JP4702405B2 - Punch device setting device and punch device setting program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a punching device setting device for forming a plurality of punch holes in a recording sheet output from an image forming apparatus, and a punching device setting program.

  Conventionally, as a method for binding a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages, a plurality of punch holes are formed along substantially one entire side of the printed material, and a ring or coil made of a material such as resin or metal is formed there. A method of binding a plurality of pages by passing through a binder is used.

  Therefore, in recent years, many image forming apparatuses such as MFPs and printers are equipped with a post-processing apparatus for sequentially drawing printed recording paper and forming a plurality of punch holes along one side thereof by multi-hole punching. Yes.

  Such a post-processing apparatus can form punch holes by changing the positions, dimensions, intervals, shapes, and the like of punch holes in a plurality of ways so as to meet various needs of users. For example, Patent Document 1 below proposes a post-processing device that can change the diameter of a punch hole in a plurality of stages by using a punching member provided with a plurality of punch blades having different diameters along the extending direction. ing. Further, Patent Document 2 below proposes a post-processing apparatus that can form a plurality of types of punch holes according to the number of multi-hole punches by using a plurality of multi-hole punches that can be switched with each other. Further, Patent Document 3 below proposes a post-processing device capable of adjusting the positions and intervals of punch holes by moving a punching means composed of a single punch blade on a plane parallel to the recording paper. ing.

However, even if the post-processing apparatus as described above is used, the finish of the punching process cannot be confirmed in advance by the user, and the punch hole is formed in the area where the image on the recording paper is printed. This causes problems such as “image missing” in which a part of the recording paper is missing, and “punch missing” in which the edge of the recording paper is lost due to a punch hole that does not completely fit on the recording paper.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-29696 JP 2001-260087 A JP 2007-118121 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to visually confirm the position, size, interval, and the like of punch holes formed on a recording sheet by a punch device. It is to provide a setting device and a setting program for a punch device that can be adjusted while adjusting.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) Setting an operation of a punching device capable of forming a plurality of punch holes by adjusting the positions of the punch holes along one side of the recording paper on which each page of the first image composed of a plurality of pages is printed. a setting device for, in the image of the recording sheet including the area image representing an area of an image obtained by superimposing each page of the first image, a plurality of punch holes can be formed by the punch device A display unit for displaying a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes arranged over a width that can encompass the entire area of one side of the image of the recording paper sheet is displayed. An acquisition unit that acquires an instruction to adjust the position of the second image in the preview image from a user, and the preview image that is changed according to the acquired instruction and changed to the display unit A setting that includes: a preview changing unit that displays an image; and a setting unit that sets an operation of the punching device so that a punch hole represented by the second image is formed in the displayed preview image. apparatus.

(2) In the above (1), in the displayed preview image, when the second image overlaps the region image, the display unit further displays a message notifying the user of the fact. The setting device described.

  (3) In the preview image displayed, when the second image overlaps an edge of the recording paper, the display unit further displays a message notifying the user of the fact ( The setting device according to 1) or (2).

( 4 ) The punch device can further form the punch holes by adjusting the size, interval, and shape of the punch holes, and the acquisition unit further includes the second in the displayed preview image. The setting device according to any one of (1) to ( 3 ) above, wherein an instruction to adjust the size, interval, and shape of the punch holes represented by the image can be acquired from a user.

( 5 ) The acquisition unit can acquire only an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image within a predetermined combination range. The setting device according to ( 4 ) above.

( 6 ) When the acquisition unit acquires an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination, the display unit The setting device according to ( 4 ) above, which notifies the user to the effect.

( 7 ) When the acquisition unit acquires an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination, the preview change unit The setting device according to ( 4 ), wherein the preview image is changed within the range of the combination.

( 8 ) The setting device according to any one of (1) to ( 7 ), wherein the display unit can display the preview image in an enlarged or reduced manner.

