Computer-readable recording medium, information processing apparatus, and method of controlling image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a mechanism sufficiently suitable for electronic documentation when converting an original of a paper document such as a tax / finance-related business form into an electronic document.SOLUTION: The scanner driver 416 is used for the image processing apparatus 105 having a scan function. The scanner driver 416 causes the image processing device 105 to determine whether an instruction to execute the scanning is an instruction from the first application (application software 415A) or an instruction from the second application (application software 415B), and to execute the scanning with a first light amount when the instruction is determined to be from the first application, and with a second light amount smaller than the first light amount when the instruction is determined to be from the second application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a scanning program, a storage medium, an information processing apparatus, and a control method for an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Recent advances in electronic documentation technology have led to changes in legal systems. While only paper documents were previously recognized as originals for tax-related documents and other documents, legal reform now allows digitalized documents to be recognized as such if certain conditions are met. Conditions for an electronic document to be recognized as an original include, for example, maintaining the visibility of information, such as corrections. However, if the corrections are made with white correction fluid, for example, the corrections are converted to a white color similar to the background color when the paper document is digitalized, i.e., scanned, and a background removal process is performed on the paper document. As a result, the gradation difference between the background and the corrections in the electronic document becomes invisible, potentially obscuring the corrections. In this case, the electronic document no longer meets the conditions for being recognized as an original. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for scanning a paper document in a darker state (second reading mode) by reducing the amount of light irradiated onto the paper document. This allows the gradation difference between the background and the corrections in the paper document to be visible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-61279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is not sufficiently suitable for converting original paper documents such as tax-related forms into electronic documents.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a mechanism that is sufficiently suitable for converting original paper documents, such as tax-related forms, into digital documents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the scanning program of the present invention is a scanning program used when executing a scanning function on an image forming device having a scanning function that scans a document while irradiating the document with light, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the following steps when causing the image forming device to execute the scanning function: a judgment step for judging whether an instruction to execute the scanning function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application; and an execution step for causing the image forming device to execute the scanning function with a first light intensity if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application, and for causing the image forming device to execute the scanning function with a second light intensity that is smaller than the first light intensity if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when original paper documents such as tax-related forms are converted into electronic documents, a system is provided that is fully suited to such conversion into electronic documents. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the image processing device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the information processing device. [Figure 8A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by a scanner driver. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining setting values. [Figure 9] 8 is a flowchart showing details of step S707 (displaying a setting screen of the scanner driver) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the information processing apparatus. [Figure 11] 1A to 1C are diagrams sequentially showing a process until a scanned image of a document is acquired. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing details of a setting screen display of a scanner driver according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining setting values. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each component constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform the same function. Also, any component may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of each embodiment can be combined.

[0010] First Embodiment A first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 includes a server 101, a router 103, an information processing device 104, and an image processing device (image forming device) 105. The server 101, the information processing device 104, and the image processing device 105 are connected to each other via the router 103 so that they can communicate with each other. Each connection may be wired or wireless. The server 101 is, for example, a server for controlling a network environment within a company. In this embodiment, the server 101 also functions to exchange information within the company network via the Internet 102. For example, the Internet 102 may include distribution sites for printer drivers and scanner drivers provided by manufacturers or vendors of image processing devices. The information processing device 104 is included in the company's network environment. The information processing device 104 can access resources on the Internet 102 via the server 101. The information processing device 104 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a desktop or notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc. The image processing device 105 can execute various processes such as image processing, for example, in response to instructions from the information processing device 104. The image processing device 105 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an MFP (multi-function peripheral) having a print function for printing on printing paper, a scan function for scanning an original while irradiating it with light, a fax function for sending and receiving still images such as characters and figures, etc. The image processing device 105 is also connected to a telephone line network 106.

[0011] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 104 has a main board 201, an external storage device 210, a display unit 211, and an input unit 212. The main board 201 is a computer (control board) that controls the entire information processing device 104. The main board 201 is also capable of partial control of the image processing device 105 (executing a control method for an image forming device). The main board 201 has a wired NW_I / F 202, a wireless NW_I / F 203, a USB_I / F 204, a system bus 205, a CPU 206, a ROM / RAM (storage medium) 207, a memory controller 208, and an operation unit I / F 209. The wired NW_I / F 202 to the USB_I / F 204 and the CPU 206 to the operation unit I / F 209 are connected to each other via the system bus 205 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The configuration of the main board 201 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and may include, for example, a plurality of CPUs 206 and ROM / RAM 207.

[0012] The wired NW_I / F 202 performs communication control of a communication network such as Ethernet. The information processing device 104 can communicate with devices on an in-house network or the Internet 102 via the wired NW_I / F 202. The wireless NW_I / F 203 mainly performs wireless communication control conforming to IEEE802.11, i.e., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication control. The wireless NW_I / F 203 also functions as an interface for mobile communication systems such as LTE and 5G. The information processing device 104 can communicate with devices on an in-house network or the Internet 102 via the wireless NW_I / F 203. The information processing device 104 can be connected to the Internet 102 via a base station of the mobile communication system. The USB_I / F 204 is connected to peripheral devices conforming to the USB standard.

