JP2015106885A - Image forming apparatus and editing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can correct a document image displayed in preview through a user's operation despite having a function to automatically detect the direction of a document image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a display on which a preview image is displayed, and an operation unit for instructing the editing of the preview image. The image forming apparatus also has an automatic detection function to automatically detect the direction of the original image of a preview image. When the automatic detection function is enabled (S601: Y), the image forming apparatus disables an instruction from the operation unit (S605), and when the automatic detection function is disabled (S601: N), enables an instruction from the operation unit (S604).

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a function of automatically detecting the orientation of a document and displaying a preview.

  Some image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multifunction machines have a preview function for displaying a document image read by a scanner function on a display. In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-228561, the orientation of an image can be corrected with respect to a document image (preview image) displayed as a preview. Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that automatically detects the orientation of a read document image, rotates the document image according to the detection result, and aligns the orientation of the document image.

JP 2006-238106 A

“ImageRUNNER iR5075N Catalog”, Canon Inc., 2010, P.12, http://cweb.canon.jp/pdf-catalog/ir/pdf/ir5075n.pdf

  If there are a plurality of documents, the preview image also has a plurality of pages. When the user corrects the preview image, the same correction is performed on the preview images of all pages. Therefore, when used together with the function of automatically detecting the orientation of the document image in Non-Patent Document 1 and aligning the orientation of the document image, the correction content may not be reflected as intended by the user.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention can correct a document image displayed as a preview by a user operation even if it has a function of automatically detecting the orientation of the document image. The main object is to provide an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus of the present invention that solves the above problems is displayed on the display by a user operation, a display that displays a preview image, automatic detection means that automatically detects the orientation of the original image of the preview image. Input means for instructing editing of the preview image, image processing means for editing the preview image in accordance with the instruction when an instruction for editing is input from the input means, and the automatic detection means, Control means for invalidating the instruction by the input means when detecting the orientation of the original image, and validating the instruction by the input means when not detecting the orientation of the original image.

  According to the present invention, the instruction by the input means is invalidated when the automatic detection means detects the orientation of the original image, and the instruction by the input means is validated when not detected. For this reason, even if the orientation of the document image is automatically detected, it is possible to correct the document image previewed by the user's operation, and the correction content is not reflected as intended by the user. Can be prevented.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a setting screen. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a file format selection screen. FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a preview screen. 10 is a flowchart of processing for transmitting a scanned document image to another device. The flowchart of the determination process of validity of a right rotation button and a left rotation button, and invalidity.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration example diagram of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is an image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. The MFP includes a controller 100, an operation unit 112, a scanner unit 113, and a printer unit 114.

  The operation unit 112 includes input buttons and the like for inputting operation settings for each function such as a scan function and a print function included in the MFP, and an operation start instruction. The operation unit 112 includes a touch panel having a display, displays an image on the display, and accepts an input from the touch panel. The operation unit 112 transmits input data received by an input button or a touch panel to the controller 100. In addition, the image transmitted from the controller 100 is displayed on the display of the touch panel.

  The scanner unit 113 reads a document image by exposing and scanning a document placed on a document table or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). The scanner unit 113 transmits image data of the read document image to the controller 100. The scanner unit 113 reads an original image according to an instruction from the controller 100 to which an instruction to start scanning is input by the operation unit 112. The printer unit 114 is an image forming device that receives image data corresponding to a document image from the controller 100 and forms an image on a sheet according to the image data.

  When the MFP copies a document, when a copy instruction is input from the operation unit 112, the scanner unit 113 scans the document image. Image data of a document image scanned by the scanner unit 113 is sent to the printer unit 114 via the controller 100. The printer unit 114 performs image forming processing according to the image data sent from the controller 100, and forms the same image as the original image on the paper. The controller 100 controls operations of the operation unit 112, the scanner unit 113, and the printer unit 114.

  The controller 100 includes an operation unit interface (I / F) 107 connected to the operation unit 112, a scanner I / F 108 connected to the scanner unit 113, and a printer I / F 109 connected to the printer unit 114. The controller 100 transmits / receives various data to / from the operation unit 112, the scanner unit 113, and the printer unit 114 by the operation unit I / F 107, the scanner I / F 108, and the printer I / F 109.

  In addition, the controller 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 for controlling the overall operation of the MFP. The CPU 101 comprehensively controls various processes performed by the MFP by reading and executing a boot program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 105 and a computer program stored in the hard disk 111. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 106 is used as a work memory when the CPU 101 executes various programs. It is also used for temporary storage of image data. The RAM 106 includes an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) that does not require refresh and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that requires refresh.

  The network I / F 102 is connected to a network 115 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and performs communication with other devices connected to the network 115.