( 9 ) Setting the operation of a punching device that can form a plurality of punch holes by adjusting the positions of the punch holes along one side of the recording paper on which each page of the first image composed of a plurality of pages is printed. a program for, the image of the recording sheet including the area image representing an area of an image obtained by superimposing each page of the first image, representing a plurality of punch holes can be formed by the punch device A procedure (A) for forming a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes arranged over a width that can cover the entire area of one side of the image of the recording paper is superimposed, A procedure (B) for displaying the preview image on the screen, a procedure (C) for obtaining an instruction from the user to adjust the position of the punch hole represented by the second image in the displayed preview image, and a user (D) changing the preview image according to the instruction acquired from the user and displaying the changed preview image on the screen; and the second image in the preview image displayed on the screen A procedure (E) for setting the operation of the punching device so that a punch hole to be represented is formed, and a program for causing a computer to execute.

( 10 ) In the preview image displayed on the screen, when a punch hole represented by the second image overlaps the area image, a procedure for displaying a message notifying the user on the screen is displayed. The program according to ( 9 ), further causing the computer to execute the program.

( 11 ) In the preview image displayed on the screen, when a punch hole represented by the second image overlaps an edge of the recording paper, a message for notifying the user of the fact is displayed on the screen. Is further executed by the computer. The program according to ( 9 ) or ( 10 ) above.

( 12 ) The punch device can further form the punch hole by adjusting the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole, and the dimension of the punch hole represented by the second image in the displayed preview image The program according to any one of ( 9 ) to ( 11 ), further causing the computer to execute a procedure (a) for obtaining an instruction to adjust the interval and the shape from a user.

( 13 ) In the step (a), only an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image within a predetermined combination range is acquired. The program according to ( 12 ) above.

( 14 ) In the step (a), when an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination is acquired, this is indicated to the user The program according to ( 12 ), further causing the computer to execute a procedure for displaying a message to be notified on the screen.

( 15 ) If an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination is acquired in the procedure (a), the procedure (D The program according to ( 12 ), wherein the preview image is changed within the range of the combination.

( 16 ) The program according to any one of ( 9 ) to ( 15 ), wherein the preview image displayed on the screen can be enlarged or reduced according to a user instruction.

( 17 ) A computer-readable recording medium for recording the program described in any one of ( 9 ) to ( 16 ).

  According to the present invention, the user can adjust the position, size, interval, and the like of punch holes that are actually formed while confirming a preview image showing the finished state of the punching process. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent defects such as “image loss” and “punch loss” from occurring in the punching process.

-Overall system configuration (Figure 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image forming system A to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming system A according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as a host device and an MFP 2 as an image forming device, which are connected to each other via a communication network 3 so as to communicate with each other. ing. Note that the types and number of devices connected to the communication network 3 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. Further, the PC 1 may be directly connected (locally connected) between the MFP 2 and the device without going through the network 3.

  Subsequently, the configuration of each device will be described. However, each device may include a component other than the components described later, or may not include some of the components described later. Good. In addition, portions having similar functions in each device are described only for the first time in order to avoid duplication of description, and descriptions thereof are omitted for the second and subsequent times.

-PC configuration (Fig. 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the PC 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a communication interface 15, which are connected to each other via a bus 16 for exchanging signals. Has been.

  The control unit 11 is a CPU, and controls the above units and performs various calculations according to a program. The storage unit 12 includes a ROM that stores various programs and parameters for controlling basic operations of the PC 1, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, and an OS (operating system, basic software) and a PC 1 described later. A hard disk is provided for storing programs, parameters, and the like for controlling predetermined operations.

  The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display or the like and displays various information to the user. The operation unit 14 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and acquires various instructions from the user. The communication interface 15 is an interface for connecting the PC 1 to the network 3 and communicating with other devices on the network 3. In particular, the PC 1 of the present embodiment displays a punch setting UI screen for setting punch processing on the display unit 13 and acquires an instruction from a user who operates the punch setting UI screen using the operation unit 14. This point will be further described later.

-Configuration of MFP (FIGS. 3 and 4)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the MFP 2 as the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the MFP 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, an image reading unit 24, a printing unit 25, a post-processing unit 26, a paper feeding unit 27, and a communication interface 28. These are connected to each other via a bus 29 for exchanging signals. Hereinafter, these components will be described in order.

  The control unit 21 is a CPU, and controls the above units and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program. The storage unit 22 stores various programs and parameters in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, stores various programs and parameters, or image data obtained by image processing, and the like. Consists of a hard disk or the like used for temporary storage.

