JP5978562B2 - Image reading apparatus, image reading apparatus control method, and image reading apparatus control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image reading apparatus control method, and an image reading apparatus control program, and more specifically, an image reading apparatus that performs real-time preview display, an image reading apparatus control method, and an image reading apparatus. Related to the control program.

  Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses include a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copying function, a function as a printer, a data communication function, and a server function, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), a facsimile apparatus, a copying machine, a printer, and the like. is there.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses are rapidly spreading in offices and homes as scanners, copiers, printers, facsimiles, digital multifunction peripherals, and the like equipped with image reading apparatuses. The image reading device includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) that supplies a plurality of documents one by one to the image reading unit, and an image reading unit (image sensor) that reads images on the front and back sides of the document. Some include According to this image reading apparatus, a plurality of originals can be automatically and sequentially supplied to the image reading unit, and the originals on the front and back sides of the original can be simultaneously read.

  Some image reading apparatuses as described above have a real-time preview function. The real-time preview function is a function for automatically starting preview display of an image of a page that has been read before reading of all the pages of the document when reading a document consisting of a plurality of pages. When the real-time preview function is set, the images of each page are previewed on the operation panel of the image reading apparatus in the order of the read pages. When the preview display is performed with the real-time preview function enabled (when the real-time preview display is performed), the preview is displayed in the order of reading from the page where the original has been read, so the user can quickly check for errors in the original. .

  A technique relating to preview display is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 or 2 below. In Patent Document 1 below, in order to make it easier to view a double-sided printed document, both the front and back images are displayed simultaneously when previewing a double-sided image, and the original paper orientation, binding direction, stapling position, Alternatively, a technique for adding additional information such as a punch position on each image is disclosed.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a preview display mode disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG. (A) shows a case where the stapling position is set at the upper left of the front surface and the upper right of the rear surface when “paper orientation = horizontal”, “binding direction = short edge”, and “reading direction = left → right” are designated. It is a figure which shows an example of a preview display. (B) shows a case where the stapling position is set at the upper left of the front surface and the lower left of the back surface when “paper orientation = horizontal”, “binding direction = long side”, and “reading direction = left → right” are designated. It is a figure which shows an example of a preview display.

  Referring to FIG. 20A, a turning mark 501 is added with a left-pointing arrow on the right side of the front image, and a repetitive mark 502 is added on the left side of the back image. The user can determine that the page can be read forward by turning the right edge of the page by looking at the position of the turning mark 501 and the direction of the arrow while browsing the surface. Further, the user can determine that the user can read the next page by repeating the entire document by looking at the position of the repeat mark 502 while viewing the back side.

  Referring to FIG. 20B, a turning mark 501 is added to the lower side of the front image with an upward arrow, and a repeated mark 502 is added to the upper side of the back image. The user can determine that the page can be read to the next page by turning the lower end of the page by viewing the position of the turning mark 501 and the direction of the arrow while browsing the surface. Further, the user can determine that the user can read the next page by repeating the entire document by looking at the position of the repeat mark 502 while viewing the back side. In the technique of the following Patent Document 1, by adding marks and character information to the front and back images, the relationship between the front and back surfaces according to the binding direction can be visually confirmed.

  In Patent Document 2 below, for preview images of image data that have been continuously read on both sides, a preview image that is a processing target of various settings for a spread page and an auxiliary preview image that is not a target of various setting processing A technique is disclosed in which at least a preview image to be processed is displayed as a set and a page is sequentially paged while switching between a preview image to be processed and an auxiliary preview image. According to the technique of the following Patent Document 2, it is possible to make it easy to imagine the finished state of a spread page.

JP 2006-268318 A JP 2008-2226050 A

  In the conventional real-time preview display, the image of the document is switched page by page in the order of reading by the image reading apparatus and previewed. For this reason, when a desired output mode is set, depending on the set output mode, there is a problem that it is difficult to imagine the finished state (the state of the output product when output) from the preview display.

  For example, it is assumed that a document of 1 to 6 pages is read by the image reading device in page order. In the real-time preview display, normally, when the reading of one page of the original is completed first, the image of one page is displayed as a preview, and when the reading of the two pages of the original is completed, the image of two pages is displayed as a preview. Thus, every time reading of a document on one page is completed, an image of that page is displayed as a preview. For this reason, for example, a double-sided output document in which 3 pages and 4 pages are printed on the front and back of one document, or a spread page document in which 3 pages and 4 pages constitute one spread page is read. In addition, when the duplex output mode and the staple mode are set, whether the three-page image and the four-page image are printed on the front and back surfaces of one sheet of paper or output as a spread page. It was difficult to understand whether or not the image was finished.

  Further, when the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2 are applied to real-time preview display, the following problems have occurred.

  When the technique of Patent Document 1 is applied to the real-time preview display, the images displayed in the preview are sequentially switched at regular time intervals, so that it is difficult to instantaneously read the turning mark 501 and the repeated mark 502. In addition, because all the images on the page are displayed one by one with the same size, it was not possible to identify which image of the page to be noticed, and it was not possible to grasp the page that has been read in real time. . For this reason, for example, when the duplex output mode is set for the read image, the positional relationship between the front surface and the back surface cannot be easily grasped. For example, when the binding direction is set for the read image, the state of the spread page cannot be easily grasped.

  When the technique of Patent Document 2 is applied to the real-time preview display, the preview image to be processed and the auxiliary preview can be displayed even when only one page needs to be displayed as in the case of setting the single-sided output mode. Since the image is previewed, unnecessary information is also displayed on the preview display screen. For this reason, it takes time to acquire necessary information, and the finished state reflecting the single-sided output mode cannot be easily grasped.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image reading apparatus capable of easily grasping a finished state in which a set output mode is reflected, a method for controlling the image reading apparatus, and an image. To provide a control program for a reader.

An image reading apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a setting receiving unit that receives setting of an output mode of a document image or setting of a display mode, an image reading unit that sequentially reads document images of a plurality of documents, and an image reading unit Before the reading of all the original images of a plurality of originals is completed by the means, a real-time preview display is performed to display a preview image of the original image that has been read by the image reading means on the display unit; and A first preview display unit that displays a document image that has been read by the reading unit on a screen of the display unit one by one in the reading order, and a document that has been subjected to real-time preview display and has been read by the image reading unit A second preview display means for previewing a plurality of images on one screen of the display unit; and a setting reception means A display mode for determining a preview display mode between the preview display by the first preview display unit and the preview display by the second preview display unit based on the set output mode or the display mode setting When the instruction is received by the determining means , the instruction to save the image data previewed by the first or second preview display means, and the instruction by the save instruction accepting means, the first and second Information about which of the two preview display means the image has been displayed as a preview is stored together with the image data, and when the image of the data stored in the storage means is previewed, the information is stored in the storage means. Based on the stored information, the image of the data stored in the storage means is read one by one on one screen of the display unit. Order to preview display, and a preview display determining means for determining whether the preview display on one screen of the display unit in a plurality.

