JP2017100320A - Image formation device, image formation system, method for controlling the same and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system that can readily change configuration of a page of print data that is different from a predetermined configuration in an image formation device.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: The image formation device stores the print data, displays a preview of the page of the print data, receives a scroll direction to transit a page view that is preview-displayed and, when a configuration of the page transited by the received scroll direction is different from the predetermined configuration, displays an operation part for changing the configuration of the page transited by the scroll direction on a display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, print data is stored in a multifunction peripheral and a preview of the print data is displayed to allow the user to confirm an image of the print data.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a preview of each page of print data is displayed on the screen of the image forming apparatus, and the images on a plurality of pages are sequentially confirmed by scrolling the screen display according to a user operation. It is described.

JP, 2013-166301, A

  Further, in Patent Document 1, when scrolling and displaying a page in which a plurality of print data pages are set to be printed on a single print sheet, such as Nin1, the contents of the page are surely displayed to the user. It is described that the speed of scrolling is reduced for confirmation.

  If the settings of the confirmed page are not appropriate, the user must change the settings of the confirmed page. For example, the user has to go back to his / her seat, operate his / her PC, change the print settings with the printer driver, and re-enter the print data whose settings have been changed for the multifunction peripheral.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows an image forming apparatus to easily change print data page settings different from predetermined settings.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data, the preview display unit displaying a preview of the page of the print data, and the display of the page displayed by the preview display unit. A scroll instruction accepting unit that accepts a scroll instruction to make a transition, and when the setting of the page that has been transitioned by the scroll instruction accepted by the scroll instruction accepting unit is different from a predetermined setting, And an operation unit display means for displaying on the display screen an operation unit for changing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism that allows an image forming apparatus to easily change print data page settings different from predetermined settings.

1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming system in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of PC in embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the various apparatuses in embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print data storage processing in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the layout change button display process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data structure in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the bibliographic information list screen in the embodiment of this invention, and a preview display screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state of a print layout change on a preview display screen in the embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of batch print layout change processing according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a confirmation dialog for batch change of print layout according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing for determining a difference in print layout based on a predetermined page in the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the layout change button display process in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the various data structure in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode of the print layout change in the preview display screen in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  <First Embodiment>

  First, an example of the configuration of an image forming system in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a client PC 100 and a multifunction peripheral 300 are connected via a local area network (LAN) 101.

  A printer driver is installed in the client PC 100, and the client PC 100 generates print data and print settings for the print data by the function of the printer driver and a user operation, and combines the generated print data and print settings. To the machine 300.

  The multi-function device 300 receives and stores print data transmitted from the client PC 100 and bibliographic information (information including print settings) acquired from the print data, creates a print image of the print data, and stores the print image in an external memory. In addition, the user has a function of causing the user to confirm the created print image on the touch panel of the multifunction peripheral 300 and changing print settings (for example, appearance and layout) as necessary.

  The print settings here include information such as print data page aggregation settings (Nin1) settings, single-side / double-side settings, print direction (vertical / horizontal) settings, color / monochrome settings, and the like. In the present embodiment, the description will be given with particular attention to the setting of the print direction.

  Depending on the printing method, the page of the document displayed vertically on the application installed on the client PC 100 is not printed vertically on the vertically oriented paper, but vertically on the horizontally oriented paper. In some cases, printing is performed (for example, the 11th page of print data in 820 of FIG. 8). This is a problem that occurs when, for example, a document in which a vertical page and a horizontal page are mixed is printed. This occurs particularly when the print direction automatic adjustment function is turned off and the print direction is specified in a printer driver or the like.

  In the present embodiment, when preview display is performed on the multifunction peripheral 300, the display of the print image is switched (transitioned) according to the scroll operation. As a preview display method, a method of displaying a print image of one page in print data and switching the display to the image of the previous or next page by accepting pressing of the forward / back button can be considered. This is because, in many cases, it is time-consuming and time-consuming to advance / return a page by pushing a button page by page.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus applicable to the client PC shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204. Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 is necessary to realize a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as an OS), which is a control program of the CPU 201, or a function executed by each server or each PC. Various programs to be described later are stored.

