Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, which can easily generate label data. The image forming apparatus includes an image acquisition unit (101) that acquires an image of a document, an area determination unit (103) that determines whether or not there is a mark area distinguished by a predetermined mark in the acquired document image, and a control unit (104) that controls the image acquisition unit (101) when it is determined that the mark area is present in the document image. A region specifying unit (104) that specifies, on the basis of an object within the marked region, a variable region into which the object can be input, and specifies, on the basis of a region outside the marked region in the document image, a fixed region indicating the format of the document; and a data generating unit (105) that generates document data on the basis of the specified variable region and fixed region.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese patent application No. JP2023-111470, filed on July 6, 2023, and cites the contents of the above application, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method. Background Art

[0003] At present, when printing labels with a barcode printer or the like, label data is customized to suit the design of the label or the like. As a method of customization, customization is usually performed using an application as a label editing tool on a PC (personal computer). The label editing tool can be used to arrange lines and characters, etc., as in an existing drawing application. The label data generated by editing newly created or existing data or the like with the label editing tool is sent to a barcode printer, and is drawn on a paper such as a label sheet by the printer. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of easily generating label data from a document.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problem, an image forming device of one embodiment includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of an original document, an area determination unit that determines whether there is a mark area distinguished by a specified mark in the acquired original document image, a first area determination unit that determines a variable area in which an object can be input based on an object in the mark area when it is determined that the mark area exists in the original document image, a second area determination unit that determines a fixed area representing the format of the original document based on an area outside the mark area in the original document image, and a data generation unit that generates original document data based on the determined variable area and fixed area.

[0006] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, label data can be easily generated from printed labels.

[0007] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the area determination unit determines that an area surrounded by a predetermined line as the mark is the mark area.

[0008] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, the marker area can be identified by surrounding it with a line.

[0009] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the area determination unit determines that the area surrounded by the line is the marking area when the line is a line having a predetermined color.

[0010] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, the marking area can be specified using colored lines.

[0011] The above-mentioned image forming apparatus further includes a transmitting unit that transmits the label data generated by the data generating unit to an external device.

[0012] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, tag data can be transmitted to an external device.

[0013] The above-mentioned image forming apparatus further includes an image processing unit that corrects a tilt of the acquired document image, wherein the area determination unit determines the document image corrected by the image processing unit.

[0014] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, accurate determination can be performed by correcting the image.

[0015] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the area determination section determines the color in the document image by determining whether the values ​​of |RG| and |GB| for each pixel in the document image are equal to or larger than a threshold value.

[0016] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately determine a region surrounded by a colored line.

[0017] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the first area specifying unit detects an area based on an outline outside the line, and extracts the detected area as the labeling area.

[0018] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, it is possible to completely extract the area surrounded by the line.

[0019] In the above-mentioned image forming device, the first area determination unit cuts out a rectangular area based on the object in the extracted marking area. When there are two rectangular areas in one marking area, if the number of points between the two rectangular areas is less than a threshold, the two rectangular areas are treated as one rectangular area.

[0020] According to the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the rectangular area that is unintentionally divided can be treated as one rectangular area.

[0021] In the above-mentioned image forming apparatus, the first region specifying unit performs image analysis on the rectangular region and acquires the position of the rectangular region in the document image.

[0022] According to the above-described image forming apparatus, the position of the variable area can be specified.

[0023] An image forming method according to another aspect of the present invention causes an image forming device to perform the following processing: obtaining an image of an original document, determining whether there is a mark area distinguished by a specified mark in the obtained original document image, and when it is determined that the mark area exists in the original document image, determining a variable area in which an object can be input based on an object in the mark area, and determining a fixed area representing the format of the original document based on an area outside the mark area in the original document image; and generating original document data based on the determined variable area and fixed area.

[0024] According to the above-described image forming method, label data can be easily generated from printed labels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the barcode printer according to the embodiment.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a barcode printer according to the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tag that does not include a variable object according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 A plot of the label data with labels shown.

[0032] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a tag including a variable object according to an embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A plot of the label data with labels shown.

[0034] Fig.10 Detailed description of the invention is given in conjunction with FIG.

[0035] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printed label according to the embodiment.

[0036] Fig.12It shows that the mark has been written Fig.11 Figure of the labels shown.

[0037] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing a variable region according to the embodiment.

