JP2008219229A - Preview display method, and image forming unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to confirm preview more conveniently than before, in an image forming unit for outputting image data by means of a plurality of output methods by only one execution command from a user. <P>SOLUTION: In a preview display method in the image forming unit for outputting the image data by means of the plurality of output methods by only one execution command from the user, when image data is input for an individual preview corresponding to contents output by one output method (#104), each individual preview corresponding to the contents output by each output method in regard to the image data is simultaneously displayed in a superposed manner (#107). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of functions and a preview display method in the image forming apparatus.

  In general, an image forming apparatus called an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) or a multifunction peripheral is often used. Such an image forming apparatus can read image data with an installed scanner and output the image data by various methods such as printing or facsimile transmission.

  The resolution or color of image data read by the scanner changes variously depending on the setting at the time of reading. Therefore, there is a case where it is desired to confirm the image data in advance when outputting. Therefore, at present, in such an image forming apparatus, an apparatus capable of displaying a preview of image data is provided.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that displays a preview. This image forming apparatus has a function of displaying and editing an image read by the image reading apparatus on a preview display screen. Thus, the user can correct the image while viewing the preview display screen.

  Currently, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data at a time by a plurality of methods such as printing, FAX transmission (facsimile transmission), and FTP transmission in response to a single execution instruction from a user. In this case, outputting image data at a time by a plurality of methods is referred to as “multiple simultaneous output”. FTP transmission is a function of transmitting image data to a specified destination based on FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

  Normally, when outputting image data, image data corresponding to each output method is generated and output.

  For example, if the reading (scanning) setting by the scanner is “full color” and “600 DPI”, first, image data based on the setting is obtained by the reading. In the case of FTP transmission, the image data is output as it is. In the case of FAX transmission, the image data is converted into, for example, black and white image data having a resolution of about 200 DPI and output.

  When displaying a preview, in the conventional method, a preview is generated using image data generated based on settings at the time of reading. Therefore, in the above example in which FTP transmission and FAX transmission are executed at once, there is a difference between the displayed preview and the image data actually output by FAX transmission.

  Also, depending on the output method, information indicating the transmission source or the date and time may be added to the edge portion of the page of the output image data. In such a case, with the conventional preview method, there is a further difference between the preview and the output image data.

Therefore, it is conceivable to generate an individual preview corresponding to each output method. As a technology related to this, Patent Document 2 describes that a preview corresponding to the mode selected from the print mode and the save mode is displayed on the preview monitor.
JP 9-37063 A JP 2006-94426 A

  By the way, there may be a problem that the picture or character shown in the preview is tilted or not displayed at the intended position. In such a case, the user performs reading by the scanner again. Then, the preview is confirmed again, and if there is no problem, the output is executed.

  Even in the case of multiple simultaneous outputs, if an individual preview corresponding to each output method can be generated as described above, the user can check each preview and know if there is a problem in any of them. .

  However, this is troublesome because it is necessary to check the preview for each output method. If there is some problem and rereading by the scanner is performed, a preview of each output method must be confirmed again. In addition, rereading has solved the problem preview, but another problem may occur for other previews. For example, when the position of a picture or character is changed by re-reading, it overlaps with the date and time added in the other preview. In such a case, it is necessary to repeat rereading and confirming each preview.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable easy confirmation of previews corresponding to a plurality of output methods at the same time.

  A preview display method according to an aspect of the present invention is a preview display method in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods in response to a single execution instruction from a user. When image data is input, the preview corresponding to the output content of the image is input as an individual preview, and the individual previews corresponding to the output content according to the output methods for the input image data are superimposed and displayed simultaneously. .

  Preferably, contents included in one individual preview are represented by one color, while contents of different individual previews are represented by different colors.

  Preferably, contents common to a plurality of individual previews are represented by one color, and contents specific to each individual preview are represented by a color different from the common contents and different from each other.

  Preferably, the content common to any combination of the individual previews is represented by a different color for each combination, and the content specific to each individual preview is represented by a color different from the common content and different from each other.

  Preferably, when an instruction to display an individual preview for each output method is received, a color individual preview for the output method according to the instruction is displayed.

  Preferably, when image data is output by a plurality of output methods with a single execution instruction, an individual preview of the output method being executed is displayed, and output of image data by another output method is started An individual preview for the started output method is displayed.

  Preferably, display preview designation data indicating whether to display an individual preview or an overlay preview that is a preview when each individual preview is displayed simultaneously is stored for each user, and image data is input. When the preview is displayed, either the overlay preview or the individual preview is displayed based on the display preview designation data for the logged-in user.

