JP2010041562A - Image forming device and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an image processing method which surely permit recognition of additional information, set and added to image data, upon preview indication and for effecting high-speed preview indication by lightening a processing load for effecting the preview indication. <P>SOLUTION: Upon forming the image of image data by adding additional information such as a stamp at the upper left of a recording paper, date at upper right, number of page at lower center or the like, in a preview screen 120 before effecting image formation, the preview screen 106 of the image data is indicated and the additional information such as the stamp 121a, data 121b, number of page 121c and the like are indicated respectively at the neighborhood of outer area of recording paper of the preview image 106 of the image data. The indication of the additional information is symbol, character or icon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image processing method, and more specifically to an image forming apparatus and an image processing method having a function of displaying a preview of image data before forming an image.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image forming apparatuses such as copying machines have a function of displaying a preview of image data for image formation before image formation.
For example, when image data of a document read by a scanner or image data transmitted from an external device is formed (printed), the image data to be formed is displayed as a preview, and the user confirms the display. In some cases, image formation can be performed.

  Some image forming apparatuses can perform various processes according to user settings when forming image data. For example, there is a process of stapling or punching a paper (recording paper) on which an image is formed. In addition, there is a recording paper in which additional information such as date, page number, and various stamps is set and printed.

In order to confirm that such processing has been performed, a method has been proposed in which a preview display showing a finished state is performed before image formation is performed.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that displays a finished image indicating a state when post-processing is performed on a sheet on which an image is formed. This image forming apparatus includes a post-processing unit that performs post-processing on a sheet after image formation, a post-processing selection unit that selects a type of post-processing, and image data stored in the image data as reduced-size image data. Image data reduction means for converting to image data, and a finished image indicating a state when the post-processing selected by the post-processing selection means is applied to a sheet on which an image is formed based on the image data before reduction. Finished image display means for processing and displaying the image is provided.

Further, in the preview display device disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a plurality of sheets are printed, a plurality of preview images indicating one printed sheet are displayed. Then, the position of post-processing such as stapling, punching, and stamping performed on each sheet is displayed in the preview image to indicate to the user, and the post-processing position is printed according to the user operation or the like. It is possible to adjust so as not to affect the image.
JP 2003-87560 A JP 2003-5471 A

  As described above, when the image data is displayed as thumbnails on the display means and the final finished state is confirmed, the image data is displayed as a reduced image for each page. However, since the displayed preview image is smaller than the actually printed paper, when the finished state such as staple, punch, or stamp information is displayed on the reduced image for each page, the staple, punch, or stamp is displayed. The information image becomes very small. For example, the content of additional information such as stamp information may not be recognized, which makes it difficult for the user to confirm.

For this reason, the finished state such as stapling, punching or stamp information is also displayed on the preview screen as an exaggerated or enlarged display than the actual one. For this reason, for example, the position of the stamp information is set correctly. Even in this case, the displayed image information and the display related to the additional information such as stamp information overlap, resulting in a preview display in which there is an error in the setting of the additional information such as the stamp information, resulting in confusion for the user. There was a fear.
Further, when displaying additional information such as stamp information in an image to be preview-displayed, it is necessary to synthesize the preview image and the reduced stamp information.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and by making it possible to reliably recognize additional information set and added to image data at the time of preview display, it is wasted due to a user's setting error. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image processing method capable of performing preview display at high speed by preventing image forming processing and reducing processing load for creating a preview screen. It is what.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the first technical means includes a display unit, an image forming unit that forms an image by adding additional information to the image data, and an operation input for adding the additional information to the image data. And a display control unit that displays a preview image of the image data on the display unit, when the preview image of the image data is displayed on the display unit, the recording sheet for the preview image The additional information is displayed outside the area.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the additional information is at least one of a date, a page number, character information, or predetermined image information.

  According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, the additional information is displayed so as to be identifiable by a symbol, a character, or an icon.

  According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the additional information is highlighted.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the position where the additional information is displayed is in the vicinity of a position provided on the recording paper. .

  According to a sixth technical means, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, the preview image of the image data displayed on the display unit can be reduced or enlarged.

  According to a seventh technical means, in any one of the first to sixth technical means, when the preview image of the image data displayed on the display unit is displayed at a predetermined magnification or more, the recording paper for the preview image is displayed. The additional information is displayed in the area.

  The eighth technical means is the technical means according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising an input means for inputting the image data.

  According to a ninth technical means, in the eighth technical means, the input means is a scanner device, a storage device inside the image forming apparatus, a removable storage device, or a communication line. .

  A tenth technical means includes an image data acquisition step for acquiring image data to be image formed, an additional information setting step for setting additional information for the image data in accordance with an operation from an operation input unit, and the image An image forming method including a preview image generation step for displaying a preview image of the image data on a display unit before image formation of data, and when displaying the preview image of the image data on the display unit, The additional information is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image.

  According to the present invention, since the stamp information as the finishing information is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image, the finishing state can be reliably recognized on the preview screen, and wasteful image formation due to a user setting error Processing can be prevented. In addition, since it is not necessary to combine and display the preview image and the stamp information, the load of creating the preview image is reduced, and the preview display time can be shortened.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to the present invention applied to a digital multi-function peripheral having a print function, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, etc. To do.

<Device configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system constructed using a digital multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, 1 is a digital multifunction peripheral, 2 and 3 are external computers, 4 is an Internet facsimile machine (Internet FAX machine), and 5 is a facsimile machine.

  In addition to a print function and a copy function, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 has a function of transmitting / receiving image data by fax (facsimile function) and / or a function of transmitting / receiving image data by Internet FAX (Internet FAX function). Various external devices are connected to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 via a communication network. For example, an external computer 2 such as a personal computer (PC) is connected to a communication network LN laid as a local communication network and connected to an Internet network IN connected via a gateway or the like not shown in the figure. Is connected to an external computer 3 and an Internet FAX apparatus 4. An external facsimile machine 5 is connected via a public telephone line network PN. As described above, only the case where the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is also applicable to the Internet FAX apparatus 4 and the facsimile apparatus 5. it can.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a touch panel and a key operation unit in the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG.

  2 includes an image processing unit 16 including a touch panel 10, a panel control unit 11, a recording unit 12, a reading unit 13, a format conversion unit 14, an image storage unit 15, and a preview image generation unit 16a. / Decryption unit 17, main control unit 18, control memory 19, key operation unit 20, LAN (Local Area Network) control unit 21, control buffer 22, network control unit (NCU) 23, modem 24 And a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface (I / F) 25.

  The main control unit 18 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The control memory 19 includes a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM). A program (firmware) and various setting data are stored in the control memory 19 so as to be readable from the main control unit 18. Among these, at least various setting data are stored in a rewritable memory. Further, these programs and various setting data may be stored in a hard disk as a configuration example of the image storage unit 15 described later. The control buffer 22 is composed of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The above-mentioned program includes instructions related to generation and display of a preview image and presence image described later according to the present invention, instructions related to generation / transmission / reception of facsimile images and e-mails, instructions related to reading of a document, This is for the main control unit 18 to issue a command related to printing, a command related to reading and printing (that is, copying) a document to other parts. This program is developed on the control buffer 22 by the main control unit 18, and is executed while referring to various setting data described later as appropriate, with the control buffer 22 used as a data area for temporary storage (work).

  The reading unit 13 is a scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), reads a document as a bitmap image of RGB (R: red, G: green, B: blue) having a predetermined resolution, and reads the read RGB image data. (Dot image data) is output to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 is configured by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like, and performs various image processing on target image data. An example of image processing will be described later. Other parts such as the encoding / decoding unit 17 may be incorporated in the ASIC described above.

  The image storage unit 15 is configured by a hard disk or the like, and stores image data read by the reading unit 13 and passed through the image processing unit 16, image data received from the outside via the LAN control unit 21, the NCU 23, and the like. When image data is stored in the image storage unit 15, the data encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 17 can be stored. The image storage unit 15 may also temporarily store intermediate data generated during image processing in the image processing unit 16.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 compresses the image data by encoding and decodes (decompresses) the encoded image data into the original image data. For example, the encoding / decoding unit 17 performs encoding of image data read from a document, decoding of the encoded data, decoding of encoded image data received from the outside, and the like. In the encoding / decoding unit 17, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) generally used in filing, MH (Modified Huffman), MR (Modified READ), and MMR (Modified READ) generally used in facsimile communication are used. (Modified READ) or the like can be used according to the application. As an encoding method, MH can be adopted in IP facsimile communication, and JPEG and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) can be adopted in Internet facsimile communication in addition to MH, MR, and MMR.

