Image processing device and control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To reduce user's time and effort during setting a folder path by using a character string in a document.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, an image processing device includes character recognition means for performing character recognition processing for recognizing characters included in image data to acquire character information, display means for displaying the characters shown by the character information acquired by the character recognition means, and transmission means for transmitting the image data to a folder with a character selected by a user among the characters displayed by the display means as a name.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] An image processing device is disclosed that reads an image of an original document to generate image data, performs character recognition processing on an area designated in advance by a user, and transmits the image data to a folder having a folder name that is the character string obtained by the character recognition processing (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-234708 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If you enter a folder path one character at a time using the keyboard, it can be a time-consuming process.

[0005] If the method of Patent Document 1 is used, once an area is specified, there is no need to input the folder path character by character; however, if the character string that the user wants to use as the name of the destination folder is not written in the specified area in the document, the intended character string cannot be set as the folder path.

[0006] In particular, since the position of character strings within a document often differs depending on the document being read, it is necessary to set the area for each document, which is troublesome.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to reduce the user's effort when setting a folder path using character strings in a document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image processing device of the present invention is characterized by having a character recognition means for performing character recognition processing to recognize characters contained in image data and acquire character information, a display means for displaying characters indicated by the character information acquired by the character recognition means, and a transmission means for transmitting the image data to a folder having a name selected by a user from among the characters displayed by the display means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] This reduces the user's effort when setting a folder path using character strings in the manuscript. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading system. [Diagram 2] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP101. [Diagram 3] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a PC 104. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 205. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows an example of a one-touch transmission scan setting screen displayed on the display device 311. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a screen for editing settings for a button for executing one-touch scan transmission [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a keyword string setting screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an address selection screen. [Figure 9] An example of the button settings editing screen when the sending type is email [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of a button setting and editing screen when the transmission type is USB memory [Figure 11] An example of the character recognition area setting screen [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for registering an address in an address book. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an address registration screen. [Figure 14] A flowchart showing an example of a flow when the one-touch send button for sending a file is selected on the MFP 101. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of character recognition processing; [Figure 16] A flowchart showing an example of a flow in which the MFP 101 generates a text object. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows an example of a selection screen 1700. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 shows an example of the screen transition when the referral button 406 is selected on the MFP 101. [Figure 19] A flowchart showing an example of a process when a user selects the referral button 406. [Figure 20] A flowchart showing an example of a file name assignment process DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading system according to the present invention. The reading system of this embodiment is composed of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 101, which is an example of an image processing device, a file server 102, a mail server 103, and an online storage 106, which are information processing devices. Each of the MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 106 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 100. Furthermore, on the LAN 100, the MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and a PC 104 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via the network. Furthermore, the MFP 101 and the online storage 106 are able to communicate with each other via the LAN 100 and the Internet 105.

[0013] The MFP 101 transmits image data generated by scanning an image of an original to the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 106. Note that the image data in this embodiment is not limited to electronic data obtained by converting an image into RAW data, but may be electronic data in an image format such as TIFF or JPEG, or electronic data in a PDF format. The file server 102 is a file server compatible with the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the Server Message Block (SMB) protocols. The mail server 103 is a mail server compatible with the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The online storage 106 is an online storage compatible with WebDAV (a file sharing protocol using HTTP). The PC 104 can access the WEB server provided in the MFP 101 using HTTP, and refer to and update setting values. The LAN 100 may be configured as a wired LAN using Ethernet (registered trademark), or may be configured as a wireless LAN.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 101. The MFP 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, an operation unit 205, a printer 206, a scanner 207, a network I / F (Interface) 208, and an external storage device I / F 209.

[0015] The CPU 201 controls various pieces of hardware 202 to 208 that constitute the MFP 101, thereby implementing various functions of the MFP 101. The CPU 201 sends signals to the various pieces of hardware via a bus line, thereby implementing data communication between the various pieces of hardware.

[0016] Furthermore, the CPU 201 of the MFP 101 controls the operation of the MFP 101 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 202. More specifically, the CPU 201 executes an operating system (OS) that controls the MFP 101 and a driver program for controlling the hardware. The application programs arranged on the OS operate mutually to operate and control the functions desired by the user. The OS and various programs are stored in the ROM 202 and executed by being read out in the RAM 203.

[0017] The ROM 202 is a memory for storing various programs and data used by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used for calculations by the CPU 201. The storage 204 is a storage device for storing various data, various programs, and the like.

[0018] In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, HDD, or eMMC may be used. In the MFP 101, one CPU 201 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described later using one memory (RAM 203), but other configurations are also possible. For example, each process shown in the flowcharts described later can be executed by using multiple CPUs, multiple RAMs, multiple ROMs, and multiple storages in cooperation. Also, some of the processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as ASIC and FPGA.

[0019] The operation unit 205 is a user interface such as a touch panel for the user to operate the MFP 101, and accepts operations and inputs by the user. The operation unit 205 can also be used as a display unit that displays a screen for operating the MFP 101.

[0020] The printer 206 is a unit that realizes a print function, and the CPU 201 controls the printer 206 to execute a print job received from the PC 104 and print an image on paper. Here, a print job is data that includes commands for causing the MFP 101 to execute a print process, image data, print setting information, and the like.

[0021] The scanner 207 is a unit that realizes a scanning function, and the CPU 201 controls the scanner 207 to optically read an image of an original and generate image data.

[0022] The network I / F 208 is a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication such as Ethernet. Note that the network I / F 208 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, a USB-LAN I / F, or the like.

[0023] The external storage device I / F 209 is an I / F for the MFP 101 to communicate with the external storage device 210. The CPU 201 controls the external storage device I / F 209 to store image data in the external storage device 210. In this embodiment, a USB interface is assumed as the external storage device I / F 209, and a USB memory is assumed as the external storage device 210, but the external storage device I / F 209 may be an SD card slot for communicating with an external storage device such as an SD card.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the PC 104. The PC 104 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a HDD 304, a network I / F 305, an operation device I / F 306, and a display device I / F 307.

[0025] The CPU 301 realizes each function of the PC 104 by controlling various pieces of hardware 302 to 307 that constitute the PC 104. The CPU 301 sends signals to the various pieces of hardware via a bus line, and realizes data communication between the various pieces of hardware.