  Preferably, second display preview designation data indicating which output method is to be displayed first is stored for each user, and when the individual preview is displayed when image data is input The individual preview shown in the second display preview designation data for the logged-in user is displayed.

  The plurality of output methods include printing, scan transmission, and facsimile transmission. “Scan transmission” refers to transmitting image data read by a scanner by a method such as FTP transmission, FAX transmission, e-mail transmission, SMB transmission, or WebDAV transmission.

  A preview display method according to another aspect of the present invention is a preview display method in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data to a plurality of output destinations with a single execution instruction from a user, and includes one output When image data is input with the preview corresponding to the output content to the individual as an individual preview, the individual previews corresponding to the respective output content to each output destination of the input image data are simultaneously superimposed. indicate.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods in response to a single execution instruction from a user, and a plurality of output methods designated by the user Receiving means for receiving instruction data indicating data, data storage means for saving preview generation data for generating an individual preview corresponding to output contents by one output method, and data received by the receiving means Using the preview generation data corresponding to each output method shown, and an overlay preview generating means for generating an overlap preview showing the contents displayed simultaneously by superimposing individual previews for each of the output methods, and Overlay preview display means for displaying an overlay preview.

  According to the present invention, previews corresponding to a plurality of output methods can be easily confirmed simultaneously.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a touch panel TP.

  An image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that integrates various functions such as copying, scanning, FAX transmission (facsimile transmission), network printing, and a document server. Sometimes called a multi-function peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals).

  The image forming apparatus 1 has a function of executing printing, FAX transmission, and the like on image data read by a scanner at a time with a single execution instruction from a user.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can display a preview of the output contents when outputting image data by printing and FAX transmission.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a control circuit 10e, an operation panel 10f, a scanner 10g, a printer 10h, a modem 10j, a network interface 10k, and the like.

  The scanner 10g is an apparatus that optically reads an image such as a photograph, a character, a picture, or a chart drawn on a document sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “document”) and converts it into electronic data.

  The printer 10h is a device that prints image data read by the scanner 10g or image data transmitted from another device on paper using toners of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

  The modem 10j has a built-in NCU (Network Control Unit), and is connected to another fax terminal via an analog public line to perform data control based on a facsimile protocol, fax data modulation / demodulation, and the like.

  The network interface 10k is a NIC (Network Interface Card), which connects to other devices via a LAN or the Internet, and transmits and receives files.

  The control circuit 10e is a circuit for controlling devices such as the hard disk 10d, the operation panel 10f, the scanner 10g, the printer 10h, the modem 10j, and the network interface 10k.

  The hard disk 10d stores image data read by the scanner 10g or image data sent from another device via the network interface 10k or the like. The hard disk 10d stores a program and data for realizing processing of each unit shown in FIG. These programs and data are read into the RAM 10b as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU 10a. Some or all of these programs or data may be stored in the ROM 10c. In addition, some or all of the functions of these units may be realized by software, or may be realized by hardware such as the control circuit 10e.

  The operation panel 10f is an apparatus for the user to give an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 or to notify the user of a message from the image forming apparatus 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operation panel 10f is provided with a touch panel TP, a start button SB, a numeric keypad TK, a copy button KB1, a scan transmission button KB2, and the like.

  The touch panel TP is a display device that displays a message notified to the user from the image forming apparatus 1 or a screen (setting screen) for setting various functions. It also serves as an input device with the touch panel function.

  The start button SB is a button for the user to give instructions for executing various functions such as scanning, printing, and FAX transmission. The numeric keypad TK is a button for inputting the number of prints or a FAX number.

  The copy button KB1 is a button for switching to the copy mode. When this button is pressed, a setting screen for copying is displayed on the touch panel TP. Using the setting screen, the user can set printing conditions (printing conditions) such as the number of copies, duplex printing, or simplex printing.

  The scan transmission button KB2 is a button for switching to the scan transmission mode. When this button is pressed, a scan transmission setting screen GM1 (see FIG. 3) is displayed. The scan transmission setting screen GM1 will be described in detail later.

  The scan transmission mode is a mode in which printing, FAX transmission, “FTP transmission”, and the like can be executed at a time with a single execution instruction on the image data read by the scanner.

  “FTP transmission” is a function of transmitting image data based on FTP (File Transfer Protocol). In FTP transmission, image data is transmitted by designating an IP address, for example, as a transmission destination. The transmitted image data is once transmitted to an FTP server provided in a LAN including the image forming apparatus 1 and stored in a directory provided in advance for an IP address designated as a transmission destination. Then, when the terminal device with the IP address accesses the FTP server, the image data is transferred to the terminal device.