[0038] Fig.14 It is a diagram showing a fixed area according to the embodiment.

[0039] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the barcode printer according to the embodiment.

[0040] Description of Reference Numerals

[0041] 10 Image forming device

[0042] 20 Barcode printer (external device)

[0043] 30 Server (external device)

[0044] 101 Image acquisition unit

[0045] 103 Area Determination Department

[0046] 104 area determination unit (first area determination unit, second area determination unit)

[0047] 105 Data Generation Department

[0048] 106 Sending Department

[0049] M Marking Area DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals.

[0051] (Configuration of Image Forming System)

[0052] The configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the image forming system involved in this embodiment.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a barcode printer 20 .

[0054] The image forming device 10 acquires a manuscript as a manuscript image, and generates manuscript data from the manuscript image. The manuscript is pre-printed with characters such as numbers, words, and articles, striped bar codes, two-dimensional codes, and frame lines that distinguish these. As such an image forming device 10, a multifunction machine (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) that prints the read manuscript data on paper or can send it to an external device called a barcode printer 20 or a server 30 via a network N can be cited. In this embodiment, the manuscript read by the image forming device 10 is described as a label attached to a commodity, a packaging box, etc. Therefore, the image forming device 10 reads the label and generates label data based on the image data of the label. In addition, in addition to labels, the image forming device 10 can also use various printed sheets such as bills and tickets as manuscripts.

[0055] The image forming device 10 is connected to the barcode printer 20 via a wired or wireless communication means so as to be able to communicate data. Examples of the wired communication means include Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, IEEE1394 [FIREWIRE (registered trademark)], and LIGHTNING (registered trademark). Examples of the wireless communication means include near field wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), cellular networks, and Wi-Fi.

[0056] The barcode printer 20 forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium by means of an electronic photography method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or the like. In the present embodiment, the sheet to be printed is a label without an image formed thereon, and is stored in the barcode printer 20 as a roll-shaped label sheet formed by pasting a plurality of such labels. The barcode printer 20 is a printer capable of independent printing that does not require a special infrastructure such as a PC (Personal Computer) and independently obtains input information from an input device as an external device, reflects the input information to label data, and prints. For example, as an input device, a PC, a barcode reader, a scanner, a measuring instrument, a thermometer, a multifunction machine, a server, or the like can be cited. As input information, a two-dimensional barcode read by a barcode reader, image information read by a scanner, the weight of an object to be measured measured by a measuring instrument, the temperature measured by a thermometer, information obtained via a network N, or the like can be cited.

[0057] When the barcode printer 20 obtains the input information, it forms an image on the label by reflecting the input information as pre-stored format data. The barcode printer 20 involved in this embodiment obtains label data including format data from the image forming device 10, and forms an image on the label on the label sheet based on the label data. The label data involved in this embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a server 30 which is a cloud server as an external apparatus via a network N so as to be data communicable. The server 30 may be a cloud server. The image forming apparatus 10 can transmit the generated tag data via the network N.

[0059] (Hardware Configuration)

[0060] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 and the barcode printer 20 will be described. Figure 2 Detailed description of the drawings is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 11 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 , a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 , a communication IF (InterFace) 14 , a scanner 15 , a printer 16 and an image database 17 .

[0062] The MPU 11 loads various programs into the RAM 13 as a volatile storage area and executes the programs for executing the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS (Operating System), general application programs, and image forming processing (image forming method) described later, which are read from the ROM 12 as a non-volatile storage area. The communication IF 14 is used for communication with the barcode printer 20 and the server 30 via the network N.

[0063] The scanner 15 irradiates light to the label placed on the manuscript table such as a glass plate through a light source, receives reflected light from the manuscript surface and converts it into electronic data, thereby acquiring the label as an image (for example, an RGB image). The printer 16 forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium by an electronic photographic printing method, an inkjet printing method, a thermal transfer method, etc. Examples of the image include an image acquired by the scanner 15 and data acquired from an external device. In addition to storing the image data acquired by the scanner 15, the image database 17 also stores label data generated by the image formation process described later.

[0064] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the barcode printer according to this embodiment.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, the barcode printer 20 includes an MPU 21 , a ROM 22 , a RAM 23 , a communication IF 24 , a printer hardware 25 , and a label database 26 .

