JP4943935B2 - Image forming apparatus and image display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals), and more specifically, occurs by stapling, punching, and the like performed as post-processing on a recording sheet after image formation. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus provided with means for preventing interference with a formed image, and a method for displaying an image displayed on an operation / display unit in order to prevent staple interference with the formed image.

In recent years, multi-functionalization has progressed in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and MFPs.
Among these functions is a function called post-processing. For example, in the case of a copying machine, post-processing such as processing of punching holes in a created copy after image formation or processing of stapling each copy of a copy created from a plurality of originals is performed. It is a function that increases convenience when processing a large number of documents.

However, post-processing such as stapling and punching that processes the created copy may cause so-called interference that causes a defect in the image if an image already formed exists at the processing position. This is because, in the copy original, the area where the image exists varies depending on the original, and in addition, the staples and punches are not only struck at a fixed position on the recording paper. In particular, for the staple, the user can specify the hitting position and the number of hitting such as the top and the left of the recording paper.
In order to specify the location and number of staples to be stapled, it is a commonly adopted method that the user performs a selection operation on the operation panel. According to this method, even if the user knows roughly that, for example, the staple is applied to the left two positions of the recording paper, the position where the staple or punch is applied is related to the output image. When it is not easily understood and actually output, there may be a problem that staples or punches are hit at positions different from the expected positions, causing interference and making the image invisible.

By the way, the instruction given by the user on the operation panel is, for example, a method in which an operation such as pressing an item to be selected from items displayed as options is normally performed, as is often seen with a touch panel type. is there.
When this instruction method is used, the display of the selection item is indicated by a short comment, so the operation may proceed without being sure whether the user's expected action will actually be performed, and is not intended May result.

In order to prevent such an operation that is not intended by the user from being performed, it has been proposed that the image forming apparatus be provided with means for confirming the operation.
For example, when performing an operation of selecting a file for which an output request is made from a database in which image files are accumulated, a list of image files accumulated in the database is displayed, so that the user can select the file name displayed in this list, With reference to the user name, storage date and time, etc., the target file is selected and designated from among them, and an output request is made. At this time, there are many cases where the user cannot be sure whether the selected file is a file requested by the user.

Therefore, a thumbnail of the selected file is created based on the database image, and it is confirmed whether there is an error in selecting the file in relation to the content appearing in the thumbnail. When the user presses the thumbnail display instruction key provided on the file list display screen, the thumbnail retrieves the image of the corresponding file from the database and creates a thumbnail based on this image. And displayed.
The user confirms the displayed file by checking the displayed thumbnail (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).
JP 2006-332868 A

