Image processing device, image processing system, image processing method, and control program

Abstract

To provide an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a control program, capable of improving the convenience of a user.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes: a storage part that stores a profile containing a setting value for each of a plurality of setting items in regard to imaging processing or image processing, which can be designated by a user; an acquisition part that acquires a plurality of input images in which a medium is imaged; a specification part that specifies a plurality of feature information pieces in regard to each of the plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images; a calculation part that calculates a matching degree that feature information matches with a setting value in the plurality of input images, for each of the plurality of setting items; and an output control part that outputs information on a setting item in which the matching degree is a predetermined value or larger among the plurality of setting items or a predetermined number of setting items in order from a higher degree of the matching degree.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, image processing devices such as scanners that capture a plurality of media while conveying them in sequence to generate images are used to capture images of various types of media for various purposes. The image quality required of an image processing device varies depending on the purpose or the type of medium to be read. In general, image processing devices are provided so that various items related to the capture processing or image processing of the medium, such as size or color, can be set in order to generate an appropriate image according to the purpose or the type of medium. However, if the settings are incorrect, the image processing device may not be able to obtain an appropriate image.

[0003] An image processing device that executes a specific job based on a start request operation by a user has been disclosed (see Patent Document 1). This image processing device compares current device initial values ​​related to the setting values ​​for job execution, which are stored before the specific job is executed, with previous device initial values ​​related to the setting values ​​for job execution when the specific job was last executed. If the current device initial values ​​differ from the previous device initial values, the image processing device displays a setting confirmation screen showing the current device initial values ​​before the job is executed.

[0004] An image processing device is disclosed that executes a job related to image processing according to a plurality of job conditions that are assigned to one icon selected by a user from a plurality of displayed icons (see Patent Document 2). For each of a plurality of setting values ​​of a plurality of job conditions, the image processing device stores the number of times a job has been executed in the past using the setting value, and calculates the degree of variation of the plurality of setting values ​​for each job condition using the number of times the job has been executed with each setting value. For each function program, the image processing device determines one or more job conditions as representative job conditions in order of the smallest degree of variation. The image processing device displays a list display screen on which a plurality of icons are arranged, each of which has a type image representing the type of job defined in the function program and a setting value image representing the setting value of the representative job condition of the function program. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4639709 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7230463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] There is a demand for image processing devices that offer improved convenience to users.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a control program that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has a memory unit that stores a profile including setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items related to imaging processing or image processing, which can be specified by a user; an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of input images of a medium; an identification unit that identifies a plurality of pieces of feature information associated with each of a plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images; a calculation unit that calculates, for each of the plurality of setting items, a degree of suitability with which the feature information in the plurality of input images matches the setting value; and an output control unit that outputs information regarding setting items among the plurality of setting items whose degree of suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or a predetermined number of setting items in order of highest degree of suitability.

[0009] An image processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is an image processing system having an image reading device and an information processing device, wherein either the image reading device or the information processing device has a memory unit that stores a profile including setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items related to imaging processing or image processing, which can be specified by a user, either the image reading device or the information processing device has an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of input images in which a medium is imaged, either the image reading device or the information processing device has an identification unit that identifies a plurality of feature information related to each of a plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images, either the image reading device or the information processing device has a calculation unit that calculates, for each of the plurality of setting items, a degree of conformity of the feature information in the plurality of input images to a setting value, and either the image reading device or the information processing device has an output control unit that outputs information regarding a setting item among the plurality of setting items whose conformity degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or regarding a predetermined number of setting items in order of decreasing conformity degree.

[0010] An image processing method according to one aspect of the present invention stores in a memory a profile including setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items related to imaging processing or image processing that can be specified by a user, acquires a plurality of input images of a medium, identifies a plurality of pieces of feature information related to each of a plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images, calculates the degree of suitability of the feature information in the plurality of input images to the setting values ​​for each of the plurality of setting items, and outputs information regarding setting items among the plurality of setting items whose degree of suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or a predetermined number of setting items in order of highest to lowest degree of suitability.

[0011] A control program according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer control program that causes the computer to store in a memory unit a profile including setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items related to imaging processing or image processing that can be specified by a user, acquire a plurality of input images of a medium, identify a plurality of pieces of feature information related to each of a plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images, calculate a degree of suitability of the feature information in the plurality of input images to the setting value for each of the plurality of setting items, and output information regarding setting items among the plurality of setting items whose degree of suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or a predetermined number of setting items in order of highest degree of suitability. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, the image processing device, the image processing system, the image processing method, and the control program can improve the convenience for the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside an image reading device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment; [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a data structure of a profile table according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a data structure of a history table according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining feature information. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first storage device and a first processing circuit according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment; [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a setting process according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data on a setting list screen according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining important items. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data of a setting screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of an image reading process according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data on a reading screen according to an embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first processing circuit according to another embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second storage device and a second processing circuit according to another embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second processing circuit according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an image processing device, an image processing system, an image processing method, and a control program according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment.

[0016] 1, the image processing system 1 includes one or more image reading devices 100 and one or more information processing devices 200. The image reading devices 100 and the information processing devices 200 are communicatively connected to each other via a network N. The network N is the Internet, an intranet, or the like. The image reading device 100 and the information processing device 200 are examples of the image processing device.

[0017] The image reading device 100 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) type scanner device that captures an image of a medium, for example, a document, while conveying the medium. The medium is paper, thin paper, thick paper, card, or the like. The medium includes various types of media, such as receipts, business cards, invoices, and delivery notes. The image reading device 100 may be a facsimile, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), or the like. The image reading device 100 may also be a flatbed type device that captures an image of a medium without conveying the medium.

[0018] The information processing device 200 is a personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, etc. The information processing device 200 may be a server provided in a cloud network.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an image reading device according to an embodiment.

[0020] The image reading device 100 includes a lower housing 101, an upper housing 102, a placement table 103, an ejection table 104, a first input device 105, and a first display device 106.

[0021] The upper housing 102 is disposed at a position that covers the top surface of the image reading device 100, and engages with the lower housing 101 by a hinge so as to be openable and closable when loading a medium or cleaning the inside of the image reading device 100, for example.

[0022] The placement stage 103 is engaged with the lower housing 101 so that the medium to be transported can be placed thereon. The discharge stage 104 is engaged with the lower housing 101 so that it can hold the medium discharged from the discharge port.

[0023] The first input device 105 has an input device such as a button and an interface circuit that acquires a signal from the input device, accepts an input operation by a user, and outputs an operation signal according to the user's input operation. The first display device 106 has a display such as a liquid crystal, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), or the like, and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

[0024] 2, arrow A1 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A2 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction, and arrow A3 indicates the height direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction and the width direction. In the following, upstream refers to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A1, and downstream refers to the downstream side of the medium transport direction A1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside the image reading device according to an embodiment.

[0026] The transport path inside the image reading device 100 includes a first medium sensor 111, a feed roller 112, a separation roller 113, a first transport roller 114, a second transport roller 115, a second medium sensor 116, an imaging device 117, a third transport roller 118, and a fourth transport roller 119. The number of each roller is not limited to one, and each roller may be multiple. In this case, each roller is arranged at intervals in the width direction A2. The feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first transport roller 114, the second transport roller 115, the third transport roller 118, and the fourth transport roller 119 are an example of a transport unit, and transport multiple media sequentially.

[0027] The image reading device 100 has a so-called straight path. The top surface of the lower housing 101 forms a lower guide 107a of the medium transport path, and the bottom surface of the upper housing 102 forms an upper guide 107b of the medium transport path.

[0028] The first medium sensor 111 is disposed upstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113. The first medium sensor 111 has a contact detection sensor and detects whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. The first medium sensor 111 generates and outputs a first medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103. Note that the first medium sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as a light detection sensor, may be used as the first medium sensor 111.

[0029] The feed roller 112 is provided in the lower housing 101, and feeds the media placed on the placement table 103 from the bottom up. The separation roller 113 is a so-called brake roller or retard roller, and is provided in the upper housing 102, and is disposed opposite the feed roller 112. The feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 function as a separation unit that separates the media. Note that a separation pad may be used instead of the separation roller 113.

[0030] The first transport roller 114 and the second transport roller 115 are disposed downstream of the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 and facing each other, and transport the medium fed by the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 to the imaging device 117.

[0031] The second medium sensor 116 is disposed downstream of the first transport roller 114 and the second transport roller 115 and upstream of the imaging device 117, and detects a medium transported to that position. The second medium sensor 116 includes a light emitter and a light receiver provided on one side of the medium transport path (for example, the lower housing 101), and a light guide tube provided at a position facing the light emitter and the light receiver across the medium transport path (for example, the upper housing 102). The light emitter is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and irradiates light toward the medium transport path. On the other hand, the light receiver is a photodiode or the like, and receives the light irradiated by the light emitter and guided by the light guide tube. When a medium is present at a position facing the second medium sensor 116, the light irradiated from the light emitter is blocked by the medium, and therefore the light receiver does not detect the light irradiated from the light emitter. Based on the intensity of the received light, the light receiver generates and outputs a second medium signal whose signal value changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second medium sensor 116. There may be more than one second medium sensor 116. In that case, the second medium sensors 116 are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction A2.

