Program, information processing apparatus, and control method of information processing apparatus

Abstract

To more easily present a position where a document is placed to a user.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer of an information processing device that causes an image processing device to execute a scanning process of a document to function as creation means for creating a GUI screen containing information for guiding the placement position of the document on a document table on the basis of first information about the document table of the image processing device, second information indicating the position of the scanning origin on the document table, and third information indicating the document size specified by a user, and display control means for displaying the created GUI screen on a display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 35

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technology of a scanner in which a document to be scanned is placed on a document table.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are three methods for an application program module to access an image processing device such as a scanner and obtain size information of a document to be scanned. Specifically, there are a method of using an automatic size detection function of the image processing device, a method of the user specifying the document size by himself / herself, and a method of displaying a low-resolution preview screen obtained by high-speed scanning and performing area designation while checking an image representing the document.

[0003] As a method for the image processing device to perform the above-described automatic size detection, for example, there is a method of installing optical sensors for detecting the presence or absence of a document at a plurality of locations and deriving the document size based on the position information of the sensors that have detected the document. However, since this method requires a plurality of sensors, the manufacturing cost of the main body increases, and if the number of sensors is reduced, the document sizes that can be detected are limited.

[0004] As another method, desired scanned image data can be obtained by the user specifying the document size. However, if the document is placed in the wrong position on the document table, the desired scanned image data cannot be obtained. In order to address the problem that the user does not know how to place the document, a method of marking the edge of the document table with marks corresponding to document sizes such as A4 size and letter size has been adopted. However, it is difficult to mark all types of document sizes due to reasons such as not being able to mark marks of adjacent sizes.

[0005] Also, for the purpose of copying, since the printed result itself can be physically rotated, the orientation of the original document when placed on the platen does not pose a problem. However, for the purpose of scanning, since it may be necessary to display the image on a display that is difficult to physically rotate, the orientation of the original document when placed on the platen (upright, upside down, etc.) is important. However, the above two methods cannot solve such problems related to orientation.

[0006] For these reasons, in scanning, a method has generally been adopted in which a preview screen is displayed, the original document size is selectively determined while viewing the image so as to obtain an appropriate scanning result, and rotation or the like is instructed as necessary to perform scanning. The preview screen for determining the original document size is excellent as a GUI because it can be intuitively operated by the user, but it takes time to create the preview screen. Therefore, when scanning is continued several times, repeatedly performing preview and scanning several times is a burden on the user.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a method of arranging the original document in the correct position without using a preview screen, which is a method of displaying the position on the scanner platen where the specified original document size is to be scanned. In this invention, it is shown that the platen is a liquid crystal panel, and the original document is placed on the portion of the liquid crystal panel that is in a transmissive state. Thereby, the user can know the place where the original document is to be placed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide means for visually presenting the position where the original document is to be placed on the scanner side. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the scanner main body increases.

[0010] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to present the user with the position where the document is placed in a simpler configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a computer of an information processing apparatus that causes an image processing apparatus to execute document scanning processing is based on first information regarding a document table of the image processing apparatus, second information indicating the position of a scanning origin on the document table, and third information indicating a document size specified by a user, and creates a GUI screen including information for guiding the position where the document is placed on the document table, and functions as display control means for displaying the created GUI screen on a display unit. This is a program characterized by the above. Whether it is vertically long or horizontally long

Effects of the Invention

[0012]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of the features described in the following embodiments are essential as a solution means.

[0015] [First Embodiment] <System Configuration> The configuration of the system in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the system in the present embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 100 and an image processing apparatus 150.

[0016] The information processing apparatus 100 is a computer having an input interface 102, a CPU 103, a ROM 104, a RAM 105, an external storage device 106, an output interface 108, and an interface 110. The CPU 103 controls the entire information processing apparatus 100 (such as display control). Further, the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to a keyboard 101 and a mouse 109 via the input interface 102, and is connected to a display unit 107 via the output interface 108.

[0017] The interface 110 is connected to an interface 151 of an image processing apparatus 150, which will be described later, via a cable 190. If the interface 110 is a network interface, the cable 190 is a network cable. Alternatively, if the interface 110 is a USB interface, the cable 190 is a USB cable. Alternatively, if the interface 110 is WiFi (Wireless LAN), the cable 190 does not physically exist, and radio waves play that role.

[0018] An initialization program is stored in the ROM 104. The RAM 105 is used as a work memory, such as for expanding various programs stored in the external storage device 106. The external storage device 106 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), an application program (hereinafter referred to as application) 123, and various other data.

[0019] The image processing apparatus 150 includes an interface 151, a RAM 152, a scanner engine 153, a ROM 154, and a CPU 155. In this embodiment, specifically, a scanner or the like is assumed as the image processing apparatus 150. The interface 151 is connected to the interface 110 of the information processing apparatus 100 via a cable 190. The RAM 152 is used as the main memory and the work memory of the CPU 155. Also, various data for processing the scan job received by the image processing apparatus 150 are temporarily stored in the RAM 152.

