Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can easily generate label data.SOLUTION: In an image forming system having an image forming apparatus that can print read document data on a sheet or transmit the document data to an external device such as a bar code printer or a server via a network, the image forming apparatus comprises: an image acquisition unit 101 that acquires an image of a document; an area determination unit 103 that determines whether there is a mark area distinguished by a predetermined mark in the acquired document image; an area determination unit 104 that, when it is determined that the mark area is in the document image, on the basis of an object in the mark area, determines a variable area allowing input of the object, and on the basis of an area outside the mark area in the document image, determines a stationary area indicating the format of the document; and a data generation unit 105 that generates document data on the basis of the determined variable area and the stationary area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when printing labels using a barcode printer or the like, label data such as the label design is customized as appropriate. A common method of customization is to use an application as a label editing tool on a PC (Personal Computer). The label editing tool makes it possible to place lines and characters, just like existing drawing applications. Label data that is newly created or generated by editing existing data using the label editing tool is sent to a barcode printer, which then draws the data on paper such as a label sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-236462 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for easily generating label data from a document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One embodiment is characterized by comprising an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of a document; an area determination unit that determines whether or not there is a marked area distinguished by a predetermined mark within the acquired document image; a first area determination unit that determines a variable area into which an object can be input based on an object within the marked area if it is determined that there is the marked area within the document image; a second area determination unit that determines a fixed area indicating the format of the document based on an area outside the marked area in the document image; and a data generation unit that generates document data based on the determined variable area and fixed area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a barcode printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a barcode printer according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a label that does not include a variable object according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing label data of the label shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a label including a variable object according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing label data of the label shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing an image forming process according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a printed label according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows the label shown in FIG. 11 with markings. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a variable region according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fixed region according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the barcode printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0008] (Configuration of Image Forming System) The configuration of the image forming system according to this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the image forming system according to this embodiment.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a barcode printer 20.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 10 captures an original document on which characters such as numbers, words, and sentences, striped barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes, and borders separating these, are printed as an original document image, and generates original document data from the original document image. An example of such an image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that can print the read original document data on paper or transmit it to an external device such as a barcode printer 20 or a server 30 via a network N. In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the original document read by the image forming apparatus 10 is a label to be attached to a product, a packing box, or the like. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the label and generates label data from the image data of the label. Note that the image forming apparatus 10 can use various printed sheet-like objects such as receipts and tickets as the original document, not limited to labels.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the barcode printer 20 via wired or wireless communication means so as to be able to communicate data. Examples of wired communication means include Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, IEEE1394 [FIREWIRE (registered trademark)], LIGHTNING (registered trademark), etc. Examples of wireless communication means include short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0012] The barcode printer 20 forms an image on a sheet as a recording medium by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or the like. In this embodiment, the sheet to be printed is a label on which an image is not formed, and the label is stored in the barcode printer 20 as a roll-shaped label sheet with a plurality of labels attached thereto. The barcode printer 20 is a printer capable of standalone printing, which does not require a special infrastructure such as a PC (Personal Computer) and independently acquires input information from an input device as an external device, reflects the input information in label data, and prints the data. Examples of the input device include a PC, a code reader, a scanner, a measuring instrument, a thermometer, a multifunction machine, a server, and the like. Examples of the input information include a two-dimensional barcode read by a code 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 acquired via a network N, and the like.

[0013] When the barcode printer 20 receives this input information, it forms an image on a label by reflecting the input information in pre-stored format data. The barcode printer 20 according to this embodiment receives label data including format data from the image forming device 10, and forms an image on a label on a label sheet based on the label data. The label data according to this embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0014] In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a server 30, which is a cloud server serving as an external device, via a network N so as to be able to communicate data with the server 30. The server 30 may be a cloud server. The image forming apparatus 10 can transmit generated label data via the network N.

[0015] (Hardware configuration) Next, there will be described the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 and the barcode printer 20. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a micro processing unit (MPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a communication interface (IF) 14, a scanner 15, a printer 16, and an image database 17.

[0017] The MPU 11 executes various programs, such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), an OS (Operating System), general-purpose applications, and a program for executing an image forming process (an image forming method) described below, which are read from a ROM 12, which is a non-volatile storage area, by expanding them on a RAM 13, which is a volatile storage area. The communication IF 14 is used for communication with the barcode printer 20 and the server 30 via the network N.

