JP2019198966A - Image processing device, image processing program and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device capable of letting a user know an operation to be performed for second and subsequent printing in the case of performing overprinting. An acceptance unit of an image processing apparatus accepts an additional printing instruction to print the same color a plurality of times, and a generation unit sets a printed medium to a paper feeding unit when the additional printing instruction is accepted. The explanation image is generated for re-execution, and the display unit displays the explanation image generated by the generation unit after at least the first printing is completed. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method.

  Patent Document 1 has an object to provide an image forming apparatus and a printing system capable of preventing a printing error that occurs in reprint printing and forming a correct image on the reprint paper. An image forming unit that forms an image thereon, a reading unit that reads an image on reprint paper, a storage unit that stores read image data obtained by reading of the reading unit, and a communication unit that transmits the read image data Is disclosed.

JP 2012-10827 A

For example, when printing is performed on a colored medium, the color of the medium affects the printed image. As a specific example, when printing on a black medium, the print image also has a blackish hue as a whole. Therefore, white or the like is printed as the background of the print image to reduce the influence of the color of the medium. However, in order to further reduce the influence of the color of the medium (for example, to eliminate the influence of the color of the medium), it may be necessary to print white or the like that is printed as the background multiple times. This printing is called follow-up printing. In this case, the user needs to set the printed medium as the paper feeding unit and give a print instruction a plurality of times. When performing the reprint printing, the user may not understand the next operation. For example, an error may occur such as resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit or a wrong direction of the medium.
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing program, and an image processing method that allow a user to know an operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printings when performing reprint printing. It is said.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
The first aspect of the present invention is a receiving means for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times and an explanation for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding means when the reprint printing instruction is received. An image processing apparatus having a generation unit that generates an image and a display unit that displays an explanatory image generated by the generation unit after at least the first printing is completed.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the generation unit generates a reduced image of an already printed image as an explanatory image.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the generation unit generates a reduced image of the image on the medium printed last time as an explanatory image.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the generation unit generates an explanatory image reflecting the color of the medium.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation unit rotates the reduced image according to a direction in which the medium is set in the sheet feeding unit.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the generation unit generates an image combining the image indicating the paper supply unit and the reduced image as an explanatory image.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the generation unit generates an image combining the reduced image and the direction set in the paper feeding unit as an explanatory image.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving unit for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times, and an explanation for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received. The image processing apparatus includes: a generation unit that generates an image; and a printing unit that prints an explanatory image generated by the generation unit when printing is performed at least once.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the printing unit controls the printing surface to be discharged and prints the explanatory image on the first page.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the printing unit does not print the explanatory image when performing the second and subsequent printings.

  The invention according to an eleventh aspect is the image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, wherein the generating unit generates an explanatory image indicating a direction set in the paper feeding unit.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the medium for printing the image for explanation uses a medium different from the medium for reprint printing.

  A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the image processing apparatus according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the printing unit uses plain paper as a medium for printing the explanatory image.

  The invention of claim 14 is the image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the printing means prints the explanatory image in black.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the computer accepts a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times, and resets the printed medium as the paper feeding means when the reprint printing instruction is received. And an image processing program for functioning as a display unit for displaying the explanatory image generated by the generating unit after at least the first printing is completed.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a computer for controlling the printing apparatus receives a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times, and a paper feeding means for a printed medium when the reprint printing instruction is received. An image processing program for functioning as a printing unit for printing the explanatory image generated by the generating unit when performing printing at least for the first time; is there.

  The invention according to claim 17 is a receiving step for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times, and an explanation for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding means when the reprint printing instruction is received An image processing method comprising: a generation step for generating an image; and a display step for displaying an explanatory image generated by the generation step after at least the first printing has been completed.

  The invention according to claim 18 is an accepting step for accepting a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times, and an explanation for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding means when the reprint printing instruction is accepted. An image processing method comprising: a generation step for generating an image; and a printing step for printing an explanatory image generated by the generation step when printing is performed at least once.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, when performing reprint printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printings.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect, a reduced image of an already printed image can be used as the explanatory image.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect, a reduced image of the image on the medium printed last time can be used as the explanatory image.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, it is possible to use an explanatory image reflecting the color of the medium.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to use a reduced image that is rotated in accordance with the direction in which the medium is set in the paper feeding unit.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, it is possible to use an image obtained by combining the image indicating the paper feeding unit and the reduced image as the explanatory image.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, an image obtained by combining the reduced image and the direction set in the paper feeding unit can be used as the explanatory image.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the eighth aspect, in the case of performing additional printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the ninth aspect, the explanatory image can be printed on the first page.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the tenth aspect, it is not necessary to print the explanatory image when performing the second and subsequent printing.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the eleventh aspect, it is possible to use an explanatory image indicating the direction set to the sheet feeding unit.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, it is possible to use a medium that is different from the medium for the additional printing as the medium for printing the explanatory image.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, an explanation image can be printed on plain paper.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the fourteenth aspect, the explanatory image can be printed in black.

