Information processing device

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, a control method therefor, and a program that improve usability by eliminating the need to rescan even if the front and back of a document are scanned in the wrong order. [Solution] In an image forming apparatus which is an information processing apparatus having means for acquiring originals, the method, based on receiving an instruction to change the order in which originals are acquired, sets the original acquired first by the acquisition means as the second image, and sets the original acquired further by the acquisition means as the first image.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a driving unit.

Background Art

[0002] An information processing apparatus includes a physical driving unit and realizes functions by controlling the driving unit. For example, an image forming apparatus includes driving units such as a scanner and a printer. The image forming apparatus realizes a copying function by reading a document with a scanner to generate image data and printing the image data on paper with a printer.

[0003] In an image forming apparatus, images read by a scanner can be output in the order in which they are read. Also, a technique has been proposed for copying a pamphlet-shaped document with a saddle stitch or a middle fold and printing it with the page order reversed as in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 targets pamphlet-shaped documents with a saddle stitch or a middle fold and cannot handle cases where the front and back order of a document is scanned incorrectly in normal copying. When the front and back order of a document is scanned incorrectly, it is necessary to cancel once and rescan in the correct order, which is troublesome and inconvenient for the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve usability by eliminating the need to rescan even when the front and back order of a document is scanned incorrectly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In an information processing device having means for acquiring a document, In the aforementioned means for acquiring the original document, the first original document acquired is designated as the first image, and the second original document acquired is designated as the second image. Based on the instruction received to change the order in which the aforementioned documents were acquired, the first document acquired is set as the second image, and the document acquisition means then sets any further acquired documents as the first image. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention improves usability by eliminating the need to rescan even if the front and back of a document are scanned in the wrong order. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the software configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Flowchart showing the processing of the image forming apparatus in Example 1 [Figure 4] Example of the operating section of the image forming apparatus in Example 1 [Figure 5] Flowchart showing the processing of the image forming apparatus in Example 2 [Figure 6] Example of the operating section of the image forming apparatus in Example 2 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail, with reference to the drawings, embodiments for carrying out the present invention. However, the components described in this embodiment are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to them alone.

[0011] (Example 1) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 has a controller unit 101, which controls the scanner 111, printer 112, operation unit 107, and communication unit 109. When a user uses the copy function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to acquire image data of the original document and controls the printer 112 to print the image onto paper and output it.

[0013] Furthermore, when a user utilizes the scanning function, the controller unit 101 controls the scanner 111 to acquire image data of the document, convert it into code data, and transmit it to an external device (not shown) via the communication unit 109. The execution instructions for each of these functions are called jobs, and the image forming apparatus 100 executes predetermined processing according to the jobs corresponding to each function.

[0014] The controller unit 101 consists of a CPU 102, RAM 103, ROM 104, HDD 105, control interface 106, network interface 108, and device interface 110, which are connected by a system bus 120.

[0015] The CPU 102 controls the entire system of the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 103 is the system work memory for the operation of the CPU 102 and is image memory for temporarily storing image data.

[0016] In addition, the RAM 103 also stores programs and data such as operating systems, system software, and application software. It also stores scanned image data read by the scanner 111 or print data received from the data processing device 101 via the network 103. The ROM 104 stores the system boot program. The hard disk drive (HDD) 105 stores operating systems, system software, application software, print data, setting data, and the like.

[0017] The operation unit I / F 106 is an interface unit with the operation unit 107, and outputs information to be displayed on the operation unit 107 to the operation unit 107. It also receives information input by the user from the operation unit 107.

[0018] The network I / F 108 is connected to the communication unit 109 and performs various communication controls with external devices. The device I / F 110 connects the scanner 111 and printer 112 that read and print image data to the controller unit 101 and performs input / output of image data.

[0019] The scanner 111 has a document table and reads a document placed on the document table to generate image data.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Each block in FIG. 2 is software stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 105, and the CPU 102 reads it into the RAM 103 and executes it to realize the processing of the flowchart described later.

[0021] The screen control unit 211 controls the operation unit 107 through the operation unit I / F 106. The screen control unit 211 receives information input by the user on the operation unit 107 and generates a screen to be displayed on the operation unit 107.

