JP4261655B2 - Image reading system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading system used in an environment in which, for example, a digital copying machine is connected to a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image reading systems use a device shared by a plurality of users, such as a high-speed scanner having an ADF such as a digital copier connected to a network, to collectively read images in units of documents. Do it at high speed.
[0003]
On the other hand, when image reading is performed with a low-speed scanner directly connected to a personal computer (PC), pre-scanning is performed to finely adjust settings at the time of reading such as page size, resolution, density, and color, and actual image reading is performed. .
[0004]
As described above, in an image reading system using a digital copying machine equipped with a high-speed scan that is connected via a network and shared by a plurality of users, a document-unit original image consisting of a plurality of pages is read at a high speed. can do.
[0005]
However, the image reading system configured as described above has the following problems.
[0006]
(1) There is no means for easily confirming whether or not an image has been input accurately after confirming the contents of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and adjusting the settings on the spot where the input operation is being performed.
[0007]
(2) When the input area is set, it is not possible to easily confirm how the image has changed after the input setting is adjusted.
[0008]
(3) There is no means for automatically determining whether or not an image has been properly input, and it is not possible to easily determine whether or not to input again.
[0009]
(4) Images with different input settings cannot be selected and stored for comparison.
[0010]
(5) When performing a main scan operation of a document, there may be a page that uses an image obtained in the previous stage as it is as a saved image. For such pages, only the sheet feed is performed without performing the main scan. When all the remaining pages of the document do not require a main scan, it is necessary to continue only the sheet feeding operation, and it takes a long time to input an image.
[0011]
(6) If the operation is interrupted, the total number of pages of the document is not known, so that an error in the reading process due to a sheet feed error cannot be detected.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a document reading process is performed using a high-speed scanner connected by a network and shared by a plurality of users, the read image cannot be easily confirmed, and rereading takes a long time. In order to solve such a problem, when a document reading process is performed using a high-speed scanner connected by a network and shared by a plurality of users, a read image can be easily confirmed and re-reading can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading system that does not take a long time.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The image reading system of the present invention is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit document consisting of a plurality of pages. Reading means for sequentially reading based on the reading means, determination means for determining whether or not the read image has been read appropriately by analyzing the image read by the reading means, and the reading based on the determination result of the determining means Storage means for storing information indicating that the image has been properly read and the first setting content in association with each other, and images for all pages of the document read by the reading means are determined by the determining means. The display means for displaying each read image together with information on whether or not each read image is appropriate, and the operator selects the page to be reread by the reading means among the images of each page displayed on the display means. And a control means for controlling the reading means so reread reads only the image of the specified page by designating means, and the specifying means to a constant.
[0016]
  The image reading system of the present invention is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit document consisting of a plurality of pages. Reading means for sequentially reading based on the above, a storage means for storing an image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first set content, and for all pages of the document read by the reading means provided in the vicinity of the reading means Display means for displaying images ofSpecification means for the operator to specify a page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents to the second setting contents among the images of each page displayed by the display means, Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by this designation means.With the second setting aboveA first processing unit that stores the read image in association with the second setting content in addition to the storage content of the storage unit, an image of all pages of the document read by the reading unit, A second processing means for displaying the image of the page read by the first processing means by the display means; and the second processing means.Of the images on the page displayed on the display means, an image that the operator excludes from the candidate read images by the designation means.It comprises third processing means for erasing.
[0017]
  The image reading system of the present invention is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit document consisting of a plurality of pages. Reading means for sequentially reading based on the above, a storage means for storing an image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first set content, and for all pages of the document read by the reading means provided in the vicinity of the reading means Display means for displaying the image of the image displayed by the display meansSpecification means for the operator to specify the page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents of the images on each page to the second setting contents, Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by this designation means.With the second setting aboveA first processing means for reading, adding the read image and the second set content in correspondence with the stored content of the storage means, and storing the reread image during the processing of the first processing means; When reading, the determination means for determining whether or not the page to be reread is included in the remaining pages, and when the determination means determines that there are no pages that need to be reread in the remaining pages, The interrupting means for interrupting the processing by the first processing means, and the image for all pages of the document read by the reading means and the image of the page read by the first processing means are displayed on the display means. 2 processing means.
