Image processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To make it possible to correct a shape or color of a figure included in a manuscript image to a proper shape or color.SOLUTION: An image forming device 10 includes: an image reading unit 11 for reading an image of a manuscript; a storage unit 27 for storing a plurality of predetermined figures; and a control unit 29 that determines an image included in a manuscript image obtained by reading a manuscript by the image reading unit 11, compares a determined image with each figure stored in the storage unit 27 to select a figure that approximates the determined image, performs correction so as to match an aspect ratio of the image with the aspect ratio of the selected figure relative to the determined image, and inserts the corrected image in place of the determined image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that read and process an image of an original document, and more particularly to a technique for correcting graphics, such as logos and marks, included in the image of the original document. [Background technology]

[0002] Some image processing devices read an image of an original document using an image reading unit and perform various processes on the image of the original document that has been read. In the color adjustment device described in Patent Document 1, first color information indicating a color included in the first image information expressed in a first color space is associated with second color information indicating an adjusted color obtained by adjusting the color included in the first image information in a second color space, and when the color included in the first image information is represented by third color information different from the first color information, the third color information is associated with the second color information, and the first color information or the third color information included in the received image information is adjusted to the associated second color information. This unifies the colors reproduced in the image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-41173 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, in the above image processing device, when the image of the document read by the image reading unit includes a graphic such as a logo or a mark, it is desirable to appropriately correct the shape or color of the graphic in order to ensure the accuracy of the shape or color of the graphic. In the above Patent Document 1, the colors reproduced in the image are unified, but the shape or color of the graphic included in the image is not appropriately corrected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to make it possible to correct the shape or color of a figure included in an image of a document to an appropriate shape or color. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an image reading unit which reads an image of a document, a memory unit which stores a plurality of predetermined figures, and a control unit which judges an image contained in a document image obtained by reading the document with the image reading unit, compares the judged image with each of the figures stored in the memory unit to select a figure which approximates the judged image, corrects the judged image so that its aspect ratio matches that of the selected figure, and inserts the corrected image in place of the judged image.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention and an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the shape or color of a figure included in an image of a document can be corrected to an appropriate shape or color. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram conceptually showing a data table in which image data representing a plurality of figures is registered in association with a plurality of character strings. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of correcting the shape or color of a figure included in an original image to an appropriate shape or color. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing an initial screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6]13 is a diagram showing a pop-up window for entering a password displayed on a display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing text and image regions contained in an image of an original document. [Figure 8] 1A is a diagram showing an image of an image area contained in an image of a document, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the state in which the aspect ratio of the image of the image area is matched to the aspect ratio of a figure that approximates the image. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing a selection screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 10] 13A is a diagram showing an image included in an original image, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing a state in which the image has been erased and another graphic has been inserted. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram conceptually showing a data table in which image data representing a plurality of figures is registered in association with a plurality of search conditions; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) having multiple functions such as a copy function and a printer function. This image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 11 and an image forming unit 12.

[0011] The image reading unit 11 has an imaging element (CCD sensor) that optically reads an image of the original M, and image data representing the image of the original M is generated from an analog output of this imaging element.

[0012] The image forming section 12 forms an image represented by the image data on a recording sheet, and includes an image forming unit 3M for magenta, an image forming unit 3C for cyan, an image forming unit 3Y for yellow, and an image forming unit 3Bk for black. In each of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to light, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet P conveyed from the paper feeder 14 through the conveying path 8 in the nip area N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0013] Thereafter, the recording paper P is heated and pressed in the fixing device 15 so that the toner image on the recording paper P is fixed by thermocompression, and the recording paper P is then discharged onto a discharge tray 17 via discharge rollers 16 .

[0014] Next, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a display unit 21, an operation unit 22, a touch panel 23, a network communication unit (NW communication unit) 25, an image memory 26, a storage unit 27, and a control unit 28. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0015] The display unit 21 is configured with a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0016] The operation unit 22 includes physical keys such as a numeric keypad, a decision key, a start key, etc. In response to the operation of each key, an instruction corresponding to each key is input to the operation unit 22.

[0017] A touch panel 23 is disposed on the screen of the display section 21. The touch panel 23 is a so-called resistive film type or capacitive type touch panel, which detects a contact (touch) made by a user's finger or the like on the touch panel 23 together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to a control section 29 (described later) of the control unit 28, etc.

[0018] The network communication unit 25 is a communication interface, and transmits and receives data to and from external terminal devices via a network (such as an intranet).

