Image processing system and program

Abstract

To allow a user to more easily confirm fitness of attribute values of reading attributes to be more easily confirmed when the user is caused to confirm the propriety of setting attribute values of reading attributes based on a preview image before a read image of a document is generated as compared with a case where attribute values of reading attributes as candidates selected by the user are combined to generate a plurality of preview image.SOLUTION: A multifunction machine 10 includes a confirmation screen generation unit 13 for generating a confirmation screen for user's confirmation by displaying an image captured by a document camera on an operation panel when a reading configuration and its attribute values are specified by a user, a preview area setting unit 14 for setting a partial area including a position specified by the user on the confirmation screen as a preview area, and a preview image generation unit 151 for generating a preview image according to the attribute values of the reading attributes specified by the user in the preview area, whereby the user is caused to confirm the validity of the attribute values specified by the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] When scanning an original document to generate a scanned image, it is generally possible to set various scanning attributes such as color mode and resolution. Therefore, a user may want to confirm whether or not to set the attribute values ​​of the scanning attributes before generating and saving a scanned image of the original document. In this case, the user can check in advance what kind of scanned image will be created by the main scan by generating a preview image before officially generating a scanned image of the original document by the main scan.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, multiple patterns of scan setting data are generated by combining selection candidates of setting values ​​for each setting item such as resolution, color, or data format, and a preview image corresponding to each scan setting data is generated by pre-scanning an original and provided to the user. The user can check the suitability of the combination of setting values ​​for each setting item by viewing the preview image corresponding to each scan setting data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-252537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the past, if there were many selection candidates for attribute values ​​for each reading attribute of a document, the number of preview images provided would be large. In this case, the user must search for a preview image generated by a desired combination of attribute values ​​from among the many preview images. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes to be set when generating a read image of a document can be efficiently found.

[0006] To provide an apparatus for allowing a user to easily check whether an attribute value is appropriate when a preview image is used to check whether an attribute value of a reading attribute is set appropriately before a read image of a document is generated, compared to a case in which multiple preview images are generated by combining attribute values ​​of reading attributes selected by the user as selection candidates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image processing system of the present invention comprises an imaging means and a processor, and when a user specifies reading attributes and attribute values ​​of the reading attributes to be set when generating a scanned image of a document, the processor displays a captured image of the document captured by the imaging means, acquires a position on the captured image specified by the user, generates a preview image of the document in accordance with the specified attribute values, with a partial area on the document including the acquired position as a generation range, and enlarges and displays the preview image.

[0008] The processor is also characterized in that it sets a partial area on the document in which differences are likely to appear depending on the attribute values ​​that the reading attributes specified by the user can take, as the generation range of the preview image, without the user having to specify a position.

[0009] The processor is also characterized in that, when a reading attribute related to image quality is specified by a user, it performs character recognition processing on the captured image of the document, and sets a partial area on the document that includes the positions of characters on the document obtained by the character recognition processing that have relatively small character sizes as the generation range of the preview image.

[0010] The processor also displays selection candidates for attribute values ​​of the reading attributes in response to a setting change instruction from a user, regenerates a preview image of the document from the photographed image of the document, with the partial area as a generation range in accordance with the attribute value selected by the user from the selection candidates, and enlarges and displays the regenerated preview image.

[0011] The partial area is a display area of ​​one object on the document.

[0012] The program of the present invention enables a computer to realize the following functions when a user specifies reading attributes and attribute values ​​of the reading attributes to be set when generating a scanned image of a document: displaying a captured image of the document captured by a shooting means; acquiring a position on the captured image specified by the user; generating a preview image of the document using a partial area on the document that includes the acquired position as a generation range; and enlarging and displaying the preview image. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 1, when a user is asked to check the appropriateness of setting the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes using a preview image before generating a read image of a document, it is easier to check whether the attribute values ​​are appropriate compared to when the user generates multiple preview images by combining the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes that he or she selects as selection candidates.

[0014] According to the invention as recited in claim 2, a partial area on a document that is suitable for the reading attributes designated by the user can be automatically set as the generation range of a preview image.

