Patent Publication Number: US-11652932-B2

Title: Image processing apparatus for setting a folder path by using a character string in a document

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/679,049, filed Nov. 8, 2019 which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-217584, filed Nov. 20, 2018, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, a method for controlling the image processing apparatus, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708 discusses an image processing apparatus that scans an image of a document to generate image data, performs character recognition processing on an area specified by a user in advance, and transmits the image data to a folder under a folder name having a character string obtained through the character recognition processing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Inputting characters of a folder path one by one by using a keyboard takes much time. 
     With the use of the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708, specifying an area eliminates the need of inputting characters of a folder path one by one. In a document in which a character string the user wants to use as the name of a destination folder is not described in the specified area, a target character string however cannot be set in the folder path. 
     In particular, the position of the target character string often differs from document to document to be scanned, and thus it is necessary and troublesome to set an area for each document. 
     In view of the above-described issues, the present disclosure is directed to reducing user&#39;s work in setting a folder path by using a character string in a document. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image processing apparatus includes a character recognition unit configured to perform character recognition processing for recognizing one or more characters included in image data and acquiring character information, a display unit configured to display one or more characters indicated by the character information acquired by the character recognition unit, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the image data to a folder the name of which is a character selected by a user from among the one or more characters displayed by the display unit. 
     Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an example of a configuration of a reading system. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP). 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a personal computer (PC). 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a screen which is displayed on an operation unit. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan setting screen which is displayed on a display apparatus. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an example of a setting editing screen for a button for performing one-touch transmission scan. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an example of a keyword character string setting screen. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an example of an address selection screen. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen when a transmission type is “E-mail”. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen when the transmission type is “Universal Serial Bus (USB) Memory”. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an example of a character recognition area setting screen. 
         FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate examples of screens for registering an address in an address book. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an example of an address registration screen. 
         FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing which is performed when a one-touch transmission button for file transmission is selected on the MFP. 
         FIG.  15    is a flowchart illustrating an example of character recognition processing. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates an example of a flow of processing which is performed by the MFP to generate a text object. 
         FIG.  17    illustrates an example of a selection screen. 
         FIG.  18    illustrates an example of a screen transition when a Letter Of Introduction button is selected on the MFP. 
         FIG.  19    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing which is performed when a user selects the Letter Of Introduction button. 
         FIG.  20    is a flowchart illustrating an example of file name assignment processing. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Configurations described in the following exemplary embodiments are to be considered as illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited to illustrated configurations. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below.  FIG.  1    illustrates a configuration example of a reading system according to the present disclosure. The reading system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP)  101  as an example of an image processing apparatus, a file server  102  as an information processing apparatus, a mail server  103 , and an online storage  106 . The MFP  101 , the file server  102 , the mail server  103 , and the online storage  106  are connected to a Local Area Network (LAN)  100 . On the LAN  100 , the MFP  101 , the file server  102 , the mail server  103 , and the personal computer (PC)  104  are connected through a network so that they can communicate with each other. The MFP  101  and the online storage  106  can communicate with each other via the LAN  100  and the Internet  105 . 
     The MFP  101  scans an image of a document, generates the read image, and transmits the generated image data to the file server  102 , the mail server  103 , and the online storage  106 . Image data according to the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to electronic data obtained by an image being converted into RAW image format data, and may be electronic data in such image formats as Tag Image File Format (TIFF) and Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), and electronic data in Portable Document Format (PDF). The file server  102  is a file server conforming to File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and the Server Message Block (SMB) protocols. The mail server  103  is a mail server conforming to Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The online storage  106  is an online storage conforming to Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) (a file sharing protocol using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). The PC  104  accesses the web server included in the MFP  101  by using HTTP and is capable of referencing and updating setting values. The LAN  100  may include a wired LAN using Ethernet or a wireless LAN. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP  101 . The MFP  101  includes a CPU  201 , a ROM  202 , a RAM  203 , a storage  204 , an operation unit  205 , a printer  206 , a scanner  207 , a network interface (I/F)  208 , and an external storage device I/F  209 . 
     The CPU  201  controls various hardware components  202  to  208  included in the MFP  101  to implement each function of the MFP  101 . The CPU  201  transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines to implement data communication with other hardware components. 
     The CPU  201  of the MFP  101  controls the operation of the MFP  101  in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM  202 . More specifically, the CPU  201  executes an operating system (OS) for controlling the MFP  101  and driver programs for controlling the hardware components. Function operations and control desired by the user are implemented by application programs arranged on the OS mutually operating. The OS and various programs stored in the ROM  202  are read in the RAM  203  and then executed. 
     The ROM  202  is a memory for storing programs and various data to be used by the CPU  201 . The RAM  203  is a work memory for temporarily storing a program and data to be used for computations by the CPU  201 . The storage  204  is a storage device for storing various data and various programs. 
     Although a flash memory is assumed as the storage  204  according to the present exemplary embodiment, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), an embedded multimedia card (eMMC), and other auxiliary storage devices are also applicable. Although, in the MFP  101 , a single CPU  201  executes processing illustrated in flowcharts (described below) by using a single memory (RAM  203 ), the MFP  101  may use other configurations. For example, processing illustrated in flowcharts (described below) may be performed by a plurality of CPUs, a plurality of RAMs, a plurality of ROMs, and a plurality of storages being operated in a collaborative way. Part of processing may be executed by using hardware circuitry, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). 
     The operation unit  205 , which is a user interface, such as a touch panel, for the user to operate the MFP  101 , receives operations and inputs by the user. The operation unit  205  can also be used as a display unit for displaying screens for operating the MFP  101 . 
     The printer  206  is a unit for implementing a print function. The CPU  201  controls the printer  206  to execute a print job received from the PC  104 , thus printing an image on paper. A print job herein is data including instructions to cause the MFP  101  to perform print processing, image data, and print setting information. 
     The scanner  207  is a unit for implementing a scanning function. The CPU  201  controls the scanner  207  to perform processing for optically scanning an image of a document and generating image data. 
     The network I/F  208  performs wired LAN communication, such as the communication over Ethernet. The network I/F  208  may be a network I/F for performing wireless LAN communication or a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-LAN I/F. 
     The external storage device I/F  209  is an interface for the MFP  101  to communicate with an external storage device  210 . The CPU  201  controls the external storage device I/F  209  to store image data in the external storage device  210 . Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, a USB interface is assumed as the external storage device I/F  209  and a USB memory is assumed as the external storage device  210 , the external storage device I/F  209  may be a Secure Digital (SD) card slot for communicating with an external storage device, such as an SD card. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the PC  104 . The PC  104  includes a CPU  301 , a ROM  302 , a RAM  303 , an HDD  304 , a network I/F  305 , an operation apparatus I/F  306 , and a display apparatus I/F  307 . 
