JP2012020558A - Printing control device, control method therefor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily arrange an optional image at an optional position in layout printing.SOLUTION: There is provided a printing control device for performing layout printing where a plurality of images are arranged in a single sheet. The device includes: a first display control means for displaying a screen where one image is selected among the plurality of images to be arranged; a second display control means for displaying a screen where an arrangement position of a selected image is specified when an image is selected on the screen displayed by the first display control means; and a control means for controlling to repeat the display of the screens by between the first display control means and the second display control means until the selection of the image to be arranged in the single sheet is completed and the specification of the arrangement position of the selected image is completed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program for performing layout printing in which a plurality of images are arranged and printed on a single sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is known to perform layout printing in which a plurality of images are selected and printed on one sheet. At this time, it is necessary to select an image to be printed and specify an arrangement position of the image. However, if there are restrictions on usable display screens, a screen for selecting an image and a screen for specifying the arrangement position are displayed. The operation will proceed while switching.

  In the following Patent Document 1, an image arrangement position is designated on a display screen of a printer device, and an image is selected on a display screen of an imaging device connected to the printer device.

JP 2009-129343 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the printer device and the imaging device must be operated alternately, and the operation becomes complicated.

  In Patent Document 1, an image must be selected after an arrangement position is designated. Therefore, it is impossible to determine where to place the image after selecting the image first.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a print control apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program capable of easily arranging an arbitrary image at an arbitrary position during layout printing.

  In order to solve the above problems, a print control apparatus according to the present invention is a print control apparatus that performs layout printing in which a plurality of images are arranged on one sheet, and selects one of the plurality of images to be arranged. A first display control means for displaying a screen to be displayed, and a second screen for displaying a screen for designating an arrangement position of the selected image when an image is selected on the screen displayed by the first display control means. Display control means and the second display control until the first display control means finishes selection of an image to be arranged on one sheet and designation of the arrangement position of the selected image. Control means for controlling to repeat display of the screen by the means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily select an image and specify its arrangement position while switching the screen.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel 110. It is a figure which shows the screen which selects the kind of layout. It is a figure which shows the kind of layout. It is a figure which shows an image selection screen. It is a figure which shows an arrangement position selection screen. It is a figure which shows an arrangement position selection screen. It is a figure which shows an image selection screen. It is a figure which shows an arrangement position selection screen. It is a figure which shows an image deletion screen. It is a figure which shows an arrangement position selection screen. It is a figure which shows a printing confirmation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process for layout printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire print control apparatus. The ROM 102 stores a control program executed by the CPU 101. The control program executed by the CPU 101 is not limited to that stored in the ROM 102, but may be stored in another storage medium (external storage device or portable storage device). The printer engine 103 prints an image by applying a recording agent such as ink on the sheet according to the input image data. The SRAM 104 stores various setting data for the print control apparatus to operate. The DRAM 105 stores image data for causing the printer engine 103 to perform printing, or is used as a work area for the CPU 101.

  The PC I / F 106 is an interface for connecting a personal computer (PC) 107 to the print control apparatus. It is assumed that a printer driver and the like for controlling the print control apparatus are installed in the PC 107. Note that the device connected via the PC I / F 106 may be various devices such as a digital camera. The connection method may be wired or wireless. A local I / F connected in a one-to-one manner may be a network to which a plurality of devices are connected.

  The image processor 108 performs various types of image processing on the image data obtained by reading the image on the document by the image sensor 109. The image sensor 109 is a line sensor and captures reflected light while scanning a document to generate electrical image data.

  The operation panel 110 receives an operation by the user or displays information to be notified to the user. The operation panel 110 includes a display device 111, an operation button group 112, and a data processing circuit 113. The display device 111 displays information on various states of the print control device, image data to be printed, information according to user operations, and the like. The operation button group 112 includes a plurality of hard keys, and these operations cause the print control apparatus to execute various processes. The data processing circuit 113 generates a signal indicating that a key has been pressed and notifies the CPU 101 which key has been pressed. Note that these may be configured as a touch panel to allow the user to operate buttons displayed in the display screen.

