Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that, when collectively reading a plurality of documents, can divide image data of the documents more appropriately than before.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an image data acquisition unit that reads a document to acquire image data; an image data analysis and division unit that performs automatic division of the image data to generate files of a plurality of pieces of divided image data; a display unit that displays a preview image based on the divided image data; an operation unit that receives a user's instruction; an image output unit that outputs an image based on the divided image data on the basis of an image output instruction received by the operation unit; and a control unit that controls the image data acquisition unit, image data analysis and division unit, the display unit, the operation unit, and the image output unit. The image data analysis and division unit performs automatic division of the image data on the basis of a predetermined criteria for determining split positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus equipped with a scanner that reads a document and acquires image data. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Among multifunction peripherals having an image reading function, those equipped with an automatic document feeder (ADF) and having the function of automatically reading a large number of documents are known.

[0003] In a multifunction device with such image reading function, when multiple documents are read at once, the image data is processed as if they were a single document. Therefore, if the user wanted to split the image data for each document, they had to split the image data using an application or the like.

[0004] In addition, when scanning a document, it is possible to create image data for each document by scanning the document in multiple batches, but this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process and is not very convenient for users.

[0005] In relation to such problems, an image forming device has been disclosed that uses a means for detecting the division position in advance based on a set division size, a preview display that displays image data, displays the division position on the preview display, allows the preview display screen to transition to the previous or next division position, and also allows the division position to be changed, thereby making it possible to divide the image data of a scanned document into multiple files with simple operations while checking the contents of the file when converting the image data into data of a specified format and filing it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-048141 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The above technology splits the file based on the specified upper limit when a large number of documents are scanned, and displays a preview, allowing the split position to be changed if there is an upper limit on the file size.

[0008] However, when multiple documents are scanned at once, the conventional method divides the files based only on the upper limit of the file size without distinguishing the image data for each document, which means that the files cannot be divided appropriately. Therefore, in the end, the user must manually change the division position while looking at the preview display, which is time-consuming and laborious.

[0009] This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an image forming device that can divide the image data of multiple documents more appropriately than conventional devices when reading them all at once. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The image forming apparatus according to this disclosure comprises an image data acquisition unit that reads a document and acquires image data, an image data analysis and division unit that automatically divides the image data to generate multiple divided image data files, a display unit that displays a preview image based on the divided image data, an operation unit that accepts user instructions, an image output unit that outputs an image based on the divided image data based on an image output command accepted by the operation unit, and a control unit that controls the image data acquisition unit, image data analysis and analysis unit, the display unit, the operation unit, and the image output unit, and is characterized in that the image data analysis and division unit automatically divides the image data based on predetermined criteria for determining delimiter positions.

[0011] In this disclosure, an "image forming apparatus" is an apparatus that has a function of sending a file containing an image or the like to an external device, such as an email. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to this disclosure, when multiple documents are read at once, an image forming device can be realized that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before by automatically dividing the image data based on predetermined criteria for determining the dividing position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic file division processing during scanning by the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of automatic file division settings in the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of automatic file division settings in the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen of scanned image data of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic file division processing during scanning by a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a preview screen of scanned image data of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, in which (A) shows an example of a preview screen of scanned image data before the scanned image data has been corrected by a user, and (B) shows an example of a preview screen of scanned image data after the scanned image data has been corrected by a user. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Further, preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described.

[0015] In the image forming apparatus according to this disclosure, the image data analyzing and dividing section may divide the image data by dividing pages based on positions where blank paper is sandwiched between pages.

[0016] In this way, when multiple documents are read at once, the image data is divided by separating the pages based on the position where a blank sheet is sandwiched between them, thereby realizing an image forming device that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before.

[0017] In the image forming device according to this disclosure, if there is a character string at the beginning of a page of the image data that is a different size from the main text, the image data analysis and division unit may divide the image data by dividing the pages based on the page that contains the character string.

[0018] In this way, when multiple documents are read at once, if there is a character string at the beginning of a page of image data that is a different size from the main text, the image data can be divided by dividing the pages based on the page that contains the character string, thereby realizing an image forming device that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before.

[0019] In the image forming device according to this disclosure, if there is handwritten text in the header or footer portion of the image data, the image data analysis and division unit may divide the image data based on the page containing the handwritten text.

[0020] In this way, when multiple documents are read at once, if there are handwritten characters in the header or footer part of the image data, the image data can be divided based on the page containing the handwritten characters, thereby realizing an image forming device that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before.

[0021] In the image forming device according to this disclosure, when consecutive page numbers are written in the header or footer portion of the image data, the image data analysis and division unit may divide the image data by dividing it based on the page where the continuity of the page numbers is broken.

[0022] In this way, when multiple documents are read at once and consecutive page numbers are written in the header or footer portion of the image data, the image data can be divided based on the page where the continuity of the page numbers is broken, thereby realizing an image forming device that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before.

[0023] In the image forming apparatus according to this disclosure, the image data analysis and division unit may divide the image data by separating it into sheets of paper of different sizes or orientations if the image data is obtained by reading the sheets of paper of different sizes or orientations.

