JP6927109B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium and outputs the image, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having a function of arranging and outputting a plurality of the same images on a single medium.

An image forming apparatus that forms and outputs an image on paper (medium) is provided with a function of forming and outputting an image on one sheet of paper in various modes. For example, the size of the paper used in the image forming apparatus is generally defined by the standard, while the admission ticket for the event is generally smaller than this paper. In this case, the images (unit images) of the admission ticket are arranged on one sheet of paper to form a plurality of images for output, and the output paper is cut later and separated for each unit image. It can be used as an admission ticket. The function of such an image forming apparatus is known as an image repeat function. The image of the admission ticket can be obtained as image data using, for example, a scanner.

Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus having an image repeat function. In this image forming apparatus, it is possible to display a pre-review image so that the image after output can be more appropriately recognized by the user in consideration of the usage mode after output.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-22412

In the conventional image repeat function as described in Patent Document 1, unit images are periodically arranged and formed on the paper in just proportion, and in order to prevent the paper from being wasted, 1 It is preferable to form more unit images on a sheet of paper. On the other hand, for example, in the case of an admission ticket as described above, since the size is predetermined, the size of the unit image after output is determined, and the size of the paper is also determined as described above.

In such a case, in the paper output after using the image repeat function, a margin portion in which an image is not formed may occur in a large area. This may result in increased paper consumption. In addition, since the handling of the unit image after cutting has become complicated, the conventional image repeat function is not sufficiently easy for the user to use from the viewpoint of individually using the unit image after cutting as described above. rice field.

Therefore, it has been required to improve the convenience of the image repeat function.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of solving the above problems.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that performs an operation of forming a plurality of unit images composed of one image data on a single medium and outputting them, and has a size after output of the unit images. Based on the size of the medium, when the orientation of the unit image is set to the first orientation, a main array having a configuration in which the unit images are arranged in the medium without excess or deficiency is set, and the medium is set. on in, the unit image which is a Oite the first orientation is different from the second orientation to the unit image is outside of a region margin area of the main sequence region is a sequence region based on the main sequence If it can be accommodated , a sub-array is set in the margin region, which is a configuration in which the unit images having the second orientation are arranged in just proportion, and the orientation of the unit image is set to the first orientation. The unit image is formed on the medium based on the sub-array, and the unit image is formed on the medium based on the sub-sequence with the orientation of the unit image as the second orientation when the sub-sequence can be set. The control means is provided, and when the sub-array cannot be set, the control means is set by a predetermined method for each of the unit images formed on the medium. The number is displayed in the margin area of the medium and output .
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control means sets the main array and the subarray so that a boundary region having a predetermined width is formed between adjacent unit images on the medium. It is characterized by that.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control means is characterized in that a boundary line along a direction perpendicular to the width is formed and output in the boundary region on the medium .
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the control means has the same orientation of the number display with respect to the unit image in all of the unit image in the main sequence and the unit image in the sub-sequence. , The number is displayed on the medium and output .
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the second orientation is characterized in that the unit image is rotated by 90 ° from the first orientation on a plane.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, both the medium and the unit image after output have a rectangular shape, and the control means controls the case where the unit image has the first orientation and the second orientation. The main array and the sub-array are set so that the outer edge portion constituting the medium and the outer edge portion constituting the unit image are parallel to each other.

With the above configuration, the convenience of the image repeat function can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the situation which a plurality of unit images are formed on the paper in the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. This is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the situation in the case of assigning a serial number to a plurality of unit images in the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the situation when the serial number is displayed without overlapping with a plurality of unit images in the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the situation of another example which forms a plurality of unit images on a paper in the image forming apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is a multifunction device 1, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing its configuration. The multifunction device 1 includes a document reading unit 11 that optically reads an image formed on a document (paper). In the document reading unit 11, a two-dimensional image of the surface of the document is acquired as two-dimensional image data using a CCD or the like.

Further, the multifunction device 1 has a function for forming an image on a medium (paper) and outputting the image. The image output here includes an image based on the two-dimensional image data obtained by the document reading unit 11. An image forming unit 12 having a mechanical mechanism for forming an image on the paper is provided in this way. At this time, a paper feeding unit 13 including a mechanical mechanism for transporting the paper from the paper cassette to the image forming unit 12 is provided. A control unit 10 including a CPU for controlling the entire multifunction device 1 is provided, and this operation is performed by the user operating the operation panel 14. Further, at this time, a display unit 15 which is a display for displaying device information and the like is provided. Further, a storage unit 16 for storing various data used for performing these operations is also provided. Further, the multifunction device 1 can also output an image based on a print job from an external personal computer connected via a network by using the image forming unit 12. A network connection unit 17 that serves as an interface for this purpose is also provided.