[0020] The scanner engine 153 performs scanning based on the scan job stored in the RAM 152. The scanner engine 153 includes an optical sensor for scanning a document, a motor for driving the sensor, and the like. Note that in this embodiment, the processing division of the information processing apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 150 is shown as above, but this is merely an example. This embodiment is not particularly limited to this form of processing division, and other forms may be used.

[0021] <Flow of an application calling a scanner engine> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the calling of the scanner engine 153 of the image processing apparatus 150 by the application 123 operating on the information processing apparatus 100. The module realized by the application 123 transmits an instruction or a request to the scanner engine 153 to the interface 110. The interface 110 transfers the instruction or the request from the application 123 to the interface 151. This instruction or request is transmitted via the cable 190, and the interface 151 receives the transmitted instruction or request, and the scanner engine 153 is called. The scanner engine 153 performs processing such as scanning according to the instruction or request from the application 123.

[0022] The module realized by the application sends a request to the scanner engine to obtain scanner information (such as the size of the platen, the orientation in the case of the standard placement method, the scan origin, the position of the platen cover, etc.) and an instruction to prompt the actual scan execution. Also, in this embodiment, the graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI) screen presented to the user is created by the application 123 in the information processing device 100, not in the image processing device 150. The GUI screen created by the application 123 is displayed on the display unit 107 connected to the information processing device 100.

[0023] <Scanner Structure> FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the scanner in this embodiment. FIG. 3(a) shows the state where the platen cover 200 is closed, and FIG. 3(b) shows the state where the platen cover 200 is open. The user places the document to be scanned on the platen 201 and closes the platen cover 200 to set the document to be scanned. Note that it is not essential to close the platen cover 200, but by closing the platen cover 200 to hold the document, the quality of the scanned image can be improved.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the scanner in this embodiment as seen from above. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the scan origin 208 is in the upper right, and the platen 201 is vertically long. The scan in the main scanning direction is performed from right to left in the figure as indicated by the arrow 210. Therefore, as coordinates, the rightmost in the main scanning direction is 0, and the leftmost is the value of the maximum width. Note that since the scan in the main scanning direction in this example is performed using a line sensor, the sensor does not actually move in the main scanning direction. The carriage equipped with the line sensor is called the scanner carriage 202. The scanner carriage 202 moves in the direction of the arrow 209 on the rail of the guide roller 203 by the drive of the motor 204. Thereby, the scan in the sub-scanning direction is realized.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the scanner in this embodiment. FIG. 5(a) shows the state where the document table cover 200 is closed, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line Va-Vb in FIG. 5(a). The document 205 is placed on the glass of the document table 201 and is pressed by the document table cover 200. The scanner carriage 202 is under the glass of the document table 201.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the structure of the scanner in this embodiment. FIG. 6(a) shows the state where the document table cover 200 is closed, and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VIa-VIb in FIG. 6(a). A plurality of light sources 206 and sensors 207 corresponding to the resolution are provided on the scanner carriage 202. The light emitted from the light source 206 passes through the glass of the document table 201 and hits the document 205, and the hit light is reflected and reaches the sensor 207. The sensor 207 reads the set document 205 by detecting and digitizing the reflected light.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6(b), since the sensor of the scanner is on the lower side of the document table, the user turns the document over so that the scanning surface faces the glass of the document table 201 (that is, the non-scanning surface is on the top). Since the document to be scanned is turned over, the image seen through from above is in a state where the document is mirror-inverted.

[0028] Each figure in FIG. 7 shows that the scan origin 208 for starting the scan can exist in various locations. In each figure of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the scanner is installed with the side having the operation panel in front of the user for the user to perform scanner operations.

[0029] In a single function scanner (hereinafter referred to as SFS), in many designs, when installed, the depth direction is long and the width direction is short as viewed from the user operating it, so that the document table is vertically long. By minimizing the width, the convenience of installation can be improved. For the scanner, in order to enable the scanner carriage to move in the sub-scanning direction from one end of the document table to the other end, there must be a margin (hereinafter referred to as the storage space) in front of the reading start position where the scanner carriage can be stored. Fig. 7(a) shows the case where the storage space is provided on the back side as viewed from the operation panel 220. In this case, the scan origin is at the upper right. Conversely, Fig. 7(b) shows the case where the storage space is provided on the side of the operation panel 220. In this case, the scan origin is at the lower left.

[0030] Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing the scan origin in a Multi Function Printer (hereinafter referred to as MFP). The MFP has a printer function, and spaces for storing the printer head are required at both ends in the main scanning direction (the left-right direction in the figure). On the other hand, since the document and the like are fed by rolling, the length in the depth direction may be shorter than the document size. For this reason, in many designs, the housing is horizontally long and long in the width direction (that is, the main scanning direction) as viewed from the user. When adding a scanner function to the MFP, in order not to increase the size in the depth direction, the components of the scanner are often installed in the horizontal direction. For example, when there is a mechanism such as an operation unit on the right side, the only space for storing the scanner carriage is on the left side. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7(c), the scan origin is at the upper left. Note that the structure shown here is of course an example. According to other design guidelines such as improving usability, the relationship between the vertical and horizontal widths of the document table and the position of the storage location of the scanner carriage may be appropriately changed. The scan origin can also be at various positions.