[0026] Furthermore, the CPU 301 of the PC 104 controls the operation of the PC 104 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 302. More specifically, the CPU 301 executes the OS and the like that controls the PC 104. The application programs arranged on the OS operate mutually to operate and control the functions desired by the user. The OS and various programs are stored in the ROM 302, and are executed by being read out in the RAM 302.

[0027] The ROM 302 is a memory for storing various programs and data used by the CPU 201. The RAM 303 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used for calculations by the CPU 201. The HDD 304 is a storage device for storing various data, various programs, and the like.

[0028] The network I / F 305 is a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication such as Ethernet. Note that the network I / F 305 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, a USB-LAN I / F, or the like.

[0029] An operation device I / F 306 is an I / F for connecting an operation device 310 such as a keyboard or a mouse to the PC 104 .

[0030] The display device I / F 307 is an I / F for connecting the PC 104 to a display device 311 such as a liquid crystal monitor.

[0031] Although the PC 104 in this embodiment is connected to an external operating device and an external display device, for example, the operating section and the display section may be built into the PC 104 .

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 205. The operation unit 205 is composed of a touch panel 410, a Data LED 420, and an Error LED 430. A home screen 400 that is displayed immediately after the start-up of the MFP 101 is displayed on the touch panel 410. The home screen 400 is a screen for instructing the execution of each function of the MFP 101. A frequently used setting button 401, a scan button 402, a menu button 403, an address book button 404, a medical questionnaire button 405, a referral button 406, and the like are displayed on the home screen 400. A power saving button 407, a home button 408, and a stop button 409 are also always displayed on the home screen 400. The power saving button 407, the home button 408, and the stop button 409 may be provided on the operation unit 205 as hard keys.

[0033] A frequently used settings button 401 is a button for displaying an execution screen for a specific function with settings entered by the user when selected by the user.

[0034] The scan button 402, when selected, is a button that displays a screen for executing a scan process to generate image data, and for sending the generated image data by email or file, or storing it in the external storage device 210. Here, sending by email means attaching the image data generated by scanning an original to an email and sending it. Also, sending a file means sending to the file server 102, PC 104, etc., using a communication protocol such as SMB or FTP.

[0035] A menu button 403 is a button for displaying a menu screen when selected by the user.

[0036] An address book button 404 is a button for displaying a screen that displays registered addresses (destination information) when selected by the user. The screen that displays the addresses displays the transmission type, such as email transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission, WebDAV transmission, etc., and destination information, such as email address, host name, and server information.

[0037] The medical questionnaire button 405 and the referral letter button 406 are one-touch transmission buttons. The one-touch transmission button is a button that, when selected by the user, reads an image of a document with scan settings preset by the user, generates image data, and displays a screen for transmitting the image data by a transmission type preset by the user.

[0038] A power saving button 407 is a button for causing the MFP 101 to transition to a power saving state when selected by the user.

[0039] A home button 408 is a button for displaying a home screen 400 on the operation unit 205 when selected by the user.

[0040] The stop button 409 is a button for canceling execution of a job, such as a print job, being executed by the MFP 101 when selected by the user. Note that the stop button 409 may also cancel execution of a copy job or a transmission job when selected by the user.

[0041] The Data LED 420 and the Error LED 430 notify the user of the status of the MFP 101. The Data LED 420 lights up while an e-mail or file transmission is in progress, and the Error LED 430 lights up when an error occurs in the MFP 101.

[0042] The home screen 400 is a function selection screen that enables the user to select a function to be used from a number of functions including, for example, a copy function that prints based on image data and a transmission function that can read a document, generate image data, and transmit the image data to an external device.

[0043] Here, when an image of a document is read in which the character string that the user wants to use as the name of the destination folder is not written in a certain area, image data is generated, and the image processing device of Patent Document 1 has the following problems.

[0044] If you enter a folder path one character at a time using the keyboard, it can be a time-consuming process.

[0045] If the method of Patent Document 1 is used, once an area is specified, there is no need to input the folder path character by character; however, if the character string that the user wants to use as the name of the destination folder is not written in the specified area in the document, the intended character string cannot be set as the folder path.

[0046] In particular, since the position of character strings within a document often differs depending on the document being read, it is necessary to set the area for each document, which is troublesome.

[0047] To address this issue, the following process can be performed to reduce the effort required by the user to set a folder path using character strings in the manuscript.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a one-touch transmission scan setting screen displayed on the display device 311. As shown in FIG.

[0049] A one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to the PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0050] On the one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500, application information 501, a new registration button 502, items 503 to 505, a display / hide button 506, and a delete button 507 are displayed.

[0051] Application information 501 is an area that displays the version of the application, and in FIG. 5, the version number 1.00 is displayed.

[0052] When the user selects the new button registration button 502, it is displayed on a screen displayed on the operation unit 205, and is a button for newly registering a button for executing one-touch transmission scan. When the new button registration button 502 is selected, the setting edit screen 600 in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display device 311. The setting edit screen 600 in Fig. 6 will be described in detail later.

[0053] An item 503 indicates the name of a button registered in the MFP 101 for executing one-touch scan sending.

[0054] An item 504 indicates a transmission type set for a button for executing one-touch scan transmission registered in the MFP 101 .

[0055] Item 505 indicates the display state of a button for executing one-touch send scan registered in MFP 101. Also displayed are a display / hide switch button 506 for changing the display state, and a delete button 507. For example, when the display state of the "letter of introduction" button is "displayed," the button is displayed on home screen 400 on touch panel 410, like letter of introduction button 406 in Fig. 4. Display / hide switch button 506 is a button that allows the button to be toggled between "displayed" and "hidden."

[0056] When a delete button 507 is selected by the user, the button information registered in the MFP 101 is deleted.

[0057] As an example of a button for executing one-touch send scan registered in the MFP 101, the send type of a button named "Application A" is e-mail and the display state is hidden. Furthermore, not only when the registration button 502 for a new button is selected, but also when the button name "Application A" is selected, the setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 311.

[0058] In Fig. 5, four buttons are registered: "Application Form A," "Application Form B," "Letter of Referral," and "Medical Questionnaire." Since the button display state of "Letter of Referral" and "Medical Questionnaire" is "Displayed," the buttons are displayed on home screen 400. However, since the display state of "Application Form A" and "Application Form B" is "Hidden," the buttons are not displayed on home screen 400.

