JP2008245051A - Image reader and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce burden on a user while restraining deterioration in working efficiency, when the document of a desired page is previewed. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader comprises an image reading means for reading a document and generating the image data thereof, a means for storing the image data of the document generated by the image-reading means; a means for displaying the image of the document, according to the image data on a preview screen; an operating means provided with a document switching key for switching the display document image during display period of the preview screen; and a means for controlling the display means to read out the image data continuously from the storage means in a predetermined sequence, when depression of the document switching key for a predetermined time is detected, until the depression of the document switching key is release, after the detection moment in time, so as to display the image of a document according to the image data thus read out, while switching continuously. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

 The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a preview screen display function of a read document, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

In recent years, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner having a preview screen display function of a read document and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine including such an image reading apparatus are becoming mainstream (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). . In this preview screen display function, image data of the read original is stored and stored in a separate folder page by page, a list of the folders is displayed on the display unit, and a folder selection operation input from the user and a preview are displayed. When a display instruction is input, the screen is switched to the preview screen, and based on the image data stored in the folder selected by the folder selection operation input, a document image corresponding to the image data is displayed as a preview on the display unit. To do.
JP 2006-345072 A

 In such a preview screen display function, when the user presses a document switching key for switching the displayed document image during the display period of the preview screen, the next display according to a predetermined display order is performed without returning to the folder list screen. It is possible to switch to a page original image. However, conventionally, each time the document switching key is pressed, the document image for one page can only be switched. When the user displays an image of a document on a desired page on the preview screen, the document is displayed on the document. It is necessary to perform an operation of pressing the document switching key a plurality of times until switching.

 As described above, conventionally, in order to display a document corresponding to a desired page on the preview screen, it is necessary to press the document switching key a plurality of times. As the number of pages increases, the burden on the user is increased. . In addition, the time until the document corresponding to the desired page is displayed as a preview becomes longer as the number of pages increases, which causes a problem that the user's work efficiency decreases.

    The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. In the case where a document corresponding to a desired page is displayed as a preview, the image reading can reduce the burden on the user and suppress the reduction in work efficiency. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

    In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus having a preview screen display function of a read original as a first solving means related to the image reading apparatus, wherein the original is read and the read original is read. Image reading means for generating image data, storage means for storing document image data generated by the image reading means, display means for displaying an image of the document corresponding to the image data on a preview screen, and When it is detected that the document switching key for switching the displayed document image during the preview screen display period and the document switching key is pressed for a predetermined time, the document switching key During the period until the long press is released, the image data is continuously read from the storage means in a predetermined order, and the read image data is read out. Characterized by comprising a display control means for controlling said display means to display by switching an image of a document corresponding to the data continuously.

   Further, as a second solving means relating to the image reading apparatus, in the first solving means, the display control means continuously switches the image of the document according to a long press time of the document switching key. The display speed is increased.

    Further, as a third solving means relating to the image reading apparatus, in the first or second solving means, the storage means stores the image data of the document by storing it in a separate folder page by page, The display means alternatively displays a folder list screen showing the list of folders under the control of the display control means and the preview screen, and the operation means is for selecting a folder from the folder list screen. A folder selection key, and a preview display key for switching to the preview screen for displaying an image of a document corresponding to the selected folder, wherein the display control means is configured to display the folder list screen during the display period. Image data stored in the folder selected by the operation input of the folder selection key is read from the storage means, and the preview display key is read. Switch to the preview screen when the is pressed, and controlling said display means to display an image of the document in accordance with the read image data.

   On the other hand, the present invention is characterized in that an image reading apparatus having any one of the first to third solving means is provided as a solving means relating to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, when it is detected that the document switching key is pressed for a predetermined time, the image is displayed in a period from the detection time until the document switching key is released. Since the display means is controlled so that data is continuously read from the storage means in a predetermined order and images of the original corresponding to the read image data are switched and displayed, it corresponds to a desired page. It is only necessary to hold down the document switching key until the document is displayed on the preview screen. Therefore, unlike the prior art, in order to display a document corresponding to a desired page on the preview screen, it is not necessary to press the document switching key a plurality of times, thereby reducing the burden on the user and suppressing the decrease in work efficiency. Is possible.