  In the scan transmission mode, in addition to the above, other output methods such as “SMB (Server Message Block) transmission”, “WebDAV (Distributed Authoring and Versioning protocol for the WWW) transmission”, and “e-mail transmission” are executed. It is also possible. Further, in the scan transmission mode, the read image data can be stored in the hard disk 10d of the image forming apparatus 1 itself.

  3 is a diagram showing an example of the scan transmission setting screen GM1, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the FAX transmission destination designation screen GM2, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the FTP transmission destination designation screen GM3, and FIG. 6 is a preview display screen. It is a figure which shows the example of GM4.

  Next, a user operation procedure when performing scan transmission will be described with reference to each screen shown in FIGS.

  When the user logs in to the image forming apparatus 1 by inputting a user name (user ID) and a password and presses the scan transmission button BK2, a scan transmission setting screen GM1 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the touch panel TP.

  The scan transmission setting screen GM1 is a screen for designating an image data output method (FAX transmission, FTP transmission, and printing) and a transmission destination when performing scan transmission.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the scan transmission setting screen GM1 includes a scan setting button BGS, a FAX transmission button BG1, an FTP transmission button BG2, a simultaneous print radio buttons RB1, RB2, a print setting button BGP, and a transmission destination confirmation list LTG. It is.

  The scan setting button BGS is a button for setting reading (scanning) by the scanner 10g. When this button is pressed, a screen for setting a reading condition (scanning condition) by the scanner 10g such as a resolution at the time of reading or a file format for storing the read image data is displayed. Description of this screen is omitted.

  The FAX transmission button BG1 is a button for designating a transmission destination of FAX transmission. By specifying the transmission destination, FAX transmission is specified as an output method in the scan transmission mode. When the FAX transmission button BG1 is pressed, a FAX transmission destination designation screen GM2 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the FAX transmission destination designation screen GM2 includes a FAX destination list FL and an OK button BF.

  The FAX destination list FL is a list for selecting a FAX transmission partner. In the image forming apparatus 1, a FAX number and the name of the other party are registered in advance. The registered name is displayed in the FAX destination list FL. When the user selects a line from the FAX destination list FL, the background color of the line is inverted and the selected state is established. The FAX number and the name of the other party are stored in the image forming apparatus 1 as “destination data” described later.

  The OK button BF is a button for determining the transmission destination. When the OK button BF is pressed, the other party selected in the FAX destination list FL at that time is determined as the FAX transmission destination.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the FTP transmission button BG2 is a button for designating a transmission destination of FTP transmission. By specifying the transmission destination, FTP transmission is specified as an output method in the scan transmission mode. When this button is pressed, an FTP transmission destination designation screen GM3 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Using this screen, the destination of FTP transmission can be specified. The procedure for designating is the same as that on the FAX transmission destination designation screen GM2.

  The simultaneous print radio buttons RB1 and RB2 are buttons for designating whether to perform printing together with FAX transmission and FTP transmission. Hereinafter, printing performed together with FAX transmission and FTP transmission may be referred to as “simultaneous printing”.

  When the simultaneous print radio button RB1 is selected, simultaneous printing is performed. That is, simultaneous printing is designated as the output method in the scan transmission mode. When the simultaneous print radio button RB2 is selected, simultaneous printing is not performed.

  The print setting button BGP is a button for performing print settings. When this button is pressed, a screen for setting print conditions such as the number of prints, duplex printing, or simplex printing is displayed. Description of this screen is omitted.

  The transmission destination confirmation list LTG is a list for confirming the designated output method and transmission destination. In the destination confirmation list LTG, “print”, “FAX”, and “FTP” indicate print, FAX transmission, and FTP transmission, respectively. The destination is shown in parentheses.

  The user confirms the designated contents by the transmission destination confirmation list LTG, sets the document on the scanner 10g, and presses the start button SB.

  When the start button SB is pressed, the scanner 10g starts reading the set document. When the reading is completed, a preview display screen GM4 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the preview display screen GM4 includes a preview display area PA, a preview selection list PLS, and a setting change button BSE.

  The preview display area PA is an area for displaying a preview of image data read by the scanner 10g. In the preview display area PA, a preview for each output method designated by the user is displayed. In addition, a preview showing the contents displayed by overlapping them at the same time is displayed. Hereinafter, a preview for each output method is sometimes referred to as “individual preview PRK”, and a preview showing the content simultaneously displayed by overlapping the individual previews PRK may be referred to as “overlapping preview PRJ”. The individual preview PRK and the overlay preview PRJ will be described in detail later.