[0013] The CPU 206 executes control programs, such as an operating system (OS) and applications, loaded on the ROM / RAM 207 to control the overall operation of the information processing device 104. The ROM / RAM 207 stores, for example, a startup program for the information processing device 104 and functions as a working storage area. The memory controller 208 is connected to an external storage device 210 and controls data transmission and reception between the external storage device 210 and the external storage device 210. The external storage device 210 functions as, for example, an auxiliary storage area that supports the ROM / RAM 207. The external storage device 210 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a hard disk, a USB memory, an optical memory device, or the like. The external storage device 210 stores various programs, such as the OS and applications, as well as temporarily used data and files. The operation unit I / F 209 is connected to a display unit 211 and an input unit 212. The display unit 211 functions as a display unit that displays various information to a user of the information processing device 104. The display unit 211 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, etc. The input unit 212 functions as a receiving unit that receives operations from a user. The input unit 212 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel provided on the display unit 211, etc.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device. As shown in Fig. 3, the image processing device 105 has a main board 301, an external storage device 312, a display unit 313, an input unit 314, a printing unit 315, and a reading unit 316. The main board 301 is a computer (control board) that controls the entire image processing device 105. The main board 301 has a wired NW_I / F 302, a wireless NW_I / F 303, a USB_I / F 304, and a system bus 305. The main board 301 also has a CPU 306, a ROM / RAM 307, a memory controller 308, an operation unit I / F 309, a printing unit I / F 310, and a reading unit I / F 311. The wired NW_I / F 302 to the USB_I / F 304 and the CPU 306 to the reading unit I / F 311 are connected to each other via the system bus 305 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The configuration of the main board 301 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may include, for example, a plurality of CPUs 306 and ROM / RAM 307.

[0015] The wired NW_I / F 302 controls communication over a communication network such as Ethernet and over a telephone line connected to the telephone line network 106. The image processing device 105 can communicate with devices on a corporate network or the Internet 102 via the wired NW_I / F 302. The wireless NW_I / F 303 mainly controls wireless communication compliant with IEEE 802.11. The wireless NW_I / F 303 also functions as an interface for mobile communication systems such as LTE and 5G. The image processing device 105 can communicate with devices on a corporate network or the Internet 102 via the wireless NW_I / F 303. The image processing device 105 can connect to the Internet 102 via a base station of the mobile communication system. When connecting the image processing device 105 to the Internet 102, a wired connection or a wireless connection can be selected using a display unit 313 or an input unit 314. The USB_I / F 304 is connected to a terminal device or the like that complies with the USB standard.

[0016] The CPU 306 executes control programs, such as an operating system (OS) and applications, loaded on the ROM / RAM 307 to control the overall operation of the image processing device 105. The ROM / RAM 307 stores, for example, a startup program for the image processing device 105 and functions as a storage area for saving images obtained by scanning an original document with the scanning unit 316. The memory controller 308 is connected to an external storage device 312 and controls data transmission and reception between the external storage device 312 and the external storage device 312. The external storage device 312 functions as, for example, an auxiliary storage area that supports the ROM / RAM 307. The external storage device 312 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a hard disk, a USB memory, an optical memory device, or the like. The external storage device 312 stores various programs, such as the OS and applications, as well as temporarily used data and files. The operation unit I / F 309 is connected to a display unit 313 and an input unit 314. The display unit 313 functions as a display unit that displays various information to a user of the image processing device 105. The display unit 313 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, etc. The input unit 314 functions as a receiving unit that receives operations from the user. The input unit 314 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel provided on the display unit 313, etc.

[0017] The printing unit I / F 310 is connected to the printing unit 315 and transmits image data to the printing unit 315. The printing unit 315 is a printer engine that prints image data on printing paper using a printing method such as electrophotography or inkjet printing. The printing unit 315 includes a paper feed cassette that stores multiple types of printing paper, a duplex printing mechanism for double-sided printing, a monochrome printing mechanism for monochrome printing, and a color printing mechanism for color printing. The printing unit 315 also includes a staple mechanism that staples the printed printing paper, a binding mechanism that binds the printed printing paper, a trimming mechanism that cuts the printed printing paper, and a shift sorter that sorts the printed printing paper. The reading unit I / F 311 is connected to the reading unit 316 and receives image data from the reading unit 316. This image data can be transmitted to the information processing device 104 via the wired NW_I / F 302 or the wireless NW_I / F 303. The reading unit 316 is a scanner having a document table and an image sensor, and also has a feeder (ADF) for transporting documents to be read.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 4(a) is a block diagram showing an example of the main software configuration of the information processing device. FIG. 4(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a scanner driver. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the information processing device 104 has an external I / F control unit 411, an OS 412, an internal I / F control unit 413, and a UI control unit 414. The information processing device 104 also has application software (first application) 415A, application software (second application) 415B, and a scanner driver (scan program) 416. These pieces of software owned by the information processing device 104 are stored in the ROM / RAM 207. The external I / F control unit 411 communicates with the server 101 using the wired NW_I / F 202 or the wireless NW_I / F 203. This communication enables connection to websites of manufacturers and vendors of image processing devices, OS vendors, and the like, which are located on the Internet 102. The external I / F control unit 411 also transmits scan jobs to the image processing device 105 and receives scanned image data from the image processing device 105. The OS 412 is an operating system that controls the overall operation of the information processing device 104. The internal I / F control unit 413 stores and reads out the OS 412, a scanner driver 416, application software 415B, etc. The UI control unit 414 can notify the user of various information and accept instructions from the user using the display unit 211 and input unit 212.