[0024] In this way, when multiple documents are read at once and the image data is obtained by reading paper of different sizes or orientations, the image data can be divided into sections for each of the different sizes or orientations of paper, thereby realizing an image forming device that can divide the image data of the documents more appropriately than before.

[0025] This disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the disclosure.

[0026] [Embodiment 1] A digital multifunction peripheral 1, which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG.

[0028] The digital multifunction peripheral 1 is a device such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that digitally processes image data and has a copying function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0029] Based on instructions from a user received via the operation unit 172 or the communication unit 15, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 executes jobs such as scanning, printing, copying, or image transmission (Scan to Email, Scan to FTP).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 10, an image data acquisition unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a memory unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a communication unit 15, a paper feed unit 16, an operation panel 17, and an image data analysis and division unit 18.

[0031] Each component of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 will be described below.

[0032] The control unit 10 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in an integrated manner, and is made up of at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), various interface circuits, and the like.

[0033] In order to control the overall operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, the control unit 10 monitors and controls all loads such as the detection of each sensor, motor, clutch, operation panel 17, and the like.

[0034] The image data acquisition unit 11 is a part that detects and reads an original placed on a platen or an original conveyed from an original tray, and generates image data. The image data acquisition unit 11 also reads all of the documents conveyed by an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) at once.

[0035] The image forming unit 12 is a part that prints out the image data generated by the image processing unit 14 onto paper.

[0036] The storage unit 13 is an element or storage medium that stores information, control programs, etc., necessary to realize various functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. For example, a semiconductor element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk, a flash storage unit, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or other storage medium may be used.

[0037] The program and the data may be stored in different devices, such as a hard disk drive as an area for storing data and a flash memory unit as an area for storing programs.

[0038] The image processing unit 14 converts the document image read by the image data acquisition unit 11 into an appropriate electrical signal to generate image data, and processes the image data input from the image data acquisition unit 11 in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 172 to make it suitable for output such as enlargement and reduction.

[0039] The communication unit 15 communicates with computers, mobile information terminals, external information processing devices, facsimile machines, etc. via a network, etc., and transmits and receives various information such as e-mails and faxes to and from these external image forming devices.

[0040] The paper feed unit 16 includes a paper feed cassette and a manual feed tray, and transports the paper stored therein to the image forming unit 12 . It should be noted that different paper feed cassettes are used to store paper according to the size and type of paper.

[0041] The operation panel 17 includes a display unit 171 and an operation unit 172 .

[0042] The display unit 171 is a part that displays various types of information. The display unit 171 is a display device such as a monitor or line display, which is configured by, for example, a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an EL display, and which displays electronic data such as the processing status of the operating system and application software. The control unit 10 displays the operation and status of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 through the display unit 171.

[0043] The operation unit 172 is composed of a liquid crystal display and a touch panel, and is a part that displays information on the liquid crystal display and receives instructions from the user via the touch panel.

[0044] The image data analyzing and dividing unit 18 is a part that analyzes the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit 11 and divides the image data based on predetermined criteria for determining the division positions of the image data. Details of the criteria for determining the delimiter positions of the image data will be described later in the description of the flowchart in FIG.

[0045] <Automatic file division processing> Next, the automatic file division process of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic file division processing during scanning by the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that a plurality of documents are scanned at once to form image data and transmit the data.

[0047] In FIG. 3, after scanning starts, in step S1, the image data acquisition unit 11 reads a plurality of documents and acquires image data (step S1).

[0048] Next, in step S2, the control unit 10 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 determines whether or not the automatic file division setting is enabled (step S2).

[0049] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of automatic file division settings of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. If the user wants to automatically split files by default, check the "Automatically split files" option in the scan file settings of the system settings, as shown in Figure 4.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of automatic file division settings of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. If the user wants to automatically split files for each scan job, check the box for "Automatically split files" as shown in Figure 5, press the "OK" button, and then scan.

[0051] If the automatic file division setting is enabled (if the judgment in step S2 is Yes), in step S3, the control unit 10 causes the image data analysis and division unit 18 to analyze the image data and divide it based on predetermined criteria for determining the division position of the image data, thereby generating divided image data (step S3).

[0052] Here, the following criteria (1) to (8) can be used to determine the delimiter position of the image data. (1) Pages are separated based on the position of a blank sheet of paper. In this case, the blank page is deleted by the blank page skip function when the image data is sent. (2) If there is a string of characters at the beginning of a page that is a different size from the main text, this string is recognized as a title and pages are separated. (3) If there are handwritten characters or predetermined symbols in the header / footer position, they are recognized as separators. (4) If consecutive page numbers are written in the header / footer position, the position where the continuity of the page numbers is broken is recognized as the separator position. (5) If the header / footer position information is different from that of the previous page, the boundary is recognized as a separator. For example, if the header / footer has page numbers 1, 2, 3, and then the header / footer of the next page is blank. (6) When paper of a different size is read, it is used as a separator. (7) If a certain pattern is repeated every few pages of the image data, separate the image data for each pattern. For example, if several copies of the image data are bundled together, such as the entire text of a patent, each copy consisting of a cover letter and several pages, separate the image data for each bundle of copies. (8) Before setting the documents, rotate the stack of documents you want to separate by 90 degrees, and then separate the documents at the point where the paper orientation changes during scanning.

