Reading device, label issuing device, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide a technique for facilitating label issuing.SOLUTION: A reading device includes a scanner section, a character recognition unit, and an output unit. The scanner section reads an image on a medium. The character recognition unit recognizes character information from a target area of the image on the medium read by the scanner section. The output unit outputs information in which information capable of identifying the target area is associated with information based on the character information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a reading device, a label issuing device, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in barcode printers and label printers, based on input data input from devices such as barcode readers and measuring instruments connected to the printer, the input data is inserted onto template data previously stored in the printer, and there has been a mechanism for printing barcodes or labels.

[0003] However, in such barcode printers and label printers, when printing based on input data, each time, operations by the user such as barcode reading and input operations of measurement results have been required. Also, each time the number of items for inputting data to be printed on the label increases, the operations required by the user tend to increase.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technique for facilitating the issuance of labels.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In an embodiment, the reading device includes a scanner unit, a character recognition unit, and an output unit. The scanner unit reads an image of a medium. The character recognition unit recognizes character information from a target area of the image of the medium read by the scanner unit. The output unit outputs information in which information capable of identifying the target area is associated with information based on the character information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0009] (Configuration example) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a label issuing system S according to an embodiment. The label issuing system S includes an image reading device 1 and a label printer 2. The image reading device 1 and the label printer 2 are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is realized by at least one or more networks such as, for example, the Internet, a mobile network, and a LAN (Local Area Network). The network may include a wireless network or a wired network. The label issuing system S is a system that issues a label in the label printer 2 based on information read by the image reading device 1. The label issuing system S may include a plurality of image reading devices 1. The label issuing system S may include a plurality of label printers 2. The label issuing system S may also refer to a system including at least two electronic devices.

[0010] The image reading device 1 is an electronic device having an electrophotographic printing function. The image reading device 1 will be described as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a copy function, a print function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and the like. The image reading device 1 is an example of a reading device. A configuration example of the image reading device 1 will be described later.

[0011] The label printer 2 is an electronic device having a printing function. Printing includes printing not only characters but also various images such as patterns. The label printer 2 is an example of a label issuing device. A configuration example of the label printer 2 will be described later.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of the image reading device 1 according to an embodiment. The image reading device 1 is an electronic device equipped with an electrophotographic printing function. The image reading device 1 will be described as an MFP having functions such as a copying function, a printing function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. The image reading device 1 is provided with an OCR (optical character recognition) function for performing character recognition from an image.

[0013] The image reading device 1 includes a control unit 100, a control panel 200, a scanner unit 300, an automatic document feeder 310, a communication circuit 400, an input / output interface 500, a power supply circuit 600, and a printer unit 700.

[0014] The control unit 100 controls the operations of each part of the image reading device 1. The control unit 100 includes a processing circuit 11, a main memory 12, and a storage 13.

[0015] The processing circuit 11 corresponds to the central part of the image reading device 1. The processing circuit 11 is an element that constitutes the computer of the image reading device 1. The processing circuit 11 includes one or more circuits that execute a plurality of processes by a plurality of functions. For example, the circuit is a processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. For example, the processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), but is not limited thereto. The processing circuit 11 expands a program stored in advance in the main memory 12 or the storage 13 into the main memory 12. The program is a program capable of causing the processing circuit 11 to execute various processes. The processing circuit 11 becomes capable of executing various processes by executing the program expanded in the main memory 12.

[0016] The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage part of the image reading apparatus 1. The main memory 12 is an element that constitutes the computer of the image reading apparatus 1. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or a program in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processing circuit 11. For example, the main memory 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) as the non-volatile memory area. For example, the main memory 12 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) as the volatile memory area.

[0017] The storage 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the image reading apparatus 1. The storage 13 is an element that constitutes the computer of the image reading apparatus 1. For example, the storage 13 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 13 may include a semiconductor storage medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) in addition to or instead of the HDD. The storage 13 stores the above-described program, data used by the processing circuit 11 to perform various processes, and data generated by the processing of the processing circuit 11. The storage 13 can store the image data generated by the scanner unit 300. The storage 13 is an example of a storage unit.

[0018] Storage 13 stores information of at least one template that designates an area for performing character recognition from an image. The template includes m (m is an integer of 1 or more) target areas. The template information includes records in which information such as template identification information, medium information, and target area information are associated. The information of each record is also referred to as template information. The template identification information is identification information that can uniquely identify the template. The template identification information is, for example, the name of the template. The medium information includes information such as the size of the medium. The medium is, for example, a sheet made of various materials such as paper. The size of the medium indicates the size of the sheet. The medium information may include information such as the type of the medium and the conveyance direction of the medium. The target area information indicates information regarding the target area. The target area indicates an area for performing character recognition from an image of the medium. The target area is also referred to as the target area of the medium or the target area of the image. The target area information includes target area identification information. The target area identification information is information that can uniquely identify the target area. The target area identification information is, for example, the name of the target area. The target area identification information is an example of information that can identify the target area. The target area identification information may include information that can identify the template including the target area. The target area information includes information indicating the position and size of the target area. The position of the target area can be specified by the coordinates of the medium. The size of the target area can be specified by the height and width of the target area. The size of the target area may be specified by the coordinates of the medium. The shape of the target area is, for example, a rectangle, but is not limited thereto. The template may include any number of target areas. The template includes information in which target area information and the target area name are associated. The template may include setting information regarding the OCR function. The setting information regarding the OCR function may include information such as the language. The template can be appropriately set by the user of the image reading device 1, an administrator, or the like.

