JP5810525B2 - Preview processing apparatus, preview processing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for previewing a printed matter of a document, and the like.

  In recent years, a technique for displaying an image representing a finished state of a printed material on which a document is printed has been widespread. Such a display is generally called “preview”.

  The user can know in advance the malfunction of the printed matter by performing a preview before printing the document on paper. As a result, paper waste can be reduced.

  The following technologies have been proposed as preview technologies.

  When double-sided printing is performed, a page of one page image formed on the front surface of the recording material is specified. As a print preview image, a part of the uppermost recording material is turned over from a state in which multiple recording materials obtained when double-sided printing based on the printing data is performed with the specified page as the first page. A first flipped image representing the touched state is displayed. On the other hand, when the image of the area corresponding to the back surface portion of the uppermost recording material (the repeated exposure area) is a blank image, the recording paper in that area is transparent in the repeated exposure area. Then, a second turned-up image representing a state in which a part of the back page image appears is displayed (Patent Document 1).

  Based on the device information and the document data, preview data taking into account the device information is generated and displayed. In addition, when the page setting information is designated as double-sided, preview data with the back side watermark is generated and displayed (Patent Document 2).

  When confirming the finished state of a printed book containing at least one to four pages, one page print (image) is displayed and two pages on the back of one page are transmitted through one page (inverted transmission) Image) and a transparent image in which printing of three pages superimposed under one page is transmitted through one page is displayed (Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-179037 A JP 2008-234671 A JP 2010-36422 A

  However, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user can confirm only a part of an image printed on two different surfaces.

  According to the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the user can check all parts of an image printed on two different surfaces. However, when both images are similar, for example, when both images are aerial photographs, the images described in Patent Documents 2 and 3 are overlapped using the techniques described in Patent Documents 2 and 3. It can be difficult for the user to distinguish.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention displays an image printed on one surface and an image printed on the other surface in an overlapping manner so that the user can easily distinguish each other in the preview. That is the purpose.

A preview processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides a composite image obtained by combining a first image printed on a first side of a printed matter of a document and a second image printed on a second side. a generating means for generating, each time the ratio of the second concentration of the first concentration and the second image of the first image is changed, the first image in the changed ratio wherein by combining the second image, re-generate the composite image, a generation unit, the composite image in parallel to the change of the ratio a display processing means for displaying on the display and, the synthetic each time an image is newly generated, and a display processing unit that the newly generated synthesized image is directly displayed on the display in place of the synthetic image displayed immediately before.

  Preferably, when the first surface and the second surface are respectively the front surface and the back surface of the same sheet, the generation unit generates the composite image with the second image reversed. . Alternatively, when the upper portion of the printed material is designated as a binding margin, the composite image is generated in a state where the second image is half-rotated and inverted.

  Alternatively, the generation unit generates a transparent image as at least one of the first image and the second image, and superimposes the other image on the one image, The composite image is generated.

Or it has an input means for making a user input the ratio, and the generation means generates the synthetic image at the input ratio every time the ratio is input. Alternatively, the composite image is generated while the ratio is automatically changed at regular intervals.
Alternatively, the display processing means sets the first number of the first surface and the second number of the second surface in the vicinity of the composite image, respectively, the first density and the second density. Is displayed on the display with a density corresponding to.

  According to the present invention, an image printed on one surface and an image printed on the other surface can be displayed in an overlapped manner so that the user can easily distinguish each other in the preview.

It is a figure which shows the example of the network system which has an image forming apparatus and a terminal device. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the page of a document. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print condition setting screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a dialog box. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of rotation and inversion of an image. It is a figure which shows the example of a preview screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the transition of a synthesized image. It is a figure which shows the example of the transition of a synthesized image. It is a figure which shows the example of a synthesized image when not applying inversion. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the process of the preview in a terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the process of the preview in a terminal device. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the process of the preview in a terminal device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network system having an image forming apparatus 1 and a terminal device 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 and the terminal device 2 are connected via a communication line 3. As the communication line 3, a so-called LAN (Local Area Network) line, a public line, the Internet, or the like is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus generally referred to as “multifunction machine” or “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)”, and is an apparatus in which functions such as copying, network printing, fax, and scanner are integrated.

