Image processing device, image processing system, and image processing program

Abstract

To provide an image processing device, an image processing system, and an image processing program that can output an original image in an arrangement according to a repetition period when the size of an original has the repetition period.SOLUTION: A CPU acquires a document image sequence including a plurality of document images obtained by reading a plurality of documents, and performs processing to arrange and output an original image on each page such that the page boundaries match a repetition period of the original size in the acquired original image sequence when there is the repetition period, and specifically, detects the repetition of a specific size pattern in a group of the original image after the number of sheets has been determined, and treats the repetition as one unit, and the repetition is arranged and output so as to be fit on one page when the repetition is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes an image processing apparatus including: image data receiving means for receiving image data read by an image forming apparatus connected via a network and recording the image data in image data storage means; layout generation means for generating a layout for a plurality of images included in the image data recorded in the image data storage means with respect to a predetermined arrangement area; layout image generation means for generating layout image data in which the images are arranged according to the layout when the layout satisfies a predetermined condition; and print control means for causing the image forming apparatus to print the layout image data.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If a plurality of document images are read and the read document images are arranged in the order of reading and arranged in a number that can be arranged on one page, the arrangement may not be as expected by the user. For example, when there is a repetition cycle in the size of the document and it is desired to output one cycle of the repetition as one unit, arranging the document images that can be arranged on one page may not result in the expected arrangement.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing program capable of outputting document images in an arrangement according to a repetition cycle when there is a repetition cycle in the size of the document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a processor, which acquires a sequence of document images including a plurality of document images obtained by reading a plurality of documents, and if a repeating period of the document size exists in the sequence of document images, it processes the arrangement of the document images on each page so that they become page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period and outputs them.

[0007] The image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, the processor, with one cycle of the repetition period as one unit, places the original image included in the next cycle on a new page, even if there is space on the page where the original image included in the next cycle's unit is placed.

[0008] The image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment is an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the processor adjusts the size of the original image row so that the repetition cycle fits on one page as one unit.

[0009] The image processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, in the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment, the processor receives a request to adjust the size of the original image sequence, and if the size of the original image sequence is to be adjusted, the processor adjusts the size of the original image sequence so that it fits on one page with the repetition cycle as one unit, and if the size of the original image sequence is not to be adjusted, with one repetition cycle as one unit, even if there is space on the page where the original image included in one unit of the next cycle is placed, the original image included in one unit of the next cycle is placed on a new page.

[0010] The image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, in the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment, generates a sequence of images to be detected by considering as a set a sequence of original images in the sequence of original images that can be considered to be of the same size, and detects the repeating period of the original size in the sequence of images to be detected.

[0011] The image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, in the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment, the processor calculates the size of the original image in the detection target image sequence, and based on the calculated size, determines one cycle and the number of repetitions of the detection target image sequence.

[0012] The image processing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment is an image processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment in which, if there is a repeating period in the sequence of images to be detected, the processor calculates the number of images per period of the sequence of original images based on the boundary of the repeat, and arranges them so that the boundary of the period is the boundary of the page.

[0013] The image processing system according to the eighth embodiment includes an image reading device that reads multiple documents and generates a sequence of document images containing multiple document images, and an image processing device according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The image processing program according to the ninth aspect causes the computer to obtain a sequence of document images containing multiple document images obtained by scanning multiple documents, and, if there is a repeating period of document size in the sequence of document images, to execute a process to place the document images on each page so that they become page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period and output the result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first embodiment, when the size of the original document has a repeating period, an image processing apparatus can be provided that can output the original document image in an arrangement corresponding to the repeating period.

[0016] According to the second embodiment, the original image can be placed on each page so as to form a page boundary that matches the repetition cycle of the original size.

[0017] According to the third aspect, a document image corresponding to one cycle of the repetition period of the document size can be arranged on one page.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect, the user can select whether to arrange the document image on each page so as to form the page boundary according to the repetition period of the document size, or to arrange the document image corresponding to one cycle of the repetition period of the document size on one page.

[0019] According to the fifth aspect, the repetition period of the document size can be more easily detected than when directly detecting the repetition period of the document size from the document image sequence.

[0020] According to the sixth aspect, from the detection target image sequence, one cycle of the repetition of the document size of the document image and the number of repetitions can be obtained.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, based on one cycle of the repetition of the document size of the document image and the number of repetitions obtained from the detection target image sequence, the arrangement can be made according to the repetition period of the document image sequence.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect, when there is a repetition period in the size of the document, an image processing system capable of outputting the document image in an arrangement according to the repetition period can be provided.

