Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program

Abstract

To retrieve a character string that is included in a scanned image of a document and can be a transmission destination and set the string as a transmission destination of the scanned image.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes: retrieval means for retrieving a character string determined to be a mail address from character strings obtained by a character recognition process for a scanned image obtained by scanning a document; and setting means for setting the retrieved character string determined to be a mail address as a transmission destination of the scanned image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for transmitting a scanned image of a document (original). [Background technology]

[0002] After scanning a document with an image processing device, the scanned image file is attached to an email using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), and the email is sent to the email address of the person to whom the image is to be sent. For example, an email address for a reply may be written on a document such as an application form or a booking form, and after filling out the necessary information on the document, it may be sent to that email address.

[0003] In this case, it is necessary to input the destination email address into the image processing device before scanning. Alternatively, email addresses can be registered in advance, and a function such as an address book can be used to search for and select the desired email address from among multiple registered email addresses to set it as the destination email address.

[0004] The above input operations may be performed, for example, on the display screen of a display device equipped in the image processing device, but the email address may not be registered in the address book, or the characters displayed on the display screen may be small, making it difficult to input the email address.

[0005] In this regard, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a sheet containing setting information such as the destination in a specified format is attached to the beginning of the document to be sent and scanned, thereby sending a scanned image of the document to the destination listed on the sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-064624 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the technology of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a character string included in a specific area of ​​a predetermined format is set as a destination. Searching for a character string included in a scanned image of a document that can be a destination such as an email address was not considered.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for searching for a character string that is included in a scanned image of a document and that can be a destination, and setting the character string as the destination of the scanned image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image processing device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by having a search means for searching for a character string determined to be an email address from among character strings obtained by character recognition processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document, and a setting means for setting the searched character string determined to be an email address as the destination of the scanned image. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to search for a character string that is included in a scanned image of a document and that can be a destination, and to set the character string as a destination of the scanned image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a PC (information processing device). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow from scanning a document to transmitting the document. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for selecting an email address setting method. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for inputting an email address. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for setting a destination for a scanned image of a document. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for editing the email address of a destination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Note that each process (step) in the flow chart is denoted with an "S" at the beginning.

[0013] <<Embodiment 1>> (System Configuration) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 110, a PC 120, and a mobile terminal 130. The MFP 110 is connected to the PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 via the Internet so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0014] The MFP 110 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a scanner, a printer, and an SMTP client, and is an example of an image processing device that performs image processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document and transmits e-mail via an SMTP server (not shown). The PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 have a mail client such as an IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) client that receives e-mail. Alternatively, the PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 have a mail client such as a POP (Post Office Protocol) client that receives e-mail. The PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 are examples of terminal devices that receive e-mail via an IMAP server (not shown) or a POP server (not shown). The MFP 110, the PC 120, and the mobile terminal 130 transmit and receive e-mail via the Internet.

[0015] The information processing system of this embodiment is configured to include, but is not limited to, the MFP 110, the PC 120, the mobile terminal 130, an SMTP server (not shown), an IMAP server (not shown), and a POP server (not shown). For example, the MFP 110 may also have the function of an SMTP server. Furthermore, the terminal devices, the PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130, may also have the function of an IMAP server or a POP server. Furthermore, the PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 may not have a mail client and may access a mail service from a browser. Furthermore, the image processing performed by the MFP 110 may be executed by an external information processing device. In this embodiment, mail is sent from the MFP 110 to the PC 120 and the mobile terminal 130 via the Internet, but mail may be sent and received on a LAN (Local Area Network) without the Internet.

[0016] (MFP hardware configuration) 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 110. The MFP 110 has a control unit 210, an operation unit 220, a printer 221, a scanner 222, and a modem 223. The control unit 210 controls the overall operation of the MFP 110. The control unit 210 has a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a HDD 214, an operation unit I / F 215, a printer I / F 216, a scanner I / F 217, a modem I / F 218, and a network I / F 219.