  According to the network printing function, image data can be received from the terminal device 2 and an image can be printed on paper. Sometimes called a “network printer function” or a “PC print function”.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, a mass storage device 10d, a scanner unit 10e, and a printing unit 10f. , A network interface 10g, a touch panel display 10h, a modem 10i, a finisher 10j, and a control circuit.

  The network interface 10g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) for communicating with other devices such as the terminal device 2 via a communication line.

  The touch panel display 10h displays a screen for giving a message or an instruction to the user, a screen for the user to input processing commands and conditions, a screen showing the processing result of the CPU 10a, and the like. Moreover, the position which the user touched with the finger | toe is detected, and the signal which shows a detection result is transmitted to CPU10a.

  The scanner unit 10e reads an image made up of photographs, characters, pictures, charts and the like written on a sheet and generates image data.

  The modem 10i is a device for exchanging image data with other fax terminals using a protocol such as G3 via a fixed telephone network.

  The printing unit 10f prints the image indicated by the image data received from the terminal device 2 or the fax terminal in addition to the image read by the scanner unit 10e.

  The finisher 10j performs a finishing process on the printed matter on which the image is printed by the printing unit 10f. In the present embodiment, processing for binding a printed material with staples and processing for punch holes are performed.

  Software such as an operating system and middleware is installed in the ROM 10c or the mass storage device 10d. Modules constituting the software are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the mass storage device 10d.

  The terminal device 2 is a client that receives the service of the image forming apparatus 1. As the terminal device 2, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a smartphone, or the like is used. Hereinafter, a case where a personal computer is used as the terminal device 2 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, a mass storage device 20d, a keyboard 20e, a pointing device 20f, a liquid crystal display 20g, a network interface 20h, and the like.

  The keyboard 20e and the pointing device 20f are devices for the user to input commands and data to the terminal device 2. A mouse or a trackpad is used as the pointing device 20f.

  Similar to the touch panel display 10h of the image forming apparatus 1, various screens are displayed on the liquid crystal display 20g. In the present embodiment, in particular, a print condition setting screen 61 (see FIG. 6) and a preview screen 63 (see FIG. 9) described later are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the application 2AP such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, or drawing software, the printer driver 2DR is installed in the ROM 20c or the mass storage device 20d. The application 2AP and the printer driver 2DR are loaded into the RAM 20b as necessary and executed by the CPU 20a. An HDD or SDD is used as the mass storage device 20d.

  The printer driver 2DR includes modules for realizing a print condition reception processing unit 201, a preview image data generation unit 202, a preview screen display processing unit 203, a print data generation unit 204, a print command unit 205, and the like. .

  The printer driver 2DR is software for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, the printer driver 2DR generates print data for performing printing by the image forming apparatus 1, and sends the print data and the print command to the image forming apparatus 1. It is software to send to. Furthermore, according to the printer driver 2DR, the user can check the finished state of an image printed on a sheet by the image forming apparatus 1 on the screen. Displaying the finished state is generally called “preview”. An image showing the finished state is generally called a “preview image”.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a page configuration of the document 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print condition setting screen 61. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the dialog box 62. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of image rotation and inversion. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the preview screen 63. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating examples of transition of the composite image. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a composite image when inversion is not applied. Next, each part of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG.

  The user prepares image data of a document to be printed in the terminal device 2. The user may prepare this image data by creating a document with the application 2AP. Alternatively, the user can download WEB page data from a server on the Internet and use this data as image data.

  Then, the user inputs a print command to the terminal device 2. Then, the printer driver 2DR is activated. Hereinafter, a case where a document 4 composed of a plurality of pages as shown in FIG. 5 is a print target will be described as an example. The image data of the document 4 is described as “whole image data 50”. As the format of the entire image data 50, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) or PDF (Portable Document Format) is used. Alternatively, data described in a page description language may be used.

