JP2007013799A - System, method for inputting document image data and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize a page order of images of each page obtained by scanning a document even when page numebrs are not given to a part of the document in which content for a plurality of pages is printed on one side of one sheet. <P>SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an original side image acquisition control part 102 for acquiring an original side image GD by scanning the document, a selection means for making a user select a form of page arrangement, a page image extraction part 105 for extracting a page image GP which is an image by every page of the document based on selection results of the form of page arrangement and a corresponding page discrimination part 106 for discriminating in what page of the document the extracted page image GP is based on an order that paper in which the page image GP is drawn is scanned, a position where the page image GP is drawn in the paper and a form of the page arrangement of the document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system such as an MFP having a scan function.

  In recent years, application printing such as 2 in 1 printing, 4 in 1 printing, or booklet printing is performed in a multifunction printing device called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) or a multifunction device and a printing device used as a peripheral device of a personal computer. I was able to do it. “2 in 1 printing” is a printing method in which one side of a sheet of paper is divided into two regions and the content of one page of the document is printed in one region. That is, two pages of content are printed on one side of one sheet. Similarly, “4-in-1 printing” is a printing technique in which one side of a sheet of paper is divided into four regions and the contents of four pages of the document are printed. “Booklet printing” means printing the content so that it can be finished in the form of a booklet, pamphlet, or weekly magazine if it is bound using the folding margin when one or more sheets are folded in half. This is a printing method (see FIG. 9). Sometimes called "weekly magazine binding" or "brochure binding". Furthermore, 2 in 1 printing and 4 in 1 printing can be performed on only one side of the paper or on both sides.

  As described above, according to a recent printing apparatus, it is possible to perform printing by arranging pages in various forms. Hereinafter, a printed matter in which contents of a plurality of pages are printed on one side of one sheet of paper, such as Nin1 printing (“N” is a natural number of 2 or more) and booklet printing, will be referred to as “aggregated printing document”.

  It is not so difficult to copy a normal printed matter in which only one page of content is printed on one side of a sheet of paper in another form such as Nin1 or booklet. This is because, in such a normal printed matter, for example, in the case of double-sided printing, the front side of the first sheet is usually the first page, the second side is the second page, and the second sheet side is 3 This is because the order of the pages is clear, such as the page, the back of the fourth page, and so on, so that it is possible to easily identify the page number of each image obtained by scanning. MFPs having such a copy function are already in widespread use.

  However, conversely, it is difficult to copy a printed matter in the form of Nin1 or booklet, that is, an aggregate printed document, in another form. This is because it is more difficult to specify which page content is printed in which part of the aggregate print document than in the case of normal printed matter.

Therefore, for example, a method as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. According to the method described in Patent Document 1, each of a plurality of images included in a reduced layout printed original is enlarged to form an image for one page, and enlarged continuous copying is performed. At this time, the page number at a predetermined position in the document image is recognized, and enlarged continuous copying is performed in ascending order of the page number.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-103381

  However, in the conventional method described in Patent Document 1, when a document image of a page on which no page number is printed is included, it may not be possible to successfully perform enlarged continuous copying in the original page order. is there. This is because if there is no page number, it cannot be recognized which page of the original aggregate print document corresponds to the original image obtained by scanning.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention is a case where a page number is not attached to a part of an aggregate print document which is a printed matter in which a content of a plurality of pages is printed on one side of one sheet. However, it is an object of the present invention to be able to recognize the page order of images of each page obtained by scanning the aggregated print document.

  A document image data input system according to the present invention is a document image data input system that generates image data of an image of a content drawn on a document sheet by scanning the document sheet. A document surface image, which is an image of the document surface, is scanned by scanning the document surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of a plurality of sheets and having a plurality of pages of content drawn on one document surface of each sheet. Document surface image acquisition means to be acquired, page layout form selection means for allowing the user to select a page layout form on the paper of the aggregate print document, and the aggregate print acquired by the document surface image acquisition means Based on the form of the consolidated print document selected by the user from the document surface image of each document surface of the document, A page image extraction unit that extracts a page image that is an image for each page of the document, and the page image of the aggregated print document extracted by the page image extraction unit is the page number of the aggregated print document. Whether the paper on which the page image is drawn is scanned by the document surface image acquisition means, the position where the page image is drawn on the paper, and the aggregated print document selected by the user. Page order determining means for determining based on the form.

  Or you may comprise so that the said form of the said aggregated printing document may be discriminate | determined automatically as follows, for example. That is, a manuscript surface image that is an image of a manuscript surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of one or a plurality of paper sheets and on which a plurality of pages of content are drawn on one manuscript surface of each sheet, Based on the characteristics of the original surface image of the aggregate print document acquired by the original surface image acquisition means and the original surface image acquisition means acquired by scanning the paper of the aggregate print document, A page arrangement form determining unit for determining a page arrangement form on the paper, and the page arrangement form determining unit based on the original surface image of each original surface of the aggregate print document acquired by the original surface image acquiring unit. A page image that is an image for each page of the aggregated print document based on the form of the aggregated print document determined by An image extracting unit and a page on which the page image of the aggregated print document extracted by the page image extraction unit is the image of the aggregated print document. Page order determining means for determining based on the order scanned by the surface image acquisition means, the position where the page image was drawn on the paper, and the form of the aggregated print document determined by the page arrangement form determining means To form a document image data input system.

  According to the present invention, even if a page number is not attached to a part of an aggregate print document that is a printed matter in which contents of a plurality of pages are printed on one side of a sheet of paper, the aggregate print document The page order of the images of each page obtained by scanning can be recognized.

  In particular, according to the first to third, sixth, and eighth aspects of the present invention, the page order of the images on each page can be recognized even when no page number is assigned. According to the inventions of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth aspects, the user can perform the scanning process even if the user does not know the page layout form of the aggregate print document.