[0019] A specific example of the template will be described. The template "Ta" includes the target areas "Area (1)" and "Area (2)". The target area "Area (1)" is, for example, an area containing information corresponding to "Product ID", and the target area "Area (2)" is, for example, an area containing information corresponding to "Price". The template "Ta" includes information in which the target area information corresponding to the target areas "Area (1)" and "Area (2)" is associated. When the template "Ta" is selected by the user of the image reading device 1, the image reading device 1 performs character recognition on the images included in the target areas "Area (1)" and "Area (2)" of the medium.

[0020] The control panel 200 includes a display device 201 and an input device 202.

[0021] The display device 201 is a device capable of displaying various images under the control of the processing circuit 11. The display device 201 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc., but is not limited thereto. The input device 202 is a device capable of inputting data or instructions to the image reading device 1. The input device 202 may include an input button or a touch panel, etc.

[0022] The scanner unit 300 is a device that reads images such as characters, figures, and photographs drawn on a sheet placed at a predetermined position. The scanner unit 300 includes a line sensor. The line sensor may be of the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type. The line sensor may be of the CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type. The scanner unit 300 generates image data based on the image read using the line sensor. The scanner unit 300 transmits the generated image data to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 stores the received image data in the storage 13 or transmits it to the printer unit 700. The scanner unit 300 is an example of a scanner section.

[0023] The automatic document feeder 310 is a device that conveys a medium such as a document to the reading position of the scanner unit 300. The automatic document feeder 310 includes a tray for placing the medium. The automatic document feeder 310 successively conveys the medium placed on the tray to the reading position of the scanner unit 300. The automatic document feeder 310 is also referred to as an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder).

[0024] The communication circuit 400 is an interface for communicably connecting the image reading device 1 and the label printer 2 via a wired or wireless network.

[0025] The input / output interface 500 is an interface for connecting the image reading device 1 and an external device. The input / output interface 500 includes a connector for a wired cable.

[0026] The power supply circuit 600 converts AC power supplied from a commercial power supply into DC power and supplies power to each part of the image reading device 1. The power supply circuit 600 can be controlled by the processing circuit 11.

[0027] The printer unit 700 is a unit that forms an image on a sheet. The sheet is a member in which a plurality of labels are arranged along the longitudinal direction. The plurality of labels are arranged such that the intervals between the centers of adjacent labels are equal. The image includes an image containing character information and an image image. The printer unit 700 forms an image on the sheet based on the image data transmitted from the user terminal via the network by the printing function. The printer unit 700 forms an image on the sheet based on the image data generated by the scanner unit 300 by the copy function. Here, an example of the printer unit 700 using a tandem type toner image transfer unit will be described. The printer unit 700 includes a housing part 71, a conveyance part 72, an image forming part 73, and a fixing part 74. The printer unit 700 is an example of a printing part.

[0028] The storage unit 71 stores the sheets. The storage unit 71 includes a paper feed cassette and a pickup roller. The paper feed cassette stores the sheets. The pickup roller takes out the sheets one by one from the paper feed cassette. The pickup roller supplies the taken-out sheets to the conveyance unit 72. The sheets include ID cards including wireless tags.

[0029] The conveyance unit 72 conveys the sheets in the printer unit 700. The conveyance unit 72 includes a plurality of rollers and a registration roller. The plurality of rollers includes rollers that convey the sheets supplied by the pickup roller to the registration roller. The plurality of rollers is provided on the downstream side of a fixing unit 74 described later and includes rollers that discharge the sheets to a paper discharge tray. The registration roller conveys the sheets to the transfer unit according to the timing at which the transfer unit of the image forming unit 73 described later transfers the toner image to the sheets.

[0030] The image forming unit 73 forms a toner image on the sheet. The image forming unit 73 includes an intermediate transfer belt, a plurality of developing units, an exposure unit, a transfer unit, etc. The intermediate transfer belt is an endless belt. The plurality of developing units corresponds to the number of toner types. The plurality of developing units includes a black developing unit, a cyan developing unit, a magenta developing unit, and a yellow developing unit. Each developing unit includes a photosensitive drum. Each developing unit includes a charger, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, a cleaning unit, and a discharger around the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum is a drum having a photosensitive layer on its surface. The charger uniformly charges the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with toner. The developing device forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The primary transfer roller faces the photosensitive drum and sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt. The primary transfer roller transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum onto the intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning unit removes the untransferred toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The discharger irradiates light on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The discharger discharges the photosensitive layer of the photosensitive drum by light irradiation. The exposure unit irradiates laser light onto the surface of the photosensitive drum of each developing unit through an optical system such as a polygon mirror. The exposure unit forms an electrostatic pattern on the surface of the photosensitive drum as an electrostatic latent image. The transfer unit transfers the charged toner image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt onto the sheet. The transfer unit includes a support roller and a secondary transfer roller configured to sandwich the intermediate transfer belt and the sheet from both sides in the thickness direction.