  The print condition reception processing unit 201 executes processing for receiving conditions such as printing and finishing after the printer driver 2DR is activated, for example, as follows.

  The printing condition reception processing unit 201 displays a printing condition setting screen 61 as shown in FIG. 6 on the liquid crystal display 20g. Here, the user inputs conditions such as printing of the document 4 while viewing the print condition setting screen 61.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the user can make the document 4 a so-called bookbinding finish. When bookbinding finishing is desired, the user inputs conditions as follows.

  The user selects “both sides” from the “print type” pull-down menu if he / she wants to print on both sides of the paper, and selects “one side” if he / she wants to print on only one side.

  If you want to perform page allocation (sometimes called "N_up printing", "N_in_1 printing", or "collective printing"), check the "Page allocation" check box and select one side of the paper. The number of pages of the document 4 is selected from the pull-down menu.

  If the user has already determined the binding margin of the printed material of the document 4, the “binding margin” check box is turned on and the “detail” button is pressed. Then, the print condition reception processing unit 201 displays a dialog box 62 as shown in FIG. 7 on the print condition setting screen 61. Here, the user selects a binding margin position and presses an “OK” button. Then, the printing condition reception processing unit 201 closes the dialog box 62 and displays the printing condition setting screen 61 on the forefront again.

  If you want to perform stapling, check the “staple” check box and select the number of staples from the pull-down menu.

  If you want to punch holes, select the “Punch holes” check box and select the number of punch holes from the pull-down menu.

  In addition, the user selects a document orientation, a document size, an output size, and the like regardless of whether or not bookbinding finishing is desired.

  Furthermore, if you want to see a preview image before starting printing, check the “Display print preview” check box.

  After selecting (inputting) the conditions, the user presses the “OK” button. Then, the printing condition reception processing unit 201 receives the contents selected (input) on the printing condition setting screen 61 and the dialog box 62, respectively. Then, print condition data 51 indicating these contents is generated.

  The preview image data generation unit 202 performs processing for generating image data of a preview image. The preview image data generation unit 202 includes a front (front) surface image data generation unit 211, a back surface image data generation unit 212, a composite image data generation unit 213, and the like.

  The surface image data generation unit 211 generates the surface image data 52 of the preview image of the page printed on each surface of each sheet as follows in units of surfaces.

  The surface image data generation unit 211 specifies a page to be printed on the surface of each sheet among the pages of the document 4. This can be specified based on the printing type (single side or double side) and page allocation conditions indicated in the printing condition data 51.

  Then, the image data of each specified page is extracted from the entire image data 50, and the image data of the preview image of each surface is generated based on the extracted image data. Further, when the finishing condition is indicated in the printing condition data 51, the image data is updated so that the staple or punch hole image is added according to the condition. The image data generated or updated in this way is the surface image data 52.

  However, when the surface is a “start page”, a non-transparent image is used as the preview image. On the other hand, when the surface is “next page”, a transparent image is used as a preview image. The “start page” and “next page” will be described later.

  A “transparent image” is generally an image having a property that an image of another object can be seen through even if there is an image of another object behind. That is, it can be said that the transparent image is an image representing a translucent object. The higher the transmittance, the better it shows through. As an example of the format of the transparent image, a transparent GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is well known. If the transmittance is 0%, the image of another object behind is not transparent at all. If the transmittance is 100%, it means a completely transparent state. A “non-transparent image” is an ordinary image that does not have the above-described transparency.

  In general, the higher the transmittance, the lower the density. In the present embodiment, the density of the original image given from the application 2AP is treated as 100% density. Therefore, a preview image having a density of α% means an image in which the density value of each color is lower by (100−α)% than the original image.

  The back image data generation unit 212 generates the back image data 53 of the preview image of the page printed on each back surface of each sheet as follows in units of surfaces.

