Image processing system and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To enable printing in various forms in an image forming apparatus without requiring a special application and mechanism in the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: A server 30 of an image processing system Sy comprises: a communication unit 34 that performs data communication with an image forming apparatus 10; and a control unit 41 that, when processing target data is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 and received by the communication unit 34, executes predetermined processing on the processing target data, and causes the communication unit 34 to transmit processed data after the processing to the image forming apparatus 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing system and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming device, an image of an original is read by an image reading unit, and the image of the original is formed on recording paper by an image forming unit. The image forming device described in Patent Document 1 includes a scanner engine and an operation panel, and displays a selection screen on the operation panel that allows the user to select a destination for scanned data from among multiple destinations. The scanner engine then scans the original to generate scanned data, which is then transferred to at least one destination selected on the operation panel. This ensures that scanned data is available even in the event of a malfunction in the image forming device, and allows for efficient use of the scanned data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-129248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As described above, while image forming devices can print images scanned by an image reading unit as is, it is desirable to enable printing in a variety of formats after processing. However, enabling printing in a variety of formats requires various applications, and the image forming device must have a mechanism to support this. In Patent Document 1, the user is prompted to select a destination for scanned data from among multiple destinations, and the scanned data is transferred to at least one of the selected destinations, but this does not enable the device to print in a variety of formats.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable an image forming apparatus to print in a variety of formats without requiring a special application or mechanism in the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image processing system according to one aspect of the present invention is an image processing system including a server and an image forming device which performs data communication with the server, wherein the image forming device includes a first communication unit which performs data communication with the server, a processing target data acquisition unit which acquires processing target data, an image forming unit which forms an image on recording paper, an operation unit into which a first instruction which specifies processing to be performed on the processing target data acquired by the processing target data acquisition unit or a second instruction which is an instruction which specifies processing target data stored in the server and an instruction which specifies processing to be performed on the specified processing target data is input, and an operation unit which transmits the processing target data acquired by the processing target data acquisition unit and the first instruction or the second instruction to the server via the first communication unit. and a first control unit that causes the image forming unit to form an image of the processed data when the first communication unit receives the processed data on which the server has performed the processing indicated by the first instruction or the second instruction, and the server has a second communication unit that performs data communication with the image forming device, and a second control unit that, when the data to be processed and the first instruction are received by the second communication unit, performs either the processing indicated by the first instruction on the received data to be processed, or, when the second instruction is received, performs the processing indicated by the second instruction on the data to be processed indicated by the second instruction, and causes the second communication unit to transmit processed data generated by the execution of either of the processing to the image forming device.

[0007] In addition, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a second communication unit that performs data communication with an image forming device and receives from the image forming device (i) a first instruction that specifies data to be processed and a processing to be performed on the data to be processed, or (ii) a second instruction consisting of an instruction that specifies data to be processed stored in the information processing device and an instruction that specifies a processing to be performed on the specified data to be processed; and a second control unit that, when the data to be processed and the first instruction are received by the second communication unit, performs either the processing indicated by the first instruction on the received data to be processed, or, when the second instruction is received, the processing indicated by the second instruction on the data to be processed indicated by the second instruction, and causes the second communication unit to transmit processed data generated by the execution of either of the processings to the image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, printing in various formats becomes possible with an image forming apparatus without requiring a special application or mechanism in the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a configuration of an image forming apparatus and a configuration of a server in the image processing system. [Figure 2A] 10 is a flowchart showing processing on the image forming apparatus side in a series of processing in which processing instructions and the like are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to a server and print target data generated by the server is received by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2B] 10 is a flowchart showing server-side processing in a series of processes in which processing instructions and the like are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the server, and print target data generated in the server is received by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document selection screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document selection screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 1A shows an image of a document containing a text region, and FIG. 1B shows an image of the document with the text translated. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table in which, for each of a plurality of pieces of user identification information, user identification information is associated with the user's regulating information. [Figure 9] 1A is a diagram showing an image of a document before translation including fields and items, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an image of a document of translated words with user-defined information entered in the fields. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on a display unit of the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus and a server included in an image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system Sy according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a server (an example of an information processing apparatus) 30. In the image processing system Sy, the image forming apparatus 10 and the server 30 are connected via a network (such as the Internet) N. The image processing system Sy may include multiple image forming apparatuses 10.

