Abstract:
An image forming apparatus including: an image processing section which creates print data to be outputted out of complex original document data including both character data and diagram data in a single page of data; and an image forming section which outputs the created print data onto a sheet, wherein the image processing section determines divided character data and divided diagram data in the complex original document data, to be outputted; creates character print data by enlarging the divided character data and attaching position information in the complex original document data; creates diagram print data by enlarging the divided diagram data and attaching position information in the complex original document data; and creates position information attached print data in which the position information of the divided character data and the divided diagram data are attached to the complex original document data.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-253697 filed with Japanese Patent Office on Sep. 28, 2007, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    Present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for outputting print data generated by an image processing section, and to a data processing method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0005]    In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers are capable of outputting images on sheets with variable modes as required by users. For example, in cases where character data is included in original document data read-in through a scanner or received from another terminal, there may be cases where the character area is enlarged and outputted on a sheet. 
         [0006]    In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-312534, described is the technology that only in cases where a font size in the character area included in image data is smaller than the font size required by a user, the image data is enlarged and an appropriate image is formed on a sheet based on the enlarged image data. According to such the technology, even an elderly person can easily recognize the character included in the image. 
         [0007]    In a case of enlarging and outputting the image data on a sheet, the enlarged image may be divided and outputted on a plurality of sheets. With respect to the image data where both character data and diagram data (data of diagram and/or table) are included in the original document data of a single sheet, in the case of dividing, enlarging and outputting the character data and the diagram data on a plurality of sheets, it is difficult to exactly determine where the divided character or diagram correspond to the portion of the original document data. Regarding the character data, it is especially difficult. 
         [0008]    In view of the foregoing, it is required to provide an image forming apparatus and a data processing method that enable the user to easily determine the positional relationship between the character or diagram images, which have been divided and printed on a plurality of sheets, and the original document data. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    An image forming apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention includes: 
         [0010]    an image processing section which creates print data to be outputted out of complex original document data including both character data and diagram data in a single page of data; and 
         [0011]    an image forming section which outputs the print data created by the image processing section onto a sheet, 
         [0012]    wherein the image processing section determines divided character data and divided diagram data in the complex original document data, to be outputted onto a plurality of sheets; 
         [0013]    creates character print data by enlarging the divided character data and by attaching position information of the divided character data in the complex original document data; 
         [0014]    creates diagram print data by enlarging the divided diagram data and by attaching position information of the divided diagram data in the complex original document data; and 
         [0015]    creates position information attached print data in which the position information of the divided character data and the position information of the divided diagram data are attached to the complex original document data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a central section view showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing an operation relating a divided print mode; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing an operation relating a divided print mode; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram showing complex original document data; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram showing complex original document data where divided character data and divided diagram data are determined; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 7(   a )-( d ) are schematic diagrams showing examples of character print data and diagram print data; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing an example of position information attached print data; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9(   a )-( b ) are schematic diagrams showing operation/display section  106  which displays character print data and diagram print data as thumbnails; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing an operation relating to another divided print mode; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing an operation relating another divided print mode; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 12(   a )-( d ) are schematic diagrams showing examples of character print data and diagram print data; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing an example of position information attached print data. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a central section view showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. 
         [0031]    Image forming apparatus  1  is a color image forming apparatus of tandem system provided with intermediate transfer belt  50 . 
         [0032]    An original document placed on original document platen a of automatic double-side document feeder  10 , is conveyed by various rollers to image reading section  30 . 
         [0033]    The image forming apparatus  1  is equipped, in the lower part, with plural sheet containers  20 . 
         [0034]    Above the sheet containers  20 , image forming section  40  and intermediate transfer belt  50  are provided, and on the upper part of the apparatus main body, image reading section  30  is provided. 