  In the image reading apparatus, preferably, when the setting reception unit receives the setting of the single-sided output mode, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the first preview display unit.

  Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the setting of the duplex output mode is received by the setting reception unit, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit.

  Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the setting reception unit receives at least one post-processing mode setting of punch setting, stapling setting, folding setting, and binding margin setting, the display mode determining unit It is decided to perform the preview display by the preview display means.

Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the punch setting is received by the setting reception unit, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit, and the second preview display unit includes: Show punch position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed.

Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the staple setting is received by the setting reception unit, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit, and the second preview display unit includes: Show stapling position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed.

Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the folding setting is received by the setting reception unit, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit, and the second preview display unit includes: folding position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to preview is displayed.

Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the binding setting is received by the setting receiving unit, the display mode determining unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit, and the second preview display unit , it displays the binding margin position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed.

  Preferably, in the image reading apparatus, when the setting receiving unit receives both the duplex output mode and the post-processing mode, the display mode determining unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit. To do.

Preferably, in the above image reading apparatus, the second preview display means, when received in setting accepting device settings binding position, depending on the binding position accepted by the setting acceptance unit, a plurality of preview document the flow direction determining means for determining the flow direction of the document image, a plurality of document images among one original image of the document to be previewed displayed larger than the other original image, and determined at the flow direction determining means Image switching means for switching an image to be displayed largely in accordance with the flow direction.

Preferably, in the above image reading apparatus, when receiving at setting accepting device settings left binding, the flow direction determining means determines a direction toward the flow direction of the plurality of documents of the document image to be previewed from right to left To do.

Preferably, in the above image reading apparatus, when receiving at setting accepting device settings right binding, the flow direction determining means determines a direction toward the flow direction of the plurality of documents of the document image to be previewed from left to right To do.

Preferably, in the above image reading apparatus, when receiving a set of upper binding by setting accepting device, the flow direction determining means determines a direction toward the upward flow direction of the plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed from below To do.

Preferably, in the above image reading apparatus, the second preview display means, one of the original images of the plurality of document sheets of a document image larger preview displayed than the other document images to preview, and enlarged and displayed It switches the document image reading order of the original image.

An image reading apparatus control method according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a setting receiving step for receiving setting of an output mode of a document image or setting of a display mode; and an image reading step of sequentially reading document images of a plurality of documents. The real-time preview display for previewing the preview image of the original image read in the image reading step on the display unit is performed before the reading of all the original images of the plurality of originals is completed in the image reading step. In addition, a first preview display step for displaying a document image that has been read in the image reading step one by one on a screen of the display unit in a reading order, a real-time preview display, and reading in the image reading step A second display for previewing a plurality of completed original images on one screen of the display unit. Based on the review display step and the preview display by the first preview display step and the preview display by the second preview display step based on the output mode setting or display mode setting received at the setting reception step. The display mode determining step for determining the preview display mode , the save instruction receiving step for receiving an instruction to save the image data preview-displayed in the first or second preview display step, and the instruction in the save instruction receiving step When received, a storage step for storing information on which of the first and second preview display steps the image is displayed together with the image data, and a preview of the image of the data stored in the storage step In the save step Based on the information, a preview for determining whether the image of the data saved in the saving step is to be previewed one by one on the screen of the display unit in the reading order or to be previewed on the screen of the display unit with a plurality of images. A display determination step .
Preferably, in the above control method, when the setting of the single-sided output mode is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that the preview display is performed in the first preview display step.
Preferably, in the above control method, when the setting of the duplex output mode is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that the preview display is performed in the second preview display step.
Preferably, in the above control method, when setting of the post-processing mode of at least one of punch setting, stapling setting, folding setting, and binding margin setting is received in the setting reception step, the second preview is performed in the display mode determination step. It is determined that preview display is performed in the display step.
Preferably, in the above control method, when the punch setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step, and in the second preview display step, A punch position is displayed for each of a plurality of document images to be previewed.
Preferably, in the above control method, when staple setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step, and in the second preview display step, A staple position is displayed for each of a plurality of document images to be previewed.
Preferably, in the above control method, when the folding setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step, and in the second preview display step, A folding position is displayed for each of a plurality of document images to be previewed.
Preferably, in the above control method, when the binding margin setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step, and in the second preview display step. Then, the binding position is displayed for each of the document images of a plurality of documents to be previewed.
Preferably, in the above control method, when both settings of the duplex output mode and the post-processing mode are received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that the preview display is performed in the second preview display step. To do.
Preferably, in the above control method, in the second preview display step, when the setting of the binding position is received in the setting reception step, according to the binding position received in the setting reception step, a plurality of originals to be preview displayed are displayed. A flow direction determining step for determining the flow direction of the original image, and a flow in which one original image of the plurality of original images to be previewed is displayed larger than the other original images and determined in the flow direction determining step. And an image switching step of switching an image to be displayed largely according to the direction.
Preferably, in the above control method, when the left binding setting is received in the setting reception step, the flow direction of the document images of a plurality of documents to be previewed is determined in the direction from right to left in the flow direction determination step. .
Preferably, in the above control method, when the setting of the right binding is received in the setting reception step, the flow direction of the document images of the plurality of documents to be previewed is determined in the direction from left to right in the flow direction determination step. .
Preferably, in the above control method, when the setting of the upper binding is received in the setting reception step, the flow direction of the document images of the plurality of documents to be previewed is determined in the direction from bottom to top in the flow direction determination step. .
Preferably, in the control method, in the second preview display step, one document image of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed is displayed as a preview larger than the other document images and is displayed in an enlarged manner. Switches the image in the order of reading the original image.
A control program for an image reading apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention is for causing a computer to execute one of the control methods described above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus, an image reading apparatus control method, and an image reading apparatus control program capable of easily grasping the finished state in which the set output mode is reflected.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of an MFP 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of an operation panel 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of an operation panel 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a screen displayed on operation panel 2 when a copy job is selected. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 1st preview display which the operation panel 2 performs. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the operation panel 2 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when the left binding punch setting is effective. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when the staple setting of upper left binding is effective. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when folding setting is effective. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when binding margin setting is effective. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the operation panel 2 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when the right binding punch setting is effective. It is a figure which shows typically the aspect of the 2nd preview display which the operation panel 2 performs when the upper binding punch setting is effective. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the operation panel 2 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 when saving to the HDD 155 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation of the operation panel 2 at the time of reading from the HDD 155 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the operation panel 2 in the modification of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a preview display mode disclosed in Patent Document 1.

