JP4752917B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a function of printing a plurality of one original on a printing paper.

  In Patent Document 1, in the aggregation mode in which a plurality of originals are reduced and distributed and aggregated copy is performed on a smaller number of originals than the number of originals, the number of read originals and the number of images assigned per one sheet are described as follows. A copier that can be selected after reading is disclosed. In the copying machine, it is possible to prevent the last sheet of paper from having a large number of blank spaces to which images cannot be allocated.

JP2002-300369

  However, there is no disclosure about a method of printing a plurality of originals on a single sheet. Further, there is no disclosure of a method for adjusting the arrangement direction when arranging the document on the paper so that the number of printable sheets is increased. Therefore, for example, when copying a plurality of small documents such as business cards, a lot of useless blanks are generated on the printing paper. In this specification, the technique which can eliminate such inconvenience is provided.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanner unit, a paper size determining unit, a printing region setting unit, a first calculating unit, a second calculating unit, a printing direction setting unit, a printing unit, and a printing region changing unit. With . As an example of the printing apparatus, a multifunction machine of a scanner and a printer can be cited.

  The scanner unit reads an original and creates image data. The paper size determining means determines the first direction paper size in the first direction of the printing paper and the second direction paper size in the second direction. The first direction and the second direction are directions orthogonal to each other. Examples of the paper size include A4 size and B5 size. The print area setting means sets the area selected from the image data as a print area to be printed on the printing paper. The size in the first direction of the selected print area is set as the first direction print area size, and the size in the second direction is set as the second direction print area size. For example, if the image data includes a document area and a margin area, if the area excluding the margin area is selected as a print area, only the document area can be trimmed. It is also possible to select a part of the document as a print area.

The first calculation means is means for calculating the maximum number of print areas in the first direction when the print areas are arranged on the printing paper. The maximum number in the first direction is the maximum number in which the print area can be repeatedly arranged on the print paper when the first direction paper size matches the first direction print area size. The second calculation means is a means for calculating the maximum number of print areas in the second direction when the print areas are arranged on the printing paper. The maximum number in the second direction is the maximum number in which the print area can be repeatedly arranged on the print paper when the first direction paper size matches the second direction print area size. By switching the first direction print area size and the second direction print area size between the first calculation means and the second calculation means, the print area can be rotated 90 degrees on the printing paper. Further, the maximum number in the first direction and the maximum number in the second direction are calculated based on the area size of the print area and the paper size. In response to receiving the print execution instruction, the printing unit prints the print area on the print paper according to the number of prints. The print execution instruction is input by the user, for example.
Also, the printing area set by the printing area changing means is changed. For example, when the entire document is set as the print area, a part of the document can be changed to be set as the print area. In addition, the first calculation unit and the second calculation unit recalculate the first direction maximum number and the second direction maximum number in response to the print region change unit changing the print region. The print direction setting means resets the larger one of the recalculated first direction maximum number and second direction maximum number as the number of printed sheets.

Thus, by calculating and comparing the maximum number of print areas that can be arranged (maximum number in the first direction and the maximum number in the second direction) before and after rotating the print area by 90 ° on the printing paper, the number of arrangements is possible. The direction of the larger printing area can be selected. Then, it becomes possible to arrange the print areas on the printing paper more efficiently. Therefore, when a plurality of documents are printed on one printing paper (for example, when a plurality of business cards are copied), it is possible to prevent generation of useless blank areas on the printing paper. It is possible to increase the printing efficiency.
When the print area is changed by the print area setting means, the change is reflected in the number of printed sheets. Therefore, it is possible to easily finely adjust the print area setting.

  In addition, the first calculation means may include an integer part of a quotient obtained by dividing the first direction paper size by the first direction print area size, and an integer part of a quotient obtained by dividing the second direction paper size by the second direction print area size. A value obtained by multiplying the value may be calculated as the maximum number in the first direction. The value of the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the first-direction paper size by the first-direction print area size indicates the maximum number of print areas that can be arranged in the first direction. Further, the value of the integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the second-direction paper size by the second-direction print area size indicates the maximum number in which the print areas can be arranged in the second direction. The maximum number of print areas that can be printed in the case where the first-direction paper size and the first-direction print area size match can be obtained from the multiplication result of these two values.