     The CPU  301  controls various hardware components  302  to  307  included in the PC  104  to implement each function of the PC  104 . The CPU  301  transmits signals to various hardware components via bus lines to implement data communication with other hardware components. 
     The CPU  301  of the PC  104  controls the operation of the PC  104  in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM  302 . More specifically, the CPU  301  executes the OS for controlling the PC  104 . The function operations and control desired by the user are implemented by the application programs arranged on the OS mutually operating. The OS and various programs, which are stored in the ROM  302 , are read in the RAM  303  and then executed. 
     The ROM  302  is a memory for storing programs and various data to be used by the CPU  201 . The RAM  303  is a work memory for temporarily storing a program and data to be used for computations by the CPU  201 . The HDD  304  is a storage device for storing various data and various programs. 
     The network I/F  305  performs wired LAN communication, such as one over Ethernet. The network I/F  305  may be a network I/F for performing wireless LAN communication or a USB-LAN I/F. 
     The operation apparatus I/F  306  is an interface for connecting the PC  104  to an operation apparatus  310 , such as a keyboard and a mouse. 
     The display apparatus I/F  307  is an interface for connecting the PC  104  to a display apparatus  311 , such as a liquid crystal display monitor. 
     Although the PC  104  according to the present exemplary embodiment is connected to an external operation apparatus and an external display apparatus, for example, an operation unit and a display unit may be built in the PC  104 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a screen which is displayed on the operation unit  205 . The operation unit  205  includes a touch panel  410 , a Data LED  420 , and an Error LED  430 . The touch panel  410  displays a Home screen  400  which is displayed immediately after the MFP  101  is activated. The Home screen  400  is a screen for the user to instruct the MFP  101  to execute functions of the MFP  101 . The Home screen  400  displays a Frequently Used Settings button  401 , a Scan button  402 , a Menu button  403 , an Address Book button  404 , a Medical Questionnaire button  405 , and a Letter Of Introduction button  406 . The Home screen  400  constantly displays a Power-saving button  407 , a Home button  408 , and a Stop button  409 . The Power-saving button  407 , the Home button  408 , and the Stop button  409  may be provided as hardware keys on the operation unit  205 . 
     The Frequently Used Settings button  401  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen for performing a specific function in a state where user settings have been input. 
     The Scan button  402  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen for performing scan processing to generate image data, transmitting the generated image data through e-mail or file transmission, and storing the image data in the external storage device  210 . The e-mail transmission refers to transmitting image data generated by scanning a document, as attachment data with an e-mail. The file transmission refers to transmitting image data to the file server  102  or the PC  104  by using a communication protocol, such as SMB and FTP. 
     The Menu button  403  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a menu screen. 
     The Address Book button  404  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen displaying registered addresses (destination information). The screen displaying addresses exhibits the transmission type, such as, e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, FTP transmission, and WebDAV transmission, and destination information, such as mail address, host name, and server information. 
     The Medical Questionnaire button  405  and the Letter Of Introduction button  406  are one-touch transmission buttons. A one-touch transmission button is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a screen for scanning an image of a document based on scanning settings preset by the user to generate image data, and transmitting the image data based on the transmission type preset by the user. 
     The Power-saving button  407  is used for shifting, when selected by the user, the MFP  101  to the power-saving state. 
     The Home button  408  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, the Home screen  400  on the operation unit  205 . 
     The Stop button  409  is used for canceling, when selected by the user, the execution of a job, such as a print job currently being executed by the MFP  101 . This Stop button  409  may cancel the execution of a copy job or a transmission job when selected by the user. 
     The Data LED  420  and the Error LED  430  notify the user of the status of the MFP  101 . The Data LED  420  illuminates during execution of e-mail or file transmission. The Error LED  430  illuminates if an error occurs in the MFP  101 . 
     The Home screen  400  is a function selection screen for a user to select a function to use from among a plurality of functions including a copy function of performing printing based on image data, and a transmission function of scanning a document to generate image data and transmitting the image data to an external apparatus. 
     Assume a document in which a character string the user wants to use as the name of a destination folder is not described in a fixed area. In scanning an image of the document to generate image data and in transmitting the generated image data, the following issues arise in the image processing apparatus in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708. 
     Inputting characters of a folder path one by one by using a keyboard may be time consuming. 
     With the use of a technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-234708, specifying an area eliminates the need of inputting characters of a folder path one by one. However, in a document in which a character string the user wants to use as the name of a destination folder is not described in the specified area, a target character string cannot be set in the folder path. 
     In particular, the position of the target character string often differs from document to document to be scanned, and thus it is necessary to set an area for each document, which would be troublesome. 
     To address these issues, performing the following processing enables reducing the user&#39;s work when setting a folder path by using a character string in a document. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates an example of a one-touch transmission scan setting screen which is displayed on the display apparatus  311 . 
     A one-touch transmission scan setting screen  500  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     The one-touch transmission scan setting screen  500  displays Application Information area  501 , a “Register New Button” button  502 , items  503  to  505 , Display/Undisplay buttons  506 , and Delete buttons  507 . 
     The Application Information area  501  displays the version number of the application. Referring to  FIG.  5   , the version number  1 . 00  is displayed. 
     The “Register New Button” button  502  is used for, when selected by the user, registering a new button which is to be displayed on a screen displayed on the operation unit  205  and is used for executing a one-touch transmission scan. When the “Register New Button” button  502  is selected, a setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is displayed on the display apparatus  311 . The setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    will be described in detail below. 
     The item  503  indicates the names of buttons for performing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP  101 . 
     The item  504  indicates the transmission type set to each button for performing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP  101 . 
     The item  505  indicates the display forms of buttons for performing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP  101 . The one-touch transmission scan setting screen  500  also displays the Display/Undisplay buttons  506  for changing the display form of the buttons, and the Delete buttons  507 . For example, when the display form of the “Letter Of Introduction” button is “Display”, the button is displayed on the Home screen  400  on the touch panel  410 , as in “the Letter Of Introduction” button  406  illustrated in  FIG.  4   . The Display/Undisplay buttons  506  enables the user to select either “Display” or “Undisplay” in a toggle manner. 
     The Delete button  507  deletes information about the button registered in the MFP  101  when selected by the user. 