[0017] The CPU 211 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 212, and executes and controls various functions of the MFP 110, such as reading, printing, and communication. The CPU 211 also reads out and executes the above programs, thereby functioning as a means for executing various processes, such as reading control, image processing, display control, and transmission control, in the flowcharts described below. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area, such as the main memory and work area, of the CPU 211. Note that, in this embodiment, one CPU 211 executes each process using one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214), but is not limited to this. For example, each process may be executed by cooperating with multiple CPUs or multiple RAMs or HDDs.

[0018] The HDD 214 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs. The operation unit I / F 215 is an interface that connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 220 is equipped with a touch panel display unit, a keyboard, and the like, and accepts user operations / inputs / instructions from a user via a UI screen (for example, the UI screens shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9) displayed on the display unit. The printer I / F 216 is an interface that connects the printer 221 and the control unit 210. Image data to be printed is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer 221 via the printer I / F 216, and is printed on a recording medium.

[0019] The scanner I / F 217 is an interface that connects the scanner 222 and the control unit 210. The scanner 222 reads a document (assumed to be an application form or a sign-up form in this embodiment) set on a platen or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) (not shown), generates scanned image data, and inputs the data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217.

[0020] The MFP 110 can print (copy) image data generated by the scanner 222 from the printer 221, and can also transmit the image data as a file or by e-mail. The modem I / F 218 is an interface that connects the modem 223 to the control unit 210. The modem 223 communicates image data by facsimile with a facsimile device on the PSTN. The network I / F 219 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 (MFP 110) to a LAN. Using the network I / F 219, the MFP 110 can send e-mail with image data attached to a specified e-mail address, send image data and information to various services on the Internet, and receive various information. The above-mentioned units 211 to 219 are connected to a bus so as to be able to send and receive data.

[0021] The hardware configuration of the MFP 110 described above is one example, and other configurations may be provided as necessary, or some configurations may not be included.

[0022] (PC hardware configuration) 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the PC 120. The PC 120 has a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, a HDD 314, and a network I / F 315. The CPU 311 controls the overall operation of the PC 120 by reading out a control program stored in the ROM 312 and executing various processes. The RAM 313 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 311. The HDD 314 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs. The programs stored in the HDD 314 include applications such as a mail client.

[0023] The network I / F 315 is an interface that connects the PC 120 to the Internet. The PC 120 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices via the network I / F 315. The mail client application also transmits and receives mail to and from other devices via the network I / F 315. The above-mentioned units 311 to 315 are connected to a bus so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

[0024] (Mobile device hardware configuration) 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 130. The mobile terminal 130 has a CPU 411, a ROM 412, a RAM 413, a flash memory 414, an operation panel 415, and a network I / F 416. The above-mentioned units 411 to 416 are connected to a bus so as to be able to transmit and receive data.

[0025] The CPU 411 reads out programs stored in the ROM 412 or the flash memory 414 and executes various processes to control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 130. The RAM 413 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 411. The flash memory 414 is a non-volatile storage medium, and stores the programs and various data executed by the CPU 411. The various programs executed by the CPU 411 include a mail client application for sending and receiving mail.

[0026] The operation panel 415 displays the internal state of the mobile terminal 130 and a display screen of an application installed in the mobile terminal 130. In addition, when the user performs various operations, the operation panel (touch panel) is touched to receive operations / inputs / instructions from the user. The network I / F 416 is an interface that connects the mobile terminal 130 to the Internet. The mobile terminal 130 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices via the network I / F 416. The mail client application also transmits and receives mail to and from other devices via the network I / F 416. Note that this is realized by a wireless communication method using a wireless LAN or the like, and communication is performed via the LAN and the Internet. However, in this embodiment, communication is not limited to a specific standard, and communication is possible according to any standard.

[0027] (The process from scanning a document to sending it) Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in MFP 110 from scanning a document to sending it. CPU 211 reads a program stored in ROM 212 and HDD 214 into RAM 213 and executes it to execute the processing shown in Fig. 5. The processing shown in Fig. 5 is started by starting an application for sending a scanned image by email in MFP 110. In this embodiment, the application for sending a scanned image by email is called a "scan and send by email" application. It is assumed that a document containing an email address to which the document is to be sent is set in the MFP in a scannable state.