[0031] The fixing unit 74 applies heat and pressure to the sheet on which the toner image is formed and supplied from the image forming unit 73. The fixing unit 74 fixes the toner image formed on the sheet to the sheet by heat and pressure.

[0032] Note that the hardware configuration of the image reading device 1 is not limited to the above-described configuration. The image reading device 1 can appropriately omit and change the above-described components and add new components.

[0033] Each part realized in the above-described processing circuit 11 will be described. The processing circuit 11 implements an acquisition unit 110, a character recognition unit 111, and an output unit 112. Each unit implemented by the processing circuit 11 can also be referred to as each function. Each unit implemented by the processing circuit 11 can also be said to be implemented in a control unit including the processing circuit 11 and the main memory 12.

[0034] The acquisition unit 110 acquires template information. The acquisition unit 110 may acquire the template information of a template selected based on a user operation. The acquisition unit 110 acquires the image data of an image of a medium read by the scanner unit 300. The acquisition unit 110 acquires the image data of a target area from the image data of the medium based on the template information.

[0035] The character recognition unit 111 acquires character information from the image data included in the target area acquired by the acquisition unit 110. The character recognition unit 111 performs character recognition, for example, by character recognition processing such as OCR processing on the image data included in the target area. The character recognition unit 111 may convert the character information into a value such as a numerical value. The character recognition unit 111 may perform key code conversion based on the character information. The character recognition unit 111 may or may not convert the character information according to the specifications of the label printer 2. The character recognition unit 111 associates and stores in the storage 13 the information based on the target area identification information and the character information. The information based on the character information is the character information or information such as a numerical value obtained by converting the character information. The character recognition unit 111 may associate and store in the storage 13 the information based on the target area identification information and the character information with a template. For example, a case where the character recognition unit 111 recognizes the character information "XXXXX" from the target area "area (1)" of a medium corresponding to the template "Ta" will be described. The character recognition unit 111 may associate and store in the storage 13 the target area name "area (1)" and the character information "XXXXX". The character recognition unit 111 may associate and store in the storage 13 the value obtained by key code conversion of the target area name "area (1)" and the character information "XXXXX".

[0036] The output unit 112 outputs, via the communication circuit 400, information in which the target area name and the information based on the character information are associated, to the label printer 2. The output unit 112 outputs, by associating the target area name and the information based on the character information, to the label printer 2. For example, the output unit 112 may output, by associating the target area name "Area (1)" and the character information "XXXXX", to the label printer 2. The output unit 112 may output, by associating the value obtained by key code conversion of the target area name "Area (1)" and the character information "XXXXX", to the label printer 2. The output unit 112 may output information capable of identifying the template to the label printer 2.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration example of the label printer 2 according to the embodiment. The label printer 2 is an electronic device having a printing function. Printing includes printing not only characters but also various images such as patterns. The label printer 2 is an example of a label issuing device. The label is an example of a medium composed of various materials such as paper.

[0038] The label printer 2 includes a processing circuit 21, a memory 22, a display device 23, an input device 24, a communication interface 25, a printing device 26, and a transport device 27. In FIG. 4, the interface is described as "I / F".

[0039] The processing circuit 21 corresponds to the central part of the label printer 2. The processing circuit 21 includes one or more circuits that execute a plurality of processes by a plurality of functions, similar to the processing circuit 11. The processing circuit 21 expands the program in the memory 22. The processing circuit 21 executes various processes by executing the program expanded in the memory 22. The program is a program for causing the processing circuit 21 to execute various processes. The processing circuit 21 is an example of a control unit of the label printer 2.

[0040] The memory 22 includes elements corresponding to the main memory portion of the label printer 2. The memory 22 is an element that constitutes the computer of the label printer 2. The memory 22 may be configured in the same manner as the main memory 12. The memory 22 is an example of the storage unit of the label printer 2.

[0041] The memory 22 stores information on at least one label format. The label format includes n (n is an integer of 1 or more) label elements. The information on the label format includes records in which information such as format identification information and label element information is associated. The information of each record is also referred to as format information. The format identification information is identification information that can uniquely identify the format. The format identification information is, for example, the name of the format. The label element information indicates information regarding the label element. The label element indicates an item of information to be printed on the label. The label element is, for example, an element including a product ID, an element including a price, etc. The label element information includes label element identification information that can uniquely identify the label element. The label element identification information is, for example, the name of the label element. The label element information may include information indicating the correspondence relationship between the target area of the template and the label element. The information indicating the correspondence relationship between the target area and the label element is, for example, information associating the target area identification information and the label element identification element. The label element is an element for registering information based on character information recognized from the target area of the corresponding template. The label format may include information that can identify the corresponding template. The label format may be associated with the template. The label format may include any number of label elements. The number of label elements is the same as the number of target areas included in the template corresponding to the label format. The label format includes information in which the label element name and the target area name are associated. The label format can be appropriately set by the user, administrator, etc. of the label printer 2. In the following description, "registration" may be read as "input".

