Program, Information Processing Method, Information Processing Apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image processing system and a method that can reduce the time and effort for a user to check character recognition error image data.SOLUTION: In an image processing system, an assigning scan control processing method executed by an image forming apparatus includes: reading a document to generate image data in response to a user depressing an interview sheet button (S904); executing character recognition processing on the generated image data (S905); and storing the image data in a folder having a character string obtained through the character recognition processing as a folder name (S907). When the image data is character recognition error image data (YES in S906), the image processing system stores the image data in a folder indicated by a setting value of an error-period transmission destination area included in information on the settings of the interview sheet button (S908).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device. position

Background Art

[0002] An image processing system including an image forming apparatus and a file server is known. In the image processing system, the image forming apparatus reads a document and generates image data, and transmits the generated image data to the file server. The file server stores the image data received from the image forming apparatus in a shared folder provided in the file server and browsable from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus. The file server manages a plurality of image data, for example, image data of a plurality of types of documents having different formats such as a questionnaire form and a diagnosis form. In such a usage form, from the viewpoint of improving the ease of searching for image data by the user, the image processing system performs a sorting process of the image data. In the sorting process, the image forming apparatus performs character recognition processing on a predetermined area in the generated image data where the type of the document can be identified (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus designates a folder having the character string obtained by the character recognition processing as a folder name and transmits the above image data to the file server. The file server stores the received image data in the designated folder. Thereby, the image data can be managed by being sorted into folders for each type of document, and thus the ease of searching for the image data by the user can be improved.

[0003] In the character recognition process, for example, when a character recognition error occurs such that a specific character string satisfying a condition for determining a designated folder cannot be obtained from the above predetermined area, the image data in which the character recognition error has occurred (hereinafter referred to as "character recognition error image data") is stored in a predetermined error folder. After the character recognition error image data is stored in the error folder, it is moved to an appropriate folder by the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-73591 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] However, conventionally, when other types of image data unrelated to the folder storing the character recognition error image data are mixed, in order to determine the destination folder, the user has to open each image data stored in the error folder and check its content, which is time-consuming.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a program, an information processing method, and an information processing device that can reduce the labor of the user for checking character recognition error image data. placement It is to provide this. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the program of the present invention, when the number of characters indicated by the character information obtained from the image data generated by scanning a manuscript is less than a predetermined number, performs a process of storing the image data in a folder having a folder name including the character indicated by the obtained character information, and a process of outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder, and an execution step of executing, and when the number of characters indicated by the obtained character information is equal to or more than the predetermined number, causes the information processing device to execute a process of storing the image data in a folder set by the user before the character information is obtained, and a process of outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder. column of characters is less than a predetermined number, the character column including the obtained character information, and a process of outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder, and an execution step of executing, and when the number of characters indicated by the obtained character information is equal to or more than the predetermined number, a process of storing the image data in a folder set by the user before the character information is obtained, and a process of outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder. column is characterized in that. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the labor for a user to check character recognition error image data.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present embodiment does not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of the features described in the present embodiment are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an image processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 101, a file server 102, a mail server 103, and a PC 104. The image forming apparatus 101, the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the PC 104 are communicably connected to each other via a network 105. The Internet 106 is connected to the network 105. Note that the network 105 may be configured to be connected by wire, or may be configured to be connected to a wireless access point (not shown). The image forming apparatus 101 can communicate with an online storage 107 via the Internet 106.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 101 reads a document to generate image data, and transmits the image data to the file server 102, the mail server 103, and the online storage 107. The image data in the present embodiment is, for example, electronic data obtained by converting an image into RAW data, electronic data conforming to an image format such as TIFF or JPEG, or electronic data conforming to the PDF format. The file server 102 supports FTP and SMB protocols, and stores the image data received from the image forming apparatus 101 in a folder provided in the file server 102. A user can view the folder, for example, from the operation unit 206 shown in FIG. 2 described later of the image forming apparatus 101 or a display unit (not shown) of the PC 104. The mail server 103 supports the SMTP protocol. The PC 104 can refer to or update the setting values of the image forming apparatus 101 by the HTTP protocol. The online storage 107 supports WebDAV, which is a file sharing protocol using the HTTP protocol.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a control unit 200, an operation unit 206, a reading unit 208, and a printing unit 210. The control unit 200 is connected to the operation unit 206, the reading unit 208, and the printing unit 210. The control unit 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, an operation unit I / F 205, a reading unit I / F 207, a printing unit I / F 209, an external storage I / F 211, and a communication unit I / F 213. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the storage 204, the operation unit I / F 205, the reading unit I / F 207, the printing unit I / F 209, the external storage I / F 211, and the communication unit I / F 213 are connected to each other via a bus 214.