[0018]
  The image reading system of the present invention is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit document consisting of a plurality of pages. Reading means for sequentially reading based on the above, a storage means for storing an image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first set content, and for all pages of the document read by the reading means provided in the vicinity of the reading means Display means for displaying the image of the image displayed by the display meansSpecification means for the operator to specify the page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents of the images on each page to the second setting contents, Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by this designation means.With the second setting aboveA first processing means for reading, adding the read image and the second set content in correspondence with the stored content of the storage means, and storing the reread image during the processing of the first processing means; When reading, the determination means for determining whether or not the page to be reread is included in the remaining pages, and when the determination means determines that there are no pages that need to be reread in the remaining pages, An interruption means for interrupting the processing by the first processing means, and an instruction for the operator to instruct whether or not to confirm the total number of pages of the document after the processing by the first processing means is interrupted by the interruption means. Instructed to confirm the total number of pages by this instruction meansCaseComparison means for comparing the total number of pages obtained by counting the number of pages before interruption by the interruption means and the number of remaining pages after interruption, and the total number of pages of the document read by the reading means; When the number of pages does not match, the informing means for notifying the processing abnormality, and when the instruction means instructs not to check the page number, or when the total number of pages matches by the comparing means, the reading means The second processing means displays the image for all the pages of the document read by the above and the page image read by the first processing means by the display means.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading system includes a control unit 10, an image reading unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, an image processing unit 15, a printing unit 16, a communication unit 17, and an image analysis. The unit 18 is configured.
[0022]
The control unit 10 controls the entire image reading system.
[0023]
The image reading unit 11 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 11a that sequentially feeds documents of a document unit consisting of a plurality of pages one by one, and reads an image of a document fed by the ADF 11a. is there.
[0024]
The storage unit 12 includes a management table 12a for managing read images, and stores an image of a document read by the image reading unit 11.
[0025]
The display unit 13 incorporates a touch panel, displays an image read to the user, and displays various instruction keys by the user.
[0026]
The input unit 14 may be an instruction key displayed on the touch panel of the display unit 13, or may be an operation panel configured by a hard key such as a numeric keypad or a start key or a small touch panel for displaying an instruction key. .
[0027]
The image analysis unit 18 analyzes the contents of the image read by the image reading unit 11.
[0028]
Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the usage environment of this image reading system. As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading system is used in a network environment in which the digital copying machine 20 is connected to a server 22 for managing various data via a network 21 and a plurality of clients 23 such as personal computers. Used in
[0029]
  The digital copying machine includes at least an image reading unit 11,MemoryThe unit 12, the display unit 13, and the input unit 14 are provided, and a document-unit document reading process is executed by a user operation.
[0030]
In such a network environment, the digital copying machine 20 is provided with all or only some components constituting the image reading system as shown in FIG. Each component constituting the image reading system is included in any device on the network 21 as long as the reading unit, the display unit, and the input unit are provided in or near the digital copying machine as the image reading device. May be.
[0031]
Also, in the network environment as described above, a user who uses this image reading system goes to the digital copying machine 20 with a document unit document consisting of a plurality of pages. Then, the digital copying machine 20 is set to a reading function (scan mode), a process for reading all originals in document units (pre-scan process) is performed, and re-reading is necessary among images read by the pre-scan process. An original is specified, and an image of the original in units of documents is read by performing processing (main scan processing) for reading the image of the specified page that needs to be read again. For example, the image read by such processing is stored in a database managed by the server 22 and used by the client 23 operated by the user.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen when setting the scan mode in the digital copying machine 20. In this example, the user's instruction is given by a display device (display unit 13 and input unit 14) with a built-in touch panel having a display function and an operation function provided in the digital copying machine 20. The scan mode setting as described above may be performed using a hard key or a small operation panel with a built-in touch panel.