  According to the image processing program of the fifteenth aspect, when performing reprint printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printing.

  According to the image processing program of the sixteenth aspect, in the case of performing additional printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printing.

  According to the image processing method of the seventeenth aspect, when performing reprint printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printings.

  According to the image processing method of the eighteenth aspect, when performing reprint printing, the user can know the operation to be performed for the second and subsequent printing.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example using this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of additional printing. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of additional printing. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a screen. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a paper feed confirmation screen. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Hereinafter, examples of various preferred embodiments for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the first embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. This means that control is performed so as to be stored in the apparatus. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, login, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. Also, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / status at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the status / status up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, they may be different values, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description of “do B when A” is used to mean “determine whether or not A and do B when A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded. In addition, when enumerating things such as “A, B, C”, etc., it is an enumerated list unless otherwise specified, and includes cases where only one of them is selected (for example, only A).
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

The image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment performs additional printing on a medium. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, a UI (User Interface) control module 105, a print job information management module 120, a medium An attribute management module 125, a generation module 130, and a printing module 135 are included.
The “reprint printing” will be described in detail with reference to the examples of FIGS.
The “medium (also referred to as a medium, a recording medium, or a print medium)” in the present embodiment may be a medium to be printed, and any material may be used. For example, the medium is not limited to conventional recording paper (paper, paper), and includes a (transparent) film such as a synthetic resin.
Of course, “paper feeding means” (including those called sheet feeder, paper feeding tray, paper tray, paper feeding cassette, deck) are set as paper feeding means (generally, set). What can be done is a medium, not limited to recording paper (just because “paper feeding” is included in the name of the paper feeding means, there is no intention to limit it to paper).

The UI control module 105 includes a reception module 110 and a display module 115 and is connected to the generation module 130 and the printing module 135. The UI control module 105 controls a user interface in the image processing apparatus 100.
The receiving module 110 receives a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times. This additional printing instruction is an instruction by a user operation. Examples of user operations include those using a mouse, keyboard, touch panel, voice, line of sight, gestures, and the like.

The display module 115 displays an explanatory image (also referred to as a confirmation dialog) generated by the generation module 130 after at least the first printing is completed. In addition to the display on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, the display may include an output as a 3D (Dimensions) video, and further, output of sound, vibration, etc. by an audio output device such as a speaker. You may combine.
Here, “at least after the first printing is finished”, and the explanatory image is displayed after the first printing is finished. If the user has memorized it, the second printing is finished. After that, it is not always necessary to display the explanation image. However, since the user does not always store it, it is preferable to display the explanatory image after the end of each printing (before starting the next printing).

The print job information management module 120 is connected to the generation module 130 and the print module 135. The print job information management module 120 manages information related to print jobs. Here, “information about the print job” includes, for example, print data, printing attributes, and the like. The print attributes include at least the print type (general print, additional print specification), the medium type, color / monochrome print specification, number of pages, double-sided / single-sided print, and additional print for additional print. There are number of times of printing.
The medium attribute management module 125 is connected to the generation module 130. The medium attribute management module 125 manages information related to a medium to be printed. Here, as “information about the medium to be printed”, for example, the type, color, paper size, and the like of the medium set in the paper feeding unit are managed. Specifically, the type, color, paper size, etc. of the medium can be detected using a sensor provided in each paper feeding unit, or a camera that photographs a medium set in each paper feeding unit. Good.
The print module 135 is connected to the UI control module 105 and the print job information management module 120. The printing module 135 has a function as a so-called printer and executes a printing process. That is, the print data is printed on the medium according to the print job.

The generation module 130 is connected to the UI control module 105, the print job information management module 120, and the medium attribute management module 125. When the receiving module 110 receives a reprint printing instruction, the generating module 130 generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit. Here, the explanatory image generated by the generation module 130 is an image displayed by the display module 115.
The user performs the action of “resetting the printed medium as the paper feeding means”. The user can see the explanatory image displayed on the display device and perform the action described in the explanatory image.
The generation module 130 may generate a reduced image of an already printed image as an explanatory image.
Here, the “already printed image” may be “first printing image”, “last printing image” (most recent printing image), It may be “an image printed on the medium printed last time (that is, an overlay of images printed so far)”.
In addition, the generation module 130 may generate a reduced image of the image printed on the medium printed last time as an explanatory image.
Here, the “image printed on the medium last time” is an image as a result of reprinting, and an image reflecting a plurality of printing results is generated except for the first time. Therefore, when white additional printing is performed, the white color becomes darker as the number of times of printing increases.