[0019] The application software 415A is, for example, software for creating documents or software for creating drawings. The application software 415A is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include Microsoft Word (registered trademark), which is a document creation software, and Microsoft PowerPoint (registered trademark), which is a presentation creation software. The application software 415B is software different from the application software 415A. In this embodiment, the application software 415B is software that complies with the Electronic Bookkeeping Act (a specified law), i.e., accounting software. The Electronic Bookkeeping Act is a law that allows the data storage of tax-related books and documents, and by utilizing various systems based on this law, accounting can be digitized. The tax-related books and documents include national tax-related books and documents. Examples of national tax-related books include journals, general ledgers, sales ledgers, and purchase ledgers. Examples of national tax-related documents include settlement-related documents (balance sheets, profit and loss statements, etc.) and transaction documents (invoices, estimates, etc.). The application software 415B is not limited to software that complies with the Electronic Bookkeeping Act, and may be, for example, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark), a spreadsheet software. The application software 415A and the application software 415B can each send a scan job to the image processing device 105 via the scanner driver 416. Furthermore, the application software 415A and the application software 415B can each receive, from the image processing device 105, scanned image data that is generated by the image processing device 105 based on the scan job. The scanner driver 416 is used when the image processing device 105 executes a scan function.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4B, the scanner driver 416 includes a setting acceptance unit 421, an operation unit 422, a scanner image acquisition unit 423, an output unit 424, a boot source analysis unit 425, and a driver setting management unit 426. The setting acceptance unit 421 displays, for example, a screen showing the operation mode of the application software 415B or a screen showing options for the image processing device 105 recognized by the OS 412 on the UI control unit 414, and accepts setting change instructions and image acquisition instructions on the displayed screen. The operation unit 422 executes processing corresponding to, for example, the selection of the image processing device 105 recognized by the OS 412, a setting change of the scanner driver 416, etc. When the application software 415A or 415B instructs the scanner driver 416 to acquire image data, the scanner image acquisition unit 423 issues the instruction to the image processing device 105. The scanner image acquisition unit 423 then acquires scanned image data from the image processing device 105. The output unit 424 outputs the scanned image data and passes it to the application software 415A or 415B. The boot source analysis unit 425 is called by the OS 412 when the application software 415A or 415B requests the OS 412 to select the image processing device 415. When the boot source analysis unit 425 performs initialization processing for the scanner driver 416, it acquires and analyzes information about the application software 415A or 415B that is the source of the image data request. The driver setting management unit 426 calls the setting values ​​of the scanner driver 416 held for each application software 415A or 415B according to the result of the boot source analysis unit 425. Furthermore, if there is no registered information for the application software 415B, for example, the driver setting management unit 426 adds information about the application software 415B as new setting information for the scanner driver 416.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an image processing device. As shown in FIG. 5, the image processing device 105 includes an external I / F control unit (image processing device external I / F control unit) 511 and an OS (image processing device OS) 512. The image processing device 105 also includes a print control unit 513, a print unit 514, a UI control unit (image processing device UI control unit) 515, an operation control unit 516, an operation unit 517, a reading control unit 518, and a reading unit 519. These pieces of software included in the image processing device 105 are stored in the ROM / RAM 307. The external I / F control unit 511 receives scan jobs from the information processing device 104 and transmits image data acquired by scanning using the reading unit 316 to the information processing device 104 using the wired NW_I / F 302 or the wireless NW_I / F 303. The OS 512 is an operating system that controls the overall operation of the image processing device 105. The OS 512 transmits and receives information between the various pieces of software included in the image processing device 105. The print control unit 513 converts image data from the wired NW_I / F 302, wireless NW_I / F 303, and USB_I / F 304 into a format that can be processed by the print unit 514 and transmits the converted image data to the print unit 514. The print unit 514 prints the image data from the print control unit 513 on printing paper. The UI control unit 515 can notify the user of various information and accept instructions from the user using the input unit 314. The operation control unit 516 switches functions such as a copy function, printer function, and scan function when the image processing device 105 is an MFP. The operation unit 517 executes the copy function, printer function, scan function, etc. in accordance with the function switching by the operation control unit 516. The reading control unit 518 transmits the image data read by the reading unit 519 to the wired NW_I / F 302 , the wireless NW_I / F 303 , and the USB_I / F 304 , or to the memory controller 308 to store the image data in the external storage device 312 .

[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the image processing device. The program based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is started when the main power of the image processing device 105 is turned on and the image processing device 105 is ready for use. The image processing device 105 is configured to be switchable between a first scan and a second scan when executing a scan function using the reading unit 316. In the first scan, the scan function can be executed by setting the light intensity of the document to be read as a first light intensity. In the second scan, the scan function can be executed by setting the light intensity of the document to be read as a second light intensity, which is smaller than the first light intensity. Note that the second scan is sometimes referred to as "dark reading." Furthermore, capability information indicating that the first scan and the second scan can be switched is pre-stored in the ROM / RAM 307 of the image processing device 105. Some types of image processing devices 105 do not support the execution of the second scan. In this case, capability information indicating that the first scan can be executed, i.e., that the second scan cannot be executed, is stored in the image processing device 105. By acquiring the capability information, the information processing device 104 can determine whether the image processing device 105 is a device that can switch between the first scan and the second scan, or whether it is a device that can perform the first scan but cannot perform the second scan.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, in step S601, the CPU 306 of the image processing device 105 waits for an instruction to the image processing device 105. This instruction can be an instruction from an operation on the display unit 313 of the image processing device 105 or an instruction from the information processing device 104. The instruction content can be, for example, a copy or print execution by the image processing device 105, a capability information inquiry from the information processing device 104, or a scan execution by the image processing device 105. If the instruction received in step S601 is a copy or print execution by the image processing device 105, the process proceeds to step S602. If the instruction received in step S601 is a capability information inquiry from the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S603. If the instruction received in step S601 is a scan execution by the image processing device 105, the process proceeds to step S604. If the instruction received in step S601 is anything other than these, the process ends.

