JP2016182710A - Image generating device, control program for image generating device, and control method for image generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image generating device, a control program for the image generating device, and a control method for the image generating device, that allow a preview image to be displayed so that visual recognition is easy and changing a print setting is facilitated for a user when performing a preview display.SOLUTION: A second preview confirmation screen 50 for displaying a print preview is created by: determining whether an acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting or not; determining a setting button to be displayed on a screen, on the basis of the acquired print setting, when determined that the acquired print setting is the predetermined print setting; determining a region (a setting button part 47 and a setting value display part 48) where the determined setting button is to be displayed, and a preview image region 49 where the preview image is to be displayed; and generating an image to be displayed in the region for displaying the setting button and in the region for displaying the preview image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image generation apparatus, a control program for the image generation apparatus, and a control method for the image generation apparatus.

  In a commercial printer (PP machine: Production Printer), since the output print output is often shipped as a product, high quality is required for the print output. For this reason, a system including a commercial printer has a function (preview display function) for displaying a preview confirmation screen including an image (preview image) showing a state of a completed printed matter and a setting button for accepting a change in print settings. There are many things to prepare. Using the preview display function, the user can check the quality of the printed output by confirming the state of the completed printed output before printing.

  With regard to such a preview display function, for example, there is Patent Document 1, in which a display device having an image display function and a display surface of the display device are divided into an image preview region and other regions. Dividing means for dividing and controlling display, wherein the dividing means includes a first display mode in which an area ratio between the preview area and the other area is a first value, and the first display mode. A display device is disclosed that switches between a second display mode in which the area of the other region is reduced and the area of the preview region is enlarged as compared to the display mode in accordance with a user instruction.

JP 2012-003745 A

  Here, there is a long sheet as an example of a sheet used for a commercial printer. However, when the conventional preview display function is applied to a long sheet, the preview image is greatly reduced so that the granularity (accuracy) of the preview image is reduced. Therefore, there is a problem that the user cannot confirm the state of print output with a desired granularity.

  Some commercial printers have a ring binding function that outputs a plurality of printed outputs with holes bound by a ring binder. When using the ring binding function, if the printed image overlaps the hole for passing the ring binder, the print output quality will be significantly reduced. It is necessary to confirm the positional relationship between the hole for passing through and the printed image with a fine granularity. However, in the conventional preview display function, the preview image is reduced and displayed at a predetermined magnification, and thus there is a problem that the user cannot confirm the state of print output with a desired granularity.

  In this way, the discrepancy between the granularity desired by the user when checking the print output and the granularity of the preview image that is actually displayed is due to the coarse granularity of the preview image depending on the print settings. In some cases, the granularity of the preview image does not change, but the granularity desired by the user is reduced according to the print setting.

  On the other hand, although the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses that the display mode is switched according to the user's instruction, the preview image that is actually displayed according to the user-desired granularity that occurs according to the print setting is disclosed. The discrepancy with the grain size was not considered at all.

  In addition, although the problem of the commercial printer has been described so far, the problem that there is a discrepancy between the granularity desired by the user and the granularity of the preview image that is actually displayed depends on the print settings. This is common to all image forming apparatuses including, for example, multifunction machines and printers used in offices, printers used by individuals, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem, and can generate an image that can be controlled according to print settings and can suppress a discrepancy between a granularity desired by a user and a granularity of an actually displayed preview image. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, a control program for the image generation apparatus, and a control method for the image generation apparatus.

  (1) An image generation apparatus that generates a screen for displaying a preview image, and determines whether or not a print setting acquisition unit that acquires print settings and the acquired print settings are predetermined print settings. A print setting determination unit, a setting button determination unit that determines a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when it is determined that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, and the determined setting A setting button area determining unit for determining an area for displaying a button, a preview display area determining unit for determining an area for displaying a preview image based on an area for displaying the determined setting button, and an area for displaying a setting button A screen generation unit that generates a screen for displaying the preview image by generating an image to be displayed in the region for displaying the preview image. Image generating apparatus according to symptoms.

  (2) When the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, the setting button determination unit is configured to reduce the number of setting buttons displayed on the screen other than the predetermined print setting. The image generating apparatus according to (1), wherein a setting button displayed on the screen is determined.

  (3) The predetermined print setting is a print setting for using a long sheet, and the setting button determination unit includes at least a setting button for a post-processing method and a plurality of images for one sheet. The image generation apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein a setting button other than any one of a setting button relating to a method for arranging pages and a setting button relating to a printing surface is determined as a setting button for displaying on a screen. .

  (4) The predetermined print setting is a print setting that uses a ring binder, and the setting button determination unit displays at least setting buttons on the screen excluding setting buttons related to post-processing methods other than the ring binder. The image generation apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the image generation apparatus is determined as a button.

  (5) The setting button area determining unit determines an area for displaying the setting button according to the direction of the image in the print data that is the basis of the preview image. An image generation apparatus according to claim 1.