  The card slot 114 is for setting a removable memory card 115. The memory card 115 can store a plurality of files to be printed by the print control apparatus. It should be noted that other types of removable memory media may be used in place of the memory card, and various methods may be employed for setting the print control apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation panel 110. The CPU 101 performs display content control (display control) as described below on the operation panel 110.

  The home button 201 is a button for displaying the screen of the display device 111 as a home screen (basic screen) that is the starting point of all modes. On the home screen, a screen for selecting a mode is displayed. The user operates the cross button 204 to select a mode such as “copy”, “scan”, “card direct”, and presses an OK button 205. The mode can be fixed. In the copy mode, an image can be printed (copied) by the printer engine 103 based on image data obtained by reading an image on a document by the image sensor 109. In the scan mode, image data obtained by reading an image on a document by the image sensor 109 can be stored in the memory card 115 or transferred to the PC 107. In the card direct mode, an image based on the image data stored in the memory card 115 can be printed by the printer engine 103. Further, by pressing the menu button 202 on the screen of each mode, it is possible to further display a function (submenu) corresponding to each mode and select it. The submenu includes “borderless copy” and “trimming copy” in the copy mode. In the card direct mode, there are “layout printing”, “index printing”, and the like. The return button 203 is a button for returning to the previous screen. A start button 206 is a button for instructing start of copying, scanning, printing, and the like.

  The meanings and functions of the function buttons 207 and 208 change according to the content displayed on the display device 111 (the state of the print control device). A function guide showing the contents of processing performed by pressing the function button is displayed on the screen of the display device 111. This function guide is displayed at a position where it is easy to visually recognize which function button it is.

  Next, an operation procedure in layout printing in which a plurality of image data stored in the memory card 115 are arbitrarily selected and arranged and printed on one sheet will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when selecting an image for layout printing and designating the arrangement position of the image. This flowchart shows a flow of processing performed by the CPU 101 executing a program stored in the ROM 102.

  When the card direct mode is selected on the home screen, the CPU 101 searches the data stored in the memory card 115 for a file having an extension of jpg (a file that can be printed by the printer engine 103). Then, a file list of the retrieved file group (arranged in ascending order of the character code of the file name) is generated, IDs (serial numbers) are assigned in order, and stored in the DRAM 105. Note that the file order may be changed from the file name order to the oldest date information recorded in the Exif tag in the case of an Exif format file.

  Next, when the menu button 202 is pressed on the screen of the memory direct mode, the screen of the display device 111 is switched to the sub menu screen, and the user selects layout printing from layout printing and index printing. Then, the screen of the display device 111 is switched to a screen for selecting a layout type shown in FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 13 shows the processing from here. That is, S1301 represents a state in which the screen of FIG. In FIG. 3A, reference numeral 301 denotes a layout in focus. When the OK button 205 is pressed in this state, the layout is confirmed. It is possible to move another layout to the focus position by the cross button 204. An arrow 302 is displayed when there is a layout candidate on the left side, and an arrow 303 is displayed when there is a layout candidate on the right side. For example, FIG. 3A shows a layout in which two images are arranged above and below one sheet. When the right button is pressed with the cross button 204 in the screen of FIG. 3A, the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. 3B, and the focused layout is arranged with four images on one sheet as shown in the figure. The layout to be selected is selected. When the layout is confirmed on the screen of FIG. 3, the screen changes to an image selection screen (S1302).

  In the present embodiment, five layouts shown in FIG. 4 can be selected as the layout. In FIG. 4, shaded portions indicate positions where images can be arranged. FIG. 4A shows a layout in which two images are arranged on one sheet. FIG. 4B shows a layout in which four images are arranged on one sheet. FIG. 4C shows a layout in which eight images are arranged on one sheet. FIG. 4D shows a layout in which four images are arranged on the left half of one sheet, a margin is provided on the right side, and characters can be entered. FIG. 4E shows a layout in which one of the five images is arranged in the upper large area on one sheet, and the other four are arranged in the remaining remaining area. Here, it is assumed that the layout of FIG. 4A is selected.