[0014] The control unit 200 controls the operations of the entire image forming apparatus 101. The CPU 201 reads out control programs stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204 and performs various controls such as reading control and printing control. The ROM 202 stores the control programs executed by the CPU 201. Also, the ROM 202 stores a boot program, font data, and the like. The RAM 203 is the main memory of the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201 and also as a temporary storage area for expanding the control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the storage 204.

[0015] The storage 204 stores image data, print data, address book data, programs, and setting data. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204, but it is not limited thereto, and the storage 204 may be an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD, an HDD, or an eMMC. Note that in the image forming apparatus 101, one CPU 201 executes each of the processes described later using one RAM 203, but other modes may be possible. For example, a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages may cooperate to execute each of the processes described later. Also, some processes may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0016] The operation unit I / F 205 connects the operation unit 206 and the control unit 200. The operation unit 206 displays information to the user and receives instructions from the user such as job execution. The reading unit I / F 207 connects the reading unit 208 and the control unit 200. The reading unit 208 reads an image on a document and converts the image into image data such as binary data. The image data generated by the reading unit 208 is transmitted to an external device, stored in the external storage device 212, or printed on paper. The printing unit I / F 209 connects the printing unit 210 and the control unit 200. The printing unit I / F 209 acquires image data to be printed from the CPU 201 and transfers the acquired image data to the printing unit 210. The printing unit 210 prints an image on paper fed from a paper cassette (not shown).

[0017] The external storage I / F 211 connects the external storage device 212 and the control unit 200. The external storage I / F 211 acquires image data from the CPU 201 and stores the acquired image data in the external storage device 212. In this embodiment, a USB memory is assumed as the external storage device 212, but it is not limited thereto, and the external storage device 212 may be an SD card or the like. The communication unit I / F 213 performs data communication with an external device connected via the network 105. For example, the communication unit I / F 213 sends an email to the mail server 103. Also, the communication unit I / F 213 sends image data to the file server 102 or the online storage 107. In the transmission of image data, protocols such as FTP, SMB, WebDAV, and SMTP are used. The communication unit I / F 213 sends various setting information of the image forming apparatus 101 to the PC 104. Also, the communication unit I / F 213 receives a reference request or a change request for the setting value of the image forming apparatus 101 from the PC 104 by a Web server application (not shown) that processes HTTP.

[0018] FIG. 3 is an external view of the operation unit 206 in FIG. 2. The operation unit 206 is composed of a touch panel type display. Further, the operation unit 206 includes a data LED 305 and an error LED 306. Various screens are displayed on the operation unit 206. For example, when the image forming apparatus 101 is activated, a home screen 300 is displayed on the operation unit 206. The home screen 300 is a screen for allowing the user to select the functions to be used. A plurality of buttons corresponding to the functions of the image forming apparatus 101, such as a scan button 301, an address book button 302, an invitation letter button 303, and a home button 304, are displayed on the home screen 300.

[0019] The scan button 301 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 101 to read a document and generate image data. The address book button 302 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 101 to display an address book management screen (not shown) on the operation unit 206. In the address book management screen, destination information regarding the transmission destination of the image data is set. The destination information includes transmission type information indicating types such as e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission, and WebDAV transmission, and address-related information such as e-mail addresses, host names, and server names.

[0020] The invitation letter button 303 is a distribution transmission button. The distribution transmission button is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 101 to execute distribution scan processing. In the distribution scan processing, the image forming apparatus 101 reads a document and generates image data, performs character recognition processing on a character recognition region (described later) in the image data, and transmits the image data to a folder having the character string obtained by the character recognition processing as the folder name. The home button 304 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 101 to display the home screen 300 on the operation unit 206, and is always displayed on the operation unit 206. The data LED 305 and the error LED 306 notify the user of the state of the image forming apparatus 101. The data LED 305 lights up from the start to the end of the execution of an e-mail transmission job or a file transmission job. The error LED 306 lights up when an error occurs in the image forming apparatus 101.

[0021] Next, the setting of the distribution transmission button will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a management screen 400 for registering the distribution transmission button included in the home screen 300 of FIG. 3. The management screen 400 is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 when the PC 104 makes an HTTP connection to the image forming apparatus 101 via a browser. The management screen 400 includes an application name 401, application information 402, a new registration button 403, and a button information area 404. On the management screen 400, the user can view information regarding the registered distribution transmission button.