  The operation unit 23 displays various information or a touch panel for inputting various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and various setting conditions at the initial stage. It consists of various fixed keys such as reset keys, display lamps and the like.

  The image reading unit 24 emits light from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp to a document set at a predetermined reading position on a document table or a document conveyed to a predetermined reading position by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Then, a scan operation is performed to generate image data (bitmap data) from an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light with a light receiving element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  The printing unit 25 prints the image data on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 16 and discharges the image data through the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by electrophotography. However, the printing method employed by the printing unit 15 in the present invention is not limited to this, and any known printing method such as an impact method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method may be used.

  The post-processing unit 26 performs various post-processings such as paper folding, stapling, punching, trimming on the recording paper on which printing has been performed by the printing unit 15. In particular, the post-processing unit 26 of the present embodiment includes two punch units 261 and 262 that perform punch processing on the recording paper conveyed from the printing unit 15. Here, the punching process is a process of forming a plurality of punch holes such as 26 holes and 30 holes along one side of the recording paper by a punch blade or the like at the leading end. The specific configuration of the punch units 261 and 262 will be further described later.

  The paper feeding unit 27 stores a plurality of types of recording paper (A4, B5, A3, Letter, etc.) for each size, and the recording paper in each paper feeding tray in response to a command from the control unit 11. A transport mechanism for transporting to the printing unit 25 is provided.

  The communication interface 28 is an interface for performing communication between the MFP 1 and an external device, such as a network interface based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, or FDDI, a serial interface such as USB or IEEE1394, a SCSI, A parallel interface such as IEEE1284, various local connection interfaces such as wireless communication interfaces such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA, a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like are used.

  With the above configuration, the MFP 2 executes printing on the recording paper based on the print job received from the external device through the communication interface or the original image read by the image reading unit 24, and further, on the recording paper on which printing has been executed. It is possible to discharge after post-processing such as punching.

-Configuration of punch unit (Figs. 5 and 6)
Next, the configuration of the punch unit 261 among the punch units 261 and 262 provided in the post-processing unit 16 will be described. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the main part of the punch unit 261.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the punch unit 261 has a cam shaft 261 a that can be rotated by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor, an eccentric cam 261 b disposed on the cam shaft 261 a, and a punch blade at the tip. A punch bar 261c having a sliding contact surface with the eccentric cam 261b is provided at the rear end. As indicated by the arrows in the figure, the rotation of the cam shaft 261a causes the punch rod 261c slidingly contacting the eccentric cam 261b to slide in the vertical direction.

  Further, the punch unit 261 sandwiches the punch guide 261d that presses the surface of the recording paper S arranged below the punch bar 261c and simultaneously guides the punch bar 261c that slides in the lateral direction, and the punch bar 261c that slides. Thus, a pair of stoppers 261e that stop the punch bar 261c by abutting against the tip of the punch bar 161c are provided.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view showing the tip of the punch bar 261c. As shown in FIG. 6, the punch bar 261 c includes a plurality of circular punch blades whose diameter decreases stepwise toward the tip. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of stoppers 261e are moved in directions toward and away from each other so that the sliding punch rod 261c can be stopped at a predetermined position. Therefore, according to the punch unit 261 of the present embodiment, the diameter of the circular punch hole formed in the recording paper S is controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the cam shaft 261a, that is, the stroke of the sliding punch rod 261c. It can be changed in several ways. In the example of FIG. 6, since the punch rod 261c is provided with ten punch blades, the diameter of the circular punch hole can be changed to ten ways.

  Further, the punch unit 261 of the present embodiment can freely move on a plane parallel to the recording paper S by a motor (not shown) or the like. Thereby, the punch unit 261 can change the position of the punch holes formed in the recording paper S and the interval between the adjacent punch holes in a plurality of ways.

  The configuration of the other punch unit 262 is the same as that of the punch unit 261 described above except that each punch blade provided on the punch bar 262c has a square cross section. Therefore, detailed description of the punch unit 262 is omitted. In addition, the post-processing unit 26 according to the present embodiment can form punch holes having two shapes, a circular shape and a rectangular shape, on the recording paper S by switching and operating the two punch units 261 and 262. The post-processing unit 26 may include a larger number of punch units so that more types of punch holes can be formed.