[0022] The scanner control unit 212 controls the scanner 111 through the device I / F 110, reads the document placed on the document glass, and generates image data.

[0023] The printer control unit 213 controls the printer 112 through the device interface 110 and prints and outputs the image data onto paper.

[0024] Copy App 214 is an application that implements the copy function.

[0025] The ID card copy application 215 is an application that implements an ID card copying function. The ID card copying function is a function that scans the front and back of an ID card and prints them on a single sheet of paper. In this embodiment, the ID card copying function is configured as a separate application, but this is just an example and not limited to this. The ID card copying function may also be provided as a function of the copy application.

[0026] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the ID card copying function performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment. The flowchart in Figure 3 is realized when the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reads the programs for implementing each software module stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and executes them.

[0027] The flowchart in Figure 3 begins when the screen control unit 211 detects that the user has instructed the user to call the ID card copy application 215 on the menu screen (not shown) displayed on the operation unit 107, and then launches the ID card copy application 215.

[0028] In S301, the ID card copy application 215 displays the ID card copy settings screen 410 shown in Figure 4(a) on the operation unit 107 via the screen control unit 211.

[0029] The ID card copy settings screen 410 includes a message area 411, a number of copies setting 412, a paper size setting 413, a layout setting 414, a guide display 415, and an execute button 416.

[0030] Message area 411 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0031] The Quantity Setting 412 is a component for displaying and setting the number of copies to print. The user changes the number of copies using the "+" and "-" buttons. The Paper Size Setting 413 is a component for displaying and setting the paper size to print on.

[0032] The paper size setting 413 is a button; pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting the print paper size.

[0033] The layout setting 414 is a component that displays and configures how the front and back of the ID card are arranged on the printing paper. The layout setting 414 is a button, and pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting the layout setting.

[0034] In this invention, the first image and the second image are arranged side by side at predetermined positions, such as through layout settings. These predetermined positions may be considered as the printing order of the first and second images, or the first and second images may be printed on a single sheet of paper. Furthermore, they may be printed on both sides of a single sheet of paper, or on separate sheets of paper. In short, any configuration that arranges the first and second images as a composite image at predetermined positions and in predetermined order, or prints them at predetermined positions and in predetermined order, is acceptable.

[0035] Guide display 415 is a display that explains where to place the ID card on the document glass. Guide display 415 updates the position of the ID card to the appropriate position according to each setting.

[0036] Returning to the flowchart explanation, at S302, the ID card copy application 215 waits for user input via the screen control unit 211.

[0037] In S303, the ID card copy application 215 proceeds to S304 if the detected user instruction is "Settings," and proceeds to S305 if the user instruction is "Execute." A user instruction of "Settings" refers to operations that configure settings for the copy function, such as increasing or decreasing the number of copies using the number of copies setting 412, or selecting the paper size on the screen (not shown) after pressing the paper size setting 413.

[0038] In S304, the ID card copy application 215 displays the settings configured by the user on the screen and returns to S302.

[0039] The user instruction "execute" refers to an operation equivalent to pressing the execute button 417. For example, in addition to pressing the execute button 417, it may also be the pressing of a physical execute button provided on the operation unit 421.

[0040] In step S305, the ID card copy application 215 initiates scanning of the first image with the scanner 111 via the scanner control unit 212 (instruction to acquire the first image; the acquired image is the first image).

[0041] In S306, the ID card copy application 215 saves the first image data obtained as a result of scanning in S305 to RAM 103.

[0042] In S307, the ID card copy application 215 displays the scan instruction waiting screen 420 shown in Figure 4(b).

[0043] The scan command waiting screen 420 has a message area 421, a scan result display area 422, a scan result order setting 423, a scan start button 424, and a cancel button 425.

[0044] Message area 421 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0045] The scan result display area 422 displays the scanned image data saved in S306 (image preview). This allows the user to see the results of their scan immediately after scanning. Therefore, they can quickly notice scanning failures, such as accidentally scanning the back side.

[0046] The scan result order setting 423 is a check button that determines whether to change the output order of the scanned images saved in S306. The screen when this check is ON is shown in Figure 4(c), scan waiting screen 430, which will be described later.