  Further, by increasing the speed at which the image of the document is continuously switched and displayed according to the long press time of the document switching key, the document corresponding to the desired page can be quickly obtained even when the number of pages of the document is enormous. You can switch to

  On the other hand, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, by providing the image reading apparatus having the above-described features, the burden on the user can be reduced when previewing a document corresponding to a desired page. It is possible to suppress a decrease in work efficiency.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction machine having functions of a copying machine and a printing machine, and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 10, a read only memory (ROM) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, various sensor groups 13, and the like. A sheet transport unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a read image data storage unit 16, an image forming unit 17, a communication I / F unit 18, and an operation display unit 19 are provided. Reference numeral 200 denotes a PC (Personal Computer) for giving a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 100 from the outside.

  The CPU (display control means) 10 is a control program stored in the ROM 11, detection signals input from various sensor groups 13, and a document read by the image reading unit 15 stored in the read image data storage unit 16. The overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is controlled based on the image data, the print instruction signal and print image data received from the PC 200 via the communication I / F unit 18, and the operation signal input from the operation display unit 19.

 The ROM 11 is a non-volatile memory that stores a control program used by the CPU 10 and other data. The RAM 12 is a working memory used as a temporary storage destination of data when the CPU 10 executes a control program and performs various operations. The various sensor groups 13 are various sensors necessary for an image forming operation such as a paper out detection sensor, a paper position detection sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like, and output various information detected by each to the CPU 10 as detection signals. The paper transport unit 14 includes a transport roller for transporting paper stored in a paper tray (not shown) to the image forming unit 17 and a motor for driving the transport roller, and a paper after image forming processing to a paper discharge tray (not shown). It is composed of a conveying roller for conveying, a motor for driving the conveying roller, and the like.

 An image reading unit (image reading unit) 15 irradiates a document set on a document table (not shown) with illumination light in a scanning manner, receives the reflected light by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor, and receives an analog voltage signal. Then, the analog voltage signal is digitally converted to generate image data of the read original. The image reading unit 15 outputs the generated image data to the CPU 10, while the CPU 10 stores the image data of the original page by page in a separate folder and stores it in the read image data storage unit 16. The read image data storage unit (storage means) 16 is, for example, a flash memory, and stores and stores image data of a document page by page in a separate folder in response to a request from the CPU 10, while storing image data of a predetermined document. It outputs to CPU10.

 The image forming unit 17 controls the toner image on the paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit 14 based on the image data stored in the read image data storage unit 16 and the printing image data received from the PC 200 under the control of the CPU 10. Then, the toner image is fixed (image formation). The communication I / F unit 18 is an interface for performing communication between the image forming apparatus 100 (specifically, the CPU 10) and an external PC 200, and is connected to the PC 200 via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). .

FIG. 2 is an external view of the operation display unit 19. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation display unit 19
A copy start key 20, a copy stop key 21, a power key 22, a numeric keypad 23, a document box key 24, and other various operation keys are provided, and a touch panel 25 having both functions of a display unit and an operation unit is provided.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 25. FIG. 3A shows a folder list screen. When the CPU 10 detects that the document box key 24 is pressed, the folder list screen is configured to display list information related to the folder storing the image data of the document stored in the read image data storage unit 16. 25 (more specifically, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device provided on the touch panel 25) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 3A, the folder list screen displays list information such as the name and data size of the folder storing the image data of the document, and a folder selection key for selecting a folder. 30, a preview display key 31 for switching to a preview screen for displaying an image of a document corresponding to the selected folder is displayed.