The control unit (control means) 10 displays on the display unit 15 a preview image that faithfully reproduces the situation in which the image is formed on the paper before the image forming unit 12 actually forms the image on the paper and outputs the image. Can be made to. The preview image can also be viewed on the display of the personal computer connected via the network.

Here, when the control unit 10 forms an image on paper by the image forming unit 12, an image repeat function is provided in which one image (unit image) is arranged and output on a single sheet of paper. The unit image used in the image repeat function is, for example, an image of an admission ticket or the like. The size of this unit image after output is determined by the purpose of use. On the other hand, the size of the paper is determined by the standard. Therefore, the control unit 10 can determine the configuration of the above arrangement from the size of the paper and the unit image after output.

Here, since the size of the paper and the size of the unit image after output are fixed, when setting the above arrangement, generally, a useless blank area (margin area) in which no image is formed on the paper. Occurs. At this time, the control unit 10 sets the array of unit images so that this margin area becomes small. At this time, a number can be assigned to each unit image so that each unit image can be identified. At this time, the display direction of this number can be determined according to the mode of use of the unit image after output.

The operation of the control unit 10 when making this setting will be described below. Here, it is assumed that the unit image after output has a rectangular shape sufficiently smaller than the paper, and the relationship between the sizes of the paper P and the unit image G is as shown in FIG. 2A. The image data of the unit image is acquired by using the document reading unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 16. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit 10 at this time.

First, after obtaining the image data of the unit image G, the control unit 10 can recognize the vertical and horizontal dimensions after the output (S1). Alternatively, when this size is set from the operation of the operation panel 14 or a personal computer connected via a network, this size can be recognized from these. Next, the control unit 10 inquires of the user how many print outputs of the unit image G are required in total (S2). This number is, for example, the total number of issued tickets when the unit image G is an admission ticket.

On the other hand, the control unit 10 can also recognize the vertical and horizontal sizes of the paper P depending on which paper is selected by the paper feeding unit 13 (S3). Based on the size of the paper P and the size of the unit image G in the state of FIG. 2A, the control unit 10 sets, for example, a configuration in which the unit images are arranged in just proportion from the upper left of the paper (FIG. 2B). can do. Here, it is assumed that the orientation of the unit image G and the orientation of the paper P remain as shown in FIG. 2A. Further, in consideration of the fact that cutting will be performed later, a boundary region having a predetermined width is provided between adjacent unit images. In FIG. 2B, this determines the main sequence region M1 provided with the sequences (main sequences) of the six unit images G (S4). At this time, in this state, since the length in the horizontal direction in the figure is shorter than the unit image, a margin region MW in which the unit image G cannot be provided is formed. When the unit image G is arranged from the upper left in the main arrangement, a margin region MW generally exists on the right side or the lower side of the main arrangement M1 on the paper P.

Next, the control unit 10 has a margin region MW more than the unit image G in a state in which the orientation (first orientation) in FIG. 2A is rotated by 90 ° in the paper surface (second orientation). Is large or not (S5). Here, the fact that the margin area MW is larger than the unit image G in this state means that the vertical size and the horizontal size of the margin area MW are the vertical size and the horizontal size of the unit image G in this state, respectively. Means larger than size. If the margin region MW is large (S5: Yes), a unit image G in a state of being rotated by 90 ° can be provided in the margin region MW, and the control unit 10 determines this array (sub-array) ( S6). In the case of FIG. 2 (b), as shown in FIG. 2 (c), this unit image G is provided with a boundary region in the same manner as the main array region M1 described above, and two sub-arrays are arranged in the vertical direction. The sub-sequence region M2 provided with is determined in the margin region MW.

When the main array and the sub array are set in this way, the control unit 10 recognizes the total number of unit images G formed on the paper P (S7). Here, since the number of unit images is 6 in the main array and 2 in the sub array, the total number is 8. Next, the control unit 10 recognizes the required number of sheets P from the number of output sheets (S2) of the unit image G and the number of unit images G per sheet P, and notifies the user of this through the display unit 15. Notify (S8). After recognizing this result, the user can recognize whether or not the current setting of the paper P is appropriate, for example, based on the judgment as to whether or not the required number of sheets of paper P is too large. When changing the type (paper size) of the paper P (S9: Yes), after the user resets the paper P, the control unit 10 recognizes this size again (S3), and the subsequent operations are the same. To do.