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

  In the following embodiments, a case where the image reading apparatus is an image forming apparatus will be described. The image forming apparatus performs image formation by an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and includes an MFP having a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copying function, a function as a printer, a data communication function, and a server function, Includes facsimile machines, copiers, printers, etc. The image reading apparatus is not limited as long as it can read an image of a document, and may be a scanner or the like in addition to the image forming apparatus.

[First Embodiment]
First, the configuration of the MFP in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, MFP 1 (digital full color MFP) as an image reading apparatus in the present embodiment includes an operation panel (operation unit) 2, an image reading unit 133 including an automatic document feeder, and an image processing unit 135. An image forming unit 137, a paper feeding unit 91, and a paper discharge tray 93.

  Operation panel 2 is provided, for example, on the front surface of MFP 1. The operation panel 2 receives an operation of the MFP 1 from the user and displays various information including a preview display for the user.

  When the MFP 1 is used as a copying machine or a scanner, a document set on the paper feed tray 133a of the image reading unit 133 is read by the image reading unit 133 by the user. The image processing unit 135 processes the image data read by the image reading unit 133. The image forming unit 137 forms an image on the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 91 based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 135. The paper on which the image is formed is subjected to post-processing as necessary, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 93.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP 1.

  Referring to FIG. 2, MFP 1 includes MFP main body system control unit (CPU) 131, image reading unit 133, image processing unit 135, image forming unit 137, image output unit 139, and facsimile control unit 141. , A network connection unit 143, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 151, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 153, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 155, and a post-processing unit 157.

  The image reading unit 133 reads an image of a document. The image processing unit 135 performs processing on the image data. The image forming unit 137 forms an image on a sheet or the like based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 135. The image output unit 139 controls output processing of image data and the like. The facsimile control unit 141 transmits image data through a communication line. A network connection unit 143 controls connection between the MFP 1 and an external device (not shown). The ROM 151 stores a control program for the MFP 1 and the like. The RAM 153 temporarily stores data such as images read by the image reading unit 133. The HDD 155 stores various data and can rewrite the data. The post-processing unit 157 performs post-processing such as punching, stapling, or folding on the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 137.

  The modules are controlled based on communication and control signals, with the MFP main body system control unit 131 as the center. The MFP main body system control unit 131 includes an image reading unit 133, an image processing unit 135, an image forming unit 137, an image output unit 139, a facsimile control unit 141, a network connection unit 143, a ROM 151, a RAM 153, an HDD 155, and a post-processing unit 157. The entire MFP 1 is controlled by performing communication or signal transmission / reception with each other.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the operation panel 2. In the following drawings, for convenience of explanation, page numbers are assigned to the pages of the document and their preview images. FIG. 3 shows a state in which an image of three pages of the document is displayed as a preview.

  Referring to FIG. 3, operation panel 2 displays various setting items, messages, and the like, and receives an LCD panel unit (touch panel) 11 that receives various settings from the user, and a preview that is pressed when setting a real-time preview function. A key 13, a start key 15 for accepting execution of a job for each function, a job selection key 17 for selecting a job type from among box saving, facsimile / scanning, copying, and the like are included. A user (operator) performs key inputs such as a copy start instruction, the number of copies to be set, and a print mode designation through the LCD panel unit 11. The LCD panel unit 11 is composed of a liquid crystal display board and the like, and displays a preview display in a copy mode set by the user and various messages.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the operation panel 2.

  Referring to FIG. 4, operation panel 2 includes panel CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control unit 104, VRAM (Video RAM) 105, LCD panel unit 11, and hard key operation. Part 108 and an input / output control part 111.

  The panel CPU 101 controls the entire operation panel 2. Panel CPU 101 communicates with MFP main body system control unit 131 provided inside MFP 1 main body. The ROM 102 stores a control program for the operation panel 2 and a plurality of display images. A RAM 103 is a work memory of the panel CPU 101. The LCD control unit 104 performs read / write control of the VRAM 105 and controls image display on the LCD panel unit 11. The image stored in the ROM 102 is stored in the VRAM 105 by the panel CPU 101 via the LCD control unit 104, and then read out from the VRAM 105 by the panel CPU 101 and output to the LCD panel unit 11.

  The LCD panel unit 11 has a touch panel configuration. When the LCD panel unit 11 is directly touched, the input / output control unit 111 determines its position, communicates which function on the screen is selected to the panel CPU 101, and inputs function settings and the like. Take control.

  The hard key operation unit 108 is input with a hard key including a start key 15, a numeric keypad, a panel reset key, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicating a machine state, a hard key, and the LCD panel unit 11. It is composed of a buzzer for notifying the effect. The hard key operation unit 108 is controlled by the input / output control unit 111, and communicates with the MFP main body system control unit 131 via the panel CPU 101 as necessary. By pressing the start key 15 in the hard key operation unit 108, communication with the MFP main body system control unit 131 is started via the input / output control unit 111 and the panel CPU 101, and the MFP 1 starts a series of copying operations.

  The MFP 1 receives the setting of the output mode of the document image on the operation panel 2 and reads the image of the document including a plurality of pages by the image reading unit 133. The operation panel 2 includes a first preview display mode in which images of pages that have been read are displayed on the screen of the operation panel 2 one by one in a reading order in real time, and a plurality of images of pages that have been read. The mode of the real-time preview display can be switched between the mode of the second preview display that displays the real-time preview on one screen. The operation panel 2 determines a real-time preview display mode between the first preview display and the second preview display based on the output mode setting received by the operation panel 2.

  The real-time preview display is a display in which the image of the page that has been read by the image reading unit 133 is preview-displayed on the display unit such as the operation panel 2 before the image reading unit 133 completes reading of the image of all pages of the document. It is an aspect.

  Next, an output mode setting method in the MFP 1 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a screen displayed on the operation panel 2 when a copy job is selected.

  Referring to FIG. 5, when a copy job is selected with job selection key 17 (FIG. 3), a settable output mode is displayed on LCD panel unit 11 of operation panel 2. The operation panel 2 accepts post-processing settings such as punch settings, staple settings, folding settings, or binding margin settings as output modes. The operation panel 2 also accepts print mode settings such as single-sided / double-sided print settings, paper size settings, print magnification settings, and print image quality / density settings as output modes. The operation panel 2 may accept other output mode settings.