[0031] Fig. 8 shows an SFS with a vertically long document table and the storage location of the scanner carriage on the front side. The scan origin 208 in this SFS is at the lower left of the document table 201 when the operation panel 220 is in the front.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows an example of a document to be scanned. As shown, the size of the document is the L-size, the orientation of the document is portrait (vertical) photo 300, and it is assumed that one person is shown in the photo.

[0033] FIG. 10 shows a GUI screen that enables a user to scan the document 300 shown in FIG. 9 without unnecessary editing as an example of a scan setting screen provided by the application 123. First, the user designates the document size of the document 300. The designation of the document size is performed by the user selecting the document size name via the pop-up dialog 600. An image representing the entire platen (referred to as "platen image") is displayed on the guide view 500. On the platen image, a document area 501 is displayed as an area (guide information) indicating the position where the document corresponding to the document size name selected via the pop-up dialog 600 should be placed and the size of the document.

[0034] FIG. 11 shows a GUI screen used when the user selects a document size while checking an image representing the document size and position when placed on the platen as an example of a scan setting screen provided by the application 123. The user can specify a desired document size by clicking on the image corresponding to each document size. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the L-size is selected. To clearly indicate that a document size has been selected, the image corresponding to the selected document size is surrounded by a frame line 630. If the document size to be specified is not displayed, the up arrow button 610 or the down arrow button 611 can be pressed to display an image corresponding to another document size.

[0035] Figure 12 shows an example of the specific content presented as the manuscript size in Figure 11. Against the background of an image representing the full size of the platen, a manuscript area indicating the size of the manuscript to be scanned is displayed. As information presented to the user, the name of the manuscript size may of course be displayed as in Figure 12, or the value of the manuscript size may be displayed so that the actual size can be understood. Note that the value of the manuscript size is a value in the unit (for example, mm, inch, etc.) specified by the user.

[0036] Figure 13 shows the state where the user has actually placed the manuscript on the scanner with reference to the manuscript area 501 in the guide view 500 shown in Figure 10 or Figure 11.

[0037] Figure 14 shows an example of an animation display prompting the user to place the manuscript face down in the manuscript area 501 of the guide view 500. This animation is created by the application 123. As shown in Figure 10 etc., in the scan window 400, an explanatory message such as "Place the manuscript face down..." is displayed, but this message alone is not easy to understand. Therefore, by displaying a still image that makes it clear to place the manuscript face down, or by displaying an animation as shown in Figure 14, it is made clear to the user to place the manuscript face down.

[0038] Figure 15 shows the state where the image of the manuscript size is scrolled by pressing the up arrow button 610 or the down arrow button 611, and the image corresponding to the A4 size is displayed and then the displayed image is selected. When the image corresponding to the A4 size is selected by the user, the manuscript area 501 is displayed in the guide view 500 as an area indicating the position where the A4 size manuscript should be placed and the A4 size.

[0039] Figure 16 shows the state where the user has actually placed the A4 size manuscript 300 on the platen 201 of the scanner with reference to the manuscript area 501 of the guide view 500 shown in Figure 15. In this state, the user can obtain a scanned image of the desired A4 size by pressing the scan button 401.

[0040] FIG. 17 shows an example of an MFP having a scanner function. In this MFP, the document table 201 is horizontally long, and the reference scan origin 208 is at the upper left.

[0041] FIG. 18 shows a GUI screen for performing scan settings in the MFP shown in FIG. 17. As shown in the figure, the guide view 500 has a horizontally long display in accordance with the horizontally long document table 201. Also, a document area 501 corresponding to the L size is displayed at the upper left of the guide view 500 so as to match the scan origin 208 at the upper left.

[0042] FIG. 19 shows a GUI screen when the relationship between the vertical and horizontal widths of the document table 201 is applied to an image of the document size. In FIG. 18, an image of the document size that is not based on the relationship between the vertical and horizontal widths of the document table is displayed. Although the document table 201 is horizontally long, a vertically long image is displayed as the image of the document size. As shown in FIG. 19, similar to the guide view 500, an image of the document size based on the vertical and horizontal widths of the document table 201 and the position of the scan origin may be displayed. Incidentally, in this case, the function of the guide view for guiding the user can be realized only by the image of the document size. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, in the scan window 400, only the image of the document size for user selection may be displayed without displaying the guide view.

[0043] FIG. 21 shows a state where the user has actually placed the document 300 at the position of the document table shown in the GUI screens of FIGS. 18 to 20. The user can obtain a desired scanned image by pressing the scan button 401 in this state.