  When a layout is selected, the process proceeds to S1302, and an image selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In this screen, the top image of the file list is first displayed in the image area 501. If there are other images, button guides 502 and 503 are displayed. An image number 504 indicating the number of the currently displayed image is also displayed. An image number 504 indicates a number indicating the total number of images in the denominator and the number of the image in the numerator. When the left side of the cross button 204 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 5, the display is switched to the display of the tenth image, and when the right side is pressed, the display is switched to the display of the second image. Then, when the OK button 205 is pressed while a desired image is displayed in the image area 501, the image is selected as an arrangement target, and a transition is made to the arrangement position selection screen in S1303.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the arrangement position selection screen. Here, since the layout of FIG. 4A is selected in S1301, a screen corresponding to the layout is displayed. In the screen of FIG. 6A, the focus 601 hits a position not yet arranged, and a button guide 602 is displayed according to the position of the focus 601. In the layout of FIG. 6, the upper limit of the arrangement candidates is only two, so when the focus 601 is in the upper stage, the button guide 602 is displayed downward, and the cross button 204 is pressed down, as shown in FIG. When the focus 601 is lowered, the button guide 602 faces upward. In this way, it is possible to change the arrangement position of the image to be arranged by operating the cross button 204. When the OK button 205 is pressed while the focus 601 is in contact with the image to be arranged, it is determined that the image is arranged at the arrangement position. The function guide 603 is a guide for the function button 208. When the function button 208 is pressed in this state, the selection and arrangement of all images are determined by the image arranged at that time. Note that when the function button 208 is pressed in the state of FIG. 6A or 6B, only one image is arranged, and the other area is determined to be blank.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of an arrangement position selection screen when the layout of FIG. 4B is selected. In FIG. 7, since the position of the focus 601 moves up, down, left, and right, the button guide 602 is displayed in the up, down, left, and right directions according to the focus position. When the right side of the cross button 204 is pressed in the state of FIG. 7A, the display is switched to the display of FIG. When the lower side of the cross button 204 is pressed on this screen, the screen changes to FIG.

  When the OK button 205 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6A and the arrangement position of the image is determined, it is determined in S1304 whether there is an unarranged area. That is, since the number of images that can be arranged is determined according to the selected layout, the number of images that can be arranged is compared with the number of images that are already arranged, and whether the number of unarranged images is 0 or not. Judging. If there is an unarranged area, the screen returns to the image selection screen of FIG. 5 (S1302), and the selection of the image and the selection of the arrangement position are repeated.

  After the first image is selected and the arrangement position is determined, an image to be arranged in another non-arranged area can be selected by operating the cross button 204 on the screen of FIG. 5 to display another image. . For example, when the right side of the cross button 204 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 5, the second image in the file list is displayed as shown in FIG. Here, when the OK button 205 is pressed and an image to be arranged is determined, the screen is switched to the screen of FIG. In the screen of FIG. 9A, since the arrangement of the upper image 901 has already been determined, the image selected here is arranged in the lower row, and the focus 902 hits the lower row. If the upper side of the cross button 204 is pressed here, the image 901 newly selected as shown in FIG. 9B and over the image 901 previously determined by the image that has been in focus 902 is overwritten (deleted).

  In addition, the image once arranged can be changed by deletion on the image deletion screen. When there is an image whose arrangement position has already been determined as shown in FIG. 9, a function guide 903 is displayed. A function guide 903 is a guide for the function button 207. When the function button 207 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 9, the screen is switched to the image deletion screen shown in FIG. As shown in the screen of FIG. 10A, a focus 1001 indicating the current deletion target is displayed, and a button guide 1003 for moving the focus is displayed. Further, the function guide 1002 for the function button 208 is deleted as shown in FIG. When the lower side of the cross button 204 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 10A, the focus 1001 moves downward as shown in FIG. 10B. When the OK button 205 is pressed on the screen shown in FIG. 10A, the image that is in focus 1001 is deleted, and the display shown in FIG. When the function button 208 is pressed on any of the screens of FIGS. 10A to 10C, the deletion process is terminated and the screen returns to the arrangement position selection screen. For example, when the image previously selected on the screen in FIG. 10 is deleted, the upper image is deleted as shown in FIG. 11, and only the second selected image 1101 remains, and the arrangement position selection screen is displayed. . If all the arranged images are deleted and the OK button 205 is pressed, the screen returns to the image selection screen.

