JP2017062852A - Display device, setting method, computer program, and recording medium with the program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device which allows a user who has no knowledge about operation method of the device to intuitively and easily set print conditions.SOLUTION: In a display device 12, a display unit 116 displays a print condition setting screen for setting print conditions. The print condition setting screen includes a main display area for displaying an image, and a plurality of print-condition setting areas for displaying different print conditions. In the display device 12, a control unit 100 receives an instruction to request for moving an image displayed in the main display area to one of the print condition setting areas, and sets a print condition of an image corresponding to the received instruction to a print condition displayed in the destination print condition setting area. A communication unit 118 transmits a signal for instructing a digital multifunction device 14 to execute printing on the basis of the print condition set in the print condition setting screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a technique for setting printing conditions.

  In recent years, the digital signage business has become active as display devices have become larger and sales prices have fallen. Digital signage is a system that transmits information using a display device such as an electronic signboard connected to a network.

  A technique for connecting a display device used for digital signage and a printing device is also widely known. In such a technique, the user can set printing conditions and the like while viewing information displayed on the display device.

  For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for displaying the contents of each page as a thumbnail on the screen when selecting and setting the type and size of the recording medium for each page. With this technology, the user can select a recording medium suitable for the page content while checking the page content while viewing the screen.

JP-A-2005-1252

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a user needs to acquire knowledge regarding an operation method of a device such as a personal computer in order to select and set a recording medium. That is, a user who does not have knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus cannot easily set printing conditions and the like.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a display device, a setting method, a computer program, and a recording medium recording the same, in which printing conditions can be set intuitively and easily even by a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the device. Is to provide.

  A display device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a display device connected to a printing device. This display device includes display means for displaying a screen for setting printing conditions. The screen includes a main display area for displaying an image and a plurality of print condition setting areas for displaying different print conditions. The display device further includes accepting means for accepting an instruction for requesting to move an image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas, and an image as a target of the instruction accepted by the accepting means. Setting means for setting the printing conditions to the printing conditions displayed in the destination printing condition setting area, and a signal for instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the set printing conditions. A transmission unit; a display control unit that displays a thumbnail image of the moved image in a print condition setting area that is a movement destination; and a size change unit that changes the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas. . The size changing means, when enlarging the size of any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas, changes the one print condition setting area to the one print condition setting area. Increasing toward the adjacent print condition setting area.

  As a result, the user can issue an instruction for requesting to move the image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas. The print condition can be set to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions intuitively and easily. Also, by displaying the thumbnail image of the image that is the target of the received instruction in the print condition setting area of the movement destination, the user can see which print condition is set for which image by looking at the print condition setting area. Can be easily confirmed. In addition, by changing the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas, even when the user wants to set the same print conditions for a plurality of images, the problem of insufficient thumbnail image display areas is avoided. can do.

  Preferably, the display means includes a touch panel, and the accepting means gives an instruction to move the image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas. Accept by detecting the trajectory drawn by. As a result, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions more intuitively and easily.

  More preferably, the display device further includes a change receiving unit that receives an instruction to move the thumbnail image to any one of a plurality of print condition setting areas excluding the print condition setting area where the thumbnail image is displayed. Print condition changing means for changing the print condition of the image corresponding to the received thumbnail image to the print condition displayed in the destination print condition setting area. Thus, even a user who does not have knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can change the printing conditions more intuitively and easily.

  More preferably, the display device is further set with respect to an erasure acceptance unit that accepts an instruction to move the thumbnail image to the main display area, and an image corresponding to the thumbnail image that is the target of the accepted instruction. Erasing means for erasing the printing conditions. Accordingly, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can erase the printing conditions more intuitively and easily. Therefore, it is possible to easily cancel printing.

  Preferably, the display device further includes number setting means for setting the number of print condition setting areas. As a result, the number of printing condition options can be arbitrarily set, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  More preferably, the display device updates the printing conditions displayed in the plurality of printing condition setting areas based on the acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the current state of the printing device and the information acquired by the acquisition unit. Updating means. As a result, for example, it is possible to avoid a problem that an infeasible printing condition is set when the size of the recording paper is changed or when the toner runs out. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of manually changing the printing conditions.

  More preferably, the display device further rotates a rotation reception unit that receives an instruction to rotate the direction of the thumbnail image, and rotates the direction of the thumbnail image that is a target of the instruction based on the instruction received by the rotation reception unit. And a direction setting means for changing the printing direction set for the image corresponding to the thumbnail image to be instructed based on the instruction received by the rotation receiving means. Thereby, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can intuitively and easily change the printing direction.

  Preferably, the transmission means transmits a signal instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing for each identical printing condition based on the printing condition set on the screen. Thus, the printing apparatus can perform printing for each image for which the same printing condition is set when there are a plurality of images to be printed. As a result, energy saving can be achieved as compared with the case where images with different printing conditions are printed out of order.

