Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus that can achieve an interface with good visibility by, in displaying a preview image, allowing a user to easy to see the preview image and the other display information.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus (1) comprises a control unit (100) that performs control to display, on a display (150), a preview image and display information other than the preview image. The display (150) includes a preview image display area in which the preview image is displayed. When displaying one or more preview images displayed in the preview image display area in an enlarged / reduced state, the control unit (100) performs control to display the display information displayed on the display (150) in an enlarged / reduced state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, and more particularly to an image processing device that displays a preview image and display information other than the preview image on a display screen. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been known an image processing apparatus that generates a preview image based on input image data and displays the preview on a display screen of an operation unit.

[0003] In a conventional image processing device, for example, one is disclosed in which a part of a plurality of preview images displayed in a preview image display area is enlarged and displayed as an enlarged preview image (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-245034 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, even if the preview image displayed on the display screen is displayed as an enlarged preview image, the size of other display information remains the same, which reduces the presence of the display information and results in an interface with relatively poor visibility of the display information.

[0006] Therefore, in order to improve the visibility of the displayed information, for example, if the preview image is displayed in a reduced size, the size of the displayed information remains the same, so the presence of the preview image becomes relatively smaller, resulting in the problem that the preview image becomes more difficult to see.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide an image processing device, etc. that can realize an interface with good visibility by making both the preview image and other display information easy to see when displaying a preview image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is an image processing device having a control unit that controls the display of a preview image and display information other than the preview image on a display screen, wherein the display screen has a preview image display area in which a preview image is displayed, and the control unit controls the display information displayed on the display screen to be enlarged / reduced when one or more preview images displayed in the preview image display area are enlarged / reduced. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the image processing device of the present invention, there is provided an image processing device including a control unit that controls the display of a preview image and display information other than the preview image on a display screen, wherein the display screen has a preview image display area in which a preview image is displayed, and when one or more preview images displayed in the preview image display area are enlarged / reduced, the control unit controls the display information displayed on the display screen to be enlarged / reduced, thereby making it possible to provide an image processing device that makes both the preview image and other display information easy to view and realizes an interface with good visibility. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3]1A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed on a display unit of the image forming device, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a display state of other display information when the preview image is enlarged and displayed. [Figure 4] FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of other display information when the preview image is enlarged. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a third embodiment, FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of a copy button when the preview image is enlarged, and FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information when the preview image is enlarged. [Figure 6] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of display information when the preview image is enlarged and displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged. [Figure 8] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged. [Figure 9] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a seventh embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged. [Figure 10] FIG. 13(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to an eighth embodiment, and FIG. 13(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the preview image display area and the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged. [Figure 11]FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image for one page is displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a ninth embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image for two pages is displayed on the display unit. [Figure 12] 10. (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed in portrait orientation on a display unit of an image forming device according to a tenth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed in landscape orientation on the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0012] The first embodiment is an image forming apparatus 1 which is an image processing apparatus including a control unit 100 which controls a preview image and display information other than the preview image to be displayed on a display unit 150, as shown in FIG. 1, and is characterized in that when the preview image displayed on the display unit 150 is enlarged / reduced, the control unit 100 controls the display information displayed on the display unit 150 to be enlarged / reduced.

[0013] (Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) First, the basic configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is an image processing apparatus that includes an original reading unit 112 on the upper part of the apparatus body, reads an image of an original, and outputs the image by an electrophotographic method. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes a control unit 100, an image input unit 110, a document reading unit 112, an image processing unit 120, an image forming unit 130, an operation unit 140, a display unit 150, and a memory unit 160, and further includes a preview image display magnification setting unit 170, a display information display magnification setting unit 180, and a display image generation unit 190.

[0014] The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 as a whole. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs, and is configured, for example, by one or more arithmetic devices (for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units)).

[0015] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the preview image is enlarged / reduced, the control unit 100 sets the display magnification of the preview image using the preview image display magnification setting unit 170, and based on the result, sets the display magnification of the other display information using the display information display magnification setting unit 180, and based on the result, controls the display image generation unit 190 to generate a display image of the preview image and the other display information.

[0016] Image input unit 110 is a functional unit for reading image data input to image forming apparatus 1. Image input unit 110 is connected to document reading unit 112, which is a functional unit for reading an image of a document, and inputs image data output from document reading unit 112.

[0017] The image input unit 110 may also input image data from a storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an SD card, etc. Also, the image input unit 110 may include a communication unit for connecting to another terminal device and input image data from the other terminal device.