  A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program or the like necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 into the RAM 203 and executing the loaded program.

  An input controller 205 controls input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown). A video controller 206 controls display on a display device such as a CRT display (CRT) 210. In FIG. 2, although described as CRT 210, the display device is not limited to the CRT, but may be another display device such as a liquid crystal display. These are used by the administrator as needed.

  A memory controller 207 is connected to the hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD), or PCMCIA card slot for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, etc. via an adapter. The access to the external memory 211 such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory is controlled.

  A communication I / F controller 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network (for example, the LAN 101 shown in FIG. 1), and executes communication control processing on the network. For example, communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the CRT 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. In addition, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 210.

  Various programs to be described later for realizing the present invention are recorded in the external memory 211 and executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used when executing the program are also stored in the external memory 211, and a detailed description thereof will be described later. The above is the description of FIG.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 300 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 316 denotes a controller unit which is connected to a scanner 314 functioning as an image input device and a printer unit 312 functioning as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN (for example, the LAN 101 shown in FIG. 1) or a public line (WAN). ) (For example, PSTN or ISDN) to input / output image data and device information.

  In the controller unit 316, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU, which is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the CPU 301 to operate, and is also a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  A ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit (keyboard) 308. Further, the operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit the key information (for example, pressing of the start button) input from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to the network (LAN) 101. In addition, wireless communication is also possible, and connection is made with other devices by communication using infrared rays, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). Input and output data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  Reference numeral 318 denotes an external interface (external I / F), which is an I / F unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C. In this embodiment, an IC card for a portable terminal required for authentication A card reader 319 for reading (storage medium) is connected to the external I / F unit 318. The CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card of the mobile terminal by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card of the mobile terminal. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

Reference numeral 320 denotes an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F), which is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts the data structure.
The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data such as a PDL code into a bitmap image. A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner 314 and the controller unit 316 and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  An image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data, and performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 performs image data rotation and compression / decompression processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. I do.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has a paper cassette corresponding thereto.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The operation unit 308 displays an operation screen of the system. When a displayed key is pressed, the position information is displayed on the operation unit I / F 307. To the CPU 301 via The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  The display unit has different display performance depending on the printer (multifunction device), a printer that can be operated via a touch panel, and a simple LCD screen that displays character strings (displays the print status and the name of the document being printed). The present invention is constituted by a printer.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  The card reader 319 reads information stored in an IC card (which may be provided in the portable terminal as an IC chip) under the control of the CPU 301, and reads the read information via the external I / F 318. To notify. The card reader 319 corresponds to the NFC communication standard, and is configured to be able to read and write to an IC card or an IC chip of a portable terminal (card reader / writer). In addition, when an NFC standard-compliant portable terminal is held over an NFC standard-compliant card reader, authentication is performed and the portable terminal is paired with a printer (multifunction device). Then, communication (P2P) can be established between the held portable terminal and the printer (multifunction machine) to perform data communication. In addition, it is also possible to take over communication (handover) to Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark), which are high-speed communication standards, and to perform communication between the portable terminal and the printer (multifunction device). For example, by holding the portable terminal over a card reader, an image stored in the portable terminal can be transmitted to a printer (multifunction machine). The details of the NFC communication standard are conventional techniques, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the above-described multifunction device 300, a platform for controlling the multifunction device 300 exists, and an authentication application for communicating with the authentication server is operating on the platform. The authentication application is stored in the HDD 304. An area on the HDD 304 is secured for a login context that is managed by the platform and stores user information at the time of login, and various setting information.

On the platform, an application in which the main body function of the MFP 300 is extended is installed and operating. These applications are executed using the platform API.
Through this platform, each function of the multifunction peripheral can be controlled.