[0033]
On the setting screen shown in FIG. 3 displayed on the display unit 13, the user designates an instruction key 31 for scanning a single page or an instruction for continuously scanning a plurality of documents in document units. By instructing one of the keys 32, the digital copying machine 20 is set to the scan mode.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is a view showing a display example of a user registration screen for inputting a user ID and a password in order to identify and authenticate a user who uses this image reading system. As shown in FIG. 4, the user inputs the user ID in the user ID column 41 and the password in the password column 42 by using the numeric keypad 43 displayed on the screen of the display unit 13. . When the user ID and password entered on the user registration screen are authenticated by the image reading system, the user can use the image reading system.
[0035]
Next, the management table 12a for managing the read image data will be described.
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table 12a after completion of the prescan process. As shown in FIG. 5, the management table 12a includes a session ID field 51, a user ID field 52, a total page number field 53, a page number field 54, a flag field 55, various parameter fields 56, an area field 57, and image data. It consists of a field 58.
[0037]
In the session ID field 51, a session ID given for each reading process is recorded in order to be distinguished from other reading processes (sessions). In the user ID field 52, a user ID indicating the user who is performing the session is recorded. In the total page number field 53, the total number of document pages in the document unit counted when the document is fed from the ADF 11a during the pre-scan process is recorded.
[0038]
The page number field 54 is assigned a page number for a document in document units. A flag is recorded in the flag field 55, and the value as the flag is changed when rereading is necessary in the next main scan or when an error is detected in an error detection process described later. In the various parameter fields 56, parameters such as a reading mode, resolution, and density when an image is read are recorded. Although the designated area range is recorded in the area field 57, since all pages are input under the same conditions in the pre-scan, various input setting values are the same. The image data field 58 stores image data.
[0039]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example when displaying the read image obtained by the pre-scan managed by the management table 12 a on the display unit 13. When an image of a document is read by prescanning, as shown in FIG. 6, a list of pages obtained by prescanning is displayed on the display unit 13 in order to confirm the image read by the user. When an error is detected in the read image by the image analysis unit 18, a mark indicating that the image is the error image 61 is added to the page and displayed. Further, images of pages that cannot be displayed on the display unit 13 at a time are displayed by scrolling the display screen. A page number is assigned to the read image of each page. As a result, the user can grasp the page number of the displayed image.
[0040]
With such a display, the user can view the read images of all the pre-scanned pages on the display unit 13, and while looking at the display, can change the input settings and search for a page that needs to be read again. . Further, it is possible to easily know the page of the read image having an error.
[0041]
When the user checks the read image on the display screen as shown in FIG. 6 and specifies a page that needs to be reread by changing the setting contents, the user can specify the image displayed directly by inputting it on the touch panel. The page number is designated by inputting with the numeric keypad 43.
[0042]
As described above, the image analysis unit determines whether or not the input image is appropriate, and when it is determined that the read image is not appropriate by this determination, the page is clearly indicated at the time of “image confirmation”. Urged to read again.
[0043]
As a result, when a reading error such as tilting or fading occurs, it is easy to confirm that re-reading is necessary.
[0044]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example when only the page designated by the user is displayed in full screen. That is, when the user designates a page from the list of prescanned images as shown in FIG. 6, only the page designated by the user is displayed on the left side of the display screen of the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. To display. Further, on the right side of the display screen, a numeric keypad 43, a magnification setting key 72, a mode designation key 73, a resolution designation key 74, a density designation key 75, and a test print key 76 are displayed. When the user needs to display the read image in detail, the magnification of the image to be displayed is changed by the magnification key 72.
[0045]
When the user designates a display area for the read image, only that area is displayed in the image display area 71. Thereby, it is possible to provide a display in which the user can easily confirm the image.
