Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device that makes more conspicuous a portion to which a user should pay attention.SOLUTION: An image reading device 10 comprises a receiving unit 22 and a control unit 31. The receiving unit 22 receives a pixelation instruction including an instruction to determine an object to be pixelated in a read document image. The control unit 31 executes pixelation processing of pixelating the object determined by the receiving unit 22. The image preferably includes an object image OP and a text image TP. The control unit 31 preferably executes, on the basis of the pixelation instruction, the pixelation processing on all or part of at least one of the object image OP and the text image TP, or on all or part of the object image OP and the text image TP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 can extract text from data captured by a scanner and highlight the extracted text. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-142950 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where the user does not pay attention to the highlighted portion, but focuses on other portions instead. For this reason, there is a demand for making the portions that the user should pay attention to more noticeable.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an information processing device that can make parts that should be focused on by the user more noticeable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit and a control unit. The receiving unit receives a pixelation instruction including an instruction for determining an object to be pixelated from an image of a scanned document. The control unit performs the pixelation process on all or part of at least one of the object image and the text image, or on all or part of the object image and the text image, based on the pixelation instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the information processing device of the present invention, it is possible to make the portion that the user is desired to pay attention to more conspicuous. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 shows a second screen displayed on the display unit when determining the degree of pixelation. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third screen displayed on the display unit when selecting an object to be pixelated. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a pixelated object image in the preview image shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing pixelated text images in the preview image shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a pixelation process executed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a pixelation process executed by a control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fifth screen displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] An image forming apparatus 10 including an image reading unit 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The image forming apparatus 10 corresponds to an example of an "information processing apparatus." FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 10 is, for example, a copier, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the image forming apparatus 10 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading section 11, an image forming unit 12, a control section 31, a storage section 28, a FAX communication section 24, and an operation display section 23.

[0013] The image reading unit 11 reads an image from an original document M. The image reading unit 11 has a document table 120 and an original document transport unit 110. The image reading unit 11 reads an image formed on the original document M to generate read data SC. Specifically, the image reading unit 11 reads an image formed on the original document M transported by the document transport unit 110 or an image formed on the original document M placed on the document table 120 to generate read data SC. The read data SC is data indicating the image of the original document M that has been read.

[0014] The image forming unit 12 has an image forming section 220, a paper feed cassette 230, a paper transport section 240, and a paper discharge section 270. The image forming section 220 forms an image on a recording medium P. For example, the image forming section 220 forms an image on the recording medium P based on the read data SC.

[0015] The control unit 31 is a hardware circuit configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 31 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 10 by the processor reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 28.

[0016] The storage unit 28 is, for example, an HDD or SSD. The storage unit 28 may include a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 28 stores various data and a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 10. The control program may be an image reading program that controls the reading of an image. The control program is executed by the control unit 31. In addition, the image read by the image reading unit 11 is written as read data SC to a predetermined data area of ​​the storage unit 28.

[0017] The FAX communication unit 24 transmits or receives a FAX image. The received FAX image is printed on a recording medium P by the image forming unit 12. The FAX image is also written to a storage area of ​​the storage unit 28 as read data SC.

[0018] The operation display unit 23 is used to allow a user to operate the image forming apparatus 10. The operation display unit 23 includes a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22.

[0019] The display unit 21 notifies the user by means of an image. The display unit 21 is configured with a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or ELD (Electro Luminescence Display) having a touch panel function.

[0020] User operations are input from the operation unit 22. In an embodiment in which a touch panel functions as the operation display unit 23, the display unit 21 and a part of the operation unit 22 may be integrated. The operation unit 22 of the operation display unit 23 may also be a physical button. The operation unit 22 of the operation display unit 23 may have a touch panel and a physical button. The operation unit 22 accepts pixelation instructions. The pixelation instructions include instructions to determine which of the read data SC should be pixelated, and instructions to determine the degree of pixelation for the which of the read data SC should be pixelated. The operation unit 22 corresponds to an example of a "reception unit."

[0021] Pixelation refers to performing mosaic processing or blurring processing on the read data SC. Mosaic processing refers to the process of replacing each pixel with a single-color pixel. Specifically, when performing mosaic processing, the control unit 31 acquires the RGB values ​​of the points included in the pixel. Then, the control unit 31 calculates the average value of the RGB values ​​of the points included in the pixel. Then, the control unit 31 fills the pixel with a value corresponding to the calculated average RGB value. Blur processing refers to the process of blurring each point in the image. Specifically, blurring processing is the process of changing the color of the point to be blurred to the average value of the surrounding colors.