However, in order to prevent an operation that results in an unintended result of the user, in the conventional technology for confirming the operation result, it is common to show the details instructed by the operation in more detail as shown in the conventional example described above. However, there is still an effective confirmation method from the viewpoint of preventing interference with the formed image that occurs in the post-processing. Not proposed.
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to adapt to an operation for instructing post-processing such as stapling and punching, and to prevent interference with a formed image that occurs in the post-processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data storage means for storing image forming data, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium by the image forming data, and a recording medium on which an image is formed. Post-processing means for performing processing, operation means having a display unit and an input unit, image processing means for generating display data used in the display unit of the operation means based on the image forming data, and the operation An image forming apparatus comprising interference determining means for determining whether or not a processing position on a recording medium by post-processing instructed through an input unit of the means interferes with an image formed on the recording medium. processing means, the image forming data and generates the original data for thumbnail display, only if it is determined that the interference by the interference determination means, occur information and interference indicating this fact Data for displaying a surrounding surrounding the region, and generating in association with the thumbnail display data corresponding image.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the post-processing unit includes a unit for performing at least one of a staple process and a punch process.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image processing means corresponds to a job in which one job is composed of a plurality of images, and the screen of the display section of the operation means. And generating data for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, one of a plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit is designated, and the designated image is displayed on the display unit. An operation unit for instructing to switch to display of a thumbnail image of the maximum size that can fit on the screen is provided in the input unit of the operation unit, and the image processing unit is configured to display a thumbnail image displayed through the input unit of the operation unit. According to the switching instruction, thumbnail display data is generated.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, an operation unit for instructing validity / invalidity of determination by the interference determination unit is provided in an input unit of the operation unit. And control means for performing an operation in accordance with an instruction to validate / invalidate the determination performed through the input unit of the operation means.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the image size is changed, the image position is changed, and the image is changed with respect to the image forming data stored in the image data storage means. An image editing unit that performs at least one process of adding a blank area to the operation unit, and an operation unit for instructing an editing condition of an image to be specified among thumbnail images displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit. The image editing means is provided in an input unit of the operation means, and the image editing means performs an image editing process in accordance with an instruction of an image editing condition performed through the input part of the operation means. The image processing means is processed by the image editing means. The thumbnail display data is generated based on the edited image forming data.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth aspect, when the image editing unit is activated in accordance with an instruction of an image editing condition performed through the input unit of the operation unit, the display of the operation unit is displayed. And a means for notifying that the instruction is necessary when the thumbnail image displayed on the screen of the copy is not instructed as an image to be edited.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, an image size change, an image position change, and an image change with respect to the image formation data stored in the image data storage means An image editing unit that performs at least one process of adding a blank area to the image editing unit, and instructing the image editing unit of image editing conditions for canceling interference when the interference determining unit determines that interference occurs. And a control means for performing an image editing process in accordance with the instruction.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the control means for causing the image editing means to perform an image editing process for canceling interference is a job in which one job is composed of a plurality of images. On the other hand, one editing condition that can cancel interference of all images is instructed to the image editing means, and editing processing of each image is performed.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the image editing unit edits the image for canceling the interference when the interference determining unit determines that interference occurs. When the image editing process is performed according to the conditions, and the result of the determination by the interference determination unit is that there is no interference as a result of the image editing, the flag indicating the interference set when there is an interference is canceled, and the operation unit The image editing result is displayed on the screen of the display unit.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the image editing unit edits the image for canceling the interference when the interference determining unit determines that interference occurs. Perform image editing processing according to the conditions, and if no interference display has disappeared for all images, display a warning to notify that interference has occurred with respect to the print instruction and not execute the printing operation. Features.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display method for displaying a thumbnail image of a requested image formation output on a display unit provided in an operation unit included in an image forming apparatus capable of post-processing, which is instructed through the operation unit. Only when it is determined by the interference determination step that the processing position on the recording medium by the post-processing interferes with the image formed on the recording medium and by the interference determination step. It is characterized by having a step of displaying information indicating this and a box surrounding a region where interference occurs in association with the thumbnail display of the corresponding image.

According to the present invention, when a job requesting post-processing is instructed through the operation unit, the thumbnail generated based on the image forming data is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit, and the processing position of the instructed post-processing is Only when it is determined to interfere with the image to be formed on the recording medium, by displaying the information indicating this and the enclosure surrounding the area where the interference occurs in association with the thumbnail display of the corresponding image, the operation means From this display, it can be known in advance that the output result is not intended by the user, and interference with the formed image that occurs in post-processing can be prevented.
In addition, by using the GUI function of the operation means to instruct an image editing process that cancels interference with a formed image that occurs in post-processing, an output image that meets the user's request can be obtained. Therefore, the convenience of the user can be improved.
In addition, since one editing condition for canceling interference of all images is automatically set in the image editing means for a job in which one job is composed of a plurality of images, no interference occurs and the same The edited output image can be obtained by a simple user operation.

Embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image display method according to the present invention will be described below.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment determines interference with a formed image that occurs in post-processing, and when it is determined that interference occurs, the image forming apparatus adds information indicating this to a thumbnail and displays the information. It has a function of confirming an input made through the operation unit (hereinafter referred to as “interference check function”). First, an overview of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus having this function is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, an embodiment will be described in which an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals) is taken as an example.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the entire MFP according to the present embodiment.
An MFP 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image forming unit 101, a scanner unit 102, an operation unit 103, a finisher 104 including a stapling device 105, and an ARDF (automatic duplex document feeder) 106. Although not shown, the communication interface unit is connected to an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a FAX (facsimile) through a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a control system related to the interference check function in the MFP of the present embodiment. This figure mainly shows the configuration related to the interference check function, and does not correspond to the entire function of the MFP.
The control system shown in FIG. 2 includes a communication interface between an operation unit control unit 202 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, an operation panel 205, and a control system on the MFP main body unit 212 described later. (Hereinafter referred to as “main body communication I / F”) 211, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 210 for storing a program or the like used in the operation unit control unit 202, and a RAM 209 for storing data used for display or the like in the operation unit 103. Prepare. The operation panel 205 includes a numeric keypad 206, a touch panel unit 207, and a liquid crystal display unit 208, and provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) function to the user.

