JP5435915B2 - Application document digitizing system, application document digitizing method, program, and image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to control of an application document digitizing system having an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting application document data generated by scanning an application document.

  In recent years, a mechanism for digitizing a voucher has been realized for the purpose of reducing the space for storing vouchers (forms) such as invoices and receipts, and for automating the voucher application approval flow.

As a digitalization mechanism for vouchers, for example, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260707, form data collected based on stored page information based on the type of form original designated as the form original image scanned in a batch. Is generated, and the generated form data is transmitted to the server device.
JP 2006-155550 A

  Such vouchers are recognized and processed as formal accounting data, for example, with the approval of the superior. In order to obtain this approval, an electronic voucher is placed on the approval system and an approval workflow is executed.

  That is, after the technique of Patent Document 1, the process shifts to a system for executing an approval workflow.

  However, in the technique such as Patent Document 1, since image analysis (for example, character recognition) is performed, a problem of erroneous recognition always exists. For example, when two sets of vouchers are stacked (when two vouchers for two applications are stacked) and placed on the document feeder, scanning is mistakenly recognized as one set of vouchers (one voucher for one application). There was a case.

  Therefore, even if it is determined that the user has scanned the necessary manuscript and processed it properly, the result of misrecognition is that the application that the user expects has not been made, that is, the voucher should not be applied for. Will occur. In the above-described example, even though the user intends to make two applications, the user is actually treated as one application. In this case, the user must confirm the approval workflow to confirm that an incorrect application has been made, but since the approval workflow is operated in a separate system, the user accesses and confirms the approval workflow system from his / her personal computer. It took time and effort.

  Normally, if there are a plurality of applications, a workflow for a plurality of applications flows in this approval workflow system. By checking this workflow, the user can confirm that his / her application has been processed, but it will also be displayed for workflows that have been applied in the past, making it difficult to understand which workflow has been applied this time. Further, since the place to be scanned is different from the place to be confirmed, it is complicated to confirm.

  In the actual business, after the approval workflow is completed, character recognition processing is performed, the data and the actual manuscript are compared, and the person in charge of the accounting business inquires whether the application has been made appropriate. ing. The data that has been applied due to misrecognition does not match the consistency with the actual data by this inquiry, so it is found that there was a misrecognition and the application was incomplete.

  That is, there is no defect in the manuscript (paper document), but there is a defect that the accounting data obtained through the approval workflow is incomplete and the accounting process cannot be performed.

  If the accounting process is not possible, the requester is requested to read and apply the manuscript again, so the inquirer will have to reapply to the applicant, or the applicant will output a voucher and reapply. It took time and effort.

  In order to avoid the deficiencies as described above, paper documents for a plurality of applications can be scanned at one time, but inefficient use such as scanning one application at a time is forced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an application document generated by operating an information processing apparatus that performs predetermined image recognition processing and an image forming apparatus in a linked manner , and scanning a plurality of application paper documents in the image forming apparatus. Data is appropriately divided by predetermined image recognition processing on the information processing apparatus , and the division result is confirmed for each application unit on the image forming apparatus, thereby reducing the work load caused by erroneous application. It is to provide a mechanism that can do this .

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting application document data generated by scanning an application document to an information processing apparatus, and executing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data. An application document digitizing system having an information processing device for generating division information for dividing the application document data into application units , wherein the image forming apparatus scans an application document composed of one or a plurality of pages The application document data acquisition unit for acquiring the application document data, the application document data transmission unit for transmitting the application document data acquired by the application document data acquisition unit to the information processing apparatus, and the application document data transmission unit During the image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the applied application document data, the image forming apparatus does not perform the scan process A waiting unit that waits for completion of the image recognition process by the generation of the division information by the information processing device; and When the image recognition process is completed, a division information receiving unit that receives the division information from the information processing apparatus, and the application document data in application units based on the division information received by the division information receiving unit. Application information display means for displaying, and the information processing apparatus receives application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the application documents received by the application document data receiving means. by performing a predetermined image recognition processing on the data, to generate division information for dividing the application document data to the application unit And division information generation means, characterized in that it comprises a dividing information transmitting means for transmitting to the image forming apparatus during standby by the division information generated by the division information generation means and said waiting means.

According to the present invention, the image recognition process is performed on the information processing apparatus to generate the division information for dividing the application document data scanned for the application into the application units, and the scan process is executed in the image forming apparatus. So that the image recognition process is completed by generating the division information on the information processing apparatus, and when the image recognition process is completed, the division information is received by the image forming apparatus, and an image indicating whether the image has been properly divided is displayed. By checking on the forming apparatus, it is possible to reduce the work load caused by an incorrect application .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a configuration of an application document digitizing system showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a client PC (application information generating device), which can register voucher data and generate a voucher image. A printer driver is installed in the client PC 100, and this printer driver. Can create print data based on the data received from the voucher image generation function, and transmit the print data to the multifunction device 200 (image forming apparatus) or the like.

  The multi-function device 200 receives print data from the client PC and prints out the received data on paper.

  The user sets the paper printed out from the multifunction device 200 on the scanner unit of the multifunction device 200 (image forming apparatus) and reads the document.

  The MFP 200 acquires various settings shown in FIG. 10 to be described later from the OCR server 300 (information processing apparatus) when a scan command is executed by the user, and then acquires the original set on the scanner as the acquired settings. And hold the data in the HDD in a format that can be converted later. Further, the multi-function device 200 converts all pages of the data held in the multi-function device 200 into multi-TIFF for OCR analysis and transmits it to the OCR server 300.

  The OCR server 300 that has received the multi-TIFF file for analysis performs OCR processing on the received data and discharges a text file describing the OCR result to the designated folder as the OCR result file (details of the OCR processing will be described later). ).

  After transmitting the OCR TIFF file, the multi-function device 200 monitors the generation of the OCR result file on the OCR server 300, and updates the information in the OCR result file at the timing when the OCR result file is generated. Read and temporarily hold in memory. Thereafter, the multi-function device 200 displays the OCR result on the UI on the multi-function device 200 (confirmation display).

  The applicant who confirms the OCR result confirms whether the OCR result is correct or not, and issues a continuation processing instruction if the result is “correct”. The multi-function device 200 that has received this continuation processing instruction transmits a file for each voucher based on the OCR result to the OCR server 300. In addition, when the transmission of the file for each voucher is completed, the multi-function device 200 transmits a processing result file indicating that the processing is completed on the multi-function device 200 side to the voucher file storage folder. When all the voucher files have been sent, all the processes are finished.