  The preview selection list PLS is a list for selecting a preview to be displayed in the preview display area PA. That is, a list for switching the preview for each job. This preview selection list PLS shows “overlap preview” and names corresponding to the output method designated by the user. That is, when the user designates FAX transmission, FTP transmission, and printing as the output method, as shown in FIG. 6, “overlay preview” and “FAX”, “FTP”, and “Print” is indicated. For example, when the designated output method is only FAX transmission and FTP transmission, “overlay preview”, “FAX”, and “FTP” are displayed.

  When the user selects the “overlapping preview” line from the preview selection list PLS, the overlapping preview PRJ is displayed in the preview display area PA. When a line indicating an output method is selected, an individual preview PRK corresponding to the output method of the selected line is displayed in the preview display area PA.

  The setting change button BSE is a button for changing the setting of a page format PF described later.

  The user confirms the displayed preview, and if there is no problem, presses the start button SB to give an instruction to output image data to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the start button SB is pressed, the read image data is output based on the designated output method and transmission destination. If simultaneous printing is designated, the image data is printed at the same time.

  By the way, generally, in FAX transmission or the like, date and time, a page number, and the like (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “additional display FJ”) may be added to the top or bottom of a page.

  The image forming apparatus 1 may describe a page format (hereinafter referred to as “page format PF”) indicating at which position in the page such additional display FJ is arranged or what additional display FJ is added. Is stored for each output method. The image data is output in a format corresponding to each output method by the page format PF.

  7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating an example of a page format PF, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document read by the scanner 10g, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an individual preview PRK for transmission, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an individual preview PRK for printing, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a superimposed preview PRJ, and FIG. 14 is a page format PF for FAX transmission. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example, FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual preview PRK for FAX transmission, and FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overlay preview PRJ.

As shown in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image data storage unit 101, a page format storage unit 102, a screen data storage unit 103, a destination data storage unit 104, an output related data storage unit 105, a command reception unit 106, a control process. Unit 107, screen display processing unit 108, output related data registration unit 109, scan execution processing unit 110, preview display processing unit 111, page format update processing unit 112, output processing unit 113, etc. Stores image data read by the scanner 10g. The page format storage unit 102 stores a page format (page format data) PF for each output method of FAX transmission, FTP transmission, and printing. In the present embodiment, page formats PF as shown in FIG. 8 are stored for FAX transmission and FTP transmission, respectively. A page format PF as shown in FIG. 9 is stored for printing.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the page format PF for FAX transmission and FTP transmission includes date FJ1, time FJ2, and page FJ3 as additional display FJ. In FAX transmission and FTP transmission, for example, the position of the additional display FJ is determined with respect to the image direction and added to the right side of the page as shown in FIG.

  The date and time at the time of output are added to these date FJ1 and time FJ2 when the image data is output. Further, the actual page number of the page is added to the location of the page FJ3.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the page format PF for printing shows a stable position FJ4, punch positions FJ5 and FJ6, date FJ7, and page FJ8. In the case of printing, the positions of the date FJ7 and the page FJ8 are determined with respect to the paper direction, for example, and added to the lower end of the page as shown in FIG. Note that the stable position FJ4 is an additional display FJ indicating a reference position for stable. The punch positions FJ5 and FJ6 are additional indications FJ that indicate the target positions of punch holes.

  When each output method is executed, page data (page data PD) is generated based on the page format PF corresponding to each output method, and the page data PD is output.

  For example, when a house photo as shown in FIG. 10 is read and FAX transmission is performed, page data PD as shown in FIG. 11 is generated based on the page format PF shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the actual date, time, and page number are shown in place of date FJ1, time FJ2, and page FJ3, respectively.

  When the contents of the page format PF are different for each output method, different page data PD is output for each output method.

  The screen data storage unit 103 stores screen data for displaying the setting screens shown in FIGS.

  The destination data storage unit 104 stores destination data for FAX transmission and FTP transmission. This destination data includes a FAX number, an IP address, a name of the destination, and the like.

  The output related data storage unit 105 stores the FAX transmission destination data DFA and the FTP transmission destination data DFT for the transmission destination designated by the user on the FAX transmission destination designation screen GM2 and the FTP transmission destination designation screen GM3. Also, simultaneous print presence / absence data DPR indicating whether or not simultaneous printing is designated is stored.

  The FAX destination data DFA indicates the name of the destination (name indicated in the destination data) and the FAX number. The FTP destination data DFT indicates the name of the destination (name indicated in the destination data) and the IP address.

