Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program

Abstract

To improve usability in creating an integrated image obtained by integrating two scanned images of a specific document into one image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has: acquisition means that performs crop processing on two scanned images obtained by scanning a specific document and corresponding to two document surfaces to acquire two crop images; and creation means that creates an integrated image obtained by integrating the two crop images acquired by the acquisition means into one image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus has an ID card copy function for generating an integrated image in which two scanned images of document surfaces obtained by scanning the front and back surfaces of a specific document such as an ID card like a driver's license are combined into one. Regarding this ID card copy function, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for performing predetermined image processing on a scanned image of a document surface obtained by scanning a document surface of a specific document according to the specified type of the specific document and the document surface.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the above ID card copy function is implemented, if the position of a specific document placed on the platen for scanning is different from the preset position, it may not be possible to obtain a desired output result. For example, in the above ID card copy function, assume that an area corresponding to the license size with the upper left of the platen as the origin is set as the reading area of the specific document. In such a setting, if the position of the license placed on the platen is outside the above reading area, it is only possible to form an image in which a scanned image not including the image of the license is assigned to one side of one sheet of paper. Also, if the license placed on the platen is at a position straddling the inside and outside of the above reading area, it is only possible to form an image in which a scanned image including a part of the image of the entire one side of the license that exists within the above reading area is assigned. Further, since the quality of the output result cannot be determined without looking at the output result, if the license cannot be read appropriately, the reading operation of the license has to be redone from the beginning, and the user operation is complicated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that performs a crop process on two scanned images corresponding to two document surfaces obtained by scanning a specific document to acquire two cropped images, and a generation unit that generates an integrated image by combining the two cropped images acquired by the acquisition unit into one, and is characterized by this.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to the technology of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the usability when generating an integrated image by combining two scanned images of a specific document into one.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the components described in the following embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology of the present disclosure. Note that each step (step) in the flowchart is denoted by prefixing "S".

[0009] <<Embodiment 1>> In this embodiment, a mode of determining where to allocate two card images on a sheet according to a set allocation method and generating print data will be described.

[0010] (Hardware Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller unit 101, an operation unit 107, a communication unit 109, a scanner 111, and a printer 112. The controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111, the printer 112, the operation unit 107, and the communication unit 109. When the user uses the copy function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to obtain a scan image corresponding to the document surface obtained by reading the document placed on the document table as document image data. Then, the controller unit 101 controls the printer 112 to print and output an image on a sheet based on the obtained image data.

[0011] Also, when the user uses the scanning function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to acquire the image data of the document, convert it into code data, and transmit it to an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 109. The execution instruction of the processing in each of these functions is called a job, and the image forming apparatus 100 executes a predetermined process according to the job corresponding to each function.

[0012] The controller unit 101 includes a CPU 102, a RAM 103, a ROM 104, an HDD 105, an operation unit I / F 106, a network I / F 108, and a device I / F 110. These devices are connected to a system bus 120 so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0013] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 comprehensively controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 102 and an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Also, the RAM 103 stores programs and data such as an operating system, system software, and application software. Further, the RAM 103 stores data of a scan image corresponding to the document surface obtained by the scanner 111 reading the document placed on the document table, or stores print data received from the controller unit 101 via the network. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 104 stores a system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 105 stores an operating system, system software, application software, print data, setting data, and the like.

[0014] The operation unit I / F 106 is an interface unit with the operation unit 107, and outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 107 to the operation unit 107. Also, the operation unit I / F 106 receives information input by the user from the operation unit 107.

[0015] The network I / F 108 is connected to the communication unit 109 and performs various communication controls with external devices. The device I / F 110 connects the scanner 111 that executes reading of a document and the controller unit 101, and also connects the printer 112 that executes printing based on image data and the controller unit 101, and performs input / output of image data.

[0016] The scanner 111 has a document table, and executes a pre-scan for detecting the paper size and position of the document placed on the document table, or executes a scan for obtaining print data for reading the document placed on the document table and generating image data.

[0017] (Software Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each block in FIG. 2 is software stored in the ROM 104 or the HDD 105, and the CPU 102 reads it out to the RAM 103 and executes it to realize the processing described later. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a screen control unit 211, a scanner control unit 212, a printer control unit 213, an ID card copy processing unit 214, and an image crop processing unit 215.

