Information processing device

Abstract

To make an operation requested to a user easier when generating an aggregated image by: expanding a range of an image which can be subjected to aggregation; enabling freely designating aggregation order of images; and further enabling confirming a generated aggregated image.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a control section configured to: when an operation section 16 receives a selection instruction for selecting an image file subjected to aggregation from a plurality of image files stored in a storage section 18, generate an aggregated image by aggregating the image file indicated by the selection instruction into one image; and causes a display section 15 to display the generated image. When generating the aggregated image, the control section 100 generates the aggregated image by arranging images indicated by the image file indicated by the selection instruction, at arrangement positions instructed by a position designation instruction, which is received by the operation section 16, designating arrangement positions in the aggregated image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a multifunction peripheral, which is an example of an information processing device, is capable of printing one image file on one sheet. In this regard, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are known as techniques for editing the layout of multiple images. Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe techniques for creating a new spreadsheet by adding or deleting a photo image. Patent Document 3 describes a technique for displaying multiple images on a single display screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] US9507506B2 [Patent Document 2] US9329762B1 [Patent Document 3] US9672591B2 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technologies described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 are not technologies related to the consolidation process of consolidating multiple images into one image, and cannot reduce the operational burden on the user when performing the consolidation process. In consolidation printing performed by a multifunction printer or the like, the images to be consolidated are generated by arranging the document images in the order of the document read by an image reading device such as a scanner, or by consolidating the images of each page of data to be printed consisting of multiple pages in page order by a specified number of pages, but in generating such images to be printed, the images that can be consolidated are limited, there is no freedom in specifying the order of the images to be consolidated, and it is desirable that the operations required of the user when generating the consolidated image to be printed are simple.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to simplify the operations required of a user when generating an aggregated image by expanding the range of images that can be aggregated, allowing the user to freely specify the order of each image to be aggregated, and enabling the user to confirm the generated aggregated image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a display unit, a memory unit in which a plurality of image files are stored, an operation unit which accepts instructions through user operation, and a control unit which, when a selection instruction to select an image file to be aggregated from the plurality of image files stored in the memory unit is received by the operation unit, generates an aggregated image in which the image files indicated by the selection instruction are aggregated into a single image and displays the generated aggregated image on the display unit, and when generating the aggregated image, the control unit generates the aggregated image by placing an image indicated by the image file indicated by the selection instruction at the placement position indicated by the position designation instruction in accordance with a position designation instruction that specifies a placement position in the aggregated image received by the operation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the range of images that can be aggregated can be expanded, the order of each image to be aggregated can be freely specified, and the generated aggregated image can be confirmed, simplifying the operations required of the user when generating an aggregated image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus; [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of generating an aggregate image by the image forming apparatus, the process of adding images to be aggregated. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an aggregation setting screen. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of moving images to be aggregated, which is a process of generating an aggregated image by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of deleting images to be aggregated, which is a process of generating an aggregated image by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 23] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 25] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. In the following, a rotational direction or a left-right, up-down direction may be indicated, but unless otherwise specified, these indicate directions as examples in each drawing.

[0010] An image forming apparatus 1 as an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a printing function, and a facsimile function.

[0011] Please refer to Fig. 1. The housing of the image forming apparatus 1 contains a plurality of devices for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feed unit 14, and a conveying unit 17. A display unit 15 and an operation unit 16 are provided on the front side of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0012] The image reading unit 11 is an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) including an original transport unit 6 that transports an original placed on an original table, and a scanner that optically reads an original transported by the original transport unit 6 or an original placed on a platen glass 7. The image reading unit 11 reads the original by illuminating the original with a light irradiation unit and receiving the reflected light with a CCD (Charge-Couple device) sensor, thereby generating image data indicating the original image. In other words, the image reading unit 11 obtains the original image by reading the original.

[0013] The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device. The image forming unit 12 forms an image composed of a toner image on the recording paper P conveyed along the conveying path T by the conveying unit 17 based on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11 or the image data received via the communication unit 22.

[0014] The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the recording paper P on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing unit 13 is discharged to the discharge tray 8. The paper feed unit 14 includes a manual feed tray and multiple paper feed cassettes. The paper feed unit 14 pulls out the recording paper P stored in one of the multiple paper feed cassettes or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one using a pickup roller, and feeds the recording paper to the transport path T.

[0015] The display unit 15 is a display device configured with a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, etc. The display unit 15 displays various screens for each job that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the control of the control unit 100. The display unit 15 is an example of a display unit in the claims.

