (standard patterns) is stored in the storage unit 120. And the control part 110 extracts a character image from the image data of a process target, when performing a character recognition process. Then, the control part 110 performs the process (matching process) which compares the character pattern stored in the character database with the extracted character image, and recognizes a character based on the comparison result.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a memory 112, and an image processing module 113. The CPU 111 executes a process for controlling the image forming apparatus 100 based on a control program and data. The memory 112 stores a control program and data for operating the CPU 111.

  The image processing module 113 includes a dedicated circuit and a memory for performing various image processing on the image data. In a job involving reading of the document D, the image data of the document D obtained by reading the document D by the image reading unit 10 is transferred to the memory 112 and temporarily stored. Then, the control unit 110 performs image processing on the image data of the document D using the image processing module 113. At this time, the control unit 110 performs processing for enlarging / reducing the image data of the document D, processing for rotating the image data of the document D, and the like. Then, the control unit 110 generates output data used in the job from the image data of the document D.

  For example, the control unit 110 generates PDF data as output data. Then, the control unit 110 transmits PDF data to the external device 200 via the communication unit 130 or stores PDF data in the storage unit 120. Alternatively, the control unit 110 generates exposure data for controlling exposure processing (processing for forming an electrostatic latent image based on image data of the document D), and the generated exposure data is printed in the printing unit 20 (image To the exposure device of the forming unit 22. As a result, the printing unit 20 forms a toner image based on the image data of the document D.

  The storage unit 120 includes a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (such as an EEPROM) or an HDD. The control unit 110 is connected to the storage unit 120, and reads data from the storage unit 120 and writes data to the storage unit 120.

  The communication unit 130 includes a communication circuit, a memory, and a communication connector. The control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 130 and communicates with the external device 200 via the communication unit 130. For example, a personal computer (a user terminal used by a user of the image forming apparatus 100), a facsimile machine, or the like is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100.

<Orientation adjustment processing>
The control unit 110 determines whether or not the document D is set on the document set tray 131 when the operation panel 30 receives an instruction to execute a job accompanied by reading the document D from the user. For example, the document set tray 131 is provided with a document sensor (not shown) that changes the output value depending on whether or not the document D is set on the document set tray 131. The document sensor is connected to the control unit 110. Then, control unit 110 determines whether or not document D is set on document set tray 131 based on the output value of the document sensor.

  When the document D is set on the document set tray 131, the control unit 110 causes the document transport unit 13 to transport the document D. Then, the control unit 110 causes the image reading unit 10 to perform conveyance reading for reading the document D passing over the contact glass G1. On the other hand, when the document D is not set on the document setting tray 131, the control unit 110 causes the image reading unit 10 to perform placement reading for reading the document D set on the contact glass G2.

  The control unit 110 determines whether an end condition for ending the reading of the document D is satisfied after the reading of the document D is started. For example, in the conveyance reading, when the control unit 110 detects that the document D has disappeared from the document set tray 131 based on the output value of the document sensor (the unread document D does not remain), the end condition is satisfied. Determination is made and the image reading unit 10 is notified of the completion of reading of the document D. Further, in the placement reading when the ON / OFF setting of the continuous reading function is set to ON, when the operation panel 30 accepts from the user that the reading of the document D is finished, the control unit 110 satisfies the end condition. Determination is made and the image reading unit 10 is notified of the completion of reading of the document D.

  After the reading of the document D by the image reading unit 10 is completed, the control unit 110 performs image processing on the image data of the document D according to the contents of the execution job. Here, when image data of a plurality of pages is generated by the image reading unit 10, a direction adjustment process for adjusting the direction of the image data of the plurality of pages is performed by the control unit 110. Then, after performing the orientation adjustment process, the control unit 110 generates output data used in the job based on the image data of a plurality of pages.

