JP2011171841A - Image processor, image forming apparatus, control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor easily and accurately setting the condition of magnification processing when a user has a desired value for the dimension of one part in an image indicated in an original at the time of printing. <P>SOLUTION: A controller 60 sets points 13, 15 on the image preview-displayed on a display device 59a according to an input indicated by a user. Then, the controller 60 sets a dimension indicating the distance of the points 13, 15 in the image to be printed and outputted at the time of outputting, according to the input indicated by the user. The controller 60 performs the magnification processing to image data on the basis of the dimension at the time of outputting, set by the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that handles image data of an image to be printed, and an image forming apparatus including the image processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and multifunction peripherals, functions for setting printing conditions by users have been advanced. The printing conditions mean, for example, printing image quality (density), hue, magnification of magnification processing, editing conditions of editing processing (such as presence / absence of binding margin). Further, some image forming apparatuses display a preview image of a print target image on a display device before executing a printing process (see Patent Document 1). According to such an image forming apparatus, the user can confirm before the printing process whether or not the set printing conditions are appropriate.

JP 2007-36809 A JP-A-4-191758

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a method in which a user inputs a document size and a copy size (size of the entire print image) and sets a magnification based on the document size and the copy size. However, if the user has a desired value for a desired part of the print size in the image shown in the original document, rather than the print size for the entire image shown in the document, the method of Patent Document 2 is used. However, since the desired value cannot be input as it is, the user has to calculate the copy size from the desired value, and there is a problem that it is not easy to set conditions for scaling processing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When the user has a desired value for a part of the printed size in the image shown in the document, the condition setting for the scaling process is simplified. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can be accurately performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus that displays a preview of the image on a display device based on the image data before print processing for printing the image based on the image data is performed. A point setting unit that sets at least two points on the image preview-displayed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user, and the image on the image that is determined according to a predetermined rule by the at least two points According to an instruction input from a user, a distance between the predetermined positions, which is a distance between the predetermined positions in an image printed after the scaling process is performed on the image data. Dimension setting unit to be set, and scaling process for performing scaling process on the image data based on the printing size set in the dimension setting unit Characterized by comprising and.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, the scaling process can be performed on the image data of the image so that the size at the time of printing becomes a value desired by the user. Therefore, in the case where the user determines a desired value for the size of a part of the image to be printed out, there is an effect that the processing conditions for the scaling process can be set easily and accurately.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the predetermined rule may be a rule in which a distance between the two points is the printing size.

  Furthermore, in the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the dimension setting unit may allow a user to input the printing dimensions numerically. As a result, the user can easily set the printing dimensions.

  In addition to the above configuration, the image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of at least one of the two points set by the point setting unit in response to an instruction input from a user. And the dimension setting unit displays a printing size corresponding to the position on the display device based on the image data and the position of the point, and displays on the display device according to the position adjustment. The time dimension is adjusted, and the scaling processing unit performs the scaling process based on the printing size displayed on the display device when a confirmation instruction is received from the user. It may be. According to this configuration, the size at the time of printing is displayed by simply setting two points on the image 12 displayed in preview, and further, when the position of the point is adjusted (changed), it is displayed according to the adjustment. The printed dimensions are adjusted (changed). Therefore, it is possible to easily set the desired value without having to input a numerical value indicating the desired value of the printed dimensions by keyboard operation or the like.

  Furthermore, in the image processing device of the present invention, the point setting unit sets first and second points on an image preview-displayed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user, The predetermined rule corresponds to the distance between the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. And the distance between the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. And the scaling process unit determines a scaling ratio in the horizontal direction of the image in the scaling process according to the first distance, and the scaling process. In the vertical direction of the image Magnification may the looks like determined according to the second distance. According to this configuration, the desired value of the horizontal dimension (first distance) and the desired value of the vertical dimension (second distance) of an arbitrary part on the printed image can be input separately, and each input desired value can be input. The scaling factor is set independently in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction so as to satisfy each other. Therefore, the desired vertical dimension value and the horizontal dimension desired value specified by the user are satisfied at the same time for any part of the image to be printed, and the scaling factor is different in the horizontal and vertical directions. There is an effect that the scaling process can be performed.

  In the image processing device according to the present invention, the point setting unit may include a third point, a fourth point, and a fifth point on the image previewed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user. And the predetermined rule is that the third and fourth points are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. A third distance corresponding to the distance between the third and fifth points when the third and fifth points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. And the fourth distance corresponding to the distance in the printing is a rule for the printing size, and the scaling processing unit determines a scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image in the scaling process according to the third distance, and Image orientation in doubling The magnification ratio may be adapted to determine in response to the fourth distance. As a result, the desired value of the horizontal dimension and the desired value of the vertical dimension of any part of the image to be printed can be separately input, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be independently satisfied so as to satisfy each input desired value. The scaling factor is set. Therefore, the desired vertical dimension value and the horizontal dimension desired value specified by the user are satisfied at the same time for any part of the image to be printed, and the scaling factor is different in the horizontal and vertical directions. There is an effect that the scaling process can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the image processing device of the present invention, the point setting unit is configured to display a sixth point, a seventh point, and an eighth point on the image previewed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user. The ninth point is designated, and the predetermined rule is that the sixth and seventh points when the sixth and seventh points are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. The fifth distance corresponding to the distance between the seven points, and the eighth and ninth points when the eighth and ninth points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. A sixth distance corresponding to a distance between nine points is a rule for the printing size, and the scaling processing unit determines a scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image in the scaling process according to the fifth distance. In the scaling process The vertical scaling ratio of an image may be adapted to determine in response to the sixth distance. As a result, the desired value of the horizontal dimension and the desired value of the vertical dimension of any part of the image to be printed can be separately input, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be independently satisfied so as to satisfy each input desired value. The scaling factor is set. Therefore, the desired vertical dimension value and the horizontal dimension desired value specified by the user are satisfied at the same time for any part of the image to be printed, and the scaling factor is different in the horizontal and vertical directions. There is an effect that the scaling process can be performed.