[0018] The scanner 15 uses a light-emitting element to irradiate light onto a label placed on a platen such as a glass plate, receives the light reflected from the surface of the document, and converts it into electronic data to capture the label as an image (e.g., an RGB image). The printer 16 forms an image on a sheet serving as a recording medium by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, or the like. Examples of the image include an image captured by the scanner 15 and data obtained from an external device. The image database 17 stores image data captured by the scanner 15 as well as label data generated by an image formation process described below.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the barcode printer according to this embodiment.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the barcode printer 20 includes an MPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a communication IF 24, printer hardware 25, and a label database 26.

[0021] The MPU 21 executes various programs such as the BIOS, the OS, and general-purpose applications read from the ROM 22, which is a non-volatile storage area, by expanding them on the RAM 23, which is a volatile storage area. The communication IF 24 is used for communication with the image forming apparatus 10.

[0022] The printer hardware 25 is hardware that prints on the label sheet and includes, for example, a platen motor that drives a platen roller, a print head that has heating elements, a cutter unit that cuts the label sheet, etc. The printer hardware 25 is controlled by the MPU 21. The label database 26 stores the label data obtained from the image forming device 10.

[0023] (Functional configuration) Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0024] 4, the image forming apparatus 10 includes, as its functions, an image acquisition unit 101, an image processing unit 102, an area determination unit 103, an area determination unit 104, a data generation unit 105, and a transmission unit 106. These functions are realized by cooperation of the hardware of the image forming apparatus 10 described above.

[0025] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires a label image (original image) that is 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 tilt correction, color conversion, and filter processing on the label image. The area determination unit 103 determines whether or not there is a mark area in the label image, and whether or not the variable object is a character string. The mark area will be described later.

[0026] The area determination unit 104 determines a variable area within the label image, and also determines a fixed area within the label image. Variable areas and fixed areas will be described later. The data generation unit 105 generates label data based on the determined variable and fixed areas. The transmission unit 106 transmits the label data generated by the data generation unit 105 to the barcode printer 20, the server 30, etc.

[0027] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the barcode printer 20. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the barcode printer according to this embodiment.

[0028] 5, the barcode printer 20 includes, as its functions, a data acquisition unit 201, a data determination unit 202, and a label printing unit 203. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the barcode printer 20 described above.

[0029] The data acquisition unit 201 acquires the label data generated from 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. The label printing unit 203 prints a label based on the input information and / or the label data stored in the label database 26.

[0030] (Label data) Next, the label data will be described in detail. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a label that does not include a variable object. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the label data of the label shown in Fig. 6.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6, a number of fixed objects 411, 412 are drawn on the label LA according to this embodiment. The fixed object 411 is drawn as a frame line extending in the horizontal direction. The fixed objects 412 are drawn as characters such as Name, Address, Phone, etc. The area in which these fixed objects 411, 412 are shown becomes a fixed area that shows the basic format (label format) of the label LA. Note that the fixed objects 411, 412 described here are only examples, and various characters such as numbers, words, sentences, and symbols, as well as frame lines, can become fixed objects.

[0032] Moreover, the areas indicated by the reference numerals 421 to 423 are variable areas in which variable objects are drawn. Variable objects are input and changed as appropriate according to the object to which the label is affixed, such as characters such as numbers, words, sentences, and symbols, or figures including image codes such as striped barcodes and two-dimensional codes. In other words, the variable objects 421 to 423 are input information from an external input device, and the variable areas are areas in which the input information is input.

[0033] The label data in this embodiment is obtained by converting the label LA shown in FIG. 6 into character string data shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, it is a set of parameters, and is converted into a print command indicating the position and contents (characters, figures, etc.) within the label LA. The data converted into the print command becomes the label data. The hatched areas shown in FIG. 7 indicate the areas where the respective variable objects are input, that is, the variable areas corresponding to the respective print commands. Here, the hatched areas are naturally blank. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a variable object 421 is input into the print command in the third line from the top. Furthermore, corresponding variable objects 422 are input into the print commands in the fifth to seventh lines from the top. A variable object 423 is input into the print command in the eighth line from the top.