[0018] The screen control unit 211 controls the operation unit 107 through the operation unit I / F 106. The screen control unit 211 receives information input to the operation unit 107 by a user operation or generates a screen to be displayed on the operation unit 107. That is, it can be said that the screen control unit 211 controls the display of the UI screen, which will be described in detail later.

[0019] The scanner control unit 212 controls the scanner 111 through the device I / F 110, and reads the document placed on the document table to generate image data.

[0020] The printer control unit 213 controls the printer 112 through the device I / F 110, and prints and outputs an image based on the image data onto paper.

[0021] The ID card copy processing unit 214 performs processing to realize the ID card copy function. The ID card copy processing unit 214 generates print data in which the front surface image data and the back surface image data of the ID card are aggregated on one side of a single sheet based on the ID card copy settings, or checks the position of the ID card placed on the platen. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 generates an integrated image by combining into one the two scan images corresponding to the two manuscript surfaces obtained by scanning the front and back surfaces of the ID card (specific manuscript) according to one assigned method set, which will be described in detail later. Also, the ID card copy processing unit 214 detects the position of the ID card (specific manuscript) by checking a predetermined range on the platen.

[0022] The image crop processing unit 215 performs crop processing on the image data obtained by reading with the scanner 111. In the present embodiment, the crop processing is defined as processing for correcting the inclination and rotation while cutting out only the crop image, which is the necessary area, from the image data, and correcting the image represented by the image data so that it faces the front. The image data to be cut out is not limited to one card. When a plurality of cards are placed on the platen, a plurality of card images may be extracted from the image data obtained by executing the reading with the scanner 111 once. This processing is called multi-crop processing.

[0023] (Processing for executing the ID card copy function) FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the ID card copy function executed by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reading out a program for realizing each software module stored in the ROM 104 or the HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and executing it.

[0024] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the ID card copying function is configured as an independent application, but it is not limited thereto. The ID card copying function may be provided as one function of the copying application. It is assumed that the back surface of the ID card is placed face up at a predetermined position on the document table.

[0025] In S301, when the screen control unit 211 receives an instruction to execute the ID card copying function by a user operation on the operation unit 107, the ID card copying application is started, and an ID card copying screen is displayed on the operation unit 107.

[0026] (ID card copying screen) FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of an ID card copying screen. The ID card copying screen 410 has a copy number setting 411, a paper size setting 412, an assignment setting 413, and an "Execute" button 414. The copy number setting 411 displays the setting of the number of copies to be printed and is a component for setting the number of copies to be printed. The user changes the setting of the number of copies to be printed using a "+" button for performing an operation to add the number of copies to be printed one by one and a "-" button for performing an operation to subtract the number of copies to be printed one by one. The paper size setting 412 displays the setting of the printing paper size and is a component for setting the printing paper size. The paper size setting 412 is a button, and when pressed, a screen (not shown) for selecting the printing paper size is displayed. The assignment setting 413 displays the setting of the assignment method for how to assign the image on the front surface and the image on the back surface of the ID card to the printing paper and is a component for setting the assignment method. The assignment setting 413 is a button, and when pressed, a screen (for example, the screen shown in FIG. 4(b)) for selecting the setting of the assignment method is displayed. The "Execute" button 414 is a button for instructing the start of execution of the ID card copying function.

[0027] (Assignment setting screen) Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of an assignment setting screen. The assignment setting screen 420 is displayed on the operation unit 107 by pressing the assignment setting 413 in the ID card copy screen 410 shown in Figure 4(a) through a user operation. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are four types of assignment methods that can be set: "Full", "Half Left-Right", "Half Up-Down", and "A5 Left-Right".

[0028] The assignment setting screen 420 has buttons 421 to 424 corresponding to the respective assignable assignment methods, a "Cancel" button 425, and an "OK" button 426. Buttons 421 to 424 are buttons for changing the assignment method to be set, and the button pressed by a user operation becomes the selected state. That is, it can be said that the assignment setting screen 420 is a UI screen for setting one assignment method from among a plurality of assignment methods.

[0029] Button 421 is a button for setting the "Full" assignment method. That is, button 421 is a button for selecting a setting in which the printing direction is vertical and two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the ID card are arranged vertically for the entire area on one side of the paper.

