Abstract:
A reading apparatus includes a reading device for reading an image on a recording medium and generating image data. The reading apparatus is configured to: receive the generated image data; retrieve a first region location indicator indicating a location of a first region to be defined on an image based on the generated image data, a second region location indicator indicating a location of a second region, a first image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the first region, and a second image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the second region; determine first partial image data based on the first region location indicator; execute the at least one image processing; determine second partial image data; and execute the at least one image processing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-226791, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2013, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a reading apparatus configured to read an image and to a non-transitory storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of the reading apparatus. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There have been known techniques of facial recognition and character recognition (such as optical character recognition or OCR) for a scanned image. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A facial region and a character region on an image need to be identified for the facial recognition or the OCR. However, it is difficult to identify the facial region and the character region on the image, so that recognition processing may be complicated, and in worse case the recognition may fail, making it impossible to execute an appropriate processing on each region. 
         [0007]    This invention has been developed to provide a reading apparatus and a non-transitory storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of the reading apparatus, each capable of executing an appropriate image processing for each region without complicated processing. 
         [0008]    The present invention provides a reading apparatus including: a reading device configured to read an image on a recording medium and generate image data based on a read signal; a processor; and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions. When executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the reading apparatus to perform: receiving the generated image data from the reading device; retrieving, from a storage device, a first region location indicator indicating a location of a first region to be defined on an image based on the generated image data, a second region location indicator indicating a location of a second region to be defined on the image based on the generated image data, a first image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the first region, and a second image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the second region; determining first partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the first region location indicator; executing the at least one image processing, which is indicated by the retrieved first image processing indicator, for the first partial image data; determining second partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the second region location indicator; and executing the at least one image processing, which is indicated by the retrieved second image processing indicator, for the second partial image data. 
         [0009]    The present invention also provides a reading apparatus including: a reading device configured to read an image on a recording medium and generate image data based on a read signal; a processor; and a memory configured to store a plurality of instructions. When executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the reading apparatus to perform: receiving the generated image data from the reading device; acquiring, based on an identification mark detected on an image based on the received image data, (i) a first region location indicator indicating a first location defined on the image and a second region location indicator indicating a second location defined on the image and (ii) a first image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the first region and a second image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the second region; determining first partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the acquired first region location indicator; executing the at least one image processing, indicated by the acquired first image processing indicator, for the first partial image data; determining second partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the acquired second region location indicator; and executing the second image processing, indicated by the acquired second image processing indicator, for the second partial image data. 
         [0010]    The present invention also provides a non-transitory storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of a reading apparatus. The reading apparatus includes a reading device configured to read an image on a recording medium and generate image data based on a read signal. When executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the reading apparatus to perform: receiving the generated image data from the reading device; retrieving, from a storage device, a first region location indicator indicating a location of a first region to be defined on an image based on the generated image data, a second region location indicator indicating a location of a second region to be defined on the image based on the generated image data, a first image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the first region, and a second image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the second region; determining first partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the first region location indicator; executing the at least one image processing, which is indicated by the retrieved first image processing indicator, for the first partial image data; determining second partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the second region location indicator; and executing the at least one image processing, which is indicated by the retrieved second image processing indicator, for the second partial image data. 
         [0011]    The present invention also provides a non-transitory storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of a reading apparatus. The reading apparatus includes a reading device configured to read an image on a recording medium and generate image data based on a read signal. When executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the reading apparatus to perform: receiving the generated image data from the reading device; acquiring, based on an identification mark detected on an image based on the received image data, (i) a first region location indicator indicating a first location defined on the image and a second region location indicator indicating a second location defined on the image and (ii) a first image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the first region and a second image processing indicator indicating at least one image processing determined for the second region; determining first partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the acquired first region location indicator; executing the at least one image processing, indicated by the acquired first image processing indicator, for the first partial image data; determining second partial image data, which is a part of the generated image data, based on the acquired second region location indicator; and executing the second image processing, indicated by the acquired second image processing indicator, for the second partial image data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The objects, features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view illustrating an internal structure of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating the MFP illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating a card corresponding to a template database illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4   b  are views each illustrating the template database illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of operations in a template-data registering processing to be executed by a control program illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of operations in a completed-card-image creating processing to be executed by the control program illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a card printed by an MFP according to a second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating a card-image print processing in the second embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating a procedure of operations in a completed-card-image creating processing in the second embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a template database in a first modification; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a card printed by an MFP according to a second modification. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0024]    Hereinafter, there will be described an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention by reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a multi-function peripheral (MFP) having a scanning function and a printing function. 