  The back side image data generation unit 212 specifies the page to be printed for each back side of each sheet of the pages of the document 4 based on the print condition data 51 as in the case of specifying the page to be printed on the front side. To do.

  Then, the image data of each specified page is extracted from the entire image data 50, and the image data of the preview image of each back surface is generated based on the extracted image data, as in the case of the front surface, whereby the back image data 53 is obtained. Generate. As in the case of the front side, when the back side is a start page, a non-transparent image is used as a preview image, and when it is the next page, a transparent image is used.

  However, if the binding margin condition indicated in the printing condition data 51 is “upper binding” (that is, the leftmost option in FIG. 7 is selected) and the reverse flag 5F is “on”, the back image The data generation unit 212 further generates the back side image data 53 by converting the image data so that the preview image is rotated 180 degrees and inverted in the horizontal direction. For example, in the case of the page shown in FIG. 8A, the preview image is rotated 180 degrees and inverted in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 8B. The rotation and inversion are performed on a sheet surface basis. Therefore, when page allocation conditions are specified, for example, when two pages are arranged on one surface as shown in FIG. 8C, two pages are arranged as shown in FIG. 8D. Is rotated 180 degrees and flipped horizontally. The default value of the inversion flag 5F is “ON”. The inversion flag 5F will be described later.

  Alternatively, when the binding margin condition indicated in the print condition data 51 is “left binding” or “right binding” and the reverse flag 5F is “on”, the back surface image data generation unit 212 further displays a preview image. The back image data 53 is generated by converting the image data so that the preview image is inverted in the horizontal direction. In this case as well, as in the case of top binding, the reversal is performed in units of sheets.

  When the condition of the document type indicated in the print condition data 51 is “single side”, the preview images on the back side are all images representing blank paper. Further, when finishing conditions are indicated in the printing condition data 51, an image representing a state in which staples or punch holes are attached to a blank sheet is obtained.

  Further, the front surface image data generation unit 211 and the back surface image data generation unit 212 generate the front surface image data 52 and the back surface image data 53 while changing the transmittance or density according to the operation by the user. Processing associated with the change in transmittance or density will be described later.

  The composite image data generation unit 213 generates composite image data 54 of a composite image obtained by combining the front surface preview image and the back surface preview image based on the front surface image data 52 and the back surface back image data 53. . The combination of these two preview images is as follows. One is a combination of a preview image on the front side and a preview image on the back side of the same sheet. The other is a combination of the preview images of the two opposite faces of two continuous sheets when the printed material of the document 4 is bound.

  In the former combination, the front preview image is superimposed on the back preview image. On the other hand, in the latter combination, the preview image on the back surface is superimposed on the preview image on the front surface. That is, in any combination, the transmission image is superimposed on the non-transmission image. Therefore, two preview images are synthesized.

  As described above, the transmittance or density of the preview image on each of the front and back surfaces changes according to the user's operation. Along with this, the composite image generated by the composite image data generation unit 213 also changes. This will be described later.

  The preview screen display processing unit 203 performs processing for displaying the preview screen 63 on the liquid crystal display 20g.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the preview screen 63 includes a preview image area 631, a start page designation box 632, a density ratio slide bar 633, a page number area 634, a reverse display switching check box 635, an automatic slide button 636, and a print start button. 637, a print cancel button 638, and the like are arranged.

  Here, the roles of the preview image area 631 to the print cancel button 638 will be described sequentially along with the operation by the user and the transition of the composite image.

  In the preview image area 631, a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing the front-side preview image and the rear-side preview image based on the synthesized image data 54 generated by the preview image data generating unit 202 is displayed.

  However, initially, the surface image data generation unit 211 generates the surface image data 52 of the preview image (non-transparent image) of the surface of the first sheet of the printed material of the document 4 with a density of 100%. On the other hand, the back surface image data generation unit 212 generates the back surface image data 53 of the preview image (transparent image) on the back surface of the paper with a density of 0% (that is, with a transmittance of 100%). Accordingly, substantially only the preview image of the surface of the first sheet is displayed in the preview image area 631 as a composite image.

