JP4619960B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus including an image reading apparatus that reads an original image from a document, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus that performs display related to the inclination of an original image with respect to a vertical direction or a horizontal direction of printing paper.

  For example, in a stencil printing apparatus, an original to be printed is read by an image reading device such as a scanner, and stencil paper is made based on the read original image. Then, the stencil sheet is made on a drum and printed.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional stencil printing apparatus 110. The stencil printing apparatus 110 scans an original and reads an image of the original (hereinafter referred to as an original image), an image reading apparatus 101, a plate making unit 102, a printing unit 103, an operation panel unit 104, a storage unit 105, A control unit 106 and an interface unit 107 that transmits and receives various data between other devices are provided.

  The plate making unit 102 binarizes the data of the original image read by the image reading apparatus 101 (pixel values corresponding to each pixel subjected to bitmap development, hereinafter referred to as original image data) to generate plate making data. A stencil sheet is made based on the plate making data.

  The printing unit 103 includes a first drum 103a and a second drum 103b. The stencil sheet made by the plate making unit 102 is stenciled on the first drum 103a and the second drum 103b. One side (front side) is printed, and the second side (back side) of the printing paper is printed by the second drum 103b.

  The operation panel unit 104 includes an operation unit 104a and a display unit 104b. The operation unit 104a includes a switch, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various instructions from the user. The display unit 104b includes a lamp, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, and displays various types of information related to the stencil printing apparatus 110 to notify the user.

  The control unit 106 controls the entire stencil printing apparatus 110 according to a control program and data stored in a ROM (not shown).

  The storage unit 105 is configured by a storage device, a page memory (not shown), and stores original image data and various data.

  In the stencil printing apparatus 110, an original image is read from a document to be printed by the image reading apparatus 101, and the read original image is sent to the plate making unit 102 as original image data. The data is binarized and plate making data is generated. Further, the stencil sheet is made based on the plate making data. Then, the stencil sheet made by the printing unit 103 is put on the first drum 103a. In the case of duplex printing, the original to be printed on the second side is processed in the same manner as the original on the first side to make a stencil sheet, and the stencil sheet thus made is plated on the second drum 103b.

  Then, after the test print is performed in the printing unit 103 and the user confirms that the test print is normal, the printing paper is conveyed in the order of the first drum 103a and the second drum 103b, and printing is performed. Is called.

  Here, in the stencil printing apparatus 110, when an original is read by the image reading apparatus 101, the original is not correctly placed at the original setting position of the image reading apparatus 101, or characters and images themselves are included in the original paper in the original. When the original image read in such a state is printed as it is by the stencil printing apparatus 110, the original image may be printed as shown in FIG. The direction (for example, the X1 direction shown in FIG. 6) in which the characters and images inside are printed along the horizontal direction of the printing paper is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction of the printing paper (eg, the X2 direction shown in FIG. 6). In the state, the original image is printed on the printing paper. In the present specification, as in the inclination of the X1 direction with respect to the X2 direction, the characters or images in the original image are printed along the horizontal or vertical direction of the printing paper with respect to the horizontal or vertical direction of the printing paper. The inclination is referred to as “the inclination of the original image with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the printing paper, or simply, the inclination of the original image”.

Therefore, as a technique for detecting the inclination of the original image before printing and correcting the occurrence of the inclination, a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-54593 (Patent Document 1) has been known. Yes. In Patent Document 1, the original image inclination calculation unit and the original image inclination correction unit detect and correct the inclination of the original image on the first surface and the second surface by image processing before printing. A technique for detecting and correcting the error is disclosed.
JP 2004-54593 A

  However, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires an electronic circuit for realizing the original image inclination calculating means and the original image inclination correcting means, increasing the number of parts, increasing the scale of the printing apparatus, and the cost. There was a problem of up.

  On the other hand, in order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, the original image is printed on printing paper, the inclination of the original image is confirmed, and after the above printing and checking are repeated several times, the original image is not inclined. After confirming this, there is a method of printing an original image on a printing paper.

  However, such a method has a problem that the printing paper is wasted for checking the inclination of the original image.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and the object of the present invention is to provide an original image tilt in the case of performing printing that prevents the tilt of the original image. Providing a printing apparatus that avoids the problem of large-scale printing apparatus and cost increase using calculation means and original image inclination correction means, and that does not waste printing paper for checking the inclination of the original image There is to do.

The printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints an original image read from a document by an image reading apparatus on a printing paper, and prints the original image and the vertical length of the printing paper before printing the original image on the printing paper. Display means for displaying a superimposed image on which an image related to the inclination of the original image with respect to the direction or the horizontal direction is superimposed, and the display means displays the original image and the original image in the vertical direction of the printing paper or The superimposed image is displayed by superimposing and displaying a mirror image inverted 180 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

  According to the present invention, before the original image is printed on the printing paper, the superimposed image indicating the image related to the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper is displayed. Therefore, it is not necessary to print the original image on the printing paper many times, and the inclination of the original image can be confirmed until the occurrence of the inclination of the original image is eliminated by repeating the reading of the original image and the display of the superimposed image. Thereafter, after confirming that the original image is not tilted, the user can cause the printing apparatus to print the original image on printing paper. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not waste printing paper for checking the inclination of the original image.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above display, it is possible to indicate the occurrence of the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper in a manner that can be easily recognized by the user. The inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction can be easily known. For this reason, after confirming that there is no inclination of the original image, the user takes time to determine whether the original image is inclined when the printing apparatus prints the original image on the printing paper. There is no. In addition, since the original image inclination calculation means and the original image inclination correction means are not used to detect and correct the inclination of the original image, the processing time required for detection and correction becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to print the original image on the printing paper in a state where the original image is not inclined after the original image is read.

  Further, since it is not necessary to detect and correct the inclination of the image using the original image inclination calculation means, the original image inclination correction means, etc., the problem of cost increase can be avoided without increasing the size of the printing apparatus.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the printing paper is not wasted for checking the inclination of the original image, and the original image is printed on the printing paper without the inclination of the original image after reading the original image. The time required can be shortened, and the problem of cost increase can be avoided without increasing the scale of the printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the superimposed image is displayed by superimposing the original image and the mirror image obtained by inverting the original image by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. When there is an inclination of the original image with respect to the direction or the horizontal direction, the original image data and the mirror image data are overlapped on the superimposed image, so that the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper is It is emphasized compared to the case where only the image is displayed. That is, as corresponding to the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclination (inclination α2) of the mirror image direction (X3 direction) with respect to the direction of the original image (X1 direction). ) Is displayed. Here, since an inclination twice as large as the inclination of the original image (α1 in FIG. 6) with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper appears in the inclination of the direction of the mirror image with respect to the direction of the original image, The inclination of the original image with respect to the horizontal direction is displayed in a manner that can be clearly recognized by the user, and the user can easily and accurately know the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. As a result, it is possible to print the original image on the printing paper with no further inclination of the original image.

  In the printing apparatus, each time the original image is read, a control unit that controls whether or not to print the original image on the printing paper; and the superimposed image displayed on the display unit, the print Input means for inputting information indicating whether or not the original image is inclined with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the paper, and the control means is information indicating that the original image is inclined by the input means. When the information indicating that there is no inclination of the original image is input by the input unit, the original image can be printed. Control can be performed.

  According to the present invention, each time the original image is read, the control unit controls whether or not the original image is printed on the printing paper, and the information indicating that the original image has an inclination by the input unit. When the information indicating that there is no inclination of the original image is input by the input unit, the original image can be printed. Therefore, when it is confirmed that there is no inclination of the original image, it is not necessary for the printing device to read the original image again, and the original image is printed without the inclination of the original image. Can print on paper. As a result, it is possible to further shorten the time required to print the original image on the printing paper in a state where the original image is not inclined after the original image is read.

  The printing apparatus may further include a superimposed image generation unit that generates the superimposed image by changing at least one of display density or display color between the mirror image and the original image. You can also.

  According to the present invention, the superimposed image generating means generates the superimposed image by changing at least one of display density or display color between the mirror image and the original image. The mirror image can be displayed in a manner that is easy for the user to identify, and the original image and the mirror image are not confused, and the user can easily tilt the direction of the mirror image data relative to the direction of the original image. Can know.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when printing is performed so as to prevent the occurrence of inclination of the original image, the printing apparatus is enlarged using the original image inclination calculation means and the original image inclination correction means. And the problem of cost increase can be avoided, and the printing paper can be prevented from being wasted for checking the inclination of the original image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a stencil printing apparatus 10 as a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The stencil printing apparatus 10 includes an image reading device 1, an image processing unit 8, a plate making unit 2, a printing unit 3, an operation panel unit 4, a storage unit 5, a control unit 6, and other devices. And an interface unit 7 for transmitting and receiving data.