  1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a system provided with the image forming apparatus 1, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of an operation panel 10f. 4 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present invention is connected to one or a plurality of terminal devices 2 via a communication line 3. As the communication line 3, the Internet, an intranet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  An application program and a driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 are installed in the terminal device 2. As the terminal device 2, a personal computer or a workstation is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a processing apparatus that integrates various functions such as copying, scanner, fax, network printing, and document server. Sometimes called a multi-function peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals).

  The image forming apparatus 1 is installed in offices or offices such as businesses, public facilities such as schools or libraries, stores such as convenience stores, and other various places, and can be shared by a plurality of users.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a control circuit 10e, an operation panel 10f, a scanner unit 10g, a printing unit 10h, a communication interface 10j, a document feeding mechanism 10k, and the like. Composed.

  The control circuit 10e is a circuit for controlling the hard disk 10d, the scanner unit 10g, the printing unit 10h, the communication interface 10j, the operation panel 10f, and the like.

  The scanner unit 10g is an apparatus that optically reads an image of content such as a sentence, a mathematical formula, a symbol, a photograph, a chart, or an illustration drawn on a document to generate image data.

  The document feeding mechanism 10k sequentially feeds one or more sheets constituting the document to the scanner unit 10g. Also, it corresponds to a so-called double-sided original, and after each side of a document sheet is read by the scanner unit 10g, it is reversed and sent to the scanner unit 10g again to read the other side. be able to.

  Hereinafter, the surface on which the content is drawn among the sheets constituting the document is referred to as “original surface”. Generally, it may be called “printing surface”. If the content is drawn on both sides of the paper (so-called double-sided original), the front and back sides of the paper are the original side, and if the content is drawn only on one side of the paper (so-called single-sided original) Only the drawn surface is the manuscript surface. An image drawn on the entire surface of the document is referred to as a “document surface image”.

  The printing unit 10h prints an image on a sheet based on image data obtained by the scanner unit 10g or image data transmitted from the terminal device 2 or the like. The communication interface 10j is a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a modem for communicating with other devices.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 10f includes an operation unit SB and a display unit TD. A numeric keypad or the like is used as the operation unit SB, and a liquid crystal display or the like is used as the display unit TD. The user operates the operation unit SB to give an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 such as start or stop of processing, and specify processing conditions such as data destination, printing conditions, or scanning conditions, Various other items can be specified. The display unit TD shows a screen for giving a message or an instruction to the user, a screen for inputting the type of processing and processing conditions desired by the user, and the result of the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 1. A screen is displayed. When a touch panel is used as the operation panel 10f, the touch panel serves as both the operation unit SB and the display unit TD. As described above, the operation panel 10 f serves as a user interface for a user who operates the image forming apparatus 1.

  The hard disk 10d includes a screen display control unit 101, a document surface image acquisition control unit 102, a page layout form determination unit 103, a document surface image correction unit 104, a page image extraction unit 105, and a corresponding page determination unit 106 as shown in FIG. A program and data for realizing each function such as the page image sorting unit 107, the document file generation unit 108, the print instruction file generation unit 109, and the electronic file transmission control unit 10S are stored. These programs are read into the RAM 10b as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU 10a. Some or all of these programs or data may be stored in the ROM 10c. Alternatively, part or all of the functions shown in FIG. 4 may be realized by the control circuit 10e.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scan processing screen HG1, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a page layout form of a 2-in-1 consolidated print document, and FIG. 7 is an example of a page layout mode of a 4-in-1 consolidated print document. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the layout of pages of a booklet consolidated print document, FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a booklet consolidated print document, and FIG. 10 is an example of a document page format setting screen HG2. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of each document surface image GD of the 2in1 and 4in1 consolidated print documents, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of each document surface image GD of the booklet consolidated print document. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of content parts and margins in the document surface image GD, FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for extracting page images GP, and FIG. 15 is a diagram for sorting page images GP. Explain how It is a diagram of the order.

  Next, the processing contents of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail. The screen display control unit 101 performs control for causing the display unit TD of the operation panel 10f to display a screen corresponding to a processing result or a user operation. For example, when it is detected that the “scan” tab is pressed while the initial menu screen is displayed on the display unit TD, a scan processing screen HG1 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.

  The document surface image acquisition control unit 102 controls hardware such as the scanner unit 10g and the document feed mechanism 10k in order to acquire a document surface image of each document surface of a document set at a predetermined position of the document feed mechanism 10k. To do. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, is a document in which contents for a plurality of pages are drawn on one side of a sheet of paper (hereinafter referred to as “aggregated print document”). One of the features is that scan processing is an object of scan processing. Therefore, here, the processing contents of the manuscript surface image acquisition control unit 102 when obtaining manuscript surface images of the manuscript surfaces of the aggregated print document will be described.

  FIG. 6A shows an aggregate print document in which only the front side of the paper is the original surface, the original surface is divided into right and left, and one page of content is drawn in each of the left and right areas. Shows the form of page layout. That is, it can be said that the aggregate print document shown in FIG. 6A is a so-called “single side 2 in 1” document (original). FIG. 6B shows the layout of pages in an aggregate print document in which both the front and back sides of the paper are the document surface, the document surface is divided into right and left, and one page of content is drawn in each of the left and right regions. The form of is shown. That is, it can be said that the aggregate print document shown in FIG. 6B is a so-called “both sides 2 in 1” document (original). Numbers such as “1”, “2”, and “3” and target expressions such as “2n−1”, “2n”, and “4n” in the figure represent the order of pages. The “page” in the present embodiment includes not only a page of content directly related to the main subject of the document but also a page of accompanying content such as a cover, table of contents, index, and back cover. Therefore, it does not always match the page number assigned by the author. The same applies to FIG. 7 and FIG.

  In FIG. 7A, only the front side of the paper is the original surface, the original surface is divided into 2 × 2 areas, and the contents for one page are drawn in each area. The form of the arrangement of pages in a printed document is shown. That is, it can be said that the aggregate print document shown in FIG. 7A is a so-called “single-sided 4 in 1” document (original). FIG. 7B shows a consolidated print document in which both the front and back sides of the paper are the original surface, the original surface is divided into 2 × 2 areas, and the contents for one page are drawn in each area. Shows the form of page layout. That is, it can be said that the aggregate print document shown in FIG. 7B is a so-called “both sides 4 in 1” document (original).