[0015] According to the invention as recited in claim 3, it is possible to generate a scanned image of a document in which even characters having a relatively small size are easily visible.

[0016] According to the invention as recited in claim 4, the preview image generated in accordance with the selected attribute value can be enlarged and displayed.

[0017] According to the invention as recited in claim 5, it becomes easier to check whether the attribute values ​​designated by the user are appropriate.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 6, when a user is asked to check the appropriateness of setting the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes using a preview image before generating a read image of a document, it is easier to check whether the attribute values ​​are appropriate compared to when multiple preview images are generated by combining the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes selected by the user as selection candidates. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a block configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral forming an image processing system in accordance with a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing a read attribute setting process in the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a confirmation screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] 5B is a diagram showing a display example when a preview image is superimposed on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. [Figure 5C] 5C is a diagram showing an example of a display when a setting change button is selected on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. [Figure 5D] 5D is a diagram showing an example of a display when resolution is selected as a reading attribute to be changed on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5C. FIG. [Figure 5E] FIG. 5E is a diagram showing an example of a display when a preview image regenerated in accordance with the attribute values ​​selected on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5D is displayed in an overlapping manner. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral forming an image processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7]13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of attribute value setting information stored in an attribute value setting information storage unit in the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a read attribute setting process in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display when a setting change button is selected on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 5B in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] Embodiment 1 Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction device 10 forming an embodiment of an image processing system according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the multifunction device 10 in this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction device 10 in this embodiment.

[0022] The multifunction device 10 in this embodiment is characterized in that, as part of its device configuration, it is equipped with a document camera 21 as shown in Fig. 2. The multifunction device 10 has a document table 23 provided on the top surface of a device main body 22, and is provided with a document camera 21 that can capture the entire document table 23. The document camera 21 is supported by a support rod 24. Also, on the top surface of the device main body 22, there is provided an operation panel 25 that functions as an input means operated by the user and as a display means for displaying information.

[0023] The multifunction device 10 in this embodiment is a form of an image forming device equipped with various functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, etc., and is a device with a built-in computer. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, the multifunction device 10 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34 as a storage means, the operation panel 25 as a user interface, the document camera 21 as an image capturing means, a printer 35 that provides a printing function, and a network interface (IF) 36 as a communication means. An address data bus 37 connects the various mechanisms 31 to 36, 21, and 25 that are controlled by the CPU 31, and communicates data.

[0024] Incidentally, conventional multifunction machines are generally equipped with a scanner that optically reads the document 2 on the document table 23 to realize a scanning function. The multifunction machine 10 in this embodiment is equipped with a document camera 21 instead of a scanner. Therefore, the read image of the document 2 is generated from a captured image obtained by capturing an image with the document camera 21, or by performing image processing on the captured image. The document camera 21 captures an image of the document 2 on the document table 23 to generate a captured image of the document 2, but since it can also be said that the document 2 is read by capturing an image, in this embodiment, the terms "capturing" and "reading" are used synonymously without being strictly distinguished from each other. Therefore, by replacing "capturing" by the document camera 21 with "reading", "capturing" by the document camera 21 may also be called "reading" or "scanning".

[0025] 1, a multifunction device 10 in this embodiment has a photographing unit 11, a user interface (UI) unit 12, a confirmation screen generating unit 13, a preview area setting unit 14, an image processing unit 15, an attribute value setting unit 16, a service processing unit 17, and a control unit 18. Note that components that are not used in the description of this embodiment are omitted from the figure.

[0026] The photographing unit 11 is realized by a document camera 21, and photographs the entire top surface of the document table 23 as its photographing range. The user interface unit 12 is realized by an operation panel 25, and displays various menu screens and the like in the multifunction device 10. The user interface unit 12 also accepts user operations on the displayed screen. The confirmation screen generating unit 13 generates a confirmation screen, the example of which is shown below. The preview area setting unit 14 sets a predetermined range including a position specified by the user within the photographed image of the document photographed by the document camera 21 as a preview area. In this embodiment, the preview area is the generation range of the preview image.

