JP2016111390A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily change the size of a print image by erasing or expanding part of an image to be printed on a recording sheet when a repeat print function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging the same image on one recording sheet is performed.SOLUTION: A display part/operation part (17) of an image formation apparatus (1) displays by erasing part of a displayed image data area in accordance with an operation input to the display part/operation part (17). An image formation part (18) repeatedly arranges image data after erasing an area displayed on the display part/operation part (17) on the recording sheet by repeat printing and forms an image on the recording sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that executes a repeat printing function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging image data on a single recording sheet.

Image formation including a copying function for forming (printing) an original image read by a scanner on recording paper, a printer function for forming image data input from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) on recording paper, and the like The device is known.
Some image forming apparatuses have a repeat printing function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging image data on a sheet of recording paper.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an image forming apparatus having a repeat layout function that repeats a document image and outputs it to a recording sheet having a larger area than the document image is formed on both sides of the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that prevents the position of a document image from shifting between the front surface and the back surface of a recording sheet. Here, the image forming apparatus reads the document image with a scanner, sets the layout of the document image according to the input to the layout setting screen, and matches the layout position, layout direction, and layout size of the document image on the front and back sides of the recording paper. Repeat printing.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a user marks a repeat printing target area on a document, and the image processing apparatus reads the document image to extract a repeat printing target area from a marking position on the document. A technique for performing repeat printing by adding a serial number to each of a plurality of repeat print images is disclosed.

JP 2012-44376 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-262062

Applications that use the repeat printing function include, for example, applications that repeatedly print small-sized images such as leaflets, coupons, and various tickets distributed to customers by a store on a single recording sheet. The repeat printing function is very useful for.
When a plurality of images are repeatedly formed on one recording sheet using the repeat printing function, there is a demand for arranging as many images as possible on one recording sheet. If there are many images arranged on one sheet of recording paper, the number of recording sheets to be used can be reduced as much as possible when it is desired to repeat print the quantity required by the user. For example, when a user performs remote printing with a copier installed in a store such as a convenience store, if the user is charged according to the amount of recording paper used, the amount of recording paper used should be as low as possible. Is done.

  In this case, in order to increase the number of images to be printed on one sheet of recording paper, the image data for repeat printing is reduced, and the image data is reduced in size to repeat many images on one sheet of recording paper. Can be printed. However, when the image data itself is reduced, the size of the printed image is different from that of the original image, and the target print image cannot be obtained, or the print image can be visually confirmed by reducing the image data. Problems such as deterioration of quality and deterioration of quality occur.

  In addition, when printing a plurality of image data on a single recording sheet, there is a demand to freely set the size of the image data without reducing or expanding the image data itself. For example, there is a case where the periphery of the image data is expanded to increase the size of the print image. There are also cases where it is desired to use a print image with a smaller size by deleting a part of the periphery of the image data. In this case, it has been possible to set enlargement or reduction of image data in the past, but it was not easy to repeat printing by expanding the periphery of the image data or cutting out a part of the image data itself. .

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a technical idea in which an object image for repeat printing can be arranged on a recording sheet by changing its size by deleting or expanding the image without reducing or enlarging the image. is not.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when executing a repeat printing function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging the same image on one recording sheet, a part of the image to be printed on the recording sheet is deleted. Alternatively, it is an object to provide an image forming apparatus in which the size of a print image can be easily changed by expansion.

  In order to solve the above problems, the first technical means of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image of image data on a recording sheet, and the image forming unit forms an image by repeatedly arranging the image data on the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus that executes a repeat printing function, comprising: a display unit that displays image data to be subjected to repeat printing; and an operation unit that receives an operation input for editing a display screen displayed on the display unit. And the display unit deletes and displays a part of the area of the image data displayed on the display unit in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit, and the image forming unit displays the area displayed on the display unit. The deleted image data is repeatedly arranged on a recording sheet by the repeat printing to form an image on the recording sheet.

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the display unit expands and displays image data outside the image data displayed on the display unit according to an operation input to the operation unit, and the image formation The unit is characterized in that image data after extending the image data displayed on the display unit is repeatedly arranged by the repeat printing to form an image on a recording sheet.

