Patent ID: 8508788
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: G06K,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a data retrieving unit configured to retrieve a plurality of pieces of index image data and a plurality of character strings from a recording medium, the recording medium storing a plurality of files respectively represented by the plurality of pieces of index image data and the plurality of character strings respectively relating to the plurality of files; a counting unit configured to count, for each character string of the plurality of character strings, a number of all characters in the each character string; a judging unit configured to judge, for each character string of the plurality of character strings, whether the number of all characters in the each character string is greater than a predetermined number; a data allocating unit configured to allocate each piece of the plurality of pieces of index image data and each character string of the plurality of character strings within a predetermined layout, the predetermined layout comprising a plurality of arrangement sections arranged next to another arrangement section of the plurality of arrangement sections; a printer configured to print out the plurality of pieces of index image data and the plurality of character strings allocated by the data allocating unit on a printing sheet; and a layout modifying unit configured to modify the predetermined layout based on a judgment result of the judging unit, wherein, when the judging unit judges that the number of all characters in the each character string is not greater than the predetermined number, the data allocating unit allocates the index image data relating to the each character string to a first area included in one of the plurality of arrangement sections and allocates the all characters in the each character string to a second area included in the one of the plurality of arrangement sections, wherein, when the judging unit judges that the number of all characters in the each character string is greater than the predetermined number, the layout modifying unit expands the second area without expanding the first area and changes a position of an arrangement section that is arranged next to the arrangement section comprising the expanded second area, and the data allocating unit allocates the index image data relating to the each character string to the first area and allocates the all characters in the each character string to the expanded second area, and wherein the printer prints out the plurality of pieces of index image data allocated to the first area comprised in an unchanged arrangement section and in the changed arrangement section, the all characters allocated to the non-expanded second area, and the all characters allocated to the expanded second area on one printing sheet.