  For example, when the “duplex / page aggregation” key 31 is pressed, the operation panel 2 accepts a setting of whether to perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing on an original image read by the image reading unit 133. . When the “finish” key 32 is pressed, the operation panel 2 accepts post-processing settings such as punching, stapling, or folding, and setting of the binding position. When the start key 15 is pressed after the output mode is set, the MFP 1 starts executing a copy job. When the real-time preview function is set, the MFP 1 displays the original image read by the image reading unit 133 on the LCD panel unit 11 in real time.

  Next, two modes of real-time preview display performed by the operation panel 2 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an aspect of the first preview display performed by the operation panel 2.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when performing real-time preview display in the first preview display mode (single-sheet display mode), operation panel 2 previews images of pages that have been read one by one on a screen in reading order. indicate. Each image is previewed for a certain time.

  For example, as shown in (a), the image reading unit 133 reads a document consisting of 1 to 6 pages, and the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the read document image in the first preview display mode. Is assumed. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. Even if reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during preview display of one page image, the operation panel 2 does not display the preview image of those pages.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the preview image from page 1 to page 2 as shown in (c), and the two-page preview image is displayed on the LCD panel unit 11. Is displayed for a certain time.

  Thereafter, as shown in (d), (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays the preview images of the third and subsequent pages one by one in the reading order on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time. The operation panel 2 displays the preview image of page 6 for a certain period of time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2.

  Referring to FIG. 7, when performing real-time preview display in the second preview display mode (multiple display mode), operation panel 2 displays a preview of a plurality of images on a page that has been read. One of the plurality of images to be preview-displayed may be previewed larger than the other images, and the image to be previewed larger may be switched in the image reading order.

  For example, as shown in (a), when the image reading unit 133 reads a document consisting of 1 to 6 pages and the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the read image in the second preview display mode. Is assumed. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed, for example, on the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as an image of one page, and an image printed in relation to the front and back of a sheet of paper, which is currently displayed in a large preview, A small preview may be displayed on the left side of the large preview image. The operation panel 2 may enclose an image that is currently displayed with a large preview and an image that is currently printed with a large preview and an image printed in a relation of front and back with a frame 33. The frame 33 is preferably a color such as red. By enclosing these images in a frame 33, it is possible to inform the user of a set of images to be printed on the front and back of the paper to be noted. In (b), the preview image of one page may not be displayed, and the display of the frame 33 is arbitrary.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. A three-page image displayed in a large preview and a four-page image displayed in a small preview are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays an image after a large preview display, such as an image of pages 1 and 2, which is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Does not display a preview. In (c), the preview images of pages 1 and 2 may be displayed small on the left side of the preview image of page 3.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  In the description of the first and second preview display modes described above, the case where the image to be preview-displayed (the image to be largely previewed in the second preview display mode) is switched every fixed time has been described. Each time reading of the image is completed (reading of the image is completed), the image to be previewed (the image to be largely previewed in the second preview display mode) may be switched to the image of the page that has been read most recently. .

  The operation panel 2 determines a real-time preview display mode between the first preview display mode and the second preview display mode based on the print mode (output mode) setting received by the operation panel 2. To do. For example, when the operation panel 2 receives a setting of a mode (single-sided output mode) for printing an image of a read original document only on one side of a sheet, the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview display in the first preview display mode shown in FIG. For example, when a setting of a mode (duplex output mode) for printing an image of a read original on both sides of a sheet is received, a real-time preview display is performed in the second preview display mode shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 8, panel CPU 101 of operation panel 2 accepts the setting of the print mode (output mode) (S 1), and accepts pressing of start key 15, reads the document to MFP body system control unit 131. Is started (S3). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the accepted print mode is single-sided printing (single-sided output) (S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that single-sided printing is being performed (YES in S5), the panel CPU 101 selects a first preview display mode (S7), performs a real-time preview display in the selected mode (S9), and processing Exit. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing is duplex printing (NO in S5), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode (S11), performs the real-time preview display in the selected mode (S13), and ends the processing. To do.

[Second Embodiment]
In this embodiment, along with the duplex output mode setting (or without the duplex output mode setting), at least one post-processing mode setting of punch setting, staple setting, folding setting, and binding margin setting is set on the operation panel. When 2 is received, the operation panel 2 is different from the first embodiment in that the preview display is performed in the second preview display mode by adding a predetermined symbol to the position where the post-processing is performed. ing. Since the configuration of MFP 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the real-time preview display method in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the left binding punch setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 9, when punch setting is valid, operation panel 2 performs real-time preview display in a second preview display mode. When performing the second preview display, the operation panel 2 displays punch positions for a plurality of images to be preview-displayed.

  For example, when the left binding punch setting (punch setting for making a punch hole on the left side of the paper surface) is valid, the image reading unit 133 reads a document consisting of 1 to 6 pages as shown in FIG. Assume that the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the read original image. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. A mark 35a indicating the punch position is displayed on the left side in the preview image of one page. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed, for example, on the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Marks 35b and 35d indicating the punch position are displayed on the right side in the images of pages 2 and 4. A mark 35c indicating the punch position is displayed on the left side in the image of page 3. Each of the marks 35a to 35d is displayed at a punch position corresponding to the front and back of the paper.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. The operation panel 2 displays, together with a frame 33, characters indicating the number of sheets on which the image that is currently displayed in large preview, such as “output: first sheet”, is an image to be printed. Also good.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35b is displayed at the punch position in the two-page image that is displayed as a large preview. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays an image of one page as a small preview on the left side of the image displayed as a large preview.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35c is displayed at the punch position in the three-page image displayed in a large preview. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as a preview image of pages 1 and 2, and an image that is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Is displayed as a small preview on the left side of the image that is currently displayed as a large preview. In (c), the preview images of the first and second pages may not be displayed.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 also displays a mark indicating the punch position together with the preview images for the fourth and subsequent pages. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  In this way, by visually displaying the marks 35a to 35d indicating the punch position of the output paper, the user can instantly confirm the punch position on the front and back of the paper and the output state of the document. Become.

  When the left binding is set, the operation panel 2 feeds the preview image so as to flow from the right to the left of the LCD panel unit 11 as shown in FIG. The image to be displayed) may be switched from left to right according to the flow direction. As a result, the user can check the finished state as if the user had turned the page leftward (left binding).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the upper left binding staple setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when the staple setting is valid, operation panel 2 performs real-time preview display in the second preview display mode. When performing the second preview display, the operation panel 2 displays the staple positions for a plurality of images to be preview displayed. The staple position display method is substantially the same as the punch position display method described above.