  A computer program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a display device connected to a printing apparatus, and is a screen for setting the printing conditions for the computer. Any one of a main display area for displaying an image, a display means for displaying a screen including a plurality of printing condition setting areas for displaying different printing conditions, and a plurality of printing condition setting areas for displaying an image displayed in the main display area An accepting unit that accepts an instruction requesting to be moved, a setting unit that sets a print condition of an image that is a target of the instruction accepted by the accepting unit to a print condition displayed in a print condition setting area of the destination, and printing Transmitting means for transmitting a signal for instructing the apparatus to execute printing based on the set printing condition, moved image A thumbnail image, the display control means for displaying the print condition setting area of the destination, and the size changing means for changing the magnitude of each of the plurality of print condition setting area, to function as a. When the size of any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas is increased by the function as the size changing unit, the one print condition setting area is set as the one print condition setting area. Increasing toward the print condition setting area adjacent to the setting area.

  By executing such a computer program, the user can perform only one operation of issuing an instruction requesting to move an image displayed in the main display area to one of a plurality of print condition setting areas. The print condition of the image to be instructed can be set to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions intuitively and easily. Also, by displaying the thumbnail image of the image that is the target of the received instruction in the print condition setting area of the movement destination, the user can see which print condition is set for which image by looking at the print condition setting area. Can be easily confirmed. In addition, by changing the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas, even when the user wants to set the same print conditions for a plurality of images, the problem of insufficient thumbnail image display areas is avoided. can do.

  A recording medium according to a third aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the above-described computer program.

  Examples of the recording medium include a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory) that constitutes a main memory or an auxiliary memory in the computer, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as an auxiliary storage device, and the like. There is.

  Further, a program reading device may be provided as an external storage device of a computer, and a recording medium that can be read by being inserted into this device may be used. Normally, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads a computer program from a recording medium other than the main memory, and loads the read computer program into the main memory and executes it. The CPU comprehensively controls each part of the computer so as to perform predetermined processing according to the installed computer program. Recording media that can be read by the program reader include (1) tape systems such as magnetic tape and cassette tape, (2) magnetic disks such as flexible disk (FD) and hard disk (HD), or CD -Disc systems such as ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto Optical Disk), MD (Mini Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. (3) IC (Integrate) including a memory card (Circuit) cards and card systems such as optical cards, and (4) Mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Ele trically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and can be exemplified medium or the like for recording fixedly programmed, including a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory.

  Further, the computer may be a medium that can be connected to a communication network including the Internet and carry the program fluidly so as to download the computer program from the communication network. When the computer program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the computer in advance. Moreover, you may install from another recording medium.

  A setting method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a method of setting image printing conditions. This setting method is a screen for setting printing conditions, and a step of displaying a screen including a main display area for displaying an image and a plurality of printing condition setting areas for displaying different printing conditions, A receiving step for receiving an instruction to move the image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of printing condition setting areas; and a printing condition for an image to be a target of the instruction received in the receiving step. A setting step for setting the printing conditions displayed in the printing condition setting area of the movement destination, a transmission step for transmitting a signal instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the set printing conditions, and movement Display control step for displaying the thumbnail image of the selected image in the destination print condition setting area, and the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas Including, the size changing step of changing. In the size change step, when the size of any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas is increased, the one print condition setting area is changed to the one print condition setting area. A step of increasing toward an adjacent print condition setting area.

  As a result, the user can issue an instruction for requesting to move the image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas. The print condition can be set to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions intuitively and easily. Also, by displaying the thumbnail image of the image that is the target of the received instruction in the print condition setting area of the movement destination, the user can see which print condition is set for which image by looking at the print condition setting area. Can be easily confirmed. In addition, by changing the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas, even when the user wants to set the same print conditions for a plurality of images, the problem of insufficient thumbnail image display areas is avoided. can do.

  According to the present invention, the user can select the instruction target only by one operation of issuing an instruction to move the image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas. The print condition of the image to be set can be set to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions intuitively and easily.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a display apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print condition setting screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows the control structure of the computer program for implement | achieving a printing condition setting process in the flowchart format. It is a figure which shows the control structure of the computer program for implement | achieving a printing condition setting process in the flowchart format. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a printing condition setting screen when a recording paper size is changed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a print condition setting screen when an image is displayed in a main display area. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing condition setting area in a state where a thumbnail image is displayed. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state of a print condition setting screen when deleting or changing print conditions. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the size of a printing condition setting area is changed.

  In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals and names are assigned to the same components. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Below, the display apparatus 12 (refer FIG. 1) which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The display device 12 according to the present embodiment is connected to the digital multifunction device 14. The user can use the display device 12 to set printing conditions in the printing process executed by the digital multifunction device 14.

<Hardware configuration>
[Display device 12]
With reference to FIG. 1, the display device 12 includes a control unit 100, an input unit 114, a display unit 116, and a communication unit 118.

  The control unit 100 is substantially a computer, and includes a CPU 122, a ROM 124, and a RAM 126. A BUS line 128 is connected to the CPU 122, and a ROM 124 and a RAM 126 are electrically connected to the BUS line 128. The CPU 122 executes various computer programs in accordance with instructions from an external device including the digital multifunction peripheral 14 or the input unit 114 and the like, thereby performing desired processing such as operation of each unit of the display device 12 and communication with the external device. Execute. The various computer programs are stored in the ROM 124 in advance, and are read from the ROM 124 and transferred to the RAM 126 when desired processing is executed. The CPU 122 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM 126 specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU 122. CPU 122 also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by an instruction, such as a register in the RAM 126 and the CPU 122.