  In addition, the second calculating means may include a value of an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the first direction paper size by the second direction print area size, and an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the second direction paper size by the first direction print area size. A value obtained by multiplying the value may be calculated as the second direction maximum number. The maximum number of print areas that can be printed in the case where the first-direction paper size and the second-direction print area size match can be obtained from the multiplication result of these two values.

  The scanner unit may include a flat bed unit. Then, when the document area and the margin area are mixed in the image data, the print area setting means may select only the document area and set it as the print area. Since the scanner unit scans the entire flat bed unit, if the document is smaller than the flat bed unit, the acquired image data includes a mixture of a document area and a margin area. By setting only the document area as the print area, only the document area can be trimmed.

  Accordingly, even when an original smaller than the flat bed portion is copied, it is possible to prevent the useless blank area from being generated, and it is possible to increase the printing efficiency. Note that the operation of selecting only the document area may be performed automatically by the printing apparatus or may be performed by the user.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a display unit and a preview display unit. The preview display means displays a print preview diagram in which the print areas of the number of prints are arranged on the print paper on the display unit. The preview display means redisplays a print preview diagram based on the recalculated number of printed sheets and the changed print area on the display unit. Thus, when the print area is changed by the print area setting means, the change is reflected in the number of printed sheets and the print preview diagram. Therefore, the user can repeat the change of the print area while looking at the print preview diagram, so that fine adjustment of the print area setting can be facilitated.

  The display unit may include a touch panel. The print area changing unit may include a print area display unit and a print area resetting unit. The printing area display means displays a rectangular printing area and a rectangular printing area change frame for changing the shape of the printing area on the touch panel in a state where they overlap each other. The print area resetting unit receives a touch input on the touch panel, changes the shape of the print area change frame, and sets the area within the changed print area change frame as the changed print area.

  As a result, the print area can be changed by changing the shape of the print area change frame using the touch panel, so that the user can intuitively change the print area. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

1 is an external view of a multi-function device 10. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function device 10. It is a figure which shows the main flow of a printing process. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a document detection operation. It is a flowchart which shows copy number calculation operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows a preview display operation | movement. It is a flowchart which shows a copy area change process. It is a diagram showing a document area DA. It is a figure which shows the copy number calculation example. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example (part 1) of a print preview diagram. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example (part 2) of the print preview diagram. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example (part 3) of the print preview diagram.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external view of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a telephone function, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-function device 10 has a broad, thin, generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. A display panel 50 is provided on the top front side of the multi-function device 10. The display panel 50 is a touch panel, and can detect the coordinates of the position touched by the user. Further, the left-right direction is defined as the X direction with respect to the front position of the multi-function device 10, and the front-rear direction is defined as the Y direction.

  On the upper side of the multi-function device 10, a flat bed 81 made of a light transmissive material (for example, glass) is provided. A document is placed on the flat bed 81. The size of the flat bed 81 is set to a size on which A4 size or A3 size copy paper can be placed. Note that the X and Y coordinates of the flat bed 81 are defined to match the X and Y coordinates of the multi-function device 10.

  A cover 83 is provided on the upper side of the multi-function device 10. The cover 83 is configured to be openable and closable, and is closed when reading a document. Inside the multi-function device 10, there are provided a carriage 82 having a light source for irradiating the original with light and an imaging mechanism having an imaging element for imaging reflected light of the original. The light emitted from the carriage 82 passes through the flat bed 81 and is applied to the original, and the reflected light passes through the flat bed 81 and is read by an image sensor (for example, CCD). Note that the imaging mechanism may be provided inside the carriage 82 or outside the carriage 82.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 includes a control unit 12, a display panel 50, a keypad 52, a printing unit 54, a scanner unit 56, a FAX unit 58, a network interface 60, a PSTN interface 62, and the like. The control unit 12 includes a CPU 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 30, an NVRAM 40, and the like. The scanner unit 56 includes a flat bed 81 for placing a document and performing scanning, a carriage 82, and the like.