  In actual business, after the above process is completed, the voucher data file is stored in a business system such as SAP, and the process according to the approval flow is performed. In the present embodiment, the process until the voucher data is stored in the OCR server is shown in detail, and the process after the voucher data is stored in the OCR server is a known technique, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100 and the OCR server 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100 and the OCR server 300 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which are control programs of the CPU 201, and functions executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display 210 may be a liquid crystal display or another display device such as a CRT. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A main controller 207 is connected to an HDD, a flexible disk (FD), or a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 connects and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing on the network (for example, communication using TCP / IP is possible).

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the controller unit that controls the multifunction device 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the controller unit of the multi-function device 200 illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner unit 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, and is connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN) (for example, PSTN or ISDN). To input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 302 denotes a RAM, which is a system network memory for operating the CPU 301, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 308 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, for reading an IC card required for authentication The card reader 319 is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (for example, Sony FeliCa (registered trademark)) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. The CPU 301 is notified.

  With the configuration as described above, the multi-function device 200 can transmit the image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN 700 and print out the print data received from the LAN using the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 can be fax-transmitted on the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by FAX from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4, the relationship of functions in each apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, since the operation | movement detail in each flow is mentioned later, description of the functional block diagram currently described in various terminals is described here.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the relationship between the functions of the client PC 100, the OCR server 300, and the multifunction device 200 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 110 denotes a print application, which is realized by the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  The client PC 100 can communicate with an external PC or the multifunction device 200 via a network. The print application 110 operating on the client PC 100 includes a voucher data generation function 111 that generates a voucher (application document) to be applied, and the multifunction device 200. A voucher printing function 112 for printing voucher data generated via

  The voucher data generation function 111 inputs various information on the screen as shown in FIG. 6 (application information input), and registers voucher information (application information). The voucher data generation function 111 is connected to a business (accounting) system (not shown) from the client PC 100 via a web browser, etc., and inputs various voucher information from the web browser to the accounting system to register data. The voucher data may be generated by the above.

  The voucher printing function 112 has a print data generation function and a print data output function.

  The print data generation function prints the data generated by the voucher data generation function 111 with a barcode that holds all registered voucher information and print settings added by the printer driver (FIG. 7 described later). ).

  The print data output function is a function for outputting the print data generated by the print data generation function from the multifunction device 200 by the printer driver (print control). An example in which barcode information is actually added and output is shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 230 denotes a scan application, which is realized by the CPU 301 of the multifunction device 200 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM.

  The multifunction device 200 can communicate with the client PC 100 and the OCR server 300 via the network. The scan application 230 on the multifunction device 200 includes a UI (input / result display) function 231, a voucher reading function 232, and an image generation function 233. And an OCR server communication function 234.

  The UI (input / result display) function 231 is a function for displaying components for various operations and notifying the user of the results of various processes.

  The voucher reading function 232 has a function of issuing various setting acquisition requests to the OCR server communication function 234 when a user issues a document reading command and acquiring scan settings and generated file format settings. In addition, the voucher reading function 232 reads the original set on the multi-function peripheral 200 when the setting acquisition is successful, and converts the data for each page of the original into a data format necessary for continuous processing as data that can be converted into the multi-function peripheral. It has a function of holding in the 200 HDD. The voucher reading function 232 has a function of adding error information and notifying a UI (input / result display) function 231 when setting acquisition or document reading fails.

  In response to the image generation request notified from the OCR server communication function 234, the image generation function 233 generates data obtained by converting the data stored by the voucher reading function 232 into a format in accordance with the image generation request. It has a function of passing to the function 234.

  The OCR server communication function 234 reads the OCR data generated by the image generation function 233 to the OCR server and the OCR result file generated by the OCR server after the OCR analysis, and the result and UI (input / result display) A function of notifying the function 231; Further, the OCR server communication function 234 transmits a processing result file including a function for transmitting data for each voucher generated by the image generation function 233 based on the OCR result based on the OCR result and bibliographic information of the transmitted voucher. It has a function.

  Reference numeral 330 denotes an OCR application, which is realized by the CPU 201 of the OCR server 300 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  The OCR server 300 is communicable with the MFP 200 via a network, and has a function of returning various settings upon receiving a setting acquisition request from the MFP, an MFP communication function 331, and an OCR processing function 332.

  The multi-function device communication function 331 has a function of receiving various setting acquisition requests requested by the voucher reading function 232 of the scan application 230 on the multi-function device 200 before reading a document, and returning scan settings and attribute information for each voucher. . The multi-function device communication function 331 has a function of generating voucher data by the image generation function 233 of the scan application 230 and storing the transmitted data in a specified folder on the OCR server 300.

  The OCR processing function 332 monitors a folder for storing data received by the MFP communication function 331 at regular intervals. If a data file exists, the OCR processing function 332 acquires the data and barcode information is added to each page. If there is barcode information, OCR processing is performed. In the system of the present invention, the division of the voucher data is determined by recognizing the image of the barcode information. However, a specific mark is attached to the voucher data, and the division is determined by recognizing the mark. You may comprise.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 16, the operation of each apparatus constituting the system of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow from when the user generates voucher data on the client PC to printing. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the print application 110 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  First, in step S401, the print application 110 connects to a voucher registration site of a business system (not shown) (or may be connected by a Web browser or the like), and displays a data registration screen as shown in FIG. The input of necessary information (voucher data) is accepted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data registration screen when registering voucher data in the client PC 100.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1301 denotes a voucher number, which is a number (identifier) for uniquely identifying a voucher and is assigned by the business system. The voucher type 1302 is an item for setting the type of voucher to be registered. The application date 1303 means the date and time when the voucher data is registered. The applicant 1304 is a user name for applying for a voucher.

  Affiliation 1305 is a department name to which the applicant belongs. The subject 1306 is a title indicating what to apply for. Amount 1307 is a billing amount to be applied. The application reason 1308 means an item describing the reason for making the application.

  Reference numeral 1309 denotes an OK button, which is pressed when confirming various data input on the data registration screen.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  If it is detected on the data registration screen shown in FIG. 6 that the OK button 1309 is pressed, the print application 110 advances the process to step S402.

  In step S402, the print application 110 performs a registration process for the data input in step S401. Data input on the data registration screen is transmitted to a business system (not shown) via a web browser, the data is registered on the business system, voucher data is generated in the business system, and the voucher is verified from the business system. You may comprise so that data may be acquired.