  The format conversion unit 14 converts the read image data or image data received from the outside into a predetermined file format such as PDF (Portable Document Format), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), or TIFF (Tag Image File Format). .

  The recording unit 12 includes a printer apparatus that employs a printing method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, and records (that is, prints) image data or the like stored in the image storage unit 15 on a recording sheet. The USB I / F 25 is an I / F for connecting to a USB device such as a USB memory, and outputs image data after reading a document stored in the image storage unit 15 to the USB device. Read a file from.

  The modem 24 is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication, and is connected to a telephone line and directly connected to the NCU 23. The NCU 23 is connected to a telephone line and controls the line. That is, the NCU 23 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line with an analog public telephone line network (PSTN), and connects the modem 24 to the public telephone line network as necessary. With this configuration, the image data stored in the image storage unit 15 is transmitted to the outside by facsimile, or the facsimile image data is received from the telephone line and stored in the image storage unit 15 or directly printed by the recording unit 12. It becomes possible to do.

  The LAN control unit 21 is connected to the LAN, and performs communication of electronic mail data and Internet FAX via the Internet. The Internet FAX transmits and receives electronic mails via a computer network such as a LAN using a LAN interface or the like.

  As will be described in detail later, the touch panel 10 or the key operation unit 20 is an operation for selecting a desired process from processes such as a document reading process, image data transmission, and printing, and an operation for starting the process. An operation (selection operation or input operation) for performing settings necessary for executing each process is accepted.

  The key operation unit 20 includes a group of keys necessary for operation. The touch panel 10 includes a display unit and an operation input unit such as a touch sensor. The touch panel 10 is subjected to display control and operation acceptance control by the panel control unit 11. That is, the panel control unit 11 performs display control of the display unit and operation input control of the operation input unit in the touch panel 10.

  The display unit of the touch panel 10 displays the current operation state, setting information (for example, transmission destination) and the like. This display is realized by the panel control unit 11 controlling so as to display a GUI (Graphical User Interface) image. With the GUI, the display and operation input position can be changed according to a user operation. Each GUI and its image may be stored in the internal memory of the panel control unit 11 or the control memory 19 so as to be readable. As the display unit, various display formats such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display can be adopted.

  The user operation received on the touch panel 10 is interpreted by the panel control unit 11 and transmitted to the main control unit 18 as an operation signal. The user operation received by the key operation unit 20 is interpreted by the key operation unit 20 itself and transmitted to the main control unit 18 as an operation signal. The main control unit 18 issues a command according to the operation signal obtained in this manner to another part, thereby causing the other part to execute a process according to the user operation. Note that the touch panel 10 in which the display device and the operation unit are integrated has been described, but only the display device may be provided instead of the touch panel 10, and in that case, the user operation is accepted only by the key operation unit 20. become.

  The touch panel 10 and the key operation unit 20 may be configured as an operation panel 30 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the operation panel 30 includes a key operation unit 31 including various hardware keys (corresponding to the key operation unit 20). And a touch panel 32 (corresponding to the touch panel 10) including a liquid crystal display and a touch sensor. Hereinafter, the touch panel 32 and the key operation unit 31 are applied instead of the touch panel 10 and the key operation unit 20 in the configuration of FIG.

  The key operation unit 31 includes, as hardware keys, a numeric keypad 31a for inputting a numerical value, a clear key 31b for clearing an input set value, an all cancel key 31c for canceling all input settings, a copy start, In addition to a start key 31d for receiving an instruction such as transmission start, function switching keys 31e, 31f, and 31g for switching a print function, a transmission function, and a copy function, and a user setting key 31h for receiving a setting by a user are provided.

An operation example in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 having the above-described configuration example will be described.
<Original scanning operation>
In the original reading operation, the image data of the read original is stored (filed) in the image storage unit 15, the image data of the read original is transmitted to the outside, or the image data of the read original is printed (that is, a copy). To be done).

  When a user operation for performing processing that requires a document reading operation is received by the operation panel 30, the main control unit 18 includes the reading unit 13, the image storage unit 15, the image processing unit 16, and the encoding / decoding unit. 17 is instructed to execute processing as described below.

  The reading unit 13 optically reads an image of a document placed on a document table or an automatic document feeder, and passes RGB image data (RGB bitmap data) as a result of the reading to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 executes various types of image processing (hereinafter referred to as document image processing) such as A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction on the RGB image data. Here, the shading process is a process for removing various distortions generated in the illumination system, the imaging system, and the imaging system of the reading unit 13.

  As document image processing, document discrimination processing and region separation processing may be executed following A / D conversion, shading correction, and γ correction. The document determination processing includes processing for determining the type of document from input image data (here, image data after γ correction) and processing for determining whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document. Examples of the type of document include a character document, a printed photo document, and a character printed photo document in which they are mixed. The image processing unit 16 outputs a determination signal (hereinafter referred to as document determination data) as a result of these document determination processing and monochrome / color document determination processing.

  The area separation process is a process of determining what kind of area each pixel of input image data (here, image data after γ correction) belongs to. For example, each pixel is a black character area, This is a process of determining which region belongs to, such as a color character region or a halftone dot region. The image processing unit 16 outputs region separation data as the determination result. Note that this region separation processing may be executed based on the results of the document discrimination processing and the monochrome / color discrimination processing described above.

  The document determination data and the area separation data are stored in the image storage unit 15 in association with corresponding image data (image data after document image processing). At this time, after the original determination data and the region separation data are encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 17, each encoded data is stored in the image storage unit 15 in association with the corresponding image data. It should be noted that encoding at the time of storing in the image storage unit 15 is not essential, but in the following description, it is assumed that image data is stored in an encoded state. The same applies to operations other than the document reading operation.

<Printing action>
By the above-described original reading operation, filing of image data of the read original is completed. Next, a printing operation when printing image data of a read document (that is, when copying a document) will be described.
When a user operation for performing processing that requires printing is received by the operation panel 30, the main control unit 18 includes the recording unit 12, the image storage unit 15, the image processing unit 16, the encoding / decoding unit 17, and the like. Is instructed to execute processing as described below. Note that the main control unit 18 also gives an instruction to the reading unit 13 (original reading instruction) when, for example, a copy operation is performed.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can output additional information such as a stamp, date (or date / time), page number, and the like at the time of printing. When the image data of the document is set, the main control unit 18 controls the image processing unit 16. The additional information is stored in the control memory 19 and is read out as necessary. Of course, additional information may be originally stored as additional image data. A plurality of additional information may be stored in the control memory 19 and the additional setting information may be stored in the control memory 19. This additional setting information includes at least information indicating a position to be added to image data (hereinafter referred to as an additional position), and also includes information on which one to select when a plurality of additional information is stored. Shall be. The setting of additional information will be described later.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 reads out the image data to be printed and the corresponding document determination data and area separation data from the image storage unit 15, decodes them, and passes them to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing (hereinafter referred to as printing image processing) on the decoded image data (RGB image data). Image processing for printing, as outlined below, image quality adjustment processing, dichroic processing, color correction processing, black generation / under color removal processing, spatial filter processing, scaling processing, output tone correction Processing, halftone generation processing, and the like. The black generation / under color removal process, the spatial filter process, and the halftone generation process are processes corresponding to various areas indicated by the area separation data.

  As the image quality adjustment processing, the background is detected by detecting the background from the decoded image data. Further, as image quality adjustment processing, RGB adjustment (overall color adjustment such as color adjustment and reddish bluishness), brightness adjustment, and image data after background removal based on setting information set by the user through the operation panel 30. Also adjust the vividness. At this time, adjustment may be performed according to the document type indicated by the document determination data.

  As color correction processing, CMY data having CMY (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow), which are complementary colors of RGB, is generated from RGB data after image quality adjustment processing to improve color reproducibility. Process. Black generation / under color removal processing includes black generation processing for generating black (K) data from color-corrected CMY data, and new CMY data by subtracting K data obtained by black generation from the original CMY data. The undercolor removal process to be generated is performed.

  As the spatial filter processing, enhancement processing and smoothing processing are performed on the CMYK data that is the data of these four colors. When a two-color mode for outputting image data in two colors (for example, red and black) is selected, a dichroic process is executed. As the dichroic process, a process of converting RGB data into CMY data expressing two specified colors (in this case, red and black) is performed. In the two-color mode, the black generation / under color removal process is performed on the CMY data after the two-color process, and the spatial filter process is also performed, but the color correction process is not performed.