  The ROM 124 stores various data including image data for displaying various screens on the display unit 116 and computer programs for realizing general operations of the display device 12. The ROM 124 further stores a printer driver program (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer driver”) for causing the digital multi-function peripheral 14 to execute a print job. The display device 12 executes the printer driver to realize a print condition setting process and the like described later. Then, an image based on the image data designated by the user can be printed on the digital multi-function peripheral 14.

  Input unit 114 includes a touch panel (not shown). Display unit 116 includes a liquid crystal display (not shown). The touch panel and the liquid crystal display described above are configured so as to provide an interactive operation interface to the user. That is, the input unit 114 receives an instruction based on a user input operation on the touch panel and outputs a control signal corresponding to the instruction to the control unit 100. In response to the input instruction, the control unit 100 causes the liquid crystal display to display various information such as information related to the content of the instruction.

  The user can perform operations such as moving a display image by tracing the touch panel with a finger (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “dragging”). The control unit 100 can accept a user instruction by detecting a trajectory drawn by the user's finger on the touch panel.

  The input unit 114 further includes a page turning button (not shown) for switching the display image displayed on the display unit 116 in ascending order of page numbers.

  The communication unit 118 interfaces with the network 20. The display device 12 performs data communication with an external device including the digital multi-function peripheral 14 connected on the network 20 via the communication unit 118. The display device 12 can transmit a print instruction signal instructing execution of printing to the digital multi-function peripheral 14 through the communication unit 118 in accordance with the set printing conditions. The display device 12 can also acquire image data for displaying an image on the display unit 116 from an external device on the network 20 via the communication unit 118.

  A power source (not shown) is connected to each part of the display device 12, and each part of the display device 12 operates by supplying power from this power source.

[Digital MFP 14]
With reference to FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 14 includes a control unit 200, a scanner unit 212, a printer unit 214, an image processing unit 216, an operation panel 218, a communication unit 220, and a power supply control unit 222.

  The control unit 200 is substantially a computer and includes a CPU 232, a ROM 234, a RAM 236, and an HDD 238. A BUS line 240 is connected to the CPU 232, and a ROM 234, a RAM 236, and an HDD 238 are electrically connected to the BUS line 240. The CPU 232 executes various computer programs in accordance with instructions from the operation panel 218 and the like, thereby executing desired processing such as operation of each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 and communication with the display device 12. The various computer programs are stored in advance in the ROM 234 or the HDD 238, and are read from the ROM 234 or the HDD 238 and transferred to the RAM 236 when a desired process is executed. The CPU 232 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM 236 specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU 232. The CPU 232 also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by an instruction, such as a register in the RAM 236, HDD 238, and CPU 232.

  The HDD 238 stores various data including image data such as electronic books and computer programs for realizing general operations of the digital multi-function peripheral 14.

  Further, a scanner unit 212, a printer unit 214, an image processing unit 216, an operation panel 218, a communication unit 220, and a power supply control unit 222 are electrically connected to the BUS line 240.

  The scanner unit 212 includes a document scanning unit including a light source, a reflection mirror, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) line sensor (none of which is shown). The document scanning unit irradiates light from a light source onto an image surface of a document placed on a document placement table (not shown) manually by a user or by an automatic document feeder (not shown). Thus, a reflected light image is obtained. The reflection mirror and the optical lens form the resulting reflected light image on the CCD line sensor. The CCD line sensor sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image and outputs it to the image processing unit 216 as image data.

  The printer unit 214 includes an image memory 242 and a printing unit 246. The image memory 242 includes a RAM and temporarily stores print data in units of pages. The image memory 242 temporarily stores, for example, print data input from the image processing unit 216 for transmission to the printing unit 246 in response to an instruction from the control unit 200 or the like, and stores the stored print data. Data is output to the printing unit 246 in synchronization with image formation by the printing unit 246. The printing unit 246 is detachably attached to the photosensitive drum, the charger, the LSU (Laser Scanning Unit), the developing device, the transfer device, the cleaning device, and the fixing device (none of which are shown), and the digital multifunction device 14. Includes a toner cartridge to be mounted. The printing unit 246 further includes a manual paper feed tray (not shown), a first paper feed tray 250, and a second paper feed tray 252 (see FIG. 1) that are detachably attached to the digital multifunction peripheral 14. . These paper feed trays are installed so as to be lined up and down in this order, hold the recording paper, and feed the recording paper to a paper transport unit (not shown). The manual paper feed tray is a tray for a user to manually set desired recording paper, and the first paper feed tray 250 and the second paper feed tray 252 are trays for holding recording papers of different sizes. is there. In response to an instruction from the control unit 200 or the like, the printing unit 246 prints an image based on print data transmitted from the image memory 242 on a recording sheet conveyed from any of the above-described paper feed trays via the sheet conveyance unit. To print.

  In the present embodiment, the first paper feed tray 250 and the second paper feed tray 252 (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as “paper feed trays 250 and 252”) include a paper guide and a paper size detection sensor. (None of these are shown). The paper guide is slidably provided so that the recording paper set in the paper feed trays 250 and 252 is sandwiched from both sides in the length direction and the width direction. In other words, the paper guide is slide-adjusted according to the size in the length direction and width direction of the set recording paper.