[0027] The image processing unit 15 executes image processing on the image captured by the document camera 21 as the processing target. The image processing unit 15 has a preview image generating unit 151 and a read image generating unit 152. The preview image generating unit 151 generates a preview image based on the read attributes specified by the user. The "read attributes" are attribute items related to the reading of the document 2 among the attribute items added to the document 2. Attribute items corresponding to the read attributes include, for example, resolution and sharpness related to image quality, the file format when saving the read image, color mode, frame erasure, and read size. Incidentally, attribute items not corresponding to the read attributes include, for example, creation date and creator. The read attributes may be general attribute items that have been available for some time.

[0028] The read image generating unit 152 generates a read image of the document from the image captured by the document camera 21 in accordance with the attribute values ​​of the read attributes specified by the user. Since the document camera 21 has an imaging range that covers the entire upper surface of the document table 23, a captured image of the document 2 is obtained by extracting the imaging range of the document 2 from the image captured by the document camera 21. Then, the read image generating unit 152 generates a read image of the document 2 by performing necessary image processing on the captured image of the document 2 as described below.

[0029] The attribute value setting unit 16 sets the attribute value selected by the user by operating the confirmation screen as the attribute value of the read attribute. The service processing unit 17 implements a service specified by the user using the read image of the document generated by the read image generating unit 152. The services that the multifunction device 10 provides to the user include a transmission service for transmitting the read image of the document to a specified destination. The control unit 18 controls the operations of the above components 11 to 17.

[0030] Each of the components 11 to 18 in the multifunction device 10 is realized by the cooperative operation of a computer installed in the multifunction device 10 and a program that runs on a CPU 31 installed in the computer.

[0031] Furthermore, the programs used in the present embodiment can be provided by communication means, and can also be provided by storing them in a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory. The programs provided from the communication means or recording medium are installed in a computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU 31 of the computer sequentially executing the programs.

[0032] Although the multifunction device 10 constituting the image processing system is illustrated as a single device, it may be realized by combining multiple computers or devices. For example, the multifunction device 10 may perform image processing, and a separate information processing device such as a PC may be used as the user interface.

[0033] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0034] When a user wishes to use a desired service in which a document is scanned by the multifunction device 10, the user logs in to the multifunction device 10 and selects the desired service from a home screen or the like displayed on the operation panel 25. The document camera 21 starts capturing images at regular intervals in response to this user operation. Note that the capturing of images by the document camera 21 is referred to as "pre-scanning" because it starts after the service is selected and before the user issues an instruction to scan the document 2. Meanwhile, the scanning performed to obtain a scanned image of the document 2 in response to an instruction to execute a service or an instruction to scan, etc., from the user is referred to as "main scanning."

[0035] The user places the document 2 on the document table 23 before or after selecting a service. At this time, the user places the document 2 so that the printed side to be read by the document camera 21 faces upward. Here, it is assumed that the user uses the service using one document 2. The process of setting the reading attributes of the document 2 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0036] As described above, when the user selects a service requiring document scanning from a home screen or the like displayed on the operation panel 25, the photographing unit 11 starts photographing the document 2 on the document table 23 at regular time intervals using the document camera 21 in response to this user operation. Here, it is assumed that the user has selected, for example, a transmission service for transmitting a scanned image of the document to a specified destination. In this case, the user sets, from a screen (not shown) corresponding to the service, the reading attributes and their attribute values ​​that the user wants to check in a preview image before generating a scanned image of the document 2, and the destination of the scanned image of the document 2. Here, it is assumed that the user has input and specified, for example, "resolution" as the reading attribute and "200 dpi" as the attribute value of the resolution.

[0037] When the user interface unit 12 receives the reading attribute and its attribute value designated by the user (step S101), the photographing unit 11 photographs the document 2 (step S102). As described above, the document camera 21, i.e., the photographing unit 11 that has started photographing, photographs the document 2 at regular time intervals, but since it is necessary to photograph the document 2 on the document table 23 to obtain a photographed image of the document 2, the process of photographing the document 2 is shown in the flowchart here.