  FIG. 3B shows a preview screen. This preview screen is a screen to be switched when the CPU 10 detects pressing of the preview display key 31 during the display period of the folder list screen. The CPU 10 displays the image data stored in the folder selected on the folder list screen. The touch panel 25 is controlled so as to read from the read image data storage unit 16 and display an image of the document corresponding to the read image data on the preview screen. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, the image “A” of the document selected on the folder list screen is previewed on the preview screen. The preview screen also includes a document switching key 40 for switching the displayed document image during the display period of the preview screen, and a return key 41 for closing the preview screen and returning to the previous screen (that is, the folder list screen). It is displayed. As described above, the touch panel 25 is provided with the folder selection key 30, the preview display key 31, the document switching key 40, and the return key 41. The touch panel 25 is provided with other various operation keys.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since the image forming operation (copying / printing operation) of the image forming apparatus 100 is the same as the conventional one, the description thereof will be omitted, and the characteristic operation (preview display operation) of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described below. . In the read image data storage unit 16, it is assumed that the image data of the document that has already been read by the image reading unit 15 is stored and stored in a folder page by page.

  First, when the CPU 10 detects that the document box key 24 provided on the operation display unit 19 is pressed (step S1), the list information on the folder in which the image data of the document stored in the read image data storage unit 16 is stored. The touch panel 25 is controlled so as to display a folder list screen indicating (Step S2). As a result, a folder list screen as shown in FIG. These folders are listed in a predetermined order (display order). This display order may be the page order of the read document, or the order corresponding to the size and name of the image data and the update date and time. When the folder list screen is displayed, the folder corresponding to the first page in the display order is automatically selected (shaded portion in FIG. 3A).

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the folder selection key 30 has been pressed (step S3). If it is determined that the folder selection key 30 has been pressed (YES), the folder corresponding to the next page in the display order described above. Is selected (step S4). Thereafter, the CPU 10 returns to the process of step S3. On the other hand, when determining that the folder selection key 30 has not been pressed (NO), the CPU 10 determines whether or not the preview display key 31 has been pressed (step S5).

  In step S5, if the CPU 10 determines that the preview display key 31 is not pressed (NO), the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if the CPU 10 determines that the preview display key 31 is pressed (YES), the preview is displayed. The touch panel 25 is controlled to display the screen (step S6). Here, the CPU 10 reads out the image data stored in the folder selected by the processing in steps S3 and S4 during the display period of the folder list screen from the read image data storage unit 16, and the original corresponding to the read image data. The touch panel 25 is controlled to display the image on the preview screen. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, a preview screen on which an image of the document corresponding to the selected folder is displayed is displayed.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the document switching key 40 has been pressed (step S7). If it is determined that the document switching key 40 has not been pressed (NO), the same document is displayed on the preview screen as it is. Let On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that the document switching key 40 has been pressed (YES), the CPU 10 determines whether the pressed time (long pressing time) is equal to or longer than a predetermined time (step S8). .

  In step S8, when the long press time is less than the predetermined time (NO), the CPU 10 reads the image data stored in the folder corresponding to the next page of the currently displayed document and reads the image data storage unit 16. The touch panel 25 is controlled so as to display an image of the original corresponding to the read image data on the preview screen (step S9). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, on the preview screen, the image “A” of the currently displayed document is switched to the image “B” of the document corresponding to the next page.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S8 that the long press time is longer than the predetermined time, that is, when it is detected that the document switching key 40 is pressed for a predetermined time (YES), the CPU 10 The long pressing time of the document switching key 40 is counted from the point of pressing detection (step S10). Then, the CPU 10 sets the document switching speed according to the count result (that is, the accumulated time of the long press time) (step S11). The document switching speed is a speed when switching from the image of the document currently displayed on the preview screen to the image of the document on the next page. At this time, since the accumulated time of the long press time is still short, the document switching speed is set to the initial value. In step S11, the document switching speed is increased as the accumulated time of the long press time becomes longer. The document switching speed may be continuously increased in proportion to the accumulated time of the long press time, or the document switching speed is increased when the accumulated time of the long press time exceeds a certain threshold. Also good.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 reads the image data stored in the folder corresponding to the next page of the currently displayed document from the read image data storage unit 16, and displays the image of the document corresponding to the read image data on the preview screen. The touch panel 25 is controlled so as to be displayed on the screen (step S12). Then, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the long press of the document switching key 40 has been released (step S13). If it is determined that the long press has not been released (NO), the process returns to step S10. In this way, by repeating the processes of steps S10 to S13 from the time when the long press of the document switching key 40 is detected until the long press is released, as shown in FIG. Thus, the image data is continuously read out, and on the preview screen, these continuously read original images are displayed while being continuously switched.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the long press of the document switching key 40 has been released (YES), the CPU 10 determines whether or not the return key 41 has been pressed (step S14). In this step S14, when the CPU 10 determines that the return key 41 is not pressed (NO), the CPU 10 returns to the process of step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the return key 41 is pressed (YES), the CPU 10 returns to step S2. Return to processing (that is, return to the folder list screen).