[0023] According to the ninth aspect, when there is a repetition period in the size of the document, an image processing program capable of outputting the document image in an arrangement according to the repetition period can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example in which the expected arrangement of the user and the read document are arranged so as to maximize the image on one page. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the arrangement of multiple original images in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of layout when the number of original images for one cycle do not fit on a single page. [Figure 6] This is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram illustrating the function for constructing the sequence of images to be detected. [Figure 8] This is a diagram illustrating a method for detecting repeating patterns. [Figure 9] This is a diagram illustrating the method for detecting the number of repetitions. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows an example of the main processing flow performed in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the process flow for generating the image sequence to be detected. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of a process flow for determining the number of images in one cycle and the number of cycle repetitions from a sequence of detected images. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows an example of a first modified flow of the main processing performed in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] This flowchart shows an example of a second modified flow of the main processing performed in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of an image processing system according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example of an image processing apparatus. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment has a printing function that receives various data via a communication line such as a network and performs image forming processing based on the received data. The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment also has multiple functions, such as a reading function that reads a document and obtains image information representing the document, a copying function that copies the image recorded on the document onto paper, a facsimile function that sends and receives various data via a telephone line (not shown), a transfer function that transfers document information such as image information read by the reading function, etc., and a storage function that stores document information such as image information read.

[0026] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is equipped with a document reading unit 52 at the top of the apparatus, and an image forming unit 24 is located below the document reading unit 52. The document reading unit 52 is equipped with a document transport unit (not shown) inside the document cover 54. The document transport unit sequentially pulls in documents 56 placed on the document feeding unit 54A provided in the document cover 54 and transports them onto a platen glass (not shown) to read the images recorded on the documents 56. The document transport unit also discharges the documents 56 after the image reading is complete onto the document discharge unit 54B provided in the document cover 54.

[0027] Furthermore, the document reading unit 52 is provided with a user interface 22 that accepts various instructions and operations from the user. This user interface 22 includes display buttons that enable the acceptance of instructions and operations via a software program, a display 22A that displays various information, hardware keys 22B such as a numeric keypad, etc. The display 22A is a touch panel type that combines a display device such as an LCD panel with a position input device such as a touchpad. The user interface 22 is used for setting the number of copies and magnification when using the copying function, and as a dial pad for a telephone when using the facsimile function, etc. via the display buttons on the display 22A and the hardware keys 22B. Note that the hardware keys 22B may be omitted.

[0028] On the other hand, the image forming unit 24 includes a paper feed and storage unit 58 in which paper, which will be used as a recording medium for image formation, is stored. The image forming unit 24 takes out the paper stored in the paper feed and storage unit 58 one sheet at a time and forms an image on the paper based on the image data, for example, by an electrophotographic process. The image forming unit 24 also discharges the paper on which images have been formed sequentially onto a paper discharge unit (not shown).

[0029] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the main electrical components of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 20 that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20A, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C. The CPU 20A controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The RAM 20C is used as a work area when various programs are executed by the CPU 20A. The ROM 20B stores various control programs such as image processing programs and various parameters in advance. The various parts of the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 are electrically connected by a system bus 42.

[0031] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a storage unit 26 for storing various data, application programs, etc. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a display control unit 28 connected to a user interface 22, which controls the display of various operation screens, etc., on the display 22A of the user interface 22. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes an operation input detection unit 30 connected to the user interface 22, which detects operation instructions input via the user interface 22. In the image forming apparatus 10, the storage unit 26, the display control unit 28, and the operation input detection unit 30 are electrically connected to a system bus 42. For example, the storage unit 26 may be an HDD (hard disk drive) or a non-volatile storage unit such as flash memory.

[0032] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a reading control unit 32 that controls the optical image reading operation by the original optical reading unit 46 and the original feeding operation by the original transport unit, and an image forming control unit 34 that controls the image forming processing by the image forming unit 24 and the transport of paper to the image forming unit 24 by the transport unit 25. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a communication line I / F (interface) unit 36 ​​connected to a communication line (not shown) that transmits and receives communication data with other external devices such as servers connected to the communication line, and an image processing unit 44 that performs various image processing. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a facsimile I / F (interface) unit 38 connected to a telephone line (not shown) that transmits and receives facsimile data with a facsimile device connected to the telephone line. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a transmit / receive control unit 40 that controls the transmit and receive of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38. In the image forming apparatus 10, the transmission / reception control unit 40, the reading control unit 32, the image forming control unit 34, the communication line I / F unit 36, the facsimile I / F unit 38, and the image processing unit 44 are electrically connected to the system bus 42.