[0038] The confirmation screen generating unit 13 generates a confirmation screen for the user to confirm by displaying the captured image of the document 2. The user interface unit 12 displays the generated confirmation screen on the operation panel 25 (step S103).

[0039] 5A is a diagram showing a display example of a confirmation screen 50 in this embodiment. The confirmation screen 50 shows a display area 51 of a captured image of the document 2, a setting change button 52, and a start button 53. The confirmation screen generating unit 13 extracts an image of the document 2 from the image captured by the document camera 21 and displays it in the display area 51. The image captured by the document camera 21 according to, for example, initial settings is displayed in the display area 51, without depending on the reading attributes of the scanned image of the document 2.

[0040] Here, the user refers to the captured image of the original 2 displayed on the confirmation screen 50. The next instructions that the user can give include an operation to confirm the read attribute specified when selecting the service, here the attribute value of the resolution, and an operation to perform a main scan. Here, in the former case, that is, when the user wants to confirm the attribute value of the resolution specified by the user, the user taps on a part of the captured image of the original 2 where the resolution is to be confirmed. That is, the user selects a part of the original 2 displayed on the operation panel 25 where the resolution is to be confirmed. Basically, it is considered that a difference due to an attribute value is likely to appear in a part with relatively small characters, so it can be assumed that the user will find and tap on a small character part on the scanned image of the original 2. Note that in FIG. 5A, a part that the user wants to confirm (hereinafter, "confirmation position") 54 is shown in the image of a finger.

[0041] Incidentally, the manuscript 2 is often formed by combining contents such as documents and figures. Also, a document can be divided into a plurality of contents, such as by words and paragraphs, and handled. These contents have been able to be handled as objects. Therefore, as described above, when the user specifies a confirmation position 54 on the photographed image of the manuscript 2, the user interface unit 12 accepts and acquires the confirmation position 54. In this case (Y in step S104), the preview area setting unit 14 sets a partial area including the confirmation position 54, that is, a display area of ​​an image of one object, as the preview area (step S105). In this way, the confirmation position 54 specified by the user is expanded to the range of the object image.

[0042] Next, the preview image generating unit 151 in the image processing unit 15 extracts an image corresponding to the preview area from the photographed image of the original 2, and performs image processing on the extracted image to generate a preview image according to the attribute value of the reading attribute designated by the user (step S106). In this embodiment, the preview image is generated efficiently only in a partial area including the confirmation position 54 designated by the user as the position where the resolution is to be confirmed, rather than in a preview image of the entire original 2. The user interface unit 12 enlarges the preview image generated in this way and displays it superimposed on the confirmation screen 50 (step S107).

[0043] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a display example of the confirmation screen 50 when a preview image is displayed in an overlapping manner. In the preview image display area 55 shown in FIG. 5B, a preview image generated at a resolution of 200 dpi specified by the user is displayed in an enlarged form. There is no need to impose any particular restrictions on the display position and shape of the preview image display area 55 and the enlargement / reduction ratio of the content as long as the user can confirm the preview image. The size and display position of the preview image display area 55 may be changed according to a user operation. In FIG. 5B, the characters are conveniently displayed in a light color to indicate that the characters are difficult to distinguish at a resolution of 200 dpi.

[0044] If the user judges from the preview image that the resolution of 200 dpi is not sufficient for reading, the user selects the setting change button 52. When the setting change button 52 is selected, the attribute value setting unit 16 displays a reading attribute selection screen 56 superimposed on the confirmation screen 50. An example of the display of the confirmation screen 50 when the reading attribute selection screen 56 is superimposed is shown in FIG. 5C.