  The paper size detection sensor is a variable resistor (volume) that detects the length of the recording paper in the length direction and the width direction by detecting the separation distance of the paper guide in the length direction and width direction of the recording paper. . When the paper size detection sensor detects the length in the length direction and the width direction of the recording paper set in the paper feed trays 250 and 252, the detection result is output to the control unit 200. Based on the input detection result, the control unit 200 determines the size of the recording paper (for example, an AB type size defined by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)). Then, the display device 12 is notified of information indicating the determined size of the recording paper. In this way, when the recording paper is set on the first paper feeding tray 250 and the second paper feeding tray 252, the size of the recording paper is determined and the result is notified to the display device 12.

  The image processing unit 216 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit, not shown). The image processing unit 216 performs various processes including predetermined image processing on the image data received from the scanner unit 212, the display device 12, and the like to generate print data of a predetermined gradation, and Output.

  Operation panel 218 includes a touch panel and a liquid crystal display (both not shown). The touch panel and the liquid crystal display are configured to overlap and provide an interactive operation interface to the user. That is, operation panel 218 receives an instruction based on a user input operation on the touch panel, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the instruction to control unit 200. In response to the input instruction, the control unit 200 causes the liquid crystal display to display information about the state of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 and the content of the instruction. The operation panel 218 further includes various hardware keys including a power button for inputting a power-on instruction and a power-off instruction, and a print start key for starting a print job.

  The communication unit 220 interfaces with the network 20. The digital multi-function peripheral 14 can perform data communication with the display device 12 on the network 20 via the communication unit 220. The digital multi-function peripheral 14 can receive a print instruction signal instructing execution of printing from the display device 12 according to the printing conditions set on the display device 12 via the communication unit 220.

  The power control unit 222 is electrically connected to the external power source 248. The power supply control unit 222 acquires power necessary for the operation of each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 from the external power source 248 and supplies the acquired power to each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 14.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 14 operates each unit described above to copy a document image on a recording sheet in accordance with an instruction by a user input operation from the operation panel 218 or an instruction from the display device 12 or the like, One of various modes such as a print mode for printing an image based on image data on a recording sheet and a scanner mode for reading a document image and transmitting it to an external device is executed.

[Print condition setting screen 400]
In the present embodiment, the display unit 116 of the display device 12 displays a print condition setting screen for setting print conditions. Referring to FIG. 3, printing condition setting screen 400 includes a main display area 402 and printing condition setting areas 404A to 404D (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “printing condition setting area 404”). . In the main display area 402, an image based on image data designated by the user is displayed. When there are a plurality of images to be displayed, the user can switch the display image of the main display area 402 using the page turning function. The main display area 402 further displays a print determination button 406 for issuing a print instruction.

  Different print conditions (in this embodiment, the size and copy color of the recording paper) are displayed in the print condition setting areas 404A to 404D. In the present embodiment, in the print condition setting areas 404A and 404B, for example, a character string “A3” indicating the size of the recording paper set in the first paper feed tray 250 of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 is displayed. In the print condition setting areas 404C and 404D, for example, a character string “A4” indicating the size of the recording paper set in the second paper feed tray 252 of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 is displayed. In the printing condition setting areas 404A and 404C, a character string “color printing” indicating a color copy is displayed, and in the printing condition setting areas 404B and 404D, a character string “monochrome printing” indicating a monochrome copy is displayed. . The user can set the number of print condition setting areas 404 in advance by an input operation on the input unit 114. In this case, it is preferable that the printing conditions displayed in the printing condition setting area 404 are selected in descending order of frequency of use. The size of the print condition setting area 404 is determined based on the number of set print condition setting areas 404.

<Software configuration>
[Display device 12]
(Print condition setting process)
As described above, a part of the printer driver stored in the ROM 124 is programmed to execute the print condition setting process. The program for realizing the printing condition setting process is started when an instruction for requesting to display the printing condition setting screen 400 is made by a user input operation on the input unit 114.

  Referring to FIG. 4, this program includes a step (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 1000 for causing display unit 116 to display print condition setting screen 400. The print condition setting screen 400 displayed in S1000 is a screen displayed at the end of the previous print condition setting process.

  This program further determines the size of the recording paper stored in the first paper feed tray 250 and the second paper feed tray 252 based on the information indicating the size of the recording paper notified from the digital multifunction peripheral 14. S1001 for determining whether or not the size at the end of the condition setting process has been changed, and when it is determined that the size has been changed in S1001 (in the case of YES), the size information of the changed recording paper is displayed as printing conditions. S1002 to be reflected in the information displayed in the setting area 404.

  If it is determined that the program has not been changed in S1001 (in the case of NO) or after the processing in S1002, this program is executed in the image data selected by the input operation on the input unit 114, and the page to be displayed Is executed when the page to be displayed is determined to be specified in S1003 (in the case of YES), and corresponds to the specified page for the main display area 402. S1004 for displaying an image. If it is determined in S1003 that the display target page is not designated (NO), the control returns to S1003.