[0028] In step S501, when the “scan and send by email” application is started, the CPU 211 displays on the operation unit 220 a UI screen for selecting a method for setting an email address.

[0029] (Selection screen for email address setting method) 6 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for selecting a method for setting an email address for the "scan and send by email" application. The UI screen 600 has an "enter new email address" button 601, a "select from address book" button 602, and a "select destination from image" button 603.

[0030] An "Enter a new email address" button 601 is a button for transitioning to a screen for inputting and setting a new email address. When the "Enter a new email address" button 601 is selected, input is received from the touch panel or keyboard of the operation unit 220, a screen for displaying the input character string is displayed, an email address is set, and then scanning is performed to send the email.

[0031] A "select from address book" button 602 is a button for transitioning to an address book screen. When the "select from address book" button 602 is selected, a list of email addresses registered in advance is displayed, and by selecting an email address from the list, the email address is set, and then scanning is performed and the email is sent.

[0032] "Select destination from image" button 603 is a button for transitioning to a screen for extracting an email address from the scanned image and setting it as the destination email address. Details will be described later. In addition to buttons 601 to 603, the buttons for setting an email address may include other buttons such as a button for selecting an email address from history.

[0033] The scan setting item 610 is a setting item for scanning. The scan setting item 610 has a “color setting” button 611, a “resolution setting” button 612, a “read size setting” button 613, an “output file format setting” button 614, and a “double-sided document setting” button 615.

[0034] A "Color Settings" button 611 is a button for changing the color settings at the time of scanning. By selecting the "Color Settings" button 611, it is possible to select the color settings for saving the scanned image, such as color, grayscale, binary black and white, or automatically identifying the color according to the scanned image.

[0035] The "resolution setting" button 612 is a button for changing the resolution setting at the time of scanning. By selecting the "resolution setting" button 612, it is possible to select the resolution setting at which the scanned image is saved, such as 150×150 dpi, 300×300 dpi, 600×600 dpi, etc.

[0036] The "Read Size Setting" button 613 is a button for changing the read size during scanning. By selecting the "Read Size Setting" button 613, the size to be read during scanning can be set to A4, A3, B4, automatic identification, etc.

[0037] The "output file format setting" button 614 is a button for changing the format of the file generated after scanning. By selecting the "output file format setting" button 614, the format of the file to be generated can be changed to PDF, JPEG, TIFF, or the like.

[0038] The "Double-Sided Original Settings" button 615 is a button for changing the settings of the orientation of a double-sided original. By selecting the "Double-Sided Original Settings" button 615, it is possible to set whether the original to be printed on both sides opens left and right or top and top and correct the orientation of the original. In addition to the buttons 611 to 615, the scan setting item 610 may display other settings related to scanning.

[0039] In S502, CPU 211 determines whether "select destination from image" button 603 has been pressed. If the determination result indicates that "select destination from image" button 603 has been pressed (YES in S502), the process proceeds to S503. If the determination result indicates that "select destination from image" button 603 has not been pressed (NO in S502), the process returns to S502. That is, the process of S502 is repeatedly performed until the determination result indicates that "select destination from image" button 603 has been pressed.

[0040] In S503, the CPU 211 executes scanning of the document set in the MFP 110 based on the scan setting of the scan setting item 610 set in S501.

[0041] In S504, the CPU 211 executes character recognition processing (hereinafter, referred to as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing) on ​​the scanned image of the document obtained in S503. Note that before executing the OCR processing, image processing such as image rotation and tilt correction may be executed on the scanned image of the document.

[0042] In S505, the CPU 211 determines whether the character string acquired in the OCR process in S504 contains email address information, and acquires the email address information. At this time, whether the character string is appropriate as an email address is determined based on the number of characters, the combination of alphanumeric characters and symbols that can be used, whether the character includes the at sign "@", etc.