[0047] The scan start button 424 instructs the system to perform the next scan (an instruction to acquire the second image; the resulting image is the second image). This instruction is given after the acquisition of the first image. Thus, the display of the scanned image data occurs after the first image has been scanned and before the instruction to perform the next scan is given, and the display of the scanned image data and the button for instructing the execution of the scan may be displayed simultaneously.

[0048] The simultaneous display of these elements allows users to realize that if they have scanned the wrong side of the document, the next side they scan can be treated as the first image, enabling them to continue the operation without canceling.

[0049] Furthermore, since the scan result order setting 423 is OFF, the scan start button 424 displays text indicating that the next scan will read the back of the ID card. In this embodiment, the text on the scan start button 424 indicates which side of the ID card should be read in the next scan, but it may also simply display text indicating that the scan has started.

[0050] The scan command waiting screen 430 (c) is the screen that is displayed as a result of updating the display of the scan command waiting screen (b) when the scan result order setting 423 is set to ON.

[0051] The scan result order setting 431 is displayed with the check button turned ON.

[0052] The scan start button 432 instructs the system to perform the next scan.

[0053] The scan start button 432 displays text indicating that the next scan will read the front side of the ID card. In this embodiment, the text on the scan start button 432 indicates which side of the ID card should be read in the next scan, but it may simply display text indicating that the scan has started.

[0054] Returning to the flowchart explanation, in S308, the ID card copy application 215 determines the user's instruction via the screen control unit 211. If it is a cancel instruction, the process ends. If it is a front-side scan start instruction with scan result order setting 423 turned ON, the process proceeds to S309; ​​if it is a back-side scan start instruction with scan result order setting 423 turned OFF, the process proceeds to S314.

[0055] In S309, the ID card copy application 215 re-saves the data that was saved as the first image data in RAM103 in S306 as the second image data and controls the order of the images.

[0056] At S310, the ID card copy application 215 initiates a rescan of the first image (reacquisition of the first image) using the scanner 111 via the scanner control unit 212.

[0057] In S311, the ID card copy application 215 saves the first image data obtained as a result of scanning in S310 to RAM 103.

[0058] In S312, the ID card copy application 215 initiates scanning of the second image (acquisition of the second image) using the scanner 111 via the scanner control unit 212.

[0059] In S313, the ID card copy application 215 saves the second image data obtained as a result of scanning in S312 to RAM 103.

[0060] In S314, the ID card copy application 215 combines the data stored in RAM 103 as the first image data in S306 or S311 with the data stored in RAM 103 as the second image data in S309 or S315. The combined result is stored in RAM 103 as an image to be output as the ID card copy result.

[0061] In S315, the ID card copy application 215 uses the printer 112 via the printer control unit 213 to start printing the composite image data stored in RAM 103 in S314 (printing the composite image). In this case, if the data was saved as the first image data in S311, that first image will be considered a reacquired image.

[0062] As described above, according to this embodiment, by re-treating the first image data, which was initially saved as the front side, as the second image data for the back side, it becomes unnecessary to rescan even if the front and back sides of the document are scanned incorrectly, thereby improving usability.

[0063] (Example 2) In Example 1, the processing of the ID card copy application 215 was explained as an example of rearranging the order of scanned image data. This is because, in the case of ID cards, only one side can be scanned at a time, and the combined image data is output on a single sheet, which often leads to the situation described in the problem. However, even in normal copying, the situation of scanning one side at a time and outputting the combined image data on a single sheet can occur.

[0064] Therefore, this embodiment describes an example of rearranging the order of scanned image data and outputting it using the copy application 214. Furthermore, the image data is generated by reading a document placed on the document glass.

[0065] Since Example 2 is a modified version of Example 1, only the differences will be explained.

[0066] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the copy function process performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment.

[0067] The flowchart in Figure 5 is realized when the CPU 102 of the image forming apparatus reads the programs for implementing each software module stored in the ROM 104 or HDD 105 into the RAM 103 and executes them.

[0068] In S501, the copy application 214 displays the copy settings screen 610 shown in Figure 6(a) on the operation unit 107 via the screen control unit 211.