  (6) A step of acquiring print settings in an image generation apparatus that generates a screen for displaying a preview image, a step of determining whether the acquired print settings are predetermined print settings, and the acquired A step of determining a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when determining that the print setting is a predetermined print setting; a step of determining an area for displaying the determined setting button; A preview image is generated by determining an area for displaying a preview image based on the determined area for displaying the setting button, generating an area for displaying the setting button, and an image for displaying the area for displaying the preview image. And a step of generating a screen for displaying the image.

  (7) A method for controlling an image generation apparatus that generates a screen for displaying a preview image, the step of acquiring print settings, and determining whether the acquired print settings are predetermined print settings. A step, a step of determining a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when it is determined that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, and an area for displaying the determined setting button A step of determining, a step of determining a region for displaying a preview image based on a region for displaying the determined setting button, a region for displaying the setting button, and an image to be displayed in a region for displaying the preview image And a step of generating a screen for displaying a preview image.

  An image generation apparatus, an image generation apparatus control program, and an image generation apparatus control method according to the present invention acquire print settings, determine whether the acquired print settings are predetermined print settings, and acquire the print settings. When it is determined that the print setting is a predetermined print setting, the setting button to be displayed on the screen is determined based on the acquired print setting, the area for displaying the determined setting button is determined, and the determined setting button A screen for displaying the preview image by determining the area for displaying the preview image based on the area for displaying the image, and generating the area for displaying the setting button and the area for displaying the preview image. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the discrepancy between the granularity desired by the user and the granularity of the preview image actually displayed, which occurs according to the print settings. .

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a hardware block diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a functional block diagram relating to a function of the control unit 22 included in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention displaying a preview confirmation screen on an operation display unit 34. FIG. It is a figure of the operation screen which shows the 1st preview confirmation screen. It is a figure of the operation screen which shows the 2nd preview confirmation screen. 4 is a table in which print settings are associated with setting buttons. 5 is a flowchart relating to processing for displaying a preview image executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a subroutine regarding the first preview confirmation screen generation processing. It is a subroutine regarding the second preview confirmation screen generation processing. It is a figure of the operation screen which shows the 2nd preview confirmation screen 51 regarding ring binding. (A) is a second preview confirmation screen in which one preview image is divided and arranged in parallel along the b-axis. (B) is a second preview confirmation screen in which the arrangement of the setting buttons is changed to the arrangement of the setting buttons in the first preview image.

  As described in the prior art, the conventional preview display function has a problem in that there is a discrepancy between the granularity desired by the user and the granularity of the preview image actually displayed according to the print setting. .

  An image generation apparatus that generates a screen (preview confirmation screen) for displaying a preview image according to the present invention determines whether the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, and the acquired print setting is When it is determined that the print setting is determined in advance, the setting button to be displayed on the screen is determined based on the acquired print setting, and the area for displaying the determined setting button and the area for displaying the preview image are determined. Then, an image to be displayed in the area for displaying the setting button and the area for displaying the preview image is generated, thereby generating a screen for displaying the print preview.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 as an embodiment of an image generating apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) capable of executing a copy job, a print job, a scan job, a fax job, and a box job. A box job is a job executed using data stored in a box (folder) included in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes an image forming unit 2, an automatic document conveying unit 3, a document reading unit 4, a paper feeding unit 5, a paper discharge unit 21, and a post-processing unit 20, and forms an image based on print settings. Execute. The print setting refers to a collection of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items related to image formation.

  The automatic document conveying unit 3 automatically conveys the document placed on the document table to the reading position of the document reading unit 4.

  The document reading unit 4 reads an image of the document conveyed by the automatic document conveyance unit 3 and generates read data.

  The paper feed unit 5 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 6 a to 6 c and supplies the sheets stored in the respective paper feed trays 6 a to 6 c to the image forming unit 2.

  The image forming unit 2 forms an image on a sheet supplied by the sheet feeding unit 5 based on read data generated by the document reading unit 4 or print data acquired by a data IF (Interface) unit described later.

  The image forming unit 2 corresponds to each of Y (yellow) color, M (magenta) color, C (cyan) color, and K (black) color (hereinafter sometimes referred to as Y color to K color). , A photoconductor 7, a charging unit 8, an image exposing unit 9, a developing unit 10, a primary transfer unit 11, and a cleaning unit 12. Further, the image forming unit 2 includes an intermediate transfer body 13, a registration roller pair 14, a secondary transfer unit 15, and a fixing unit 16 that are common to Y color to K color.

  Hereinafter, the photoreceptor 7, the charging unit 8, the image exposing unit 9, the developing unit 10, the primary transfer unit 11, and the cleaning unit 12 corresponding to the Y color will be described. The charging unit 8 charges the photoconductor 7. The image exposure unit 9 forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged photoreceptor 7 by irradiating with laser light. The developing unit 10 develops a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 7 on the photoconductor 7. The primary transfer unit 11 primarily transfers the toner image developed on the photoconductor 7 to the intermediate transfer body 13. The cleaning unit 12 removes toner remaining on the photoconductor 7 without being transferred to the intermediate transfer body 13 from the photoconductor 7.