[0016] The operation unit 16 includes each key for inputting an instruction to start execution of each job, and a touch panel 161 arranged on top of the display unit 15. The transport unit 17 includes a transport roller pair 17A, a discharge roller pair 17B, etc., and a transport motor connected to the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc. The control unit 100 drives the transport motor to rotate the transport roller pair 17A and the discharge roller pair 17B, etc., thereby transporting the recording paper P fed by the paper feed unit 14 along the transport path T toward the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray 8.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), etc. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0018] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 18. The control unit 100 may be configured by a logic circuit, regardless of the operation based on the control program.

[0019] The control unit 100 is responsible for the overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. More specifically, the control unit 100 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 and communication with an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) connected via a network.

[0020] The control unit 10 is electrically connected to the document transport unit 6, the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the display unit 15, the operation unit 16, the transport unit 17, the memory unit 18, the image processing unit 19, the image memory 20, the facsimile communication unit 21, and the communication unit 22, etc.

[0021] The storage unit 18 is a large-capacity storage device that includes an HDD (hard disk drive) or the like and stores various data such as image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The storage unit 18 stores various control programs for implementing general operations of the image forming apparatus 1. In the storage area within the storage unit 18, user boxes are provided for multiple users as storage areas in which image files owned by the users are stored. The control unit 100 also operates according to the control programs described above. Note that an image file refers to data to be printed or transmitted, such as a file or image data.

[0022] The image processing unit 19 performs image processing as necessary on the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The image memory 20 includes an area for temporarily storing the image data generated by the image reading unit 11. The facsimile communication unit 21 connects to a public line and transmits and receives image data via the public line.

[0023] The communication unit 22 includes a communication module such as a LAN (Local Area Network) board, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 performs data communication via the communication unit 22 with an external device such as a PC connected via a network.

[0024] The storage unit 18 has user boxes (folders) as storage areas for storing a plurality of image files (image data to be printed, etc.) The user boxes are storage areas that are assigned to each user and store image files.

[0025] The operation unit 16 accepts various instructions from the user. The operation unit 16 outputs the various accepted instructions to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 generates an aggregated image by aggregating multiple image files according to the instructions accepted by the operation unit 16. The control unit 100 displays an aggregation setting screen G1 (an example is shown in FIG. 4) on the display unit 15 for accepting various instructions for generating the aggregated image from the user. The image files to be aggregated are stored in the storage unit 18. Furthermore, when generating the aggregated image, the control unit 100 performs a process of editing each image (images indicated by image files) to be included in the aggregated image according to the instructions accepted by the operation unit 16. The editing refers to adding, deleting, and moving each image used to generate the aggregated image.

[0026] Here, when a selection instruction to select an image file to be aggregated from the multiple image files stored in the memory unit 18 is received by the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 generates an aggregated image in which the image files indicated by the selection instruction are aggregated into a single image, and displays the generated aggregated image on the display unit 15.

[0027] Furthermore, when generating an aggregate image, the control unit 100 places the image indicated by the image file indicated by the selection instruction received by the operation unit 16 at the placement position indicated by the position designation instruction, in accordance with the position designation instruction that specifies the placement position in the aggregate image received by the operation unit 16, to generate the aggregate image.

[0028] In addition, when generating an aggregate image, the control unit 100 generates the aggregate image by rearranging the image indicated by the image designation instruction to a different position indicated by the position change instruction in accordance with an image designation instruction received by the operation unit 16 that designates an image to be arranged as the aggregate image and a position change instruction that changes the position of the image specified by the image designation instruction to a different position, in the different position indicated by the position change instruction.

[0029] Furthermore, when generating an aggregate image, the control unit 100 generates the aggregate image by arranging the image obtained by the document reading by the image reading unit 11 at the arrangement position indicated by the position designation instruction received by the operation unit 16.

[0030] In addition, when generating an aggregate image, the control unit 100 deletes the image specified by the image designation instruction from the images that constitute the aggregate image, in accordance with an image designation instruction accepted by the operation unit 16 that designates an image arranged as the aggregate image and a deletion instruction that deletes the image specified by the image designation instruction.

[0031] In addition, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display, as a preview image, the aggregate image being generated as the images indicated by the image files are arranged in accordance with processing in accordance with instructions received by the operation unit 16.

[0032] Next, a description will be given of the aggregate image generating process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the process of adding images to be aggregated.