  As one process of the orientation adjustment process, the control unit 110 performs an orientation discrimination process for discriminating each orientation of the image data of a plurality of pages. At this time, the control unit 110 performs character recognition processing on each of the image data of a plurality of pages, recognizes characters included in each image data, and recognizes the direction of the recognized characters (the extending direction of the long side of the page). Or the orientation of the short side with respect to the extending direction). Then, the control unit 110 determines the orientations of the image data of a plurality of pages based on the orientations of characters included in each image data.

  Further, the control unit 110 determines, for each of a plurality of pages of image data, whether the corresponding page format is a portrait format or a landscape format. The page format in which the long side direction of the page (long side extending direction) and the direction of the characters in the page (vertical direction of the characters) match is the portrait format, and the short side direction of the page (short A landscape format is a page format in which the edge extending direction) matches the direction of characters in the page (vertical direction of the characters).

  As an example, it is assumed that a plurality of pages of image data as shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that the direction of the image data on the first page and the third page is upward, and the direction of the image data on the second page and the fourth page is determined to be downward. Further, it is determined that all the page formats corresponding to the image data from the first page to the fourth page are portrait formats. In FIG. 3, the first page character is indicated by “a”, the second page character is indicated by “b”, the third page character is indicated by “c”, and the fourth page character is indicated by “d”. Show. The same applies to the drawings referred to in the following description.

  As another example, it is assumed that a plurality of pages of image data as shown in FIG. In this case, it is determined that the orientation of the image data of the first page is upward, and the format of the page corresponding to the image data of the first page is determined to be a portrait format. Further, it is determined that the direction of the image data on the third page is leftward, and the direction of the image data on the fourth page is determined to be rightward. The format of each page corresponding to the third page image data and the fourth page image data is determined to be a landscape format.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, focusing on the second page, the portrait area A1 (corresponding to “first area”) and the landscape area are landscape areas in one page. Area A2 (corresponding to “second area”) is mixed. When such mixed page image data exists, the control unit 110 determines the orientation of the mixed page image data based on the direction of characters included in a larger area of the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2. In addition, it is determined whether the mixed page format is a portrait format or a landscape format. As a modification, even if the orientation of the mixed page image data and the format of the mixed page are determined based on the orientation of characters included in the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2 having a larger number of characters. Good.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the portrait area A1 of the image data of the mixed page is larger than the landscape area A2. The direction of the characters included in the portrait area A1 is downward. Therefore, the control unit 110 determines that the orientation of the mixed page image data is downward, and determines that the format of the mixed page is a portrait format.

  After determining the orientation of the image data for each of the plurality of pages of image data, the control unit 110 performs the first process or the second process as the orientation adjustment process. For example, the process performed by the control unit 110 among the first process and the second process is set by the user.

  First, the flow of the first process (orientation adjustment process) performed by the control unit 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 starts when the control unit 110 determines that the reading of the document D by the image reading unit 10 is completed after the operation panel 30 receives a job execution instruction accompanying reading of the document D from the user. It is.

  When the reading of the document D by the image reading unit 10 is completed, in step S1, the control unit 110 recognizes the characters included in the image data for each of the plurality of pages of image data, and displays the direction of the recognized characters. An orientation discrimination process for discriminating as the data orientation is performed. At this time, the control unit 110 also determines whether the corresponding page is in a portrait format or a landscape format for each of multiple pages of image data.

  In step S2, the control unit 110 sets the image data of the first page among the image data of a plurality of pages as reference data. In step S <b> 3, the control unit 110 determines whether there is different direction data in which the orientation determined by the orientation determination process is image data different from the reference data in the image data of a plurality of pages. As a result, when the control unit 110 determines that the different direction data exists, the process proceeds to step S4, and when the control unit 110 determines that the different direction data does not exist, this flow ends.