  In addition, the MFP 300 also stores a Web browser, and can also cooperate with the Web system. In this case, the screen received from the web application server is displayed using a web browser. A command instructed on the Web browser is requested to the Web application server, and the MFP 300 can execute an operation (scanning or print processing) by receiving the command from the Web application server.

  With the configuration as described above, the multifunction peripheral 300 can transmit the image data read from the scanner 314 to the LAN 101 and print out the print data received from the LAN 101 by the printer unit 312.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner 314 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312. The above is the description of FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of a functional configuration of various apparatuses in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The print setting unit 401 is a setting unit that sets the print data generated by the print data generation unit 402 using the function of the printer driver. The print data generation unit 402 generates print data that includes the print settings set by the print setting unit 401 as bibliographic information. The print data transmission unit 403 transmits the generated print data to the multifunction device 300.

  The print data storage unit 411 receives and stores the print data, and the bibliographic information storage unit 412 extracts bibliographic information including print settings from the received print data and stores the bibliographic information in the external memory (for example, 700 in FIG. 7). .

  The print data display unit 413 is a display unit that displays a list of print data. A print data selection receiving unit 414 receives print data selection from a list of print data. The print preview display unit 415 receives a print data preview display instruction, and displays a preview of the print data received (selected) on the preview display screen.

  The screen scroll control unit 416 scrolls a part of the preview screen in accordance with a user operation (swipe operation on the touch panel), and prints a print image (preview image) of a page of print data displayed on the preview display screen to the previous and next pages. It is a control part which makes display transition.

  The page setting determination unit 417 is a determination unit that determines whether the setting of the page that has undergone display transition by scroll control by the scroll control unit is the same setting (same setting) as a predetermined setting. The setting of the page is, for example, information on a margin in the page (a margin that can be generated when an image of a page of print data is superimposed on an image of a paper (white paper) to be printed). That is, it is information on the layout of the print data page on the print paper page. Further, the predetermined setting is, for example, information on a margin in the immediately preceding page (a margin that can be generated when an image of a page of print data is superimposed on an image of a paper (white paper) to be printed). In other words, it is determined whether the layout of the page newly displayed in the preview display area (for example, 812 in FIG. 8) by the display transition is the same as the low out of the previous page.

  The setting change button display control unit 418 displays a button for changing the page setting of the setting different from the predetermined setting when the page setting determination unit 417 determines that the setting of the page is different from the predetermined setting. It is a processing part which performs control to do. The setting change processing unit 419 receives the operation of the button displayed by the setting change button display control unit 418, thereby executing setting change processing corresponding to the operated button for the target page of the print data, and setting Is a processing unit for changing The print execution unit 420 is a processing unit that executes printing of print data. The above is the description of FIG.

  Next, the flow of print data storage processing in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S501, the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 performs print settings for arbitrary data existing in the client PC 100. For example, a document file is opened on an application for document editing, a printer driver is activated, and print setting information input in response to a user operation is stored in a memory.

  In step S502, the CPU 201 of the client PC 100 generates print data (intermediate data for transmitting / receiving PDL data / print data between apparatuses) in which the print settings stored in step S501 are set. In step S503, the generated print data is transmitted to the multi-function device 300.

  In step S504, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 receives the print data transmitted from the client PC 100, and in step S505, stores the received print data in the external memory. In step S506, bibliographic information is extracted from the header of the stored print data and stored in the external memory.

  An example of bibliographic information is shown in bibliographic information 700 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, bibliographic information 700 includes a job ID 701 that is identification information of print data (a print job), a document name 702 that is the name of the print data, a user ID 703 that indicates the user who is the owner of the print data, and page aggregation The information includes setting information 704, vertical / horizontal setting information 705, color / monochrome setting information 706, page number 707, and the like.

  The job ID 701 is unique and is assigned when print data is generated by the client PC 100.

  A document name 702 is a file name of a document to be printed, and is allowed to overlap with other print data (document). However, it is assumed that it is associated with a unique job ID 701.

  A user ID 703 is an ID of a user who has generated print data from the client PC 100.