The generation module 130 may generate an explanatory image that reflects the color of the medium.
The explanatory image here represents the medium printed at that time. For example, when the color of the medium is black, a reduced image of an image printed on a medium with a black background is obtained.
The generation module 130 may rotate the reduced image in accordance with the direction in which the medium is set in the paper feeding unit.
In addition, the generation module 130 may generate an image combining the image indicating the paper feeding unit and the reduced image as the explanatory image.

In addition, the generation module 130 may generate an image that combines the reduced image and the direction set for the paper feeding unit as the explanatory image.
Here, as the “setting direction”, for example, words and symbols indicating “back side”, “front side”, and the like may be added.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a system configuration example using the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus 200 includes an image processing apparatus 100, a touch panel 205, a paper feed module 210, and a paper discharge module 215. An example in which the image forming apparatus 200 has the function of the image processing apparatus 100 is shown. The image forming apparatus 200 is a printer, a copier, a fax machine, a multifunction machine (an image processing apparatus having at least a printer function and one or more functions of a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, etc.) It has the function of.
The image processing apparatus 100 is connected to a touch panel 205, a paper feed module 210, and a paper discharge module 215.

The touch panel 205 is connected to the image processing apparatus 100. The touch panel 205 receives a user operation on the touch panel, and passes the received operation to the reception module 110 of the image processing apparatus 100. Further, an explanation image is displayed on the touch panel according to the control of the display module 115 of the image processing apparatus 100. This explanatory image guides a so-called medium set.
The paper feed module 210 is connected to the image processing apparatus 100. The paper feed module 210 supplies the medium to the printing module 135 in accordance with control by the printing module 135 of the image processing apparatus 100. In the case of the second and subsequent additional printing, a medium (medium on which additional printing has been performed once or more) is set by the user.
The paper discharge module 215 is connected to the image processing apparatus 100. The paper discharge module 215 discharges the medium printed by the printing module 135 of the image processing apparatus 100. For the second and subsequent additional printing, the user discharges the medium discharged by the paper discharge module 215 (the medium on which the additional printing has been performed once or more) to the paper supply module 210. In this set, the user refers to the explanatory image displayed on the touch panel 205.
In the example of FIG. 2, the print module 135, the paper feed module 210, and the paper discharge module 215 of the image processing apparatus 100 are separate modules, but the print module 135 of the image processing apparatus 100 is replaced with the paper feed module 210. A paper discharge module 215 may be included.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of additional printing.
When printing on a colored medium (colored media such as black paper), CMYK color is obtained by printing white toner on the background and printing on it with CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) toner. It can be expressed by reducing the influence of the media color on the image. For this reason, in addition to CMYK, there are printers that carry white toner or metallic (for example, silver) toner (also referred to as special toner or special color toner) and perform white and CMYK printing in one printing operation. . That is, printing using toner for five colors is performed in one printing operation.
This will be described with reference to the example of FIG.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when black toner 315, yellow toner 310, magenta toner 305, and cyan toner 300 are printed on paper 325, the color is larger than when paper 325 is white. As a result, the color of the paper 325 becomes a whole as a printed matter. That is, when the colored paper 325 is used, the printing color represented by the black toner 315, the yellow toner 310, the magenta toner 305, and the cyan toner 300 is different from the original color.
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 3B, first, the white toner 320 is printed on the paper 325, and then the black toner 315, the yellow toner 310, the magenta toner 305, and the cyan toner 300 are printed thereon. Has been done. Note that the white toner 320 is printed in all areas where the black toner 315, yellow toner 310, magenta toner 305, and cyan toner 300 are printed. Of course, in the area where the black toner 315, the yellow toner 310, the magenta toner 305, and the cyan toner 300 are not printed, the white toner 320 is not printed and the paper 325 becomes the background. That is, the white toner 320 becomes a base for printing. In this way, by printing the white toner 320 downward, the influence of the color of the paper 325 on the color of printing can be reduced.

However, when the color of the paper 325 is dark (for example, black), it may be difficult to completely eliminate the influence of the color of the paper 325 with the amount of the white toner 320 printed by one printing operation. Therefore, there is an operation called reprint printing in which black toner 315, yellow toner 310, magenta toner 305, and cyan toner 300 are printed after printing of only white toner 320 is repeated a plurality of times.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3C1, only the white toner 320a is printed on the paper 325 in the first printing. Next, the user returns the printed paper 325 (paper 325 ejected by the paper ejection module 215) to the paper feed module 210 and instructs the second printing. As a result, as shown in the example of FIG. 3C2, the white toner 320b is further printed, and as a result, the white toner 320a and the white toner 320b are printed on the paper 325. In the N-th printing, the same printing as the printing shown in the example of FIG. 3B is performed. As a result, the influence of the color of the paper 325 can be reduced, and the original print color can be expressed even on the colored paper 325.