     The button named “Application A” is an example of a button for performing one-touch transmission scan registered in the MFP  101 . For this button, the transmission type is “E-mail”, and the display form is “Undisplay”. The setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is displayed on the display apparatus  311  not only when the “Register New Button” button  502  is selected but also when the name of an “Application A” button is selected. 
     Four buttons with the names “Application A”, “Application B”, “Letter Of Introduction”, and “Medical Questionnaire” are registered in  FIG.  5   . The “Letter Of Introduction” and “Medical Questionnaire” buttons have a display form of “Display”, and thus are displayed on the Home screen  400 . The “Application A” and “Application B” buttons have a display form of “Undisplay”, and thus are not displayed on the Home screen  400 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen for editing a button to be used for performing a one-touch transmission scan. The button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     The button setting editing screen  600  is displayed when the user selects the “Register New Button” button  502  or the name of a button illustrated in  FIG.  5   . When the user selects the name of a button, the button setting editing screen  600  is displayed in a state where the last setting values are input for each item. When the user selects the “Register New Button” button  502 , the button setting editing screen  600  is displayed in a state where the setting values are not input for any item. Default values may be pre-input for each item in the button setting editing screen  600 . 
     An input field  601  is used to set the name of a one-touch transmission button. A character string “Letter Of Introduction” is input to the input field  601 . A one-touch transmission button performs one-touch transmission scan when selected by the user. 
     A pull-down menu  602  is an object for setting a file name. The pull-down menu  602  includes options “Button Name” and “Automatic”. When “Button Name” is selected, the button name input to the input field  601  becomes the name of a file to be transmitted. When “Automatic” is selected, an automatically determined character string becomes the name of a file. For example, the date and time when scan is performed by the user selecting a one-touch transmission button to be registered in the screen illustrated in  FIG.  6    is used as the name of the file. 
     When a check box  603  is checked, a keyword at the time of file output is enabled. A keyword will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG.  7   . 
     A keyword character string setting button  604  is used for displaying a keyword character string setting screen  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7    when selected by the user. 
     A pull-down menu  605  is an object for setting how and whether the transmitted file is to be organized. The user can select one from among “Do Not Organize”, “Organize (File)”, “Organize (Folder)”, and “Organize (File and Folder)” in the pull-down menu  605 . When “Do Not Organize” is selected, a keyword is not used. When “Organize (File)” is selected, a keyword is to be included in an output file name. When “Organize (Folder)” is selected, a keyword is to be included in the folder name of a folder to which a file is to be stored. When “Organize (File and Folder)” is selected, a keyword is included in the file name and the folder name to which the file is to be output. Processing which is performed when respective setting is made from the pull-down menu  605  will be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS.  16  and  17   . 
     A pull-down menu  606  is an object for selecting the transmission type in transmitting image data generated by a document being scanned. The user can select one from among “File”, “E-mail”, and “USB Memory” in the pull-down menu  606 . When “File” is selected and then a Change button  607  is selected, the image data is transmitted to a folder of the PC  104  or the file server  102  by using such a protocol as SMB, FTP, WebDAV, and Secure Shell File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). When “E-mail” is selected, the image data is transmitted to a destination by using SMTP. When “USB Memory” is selected, the image data is stored in the USB memory as the external storage device  210  connected to the MFP  101 . 
     The Change button  607  is used for changing the transmission type setting to the transmission type displayed in the pull-down menu  606 . When the Change button  607  is selected with the transmission type having been selected from the pull-down menu  606 , information corresponding to the selected transmission type is displayed in an item  608  and an area  609 . 
     For the item  608 , various settings including scan settings at the time of document scanning with a one-touch transmission scan, and transmission settings at the time of transmission can be input. For example, the item  608  includes the destination as displayed in the area  609 , reading size, file format, and document orientation settings. 
     The area  609  is used for displaying a transmission destination of the image data generated by a document being scanned. The destination which is set here is a folder path to be combined with the character string of a text object (described below). The area  609  is a text area where a text cannot be input or edited, and displays the address selected in the address selection screen. 
     A “Selection from Address Book” button  610  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, an address selection screen  800  in which addresses in the address book stored in the MFP  101  can be selected. 
     A pull-down menu  611  is used to set a file format to be used in generating a file of image data generated by an image of a document being scanned. A file is generated in the format selected by using the pull-down menu  611 . 
     An OK button  612  is used for storing the setting for the one-touch transmission button in the storage  204  with the settings made in the button setting editing screen  600 . When the OK button  612  is selected, the settings are stored in the storage  204 . A Cancel button  613  is used for canceling the settings. When the OK button  612  or the Cancel button  613  is pressed, the one-touch transmission scan setting screen  500  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is displayed. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an example of a keyword character string setting screen. A keyword character string setting screen  700  is displayed when the keyword character string setting button  604  is selected in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The keyword character string setting screen  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     A pull-down menu  701  is an object for selecting the type of a keyword character string. For the type of a keyword character string, either “Numeric Only” or “Alphanumeric” can be selected. 
     An input field  702  is used for setting the number of characters of the keyword character string. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a maximum number of settable characters is 16. By setting the number of characters of the keyword character string here, if the character string recognized in a set character recognition area differs from the character string desired by the user, the different character string can be prevented from being displayed as a recognition result. The keyword character string setting is reflected in a case where a Specify Area button  706  is selected and an area is specified in a character recognition area setting screen  1100  illustrated in  FIG.  11   . 
     An input field  703  is used for inputting a character string to be displayed when a keyword character string is input. A maximum number of settable characters is 64. 
     A pull-down menu  704  is an object for selecting whether Optical Character Recognition (OCR) processing as the character recognition processing is to be performed. 