[0046]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table 12a after the user sets reread (main scan) for an image read by the prescan process. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the management table 12a created at the end of the pre-scan is reconfigured based on the user resetting.
[0047]
As in FIG. 5, the management table 12a includes a session ID field 51, a user ID field 52, a total page number field 53, a page number field 54, various parameter fields 56, an area field 57, and an image data field 58. The value at the end of the prescan is recorded as it is.
[0048]
A page whose setting for re-reading has been changed due to confirmation of the read image by the user is recorded in the flag field 55. Then, a column is added to the next lower stage, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the value of the upper stage to the value of the flag field 55 is recorded. Further, the setting contents adjusted by the user for the main scan are recorded in this column.
[0049]
For example, with respect to page number 2, normal page, page number 2 prescanned at 200 dpi and density 5 is adjusted to photo mode, 400 dpi and density 3, and re-reading is instructed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a column in which the flag is recorded as 1, together with the newly changed setting, is added to the lower part of the column of page number 2 at the time of pre-scanning.
[0050]
In this way, by newly creating and adding a setting column changed as a re-reading page, it is possible to reserve a scan execution in the next main scan.
[0051]
At this time, if an error is detected, a value of 1 is recorded in the flag field 55 in advance, but if the user instructs that it is not necessary for the next main scan, this operation is not performed. Not reserved.
[0052]
Similarly, pages for which change is designated are added to the management table 12a.
[0053]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a selection screen for selecting whether or not the user performs confirmation of the total number of pages. That is, when this scan processing is finished, as shown in FIG. 9, a guidance “Do you want to check the total number of pages” and an instruction key displayed as “Yes” or “No” on the display unit 13. Is displayed. In response to this display, the user designates the instruction key displayed as “Yes” when confirming the total number of pages, and “No” when not confirming the total number of pages. The instruction keys that are displayed are indicated.
[0054]
FIG. 10 shows a display example of an error notification displayed on the display unit 13 when the total number of pages is confirmed and the total number of pages at the time of pre-scanning does not match the total number of pages at the time of main scanning. FIG. That is, when the total number of pages at the time of pre-scanning and the total number of pages at the time of main scanning do not match, as shown in FIG. 10, the total number of pages of both pre-scanning and main scanning is presented on the display unit 13, A guide for notifying the user that there is a mistake in the sheet feed is displayed.
[0055]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example when displaying the read images for all the pages of the document as a list after the main scan. As shown in FIG. 11, the confirmation screen for the read image is displayed in a format almost the same as the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 6, and for the page on which the main scan has been performed, the image obtained by the main scan is obtained by pre-scanning. It is displayed overlaid on the displayed image, clearly indicating that the main scan has been performed. Further, only the designated area is displayed for the page whose area is designated by the input setting. Thus, the user can check the image obtained by the main scan while viewing the display, and can determine whether or not the input setting adjustment is necessary.
[0056]
  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example when only a designated page is displayed in full screen in order to confirm the read image in more detail. As shown in FIG. 13, the pre-scan image and the main scan image are displayed in a superimposed manner in the image display area 71 on the left side of the display screen, and the numeric keypad 43, In addition to the magnification setting key 72, the mode designation key 73, the resolution designation key 74, and the density designation key 75, a trial print key 76 for instructing trial printing, and an instruction key for instructing to display the pre-scan image and the main scan image side by side 77. An erase key 78 for erasing the image is displayed. Image display area 71As the read image to be displayed, the image displayed on the uppermost layer is designated by designating which read image is to be confirmed.
[0057]
The trial print key 76 is used to instruct trial printing of the displayed uppermost display page. Further, the instruction key 77 is used to instruct to display side by side as shown in FIG. 13 in order to more easily compare the pre-scan image and the main-scan image displayed in a superimposed manner.
[0058]
As described above, the image of the document consisting of a plurality of pages read by the pre-scan and the main scan is displayed on the spot and in detail on the spot by the display means, and the setting content at the time of reading is changed and re-read by this display For the page, the read image before the change and the read image after the change are arranged at the same time.