[0042] A specific example of the label format will be described. The label format "Fa" includes the label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)". The label element "element (a)" is, for example, an element for registering information corresponding to "product ID", and the label element "element (b)" is, for example, an element for registering information corresponding to "price". The label format "Fa" corresponds to the template "Ta". The label format "Fa" may include information that can identify the template "Ta" as information of the corresponding template. The label format "Fa" includes information that can identify the target area "area (1)" as information of the target area corresponding to the label element "element (a)". The label format "Fa" includes information that can identify the target area "area (2)" as information of the target area corresponding to the label element "element (b)". When the label format "Fa" is selected by the user of the label printer 2, the label printer 2 registers information based on the character information recognized from the target areas corresponding to the label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)" in each of the label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)".

[0043] The memory 22 may store a database. The database includes information associated with the label elements. For example, the database may include information associated with the label element "product ID". The database may store price information as information associated with the label element "product ID". In this case, the label printer 2 may read the price information from the database based on having acquired the information corresponding to the label element "product ID" and create a label.

[0044] The display device 23 is a device capable of displaying an image. The display device 23 includes, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, etc.

[0045] The input device 24 is a device capable of inputting an instruction based on a user operation. The input device 24 may include a button that can be pressed. The input device 24 may include a touch panel configured integrally with the display device 23.

[0046] The communication interface 25 is an interface for communicably connecting the label printer 2 to the image reading device 1 via the network NW. The communication interface 25 is an example of the communication unit of the label printer 2.

[0047] The printing device 26 is a device for printing an image on a label. The printing device 26 includes a print head 260. The printing device 26 is an example of a printing unit that prints an image on a label.

[0048] The print head 260 is a head for printing an image on a label. The print head 260 only needs to have a function of printing an image on a label, and the printing method is not limited. When the label has a heat-sensitive layer, the print head 260 may be a method of printing an image on the label having the heat-sensitive layer by the heat generation of each heating element. The print head 260 may also be a method of printing an image on a label by dissolving the ink contained in the ink ribbon by the heat generation of each heating element. The print head 260 may also be a method of printing an image on a label by inkjet.

[0049] The conveying device 27 is a device for conveying a sheet. The conveying device 27 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 270. The conveying device 27 is an example of a conveying unit that conveys a sheet.

[0050] The plurality of conveying rollers 270 convey the sheet. The direction of conveying the sheet is also referred to as the conveying direction. Conveying the sheet includes conveying the label.

[0051] Note that the hardware configuration of the label printer 2 is not limited to the above-described configuration. The label printer 2 can appropriately omit and change the above-described components and add new components.

[0052] The respective parts implemented in the above-described processing circuit 21 will be described. The processing circuit 21 implements an acquisition unit 210, a label element registration unit 211, and a label creation unit 212. Each part implemented by the processing circuit 21 can also be referred to as each function. Each part implemented by the processing circuit 21 can also be said to be implemented in a control unit including the processing circuit 21 and the memory 22.

[0053] The acquisition unit 210 acquires information based on character information and a target area name from the image reading device 1 via the communication interface 25. The target area name is an example of information capable of identifying a target area of a medium corresponding to the information based on character information. The target area corresponding to the information based on character information is the target area of the medium including the image data corresponding to the recognized character information. For example, in the image reading device 1, a case where information obtained by recognizing character information from the target area "area (1)" and the target area "area (2)" of the medium corresponding to the template "Ta" is output will be described. The acquisition unit 210 acquires information capable of identifying the target area "area (1)" and the target area "area (2)". The acquisition unit 210 acquires information based on the character information associated with each of the target area "area (1)" and the target area "area (2)". The acquisition unit 210 associates the information based on character information and the target area name and stores them in the memory 22. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire the information based on character information from the memory 22 based on a request from the label element registration unit 211.

[0054] The label element registration unit 211 registers information based on character information corresponding to the label element in the label element. The label element registration unit 211 may request information based on the character information corresponding to each label element and register the information based on the corresponding character information in the label element.

[0055] The label creation unit 212 creates a label based on the information registered by the label element registration unit 211. The label creation unit 212 creates a label in which information based on character information is registered in the label element based on the label format. The label creation unit 212 outputs the label information of the created label to the printing device 26. The printing device 26 prints on the label based on the label information.

[0056] (Example of template) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a template according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a template Ta. The template Ta includes target areas Tra and Trb. The template Ta is a template identifiable by the template name "Ta". The target area Tra is a target area identifiable by the target area name "area (1)". The target area Trb is a target area identifiable by the target area name "area (2)". The target area "area (1)" is, for example, an area including a product ID. The target area "area (2)" is, for example, an area including a price. The template information of the template Ta includes information capable of identifying the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)", and information in which the target area information of the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)" is associated.

