Patent ID: 7681121

Claim:
An image processing apparatus which executes an image process for a document image obtained by reading a document, the apparatus comprising: a reading unit for obtaining a document image by electronically reading a document; first converting means for converting the document image into first vector data by approximating outlines of pixel clusters included in the document image; generating means for generating first layout structure information representing a layout structure of the first vector data, wherein the first layout structure information represents an original layout of the document image; changing means for changing the first layout structure information into second layout structure information on the basis of preset layout setting information set by a user, wherein a layout of the second layout structure information is different from the original layout of the document image; and second converting means for converting the first vector data into second vector data by changing at least one of position, size, and style of the first vector data on the basis of the second layout structure information changed by said changing means to provide a second layout of the document image, wherein when a plurality of documents are read by said reading unit to obtain a plurality of document images, with at least one of the document images having a different original layout than another of the document images, said first converting means converts each of the document images into respective first vector data, and said second converting means converts the respective first vector data of each of the document images to provide a unified second layout among all of the document images.