[0019] In the image memory 26, image data indicating the image of the original M read by the image reading unit 11 is stored.

[0020] The storage unit 27 is a large-capacity storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores various application programs and various data.

[0021] The control unit 28 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The control unit 28 functions as a control unit 29 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

[0022] The control unit 29 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 28 is connected to the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the display unit 21, the operation unit 22, the touch panel 23, the network communication unit 25, the image memory 26, and the storage unit 27. The control unit 29 controls the operation of these components and transmits and receives signals or data between these components.

[0023] The control unit 29 serves as a processing unit that executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 29 also accepts operation instructions input by the user based on a detection signal output from the touch panel 23 or an operation of a physical key of the operation unit 22. For example, the control unit 29 accepts a touch operation on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 through the touch panel 23. The control unit 29 also has a function of controlling the display operation of the display unit 21 and a function of controlling the communication operation of the network communication unit 25. The control unit 29 also processes image data stored in the image memory 26.

[0024] In the image forming apparatus 10 having such a configuration, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the original M, stores the original image of the original M obtained by the original reading in the image memory 26, inputs the original image to the image forming unit 12 and also causes the paper feeding device 14 to supply recording paper, and causes the image forming unit 12 to form the original image of the original M on the recording paper P.

[0025] Here, if a graphic such as a logo or mark is included in the document image obtained by reading the document with the image reading unit 11, it is desirable to properly correct the shape or color of the graphic in order to guarantee the accuracy of the original shape or color of the graphic. If the aspect ratio or color of a graphic such as a logo or mark is different, it may give a sense of incongruity to the viewer and may not fulfill the original function of the logo or mark.

[0026] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a figure correction function for properly correcting the shape, color, etc. of figures such as logos and marks included in the document image of the document M. This figure correction function is executed by the control unit 29 in accordance with a figure correction function execution instruction input by the user through the operation unit 22.

[0027] In order to implement the graphic correction function, image data representing a plurality of predetermined graphics to be subjected to shape or color correction is associated with character strings and stored in advance in the storage unit 27. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, a data table DT in which image data representing a plurality of graphics (logos) Z1, Z2, ... and character strings associated with each of them are registered is stored in advance in the storage unit 27.

[0028] When executing the graphic correction function, the control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document M, and determines the text and image contained in the document image obtained by the reading. The control unit 29 executes, for example, a known OCR (Optical Character Recognition) function and a text area discrimination function to determine the text and its position from each document image. The control unit 29 also determines the image portion and its position in the document image by performing a known image area discrimination process, for example, a known layout analysis process on the document image. The image portion (hereinafter simply referred to as an image) is made up of a photograph or a figure, and the text is made up of a character string. When the document image contains multiple images scattered therein, the control unit 29 detects each image and its position. When the document image contains multiple character strings scattered therein, the control unit 29 detects each character string as text, and detects the position of each text.

[0029] The control unit 29 compares the determined image with each of the figures Z1, Z2, ... in the data table DT stored in the storage unit 27, and selects one figure that is similar to the determined image. The control unit 29 then refers to the data table DT to determine a character string associated with the selected figure, and determines whether the character string is included in a text adjacent to the determined image (for example, a text located at a position closest to the determined image). When the control unit 29 determines that the character string is included in a text adjacent to the determined image, it executes a correction process for the determined image to match the aspect ratio of the image to the aspect ratio of the selected figure. The control unit 29 may further execute a correction process for the determined image to match the color of the image to the color of the selected figure. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the control unit 29 executes both a correction process for matching the aspect ratio and a correction process for matching the color. Hereinafter, these two correction processes will be collectively referred to simply as a correction process. The control unit 29 inserts the image after the correction process into the document image in place of the determined image included in the document image. That is, the control unit 29 deletes the determined image included in the document image, and combines the image after the correction process with the position of the determined image in the document image.

[0030] Furthermore, if the character string associated with the selected figure is not included in the text adjacent to the determined image, the control unit 29 may refer to the data table DT to extract a character string included in the adjacent text from among the character strings associated with each figure, and insert another figure associated with the extracted character string in place of the determined image.

[0031] Furthermore, if none of the character strings associated with each graphic are included in the adjacent text, the control unit 29 may not perform the correction process for the determined image, which matches the aspect ratio of the image in the image area to the aspect ratio of the selected graphic and matches the color of the image to the color of the graphic.

