Information processing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To make it possible to check the contents of a preview image into detail, while grasping the overall picture of the preview image, with a simple operation.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises: a rectangular display 473 that has long sides and short sides; and a controller 100 that causes the display 473 to display a preview image of an output target image indicated by image data. The controller determines whether the preview image becomes a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, when the preview image is in the portrait orientation and a landscape orientation state of the display 473 is detected, causes the display 473 to display an entire image WG1 showing the entirety of the preview image and a partially enlarged image EG1 obtained by enlarging the inside of a predetermined range side by side in the lateral direction, and when the preview image becomes the landscape orientation and a portrait orientation state of the display 473 is detected, causes the display 473 to display an entire image WG2 and a partially enlarged image EG2 side by side in the vertical direction, and to display a range frame F1 indicating the range superimposed on the entire images WG1 and WG2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Some information processing devices, such as image forming devices, are equipped with a rectangular display unit having long and short sides, the display screen of which can be rotated between portrait and landscape orientations. Patent Document 1 listed below describes an image forming device equipped with a rectangular display unit having long and short sides and a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between landscape orientation, with the long side facing up and portrait orientation, with the short side facing up. Patent Document 1 listed below also describes a method of rotating and enlarging a preview image to match the orientation of the display unit.

[0003] Some image forming devices have a preview function that displays a preview image of the image to be output (for example, an image showing the finished print image) on a display unit. By displaying the preview image on the display unit, for example, the user can check the finished print state in advance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-140504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the preview image may not be large enough to display, making it difficult for users to easily check the details of the final print image. Furthermore, rather than simply enlarging the preview image, it would be even more useful for users to check the details of the final print image while grasping the overall image of the preview image.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable a user to check the details of the contents of a preview image with a simple operation while grasping the overall picture of the preview image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a rectangular display unit having long and short sides, a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is up and a portrait orientation in which the short side is up and a portrait orientation in which the short side is up and a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation, and a control unit that displays a preview image of an image to be output on the display unit, wherein the control unit determines whether the preview image is in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, and when the preview image is in a portrait orientation and the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in a landscape orientation, An entire image showing the entire image and a partial enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined range in the preview image are displayed on the display unit side by side in the direction in which the long side of the display unit extends, and when the preview image is in landscape orientation and the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in portrait orientation, the entire image and the partial enlarged image are displayed on the display unit side by side in the direction in which the long side of the display unit extends, and when the entire image and the partial enlarged image are displayed side by side on the display unit, a range frame indicating the range is displayed superimposed on the entire image.

[0008] An image forming device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention and an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, and the control unit causes the display unit to preview a preview image of the image that is to be formed by the image forming unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a portion of a preview image of an image to be output is enlarged and displayed, making it easier for the user to check the details of that portion of the preview image without the need for operations such as enlarging the preview image. Furthermore, since the entire image and the enlarged portion are displayed side by side and a range frame indicating the enlarged portion is displayed superimposed on the entire image, the user can easily understand which range of the entire image the enlarged portion indicates. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to check the details of the preview image content with simple operations while grasping the overall picture of the preview image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10A to 10G are diagrams illustrating an example of rotation of the display unit. [Figure 4] 10(A) and 10(B) are diagrams illustrating changes in the signal output from the detection sensor. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of an image to be output. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of preview images displayed on a display unit. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing examples of preview images displayed on a display unit. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a preview display process of an image to be output in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, an image forming device. FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of an image forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Although left, right, top, and bottom directions may be indicated below, these directions are shown as examples in each drawing unless otherwise specified.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeder 6, a document reader 5, an image forming unit 12, a fixing unit 13, a paper feeder 14, an operation unit 47, a network interface unit 91, and a storage unit 8.

[0013] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is also an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement tray 61, and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray 61 to the document reading unit 5.

[0014] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and the like, and reads a document fed from a document feeding unit 6, or reads a document placed on a platen glass.

[0015] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0016] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 is equipped with a photosensitive drum, charging device, exposure device, developing device, and primary transfer device for each color, and is a mechanism for forming an image on recording paper as a recording medium by secondary transfer via an intermediate transfer belt. The image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 14 based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network, to create a printed matter.

[0017] The paper feed unit 14 includes a paper feed cassette, a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassette and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0018] The fixing unit 13 is a fixing device equipped with a heat roller, a pressure roller, and a drive mechanism for rotating these rollers. The fixing unit 13 heats and presses the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 at the nip between the two rollers, fixing the toner image to the recording paper. The recording paper that has been fixed is then discharged to the discharge tray 151.

[0019] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys that are operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can execute in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0020] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guidance and the like to the operator, a rotation mechanism 474, a holding mechanism 475, and a detection sensor 476. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has, based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473.

