JP2010147849A - Image data output apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image data output apparatus capable of changing output conditions preset by a user through simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: A selector 18a selects a plurality of image data items subjected to change output conditions stored in an output condition memory 19a in preview display. When a user changes output conditions, in response to the plurality of image data items selected by the selector 18a, the output conditions changed by the user are stored in the output condition memory 19a again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image data output device having a preview display function for displaying a print output state or the like based on a preset output condition before outputting image data by printing or the like, and in particular, the set The present invention relates to an image data output apparatus capable of changing output conditions.

  As an image data output device such as a multifunction peripheral, image data related to the original (hereinafter referred to as image data) generated by reading (scanning) the original is previewed before being output by printing or transmission. Some have a display function.

  If the user uses the preview display function, whether the document has been properly scanned, or the output conditions set in advance by the user, for example, monochrome / color printing, the magnification is appropriately set as intended by the user. It can be confirmed whether it is reflected in.

In the confirmation by the above preview display, if the output condition preset by the user is not what the user intended, for example, if monochrome printing was erroneously specified when color printing was intended, other enlarged printing If the enlargement ratio at the time is too large, before outputting the image data by printing or the like, the output condition set in advance by the user is changed for each image data displayed in the preview, and the change result is previewed. An image forming apparatus that can be confirmed by display has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-282439 A

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 can change the output condition set in advance by the user for each image data displayed as a preview. However, when changing the output conditions applied to the image data of all the read originals or the plurality of image data desired by the user from the read original image data, The condition changing operation must be executed for each image data, which is complicated.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image data output device that can change an output condition set in advance by a user with a simple operation.

  The first technical means reads a document conveyed by an automatic document conveying unit from a bundle of documents placed on a document placing table, generates a reading unit, an image storage unit that stores the image data, Corresponding to the image data stored in the image storage unit, an output condition storage unit that stores output conditions preset by the user, and image processing based on the output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit A preview display control unit that executes a preview display of image data, and a selection unit that selects a plurality of image data to be changed in output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit during the preview display. And an image data output device that stores the changed output condition in the output condition storage unit in correspondence with the selected plurality of image data.

  The second technical means is characterized in that, in the first technical means, the selection unit can collectively select all the image data stored in the image storage unit.

  A third technical means includes a setting unit for setting a start page and an end page of a document to be previewed in the document bundle in the first or second technical means, and the automatic document transport unit When the number of pages of the conveyed document is counted and the document corresponding to the start page is read by the reading unit and stored in the image storage unit, the start page of the set document corresponds to the end page. The image data stored in the image storage unit is subjected to image processing for preview display and automatically displayed as a preview.

  According to the present invention, preset output conditions applied to a plurality of pieces of image data desired by a user can be easily changed collectively in preview display.

An outline of an image data output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of an image data output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image data output apparatus in the illustrated example has a printing function, a facsimile transmission function, and the like used for a copying operation. It is configured as a multifunction device.
FIG. 2 is an external view illustrating an example of a touch panel and a key operation unit in the multifunction peripheral of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a table for explaining a storage method of image data.

  An image data output device (hereinafter referred to as a digital multifunction device) 1 configured as a multifunction device includes a touch panel 10, a panel control unit 11, a recording unit 12, a reading unit (scanner) 13, a format conversion unit 14, an image storage unit 15, and an image. Processing unit 16, encoding / decoding unit 17, main control unit 18, control memory 19, key operation unit 20, LAN (Local Area Network) control unit 21, control buffer 22, network control unit (NCU: Network Control Unit) 23) and a modem 24.

  The touch panel 10 or the key operation unit 20 is necessary for executing an operation for selecting a desired process from processes such as a document reading process and a printing process, an operation for starting the process, and each process. An operation (selection operation or input operation) or the like for performing a setting is received. The touch panel 10 and the key operation unit 20 may be configured as an operation panel 30 illustrated in FIG. The key operation unit 20 includes a key group necessary for operation, such as a start key 20a and a numeric keypad 20b for receiving an instruction to start reading a document.

The touch panel 10 functions as a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation receiving unit such as a touch sensor.
The panel control unit 11 controls the display on the touch panel 10 and the operation receiving unit.

  A GUI (Graphical User Interface) image displayed on the touch panel 10 is readable and stored in the internal memory of the panel control unit 11 or the control memory 19.

  On the touch panel 10, the preview image generated by the preview image generation unit 16 a and output to the panel control unit 11 is displayed in a state of being incorporated in the GUI image by the panel control unit 11.