  The image reading apparatus 1 includes a glass table on which a document is placed and an optical system for image reading (both not shown), and scans the document placed at the document setting position on the glass table by the optical system. The original image is read, and the read original image is acquired as original image data. At this time, in the original image data, the pixel value for each pixel (in the case of a gray scale image, for example, the pixel value takes a value from 0 to 255, and in the case of a color image, for example, the pixel value is R, G, B Each component takes a value from 0 to 255. The position data (for example, (X, Y on the two-dimensional coordinates) on a predetermined coordinate (for example, two-dimensional coordinates with a predetermined position on the glass table as the origin). ) Etc.). Since this optical system, scanning process, reading, and acquisition process are known techniques, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The image processing unit 8 generates a mirror image obtained by inverting the original image acquired by the image reading device 1 by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. Specifically, as will be described later, the image processing unit 8 is a mirror image data (a pixel value for each pixel that has been subjected to bitmap development, and a line-symmetric image of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper). Data). 5 and 6 are schematic diagrams showing a state in which the original image 200 read by the image reading device is arranged on the printing paper 100. FIG. The arrangement of the original image 200 on the printing paper 100 differs as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 depending on how characters and images are recorded on the original and how the original is set on the glass stand. Come. The generation of the mirror image 201 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal direction of the printing paper 100 is represented by the X2 direction, the vertical direction of the printing paper 100 is represented by the Y2 direction, and characters and images in the original image 200 are displayed on the printing paper 100. The direction printed along the horizontal direction (X2 direction) is represented by the X1 direction. The image processing unit 8 performs processing for arranging the read original image on the printing paper 100 based on the position data described above (FIGS. 5 and 6), and the mirror image 201 that is inverted 180 degrees with respect to the Y2 direction. The generation process is performed (see FIGS. 7 and 8). For example, the image processing unit 8 generates a mirror image 201 obtained by inverting the original image 200 shown in FIG. 6 by 180 degrees with respect to the center line (line parallel to the Y2 direction) in the horizontal direction (X2 direction) of the printing paper 100. (See FIG. 8). However, the image processing unit 8 reverses the original image 200 shown in FIG. 6 by 180 degrees with respect to a line other than the center line in the horizontal direction (X2 direction) of the printing paper 100 (a line parallel to the Y2 direction). May be generated.

  As the generation of the mirror image 201, the image processing unit 8, specifically, mirror image data (pixel values for each pixel developed by bitmap), and each pixel corresponds to the position data on the predetermined coordinates described above. Attached). For example, the position data described above is associated with each pixel of the mirror image data so that the mirror image 201 is arranged on the printing paper 100 as shown in FIGS.

  Here, as an example, the case where the mirror image 201 is generated by inverting the original image 200 by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the printing paper 100 has been described. The present invention can be similarly applied when generating the image 201.

  The plate making unit 2 makes a stencil sheet using plate making data obtained by binarizing the original image data read by the image reading device 1.

  The printing unit 3 includes a first drum 3a and a second drum 3b. The stencil sheet made by the plate making unit 2 is attached to the first drum 3a and the second drum 3b, and the printing paper to be supplied is printed. The first surface (front surface) is printed by the first drum 3a, and the second surface (back surface) is then printed by the second drum 3b.

  The operation panel unit 4 includes an operation unit (input unit) 4a and a display unit 4b (display unit). The operation unit 4a is configured with a switch, a touch panel, and the like, and receives various instructions from the user. Further, as will be described later, the operation unit 4a displays information indicating whether or not there is an inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper in the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b. , Has a function of input means for inputting.

  The display unit 4b includes a lamp, a liquid crystal panel, and the like, displays various types of information related to the stencil printing apparatus, and notifies the user. The display unit 4b displays a superimposed image, which will be described later, by superimposing and displaying the original image and the mirror image.

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device (not shown) for storing various data, a page memory 5a suitable for image processing, and the like. The page memory 5a stores original image data and the like. At this time, the position data described above is associated with each pixel of the original image data so that the original image is arranged on the printing paper as shown in FIGS.

  The control unit 6 controls each unit of the stencil printing apparatus 10 according to a control program and data stored in a ROM (not shown). The control unit 6 generates the superimposed image by changing at least one of display density and display color between the mirror image and the original image. An example of a detailed description of this generation process is shown below.

  The control unit 6 performs display density reduction processing of the mirror image generated by the image processing unit 8. Specifically, for example, the control unit 6 performs a process of subtracting a certain value from each character value included in the mirror image image data and each pixel value corresponding to the image region. Since a method for determining a character area or the like is a known technique, a description thereof is omitted here. Note that the control unit 6 may perform processing for increasing the display density of the mirror image generated by the image processing unit 8, and the display color of the mirror image generated by the image processing unit 8 may be changed to display the original image. It may be different from the color.