  Next, in step S403, the print application 110 converts the voucher data registered in step S402 into print data. At the time of print data conversion, the barcode (1408 in FIG. 7 described later) including the voucher data registered in step S402 is attached to the voucher image, and the data to which the print setting is added by the printer driver of the client PC 100 is added. Generated. Note that the print application 110 may acquire print data generated by the business system based on the voucher information registered in the business system in step S402. In this case, the business system converts the voucher information into a barcode and adds it to the voucher image.

  In step S <b> 404, when the print application 110 detects an input of a print instruction by the user, the print application 110 transmits the print data generated in step S <b> 403 to the multi-function device 200. The print data may be transmitted directly from the business system to the multifunction device 200.

  When the MFP 200 receives the print data from the client PC 100, in step S405, the MFP 200 prints out an image of the voucher 1400 as shown in FIG. 7 on a recording sheet with the print settings added to the received print data (voucher). 1400 is output as a paper document). Note that the process of S405 may be performed by an image forming apparatus other than the multifunction machine 200.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voucher output from the multifunction device 200 in step S405 of FIG.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1400 denotes an image of a voucher output from the multifunction device 200 in S405 of FIG.

  Reference numerals 1401 to 1407 correspond to voucher data input from the data registration screen shown in FIG. 6 and registered in the business system.

  The bar code 1408 is bar code information including voucher data 1401 to 1407. This barcode 1408 is read later by the multi-function device 200 and subjected to OCR processing on the OCR server 300.

  On the voucher 1400 printed on the recording paper, a receipt or the like is pasted by the user.

  The voucher data registered in step S402 is added to the voucher 1400 (FIG. 7) printed by the processing shown in FIG.

  After this, a business in which the user (applicant) pastes a receipt corresponding to the application voucher and makes a subsequent application using the voucher (application document) 1400 output as a paper manuscript as described above as a mount. Is done. If there are many receipts and they cannot be pasted in the column 1409 of the voucher 1400, for example, a blank paper is added, the receipt is pasted on the added paper, and scanning is performed together with the voucher 1400. At this time, the paper document is set on the document feeding table (document reading unit of the scanner unit 314) of the multifunction device 200 so that the voucher 1400 is the first page and the added paper is the second page and thereafter ( Put). Further, this one set is placed on the document feeding table for a plurality of sets. That is, a paper manuscript (application document) is composed of one or a plurality of pages, and the application document is scanned by a multi-function peripheral as one or a plurality of sets.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow from pasting a receipt to a voucher mount, scanning with a multifunction machine, and performing OCR with an OCR server. Note that S406 to S412, S414 to S418, and S421 to S423 are executed by the scan application 230 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 301 of the multifunction device 200 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM. Also, S413, S419, and S420 are executed by the OCR application 330 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 of the OCR server 300 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  First, when a user (applicant) login operation to the multifunction device 200 from the operation unit 308, the card reader 319, or the like is detected, the scan application 230 executes a login process to the multifunction device 200 in step S406. Note that the login operation may be performed by the user holding the IC card over the card reader 319 or by the user inputting authentication information such as a user ID from the operation unit 308. Even if the login process is performed by performing user authentication within the multi-function device 200, such as authentication information read by the card reader 319 or input from the operation unit 308, the scan application 230 may execute the authentication information. May be transmitted to an authentication apparatus (not shown) and authenticated by the authentication apparatus.

  When the voucher reading function 232 of the scan application 230 detects that the login process is successful, in step S407, it is checked whether an original is set on the original feeding table (original reading unit), and the original is not set. Waits until the document is set.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S407 that a document is set on the document feeding table (document reading unit), in step S408, the voucher reading function 232 enters a document reading standby state, and the document from the user is received. Wait until a read request (instruction) is issued. This document reading request is made when a reading start button (not shown) of the operation unit 308 is pressed.

  In step S409, if the voucher reading function 232 determines that a reading instruction from the user has been detected, the process proceeds to step S410.

  In step S410, the voucher reading function 232 checks whether there is a system process being executed by itself (the scan application 230). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the document itself is being read, or whether another document is read and the process until the OCR processing result after reading is obtained is being executed.

  If it is determined in S410 that there is a system that is being executed, the voucher reading function 232 issues an error notification in step S411. Specifically, the voucher reading function 232 issues a processing error display request to the UI (input / result display) function 231. Upon receiving the error notification request, the UI (input / result display) function 231 displays an error dialog as shown in FIG. 9 and notifies the user (applicant) that processing will be performed after a while because the processing is in progress. Then, the process returns to step S407. Here, the error dialog (FIG. 9) will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an error dialog displayed when notifying that the application is being processed and canceling the process when the scan application 230 receives a process by another user during the process.

  In FIG. 9, reference numeral 1501 denotes an OK button. When an instruction to press the OK button 1501 is given, the dialog is closed.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S410 that there is no system being executed, the voucher reading function 232 advances the process to step S412.

  In step S412, the OCR server communication function 234 issues a scan setting information (including settings for each scan setting / voucher type) acquisition request to the MFP communication function 331 of the OCR server 300.

  Upon receiving the setting acquisition request from the scan application 230, the MFP communication function 331 on the OCR application 330 uses the scan setting information shown in FIG. 10 stored in the external memory 211 in advance as the OCR server of the scan application 230 in step S413. It returns to the communication function 234. Here, the scan setting information (FIG. 10) will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows scan setting information stored in the external memory 211 or RAM 203 of the OCR server 300, which is transmitted from the OCR server 300 to the multifunction device 200 at the start of scanning.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the scan setting information is composed of transmission setting information used when transmitting a file after scanning, and scan attribute information used when executing scanning.

  The transmission setting information includes a voucher data storage destination folder 1001 and a generation file 1002 for each voucher type. The voucher data storage destination folder 1001 is transmission destination folder information at the time of file transmission. The generation file 1002 for each voucher type is information for determining the file format to be generated when generating the final file based on the OCR result.

  The scan attribute information includes a scan resolution 1003, a scan density 1004, and a scan paper size 1005. The scan resolution 1003, the scan density 1004, and the scan paper size 1005 are all used as attributes used when executing the scan.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S414, the OCR server communication function 234 that has received the various settings from the MFP communication function 331 holds the received scan setting information (FIG. 10) in the RAM 302, and also verifies the received various settings. Notify

  Next, in step S415, the voucher reading function 232 sets the scan setting information received from the OCR server communication function to the scan setting (scan resolution, scan density, scan paper size), and the document feeding table (document reading unit). The original data (application document data) generated by scanning the original (application document) set in () by the scanner unit 314 is read page by page (application document data acquisition).