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are both booklet-finished documents. A “booklet” is a document (printed material, manuscript) created like a booklet, pamphlet, or weekly magazine with the center of the paper as the binding margin. Sometimes called "weekly magazine binding" or "pamphlet binding". FIG. 8A shows a form of page arrangement in an aggregate print document in which the left side is bound toward the page corresponding to the cover (first page) as shown in FIG. 9A. That is, it can be said to be a so-called “left-bound booklet” document (manuscript). On the other hand, FIG. 8B shows a form of page arrangement in an aggregate print document in which the right side is bound toward the page corresponding to the cover (first page) as shown in FIG. 9B. . In other words, it can be said to be a so-called “right-bound booklet” document (manuscript).

  The document surface image acquisition control unit 102 waits for the user to operate the operation panel 10f to specify scan conditions and the like.

  The user sets an object to be scanned, that is, an aggregate print document to be converted into electronic data, at a predetermined position of the document feeding mechanism 10k. At this time, the top and bottom of the document are set in a predetermined direction. If the consolidated print document is bound with staples or the like, the staples are removed before setting, and each sheet is made independent. In the present embodiment, the 2in1 consolidated print document and the 4in1 consolidated print document are set so that the scanner unit 10g reads them in order from the youngest page (front page). Suppose that it is set so that the outer side, that is, the front cover and the back cover are read sequentially from the page on which the front cover and the back cover are drawn.

  Further, the user selects a resolution at the time of reading the aggregated print document by pressing a button on the scan processing screen HG1 (see FIG. 5). The terminal device 2 that is the transmission destination of the electronic data of the consolidated print document is designated by, for example, an IP address. It is selected whether the user himself / herself designates the page layout form of the aggregate print document or allows the image forming apparatus 1 to automatically discriminate. If the former is desired, the “document page form manual selection” button is pressed, and if the latter is desired, the “document page form automatic determination” button is pushed. Then, after specifying or selecting these items, the “OK” button is pressed.

  When the “OK” button is pressed after the “Document page form manual selection” button is selected, the display on the display unit TD is displayed on the document page as shown in FIG. 10 from the scan processing screen HG1 by the screen display control unit 101. The screen is switched to the configuration setting screen HG2.

  Here, the user designates (selects) how the pages of the aggregate print document set in the document feeding mechanism 10k are arranged on the paper by pressing a button. When it is desired to specify that the page layout form of the consolidated print document is single-sided 2 in 1 as shown in FIG. 6A, the “2 in 1” button and the “single-sided” button in the document page form setting screen HG2 are pressed. When it is desired to specify that both sides are 2 in 1 as shown in FIG. 6B, the “2 in 1” button and the “both sides” button are pressed. When it is desired to designate that one side is 4 in 1 as shown in FIG. 7A, the “4 in 1” button and the “one side” button are pressed. When it is desired to specify that both sides are 4 in 1 as shown in FIG. 7B, the “4 in 1” button and the “both sides” button are pressed. When it is desired to specify that the booklet is a left-bound booklet as shown in FIG. 8A, the “left-bound booklet” button is pressed. When it is desired to specify that the booklet is a right-bound booklet as shown in FIG. 8B, the “right-bound booklet” button is pressed. After the designation, the “OK” button is pushed.

  Then, the manuscript surface image acquisition control unit 102 accepts the selection or designation made by the user on the scan processing screen HG1 and the document page form setting screen HG2, and based on this, collects print documents set in the manuscript feeding mechanism 10k. Control processing for reading is started.

  Specifically, the manuscript surface image acquisition control unit 102 has pressed the “double-sided” button, “left-bound booklet” button, or “right-bound booklet” button on the document page form setting screen HG2 (that is, double-sided 2 in 1). When either double-sided 4in1, left-bound booklet, or right-bound booklet is designated), the document feed mechanism 10k and the scanner unit 10g are controlled so that both sides of the sheets of the aggregate print document are read. When the “single side” button is selected (that is, when either one side 2 in 1 or one side 4 in 1 is designated), the document feeding mechanism 10 k and the scanner unit 10 g are controlled so that only one side is read. In addition, the scanner unit 10g is controlled so that the resolution at the time of reading becomes a value (200 dpi, 400 dpi, or 600 dpi) designated by the button on the scan processing screen HG1.

  As a result, in the case of a single-sided 2 in 1 or double-sided 2 in 1 consolidated print document, an original surface image having a form as shown in FIG. 11A is obtained, and in the case of a single-sided 4 in 1 or double-sided 4 in 1 consolidated print document, FIG. In the case of the left side booklet consolidated print document, the original side image in the form shown in FIG. 12A is obtained, and the right side booklet consolidated print document is obtained. As a result, an original surface image having a form as shown in FIG.

  11 and 12, the “document surface number” is a number for identifying the document surface, and “1”, “2”,... Are added in order of the document surface from which the document surface image is read. The Numbers such as “1”, “2”, “3”, and target expressions such as “2 m”, “2 m−1”, “4 m”, “4 m−1” in the document surface image are used for the aggregate print document. This means the order of pages. In the actually acquired document surface image, an image of the content of the corresponding page in the aggregated print document is drawn. Since the two-sided 2-in1, double-sided 4-in1, left-binding booklet, and right-binding booklet have two document surfaces per sheet, the last document surface number ("m" in FIGS. 11 and 12) must be an even number. It becomes.

  On the other hand, if the “OK” button is pressed after the “Automatic determination of document page form” button is selected on the scan processing screen HG1 of FIG. 5, the document page form setting screen HG2 of FIG. 6 is not displayed. The document surface image acquisition control unit 102 starts a control process for reading the aggregate print document set in the document feeding mechanism 10k under the scan condition selected on the scan processing screen HG1. Further, at the time of starting reading the aggregated print document, the form of the page layout of the aggregated print document to be scanned is not known. Therefore, it is not known whether an image of the page content is printed on the back side of the paper. Therefore, it is assumed that both the front surface and the back surface of the sheet are the document surface, and control is performed so that the document surface image is read.