  In the MFP main body 212, a main body control unit 217 including a CPU that controls the entire MFP, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “operation unit communication I / F”) 213 with a control system of the operation unit 103, A communication device 216 having a PC communication interface 215 that receives print data from a host PC 230 that issues a print request, a scanner unit 102 that reads a document image and inputs it as digitized data, a scanner unit 102, a PC communication interface 215, etc. A storage device 214 that stores image data input through the image forming unit 101, setting information for image output performed by the image forming unit 101, and the like.

Further, the main body control unit 217 includes a staple position confirmation function 219 and an image position adjustment function 220 (both will be described in detail later) as elements of the interference check function. These functions can be realized as a part of a function of a system control unit that controls a whole MFP configured by installing a control program (software) on a computer configured by a CPU or the like as hardware.
The finisher 104 including the stapling device 105 is placed under the control of the main body control unit 217.

Next, the operation of the MFP configured as described above will be described focusing on the operation related to the interference check function. In the following embodiments, a case where a staple process is instructed as post-processing will be described as an example.
The interference check function of the present embodiment includes a two-stage processing function. One is to confirm whether or not the staple processing instruction input by the user through the operation unit 103 is as intended by the user, and whether or not staples to be printed interfere with the formed image. This is a function for making it possible. The other is a function for enabling an image to be edited so as to cancel the interference in the case of interference.
In the following, these functions will be described separately for “confirmation of interference” and “cancellation of interference”.

"Check for interference"
The interference check function first displays a screen for confirming the staple processing state by transition from the operation screen to the user who has performed the staple processing instruction operation.
Specifically, a part of the screen of the liquid crystal display unit 208 of the operation unit 103 for instructing stapling processing is provided with a key or the like for requesting display of a confirmation screen, and is designated as a processing target by operating this key. A screen displaying the image and the position of the staple to be applied after the image formation is called.
The user can predict the processing state by looking at the confirmation screen called in this way, and can confirm whether the output result is as intended by the user.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing staple instruction keys and keys for confirming the processing status of the designated staples provided on the touch panel unit 207 with the liquid crystal display unit 208 on the operation panel 205. An operation panel 205 shown in the figure includes a start key 301 for starting an instructed operation, a touch panel unit 207 with a liquid crystal display unit 208, a numeric keypad unit 206, and the like.
A liquid crystal display unit 208 of the touch panel unit 207 shown in FIG. 3 includes a staple key 304 for instructing a staple process, and a staple process for confirming a staple processing state such as a positional relationship between the instructed staple and a formed image. The status confirmation key 305 is displayed on the same screen, and each receives a user instruction.

This key design may be provided on a part of a main screen for setting copy output conditions, such as an input screen used for a copy output instruction.
In this case, when a copy output condition is accepted, when a staple processing request is made by pressing the staple key 304, a menu for selecting and instructing the staple placement position and the number of strikes according to this key operation. The screen is displayed in the form of a pull-up menu, for example. After accepting a staple processing instruction on this menu screen, when a staple processing status confirmation request is made by pressing the staple processing status confirmation key 305, an image read by the scanner unit 102 in response to this key operation is displayed. The processing state when the instructed staple is applied is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 208.