  The command receiving unit 106 receives a command input by the user using the operation panel 10f. The control processing unit 107 performs processing for controlling each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 in scan transmission. Specifically, each unit in FIG. 7 is caused to execute necessary processing based on a command from the user.

  The screen display processing unit 108 performs processing for displaying various setting screens based on the screen data stored in the screen data storage unit 103 and the destination data stored in the destination data storage unit 104.

  When the user presses the scan transmission button KB2 on the operation panel 10f, the screen display processing unit 108 acquires the screen data of the scan transmission setting screen GM1, and displays the scan transmission setting screen GM1 on the touch panel TP based on the data ( (See FIG. 3).

  When the scan transmission setting screen GM1 is displayed, the user designates an output method and a transmission destination by the method described above. To perform simultaneous printing, specify simultaneous printing. Also, scan conditions and print conditions are set as necessary.

  The output related data registration unit 109 generates FAX transmission destination data DFA and FTP transmission destination data DFT indicating the transmission destination designated by the user and stores them in the output related data storage unit 105. Also, simultaneous print presence / absence data DPR indicating whether or not simultaneous printing is designated is stored in the output related data storage unit 105. Hereinafter, the FAX transmission destination data DFA and the FTP transmission destination data DFT may be collectively referred to as “transmission destination data DFS”.

  When the user presses the start button SB after designating the transmission destination or the like, a scan execution instruction is sent to the scan execution processor 110.

  The scan execution processing unit 110 causes the scanner 10g to perform reading based on a scan condition set in advance by the user when an instruction to execute scan is given. Image data read by the scanner 10 g is stored in the image data storage unit 101.

  The preview display processing unit 111 displays, based on the stored image data, an individual preview PRK indicating the contents of the page data PD corresponding to each designated output method or a superimposed preview PRJ in which they are superimposed ( (Preview display processing).

  In the present embodiment, the overlay preview PRJ is displayed when reading by the scanner 10g is completed. Further, when a row is selected by the user in the preview selection list PLS on the preview display screen GM4 described with reference to FIG. 6, a preview corresponding to the row is displayed. Here, first, a process for displaying the superimposed preview PRJ when reading is completed will be described.

  When the reading of the image data by the scanner 10g is completed, the preview display processing unit 111 acquires the image data from the image data storage unit 101. The page format PF corresponding to each output method designated by the user using the scan transmission setting screen GM1 or the like is acquired from the page format storage unit 102. When an individual preview (individual preview data) PRK is generated using the acquired image data and each page format PF, an overlapping preview (overlapping preview data) PRJ, which is one preview showing the contents of the overlapping of the individual previews PRK, is displayed. Generate.

  In the present embodiment, a page format PF as shown in FIG. 8 is used for FAX transmission and FTP transmission, and a page format PF as shown in FIG. 9 is used for printing. Therefore, an overlay preview PRJ as shown in FIG. 13 is generated from these page format PF and image data indicating the contents of FIG.

  At this time, contents common to any combination of the individual previews PRK are represented by different colors for each combination, and contents specific to the individual previews PRK are different from the common contents and are different from each other. Represented by

  The generated overlay preview PRJ is sent to the screen display processing unit 108 to request display thereof. The screen display processing unit 108 acquires the screen data of the preview display screen GM4 from the screen data storage unit 103. Then, a preview display screen GM4 showing the overlap preview PRJ in the preview display area PA is displayed on the touch panel TP (see FIG. 6).

  Here, the generation of the overlay preview PRJ will be described in more detail with a specific example.

  When generating the overlap preview PRJ, first, when the individual preview PRK for each output method is generated, contents common to the plurality of individual previews PRK and contents specific to each individual preview PRK are extracted. In this case, for example, when the same content is shown at the same position in the page in a plurality of individual previews PRK, the content is extracted as common content. Or when the same content is shown in the near position, the content is extracted as a common content. At this time, it is not always necessary to actually generate the individual preview PRK.

  When the individual preview PRK is generated for FAX transmission, the individual preview PRK as shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by the page data PF in FIG. In this embodiment, since the page format PF is the same, the same individual preview PRK is also used for FTP transmission. For printing, the individual preview PRK as shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by the page format PF of FIG. Hereinafter, a picture of “house” shown in the original document may be referred to as “object OB1”, and a character string “photo of my home” may be referred to as “object OB2.”

  In this case, the objects OB1 and OB2 are extracted as a common group (group A) in the three individual previews PRK for FAX transmission, FTP transmission, and printing. The additional displays FJ1, FJ2, and FJ3 are extracted as a common group (group B) in the two individual previews PRK for FAX transmission and FTP transmission. The additional displays FJ4 to 8 are extracted as a group (group C) unique to the individual preview PRK for the print.

