Image processing device and method for determining image data processes based on additional information

An image processing method for use in an image processing device which extracts additional information from image data, comprising:

• an input step of inputting a plurality of image data items from document images;
• an additional information extracting step of extracting an additional information item including a first control code, representing a process to be performed on a page basis by one of the input unit, a processing unit and an output unit, from each of the plurality of image data items input in the input step;
• and
• a determining step of determining an image-data group process to be performed on a page basis and a document basis for each image data item based on the extracted additional information item,
• wherein the determining step is configured to determine a process to be performed on a document basis for an image-data group containing the plurality of image data items, based on a plurality of additional information items extracted from the plurality of image data items, and to determine an image-data item process to be performed on a page basis for each image data item based on a corresponding one of the plurality of additional information items, wherein
• wherein the additional information extracting step is configured to generate a group-basis additional information item indicating a process to be performed on a document basis, in accordance with an additional information item including a second control code, representing a process to be performed by each of the input unit, the processing unit and the output unit, indicating a non-output process which does not output the image data from the image processing device to an external device.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing an image processing program which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform an image processing method for use in an image processing device which extracts additional information from image data, the image processing method comprising:

• an input step of inputting a plurality of image data items input from document images;
• an additional information extracting step of extracting an additional information item including a first control code, representing a process to be performed on a page basis by one of the input unit, a processing unit and an output unit, from each of the plurality of image data items input in the input step;
• and
• a determining step of determining a process to be performed on a page basis and a document basis for each image data item based on the extracted additional information item,
• wherein the determining step is configured to determine an image-data group process to be performed on a document basis for an image-data group containing the plurality of image data items, based on a plurality of additional information items extracted from the plurality of image data items, and to determine an image-data item process to be performed on a page basis for each image data item based on a corresponding one of the plurality of additional information items, wherein
• wherein the additional information extracting step is configured to generate a group-basis additional information item indicating a process to be performed on a document basis, in accordance with an additional information item including a second control code, representing a process to be performed by each of the input unit, the processing unit and the output unit, indicating a non-output process which does not output the image data from the image processing device to an external device.