Image reading device, and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading device and an image forming apparatus that can improve convenience for a user in use of document image data.SOLUTION: An image reading device according to an aspect of the present invention comprises a reading unit, an extraction unit, a recognition unit, and a generation unit. The reading unit reads a document to generate document image data. The extraction unit performs character recognition processing on the document image data to extract a character image included in a preset extraction area. The recognition unit recognizes the characteristics of the font of characters indicated by the extracted character image. The generation unit generates a conversion image obtained by rasterizing font data corresponding to the character image on the basis of the recognized characteristics of the font. The generation unit further generates substituted document data by substituting the character image included in the document image data with the conversion image for the corresponding characters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the widespread use of image reading devices, a technique for recognizing the font of characters contained in an original image read by an image reading device has become known.

[0003] As such a font recognition technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a character recognition device that identifies the font of characters included in an original image by referring to an identification dictionary for each font. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-085908 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the characters in the original image are unclear, it is not enough to simply identify the font; it is also possible to use the identified font to make the unclear characters clearer, which is expected to improve user convenience when using the original image thereafter.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an image reading device that can improve the convenience for users when using document images. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit, an extraction unit, a recognition unit, and a generation unit. The reading unit reads a document and generates document image data. The extraction unit performs character recognition processing on the document image data and extracts character images included in a predetermined extraction area. The recognition unit recognizes font characteristics of the characters indicated by the extracted character images. The generation unit generates converted images by rasterizing font data corresponding to the character images based on the recognized font characteristics. The generation unit further replaces the character images included in the document image data with the converted images for the corresponding characters to generate replaced document data.

[0008] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes the image reading device described above, and an image forming section that forms an image indicated by the replaced document data on a sheet of paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the image reading device and image forming device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for the user when using an original image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the image reading device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an entire job using the image forming apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5 is a flowchart showing the first half of the replacement document data generation process shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing the second half of the process of generating replaced document data shown in FIG. 4. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus 200 according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0012] (1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 200 (1-1) Overall structure The image forming apparatus 200 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function. The image forming apparatus 200 may also have a facsimile function. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 forms images by electrophotography.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus 200 according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 200 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 includes an image reading device 100 and an image forming unit 60.

[0014] In the image forming apparatus 200 according to the present invention, when the image reading device 100 reads an image of a document, it executes a process to convert, for example, unclear characters into clear characters. Specifically, the image reading device 100 recognizes the font characteristics of the characters included in the document through a process described below, and generates a converted image in which the characters are rasterized using the recognized font. The image reading device 100 then replaces the character images included in the document image with the converted image, thereby obtaining replaced document data in which the newly created clear characters are displayed. The configuration of this image reading device 100 is described below.

[0015] The image reading device 100 is disposed above the image forming unit 60. The image reading device 100 includes a document table 10, a cover 30, a stock cover 33, and a document transport unit 90. For ease of understanding, the document transport unit 90 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

[0016] The document table 10 is disposed above the image forming unit 60. The document table 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An original is placed on the document table 10.

[0017] The cover 30 has a thin, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cover 30 is placed above the platen 10. The cover 30 can be opened and closed relative to the platen 10. In this embodiment, the cover 30 is attached to the platen 10 on the rear side thereof, and can rotate freely around a rotation shaft located at the rear end of the platen 10. Alternatively, the cover 30 may be attached to the platen 10 at the left end thereof, and can rotate freely around a rotation shaft located at the left end of the platen 10.

[0018] The document transport unit 90 is disposed on the upper surface 35 of the cover 30. In this embodiment, the document transport unit 90 is configured integrally with the cover 30. The document transport unit 90 is also called an automatic document feeder or ADF (Auto Document Feeder).

[0019] The stock cover 33 is disposed on the upper surface 35 of the cover 30. The stock cover 33 faces a storage area 35a that is a part of the upper surface 35 of the cover 30. A part of the stock cover 33 is located inside the document transport unit 90.