  The CPU 14 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 16. The processing executed by the CPU 14 will be described in detail later. The ROM 16 stores a basic function program 18 for controlling basic operations of the multi-function device 10. The basic function program 18 is used, for example, for operating the printing unit 54 and the scanner unit 56 and for generating display data displayed on the display panel 50.

  The RAM 30 includes a basic function work area 32 and a display information storage area 36. The basic function work area 32 is a storage area for storing various data generated in the process of executing the process according to the basic function program 18. The display information storage area 36 is a storage area for storing display information to be displayed on the display panel 50.

  The NVRAM 40 has a basic function parameter storage area 42. The basic function parameter storage area 42 is a storage area for storing various parameters (for example, “automatic” and “manual” settings for document detection) used when the CPU 14 executes processing according to the basic function program 18. .

  The network interface 60 is connected to a LAN line. The multi-function device 10 can communicate with an externally connected personal computer and can access the Internet.

  The printing process of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. As an example, a case will be described in which a plurality of documents that are smaller than the size of the flat bed 81 of the scanner unit 56 or a document that is smaller than the size of the copy sheet are copied onto one copy sheet. An example of a manuscript is a business card.

  FIG. 3 shows a main flow of the printing process. The main flow is composed of S1 to S23. First, in response to the user performing a menu operation and selecting a menu for copying a plurality of identical originals, a printing process is started, and the process proceeds to S1. The menu operation is performed by, for example, a menu button displayed on the display panel 50.

  In S1, the CPU 14 accepts selection of a copy paper size. The copy paper size is a copy paper horizontal size Xcopy and a copy paper vertical size Ycopy when the long side direction of the copy paper is defined as the horizontal direction (X direction) and the short side direction is defined as the vertical direction (Y direction). . Note that the X and Y coordinates of the copy paper are defined to coincide with the X and Y coordinates of the flat bed 81. The copy paper size is selected by, for example, displaying a plurality of types of copy paper on the display panel 50 and selecting one of the copy papers by the user. For example, when A4 size copy paper is selected, the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy = 297 (mm) and the copy paper vertical size Ycopy = 210 (mm) are set. The correspondence between the copy paper type, the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy, and the copy paper vertical size Ycopy is stored in advance in the ROM 16 of the multi-function device 10. Then, the CPU 14 reads out the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy and the copy paper vertical size Ycopy corresponding to the selected copy paper type from the ROM 16, thereby completing the copy paper size selection operation.

  In S <b> 3, the CPU 14 stores the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy and the copy paper vertical size Ycopy in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30.

  In S5, the CPU 14 performs document detection. The operation content of document detection will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Prior to document detection, the document is placed on the upper right corner of the flat bed 81 of the multi-function device 10.

  In S20, the CPU 14 detects whether or not the scan start button has been pressed by the user. The scan start button is displayed on the display panel 50, for example. If the start button has not been pressed (S20: NO), the process returns to S20, and the CPU 14 waits for a start input from the user. On the other hand, when the start button is pressed (S20: YES), the process proceeds to S22.

  In S22, a document scan command is issued from the CPU 14 to the scanner unit 56, whereby the document is scanned. The scanner unit 56 scans the entire flat bed 81 with the carriage 82. In the present embodiment, a case is described in which a document having a size smaller than that of the flat bed 81 is copied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, the image data ID acquired by scanning includes a document area DA (shaded area in FIG. 8) and a blank area MA.

  In S25, the CPU 14 trims the document area DA from the image data ID and removes the blank area MA as shown in FIG. 8B. Here, the size of the document area DA in the X direction is defined as the document horizontal size Xgen, and the size in the Y direction is defined as the document vertical size Ygen. Trimming of the document area DA can be automatically performed by detecting the document by distinguishing the document area DA from the blank area MA by image recognition technology. Note that a general method may be used for the image recognition technique, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. Then, the CPU 14 stores the image data of the document area DA, the document horizontal size Xgen, and the document vertical size Ygen in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. Then, the document detection flow ends.