[0022] A recording medium P for printing is stored in paper feed cassette 230. When printing, recording medium P in paper feed cassette 230 is transported by paper transport unit 240 so as to pass through image forming unit 220 and be discharged from paper discharge unit 270.

[0023] Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pixelation process executed by the control unit 31 will be described.

[0024] The control unit 31 performs a pixelation process to pixelate the image based on the pixelation instruction to pixelate the read data SC. Specifically, the control unit 31 performs a pixelation process to pixelate the object determined by the operation unit 22. Therefore, only the object is pixelated. In other words, non-pixelated portions attract more attention than pixelated portions. As a result, the portion of the image that the user should pay attention to can be made more noticeable.

[0025] The control unit 31 of this embodiment extracts object images and text images from the read data SC. That is, the read data SC includes object images and text images. The object images and text images are examples of the read data SC to be pixelated. The object images are images other than text images. For example, the object images are images showing landscapes, objects, and people. The text images are images showing letters, numbers, and symbols.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 31 performs pixelation processing on all or part of at least one of the object image and the text image based on the pixelation instruction. Alternatively, the control unit 31 performs pixelation processing on all or part of the object image and the text image based on the pixelation instruction. Therefore, information that the user does not want to share can be pixelated. As a result, when sharing information, it is possible to prevent the user from receiving unnecessary information.

[0027] For example, the control unit 31 extracts a portion of the read data SC whose luminance information differs from the luminance information of the blank portion as an image portion. Furthermore, the control unit 31 determines whether the image portion includes a text image. Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether the image matches the text data stored in the storage unit 28. If the image portion matches the text data stored in the storage unit 28, the control unit 31 determines the image portion to be a text image. On the other hand, if the image portion does not match the text data stored in the storage unit 28, the control unit 31 determines the image portion to be an object image.

[0028] Next, the pixelation process executed by the control unit 31 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first screen G1 displayed on the display unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The first screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 21 when a user selects a copy function after an image is read from an original document M and read data SC is generated by the image reading unit 11. The first screen G1 includes multiple icons. Each of the multiple icons functions as a button for accepting instructions to the image forming apparatus 10. One of the multiple icons is a first button icon A1. The first button icon A1 accepts pixelation instructions. In other words, the first button icon A1 corresponds to an example of an "acceptance unit." The first screen G1 also includes a status image A10. The status image A10 indicates the status of the pixelation process. The status of the pixelation process indicates ON / OFF. When the status of the pixelation process is "ON," the pixelation process is executed. When the status of the pixelation process is "OFF," the pixelation process is stopped.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pixelation instruction includes an instruction for determining the degree of pixelation of the scanned data SC to be pixelated. This allows for increased processing after the image is scanned, allowing for pixelation tailored to the user's needs. For example, increasing the degree of pixelation makes the content more obscure and increases confidentiality. Decreasing the degree of pixelation reduces confidentiality.

[0030] 4 is a diagram showing a second screen G2 displayed on the display unit 21 when determining the degree of pixelation. The second screen G2 includes a plurality of icons and a preview image P1 showing an example of the pixelation process.

[0031] The multiple icons included on the second screen G2 include a second button icon A11, a third button icon A12, a fourth button icon A21, a fifth button icon A22, a sixth button icon A23, a seventh button icon A31, and an eighth button icon A32. The second button icon A11 to the eighth button icon A32 each function as a button for accepting instructions to the image forming apparatus 10. The second button icon A11 accepts an instruction to cancel pixelation. The third button icon A12 accepts an instruction to perform pixelation at the degree of pixelation accepted by the fourth button icon A21 to the sixth button icon A23.

[0032] The fourth button icon A21 accepts an instruction to perform first-level pixelation on the scanned data SC. The degree of pixelation at the first level is smaller than the degree of pixelation at the second level. The degree of pixelation at the first level is, for example, 300 PPI (pixels per inch). In other words, the first-level pixelation can reduce confidentiality. Note that the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the first level is larger than the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the second level.

[0033] The fifth button icon A22 accepts an instruction to perform second-level pixelation on the scanned data SC. The second-level pixelation is less than the third-level pixelation. The second-level pixelation is, for example, 180 PPI. The second-level pixelation provides high confidentiality and makes the content undetectable. Note that the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the second level is greater than the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the third level.

[0034] The sixth button icon A23 accepts an instruction to perform third-level pixelation on the scanned data SC. The third-level pixelation is greater than the first-level pixelation and the second-level pixelation. The third-level pixelation is, for example, 125 PPI. The third-level pixelation provides greater confidentiality and makes the content undetectable compared to the second-level pixelation. The amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the third level is smaller than the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the first level and the amount of data in the scanned data SC pixelated at the second level.