[0020] The stock cover 33 and the storage area 35a constitute a storage tray 50. That is, the image reading device 100 is equipped with the storage tray 50. The storage tray 50 has an opening 50h. The opening 50h is located on the front side of the storage tray 50. A user can put in and take out an object to be stored through the opening 50h. That is, a user can store an object to be stored inside the storage tray 50, for example. The object to be stored is, for example, a document before or after being read, or an object other than a document (for example, the user's personal belongings).

[0021] The rear side of stock cover 33 is closed. Therefore, when cover 30 is opened relative to platen 10, the objects contained in stock cover 33 can be prevented from falling to the rear side of image forming apparatus 200.

[0022] The image reading device 100 reads an original document using, for example, an original document transport unit 90. The original document transport unit 90 transports the read original document to the upper surface 33u of the stock cover 33. In other words, the original document transported by the original document transport unit 90 is placed on the upper surface 33u of the stock cover 33.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 200 further includes a control unit 70, a storage unit 80, an input / output unit 40, an open / close sensor 52, a human sensor 54, and a communication unit 55.

[0024] Typically, the control unit 70 is disposed inside the image forming apparatus 200. The control unit 70 includes an arithmetic element. The arithmetic element includes a processor. For example, the processor includes a central processing unit (CPU). The processor may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0025] The storage unit 80 stores various data, control programs, and various application programs. The storage unit 80 also stores original image data, character images, converted images, and replacement original data. These will be described in detail later. That is, the storage unit 80 functions as a storage unit that stores replacement original data. The storage unit 80 is an example of the "output unit" of the present invention. This allows the generated replacement original data to be stored and used for various purposes.

[0026] The storage unit 80 is configured by, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 80 may include an external memory. The external memory is removable media. The storage unit 80 may include, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) memory and / or a secure digital (SD) card as the external memory. The storage unit 80 may also include a cache memory provided in the CPU for temporarily storing data.

[0027] The control unit 70 controls the operation of each component of the image forming device 200 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 80. Specifically, in response to a selection operation received by the touch panel, the control unit 70 executes a process corresponding to the selected command item. In this way, the control unit 70 controls the image reading device 100, the input / output unit 40, the open / close sensor 52, the human presence sensor 54, the communication unit 55, the storage unit 80, the document transport unit 90, and the image forming unit 60.

[0028] The reading unit 20 generates document image data based on the document reading results by the control unit 70 executing a control program. At this time, the control unit 70 performs optical character recognition processing on the document image data to identify characters, thereby obtaining character identification information.

[0029] The control unit 70 also performs character recognition processing on the document image data and performs the function of extracting character images included in a preset extraction area. The control unit 70 is an example of the "extraction unit" of the present invention.

[0030] The control unit 70 also performs a function of recognizing the font characteristics of the characters represented by the extracted character image. The control unit 70 is an example of the "recognition unit" of the present invention. The control unit 70 recognizes the font characteristics of the character image using a font recognition model.

[0031] The font recognition model is a trained model that analyzes, based on a character image, feature information that indicates the font features of the characters represented by the character image. The font feature information includes, for example, the following: Font Name: The name of the font used in the image Font size: The size of the text shown in the text image. Text direction: The direction in which the text in the text image is arranged (horizontal, etc.) Character Orientation: Character orientation in the character image (vertical, etc.) Halftone: Whether halftone processing is applied to the character image Matrix: Information about the arrangement of pixels that make up a character image Character image resolution: number of pixels in a character image

[0032] The font recognition model is trained to output, in response to an input character image, feature information of the font of the character represented by the character image. The font recognition model is constructed using an arbitrary neural network or the like, and is stored in the storage unit 80.

[0033] The control unit 70 also performs the function of generating a converted image by rasterizing font data corresponding to a character image based on the recognized font characteristics. That is, for a target character image, the control unit 70 rasterizes new font data using the character identification information and font characteristic information of the character represented by the character image. The newly rasterized font data corresponds to a converted image. A converted image is generated, for example, for each character.

[0034] The control unit 70 further replaces character images included in the document image data with converted images for the corresponding characters to generate replaced document data. In this way, the image forming apparatus 200 of the present invention can generate replaced document data based on the document image data, thereby improving user convenience when using the document image data. The control unit 70 is an example of the "generation unit" of the present invention.