  Then, the control unit 6 stores the original image data stored in the page memory 5a, the position data associated with each pixel of the original image data, the mirror image image data subjected to the display density reduction process, and the mirror image data. Based on the position data associated with each of the pixels, the original image and the superimposed image data on which the mirror image subjected to the display density reduction process is superimposed (pixel value for each pixel that has undergone bitmap development, the following , Referred to as superimposed image data). For example, the above-described position data is associated with each pixel of the superimposed image data so that the superimposed image is arranged as shown in FIGS. As for the superposition method, for example, the center of gravity of the original image and the center of gravity of the mirror image may be overlapped, or a part of the original image and a part of the mirror image may be overlapped. You may make it overlap. Based on the generated superimposed image data and the position data associated with each pixel of the superimposed image data, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display the superimposed image arranged on the printing paper. For example, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a superimposed image 300 displayed on the display unit 4b by superimposing the original image 200 of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the mirror image 201 of FIGS. FIG. 9 shows an example when the original image has no inclination, and FIG. 10 shows an example when the original image has an inclination.

  The control unit 6 controls whether or not to print the original image on the printing paper every time the original image is read. Specifically, when information indicating that the original image is tilted is input by the operation unit 4a, the control unit 6 performs control to disable printing of the original image, and there is no tilt of the original image. When the information indicating this is input, control is performed to enable printing of the original image. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Next, the operation (printing control process) of the stencil printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and FIGS.

  First, in step S31 of FIG. 2, the document reading device 1 uses an optical system on the glass table based on a user's document reading instruction performed by pressing a reading start button in the operation panel unit 4 or the like. The original placed at the original set position is read to obtain original image data, and the control unit 6 stores the original image data in the page memory 5a. For example, original image data corresponding to the original image shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the page memory 5a.

  In step S32, the image processing unit 8 generates a mirror image (mirror image data) obtained by inverting the original image corresponding to the original image data stored in the page memory 5a by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. The display density reduction processing of the mirror image (mirror image image data) is performed. For example, in FIGS. 7 and 8, a mirror image obtained by inverting the original image of FIGS. 5 and 6 by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction (Y1 direction) of the printing paper is generated and subjected to display density reduction processing. Compared with, the display density of the mirror image is lower. The display density reduction process is a process for facilitating identification of the mirror image and the original image for the user when the mirror image and the original image are superimposed and displayed.

  In step S33, the control unit 6 generates superimposed image data based on the original image data stored in the page memory 5a and the mirror image data generated by the image processing unit 8, and based on the superimposed image data. The superimposed image is displayed on the display unit 4b.

  The user visually checks the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b, and determines whether the original image is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction of the printing paper. That is, while viewing the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b, the user can read the characters in the original image or the image in the mirror image with respect to the direction of arrangement along the horizontal direction of the printing paper (X1 direction in FIG. 10). The inclination of the direction in which the characters or images are aligned along the horizontal direction of the printing paper (X3 direction in FIG. 10) (ie, the inclination of the direction of the mirror image relative to the direction of the original image, for example, the angle α2 in FIG. Is determined (whether or not the angle α2 is 0).

  Here, the inclination of the original image with respect to the horizontal direction of the printing paper (for example, the angle α1 shown in FIG. 6) is twice the inclination of the mirror image direction with respect to the original image (the angle α2 shown in FIG. 10). appear. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the original image has an inclination with respect to the horizontal direction (X2 direction) of the printing paper (the angle α1 corresponds to the inclination), the horizontal direction of the printing paper as shown in FIG. The inclination of the mirror image with respect to (X2 direction) is opposite to the horizontal direction of the printing paper (angle -α1 corresponds to the inclination). In the superimposed image, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclination (angle α2 shown in FIG. 10) of the mirror image direction (X3 direction) with respect to the original image direction (X1 direction) is the inclination of the original image and the mirror image. Will be combined.

  As a result, the display of the superimposed image is displayed with the inclination of the original image being emphasized, so that the user can see the displayed superimposed image as compared with the case where only the displayed original image is viewed. The slope of can be seen more clearly.

  In step S34, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information instructing to input whether or not the original image is tilted. The user uses the operation unit 4a to input information indicating whether or not there is an inclination of the original image. When the information indicating that the original image is tilted is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step 35. When the information indicating that the original image is not tilted is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step 36. Transition.

  In step 35, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information instructing that “the cause of the inclination of the original image is investigated, the cause is removed, and the processing is restarted after reading the document”. The process waits until a reading start button (not shown) in the operation panel 4 is pressed at 31. Further, the control unit 6 deletes the original image data stored in the page memory 5a.