[0030] Button 422 is a button for setting the "Half Left-Right" assignment method. That is, button 422 is a button for selecting a setting in which the printing direction is vertical and two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the ID card are arranged horizontally for the upper half area on one side of the paper.

[0031] Button 423 is a button for setting the "Half Up-Down" assignment method. That is, button 423 is a button for selecting a setting in which the printing direction is vertical and two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the ID card are arranged vertically for the upper half area on one side of the paper.

[0032] Button 424 is a button for setting the allocation method of "A5 horizontal". That is, button 424 is a button for selecting a setting in which the printing orientation is horizontal, and two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the ID card are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction for the entire area on one side of the A5-sized paper.

[0033] The "Cancel" button 425 is a button for returning to the original screen without changing the setting of the allocation method. The "OK" button 426 is a button for finalizing the setting of the currently selected allocation method among buttons 421 to 424 and returning to the original screen.

[0034] Return to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 3. In S302, the ID card copy processing unit 214 waits for the user's operation through the screen control unit 211. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 waits for an input by a user operation on the ID card copy screen. In S303, the ID card copy processing unit 214 determines the type of the detected user operation. The processing branches according to the determination result. That is, when the type of the detected user operation is "Settings", the process proceeds to S330, and when the type of the detected user operation is "Execute" or "Continue", the process proceeds to S304.

[0035] The fact that the type of the user operation is "Settings" means an operation for setting the ID card copy function, such as increasing or decreasing the number of copies in the number of copies setting 411 or setting the allocation method on the allocation setting screen 420. In S330, the ID card copy processing unit 214 reflects the setting value set by the user operation on the ID card copy screen 410. Then, after the reflection of the setting value on the ID card copy screen 410 is completed, the process returns to S302.

[0036] The fact that the type of user operation is "Execution" or "Continuation" corresponds to the operation of pressing the "Execution" button 414 or the "Continuation" button 433 in Fig. 4(c) or the "Continuation" button 443 in Fig. 4(d) described below. In S304, the ID card copy processing unit 214 controls the scanner 111 through the scanner control unit 212 to perform the first scan and generate (acquire) scan image data.

[0037] In S305, the ID card copy processing unit 214 performs a multi-crop process on the scan image data obtained in S304 through the image crop processing unit 215 to extract card image data. Specifically, the image crop processing unit 215 cuts out only the necessary area from the scan image data obtained in S304 and at the same time performs tilt correction and rotation to extract card image data in which the image represented by the image data is corrected to face the front. The rotation process is a process of performing character recognition processing on the scan image from four directions, determining the direction with the highest recognition rate as a character, and making the direction obtained by this determination the vertical direction, and is performed as necessary.

[0038] In S306, the ID card copy processing unit 214 discriminates the number of card image data extracted in the multi-crop process of S305. The process branches according to the discrimination result. That is, if the number of extracted card image data is 0, the process proceeds to S340; if it is 1, it proceeds to S307; and if it is 2 or more, it proceeds to S350.

[0039] In S340, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays a no-card warning screen on the operation unit 107 through the screen control unit 211.

[0040] (No-card warning screen) FIG. 4(c) is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen without a card. The warning screen without a card 430 has a warning message 431, a guide display area 432, and a "Continue" button 433. The warning screen without a card 430 is also used in S360 (warning for the second scan) described later. The warning message 431 is a message indicating that no ID card is placed on the document table and the operation procedure for continuing the process. The guide display area 432 is an area that visually displays placing an ID card on the document table. The ID card design displayed in the guide display area 432 is also switched between the warning for the first scan (S340) and the warning for the second scan (S360). For example, in the first scan, the design on the back side of the card is displayed because the front side of the ID card is scanned. In the second scan, the design on the front side of the card is displayed because the back side of the ID card is scanned. The "Continue" button 433 is a button for instructing the continuation of the process. That is, the warning screen without a card 430 is a UI screen displayed when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and it can also be said that it is a UI screen for notifying a warning message.

[0041] Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 3. In S350, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays, through the screen control unit 211, on the operation unit 107 a multiple card warning screen indicating that a plurality of ID cards are placed on the document table.

