Image reading device

Abstract

This allows image data to be split using a code based on a desired splitting method, without having to store the splitting method in the code beforehand. [Solution] If the control unit 10 detects a code through the code detection process and receives a normal splitting instruction via the operation unit 16, it performs a normal splitting process on the image data, including the original image of the page containing the code, and splitting the image data at the location of the page containing the code. If the control unit 10 detects a code through the code detection process and receives an exclusion splitting instruction via the operation unit 16, it performs an exclusion splitting process on the image data, excluding the original image of the page containing the code, and splitting the image data at the location of the page containing the code.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for executing a predetermined process using a code detected from image data.

Background Art

[0002] A technique is known for detecting a code such as a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark) from image data showing a document image and executing a predetermined process using the detected code.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for creating character data of related information stored in a two-dimensional code detected from image data and embedding the created character data at the position of the two-dimensional code in the image data to create a document file.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for displaying, on a display unit, a screen for allowing a user to select a desired code when a plurality of codes are detected from a scanned image and executing a process using the selected code.

[0005] Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for sorting a plurality of documents according to a sorting method stored in a two-dimensional code detected from image data showing a plurality of documents including two-dimensional codes on some pages.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] When dividing image data representing multi-page manuscript images, it is convenient to be able to divide it using a code. The technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider the division of image data representing multi-page manuscript images. Patent Document 3 has the problem that it requires the user to create the code in advance because the division method must be stored in the code beforehand.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to enable the division of image data using a code with a desired division method without having to store the division method in the code in advance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an image reading unit that reads multiple documents page by page and generates image data showing images of multiple pages of documents; an operation unit into which user instructions are input; and a control unit that performs a code detection process on the image data to detect a predetermined code. When a code is detected by the code detection process and a normal splitting instruction is received via the operation unit, the control unit performs a normal splitting process on the image data to split it at the location of the page containing the code, including the image of the page containing the code. When a code is detected by the code detection process and an exclusion splitting instruction is received via the operation unit, the control unit performs an exclusion splitting process on the image data to split it at the location of the page containing the code, excluding the image of the page containing the code. The new image data generated by the normal splitting process or the exclusion splitting process is converted into an image file in a predetermined format. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, since the image data is divided using a code in accordance with an instruction indicating a division method received via an operation unit, there is no need to previously store the division method in the code. As a result, the user's labor required for code creation can be saved, and thus the convenience for the user is further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of a job selection screen. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of a destination selection screen. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a destination setting screen. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a code setting screen. [Figure 7A] It is a diagram showing an example of a detection area setting screen. [Figure 7B] It is a diagram showing an example of a detection area setting screen. [Figure 8A] It is a diagram showing an example of a transmission file setting screen. [Figure 8B] It is a diagram showing an example of a transmission file setting screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a file name setting screen. [Figure 10A] It is a flowchart showing file transmission processing. [Figure 10B] It is a flowchart showing file transmission processing. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of image data showing a multi-page original image. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining normal division processing. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining exclusion division processing. [Figure 14A] It is a diagram showing an example when a code is not detected. [Figure 14B] This is a diagram showing another example when a code is not detected. [Figure 15] This is a diagram showing an example of a reset screen.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a document conveyance unit 6, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, and a conveyance unit 17, etc.

[0015] The document conveyance unit 6 conveys the documents placed on the document table one by one to the reading position of the image reading unit 11. The document conveyance unit 6 is configured to be able to open and close the platen glass 7 by rotating in the vertical direction around the support shaft on the back side of the paper surface in FIG. 1. The document conveyance unit 6 also functions as a cover for pressing the document on the platen glass 7 from above.

[0016] The image reading unit 11 is a scanner that optically reads a document and generates image data indicating the document image. The image reading unit 11 reads the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit 6 or the document placed on the platen glass 7.

[0017] The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. Based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11, or image data input via the communication unit 22, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on the paper P that is transported along the transport path T by the transport unit 17.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 fixes the toner image to the paper P by heating and pressurizing the paper P on which the toner image has been formed. The paper P on which the toner image has been fixed and the image has been formed is discharged into the output tray 8.

