JP7524611B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and in particular to a technique for proposing an allocation pattern for allocating multiple original images onto a recording medium.

Technology for setting an allocation pattern for allocating multiple document images to recording paper is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for generating and setting an allocation pattern for multiple document images in response to a user's input on a setting screen displayed on a display device equipped with a touch panel.

JP 2008-109613 A

In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user must input instructions via a touch panel to generate a desired layout pattern, for example, to specify the layout position of the document image or to enlarge or reduce the image, which is time-consuming.

The present invention was developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to reduce the effort required for users to generate a desired allocation pattern.

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, an image reading unit that reads a plurality of original documents to generate image data showing a plurality of original images, an image forming unit that forms the plurality of original images on a recording medium, a storage unit that stores a plurality of layout patterns for allocating the plurality of original images on a recording medium, the layout patterns including layout patterns in which the plurality of original images are allocated by varying at least one of the layout size and layout orientation, in association with the size of the recording medium, an input unit to which a user's instruction is input, and a control unit. When the control unit receives a first instruction via the input unit to set the size of the recording medium on which the plurality of original images are allocated, the control unit extracts an allocation pattern corresponding to the set size of the recording medium from the plurality of layout patterns stored in the storage unit and displays the extracted layout pattern on the display unit, and when the control unit receives an instruction via the input unit to specify the layout pattern displayed on the display unit, the control unit allocates and forms the plurality of original images on the recording medium according to the specified layout pattern.

According to the present invention, an allocation pattern according to the size of the set recording medium is displayed on the display unit, and the user can select the desired allocation pattern from the displayed allocation patterns, thereby reducing the effort required by the user to generate the desired allocation pattern.

1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of an allocation pattern. 13 is a flowchart showing an allocation pattern proposing process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a recording sheet on which first to third original images are laid out and formed; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the proposal screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the proposal screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a recording sheet on which the first to third original images are laid out and formed; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the proposal screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of a recording sheet on which the first to third original images are laid out and formed;

An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine equipped with multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The housing of the image forming apparatus 1 contains multiple devices for realizing the various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the housing contains an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, etc.

The image forming device 1 includes a control unit 100. The control unit 100 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

The control unit 100 functions as the control unit 10 by executing a control program stored in the ROM or HDD 18 by the processor. The control unit 10 may be configured by a logic circuit, regardless of the operation based on the control program.

The control unit 10 is responsible for the overall control of the image forming device 1. More specifically, the control unit 10 controls the operation of each part of the image forming device 1 and communication with a PC (Personal Computer) 23 and the like connected via a network. The control unit 10 also operates according to a proposal program described below to extract an allocation pattern that satisfies the settings from multiple allocation patterns, and executes an allocation pattern proposal process for displaying the extracted allocation pattern on the display unit 15.

The control unit 100 is electrically connected to the document transport unit 6, image reading unit 11, image forming unit 12, fixing unit 13, paper feed unit 14, display unit 15, operation unit 16, transport unit 17, HDD 18, image processing unit 19, image memory 20, facsimile communication unit 21, and communication unit 22, etc.

The image reading unit 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that includes an original transport unit 6 that transports an original placed on an original table, and a scanner that optically reads an original transported by the original transport unit 6 or an original placed on a platen glass 7. The image reading unit 11 reads the original by illuminating the original with a light irradiation unit and receiving the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor, thereby generating image data that represents the original image.

The image forming unit 12 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image composed of a toner image on the recording paper P transported along the transport path T by the transport unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or image data input via the communication unit 22.

The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8.

The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray, a first paper feed cassette 14A, a second paper feed cassette 14B, and a third paper feed cassette 14C. The paper feed unit 14 uses a pickup roller to pull out recording paper P stored in the first paper feed cassette 14A to the third paper feed cassette 14C or recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one sheet at a time and feeds the paper to the transport path T.

The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display or an organic light-emitting diode (EL) display, etc. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each function that can be executed by the image forming device 1 according to the control of the control unit 10.

The operation unit 16 includes multiple hard keys such as a start key 16A for instructing the start of execution of each process. The operation unit 16 also includes a touch panel 16B arranged on top of the display unit 15. A user inputs various information such as instructions for each function that can be executed by the image forming device 1 via the operation unit 16. The operation unit 16 is an example of an input unit in the claims.