     An area  705  displays information indicating whether the character recognition area is specified. The initial value of this area is “Not Specified”. When the Specify Area button  706  is selected and a rectangular area is specified in the character recognition area setting screen  1100  illustrated in  FIG.  11   , “Specified” is displayed. When a Clear button  1102  is selected to delete the rectangular area and then the Apply button  1103  is selected in the character recognition area setting screen  1100 , “Not Specified” is displayed in the area  705 . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an example of the character recognition area setting screen which is displayed when the Specify Area button  706  illustrated in  FIG.  7    is selected. The character recognition area setting screen  1100  may be displayed and settable for each of the document sizes A4 and A3. The character recognition area setting screen  1100  illustrated in  FIG.  11    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. The character recognition area setting screen  1100  displays an area specification canvas  1101  with an aspect ratio corresponding to the read paper size set with the item  608 . The user can specify the starting point and the ending point of a rectangular area by using a pointer. In this case, the starting and ending point coordinates are converted into real space distances, which are temporarily stored. As specific examples of setting values, a starting point (X, Y)=(10, 10) and an ending point (X, Y)=(50, 20) can be set in mm. When the Clear button  1102  is selected, the setting value of the character recognition area can be returned to the initial value. When the Apply button  1103  is selected, the temporarily stored coordinate information for the two points is set to the character recognition area  705 . More specifically, the coordinate information is stored in the storage  204  as the character recognition area  705 . After the Clear button  1102  and the Apply button  1103  are selected, the display returns to the keyword character string setting screen  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
     An OK button  707  is used for storing the setting values made in the keyword character string setting screen  700  in the storage  204 . A Cancel button  708  is used for canceling the setting values. When the OK button  707  or the Cancel button  708  is pressed, the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is displayed. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an example of an address selection screen. The address selection screen  800  is displayed when the user selects the “Selection from Address Book” button  610  in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The address selection screen  800  illustrated in  FIG.  8    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     A pull-down menu  801  is a list for changing the type of the address book to be displayed in the address selection screen  800 . The pull-down menu  801  enables selection of either one of “Best Members” and “Abbreviated Dialing” (not illustrated). 
     A Change Display button  802  is used for changing, when selected by the user, the type of the address book to be displayed in the address selection screen  800  to the type displayed in the pull-down menu  801 . 
     An area  803  is a display area where the name of the address book is displayed. A list  804  is an area where an address list is displayed. Each line in the list  804  includes Selection (a selectable check box, Number, Type, Name, and Destination. For Selection, either one of a checkable check box and an uncheckable check box is displayed. For Number, the address management number is displayed. For Type, where an icon is displayed, a different icon is displayed based on the address type. For Name, the name assigned to the address is displayed. For Destination, the address is displayed. 
     When an OK button  805  is selected in a state where the check box is checked, the address is displayed in the area  609 . The MFP  101  receives the address from the PC  104  through HTTP communication and stores the address in the storage  204  as the destination address of the image data. 
     Supplementary information about the display of a checkable check box and an uncheckable check box will be described below.  FIG.  8    illustrates a screen display when the user selects an address from the address book “Best Members” in a state where “File” is selected in the pull-down menu  606  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . In the address book “Best Members”, two addresses with the “File” transmission type and two addresses with the “E-mail” transmission type are registered. In the address selection screen  800 , destinations corresponding to the set transmission type are selectable with checkable check boxes in this way. For an address of which the type match the type in the pull-down menu  606 , a checkable check box is displayed. More specifically, an uncheckable check box is displayed for addresses with Numbers 01 and 02, and a checkable check box is displayed for addresses with Numbers 03 and 04. 
     The OK button  805  is used for determining address selection based on the setting values in the address selection screen. A Cancel button  806  is used for canceling the setting values. When the OK button  805  or the Cancel button  806  is selected, the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is displayed. 
     A setting for the Medical Questionnaire button  405  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below. The Medical Questionnaire button  405  is registered in a state where “Medical Questionnaire” is input to the input field  601 , “Button Name” is selected from the pull-down menu  602 , and the check box  603  is checked in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The Medical Questionnaire button  405  is registered in a state where “Organize (Folder)” is selected from the pull-down menu  605  and “File” is selected from the pull-down menu  606  in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The Medical Questionnaire button  405  is registered in a state where “Numeric Only” is selected from the pull-down menu  701 , “7” is input to the input field  702 , and “Input Patient Number” is input to the input field  703  in the keyword character string setting screen  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The Medical Questionnaire button  405  is registered in a state where “Enable” is selected from the pull-down menu  704 , the Specify Area button  706  is not selected, and Destination “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire” for Number 04 is selected in the address selection screen  800  illustrated in  FIG.  8   . 
     A setting of the Letter Of Introduction button  406  according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described below. The Letter Of Introduction button  406  is generated when “Letter Of Introduction” is input to the input field  601 , “Button Name” is selected from the pull-down menu  602 , and the check box  603  is checked in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The Medical Questionnaire button  405  is generated when “Organize (File and Folder)” is selected from the pull-down menu  605  and “File” is selected from the pull-down menu  606  in the button setting editing screen  600  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . Further, the Letter Of Introduction button  406  is generated when “Numeric Only” is selected “7” from the pull-down menu  701 , “7” is input to the input field  702 , and “Input Patient Number” is input to the input field  703  in the keyword character string setting screen  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . The Letter Of Introduction button  406  is generated when “Enable” is selected from the pull-down menu  704 , the Specify Area button  706  is selected, and “starting point (X, Y)=(10, 10) and ending point (X, Y)=(50, 20)” are set. The Letter Of Introduction button  406  is registered in a state where Destination “\\file_server\letter_of_introduction” of Number 03 is selected in the address selection screen  800  illustrated in  FIG.  8   . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen having a transmission type of “E-mail”. A button setting editing screen  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9    will be described below with an example of the settings of an “Application A” button. The button setting editing screen  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     An input field  901 , pull-down menus  902 ,  905 , and  906 , a check box  903 , and a keyword character string setting button  904  are similar to the input field  601 , the pull-down menus  602 ,  605 , and  606 , the check box  603 , and the keyword character string setting button  604 , respectively, illustrated in  FIG.  6   , and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     When “E-mail” is selected from the pull-down menu  906  and the Change button  907  is selected, transmission settings for an item  908  are displayed as illustrated in the button setting editing screen  900 . 
     An input field  909  is used for inputting the mail address of the transmission destination of image data generated by scanning a document. 
     An Add button  910 , when selected by the user, adds the mail address input to the input field  909  to a destination list  911 . 
     The destination list  911  is a text display area from which for each mail address can be selected. The destination list  911  displays the field name and mail address when transmitting an e-mail Any of “To”, “Cc”, and “Bcc” is displayed as the field name in transmitting an e-mail. The initial value of the field name in adding a mail address to the destination list  911  is “To”. 
     A “Select from Address Book” button  912  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, displays the address selection screen  800  for selecting a mail address to be added to the destination list  911 , from the address book. 
     A “Select To/Cc/Bcc” changing button  913 , when selected by the user, changes the field of the mail address selected in the destination list  911 . Each time this button is selected, To, Cc, and Bcc is cyclically changed in this order. 
     A Delete button  914 , when selected by the user, deletes the mail address selected in the destination list  911  from the destination list  911 . 