[0059]
As a result, the image read last time (pre-scan image) and the image read this time (main scan image) are displayed side by side at the same time and can be easily compared.
[0060]
Further, when it is instructed to display the pages for which the area has been specified by the instruction key 77, only those areas are extracted and displayed side by side as shown in FIG.
[0061]
As described above, for a page in which the read image area is set, the designated area is extracted and displayed in the comparison display after re-reading.
[0062]
As a result, it is possible to easily compare whether or not an image of the target area has been appropriately obtained.
[0063]
Next, a description will be given of the management table 12a in the process of temporarily storing images read so far when resetting is performed.
[0064]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the management table 12a after the main scan. For example, when image reading is continued after readjustment of settings at the time of reading, there is a request to compare an image read so far with an image read next time. For this reason, the image read by the pre-scan and the main scan is temporarily stored in the management table 12a as a comparison or final registration image.
[0065]
In addition, while the main scan is repeated until a read image that satisfies the user is obtained, there are images that are excluded from read image candidates to be compared or registered by the user. In such a case, the user selects whether to delete the image excluded from the candidates. As a result, images that do not need to be saved can be erased from the storage unit 12, and the waste of storage capacity used by the management table 12a can be reduced.
[0066]
Further, an image instructed to be stored without being erased is managed by a management table 12a as shown in FIG. That is, the management table 12a is reconfigured by the user after the input setting readjustment setting is completed, and similarly, the session ID field 51, the user ID field 52, the total page number field 53 in the pre-scan, and the total page number field in the main scan 54, page number 55, various parameter fields 56, area field 57, and image data field 58 are recorded.
[0067]
In this case, pages whose input settings have been further changed due to image confirmation are recorded in the flag field 55. Then, a column is added to the next lower stage, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the upper one is entered as the value of the flag field. Then, the setting contents adjusted for the main scan are recorded, and it is possible to reserve a scan execution in the next main scan. In the same manner, pages for which change is designated are added to the management table 12a.
[0068]
For example, in FIG. 15, when page number 2 is pre-scanned in normal mode, 200 dpi, density 5, and page number 2 is changed to photo mode, 400 dpi, density 3 and main scanning is performed, FIG. As shown, a management table 12a is set. Furthermore, when the main scan is set again for this page number 2 with a photograph, 600 dpi, and density 4, the newly changed setting contents are displayed at the bottom of the page number 2 column at the previous main scan. , A column with a flag recorded as 2 is added.
[0069]
As described above, when a read image that satisfies the user is not obtained and it is necessary to read the image again, the setting contents are readjusted on the spot to reserve the next reading.
[0070]
As a result, when the settings are changed as a reread page, a new column can be created and added in the management table, and the scan execution in the next main scan can be reserved in the management table. Can be repeated.
[0071]
In addition, the image before adjustment of the setting contents at the time of reading is selectively stored for comparison with the image after adjustment.
[0072]
As a result, when adjustment of the setting contents at the time of reading is performed by trial and error, a candidate read image is temporarily stored, and an appropriate image is finally compared with the image read after adjustment of the setting contents. It becomes possible to register, and the user can easily select the most appropriate image from a plurality of read image candidates.
[0073]
Also, by managing the settings for each page, the next scan process allows the user to handle the original in document units, and automatically read only the reset pages.
[0074]
As a result, the next scanning operation can be performed for each document, and only automatically reset pages can be input.
[0075]
Next, the operation of the image reading process by the image reading system by the user will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the error detection process by the image reading system in FIG. 17, and the main scanning process in FIG. Here, a process performed on a document unit document composed of a plurality of pages in the order of pre-scan processing, image confirmation, input setting adjustment, and main scan will be described as one session.