[0035] (1-2) Image reading device 100 Next, details of the image reading device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the image reading device 100 shown in Fig. 1. Note that in order to avoid complicating the drawing, the document transport unit 90 and the image forming section 60 are omitted from Fig. 3.

[0036] 3, document table 10 includes contact glass 11, light-transmitting portion 12, and reading slit 13. On document table 10, contact glass 11, light-transmitting portion 12, and reading slit 13 are located apart from one another. For example, contact glass 11 is located in front of light-transmitting portion 12. Furthermore, reading slit 13 is located to the left of contact glass 11 and light-transmitting portion 12.

[0037] The contact glass 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the document table 10. The contact glass 11 is translucent. A document to be read is placed on the contact glass 11.

[0038] The light-transmitting portion 12 is disposed on the upper surface of the document table 10. The light-transmitting portion 12 has light-transmitting properties. The light-transmitting portion 12 is preferably transparent. The light-transmitting portion 12 is disposed, for example, behind the contact glass 11.

[0039] The reading slit 13 is disposed on the upper surface of the document table 10. The reading slit 13 is translucent. The reading slit 13 is used to read the document transported by the document transport unit 90. The reading slit 13 has a first scan sensor (not shown) therein that forms part of the reading section 20. The first scan sensor is an image sensor that reads the back side of the document transported by the document transport unit 90.

[0040] The reading unit 20 is disposed inside the document table 10. The reading unit 20 reads an image of a document placed on the contact glass 11 by a user. The reading unit 20 has a second scan sensor (not shown) disposed therein. The second scan sensor is disposed below the contact glass 11. The second scan sensor is an image sensor used to read the document placed on the contact glass 11.

[0041] The image sensor may be, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor.

[0042] The cover 30 can be opened and closed freely relative to the document table 10. That is, the cover 30 opens and closes relative to the contact glass 11 included in the document table 10. For example, the cover 30 may be provided with a support member that allows the cover 30 to be opened and closed. When the cover 30 is in the "open state," the top surface of the document table 10 is exposed. On the other hand, when the cover 30 is in the "closed state," the top surface of the document table 10 is covered by the cover 30.

[0043] The cover 30 has a light-shielding portion 31 and a light-transmitting portion 32. The light-shielding portion 31 blocks light. The light-shielding portion 31 is formed from, for example, a colored resin.

[0044] The light-transmitting portion 32 has light-transmitting properties. The light-transmitting portion 32 is formed of a light-transmitting resin material such as an acrylic resin. Therefore, light that enters from one side of the light-transmitting portion 32 exits from the other side. Note that the light-transmitting portion 32 may be glass or hollow as long as it has light-transmitting properties.

[0045] The input / output unit 40 is disposed on the front side of the side of the document table 10. A user inputs instructions via the input / output unit 40. The input / output unit 40 accepts the user's instructions. In this embodiment, the user's instructions include the type of job and the number of documents indicating the number of documents.

[0046] For example, when a user inputs an instruction to start a scan job via the input / output unit 40, the reading unit 20 reads an original document and captures an image of the original document.

[0047] The input / output unit 40 also outputs information to the user. For example, the input / output unit 40 notifies the user of necessary information regarding the control of the image reading device 100 and the image forming unit 60.

[0048] The input / output unit 40 includes a display unit 41 and an input unit 42. The display unit 41 displays an operation screen or the results of various processes. The display unit 41 has a display. For example, the display includes a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

[0049] The input unit 42 includes, for example, various keys for specifying the type and content of a job. The input unit 42 includes a keyboard and a mouse. Alternatively, the input unit 42 may include a touch sensor. Operation instructions for the image reading device 100 and the image forming unit 60 are input to the input unit 42.

[0050] The open / close sensor 52 is attached to the document table 10. In this embodiment, the open / close sensor 52 is attached to an area of ​​the top surface of the document table 10 that overlaps with the cover 30 when the cover 30 is closed. More specifically, the open / close sensor 52 is disposed on the same surface as the contact glass 11. The open / close sensor 52 detects whether the cover 30 is open or closed.

[0051] The human presence sensor 54 detects whether or not a person is present within the detection range of the human presence sensor 54. The human presence sensor 54 is attached to the platen 10. The human presence sensor 54 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 2). For example, the human presence sensor 54 is a pyroelectric infrared sensor, and detects far infrared rays (radiant heat) emitted from the human body.