[0057] (Example of label format) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a label format according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a label format Fa. The label format Fa includes label elements Ra, Rb, and a barcode area Ara. The label format Fa is a label format identifiable by the label format name "Fa". The label element Ra is a label element identifiable by the label element name "element (a)". The label element Rb is a label element identifiable by the label element name "element (b)". The label element "element (a)" is, for example, a label element for registering a product ID. The label element "element (b)" is, for example, a label element for registering a price.

[0058] The format information of label format Fa includes information that can identify label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)", and information associated with the label element information of label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)". The format information of label format Fa may include information that can identify the corresponding template. The label element information includes information that can identify the corresponding target area. For example, the case where label format Fa corresponds to template Ta will be described. The format information of label format Fa may include the template name "Ta" of template Ta as information that can identify the corresponding template. The format information of label format Fa includes, as label element information, information indicating that label element "element (a)" corresponds to target area "area (1)". The format information of label format Fa includes, as label element information, information indicating that label element "element (b)" corresponds to target area "area (2)". In the format information of label format Fa, label element "element (a)" and target area name "area (1)" may be associated. In the format information of label format Fa, label element "element (b)" and target area name "area (2)" may be associated.

[0059] The barcode area Ara is an area for registering a barcode image. The barcode image can be generated based on the information registered in the label element. In the example of FIG. 5, the barcode area Ara registers a barcode image generated based on the information registered in the label element "element (a)".

[0060] The label format may include a label element in which information is registered based on a database stored in the memory 22. For example, label format Fa may include a label element "element (c)" that registers information associated with the information registered in the label element "element (a)".

[0061] (Operation example) The procedure of the process by the label issuing system S will be described. In the following description centered around the image reading device 1, the image reading device 1 may be read as the processing circuit 11. Similarly, in the description centered around the label printer 2, the label printer 2 may be read as the processing circuit 21.

[0062] The processing procedures described below are merely examples, and each process may be changed as much as possible. The processing procedures may omit or substitute each process according to the embodiment, and it is also possible to add new processes.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the processing procedure of information processing by the label issuing system according to the embodiment. In the following processing, it is assumed that the user of the image reading device 1 has registered a template including the target area in the image reading device 1. It is assumed that the user of the label printer 2 has registered a label format corresponding to the template in the label printer 2. The user of the image reading device 1 may be the same user as the user of the label printer 2 or may be different users. The user of the image reading device 1 sets the output destination of the data to the label printer 2. The user of the image reading device 1 selects the template Ta and causes the medium to be read. The template Ta includes the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)". The user of the image reading device 1 sets, for example, an A4-sized sheet on the automatic document feeder 310 of the image reading device 1. The user of the label printer 2 selects the label format Fa corresponding to the template Ta. The label format Fa includes the label elements "element (a)" and "element (b)". The label element "element (a)" is associated with the target area "area (1)" of the template Ta. The label element "element (b)" is associated with the target area "area (2)" of the template Ta.

[0064] The following processing is repeated every time the medium set in the automatic document feeder 310 is read by the scanner unit 300. Note that the medium may be read by the scanner unit 300 without using the automatic document feeder 310.

[0065] The processing circuit 11 of the image reading apparatus 1 acquires template information. This process may be performed by the acquisition unit 110. Based on the user's operation, the processing circuit 11 acquires the template information of the template to be processed from the storage 13.

[0066] The scanner unit 300 of the image reading apparatus 1 reads an image of the medium.

[0067] The processing circuit 11 of the image reading apparatus 1 acquires the image data of the target area from the image data of the medium (ACT1). The process of ACT1 may be performed by the acquisition unit 110. In ACT1, for example, based on the template information, the processing circuit 11 identifies the target area from the image data of the medium. The processing circuit 11 acquires the image data included in the identified target area. In this example, the processing circuit 11 identifies the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)" from the image data of the medium. The processing circuit 11 acquires the image data included in the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)".

[0068] The processing circuit 11 of the image reading device 1 acquires character information from the image data included in the target area (ACT2). The processing of ACT2 may be the processing by the character recognition unit 111. In ACT2, for example, the processing circuit 11 recognizes character information from the image data included in the target area. The processing circuit 11 performs character recognition processing such as OCR processing on the image data included in the target area. In this example, the processing circuit 11 performs character recognition processing on the image data included in the target areas "area (1)" and "area (2)". The processing circuit 11 stores the character information obtained as a result of the character recognition processing in association with the target area identification information in the storage 13. The character information is an example of information based on the character information. For example, the processing circuit 11 acquires character information "XXXXX" as a result of the character recognition processing of the image data of the target area "area (1)". The processing circuit 11 acquires character information "YYYYY" as a result of the character recognition processing of the image data of the target area "area (2)". The processing circuit 11 stores the target area "area (1)" and the character information "XXXXX" in association with each other in the storage 13. The processing circuit 11 stores the target area "area (2)" and the character information "YYYYY" in association with each other in the storage 13.