[0024] In step S602, the CPU 306 controls the printing unit 315 to perform copying or printing. After step S602 is executed, the process returns to step S601, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0025] In step S603, the CPU 306 returns capability information of the image processing device 105 to the information processing device 104. This capability information includes information on whether switching between the first scan and the second scan is possible. Other information may include, for example, information on whether to use a platen or an ADF to scan the document, the scanable document size (minimum size, maximum size), the number of colors (RGB 24 bit, Gray 8 bit, BW 2 bit), and other information that can be specified by TWAIN. The information may also include density adjustment red (a threshold for rounding the red component to the maximum value), density adjustment blue (a threshold for rounding the blue component to the maximum value), density adjustment green (a threshold for rounding the green component to the maximum value), and the like. After step S603 is executed, the process returns to step S601, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0026] In step S604, the CPU 306 controls the reading unit 316 to execute scanning based on the capability information of the image processing device 105. The image data of the document acquired by this scanning execution is stored, for example, in the external storage device 312 of the image processing device 105 or transmitted to the information processing device 104. After step S604 is executed, the process returns to step S601, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0027] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the information processing device. A program based on the flowchart shown in Fig. 7 is started when the main power supply of the information processing device 104 is turned on and the information processing device 104 is ready to use. As shown in Fig. 7, in step S701, the CPU 206 of the information processing device 104 performs initialization processing of various settings and starts up application software 415A and application software 415B.

[0028] In step S702, the CPU 206 waits for an instruction to the information processing device 104. The instruction may include, for example, changing the settings of the information processing device 104 and selecting the image processing device 105 to be used for document scanning. Other instructions include scanning the document with the image processing device 105 in a display state where the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 is displayed, and scanning the document with the image processing device 105 in a non-display state where the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 is not displayed on the display unit 211. If the instruction received in step S702 is to change the settings of the information processing device 104, the process proceeds to step S703. If the instruction received in step S702 is to select the image processing device 105 to be used for document scanning, the process proceeds to step S704. If the instruction received in step S702 is to scan the document with the image processing device 105 in a display state where the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 is displayed on the display unit 211, the process proceeds to step S705. If the instruction received in step S702 is to read a document in the image processing device 105 in a non-display state in which the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 is not displayed on the display unit 211, the process proceeds to step S706. If the instruction received in step S702 is anything other than these, the process ends.

[0029] In step S703, the CPU 206 executes processing in accordance with the change in the settings of the information processing device 104. Note that, in order to enable the image processing device 105 to be used as a device to be used for document scanning, it is necessary to set and register the scanner driver 416 in advance in the OS 412, and this processing is also executed in step S703. By registering the scanner driver 416, the information processing device 104 inquires of the image processing device 105 about its capability information. The capability information is then stored in the ROM / RAM 207 as a capability value of the scanner driver 416. There is no limit to the number of image processing devices 105 that can be set and registered in the OS 412 as a device to be used for document scanning. After executing step S703, the processing returns to step S702, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0030] In step S704, the CPU 206 displays on the display unit 211 a list of image processing devices 105 currently registered in the OS 412. The user of the information processing device 104 uses the input unit 212 to select a desired image processing device 105 from the list of image processing devices 105, i.e., the image processing device 105 that the user wishes to use to scan a document. The CPU 206 acquires capability information for the selected image processing device 105. The capability information also includes information on whether or not a document is placed in the ADF. This is because, if no document is placed in the ADF, it is necessary to notify this fact as an error. After step S704 is executed, the process returns to step S702, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0031] In step S705, CPU 206 starts scanner driver 416. Thereafter, scanner driver 416 executes the process of identifying the activation source and adjusting the setting values ​​(see FIG. 8A(a)), which will be described later. As a result of this process, CPU 206 acquires display information from ROM / RAM 207 for displaying the setting screen of scanner driver 416 on display unit 211. After step S705 is executed, the process proceeds to step S707.

[0032] In step S707, the CPU 206 displays a setting screen 1001 (see FIG. 10A) of the scanner driver 416 on the display unit 211 based on the display information acquired in step S705. This makes it possible to accept operations on the setting screen 1001 from the input unit 212. The setting screen 1001 will be described later. After step S707 is executed, the process proceeds to step S708.

[0033] In step S708, CPU 206 determines which of scan button 1008 and cancel button 1009 included in setting screen 1001 displayed in step S707 has been operated (pressed). If the determination in step S708 determines that scan button 1008 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S709. On the other hand, if the determination in step S708 determines that cancel button 1009 has been operated, the process returns to step S702, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0034] In step S709, the CPU 206 generates a scan job that instructs the image processing device 105 to execute a scan. This scan job is sent to the image processing device 105. This enables the image processing device 105 to execute a scan and generate a scanned image. After step S709 is executed, the process proceeds to step S710.