  In addition to the above configuration, the image processing apparatus of the present invention previews an image corresponding to the set printing size on the display device when the printing size is set in response to an instruction input from a user. You may have the display control part to display. According to the above configuration, since the preview of the output image when the printing process is performed after performing the scaling process based on the set printing size can be confirmed before printing. If it is inappropriate, it is possible to suppress the wasteful printing process.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the image processing apparatus of the present invention sets a printing paper size so that the image does not protrude from the printable range when printing is performed based on the image data after the scaling process. A first paper size setting unit may be included. According to the above configuration, even when the scaling process is performed on the image to be printed, the paper is automatically selected so that the image after the scaling process does not protrude from the printable range. There is an effect that it is possible to suppress a situation in which partially missing printing is performed.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention sets a print paper size when printing is performed based on the image data after the scaling process in response to an instruction input from a user. You may have a paper size setting part. According to the above configuration, when the scaling process is a reduction process and the image is sufficiently within the printable range even if the print paper size is reduced, the print paper size is set according to an instruction input from the user. By reducing the size, it is possible to save the cost for paper and to suppress wasteful resource consumption.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above configuration, the image processing apparatus of the present invention may include a unit changing unit that changes the unit of the printing size in response to an instruction input from a user. According to the said structure, since the unit of a predetermined dimension can be changed, there exists a merit that it is convenient for a user. Units include meters (millimeters), inches, and the like.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately set processing conditions for scaling processing in a case where a user determines a desired value for the size of a part of an image to be printed out. .

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing system having a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the multifunction machine during a copy process. It is the figure which showed the operation screen displayed on a display apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen displayed on the display device after scanning and before printing during copy processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen of FIG. 6B. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen according to the first embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the second embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the third embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to the third embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the third embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the third embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to the third embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment that is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen of Example 4 that is displayed next to the screen of FIG. 9B. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. 9C. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen of FIG. 9D. FIG. 10 is a view showing a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview confirmation screen according to a fourth embodiment, which is displayed next to the screen illustrated in FIG. It is the figure which showed the button for designating the magnification direction. It is a figure which shows the preview confirmation screen where the paper size designation | designated button was displayed. It is a figure which shows the preview confirmation screen at the time of performing the scaling area designation | designated function. It is a figure which shows the preview confirmation screen when the unit of the dimension at the time of output is set to millimeter. It is a figure which shows the preview confirmation screen when the unit of the dimension at the time of output is set to inch.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image processing system constructed by a digital multifunction peripheral and an external device connected to the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.

  A digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as “multifunction peripheral”) 100 is an image forming apparatus capable of executing print processing, copy processing (copying processing), facsimile transmission processing, facsimile reception processing, image transmission processing, and the like. A PC 200 is connected to the MFP 100 via a LAN (local area network) 600. The MFP 100 is connected to the PC 300 and the FAX 400 via the Internet 700, a gateway (not shown), and a LAN 600. The PCs 200 and 300 are general-purpose personal computers. The FAX 400 is an Internet facsimile that transmits image data attached to an e-mail. Furthermore, a FAX 500 is connected to the multifunction device 100 via a public telephone line 800. A FAX 500 is a facsimile apparatus that transmits an image signal using a public telephone line 800.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multi-function device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 100 includes a scanner 51, a printer 52, a memory unit 53, a storage device 54, a compression / decompression unit 55, a format conversion unit 56, a modem 57, a LAN control unit 58, an operation panel 59, and a control device. 60.

  The scanner 51 is an image reading unit that reads an original and generates image data. More specifically, the scanner 51 has a line sensor composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), converts light reflected from the document into an electrical signal, and image data indicating an image of the document from the electrical signal. Is generated.

  The printer 52 is an electrophotographic color printer that prints (outputs) an image of input image data on paper. The printer 52 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an ink jet method.

  The memory unit 53 includes a non-volatile memory in which control programs handled by the multifunction peripheral 100 and destination information used for FAX transmission are stored, a backup memory, a buffer for temporarily storing various data, and the like. . The storage device 54 is a hard disk device for temporarily storing image data handled by the multifunction peripheral 100 and job data processed by the multifunction peripheral 100.

  The compression / decompression unit 55 performs encoding of image data and decoding of encoded image data. That is, the compression / decompression unit 55 encodes and compresses an image signal and decodes (expands) the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The compression / decompression unit 55 performs encoding and decoding using encoding methods such as MH (Modified Hufman), MR (Modified READ), and MMR (Modified Modified READ) that are generally used in facsimile communication. Do. Also, the encoding compression is performed for each page of the document.

  The format conversion unit 56 is a block that converts the image data encoded by the compression / decompression unit 55 into a file of a predetermined format. The modem 57 performs facsimile communication via the public telephone line 800. An NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown) connects the modem 57 and the public telephone line 800 during communication, and disconnects the modem 57 and the public telephone line 800 during non-communication.

  The LAN control unit 58 is a block that is connected to the LAN 600 and performs communication of electronic mail data and Internet FAX via the Internet. In communication using the Internet FAX, the image data generated by the scanner 51 is compressed in a compression format such as MH to generate a compressed file, and this compressed file is converted into one TIFF (Tag Image File Format) file. The TIFF file is attached to the multipart mail according to, for example, MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension). That is, the image data is converted into an e-mail format and is transmitted by the LAN control unit 58 using a mail transfer protocol such as SMTP via the LAN interface.

  The operation panel 59 is a user interface for inputting various commands related to the multifunction peripheral 100 and performing various settings. As shown in FIG. 3A, the operation panel 59 is provided with a hardware key for the user to input and set and a display device 59a. The hardware key accepts instructions such as a numeric keypad 59b for inputting numerical values, a clear key 59c for clearing input setting values, an all canceling key 59d for canceling all input settings, and a job start. A start key 59e, a print processing mode, a transmission processing mode, mode switching keys 59f, 59g, 59h for switching the copy processing mode, and a system setting key 59i for accepting a setting by the user are included.

  The display device 59a is a liquid crystal display capable of displaying a color image, and displays various information related to the multifunction peripheral 100. The display device 59a also has a touch panel attached, and functions as an input interface that can accept an input instruction by touching a displayed button with a finger. In other words, the display device 59a displays an operation screen showing buttons for performing operations such as inputting various commands to the multifunction device 100. The display device 59a is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be a display device of another display method such as an organic EL display or a CRT.

  The control device 60 is a computer that performs control of hardware included in the multifunction peripheral 100, control of data transfer between the hardware, and processing of image data handled by the multifunction peripheral 100. The control device 60 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and causes the processor and the ASIC to perform data processing. It has become.