  Next, in step S416, the voucher reading function 232 stores the document data read in S415 in the HDD (external memory 211) on the multi-function peripheral 200 in a data format that can be converted into various data (PDF or TIFF). . When all the originals are read and stored, the voucher reading function 232 issues an image generation request to the image generation function 233.

  Upon receiving the image generation request, the image generation function 233 generates a multi-TIFF file in which all the pages of the stored voucher data are linked in step S417. When the generation of the multi-TIFF file is completed, the OCR server communication function 234 issues an OCR multi-TIFF file transmission request to the OCR server communication function 234.

  In response to the OCR multi-TIFF file transmission request, the OCR server communication function 234 transmits the multi-TIFF file generated in S417 to the multi-function device communication function 331 of the OCR application 330 in step S418 (application data transmission). . When transmitting, it is assumed that the path described in the voucher data storage destination folder 1001 shown in FIG.

  In the OCR application 330, in step S419, the multi-function device communication function 331 receives the OCR TIFF file sent from the OCR server communication function 234 (receives application document data), and designates the verification in FIG. The data is saved in the data saving destination folder 1001.

  The OCR processing function 332 monitors the generation of files in the OCR TIFF file storage folder at regular intervals. If it is detected that a file has been generated in the designated folder, the OCR processing function 332 performs OCR processing on the target file in step S420. When the OCR processing is completed, the OCR processing function generates an OCR result file (FIG. 11) having the contents shown in FIG. 11 in the OCR multi-TIFF file storage folder based on the OCR result. Details of the OCR process in S420 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the scan application 230, the OCR server communication function 234 acquires the OCR result file generated by the OCR processing function 332 from the multifunction device 200 in step S421 (reception result reception). Specifically, after transmitting the multi-TIFF file in S418, the OCR server communication function 234 monitors the specified folder at regular intervals, and a file with the same name as the OCR multi-TIFF file (extension is TXT) Monitor the generation and get the file if it is generated. When the OCR result file can be acquired, the OCR server communication function 234 notifies the image generation function 233 of the end of the OCR processing and the contents of the OCR result.

  The image generation function 233 that has received the notification of the completion of the OCR processing deletes the OCR multi-TIFF file generated in step S420 in step S422.

  Next, in step S423, the OCR server communication function 234 notifies the UI (input / result display) function 231 of the contents of the OCR result file (FIG. 11) acquired in S421 (recognition result display). The UI (input / result display) function 231 notified of the OCR result displays the OCR result on the UI on the MFP 200 in a format as shown in the OCR result dialog of FIG. Specifically, the contents of the OCR result are divided into pieces of information for each voucher and are controlled to be displayed as one line for one voucher in the OCR result display field 1601 of the OCR result dialog (FIG. 12).

  The contents of the OCR result file (FIG. 11) will be described below.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the OCR result file generated as a result of the OCR processing of the voucher data, and corresponds to the contents read from the barcode 1408 of the voucher 1400. The information in the barcode 1408 is added with information input in cooperation with the business system on the client PC 100.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the OCR processing result of the voucher data is composed of an OCR result 1101 and “voucher division information”.

  The OCR result 1101 is a result of whether the OCR has succeeded or failed. The “voucher division information” is information generated for each voucher and includes a voucher type 1102, a voucher number 1103, and a page number 1104.

  The voucher type 1102 means the type of voucher to which OCR is applied. The voucher number 1103 means a voucher identification number assigned in the business system. The number of pages 1104 means the number of pages for each voucher.

  Hereinafter, description will be given in the OCR result dialog (FIG. 12).

  FIG. 12 is an OCR result dialog displayed on the multifunction device 200 in response to the OCR result from the OCR server.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the OCR result display field 1601 displays division information for each voucher and detailed information (voucher number, number of pages, voucher type, etc.) of the divided vouchers.

  An up scroll button 1602 and a down scroll button 1603 are buttons for page transition when there are six or more pieces of division information.

  The image confirmation button 1604 is effective only when only one voucher is selected in the OCR result display field 1601 and displays a preview screen of the selected voucher as shown in FIG. .

  A cancel button 1605 is a button for closing the dialog and canceling all processes. An OK button 1606 is a button for shifting to the next process.

  Hereinafter, the OCR process shown in step S420 of FIG. 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of the OCR process shown in step S420 of FIG. The process shown in this flowchart makes it possible to divide a plurality of vouchers into one voucher unit, particularly when a plurality of vouchers are scanned together. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the OCR processing function 332 of the OCR application 330. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 of the OCR server 300 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  First, in step S424, when the OCR TIFF file exists in the designated folder on the OCR server 300, the OCR processing function 332 acquires the target multi-TIFF file. The data of the first page of the acquired file is extracted, and it is confirmed whether the barcode information (1408 in FIG. 7) holding the voucher information exists on the first page (image recognition). Whether or not this barcode information exists is determined by the following processing, for example. Data is read from the top of the image data for one page, and it is confirmed whether or not a start bit which is bar code start information exists. If there is a start bit, it recognizes it as barcode information and reads the data. Since there is a stop bit at the end of the bar code information, the reading of data is finished when the stop bit is read. If there is no start bit in the image data, it is determined that there is no barcode information.

  If it is determined in S424 that there is no barcode information on the first page, the OCR processing function 332 proceeds with the process to step S437 in order to treat it as illegal data.

  In step S437, the OCR processing function 332 generates an OCR result file (FIG. 11) indicating that the OCR result is NG, and stores the OCR result file in a designated folder.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S424 that there is barcode information on the first page, the OCR processing function 332 advances the process to step S425.

  In step S425, the OCR processing function 332 reads the voucher information in the barcode (1408 in FIG. 7) by OCR processing. As shown in FIG. 7, this barcode 1408 is, for example, a two-dimensional barcode. By reading this barcode, the data (FIG. 6) input in step S401 in FIG. 5 can be acquired. is there.

  Next, in step S426, the OCR processing function 332 holds the voucher information read in S425 on the memory (RAM 203) as the first “new voucher information”. The voucher information held here becomes voucher division information necessary for finally generating an OCR result file as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S427, the OCR processing function 332 causes the total number of pages P (a variable held in the RAM 203) indicating the number of pages of voucher information held in S426 (that is, the number of pages of voucher information being processed). ) Is substituted for “1”.