         [0035]    Sheet containers  20  are configured to be retractable to the front side of the apparatus (front side of the paper sheet on which  FIG. 1  is drawn). In the plural sheet containers  20 , sheets S such as white paper sheets classified with size are loaded. Sheets S loaded in sheet containers  20  are fed one by one by a feed roller. Into manual feeding section  21 , special sheets such as OHP (Over Head Projector) sheets are loaded. 
         [0036]    Image forming section  40  is provided with four sets of image forming engine  400 Y,  400 M,  400 C and  400 K for forming toner images of each color Y, M, C, and K. Image forming engines  400 Y,  400 M,  400 C, and  400 K are linearly arranged in this order from top to bottom direction, each engine having the same structure. Here, the structure will be described taking, as an example, image forming engine  400 Y for yellow color. Image forming engine  400 Y has photoreceptor  410  rotating counterclockwise, charging section  420 , exposing section  430  and developing section  440 . 
         [0037]    Cleaning section  450  is provided in the area including the position opposing the bottommost part of photoreceptor  410 . 
         [0038]    Intermediate transfer belt  50  positioned at the central part of the apparatus is endless type and has predetermined electric volume resistivity. First transfer electrode  510  is provided at the position opposing photoreceptor  410  with sandwiching intermediate transfer belt  50 . 
         [0039]    Next, an image forming method for forming color images will be described. 
         [0040]    Photoreceptor  410  is driven to rotate by a motor (not illustrated), and charged in negative polarity (for example to −800V) by discharge from charging section  420 . Next, exposing section  430  writes-in onto photoreceptor  410  with a light beam in accordance with image information to form an electrostatic latent image. While the formed electrostatic latent image passes through developing section  440 , in the developing section the toner charged in negative polarity attaches to the latent image area by application of negative developing bias voltage, thus a toner image is formed on photoreceptor  410 . The formed toner image is transferred onto intermediate transfer belt  50  coming in pressure contact to photoreceptor  410 . Toner remained after the transfer on photoreceptor  410  is cleaned by cleaning section  450 . 
         [0041]    Toner images having been formed by each image forming engine  400 Y,  400 M,  400 C and  400 K are transferred with being superimposed onto intermediate transfer belt  50  to form a color image on intermediate transfer belt  50 . Sheet S is fed one by one from sheet container  20 , and is conveyed to the position of registration roller  60  which functions as a registration conveyance section. Sheet S hits registration roller  60  and temporarily stops to correct the skew of sheet S. After that, sheet S is fed from registration roller  60  at the timing with which an imaging position on sheet S coincides with the toner image on intermediate transfer belt  50 . 
         [0042]    Sheet S fed by registration roller  60  is guided by a guide plate and sent to a transfer nip position formed by intermediate transfer belt  50  and transfer section  70 . Transfer section  70 , which is configured with a roller, presses sheet S to intermediate transfer belt  50 . By application of bias voltage of reverse polarity to the toner charge (for example, +500V) onto transfer section  70 , the toner image on intermediate transfer belt  50  is transferred onto sheet S by the effect of electrostatic force. Sheet S is separated from intermediate transfer belt  50  by a separation unit (not illustrated) configured with discharging needles and sent to fixing section  80  configured with a pair of rollers including a heating roller and a pressure roller. As the result, the toner image is fixed on sheet s, and sheet S on which the image have been formed is ejected. 
         [0043]    Although, image forming apparatus  1  in the present embodiment is the apparatus which forms a color image on a sheet with an electrophotographic method, the image forming apparatus pertaining to the present invention is not restricted to the present embodiment, but naturally includes an image forming apparatus exclusive to monochrome image which forms a monochrome image on a sheet, further any other image forming system than the electrophotographic system such as inkjet system, thermal transfer system and silver halide photographic system can be utilized. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the control system of image forming apparatus  1 , where only major units are illustrated. 
         [0045]    CPU (Central Processing Unit)  101  is connected via system bus  109  to ROM (Read Only Memory)  102  and RAM (Random Access Memory)  103  etc. CPU  101  reads out various kind of programs stored in ROM  102  and expands them on RAM  103  to control the operation of each section. Further, CPU  101  executes various processing based on the program expanded on RAM  103  and stores the processing results into RAM  103  as well as displaying on operation/display section  105 . And CPU  101  controls to save the processing results stored in RAM  103  into prescribed storage destination. 