  As the scaling process, an image enlargement process or an image reduction process is performed on the CMYK data after the spatial filter process based on the print magnification set by the user operation on the operation panel 30. The printing magnification is the magnification of the image after printing with respect to the image indicated by the read and stored image data. Of course, the print magnification is not limited to the magnification obtained by the user operation, and is the default magnification when there is no operation for the print magnification.

  As the output tone correction processing, output γ correction processing for outputting to the recording medium such as recording paper is performed on the CMYK data. As halftone generation processing, tone reproduction processing for outputting an image is performed on the CMYK data after the output tone correction processing by error diffusion processing or dither processing. In the output tone correction process and the halftone generation process, for example, processing corresponding to the document type indicated by the document determination data may be performed, for example, processing contents are different between the character area and the other areas. The CMYK data after the halftone generation process is transferred to the recording unit 12.

Next, a case where additional information is added will be described.
For additional information, there are a method of performing a scaling process according to the scaling ratio of the print data, and a method of not performing the scaling process for the additional information regardless of the scaling ratio of the print data.
First, when the additional information is also scaled, the main control unit 18 reads the additional information and the information indicating the additional position, and the main control unit 18 or the image processing unit 16 converts it to image data as necessary. The image data of the additional information is transferred to the image processing unit 16 before the scaling process. This conversion is not necessary when the additional image data is originally stored. Subsequently, the image processing unit 16 may synthesize the image data of the additional information at the additional position with the image data of the addition destination that is the image data before the scaling process.

When the additional information is not subjected to the scaling process, the main control unit 18 reads the additional information and information indicating the additional position, and the main control unit 18 or the image processing unit 16 converts the information into image data as necessary. In this example, CMYK data is obtained by conversion. This conversion is not necessary when the additional image data is originally stored. Subsequently, the image processing unit 16 adds the image data of the additional information to the addition destination image data that is the image data after the scaling process (the above-described CMYK data that is the target of the output tone correction process or halftone generation process) However, it may be synthesized at the additional position.
In any case, the CMYK data after the halftone generation process with the additional information added by the image processing unit 16 can be output.

  The recording unit 12 receives the image data (in this example, CMYK image data) subjected to the image processing for printing by the image processing unit 16 in this way, and performs hard copy (printout) by an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. To do. Then, the post-processing device performs punching or stapling on the printed paper as necessary. Note that the target data of the printing operation described here is not limited to the image data read by the reading unit 13, and is, for example, transferred in advance from an external recording medium or a network-connected PC or the like, and the image storage unit 15. The same applies to the image data (image file) stored in.

<Preview display operation of image data to be printed>
Next, an operation (preview display operation) of previewing image data stored in the image storage unit 15 as a result of document reading on the touch panel 32 before printing will be described.
This preview display operation is performed when a user operation for performing a process that requires a preview display is received by the operation panel 30. For example, the preview display operation is also performed when the image data after reading the document is set to be previewed first before printing.

In the embodiment according to the present invention, when previewing image data to be printed, it is possible to accept an operation input for displaying the finished state of a sheet (recording paper) on which an image is further formed. That is, when an operation input for displaying the finished state is performed on the screen displaying the image data, the finished state is separated from the image data preview image according to the finishing condition set in the image data. Is displayed on the touch panel 32.
When additional information is set in the image data, when the finished state is further displayed when the image data is displayed as a preview, the image data is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image displayed as a preview. Additional information is displayed.

  The main control unit 18 instructs the image storage unit 15, the image processing unit 16, the encoding / decoding unit 17, the panel control unit 11, and the like to execute processing as described below. Note that the main control unit 18 also gives an instruction to the reading unit 13 (original reading instruction) when, for example, an operation for copying an original is performed.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 reads out the image data to be previewed and the corresponding document determination data and region separation data from the image storage unit 15, decodes them, and passes them to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing (hereinafter referred to as preview image processing) on the decoded image data (RGB image data). Image processing for preview includes image quality adjustment processing, dichroic processing, color correction processing, spatial filter processing, scaling processing, output tone correction processing, and the like, as will be described below in outline. Spatial filter processing and output tone correction processing are processing according to various regions indicated by the region separation data.

  The image quality adjustment process here is the same as the image quality adjustment process in the image processing for printing. As the color correction processing, processing for converting the image data (RGB data) after the image quality adjustment processing into R′G′B ′ data is performed based on the display characteristics of the touch panel 32. As the spatial filter processing, enhancement processing and smoothing processing are performed on the R′G′B ′ data.

  As the scaling processing, the R′G′B ′ data after the spatial filter processing is subjected to image enlargement processing / image reduction processing according to the print magnification, and the number of pixels of the R′G′B ′ data is set on the touch panel. In addition to performing conversion to the number of pixels (display resolution) of 32, image enlargement processing and image reduction processing are performed based on the preview display magnification set by the user operation on the operation panel 30. The preview display magnification is a fixed magnification such as 2 times or 4 times, for example, and is a magnification of an image at the time of preview display. Of course, the preview display magnification is not limited to the magnification obtained by the user operation, and becomes the default magnification when there is no operation for the preview display magnification.

  The preview image generation unit 16a provided in the image processing unit 16 generates an image for preview display (preview image) mainly by such scaling processing for preview display.

  When the image data is displayed as a preview and the additional information is displayed as finished information, the following processing may be performed. The main control unit 18 reads the additional information and information indicating the additional position, the main control unit 18 or the image processing unit 16 converts it into image data, and the image processing unit 16 converts the converted image data (image data of the additional information). ) May be displayed at a position outside the recording paper area at the additional position with respect to the preview image after the scaling process. In this case, since the process of combining the preview image and the image data of the additional information is not necessary, the processing speed is increased. In this way, when the image data preview is displayed, the finished state of the paper on which the image is formed can be displayed.

When previewing image data at a predetermined magnification, the additional information can be confirmed at an actual size ratio with respect to the preview image by combining the image data of the finished information with the preview image after the scaling process and displaying it. You may do it.
Note that, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the position where the image data of the additional information is added can be set by the user using the operation panel 30 while displaying on the touch panel 32.

  As output gradation correction processing, output γ correction for displaying image data on the touch panel 32 with respect to R′G′B ′ data of the preview image or R′G′B ′ data of the preview image and post-processing image is performed. Process. In the output tone correction process, for example, a process corresponding to the document type indicated by the document determination data may be performed, for example, the processing content is different between the character area and the other areas.

  The dichroic processing is executed only when a two-color mode that outputs image data in two colors, for example, red and black, is selected. As the dichroic processing, processing for converting the RGB data after the image quality adjustment processing into CMY data expressing the specified two colors (in this case, red and black) is performed. The generated CMYK data is converted into R′G′B ′ data based on the display characteristics of the touch panel 32 in the subsequent color correction processing.

The R′G′B ′ data generated by the preview image generation unit 16 a and subjected to the output gradation correction processing is passed to the touch panel 32. The panel control unit 11 controls the touch panel 32 to display an image corresponding to the R′G′B ′ data in a GUI image, and displays the GUI image on the touch panel 32.
The user confirms the preview-displayed image including the presence image indicating the presence of the additional information, and performs printing as it is, cancels the printing, deletes the additional information, changes the additional position (or changes the additional information). It is possible to determine whether to execute (change) or the like and perform an operation corresponding to the determination.

  Note that the target data for the preview display operation described here is not limited to the image data read by the reading unit 13, and is, for example, an image storage unit that is transferred in advance from an external recording medium or a network-connected PC. The same applies to the image data (image file) stored in 15.

<Supplementary information on document reading, preview display, and printing>
Although the preview display operation has been described separately from the print operation, first, image data (CMYK data) that has been subjected to output gradation correction processing as the print operation is converted into R′G′B ′ data based on the display characteristics of the touch panel 32. May be displayed on the touch panel 32 by performing conversion processing according to the number of pixels (display resolution) of the touch panel 32 and scaling processing according to the reduction / enlargement ratio at the time of preview display. Since the printing operation is completed to some extent and the printing operation after the preview display can be completed quickly, it is useful when, for example, the preview display is set in advance when a copy operation is performed.

  Further, as an example of a document reading operation, an example in which encoded image data, document type data, and area separation data are associated with each other and stored in the image storage unit 15 will be described. Based on this example, a printing operation and a preview display operation will be described. did. As an alternative method, only the image data read by the reading unit 13 may be encoded and stored in the image storage unit 15 once. In this case, at the time of printing operation or preview display operation, the image processing unit 16 performs document type determination processing or region separation processing on the image data read from the image storage unit 15 and decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 17. What is necessary is just to comprise. Such an alternative method can also be applied to image data transmission such as facsimile transmission and Internet FAX transmission described later.

