Image processing system and image processing method

Abstract

This invention provides an image processing system and image processing method, which can acquire a document such as a paper document or the like as data of a format that allows easy re-use and re-edit processes. Image information is acquired by scanning a document, and its features are recognized. The image information is converted into character codes, vector data, or a predetermined image format in accordance with the recognized features. In this case, parameters used upon recognizing the features of the image information are variably set, and the operations of the character process, vectorization, and image conversion are controlled in accordance with the set parameters.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An image processing system comprising:
 a reading unit constructed to acquire image data by reading an original;   a recognition unit constructed to recognize characteristics of the image data acquired by the reading unit;   a character processing unit constructed to perform an optical character recognition on the image data in accordance with the characteristics recognized by the recognition unit;   a vectorization unit constructed to convert the image data into vector data in accordance with the characteristics recognized by the recognition unit;   an image conversion unit constructed to compress the image data into a predetermined format of image data in accordance with the characteristics recognized by the recognition unit;   a setting unit constructed to set a parameter for indicating to cause each of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit to operate, in accordance with a user instruction; and   a control unit configured to control operation of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit in accordance with the parameter set by the setting unit,   wherein the control unit controls to cause any one corresponding to the parameter to operate, among the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a search unit constructed to search an electronic file corresponding to the image data acquired by the reading unit among electronic files stored in a server,   wherein, in a case that the search unit cannot search an electronic file corresponding to the image data, the control unit controls to convert the image data using any one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit based on the image data acquired by the reading unit.   
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the search unit recognizes data, included in the original, indicating a storage area of an electronic file corresponding to the image data of the original to search the electronic file. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein the search unit searches an electronic file corresponding to the original among the electronic files stored in the server, based on data embedded in the original. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the vectorization unit including:
 an outline unit constructed to extract an outline of image of the image data acquired by the reading unit; and   an approximate function unit constructed to perform a collinear approximation, a curve approximation and a figure approximation of the image data based on the outline of the image.   
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the character processing unit including:
 a character recognition unit constructed to perform a character recognition on the image data of the original; and   a font processing unit constructed to replace character data recognized by the character recognition unit with font data corresponding to the character data.   
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the control unit divides the image data into a plurality of objects in accordance with the characteristics recognized by the recognition unit and causes any one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit to process each of the plurality of objects. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a format conversion unit constructed to convert data obtained by a control of at least one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit by the control unit, into data of a format in which a predetermined software can treat.   
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a storage unit constructed to store data converted by at least one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit, into a predetermined storage area;   a creation unit constructed to create additional information for indicating the predetermined storage area; and   a notification unit constructed to notify the additional information.   
     
     
         30 . The system according to  claim 23 , wherein the search unit searches an electronic file in a case that the image data acquired by the reading unit includes a predetermined format of data. 
     
     
         31 . An image processing system comprising:
 a reading unit constructed to acquire image data by reading an original;   a character processing unit constructed to perform an optical character recognition on the image data;   a vectorization unit constructed to convert the image data into vector data;   an image conversion unit constructed to compress the image data into a predetermined format of image data;   a setting unit constructed to set to cause which of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit to operate, in accordance with a user instruction; and   a control unit configured to control to cause any one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit in accordance with the setting set by the setting unit, to convert the image data acquired by the reading unit.   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a search unit constructed to search an electronic file corresponding to the image data acquired by the reading unit among electronic files stored in a server,   wherein, in a case that the search unit cannot search an electronic file corresponding to the image data, the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit perform a conversion of the image data based on the image data acquired by the reading unit.   
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a selection unit constructed to select whether the search unit searches an electronic file regardless of that an electronic file corresponding to the original exists or not.   
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the setting unit having:
 a first setting unit constructed to set an attribute of the original to any one of character, photograph, drawing and table; and   a second setting unit constructed to set a parameter of the optical character recognition, font process, font designation process by the character processing unit, approximate function process by the vectorization unit, or compression process of the image conversion unit.   
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the control unit controls a conversion of the image data in accordance with the setting set by the first and second setting units. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a password request unit constructed to request for a user to input authentication data, prior to obtaining an electronic file from a server which stores an electronic file having a limited access;   a password determination unit constructed to determine whether or not the authentication data input by the user is correct; and   a permitting unit constructed to permit an access to the electronic file stored in the server in a case that it is determined by the password determination unit that the input password is correct,   wherein the search unit obtains the electronic file in a case that the permitting unit permits an access to the electronic file stored in the server.   
     
     
         37 . An image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a reading unit, a recognition unit, a character processing unit, a vectorization unit and an image conversion unit, the method comprising:
 a reading step of acquiring image data by reading an original using the reading unit;   a recognition step of recognizing characteristics of the image data acquired in the reading step, using the recognition unit;   a character processing step of performing an optical character recognition on the image data in accordance with the characteristics recognized in the recognition step, using the character processing unit;   a vectorization step of converting the image data into vector data in accordance with the characteristics recognized in the recognition step, using the vectorization unit;   an image conversion step of compressing the image data into a predetermined format of image data in accordance with the characteristics recognized in the recognition step, using the image conversion unit;   a setting step of setting a parameter for indicating to cause each of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit to operate, in accordance with a user instruction; and   a control step of controlling operation of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit in accordance with the parameter set in the setting step,   wherein the control step controls to cause any one corresponding to the parameter to operate, among the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit.   
     
     
         38 . An image processing method of an image processing apparatus having a reading unit, a recognition unit, a character processing unit, a vectorization unit and an image conversion unit, the method comprising:
 a reading step of acquiring image data by reading an original using the reading unit;   a character processing step of performing an optical character recognition on the image data using the character processing unit;   a vectorization step of converting the image data into vector data using the vectorization unit;   an image conversion step of compressing the image data into a predetermined format of image data using the image conversion unit;   a setting step of setting to cause which of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit to operate, in accordance with a user instruction; and   a control step of controlling to cause any one of the character processing unit, the vectorization unit and the image conversion unit in accordance with the setting set in the setting step, to convert the image data acquired in the reading step.   
     
     
         39 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to implement the method defined in  claim 37 . 
     
     
         40 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to implement the method defined in  claim 38 .