  Specifically, the control device 60 controls each hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to an instruction from the user, and realizes print processing, copy processing, facsimile transmission processing, facsimile reception processing, image transmission processing, and the like. It is like that. In other words, the control device 60 transfers the image data to the printer 52 and causes the printer 52 to perform printing processing, transfers the image data to the display device 59a, displays the image on the display device 59a, and displays the image as necessary. Image processing is performed on the data. That is, it can be said that the control device 60 also functions as an image processing device that handles image data.

  Note that the print processing is processing for causing the printer 52 to print an image of image data received from the external terminal by the multifunction peripheral 100. Copy processing is processing for causing the printer 52 to print an image of image data read by the scanner 51. The facsimile transmission process is a process for transmitting image data from the multifunction peripheral 100 to an external device by facsimile. The facsimile reception process is a process in which the multifunction peripheral 100 causes the printer 52 to print an image of image data received from an external device by facsimile. The image transmission process is a process of transmitting an image of image data read by the scanner 51 to a predetermined address on the network connected to the multifunction peripheral 100.

  Further, in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display a preview image of the print target on the display device 59a before the printing process, the copy process, and the facsimile reception process. In addition, it is possible to display a preview image of the transmission target on the display device 59a before the transmission processing in the facsimile transmission processing and the image transmission processing. Hereinafter, the preview display will be described in detail by taking the copy process as an example.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of the multifunction peripheral 100 during the copy process. First, the user sets a document on the document table of the scanner 51 or the automatic document feeder (S1). Next, the user sets processing conditions for copy processing using the operation screen displayed on the display device 59a (S2). Specifically, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed before the start of scanning in the copy processing, and the user sets processing conditions using the operation screen. For example, when the double-sided copy button 1 shown in FIG. 5A is pressed, a double-sided copy setting screen is displayed on the display device 59a so that double-sided copy can be set as a processing condition using this double-sided copy setting screen. It has become. When the preview confirmation button 2 shown in FIG. 5A is pressed, a preview display is set as a processing condition.

  After setting the processing conditions in S2, the user inputs a scan start command. When the control device 60 receives the scan start command (YES in S3), the control device 60 causes the scanner 51 to read image data from the document (S4). The scan start command can be input by pressing the start key 59e shown in FIG.

  When the preview display is not set in S2, the control device 60 causes the printer 52 to print the image of the image data without causing the display device 59a to perform the preview display after the image data reading process in S3 (S5). NO, S11).

  On the other hand, when the preview display is set in S2, the control device 60 performs a process of generating an image for preview display based on the image data after the image data reading process (S6). The image is displayed as a preview on the display device 59a (S7). Specifically, the control device 60 displays a preview confirmation screen as shown in FIG. The preview confirmation screen also shows various operation buttons for resetting conditions or performing various instructions in addition to the image 3 to be printed that is displayed as a preview. Note that the image of the preview display reflects the contents of the processing conditions set in S2.

  Further, when conditions such as double-sided copying and stapling / punching are set, the finish display button 5 in FIG. 5B is activated, and when the finish display button 5 is pressed, a preview of the image reflecting the conditions is displayed. It is also displayed.

  If the processing condition is reset while the image to be printed is displayed as a preview (YES in S8), control device 60 regenerates a preview image corresponding to the reset processing condition ( S9) A preview of the regenerated image is displayed on the display device 59a. For example, if assigned document printing (2 in 1 printing) is set, an image reflecting the setting contents is displayed.

  When a copy start command is input while the image to be printed is displayed as a preview, the control device 60 causes the printer 52 to print an image of the image data based on the set processing condition (S10). YES, S11), and the copy process is terminated. The copy start command is input by pressing the copy start button shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, it is possible to display a preview of an image to be printed before printing processing. Further, in the present embodiment, when scaling processing is performed on image data of an image to be printed, processing conditions for scaling processing are set using a preview display function and a touch panel function. Hereinafter, Examples 1 to 4 relating to this point will be described.

[Example 1]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (f). In the first embodiment, when a print target image (hereinafter simply referred to as “print target image”) is displayed as a preview, a touch scaling button 10 is displayed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 6A, the graphic indicated by reference numeral 12 is a print target image displayed as a preview, and the rectangle indicated by reference numeral P is a preview display of printing paper.

  Then, when the user presses the touch scaling button 10 shown in FIG. 6A, the control device 60 designates the first arbitrary point on the print target image 12 displayed as a preview. A prompt message is displayed on the display device 59a. Specifically, when the touch scaling button 10 is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 6 (a) to FIG. 6 (b), and a message 11 as shown in FIG. 6 (b) is displayed. Will be.

  When the user touches an arbitrary point on the print target image 12 on the display device 59a with the finger during the display of the message 11 in FIG. 6B, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. A point 13 is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12 displayed as a preview, and a message 14 prompting the user to specify a second arbitrary point is displayed on the display device 59a. That is, when the first point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 6 (b) to FIG. 6 (c).

  Next, when the user touches the second arbitrary point in the print target image 12 on the display device 59a with the finger during the display of the message 14, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. Then, the point 15 is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12 displayed as a preview. That is, when the second point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 6 (c) to FIG. 6 (d).

  As described above, the control device 60 sets the two points 13 and 15 on the print target image 12 in accordance with an instruction input from the user.

  After setting the points 13 and 15, the control device 60 prints out the current setting conditions based on the image data of the image to be printed and the positions of the points 13 and 15 as shown in FIG. In this case, the output size is automatically calculated and displayed on the display device 59a (reference numeral 17). The output dimension (printing dimension) in this embodiment is the distance between the point 13 and the point 15 on the printed image.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the control device 60 displays a message 16 that prompts the user to input a desired value of the output size as well as the output size when printing is output under the current setting conditions. To display.

  When the user inputs a desired value for output dimensions using the numeric keypad 59b while the screen of FIG. 6D is displayed, the control device 60, as indicated by reference numeral 18 in FIG. 6E. The input output dimension value is confirmed on the display device 59a. That is, in this embodiment, the user inputs 60 mm as the desired value for the output dimension, and the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 6 (d) to FIG. 6 (e). Further, when the desired value of the output dimension is input, the control device 60 displays the re-preview button 19 on the display device 59a as shown in FIG. 6 (e).