[0032] A reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of the light guide tube. The light emitter and the light receiver may be disposed opposite each other across the medium transport path. The second medium sensor 116 may detect the presence of the medium using a contact detection sensor that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact or when the medium is not in contact.

[0033] The imaging device 117 is an example of an imaging section. The imaging device 117 is disposed downstream of the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 and upstream of the third conveyor roller 118 and the fourth conveyor roller 119. The imaging device 117 includes a first imaging device 117a and a second imaging device 117b. The first imaging device 117a and the second imaging device 117b are disposed near the medium conveying path and facing each other across the conveying path.

[0034] The first imaging device 117a has a light source and a line sensor using a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a life-size optical system type having imaging elements using CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 117a also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging elements, and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging elements. The first imaging device 117a captures the surface of the medium transported sequentially by the transport unit to generate and output an input image.

[0035] Similarly, the second imaging device 117b has a light source and a line sensor using a CIS of a life-size optical system type having CMOS imaging elements linearly arranged in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 117b also has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and A / D converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 117b captures the back side of the media conveyed in sequence by the conveying unit to generate and output an input image.

[0036] The image reading device 100 may have only one of the first imaging device 117a and the second imaging device 117b arranged, and may read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor of an equal magnification optical system type having a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor having a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0037] The third conveyor roller 118 and the fourth conveyor roller 119 are disposed facing each other downstream of the imaging device 117 and discharge the medium conveyed by the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 onto the discharge tray 104.

[0038] The medium placed on the mounting table 103 is transported between the lower guide 107a and the upper guide 107b in the medium transport direction A1 by the rotation of the feed roller 112 in the direction of the arrow A4 in Fig. 3. The separation roller 113 rotates in the direction of the arrow A5 in Fig. 3 or stops when transporting the medium. When multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the feed roller 112 and the separation roller 113 function to separate only the media placed on the mounting table 103 that is in contact with the feed roller 112. This limits the transport of media other than the separated media (preventing double feeding).

[0039] The medium is fed between the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 while being guided by the lower guide 107a and the upper guide 107b. The medium is fed between the first imaging device 117a and the second imaging device 117b as the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 rotate in the directions of the arrows A6 and A7 in Fig. 3, respectively. The medium read by the imaging device 117 is discharged onto the discharge tray 104 as the third conveyor roller 118 and the fourth conveyor roller 119 rotate in the directions of the arrows A8 and A9 in Fig. 3, respectively.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0041] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the image reading device 100 further includes a motor 121, a first communication device 122, a first storage device 130, a first processing circuit 140, and the like.

[0042] The motor 121 includes one or more motors. The motor 121 rotates the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyor roller 114, the second conveyor roller 115, the third conveyor roller 118, and the fourth conveyor roller 119 in response to a control signal from the first processing circuit 140 to convey the medium. Note that one of the first conveyor roller 114 and the second conveyor roller 115 may be a driven roller that rotates following the other roller. Also, one of the third conveyor roller 118 and the fourth conveyor roller 119 may be a driven roller that rotates following the other roller.

[0043] The first communication device 122 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a communication protocol such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The first communication device 122 can communicate with the information processing device 200, and according to an instruction from the first processing circuit 140, communicates with the information processing device 200 to transmit and receive various images and information. The first communication device 122 may have a wired communication interface circuit according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), and may be connected to the information processing device 200 via a network. The first communication device 122 may also have an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), and may be connected to the information processing device 200 via a wired cable such as a USB cable.

[0044] The first storage device 130 is an example of a storage unit. The first storage device 130 includes a memory device such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The first storage device 130 stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the image reading device 100. The computer programs may be installed in the first storage device 130 from a computer-readable portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM). The computer programs may be distributed from a server or the like and installed in the first storage device 130.

[0045] The first storage device 130 also stores a profile table, a history table, and the like as data. The profile table stores information related to the profile. The profile is a setting related to imaging processing or image processing that can be specified by the user depending on the purpose of the input image or the type of medium to be imaged. The profile includes setting values ​​for multiple setting items related to imaging processing or image processing. The profile table will be described in detail later. The history table stores history related to each input image generated by the image reading device 100 for each input image. The history table will be described in detail later.

[0046] The first processing circuit 140 operates based on a program stored in advance in the first storage device 130. The first processing circuit 140 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). As the first processing circuit 140, a DSP (digital signal processor), an LSI (large scale integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used.

[0047] The first processing circuit 140 is connected to the first input device 105, the first display device 106, the first medium sensor 111, the second medium sensor 116, the imaging device 117, the motor 121, the first communication device 122, the first storage device 130, and the like, and controls each of these components. The first processing circuit 140 sets (stores) a profile designated by a user, acquired via the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, in the first storage device 130. The first processing circuit 140 performs drive control of the motor 121, imaging control of the imaging device 117, and the like, in accordance with the profile designated by the user, and acquires an input image. The first processing circuit 140 also calculates the degree of suitability of the characteristics of each input image in a plurality of input images to the setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items included in the profile. The first processing circuit 140 outputs information on a setting item whose suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or on a predetermined number of setting items in descending order of suitability, to the first communication device 122 or the first display device 106.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the data structure of a profile table according to an embodiment.

[0049] 5, the profile table stores, for each of one or more profiles, setting values ​​for each of a plurality of setting items in association with each other. The profiles include receipts, catalogs, invoices, and the like.

[0050] Each setting item is an item related to imaging processing or image processing, and is an item for specifying the operation of the image reading device 100 when imaging a medium or the contents of image processing to be executed on the captured input image. The setting items include medium type, color, medium size, resolution, dropout color, carrier sheet recognition, barcode recognition, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), OCR language setting, blank page removal, orientation correction, continuous scanning, edge repair, punch hole removal, tab crop, etc. Color, medium size, resolution, etc. are settings related to imaging processing. In addition, medium type, color, medium size, resolution, dropout color, carrier sheet, barcode, zone OCR, OCR language setting, blank page removal, orientation correction, continuous scanning, edge repair, punch hole removal, tab crop, etc. are settings related to image processing.

[0051] The medium type is a setting of the type of medium to be imaged, and the setting values ​​of the medium type include receipt, catalog, invoice, automatic, etc. When automatic is set, the image reading device 100 detects the size and / or color of the medium to be conveyed based on the detection result of the medium by the second medium sensor 116 and / or the input image generated by the imaging device 117. The image reading device 100 stores in advance in the first storage device 130 a correspondence relationship between the medium type and the size and / or color of the medium, and detects the medium type associated with the detected size and / or color of the medium as the medium type of the medium. The image reading device 100 may detect the medium type by a classifier that is pre-trained to output the type of the medium included in the image when an image is input. This classifier is pre-trained using a plurality of images including various types of media, for example, by deep learning, and is pre-stored in the first storage device 130. The image reading device 100 inputs the input image to the classifier and detects the medium type based on the information output from the classifier. In image processing, the image reading device 100 stores the input image in a storage location that is preset for each set or detected medium type, and / or applies an application (processing) that is preset for each set or detected medium type to the input image.

[0052] The color is a setting of the color of the input image, and binary, grayscale, color, automatic, etc. are set as the color setting value. When automatic is set, the image reading device 100 automatically detects the color (whether binary, grayscale, or color) of the medium contained in the input image based on the input image generated by the imaging device 117, and generates an image according to the detected color. The image reading device 100 can change the color of the generated input image by setting the color of the light irradiated by the light source of the imaging device 117 in the imaging process, the gradation range converted by the A / D converter, etc. In addition, the image reading device 100 can change the color of the image in the image processing by performing grayscale conversion or binarization, etc. of the color input image generated in the imaging process.

[0053] The medium size is a setting of the size of the medium included in the input image, and the setting value of the medium size is set to A4 size, A5 size, A6 size, B4 size, B5 size, B6 size, postcard size, business card size, other, automatic, etc. When automatic is set, the image reading device 100 automatically detects the size of the medium to be conveyed based on the detection result of the medium by the second medium sensor 116 or the input image generated by the imaging device 117. In the imaging process, the image reading device 100 can generate an input image including a medium of the set or detected medium size by setting the imaging end timing of the imaging device 117, the position of the imaging element arranged in the line sensor to be imaged, etc. In addition, in the image process, the image reading device 100 can generate an image including a medium of the set medium size by performing cropping of the input image generated in the imaging process.