  For example, when the upper left binding staple setting (staple setting for fixing the upper left of the paper surface with staples) is enabled, as shown in (a), the image reading unit 133 reads an original of 1 to 6 pages. Assume that the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the read original image. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. A mark 36a indicating the staple position is displayed at the upper left in the preview image of one page. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed, for example, on the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Marks 36b and 36d indicating the staple position are displayed on the upper right in the images on pages 2 and 4. A mark 36c indicating the stapling position is displayed at the upper left in the three-page image. Each of the marks 36a to 36d is displayed at a staple position corresponding to the front and back of the paper.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 36b is displayed at the stapling position in the two-page image displayed in the large preview. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays an image of one page as a small preview on the left side of the image displayed as a large preview.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 36c is displayed at the stapling position in the three-page image that has been largely previewed. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as a preview image of pages 1 and 2, and an image that is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Is displayed as a small preview on the left side of the image that is currently displayed as a large preview.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 also displays a mark indicating the stapling position along with the preview images for the fourth and subsequent pages. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  In this way, by visually displaying the marks 36a to 36d indicating the staple position of the output paper, the user can instantly check the staple position on the front and back of the paper and the output state of the document. Become.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the folding setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when the folding setting is valid, operation panel 2 performs real-time preview display in the second preview display mode. When performing the second preview display, the operation panel 2 displays a folding position for a plurality of images to be preview displayed. The folding position display method is substantially the same as the punch position display method described above.

  For example, as shown in (a), when the setting to fold one sleeve (trifold) on the right side of the surface of the second sheet of paper (the paper on which pages 3 and 4 of the document are printed) is valid, It is assumed that the image reading unit 133 reads a document having ˜6 pages and the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the read image of the document. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed, for example, on the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Two dotted lines 37a indicating the folding position are displayed on the right side in the three-page image of the document, and two dotted lines 37b indicating the folding position are displayed on the left side in the four-page image of the document. . Each of the two dotted lines 37a and 37b is displayed at a folding position corresponding to the front and back of the paper.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays an image of one page as a small preview on the left side of the image displayed as a large preview.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. Two dotted lines 37a are displayed at the folding position in the three-page image displayed in the large preview. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image that has been displayed as a large preview, such as a two-page preview image, and is not printed due to the relationship between the image currently displayed as a large preview and the front and back of one sheet of paper. The portion may be displayed in a small preview on the left side of the image that is currently displayed in a large preview.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (d) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 3 to page 4, as shown in (e), and the image on page 4 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. Two dotted lines 37b are displayed at the folding position in the four-page image displayed in large preview.

  Thereafter, as shown in (f) and (g), the operation panel 2 displays a preview image on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time one by one in the order of reading the images after the fifth page. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  In this way, by visually displaying the two dotted lines 37a and 37b indicating the folding position of the output paper, the user can instantly check the folding position on the front and back of the paper and the output state of the document. Is possible.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the binding margin setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 12, when the binding margin setting is valid, operation panel 2 performs real-time preview display in the second preview display mode. When performing the second preview display, the operation panel 2 displays binding margin positions for a plurality of images to be preview-displayed. The method for displaying the binding margin position is almost the same as the method for displaying the punch position described above.

  For example, the image reading unit 133 reads an original consisting of 1 to 6 pages as shown in (a) in a state in which the binding margins on the upper side, the right side, and the lower side of the front side of the paper are valid. Assume that the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the image of the original. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. A line 38a indicating a binding margin position is displayed on the upper side, the right side, and the lower side in the preview image of one page. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed, for example, on the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Lines 38b and 38d indicating the binding position are displayed on the upper side, the left side, and the lower side in the images of pages 2 and 4. A line 38c indicating a binding position is displayed on the upper side, the right side, and the lower side in the image of the three pages. Each of the lines 38a to 38d is displayed at a binding margin position corresponding to the front and back sides of the sheet.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The line 38b is displayed at the binding position in the two-page image that is displayed in a large preview. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays an image of one page as a small preview on the left side of the image displayed as a large preview.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The line 38c is displayed at the binding position in the three-page image that is displayed in a large preview. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as a preview image of pages 1 and 2, and an image that is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Is displayed as a small preview on the left side of the image that is currently displayed as a large preview.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 also displays a line indicating a binding position together with preview images for the fourth and subsequent pages. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  In this way, by visually displaying the lines 38a to 38d indicating the binding position of the output paper, the user can instantly confirm the binding position on the front and back of the paper and the output state of the document. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 13, this flowchart is a control flowchart for real-time preview display based on post-processing settings (output settings). Real-time preview display is performed in a manner corresponding to each set post-processing mode.

  The panel CPU 101 of the operation panel 2 accepts the setting of the post-processing mode (output mode) as necessary (S21). When the press of the start key 15 is accepted, the MFP body system control unit 131 starts reading the original. Is instructed (S23). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not a punch setting has been accepted (S25).

  If it is determined in step S25 that the punch setting has been accepted (YES in S25), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 9 and displays the image in real time in this mode (S27). End the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that punch setting is not accepted (NO in S25), the panel CPU 101 determines whether staple setting is accepted (S29).

  If it is determined in step S29 that the staple setting has been accepted (YES in S29), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 10 and displays the image in real time in this mode (S31). The process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S29 that the staple setting is not accepted (NO in S29), the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the folding setting is accepted (S33).

  If it is determined in step S33 that the folding setting has been accepted (YES in S33), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 11, and displays the image in real time in this mode (S35). End the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the folding setting is not accepted (NO in S33), the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the binding margin setting is accepted (S37).

  If it is determined in step S37 that the binding margin setting has been received (YES in S37), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 12, and displays the image in real time in this mode (S39). The process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S37 that the binding margin setting is not accepted (NO in S37), the panel CPU 101 determines that the post-processing setting is not performed. In this case, the panel CPU 101 selects the first preview display mode shown in FIG. 6 or the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 7 based on the set print mode, and the image is displayed in real-time preview in the selected mode. (S41), and the process ends.