[0033] With the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment uses the CPU 20A to access the RAM 20C, ROM 20B, and storage unit 26, respectively. The image forming apparatus 10 also uses the CPU 20A to control the display of information such as operation screens and various messages on the display 22A of the user interface 22 via the display control unit 28. The image forming apparatus 10 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the document optical reading unit 46 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32. The image forming apparatus 10 also uses the CPU 20A to control the operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the image forming control unit 34, and to control the transmission and reception of communication data via the communication line I / F unit 36, respectively. The image forming apparatus 10 also uses the CPU 20A to control the transmission and reception of facsimile data via the facsimile I / F unit 38 by the transmission and reception control unit 40. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 uses the CPU 20A to understand the operation content in the user interface 22 based on the operation input detection unit 30, and performs various controls based on this operation content.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, configured as described above, is equipped with an ID card copying function that copies both the front and back sides of an original document, such as an ID card, onto a single sheet of paper.

[0035] In conventional ID card copying functions, multiple card-sized originals are scanned one by one in a single job, and the placement of the originals on the paper is determined after the final original is confirmed. In this case, conventional image forming machines place each original horizontally if adjacent originals are the same size and can be placed horizontally; otherwise, they are placed vertically. If the originals do not fit on one page when determining the placement, the same rules are followed for the originals on the second page and subsequent pages.

[0036] However, with conventional ID card copying functions, the layout in a single job sometimes did not meet the user's expectations. For example, if the size of the original document has a repeating cycle, and the user wants to output one repeating cycle as a single unit, arranging the original document images that can fit on one page will not result in the desired layout. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, if a user expects to have six cards for two people, with one page for each user, conventionally, one job would scan the six documents one by one and arrange the scanned documents to fit as many images as possible on one page, as shown in the lower part of Figure 3. In this case, the user had to perform the process in two separate jobs to obtain the layout expected by the user, as shown in the upper part of Figure 3. In this disclosure, a job refers to a process or a set of processes executed by the image forming apparatus 10 to realize a predetermined function.

[0037] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, the CPU 20A acquires a sequence of original images containing multiple original images obtained by scanning multiple originals, and if there is a repeating period of the original size in the acquired sequence of original images, it processes the placement of the original images on each page so that they become page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period and outputs them.

[0038] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, within the set of original images after the number of images has been determined, the system detects repetitions of a specific size pattern. If a repetition is found, the repetition is treated as one unit and arranged to fit on one page for output. If the number of original images for one cycle does not fit on one page, they are placed on subsequent pages, as shown in Figure 5. The original images for the next cycle are then placed and output starting from the new page following the page where the final original image of the previous cycle was placed. In other words, even if there is space on the page where the original images for one unit of a cycle are placed to place the original images for the next cycle's unit, the original images for the next cycle's unit will be placed on a new page. This ensures that the user's expected arrangement is achieved in a single job, eliminating the need to perform the task in two separate jobs.

[0039] In order to perform such processing, in this embodiment, the CPU 20A of the control unit 20 loads the program stored in the ROM 20B into the RAM 20C and executes it, thereby having the functions shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment.

[0040] The control unit 20 has the functions of an image input unit 60, an image cropping unit 62, an image generation unit 64, an image output unit 66, and a storage area 68. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of Figure 6 is described as the functions of the control unit 20, but it is not limited to this, and for example, it may be the functional configuration of the image processing unit 44.

[0041] The image input unit 60 controls the operation of the document optical reading unit 46 and the document transport unit via the reading control unit 32 to read the document placed in the reading area of ​​the document reading unit 52.

[0042] The image extraction unit 62 extracts only the document portion from the area read by the image input unit 60 to generate a document image, and stores the generated document image in the storage area 68.

[0043] The image generation unit 64 determines the layout from a group of original document images stored in the memory area 68 and generates the output image.

[0044] The image output unit 66 controls the operation of the image forming unit 24 and the transport unit 25 via the image forming control unit 34 to form the output image generated by the image generation unit 64 onto the paper.