<Facsimile transmission operation>
Next, a transmission operation when the image data of the read original is transmitted by facsimile will be described. The facsimile image data is transmitted to destination (transmission destination) information set by a user operation on the touch panel 32 or the key operation unit 31. The other party information (phone number in this example) is stored in the control memory 19 and is read out as necessary. Normally, the destination information is stored as address book data so that information on a plurality of destinations can be viewed and selected, or is directly input before transmission.

  When a user operation for executing facsimile transmission is accepted on the operation panel 30, the main control unit 18 instructs the image storage unit 15, the image processing unit 16, the encoding / decoding unit 17, the NCU 23, the modem 24, and the like. To execute processing as described below. Note that the main control unit 18 also gives an instruction (original reading instruction) to the reading unit 13 when an operation for facsimile transmission of the original is performed, for example. It is also possible to select image data to be transmitted while executing a preview display for the image data stored in the image storage unit 15 and start facsimile transmission for the image data.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 reads out the image data to be printed and the corresponding document determination data and area separation data from the image storage unit 15, decodes them, and passes them to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing (hereinafter referred to as image processing for facsimile transmission) on the decoded image data (RGB image data). The image processing for facsimile transmission includes image quality adjustment processing, spatial filter processing, scaling processing, output tone correction processing, halftone generation processing, and the like as will be described below. The spatial filter process and the halftone generation process may be processes corresponding to various areas indicated by the area separation data, but the area separation data may not be used. Further, in the document reading operation accompanying facsimile transmission, it is not necessary to execute the region separation process on the read image data and the encoding and storage of the region separation data.

As the image quality adjustment process, the decoded image data is converted into K data using a matrix coefficient. At this time, a matrix coefficient corresponding to the document type indicated by the document determination data may be used. As the spatial filter processing, enhancement processing and smoothing processing are performed on the K data. As the scaling process, an image enlargement process or an image reduction process is performed on the K data after the spatial filter process according to the transmission resolution set on the operation panel 30 or the default transmission resolution.
As the output tone correction process, an output γ correction process is performed on the K data after the scaling process for the purpose of outputting the data to a recording medium such as a recording sheet at the transmission destination. Actually, output γ correction for a general device may be performed instead of output γ correction in consideration of the transmission destination device. As the halftone generation process, the K data after the output tone correction process is binarized by, for example, an error diffusion process. In the output tone correction process and the halftone generation process, a process according to the document type indicated by the document determination data may be performed.

Although the facsimile transmission with a monochrome image has been described, in the facsimile transmission with a color image, the image processing unit 16 uses the matrix coefficient as the decoded image data as an image quality adjustment process in the above-described facsimile transmission image processing. May be used to perform processing for conversion to L ^* a ^* b ^* data for color transmission, and subsequent processing may be performed on the L ^* a ^* b ^* data.

  The image data after the halftone generation process is subjected to a rotation process as necessary, and is compressed and encoded in the compression format at the time of facsimile transmission by the encoding / decoding unit 17 and temporarily stored in the image storage unit 15. The The modem 24 performs a transmission procedure with the transmission destination set via the NCU 23, and at the stage where communication with the transmission destination is established (when transmission is possible), this temporarily stored encoding is performed. The read K data is read, and after necessary processing such as changing the compression format, it is sequentially transmitted to the transmission destination via the public line network.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention can transmit the image data to be transmitted with additional information added thereto. When transmitting image data to the outside as in this example, in addition to a stamp, date (date and time), and page number, transmission source information (transmission source information) can be used as additional information as additional information. It has become. Here, the transmission source information added at the time of image data transmission may include one or more of information on the name of the sender, information on the telephone number of the transmission source, and information on the email address of the transmission source. Further, as additional information, information on the transmission destination (information on the other party) may be added at the time of image data transmission.

When facsimile transmission is performed with additional information added, the main control unit 18 reads the additional information and information indicating the additional position, the main control unit 18 or the image processing unit 16 converts the information into image data, and the image processing unit 16 However, the converted image data (the image data of the additional information) may be combined at the additional position with the image data of the addition destination that is the image data after the scaling process.
In the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the position to which the image data of the additional information is added can be set by the user using the operation panel 30 while performing a preview display as will be described later. Further, the combined image data is transmitted to the transmission destination after being subjected to the above-described output tone correction processing, rotation processing, compression processing, and the like.

<Preview display operation for image data to be sent by facsimile>
The digital multi-function peripheral 1 can display a preview of image data that is to be transmitted by facsimile transmission or the like. This preview display operation is performed when there is a prior setting or a user operation for performing transmission after confirming in advance the image data before transmission. The preview display operation of image data to be transmitted by facsimile will be described below. In the preview display operation, the main control unit 18 also instructs the panel control unit 11.

  In this preview display operation, the image processing unit 16 performs the same processing as that during facsimile transmission until image quality adjustment processing and spatial filter processing (and scaling processing), and executes preview image generation processing by the preview image generation unit 16a. Then, output γ correction processing for displaying image data may be performed as output gradation correction processing. As this preview image generation processing, the preview image generation unit 16a performs conversion processing according to the number of pixels (display resolution) of the touch panel 32 and image data subjected to image enlargement processing / image reduction processing according to the transmission resolution. Data of a preview image is generated by performing a scaling process according to the reduction / enlargement ratio at the time of preview display. In this preview display operation, the spatial filter process does not have to be executed, and the halftone generation process is not executed.

  The R′G′B ′ data generated by the preview image generation unit 16 a and subjected to the output gradation correction processing is passed to the touch panel 32. The panel control unit 11 controls the touch panel 32 to display an image corresponding to the R′G′B ′ data in a GUI image, and displays the GUI image on the touch panel 32.

  In the case of a preview image when additional information is added and transmitted, the additional information is displayed together with image data after a scaling process corresponding to the transmission resolution. More specifically, the main control unit 18 reads additional information and information indicating the additional position and passes them to the image processing unit 16. Subsequently, the preview image generation unit 16a generates R'G'B 'data of the image of this additional information, and for the R'G'B' data after the image enlargement process / image reduction process according to the transmission resolution, What is necessary is just to display in the vicinity outside the recording paper area | region of the said additional position.

  The user confirms the preview-displayed image including the additional information, and executes or stops the facsimile transmission as it is, deletes the additional information, or changes the additional position (or changes the additional information). It is possible to determine whether to execute the operation and perform an operation corresponding to the determination.

<Image data transmission operation via the Internet>
Next, a transmission operation in a case where image data of a read original is transmitted by electronic mail or Internet FAX via the Internet will be described. For the image data to be transmitted through the Internet, transmission destination information (in this example, an e-mail address) set by a user operation on the touch panel 32 or the key operation unit 31 and stored in the control memory 19 ).

  When a user operation related to transmission via the Internet is accepted by the operation panel 30, the main control unit 18 includes a format conversion unit 14, an image storage unit 15, an image processing unit 16, an encoding / decoding unit 17, and a LAN control unit. 21 is instructed to execute transmission processing via the Internet as described below. Note that the main control unit 18 also gives an instruction to the reading unit 13 (original reading instruction) when an operation for transmitting the original via the Internet is performed, for example.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 reads out the image data to be printed and the corresponding document determination data and area separation data from the image storage unit 15, decodes them, and passes them to the image processing unit 16. The image processing unit 16 executes various types of image processing (hereinafter referred to as Internet transmission image processing) on the decoded image data (RGB image data). Examples of the image processing for Internet transmission include image quality adjustment processing, spatial filter processing, scaling processing, output tone correction processing, and halftone generation processing described in the facsimile transmission image processing.

Further, the image processing at the time of transmission with a color image is the same as the image processing for facsimile transmission, and the image processing unit 16 uses the matrix coefficient as the image data after decoding as image quality adjustment processing in the image processing for Internet transmission. It is possible to perform processing for conversion into L ^* a ^* b ^* data for color transmission and perform subsequent processing on the L ^* a ^* b ^* data.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 encodes (compresses) the image data after the image processing for Internet transmission to obtain a compressed file. This compression is performed for each page of the document. Next, the format conversion unit 14 converts these compressed files into one file, and attaches the file to the multipart mail according to, for example, MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension). Through the processing so far, the read image data is converted into an e-mail format. This e-mail is transmitted to the transmission destination via the Internet by the LAN control unit 21 via the LAN interface using a mail transfer protocol such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol).

  Here, in the case of Internet facsimile transmission, the encoding / decoding unit 17 compresses in a compression format dedicated to facsimile, such as MH, and the format conversion unit 14 obtains a compressed file in page units into, for example, one TIFF file. Convert it. Further, in the case of transmission that is simply attached as an attached file to an e-mail (in the case of transmission by so-called scan to e-mail), the encoding / decoding unit 17 compresses it in a compression format such as JPEG and the format conversion unit 14 For example, the page-by-page compressed file obtained may be converted into one PDF file.