  According to a third technical means, in the first technical means, the display unit applies a part of the width direction, a part of the height direction, or each of the width direction and the height direction to the rectangular image data. It is characterized by deleting a part.

  According to a fourth technical means, in the third technical means, the display unit is configured to output, for rectangular image data, an outer region in the width direction, an outer region in the height direction, or both in the width direction and the height direction. The image data is extended to an outer area of the image.

  According to a fifth technical means, in any one of the first to fourth technical means, the image forming apparatus has the operation unit provided on the display unit as an operation input mode when performing the repeat printing. A handwriting line mode for editing the image data based on a trajectory drawn in response to an input operation on the screen, and a drag operation for dragging the displayed image data to the operation unit provided on the display unit. Accordingly, a drag mode for editing the image data and a direct input mode for inputting an edit amount of an area of the image data displayed on the display unit, the handwriting line mode, the drag mode, and the It is characterized in that it can be executed by switching the direct input mode.

  According to a sixth technical means, in any one of the first to fifth technical means, the display unit displays the image data after the image data is edited in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit as one sheet of recording paper. This is characterized in that a plurality of images laid out in a layout are displayed as a preview.

  According to the present invention, when executing a repeat printing function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging the same image on one recording sheet, the size of the printed image is reduced by partially deleting or expanding the image to be printed on the recording sheet. An image forming apparatus that can be easily changed can be provided.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the image data selected as the object of repeat printing. It is a figure which shows the example of operation when editing image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen after performing operation which deletes some image data. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which image data is arranged on a recording sheet to form an image. It is a figure which shows the other example of operation at the time of editing of image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen after performing operation which expands the area | region of image data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of an image forming apparatus configured to be able to select a repeat printing mode. It is a figure for demonstrating drag mode operation with respect to image data. It is a figure which shows the example of a preview display screen of the state which performed the layout for repeat printing. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of repeat printing processing by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 of this example reads a document image and forms (prints) the read document image on a medium such as recording paper, and image data input from an external device such as a PC (personal computer). It is configured as a multi-function machine having a printer function for image formation. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 10, a preprocessing unit 11, an image memory 12, an image changing unit 13, a layout processing unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a data input unit 16, a display unit / operation unit 17, and an image forming unit. Part (printing part) 18.

The image reading unit 15 reads an image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 1 and outputs it as image data to the image processing unit 10. The image reading unit 15 irradiates light toward the original, forms reflected light from the original on the CCD, converts it into electrical image data, and outputs it.
The data input unit 16 is connected to an external device such as a PC, inputs image data transmitted from the external device, and outputs the image data to the image processing unit 10. The external device may be a personal information terminal such as a smartphone or a device such as a camera in addition to a PC, or may be a memory or a storage device attached to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The display unit / operation unit 17 includes a display unit that displays an image such as a menu for operating the image forming apparatus 1 and various types of information, and an operation unit that receives a user operation input for the display on the display unit. Yes. As the display unit / operation unit 17, for example, a touch panel can be used. The operation unit includes a start button for starting an image forming process and the like. The user can use the display / operation unit 17 to perform an operation input instructing repeat printing. In addition, it is possible to input a change instruction for a print image during repeat printing.

  The image processing unit 10 includes a preprocessing unit 11 that performs preprocessing for performing image formation (printing) on the image data output from the image reading unit 15 or the data input unit 16, and temporarily stores the preprocessed image data. It has an image memory 12 to be stored, an image changing unit 13 for changing image data temporarily stored in the image memory 12, and a layout processing unit 14 for setting or changing the output layout of the image data.

The image changing unit 13 changes the size (enlargement / reduction) instructed by the display unit / operation unit 17 and the color tone (contrast, tone, etc.) for the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 12. Perform the change process.
When repeat printing is instructed by a user operation on the display unit / operation unit 17, the layout processing unit 14 performs layout so that a plurality of image data temporarily stored in the image memory 12 can be arranged on a recording sheet. Here, the user can input the size of the recording paper on which image formation is performed by repeat printing and the number of images to be imaged by repeat printing to the display unit / operation unit 17. In addition, an original image for repeat printing can be designated. In addition, the size and color tone of an image to be subjected to repeat printing can be set.