  The timings are also set so that the toner images of the corresponding pixels of the photoconductor 7, the charging unit 8, the image exposing unit 9, the developing unit 10, the primary transfer unit 11, and the cleaning unit 12 corresponding to M to K colors overlap. In addition, an operation similar to that of the above-described Y color is performed, and Y to K toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer member 13.

  The registration roller pair 14 corrects the skew of the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 5, and adjusts the timing so that the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer body 13 comes to a predetermined position on the paper. It is conveyed to the next transfer unit 15. The secondary transfer unit 15 secondarily transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer body 13 onto the paper.

  The fixing unit 16 fixes the toner image transferred on the paper. The fixing unit 16 includes a heating roller 17, a pressure roller 18, and a conveyance roller 19. The heating roller 17 and the pressure roller 18 are pressed to form a nip portion (fixing nip portion), and the toner image is fixed by passing the paper through the fixing nip portion. The transport roller 19 transports the paper on which the toner image is fixed downstream.

  The sheet on which the toner image is fixed on the front surface by the fixing unit 16 is discharged to the post-processing unit 20 as it is during single-sided printing, and is again transferred to the secondary transfer unit 15 via the reverse conveyance path during double-sided printing. After the image is formed on the back surface, the image is conveyed to the post-processing unit 20.

  The post-processing unit 20 performs post-processing such as folding / stapling / drilling / bookbinding / ring binding on the paper conveyed from the fixing unit 16 according to the print settings, and discharges the paper to the paper discharge tray. Ring binding refers to a process in which holes are made in a printed sheet and a plurality of sheets are bound and output by a ring binder.

  The post-processing unit 20 may be configured as a post-processing device as a separate device from the image forming apparatus 1. In this case, the post-processing device may be installed in connection with the image forming apparatus 1, and may be used in a form in which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 is automatically conveyed. May be used in a form (offline) in which the user conveys the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 to the post-processing apparatus.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, an image processing unit 24, an automatic document conveyance unit 3, a document reading unit 4, an image forming unit 2, a paper feeding unit 5, a data IF unit 30, and an operation display unit 34. They are connected by a bus 100.

  The control unit 22 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), executes a program stored in a storage unit 23 described later, and stores the storage unit 23, the image processing unit 24, the automatic document conveyance unit 3, and the document reading unit. 4. The functions of the image forming apparatus 1 are realized by controlling the image forming unit 2, the paper feeding unit 5, and the data IF unit 30.

  The storage unit 23 mainly includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). The storage unit 23 stores data necessary for realizing the functions of the image forming apparatus 1 including data executed by the control unit 22 and data related to jobs. Data relating to the job includes print settings. The HDD also functions as a box.

  The data IF unit 30 transmits / receives data to / from an external device (for example, an information device such as a PC (Personal Computer)) or a storage medium, and a LAN (Local Area Network) IF unit 31. A storage media IF unit 32 and a FAXIF unit 33. The LANIF unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from a server, PC, portable terminal, or other image forming apparatus connected to the LAN via a wired or wireless LAN. The LANIF unit 31 can receive (acquire) print settings from a server, a PC, a portable terminal, or the like for a print job instructed from a server, a PC, a portable terminal, or the like. The storage media IF unit 32 acquires data from a portable storage medium (for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory), or stores the data in the portable storage medium. The storage media IF unit 32 can acquire the print setting related to the print job from the portable storage medium for the print job related to the data stored in the portable storage medium. The FAXIF unit 33 transmits and receives fax data via a fax line.

  The image forming unit 2 mainly includes a photoreceptor 7, a charging unit 8, an image exposure unit 9, a developing unit 10, a primary transfer unit 11, a cleaning unit 12, an intermediate transfer body 13, a resist roller pair 14, and a secondary transfer unit 15. The fixing unit 16 and the paper discharge unit 21 are configured to form an image on a sheet based on image data output from an image processing unit 24 described later.

  The post-processing unit 20 performs post-processing such as folding / stapling / drilling / bookbinding / ring binding on the paper conveyed from the fixing unit 16 according to the print settings, and discharges the paper.

  The operation display unit 34 includes a display 35, a touch panel 36, and operation keys 37.

  The display 35 is a liquid crystal display (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)), for example, and can display an operation screen. The operation screen includes, for example, a screen (preview confirmation screen) that displays a preview image and a setting button.

  The touch panel 36 is provided on the screen of the display 35 and detects a coordinate position pressed with a pen, a finger, or the like.

  The operation key 37 is a hard key, for example, and includes a numeric keypad and a start key. The numeric keypad is a key for receiving input of numbers and symbols. The start key accepts an instruction to start the operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The operation display unit 34 can accept input or change of setting values corresponding to a plurality of setting items included in the print settings for a copy job, print job, fax job, and box job. That is, the operation display unit 34 can acquire print settings related to a copy job, print job, fax job, and box job.