[Third Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, when the operation panel 2 accepts the setting of the binding position (output binding direction) such as left binding, right binding, or top binding, the operation panel 2 displays a preview according to the setting of the binding position. This is different from the first embodiment in that the flow direction of a plurality of images to be determined is determined and preview display is performed in the second preview display mode. Since the configuration of MFP 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the real-time preview display method in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the right binding punch setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 14, when the right binding punch setting (punch setting for making a punch hole on the right side of the paper surface) is valid, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the image of the original read by the image reading unit 133. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. A mark 35a indicating the punch position is displayed on the right side in the preview image of one page. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed on the left side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Marks 35b and 35d indicating the punch position are displayed on the left side in the images of pages 2 and 4. A mark 35c indicating the punch position is displayed on the right side in the image of the third page. Each of the marks 35a to 35d is displayed at a punch position corresponding to the front and back of the paper.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35b is displayed at the punch position in the two-page image that is displayed as a large preview. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays a small preview image of one page on the right side of the large preview image.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35c is displayed at the punch position in the three-page image displayed in a large preview. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as a preview image of pages 1 and 2, and an image that is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Is displayed in a small preview on the right side of the image that is currently displayed in a large preview.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 also displays a mark indicating the punch position together with the preview images for the fourth and subsequent pages. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  As described above, when the right binding is set, the operation panel 2 feeds the preview image to the right so as to flow from the left to the right of the LCD panel unit 11, and displays an image to be enlarged (image to be displayed in a large preview). , It may be switched from right to left according to the flow direction. As a result, the user can check the finished state as if the user had turned the page rightward (right binding).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 when the upper binding punch setting is valid.

  Referring to FIG. 15, when the upper binding punch setting (punch setting for making a punch hole on the upper surface of the paper) is valid, as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the operation panel 2 displays a real-time preview of the image of the original read by the image reading unit 133. When the reading of one page is completed, the operation panel 2 displays a preview image of one page on the LCD panel unit 11 for a certain period of time as shown in FIG. A mark 35a indicating the punch position is displayed on the upper side in the preview image of one page. When the reading of the second and subsequent pages is completed during the preview display of the image of one page, the operation panel 2 displays the preview image of those pages smaller than the image of the one page. For example, when the reading of 2 to 4 pages is completed, these preview images are displayed on the lower side or the right side of the image of one page that is displayed as a large preview. Marks 35b and 35d indicating the punch position are displayed on the lower side in the images of pages 2 and 4. A mark 35c indicating the punch position is displayed on the upper side in the image of the third page. Each of the marks 35a to 35d is displayed at a punch position corresponding to the front and back of the paper.

  Further, a page image currently displayed in a large preview and a page image printed due to the relationship between the page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33.

  After a certain period of time has elapsed since the screen shown in (b) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image for the large preview display from page 1 to page 2, as shown in (c), and the image on page 2 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35b is displayed at the punch position in the two-page image that is displayed as a large preview. At this time, the operation panel 2 displays a small preview of the image of one page on the upper side of the image of the two pages that is displayed as a large preview.

  After a predetermined time has elapsed since the screen shown in (c) was displayed, the operation panel 2 switches the image to be displayed as a large preview from page 2 to page 3 as shown in (d), and the image on page 3 is displayed on the LCD panel. A large preview is displayed on the unit 11 for a predetermined time. The mark 35c is displayed at the punch position in the three-page image displayed in a large preview. Further, a three-page image that is currently displayed as a large preview and a four-page image that is printed due to the relationship between the three-page image and the front and back are surrounded by a frame 33. At this time, the operation panel 2 is an image after a large preview display, such as a preview image of pages 1 and 2, and an image that is not printed due to the relationship between the currently large preview image and the front and back of one sheet of paper. Is displayed in a small preview on, for example, the upper left side of the image that is currently displayed in a large preview.

  Thereafter, as shown in (e), (f), and (g), the operation panel 2 displays preview images of the fourth and subsequent pages one by one in the order of reading on the LCD panel unit 11 in a large amount of time. The operation panel 2 also displays a mark indicating the punch position together with the preview images for the fourth and subsequent pages. The operation panel 2 displays the preview of the image of page 6 large for a predetermined time, and then ends the real-time preview display.

  As described above, when the upper binding is set, the operation panel 2 feeds the preview image so that the preview image flows upward from the bottom of the LCD panel unit 11, and displays an image to be enlarged (image to be displayed in a large preview). , It may be switched from top to bottom according to the flow direction. As a result, the user can confirm the finished state with the feeling that the page is turned up (upward binding).

  Although FIG. 15 shows a mode in which the preview image is paged so as to flow from the right to the upper left of the LCD panel unit 11, the preview image may be paged so as to flow from the left to the upper right of the LCD panel unit 11. . Specifically, when the image of page 3 is displayed as a large preview, the images after page 5 are displayed as a small preview on the left side of the image of page 3, and the images of page 1 and page 2 are displayed at the upper right of the image of page 3. May be displayed in a small preview. Alternatively, the preview image may be page-turned so as to flow from directly below the LCD panel unit 11. Specifically, when the image of the three pages is displayed in a large preview, the images after the fifth page are displayed in a small preview immediately below the image of the four pages, and the one and two pages are displayed immediately above the three page images. The image may be displayed in a small preview.

  The preview display modes of FIGS. 14 and 15 are applicable not only to punch setting but also to other binding settings such as stapling setting, folding setting, or binding margin setting.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 16, this flowchart is a control flowchart for real-time preview display based on the setting of the binding position. Depending on the set post-processing mode, the real-time preview display shown in FIG. 6, 9, 14, or 15 is performed.

  The panel CPU 101 of the operation panel 2 accepts the setting of the print mode and the setting of post-processing including the binding position (output binding direction) (S51). When the press of the start key 15 is accepted, the MFP main body system control unit 131 is notified. The start of reading of the original is instructed (S53). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the accepted printing mode is single-sided printing (single-sided output) (S55).

  If it is determined in step S55 that single-sided printing is being performed (YES in S55), the panel CPU 101 selects the first preview display mode shown in FIG. 6 and performs the real-time preview display in the selected mode (S57). The process ends. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S55 that the printing is duplex printing (NO in S55), the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the left binding setting is accepted (S61).

  If it is determined in step S61 that the left binding setting has been received (YES in S61), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 9, and displays the image in real time in this mode (S63). The process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S61 that the left binding setting is not accepted (NO in S61), the panel CPU 101 determines whether the right binding setting is accepted (S65).

  If it is determined in step S65 that the right binding setting has been received (YES in S65), the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 14, and displays the image in real time in this mode (S67). The process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S65 that the right binding setting is not accepted (NO in S65), the panel CPU 101 determines that the upper binding setting is accepted. In this case, the panel CPU 101 selects the second preview display mode shown in FIG. 15, displays the image in real time in this mode (S69), and ends the process.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, after selecting any of the modes described in the first to third embodiments and displaying the read image of the original in real time, the MFP 1 displays the information on the selected mode in the HDD 155. Save to etc. Then, after displaying the real-time preview (after reading all the pages of the document), when displaying the image of the read document, the MFP 1 displays the images one by one in the reading order based on the stored information. Or whether to display a preview on one screen of the operation panel 2 with a plurality of sheets. Since the configuration of MFP 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the operation of the operation panel 2 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 when saving to the HDD 155 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 17, for example, when the real-time preview display ends, panel CPU 101 performs a real-time preview display mode (first preview display mode or second preview display mode) performed by operation panel 2. Is acquired (S81). Next, the panel CPU 101 receives an instruction to save the image data displayed in real time preview in the HDD 155 (execution of saving in the HDD) (S83). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the real-time preview display mode performed by the operation panel 2 is the first preview display mode (S85).