[0045] The reading attribute selection screen 56 shown in FIG. 5C displays a list of pairs of reading attributes and their current attribute values. The user selects a resolution from this list. Here, since the user has selected resolution as the reading attribute to be processed, the resolution is displayed at the top of the reading attribute selection screen 56 as shown in FIG. 5C. Here, when the user selects a resolution from the reading attribute selection screen 56, the attribute value setting unit 16 displays the selected resolution superimposed on the confirmation screen 50 corresponding to the reading attribute "resolution" instead of the reading attribute selection screen 56. An example of the display of the confirmation screen 50 when the attribute value selection screen 57 is superimposed is shown in FIG. 5D.

[0046] 5D, it can be seen that the MFP 10 can have four attribute values ​​for resolution: 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, and 600 dpi. The currently selected attribute value for resolution is marked with a "●". If the user wishes to increase the resolution to 400 dpi, for example, the user selects "400 dpi" from the options displayed on the attribute value selection screen 57.

[0047] When the user instructs to change the attribute value of the resolution from the current 200 dpi to 400 dpi (Y in step S108), the user interface unit 12 accepts the specified attribute value "400 dpi."Then, the attribute value setting unit 16 changes the setting of the attribute value of the resolution based on the accepted attribute value (step S109).

[0048] Next, the preview image generating unit 151 extracts an image corresponding to the preview image display area 55 from the captured image of the document 2, and performs image processing on the extracted image to regenerate a preview image in accordance with the attribute value of the reading attribute changed by the user (step S106). The user interface unit 12 displays the preview image thus regenerated by superimposing it on the confirmation screen 50 (step S107).

[0049] Fig. 5E is a diagram showing a display example of confirmation screen 50 when a regenerated preview image is superimposed. In preview image display area 55 shown in Fig. 5E, a preview image in the preview area generated at a resolution of 400 dpi specified by the user is enlarged and displayed. In preview image display area 55 shown in Fig. 5E, when the resolution is 400 dpi, characters are easier to distinguish than at 200 dpi, and to indicate that the characters are readable, the characters are displayed darker than in preview image display area 55 shown in Fig. 5B.

[0050] The shape of the preview image display area 55 after the attribute value is changed does not need to be different from that before the attribute value is changed, but may be changed depending on the reading attribute to make the preview image easier to check.

[0051] 5B and 5E, the present embodiment shows a display example in which a preview image based on attribute values ​​before a setting change is updated with a preview image based on attribute values ​​after a setting change. However, to make it easier to compare the difference between the attribute values ​​before and after the change, the preview images before and after the change may be displayed side by side.

[0052] In this embodiment, steps S106 to S109 are arranged to be repeatedly processed, so that the user can check various attribute values.

[0053] In this manner, the user checks the suitability of the attribute value for the read attribute in the preview image. After confirming that a sufficiently readable resolution has been selected, the user selects the start button 53. In this case (N in step S108, Y in step S110), the photographing unit 11 photographs the document 2 (step S111). In this manner, photographing performed in response to an explicit operation instruction by the user, that is, the selection of the start button 53, corresponds to the above-mentioned "final scan". The read image generating unit 152 cuts out and extracts the range in which the document 2 is photographed from the photographed image. Then, the read image generating unit 152 performs image processing on the photographed image of the document 2 so as to obtain a read image corresponding to the set attribute value. For example, when the resolution is set to 400 dpi, image processing is performed so that the resolution becomes 400 dpi. When the document camera 21 photographs with a resolution of 400 dpi, it is not necessary to convert the resolution. In this manner, the read image generating unit 152 generates a read image of the document 2 by the final scan (step S112).

[0054] Once the scanned image of the original 2 is generated in the manner described above, the service processing unit 17 implements the service selected by the user, in this case, a service of sending the scanned image of the original 2 to a specified destination.

[0055] In this embodiment, two user operation instructions are accepted: changing the attribute value settings by selecting the setting change button 52, or executing a main scan by selecting the start button 53. However, the user may want to check the attribute values ​​for the reading attributes other than those specified in step S101 by the above-mentioned process and change the attribute values ​​as necessary. Therefore, although not shown, the confirmation screen 50 illustrated in Fig. 5A may be provided with a button for shifting the process to step S101, and when this button is operated (N in step S110), the attribute values ​​for the reading attributes other than those previously specified in step S101 may be checked and the attribute value settings may be changed.