[0011] Image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP (multi-function peripheral) that combines multiple functions such as a copy function and a scanner function. Image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 11, an operation unit 12, a touch panel 13, a communication unit 14, an image reading unit 15, an image forming unit 16, an image memory 17, a storage unit 18, an input unit 22, and a control unit 19. These components are capable of transmitting and receiving data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0012] The display unit 11 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0013] The screen of the display unit 11 is provided with a touch panel 13. The touch panel 13 detects contact (touch) with the user's finger or the like on the touch panel 13 together with the contact position, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of the contact position to the control unit 21 of the control unit 19. The touch panel 13 accepts input of instructions corresponding to operations on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen of the display unit 11. Therefore, the touch panel 13 functions as an operation unit into which user operations on the screen of the display unit 11 are input.

[0014] The operation unit 12 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad, a decision key, a start key, etc. The touch panel 13 and the operation unit 12 are an example of the operation unit in the claims.

[0015] The image reading unit (an example of a processing target data obtaining unit) 15 has a scanner that optically reads an image of a document, and generates image data that represents the image of this document.

[0016] The image forming unit 16 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure device that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum into a toner image, and a transfer device that transfers the toner image (image) on the surface of the photosensitive drum to recording paper, and prints an image represented by the image data on the recording paper.

[0017] The communication unit (an example of a first communication unit) 14 is a communication interface equipped with a communication module such as a LAN chip. The communication unit 14 is connected to the server 30 via a network (such as the Internet) N, and performs data communication with the server 30.

[0018] The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various application programs and various data.

[0019] The input unit (an example of a processing target data acquisition unit) 22 is, for example, a USB interface, and inputs data from a USB memory or the like.

[0020] The control unit 19 is composed of a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 19 functions as a control unit (an example of a first control unit) 21 when a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 18 is executed by the processor.

[0021] The control unit 21 is responsible for overall control of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 19 is also connected to the display unit 11, operation unit 12, touch panel 13, communication unit 14, image reading unit 15, image forming unit 16, image memory 17, storage unit 18, and input unit 22. The control unit 21 controls each of the above components and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each of the components.

[0022] The control unit 21 functions as a processing unit that executes various processes, and also has a function of controlling the display unit 11 and the communication unit 14.

[0023] Furthermore, in the image processing system Sy, the server 30 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N, and transmits and receives data to and from the image forming apparatus 10. The server 30 includes a communication unit 34, a storage unit 38, and a control unit 39, and these components can transmit and receive data or signals to and from each other via a bus.

[0024] The communication unit (an example of a second communication unit) 34 is a communication interface, and is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network N to transmit and receive data to and from the image forming apparatus 10.

[0025] The storage unit 38 is a storage device such as an SSD or HDD, and stores programs and various data.

[0026] The control unit 39 is composed of a processor, RAM, ROM, etc. The control unit 39 functions as a control unit (an example of a second control unit) 41 when a data processing program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 38 is executed by the processor.

[0027] The control unit 41 is responsible for overall control of the server 30. The control unit 39 is also connected to the communication unit 34, the storage unit 38, etc. The control unit 41 controls each of the above-mentioned components and transmits and receives signals or data to and from each of the components.

[0028] In addition to the data processing program, the ROM or memory unit 38 stores a document application AP1 as a predetermined application (for example, "Paint," "Word," "Excel," and "PowerPoint" provided by Microsoft, or an application for creating and editing figures, etc.), and an API that connects various programs (applications).