[0052] The communication unit 55 performs processing for the image forming apparatus 200 to communicate with external devices. The communication unit 55 functions as a transmission unit that transmits the replacement manuscript data to the outside. The communication unit 55 is an example of the "output unit" of the present invention. This allows the generated replacement manuscript data to be transmitted to the outside, and can be used for various purposes.

[0053] (1-3) Image forming unit 60 Next, the configuration of the image forming unit 60 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The image forming unit 60 performs predetermined editing by forming an image on a recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, paper such as a manuscript. The image forming unit 60 performs the function of forming an image indicated by the replacement manuscript data on paper. This allows the generated replacement manuscript data to be output and used for various purposes.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 60 includes a transfer unit 61, an image carrier 62, a charging unit 63, an exposure unit 64, a developing unit 65, a fixing unit 66, a discharge unit 67, a storage unit 68, and a conveying unit 69.

[0055] The control unit 70 controls the image forming unit 60 to form a specified toner image on the document. That is, the control unit 70 controls the transport unit 69 so that the transport unit 69 transports the document stored in the storage unit 68. The storage unit 68 stores documents before images are formed on them. The documents are, for example, plain paper, recycled paper, thin paper, thick paper, coated paper, or overhead projector (OHP) sheets.

[0056] In addition, the control unit 70 controls the image carrier 62, the charging unit 63, and the exposure unit 64 so that the charging unit 63 charges the rotating image carrier 62 and the exposure unit 64 exposes the rotating image carrier 62 to light to form an electrostatic latent image based on the image.

[0057] The control unit 70 also controls the developing unit 65 so that the developing unit 65 forms a toner image by developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier 62. Furthermore, the control unit 70 controls the conveying unit 69 and the transfer unit 61 so that the toner image formed on the image carrier 62 is transferred to the document via the intermediate transfer body of the transfer unit 61.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit 70 controls the conveying unit 69 and the fixing unit 66 so as to fix the toner image transferred onto the document onto the document. The control unit 70 controls the heating roller and pressure roller of the fixing unit 66 to rotate, and also controls the heating roller to heat to a predetermined temperature.

[0059] Furthermore, the control unit 70 controls the conveying unit 69 to discharge the document onto which the toner image has been fixed from the discharge unit 67 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 200. In this manner, the image forming unit 60 forms a predetermined image on the paper surface and outputs the paper surface on which the image has been formed.

[0060] (2) System 1 processing Next, the processing of the system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of an entire job using the image forming apparatus 200. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram showing the first half of the processing for generating replaced original data shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a flow diagram showing the second half of the processing for generating replaced original data shown in Fig. 4.

[0061] (2-1) Overall job by image forming apparatus 200 First, the entire job performed by image forming apparatus 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, in a job using image forming apparatus 200, image forming apparatus 200 first scans a document to be scanned (step S101). Specifically, reading unit 20 of image forming apparatus 200 reads a document set on document table 10. The read scan data (document image data) is stored in storage unit 80.

[0062] Next, the control unit 70 receives from the user the setting of the division of the extraction area in the document image. Specifically, the user operates the input unit 42 to input the setting of the division of the extraction area in the document image. The input unit 42 receives from the user the setting of the division of the extraction area. This allows the user to set the character area in the size desired. The input unit 42 is an example of the "receiving unit" of the present invention.

[0063] In the image reading device 100, the following multiple divisions are defined in advance as character regions to be extracted regions. Paragraph block Line Block Word Blocks

[0064] Of these, paragraph blocks are sections in which an extraction area is set for each paragraph of text that makes up a manuscript. Line blocks are sections in which an extraction area is set for each line of text that makes up a manuscript. Word blocks are sections in which an extraction area is set for each word that makes up a manuscript. The following explanation takes as an example a case in which a word block is specified by the user.

[0065] Next, the control unit 70 executes a process for generating replacement document data (step S103). Specific details of this process will be described later with reference to Figures 5 and 6. This process performs font recognition on the scanned document image (document data) to obtain replacement document data in which characters have been replaced.