[0069] The processing circuit 11 may perform key code conversion on the character information obtained as a result of the character recognition processing. In this case, the processing circuit 11 stores the key code obtained as a result of the key code conversion in association with the target area identification information in the storage 13. The key code is an example of information based on the character information. For example, the processing circuit 11 acquires the value obtained by performing key code conversion on the character information "XXXXX". The processing circuit 11 acquires the value obtained by performing key code conversion on the character information "YYYYY". The processing circuit 11 stores the target area "area (1)" and the value obtained by performing key code conversion on the character information "XXXXX" in association with each other in the storage 13. The processing circuit 11 stores the target area "area (2)" and the value obtained by performing key code conversion on the character information "YYYYY" in association with each other in the storage 13.

[0070] The processing circuit 11 of the image reading device 1 outputs information in which target area identification information and information based on character information are associated with each other to the label printer 2. This processing may also be performed by the output unit 112.

[0071] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 acquires information based on character information and target area identification information of the target area corresponding to the character information from the image reading device 1 (ACT3). The processing of ACT3 may also be performed by the acquisition unit 210. In this example, the processing circuit 21 acquires information in which the target area name of the target area "area (1)" and information based on the character information of the target area "area (1)" are associated with each other. The processing circuit 21 acquires the target area name of the target area "area (2)" and information based on the character information of the target area "area (2)". The processing circuit 21 stores the acquired information in the memory 22.

[0072] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 acquires information based on character information corresponding to label elements from the memory 22 based on the label format (ACT4). The processing of ACT4 may also be performed by the acquisition unit 210. In ACT4, for example, the processing circuit 21 acquires a label format based on a user operation. The processing circuit 21 specifies a target area associated with a label element included in the label format. The processing circuit 21 makes an inquiry to the memory 22 about information based on character information associated with the specified target area. The processing circuit 21 acquires information based on character information corresponding to the inquired label element.

[0073] For example, the case where the label element n is "element (a)" will be described. The processing circuit 21 specifies the target area identification information ("area (1)") of the target area associated with the label element "element (a)". The processing circuit 21 makes an inquiry to the memory 22 about information based on character information associated with the target area "area (1)". The processing circuit 21 acquires information based on character information associated with the target area "area (1)" from the memory 22.

[0074] The processing circuit 21 acquires information based on character information for each label element included in the label format.

[0075] In addition, when the target area identification information acquired from the image reading device 1 includes information capable of identifying the template, the processing circuit 21 may specify the label format corresponding to the template based on the target area identification information.

[0076] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 registers information based on the character information corresponding to the label element in the label element (ACT5). The process of ACT5 may be a process by the label element registration unit 211. For example, the case where the label element n is "element (a)" will be described. The processing circuit 21 registers information based on the character information corresponding to the label element "element (a)" in the label element "element (a)".

[0077] As a specific example, the case where the processing circuit 21 acquires a value obtained by converting character information into a key code as information based on the character information will be described. The processing circuit 21 generates a key event based on the key code corresponding to the label element "element (a)". The generation of the key event will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing procedure of the key event generation process by the label printer 2 according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 7, the case where the key code corresponding to the label element "element (a)" is "23456789" is shown. The processing circuit 21 sequentially generates key events for each of the key codes. The processing circuit 21 acquires the key event. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the processing circuit 21 generates a key event such that one character is input by an event of pressing a key and an event of releasing the key. The processing circuit 21 registers a value in the label element "element (a)" based on the acquired key event. The processing circuit 21 sequentially registers the value "23456789" in the label element "element (a)".

[0078] The processing circuit 21 registers information based on the corresponding character information for each label element included in the label format. The processing circuit 21 may save the registered information in the memory 22 in association with the label element.

[0079] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 determines whether the label element included in the label format is the final element (ACT6). The process of ACT6 may be the process by the acquisition unit 210. In ACT6, for example, the processing circuit 21 determines whether there is a label element in the registration waiting state of the information based on the character information. If there is no label element in the registration waiting state, the processing circuit 21 determines that the label element is the final element. If there is a label element in the registration waiting state, the processing circuit 21 determines that the label element is not the final element. When the label element is the final element (ACT6: YES), the process transitions from ACT6 to ACT7. When the label element is not the final element (ACT6: NO), the process transitions from ACT6 to ACT4.

[0080] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 creates a label based on the information registered in the label element (ACT7). The process of ACT7 may be the process by the label creation unit 212. In ACT7, for example, the processing circuit 21 creates a label in which information based on character information is registered in the label element based on the label format. The processing circuit 21 may store the label information of the created label in the memory 22. The processing circuit 21 outputs the label information to the printing device 26.

[0081] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 controls the printing device 26 to print a label based on the label information. (ACT8). In ACT8, for example, the processing circuit 21 prints an image based on the label information on the label. The image based on the label information includes, for example, a product ID, a price, a code symbol, etc. Note that the processing circuit 21 may control the printing device 26 to print the image based on the label information on a plurality of labels. In this case, the label information may include information indicating the number of printed labels. The processing circuit 21 may control the printing device 26 to print an image including information indicating the number of labels to be printed. For example, when the number of printed labels is 5, the information indicating the number of labels may be the numbers from "1" to "5".