         [0025]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an MFP  1  includes an upper housing  11  and a lower housing  12  each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The MFP  1  has a front surface  3  (a left surface in  FIG. 1 ) and a rear surface  4  (a right surface in  FIG. 1 ). The upper housing  11  is open in its lower side, and the lower housing  12  is open in its upper side. The upper housing  11  is coupled to the lower housing  12  so as to be pivotable about a pivot shaft  13  with respect to the lower housing  12 . An upper surface of the upper housing  11  includes a sheet support portion  15 . Sheets P printed and discharged are sequentially placed onto the sheet support portion  15 . A sheet output sensor  19  is disposed upstream of the sheet support portion  15  in a direction in which the sheets P are discharged onto the sheet support portion  15 . The sheet output sensor  19  is a reflective sensor which outputs a signal based on the presence or absence of the sheet or sheets P placed on the sheet support portion  15 . The sheet output sensor  19  outputs an ON signal to a controller  1   p  when there is any sheet on the sheet support portion  15 , and the sheet output sensor  19  outputs an OFF signal to the controller  1   p  when there is no sheets on the sheet support portion  15 . 
         [0026]    An ink-jet head  2 , a sheet tray  20 , a conveying mechanism  30 , and a platen  9  are provided in the MFP  1 . 
         [0027]    The ink-jet head  2  has a lower surface as an ejection surface which is formed with a multiplicity of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets. The sheet tray  20  can support a plurality of sheets P stacked on each other. The sheet tray  20  is removably disposed on a bottom surface of the lower housing  12 . The platen  9  is a plate member for supporting a sheet and fixed to the lower housing so as to face the ejection surface of the ink jet head  2  when the upper housing  11  is closed. 
         [0028]    The conveying mechanism  30  forms a sheet conveyance path extending from the sheet tray  20  to the sheet support portion  15  via a position between the ink-jet head  2  and the platen  9 . The conveying mechanism  30  includes a pickup roller  31 , nip rollers  32   a - 32   e , and guides  33   a - 33   d . The pickup roller  31  supplies an uppermost one of the sheets P stacked on the sheet tray  20 . The nip rollers  32   a - 32   e  are disposed along the conveyance path to convey the sheet P. The guides  33   a - 33   d  are disposed on the conveyance path between the pickup roller  31  and the nip rollers  32   a - 32   e . Each of the guides  33   a - 33   d  guides the sheet P until the sheet P conveyed by a corresponding one of the nip rollers  32   a - 32   e  reaches the next one of the nip rollers  32   a - 32   e . When the sheet P passes through a print area located between the ink-jet head  2  and the platen  9 , the ink-jet head  2  ejects ink droplets onto the sheet P from the nozzles to record an image on the sheet P. After printing, the sheet P is further conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30  and placed onto the sheet support portion  15 . 
         [0029]    A sheet sensor  18  is disposed just downstream of the nip roller  32   b  in the conveyance path. When a downstream or leading edge portion of the sheet P in the conveying direction passes through the sheet sensor  18 , the output signal produced by the sheet sensor  18  is changed. The timing of this change determines the timing of ejection of the ink droplets from the nozzles of the ink-jet head  2 . 
         [0030]    A scanner unit  40  is provided on the upper surface of the upper housing  11  so as to partly cover the sheet support portion  15 . The scanner unit  40  includes a feeder  42  and a contact image sensor (CIS)  41  (see  FIG. 2 ) which is disposed near a document to be conveyed through a conveyance path formed by the feeder  42 . A sheet-supply tray  43  is formed on an upper surface of the feeder  42 . A recording medium in the form of a document set on the sheet-supply tray  43  is conveyed rightward in  FIG. 1  by the feeder  42  and, at a right edge portion of the feeder  42 , makes a lateral U-turn so as to be turned upside down. The flipped document then passes through an upper surface of the CIS  41  and is discharged onto a sheet-output tray  44  from a left portion of the feeder  42  in  FIG. 1 . When the recording medium passes through a position near the CIS  41 , the CIS  41  reads an image recorded on the recording medium and outputs a read signal to an A/D converter  45  (see  FIG. 2 ). The A/D converter  45  converts the read signal from analog to digital and stores the digital read signal into a RAM  53 . Thus, a plurality of documents can be stacked on the sheet-supply tray  43 , and these documents can be read successively. 