[0029] Further examples of the predetermined applications stored in the storage unit 38 include an application AP2 that executes an OCR (Optical Character Reader) function or an AI (artificial intelligence)-OCR function to recognize characters contained in an image file or a document file as text, and a translation application AP2 that translates text consisting of characters into text in another language. An image file is a file of an original image obtained by scanning an original using the image scanning unit 15, or an image file such as a JPEG created using Paint. A document file is a file created using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or the like.

[0030] As the predetermined application, for example, a predetermined social media application AP3 (for example, an SNS such as "Line" provided by LINE Yahoo! Corporation) is further stored in the storage unit 38.

[0031] The predetermined applications further include, for example, an application AP4 called "Zapier" provided by Zapier Inc., which supports workflow automation.

[0032] The control unit 41 performs various processes with the predetermined application via the API by operating in accordance with the data processing program.

[0033] In image forming apparatus 10, for example, a user places a document on image reading unit 15 and operates the start key on operation unit 12. In response to the operation of the start key, control unit 29 causes image reading unit 15 to read the image of the document, stores image data representing the image of the document in image memory 24, inputs the image data to image forming unit 16, and causes image forming unit 16 to print the image of the document represented by the image data on recording paper.

[0034] Image forming device 10 is not provided with an application program for performing an OCR function or an AI-OCR function, text translation, etc. Image forming device 10 reads an image of a document using image reading unit 15, but does not perform processing to recognize each character included in the image of the document, nor does it perform processing to translate text consisting of each character.

[0035] Furthermore, the image forming device 10 does not include applications such as "Paint," "Word," "Excel," or "PowerPoint." Therefore, the image forming device 10 does not perform processing to open files such as "Paint," "Word," "Excel," or "PowerPoint." Furthermore, the image forming device 10 does not include a program that performs processing to communicate with SNS such as "Line."

[0036] In the image processing system Sy according to this embodiment, the server 30 stores the data processing program, the predetermined application, and the API in the memory unit 38, as described above, and the control unit 41 performs various processes described below between the server 30 and the predetermined application through the API by operating in accordance with the data processing program.

[0037] In the image processing system Sy, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits (i) the designation of data to be processed and an instruction to execute the processing, or (ii) the data to be processed and an instruction to execute the processing, to the server 30, and the data to be processed is processed by the data processing program and the predetermined application, etc. on the server 30 side, and further receives processed data generated by executing predetermined data conversion processing required for printing on the data to be processed from the server 30. The predetermined data conversion processing required for printing is, for example, processing to convert the data to be processed into a page description language (PCL, KPSL, PostScript, etc.) that can be handled by the image forming apparatus 10, or processing to convert into raster data that can be handled by the image forming apparatus 10.

[0038] A document processing application is also stored in the storage unit 38 of the server 30. The control unit 41 determines, in accordance with the document processing application, the entry fields included in the image indicated by the data to be processed and the bibliographic items to be entered in the entry fields, and executes a process of combining an image indicating the bibliographic items with the entry fields included in the image indicated by the data to be processed, using pre-stored specification information for the user.

[0039] Furthermore, a printer driver compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 is stored in the storage unit 38 of the server 30. The control unit 41 executes the data conversion process on the processing target data after various processes in accordance with the printer driver. The control unit 41 then causes the communication unit 34 to transmit the processed data generated by executing the data conversion process to the image forming apparatus 10.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 41 of the server 30 processes the image indicated by the processing target data in accordance with the workflow using a workflow application (for example, "zapier" or the like).

[0041] Next, a series of processes in which processing instructions, etc. are sent from the image forming device 10 to the server 30 as described above, and the print target data generated in the server 30 is received by the image forming device 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0042] In the image forming device 10, when a user inputs an instruction to execute a processing service by the server 30 into the operation unit 12 (S101), the control unit 21 causes the display unit 11 to display an operation screen G1 that prompts the user to select data to be processed, as shown in an example in Figure 3 (S102).