[0033] When an instruction to start generating an aggregate image is received by the operation unit 16 through a user operation, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display an aggregate setting screen G1 (S1). An example of the aggregate setting screen G1 is shown in FIG.

[0034] The aggregation setting screen G1 includes a display area G2 that displays a preview image of the aggregated image being aggregated, an edit button G3 for receiving an edit instruction, a display field G4 that displays a list of each image file stored in a user box, and a scan button G5 for receiving an original reading instruction. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a case where 4in1 (aggregation in which four images are included in one image) is performed as the aggregation is shown. The control unit 100 sets the number of images to be included in the aggregated image according to an instruction from the user received by the operation unit 16. The control unit 100 displays a preview image of the aggregated image, which indicates the position where the number of images specified by the instruction are to be arranged, in the display area G2. In the case of 4in1, the control unit 100 divides the aggregated image displayed as the preview image into four by a line segment indicating a position half the vertical length and a position half the horizontal width, and sets each area as the arrangement area of ​​the images to be included in the aggregated image. In the case of 2in1, the control unit 100 divides the aggregate image displayed as a preview image into two areas by a line segment at either half the vertical length or half the horizontal width, and sets each area as the layout area of ​​the images to be included in the aggregate image. Here, the case of 4in1 will be described as an example.

[0035] Then, in display field G4, control unit 100 displays a list of each image file (for example, a file consisting of image data in JPEG format, BMP format, or the like) stored in a user box associated with the user who is currently logged in to image forming apparatus 1. When the user inputs his / her own user ID and password into operation unit 16, and control unit 100 authenticates that the user ID and password are legitimate user ID and password stored in advance by control unit 100, control unit 100 approves the user's login to image forming apparatus 1.

[0036] Here, when the user touches the scan button G5 displayed on the aggregation setting screen G1, a reading instruction is received by the operation unit 16 via the touch panel 161 to cause the image reading unit 11 to obtain the image to be included in the aggregate image by reading the document ("scan" at S2).

[0037] On the other hand, when the aggregation setting screen G1 is displayed on the display unit 15, if the user operates the display portion of the image file of an image that the user wants to include in the aggregated image from the file list displayed in the display field G4 (Figure 5), the operation unit 16 receives an instruction to obtain the image that the user wants to include in the aggregated image from the user box, and a selection instruction to select the image indicated by the image file indicated by the operated display portion as the image that the user wants to include in the aggregated image ("user box" in S2, S3).

[0038] Then, when the user operates any of the areas (the above-mentioned areas for arranging the images to be included in the aggregate image) G21-G24 indicating the arrangement position of the image to be included in the aggregate image in the preview image of the aggregate image displayed in the display portion G2 (FIG. 6), a position designation instruction is received by the operation unit 16 specifying the position indicated by the operated area for arranging the image to be included in the aggregate image (S4). Furthermore, when the user operates the add button G31 of the edit buttons G3 (FIG. 7), the addition process indicated by the operated add button G31 is received by the operation unit 16 as the editing content desired by the user (S5). Note that either the process of S4 or S5 may be performed first.

[0039] After S5, the control unit 100 judges whether an image has already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (S6). When the control unit 100 judges that an image has not already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (NO in S6), that is, when an image has not yet been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction and the area at that position is empty, the control unit 100 reads the image file indicated by the selection instruction from the user box of the user, and adds (inserts) and places the image indicated by the read image file at that position in the aggregated image being generated (S7). As shown in an example in FIG. 8, the control unit 100 causes the display portion G2 to display a preview image showing the aggregated image being generated, showing the state in which the image has been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction in this way (S8). After this, the process ends.

[0040] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that an image has already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (YES in S6), the process returns to the process of designating the position at which the image to be included in the aggregate image is to be placed (S4). In another embodiment, if the control unit 100 determines that an image has already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction, the control unit 100 may delete the image already placed at that position and replace it with the image indicated by the image file indicated by the selection instruction. After this replacement, the process ends.

[0041] In addition, in S2, the operation unit 16 receives the above-mentioned reading instruction ("scan" in S2, FIG. 9), and similarly to the above, the operation unit 16 receives a position designation instruction designating a position at which an image to be included in the aggregate image is to be arranged (S10). Furthermore, when the operation unit 16 receives an additional process as the editing content desired by the user (S11), the control unit 100 judges whether an image has already been arranged at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (S12). When the control unit 100 judges that an image has not already been arranged at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (NO in S12), it causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document (S13), and adds and arranges the image obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit 11 at the position indicated by the position designation instruction in the aggregate image being generated (S14). The control unit 100 causes the display portion G2 to display a preview image showing the aggregate image being generated, showing the state in which the image obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit 11 is arranged at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (S15). After this, the process ends. It is noted that either the process of S10 or the process of S11 may be carried out first.