  With the configuration as described above, the post-processing unit 26 of the present embodiment can execute punch processing by changing the position, size, interval, and shape of the punch holes in a plurality of ways. However, the configuration of the post-processing unit 26 is not limited to the above. For example, the post-processing unit 26 switches and operates a plurality of types of multi-hole punches to thereby determine the positions, dimensions, intervals, and the like of the punch holes. You may have the structure which changes a shape. Information relating to punch processing that can be executed by the post-processing unit 26 of this embodiment is stored in the recording unit 22 or the like as punch unit information I1 (see FIG. 9). Such punch unit information I1 is used in the punch setting process of PC1 described later.

-PC processing (Figs. 7 and 8)
Next, an outline of the operation of the PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing a procedure of punch setting processing by the PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 12, and is read out and executed by the control unit 11 when the operation starts.

  First, the PC 1 waits until a print instruction is received from the user (NO in S101). This print instruction is accepted when the user executes a predetermined print instruction on an application installed in the PC 1.

  Upon receiving the print instruction (YES in S101), the PC 1 acquires punch unit information I1 from the MFP 2 as information regarding punch processing that can be executed by the post-processing unit 26 of the MFP 2 through the communication interface 16 (S102). At this time, the method by which the PC 1 acquires the punch unit information I1 is not particularly limited. For example, when the PC 1 and the MFP 2 communicate using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) as the communication protocol, the PC 1 is provided on the MFP 2 side. Punch unit information is acquired from a MIB (Management Information Base) table. The punch unit information I1 acquired in S102 is temporarily held in the RAM or the like of the recording unit 12.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the punch unit information I1 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the punch unit information I <b> 1 is a table including information on the size, interval, number, shape, and the like of punch holes that can be formed by the post-processing unit 26. In the example of FIG. 9, the post-processing unit 26 has a punch hole diameter of 2.5 mm, 5.0 mm, 7.5 mm, 10.0 mm, 12.5 mm, 15.0 mm, 17.5 mm, 20.0 mm, It can be changed to 10 types of 22.5 mm and 25.0 mm, and the interval between punch holes can be changed to 10 types of 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm, 70 mm, 80 mm, 90 mm, 100 mm, The number of punch holes can be changed to four types of 2, 3, 4, and 20, and the shape of the punch holes can be changed to two types of circle and square.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 displays a punch setting UI screen u1 on the display unit 13 and generates a preview image (hereinafter, also referred to as “paper image”) representing a recording sheet designated by the user, which is punch-set. It is displayed in the preview display area A1 in the UI screen u1 (S103). Note that the size of the recording paper is common to all pages. Subsequently, the PC 1 generates a preview image (hereinafter also referred to as a “print image”) of the original image to be printed based on the print instruction in S101, and superimposes it on the paper image displayed in S103 to display the preview display area A1. (S104).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the print image Gi formed and displayed in S104. As shown in FIG. 10, the print image Gi is an image representing an area where the document image exists in at least one page. That is, it is an image representing an area of an image obtained by superimposing the original image of each page. By displaying such a print image Gi, the user can confirm at a glance "image missing" for all pages.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 overlaps the preview display area A1 in the punch setting UI screen u1 with an icon i corresponding to the number of punch holes that can be formed by the post-processing unit 26 based on the punch unit information I1 acquired in S102. The icon is displayed in the icon display area A2 that should not be displayed (S105). In the example of FIG. 9, the post-processing unit 26 can change the number of punch holes to four, 2, 3, 4, and 20, so that four icons i corresponding to these are displayed in the icon display area A2. The

