JP2005354466A - Image forming apparatus and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which allows an arbitrary layout to be easily set when printing a plurality of pages of images on one paper. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus having a Nup print function of reducing a plurality of images to print them on one paper is provided with a display means for displaying a layout preview within each paper resulting from Nup print and an input means for changing a print layout by increasing/reducing the number of images to be printed on one paper, per paper displayed by the display means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a print control program for printing an image of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper.

A multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as copying, FAX transmission / reception, and a printer has a Nup printing function for printing images of a plurality of pages on one sheet. Nup printing is to print N original pages on one sheet. For example, when there are two pages of A4 size original data, the original data of each page is reduced to A5 size, and the original data for two pages is printed on one A4 sheet. In Nup printing, printing two pages on one sheet is called 2up printing, and printing four pages on one sheet is called 4up printing.
As conventional technologies, a cover is printed without Nup, the second and subsequent pages are Nup-printed (for example, see Patent Document 1), a mixed original is Nup-printed (for example, see Patent Document 2), and a specified page and later are printed. What performs Nup printing (see, for example, Patent Document 3) is known.
JP 2003-274147 A JP 2001-189843 A JP 2003-101695 A

  However, in the apparatuses shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3, it takes a lot of time to set and print an arbitrary layout in Nup printing. To print with a desired layout, printing is performed a plurality of times. There is a problem that troublesome work that must be performed in some cases may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image forming apparatus and a print control program capable of easily setting an arbitrary layout when printing an image of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper. The purpose is to provide.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on one sheet, and displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed. And an input unit for changing the print layout by increasing / decreasing the number of images to be printed on one sheet for each sheet displayed on the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 2 is an image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing on one sheet, and displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed. A logical page is set for each sheet displayed on the display means and the display means, and a plurality of logical pages are arranged on a single sheet by further dividing or undividing the set logical page. Input means for changing the print layout in association with image data to be printed on a page is provided.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the input means sets an upper limit of the number of images to be printed on one sheet based on an attribute of image data to be printed on the sheet.

  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that an image to be printed is displayed on each page of the layout preview.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on a single sheet. A display process for displaying a layout preview, and an input process for changing the print layout by increasing / decreasing the number of images to be printed on one sheet for each sheet displayed in the display process. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on a single sheet. A display process for displaying a layout preview, and a logical page is set for each sheet displayed in the display process, and the set logical page is further divided or undivided so that a plurality of logical pages are contained in one sheet. And an input process for changing the print layout in association with the image data to be printed on the logical page.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that in the input step, an upper limit of the number of images to be printed on one sheet is provided based on an attribute of image data to be printed on the sheet.

  The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that an image to be printed is displayed on each page of the layout preview.

  According to the present invention, the layout preview screen is displayed in Nup printing for printing an image of a plurality of pages on one sheet of paper, and Nup printing can be easily set for each displayed page. As a result, it is possible to easily set and print an arbitrary layout. In addition, since the upper limit of the number of images to be printed on one sheet is provided, it is possible to prevent characters and the like from being unreadable in the print result. In addition, since the preview screen displays the image to be printed, it is possible to easily set Nup printing while viewing the screen.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the embodiment. In this figure, the symbol PR is an image forming apparatus, which is a multifunction device having functions such as copying, FAX transmission / reception, and a printer. Reference numeral 1 denotes a control unit that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus PR. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image reading unit that reads an image in color or monochrome and converts it into digital image data. Reference numeral 3 denotes an image memory for storing image data read by the image reading unit 2 or print data transmitted from the personal computer PC. Reference numeral 4 denotes a print processing unit that prints data stored in the image memory 3 and controls operations of paper feed, printing, and paper discharge. Reference numeral 5 denotes an input unit including a numeric keypad, function keys, a touch panel, and the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit including a liquid crystal display. Reference numeral 7 denotes a print data receiving unit that receives print data transmitted from the personal computer PC. Reference numeral 8 denotes a computer network in which the image forming apparatus PR and the personal computer PC are connected to perform information communication with each other. Reference numeral 9 denotes a print data transmission unit provided in the personal computer PC, which generates print data for performing operation control for printing an image created by application software on the personal computer PC in the image forming apparatus PR. To the image forming apparatus PR.