[0019] The paper feeding unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and multiple paper feed cassettes. The paper feeding unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out sheets of paper P stored in one of the multiple paper feed cassettes or placed in the manual feed tray one by one and feeds them into the transport path T. Note that the paper P is not limited to paper media and may be, for example, an OHP (Overhead Projector) sheet.

[0020] The display unit 15 is a liquid crystal display or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, etc. The display unit 15 displays various screens.

[0021] The operation unit 16 includes several hard keys, such as a start key 16A, for inputting commands to start execution of processes such as copying or scanning. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B that is positioned on top of the display unit 15. User instructions are input to the operation unit 16.

[0022] The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A and an discharge roller pair 17B, etc., and a transport motor. When the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. are rotated by the drive of the transport motor, the paper P fed by the paper feeding unit 14 is transported along the transport path T.

[0023] Referring to Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a control unit 100, an HDD 18 (Hard Disk Drive), an image processing unit 19, an image memory 20, a facsimile communication unit 21, and a communication unit 22.

[0024] The control unit 100 includes a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0025] The control unit 100 functions as a control unit 10 when a control program stored in ROM or HDD 18 is executed by the processor. The control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 may also be configured using logic circuits, rather than relying on operation based on a control program.

[0026] The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the document transport unit 6, image reading unit 11, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feeding unit 14, display unit 15, operation unit 16, transport unit 17, HDD 18, image processing unit 19, image memory 20, facsimile communication unit 21, and communication unit 22, etc.

[0027] In this embodiment, the control unit 100, document transport unit 6, image reading unit 11, display unit 15, operation unit 16, HDD 18, image processing unit 19, image memory 20, facsimile communication unit 21, and communication unit 22 function as an image reading device 2.

[0028] HDD18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various types of data. HDD18 stores various control programs for realizing the general operation of the image forming apparatus 1. As part of the above-mentioned control programs, HDD18 stores a transmission program for executing the file transmission process described later, and an analysis program for executing a general code analysis process that analyzes a code detected from image data and obtains the information stored in that code.

[0029] The image processing unit 19 performs image processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 as needed. The image memory 20 temporarily stores the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 transmits and receives image data via a public network.

[0030] The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The control unit 10 performs data communication with external devices such as a PC (Personal Computer) 23 connected via the network through the communication unit 22.

[0031] Each part of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a power supply. When the user turns on the power, power is supplied from the power supply to each part of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0032] [Operation] The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 during file transmission processing will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 13, etc.

[0033] When the control unit 10 receives a command to select the code scan function via the operation unit 16, it displays the job selection screen 30 shown in Figure 3 on the display unit 15. When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the key 32 on the job selection screen 30, the control unit 10 receives a command to select a transmission job and displays the destination selection screen 40 shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 15.

[0034] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on one of the multiple checkboxes 42 corresponding to each of the multiple destinations, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a check mark on the touched checkbox 42. If, while a check mark is displayed on at least one of the multiple checkboxes 42, the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on a key 44, the control unit 10 displays the destination setting screen 50 shown in Figure 5 on the display unit 15.

[0035] The control unit 10 displays a list 52 on the destination setting screen 50 on the display unit 15, showing all destinations selected on the destination selection screen 40. In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the key 54, the control unit 10 sets all destinations shown in the list 52 as destinations for the transmission job. In this embodiment, a maximum of 10 destinations can be set for each transmission job.

[0036] Once the destination for the transmission job is set as described above, the control unit 10 displays the code setting screen 60 shown in Figure 6 on the display unit 15. When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on one of the multiple keys 62 for selecting the type of code to be detected, the control unit 10 displays the color of the touched key 62 on the display unit 15 in a different color from the other keys 62.

[0037] Multiple keys 62 correspond to, for example, Aztec, Codabar, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Data Matrix, EAN-8, EAN-13, IATA 2 of 5, Industrial 2 of 5, Interleaved 2 of 5, Matrix 2 of 5, MaxiCode, Patch, PDF417, Postnet, QR code, UCC-128, UPC-A, or UPC-E, respectively.