[0066] Thereafter, the control unit 70 performs one of the following processes in response to an operation from the user. Replacement document data transmission job (step S104) - Replacement manuscript data storage job (step S105) Print job for replacement document data (step S106) Each of these processes will be explained in detail in turn.

[0067] In the replacement document data transmission job in step S104, the control unit 70 transmits the replacement document data, instead of the document image data generated by scanning, to, for example, a destination newly designated by the user, via the communication unit 55. This allows the user to transmit, to the destination, replacement document data in which the blurred character images have been replaced with newly rasterized, clear converted images, for example, in cases where the characters in the document image data are unclear.

[0068] Next, in the job to save the replaced manuscript data in step S105, the control unit 70 transmits the replaced manuscript data to the storage section specified by the user in the scan process (step S101) instead of the manuscript image data generated by scanning. This allows the user to save the replaced manuscript data in which the blurred character images have been replaced with newly rasterized, clear converted images, for future use, for example, when the characters in the manuscript image data are unclear.

[0069] Next, in the print job of the replaced original data in step S106, control unit 70 can print the replaced original data instead of the original image data generated by scanning in accordance with the printing conditions specified by the user using image forming apparatus 200. This allows the user to output on paper the replaced original data in which the unclear character images have been replaced with newly rasterized, clear converted images, for example, in cases where the characters in the original image data are unclear.

[0070] This completes the entire job performed by the image forming apparatus 200. This improves user convenience when using document image data.

[0071] (2-2) First half of replacement manuscript data generation process Next, the first half of the replacement manuscript data generation process corresponding to step 103 in Fig. 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the replacement manuscript data generation process first extracts character regions (step S1031). Specifically, the control unit 70 performs optical character recognition processing on the manuscript image data, divides it into specified character regions (for example, word blocks), and acquires a character image of the first character region.

[0072] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether the character to be evaluated is the first character in the extracted character area (step S1032).

[0073] If the character to be evaluated is the first character (No in step S1032), the control unit 70 performs font recognition on the character (step S1033). Specifically, the control unit 70 inputs a character image of the character to a font recognition model, and obtains information indicating the font output from the font recognition model.

[0074] Next, the control unit 70 extracts character features (step S1035). Specifically, the control unit 70 inputs the character image to be evaluated into the font recognition model, and obtains font feature information output from the font recognition model. Steps S1034 and S1035 may be performed simultaneously.

[0075] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether the font recognized for the character to be evaluated is a font that can be used in the image forming device 200 (step S1036). Specifically, the control unit 70 determines whether the font is a font that can be used to form an image on paper in the image forming unit 60 of the image forming device 200.

[0076] If the recognized font is available (Yes in step S1036), the control unit 70 replaces the font of the character image with the available font (step S1039). That is, the character image to be evaluated is replaced with the available font.

[0077] On the other hand, if the recognized font is not available (No in step S1036), it is determined whether a similar font is available (step S1037).

[0078] If it is determined that a font similar to the recognized font is available in image forming device 200 (Yes in step S1037), the font of the character image is replaced with the available similar font (step S1038). That is, the character image to be evaluated is replaced with the available similar font.

[0079] On the other hand, if it is determined that a font similar to the recognized font is not available in the image forming device 200 (No in step S1037), the control unit 70 returns to the process of extracting the character region (step S1031). That is, the control unit 70 acquires the next word region after the previously evaluated word region as the evaluation target.

[0080] Then, after steps S1038 and S1039, the character image data whose font has been replaced is acquired, thereby completing the first half of the process.

[0081] On the other hand, in step S1032, if the character to be evaluated is not the first character in the extraction region (No in step S1032), it is determined whether the character to be evaluated is the last character.

[0082] If the character to be evaluated is not the last character, the control unit 70 skips the processes from font recognition (step S1033) to font substitution (steps S1038 and S1039) and acquires a character image (step S1040). That is, since the second and subsequent characters in a single character area generally have the same font as the first character, font recognition processing and the like can be omitted for the second and subsequent characters.

[0083] Furthermore, if the character to be evaluated is the last character (Yes in step S1034), the control unit 70 ends the series of processes for one character region.

