Program, control method for information processing apparatus, and information processing apparatus

The image processing apparatus addresses inefficiencies in setting folder names for multi-page manuscripts by performing character recognition across multiple pages and allowing a single folder name selection, thereby simplifying the storage process.

JP2025108669APending Publication Date: 2025-07-23CANON KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025069535
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-04-21
Publication Date
2025-07-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing image processing systems require manual selection of folder names for each page of a multi-page manuscript, which is time-consuming and inefficient when the desired folder name is not present on all pages, and cannot easily set the folder name using a character string from the manuscript.

Method used

An image processing apparatus that reads multiple manuscripts at once, performs character recognition, displays recognized strings, allows user selection, and determines a single folder name for storage based on the user's choice, reducing the need for manual folder name selection across multiple pages.

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces user labor in setting folder paths and enables efficient storage of multi-manuscript data in a single folder using a character string from one manuscript, streamlining the process.

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Abstract

To reduce the time and effort of a user associated with setting of folder paths using character strings from a document, and to enable image data composed of a plurality of pages of a document to be stored in the same folder using character strings in a single document.SOLUTION: Images of a plurality of pages of a document are read by a single reading instruction and image data is generated. The same folder having accepted character string as a name is determined as a storage destination of the image data corresponding to the plurality of documents generated by the reading instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12
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Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is disclosed an image processing apparatus that performs character recognition processing on a region specified in advance by a user, and transmits image data generated by reading an original image to a folder having a character string obtained by the character recognition processing as a folder name. (See Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Using the method of Patent Document 1, it is possible to determine the name of a folder for image data generated by reading the original using a character string included in the original.

[0005] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, when a character string that the user wants to use as the name of the destination folder is not described in the specified region of the original, the intended character string cannot be set in the folder path.

[0006] Therefore, after reading the image of the original, it is desired to easily set the name of the folder for storing the image data generated by reading the original using the character string included in the original.

[0007] Also, when transmitting image data consisting of manuscripts of multiple pages to the same folder, if the user has to select the folder name from the character recognition results for each page, it is time-consuming. In addition, if only one page of the multiple-page manuscript contains the string that the user wants to use as the folder name, the user wants to simply specify the folder name using the string included in that manuscript and put the multiple-page manuscript into the folder with that name.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the user's labor involved in setting a folder path using a string in a manuscript and to be able to store image data consisting of multiple manuscripts in the same folder using the string of one manuscript.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads an image of a manuscript to generate image data, a character recognition unit that recognizes a string included in the image data generated by the reading unit, a display unit that displays the string recognized by the character recognition unit, a reception unit that receives a selection by the user of the string displayed by the display unit, a determination unit that determines a folder having the string received by the reception unit as a name as a storage destination of the image data, and a storage unit that stores the image data in the storage destination determined by the determination unit. The reading unit reads images of multiple manuscripts by one reading instruction to generate image data, and the determination unit determines the same folder having the string received by the reception unit as a name as the storage destination of the image data corresponding to the multiple manuscripts generated by the reading unit by the reading instruction.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] It is possible to reduce the user's labor involved in setting a folder path using a string in a manuscript and to be able to store image data consisting of multiple manuscripts in the same folder using the string of one manuscript.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following examples are examples, and the present invention is not limited to the illustrated configurations.

Example

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a reading system. The reading system of this embodiment is composed of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 101 which is an example of an image processing apparatus, a file server 102 which is an information processing apparatus, a mail server 103, and an online storage 106. Each of the MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 106 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 100. Also, on the LAN 100, the MFP 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the PC 104 are connected to be communicable with each other via a network. Further, the MFP 101 and the online storage 106 are communicable with each other via the LAN 100 and the Internet 105.

[0014] The MFP101 reads the image of the document and transmits the generated image data to the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 106. Note that the image data in this embodiment is not limited to the electronic data obtained by converting the image into RAW data, and may be electronic data conforming to an image format such as TIFF, JPEG, or electronic data conforming to the PDF format. The file server 102 is a file server compatible with the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SMB (Server Message Block) protocols. The mail server 103 is a mail server compatible with the SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). The online storage 106 is an online storage compatible with the WebDAV (file sharing protocol using HTTP). The PC 104 can access the WEB server provided in the MFP101 using HTTP to refer to and update the set values. The LAN 100 may be composed of a wired LAN using Ehternet (registered trademark), or may be composed of a wireless LAN.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP101. The MFP101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, an operation unit 205, a printer 206, a scanner 207, a network I / F (Interface) 208, and an external storage device I / F 209.

[0016] The CPU 201 realizes each function of the MFP101 by controlling various hardware components 202 to 208 that make up the MFP101. Note that the CPU 201 sends signals to various hardware components via the bus line and realizes mutual data communication with other hardware components.

[0017] Also, the CPU 201 of the MFP 101 controls the operation of the MFP 101 according to the control program stored in the ROM 202. More specifically, the CPU 201 executes an operating system (OS) for controlling the MFP 101 and a driver program for controlling the hardware. Then, the application programs arranged on the OS operate mutually to perform the operation and control of the functions desired by the user. These OS and various programs are stored in the ROM 202 and executed by being read out in the RAM 203.

[0018] The ROM 202 is a memory for storing programs and various data used by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used by the CPU 201 for calculation. The storage 204 is a storage device for storing various data and various programs and the like.

[0019] In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, an HDD, or an eMMC may be used. Note that the MFP 101 is assumed to have one CPU 201 execute each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 203), but other forms may be used. For example, a plurality of CPUs, a plurality of RAMs, a plurality of ROMs, and a plurality of storages may cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later. Also, some processes may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA.

[0020] The operation unit 205 is a user interface for the user to operate the MFP 101, such as a touch panel, and accepts operations and inputs by the user. Also, the operation unit 205 can be used as a display unit for displaying a screen or the like for operating the MFP 101.

[0021] Printer 206 is a unit that realizes a printing function. By controlling Printer 206, CPU 201 executes a print job received from PC 104, and an image is printed on paper. Here, a print job is data including instructions, image data, print setting information, etc. for causing MFP 101 to execute a printing process.