  As a result, even when an original smaller than the flat bed 81 is copied, it is possible to prevent the useless blank area MA from being generated, and thus it is possible to increase the printing efficiency.

  Returning to the main flow of FIG. In S7, the CPU 14 calculates the number of copies. In the calculation of the number of copies, the maximum printable number MP that can be printed by arranging a plurality of copy areas PA on the copy paper determined in S1 is calculated. Here, the copy area PA is an area to be printed at the time of printing. When the copy area PA is set for the first time, the document area DA and the copy area PA coincide with each other. Further, when the copy area PA described later is changed, the document area DA and the copy area PA do not coincide with each other. The maximum printable number MP is calculated based on the area size of the copy area PA and the size of the copy paper. The contents of the copy number calculation will be described in detail using the flowchart of FIG.

  In S <b> 31, the CPU 14 calls the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy and the copy paper vertical size Ycopy from the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. In S <b> 33, the CPU 14 calls the document horizontal size Xgen and document vertical size Ygen of the document area DA from the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30.

  In step S35, the CPU 14 calculates how many copy areas PA are to be placed horizontally on the copy paper CP. Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the landscape orientation is an orientation in which the X direction (long side direction) of the copy paper CP coincides with the orientation of the document lateral size Xgen of the document area DA. A method for calculating the horizontally copyable number My will be described below. First, the CPU 14 sets a copy area horizontal size Xpnt and a copy area vertical size Ypnt of the copy area PA. The copy area horizontal size Xpnt is the size of the copy area PA in the X direction of the copy paper CP. The copy area vertical size Ypnt is the size of the copy area PA in the Y direction of the copy paper CP. At the time of calculating the horizontal copyable number My, the copy area horizontal size Xpnt = original document horizontal size Xgen, and the copy area vertical size Ypnt = original document size Ygen are set. The laterally possible number Xmai is obtained as a value of an integer part of (Xcopy / Xpnt). Further, the possible number Ymai in the vertical direction is obtained as a value of an integer part of (Ycopy / Ypnt). The horizontal copyable number My is obtained by (Xmai × Ymai). In the example of FIG. 9B, the value of the integer part of (Xcopy / Xpnt) is “3”, and the value of the integer part of (Ycopy / Ypnt) is “3”. Therefore, the number of horizontally copyable pages My = 3 × 3 = 9 (sheets). In S <b> 37, the CPU 14 stores the horizontally copyable number My in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30.

  In S39, the CPU 14 calculates how many copies of the copy area PA are placed vertically on the copy sheet CP. Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the vertical orientation is an orientation in which the Y direction (the direction of the short side) of the copy paper CP coincides with the direction of the original horizontal size Xgen of the original area DA. A method of calculating the vertically copyable number Mt will be described below. The CPU 14 sets the copy area horizontal size Xpnt = original document vertical size Ygen and sets the copy area vertical size Ypnt = original document horizontal size Xgen when calculating the number of vertically copyable sheets Mt. As described above, the copy area PA can be rotated 90 degrees by exchanging the document horizontal size Xgen and the document vertical size Ygen at the time of calculating the vertically copyable number Mt. The laterally possible number Xmai is obtained as the value of the integer part of (Xcopy / Xpnt). Further, the possible number Ymai in the vertical direction is obtained as a value of an integer part of (Ycopy / Ypnt). The number of vertically copyable sheets Mt is obtained by (Xmai × Ymai). In the example of FIG. 9A, the value of the integer part of (Xcopy / Xpnt) is “5”, and the value of the integer part of (Ycopy / Ypnt) is “2”. Therefore, the number of vertically copyable sheets Mt = 5 × 2 = 10 (sheets). In S 41, the CPU 14 stores the vertically copyable number Mt in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. Then, the process proceeds to S43.