[0044] Fig. 22 shows scanner elements that affect the display of the guide view. Here, it is assumed that the platen cover 200 is at the back side. Whether the orientation of the platen is landscape (hereinafter referred to as long side type) or portrait (hereinafter referred to as short side type) is the criterion for determining whether the image on the platen is displayed landscape or portrait in the guide view. In addition, for each of the long side type and short side type, the position from which the document area is defined is determined according to which of the four corners of the platen 201 the scan origin 208 is located.

[0045] FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram of a process for displaying a guide view, which is executed by the system in this embodiment.

[0046] In step S1010, CPU 103 of information processing device 100 uses application 123 to transmit a request for prompting transmission of platen information to image processing device (that is, scanner) 150. Note that hereinafter, "step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~".

[0047] In S1011, CPU 155 of image processing device 150 acquires platen information indicating whether the platen is horizontal or vertical, and transmits (responds) the acquired platen information to information processing device 100 as a response to the request received in S1010. Note that the platen information transmitted by CPU 155 of image processing device 150 in this step may be stored in advance in ROM 154 or the like, or may be generated in response to reception of the request transmitted in S1010.

[0048] In S1012, the CPU 103 of the information processing device 100 creates and displays a GUI screen including a guide view based on the platen information received in S1011, using the application 123. As a result, the information processing device 100 presents the GUI screen including the guide view to the user.

[0049] In S1020, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 uses the application 123 to acquire an instruction to selectively specify a paper size, which is input by the user via the GUI screen presented in S1012.

[0050] In S1021, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 uses the application 123 to transmit a request to the image processing apparatus 150 to prompt the image processing apparatus 150 to transmit information on the scan origin position.

[0051] In S1022, the CPU 155 of the image processing device 150 acquires information indicating whether the scan origin position is the upper right, lower right, lower left, or upper left (hereinafter, referred to as scan origin position information). Then, the CPU 155 transmits (replies to) the acquired information to the information processing device 100 as a response to the request received in S1021. Note that the scan origin position information transmitted by the image processing device 150 in this step may be stored in advance in the ROM 154 or the like, or may be generated in response to the reception of the request transmitted in S1010 or S1021.

[0052] In S1023, the CPU 103 of the information processing device 100 uses the application 123 to create and display a GUI screen based on the scan origin position information received in S1022. This GUI screen shows the paper size specified in S1020 in a guide view, and depicts the document area determined from the scan origin. This step presents the user with an easy-to-understand method for placing the document.

[0053] In Fig. 23, an application of an information processing device (PC) requests information required for creating a GUI screen from an image processing device (scanner). However, this embodiment is not limited to this form. For example, the PC may not communicate with the scanner, but may store scanner model-specific information in advance in ROM 104 or the like and acquire the information as needed. Alternatively, the information may be acquired via the Internet or the like.

[0054] FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a process executed by the CPU 103 of the information processing device 100 when the CPU 103 uses the application 123 to create a GUI screen including a guide view and displays the created GUI screen on the display unit 107.

[0055] In S1100, the CPU 103 acquires the platen information transmitted by the image processing apparatus 150.

[0056] In S1101, the CPU 103 determines whether the platen is a vertically long short-side type based on the platen information acquired in S1100. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1110. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (that is, when the platen is a horizontally long long-side type), the process proceeds to S1130.

[0057] First, the case where the platen is a vertically long short-side type will be described.

[0058] In this case, in S1110, the CPU 103 draws a vertically long guide view on the GUI screen.

[0059] In S1111, the CPU 103 acquires the scan origin position information.

[0060] In S1112, the CPU 103 determines whether the scan origin is any of the lower right, upper right, lower left, and upper left based on the scan origin position information acquired in S1111. If the scan origin is the lower right, the process proceeds to S1113. If the scan origin is the upper right, the process proceeds to S1114. If the scan origin is the lower left, the process proceeds to S1115. If the scan origin is the upper left, the process proceeds to S1116.

[0061] In S1113, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the lower right of the guide view and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn in S1110. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending upward from the lower right point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending leftward from the lower right point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size.

[0062] At S1114, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the upper right corner of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1110. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending downward from the upper right point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending leftward from the upper right point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size.

[0063] At S1115, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the lower left corner of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1110. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending upward from the lower left point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending rightward from the lower left point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size.

[0064] At S1116, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the upper left corner of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1110. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending downward from the upper left point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending rightward from the upper left point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size.

[0065] Subsequently, the case where the document table is a horizontally long long-side type will be described.

[0066] In this case, at S1130, the CPU 103 draws a horizontally long guide view on the GUI screen.

[0067] At S1131, the CPU 103 obtains the scan origin position information.

[0068] At S1132, the CPU 103 determines whether the scan origin is at the upper left, lower left, lower right, or upper right based on the scan origin position information acquired at S1131. If the scan origin is at the upper left, proceed to S1133. If the scan origin is at the lower left, proceed to S1134. If the scan origin is at the lower right, proceed to S1135. If the scan origin is at the upper right, proceed to S1136.