  Next, the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, an operation of printing document data created using an application (for example, word processing software) on a personal computer PC by an image forming apparatus will be described as an example. First, the user creates document data using an application on the personal computer PC. Here, a description will be given assuming that 20 pages of document data are created with an A4 paper size.

  Next, when the user operates the personal computer PC to designate “Nup printing” and designates the paper size to be used as “A4”, the application on the personal computer PC sends a print data transmission unit 9 to the print data transmission unit 9. A print instruction for Nup printing is output. In response to this, the print data transmission unit 9 displays a setting screen for Nup printing on the screen on the personal computer PC. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for Nup printing. Here, the user selects any one of “2, 4, 8,..., Arbitrary” as the “number of pages of one sheet”. Here, it is assumed that “arbitrary” is selected as the number of pages of one sheet.

  Next, the user clicks a “layout preview” button on the setting screen for Nup printing. In response to this, the print data transmission unit 9 displays a layout preview screen on the personal computer PC. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout preview screen. As shown in FIG. 3, the layout preview screen displays how each page is laid out. In FIG. 3, (1) to (10) indicate that pages 1 to 10 of the document data are printed on the 1st to 10th sheets. In this example, the number of pages of one sheet is “arbitrary”. Is selected, the initial state (unreduced state) of pages 1 to 10 is displayed. Here, when the “backward” button is clicked, the initial state of pages 11 to 20 is displayed, and when the “forward” button is clicked at that time, the initial state of pages 1 to 10 is displayed. The “Backward” button displays the state of the page following the page currently displayed, and the “Forward” button displays the state of the page before the currently displayed page. It is. A page increase button “↑” 11 and a page decrease button “↓” 12 are arranged on the first to fifth sheets and below the sixth to tenth sheets. The page increase button 11 is a button for increasing the number of images arranged on the target paper, and the page decrease button 12 is a button for decreasing the number of images arranged on the target paper.

  Next, the user looks at this screen, and if the user wants to print in this layout, click the “OK” button. If there is a page for which Nup printing is to be set, the user presses the “page increase” button for the paper to which Nup printing is to be set. click. When the “page increase” button is clicked, the print data transmission unit 9 performs a layout change process for Nup printing. Here, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the state transition in the layout change process performed by the print data transmission unit 9 will be described. Here, the state transition when the page increase button “↑” 11 and the page decrease button “↓” 12 of the first sheet are clicked will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating state transition on the preview screen. First, when the first page increase button 11 shown in FIG. 3 is clicked, the first sheet is divided into two, and as shown in FIG. 4A, (1) page is added to the first sheet. (2) A page image is arranged. When the first page increase button 11 is further clicked, the image is further divided into two and the images of pages (1) to (4) are arranged on the first sheet (see FIG. 4B). When the first page increase button 11 is further clicked from this state, the image is further divided into two parts and images of pages (1) to (8) are arranged on the first sheet (see FIG. 4C). ).

  On the other hand, when the first page reduction button 12 is clicked from the state of FIG. 4C, the division into two is canceled and the images of pages (1) to (4) are arranged on the first sheet. (See FIG. 4D). Then, when the first page reduction button 12 is further clicked, the two divisions are canceled, and the state returns to the state where the images of page (1) and page (3) are arranged on the first sheet (FIG. 4). (See (e)). This division / cancellation state is displayed on the preview screen, and the user operates the input unit 5 while setting the print layout while viewing this screen. FIG. 5 shows a layout setting example. In this example, the page increment button for the first sheet is clicked once, the page increment button for the third sheet is clicked twice, and the page increment button for the sixth sheet is clicked three times. is there. Since the data to be printed is for 20 pages, in this setting example, printing is performed on nine sheets, and the tenth sheet is not printed.

  As described above, when the page increase button of each sheet is clicked, each page is divided into two parts, and when the page release button is clicked, each page is divided into two parts and the previous state is restored. The user operates the page increase button 11 and the page decrease button 12 while looking at the layout preview screen, and clicks the “OK” button when the desired layout is obtained. When the “OK” button is clicked on the layout preview screen, the print data transmitting unit 9 displays the Nup print setting screen (FIG. 2) on the personal computer again. Here, if there is no problem with the set contents, the user clicks an “OK” button on the Nup print setting screen. At this point, the page number to be printed on each sheet is held in the print data transmission unit 9.