  Next, the OCR processing function 332 performs control (loop processing) so that the following processing from step S428 to step S436 is repeated until analysis of the final page of the OCR TIFF file acquired in step S419 in FIG. 8 is completed. Control.

  In step S428, the OCR processing function 332 reads the data of the next page of the OCR TIFF file.

  In step S429, the OCR processing function 332 performs image recognition to check whether barcode data with voucher information added to the data read in S428 is present.

  If it is determined in S429 that the barcode information exists, the OCR processing function 332 converts the TIFF image data read in S428 into one of the following “new voucher information” in a step (not shown). The data is stored in the memory as eye material, and the process proceeds to step S430. That is, by recognizing the barcode information, it can be determined that the voucher is another voucher, and the voucher division position can be specified.

  In step S430, the OCR processing function 332 substitutes (registers) the total number of pages (P) currently counted for the number of pages of the current “new voucher information” held in S426 or S433 described later. )

  Next, in step S431, the OCR processing function 332 holds the voucher information up to the previous page held as “new voucher information” in S426 or S433 described later in the memory as one voucher information. The voucher information held here becomes voucher division information for one voucher of the OCR result file shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S432, the OCR processing function 332 reads barcode information from the target TIFF image (image data read in S428).

  Next, in step S433, the OCR processing function 332 holds the voucher information read in S432 on the memory as new voucher information.

  Next, in step S434, the OCR processing function 332 substitutes “1” for the total page number P.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S429 that the barcode information does not exist, the OCR processing function 332 advances the process to step S435.

  In step S435, the OCR processing function 332 holds the TIFF image data read in step S428 on the memory as an attached material.

  Next, in step S436, the OCR processing function 332 increments the total page number P corresponding to the number of pages of the voucher information currently being analyzed by “1”. Although not shown, when the currently analyzed page is the last page, the processes shown in S430 and S431 are executed.

  When the processing in S434 or S430 is completed, the OCR processing function 332 determines whether the page from which data has been read in S428 is the last page. If not, the process returns to step S428. On the other hand, if the page from which data has been read in S428 is the last page, the OCR processing function 332 advances the process to S437.

  In step S437, the OCR processing function 332 that has completed the OCR processing for all pages generates an OCR result file describing the contents as shown in FIG. 11 from the voucher information stored in the memory in S433 (division information) Generated), the OCR multi-TIFF file is stored in the saved folder, and the process of this flowchart is terminated. The OCR result file is transmitted to the multi-function device 200 (recognition result transmission).

  Hereinafter, a process for allowing the user to confirm the OCR result will be described.

  14 and 15 are flowcharts illustrating an example of a process in which the scan application 230 that receives the OCR result causes the user to confirm the OCR result and transmits a data file based on the confirmed OCR result to the OCR server 300. This corresponds to the process following the process of step S423 in FIG.

  Note that S438 to S445, S447, S448, and S450 to S463 are executed by the scan application 230 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 301 of the multifunction device 200 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM. Also, S446 and S449 are executed by the OCR application 330 shown in FIG. That is, it is realized by the CPU 201 of the OCR server 300 loading a program stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing it.

  In step S438, the UI (input / result display) function 231 displays the OCR result as shown in FIG. 12, and after the user confirms the OCR result, the success or failure of the OCR result (OK button 1606, If it is detected that the cancel button 1605 or the image confirmation button 1604) is input, the process proceeds to step S439. When the user presses the image confirmation button 1604, the scanned original image can be displayed as shown in FIG.

  If the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines in step S439 that the user matches the content that the user has applied for and determines that the OK button 1606 has been pressed (correct), it will be described later. The process proceeds to step S440.

  In S439, when the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines that the user does not match the content that the user has applied for and determines that the cancel button 1605 is pressed (cancel), The process proceeds to step S451 described later.

  If the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines in step S439 that the image confirmation button 1604 has been pressed (illegal), the process proceeds to step S453 described later.

  In step S440, the UI (input / result display) function 231 issues a continuation processing command to the image generation function 233.

  Upon receiving the continuation processing command, the image generation function 233 receives the generation file 1002 for each voucher in the setting items shown in FIG. 10 acquired in the processing in steps S412 to S414 in FIG. 8, and the diagram acquired in step S421 in FIG. The voucher type 1102 and the page number 1205 are acquired from the OCR result shown in FIG. 11 and stored in the memory.

  Then, the image generation function 233 performs control (loop processing control) so as to repeat the processes in steps S442 to S449 described below as many times as the number of voucher division information acquired based on the OCR result.

  In step S442, the image generation function 233 searches the generation file 1002 (FIG. 10) for each voucher acquired in S441 to find a match with the voucher type 1102 (FIG. 11) of the target voucher. The file format of the generated file for each voucher is determined as the final generated file format.

  Next, in step S443, the image generation function 233 acquires the number of pages 1104 from the “voucher division information” in the OCR result (FIG. 11), and the voucher reading function 232 of the MFP 200 is acquired in step S416 of FIG. Data corresponding to the conversion data is acquired from the scan data stored in the HDD.

  Specifically, the top voucher acquires data for the number of pages in order from the top. After the acquisition, the data of the next page is held as the first page (actually, the number of pages of the first page read in the next process on the memory is managed). In the case of processing after the second voucher, reading is started from the data of the first page held first, and the number of pages of the target voucher is read.

  In step S444, the image generation function 233 converts the scan data acquired in step S443 into the file format determined in step S442, stores it in the HDD 304 of the multi-function peripheral 200, and indicates that the image generation has ended. The server communication function 234 is notified.

  The OCR server communication function 234 that has received the notification indicating that the image generation has been completed transmits the voucher file generated in S444 to the multi-function peripheral communication function 331 of the OCR application 330 in step S445.

  In step S446, the MFP communication function 331 receives the data from the OCR server communication function 234, and stores the received data in the designated folder.

  Next, in step S447, the image generation function 233 that has transmitted the data file in S446 described above describes the process described in FIG. 17 from the scan setting information (FIG. 10) and the OCR result (FIG. 11). A result file (end flag flag file) is generated, and the OCR server communication function 234 is notified that the file has been generated. Here, the processing result file (end flag file) will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the bibliographic information of the final file (end flag flag file) generated based on the OCR result. This bibliographic information corresponds to information stored in a database or the like as voucher information to be registered when the final file (end flag file) is transmitted to the OCR server and stored in the business system.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the end flag file includes a user name 1201, a processing result 1202, “voucher division information”, a scan resolution 1207, a scan density 1208, a scan paper size 1209 and the like.