[0022] Scanner 207 is a unit that realizes a scanning function. By controlling Scanner 207, CPU 201 optically reads an image of a document and performs a process of generating it into image data.

[0023] Network I / F 208 is a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication such as Ethernet. Note that this Network I / F 208 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, or may be a USB-LAN I / F or the like.

[0024] External storage device I / F 209 is an I / F for MFP 101 to communicate with external storage device 210. By controlling External storage device I / F 209, CPU 201 causes external storage device 210 to store image data. In this embodiment, a USB interface is assumed as External storage device I / F 209 and a USB memory is assumed as external storage device 210, but External storage device I / F 209 may be an SD card slot for communicating with an external storage device such as an SD card.

[0025] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of PC 104. PC 104 includes CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, HDD 304, network I / F 305, operation device I / F 306, and display device I / F 307.

[0026] By controlling various hardware 302 to 307 that make up PC 104, CPU 301 realizes each function of PC 104. Note that CPU 301 sends signals to various hardware via a bus line and realizes mutual data communication with other hardware.

[0027] Also, the CPU 301 of the PC104 controls the operation of the PC104 according to the control program stored in the ROM 302. More specifically, the CPU 301 executes an OS or the like for controlling the PC104. Then, the application programs arranged on the OS operate mutually, and the operations and controls of the functions desired by the user are performed. These OS and various programs are stored in the ROM 302 and executed by being read out in the RAM 302.

[0028] The ROM 302 is a memory for storing programs and various data used by the CPU 201. The RAM 303 is a work memory for temporarily storing programs and data used by the CPU 201 for calculations. The HDD 304 is a storage device for storing various data and various programs and the like.

[0029] The network I / F 305 is a network I / F for performing wired LAN communication such as Ethernet. Note that this network I / F 305 may be a network I / F for performing wireless LAN communication, or may be a USB-LAN I / F or the like.

[0030] The operation device I / F 306 is an I / F for connecting the operation device 310 such as a keyboard and a mouse to the PC104.

[0031] The display device I / F 307 is an I / F for connecting the display device 311 such as a liquid crystal monitor to the PC104.

[0032] Note that although the PC104 of this embodiment is connected to an external operation device and an external display device, for example, an operation unit and a display unit may be built in the PC104.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 205. The operation unit 205 is composed of a touch panel 410, a Data LED 420, and an Error LED 430. A home screen 400 that is displayed immediately after the activation of the MFP 101 is shown on the touch panel 410. The home screen 400 is a screen for instructing the execution of each function of the MFP 101. On the home screen 400, frequently used setting buttons 401, a scan button 402, a menu button 403, an address book button 404, a questionnaire form button 405, a letter of introduction button 406, etc. are displayed. Also, a power saving button 407, a home button 408, and a stop button 409 are always shown on the home screen 400. Note that the power saving button 407, the home button 408, and the stop button 409 may be provided on the operation unit 205 as hard keys.

[0034] The frequently used setting button 401 is a button for displaying an execution screen of a specific function in a state where the settings set by the user are input when selected by the user.

[0035] The scan button 402 is a button for displaying a screen for executing a scan process to generate image data, and sending the generated image data by e-mail, sending it by file, or storing it in the external storage device 210 when selected. Here, sending by e-mail means attaching and sending the image data generated by reading a document to an e-mail. Also, sending by file means sending it to a file server 102, a PC 104, etc. using a communication protocol such as SMB or FTP.

[0036] The menu button 403 is a button for displaying a menu screen when selected by the user.

[0037] The address book button 404 is a button for displaying a screen that shows the registered addresses (destination information) when selected by the user. The screen for displaying addresses shows the transmission types such as e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission, WebDAV transmission, etc., and destination information such as e-mail addresses, host names, server information, etc.

[0038] The questionnaire button 405 and the introduction letter button 406 are one-touch transmission buttons. The one-touch transmission button is a button that, when selected by the user, reads the image of the document with the scan settings preset by the user, generates image data, and displays a screen for transmitting the image data in the transmission type preset by the user. That is, selecting this questionnaire button 405 means receiving a reading instruction.

[0039] The power saving button 407 is a button for shifting the MFP 101 to a power saving state when selected by the user.

[0040] The home button 408 is a button for displaying the home screen 400 on the operation unit 205 when selected by the user.

[0041] The stop button 409 is a button for canceling the execution of a job such as a printing job being executed by the MFP 101 when selected by the user. Note that this stop button 409 may cancel the execution of a copy job or a transmission job when selected by the user.

[0042] The DataLED 420 and the ErrorLED 430 notify the user of the state of the MFP 101. The DataLED 420 lights up during the execution of e-mail transmission or file transmission, and the ErrorLED 430 lights up when an error occurs in the MFP 101.

[0043] The home screen 400 is a function selection screen for a user to select a function to be used from a plurality of functions including, for example, a copy function that performs printing based on image data and a transmission function that reads a document to generate image data and can transmit the image data to an external device.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a one-touch transmission scan setting screen displayed on the display device 311.

[0045] The one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to the PC 104 that accesses the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0046] On the one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500, application information 501, a registration button 502 for a new button, items 503 to 505, a display / non-display button 506, and a delete button 507 are displayed.

[0047] The application information 501 is an area for displaying the version of the application, and the version number 1.00 is displayed in FIG. 5.

[0048] The registration button 502 for a new button is a button for newly registering a button for executing one-touch transmission scan, which is displayed on the screen displayed on the operation unit 205 when selected by the user. When the registration button 502 for a new button is selected, the setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 311. A detailed description of the setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 will be described later.

[0049] The item 503 indicates the name of the button for executing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

[0050] The item 504 indicates the transmission type set for the button for executing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP 101.

[0051] Item 505 indicates the display status of the button for executing one-touch transmission scanning registered in MFP101. Also, a display / non-display toggle button 506 and a delete button 507 for changing the display status are also displayed. For example, when the display status of the "Recommendation Letter" button is "Displayed", the button is displayed on the home screen 400 of the touch panel 410 like the "Recommendation Letter" button 406 in FIG. 4. The display / non-display toggle button 506 is a button that can toggle between "Display" and "Non-display" of the button.