The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, etc., and a transport motor electrically connected to the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. The transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. are arranged along the transport path T. The control unit 10 drives the transport motor to rotate the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc., thereby transporting the recording paper P fed by the paper feed unit 14 along the transport path T toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8.

The HDD 18 is a large-capacity storage device for storing various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The HDD 18 stores various control programs for implementing general operations of the image forming device 1. As one of the various control programs, the HDD 18 stores a proposal program for executing an allocation pattern proposal process according to one embodiment of the present invention. The HDD 18 is an example of a storage unit in the claims.

As one of various control programs, HDD 18 stores an OCR program for executing general OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing. HDD 18 also stores in advance language information indicating characters in a predetermined language and the orientation of the characters. By operating according to the OCR program, control unit 10 recognizes characters included in the image indicated by the image data, and determines the orientation of the recognized characters based on the language information.

HDD 18 stores size information for determining the size of the document image. For example, HDD 18 stores size information such as "105 mm x 148 mm" for the lengths of the short and long sides, in association with "A6 size."

HDD18 stores multiple layout patterns for allocating original images onto recording paper P, corresponding to the size of recording paper P, the layout size of the original images, the layout number indicating the number of original images allocated per sheet of recording paper P, and the layout orientation of the original images. The multiple layout patterns stored in HDD18 include layout patterns in which multiple original images are allocated with at least one of the layout size and layout orientation of the multiple original images being different.

In the following, when there is only one layout size, it indicates that the layout sizes of all the original images laid out on one sheet of recording paper P are the same, and when there are two or more layout sizes, it indicates that the layout size of at least one of the original images laid out on one sheet of recording paper P is different from the layout size of the other original images. Also, when there is only one layout orientation, it indicates that the layout orientations of all the original images laid out on one sheet of recording paper P are the same, and when there are two or more layout orientations, it indicates that the layout orientation of at least one of the original images laid out on one sheet of recording paper P does not match the layout orientation of the other original images.

3A to 4C are diagrams showing an example of an allocation pattern. Referring to FIG. 3A, the HDD 18 stores an allocation pattern 31 in association with the size of the recording paper P, "A4 size," the allocation size, "A6 size," the number of allocations, "4," and the allocation orientation, "portrait." In the allocation pattern 31, two original images 31A and 31B of "A6 size" are arranged side by side along the short side of the recording paper P at one end of the longitudinal direction of the recording paper P, with the top and bottom directions aligned with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper P. The other two original images 31C and 31D of "A6 size" are arranged side by side along the short side of the recording paper P at the other end of the longitudinal direction of the recording paper P, with the top and bottom directions aligned with the longitudinal direction of the recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 3B, HDD 18 stores layout patterns 32 in association with the size of recording paper P, "A4 size," the layout size, "A5 size," the layout number, "2," and the layout orientation, "landscape." In layout pattern 32, one original image 32A of "A5 size" is arranged at one end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P with its top-to-bottom direction aligned with the short side of recording paper P. Another original image 32B of "A5 size" is arranged at the other end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P with its top-to-bottom direction aligned with the short side of recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 3C, HDD 18 stores layout pattern 33 in association with the size of recording paper P, "A4 size," the layout size, "A4 size," the number of layouts, "1," and the layout orientation, "portrait." In layout pattern 33, one document image 33A of "A4 size" is positioned in the center of recording paper P with its top-to-bottom orientation aligned with the longitudinal direction of recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 3D, HDD 18 stores layout patterns 34 in association with the size of recording paper P, "A4 size," layout sizes, "A5 size" and "A6 size," layout number, "3," and layout orientations, "portrait" and "landscape." In layout pattern 34, two original images 34A and 34B of "A6 size" are arranged side by side along the short side of recording paper P at one end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P, with the top and bottom directions aligned with the longitudinal direction of recording paper P. One original image 34C of "A5 size" is arranged at the other end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P, with the top and bottom directions aligned with the short side of recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 4A, HDD 18 stores layout pattern 41 in association with recording paper P size "letter size", layout size "A6 size", layout number "2", and layout orientation "portrait". In layout pattern 41, two "A6 size" original images 41A and 41B are arranged side by side along the short side of recording paper P at one end of the long side of recording paper P, with the top-to-bottom direction aligned with the long side of recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 4B, HDD 18 stores layout pattern 42 in association with recording paper P size "letter size", layout size "A6 size", layout number "2", and layout orientation "landscape". In layout pattern 42, two "A6 size" original images 42A and 42B are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of recording paper P at one end of the lateral direction of recording paper P, with the top-to-bottom direction aligned with the lateral direction of recording paper P.