  This program further determines whether or not the display image has been dragged from the main display area 402 to any of the print condition setting areas 404, and when it is determined that the display image has been dragged in S1005 (in the case of YES). This is executed, and the corresponding display image is deleted from the main display area 402 of the drag source, and the thumbnail image of the dragged image is displayed in the print condition setting area 404 of the drag destination. S1006 for setting the conditions indicated in the drag-destination print condition setting area 404.

  This program further determines whether or not there is another page different from the designated page in the selected image data. If it is determined in S1007 that there is another page (YES) And S1008 for executing the page turning process. In the page turning process in S1008, a process of displaying an image corresponding to the next page of the page specified in S1003 in the main display area 402 is executed. If the page specified in S1003 is the last page of image data, an image corresponding to the first page of image data is displayed.

  This program is further executed in S1005 when it is determined that the display image is not dragged from the main display area 402 to any of the print condition setting areas 404 (in the case of NO), and the print condition setting area 404 is executed. S1009 for determining whether or not there is a dragged thumbnail image in the main display area 402, and if it is determined in S1009 that there is a dragged thumbnail image (in the case of YES), this is executed. By deleting the corresponding thumbnail image from the print condition setting area 404, the print condition set for the dragged thumbnail image is cancelled, and the original corresponding to the dragged thumbnail image is displayed for the main display area 402. And S1010 for displaying the image. After the processing of S1010, control returns to S1009.

  Referring to FIG. 5, this program is executed when it is determined in S1009 that there is no thumbnail image dragged from print condition setting area 404 to main display area 402 (in the case of NO), and the display destination When it is determined in S1011 whether there is a dragged thumbnail image in any of the other print condition setting areas 404 other than the print condition setting area 404, and when it is determined in S1011 that there is a dragged thumbnail image (In the case of YES), the corresponding thumbnail image is erased from the drag-source print condition setting area 404 and the dragged thumbnail image is displayed in the drag-destination print condition setting area 404 to thereby display the thumbnail. S1012 for changing the printing conditions set for the image corresponding to the image.

  The program further determines that there is no other page in S1007 (in the case of NO), and if it is determined in S1011 that there is no dragged thumbnail image after the processing in S1008 (in the case of NO). ) Or S1013 that is executed after the processing of S1012 and determines whether or not the print determination button 406 displayed in the main display area 402 has been pressed. In S1013, it is determined that the print determination button 406 has been pressed. In this case (in the case of YES), a print instruction signal for instructing the digital multi-function peripheral 14 to execute printing for each identical print condition based on the print condition set on the print condition setting screen 400 is provided. S1014 to transmit. If it is determined in S1013 that the print determination button 406 has not been pressed (NO), the control returns to S1003.

<Operation>
1 to 9, the display device 12 and the digital multifunction peripheral 14 according to the present embodiment operate as follows when printing a display image. Except for the following operations, operations for realizing general functions of the display device 12 and the digital multifunction device 14 are the same as those of the conventional display device and digital multifunction device. In the following operation, it is assumed that the display device 12 and the digital multi-function peripheral 14 are in a power-on state. Further, it is assumed that the display device 12 and the digital multifunction peripheral 14 are installed at a tourist information center. It is assumed that A3 size recording paper is set in the first paper feed tray 250 of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 and A4 size recording paper is set in the second paper feed tray 252.

  The user issues an instruction to request that the print condition setting screen 400 (see FIG. 3) be displayed by an input operation on the input unit 114 of the display device 12. When the user gives an instruction, the printing condition setting screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 116 (S1000). The print condition setting screen 400 displayed at this time is a screen displayed at the end of the previous print condition setting process.

  When the print condition setting screen 400 is displayed, the control unit 100 stores the information in the first paper feed tray 250 and the second paper feed tray 252 based on the information indicating the size of the recording paper notified from the digital multifunction peripheral 14. It is determined whether or not the size of the recording paper to be changed has been changed from the size at the end of the previous printing condition setting process (S1001). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the size of the recording paper has not been changed (NO in S1001). Accordingly, the size information displayed in the print condition setting area 404 is not updated.

  On the other hand, when the size of the recording paper has been changed (YES in S1001), the control unit 100 reflects the changed size information of the recording paper in the information displayed in the print condition setting area 404 ( S1002). With reference to FIG. 6, for example, when the size of the recording paper set in the first paper feed tray 250 is changed from the A3 size to the B4 size, the printing condition setting corresponding to the first paper feed tray 250 is performed. The character strings displayed in the areas 404A and 404B are changed from “A3” to “B4”.

  For example, the user selects desired image data from various data stored in the HDD 238 of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 by an input operation on the input unit 114. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an electronic book composed of a plurality of pages including information on a map, a tourist guide, a pamphlet, and the like is selected. When an electronic book is selected, an image of the first page of the selected electronic book is displayed in the main display area 402.

  The user confirms the display image, switches the display image by pressing a page turning button (not shown) of the input unit 114, and performs a desired page (in this case) in the electronic book by an input operation on the input unit 114. , The first page of the electronic book) is designated.

  Referring to FIG. 7, when the display target page is designated by the user (YES in S1003), image 408 corresponding to the designated page is displayed in main display area 402 (S1004).