[0018] The image processing unit 120 is a functional unit that performs various image processing on image data, and forms an output image based on the image data that has been subjected to the image processing.

[0019] The image forming unit 130 is a functional unit for forming output data based on image data on a recording medium (e.g., recording paper). For example, as shown in Fig. 2, recording paper is fed from a paper feed tray 122, and after an image is formed on the surface of the recording paper in the image forming unit 130, the recording paper is discharged from a paper discharge tray 124. The image forming unit 130 is configured by, for example, a laser printer using an electrophotographic method.

[0020] The operation unit 140 is a functional unit for receiving operation instructions from a user, and is composed of various key switches, devices for detecting input by contact, etc. The user inputs functions to be used and output conditions via the operation unit 140. The display unit 150 is a functional unit for displaying various information to the user, and is configured, for example, by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like.

[0021] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a touch panel in which the operation panel 141 and the display unit 150 are integrally formed. In this case, the input detection method of the touch panel may be any common detection method such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method.

[0022] The storage unit 160 is a functional unit that stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 160 is configured, for example, by a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) that is a semiconductor memory.

[0023] Preview image display magnification setting unit 170 sets the magnification at which the preview image is enlarged / reduced. The magnification may be input by, for example, a gesture operation such as a touch operation of pinching in or out on the preview image displayed on display unit 150 by the user, or a switch operation of enlarging / reducing using a slide bar or a button.

[0024] The display information display magnification setting section 180 sets the magnification at which the display information is displayed, based on the magnification of the preview image set by the preview image display magnification setting section 170 .

[0025] Display image generating section 190 generates a preview image based on the magnification set by preview image display magnification setting section 170 , and generates a display image of the display information based on the magnification set by display information display magnification setting section 180 .

[0026] (Displaying preview images on image forming devices) Next, a case where a preview image is displayed in the image forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to the first embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of other display information when the preview image is enlarged and displayed.

[0027] 3(a), a display screen 151 is displayed on the display unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 1. The display screen 151 is provided with a preview image display area 152 in which a preview image 1501 is displayed.

[0028] Furthermore, on the display screen 151, as display information other than the preview image, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed. Here, as shown in Fig. 3(a), the text information 1510 is simplified and displayed as a plurality of rectangular areas. The copy button (operation button) 1521 is a start button for executing copying.

[0029] In the preview image display area 152, a preview image 1501 is displayed. When preview image 1501 is to be enlarged, for example, a pinch-out operation is performed on preview image 1501. The magnification for enlarging preview image 1501 is set in preview image display magnification setting unit 170 based on the pinch-out operation.

[0030] In the first embodiment, the enlargement magnification of the text information 1510 and the copy button 1521 is set by the display information display magnification setting unit 170 based on the enlargement magnification of the preview image 1501 .

[0031] 3(b), based on the set enlargement ratio, preview image 1501, text information 1510, and copy button 1521 are displayed as enlarged preview image 1501a, enlarged text information 1510a, and enlarged copy button 1521a. The two-dot chain lines in the figure indicate the sizes of preview image 1501, text information 1510, and copy button 1521 before they are enlarged.

[0032] In the display information display magnification setting unit 170, based on the display positions and display intervals of the character information 1510 and the copy button 1521 before the enlargement / reduction process is executed, when the enlargement / reduction process is executed, the positions are appropriately adjusted according to the magnification so that the respective pieces of display information do not overlap and are not too far apart.

[0033] As configured as described above, according to the first embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 enlarges and displays text information 1510 and copy button 1521 in the same manner as preview image 1501, thereby making it possible to provide image forming apparatus 1 that can display preview image 1501, text information 1510, and copy button 1521 in an easily viewable manner and realize an interface with good visibility.

[0034] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the two preview images displayed on the display unit 150, the display information displayed on the display unit 150 is controlled to be enlarged.

[0035] Figure 4(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a preview image is displayed on the display unit of an image forming device according to the second embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of other display information when the preview image is enlarged and displayed.

[0036] In the second embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0037] In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(a), two preview images 2501 and 2502 are displayed in the preview image display area 152 of the display screen 151 of the display unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] In the second embodiment, two different preview images 2501 and 2502 are displayed at the same magnification. Then, the magnifications of the text information 1510 and the copy button 1521 are set by the display information display magnification setting unit 170 based on the magnifications of the two preview images 2501 and 2502.