  Further, even if the image data to be transmitted is image data transmitted via the Internet, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can transmit it with additional information as in the case of facsimile transmission image data. As the additional information adding process, it is only necessary to execute the synthesizing process described in the facsimile transmission. After the above-described output tone correction process, compression process, format conversion process, and the like are performed, the address of the transmission destination is sent as an e-mail. Will be sent to.

<Preview display operation for image data sent via the Internet>
As in the case of preview display during facsimile transmission, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention can be configured so that preview display can be performed on the touch panel 32 for image data to be transmitted via the Internet.

  In this preview display operation, as in the case of preview display during facsimile transmission, the image processing unit 16 performs the same processing as the image processing for Internet transmission until image quality adjustment processing and spatial filter processing (and scaling processing). The preview image generation processing by the preview image generation unit 16a may be executed, and output γ correction processing for displaying image data may be performed as output gradation correction processing. The R′G′B ′ data generated by the preview image generation unit 16a and subjected to the output tone correction processing is transferred to the touch panel 32, and is incorporated into the GUI image by the panel control unit 11 and displayed on the touch panel 32. .

<Description of Preview Display According to the Present Invention>
The digital multi-functional peripheral 1 according to the present invention includes a preview image generation unit 16a that reads image data for image formation from the image storage unit 15 and generates a preview image thereof. The preview image generated by the preview image generation unit 16 a is sent to the touch panel 32 under the control of the main control unit 18, and is controlled to be incorporated into the GUI image and displayed by the panel control unit 11 and displayed on the display unit of the touch panel 32. The Here, the touch panel 32 is an example of a display unit that previews image data to be formed.

  Here, the image data to be output is obtained from any one of the scanner device exemplified by the reading unit 13, the removable storage device exemplified by the USB memory connected to the USB I / F 25, and the communication line exemplified by the LAN or the line. It may be input image data. Alternatively, the image data to be output may be image data read from a storage device exemplified by the image storage unit 15 provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

Further, as described above, in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention, the panel control unit 11 displays additional information as information indicating the finished state on the touch-displayed image data based on the control of the main control unit 18. 32 is controlled to be displayed. Here, a preview image of image data for which additional information has been set is displayed as a reduced image or enlarged image for each page, and is combined with the preview image separately from the preview image or at the time of enlargement. Display the information shown.
The preview image generation unit 16a generates a preview image from information indicating additional information and image data to be image formed. The preview image generation unit 16a and the panel control unit 11 are an example of a display control unit that performs control to display additional information as information indicating a finished state during preview display.

Here, as the additional information, there are a date, a page number, character information, a stamp which is predetermined image information, and the like.
On the preview display screen, the user can easily confirm the positional relationship between such additional information and image data, whether or not to execute image formation as it is or whether to change the finishing setting, etc. Judgment can be made and operations can be performed accordingly.

<Specific example of preview display>
Hereinafter, how to set additional information to be displayed together with a preview image of image data and the flow of preview display will be described with specific examples. The following screen display example shows a display example on the touch panel 32 in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the following example, printing at the time of copying is mainly given as an example, but the same applies to printing at the time of facsimile reception, printing of image data read from a USB memory, printing at the time of facsimile transmission, printing at the time of Internet FAX transmission, etc. It is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard screen of the digital multifunction peripheral. The standard screen 40 is displayed on the touch panel 32 of the digital multifunction device 1 when the power of the digital multifunction device 1 is turned on or reset. On this standard screen 40, the upper copy key 41 is selected, and various conditions for copying can be set.
On the standard screen 40, in addition to copying, by selecting the image transmission key 42 or the document filing key 43, an image transmission mode for performing image transmission such as FAX, or data storage and confirmation is performed. You can enter document filing mode. At that time, in each mode, a GUI image capable of various settings according to the mode is displayed.

  In the copy mode, various conditions for copying can be set. For example, a double-sided copy key for setting single-sided / double-sided copying, a finishing key for setting post-processing for punching and stapling, and a special function key 44 for setting detailed settings at the time of copying, are read by a scanner. A preview confirmation key 45 for confirming the received image or an image input from an external device. The user can display a preview of the image data by operating the preview confirmation key 45 using the touch panel 32.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a special function selection screen displayed when a special function key for performing detailed settings at the time of copying is selected on the standard screen 40 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows a special function of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the special function selection screen displayed when the arrow key is selected on the selection screen.
In the present embodiment, the special function selection screen is composed of a plurality of screens, but it goes without saying that when the screen of the touch panel 32 is large, it may be displayed on one screen. 5 and 6, an OK key and a cancel key are displayed. After the OK key is pressed, the setting is saved and the screen returns to the previous screen. After the cancel key is pressed, The settings are discarded and the previous screen is displayed.

  On the special function selection screen 46 shown in FIG. 5, various setting items such as a margin and a saddle stitch are displayed so as to be selectable, and an arrow key 47 is displayed because there are many setting items. By selecting the arrow key 47, other setting items are displayed in a selectable manner as in the special function selection screen 48 shown in FIG. On the special function selection screen 48, a print menu key 50 or the like is selectably displayed as another setting item, and an arrow key 49 for returning to the special function selection screen 46 is also displayed.

  7 is a diagram showing an example of a print menu setting screen displayed when the print menu key is selected on the special function selection screen of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an arrow key on the print menu setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the printing menu setting screen displayed when is selected. The print menu setting screen 51 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the print menu key 50 shown in FIG. 6 is selected. This makes it possible to set additional information added during printing.

  In the print menu setting screen 51 shown in FIG. 7, a date key 52, a stamp key 53, a page number key 54, and a character key 55 are displayed so as to be selectable. A date key 52 is a key for inputting and setting a date, a stamp key 53 is a key for setting a fixed stamp which is predetermined image information such as “important” and “confidential”, and a page number key 54 is a recording sheet. A character key 55 for setting a page number to be printed on is a key for inputting a desired character as additional information by the user.

  Further, on the right side of these four additional information setting keys 52 to 55, each additional information such as “date”, “stamp”, “number of pages”, and “character” is displayed at which position (upper left, upper part). Center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right) or an additional information confirmation image 56 for confirming whether it is set is displayed. Note that the additional information confirmation image 56 in FIG. 7 shows a state in which no additional information is set at any position. Since no additional information is set on the print menu setting screen 51, a print layout key 57 described later is also displayed in a non-selectable state. The image after the additional information setting will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the print menu setting screen 51 shown in FIG. 7, since there are many setting items regarding additional information, an arrow key 58 is also displayed. By selecting the arrow key 58, other setting items are displayed as in the print menu setting screen 59 of FIG. On the print menu setting screen 59, other setting items include original setting direction (portrait / landscape), double-sided original type (horizontal open original / vertical open double-sided original), and stamp printing on cover sheets and slip sheets. The presence / absence and the like are displayed so as to be settable, and an arrow key 60 for returning to the print menu setting screen 51 is also displayed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the print menu setting screen displayed when the print menu key is selected on the special function selection screen of FIG. 6, and the print menu setting screen when additional information is set. It is a figure which shows the example of. In the print menu setting screen 70 shown in FIG. 9, unlike the print menu setting screen 51 in FIG. 7, the additional information confirmation image 56 is an image showing a state in which additional information is set. More specifically, in the additional information confirmation image 56, as the additional information addition position for the image (recording paper image) 71p corresponding to the recording paper, upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right Are displayed, and state presentation images 71a to 71f for displaying a setting state of additional information associated with each additional position are displayed.
FIG. 9 shows a state in which additional information is set on the upper left side indicated by the images 71a of the state presentation images 71a to 71f. In the print menu setting screen 70, a print layout key 57a is also displayed in a selectable state.

  Here, a method of distinguishing the setting states in the state presentation images 71a to 71f illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described. The print positions where the additional information is not set and are not selected are displayed in the non-inverted state as in the state presentation images 71b, 71d, 71e, 71f. The currently selected print position is displayed as fully inverted as in the state presentation image 71c. For the print positions for which other print menus have already been set, only the inside of the key is reversed and displayed as in the state presentation image 71a. If you select a position for which no print content has been set, the selected position will be displayed in reverse video, and the previously selected key will be displayed in reverse video if the print setting has not been made. If it has been done, it will be displayed in reverse video.