  The user desires to print the display image, and drags the display image from the main display area 402 to the print condition setting area 404B by an input operation on the input unit 114 (see arrow A1 shown in FIG. 7). When the display image is dragged (YES in S1005), the corresponding display image is erased from the drag-source main display area 402 and the drag-destination print condition setting area 404B contains the first electronic book. A thumbnail image 410A (see FIG. 8) of the page image is displayed (S1006). Thereby, the printing condition of the image of the first page of the electronic book is set to the condition “A3, monochrome printing” indicated in the printing condition setting area 404B.

  After setting the printing conditions for the image of the first page of the electronic book, the control unit 100 determines whether there is another page different from the designated page in the electronic book that is the selected image data. (S1007). In this case, since the selected electronic book includes a plurality of pages, the control unit 100 determines that there is another page (YES in S1007), and executes a page turning process (S1008). By this page turning process, an image corresponding to the second page of the selected electronic book is displayed in the main display area 402. If the selected electronic book consists of only one page (NO in S1007), the page turning process is not executed.

  After confirming the display image, the user does not desire to print the image of the second page of the electronic book, and therefore does not press the print determination button 406 (NO in S1013) and presses the page turning button of the input unit 114. Thus, the display image is switched, and a desired page in the electronic book (in this case, the third page of the electronic book) is designated by an input operation on the input unit 114. When the display target page is designated by the user (YES in S1003), an image corresponding to the designated page is displayed in main display area 402 (S1004).

  The user desires to print the display image, and drags the display image from the main display area 402 to the print condition setting area 404B by an input operation on the input unit 114 (see arrow A1 shown in FIG. 7). When the display image is dragged (YES in S1005), the corresponding display image is erased from the dragged main display area 402 and the dragged print condition setting area 404B has a third electronic book. A thumbnail image 410B (see FIG. 8) of the image of the page is displayed (S1006). Thereby, the printing condition of the image of the third page of the electronic book is set to the condition “A3, monochrome printing” shown in the printing condition setting area 404B.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the user repeats the above operation again, and as a result, the thumbnail images 410A, 410B, 410C of the images of the first page, the third page, and the sixth page of the electronic book are dragged to. Are displayed in the print condition setting area 404B. Thereby, the printing conditions of each image are set so that the images of the first page, the third page, and the sixth page of the electronic book are printed on the A3 size recording paper by monochrome printing. After setting the printing conditions for the image of the sixth page of the electronic book, the control unit 100 executes a page turning process (YES in S1007, S1008). As a result, an image corresponding to the seventh page of the electronic book is displayed in the print condition setting area 404.

  After confirming the display image, the user does not press the print determination button 406 (NO in step S1013), and performs an input operation on the input unit 114 to perform a desired page in the electronic book (in this case, the seventh page of the electronic book). Is specified. When the display target page is designated by the user (YES in S1003), an image corresponding to the designated page is displayed in main display area 402 (S1004).

  Referring to FIG. 9, the user does not set the printing condition for the image of the seventh page of the electronic book (NO in S1005) and desires to cancel the printing of the image of the first page of the electronic book. The thumbnail image 410A is dragged from the print condition setting area 404B to the main display area 402 by an input operation on the input unit 114 (see arrow A2). When the thumbnail image 410A is dragged (YES in S1009), the corresponding thumbnail image 410A is erased from the drag-source print condition setting area 404B, and the print conditions set for the image corresponding to the thumbnail image 410A are released. At the same time, the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image 410A is displayed in the main display area 402 (S1010). As a result, printing of the image of the first page of the electronic book is canceled.

  Referring to FIG. 9 again, the user desires to change the print condition of the image of the third page of the electronic book, and the thumbnail image 410B is displayed as the display condition print condition setting area 404B by an input operation on the input unit 114. Drag to the printing condition setting area 404C (see arrow A3). When the thumbnail image 410B is dragged (NO in S1009, YES in S1011), the corresponding thumbnail image 410B is deleted from the drag-source print condition setting area 404B and dragged to the drag-destination print condition setting area 404C. The thumbnail image thus displayed is displayed (S1012). Thus, the printing conditions set for the third page image corresponding to the thumbnail image 410B are set so that the third page image of the electronic book is printed on A4 size recording paper by color printing. Be changed.

  The user confirms the thumbnail images 410A to 410C corresponding to the images for which the printing conditions are set displayed in the printing condition setting areas 404B and 404C, and presses the print determination button 406 displayed in the main display area 402. When the print determination button 406 is pressed (YES in S1013), the control unit 100 causes the digital multi-function peripheral 14 to communicate with the digital multifunction peripheral 14 via the communication unit 118 based on the print conditions set on the print condition setting screen 400. A print instruction signal for instructing execution of printing for each identical print condition is transmitted (S1014).