[0082] According to this example, the image reading device 1 can recognize character information from a target area of an image of a medium read by a scanner, associate information that can identify the target area with information based on the character information, and output the result to the label printer 2. For example, the image reading device 1 can read the medium with a scanner, obtain the character information of the target area, associate information that can identify the target area with information based on the character information, and output the result to the label printer 2. The user can print appropriate information on the label with the label printer 2 only by operating the scanner to scan the medium. Also, for example, even when there are a plurality of target areas, the image reading device 1 can easily output information on the plurality of target areas to the label printer 2 by associating information that can identify the target area with information based on the character information and outputting the result to the label printer 2. Thereby, the label issuing system can facilitate the issuing of labels.

[0083] The label printer 2 can obtain information that can identify the target area and information based on the character information. Therefore, the label printer 2 can obtain information based on the character information corresponding to the label element based on the information that can identify the target area of the image of the medium, and register the information in the label element. For example, the label printer 2 can print information corresponding to the label element on the label based on the information obtained by reading the medium with the scanner in the image reading device 1. The user can print appropriate information on the label with the label printer 2 only by operating the scanner to scan the medium in the image reading device 1. Also, for example, even when there are a plurality of label elements, the label printer 2 can easily register the information in the label element based on the information obtained from the image reading device 1. Thereby, the label issuing system can facilitate the issuing of labels.

[0084] The image reading device 1 stores a template in which an object area and information capable of identifying the object area are associated. Thereby, the user of the image reading device 1 can select the pattern of the object area for recognizing character information from the template. The image reading device 1 can easily identify the object area for recognizing character information based on the template. Thereby, the label issuing system can facilitate the issuance of labels.

[0085] The label printer 2 stores a label format in which information capable of identifying label elements and information capable of identifying an object area are associated. Thereby, the user of the label printer 2 can create a label including information based on the character information of the object area corresponding to the label element by selecting the label format. The label printer 2 can easily register the information based on the character information corresponding to the label element based on the label format. Thereby, the label issuing system can facilitate the issuance of labels.

[0086] A connection example of the label issuing system S will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the connection of the label issuing system S according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 8, the image reading device 1 and the label printer 2 are connected to be communicable with each other via a network.

[0087] In this example, the label printer 2 acquires information based on character information and the object area name from the image reading device 1 via the network. The processing circuit 21 passes the character information of the area corresponding to the label element requested by the label element registration unit 211 to the label element registration unit 211. Alternatively, the processing circuit 21 internally generates a key event.

[0088] The label element registration unit 211 registers the passed character information in the label element. Alternatively, the label element registration unit 211 reads out the key event and registers it in the label element.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of the connection of the label issuing system S according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 9, the image reading device 1 and the label printer 2 are communicably connected to each other via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

[0090] In this example, the label printer 2 acquires information based on character information and the target area name from the image reading device 1 via a USB cable or the like. The acquisition unit 210 reads the received data. The processing circuit 21 passes the character information of the area corresponding to the label element requested by the label element registration unit 211 to the label element registration unit 211. Alternatively, the processing circuit 21 internally generates a key event.

[0091] The label element registration unit 211 registers the passed character information in the label element. Alternatively, it reads the key event and registers it in the label element.

[0092] (Modification example) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a modification example of the label issuing system S according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 10, the acquisition unit 210 of the label printer 2 requests the image reading device 1 for the character information of the target area corresponding to the label element. In this example, it is assumed that the memory 22 of the label printer 2 stores a template associating the label element with the information indicating the target area.

[0093] For example, the processing circuit 21 outputs information indicating a target area corresponding to a label element to the image reading device 1 based on a template. The processing circuit 11 (acquisition unit 110) of the image reading device 1 acquires the information indicating the target area. The processing circuit 11 (character recognition unit 111) acquires character information from the image data included in the target area. The processing circuit 11 performs character recognition, for example, by character recognition processing such as OCR processing on the image data included in the target area. The processing circuit 11 may convert the character information into a value such as a numerical value. The processing circuit 11 may perform key code conversion based on the character information. The processing circuit 11 (output unit 112) outputs information based on the character information of the target area to the label printer 2. The information based on the character information is, for example, a value obtained by performing key code conversion on the character information.

[0094] The processing circuit 21 of the label printer 2 acquires the information based on the character information. The processing circuit 21 passes the character information of the area corresponding to the label element requested by the label element registration unit 211 to the label element registration unit 211. Alternatively, the processing circuit 21 internally generates a key event.

[0095] The label element registration unit 211 registers the passed character information in the label element. Alternatively, it reads the key event and registers it in the label element.

[0096] According to this example, the image reading device 1 can acquire information based on the character information corresponding to the target area requested from the label printer 2 and output it to the label printer 2. Thereby, the image reading device 1 can provide information based on the character information corresponding to the target area to the label printer 2 without storing the information of the template. The user can print appropriate information on the label with the label printer 2 only by performing an operation of scanning the medium. Thereby, the label issuing system can facilitate the issuance of labels.

[0097] (Other embodiments) The reading device may be implemented by a single electronic device such as the image reading device 1, or may be implemented by a plurality of electronic devices with distributed functions. The label issuing device may be implemented by a single electronic device such as the label printer 2, or may be implemented by a plurality of electronic devices with distributed functions.