  The user name 1201 means a voucher application user. The processing result 1202 is information indicating whether an error has occurred in all the processes from the scan.

  The voucher division information is information generated for each voucher, and includes a voucher type 1203, a voucher number 1204, a page number 1205, and a generated file format 1206.

  The voucher type 1203 means the type of voucher to which OCR is applied. The voucher number 1204 means an identification number of a voucher assigned in the business system. The page number 1205 means the number of vouchers. The generated file format 1206 means the file format of the final file.

  The scan resolution 1207, the scan density 1208, and the scan paper size 1209 are scan attribute information used when reading the voucher by the multi-function device 200, and this is information of scan setting information (FIG. 10) acquired from the OCR server at the time of scan execution. It corresponds to.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  The OCR server communication function 234 that has received the file generation notification transmits the processing result file (end flag file) generated in S447 to the multifunction peripheral communication function 331 of the OCR application 330 in step S448.

  In step S449, the MFP communication function 331 receives the processing result file (end flag file) from the OCR server communication function 234, and stores the received file in the designated folder.

  Although not shown, the OCR application 330 transmits the image data saved in S446 and the processing result file (end flag file) saved in S449 to a business system (not shown).

  This business system is a publicly known system, and these data are captured, and information in the processing result file (end flag file) is stored in a database or the like in a form that retains image data and association information. In addition, this business system uploads the image data to the application flow, receives the approval of the superior on the business system, saves it finally in a state where it can be accessed by general affairs, etc., and notifies the general affairs etc. In general affairs etc., final approval is made by comparing the data that arrived with the voucher that is the actual paper data. The electronic data of the voucher and the paper data are stored with association information.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the process of S448 is completed, the image generation function 233 determines whether all the processes of S442 to S449 have been completed for the number of pieces of voucher division information acquired based on the OCR result. Return processing to.

  On the other hand, if the image generation function 233 determines that all of the processes of S442 to S449 have been completed for the number of pieces of voucher division information acquired based on the OCR result, the process proceeds to step S450.

  In step S450, the image generation function 233 notifies the UI (input / result display) function 231 that all processing has been completed. Upon receiving the notification, the UI (input / result display) function 231 displays a process end dialog as shown in FIG. 18 on the UI of the multifunction device 200. Here, the processing end dialog (FIG. 18) will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a dialog displayed when all the processes are completed.

  In FIG. 18, reference numeral 1701 denotes a close button. When the close button 1701 is pressed, the dialog is closed and a TOP screen (not shown) is displayed.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S451, the image generation function 233 deletes all the voucher data generated in S444 from the HDD 304.

  Next, in step S452, the image generation function 233 deletes all the voucher data stored in S416 of FIG. 14, and ends the process of this flowchart.

  When it is determined in S439 that the image confirmation button 1604 has been pressed (when the OCR result is invalid), the UI (input / result display) function 231 advances the process to step S453.

  Hereinafter, processing (S453 to S463) for confirming and replacing a scanned image when the OCR result is invalid will be described.

  When the image confirmation button 1604 is pressed in the OCR result dialog shown in FIG. 12, the UI (input / result display) function 231 displays the proof selected in the OCR result display field 1601 in FIG. A preview screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed so that the scanned image can be confirmed by the user. The UI (input / result display) function 231 receives an input from the preview screen (FIG. 16). Here, the preview screen (FIG. 16) will be described.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a preview screen displayed when the image confirmation button 1604 is pressed on the OCR result dialog shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 16, reference numeral 1801 denotes an image display unit, which displays a preview image of the voucher selected in the OCR result display field 1601 in FIG.

  The page number display section 1802 displays the number of voucher pages currently displayed. A page scroll button 1803 is a button for performing page voucher voucher. The enlargement button 1804 / reduction button 1805 is a button for enlarging / reducing the preview image.

  A replacement button 1806 is a button used when replacing a voucher displayed on the image display unit 1801 with a new scan image.

  A scroll button 1807 is a button for scrolling the preview image vertically and horizontally. A return button 1808 is a button for closing this dialog and displaying the OCR result dialog.

  The OCR processing button is a button that is enabled for the first time when the voucher is replaced even for one page, and is a button for performing OCR processing again.

  With this preview screen (FIG. 16), the user can visually check the scanned image, and can check whether there is an undocumented document in which the barcode is not read or the document is skewed.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the UI (input / result display) function 231 detects pressing of the replacement button 1806 or the return button 1808, the process proceeds to step S454.

  In step S454, the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines whether the replacement button 1806 has been pressed (there is a voucher replacement command), and the replacement button 1806 has not been pressed (the return button 1808 has been pressed). ), The process proceeds to step S455.

  In step S455, the UI (input / result display) function 231 closes the preview screen (FIG. 16), displays the OCR result dialog (FIG. 12), and returns the process to step S438.

  On the other hand, in step S454, if the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines that the replacement button 1806 has been input (there is a voucher replacement instruction), the process proceeds to step S456.

  In step S456, the voucher image displayed on the image display unit 1801 is selected as a replacement image, and a replacement image reading command is notified to the voucher reading function 232.

  In step S457, the voucher reading function 232 that has received the replacement image reading command waits in a reading standby state until a reading command is issued by a user operation. When the user sets a target voucher on the document reading unit (document feeding table) of the multifunction device 200 and presses, for example, a reading button on the operation unit 308, a UI (input / result display) function 231 that detects this is displayed. Issue a read instruction.

  In step S458, when the voucher reading function 232 receives the read command, the process proceeds to step S459.

  In step S459, the voucher reading function 232 reads the voucher set in the original reading unit (original feeding table). In this case, in order to replace the image displayed on the preview screen (FIG. 16), control is performed so that one page can be read.

  In step S460, the voucher reading function 232 confirms the path where the replacement target image selected in S456 is stored, and overwrites and stores the replacement image read in S459 in the same file. A specific process of overwriting will be described. Each image is managed by a pointer, and the overwriting process is performed in such a manner that a pointer for identifying an old image is transferred to a new image. When the overwriting is completed, the voucher reading function 232 notifies the UI (input / result display) function 231 of a process end notification. Upon receiving the end notification, the UI (input / result display) function 231 displays the preview screen (FIG. 16) again. At this time, the OCR processing button 1809 is controlled to be pressed.