[0022] The application name 401 is an area for displaying the name of the application called when the distribution transmission button is pressed. In FIG. 4, the name "distribution transmission scan" is displayed in the application name 401. The application information 402 is an area for displaying the version of the distribution transmission scan application. In FIG. 4, the version number "1.00" is displayed in the application information 402. The new registration button 403 is a button for newly creating a distribution transmission button. When the user selects the new registration button 403, a setting edit screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 described later is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104.

[0023] The button information area 404 is an area that displays information about the registered distribution transmission buttons. In the button information area 404, a button name 405, a transmission type 406, a display status 407, a switch button 408, and a delete button 409 are displayed. The button name 405 displays the name of the registered distribution transmission button. When the user selects the string displayed in the button name 405, the setting edit screen 500 of FIG. 5 described later is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 with the setting value associated with the string set. The transmission type 406 displays the transmission type set for the registered distribution transmission button such as "file transmission". The display status 407 displays information indicating whether to display the registered distribution transmission button on the operation unit 206. The distribution transmission button with "display" displayed in the display status 407 is displayed on the operation unit 206. On the other hand, the distribution transmission button with "non-display" displayed in the display status 407 is not displayed on the operation unit 206. The switch button 408 is a toggle button for switching between "display" and "non-display" in the display status 407. The delete button 409 is a button for deleting the registration information of the distribution transmission button.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the setting edit screen 500 displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, the setting edit screen 500 (reception means) includes an input field 501, a pull-down 502, a destination area 503, a selection button 504, an error-time destination area 505, and a selection button 506. The setting edit screen 500 further includes a pull-down 507, an input field 508, a character recognition area designation button 509, a reading setting button 510, an OK button 511, and a cancel button 512. The setting edit screen 500 is a screen for receiving a setting request for a setting value associated with a distribution transmission button.

[0025] The input field 501 is an edit box for setting the name of the distribution transmission button. The pull-down 502 is a list box for selecting the naming method of the data name of the image data. In the pull-down 502, the user can select either "button name" or "date". When the user selects "button name", the name set in the input field 501 is reflected in the data name of the image data. When the user selects "date", the date when the manuscript was read is reflected in the data name of the image data.

[0026] In the destination area 503, a setting value regarding the storage location of the image data generated in response to the pressing of the distribution transmission button is set. The destination area 503 is an editable text display area. In the destination area 503, a folder path indicating the storage location selected by the selection button 504 is displayed. The selection button 504 is a button for setting the storage location of the image data from the address book of the image forming apparatus 101. When the user selects the selection button 504, the address selection screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 described later is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104.

[0027] In the error-time destination area 505, a setting value regarding the storage location of the character recognition error image data, which is the image data in which a character recognition error has occurred in the character recognition process, is set. The error-time destination area 505 is an editable text display area. In the error-time destination area 505, a folder path indicating the storage location selected by the selection button 506 is displayed. The selection button 506 is a button for setting the folder that will be the storage location of the character recognition error image data from the address book of the image forming apparatus 101. When the user selects the selection button 506, the address selection screen 600 described later is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104.

[0028] The pull-down 507 is an object for setting a predetermined condition for determining a storage location from the character string obtained by the character recognition process, specifically, for setting the type of the character string. The user can select either "numbers only" or "alphanumeric" in the pull-down 507. In the present embodiment, image data in which a character string that satisfies the condition indicated by the setting value of the pull-down 507 is not obtained in the character recognition process for the character recognition area designated by the character recognition area designation button 509 is treated as character recognition error image data. The input field 508 is an object for setting a predetermined condition for determining a storage location from the character string obtained by the character recognition process, specifically, for setting an upper limit on the number of characters. The maximum value that can be set in the input field 508 is, for example, "16". In the present embodiment, image data in which a character string having a number of characters exceeding the setting value of the input field 508 is obtained in the character recognition process for the character recognition area designated by the character recognition area designation button 509 is also treated as character recognition error image data.

[0029] The character recognition area designation button 509 is a button for designating a character recognition area that is the execution target of the character recognition process in the image data. When the user selects the character recognition area designation button 509, a rectangular area indicating the character recognition area can be designated. The reading setting button 510 is a button for performing scan settings. When the user selects the reading setting button 510, a detailed setting screen (not shown) related to the scan function is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104.