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a punch setting UI screen u1 displayed on the display unit 13 when S105 is completed. The PC 1 of the present embodiment can obtain an instruction regarding the number of punch holes formed by the punching process from the user by displaying the UI screen u1 as shown in FIG. More specifically, when the user selects any icon in the icon display area A2, the PC 1 acquires an instruction to form a number of punch holes corresponding to the icon i. Here, “select icon i” means that the user presses a mouse button in a state where the cursor is set to any icon i by operating the mouse. If no icon i is selected, punch processing is not set.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, the PC 1 branches the process depending on whether any icon i in the UI screen u1 is selected (S106). That is, when any icon i is selected (YES in S106), the PC 1 specifies the number of punch holes corresponding to the selected icon i (S107), and the preview image (S107) corresponding to the number of punch holes is selected. Hereinafter, it is also referred to as “punch image”), and is further superimposed on the paper image Gs and print image Gi displayed in the preview display area A1 (S108). At this time, if any punch image is already displayed in the preview display area A1, the existing punch image is deleted, and a punch image newly representing the punch hole specified in S107 is generated and displayed. It should be noted that the punch image Gh has a size that can be displayed side by side, at least in the default setting, so that a plurality of black circle images indicating punch holes cover a length wider than the length in the height direction of the paper image Gs. Have. That is, the punch image Gh has a size in the height direction larger than the size in the height direction of the paper image Gs at least in the default setting, and can include the entire area of the paper image Gs in the height direction.

  Thereafter, the PC 1 changes the position of the punch image in the preview image being displayed in accordance with the position of the cursor (S109). That is, the user can adjust the position of the punch image in the preview image by moving the mouse while pressing the mouse button. Then, the PC 1 repeats the process of S109 until the mouse button is released (NO in S110). When the mouse button is released (YES in S110), the PC 1 executes the process based on the preview image displayed at that time. After generating punch setting information I2 which is setting information for forming a punch hole represented by the punch image in the preview image (S111), the process proceeds to “1” in FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of punch setting information I2 generated in S111. As shown in FIG. 12, the punch setting information I2 of the present embodiment includes a table indicating the coordinates of the punch start position, the diameter of each punch hole, the interval between adjacent punch holes, and the total number of punch holes. The coordinates used in the punch setting information I2 are the origin (0, 0) at the lower left corner of the recording paper, the X direction is parallel to the horizontal direction of the recording paper, and the vertical direction of the recording paper. (X, Y) coordinates when the direction forming the Y direction is the Y direction.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing punch holes formed based on the punch setting information I2 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the punch start position in the punch setting information I2 is represented by the (X, Y) coordinates of the lower left apex of the rectangle circumscribing the punch hole located at the bottom. As shown in FIG. 13, the punch setting information I2 of FIG. 12 forms 20 punch holes with a diameter of 10 mm at intervals of 10 mm, with the position of 198 mm to the right and 5 mm below from the lower left corner of the recording paper. Setting information.

  14 to 16 show an example of the punch setting UI screen u1 displayed on the display unit 13 when S111 is completed. As shown in the left part of each figure, the UI screen u1 shows the following (a) to (c) according to the specific position of the cursor when the cursor is set to the punch image Gh. An instruction for adjusting “position of the whole punch hole”, “interval between adjacent punch holes”, and “dimension of each punch hole” can be acquired from the user.

  (A) When the cursor is positioned at a portion between adjacent punch holes in the punch image, a rectangular frame surrounding all punch holes is displayed at the tip of the cursor. When the frame is dragged to any position in the preview image, the UI screen u1 acquires an instruction for changing the position of the entire punch hole to the position of the frame after dragging.

  (B) When the cursor is aligned with the top or bottom punch hole in the punch image, a line segment parallel to the horizontal direction of the recording sheet is displayed at the tip of the cursor. When the line segment is dragged in the vertical direction of the recording paper, the UI screen u1 acquires an instruction for changing the interval between adjacent punch holes to be wide / narrow.

  (C) When the cursor is positioned on one of the punch holes in the punch image except for the top and bottom punch holes, a square frame surrounding the punch hole is displayed at the tip of the cursor. Is done. When the frame is dragged in the direction in which the frame is enlarged / reduced, the UI screen u1 acquires an instruction for changing the size of each punch hole to be larger / smaller.

  Referring to FIG. 8, PC 1 that has advanced to “1” in the figure branches the process depending on whether or not the cursor is positioned on punch image Gh (S112). That is, when the cursor is positioned on the punch image Gh (YES in S112), the UI screen u1 is switched to a state where any of the above-described instructions (a) to (c) can be acquired (S113). Proceed to S114. On the other hand, when the cursor is not aligned with the punch image Gh (NO in S112), the process returns to S106 in FIG. 7 to acquire an instruction from the user again.