  Next, a procedure for setting an additional position of additional information will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that one of the state presentation images 71a to 71f of the GUI image 70 of FIG. 9 is selected. However, when any one of the state presentation images of the additional information confirmation image 56 is selected in the GUI image 51 of FIG. Is the same.

  First, in a state where the state presentation image 71c is displayed in a fully inverted state, by selecting any of the additional information setting keys 52 to 55 and setting the additional information, each additional information is assigned to the position. Can do. Further, when the cancel key is selected in a state where it is displayed in a fully inverted manner as in the state presentation image 71c, it can be deleted if additional information is set at that position.

  Regardless of which of the six additional positions indicated by the state presentation images 71a to 71f, the date, the number of pages, the same fixed stamp, the same type of fixed stamp, or the opposite types of fixed stamps are displayed as 2 It is preferable to prohibit adding two or more simultaneously. Examples of the same type of standard stamp include “provisional issue” and “provisional”. However, the English stamp and the translated Japanese stamp may be allowed to be added at the same time, even if they are the same category. In addition, examples of the conflicting types of standard stamps include “top secret” and “circulation”. Furthermore, the prohibition is possible not only for the conflicting types but also for the combination of the standard stamps for which simultaneous printing is desired to be restricted.

  Such an additional restriction will be described with an example. For example, a plurality of page number additional information is not usually provided in the same page. Therefore, for example, after adding page number additional information to the lower middle of the page (lower center), and receiving an operation to add additional information with the same page number to the upper left of the page, for example, “already page number Is displayed in a pop-up image, etc., and that message is also displayed without accepting the setting, or the page number at the other position is automatically displayed. You may delete and display the message to that effect. In addition, a message inquiring whether or not the user is willing to move this additional information is displayed together with a message that “the page number has already been added to another position”, and the user can It is also possible to wait. When there is an operation to move the user (for example, selection of an OK key displayed at the same time), an operation to move the print contents to the selected additional position and not to move it (for example, to select a cancel key displayed at the same time). When there is an error, close the pop-up image with the message.

  The above processing can be applied not only to the page number but also to, for example, a fixed stamp such as date and secret. On the other hand, since it is possible to assume that you want to allow multiple simultaneous additions only for standard stamps that are important to make them stand out on the printed paper (for example, “Urgent”), the prohibited combinations can be set by the user. It is preferable to keep it.

  Further, regarding the six additional positions indicated by the state presentation images 71a to 71f, addition of the same fixed stamp or the like may be prohibited only at the same additional position. For example, when any of the additional information setting keys 52 to 55 is selected in a state where any of the state presentation images 71a to 71f is selected, the additional information corresponding to the selected key is selected as the selected state presentation image. If the corresponding additional position has already been set, a message indicating that the print content has already been set at this position may be displayed as a pop-up image. Then, a message to that effect may be displayed without accepting the setting, or additional information at the position that has already been set is automatically deleted and moved, and a message to that effect is also displayed. Also good. In addition to the message indicating that the print contents have already been set, a message for inquiring whether or not there is an intention to move the additional information is displayed, and the processing at the time of additional restriction not related to the additional position is displayed. You may wait for user operation.

  Further, the page number addition position may be set as the default position in the lower center (any one of the bottom, the center, and the uppermost of the lower centers). In this case, the state presentation images 71a to 71f are not selected. By selecting the page number key 54 in the state, the additional position is automatically set at the lower center. In addition, the upper right position (any one of the uppermost, middle, and lowermost of the upper right) may be set as the default position, and in this case, the state presentation images 71a to 71f are not selected. By simply selecting the date key 52, the additional position is automatically set to the upper right. Similarly, the default position of the standard stamp or character should be set to the upper left (the bottom, center, or top of the upper left, which is different for the standard stamp and the character). That's fine. Thus, by setting the position that is most likely to be used as the default position depending on the type of additional information, the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Even when any of the additional information setting keys 52 to 55 is selected without selecting the state presentation images 71a to 71f, the additional information corresponding to the selected key has already been set. In addition, it can be assumed that additional information whose combination with the additional information is already set at the additional position. In such a case, a message indicating that the print content has already been set may be displayed at this position as a pop-up image.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a date setting screen displayed when a date key is selected on the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print color setting screen displayed when a print color key is selected on the date setting screen of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a date change screen on the date setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the date change screen displayed when a key is selected.

The date setting screen 72 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed when the date key 52 is selected from the print menu setting screen 70 shown in FIG. In this case, the addition position of the date as the additional information with respect to the recording sheet is the upper right corresponding to the position of the state presentation image 71c that has been displayed as all highlighted in the print menu setting screen 70 of FIG. In order to shift from the print menu setting screen 51 of FIG. 7 in which no additional information is set to the date setting screen of FIG. 10, one of the state presentation images 71a to 71f associated with a predetermined additional position. And the date key 52 is selected, or when the date setting position is selected as the default, the date key 52 is simply selected. As will be described later, this point is the same when the stamp key 53, the page number key 54, and the character key 54, which are keys for setting other additional information, are selected.
On the date setting screen 72, the format of the date to be displayed is displayed so as to be selectable from four types of formats 73, and a date separator 74 is also displayed so as to be selectable. The date setting screen 72 further includes a print color key 75 for selecting a color to be printed, a date change key 76 for inputting an arbitrary date and changing the date, and the date on the first page or all pages. A grant page selection key 77 for setting to which of these is given is displayed so as to be selectable. When the print color key 75 is selected, the print color setting screen 78 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed and the color can be set. Further, when the date change key 76 is selected, the screen changes to the date change screen 78 of FIG. 12, and the date can be set.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stamp setting screen displayed when a stamp key is selected on the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. 9, and FIG. 14 shows a print color on the stamp setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing color setting screen displayed when a key is selected.

  The stamp setting screen 80 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed when the stamp key 53 is selected from the print menu setting screen 51 of FIG. 7 or the print menu setting screen 70 of FIG. On the stamp setting screen 80, “top secret”, “circulation”, “urgent”, “collection”, “temporary issue”, “URGENT”, “important”, “copy prohibited”, “temporary”, “ Each key 81 corresponding to “Issuance”, “CONFIDENTIAL”, and “DRAFT” is displayed in a selectable manner. By selecting one of the keys 81, a fixed stamp character to be set can be set. For example, by selecting the CONFIDENTIAL key 81a, a stamp character such as “CONFIDENTIAL” can be set. In the stamp setting screen 80, a print color key 82 for selecting a color to be printed and a print density, a size key 83 for selecting a print size, and the fixed stamp are given to only the first page or all pages. A grant page selection key 84 for setting the above is displayed so as to be selectable. For example, when the print color key 82 is selected, the screen shifts to the print color setting screen 85 shown in FIG. 14, and color setting and density setting are possible.

  15 is a diagram showing an example of the page number setting screen displayed when the page number key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. 9, and FIG. 16 is a diagram of the page number setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the page number setting screen displayed when a page number key is selected.

  The page number setting screen 86 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed when the page number key 54 is selected from the print menu setting screen 51 of FIG. 7 or the print menu setting screen 70 of FIG. On the page number setting screen 86, the format of the page to be printed is displayed so that it can be selected from six types of formats 87. In the page number setting screen 86, a print color key 88 for selecting a color for printing the page number, a total page number key 89 for setting the page number for printing the page number, and a page number for printing are displayed. A page number key 90 for arbitrarily setting is displayed so as to be selectable.

In the page number setting screen 86 shown in FIG. 15, when the print color key 88 is selected, the screen shifts to the print color setting screen 78 in FIG. 11, and the page number print color can be set. In addition, by selecting the automatic key of the total page number key 89, a page number corresponding to the number of scanned originals is added, and by selecting the manual key, the total number of pages 1 to 999 is manually input from the numeric keypad. can do.
When the page number key 90 is selected, the page number setting screen 91 shown in FIG. 16 is displayed, and the page number to be assigned can be set arbitrarily. In the page number setting screen 91, the page number can be automatically assigned by selecting the automatic key, and the start number of the page number and the print start page can be set by selecting the manual key. In addition, on the page number setting screen 91, when assigning a page number, a cover / interleaf count key for setting whether to assign a page number to the cover or slip sheet is also displayed so as to be selectable. By selecting this cover / interleaf count key, it is possible to shift to a GUI screen (not shown) and set whether to print a page number for each of “cover”, “interleaf”, and “back cover”. It becomes possible. Thereby, it is possible to set whether or not to print the page number on any one or a plurality of “front cover”, “interleaf”, and “back cover”.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a character setting screen displayed when a character key is selected on the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a fixed sentence setting screen displayed when a call key is selected from the fixed sentence keys in the character setting screen of FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is a character setting of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the direct input screen displayed when a direct input key is selected on a screen.