[0069] At S1133, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the upper left of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1130. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending in the right direction from the upper left point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending in the downward direction from the upper left point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size.

[0070] At S1134, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the lower left of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1130. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending in the right direction from the lower left point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending in the upward direction from the lower left point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size.

[0071] At S1135, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the lower right of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn at S1130. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending in the left direction from the lower right point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending in the upward direction from the lower right point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size.

[0072] In S1136, the CPU 103 determines a rectangular document area starting from the upper right corner of the guide view, and draws the determined document area on the guide view drawn in S1130. In the document area determined in this step, the length of the long side extending leftward from the upper right point corresponds to the horizontal length of the specified document size. Also, the length of the short side extending downward from the upper right point corresponds to the vertical length of the specified document size.

[0073] <Effects of this Embodiment> According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to realize means for easily presenting to the user the position where the document is to be placed on the GUI screen where the user gives a scan instruction.

[0074] [Second Embodiment] According to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to realize means for easily presenting to the user the position where the document is to be placed on the GUI where the user gives a scan instruction. However, depending on how the document is placed at that position, the result may not be as desired by the user. For example, the top and bottom of the image may be inverted, or when scanning a landscape document, a portrait scan image may be obtained.

[0075] When the purpose is printing based on the obtained scan image, regardless of the orientation of the document, the output printed matter itself can be rotated. Therefore, in a copying machine or the like, as described in the first embodiment, it is sufficient to consider the document size and the position where the document is to be placed. However, when displaying on a display based on the obtained scan image, the correct orientation is required when placing the image. Therefore, in this embodiment, a guide view that can easily show the correct position and correct orientation when placing the document is realized on the GUI screen.

[0076] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a scan window 400 capable of specifying the manuscript orientation in the present embodiment. Compared with the scan window (FIG. 11 etc.) described in the first embodiment, a manuscript orientation specifying unit 700 is added, and an image indicating the orientation is additionally drawn in the manuscript area 501 on the guide view 500. By selecting either the image 701 or the image 702 displayed in the manuscript orientation specifying unit 700, the user specifies whether the manuscript to be scanned is in portrait (vertical) or landscape (horizontal).

[0077] By allowing selection of portrait or landscape via the scan window 400 of the present embodiment, 90-degree or 270-degree rotation of the scanned image can be prevented. However, it is not possible to prevent the scanned image from being upside down. Therefore, information indicating which direction is the upper direction of the manuscript is added to the image for selecting portrait or landscape. Specifically, in the image 701, images such as a human mark (head up), an arrow (arrow tip up), and characters (readable direction up) that indicate the upper direction of the manuscript are arranged as information. Also, in the image 702, the image is changed to an image that evokes a landscape instead of a human. In addition to the images mentioned here, when a document such as an A4-sized manuscript considered to be a character manuscript is selected, an image that allows the user to intuitively grasp the upper direction, such as switching to a document image, may be appropriately adopted.

[0078] In the guide view 500, an image indicating the orientation in which the manuscript should be placed is displayed within the manuscript area 501 displayed according to the manuscript size. As also described in the first embodiment, when placing the manuscript, it is necessary to turn it over so that the scanning surface faces the platen side. Therefore, the image displayed in the guide view 500 is an image obtained by mirror-inverting the image displayed in the manuscript orientation specifying unit 700. Then, for example, when the scan origin is at the lower left, since the lower side of the platen corresponds to the upper side of the manuscript, the mirror-inverted image is rotated 180 degrees and displayed within the manuscript area 501.

[0079] FIG. 26 shows a state where a user who has been presented with the guide view 500 shown in FIG. 25 has placed an L-size, vertically long photographic original on the platen 201. Note that, strictly speaking, since the side to be scanned is the back side, the image cannot be seen from the upper side, but here it is shown for convenience as if the image on the back side is transparent. In this state, the user can obtain a scanned image in the correct orientation by pressing the scan button 401.

[0080] FIG. 27 shows an example of the GUI screen in this embodiment. This GUI screen is a GUI screen for scan settings that is displayed when scanning an L-size, vertically long photographic original shown in FIG. 9 using the MFP shown in FIG. 17. The content of the settings themselves is the original size "L size" and the upper direction of the original "placed vertically". As shown in FIG. 17, since the platen of the MFP is horizontally long, in the scan window 400, the guide view 500 corresponding to the platen is also displayed horizontally long. Also, since the scan origin is at the upper left, the original area 501 is determined from the upper left of the guide view 500. Further, when the original is vertically long, since the upper direction in the original corresponds to the left direction on the platen, a way of placing the original is presented such that the left side of the guide view 500 coincides with the upper side of the original area 501.

[0081] FIG. 28 shows a state where the original 300 is actually placed on the platen 201 with reference to the original area 501 in the guide view 500 shown in FIG. 27. By pressing the scan button 401 in FIG. 27 in this state, the user can obtain a desired scanned image.