[0052] When the delete button 507 is selected by the user, the information of the button registered in MFP101 is deleted.

[0053] An example of the button for executing one-touch transmission scanning registered in MFP101 is that the transmission type of the button named "Application Form A" is email and the display status is non-displayed. Also, not only when the new button registration button 502 is selected, but also when the name of the button "Application Form A" is selected, the setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 311.

[0054] In FIG. 5, four buttons of "Application Form A", "Application Form B", "Recommendation Letter", and "Medical Questionnaire" are registered. Since the display status of the "Recommendation Letter" and "Medical Questionnaire" buttons is "Displayed", the buttons are displayed on the home screen 400. However, since the display status of "Application Form A" and "Application Form B" is "Non-displayed", the buttons are not displayed on the home screen 400.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a setting edit screen of a button for executing one-touch transmission scanning. The button setting edit screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that accesses the WEB server of MFP101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0056] The button setting and editing screen 600 is displayed when the registration button 502 for the new button in Fig. 5 is selected, or when the button name is selected by the user. When the button setting and editing screen 600 is displayed because the button name is selected by the user, each item on the button setting and editing screen 600 is displayed with the previously set value input. When the button setting and editing screen 600 is displayed by selecting the registration button 502 for the new button, each item on the button setting and editing screen 600 is displayed with no value input. Note that default values may be pre-input for each item on the button setting and editing screen 600.

[0057] The input field 601 is an input field for setting the name of the one-touch send button. The string "Questionnaire" is input in the input field 601. Here, the one-touch send button is a button that, when selected by the user, executes a one-touch send scan.

[0058] The pull-down 602 is an object for setting the file name. In the pull-down 602, "Button Name" and "Automatic" are selectable. When "Button Name" is selected, the button name input in the input field 601 becomes the name of the file to be sent. When "Automatic" is selected, the automatically determined string becomes the name of the file. For example, the date and time when the one-touch send button registered on the screen in Fig. 6 is selected and scanned is used as the name of the file.

[0059] When the checkbox 603 is checked, the keyword at the time of file output becomes valid. The keyword will be described in detail in Fig. 7.

[0060] The keyword string setting button 604 is a button that, when selected by the user, displays the keyword string setting screen 700 in Fig. 7.

[0061] The pull-down 605 is an object for setting how to distribute the files to be transmitted or not to distribute them. In the pull-down 605, one can be selected from "Do not distribute", "Distribute (files)", "Distribute (folders)", and "Distribute (files and folders)". When "Do not distribute" is set, keywords are not used. When "Distribute (files)" is set, the keyword is included in the output file name. When "Distribute (folders)" is set, the keyword is included in the folder name where the file is stored. When "Distribute (files and folders)" is set, the keyword is included in the file name and the folder name where the file is output. The detailed processing when each setting is set in this pull-down 605 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0062] The pull-down 606 is an object for selecting the transmission type when transmitting the read and generated image data. In the pull-down 606, "File", "E-mail", and "USB memory" can be selected. When "File" is selected and the switch button 607 is selected, the image data is transmitted to the folder of the PC 104 or the file server 102 using a protocol such as SMB, FTP, WebDAV, or SFTP. When "E-mail" is selected, the image data is transmitted to the destination using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). When "USB memory" is selected, the image data is stored in the USB memory which is an external storage device 210 connected to the MFP 101.

[0063] The switch button 607 is a button for switching the setting of the transmission type to the transmission type displayed in the pull-down 606. Also, when the switch button 607 is selected with the transmission type selected in the pull-down 606, items corresponding to the selected transmission type are displayed in the item 608, the item 609, etc.

[0064] Item 608 is an item where various settings such as reading settings when reading by one-touch transmission scan and transmission settings when transmitting can be input. For example, in item 609, there are settings such as the destination, reading size, file format, and orientation of the original document.

[0065] Area 609 is an area for displaying the destination to which the image data generated by reading is to be transmitted. The destination set here is a folder path for combination with the string of the text object described later. Also, area 609 is a text area where input and editing are not possible, and it displays the address selected on the address selection screen.

[0066] The selection button 610 from the address book, when selected by the user, displays an address selection screen 800 that allows selection of an address in the address book stored in the MFP 101.

[0067] The pull-down 611 is a pull-down for setting the file format when converting the image data generated by reading an image on the original document into a file. A file is generated according to the format selected here.

[0068] The OK button 612 is a button for storing the settings of the one-touch transmission button in the storage 204 with the content set on the button setting and editing screen 600. When the OK button 612 is selected, the settings are stored in the storage 204. The cancel button 613 is a button for discarding the settings. When the OK button 612 or the cancel button 613 is pressed, the one-touch transmission scan setting screen 500 in FIG. 5 is displayed.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when setting a keyword string. FIG. 7(A) is a diagram showing an example of a keyword string setting screen. The keyword string setting screen 700 is displayed when the keyword string setting button 604 is selected on the setting and editing screen 600 of the button in FIG. 6. Further, the keyword string setting screen 700 in FIG. 7 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that accesses the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0070] The pull-down 701 is an object for selecting the type of keyword string. One of "numbers only" and "alphanumeric" can be selected as the keyword string.

[0071] The input field 702 is an input field for setting the number of characters of the keyword string. In this embodiment, the maximum number of characters that can be set is 16 characters. Here, by setting the number of characters of the keyword string, when the string recognized in the set character recognition area is different from the string desired by the user, it is possible not to display the different string as the recognition result. Note that the setting of this keyword string is reflected when the area designation button 706 is selected and the area is designated on the character recognition area setting screen 1100 in FIG. 11.

[0072] The input field 703 is an input field for inputting the string to be displayed when inputting the keyword string. The maximum number of characters that can be set is 64 characters.

[0073] The pull-down 704 is an object for selecting whether to execute the OCR process, which is a character recognition process.