[0066] The MPU 21 loads various programs such as the BIOS, OS, and general-purpose application programs read from the ROM 22 as a nonvolatile storage area onto the RAM 23 as a volatile storage area and executes the programs. The communication IF 24 is used for communication with the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0067] The printer hardware 25 is hardware for printing on label sheets, and includes, for example, a platen motor for driving a platen roller, a print head having a heating element, and a cutting unit for cutting label sheets. The printer hardware 25 is controlled by the MPU 21. The label database 26 stores label data acquired from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0068] (Functional composition)

[0069] Next, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. Figure 4 Detailed Description of the Invention This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0070] like Figure 4 As shown, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image acquisition unit 101, an image processing unit 102, an area determination unit 103, an area identification unit 104, a data generation unit 105, and a transmission unit 106 as functions. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the image forming apparatus 10 described above.

[0071] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires a label image (original image) as an image of a label using the scanner 15, and stores it in the image database 17. The image processing unit 102 performs predetermined image processing such as slope correction, color conversion, and filter processing on the label image. The area determination unit 103 determines whether there is a label area in the label image and whether the variable object is a character string. The label area will be described later.

[0072] The area determination unit 104 determines the variable area existing in the label image and determines the fixed area existing in the label image. The variable area and the fixed area will be described later. The data generation unit 105 generates label data based on the determined variable area and fixed area. The sending unit 106 sends the label data generated by the data generation unit 105 to the barcode printer 20, the server 30, etc.

[0073] Next, the functional configuration of the barcode printer 20 will be described. Figure 5 This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the barcode printer according to this embodiment.

[0074] like Figure 5 As shown, the barcode printer 20 includes a data acquisition unit 201, a data determination unit 202, and a label printing unit 203 as functions. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the barcode printer 20 described above.

[0075] The data acquisition unit 201 acquires label data generated by the image forming apparatus 10 and stores it in the label database 26. The data determination unit 202 determines whether the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 201 is label data or input information from an input device, etc. The label printing unit 203 prints a label based on the input information and / or the label data stored in the label database 26.

[0076] (Tag data)

[0077] Next, the tag data will be described in detail. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a label that does not include a variable object. Figure 7 It is shown Figure 6 A plot of the label data with labels shown.

[0078] like Figure 6As shown, a plurality of fixed objects 411, 412 are drawn on the label LA involved in this embodiment. The fixed object 411 is drawn as a frame line extending in the horizontal direction. The fixed object 412 is drawn as characters such as Name, Address, Phone, etc. The area showing these fixed objects 411, 412 is a fixed area showing the basic format (label format) of the label LA. In addition, the fixed objects 411, 412 described here are only examples, and various characters and frame lines such as numbers, words, articles, symbols, etc. can be fixed objects.

[0079] In addition, the areas shown by marks 421 to 423 are variable areas where variable objects are drawn. Variable objects are characters including numbers, words, articles, symbols, etc., graphics such as bar codes, image codes such as two-dimensional codes, etc., which are appropriately input and changed according to the object to which the label is attached. In other words, variable objects 421 to 423 are input information from an external input device, and the variable area can be said to be an area where the input information is input.

[0080] The tag data in this embodiment is Figure 6 The label LA shown is converted to Figure 7 The data following the character string data shown in FIG. 1 is specifically a set of parameters, and is converted into a print instruction indicating the position and content (characters, graphics, etc.) within the label LA. The data converted into the print instruction is the label data. Figure 7 The shaded portion shown indicates the portion where each variable object is input, that is, the variable area corresponding to each printing instruction. Here, the shaded portion is obviously a blank column. Figure 7 In the example shown, a variable object 421 is input in the print instruction of the third line from the top. Furthermore, respective corresponding variable objects 422 are input in the print instructions of the fifth to seventh lines from the top. A variable object 423 is input in the print instruction of the eighth line from the top.

[0081] In addition, among variable objects, there are variable objects to which data is automatically assigned based on input information and variable objects to which data is manually assigned by the user using a device such as a PC. For example, label data including variable objects to which data is automatically assigned is generated and stored in the label database 26 of the barcode printer 20. In this state, when input information read and sent by a barcode reader is obtained, the corresponding information included in the input information is assigned to the variable object to which data is automatically assigned without manual assignment. Figure 7 In the label data shown, variable objects 421 and 423 are variable objects to which input information from an input device is automatically assigned, and variable object 422 is a variable object input by a user.

