JP2020049751A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing device which can display a preview image in a short time.SOLUTION: An image processing device 101 comprises an attachment/detachment part 61, an image processor 84, a display part 30, a display control part 11d, memory parts 51, 52, and a memory control part 11e. The attachment/detachment part 61 is used for attaching/detaching a memory medium 62 in which information is stored thereto/therefrom. The image processor 84 generates a preview image on the basis of the information. The display part 30 displays a preview image. The display control part 11d controls the image processor 84 and the display part 30. The display control part 11e makes the memory parts 51, 52 store the preview image. The image processor 84 includes a first image processor 83 for performing raster processing of the information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device.

  The image forming apparatus includes a detachable unit, a raster image processor (RIP, Raster Image Processor), a reduction processor, a display unit, and a display control unit (for example, see Patent Document 1). The storage medium is attached to and detached from the detachable unit. The storage medium is, for example, a USB memory. The storage medium stores information. The information is, for example, page description language data. RIP generates a raster image by rasterizing information. The reduction processor generates a reduced raster image by performing a reduction process on the raster image. The display control unit causes the display unit to display a reduced raster image as a preview image.

JP-A-2004-272495

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Literature 1, information needs to be raster-processed in order to display a preview image on a display unit. Therefore, the time required for the preview image to be displayed on the display unit is long.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of displaying a preview image in a short time.

  An image processing device according to the present invention includes a detachable unit, an input unit, an image processor, a display unit, a display control unit, a storage unit, and a storage control unit. The storage medium in which information is stored is attached to and detached from the attachment / detachment unit. The image processor creates a preview image based on the information. The display unit displays a preview image. The display control unit controls the image processor and the display unit. The storage control unit stores the preview image in the storage unit. The image processor includes a first image processor that rasterizes information.

  According to the image processing device of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed in a short time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing a file list picture concerning this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control device according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions have the same reference characters allotted, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a copying machine, a printer, or a multifunction peripheral. Hereinafter, as an example, a case where the image forming apparatus 100 is a monochrome multifunction peripheral having a printer function and a copying function will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image processing device 101 and a printer unit 81. The printer unit 81 is an example of an image forming unit. The image processing device 101 includes a control device 10, a display unit 30, and a detachable unit 61.

  The printer unit 81 includes a document reading unit 70, an image forming unit 80, a feeding unit 90, a conveying unit 91, and a discharging unit 92.

  The document reading unit 70 reads an image of the document G. The feeding section 90 stores a plurality of sheets S and feeds the sheets S to the transport section 91. The sheet S is a recording medium, for example, a sheet made of paper or synthetic resin. The transport unit 91 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs, and transports the sheet S to the image forming unit 80.

  For example, the image forming unit 80 forms a print image on the sheet S and heats and presses the print image to fix the print image on the sheet S. The image forming unit 80 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposing device, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a charge removing device, and a fixing device.

  The transport unit 91 transports the sheet S on which the print image is fixed to the discharge unit 92. The discharge unit 92 discharges the sheet S to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The detachable unit 61 allows the storage medium 62 to be attached and detached. The storage medium 62 includes, for example, a portable storage medium, and is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD (Secure Digital) card. The storage medium 62 stores a plurality of files A to E. A file name is assigned to each of the plurality of files A to E by the user.

  Each of the plurality of files AE includes information. The information is, for example, page description language data. The file format of the information included in each of the plurality of files A to E is, for example, PDF (Portable Document Format), TIFF (tag image file format), XPS (XML Paper Specification), or JPEG (Joint Photography). It is.

  The display unit 30 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) having a display screen. The display unit 30 includes a touch panel unit having a combination of touch panel functions. Various operation images are displayed on the display screen of the display unit 30 under the control of the control device 10. The display unit 30 displays the file list image 40.

  The file list image 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a file list image 40 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the file list image 40 includes a plurality of file images 41A to 41E. Each of the plurality of file images 41A to 41E indicates the files A to E stored in the storage medium 62. Each of the plurality of file images 41A to 41E includes a file name image, a file format image, and an identification symbol image.