[0035] The seventh button icon A31 accepts an instruction to not select an object to be pixelated, and the eighth button icon A32 accepts an instruction to select an object to be pixelated.

[0036] Next, the process for selecting an object to be pixelated will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the third screen G3 displayed on the display unit 21 when selecting an object to be pixelated. In addition to the preview image P1, the second button icon A11, the third button icon A12, the seventh button icon A31, and the eighth button icon A32, the third screen G3 also includes the ninth button icon A41, the tenth button icon A42, and the eleventh button icon A43.

[0037] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing the object image OP of the preview image P1 shown in Fig. 5 after being pixelated. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing the text image TP of the preview image P1 shown in Fig. 5 after being pixelated. As shown in Fig. 5, the preview image P1 is displayed on the display unit 21. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the pixelated preview image P1 is displayed on the display unit 21.

[0038] The ninth button icon A41 accepts an instruction to execute the first mode. The ninth button icon A41 corresponds to an example of a "receiving unit for accepting a pixelation instruction." The first mode is a mode in which the object image OP is pixelated but the text image TP is not pixelated. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 31 performs pixelation processing only on the object image OP out of the object image OP and the text image TP included in the read data SC.

[0039] Therefore, the object image OP is pixelated. The object image OP before pixelation processing has a smaller amount of data than the object image OP after pixelation processing. Therefore, when forming the read data SC on a recording medium after pixelation processing has been performed, the image is read more quickly. As a result, the time required for image formation is shortened, and the image is output more quickly.

[0040] The tenth button icon A42 accepts an instruction to execute the second mode. The tenth button icon A42 corresponds to an example of a "receiving unit for accepting a pixelization instruction." The second mode is a mode in which the text image TP is pixelated but the object image OP is not pixelated. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 31 performs pixelation processing only on the text image TP out of the object image OP and the text image TP included in the read data SC.

[0041] Therefore, the text image TP is pixelated. In other words, the user can only see the object image OP. Therefore, the user does not pay attention to the text image TP. As a result, the user can select the portion to be pixelated according to the user's purpose, and can use it when the user wants to see only the object image OP.

[0042] The eleventh button icon A43 accepts an instruction to execute the third mode. The eleventh button icon A43 corresponds to an example of a "receiving unit for accepting a pixelization instruction." The third mode is a mode in which a text image TP and an object image OP are pixelated. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the pixelation process is executed on the object image OP included in the read data SC. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the pixelation process is executed on the text image TP included in the read data SC.

[0043] Therefore, the control unit 31 can pixelate the object image OP and the text image TP. In other words, the user can see only the parts of the scanned data SC other than the object image OP and the text image TP. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from recognizing the object image OP and the text image TP. As a result, this can be used when it is desired to have the user recognize parts other than the object image OP and the text image TP.

[0044] 6 and 7, when an instruction to execute pixelation processing is received, the control unit 31 controls the display unit 21 to display a pixelated preview image P1. This allows the user to confirm the results of the pixelation processing. This allows the user to reset the pixelation while referring to the results. This makes it convenient for the user to re-instruct pixelation.

[0045] Next, referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, a process to be performed when pixelation processing is not possible will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth screen G4 displayed on the display unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The fourth screen G4 includes a message image A50 that is displayed on the display unit 21 when pixelation processing is not possible. The message image A50 includes a message indicating that the scanned data SC cannot be pixelated. Specifically, the message image A50 includes a first sentence, "The scanned page cannot be pixelated." The message image A50 also includes a second sentence, "Cause: The original is already of low quality."

[0046] The control unit 31 determines whether pixelation processing is possible. Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether pixelation processing is unnecessary based on the reading conditions of the read data SC. For example, the reading conditions are resolution (DPI: dots per inch). Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether the resolution of the read data SC is lower than a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, if the resolution of the read data SC is not lower than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 31 determines that pixelation processing is possible. If the resolution of the read data SC is lower than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 31 determines that pixelation processing is not possible.

[0047] If the control unit 31 determines that pixelation processing is not possible, the control unit 31 controls the display unit 21 to display the message image A50. As a result, the display unit 21 can notify the user that pixelation processing cannot be performed.

[0048] Next, the processing executed by the control unit 31 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 10. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the pixelation processing executed by the control unit 31. Figure 10 is a flowchart of the pixelation processing executed by the control unit 31. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the flowchart of the pixelation processing includes steps S1 to S15.

[0049] In step S1, the control unit 31 controls the image reading unit 11 so that the image reading unit 11 reads an image from the document M. The image read by the image reading unit 11 is stored as read data SC in the storage unit 28. The process proceeds to step S2.