  Hereinafter, the document surface image acquired by the document surface image acquisition control unit 102 is referred to as “document surface image GD”.

  The page layout form determination unit 103 determines the page layout form of the aggregate print document based on the document surface image GD acquired by the document surface image acquisition control unit 102 in the document page form automatic determination mode. .

  In general, an aggregate print document has the following characteristics. Most documents are white if the document contains one page of content on one side of the paper (that is, a normal document generated by a normal printing process with no application options specified). As shown in FIG. 13A, a blank portion (hereinafter referred to as “margin”) appears in a “B” shape at the upper end, lower end, right end, and left end of the document surface image GD. On the other hand, in the case of a 2in1 consolidated print document and a booklet consolidated print document, the margin is formed by adding two “B” characters (“J” character as shown in FIG. 13B). Appears in a laid-down form). In the case of a 4-in-1 consolidated print document, the margin appears in the shape of a “field” as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the case of a single-sided 2-in-1 consolidated print document and a single-sided 4-in-1 consolidated print document, the document surface image GD of the document surface with an even document surface number is almost white.

  In general, the number indicating the page number assigned by the author is arranged in the margin portion of the page. In the case of a 2-in-1 consolidated print document, as shown in FIG. The numbers indicating the page numbers of two pages adjacent to the left and right in the GD are serial numbers. On the other hand, in the case of the left-bound booklet consolidated print document, as shown in FIG. 12A, if the document surface number is an odd number, the number indicating the page number drawn on the left page is the right side. If it is an even number, the number indicating the page number drawn on the left page is smaller than the page number drawn on the right page. The opposite is true for right-bound booklet consolidated print documents. That is, as can be seen from FIG. 12B, if the document surface number is an odd number, the number indicating the page number drawn on the left page is smaller than the page number drawn on the right page, and even. Then, the number indicating the page number drawn on the left page is larger than the page number drawn on the right page.

From the above characteristics, the page layout form determination unit 103 determines the page layout form of the current aggregate print document to be processed. That is,
(1) A document surface image GD with an odd number of document surfaces is displayed in a letter “U” shape as shown in FIG. If it is almost pure white, it is determined that it is 4 in 1 on one side.
(2) In the manuscript surface image GD, a margin appears in the shape of a “rice” as shown in FIG. 13C, and some content is drawn on the manuscript surface image GD of the manuscript surface number that is an even number. If yes, it is determined that both sides are 4in1.
(3) In the document surface image GD having an odd document surface, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right in the same document surface image GD. If the document surface image GD of the document surface that is a serial number and the document surface number is an even number is almost pure white, it is determined that it is one side 2 in 1.
(4) In the document surface image GD, the margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and the numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right in the same document surface image GD are sequential numbers, and If any content is drawn on the document surface image GD of the document surface with an even document surface number, it is determined that the two-sided 2 in 1 is set.
(5) In the document surface image GD, the margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and the document surface number is the number indicating the page numbers of two pages adjacent to the left and right in the same document surface image GD. When the document surface image GD is an odd number, the left number is larger than the right number, and when the document surface image GD is an even number, the booklet image GD is determined to be a left-bound booklet.
(6) In the document surface image GD, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and the document surface number is the number indicating the page numbers of two pages adjacent to the left and right in the same document surface image GD. When the document surface image GD is an odd number, the left number is smaller than the right number, and when the document surface image GD is an even number, the booklet image GD is determined to be a right-bound booklet.

  Note that it is not necessary to check the presence or absence of the above-described features for all the document surface images GD, and by examining a part of the document surface images GD, it is possible to determine the page layout form. If the page layout form discriminating unit 103 does not perform discrimination well, the screen display control unit 101 may display the document page form setting screen HG2 to allow the user to select the page layout form of the aggregate print document. .

  Also, when processing a single-sided 2-in-1 consolidated print document or a single-sided 4-in-1 consolidated print document in the document page form automatic discrimination mode, both front and back sides of the paper are scanned, but no content is drawn on the back side. . Therefore, the document surface image GD having an even document surface number among the document surface images GD of the aggregate print document acquired by the document surface image acquisition control unit 102 is not necessary. Therefore, the document surface image GD having an even document surface number is discarded. Then, the document surface number is reassigned with the remaining document surface image GD.

  If the document surface image GD includes an image of staples or punch hole marks, the document surface image correction unit 104 executes correction processing for removing the image on the document surface image GD. .

  It is determined whether the vertical direction (top and bottom) of the document surface image GD is correct. If it is not correct, correction for rotating the document surface image GD by 180 degrees, so-called top and bottom correction, is performed. In general, when comparing the upper part and the lower part of the page, the lower part is often whiter. Therefore, the ratio of the white portion between the upper portion and the lower portion of the plurality of document surface images GD acquired by the document surface image acquisition control unit 102 is calculated, and the ratio of the white portion of the upper portion is the lower portion. If the ratio is higher than the ratio of the white part of the document, it is determined that the vertical direction of the document surface image GD is incorrect.

  In addition, when the aggregate print document to be scanned is a booklet, the content image may be printed on paper with the position being adjusted little by little in consideration of folding. In other words, in order to align the position of the content portion of each page when binding, the paper that is closer to the outside of the booklet (that is, the front cover and back cover) is printed so that the binding margin is wider. There is. Such position adjustment is sometimes referred to as “creeping processing” or the like. When such position adjustment is performed on the aggregate print document, the position of each document surface image GD acquired by the document surface image acquisition control unit 102 may be slightly shifted. Therefore, the document surface image correcting unit 104 determines the position of the content portion of one document surface image GD in the document surface image GD as a reference position. Then, the position adjustment is corrected so that the image of the content portion included in each of the other document surface images GD is aligned with the reference position.