[0082] FIG. 29 shows an L-size, horizontally long (landscape) photographic original 301 as an example of a scan target. As shown in the figure, assume that the content shows two people side by side. Hereinafter, a method of scanning this photographic original will be described.

[0083] FIG. 30 shows a state in which a landscape-oriented original document of L size is selected via the scan window 400 which is the GUI screen of the SFS shown in FIG. 8. Here, when a landscape-oriented original document is specified, the left side of the document table and the upper side of the original document are aligned. Therefore, the image displayed in the original document area 501 of the guide view 500 is the image 702 of the landscape-oriented original document after being mirror-inverted and rotated 270 degrees.

[0084] FIG. 31 shows a state in which the original document 301 (see FIG. 29) is actually placed on the document table 201 with reference to the original document area 501 in the guide view 500 shown in FIG. 30. By pressing the scan button 401 in FIG. 30 in this state, the user can obtain a scanned image in a desired orientation.

[0085] FIG. 32 shows a state in which the landscape orientation of L size is selected via the scan window 400 which is the GUI screen of the MFP shown in FIG. 17. In this embodiment, since the scan origin is at the upper left, the upper side of the landscape-oriented original document area 501 is aligned with the upper side of the guide view 500. The image displayed in the original document area 501 is the image 702 of the landscape-oriented original document after being mirror-inverted.

[0086] FIG. 33 shows a state in which the original document 301 (see FIG. 29) is actually placed on the document table 201 with reference to the original document area 501 in the guide view 500 shown in FIG. 32. By pressing the scan button 401 in FIG. 32 in this state, the user can obtain a scanned image in a desired orientation.

[0087] FIG. 34 is a sequence diagram of the guide view display process in this embodiment. Compared with the first embodiment (FIG. 23), S1010 to S1023 are the same, but it is different in that it further has S1030 and S1031.

[0088] In S1030, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires an instruction for specifying the orientation of the original document, which is input by the user via the GUI screen presented in S1023.

[0089] In S1031, based on the result of the update according to the content of the instruction received in S1030, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays a GUI screen on which the orientation when placing the document is shown.

[0090] FIG. 35 is a flowchart of the guide view display process in the present embodiment. Such guide view display process is a process executed by the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 using the application 123, and has S1100 to S1116 and S1130 to S1136 (see FIG. 24). However, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it further has S1117 to S1124 and S1137 to S1144. Incidentally, hereinafter, the content of the foregoing embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the description will focus on the different content.

[0091] After S1113, in S1117, the CPU 103 determines whether the document orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the document orientation is vertical, the process proceeds to S1124. On the other hand, if the document orientation is horizontal, the process proceeds to S1121.

[0092] After S1114, in S1118, the CPU 103 determines whether the document orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the document orientation is vertical, the process proceeds to S1122. On the other hand, if the document orientation is horizontal, the process proceeds to S1121.

[0093] After S1115, in S1119, the CPU 103 determines whether the document orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the document orientation is vertical, the process proceeds to S1124. On the other hand, if the document orientation is horizontal, the process proceeds to S1123.

[0094] After S1116, in S1120, the CPU 103 determines whether the document orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the document orientation is vertical, the process proceeds to S1122. On the other hand, if the document orientation is horizontal, the process proceeds to S1123.

[0095] In S1121, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the horizontal image, rotates it 270 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the document area 501 drawn in S1113 or S1114, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0096] At S1122, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the vertical image, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1114 or S1116, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0097] At S1123, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the horizontal image, rotates it 90 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1115 or S1116, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0098] At S1124, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the vertical image, rotates it 180 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1113 or S1115, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0099] After S1133, at S1137, the CPU 103 determines whether the manuscript orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the manuscript orientation is vertical, it proceeds to S1142. On the other hand, if the manuscript orientation is horizontal, it proceeds to S1141.

[0100] After S1134, at S1138, the CPU 103 determines whether the manuscript orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the manuscript orientation is vertical, it proceeds to S1142. On the other hand, if the manuscript orientation is horizontal, it proceeds to S1143.

[0101] After S1135, at S1139, the CPU 103 determines whether the manuscript orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the manuscript orientation is vertical, it proceeds to S1144. On the other hand, if the manuscript orientation is horizontal, it proceeds to S1143.

[0102] After S1136, at S1140, the CPU 103 determines whether the manuscript orientation is vertical or horizontal. If the manuscript orientation is vertical, it proceeds to S1144. On the other hand, if the manuscript orientation is horizontal, it proceeds to S1141.

[0103] At S1141, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the horizontal image, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1133 or S1136, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0104] At S1142, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the portrait image and then rotates it 270 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1133 or S1134, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0105] At S1143, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the landscape image and then rotates it 180 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1134 or S1135, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0106] At S1144, the CPU 103 mirror-inverts the portrait image and then rotates it 90 degrees, resizes it so that it fits within the manuscript area 501 drawn at S1135 or S1136, and draws it on the guide view 500.