  When the user presses the re-preview button 19 shown in FIG. 6E, the control device 60 sets a desired value of the output dimension inputted by the user as a processing condition, and sets the set processing condition. The reflected print target image is regenerated, and the regenerated print target image is previewed on the display device 59a. In this embodiment, when the re-preview button 19 is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 6 (e) to FIG. 6 (f).

  In this embodiment, the output dimension set before the user inputs the desired value is 40 mm, and the output dimension set after the user inputs the desired value is 60 mm. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the scaling process is performed on the image data so that the distance between the points 13 and 15 on the printed image becomes the desired value of the output size input by the user. The image after the scaling process is larger than the image before the scaling process. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the print target image 12 ′ (see FIG. 6F) displayed as a preview after the re-preview button 19 is pressed is displayed as a preview before the re-preview button 19 is pressed. It becomes larger than the print target image 12 (see FIG. 6E).

  Further, after the re-preview button 19 is pressed, a reset button 20 is displayed as shown in FIG. When the reset button 20 is pressed, the state before the start of the scaling condition setting process is returned (that is, the state returns from FIG. 6 (f) to FIG. 6 (a)).

  In the state of FIG. 6F, when the user presses the copy start button 6, the control device 60 performs image processing on the image data based on the setting conditions at the time when the copy start button 6 is pressed. Then, the image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. Specifically, the control device 60 calculates a scaling factor such that the distance between the points 13 and 15 on the image to be printed is the desired value of the output dimension input by the user, and the image is obtained with this scaling factor. A scaling process is performed on the data, and the image data subjected to the scaling process is supplied to the printer 52 to perform a printing process. As a result, the printing process is executed after the scaling process based on the processing condition (size at output) of the scaling process set by the user. That is, in the image printed on the paper, the distance between the points 13 and 15 is 60 mm.

  As described above, the control device 60 according to the present embodiment functions as a point setting unit that sets two points on the image preview-displayed on the display device 59a in response to an instruction input from the user. Then, the control device 60 outputs the size at the time of printing (the size at the time of printing), which is the distance between the two points on the image printed out after performing the scaling process on the image data, to the instruction input from the user. It functions as a dimension setting unit that is set accordingly. Furthermore, the control device 60 also functions as a scaling processing unit that performs scaling processing on the image data based on the set printing dimensions.

  According to the configuration described above, the scaling process can be performed on the image data of the image so that the output size becomes a value desired by the user. Therefore, in the case where the user determines a desired value for the size of a part of the image to be printed out, there is an effect that the processing conditions for the scaling process can be set easily and accurately.

  Further, the control device 60 of the present embodiment displays a preview image on the display device 59a on the display device 59a when the output size is set in response to an instruction input from the user. As a function. Therefore, since the user can check the preview of the output image when performing the scaling process based on the set output dimensions, the user can check the suitability of the set output dimensions before printing. This is advantageous in that it is possible to suppress unnecessary printing processing when it is inappropriate.

  In the scaling process executed in this embodiment, the scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image (direction corresponding to the main scanning direction) is the same as the scaling factor in the vertical direction of the image (direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction). Determined by value. Therefore, as is apparent from FIGS. 6A to 6F, when the distance between the points 13 and 15 is set to 60 mm, if only the horizontal direction is changed, the vertical direction is not changed. However, in this embodiment, the vertical direction is also scaled at the same magnification as the horizontal direction. Here, the sub-scanning direction is parallel to the surface of the printing paper and the paper transport direction of the printing paper in the printer 52, and the main scanning direction is parallel to the surface of the printing paper and perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction. . In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the short side of the printing paper P in FIG. 6A corresponds to the main scanning direction, and the direction parallel to the long side of the printing paper P corresponds to the sub-scanning direction.

  In this embodiment, the control device 60 sets points from the touch area of the user's finger in the state of FIG. 6B or FIG. 6C. This setting method is described below. explain. In principle, when the control device 60 detects the touch area of the user's finger in the state of FIG. 6B or FIG. 6C, the control device 60 recognizes the center point of the touch area as the position of the point. It has become. However, when the position of the center point of the touch area of the user's finger is not on the print target image 12, the control device 60 does not recognize the center point as the position of the point. For example, when the touch area overlaps only the background portion of the printing paper P, for example, the control device 60 does not recognize the center point of the touch area as the position of the point, and the center point is on the print target image 12. Keep waiting until positioned.

  In this embodiment, the point is specified with a finger, but it may be performed with a touch pen, or the point may be specified by moving the cursor with a mouse or a keyboard.

  Further, in this embodiment, scaling processing is performed in which the vertical scaling factor of the image and the horizontal scaling factor of the image are the same, but one of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is designated by the user, The scaling process may be performed only in the designated direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the direction designation button 70 is displayed below the touch magnification button 10 and the user presses the direction designation button 70, the magnification direction of the magnification process can be designated. It may be. However, in this embodiment, when the vertical direction is designated as the magnification changing direction, the user must position the points 13 and 15 so that the straight line connecting the points 13 and 15 does not become parallel to the horizontal direction. When the horizontal direction is designated as the zoom direction, the user must position the points 13 and 15 so that the straight line connecting the points 13 and 15 does not become parallel to the vertical direction. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 70a indicates a state where the direction designation button is pressed.

[Example 2]
Next, Example 2 will be described based on FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (f). Also in the second embodiment, when the print target image 12a is displayed as a preview, the touch scaling button 10a is displayed as shown in FIG.

  When the user presses the touch scaling button 10a shown in FIG. 7A, the control device 60 prompts the user to designate the first arbitrary point on the print target image 12a displayed as a preview. Is displayed on the display device 59a. Specifically, when the touch scaling button 10a is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 7 (a) to FIG. 7 (b) as in the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 (b). A message 11a as shown in FIG.

  When the user touches an arbitrary point in the print target image 12a on the display device 59a with the finger during the display of the message 11a in FIG. 7B, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. 7C, A message 24 is displayed on the display device 59a to display the point 13a at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12a displayed in the preview, and to prompt the user to specify the second arbitrary point and drag the point after the specification. Display. That is, when the first point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 7B to FIG. 7C.

  If the user touches the second arbitrary point in the print target image 12a on the display device 59a with the finger while the message 24 shown in FIG. As shown, the point 15a is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12a displayed as a preview. That is, when the second point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 7 (c) to FIG. 7 (d). Note that after setting the second point, also in this embodiment, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. 7D, based on the image data of the image to be printed and the positions of the points 13a and 15a. The output size when printed out under the current setting conditions is automatically calculated and displayed on the display device 59a (reference numeral 17a). Note that the output size (predetermined size) of the present embodiment is the distance between the point 13a and the point 15a on the printed image as in the first embodiment.