         [0031]    The MFP  1  includes the controller  1   p . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the controller  1   p  includes a CPU  51 , a ROM  52 , and the RAM  53 . The controller  1   p  is electrically connected to the head  2 , the conveying mechanism  30 , the CIS  41 , the A/D converter  45 , the scanner unit  40 , a touch panel  17 , the sheet sensor  18 , and the sheet output sensor  19 . The CIS  41  and the A/D converter  45  constitutes a reading device  46 . 
         [0032]    The touch panel  17  is a user interface having an input function and a display function. The touch panel  17  displays operations of the MFP  1  and receives an input operation performed by a user. 
         [0033]    Software and information stored in the ROM  52  include: firmware as a control program  52   a  for controlling the MFP  1 ; various settings; and initial values. The RAM  53  and a flash memory  54  are used as working areas where various control programs are read out or as storage areas for temporarily storing data. The flash memory  54  stores a template database  54   a  which will be described below. The flash memory  54  stores an IP (Internet Protocol) address as information unique to the MFP  1 . 
         [0034]    The CPU  51  controls the devices and components of the MFP  1  according to the control program  52   a  read from the ROM  52  and signals transmitted from various sensors, while storing results of processings into the RAM  53  or the flash memory  54 . 
         [0035]    A network interface  55  transmits and receives data to and from various devices connected to the same local area network (LAN) as used by the MFP  1 . Either of wireless communication and wired communication may be used for transmitting and receiving the data. 
         [0036]    The MFP  1  can execute the control program  52   a  to execute various processings according to commands received via the touch panel  17  or commands received from a personal computer (PC) via the network interface  55 . The processings include a scan processing, a print processing, a template-data registering processing, and a completed-card-image creating processing. Upon execution of the scan processing, a document set on the scanner unit  40  is read by the CIS  41 , and a created read signal is converted from analog to digital by the A/D converter  45 , so that image data is created from an image formed on the document. The created image data is stored into the storage device such as the RAM  53  of the MFP  1  or transmitted, via the network interface  55 , to a device having output a command or to a device designated by the user. Upon execution of the print processing, the head  2  records an image on a sheet based on image data received with a command. 
         [0037]    There will be next explained the template-data registering processing, the completed-card-image creating processing, and the completed-card-image creating processing with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  4 B. In the template-data registering processing, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , image data  54   c  for recording a card  70  having input fields (regions)  71   a - 71   e  and template data  54   b  constituted by a first table  54   d  representing attributes of the input fields (regions)  71   a - 71   e  are registered into the template database  54   a . The user thereafter chooses a desired one of the image data  54   c  contained in the template data  54   b  registered in the template database  54   a  and prints the card  70 . The user fills in a character or characters and pastes an image or a photograph on the input fields  71   a - 71   e  of the printed card  70  to complete the card  70 . The template database  54   a  includes: the template data  54   b  containing the image data  54   c  representative of the card  70  and the first table  54   d  ( FIG. 4A ) representing a relationship between location (two-dimensional coordinates) information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  defined on the card  70  and attributes (each as one example of an image processing indicator in the present embodiment) representing types of inputs on the respective input fields  71   a - 71   e ; and a second table  54   e  ( FIG. 4B ) representing a relationship between the attributes and types of image processings. In the template-data registering processing, template data  54   b  constituted by image data  54   c  representative of a new card  70  and a first table  54   d  corresponding to the image data is additionally registered. 
         [0038]    In the completed-card-image creating processing, the CPU  51  executes the scan processing on the card  70  to create image data and executes an appropriate image processing on the created image data. The CPU  51  refers to the first table  54   d  and the second table  54   e  to execute an appropriate image processing on region image data which is a part of image data representing an image to be recorded on the card and which corresponds to the input fields  71   a - 71   e . Specifically, the CPU  51  executes binary conversion (e.g., an OCR processing), as the image processing, for facilitating character recognition, on the region image data representative of the input fields  71   a ,  71   b ,  71   d  on which a character or characters are to be input (ATTRIBUTE: CHARACTER 1). On the region image data representative of the input field  71   c  on which characters are to be input, the CPU  51  executes the binary conversion and then executes an image processing of increasing a line width of each character (as one example of a width change processing) for increase in viewability of the characters (ATTRIBUTE: CHARACTER 2). On the region image data representative of the input field  71   e  on which an image or a photograph is to be pasted, the CPU  51  executes 8-bit conversion (i.e., 256-value conversion), as the image processing, not causing much deterioration of viewability of the image (ATTRIBUTE: IMAGE). It is noted that in a case where a certain input field partly or completely overlaps another input field, an image processing to be executed is determined based on priorities of the attributes. In the present embodiment, the priorities of the attributes are set as follows: IMAGE&gt;CHARACTER 2&gt;CHARACTER 1. In the card  70  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a part of the input field  71   d  overlaps the entire region of the input field  71   e . In this case, since the input field  71   e  is associated with “IMAGE”, the 8-bit conversion is executed, on a priority basis, on a part of region image data representing the input field  71   d , which part corresponds to a region overlapping the input field  71   e.    
