JP2012088704A - Image forming device and information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation technology which allows reuse of a sheet even when images are formed on the both sides of the sheet.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: a reading part; an extraction part 33; a second image data generation part; and an image formation part. The reading part reads an image formation object surface 31 of a sheet. Based on first image data of the image formation object surface, the extraction part extracts a first area on the image formation object surface where an image can be formed and a second area 32 of the image formation object surface where an image is already formed. The second image data generation part arranges an image of the image formation object on the first area and generates second image data in which an image 421 making the image already formed on the second area of the sheet hardly viewed is arranged. The image formation part forms an image on the image formation object surface based on the second image data.

Description

  The embodiment described in this specification relates to an image forming technique for an image-formed sheet.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that forms an image on a sheet is used (for example, Patent Document 1). As a method of reusing an image-formed sheet using an image forming apparatus, a method of forming an image on a side (back paper) on which an image is not formed is known.

  However, this method has a problem that the sheet cannot be reused when images are formed on both sides of the sheet.

  The present specification has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming technique capable of reusing a sheet even when images are formed on both sides.

  In general, according to the embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a reading unit, an extracting unit, a second image data generating unit, and an image forming unit. The reading unit reads the image formation target surface of the sheet. The extraction unit extracts a first area where image formation is possible on the image formation target surface and a second area where image formation has been completed on the image formation target surface based on the first image data on the image formation target surface. The second image data generation unit arranges an image to be formed in the first area, and arranges an image that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image in the second area of the sheet in the second area. Is generated. The image forming unit forms an image on the image formation target surface based on the second image data.

  In general, according to the embodiment, the information terminal includes an extraction unit, a second image data generation unit, and an output unit. The extraction unit extracts a first area where image formation is possible on the image formation target surface and a second area where image formation has been completed on the image formation target surface based on the first image data on the image formation target surface. The second image data generation unit arranges an image to be formed in the first area, and arranges an image that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image in the second area of the sheet in the second area. Is generated. The output unit outputs a print job based on the second image data.

  As described in detail above, according to this specification, it is possible to provide an image forming technique capable of reusing a sheet even when images are formed on both sides.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to a first embodiment. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing by the printing system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing by the printing system. It is a figure which shows the 1st preview screen which shows a 1st, 2nd area | region. It is a figure which shows the 2nd preview screen which has arrange | positioned the image to the 1st area | region. It is a figure which shows the 3rd preview screen which has arrange | positioned the mask image. It is a figure which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of a mask image. It is a functional block diagram of PC of 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing by the lint system. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing by the printing system.

Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the print system 100.
The print system 100 includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and a plurality of PCs 20 (information terminals). The image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 20 are connected to each other via an electric communication line such as a LAN.

The image forming apparatus 10 is an MFP. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a touch panel 11, an ADF 12 (Auto Document Feeder), a first image reading unit 13, a second image reading unit 14, a paper feed cassette 15, a manual feeding unit 16, an image forming unit 17, and a control unit 18. .
The touch panel 11 serves as both a display unit and an input unit. The display unit and the input unit may be divided into a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid crystal display) and an input unit such as a button. The ADF 12 sends the sheet set in the ADF manual feed unit 121 to the first image reading unit 13. The first image reading unit 13 reads an image of a sheet sent from the ADF 12 or a sheet set on a platen glass under the ADF 12. The second image reading unit 14 is inside the image forming apparatus 10 and reads an image of a sheet sent from the paper feeding cassette 15 or the manual feeding unit 16. The paper feeding cassette 15 accommodates an unused sheet in which an image is not formed on the front and back surfaces, and a paper feeding cassette that accommodates an image formed sheet on which an image is already formed on the image forming target surface. And a cassette 152.

The manual feed portion 16 is illustrated in a closed state in FIG. 1, but is opened when in use. The image forming unit 17 forms an image on a sheet sent from the paper feed cassette 15 or the manual feed unit 16. The control unit 18 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 18 includes a processor 181, an ASIC 182 (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a memory 183, and an HDD 184 (Hard Disk Drive).
The PC 20 includes a display unit 21, an operation input unit 22, and a control unit 23. The control unit 23 includes a processor 231, an ASIC 232, a memory 233, and an HDD 234. The display unit 21 may be an LCD. The operation input unit 22 may be a Keyboard or a Mouse.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 10.
The image forming apparatus 10 includes an extraction unit 191 and a second image data generation unit 192 (first to third display control units) as functional units that are realized by the processor 181 reading various programs from the memory 183 and the HDD 184. Prepare.