[0032] This allows for the image contained in the document image of the document M to be converted into an image of a logo or mark having the correct shape and color, by storing in advance in the data table DT a graphic such as a logo or mark, and converting the image contained in the document image into an image of a logo or mark having the correct shape and color.

[0033] Next, a process for correcting the shape or color of a figure included in an original image to an appropriate shape or color will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0034] The control unit 29 causes the display unit 21 to display an initial screen G1 as shown in Fig. 5, for example. A plurality of function keys 41a to 41h, each associated with a different function, are displayed on this initial screen G1. When the user touches the function key 41h indicating the graphic correction function, the control unit 29 receives an instruction to execute the graphic correction function associated with the function key 41h through the touch panel 23, and causes the display unit 21 to display a pop-up window PU for entering a password as shown in Fig. 6 (S101). A text box TX11 in which the user's password is entered is displayed on this pop-up window PU.

[0035] The user inputs the password of the user by operating the numeric keypad of the operation unit 22. The control unit 29 displays the input password in the text box TX11, and determines whether the input password matches any of the regular passwords of a plurality of users pre-stored in the storage unit 27 (S102).

[0036] When the control unit 29 determines that the entered password matches the authorized password (S102 "true"), it hides the pop-up window PU1, permits the graphic correction function and waits for execution, and the process proceeds to S105. When the control unit 29 determines that the entered password does not match the authorized password (S102 "false"), it causes a message indicating a password error to be displayed on the screen of the display unit 21 (S104), hides the pop-up window PU1, but does not permit the graphic correction function, and the process returns to S101.

[0037] When the pop-up window PU1 is hidden and the above error message is not displayed, the user places the document M in the image reading unit 11 and inputs a document reading instruction by operating the start key of the operation unit 22. The control unit 29 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the image of the document M in accordance with the document reading instruction (S105).

[0038] The control unit 29 determines the text and its position, and the image and its position, contained in the document image obtained by the document reading through the above-mentioned process (S106). Here, the control unit 29 detects the text contained in the document image for each text area determined by a known method. For example, the control unit 29 determines a plurality of text areas TR and images IR contained in the document image MI of the document M as shown in FIG. 7.

[0039] When the control unit 29 determines the image IR contained in the document image, it extracts the image IR from the document image, compares it with each figure stored in the data table DT shown in Fig. 3 by, for example, a method such as pattern matching, and selects one figure that is similar to the image IR from each figure stored in the data table DT (S107). For example, the control unit 29 calculates the characteristics of the image IR and the characteristics of each figure, calculates the similarity of each figure to the image IR from the characteristics of the image IR and the characteristics of each figure, and selects the figure that is most similar to the image IR based on this similarity. Note that, if there is a figure that matches the image IR among the figures stored in the data table DT, the control unit 29 selects the matching figure as the approximating figure.

[0040] In general, the smaller the similarity, the more similar the image IR and the figure are, and when the similarity is "0," the image IR and the figure match. Therefore, the control unit 29, for example, sequentially compares the image IR with each figure, and selects the figure whose similarity is equal to or smaller than a preset threshold value and has the smallest similarity as the one figure that approximates the image IR.

[0041] For example, the control unit 29 refers to the data table DT and selects one figure Z1 that is similar to the image IR included in the document image MI shown in Fig. 7. This figure Z1 is the logo of "AAA Company."

[0042] When the control unit 29 selects a figure that approximates the image IR in S107 (S108 "Yes"), it reads out the character string associated with this figure from the data table DT (S109) and determines whether or not this character string is included in the text adjacent to the image IR, in this case, the text in the text region TR closest to the image IR (S110).

[0043] Then, when the control unit 29 determines that the character string associated with the approximating figure is included in the text of the nearest text region TR (S110 "Yes"), it executes a correction process on the image IR to make the aspect ratio of the image IR match the aspect ratio of the figure selected in S107 and to make the color of the image match the color of the figure, and replaces the image IR with the image IR' after the correction process (S111). At this time, the control unit 29 may perform, as the correction process, a process of enlarging or reducing the approximating figure to a maximum size that fits within the display area of ​​the image IR. For example, the vertical width of the image IR included in the document image MI shown in FIG. 7 is changed, and the aspect ratio of the image IR matches the aspect ratio of the selected figure Z1 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0044] For example, the control unit 29 changes the aspect ratio of the image by performing pixel interpolation and / or thinning on pixel rows in the vertical or horizontal direction of the image. In addition, the control unit 29 performs a process of matching the color of the image to the color of the figure, for example, by matching the gradation of the pixels of the image to the gradation of the pixels of the figure separately for RGB.