  The recording unit 12 includes a printer apparatus that employs a printing method such as an electrophotographic method, and records (that is, prints) image data and the like stored in the image storage unit 15 on a recording sheet.

  The reading unit 13 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13a that conveys documents one by one from a bundle of documents placed on a document placing table (not shown), and reads a document conveyed by the ADF 13a. Each page is read page by CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like, and RGB (R: red, G: green, B: blue) image data relating to the read document is generated and output to the image processing unit 16. Further, the reading unit 13 has a counter (not shown), and by using this counter, the paper detection sensor of the ADF 13a, etc., it is possible to count what page of the document is read and the total number of pages of the document can be counted. It has become.

  The format conversion unit 14 converts the read image data or image data received from the outside into a predetermined file format such as PDF (Portable Document Format).

  The image storage unit 15 is configured with a hard disk or the like, and stores image data from the reading unit 13 through the image processing unit 16 and the like. At this time, along with the storage of the image data, the document page number counted by the counter of the reading unit 13 and the image data name of the document are stored in association with each other.

  The image processing unit 16 performs various image processing on the target image data. For example, image processing (document image processing) at the time of document reading including A / D conversion on RGB image data from the reading unit 13 is performed. Image data after document image processing is stored in the image storage unit 15. In addition, the image processing unit 16 prints image data read and stored in the image storage unit 15 on the image data based on a set output condition or the like when printing the image data or transmitting it to an external device (when outputting). Image processing and fax transmission image processing.

The image processing unit 16 includes a preview image generation unit (preview display control unit) 16a.
The preview image generation unit 16 a performs image processing for preview display on the image data stored in the image storage unit 15 to generate a preview image.

  Image processing for preview display includes color correction processing for converting image data based on display characteristics of the touch panel 10, image enlargement / reduction processing according to print magnification, and the like. The generated preview image is output to the panel control unit 11 and controlled to be displayed on the touch panel 10.

  The encoding / decoding unit 17 compresses the image data by encoding and decodes (decompresses) the encoded image data into the original image data. The encoding / decoding unit 17 can use an encoding method according to the application such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) generally used in filing.

  The main control unit 18 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and the control memory 19 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). A program (firmware) and various setting data are stored in the control memory 19 so as to be readable from the main control unit 18. The control buffer 22 is composed of a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The above-described program is a control program executed by the main control unit 18 such as a command related to generation and display of a preview image, as well as a command related to reading a document according to the present invention. This program is developed on the control buffer 22 by the main control unit 18, and is executed while referring to various setting data as appropriate, with the control buffer 22 used as a data area for temporary storage (work).

The main control unit 18 includes a selection unit 18a and an output condition change unit 18b.
The selection unit 18a executes a process of selecting a plurality of image data to be changed in output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit 19a.

  The output condition change unit 18b re-stores the changed output condition in the output condition storage unit 19a corresponding to the plurality of image data selected by the selection unit 18a.

The control memory 19 has an output condition storage unit 19a.
The output condition storage unit 19a stores output conditions such as monochrome / color, print magnification, so-called N-up printing, and the like set in advance by the user in correspondence with the image data stored in the image storage unit 15.
Specifically, as shown in the document storage table 51 of FIG. 3, the output conditions set for the document are stored in correspondence with the document data name. Here, a document storage table is shown when a document bundle made up of 35 documents is read.

  The LAN control unit 21 is connected to the LAN and performs communication of electronic mail data and Internet facsimile (Internet FAX) via the Internet.

  The modem 24 is composed of a facsimile modem capable of facsimile communication, and is connected to a telephone line and directly connected to the NCU 23. The NCU 23 connects the modem 24 to the public telephone line network as necessary.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the change of the output condition during preview display according to the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a standard screen of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. 4 illustrates an example of a GUI image (referred to as a GUI image 40) displayed on the touch panel 10 in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. FIG. The GUI image 40 is displayed on the touch panel 10 when the power of the digital multifunction device 1 is turned on or the digital multifunction device 1 is reset. In the GUI image 40, a copy mode selection key 41, an image transmission mode selection key 42, and a document filing mode selection key 43 are displayed for selecting an operation mode of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. In the following description, for example, a case where the user selects the copy mode will be described.

In the GUI image 40, output conditions for copying can be set. For example, a color mode copy key 44 for setting color copying / monochrome copying, and finishing processing such as punching and stapling are set. For example, a finishing function key and other special function keys 45 for performing detailed settings at the time of copying are displayed.
Also, a preview confirmation key 46 for displaying a print state based on the set output condition on the touch panel 10 for the image data relating to the document read by the reading unit 13 is displayed.