[0059] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting edit screen for a button for executing one-touch send scan. The setting edit screen 600 for a button in Fig. 6 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to the PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 via HTTP communication, for example.

[0060] The button settings edit screen 600 is displayed when the user selects the new button registration button 502 in Fig. 5 or the name of a button. When the button settings edit screen 600 is displayed when the user selects the name of a button, each item on the button settings edit screen 600 is displayed with the previously set value input. When the button settings edit screen 600 is displayed when the new button registration button 502 is selected, each item on the button settings edit screen 600 is displayed with no value input. Note that default values ​​may be input in advance into each item on the button settings edit screen 600.

[0061] An input field 601 is an input field for setting the name of the one-touch send button. The character string "letter of introduction" is input in the input field 601. Here, the one-touch send button is a button for executing one-touch send scan when selected by the user.

[0062] A pull-down menu 602 is an object for setting a file name. In the pull-down menu 602, "Button Name" and "Automatic" can be selected. When "Button Name" is selected, the button name entered in the input field 601 becomes the name of the file to be sent. When "Automatic" is selected, an automatically determined character string becomes the name of the file. For example, when the one-touch send button registered on the screen in FIG. 6 is selected, the date and time of scanning becomes the name of the file.

[0063] When the check box 603 is checked, the keyword is enabled when the file is output. The keyword will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0064] A keyword string setting button 604 is a button for displaying a keyword string setting screen 700 in FIG. 7 when selected by the user.

[0065] Pull-down 605 is an object for setting how or whether to distribute files to be sent. In pull-down 605, one of "Do not distribute", "Distribute (file)", "Distribute (folder)", and "Distribute (files and folders)" can be selected. If "Do not distribute" is set, keywords will not be used. If "Distribute (file)" is set, the keyword will be included in the output file name. If "Distribute (folder)" is set, the keyword will be included in the name of the folder that stores the file. If "Distribute (files and folders)" is set, the keyword will be included in the file name and the name of the folder that outputs the file. Detailed processing when each setting is made in this pull-down 605 will be explained in Figures 16 and 17.

[0066] A pull-down menu 606 is an object for selecting a transmission type when transmitting image data that has been read and generated. In the pull-down menu 606, "File", "Email", and "USB memory" can be selected. When "File" is selected and a switching button 607 is selected, the image data is transmitted to a folder on the PC 104 or to the file server 102 using a protocol such as SMB, FTP, WebDAV, or SFTP. When "Email" is selected, the image data is transmitted to the destination using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). When "USB memory" is selected, the image data is stored in a USB memory, which is an external storage device 210 connected to the MFP 101.

[0067] A switch button 607 is a button for switching the setting of the transmission type to the transmission type displayed in the pull-down menu 606. Furthermore, when the switch button 607 is selected with a transmission type selected in the pull-down menu 606, items corresponding to the selected transmission type are displayed in items 608, 609, etc.

[0068] An item 608 is an item where various settings such as read settings when scanning with one-touch send scan and transmission settings when transmitting can be input. For example, an item 609 includes settings such as the destination, scan size, file format, and document orientation.

[0069] Area 609 is an area for displaying the destination to which the scanned and generated image data is to be sent. The destination set here is a folder path to be combined with a character string of a text object, which will be described later. Area 609 is also a text area in which input and editing are not possible, and displays the address selected on the address selection screen.

[0070] When the user selects select from address book button 610, an address selection screen 800 is displayed on which an address in an address book stored in MFP 101 can be selected.

[0071] A pull-down menu 611 is used to set the file format when image data generated by reading an image on a document is converted into a file. A file is generated according to the format selected here.

[0072] The OK button 612 is a button for storing the one-touch send button settings set on the button setting edit screen 600 in the storage 204. When the OK button 612 is selected, the settings are stored in the storage 204. The cancel button 613 is a button for discarding the settings. When the OK button 612 or the cancel button 613 is pressed, the one-touch send scan setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is displayed.

[0073] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a keyword string setting screen. The keyword string setting screen 700 is displayed when the keyword string setting button 604 is selected on the button setting edit screen 600 in Fig. 6. The keyword string setting screen 700 in Fig. 7 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to the PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0074] A pull-down menu 701 is an object for selecting the type of keyword string. The keyword string can be selected from either "numbers only" or "alphanumeric characters".

[0075] The input field 702 is an input field for setting the number of characters of the keyword string. In this embodiment, the maximum number of characters that can be set is 16 characters. By setting the number of characters of the keyword string here, if the character string recognized in the set character recognition area is different from the character string desired by the user, the different character string can be prevented from being displayed as the recognition result. Note that the setting of this keyword string is reflected when the area designation button 706 is selected and an area is designated on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 in FIG. 11.

[0076] An input field 703 is an input field for inputting a character string to be displayed when inputting a keyword string. The maximum number of characters that can be set is 64.

[0077] A pull-down menu 704 is an object for selecting whether or not to execute OCR processing, which is character recognition processing.

[0078] Area 705 is an area for displaying information indicating whether or not a character recognition area has been specified. The initial value is "not specified", and when area specification button 706 is selected and a rectangular area is specified on character recognition area setting screen 1100 in Fig. 11, "specified" is displayed. Also, when clear button 1102 is selected on character recognition area setting screen 1100 to delete the rectangular area and then confirm button 1103 is selected, "not specified" is displayed in area 705.

[0079] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a character recognition area setting screen, which is displayed by selecting the area designation button 706 in FIG. 10. Note that this character recognition area setting screen 1100 may be displayed for each document size, such as A4 or A3, and may be set for each size. The character recognition area setting screen 1100 in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to the PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example. The character recognition area setting screen 1100 displays an area designation canvas 1101 with an aspect ratio corresponding to the reading paper size set in the item 608. The user can designate the start point and end point of the rectangular area with a pointer, and the start point coordinates and end point coordinates at that time are converted into real space distances and temporarily stored. Specific setting values ​​can be set in mm units, such as start point (X,Y)=(10,10) and end point (X,Y)=(50,20). When the clear button 1102 is selected, the setting value of the character recognition area can be reset to the initial value. When the Confirm button 1103 is selected, the temporarily stored coordinate information of the two points is set in the character recognition area 705. That is, the coordinate information is stored as the character recognition area in the storage 204. After the Clear button 1102 or the Confirm button 1103 is selected, the screen returns to the keyword string setting screen 700 in FIG.