[0074] The area 705 is an area for displaying information indicating whether a character recognition area is specified. The initial value is "not specified", and when the area designation button 706 is selected and a rectangular area is designated on the character recognition area setting screen 710 in FIG. 7(B), it is displayed as "specified". Also, when the cancel button 712 is selected on the character recognition area setting screen 710, "not specified" is displayed in the area 705.

[0075] FIG. 7(B) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 710 for a character recognition area. On the setting screen 710 for the character recognition area, a region designation canvas 713 having an aspect ratio corresponding to the reading size paper is displayed. The user can specify the start point and the end point of the rectangular region with a pointer, and the start point coordinates and the end point coordinates at that time are converted into real space distances and temporarily held. As specific setting values, it can be set as the start point (X, Y) = (10, 10) and the end point (X, Y) = (50, 20) in mm units. When the OK button 711 is selected, the coordinate information of the two temporarily held points is stored in the storage 204. When the cancel button 712 is selected, the coordinate information is discarded and the screen returns to the screen of FIG. 7(A).

[0076] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an address selection screen. The address selection screen 800 is displayed when the selection button 610 is selected from the address book on the button setting and editing screen 600 of FIG. 6. The address selection screen 800 in FIG. 8 is displayed on a display device 311 connected to a PC 104 that accesses the WEB server of the MFP 101 by HTTP communication, for example.

[0077] The pull-down 801 is a list for switching the types of address books displayed on the address selection screen 800. In the pull-down 801, either "Best Member" or "Shortcut Dial" (not shown) can be selected.

[0078] The display switching button 802 is a button for changing the type of address book to be displayed on the address selection screen 800 to the type displayed in the pull-down 801 when selected by the user.

[0079] The area 803 is a display area where the name of the address book is displayed. The list 804 is an area where the address list is displayed and is composed of a selectable checkbox, number, type, name, and destination. The checkbox displays either a checkable checkbox or a non-checkable checkbox. The number displays the management number of the address. The type is an area where an icon is displayed, and the icon varies depending on the type of address. The name displays the name given to the address. The destination displays the address. The checkbox displays either a checkable checkbox or a non-checkable checkbox.

[0080] When the OK button 805 is selected with the checkbox checked, the address is displayed in the area 609. Also, the MFP 101 receives the address from the PC 104 via HTTP communication and stores it in the storage 204 as the address of the transmission destination of the image data.

[0081] Supplementary explanation about the display of the checkable checkbox and the non-checkable checkbox. Figure 8 shows the display when selecting an address from the address book of "Best Members" where 2 addresses of "E-mail" and 2 addresses of "File" are registered with "File" selected in the list 606 of Figure 6 and the transmission type is "E-mail". Thus, on the address selection screen 800, the destinations corresponding to the set transmission types can be selected with the checkable boxes. For the addresses that match the type of the pull-down 606, checkable checkboxes are displayed. Specifically, non-checkable checkboxes are displayed for the addresses of number 01 and number 02, and checkable checkboxes are displayed for the addresses of number 03 and number 04.

[0082] The OK button 805 is a button for confirming the address selection with the content set on the address selection screen. The cancel button 806 is a button for discarding the set content. When the OK button 805 or the cancel button 806 is selected, the button setting and editing screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed.

[0083] Here, the setting of the questionnaire button 405 in this embodiment will be described. The questionnaire button 405 is registered in the button setting and editing screen 600 in FIG. 6 with "questionnaire" entered in the input field 601, "button name" selected in the pull-down 602, and the checkbox 603 checked. Also, the questionnaire button 405 is registered in the button setting and editing screen 600 in FIG. 6 with "allocate (folder)" selected in the pull-down 605 and "file" selected in the pull-down 606. Further, the questionnaire button 405 is sub-registered in the keyword string setting screen 700 in FIG. 7 with "numbers only" selected in the pull-down 701, "7" entered in the input field 702, and "please enter the patient number" entered in the input field 703. Also, "do" is selected in the pull-down 704, the area designation button 706 is not selected, and in the address selection screen 800 in FIG. 8, the destination "¥¥file server¥questionnaire" of number 04 is selected and registered.

[0084] Here, by using the method of Patent Document 1, the name of the folder of the image data generated by reading the manuscript can be determined using the character string included in the manuscript.

[0085] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, when the character string that the user wants to use as the name of the destination folder is not in the manuscript described in the specified area, the intended character string cannot be set in the folder path.

[0086] Therefore, after reading the image of the manuscript, it is desired to easily set the name of the folder for storing the image data generated by reading the manuscript using the character string included in the manuscript.

[0087] In addition, when transmitting image data consisting of multi-page manuscripts to the same folder, if the user is required to select a folder name from the character recognition results for each page, it will be time-consuming. Additionally, if only one page of a multi-page manuscript contains the string for which the user wants to name the folder, the user wants to easily specify the folder name using the string contained in that manuscript and place the multi-page manuscript in the folder with that name.

[0088] By performing the following processing for this problem, the user's effort in setting the folder path using the string in the manuscript can be reduced, and it becomes possible to store image data consisting of multiple manuscripts in the same folder using the string of one manuscript.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of one-touch transmission scanning. The flowchart in FIG. 9(A) is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Also, the flowchart in FIG. 9(A) is started when the home screen 410 is displayed on the touch panel 300.

[0090] Describing from FIG. 9(A). In S901, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the questionnaire button 405 has been selected. If it is determined that the questionnaire button 405 has been selected, the process proceeds to S902. Otherwise, the process returns to S901.

[0091] In S902, the CPU 201 determines whether or not "Do" is set in the pull-down 704 of FIG. 7(A). If it is determined that "Do" is set, the process proceeds to S903. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S906.

[0092] In S903, the CPU 201 determines whether or not "Specify" is set in the pull-down 705 of FIG. 7(A). If it is determined that it is set, the process proceeds to S904. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S906.

[0093] In S904, the CPU 201 determines whether the information on the character recognition area is stored in the storage 204. If it is determined that it is stored, the process proceeds to S906. If it is determined that it is not stored, the process proceeds to S905.