  These correction processes by the document surface image correction unit 104 can be performed using a known method.

  The page image extraction unit 105 extracts an image of each page of the aggregate print document from the document surface image GD that has been subjected to the necessary correction processing by the document surface image correction unit 104. When the layout form of the pages of the aggregate print document is 2in1 or booklet, as shown in FIG. 14A, the document surface image GD is divided into left and right halves, and the divided images are paged. Extracted as an image GP. Or, when the layout of the pages of the consolidated print document is 4in1, as shown in FIG. 14 (b), the document surface image GD is divided into 4 × 2 and 4 × 2, and each of the divided images is divided. An image is extracted as a page image GP.

  Further, the extracted page image GP is enlarged to fit the size of one sheet according to the form of the original aggregated print document. That is, for example, when the size of the paper on which the original aggregated print document was drawn is a standard size such as A4 or B4, and the original aggregated print document is 2 in 1 or booklet, the vertical and horizontal directions are each double the route. It expands to (about 1.414 times), and when it is 4 in 1, it expands to 2 times.

  The corresponding page discriminating unit 106 determines which page of the original aggregated print document each page image GP extracted by the page image extraction unit 105 and subjected to the enlargement process corresponds to the page layout of the original aggregated print document. It is determined based on the form, the order in which the page images GP are scanned, that is, the document surface number of the original document surface image GD of the page image GP, and the position where the page image GP is drawn on the original document surface image GD. Then, sequential page identification numbers “1”, “2”, “3”,... Are given in order from the page image GP corresponding to the young page.

  Specifically, in the case of single-sided 2 in 1 or double-sided 2 in 1, page identification numbers are associated as shown in FIG. That is, among the two page images GP extracted from the document surface image GD with the document surface number “1”, the page image GP that is on the left side is given “1” as the page identification number, and is on the right side. “2” is given to the page image GP. Similarly, in the case of single-sided 4in1 or double-sided 4in1, page identification numbers are given as shown in FIG. If it is a left-bound booklet, a page identification number is given as shown in FIG. 12A, and if it is a right-bound booklet, a page identification number is given as shown in FIG. 12B.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 recognizes a page of ancillary content such as a front cover, a table of contents, an index, and a back cover as one page. Therefore, the page identification number assigned to the page image GP may not match the page number assigned by the author.

  The page image sorting unit 107 sorts each page image GP of each divided document surface image GD in ascending order of the page identification number associated therewith. For example, in the case of a page image GP of an aggregate print document having a form of a left-bound booklet and having 8 pages as shown in FIG. 15A, the pages are sorted as shown in FIG.

  If the total number of pages of the original aggregated print document is an odd number and the page layout is 2 in 1, no content is drawn on the last sorted page image GP. Similarly, when the total number of pages of the original aggregated print document is not a multiple of 4 and the page layout is 4in1 or booklet, any of the page images GP for the last three sorted pages is similarly used. No content is drawn on one or more of them. Therefore, after sorting, these page images GP without content may be discarded.

  The document file generation unit 108 binds all the page images GP of the aggregate print document to one file in the order sorted by the page image sorting unit 107, and generates a document file FLS. As the format of the document file FLS, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format) or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is used.

  The print instruction file generation unit 109 generates a print instruction file FLI corresponding to the document file FLS generated by the document file generation unit 108. This print instruction file FLI is an arrangement form of original pages of the aggregate print document related to the document file FLS (one side 2 in 1, double side 2 in 1, single side 4 in 1, double side 4 in 1, left binding booklet, or right binding booklet). This is used when a consolidated print document is duplicated and printed in its original form. A format based on JDF (Job Description Format) or PJL (Printer Job Language) is preferably used as the format of the print instruction file FLI, but the format may be defined independently.

  The electronic file transmission control unit 10S associates the document file FLS and the print instruction file FLI with each other and transmits the document file FLS and the print instruction file FLI to the destination terminal device 2 designated on the scan processing screen HG1 (see FIG. 5). The document file FLS and the print instruction file FLI may be bound to one file and transmitted. The print instruction file FLI may be generated only when requested by the user.

  When the terminal device 2 receives the document file FLS from the image forming apparatus 1, the terminal device 2 uses the document file FLS to print the consolidated print document on one side 2in1, double side 2in1, single side 4in1, double side 4in1, left binding regardless of the original form. It can be reproduced (printed) in various forms such as a booklet or a right-bound booklet. Normal single-sided printing or double-sided printing is also possible. When the print instruction file FLI is associated with the document file FLS, the aggregate print document can be duplicated and printed in the original form based on the print instruction file FLI.

  Next, the processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1 when generating the document file FLS and the print instruction file FLI of the consolidated print document and the process flow of the terminal device 2 when performing the process for printing the consolidated print document are described. This will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus 1 during the scan processing of the aggregated print document. FIG. 17 is an example of the processing flow when the document file FLS is used in the terminal device 2. It is a flowchart explaining these.

  In FIG. 16, when the user performs a predetermined operation, the image forming apparatus 1 displays a scan processing screen HG1 as shown in FIG. 5 (# 1). Here, the user specifies the conditions for the scanning process. Further, when specifying the page layout form of the aggregate print document, the “document page form manual selection” button is pressed, and when the image forming apparatus 1 is to be automatically determined, the “document page form automatic determination” button is pressed.

  When the “document page form manual selection” button is pressed (No in # 2), a document page form setting screen HG2 as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed (# 3). Here, by selecting a button, the user designates the page layout form of the aggregate print document that is the target of the scan process. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 generates image data of the document surface image GD by scanning each document surface of the aggregate print document based on the designation contents on the scan processing screen HG1 and the document page form setting screen HG2 (#). 4).

  On the other hand, when the “document page form automatic determination” button is pressed (Yes in # 2), both sides of each sheet of the consolidated print document are scanned to generate image data of the document surface image GD (# 5), Based on the characteristics of the document surface image GD, the page layout form of the aggregated print document is determined (# 6). If it is determined that the form of the consolidated print document is single-sided 2 in 1 or single-sided 4 in 1, the original surface image GD with an even original surface number is deleted, and the original surface number is reassigned with the remaining original surface image GD. Keep it.