When the staple processing status confirmation key 305 is pressed, the following items are basically displayed on the confirmation screen for displaying the processing status.
A thumbnail generated based on an image designated as a processing target is shown.
The arrangement of staples to be applied to thumbnails according to the instructed processing conditions is shown.
When a staple interference occurs in the formed image, a warning to that effect is attached to the thumbnail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen that displays a staple processing state.
In FIG. 4, the above items are displayed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 of the screen 401 displayed when the staple processing state confirmation key 305 (see FIG. 3) is pressed.
This screen also includes an image editing key 403 for performing image editing on the operation unit as a key for input operation performed in accordance with confirmation of the staple processing state, and a size for optimizing the image size according to the staple position. Editing function control keys including an optimum key 404, a check invalid key 405 for invalidating a result of interference determination on a staple image, an OK key 406 for instructing start of printing, and a cancel key 407 for instructing to stop printing, and a preview display key Each display state selection key group 408 and thumbnail display key 409 is provided. Image editing will be described in detail in “Cancellation of interference”.

Next, an operation performed in accordance with an input operation to the keys related to the staple processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 will be described.
On the touch panel unit 207 with a liquid crystal display unit on the operation panel 205, the staple key 304 and the staple processing state confirmation key 305 are pressed, and the start key 301 is pressed in a state where the read original is set in the scanner unit 102 or the ARDF 106. Thus, the scanner unit 102 reads the original image, and stores the read image data in the storage device 214.
Note that if the storage device 214 is configured to store an input file other than the scanner unit 102, for example, an image file input from the host PC 230 via the PCI / F 215, the stored image file is stored in the storage device 214. The target output request operation corresponds.

  After storing the image data in the storage device 214, the main body control unit 217 operates the staple position confirmation function 219 to compare the position of the image data used for print output with the position of the staple. In this comparison, since both the image data and the staple have position data set for the recording paper, the image data exists in a certain area around the position where the staple is applied, or there is no image data and is constant. It is determined whether the area is blank, and a determination result of presence / absence of interference is obtained in which the staple interferes with the formed image in the former case and does not interfere in the latter case. Here, when there is interference, the staple interference flag is set, and when there is no interference, it is left as it is.

After obtaining the determination result of the presence or absence of interference, the main body control unit 217 sends the image data and staple setting data indicating the presence or absence of the staple interference flag to the RAM 209 of the operation unit 103 and the operation unit communication I / F 213 and main body communication. The data is transferred from the storage device 214 via the I / F 211 and stored in the RAM 209.
The operation unit control unit 202 reads the image data transferred from the main body side and stored in the RAM 209 and the staple setting data indicating the presence or absence of the staple interference flag, and adds the staple image to the staple position with respect to the image data. Convert to a small image for thumbnail display.

When generating data for thumbnail display, a touch panel unit with a liquid crystal display unit of the operation panel 205 is developed to display a thumbnail display in which a plurality of reduced image images are arranged corresponding to a job in which one job is composed of a plurality of images. Thumbnail display can be performed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 (see FIG. 4) on the display screen 207.
Further, when generating the display data, the image data for which the staple interference flag is set is added with data for notation indicating that the staple interference occurs on the thumbnail display. The staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 in FIG. 4 displays “staple interference” corresponding to each thumbnail when interference occurs.

By the way, the display mode of the thumbnail display can be changed. A preview display key 408 and a thumbnail display key 408 are shown in the upper right of the screen of FIG. By pressing either of these keys, the display mode of the pressed key can be selected.
In the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 4, when one of the thumbnail images is selected, the preview display key 408 is pressed to enlarge the size of the selected thumbnail image and display the preview.
The image at that time is enlarged and displayed to the maximum size that can be accommodated in the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 in FIG. 4, and the staple processing state and the presence or absence of staple interference are displayed on the image. By displaying the preview with the thumbnail of the maximum size, it is possible to see the staple processing state in detail, which is effective for confirming the processing state when applying image editing to be described later, and can improve convenience.

Here, the control flow when operating the function for confirming the staple processing state will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
This control flow corresponds to an operation for predicting a processing state such as staple interference in order to allow the user to check the staple processing state in the operation preceding the interference check function. In this operation, when the staple interference is predicted, the operation proceeds to an operation of canceling the interference by the next image editing. The operation of the next stage will be described in “Cancellation of interference” described later.