  The character setting screen 92 shown in FIG. 17 is displayed when the character key 55 is selected from the print menu setting screen 51 of FIG. 7 or the print menu setting screen 70 of FIG. On the character setting screen 92, a fixed phrase key 93 including a fixed sentence call key and a registration / deletion key is displayed in a selectable manner. Of the fixed sentence keys 93, the fixed sentences registered in advance by the user by the call key can be read and displayed in a list as in the fixed sentence setting screen 97 of FIG. In addition, by using the registration / deletion key in the fixed sentence key 93, it is possible to similarly read a fixed sentence registered in advance by the user, display the list as a GUI image, select an object, and execute editing or deletion. ing. Also, with the registration / deletion key, after the same list is displayed, it is possible to register a new standard sentence by directly displaying it on the direct input screen 98 of FIG.

  In the character setting screen 92 shown in FIG. 17, a print color key 94 for selecting a color for printing a character, a direct input key 95 for directly inputting a character, and the character on only the first page or all pages. A grant page selection key 96 for setting to which of these is given is displayed so as to be selectable. When the print color key 94 is selected, the screen shifts to the print color setting screen 78 shown in FIG. 11, and the color can be set. Further, by selecting the direct input key 95, the screen shifts to the direct input screen 98 in FIG. 19, and the desired character such as Japanese or English can be arbitrarily input by the displayed keyboard image 99. It has become.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a print layout screen displayed when a print layout key is selected on the print menu setting screen of FIG. The print layout screen 100 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed when the print layout key 57a is selected from the print menu setting screen 70 of FIG. As described above, the print layout key 57a is grayed out and cannot be selected on the initial screen such as the print menu setting screen 51 in FIG. 7, and “date”, “stamp”, “number of pages” , “Character” can be selected by being set at any position (upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right) of the recording paper. Here, the description has been given assuming that the layout can be changed on condition that at least one additional information content is set. However, even if no additional information content is set, the printing of FIG. In the menu setting screen 51, the print layout key 57 is displayed so as to be selectable, and by selecting it, the same print layout screen 100 is shifted to. First, the position for adding the additional information is set first. Also good.

  In the print layout screen 100 shown in FIG. 20, an image (recording paper image) 101 corresponding to the recording paper is shown at each of the additional positions (upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right). In addition to the display, an additional information display area 102 for each position for displaying the additional information added to each additional position in an easy-to-understand manner is displayed. Then, in the position-specific additional information display area 102, the content of the additional information set at each position is displayed. The example of the print layout screen 100 shows a state in which the “CONFIDENTIAL” fixed stamp 103a is set to be printed in the upper left area, and the date stamp 103b is set to be printed in the upper right area. ing.

  In this state, when the upper left fixed stamp 103a or the upper right date stamp 103b is selected, the screen moves to a GUI image not shown, and the selected stamp can be deleted or moved. . Regarding the movement of the position, at the additional positions of upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, and lower right, the setting added to the bottom as shown in the fixed stamp 103a and the date stamp 103b are illustrated. Thus, the setting added to the middle part, the setting added to the uppermost part, and the like can be selected. Further, detailed setting of each additional position (selection of the lowermost part, the middle part, and the uppermost part) can be executed by selecting the state presentation images 71a to 71f on the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. Good. For example, when the state presentation images 71a to 71f are selected, a pop-up image that allows selection from among the three can be displayed.

  Further, when the stamp 103a or the stamp 103b is selected, for example, the print menu setting screen 70 shown in FIG. 9 or the GUI image 92 shown in FIG. 17 may be returned. Accordingly, when the stamps 103a and 103b are selected, a user operation for editing or deleting the contents of each additional information and a user operation for adding new additional information can be accepted. The additional information can be changed based on the received user operation.

Next, a display example of a preview screen after additional information is set by a user interface image as shown in FIGS. 4 to 20 will be described.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the preview confirmation key is operated on the standard screen of FIG. When the user operates the preview confirmation key 41 on the standard screen 40 of FIG. 4, a preview screen 105 as shown in FIG. 21 is displayed.
On the preview screen 105, a preview image 106 of image data to be printed is displayed. The preview image 106 is generated from the image data to be printed by the preview image generation unit 16a as described above, and is displayed on the touch panel 32 by the panel control unit 11, and shows the reduced image data for each page. .

  Therefore, on the preview screen 105, a page switching key 107 is displayed together with a page display 108 indicating the current page in order to change the page of the image data being previewed. The page switching key 107 includes a top page movement key for displaying the first page, a previous page movement key for displaying the page before the current page, and a next page movement for displaying the next page of the current page. Key and last page move key for displaying the last page are included. The preview image 106 is displayed for each page as described above, and the user can display a preview image of an arbitrary page by appropriately operating the page switching key 107.

On the preview screen 105, a setting confirmation key 111, an enlargement / reduction key 112, a display rotation key 113, and the like are displayed so as to be selectable. The user confirms the setting of the preview image 106 by appropriately operating these keys. Or the preview image 106 can be confirmed by enlarging / reducing or rotating the preview image 106. In the preview screen 105, a reset key 109 is displayed so as to be selectable. When it is necessary to reset the printing conditions by checking the preview image 106, the user can display a screen (not shown) for resetting the printing conditions by operating the reset key 109. . Then, the print condition can be reset using the reset screen, and the preview image 106 based on the reset print condition can be displayed. In addition, a copy start key 114 is displayed on the preview screen 105 so as to be selectable, and when the user operates the copy start key 114, a process for forming (printing) the image data displayed in the preview is started. Is done.
The preview image can be displayed not only in the copy mode but also in the above-described image transmission mode and document filing mode.

Next, on the preview screen 105 shown in FIG. 21, a finish display key 110 for displaying the finish state, which is a characteristic part of the embodiment according to the present invention, is also displayed.
The user can confirm the finished state after printing as a preview by operating the finish display key 110 while the preview image 106 of the image data is displayed on the preview screen 105.

Here, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can select the finish display key 110 only when a predetermined finish process is set for the image data copy job (image forming job) on the preview screen 105 (active). To display in the correct state. Additional information as described above can be set as the predetermined finishing process. In other words, the information of “Date”, “Stamp”, “Number of Pages”, and “Character” is set to any position (upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, lower right) of the recording paper. By doing so, the finish display key 110 becomes active.
In this way, the selection operation by the user is possible in the active state, and when it is inactive, the display can be identified by graying out or erasing it. be able to.
Further, after the user operates the finished display key 110 in an active state to display information indicating the finished state, the original preview as shown in FIG. 21 is operated by operating the finished display key 110 again. It is possible to return to the screen 105.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set.
The user can display the preview screen 105 as shown in FIG. 21, for example, by setting the printing conditions and operating the preview confirmation key 45 on the standard screen 40 shown in FIG. By operating a finish display key 110 on the screen 105, a preview screen 120 displaying additional information as information indicating the finish state as shown in FIG. 22 can be displayed.

Here, the preview screen 120 shows the contents of the preview image and each additional information when the recording sheet is output with a stamp at the upper left of the recording paper, a date at the upper right, and the number of pages at the lower center. The “top secret” stamp 121a, date 121b, and number of pages 121c are displayed as information different from the preview image 106 at positions near the recording paper area of the preview image 106 of the image data to be printed. Is done.
In addition, a correction key 115 is displayed on the preview screen 120. By operating the correction key 115, it is possible to move to the print menu setting screen 70 shown in FIG. 9 and change the setting of the additional information. It is possible.

As described above, since the additional information is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image, the additional information can be displayed larger than when the additional information is displayed within the recording paper area of the preview image. Increases nature. In addition, when the additional information is displayed largely in the preview image, a preview display may be performed as if the additional information does not allow a part of the image to be seen.
Furthermore, since it is not necessary to perform image synthesis processing between the preview image 106 and the additional information, which is necessary when displaying the additional information in the preview image, the creation of the preview image is facilitated, and the processing time is reduced, that is, the time required for display. Can be shortened.

  Since the additional information is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image 106, by operating the setting confirmation key 111 on the preview screen 120, the screen shifts to an image data setting confirmation screen (not shown) and the image data is displayed. Even when the setting is changed or the setting of the additional information is changed by operating the correction key 115, the preview image 106 or each of the additional information displays 121a to 121c is only changed individually. Therefore, the display processing speed does not decrease even when preview display with additional information is performed again.