[0080] The OK button 707 is a button for storing the contents set on the keyword string setting screen 700 in the storage 204. The cancel button 708 is a button for discarding the set contents. When the OK button 707 or the cancel button 708 is pressed, the button setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an address selection screen. Address selection screen 800 is displayed when select button 610 from address book on button setting edit screen 600 in Fig. 6. Address selection screen 800 in Fig. 8 is displayed on display device 311 connected to PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0082] A pull-down menu 801 is a list for switching the type of address book displayed on the address selection screen 800. In the pull-down menu 801, either "Best Members" or "Speed ​​Dial" (not shown) can be selected.

[0083] A display switching button 802 is a button for changing the type of address book displayed on the address selection screen 800 to the type displayed in the pull-down menu 801 when selected by the user.

[0084] Area 803 is a display area where the name of the address book is displayed. List 804 is an area where a list of addresses is displayed, and is composed of selectable check boxes, numbers, type, name, and destination. The check boxes are displayed in one of two types: checkable check boxes and uncheckable check boxes. The number displays the management number of the address. The type is an area where icons are displayed, and the icons differ depending on the type of address. The name displays the name given to the address. The destination displays the address. The check boxes are displayed in one of two types: checkable check boxes and uncheckable check boxes.

[0085] When the check box is checked and an OK button 805 is selected, the address is displayed in the area 609. The MFP 101 also receives the address from the PC 104 via HTTP communication, and stores it in the storage 204 as the address of the destination of image data.

[0086] A further explanation of the display of checkable and uncheckable checkboxes is provided. FIG. 8 shows the display when "File" is selected in list 606 in FIG. 6 and an address is selected from the "Best Members" address book, which has two addresses with a sending type of "Email" and two addresses with a sending type of "File". In this way, on address selection screen 800, destinations corresponding to the set sending type can be selected with checkable boxes. Checkable checkboxes are displayed for addresses that match the type in pull-down 606. Specifically, uncheckable checkboxes are displayed for addresses numbered 01 and 02, and checkable checkboxes are displayed for addresses numbered 03 and 04.

[0087] An OK button 805 is a button for confirming the address selection with the contents set on the address selection screen. A cancel button 806 is a button for discarding the contents of the settings. When the OK button 805 or the cancel button 806 is selected, the button setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed.

[0088] Here, the setting of the medical questionnaire button 405 in this embodiment will be described. The medical questionnaire button 405 is registered in a state where "medical questionnaire" is input in the input field 601, "button name" is selected in the pull-down menu 602, and the check box 603 is checked on the button setting and editing screen 600 in Fig. 6. The medical questionnaire button 405 is also registered in a state where "sort (folder)" is selected in the pull-down menu 605 and "file" is selected in the pull-down menu 606 on the button setting and editing screen 600 in Fig. 6. Furthermore, the medical questionnaire button 405 is also registered in a state where "numbers only" is selected in the pull-down menu 701, "7" is input in the input field 702, and "enter patient number" is input in the input field 703 on the keyword string setting screen 700 in Fig. 7. In addition, “Yes” is selected in the pull-down menu 704, the area designation button 706 is not selected, and the destination number 04 “¥¥File Server¥Medical Questionnaire” is selected and registered on the address selection screen 800 in FIG. 8.

[0089] Next, the setting of the referral letter button 406 of this embodiment will be described. The referral letter button 406 is created by inputting "referral letter" in the input field 601, selecting "button name" in the pull-down menu 602, and checking the check box 603 on the button setting and editing screen 600 of Fig. 6. The medical questionnaire button 405 is created by selecting "sort (files and folders)" in the pull-down menu 605 and selecting "files" in the pull-down menu 606 on the button setting and editing screen 600 of Fig. 6. The referral letter button 406 is created by selecting "numbers only" in the pull-down menu 701, inputting "7" in the input field 702, and inputting "please enter your patient number" in the input field 703 on the keyword string setting screen 700 of Fig. 7. Also, the area is created by selecting "Yes" in the pull-down menu 704, selecting the area designation button 706, and setting "Start point (X,Y)=(10,10), end point (X,Y)=(50,20)." Also, the introduction button 406 is registered when the destination number 03 "¥¥File Server¥Introduction" is selected on the address selection screen 800 in FIG.

[0090] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a button setting edit screen when the transmission type is email. The button setting edit screen 900 in Fig. 9 will be described using the settings of the application form A button as an example. The button setting edit screen 900 in Fig. 9 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that is accessing the web server of the MFP 101 via HTTP communication, for example.

[0091] The input fields, pull-down menus, and buttons 901 to 906 are similar to the input fields, pull-down menus, and buttons 601 to 606 in FIG. 6, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] When E-mail is selected from the pull-down menu 906 and a switch button 907 is selected, the sending setting items displayed in the item 908 are displayed as in the button setting edit screen 900 .

[0093] An input field 909 is an input field for inputting the email address of the destination to which the read and generated image data is to be sent.

[0094] An add button 910 is a button for adding the email address entered in the entry field 909 to a destination list 911 when selected by the user.

[0095] The destination list 911 is a text display area that can be selected on an email address basis. The destination list 911 displays the field name and email address when sending an email. When sending an email, one of three field names, To, Cc, or Bcc, is displayed. Note that when an email address is added to the destination list 911, the default field name is To.

[0096] A select from address book button 912 is a button for displaying a screen 800 for selecting an email address to be added to the destination list 911 from an address book, when selected by the user.

[0097] When selected by the user, To / Cc / Bcc switch button 913 switches the fields of the email address selected in the destination list in the order of To→Cc→Bcc→To in a circular manner.

[0098] When the user selects the delete button 914, the email address selected in the destination list is deleted from the destination list.

[0099] An input field 915 is an input field for inputting the subject of the e-mail to be sent. When an add button name button 916 is selected, the button name input in the input field 901 is input in the input field 915.

[0100] The input field 917 is an input field for inputting the text of the e-mail to be sent. When the button name addition button 917 is selected, the button name input in the input field 901 is input in the input field 917.