  The image processing unit 24 is an integrated circuit for image processing, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and includes print data acquired by the LANIF unit 31 and the storage media IF unit 32. The fax data acquired by the FAXIF unit 33 and the read data generated by the document reading unit 4 are used as input data, image processing is performed on the input data based on print settings, and the image data is output to the image forming unit 2 To do. In addition, the image processing unit 24 performs image processing based on the print settings on the input data, and generates a preview image to be displayed on a preview confirmation screen described later.

  The image processing unit 24 includes an input data analysis unit 25, a raster data generation unit 26, a sharpness correction unit 27, a color conversion unit 28, and a gamma correction unit 29.

  When the input data is print data in PDL (Page Description Language) format acquired by the LANIF unit 31 or the storage media IF unit 32, the input data analysis unit 25 performs an analysis process based on the print data, and performs an intermediate language (DL: Display List) data is generated. Note that the format of the print data is not limited to the PDL format, and may take other formats.

  The raster data generation unit 26 generates raster data by performing rasterization processing on the DL data generated by the analysis performed by the input data analysis unit 25. The sharpness correction unit 27 performs sharpness processing and smoothing processing on the raster data generated by the raster data generation unit 26 or the read data generated by the document reading unit 4. The sharpness correction unit 27 performs, for example, sharpness processing on the edge portion of a character area or line drawing area, and performs smoothing processing on a halftone dot area.

  The color conversion unit 28 performs color conversion processing on the processing result of the sharpness correction unit 27 and generates YMCK data corresponding to the color characteristics (color space) of the image forming unit 2. The color conversion unit 28 generates YMCK data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image forming unit 2 using a device link profile corresponding to the color characteristics (color space) of the input data input to the image processing unit 24. For example, when the input data is read data generated by the document reading unit 4, YMCK data is generated using a device link profile corresponding to the color characteristics of the document reading unit 4 and the color characteristics of the image forming unit 2.

  The gamma correction unit 29 performs density conversion processing on the YMCK data generated by the color conversion unit 28. For example, the gamma correction unit 29 stores a lookup table (LUT: Look Up Table) for density conversion, performs density conversion processing based on the YMCK data generated by the color conversion unit 28, and converts the image data into Generate.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram relating to the function of the control unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention generating a preview confirmation screen.

  The print setting acquisition unit 38 acquires print settings corresponding to the job to be executed. For example, when the job to be executed is a print job, the print setting acquisition unit 38 can acquire the print setting via the LANIF unit 31, the storage media IF unit 32, and the operation display unit 34. The print setting acquisition unit 38 can acquire print settings via the operation display unit 34 when the job to be executed is a copy job, a fax job, or a box job. The acquired print settings are stored in the storage unit 23.

  The print setting determination unit 39 determines whether the print setting acquired by the print setting acquisition unit 38 is a predetermined print setting. The print setting determination unit 39 is a print setting in which the acquired print setting is determined in advance when the setting value of “paper size”, which is one of a plurality of setting items related to image formation, is a long sheet. Judge. The print setting determination unit 39 determines that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting when the setting value of “ring bind”, which is one of the setting items, uses ring bind. to decide.

  The setting button determination unit 40 determines a setting button to be displayed on the preview confirmation screen based on the acquired print setting when the print setting determination unit 39 determines that the print setting is a predetermined print setting. .

  The storage unit 23 stores a table as shown in FIG. 6 that associates print settings with permission to change setting values for each of a plurality of setting items. In the table of FIG. 6, setting items whose setting values are allowed to be changed are indicated by “◯”, and setting items whose setting values are prohibited are indicated by “X”. Here, the setting items whose setting values are prohibited from being changed have a so-called combination prohibition relationship that may cause a conflict with the setting values included in the acquired print settings.

  For example, in the case of a print setting in which the setting value of the paper size is long, in the table of FIG. 6, in order from the top, change of the setting value regarding the presence / absence of punching is permitted and the setting regarding the setting items below the printing surface Value change is prohibited. In the case of a print setting in which the ring bind setting value uses the ring bind, in the table of FIG. 6, in order from the top, the change of the set value related to the separation printing is permitted from the number of copies. Changing the setting value for the setting item is prohibited.

  When the print setting is a predetermined print setting, the setting button determination unit 40 refers to the table of FIG. 6 and displays the setting button corresponding to the setting item whose setting value is allowed to be changed on the preview confirmation screen. It is determined as a setting button to be displayed. Specifically, in the case of a print setting in which the setting value of the paper size is long, the setting button corresponding to the presence / absence of punching is determined from the number of copies in order from the top in the table of FIG. To do. In the case of a print setting in which the setting value of the ring binding uses ring binding, a setting button for displaying setting buttons corresponding to separation printing from the number of copies in order from the top in the table of FIG. 6 on the preview confirmation screen. Determine as. If it is determined that the print setting is not a predetermined print setting, setting buttons corresponding to all setting items included in the table of FIG. 6 are displayed on the preview confirmation screen.

