Patent Publication Number: US-2009237712-A1

Title: Image forming apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-75113 filed on Mar. 24, 2008, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus operable to print an image on an image forming medium. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is an image forming apparatus furnished with a display for displaying a copy image showing how a scanned document image would be printed on a recording medium. For example, an operation unit having a copy-image confirming key and a copy-magnification adjusting key, and a structure for displaying a copy image which is a document image superimposed on a recording paper screen showing the recording paper in response to operation of the copy-image confirming key has been proposed. In this proposal, it has been further disclosed to change the display magnification factor of the document image in the copy image by operating the copy-magnification adjusting key and displaying again the changed copy image. 
     In the foregoing related art, an enlargement/reduction ratio is entered as a numeric value in order to make an enlarged/reduced copy of the document image. However, this method requires a preliminarily calculation of an appropriate enlargement/reduction ratio. This impedes the intuitive adjustment of enlargement/reduction of the document image. 
     In the foregoing related art, the document image is formed at a predetermined position on printing paper. Thus, the document image cannot be formed at a desired position on the printing paper. When the user wishes to make a reduced copy of the document image and to write comments in a place other than a document image frame, because the document image is formed in the place where the user wishes to write comments, the user must write comments somewhere else. 
     Furthermore, in the foregoing related art, even when the user wishes to make an enlarged/reduced copy of only a portion of the document image, such a copy cannot be made. Thus, when the user wishes to make an enlarged/reduced copy of only a portion of the document image, the user must cut out a desired portion using scissors or the like and then make an enlarged/reduced copy of the cut-out portion, which is bothersome. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can intuitively adjust an enlargement/reduction ratio of a document image and easily form an image at a desired position on an image forming medium. 
     An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that accepts an operation instruction; a print unit that prints a document image on an image forming medium in accordance with the accepted operation instruction; a print-preview-image generating unit that generates a print preview image of the document image; a display unit that displays on a display screen the print preview image of the document image, which is generated by the print-preview-image generating unit, and an image of a medium frame showing edges of the image forming medium, the print preview image being superimposed on the image of the medium frame; and a control unit that, when a print preview image frame of the document image displayed on the display screen is operated to be moved, enlarges/reduces the print preview image of the document image in accordance with an amount of movement of the print preview image frame and displays the enlarged/reduced print preview image. 
     The control unit superimposes the print preview image of the document image on the medium frame of the image forming medium and displays the print preview image superimposed on the medium frame on the display unit. When an operation instruction for moving the print preview image frame of the document image displayed on the display unit is given, the control unit enlarges or reduces the print preview image of the document image in accordance with the amount of displacement of the print preview image frame. Accordingly, the user can intuitively adjust the enlargement or reduction ratio of an image to be formed on the image forming medium. Also, the user can easily form an image at a desired position on the image forming medium by moving the print preview image frame of the document image. Additionally, only a desired portion of the document image can be easily enlarged or reduced, and an image thereof can be easily formed on the image forming medium. 
     Further features and specific advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing an operation of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing a print preview screen of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with a print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention in the case where the lower right-hand corner of a print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping of the pointing device; 
         FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention in the case where the right side of the print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping of the pointing device; 
         FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention in the case where the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping of the pointing device; 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention in the case where the upper left-hand corner and the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame are displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping of the pointing device; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 7A ; and 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing the print preview screen of the MFP according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description concerns an MFP with a copy function and a print function, which is an exemplary image forming apparatus according to the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of an MFP A according to this embodiment. The MFP A includes a central processing unit (CPU)  1 , a read-only memory (ROM)  2 , a random-access memory (RAM)  3 , a various sensor group  4 , a paper conveying unit  5 , an image scanning unit  6 , an image-data storage unit  7 , an image forming unit  8 , a communication interface (I/F) unit  9 , and an operation display unit  10 . 
     The CPU  1  controls the overall operation of the MFP A on the basis of a control program stored in the ROM  2 , document image data stored in the image-data storage unit  7 , a print instruction input from an external device via the communication I/F unit  9 , and an operation instruction input from the operation display unit  10 . The details of a control process performed by the CPU  1  will be described as the operation of the MFP A below. 
     The ROM  2  is a non-volatile memory that stores the control program executed by the CPU  1  and other items of data. 
     The RAM  3  is a volatile memory used as a working area serving as a temporary data storage when the CPU  1  executes the control program and performs various operations. 
     The various sensor group  4  includes various sensors needed for an image forming operation, such as a paper-shortage detecting sensor, a paper-congestion detecting sensor, a paper-position detecting sensor, and a temperature sensor. Various items of information detected by the sensors are output as detection signals to the CPU  1 . 