[0094] In S905, the CPU 201 executes the registration process for the character recognition area. The registration process for the character recognition area can be realized by replacing the transmission process S1210 described in FIG. 12 with the registration process for the character recognition area. Specifically, the coordinate information of the character string (text object) selected by the user is stored in the storage 204, and the coordinate information is used when the next one-touch transmission scan is executed (when "Specify" is set in the pull-down 705). When the registration process for the character recognition area is completed, the process ends.

[0095] In S906, the CPU 201 executes the transmission process of transmitting the image data generated by reading the document. The details of the transmission process are described in FIG. 9. When the transmission process is completed, the process ends.

[0096] FIG. 9(B) is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission process (S906) in FIG. 9(A). The process of the flowchart in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. Also, the flow in FIG. 9(B) starts when it is determined in S904 that the information on the character recognition area is stored in the storage 204, or when it is determined in S902 that "Do" is not set.

[0097] In S907, the CPU 201 controls the scanner 207, and the scanner 207 reads the image of the set document.

[0098] In S908, the CPU 201 generates image data based on the image read in S1401.

[0099] In S909, the CPU 201 determines whether "Do" is set in the pull-down 704 of FIG. 7(A). If it is determined that "Do" is set, the process proceeds to S911. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S910.

[0100] In S910, the CPU 201 executes normal transmission processing. Details of normal transmission will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0101] In S911, the CPU 201 executes OCR transmission processing. An example of OCR transmission processing will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of normal transmission processing. The processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in FIG. 10 starts when it is determined in S909 of FIG. 9 that "Do" is not set in the pull-down 704 of FIG. 7(A).

[0103] In S1001, the CPU 201 generates an electronic file including all the image data generated in S908. Here, the format of the generated electronic file corresponds to the format selected in the pull-down 611. In this embodiment, since "PDF" is set in the pull-down 611, a PDF file is generated.

[0104] In S1002, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205, and the operation unit 205 displays a normal transmission screen. An example of the normal transmission screen displayed here is shown in FIG. 11(A).

[0105] FIG. 11(A) is a diagram showing an example of a normal transmission screen. The normal transmission screen 1100 in FIG. 11(A) is displayed on the operation unit 205. The message area 1101 is an area where the character string input in the input field 703 is displayed. In this embodiment, "Please enter the patient number" is displayed. The input field 1102 is an input field for specifying the folder name for storing the image data read and generated. In this embodiment, the input patient number becomes the folder name. When the input field 703 is selected, the input screen 1110 in FIG. 11(B) is displayed on the operation unit 205.

[0106] The input screen 1110 is a screen for accepting the input of keywords. The message area 1111 is an area for displaying the type and number of characters set in the pull-down 701 and the input field 702. The input field 1112 is an input field for accepting the input of keywords, and here, the input of 7-digit numbers is accepted. Here, input exceeding the set number of characters or input of character types different from the set character types may not be accepted, or may be notified as an error after acceptance. The confirmation button 1113 is a button that, when selected by the user, reflects the character string input at that time to the input field 1102. Also, the character string is stored in the RAM 203 or the storage 204. The cancel button 1114 is a button that, when selected by the user, closes the input screen 1110 without storing the character string input in the input field 1112.

[0107] The transmission button 1103, when selected by the user, is a button for transmitting the image data read and generated to the folder path obtained by adding the character string displayed in the input field 1102 to one level below the folder path (destination) displayed in the area 609. Specifically, the image data is transmitted (stored) to ¥¥file server¥medical record¥0123456. Note that the transmission destination (storage destination) of the electronic data (image data) by this transmission process may be the internal storage 204 of the MFP 101.

[0108] The end button 1104 is a button for interrupting the transmission process and closing the normal transmission screen 1100 when selected by the user.

[0109] Here, return to the description of the flow in FIG. 10. In S1003, the CPU 201 determines whether a button or input field displayed on the normal transmission screen 1100 has been selected by the user. If it is determined that it has been selected, the process proceeds to S1004. Otherwise, the process returns to S1003 and the process is repeated.

[0110] In S1004, the CPU 201 determines whether the input field 1102 has been selected. If it is determined that it has been selected, the process proceeds to S1020. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1005.

[0111] In S1005, the CPU 201 determines whether the end button 1104 has been selected. If it is determined that it has been selected, the process ends. Otherwise, that is, if it is determined that the send button 1103 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1006.

[0112] In S1006, the CPU 201 determines whether the character string displayed in the input field 1102 satisfies the conditions (type of character, number of characters) set in the pull-down 701 and the input field 702. If it is determined that it satisfies the conditions, the process proceeds to S1007. If it is determined that it does not satisfy the conditions, the process proceeds to S1030.

[0113] In S1030, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205, and the operation unit 205 displays information indicating an error because the input character string does not satisfy the conditions.

[0114] In S1007, the CPU 201 controls the network I / F 208 to transmit the electronic file generated in S1001 to a folder path obtained by adding the character string displayed in the input field 1102 to a lower hierarchy level of one of the folder paths (destinations) displayed in the area 609. Here, the CPU 201 generates the destination folder and then transmits the electronic file. Also, the file name of the electronic file can be any name as long as it is unique. For example, if the time when S1007 is started is 12:23:56 on October 10, 2018, the file name will be 20181010123456.pdf.

[0115] Here, the case where it is determined in S1004 that the input field is selected will be described. In S1020, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205, and the operation unit 205 displays the input screen 1110.

[0116] In S1021, the CPU 201 determines whether a button is selected. If it is determined that a button is selected, the process proceeds to S1022. Otherwise, the process returns to S1021.

[0117] In S1022, the CPU 201 determines whether the OK button 1113 is selected. If it is determined that the OK button 1113 is selected, the process proceeds to S1023. Otherwise, the process returns to S1003.

[0118] In S1023, the CPU 201 stores the character string input in the input field 1112 in the RAM 203 or the storage 204, closes the input screen 1110, and controls the operation unit 205 to display the normal transmission screen 1100. Then, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the stored character string in the input field 1102.