[0038] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on key 64 while at least one of the multiple keys 62 is displayed in a different color, the control unit 10 sets the type of code corresponding to the key 62 displayed in a different color as the type of code to be detected. Once the type of code to be detected is set in this way, the control unit 10 displays the detection area setting screen 70 shown in Figures 7A and 7B on the display unit 15.

[0039] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the button 71 on the detection area setting screen 70, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a pull-down list near the button 71 for selecting either the entire or a part of the detection area in the original image.

[0040] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on the selection area representing the entire document in the pull-down list, the control unit 10 displays the string "Whole document" in box 72 on the display unit 15, as shown in Figure 7A. In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on key 78, the control unit 10 receives a detection area setting instruction and sets the entire document image as the detection area.

[0041] On the other hand, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on a selection area that represents a part of the pull-down list, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the string "Parts of the document" in box 72, as shown in Figure 7B. At this time, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a button 73 for setting the size of the detection area in an operable manner.

[0042] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the button 73, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a pull-down list near the button 73 for selecting either "9 divisions" or "16 divisions" for setting the size of the detection area.

[0043] For example, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on the selection area indicating "9 divisions" in the pull-down list, the control unit 10 displays the string "3x3 (3 vertical columns, 3 horizontal columns)" in the box 74 on the display unit 15, as shown in Figure 7B, and displays an image 75 in the display area 76 that includes nine areas arranged in 3 vertical columns and 3 horizontal columns, with area numbers 1 to 9 assigned from the top left to the bottom right.

[0044] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on any area of ​​the image 75, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the color of the touched area in a different color from the other areas. In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a touch operation on the key 78, the control unit 10 receives a detection area setting instruction and sets the selected area (specifically, information indicating the size and area number of the detection area) as the detection area.

[0045] Once the detection area is set as described above, the control unit 10 displays the transmission file setting screen 80 shown in Figures 8A and 8B on the display unit 15. When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the button 81 on the transmission file setting screen 80, the control unit 10 displays a pull-down list 82 near the button 81 on the display unit 15 for selecting one of the following for image data splitting settings: no splitting, normal splitting, or excluded splitting.

[0046] Here, "non-split" means that the image data will not be split. "Normal split" means that the image data will be split at the location of the page containing the code, including the original image of the page containing the code. "Exclusion split" means that the image data will be split at the location of the page containing the code, excluding the original image of the page containing the code.

[0047] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the selection area indicating exclusion division in the pull-down list 82, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the string "On-Exclude originals with barcode" in box 83, as shown in Figure 8A.

[0048] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the selection area indicating normal division in the pull-down list 82, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the string "On-Include originals with barcode" in box 83.

[0049] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on a selection area in the pull-down list 82 that indicates non-splitting, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the string "Off" in box 83, as shown in Figure 8B.

[0050] When non-split mode is selected, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display an operable checkbox 84 for selecting whether or not to send the image file. When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the checkbox 84, the control unit 10 displays a check mark on the checkbox 84.

[0051] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on one of several keys 85 for selecting the file format of an image file, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the detected key 85 in a different color than the other keys 85. The multiple keys 85 correspond to, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format), high-compression PDF format, or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).

[0052] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on a checkbox 86 for selecting whether or not to send code data, the control unit 10 displays a check mark on the checkbox 86, as shown in Figure 8B. At this time, the control unit 10 displays multiple keys 87 on the display unit 15 for selecting the file format of the text file indicating the code data, in an operable manner.

[0053] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on one of the multiple keys 87, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the color of the touched key 87 in a different color from the other keys 87. The multiple keys 87 each correspond to, for example, CSV (Comma Separated Value) format or TXT format.

[0054] In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the key 88, the control unit 10 sets the image data splitting setting to unsplit, normal split, or excluded split according to the contents displayed in box 83. If a check mark is displayed in check box 84, the control unit 10 sets the image file transmission setting to "required," and if no check mark is displayed, it sets the image file transmission setting to "unnecessary."

[0055] The control unit 10 sets the file format of the image file to the file format corresponding to the key 85 that is displayed in a different color. If a check mark is displayed in check box 86, the control unit 10 sets the code data transmission setting to "Required," and if a check mark is not displayed, it sets the code data transmission setting to "Not Required." The control unit 10 sets the file format of the text file to the file format corresponding to the key 87 that is displayed in a different color.