[0056] However, some of the read attributes, such as "resolution," have predefined possible attribute values ​​(200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, and 600 dpi as exemplified above), and the attribute value is not limited to the read attributes that can be set by having the user select from among the selection candidates. For example, there are read attributes that allow the user to specify a desired numerical value between 0% and 100%. In this case, the attribute value setting unit 16 needs to display an attribute value setting screen that allows the user to specify a numerical value instead of the attribute value selection screen 57 exemplified in FIG. 5D. Alternatively, one or more attribute values ​​may be selected from the range that can be used as the attribute value as candidates for the typical read attribute, and the attribute value selection screen 57 that displays the selection candidates as exemplified above may be generated and displayed.

[0057] In this embodiment, when the setting change button 52 is selected while the confirmation screen 50 shown in FIG. 5B is displayed, the reading attributes are displayed as a list (FIG. 5C). However, since the reading attributes to be processed are specified by the user in step S101, the processing may be such that the screen transitions from FIG. 5B to FIG. 5D instead of FIG. 5C.

[0058] Embodiment 2 In the above-mentioned first embodiment, when the user is made to check the attribute value set for a certain reading attribute (for example, resolution) in a preview image, the user is made to specify a partial area including the position to be checked, that is, a preview area. However, the position selected by the user as the preview area can be estimated to some extent depending on the reading attribute. In other words, it can be estimated that the user will specify a position on the original 2 where differences are likely to appear depending on the attribute value that the reading attribute can take. For example, when the reading attribute is related to image quality such as resolution, it is considered that the user will specify a position of characters with a relatively small character size, specifically, characters with the smallest character size. In addition, if the reading attribute is "border removal", it is a position where there is a frame in the read image of the original 2, and if it is "background color removal", it is a position where there is no object image such as characters or figures where the background color is easily confirmed.

[0059] Therefore, the present embodiment is characterized in that the confirmation position 54, that is, the preview area, can be set automatically without requiring the user to specify it.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral forming an image processing system in this embodiment. The same components as those in Fig. 1 in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate. The multifunction peripheral 10 in this embodiment has a configuration in which an attribute value setting information storage unit 19 is added to the multifunction peripheral 10 shown in the first embodiment. Attribute value setting information is set in advance in the attribute value setting information storage unit 19.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of the attribute value setting information stored in the attribute value setting information storage unit 19 in the second embodiment.

[0062] The attribute value setting information is set by associating the read attribute with the setting area condition and the related parameters. The setting area condition is a condition for setting a partial area on the document 2 where a difference is likely to appear depending on the attribute value that the read attribute can take, that is, a preview area. In the setting area condition when the read attribute is resolution as exemplified in FIG. 7, a preview area setting condition is set in which the sizes of characters extracted by performing OCR, i.e., character recognition processing on the read image of the document 2 are compared, and a partial area including a character with the smallest character size is set as the preview area. In this embodiment, the smallest character among the characters included in the document 2 is treated as a character with a relatively small character size. In the first embodiment, when the user wants to change the attribute value of the read attribute specified in step S101, the read attributes are displayed in a list as exemplified in FIG. 5C, but the read attributes to be displayed in the list are set in the related parameters together with the display order.

[0063] The attribute value setting information storage unit 19 is realized by a hard disk drive (HDD) 34 mounted on the multifunction device 10. Alternatively, the RAM 33 or an external storage means may be used via a network.

[0064] Next, the reading attribute setting process for the document 2 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8. Note that the same processing steps as those in the first embodiment are given the same step numbers, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0065] As in the first embodiment, the user selects a service requiring document scanning from the home screen or the like displayed on the operation panel 25, and further sets the reading attributes and their attribute values ​​that the user wants to check in a preview image before generating a scanned image of the document 2, as well as the destination of the scanned image of the document 2. Note that in this embodiment as well, it is assumed that the user inputs and specifies "resolution" as the reading attribute and "200 dpi" as the attribute value of the resolution.