  After setting the second point, the control device 60 displays a message 25 that prompts the user to set a desired output dimension by dragging the points 13a and 15a, as shown in FIG. 7D. The information is displayed on the device 59a. Here, the dragging of the points 13a and 15a is performed by a multi-touch function. That is, when a finger is placed on the point 13a and the finger is slid on the display device 59a, the point 13a moves along with the slide, and when the finger is released from the point 13a, the position of the point 13a is a place where the finger is separated. To be decided. The same applies to the point 15a.

  When the user adjusts the interval between the points 13a and 15a on the display device 59a by dragging the points 13a and 15a, the control device 60 displays on the display device 59a according to the change in the interval between the points 13a and 15a. Adjust the output dimension value. For example, by expanding the interval between the points 13a and 15a, the display content displayed on the display device 59a is changed from the state of FIG. 7D to the state of FIG. 7F through the state of FIG. 7 (d) to FIG. 7 (f), the displayed output size (reference numeral 17a) increases as the distance between the points 13a and 15a increases. It has become.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7D to 7F, not only the output size is adjusted according to the change in the interval between the points 13a and 15a, but also the size of the print target image 12a to be previewed. Also change. That is, when the output size is adjusted, an image printed out when the scaling process is performed based on the adjusted output size is displayed as a preview.

  Then, when the user releases the finger from the points 13a and 15a to complete the dragging, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. 7 (f), the message 26 prompting the readjustment of the output dimensions and the reset button 20a. Is displayed on the display device 59a. In this embodiment, as shown in the message 26, by pressing the touch scaling button 10a, the points 13a and 15a can be dragged again to adjust the output dimensions again. Further, when the reset button 20a is pressed, the state before the start of the scaling condition setting process is returned (that is, the state returns from FIG. 7 (f) to FIG. 7 (a)).

  Further, when the points 13a and 15a are displayed (that is, in the state of FIG. 7D or FIG. 7F), when the user presses the copy start button 6a, the control device 60 causes the copy start button 6 After image processing is performed on the image data based on the setting conditions at the time when 6a is pressed, the image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. Specifically, in the control device 60, the distance between the points 13a and 15a on the image to be printed is the output size displayed on the display device 59a at the present time (when the copy start button 6a is pressed). Such a scaling ratio is calculated, the scaling process is performed on the image data at the scaling ratio, and the image data subjected to the scaling process is supplied to the printer 52 to perform a printing process. As a result, the printing process is performed after the scaling process based on the processing condition (size at output) of the scaling process set by the user.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the control device 60 functions as a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of at least one of the two set points in accordance with an instruction input from the user. Further, the control device 60 causes the display device 59a to display the output size corresponding to the position based on the image data of the image to be printed and the position of the point, and causes the display device 59a to respond to the position adjustment. The output dimensions to be displayed are adjusted. Further, the control device 60 performs a scaling process based on the output size displayed on the display device 59a when a copy start instruction (confirmation instruction) is received.

  According to the configuration described above, the output size between the two points is displayed just by setting the two points on the print target image 12a displayed in the preview, and further, the position of the point is adjusted (changed). In response to the adjustment, the displayed output dimensions are also adjusted (changed). Therefore, it is possible to easily set the desired value of the output dimension between the two specified points to the desired value without having to input it by keyboard operation or the like.

[Example 3]
In the first embodiment, the distance between the two points 13 and 15 is set by the user as an output size (print size). However, the form of the output dimensions is not limited to that of the first embodiment.

  Specifically, the output size is a size between predetermined positions on an image determined by two points 13 and 15 according to a predetermined rule, and is an image that is printed out after scaling processing is performed on the image data. What is necessary is just the dimension between the said predetermined positions. An example of the predetermined rule is a rule in which the distance between the two points is the output size, and the output size in this case is that of the first embodiment. On the other hand, as another example of the predetermined rule, the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. A first distance corresponding to the distance between the points, and the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. The rule which makes the said 2nd distance equivalent to the distance between points the said dimension at the time of output is mentioned. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which this rule is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (f).

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the other embodiments, when the print target image is displayed as a preview, the touch scaling button 10b is displayed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, images, buttons, and the like that are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 are the same as images, buttons, and the like that are assigned the same reference numerals in FIG.

  When the user presses the touch scaling button 10b shown in FIG. 8A, the control device 60 prompts the user to designate the first arbitrary point on the print target image 12b displayed as a preview. 11b is displayed on the display device 59a. Specifically, when the touch scaling button 10b is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 8 (a) to FIG. 8 (b) as in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 (b). The message 11b as shown in FIG.

  When the user touches an arbitrary point in the print target image 12b on the display device 59a with the finger during the display of the message 11b in FIG. 8B, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. A point 13b is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12b displayed as a preview, and a message 14b that prompts the user to specify a second arbitrary point is displayed on the display device 59a. That is, when the first point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 8B to FIG. 8C.

  Next, when the user touches the second arbitrary point in the print target image 12b on the display device 59a with the finger while the message 14b is being displayed, the control device 60 causes the control device 60 to display as shown in FIG. The point 15b is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12b displayed as a preview. That is, when the second point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 8 (c) to FIG. 8 (d).

  As described above, the control device 60 sets the two points 13b and 15b on the print target image 12 in accordance with an instruction input from the user.

  After setting the points 13b and 15b, the control device 60 prints out the current setting conditions based on the image data of the image to be printed and the positions of the points 13b and 15b, as shown in FIG. 8D. In this case, the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension are automatically calculated and displayed on the display device 59a (reference numeral 30 indicates the current output X-axis dimension, and reference numeral 31 indicates the current output Y-axis dimension. Dimensions).

  Here, the output X-axis dimension (first distance) is a point when the points 13b and 15b are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the printed image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. It is a value corresponding to the distance between 13b and 15b. The output Y-axis dimension (second distance) is the point 13b when the points 13b and 15b are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the printed image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. A value corresponding to the distance between 15b.