  The start page designation box 632 is a text box for the user to designate a start page. “Page” of “start page” refers to a page in the printed material of the document 4. However, one surface is handled as one page. Therefore, when the page allocation condition is specified, the pages other than the first page do not match the original page of the document 4.

  The density ratio slide bar 633 has the density of the preview image of the surface of the start page designated in the start page designation box 632 and the surface of the next page in the printed material of the document 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as “next page”). This is a slide bar for the user to specify a ratio with the density of the preview image. The density ratio slide bar 633 moves in a left-right direction (horizontal direction) in a predetermined area.

  As the density ratio slide bar 633 moves to the left, a higher density is designated as the density of the preview image on the surface of the start page, and a lower density is designated as the density of the preview image on the surface of the next page. As described above, the higher the concentration, the lower the transmittance. Therefore, it can be said that the transmittance of the preview image on the surface of the next page increases as the density ratio slide bar 633 moves to the left.

  The sum of the density of the preview image of the start page and the density of the preview image of the next page is preferably always constant, for example, 100%. Further, the maximum value of the density is 100%, and the minimum value is 0%.

  Similarly, as the density ratio slide bar 633 moves to the right, a higher density is designated as the density of the preview image on the surface of the next page, and a lower density is designated as the density of the preview image on the surface of the start page.

  The default value of the start page designation box 632 is “1”. The default state of the density ratio slide bar 633 is a state near the left end.

  The user can designate an arbitrary page (surface) in the printed material of the document 4 as a start page in the start page designation box 632. Further, by sliding the density ratio slide bar 633, the density of each of the start page and the next page can be changed.

  When a new start page is designated in the start page designation box 632 or when the density ratio slide bar 633 is slid, the front surface image data generation unit 211 and the back surface image data generation unit 212 respectively have the following front surface image data 52: And the back image data 53 is regenerated.

  When the start page number is an odd number, the surface image data generation unit 211 has a surface image of a non-transparent preview image having a density corresponding to the position of the density ratio slide bar 633 on the surface of the newly designated start page. Data 52 is generated. On the other hand, when the start page number is an even number, the surface image data 52 of the transparent preview image having the density and transmittance corresponding to the position of the density ratio slide bar 633 on the surface of the next page of the start page is generated. To do.

  When the number of the start page is an odd number, the back image data generation unit 212 has a back surface of a transparent preview image having a density and transmittance corresponding to the position of the density ratio slide bar 633 on the surface of the next page of the start page. Image data 53 is generated. On the other hand, when the number of the start page is an even number, the back image data 53 of the non-transparent preview image having the density corresponding to the position of the density ratio slide bar 633 of the start page is generated.

  The composite image data generation unit 213 regenerates the composite image data 54 based on the regenerated front image data 52 and back surface image data 53. Then, the preview screen display processing unit 203 redisplays the composite image based on the regenerated composite image data 54.

  The page number area 634 is provided with areas for indicating page numbers, one on each side. The page number of the start page is shown on the left side, and the page number of the next page is shown on the right side.

  In addition, the darkness of the numbers of these page numbers changes in accordance with the density of the preview image of each page. Therefore, the number of the page number of the start page becomes darker as the density ratio slide bar 633 moves to the left and becomes thinner as it moves to the right. On the other hand, the page number of the next page becomes darker as the density ratio slide bar 633 moves to the right and becomes thinner as it moves to the left.

  Further, the number of the page number of the next page corresponds to the orientation of the preview image of the next page. That is, when the right and left sides of the preview image of the next page are reversed, the numbers of the page numbers of the next page are also reversed. Further, when the preview image of the next page is rotated 180 degrees, the page number of the next page is also rotated 180 degrees.

  Here, the transition of the number of the composite image displayed in the preview image area 631 and the page number displayed in the page number area 634 will be described with a specific example.