  The setting button area determination unit 41 determines an area (setting button area 46) for displaying each setting button for the setting buttons determined by the setting button determination unit 40. Here, the storage unit 23 stores in advance information regarding the size of the setting button and the size of the preview confirmation screen corresponding to each setting item. The setting button area determination unit 41 sets the setting button size corresponding to each setting item stored in the storage unit 23, the size of the preview confirmation screen, and the setting button determined by the setting button determination unit 40. The button area 46 is determined. As will be described later, when the setting button is displayed on the preview confirmation screen, the current setting value of the setting item of the setting button may be displayed together with the setting button, or the current setting value may not be displayed. Alternatively, only the setting button may be displayed. When displaying the setting button and the setting value together, the setting button area determining unit 41 determines an area for displaying both the setting button and the setting value as the setting button area for each setting item.

  As shown as “classification” in FIG. 6, the setting items are grouped in advance according to functions. The setting button area determination unit 41 may determine the setting button area 46 so that setting buttons corresponding to setting items belonging to the same group are displayed together on the preview confirmation screen.

  The preview image area determination unit 42 determines an area (preview image area 49) for displaying a preview image based on the setting button area 46. More specifically, the preview image area determining unit 42 determines the preview image area 49 from an area other than the setting button area 46 determined by the setting button area determining unit 41 in the preview confirmation screen. That is, the preview image area determination unit 42 determines the preview image area 49 based on the setting button area 46 determined by the setting button area determination unit 41.

  The screen generator 43 generates a preview confirmation screen by generating images to be displayed in the setting button area 46 and the preview image area 49. More specifically, the screen generation unit 43 generates a setting button image (setting button image) to be displayed in the setting button area 46 and a preview image to be displayed in the preview image area 49, and the setting button image and the preview image are displayed. To generate a preview confirmation screen.

  The screen display unit 44 displays the preview confirmation screen generated by the screen generation unit 43 on the operation display unit 34.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen (hereinafter referred to as a first preview confirmation screen 45) displayed on the operation display unit 34 when the acquired print setting is not a predetermined print setting. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a preview confirmation screen (hereinafter referred to as a second preview confirmation screen 50) displayed on the operation display unit 34 when the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting.

  Referring to FIG. 4, first preview confirmation screen 45 includes a setting button area 46 and a preview image area 49. FIG. 4 shows an example in which both setting buttons and setting values are displayed for each setting item. For each setting item, an area for displaying the setting button is displayed as a setting button unit 47, and a setting value is displayed. The area to be set is a set value display section 48. When the user wants to change a setting value corresponding to a certain setting item, the user can change the setting value by pressing the setting button unit 47. For example, when the user wants to change the paper tray, when the user presses the “paper tray” setting button, accepting means (for example, drop) accepting a change to another tray (for example, manual feed, tray 1, tray 2, etc.) List, pop-up, etc.) are displayed, and the user can change the setting value of the paper tray via the receiving means. When the set value is changed, the content is reflected in the set value display section 48.

  FIG. 5 shows a second preview confirmation screen 50 displayed on the operation display unit 34 when the acquired print setting is a print setting in which the setting value of the paper size is long. The second preview confirmation screen 50 includes a setting button area 46 and a preview image area 49. FIG. 5 shows an example in which both setting buttons and setting values are displayed for each setting item. For each setting item, an area for displaying the setting button is displayed as a setting button unit 47, and a setting value is displayed. The area to be set is a set value display section 48.

  Comparing the first preview confirmation screen 45 in FIG. 4 with the second preview confirmation screen 50 in FIG. 5, the second preview confirmation screen 50 in FIG. 5 has output settings 1, output settings 2, application settings and Setting buttons corresponding to the setting items belonging to the printing surface classification (see FIG. 6) are not displayed. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 includes at least setting buttons excluding setting buttons corresponding to setting items belonging to output setting 1, output setting 2, application setting, and printing surface classification (see FIG. 6), and a preview image. It is displayed on the second preview confirmation screen 50.

  When the second preview confirmation screen 50 as shown in FIG. 5 is generated, the setting button region determination unit 41 determines the setting button region 46 so that the setting button determined to be displayed by the setting button determination unit is displayed. Then, the preview image area determination unit 42 determines the preview image area 49 from an area other than the setting button area 46 in the preview confirmation screen. The screen generation unit 43 corresponds to the size of the setting button area 46, and corresponds to the size of the setting button image collected for each classification of basic setting, paper setting, image quality adjustment, and other settings, and the size of the preview image area 49. A second preview confirmation screen 50 is generated by generating a preview image and synthesizing the setting button image and the preview image.

  On the second preview confirmation screen 50, the areas assigned to the setting buttons corresponding to the setting items belonging to the output setting 1, the output setting 2, the application setting, and the printing surface classification on the first preview confirmation screen 45 are displayed. The preview image can be assigned to an area for displaying. Therefore, the preview image on the second preview confirmation screen 50 can be displayed larger than the preview image on the first preview confirmation screen 45.

  When long paper is used, the setting items that are allowed to be changed are greatly limited. When a preview image related to printing settings for long printing is displayed, setting buttons related to setting items that are prohibited to change are displayed. By not doing so, the preview image can be displayed larger than in the prior art. Thereby, the user can confirm the state of the completed print output with a granularity close to a desired granularity.