[0042] Furthermore, when the control unit 100 determines that an image has already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction (YES in S12), the process returns to the process of designating the position at which to place the image to be included in the aggregate image (S10). In another embodiment, when the control unit 100 determines that an image has already been placed at the position indicated by the position designation instruction, the control unit 100 may delete the image already placed at that position and replace it with the image obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit 11. The control unit 100 causes the display portion G2 to display a preview image showing the aggregate image being generated after the image has been replaced (FIG. 8). After this, the process ends.

[0043] In addition, in S2, if operation unit 16 does not accept either a read instruction to cause image reading unit 11 to obtain an image to be included in the aggregate image by reading the document, or a selection instruction to select an image to be included in the aggregate image from a user box, and an addition process is accepted by operation unit 16 through the user's operation of add button G31 ("Add" in S2), control unit 100 causes display unit 15 to display a message indicating an operation error, for example, a message M1 indicating that no image has been selected, as shown in Fig. 10 (S16). After this, the process ends.

[0044] A further description will be given of the aggregate image generating process by the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the process of moving images to be aggregated.

[0045] The control unit 100 is assumed to display an aggregation setting screen G1 on the display unit 15 as shown in Fig. 12 (S21). At this time, in the display portion G2 that displays the aggregated image being aggregated, preview partial images DR1 to DR4 indicating the images added by the user as images to be included in the aggregated image are displayed as an example. Here, an example of the generated aggregated image is shown as 4in1.

[0046] Here, when the user touches any of the preview partial images DR1-DR4 whose position within the aggregated image the user wishes to move in the display portion G2 displaying a preview image of the aggregated image being aggregated, an image selection instruction to move the image displayed as a preview in the touched area is accepted by the operation unit 16 (YES in S22). Fig. 13 shows an example in which the preview partial image DR1 is touched and an image selection instruction to move the image indicated by the preview partial image DR1 is accepted by the operation unit 16.

[0047] Next, when the user touches either the right arrow button G36 or the left arrow button G35, which are displayed as the edit button G3 (FIG. 14), a movement direction specification instruction indicating the direction in which to move the image selected by the image selection instruction is received by the operation unit 16 via the touch panel (YES in S23).

[0048] When the movement direction designation instruction indicates a movement to the right direction accepted by the operation of the right arrow button G36 ("Right" in S24), the control unit 100 moves the arrangement position of the image selected by the image selection instruction in the aggregate image from the position at the time when the image selection instruction was accepted to the position immediately to the right of the position (S25). FIG. 15 shows an example in which the control unit 100 moves a preview partial image DR1 indicating the image selected by the image selection instruction from its previous position ER1 to the position ER2 immediately to the right. The control unit 100 displays a preview image indicating the aggregate image after the selected image is moved to the specified position in the display area G2 on the aggregation setting screen G1 (S26). After this, the process ends.

[0049] When moving the image selected by the image selection instruction in this manner, if an image has already been placed at the destination position, the control unit 100 may (1) delete the image already placed at the destination position, or (2) move it to the position where the image selected by the image selection instruction was placed. Fig. 15 shows an example of performing (2).

[0050] 13 is selected by the image selection instruction and the movement direction instruction indicates a movement to the right, the control unit 100 moves the image indicated by the preview partial image DR2 to a position ER3. Furthermore, when the preview partial image DR4 in FIG. 13 is selected by the image selection instruction and the movement direction instruction indicates a movement to the right, the control unit 100 moves the image indicated by the preview partial image DR4 to a position ER1.

[0051] On the other hand, when the movement direction designation instruction indicates a movement to the left direction accepted by the operation of the left arrow button G35 ("left" in S24), the control unit 100 moves the arrangement position of the image selected by the image selection instruction in the aggregate image from the position at the time when the image selection instruction was accepted to the position immediately to the left of the position (S27). FIG. 16 shows an example in which the control unit 100 moves the preview partial image DR4 indicating the image selected by the image selection instruction from its previous position ER4 to the position immediately to the left ER3. The control unit 100 displays a preview image indicating the aggregate image after the selected image is moved to the specified position in the display area G2 on the aggregation setting screen G1 (S26).