[0043] More specifically, the determination may be made based on whether an at sign "@" is included in the character string obtained by OCR processing. The determination may also be made based on the number of characters. That is, the determination may be made based on whether the local part, which is the part before the at sign "@", is 64 characters or less. The determination may also be made based on whether the domain part, which is the part after the at sign "@", is 255 characters or less. The determination may also be made based on whether the local part is 64 characters or less, the domain part is 255 characters or less, and the total is 256 characters or less.

[0044] It may be determined whether the string is a usable string. In other words, with regard to the characters in the local part, it may be determined whether they are alphanumeric characters, as in "example123@example.com". It may be determined whether they are symbols, as in "!#$%&'*+- / =?^_`.{|}~@example.com". It may be determined whether they are characters that can only be used when enclosed in double quotation marks, as in ""( ) < > [ ] : ; @ ,,"@example.com": ( ) < > [ ] : ; @ ,. It may also be determined whether the string is enclosed in double quotation marks and has a space after the \, as in "test\ example"@example.com.

[0045] The domain part may be determined based on whether it is an alphanumeric character or a hyphen (.) symbol, or whether it complies with RFC 5321 and RFC 5322, which are standard specifications for email-related technologies.

[0046] In S506, CPU 211 determines whether email addresses are present in the document scanned in S505 and whether at least one was obtained. That is, a character string determined to be an email address is searched for among character strings obtained by OCR processing of the scanned image obtained by scanning the document. If the determination result indicates that email address information could not be obtained (NO in S506), the process proceeds to S507. That is, if a character string determined to be an email address is not found, the process proceeds to S507. If the determination result indicates that email address information was obtained (YES in S506), the process proceeds to S511. That is, if a character string determined to be an email address is found, the process proceeds to S511.

[0047] In S507, the CPU 211 displays an email address input screen for inputting an email address on the operation unit 220, and sets the email address.

[0048] (Email address input screen) 7 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for inputting an email address. A UI screen 700 for inputting an email address has an input character string display area 701, an input area 702, a “Cancel” button 703, and an “OK” button 704.

[0049] An input character string display area 701 is an area for displaying a character string input from a touch panel or keyboard. An input area 702 is for inputting characters by pressing a button on which characters are written. The layout of the displayed buttons may be different from that shown in FIG. 7. Also, if the MFP is equipped with another input device, the input area 702 does not need to be displayed. A "Cancel" button 703 is a button for canceling processing. An "OK" button 704 is a button for confirming the input character string.

[0050] In S508, CPU 211 determines whether or not "Cancel" button 703 has been pressed on the email address input screen. If the determination result indicates that "Cancel" button 703 has been pressed (YES in S508), the flow shown in Fig. 5 ends. If the determination result indicates that "Cancel" button 703 has not been pressed (NO in S508), the process proceeds to S509.

[0051] In S509, CPU 211 determines whether "OK" button 704 has been pressed on the email address input screen. If the determination result indicates that "OK" button 704 has been pressed (YES in S509), the process proceeds to S510. If the determination result indicates that "OK" button 704 has not been pressed (NO in S509), the process returns to S508.

[0052] In S510, the CPU 211 judges whether the character string input on the email address input screen is a value appropriate for the format of an email address. The judgment of whether the value is appropriate for the format of an email address is the same as that in S505, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. If the judgment result indicates that the value is appropriate for the format of an email address (YES in S510), the process proceeds to S524. If the judgment result indicates that the value is not appropriate for the format of an email address, such as when no characters are input or the format is not appropriate for an email address (NO in S510), the process returns to S508. Note that if the format is not appropriate for an email address, an error message indicating that the format is not appropriate for an email address may be displayed on the screen.

[0053] In addition, in S507 to S510, an example of inputting a new email address has been described, but it is also possible to select the destination email address from the address book or past transmission history and set the selected email address. Also, the method of setting one email address as the destination has been described, but it is also possible to set multiple email addresses. Also, it is also possible to set CC (Carbon Copy) or BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) as the destination.