According to the control flow shown in FIG. 5, first, this control is activated in response to a request for print output (image formation), and waits for the start key 301 to be pressed while the staple processing state confirmation key 305 is pressed. The process proceeds to the next step (step S101).
Next, the main body control unit 217 of the MFP main body unit 212 sets the print output data generated based on the original image read using the scanner unit 102 or the ARDF 106 by the built-in staple position confirmation function 219. Whether the staples interfered or not (refer to the description of the operation of the staple position confirmation function 219 described above), and the presence or absence of interference is determined (step S102).
After determining the presence or absence of staple interference, the main body control unit 217 stores the flag (1, 0) corresponding to the presence or absence of staple interference obtained as a determination result in association with the image data to be processed and stores it in the storage device 214. To do.

Next, in accordance with an instruction from the main body control unit 217, the operation unit control unit 202 receives image data to be processed and a flag indicating the presence or absence of staple interference stored in the storage device 214 of the MFP main body 212 (step S103). .
The operation unit control unit 202 generates thumbnail image data subjected to reduction based on the image data to be processed received from the MFP main body (step S104).
Also, the thumbnail image data generated in the previous step is combined with display information indicating the staple position and the presence or absence of staple interference generated as image data relating to staples to create thumbnail display data. Thumbnail display is performed on the confirmation display unit 402 (see FIG. 4) (step S105). At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, thumbnails of a plurality of images indicating the staple position and the presence or absence of staple interference are displayed for a job in which one job is composed of a plurality of images.

However, in this thumbnail display, the display mode can be selected. That is, by pressing either the preview display key 408 or the thumbnail display key 409 shown in FIG. 4, the display mode of the pressed key can be selected.
Therefore, the operation corresponding to the selected display mode is performed next.
Since the display mode is not determined when the key for selecting the display mode is operated, the operation procedure is such that it can cope with whichever mode is selected.
In this flow, it is checked which one of the display mode keys, the preview display key 408 and the thumbnail display key 409, is selected (step S106).

If the preview display key 408 is selected in the check in step S106, then whether or not any one of the thumbnails displayed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 is selected as an image to be displayed as a preview. If it is selected (step S109-YES), only the selected image is previewed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 (step S110).
If none of the thumbnail display target images has been selected (step S109-NO), the first image displayed as a thumbnail is displayed as a preview on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 ( Step S111).

On the other hand, when the thumbnail display key 409 is selected in the check in step S106, the operation unit control unit 202 reduces the thumbnail image data subjected to reduction based on the image data to be processed received from the MFP main body. Is generated (step S107).
Also, the thumbnail image data generated in the previous step is combined with display information indicating the staple position and the presence or absence of staple interference generated as image data relating to staples to create thumbnail display data. Thumbnail display is performed on the confirmation display unit 402 (step S108).
In addition, when the display to be performed in steps S107 and S108 has already been performed in steps S104 and S105, and this is an overlapping operation, this step is passed. However, when the display is changed through the preview display, a plurality of thumbnails are displayed again.

After the user sees the display screen of the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402, various control key groups 403 to 407 operated to shift the processing to a processing step or the like of the operation for canceling staple interference (FIG. 4). , Reference) is pressed or not (step S112).
Here, when the various control key groups 403 to 407 are not pressed (NO in step S112), the process returns to step S106 for checking the key operation for selecting the display mode.
On the other hand, when various control key groups 403 to 407 are pressed (step S112-YES), the process proceeds to a control flow (FIG. 6 described later) for performing an operation selected by each key (step S113). Exit the flow.

"Cancel interference"
The interference check function is a process for enabling an image to be edited so as to cancel the interference when it is determined that the interference occurs in the preceding process that enables confirmation of the presence or absence of staple interference. It has a function in the latter part.
Referring again to FIG. 4 shown in the above “confirmation of interference”, for canceling staple interference performed by pressing various control key groups 403 to 407 operated after confirming the presence or absence of staple interference. Operations such as processing will be described.

In the thumbnail display on the staple processing status confirmation display unit 402 in FIG. 4, when one of the images is selected, the image editing key 403 is pressed to enlarge the position of the formed image on the recording paper and the size of the formed image. Image editing can be performed. By this image editing, it is possible to change the layout of the formed image and cancel the staple interference.
At this time, the result of image editing is also reflected on the image displayed as a thumbnail or preview on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402, and the modified processing state can be confirmed on this screen.