  In S <b> 43, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the horizontal copyable number My ≧ the vertical copyable number Mt. A determination method will be described. The CPU 14 calculates the difference value A by reading out the horizontally copyable number My and the vertically copyable number Mt from the basic function work area 32 and subtracting the vertically copyable number Mt from the horizontally copyable number My. Then, it is determined whether or not the difference value A is 0 or more. If the difference value A is a value equal to or greater than 0, the CPU 14 determines that the horizontally copyable number My is equal to or greater than the vertically copyable number Mt (S43: YES), and proceeds to S45. In S <b> 45, the CPU 14 sets the horizontally copyable number of copies My to the number of copies M. In S47, the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30 that the horizontal copyable number My is equal to or greater than the vertical copyable number Mt. Then, the copy number calculation process ends.

  On the other hand, if the difference value A is smaller than 0 in S43, the CPU 14 determines that the horizontally copyable number My is smaller than the vertically copyable number Mt (S43: NO), and S49. Proceed to In S <b> 49, the CPU 14 sets the vertically copyable sheet number Mt to the copy sheet number M. In S51, the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30 that the vertically copyable number Mt is larger than the horizontally copyable number My. Then, the copy number calculation process ends.

  Returning to the main flow of FIG. In S9, the CPU 14 performs a preview display. In the preview display, the CPU 14 displays on the display panel 50 a print preview diagram in which the copy areas PA corresponding to the number of copies M are arranged on the copy paper CP. Details of the preview display process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S61, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the horizontally copyable number My is equal to or greater than the vertically copyable number Mt. If the horizontally copyable number My is equal to or greater than the vertically copyable number Mt (S61: YES), the process proceeds to S63. In S63, the CPU 14 displays the horizontal copy area PA on the left side of the display panel 50 by the number of copies M. Then, the process proceeds to S67. On the other hand, when the horizontally copyable number My is smaller than the vertically copyable number Mt (S61: NO), the process proceeds to S65. In S65, the CPU 14 displays the vertical copy area PA on the left side of the display panel 50 by the number of copies M. Then, the process proceeds to S67.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the case where the horizontally copyable number My (= 9 sheets) is smaller than the vertically copyable sheet number Mt (= 10 sheets) is described. As shown in FIG. 10, ten copy areas PA in the vertical direction are displayed on the display panel 50.

  In S67, the CPU 14 displays the copy area designation guide CG so as to overlap the copy area PA located at the upper left corner of the copy area PA previewed on the display panel 50 (see FIG. 10). In the lower right corner of the copy area designation guide CG, a pointer DP that can be arbitrarily deformed by dragging the rectangular shape of the copy area designation guide CG is displayed. At this time, the CPU 14 displays the copy area designation guide CG lightly compared to the copy area PA.

  In S69, the CPU 14 displays the number of copies M (10) in the number change button 71 displayed on the right side of the display panel 50 as shown in the example of FIG. Then, the preview display process ends.

  Returning to the main flow of FIG. In S11, the CPU 14 detects whether or not the number change button 71 displayed on the display panel 50 has been touched by the user. When the number change button 71 is touched (S11: YES), the process proceeds to S13. In S13, the CPU 14 changes the number of copies M. The number of copies M is changed by, for example, the user inputting the changed number of copies M using the numeric keypad. Note that the value of the number of copies M can be changed within a range of numbers that are equal to or less than the maximum printable number MP.

  When the change of the copy number M is completed, the process returns to S9, and the CPU 14 performs the preview display again. In the preview display, the copy area PA corresponding to the number of copies M after the change is displayed on the display panel 50. For example, when the number of copies M is reduced from 10 to 5, five copy areas PA are displayed on the display panel 50 in the preview display. On the other hand, when the number change button 71 is not touched (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S15.

  As described above, the preview display (S9) and the change of the copy number M (S11, S13) are repeated each time the copy number change button 71 is touched, thereby enabling fine adjustment of the copy number M.

  In S15, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the user's finger is touched on the copy area designation guide CG. If the copy area designation guide CG is touched (S15: YES), the process proceeds to S17. In S17, the CPU 14 performs a copy area change process. In the copy area changing process, for example, a part of the copy area PA is selected, and the selected area is set as a new copy area PA.