  The PC 1 that has proceeded to S114 further branches the process depending on whether or not the mouse button is pressed while the cursor is positioned on the punch image Gh (S114). That is, when the mouse button is pressed while the cursor is aligned with the punch image Gh (YES in S114), an instruction target to be acquired from the user is specified based on the cursor position information at that time (S115). ). That is, whether to acquire an instruction to adjust the position of the entire punch hole as in (a) above, or to acquire an instruction to adjust the interval between adjacent punch holes as in (b) above, or (c) above It is specified whether or not an instruction to adjust the dimensions of each punch hole is acquired. On the other hand, if the mouse button is not pressed in a state where the cursor is positioned on the punch image Gh (NO in S114), the process returns to S106 in FIG. 7 to acquire an instruction from the user again.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 that has identified the target of the instruction to be acquired from the user in S115 branches the process according to the identified content (S116, S120). That is, when the object to be adjusted according to the user's instruction is the “position of the whole punch hole” in (a) (YES in S116), the PC 1 previews by moving the punch image Gh in accordance with the movement of the cursor. The image is changed (S117), and this is repeated until the mouse button is released (NO in S118). When the mouse button is released (YES in S118), the punch information I2 is generated based on the preview image at that time (S119), and the process returns to the above-described "1". If punch setting information I2 has already been generated at this point, the existing punch setting information I2 is deleted and new punch setting information is generated.

  Further, when the object to be adjusted is the “interval between adjacent punch holes” in (b) (NO in S116, YES in S120), PC1 determines the punch hole represented by the punch image Gh in accordance with the movement of the cursor. The preview image is changed so that the interval becomes wide / narrow (S121), and this is repeated until the mouse button is released (NO in S122). When the mouse button is released (YES in S123), the punch information I2 is generated based on the preview image at that time (S119), and the process returns to "1" described above.

  When the target of the change instruction by the user is the “punch hole dimension” in (c) (NO in S116, NO in S120), the PC 1 displays each punch hole represented by the punch image Gh in accordance with the movement of the cursor. The preview image is changed so as to increase / decrease the diameter (S123), and this is repeated until the mouse button is released (NO in S124). When the mouse button is released (YES in S124), the punch information I2 is generated / updated based on the preview image at that time (S119), and the process returns to the above-described "1".

  As a result of changing the preview image in S117, S121, and S123, if the punch image Gh overlaps the print image Gi or the punch image Gh overlaps the edge of the paper image Gs in the preview image after the change, the PC 1 Then, a warning message for notifying the user is displayed in the message display area A3 that does not overlap the preview display area A1 or the icon display area A2 in the UI screen u1. FIG. 17A to FIG. 17C are examples of warning messages displayed in the message display area A3. A user who sees such a warning message can prevent actual occurrence of “image loss” or “punch loss” by moving the cursor so that the warning message disappears.

  Further, as a result of changing the preview image in S121 or S123, when the interval or size of the punch holes indicated by the punch image Gh in the changed preview image is changed beyond the range defined in the punch unit information I1, that is, When a punch process that cannot be executed by the MFP 2 is set, a warning message is displayed to notify the user, or the punch hole interval or size indicated by the punch image Gh in the preview image is indicated by the punch unit information I1. It is preferable to perform control to forcibly change to an approximate value within the range.

  Referring to FIG. 7 again, if no icon i is clicked (NO in S106), the PC 1 that has proceeded to S106 has a “print” button, “clear” button, or “cancel” button in the UI screen u1. The process branches depending on which of the buttons has been pressed (S125, S127, S129). That is, when the “print” button is pressed (YES in S125), the PC 1 transmits the punch setting information I2 together with the print job to the MFP 2 (S126), and ends the process.

  If the “Clear” button is pressed (YES in S127), the preview image currently displayed in the preview display area A1 is deleted (S128), and the process returns to S106. If the “Cancel” button is pressed (YES in S129), the process is terminated. If no button is pressed (NO in S129), the process directly returns to S106.