When the layout processing unit 14 lays out image data, the image processing unit 10 causes the display unit to display image data to be laid out for repeat printing. Then, the user can perform an editing operation on the displayed image data by partially deleting or expanding a region of the image data by an operation input to the operation unit.
Thus, the size of the image data can be changed without reducing or enlarging the displayed image data itself. When the size is intentionally changed by the image changing unit 13 with respect to the original image data before editing, the changed image data is used as the original image data, and the original image data is displayed. Accept user edits.

  The layout processing unit 14 uses the edited image data, and arranges the image data side by side on the recording sheet from the size of the image data and the recording sheet size input by the display / operation unit 17. Determine the layout. The image forming unit 18 forms an image of the image data laid out by the layout processing unit 14 on a recording sheet. As an image forming method, a well-known electrophotographic method or ink-jet method can be appropriately applied.

  Next, an example of repeat printing processing executed by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, repeat printing is a function for forming an image by repeatedly arranging image data on a single recording sheet. When executing repeat printing, the user first sets a mode for performing repeat printing in the image forming apparatus 1 and selects a recording sheet on which image data is to be printed. The selection of the recording paper refers to selecting a recording paper size such as A4 and B5, for example. Then, a document is set on a document table, and a document image is read by the image reading unit 15 to obtain document image data. Alternatively, the image data may be input to the data input unit 16 from an external device.

The image forming apparatus 1 causes the display unit to display image data selected as a repeat print target. FIG. 2 shows an example of the display screen at this time. An operation unit using a touch panel is configured on the front screen of the display unit, and the user can execute processing corresponding to display on the display screen using the touch panel.
Here, repeat display target image data 21 is displayed on the display screen 20 of the display unit. The display screen 20 includes, together with the image data 21, a selection button 22 for selecting image data and the like as various function buttons, a return button 23 for returning the transition screen to the previous state, and input information. An update button 24 for updating, a repeat button 25 for performing a preview display of repeat printing, a copy (COPY) button 26 for executing copying, and the like are displayed.

The user can edit the image data 21 displayed on the display screen 20 by deleting a part of the area of the image data 21.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation when editing image data. Here, the user can use the touch pen 30 to draw a cut line 27 for deleting a part of the image data 21. The cut line 27 indicates a locus drawn in response to an input operation. The image data of the area outside the drawn cut line 27 is deleted from the image data 21. In this case, it is possible to delete a part of the rectangular image data 21 in the width direction, a part in the height direction, or a part in each of the width direction and the height direction. The drawing of the cut line 27 is not limited to the touch pen 30 and may be performed by detecting the touch position of a finger, for example, or by displaying a predetermined pointer and appropriately drawing with a pointer device such as a mouse. Also good.

  The cut line 27 drawn by the touch pen 30 or the like is not a straight line because it is handwritten, but the display unit determines the position of the straight line from the drawing trajectory by the touch pen 30 and determines the position of the cut line 27 for cutting the image. To do. In the case of rectangular image data, the straight cut line 27 to be determined is a line parallel to the outer peripheral line in the width direction of the image data 21 or the outer peripheral line in the height direction.

  For example, the cut position is determined as a straight line that passes through the input coordinate position handwritten by the touch pen 30 or the closest input coordinate position or the farthest input coordinate position with respect to the outer peripheral line of the image data in which the cut line 27 is parallel. Or can be determined as appropriate, for example, as a straight line passing through the center position of the distribution of the distance to the outer peripheral line of the image data where the cut lines are parallel. Further, it is possible to determine whether to cut out the width direction or the height direction based on the direction in which the input coordinate position extends. Further, the cutting direction may be specified by the user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen after performing an operation of deleting part of the image data. In the display screen of FIG. 3, when the user draws the cut line 27 with the touch pen 30 or the like and operates the update button 24, a part of the image data 21 is deleted based on the drawn cut line 27 as shown in FIG. become.
As a result, the size of the image data can be reduced without reducing the image data itself. In this case, by drawing the cut line 27 so as not to delete the character information and the like included in the image data 21, the size of the image data 21 can be reduced while leaving the necessary character information and the like. Thereby, the number of the image data 21 arranged on one sheet of recording paper can be increased.