[0084] (2-3) The latter half of the replacement manuscript data generation process Next, with reference to Fig. 6, the second half of the replacement manuscript data generation process corresponding to step 103 in Fig. 4 will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, in the second half of the replacement manuscript data generation process, first, the control unit 70 determines whether the character to be evaluated is the same as the previous character (step S1041).

[0085] If the character to be evaluated is not identical to the previous character, a converted image of the character to be processed is generated (step S1042). Specifically, the generation unit generates a converted image by rasterizing font data corresponding to the character image based on the font features recognized for the character. The generated converted image is stored in the storage unit 80.

[0086] On the other hand, if the character to be evaluated is the same as the previous character in step S1041, the control unit 70 uses the saved converted image without generating a converted image (step S1043). That is, for a character for which a converted image has already been created, the control unit 70 reuses the converted image for the same character stored in the storage unit 80 without generating a converted image again.

[0087] In this way, if the characters in the character image match the characters in the converted image that has already been saved, the control unit 70 does not generate the converted image, but instead uses the converted image that has already been saved. Therefore, by reusing the converted image that has already been generated, the processing load for generating the converted image can be reduced.

[0088] Next, the control unit 70 determines whether the character to be evaluated corresponds to halftone (step S1044). Specifically, the control unit 70 refers to the extracted feature information and determines whether the character to be evaluated is expressed by halftone in the document image data.

[0089] If the control unit 70 determines that the character to be evaluated is expressed in halftone in the document image data (Yes in step S1044), it performs halftone processing on the converted image (step S1045). As a result, the converted image is in a halftone processed state, and it is possible to generate a converted image in a display mode similar to that of the document image.

[0090] On the other hand, when the control unit 70 determines that the character to be evaluated is not expressed by halftone processing in the document image data (Yes in step S1044), it does not perform halftone processing on the converted image.

[0091] The control unit 70 then generates a converted image in bitmap format and stores it in the storage unit 80. This prepares the converted image for the character region in a state where it can be rendered. The control unit 70 repeats this series of processes for all character regions. This completes the process of generating replacement manuscript data.

[0092] (3) Variations In the above embodiment, an example in which a character extraction region is set for each word block has been described, but this is not limitative. For example, a character extraction region may be set for each paragraph block or each line block.

[0093] (4) Other variations The image forming apparatus 200 may be a copier, a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a multifunction device that combines the functions of these.

[0094] 1, the image reading device 100 includes the document transport unit 90. However, the image reading device 100 does not necessarily have to include the document transport unit 90.

[0095] The image forming apparatus 200 may include an inkjet image forming unit. The inkjet image forming unit divides an image to be printed into pixels, charges ink particles with a voltage proportional to the position information of each pixel, and deflects them in an electrostatic field to make them reach the document, thereby forming an image.

[0096] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be omitted from all components shown in the embodiments. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown may differ from the actual components due to the convenience of drawing. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present invention provides an image reading device and an image forming device, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1. Information Processing Systems 20 Reading unit 70 Control Unit 80 Storage section 100 Image reader 200 Image forming device

Claims

1. a reading unit that reads an original and generates original image data; an extraction unit that performs character recognition processing on the document image data and extracts character images included in a predetermined extraction area; a recognition unit that recognizes the font characteristics of the characters represented by the extracted character image; a generating unit that generates a converted image by rasterizing font data corresponding to the character image based on the recognized font features; Equipped with The generating unit further replaces the character images included in the document image data with the converted images of the corresponding characters to generate replaced document data.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the generating unit further performs halftone processing on the converted image.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising a receiving unit that receives a setting of the division of the extracted region from a user.

4. further comprising a storage unit for storing the converted image; 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit does not generate the converted image but uses the converted image that has already been saved when the characters in the character image match the characters in the converted image that has already been saved.

5. The image reading device according to claim 1 , further comprising an output unit that outputs the replaced document data.

6. The image reading device according to claim 5 , wherein the output unit includes at least one of a transmission unit that transmits the replaced document data and a storage unit that stores the replaced document data.

7. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2; an image forming unit that forms an image indicated by the replacement document data on a sheet of paper; An image forming apparatus having the same.

Images