     An input field  915  is used to input the subject of the e-mail to be transmitted. When an Add Button Name button  916  is selected, the button name input to the input field  901  is input to the input field  915 . 
     An input field  917  is used for inputting the body text of the e-mail to be transmitted. When an Add Button Name button  918  is selected, the button name input to the input field  901  is input to the input field  917 . 
     An OK button  919  and a Cancel button  920  are similar to the OK button  612  and the Cancel button  613 , respectively. In a case where a one-touch transmission button having a transmission type of “E-mail” is selected, the character recognition processing is not performed. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates an example of a button setting editing screen which is displayed in a case where the transmission type is “USB Memory”. A button setting editing screen  1000  illustrated in  FIG.  10    will be described below with an example of the settings of an “Application B” button. The button setting editing screen  1000  illustrated in  FIG.  10    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     An input field  1001 , pull-down menus  1002 ,  1005 , and  1006 , a check box  1003 , and a keyword character string setting button  1004  are similar to the input field  601 , the pull-down menus  602 ,  605 , and  606 , the check box  603 , and the keyword character string setting button  604 , respectively, illustrated in  FIG.  6   , and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     When USB Memory is selected from the pull-down menu  1006  and the Change button  1007  is selected, transmission settings for an item  1008  are displayed as illustrated in the button setting editing screen  1000 . The item  1008  enables the user to make scan settings when scanning a document to generate image data, such as the reading size, the color setting, and the format of a file to be generated. 
     When the transmission type is “USB Memory”, image data generated by scanning an image of a document is stored in a USB memory. 
     An address registration screen which is displayed in the address selection screen  800  illustrated in  FIG.  8    will be described below. 
       FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate examples of screens for registering an address in the address book. The screens illustrated in  FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  are displayed on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  when the PC  104  accesses the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP by using a web browser. 
       FIG.  12 A  illustrates an example of an address registration screen. An address registration screen  1200  displays an address book selection area  1201 , check boxes  1202 , an OK button  1203 , and a Cancel button  1204 . 
     In the address book selection area  1201 , “Abbreviated Dialing” and “Best Members” can be selected.  FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate a case where “Best Members” is selected. 
     The type of the destination to be registered can be selected with the check boxes  1202 . The OK button  1203  is used for displaying, when selected by the user, a destination registration screen  1210  illustrated in  FIG.  12 B  on which the selected destination type is reflected. 
     The Cancel button  1204  is used for canceling the settings and the address book registration process when selected by the user. 
       FIG.  12 B  illustrates an example of a destination registration screen. The destination registration screen  1210  displays input fields  1211 ,  1213 ,  1214 ,  1215 , and  1216 , a pull-down menu  1212 , an OK button  1217 , and a Cancel button  1218 . The destination registration screen  1210  is used for registering a destination when the transmission type is “File” transmission. 
     The input field  1211  is used to input the name of a destination. The pull-down menu  1212  is an object for selecting the protocol to be used in transmitting image data to the transmission destination. The pull-down menu  1212  enables selecting a protocol from SMB, FTP, and WebDAV. 
     The input field  1213  is used for inputting the host name of a transmission destination, i.e., a name-resolvable server name or Internet Protocol (IP) address. The input field  1214  is used for inputting the folder path of the destination. 
     The input fields  1215  and  1216  are the input fields for entering the user name and password for accessing the server specified with the host name input to the input field  1213 . 
     When the OK button  1217  is selected by the user, the CPU  201  stores the input setting values in the storage  204  as a new destination. The Cancel button  1218 , when selected by the user, cancels the settings and the address book registration process. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates an example of an address registration screen. An address registration screen  1300  displays input fields  1301  and  1302 , an OK button  1303 , and a Cancel button  1304 . The address registration screen  1300  is used for registering an address when the transmission type is “E-mail” transmission. The address registration screen  1300  illustrated in  FIG.  13    is displayed, for example, on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  which is accessing the web server of the MFP  101  through HTTP communication. 
     The input field  1301  is used to input the name of an address. The input field  1302  is used to input the mail address of a transmission destination. 
     When the OK button  1303  is selected by the user, the CPU  201  stores the input setting values in the storage  204  as a new address. The Cancel button  1304 , when selected by the user, cancels the settings and the address book registration process. 
     This completes descriptions of the processing for pre-registering a button. Processing which is performed when the user uses the registered button will be described below. Some or all of the above-described screens may be displayed and used to receive operations on the operation unit  205  of the MFP  101 , or displayed and used for receiving operations on the PC  104  connected to the web server of the MFP  101 . 
       FIG.  14    is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing which is performed when a one-touch transmission button for file transmission is selected on the MFP  101 . Processing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14    is implemented by the CPU  201  loading a program stored in the ROM  202  into the RAM  203  and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14    is started when the power of the MFP  101  is turned ON. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14    may be executed in a case where the transmission type of the one-touch transmission button is “File” transmission. In a case where the transmission type is “E-mail” or “USB Memory”, the character recognition processing may not be executed, as illustrated in  FIG.  14   . 
     In step S 1401 , the CPU  201  determines whether a one-touch transmission button is selected. If the CPU  201  determines that a one-touch transmission button is selected (YES in step S 1401 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1402 . If the CPU  201  determines that a one-touch transmission button is not selected (NO in step S 1401 ), the processing returns to step S 1401 . Here, a case where the Medical Questionnaire button  405  is selected as a one-touch transmission button will be described below. 
     In step S 1402 , the CPU  201  reads scan settings made in the setting editing screen  600  from the storage  204 . 
     In step S 1403 , based on the scan settings read in step S 1402 , the CPU  201  controls the scanner  207  to scan an image of a document to generate image data. 
     In step S 1404 , the CPU  201  performs the character recognition processing by using the generated image data. The character recognition processing will be described below in detail with reference to  FIG.  15   . 
       FIG.  15    is a flowchart illustrating an example of the character recognition processing. Processing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  15    is implemented by the CPU  201  loading a program stored in the ROM  202  into the RAM  203  and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  15    is started when “Enable” is selected for the character recognition from the pull-down menu  704 , and the CPU  201  scans an image of a document to generate image data in step S 1403 . 
     In step S 1501 , the CPU  201  generates binary image data by using the image data generated in step S 1403 . The generated binary image data is stored in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 1502 , the CPU  201  reduces the resolution of the binary image data generated in step S 1501 . Reducing the resolution leads to a reduction in the load of processing for searching for a character area from the binary image data. 