[0082] The difference between these objects is caused by whether the automatic allocation of input information is set in advance. Specifically, the automatic allocation of input information can be set by editing the label data after the label data is generated. For example, the selection of the input device using the label data (the correspondence between the label data and the input device), which information contained in the input information is automatically allocated to which variable area of ​​the label data, etc. are set. The user of the image forming device 10 or the barcode printer 20 performs this editing separately.

[0083] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a tag including a variable object. Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A plot of the label data with labels shown.

[0084] like Figure 8 As shown, in the case where the label LA includes variable objects 421 to 423, Fig. 9 In the label data shown, variable objects 421 to 423 are inputted corresponding to each printing command. The barcode printer 20 can create a label based on the label data in a state in which the variable objects 421 to 423 are inputted. Figure 8 Label LA shown.

[0085] (Image Formation Process)

[0086] Next, the image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail. Fig.10 1 is a flowchart showing the image forming process involved in the present embodiment. The image forming process involved in the present embodiment is executed by setting a label on the original plate of the scanner 15 of the image forming device 10 and executing the scanning of the image as a trigger. In addition, in order to distinguish it from the normal scanning, in addition to the "Execute Scan" button, it is preferable to selectively display an "Execute Label Creation Scan" button for executing the image forming process on the display (not shown) of the image forming device 10.

[0087] First, before the image forming process, the user writes a mark in the place where the image forming device 10 is expected to recognize as a variable area for the label that is expected to be used as label data. The mark in this embodiment is a handwritten mark line that surrounds the place that is expected to be a variable area. For example, when Fig.11 When the label LB shown is the label you want to use as label data, such as Fig.12 As shown, the user writes the mark area M by surrounding the place that the image forming device 10 wants to recognize as a variable area with a mark line. At this time, it is preferable that the mark line is a line with a color different from the line such as the frame line in the label, such as red. By having this color, the image forming device 10 can easily determine that the mark area M surrounded by the mark line is a variable area.

[0088] When the label LB is scanned in a state where the label has been written, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the label image of the label LB (S101) and saves it in the image database 17 (S102). After saving the image, the image processing unit 102 performs the above-mentioned prescribed image processing on the label image (S103) to correct the label image. After the image processing, the area determination unit 103 determines whether the label area M is included in the corrected label image (S104). In the present embodiment, the determination is performed based on whether there is an area surrounded by a label line having a prescribed color as described above. For example, the area determination unit 103 determines the color in the label image by determining whether the values ​​of |RG| and |GB| of each pixel in the label image are above a threshold. In addition, it can also be transformed into the L*a*b* space, and the case where it is included in the area of ​​a pre-set color is determined as the prescribed color. When it is determined that the label image after correction contains the label area M (S104, YES), the area determination unit 104 extracts the label area M (S105).

[0089] Specifically, the region determination unit 104 detects a region (region of the outermost contour) based on the contour outside the marking line forming the marking region M. For example, the region determination unit 104 detects a region along the contour line of the marking region M. This is the function of the first region determination unit. After detection, the region determination unit 104 extracts the detected region as the marking region M. Accordingly, the region determination unit 104 can detect the region surrounded by the marking line by the user without omission, and can extract the image of the region desired by the user.

[0090] In addition, there may be a case where the frame line is unintentionally included in the mark area M. Therefore, when a part of the set of linear points is included in the mark area M and extends outside the mark area M, it can be determined whether the length of the extended portion (the number of points) exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the length of the extended portion (the number of points) exceeds a predetermined threshold, the portion is determined to be a fixed object and is excluded from the rectangular area. The predetermined threshold is preferably set to a value at which the striped barcode is not excluded from the rectangular area.

[0091] After extracting the marker region M, the region determination unit 104 cuts out a rectangular region based on the object (variable object) in the extracted marker region M (S106). The rectangular region can be cut out using an existing method. In addition, a set of black pixels with an interval of less than a predetermined number of white pixels (pixels of the background color) can be identified as a character string, and the outermost contour of the character string or graphic can be used as a rectangular region.

[0092] In addition, multiple rectangular areas may be accidentally cut out in one marking area M. In order to avoid accidentally cutting out multiple rectangular areas, it is preferred to pre-set a threshold value of the number of points between two adjacent rectangular areas. For example, when two rectangular areas are cut out, if the number of points between the two rectangular areas is less than the threshold value, the two rectangular areas are determined to be unintentionally segmented rectangular areas and are regarded as one rectangular area.