Referring to FIG. 4C, HDD 18 stores layout pattern 43 in association with recording paper P size "letter size", layout size "A6 size", layout number "3", and layout orientations "portrait" and "landscape". In layout pattern 43, two document images 43A and 43B of "A6 size" are arranged side by side along the short side of recording paper P at one end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P with the top and bottom directions aligned with the longitudinal direction of recording paper P. Another document image 43C of "A6 size" is arranged at the other end of the longitudinal direction of recording paper P with the top and bottom directions aligned with the short side of recording paper P. In this way, layout pattern 43 has a larger layout number than layout pattern 41 and layout pattern 42, although the layout orientations of document images 43A and 43B and document image 43C do not match.

The HDD 18 stores a template image showing a predetermined mark. The predetermined mark is not particularly limited, but here, a star-shaped regular pentagonal figure is used.

The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board. The image forming device 1 performs data communication with a PC 23 and the like that are connected via a network via the communication unit 22.

Each part of the image forming device 1 is connected to a power source, and each part of the image forming device 1 operates when power is supplied from the power source.

[motion]
Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the layout pattern suggestion process. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a proposal screen. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a recording sheet on which the first original image to the third original image are laid out. Figs. 8, 9, and 11 are diagrams showing other examples of the proposal screen. Figs. 10 and 12 are diagrams showing other examples of a recording sheet on which the first original image to the third original image are laid out.

The operation of the image forming device 1 when executing the allocation pattern proposal process will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 12. In the following description, it is assumed that the image forming device 1 is in a powered-on state.

(1) When only the size of the recording paper P is set: It is assumed that the user places an A6 size document on the platen glass 7. After placing the document, it is assumed that the user inputs an instruction to select the layout pattern suggestion function via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the instruction via the touch panel 16B, it causes the display unit 15 to display a setting screen for making various settings for the layout pattern suggestion function.

The user checks the setting screen and inputs, via touch panel 16B, a setting instruction to set "A4 size" as the size of recording paper P, and also inputs a specification instruction to specify "3 sheets" as the number of original pages. After inputting the setting instructions, the user presses start key 16A.

When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, it starts the layout pattern proposal process shown in FIG. 5 and executes the process of having the image reading unit 11 read the documents placed on the platen glass 7 and generate image data, repeatedly executing the process for the number of documents indicated by the specified instruction (step S10). In this case, the user places the first to third documents on the platen glass 7 in order. Therefore, in step S10, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the first to third documents placed on the platen glass 7 in order and generates image data showing the first to third document images. Here, it is assumed that the size and orientation of the three documents are all the same.

After processing in step S10, the control unit 10 detects edges in the generated image data using, for example, a general shading edge detection technique, and obtains the first original image through the third original image from the generated image data by cutting out the area surrounded by the detected edges (step S11).

After processing step S11, the control unit 10 obtains the lengths in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the first original image to the third original image, and obtains the sizes of the first original image to the third original image by extracting the sizes having the short side lengths and long side lengths closest to the obtained lengths in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction from the size information stored in the HDD 18 (step S12).

In this case, the control unit 10 obtains the length in the main scanning direction of "105 mm" and the length in the sub-scanning direction of "148 mm" for the first original image through the third original image, and obtains the size "A6 size" from the size information stored in the HDD 18 based on the obtained lengths in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.

After processing in step S12, the control unit 10 executes OCR processing to recognize characters contained in the first to third original images, identifies the orientation of the recognized characters based on the language information stored in the HDD 18, and acquires the identified orientation of the characters as the top-bottom orientation of the first to third original images (step S13). Here, the control unit 10 acquires the longitudinal direction of the first to third original images as the top-bottom orientation.