  If it is determined in S1304 that the non-arranged area has become 0, or if the function button 208 is pressed and “End All” is selected, the screen is switched to the print confirmation screen in FIG. 12 (S1305). On the print confirmation screen, a print preview 1201 showing the selected image and its arrangement position, the number of copies 1202, and a function guide 1203 are displayed. The number of copies 1202 designates how many sheets displayed in the print preview 1201 are to be printed, and is increased or decreased by an up / down operation of the cross button 204. When the function button 208 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 12, a print setting screen is displayed, and settings such as the size of the sheet used for printing, the print quality, and image correction can be performed. When the start button 206 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 12, printing is performed by the printer engine 103 according to the contents set in the procedure so far.

  In the present embodiment, the operation is performed by the operation button group 112 according to the display on the display device 111. However, when the touch panel method is adopted, instead of focusing on the object and pressing the OK button, the object is displayed. Touch the displayed area directly.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, an image is selected after layout selection, and then the image is arranged. Therefore, it is possible to select an image and determine an arrangement position in a natural flow. Moreover, the operation is easy. Further, it is possible to easily change the image once the arrangement position is determined.

  Moreover, although the above description demonstrated the example operated using the operation panel of the printing control apparatus with a printing function itself, it is not restricted to this. For example, when performing layout printing of an image stored in a digital camera, the same operation may be performed using the operation panel of the digital camera. In this case, the image selection and arrangement position are determined in the same procedure as described above. When a print instruction is issued, information indicating the selected image and its arrangement is transferred to a device having a print function, and printing is executed. Is done. At this time, the digital camera functions as a print control apparatus that instructs a device having a print function to execute printing.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media. And it is realizable when the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and runs a program. Further, this program may be executed by a single computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Further, it is not necessary to implement all of the above-described processing by software, and part or all of the processing may be realized by hardware.

Claims (7)

A print control apparatus for performing layout printing in which a plurality of images are arranged on one sheet,
First display control means for displaying a screen for selecting one of a plurality of images to be arranged;
When an image is selected on the screen displayed by the first display control means, a second display control means for displaying a screen for designating an arrangement position of the selected image;
Display of the screen by the first display control means and display of the screen by the second display control means until the selection of the image to be arranged on one sheet and the designation of the arrangement position of the selected image are completed. And a control means for controlling to repeat the process.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes an image whose arrangement position has been determined based on a screen by the second display control unit.   The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the deletion unit deletes an image selected according to a screen for selecting an image to be deleted.   The deletion unit is configured to delete an image that has already been arranged by arranging a new image at an arrangement position where an image has already been arranged, based on the screen by the second display control unit. Item 3. The print control apparatus according to Item 2. Having a specifying means for specifying the type of layout;
The control means determines whether there is an unarranged area by comparing the number of images that can be arranged in the layout designated by the designation means with the number of arranged images, and determines that there is an unarranged area. 5. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the first display control unit displays the screen and the second display control unit displays the screen. Control device. A control method of a print control apparatus for performing layout printing in which a plurality of images are arranged on one sheet,
Displaying a first screen for selecting one of a plurality of images to be arranged on the display device;
When an image is selected on the first display screen, a second display screen for designating an arrangement position of the selected image is displayed on the display device,
Control is performed to repeat the display of the first display screen and the display of the second display screen until the selection of the image to be arranged on one sheet and the designation of the arrangement position of the selected image are completed. A control method for a print control apparatus.   The program for implement | achieving the control method of the printing control apparatus of Claim 6 by computer.

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