[0045] The memory area 68 stores the original document images generated by the image extraction unit 62 in a predetermined area of ​​the memory unit 26 for scanning the original document multiple times in one job.

[0046] Furthermore, the set of original images shall include small, non-standard originals such as ID cards, all of the original images shall be oriented upwards, there shall be two or more original images, and there shall be periodicity in the size of the original images.

[0047] In detail, the image generation unit 64 has a detection target image sequence construction function that determines whether the vertical and horizontal dimensions of two original images are the same size when determining the layout, and a detection function that detects repeating patterns of the original image sequence.

[0048] The detection target image sequence construction function constructs a detection target image sequence in advance by considering images that can be considered to be the same size based on the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the original image sequence as a pair, and detecting repeating patterns. For example, as shown in Figure 7, if the original image sequence consists of images [0] to [4], where images [0] to [3] are of equal size, then images [0] and [1], and images [2] and [3] are each considered as a pair, and the detection target image sequence of images [0] to [2] is constructed. This reduces the number of images to be targeted when detecting the repeating period of image size, thereby reducing the processing load. Note that the construction of the detection target image sequence may be repeated until adjacent images are of different sizes. That is, in the example in Figure 7, if images [0] and [1] in the detection target image sequence are of equal size, the two images may be considered as another pair, and the two images may be used to construct a new detection target image sequence. Furthermore, although this embodiment is described with a detection target image sequence construction function, the detection target image sequence construction function may be omitted.

[0049] Furthermore, the detection function calculates the size of the original image for each sequence of images to be detected, and based on the calculation results, determines the repetition cycle and the number of repetitions of the sequence of images to be detected.

[0050] If repetition is required, the number of images per cycle of the source image set is calculated based on the repetition boundary, and the layout is determined so that the cycle boundary is the page boundary. When calculating the number of images per cycle, the source images considered as a set by the detection target image sequence construction function are taken into account.

[0051] Furthermore, if the images for one cycle cannot fit on a single page, they will be placed on subsequent pages. In this case, the placement of the images for the next cycle will begin on the new page.

[0052] Here, the method for detecting repeating patterns using the detection function of the image generation unit 64 will be described in detail. In this embodiment, the repeating pattern of the original image sequence is detected using Floyd's cycle detection method. Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the method for detecting repeating patterns.

[0053] For example, as shown in Figure 8, we will explain using a sequence of six original images, from image [0] to image [5], as an example.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, slow and fast are the indices of M images, and fast is advanced by 2 for every 1 step in slow starting from image [0]. If fast is greater than or equal to M (fast >= M), the remainder when fast is divided by M is defined as fast = fast % M.

[0055] As the index advances, the sizes of the images are compared. If image[slow] and image[fast] are the same size, the iteration period is calculated by setting image[0] to image[slow-1] as one period.

[0056] Next, we will explain how the detection function of the image generation unit 64 detects the number of repetitions. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the method for detecting the number of repetitions.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, the sizes of images [0] to [2] included in the detected period are compared with images [3] to [5] corresponding to the next period.

[0058] Then, if each image is the same size, the number of repetitions (initial value 1) is added, and the process is repeated until there are no more images corresponding to the next cycle, thereby detecting the number of repetitions.

[0059] Next, we will describe the procedure for when a user performs an ID card copy job in the image forming apparatus 10 configured according to this embodiment as described above.

[0060] First, the user places one document in the reading area of ​​the document reading unit 52 with the top facing upwards, and then operates the user interface 22 to select the ID card copy job.

[0061] The user operates the user interface 22 to configure the job and then instructs the system to start the ID card copying job.

[0062] When the image forming apparatus 10 receives a start command, it reads the original document and stores the extracted image portion of the original document in the storage area 68.

[0063] The user selects whether there is a next document. If the user selects whether there is a next document, the user places the next document on the document reading unit 52 with the top facing upwards and operates the user interface 22 to select whether there is a next document. The image forming apparatus 10 then reads the document as described above and stores the document image in the storage area 68.

[0064] If "No next document" is selected, or if the image forming apparatus 10 has read the maximum number of documents predetermined for the ID card copy job, the following main process is executed to determine the layout and output the generated image.

[0065] Here, we will describe the details of the main processing performed in the image forming apparatus 10. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the main processing performed in the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the processing in Figure 10 starts when an ID card copy job is selected and instructed to start. In addition, the processing in Figure 10 takes a sequence of original images consisting of N images as input and outputs the arrangement result of the sequence of original images.