[0052] Also, for example, when the preview partial image DR1 in Fig. 13 is selected by the image selection instruction and the movement direction designation instruction indicates movement to the left, the control unit 100 moves the image indicated by the preview partial image DR1 to a position ER4. Furthermore, when the preview partial image DR3 in Fig. 13 is selected by the image selection instruction and the movement direction designation instruction indicates movement to the left, the control unit 100 moves the image indicated by the preview partial image DR3 to a position ER2. The control unit 100 displays a preview image indicating the aggregate image after the image selected in this way is moved to the designated position in the display area G2 on the aggregate setting screen G1. After this, the processing ends.

[0053] In S22, if the operation unit 16 does not receive an image selection instruction for selecting an image to be included in the aggregated image (NO in S22) and the operation unit 16 receives the movement direction specification instruction (YES in S28), the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display a message indicating an operation error, such as the example shown in Fig. 10, for example, a message indicating that an image to be moved has not been selected (S29). After this, the process ends. In addition, if NO in S28, the process returns to S22.

[0054] A further description will be given of the aggregate image generating process by the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the process of deleting images to be aggregated.

[0055] 12, the control unit 100 is assumed to have caused the display unit 15 to display the aggregation setting screen G1 (S41). Here, too, an example is shown in which the display portion G2 displaying the aggregated image undergoing aggregation processing displays preview partial images DR1 to DR4 indicating the images added by the user as images to be included in the aggregated image, and an example of a 4-in-1 aggregated image is shown.

[0056] Here, when the user touches any of the preview partial images DR1-DR4 indicating an image to be deleted among the images arranged in the aggregated image in display portion G2 displaying a preview image of the aggregated image being aggregated, an image selection instruction to select the image displayed as a preview in the touched area is accepted by operation unit 16 (YES in S42). Fig. 18 shows an example in which preview partial image DR4 is touched and an image selection instruction to select the image indicated by preview partial image DR4 is accepted by operation unit 16.

[0057] Next, when the user touches the delete button G32 displayed as the edit button G3 (FIG. 19), a delete instruction to delete the image selected by the image selection instruction is received by the operation unit 16 via the touch panel (YES in S43). Note that if NO in S43, the process repeats S43.

[0058] At this time, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display a confirmation screen D15 for the user to confirm that the image selected by the image selection instruction is to be deleted (S44), as shown in an example in Fig. 20. The confirmation screen D15 displays a message window W1 displaying a delete confirmation button B11 for accepting a further delete instruction and a cancel button B12 for accepting a cancel instruction to cancel the delete instruction.

[0059] Here, when the user touches the delete confirmation button B11 (FIG. 21) and a further delete instruction is received by the operation unit 16 via the touch panel (YES in S45), the control unit 100 displays a message M5 indicating that the image is being deleted on the confirmation display screen D15 (an example is shown in FIG. 22), and deletes the image selected by the image selection instruction (S46). As shown in an example in FIG. 23, the control unit 100 displays a preview image showing the aggregate image after deleting the selected image (in this example, the image shown by the preview partial image DR4) in the display portion G2 (S47). Note that if NO in S45, the process returns to S44.

[0060] In S42, if an image selection instruction to select an image to be deleted is not received by operation unit 16 (NO in S42) and the deletion instruction is received by operation unit 16 (YES in S48), control unit 100 causes display unit 15 to display a message indicating an operation error, such as the example shown in Fig. 10, for example, a message indicating that an image to be deleted has not been selected (S49). After this, the process ends. In addition, if NO in S48, the process returns to S42.

[0061] The above-described image adding, moving, and deleting processes in the aggregate image generating process by image forming apparatus 1 may be executed individually and independently by control unit 100, but are executed in parallel according to the contents of instructions received by operation unit 16 through a user operation while aggregation setting screen G1 is displayed. That is, control unit 100 can also execute a combination of adding an image to be included in the aggregate image, moving the position of each image included in the aggregate image, and deleting each image included in the aggregate image.