     In step S 1503 , the CPU  201  searches for a character area in an image indicated by the binary image data with the reduced resolution. A range to be subjected to character area search may be the entire range of the image data or an area set by the user. 
     In step S 1504 , the CPU  201  performs character clipping process on the area determined as a character area in step S 1503 . The character clipping process is processing for clipping the circumscribed rectangle of each character as a character clipping rectangle based on the projection from the horizontal direction and the projection from the vertical direction. This character clipping process is performed on all of the areas which are determined as character areas. 
     In step S 1505 , the CPU  201  compares each character clipping rectangle with dictionary data stored in the ROM  202  and acquires the character code of the most similar character and coordinate information about the character clipping rectangle. This dictionary comparison processing is performed on all of the character clipping rectangles. In this processing, the CPU  201  may acquire font information in addition to the character code and coordinate information. 
     In step S 1506 , the CPU  201  stores character information, that is, character code and coordinate information, acquired in step S 1505  in the RAM  203 . 
     The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14    will be described again below. In step S 1405 , the CPU  201  generates a text object by using the character information. Processing for generating a text object will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG.  16   . 
       FIG.  16    is an example of a flow of processing which is performed by the MFP  101  to generate a text object. Processing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  16    is implemented by the CPU  201  loading a program stored in the ROM  202  into the RAM  203  and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  16    is started upon completion of the character recognition processing for one page in step S 1404 . 
     In step S 1601 , the CPU  201  acquires the character information stored in step S 1506 . In step S 1602 , the CPU  201  determines whether a character (character clipping rectangle) exists to the right of the character clipping rectangle at the upper left coordinates of the image represented by the image data. If the CPU  201  determines that a character exists (YES in step S 1602 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1603 . If the CPU  201  determines that a character does not exist (NO in step S 1602 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1604 . 
     In step S 1603 , the CPU  201  determines whether the distance to the character (character clipping rectangle) to the right is a threshold value or below. If the CPU  201  determines that the distance is the threshold value or below (YES in step S 1603 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1607 . If the CPU  201  determines that the distance is larger than the threshold value (NO in step S 1603 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1604 . 
     In step S 1607 , the CPU  201  combines a target character with the character to the right of the target character to generate a character string. The CPU  201  then selects the character to the right as the target character. The processing returns to step S 1602 . 
     In step S 1604 , the CPU  201  stores one character string or combined character strings in the RAM  203  as one character string to be used for a text object. 
     In step S 1605 , the CPU  201  generates a text object by using the character string stored in the RAM  203  in step S 1604 . In this case, a text object refers to a button in which a character string is displayed. 
     In step S 1606 , the CPU  201  determines whether all of pieces of the character information have been checked. If the CPU  201  determines that all of pieces of the character information have been checked (YES in step S 1606 ), the processing exits the flowchart. If the CPU  201  determines that not all of pieces of the character information have been checked (NO in step S 1606 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1608 . 
     In step S 1608 , the CPU  201  selects the next character as the target character. The processing then returns to step S 1602 . In a case where the processing returns to step S 1602 , the CPU  201  selects the character to the right as the next character and, after checking the rightmost character, selects the character at the left end of the row one below as the next character. The CPU  201  may change the position of the character to be selected next based on the character writing direction of the document. 
     Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14   . In step S 1406 , the CPU  201  determines whether the page having been subjected to the character recognition processing and text object generation processing is the last page of the images scanned in step S 1403 . If the CPU  201  determines that the page is the last page (YES in step S 1406 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1407 . If the CPU  201  determines that the page is not the last page (NO in step S 1406 ), the processing returns to step S 1404  for the next page. 
     In step S 1407 , the CPU  201  displays a screen for selecting a text object. An example of a selection screen which is displayed here is illustrated in  FIG.  17   . 
       FIG.  17    illustrates an example of a selection screen  1700 . An area  1701  displays the folder path selected in the address selection screen  800 . A preview image  1702  is an image of a scanned document. 
     A list  1703  is a list for displaying, for example, the text objects generated in step S 1605 . This list displays the text objects ranging from the one corresponding to the upper left character clipping rectangle to the one corresponding to the lower right character clipping rectangle. 
     An area  1704  displays the character string represented by a text object selected from the list  1703 . The character string represented by the selected text object is stored in the RAM  203 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , a text object  1705  is selected, and thus “123” represented by the text object  1705  is displayed in the area  1704 . As in the text object  1705 , the selected text object is highlighted. The character string in the preview image is also highlighted as in the area  1710 . 
     A Previous button  1706  is used for changing, when selected by the user, the currently displayed preview image and list to the ones corresponding to the previous page. 
     A Next button  1707  is used for changing, when selected by the user, the currently displayed preview image and list to the ones corresponding to the next page. 
     An Apply button  1708  is used for transmitting, when selected by the user, the generated image data to the folder path as a combination of the character strings displayed in the areas  1701  and  1704  at the time when the Apply button  1708  is selected. More specifically, the image data is transmitted to the folder indicated by a folder path including the folder path displayed in the area  1701  and the name of a folder the name of which is the character string displayed in the area  1704 , where the name of the folder is added to one lower level of the folder path displayed in the area  1701   
     A Clear button  1709  is used for deleting the character string currently displayed in the area  1704 , from the area  1704  and the RAM  203 . 
     Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14   . In step S 1408 , the CPU  201  determines whether the text object in the list  1703  is selected, i.e., the character represented by the text object is selected. If the CPU  201  determines that the text object is selected (YES in step S 1408 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1409 . If the CPU  201  determines that the text object is not selected (NO in step S 1408 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1420 . 
     In step S 1409 , the CPU  201  highlights the selected text object and the character string in the preview image corresponding to the text object. Highlighting the character string in the preview image enables the user to easily recognize which portion of the document the selected character string is. For example, when the user views the preview image, the highlighted character string enables the user to easily recognize whether the title of the document is selected or the value of a specific item, such as the patient ID, is selected. 
     In step S 1410 , the CPU  201  stores the character string represented by the selected text object in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 1411 , the CPU  201  determines whether the Apply button  1708  is selected. When the CPU  201  determines that the Apply button  1708  is selected (YES in step S 1411 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1412 . If the CPU  201  determines that the Apply button  1708  is not selected (NO in step S 1411 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1430 . 
     In step S 1412 , the CPU  201  acquires the host name (folder path) currently displayed in the area  1701 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , the host name (folder path) is “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\”. 