After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 executes an extraction process to extract an allocation pattern that satisfies the specified setting contents from the multiple allocation patterns stored in the HDD 18 (step S14). In this case, in the extraction process, the control unit 10 extracts allocation patterns 31 to 34 that correspond to the set "A4 size" from the multiple allocation patterns stored in the HDD 18.

After processing in step S14, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a proposal screen 60 showing the extracted allocation pattern (step S15). The control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message 61 saying "Please specify an allocation pattern" on the proposal screen 60. The control unit 10 also causes the display unit 15 to display, as soft keys on the proposal screen 60, a key 62 showing allocation pattern 31 as a character string, a key 63 showing allocation pattern 32 as a character string, a key 64 showing allocation pattern 33 as a character string, a key 65 showing allocation pattern 34 as a character string, and a key 66 for inputting a confirmation command to confirm the specified content.

After the process of step S15, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that a confirmation instruction has not been accepted until the key 66 is touched (NO in step S16). It is assumed that the user checks the proposal screen 60, touches the key 62, and then touches the key 66. When the control unit 10 accepts touch operations on the keys 62 and 66 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a confirmation instruction has been accepted (YES in step S16), and as shown in FIG. 7, causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to form the first original image 71 to the third original image 73 on the A4-sized recording paper P1 by allocating them in accordance with the specified allocation pattern 31 (step S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 10 ends the allocation pattern proposal process.

(2) When the size of the recording paper P is set and the orientation of the document image is set to match, the user places an A6 size document on the platen glass 7. The user inputs an instruction to select the layout pattern suggestion function via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the instruction via the touch panel 16B, it causes the display unit 15 to display the setting screen described above.

The user checks the setting screen and inputs, via touch panel 16B, a setting instruction to set the size of recording paper P to "A4 size" and a setting instruction to set the layout orientation to match, as well as a specification instruction to specify "3 sheets" as the number of pages of the document. After inputting the setting instructions, the user presses start key 16A.

When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, it starts the allocation pattern proposal process and executes the processes from step S10 to step S13 described above in the same manner as above. In this case, too, in step S10, the user places the first to third documents in order on the platen glass 7. Here, it is assumed that the size and orientation of all three documents are the same. After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 executes the extraction process of step S14 as follows.

In this case, in the extraction process, the control unit 10 extracts, from the multiple layout patterns stored in the HDD 18, layout patterns 31 to 33 that are associated with the set "A4 size" and have only one associated layout orientation.

After processing step S14, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a proposal screen 80 (step S15). The control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message 81 saying "Please specify an allocation pattern" on the proposal screen 80. The control unit 10 also causes the display unit 15 to display, as soft keys on the proposal screen 80, a key 82 showing the allocation pattern 31 as a character string, a key 83 showing the allocation pattern 32 as a character string, a key 84 showing the allocation pattern 33 as a character string, and a key 85 for inputting a confirmation command to confirm the specified content.

After the process of step S15, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that a confirmation instruction has not been received until key 85 is touched (NO in step S16). It is assumed that the user touches key 82 and then key 85. When the control unit 10 receives touch operations on keys 82 and 85 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that a confirmation instruction has been received (YES in step S16), and as shown in FIG. 7, causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to form the first original image 71 to the third original image 73 on the A4-sized recording paper P1 by allocating them in accordance with the specified allocation pattern 31 (step S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 10 ends the allocation pattern proposal process.

(3) When the size of the recording paper P is set and the amount of recording paper P used is set to a minimum, the user places an A6 size document on the platen glass 7. The user inputs an instruction to select the layout pattern suggestion function via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the instruction via the touch panel 16B, it causes the display unit 15 to display the setting screen described above.

The user checks the setting screen and inputs, via touch panel 16B, a setting instruction to set the size of recording paper P to "letter size," a setting instruction to set the layout size of the original image to "actual size," and a setting instruction to minimize the amount of recording paper P used, as well as a specification instruction to specify "3 sheets" as the number of original pages. After inputting the setting instructions, the user presses start key 16A.