  The horizontal direction (X-axis direction) is a direction corresponding to the main scanning direction, and the vertical direction (Y-axis direction) is a direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction. In this embodiment, the direction parallel to the short side of the printing paper P corresponds to the main scanning direction, and the direction parallel to the long side of the printing paper P corresponds to the sub-scanning direction. Further, one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image is a side indicated by reference numeral P1 in FIG. 8D, and one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image is a side indicated by reference numeral P2 in FIG. 8D. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 8D, the current output X-axis dimension is 40 mm, and the current output Y-axis dimension is 160 mm.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8D, the control device 60 not only outputs the X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension when printed out under the current setting conditions, but also outputs the X-axis dimension and the output time. A message 32 prompting the user to input a desired value of the Y-axis dimension is displayed on the display device 59a.

  When the user inputs a desired value for the output X-axis dimension and a desired value for the output Y-axis dimension using the numeric keypad 59b, the control device 60 displays a re-preview button 19b as shown in FIG. In addition, the input desired value is displayed on the display device 59a (see reference numerals 33 and 34). That is, in this embodiment, the user inputs 60 mm as the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and 160 mm as the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension. Note that after the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension are input, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 8 (d) to FIG. 8 (e).

  When the user presses the re-preview button 19b shown in FIG. 8E, the control device 60 sets the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension inputted to the user. A preview print target image that is set as a processing condition and reflects the set processing condition is regenerated, and the regenerated print target image is previewed on the display device 59a. In the present embodiment, when the re-preview button 19b is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 8 (e) to FIG. 8 (f).

  In the scaling process of the present embodiment, the scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image (direction corresponding to the main scanning direction) and the scaling factor in the vertical direction of the image (direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction) are determined separately. . That is, the horizontal scaling factor and the vertical scaling factor may be the same value or different values. Specifically, the horizontal scaling factor of the image is set to a value such that the X-axis dimension at the time of output becomes a user's desired value, and the vertical scaling factor of the image is the Y-axis dimension at the time of output of the user. The value is set to a desired value.

  In the present embodiment, the output X-axis dimension before the user inputs the desired value is 40 mm, and the output X-axis dimension after the user inputs the desired value is 60 mm. A first scaling factor is calculated such that the length in the direction is 1.5 times. Further, since the Y-axis dimension at the time of output before the user inputs the desired value is 160 mm and the X-axis dimension at the time of output after the user inputs the desired value is 160 mm, the length in the vertical direction of the image The second scaling factor is calculated so that becomes 1 (ie, the scaling factor is 1). At the time of scaling processing, scaling is performed at the first scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image, and further scaling is performed at the second scaling factor in the vertical direction of the image. Yes.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 (f) and 8 (e), the re-preview button 19 is displayed on the print target image 12b ′ displayed after the re-preview button 19b is pressed. The length in the horizontal direction is larger than that of the print target image 12b displayed as a preview before being pressed, but the length in the vertical direction is the same.

  Thereafter, when the user presses the copy start button 6b shown in FIG. 8 (f), the control device 60 performs image processing on the image data based on the setting conditions at the time when the copy start button 6b is pressed. Then, the image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. Specifically, the control device 60 performs the scaling process on the image data so that the output X-axis dimension and the output X-axis dimension become the desired values input by the user, and the scaling process is performed. The image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. As a result, the scaling process based on the processing conditions for the scaling process set by the user (the output X-axis dimension and the output X-axis dimension) is performed, and then the printing process is executed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to an instruction input from the user, the control device 60 has the points 13b (first point) and 15b (second point) on the image displayed as a preview on the display device 59a. It functions as a point setting section for setting points. Further, the control device 60 corresponds to the distance between the points 13b and 15b when the points 13b and 15b are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to be printed so as to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. The output X-axis dimension and the distance between the points 13b and 15b when the points 13b and 15b are moved in parallel to the horizontal direction of the image to be printed to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. It functions as a dimension setting unit for setting the corresponding Y axis dimension during output. Further, the control device 60 determines the horizontal scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the output X-axis dimension, and determines the vertical scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the Y-axis dimension at the output time. It is to be determined.

  According to the above configuration, a desired value of the vertical dimension and a desired value of the horizontal dimension of an arbitrary part on the print target image 12b can be input separately, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are set so as to satisfy each input desired value. The zoom ratio is set independently for each. Therefore, the desired value of the vertical dimension and the desired value of the horizontal dimension specified by the user are simultaneously satisfied for an arbitrary part on the print target image 12b, and the scaling ratio is different between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Scaling processing can be performed.

[Example 4]
In the third embodiment, the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension are set using two points, but the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension are set using three points. Form may be sufficient. Example 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9G. In FIG. 9, images, buttons, and the like that are assigned the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 6 to 8 are the same as images, buttons, and the like that are assigned the same reference numerals in FIGS. 6 to 8.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, when the print target image is displayed as a preview, a touch scaling button 10c is displayed as shown in FIG. 9A.

  When the user presses the touch scaling button 10c shown in FIG. 9A, the control device 60 prompts the user to designate the first arbitrary point on the print target image 12c displayed as a preview. Is displayed on the display device 59a. Specifically, when the touch scaling button 10c is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 9 (a) to FIG. 9 (b) as in the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 (b). A message 11c as shown in FIG.

  When the user touches an arbitrary point in the print target image 12c on the display device 59a with a finger while the message 11c in FIG. 9B is displayed, the control device 60 causes the control device 60 to display as shown in FIG. 9C. A point 13c is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12c displayed as a preview, and a message 14c that prompts the user to specify a second arbitrary point is displayed on the display device 59a. That is, when the first point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 9B to FIG. 9C.

  When the user touches the second arbitrary point in the print target image 12c on the display device 59a with the finger while the message 14c is being displayed, the control device 60 displays a preview as shown in FIG. The point 15c is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12c. That is, when the second point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 9 (c) to FIG. 9 (d).

  When two points are designated by the user, as shown in FIG. 9D, the control device 60 not only displays the points 13c and 15c, but also designates the third arbitrary point. Is displayed on the display device 59a. Further, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), the control device 60 causes the display device 59a to display the output X-axis size when printing is performed under the current setting conditions, along with the display of the points 13c and 15c. reference). The output X-axis dimension of the present embodiment means that the first point 13c and the second point 15c are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the image to be printed and reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. This is a value corresponding to the distance between the points 13c and 15c in the case of being made.