[0039] Then, as shown in FIG. 4(b), based on the set magnification ratio, the two preview images 2501, 2502, the text information 1510, and the copy button 1521 are displayed as two enlarged preview images 2501a, 2502a, enlarged text information 1510a, and an enlarged copy button 1521a.

[0040] As configured as described above, according to the second embodiment, when two preview images 1502, 1503 are enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 causes text information 1510 and copy button 1521 to be enlarged in the same manner as two preview images 2501, 2502, so that other text information 1510 and copy button 1521 can also be displayed in an easily viewable manner.

[0041] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image displayed on the display unit 150, it controls so that only the operation buttons are enlarged among the display information displayed on the display unit 150.

[0042] Figure 5(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a preview image is displayed on the display unit of an image forming device according to the third embodiment, (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the copy button when the preview image is enlarged, and (c) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information when the preview image is enlarged.

[0043] In the third embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0044] 5(a), in the third embodiment, a preview image 1501 is displayed in a preview image display area 152 of a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0045] In the third embodiment, the enlargement magnification of the copy button 1521 is set by the display information display magnification setting unit 170 based on the enlargement magnification of the preview image 1501. The text information 1510 is not enlarged.

[0046] Then, as shown in FIG. 5(b), when preview image 1501 is enlarged and displayed, preview image 1501 and copy button 1521 are displayed as enlarged preview image 1501a and enlarged copy button 1521a.

[0047] As configured as described above, according to the third embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 enlarges only copy button 1521 in the same manner as preview image 1501, so that copy button 1521 can be displayed in an easily viewable manner, and an interface with good visibility can be realized.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5(c), instead of the copy button 1521, the text information 1510 may be displayed together with the preview image 1501 as an enlarged preview image 1501a and enlarged text information 1510a based on the set enlargement ratio.

[0049] (Fourth embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image displayed on the display unit 150, the display information is controlled to be displayed within the preview image display area 152 and enlarged.

[0050] FIG. 6(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image is displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to a fourth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the display information when the preview image is enlarged and displayed.

[0051] In the fourth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0052] 6(a), in the fourth embodiment, a preview image 1501 is displayed in a preview image display area 152 on a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. Also displayed on the display screen 151 are a plurality of pieces of character information 1511, character information 1512 relating to a plurality of preview images, and a copy button 1521. The character information relating to the preview image is, for example, magnification, image editing, change of image forming conditions, and the like.

[0053] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(b), when a preview image 1501 is enlarged, text information 1512 and a copy button 1521 related to the preview image 1501 are displayed as enlarged text information 1512a and an enlarged copy button 1521a together with an enlarged preview image 1501a within the enlarged preview image display area 452.

[0054] The text information 1512 and the copy button 1521 are displayed based on the enlargement ratio of the preview image 1501 .

[0055] As configured as described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 enlarges and displays text information 1512 related to preview image 1501 and copy button 1521 together with preview image 1501 in preview image display area 452. This makes it possible to display text information 1512 and copy button 1521 in an easily viewable manner, thereby realizing an interface with good visibility.

[0056] Fifth embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image displayed on the display unit 150, the magnification at which the preview image is enlarged / reduced and the magnification at which the display information is enlarged / reduced are set to different magnifications.

[0057] FIG. 7(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to the fifth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged.

[0058] In the fifth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0059] 7A, in the fifth embodiment, a preview image 1501 is displayed in a preview image display area 152 on a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0060] In the fifth embodiment, the enlargement magnification of the text information 1510 is set by the display information display magnification setting unit 170 based on the enlargement magnification of the preview image 1501. At this time, the enlargement magnifications of the preview image 1501 and the text information 1510 are set to be different. Here, the enlargement magnification is set to be larger than the enlargement magnification of the preview image 1501 so that the text information 1510 is easier to see. The text information 1510 is not enlarged.

[0061] Then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), when preview image 1501 is enlarged and displayed, text information 1510 is displayed as enlarged text information 1510b.

[0062] With the above-described configuration, according to the fifth embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 sets the enlargement magnification of preview image 1501 and the enlargement magnification of text information 1510 to different magnifications, for example, by setting the enlargement magnification of text information 1510 to a magnification greater than that of preview image 1501, thereby making text information 1510 easier to see. This makes it possible to realize an interface with good visibility.

[0063] Instead of the text information 1510, the copy button 1521 may be displayed at a magnification different from that of the preview image 1501.

[0064] Sixth embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image displayed on the display unit 150, operation buttons for executing functions related to image editing are displayed as display information.

[0065] Figure 8(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a preview image is displayed on the display unit of an image forming device according to the sixth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged.