  In the present invention, when the conventional preview display function is applied to a long sheet, the preview image is greatly reduced, so that the granularity of the preview image becomes coarse, and the user can check the print output state with a desired granularity. In view of the problem of being unable to do so, pay attention to the fact that setting items that are allowed to be changed are limited when using long paper. Is intended to be displayed larger than in the past.

  On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, setting items that are allowed to be changed are greatly limited when the size of a sheet to be printed is equal to or larger than a predetermined size, not only long paper. Therefore, instead of or in addition to the criterion of whether or not the setting value of “paper size” is a long sheet as the criterion for determination in the print setting determination unit 39, the setting value of “paper size” is a predetermined size. It is also possible to use a criterion of whether or not this is the case.

  FIG. 10 shows a second preview confirmation screen 51 displayed on the operation display unit 34 when the acquired print setting is a print setting in which the setting value of the ring binding uses ring binding. When ring binding is used, referring to FIG. 6, setting values relating to the setting items belonging to the classification of output setting 2 below the paper discharge tray are prohibited, so FIG. Compared with the first preview confirmation screen 45, the setting button for the output setting 2 is not displayed.

  When the second preview confirmation screen 51 relating to the ring binding as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, the setting button area determination unit 41 sets the setting items belonging to the basic setting, paper setting, printing surface, application setting, and output setting 1 categories. The setting button area 46 is determined so that setting buttons corresponding to setting items belonging to the same category are displayed together on the preview confirmation screen. Then, the preview image area determination unit 42 determines the preview image area 49 from an area other than the setting button area 46 in the preview confirmation screen. The screen generation unit 43 generates a setting button image corresponding to the size of the setting button area 46 and a preview image corresponding to the size of the preview image area 49, and synthesizes the setting button image and the preview image. Then, the second preview confirmation screen 51 relating to the ring binding as shown in FIG. 10 is generated.

  When using the ring binding function, it is necessary to confirm the positional relationship between the hole for passing the ring binder and the printed image with a fine granularity. Compared to the first preview confirmation screen 45, the preview image is Since the image is displayed in a large size, the user can check the state of the completed print output with a particle size close to the desired particle size.

  When ring binding is used, the setting items that are allowed to be changed are greatly limited. When a preview image related to the ring binding print settings is displayed, the setting buttons related to the setting items that cannot be changed should not be displayed. As a result, the preview image can be displayed larger than the conventional one. Thereby, the user can confirm the state of the completed print output with a granularity close to a desired granularity.

  5 and 10, since the setting buttons related to the setting items for which the change of the setting value is permitted are displayed on the second preview confirmation screen, the user operation when changing the setting value is performed. It does not deteriorate the sex. In the second preview confirmation screen, the setting button related to the setting item for which the change of the setting value is prohibited is not displayed. Therefore, when the user searches for the setting button related to the setting item whose setting value is to be changed, The setting button can be easily found, and the operability for the user is improved.

  7, 8, and 9 are flowcharts relating to processing for displaying a preview image executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 22 executes the processes shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 23.

  The image forming apparatus 1 acquires a print setting related to the job to be executed (step S101), and determines whether the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting (step S102).

  If the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the acquired print setting is not a predetermined print setting (NO in step S102), the image forming apparatus 1 generates a first preview confirmation screen (step S103).

  FIG. 8 shows a subroutine related to the process for generating the first preview confirmation screen in step S103.

  Referring to FIG. 8, image forming apparatus 1 determines setting buttons corresponding to all of the plurality of setting items as setting buttons to be displayed on operation display unit 34 (step S201). A setting button area 46 for displaying the determined setting button is determined (step S202). The image forming apparatus 1 determines the preview image area 49 from the area other than the setting button area 46 determined in step S202 in the preview confirmation screen (step S203). The image forming apparatus 1 generates a setting button image corresponding to the size of the setting button region 46 and a preview image corresponding to the size of the preview image region 49, so that the first preview confirmation as shown in FIG. The screen 45 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG. 7 (step S204).

  Referring to FIG. 7, image forming apparatus 1 displays generated first preview confirmation screen 45 on operation display unit 34 (step S105), and ends the process (END).

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 determines that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting (YES in step S102), the image forming apparatus 1 generates a second preview confirmation screen (step S104).

  FIG. 9 shows a subroutine related to the process of generating the second preview confirmation screen in step S104.

  Referring to FIG. 9, image forming apparatus 1 determines a setting button to be displayed on operation display unit 34 based on a table as shown in FIG. 6 stored in advance in storage unit 23 (step S301). For example, when the acquired print setting is a print setting in which the paper size setting value is long, the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the setting items belonging to the basic setting and paper setting classifications with reference to FIG. The setting button to be determined is determined as a setting button to be displayed on the operation display unit 34. Further, when the acquired print setting is a print setting in which the setting value of the ring bind uses the ring bind, the image forming apparatus 1 refers to FIG. A setting button corresponding to a setting item belonging to the category of application setting and output setting 1 is determined as a setting button to be displayed on the operation display unit 34.