  In this way, since the manuscript can be replaced, it is possible to reduce the labor of applying for a voucher. Note that the document can be replaced with the image displayed on the preview screen (FIG. 16). That is, it is possible to replace only a document (voucher) that has been scanned by mistake.

  Here, the user confirms another image on the preview screen, and confirms that there is no replacement target image other than the image replaced first. If there is a replacement image, the replacement button 1806 is pressed again. On the other hand, if there are no other replacement images, an OCR processing button 1809 is pressed.

  Next, in step S461, the UI (input / result display) function 231 determines whether the replacement button 1806 has been pressed again (whether the voucher has been replaced) or the OCR processing button 1809 has been pressed (whether the voucher has been replaced). Determine.

  If it is determined in S461 that there is a voucher replacement (the replacement button 1806 is pressed again), the UI (input / result display) function 231 returns the process to step S456.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S461 that there is no voucher replacement (the OCR processing button 1809 has been pressed), the UI (input / result display) function 231 advances the process to step S462.

  In step S462, the UI (input / result display) function 231 notifies the image generation function 233 of an OCR TIFF file generation command. Upon receiving the notification, the image generation function 233 converts all pages of the voucher image stored in the HDD into multi-TIFF.

  In step S463, the image generation function 233 issues a file transmission command to the OCR server communication function 234. Upon receiving the file transmission command, the OCR server communication function 234 transmits the OCR TIFF file to the multifunction device communication function 331 on the OCR server 300. The MFP communication function 331 that has received the file performs the processing from step S419 in FIG. 8 and the scan application 230 performs the processing from step S450 in FIG.

  As described above, the present embodiment has a function for reading a voucher (application document) with an original scanner and converting it into electronic data, a function for performing OCR recognition (analysis) processing on the digitized data, and the OCR recognition (analysis). ) In a voucher digitization system that has a function of notifying the user of the result immediately, the recognition (analysis) result is immediately notified, so that even if an OCR misanalysis occurs, the process can be performed again. System.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to check whether the recognition (analysis) result has been properly performed by returning the image recognition result to the image forming apparatus. In particular, by displaying the image recognition (analysis) result on the display of the image forming apparatus, and enabling the applicant to perform visual confirmation, unauthorized data can be stored before proceeding to application processing by the business system. It can be discovered and the burden of unnecessary work of application work can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing the client PC 100, the multi-function device 200, and the OCR server 300 to function as the voucher electronic system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG. To do.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a computer-readable recording medium (storage medium) on which a program for causing the client PC 100, the multifunction device 200, and the OCR server 300 to function as the voucher electronic system according to the present invention. is there.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 5, 8, 13, 14, and 15 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print system to which a client PC, an authentication server, and a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC 100 and the OCR server 300 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a controller unit of the multifunction peripheral 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a relationship between functions of a client PC 100, an OCR server 300, and a multifunction device 200 illustrated in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow until a user produces | generates voucher data on a client PC and prints it. It is a figure which shows an example of the data registration screen at the time of registering voucher data with client PC100. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voucher output from the multifunction device 200 in S405 of FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the flow from pasting a receipt on a voucher mount, scanning with a multifunction machine, and performing OCR with an OCR server. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an error dialog displayed when a process by another user is accepted during processing by the scan application 230 and notification is given that the application is being processed and the processing is stopped. The scan setting information stored in the external memory 211 or the RAM 203 of the OCR server 300 is transmitted from the OCR server 300 to the multifunction device 200 at the start of scanning. It is a figure which shows the content of the OCR result file produced | generated as a result of the OCR process of voucher data. It is an OCR result dialog displayed on the multifunction device 200 in response to an OCR result from the OCR server. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the OCR process shown to step S420 of FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which a scan application 230 that has received an OCR result causes a user to confirm the OCR result and transmits a data file based on the confirmed OCR result to the OCR server 300. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in which a scan application 230 that has received an OCR result causes a user to confirm the OCR result and transmits a data file based on the confirmed OCR result to the OCR server 300. It is a figure which shows the preview screen displayed when the image confirmation button 1604 is pressed on the OCR result dialog of FIG. It is a figure which shows the bibliographic information of the last file (end flag file) produced | generated based on an OCR result. It is a figure which shows the dialog displayed when all the processes are complete | finished. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the computer-readable recording medium (storage medium) which recorded the program for functioning the client PC100, the multifunction device 200, and the OCR server 300 as a voucher electronic system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 client PC
110 Print Application 111 Voucher Data Generation Function 112 Voucher Print Function 200 Multifunction Device 230 Scan Application 231 UI (Input / Result Display) Function 232 Voucher Reading Function 233 Image Generation Function 234 OCR Server Communication Function 300 OCR Server 330 OCR Application 331 Multifunction Device Communication Function 332 OCR processing function