  Here, the user investigates the cause of the inclination of the original image, removes the cause, places the document at the document setting position on the glass table, and presses the reading start button in the operation panel 4 again. Perform the operation. As an example of removing the cause of the inclination of the original image, the original is accurately placed at the original setting position of the image reading apparatus 1, or the characters in the original and the image itself are in the vertical or horizontal direction of the original paper. If it is recorded at an angle, the record is corrected.

  In step 36, the control unit 6 sends the original image data to the plate making unit 2 and instructs the plate making process to be performed. The plate making unit 2 binarizes the original image data, generates plate making data, and makes a stencil sheet based on the plate making data.

  Here, the control unit 6 does not perform the processing (plate making and printing processing) after step 36 until information indicating that the original image is not tilted is input from the operation unit 4a.

  In step S <b> 37, when the stencil sheet making process is completed, the plate making unit 2 sends information indicating that to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 instructs the printing unit 3 to perform processing for plate-making the stencil sheet made on the first drum 3a. The printing unit 3 deposits the stencil sheet thus made on the first drum 3a. When the plate setting process is completed, the printing unit 3 sends information indicating that to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 recognizes that the processing necessary for printing the original image on the first surface of the printing paper (for example, the front surface of the printing paper) has been completed by the processing from step 31 to step 37 described above. .

  In step S38, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information for inquiring whether or not to print the second side of the printing paper (for example, the back side of the printing paper). The user uses the operation unit 4a to input information indicating whether to print the second surface. When the information indicating that the second side is to be printed is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step 39. When the information indicating that the second side is not to be printed is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to step 46. Move on to processing.

  Since the processing from step S39 to step 45 is the same as the processing from step 31 to step 37 described above except that the original to be read is different, description thereof will be omitted. The original image read in step 31 is referred to as a first surface original image, and the original image read in step 39 is referred to as a second surface original image.

  In step S46, the control unit 6 completes the processing necessary for printing the original image for the first surface on the first surface of the printing paper in step 37, or in step 45, the second surface of the printing paper. When recognizing that the processing necessary for printing the original image for the second side is completed (for example, the front side of the printing paper), the paper feeding mechanism (not shown) is controlled to print the printing paper on the printing unit 3. And instructing the printing unit 3 to perform a test print. The printing unit 3 prints the test print (the first image for the first surface on the first surface of the printing paper using the first drum 3a, or the first surface of the printing paper using the first drum 3a. After printing the original image for one side, the original image for the second side is printed on the second side of the printing paper using the second drum 3b). When the test print is completed, the printing unit 3 sends information indicating that to the control unit 6.

  In step S47, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information indicating that there is a problem with the test print. The user uses the operation unit 4a to input information indicating whether there is a problem with the test print. When the information indicating that there is a problem with the test print is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step 51. When the information indicating that there is no problem with the test print is input, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step 48. Transition.

  In step S48, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information requesting the setting of the number of prints. The user inputs information indicating the number of prints using the operation unit 4a. The control unit 6 sets the number of printed sheets in a built-in printed number counter.

  In step S49, the control unit 6 controls a paper feeding mechanism (not shown) to feed one sheet of printing paper to the printing unit 3, and uses the first drum 3a as the first side of the printing paper to the first side. The original image for printing is printed, or the first image is printed on the first surface of the printing paper using the first drum 3a, and then the second image is printed on the second surface of the printing paper using the second drum 3b. The print unit 3 is instructed to print the surface original image. When the printing process for one sheet of printing paper is completed, the printing unit 3 sends information indicating that to the control unit 6. The control unit 6 subtracts 1 from the value set in the printed sheet counter.

  In step S50, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the value set in the print number counter is 0. If the value is 0, the printing control process in the stencil printing apparatus 10 is terminated. In step S49, the process proceeds to step 49.

  In step S51, the control unit 6 causes the display unit 4b to display information indicating an inquiry as to whether there is a problem with the test print on the first side of the printing paper. The user uses the operation unit 4a to input information indicating whether the printing sheet is the first side or the second side. In the case where there is a problem with the test print on the first side, information indicating this is input, and in this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step S35. If there is a problem with the test print on the second side, information indicating that is input, and in this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the process of step S43.

  If YES is determined in step 51, the process from step 31 to step 37 is performed again via step 35. Thereafter, NO is determined in step 38, and the process of step 46 is performed. It will be.