[0035] In step S710, CPU 206 receives from image processing device 105 a scanned image generated by scanning performed by image processing device 105. This scanned image is passed to application software 415A or 415B. After step S710 is executed, the process returns to step S702, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0036] In step S706 after step S702, the CPU 206 activates the scanner driver 416. As described above, step S706 is executed when the instruction received in step S702 is to scan a document in the image processing device 105 in a non-display state in which the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 is not displayed on the display unit 211. Therefore, the setting screen of the scanner driver 416 operates in background mode. Note that application software 415A or 415B that calls the scanner driver 416 in background mode typically uses TWAIN to enable various settings, and information related to these settings is also passed to the scanner driver 416. Of the setting information for the scanner driver 416 retrieved from the ROM / RAM 207, TWAIN setting items passed from the application software 415A or 415B are overwritten. In contrast, information on vendor-specific items that are not TWAIN setting items is not overwritten. The scanner driver 416 performs the process of identifying the launch source and adjusting setting values, which will be described later. As a result of this process, the CPU 206 obtains the setting information of the scanner driver 416 from the ROM / RAM 207. After step S706 is executed, the process proceeds to step S711.

[0037] In step S711, the CPU 206 generates a scan job that instructs the image processing device 105 to execute a scan. This scan job is sent to the image processing device 105. This enables the image processing device 105 to execute a scan and generate a scanned image. After step S711 is executed, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0038] In step S712, CPU 206 receives from image processing device 105 a scanned image generated by scanning performed by image processing device 105. This scanned image is passed to application software 415A or 415B. After step S712 is executed, the process returns to step S702, and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0039] Fig. 8A is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the scanner driver. Fig. 8A(a) is a flowchart showing the details of step S705 and step S706 (processing for identifying the activation source and adjusting the setting values) in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 8A(a), in step S801, the scanner driver 416 performs initialization processing as a TWAIN scanner driver.

[0040] In step S802, scanner driver 416 determines whether to execute the process of identifying the initiator and adjusting the setting values. Specifically, it is determined whether the process is to be executed when the document is read with the setting screen of scanner driver 416 in a displayed state (step S705) or when the document is read with the setting screen of scanner driver 416 in a hidden state (step S706). If it is determined in step S802 that the process is to be executed when the document is read with the setting screen of scanner driver 416 in a displayed state, the process proceeds to step S803. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that the process is to be executed when the document is read with the setting screen of scanner driver 416 in a hidden state, the process proceeds to step S804.

[0041] In step S803, the scanner driver 416 sets "internal variable UIFLG=ON" for subsequent internal processing.

[0042] In step S804, the scanner driver 416 sets "internal variable UIFLG=OFF" for subsequent internal processing. Note that step S804 is not limited to the process of setting "internal variable UIFLG=OFF" and may be, for example, a process using a registry or the like.

[0043] In step S805, the scanner driver 416 performs a process of acquiring information about the application to be launched, which will be described later.

[0044] In step S806, scanner driver 416 identifies and sets a set of settings for scanner driver 416 based on internal variable UIFLG and launch source application information matrix 821 (see FIG. 8B(a)). "Identifying and setting a set of settings for scanner driver 416" refers to a process in which scanner driver 416 selects one of setting value information 822, setting value information 823, setting value information 824, and setting value information 825. After step S806 is executed, the process ends.

[0045] Fig. 8A(b) is a flowchart showing the details of step S805 (launch source application information acquisition process) in the flowchart shown in Fig. 8A(a). As shown in Fig. 8A(b), in step S811, the scanner driver 416 acquires a command line character string for the current process that is launching the scanner driver 416.

[0046] In step S812, the scanner driver 416 determines whether the command line string acquired in step S811 includes the extension ".exe." The extension ".exe" is an extension that is added to a character string (name) that indicates an executable program when the OS 412 is Windows. If it is determined in step S812 that the extension ".exe" is included, the process proceeds to step S813. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S812 that the extension ".exe" is not included, the process proceeds to step S814.

[0047] In step S813, the scanner driver 416 determines whether the command line string acquired in step S811 includes the extension ".lnk." The extension ".lnk" is an extension that is added to a shortcut to a string indicating an executable program when the OS 412 is Windows. If the determination in step S813 determines that the extension ".lnk" is included, the process proceeds to step S815. On the other hand, if the determination in step S813 determines that the extension ".lnk" is not included, the process proceeds to step S817.

[0048] In step S814, the scanner driver 416 sets the value of the application to be started to the file name of the command line character string acquired in step S811 (for example, Xaccounting.exe).

[0049] In step S815, the scanner driver 416 acquires information about the executable program (.exe) at the link destination based on the shortcut (.lnk) of the command line character string acquired in step S811.

[0050] In step S816, the scanner driver 416 sets the value of the application to be started to the file name (for example, Xaccounting.exe) based on the shortcut acquired in step S811.

[0051] In step S817, the scanner driver 416 sets the value of the launch source application to a product name that can be acquired from the OS 412 using TWAIN. In this case, the value of the launch source application is not limited to, for example, the format "xxx.exe" and depends on the information provided to TWAIN.

[0052] FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining setting values. FIG. 8B(a) is a diagram showing an example of a relationship table between internal variables and file names. This relationship table is stored, for example, in the external storage device 210 of the information processing device 104. FIG. 8B(b) is an example of setting values ​​included in the scan job transmitted in step S709. As described above, in step S806, the scanner driver 416 identifies and sets a set of setting values ​​for the scanner driver 416 based on the internal variable UIFLG and the launch source application information matrix 821. For this setting, one of setting value information 822, setting value information 823, setting value information 824, and setting value information 825 is selected. In the launch source application information matrix 821 shown in FIG. 8B(a), if UIFLG=ON and the launch source application is XAccounting.exe, setting value information 822 is selected. If UIFLG=OFF and the launch source application is XAccounting.exe, setting value information 823 is selected. When UIFLG=ON and the launch source application is another application, the setting value information 824 is selected. When UIFLG=OFF and the launch source application is another application, the setting value information 824 is selected. Note that "X Accounting.exe" is an example of application software 415B, and the other application is an example of application software 415A. Information about the launch source application is stored in advance in the scanner driver 416 and is stored in the ROM / RAM 207 when the scanner driver 416 is set and registered in the OS 412 in step S703. As shown in FIG. 8B(b), the scan job includes a setting value group 826. The setting value group 826 is a set of setting values ​​related to scanning, i.e., a collection of information about TWAIN setting items and vendor-specific setting items. The image processing device 105 can obtain a desired image by operating in accordance with the setting value group 826.