Alternatively, when it is recognized that the current setting is not optimal, it can be dealt with by adjusting the unit image G side without changing the paper P (S9: No) (S10). When performing this adjustment (S10: Yes), for example, the user changes the size of the unit image G by a work such as proportionally reducing the unit image G or adjusting the margin division in the unit image G. You can work. After that, the control unit 10 recognizes the size of the unit image G after this adjustment (S1) again, and performs the subsequent operations in the same manner.

When the sizes of the paper P and the unit image G can both be the current settings (S9: No, S10: No), the control unit 10 has a boundary line L which is a boundary for cutting later as described above. Is set to extend in the direction perpendicular to the width of the boundary region (S11). FIG. 2D shows a situation after the output of the paper P assumed in this state. The control unit 10 can display this situation as a preview image.

Next, the control unit 10 can assign a number (serial number) to each unit image G in the state of FIG. 2D in consideration of the fact that the unit image G is later cut and separated for use. The control unit 10 makes this inquiry via the display unit 15 or the like, and when a reply to the effect of assigning a serial number is obtained (S12: Yes), makes an inquiry about the number display method and sets this. (S13). The display method of this number can be appropriately set according to the following purposes.

Here, as for the method of displaying the number, for example, there is a setting of the direction in which the number is displayed, and there are two settings for this direction. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show the form (S10) when the two cases are displayed in the case of FIG. 2 (d). The numbers assigned here correspond to the eight unit images G as described above, and the numbers are No. 101-No. It is set to 108. In the case of FIG. 4A, the number display N is horizontally oriented in the main arrangement region M1 and vertically oriented in the sub-array region M2, and is the same location in the unit image (state of FIG. 2A). It is displayed in the left part). That is, the number display N in this case is performed for each unit image G according to the orientation of the unit image G. In this case, in each unit image G after cutting, this number is similarly displayed at the same position on the paper P regardless of the position where the unit image G is formed. Therefore, for example, when the unit image G is an admission ticket, this number can be used as the serial number of the admission ticket.

In the case of FIG. 4B, the number display N is set to be horizontal in both the main array region M1 and the sub-sequence region M2, and is the same location in the unit image (the left portion in the state of FIG. 2A). Is displayed in. That is, the number is displayed for each unit image G in this case, but the orientation of the number display N is constant (the relationship with the paper P is constant). In this case, the orientation of the number display N in the unit image G after cutting is not constant, but is constant on the paper P. Therefore, the management at the time of cutting work becomes particularly easy.

In the above example, the number display N is provided at a predetermined position in the unit image G. However, for example, when the unit image P is formed on the surface of the paper P, the number display N is used as the corresponding unit. It can also be provided on the back surface of the image G. Further, it may be provided in the boundary region on the surface.

In the display method shown in FIG. 4, the number display N is overwritten in the output unit image G, whereas the number is not overwritten in the output unit image G. In this case, the margin area MW as described above can be used. FIG. 5 is an example showing the form in this case. Here, since it is assumed that the unit image G cannot be stored in the margin region MW even if the orientation of the unit image G is changed (S5: No), the unit image G is not formed at all in the margin region MW. Therefore, instead of assigning a number in each unit image G, a number can be displayed in this margin area MW. Here, the number of the unit image G on this paper P is No. A comprehensive number display NN is provided in which the numbers are 101 to 106 and the page number (Page.10) of this paper P is displayed. Alternatively, each unit image G may be numbered and such a number may be displayed in the margin area MW. In the example of FIG. 5, the comprehensive number display NN is provided in the margin area MW, but the comprehensive number display NN may be provided at any place that does not overlap with the unit image G. For example, the comprehensive number display NN may be displayed on the paper P at any place where the unit image G is not formed. Alternatively, the unit image P may be formed on the front surface of the paper P as described above, and the comprehensive number display NN may be displayed on the back surface.

Which of these number display methods to use can be set by the user according to the purpose. In the example of FIG. 4, it is preferable that the user can appropriately set the position where the number display N is displayed in the unit image G. In particular, in the case of FIG. 4A, it is preferable that this portion is the same in all the unit images G.

The control unit 10 displays a preview image in a state where there is no serial number when no serial number is assigned (S12: No), and in a state where the serial number is assigned as described above when a serial number is assigned. Can be done (S14). After confirming this final preview image, the user can decide whether to actually print or to restart the setting from the beginning (S1).