[0043] The operation screen G1 displays various displays to prompt the user to select (a) which of the documents stored in the memory unit 38 of the server 30 will be processed, (b) which of the original images obtained by reading the original document using the image reading unit 15 of the image forming device 10 will be processed, or (c) which of the documents stored in the memory unit 18 of the image forming device 10 will be processed, as well as buttons K11, K12, and K13 for accepting a selection instruction to select (a), (b), or (c), and a button B50 for accepting an instruction to confirm the selection instruction.

[0044] When the operation screen G1 is displayed, based on the user's operation of buttons K11, K12, K13 and button B50, the control unit 21 receives, via the touch panel 13, (a) an instruction as to which of the documents stored in the memory unit 38 of the server 30 should be processed, (b) an instruction to select that the document image obtained by document reading by the image reading unit 15 of the image forming device 10 should be processed, or (c) an instruction as to which of the documents stored in the memory unit 18 of the image forming device 10 should be processed (S103).

[0045] After S103, the control unit 21 displays a selection screen G2 (an example of which is shown in Figure 4) on the screen of the display unit 11 to receive instructions to select the content of the service (processing executed by the server 30) to be provided by the server 30 (S104).

[0046] 4 displays a button B10 for accepting an instruction to add text data to a document, a button B11 for accepting an instruction to translate text contained in the document or text extracted from the document, a button B12 for accepting an instruction to enter bibliographic information into fields contained in an image represented by the document, and a button B13 for accepting an instruction to send to social media. Furthermore, the selection screen G2 displays a text box T11 for displaying the type of translation language entered by the user, a text box T12 for displaying the user name entered by the user, a text box T13 for displaying the social media name entered by the user, and a soft keyboard SB.

[0047] When the selection screen G2 is displayed, for example, if the user touches buttons B10 and B50, the control unit 21 receives an instruction to convert the contents of the document into text via the touch panel 13 (S105).

[0048] Furthermore, when the user touches button B11, then touches text box T11, operates soft keyboard SB to input the language type, and then touches button B50, the control unit 21 receives, via touch panel 13, an instruction to translate the text and an instruction to translate into the language type input by operating soft keyboard SB (S105).

[0049] Furthermore, when the user touches button B12, then touches text box T12 and operates soft keyboard SB to input a user name (or the user's identification information ID), and then touches button B50, the control unit 21 receives, via touch panel 13, an instruction to execute a process to enter bibliographic information in the entry field and the user name entered by operating soft keyboard SB (S105).

[0050] Furthermore, when the user touches button B13, then touches text box T13, operates soft keyboard SB to input a social media name, and then touches button B50, the control unit 21 receives an instruction to send to the social media (including the social media name input by operating soft keyboard SB) via the touch panel 13 (S105).

[0051] Thereafter, if the instruction received in S102 is the above (b) (S105 "(b)"), control unit 21 causes image reading unit 15 to read the document placed on image reading unit 15 by the user (S106). Thereafter, control unit 21 causes communication unit 14 to transmit the above instruction (b) received in S102, the instruction received in S104, and the document image obtained by document reading in S106 to server 30 (S107).

[0052] Furthermore, if the instruction received in S102 is the above (a) (S105 "(a)"), the control unit 21 accesses the server 30 from the communication unit 14, requests the server 30 to transmit a list of documents stored in the storage unit 38, and receives the list from the server 30. The control unit 21 causes the display unit 11 to display a document selection screen G3 (FIG. 5) that displays a list of documents indicated by the received list (S108).

[0053] When this document selection screen G3 is displayed, if the user touches the display area of ​​the document name that the user wants to process and then touches the OK button B50, the control unit 41 will accept the document name shown in the touched display area via the touch panel 13, and will cause the communication unit 14 to transmit the accepted document name, the instruction (a) accepted in S102, and the instruction accepted in S104 to the server 30 (S109).

[0054] Furthermore, if the instruction received in S102 is the above (c) (S105 "(c)"), the control unit 21 causes the display unit 11 to display a document selection screen G4 (Figure 6) that displays a list of documents stored in the memory unit 18 (S110).