  As described above, when receiving a print instruction from the user (YES in S101), the PC 1 of the present embodiment acquires an instruction regarding the number and position of punch holes from the punch setting UI screen u1 (S106, S109), and further After obtaining an instruction to adjust the position, interval, and dimensions of the punch holes in the preview display area A1 on the UI screen u1 (S117, S121, S123), setting information for forming the adjusted punch holes is generated. (S111, S119) The data is transmitted to the MFP 2 (S126).

-Processing of MFP (FIG. 18)
Next, an outline of the operation of the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a procedure of print processing by the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 22, and is read out and executed by the control unit 22 at the start of operation.

  First, the MFP 2 stands by until a print job is received from the PC 1 (NO in S201).

  Here, the print job in the present embodiment will be described. The print job according to the present embodiment includes print job information that stores various types of information related to print settings and the like, and image data composed of four colors CYMK. The print job received by the MFP 2 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22 and converted into print image data that can be processed by the printing unit 25. A program for converting a print job into printable print image data is stored in the hard disk of the recording unit 22 or the like.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of print job information J included in a print job according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the print job information J includes job information J1 for storing information related to the entire print job such as the number of pages and the number of copies, and settings for each page constituting the print job such as a paper size and a color mode. It includes page information J2 for storing information. In particular, in the present embodiment, the page information J2 includes information related to whether or not punching is designated (see the column “Punch Type” in FIG. 19).

Subsequently, when the MFP 2 receives the print job (YES in S201), the MFP 2 analyzes the contents of the print job information J included in the print job and determines whether punch processing is designated (S202). More specifically, the MFP 2 determines whether or not punch processing is designated by referring to the “punch type” column included in the page information J2. Since punch processing is generally performed for all pages included in one print job, the “punch type” column is not page information J2 that exists for each page, but job information that exists for each job. It may be provided on the J1 side. Also, it is assumed that punch setting information I2 is transmitted to the MFP 2 simultaneously with the print job (see S126 in FIG. 7).
Subsequently, when the punch designation is made (YES in S203), the MFP 2 acquires setting information related to punch processing from the punch setting information I2 transmitted together with the print job (S204). Then, after the printing unit 25 executes the printing process of the original image on the recording paper (S205), the post-processing unit 26 executes the punching process on the printed recording paper (S206). In S204, the post-processing unit 26 refers to the setting value included in the punch setting information I2 and executes punch processing.

  Then, the MFP 2 discharges the punched recording sheet to a discharge tray or the like (S207), and ends the process. On the other hand, if punching is not designated (NO in S203), the printing unit 25 executes printing processing of the original image on the recording paper (S205a), and the recording paper on which the printing processing has been performed is placed on a paper discharge tray or the like. After discharging (S207), the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can adjust the position, size, interval, and the like of the punch holes that are actually formed while confirming the preview image indicating the finished state of the punching process. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent defects such as “image loss” and “punch loss” from occurring in the punching process.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the punch process is executed when the MFP 2 executes the print process based on the print job received from the PC 1 has been described. However, the MFP 2 performs the print process based on the image data generated by the scan function. A configuration may be provided in which punching processing is executed when executing the above. In this case, the punch setting UI screen u1 is preferably displayed not on the PC 1 but on the operation screen on the MFP 2 side.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing each procedure described above, or by a CPU executing a program describing each procedure described above. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the program for operating the image forming apparatus may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, or a network such as the Internet. May be provided online. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a ROM, a hard disk or the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the apparatus as one function of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a side view which shows the principal part of the punch unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which expands and shows the punch stick | rod in the punch unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process of PC concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process of PC concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch unit information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the preview image displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch setting information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch hole formed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview image displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning message displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning message displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning message displayed in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print job information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC,
11 Control unit,
12 storage unit,
13 Display section,
14 operation unit,
15 communication interface,
16 buses,
2 MFP,
21 control unit,
22 storage unit,
23 Operation part,
24 image reading unit,
25 printing section,
26 Post-processing section,
261 punch unit,
261a camshaft,
261b eccentric cam,
261c punch stick,
261d punch guide,
261e stopper,
A1 Preview display area,
A2 Icon display area,
A3 message display area,
Gh punch image,
Gi print image,
Gs paper image,
i icon,
I1 Punch unit information,
I2 punch setting information,
J Print job information,
J1 job information,
J2 page information,
S recording paper,
u1 Punch setting UI screen.