  The contents of the copy area change process will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the copy area change process is started, in S81, the CPU 14 displays the copy area designation guide CG darkly. In step S83, the CPU 14 displays all the copy areas PA displayed in the document preview lightly. Thereby, in a period when the display panel 50 is not touched by the user, the copy area PA is displayed darker than the copy area designation guide CG (see FIG. 10), while the period when the display panel 50 is touched. In FIG. 11, the copy area designation guide CG is displayed darker than the copy area PA (see FIG. 11).

  In S85, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a drag operation has been performed. The drag operation is an operation of moving a finger while the user presses the pointer DP with the finger. If the drag operation has been performed (S85: YES), the process proceeds to S87, and the CPU 14 transforms the copy area designation guide CG in accordance with the drag operation. As shown in FIG. 11, the copy area designation guide CG is deformed by setting the pointer DP moved by the drag operation to a new lower right corner of the copy area designation guide CG.

  In S 89, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the user's finger has moved away from the surface of the display panel 50. If the user's finger is not removed (S89: NO), the process returns to S89, and the CPU 14 continues the deformation process of the copy area designation guide CG according to the drag operation. On the other hand, when the user's finger is released (S89: YES), the process proceeds to S91, and the CPU 14 ends the deformation operation of the copy area designation guide CG. Then, the CPU 14 resets the area existing in the rectangular area of the copy area designation guide CG after the change as the copy area PA after the change. As a result, the touch input of the user of the display panel 50 is accepted, the shape of the copy area designation guide CG is changed, and the area within the frame of the copy area designation guide CG after the change is set as the copy area PA after the change. it can. Then, the CPU 14 stores in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30 that the copy area PA has been changed.

  In S93, the CPU 14 stores the image data in the copy area PA after the change and the copy area horizontal size Xpnt and the copy area vertical size Ypnt of the copy area PA after the change in the basic function work area 32 of the RAM 30. . Then, the copy area change process ends.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines in S85 that the drag operation has not been performed (S85: NO), the process proceeds to S95. In S95, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the number change button 71 is touched by the user. When the copy number change button 71 is touched (S95: YES), the process proceeds to S97, and the CPU 14 changes the copy number M. The number of copies M is changed by, for example, the user inputting the changed number of copies M using the numeric keypad. Then, the copy area change process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 14 determines in S95 that the number change button 71 has not been touched (S95: NO), the process proceeds to S99. In S99, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the OK button 72 is touched by the user. If the OK button 72 is touched (S99: YES), the copy area change process is terminated. If the OK button 72 is not touched (S99: NO), the process returns to S85, and the CPU 14 waits for a drag operation from the user.

  Returning to the main flow of FIG. When the copy area changing process in S17 is completed, the process proceeds to S19, and the CPU 14 determines whether or not the copy area PA has been changed. If the copy area PA has been changed (S19: YES), the process returns to S7, and the CPU 14 calculates the maximum printable number MP by performing the copy number calculation again. Then, the process proceeds to S <b> 9, and the CPU 14 redisplays a print preview diagram based on the recalculated maximum printable number MP and the changed copy area PA on the display panel 50. In the example of FIG. 12, the recalculated maximum printable number MP = 21 is displayed as the number of copies M, and the copy area PA after 21 changes is displayed in the print preview diagram. Thus, when the copy area PA is changed, the change is reflected in the number of copies M and the print preview diagram.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines that the copy area PA has not been changed (S19: NO), the process returns to S9. Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 10, the current copy area PA and the number of copies M are displayed.

  In S15, when the CPU 14 determines that the user's finger has not been touched on the copy area designation guide CG (S15: NO), the process proceeds to S21. In S21, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the OK button 72 is touched by the user. If the OK button 72 has not been touched (S21: NO), the process returns to S11, and the CPU 14 determines whether or not the number change button 71 displayed on the display panel 50 has been touched. On the other hand, when the OK button 72 is touched (S21: YES), the process proceeds to S23.

  In S23, when the user presses the print start button, the CPU 14 instructs the printing unit 54 to start copying. The printing unit 54 prints the copy area PA for the number of copies M on one copy sheet according to the print preview diagram.