[0119] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of OCR transmission processing. The processing of the flowchart in Figure 12 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in Figure 12 starts when it is determined in S909 of Figure 9 that "Do" is set in the pull-down 704 of Figure 7(A).

[0120] In S1201, the CPU 201 generates an electronic file from the image data generated in S908. At this time, by receiving one read instruction, one electronic file including all the generated image data may be generated, or a plurality of electronic files including image data corresponding to an arbitrary number of manuscript pages may be generated. Here, the format of the generated electronic file corresponds to the format selected in the pull-down 611. In this embodiment, since "PDF" is set in the pull-down 611, a PDF file is generated.

[0121] In S1202, the CPU 201 determines whether a character recognition area is set in advance. If it is determined that it is set, the process proceeds to S1211. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1203.

[0122] In S1203, the CPU 201 executes character recognition processing on the image data generated in S908. At this time, the image data on which the character recognition processing is executed is the image data of the manuscript first read in S907. That is, by one read instruction, only the image data corresponding to the first manuscript (page) among the read manuscripts is the target of the character recognition processing.

[0123] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which character recognition processing is performed only on the image data of the first page of the document. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the document at an arbitrary position set by the user may be targeted for character recognition processing. For example, when the number 2 is set in the setting input field 1501 on the keyword string setting screen 1500 in FIG. 15, the image data corresponding to the second (page number) document is targeted for character recognition processing. In this way, the CPU 201 can receive a setting for recognizing the character string included in the image data corresponding to which page of the document.

[0124] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a keyword string setting screen. The keyword string setting screen 1500 has an input field 1501 added to the screen for setting the keyword string in FIG. 7, and can specify a page for performing a keyword search.

[0125] The input field 1501 is an input field for receiving input of a numerical value by the user, and character recognition processing is performed at the page position of the document corresponding to the numerical value input in the input field 1501.

[0126] In S1204, the CPU 201 generates a text object using the character string obtained as a result of the character recognition processing in S1203. In addition, area information of the character string corresponding to the text object is given to this text object.

[0127] In S1205, the CPU 201 generates a preview image to be displayed on the operation unit 205 based on the generated image data.

[0128] In S1206, an OCR transmission screen is displayed using the text object and the preview image generated in S1204 and S1205. An example of the OCR transmission screen is shown in FIG. 13.

[0129] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an OCR transmission screen. In the area 1301, the folder path selected on the address selection screen 800 is displayed.

[0130] Area 1302 is an area for displaying the character string indicated by the text object selected from list 1303. Also, the character string indicated by the selected text object is stored in RAM 203. In FIG. 13, since the text object indicating "12345" is selected, "¥" and "12345" are displayed in area 1302. Also, the selected text object is highlighted. Also, the character string on the preview image 1304 is highlighted like area 1305.

[0131] List 1303 is a list for displaying text objects generated, for example, at S1204. In this list, it is displayed from the text object corresponding to the character clipping rectangle at the upper left to the lower right.

[0132] The confirmation button 1306 is a button for transmitting the electronic file generated in the folder path obtained by adding the character string displayed in area 1302 at that time to the bottom layer of the folder path displayed in area 1301 when selected by the user. In the example of FIG. 13, the electronic data is transmitted to the folder indicated by "¥¥file server¥medical record¥12345".

[0133] Here, return the explanation to the flow of FIG. 12. In S1207, the CPU 201 determines whether a text object has been selected from the list 1203 by the user via the operation unit 205. If it is determined that a selection has been made, the process proceeds to S1208. Otherwise, the process returns to S1207.

[0134] In S1208, the CPU 201 highlights the area corresponding to the text object selected in S1207 on the preview image 1305 and also changes the display of the character string in area 1301.

[0135] In S1209, the CPU 201 determines whether the confirmation button has been selected. If it is determined that a selection has been made, the process proceeds to S1210. Otherwise, the process returns to S1209.

[0136] In S1210, the CPU 201 transmits the generated electronic file to the folder path obtained by adding the string displayed in area 1302 to the lowest layer of the folder path displayed in area 1301.

[0137] Here, the case where it is determined in S1202 that the character recognition area is set will be described. In S1211, the CPU 201 executes character recognition processing on the pre-set character recognition area to obtain a character string.

[0138] In S1212, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the OCR transmission screen 1400 on which the character string obtained in S1211 is displayed.

[0139] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the OCR transmission screen 1400. The message area 1401 is an area where the character string input in the input field 703 is displayed. In this embodiment, "Please enter the patient number" is displayed.

[0140] The input field 1402 is an input field for specifying the folder name for storing the image data read and generated. In this embodiment, the input patient number becomes the folder name. Also, in this embodiment, since the character recognition area is pre-set, the character string included in the character recognition area is extracted and displayed in the input field 1402.

[0141] The confirmation button 1403 is a button for transmitting the generated electronic file to the folder path obtained by adding the character string displayed in the input field 1402 at that time to the lowest layer of the folder path selected on the address selection screen 800 when selected by the user.

[0142] When this OCR transmission screen 1400 is displayed, the CPU 201 accepts the input of the character string to the input field 1402 by the user.

[0143] Here, return to the description of the flow in FIG. 12. In S1213, the CPU 201 determines whether the confirmation button has been selected by the user. If it is determined that it has been selected, the process proceeds to S1214. Otherwise, the process returns to S1213.

[0144] In S1214, the CPU 201 transmits the generated electronic file to the folder path obtained by adding the string displayed or input in the input field 1402 to the lowest layer of the folder path set in the area 609.

[0145] By executing the above processing, the labor of the user when setting the folder path using the string in the manuscript is reduced, and the image data composed of a plurality of manuscripts can be stored in the same folder using the string of one of the plurality of manuscripts.

Example

[0146] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for OCR transmission processing. The screen in FIG. 16(A) adds a pull-down 1601 for registering the format for registering keywords to the screen for setting the keyword strings in FIG. 4. The user can register the image data serving as the format in this pull-down 1601, and determine whether to execute the format recognition process of performing the character recognition process only on the image data of the same type as the registered image data when generating the image data by reading the manuscript. When the format specification button 1602 is selected, the format specification button 1610 in FIG. 16(B) is displayed.