In the above example, when the main arrangement is first set (S4: FIG. 2B), the first orientation in the unit image G is as shown in FIG. 2A (longitudinal length of the paper P). The direction and the longitudinal direction of the unit image G are perpendicular to each other). However, when setting the main array, it is also possible to rotate the unit image G by 90 ° as in the second orientation in the case of setting the sub-array (S6). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the main array area M1 having 2 columns and 4 columns is set as the main array, and the margin area MW is an extremely narrow area on the right side thereof in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is impossible to provide the unit image G in the margin region MW, and in this case, the total number of unit images G (S7) that can be provided on the paper P is eight in the main arrangement region M1.

After all, when the paper P and the unit image G are as shown in FIG. 2A, the number of unit images G formed on the paper P is 8 in both cases of FIG. 2D and FIG. The user can select which mode of FIG. 2 (d) and FIG. 6 is selected after viewing the preview image. Alternatively, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the steps S4 to S7 are performed for each orientation of the unit images in the main sequence as described above, and if the total number of unit images G (S7) obtained in this case is different, the total number It is also possible to give priority to the one with the larger value. Thereby, more unit images G can be obtained from one sheet of paper P.

Alternatively, of the above two aspects, the one with the smaller number of boundary lines L may be preferentially set, and in this case, the user's work after output can be facilitated. In this case, it is preferable to calculate the boundary line L existing on the same straight line as a single boundary line.

In the above example, both the unit image G and the paper P have a rectangular shape, and when setting the main arrangement, the orientation of the unit image so that the longitudinal direction of the unit image G is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the paper P ( The first orientation) was set, and when the sub-arrangement was set, the orientation (second orientation) of the unit image G was set to be the orientation rotated by 90 ° from this. As described above, the main sequence and the sub-sequence may be set by reversing the first orientation and the second orientation in this case. However, as shown in FIG. 2A, when both the unit image G and the paper P have a rectangular shape, the outer edge portion of the unit image G and the outer edge portion of the paper P are parallel to each other in either direction. By setting so as to be, the unit image G can be densely arranged in the main array region and the sub-array region. In this case, the second orientation is the orientation obtained by rotating the unit image G by 90 ° on a plane.

The setting in which the second orientation and the first orientation differ by 90 ° as described above is effective even when the unit image is not rectangular, and is effective even when the unit image is elliptical, for example. That is, the above configuration is effective except when the unit image is circular. At this time, the angle difference between the second orientation and the first orientation can be appropriately set according to the shape.

Further, in the above example, the paper P is assumed to have a rectangular shape, but for example, even if the paper P has a rectangular shape, the printable area in the paper P may be set to a different shape. In such a case, the above-mentioned paper P can be replaced with this printable area, and the above-mentioned configuration can be applied in the same manner.

1 Multifunction device (image forming device)
10 Control unit (control means)
11 Document reading unit 12 Image forming unit 13 Paper feeding unit 14 Operation panel 15 Display unit 16 Storage unit 17 Network connection unit G Unit image L Boundary line M1 Main array area M2 Sub-array area MW Margin area N Number display NN Comprehensive number display P paper (medium)

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that performs an operation of forming a plurality of unit images composed of one image data on a single medium and outputting them.
Based on the size of the unit image after output and the size of the medium, when the orientation of the unit image is set to the first orientation, the unit images are arranged in the medium without excess or deficiency. Set the main array and
The units on the medium, the unit image is the outer Oite the first in the blank area is an area of orientation different from the second orientation of the main sequence region is a sequence region based on the main sequence When an image can be accommodated , a sub-array is set in the margin area, which is a configuration in which the unit images in the second orientation are arranged in just proportion.
The unit image is set based on the main array with the orientation of the unit image as the first orientation, and if the sub-array can be set, the orientation of the unit image is set as the second orientation based on the sub-array. A control means for forming each unit image on the medium and outputting the unit image is provided .
When the sub-array cannot be set, the control means assigns a number set by a predetermined method to each of the unit images formed on the medium to the margin region in the medium. An image forming apparatus characterized by displaying and outputting to. The control means
The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the main sequence and the sub-sequence are set so that a boundary region having a predetermined width is formed between adjacent unit images on the medium. Device. The control means
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a boundary line along a direction perpendicular to the width is formed and output in the boundary region on the medium. The control means
In all of the unit image in the main sequence and the unit image in the sub-sequence, the number is displayed on the medium and output so that the direction of the display of the number with respect to the unit image is the same. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second orientation is a orientation in which the unit image is rotated by 90 ° from the first orientation on a plane. Forming device. Both the medium and the unit image after output have a rectangular shape.
The control means
When the unit image has the first orientation and the second orientation, the outer side portion constituting the medium and the outer side portion constituting the unit image are parallel to each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the main sequence and the sub-sequence are set.

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