  For example, the file image 41A indicates the file A. The file name image in the file image 41A indicates “aaa”, the file format image indicates “PDF”, and the identification symbol image indicates “000”. File image 41B shows file B. The file name image in the file image 41B indicates “bbb”, the file format image indicates “PDF”, and the identification symbol image indicates “001”. The file image 41C shows the file C. The file name image in the file image 41C indicates “ccc”, the file format image indicates “TIFF”, and the identification symbol image indicates “000”. The file image 41D shows the file D. The file name image in the file image 41D indicates “ddd”, the file format image indicates “XPS”, and the identification symbol image indicates “002”. The file image 41E indicates the file E. The file name image in the file image 41E indicates “ee”, the file format image indicates “JPEG”, and the identification symbol image indicates “000”.

  Further, according to the display unit 30, various execution commands are input to the control device 10 when the user touches (presses) the operation image. The printer unit 81 forms a print image on the sheet S based on the file indicated by the file image by the user making a first touch on one file image from the plurality of file images 41A to 41E. The first touch is an input operation for executing a printing process. The first touched file image includes a predetermined image. Therefore, the display unit 30 also functions as a selection unit. For example, when the user makes a first touch on one file image 41A, the printer unit 81 forms a print image on the sheet S based on the file A.

  Further, when the user makes a second touch on one file image from the plurality of file images 41A to 41E, the display unit 30 displays a preview image based on the file indicated by the file image. The second touch is an input operation for executing a preview process. For example, when the user makes a second touch on one file image 41A, the display unit 30 displays a preview image based on the file A. The second touched file image includes a predetermined image. Thus, before forming a print image on the sheet S, the user can determine whether a desired file has been selected.

  Subsequently, the control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive, storage unit) 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory, storage unit) 52, and a ROM (Read Only Memory). ) 53, a system bus 23, an image processor 84, an image bus 22, and an interface (I / F) 21. The image processor 84 has a RIP 83 (first image processor) and an image processing unit 82 (second image processor).

  The CPU 11, the HDD 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53, the display unit 30, and the detachable unit 61 are connected to the system bus 23. The system bus 23 is configured by, for example, a local bus. The printer unit 81, the RIP 83, and the image processing unit 82 are connected to the image bus 22. The image bus 22 is configured by, for example, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The system bus 23 and the image bus 22 are connected via the I / F 21.

  The CPU 11 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the system bus 23 and the image bus 22. The ROM 53 stores a control program for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100. The HDD 51 and the RAM 52 store various data.

  When the information is input, the RIP 83 generates a raster image by performing a raster process on the information. The raster image is, for example, bitmap image data.

  When a raster image is input, the image processing unit 82 generates a reduced raster image by reducing the size of the raster image.

  The CPU 11 functions as a detection unit 11a, a creation unit 11b, a determination unit 11c, a display control unit 11d, and a storage control unit 11e by executing a control program stored in the ROM 53.

  The detection unit 11a detects whether or not the storage medium 62 is mounted on the attachment / detachment unit 61. For example, when the user inserts the storage medium 62 into the attachment / detachment unit 61, the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 is attached to the attachment / detachment unit 61. The detection unit 11a detects whether the storage medium 62 has been removed from the attachment / detachment unit 61. When the user removes the storage medium 62 from the attachment / detachment unit 61, the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 has been detached from the attachment / detachment unit 61.

  The creation unit 11b displays the file list image 40 on the display unit 30 by acquiring the file list information from the storage medium 62. For example, when the detecting unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 is attached to the detachable unit 61, the creating unit 11b searches for information stored in the storage medium 62. As a result of the search, the creating unit 11b causes the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 to store the file list information by acquiring the file list information from the storage medium 62. The file list information indicates information of a plurality of files A to E stored in the storage medium 62. Each of the information of the plurality of files A to E includes a file name and a file format.

  When the file list information is stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52, the creating unit 11b causes the display unit 30 to display the file list image 40 as shown in FIG.

  Here, the identification symbol images in the file images 41A to 41E will be described. The identification symbol image in the file image 41B indicates “001”. “001” indicates that the identification symbol is added to the file B, and indicates a preview image associated with “001”. The preview image associated with “001” is stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52. The identification symbol image in the file image 41D indicates “002”. “002” indicates that an identification symbol is added to the file D, and indicates a preview image associated with “002”. The preview image associated with “002” is stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52. Further, the identification symbol images in the file image 41A, the file image 41C, and the file image 41E indicate “000”. “000” indicates that the preview image stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 does not exist, and no identification symbol is given to the file A, the file C, and the file E. When the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 is attached to the detachable unit 61, all the identification symbol images in the file images 41A to 41E indicate “000”, and the storage control unit 11e performs the preview. When the process of storing the image is performed, the identification symbol image is changed.