[0054] In S511, the CPU 211 displays a destination setting screen for setting a destination email address on the operation unit 220. The destination setting screen displays a list of character strings of the email addresses acquired in S505, a clipped image of the document in which the acquired email address is written, and an edit button for modifying the email address. The destination setting screen displays a check box for selecting a destination email address, and a send button for sending the email. The destination setting screen also displays a filter setting for changing the display of the list of email addresses by specifying a page of the scanned document in order to narrow down the display of the list of destination email addresses.

[0055] (Document destination setting screen) 8 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for setting a destination using email address information obtained from a document. A document destination setting screen 800 has an extracted email address 801, an original document image (original image) 802, a destination selection check box 803, an edit button 804, an email address extraction range setting 805, and a send button 806.

[0056] Extracted email address 801 displays the email address acquired in S505. Original extraction document image 802 displays a clipping of the scanned image where OCR processing was performed so that it is clear where in the scanned document the character string acquired in S505 was extracted. Extracted email address 801 and original extraction document image 802 are displayed side by side, one above the other. This allows easy comparison with original extraction document image 802, and makes it possible to check whether extracted email address 801 has been correctly acquired by OCR processing.

[0057] The destination selection checkbox 803 is a checkbox for selecting an email address to send to. The extracted email address 801 selected in the checkbox is set as the email destination. The edit button 804 is a button for transitioning to a screen for correcting the character string of the extracted email address 801. The process of correcting an email address will be described in detail later.

[0058] The email address extraction range setting 805 includes radio buttons for filtering the list of email addresses that can be selected as destinations, and a text box for specifying the range, and the list of email addresses displayed changes depending on the filter. If the "All Pages" radio button is selected, 801 to 804 corresponding to the email addresses obtained from all pages of the scanned document are displayed.

[0059] When the "First page only" radio button is selected, 801-804 corresponding to the email addresses obtained from only the first page of the scanned document are displayed. This is used when only the email address listed on the first page is extracted when the email destination is listed on the cover page of an application form or other document. When the "Specify range" radio button is selected, 801-804 corresponding to the email addresses obtained only from the range of pages (page numbers) listed in the text box are displayed. Additionally, email addresses that are hidden by the settings in the email address extraction range setting 805 will not be set as destinations while the checkbox is hidden, even if the checkbox was checked before the destination selection checkbox 803 was hidden.

[0060] The send button 806 is a button for performing a process of sending an email to the set email address.

[0061] In S512, CPU 211 determines whether the settings have been changed. If the determination result indicates that the settings of destination selection checkbox 803 and email address extraction range setting 805 have not been changed (YES in S512), the process proceeds to S514. If the determination result indicates that the settings of destination selection checkbox 803 and email address extraction range setting 805 have been changed (NO in S512), the process proceeds to S513.

[0062] In S513, the CPU 211 updates the destination settings and changes the display of the screen for setting the destination. If there is a change in the destination selection checkbox 803, the checked email address is set as the destination, and the email address without the checkbox is excluded from the destination settings. If there is a change in the email address extraction range setting 805, the list of email addresses displayed based on the setting is changed, and the display of the screen for setting the destination is updated. Furthermore, the email address that is hidden at that time is excluded from the destination settings.

[0063] In S514, the CPU 211 determines whether the edit button 804 has been pressed. If the determination result indicates that the edit button 804 has been pressed (YES in S514), the process proceeds to S515. If the determination result indicates that the edit button 804 has not been pressed (NO in S514), the process proceeds to S521.

[0064] In S515, the CPU 211 displays an email address editing screen on the operation unit 220. When there is an error in the email address acquired by the OCR process, it is possible to correct the error. Note that editing of the character string of the email address is accepted by input from the operation unit 220.

[0065] (Email address editing screen) 9 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen for editing an email address. An email address editing screen 900 has an input character string display area 901, an input area 902, a cancel button 903, and an OK button 904.

[0066] An input character string display area 901 displays the acquired email address, and can be edited by inputting from a touch panel or keyboard. An input area 902 allows the user to input characters and edit the email address by pressing buttons with characters written on them. The layout of the displayed buttons may be different from the layout shown in Fig. 9. If the MFP has a separate input device, the input area 902 does not need to be displayed.