[0066] In step 100, the CPU 20A performs a process of generating a detection target image sequence and proceeds to step 102. This process constructs a detection target image sequence, which is a sequence of images of the same size regarded as a set from the document image sequence by the detection target image sequence construction function of the image generation unit 64, and is a target for detecting a repeating pattern. Specifically, the process shown in FIG. 11 is performed. Here, the process of generating the detection target image sequence will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of generating the detection target image sequence. In the process of FIG. 11, it will be described as inputting a document image sequence consisting of N documents and outputting a detection target image sequence having M images.

[0067] In step 200, the CPU 20A sets i = 0 and M = 0 and proceeds to step 202.

[0068] In step 202, the CPU 20A determines whether i < N. If the determination is affirmative, it proceeds to step 204.

[0069] In step 204, the CPU 20A determines whether the sizes of the i-th document image and the (i + 1)-th document image are equal. If the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 206; if affirmative, it proceeds to step 210.

[0070] In step 206, the CPU 20A adds information indicating that the size of the i-th image and the number of images of the same size = 1 to the detection image sequence and proceeds to step 208.

[0071] In step 208, the CPU 20A increments i by 1 (i += 1) and returns to step 202 to repeat the above process.

[0072] On the other hand, in step 210, the CPU 20A adds information indicating that the size of the i-th image and the number of images of the same size = 2 to the detection image sequence and proceeds to step 212.

[0073] In step 212, the CPU 20A increments i by 2 (i += 2) and proceeds to step 214.

[0074] In step 214, the CPU 20A increments M by 1 (M += 1), returns to step 202, and repeats the above-described process.

[0075] If the determination in step 202 is negative, the process ends as it is and proceeds to step 102 in FIG. 10.

[0076] In step 102, the CPU 20A performs a process of obtaining the number of images in one cycle and the number of repetitions of the cycle from the detected image sequence and proceeds to step 104. This process is to calculate the size of the original image for the detected target image sequence by the detection function of the image generation unit 64, and based on the calculation result, perform a process of obtaining one cycle of repetition and the number of repetitions of the detected target image sequence. Specifically, the process shown in FIG. 12 is performed. Here, the process of obtaining the number of images in one cycle and the number of repetitions of the cycle from the detected image sequence will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of obtaining the number of images in one cycle and the number of repetitions of the cycle from the detected image sequence. In the process of FIG. 12, it is described as inputting a detected target image sequence having M images and outputting the number of images T in one cycle and the number of repetitions R of the cycle.

[0077] In step 300, the CPU 20A sets fast = 0 and slow = 0 and proceeds to step 302.

[0078] In step 302, the CPU 20A increments fast by 2 (fast += 2), increments slow by 1 (slow += 1), and proceeds to step 304.

[0079] In step 304, the CPU 20A determines whether slow < M. If the determination is affirmative, it proceeds to step 306; if the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 308.

[0080] In step 306, CPU 20A sets T = 0 and R = 0, ends the process, and proceeds to step 104 in FIG. 10.

[0081] On the other hand, in step 308, CPU 20A determines whether fast < M. If the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 310; if positive, it proceeds to step 312.

[0082] In step 310, CPU 20A divides fast by M and takes the remainder as fast (fast = fast % M), then proceeds to step 312.

[0083] In step 312, CPU 20A determines whether the detected target image sequence [fast] and the detected target image sequence [slow] are of the same size (fast = slow). If the determination is negative, it returns to step 302 to repeat the above process; if positive, it proceeds to step 314.

[0084] In step 314, CPU 20A sets T = slow and R = 0, then proceeds to step 316.

[0085] In step 316, CPU 20A sets rbegin = slow and rend = slow + T - 1, then proceeds to step 318.

[0086] In step 318, CPU 20A determines whether rbegin < M and rend < M. If the determination is negative, it proceeds to step 320; if positive, it proceeds to step 322.

[0087] In step 320, CPU 20A decrements R by 1 (R -= 1), ends the process, and proceeds to step 104 in FIG. 10.

[0088] Meanwhile, in step 322, the CPU 20A determines whether the size of each element from rbegin to rend matches the size of the elements from image [0] to [T]. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 324; otherwise, the process ends and the process proceeds to step 104 in Figure 10.

[0089] In step 324, CPU 20A increases R by 1 (R+=1) and proceeds to step 326.