[0101] An OK button 919 and a cancel button 920 are similar to the OK button 612 and the cancel button 613. When the one-touch send button for sending type E-mail is selected, character recognition processing is not executed.

[0102] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a button setting edit screen when the transmission type is USB memory. The button setting edit screen 1000 in Fig. 10 will be described using the setting of the application form B button as an example. The button setting edit screen 1000 in Fig. 10 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that is accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 via HTTP communication, for example.

[0103] The input fields, pull-down menus, and buttons 1001 to 1006 are similar to the input fields, pull-down menus, and buttons 601 to 606 in FIG. 6, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0104] When a USB memory is selected in a pull-down menu 1006 and a switch button 1007 is selected, the transmission setting items displayed in an item 1008 are displayed as in the button setting edit screen 1000. In the item 1008, reading settings such as the reading size, color settings, and the format of the file to be generated when scanning an original and generating image data can be set.

[0105] When the transmission type is USB memory, the image data generated by reading the image of the document is stored in the USB memory.

[0106] Next, a screen for registering an address displayed on the address selection screen 800 in FIG. 8 will be described.

[0107] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for registering an address in the address book. The screen in Fig. 12 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to the PC 104 by the PC 104 accessing the WEB server of the MFP 101 via HTTP using a WEB browser.

[0108] 12A is a diagram showing an example of an address registration screen 1200. An address book selection area 1201, check boxes 1202, an OK button 1203, and a cancel button 1204 are displayed on the address registration screen 1200.

[0109] "Best Members" and "Speed ​​Dial" can be selected in the address book selection area 1201. A case where "Best Members" is selected will be described with reference to Figs. 12(A), (B) and (C).

[0110] The type of destination to be registered can be selected using checkbox 1202. An OK button 1203 is a button for displaying a destination registration screen 1210 or 1220 in Fig. 12(B) reflecting the selected type of destination when selected by the user.

[0111] A cancel button 1204 is a button for discarding the settings and canceling the address book registration when selected by the user.

[0112] 12B is a diagram showing an example of a destination registration screen. Destination registration screen 1210 displays an input field 1211, a pull-down menu 1212, an input field 1213, an input field 1214, an input field 1215, an input field 1216, an OK button 1217, and a cancel button 1218. Destination registration screen 1210 is a screen for registering a destination when the transmission type is file transmission.

[0113] An input field 1211 is an input field for inputting the name of the destination. A pull-down menu 1212 is an object for selecting a protocol to be used when transmitting image data to the destination. In the pull-down menu 1212, one of three types, SMB, FTP, and WebDAV, can be selected.

[0114] The input field 1213 is an input field for inputting the host name of the destination, a resolvable server name or an IP address, and the input field 1214 is an input field for inputting the folder path of the destination.

[0115] Entry fields 1215 and 1216 are entry fields for entering a user name and a password for accessing the server specified by the host name entered in entry field 1213 .

[0116] When the user selects an OK button 1217, the CPU 201 stores the input setting values ​​as a new destination in the storage 204. When the user selects a cancel button 1218, the setting is discarded and the address book registration is cancelled.

[0117] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an address registration screen. An input field 1301, an input field 1302, an OK button 1303, and a cancel button 1304 are displayed on the address registration screen 1300. The address registration screen 1300 is a screen for registering an address when the transmission type is e-mail. The address registration screen 1300 in Fig. 13 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that is accessing a web server of the MFP 101 via HTTP communication, for example.

[0118] An input field 1301 is an input field for inputting the name of an address, and an input field 1302 is an input field for inputting the email address of the destination.

[0119] When the user selects an OK button 1303, the CPU 201 stores the input setting values ​​as a new address in the storage 204. When the user selects a cancel button 1304, the setting is discarded and the address book registration is cancelled.

[0120] This concludes the explanation of the process for registering a button in advance. Next, we will explain the process when a user uses a registered button. Note that some or all of the screens explained above may be displayed and operations may be accepted on the operation unit 205 of the MFP 101, or on the PC 104 connected to the WEB server of the MFP.

[0121] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow when the one-touch send button for file transmission is selected on MFP 101. The processing of the flowchart in Fig. 14 is realized by CPU 201 reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in Fig. 14 is started when MFP 101 is powered on. Note that the flow in Fig. 14 is executed when the transmission type of the one-touch send button is file transmission, and when the transmission type is email or USB memory, character recognition processing may not be executed as in Fig. 14.

[0122] In S1401, CPU 201 determines whether or not the one-touch send button has been selected. If it is determined that the one-touch send button has been selected, the process proceeds to S1402. If not, the process returns to S1401. Here, a case where medical questionnaire button 405 has been selected as the one-touch send button will be described.

[0123] In step S1402 , the CPU 201 reads the read settings set on the setting edit screen 600 from the storage 204 .

[0124] In S1403, the CPU 201 controls the scanner to read the image of the document based on the reading setting read in S1402, and generates image data.

[0125] In step S1404, the CPU 201 executes character recognition processing using the generated image data. Details of the character recognition processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0126] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of character recognition processing. The processing of the flowchart in Fig. 15 is realized by CPU 201 reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in Fig. 15 is started by setting "Perform character recognition" in pull-down menu 704 in Fig. 7 and CPU 201 reading an image of a document and generating image data in S1403.

[0127] In S1501, the CPU 201 generates binary image data using the image data generated in S1403. The generated binary image data is stored in the RAM 203.

[0128] In S1502, the CPU 201 reduces the resolution of the binary image data generated in S1501. By reducing the resolution, it is possible to reduce the load of the process of searching for a character region from the binary image data.

[0129] In S1503, the CPU 201 searches for a text area in the image represented by the low-resolution binary image data. Here, the range in which the text area is searched may be the entire area of ​​the image data, or may be an area set by the user.

[0130] In S1504, the CPU 201 executes character segmentation processing on the areas determined to be character areas in S1503. The character segmentation processing is a process for segmenting the circumscribing rectangle of each character as a character segmentation rectangle based on the horizontal projection and the vertical projection. This character segmentation processing is executed on all areas determined to be character areas.

[0131] In S1505, the CPU 201 compares each character segmentation rectangle with dictionary data stored in the ROM 202, and obtains the character code of the most similar character and the coordinate information of the character segmentation rectangle. This dictionary comparison process is performed for all character segmentation rectangles. In addition to the character code and coordinate information, this process may also obtain font information, etc.