Hereinafter, the image forming process for the image-formed sheet by the print system 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
An application such as document software in the PC 20 creates image data such as document data (image data to be formed) (ACT1).
The PC 20 transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus 10 according to an operation input to the operation input unit 22 by the user, and transmits an eco print instruction that is an instruction to form an image on the image formed sheet to the image forming apparatus 10. (ACT2).

When receiving the image data and the eco print instruction, the control unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays the received image data on the touch panel 11 (ACT 3). When the image data covers a plurality of pages, the control unit 18 displays the image data for a plurality of pages in a selectable manner.
The control unit 18 accepts an image to be formed this time by an operation input to the touch panel 11 by the user (ACT 4).
The control unit 18 reads the image formation target surface of the image-formed sheet stored in the paper feed cassette 152, or the image formation target of the image-formed sheet set by the user on the ADF manual feed unit 121 (or on the platen glass). Whether to read the surface is accepted by an operation input to the touch panel 11 (ACT 5).

  When the control unit 18 accepts reading of the image formation target surface of the image-formed sheet in the paper feed cassette 152 (ACT5: YES), the control unit 18 sets the image formation target surface of the image-formed sheet in the paper feed cassette 152 to the second. The image is read by the image reading unit 14 (ACT6). When the control unit 18 accepts reading the image formation target surface of the image formed sheet on the ADF manual feed unit 121 (ACT5: NO), the control unit 18 sets the image formation target surface of the image formed sheet on the ADF manual feed unit 121 to the first. The image is read by the image reading unit 13 (ACT7). It is assumed that an image is formed on the image formation target surface read by the image reading units 13 and 14. In the present embodiment, the control unit 18 accepts reading of an image-formed sheet on the ADF manual feed unit 121.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first preview screen 30A (third setting screen) showing the first and second regions 32 and 33. As shown in FIG.
Based on the first image data of the image formation target surface 31 of the sheet, the extraction unit 191 of the control unit 18 forms the first region 32 in which image formation is possible on the image formation target surface 31 and the image formation has been completed on the image formation target surface 31. The second region 33 is extracted (ACT8).
The second image data generation unit 192 of the control unit 18 displays on the touch panel 11 a first preview screen 30A showing the image formation target surface 31 of the sheet and the first region 32 on which the image can be formed on the image formation target surface 31. (ACT9). In the present embodiment, the first area 32 is indicated by a frame 321 surrounding the first area 32 on the first preview screen 30A.

The second image data generation unit 192 accepts an operation input to the touch panel 11 as to whether or not to form an image in the first area 32 of the sheet (ACT 10), and accepts that no image is formed in the first area 32 of the sheet. In the case (ACT10: NO), the image reading target surface 31 of another image formed sheet on the ADF manual feed unit 121 or another image formed sheet in the paper feed cassette 152 is read by the image reading units 13 and 14 (ACT11). ), Return to ACT8.
The second image data generation unit 192 displays a YES button 34 and a NO button 35 on the first preview screen 30A, and accepts an image formed in the first region 32 of the sheet when the YES button 34 is selected. When the NO button 35 is selected, it is accepted that no image is formed in the first area 32 of the sheet. However, the user may accept the instruction through any user interface. The same applies to the following.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second preview screen 30B (second setting screen) in which the image 36 to be imaged is arranged in the first region 32. As shown in FIG.
When the second image data generation unit 192 accepts when an image is formed in the first area 32 of the sheet (ACT 10: YES), the image forming target image 36 transmitted from the PC 20 is automatically set according to the first area 32. While correcting, the image 36 is arranged at a position corresponding to the first region 32 (ACT 12). Specifically, the second image data generation unit 192 automatically corrects at least one of the size and orientation of the image 36 to a size and orientation corresponding to the size and shape of the first region 32, and The image 36 is automatically arranged at a position corresponding to the size and shape of the one area 32.

  The second image data generation unit 192 displays the second preview screen 30B in which the image 36 is arranged in the first region 32 (ACT 13). The second image data generation unit 192 receives whether there is no problem in the layout of the image 36 in the first region 32 on the second preview screen 30B (ACT 14). When there is a problem with the layout of the image 36 (ACT 14: NO), the second image data generation unit 192 manually controls the layout (orientation, size, position) of the image 36 by the buttons 37 and 39 and the pull-down box 38 by the user. The adjustment is accepted (ACT 15). When there is no problem in the layout of the image 36 (ACT 14: YES), the second image data generation unit 192 accepts selection of the OK button 40 by the user on the second preview screen 30B. In this case, the user sets the sheet read by the ADF 12 on the manual feed unit 16 (FIG. 1) in order to form an image on the sheet read by the ADF 12. When causing the image forming apparatus 10 to read an image of an image-formed sheet in the paper feed cassette 152 and form an image on the sheet, it is not necessary to set the sheet in the manual feed unit 16.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third preview screen 30C (first setting screen) on which the mask image 42 is arranged.
When the second image data generation unit 192 accepts that there is no problem in the layout of the image 36 (ACT 14: YES), the second image data generation unit 192 displays a mask image 421 that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image 41 below the second region 33. The third preview screen 30C arranged on the touch panel 11 is displayed on the touch panel 11 (ACT 16). In the present embodiment, the default setting of the mask images 421 to 423 is a black shaded line image 421.