[0090] In step 326, CPU 20A increments rbegin by T (rbegin+=T) and rend by T (rend+=T), then returns to step 318 and repeats the process described above.

[0091] On the other hand, returning to Figure 10, in step 104, CPU 20A focuses on one cycle of the original image and proceeds to step 108.

[0092] Step 108 determines whether one cycle of images fits on one page. If this determination is positive, proceed to step 110; otherwise, proceed to step 112.

[0093] In step 110, the CPU 20A places the original image corresponding to one cycle per page into the area and proceeds to step 114.

[0094] In step 112, CPU 20A places the original image corresponding to one cycle across multiple pages, places the image for the next cycle on a new page, and proceeds to step 114.

[0095] In step 114, the CPU 20A determines whether the placement of the original image for each cycle has been completed. If this determination is negative, the process returns to step 106 and repeats the above process, focusing on the original image for the next cycle. If the determination is positive, the series of main processes ends.

[0096] In the above embodiment, if the number of original images for one cycle does not fit on one page, they are placed on subsequent pages, but this is not the only option. For example, the size of the original images may be adjusted and placed so that they fit on one page. In this case, the main processing is as shown in Figure 13, with step 113 being performed instead of step 112 in Figure 10. That is, in step 113, the size of the original images corresponding to one cycle is adjusted so that they fit on one page, placed in the area, and the process moves to step 114. In this case, a size threshold can be set in advance, and when adjusting the size of the original images, if the adjusted image size is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the image size may be left unchanged and placed on the next page.

[0097] Alternatively, the user may be asked whether or not to adjust the size. If the size is adjusted, the size of the original image corresponding to one cycle is adjusted to fit within one page and placed in the area. If the size is not adjusted, the next cycle may be placed on a new page. In this case, the main processing involves adding steps 111 and 113 to Figure 10, as shown in Figure 14. That is, if the determination in step 108 is negative, the process proceeds to step 111 to determine whether or not to adjust the size. This determination may be made, for example, by displaying a screen to ask the user for their selection, or by setting it in advance on a settings screen, etc. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 113 as described above; if negative, the process proceeds to step 112 as described above.

[0098] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example in which the image forming apparatus 10 performs the processing shown in Figures 10 to 14, it is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the image processing system 80 may consist of the image forming apparatus 10 and at least one of a client computer 14 and a server 12 such as a cloud server connected to a communication line 16. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10 may be an image reading device, and the client computer 14 or server 12 may be an image processing device. The image forming apparatus 10 may read multiple originals and generate a sequence of original images containing multiple original images, and the client computer 14 or server 12 may perform the processing shown in Figures 10 to 12.

[0099] Furthermore, although the CPU was described as an example of a processor in the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a broader term that includes general-purpose processors (such as CPUs) and specialized processors (such as GPUs: Graphics Processing Units, ASICs: Application Specific Integrated Circuits, FPGAs: Field Programmable Gate Arrays, and programmable logic devices).

[0100] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, but may be changed as appropriate.

[0101] Furthermore, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment may be performed by software, by hardware, or by a combination of both. Also, the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 10 may be stored as a program on a storage medium and distributed.

[0102] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and it is of course possible to implement it in various modified forms without departing from its intent.

[0103] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above. (((1))) The processor comprises, Obtain a sequence of document images containing multiple document images obtained by scanning multiple documents. An image processing apparatus that, if there is a repeating period of the original image size in the aforementioned sequence of original images, processes the placement of the original images on each page so that they form page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period and outputs them.

[0104] (((2))) The image processing apparatus according to (((1))), wherein the processor takes one cycle of the repetition period as one unit, and even if there is space on the page where the original image included in one unit is placed to place the original image included in the next cycle's one unit, the original image included in the next cycle's one unit is placed on a new page.

[0105] (((3))) The image processing apparatus according to (((1))), wherein the processor adjusts the size of the original image row and arranges it so that the repetition period fits on one page as one unit.

[0106] (((4))) The image processing apparatus according to (((3))), wherein the processor accepts whether or not to adjust the size of the original image sequence, and if the size of the original image sequence is to be adjusted, the processor adjusts the size of the original image sequence so that it fits on one page with the repetition cycle as one unit, and if the size of the original image sequence is not to be adjusted, the processor takes the repetition cycle as one unit, and even if there is space on the page where the original image included in the next cycle's unit is placed, the original image included in the next cycle's unit is placed on a new page.