The user sets various output conditions via the GUI image 40. Here, it is assumed that full-color color mode copy is selected as the output condition.
When the user operates the preview confirmation key 46 and then the start key 20a, the reading unit 13 starts reading the document.

  Thereafter, the reading unit 13 sequentially reads originals conveyed one by one by the ADF 13 a to generate image data, and stores the image data in the image storage unit 15. Along with the storage, the document page number counted by the counter of the reading unit 13, the image data name of the document, and the set output condition are associated with each other and stored in the document storage table 51 of the output condition storage unit 19a. .

  In addition, as described above, the preview image generation unit 16 generates image data for a preview image from the image data. Then, the image data for the preview image is displayed on the touch panel 10.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed during preview display.
The GUI image 47 is a preview display screen and displays that “preview display” is being performed as the operation state message 48.
The GUI image 47 is an image in which a preview image 49 is incorporated and displayed. The preview image 49 is an example in which image data subjected to image processing based on a set output condition is displayed.

The GUI image 47 includes current page information 50 that indicates the current page as a document page, a page switching key 51 that can switch pages in units of document pages, and total page number information 52 that indicates the total number of pages of the document as document pages. It is displayed.
When the user operates the page switching key 51, the image data relating to the next / previous document is displayed as a preview.

The GUI image 47 further displays an enlargement / reduction key 53, a display rotation key 54, and the like, and the user can check the image 49 by enlarging / reducing or rotating the preview image 49 by appropriately operating these keys. Can do.
The GUI image 47 also displays a finish display key 55 for displaying the finish state. The user can confirm the finish state after printing as a preview by operating the key 55. it can. For example, when punch hole formation is set as an output condition, punch information 56 indicating a state in which punch holes have been punched in printed paper is displayed together with a preview image as finish information.

The GUI image 47 further includes a full setting change key 57 and a partial setting change key 58 for changing the set output condition by confirming the preview image 49 and finishing information (punch information 56 and the like). Is displayed.
The all setting change key 57 is operated when changing the output conditions for all the image data, and the partial setting change key 58 is operated when changing the output conditions for a part of the image data.

  The GUI image 47 further displays a copy start key 59. By operating the copy start key 59, the user can make a copy (print) based on the set output condition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output condition change screen displayed by the selection unit 18a after the all setting change key 57 is pressed in the GUI image 47 of FIG.
Various output conditions can be changed from the GUI image 60. For example, the color mode copy / monochrome mode copy can be changed by pressing the color mode copy key 44.
After the output condition is changed by operating various keys or the like, when the re-preview key 61 for starting preview display with the changed output condition is pressed, the changed output condition is re-stored in the output condition storage unit 19a. Remembered.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the user operates each key of the GUI image 60 on the change screen shown in FIG. 6 to change the output condition from “color mode copy” to “monochrome mode copy”.
Then, the selection unit 18a refers to the document storage table 51 of FIG. 3, and “image data 1” to “image data 35”, which are all image data to be changed in output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit 19a. Select.
Then, the output condition changing unit 18b changes “color mode copy” corresponding to “image data 1” to “image data 35” in the document storage table 51 of FIG. 3 to “monochrome mode copy”, and stores it again.

  In addition, the GUI image 60 includes a cancel key 62 for canceling the change of the output condition, and the entire range read up to that point or the designated range of the document is read again, set or changed. A reread key 63 for starting preview display under the output condition is displayed.

Next, a case where image data whose output conditions are to be changed is selected will be described. In this case, the partial setting change key 58 displayed on the GUI image 47 shown in FIG. 5 is operated.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a GUI image 65 of another change screen, and is displayed by the selection unit 18a after the partial setting change key 58 is pressed in the GUI image 47 of FIG.

  In the pop-up image 67, it is possible to select a document related to the image data whose output condition is to be changed on a page-by-page basis, input fields 67a and 67b for the change start page and change end page, and the screen shown in FIG. An OK key 67c for transitioning to is displayed. The user inputs the start page and the end page of the document related to the image data whose output condition is desired to be changed into the change start page input field 67a and the change end page input field 67b via the numeric keypad 20b of the key operation unit 20. By pressing the OK button 67c, the document related to the image data whose output condition is to be changed can be specified in units of pages.

For example, assume that the user inputs “1” and “5” in the input fields 67a and 67b of the pop-up image 67 and operates the OK button 67c.
Then, the selection unit 18a refers to the document storage table 51 of FIG. 3 and selects “image data 1” to “image data 5” to be changed in output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit 19a.