Claims (17)

Settings for setting the operation of a punching device capable of forming a plurality of punch holes by adjusting the positions of the punch holes along one side of the recording paper on which each page of the first image composed of a plurality of pages is printed. A device,
The image of the recording sheet including the area image representing an area of an image obtained by superimposing each page of the first image, the recording paper an image representing a plurality of punch holes can be formed by the punch device A display unit that displays a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes arranged over a width that can cover the entire area of one side of the image of the paper is superimposed;
An acquisition unit that acquires from a user an instruction to adjust the position of the second image in the displayed preview image;
A preview changing unit that changes the preview image in accordance with the acquired instruction and displays the changed preview image on the display unit;
A setting unit configured to set an operation of the punching device so that a punch hole represented by the second image is formed in the displayed preview image. 2. The setting device according to claim 1, wherein when the second image overlaps the region image in the displayed preview image, the display unit further displays a message notifying the user of the fact. .   3. The display unit further displays a message notifying the user when the second image overlaps an edge of the recording sheet in the displayed preview image. The setting device described in 1. The punch device can further form the punch hole by adjusting the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole,
The acquisition unit further claims 1-3, characterized in that is obtainable dimensions of punched holes representing said second image in the displayed the preview image, interval, and instructs to adjust the shape of the user The setting device according to any one of the above. The said acquisition part can acquire only the instruction | indication which changes the dimension of the punch hole which the said 2nd image represents in the said preview image, a space | interval, and a shape within the range of a predetermined combination. 4. The setting device according to 4 . When the acquisition unit acquires an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination, the display unit notifies the user to that effect. The setting device according to claim 4 , wherein the setting device is notified. When the acquisition unit receives an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination, the preview change unit The setting device according to claim 4 , wherein the preview image is changed within a range. Wherein the display unit, setting device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that is displayable in an enlarged or reduced the preview image. Along one side of the recording paper each page of the first image including a plurality of pages are printed, a plurality of punch holes, a program for setting the operation of adjusting the position of the punched holes can form punch device Because
Wherein the image recording sheet, the recording sheet an image representing a plurality of punch holes can be formed by the punch device including a region image representing an area of an image obtained by superimposing each page of the first image A step (A) of forming a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes arranged over a width that can cover the entire area of one side of the image is superimposed (A);
A procedure (B) for displaying the formed preview image on the screen;
A procedure (C) for obtaining an instruction from the user to adjust the position of the punch hole represented by the second image in the displayed preview image;
Changing the preview image in accordance with the instruction acquired from the user, and displaying the changed preview image on the screen (D);
A procedure (E) for setting the operation of the punching device so that a punch hole represented by the second image is formed in the preview image displayed on the screen, and a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure. In the preview image displayed on the screen, when a punch hole represented by the second image overlaps the region image, a procedure for displaying a message notifying the user on the screen is further displayed on the computer. 10. The program according to claim 9 , wherein the program is executed. In the preview image displayed on the screen, when the punch hole represented by the second image overlaps the edge of the recording paper, a procedure for displaying a message notifying the user on the screen is further included. The program according to claim 9 or 10 , wherein the program is executed by the computer. The punch device can further form the punch hole by adjusting the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole,
10. The computer according to claim 9 , further comprising a step (a) of acquiring from the user an instruction to adjust a size, a distance, and a shape of a punch hole represented by the second image in the displayed preview image. The program according to any one of to 11 . In the step (a), only an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of a punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image within a predetermined combination range is acquired. Item 13. The program according to item 12 . In the step (a), when an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination is acquired, this is notified to the user. The program according to claim 12 , further causing the computer to execute a procedure for displaying a message on the screen. When an instruction to change the size, interval, and shape of the punch hole represented by the second image in the preview image beyond the range of the combination is acquired in the procedure (a), the procedure (D) The program according to claim 12 , wherein the preview image is changed within a combination range. The program according to any one of claims 9 to 15 , wherein the preview image displayed on the screen can be enlarged or reduced according to a user instruction. A computer-readable recording medium for recording a program that is described in any one of claims 9-16.

Images