  When one file (predetermined information) is selected from a plurality of files, the determination unit 11c determines whether or not the file has an identification symbol. For example, the user makes a second touch on one file image 41A from the plurality of file images 41A to 41E. Since the identification symbol image in the file image 41A indicates “000”, it is determined that the identification symbol is not added to the file A. In addition, the user makes a second touch on one file image 41B from the plurality of file images 41A to 41E. Since the identification symbol image in the file image 41B indicates “001”, it is determined that the identification symbol is added to the file B.

  The display control unit 11d controls the display unit 30 so that the display unit 30 displays the preview image. When the determination unit 11c determines that the identification symbol has not been assigned to the file, the display control unit 11d acquires the file from the storage medium 62. The display controller 11d controls the image processor 84 so that the image processor 84 creates a preview image. Specifically, first, the display control unit 11d causes the RIP 83 to perform raster processing on a part of the information included in the file, thereby generating a raster image. Part of the information included in the file is, for example, a top page. Next, the display control unit 11d compares the area of the raster image with the area of the display screen. As a result of the comparison, when the area of the raster image is smaller than four times the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display the raster image as a preview image.

  On the other hand, when the area of the raster image is larger than four times the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d generates a reduced raster image by causing the image processing unit 82 to reduce the size of the raster image to 1/4. Let it. The display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display a reduced raster image as a preview image.

  When the display control unit 11d displays the preview image on the display unit 30, the storage control unit 11e stores the preview image in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 in association with the identification symbol, and assigns the identification symbol to the file. For example, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display a preview image based on the file B. The storage control unit 11e stores the preview image in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 in association with “001”. Further, the storage control unit 11e gives “001” to the file B.

  On the other hand, when the determining unit 11c determines that the identification symbol has been assigned, the display control unit 11d acquires a preview image associated with “001” from the HDD 51 or the RAM 52. The display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display the preview image. That is, since the preview image exists in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52, the display control unit 11d does not cause the RIP 83 to perform the raster processing on the information included in the file.

  When the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 has been removed from the attachment / detachment unit 61, the storage control unit 11e deletes the file list information and the preview image from the HDD 51 or the RAM 52.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the processing of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment. The processing of the control device 10 includes steps S101 to S110.
In step S101, the detecting unit 11a detects whether or not the storage medium 62 is mounted on the detachable unit 61.

  If the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 is not mounted on the attachment / detachment unit 61 (NO in step S101), the process enters a standby state. On the other hand, when the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 has been attached to the attachment / detachment unit 61 (YES in step S101), the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the creating unit 11b causes the display unit 30 to display the file list image 40 based on the file list information. When the file list image 40 is displayed, the process proceeds to Step S103.

  In step S103, when one file is selected from a plurality of files, the determination unit 11c determines whether or not the file has an identification symbol. If the determination unit 11c determines that the identification symbol has not been added to the file (NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the display control unit 11d causes the RIP 83 to perform raster processing on a part of the information included in the file, thereby generating a raster image. After the generation of the raster image, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S105, the display control unit 11d compares the area of the raster image with the area of the display screen. If the area of the raster image is not smaller than four times the area of the display screen (NO in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106.

  In step S106, the display control unit 11d causes the image processing unit 82 to reduce the raster image, thereby generating a reduced raster image. The display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display a reduced raster image as a preview image. Further, the storage control unit 11e stores the reduced raster image in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 in association with the identification symbol, and assigns the identification symbol to the file. When the reduced raster image is displayed and stored, the process proceeds to step S107.

  In step S107, the detection unit 11a detects whether the storage medium 62 has been removed from the attachment / detachment unit 61. If the detecting unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 has not been removed from the detachable unit 61 (NO in step S107), the process returns to step S103. On the other hand, when the detection unit 11a detects that the storage medium 62 has been removed from the attachment / detachment unit 61 (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108.

  In step S108, the storage control unit 11e deletes the file list information and the preview image from the HDD 51 or the RAM 52. When the storage control unit 11e deletes the file list information and the preview image, the processing of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment ends.