When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, it starts the allocation pattern proposal process and executes the processes from step S10 to step S13 described above in the same manner as above. In this case, too, in step S10, the user places the first to third documents in order on the platen glass 7. Here, it is assumed that the size and orientation of all three documents are the same. After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 executes the extraction process of step S14 as follows.

In this case, in the extraction process, the control unit 10 first extracts, from the multiple allocation patterns stored in the HDD 18, allocation patterns 41 to 43 that are associated with the set "letter size" and whose associated allocation size is only the "A6 size" obtained in step S12. The control unit 10 then extracts, from the extracted allocation patterns 41 to 43, the allocation pattern 43 with the maximum number of allocations.

After processing step S14, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a proposal screen 90 (step S15). The control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message 91 saying "Please specify an allocation pattern" on the proposal screen 90. The control unit 10 also causes the display unit 15 to display, as soft keys on the proposal screen 90, a key 92 showing the allocation pattern 43 in the figure, and a key 93 for inputting a confirmation command to confirm the specified content.

After the process of step S15, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that the confirmation instruction has not been accepted until the key 93 is touched (NO in step S16). It is assumed that the user touches the key 92 and then the key 93. When the control unit 10 accepts the touch operation on the keys 92 and 93 via the touch panel 16B, it determines that the confirmation instruction has been accepted (YES in step S16), and as shown in FIG. 10, causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to form the three A6-sized first original images 101 to third original images 103 on one sheet of "letter-size" recording paper P2 by allocating them according to the specified allocation pattern 43 (step S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 10 ends the allocation pattern proposal process.

(4) When the size of the recording paper P is set and a setting is made to enlarge an original image including a predetermined mark: It is assumed that the user places an A6 size original on the platen glass 7. It is assumed that the user inputs an instruction to select the layout pattern suggestion function via the touch panel 16B. When the control unit 10 receives the instruction via the touch panel 16B, it causes the display unit 15 to display the above-mentioned setting screen.

The user checks the setting screen and inputs, via touch panel 16B, a setting instruction to set the size of recording paper P to "A4 size" and a setting instruction to make document images containing predetermined marks larger than other document images. After inputting the setting instructions, the user presses start key 16A.

When the control unit 10 detects the pressing of the start key 16A, it starts the allocation pattern suggestion process and executes the processes from step S10 to step S13 described above in the same manner as above. In this case, too, in step S10, the user places the first to third documents in order on the platen glass 7. Here, it is assumed that all three documents are the same size and are placed in the same orientation. It is also assumed that the third document has a star-shaped regular pentagonal figure attached to it. After the process of step S13, the control unit 10 executes the extraction process of step S14 as follows.

In this case, in the extraction process, the control unit 10 first extracts, from the multiple layout patterns stored in the HDD 18, layout patterns 34 that are associated with the set "A4 size" and have two or more associated layout sizes.

After processing step S14, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a proposal screen 110 (step S15). The control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display a message 111 saying "Please specify an allocation pattern" on the proposal screen 110. The control unit 10 also causes the display unit 15 to display, as soft keys on the proposal screen 110, a key 112 showing the allocation pattern 34 in the figure, and a key 113 for inputting a confirmation command to confirm the specified content.

After processing in step S15, the control unit 10 repeats the process of determining that a confirmation instruction has not been accepted until key 113 is touched (NO in step S16). It is assumed that the user touches key 112 and then key 113. When the control unit 10 accepts touch operations on keys 112 and 113 via touch panel 16B, it determines that a confirmation instruction has been accepted (YES in step S16) and executes the process in step S17.

In this case, the control unit 10 first performs template matching using a template image stored in the HDD 18 to identify the third original image, among the first original image to the third original image, that contains a predetermined mark.
12, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12 and the like to form, on one sheet of "A4 size" recording paper P3, the unspecified first original image 121 and second original image 122 in the layout positions of the "A6 size" original image, and the specified third original image 123 in the layout position of the "A5 size" original image, in accordance with the specified layout pattern 34 (step S17). After the process of step S17, the control unit 10 ends the layout pattern suggestion process.

In step S17, if the control unit 10 is unable to identify an original image containing a predetermined mark by template matching, or if multiple original images containing the predetermined mark are identified, it causes the display unit 15 to display a message indicating that. In this case, if the control unit 10 receives an instruction via the touch panel 16B to specify an original image of A5 size, it performs image formation after making the specified original image A5 size and performing the same layout as above, but if the control unit 10 does not receive the instruction, it does not perform image formation.