  Note that the number of times of additional printing may be a predetermined number or a number specified by a user operation. Further, it may be the number of times determined from the concealment rate designated by the user's operation. For example, a table in which the concealment rate is associated with the number of times may be prepared in advance, and the corresponding number of times may be extracted from the concealment rate designated by the user operation using the table. The number of times may be determined according to the color of the paper 325 to be printed. For example, a table in which the color of the medium is associated with the number of times is prepared in advance, the color of the paper 325 to be printed is extracted from the medium attribute management module 125, and the table is used to correspond to the color of the paper 325. The number of times may be extracted.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of additional printing.
The data to be printed is output data (CMYK version) 420 as shown in the example of FIG. The left side of the output data (CMYK version) 420 is a color photographic image, the right character image “A” is red, the character image “B” is blue, and the character image “C” is green. This is printed on the black paper 410. For this purpose, output data (special toner plate) 405 for additional printing is generated from the output data (CMYK plate) 420. Here, the special toner is a white toner, and the white toner portion is shown in black on the output data (special toner plate) 405 shown in the example of FIG. That is, the output data (special toner plate) 405 shown in the example of FIG. 4A is an area to be printed with the output data (CMYK plate) 420 (specifically, the left photographic image area and the right three characters “ABC”. "Is a print data in which the character image area) is white. The output data (CMYK plate) 420 may include output data (special toner plate) 405. In other words, the CMYK data may be present on the white data in the Nth additional printing (white toner and CMYK toner are printed by one printing).

As shown in the example of FIG. 4A, when output data (special toner plate) 405 is printed on a sheet 410a, an output product 415a is obtained. In the output product 415a, since the printing is performed with white toner for the first time, the left photographic image region and the right three character "ABC" character image region appear to be gray near black.
Then, the user sets the output product 415a in the paper feed module 210 and designates the second additional printing. As a result, as shown in the example of FIG. 4B, the output data (special toner plate) 405 is printed on the paper 410b (the output product 415a shown in the example of FIG. 4A), and the output product 415b. Get. In the output product 415b, since printing is performed with the white toner for the same portion for the second time, the left photographic image region and the right three character “ABC” character image region are shown in the example of FIG. It looks whiter than that in the output 415a. However, it still looks gray.
This additional printing process is repeated, and in the Nth (last) additional printing, as shown in the example of FIG. 4C, output data (CMYK plate) 420 is printed on paper 410n (N-1 additional printing). An output product 415n is obtained by printing on the printed output product 415). In the paper 410n, the left photographic image region and the right character image region are overcoated with special toner (white toner) to the extent that the black influence of the paper 410a is eliminated. In the output product 415n, the left photographic image region, the right three character “ABC” character image region (character image “A” is red, character image “B” is blue, and character image “C” is green). The part is reproduced as if it were printed on a white medium.

Here, in the operation of additional printing, it is necessary to set the first page of printed material once printed up to the paper feed module 210 and print in the same direction. However, it is not easy for the user to set the paper correctly assuming the direction in which the print image will actually be printed. Due to an operation error (operation error), misalignment of the plate, page order, incorrect front and back, etc. Likely to happen.
In this situation, the present embodiment prevents the user from making a mistake in the paper setting position and provides means for accurately performing the reprinting operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the first exemplary embodiment.
In step S502, the reception module 110 receives a print instruction.
In step S504, it is determined whether or not the reprint printing is performed. If the reprint printing is performed, the process proceeds to step S506. Otherwise (general printing), the process proceeds to step S508.
In step S506, the printing module 135 performs a reprint printing process. Detailed processing in step S506 will be described later using the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S508, the printing module 135 performs general printing processing. Here, the general printing process is printing in which a printed medium (output product) is set in the paper feed module 210 and is not further printed.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the screen 600.
In step S <b> 502 of the flowchart illustrated in the example of FIG. 5, the display module 115 displays the screen 600 on the touch panel 205. On the screen 600, a general print button 610, a reprint print button 620, and a reprint number reception area 625 are displayed. Then, the reception module 110 receives a user's selection operation of the general print button 610 or the reprint printing button 620 on the touch panel 205 and the number of times input in the reprint number reception area 625. When the general print button 610 is selected, the process proceeds to step S508, and when the reprint print button 620 is selected, the process proceeds to step S506.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the first exemplary embodiment.
In step S702, 1 is set to the number of additional printings (variable).
In step S704, it is determined whether or not it is the second and subsequent reprints. If it is the second and subsequent times, the process proceeds to step S712. Otherwise (in the case of the first printing), the process proceeds to step S706.