[0067] A cancel button 903 is a button for canceling editing of the email address, and an OK button 904 is a button for confirming the edited email address.

[0068] In S516, the CPU 211 determines whether the OK button 904 has been pressed on the email address edit screen. If the determination result indicates that the OK button 904 has been pressed (YES in S516), the process proceeds to S519. If the determination result indicates that the OK button 904 has not been pressed (NO in S516), the process proceeds to S517.

[0069] In S517, the CPU 211 determines whether the Cancel button 903 has been pressed on the email address editing screen. If the determination result indicates that the Cancel button 903 has been pressed (YES in S517), the process proceeds to S518. If the determination result indicates that the Cancel button 903 has not been pressed (NO in S517), the process returns to S516.

[0070] In S518, CPU 211 discards the information of the email address edited on the email address edit screen shown in Fig. 9, and displays the document transmission destination setting screen shown in Fig. 8 before the email address was edited on operation unit 220. When the process of S518 ends, the process proceeds to S521.

[0071] In S519, CPU 211 determines whether the edited email address is appropriate. The determination of whether the value is appropriate for the format of an email address is the same as in S505, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. If the determination result indicates that the character string is set in an appropriate format for an email address (YES in S519), the process proceeds to S520. If no characters have been input or if the determination result indicates that the format is not appropriate for an email address (NO in S519), the process returns to S516. Note that if the format is not appropriate for an email address, an error message may be displayed on the screen.

[0072] In S520, the CPU 211 displays a document transmission destination setting screen showing the destination with the revised target email address on the operation unit 220. The character string of the extracted email address 801 corresponding to the edit button 804 selected in S514 is replaced with the character string of the email address edited on the email address edit screen and displayed. The revised email address is also used as the destination email address set when sending email.

[0073] In S521, the CPU 211 determines whether the send button 806 has been pressed. If the determination result indicates that the send button 806 has been pressed (YES in S521), the process proceeds to S522. If the determination result indicates that the send button 806 has not been pressed (NO in S521), the process returns to S512.

[0074] In S522, CPU 211 determines whether at least one destination email address is set. If the determination result indicates that at least one destination selection checkbox 803 is checked and set as a destination (YES in S522), the process proceeds to S524. If the determination result indicates that no destination email address is set (NO in S522), the process proceeds to S523.

[0075] In S523, the CPU 211 displays an error message indicating that the destination has not been set. After displaying the message in S523, the process returns to S514.

[0076] In S524, the CPU 211 sends an email to the set email address with a scanned image of the corresponding document attached, via the SMTP client of the MFP 110 to the PC 120, the mobile terminal 130, or the like.

[0077] In the present embodiment, in steps S511 to S524, a destination is set from among the email addresses obtained from the scanned document, and an email is sent to the set destination, but this is not limiting. For example, a new email address may be entered and added, an email address may be selected and added from an address book, or an email address may be added from a past sending history, and the email address may be set as a destination together with the email address obtained from the scanned document. Also, it may be possible to set CC (Carbon Copy) and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy).

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the email address written on the document is set as the destination of the scanned image of the document, which can reduce the effort required for setting.

[0079] (Other embodiments) In the flow shown in Fig. 5 above, an example including a process of scanning a document to obtain a scanned image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to store a scanned image obtained by scanning a document in advance, and perform the processes from S504 onward in Fig. 5 on the stored scanned image.

[0080] 5, an example of performing OCR processing on a scanned image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to perform detection of text blocks on a scanned image and determine whether a character string within the block is an email address.

[0081] The present disclosure can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, the present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0082] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples.

[0083] (Configuration 1) A search means for searching for a character string determined to be an email address from among character strings obtained by character recognition processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document; a setting means for setting the searched character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image; 13. An image processing device comprising:

[0084] (Configuration 2) A display control means for displaying the searched character string determined to be the email address on a display unit; a receiving unit for receiving a user operation for selecting a character string displayed on the display unit and determined to be the email address; and The setting means sets the selected character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

[0085] (Configuration 3) The display control means displays an extracted original image obtained by cutting out an area including a character string determined to be the searched email address from the scanned image. 3. The image processing device according to configuration 2.