[0107] (((5))) The image processing apparatus according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the processor generates a sequence of images to be detected by considering each of the original images in the sequence of original images as a set of original images of the same size, and detects the repeating period of the original size in the sequence of images to be detected.

[0108] (((6))) The image processing apparatus according to (((5))), wherein the processor calculates the size of the original image in the image sequence to be detected, and determines one cycle and the number of repetitions of the image sequence to be detected based on the calculated size.

[0109] (((7))) The image processing apparatus according to (((6))), wherein the processor, if there is a repeating period in the sequence of images to be detected, calculates the number of images per cycle of the sequence of original images based on the boundary of the repeat, and arranges them so that the boundary of the cycle is the boundary of a page.

[0110] (((8))) An image reading device that reads multiple documents and generates a sequence of documents containing multiple document images, An image processing device described in any one of (((1))) to (((7))), An image processing system including [specific components / features].

[0111] (((9))) On the computer, Obtain a sequence of document images containing multiple document images obtained by scanning multiple documents. An image processing program for performing the process of arranging the original images on each page so that they form page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period in the original image sequence, if such a repeating period exists in the original image size.

[0112] According to (((1))), when the size of the original document has a repeating period, an image processing device can be provided that can output the original document image in an arrangement corresponding to the repeating period.

[0113] According to (((2))), the original image can be placed on each page so that it forms a page boundary that matches the repeating cycle of the original size.

[0114] According to (((3))), original images corresponding to the repeating cycle of the original size can be placed on one page.

[0115] According to (((4))), the user can choose whether to place the original image on each page so that it forms a page boundary corresponding to the repetition cycle of the original size, or to place the original image corresponding to the repetition cycle of the original size on one page.

[0116] According to (((5))), this method can reduce the processing load compared to directly detecting the repetition period of the original size from the original image sequence.

[0117] According to (((6))), the number of repetitions and the number of repetitions of the original size of the original image can be determined from the sequence of images to be detected.

[0118] According to (((7))), based on the one-cycle and number of repetitions of the original size of the original image obtained from the sequence of images to be detected, the arrangement can be made in accordance with the repetition cycle of the sequence of original images.

[0119] According to ((8)), when the size of the original document has a repeating period, an image processing system can be provided that can output the original document image in an arrangement corresponding to the repeating period.

[0120] According to (((9))), when the size of the original document has a repeating period, an image processing program can be provided that can output the original document image in an arrangement corresponding to the repeating period. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0121] 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Control Unit 20A CPU 60 Image Input Section 62 Image cropping section 64 Image generation unit 66 Image output section 68 Storage area

Claims

1. The processor comprises, Obtain a sequence of document images containing multiple document images obtained by scanning multiple documents. An image processing apparatus that, if there is a repeating period of the original image size in the aforementioned sequence of original images, processes the placement of the original images on each page so that they form page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period and outputs them.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor, with one cycle of the repetition period as one unit, places the original image included in the next cycle on a new page even if there is space on the page where the original image included in one unit is placed.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts the size of the original image row and arranges it so that the repetition period fits on one page as one unit.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processor accepts whether or not to adjust the size of the sequence of original images, and if the size of the sequence of original images is to be adjusted, the processor adjusts the size of the sequence of original images so that it fits on one page with the repetition cycle as one unit, and if the size of the sequence of original images is not to be adjusted, even if there is space on the page where the original images included in the next cycle's unit are placed, the original images included in the next cycle's unit are placed on a new page.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor generates a sequence of images to be detected by considering each of the original images in the sequence of original images as a set of original images of the same size, and detects the repeating period of the original size of the sequence of images to be detected.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the processor calculates the size of the original image in the sequence of images to be detected, and determines one cycle and the number of repetitions of the sequence of images to be detected based on the calculated size.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, if the sequence of images to be detected has a repeating period, the processor calculates the number of images per period of the sequence of original images based on the boundary of the repeating period, and arranges the images so that the boundary of the period is the boundary of a page.

8. An image reading device that reads multiple documents and generates a sequence of documents containing multiple document images, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, An image processing system including [specific components / features].

9. On the computer, Obtain a sequence of document images containing multiple document images obtained by scanning multiple documents. An image processing program for performing the process of arranging the original images on each page so that they form page boundaries corresponding to the repeating period in the original image sequence, if such a repeating period exists in the original image size.

Images