  Further, by the processing in step 34 and step 42, the control unit 6 controls whether or not the original image is printed on the printing paper every time the original image is read (that is, plate making necessary for printing the original image, Control whether or not to perform the plate setting process). Specifically, the control unit 6 prints the original image when information indicating that the original image has an inclination is input by the operation unit 4a (when NO is determined in Steps 34 and 42). When information that indicates that there is no inclination of the original image is input after performing the control to make it impossible (going to Steps 35 and 43 and controlling not to perform the processing of Steps 36, 37, 44, and 45) If YES is determined in steps 34 and 42, control is performed to enable printing of the original image (processing in steps 36, 37, 44, and 45 is performed).

(Function and effect)
According to the stencil printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, before the original image is printed on the printing paper, the superimposed image indicating the image related to the inclination of the printing paper in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is displayed. It is not necessary to print the original image on the printing paper many times to check the tilt of the image, and until the original image is no longer tilted by repeating the reading of the original image and the display of the superimposed image. The inclination of can be confirmed. Thereafter, after confirming that the original image is not tilted, the user can cause the stencil printing apparatus 10 to print the original image on the printing paper. Therefore, it is possible to provide the stencil printing apparatus 10 that does not waste printing paper for checking the inclination of the original image.

  Further, according to the stencil printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, in the above display, it is possible to indicate the occurrence of the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper in a manner that the user can easily recognize. The user can easily know the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. For this reason, after confirming that there is no inclination of the original image, the user takes time to determine whether the original image is inclined when the printing apparatus prints the original image on the printing paper. There is no. Further, unlike the prior art, since the original image inclination calculating means and the original image inclination correcting means are not used to detect / correct the inclination of the original image, the processing time required for detection / correction becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required to print the original image on the printing paper in a state where the original image is not inclined after the original image is read.

  Further, unlike the prior art, there is no need to detect and correct the image inclination using the original image inclination calculating means, the original image inclination correcting means, etc., and there is a problem of cost increase without increasing the size of the printing apparatus. Can be avoided.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the printing paper is not wasted for checking the inclination of the original image, and the original image is printed on the printing paper without the inclination of the original image after reading the original image. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for the printing, and to avoid the problem of cost increase without increasing the size of the stencil printing apparatus.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the superimposed image is displayed by superimposing the original image and the mirror image obtained by inverting the original image by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. If there is an inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the paper, the original image data and the mirror image data will overlap on the superimposed image, so the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper will occur. However, it is emphasized compared to the case where only the original image is displayed. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the inclination of the mirror image direction (X3 direction) with respect to the original image direction (X1 direction) is displayed as corresponding to the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. The Here, since an inclination twice as large as the inclination (angle α1) of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper appears in the inclination (angle α2) of the mirror image with respect to the direction of the original image, The inclination of the original image with respect to the direction or the horizontal direction is displayed in a manner that can be clearly recognized by the user, and the user can easily and accurately know the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. . For example, even when the inclination of the original image is slight, the user can easily know the occurrence of this inclination. As a result, it is possible to print the original image on the printing paper with no further inclination of the original image.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 6 controls whether or not the original image is printed on the printing paper every time the original image is read, and the operation unit 4a has the inclination of the original image. When the information indicating that the original image is input, control is performed so that the original image cannot be printed. When the information indicating that the original image is not tilted is input, control is performed so that the original image can be printed. Therefore, when it is confirmed that there is no inclination of the original image, it is not necessary for the stencil printing apparatus to read the original image again, and the original image is printed on the printing paper without any inclination of the original image. it can. As a result, it is possible to further shorten the time required to print the original image on the printing paper in a state where the original image is not inclined after the original image is read.

  In addition, the user determines whether or not the original image is tilted by visually checking the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b, and inputs the determination result using the operation unit 4a. If it is determined that the original image has an inclination, the cause is investigated and removed by the user. Then, the stencil printing apparatus 10 operates so as to read the original image and execute the plate making and printing process based on the original image according to the information on the presence / absence of the inclination of the original image so that there is no inclination of the original image. . Accordingly, since the original image is printed in a state where the original image is not inclined, it is possible to prevent the stencil sheet and the printing paper from being wasted by performing the plate making and printing process in a state where the original image is inclined.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 6 generates a superimposed image (superimposed image data) by changing at least one of display density or display color between the mirror image and the original image. Thus, the original image and the mirror image can be displayed in a manner that is easy for the user to identify, and the user can easily know the inclination of the direction of the mirror image data with respect to the direction of the original image.

  For reading and printing of a document in which a document (characters, etc.) is written horizontally on the original paper, the mirror image is inverted 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction of the print paper, and the document is vertically written on the original paper. For reading and printing of a document, the above-described effect can be obtained by using mirror image data that is 180 degrees reversed with respect to the horizontal direction of the printing paper.