         [0046]    ROM  102  is typically structured with a solid-state memory, and previously has stored with programs and data etc. 
         [0047]    RAM  103  forms a work area to temporarily store the data etc. processed by various programs executed by CPU  101 . 
         [0048]    Nonvolatile RAM  104  temporarily stores the processed data etc., which is not erased even when the power of the image forming apparatus is shut down. 
         [0049]    HDD  105  has functions of storing the original document data obtained by reading with image reading section  30 , or storing the image data etc., which having been outputted. HDD 105  has a structured in which several metal discs coated or evaporated with magnetic material are piled with certain spaces. The magnetic discs are rotated in high speed, and a magnetic head comes close to the discs to read or write data. 
         [0050]    Operation/display section  106  enables various settings. Operation/display section  106  is, for example, configured to be a touch panel system, and by user&#39;s input through operation/display section various conditions are set with respect to color printing or monochrome printing. Further, various chips of information such as information of network setting are displayed on operation/display section  106 . In the case of executing the divided print mode, which will be described later, onto the original document data read by image reading section  30 , settings of the print mode is conducted through operation/display section  106 . 
         [0051]    Image reading section  30  optically reads out an original document image, and converts into electrical signals. In the case of reading out a color original document, image reading section  30  generates original data containing brightness information of 10 bits for each of RGB per one pixel. 
         [0052]    The original document data generated by image reading section  30  and/or the original document data transmitted from the PC connected to image forming apparatus  1  are processed by image processing section  107  to generate the print data to be outputted. In the case of executing a color printing in image forming apparatus  1 , the image data R(Red)·G(Green)·B(Blue) which are generated by image reading section  30  etc. are inputted into color conversion LUT in image processing section  107 , and R·G·B data are converted into (Yellow)·M(Magenta)·C(Cyan)·B(Black) image data. After that, several image processing are applied on the color converted image data, such as correction of gradation reproduction characteristic, screen processing with referring to density correction LUT, and edge processing for enhancing a fine line. 
         [0053]    Image forming section  40  receives the image data processed by image processing section  107  and forms an image on a sheet. 
         [0054]    Next, the divided print mode, which is executed by image forming apparatus  1 , will be described. The divided print mode is a mode where with respect to the data containing character data and diagram data (data of diagram and/or table) in one page of original document data (this type of data is referred to as “complex original document data”) read out by image reading section  30  or sent from the PC, the character data or the diagram data are divided, enlarged and printed on multiple sheets. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are flow charts showing operations relating to the divided print mode. 
         [0056]    First of all, based on the setting contents in operation/display section  106  and/or print job setting information sent from the PC, it is determined whether or not the divided print mode is set (Step S 1 ). The operation of Step S 1  is executed by CPU  101  based on a prescribed program in cooperation with ROM  102  etc. 
         [0057]    In cases where the divided print mode is determined to have been set, the character data and the diagram data are discriminated out of the complex original document data inputted into image forming apparatus  1  (Step S 2 ). For example, in the complex original document data shown in  FIG. 5 , the area of D 1  is determined to be character data, and the areas D 2  and D 3  are determine as diagram data. 
         [0058]    Next, determined is whether an indication of any font for enlarged print with regard to enlarged printing of character data on a sheet (Step S 3 ). For example, determines whether there is an indication of character size for the enlarged print font. In cases where there is the indication of a font for the enlarged print, determined is the data area which can be arranged in one page of sheet with the indicated font for enlarged print regarding the character data. In cases where there is not the indication of the font for the enlarged print, determined is the data area which can be arranged in one page of sheet with the default font for enlarged print regarding the character data. In the example of  FIG. 5 , regarding the character data D 1 , the data areas which can be arranged in one page of sheet are, for example, D 1 A area and D 1 B area shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0059]    Thereafter, regarding the complex original document data, the determination of the divided character data and the divided diagram data, which are to be divided and printed on multiple sheets, is completed (Step S 6 ). In the example of  FIG. 6 , the character data D 1  is arranged in two areas of D 1 A and D 1 B, and divided diagram data is arranged in two areas of D 2  and D 3 , and each data is to be enlarged and outputted (printed) on the sheet. 