[0055] When this document selection screen G4 is displayed, if the user touches the display area of ​​the document name that the user wants to process and then touches the OK button B50, the control unit 41 will accept the document name shown in the touched display area via the touch panel 13, and will cause the communication unit 14 to transmit the document indicated by the accepted document name, the instruction (c) accepted in S102, and the instruction accepted in S104 to the server 30 (S111).

[0056] In S110, when a USB memory, which is an example of an external storage medium, is connected to the input unit 22, the control unit 21 displays a list of documents stored in the USB memory on the document selection screen G4, instead of a list of documents stored in the storage unit 18. When this display is performed, the processing in S109 is the same as when the list of documents stored in the storage unit 18 is displayed. The documents stored in the storage unit 18 or the USB memory may be files in formats such as "Word," "Excel," or "PowerPoint."

[0057] In the server 30, the communication unit 34 receives (S201) (i) the original image or document to be processed, or the name of the document to be processed, (ii) any one of the instructions (a), (b), or (c) received in S102, and (iii) the instruction received in S104.

[0058] Here, if the (i) received in S201 is the above-mentioned original image or document, the control unit 41 determines the file format of the original image or document and performs processing to open the original image or document using an application compatible with the file format (S202).Furthermore, if the (i) received in S201 is the name of a document to be processed, the control unit 41 reads out the document indicated by the document name from the storage unit 38 and performs processing to open the document using an application compatible with the format (S202).

[0059] Next, if the instruction received in S104 is an instruction to convert the contents of the document into text ("Convert to text" in S203), the control unit 41 recognizes each character (character image) included in the image indicated by the document or the original image opened in S202 as text using the OCR function or AI-OCR function (S204). The control unit 41 creates data consisting of the converted characters as a separate file (S205). Note that if the document opened in S202 does not include an image or includes an element that has already been converted into text, the control unit 41 does not perform the processes of S204 and S205.

[0060] Furthermore, if the instruction received in S104 is an instruction to translate text and specify the language to be used for translation ("Translate" in S203), the control unit 41 recognizes, as text, each character (character image) included in the image indicated by the original image or document opened in S202 using the OCR function or AI-OCR function, and translates the recognized text into the specified language using a translation application corresponding to the specified language (S206). Note that if the document opened in S202 does not include an image, the control unit 41 omits the text conversion and translation, but if it includes an element that has already been converted into text, the control unit 41 translates the element. The control unit 41 erases each character image from the original image or document, and combines a group of character images generated from the translated text in the position where each character image was located (S207).

[0061] For example, as shown in Fig. 7(A), if an original image Z or an image Z indicated by a document includes a character area TR and an image area GR each having a character image, the control unit 41 erases each character image in the character area TR, and then, as shown in Fig. 7(B), synthesizes an image representing a group of character images generated from the translated text in the position where each character image was located in the character area TR. Note that the control unit 41 distinguishes between image areas and character areas using a known method.

[0062] Furthermore, if the instruction received in S104 is an instruction to execute a process to enter bibliographic information into a field ("Enter Bibliographic Information" in S203), the control unit 41 performs a text conversion process on the manuscript image or document opened in S202 (omitted if the text contains elements that have already been converted to text). The control unit 41 then determines whether the text in the manuscript image or document contains a predetermined phrase, such as "Name," "Department," or "Email Address." If the phrase is present, the control unit 41 determines whether the image in the manuscript image or document contains a predetermined text field, for example, to the right or below the phrase (S208). The predetermined text field may be, for example, a blank space or a rectangular shape large enough to accommodate a predetermined number of character images. In the case of the predetermined phrase and blank space, the control unit 41 determines whether a predetermined text field exists by determining whether a blank space ... In addition, in the case of a rectangular figure, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a predetermined entry field exists using known linear figure and rectangular figure determination techniques.