[0054] The resolution is a setting of the resolution of the input image, and the resolution setting value is set to 150 dpi (Dots Per Inch), 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 600 dpi, 1200 dpi, etc. The image reading device 100 can generate an input image having the set resolution by setting the medium transport speed, the imaging timing (time interval) of the imaging device 117, the position of the imaging element in the line sensor to be used for imaging, etc. In the image processing, the image reading device 100 can generate an image having the set resolution by executing thinning or interpolation of the input image generated in the image processing.

[0055] Dropout color is a setting for removing a specific color component contained in an input image using a known image processing technique, and the setting value for dropout color is set to ON, OFF (when ON is set, a color component to be removed), etc. Dropout color is used, for example, to generate an image in which an object having a specific color component, such as a seal, has been removed from an input image in which the medium containing the object is captured.

[0056] Carrier sheet recognition is a setting for detecting, from an input image, a colorless and transparent carrier sheet for sandwiching and transporting a medium, and a setting value for carrier sheet recognition is set to ON, OFF, etc. When the setting value for carrier sheet recognition is set to ON, image reading device 100 determines whether or not the input image includes a specific symbol carried by the carrier sheet. When the input image includes the specific symbol, image reading device 100 combines an input image captured from the front side with an input image captured from the back side.

[0057] Barcode recognition is a setting for detecting a barcode from an input image, and ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value of barcode recognition. OCR is a setting for performing character recognition on an input image, and ON, OFF (when ON is set, the area for further character recognition), etc. are set as the setting value of OCR. OCR language setting is a setting for specifying the language of characters to be recognized in OCR. Blank page removal is a setting for deleting an input image when a medium included in the input image is blank, and ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value of blank page removal. Orientation correction is a setting for correcting the orientation of a medium included in an input image using a known image processing technique such as rotation processing, and 0°, 90° (clockwise) rotation, 90° (counterclockwise) rotation, 180° rotation, automatic, etc. are set as the setting value of orientation correction. Continuous scanning is a setting for performing continuous reading in which a medium newly placed by a user is continuously read after reading of all media placed on the placement table 103 is completed, and ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value of continuous scanning.

[0058] Edge repair is a setting for detecting the outer shape (edge) of the medium in the input image using a known image processing technique, and determining that the medium is bent or torn when the corners of the medium are not right angles or the sides of the medium are not straight, and correcting the outer shape of the medium to become rectangular. ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value for edge repair. Punch hole removal is a setting for determining whether or not a punch hole is included in the input image using a known image processing technique, and removing the punch hole if a punch hole is included, and ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value for punch hole removal. Tab crop is a setting for determining whether or not a tab (such as a piece of paper stuck protruding from the medium) is included in the input image using a known image processing technique, and removing the tab if a tab is included, and ON, OFF, etc. are set as the setting value for tab crop.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the data structure of a history table according to an embodiment.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 6, the history table stores, for each input image generated by the image reading device 100, an image ID, a profile, feature information, and a generation date and time, etc., in mutually associated relation with each other. The image ID is information for identifying the input image. The profile is a profile that was set when each input image was generated. The feature information is feature information identified from each input image. The generation date and time is the date and time when each input image was generated.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the feature information.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of pieces of feature information are identified from each input image. Each piece of feature information indicates a feature of the input image and the medium contained in the input image, which is related to the imaging process or image processing. Each piece of feature information is information related to each of a plurality of setting items related to the imaging process or image processing defined in the profile. Items defined in the feature information include type, color components, size, medium resolution, number of dropout pixels, presence or absence of carrier sheet, presence or absence of barcode, presence or absence of text, language, presence or absence of blank page, orientation, presence or absence of continuation, presence or absence of repaired edge, presence or absence of punched hole, presence or absence of tab, etc.

[0063] The type indicates the type of medium included in the input image and is related to the medium type among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The color component indicates the color component (color, grayscale, or binary) included in the input image and is related to the color among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The size indicates the size of the medium included in the input image and is related to the medium size among the multiple setting items defined in the profile.

[0064] The medium resolution indicates the resolution (print resolution) of an object included in the medium in the input image, and is related to the resolution among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The number of dropout pixels indicates the number of pixels having a specific color component included in the input image, and is related to the dropout color among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of a carrier sheet indicates whether or not the input image includes a carrier sheet, and is related to carrier sheet recognition among the multiple setting items defined in the profile.

[0065] The presence or absence of a barcode indicates whether or not the input image includes a barcode, and is related to barcode recognition among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of text indicates whether or not the input image includes text, and (if the input image includes text), the position of the text in the input image, and is related to OCR among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The language indicates the language of the text included in the input image, and is related to OCR language settings among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of a blank page indicates whether or not the input image includes a blank page, and is related to blank page removal among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The orientation indicates the orientation of the medium included in the input image, and is related to orientation correction among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of continuation indicates whether or not continuous reading has been performed, and is related to continuous scanning among the multiple setting items defined in the profile.

[0066] The presence or absence of repaired edges indicates whether or not the medium included in the input image has folds or tears, and is related to edge repair among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of punch holes indicates whether or not the input image includes punch holes, and is related to punch hole removal among the multiple setting items defined in the profile. The presence or absence of tabs indicates whether or not the input image includes tabs, and is related to tab cropping among the multiple setting items defined in the profile.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first storage device and a first processing circuit according to an embodiment.

[0068] 8, the first storage device 130 stores an output control program 131, a calculation program 132, an acquisition program 133, a specification program 134, a setting program 135, and a control program 136. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software that runs on a processor. The first processing circuit 140 reads each program stored in the first storage device 130 and operates according to the read programs, thereby functioning as an output control unit 141, a calculation unit 142, an acquisition unit 143, a specification unit 144, a setting unit 145, and a control unit 146.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment.

[0070] The information processing device 200 includes a second input device 201, a second display device 202, a second communication device 203, a second storage device 210, a second processing circuit 220, and the like.

[0071] The second input device 201 has an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and an interface circuit that acquires a signal from the input device, and outputs to the second processing circuit 220 a signal according to an operation by the user.

[0072] The second display device 202 has a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and an interface circuit that outputs image data to the display, and displays various types of information on the display according to instructions from the second processing circuit 220.

[0073] The second communication device 203 has an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless communication line according to a predetermined communication protocol such as wireless LAN. The second communication device 203 is capable of communicating with the image reading device 100, and according to instructions from the second processing circuit 220, communicates with the image reading device 100 to transmit and receive various images and information. The second communication device 203 may have a wired communication interface circuit according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and may be connected to the image reading device 100 via a network. The first communication device 122 may have an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and may be connected to the image reading device 100 via a wired cable such as a USB cable.

[0074] The second storage device 210 is an example of a storage unit. The second storage device 210 has a memory device such as a RAM or a ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. The second storage device 210 stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the information processing device 200. The computer programs may be installed in the second storage device 210 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM using a known setup program or the like. The computer programs may also be distributed from a server or the like and installed in the second storage device 210.

[0075] The second processing circuit 220 operates based on a program previously stored in the second storage device 210. The second processing circuit 220 is, for example, a CPU. Note that the second processing circuit 220 may be, for example, a DSP, an LSI, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

[0076] The second processing circuit 220 is connected to the second input device 201, the second display device 202, the second communication device 203, the second storage device 210, etc., and controls each of these components. The second processing circuit 220 controls data transmission and reception with the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, controls input of the second input device 201, controls display of the second display device 202, etc.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the setting process according to an embodiment.

[0078] An example of the operation of the setting process of the image reading device according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 10. The flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the first processing circuit 140 in cooperation with each element of the image reading device 100 based on a program previously stored in the first storage device 130. The flowchart shown in Fig. 10 is executed before the execution of the image reading process described below, or during the execution of the image reading process (in parallel with the image reading process).

[0079] First, the output control unit 141 generates display data for a setting list screen, and outputs the generated display data by displaying it on the first display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S101). When the information processing device 200 receives display data from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it causes the second display device 202 to display the received display data.

[0080] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data of a setting list screen according to an embodiment.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 11, the display data 1100 of the setting list screen includes a plurality of icons 1101 to 1103, important item information 1104, and an end button 1105. Although the important item information 1104 is displayed in FIG. 11, the important item information 1104 is not displayed when the display data 1100 of the setting list screen is displayed for the first time. The plurality of icons 1101 to 1103 correspond to a plurality of profiles, and are icons for setting the corresponding profiles. The important item information 1104 indicates important setting items and their setting values ​​among a plurality of setting items defined in the profiles corresponding to the icons 1101 to 1103. Hereinafter, important setting items among a plurality of setting items defined in each profile may be referred to as important items. The end button 1105 is a button for ending the display of the display data 1100 of the setting list screen.

[0082] Next, the output control unit 141 judges whether or not an instruction to output important items of a specific profile has been received (step S102). When a user designates any icon in a predetermined manner using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data 1100 of the setting list screen, the output control unit 141 accepts an instruction to output important items of a profile corresponding to the designated icon. The output control unit 141 accepts an instruction to output important items of a specific profile by receiving an output instruction signal designating a specific profile from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122. When an instruction to output important items has not been received, the output control unit 141 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S106.