[0045] In addition, when the control unit 29 determines that the character string associated with the similar figure is not included in the text of the text area TR closest to the image IR (S110 "No"), it determines whether any of the character strings associated with the figures Z1, Z2, ... in the data table DT are included in the text in the closest text area TR (S113). Here, when the control unit 29 determines that any of the character strings are included in the text in the closest text area TR (S113 "Yes"), it reads out another figure associated with the character string determined in S113 from the data table DT, and causes the display unit 21 to display a selection screen G2 as shown in FIG. 9 having a message prompting the user to select whether to insert this other figure into the document image instead of the image IR (S114). This is because there is a risk that the image IR is a figure that has been erroneously inserted, that is, an incorrect logo or mark is being used. The selection screen G2 shown in FIG. 9 displays the other figure, a message E prompting the user to select whether to change the figure, an OK key K21, and an NG key K21.

[0046] For example, if the character string "AAA Company" associated with the approximating figure Z1 is not included in the text of the text area TR closest to the image IR (S110 "No") and the character string "BBB Company" associated with the figure Z2 is included in the text in the text area TR closest to the image IR (S113 "Yes"), the control unit 29 displays the figure Z2 as a separate figure on the selection screen G2 shown in Figure 9.

[0047] When the user sees the different graphic Z2 and the message E and decides to change the graphic Z1 to the graphic Z2, the user touches the OK key K21.

[0048] When the control unit 29 receives a replacement instruction associated with the OK key K21 through the touch panel 23 (S115 "Yes"), it erases the image IR, enlarges or reduces the size of the different figure Z2 to the maximum size that fits within the display area of ​​the image IR, and inserts the processed different figure Z2 into the display area of ​​the image IR in the document image in place of the image IR (S116). As a result, the image IR included in the image of the document M shown in Fig. 10(A) is erased, and the different figure Z2 is inserted in place of the image IR as shown in Fig. 10(B).

[0049] Furthermore, if none of the character strings in the data table DT is included in the text of the text region TR closest to the image IR of the image selected in S107 (S113 "No"), the control unit 29 does not perform the above correction process (S111), keeps the original image IR, and ends the process.

[0050] In addition, even when the user touches the NG key K22 and receives a no-replacement instruction associated with the NG key K22 through the touch panel 23 (S115 "No"), the control unit 29 does not perform the above-mentioned correction process (S111), but maintains the original image IR, and the process ends.

[0051] Also, when no figure approximating the image IR is selected in S107 (S108 "No"), the control unit 29 does not perform the above correction process (S111), maintains the original image IR, and ends the process. In this case, the image IR is not an image to be corrected to the correct shape and color approximating a figure (i.e., a logo or mark with the correct shape and color) that the user has stored in advance in the data table DT, so the original image IR is maintained.

[0052] Furthermore, if the image of the original document M includes a plurality of images IR, the control unit 29 performs the processes of S107 to S116 for each image IR.

[0053] The control unit 29 uses the original image including the image IR corrected in S107 to S116, or the original image in which the original image IR is maintained as is, to cause the image forming unit 12 to form an image on the recording paper. As a result, the original image as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 10(B) is formed on the recording paper.

[0054] In this manner, in this embodiment, a figure that is similar to the image IR included in the original image is selected, and the above-described correction process is performed on the image IR to make the aspect ratio of the image IR match the aspect ratio of the selected figure showing, for example, a logo or mark having the correct shape and color. In this way, according to this embodiment, the shape or color of the figure included in the original image can be corrected to the appropriate shape or color expected by the user.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the control unit 29 determines whether a character string associated with a figure approximating the image IR is included in the text adjacent to the image IR, and performs the above-mentioned correction process when it is determined that the character string is included in the text adjacent to the image IR. Alternatively, the control unit 29 may determine whether or not the text included in the document image (not limited to the text adjacent to the image IR) satisfies the search condition associated with the figure approximating the image IR in the document image of the document M, and performs the above-mentioned correction process when it is determined that the text included in the document image satisfies the search condition associated with the figure approximating the image IR.

[0056] In this case, as shown in Fig. 11, for example, a plurality of image data showing a plurality of figures Z1, Z2, ... are registered in advance in a data table DT in association with their own search conditions. The search conditions consist of a plurality of character strings or words. If all of the character strings or words as the search conditions are included in any text in the document image, the control unit 29 determines that the search conditions are satisfied by this text, and if even one of the character strings or words is not included in the text in the text area TR, the control unit 29 determines that the search conditions are not satisfied.