[0042] (Multiple card warning screen) FIG. 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of a multiple-card warning screen. The multiple-card warning screen 440 has a warning message 441, a guide display area 442, and a "Continue" button 443. The multiple-card warning screen 440 is also used in S370 (warning for the second scan) described later. The warning message 441 is a message indicating that a plurality of ID cards are placed on the platen and the operation procedure for continuing the process. The guide display area 442 is an area that visually displays placing one ID card on the platen. The pattern of the ID card displayed in the guide display area 442 is also switched between the warning for the first scan (S350) and the warning for the second scan (S370). For example, in the first scan, the pattern on the back side of the card is displayed because the front side of the ID card is scanned. In the second scan, the pattern on the front side of the card is displayed because the back side of the ID card is scanned. The "Continue" button 443 is a button for instructing the continuation of the process. That is, the multiple-card warning screen 440 is a UI screen displayed when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and can also be said to be a UI screen for notifying a warning message.

[0043] Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 3. In S307, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays, through the screen control unit 211, on the operation unit 107, a card flipping instruction screen indicating an instruction to flip the ID card placed on the platen.

[0044] (Card flipping instruction screen) FIG. 4(e) is a diagram showing an example of a card flipping instruction screen. The card flipping instruction screen 450 has a message 451, a guide display area 452, a "Cancel" button 453, and a "Continue" button 454. The message 451 is a message indicating that it is necessary to flip the ID card placed on the platen and the operation procedure for continuing the process. The guide display area 452 is an area that visually displays placing one ID card on the platen. The "Cancel" button 453 is a button for instructing the cancellation of the process. The "Continue" button 454 is a button for instructing the continuation of the process.

[0045] Also, the scanned card image may be displayed on the card flipping instruction screen.

[0046] (Card flipping instruction screen) FIG. 4(f) is a diagram showing an example of a card flipping instruction screen that also displays a scanned card image. The card flipping instruction screen 460 includes a message 461, a scanned card image 462, a guide display area 463, a "Cancel" button 464, and a "Continue" button 465. The message 461 is a message indicating that the ID card needs to be flipped and the operation procedure for continuing the process. The scanned card image 462 is an image extracted by performing the first scan in S304 and the multi-crop process in S305. The guide display area 463 is an area that visually displays placing one ID card on the platen. The image of the ID card displayed in the guide display area 463 is the same image as the scanned card image 462. By displaying the same image as the scanned card image 462, the state of the ID card after being flipped is visually displayed. The "Cancel" button 464 is a button for instructing cancellation of the process. The "Continue" button 465 is a button for instructing continuation of the process.

[0047] Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 3, after the process of S307, it is assumed that, by a user operation, the ID card placed on the platen is flipped and placed at a predetermined position on the platen with the front surface of the ID card facing up.

[0048] In S308, the ID card copy processing unit 214 waits for the user's operation through the screen control unit 211. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 waits for the input by the user operation on the card reverse instruction screen 450 or the card reverse instruction screen 460. In S309, the ID card copy processing unit 214 discriminates the type of the button pressed by the user. The processing branches according to the discrimination result. That is, when the detected button pressed by the user is the "Cancel" button, the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is terminated, and when the detected button pressed by the user is the "Continue" button, the processing proceeds to S310.

[0049] In S310, the ID card copy processing unit 214 controls the scanner 111 through the scanner control unit 212 to execute the second scan and generate image data. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 acquires one scan image corresponding to the back surface (one original document surface) of the ID card obtained by scanning the back surface of the ID card.

[0050] In S311, the ID card copy processing unit 214 performs a multi-crop process on the scan image data obtained in S310 through the image crop processing unit 215 to extract card image data. Specifically, the image crop processing unit 215 cuts out only the necessary area from the scan image data obtained in S310 and at the same time performs inclination correction and rotation to extract card image data in which the image represented by the image data is corrected to face the front.

[0051] In S312, the ID card copy processing unit 214 discriminates the number of card image data extracted in the multi-crop process of S311. The processing branches according to the discrimination result. That is, when the number of extracted card image data is 0, the processing proceeds to S360, when it is 1, the processing proceeds to S313, and when it is 2 or more, the processing proceeds to S370.