  If it is determined in step S85 that the first preview display mode has been selected (YES in S85), the panel CPU 101 displays information about the first preview display mode (a mode in which images are previewed one by one) as an image. The data is stored in the HDD 155 together with the data (S87), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first preview display mode is not used (NO in S85), the panel CPU 101 displays information on the second preview display mode (a mode in which a plurality of images are previewed) together with image data. The data is saved in the HDD 155 (S89), and the process ends.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 at the time of reading from the HDD 155 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 18, for example, when operation panel 2 receives an instruction to preview the image data stored in HDD 155, panel CPU 101 reads the image data from HDD 155 (S 91), and displays real-time preview from HDD 155. Reading of the information of the mode is executed (S93). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the read real-time preview display mode is the first preview display mode (S95).

  When it is determined in step S95 that the first preview display mode is selected (YES in S95), the panel CPU 101 performs preview display in a mode in which images are displayed one by one on one screen of the operation panel 2 (S97). ), The process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S95 that the second preview display mode is selected (NO in S95), the panel CPU 101 performs preview display in a mode in which a plurality of images are displayed on one screen of the operation panel 2. (S99), the process ends.

  As described above, the mode of the real-time preview display is stored in the HDD 155 or the like, and when the preview is displayed, it is read out from the HDD 155 and whether to display the preview one by one in the reading order or to display the images of a plurality of pages is determined. Thus, after the completion of reading all the pages of the document, when the preview display for confirming the finished state is performed again, the preview display in the mode (mode) desired by the user can be performed.

[Effect of the embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation panel automatically switches the display mode based on the output mode setting accepted by the MFP and displays the real-time preview. As a result, when the first preview display mode is adopted, unnecessary information can be prevented from being displayed, and the display load (load factor) of the MFP (device) can be reduced. . When the second preview display mode is employed, a specific page (a page that the user wants to confirm) can be enlarged (attention) and displayed together with the relevance to other pages. As a result, the real-time preview display can be easily viewed by the user, and the user can easily grasp the finished state in which the set output mode is reflected.

  According to the second and third embodiments, the display mode suitable for the output mode can be obtained by switching the display mode of the plurality of images displayed in preview according to the set type of the output mode. Thus, the finished image of the read original can be confirmed.

  According to the second embodiment, when the post-processing mode is set, by displaying the position where the post-processing is performed together with a plurality of images, the user can perform the post-processing on the front and back of the paper, It is possible to instantly confirm the output state of the document.

  According to the third embodiment, when the binding position is set, the flow direction of the plurality of images to be preview-displayed is automatically switched according to the binding position, so that the user can finish the process as if opening the bound paper. The state can be confirmed.

[Others]
In the first to third embodiments, the real-time preview display mode is determined between the first preview display mode and the second preview display mode based on the output mode setting accepted by the operation panel 2. As shown in the case, the mode of the real-time preview display may be manually set by the user. In this case, user convenience can be improved. Hereinafter, a modified example in which the real-time preview display mode is determined based on the display mode set by the user will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation panel 2 in the modification of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 19, panel CPU 101 accepts setting of an output mode such as a binding position (output binding direction) (S111), and accepts pressing of start key 15, for example, sets a real-time preview display mode for a certain period of time. Accept (S113). Next, the panel CPU 101 determines whether or not the setting of the real-time preview display mode has been received from the user (S115).

  If it is determined in step S115 that the setting of the real-time preview display mode is not accepted (NO in S115), the panel CPU 101 switches (selects) the real-time preview display mode according to the set output mode. Real-time preview display is performed (S117), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S115 that the setting of the real-time preview display mode has been received (YES in S115), the panel CPU 101 performs the real-time preview display in the mode (mode) set by the user (S119) and ends the process. To do.

  In the second embodiment, the mode of the real-time preview display when the punch setting, the staple setting, the folding setting, and the binding margin setting are individually received has been described. If accepted, the modes of FIGS. 9 to 12 may be combined. For example, when the punch setting and the binding margin setting are accepted, the mark of the punch position and the binding margin position may be displayed in the preview image by combining the mode of FIG. 9 and the mode of FIG.

  The above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate. For example, by combining the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the flow directions of a plurality of images to be displayed for preview determined according to the setting of the binding position are stored in the HDD 155 or the like, and the read original image May be displayed so that a plurality of images flow in the stored flow direction. Further, when the second embodiment and the fourth embodiment are combined to store the post-processing position in the flow direction in the HDD 155 or the like, and the read original image is displayed as a preview, A preview display may be performed by attaching a predetermined symbol to a position where the stored post-processing is performed.

  The processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or may be performed using a hardware circuit. It is also possible to provide a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment, and record the program on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provide it to the user. You may decide to do it. The program is executed by a computer such as a CPU. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  The above-described embodiment is to be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 MFP
2 Operation Panel 11 LCD Panel 13 Preview Key 15 Start Key 17 Job Selection Key 31, 32 Key 33 Frame 35a-35d, 36a-36d, 501,502 Mark 37a, 37b Dotted Line 38a-38d Line 91 Paper Feed Unit 93 Paper Ejection Tray 101 Panel CPU
102,151 ROM
103,153 RAM
104 LCD control unit 105 VRAM
108 Hard Key Operation Unit 111 Input / Output Control Unit 131 MFP Main Body System Control Unit 133 Image Reading Unit 133a Paper Tray 135 Image Processing Unit 137 Image Forming Unit 139 Image Output Unit 141 Facsimile Control Unit 143 Network Connection Unit 155 HDD
157 Post-processing section

Claims (29)