[0069] The copy settings screen 610 includes a message area 611, a number of copies setting 612, a paper size setting 613, a magnification setting 614, a duplex setting 615, a sort setting 616, and an execute button 617.

[0070] Message area 611 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0071] The Quantity Setting 612 is a component for displaying and setting the number of copies to print. Users can change the number of copies using the "+" and "-" buttons.

[0072] The paper size setting 613 is a component for displaying and setting the print paper size. The paper size setting 613 is a button, and pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting the print paper size.

[0073] The magnification setting 614 is a component for displaying and setting the magnification. The magnification setting 614 is a button, and pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting the magnification setting value.

[0074] The double-sided setting 615 is a component for displaying and setting double-sided settings. The double-sided setting 615 is a button, and pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting double-sided setting values.

[0075] Sort setting 616 is a component for displaying and configuring sort settings. Sort setting 616 is a button, and pressing it displays a screen (not shown) for selecting sort setting values.

[0076] Returning to the flowchart explanation, at S502, the copy application 214 waits for user input via the screen control unit 211.

[0077] In S503, the copy application 214 proceeds to S504 if the detected user instruction is "Settings," and proceeds to S505 if the user instruction is "Execute." A user instruction of "Settings" refers to operations that configure settings for the copy function, such as increasing or decreasing the number of copies using the copy setting 612, or selecting the paper size on the screen (not shown) after pressing the paper size setting 613.

[0078] In S504, the copy application 214 reflects the settings configured by the user on the screen and returns to S502.

[0079] The user instruction "execute" refers to an operation equivalent to pressing the execute button 617. For example, in addition to pressing the execute button 617, it may also be the pressing of a physical execute button provided on the operation unit 421.

[0080] In step S505, the copy application 214 starts scanning the Nth image with the scanner 111 via the scanner control unit 212. If this is the first time this process is performed, the variable N is set to 1 and saved in RAM 103 before operation.

[0081] In S506, the copy application 214 saves the Nth image data obtained as a result of scanning in S505 to RAM 103.

[0082] In S507, the copy application 214 uses the Nth image data stored in RAM 103 in S506 to display the scan result display screen 620 shown in Figure 6(b).

[0083] The scan result display screen 620 has a message area 621, scan results 622, and a next button 623.

[0084] Message area 621 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0085] The scan result display area 622 displays the Nth image data saved in S506. Additionally, by repeatedly pressing the forward button 624, the first to N-1 image data can be displayed in the scan result display area 622.

[0086] The next button 625 displays the image data scanned after the currently displayed image data in the scan result display area 622. This allows the user to see the results of their scan immediately after scanning. Therefore, they can quickly notice any scanning failures, such as accidentally scanning the back side. Pressing the next button 623 proceeds to S508.

[0087] Returning to the flowchart explanation, in S508, the copy application 214 displays the page swap scan instruction waiting screen 620(c).

[0088] The page swap scan instruction waiting screen 620(c) has a message area 631, a previous page scan start button 632, a next page scan start button 633, a print button 634, and a cancel button 635.

[0089] Message area 631 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0090] The previous page scan start button 632 resaves the Nth image data saved in S506 as the N+1th image data, controls the order of the images, and starts scanning to save the next document as the Nth image data.

[0091] The "Start Next Page Scan" button 633 is used to begin scanning the next page of the document, saving it in the normal order.

[0092] The print button 634 is the button that starts the process of printing the results of the scans performed so far.

[0093] The cancel button 635 is a button used to instruct the system to cancel the job.

[0094] Returning to the flowchart explanation, at S509, the copy application 214 determines whether the user instruction was canceled on the page swap scan instruction waiting screen 630 in Figure 6(c). If it is canceled, the screen control unit 211 closes the page swap scan instruction waiting screen 630 and terminates the flowchart; otherwise, the process proceeds to S510.

[0095] In S510, the copy application 214 determines the user's instruction on the page swap scan instruction waiting screen 630. If the next page scan is to begin, proceed to S511. If the previous page scan is to begin, proceed to S512. If the print is to begin, proceed to S517.