  When the user touches the third arbitrary point in the print target image 12c on the display device 59a with the finger during the display of the message 41, the control device 60 displays a preview as shown in FIG. The point 42 is displayed at the touch position of the user on the print target image 12c. That is, when the third point is designated by the user, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 9 (d) to FIG. 9 (e).

  As described above, the control device 60 sets the three points 13c, 15c, and 42 on the print target image 12c in response to an instruction input from the user.

  Further, after the setting of the third point 42, the control device 60, as shown in FIG. 9E, in addition to the output X-axis dimension (see reference numeral 30c) when printed out under the current setting conditions, The Y-axis dimension at the time of output is displayed on the display device 59a (see reference numeral 31c). Note that the Y-axis dimension at the time of output in this embodiment is that the first point 13c and the third point 42 are moved in parallel to the horizontal direction of the image to be printed, and reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. This is a value corresponding to the distance between the points 13c and 15c in the case of being made. As shown in FIG. 9E, the current output X-axis dimension is 40 mm, and the current output Y-axis dimension is 80 mm.

  After the setting of the third point 42, as shown in FIG. 9 (e), the control device 60, not only the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension when printed out under the current setting conditions, A message 43 urging input of desired values of the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension is displayed on the display device 59a.

  When the user inputs a desired value for the output X-axis dimension and a desired value for the output Y-axis dimension using the numeric keypad 59b, the control device 60 displays a re-preview button 19c as shown in FIG. 9 (f). In addition, the input desired value is displayed on the display device 59a (see reference numerals 33c and 34c). That is, in this embodiment, the user inputs 60 mm as the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and 60 mm as the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension. Note that after the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension are input, the display content of the display device 59a transitions from FIG. 9 (e) to FIG. 9 (f).

  Then, when the user presses the re-preview button 19c shown in FIG. 9 (f), the control device 60 sets the desired value of the output X-axis dimension and the desired value of the output Y-axis dimension inputted to the user. A preview print target image that is set as a processing condition and reflects the set processing condition is regenerated, and the regenerated print target image is previewed on the display device 59a. In the present embodiment, when the re-preview button 19c is pressed, the display content of the display device 59a changes from FIG. 9 (f) to FIG. 9 (g).

  In the scaling process of the present embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, the scaling ratio in the horizontal direction (direction corresponding to the main scanning direction) of the image and the scaling ratio in the vertical direction (direction corresponding to the sub-scanning direction) of the image. The horizontal scaling ratio of the image is set to a value that the user's desired X-axis dimension is set to the user's desired value, and the vertical scaling ratio of the image is the Y-axis dimension when outputting. It is set to a value that will be the desired value for the user. In this embodiment, the output X-axis dimension before the user inputs the desired value is 40 mm, and the output X-axis dimension after the user inputs the desired value is 60 mm. The first scaling factor is calculated such that the length of the first is 1.5. Further, since the Y-axis dimension at the time of output before the user inputs the desired value is 80 mm and the X-axis dimension at the time of output after the user inputs the desired value is 60 mm, the length in the vertical direction of the image The second scaling factor is calculated such that becomes 0.75 times. At the time of scaling processing, scaling is performed at the first scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image, and further scaling is performed at the second scaling factor in the vertical direction of the image. .

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 (g) and 9 (f), the re-preview button 19 is displayed on the print target image 12c ′ displayed as a preview after the re-preview button 19 is pressed. Compared to the print target image 12c displayed as a preview before being pressed, the length in the horizontal direction is larger, while the length in the vertical direction is smaller.

  Thereafter, when the user presses the copy start button 6c shown in FIG. 9G, the control device 60 performs image processing on the image data based on the setting conditions at the time when the copy start button 6c is pressed. Then, the image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. Specifically, the control device 60 performs the scaling process on the image data so that the output X-axis dimension and the output X-axis dimension become the desired values input by the user, and the scaling process is performed. The image data is supplied to the printer 52 to perform printing processing. Thereby, the printing process is executed after the scaling process based on the processing conditions of the scaling process set by the user is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to an instruction input from the user, the control device 60 displays the points 13c (third point) and 15c (first point) on the image displayed as a preview on the display device 59a. 4 points), and functions as a point setting unit for setting points 42 (fifth point). In addition, the control device 60 corresponds to the distance between the points 13c and 15c when the points 13c and 15c are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to be printed to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. Output X-axis dimension (third distance) and points 13c and 42 when the points 13c and 42 are moved in parallel to the horizontal direction of the printed image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image It functions as a dimension setting unit that sets the output Y-axis dimension (fourth distance) corresponding to the distance. Further, the control device 60 determines the horizontal scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the output X-axis dimension, and determines the vertical scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the Y-axis dimension at the output time. It is to be determined.

  According to the above configuration, a desired value of the vertical dimension and a desired value of the horizontal dimension of an arbitrary part on the print target image can be separately input, and the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are satisfied so as to satisfy each input desired value. The scaling factor is set independently for each. Therefore, the desired vertical dimension value and horizontal dimension desired value specified by the user are satisfied at the same time for any part of the image to be printed, and the scaling ratio is different between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Double processing can be performed.

  In this embodiment, the distance between the points 13c and 15c when the first point 13c and the second point 15c are made to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image is the X-axis dimension at the time of output. In this embodiment, the distance between the points 13c and 42 when the point 13c and the third point 42 are made to reach one side parallel to the longitudinal direction of the image is the Y-axis dimension at the time of output. Is not to be done. For example, when the first point 13c and the second point 15c reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image, the distance between the points 13c and 15c is the X-axis dimension at the time of output, and the second point 15c A form in which the distance between the points 15c and 42 when the third point 42 reaches one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image is the Y-axis dimension at the time of output may be used. Further, the distance between the points 13c and 42 when the first point 13c and the third point 42 reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image is the X-axis dimension at the time of output, and the second point 15c A form in which the distance between the points 15c and 42 when the third point 42 reaches one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image is the Y-axis dimension at the time of output may be used.