Setting accepting means for accepting setting of the output mode of the document image or setting of the display mode;
Image reading means for sequentially reading document images of a plurality of documents,
A real-time preview display in which a preview image of a document image that has been read by the image reading unit is previewed on the display unit before the image reading unit completes reading all of the document images of the plurality of documents. First preview display means for displaying a document image, which has been read by the image reading means, one by one on the one screen of the display unit in the reading order;
Second preview display means for performing a real-time preview display and displaying a plurality of original images that have been read by the image reading means on a single screen of the display unit;
A preview display between the preview display by the first preview display means and the preview display by the second preview display means based on the output mode setting or display mode setting received by the setting reception means. Display mode determining means for determining the mode of
A save instruction accepting means for accepting an instruction to save data of the image previewed by the first or second preview display means;
A storage unit that stores information on which of the first and second preview display units displays an image together with image data when the storage instruction reception unit receives the instruction;
When previewing the image of the data stored in the storage unit, based on the information stored in the storage unit, the image of the data stored in the storage unit is displayed on one screen of the display unit. or preview display on the reading order one by one, and a preview display determining means for determining whether the preview display on one screen of the display unit in a plurality, the image reading apparatus.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the setting accepting unit accepts the setting of the single-sided output mode, the display mode determining unit determines to perform a preview display by the first preview display unit.   3. The image reading according to claim 1, wherein when the setting accepting unit accepts the setting of the duplex output mode, the display mode determining unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit. apparatus.   When the setting accepting unit accepts at least one post-processing mode setting of punch setting, stapling setting, folding setting, and binding margin setting, the display mode determining unit previews by the second preview display unit The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus determines to perform display. When the punch setting is received by the setting receiving unit, the display mode determining unit determines to perform a preview display by the second preview display unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second preview display unit displays a punch position for each of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed. When the setting is received by the setting receiving unit, the display mode determining unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second preview display unit displays a staple position for each of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed. When the folding setting is received by the setting receiving unit, the display mode determining unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second preview display unit displays a folding position for each of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed. When the binding margin setting is received by the setting reception unit, the display mode determination unit determines to perform the preview display by the second preview display unit,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second preview display unit displays a binding margin position for each of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed.   The display mode determination unit determines to perform preview display by the second preview display unit when the setting reception unit receives both settings of the duplex output mode and the post-processing mode. The image reading apparatus according to any one of 8 to 8. The second preview display means includes:
A flow direction determining unit that determines a flow direction of a plurality of document images to be previewed according to the binding position received by the setting receiving unit when the setting receiving unit receives the setting of the binding position; ,
Image switching means for displaying one original image larger than the other original images among the original images of a plurality of originals to be preview-displayed, and switching an image to be displayed larger according to the flow direction determined by the flow direction determining means; An image reading apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   11. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the setting binding unit accepts the left binding setting, the flow direction determination unit determines the flow direction of the document images of a plurality of documents to be previewed from right to left. The image reading apparatus described.   The right direction setting unit determines the flow direction of document images of a plurality of documents to be preview-displayed in a direction from left to right when a setting for right binding is received by the setting reception unit. The image reading apparatus according to 11.   11. When the setting binding unit accepts an upper binding setting, the flow direction determination unit determines a flow direction of document images of a plurality of documents to be preview-displayed in a direction from bottom to top. The image reading apparatus according to any one of 12. The second preview display means displays one original image of a plurality of original images to be previewed larger than the other original images, and reads the original image to be enlarged and read the original image. sequentially switched, the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13. A setting acceptance step for accepting the setting of the output mode of the document image or the setting of the display mode;
An image reading step for sequentially reading document images of a plurality of documents;
A real-time preview display that previews a preview image of the document image that has been read in the image reading step on the display unit before the reading of all the document images of the plurality of documents is completed in the image reading step. And a first preview display step for displaying the document image, which has been read in the image reading step, one by one on the screen of the display unit in the reading order.
A second preview display step of performing a real-time preview display and displaying a plurality of original images that have been read in the image reading step on a single screen of the display unit;
Based on the output mode setting or display mode setting received in the setting receiving step, a preview display is performed between the preview display in the first preview display step and the preview display in the second preview display step. A display mode determination step for determining the mode of
A storage instruction receiving step for receiving an instruction to store the image data preview-displayed in the first or second preview display step;
A storage step of storing information on which of the first and second preview display steps the image is previewed together with the image data when receiving the instruction in the storage instruction reception step;
When previewing the image of the data stored in the storage step, based on the information stored in the storage step, the image of the data stored in the storage step is displayed on one screen of the display unit. A control method for an image reading apparatus, comprising: a preview display determining step for determining whether to display a preview in a reading order one by one or to display a preview on a single screen of the display unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein when the setting of the single-sided output mode is received in the setting receiving step, the display mode determining step determines to perform the preview display in the first preview display step. Control method. The image according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein when the setting of the duplex output mode is received in the setting reception step, the display mode determination step determines that the preview display is performed in the second preview display step. A method for controlling a reader. When setting of the post-processing mode of at least one of punch setting, stapling setting, folding setting and binding margin setting is received in the setting receiving step, in the display mode determining step, in the second preview display step It determines to perform the preview display, the control method of the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15-17. When the punch setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step,
In the second preview display step, displaying a punch position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to preview display control method for an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15-18. When staple setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step;
In the second preview display step, displaying a stapling position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to preview display control method for an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15-19. When folding setting is received in the setting receiving step, in the display mode determining step, it is determined that preview display is performed in the second preview display step,
In the second preview display step, displaying a folding position for each of a plurality of document sheets of a document image to preview display control method for an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15-20. When the binding margin setting is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step,
The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 21 , wherein, in the second preview display step, a binding margin position is displayed for each of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed. When the setting of both the duplex output mode and the post-processing mode is received in the setting reception step, it is determined in the display mode determination step that preview display is performed in the second preview display step. The method for controlling the image reading apparatus according to any one of 15 to 22 . The second preview display step includes:
A flow direction determining step for determining a flow direction of document images of a plurality of documents to be previewed according to the binding position received in the setting receiving step when the setting of the binding position is received in the setting receiving step; ,
An image switching step of displaying one document image larger than the other document images among the document images of a plurality of documents to be preview-displayed, and switching an image to be displayed larger according to the flow direction determined in the flow direction determination step. The method for controlling an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 23 . When receiving a set of left binding by the setting accepting step, in the flow direction determination step, determining a direction towards the left the flow direction of the plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed from the right, to claim 24 A control method of the image reading apparatus described. If the setting of the right binding accepted by the setting acceptance step, in the flow direction determination step, determining a direction toward the flow direction of the plurality of documents of the document image to be previewed from left to right, claim 24 or 25. A method for controlling the image reading apparatus according to 25 . If the setting of the upper binding accepted by the setting acceptance step, in the flow direction determination step, determining a direction toward the upward flow direction of the plurality of document sheets of a document image to be previewed from below, claims 24 to 27. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 26 . In the second preview display step, one document image of a plurality of document images to be preview-displayed is displayed in a larger preview than the other document images, and the document image to be displayed in an enlarged manner is read from the document image. The method for controlling an image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 27 , wherein switching is performed in order. A control program for an image reading apparatus for causing a computer to execute the control method according to any one of claims 15 to 28 .

Images