     The paper conveying unit  5  includes a conveyance roller for conveying printing paper stacked in a paper tray to the image forming unit  8 , a motor for driving this conveyance roller, a conveyance roller for conveying the printing paper on which an image has been formed to an eject tray (not shown), a motor for driving this conveyance roller, and the like. 
     The image scanning unit  6  includes an automatic document feeder (ADF), a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, and the like. Images of documents sequentially fed by the ADF are scanned by the CCD sensor, and items of document image data based on the document images are output. The image scanning unit  6  outputs the document image data to the CPU  1 , and the CPU  1  in turn stores the document image data in the image-data storage unit  7 . 
     The image-data storage unit  7  is, for example, a flash memory. In response to a request from the CPU  1 , the image-data storage unit  7  stores the document image data or outputs the document image data to the CPU  1 . The image-data storage unit  7  additionally stores image data of a printing paper frame, which will be described later, and outputs the image data to the CPU  1 . 
     Under control of the CPU  1 , the image forming unit  8  transfers a print image formed by toner onto printing paper conveyed from the paper conveying unit  5  on the basis of the document image data stored in the image-data storage unit  7  and performs a process of fixing the print image. 
     The communication I/F unit  9  establishes a connection with an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) using a local area network (LAN) and sends/receives various signals to/from the external device. 
     The operation display unit  10  includes a start key for allowing a user to input a print instruction, a stop key for allowing a user to stop an image process currently being performed, a numeric keypad (numeric keys) for entering the number of prints, and various other operation keys. The operation display unit  10  further includes a touch panel  10   a  that is displayed as an operation screen and is used as an operation unit. The operation display unit  10  outputs operation instructions entered by operating the individual keys to the CPU  1 . Under control of the CPU  1 , the operation display unit  10  displays various screens, such as a print preview screen, on the touch panel  10   a.    
     Next, the operation of the MFP A according to this embodiment, which has the foregoing structure, will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP A according to this embodiment. 
     A user who wishes to make a copy of a document using the MFP A sets the document on the ADF and presses the start key included in the operation display unit  10 . 
     The CPU  1  determines whether or not the operation display unit  10  has accepted a print start instruction entered by pressing the start key (step S 1 ). When it is determined “no” in step S 1 , that is, when it is determined that the operation display unit  10  has accepted no print start instruction, the operation display unit  10  enters standby until the operation display unit  10  accepts a print start instruction. 
     When it is determined “yes” in step S 1 , that is, when it is determined that the operation display unit  10  has accepted a print start instruction, the CPU  1  causes the image scanning unit  6  to scan a document image of the document set in the ADF (step S 2 ), generates data of a print preview screen on the basis of document image data input from the image scanning unit  6 , and displays the print preview screen on the touch panel  10   a  (step S 3 ). When displaying the print preview screen on the touch panel  10   a,  the CPU  1  superimposes a print preview image of the document image on a frame image of printing paper and displays the print preview image superimposed on the frame image. That is, when the CPU  1  receives information on printing paper based on printing conditions set on the operation display unit  10 , the CPU  1  fetches from the image-data storage unit  7  printing-paper-frame image data or printing-paper image data for displaying the pseudo-edges of the printing paper, superimposes the print preview image on the printing paper, and displays the print preview image superimposed on the printing paper. 
       FIG. 3A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen displayed on the touch panel  10   a  in step S 3 , and  FIG. 3B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview screen. Referring to  FIG. 3A , the print preview screen displayed on the touch panel  10   a  in step S 3  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the print preview screen displays a print preview image based on document image data, which is superimposed on an image of a printing paper frame showing the edges of printing paper. On the print preview screen in step S 3 , the edges of the printing paper frame and the edges of the print preview image (print preview image frame) are displayed at the same position. The print preview image frame is enlarged/reduced by performing a dragging and dropping operation. At this time, the printing paper frame is controlled not to respond to any dragging and dropping operations, and only the print preview image frame can be enlarged/reduced by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device. Note that the print preview screen displays a print execution button for accepting a print execution instruction in accordance with the current print preview image. 
     After step S 3 , the CPU  1  determines whether or not the print preview image frame on the print preview screen displayed on the touch panel  10   a  is enlarged/reduced by performing a dragging and dropping operation (step S 4 ). When it is determined “no” in step S 4 , that is, when it is determined that the print preview image frame on the print preview screen has not been enlarged/reduced, it is determined whether or not the operation display unit  10  has accepted a print execution instruction entered by pressing the print execution button (step S 5 ). When it is determined “no” in step S 5 , that is, when it is determined that the operation display unit  10  has accepted no print execution instruction, the operation display unit  10  enters standby until the operation display unit  10  accepts a print execution instruction. When it is determined “yes” in step S 5 , that is, when it is determined that the operation display unit  10  has accepted a print execution instruction, the CPU  1  causes the image forming unit  8  to form a print image on printing paper in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen displayed on the touch panel  10   a  (step S 6 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , the result of image formation performed in step S 6  in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 3A  will be described.  FIG. 3B  shows the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 3A . In image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 3A , as shown in  FIG. 3B , the edges of the printing paper coincide with the edges of the print image. 