[0096] In S511, the copy application 214 saves the variable N as N+1 in RAM 103 and proceeds to S505. This allows the system to proceed to scanning the next document if the user has scanned the documents in the correct order.

[0097] In S512, the copy application 214 re-saves the data that was saved as the Nth image data in RAM103 in S506 as the N+1th image data.

[0098] In S513, the copy application 214 initiates scanning of the Nth image with the scanner 111 via the scanner control unit 212.

[0099] In S514, the copy application 214 saves the Nth image data obtained as a result of scanning in S513 to RAM 103.

[0100] In S515, the copy application 214 displays the scan instruction waiting screen 640 shown in Figure 6(d).

[0101] The scan instruction waiting screen 640 has a message area 641, a scan start button 642, a print button 643, and a cancel button 644.

[0102] Message area 641 is an area for displaying messages to help the user with operations.

[0103] The scan start button 642 is used to start scanning, saving the next document in the normal order.

[0104] The print button 643 is the button that starts the process of printing the results of the scans so far.

[0105] The cancel button 644 is used to instruct the system to cancel the job.

[0106] Returning to the flowchart explanation, at S516, the copy application 214 determines the user's instruction via the screen control unit 211. If the user's instruction is to load the next page, proceed to S517. If the user's instruction is to print, proceed to S518. If the user's instruction is to cancel, the scan instruction waiting screen 640 is closed via the screen control unit 211, and the flowchart ends.

[0107] In S517, the copy application 214 saves the variable N as N+1 in RAM 103 and proceeds to S511. From S512 to S517, if the user scans documents in the wrong order, the order of the saved image data can be rearranged, eliminating the need to cancel the job.

[0108] In S518, the copy application 214 uses the printer 112 via the printer control unit 213 to start printing all the image data saved from S505 to S514 in order from the smallest image number.

[0109] As described above, according to this embodiment, by changing the saving order of image data that has been saved once with the next image data acquired, it becomes unnecessary to rescan even if an image is scanned incorrectly, thereby improving usability.

[0110] The present invention may be a control program to be executed by a computer that realizes one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments, or it may be a recording medium that stores this control program.

[0111] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the spirit of the invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the invention. That is, all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments and their modified forms are included in the present invention.

Claims

1. In an information processing device having means for acquiring a document, In the aforementioned means for acquiring the original document, the first original document acquired is designated as the first image, and the second original document acquired is designated as the second image. Based on the instruction received to change the order in which the aforementioned documents were acquired, the first document acquired is set as the second image, and the document acquisition means then sets any further acquired documents as the first image. An information processing device characterized by the following features.

2. After acquiring the first document, the system has a display means for displaying the first image acquired in the first instance until it is time to acquire another document using the document acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

3. The display means further has a function to receive instructions to change the order in which the documents were acquired, and displays a button to receive such instructions. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The display means displays the first image and a button that accepts instructions to change the order on a single screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. The first image and the second image, after the order in which the aforementioned manuscripts were acquired are rearranged, are combined into a single image. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

6. The synthesized image is formed by arranging the first image and the second image in predetermined positions. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that

7. The system has printing means for printing the first image and the second image. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that

8. A method for controlling an information processing device, The process of obtaining the manuscript, In the process of acquiring the aforementioned original document, the first original document acquired is designated as the first image, and the second original document acquired is designated as the second image. A process for receiving instructions to change the order in which the aforementioned manuscripts were acquired, Based on receiving the aforementioned instructions, the process includes setting the first acquired document as the second image, Furthermore, the process of obtaining the manuscript, The process further includes setting the acquired original document into the first image. A control method for an information processing device, characterized by the features described herein.

9. A control program for an information processing device, Steps to obtain the manuscript, In the step of acquiring the aforementioned manuscript, the first manuscript acquired will be designated as the first image, and the second manuscript acquired will be designated as the second image. A step of receiving instructions to change the order in which the aforementioned manuscripts were acquired, Based on receiving the aforementioned instructions, the steps include setting the first acquired document as the second image, Furthermore, there are steps to obtain the manuscript, The further step includes setting the acquired original document into the first image. A control program for an information processing device, characterized by the following features.

10. A recording medium for storing the program described in claim 9.

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