  The hard disk controller 104 writes and reads data to and from the hard disk 111. In addition to storing the computer program as described above, the hard disk 111 can store image data acquired from the scanner unit 113 and print data and image data acquired from other devices via the network 115. In addition, the hard disk 111 holds destination data for transmitting stored data to other devices.

  The image processing unit 103 performs processing such as correction, processing, and editing on the image data acquired from the scanner unit 113 and the image data output to the printer unit 114. Further, the image data stored in the hard disk 111 is developed in the RAM 106, and various image processing such as resolution conversion and rotation is performed. In particular, the image processing unit 103 generates a preview image from the image data.

  Each component included in these controllers 100 is connected to be communicable with each other via a system bus 110.

  When a document is scanned by such an MFP and the scanned document image is transmitted to another device, the user sets scan conditions and inputs a transmission destination on a setting screen as shown in FIG. This setting screen is displayed on the display of the operation unit 112.

  The setting screen 301 includes an “add destination” button 302 for setting a transmission destination device, an “edit destination” button 303, various selection buttons 306 to 311 for setting scanning conditions for a document image, and a start button 312. Is provided.

  The “add destination” button 302 is a button for setting the destination of the destination device, and when the button is operated, a submenu screen for setting the destination is displayed. The destination is set by an e-mail address or a destination address, and is stored as destination data in the hard disk 111. Communication with a destination device is possible using various communication protocols, and the destination is set according to the communication protocol. In addition to electronic mail, communication protocols include file transfer protocol (FTP), WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), and SMB (Server Message Block). When the destination setting is completed, the set destination is displayed in the destination display area 304 of the setting screen 301. In the example of FIG. 2, only one FTP address 305 is set as the destination.

  The “destination edit” button 303 is operated when correcting a set destination. After selecting a destination to be corrected from the destinations displayed in the destination display area 304, the user can edit the destination by operating the “Edit destination” button 303.

  A “color mode” selection button 306 is a button for selecting a color mode when scanning a document image. Color modes include “automatic color selection”, “full color”, “grayscale”, and “monochrome binary”. In the example of FIG. 2, “automatic color selection” is set as the color mode.

  A “resolution” selection button 307 is a button for selecting a resolution when scanning a document image. As the resolution, for example, “600 × 600 dpi”, “400 × 400 dpi”, “300 × 300 dpi”, “200 × 200 dpi”, “150 × 150 dpi”, and “100 × 100 dpi” can be selected. In the example of FIG. 2, “300 × 300 dpi” is set as the resolution.

  A “reading size” selection button 308 is a button for selecting a reading size when scanning a document image. The read size includes an “automatic size” that is the size of the detected document, a standard paper size (A5, A4, A3, B5, B4, B3, etc.), a user-defined size, and the like. In the example of FIG. 2, “automatic size” is set as the reading size.

  A “file format” selection button 309 is a button for selecting a file format for transmitting a scanned document image. When the “file format” selection button 309 is operated, a file format selection screen is displayed. The user can select a file format on the file format selection screen. Details of the file format selection screen will be described later. In the example of FIG. 2, a searchable PDF format with OCR (character recognition) is set as the file format.

  The “preview designation” button 310 is a toggle type button without a sub menu for designating that a scanned document image is displayed as a preview before transmission. FIG. 2 shows a state in which black and white reversal and preview display are selected. The preview display will be described later.

  The “other functions” button 311 is a button for opening a submenu screen for setting functions other than those described above, and performs function settings such as magnification, frame deletion, and transmission timer settings. The start button 312 is a button for starting an operation of transmitting a scanned document image to another device. When the start button 312 is operated, an instruction to start a scanning operation and a transmission operation by the MFP is transmitted from the operation unit 112 to the controller 100.

  FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a file format selection screen displayed on the display of the operation unit 112 when the “file format” selection button 309 on the setting screen 301 is operated.

  In the file format selection screen 401, selection buttons for selecting a file format are arranged in two rows in a left region 402 of the screen. The user can select one of these and set the file format. In the example of FIG. 3, the button 403 representing the PDF format is selected. More detailed settings can be made from the file format set by selecting a button.

  In the right area of the file format selection screen 401, an option selection menu 404 for performing more detailed settings in the PDF format is displayed. In the option selection menu 404, a high compression format and OCR can be set as a PDF file. In the example of FIG. 3, the OCR 405 is enabled.

  When the OCR 405 is enabled, an option selection menu for the OCR function is displayed. In this option selection menu, it is possible to set the automatic detection function of the orientation of the original image that is the original image of the preview image. In the example of FIG. 3, the automatic detection function of the orientation of the document image is enabled. The automatic detection of the orientation of the document image is executed by the controller 100 (CPU 101), and the orientation of the document image is determined on a page basis based on character recognition, and the document image is rotated on a page basis based on the result. Technology.