[0057] 9 on the display unit 21, and when a replacement instruction associated with the OK key K21 is received via the touch panel 23, the control unit 29 may detect a search condition that is satisfied by the determined text from among the search conditions associated with the figures Z1, Z2, ... in the data table DT, and insert another figure associated with the detected search condition into the document image in place of the image IR. This also makes it possible to appropriately correct the shape or color of a figure such as a logo or mark included in the document image of the document M.

[0058] Furthermore, when the control unit 29 cannot detect the search condition satisfied by the determined text as described above, it does not carry out the correction process on the image IR, but keeps the image IR as it is.

[0059] Furthermore, when performing the above-mentioned correction process, the control unit 29 may further access a storage or site on the network via the network communication unit 25, refer to a plurality of figures stored in the storage or site and character strings associated with each of the figures, and perform the above-mentioned correction process only when the condition that the image IR and adjacent text in the original image match or are close to the figures and character strings associated with the figures present on the network is satisfied, and insert the image IR after the above-mentioned correction process into the original image in place of the previous image IR.

[0060] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the image processing apparatus of the above embodiment, but can also be applied to a copy machine or a facsimile machine that includes an image reading unit.

[0061] Moreover, the configurations and processes of the above-described embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Image forming device 11 Image reading unit 12 Image forming section 21 Display section 22 Control section 23 Touch Panel 25 Network Communication Department 26 Image Memory 27 Memory section 28 Control Unit 29 Control Unit

Claims

1. an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; A storage unit that stores a plurality of predetermined figures; and a control unit that determines an image contained in an original image obtained by reading the original document using the image reading unit, compares the determined image with each of the figures stored in the memory unit to select a figure that approximates the determined image, corrects the determined image so that its aspect ratio matches that of the selected figure, and inserts the corrected image in place of the determined image.

2. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit corrects the determined image so that the aspect ratio of the image matches the aspect ratio of the selected figure, and corrects the color of the determined image so that it matches the color of the figure, and inserts the corrected image in place of the determined image.

3. the storage unit stores in advance each of the graphics and each of the character strings associated with each of the graphics; 2. The image processing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines text adjacent to the image contained in the original image, compares the image with each of the figures stored in the memory unit to select a figure that approximates the image, and if a character string corresponding to the selected figure is included in the text, corrects the determined image so that the aspect ratio of the determined image matches the aspect ratio of the selected figure.

4. The image processing device described in claim 3, wherein when a character string associated with the selected figure is not included in the text, the control unit detects a character string that matches the text among a plurality of character strings associated with each of the figures stored in the memory unit, and inserts another figure associated with the detected character string in place of the determined image.

5. 5. The image processing device of claim 4, wherein the control unit does not perform a correction on the determined image to match the aspect ratio of the determined image to the aspect ratio of the selected figure when the text does not contain a character string corresponding to the selected figure.

6. The storage unit is configured in advance with each of the figures and search conditions associated with each of the figures; 2. The image processing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the text contained in the image of the document read by the image reading unit, compares the determined image with each of the figures stored in the memory unit to select a figure that approximates the determined image, and if the determined text satisfies search conditions associated with the selected figure stored in the memory unit, corrects the determined image to match the aspect ratio of the image to the aspect ratio of the selected figure.

7. The image processing device described in claim 6, wherein when the determined text does not satisfy the search conditions associated with the selected figure stored in the memory unit, the control unit detects search conditions that the determined text satisfies from among the search conditions associated with each of the figures stored in the memory unit, and inserts another figure associated with the detected search conditions in place of the determined image.

8. The image processing device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit, when unable to detect a search condition satisfied by the determined text, does not perform correction on the determined image to match the aspect ratio of the image to the aspect ratio of the selected figure.

9. an operation unit operated by a user to input a password; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether a password entered by operating the operation unit is valid or not, and if the control unit determines that the password is valid, determines an image contained in the original image, selects a figure that approximates the determined image, and corrects the image.

10. 2. The image processing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit accesses storage on a network, refers to a plurality of figures and associated character strings stored in the storage, and when it detects a figure and character string that match or are similar to the determined image and adjacent text, performs the correction and inserts the corrected image in place of the determined image.

11. An image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and an image forming section that forms an image on a recording medium.

Images