[0076]
First, on the mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 3, the user instructs the instruction key 32 for selecting the scan mode in document units by the input unit 14 (step 1). Next, the user inputs the user ID and password given to each user on the user registration screen as shown in FIG. 4 (step 2).
[0077]
The control unit 10 authenticates the user with the user ID and password input by the user.
[0078]
When the user is authenticated in this way, the user sets a document unit document to be read on the ADF 11a (step 3). Further, the user instructs parameters such as reading mode, resolution, and density in prescan, and setting values such as area designation (step 4), and instructs the start of prescan (step 5). Here, the area is specified by using a touch panel or a pointing device (not shown) such as a mouse or a trackball.
[0079]
When receiving the pre-scan start instruction, the control unit 10 executes the pre-scan process by sequentially reading the document units of documents set on the ADF 11a by the image reading unit 11 (step 6). At this time, in the control unit 10, various data are stored in the management table 12 a and stored in the storage unit 12. Further, in parallel with the pre-scan process, the control unit 10 performs an error detection process for analyzing the read images sequentially read by the image analysis unit 18 to detect the presence or absence of an error (step 7). When the pre-scan process and the error detection process are completed, the control unit 10 displays a list of scanned document units on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG.
[0080]
The user confirms the read image by looking at the image displayed on the display unit 13 (step 8). As a result of the confirmation, if there is no page that needs to be scanned (re-read) (step 9), the user instructs the end of the processing by the input unit 13 and ends the input session.
[0081]
If there is a page that needs to be scanned (re-read) (step 9), the user designates the page number to be scanned, and readjusts the setting values such as the reading mode (step 10). After performing the readjustment setting, the user resets the original document in units of documents to the ADF 11a (step 11) and instructs the start of the main scan (step 12).
[0082]
At this time, the control unit 10 reconfigures the contents of the management table 12a based on the readjusted contents as shown in FIG. When the start of the main scan is instructed, the control unit 10 executes the main scan process by sequentially reading the document on the ADF 11a (step 13). Further, the control unit 10 executes an error detection process for the read document image in parallel with the read main scan process (step 14). When the main scanning process and the error detection process are completed, the control unit 10 compares the total number of pages at the time of pre-scanning with the total number of pages at the time of main scanning on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. A selection screen for whether or not to confirm the number is displayed.
[0083]
The user determines whether or not to confirm the total number of pages (step 15) and gives an instruction from the selection screen. When determining that the number of pages is to be confirmed, the user instructs the start of confirmation of the number of pages (step 16).
[0084]
Based on the instruction for checking the number of pages, the control unit 10 compares the total number of pages at the time of the pre-scan process with the total number of pages at the time of the main scan process, and determines whether or not the number of pages matches. (Step 17). When determining that the number of pages does not match based on this determination, the control unit 10 determines an error, displays an error notification screen as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 13, and interrupts the session (step 18).
[0085]
Further, when it is instructed in step 15 that the user does not confirm the number of pages, or when the control unit 10 determines in step 17 that the total number of pages matches, the control unit 10 performs the main scanning process. In order to confirm the read image, a list of read images as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display unit 13.
[0086]
The user looks at the display screen displayed on the display unit 13 and confirms the read image of all pages of the document including the image read by the main scanning process (step 19). As a result of the confirmation, if the read image is not satisfied by the user and there is a page that needs to be scanned (step 20), the process returns to step 10 and the main scanning process is repeated by instructing rescanning.
[0087]
Further, when all the read images including the image read by the main scan processing are satisfied by the user (step 20), the user instructs the end of the processing by the input unit 14 to end the input session.
[0088]
Next, the error detection processing executed in step 7 and step 14 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0089]
That is, the controller 10 starts an error detection process when an image of a document is read by the pre-scan process or the main scan process. The control unit 10 causes the image analysis unit 18 to perform image analysis processing such as tilt detection and blur detection on the read image (step 31). Based on the result, the control unit 10 determines whether or not an error such as tilt or fading has been detected (step 32). When determining that an error has been detected by this determination, the control unit 10 records a flag indicating that an error has been detected in the flag field 55 corresponding to the page of the management table 12a.