[0050] In step S2, the control unit 31 determines whether the operation unit 22 has received an instruction to copy or send a fax. If the operation unit 22 has not received an instruction to copy or send a fax (No in step S2), the process ends as shown in Fig. 10. If the operation unit 22 has received an instruction to copy or send a fax (Yes in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0051] If the answer is Yes in step S2, then in step S3, if a copy instruction is received, the control unit 31 controls the display unit 21 to display the first screen G1. If a FAX transmission instruction is received, the control unit 31 controls the display unit 21 to display a fifth screen G5 (see FIG. 11), which will be described later. The process proceeds to step S4.

[0052] In step S4, the control unit 31 determines whether the first button icon A1, which is a button indicating that pixelation processing is to be performed, has been operated. If the first button icon A1 has not been operated (No in step S4), the processing ends as shown in Fig. 10. If the first button icon A1 has been operated (Yes in step S4), the processing proceeds to step S5.

[0053] If the answer is Yes in step S4, then in step S5, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the fourth to sixth button icons A21 to A23 have been operated to set the pixelation processing level. If the answer is No in step S5, the process repeats step S5. If the answer is Yes in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6.

[0054] If the answer is Yes in step S5, then in step S6, the control unit 31 determines whether or not an instruction to execute the first mode has been accepted. Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the ninth button icon A41, which executes pixelation processing on the object image OP, has been operated. If the ninth button icon A41 has not been operated (No in step S6), the process proceeds to step S14. If the ninth button icon A41 has been operated (Yes in step S6), the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 10.

[0055] If the answer is No in step S6, then in step S14, control unit 31 determines whether an instruction to execute the second mode has been received. Specifically, control unit 31 determines whether tenth button icon A42, which performs pixelation processing on text image TP, has been operated. If tenth button icon A42 has not been operated (No in step S14), the process proceeds to step S15. If tenth button icon A42 has been operated (Yes in step S14), the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 10.

[0056] If the answer is No in step S14, then in step S15, the control unit 31 determines whether or not an instruction to implement the third mode has been accepted. Specifically, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the eleventh button icon A43, which performs pixelation processing on the object image OP and the text image TP, has been operated. If the eleventh button icon A43 has not been operated (No in step S15), the processing ends. If the eleventh button icon A43 has been operated (Yes in step S15), the processing proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 10.

[0057] If the answer is Yes in step 6, Yes in step 14, or Yes in step 15 shown in Fig. 9, the control unit 31 determines whether pixelation processing is possible based on the reading conditions of the read data SC in step S7 shown in Fig. 10. If pixelation processing is not possible (No in step S7), the process proceeds to step S10. If pixelation processing is possible (Yes in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8.

[0058] If the answer is Yes in step S7, in step S8, the control unit 31 performs pixelation processing only on the object image OP according to the degree of pixelation processing set in step S5. The process proceeds to step S9.

[0059] In step S9, the control unit 31 outputs the pixelated scanned data SC. Specifically, when a copy instruction is received, the control unit 31 controls the image forming unit 12 to form the pixelated scanned data SC on the recording medium P. When a FAX transmission instruction is received, the control unit 31 controls the FAX communication unit 24 to transmit the pixelated scanned data SC. The process then ends.

[0060] If the answer is No in step S7, then in step S10, the control unit 31 controls the display unit 21 to display a message image A50 indicating that pixelation processing is not possible, and the processing ends.

[0061] Furthermore, the pixelation process of the control unit 31 of this embodiment can also be performed on fax images. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fifth screen G5 displayed on the display unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The fifth screen G5 is displayed on the display unit 21 when the user selects the fax function and the image reading unit 11 reads the image to be sent. The fifth screen G5 includes multiple icons. The multiple icons include a first button icon A1. The first button icon A1 accepts an instruction for pixelation process. The pixelation process for fax images is the same as the pixelation process for scanned data SC described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10, and therefore will not be described here.

[0062] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner to facilitate understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the speed, material, shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0063] The present invention provides an information processing device and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10: Image forming device 11: Image reading unit 21:Display section 31: Control unit 220: Image forming unit M:Manuscript OP: Object image P: Recording medium TP: Text image

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a pixelation instruction including an instruction to determine an object to be pixelated from an image of a scanned document; a control unit that executes pixelation processing to pixelate the object determined by the reception unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. the images include an object image and a text image; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit performs the pixelation process on all or part of at least one of the object image and the text image, or all or part of the object image and the text image, based on the pixelation instruction.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the pixelation instructions further include instructions for determining a degree of pixelation for the portion of the image to be pixelated.

4. Further comprising a display unit, The information processing device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display the pixelated image.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the pixelation process cannot be performed, the control unit controls the display unit to display an image indicating that the pixelation process cannot be performed.

Images