         [0060]    After completion of divided data determination, printing order of the determined divided character data and divided diagram data are determined (Step S 7 ) In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , determined is, for example, that the divided character data D 1 A is firstly printed, the divided character data D 1 B is secondly printed, the divided diagram data D 2  is thirdly printed and the divided diagram data D 3  is fourthly printed. 
         [0061]    Next, based on the printing order determined in Step  87 , print data to be outputted on the sheet in Steps S 8 -S 10  are formed by image processing section  107 . 
         [0062]    In Step S 8 , the divided character data is enlarged and the character print data attached with the number of print order determined in Step S  7  is formed. And in Step S 9 , the divided diagram data is enlarged and the diagram print data attached with the number of print order determined in Step S  7  is formed. Herein, number information of the printing order, is made different between each of the character print data and the diagram print data. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 7 , examples of character print data and diagram print data are shown. 
         [0064]    Among the original document data D shown in  FIG. 6 , since divided character data D 1 A is firstly printed, on character print data X 1  which is based on divided character data D 1 A, attached is the number of printing order “1” as shown in  FIG. 7(   a ). This number of printing order is reproduced in low density when outputted on the sheet. Further, since divided diagram data D 2  is thirdly printed, on diagram print data X 3  which is based on divided diagram data D 2 , attached is the number of printing order “3” as shown in  FIG. 7(   c ). 
         [0065]    After the creation of the character print data and the diagram print data, in Step S  10  position information attached print data is created in which a closing line and a printing order number are attached to the original document data. 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 8 , an example of the position information attached print data is shown. 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in original document data D, since the divided character data is arranged to be D 1 A and D 1 B, and the divided diagram data is arranged to be D 2  and D 3 , each data area is enclosed with closing lines W as shown in  FIG. 8 , and further, by attaching the number of printing order determined for each data area in Step S 7 , the position information attached print data T is created. Namely, in this case the information of printing order number is the position information. 
         [0068]    After the operations of Steps S 8 -S 10 , upon completion of creating the character print data, the diagram print data, and the position information attached print data, all the created character print data and diagram print data are displayed as thumbnails on operation/display section  106  (Step S 11 ). 
         [0069]      FIGS. 9(   a )-( b ) are a schematic diagram showing operation/display section  106  which displays character print data and diagram print data as thumbnails; 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIGS. 9(   a )-( b ), all the character print data and the diagram print data are thumbnail displayed, and the print data to be outputted on the sheet are selected through this setting screen. 
         [0071]    A selection button Y is arranged under each print data display, and the print data requested to be printed on the sheet is selected by the selection button Y. For example, in a case where character print data X 1  and diagram print data X 4  are requested to be printed, selection buttons Y 1  and Y 2  are pressed. Then, the areas of the selection buttons are changed in color. In case of requiring all print data to be printed on the sheet, “PRINT ALL” button in right side is pressed. 
         [0072]    After the character print data etc, are displayed as thumbnails on operation/display section  106 , whether all the data are to be printed is determined (Step S 12  in  FIG. 4 ), and in the case of printing all (YES in Step S 12 ), the position information attached print data and all the character print data/diagram data are printed (Step S 13 ). Namely, four pieces of character print data/diagram print data shown in  FIGS. 7(   a )-( d ), and one piece of position information attached print data shown in  FIG. 8  are printed to output on 5 sheets. Since characters and diagram/tables are enlarged and printed on sheets, even an elderly people can easily recognize them. 