On the other hand, when the area of the raster image is smaller than four times the area of the display screen (YES in step S105), the process proceeds to step S109.
In step S109, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display a raster image as a preview image. In other words, the display control unit 11d does not cause the image processing unit 82 to reduce the raster image (restricts the reduction process). Therefore, the preview image is displayed in a short time. Further, the storage control unit 11e stores the raster image in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 in association with the identification symbol, and assigns the identification symbol to the file.

On the other hand, when the determination unit 11c determines that the identification symbol has been assigned to the file (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S110, the display control unit 11d acquires a preview image associated with the identification symbol from the HDD 51 or the RAM 52, and causes the display unit 30 to display the preview image. That is, since the preview image exists in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52, the display control unit 11d does not cause the RIP 83 to perform the raster processing on the information included in the file. Therefore, the preview image is displayed in a short time.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the present embodiment, the reduced raster image is stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 as a preview image in step S <b> 106. In step S109, a raster image is stored in the HDD 51 or the RAM 52 as a preview image. When a file storing the preview image is selected, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display the stored preview image. As a result, according to the present embodiment, a preview image can be displayed in a short time.

  When the area of the raster image is smaller than four times the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display not the reduced raster image but the raster image as the preview image. Since the image processing unit 82 does not reduce the raster image, the preview image can be displayed in a short time.

  The embodiment of the invention has been described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 4). However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof (for example, (1) and (2) shown below). Further, the materials, shapes, dimensions, and the like of the components shown in the present embodiment are merely examples, and are not particularly limited, and various changes can be made without substantially departing from the configuration of the present invention. .

  (1) In the present embodiment, when the area of the raster image is smaller than four times the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d causes the display unit 30 to display a raster image instead of a reduced raster image as a preview image. However, when the area of the raster image is smaller than twice the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d may display the raster image on the display unit 30 instead of the reduced raster image. That is, when the area of the raster image is smaller than a predetermined multiple of the area of the display screen, the display control unit 11d may display the preview image on the display unit 30 using the raster image.

  (2) The image forming apparatus 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 is an electrophotographic monochrome multifunction peripheral, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus 100 may be, for example, an ink jet recording system or a color multifunction peripheral. For example, in an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral of an ink jet recording system, the image forming unit 80 includes a recording head. The consumable is ink. Further, the case where the image processing apparatus 101 is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image processing device 101 may be a device such as a smartphone, a computer, or various home appliances.

  The present invention can be used in the field of an image processing device.

11a detection unit 11b creation unit 11c determination unit 11d display control unit 11e storage control unit 30 display unit 51 HDD
52 RAM
61 Removable Unit 62 Storage Medium 83 First Image Processor 84 Image Processor 100 Image Forming Apparatus 101 Image Processing Apparatus

Claims (9)

An attachment / detachment unit to / from which a storage medium storing information is attached / detached,
An image processor that creates a preview image based on the information,
A display unit for displaying the preview image;
A display control unit that controls the image processor and the display unit;
A storage unit,
A storage control unit that stores the preview image in the storage unit,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the image processor includes a first image processor that performs raster processing on the information. A selection unit for selecting predetermined information from among the plurality of pieces of information,
A determination unit that determines whether the preview image based on the predetermined information is stored in the storage unit,
The display control unit, when the determination unit determines that the preview image is stored in the storage unit, causes the display unit to display the preview image stored in the storage unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. The storage control unit assigns an identification symbol to the predetermined information, and stores the preview image based on the predetermined information in the storage unit in association with the identification symbol,
When the identification symbol is added to the selected predetermined information, the determination unit determines that the preview image is stored in the storage unit,
The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the preview image associated with the identification symbol.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a portable storage medium. The image processor further includes a second image processor,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second image processor creates the preview image by reducing a raster image subjected to the raster processing by the first image processor. The display unit has a display screen,
The display control unit compares the area of the raster image with the area of the display screen,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display control unit restricts the second image processor from reducing the raster image based on a comparison result.   The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first image processor performs a raster process on a part of the information. Further comprising a detecting unit for detecting whether the storage medium has been removed from the detachable unit,
The storage control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage control unit deletes the preview image from the storage unit when the detection unit detects that the storage medium has been removed from the detachable unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit configured to form an image indicating the information on a recording medium.

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