Patent ID: 8726178
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: G06F,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, including an information retrieval device that is connected to a network, the information retrieval device comprising: a scanner that automatically reads out paper-based non-digital information; an image processing unit that performs an image transformation process including a digital transformation or a gamma transformation, and thereby generates a processed document image including a bitmap image, with respect to a document image acquired by the scanner; an input/output unit that receives the processed document image from the image processing unit; a display unit that includes an operation screen, and wherein the operation screen includes a first screen and a second screen, and wherein input information received from the input/output unit is displayed on the first screen, and wherein a result of retrieval is displayed on the second screen, and a user can perform an operational input from the first screen and the second screen; an area splitting unit that receives the processed document image from the input/output unit and splits the processed document image into a plurality of subareas by each information attribute; an extracting unit that includes a keyword dictionary storing words that function as keywords, and which is configured to: a determining unit configured to: a display control unit that displays the input information in the subareas on the first screen, and receives an instruction for specifying any of the subareas displayed on the first screen of the operation screen to be moved to the second screen of the operation screen, such that the instruction for specifying any of the subareas displayed on the first screen is for moving a specified subarea on the operation screen; and a retrieving unit that retrieves information via the network based on a retrieval key corresponding to the subarea that is moved to the second screen, and wherein the retrieving unit is configured to retrieve information via the network while the input information is displayed on the first screen of the operation screen, wherein the display control unit displays retrieved information on the second screen.