[0083] On the other hand, when the output control unit 141 receives an instruction to output an important item, the calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability of the feature information in the multiple input images to the setting value of each setting item included in the specified profile (step S103). The multiple input images are input images acquired by the acquisition unit 143 up to the present time in the image reading process described later. The feature information in each input image is identified by the identification unit 144 when each input image is acquired in the image reading process described later.

[0084] The multiple input images are, for example, all input images generated up to the present. The multiple input images may be input images generated during a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, the most recent predetermined period (for example, one month, one week, etc.). The predetermined period may be a predetermined period (for example, the first half of the year, the second half of the year, etc.). That is, in this case, the calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability using the input images generated during the predetermined period. This allows the image reading device 100 to appropriately calculate the degree of suitability even if the format of the medium is changed at a certain point in time, or if the format of the medium is changed every period, etc.

[0085] For the medium type, color, and medium size, if the setting values ​​are other than automatic, the calculation unit 142 determines that the characteristic information matches the setting values ​​when the type, color component, and size specified as the characteristic information match the setting values. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the characteristic information does not match the setting values ​​when the type, color component, and size specified as the characteristic information do not match the setting values. The calculation unit 142 calculates the ratio of the number of input images whose characteristic information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be determined as the degree of match. On the other hand, if the setting value is automatic, the image reading device 100 needs to automatically detect the medium type, color, or medium size, which increases the processing load and processing time of the image reading process. Therefore, if all the media to be imaged are the same type of media, it is not preferable to automatically detect the medium type, color, or medium size. Therefore, if the setting value is automatic, the calculation unit 142 sets the degree of match to the highest value when the number of types of characteristic information specified is multiple, and sets the degree of match to the lowest value when the number of types of characteristic information specified is only one.

[0086] Regarding the resolution, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the set value when the medium resolution specified as the feature information matches the set value, and determines that the feature information does not match the set value when the medium resolution specified as the feature information does not match the set value. The calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability as the ratio of the number of input images whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be judged.

[0087] Regarding the dropout color, when the setting value is ON, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when the number of pixels having a specific color component included in the input image, which is identified as the feature information, is within a predetermined range. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when the number of pixels having a specific color component included in the input image, which is identified as the feature information, is outside the predetermined range. On the other hand, when the setting value is OFF, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when the number of pixels having a specific color component included in the input image, which is identified as the feature information, is outside the predetermined range. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when the number of pixels having a specific color component included in the input image, which is identified as the feature information, is within a predetermined range. The calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of match as the ratio of the number of input images whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be judged.

[0088] For carrier sheet recognition, barcode recognition, blank page removal, edge repair, punch hole removal, and tab crop, if the setting value is ON, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified as feature information that the input image contains each object (carrier sheet, barcode, blank page, folded or torn medium, punch hole, tab). In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified as feature information that the input image does not contain each object. On the other hand, if the setting value is OFF, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified as feature information that the input image does not contain each object. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified as feature information that the input image contains each object. The calculation unit 142 calculates the ratio of the number of input images whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be determined as the degree of match.

[0089] Regarding OCR, when the setting value is ON, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified that the input image contains a predetermined number of characters or more as feature information and the position of the characters is within the area specified by the setting value. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified that the input image does not contain a predetermined number of characters or when the position of the characters is outside the area specified by the setting value. On the other hand, when the setting value is OFF, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified that the input image does not contain a predetermined number of characters or more as feature information. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified that the input image contains a predetermined number of characters or more as feature information. The calculation unit 142 calculates the ratio of the number of input images whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be determined as the degree of match.

[0090] Regarding the OCR language setting, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the set value when the language specified as the feature information matches the set value, and determines that the feature information does not match the set value when the language specified as the feature information does not match the set value. The calculation unit 142 calculates the ratio of the number of input images whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be determined as the degree of match.

[0091] Regarding the orientation correction, if the setting value is other than automatic, the calculation unit 142 determines that the characteristic information matches the setting value when the orientation of the medium specified as the characteristic information becomes correct (upward) when the input image is rotated in the direction set by the setting value. In this case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the characteristic information does not match the setting value when the orientation of the medium specified as the characteristic information does not become correct when the input image is rotated in the direction set by the setting value. The calculation unit 142 calculates the ratio of the number of input images whose characteristic information is determined to match to the total number of input images to be determined as the degree of matching. On the other hand, if the setting value is automatic, the calculation unit 142 sets the degree of matching to the highest value when any of the orientations of the medium specified as the characteristic information is different, and sets the degree of matching to the lowest value when all orientations are the same.

[0092] For the continuous scan, when the setting value is ON, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified as the feature information that continuous reading has been performed. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified as the feature information that continuous reading has not been performed. On the other hand, when the setting value is OFF, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information matches the setting value when it is specified as the feature information that continuous reading has not been performed. In that case, the calculation unit 142 determines that the feature information does not match the setting value when it is specified as the feature information that continuous reading has been performed. The calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of match as the ratio of the number of groups including an input image whose feature information is determined to match to the total number of groups of input images generated in succession.

[0093] For carrier sheet recognition, barcode recognition, blank page removal, edge repair, punch hole removal, tab crop, OCR, and / or orientation correction, when the setting value is ON, the calculation unit 142 may calculate the ratio of the number of groups including an input image whose feature information is determined to be compatible to the total number of groups of continuously generated input images as the degree of compatibility. When the setting value is OFF, the calculation unit 142 may calculate the ratio of the number of groups not including an input image whose feature information is determined to be compatible to the total number of groups of continuously generated input images as the degree of compatibility.

[0094] Next, the output control unit 141 identifies important items from among the multiple setting items included in the specified profile (step S104). For example, the output control unit 141 identifies as important items, among the multiple setting items included in the specified profile, setting items whose suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set in advance to an arbitrary value. A different value may be set as the predetermined value for each setting item. Furthermore, the output control unit 141 may identify as important items, a predetermined number of setting items from among the multiple setting items included in the specified profile, in descending order of suitability. The predetermined number is set in advance to an arbitrary value of 1, 2, or more.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining important items.

[0096] FIG. 12 is a table showing an example of the proportion of each piece of feature information identified from an input image generated with each setting value shown in FIG. 5 set for each profile shown in FIG.

[0097] For the setting item "medium type" of the profile "receipt", the setting value is "receipt" and the proportion of the feature information that is "receipt" is 100%, so the degree of conformance is 100%. For the setting item "color" of the profile "receipt", the setting value is "binary" and the proportion of the feature information that is "binary" is 80%, so the degree of conformance is 80%. For the setting item "medium size" of the profile "receipt", the setting value is "automatic" and the only feature information that is greater than 0% is "other", so the degree of conformance is 0%. For example, if the specified value is set to 90%, the setting item "medium type" is identified as an important item for the profile "receipt". Alternatively, if the specified number is set to 2, the setting items "medium type" and "color" are identified as important items for the profile "receipt".

[0098] For the setting item "medium type" of the profile "catalog", the setting value is "automatic", and only "catalog" has feature information greater than 0%, so the degree of suitability is 0%. For the setting item "color" of the profile "catalog", the setting value is "color", and the proportion of feature information that is "color" is 100%, so the degree of suitability is 100%. For the setting item "medium size" of the profile "catalog", the setting value is "A4", and the proportion of feature information that is "A4" is 90%, so the degree of suitability is 90%. For example, when the specified value is set to 90%, the setting items "medium type" and "medium size" are identified as important items for the profile "catalog". Or, when the specified number is set to 2, the setting items "medium type" and "medium size" are identified as important items for the profile "catalog".

[0099] For the setting item "medium type" of the profile "invoice", the setting value is "automatic", and only "invoice" has feature information greater than 0%, so the degree of suitability is 0%. For the setting item "color" of the profile "invoice", the setting value is "automatic", and two items of feature information greater than 0%, "color" and "grayscale", have feature information greater than 0%, so the degree of suitability is 100%. For the setting item "medium size" of the profile "invoice", the setting value is "automatic", and six items of feature information greater than 0%, "A4", "A5", "A6", "B4", "B5", and "B6", have feature information greater than 0%, so the degree of suitability is 100%. For example, when the predetermined value is set to 90%, the setting items "medium size" and "color" are identified as important items for the profile "invoice". Or, when the predetermined number is set to 2, the setting items "medium size" and "color" are identified as important items for the profile "catalog".

[0100] The characteristic information identified from the input image indicates the characteristics of the captured medium, and a setting item that matches this characteristic is likely to be an item that strongly represents the characteristics of the medium. By identifying a setting item that matches highly as an important item, the image reading device 100 can notify the user of information about the setting item that strongly represents the characteristics of the medium.

[0101] Next, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information indicating the identified important items and their setting values ​​by displaying the important item information on the first display device 106 or transmitting the important item information to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S105). The important item information is an example of information related to important items. When the information processing device 200 receives the important item information from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it causes the second display device 202 to display the received display data.