[0132] In step S1506, the CPU 201 stores in the RAM 203 the character code and coordinate information, which are the character information acquired in step S1505.

[0133] Here, the explanation will be returned to the flow of Fig. 14. In S1405, the CPU 201 generates a text object using the character information. The process of generating the text object will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 16.

[0134] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow in which MFP 101 generates a text object. CPU 201 reads a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executes it to realize the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 16. The flow in Fig. 16 starts when character recognition processing for one page is completed in S1404.

[0135] In S1601, the CPU 201 acquires the character information stored in S1506. In S1602, the CPU 201 targets the character cutting rectangle at the top left coordinates of the image indicated by the image data and determines whether or not there is a character (character cutting rectangle) to the right of the character cutting rectangle. If it is determined that there is a character, the process proceeds to S1603. If not, the process proceeds to S1604.

[0136] In S1603, the CPU 201 determines whether the distance to the adjacent character (character cut rectangle) on the right is equal to or less than the threshold. If it is determined that it is equal to or less than the threshold, the process proceeds to S1607. If it is determined that it is greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to S1604.

[0137] In S1607, the CPU 201 generates a combined character string by combining the target character and the character adjacent to the target character to the right, and then selects the character adjacent to the right as the target character and returns to S1602.

[0138] In S1604, the CPU 201 stores the one or the combined character strings in the RAM 203 as one character string to be used in a text object.

[0139] In S1605, the CPU 201 generates a text object using the character string stored in the RAM 203 in S1604. Here, a text object is a button on which a character string is displayed.

[0140] In S1606, the CPU 201 determines whether or not all the character information has been confirmed. If it is determined that all the character information has been confirmed, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to S1608.

[0141] In S1608, CPU 201 selects the next character as the target, and returns to S1602. When returning to S1602, the character to the right is selected as the next character, but after the rightmost character is confirmed, the leftmost character on the line below is selected as the next character. The position of the next character to be selected may be changed according to the writing direction of the document.

[0142] Here, the explanation returns to the flow of Fig. 14. In S1406, it is determined whether the page on which the character recognition process and the generation of the text object are performed is the image of the last page among the images read in S1403. If it is determined that it is the last page, the process proceeds to S1407. If not, the process returns to S1404 for the next page.

[0143] In S1407, the CPU 201 displays a screen for selecting a text object. An example of the selection screen displayed here is shown in FIG.

[0144] 17 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen 1700. An area 1701 displays the folder path selected on the address selection screen 800. A preview image 1702 is an image of the scanned original.

[0145] List 1703 is, for example, a list for displaying the text objects generated in S1605. In this list, text objects corresponding to the character cut rectangles at the top left are displayed from the top right.

[0146] Area 1704 is an area for displaying a character string indicated by a text object selected from list 1703. The character string indicated by the selected text object is stored in RAM 203. In FIG. 17, text object 1705 is selected, so "123" indicated by text object 1705 is displayed in area 1704. The selected text object is highlighted, as in text object 1705. The character string on the preview image is also highlighted, as in area 1710.

[0147] A previous button 1706 is a button for switching the displayed preview image and list to those corresponding to the previous page, when selected.

[0148] A next button 1707 is a button for switching the displayed preview image and list to those corresponding to the next page, when selected.

[0149] Confirm button 1708, when selected, is a button for sending image data generated to a folder path that is a combination of the character strings currently displayed in area 1701 and area 1704. Specifically, the image data is sent to a folder indicated by a folder path that is obtained by adding a folder with the name of the character string displayed in area 1704 to the hierarchical level one level below the folder path indicated in area 1701.

[0150] The clear button 1709 is a button for deleting the character string displayed in the area 1704 from the area 1704 and the RAM 203 .

[0151] Here, the explanation returns to the flow of Fig. 14. In S1408, CPU 201 determines whether or not a text object in list 1703 has been selected, that is, whether or not a character indicated by the text object has been selected. If it is determined that the text object has been selected, the process proceeds to S1409. If not, the process proceeds to S1420.

[0152] In S1409, CPU 201 highlights the selected text object and the character string on the preview image that corresponds to the text object. By highlighting the character string on the preview image, the user can easily recognize which part of the character string on the document is selected. For example, by looking at the preview image, the user can easily recognize whether the title of the document is selected, or the value of a specific item such as a patient ID is selected.

[0153] In S1410, the CPU 201 stores in the RAM 203 the character string indicated by the selected text object.

[0154] In S1411, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the enter button 1708 has been selected. If it is determined that the enter button 1708 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1412. If not, the process proceeds to S1430.

[0155] In step S1412, the CPU 201 acquires the host name (folder path) displayed in the area 1701. In the case of Fig. 17, the host name (folder path) is "\\File Server\Questionnaire\".

[0156] In S1413, the CPU 201 combines the folder path acquired in S1412 with the character string stored in S1410, and sets the folder path as the destination of the image data generated in S1403. In the case of Fig. 17, the folder path is "\\file server\medical questionnaire\123".

[0157] In step S1414, the CPU 201 generates a file based on the generated image data and assigns a file name to the file. Details of this process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0158] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a file name assignment process. The process of the flowchart in Fig. 20 is realized by CPU 201 reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in Fig. 20 starts when the process of S1413 is completed. The flow in Fig. 20 also starts when the process of S1911, which will be described later, is completed.

[0159] In step S2001 , the CPU 201 obtains information indicating the settings made in the pull-down menu 602 on the button settings editing screen 600 from the storage 204 , and stores the information in the RAM 203 .

[0160] In step S2002 , the CPU 201 acquires information indicating the settings made in the checkboxes 603 on the button settings edit screen 600 from the storage 204 and stores the information in the RAM 203 .

[0161] In step S2003 , the CPU 201 obtains information indicating the settings made in the pull-down menu 611 on the button settings edit screen 600 from the storage 204 , and stores the information in the RAM 203 .

[0162] In S2004, the CPU 201 determines whether file allocation is set. If "Allocation (files)" or "Allocation (files and folders)" is set on the button settings edit screen 600, it is assumed that file allocation is to be performed, and the process proceeds to S2005. If "Do not allocate" or "Allocation (folder)" is set on the button settings edit screen 600, it is assumed that file allocation is not to be performed, and the process proceeds to S2006.