  When receiving the print instruction signal, the control unit 200 of the digital multi-function peripheral 14 causes the printer unit 214 to execute printing for each identical print condition based on the print condition set on the print condition setting screen 400. In this embodiment, after printing of images corresponding to all thumbnail images in the printing condition setting areas 404A to 404D, that is, all the thumbnail images in one printing condition setting area, is performed in the next printing condition setting area. Printing of images corresponding to all thumbnail images is executed. In this case, after the image of the sixth page of the electronic book is printed on the A3 size recording paper by monochrome printing, the image of the third page of the electronic book is printed on the A4 size recording paper by color printing. The

<Action and effect>
According to the above embodiment, the display device 12 is connected to the digital multi-function peripheral 14. In the display device 12, the display unit 116 displays a print condition setting screen 400 for setting print conditions. The print condition setting screen 400 includes a main display area 402 for displaying an image and a plurality of print condition setting areas 404A to 404D for displaying different print conditions. In the display device 12, the control unit 100 receives a first instruction requesting to move an image displayed in the main display area 402 to one of the print condition setting areas 404 </ b> A to 404 </ b> D, and receives the first instruction received. Is set to the print condition displayed in the destination print condition setting area 404, and the communication unit 118 is set in the print condition setting screen 400 for the digital multifunction peripheral 14. A signal for instructing execution of printing based on the printing conditions is transmitted.

  As a result, the user can perform the first operation only with one operation of issuing a first instruction requesting to move the image displayed in the main display area 402 to any one of the print condition setting areas 404A to 404D. The print condition of the image that is the target of the instruction can be set to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area 404 of the movement destination. Therefore, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions intuitively and easily.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, in the display device 12, the control unit 100 causes the thumbnail image of the image that is the target of the received first instruction to be displayed in the print condition setting area 404 of the movement destination. Accordingly, the user can easily confirm which print condition is set for which image by looking at the print condition setting area 404.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the input unit 114 includes a touch panel, and the control unit 100 accepts the first instruction described above by detecting a locus drawn by the user's finger on the touch panel. As a result, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can set printing conditions more intuitively and easily. In the above embodiment, the display image and the thumbnail image are moved by a finger drag operation on the touch panel. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the input unit 114 may include a mouse and a keyboard, and may be performed by a general drag operation using the mouse.

  According to the above embodiment, in the display device 12, the control unit 100 moves the thumbnail image to one of the plurality of print condition setting areas 404 excluding the print condition setting area 404 that is the display destination of the thumbnail image. The second instruction requesting this is received, and the print condition of the image corresponding to the thumbnail image that is the target of the received second instruction is changed to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area 404 of the movement destination. Thus, even a user who does not have knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can change the printing conditions more intuitively and easily.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, in the display device 12, the control unit 100 receives the third instruction requesting to move the thumbnail image to the main display area 402, and becomes a target of the received third instruction. The print conditions set for the image corresponding to the thumbnail image are deleted. Accordingly, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can erase the printing conditions more intuitively and easily. Therefore, it is possible to easily cancel printing.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the user can set the number of print condition setting areas 404 by an input operation on the input unit 114. As a result, the user can arbitrarily set the number of printing condition options. As a result, when there are a large number of print conditions that can be selected in the digital multi-function peripheral 14 (for example, selectable copy colors include color, monochrome, and two-color printing, and selectable recording paper sizes are A4, A3, B5 and B4, and there are plain paper, thick paper, and glossy paper as recording paper types), the number of printing condition options can be reduced, so that convenience for the user is improved.

  According to the above embodiment, in the display device 12, the control unit 100 acquires information indicating the current state of the digital multifunction peripheral 14 (information indicating the size of the recording paper), and based on the acquired information, The printing conditions (size information) displayed in the printing condition setting areas 404A to 404D are updated. In the above-described embodiment, information indicating the size of the recording sheet is acquired as information indicating the current state of the digital multifunction peripheral 14, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, information indicating out of paper, information indicating out of toner, and the like may be acquired. In this case, it is preferable that the print condition setting area 404 corresponding to the paper supply tray out of paper is displayed in gray. Further, for example, when the color toner has run out, the print condition setting area 404 corresponding to the color copy is grayed out, or the character string “color printing” is the character string “monochrome printing”. It is preferable to change to. As a result, for example, it is possible to avoid a problem that an infeasible printing condition is set when the size of the recording paper is changed or when the toner runs out. Further, it is possible to save the trouble of manually changing the printing conditions.

  Further, according to the embodiment, the communication unit 118 instructs the digital multi-function peripheral 14 to execute printing for each identical print condition based on the print condition set on the print condition setting screen 400. Send a signal. Thus, when there are a plurality of images to be printed, the digital multi-function peripheral 14 can perform printing for each image for which the same printing condition is set. For example, when recording paper sizes are set in a mixed manner, printing on a small size recording paper can be performed collectively, and printing on a large size recording paper can be performed collectively. As a result, energy saving can be achieved when, for example, the fixing heating region varies depending on the width of the recording paper, as compared with the case where images with different printing conditions are printed in random order.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the size of the printing condition setting area 404 is determined based on the number of printing condition setting areas 404, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in the display device 12, the control unit 100 may change the size of the print condition setting area 404 in which thumbnail images are displayed in accordance with the number of thumbnail images displayed in the area. Referring to FIG. 10A, when the maximum number (10) of thumbnail images that can be displayed in the area is displayed in print condition setting area 404B, control unit 100, as shown in FIG. 10B, The size of the print condition setting area 404 is changed so that the area of the print condition setting area 404B becomes wider. Thus, even when the user wants to set the same printing condition for a plurality of images, it is possible to avoid a problem that the display area of the thumbnail images is insufficient.