[0063] If the control unit 41 determines that the predetermined phrase and the adjacent entry field are present ("Yes" in S208), it reads out the user information corresponding to the user name indicated by the instruction received from the image forming apparatus 10 in S201 and accepted in S104 from the user information (items such as name, department, email address, gender, address, date of birth, and date of employment) stored for each user name in the storage unit 38, selects from the read-out user information specified information for the item corresponding to the predetermined phrase, generates a character image indicating the selected specified information, and composites the generated character image into the empty space or rectangular shape that is the entry field in the image indicated by the original document image or document (S209). The process of S209 is performed for all of the determined phrases and the adjacent entry fields. As a result, for example, if the image indicated by the original image or document contains the phrase "Name" and there is an entry field adjacent to that phrase, the user's name "AAAA" is entered in that entry field, and if the phrase "Department" is contained and there is an entry field adjacent to that phrase, the department "BBBB" is entered in that entry field. Note that if the control unit 41 determines in S208 that the phrase and entry field do not exist ("No" in S208), the process proceeds to S210.

[0064] For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the storage unit 38 stores in advance a table DT in which, for each of a plurality of user identification information IDs (user names), the user's identification information ID is associated with the user's stipulated information. The control unit 41 searches the table DT for the user's stipulated information associated with the user's identification information ID received as the user name in S201. The user's stipulated information is set for a plurality of items such as name, department, and email address, with the stipulated information for name being "AAAA," the stipulated information for department being "BBBB," and the stipulated information for email address being "C@CCC." The control unit 41 reads out the stipulated information for each item corresponding to the above phrase from the table DT and generates a character image indicating the stipulated information.

[0065] Then, the control unit 41 executes the data conversion process on the document created by the processes of S205, S207, and S209 in accordance with the printer driver compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 (S210). The control unit 41 causes the document after the data conversion process to be transmitted as processed data from the communication unit 34 to the image forming apparatus 10 (S211).

[0066] In the image forming apparatus 10, when the communication unit 14 receives the created document from the server 30 (S112), the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 16 to form an image of the document (S113).

[0067] Furthermore, if the instruction received in S104 is an instruction to send to a social media ("social media" in S203), the control unit 41 of the server 30 sends the original image or document received in S201 to the social media indicated by the social media name included in the sending instruction in accordance with the social media application AP3 (S212).

[0068] In addition, in the server 30, when processing according to a workflow is received in S201 as processing for an image of a document of a document or a file, the control unit 41 may execute the application program AP4 ("zapier") to further process image data representing the processed image according to the workflow.

[0069] As described above, according to the image processing system Sy of this embodiment, a file containing an image of an original or a document is sent from the image forming device 10 to the server 30, and the image of the original or the image of the document is processed on the server 30 side using various applications. This makes it possible for the image forming device 10 to print in a variety of formats without requiring special applications or mechanisms in the image forming device 10.

[0070] The configurations and processes of the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, the control unit 41 of the server 30 may perform both the translation process and the bibliographic entry process in accordance with a document and / or instructions received from the image forming device 10. For example, the control unit 41 may first perform the translation process on the document and then the bibliographic entry process. As a result, even if the data to be processed, such as a manuscript image, has the content shown in FIG. 9(A), the content indicated by the included character image is translated, and a document is generated in which bibliographic information is entered in the blank spaces or rectangular shapes that serve as entry fields, as shown in FIG. 9(B). In this case, the control unit 41 may use the bibliographic information (specified information) to be inserted in the blank spaces or rectangular shapes as is, or may translate it before using it.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured to cause the image forming unit 16 to form an image of a document as processed data received from the server 30. However, instead of or in addition to this, the control unit 21 may be configured to store the document as processed data received from the server 30 in the storage unit 18. Furthermore, when the control unit 21 receives processed data from the server 30, it may be configured to display, for example, an operation screen G5 shown in Fig. 10 on the display unit 11, and cause the image forming unit 16 to form an image of the processed data in accordance with a print instruction input by the user operating the print button K11, or to store the processed data in the storage unit 18 in accordance with a save instruction input by the user operating the save button K12.