[0107] Figure 36 is a flowchart of the processing executed according to the application 123 when the user presses the scan button 401.

[0108] At S1200, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires information indicating that the scan button has been pressed by the user, and in response to the acquisition, instructs the execution of scan processing on the image processing apparatus 150.

[0109] At S1201, the CPU 155 of the image processing apparatus 150 uses the scanner engine 153 to execute scan processing on the manuscript area (the horizontal width corresponds to the short side and the vertical height corresponds to the long side) determined based on the scan origin. The image data acquired in this step is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 100.

[0110] At S1202, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the manuscript orientation is landscape using the manuscript orientation setting information. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S1203; if the determination is false, the process proceeds to S1204.

[0111] In S1203, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 rotates the image of the scan result by 90 degrees. Note that when the document orientation is portrait (NO in S1202), the rotation in this step is not executed.

[0112] Finally, in S1204, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 stores the image data of the scan result in the ROM 104, the RAM 105, or the external storage device 106, etc.

[0113] <Effect of this Embodiment> According to this embodiment, it becomes possible to realize a guide view on the GUI screen that can acquire a scan image in the correct orientation.

[0114] [Third Embodiment] In the foregoing embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 etc., it is premised that the document table cover is attached to the side opposite to the operation panel, the operation panel is located on the "front" side for the user, while the document table cover is located on the "back" side, etc., and the device is installed in a standard manner. However, there may be cases where the user wants to install the scanner in a non-standard manner for convenience, or cases where the document table cover is not arranged on the side opposite to the operation panel due to the convenience of the designer side. Therefore, in this embodiment, a guide view that can handle such cases is realized on the GUI screen.

[0115] FIG. 37 shows a case where the document table cover 200 is on the "left" side with respect to the operation panel 220, the document table cover is vertically long, so it is defined as vertically long as the document table information, and the scan origin is at the upper left in the guide view. In such a case, the state of the scanner during installation does not match the display content of the guide view, which is difficult for the user to understand.

[0116] Figure 38 shows a vertically long SFS (see Fig. 7(b)) where the operation panel is located on the "front" side and the document table cover is located on the "rear" side, but it is installed by the user in such a way that the document table cover is on the "left" side. When installed in this way, the state of the scanner during installation does not match the display content of the guide view, making it difficult for the user to understand.

[0117] Figure 39 shows the GUI screen when the SFS is installed in the standard way. At this time, as shown in Fig. 39, the guide view 500 is displayed vertically. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 38, there is a problem when the SFS is installed such that the document table cover is on the "left" side and the document table is horizontally long. In such a case, the display content of the guide view does not correspond to the state of the SFS during installation.

[0118] To address such problems, on the GUI screen of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 39, a scanner orientation specification button 800 is provided. When the user presses the scanner orientation specification button 80), as shown in Fig. 40, a pop-up window 801 is displayed. In the pop-up window 801, four icons are arranged side by side, indicating how the scanner is arranged as seen from the user by using the positional relationship between the document table cover and the document table. In the standard state, the upper left icon where the document table cover is on the "rear" side is selected. However, for example, the user can select the lower left icon where the document table cover is on the "left" side according to the installation method shown in Fig. 38, and select an icon that matches the actual installation method.

[0119] Figure 41 shows the scan window 400 when the icon 803 in Fig. 40 is selected after placing the scanner with the document table cover on the "left" side. In this scan window 400, as a result of the guide view 500 being rotated 270 degrees, the document table is horizontally long and the scan origin is displayed at the lower right. In this way, since the state of the placed scanner matches the display content of the guide view, it is easy for the user to understand.

[0120] FIG. 42 shows a state in which the original document 300 is actually placed on the document table 201 with reference to the document area 501 in the guide view 500 shown in FIG. 41. By pressing the scan button 401 in FIG. 41 in this state, the user can obtain a desired scanned image.

[0121] FIG. 43 shows how the display of the guide view changes according to the scanner orientation specified via the GUI screen (see FIGS. 39 and 40, etc.) of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the "scanner orientation" means the direction in which the document table extends based on the attachment position of the document table and the document table cover. For example, when the scanner direction is "front", it means that the document table extends from the "rear" side toward the "front" side.

[0122] FIG. 44 is a sequence diagram of the guide view display process with the scanner orientation specified in the present embodiment. Compared with the second embodiment (FIG. 34), S1010 to S1031 are the same, but it is different in that it further has S1050 and S1051.

[0123] In S1050, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires information indicating the scanner orientation specified using the pop-up window 801 (see FIG. 40).

[0124] In S1051, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 displays a GUI screen in which the guide view 500 is rotated as necessary based on the scanner orientation information acquired in S1050. Note that the rotation process of this step will be described with reference to FIG. 45.

[0125] FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing the process when the scanner orientation is changed. In S1300, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 acquires information indicating the scanner orientation specified by the user. The information acquired in this step is the information received by the information processing apparatus 100 in S1050 (see FIG. 44).