  In the above embodiment, the user sets the printing condition only by moving the positions of the display image and the thumbnail image, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in addition to the above method, the printing direction may be set by rotating the direction of the thumbnail image by a drag operation by the user. In this case, the control unit 100 receives an instruction requesting to rotate the direction of the thumbnail image, rotates the direction of the thumbnail image to be instructed based on the received instruction, and the thumbnail to be instructed. The print direction set for the image corresponding to the image is changed. Thereby, even a user who has no knowledge about the operation method of the apparatus can intuitively and easily change the printing direction from, for example, the vertical direction to the horizontal direction.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, when a display image is dragged from the main display area 402 to any one of the print condition setting areas 404, the corresponding display image is deleted from the dragged main display area 402. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the image of the next page may be displayed after the corresponding display image is erased.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the print condition setting area 404 displays the recording paper size and copy color as the print condition, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the number of images aggregated (N-up number), the resolution, and the like may be displayed as printing conditions.

  The embodiment disclosed this time is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the scope of claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Display apparatus 14 Digital multifunction device 20 Network 100 Control part 114 Input part 116 Display part 118 Communication part

Claims (11)

A display device connected to the printing device,
The display device includes display means for displaying a screen for setting printing conditions,
The screen includes a main display area for displaying an image and a plurality of print condition setting areas for displaying different print conditions, respectively.
The display device further includes:
Accepting means for accepting an instruction for requesting to move an image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas;
Setting means for setting the print condition of the image that is the target of the instruction accepted by the accepting means to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination;
Transmitting means for transmitting a signal instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on set printing conditions;
Display control means for displaying the thumbnail image of the moved image in the print condition setting area of the movement destination;
Size changing means for changing the size of each of the plurality of printing condition setting areas,
In the case where the size changing unit increases the size of any one of the plurality of printing condition setting areas, the size changing unit sets the one printing condition setting area as the one printing condition setting area. A display device that increases toward a printing condition setting area adjacent to the area. The display means includes a touch panel,
The accepting unit detects a trajectory drawn by a user's finger on the touch panel for an instruction to move an image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is received. The display device further includes:
Change accepting means for accepting an instruction to move the thumbnail image to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas excluding the print condition setting area of the thumbnail image display destination;
The printing condition changing means for changing the printing condition of the image corresponding to the received thumbnail image to be instructed to the printing condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination. 2. The display device according to 2. The display device further includes:
An erasure acceptance means for accepting an instruction to move the thumbnail image to the main display area;
The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: an erasing unit that erases a printing condition set for an image corresponding to the received thumbnail image that is the target of the instruction. The display device further includes:
The display device according to claim 1, further comprising number setting means for setting the number of the printing condition setting areas. The display device further includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining information indicating a current state of the printing apparatus;
6. An update unit that updates printing conditions displayed in the plurality of printing condition setting areas based on the information acquired by the acquiring unit. 6. Display device. The display device further includes:
Rotation accepting means for accepting an instruction requesting to rotate the direction of the thumbnail image;
Rotating means for rotating the direction of the thumbnail image that is the target of the instruction based on the instruction received by the rotation receiving means;
And a direction setting unit that changes a printing direction set for an image corresponding to a thumbnail image that is a target of the instruction based on the instruction received by the rotation receiving unit. The display device according to claim 6.   8. The transmission unit according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a signal instructing execution of printing for each of the same printing conditions based on the printing conditions set on the screen to the printing apparatus. The display apparatus as described in any one. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a display device connected to a printing apparatus,
A display unit for displaying a screen for setting printing conditions, the screen including a main display area for displaying an image and a plurality of printing condition setting areas for displaying different printing conditions;
Accepting means for accepting an instruction to request that the image displayed in the main display area be moved to any of the plurality of print condition setting areas;
Setting means for setting the print condition of the image that is the target of the instruction accepted by the accepting means to the print condition displayed in the print condition setting area of the movement destination;
A transmission means for transmitting a signal instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on a set printing condition;
Display control means for displaying the thumbnail image of the moved image in the print condition setting area of the destination, and
Functioning as a size changing means for changing the size of each of the plurality of print condition setting areas,
When the size of any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas is increased by the function as the size changing unit, the one print condition setting area is set to the one print condition setting area. A computer program that increases toward a printing condition setting area adjacent to the printing condition setting area.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 9 is recorded. A method for setting image printing conditions,
Displaying the screen including a main display area for displaying an image and a plurality of print condition setting areas for displaying different printing conditions, respectively, for setting the printing conditions; and
An accepting step of accepting an instruction requesting to move an image displayed in the main display area to any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas;
A setting step of setting a printing condition of the image to be the target of the instruction received in the receiving step to a printing condition displayed in a printing condition setting area of a movement destination;
A transmission step of transmitting a signal instructing the printing apparatus to execute printing based on the set printing conditions;
A display control step for displaying a thumbnail image of the moved image in the print condition setting area of the movement destination;
A size changing step of changing the size of each of the plurality of printing condition setting areas,
In the size changing step, when the size of any one of the plurality of print condition setting areas is increased, the one print condition setting area is set as the one print condition setting area. A setting method including a step of increasing toward a printing condition setting area adjacent to the area.

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