  For example, it is assumed that “upper binding” is specified as the binding margin condition and “double-sided” is specified as the print type condition. Note that the page allocation condition is not specified.

  Then, the surface image data generation unit 211 generates the surface image data 52 of the non-transparent preview image on the first surface of the printed material, that is, the first page of the document 4 (see FIG. 5) with a density of 100%. . On the other hand, the back image data generation unit 212 sets the transparency of the back side of the first back side of the printed material, that is, the transparent preview image of the second page of the document 4 to 100% (that is, the density is 0%). To generate). The composite image data generation unit 213 generates composite image data 54 of a composite image of the front surface preview image and the back surface preview image based on the front surface image data 52 and the back surface image data 53.

  Then, the preview screen display processing unit 203 displays this composite image in the preview image area 631 as shown in FIG. Initially, since the density ratio slide bar 633 is located at the left end, only the start page, that is, the preview image of the first surface of the sheet, appears.

  Thereafter, when the user slides the density ratio slide bar 633 gradually to the right, the surface image data generation unit 211 sequentially generates the surface image data 52 of the first surface of the printed material while decreasing the density gradually. To do. In parallel, the back surface image data generation unit 212 generates the back surface image data 53 of the first back surface of the printed material one after another while gradually decreasing the transmittance (that is, gradually increasing the density). The composite image data generation unit 213 generates composite image data 54 of a composite image of the front surface preview image and the back surface preview image based on the latest front surface image data 52 and the latest back surface image data 53.

  Then, the preview screen display processing unit 203 displays the composite image in the preview image area 631 based on the latest composite image data 54.

  When the density ratio slide bar 633 comes to a position 25% from the left of the movable range, as shown in FIG. 10B, the densities of the front preview image and the back preview image are 75% and 25%, respectively. The composite image is displayed in the preview image area 631. Thereafter, when the position reaches 50% from the left, as shown in FIG. 10C, a composite image in which the density of each of the front-side preview image and the back-side preview image is 50% is displayed in the preview image area 631. The When the position reaches 75% from the left, as shown in FIG. 10D, a composite image in which the density of the preview image on the front surface and the preview image on the back surface is 25% and 75%, respectively, is displayed in the preview image region 631. The When the right end is reached, only the preview image on the back surface is displayed in the preview image area 631 as a composite image, as shown in FIG.

  In accordance with the change in the density of the preview images of the start page and the next page, the density of the numbers of the page numbers of the start page and the next page shown in the page number area 634 is also shown in FIGS. To change.

  Subsequently, when the user designates “2” in the start page designation box 632, the density ratio slide bar 633 returns to the default position, that is, the left end.

  The back image data generation unit 212 generates the back image data 53 of the non-transparent preview image of the first back side of the printed material, that is, the second page of the document 4 with a density of 100%. On the other hand, the surface image data generation unit 211 sets the surface image data 52 of the transparent preview image of the second surface of the printed material, that is, the third page of the document 4 to 100% (that is, the density is 0%). To generate). Based on the front surface image data 52 and the back surface image data 53, the composite image data generation unit 213 generates composite image data 54 of a composite image of the back surface preview image and the front surface preview image. The preview screen display processing unit 203 displays this composite image in the preview image area 631 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, when the user slides the density ratio slide bar 633 gradually to the right, as described with reference to FIG. 10, the preview image of the start page gradually becomes lighter as shown in FIGS. The composite image changes while the preview image of the next page gradually becomes darker. Similarly, the numbers of the page numbers of the start page and the next page also change.

  In addition, when the reverse display switching check box 635 of the print condition setting screen 61 is clicked to remove the check, the reverse flag 5F is updated to “off”. When it is clicked again and checked, the inversion flag 5F returns to “ON”.

  When the inversion flag 5F is “OFF”, the back surface image data generation unit 212 generates the back surface image data 53 without inverting the preview image. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, the preview image on the back surface appears in the composite image without being inverted. The same applies to the numbers of the page numbers of the start page and the next page.