[0093] After cutting out the rectangular area, the area determination unit 104 performs image analysis on the cut-out rectangular area. (S107), and determines that the analyzed rectangular area is a variable area (S108) (first area determination unit). In addition, at least the position (coordinate position) of the rectangular area in the label image is obtained through image analysis. In addition, the variable object forming each rectangular area is identified through image analysis to see whether it is a string, a graphic, or an image code. Such image analysis can be performed using existing image analysis processing, and detailed description is omitted. Preferably, the analysis result is stored in the image database 17 in correspondence with the label image through the area determination unit 104. Fig.13 The determined variable regions are shown in .

[0094] After determining the variable area, the area determination unit 103 determines whether the variable object of the variable area is a character string based on the analysis result (S109). When it is determined that the variable object is a character string (S109, YES), the image processing unit 102 performs a conventional character recognition process such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize the character string (S110).

[0095] After recognizing the character string, the area determination unit 104 extracts the area except the marking area M from the corrected label image, in other words, extracts the area except the variable area (S111). After the extraction, the area determination unit 104 cuts out a rectangular area based on the object (fixed object) in the extracted area (S112). The method of cutting out the rectangular area can be the same as the method of cutting out the rectangular area related to the variable area. After cutting out the rectangular area, the area determination unit 104 performs image analysis on the cut rectangular area (S113), and determines the analyzed rectangular area as a fixed area (S114) (second area determination unit). Fig.14 The determined fixed area is shown in . The method of image analysis can be the same as the method of analyzing the rectangular area related to the variable area.

[0096] After the fixed area is determined, the data generation unit 105 generates label data based on the determined variable area and fixed area (S115). The label data generated here is generated as a printing instruction including the coordinates of the variable area and the fixed area as described above. For example, the variable area corresponding to each fixed area is allocated according to the saved analysis results, especially the coordinates. In addition, since the label data here is the so-called format data, Figure 7 As shown, the variable area does not include a variable object. Therefore, step S109 of determining whether the variable object is a character string and step S110 of performing character recognition such as OCR can be omitted. In addition, label data including the variable object can be generated separately.

[0097] After generating the label data, the sending unit 106 sends the label data to a preset printer, here the barcode printer 20 (S117), and ends the present process. On the other hand, in step S109, when it is determined that the variable object is not a character string (S109, NO), the process transitions to step S111. Furthermore, in step S104, when it is determined that the mark area M is not included in the corrected label image (S104, NO), the process similarly transitions to the process of step S111. In this case, since the variable area is not included in the label data, the image forming device 10 can either inform the user of the error or generate label data that does not include the variable area.

[0098] The operation of the barcode printer 20 after transmitting label data will be briefly described. Fig.15 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the barcode printer 20 according to this embodiment. This process is executed using data obtained from the image forming device 10 or the input device as a trigger.

[0099] First, the data determination unit 202 determines whether the specified data has been obtained by the data acquisition unit 201 (S201). The specified data refers to the tag data or the input information sent from the input device. In the case where the specified data has not been obtained (S201, NO), the data determination unit 202 determines again whether the specified data has been obtained by the data acquisition unit 201 after a specified time has passed.

[0100] On the other hand, when the specified data has been obtained (S201, YES), the data determination unit 202 determines whether the obtained specified data is label data (S202). When the obtained specified data is label data (S202, YES), the data determination unit 202 saves the obtained label data in the label database 26 (S203). After saving, the process proceeds to the determination process of step S201.

[0101] On the other hand, when the acquired data is not label data (S202, NO), the data determination unit 202 determines that the acquired data is input information from the input device (S204). Next, the label printing unit 203 reads the label data corresponding to the input device indicated in the input information from the label database 26 (S205). After reading, the label printing unit 203 appropriately reflects (allocates) the input information to the read label data and prints the label (S206), and ends the present process. Here, the reflection of the input information to the label data can be performed by the user of the barcode printer 20, or it can be performed based on the automatic allocation set by pre-editing the label data.

[0102] The editing of label data is briefly described. The label data sent to the barcode printer 20 and stored in the label database 26 is appropriately edited by the user on the barcode printer 20 or through a device such as a PC that can access the label data in the barcode printer 20. As an example of such editing, the selection of an input device for using label data (correspondence between label data and input device) can be cited. In addition, as an example of such editing, the definition of which information included in the input information is automatically assigned to which variable area of ​​the label data, and the addition of characters and graphics can be cited.