  The page aggregation setting information 704 records page aggregation information such as 1in1, 2in1, and 4in1. The page aggregation setting information 704 is set when print data is generated by the client PC 100.

  The vertical / horizontal setting information 705 records information indicating whether the orientation of the document at the time of printing is vertical or horizontal. The vertical / horizontal setting information 705 is set when print data is generated by the client PC 100.

  The color / monochrome setting information 706 records information indicating whether the color setting at the time of printing is color or monochrome. The color / monochrome setting information 706 is set when print data is generated by the client PC 100. The page number 707 records the total number of pages of the document to be printed.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S <b> 507, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 executes print image generation and storage processing in an external memory. An image of the print data (print image) is generated for each page of the print data, and stored as the print image 712 in association with the job ID 711 (an example of a print image and job ID association table is shown in 710 in FIG. 7). Show). Further, the page margin ratio 713 is specified for each generated print image, and is stored in association with the print image of each page. Specifically, the ratio of the blank area of a predetermined area (for example, a quarter area at both ends of the print image) at both ends of the print image as indicated by 730 in FIG. 7 is specified and stored. It is assumed that the information on the predetermined area is stored in advance in the external memory of the multifunction machine 300.

  Next, a flow of layout change button display processing in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The layout change buttons here are, for example, buttons indicated by 821 and 822 in FIG. Details will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, a flow of layout change button display processing in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S601, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 detects an IC card using a card reader function and performs authentication processing. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the user ID corresponding to the card ID has been registered in an authentication table (not shown) (a table stored in the external memory of the multi-function device 300). The user ID is stored in the RAM 302 as the login user ID.

  In step S602, bibliographic information of print data having a user ID 703 equal to the user ID of the login user is acquired, and a bibliographic information list screen 800 as shown in 800 of FIG. 8 is generated and displayed as a list.

  In step S603, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 accepts a print data selection operation from the list of print data (a list of document names of bibliographic information indicating print data), and is selected by a user operation in step S604. Accepts a print instruction for the selected document. Specifically, an operation of pressing a “print” button 801 in 800 in FIG. 8 is accepted.

  In step S605, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 confirms with the user whether or not to confirm the print format of the entire document (display of the preview display screen 810). Specifically, a confirmation screen for whether or not print preview display is necessary (not shown) is displayed, and it is determined whether an instruction to perform print data preview display is received on the confirmation screen.

If an instruction not to perform preview display of print data is received, the process proceeds to step S611, printing is performed, and the process ends. If an instruction to preview print data is received, the process proceeds to step S606.
In step S606, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 300 displays a preview display screen 820 as shown at 810 in FIG.

  Here, the preview display screen 810 of FIG. 8 will be described. The preview display screen 810 mainly includes a thumbnail display area 811 and a preview display area 812. A thumbnail display area 811 arranges thumbnail images of print data instructed to be printed in order from the first page, and displays thumbnails of some pages. Each thumbnail is an image obtained by reducing the print image of the print data. In addition, it is an area that transitions the display of the thumbnail to the display of the thumbnails of the previous and subsequent pages by accepting a flick operation (flicking upward on the screen or flicking downward on the screen). For example, when a downward flick operation is received, the thumbnail display area is scrolled downward in order to sequentially shift the display of the displayed thumbnail page to the thumbnail of the next page. For example, an example of the display after scrolling is shown in the preview display screen 820. The scrolling speed is determined according to the speed of the flick operation, and the scrolling distance is determined according to the width of the flick operation (the distance that the touch panel (display screen) is traced when flicking). The preview display area 812 is a display area for displaying a print image of the page displayed at the center position of the thumbnail display area 811.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S607, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 accepts a flick operation (swipe operation / scroll instruction) for the thumbnail display area 811 on the preview display screen 810 (corresponding to a scroll instruction accepting unit).

  In step S608, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 scrolls the display of the thumbnail display area 811 according to the flick operation. During the scrolling, the print image of the thumbnail page moved to the center position of the thumbnail display area is displayed in the preview display area 812 according to the scroll.