         [0039]    There will be next explained an procedure of operations in the template-data registering processing with reference to  FIG. 5 . This template-data registering processing begins with S 101  at which the CPU  51  controls the touch panel  17  to display a list of image data which can be registered as template data, and prompts the user to choose one of the image data which is to be registered. It is noted that the image data which can be registered may be stored in advance in, e.g., the flash memory  54  and may be received from an external device via the network interface  55 . 
         [0040]    When one of the image data is chosen by the user, the CPU  51  at S 102  displays the detail of the chosen image data on the touch panel  17  and prompts the user to touch the touch panel  17  to designate one of the input fields. The user may designate the input field by directly touching the input field displayed on the touch panel  17  or by inputting coordinate data. As a result of the touch operation by user, location information of the input field is determined. The CPU  51  at S 103  prompts the user to choose the attribute of the input field (IMAGE, CHARACTER 1, or CHARACTER 2) and determines whether the chosen attribute is IMAGE or not. When the attribute chosen by the user is IMAGE (S 103 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 104  applies the attribute “IMAGE” to the input field. When the attribute chosen by the user is not IMAGE (S 103 : NO), the CPU  51  at S 105  determines whether the attribute chosen by the user is CHARACTER 1 or not. When the attribute chosen by the user is CHARACTER 1 (S 105 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 106  applies the attribute “CHARACTER 1” to the input field. When the attribute chosen by the user is not CHARACTER 1 (S 105 : NO), the CPU  51  at S 107  applies the attribute “CHARACTER 2” to the input field. The CPU  51  at S 108  inquires of the user whether the user finishes designation of the input field or not. When the designation is not finished ( 108 : NO), this flow returns to S 102 . When the designation is finished (S 108 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 109  registers, as the template data  54   b , the image data chosen as the image data  54   c  and the first table  54   d  representing a relationship between the location information and the attributes related for all the input fields designated for the image data, and this flow ends. 
         [0041]    There will be next explained a procedure of operations in the completed-card-image creating processing with reference to  FIG. 6 . The completed-card-image creating processing is started by an instruction of the user after the filled-in card  70  is set on the scanner unit  40 . The completed-card-image creating processing begins with S 201  at which the CPU  51  at S 201  controls the touch panel  17  to display a list of images based on the image data  54   c  contained in the template data  54   b  registered in the template database  54   a  and prompts the user to choose an image created based on the image data  54   c  used for printing of the card  70  set on the scanner unit  40 . The CPU  51  at S 202  executes the scan processing and creates image data representative of the card  70 . 
         [0042]    The CPU  51  at S 203  reads an attribute of one input field by referring to the image data  54   c  representative of the image chosen at S 201  and the first table  54   d  contained in the template data  54   b . The CPU  51  at S 204  determines whether the attribute of the input field is IMAGE or not. When the attribute of the input field is IMAGE (S 204 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 205  executes the 8-bit conversion, as the image processing corresponding to the attribute, on region image data representative of the created image data which corresponds to the input field. When the attribute of the input field is not IMAGE (S 204 : NO), the CPU  51  at S 206  determines whether the attribute of the input field is CHARACTER 1 or not. When the attribute of the input field is CHARACTER 1 (S 206 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 207  executes the binary conversion, as the image processing corresponding to the attribute, on the region image data corresponding to the input field. When the attribute of the input field is not CHARACTER 1 (S 206 : NO), the CPU  51  at S 208  executes the binary conversion and increase in width, as the image processing corresponding to the attribute, on the region image data corresponding to the input field. The CPU  51  at S 209  refers to the first table  54   d  to determine whether the image processing is finished for all the input fields or not. When the image processing is not finished for all the input fields ( 209 : NO), this flow returns to S 203 . When the image processing is finished for all the input fields ( 209 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 210  extracts the region image data to which the attribute “IMAGE” is applied and extracts text data by executing the OCR processing for the binary-converted region image data to which the attributes “CHARACTER 1” and “CHARACTER 2” are applied, and this flow ends. 