[0102] As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, important item information 1104 relating to the important items identified for the profile "catalog" designated by the user is displayed on display data 1100 of the settings list screen.

[0103] In this way, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information when accepting a profile designation by the user. This allows the user to confirm the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly represent the characteristics of the designated profile, and to easily and appropriately select the profile to be set when imaging the medium to be imaged. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can improve the convenience for the user.

[0104] As described above, the setting process is executed before or during the image reading process described below. That is, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information before or during the medium reading by the image reading device 100. This allows the user to check the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly represent the characteristics of the profile before or during the medium reading, and if the profile is not suitable for imaging the medium to be imaged, the profile can be changed early. Therefore, the image reading device 100 suppresses re-reading in the medium reading process, and as a result, the user's working time can be reduced.

[0105] Next, the output control unit 141 determines whether or not a profile selection instruction has been received (step S106). When a user selects any icon in a predetermined manner using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data 1100 of the setting list screen, the output control unit 141 receives a profile selection instruction corresponding to the selected icon. The output control unit 141 receives a selection instruction signal designating a specific profile from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, thereby receiving a profile selection instruction. When a profile selection instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S115.

[0106] On the other hand, when an instruction to select a profile is received, the output control unit 141 generates display data for a setting screen. The output control unit 141 outputs the generated display data by displaying it on the first display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S107). When the information processing device 200 receives display data from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it causes the second display device 202 to display the received display data.

[0107] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data of a setting screen according to an embodiment.

[0108] 13, display data 1300 of the setting screen includes a setting object 1301, a setting button 1302, and a cancel button 1303. The setting object 1301 includes a selection box for specifying a setting value for each of a plurality of setting items of a selected profile. The user can specify a setting value for each setting item for the selected profile using the setting object 1301. The setting button 1302 is a button for setting each setting value specified using the setting object 1301. The cancel button 1303 is a button for ending the display of the display data 1300 of the setting screen.

[0109] Next, the output control unit 141 determines whether or not a cancel instruction has been received (step S108). The output control unit 141 receives a cancel instruction when the user presses the cancel button 1303 in the display data 1300 of the setting screen using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200. The output control unit 141 receives a cancel instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, thereby receiving the cancel instruction.

[0110] When the cancel instruction is accepted, the output control unit 141 ends the display of the display data 1300 of the setting screen (step S109) and proceeds to step S115. As a result, the display data 1100 of the setting list screen is redisplayed. When the display data 1300 of the setting screen is displayed on the information processing device 200, the output control unit 141 transmits a request signal requesting that the display of the display data 1300 of the setting screen be ended to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122. When the information processing device 200 receives the request signal from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it ends the display of the display data 1300 of the setting screen.

[0111] On the other hand, if a cancel instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 judges whether or not a setting instruction has been received (step S110). When a setting button 1302 is pressed by the user using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data 1300 of the setting screen, the output control unit 141 receives a setting instruction for the corresponding profile. The output control unit 141 receives a setting instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, which specifies the profile specified in the display data 1100 of the setting list screen and each setting value specified using the setting object 1301. If a setting instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 returns the process to step S108.

[0112] On the other hand, when the output control unit 141 receives a setting instruction, the setting unit 145 sets each of the specified setting values ​​for the specified profile (step S111). The setting unit 145 sets the specified setting values ​​for each of the multiple setting items for the specified profile in the profile table. In this way, the setting unit 145 stores the profile specified by the user in the first storage device 130.

[0113] Next, the calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability for each of the multiple setting items included in the specified profile, i.e., the profile whose setting value has been changed (step S112). The calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability in the same manner as the process of step S103. However, when the setting value included in the profile has been changed, the calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability of the feature information in the multiple input images generated according to the profile including the setting value before the change to the setting value of the profile including the changed setting value as the degree of suitability. This allows the calculation unit 142 to appropriately calculate the degree of suitability of each setting item after the change using the input images generated so far.

[0114] Next, the output control unit 141 identifies important items from among a plurality of setting items included in the specified profile, i.e., the profile whose setting value has been changed (step S113). The output control unit 141 identifies important items in the same manner as in the process of step S104.

[0115] Next, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information indicating the identified important items and their setting values ​​by displaying them on the first display device 106 or transmitting them to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S114). The output control unit 141 ends the display of the display data 1300 of the setting screen, similar to the processing of step S109. As a result, the display data 1100 of the setting list screen is redisplayed. Then, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information indicating the identified important items and their setting values, similar to the processing of step S105. As a result, important item information regarding the identified important items for the profile whose setting values ​​have been changed is displayed on the display data 1100 of the setting list screen.

[0116] Next, the output control unit 141 determines whether or not an end instruction has been received (step S115). The output control unit 141 receives an end instruction when the end button 1105 is pressed by the user using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data 1100 of the setting list screen. The output control unit 141 receives an end instruction by receiving an end instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122. If an end instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 returns the process to step S102 and repeats the processes from step S102 onwards. On the other hand, if an end instruction has been received, the output control unit 141 ends the display of the display data 1100 of the setting list screen and ends the series of steps.

[0117] Note that the output control unit 141 may identify important items of all profiles before generating the setting list screen, and generate the display data 1100 of the setting list screen so that the important items of all profiles are displayed before the user specifies them. Also, the output control unit 141 may generate the display data 1100 of the setting list screen so that when a cursor, which moves in accordance with the operation of each input device, is placed on any profile, the important items of that profile are displayed.

[0118] Furthermore, the output control unit 141 may generate the display data 1100 of the setting list screen so that an icon corresponding to each profile is displayed in a manner according to the important item of each profile and its setting value in the display data 1100 of the setting list screen. For example, if the important item is a medium type, the output control unit 141 sets an icon representing the medium type (receipt, catalog, invoice, etc.) as the icon of the profile. For example, if the important item is color, the output control unit 141 sets an icon expressed in the medium type (color, grayscale, binary) as the icon of the profile. The user can visually imagine the characteristics of each profile from the appearance of the icon, and the image reading device 100 can further improve the convenience for the user.

[0119] Moreover, either or both of the processes in steps S102 to S105 and the processes in steps S106 to S114 may be omitted.

[0120] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of an image reading process according to an embodiment.

[0121] An example of the operation of the image reading process of the image reading device according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. Note that the flow of the operation described below is executed mainly by the first processing circuit 140 in cooperation with each element of the image reading device 100 based on a program stored in advance in the first storage device 130.

[0122] First, the output control unit 141 generates display data for the reading list screen, and outputs the generated display data by displaying it on the first display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S201). When the information processing device 200 receives display data from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it displays the received display data on the second display device 202. The reading list screen is the same screen as the setting list screen shown in FIG.

[0123] Next, the output control unit 141 determines whether or not a profile selection instruction has been received (step S202). When a user selects any icon in a predetermined manner using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data of the reading list screen, the output control unit 141 receives a profile selection instruction corresponding to the selected icon. The output control unit 141 receives a selection instruction signal designating a specific profile from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, thereby receiving a profile selection instruction. When a profile selection instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 does not execute any particular process and proceeds to step S218.

[0124] On the other hand, when the output control unit 141 receives an instruction to select a profile, the calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability for each of a plurality of setting items included in the designated profile, i.e., the profile used for medium reading (step S203). The calculation unit 142 calculates the degree of suitability in the same manner as the process in step S103 in FIG.

[0125] Next, the output control unit 141 identifies important items from among a plurality of setting items included in the specified profile, i.e., the profile used for medium reading (step S204). The output control unit 141 identifies important items in the same manner as the process of step S104 in FIG.

[0126] Next, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information indicating the identified important items and their setting values ​​by displaying it on the first display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S205). The output control unit 141 generates display data for a reading screen including important item information indicating the identified important items and their setting values. The output control unit 141 outputs the generated display data by displaying it on the first display device 106 or transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122. When the information processing device 200 receives display data from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it causes the second display device 202 to display the received display data.

[0127] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of display data on a reading screen according to an embodiment.

[0128] 15, the display data 1500 of the reading screen includes important item information 1501, a read button 1502, and a cancel button 1503. The important item information 1501 indicates important setting items and their setting values ​​among a plurality of setting items defined by the profile specified in step S202. The read button 1502 is a button for executing medium reading according to the specified profile. The cancel button 1303 is a button for ending the display of the display data 1500 of the reading screen.

[0129] In this way, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information when accepting a profile designation by the user. This allows the user to confirm the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly represent the characteristics of the designated profile, and to easily and appropriately select the profile to be set when imaging the medium to be imaged. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can improve the convenience for the user.

[0130] Furthermore, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information before the image reading device 100 executes medium reading. This allows the user to check the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly indicate the characteristics of the profile before executing medium reading, and if the profile is not suitable for capturing an image of the target medium, the user can appropriately change the profile. Therefore, the image reading device 100 suppresses re-reading in the medium reading process, and as a result, the user's working time can be reduced.