[0163] In S2005, CPU 201 determines whether or not to use a keyword (character string of the selected text object) to determine the file name based on the information acquired in S2002. Specifically, if check box 603 is checked, it is assumed that a keyword will be used, and the process proceeds to S2006. If check box 603 is not checked, it is assumed that a keyword will not be used, and the process proceeds to S2007.

[0164] In step S2006, the CPU 201 stores in the RAM 203 a flag indicating that the keyword is to be included in the file name.

[0165] In S2007, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that the file name does not include a keyword in the RAM 203. Note that in this process, no flag may be stored.

[0166] In S2008, CPU 201 determines whether or not to use the button name to determine the file name based on the setting acquired in S2001. Specifically, if "Button Name" is set in pull-down menu 602, it is assumed that the button name will be used, and the process proceeds to S2009. If "Automatic" is set in pull-down menu 602, it is assumed that the button name will not be used, and the process proceeds to S2010.

[0167] In step S2009, the CPU 201 stores in the RAM 203 a flag indicating that the button name is to be included in the file name.

[0168] In S2010, the CPU 201 stores a flag indicating that the button name is not to be included in the file name in the RAM 203. Note that in this process, no flag may be stored.

[0169] In S2011, the CPU 201 obtains the current date and time and stores them in the RAM 203.

[0170] In S2012, the CPU 201 checks the flag stored in the RAM 203, and determines a file name based on the flag and the current date and time stored in S2011. Note that, although the processing described above includes a keyword and a button name in the file name, this is not limiting, and for example, only the current date and time may be obtained and added to the file name.

[0171] Now, returning to the explanation of the flow in Fig. 14, in S1415, the CPU 201 transmits the file generated in S1414 to the destination set in S1413.

[0172] In S1420, the CPU 201 determines whether or not an instruction to switch between the preview image and the list has been received by selecting the previous button 1706 or the next button 1707. If it is determined that an instruction has been received, the process proceeds to S1421. If not, the process returns to S1408.

[0173] In step S1421, the CPU 201 displays a preview image and a list of text objects for the page corresponding to the selected button.

[0174] In S1430, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the clear button 1709 has been selected. If it is determined that the clear button 1709 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1431. If not, the process returns to S1411.

[0175] In step S1431 , the CPU 201 deletes the character string displayed in the area 1704 from the area 1704 and the RAM 203 .

[0176] By performing the above processing, the user's workload can be reduced in an image processing device that reads an image of an original document, generates image data, and then performs character recognition processing on the image to send the image data to a destination folder based on the character string obtained.

[0177] In this embodiment, when the one-touch send button is selected, an image of a document is read to generate image data, and character recognition processing and text object generation processing are performed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the MFP 101 may receive image data transmitted from an external device, perform character recognition processing and text object generation processing on the image data, and display a screen such as that shown in Fig. 17. Also, when the scan button 402 is selected, an image of a document may be read to generate image data, and character recognition processing and text object generation processing are performed.

[0178] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the setting screens such as the button setting edit screen 600 are displayed on the display device 311 connected to the HTTP-connected PC 104, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the setting screens such as the button setting edit screen 600 may be displayed on the touch panel 410 on the operation unit 205 of the MFP 101 and accept operations. EXAMPLES

[0179] In the first embodiment, a selection screen such as that shown in Fig. 17 is displayed, and a process of determining the destination of image data by selecting a text object on the selection screen is described. In this embodiment, an example is described in which an area in which character recognition processing is performed is specified in advance, and a character string recognized within that area is determined as the destination of image data.

[0180] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the screen when the referral button 406 is selected on the MFP 101. Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the flow when transmitting image data generated by reading an image of an original with a scanner, and the screen shown in Fig. 18 is a screen displayed on the touch panel 410 of the operation unit 205.

[0181] After the user places the document on the scanner 207, the referral button 406 on the home screen 400 is selected. When the referral button 406 is selected, reading of the document is started based on the read setting registered in advance in the button on the screen of FIG. 6, and character recognition of the read document is performed in the area set on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 based on the character type and character number restrictions. Here, only character strings that fit the character type set in the pull-down 701 of FIG. 7 are extracted from the area set on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 and stored in the RAM 203. Then, from the character strings stored in the RAM 203, character strings that fit the number of characters entered in the area 702 of FIG. 7 are displayed on a screen such as the referral button screen 1800. Note that if two or more character strings that satisfy the above two conditions are extracted, the character string recognized at the top of the set area may be preferentially displayed. In the referral button screen 1800, the character string "Please enter the patient number" entered in the input field 703 of FIG. 7 is displayed in the area 1804. Also displayed is an input field 1801 for entering a patient number. The patient number determined by character recognition is automatically entered in this input field 1801. At this time, by limiting the type of characters using the pull-down menu 701 in FIG. 7, the search range is narrowed, and recognition errors are reduced, allowing for highly accurate and quick processing. Recognition accuracy can be further improved by limiting the number of characters in area 702. For example, with regard to the character string "d," if there is only one character, there will be no recognition errors, such as recognizing "cl" as "d." Also, if a character recognition area is set, there is no need to process the entire area of ​​the document, allowing for quick processing.

[0182] If the user selects the "No" button 1803, the screen returns to the home screen. If the user selects the "Yes" button 1802, and the patient number ("0123456" in FIG. 18) meets the conditions for character type and number of characters, the image data is sent to the destination set on the button setting editing screen. If not, a warning pop-up screen is displayed. This screen flow allows the user to send data with a minimum of two touch operations.

[0183] Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when a user selects recommendation button 406. CPU 201 reads a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203 and executes it to realize the processing of the flowchart in Fig. 19. The flow in Fig. 19 is started when home screen 400 is displayed on touch panel 410 of operation unit 205 of MFP 101 and the one-touch send button is selected on the home screen. Note that this flow will be described taking as an example the processing when recommendation button 406 is selected.

[0184] In S1901, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the character recognition setting is set to "Yes" in the pull-down menu 704 of the keyword string setting screen 700 of the letter of introduction button 406. If it is set to "Yes", the process proceeds to S1902. If not, the process proceeds to S1920.

[0185] In S1902, the CPU 201 controls the scanner to read an image of the document. In S1903, the CPU 201 generates image data in accordance with the read settings set in the referral button 406, based on the image read in S1902.