In step S706, the printing process for that number of times is executed.
In step S708, a print image for explaining the next reprint is created. As the print image in step S708, an image obtained as a result of the print process in step S706 may be used. That is, it may be an image of a printed sheet (the output product 415a shown in the example of FIG. 4 corresponds to the first time).
Further, step S708 after the second time may not be performed. In this case, the image generated in step S706 for the first time may be used as the image displayed in step S714. This is because the same image is printed (that is, since the color density is different), so the direction of the paper is known.
In step S710, 1 is added to the number of reprints.

In step S712, the previous print image (image created in step S708) is acquired.
In step S714, a paper feed confirmation image (an example of an explanatory image) is displayed on the touch panel 205. The user sets the printed material in the paper feed module 210 while viewing the image for paper feed confirmation. That is, the user can set the printed material after confirming the orientation, front and back, and the like. Specifically, this will be described later using the example of FIG.
In step S716, a response is waited. Specifically, it waits for the user to press the print start button 890 (instruction operation for additional printing).
In step S718, it is determined whether or not pressing of the print start button 890 is detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S706, and otherwise the process proceeds to step S720.

  In step S720, it is determined whether or not the number of reprints has reached a specified value. If it has reached, the process ends (step S799). Otherwise, the process returns to step S704. The specified value here is the number of times input in the reprint count reception area 625 of the screen 600 shown in the example of FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the first exemplary embodiment. 8 shows an example of an image displayed in step S714 of the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. That is, the image forming apparatus 200 is temporarily stopped before the second and subsequent additional printing, and the paper feed confirmation screen 800a or the paper feed confirmation screen 800b shown in the example of FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, an image obtained by combining an image showing a paper feeding unit and a reduced image of a printed medium is used as an explanatory image.
The paper feed confirmation screen 800a displays a paper feed unit and a method for setting printed paper on the paper feed unit. Specifically, an explanation image 810a, a cancel button 880a, and a print start button 890a are displayed on the paper feed confirmation screen 800a. A printed paper image 820a is displayed in the explanation image 810a. The printed paper image 820a is a reduced image of the image created in step S708 and already printed on the medium. In other words, the printed paper image 820a displays the result of the previous reprint printing as an image reflecting the color of the used medium and the color of the toner. When different images are printed by a plurality of additional printings, it is desirable to represent them by combining them. When the color of the medium cannot be acquired, an arbitrary color that can recognize the color of the toner printed in advance may be used, or an image printed with black toner on white paper may be displayed. Further, the printed paper image 820a is rotated in accordance with the direction in which the medium is set in the paper feeding unit.
By displaying in this way, the user can know how to set paper (paper already printed) on the paper supply means.
Then, as an explanation of the explanation image 810a, for example, “please set the paper in the tray 1 (paper feeding means) in the following direction”, “when the paper setting is completed, the print start button 890a is pressed. Please display ".
The cancel button 880a is selected when canceling the additional printing. The print start button 890a is selected when continuing overprinting. The user confirms the explanatory image 810a, sets the medium at a predetermined position of the paper feeding means, and presses the print start button 890a, so that the additional printing can be performed a plurality of times at the same medium setting position. become able to.

In the example shown in FIG. 8B, the direction in which the medium is set in the paper feeding means (set direction (back side) 822b, set direction (front side) 824b) and the reduced image of the printed medium (printed paper image 820b). ) Is a description image 810b.
A description image 810b, a cancel button 880b, and a print start button 890b are displayed on the paper feed confirmation screen 800b. A printed paper image 820b, a set direction (back side) 822b, and a set direction (front side) 824b are displayed in the explanation image 810b.
On the paper feed confirmation screen 800b, for example, “Please set the paper in the tray 1 (paper feed means) in the following direction.”, “When the paper is set, press the print start button 890b.” Is displayed.
The paper feed confirmation screen 800b displays the same display as the paper feed confirmation screen 800a shown in the example of FIG. However, unlike FIG. 8A, an image indicating the paper feeding unit is not displayed in the explanatory image 810b, but the setting direction (back side) 822b and the setting direction (front side) 824b of the paper feeding unit are not displayed. Is displayed, and the printed paper image 820b is also rotated in the direction.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the second embodiment.
The image processing apparatus 900 includes a UI control module 905, a job information management module 920, a medium attribute management module 925, a generation module 930, and a printing module 935.
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part of the same kind as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