At this time, the presence or absence of staple interference is determined with respect to the image after image editing. If the result of the determination is that there is no staple interference due to image editing, there is a staple interference first. The flag indicating the interference that has been raised is canceled.
Further, as a result of performing the above-described image editing by operating the touch panel unit 207 with a liquid crystal display unit, the obtained image position and editing information such as enlargement / reduction are sent to the MFP main body 212 side. The main body control unit 217 uses the image position adjustment function 220 to adjust the original image data according to the received editing information, and then stores the new image data in the storage device 214.
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform image editing, such as image size, image position, and addition of a blank area to the image, on the image selected from the thumbnail display according to the user's request. By doing so, user convenience can be improved.

In the present embodiment, image editing can be performed by setting one editing condition that prevents stapling interference from occurring in all images.
This operation is instructed by pressing the size optimum key 404 while the thumbnail display is being performed in the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402.
The image editing performed here uses, for example, an image size reduction as an editing condition so that stapling interference does not occur with respect to all the images displayed as thumbnails. For example, when the image is gradually reduced and it is determined that there is no staple interference for all the images in the determination of the presence or absence of staple interference, all the images are displayed with the obtained reduction ratio. To edit.

This operation is automatically performed by the main body control unit 217 using the staple position confirmation function 219 and the image position adjustment function 220 in accordance with a user instruction by pressing the size optimum key 404. Further, when the staple adjustment is automatically adjusted to be canceled for all the images, the staple processing status is displayed as a thumbnail on the staple processing status confirmation display unit 402 to notify the user.
Thus, according to this embodiment, staple interference does not occur, and an output image that is easy to view can be obtained by a simple operation by the user by performing the same editing.
Note that the editing information obtained as a result of image editing in a state in which staple interference is canceled is processed in the same manner as in the image editing key 403 described above and reflected in the image data stored in the storage device 214. To do.

In this embodiment, the determination result of the presence or absence of interference obtained by the staple position confirmation function 219 can be invalidated. This is because, depending on the user, there is a case where it is desired that the stapling process is performed under the set conditions and the output is performed, so that it is possible to cope with such a case and the convenience is prevented from being lost.
For this operation, a check invalid key 405 displayed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 is used. The staple interference flag is canceled by depressing the check invalid key 405 in a state where an image displaying staple interference is selected. Accordingly, the staple interference display in the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 is canceled. When a staple without interference display is selected, output is not stopped or image editing described later is not performed.
The canceled flag information is reflected in the information stored in the storage device 214 as the related information of the image data.

In the thumbnail display of FIG. 4, the printing operation is started by pressing the OK key 406 in a state where there is no staple interference display for all images.
If the OK key 406 is pressed in a state where the staple interference display has not disappeared for all the images, a warning display informing that the staple interference has occurred is performed, and the output operation is not executed. Such an operation can alert the user to the occurrence of staple interference.
A cancel key 407 is used when an instruction to stop output is given. By pressing this key, the state before the start key 301 is pressed is set.

Here, a control flow of an operation for canceling staple interference by image editing will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.
This control flow is an operation subsequent to the interference check function and corresponds to an operation performed in response to pressing of various control key groups 403 to 407 operated after the user confirms the staple processing state. Therefore, in addition to the operation for canceling the staple interference, the operation for performing the staple processing and the operation for the initialization processing are performed under the conditions set by the user.

According to the control flow shown in FIG. 6, in a state where thumbnail display is performed on the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 (see FIG. 4), according to operations of various control key groups 403 to 407 provided on the same screen, respectively. First, it is detected whether or not these keys have been pressed.
If the image editing key 403 has been pressed (step S201-YES), it is checked whether an image to be edited has been selected (step S204). This is because the thumbnail display in the staple processing state confirmation display unit 402 in FIG. 4 displays a plurality of images, so that an image editing process is performed on one image selected from these images. It is to do.