         [0043]    In the MFP  1  according to the present embodiment described above, the template database  54   a  stores the location information about each input field and the appropriate image processing for each input field which are associated with each other via the attribute. Accordingly, the CPU  51  can execute an appropriate image processing for each input field defined on the read image without complication of the processings. 
         [0044]    The multi-value conversion is assigned to the attribute “IMAGE”, and the binary conversion to the attributes “CHARACTER 1” and “CHARACTER 2”, thereby improving the viewability of characters without deteriorating the viewability of image. 
         [0045]    For the attribute “CHARACTER 2”, the CPU  51  executes the binary conversion and then increases line width, thereby further improving the viewability of characters. 
         [0046]    In the case where the input field partly or completely overlaps another input field, a higher priority is given to the attribute “IMAGE” than the attribute “CHARACTER 1” or “CHARACTER 2” on the data corresponding to the overlapping region, resulting in reduction in deterioration of the viewability of image. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0047]    There will be next explained a second embodiment with reference to  FIGS. 7-9 . It is noted that the same numerals as used in the first embodiment are used to designate the corresponding elements and steps of this second embodiment, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. In the present embodiment, the template database stored in the flash memory  54  contains only the second table  54   e  and does not contain the template data  54   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  51  can print a card  270  such that two dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e  each as one example of an identification mark are arranged near the respective input fields  71   a - 71   e . Each of the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e  indicates the location information and the attribute (as one example of an image processing indicator in the present embodiment) of a corresponding one of the input fields  71   a - 71   e . It is noted that the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e  may be arranged at any locations as long as the location information is not indicated by coordinates relative to the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e . With this configuration, the location information and the attribute of each of the input fields  71   a - 71   e  can be acquired by reading the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e , eliminating the need to execute the template-data registering processing executed in the first embodiment. Instead, a card-image print processing for printing the card  270  is executed in this embodiment. 
         [0048]    There will be next explained the card-image print processing with reference to  FIG. 8 . The card-image print processing begins with S 211  at which the CPU  51  controls the touch panel  17  to display a list of image data which can be printed as the card  270 , and prompts the user to choose one of the image data which is to be registered. It is noted that the image data which can be printed may be stored in advance in, e.g., the flash memory  54  and may be received from an external device via the network interface  55 . 
         [0049]    Processings at S 212 -S 217  are similar to those at S 102 -S 107  in the template-data registering processing in the first embodiment, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. The CPU  51  at S 218  inquires of the user whether the user finishes designation of the input field or not. When the designation is not finished ( 218 : NO), this flow returns to S 212 . When the designation is finished (S 218 : YES), the CPU  51  at S 219  prints the card  270  by combining an image created based on the image data designated at S 211  and images of the two-dimensional codes indicating the location information and the attributes related for all the input fields designated for the image data, and this flow ends. 
         [0050]    There will be next explained a procedure of operations in a completed-card-image creating processing in this embodiment with reference to the flow in  FIG. 9 . The completed-card-image creating processing begins with S 302  at which the CPU  51  executes the scan processing to create image data representative of the card  70 . The CPU  51  at  5303  identifies the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e  from the image data and reads the location information and the attribute of one of the input fields  71   a - 71   e  from the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e . As a result, the CPU  51  acquires the location information and the attribute of the one of the input fields  71   a - 71   e . Processings at S 204  and subsequent steps are similar to those in the completed-card-image creating processing in the first embodiment, and an explanation of which is dispensed with. 
         [0051]    In the MFP  1  according to the present embodiment described above, the location information about each input field and the appropriate image processing for each input field are associated with each other by the template database  54   a  and the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e  via the attribute. Accordingly, the CPU  51  can execute an appropriate image processing for each input field defined on the read image without complication of the processings. 
         [0052]    Also, the location information and the attribute of each of the input fields  71   a - 71   e  can be read from the two-dimensional codes  72   a - 72   e , eliminating the need of a storage capacity for the first table  54   d.    
         [0053]    It is noted that the two-dimensional code may indicate the location information and the type of the image processing. In this configuration, the template database does not need to store the second table  54   e . That is, the template database  54   a  is not necessary. 
         [0054]    The two-dimensional code is used as the identification mark in the present embodiment, but other marks such as a bar code may be used. Instead of the two-dimensional code, a storage device storing, e.g., the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  may be mounted on the recording medium. For example, an IC tag bonded to a card may store the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  and so on. In this configuration, the MFP needs to be provided with a reader for reading data stored in the IC tag. 