[0086] (Configuration 4) The display control means displays the searched character string determined to be the email address and the extracted original image corresponding to the character string, arranged vertically. 4. The image processing device according to configuration 3.

[0087] (Configuration 5) The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting a range in which to search for a character string determined to be an email address, The search means searches the selected range for a character string that is determined to be the email address. 5. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 2 to 4.

[0088] (Configuration 6) The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting, as the range, any one of all pages of the document, the first page of the document, and a page number of the document. 6. The image processing device according to configuration 5.

[0089] (Configuration 7) The search means searches for a plurality of character strings determined to be the email address, The display control means displays, on the display unit, a character string determined to be the unselected email address among a plurality of character strings determined to be the email address that were searched for; The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting a character string that is determined to be the unsearched email address displayed on the display unit. 7. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6,

[0090] (Configuration 8) The setting means is Modify the character string that is determined to be the searched email address; The changed character string determined to be the email address is set as a destination of the scanned image. 8. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7.

[0091] (Configuration 9) The search means searches for a character string in a predetermined format among the character strings obtained by the character recognition process as a character string to be determined as the email address. 9. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8.

[0092] (Configuration 10) The search means searches for a character string that includes a predetermined character and a character string that is a predetermined number of characters and a combination of predetermined alphanumeric characters and symbols, among the character strings obtained by the character recognition process, as a character string to be determined as the email address. 10. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0093] (Configuration 11) The apparatus further includes a transmission unit for transmitting the scanned image to the set destination. 11. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

[0094] (Configuration 12) a search step of searching for a character string determined to be an email address from among character strings obtained by character recognition processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document; a setting step of setting the searched character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image; 23. An image processing method comprising:

[0095] (Configuration 13) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means constituting the image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 11.

Claims

1. A search means for searching for a character string determined to be an email address from among character strings obtained by character recognition processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document; a setting means for setting the searched character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image; 13. An image processing device comprising:

2. A display control means for displaying the searched character string determined to be the email address on a display unit; a receiving unit for receiving a user operation for selecting a character string displayed on the display unit and determined to be the email address; and The setting means sets the selected character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

3. The display control means displays an extracted original image obtained by cutting out an area including a character string determined to be the searched email address from the scanned image.

3. The image processing device according to claim 2.

4. The display control means displays the searched character string determined to be the email address and the extracted original image corresponding to the character string, arranged vertically.

4. The image processing device according to claim 3.

5. The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting a range in which to search for a character string determined to be an email address, The search means searches the selected range for a character string that is determined to be the email address.

3. The image processing device according to claim 2.

6. The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting, as the range, any one of all pages of the document, the first page of the document, and a page number of the document.

6. The image processing device according to claim 5,

7. The search means searches for a plurality of character strings determined to be the email address, The display control means displays, on the display unit, a character string determined to be the unselected email address among a plurality of character strings determined to be the email address that were searched for; The accepting means accepts a user operation for selecting a character string that is determined to be the unsearched email address displayed on the display unit.

3. The image processing device according to claim 2.

8. The setting means is Modify the character string that is determined to be the searched email address; The changed character string determined to be the email address is set as a destination of the scanned image.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

9. The search means searches for a character string in a predetermined format among the character strings obtained by the character recognition process as a character string to be determined as the email address.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

10. The search means searches for a character string that includes a predetermined character and a character string that is a predetermined number of characters and a combination of predetermined alphanumeric characters and symbols, among the character strings obtained by the character recognition process, as a character string to be determined as the email address.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

11. The apparatus further includes a transmission unit for transmitting the scanned image to the set destination.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

12. a search step of searching for a character string determined to be an email address from among character strings obtained by character recognition processing on a scanned image obtained by scanning a document; a setting step of setting the searched character string determined to be the email address as a destination of the scanned image; 13. An image processing method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means constituting the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

Images