[0066] As described above, this embodiment is characterized in that a preview area is automatically set without requiring the user to specify a position on the document 2. Therefore, when the user inputs and specifies the reading attributes and their attribute values, preview area setting unit 14 then references the attribute value setting information and automatically sets the preview area (step S201). More specifically, the operation is as follows.

[0067] That is, the preview area setting unit 14 first performs OCR, a function of the multifunction device 10, on the read image of the original 2 in accordance with the reading attributes specified by the user (here, the setting area conditions are set corresponding to the resolution), and then sets a partial area including the smallest sized character among the extracted characters, or more specifically, an area corresponding to an object including the smallest sized character, as the preview area.

[0068] Next, the preview image generating unit 151 generates a preview image according to the attribute value of the reading attribute designated by the user, in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S106). As a result of the above-described processing, the user interface unit 12 displays the preview image superimposed on the confirmation screen 50, as in the confirmation screen 50 shown in Fig. 5B (step S202). The subsequent processing may be the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described.

[0069] However, when the user selects the setting change button 52 on the confirmation screen 50 shown in Fig. 5B, the attribute value setting unit 16 in this embodiment differs from the confirmation screen 50 (Fig. 5C) in the first embodiment in that it refers to the related parameters set in the attribute value setting information, acquires the read attributes to be changed in the attribute value setting, and displays them in a list on the attribute value selection screen 91. An example of the display of the confirmation screen 50 at this time is shown in Fig. 9.

[0070] As exemplified in Fig. 9, the attribute value selection screen 91 displays the reading attributes set in the related parameters in the attribute value setting information in the display order in which they are set. Note that the attribute value selection screen 91 shown in Fig. 9 includes "other" so that reading attributes not set in the related parameters can be changed. That is, by selecting "other", a list of reading attributes other than resolution and image quality is displayed, and the user may select a reading attribute from the list for which the user wishes to check the appropriateness of the attribute value.

[0071] For example, in the case where the reading attribute in the attribute value setting information illustrated in FIG. 7 is “density” and no related parameters are set, when the setting change button 52 is selected on the confirmation screen 50 illustrated in FIG. 5B, the screen may transition directly to a screen for setting the attribute value without displaying the attribute value selection screen.

[0072] In the above description, the resolution has been used as an example of the reading attribute. For example, if the user specifies "border removal" of the document 2 as "yes" instead of the resolution as the reading attribute, the preview area setting unit 14 executes the border removal function of the multifunction device 10 according to the setting area condition of the reading attribute "border removal" in the attribute value setting information, and sets a preview area including the top, bottom, left and right parts of the document 2, in this case the lower right corner of the read image of the document 2.

[0073] In addition, when the user specifies "background color removal" as "yes" as the reading attribute, the preview area setting unit 14 executes the background color removal function of the multifunction device 10 in accordance with the setting area condition of the reading attribute "background color removal" in the attribute value setting information, and sets a preview area including blank areas where objects such as text and figures on the original 2 are not displayed.

[0074] According to this embodiment, the preview area can be automatically set without requiring the user to specify the confirmation position 54, allowing the user to confirm the preview image.

[0075] In the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0076] In addition, the operations of the processor in the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0077] (Additional Note) (((1))) A photographing means and a processor are provided, The processor, When a user specifies a reading attribute and an attribute value of the reading attribute to be set when generating a read image of the document, the image of the document photographed by the photographing means is displayed; Acquire a position on the captured image designated by a user; generating a preview image of the document according to the specified attribute values, with a partial area on the document including the acquired position as a generation range; enlarge and display the preview image; 1. An image processing system comprising: (((2))) The image processing system described in (((1))) is characterized in that the processor sets a partial area on the document in which differences are likely to appear depending on the attribute values ​​that the reading attributes specified by the user can take as the generation range of the preview image, without the user having to specify a position. (((3))) The processor, When a reading attribute related to image quality is specified by a user, a character recognition process is performed on the photographed image of the document; a partial area on the document including positions of characters having a relatively small character size among the characters on the document obtained by the character recognition process is set as a generation range of the preview image; 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second pixels are arranged in a first direction. (((4))) The processor, displaying selection candidates for attribute values ​​of the read attributes in response to a setting change instruction from a user; regenerating a preview image of the document from the photographed image of the document, with the partial region as a generation range in accordance with the attribute value selected by a user from the selection candidates; enlarge and display the regenerated preview image; 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system comprises: (((5))) The image processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((4))), wherein the partial area is a display area of ​​one object on the document. (((6))) On the computer, a function of displaying a captured image of the document photographed by the photographing means when a user specifies a reading attribute and an attribute value of the reading attribute to be set when generating a scanned image of the document; A function of acquiring a position on the captured image designated by a user; a function of generating a preview image of the document using a partial area on the document including the acquired position as a generation range; A function of enlarging and displaying the preview image; A program to achieve this.