[0131] Furthermore, the output control unit 141 continues to display the reading screen while the image reading device 100 is reading a medium. That is, the output control unit 141 outputs important item information while the image reading device 100 is reading a medium. This allows the user to check the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly represent the characteristics of the profile while the medium reading is being performed, and if the profile is not suitable for capturing an image of the medium to be captured, the user can appropriately change the profile. Therefore, the image reading device 100 prevents an increase in the number of media that need to be re-read in the medium reading process, and as a result, the user's work time can be reduced.

[0132] Next, the output control unit 141 determines whether or not a cancel instruction has been received (step S206). The output control unit 141 receives a cancel instruction when the user presses the cancel button 1503 in the display data 1500 of the reading screen using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200. The output control unit 141 receives a cancel instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, thereby receiving the cancel instruction.

[0133] When the cancel instruction is received, the output control unit 141 ends the display of the display data 1500 of the reading screen (step S207) and proceeds to step S218. As a result, the display data of the reading list screen is redisplayed. When the display data 1500 of the reading screen is displayed on the information processing device 200, the output control unit 141 transmits a request signal requesting to end the display of the display data 1500 of the reading screen to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122. When the information processing device 200 receives the request signal from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, it ends the display of the display data 1500 of the reading screen.

[0134] On the other hand, if a cancel instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 judges whether or not a read instruction has been received (step S208). When the user presses the setting button 1302 using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data 1500 of the reading screen, the output control unit 141 receives a read instruction according to the corresponding profile. The output control unit 141 receives a read instruction signal that specifies the profile specified in the display data of the reading list screen from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, thereby receiving the read instruction. If a read instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 returns the process to step S206.

[0135] Next, the setting unit 145 acquires a profile included in the read instruction signal, and stores (sets) the acquired profile in the first storage device 130. The setting unit 145 also sets the imaging device 117, the motor 121, and the like so that an input image according to the acquired profile is generated (step S209). The setting unit 145 sets the imaging device 117, the motor 121, and the like so that an input image having a quality equal to or higher than that of an image according to the set profile is generated. For example, the setting unit 145 sets the imaging device 117, the motor 121, and the like so that an input image having a resolution equal to the maximum resolution supported by the image reading device 100, a medium size equal to the maximum medium size supported by the image reading device 100, and a color is generated. This allows the image reading device 100 to appropriately determine whether the set profile matches the characteristics of the input image based on the input image.

[0136] Furthermore, the profile may not be specified together with the instruction to read the medium, but may be specified by the user before the instruction to read the medium is input, and may be stored in the first storage device 130. In this case, the setting unit 145 obtains the profile by reading it from the first storage device 130.

[0137] Next, control unit 146 waits until a medium is placed on mounting table 103 (step S210). Control unit 146 acquires a first medium signal from first medium sensor 111, and determines whether or not a medium is placed on mounting table 103 based on the acquired first medium signal.

[0138] Next, the control unit 146 drives the motor 121 to rotate the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyor roller 114, the second conveyor roller 115, the third conveyor roller 118, and / or the fourth conveyor roller 119 (step S211). In this way, the control unit 146 feeds and conveys the medium placed on the placement table 103. The control unit 146 controls the motor 121 so that an input image is generated according to the profile acquired in step S209, in particular so that the motor 121 rotates at a speed at which an image with a resolution specified by the profile can be generated.

[0139] Next, the acquisition unit 143 acquires an input image of the medium being transported from the imaging device 117, and stores the input image in the first storage device 130 (step S212).

[0140] The acquisition unit 143 determines, for example, whether the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116 based on the second medium signal received from the second medium sensor 116. The acquisition unit 143 periodically acquires the second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, and determines that the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116 when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating that the medium is not present to a value indicating that the medium is present. The acquisition unit 143 causes the imaging device 117 to start imaging when the leading edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The control unit 146 controls the imaging device 117 so that an input image is generated according to the profile acquired in step S209.

[0141] Thereafter, the acquisition unit 143 causes the imaging device 117 to end imaging when the medium has been transported by an amount equal to the medium size indicated in the profile set in step S209 plus a margin. The acquisition unit 143 may cause the imaging device 117 to end imaging when the trailing end of the medium passes the imaging position of the imaging device 117. For example, the acquisition unit 143 determines whether the trailing end of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116 based on the second medium signal received from the second medium sensor 116. The acquisition unit 143 periodically acquires the second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, and determines that the leading end of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116 when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating that the medium is present to a value indicating that the medium is not present. The acquisition unit 143 determines that the trailing end of the medium has passed the imaging position of the imaging device 117 when a predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing end of the medium passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The predetermined time is set to the time required for the medium to move from the position of the second medium sensor 116 to the imaging position.

[0142] The acquisition unit 143 acquires an input image from the imaging device 117 every time the imaging device 117 generates an input image for a predetermined number of lines, and synthesizes the input images when imaging device 117 is caused to end imaging. The control unit 146 may acquire input images for all lines collectively when imaging device 117 is caused to end imaging.

[0143] The acquisition unit 143 acquires a plurality of input images by acquiring an input image from the imaging device 117 every time the medium is transported.

[0144] Next, the identification unit 144 performs image processing on the acquired input images and identifies a plurality of pieces of feature information in each input image (step S213). The control unit 146 performs image processing on the input images according to the profile set in step S209. The identification unit 144 also assigns a new image ID to the acquired input image, and stores the acquired input image, the assigned image ID, the acquired profile, each piece of identified feature information, and the current time in a history table in association with each other.

[0145] Regarding the type, the identification unit 144 identifies the type of medium included in the input image, for example, by a classifier that has been trained in advance to output the type of medium included in the image when an image is input. This classifier is trained in advance using a plurality of images including various types of media, for example, by deep learning, and is stored in advance in the first storage device 130. The identification unit 144 inputs the input image to the classifier, and identifies the type of medium included in the input image based on the information output from the classifier.

[0146] The identification unit 144 may execute OCR processing and identify the type of medium included in the input image based on the recognized characters. In this case, the image reading device 100 stores in advance in the first storage device 130 a table in which keywords corresponding to each type (such as "receipt" for a receipt, "product" for a catalog, and "invoice" for an invoice) are stored. The identification unit 144 refers to the table and identifies the type corresponding to the recognized characters. The identification unit 144 may identify the type of medium included in the input image based on features other than characters (ruled lines, seal impressions, character arrangement positions, etc.).

[0147] Regarding the color components, the determination unit 144 determines whether the color components included in the input image are color or black and white based on the distribution of the color values ​​(R value, G value, B value, etc.) of each pixel in the input image before the image processing is performed. The determination unit 144 calculates a variance value of the color values ​​of each pixel in the input image. If the average value of the calculated variance values ​​is equal to or greater than a predetermined color variance threshold, the determination unit 144 determines that the color components included in the input image are color, and if the variance value is less than the color variance threshold, the determination unit 144 determines that the color components included in the input image are black and white. If the color components are determined to be black and white, the determination unit 144 determines whether the color components included in the input image are grayscale or binary based on the distribution of the luminance values ​​of each pixel in the input image. The determination unit 144 calculates a variance value of the luminance values ​​of each pixel in the input image. If the calculated variance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined luminance variance threshold, the determination unit 144 determines that the color components included in the input image are grayscale, and if the variance value is less than the luminance variance threshold, the determination unit 144 determines that the color components included in the input image are binary.

[0148] Regarding size, the identification unit 144 extracts edge pixels in the input image before image processing is performed, whose difference in gradation value (such as brightness value or color value) from adjacent pixels is equal to or greater than a predetermined gradation threshold. The identification unit 144 detects the largest area surrounded by adjacent edge pixels as the medium area. The identification unit 144 identifies the size of the medium included in the input image from the number of pixels in the detected medium area and the resolution that was set when the input image was generated.

[0149] Regarding the medium resolution, the specifying unit 144 performs a frequency transform such as a Fourier transform on the input image before image processing is performed, and specifies the distribution of spatial frequencies in the input image. The image reading device 100 stores in advance in the first storage device 130 a table or formula indicating the relationship between the maximum value of the spatial frequency in the input image and the resolution (print resolution) of an object included in the medium included in the input image. The specifying unit 144 refers to the table or formula and specifies the resolution corresponding to the maximum value of the spatial frequency in the input image as the medium resolution. Regarding the number of dropout pixels, the specifying unit 144 specifies the number of pixels having a specific color component, that is, the number of pixels removed in image processing, as the number of dropout pixels. Regarding the presence or absence of a carrier sheet, the specifying unit 144 uses a known image processing technique to specify whether or not the input image includes a specific symbol that the carrier sheet has.