[0098] Although the printer unit 700 has been described as a printer unit using a tandem type toner image transfer unit, it is not limited thereto. The printer unit 700 may be an inkjet type printer unit.

[0099] The above-described embodiments may be applied to the method executed by the device. The above-described embodiments may be applied to a program that enables a computer of the device to execute each function. The above-described embodiments may be applied to a recording medium that stores the program.

[0100] Each of the one or more circuits constituting the processing circuit executes one or more of a plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a single circuit, the single circuit executes all of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a plurality of circuits, each of the plurality of circuits executes a part of the plurality of processes. A part of the plurality of processes may be one of the plurality of processes or two or more of the plurality of processes. When the processing circuit is constituted by a plurality of circuits, the plurality of circuits may be included in one device or may be distributed among a plurality of devices.

[0101] The program may be transferred in a state stored in the device according to the embodiment, or may be transferred in a state not stored in the device. In the latter case, the program may be transferred via a network or may be transferred in a state recorded on a recording medium. The recording medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The recording medium is a computer-readable medium. The recording medium may be any medium that can store a program and is readable by a computer, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, regardless of its form.

[0102] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

[0103] (Appendix) The above-described embodiments can be configured as follows. (1) A scanner unit that reads an image of a medium, A character recognition unit that recognizes character information from a target area of the image of the medium read by the scanner unit, An output unit that outputs information associating information that can identify the target area with information based on the character information, A reading device comprising the above. (2) A storage unit that stores a template in which information that can identify the target area is associated with information related to the target area, The reading device according to (1). (3) An acquisition unit that acquires information associating information based on character information from a reading device with information that can identify a target area of an image of a medium corresponding to the character information, A label element registration unit that registers information based on the character information corresponding to the label element, A label creation unit that creates a label based on the information registered by the label element registration unit, A label issuing device comprising the above. (4) A storage unit that stores a label format in which the label element is associated with information that can identify the target area, The label issuing device according to (3). (5) In a computer, A character recognition function that recognizes character information from a target area of an image of a medium read by a scanner unit, An output function that outputs information that can identify the target area and information based on the character information, An information processing program capable of causing execution. (6) A computer is caused to acquire information in which information based on character information from a reading device and information capable of identifying a target area of an image of a medium corresponding to the character information are associated with each other; a label element registration function for registering information based on the character information corresponding to a label element; a label creation function for creating a label based on the registered information; An information processing program capable of causing execution. (7) A scanner unit that reads an image of a medium; an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a target area of the image of the medium; a character recognition unit that recognizes character information from the target area of the image of the medium read by the scanner unit; an output unit that outputs information based on the character information of the target area; A reading device comprising the same.

Explanation of Signs

[0104] 1... Image reading device, 2... Label printer, 11... Processing circuit, 12... Main memory, 13... Storage, 14... Antenna, 21... Processing circuit, 22... Memory, 23... Display device, 24... Input device, 25... Communication interface, 26... Printing device, 27... Conveying device, 30... Processing circuit, 71... Accommodating part, 72... Conveying part, 73... Image forming part, 74... Fixing part, 100... Control unit, 110... Acquisition part, 111... Character recognition part, 112... Output part, 200... Control panel, 201... Display device, 202... Input device, 210... Acquisition part, 211... Label element registration part, 212... Label creation part, 260... Printing head, 270... Conveying roller, 300... Scanner unit, 310... Automatic document feeder, 400... Communication circuit, 500... Input / output interface, 600... Power supply circuit, 700... Printer unit, Ara... Barcode area, Fa... Label format, NW... Network, S... Label issuing system, Ta... Template, Tra... Target area, Trb... Target area.

Claims

1. A scanner unit that reads an image of a medium, A character recognition unit that recognizes character information from a target area of the image of the medium read by the scanner unit, An output unit that outputs information associating information that can identify the target area with information based on the character information, A reading device comprising the above.

2. A storage unit that stores a template in which information that can identify the target area and information related to the target area are associated, The reading device according to Claim 1.

3. An acquisition unit that acquires information associating information based on character information from a reading device with information that can identify a target area of an image of a medium corresponding to the character information, A label element registration unit that registers information based on the character information corresponding to a label element, A label creation unit that creates a label based on the information registered by the label element registration unit, A label issuing device comprising the above.

4. A storage unit that stores a label format in which information that can identify the label element and information that can identify the target area are associated, The label issuing device according to Claim 3.

5. A computer, A character recognition function that recognizes character information from a target area of an image of a medium read by a scanner unit, An output function that outputs information that can identify the target area and information based on the character information, An information processing program capable of causing the above to be executed.

6. A computer, An acquisition function that acquires information associating information based on character information from a reading device with information that can identify a target area of an image of a medium corresponding to the character information, A label element registration function that registers information based on the character information corresponding to a label element, A label creation function that creates a label based on the registered information, An information processing program capable of causing the above to be executed.

7. A scanner unit that reads an image of a medium, An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a target area of the image of the medium, A character recognition unit that recognizes character information from the target area of the image of the medium read by the scanner unit, An output unit that outputs information based on the character information of the target area, A reading device comprising the above.

Images