  As a result, the user can perform fine adjustment of the print contents by repeating the number change (S11) and the copy area change (S15, S17) until the OK button 72 is pressed. Each time the number of copies and the copy area are changed, the change result is reflected in the number of copies M and the print preview diagram. The user can confirm the print content before printing by looking at the preview diagram displayed on the display panel 50. If the user is satisfied with the print content, the user can press the OK button 72 to perform printing.

  The effects of the invention according to this embodiment will be described below. In the multi-function device 10 according to this embodiment, every time the copy area PA is changed, the change result is reflected in the number of copies M and the print preview diagram. As a result, the copy areas PA can be efficiently arranged on the copy paper CP. Therefore, when printing a plurality of originals on a single copy sheet (for example, when copying a plurality of business cards), it is possible to prevent unnecessary blank areas from being generated on the copy sheet. It is possible to increase the printing efficiency. This also allows the user to check the result of changing the copy area PA using the display panel 50 before printing, thereby reducing the time required for copying.

  In the multi-function device 10 according to the present embodiment, the copy area PA and the copy area designation guide CG for changing the shape of the copy area PA are displayed on the display panel 50 so as to overlap each other. Then, the CPU 14 receives the user's touch input, changes the shape of the copy area designation guide CG, and resets the area within the frame of the changed copy area designation guide CG to the copy area PA after the change. As a result, the copy area PA can be changed while viewing the display panel 50, so that the user can intuitively change the copy area PA. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the multi-function device 10 according to the present embodiment, when the document area DA and the margin area MA are mixed in the image data ID, the document area DA can be trimmed and the margin area MA can be removed. As a result, even when an original smaller than the flat bed 81 is copied, it is possible to prevent the useless blank area MA from being generated, and thus it is possible to increase the printing efficiency. The trimming of the document area DA may be automatically performed by the multi-function device 10 or manually by the user.

  Further, in the multi-function device 10 according to the present embodiment, in a period when the display panel 50 is not touched by the user, the copy area PA is displayed darker than the copy area designation guide CG, while the display panel 50 is In the touched period, the copy area designation guide CG is displayed darker than the copy area PA. Thus, when the copy area PA is not changed, the copy area PA is clearly displayed, so that it is easy to check the contents of the image data in the copy area PA. On the other hand, when changing the copy area PA, the copy area designation guide CG Is clearly displayed, making it easy to change the copy area PA. Therefore, both the visibility of the copy area PA and the ease of change can be achieved, so that the convenience for the user can be further enhanced.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the printing magnification of the copy area PA is 100% (same size) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this form. Needless to say, enlargement / reduction processing of the copy area PA may be added to the printing processing of the present embodiment. For example, the enlargement / reduction process of the copy area PA may be performed in response to the touch of the magnification change button 73. Further, as a method for determining the magnification, for example, a method using a copy magnification designation guide SG can be cited. The copy magnification designation guide SG is displayed on the display panel 50 by the same display method as the copy area designation guide CG shown in FIG. In this case, the copy magnification designation guide SG may be deformed in accordance with the drag operation of the pointer DP, and the magnification may be set according to the size of the copy magnification designation guide SG after the deformation.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of trimming the document area DA from the image data ID is automatically performed by the multi-function device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. It may be performed manually by the user. Examples of the trimming method include a method using a trimming guide TG. The trimming guide TG is displayed by the same display method as the copy area designation guide CG shown in FIG. Then, the image data ID and the trimming guide TG are displayed on the display panel 50, and the trimming guide TG is deformed in accordance with the drag operation of the pointer DP. Then, the region in the trimming guide TG after deformation may be trimmed as the document region DA.