[0090]
When no error is detected, the control unit 10 ends the error detection process for the page.
[0091]
Next, the main scanning process executed in step 13 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0092]
First, the control unit 10 feeds the first page set in the ADF 11a (step 40). The control unit 10 determines whether or not a main scan is necessary for the page fed by the management table 12a (step 41). If it is determined that the page requires a main scan, the control unit 10 performs reading (main scan) for the fed page (step 42).
[0093]
When the reading of the page is completed, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the read page is the last page that needs to be scanned, among the pages of the document (step 43). If it is determined that this is the last page, the page is discharged (step 44), and the main scanning process is interrupted.
[0094]
  As described above, during the main scan operation, the main scan operation is interrupted when it is determined that the main scan is not necessary for all remaining pages.YouIt was to so.
[0095]
As a result, it is possible to eliminate the time taken for unnecessary sheet feeding and shorten the occupation time of the apparatus.
[0096]
Thereafter, when the user instructs to compare the number of pages, the remaining pages on the ADF 11a are not read and only the document feeding and the page counting are executed. Also, if the user instructs not to compare the number of pages, the process is terminated as it is.
[0097]
As described above, it is possible to select whether or not to perform sheet feeding only after interrupting the main scanning operation, and in that case, it is possible to calculate the total number of pages in the main scanning by performing sheet feeding while counting the number of pages. I did it.
[0098]
As a result, it has become possible to detect whether a reading error has occurred due to a sheet feed error based on the total number of pages. In addition, the document can be finally taken out as one unit that is the same as the beginning, and handling in document units becomes easy.
[0099]
If it is determined in step 44 that the page is not the last page that needs to be scanned, or if it is determined in step 41 that it is not the page that needs to be scanned, the fed page is discharged (step 45). Returning to step 40, the next document is fed from the ADF 11a and the above process is repeated.
[0100]
In this way, the read image can be stored in the storage unit 13. The read image can be registered in the database of the server 22 or registered in the client PC 23 via the network.
[0101]
By going through the above process, it is easier to input a document for a system that inputs images in units of documents, shortens the time required for input, and detects page missing due to sheet feed error and image verification. You can build a system that works during an input work session.
[0102]
As described above, when the reading process is performed, the image is displayed on the display means, and it is determined whether the read image can be used as a final registration image. Furthermore, by these operations, the process of image input, confirmation, setting, determination, re-input, and registration in document units is performed on the spot as one session.
[0103]
As a result, only images that ultimately require registration can be transferred via the network, and the load on communication and storage devices can be reduced.
[0104]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when a document reading process is performed using a high-speed scanner connected by a network and shared by a plurality of users, a read image can be easily confirmed. It is possible to provide an image reading system in which rereading does not take a long time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an environment in which this image reading system is used.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a setting screen for setting a scan mode in a digital copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a user registration screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a management table at the end of pre-scan processing;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a list display of read images at the end of pre-scan processing.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a display example of a specified page image.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a management table at the end of input setting adjustment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a selection screen for a confirmation instruction for the total number of pages.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen display example of an error notification.
FIG. 11 is a view showing a list display example of read images at the end of the main scanning process;
FIG. 12 is a view showing a display example of a read image of a specified page.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a read image of a specified page.