[0072] Furthermore, the configuration of the above embodiment explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 is merely an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to this configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Image forming device 11 Display section 12 Control section 13 Touch Panel 14 Communications Department 15 Image reading unit 16 Image forming unit 17 Image Memory 18 Memory section 19 Control Unit 21 Control section 22 Input section 30 servers 34 Communications Department 38 Memory section 39 Control Unit 41 Control Unit

Claims

1. An image processing system including a server and an image forming apparatus that performs data communication with the server, the image forming apparatus, a first communication unit that performs data communication with the server; a processing target data acquisition unit that acquires processing target data; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet; an operation unit into which a first instruction specifying a process to be performed on the processing target data acquired by the processing target data acquisition unit or a second instruction consisting of an instruction specifying processing target data stored in the server and an instruction specifying a process to be performed on the specified processing target data is input; a first control unit that causes the first communication unit to transmit the processing target data acquired by the processing target data acquisition unit and the first instruction or the second instruction to the server, and when processed data on which the processing indicated by the first instruction or the second instruction has been executed by the server is received by the first communication unit, causes the image forming unit to form an image of the processed data, The server a second communication unit that performs data communication with the image forming apparatus; When the processing target data and the first instruction are received by the second communication unit, processing indicated by the first instruction on the received processing target data; Alternatively, when the second instruction is received, the processing indicated by the second instruction is executed on the processing target data indicated by the second instruction, a second control unit that causes the second communication unit to transmit processed data generated by the execution of any one of the processes to the image forming apparatus.

2. the processing specified by the instruction input to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is processing for character recognition of a character image included in an image indicated by the processing target data as text; The image processing system described in claim 1, wherein the second control unit of the server recognizes characters contained in an image represented by the data to be processed in accordance with the first instruction or the second instruction, and causes the second communication unit to transmit to the image forming device a file created from the recognized group of characters and processed data generated by performing a predetermined data conversion process required for printing on the data to be processed.

3. the processing specified by the instruction input to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is processing for character recognition of a character image included in an image indicated by the processing target data as text, and translating the recognized text; The image processing system of claim 1, wherein the second control unit of the server recognizes characters contained in an image indicated by the processing target data in accordance with the first instruction or the second instruction, translates the recognized text, and performs a predetermined data conversion process required for printing on the processing target data including the translated content, thereby generating processed data, which is then transmitted to the image forming device via the second communication unit.

4. the processing designated by the instruction input to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is a processing for entering bibliographic information into a field included in an image indicated by the processing target data, The image processing system described in claim 1, wherein the second control unit of the server determines, in accordance with the first instruction or the second instruction, the entry fields included in the image represented by the data to be processed and the bibliographic information to be entered in the entry fields, and performs a process of synthesizing an image representing the bibliographic information within the entry fields using specified information pre-stored for the user, and then performs a predetermined data conversion process required for printing on the data to be processed after the process, generating processed data, which is then transmitted to the image forming device via the second communication unit.

5. the processing specified by the instruction input to the operation unit of the image forming apparatus includes a transmission instruction to transmit the processing target data to a social media; The image processing system of claim 1, wherein the second control unit of the server causes the second communication unit to transmit the data to be processed to a social media indicated by the first instruction or the second instruction in accordance with the first instruction or the second instruction.

6. An information processing device, a second communication unit that performs data communication with an image forming apparatus and receives from the image forming apparatus (i) a first instruction that specifies data to be processed and a process to be performed on the data to be processed, or (ii) a second instruction that includes an instruction that specifies data to be processed stored in the information processing apparatus and an instruction that specifies a process to be performed on the specified data to be processed; When the processing target data and the first instruction are received by the second communication unit, processing indicated by the first instruction on the received processing target data; Alternatively, when the second instruction is received, the processing indicated by the second instruction is executed on the processing target data indicated by the second instruction, a second control unit that causes the second communication unit to transmit processed data generated by the execution of any one of the processes to the image forming apparatus.

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