         [0073]    Meanwhile, in cases where only the selected print data is requested to be printed on a sheet without printing all the data (NO in Step S 12 ), it is determined whether output sheet size is to be changed (Step S 14 ), and in case of no change, the position information attached print data and the selected character print data/diagram data are printed (Step S 15 ). In case of changing the output sheet size, the position information attached print data and the selected character print data/diagram data are printed on the sheet of changed output size (Step S 16 ). For example data are outputted on mixed sizes of A4 size and A3 size sheets, in this case. 
         [0074]    As described above, by using the printing order number as the position information, the character print data and the diagram print data are enlarged/divided and printed on multiple sheets, each data being attached with respective position information (refer to  FIG. 7 ). And further originally arranged original document data is attached with the position information and printed (refer to  FIG. 8 ). Therefore, the positional relation between the characters/diagrams divided and outputted on multiple sheets, and originally arranged original document data are easily recognized. 
         [0075]    Although, in the flow chart shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the printing order number is used as the position information, the other information can be utilized for the position information. 
         [0076]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart showing an operation relating to another divided print mode. 
         [0077]    Although the flow chart shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11  is basically same as the flow chart shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in the flow chart of  FIGS. 10 and 11  different colored closing line is attached to each of the character print data and the diagram print data to distinguish each position in the original document data. Namely, color information different for each of the character print data and the diagram print data is utilized as the position information. 
         [0078]    Steps S 101 -S 107  in  FIG. 10  is same as steps S 1 -S 7  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0079]    After the printing order is determined in Step S 107  of  FIG. 10 , based on the determined printing order, print data to be outputted on the sheet are created by image processing section  107  in Steps S 108 -S 110 . 
         [0080]    In Step S 108 , the divided character data is enlarged and the character print data attached with a colored closing line based on the printing order determined in Step S  107  is created. And in Step S 109 , the divided diagram data is enlarged and the diagram print data attached with a colored closing line based on the printing order determined in Step S  107  is created. In ROM  102  of image forming apparatus  1  a data table is stored in which the relation between printing order and color is specified, for example, red closing line and blue closing line are related to first and second printing order respectively, and by referring to the data table, a colored closing line with the color based on the printing order is attached to each print data. 
         [0081]    In  FIG. 12 , examples of character print data and diagram print data are shown. 
         [0082]    Among the original document data D shown in  FIG. 6 , since divided character data D 1 A is firstly printed, the closing line R (Red) representing the first printing order is attached on character print data X 1 ′, which is based on divided character data D 1 A. To each character print data and diagram print data, attached is a different colored closing line. For example, to character print data X 2 ′, which is based on divided character data D 1 B, the second printing order color of B (Blue) closing line is attached at the circumference of the data, to diagram print data X 3 ′, which is based on divided diagram data D 2 , the third printing order color of Y (Yellow) closing line is attached at the circumference of the data, and to diagram print data X 4 ′, which is based on divided diagram data D 3 , the fourth printing order color of G (Green) closing line is attached at the circumference of the data. 
         [0083]    After the creation of the character print data and the diagram print data, in Step S  110 , position information attached print data is created in which colored closing lines are attached to the complex original document data. 
         [0084]    In  FIG. 13 , the position information attached print data is shown. 
         [0085]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , in original document data D, since the divided character data is arranged to be D 1 A and D 1 B, and the divided diagram data is arranged to be D 2  and D 3 , each data area is enclosed with different colored closing lines as shown in  FIG. 13 , to create the position information attached print data. 
         [0086]    In this way, by utilizing different colored closing lines, the positional relation between the characters/diagrams divided and outputted on multiple sheets, and originally arranged original document data are easily recognized. 
         [0087]    Although, in the above described embodiments, the printing order number and color information are used as the position information, the other information, with which each data position can be specified in the original document data, can be utilized for the position information. 
         [0088]    The present invention is not restricted to the present embodiments, but modification or addition without departing from the spirit of the present invention can be included in the present invention.