[0053] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing details of step S707 (displaying a setting screen of the scanner driver) in the flowchart shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 9, in step S901, the scanner driver 416 displays a setting screen 1001 of the scanner driver 416 on the display unit 211 based on the display information acquired in step S705.

[0054] In step S902, the scanner driver 416 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the setting screen 1001 displayed in step S901. If the determination in step S902 determines that an operation has been performed on a button other than the cancel button 1009, the process proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if the determination in step S902 determines that an operation has been performed on the cancel button 1009, the process ends.

[0055] In step S903, the scanner driver 416 executes processing according to the operation in step S902.

[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 10(a) illustrates an example of a setting screen for the scanner driver. FIG. 10(b) illustrates an example of a screen for performing detailed density adjustment. The setting screen 1001 of the scanner driver 416 shown in FIG. 10(a) is a setting screen for setting execution conditions when executing a scan function, and is displayed on the display unit 211 of the information processing apparatus 104 (display step). The setting screen 1001 includes a Details button 1002, a Save Launch Link Setting button 1003, check boxes 1004, a preview area 1005, and configurable items 1006. The setting screen 1001 also includes a Preview button 1007, a Scan button 1008, and a Cancel button 1009. The configurable items 1006 include, for example, a first item 1006a, a second item 1006b, a third item 1006c, a fourth item 1006d, a fifth item 1006e, and a sixth item 1006f. The first item 1006a allows the user to select whether to use a platen or an ADF to scan the document. The second item 1006b allows the user to select the scanable size of the document. The third item 1006c allows the user to select the resolution at which the document will be scanned. The fourth item 1006d allows the user to select whether to scan the document in color, gray, or black and white. The fifth item 1006e allows the user to select the density at which the document will be scanned. The check box 1004 is a selection section for selecting whether to enable or disable the execution of the second scan. If the check box 1004 is checked, the execution of the second scan is enabled. On the other hand, if the check box 1004 is not checked, the execution of the second scan is disabled.

[0057] Operating the Details button 1002 displays a screen 1011 shown in FIG. 10B. The screen 1011 is used to perform detailed density adjustment. The screen 1011 includes a density adjustment all-colors setting 1011ALL, a density adjustment red (a threshold for rounding the red component to the maximum value) 1011R, a density adjustment green (a threshold for rounding the green component to the maximum value) 1011G, and a density adjustment blue (a threshold for rounding the blue component to the maximum value) 1011B. These settings are device vendor-specific and cannot be configured using TWAIN. The screen 1011 also includes a slider 1012 for rounding each color component. The further to the left the slider 1012 is moved, the wider the rounding range becomes. For example, when the slider 1012 is positioned to the left, a color component ranging from the maximum value of 255 to 245 is rounded to 255. Furthermore, when the slider 1012 is positioned at the rightmost position, the color components are not rounded, and if the value is 254, it remains as 254. This color setting is possible for the three primary colors of red, green, and blue. The three primary colors are expressed in 256 gradations from 0 to 255, and when the maximum brightness is red, green, and blue = 55, 255, 255, white is expressed, and when the minimum brightness is red, green, and blue = 0, 0, 0, black is expressed.

[0058] When the color sliders 1012 are positioned at the leftmost position, all colors, from pure white (red, green, blue = 255, 255, 255) to slightly dull colors (red, green, blue = 245, 245, 245), are processed as pure white (red, green, blue = 255, 255, 255). In this case, the background color of the paper, which is the background of the document, can be processed to pure white. Hereinafter, this processing may be referred to as "white processing." For example, consider a case where the document to be scanned is a tax-related book document and there are traces of corrections or other changes made to the tax-related book document. In this case, if white processing is performed, it would be difficult to visually identify the traces in the scanned image of the tax-related book document, which is not desirable under the Electronic Bookkeeping Act. Therefore, it is preferable to set the setting screen 1001 to the setting screen 1021 shown in FIG. 10(c). In the setting screen 1021, the check box 1004 is checked. In this state, each slider 1012 of the screen 1031 is forcibly positioned at the rightmost position. This prohibits the execution of white processing. It is preferable that the details button 1002, which is operated when displaying the screen 1031, is displayed in a grayed-out state. This restricts the display of the screen 1031, but internally, each slider 1012 of the screen 1031 is controlled as if it were forcibly positioned at the rightmost position. By prohibiting the execution of white processing and performing the second scan, which executes the scan function with the second light intensity, the scanned image of the tax-related book document becomes a state in which traces can be distinguished (identified), which is preferable in terms of the Electronic Bookkeeping Act.

[0059] As mentioned above, some types of image processing device 105 do not support the execution of the second scan. In this case, it is preferable that check box 1004 is displayed in gray. It is also preferable that along with the graying out of check box 1004, a notification be displayed that the execution of the second scan is not supported. This allows the user to understand that the image processing device 105 is a device that does not support the execution of the second scan.