     In step S 1413 , the CPU  201  combines the folder path acquired in step S 1412  with the character string stored in step S 1410  and sets the resultant folder path as the transmission destination of the image data generated in step S 1403 . Referring to  FIG.  17   , the resultant folder path is “\\file_server\medical_questionnaire\123”. 
     In step S 1414 , the CPU  201  generates a file based on the generated image data and assigns a file name to the file. This processing will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG.  20   . 
       FIG.  20    is a flowchart illustrating an example of file name assignment processing. Processing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  20    is implemented by the CPU  201  loading a program stored in the ROM  202  into the RAM  203  and executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  20    is started upon completion of the processing in step S 1413 . The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  20    is also started upon completion of processing in step S 1911  (described below). 
     In step S 2001 , the CPU  201  acquires information indicating the setting selected from the pull-down menu  602  in the button setting editing screen  600 , from the storage  204 , and stores the information in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2002 , the CPU  201  acquires information indicating the setting of the check box  603  in the button setting editing screen  600 , from the storage  204 , and stores the information in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2003 , the CPU  201  acquires information indicating the setting selected from the pull-down menu  611  in the button setting editing screen  600 , from the storage  204 , and stores the information in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2004 , the CPU  201  determines whether the file organization is set. If “Organize” (File) or “Organize (File and Folder)” is selected in the button setting editing screen  600 , i.e., the CPU  201  determines to perform the file organization (YES in step S 2004 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2005 . If “Do Not Organize” or “Organize (Folder)” is selected in the button setting editing screen  600 , i.e., the CPU  201  determines not to perform the file organization (NO in step S 2004 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2007 . 
     In step S 2005 , the CPU  201  determines whether to use a keyword (the character string of a selected text object) to determine a file name based on the information acquired in step S 2002 . More specifically, if the check box  603  is checked, i.e., the CPU  201  determines to use a keyword (YES in step S 2005 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2006 . If the check box  603  is not checked, i.e., the CPU  201  determines not to use a keyword (NO in step S 2005 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2007 . 
     In step S 2006 , the CPU  201  stores a flag indicating that a keyword is to be included in a file name, in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2007 , the CPU  201  stores a flag indicating that a keyword is not to be included in a file name, in the RAM  203 . In this processing, the CPU  201  may store no flag. 
     In step S 2008 , the CPU  201  determines whether to use a button name to determine a file name based on the settings acquired in step S 2001 . More specifically, if “Button Name” is selected from the pull-down menu  602 , i.e., the CPU  201  determines to use a button name (YES in step S 2008 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2009 . If “Automatic” is selected from the pull-down menu  602 , i.e., the CPU  201  determines not to use a button name (NO in step S 2008 ), the processing proceeds to step S 2010 . 
     In step S 2009 , the CPU  201  stores a flag indicating that a button name is to be included in a file name, in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2010 , the CPU  201  stores a flag indicating that a button name is not to be included in a file name, in the RAM  203 . In this processing, the CPU  201  may store no flag. 
     In step S 2011 , the CPU  201  acquires the present date and time and stores them in the RAM  203 . 
     In step S 2012 , the CPU  201  checks the flag stored in the RAM  203  and determines a file name based on the flag and the present date and time stored in step S 2011 . Although this processing has been described to include a keyword and a button name in a file name, the processing is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU  201  may acquire only the present date and time and assign them to the file name. 
     Return to the description of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  14   . In step S 1415 , the CPU  201  transmits the file generated in step S 1414  to the destination set in step S 1413 . 
     In step S 1420 , the CPU  201  determines whether instruction to switch between the preview image and the list is received by the Previous button  1706  or the Next button  1707  having been selected. If the CPU  201  determines that the instruction is received (YES in step S 1420 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1421 . If the CPU  201  determines that the instruction is not received (NO in step S 1420 ), the processing returns to step S 1408 . 
     In step S 1421 , the CPU  201  displays the preview image and the list of the text object of the page corresponding to the selected button. 
     In step S 1430 , the CPU  201  determines whether the Clear button  1709  is selected. If the CPU  201  determines that the Clear button  1709  is selected (YES in step S 1430 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1431 . If the CPU  201  determines that the Clear button  1709  is not selected (NO in step S 1430 ), the processing returns to step S 1411 . 
     In step S 1431 , the CPU  201  deletes the character string currently displayed in the area  1704  from the area  1704  and the RAM  203 . 
     Performing the above-described processing achieves a reduction in the user&#39;s work in an image processing apparatus that scans an image of a document to generate image data and transmits the image data to a destination folder based on a character string obtained by performing the character recognition processing on the image data. 
     Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, the MFP  101  scans an image of a document to generate image data and performs the character recognition processing and text object generation processing when a one-touch transmission button is selected, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the MFP  101  may receive image data transmitted from an external apparatus, and perform the character recognition processing and text object generation processing on the image data, and display a screen as illustrated in  FIG.  17   . The MFP  101  may scan an image of a document to generate image data, and perform the character recognition processing and text object generation processing when the Scan button  402  is selected. 
     Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, a description has been provided of an example where setting screens, such as the button setting editing screen  600 , are displayed on the display apparatus  311  connected to the PC  104  through HTTP communication, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, setting screens, such as the button setting editing screen  600 , may be displayed on the touch panel  410  on the operation unit  205  of the MFP  101  and receive operations. 
     A second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below. The first exemplary embodiment has been described centering on the processing for displaying a selection screen as illustrated in  FIG.  17    and determining the destination of image data when a text object on the selection screen is selected. The present exemplary embodiment will be described below with an example where an area to be subjected to the character recognition processing is specified in advance, and a character string which is recognized in the area is determined as the destination of image data. 
       FIG.  18    illustrates an example of a screen transition when the Letter Of Introduction button  406  is selected on the MFP  101 .  FIG.  18    illustrates a flow of processing for transmitting image data generated by an image of a document being scanned with the scanner  207 . The screens illustrated in  FIG.  18    are displayed on the touch panel  410  of the operation unit  205 . 