[0021] The display unit 473 is a rectangular display having long and short sides, and is made up of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0022] The holding mechanism 475 is an arm-shaped member that attaches the display unit 473 to the device body 120 of the image forming apparatus 1. The holding mechanism 475 rotatably supports the display unit 473 relative to the holding mechanism 475, and temporarily fixes and holds the display unit 473 in both the landscape and portrait orientations. The holding mechanism 475 has engaging portions, each consisting of a recess provided opposite the display unit 473, at positions corresponding to the landscape and portrait orientation positions of the display unit 473. A protrusion that fits into the engaging portion is provided on the side of the display unit 473 facing the holding mechanism 475. When the display unit 473 is in the landscape orientation (FIGS. 3(A) and (G)) or the portrait orientation (FIG. 3(D)), these recesses and protrusions fit together, thereby fixing and holding the orientation of the display unit 473.

[0023] The rotation mechanism 474 is interposed between the holding mechanism 475 and the display unit 473. That is, the holding mechanism 475 rotatably supports the display unit 473 via the rotation mechanism 474. The rotation mechanism 474 has a rotation shaft, which is rotatably supported by the holding mechanism 475. The rotation shaft is attached to the rectangular center of the side surface of the display unit 473 facing the holding mechanism 475, in a state in which it rotates together with the display unit 473. A cam (described later) that rotates together with the rotation shaft is provided on the circumferential surface of the rotation shaft. The rotation mechanism 474 rotates the display unit 473 between a landscape orientation in which the long side of the display unit 473 faces up and down, and a portrait orientation in which the short side of the display unit 473 faces up and down.

[0024] An example of rotation of the display unit 473 will be described with reference to Figures 3(A) to 3(G). The display unit 473 in landscape orientation shown in Figure 3(A) rotates counterclockwise to become portrait orientation as shown in Figures 3(B) to 3(D). The display unit 473 in portrait orientation shown in Figure 3(D) rotates clockwise to become landscape orientation as shown in Figures 3(E) to 3(G).

[0025] 3 when viewed from the surface of display unit 473, rotation mechanism 474 is configured to switch display unit 473 from landscape to portrait. Note that the range of rotation angle of display unit 473 is not limited to 90 degrees, but here, an example is given in which the range of rotation angle is 90 degrees. However, the rotation direction of display unit 473 and the configuration for switching display unit 473 from landscape to portrait are not limited to this, and this embodiment is merely an example.

[0026] The detection sensor 476 is a switch mechanism that detects whether the display unit 473 is in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation. The switch mechanism is provided at a position where it is pressed by a cam lobe (convex portion) of the cam attached to the rotation shaft when the display unit 473 is in a portrait orientation. When pressed by the cam lobe, the switch mechanism outputs an ON signal (Low signal) to the control unit 10. In other words, the switch mechanism is provided at a position where it is not pressed by the cam lobe when the display unit 473 is in an orientation other than portrait orientation.

[0027] The above-mentioned configuration of rotation mechanism 474, which switches display unit 473 from landscape to portrait orientation by rotating display unit 473 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 as viewed from the surface of display unit 473, employs, for example, a configuration in which the cam lobe can enter the switch mechanism only when display unit 473 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, and is not possible when display unit 473 is rotated in the clockwise direction (such as providing a convex portion on the outer edge of the switch mechanism that engages with the cam lobe on the path of entry of the cam lobe into the switch mechanism from the clockwise direction).

[0028] 4(A) and (B) are diagrams illustrating changes in the signal output from detection sensor 476 provided at a position corresponding to the portrait orientation of display unit 473. As shown in Fig. 4(A) and (B), detection sensor 476 provided at a position corresponding to the portrait orientation of display unit 473 outputs a Low signal to control unit 10 when display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation (when the switch mechanism receives pressure from the cam lobe), and outputs a High signal to control unit 10 at other times (when the switch mechanism does not receive pressure from the cam lobe).

[0029] Therefore, when the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D), the detection sensor 476 outputs a Low signal to the control unit 10, but when the display unit 473 is in an orientation other than the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D), the detection sensor 476 outputs a High signal to the control unit 10. As a result, the control unit 100, which will be described later, determines whether the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation or an orientation other than the portrait orientation based on the signal output from the detection sensor 476. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines that the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation when the display unit 473 is in the portrait orientation shown in Fig. 3(D), and determines that the display unit 473 is in the landscape orientation in all other orientations.

[0030] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0031] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs and the like.

[0032] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100.