[0052] In S360, similar to S340, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays, via the screen control unit 211, on the operation unit 107 a no-card warning screen indicating that no ID card is placed on the document table. Note that when the processing of S360 is completed, the processing returns to S308.

[0053] In S370, similar to S350, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays, via the screen control unit 211, on the operation unit 107 a multiple-card warning screen indicating that multiple ID cards are placed on the document table.

[0054] In S313, the ID card copy processing unit 214 determines whether the patterns of the card image obtained in the first scan (the image extracted in S305) and the card image obtained in the second scan (the image extracted in S311) are different. If it is determined that the patterns of the first card image and the second card image are different, the process proceeds to S314. If it is determined that the patterns of the first card image and the second card image are the same, the process proceeds to S380. That the patterns of the first and second card images are the same means that the card is not turned over. Therefore, in S380, the ID card copy processing unit 214 displays, via the screen control unit 211, on the operation unit 107 a card-turnover warning screen indicating that the ID card placed on the document table is not turned over.

[0055] (Card-turnover warning screen) FIG. 4(g) is a diagram showing an example of a card reverse warning screen. The card reverse warning screen 470 has a warning message 471, a scanned card image 472, a guide display area 473, a "Cancel" button 474, and a "Continue" button 475. The warning message 471 is a message indicating that the ID card is not reversed and the operation procedure for continuing the process. The scanned card image 472 is an image extracted by performing the first scan in S304 and the multi-crop process in S305. The guide display area 473 is an area that visually displays placing one ID card on the platen. The image of the ID card displayed in the guide display area 473 is the same image as the scanned card image 472. By displaying the same image as the scanned card image 472, the state where the ID card is reversed is visually displayed. The "Cancel" button 474 is a button for instructing cancellation of the process. The "Continue" button 475 is a button for instructing continuation of the process. That is, the card reverse warning screen 470 is a UI screen displayed when a predetermined condition is not satisfied, and can also be said to be a UI screen for notifying a warning message.

[0056] Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 3. In S314, the ID card copy processing unit 214 generates print data based on the card image obtained in the first scan (the image extracted in S305) and the card image obtained in the second scan (the image extracted in S311). At that time, according to the setting of the allocation method, it is determined where on the paper the two card images are allocated. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 generates an integrated image by combining into one the two scan images corresponding to the two manuscript surfaces obtained by scanning the front and back surfaces of a specific manuscript according to the set allocation method. In S315, the ID card copy processing unit 214 controls the printer 112 through the printer control unit 213 to print an image based on the print data generated in S314 on the paper.

[0057] The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is terminated by the above processing. In this embodiment, the case where an integrated image in which two image data corresponding to the front and back surfaces of one ID card are combined into one is printed on one surface of one sheet of paper has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, it may be applied to the case where an integrated image in which a total of two image data corresponding to one side of each of two ID cards are combined into one is printed on one surface of one sheet of paper.

[0058] Here, a specific example when this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the ID card copying function. FIG. 5(a) shows the placement position of the ID card at the time of the first scan, and FIG. 5(b) shows the scan image obtained by the first scan. Further, FIG. 5(c) shows the placement position of the ID card at the time of the second scan, and FIG. 5(d) shows the scan image obtained by the second scan. FIG. 5(e) shows the output paper.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), even when the ID card is placed at a position different from the predetermined position (the rectangle indicated by the two-dot chain line) on the document table at the time of the first scan, a scan image including the card image corresponding to the front surface of the ID card can be obtained. Thereby, by performing multi-crop processing on the first scan image, the region corresponding to the ID card image (front surface) can be extracted as the crop region.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIGS. 5(c) and 5(d), even when the ID card is placed at a position different from the predetermined position (the rectangle indicated by the two-dot chain line) on the document table at the time of the second scan, a scan image including the card image corresponding to the back surface of the ID card can be obtained. Thereby, by performing multi-crop processing on the second scan image, the region corresponding to the ID card image (back surface) can be extracted as the crop region.

[0061] Then, it is possible to output a sheet of paper on which an image based on the integrated image in which the first card image shown in FIG. 5(b) and the second card image shown in FIG. 5(d) are combined into one is printed.

[0062] As described above, according to the present embodiment, ID card copying can be performed without limiting the position of the ID card placed on the platen, improving usability. That is, the usability when generating an integrated image that combines two scan images of a specific document into one can be improved.