[0150] Regarding the presence or absence of a barcode, the identification unit 144 determines whether or not the image includes a barcode by using a classifier that has been trained in advance to output whether or not the image includes a barcode when an image is input. This classifier is trained in advance using a plurality of images including various barcodes, for example, by deep learning, and is stored in advance in the first storage device 130. The identification unit 144 inputs the input image to the classifier, and determines whether or not the input image includes a barcode based on the information output from the classifier. Regarding the presence or absence of characters, the identification unit 144 performs OCR processing on the input image, and determines whether or not the input image includes characters depending on whether or not characters are detected. Furthermore, when characters are detected in the input image, the identification unit 144 identifies the positions at which each character is detected in the input image as the positions of the characters in the input image. Furthermore, regarding the language, the identification unit 144 performs OCR processing on the input image, and identifies the language of the characters detected in the input image.

[0151] Regarding the presence or absence of a blank sheet, the specifying unit 144 detects a medium area in the input image in the same manner as when specifying the size, and specifies whether or not the input image includes a blank sheet depending on whether or not the number of edge pixels included in the detected medium area is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Regarding the orientation, the specifying unit 144 executes OCR while rotating the input image by, for example, 90 degrees at a time, and determines that the orientation of the medium included in the input image in which the most characters are detected is correct. The specifying unit 144 specifies the orientation of the medium before the rotation of the input image from the determination result. Regarding the presence or absence of continuation, the specifying unit 144 specifies whether or not continuous reading has been performed in a process described later. Regarding the presence or absence of a repaired edge, the specifying unit 144 detects a medium area in the input image in the same manner as when specifying the size. The specifying unit 144 specifies whether or not a fold exists in the medium depending on whether or not the corner of the medium area is within a predetermined range including 90 degrees. The specifying unit 144 specifies whether or not a tear exists in the medium depending on whether or not the distance between a straight line corresponding to a side of the medium area and the pixel closest to the straight line is within a predetermined distance.

[0152] Regarding the presence or absence of punch holes, the identification unit 144 detects an area surrounded by adjacent edge pixels in the same manner as when identifying the size, and detects a medium area in the input image. The identification unit 144 identifies whether or not the input image includes punch holes based on whether or not there is an area that is arranged around the edge of the medium area and has a substantially circular shape among the areas surrounded by adjacent edge pixels. Regarding the presence or absence of tabs, the identification unit 144 detects an area surrounded by adjacent edge pixels in the same manner as when identifying the size, and detects the largest rectangular area among the areas surrounded by adjacent edge pixels as the medium area. The identification unit 144 identifies whether or not there is a tab in the input image based on whether or not there is an area that is arranged adjacent to the medium area outside the medium area and has a substantially rectangular shape among the areas surrounded by adjacent edge pixels.

[0153] Next, the acquiring unit 143 outputs the input image on which the image processing has been performed by transmitting it to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122 (step S214). When the information processing device 200 receives the input image from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, the information processing device 200 displays the received input image on the second display device 202.

[0154] Next, control unit 146 determines whether or not a medium remains on mounting table 103 based on the first medium signal received from first medium sensor 111 (step S215). If a medium remains on mounting table 103, control unit 146 returns the process to step S212, and repeats the processes of steps S212 to S215.

[0155] On the other hand, if no media remain on the placement table 103, the control unit 146 stops the motor 121, and stops the feed roller 112, the separation roller 113, the first conveyor roller 114, the second conveyor roller 115, the third conveyor roller 118, and the fourth conveyor roller 119 (step S216). This causes the control unit 146 to stop conveying the media.

[0156] Next, the control unit 146 determines whether or not continuous scanning is set to ON in the profile set in step S209 (step S217). If continuous scanning is set to ON, the control unit 146 returns the process to step S206 and repeats the processes from step S206 onwards. As a result, when the user places a new medium on the placement table 103 and presses the read button 1502, continuous reading is executed. When continuous reading is executed, the identification unit 144 stores in the history table that continuous reading has been executed with respect to the continuation or non-continuation of the feature information associated with the corresponding input image. Note that when continuous reading is executed, the profile is not changed, so the process of step S209 may be omitted.

[0157] On the other hand, if the continuous scan is set to OFF, the output control unit 141 judges whether or not an end instruction has been received (step S218). The output control unit 141 receives an end instruction when the end button is pressed by the user using the first input device 105 or the information processing device 200 in the display data of the reading list screen. The output control unit 141 receives an end instruction by receiving an end instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122. If an end instruction has not been received, the output control unit 141 returns the process to step S202 and repeats the processes from step S202 onwards. On the other hand, if an end instruction has been received, the output control unit 141 ends the display of the display data of the reading list screen and ends the series of steps.

[0158] Note that the processes in steps S203 and S204 may be omitted, and in step S205, the output control unit 141 may output display data of the reading screen that does not include important item information.

[0159] As described above in detail, the image reading device 100 notifies the user of important setting items, among multiple setting items included in a profile, of which setting values ​​have a high degree of compatibility with feature information in a previously generated input image. This allows the user to check the setting items and / or their setting values ​​that clearly represent the features of each profile, and to easily and appropriately select the profile to be set when imaging the medium to be imaged. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can improve the convenience for the user.

[0160] Furthermore, the image reading device 100 can prevent the user from selecting an erroneous profile, and as a result, re-reading can be prevented from being performed in the medium reading process, thereby reducing the user's work time.

[0161] In recent years, image processing devices are used for capturing images of various types of media for various purposes. In order to support various purposes and various types of media, the number of setting items when reading a medium is increasing in the image processing device. Therefore, if information on all setting items is notified to a user, the user needs to check many setting items, and the checking may take a lot of time. Since the image reading device 100 notifies the user of only important setting items, the user can focus only on the important setting items and determine whether the profile is appropriate. Therefore, the image reading device 100 can reduce the effort required for the user to check while suppressing the user from selecting the wrong profile.

[0162] Furthermore, the image reading device 100 can use a profile to set a plurality of setting items related to imaging processing or image processing all at once, thereby improving the user's work efficiency.

[0163] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first processing circuit in an image reading device according to another embodiment.

[0164] The first processing circuit 340 is used in place of the first processing circuit 140, and executes setting processing, image reading processing, etc. The first processing circuit 340 has an output control circuit 341, a calculation circuit 342, an acquisition circuit 343, a specification circuit 344, a setting circuit 345, a control circuit 346, etc.

[0165] The output control circuit 341 is an example of an output control unit, and has the same function as the output control unit 141. The output control circuit 341 receives each instruction signal from the first input device 105 or the first communication device 122, and reads the compatibility degree from the first storage device 130. The output control circuit 341 identifies important items according to each received instruction signal and the read compatibility degree, generates each display data, and outputs it to the first display device 106 or the first communication device 122. The output control circuit 341 also outputs the received setting instruction signal to the setting circuit 345.

[0166] The calculation circuit 342 is an example of a calculation unit, and has the same function as the calculation unit 142. The calculation circuit 342 reads out feature information from the first storage device 130, calculates a degree of compatibility based on the read feature information, and stores it in the first storage device 130.

[0167] The acquisition circuit 343 is an example of an acquisition unit, and has the same function as the acquisition unit 143. The acquisition circuit 343 acquires an input image from the imaging device 117 and stores it in the first storage device 130. In addition, the acquisition circuit 343 reads out the input image that has been subjected to image processing from the first storage device 130, and outputs it to the first communication device 122.

[0168] The identification circuit 344 is an example of an identification unit, and has the same function as the identification unit 144. The identification circuit 344 reads out an input image from the first storage device 130, performs image processing, and identifies feature information, and stores the input image on which the image processing has been performed and the identified feature information in the first storage device 130.

[0169] The setting circuit 345 is an example of a setting unit, and has the same function as the setting unit 145. The setting circuit 345 receives a setting instruction signal from the output control circuit 341, stores a profile included in the received setting instruction signal in the first storage device 130, and sets the imaging device 117 or the motor 121.

[0170] The control circuit 346 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 146. The control circuit 346 receives a first medium signal from the first medium sensor 111 and a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116. The control circuit 346 controls the motor 121 based on each of the received signals.

[0171] As described above in detail, even when the image reading device uses the first processing circuit 340, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.

[0172] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second storage device and a second processing circuit in an information processing device according to still another embodiment.

[0173] 17, the second storage device 410 stores an output control program 411, a calculation program 412, an acquisition program 413, a specification program 414, a setting program 415, and a control program 416. Each of these programs is a functional module implemented by software that runs on a processor. The second processing circuit 420 reads each program stored in the first storage device 130 and operates according to the read programs, thereby functioning as an output control unit 421, a calculation unit 422, an acquisition unit 423, a specification unit 424, a setting unit 425, and a control unit 426.