[0033] The control unit 10 functions as the control unit 100 by the operation of the processor in accordance with the control program stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation in accordance with the control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0034] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feed unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feed unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, and the storage unit 8, and controls the driving of each of these units. For example, the control unit 100 executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0035] The control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473. For example, the control unit 100 displays a preview image of an image to be output indicated by image data on the display unit 473. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of the image to be output. FIG. 5A shows an image to be output TG1 in portrait orientation (vertically long), and FIG. 5B shows an image to be output TG2 in landscape orientation (horizontally long). The orientation of the preview image can be landscape, where the long side is upside down, or portrait, where the short side is upside down. The image data showing the image to be output is image data obtained by reading an original by the original reading unit 5, or image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer via the network interface unit 91.

[0036] 6(A) and (B) are diagrams showing examples of preview images displayed on display unit 473. Preview images PV1 and PV2 shown in Fig. 6(A) and (B) are preview images of output target images TG1 and TG2 shown in Fig. 5(A) and (B), respectively.

[0037] FIG. 6(A) shows a state in which a portrait preview image PV1 is displayed on a portrait display unit 473, and FIG. 6(B) shows a state in which a landscape preview image PV2 is displayed on a landscape display unit 473.

[0038] In addition, the control unit 100 determines whether the preview image is vertically oriented or horizontally oriented, and when the preview image is vertically oriented and the detection sensor 476 detects that the display unit 473 is horizontally oriented, the control unit 100 displays on the display unit 473 an entire image WG1 showing the entire preview image PV1 and a partial enlarged image EG1 enlarged within a predetermined range, arranged horizontally (in the direction in which the long side of the display unit 473 extends when the display unit 473 is horizontally oriented), as shown in the example of Figure 7(A).

[0039] Furthermore, when the preview image is landscape and the detection sensor 476 detects that the display unit 473 is in portrait orientation, the control unit 100 displays on the display unit 473 an entire image WG2 showing the entire preview image PV2 and a partial enlarged image EG2 enlarged within the above-mentioned predetermined range, arranged vertically (in the direction in which the long side of the display unit 473 extends when the display unit 473 is in portrait orientation), as shown in the example of Figure 7(B).

[0040] Furthermore, when control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display the entire image and the partially enlarged image side by side as described above, control unit 100 displays range frame F1 indicating the above range superimposed on entire images WG1 and WG2 in either case. Control unit 100, for example, (i) determines that the preview image is landscape orientation when the long side of the preview image is upside down, and determines that the preview image is portrait orientation when the short side of the preview image is upside down, or (ii) determines whether the preview image is portrait orientation or landscape orientation based on the image aspect ratio of the preview image.

[0041] As shown in the example of Figure 8(A), when the state of display unit 473 is switched from portrait to landscape orientation while displaying portrait preview image PV1 on portrait-oriented display unit 473, control unit 100 displays entire image WG1 and partial enlarged image EG1 side-by-side in the horizontal direction on display unit 473, as shown in the example of Figure 8(B).

[0042] In addition, when the state of display unit 473 is switched from landscape to portrait orientation when a landscape preview image PV2 is displayed on landscape display unit 473, as shown in the example of Figure 9(A), control unit 100 displays the entire image WG2 and the partial enlarged image EG2 arranged vertically on display unit 473, as shown in the example of Figure 9(B).

[0043] Next, the processing performed when the range frame F1 displayed superimposed on the entire image WG is moved will be described. When the operation unit 47 receives a movement instruction from the user instructing the user to move the range frame F1, the control unit 100 moves the display position of the range frame F1 displayed superimposed on the entire image WG in accordance with the content of the movement instruction. At the same time, the control unit 100 enlarges the area indicated by the moved range frame F1 in the preview image and displays it as a partially enlarged image EG.

[0044] As shown in the examples of Figures 10(A) and 11(A), when the user performs a drag operation to move the range frame F1 and the operation unit 47 accepts the user operation, the control unit 100 moves the display position of the range frame F1, which is displayed superimposed on the overall images WG1 and WG2, in the direction of the drag operation in accordance with the movement instructions from the user operation, as shown in the examples of Figures 10(B) and 11(B), and enlarges the range indicated by the moved range frame F1 in the preview image to display it as partial enlarged images EG1 and EG2.