  The above selection and setting are confirmed by operating the OK button 407, the file format selection screen is closed, and the setting screen 301 is displayed. When the cancel button 408 is operated, the selection and setting are canceled, the file format selection screen is closed, and the setting screen 301 is displayed.

  In addition to setting from the above-described option selection menu, the automatic detection function of the document image orientation can be set from a function-specific setting screen such as a user mode.

  FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a preview screen displayed on the display of the operation unit 112 when the preview display is designated on the setting screen 301.

  On the preview screen 501, a preview image 503 is displayed in the preview display area 502. The orientation of the preview image 503 represents the orientation of the image at the time of transmission to another device. On the receiving device, the image is displayed in the orientation of the preview image 503. In the example of FIG. 4, the preview image 503 is displayed with the letter “A” tilted to the left, so that the letter “A” is also displayed tilted to the left on the receiving device.

  The page feed unit 504 displays the total number of pages of the preview image 503 and the currently displayed page number. The left and right arrow buttons of the page feed unit 504 are buttons for switching to display the preview images of the previous and next pages when operated. In the example of FIG. 4, the page sending unit 504 indicates that the preview image 503 is a total of two pages, and the preview image 503 of the first page is displayed.

  The “right rotation” button 505 is a button for rotating the preview image 503 clockwise by 90 degrees. In the case of the example in FIG. 4, when the “rotate right” button 505 is pressed once, the character “A” is displayed in an upright state, and when it is pressed again, the character “A” is tilted 90 degrees to the right. Is displayed. The “Rotate left” button 506 provides the same function as the “Rotate right” button 505 except that the preview image 503 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. The “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506 allow the preview image 503 to be edited. Note that the operation of the preview image 503 using the “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506 may be invalid. In this case, the “rotate right” button 506 and the “rotate left” button 507 are grayed out and cannot be operated by the user.

  A “start transmission” button 507 is a button for starting transmission of an image to the other party. The user operates the “start transmission” button 507 to instruct the controller 100 to start transmission. The transmitted image reflects the edited contents of the “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506.

  A “transmission stop” button 508 is a button for canceling transmission. When the “transmission stop” button 508 is operated, the editing contents by the “right rotation” button 505 and the “left rotation” button 506 are also canceled.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing when an original is scanned by the MFP, and the scanned original image is transmitted to another device. This process is performed by the CPU 101 reading out and executing a computer program from the hard disk 111. The user places a document on the scanner unit 113, and the setting screen 301 shown in FIG. Start with

  When the controller 100 displays the setting screen 301 on the display of the operation unit 112, the user performs various settings on the setting screen 301 (S201). The user uses the setting screen 301 and the file format selection screen 401 to input destinations and make various settings during scanning.

  After the setting is completed, when the user operates the start button 312 on the setting screen 301, the scanner unit 113 starts reading a document image (S202). The scanner unit 113 starts reading a document image by acquiring an instruction to scan a document generated by operating the start button 312 from the operation unit 112 via the controller 100. When the scanner unit 113 reads a document image, the scanner unit 113 transmits image data of the read document image to the controller 100. The controller 100 stores the image data received from the scanner unit 113 in the hard disk 111. When reading of all document images is completed, the controller 100 determines whether preview display is designated (S203).

  When the preview display is designated (S203: Y), the controller 100 generates a preview image suitable for display on the display of the operation unit 112 from the image data stored in the hard disk 111 (S204). The CPU 101 reads out image data stored in the hard disk 111 and develops it in the RAM 106. The image processing unit 103 performs image processing such as resolution conversion and rotation on the image data developed in the RAM 106 to generate a preview image. The image processing unit 103 stores the image data of the generated preview image in the hard disk 111.

  The controller 100 transmits the image data of the preview image stored in the hard disk 111 to the operation unit 112 and displays the preview screen 501 on the display of the operation unit 112 (S205). The preview image 503 is displayed in the preview display area 502 of the preview screen 501. Thus, the user can confirm the preview image 503, and edit the image orientation or the like as necessary. When the user operates the “transmission stop” button 508 on the preview screen 501, the controller 100 ends the process as transmission cancellation (S206: Y).

  When the user operates the “start transmission” button 507 on the preview screen 501 (S206: N), or when the preview display is not specified on the setting screen 301 (S203: N), the controller 100 displays an image for transmission. Generate (S207). The controller 100 generates an image for transmission based on the setting content on the setting screen 301 and the editing content on the preview screen 501. The CPU 101 reads out image data of the document image stored in the hard disk 111 and develops it in the RAM 106. The image processing unit 103 performs image processing such as resolution conversion and rotation on the image data of the original image developed in the RAM 106 according to the setting content and the editing content, and generates an image for transmission. The CPU 101 converts the image for transmission into an image file having a predetermined file format set on the setting screen 301 and stores it in the hard disk 111.