[0060] By operating the preview button 1007, the execution result of the scan (execution step), i.e., the scanned image, can be visualized and the preview image can be displayed in the preview area 1005 (preview display step). Note that with the information processing device 104, it is also possible to select a desired area of ​​the preview image while checking the preview image displayed in the preview area 1005 and acquire an image of the selected portion. By operating the scan button 1008, a scan is executed under the setting conditions set in the configurable items 1006. By operating the cancel button 1009, the setting screen 1001 is closed.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the process of acquiring a preview image of a tax-related book or document. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram of the tax-related book or document that is the original to be read. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram of the tax-related book or document after corrections or other changes have been made to the tax-related book or document. FIG. 11(c) is a diagram of a preview image of the tax-related book or document. The tax-related book or document 1100A shown in FIG. 11(a) is an invoice with a white background. The tax-related book or document 1100A lists "¥XX,XXXX" as the invoice amount. If the "¥XX,XXXX" in this tax-related book or document 1100A is erased, for example with white correction fluid or correction tape, the invoice amount is overwritten with "¥YY,YYYY" to produce tax-related book or document 1100B, as shown in FIG. 11(b). Traces 1101 of the change to the invoice amount due to corrections remain in this tax-related book or document 1100B. Then, tax-related book document 1100B is read under the reading conditions of prohibiting white processing and performing a second scan. As a result, a preview image 1100C of tax-related book document 1100B is obtained. In preview image 1100C, trace 1101 of tax-related book document 1100B is visualized as it is and remains as trace 1102. This makes it possible to distinguish trace 1102, and preview image 1100C, i.e., the scanned image of tax-related book document 1100B, is an image that is preferable under the Electronic Book Preservation Act. Note that, in this embodiment, the reading conditions for tax-related book document 1100B include prohibiting white processing and performing a second scan, but are not limited thereto and may include at least performing a second scan.

[0062] As described above, in this embodiment, the scanner driver 416 of the information processing device 104 can cause the image processing device 105 to execute the scan function. The instruction to execute the scan function can be a first instruction from the application software 415A via the scanner driver 416, or a second instruction from the application software 415B via the scanner driver 416. When the scan function is executed, it is determined whether the instruction is the first instruction or the second instruction (determination step). This determination is made based on whether information about the application software 415B is registered in the scanner driver 416, i.e., whether or not the scanner driver 416 has information about the application software 415B. In this embodiment, the determination is made based on the table of relationships between internal variables and file names shown in FIG. 8B(a). If the determination result indicates that the instruction is the first instruction, the image processing device 105 is caused to execute the first scan (execution step). On the other hand, if the determination result indicates that the instruction is the second instruction, the image processing device 105 is caused to execute the second scan (execution step). By performing the second scan, when converting the original paper documents of tax-related books and documents into electronic documents in accordance with the Electronic Bookkeeping Act, it is possible to obtain legal scanned image data that is fully suitable for such electronic document conversion. This scanned image data is data that visualizes traces of corrections made on the paper document as they are. After the second scan is performed, a preview image 1100C (see FIG. 11(c)) can be displayed, for example. In the preview image 1100C, it is possible to confirm that traces of corrections made on the paper document remain as traces 1102.

[0063] Furthermore, in the information processing device 104, prior to the determination step, a setting screen 1001 (see FIG. 10(a)) can be displayed. If it is determined that the instruction is the second instruction, a check box 1004 in the setting screen 1001 is forcibly (automatically) checked, i.e., the second scan execution is selected (see FIG. 10(c)). If the scan button 1008 is operated with the check box 1004 checked, the second scan is executed in the image processing device 105. Note that if it is determined that the instruction is the first instruction, the check box 1004 is displayed in gray out. This prohibits operation on the check box 1004.

[0064] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. Differences from the previous embodiment will be mainly described, and similar details will not be described again. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the display of the scanner driver setting screen according to the second embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, steps S901 and S902 are executed in sequence. In step S902, the scanner driver 416 determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the setting screen 1001 displayed in step S901. If the determination in step S902 determines that an operation has been performed on a button other than the Cancel button 1009 or the Save Launch Destination Link Setting button 1003, the process proceeds to step S903. If the determination in step S902 determines that the Save Launch Destination Link Setting button 1003 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S1101. If the determination in step S902 determines that the Cancel button 1009 has been operated, the process ends.

[0065] In step S1101, the scanner driver 416 updates the setting value information where UIFLG=On and the currently launched application intersect in the matrix 821 (see FIG. 8B(a)) with the setting contents on the setting screen. For example, if the currently launched application is "XAccounting.exe," the setting value information 822 is updated. After step S1101 is executed, the process proceeds to step S1102.

[0066] In step S1102, the scanner driver 416 updates the setting value information in matrix 821 where UIFLG=OFF and the currently launched application intersect with the settings on the setting screen, in the portion of the setting value information that cannot be set in TWAIN (the portion of the setting value for the vendor-specific item). For example, if the currently launched application is "XAccounting.exe," the scanner driver 416 changes and saves the vendor-specific items in setting value information 823, namely, the Electronic Bookkeeping Act settings and the density adjustments for each of the red, blue, and green colors (thresholds for rounding to the maximum value of the color components). Also, if the currently launched application is "ZDetails.exe," the scanner driver 416 changes and saves the vendor-specific items in setting value information 833, namely, the Electronic Bookkeeping Act settings and the density adjustments for each of the red, blue, and green colors (thresholds for rounding to the maximum value of the color components).