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus capable of transmitting application document data generated by scanning the application document to an information processing apparatus, and executing the predetermined image recognition process on the application document data An application document digitizing system having an information processing device for generating division information for dividing the information into application units,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Application document data acquisition means for scanning application documents composed of one or more pages and acquiring application document data;
Application document data transmitting means for transmitting the application document data acquired by the application document data acquiring means to the information processing apparatus;
By generating the division information in the information processing apparatus so that the image forming apparatus does not execute a scan process during the image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted by the application document data transmission unit. Standby means for waiting until completion of the image recognition process;
Division information receiving means for receiving the division information from the information processing apparatus when the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information in the information processing apparatus during standby by the standby means;
Based on the division information received by the division information receiving means, application information display means for displaying the application document data in application units,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Division information generating means for generating division information for dividing the application document data into application units by performing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means;
An application form digitizing system comprising: a division information transmitting unit configured to transmit the division information generated by the division information generation unit to the standby image forming apparatus by the standby unit.   The application document data acquisition means further receives scans from other users when waiting by the standby means, and accepts scans and acquires application document data when not waiting by the standby means. The system for digitizing an application document according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
Application document data displayed by the application information display means, the confirmation display means for displaying the application document data displayed in the application unit based on the division information so that it can be confirmed in page units,
Replacement instruction means for instructing replacement of application document data of the page displayed by the confirmation display means;
In response to the replacement instruction by the replacement instruction unit, the application document data newly acquired by the application document data acquisition unit and the application document data of the page displayed by the confirmation display unit in the application document data 3. The application document digitizing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a replacement means for replacing. The image forming apparatus includes:
Application document data dividing means for dividing the application document data into application units based on the division information received by the division information receiving means in order to apply for application document data displayed by the application information display means;
4. An application instructing unit for instructing an application to apply each application unit for application document data divided into application units by the application document data dividing unit. The electronic system for application documents described in item 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
Application document data dividing means for dividing the application document data into application units based on the division information received by the division information receiving means in order to apply for application document data displayed by the application information display means;
An application instruction means for instructing an application to apply the application document data divided into application units by the application document data dividing means for each application unit;
4. The application document digitizing system according to claim 3, wherein the application instruction unit issues an application instruction to apply for the application document data replaced by the replacement unit. The information processing apparatus includes:
An identification result transmitting means for transmitting an identification result, which is a result of performing predetermined image recognition on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means, to the image forming apparatus;
6. The application information display unit receives the identification result information transmitted by the identification result transmission unit, and displays the received identification result information for each application unit. Application document electronic system described in the section. The information processing apparatus includes:
Application information related to the application, application information input receiving means for receiving input of application information that is the source of the division information;
Print data transmission means for generating print data for printing application documents including application information whose input has been received by the application information input receiving means and transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
7. The application document digitizing system according to claim 1, further comprising a print unit that receives and prints the print data of the application document transmitted by the print data transmission unit. .   The application document digitization system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image recognition process recognizes barcode information of the application document data. The application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the application document data by performing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means. the includes a division information generation means for generating division information for dividing the application unit, a division information transmitting means for transmitting the divided information generated by the division information generation means to the image forming apparatus in waiting An image forming apparatus communicably connected to an information processing apparatus,
Application document data acquisition means for scanning application documents composed of one or more pages and acquiring application document data;
Application document data transmitting means for transmitting the application document data acquired by the application document data acquiring means to the information processing apparatus;
By generating the division information in the information processing apparatus so that the image forming apparatus does not execute a scanning process during the image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted by the application document data transmission unit. Standby means for waiting until the image recognition processing is completed;
Division information receiving means for receiving the division information from the information processing apparatus when the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information in the information processing apparatus during standby by the standby means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: application information display means for displaying the application document data in application units based on the division information received by the division information receiving means. An image forming apparatus capable of transmitting application document data generated by scanning the application document to an information processing apparatus, and executing the predetermined image recognition process on the application document data An application document digitizing method in an application document digitizing system having an information processing device for generating division information for dividing the information into application units,
The application document data acquisition means of the image forming apparatus scans an application document consisting of one or a plurality of pages to acquire application document data, and
An application document data transmission unit of the image forming apparatus transmits an application document data acquired in the application document data acquisition step to the information processing apparatus,
In the information processing apparatus, the standby unit of the image forming apparatus prevents the image forming apparatus from performing a scanning process during an image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted in the application document data transmission step. A standby step of waiting until the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information;
An application document data receiving unit of the information processing apparatus receives the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
The division information generating means of the information processing apparatus performs division for dividing the application document data into application units by performing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data received in the application document data receiving step. A division information generation step for generating information;
A division information transmitting unit that transmits the division information generated by the division information generation step to the image forming apparatus on standby by the standby step; and division information of the image forming apparatus A division information receiving step for receiving the division information from the information processing apparatus when the image recognition processing is completed by the information processing apparatus generating the division information while the reception unit is waiting in the standby step. When,
The application information display means of the image forming apparatus comprises an application information display step for displaying the application document data in application units based on the division information received by the division information reception step. Document digitization method. The application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the application document data by performing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means. the includes a division information generation means for generating division information for dividing the application unit, a division information transmitting means for transmitting the divided information generated by the division information generation means to the image forming apparatus in waiting An image forming method in an image forming apparatus communicably connected to an information processing apparatus,
The application document data acquisition means of the image forming apparatus scans an application document consisting of one or a plurality of pages to acquire application document data, and
An application document data transmission unit of the image forming apparatus transmits an application document data acquired in the application document data acquisition step to the information processing apparatus,
In the information processing apparatus, the standby unit of the image forming apparatus prevents the image forming apparatus from performing a scanning process during an image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted in the application document data transmission step. A standby step of waiting until the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information;
When the division information receiving unit of the image forming apparatus completes the image recognition processing by generating the division information in the information processing apparatus during the standby in the standby step, the information processing apparatus Division information receiving step received from
An application information display unit of the image forming apparatus includes an application information display step of displaying the application document data in application units based on the division information received in the division information reception step. Forming method. An image forming apparatus capable of transmitting application document data generated by scanning the application document to an information processing apparatus, and executing the predetermined image recognition process on the application document data A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a method for digitizing an application document in an application document digitization system having an information processing device for generating division information for dividing the information into application units,
The image forming apparatus;
Application document data acquisition means for scanning application documents composed of one or more pages and acquiring application document data;
Application document data transmitting means for transmitting the application document data acquired by the application document data acquiring means to the information processing apparatus;
By generating the division information in the information processing apparatus so that the image forming apparatus does not execute a scanning process during the image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted by the application document data transmission unit. Standby means for waiting until the image recognition processing is completed;
Division information receiving means for receiving the division information from the information processing apparatus when the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information in the information processing apparatus during standby by the standby means;
Based on the division information received by the division information receiving means, function as application information display means for displaying the application document data in application units,
The information processing apparatus;
Application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus;
Division information generating means for generating division information for dividing the application document data into application units by performing predetermined image recognition on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means;
A program that causes the division information generated by the division information generation unit to function as a division information transmission unit that transmits the division information to the standby image forming apparatus. The application document data receiving means for receiving the application document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus, and the application document data by performing predetermined image recognition processing on the application document data received by the application document data receiving means. the includes a division information generation means for generating division information for dividing the application unit, a division information transmitting means for transmitting the divided information generated by the division information generation means to the image forming apparatus in waiting A computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute an image forming method in an image forming apparatus communicably connected to an information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus;
Application document data acquisition means for scanning application documents composed of one or more pages and acquiring application document data;
Application document data transmitting means for transmitting the application document data acquired by the application document data acquiring means to the information processing apparatus;
By generating the division information in the information processing apparatus so that the image forming apparatus does not execute a scanning process during the image recognition process in the information processing apparatus for the application document data transmitted by the application document data transmission unit. Standby means for waiting until the image recognition processing is completed;
Division information receiving means for receiving the division information from the information processing apparatus when the image recognition processing is completed by generating the division information in the information processing apparatus during standby by the standby means;
A program that functions as application information display means for displaying the application document data in application units based on the division information received by the division information receiving means.

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