  If correction of the original surface image GD related to the image data acquired in step # 4 or # 5 is necessary (Yes in # 7), removal of staple or punch hole marks, rotation of the top and bottom, or position adjustment, etc. The correction process is executed (# 8).

  A page image GP for each page of the aggregate print document is extracted from each original surface image GD (# 9), and a page identification number is given to each page image GP based on the rules of FIG. 11 or FIG. The extracted page images GP are sorted in ascending order of page identification numbers (# 10). Then, the document file FLS is generated by binding the image data of the sorted page images GP to one file (# 11).

  If the user desires the print instruction file FLI (Yes in # 12), the print instruction file FLI indicating the page layout form of the scanned aggregate print document is generated (# 13).

  Then, the generated document file FLS is transmitted to the destination terminal device 2 designated by the user (# 14). When the print instruction file FLI is generated, it is transmitted together with the document file FLS.

  In FIG. 17, in the terminal device 2 that has received the document file FLS or the like, processing using the document file FLS is performed as follows. When the user performs a predetermined operation, the terminal apparatus 2 displays a list of identification information (file name, document name, etc.) of the document file FLS received from the image forming apparatus 1 on the display of the terminal apparatus 2 itself (# 21). ). At this time, for the document file FLS having the corresponding print instruction file FLI (Yes in # 22), information indicating the contents of the print instruction file FLI, that is, the page layout form of the original consolidated print document is displayed together with the list. This is presented to the user (# 23). For example, if the print instruction file FLI corresponding to a certain document file FLS indicates that the original consolidated print document is a left-closed booklet, “left-bound booklet” beside the identification information of the document file FLS. The text etc. are displayed.

  Here, the user designates an aggregate print document to be printed. At this time, if necessary, printing conditions such as the number of copies, resolution, color (color printing or monochrome printing), finishing (such as punch holes, staple binding, or sorting), or paper size are also specified. Furthermore, it is also possible to specify printing conditions relating to the printing mode (single-sided 2in1, double-sided 2in1, single-sided 4in1, double-sided 4in1, left-bound booklet, or right-bound booklet). When the contents (print form) of the print instruction file FLI are presented, the print process can be executed by changing to another print form, or the print process can be executed in the presented print form. it can.

  Then, the terminal device 2 accepts these designated contents (# 24), generates print data PDT for executing print processing according to the designated contents (# 25), and print data PDT, as in the past. Is transmitted to the apparatus that executes the printing process (# 26). For example, the image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, a printing device connected to the terminal device 2 via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) may be used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 or the printing apparatus that has received the print data PDT from the terminal apparatus 2 starts the printing process as in the conventional case.

  According to the present embodiment, even when a page number is not attached to a part of an aggregate print document that is a printed matter in which contents of a plurality of pages are printed on one side of a sheet of paper, the aggregate print is performed. The page order of the images of each page obtained by scanning the document can be recognized. In particular, in the document page form manual selection mode, the page order of the images of each page obtained by scanning the aggregate print document can be recognized even if no page number is assigned. . Further, according to the document page form automatic discrimination mode, the user can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a scanning process even if the user does not know the layout form of the pages of the aggregate print document.

  In the present embodiment, an example of an integrated print document in which pages are arranged in the form of 2 in 1, 4 in 1, or booklet has been described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to an integrated print document in other forms. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an aggregate print document such as 8in1 or 16in1. In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which pages are arranged according to the rules shown in FIG. 11 on one side of one sheet of a 2in1 or 4in1 consolidated print document. The present invention can also be applied to the case where pages are arranged in accordance with the rules. For example, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, a 4-in-1 consolidated print document in which pages are arranged in the order of upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right has been described as an example, but upper left, lower left, The present invention can also be applied to a 4-in-1 consolidated print document in which pages are arranged in the order of upper right and lower right.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy processing screen HG3, and FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1 when copying an aggregate print document.

  In the present embodiment, the page image GP obtained by scanning the aggregate print document is used to generate the document file FLS. This document file FLS was then used to print the consolidated print document again in the same form or in another form. The page image GP can also be used for other methods. For example, it can be used for application copying of aggregated printed documents.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to operate as follows. When the user performs a predetermined operation, the image forming apparatus 1 displays a copy processing screen HG3 as shown in FIG. Here, as in the case of the scan processing screen HG1 (see FIG. 5), the user designates the page layout form of the aggregate print document that is the copy target or causes the image forming apparatus 1 to automatically determine. Select. If the former is desired, the “document page form manual selection” button is pressed, and if the latter is desired, the “document page form automatic determination” button is pushed.

  When the “document page form manual selection” button is selected, the display on the display unit TD is switched from the copy processing screen HG3 to a screen having the same configuration as the document page form setting screen HG2 shown in FIG. Here, as in the case of the document page form setting screen HG2, the user presses a button corresponding to the page layout form of the aggregate print document to be copied. The image forming apparatus 1 accepts designation of the form of the aggregate print document and returns the display on the display unit TD to the copy processing screen HG3.

  Further, the user designates the number of copies, and designates in what form each page of the aggregate print document to be copied is reorganized and desired to be copied. For example, when a two-sided 2 in 1 form is desired, the “double-sided” button and the “2 in 1” button are pressed. Then, press the “OK” button.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the same processing as the processing described in steps # 2 to # 10 in FIG. 16 to arrange the page images GP of the respective pages of the aggregate print document to be copied in page order. Get in the state.

  Then, these page images GP are printed on a copy sheet in a form designated on the copy processing screen HG3.