  In step S4, the control unit 110 performs rotation processing on the different direction data to rotate the different direction data (for example, rotate clockwise). Accordingly, the control unit 110 matches the direction of the different direction data with the direction of the reference data.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the orientation of the image data of the first page set as the reference data is upward. In this case, the control unit 110 recognizes the image data on the second page and the fourth page as different direction data. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 110 rotates the image data of the second page and the fourth page by 180 °. As a result, the orientation of the image data on the second and fourth pages matches the orientation of the reference data (image data on the first page).

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the orientation of the image data of the first page set as the reference data is upward. In this case, the control unit 110 recognizes each image data from the second page to the fourth page as different direction data. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 110 rotates the image data of the second page by 180 °. Further, the control unit 110 rotates the image data of the third page by 90 °. Further, the control unit 110 rotates the image data of the fourth page by 270 °. Thereby, the direction of each image data from the second page to the fourth page matches the direction of the reference data.

  Here, when the page format corresponding to the different direction data is different from the page corresponding to the reference data, the control unit 110 converts the different direction data from the original size when performing the rotation process on the different direction data. to shrink. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first page corresponding to the image data set as the reference data is in the portrait format, but the third page and the fourth page are each in the landscape format. Therefore, when the rotation processing is performed on the image data (different direction data) on the third page and the fourth page, the control unit 110 reduces the image data from the original size. In the example shown in FIG. 6, since all pages are in the portrait format, the data in the different direction is not reduced.

  If the format of the page corresponding to the different direction data is different from the page corresponding to the reference data (when rotating the different direction data smaller than the original size), whether to allow the reduction of the size of the different direction data. An instruction on whether or not may be received from the user. In this case, for example, the control unit 110 generates a preview image of a page corresponding to the different direction data reduced from the original size. Then, the control unit 110 causes the operation panel 30 to accept an instruction as to whether or not to reduce the size of the different direction data, and at this time, causes the operation panel 30 to display a preview image.

  Here, in the character recognition processing by the control unit 110, only the predetermined areas PA (see FIG. 8) of the image data of a plurality of pages may be targeted. For example, at least a part of a header area and a footer area, which are areas to which page numbers are attached, is set as the predetermined area PA. In this case, the control unit 110 determines the orientations of the plurality of pages of image data based on the orientations of characters existing in the predetermined area PA. Thereby, even when there is no difference in the sizes of the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2 of the mixed page (when a larger area cannot be specified), the orientation of the image data of the mixed page can be determined.

  Next, the flow of the second process (orientation adjustment process) performed by the control unit 110 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts when the control unit 110 determines that the reading of the document D by the image reading unit 10 is completed after the operation panel 30 receives a job execution instruction accompanying reading of the document D from the user. It is.

  When the reading of the document D by the image reading unit 10 is completed, in step S11, the control unit 110 performs orientation determination processing. In Step S12, control part 110 sets standard data. Steps S11 and S12 are the same as steps S1 and S2 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 13, the control unit 110 includes first different direction data that is image data of a page having the same format as the page corresponding to the reference data, and is different in orientation determined by the orientation determination process from the reference data. Determine whether or not. As a result, when the control unit 110 determines that the first different direction data exists, the process proceeds to step S14.

  If transfering it to step S14, the control part 110 will perform a rotation process with respect to 1st different direction data, and will rotate 1st different direction data (for example, rotate clockwise). Accordingly, the control unit 110 matches the direction of the first different direction data with the direction of the reference data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S15. In addition, also when the control part 110 judges that 1st different direction data does not exist in step S13, it transfers to step S15.

  In step S15, the control unit 110 determines whether the image data of the portrait format page and the image data of the landscape format page are mixed. As a result, when the control unit 110 determines that they are mixed, the process proceeds to step S16, and when the control unit 110 determines that they are not mixed, this flow ends.