  When the check box 43 is selected on the third preview screen 30C, the second image data generation unit 192 sets the mask images 421 to 423 as the settings of the shaded line image 421, the strikethrough image 422, and the filled image 423. Accept either of Further, the second image data generation unit 192 receives the setting of the colors of the mask images 421 to 423 from among a plurality of colors by the operation input to the pull-down box 44 on the third preview screen 30C (ACT 17). As illustrated in FIG. 8, the second image data generation unit 192 extracts the second region 33 as a shape along the shape of the formed image 41, and sets the mask images 421 to 423 to the size of the formed image 41. It may be arranged on the formed image 41 with a size that matches the above. In this case, the second image data generation unit 192 extracts a region obtained by removing the second region 33 from the region A where an image can be physically formed on the sheet as the first region 32.

The second image data generation unit 192 receives whether there is no problem in the types and color settings of the mask images 421 to 423 on the third preview screen 30C (ACT 18).
If the OK button 45 is selected and the second image data generation unit 192 accepts that there is no problem in the types and color settings of the mask images 421 to 423 (ACT 18: YES), the second image data generation unit 192 forms an image in the first region 32. While the target image 36 is arranged, the second image data in which the mask images 421 to 423 are arranged in the second region 33 is generated. Then, the second image data generation unit 192 outputs a print instruction for the second image data to the image forming unit 17 (ACT 19).

  An image-formed sheet is sent from the manual feed unit 16 to the image forming unit 17. Then, the image forming unit 17 forms an image 36 on the image forming target surface 31 of the sheet on which the image has been formed based on the second image data (ACT 20). Thereby, in the present embodiment, the image formation target image 36 can be formed in an empty space on the image formation target surface 31 of the sheet, and the mask images 421 to 423 such as the shaded line image 421 are formed on the formed image 41. Can be formed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the formed image 41 can be hardly visually recognized, the formed image 36 can be made conspicuous, and the sheet can be effectively reused by using the image formation target surface 31 on which the image has been formed.

If the received image data covers a plurality of pages after ACT 20 and there is unprinted image data (ACT 21: NO), the process returns to ACT 4 and ends when all pages have been printed (ACT 21: YES). .
When the image forming apparatus 10 accepts the use of the sheet in the paper feed cassette 152 (ACT 5: YES), the image forming target surface 31 of the sheet is read by the second image reading unit 14 inside the image forming apparatus 10. After reading, the sheet is made to wait inside the image forming apparatus 10. When the image forming apparatus 10 receives the layout of the image 36 to be formed and the types and color settings of the mask images 421 to 423, the image forming apparatus 10 sends the sheet to the image transfer point to the sheet by the image forming unit 17, and forms the image. The image 36 is transferred to the sheet by the unit 17.

(Second Embodiment)
In the embodiment, by forming the mask images 421 to 423 on the image 41 originally formed, the image 36 to be formed in the empty space of the image formation target surface 31 is made conspicuous, and the image formation target surface on which the image has been formed. The sheet using 31 was effectively reused.
In the present embodiment, the image formation target surface 31 is formed without forming the mask images 421 to 423 by making the color of the image 36 formed in the empty space different from the color of the image 41 that was originally formed. The image 36 is made conspicuous, and the sheet using the image formation target surface 31 on which the image has been formed is effectively reused.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing functional units of the image forming apparatus 10A that are realized by the processor 181 reading various programs from the memory 183 and the like.
The image forming apparatus 10A includes an extraction unit 191, a second image data generation unit 192A, and a color analysis unit 193.

10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the image forming process by the print system 100. FIG. Hereinafter, only processing different from that of the embodiment will be described.
In ACT 8A, the extraction unit 191 extracts the image-formable first region 32 and the image-formed second region 33 based on the first image data on the image formation target surface 31 of the sheet. At that time, the color analysis unit 193 analyzes the color used in the formed image 41 by a threshold amount or more based on the first image data.