     When it is determined “yes” in step S 4 , that is, when it is determined that the print preview image frame displayed on the print preview screen has been enlarged/reduced, the CPU  1  enlarges/reduces the print preview image in proportion to the enlarged/reduced ratio of the print preview image screen (step S 7 ) and proceeds to step S 5 . 
     Step S 7  and the print result obtained in step S 6  in the case where the print preview image frame has been enlarged/reduced will be specifically described using  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A, and  7 B. 
       FIG. 4A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen in the case where the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, and  FIG. 4B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 4A  shows the print preview screen in step S 7  in the case where the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device.  FIG. 4B  shows the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , when the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in an upper leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, the print preview image frame is reduced at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In step S 7 , the print preview image is reduced in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in proportion to the reduction ratio of the print preview image frame. When image formation is performed in step S 6  in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 4A , as shown in  FIG. 4B , the print result is such that the print image is reduced at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, compared with  FIG. 3B . 
       FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen in the case where the right side of the print preview image frame is displaced in a leftward direction by a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, and  FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview screen. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 5A  shows the print preview screen in step S 7  in the case where the right side of the print preview image frame is displaced in a leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device.  FIG. 5B  shows the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 5A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , when the right side of the print preview image frame is displaced in a leftward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, the print preview image frame is reduced in the horizontal direction. In step S 7 , the print preview image is reduced in the horizontal direction in proportion to the reduction ratio of the print preview image frame. When image formation is performed in step S 6  in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 5A , as shown in  FIG. 5B , the print result is such that the print image is reduced in the horizontal direction, compared with  FIG. 3B . 
       FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen in the case where the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in a lower rightward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, and  FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen. Specifically,  FIG. 6A  shows the print preview screen in step S 7  in the case where the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in a lower rightward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device.  FIG. 6B  shows the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 6A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , when the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame is displaced in a lower rightward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, the print preview image frame is enlarged at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. In step S 7 , the print preview image is enlarged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in proportion to the enlargement ratio of the print preview image frame. 
     When image formation is performed in step S 6  in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 6A , as shown in  FIG. 6B , the print image is enlarged at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, compared with  FIG. 3B . Since regions at the right edge and the bottom edge of the print image protrude from the printing paper, these regions are not printed on the printing paper. 
       FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing the print preview screen in the case where the upper left-hand corner and the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame are displaced in a lower rightward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, and  FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 7A  shows the print preview screen in step S 7  in the case where the upper left-hand corner and the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame are dragged in a lower rightward direction.  FIG. 7B  shows the result of image formation performed in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 7A . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A , when the upper left-hand corner and the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame are displaced in a lower rightward direction by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, the print preview image frame is reduced at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction due to the movement of the upper left-hand corner in the lower rightward direction. At the same time, the print preview image frame is enlarged at an equal ratio in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction due to the movement of the lower right-hand corner in the lower rightward direction. That is, in step S 7 , the entire print preview image is similar to being moved in the lower rightward direction. 
     When a image formation is performed in step S 6  in accordance with the print preview image on the print preview screen shown in  FIG. 7A , as shown in  FIG. 7B , the print result is such that the entire print image is similar to being moved in the lower rightward direction, compared with  FIG. 3B . A print start position in the upper left-hand corner of the print image is moved in the lower rightward direction, compared with  FIG. 3B . Regions at the right edge and the bottom edge of the print image protruding from the printing paper are not printed on the printing paper. 
     As above, in the MFP A according to the embodiment, the CPU  1  displays a printing paper frame and a print preview image on a print preview screen on the touch panel  10   a,  and a print preview image frame is enlarged/reduced by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device, whereby the print preview image is enlarged/reduced. Accordingly, the user can intuitively adjust the enlargement/reduction ratio of a print image to be formed on printing paper. Also, the user can easily form an image at a desired position on printing paper by enlarging/reducing the print preview image frame by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device. Additionally, only a desired portion of a document image can be easily enlarged/reduced, and an image thereof can be easily formed on printing paper. 
     Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the following modifications are conceivable. 
     (1) Although the print preview image frame is enlarged or reduced by performing a dragging and dropping operation of the pointing device in the foregoing embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the print preview image frame may be enlarged/reduced by operating a direction key on the operation display unit  10 . 
     (2) Although a print start instruction in response to pressing the start key is accepted and then the print preview screen is displayed on the touch panel  10   a  in the foregoing embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a key for performing print preview display may be provided in the operation display unit  10 , and the print preview screen may be displayed in response to pressing this key. In order to display a print preview image of a document set on the ADF, the image scanning unit  6  is controlled to scan a document image in response to pressing the foregoing key, and a print preview screen is displayed on the touch panel  10   a.    