[0034] Note that there are variable objects to which data is automatically assigned in response to input information, and variable objects to which data is manually assigned by the user using a device such as a PC. For example, assume that label data including variable objects to which data is automatically assigned is generated and stored in label database 26 of barcode printer 20. In this state, when input information is read by a barcode reader and transmitted and acquired, the corresponding information included in the input information is assigned to the variable object to which data is automatically assigned without human intervention. In the label data shown in Fig. 7, variable objects 421 and 423 are automatically assigned based on input information from an input device, and variable object 422 is input by the user.

[0035] The difference between these objects arises depending on whether or not automatic allocation of input information has been preset. Specifically, after label data is generated, the automatic allocation of input information can be set by editing the label data. For example, the selection of the input device that uses the label data (association of the label data with the input device), which information contained in the input information is to be automatically assigned to which variable area of ​​the label data, etc. are set. This editing is performed separately by the user of the image forming apparatus 10 or barcode printer 20.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a label including a variable object, and Fig. 9 is a diagram showing label data of the label shown in Fig. 8.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, when the label LA includes variable objects 421-423, the variable objects 421-423 are input in correspondence with each print command into the label data shown in Fig. 9. The barcode printer 20 can produce the label LA shown in Fig. 8 based on the label data in which the variable objects 421-423 have been input.

[0038] (Image formation processing) Next, the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the image forming process according to this embodiment. The image forming process according to this embodiment is triggered by a label being set on the platen of the scanner 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 and an image being scanned. In addition to the "scan execution" button, it is preferable to selectably display a "label creation scan execution" button, which executes the image forming process, on a display (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10, in order to distinguish from normal scanning.

[0039] First, prior to image formation processing, the user writes a mark on a portion of the label to be used as label data that the user wants the image forming apparatus 10 to recognize as a variable area. In this embodiment, the mark is a handwritten marker line, and the portion to be used as a variable area is surrounded by the marker line. For example, assuming that the label LB shown in FIG. 11 is the label to be used as label data, the user writes a mark area M by surrounding a portion to be used as a variable area by the image forming apparatus 10 with a marker line, as shown in FIG. 12. At this time, it is preferable that the marker line has a chromatic color, such as red, that is different from lines such as the frame line in the label. By having the chromatic color, the image forming apparatus 10 can easily determine that the mark area M surrounded by the marker line is a variable area.

[0040] When the label LB is scanned in a state where the mark is written, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires the label image of the label LB (S101) and stores it in the image database 17 (S102). After storing the image, the image processing unit 102 performs the above-mentioned predetermined image processing on the label image (S103) to correct the label image. After the image processing, the area determination unit 103 determines whether or not the corrected label image includes a mark area M (S104). In this embodiment, this determination is made based on whether or not there is an area surrounded by a marker line having a predetermined chromatic color, as described above. For example, the area determination unit 103 determines whether or not the value of |RG| or |GB| for each pixel in the label image is equal to or greater than a threshold value to determine the chromatic color in the label image. Note that the image may be converted into an L*a*b* space, and a case where the image is included in a region of a preset chromatic color may be determined to be the predetermined chromatic color. If it is determined that the mark region M is included in the corrected label image (S104, YES), the region determining unit 104 extracts the mark region M (S105).

[0041] Specifically, the region determination unit 104 detects a region (the outermost region) based on the outer contour of the marker line that forms the mark region M. For example, the region determination unit 104 detects a region along the contour line of the mark region M. After detection, the region determination unit 104 extracts the detected region as the mark region M. In this way, the region determination unit 104 can accurately detect the region that the user has surrounded with the marker line, and can extract an image of the region that matches the user's intention.

[0042] It should be noted that there is a possibility that the frame line may be unintentionally included within the mark area M. Therefore, when a part of a set of linear dots is included within the mark area M and extends outside the mark area M, it may be determined whether or not the length (number of dots) of the extending part exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the length (number of dots) of the extending part exceeds the predetermined threshold, the part is determined as a fixed object and is excluded from the rectangular area. It is preferable to set the predetermined threshold to a value that does not exclude a striped barcode from the rectangular area.