[0066] In the sixth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0067] 8(a), in the sixth embodiment, a preview image 1501 is displayed in a preview image display area 152 on a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0068] The sixth embodiment is characterized in that, as shown in Fig. 8(b), when the preview image 1501 is enlarged, an enlarge button 1522 and a reduce button 1523 are displayed as display information to be displayed. Here, the text information 1510 and the copy button 1521 are not enlarged.

[0069] When preview image 1501 is enlarged, text information 1510 and copy button 1521 are not enlarged, making it clear that enlarge button 1522 and reduce button 1523 have been additionally displayed on display screen 151.

[0070] As configured as described above, according to the sixth embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 additionally displays, as display information, enlarge button 1522 and reduce button 1523 for enlarging / reducing preview image 1501, thereby realizing an interface with excellent operability for image editing, etc.

[0071] As a modified example, as shown in FIG. 8(c), when the preview image 1501 is enlarged, in addition to additionally displaying the enlargement button 1522 and the reduction button 1523, a movement button (scroll button) 1524 for moving the preview image 1501a vertically / horizontally may be displayed.

[0072] Furthermore, as operation buttons for executing functions relating to image editing that are additionally displayed on the display screen 151, for example, a display reset button, an image editing button, etc. may be displayed.

[0073] Seventh embodiment Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. The seventh embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, when the control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image displayed on the display unit 150, an upper limit is specified for the magnification at which the display information is enlarged / reduced, regardless of the magnification at which the preview image is enlarged / reduced.

[0074] Figure 9(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which a preview image is displayed on the display unit of an image forming device according to the seventh embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged.

[0075] In the seventh embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0076] 9A, in the seventh embodiment, a preview image 7501 is displayed in a preview image display area 152 of a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0077] In the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9(b), when preview image 7501 is greatly enlarged, an upper limit is set for the enlargement magnification of text information 1510 and copy button 1521 regardless of the enlargement magnification of preview image 7501, and enlarged text information 1510c and enlarged copy button 1521c are displayed without overlapping on display screen 151.

[0078] Here, the enlargement magnification of the preview image 7501 is set to about 4 times. The enlargement factor of the text information 1510 and the copy button 1521 is set to approximately 2 times, which is smaller than the enlargement factor of the preview image 1501 .

[0079] As a result, when small preview image 7501 is enlarged and displayed at a large magnification, text information 1510 and copy button 1521 are not too large and are displayed at an enlarged magnification that is easy to see.

[0080] As configured as described above, according to the seventh embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 sets an upper limit to the magnification at which text information 1510 and copy button 1521 are enlarged, regardless of the magnification at which preview image 7501 is enlarged. This allows text information 1510 and copy button 1521 to be displayed at a magnification that is easy to see without overlapping, thereby realizing an interface with excellent visibility and operability.

[0081] Eighth embodiment Next, an eighth embodiment will be described. The eighth embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 100 controls the preview image to be enlarged / reduced and the preview image display area to be enlarged / reduced.

[0082] FIG. 10(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed on a display unit of an image forming device according to the eighth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the preview image display area and the display state of text information and a copy button when the preview image is enlarged.

[0083] In the eighth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0084] 10A, in the eighth embodiment, a preview image 1501 is displayed in a preview image display area 852 on a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0085] In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, when a preview image 1501 is enlarged, the preview image display area 852 is controlled to be enlarged.

[0086] Here, preview image display area 852a is displayed enlarged at the same magnification as preview image 1501. Text information 1510a and copy button 1521a are also displayed enlarged at the same magnification as preview image 1501.

[0087] This allows preview image 1501 to be enlarged and displayed smoothly within preview image display area 152 .

[0088] As configured as described above, according to the eighth embodiment, when preview image 1501 is enlarged in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 controls preview image display area 852 to be enlarged, so that preview image 1501 can be displayed in preview image display area 852 in an easily viewable state, thereby realizing an interface with excellent visibility.

[0089] Ninth embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. The ninth embodiment is characterized in that in the image forming apparatus 1, the control unit 100 changes the magnification of enlargement / reduction of the preview images in accordance with the number of preview images to be displayed.

[0090] FIG. 11(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image for one page is displayed on the display unit of an image forming device according to the ninth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a preview image for two pages is displayed on the display unit.

[0091] In the ninth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0092] 11A, in the ninth embodiment, a preview image 9501 for one page is displayed in a preview image display area 152 of a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0093] In the ninth embodiment, when two pages of preview images 9502 and 9503 are displayed in the preview image display area 152, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the preview images 9502 and 9503 are displayed at a reduced size compared to the display size of one page of preview image 9501 so that the entire image is displayed within the preview image display area 152.