  Next, the print data transmission unit 9 issues a document data output instruction to the application that has issued the print instruction. On the other hand, the application sequentially outputs the document data to the print data transmission unit 9 for each page. This document data includes information on the paper size to be used and the page size used in the document data. In response to this, the print data transmission unit 9 generates print data for each sheet to be used for printing from the document data for each page and the page number to be printed on each sheet. Then, the print data transmission unit 9 sequentially outputs the obtained print data for each sheet and the used sheet size to the image forming apparatus PR.

  This print data is received by the print data receiving unit 7 via the computer network 8. Then, the print data receiving unit 7 outputs the received information on the used paper size to the control unit 1 and stores the print data in the image memory 3. In response to this, the control unit 1 issues an instruction to the print processing unit 4 to print the print data stored in the image memory 3 on the paper of the used paper size. In response to this, the print processing unit 4 prints the print data stored in the image memory 3. As a result, Nup printing based on the layout set on the preview screen is performed.

Next, an operation when the copy (copying) function is used in the image forming apparatus alone will be described.
Here, a description will be given assuming that 20 A4-size originals are copied in the layout state shown in FIG. First, the user places all 20 documents on the image reading unit 2 in order, and performs image reading. As a result, 20 sheets of image reading data are stored in the image memory 3.

  Next, the user designates “Nup printing” from the input unit 5 and designates the paper size to be used as “A4”. In response to this, the control unit 1 displays a Nup printing setting screen (FIG. 2) on the display unit 6.

  Next, the user touches a “layout preview” button on the setting screen for Nup printing. In response to this, the control unit 1 displays a layout preview screen (FIG. 3) on the display unit 6. In this layout preview screen, how each page is laid out is displayed.

  Next, the user looks at this screen, and if the user wants to print in this layout, click the “OK” button. If there is a page to set Nup printing, the page increase button or page decrease of the page to set Nup printing. Click the button to set the layout. The state transition at this time is the same as the above-described operation (FIG. 4). In response to this, the control unit 1 displays on the display unit 6 a layout preview screen in which pages to be printed on each sheet are laid out.

  The user looks at this layout preview screen and touches an “OK” button to print the layout. When the “OK” button is touched on the layout preview screen, the control unit 1 displays the Nup printing setting screen (FIG. 2) on the display unit 6 again. If there is no problem with the set contents, the user touches the “OK” button on the Nup print setting screen. At this time, the page number to be printed on each sheet is held in the control unit 1.

  Next, the control unit 1 generates print data for each sheet to be used for printing from the image data in the image memory 2 and the page number to be printed on each sheet, and stores it again in the image memory 2. Then, the control unit 1 issues an instruction to the print processing unit 4 to print the print data stored in the image memory 3 on a sheet of the used paper size. In response to this, the print processing unit 4 prints the print data stored in the image memory 3. As a result, Nup printing based on the layout set on the preview screen is performed.

  In this way, the layout preview screen is displayed in Nup printing in which images of a plurality of pages are printed on one sheet of paper, so that Nup printing can be easily set for each displayed page. Therefore, it is possible to easily set and print an arbitrary layout.

  Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a preview screen in another embodiment. The preview screen shown in FIG. 6 is different from the preview screen shown in FIG. 3 in that a page increase button 11 and a page decrease button 12 are arranged in each page.

  Here, referring to FIG. 7, a state transition at the time of layout setting will be described. First, when the first page increase button 11 shown in FIG. 6 is clicked, the first sheet is divided into two, and as shown in FIG. 7A, (1) page is added to the first sheet. (2) A page image is arranged. The pages (here, pages (1) and (2)) arranged on one sheet of paper are called logical pages, and a page increase button and a page decrease button are arranged on each logical page. The print data transmission unit 9 or the control unit 1 performs the definition of the logical page and the process of arranging the page increase button and the page decrease button in each logical page.

  Subsequently, when the page increase button 11a of the logical page (2) is clicked, only the logical page (2) portion is further divided into two, and the images of pages (1) to (3) are arranged on the first sheet. (See FIG. 7B). When the page increase button 11b of the logical page (3) is further clicked from this state, the image is further divided into two and the images of pages (1) to (4) are arranged on the first sheet (FIG. 4 (c)). reference).