[0043] After extracting the mark area M, the area determination unit 104 cuts out a rectangular area based on the object (variable object) in the extracted mark area M (S106). An existing method may be used to cut out the rectangular area. Alternatively, a set of black pixels spaced apart by a predetermined number of white pixels (background color pixels) or less may be recognized as a character string, and the outermost boundary of the character string or figure may be determined as a rectangular area.

[0044] It should be noted that there is a possibility that a plurality of rectangular regions may be unintentionally cut out within one mark region M. In order to prevent a plurality of rectangular regions from being unintentionally cut out, it is preferable to set a threshold value for the number of dots intervening between two adjacent rectangular regions in advance. For example, if the number of dots intervening between the two rectangular regions is less than the threshold value, these two rectangular regions are determined to be unintentionally divided rectangular regions and are treated as a single rectangular region.

[0045] After the rectangular region is cut out, the region determination unit 104 performs image analysis on the cut out rectangular region (S107), and determines the analyzed rectangular region as a variable region (S108). The image analysis at least obtains the position (coordinate position) of the rectangular region in the label image. The image analysis also identifies whether the variable object forming each rectangular region is a character string, a figure, or an image code. Such image analysis can be performed using existing image analysis processing, and a detailed description will be omitted. The analysis result is preferably stored by the region determination unit 104 in association with the label image in the image database 17. FIG. 13 shows the determined variable region.

[0046] After the variable region is determined, the region determination unit 103 determines whether the variable object in the variable region is a character string from the analysis result (S109). If the variable object is determined to be a character string (S109, YES), the image processing unit 102 performs an existing character recognition process such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to recognize the character string (S110).

[0047] After recognizing the character string, the area determination unit 104 extracts an area other than the mark area M, in other words, other than the variable area, from the corrected label image (S111). After extraction, the area determination unit 104 cuts out a rectangular area based on an object (fixed object) in the extracted area (S112). The method for cutting out the rectangular area may be the same as the method for cutting out a rectangular area related to a variable area. After cutting out the rectangular area, the area determination unit 104 performs image analysis of the cut out rectangular area (S113), and determines the analyzed rectangular area as a fixed area (S114). The determined fixed area is shown in FIG. 14. The method of image analysis may be the same as the method of analyzing a rectangular area related to a variable area.

[0048] After the fixed area is determined, the data generating unit 105 generates label data based on the determined variable area and fixed area (S115). The label data generated here is generated as a print command including the coordinates of the variable area and the fixed area as described above. For example, a corresponding variable area is assigned to each fixed area based on each saved analysis result, particularly the coordinates. Note that since the label data here is so-called format data, the variable area does not include a variable object as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, step S109 for determining whether the variable object is a character string or not and step S110 for performing character recognition such as OCR may be omitted. Alternatively, label data including a variable object may be generated separately.

[0049] After generating the label data, the transmitting unit 106 transmits the label data to a preset printer, in this case the barcode printer 20 (S117). This process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the variable object is not a character string (S109, NO), the process proceeds to step S111. Also, if it is determined in step S104 that the corrected label image does not include a mark area M (S104, NO), the process also proceeds to step S111. In this case, since the label data does not include a variable area, the image forming apparatus 10 may notify the user of an error, or may generate label data that does not include a variable area.

[0050] The operation of the barcode printer 20 to which the label data has been transmitted will be briefly described below. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the barcode printer 20 according to this embodiment. This process is triggered by the acquisition of data from the image forming device 10 or an input device.

[0051] First, the data determination unit 202 determines whether or not the data acquisition unit 201 has acquired the predetermined data (S201). The predetermined data is label data or input information transmitted from an input device. If the predetermined data is not acquired (S201, NO), the data determination unit 202 determines again after a predetermined time has elapsed whether or not the data acquisition unit 201 has acquired the predetermined data.

[0052] On the other hand, if the predetermined data is acquired (S201, YES), the data determination unit 202 determines whether the acquired predetermined data is label data (S202). If the acquired predetermined data is label data (S202, YES), the data determination unit 202 stores the acquired label data in the label database 26 (S203). After storage, the process proceeds to the determination process of step S201.