The UI control module 905 includes a reception module 110 and a display module 915 and is connected to the generation module 930 and the printing module 935.
The display module 915 performs a display for confirming that the medium is set in the paper feeding unit. For example, a paper feed confirmation screen 1400 shown in the example of FIG.
The job information management module 920 is connected to the generation module 930 and the printing module 935. The job information management module 920 inserts the print image generated by the generation module 930 or a blank paper image (blank image, that is, an empty print image only for paper feeding) into the target print job. In addition, it has the same function as the print job information management module 120 of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in the example of FIG.
The medium attribute management module 925 is connected to the generation module 930. The medium attribute management module 925 manages, for example, the type, color, paper size, and the like of media set in two or more paper feeding units. One sheet feeding unit is a medium on which a colored medium is set, and the other sheet feeding unit is a sheet on which plain paper is set. In addition, it has the same function as the medium attribute management module 125 of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in the example of FIG.

The generation module 930 is connected to the UI control module 905, the job information management module 920, and the medium attribute management module 925. When the receiving module 110 receives a reprint printing instruction, the generating module 930 generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit.
Further, the generation module 930 may generate an explanatory image indicating the direction set for the paper feeding unit.

The print module 935 is connected to the UI control module 905 and the job information management module 920. The printing module 935 prints the explanatory image generated by the generation module 930 when printing at least the first time. Thereafter, a printing process equivalent to the printing module 135 of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in the example of FIG. 1 is performed. That is, when printing is performed for the first time, the explanatory image generated by the generation module 930 is printed, and thereafter, the additional printing equivalent to that of the first embodiment is performed. In the second and subsequent reprints, nothing is printed on the first medium (only paper feeding is performed), and then the reprint printing equivalent to that of the first embodiment is performed. Do. In the second and subsequent additional printing, the explanation image generated by the generation module 930 may be printed on the first medium. However, the print data has the same contents, and it is preferable not to print anything in order to reduce the use of toner.
Further, the printing module 935 may perform control so that the printing surface is discharged and print the explanatory image on the first page. Thus, printing is performed face down (discharged with the print side down), and the printed medium can be set in the paper feeding means in the same discharge order. In this case, the printing module 935 may include a paper discharge module 215 (recording paper discharge mechanism), or the paper discharge module 215 may be controlled.

Further, as described above, the printing module 935 may not print the explanation image when performing the second and subsequent printings. Here, “do not print the image for explanation” includes, for example, printing a blank image and simply feeding the paper.
This is because in the second and subsequent printing, the medium on which the image for explanation has already been printed can be used as it is, and it is not necessary to print the image for explanation. However, it does not exclude printing the image for explanation after the second time. The same explanatory image is simply printed on top of each other. Further, the explanation image may be changed each time and printed in an overlapping manner. For example, the number of times of printing (for example, the second time, the third time, etc.) may be printed each time while shifting the position.

Further, the printing module 935 may use a medium different from the medium for the supplementary printing as the medium for printing the explanatory image. This is because the “medium for additional printing” is generally an expensive medium, and the “medium for printing an image for explanation” used only at the time of additional printing is different from that.
The printing module 935 may use plain paper as a medium for printing the explanatory image. “Plain paper” is generally used because plain paper is the cheapest.
Note that the size (size) of plain paper is desirably the same size as the medium for reprint printing. The size of the plain paper and the size of the medium for additional printing need not be the same. For example, when the medium for additional printing is A4 size, a letter ( Use of the (Letter) size is not excluded.
Further, the printing module 935 may print the explanation image in black. “Print in black” is so-called black-and-white printing (monochrome printing). This is because generally black printing is the cheapest.
The description of FIGS. 2 to 6 used in the description of the first embodiment is the same in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment.
In step S1002, 1 is set to the number of additional printings (variable).
In step S1004, it is determined whether or not it is the second and subsequent reprints. If it is the second and subsequent times, the process proceeds to step S1012. Otherwise (normal printing), the process proceeds to step S1006.

In step S1006, a reprint direction confirmation image (an example of an explanatory image) is inserted at the top. For example, a reprint direction confirmation sheet image 1100 shown in FIG. 11 is inserted as the reprint direction confirmation image. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment. The reprint direction confirmation sheet image 1100 includes an explanatory image indicating a direction when the sheet is set in the paper feeding unit. Specifically, a character “back side” and an arrow indicating the direction thereof, and a character “front side” and an arrow indicating the direction thereof are described.
The reprint direction confirmation sheet image 1100 has the same size as the target medium in the print job, and is set upright when the medium is set on the paper feed unit from the print data and the paper direction of the paper feed unit. Create an image in the direction you want. In addition, the toner used for printing the additional printing direction confirmation sheet image 1100 can set a recognizable color for the medium to be used.
In the second and subsequent reprints, the user starts the medium (reprint direction confirmation sheet 1200) on which the reprint direction confirmation sheet image 1100 is printed as shown in the example of FIG. Then, according to the direction printed on the reprint direction confirmation sheet 1200, a medium for reprint printing is set on the paper feeding means 1250. The reprint direction confirmation sheet 1200 is plain paper, and characters and symbols such as “back side” printed thereon are black (printed using black toner).
In the second and subsequent reprints, a blank image is inserted in the first page, and the confirmation sheet created in the first time (the medium on which the reprint direction confirmation sheet image 1100 is printed in the first time) is output as it is. To be.