[0030] The OK button 511 is a button for determining the settings of the setting edit screen 500. When the user selects the OK button 511, the setting values of the setting edit screen 500 are stored in the storage 204 as sorting scan setting data. The cancel button 512 is a button for discarding the settings of the setting edit screen 500. When the user selects the OK button 511 or the cancel button 512, the setting edit screen 500 displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 is switched to the management screen 400.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an address selection screen 600 displayed on the display unit of the PC104 in FIG. 1. The address selection screen 600 is composed of a pull-down 601, a display switching button 602, a region 603, a list 604, an OK button 605, and a cancel button 606.

[0032] The pull-down 601 is a list for switching the types of address books displayed on the address selection screen 600. In the pull-down 601, the user can select either "Best Member" or "Shortcut Dial" (not shown). The display switching button 602 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 101 to change the type of address book to be displayed on the address selection screen 600 to the type selected in the pull-down 601.

[0033] The region 603 is a display region where the name of the address book is displayed. The list 604 is a region where an address list is displayed, and is composed of selection, number, type, name, and destination. For the selection, either a checkable checkbox or a non-checkable checkbox is displayed. For the number, the management number of the address is displayed. For the type, an icon is displayed. The icon varies depending on the type of address. For the name, the name attached to the address is displayed. For the destination, the address is displayed.

[0034] Supplement the display of checkable checkboxes and non-checkable checkboxes. FIG. 6 is an example of the display when selecting an address from the address book of "Best Members" where 2 addresses of the type "E-mail" and 2 addresses of the type "File" are registered with "File Transmission" set for the transmission type 406. In this way, on the address selection screen 600, the destinations of the type corresponding to the set transmission type are displayed so that they can be selected. Specifically, checkable checkboxes are displayed for the destinations with numbers "03" and "04" corresponding to the set transmission type. On the other hand, non-checkable checkboxes are displayed for the destinations with numbers "01" and "02" that do not correspond to the set transmission type. The OK button 605 is a button for finalizing the settings on the address selection screen 600. The cancel button 606 is a button for discarding the settings on the address selection screen 600. When the user selects the OK button 605 or the cancel button 606, the address selection screen 600 displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 switches to the setting edit screen 500. In the destination area 503 (or the error-time destination area 505) of the switched setting edit screen 500, the folder path corresponding to the settings on the address selection screen 600 is displayed.

[0035] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user selects the OK button 511 on the setting edit screen 500 where various setting values regarding the distribution transmission button named "Questionnaire Form" are set, the setting edit screen 500 displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 switches to the management screen 400. In the button information area 404 of the switched management screen 400, information regarding the distribution transmission button named "Questionnaire Form" is added as shown in FIG. 7. Also, on the home screen 300 displayed on the operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 101, the questionnaire form button 801 (object) in FIG. 8 corresponding to the information added to the button information area 404 is added. On the home screen 300, when the user presses the questionnaire form button 801, the image forming apparatus 101 executes the distribution scan control process in FIG. 9 based on the distribution scan setting data associated with the questionnaire form button 801.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sorting scan control process executed by the image forming apparatus 101 of FIG. 1. The process of FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 201 executing a program developed from the ROM 202 or the storage 204 to the RAM 203. The process of FIG. 9 is executed when the user presses the sorting transmission button displayed on the home screen 300. In the process of FIG. 9, it is assumed that the folder for storing the image data is provided in the file server 102.

[0037] In FIG. 9, when the CPU 201 detects the pressing of the distribution transmission button on the home screen 300, for example, the pressing of the questionnaire button 801 (YES in step S901), it acquires the distribution scan setting data of the questionnaire button 801 (step S902). The distribution scan setting data of the questionnaire button 801 includes a plurality of setting values regarding the questionnaire button 801 set on the setting edit screen 500. Next, the CPU 201 controls the reading unit 208 to read the placed document (step S903) and generate image data of the document (step S904). Next, the CPU 201 performs character recognition processing on the generated image data (step S905). In step S905, for example, the CPU 201 performs character recognition processing on the character recognition area 1002 preset on the setting edit screen 500 in the image data 1001 of FIG. 10(a). In the example of FIG. 10(a), a 5-character string composed only of the numbers "12345" is obtained by the character recognition processing. Next, the CPU 201 determines whether the image data generated in step S904 is character recognition error image data based on the string obtained by the character recognition processing (step S906). Specifically, in step S906, it is determined whether the string obtained by the character recognition processing satisfies the conditions indicated by the setting values of the pull-down 507 and the input field 508 included in the above distribution scan setting data, for example, a string with a maximum of 5 characters composed only of numbers. For example, when the image data 1001 of FIG. 10(a) is generated in step S904, the string "12345" is obtained from the character recognition area 1002 of the image data 1001 in step S905. Since the string "12345" satisfies the condition of being a string with a maximum of 5 characters composed only of numbers, the CPU 201 determines that the image data generated in step S904 is not character recognition error image data. On the other hand, when the image data 1003 of FIG. 10(b) is generated in step S904, the string "aaa" is obtained from the character recognition area 1004 of the image data 1003 in step S905.Since the character string "aaa" does not satisfy the condition of being a character string with a maximum of 5 characters composed only of numbers, the CPU 201 determines that the image data generated in step S904 is character recognition error image data.