[0094] When preview images 9502 and 9503 are displayed in preview image display area 152 for each page, they are displayed in the same display size as preview image 9501 shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0095] As configured as described above, according to the ninth embodiment, when two preview images 9502, 9503 are displayed in preview image display area 152 in image forming apparatus 1, control unit 100 changes the enlargement / reduction magnification of preview images 9502, 9503 according to the number of preview images to be displayed, and displays them. This eliminates the need to set the enlargement / reduction display magnification for each preview image, and allows the entire images of preview images 9502, 9503 to be displayed and confirmed in preview image display area 152, thereby realizing an interface with excellent operability and visibility.

[0096] Tenth embodiment Next, a tenth embodiment will be described. The tenth embodiment is characterized in that in an image forming device 1, a control unit 100 enlarges / reduces the preview image display area so that the entire preview image can be displayed depending on the portrait / landscape orientation in which the preview image is displayed.

[0097] Figure 12(a) is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed in portrait orientation on the display unit of an image forming device according to the tenth embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing a preview image displayed in landscape orientation on the display unit.

[0098] In the tenth embodiment, for convenience of explanation, components having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0099] 12A, in the tenth embodiment, a preview image 10501 is displayed in a portrait orientation in a preview image display area 152 of a display screen 151 of a display unit 150 of an image forming apparatus 1. In addition, a plurality of pieces of text information 1510 and a copy button 1521 are displayed on the display screen 151.

[0100] In the tenth embodiment, when preview image 10501 is displayed on display screen 151 by changing the display state from portrait to landscape in preview image display area 152, preview image display area 1052 is set by enlarging preview image display area 152 horizontally so that the entire image of preview image 10501 oriented horizontally is displayed, as shown in FIG. 10(b).

[0101] Then, a preview image 10501 is displayed in a preview image display area 1052 in a landscape orientation.

[0102] As configured as described above, according to the tenth embodiment, in image forming device 1, preview image display area 1052 is set by enlarging / reducing the display area so that the entire preview image 10501 can be displayed depending on the vertical / horizontal orientation in which preview image 10501 is displayed. As a result, the entire preview image 10501 can be displayed regardless of the vertical / horizontal orientation, and an interface with excellent visibility can be realized.

[0103] As described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples and embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modified or amended examples within the scope of the claims, that is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that are appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1. Image forming device 100 Control section 140 Operation section 150 Display section 151 Display screen 152,452,852,852a,1052 Preview image display area 170 Preview image display magnification setting section 180 Display information display magnification setting section 190 Display image generation unit 1501, 1501a, 1502, 1503, 2501, 2501a, 2502, 2502a, 7501,9501,9502,9503,10501 Preview Image 1510,1510a,1510b,1510c, 1511, 1512, 1512a Text information (display information) 1521, 1521a, 1521c Copy button (display information) 1522 Enlarge button (display information) 1523 Shrink button (display information)

Claims

1. An image processing device including a control unit that controls a preview image and display information other than the preview image to be displayed on a display screen, the display screen includes a preview image display area in which a preview image is displayed, when enlarging or reducing one or more preview images displayed in the preview image display area, the control unit additionally displays, on the display screen, operation buttons for executing functions related to the preview images that were not displayed before the preview images were enlarged or reduced; An image processing device in which the size of the preview image display area remains the same before and after the enlargement or reduction display operation.

2. 2 . The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein a reset button is displayed on the display screen, and the display of the preview image is reset by operating the reset button while the preview image is displayed.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the function is a function relating to image editing of the preview image.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the function is a function related to movement of the preview image.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation buttons are arranged to the right of the preview image.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least a part of the operation buttons is arranged above an image formation start button.

7. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation buttons are arranged at positions that do not overlap with the preview image being displayed when additionally displaying the preview image.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the preview image is displayed in full screen when an image formation start button is operated.

9. An image processing method including a control unit that controls a preview image and display information other than the preview image to be displayed on a display screen, the display screen includes a preview image display area in which a preview image is displayed, when enlarging or reducing one or more preview images displayed in the preview image display area, the control unit additionally displays, on the display screen, operation buttons for executing functions related to the preview images that were not displayed before the preview images were enlarged or reduced; The image processing method, wherein the size of the preview image display area remains the same before and after the enlargement or reduction display operation.

Images