         [0055]    &lt;First Modification&gt; 
         [0056]    In the first embodiment described above, the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  and the types of the image processing are associated with each other using the attribute. In this modification, however, the attribute is not used, and the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  and the type of the image processing (as one example of an image processing indicator in the present modification) are directly associated with each other. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the flash memory  54  stores, as the template database, a table representing a relationship between the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  and the types of the image processing. In this configuration, the type of the image processing is directly registered instead of the attribute in the template-data registering processing. This configuration reduces the number of references to the table, which simplifies the processing. Also, the CPU  51  may acquire, from an external storage device, data which contains information similar to that stored in the table in the present modification and in which the location information about the input fields  71   a - 71   e  and the types of the image processing (as one example of an image processing indicator in the present modification) are associated with each other. 
         [0057]    &lt;Second Modification&gt; 
         [0058]    In the present modification, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , when printing a card  370 , the CPU  51  processes image data such that assistant images  74   a - 74   d  are formed on the respective input fields  71   a - 71   d  at a gray level value smaller than a predetermined threshold value. This predetermined threshold value is determined at a value that is lower than such a gray level value that an image having this value is completely deleted by the binary conversion for CHARACTER 1 and CHARACTER 2 (deleting processing). In other words, a threshold value of the deleting processing is determined at a gray level value higher than or equal to the predetermined threshold value. With this configuration, the assistant images which are not recognized even when the card  370  is read can be printed on the input fields  71   a - 71   d  in the completed-card-image creating processing, thereby assisting input operations of the user. 
         [0059]    While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of the illustrated embodiments, but may be embodied with various changes and modifications, which may occur to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the 8-bit conversion is assigned to the attribute “IMAGE”, and the binary conversion to the attributes “CHARACTER 1” and “CHARACTER 2” in the above-described embodiment, but this configuration is one example of the image processing, and other image processings may be executed. For the attribute “IMAGE”, for example, the CPU  51  may execute multi-value conversion greater than or less than the 8-bit (256-value) conversion and may execute no image processing. Also, the multi-value conversion may be executed for the attributes “CHARACTER 1” and “CHARACTER 2”. 
         [0060]    In the above-described embodiments, for the attribute “CHARACTER 2”, the CPU  51  increases the line width after executing the binary conversion as the image processing. However, the CPU  51  may reduce the line width as the image processing and may execute other image processings including various image processings other than the multi-value conversion. 
         [0061]    In the above-described embodiments, in the case where the input field partly or completely overlaps another input field, a higher priority is given to the attribute “IMAGE” than the attribute “CHARACTER 1” or “CHARACTER 2”. However, a higher priority may be given to the attribute “CHARACTER 1” or “CHARACTER 2”, and a priority for the attribute may be determined according to a relationship of inclusion of the input fields. For example, a higher priority may be given to an attribute of an input field included in another input field, and a higher priority may be given to an attribute of an input field including another input field. 
         [0062]    While the template database and the second table are stored in the flash memory  54  in the above-described embodiment, the template database may be stored in an external device different from the MFP such as a file server and acquired via the network interface  55  in the completed-card-image creating processing. In this configuration, the flash memory  54  stores, instead of the template database, an address representative of a storage place of the template database. 
         [0063]    In the above-described first embodiment, when the user chooses, in the completed-card-image creating processing, the image created based on the image data  54   c  used for printing the card  70 , the user indirectly chooses the first table  54   d  of the template data  54   b  with the image data  54   c . However, the user may not choose the template data in the case where the MFP  1  stores only one template data  54   b  or in the case where the template data  54   b  is identified by, e.g., the two-dimensional code printed on the card or information stored in the IC tag bonded to the card. 
         [0064]    The template data  54   b  is constituted by the image data  54   c  and the first table  54   d , but the image data  54   c  does not need to be contained in the template data  54   b . In this configuration, the template data  54   b  may contain information for identifying image data instead of the image data. Examples of the information for identifying image data include identification information for the image data (e.g., a file name) and an address representative of a storage place of the image data. 
         [0065]    The user may perform an input operation in the template-data registering processing from an external device via the network interface  55 . 
         [0066]    While the MFP  1  includes the ink-jet printing mechanism in the above-described embodiment, a printing method is not limited as long as an image can be recorded on a sheet passing through the print area. For example, the MFP  1  may have a laser printing mechanism. 
         [0067]    While the present invention is applied to the MFP in the foregoing explanation, the present invention is applicable to devices capable of executing the scan processing such as a facsimile machine.