  In step S609, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 specifies the margin rate 713 of the print image that is newly displayed in the preview display area 812, and determines whether the specified margin rate is equal to or greater than the threshold value indicated by the margin rate 720 in FIG. . It is assumed that the margin rate 720 (threshold value / predetermined value) data is stored in advance in the external memory of the multi-function peripheral 300.

  If the margin ratio is less than the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the currently displayed page is the last page (step S610). If it is not the last page, the scroll process corresponding to the flick operation accepted in step S607 is continued, and the process transitions to step S608 in order to confirm the print appearance (layout / margin ratio) of the subsequent page. If it is the last page, it is determined that there is no page hit in the print format check (margin ratio check), and printing is executed (step S611).

  If it is determined in step S609 that the margin ratio of the page newly displayed by scrolling is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (that is, if the margin ratio is determined to be a page having a layout different from the print layout with the margin ratio less than the predetermined value), the process is performed. In step S612, the scroll process is stopped and the display of the print image in the preview display area is fixed (the display is not switched to the next page). For example, when the margin ratio of the 11th page of the print data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value during scrolling, scrolling of the thumbnail display area 811 and display switching of the preview display area are stopped in a state indicated by 820 in FIG. The print image of the 11th page is displayed in the preview display area.

  In step S 613, the layout change button display area 821 in which the “rotate” button 822 and the “width adjustment” button 823 are arranged is added to the preview display screen 820 and displayed on the preview display screen (operation). Corresponds to part display means). A “rotate” button 822 and a “width alignment” button 823 are buttons for changing the layout of the print image (print setting on the print surface). The “rotate” button 822 is a button for rotating an image of a print part such as characters and drawings in the print image (rotation operation receiving unit). The “width alignment” button 823 is a button for shifting (sliding) the printing position of the printing portion in the left or right direction of the printing paper (width alignment operation receiving unit).

  In step S <b> 614, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 determines whether the “rotation” button 822 has been pressed or the “width adjustment” button 823 has been pressed.

  When the pressing of the “rotate” button 822 is accepted, in step S615, the printed portion of the displayed page is rotated rightward. Specifically, a new print image (FIG. 9) is trimmed (cut) and temporarily stored in a memory and rotated and pasted by 90 degrees on a white mount image, as shown by 900 in FIG. 9 911) is generated, stored in the memory, and displayed on the preview display screen (910 in FIG. 9 / step S615).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the “print” button displayed on the preview display screen has been received (step S617). If the “print” button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S611, and the target The print image of the entire print data is printed by replacing the print image of the page with the rotated print image. If the press of the “print” button has not been accepted, the process returns to step S607 and waits until a flick operation is accepted again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S614 that pressing of the “width adjustment” button 823 has been received, the displayed page is width-aligned to the left side of the printing paper. Specifically, a print portion 901 as shown in 900 of FIG. 9 is trimmed (cut) and temporarily stored in the memory, and the left side position of the white mount image (the upper side of the page when the print direction is vertical) A new print image (921 in FIG. 9) superimposed on the image is generated, stored on the memory, and displayed on the preview display screen (920 / step S616 in FIG. 9). That is, the image of the printed portion is superimposed on the odd-numbered page printing position in the 2-in-1 setting. If pressing of the “width adjustment” button 823 is received in the state 921, a new print superimposed on the right side position of the white mount image (the lower position of the page when the print direction is vertical). Assume that an image is generated and stored in a memory and displayed on a preview display screen. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S617. Thereafter, when printing processing is performed, the print image of the entire print data, in which the print image of the target page is replaced with the print image after width alignment, is printed (step S611).

  The above is the description of the first embodiment.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily change the page setting of the print data different from the predetermined setting in the image forming apparatus.

  For example, when a page where the margin of the print image is a predetermined value or more is found, control is performed to display an operation unit for changing the print layout of the page on the display screen. As a result, the user can change the print layout of the page simply by operating the operation unit.