  In the above-described embodiment, the process for reducing the display density of the mirror image has been described. However, if the display unit 4b can perform color display, the display color of the original image and the display color (color) of the mirror image may be changed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, descriptions of the same configuration, function, and effect as those in the first embodiment are omitted or simplified. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a stencil printing apparatus 20 as a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  The stencil printing apparatus 20 includes an image reading device 1, a plate making unit 2, a printing unit 3, an operation panel unit 4, a storage unit 15, a control unit 16, and an interface unit 7. Note that each of the image reading device 1, the plate making unit 2, the printing unit 3, the operation panel unit 4, and the interface unit 7 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The storage unit 15 includes a reference image storage unit 5b that stores reference direction image data indicating the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. Specifically, the reference direction image data is composed of pixel values for each pixel that has been bitmap-expanded. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the reference direction image is an image composed of vertical lines L1 parallel to the vertical direction of the printing paper and horizontal lines L2 parallel to the horizontal direction of the printing paper. The vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 can be translated to any display position in the X and Y directions in FIG. 15 by an operation from the operation unit 4a. That is, an operation input by the operation unit 4a (an input corresponding to position data for displaying the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2) is sent to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 displays based on the position data. The vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 are displayed on the part 4b.

  The control unit 16 generates superimposed image data based on the original image data stored in the page memory 5a and the reference direction image data stored in the reference image storage unit 5b. And the control part 16 displays a superimposed image on the display part 4b based on the produced | generated superimposed image data. That is, the display unit 4b displays a superimposed image by superimposing a reference direction image indicating the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction of the printing paper on the original image. Moreover, the control part 16 controls the position of the reference | standard direction image in the superimposed image displayed on the display part 4b based on the operation input from the operation part 4a.

  Further, every time the original image is read, the control unit 16 controls whether or not the original image is printed on the printing paper. Specifically, when information indicating that the original image is tilted is input by the operation unit 4a, the control unit 6 performs control to disable printing of the original image, and there is no tilt of the original image. When the information indicating this is input, control is performed to enable printing of the original image. The details of this process are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of the stencil printing apparatus according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 and FIG.

  First, the process of step S61 in FIG. 12 is the same as the process of step S31. In step S62, the control unit 16 generates superimposed image data based on the original image data stored in the page memory 5a and the reference direction image data stored in the reference image storage unit 5b. The control unit 16 causes the display unit 4b to display a superimposed image based on the generated superimposed image data. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b. In the superimposed image, a vertical line L1 and a horizontal line L2 are superimposed on the original image 200.

  The user visually checks the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b, and the inclination of the original image with respect to the horizontal direction of the printing paper (here, the case of the horizontal direction is described, but the same applies to the case of the vertical direction). Judgment is made. That is, the user looks at the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b, and the horizontal direction of the character or image print paper 100 in the original image with respect to the horizontal direction of the print paper indicated by the reference direction image (the X11 direction in FIG. 15). The inclination (in other words, the alignment direction along the horizontal direction of the printing paper of characters or images in the original image) and the reference direction image are aligned in the alignment direction (X1 direction in FIG. 15) along the direction (X1 direction). It is determined whether or not the horizontal direction of the printing paper shown is parallel, that is, whether or not there is an inclination of the original image. In this case, the control unit 16 moves the display position of the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 to a suitable position in the superimposed image (a position where it is easy to determine whether or not they are parallel) by an operation input from the operation unit 4a. It is also possible to make it.

  As a result, the display of the superimposed image is displayed with the inclination of the original image emphasized, as in the first embodiment, so that the user sees only the displayed original image by looking at the displayed superimposed image. Compared to the case, the inclination of the original image can be seen more clearly.

  In the processes after step S63, the same processes as those after step S34 shown in the first embodiment are performed except for the following processes. That is, the process of step S69 is performed instead of step S40 and step S41. The process in step S69 is the same as step S62 except that the read original is different.

(Function and effect)
As described above, in this embodiment, before the original image read by the image reading apparatus 1 is printed on the printing paper, the display unit 4b displays the original image and the reference indicating the vertical and horizontal directions of the printing paper. A direction image, for example, a superimposed image in which the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 shown in FIG. 15 are superimposed is displayed. At this time, when the user performs an operation using the operation unit 4a, an operation input by the operation unit 4a is input to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 includes the original image in the superimposed image displayed on the display unit 4b. The display position of the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 can be moved to a desired display position with respect to the display position.