[0053] Thereafter, in step S4 of FIG. 3, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 171 to display a preview of the divided image data (step S4).

[0054] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen of scanned image data of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the automatically divided image data is displayed on the preview screen. After checking the contents of the preview screen, the user can press the start button at the bottom right to send the image data.

[0055] Next, in step S5 of FIG. 3, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the start button has been pressed (step S5).

[0056] On the other hand, if the automatic file division setting is not enabled in step S2 (if the determination in step S2 is No), the control unit 10 also performs the determination in step S5.

[0057] If the start button is pressed (if the determination in step S5 is Yes), in step 6, the control unit 10 outputs image data (step S6).

[0058] For example, when forming an image based on the divided image data, it is output to the image forming unit 12; when retaining the divided image data, it is output to the memory unit 13; when transmitting it to the outside, it is output to the communication unit 15.

[0059] On the other hand, if the start button has not been pressed (if the determination in step S5 is No), the control unit 10 returns the process to step S4.

[0060] In this way, by automatically dividing image data based on predetermined criteria for determining delimiter positions, it is possible to realize a digital multifunction peripheral 1 that can divide document image data more appropriately than before.

[0061] [Embodiment 2] Next, a digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] The schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 (first embodiment), and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of automatic file division processing during scanning by the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Steps S11 to S14, S17 and S18 in FIG. 7 correspond to steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 3, respectively, and therefore will not be described.

[0065] Here, the processing of steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 7, which is not shown in FIG. 3, will be described.

[0066] After the image data is previewed in step S14 of FIG. 7, in step S15, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the operation unit 172 has accepted a division correction (step S15).

[0067] If the operation unit 172 accepts a division correction (if the judgment in step S15 is Yes), in step S16, the control unit 10 reflects the division correction in the discrimination criteria for the delimiter position of the image data (step S16).

[0068] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a preview screen of scanned image data of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8A shows an example of a preview screen of scanned image data before the user has corrected it, and Fig. 8B shows an example of a preview screen of scanned image data after the user has corrected it.

[0069] For example, as shown in "002.pdf" and "003.pdf" on the preview screen of the scanned image data in Figure 8(A), there is a character string at the beginning of the page that is a different size from the main text, and this character string is recognized as a title and the page is divided into sections.

[0070] However, if the string in question is a subheading in the middle of the document, the user will cancel this division and make a correction by combining "002.pdf" and "003.pdf" into one "002.pdf", as shown in Figure 8(B).

[0071] In this case, the control unit 10 determines that the character string of the above size is a subheading and reflects this in the criteria for determining the delimiter position of the image data.

[0072] In this way, the image data is automatically divided based on the predetermined criteria for determining the division position, and if the division is corrected, the result is reflected in the criteria for determining the division position of the image data, thereby realizing a digital multifunction peripheral 1 that can divide the image data of the original more appropriately than before.

[0073] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure also include any combination of the above-described aspects. In addition to the above-described embodiments, various modifications of this disclosure are possible. These modifications should not be interpreted as not belonging to the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure should include all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1: Digital multifunction peripheral, 10: Control unit, 11: Image data acquisition unit, 12: Image forming unit, 13: Storage unit, 14: Image processing unit, 15: Communication unit, 16: Paper feed unit, 17: Operation panel, 18: Image data analysis and division unit, 171: Display unit, 172: Operation unit

Claims

1. an image data acquisition unit that reads a document and acquires image data; an image data analysis and division unit that automatically divides the image data to generate a plurality of divided image data files; a display unit that displays a preview image based on the divided image data; an operation unit that receives user commands; an image output unit that outputs an image based on the divided image data based on an image output command received by the operation unit; a control unit that controls the image data acquisition unit, the image data analysis unit, the display unit, the operation unit, and the image output unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the image data analysis and division unit automatically divides the image data based on a predetermined criterion for determining a division position.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image data analyzing and dividing unit divides the image data by dividing pages based on positions where blank pages are sandwiched between pages.

3. The image forming device according to claim 1, wherein the image data analysis and division unit divides the image data by dividing pages based on the page containing the character string if the character string is of a different size from the main text at the beginning of the page of the image data.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when handwritten characters are present in a header or footer portion of the image data, the image data analyzing and dividing unit divides the image data based on pages containing the handwritten characters.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data analysis and division unit divides the image data based on the page where the continuity of the page numbers is broken when consecutive page numbers are written in the header or footer portion of the image data.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, when the image data is obtained by scanning sheets of paper of different sizes or orientations, the image data analyzing and dividing unit divides the image data into sections for each sheet of paper of different sizes or orientations.

Images