  Then, in ACT 12A, the second image data generation unit 192A automatically corrects the position, orientation, and size of the image formation target image in the first region 32, and the color of the image formation target image is already formed. The image 41 is set to a color different from the color used for the threshold amount or more. If the formed image 41 on the image formation target surface 31 is black, the second image data generation unit 192A sets the color of the image 36 that is the image formation target to, for example, red. Note that the color used in the formed image 41 by the threshold amount or more refers to a color used in a ratio larger than the threshold among the colors used in the formed image 41. An appropriate method can be adopted as the color calculation method. In the present embodiment, the second image data generation unit 192A selects the color of the image 36 on the second preview screen 30B (second setting screen) in which the image 36 to be formed is arranged in the first region 32. (ACT13 to ACT15).

(Third embodiment)
The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the PC 20 includes an extraction unit 191 and a second image data generation unit 192 as functional units. The PC 20 instructs the image forming apparatus 10 to read the image formation target surface 31 of the image-formed sheet. The PC 20 displays the first to third preview screens 30 </ b> A to 30 </ b> C on the touch panel 11, the setting of the position, orientation, and size of the image 36 to be formed by the user, and the types of the mask images 421 to 423. Accept user settings for colors and colors. Then, the PC 20 generates a print job based on the received settings, and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 10.

The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program and can be read by a computer. Specifically, as a recording medium, for example, an internal storage device such as a ROM or a RAM, a portable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or an IC card, a computer Examples include a database that holds programs, other computers, and databases thereof. The function obtained by installation or download may be realized in cooperation with an OS or the like inside the apparatus. A part or all of the program may be an execution module that is dynamically generated.
The order of the processes in each of the above embodiments may be different from the order illustrated in the above embodiments.

  The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims, and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications, various improvements, alternatives and modifications belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

  Image forming apparatus 10, operation input unit 11, 22, display unit 11, 21, reading unit 13, 14, image forming unit 17, control unit 18, 23, information terminal 20, first region 32, second region 33, extraction Unit 191, second image data generation unit 192, first to third display control units (second image data generation unit) 192, and image 421 that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image.

JP 2008-182594 A

Claims (7)

A reading unit that reads an image forming target surface of the sheet;
Based on the first image data of the image formation target surface, an extraction unit that extracts a first region where image formation is possible on the image formation target surface and a second region where image formation has been performed on the image formation target surface;
A second image data is generated in which an image to be imaged is arranged in the first area and an image that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image in the second area of the sheet is arranged in the second area. A two-image data generation unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on the image formation target surface based on the second image data. The apparatus of claim 1.
An operation input unit for receiving operation inputs;
A display for displaying a screen;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a second display control unit configured to display a second setting screen on the display unit capable of setting at least one of a size and an orientation of the image formation target image in the first region. The apparatus of claim 1.
An operation input unit for receiving operation inputs;
A display for displaying a screen;
A third setting screen is displayed on the display unit that indicates the position, size, and shape of the first area on the image formation target surface, and that accepts selection of execution / non-execution of printing on the sheet having the first area. A third display control unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that reads another image formation target surface by the reading unit when the third display control unit accepts non-execution of printing. Based on the first image data of the image formation target surface, an extraction unit that extracts a first region where image formation is possible on the image formation target surface and a second region where image formation has been performed on the image formation target surface;
A second image data is generated in which an image to be imaged is arranged in the first area and an image that makes it difficult to visually recognize the formed image in the second area of the sheet is arranged in the second area. A two-image data generation unit;
An information terminal comprising: an output unit that outputs a print job based on the second image data. The terminal according to claim 4, wherein
An operation input unit for receiving operation inputs;
A display for displaying a screen;
An information terminal comprising: a second display control unit configured to display on the display unit a second setting screen capable of setting at least one of a size and an orientation of the image to be imaged in the first region. The terminal according to claim 4, wherein
An operation input unit for receiving operation inputs;
A display for displaying a screen;
A third setting screen is displayed on the display unit that indicates the position, size, and shape of the first area on the image formation target surface, and that accepts selection of execution / non-execution of printing on the sheet having the first area. A third display control unit;
An information terminal comprising: a control unit that outputs an instruction to read another image formation target surface to an image forming apparatus that is communicably connected to the information terminal when the third display control unit accepts non-execution of printing. A reading unit that reads an image forming target surface of the sheet;
An extraction unit that extracts a first region where image formation is possible on the image formation target surface based on the first image data of the image formation target surface;
Based on the first image data, a color analysis unit that analyzes a color used for a formed image on the image formation target surface by a threshold amount or more;
Second image data in which an image formation target image is arranged in the first region and the color of the image formation target image is set to a color different from a color used for a threshold amount or more in the formed image. A second image data generation unit to generate;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on the image formation target surface based on the second image data.

Images