Then, the user operates each key of the GUI image 60 on the output condition change screen shown in FIG. 6 displayed by operating the OK button 67c to change the output condition. Here, it is assumed that “color mode copy” is changed to “monochrome mode copy”.
Then, the output condition changing unit 18b changes “color mode copy” corresponding to “image data 1” to “image data 5” in the document storage table 51 of FIG. 3 to “monochrome mode copy” and stores it again.

  For example, the image data may be selected in a plurality of ranges such as “image data 1” to “image data 5” and “image data 11” to “image data 15”. Further, image data may be selected for each page such as “image data 1”, “image data 3”, and “image data 5”.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of processing when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 executes preview display and print processing, taking copy processing as an example. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for executing the preview display and print processing according to the present invention.

  When the power is turned on, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 displays the GUI image 40 of FIG. 3 on the touch panel 10 and sets output conditions (step S1).

  Then, the preview confirmation key 46 of the GUI image 40 is turned on to instruct preview display (step S2), and when the start key 20a (see FIG. 2) is further pressed to instruct to start reading the document (step S3). The reading unit 13 starts reading the placed document and generates image data of the document (step S4).

Next, when the reading of all the originals is completed, the preview image generating unit 16a displays a preview image of the image data (step S5).
When the all setting change key 57 and the partial setting change key 58 of the GUI image 62 shown in FIG. 5 are operated and the output conditions are changed via the GUI image 60 shown in FIG. YES), the output condition changing unit 18b re-stores the changed output condition in the output condition storage unit 19a (step S7).

  If the output condition is not changed (step S6, NO) and the copy start key 59 of the GUI image 47 shown in FIG. 5 is operated (step S8, YES), the recording unit 12 prints the image data. Processing is executed (step S9).

  As described above, since the output conditions set in advance by the user applied to the image data of the read document can be changed at once, the output conditions can be changed by a simple operation, Convenience is improved.

  In the embodiment, the example of print output has been described. However, the output form is not limited to this, and output for electronic filing and transmission output such as FAX transmission can also be performed.

In this embodiment, the preview display is executed after the reading of all the originals is completed. However, the start page and the end page of the original to be previewed may be designated.
In order to realize the above-described preview display, a setting unit is provided for setting a start page and an end page of a document to be previewed in the document bundle.
Then, the number of pages of the document conveyed by the automatic document conveyance unit 13a is counted, and when the document corresponding to the start page is read by the reading unit 13 and stored in the image storage unit 15, the preview image generation unit 16a Then, image processing for preview display may be performed on the image data stored in the image storage unit 15 corresponding to the set start page to end page of the document to automatically display the preview.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structural example of the image data output device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view which shows an example of a touchscreen and a key operation part. It is the figure which showed the table for demonstrating the memory | storage method of image data. It is a figure which shows the example of the standard screen of a digital multi-function peripheral. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed when a preview of the digital multifunction peripheral is displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the change screen of an output condition. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of another change screen of the digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure for executing preview display and print processing of the digital multi-function peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital multifunction device, 10 ... Touch panel, 11 ... Panel control part, 12 ... Recording part, 13 ... Reading part, 13a ... Automatic document conveyance part, 14 ... Format conversion part, 15 ... Image storage part, 16 ... Image processing part , 16a ... Preview image generation unit, 17 ... Encoding / decoding unit, 18 ... Main control unit, 18a ... Selection unit, 18b ... Output condition change unit, 19 ... Control memory, 19a ... Output condition storage unit, 20 ... Key Operation unit, 20a ... start key, 20b ... numeric keypad, 21 ... LAN control unit, 22 ... control buffer, 23 ... NCU, 24 ... modem, 30 ... operation panel.

Claims (3)

A reading unit that reads a document conveyed by an automatic document conveyance unit from a bundle of documents placed on a document placing table and generates image data; an image storage unit that stores the image data;
An output condition storage unit that stores output conditions preset by the user in correspondence with the image data stored in the image storage unit;
A preview display control unit that performs image processing based on output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit, and executes preview display of image data;
A selection unit that selects a plurality of image data to be changed in output conditions stored in the output condition storage unit during the preview display;
An image data output apparatus, wherein the changed output condition is re-stored in the output condition storage unit in correspondence with the plurality of selected image data.   The image data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit can collectively select all the image data stored in the image storage unit.   A setting unit for setting a start page and an end page of a document to be previewed in the document bundle is provided, and the number of pages of the document conveyed by the automatic document conveyance unit is counted to correspond to the start page. When a document is read by the reading unit and stored in the image storage unit, a preview display is performed on the image data stored in the image storage unit corresponding to the set start page to end page of the document. The image data output apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image processing is performed and the preview is automatically displayed.