In step S1008, the printing process for that number of times is executed.
In step S1010, 1 is added to the number of reprints.

In step S1012, a blank sheet image is inserted at the top. That is, since the first page is a medium on which an image for confirming the reprint direction is printed, a blank sheet image is inserted so that only paper feeding can be performed.
In step S1014, a paper feed confirmation screen is displayed. Specifically, it will be described later using the example of FIG.
In step S1016, a response is waited. Specifically, it waits for the user to press the print start button 1490 (instruction operation for additional printing).
In step S1018, it is determined whether or not pressing of the print start button 1490 is detected. If detected, the process proceeds to step S1008. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1020.

  In step S1020, it is determined whether or not the number of reprints has reached a specified value. If it has reached, the process is terminated (step S1099). Otherwise, the process returns to step S1004.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment. An example of print data in each printing of additional printing is shown. In this example, there are three pages of print data in the original print job, and therefore four pages of print data including an explanatory image are required, and this print data group is one print job.
Image data 1305a illustrated in the example of FIG. 13A is the same as the sheet image 1100 for confirming the additional printing direction illustrated in the example of FIG. The image data 1310a is the image of the first page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “ABC” are white images as the background. The image data 1315a is an image of the second page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “DEF” are white images as a background. The image data 1320a is the image of the third page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “GHI” character are a white image as a background.

Image data 1305b shown in the example of FIG. 13B is a blank sheet image (an image having no data to be printed, so-called blank paper data). The image data 1310b is an image of the first page of the original print data (the same image as the image data 1310a), and the left side rectangle and the right side “ABC” are white images as a background. The image data 1315b is the image of the second page of the original print data (the same image as the image data 1315a), and the left rectangle and the right “DEF” are white images as the background. The image data 1320b is an image of the third page of the original print data (the same image as the image data 1320a), and the left rectangle and the right “GHI” character are a white image as a background.
Note that when printing using white toner is performed after the third time, the print data group shown in the example of FIG. 13B may be used.

  The print data group shown in the example of FIG. 13C is used for the last printing in the additional printing. The image data 1305c is an image for a blank sheet (an image with no data to be printed, so-called blank paper data). The image data 1310c is an image of the first page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “ABC” characters are images expressed in CMYK printed on the background. The image data 1315c is an image of the second page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “DEF” character are images expressed in CMYK printed on the background. The image data 1320c is an image of the third page of the original print data, and the left rectangle and the right “GHI” character are images expressed in CMYK printed on the background.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the paper feed confirmation screen 1400. As in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 is temporarily stopped before the second and subsequent additional printing, and a paper feed confirmation screen 1400 shown in the example of FIG. This guides the user to feed the paper and prompts the user to print in the supplementary printing.
A paper feed confirmation screen 1400 is an example of a paper feed confirmation screen displayed in step S1014 in the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
On the paper feed confirmation screen 1400, for example, “Please set a printed sheet with the confirmation sheet up on the tray 1 (paper feed means)”, “When the paper is set, print Please press the start button 1490 ", and a cancel button 1480 and a print start button 1490 are displayed. A cancel button 1480 is selected when canceling the additional printing. The print start button 1490 is selected when continuing overprinting.

  A hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 900 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration shown in FIG. 15 is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, and shows a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1517 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1518 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1501 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the UI control module 105, the print job information management module 120, the medium attribute management module 125, the generation module 130, the print module 135, the UI. A control unit that executes processing according to a computer program describing an execution sequence of each module such as a control module 905, a display module 915, a job information management module 920, a medium attribute management module 925, a generation module 930, and a printing module 935. is there.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1502 stores programs used by the CPU 1501, calculation parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1503 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1501, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1504 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1504 is connected to an external bus 1506 such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 1505.