  When the automatic slide button 636 is clicked, each part of the preview image data generation unit 202 and the preview screen display processing unit 203 perform processing so that the transition of the composite image proceeds at a constant pace as shown in FIGS. I do. Thereby, even if the user does not operate the density ratio slide bar 633, the transition illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is automatically performed.

  At this time, the preview screen display processing unit 203 displays the automatic slide button 636 with the name changed from “auto” to “stop”. Further, the start page designation box 632 and the like are displayed in gray out so that the user cannot operate them.

  After that, when the automatic slide button 636 is clicked again, the preview image data generation unit 202 and the preview screen display processing unit 203 stop the composite image transition process. Then, the preview screen display processing unit 203 changes the name of the automatic slide button 636 from “stop” to “automatic”, and cancels the gray out of the start page designation box 632 and the like.

  When the print start button 637 is clicked, the print data generation unit 204 and the print command unit 205 execute processing for printing the document 4 as follows.

  The print data generation unit 204 generates print data 55 for printing the document 4 based on the conditions indicated in the print condition data 51 using the entire image data 50 and the like.

  Then, the print command unit 205 transmits the print data 55 to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the print command. Thereafter, the document 4 is printed by the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the print cancel button 638 is clicked, the print condition reception processing unit 201 deletes the print condition data 51 and closes the preview screen 63. Then, the process for receiving the print condition data 51 is performed again.

  13 to 15 are flowcharts for explaining an example of the preview processing flow in the terminal device 2.

  Next, the overall processing flow relating to the preview will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the user inputs a print command to the terminal device 2, the terminal device 2 displays the print condition setting screen 61 (see FIG. 6) (# 701 in FIG. 13). Here, the user inputs printing and finishing conditions. At this time, the necessity of preview is also input. The terminal device 2 accepts conditions input by the user (# 702).

  When the user inputs that the preview is unnecessary (No in # 703), the terminal apparatus 2 generates the print data 55 without transmitting the preview process, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the print command (FIG. 15 # 724).

  On the other hand, when the user inputs that the preview is necessary (Yes in # 703), the terminal device 2 performs the preview process according to the conditions specified by the user as follows.

  The terminal device 2 generates preview image data (front surface image data 52, back surface image data 53) for each of the front and back surfaces of the first printed material of the document 4 (# 704), and combines the preview images. (See FIG. 9) is displayed (# 705, # 706).

  When the user slides the density ratio slide bar 633 (Yes in # 707), the preview image data on the front surface and the back surface is regenerated so that the density according to the new position of the density ratio slide bar 633 is obtained. A synthesized image obtained by synthesizing both preview images is displayed (# 705, # 706).

  Alternatively, when the user changes the start page (Yes in # 709), the preview image data of the changed start page and the next page (next page) are generated (# 710), and both preview images are displayed. The synthesized composite image is displayed (# 705, # 706).

  Alternatively, when the user clicks the automatic slide button 636 (Yes in # 711 in FIG. 14), the terminal device 2 grays out the start page designation box 632 and the like (# 712), and sets the name of the automatic slide button 636 to “ Change from "automatic" to "stop" (# 713). Then, until the automatic slide button 636 is clicked again, processing is performed so that the transition of the composite image proceeds at a constant pace (# 715 to # 717).

  According to this processing, for example, from the state where only the first preview image of the surface appears as a composite image as shown in FIG. 10A, one sheet is gradually added as shown in FIGS. 10B to 10D. The preview image on the front surface of the eye fades out and the preview image on the first back surface fades in, and only the preview image on the first back surface is synthesized as shown in FIGS. 10 (E) and 11 (A). Appears as an image. Further, as shown in FIGS. 11B to 11D, the preview image on the first back surface gradually fades out and the preview image on the second surface fades in, as shown in FIG. 11E. Only the preview image of the second surface appears as a composite image.

  Thereafter, when the user clicks the automatic slide button 636 again (Yes in # 714), the terminal device 2 returns the name of the automatic slide button 636 to “automatic” (# 718), and grays out the start page designation box 632 and the like. Release (# 719).