[0063] <<Embodiment 2>> In the present embodiment, a mode of generating print data in which two identified card images are arranged according to the setting of the assignment method will be described. Since the present embodiment is a modification of Embodiment 1, the description will focus on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0064] (Assignment setting screen) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an assignment setting screen with an added setting for reversing the order of assigning card images. The assignment setting screen 610 is a screen obtained by adding a check box for reversing the order of assigning card images to the assignment setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 4(b). The assignment setting screen 610 has a check box 611, buttons 612 to 615 corresponding to the respective values of the assignment method setting, a "Cancel" button 616, and an "OK" button 617.

[0065] The check box 611 is a check box for determining the order in which card images are assigned. By turning the check box on or off, the order in which the card images are assigned is reversed. In conjunction with the on / off state of the check box 611, the order of the card images shown in the buttons 612 to 615 is also switched. In FIG. 6, since the check box 611 is on, the order of the card images shown in the buttons 612 to 615 is the reverse of the order of the card images (front) and card images (back) shown in the buttons 421 to 424 in FIG. 4(b). That is, in the vertical direction, the card image (back) is displayed on the upper side and the card image (front) is displayed on the lower side. In the horizontal direction, the card image (back) is displayed on the left side and the card image (front) is displayed on the right side. The "Cancel" button 616 is a button for instructing cancellation of the setting of the assignment method and returning to the original screen. The "OK" button 617 is a button for finalizing the setting of the assignment method and returning to the original screen. That is, it can be said that the assignment setting screen 610 is a UI screen for setting one assignment method from among a plurality of assignment methods, and is also a UI screen that selectively displays a setting for reversing the order in which two crop images are assigned.

[0066] (Processing for Executing the ID Card Copy Function) FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the ID card copy function executed by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart obtained by modifying the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. The explanation will focus on the differences from FIG. 3.

[0067] The flowchart in FIG. 7 is realized by the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reading a program for realizing each software module stored in the ROM 104 or the HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and executing it. If it is determined in S313 that the card images obtained in the first scan and the card images obtained in the second scan have different designs (YES in S313), the process proceeds to S701.

[0068] In S701, the ID card copy processing unit 214 identifies the patterns of the first card image (the image extracted in S305) and the second card image (the image extracted in S311). As a method for identifying the pattern, for example, image recognition processing may be performed on the card image, and the front and back surfaces of the card image may be identified based on the presence or absence of a face photo obtained as an image recognition result. Alternatively, character recognition processing may be performed on the card image, and the front and back surfaces of the card image may be identified based on the character size of the characters obtained as the character recognition result. Further, for the card image, the similarity with the card image (front surface) or the card image (back surface) displayed on the buttons 612 to 615 of the assignment setting screen may be obtained, and the front and back surfaces of the card image may be identified based on the obtained similarity.

[0069] In S702, the ID card copy processing unit 214 rearranges the card images so as to be in the same order as the setting of the assignment method.

[0070] In S703, the ID card copy processing unit 214 generates print data based on the card image obtained in the first scan (the image extracted in S305) and the card image obtained in the second scan (the image extracted in S311). At this time, it is determined where on the paper to assign the two card images according to the setting of the assignment method. That is, the ID card copy processing unit 214 generates an integrated image in which two scan images corresponding to two manuscript surfaces obtained by scanning the front and back surfaces of a specific manuscript are combined into one according to the set assignment method. In S704, the ID card copy processing unit 214 controls the printer 112 through the printer control unit 213 to print an image based on the print data generated in S703 on the paper. The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 ends with the above processing.

[0071] As described above, according to the present embodiment, an integrated image in which two card images are combined into one in the order shown in the set assignment method can be printed on the paper. Since there is no need to perform an operation for rearranging the two card images, the user operation is simple, and the usability when the ID card copy function is implemented can be improved.

[0072] (Other Embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by executing the following processes. That is, a program that realizes one or more functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device can also realize it by reading and executing the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0073] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes the following configuration examples.