  A keyboard 1508 and a pointing device 1509 such as a mouse are devices operated by an operator. The display 1510 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information. Further, a touch screen or the like having both functions of the pointing device 1509 and the display 1510 may be used. In that case, with respect to the realization of the keyboard function, even if the keyboard 1508 is not physically connected, a keyboard (so-called software keyboard, screen keyboard, etc.) is drawn on the screen (touch screen) by software, You may make it implement | achieve the function of a keyboard.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1511 includes a hard disk (may be a flash memory or the like), drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1501 and information. The hard disk stores print data, print jobs, medium attributes, explanatory images related to additional printing, and the like. Further, various other data, various computer programs, and the like are stored.

  The drive 1512 reads out data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1513 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and the data or program is read out as an interface 1507 and an external bus 1506. , To the RAM 1503 connected via the bridge 1505 and the host bus 1504. Note that the removable recording medium 1513 can also be used as a data recording area.

  The connection port 1514 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1515 and has a connection unit such as USB and IEEE1394. The connection port 1514 is connected to the CPU 1501 and the like via an interface 1507, an external bus 1506, a bridge 1505, a host bus 1504, and the like. The communication unit 1516 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1517 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1518 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  Note that the hardware configurations of the image processing apparatus 100 and the image processing apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 15 show one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. Any configuration can be used as long as it can execute the module described in. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 15 may be connected to each other through communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. In particular, in addition to personal computers, mobile information communication devices (including mobile phones, smartphones, mobile devices, wearable computers, etc.), information appliances, robots, copiers, fax machines, scanners, printers, multifunction devices, etc. May be.

Note that the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined. That is, a description image may be printed, and a reduced image of the printed medium may be displayed on the touch panel 205 in a direction according to the setting of the paper feeding unit. However, the reduced image displayed on the touch panel 205 is a reduced image of the explanation image. This is because the first page (the top page) set in the paper supply means is a medium on which an explanatory image is printed.
Moreover, you may enable it to switch between 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment. Specifically, the first embodiment may be used when the direction can be confirmed with the print data, and the second embodiment may be used when the direction cannot be confirmed with the print data. “When the direction cannot be confirmed by the print data”, for example, corresponds to the case of print data that draws a square, circle, or the like in the center of the medium. This is because it cannot be confirmed. In addition, although characters are described as print data, even if the character is small, it corresponds to “when the direction cannot be confirmed with print data”, and the orientation of the set cannot be confirmed even if displayed on the touch panel 205. Because. In addition, the size or resolution of the touch panel 205 is detected, and the first embodiment is used when the size or resolution is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, otherwise the second mode is used. The embodiment may be used.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
Then, the whole or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part or all of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Image processing apparatus 105 ... UI control module 110 ... Acceptance module 115 ... Display module 120 ... Print job information management module 125 ... Media attribute management module 130 ... Generation module 135 ... Print module 200 ... Image forming apparatus 205 ... Touch panel 210 ... Supply Paper module 215 ... Paper discharge module 900 ... Image processing device 905 ... UI control module 915 ... Display module 920 ... Job information management module 925 ... Media attribute management module 930 ... Generation module 935 ... Printing module

Claims (18)

Receiving means for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generating unit that generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying an explanatory image generated by the generating means after at least the first printing is completed. The generation unit generates a reduced image of an already printed image as an explanatory image.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The generation unit generates a reduced image of an image on a previously printed medium as an explanatory image.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The generating means generates an explanatory image reflecting the color of the medium;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The generating unit rotates the reduced image according to a direction in which the medium is set in the sheet feeding unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The generating unit generates an image combining the image indicating the paper feeding unit and the reduced image as an explanatory image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. The generating unit generates an image combining the reduced image and the direction set in the paper feeding unit as an explanatory image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. Receiving means for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generating unit that generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints an explanatory image generated by the generation unit when performing at least a first printing. The printing means controls to discharge the print side down, and prints the explanatory image on the first page;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The printing means does not print the explanatory image when printing for the second time or later.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The generating unit generates an explanatory image indicating a direction set in the paper feeding unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The printing means uses a medium different from the medium for reprint printing as the medium for printing the explanatory image.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. The printing means uses plain paper as a medium for printing the explanatory image.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 12. The printing means prints the explanatory image in black;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 12. Computer
Receiving means for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generating unit that generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing program for functioning as display means for displaying an explanatory image generated by the generating means after at least the first printing is completed. A computer that controls the printing device,
Receiving means for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generating unit that generates an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing program for causing an explanation image generated by the generating unit to function as a printing unit when printing at least a first time. A reception step for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generation step of generating an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing method comprising: a display step of displaying the explanatory image generated by the generation step after at least the first printing is completed. A reception step for receiving a reprint printing instruction for printing the same color a plurality of times;
A generation step of generating an explanatory image for resetting a printed medium as a paper feeding unit when the reprint printing instruction is received;
An image processing method comprising: a printing step of printing the explanatory image generated by the generation step when performing at least first printing.