If no image is selected (step S204-NO), the user is prompted to perform a selection operation, so a warning window showing a message for prompting image selection is displayed at the center of the screen (step S205). ), The process returns to step S201.
As described above, by giving a warning indicating a message for prompting image selection, an operation not intended by the user is not performed, and convenience is improved.
On the other hand, if an image has been selected (step S204-YES), the process proceeds to a state where image editing processing can be performed (step S206).
Here, when image editing is performed, editing information such as image position and enlargement / reduction is obtained. The operation unit control unit 202 transmits editing information obtained by image editing to the main body control unit 217 of the MFP main body unit 212. The body control unit 217 changes the corresponding image data stored in the storage device 214 by taking in the received editing information, and reflects the result of the image editing.

After that, the main body control unit 217 determines whether or not the staple interferes with the edited image data (see the description of the operation of the staple position confirmation function 219 described above) and whether or not there is interference (step S207).
Here, when there is no staple interference in the edited image and the staple interference flag is changed, the staple interference flag is changed, and this data is also stored in the storage device 214 in association with the corresponding image data. To do.
Further, the operation unit control unit 202 reads the edited image data and the staple interference flag stored in the storage device 214 and reflects them in the thumbnail display or the preview display.

When the size optimization key 404 is pressed (step S202-YES), the size of all thumbnail displayed images is reduced at once, and the image is changed to a size that cancels staple interference, thereby optimizing. (Step S208).
The operation unit control unit 202 transmits the image size information changed by the optimization process to the main body control unit 217 of the MFP main body unit 212. The main body control unit 217 takes in the changed image size information, changes the corresponding image data stored in the storage device 214, and reflects the result of the optimization process.

Thereafter, the main body control unit 217 determines whether or not the staple interferes with the image data after the optimization processing (see the description of the operation of the staple position confirmation function 219 described above), and whether or not the interference exists (step). S209).
Here, when there is no staple interference with the optimized image and the staple interference flag is changed, the staple interference flag is changed, and this data is also associated with the corresponding image data, and the storage device 214. To store.
Further, the operation unit control unit 202 reads out the image data after the optimization process and the staple interference flag stored in the storage device 214 and reflects them in the thumbnail display or the preview display.

If the check invalid key 405 is pressed (step S203—YES), the staple interference flag of all the thumbnail images is invalidated (step S210).
The operation unit control unit 202 transmits the staple interference flag information changed by invalidating the staple interference flag to the main body control unit 217 of the MFP main body 212. The main body control unit 217 changes the staple interference flag stored in association with the image data corresponding to the storage device 214 by taking in the changed staple interference flag information, and reflects the result of the invalidation process.
In addition, the operation unit control unit 202 reads the image data and the staple interference flag after the staple interference flag invalidation processing stored in the storage device 214 and reflects them in the thumbnail display or the preview display.

When the OK key 406 is pressed (step S211—OK), the target image displayed as a thumbnail is output as print data. However, here, output is started after checking for staple interference.
Therefore, it is confirmed that the staple interference flag of all the target images is not set (step S212).
Here, when there is an image in which the staple interference flag remains on (step S212-NO), a warning is displayed for this image (step S213). For example, with the thumbnail display on the staple processing status confirmation display unit 402, the thumbnail display of the image on which the staple interference flag is set is reversed, and a warning window with a message indicating that interference has occurred at the staple position is displayed. Display and call attention.
On the other hand, if the staple interference flag is not set (YES in step S212), printing is started, and image data is output in accordance with the image forming process of the image forming unit 101 (step S214). Exit.

  If the cancel key 407 is pressed (step S211—cancel), if image editing has been performed so far, all the images and related data including the edited contents are deleted, and the operation panel 205 is deleted. The display information of the liquid crystal display unit 208 is initialized (step S215), and the control flow is exited.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an entire MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a configuration of a control system related to an interference check function in the MFP of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the instruction | indication key of a staple provided in the touchscreen part with a liquid crystal display part of an operation panel, and the key which confirms the processing state of the instruct | indicated staple. It is a figure which shows an example of the confirmation screen which displays a staple processing state. FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of an operation for confirming a staple processing state. FIG. 10 is a control flowchart of an operation for canceling staple interference by image editing processing.