  For example, when a left-bound booklet aggregate print document composed of two sheets is reorganized into two-sided 2 in 1 and copied, the process is performed as shown in FIG. Both sides of each sheet of the consolidated print document are scanned to obtain four document surface images GD (# 31). The page image GP of each page is extracted, and a page identification number is given to each page image GP based on the rule of FIG. 12A (# 32). The page images GP are sorted in ascending order of page identification numbers (# 33). Then, in order from the top, two page images GP are picked up and arranged side by side to form one set of images, and each set is divided into the first surface, the first back surface, the second sheet of the copy paper. Printing is performed in the order of the front surface, the second back surface, and so on (# 34).

  In this embodiment, scanning is performed from the front side of the paper on which the young page is drawn or from the front side of the paper on which the front cover and the back cover are drawn, such as the back side, the front side of the next paper, the back side,. Although described as an example, the present invention can also be applied to scanning in the reverse order.

However, in this case, the arrangement of the document surface images GD and the like shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12 is reversed. In addition, the determination methods (1) to (6) in the page arrangement form determination unit 103 are also changed to the following (1 ′) to (6).
(1 ′) A document surface image GD of a document surface having an even number of document surfaces and a margin appearing in a “rice” shape as shown in FIG. 13C and a document surface number having an odd number. Is almost pure white, it is determined that it is 4 in 1 on one side.
(2 ′) In the manuscript surface image GD, a margin appears in the shape of a “field” as shown in FIG. 13C, and some content is drawn on the manuscript surface image GD of the manuscript surface having an odd manuscript surface number. If so, it is determined that both sides are 4in1.
(3 ′) In the document surface image GD whose document surface is an even number, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and is a number indicating the page numbers of two pages adjacent to each other in the same document surface image GD. Is a serial number and the document surface image GD of the document surface with an odd document surface number is almost pure white, it is determined that it is one side 2 in 1.
(4 ′) In the document surface image GD, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and the numbers indicating the page numbers of two pages adjacent to the left and right in the same document surface image GD are serial numbers. If any content is drawn on the document surface image GD of the document surface with an odd number of document surfaces, it is determined that the two-sided 2in1.
(5 ′) In the document surface image GD, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and among the numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right in the same document surface image GD, the document surface number When the document surface image GD is an odd number, the left number is smaller than the right number, and when the document surface image GD is an even number, the booklet image GD is determined to be a left-bound booklet.
(6 ′) In the document surface image GD, a margin appears in a pattern as shown in FIG. 13B, and among the numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right in the same document surface image GD, the document surface number If the document surface image GD is an odd number, the left number is larger than the right number, and if the document surface image GD is an even number, the booklet image GD is determined to be a right-bound booklet.

  In the present embodiment, all the processes for generating the document file FLS from the consolidated print document are performed by the image forming apparatus 1, but a part of the processes may be performed by the terminal apparatus 2. For example, the terminal device 2 may be configured to execute processing after the scanning processing, that is, processing after obtaining the document surface image GD.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the document surface image GD to the terminal device 2 in association with the document surface number indicating the acquisition order. A program for realizing functions equivalent to those of the page arrangement form determination unit 103 or the print instruction file generation unit 109 in FIG. 4 is installed in the terminal device 2. Then, the terminal device 2 is caused to execute the processes of steps # 2 to # 13 in FIG. 16 using the document surface image GD received from the image forming apparatus 1.

  Alternatively, a scanner device is connected to the terminal device 2 via an interface such as USB or SCSI to realize a function equivalent to the page layout form determination unit 103 or the print instruction file generation unit 109 of FIG. The document image data input system of the present invention may be realized by installing the program.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire image forming apparatus 1 or each unit, processing contents, processing order, and the like can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention is particularly suitable for easily managing an image of each page of an aggregated print document scanned in an image processing apparatus such as an MFP having a copy function and a scan function or a personal computer to which a scanner apparatus is connected. Used for.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a system provided with an image forming apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation panel. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a scanning process screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the form of the arrangement | positioning of the page of 2 in 1 consolidated printing document. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout of pages of a 4-in-1 consolidated print document. It is a figure which shows the example of the arrangement | positioning form of the page of the aggregated print document of a booklet. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the aggregated print document of a booklet. It is a figure which shows the example of a document page form setting screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of each document surface image of a 2in1 and a 4in1 consolidated print document. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of each original surface image of the aggregated print document of a booklet. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the content part in a document surface image, and a margin. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the method of extracting a page image. It is a figure for demonstrating the sorting method of a page image. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus during a scan process of a consolidated print document. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a process at the time of using a document file in a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a copy process screen. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow of the image forming apparatus when copying an aggregate print document.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming device (document image data input system)
102 Document surface image acquisition control unit (document surface image acquisition means)
105 Page image extraction unit (page image extraction means)
106 Corresponding page discriminating section (page order discriminating means)
107 page image sorting section (sorting means)
108 Document file generator (image file generator)
10f Operation panel (page layout form selection means)
10g scanner unit (document surface image acquisition means)
FLS document file (image file)
GD Original image GP page image

Claims (9)