According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a setting instruction via the operation unit 16 to set "A4 size" as the size of the recording paper P, it extracts the layout patterns 31 to 34 corresponding to the set "A4 size" from the multiple layout patterns stored in the HDD 18, and displays the proposal screen 60 showing the layout patterns 31 to 34 on the display unit 15. When the control unit 10 also receives a confirmation instruction via the operation unit 16 to specify the layout pattern 31, it specifies and forms the first original image 71 to the third original image 73 on the recording paper P1 according to the specified layout pattern 31.

In this way, the layout patterns 31 to 34 corresponding to the set size of the recording paper P are displayed on the display unit 15, and the user can specify the desired layout pattern 31 from the displayed layout patterns 31 to 34, thereby saving the user the trouble of generating the desired layout pattern.

According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives, via the operation unit 16, a setting instruction for setting the size of the recording paper P to "A4 size" and a setting instruction for setting to match the layout orientation, the control unit 10 extracts layout patterns 31 to 33 that correspond to the set "A4 size" and have only one associated layout orientation from the multiple layout patterns stored in the HDD 18, and displays a proposal screen 80 showing the layout patterns 31 to 33 on the display unit 15. When the control unit 10 also receives, via the operation unit 16, a confirmation instruction for specifying the layout pattern 31, the control unit 10 causes the first original image 71 to the third original image 73 to be laid out on the recording paper P1 according to the specified layout pattern 31.

In this way, the layout patterns 31 to 33 that correspond to the set size of the recording paper P and have the same layout orientation are displayed on the display unit 15, and the user can specify the desired layout pattern 31 from the displayed layout patterns 31 to 33. Therefore, compared to the case where the proposal screen 60 is displayed, there is no need to remove the layout pattern 34 whose layout orientation does not match from the layout patterns 31 to 34, which saves the user the trouble of selecting the desired layout pattern.

According to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a setting instruction to set the size of the recording paper P to "letter size" and a setting instruction to set the amount of recording paper P used to be minimized, the control unit 10 extracts an allocation pattern 43 that corresponds to the set "letter size" and has the maximum number of allocations from the multiple allocation patterns stored in the HDD 18, and displays a proposal screen 90 showing the allocation pattern 43 on the display unit 15. When the control unit 10 receives a confirmation instruction to specify the allocation pattern 43 via the operation unit 16, the control unit 10 causes the first original image 101 to the third original image 103 to be allocated and formed on the recording paper P2 according to the specified allocation pattern 43.

In this way, the layout pattern 43 that corresponds to the set size of the recording paper P and has the maximum number of layouts even when the layout orientation of each document image is different is displayed on the display unit 15, and the user can specify the displayed layout pattern 43 as the desired layout pattern. Therefore, compared to when a proposal screen showing the layout patterns 41 to 43 corresponding to the set size of the recording paper P is displayed, there is no need to exclude the layout patterns 41 and 42 with small layout numbers from the layout patterns 41 to 43, which saves the user the trouble of selecting the desired layout pattern and reduces the amount of recording paper P used.

Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the control unit 10 receives a setting instruction to set "A4 size" as the size of the recording paper P, as well as a setting instruction to set the document image including a predetermined mark to be larger than other document images, the control unit 10 extracts, from the multiple layout patterns stored in the HDD 18, a layout pattern 34 that corresponds to the set "A4 size" and has two or more associated layout sizes, and causes the display unit 15 to display a proposal screen 110 showing the layout pattern 34.

When the control unit 10 receives a confirmation instruction to specify the layout pattern 34 via the operation unit 16, it also causes the third original image 123 including the predetermined mark to be laid out in the layout position of the original image with a larger layout size, and the first original image 121 and the second original image 122 not including the predetermined mark to be laid out in the layout position of the original image with a smaller layout size, on the recording paper P3, in accordance with the specified layout pattern 34.