  Then, the overlay preview PRJ shown in FIG. 13 is generated so that each group has a different color. For example, the color is adjusted so that the color of group A is “black”, the color of group B is “red”, and the color of group C is “blue”. Note that the contents shown in the original image data (here, the objects OB1 and OB2 of group A) are expressed in the colors shown in the original image data without performing such color adjustment. Also good.

  Next, another example will be described. Here, it is assumed that simultaneous printing is not designated and the page format PF in FIG. 14 is used for FAX transmission.

  In this case, the individual preview PRK for FAX transmission is as shown in FIG. 15 by the page format PF of FIG. The FTP transmission is as shown in FIG. 11 by the page format PF of FIG.

  In this case, the objects OB1, OB2, additional display FJ1, and FJ2 are extracted as a common group in the two individual previews PRK. Additional displays FJ9 and FJ10 are extracted as contents specific to FAX transmission. The additional display FJ3 is extracted as content specific to FTP transmission.

  Then, an overlap preview PRJ as shown in FIG. 16 is generated so that each group has a different color. The generated overlay preview PRJ is displayed in the preview display area PA of the preview display screen GM4 in FIG.

  In other words, in the multiple preview PRJ, the common contents in the plurality of individual previews PRK including common contents are set as a common group, and the contents specific to each of the plurality of individual previews PRK are set as specific groups. Each group is represented by a different color.

  Alternatively, the specific group may be expressed by the same color indicating the specific group, and the common group may be expressed by the same color indicating the common group. In that case, the contents shown in the original image data may be expressed in the color shown in the original image data.

  Alternatively, the contents for each individual preview PRK may be represented by different colors, and the contents included in one individual preview PRK may be represented by one color. In addition, color classification can be performed by various methods.

  Next, the preview display process when a row is selected in the preview selection list PLS on the preview display screen GM4 in FIG. 6 will be described. Here, a case where the user selects the second row (“FAX” row) will be described as an example.

  When the user selects the second row in the preview selection list PLS, a signal indicating that the “FAX” row has been selected is sent to the preview display processing unit 111.

  Then, the preview display processing unit 111 first acquires image data from the image data storage unit 101. A page format PF corresponding to FAX transmission is acquired from the page format storage unit 102. Using the acquired image data and page format PF, an individual preview PRK for FAX transmission is generated. At this time, a preview is generated with the original color indicated in the read image data.

  The generated individual preview PRK is sent to the screen display processing unit 108 to request display thereof. The screen display processing unit 108 acquires the screen data of the preview display screen GM4 from the screen data storage unit 103. Then, a preview display screen GM4 showing the individual preview PRK in the preview display area PA is displayed on the touch panel TP. Thereby, for example, an individual preview PRK as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed.

  Similarly, when another row is selected in the preview selection list PLS in FIG. 6, the individual preview PRK is displayed. When the “overlapping preview” line is selected, the overlapping preview PRJ is displayed by the method described above.

  When the setting change button BSE is pressed on the preview display screen GM4, a screen for editing the page format PF is displayed. The user can change the position of the additional display FJ on the screen. Further, the additional display FJ can be added or deleted.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the page format update processing unit 112 performs a process of updating the corresponding page format PF based on the content edited by the user.

  When a preview related to the updated page format PF (a preview generated using the updated page format PF) is displayed in the preview display area PA, the control processing unit 107 updates the preview after updating the preview. The preview display processing unit 111 is instructed to display again based on the page format PF. The preview display processing unit 111 performs the preview display process by the method already described according to the instruction.

  The preview may be generated and displayed each time it is displayed, or the generated preview is stored, and when it is displayed again, it is displayed using the stored one. Also good.

  When the user presses the start button SB after the preview display screen GM4 is displayed, a data output execution instruction is given to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The output processing unit 113 receives a signal indicating that a data output execution instruction is given to the image forming apparatus 1 and executes processing for outputting image data. This process is performed as follows.

  First, the destination data DFS and the simultaneous printing presence / absence data DPR for each output method designated by the user are acquired from the output related data storage unit 105. Further, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 101 and the page format PF stored in the page format storage unit 102 are acquired, and the page data PD corresponding to each output method is generated using them. If simultaneous printing is indicated in the simultaneous printing presence / absence data DPR, page data PD for printing is also generated.

  In the case of FAX transmission, the modem 10j is instructed to transmit page data PD for FAX transmission based on the FAX number indicated in the FAX transmission destination data DFA. In the case of FTP transmission, the network interface 10k is instructed to transmit the IP address indicated in the FTP transmission destination data DFT together with the page data PD for FTP transmission to the FTP server.