FIG. 14 is a view showing a display example of a read image of a specified page.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a management table at the end of a plurality of input setting adjustments.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of an operation by a user.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of error detection processing by the image reading system;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the main scanning process by the image reading system;
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Control unit
11: Image reading unit
11a ... ADF
12 ... Storage unit
12a ... management table
13 ... Display section
14 ... Input section
17 ... Communication Department
18. Image analysis unit
20 ... Digital copier
21 ... Network

Claims (4)

In an image reading system that is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit consisting of a plurality of pages,
Reading means for sequentially reading a document unit document composed of a plurality of pages of the document based on the first setting content;
Determination means for determining whether or not the read image is appropriately read by analyzing the image read by the reading means;
Based on the determination result of the determination means, storage means for storing information indicating that the read image is properly read and the first setting content in association with each other;
Display means for displaying images for all pages of the document read by the reading means together with information on whether or not each read image determined by the determining means is appropriate;
Designation means for an operator to designate a page to be re-read by the reading means among the images of each page displayed on the display means;
Control means for controlling the reading means so as to read only the image of the page designated for rereading by the designation means;
An image reading system comprising: In an image reading system that is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit consisting of a plurality of pages,
Reading means for sequentially reading a document unit document composed of a plurality of pages of the document based on the first setting content;
Storage means for storing the image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first setting content;
A display unit provided in the vicinity of the reading unit and displaying an image of all pages of the document read by the reading unit;
Designation means for the operator to designate a page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents to the second setting contents among the images of each page displayed by the display means;
Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by the designation means is read with the second setting contents, and the read image and the second setting contents are associated with each other and stored in the storage contents of the storage means. First processing means to:
Second processing means for displaying an image of all pages of the document read by the reading means and an image of the page read by the first processing means by the display means;
Third processing means for erasing an image of the page image displayed on the display means by the second processing means, which the operator excludes from the read image candidates by the specifying means;
An image reading system comprising: In an image reading system that is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads an image of a document unit consisting of a plurality of pages,
Reading means for sequentially reading a document unit document composed of a plurality of pages of the document based on the first setting content;
Storage means for storing the image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first setting content;
A display unit provided in the vicinity of the reading unit and displaying an image of all pages of the document read by the reading unit;
Designation means for the operator to designate a page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents to the second setting contents among the images of each page displayed by the display means;
Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by the designation means is read with the second setting contents, and the read image and the second setting contents are associated with each other and stored in the storage contents of the storage means. First processing means to:
A determination unit that determines whether or not a page to be reread is included in the remaining pages when a reread image is read during the processing of the first processing unit;
Interruption means for interrupting the processing by the first processing means when it is determined by the determination means that there is no page that needs to be re-read on the remaining pages;
Second processing means for displaying an image of all pages of the document read by the reading means and an image of the page read by the first processing means by the display means;
An image reading system comprising: In an image reading system that is used by a plurality of users on a network and reads a document image of a document unit consisting of a plurality of pages,
Reading means for sequentially reading a document unit document composed of a plurality of pages of the document based on the first setting content;
Storage means for storing the image read by the reading means in correspondence with the first setting content;
A display unit provided in the vicinity of the reading unit and displaying an image of all pages of the document read by the reading unit;
Designation means for the operator to designate a page to be re-read by the reading means after changing the setting contents to the second setting contents among the images of each page displayed by the display means;
Only the original image of the page for which re-reading is designated by the designation means is read with the second setting contents, and the read image and the second setting contents are associated with each other and stored in the storage contents of the storage means. First processing means to:
A determination unit that determines whether or not a page to be reread is included in the remaining pages when a reread image is read during the processing of the first processing unit;
Interruption means for interrupting the processing by the first processing means when it is determined by the determination means that there is no page that needs to be re-read on the remaining pages;
Instruction means for the operator to instruct whether or not to check the total number of pages of the document after the processing by the first processing means is interrupted by the interruption means;
When it is instructed to confirm the total number of pages by the instruction means, the total number of pages obtained by counting the number of pages before interruption by the interruption means and the number of remaining pages after interruption, and the document read by the reading means A comparison means for comparing the total number of pages,
Informing means for informing processing abnormality when the total number of pages does not match by this comparing means;
When it is instructed not to check the number of pages by the instructing means, or when the total number of pages matches by the comparing means, the image for all the pages of the document read by the reading means and the first processing Second processing means for displaying an image of a page read by the means with the display means;
An image reading system comprising:

Images