[0074] (Configuration 1) An acquisition means for cropping two scan images corresponding to two manuscript pages obtained by scanning a specific manuscript to obtain two cropped images, A generation means for generating an integrated image by combining the two cropped images obtained by the acquisition means into one, An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:

[0075] (Configuration 2) The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying a warning message when the scan image or the cropped image does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized by comprising:

[0076] (Configuration 3) The notification means When the cropped image is not obtained from one of the scan images by the acquisition means, notifies the warning message indicating that the specific manuscript is not placed on the manuscript table. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized by comprising:

[0077] (Configuration 4) The notification means When two or more of the crop images are acquired from one of the scan images by the acquisition means, a warning message indicating that two or more of the specific originals are placed on the document table is notified. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized in that.

[0078] (Configuration 5) The notification means When the pattern of one of the two crop images is the same as the pattern of the other of the two crop images, a warning message indicating that the specific original placed on the document table is not turned over is notified. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized in that.

[0079] (Configuration 6) The generation means Identifies the two crop images, and arranges the identified two crop images according to an assignment method applied when generating an integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images into one, and generates the integrated image combined into one. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that.

[0080] (Configuration 7) Further includes setting means for setting an assignment method applied when generating the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images into one, The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images into one based on the assignment method set by the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that.

[0081] (Configuration 8) There are a plurality of the assignment methods, Further includes display control means for displaying a UI screen for setting one assignment method from among the plurality of assignment methods, The setting means sets the setting of the one assignment method based on a user operation via the UI screen displayed by the display control means. The image forming apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that.

[0082] (Configuration 9) The UI screen of the image forming apparatus according to Configuration 8 is characterized in that it is configured to be able to display a setting for reversing the order in which the two crop images are assigned.

[0083] (Configuration 10) The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images acquired from the two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the specific document into one. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that.

[0084] (Configuration 11) The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images acquired from the two scan images corresponding to the front surfaces of the two specific documents into one. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that.

[0085] (Configuration 12) The specific document is an ID card. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that.

[0086] (Configuration 13) An acquisition step of performing a crop process on two scan images corresponding to two document surfaces obtained by scanning a specific document to acquire two crop images; A generation step of generating an integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images acquired in the acquisition step into one; An image forming method characterized by including the above.

[0087] (Configuration 14) A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image processing method described in Configuration 13.

Claims

1. An acquisition means for cropping two scan images corresponding to two manuscript surfaces obtained by scanning a specific manuscript to obtain two cropped images; A generation means for generating an integrated image obtained by combining the two cropped images obtained by the acquisition means into one; An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying a warning message when the scan image or the cropped image does not satisfy a predetermined condition.

3. The notification means: When the cropped image is not obtained from one of the scan images by the acquisition means, the notification means notifies the warning message indicating that the specific manuscript is not placed on the platen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The notification means: When two or more cropped images are obtained from one of the scan images by the acquisition means, the notification means notifies the warning message indicating that two or more specific manuscripts are placed on the platen. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The notification means: When the pattern of one of the two cropped images is the same as the pattern of the other cropped image among the two cropped images, the notification means notifies the warning message indicating that the specific manuscript placed on the platen is not turned over. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. The generation means: The generation means identifies the two cropped images, and arranges the identified two cropped images according to an assignment method applied when generating an integrated image obtained by combining the two cropped images into one, and generates the integrated image combined into one. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

7. The image forming apparatus further comprises a setting means for setting an assignment method applied when generating the integrated image obtained by combining the two cropped images into one, The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two cropped images into one based on the assignment method set by the setting means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

8. There are a plurality of the assignment methods, The image forming apparatus further comprises a display control means for displaying a UI screen for setting one of the plurality of assignment methods. The setting means sets the setting of the one assignment method based on a user operation via the UI screen displayed by the display control means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The UI screen is configured to be able to display a setting for reversing the order in which the two crop images are assigned, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images obtained from the two scan images corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the specific document into one. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. The generation means generates the integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images obtained from the two scan images corresponding to the front surfaces of the two specific documents into one. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. The specific document is an ID card. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

13. An acquisition step of scanning a specific document to obtain two scan images corresponding to two document surfaces, and performing a crop process on the two scan images to obtain two crop images; A generation step of generating an integrated image obtained by combining the two crop images obtained in the acquisition step into one; An image forming method, characterized by including.

14. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image forming method according to claim 13.

Images