  In step S16, the control unit 110 sets the image data of the foremost page among the pages having a format different from the page corresponding to the reference data as additional reference data. That is, if the page corresponding to the reference data is in portrait format, the image data of the landscape format page is set as additional reference data, and if the page corresponding to the reference data is in landscape format, the image data of the portrait format page is set. Is set as additional reference data.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 110 stores the second different direction data, which is image data of a page having the same format as the page corresponding to the additional reference data, and is different from the additional reference data in the orientation determined by the orientation determination process. Determine if it exists. As a result, when the control unit 110 determines that the second different direction data exists, the process proceeds to step S18, and when the control unit 110 determines that the second different direction data does not exist, this flow ends. To do.

  If transfering it to step S18, the control part 110 will perform a rotation process with respect to 2nd different direction data, and will rotate 2nd different direction data. Accordingly, the control unit 110 matches the direction of the second different direction data with the direction of the additional reference data.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the image data of the portrait format page and the image data of the landscape format page are mixed (the first page and the second page are the portrait format, the third page and the fourth page). Page is in landscape format). The orientation of the image data on the first page is upward, and the orientation of the image data on the second page is downward. The direction of the image data on the third page is leftward, and the direction of the image data on the fourth page is rightward.

  In this case, the control unit 110 sets the image data of the first page as reference data, and sets the image data of the third page as additional reference data. Further, the control unit 110 recognizes the image data of the second page as the first different direction data, and recognizes the image data of the fourth page as the second different direction data. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 110 rotates the image data of the second page by 180 ° and rotates the image data of the fourth page by 180 °. Thereby, the orientation of the image data on the second page matches the orientation of the reference data (image data on the first page), and the orientation of the image data on the fourth page is the orientation of the additional reference data (image data on the third page). Matches.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment reads a plurality of documents D and generates a plurality of pages of image data corresponding to the plurality of documents D, and a plurality of pages of images. For each piece of data, the characters included in the image data are recognized and the orientation determination process is performed to determine the orientation of the recognized characters as the orientation of the image data. Thereafter, the image data of the first page among the image data of a plurality of pages Is set as reference data, and it is determined whether or not there is different direction data in which the orientation determined by the orientation determination processing is different from the reference data in the image data of a plurality of pages. If present, rotate the different direction data by rotating the different direction data, and change the direction of the different direction data to the reference data. And a control unit 110 which can and matched, the. That is, the control unit 110 performs orientation adjustment processing for adjusting the orientation of image data of a plurality of pages.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, the orientation of image data determined by the orientation determination processing by the control unit 110 matches the orientation of characters included in the image data. Then, when there is different direction data in which the direction determined in the direction determination process is different from the reference data (first page image data), the control unit 110 matches the direction of the different direction data with the direction of the reference data. As a result, the orientations of the characters included in the image data of the plurality of pages are aligned in the same direction as the orientations of the characters included in the image data of the first page. Therefore, when setting the document D to be read on the image forming apparatus 100, the work of aligning the direction of the characters of each document D in one direction (such as checking the direction of the characters of each document D one by one) is unnecessary. It becomes. Thereby, it is possible to improve workability when setting the document D to be read on the image forming apparatus 100.

  In addition, when there is mixed page image data in which the portrait area A1 (first area) and the landscape area A2 (second area) are mixed in one page, the control unit 110 targets the mixed page image data. When performing the orientation determination processing, the orientation of characters included in a larger area of the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2 is determined as the orientation of the image data of the mixed page. In this configuration, even when mixed page image data is present in a plurality of pages of image data, the orientation of the mixed page image data can be determined. Here, usually, main information is often included in a larger area of the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2 of the mixed page. Therefore, it is preferable that the orientation of characters included in a larger area of the portrait area A1 and the landscape area A2 is determined as the orientation of the image data of the mixed page.

  In the configuration in which the control unit 110 performs the first process, the control unit 110 performs the rotation process on the different direction data when the format of the page corresponding to the different direction data is different from the page corresponding to the reference data. Thus, the direction of the different direction data is matched with the direction of the reference data, and at this time, a reduction process is performed to reduce the different direction data to be smaller than the original size. As a result, even if the page format corresponding to the different direction data is different from the page format corresponding to the reference data, the different direction data is reduced from the original size, but the direction of the characters included in the different direction data is reduced. Can be matched with the direction of characters included in the reference data.