  Alternatively, when the user clicks the print cancel button 638 (Yes in # 720), the terminal device 2 closes the preview screen 63 (# 721) and displays the print condition setting screen 61 again (# 701 in FIG. 13). ).

  Alternatively, when the user clicks the print start button 637 (Yes in # 722), the terminal device 2 closes the preview screen 63 (# 723), generates print data 55, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the print command. (# 724).

  According to the present embodiment, the image printed on the front surface and the image printed on the back surface can be displayed in an overlapping manner so that the user can easily distinguish between them in the preview.

According to the present embodiment, even when the printing type is single-sided, as in the case of double-sided, as a composite image, a composite image of the preview image on the front side and the preview image on the back side of the same paper or two continuous papers A composite image of the preview images of the two faces facing each other is generated and displayed.

  However, when the print type is single-sided, the terminal device 2 may generate and display a composite image of the preview images on the surfaces of two continuous sheets. At this time, the terminal device 2 may combine the preview image on the previous paper (start page) as a non-transparent image and the preview image on the subsequent paper (next page) as a transparent image. Then, the density may be changed according to the position of the density ratio slide bar 633 and the composite image may be generated again.

  In addition, the entire network system, the image forming apparatus 1, and the terminal device 2, or the configuration of each unit, processing content, processing order, screen configuration, and the like can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention.

2 Terminal device (Preview processing device)
202 Preview image data generation unit (generation means)
203 Preview screen display processing unit (display processing means)
63 Preview screen

Claims (9)

A generating means for generating a composite image obtained by combining a first image printed on a first surface of a printed matter of a document and a second image printed on a second surface, the first image Each time the ratio between the first density of the image and the second density of the second image is changed, the first image and the second image are synthesized at the changed ratio. Generating means for regenerating the composite image; and
Display processing means for displaying the composite image on a display in parallel with the change of the ratio, and each time the composite image is newly generated, the composite image is newly generated instead of the composite image displayed immediately before. Display processing means for causing the composite image to be displayed again on the display;
A preview processing apparatus comprising: The generating means generates the composite image in a state where the second image is reversed when the first surface and the second surface are the front surface and the back surface of the same sheet, respectively.
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. The generating means rotates the second image halfway when the first surface and the second surface are the front and back surfaces of the same sheet and the upper part of the printed material is designated as a binding margin. And generating the composite image in a reversed state.
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. The generating means generates an image having transparency as at least one of the first image and the second image, and superimposes the other image on the one image, thereby combining the image. Generate images,
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. Input means for allowing the user to input the ratio,
The generating means generates the composite image at the input ratio every time the ratio is input.
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. The generating means generates the composite image while automatically changing the ratio at regular intervals.
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. In the vicinity of the composite image, the display processing unit assigns the first number of the first surface and the second number of the second surface according to the first density and the second density, respectively. Display on the display with a high density,
The preview processing apparatus according to claim 1. A composite image is generated by combining the first image printed on the first side of the printed matter of the document and the second image printed on the second side, and the first image of the first image is generated . Each time the ratio between the density and the second density of the second image is changed, the composite image is synthesized by combining the first image and the second image at the changed ratio. Regenerate,
In parallel with the change of the ratio, the composite image is displayed on the display, and each time the composite image is newly generated, the newly generated composite image is displayed on the display instead of the composite image displayed immediately before. A preview processing method characterized by reworking. On the computer,
A process of generating a composite image obtained by combining a first image printed on a first surface of a printed matter of a document and a second image printed on a second surface, the first image Each time the ratio of the first density of the second image and the second density of the second image is changed, the first image and the second image are combined at the changed ratio, Regenerate the composite image, execute the composite process,
A process of displaying the composite image on a display in parallel with the change of the ratio, and each time the composite image is newly generated, the newly generated composite is used instead of the composite image displayed immediately before Causing the display to redisplay the image on the display;
A computer program characterized by the above.

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