  <Second Embodiment>

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, print settings for a plurality of pages can be collectively changed.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the flow of the batch change process of the print layout in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, description of processes common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

  The CPU 301 of the MFP 300 executes the processing up to step S614 described in the first embodiment. When it is determined in step S614 that the “rotate” button 822 has been pressed, the processing transitions to step S1001, and “width” If it is determined that the “just” button 823 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S <b> 1001, the CPU 301 of the multi-function apparatus 300 acquires the print layout setting (margin ratio 713) of the print image of all pages of the print target document (document that is displayed as a preview). In step S1002, it is determined whether there is another page having the same margin rate as the currently displayed page. If there is no print image having the same margin rate, the process proceeds to step S615. Since the process of step S615 has been described above in the description of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. If there is another page with the same margin rate as the currently displayed page, the print image of the page is specified / obtained and stored in the memory, the process proceeds to step S1003, and the confirmation dialog 1100 shown in FIG. Is displayed on the display screen.

  In step S <b> 1004, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 determines whether an instruction to press the “rotate together” button displayed in the confirmation dialog 1100 is received or an instruction to press the “rotate only this page” button. If it is accepted that the “rotate together” button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1005. If the “rotate only this page” button is accepted, the process proceeds to step S615.

  In step S1005, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 300 acquires a print image (the other print image specified and acquired in step S1002 and stored in the memory) from the memory with the same margin rate as the page being displayed, and then in step S615. The rotation processing of the printed part as described and executed in step S3 is executed for all acquired print images. That is, a print image obtained by rotating the print portion of all pages having the same margin ratio as the print image of the currently displayed page by 90 degrees is generated and held in the memory. Here, only the print image of the page being displayed is displayed on the preview display screen after rotation. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S617.

  In step S <b> 1011, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 acquires the print layout setting (margin ratio 713) of the print image of all pages of the print target document (the document displayed as a preview). In step S1012, it is determined whether there is another page with the same margin rate as the currently displayed page. If there is no print image having the same margin rate, the process proceeds to step S616. Since the processing in step S616 has been described above in the description of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here. If there is another page with the same margin rate as the currently displayed page, the print image of the page is specified / obtained and stored in the memory, the process proceeds to step S1013, and the confirmation dialog 1110 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. Is displayed on the display screen.

  In step S <b> 1013, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 300 determines whether an instruction to press the “batch justification” button displayed in the confirmation dialog 1100 is received or an instruction to press the “justify this page” button. When the pressing of the “collection width” button is accepted, the process proceeds to step S1015. When the pressing of the “rotate only this page” button is accepted, the process proceeds to step S616.

  In step S1015, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 acquires a print image (the other print image specified and acquired in step S1002 and stored in the memory) from the memory with the same margin rate as the page being displayed, and then in step S616. The printing part width adjustment process as described and executed in step 4 is executed for all acquired print images. In other words, a print image in which the print portions of all pages having the same margin ratio as the print image of the page being displayed is moved to one side of the paper is generated and held in the memory. Here, only the print image of the page being displayed is displayed on the preview display screen. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S617.

  In the second embodiment described above, in steps S1002 and S1012, a print image of a page having the same margin rate as that of the page being displayed is acquired and stored in the memory. A print image of a page with a margin ratio within a predetermined value (for example, within 5%) from the margin ratio of the displayed page is acquired and stored in the memory, and then “collectively rotate” and “collectively width” You may make it serve as a contrast of processing. In this case, it is assumed that information of the predetermined value is stored in advance on the external memory of the multifunction machine 300. The above is the description of the second embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, print settings for a plurality of pages can be collectively changed.

  <Third Embodiment>

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the layout of a page having a setting different from the setting can be easily changed using the setting in the print data.

  With reference to FIG. 12, processing for changing the layout of a page having a setting different from the setting using the setting in the print data according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print layout difference determination process based on a predetermined page. Note that in the third embodiment, description of processing that is common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

  The CPU 301 of the MFP 300 executes the processing up to step S605 described in the first embodiment, and executes the processing of step S1201 when receiving an instruction to display the preview display screen.