     (3) Although the MFP A includes an operation display unit  10 , the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a second operation display unit may be coupled with the MFP and the print preview screen may be displayed on the second operation display unit. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram, that illustrates the foregoing modification (1), showing a touch panel of an MFP according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the foregoing first embodiment in operations relating to the print preview image frame of the MFP A. The same reference numerals are given to common components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the print preview screen displayed on the touch panel  10   a  displays a direction switch  11  together with a print preview image  12   a.  The direction switch  11  includes an upward switch  11   a  for giving an upward operation instruction, a rightward switch  11   b  for giving a rightward operation instruction, a downward switch  11   c  for giving a downward operation instruction, and a leftward switch  11   d  for giving a leftward operation instruction. The direction switch  11  further includes a confirmation key  11   e  for confirming an operation instruction. The confirmation key  11   e  is surrounded by the direction switches  11   a  to  11   d.  When the print preview screen is displayed, a pointer  12   b  is displayed at a predetermined position on the print preview image  12   a.  The position at which the pointer  12   b  is displayed is determined by an initial setting. 
     The pointer  12   b  moves to the corner or the side of the print preview image frame by operating the direction switches  11   a  to  11   d.  For example, when the downward switch  11   c  is pressed in the state shown in  FIG. 8 , the pointer  12   b  moves to the right side of the print preview image frame. When the downward switch  11   c  is further pressed, the pointer  12   b  is moved to the lower right-hand corner of the print preview image frame. When the upward switch  11   a  is pressed thereafter, the pointer  12   b  is moved to the right side of the print preview image frame. Operations are not limited to the above operations. When any of the direction switches  11   a  to  11   d  is continuously pressed, the pointer  12   b  may be continuously moved along the print preview image frame in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the pointer  12   b  is operated to press the confirmation key  11   e,  a reference point for deforming the print preview image is confirmed, and the pointer  12   b  is fixed on the print preview image frame. When any of the direction switches  11   a  to  11   d  is pressed, the print preview image is enlarged/reduced in accordance with the direction of the pressed direction switch. For example, when the confirmation key  11   e  is pressed in the state shown in  FIG. 8  and then the rightward switch  11   b  is pressed, the print preview image frame is extended in the horizontal direction, and accordingly, the print preview image is deformed. When the upward switch  11   a  is pressed thereafter, the print preview image frame is extended upward, and accordingly, the print preview image is deformed. In such a manner, when the pointer  12   b  is placed in any of the corners of the print preview image frame and is positioned, the print preview image can be enlarged/reduced in both the vertical and horizontal directions. When the pointer  12   b  is placed on any of the sides of the print preview image frame and is positioned, only that side can be operated and moved. 
     Although the direction switch  11  is displayed on the touch panel  10   a  in the foregoing embodiment, the direction switch  11  may be provided as a push-button switch in an area different from the touch panel  10   a  on the operation display unit  10 . 
     From the foregoing embodiments, the present invention is summarized as below. That is, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention adopts an image forming apparatus including an operation unit that accepts an operation instruction; a print unit that prints a document image on an image forming medium in accordance with the accepted operation instruction; a print-preview-image generating unit that generates a print preview image of the document image; a display unit that displays on a display screen the print preview image of the document image, which is generated by the print-preview-image generating unit, and an image of a medium frame showing edges of the image forming medium, the print preview image being superimposed on the image of the medium frame; and a control unit that, when a print preview image frame of the document image displayed on the display screen is operated to be moved, enlarges/reduces the print preview image of the document image in accordance with the amount of displacement of the print preview image frame and displays the enlarged/reduced print preview image. 
     The image forming apparatus may further include a print-preview-image-data storage unit that stores data of the print preview image. The print-preview-image generating unit may generate a print preview image on the basis of the image data stored in the print-preview-image-data storage unit and the operation instruction. 
     The image forming apparatus may further include an image scanning unit that scans the document image. The print-preview-image generating unit may generate a print preview image of the document image scanned by the image scanning unit. 
     The operation unit may further include a pointing device that gives an instruction of coordinates on the display screen of the display unit. When the print preview image frame is enlarged/reduced by a dragging and dropping of the pointing device, the control unit may enlarge/reduce the print preview image in accordance with the amount of movement of the print preview image frame and display the enlarged/reduced print preview image. 
     The operation unit may further include a direction instruction key for giving an instruction of a direction on the display screen of the display unit and an amount of displacement instruction key for giving an instruction of the amount of displacement. When operation instructions of the direction and the amount of displacement of the print preview image frame are given using the direction instruction key and the amount of displacement instruction key, the control unit may enlarge/reduce the print preview image in accordance with the direction and the amount of displacement of the print preview image frame and display the enlarged/reduced print preview image. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations, modifications, combination of features, and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present disclosure be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.