[0147] FIG. 16(B) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for format recognition processing. The pull-down 1612 is a pull-down for setting the type of characters used for discriminating the format. The button 1615 is a button for selecting the format file to be detected. In the area 1614, the folder path of the selected format file is displayed. When the button 1615 is selected and the format file is selected, an image is displayed in the area 1617.

[0148] The user can specify the start and end points of the rectangular area in area 11618 with a pointer, and the start point coordinates and end point coordinates at that time are converted into real space distances and temporarily held. As specific setting values, it can be set as the start point (X, Y) = (10, 10) and the end point (X, Y) = (50, 20) in mm units.

[0149] When the keyword detection button 1616 is selected, character recognition processing is executed within area 1618, and the result is displayed in area 1613. If the user selects the OK button 1619 when there is no problem with the keyword, the keyword and the coordinate information of two points are set in the format keyword character recognition area. When the cancel button 1620 is selected, the keyword and the coordinate information are discarded and the screen returns to the screen of Fig. 16(A).

[0150] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the screen flow of one-touch transmission scanning. Fig. 17 is a screen flow when detecting a character string that matches the keyword of the image of the format file from the image data of the manuscript read by the scanner, extracting the character string to be used as the folder name, and transmitting it. Also, the screen flow in Fig. 17 is a flow when a character recognition area is set in advance as the setting of the questionnaire button.

[0151] On the home screen 400, when the questionnaire button is selected, a confirmation screen 1700 for checking the page for executing character recognition processing is displayed. On this confirmation screen 1700, when the reset button is selected, a character recognition page setting screen 1710 is displayed. On the confirmation screen 1700, images corresponding to all the image data generated by reading the image of the manuscript are displayed.

[0152] When the image checkbox is selected and the setting button is selected while the character recognition page setting screen 1710 is being displayed, the page for executing character recognition is reset. When the setting button is selected on the character recognition page setting screen 1710, the character recognition page setting screen 1700 is displayed again.

[0153] On the text recognition page setting screen 1700, the pre-set text recognition area is displayed on the image determined as the page for executing text recognition. When the "Yes" button is selected, text recognition processing is executed on the set text recognition area, and the OCR transmission screen 1400 is displayed. When the confirmation button is selected on the OCR transmission screen 1400, the electronic file is transmitted to the folder path obtained by adding the character string obtained by text recognition to the lowest layer of the pre-set folder path.

[0154] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of OCR transmission processing. The processing of the flowchart in FIG. 18 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in FIG. 18 starts when it is determined in S909 of FIG. 9 that "Do" is set in the pull-down 704 of FIG. 7(A).

[0155] The flow in FIG. 18 is a flow obtained by adding the processing of S1801 to S1806 to the flow in FIG. 12. Here, the processing overlapping with FIG. 12 is omitted from the description.

[0156] In S1801, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display it on the confirmation screen 1700.

[0157] In S1802, the CPU 201 determines whether a button within the confirmation screen 1700 has been selected. If it is determined that it has been selected, the process proceeds to S1803. Otherwise, the process returns to S1802.

[0158] In S1803, the CPU 201 determines whether the "Yes" button has been selected. If it is determined that the "Yes" button has been selected, the process proceeds to S1212 to display the OCR transmission screen 1400. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1804.

[0159] In S1804, the CPU 201 determines whether the reset button has been selected. If it is determined that the reset button has been selected, the process proceeds to S1805. Otherwise, that is, if the no button has been selected, the process returns to S1801.

[0160] In S1805, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205, displays the character recognition page setting screen 1710, and accepts the selection of an image for setting the character recognition page.

[0161] In S1806, the CPU 201 determines whether the setting button has been selected. If it is determined that the setting button has been selected, the process proceeds to S1801. Otherwise, the process returns to S1806.

[0162] Although an example in which the confirmation screen 1700 and the character recognition page setting screen 1710 are displayed when the character recognition area is set has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, even when the character recognition area is not set, the confirmation screen 1700 and the character recognition page setting screen 1710 may be displayed. At this time, when the yes button on the confirmation screen 1700 is selected, the OCR transmission screen 1300 is displayed.

[0163] By executing the above processing, character recognition processing can be performed on the image data of the manuscript including the keywords in the format pre-set by the user, and a character string can be obtained. Regardless of the order in which the manuscript to be character-recognized is read, the character recognition processing can be executed.

[0164] In addition, since the user can select the image of the manuscript on which the character recognition processing is to be performed while checking the image of the manuscript, it is possible to prevent the character recognition processing from being erroneously performed on the image of a similar manuscript.

Embodiment

[0165] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the screen flow of one-touch transmission scanning. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the flow in the case of dividing and transmitting the image data of the manuscript read by the scanner, and the screen of FIG. 19 is displayed on the operation unit 205.

[0166] In FIG. 19, the difference from the screen flow of FIG. 17 will be described. First, when the questionnaire button is selected and the image of the manuscript is read, only a part of the image corresponding to the image data is displayed on the confirmation screen 1700. Specifically, images corresponding to the manuscripts one before and one after the image data of the manuscript including the keyword of the format file are displayed.

[0167] When the "Yes" button is selected, the electronic file including the image data corresponding to the image displayed at that time is sent to the path obtained by adding the string obtained from the image data of the manuscript including the keyword of the format file to the lowest layer of the preset folder path. Even after this transmission process is completed, if there is image data that has not been transmitted, the confirmation screen 1700 is displayed again to display the next image.

[0168] On the character recognition page setting screen 1710, when the setting button is selected, the final page setting screen 1900 is displayed. The final page setting screen 1900 is a screen for determining the number of image data to be transmitted at one time. For example, if the second image displayed on the final page setting screen 1900 is selected, the second image becomes the final page. That is, the images displayed on the confirmation screen are only the first and second images.

[0169] When it is determined that there is no keyword of the format file in the image data generated by reading the image of the manuscript when the questionnaire button is selected, the OCR transmission screen 1910 is displayed on the operation unit 205.