[0038] As a result of the determination in step S906, when the image data generated in step S904 is not character recognition error image data, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the file server 102. Specifically, the CPU 201 transmits the image data using, as the storage location, the folder determined based on the sorting scan setting data and the character string obtained by the character recognition process (step S907). For example, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the file server 102 using, as the storage location, the folder 1102a whose folder name is the character string "12345" obtained by the character recognition process among the folders 1102a to 1102c subordinate to the folder 1101 of FIG. 11 indicated by the setting value of the transmission destination area 503 included in the sorting scan setting data. While the image data is being transmitted in step S907, the notification screen 1200 of FIG. 12(a) is displayed on the operation unit 206. The notification screen 1200 is composed of a preview image 1201, a folder path 1202, and a data name 1203. The preview image 1201 is a RAW image obtained by converting the read manuscript for liquid crystal display. The folder path 1202 displays the folder path indicating the storage location of the image data. In FIG. 12(a), the folder path combined with the setting value of the transmission destination area 503 included in the sorting scan setting data, which is "￥￥file server￥medical examination form", and the character string obtained from the character recognition area, which is "12345", is displayed in the folder path 1202. The data name 1203 displays the data name of the image data. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the CPU 201 closes the notification screen 1200 and ends this process.

[0039] As a result of the determination in step S906, when the image data generated in step S904 is character recognition error image data, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the storage location of the character recognition error image data is set (step S908). In step S908, for example, if the setting value of the error destination area 505 is included in the sorting scan setting data, the CPU 201 determines that the storage location of the character recognition error image data is set. On the other hand, if the setting value of the error destination area 505 is not included in the sorting scan setting data, the CPU 201 determines that the storage location of the character recognition error image data is not set.

[0040] As a result of the determination in step S908, when the storage location of the character recognition error image data is set, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the file server 102. Specifically, the CPU 201 transmits the image data using the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data as the storage location (step S909) (storage control means). In step S909, for example, the CPU 201 transmits the image data to the file server 102 using the folder 1103 in FIG. 11 indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data as the storage location. While the image data is being transmitted in step S909, the notification screen 1204 in FIG. 12(b) is displayed on the operation unit 206. The notification screen 1204 is composed of a preview image 1205, a folder path 1206, and a data name 1207. The preview image 1205 is a RAW image obtained by converting the read document for liquid crystal display. The folder path 1206 displays the folder path indicating the storage location of the image data in step S909. For example, the folder path 1206 displays "￥￥file server￥error image￥questionnaire form", which is the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data. The data name 1207 displays the data name of the image data. When the transmission of the image data is completed, the CPU 201 closes the notification screen 1204 and ends this process.

[0041] As a result of the determination in step S908, when the storage location for the character recognition error image data is not set, the CPU 201 transmits the image data using a predetermined folder different from the folder specified in step S909 as the storage location (step S910). Then, the CPU 201 ends this process. The file server 102 that has received the image data stores the image data in the specified folder. For example, the file server 102 stores image data that is not character recognition error image data in folder 1102a having as its folder name the character string "12345" obtained by character recognition processing in sub-folders 1102a to 1102c of folder 1101, where the setting value of the destination area 503 included in the sorting scan setting data indicates. Also, the file server 102 stores the character recognition error image data in folder 1103 indicated by the setting value of the error-time destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data. If the specified folder does not exist, the file server 102 creates the specified folder and stores the image data in the created folder.

[0042] According to the above-described embodiment, when the image data generated in response to the pressing of the questionnaire button 801 is character recognition error image data, the image data is stored in the folder indicated by the setting value of the error-time destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data of the questionnaire button 801. That is, the storage location for the character recognition error image data is set to different folders for each sorting transmission button. Thereby, the character recognition error image data can be sorted and organized into folders for each sorting transmission button, and thus the labor for the user to check the character recognition error image data can be reduced.