  In step S1201, the margin ratio of the print image of the first page of the selected print data is acquired and stored in the memory in step S1202 (corresponding to print setting storage means). Then, the process proceeds to step S606.

  After executing the processing of steps S606 to S608, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 300, in step S1203, the margin ratio of the first page of the print data being displayed in preview stored in the memory in step S1202, and the page being displayed in the preview display area. It is determined whether the margin ratio of the print image is within a predetermined value. Here, the margin rate 720 (predetermined value) is 10%.

  If the margin ratio difference is 10% or more, the process proceeds to step S612. If the margin ratio difference is less than 10%, the process proceeds to step S610, and the subsequent process is continued.

  In the third embodiment described above, the margin ratio of the first page is acquired and stored in steps S1201 and S1202, and the margin ratio of the first page and the displayed page is compared in step S1203. For example, in steps S1201 and S1202, the margin ratio of the second page is acquired and stored, and in step S1203, the margin ratios of the second page and the currently displayed page are compared to obtain a predetermined value. You may make it determine whether it is within a value. Even if the margin ratio is large because the first page is a headline and it is not appropriate as a criterion for judgment, it is possible to determine an appropriate margin ratio by using other pages where characters or figures will be inserted as criteria. Will be able to. It is assumed that information indicating which page is used as the reference value for the determination in step S1203 is stored in advance in the external memory of the multifunction machine 300. The above is the description of the third embodiment.

  According to the third embodiment, it is possible to easily change the layout of a page having a setting different from the setting using the setting in the print data.

  For example, when a page whose print image margin is different from the first page in the print data is found, control is performed to display an operation unit for changing the print layout of the page on the display screen. As a result, the user can change the print layout of the page simply by operating the operation unit.

  <Fourth Embodiment>

  Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment can easily change the page layout when print settings are made for each print page.

  A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that in the fourth embodiment, description of processes that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the second embodiment, and the third embodiment will be omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, print settings are made for each page of print data (page number 1401 of bibliographic information 1400).

  The CPU 301 of the MFP 300 executes the processing in step S608 described in the first embodiment, and acquires the print setting of the print data newly displayed in the preview display area by scrolling in step S1301. For example, the value of the print setting item stored in the determination item 1410 separately stored in the external memory is acquired. Here, it is assumed that the page aggregation setting is set in the determination item 1410. It is assumed that what can be set in the determination item 1410 can be freely changed by the user on a setting screen (not shown).

  In step S <b> 1301, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 determines whether the page aggregation setting newly displayed in the preview display area of the preview display screen is different from the most frequently set value of the page aggregation settings of the print data displayed in the preview display. judge. If the set values are the same, the process proceeds to step S610. If the set values are different, the process of step S612 is executed to stop scrolling. For example, scrolling is stopped in the state of 1520 in FIG. 15 to fix the preview display, and in step S1302, a “1 in 1” button 1521 and a “2 in 1” button 1522 are displayed in the layout change button display area.

  In step S1303, it is determined whether the “1 in 1” button 1521 or the “2 in 1” button 1522 is pressed. If the “1 in 1” button 1521 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the “1 in 1” button 1521 is pressed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1305.

  In step S1304, the CPU 301 of the MFP 300 trims the print portions 11 to 14 in the print image of the 11th page being displayed, which is set to 4 in 1, and leaves the print direction, color / monochrome settings, etc. as they are. The image is regenerated (separated / divided) as an individual print image and stored in the memory.

  In step S1305, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 300 trims the print portions 11 to 14 in the print image of the 11th page being displayed, which is set to 4 in 1, respectively, and prints the images of the print portions 11 and 12 respectively. , 13 and 14 are regenerated as print images of the 2-in-1 setting and stored in the memory. Further, the generated print image is displayed on the display screen as indicated by 1530 in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S617. When printing is executed in step S611, for example, a print image whose print settings have been changed is printed as shown in 1530. The above is the description of the fourth embodiment.