  If simultaneous printing is designated, the printer 10h is instructed to perform printing based on the page data PD for printing. At this time, printing is executed based on the printing conditions set by the user.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the overlay preview PRJ is displayed after reading by the scanner 10g is shown, but it is possible to set for each user whether to display the overlay preview PRJ or the individual preview PRK. You may keep it. In this case, for example, the following is performed.

  Data indicating whether the overlay preview PRJ or the individual preview PRK is displayed on the image forming apparatus 1 and, when displaying the individual preview PRK, data indicating which output method the individual preview PRK is to be displayed (initial preview designation) Data DSH) is registered for each user. Then, when reading by the scan 10g is completed, processing is performed such that the superimposed preview PRJ or the individual preview PRK is displayed based on the initial preview designation data DSH of the logged-in user.

  Further, it may be possible to set for each user whether or not to display a preview when reading is completed. In this case, if it is set not to display the preview, the page data PD is output without performing the preview display process after the reading is completed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1 in the scan transmission mode. Next, the flow of processing when performing scan transmission will be described along the flowchart of FIG.

  In performing scan transmission, the user first logs in to the image forming apparatus 1 by entering his / her user name and password (# 101).

  When the user presses the scan transmission button KB2 on the operation panel 10f after login, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the scan transmission setting screen GM1 on the touch panel TP (# 102).

  When the user designates an output method and a transmission destination in the scan transmission mode using the scan transmission setting screen GM1, they are stored in a predetermined storage area (# 103).

  Next, when the user presses the start button SB, reading of the original set on the scanner 10g is started (# 104).

  If the logged-in user is registered not to display the preview (No in # 105), the output method and the transmission destination specified in step # 103 are not displayed without displaying the preview. Based on the above, a job for outputting the page data PD is executed (# 111).

  If registration to display the preview is made (Yes in # 105), the processing after step # 106 is performed. In this case, if registration to preferentially display the overlay preview PRJ has been registered (Yes in # 106), the overlay preview PRJ is displayed on the touch panel TP (# 107). If registration for displaying the individual preview PRK is registered (No in # 106), the individual preview PRK is displayed (# 108). In this case, it is set in advance which output method the individual preview PRK is displayed first, and the individual preview PRK about the output method to be displayed first is displayed based on the setting.

  When the page format PF is changed by changing the position of the additional display FJ (Yes in # 109), the process after step # 106 is performed and the preview is displayed again.

  Thereafter, when the user gives a data output execution instruction by pressing the start button SB (Yes in # 110), a job for outputting the page data PD is executed based on the designated output method and transmission destination. (# 111). This job is sequentially executed by a CPU or the like. It can also be executed simultaneously using a plurality of CPUs.

  By the way, depending on the page format PF, the contents shown in the read image data may overlap with the additional display FJ. In such a case, the image data is read again and the preview is confirmed again. At this time, when image data is output at a time by a plurality of output methods, a preview for each output method is confirmed.

  In the present embodiment, since the contents of each individual preview PRK are displayed in the same preview (overlapped preview PRJ), the contents of each individual preview PRK can be confirmed at a glance, and such confirmation work can be performed in advance. .

  In addition, the overlap preview PRJ shows the difference between the individual previews PRK (difference in the output result) in different colors. Thereby, the difference in the output contents for each output method can be easily confirmed at a glance.

  In this embodiment, an example in which the page format PF for each output method is used has been described. As a result, when the output method is the same, the page data PD having the same content is transmitted even if the transmission destination is different. In contrast, a page format PF for each combination of output method and transmission destination may be used.

  In this case, an individual preview PRK is displayed for each combination of output method (transmission method) and transmission destination. In the overlay preview PRJ, each content is appropriately displayed in different colors by the method described above. As a result, the difference in output contents depending on the transmission destination can be easily confirmed.

  When multiple output methods are specified, jobs for those output methods may be executed in order. In such a case, a preview of the output method related to the job being executed is displayed on the touch panel TP, and when the next job is started, the preview display is displayed in the individual preview PRK of the started job. You may make it switch. In this case, processing is performed as follows.

  When the job is started, the output processing unit 113 notifies the control processing unit 107 of data indicating the output method of the started job. The control processing unit 107 sends the data to the preview display processing unit 111 and instructs to display a preview of the output method indicated by the data. The preview display processing unit 111 performs a preview display process for the output method by the method described above.