[0126] In S1301, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the scanner orientation is "front" based on the information acquired in S1300. If the determination result in this step is true, a series of processes ends. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (that is, when the scanner orientation is "back" or "right" or "left"), the process proceeds to S1302.

[0127] In S1302, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 determines whether the scanner orientation is any one of "right", "back", and "left" based on the information acquired in S1300. As a result of the determination in this step, if the scanner orientation is "right", the process proceeds to S1303; if the scanner orientation is "back", the process proceeds to S1304; and if the scanner orientation is "left", the process proceeds to S1305.

[0128] In S1303, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 rotates and displays the guide view 500 by 90 degrees in the scan window 400.

[0129] In S1305, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 rotates and displays the guide view 500 by 180 degrees in the scan window 400.

[0130] In S1305, the CPU 103 of the information processing apparatus 100 rotates and displays the guide view 500 by 270 degrees in the scan window 400.

[0131] <Effects of the present embodiment, etc.> Note that in the present embodiment, the form of rotating the guide view has been described. However, the display form of the document area may also be changed in accordance with the rotation of the guide view. Further, in the present embodiment, an image that is the guide view itself is created and the created image is rotated. However, theoretically, information indicating the document table and the scan origin may be rewritten based on the rotated information, and an image that is the guide view itself may be created based on the rewritten information.

[0132] According to this embodiment, even when the device is installed in a non-standard way, a guide view that can clearly show the user the position where the document is to be placed and can obtain a scanned image in the correct orientation can be realized on the GUI screen.

[0133] For example, it is effective when the standard vertical SFS (the scan origin is at the lower left) with the document table cover on the "back" side is installed with the document table cover 200 on the "left" side as shown in FIG. 38. In this case, by selecting the image 803 on the pop-up window 801 shown in FIG. 40, it is possible to continue the process assuming a landscape document table with the scan origin at the lower right hereafter.

[0134] [Other Embodiments] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. Note that the contents of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0135] 100 Information Processing Apparatus 103 CPU 150 Image Processing Apparatus 201 Document Table 208 Scan Origin

Claims

1. A computer of an information processing apparatus that causes an image processing apparatus to perform scanning processing of a document, a creating means for creating a GUI screen including information for guiding a position where the document is to be placed on the document table based on first information regarding whether the document table of the image processing apparatus is vertically long or horizontally long, second information indicating a position of a scanning origin on the document table, and third information indicating a document size specified by a user; a display control means for causing the created GUI screen to be displayed on a display unit; functioning as; A program characterized by the above.

2. The information processing apparatus further a first acquisition means for acquiring the first information; a second acquisition means for acquiring the second information; a third acquisition means for acquiring the third information; functioning as; The program according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The first information includes information on the size and orientation of the document table. The program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The GUI screen has a guide view for guiding a position where the document is to be placed on the document table. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. A document table image representing the entire surface of the document table is displayed in the guide view, and a document area is displayed on the document table image as an area where the document is to be placed. The program according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The GUI screen further has a first designation unit for allowing the user to designate the document size. The program according to claim 5, characterized by the above.

7. Based on the designation by the user via the first designation unit, the size of the document area displayed on the document table image is determined. The program according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The GUI screen further has a second designation unit for allowing the user to designate whether the orientation of the document is vertical or horizontal. The program according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the above.

9. Based on the designation by the user via the second designation unit, the orientation of the document area displayed on the document table image is determined. The program according to claim 8, characterized by the above.

10. The second designation unit has a first image indicating a vertical orientation and a second image indicating a horizontal orientation, and an image indicating the orientation of the document is drawn in each of the first image and the second image, and an image indicating the orientation of the document is drawn in the document area. The program according to claim 9, characterized in that...

11. Causing the user to specify, via the GUI screen, the orientation in which the information processing apparatus is placed The program according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that...

12. Based on the specified orientation in which the information processing apparatus is placed, the orientation of the platen image in the guide view and the orientation of the document area on the platen image are determined The program according to claim 11, characterized in that...

13. An information processing apparatus for causing an image processing apparatus to execute a scanning process on a document, comprising: Creation means for creating a GUI screen including information for guiding the position where the document is to be placed on the platen, based on first information regarding whether the platen of the image processing apparatus is vertically long or horizontally long, second information indicating the position of the scanning origin on the platen, and third information indicating the document size specified by the user; Display control means for causing the created GUI screen to be displayed on a display unit; An information processing apparatus, characterized by comprising the above.

14. A control method for a computer of an information processing apparatus for causing an image processing apparatus to execute a scanning process on a document, comprising: A step of creating a GUI screen including information for guiding the position where the document is to be placed on the platen, based on first information regarding whether the platen of the image processing apparatus is vertically long or horizontally long, second information indicating the position of the scanning origin on the platen, and third information indicating the document size specified by the user; A step of causing the created GUI screen to be displayed on a display unit; A control method, characterized by comprising the above.

Images