  According to the fourth embodiment, when the print setting is made for each print page, the page layout can be easily changed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism that can easily change the print data page setting different from the predetermined setting in the image forming apparatus.

  For example, it is possible to easily check and change the layout when printing data on paper.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium, and can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Specifically, each of the client PC 100 and the MFP 300 can communicate with a server (not shown), print data and a printer driver are stored in the server, and the server 200 is in accordance with an instruction given from the client PC to the server. The printer driver may generate print data (PDL data), send it to the MFP 300, and instruct the print. In this case, for example, the MFP 300 that has received an instruction for rotation, width alignment, separation, or the like of the print image makes a request to regenerate print data including the instruction content for rotation, width alignment, decomposition, etc. of the specified print image. In response to the request, the server regenerates print data (PDL data) whose print settings have been changed (changed to rotation, width alignment, and disassembled settings), and transmits the print data to the MFP 300. The device 300 may receive the data, store it, image it, and display it on the preview table screen.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let me. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto.
That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

100 client PC
101 LAN
300 MFP

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data,
Preview display means for displaying a preview of the page of the print data;
Scroll instruction accepting means for accepting a scroll instruction to transition the display of the page displayed by the preview display means;
An operation unit display for displaying, on the display screen, an operation unit for changing the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction when the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction received by the scroll instruction receiving unit is different from a predetermined setting. Means,
An image forming apparatus comprising: The preview display means transitions the page to be preview-displayed by the scroll instruction received by the scroll instruction accepting means, and stops the page transition based on the scroll instruction when the setting of the transitioned page is different from a predetermined setting. To display a preview of the page where the setting of the page is different from the specified setting.
The operation unit display unit displays an operation unit for changing the setting of the page stopped and displayed by the preview display unit on a preview display screen on which a preview of the page is displayed by the preview display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The operation unit display means includes at least one of a rotation operation receiving unit for rotating a page of print data displayed in a preview or a width alignment operation receiving unit for performing width alignment on the print surface of the page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus displays the image. Print setting storage means for storing the print setting of the first page of the print data to be preview-displayed by the preview display means as the predetermined setting;
With
The operation unit display unit responds to the scroll instruction when the print setting of the page transitioned by the scroll instruction received by the scroll instruction reception unit is different from the print setting of the first page stored in the print setting storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit for changing the print setting of the transitioned page is displayed on a display screen. A setting changing unit for changing a setting of a page different from a predetermined setting by receiving an operation on the operation unit displayed by the operation unit display unit;
With
The said setting change means is a page setting different from the said predetermined setting, The setting of the page currently displayed by the said preview display means is changed, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming apparatus.   The setting change unit is a page setting different from the predetermined setting, and collectively changes the settings of other pages that are set to be the same as the page being displayed by the preview display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data,
A preview display step for displaying a preview of the print data page;
A scroll instruction accepting step for accepting a scroll instruction to change the display of the page displayed by the preview display step;
An operation unit display for displaying an operation unit on the display screen for changing the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction when the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction received in the scroll instruction receiving step is different from a predetermined setting. Process,
A control method for an image forming apparatus. A program that can be executed by an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores print data,
The image forming apparatus;
Preview display means for displaying a preview of the page of the print data;
Scroll instruction accepting means for accepting a scroll instruction to transition the display of the page displayed by the preview display means;
An operation unit display for displaying, on the display screen, an operation unit for changing the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction when the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction received by the scroll instruction receiving unit is different from a predetermined setting. A program for an image forming apparatus, which is caused to function as a means. An image forming system including a server having storage means for storing print data and an image forming apparatus,
Preview display means for displaying a preview of the page of the print data;
Scroll instruction accepting means for accepting a scroll instruction to transition the display of the page displayed by the preview display means;
An operation unit display for displaying, on the display screen, an operation unit for changing the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction when the setting of the page changed by the scroll instruction received by the scroll instruction receiving unit is different from a predetermined setting. Means,
An image forming system comprising:

Images