[0170] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the OCR transmission process. The process of the flowchart in FIG. 20 is realized by the CPU 201 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing it. The flow in FIG. 20 starts when it is determined in S909 of FIG. 9 that "Do" is set in the pull-down 704 of FIG. 7(A).

[0171] The flow of FIG. 20 is a flow obtained by adding the processes of S2001 to S2004 and S2101 to S2106 to the flow of FIG. 18. Here, the processes overlapping with FIGS. 12 and 18 are omitted from the description.

[0172] In S2001, the CPU 201 determines whether a keyword in the format set in the area 1618 is detected in the generated image data. If it is determined that the keyword is detected, the process proceeds to S1211. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1203 to display the OCR transmission screen 1300.

[0173] In S2002, the CPU 201 determines whether all the generated image data has been transmitted. If it is determined that the data has been transmitted, the process ends. Otherwise, the process returns to S1801.

[0174] In S2003, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the final page setting screen 1900. On the final page setting screen 1900, the CPU 201 accepts the selection of the final page for determining the number of image data to be transmitted at one time. Note that the set of image data to be transmitted at one time determined by the accepted selection is highlighted.

[0175] In S2004, the CPU 201 determines whether the setting button has been selected. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process returns to S1801. Otherwise, the process returns to S2004.

[0176] In S2101, the CPU 201 determines whether the setting button has been selected on the OCR transmission screen 1910. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process proceeds to S2102. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S2105.

[0177] In S2102, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the division setting screen 2100.

[0178] In S2103, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the OK button on the splitting settings screen 2100 in FIG. 21 has been selected. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process proceeds to S2104. Otherwise, the process returns to S1206. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the screen flow of one-touch transmission scanning.

[0179] In S2104, the CPU 201 transmits an electronic file including image data corresponding to the image displayed on the splitting settings screen 2100. At this time, the destination for transmission is the folder path obtained by adding the character string displayed in the area 2111 when the settings button on the OCR transmission screen 1910 was selected to the lowest level of the pre-set folder path.

[0180] In S2105, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the previous button or the next button has been selected. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the OCR transmission screen 2110 including the preview image or text object of the image corresponding to the document read one sheet before or the image corresponding to the document read one sheet after (S1206). Otherwise, that is, when the list of text objects on the OCR transmission screen is selected, the process proceeds to S1207.

[0181] In S2016, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the OCR transmission screen on which the character string indicated by the selected text object is displayed in the area 2111.

[0182] In S2107, the CPU 201 determines whether or not all the generated image data has been transmitted. If it is determined that the data has been transmitted, the process ends. Otherwise, the process returns to S1206.

[0183] By executing the above processing, it is possible to split a document into a plurality of sets and transmit the image data of the document, which includes the keyword of the format file for each set and the character string recognized from the image data of the document, to the path obtained by adding the character string to the lowest level of the pre-set folder path.

[0184] <Other Embodiments> The present invention supplies a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium. Then, it can also be implemented by a process in which one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0185] 101 MFP 102 File Server 201 CPU 205 Operation Unit

Claims

1. A reading means for reading an image of a document and generating image data; A character recognition means for recognizing a character string included in the image data generated by the reading means; A display means for displaying the character string recognized by the character recognition means; A reception means for receiving a selection by a user of the character string displayed by the display means; A determination means for determining, as a storage destination of the image data, a folder having as a name a character string based on the selection received by the reception means; A storage means for storing the image data in the storage destination determined by the determination means, and The reading means reads images of a plurality of documents by one reading instruction to generate image data, and the determination means determines, as a storage destination of the image data corresponding to the plurality of documents generated by the reading means by the reading instruction, the same folder having as a name the character string received by the reception means. An image processing apparatus characterized by that.

2. Further comprising a second reception means for receiving an input of a folder path, and The storage means stores the image data in a folder indicated by a path obtained by adding a folder having as a name the selected character string to a hierarchy one level below the path received by the second reception means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by that.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the path of the folder includes a host name.

4. The display means displays a list of character strings recognized by the character recognition means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that.

5. The character recognition means executes character recognition processing on a character recognition area set in advance in the image data. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that.

6. Further comprising an operation unit, and The storage means stores the image data in a folder having as a name a character string selected by a user via the operation unit from among the character strings displayed by the display means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that.

7. Further comprising a third reception means for receiving a position of a document by a user, and The character recognition means recognizes a character string included in the image data corresponding to the document based on the position of the document received by the third reception means among the plurality of documents read by the reading means. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the third receiving means receives a setting as to which character string included in the image data corresponding to which sheet of document is to be recognized by the character recognition means.

9. The display means displays images of a plurality of sheets of documents read by the reading means, and further has fourth receiving means for receiving a selection of an image displayed by the display means. The character recognition means recognizes a character string included in the image data corresponding to the image based on the selection received by the fourth receiving means, according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Setting means for setting a character string included in the image data as a specific character string, The character recognition means recognizes a character string included in the image data including the same character string as the specific character string among the plurality of sheets of documents, according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. The setting means sets, as a specific character string, a character string included in the image data generated by the reading means by reading separately from the plurality of sheets of documents, according to claim 10.

12. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the character string includes numbers.

13. The storage means stores the image data in an external device using at least one of FTP, SMB, and WebDAV, according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The display means displays the selected character string as a folder path, according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A reading step of reading an image of a document to generate image data, a character recognition step of recognizing a character string included in the image data generated in the reading step, a display step of displaying the character string recognized in the character recognition step, a receiving step of receiving a selection by a user of the character string displayed in the display step, a determination step of determining, as a storage destination of the image data, a folder having the character string based on the selection received in the receiving step as a name, and a storage step of storing the image data in the storage destination determined in the determination step. The reading step reads images of a plurality of original documents by one reading instruction to generate image data, and the determination step determines, as a storage destination of the image data corresponding to the plurality of original documents generated by the reading instruction in the reading step, the same folder named with the string received in the reception step. A control method for an image processing apparatus characterized by the above.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute each means of the image processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 14.

Citation Information

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