  On the other hand, when the page reduction button 12a of the logical page (2) of the first sheet is clicked from the state of FIG. 7C, the division of the logical page (2) is canceled and the state before the division ( Returning to FIG. 7D, the logical pages (3) and (4) move to the second sheet without changing their sizes. Further, logical pages (5) and (6) are sequentially arranged on the second sheet. When the page reduction button 12b of the logical page (3) is clicked from the state shown in FIG. 7D, the division of the logical page (3) is canceled and the state before the division (FIG. 7E) is obtained. Returning, logical pages (3), (4), and (5) are sequentially arranged on the second sheet.

  As described above, when the page increase button is clicked, the target logical page portion is divided into two parts, two logical pages are arranged, and a page increase button and a page decrease button are arranged in each logical page. The layout can be changed in units of logical pages. Thereby, the layout setting shown in FIG. 8 becomes possible. The layout shown in FIG. 5 has the same page size printed on each sheet, but the layout shown in FIG. 8 can change the page size printed on each sheet.

  Note that an upper limit of the number of images to be printed on one sheet, that is, a limit on the reduction rate of the image data may be set based on the attribute of the image data to be printed on the sheet. When Nup printing is performed, the image data is reduced and placed in the paper. However, if the number of pages in one paper is arbitrarily set, in principle, the image data can be reduced infinitely. It is. However, there are cases where it is meaningless to print the printed result in an unreadable state. To prevent this from happening, if it is necessary to reduce the image data according to user settings, use the fact that the reduction limit has been exceeded based on the attributes in the image data to be reduced. Alert the person. For example, a limit reduction rate for each character size is stored in advance in the print data transmission unit 9 or the control unit 1, and the character having the smallest character size among the character data included in the image data to be reduced is set. The data is extracted, the limit reduction ratio corresponding to this character size is compared with the reduction ratio to be reduced according to the user's settings, and a warning is given if the reduction ratio to be reduced exceeds the limit reduction ratio Is displayed. In this way, it is possible to prevent printing results that cannot be read from being output.

  In addition, on the layout preview screen shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, actual image data may be displayed together with the page number indicating each page. In this way, it is possible to set / cancel Nup printing while viewing the image itself displayed on the preview screen. When there is a lot of data to be printed, it is necessary to remember in advance how many pages to cancel, but you can specify settings and cancellations while viewing the image, so you can eliminate the mistakes in specifying It becomes possible.

  The program for realizing the functions of the control unit 1 and the print data transmission unit 9 in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Thus, the print control process may be performed. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display at the time of designation | designated of Nup printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display at the time of designation | designated of Nup printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state change of a layout. It is explanatory drawing which shows a layout change result. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen display at the time of designation | designated of Nup printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state change of a layout. It is explanatory drawing which shows a layout change result.

Explanation of symbols

PR: Image forming apparatus,
PC ... PC
1 ... control part,
2 ... image reading unit,
3 ... Image memory,
4 ... print processing unit,
5 ... Input section,
6 ... display part,
7: Print data receiving unit 8: Computer network,
9: Print data transmission unit

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on one sheet of paper,
Display means for displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for changing the print layout by increasing / decreasing the number of images printed on one sheet for each sheet displayed on the display unit. An image forming apparatus having a Nup printing function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on one sheet of paper,
Display means for displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed;
A logical page is set for each sheet displayed on the display means, and the set logical page is further divided or undivided to arrange a plurality of logical pages on one sheet and printed on the logical page. An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for changing the print layout in association with image data to be processed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit sets an upper limit of the number of images to be printed on one sheet based on an attribute of image data to be printed on the sheet. .   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image to be printed is displayed on each page of the layout preview. A print control program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a Nup print function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on one sheet of paper,
A display process for displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed;
An input process for changing a print layout by increasing / decreasing the number of images to be printed on one sheet for each sheet displayed in the display process. A print control program for controlling an image forming apparatus having a Nup print function for reducing a plurality of images and printing them on one sheet of paper,
A display process for displaying a layout preview in each sheet when Nup printing is performed;
A logical page is set for each sheet displayed in the display process, and the set logical page is further divided or undivided to arrange a plurality of logical pages on one sheet, and printed on this logical page. An input process for changing a print layout in correspondence with image data to be printed.   7. The print control program according to claim 5, wherein the input step sets an upper limit on the number of images to be printed on one sheet based on an attribute of image data to be printed on the sheet. . 8. The print control program according to claim 5, wherein an image to be printed is displayed on each page of the layout preview.

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