[0078] According to the invention described in (((1))), when a user is allowed to check using a preview image whether or not to set the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes before generating a read image of a document, it is easier to check whether the attribute values ​​are appropriate compared to when multiple preview images are generated by combining the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes selected by the user as selection candidates. According to the invention described in (((2))), a partial area on a document that is suited to the reading attributes designated by the user can be automatically set as the generation range of a preview image. According to the invention described in (((3))), it is possible to generate a scanned image of a document in which characters that are relatively small in size are easily visible. According to the invention described in (((4))), a preview image generated in accordance with a selected attribute value can be enlarged and displayed. According to the invention described in (((5))), it becomes easier to check whether the attribute values ​​specified by the user are appropriate. According to the invention described in (((6))), when a user is asked to check using a preview image whether or not to set the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes before generating a read image of a document, it is easier to check whether the attribute values ​​are appropriate compared to when multiple preview images are generated by combining the attribute values ​​of the reading attributes selected by the user as selection candidates. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 multifunction device, 11 imaging unit, 12 user interface (UI) unit, 13 confirmation screen generation unit, 14 preview area setting unit, 15 image processing unit, 16 attribute value setting unit, 17 service processing unit, 18 control unit, 19 attribute value setting information storage unit, 21 document camera, 22 device main body, 23 manuscript table, 24 support rod, 25 operation panel, 31 CPU, 32 ROM, 33 RAM, 34 hard disk drive (HDD), 35 printer, 36 network interface (IF), 37 address data bus, 151 preview image generation unit, 152 read image generation unit.

Claims

1. A photographing means and a processor are provided, The processor, When a user specifies a reading attribute and an attribute value of the reading attribute to be set when generating a read image of the document, a captured image of the document photographed by the photographing means is displayed; Acquire a position on the captured image designated by a user; generating a preview image of the document according to the specified attribute values, with a partial area on the document including the acquired position as a generation range; enlarge and display the preview image; 1. An image processing system comprising:

2. The image processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor sets a partial area on the document in which differences are likely to appear depending on the attribute values ​​that the reading attributes specified by the user can take as the generation range of the preview image, without allowing the user to specify a position.

3. The processor, When a reading attribute related to image quality is specified by a user, a character recognition process is performed on the photographed image of the document; a partial area on the document including positions of characters having a relatively small character size among the characters on the document obtained by the character recognition process is set as a generation range of the preview image; 3. The image processing system according to claim 2.

4. The processor, displaying selection candidates for attribute values ​​of the read attributes in response to a setting change instruction from a user; regenerating a preview image of the document from the photographed image of the document, with the partial region as a generation range in accordance with the attribute value selected by a user from the selection candidates; enlarge and display the regenerated preview image; 2. The image processing system according to claim 1.

5. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the partial area is a display area of ​​one object on the document.

6. On the computer, a function of displaying a captured image of the document photographed by the photographing means when a user specifies a reading attribute and an attribute value of the reading attribute to be set when generating a scanned image of the document; A function of acquiring a position on the captured image designated by a user; a function of generating a preview image of the document using a partial area on the document including the acquired position as a generation range; A function of enlarging and displaying the preview image; A program to achieve this.

Images