In this way, the layout patterns 34 that correspond to the size of the set recording paper P and have two or more layout sizes are displayed on the display unit 15, and the user can specify the displayed layout pattern 34 as the desired layout pattern. Therefore, compared to the case where a proposal screen showing the layout patterns 31 to 34 corresponding to the set size of the recording paper P is displayed, there is no need to exclude the layout patterns 31 to 33 in which the layout size of the original image is all the same from the layout patterns 31 to 34, so the user can save time and effort required to select the desired layout pattern. In addition, the user can easily obtain a recording paper P in which, for example, an important original image is formed at a larger size than other original images, further improving user convenience.

(Other Modifications)
In the above embodiment, the HDD 18 stores a template image showing a regular pentagonal star shape as the predetermined mark, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the HDD 18 may store a template image showing the character string "IMPORTANT" as the predetermined mark.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the first through third original documents placed in sequence on the platen glass 7, and generate image data representing the first through third original images, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may cause the image reading unit 11 to read the first through third original documents transported in sequence one by one by the original transport unit 6, and generate image data representing the first through third original images.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 15 to display the proposed screens 60 and 80 showing the allocation patterns in character strings, and the proposed screens 90 and 110 showing the allocation patterns in diagrams, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when the control unit 10 has received an instruction in advance via the touch panel 16B to select a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in character strings, the control unit 10 may cause the display unit 15 to display only a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in character strings, and when the control unit 10 has received an instruction in advance to select a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in diagrams, the control unit 10 may cause the display unit 15 to display only a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in diagrams. The control unit 10 may also cause the display unit 15 to display a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in character strings when the number of extracted allocation patterns exceeds a predetermined number, and cause the display unit 15 to display a proposed screen showing the allocation patterns in diagrams when the number of extracted allocation patterns is equal to or less than the predetermined number.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 causes the image forming unit 12, etc. to form a plurality of original images on recording paper according to a specified layout pattern, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the control unit 10 may generate image data showing an image in which a plurality of original images are laid out according to a specified layout pattern, and transmit the generated image data to an external device such as a PC 23 via the communication unit 22.

In the above embodiment, the image forming unit 12 etc. formed an image on recording paper P, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming unit 12 etc. may form an image on other recording media, not limited to recording paper. An example of other recording media is an overhead projector (OHP) sheet.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a color multifunction printer is used as the image forming device 1, but this is merely one example, and other image forming devices such as a monochrome multifunction printer, a copier, or a facsimile machine may also be used.

Furthermore, the configuration and processing of the above embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 12 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to these configurations and processing.

Reference Signs List 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control unit 11 Image reading unit 12 Image forming unit 15 Display unit 16 Operation unit 18 HDD

Claims (2)

A display unit;
an image reading unit that reads a plurality of documents and generates image data representing the plurality of document images;
an image forming section for forming the plurality of document images on a recording medium;
a storage unit that stores a plurality of layout patterns for allocating the plurality of original images to the recording medium, the layout patterns including layout patterns in which the plurality of original images are allocatable by varying at least one of layout size and layout orientation, in association with a size of the recording medium;
an input section for inputting user instructions;
A control unit,
When the control unit receives a first instruction via the input unit to set a size of the recording medium to which the plurality of document images are to be allocated,
extracting an allocation pattern corresponding to the set size of the recording medium from the plurality of allocation patterns stored in the storage unit, and displaying the extracted allocation pattern on the display unit;
when an instruction to specify the layout pattern displayed on the display unit is received via the input unit, the plurality of original images are laid out and formed on the recording medium in accordance with the specified layout pattern ;
The storage unit further stores each of the plurality of layout patterns in association with information indicating whether or not the layout orientations of the plurality of document images are all consistent;
When the control unit receives, via the input unit, the first instruction and a second instruction for setting the layout orientations to be consistent, the control unit extracts, from the multiple layout patterns stored in the memory unit, an layout pattern that corresponds to the set size of the recording medium and to information indicating that the layout orientations of the multiple original images are all consistent , in an image forming device. The storage unit further stores each of the plurality of allocation patterns in association with an allocation number,
2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the control unit receives, via the input unit, a third instruction for setting the minimum usage of the recording medium together with the first instruction, the control unit extracts from the multiple allocation patterns stored in the memory unit an allocation pattern that corresponds to the set size of the recording medium and has the maximum allocation number.