  This display allows the user to tilt the characters in the original image or the alignment direction along the horizontal direction of the print paper in the horizontal direction of the print paper indicated by the reference direction image (in other words, the characters in the original image or It is possible to determine whether or not the direction in which the images are aligned along the horizontal direction of the print paper and the horizontal direction of the print paper indicated by the reference direction image are parallel, that is, whether or not there is an inclination of the original image. As a result, the display of the superimposed image is displayed with the inclination of the original image emphasized, as in the first embodiment, so that the user sees only the displayed original image by looking at the displayed superimposed image. Compared to the case, the inclination of the original image can be seen more clearly.

  Further, since the display position of the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 can be appropriately moved on the display unit 4b by the operation unit 4a, as shown in FIG. 15, the vertical line L1 is written horizontally (corresponding to the original image). The vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 can be displayed in a manner that can be easily recognized by the user, for example, by aligning the horizontal line L2 with the lower end of the horizontally written document.

  In the second embodiment described above, the example in which the superimposed image is displayed by superimposing both the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2 on the original image as the reference direction image has been described, but the vertical line L1 or the horizontal line is displayed. Any one of them may be superimposed on the original image to display the superimposed image. For example, when the document is horizontally written on the printing paper, it is possible to determine whether or not the left edge and the right edge of the document are misaligned by superimposing the horizontal line L2. On the other hand, when the document is vertically written on the printing paper, it is possible to determine whether or not the upper end and the lower end of the document are misaligned by superimposing the vertical line L1.

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the vertical line L1, the horizontal line L2, or a combination thereof is used as the reference direction image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vertical line L1, the horizontal line L2 is used. It is also possible to use other images that can define the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper, such as frame lines and figures other than the above.

(Example of change)
As a superimposed image indicating an image related to the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper, in the first embodiment, an image in which the original image and the mirror image are superimposed, and in the second embodiment, the original image However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any image may be used as long as it is related to the inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. . For example, as the superimposed image, an original image character or an image indicating the direction along the vertical or horizontal direction of the image and an image indicating the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper may be superimposed.

  As mentioned above, although the printing apparatus of this invention was demonstrated based on 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and its modification, this invention is not limited to this, The structure of each part is the same function It can be replaced with any configuration having

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the stencil printing apparatus has been described as an example of the printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a function of printing an original image read by the image reading apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to other printing apparatuses equipped with a printer such as a copier, a multifunction machine, and the like.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, description has been made by taking double-sided printing as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to single-sided printing.

  Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example of an image reading device that reads an image by placing a document on a glass table has been described. However, an image of a document that is sent using an ADF (automatic document feeder) is read. The present invention can also be applied to an image reading device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a first partial view of a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a second partial view of a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a third partial view of a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an original image in case the inclination of an original image has not arisen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of an original image in case the inclination of an original image has arisen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a mirror image when the inclination of an original image has not arisen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a mirror image image, when the inclination of an original image has arisen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a superimposition image, when the inclination of an original image has not arisen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a superimposition image, when the inclination of an original image has arisen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a first partial view of a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd division figure of the flowchart which shows the process sequence of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd division figure of the flowchart which shows the process sequence of the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a superimposition image, when the inclination of an original image has not arisen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the conventional printing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reader 2 Plate making part 3 Printing part 3a 1st drum 3b 2nd drum 4 Operation panel part 4a Operation part 4b Display part 5 Memory | storage part 5a Page memory 5b Reference | standard image memory | storage part 6 Control part 7 Interface part 8 Image processing part 10 Stencil printing device 15 Storage unit 16 Control unit 20 Stencil printing device L1 Vertical line L2 Horizontal line

Claims (3)

In a printing apparatus that prints an original image read from a document by an image reading apparatus on a printing paper, before printing the original image on the printing paper, the original image and the original with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the printing paper. Display means for displaying a superimposed image in which an image related to the inclination of the image is superimposed ;
The display means displays the superimposed image by superimposing the original image and a mirror image obtained by inverting the original image by 180 degrees with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper. Printing device. Control means for controlling whether to print the original image on the printing paper each time the original image is read;
In the superimposed image displayed on the display means, input means for inputting information indicating whether or not there is an inclination of the original image with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction of the printing paper,
The control means performs control to disable printing of the original image when the information indicating that the original image has an inclination is input by the input means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when the information indicating that there is no inclination is input, control is performed to enable printing of the original image . 3. A superimposed image generation unit configured to generate the superimposed image by changing at least one of display density or display color between the mirror image and the original image. A printing apparatus according to 1.