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, it is only necessary to hold down the document switching key 40 until a document corresponding to a desired page is displayed on the preview screen. Therefore, unlike the prior art, in order to display a document corresponding to a desired page on the preview screen, it is not necessary to press the document switching key 40 a plurality of times, reducing the burden on the user and suppressing the decrease in work efficiency. It is possible. Further, if the accumulated time of the long press time is long enough to repeat the processes of steps S10 to S13, the document switching speed is increased by the process of step S11, so that even if the number of pages of the document is enormous, it is quickly desired. The document corresponding to the page can be switched to.

 In the above embodiment, the folder selection key 30, the preview display key 31, and the document switching key 40 are provided on the touch panel 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the copy start key 20 in the operation display unit 19 shown in FIG. It may be provided in the same area as the copy stop key 21, the power key 22, and the like. In the above embodiment, the image of the original is displayed page by page on the preview screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of pages may be displayed simultaneously. In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 that is a multifunction peripheral has been described as an example. However, the CPU 10, the image reading unit 15, the read image data storage unit 16, and the operation display unit 19 are included among the above components. Alternatively, an image reading apparatus such as a scanner may be configured alone.

1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an example of a folder list screen displayed on the touch panel 25 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is an example of a preview screen displayed on the touch panel 25 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a first explanatory diagram regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image forming apparatus, 10 ... CPU (Central Processing Unit), 11 ... ROM (Read Only Memory), 12 ... RAM (Random Access Memory), 13 ... Various sensor groups, 14 ... Paper conveyance part, 15 ... Image reading part , 16 ... read image data storage section, 17 ... image forming section, 18 ... communication I / F section, 19 ... operation display section, 20 ... copy start key, 21 ... copy stop key, 22 ... power key, 23 ... numeric keypad, 24 ... Document box key, 25 ... Touch panel, 30 ... Folder selection key, 31 ... Preview display key, 40 ... Document switching key, 41 ... Return key, 200 ... PC (Personal Computer)

Claims (4)

An image reading apparatus having a preview screen display function of a read document,
Image reading means for reading the original and generating image data of the read original;
Storage means for storing image data of a document generated by the image reading means;
Display means for displaying an image of a document according to the image data on a preview screen;
Operating means provided with a document switching key for switching the displayed document image during the display period of the preview screen;
When it is detected that the document switching key has been pressed for a predetermined time, image data is continuously stored in a predetermined order from the storage means during the period from the detection time until the document pressing key is released. Display control means for controlling the display means to read and continuously switch and display the image of the document according to the read image data;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit increases a speed of continuously switching and displaying the image of the document according to a long press time of the document switching key. The storage means stores the image data of the document by storing it in a separate folder page by page,
The display means alternatively displays a folder list screen showing a list of the folders under the control of the display control means, and the preview screen,
The operation means includes a folder selection key for selecting a folder from the folder list screen, and a preview display key for switching to the preview screen for displaying an image of a document corresponding to the selected folder,
The display control means reads image data stored in the folder selected by the operation input of the folder selection key from the storage means during the display period of the folder list screen, and the preview display key is pressed. Switching to the preview screen, and controlling the display means to display an image of the document according to the read image data,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 1.

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