Explanation of symbols

100 ··· MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals), 101 · · Image forming unit, 102 · · Scanner unit, 103 · · Operation unit, · 104 · Finisher, 105 · · Staple device, · · · ARDF (automatic) (Double-sided document feeder), 202... Operation control unit, 205... Operation panel, 214... Storage device, 217 ... Main body control unit, 219 ... Staple position confirmation function, 220 ... Image position adjustment function, 304 -Staple key, 305-Staple processing status confirmation key.

Claims (12)

Image data storage means for storing image forming data, image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium using the image forming data, and post-processing means for performing post-processing on the recording medium on which the image is formed An operation unit including a display unit and an input unit; an image processing unit that generates display data used in the display unit of the operation unit based on the image forming data; and an input unit of the operation unit. An image forming apparatus having interference determination means for determining whether or not a processing position on the recording medium by post-processing interferes with an image formed on the recording medium,
The image processing means generates thumbnail display data based on the image formation data, and information indicating this and an area where interference occurs only when interference is determined by the interference determination means. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that data for displaying an enclosing enclosure is generated in association with thumbnail display data of the corresponding image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the post-processing means includes means for performing at least one of a staple process and a punch process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image processing unit generates data for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit in response to a job in which one job includes a plurality of images. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
An operation for designating one of a plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit and instructing to switch the display of the designated image to a thumbnail image of the maximum size that can be accommodated on the screen of the display unit. Provided in the input part of the operating means,
The image processing apparatus generates the thumbnail display data in accordance with the switching instruction of the thumbnail image display performed through the input unit of the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An operation unit for instructing validity / invalidity of determination by the interference determination unit is provided in the input unit of the operation unit,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs an operation in accordance with an instruction to enable / disable the determination performed through an input unit of the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
Image editing means for performing at least one process of changing the size of the image, changing the position of the image, and adding a margin area to the image with respect to the image forming data stored in the image data storage means;
Among the thumbnail images displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit, an operation unit for instructing an editing condition of an image to be specified is provided in the input unit of the operation unit,
The image editing means performs an image editing process in accordance with an instruction of an image editing condition performed through the input unit of the operation means,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing means generates thumbnail display data based on the image forming data edited by the image editing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
When the image editing unit is started in accordance with an instruction of an image editing condition performed through the input unit of the operation unit, a thumbnail image displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation unit is instructed as an image to be edited. An image forming apparatus comprising: means for notifying that an instruction is necessary when not instructed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Image editing means for performing at least one process of changing the size of the image, changing the position of the image, and adding a margin area to the image with respect to the image forming data stored in the image data storage means;
When it is determined by the interference determination means that there is interference, the image editing means is instructed to edit an image for canceling the interference, and an image editing process is performed according to the instruction. Image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The control unit that causes the image editing unit to perform an image editing process for canceling the interference has one editing condition for canceling interference of all the images with respect to a job in which one job includes a plurality of images. An image forming apparatus characterized by instructing to perform editing processing of each image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9,
When it is determined that the interference determination means interferes,
The image editing means performs an image editing process in accordance with the editing condition of the image whose interference is to be canceled, and when the interference is eliminated by image editing as a result of the determination by the interference determining means, it is determined that there is interference first. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the flag indicating interference is canceled and the result of the image editing is displayed on the screen of the display unit of the operation means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9,
When it is determined that the interference determination means interferes,
The image editing means performs an image editing process in accordance with the editing conditions of the image whose interference is to be canceled, and interference has occurred with respect to the print instruction in a state where interference display has not disappeared for all images. An image forming apparatus that displays a warning to notify the user and does not execute a printing operation. An image display method for displaying a thumbnail image of a requested image formation output on a display unit provided in an operation unit included in an image forming apparatus capable of post-processing,
An interference determination step of determining whether or not the processing position on the recording medium by post-processing instructed through the operation means interferes with an image formed on the recording medium;
Only when it is determined that the interference is determined by the interference determination step, there is a step of displaying information indicating this and a box surrounding a region where interference occurs in association with the thumbnail display of the corresponding image. Image display method.

Images