[0043] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the folder indicated by the setting value of the error-time destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data is provided in the file server 102. Thereby, in an environment where the file server 102 stores the character recognition error image data, the labor for the user to check the character recognition error image data can be reduced.

[0044] As described above, the present invention has been described using the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the management screen 400, the setting editing screen 500, and the address selection screen 600 may be displayed on the operation unit 206 of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0045] Also, in the above-described embodiment, when the image data generated in step S904 is character recognition error image data, an error notification indicating the error content may be sent to the user.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting editing screen 1300 displayed on the display unit of the PC 104 in FIG. 1. The setting editing screen 1300 includes an error notification destination area 1301 and a selection button 1302 in addition to each item of the setting editing screen 500 in FIG. 5. In the error notification destination area 1301, a setting value regarding the destination (notification destination) of the error notification when the image data generated in step S904 is character recognition error image data is set. In the error notification destination area 1301, an e-mail address or the like indicating the destination selected by the selection button 1302 is displayed. The selection button 1302 is a button for setting an e-mail address indicating the destination of the error notification from the address book of the image forming apparatus 101. When the user selects the selection button 1302, the address selection screen 600 in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit of the PC 104.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a modified example of the sorting scan control process in FIG. 9. The process in FIG. 14 is also realized by the CPU 201 executing a program expanded from the ROM 202 or the storage 204 to the RAM 203. The process in FIG. 14 is also executed when the user presses the sorting transmission button displayed on the home screen 300. In the process of FIG. 14, it is assumed that the folder for storing the image data is provided in the file server 102.

[0048] In FIG. 14, the CPU 201 performs the processes of steps S901 to S910. After completing the process of step S909 or step S910, the CPU 201 determines whether the destination for error notification is set (step S1401). In step S1401, if the set value of the error notification destination area 1301 is included in the obtained sorting scan setting data, the CPU 201 determines that the destination for error notification is set. On the other hand, if the set value of the error notification destination area 1301 is not included in the obtained sorting scan setting data, the CPU 201 determines that the destination for error notification is not set.

[0049] As a result of the determination in step S1401, when the destination for error notification is set, the CPU 201 transmits an error notification to the destination indicated by the set value of the error notification destination area 1301 (step S1402) and ends this process. As a result of the determination in step S1401, when the destination for error notification is not set, the CPU 201 ends this process without transmitting an error notification.

[0050] In the above-described embodiment, when the image data is character recognition error image data, an error notification is transmitted to the destination indicated by the set value of the error notification destination area 1301 included in the sorting scan setting data. Thereby, the user can easily grasp the error content of the character recognition error.

[0051] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the character recognition error image data may be stored in a sub-folder of the folder indicated by the set value of the error-time destination area 505.

[0052] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a setting edit screen 1500 displayed on the display unit of the PC104 in FIG. 1. The setting edit screen 1500 includes a pull-down 1501 in addition to each item of the setting edit screen 1300 in FIG. 13. The pull-down 1501 is a list box for setting the folders subordinate to the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505. In the pull-down 1501, the user can select any one of "Do not create", "Login user name", and "Date". When the user selects "Do not create", the character recognition error image data is stored in the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data. When the user selects "Login user name", the character recognition error image data is a subfolder of the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data, and the folder name is the string indicating the user who logged in to the image forming apparatus 101. When the user selects "Date", the character recognition error image data is a subfolder of the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data, and the folder name is the string indicating the date when the document was read.

[0053] For example, a case where a user who logged in to the image forming apparatus 101 with the user name of "Sato" presses the questionnaire button 801 associated with the sorting scan setting data including "Login user name" as the setting value of the pull-down 1501 will be described. In this case, the character recognition error image data generated is a subfolder of the folder 1103 indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data of the questionnaire button 801, and is stored in the folder 1601 in FIG. 16 with the folder name of "Sato".

[0054] In addition, the character recognition error image data generated when a user who logged in as a guest user to the image forming apparatus 101 presses the questionnaire button 801 is stored in a subfolder of the folder 1103 with the folder name of "Guest" as the folder 1602.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, when the image data is character recognition error image data, the image data is stored in a sub-folder of the folder indicated by the setting value of the error-time transmission destination area 505 included in the distribution scan setting data and in a folder with a specific name corresponding to the setting value of the pull-down 1501. The specific name is a character string indicating the user who logged in to the image forming apparatus 101. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the mixing of image data generated by the instruction of another user in the folder in which the character recognition error image data is stored.