A document image data input system for inputting image data of an image of a content drawn on a document sheet by scanning the document sheet,
It is an image of a manuscript surface by scanning the manuscript surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of one or a plurality of paper sheets and having a plurality of page contents drawn on one manuscript surface of each sheet. A document surface image acquisition means for acquiring a document surface image;
A page arrangement form selection means for allowing the user to select a page arrangement form on the paper of the aggregate print document;
Based on the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user from the original surface image of each original surface of the aggregated print document acquired by the original surface image acquisition unit, for each page of the aggregated print document Page image extraction means for extracting a page image that is an image;
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted by the page image extraction unit is an image of what page of the aggregated print document, and the paper on which the page image is drawn is obtained by the original surface image acquisition unit. Page order determining means for determining based on the scanned order, the position where the page image was drawn on the paper, and the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user;
A document image data input system comprising: Each page image of the aggregated print document extracted by the page image extraction unit, an image file generation unit that generates one image file by binding in page order based on a determination result by the page order determination unit;
The document image data input system according to claim 1, comprising: Image correction means for performing correction to delete an image of punch hole marks or staple binding marks on the document surface image acquired by the document surface image acquisition means;
The page image extraction unit extracts the page image from the corrected document surface image when the correction is performed on the document surface image by the image correction unit.
The document image data input system according to claim 1 or 2. A document image data input system for inputting image data of an image of a content drawn on a document sheet by scanning the document sheet,
A document surface image that is an image of a document surface of a consolidated print document that is composed of one or a plurality of paper sheets and on which a plurality of page contents are drawn on a single document surface of each sheet. A manuscript surface image obtaining means obtained by scanning a paper sheet of a document;
Page layout form determining means for determining a page layout form on the sheet of the aggregated print document based on the characteristics of the original surface image of the aggregated print document acquired by the original surface image acquisition means;
The aggregated print document based on the form of the aggregated print document determined by the page layout form determining unit from the original surface image of each original surface of the aggregated print document acquired by the original surface image acquiring unit. Page image extraction means for extracting a page image that is an image for each page of
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted by the page image extraction unit is an image of what page of the aggregated print document, and the paper on which the page image is drawn is obtained by the original surface image acquisition unit. Page order determining means for determining based on the scanned order, the position where the page image was drawn on the paper, and the form of the aggregated print document determined by the page arrangement form determining means;
A document image data input system comprising: The document surface image acquisition means acquires each document surface image by scanning in order from the paper on which the young page is drawn or the paper on which the page on the cover side is drawn, in the order of the front and back surfaces,
The page arrangement form determining means is configured to determine the form of the aggregate print document.
The margin portion in the document surface image acquired odd-numbered by the document surface image acquisition means appears in the shape of a “rice”, and the document surface acquired even-numbered by the document surface image acquisition means If the image is almost white, it is determined that it is 4in1 on one side,
When the blank area in the original surface image appears in the shape of a “rice” and the content appears in the original surface image acquired evenly by the original surface image acquisition means, both sides are 4 in 1 It is determined that there is,
The margin portion in the document surface image acquired odd number by the document surface image acquisition unit appears in the form of two “B” characters, and is acquired odd number by the document surface image acquisition unit. When the numbers indicating the page numbers of two pages represented in the document surface image are sequential numbers, and the document surface image acquired by the document surface image acquisition means is even white. Is determined to be one side 2in1,
The margin portion in the original surface image appears in a form with two “B” characters, the numbers indicating the page numbers of the two pages shown in the original surface image are sequential numbers, and When the content appears in the even-numbered original surface image acquired by the original surface image acquisition means, it is determined that the both-sided 2 in 1
A margin portion in the original surface image appears in a shape in which two “B” characters are added, and is adjacent to the left and right sides shown in the original surface image acquired oddly by the original surface image acquisition means. Among the numbers indicating the page numbers of the two matching pages, the number on the left page is larger than the number on the right page, and the document surface image acquired by the document surface image acquisition unit is even-numbered. If the left page number is smaller than the right page number among the numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right sides, it is determined that the booklet is a left-bound booklet.
A margin portion in the original surface image appears in a shape in which two “B” characters are added, and is adjacent to the left and right sides shown in the original surface image acquired oddly by the original surface image acquisition means. Among the numbers indicating the page numbers of two matching pages, the number on the left page is smaller than the number on the right page, and the document surface image acquired by the document surface image acquisition means is even-numbered. If the left page number is larger than the right page number among the numbers indicating the page numbers of two adjacent pages on the left and right sides, it is determined that the booklet is a right-bound booklet.
The document image data input system according to claim 5. By scanning the manuscript surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of one or more sheets and having a plurality of pages of content drawn on one manuscript surface of each sheet, Enter a document image,
Allowing the user to select a page layout form on the paper of the aggregated print document;
A page image that is an image for each page of the aggregated print document is extracted from the original surface image of each original surface of the aggregated print document that is input based on the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user. ,
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted is the page number of the aggregated print document in the order in which the paper on which the page image was drawn was scanned on the paper. Determining based on the location and the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user;
A document image data input method characterized by that. A document surface image that is an image of a document surface of a consolidated print document that is composed of one or a plurality of paper sheets and on which a plurality of page contents are drawn on a single document surface of each sheet. Typing by scanning the paper of the document,
Based on the characteristics of the original surface image of the input aggregated print document, determine the form of page layout on the paper of the aggregated print document,
Extracting a page image that is an image for each page of the aggregated print document based on the determined form of the aggregated print document from the original surface image of each original surface of the input aggregated print document;
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted is the page number of the aggregated print document in the order in which the paper on which the page image was drawn was scanned on the paper. Determine based on the position and the form of the determined aggregated print document,
A document image data input method characterized by that. A computer program used for a computer to which a scanner is connected,
By scanning the original surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of one or a plurality of sheets and having a plurality of pages of content drawn on one original surface of each sheet, the original surface Processing to input a manuscript image that is an image of
A process for allowing the user to select a page layout form on the paper of the aggregate print document;
A page image which is an image for each page of the aggregated print document is extracted from the original surface image of each original surface of the aggregated print document inputted based on the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user. Processing,
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted is the page number of the aggregated print document, in the order in which the paper on which the page image was drawn is scanned by the scanner, and the page image is drawn on the paper. A process of determining based on the position that has been selected and the form of the aggregated print document selected by the user;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute. A computer program used for a computer to which a scanner is connected,
By scanning the original surface of an aggregate print document, which is a document composed of one or a plurality of sheets and having a plurality of pages of content drawn on one original surface of each sheet, the original surface Processing to input a manuscript image that is an image of
Based on the characteristics of the original surface image of the input aggregate print document, a process for determining a page layout form on the paper of the aggregate print document;
A process of extracting a page image that is an image for each page of the aggregated print document based on the determined form of the aggregated print document from the original surface image of each original surface of the input aggregated print document;
The page image of the aggregated print document extracted is the page number of the aggregated print document in the order in which the paper on which the page image was drawn was scanned on the paper. Processing for determining the position and the determined form of the aggregated print document based on the form;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.