[0174] The output control unit 421, the calculation unit 422, the acquisition unit 423, the determination unit 424, the setting unit 425, and the control unit 426 have the same functions as the output control unit 141, the calculation unit 142, the acquisition unit 143, the determination unit 144, the setting unit 145, and the control unit 146 of the image reading device 100, respectively. The second storage device 410 stores each data stored in the first storage device 130. The processes of steps S101 to S115 of the setting process and steps S201 to S209, S211 to S214, and S216 to S218 of the image reading process are executed by the output control unit 421, the calculation unit 422, the acquisition unit 423, the determination unit 424, the setting unit 425, and the control unit 426.

[0175] In steps S101, S105, S107, and S114 of the setting process, the output control unit 421 outputs each display data or each piece of information by displaying it on the second display device 202.

[0176] In steps S102, S106, S108, S110, and S115, when the user uses the second input device 201 to perform each operation, the output control unit 421 receives each instruction signal from the second input device 201 to accept each instruction.

[0177] In step S111, the setting unit 425 stores in the second storage device 210 the profile designated by the user.

[0178] In steps S201 and S205 of the image reading process, the output control unit 421 outputs each display data or each piece of information by displaying it on the second display device 202.

[0179] In steps S202, S206, S208, and S218, when the user uses the second input device 201 to perform each operation, the output control unit 421 receives each instruction signal from the second input device 201 to accept each instruction.

[0180] In step S208, the control unit 426 transmits a reading instruction signal to the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203.

[0181] In step S209, the setting unit 425 acquires the profile included in the reading instruction signal. The setting unit 425 transmits a request signal to the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, requesting that the acquired profile be stored (set) in the first storage device 130 and that an input image be generated according to the acquired profile. The setting unit 145 of the image reading device 100 receives the request signal from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122. The setting unit 145 stores (sets) the profile designated in the received request signal in the first storage device 130, and sets the imaging device 117, the motor 121, and the like so that an input image according to the profile is generated. In this way, the setting unit 425 sets the profile designated by the user.

[0182] In step S211, the control unit 426 transmits a request signal requesting that the motor 121 be driven to the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203. The control unit 146 of the image reading device 100 receives the request signal from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122, and drives the motor 121 in accordance with the received request signal. This causes the control unit 426 to feed and transport the medium.

[0183] In step S212, the acquisition unit 143 transmits the input image to the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122. The acquisition unit 423 acquires the input image by receiving it from the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203, and stores it in the second storage device 210.

[0184] In step S213, the specification unit 424 specifies a plurality of pieces of feature information for each input image, and stores the same in the history table of the second storage device 210.

[0185] In step S214, the acquisition unit 423 outputs the input image that has been subjected to image processing by displaying it on the second display device 202.

[0186] In step S216, the control unit 426 transmits a request signal requesting that the motor 121 be stopped to the image reading device 100 via the second communication device 203. The control unit 146 of the image reading device 100 receives the request signal from the information processing device 200 via the first communication device 122, and stops the motor 121 in accordance with the received request signal.

[0187] In addition, some of the processes executed by each unit of the information processing device may be executed by the corresponding units of the image reading device or the corresponding units of another information processing device. This allows the image processing system to identify important items more efficiently. The information processing device may acquire input images and / or feature information from multiple image reading devices to identify important items. This allows the information processing device to identify important items with higher accuracy.

[0188] As described above in detail, the image processing system can improve user convenience even in the case where an information processing device executes part of the image reading process.

[0189] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a second processing circuit in an information processing device according to still another embodiment.

[0190] The second processing circuit 520 is used in place of the second processing circuit 420, and executes image reading processing, etc. The second processing circuit 520 has an output control circuit 521, a calculation circuit 522, an acquisition circuit 523, a specification circuit 524, a setting circuit 525, a control circuit 526, and the like.

[0191] The output control circuit 521 is an example of an output control unit, and has the same function as the output control unit 421. The output control circuit 521 receives each instruction signal from the second input device 201, and reads out the degree of suitability from the second storage device 210. The output control circuit 521 identifies important items according to each received instruction signal and the read out degree of suitability, generates each display data, and outputs it to the second display device 202. The output control circuit 521 also outputs the received setting instruction signal to the setting circuit 525.

[0192] The calculation circuit 522 is an example of a calculation unit, and has the same function as the calculation unit 422. The calculation circuit 522 reads out feature information from the second storage device 210, calculates a degree of compatibility based on the read feature information, and stores it in the second storage device 210.

[0193] The acquisition circuit 523 is an example of an acquisition unit, and has the same function as the acquisition unit 423. The acquisition circuit 523 receives an input image from the second communication device 203 and stores it in the second storage device 210. The acquisition circuit 523 also reads out the input image that has been subjected to image processing from the second storage device 210, and outputs it to the second display device 202.

[0194] The identification circuit 524 is an example of an identification unit, and has the same function as the identification unit 424. The identification circuit 524 reads out an input image from the second storage device 210, performs image processing, and identifies feature information, and stores the input image on which the image processing has been performed and the identified feature information in the second storage device 210.

[0195] The setting circuit 525 is an example of a setting unit, and has the same function as the setting unit 425. The setting circuit 525 receives a setting instruction signal from the output control circuit 521, stores the profile included in the received setting instruction signal in the second storage device 210, and outputs the profile to the second communication device 203.

[0196] The control circuit 526 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 426. The control circuit 526 outputs a read instruction signal and each request signal to the second communication device 203.

[0197] As described above in detail, even when the information processing device uses the second processing circuit 520, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user.

[0198] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to these. For example, the multiple setting items included in each profile may include setting items other than the above-mentioned setting items. Also, each profile may not include any of the above-mentioned setting items.

[0199] The image reading device may also have a so-called U-turn path, which feeds and transports the media placed on the placement table in order from the top, and discharges the media onto the discharge table. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 1 Image processing system, 100 Image reading device, 130 First storage device, 141, 421 Output control unit, 142, 422 Calculation unit, 143, 423 Acquisition unit, 144, 424 Identification unit, 200 Information processing device, 210 Second storage device

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a profile containing setting values ​​for each of several setting items related to imaging processing or image processing performed on an image captured by a medium, which can be specified by the user. An acquisition unit that acquires multiple input images captured on a medium, A unit that identifies multiple feature information related to each of the multiple setting items in each of the multiple input images, For each of the above multiple setting items, a calculation unit calculates the degree of fit in which the feature information in the above multiple input images conforms to the setting value, An output control unit outputs information on a predetermined number of setting items, in descending order of the degree of suitability among the plurality of setting items, and the setting items whose degree of suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. An image processing apparatus characterized by having

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit, when receiving a profile specification from a user, outputs information regarding setting items whose degree of fit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or a predetermined number of setting items in descending order of degree of fit.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output control unit outputs information regarding setting items whose degree of suitability is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, or a predetermined number of setting items in descending order of degree of suitability, before or during the execution of media reading by the image reading device.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when a setting value included in the profile is changed, the calculation unit calculates the degree to which the feature information in a plurality of input images generated according to a profile including the setting value before the change is adapted to the changed setting value in the profile including the changed setting value, as the degree of adaptation.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates the degree of fit using input images generated during a predetermined period.

6. An image processing system having an image reading device and an information processing device, Either the image reading device or the information processing device has a storage unit that stores a profile including setting values ​​for each of several setting items related to imaging processing or image processing performed on an image captured on a medium, which can be specified by the user. Either the image reading device or the information processing device has an acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of input images on which a medium has been photographed. Either the image reading device or the information processing device has a specification unit that identifies a plurality of feature information related to each of the plurality of setting items in each of the plurality of input images, Either the image reading device or the information processing device has a calculation unit that calculates the degree of fit in which the feature information in the plurality of input images conforms to the setting value for each of the plurality of setting items, Either the image reading device or the information processing device has an output control unit that outputs information about a predetermined number of setting items from among the plurality of setting items, where the degree of suitability is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or in descending order of the degree of suitability. An image processing system characterized by the following:

7. A profile containing setting values ​​for each of several setting items related to imaging processing or image processing performed on an image captured by a medium, which can be specified by the user, is stored in the storage unit. Acquire multiple input images in which the medium has been captured, Identify multiple feature information related to each of the multiple setting items in each of the multiple input images, For each of the above multiple setting items, the degree of fit in which the feature information in the above multiple input images matches the setting value is calculated. Of the aforementioned multiple setting items, information on setting items whose degree of compliance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or information on a predetermined number of setting items in descending order of degree of compliance, is output. An image processing method characterized by the following:

8. A computer control program, A profile containing setting values ​​for each of several setting items related to imaging processing or image processing performed on an image captured by a medium, which can be specified by the user, is stored in the storage unit. Acquire multiple input images in which the medium has been captured, Identify multiple feature information related to each of the multiple setting items in each of the multiple input images, For each of the above multiple setting items, the degree of fit in which the feature information in the above multiple input images matches the setting value is calculated. Of the aforementioned multiple setting items, information on setting items whose degree of compliance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or information on a predetermined number of setting items in descending order of degree of compliance, is output. A control program characterized by causing the computer to perform the following action.

Images