[0056] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the specific name is a character string indicating the date on which the document was read. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the mixing of the image data generated on a date different from the character recognition error image data in the folder in which the character recognition error image data is stored.

[0057] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the image data that is not character recognition error image data and the character recognition error image data may be transmitted to different servers.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the folder for storing the image data is provided in the file server 102 has been described, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the folder for storing the image data may be provided in the image forming apparatus 101. Thereby, in an environment where the image forming apparatus 101 manages the image data, it is possible to reduce the labor for the user to check the character recognition error image data.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, it is preferable that the name of the folder indicated by the setting value of the error destination area 505 included in the sorting scan setting data includes a character string indicating a character recognition error that occurred in the character recognition process. For example, the name of the folder for storing character recognition error image data that does not satisfy the condition indicated by the setting value of the input field 508 included in the sorting scan setting data is set to "Questionnaire_Character Count Error" indicating its content. Thereby, the user can easily know the content of the character recognition error from the name of the folder storing the character recognition error image data without opening the character recognition error image data.

[0060] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus may determine the name of the folder for storing the character recognition error image data.

[0061] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in the computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. Further, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0062] 101 Image forming apparatus 102 File server 201 CPU 213 Communication unit I / F 500, 1300, 1500 Setting edit screen 801 Questionnaire button 1103, 1601, 1602 Folder

Claims

1. an execution step of executing, when a number of characters in a character string indicated by character information acquired from image data generated by scanning an original is less than a predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the acquired character information, and a process for outputting information indicating that the image data is stored in the folder, A program characterized by causing an information processing device to execute an execution step of performing, when the number of characters in a string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, a process for storing the image data in a folder set by a user before the character information was acquired, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

2. a step of determining whether or not the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number; when it is determined in the determination step that the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step; The program according to claim 1, characterized in that, when it is determined in the determination step that the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder are executed in the execution step.

3. When the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data immediately below a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step; The program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, the execution step executes a process for storing the image data directly under the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

4. a recognition step of executing a recognition process on the image data to obtain character information by the information processing device; When the number of characters of the character string indicated by the character information acquired from the image data in the recognition step is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step, A program as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that if the number of characters in a string indicated by character information obtained from the image data in the recognition process is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder are executed in the execution process.

5. 5. The program according to claim 4, wherein the recognition processing is character recognition processing.

6. A transmission step is further performed by the information processing device, the process of storing the image data in a folder having the folder name is a process of transmitting the image data in the transmitting step so as to store the image data in the folder having the folder name; A program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the process for storing the image data in the set folder is a process for transmitting the image data in the transmission step in order to store the image data in the set folder.

7. a receiving step of receiving a designation of a folder path in the information processing device; 7. The program according to claim 1, wherein the set folder is a folder indicated by a folder path designated by the user in the accepting step.

8. 8. The program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is a number set by the user.

9. an execution step of executing a process for storing first image data, which is image data generated by scanning a first document and from which character information indicating a character string having a number of characters less than a predetermined number has been acquired, in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the character information acquired from the first image data, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the first image data is the folder, A program that causes an information processing device to execute an execution step of storing second image data, which is image data generated by scanning a second document, in a folder set by a user before the character information was acquired, the second image data being image data from which character information indicating a string of characters having a predetermined number or more of characters has been acquired, and outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the second image data is the set folder.

10. A program for causing an information processing device to execute a storing step for storing image data generated by scanning an original in a folder based on character information acquired from the image data, the program comprising: when the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than a predetermined number, in the storing step, the image data is stored in a folder having a folder name including the character string indicated by the acquired character information, and information indicating that the image data is stored in the folder is output; A program characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, in the storage process, the image data is stored in a folder set by a user before the acquired character information was acquired, and information indicating that the image data is stored in the set folder is output.

11. an execution step of executing, when a number of characters in a character string indicated by character information acquired from image data generated by scanning an original is less than a predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the acquired character information, and a process for outputting information indicating that the image data is stored in the folder, An information processing method characterized by having an execution step of executing, when the number of characters of a string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder set by a user before the character information was acquired, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

12. a determination step of determining whether or not the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number; when it is determined in the determination step that the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step; The information processing method according to claim 11, characterized in that, when it is determined in the determination step that the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder are executed in the execution step.