[0056] Furthermore, if the control unit 10 sets the image data splitting setting to "non-split," it sets at least one of the image file transmission setting and the code data transmission setting to "required." In other words, in this embodiment, it is not assumed that when the image data splitting setting is set to "non-split," neither the image file transmission setting nor the code data transmission setting will be set to "unnecessary."

[0057] Once the various settings related to the file to be sent have been made as described above, the control unit 10 displays the file name setting screen 90 shown in Figure 9 on the display unit 15. When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the checkbox 92 for selecting manual input of the file name, the control unit 10 displays a check mark on the checkbox 92.

[0058] At this time, the control unit 10 displays a box 94 for entering a file name on the display unit 15 in an operable manner. When the touch panel 16B detects, for example, a user input operation on the software keyboard, the control unit 10 displays the entered characters or string in the box 94 on the display unit 15. In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the key 98, the control unit 10 sets the file name to "manual input" and stores the entered characters or string in, for example, RAM.

[0059] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on the checkbox 96 for selecting automatic file name generation, the control unit 10 displays a check mark on the checkbox 96. In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch on the key 98, the control unit 10 sets the file name setting to "automatic generation".

[0060] (File transfer process) Once the file name is set as described above, the control unit 10 starts executing the file transmission process shown in Figures 10A and 10B.

[0061] The control unit 10 first instructs the image reading unit 11 to read the multiple documents that are sequentially transported one by one by the document transport unit 6, page by page, and generate image data showing the images of multiple pages of the documents (step S10). In this case, as shown in Figure 11, the image reading unit 11 generates image data 110 showing the document images 101 to 107 from the first page to the seventh page.

[0062] After the processing in step S10, the control unit 10 performs a code detection process (step S11) to detect a predetermined code in the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. Here, the control unit 10 sets the entire original image as the detection area and sets the QR (Quick Response) code as the type of code to be detected.

[0063] In this case, in step S11, the control unit 10 performs a process to detect a QR code in the detection area (i.e., the entire document image) of each of the original document images 101 to 107 from the first to the seventh page shown in Figure 11. After the processing in step S11, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a code has been detected by the code detection process (step S12).

[0064] (1) If a code is detected In this case, since QR codes are detected from the original image 101 on the first page, the original image 104 on the fourth page, and the original image 106 on the sixth page, the control unit 10 determines that a code has been detected (YES in step S12) and determines whether or not a non-splitting instruction has been received regarding the splitting of the image data (step S13).

[0065] (1-1) If normal splitting is set If the control unit 10 has set normal division as the image data division setting, it determines that it has not received a non-division instruction (NO in step S13) and that it has received a normal division instruction (YES in step S14), and then performs a normal division process on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 to generate new image data (step S15).

[0066] In this case, as shown in Figure 12, the control unit 10 divides the image data 110 showing the original document images 101 to 107 from the first to the seventh page at the position immediately before the original document image 101 on the first page, the original document image 104 on the fourth page, and the original document image 106 on the sixth page, which contain the QR code, and generates new image data 120, 122, and 124.

[0067] New image data 120 shows original document images 101 to 103 from pages 1 to 3. New image data 122 shows original document images 104 and 105 from pages 4 to 5. New image data 124 shows original document images 106 and 107 from pages 6 to 7. Thus, new image data 120, 122, and 124 include original document images of pages containing QR codes.

[0068] (1-2) If exclusion splitting is set If the control unit 10 has set exclusion division as the division setting for image data, it determines that it has not received a non-division instruction (NO in step S13) and that it has not received a normal division instruction (i.e., it has received an exclusion division instruction) (NO in step S14), and executes exclusion division processing on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 to generate new image data (step S16).

[0069] In this case, as shown in Figure 13, the control unit 10 divides the image data 110 showing the original document images 101 to 107 from the first to the seventh page at the position immediately before the original document image 101 on the first page, the original document image 104 on the fourth page, and the original document image 106 on the sixth page, which contain the QR code. Furthermore, it excludes the original document images 101, 104, and 106 on the pages containing the QR code to generate new image data 130, 132, and 134.