[0103] This kind of label data editing can be performed by the user of the image forming device 10 before the label data is sent. For example, after the label data is generated, the image forming process is terminated without automatically sending the label data to the barcode printer 20. After the process is completed, the user edits the label data in the image forming device 10 by operating the image forming device 10, or edits the label data in the image forming device 10 by operating a device such as a PC that can access the label data. After the editing is completed, the user manually sends the edited label data to the barcode printer 20 or the server 30.

[0104] According to the present embodiment described above, label data can be easily generated based on the printed label. At this time, in the label data, the variable area and the fixed area are distinguished and included. Therefore, it is also easy for the user to edit the label data. In addition, the label data generated by the linkage of the image forming device 10 and the barcode printer 20 can be automatically sent to the barcode printer 20.

[0105] In the present embodiment described above, the area determination unit 103 determines an area surrounded by a predetermined color line as the marker area M. However, an area surrounded by a predetermined elliptical line may be determined as the marker area M without making a color determination.

[0106] In addition, in order to automatically assign predetermined information without editing, the automatic assignment of input information to the variable area in the label data can be written into the label data or set in the barcode printer 20. For example, the area determination unit 103 of the image forming device 10 determines whether the attribute of the variable object (for example, date) is an object for automatic assignment based on the analysis result. In the case where it is determined that the attribute is an object for automatic assignment, the data generation unit 105 configures in the label data a setting such as automatically rewriting the information of the same attribute (for example, date) included in the input information according to the variable object. Alternatively, the set information can also be sent to the barcode printer 20 together with the label data. In addition, although the example shows that whether to automatically assign is determined based on the attribute of the variable object, the automatic assignment can also be set for the variable area associated with the specified printing instruction. In addition, the color of the line used as the marking line can be different, and / or the marking area M can be distinguished by distinguishing the area surrounded by the line and the area filled with the mark, so as to distinguish the variable object to be set for automatic assignment.

[0107] In addition, in the present embodiment, a barcode printer 20 is configured in the image forming system 1, but any type of printer can be used as long as it can obtain label data from the image forming device 10 and print labels based on the data. In addition, in the present embodiment, the barcode printer 20 is described as a so-called barcode label printer. However, any type of printer can be used as long as it can obtain label data (original data) generated by the image forming device 10 and print based on the data. For example, it can be a receipt printer or a multifunction machine that is the same as the image forming device 10. In addition, the barcode printer 20 can obtain label data via the network N.

[0108] Although the embodiments of the invention have been described, the embodiments are presented only as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: An image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a document; an area determination unit for determining whether a mark area distinguished by a predetermined mark exists in the acquired document image; A first area determination unit that, when it is determined that the mark area exists in the document image, determines a variable area in which an object can be input based on an object in the mark area; a second area determination unit that determines a fixed area indicating a format of the document based on an area outside the mark area in the document image; as well as The data generating unit generates document data based on the determined variable area and the fixed area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The area determination unit determines an area surrounded by a predetermined line as the mark as the mark area.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The area determination unit determines that the area surrounded by the line is the labeling area when the line is a line having a predetermined color.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The transmitting unit transmits the tag data generated by the data generating unit to an external device.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: The image processing unit corrects the tilt of the acquired document image, wherein: The area determination section determines the document image corrected by the image processing section.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The area determination unit determines |RG|, | The color in the document image is determined by determining whether the value of GB| is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The first region specifying unit detects a region based on a contour outside the line, and extracts the detected region as a label region.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The first area determination unit cuts out a rectangular area based on the object in the extracted mark area, and when there are two rectangular areas in one mark area, if the number of points between the two rectangular areas is less than a threshold, the two rectangular areas are regarded as one rectangular area.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: The first region specifying unit performs image analysis on the rectangular region and acquires a position of the rectangular region in the document image.

10. An image forming method, characterized in that: The image forming device is caused to execute the following processing: Get the image of the original, determining whether there is a mark area distinguished by a predetermined mark in the acquired document image, If it is determined that the mark area exists in the document image, a variable area in which an object can be input is determined based on the object in the mark area. determining a fixed area indicating a format of the document based on an area outside the marking area in the document image; as well as Document data is generated based on the determined variable area and the fixed area.

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