The user can perform repeat printing by performing an operation for starting image formation on the display unit / operation unit 17. For example, by operating the COPY button 26, repeat printing is executed.
Thereby, the image data after the cut and edit by the cut line 27 can be repeatedly arranged on the recording paper selected by the user to form an image.
FIG. 5 shows an example of forming an image by arranging image data on a recording sheet. The layout processing unit 14 can adjust the orientation of the image data 21 in accordance with the size of the image data 21 to be imaged and the size of the recording paper 2 and can form the most images on one recording paper 2. Layout as follows. The user can use the recording paper on which the image is formed according to the layout, for example, by cutting between the image data 21 of the recording paper, and separately using the image forming areas of the individual image data 21.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 can execute repeat printing by deleting a part of the image data 21 displayed on the display unit. However, in the present embodiment, the displayed image data 21 is displayed. On the other hand, editing that extends the image data outside the image data 21 is enabled.
Here, as in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 causes the display unit to display the image data selected as a repeat print target. The display screen at this time is, for example, in the state of FIG.

The user can edit the image data 21 displayed on the display unit to expand the area of the image data 21.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example when editing the image data at this time. The user can draw an extension line 28 for expanding the area of the image data 21 using the touch pen 30. The extension line 28 indicates the locus of the operation input.
The area inside the drawn extension line 28 (image data 21 side) is expanded as the area of the image data 21. In this case, the area of the image data 21 can be expanded in the width direction, the height direction, or both the width direction and the height direction with respect to the rectangular image data 21. The drawing of the extension line 28 is not limited to the touch pen 30, and for example, the drawing may be performed by detecting the touch position of the finger, or the pointer may be displayed so that the drawing can be appropriately performed with a pointing device such as a mouse. Good.

  The extended line 28 drawn by the touch pen 30 or the like is not a straight line because it is handwritten, but the display unit determines the position of the straight line from the drawing locus by the touch pen 30 and extends the image. Confirm the position of. In the case of rectangular image data, the fixed straight extension line 28 is a line parallel to the outer peripheral line in the width direction of the image data 21 or the outer peripheral line in the height direction.

The expansion position for expanding the area of the image data 21 is, for example, the input closest to the outer peripheral line in the width or height direction of the image data 21 in which the expansion line 28 is parallel among the input coordinates handwritten by the touch pen 30. It can be determined as a straight line passing through the coordinate position or the farthest input coordinate position, or as a straight line passing through the center position of the distance distribution to the outer circumferential line in the width or height direction in which the extension line 28 is parallel, etc. It can be determined as appropriate.
Whether the image data 21 is expanded in the width direction or the height direction can be determined based on the direction in which the input coordinate position of the extension line 28 extends. Further, the user may be able to specify the direction in which the image data 21 is expanded.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen after an operation for expanding an area of image data. In the display screen of FIG. 6, when the user draws the extended line 28 with the touch pen 30 or the like and operates the update button 24, the area of the image data 21 is expanded based on the drawn extended line 28 as shown in FIG. It becomes a state. When expanding the image data 21, for example, the pixel value of one line parallel to the extension line 28 among the outermost one line of the original image data 21 is repeatedly copied to the position of the extension line 28 as it is. As a result, the image of the one-line portion at the outermost periphery is expanded as it is to the extension line 28. Here, the method of generating an extended image can be determined as appropriate, such as extending the image of two or more lines at the outermost peripheral portion as it is without being limited to one line. Thereby, the size of the image data can be increased without performing the enlargement process of the image data itself.
The user can perform repeat printing by performing an operation for starting image formation on the display unit / operation unit 17. As a result, the image data after the extended editing by the extended line 28 can be repeatedly arranged on the selected recording sheet to form an image.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to expand the image data area, but it is possible to configure an image forming apparatus that can selectively execute the image data deletion process of the first embodiment and the expansion process of the present embodiment. it can.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the image forming apparatus configured to be able to select a repeat printing mode. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can execute the image data deletion process according to the first embodiment and the image data expansion process according to the second embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a handwriting line mode, a drag mode, and a direct input mode as operation input modes for performing repeat printing, which can be selected and executed by the user.