[0070] New image data 130 shows original document images 102 and 103 from pages 2 to 3. New image data 132 shows original document image 105 from page 5. New image data 134 shows original document image 107 from page 7. Thus, new image data 130, 132, and 134 do not include original document images of pages containing QR codes.

[0071] After processing in step S15 or step S16, the control unit 10 converts the newly generated image data into an image file in a predetermined file format (step S17). Here, the control unit 10 is set to PDF format as the file format for the image file. In this case, in step S17, the control unit 10 converts the new image data 120, 122, 124, or the new image data 130, 132, 134 into an image file in PDF format.

[0072] After processing in step S17, the control unit 10 analyzes the code detected from the image data and obtains the code data stored in the code (step S18). In this case, the control unit 10 obtains the string "12" from the QR code detected from the original image 101, the string "34" from the QR code detected from the original image 104, and the string "56" from the QR code detected from the original image 106 as code data.

[0073] After processing in step S18, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to generate a file name (step S19). If "automatic generation" is set as the file name setting, the control unit 10 determines to generate a file name (YES in step S19), generates a file name using the code data, and assigns it to the image file (step S20).

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 10 generates filenames by combining a predetermined string, "New_transaction_", with a string obtained from the code. In this case, the control unit 10 assigns the filename "New_transaction_12" to the image file generated from image data 120 or 130, the filename "New_transaction_34" to the image file generated from image data 122 or 132, and the filename "New_transaction_56" to the image file generated from image data 124 or 134.

[0075] On the other hand, if "manual input" is set as the file name setting, the control unit 10 determines that it will not generate a file name (NO in step S19), and for example, retrieves the input string from RAM via the operation unit 16, and adds the retrieved string as the file name to the image file (step S21).

[0076] After processing in step S20 or step S21, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to send the code data (step S22). If the code data transmission setting is set to "Required", the control unit 10 determines to send the code data (YES in step S22) and generates a text file indicating the code data (step S23).

[0077] Here, the control unit 10 is set to CSV format as the file format for the text file. In this case, in step S23, the control unit 10 generates a CSV format text file that shows the strings "12, 34, 56" obtained from the QR codes contained in each of the original images 101, 104, and 106.

[0078] After processing in step 23, the control unit 10 sends the generated image file and text file to the shared folder indicated by the configured destination via the communication unit 22 using the SMB (Server Message Block) transmission function or the FTP (File Transfer Protocol) transmission function (step S24).

[0079] On the other hand, if the code data transmission setting is set to "not required", the control unit 10 determines that it will not send the code data (NO in step S22) and sends only the generated image file to the shared folder indicated by the set destination using the SMB transmission function or FTP transmission function (step S24). After processing in step S24, the control unit 10 terminates the file transmission process.

[0080] (1-3) If non-splitting is set If the control unit 10 has set the image data to be undivided (YES in step S13), the control unit 10 determines whether or not to send the image file (step S25).

[0081] If the control unit 10 has set "Required" for sending image files, it determines to send the image files (YES in step S25) and executes the process from step S17 onwards in the same manner as above. If the control unit 10 has set "Not Required" for sending image files, it determines not to send the image files (NO in step S25) and executes the process from step S23 onwards in the same manner as above.

[0082] (2) If no code is detected If the control unit 10 is unable to detect a code from the image data through the code detection process, for example, because the type of code to be detected is incorrectly set (NO in step S12), it displays an error screen on the display unit 15 indicating that the code could not be detected (step S26). After the processing in step S26, the control unit 10 terminates the file transmission process.

[0083] According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 detects a code by the code detection process and receives a normal division instruction via the operation unit 16, it performs a normal division process on the image data. When the control unit 10 detects a code by the code detection process and receives an exclusion division instruction via the operation unit 16, it performs an exclusion division process on the image data.

[0084] In this way, the image data division process using the code is executed according to the instruction indicating the division method received via the operation unit 16, eliminating the need to pre-store the division method in the code. As a result, the user's effort required to create the code is reduced, further improving user convenience.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 retrieves a string stored in the code and uses the retrieved string to generate the image file name. This eliminates the need for the user to input the file name via the operation unit 16, etc., thereby further improving user convenience.