  The image forming apparatus 1 determines a setting button area 46 for displaying the setting button determined in step S301 (step S302), and a preview image area 49 from a portion other than the setting button area 46 determined in step S202 in the preview confirmation screen. Is determined (step S303). The image forming apparatus 1 generates the setting button image corresponding to the size of the setting button region 46 and the preview image corresponding to the size of the preview image region 49, thereby performing the second preview confirmation as shown in FIG. The screen 50 is generated, and the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG. 7 (step 304).

  Referring to FIG. 7, image forming apparatus 1 displays generated second preview confirmation screen 50 on operation display unit 34 (step S105), and ends the process (END).

  In this way, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention generates the second preview confirmation screen 50 when the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting. The preview image on the second preview confirmation screen 50 includes an area in which setting buttons that cannot be changed with a predetermined print setting among the setting buttons displayed on the first preview confirmation screen 45 are not displayed, and the first preview. It is displayed in a region combined with the preview image region 49 on the confirmation screen 45. Accordingly, since the preview image displayed on the second preview confirmation screen 50 is at least a preview image larger than the preview image displayed on the first preview confirmation screen 45, the user has a desired granularity. The state of the completed print output can be confirmed by the granularity.

  Furthermore, on the second preview confirmation screen, setting buttons relating to the setting items for which the change of the setting value is permitted are displayed, so that the operability of the user when changing the setting value is not deteriorated. In the second preview confirmation screen, the setting button related to the setting item for which the change of the setting value is prohibited is not displayed. Therefore, when the user searches for the setting button related to the setting item whose setting value is to be changed, The setting button can be easily found, and the operability for the user is improved.

  In the above description, the image forming apparatus 1 has been described as an example of the image generating apparatus according to the present invention, but the image generating apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus 1. Any device that includes at least the control unit 22 and the storage unit 23 and can generate a preview confirmation screen may be used. For example, a terminal device such as a PC (Personal Computer), a print server, a smartphone, or a tablet may be used. When a PC (Personal Computer), a print server, a smartphone, or a tablet is an image generation apparatus, the PC, the print server, the smartphone, or the tablet executes an application such as a printer driver or print job management software. The function for generating the preview confirmation screen shown in FIG.

(Modification 1)
In the above-described embodiment, when the long paper is set, the preview image is displayed as one image in the preview image area 49. In this modification, as shown in FIG. The image is divided in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, and the divided images are displayed side by side in the preview image area 49.

  By doing so, the preview image can be displayed larger, and the preview image can be displayed with a granularity closer to the granularity desired by the user.

  In addition, in FIG. 11A, an example in which an image is divided into two is described. However, an image may be divided into three or more, and the three divided images may be displayed side by side.

  In addition, as a method of dividing an image, the image can be divided at equal intervals, and the division position can be determined (changed) according to the image to be printed. Specifically, if one character, figure, or photo to be printed is divided and displayed, it may be difficult for the user to check the state of the printed output. In addition, the division position of the image may be determined. Further, instead of determining the division position according to the image to be printed, an area near the division position may be included in both of the divided images.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment described above, the setting button area determination unit 41 determines the setting button layout displayed on the second preview confirmation screen 50 based on the setting button layout displayed on the first preview confirmation screen 45. Was. That is, regarding the setting buttons displayed on the second preview confirmation screen 50, there is no significant difference in arrangement between the first preview confirmation screen 45 and the second preview confirmation screen.

  However, the setting button area determination unit 41 can also determine the setting button area so that the preview image can be displayed larger. For example, when it is considered that the image is displayed without being divided, as shown in FIG. 11B, the setting button is arranged along the vertical direction of the second preview confirmation screen 50 as shown in FIG. When the setting button is arranged along the horizontal direction of the second preview confirmation screen 50 and the preview image can be displayed larger, the setting button area determination unit 41 moves the horizontal direction of the second preview confirmation screen 50. The setting button area is determined so that the setting buttons are arranged along the line.

(Other variations)
Although embodiment mentioned above and the modifications 1-3 were demonstrated separately, you may implement combining suitably.

  Further, in the above description, the case where the preview confirmation screen to be displayed first is displayed has been described. However, the image forming apparatus 1 changes the set value of the paper size to be long on the first preview confirmation screen. When performing an operation or changing the setting value of the ring binding to one that uses the ring binding, the second preview confirmation screen is changed from the first preview confirmation screen to the user's operation. The display may be changed to 50. Conversely, when the second preview confirmation screen 50 is displayed, the image forming apparatus 1 performs an operation of changing the setting value of the paper size to other than the long one in FIG. When an operation for changing a value to one that does not use ring binding is performed, the display may be changed from the second preview confirmation screen to the first preview confirmation screen 50 in response to the user's operation.