  In the present embodiment, the scanner unit 56 includes the flat bed 81, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Even when the line sensor is provided, when scanning a document having a width smaller than the line sensor width, the document area DA and the margin area MA may be mixed in the image data ID. Therefore, it goes without saying that the present invention is applicable.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  The display panel 50 is an example of a display unit, the copy area PA is an example of a print area, the copy sheet CP is an example of a print sheet, the copy area designation guide CG is an example of a print area change frame, and the X direction is an example of the first direction. The Y direction is an example of the second direction, the copy paper horizontal size Xcopy is an example of the first direction paper size, the copy paper vertical size Ycopy is an example of the second direction paper size, and the original horizontal size Xgen is the first direction print area size. For example, the document vertical size Ygen is an example of the second direction printing area size, the horizontal copyable number My is an example of the first direction maximum number, the vertical copyable number Mt is an example of the second direction maximum number, and the copy number M is a print An example of the number of sheets.

  The control unit that executes S1 is an example of a paper size determination unit. The control unit that executes S25 is an example of a print area setting unit. The control unit that executes S35 is an example of a first calculation unit. The control unit that executes S39 is an example of a second calculation unit. The control unit that executes S43, S45, and S49 is an example of a printing direction setting unit. The control unit that executes S23 is an example of a printing unit. The control unit that executes S17 is an example of a printing area changing unit. The control unit that executes S9 is an example of a preview display unit. The control unit that executes S81 and S83 is an example of a print area display unit. The control unit that executes S85 to S91 is an example of a print area resetting unit.

10 Multi-function device 50 Display panel 54 Printing unit 56 Scanner unit 81 Flatbed Xcopy Copy paper horizontal size Ycopy Copy paper vertical size PA Copy area DA Original area My Horizontal copyable number Mt Vertical copyable number MP Maximum printable number CG Copy Area specification guide

Claims (5)

A printing apparatus including a scanner unit that reads a document and creates image data,
Paper size determining means for determining a first direction paper size in a first direction of the printing paper and a second direction paper size in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
A print area for setting a region selected from the image data so as to have a first direction print region size in the first direction and a second direction print region size in the second direction as a print region to be printed on the printing paper. Setting means;
First calculation means for calculating a first direction maximum number that is a maximum number in which the print area can be repeatedly arranged on the print paper in a direction in which the first direction paper size matches the first direction print area size. When,
Second calculation means for calculating a maximum number in the second direction, which is the maximum number in which the print area can be repeatedly arranged on the print paper in a direction in which the first direction paper size and the second direction print area size match. When,
A print direction setting means for setting a larger one of the maximum number in the first direction and the maximum number in the second direction as the number of prints;
Printing means for printing the print area on the printing paper according to the number of prints set by the print direction setting means in response to receiving a print execution instruction ;
Printing area changing means for changing the set printing area,
The first calculation unit and the second calculation unit recalculate the first direction maximum number and the second direction maximum number in response to the print region changing unit changing the print region,
The printing direction setting means resets the larger one of the recalculated maximum number in the first direction and the maximum number in the second direction as the number of prints.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The first calculation means includes
A value of an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the first direction paper size by the first direction print area size, and a value of an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the second direction paper size by the second direction print area size. The multiplied value is calculated as the first direction maximum number,
The second calculation means includes
A value of an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the first direction paper size by the second direction print area size, and a value of an integer part of the quotient obtained by dividing the second direction paper size by the first direction print area size. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the multiplied value is calculated as the maximum number in the second direction. The scanner unit includes a flat bed unit,
When the document is smaller than the flatbed portion and the image data includes both the document area and a margin area, the print area setting unit selects only the document area and selects the print area. printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that setting as. A display unit;
Preview display means for displaying, on the display unit, a print preview diagram in which the print areas of the number of printed sheets are arranged on the print paper;
With
The said preview display means redisplays the said print preview figure based on the said recalculated number of printed sheets and the said changed printing area on the said display part. The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Printing device. The display unit includes a touch panel,
The printing area changing means includes
A printing area display means for displaying the rectangular printing area and a rectangular printing area change frame for changing the shape of the printing area on the touch panel in a state of overlapping each other;
Print area resetting means for receiving a touch input of the touch panel, changing a shape of the print area change frame, and setting an area within the frame of the changed print area change frame as the changed print area; The printing apparatus according to claim 4 .

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