[0186] In S1920, the CPU 201 displays the letter of introduction button screen 1800 of FIG.

[0187] In S1921, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has selected the "No" button 1803 on the referral button screen 1800. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process returns to S1901. If the "Yes" button 1802 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1912.

[0188] In S1922, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the character string entered in the input field 1801 satisfies the number of characters and the type of characters set on the keyword string setting screen 700. If it is determined that it satisfies the requirements, the process proceeds to S1902. If not, the process returns to S1920.

[0189] In S1904, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the character recognition setting is set to "Yes" on the setting edit screen 600 of the letter of introduction button 406. If it is set to "Yes", the process proceeds to S1905. If not, the process proceeds to S1910.

[0190] In S1905, the CPU 201 determines the area for character recognition (OCR) processing to be the area set on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 in Fig. 11. Note that if there is no setting on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 ("Not specified"), the entire area of ​​the document image is determined as the area subject to character recognition.

[0191] In step S1906, the CPU 201 executes character recognition processing in the area determined in step S1905. The character recognition processing is similar to that in step S1404, and therefore will not be described here.

[0192] In S1907, CPU 201 checks whether the character string (keyword) indicated by the character information acquired in S1906 satisfies a character count condition, and if the number of characters in the recognized character string is greater than the condition value (7 in FIG. 7), it deletes characters from the end until the number of characters reaches the condition value. Note that this condition is not limited to the number of characters, and may be the type of characters. For example, it may be a condition as to whether or not numbers are included, or whether or not English characters are included. Note that a recognized character string without this condition may be treated as a keyword.

[0193] In S1908, the CPU 201 displays a referral letter button screen 1800 in which the character string recognized in S1905 is entered in an input field 1801 in Fig. 18 on the touch panel 410 of the operation unit 205. If there is an error in the character recognition, the user can change the patient number on this screen.

[0194] In S1909, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has selected the "No" button 1803 on the referral button screen 1800. If it is determined that the "No" button 1803 has been selected, the process returns to S1901. If it is determined that the "Yes" button 1802 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1909.

[0195] In S1910, the CPU 201 determines whether the patient number entered by the user when the referral button screen 1800 was displayed satisfies the conditions of the type of characters and the number of characters. If it is determined that the conditions are met, the process proceeds to S1910. If not, the process returns to S1908.

[0196] In step S1911, the CPU 201 sets a folder path that combines a host name and a keyword as a destination in the same manner as in step S1413.

[0197] In S1912, the CPU 201 executes the same process as in S1414.

[0198] In S1913, CPU 201 controls the network I / F, and the network I / F transmits the image data to the destination set in S1911. Note that the destination set here may be stored in association with the button, and from the next time the button is selected, the image data may be transmitted to the stored destination without executing the character recognition process.

[0199] By executing the above process, the character recognition process result can be automatically set as part of the folder path, saving the user time. In addition, by setting conditions such as the number of characters in the keyword, it is possible to prevent a misrecognized character string from being used as the destination.

[0200] <Other embodiments> The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following process. That is, a storage medium on which program code for realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device, and a computer (or a CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads out the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code read out from the storage medium itself realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the program code constitutes the present invention.

[0201] The present invention also includes cases where the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by a computer executing the program code that has been read out. In addition, the present invention also includes cases where an operating system (OS) or the like running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, thereby realizing the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0202] 101 MFP 104 PC 100 LAN 201 CPU 205 Operation section

Claims

1. character recognition means for performing character recognition processing to recognize characters included in image data and acquire character information; a display means for displaying a character indicated by the character information acquired by the character recognition means; 13. An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting the image data to a folder having a name selected by a user from among characters displayed by the display means.

2. The computer further includes a receiving unit for receiving an input of a path of a folder, 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits the image data to a folder indicated by a path which is one level below the path inputted by the receiving means and which includes a folder having the selected characters as a name.

3. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a list of characters indicated by the character information acquired by the character recognition means.

4. Further comprising an operation unit, 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits the image data to a folder having a name selected by a user via the operation unit from among the characters displayed by the display means.

5. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character recognition means recognizes a plurality of characters included in the image data and acquires a plurality of pieces of character information.

6. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said display means displays a plurality of characters indicated by said plurality of pieces of character information.

7. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the path accepted by the acceptance means.

8. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the selected characters as a path to a folder.

9. the display means displays the character and an image of the document in response to the character recognition means completing the character recognition process; 9. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein, in response to a user's selection of a character to be displayed by said display means, said display means highlights an area on said image in which said selected character is displayed.

10. a second receiving means for receiving an instruction to switch the image of the document displayed on the display means to an image of a document read next to the document; 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in response to the second receiving means receiving the instruction, the display means switches from displaying the image of the original to displaying an image of the original that is read next to the original.

11. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character information includes at least a character code and coordinate information.

12. The image processing apparatus further includes a reading means for reading an image of a document and generating image data; 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character recognition means performs character recognition processing to recognize characters included in the image data and acquire character information.

13. The image data processing device further includes a receiving unit for receiving image data from an external device, 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character recognition means performs character recognition processing to recognize characters included in the image data and acquire character information.

14. the display means displays a function selection screen for allowing a user to select a function to be used from a plurality of functions including a copy function for reading an original document, generating image data, and printing based on the image data, and a transmission function for reading an original document, generating image data, and transmitting the image data to an external device; 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein, in response to a selection of a button displayed on the function selection screen, the reading means reads an image of a document to generate image data, and the character recognition means performs the character recognition process.

15. a third receiving means for receiving settings of a reading process in which the reading means reads an image of a document and generates image data; 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a storage unit that stores the setting of the reading process accepted by the third acceptance unit in association with the button.

16. 16. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the characters include numbers.

17. 17. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits the image data using at least one of FTP, SMB, and WebDAV.

18. 18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a button for reading an image of an original document, generating image data, and sending the image data by e-mail is selected, the display means does not display the characters.

19. a character recognition process for performing character recognition processing to recognize characters included in image data and acquire character information; a display step of displaying a character indicated by the character information acquired in the character recognition step; a transmitting step of transmitting the image data to a folder having a name that is selected by a user from among the characters displayed in the display step.

20. 19. A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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