  In the above description, in response to the acquired print setting being a predetermined print setting, the setting button determination unit determines a setting button to be displayed on the preview confirmation screen, and the setting button region determination unit The setting button area is determined, the preview image area determination unit determines the preview image area, and the screen generation unit generates the preview confirmation screen. However, the storage unit stores a preview confirmation screen corresponding to each type of print setting. 23, the preview confirmation screen corresponding to the acquired print setting may be generated by storing in advance and acquiring from the preview confirmation screen corresponding to the acquired print setting. In this case, a preview confirmation screen corresponding to each type of print setting is stored in the storage unit 23 in advance, and processing (function) acquired from the preview confirmation screen corresponding to the acquired print setting is a setting button decision. And a setting button area determination unit, a preview image area determination unit, and a screen generation unit.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 stores a history of whether or not the user has changed the setting value for each setting item, and for a setting item whose setting value is less frequently changed, a corresponding setting button is displayed. The second preview confirmation screen 50 may not be displayed.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 accepts selection of a setting item for displaying a setting button on the first preview confirmation screen 45 or the second preview confirmation screen 50 from the user, and the setting corresponding to the setting item not selected by the user. The buttons may not be displayed on the first preview confirmation screen 45 or the second preview confirmation screen 50.

  In the above description, when the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, the setting button corresponding to the setting item for which the change of the setting value is prohibited is not completely displayed. Reduce the size of the setting button corresponding to the setting item for which change is prohibited, or change the setting value to allow the change of the setting value over the setting button for the setting item for which setting value change is prohibited. The preview image on the second preview confirmation screen 50 may be displayed larger than the preview image on the first preview confirmation screen 45 by displaying the corresponding setting button.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming part 3 Automatic conveyance apparatus 4 Document reading part 5 Paper feed part 6 Paper feed tray 7 Photoconductor 8 Charging part 9 Image exposure part 10 Developing part 11 Primary transfer part 12 Cleaning part 13 Intermediate transfer body 14 Registration roller pair 15 Secondary transfer unit 16 Fixing unit 17 Heating roller 18 Pressure roller 19 Conveying roller 20 Post-processing unit 21 Paper discharge unit 22 Control unit 23 Storage unit 24 Image processing unit 25 Input data analysis unit 26 Raster data generation unit 27 Sharpness correction unit 28 Color conversion unit 29 Gamma correction unit 30 Data IF unit 31 LANIF unit 32 Storage media IF unit 33 FAXIF unit 34 Operation display unit 35 Display 36 Touch panel 37 Operation key 38 Print setting acquisition unit 39 Print setting determination unit 40 Setting button Determination unit 41 Setting button region determination unit 42 Preview image region determination unit 43 Screen generation unit 44 Screen display unit 45 First preview confirmation screen 46 Setting button area 47 Setting button unit 48 Setting value display unit 49 Preview confirmation screen 50 Second preview confirmation screen 51 Second preview confirmation screen regarding ring binding

Claims (7)

An image generation device for generating a screen for displaying a preview image,
A print setting acquisition unit for acquiring print settings;
A print setting determining unit that determines whether the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
A setting button determination unit that determines a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when it is determined that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
A setting button area determination unit for determining an area for displaying the determined setting button;
A preview display area determining unit for determining an area for displaying the preview image based on the determined area for displaying the setting button;
An area for displaying the setting button, and a screen generation unit for generating the screen for displaying the preview image by generating an image to be displayed in the area for displaying the preview image. Image generation device.   When the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting, the setting button determination unit is configured to reduce the number of setting buttons displayed on the screen other than the predetermined print setting. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a setting button displayed on the screen is determined. The predetermined print setting is a print setting using a long sheet,
The setting button determination unit excludes at least a setting button related to a post-processing method, a setting button related to a method for arranging a plurality of image pages on one sheet, and a setting button related to a printing surface. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation device is determined as a setting button for displaying the screen. The predetermined print setting is a print setting using a ring binder,
3. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting button determination unit determines at least a setting button other than a setting button related to a post-processing method other than a ring binder as a setting button to be displayed on the screen. .   The image generation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the setting button area determination unit determines an area for displaying the setting button according to an image direction in print data that is a basis of the preview image. apparatus. In an image generation device that generates a screen for displaying a preview image,
Obtaining print settings;
Determining whether the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
Determining a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when it is determined that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
Determining an area for displaying the determined setting button;
Determining an area for displaying the preview image based on the determined area for displaying the setting button;
A control program for an image generation apparatus that executes a region for displaying the setting button and a step of generating the screen for displaying the preview image by generating an image to be displayed in the region for displaying the preview image . A control method of an image generation apparatus for generating a screen for displaying a preview image,
Obtaining print settings;
Determining whether the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
Determining a setting button to be displayed on the screen based on the acquired print setting when it is determined that the acquired print setting is a predetermined print setting;
Determining an area for displaying the determined setting button;
Determining an area for displaying the preview image based on the determined area for displaying the setting button;
A method for controlling an image generating apparatus, comprising: generating an area for displaying the setting button; and generating the screen for displaying the preview image by generating an image to be displayed in the area for displaying the preview image.

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