  When the image forming apparatus shifts to the repeat printing mode, a display screen 40 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit. On the display screen 40, a handwriting line mode button 41, a drag mode button 42, and a direct input mode button 43 are selectably displayed as buttons for mode selection, and a delete button that is operated when the direct input mode is selected. 44, an expansion button 45, and an edit amount input section 46 are displayed.

The handwritten line mode is shifted by operating the handwritten line mode button 41. The handwriting line mode is a mode for editing an area of image data displayed on the display unit in response to a touch operation on an operation unit provided as a touch panel on the display unit.
The handwriting line mode is capable of executing the operations of the first and second embodiments. For example, the image data displayed on the display unit is drawn on the locus of the input operation using a touch pen or the like. Delete the outer area. Alternatively, it is possible to perform a process of drawing an extension line outside the image data and extending the area of the image data to the extension line. The image data deleted or expanded in the handwriting line mode can be formed on the recording paper a plurality of times by repeat printing.

  The drag mode is changed by operating the drag mode button 42. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the image data 21 displayed as a preview on the display unit is dragged using the operation unit using the touch panel to delete or expand a partial area of the image data 21. It can be carried out. In the example of FIG. 9, the edge of the original image data 21 is touched with the finger 31, and the finger 31 is dragged toward the outside of the image data 21 in the touched state, so that an image is displayed according to the drag operation. Data 21 is expanded. On the contrary, if the finger 31 is dragged inward while touching the end of the image data 21, a part of the area of the image data 21 can be deleted according to the drag operation. The expansion or deletion of the image data 21 according to the drag can be executed by a straight line (expansion line, deletion line) parallel to the outer peripheral line of the image data, as in the first and second embodiments. Note that the drag operation may be performed using not only the finger 31 but also a touch pen or other pointing device.

When the direct input mode button 43 is operated on the display screen 40 of FIG. 8, the mode is shifted to the direct input mode. In the direct input mode, the editing amount of the area of the image data 21 displayed on the display unit can be directly input. The editing method is a partial deletion or expansion of the area of the image data 21, which can be selectively executed by operating either the delete button 44 or the expansion button 45 on the display screen 40.
The editing amount of the image data 21 at the time of deletion or expansion can be directly input to the editing amount input unit 46. The editing amount can be input using a numeric keypad provided as an operation unit or a software keyboard. Here, the editing amount input unit 46 can directly input the editing amount (deletion amount or expansion amount) for the upper, lower, left, and right of the image data as a number (mm). Then, repeat printing can be executed based on the edited image data.

(Embodiment 4)
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a preview of the image that has been edited by deletion or expansion according to the first to third embodiments before executing repeat printing.
For example, when the user operates the repeat button 25 on the display screen 20 as shown in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, the display screen 50 including the preview image 51 for repeat printing as shown in FIG. Can be displayed. A preview image 51 in FIG. 10A shows a layout example when unedited image data 21 is arranged on a recording sheet. Here, the layout processing unit 14 efficiently lays out the image data 21 on the display screen 20 on a recording sheet designated by the user.
For example, when six image data 21 are printed on a recording sheet by repeat printing according to user settings, even if the recording is efficiently laid out on one recording sheet, the configuration shown in FIG. Two sheets were necessary. In the case of using a single recording sheet, conventionally, for example, it has been necessary to reduce the image data itself so that six sheets can be laid out on the recording sheet.

  FIG. 10B shows a display screen 50 ′ including a preview image 51 ′ after editing for deleting a partial area of the image data. For example, if the original image remains as it is, the image data laid out as shown in FIG. As for the deletion method, as shown in each of the above embodiments, a handwritten line is drawn on the display screen 20 displaying the image data 21 to arbitrarily delete the image data, or the image data is deleted by a drag operation, Alternatively, it is possible to use a method such as directly inputting the editing amount and deleting the image data.

  In the example of FIG. 10B, six image data can be laid out on one recording sheet by deleting a part of the original image data area. In this case, it is possible to increase the number of layouts on the recording paper while keeping the necessary information of the image data by not deleting the character and pattern portions.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of repeat printing processing by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. This will be described below with reference to the configuration of FIG.
First, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the repeat print mode according to a predetermined user operation (step S1). The repeat printing mode is set as a special function of the image forming apparatus 1 having an image forming function such as a copy or a printer, and the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the repeat printing mode by an operation input by the user.