[0053] On the other hand, if the acquired data is not label data (S202, NO), the data determination unit 202 determines that the acquired data is input information from an input device (S204). Next, the label printing unit 203 reads out 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 reflects (assigns) the input information to the read label data as appropriate, prints a label (S206), and this process ends. The input information here may be reflected in the label data by the user of the barcode printer 20, or may be reflected based on automatic assignment set by editing the label data in advance.

[0054] A brief description of editing of label data will be given. 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 on a device such as a PC that can access the label data in the barcode printer 20. Examples of such editing include the selection of an input device that uses the label data (associating the label data with the input device). Examples of such editing include the definition of which information included in the input information is automatically assigned to which variable area of ​​the label data, the addition of characters and figures, etc.

[0055] Such editing of the label data may be performed by the user of image forming apparatus 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 barcode printer 20. After the process is terminated, the user edits the label data in image forming apparatus 10 by operating image forming apparatus 10, or by operating a device such as a PC that can access the label data. After editing, the label data manually edited by the user is sent to barcode printer 20 or server 30.

[0056] According to the present embodiment described above, it is possible to easily generate label data from a label that has already been printed. At this time, the label data can include variable and fixed areas separately. This makes it easy for the user to edit the label data. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 and the barcode printer 20 can cooperate to automatically send the generated label data to the barcode printer 20.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the area determination unit 103 determines that an area surrounded by a line of a predetermined chromatic color is the mark area M. However, it is also possible to determine that an area surrounded by a line of a predetermined elliptical shape is the mark area M without performing color determination.

[0058] Furthermore, automatic allocation of input information to variable areas in label data may not be performed by editing, but may be performed by adding predetermined information to the label data or setting the barcode printer 20 in advance so that the input information is automatically assigned. For example, the area determination unit 103 of the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether an attribute of a variable object (e.g., date) is a target for automatic allocation from the analysis result. If it is determined that the attribute is a target for automatic allocation, the data generation unit 105 incorporates a setting in the label data such that the variable object is automatically rewritten with information of the same attribute (e.g., date) included in the input information. Alternatively, the setting information may be transmitted to the barcode printer 20 together with the label data. Although it has been exemplified that whether automatic allocation is performed is determined according to the attribute of a variable object, automatic allocation may be set for a variable area related to a predetermined print command. Furthermore, variable objects for which automatic allocation should be set may be distinguished by using different colors as marker lines and / or by using different mark areas M for objects surrounded by a line and objects filled with a marker.

[0059] In this embodiment, the barcode printer 20 is incorporated in the image forming system 1, but any printer may be used as long as it is capable of acquiring label data from the image forming apparatus 10 and printing a label based on the acquired label data. In this embodiment, the barcode printer 20 has been described as a so-called barcode label printer. However, any printer may be used as long as it is capable of acquiring label data (original data) generated by the image forming apparatus 10 and printing based on the acquired label data. For example, the barcode printer 20 may be a receipt printer or a multifunction device similar to the image forming apparatus 10. The barcode printer 20 may also be configured to acquire the label data via the network N.

[0060] Although an embodiment of the invention has been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Image forming device 20 Barcode printer (external device) 30 Server (external device) 101 Image acquisition unit 103 Area determination section 104 Area determining unit (first area determining unit, second area determining unit) 105 Data Generation Division 106 Transmitter M mark area

Claims

1. an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of a document; an area determination unit that determines whether or not a mark area that is distinguished by a predetermined mark is present in the acquired document image; a first area determination section that, when it is determined that the marked area exists in the document image, determines a variable area into which an object can be input based on the object in the marked area; a second region determining unit that determines a fixed region that indicates a format of the document based on a region outside the marked region in the document image; a data generating unit that generates manuscript data based on the determined variable area and fixed area; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The area determination unit determines an area surrounded by a predetermined line as the mark area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The area determination unit determines, when the line has a predetermined chromatic color, that the area surrounded by the line is the marked area.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. a transmission section for transmitting the label data generated by the data generation section to an external device; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. An image forming apparatus, Obtain an image of the original; determining whether or not there is a mark area distinguished by a predetermined mark in the acquired document image; if it is determined that the marked area exists in the document image, a variable area into which an object can be input is determined based on the object in the marked area; determining a fixed area indicative of a format of the document based on an area outside the marked area in the document image; Generate manuscript data based on the determined variable area and fixed area.

1. An image forming method comprising:

Images