13. When the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data immediately below a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step; The information processing method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, the execution step executes a process for storing the image data directly under the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

14. A recognition step of performing a recognition process on the image data to obtain character information, When the number of characters of the character string indicated by the character information acquired from the image data in the recognition step is less than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder are executed in the execution step, An information processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, when the number of characters of a string indicated by character information obtained from the image data in the recognition process is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder are executed in the execution process.

15. 15. The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the recognition process is a character recognition process.

16. A transmitting step is further included. the process of storing the image data in a folder having the folder name is a process of transmitting the image data in the transmitting step so as to store the image data in the folder having the folder name; An information processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the process for storing the image data in the set folder is a process for transmitting the image data in the transmitting step in order to store the image data in the set folder.

17. The method further includes a receiving step of receiving a designated folder path, 17. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the set folder is a folder indicated by a folder path designated by the user in the accepting step.

18. 18. The information processing method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined number is a number set by the user.

19. an execution step of executing a process for storing first image data, which is image data generated by scanning a first document and from which character information indicating a character string having a number of characters less than a predetermined number has been acquired, in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the character information acquired from the first image data, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the first image data is the folder, An information processing method comprising the steps of: executing a process for storing second image data, which is image data generated by scanning a second document, in a folder set by a user before the character information was acquired, the second image data being image data from which character information indicating a string of characters having a predetermined number or more of characters has been acquired; and executing a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the second image data is the set folder.

20. 1. An information processing method having a storing step of storing image data generated by scanning an original in a folder based on character information obtained from the image data, when the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than a predetermined number, in the storing step, the image data is stored in a folder having a folder name including the character string indicated by the acquired character information, and information indicating that the image data is stored in the folder is output; An information processing method characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, in the storage step, the image data is stored in a folder set by a user before the acquired character information was acquired, and information indicating that the image data is stored in the set folder is output.

21. an execution means for executing, when a number of characters in a character string indicated by character information acquired from image data generated by scanning an original is less than a predetermined number, a process for storing the image data in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the acquired character information, and a process for outputting information indicating that the image data is stored in the folder, An information processing device characterized by having an execution means that, when the number of characters in a string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, executes a process for storing the image data in a folder set by a user before the character information is acquired, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

22. a determination unit that determines whether the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number; when the determination means determines that the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder; The information processing device according to claim 21, characterized in that when the determination means determines that the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

23. when the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than the predetermined number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data immediately below a folder having the folder name, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder; The information processing device according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data directly under the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

24. The image processing device further includes a recognition unit for performing a recognition process on the image data to obtain character information. when the number of characters in a character string indicated by character information acquired from the image data by the recognition means is less than the predetermined number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder; An information processing device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that when the number of characters in a string indicated by character information acquired from the image data by the recognition means is equal to or greater than the specified number, the execution means executes a process for storing the image data in the set folder and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder.

25. 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the recognition process is a character recognition process.

26. The device further includes a transmitting means, the process for storing the image data in a folder having the folder name is a process in which the transmitting means transmits the image data in order to store the image data in the folder having the folder name; 26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the process for storing the image data in the set folder is a process in which the transmitting means transmits the image data in order to store the image data in the set folder.

27. The computer further includes a receiving unit for receiving a designated folder path, 27. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the set folder is a folder indicated by a folder path the acceptance unit accepts from the user.

28. 28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined number is a number set by the user.

29. an execution means for executing a process of storing first image data, which is image data generated by scanning a first document and from which character information indicating a character string having a number of characters less than a predetermined number has been acquired, in a folder having a folder name including a character string indicated by the character information acquired from the first image data, and a process of outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the first image data is the folder, An information processing apparatus characterized by having an execution means for executing a process for storing second image data, which is image data generated by scanning a second document, in a folder set by a user before the character information is acquired, the second image data being image data from which character information indicating a string of characters having a predetermined number or more of characters has been acquired, and a process for outputting information indicating that the storage destination of the second image data is the set folder.

30. An information processing apparatus having a storage unit for storing image data generated by scanning an original in a folder based on character information acquired from the image data, When the number of characters in the character string indicated by the acquired character information is less than a predetermined number, the storage means stores the image data in a folder having a folder name including the character string indicated by the acquired character information, and information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the folder is output; An information processing device characterized in that, when the number of characters in the string indicated by the acquired character information is equal to or greater than the specified number, the storage means stores the image data in a folder set by a user before the acquired character information is acquired, and information indicating that the storage destination of the image data is the set folder is output.

Images