  The controller 100 transmits the image file stored in the hard disk 111 to the destination device set on the setting screen 301 via the network I / F 102 (S208). When the transmission of the image file is completed, a series of processes for scanning the document and transmitting the scanned document image to another device ends.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing for determining whether to enable or disable the operation of the “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506. This processing is performed when the CPU 101 reads the computer program from the hard disk 111 and executes it to display the preview screen 501 in S205 of FIG.

  The controller 100 determines whether or not the automatic detection function of the document image orientation is set on the setting screen 301 and the file format selection screen 401 (S601). In S201 of FIG. 5, for example, if “PDF”, “OCR”, or “automatic detection of original orientation” is selected in the file format selection screen 401, the controller 100 sets the automatic detection function of the original image orientation. Judge that

  If the automatic detection function of the document image orientation is set (S601: Y), the controller 100 determines whether the image data of the document is a file format that can detect the document orientation with OCR processing (S602). . In the case where the document orientation can be detected by OCR such as a searchable PDF (S602: Y), the controller 100 disables the operation of the “right rotation” button 505 and the “left rotation” button 506 and grays out the display. (S605). The image processing unit 103 generates a preview image according to the detection result of the automatic detection of the orientation of the document image. The generated preview image is displayed in the preview display area 502.

  When the automatic detection function of the original image orientation is not set (S601: N), or when the original orientation cannot be detected by OCR (S602: N), the controller 100 can rotate the size of the image to be transmitted (editing). It is determined whether the size is possible (S603). Whether the image can be rotated is determined based on whether the image size is within the number of pixels that can be handled by the rotation function of the image processing unit 103 and whether a storage area for performing the rotation process can be secured in the RAM 106.

  When the size of the image is a rotatable size (S603: Y), the controller 100 displays the “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506 with the operation enabled (S605). Further, the image processing unit 103 generates a preview image as it is from the document image. The generated preview image is displayed in the preview display area 502.

  When the size of the image is not a rotatable size (S603: N), the controller 100 invalidates the operation of the “rotate right” button 505 and the “rotate left” button 506, and grays out the display (S605). The image processing unit 103 generates a preview image according to the detection result of the automatic detection of the orientation of the document image. The generated preview image is displayed in the preview display area 502.

  As described above, when the setting for automatically detecting the orientation of the document is made, the operation on the preview image is not permitted (invalid). On the other hand, if the setting for automatically detecting the orientation of the document is not made, the operation on the preview image is permitted (valid). That is, when the automatic detection function for the orientation of the document image is set, the operation on the preview image cannot be performed. Therefore, the operation on the preview image is not correctly reflected by the automatic detection function of the orientation of the document image.

  301 ... Setting screen 304 ... Destination display area 305 ... FTP address 401 ... File format selection screen 402 ... Left area 404 ... Option selection menu 501 ... Preview screen 502 ... Preview display area 503 ... Preview image

Claims (6)

A display that displays a preview image;
Automatic detection means for automatically detecting the orientation of the original image of the preview image;
Input means for instructing editing of the preview image displayed on the display by a user operation;
An image processing means for editing the preview image according to the instruction when an instruction for editing is input from the input means;
Control means for invalidating the instruction by the input means when the automatic detection means detects the orientation of the original image, and validating the instruction by the input means when not detecting it. Features
Image forming apparatus. The image processing unit generates the preview image according to the detection result when the automatic detection unit detects the orientation of the original image, and the image processing unit as it is when the orientation of the original image is not detected. Generate a preview image,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The automatic detection means detects the orientation of the original image when the original image is file format data capable of detecting the orientation of the original image,
The control means invalidates the instruction by the input means when the original image is data in a file format in which the orientation of the original image can be detected, and a file in which the orientation of the original image cannot be detected Enabling the instruction by the input means when the data is in a format,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control means validates the instruction by the input means if the size of the original image is editable when the automatic detection means does not detect the orientation of the original image, and the original image If the size of the size is not editable, the instruction by the input means is invalidated,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. A transmission means for transmitting an image for transmission converted into an image file of a predetermined file format to another device;
The image processing means generates the image for transmission according to the result when the automatic detection means detects the orientation of the original image, and when there is the instruction from the input means, the instruction The image for transmission is generated according to
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An apparatus having a display for displaying a preview image and an input unit for instructing editing of the preview image by a user operation, and having an automatic detection function for automatically detecting the orientation of the original image of the preview image A method to be implemented,
When the automatic detection function is enabled, the instruction by the input unit is invalidated, and when the automatic detection function is disabled, the instruction by the input unit is enabled and editing is performed. Characterized by the
Editing method.

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