[0067] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating setting values. The scanner driver 416 can identify and set a set of setting values ​​for the scanner driver 416 based on a matrix 831 shown in FIG. 13. For this setting, one of setting value information 832, setting value information 833, setting value information 822, setting value information 823, setting value information 824, and setting value information 825 is selected. For example, if the currently launched application (e.g., "ZDetails.exe") is not present in the matrix 821 in step S1101, a new frame for "ZDetails.exe" with UIFLG=On and UIFLG=OFF is generated, as shown in the matrix 831. Then, setting value information 832 and setting value information 833 are generated based on the settings on the current setting screen. Note that the TWAIN item in the setting value information 833 at this time is set to a default setting value previously stored in the scanner driver 416. This is because the application software 415B overwrites the setting of the TWAIN item with UIFLG=OFF to generate a scan job. As described above, in this embodiment, even if information about the application to be launched is not registered in advance in the scanner driver 416, the update in step S1101 makes it possible to identify the scanner driver 416 as a new application to be launched.

[0068] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0069] The disclosure of each embodiment includes the following programs, storage media, configurations, and methods. (Program 1) A scanning program used when executing a scanning function for an image forming apparatus having a scanning function that scans an original while irradiating the original with light, On the computer, a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when causing the image forming apparatus to execute the scan function; and an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the judgment in the judgment step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application. (Program 2) A scanning program according to Program 1, characterized in that prior to the judgment process, the computer is caused to execute a display process for displaying a setting screen for setting execution conditions when executing the scanning function. (Program 3) The setting screen includes a selection section for selecting whether to enable or disable execution of the scan function at the second light intensity, A scanning program described in program 2, characterized in that the selection unit forcibly selects the valid option when the judgment step determines that the instruction is from the second application. (Program 4) A scanning program according to Program 3, characterized in that the selection unit displays the instruction in gray if it is determined in the determination process that the instruction is from the first application. (Program 5) Information about the second application can be registered in the scan program, A scanning program described in any one of programs 1 to 4, characterized in that in the judgment process, when determining whether the instruction is from the first application or the second application, the judgment is made based on the presence or absence of information regarding the second application. (Program 6) The second application is an application that complies with a predetermined law, The manuscript is a tax-related book document, and there are traces of changes made to the tax-related book document, A scanning program described in any one of programs 1 to 5, characterized in that in the execution process, when the scanning function is executed with the second light intensity, the second light intensity is set to an extent that makes the traces distinguishable. (Program 7) A scanning program described in any one of Programs 1 to 6, characterized in that after the execution step, the computer is caused to execute a preview display step of visualizing the execution result of the execution step and displaying a preview image. (Storage Medium 1) A storage medium having stored therein a scan program according to any one of Programs 1 to 7. (Configuration 1) An information processing apparatus having a scanning function for scanning an original while irradiating the original with light, the information processing apparatus including a scanning program used when the scanning function is executed, The scanning program is configured to a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when causing the image forming apparatus to execute the scan function; and an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the determination in the determination step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application. (Method 1) A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a scanning function that scans an original while irradiating it with light, comprising: a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when causing the image forming apparatus to execute the scan function; and an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the determination in the determination step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 104 Information processing equipment 105 Image processing device 201 Mainboard 301 Mainboard 415A Application Software 415B Application Software 416 Scanner Driver 1001 Settings screen 1004 Checkbox

Claims

1. A scanning program used when executing a scanning function for an image forming apparatus having a scanning function for scanning an original while irradiating the original with light, On the computer, a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when the image forming apparatus is caused to execute the scan function; a scanning program that executes an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scanning function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the judgment in the judgment step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scanning function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application.

2. 2. The scanning program according to claim 1, further comprising a display step of displaying a setting screen for setting execution conditions for executing the scanning function, prior to the determining step.

3. the setting screen includes a selection section for selecting whether to enable or disable execution of the scan function at the second light intensity, The scanning program according to claim 2, characterized in that, in the selection unit, when it is determined in the determination step that the instruction is from the second application, the valid state is forcibly selected.

4. 4. The scanning program according to claim 3, wherein the selection section is displayed in a grayed-out state when it is determined in the determining step that the instruction is from the first application.

5. information about the second application can be registered in the scan program; The scanning program according to claim 1, characterized in that in the judgment process, when determining whether the instruction is from the first application or the second application, the judgment is made based on the presence or absence of information regarding the second application.

6. the second application is an application that complies with a predetermined law, The manuscript is a tax-related book document, and there are traces of changes made to the tax-related book document, The scanning program according to claim 1, wherein in the execution step, when the scanning function is executed with the second light amount, the second light amount is set to a level that makes the trace distinguishable.

7. 2. The scanning program according to claim 1, further comprising a preview display step of visualizing a result of the execution step and displaying a preview image after the execution step.

8. A storage medium storing the scanning program according to claim 1.

9. An information processing apparatus having a scanning function for scanning an original while irradiating the original with light, the information processing apparatus including a scanning program used when the scanning function is executed, The scanning program is configured to a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when the image forming apparatus is caused to execute the scan function; an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the judgment in the judgment step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application.

10. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a scanning function that scans an original while irradiating the original with light, comprising: a determining step of determining whether an instruction to execute the scan function is an instruction from a first application or an instruction from a second application different from the first application when the image forming apparatus is caused to execute the scan function; and an execution step of causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the first application as a result of the judgment in the judgment step, and causing the image forming device to execute the scan function with a second light amount that is smaller than the first light amount if it is determined that the instruction is from the second application.

Images