  When the individual preview PRK is displayed for each combination of the output method and the output destination as described above, when the transmission to a certain output destination is started, the individual preview PRK corresponding to the output content to the destination Switch to.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which three transmission methods, FAX transmission, FTP transmission, and printing, are used, but other output methods may be used. For example, SMB transmission, WebDAV transmission, or electronic mail transmission may be used. Alternatively, the image may be output by being stored in the hard disk 10d of the image forming apparatus 1 itself.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the scan transmission is performed using the image data read by the scanner 10g has been described, but the image data stored in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance may be used. For example, image data sent from another device via the network interface 10k or the like may be stored in the image data storage unit 101, and scan transmission may be performed using the image data.

  Scan transmission can also be defined as a function of executing a plurality of output methods at once (or simultaneously) for one reading by the scanner 10g.

  In addition, the configuration and function of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, the contents indicated by each data, the contents of the preview, the contents of the page format PF, the additional display FJ, the contents or order of processing, and the like are appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention can do.

1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a touch panel. It is a figure which shows the example of a scan transmission setting screen. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a FAX transmission destination designation screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an FTP transmission destination designation | designated screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a preview display screen. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the page format about FAX transmission and FTP transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of the page format about a print. It is a figure which shows the example of the original document read with a scanner. It is a figure which shows the example of the separate preview about FAX transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of the separate preview about a print. It is a figure which shows the example of a superposition preview. It is a figure which shows the other example of the page format about FAX transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of the separate preview about FAX transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of a superposition preview. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing of the image forming apparatus at the time of scan transmission.

Explanation of symbols

1 Image forming apparatus 102 Page format storage unit (data storage unit)
106 Command reception part (reception means)
108 Screen display processing unit (preview display means, overlap preview display means)
111 Preview display processing unit (preview display means, overlap preview generation means)
DSH initial preview designation data (display preview designation data, second display preview designation data)
PF page format (Preview generation data)
PRJ Overlay preview PRK Individual preview TP Touch panel (Preview display means, Overlap preview display means)

Claims (12)

A preview display method in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods with a single execution instruction from a user,
The preview corresponding to the output contents by one output method is an individual preview.
When image data is input, each individual preview corresponding to each output content by each output method for the input image data is superimposed and displayed simultaneously.
A preview display method characterized by that. The contents included in one individual preview are represented by one color, while the contents of different individual previews are represented by different colors.
The preview display method according to claim 1. The content common to the plurality of individual previews is represented by one color, and the content specific to each individual preview is represented by a color different from the common content and different from each other.
The preview display method according to claim 1. The content common to any combination of the individual previews is represented by different colors for each combination, and the content specific to each individual preview is represented by a color different from the common content and different from each other.
The preview display method according to claim 1. When an instruction to display an individual preview for each output method is received, a color individual preview for the output method according to the instruction is displayed.
The preview display method according to claim 1. When outputting image data by multiple output methods with a single execution instruction, an individual preview of the output method being executed is displayed, and the output starts when image data output by another output method is started. Display an individual preview of the output method
The preview display method according to claim 1. Display preview designation data indicating whether to display an individual preview or to display an overlay preview that is a preview when each individual preview is displayed at the same time is stored for each user,
When displaying a preview when image data is input, either a superimposed preview or an individual preview is displayed based on the display preview designation data for the logged-in user.
The preview display method according to claim 1. Second display preview designation data indicating which output method is to be displayed first is stored for each user.
When displaying the individual preview when the image data is input, the individual preview shown in the second display preview designation data for the logged-in user is displayed.
The preview display method according to claim 7. The plurality of output methods include printing, scanning transmission, and facsimile transmission,
The preview display method according to claim 1. A preview display method in an image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data to a plurality of output destinations with a single execution instruction from a user,
The preview corresponding to the output contents to one output destination is an individual preview.
When image data is input, each individual preview corresponding to each output content to each output destination of the input image data is superimposed and displayed simultaneously.
A preview display method characterized by that. An image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods with a single execution instruction from a user,
For individual previews, which are previews corresponding to the output contents by one output method, when the image data is input, the individual previews corresponding to the respective output contents by the respective output methods for the input image data are overlaid. Having a preview display means for simultaneously displaying
An image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus capable of outputting image data by a plurality of output methods with a single execution instruction from a user,
Receiving means for receiving instruction data indicating a plurality of output methods designated by the user;
Data storage means for storing preview generation data for generating an individual preview which is a preview corresponding to the output content by one output method;
Using the preview generation data corresponding to each output method indicated in the data received by the accepting means, an overlay preview showing the contents displayed simultaneously by superimposing individual previews for each of the output methods is generated. Overlay preview generation means;
An overlay preview display means for displaying the generated overlay preview;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images