[0062] Furthermore, after the image forming apparatus 1 has performed each of the processes of adding, moving, and deleting images in the aggregate image generation process, when the user touches the Confirm button B50 to receive a confirmation instruction to confirm the contents of the aggregate image being generated at the operation unit 16, the aggregate image being generated at the time of reception (the aggregate image being previewed in the display portion G2 of the aggregation setting screen G1) is confirmed with its contents as a target for saving, transmitting, or image formation, and is generated as an image file. After generating the image file, the control unit 100 saves the image indicated by the image file in a user box, transmits it to a specified destination, or causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image, in accordance with the contents of the user's instructions received by the operation unit 16.

[0063] Thus, according to the present embodiment, images to be aggregated, such as those in general aggregate printing performed in a multifunction machine, are not limited to aggregate printing using images to be printed generated by arranging document images in the order of documents read by an image reading device such as a scanner, or by aggregating images of multiple pages of print target data in page order by a specified number of pages, but it is possible to perform aggregate printing using an aggregate image generated by an image indicated by an image file read from a user box or an image of a document newly read by the image reading unit 11. Furthermore, since an image indicated by an image file read from a user box or an image of a document newly read by the image reading unit 11 can be arranged as each image to be aggregated at a position specified by an operation on the aggregate setting screen G1, images to be aggregated can be set relatively freely, and the order of images to be aggregated can be specified as desired by the user. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the contents of the aggregated image to be generated can be confirmed by a preview image displayed on the aggregate setting screen G1, and the user is not required to perform complicated operations when generating an aggregated image.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, when generating an aggregate image, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 15 to display a message M8 prompting the image reading unit 11 to read a document when the user touches a position in the aggregate image being generated where an image to be included in the aggregate image has not yet been placed, for example, an area G22 (FIG. 24) while the aggregation setting screen G1 is being displayed, and an instruction to specify an unplaced position for specifying the area G22 is received by the operation unit 16 (FIG. 25). Here, when the user touches a scan button B60 for receiving an instruction to execute a scan (FIG. 26), and an instruction to execute a scan is received by the operation unit 16, the control unit 100 causes the image reading unit 11 to read the document, places the image obtained by the document reading at the position specified by the instruction to specify an unplaced position, and causes the display unit 15 to display a preview image of the aggregate image showing the state of the arrangement. Thereafter, when the control unit receives the above-mentioned confirmation instruction, it confirms the aggregate image being generated at the time of reception (the aggregate image being previewed in the display portion G2 of the aggregation setting screen G1) as the target for saving, transmitting, or image formation with its contents.

[0065] Moreover, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 26 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Image forming device 100 Control section 12 Image forming section 15 Display 16 Control section 18 Memory section

Claims

1. A display unit; A storage unit in which a plurality of image files are stored; an operation unit that receives instructions through user operations; a control unit that, when a selection instruction for selecting an image file to be aggregated from the plurality of image files stored in the storage unit is received by the operation unit, generates an aggregated image by aggregating the image files indicated by the selection instruction into a single image, and displays the generated aggregated image on the display unit; The control unit, when generating the aggregate image, generates the aggregate image by placing the image indicated by the image file indicated by the selection instruction at the placement position indicated by the position designation instruction in accordance with a position designation instruction that specifies a placement position in the aggregate image accepted by the operation unit.

2. 2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when generating the aggregate image, the control unit generates the aggregate image by repositioning the image indicated by the image designation instruction to the different position indicated by the position change instruction in accordance with an image designation instruction accepted by the operation unit that designates the image to be arranged within the aggregate image and a position change instruction that changes the position in the aggregate image of the image designated by the image designation instruction to another position, in the aggregate image.

3. The image reading unit further includes an image reading unit for reading an image of a document, 2 . The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when generating the aggregate image, generates the aggregate image by placing an image obtained by reading a document by the image reading unit at a placement position in the aggregate image indicated by the position designation instruction received by the operation unit.

4. 4. The information processing device of claim 3, wherein when generating the aggregate image, if an instruction to specify an unplaced position is received from the operation unit, specifying a position in the aggregate image being generated where the image has not yet been placed, the control unit causes the display unit to display a message prompting the user to have the image reading unit read the original document, and then generates the aggregate image by placing the image obtained by reading the original document with the image reading unit at the position indicated by the instruction to specify the unplaced position.

5. 2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when generating the aggregate image, the control unit deletes, in accordance with an image designation instruction accepted by the operation unit that designates the image to be placed in the aggregate image and a deletion instruction that deletes the image designated by the image designation instruction, from images constituting the aggregate image being generated.

6. 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a preview image of an aggregate image being generated as the images are arranged and formed in accordance with processing in accordance with instructions received from the operation unit.

Images