Note that the preview screen 120 displaying this additional information is also displayed for each page in the same manner as the preview screen 105 in FIG. 21, and the user appropriately operates the page switching key 107 to preview an arbitrary page. Can be displayed. The page of the image data currently displayed can also be confirmed by the page display 108. Further, by appropriately operating the enlargement / reduction key 112, the display rotation key 113, or the like, the preview image 120 can be confirmed by being enlarged, reduced, or rotated.
Further, it is possible to perform copying by operating the copy start key 114 from the preview screen 120.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing another example of the preview screen when the finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set.
In the preview screen 125 of FIG. 21, boxes 126a to 126c indicating that additional information is set in the upper left, upper right, and lower center of the recording paper are respectively displayed on the upper left and upper right outside the recording paper area. And in the vicinity of the lower center.
Since the boxes 126a to 126c are highlighted, the user can easily recognize whether or not additional information is set. Further, by operating (touching) the boxes 126a to 126c indicating the presence of additional information outside the recording paper area, it is possible to shift to the print layout screen 100 of FIG.
In addition, although the rectangular boxes 126a to 126c are used in the preview screen 125 in FIG. 21 to indicate the presence of the additional information, other shapes may be used for a more easily recognizable display. Also, the pattern and color may be set.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing still another example of the preview screen when the finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set.
In the preview screen 130 of FIG. 24, the numbers [1] indicating the respective positions outside the recording paper area corresponding to the positions of the upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, and lower right of the recording paper. To [6] (131a to 131f) are displayed, and the additional information is set at which position with respect to the preview image 106 by highlighting the number at the position where the additional information is set in reverse video. It is easy to check whether it is.

Here, on the preview screen 130, the numbers [1], [3], and [5] are highlighted, and additional information is set in the upper left, upper right, and lower center of the recording paper. I understand. As for the type of additional information, a number corresponding to the inverted number and the content or type of the additional information, “confidential” stamp 132a, date 132b, and page number 132c are displayed in the preview screen 130. The user can confirm what content and type of additional information is set at which position with respect to the preview image 106.
In addition, by operating (touching) the numbers [1] to [6] (131a to 131f) indicating the positions outside the recording paper area or the display portions 132a to 132c of the contents or types of additional information, the printing shown in FIG. It is also possible to move to the layout screen 100.
The number indicating the position of the recording paper may be a character, a symbol, or another icon.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing still another example of the preview screen when the finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set.
In the preview screen 135 of FIG. 25, numbers [1] to [6] indicating the respective positions corresponding to the upper left, upper center, upper right, lower left, lower center, and lower right positions of the recording paper are displayed. When added, only the number at the position where the additional information is set is displayed near the outside of the recording paper area. Here, the additional information is displayed at the upper left, upper right, and lower center of the recording paper, respectively. Numbers [1], [3], and [5] (136a to 136c) indicating that they are set are displayed near the upper left, upper right, and lower center, respectively, outside the recording paper area.
Further, regarding the type of additional information, a “top secret” stamp 137a, a date 137b, and a page number 137c, which are the contents or type of the additional information, are displayed in the preview screen 135 together with the respective numbers. It is possible to confirm what kind of additional information is set at which position.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing still another example of the preview screen when the finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set.
The preview screen 140 shown in FIG. 26 is the same as the preview display screen 135 shown in FIG. 25 with respect to the display of numbers indicating where additional information is set on the recording paper.
In the preview screen 140, the display contents 142a to 142c of the additional information on the actual recording paper are displayed together with the respective numbers. Therefore, the date 142b is the actual date added to the recording paper, and the page number 142c indicates the number of pages of the preview image 106 being displayed.
As described above, on the preview screen 106, the user can confirm what kind of additional information is set at which position with respect to the preview image 106.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a preview screen when the preview screen shown in FIGS. 22 to 26 is enlarged.
For example, by operating the enlargement / reduction key 112 on the preview screen 120 shown in FIG. 22, the enlarged preview image 106 can be displayed as shown in the preview screen 145 shown in FIG.
Here, in the preview screen 120 of FIG. 22, the preview image 106 is reduced to display the entire image data and the additional information is displayed outside the recording paper area. In addition, when the preview image 106 is displayed at a predetermined magnification or higher, the additional information is displayed at a set position in the recording paper area of the preview image 145.

In the preview screen 145 of FIG. 27, “top secret” stamp 146a is set as additional information on the upper left of the recording paper, and date 146b is set as additional information on the upper right. The display sizes of these “top secret” stamp 146a and date 146b are displayed in actual size ratios with respect to the actual recording paper.
Note that the enlargement / reduction key 112 can select four levels of enlargement / reduction, and when the image is most reduced, the entire copy document is displayed as described above. In the enlarged preview image 106, only a part of the original is displayed, but other parts can be displayed by operating the scroll bar 147.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a preview screen when the preview screen shown in FIG. 27 is further enlarged.
In the preview screen 150 shown in FIG. 28, as additional information, a “top secret” stamp 151 a is displayed at the actual size ratio on the upper left in the recording paper area of the preview image 106.
In this way, when displaying a preview image at a predetermined magnification or higher, additional information is displayed at the set position within the recording paper range of the preview image at the actual size ratio, so the user can confirm the arrangement and size of the stamp. It can be done easily.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system constructed using a digital multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an external view illustrating an example of a touch panel and a key operation unit in the digital multifunction peripheral of FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the example of the standard screen of a digital multi-function peripheral. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a special function selection screen displayed when a special function key for performing detailed settings at the time of copying is selected on the standard screen of FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the other example of the special function selection screen displayed when the arrow key is selected in the special function selection screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing menu setting screen displayed when the printing menu key is selected in the special selection screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of the print menu setting screen displayed when the arrow key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the print menu setting screen displayed when the print menu key is selected on the special function selection screen of FIG. 6, and shows an example of the print menu setting screen when additional information is set. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the date setting screen displayed when the date key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print color setting screen displayed when a print color key is selected on the date setting screen of FIG. 10. It is a figure which shows an example of the date change screen displayed when the date change key is selected in the date setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the stamp setting screen displayed when the stamp key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing color setting screen displayed when the printing color key is selected in the stamp setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the page number setting screen displayed when the page number key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a page number setting screen displayed when a page number key is selected on the page number setting screen of FIG. 15. It is a figure which shows an example of the character setting screen displayed when the character key is selected in the print menu setting screen of FIG. 7 or FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the fixed text setting screen displayed when the call key of a fixed text key is selected in the character setting screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the direct input screen displayed when the direct input key is selected in the character setting screen of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout screen displayed when a print layout key is selected on the print menu setting screen of FIG. 9. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a preview confirmation key is operated on the standard screen of FIG. 4. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing still another example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing still another example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing still another example of a preview screen when a finish display key is selected on the preview screen of FIG. 21 when additional information is set. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a preview screen when the preview screen shown in FIGS. 22 to 26 is enlarged. It is a figure which shows the preview screen at the time of further enlarging and displaying the preview screen shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital multifunction device, 2, 3 ... External computer, 4 ... Internet FAX apparatus, 10, 32 ... Touch panel, 11 ... Panel control part, 12 ... Recording part, 13 ... Reading part, 14 ... Format conversion part, 15 ... Image Storage unit, 16a ... Preview image generation unit, 17 ... Encoding / decoding unit, 18 ... Main control unit, 19 ... Control memory, 20, 31 ... Key operation unit, 21 ... LAN control unit, 22 ... Control buffer, 23 ... NCU, 24 ... modem, 25 ... USB I / F, 30 ... control panel.

Claims (10)

A display unit, an image forming unit that forms an image by adding additional information to image data, an operation input unit for adding additional information to the image data, and a preview image of the image data are displayed on the display unit In an image forming apparatus provided with a display control unit
When the preview image of the image data is displayed on the display unit, the additional information is displayed outside the recording paper area of the preview image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is at least one of date, page number, character information, or predetermined image information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is displayed so as to be identifiable by a symbol, a character, or an icon.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is highlighted.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position where the additional information is displayed is in the vicinity of a position provided for the recording paper.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preview image of the image data displayed on the display unit can be reduced or enlarged.   7. The additional information is displayed in a recording paper area of the preview image when a preview image of the image data displayed on the display unit is displayed at a predetermined magnification or higher. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit for inputting the image data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the input unit is a scanner device, a storage device inside the image forming apparatus, a removable storage device, or a communication line. An image data acquisition step for acquiring image data to be imaged;
An additional information setting step for setting additional information for the image data in accordance with an operation from an operation input unit;
An image forming method including a preview image generation step for displaying a preview image of the image data on a display unit before image formation of the image data,
An image processing method, wherein the additional information is displayed outside a recording paper area of the preview image when the preview image of the image data is displayed on the display unit.

Images