  Further, in the configuration in which the control unit 110 performs the second process, the control unit 110 is image data of a page having the same format as the page corresponding to the reference data, and is different from the reference data in the orientation determined by the orientation determination process. It is determined whether or not the first different direction data exists. If the first different direction data exists, the direction of the first different direction data is matched with the direction of the reference data by performing a rotation process. Then, when the portrait-format page image data and the landscape-format page image data are mixed, the control unit 110 selects the page of the first page among the image data of the page whose format is different from the page corresponding to the reference data. The second different direction in which the image data is set as the additional reference data and the image data has the same format as the page corresponding to the additional reference data, and the image data has a different orientation determined by the orientation determination process from the additional reference data. It is determined whether or not data exists, and when the second different direction data exists, the direction of the second different direction data is matched with the direction of the additional reference data by performing a rotation process.

  Accordingly, the orientations of the portrait format page image data and the landscape page image data can be aligned separately. Further, for the first different direction data, the corresponding page format is rotated so as to coincide with the direction of the reference data which is the same image data, and for the second different direction data, the corresponding page format is the same image data. Since it rotates so that it may correspond with the direction of reference | standard data, it is not necessary to reduce different direction data like the structure which the control part 110 performs a 1st process.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image reading part 100 Image forming apparatus 110 Control part

Claims (3)

An image reading unit that reads a plurality of documents and generates a plurality of pages of image data corresponding to each of the plurality of documents;
Recognize characters included in the image data for each of the image data of the plurality of pages, and perform orientation determination processing for determining the orientation of the recognized characters as the orientation of the image data, and then the images of the plurality of pages. Among the data, the image data of the first page is set as the reference data, and there is different direction data in which the orientation determined by the orientation determination processing is different from the reference data in the image data of the plurality of pages. When the different direction data exists, the different direction data is rotated by performing a rotation process on the different direction data, and the direction of the different direction data is set as the direction of the reference data. A control unit that performs a direction adjustment process for matching ,
The control unit performs a process set by the user among the first process and the second process as the orientation adjustment process,
When performing the first process as the orientation adjustment process, the control unit determines, for each of the plurality of pages of image data, whether the corresponding page format is a portrait format or a landscape format, When the format of the page corresponding to the different direction data is different from the page corresponding to the reference data, when performing the rotation processing on the different direction data, the different direction data is reduced from the original size,
When performing the second process as the orientation adjustment process, the control unit determines, for each of the plurality of pages of image data, whether the corresponding page format is a portrait format or a landscape format, It is determined whether or not there is first different direction data which is image data of the same format as the page corresponding to the reference data, and the reference data is image data having a different orientation determined by the orientation determination processing. If the first different direction data exists, the rotation process is performed to match the direction of the first different direction data with the direction of the reference data,
In the case where the second processing is performed as the orientation adjustment processing, when the image data of the portrait format page and the image data of the landscape format page are mixed, the control unit refers to the page corresponding to the reference data. The image data of the first page among the image data of pages with different formats is set as additional reference data, and the page corresponding to the additional reference data is image data of the same format as the page, and the additional reference data is It is determined whether or not there is second different direction data that is image data having different orientations determined in the orientation determination processing. If the second different direction data exists, the second processing is performed by performing the rotation processing. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the direction of the different direction data coincides with the direction of the additional reference data .   When there is mixed page image data in which a first region that is a portrait format region and a second region that is a landscape format region are mixed in one page, the control unit stores the image data of the mixed page. The character direction included in a larger area of the first area and the second area is determined as an image data direction of the mixed page when the orientation determination process is performed on a target. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   When performing the orientation determination process, the control unit recognizes characters included in the predetermined region of the image data and determines the orientation of the characters included in the recognized predetermined region as the orientation of the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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