[0086] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 retrieves the string stored in the code and generates a text file showing the retrieved string. This allows the user to easily check the information stored in all detected codes. Therefore, user convenience is further improved.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the control unit 10 receives instructions via the operation unit 16 to set a detection area in the original image, and performs code detection processing for the set detection area in each of the multiple pages of the original image. This prevents unnecessary scanning of areas where no code exists. As a result, the code detection processing can be performed more efficiently.

[0088] (First variation) In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 displayed an error screen on the display unit 15 when no code was detected by the code detection process, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

[0089] For example, as shown in Figure 14A, if the detection area size is set to "9 divisions" and the area number is set to "3", and a code exists across the areas corresponding to area numbers "2" and "3" in the original image 140, the control unit 10 will not be able to detect the code through the code detection process.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14B, if the detection area size is set to "16 divisions" and the area number is set to "4", and a code exists across the areas corresponding to area numbers "3" and "4" in the original image 140, the control unit 10 will not be able to detect the code through the code detection process.

[0091] In this manner, if a part of the original image (specifically, information indicating the size and region number of the detection area) is set as the detection area, and no code is detected by the code detection process, the control unit 10 displays the reset screen 150 shown in Figure 15 on the display unit 15 for resetting the detection area.

[0092] At this time, the control unit 10, based on the detection area set at the time the reset screen 150 is displayed, for example, displays the string "Parts of the document" in box 72 on the display unit 15, and displays the string "3x3 (3 rows vertically, 3 columns horizontally)" in box 74 on the display unit 15.

[0093] The control unit 10 further displays a preview image 152 in the display area 76, which includes nine regions arranged in a 3x3 grid with region numbers 1 to 9 assigned from the top left to the bottom right.

[0094] When the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the areas with area numbers "2" and "3" in image 152, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the touched area in a different color from the other areas.

[0095] In this situation, when the touch panel 16B detects a user touch operation on the key 78, the control unit 10 receives a command to reset the detection area, resets the selected area (specifically, information indicating the size and number of the detection area) as the detection area, and performs code detection processing on the reset detection area in each of the multiple original images.

[0096] According to the first modification, the user can readjust the detection area while viewing the preview image 152. Therefore, even if the initial setting of the detection area was incorrect, the user can accurately set the detection area during the readjustment process. Thus, user convenience is further improved.

[0097] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 sent at least one of the image file and the text file to a set destination, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when the touch panel 16B detects a user's touch operation on the key 34 of the job selection screen 30, the control unit 10 receives an instruction to select a job to save. In this case, the control unit 10 saves at least one of the image file and the text file to a USB memory connected to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0098] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multifunction printer is used as the image forming apparatus 1, but this is merely one example, and other image forming apparatuses such as a monochrome multifunction printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine may be used.

[0099] Furthermore, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown with reference to Figures 1 to 15 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to such configuration and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 2 Image reading device 10 Control Unit 11 Image reading unit 15 Display section 16 Control section

Claims

1. An image reading unit reads multiple documents page by page and generates image data showing images of multiple pages of the documents, A control panel where user instructions are entered, The system comprises a control unit that performs a code detection process on the image data to detect a predetermined code, The control unit, If the code is detected by the code detection process and a normal splitting instruction is received via the operation unit, a normal splitting process is performed on the image data, including the original image of the page containing the code, to split the image data at the location of the page containing the code. If the code is detected by the code detection process and an exclusion / splitting instruction is received via the operation unit, an exclusion / splitting process is performed on the image data to exclude the original image of the page containing the code and to split the image data at the location of the page containing the code. An image reading device that converts new image data generated by the above-mentioned normal division process or exclusion division process into an image file in a predetermined format.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit obtains a string stored in the code and generates a file name for the image file using the string.

3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit obtains a string stored in the code and generates a text file showing the string.

4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit receives an instruction via the operation unit to set a detection area in the original image, and performs the code detection process for each of the multiple pages of the original image.

5. It also includes a display unit, The image reading device according to claim 4, wherein if the code is not detected by the code detection process, the control unit displays a reset screen on the display unit for resetting the detection area, receives an instruction via the operation unit to reset the detection area in the original image, and performs the code detection process on the reset detection area in each of the plurality of original images.

Images