  Alternatively, the output X-axis dimension and the output Y-axis dimension may be set by designating four points. That is, in this embodiment, the control device 60 sets the points a, b, c, and d on the image displayed as a preview on the display device 59a in response to an instruction input from the user. Further, the control device 60 uses the points a, b, c, and d to output the output X-axis dimension (fifth distance) and the output Y-axis dimension (sixth distance) in response to an instruction input from the user. Set. Here, the output X-axis dimension is set so that the point a (sixth point) and the point b (seventh point) are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to be printed and are parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. It is a value corresponding to the distance between the points a and b in the case of reaching. As for the Y-axis dimension at the time of output, the point c (eighth point) and the point d (nine point) are moved in parallel to the horizontal direction of the image to be printed so as to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. This is a value corresponding to the distance between the points c and d. Then, the control device 60 determines the horizontal scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the output X-axis dimension, and determines the vertical scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to the Y-axis dimension at the output time. It is to be determined. Even in such a form, the desired value of the vertical dimension and the desired value of the horizontal dimension specified by the user are satisfied at the same time for an arbitrary part on the print target image, and change in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. It is possible to perform a scaling process with different magnifications.

[Modification]
The control device 60 (first paper size setting unit) sets the scaling process, and when printing is performed based on the image data after the scaling process, the image does not protrude from the printable range. Such a printing paper size may be set. As a result, even if scaling processing is performed on the image to be printed, paper that does not protrude from the printable range is automatically selected. The effect that it can suppress the situation where the printed is performed is produced. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when scaling processing is performed, a message 81 indicating a paper size that does not protrude from the printable range is displayed, and the paper size displayed in the message 81 is displayed. The printing process may be performed using the paper.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 60 (second paper size setting unit) displays a paper size designation button 80, and selects a paper size in response to an instruction input from the user. Also good. As a result, if the scaling process is a reduction process and the image is sufficiently within the printable range even if the print paper size is reduced, the print paper size is reduced in response to an instruction input from the user. Thus, it is possible to save the cost for paper and to suppress wasteful resource consumption.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, when a scaling area designation button 84 is displayed and this scaling area designation button 84 is pressed, an area to be subjected to scaling processing may be designated. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the points A to D are designated by the user on the print paper P displayed as a preview, and the inside of the rectangular area having the points A to D as vertices is the area to which the scaling process is performed. Will be set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, the control device 60 (unit changing unit) displays the unit setting button 85 on the display device 59a, and when the user touches the unit setting button 85, the unit of the output dimension is set. You may switch. Specifically, when the unit setting button 85 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 13A, the display screen of the display device 59a changes from the state in FIG. 13A to the state in FIG. The unit of time dimension is switched from millimeter to inch. On the other hand, when the unit setting button 85 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 13B, the display screen of the display device 59a changes from the state shown in FIG. 13B to the state shown in FIG. The unit of the hour dimension is switched from inches to millimeters.

  Further, the control device 60 shown in the present embodiment may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows. That is, the control device 60 develops a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program for realizing the functions of the control device 60, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the control program, and the control program. A random access memory (RAM), a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the control program and various data, and the like are provided.

  In the present embodiment, a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program, which is software that realizes the above-described functions, is recorded so as to be readable by a computer is supplied to the MFP 100. This can also be achieved by the control device 60 reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used in an image processing apparatus capable of executing a scaling process on image data.

52 Printer (Printer)
59 Operation panel 59a Display device 59b Numeric keypad 60 Control device (image processing device)
100 MFP (image forming device)

Claims (14)

In an image processing apparatus that displays a preview of the image on a display device based on the image data before a printing process for printing the image based on the image data is performed,
A point setting unit that sets at least two points on the image previewed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user;
The distance between the predetermined positions on the image determined according to a predetermined rule by the at least two points, and the distance between the predetermined positions in the image printed out after the scaling process is performed on the image data A dimension setting unit for setting a certain printing dimension according to an instruction input from the user;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a scaling process unit that performs a scaling process on the image data based on a printing size set in the dimension setting unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined rule is a rule in which a distance between the two points is a dimension during printing.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dimension setting unit is configured to allow a user to input the printing dimension numerically. In accordance with an instruction input from the user, the position adjustment unit has a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of at least one of the two points set by the point setting unit,
The dimension setting unit displays a printing size corresponding to the position on the display device based on the position of the image data and the point, and adjusts a printing size displayed on the display device according to the position adjustment. Is supposed to
3. The scaling process unit according to claim 2, wherein the scaling process unit performs the scaling process based on a printing size displayed on the display device when a confirmation instruction is received from a user. An image processing apparatus according to 1. The point setting unit sets first and second points on an image preview-displayed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user,
The predetermined rule is a distance between the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel to the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. The corresponding first distance and the distance between the first and second points when the first and second points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. A second distance corresponding to the distance is a rule for the printing dimensions;
The scaling unit is configured to determine a lateral scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to a first distance, and to determine a vertical scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to a second distance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The point setting unit designates a third point, a fourth point, and a fifth point on an image displayed in a preview on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user.
The predetermined rule corresponds to the distance between the third and fourth points when the third and fourth points are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. Equivalent to the distance between the third distance and the third point when the third and fifth points are moved parallel to the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. The fourth distance is a rule with the dimensions at the time of printing,
The scaling unit is configured to determine a lateral scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to a third distance, and to determine a vertical scaling factor of the image in the scaling process according to a fourth distance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The point setting unit specifies a sixth point, a seventh point, an eighth point, and a ninth point on an image previewed on the display device in response to an instruction input from a user;
The predetermined rule corresponds to the distance between the sixth and seventh points when the sixth and seventh points are moved in parallel in the vertical direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the horizontal direction of the image. The fifth distance corresponds to the distance between the eighth and ninth points when the eighth and ninth points are moved in parallel in the horizontal direction of the image to reach one side parallel to the vertical direction of the image. The sixth distance is a rule that takes the dimensions at the time of printing,
The scaling processing unit determines a scaling factor in the horizontal direction of the image in the scaling process according to a fifth distance, and determines a scaling factor in the vertical direction of the image in the scaling process according to a sixth distance. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   And a display control unit configured to display a preview image on the display device according to the set print size when the print size is set in response to an instruction input from a user. Item 8. The image processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 7.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first paper size setting unit that sets a print paper size so that an image does not protrude from a printable range when printing is performed based on the image data after the scaling process. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 8.   9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second paper size setting unit that sets a printing paper size when printing is performed based on the image data after the scaling process in response to an instruction input from a user. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit changing unit that changes a unit of the printing size in accordance with an instruction input from a user.   An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, and a printing apparatus that performs a printing process based on image data that has been subjected to a scaling process in the scaling process unit. Image forming apparatus.   13. A control program for controlling the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control program causes a computer to operate as each unit of the image processing apparatus.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 13 is recorded.

Images