  When shifting to the repeat printing mode, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires repeat image data (step S2). Here, the image forming apparatus 1 scans a document placed on a document table of the image reading unit 15 and acquires image data of a document image for performing repeat printing. When image data input from an external device or the like is repeatedly printed, the image data input from the external device and stored in the image memory 12 can be used for repeat printing.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 sets repeat printing conditions (step S3). Here, in accordance with a user operation input to the display unit / operation unit 17, conditions such as the size of the recording paper to be used, the size of the image to be printed repeatedly, the number of images to be formed by repeat printing, and the enlargement / reduction of the image are set. .

  Next, the image forming apparatus 1 displays the acquired image data on the display unit / operation unit 17 and accepts editing of the image data (step S4). Here, as in the first and second embodiments, a collection of partial deletions of the displayed image data and editing for expanding the image data are accepted. The size of the image data changes according to the editing process described above.

Then, the layout processing unit 14 lays out the image data to be repeatedly printed based on the printing conditions set in step S3 and the image data edited in step S4 (step S5). The image laid out by the layout processing unit 14 is previewed on the display / operation unit 17 before image formation by repeat printing is performed (step S6). When the preview-displayed image data is not formed (step S7-No), the process returns to step S3 again to perform repeat printing condition setting and image data editing processing.
Further, when the image data displayed as preview is formed as it is (step S7-Yes), the user performs a predetermined operation for executing the image formation, whereby the image formation by repeat printing is executed (step S8).

  The technical features (components) described in each of the above embodiments can be combined with each other, and new technical features can be formed by combining them.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Recording paper, 10 ... Image processing part, 11 ... Pre-processing part, 12 ... Image memory, 13 ... Image change part, 14 ... Layout processing part, 15 ... Image reading part, 16 ... Data input , 17: Display / operation unit, 18: Image forming unit, 20 ... Display screen, 21 ... Image data, 22 ... Selection button, 23 ... Back button, 24 ... Update button, 25 ... Repeat button, 26 ... COPY button , 27 ... Cut line, 28 ... Extension line, 30 ... Touch pen, 31 ... Finger, 40 ... Display screen, 41 ... Handwriting line mode button, 42 ... Drag mode button, 43 ... Direct input mode button, 44 ... Delete button, 45 ... Expansion button, 46 ... edit amount input section, 50, 50 '... display screen, 51, 51' ... preview image.

Claims (6)

An image forming unit that forms an image of image data on a recording paper, the image forming unit performing a repeat printing function of forming an image by repeatedly arranging image data on a recording paper;
A display unit for displaying image data to be subjected to the repeat printing;
An operation unit for receiving an operation input for editing the display screen displayed on the display unit,
The display unit deletes and displays a part of the area of the image data displayed on the display unit according to an operation input to the operation unit,
The image forming unit is characterized in that the image data after deletion of the area displayed on the display unit is repeatedly arranged on a recording sheet by the repeat printing to form an image on the recording sheet. The display unit expands and displays image data outside the image data displayed on the display unit according to an operation input to the operation unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording sheet by repeatedly arranging the image data after the image data displayed on the display unit is expanded by the repeat printing. .   2. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein a part of the width direction, a part of the height direction, or a part of the width direction and the height direction are deleted from the rectangular image data. The image forming apparatus described.   The display unit extends the image data to rectangular image data in an outer region in the width direction, an outer region in the height direction, or an outer region in both the width direction and the height direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus includes:
As an operation input mode when performing the repeat printing,
A handwritten line mode for editing the image data based on a locus drawn in response to an input operation on the operation unit provided on the display unit;
A drag mode for editing the image data in response to a drag operation for dragging the displayed image data to the operation unit provided on the display unit;
A direct input mode for inputting an editing amount of the area of the image data displayed on the display unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handwriting line mode, the drag mode, and the direct input mode can be switched and executed. 6. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a preview of an image in which a plurality of image data after editing the image data are arranged and laid out on a single recording sheet in accordance with an operation input to the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images