     After placing a document on the scanner  207 , the user selects the Letter Of Introduction button  406  in the Home screen  400 . When the Letter Of Introduction button  406  is selected, the CPU  201  starts scanning the document based on the scan settings pre-registered to the button in the screen illustrated in  FIG.  6   , and performs the character recognition processing on the scanned document in the area set in the character recognition area setting screen  1100 , based on the character type and the limitation on the number of characters. In this case, the CPU  201  extracts only character strings corresponding to the character type set with the pull-down menu  701  illustrated  FIG.  7    in the area set in the character recognition area setting screen  1100 , and stores them in the RAM  203 . The CPU  201  then displays a character string applying to the number of characters input in the input field  702  illustrated in  FIG.  7    out of character strings stored in the RAM  203 , for example, on a Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800 . If a plurality of character strings satisfying the above-described two conditions is extracted, the CPU  201  may preferentially display the character string recognized at the uppermost portion in the set area. In the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800 , the character string “Input Patient Number” input to the input field  703  illustrated in  FIG.  7    is displayed in an area  1804 . An input field  1801  for inputting a patient number is also displayed. The patient number determined through the character recognition processing is automatically input to the input field  1801 . In this case, limiting the character type with the pull-down menu  701  illustrated in  FIG.  7    reduces the search range. This makes it possible to perform high-accuracy processing, with reduced recognition errors, in a short period of time. The recognition accuracy further increases by limiting the number of characters in the input field  702 . For example, when the number of characters is limited to 1, a recognition error of recognizing “cl” as “d” does not occur for a character string “d”. When a character recognition area is set, it is not necessary to perform the recognition processing on the entire area of the document, making it possible to perform processing in a short period of time. 
     If the user selects a “No” button  1803 , the display screen returns to the Home screen. If the patient number (“0123456” illustrated in  FIG.  18   ) satisfies the conditions of the character type and the number of characters and if the user selects a “Yes” button  1802 , the image data is transmitted to the destination set in the button setting editing screen  600 . If not, a pop-up screen appears to call for attention. According to this screen transition, the user is able to perform data transmission with at least two touch operations. 
       FIG.  19    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing which is performed when the user selects the Letter Of Introduction button  406 . Processing of the flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  19    is implemented by the CPU  201  loading a program stored in the ROM  202  into the RAM  203  and then executing the program. The flowchart illustrated in  FIG.  19    is started when the Home screen  400  is displayed on the touch panel  410  of the operation unit  205  of the MFP  101 , and a one-touch transmission button is selected in the Home screen  400 . This flowchart will be described below centering on processing which is performed when the Letter Of Introduction button  406  is selected. 
     In step S 1901 , the CPU  201  determines whether “Enable” is selected from the pull-down menu  704  for the “Character Recognition” setting in the keyword character string setting screen  700 , for the Letter Of Introduction button  406 . When “Enable” is selected (YES in step S 1901 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1902 . If “Enable” is not selected (NO in step S 1901 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1920 . 
     In step S 1902 , the CPU  201  controls the scanner  207  to scan an image of a document. In step S 1903 , based on the image scanned in step S 1902 , the CPU  201  generates image data based on the scan settings set to the Letter Of Introduction button  406 . 
     In step S 1920 , the CPU  201  displays the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800  illustrated in  FIG.  18    as a keyword input screen on the touch panel  410  of the operation unit  205 . 
     In step S 1921 , the CPU  201  determines whether the “No” button  1803  in the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800  is selected by the user. If the CPU  201  determines that the “No” button  1803  is selected (YES in step S 1921 ), the processing returns to step S 1901 . If the “Yes” button  1802  is selected (NO in step S 1921 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1922 . 
     In step S 1922 , the CPU  201  determines whether the character string input to the input field  1801  satisfies the conditions of the number of characters and the character type set in the keyword character string setting screen  700 . If the CPU  201  determines that the conditions are satisfied (YES in step S 1922 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1902 . If the CPU  201  determines that the conditions are not satisfied (NO in step S 1922 ), the processing returns to step S 1920 . 
     In step S 1904 , the CPU  201  determines whether “Enable” is selected for the “Character Recognition” setting in the keyword character string setting screen  700  for the Letter Of Introduction button  406 . If “Enable” is selected (YES in step S 1904 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1905 . If “Enable” is not selected (NO in step S 1904 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1911 . 
     In step S 1905 , the CPU  201  determines the area set in the character recognition area setting screen  1100  illustrated in  FIG.  11    as the area to be subjected to the character recognition (OCR) processing. In a case where the character recognition area setting screen  1100  is not set (“Not Specified” is selected for “Character Recognition Area”), the CPU  201  determines the entire document image area as the character recognition target area. 
     In step S 1906 , the CPU  201  performs the character recognition processing in the area determined in step S 1905 . The character recognition processing is similar to the processing in step S 1404 , and thus redundant description thereof will be omitted. 
     In step S 1907 , the CPU  201  determines whether the character string (keyword) indicated by the character information acquired in step S 1906  satisfies the condition of the number of characters. If the number of characters of the recognized character string is larger than the condition value (“7” illustrated in  FIG.  7   ), the CPU  201  deletes characters from the end until the condition value is reached. Not only the condition of the number of characters but also the condition of the character type is applicable. For example, the condition may specify whether a number is included or whether an alphabetical character is included. A character string recognized without this condition may be used as a keyword. 
     In step S 1908 , the CPU  201  displays the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800 , in which the character string recognized in step S 1905  is input to the input field  1801  illustrated in  FIG.  18   , on the touch panel  410  of the operation unit  205 . If the character recognition fails, the user can change the patient number in this screen. 
     In step S 1909 , the CPU  201  determines whether the “No” button  1803  of the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800  is selected by the user. If the CPU  201  determines that the “No” button  1803  is selected (YES in step S 1909 ), the processing returns to step S 1901 . If the CPU  201  determines that the “Yes” button  1802  is selected (NO in step S 1909 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1910 . 
     In step S 1910 , the CPU  201  determines whether the patient number input by the user when the Letter Of Introduction button screen  1800  is displayed satisfies the conditions of the character type and the number of characters. If the CPU  201  determines that the conditions are satisfied (YES in step S 1910 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1911 . If the CPU  201  determines that the conditions are not satisfied (NO in step S 1910 ), the processing returns to step S 1908 . 
     In step S 1911 , the CPU  201  sets the folder path as a combination of the host name and the keyword, as a destination. The method of combination is similar to that in the processing in step S 1413 . 
     In step S 1912 , the CPU  201  performs similar processing to the processing in step S 1414 . 
     In step S 1913 , the CPU  201  controls the network I/F, and the network I/F transmits image data to the destination set in step S 1911 . The CPU  201  may store the set destination in association with a button and, each time the button is selected, transmit image data to the stored destination without performing the character recognition processing. 
     Performing the above-described processing makes it possible to automatically set the character recognition processing result as a part of a folder path, thus reducing the user&#39;s work. Setting conditions, such as the number of characters of a keyword, makes it possible to prevent a misrecognized character string from being used as a destination. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.