[0045] Next, the process performed when the range frame F1 displayed superimposed on the entire image WG is enlarged or reduced will be described. When the operation unit 47 receives a user instruction to enlarge or reduce the range frame F1, the control unit 100 enlarges or reduces the range frame F1 and displays it in accordance with the enlargement or reduction instruction from the user instruction. At the same time, the control unit 100 enlarges the range indicated by the enlarged or reduced range frame F1 in the preview image and displays it as partial enlarged images EG1 and EG2.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 12(A), when the user performs a predetermined operation, such as a pinch-out operation, to instruct enlargement of the range frame F1 and the operation unit 47 accepts the user operation, the control unit 100 enlarges and displays the range frame F1 in accordance with the enlargement instruction from the user operation, and also changes the display of the partial enlarged image EG1 to display the range of the entire image WG indicated by the enlarged range frame F1, as shown in Fig. 12(B). However, in this case, the control unit 100 does not change the size of the partial enlarged image EG1 itself.

[0047] Furthermore, when the content displayed by the partial enlarged image EG is changed to match the size of the range frame F1 as described above, the control unit 100 may enlarge or reduce the size of the partial enlarged image EG. In this case, when the control unit 100 enlarges the size of the partial enlarged image to match the size of the range frame F1, the control unit 100 reduces the size of the entire image WG in accordance with the amount of enlargement, and when the control unit 100 reduces the size of the partial enlarged image to match the size of the range frame F1, the control unit 100 enlarges the size of the partial enlarged image EG1 and reduces the size of the entire image WG1 in accordance with the amount of reduction. As shown in an example in FIG. 12(C), the control unit 100 enlarges the size of the partial enlarged image EG1 and reduces the size of the entire image WG1.

[0048] Next, a process for moving an object within an image to be output will be described. The image to be output may include objects other than text (for example, a photograph, a graphic image, or a diagram). The control unit 100 detects objects within the image to be output based on image data representing the image to be output. The control unit 100 detects objects within the image to be output, for example, by (i) detecting an image recognized by a known image recognition technology using AI (deep learning) as an object, or (ii) determining text areas using a known text area determination technology and detecting each area other than the text areas as an object.

[0049] When the operation unit 47 receives a movement instruction from the user to move an object present in the partial enlarged image EG, the control unit 100 moves the display position of the object in the partial enlarged image EG in accordance with the movement instruction, and also moves the display position of the object in the whole image WG. Furthermore, the control unit 100 performs processing to change the image to be output in accordance with the movement of the object.

[0050] As shown in the example of FIG. 13(A), when the user performs a drag operation (here, a downward movement operation) to move object OB1 in the partial enlarged image EG2, and the operation unit 47 accepts the user operation, the control unit 100 moves the display position of object OB1 in the partial enlarged image EG2 and also moves the display position of object OB1 in the entire image WG2 in accordance with the movement instruction from the user operation, as shown in the example of FIG. 13(B). This changes the layout of the image to be output. Then, the control unit 100 performs a process of changing the position of object OB1 in the image data representing the image to be output to a position that matches the movement, and generates an image to be output in which object OB1 has been changed to a position that matches the movement.

[0051] Next, another embodiment of the process for moving an object within an image to be output, i.e., the process for moving an object that is obscuring part of a character, will be described. Based on image data representing the image to be output, the control unit 100 recognizes characters within the image to be output and detects missing characters that are partially obscured by an object. When the control unit 100 moves the display position of the object to display the missing part of the missing character, it generates a complemented character image representing the character with the missing part complemented, displays the complemented character image in the enlarged partial image EG and the full image WG, and performs a process for changing the image to be output to correspond to the movement of the display position of the object and the display of the complemented character image.

[0052] For example, the control unit 100 recognizes characters in the image to be output using an existing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. The control unit 100 also determines whether the recognized characters are adjacent to the edge of an object, and detects characters that are adjacent to the edge of the object as missing characters.

[0053] That is, the control unit 100 first recognizes characters in the output target image using OCR technology and determines whether an image representing an object is located adjacent to the position where the recognized characters are located (whether the image representing the recognized characters and the image representing the object are connected). When the display position of the object moves adjacent to the position where the recognized characters are located as described above, the control unit 100 creates a new character image representing the overall outline of the character (character whose character has been determined by the above recognition) located adjacent to the object based on the determined character, using a predetermined font and with the same size as the original character image. Then, the control unit 100 moves the object and deletes the image representing the character that was located adjacent to the object, and replaces it with the newly generated character image representing the overall outline of the character, which is then composited and placed in the output target image. As a result, the control unit 100 complements the missing portion if the character is recognized as a character, even if a portion is missing.

[0054] If the control unit 100 can distinguish the font of the missing character, the predetermined font is preferably the same as the font of the missing character. However, if the control unit 100 cannot distinguish the font of the missing character but can distinguish the fonts of the non-missing characters surrounding the missing character, the distinguishable font may be used as the predetermined font.

[0055] As shown in the example of Figure 14(A), when the user performs a drag operation (here, a downward movement operation in Figure 14(A)) to move object OB2 in the partial enlarged image EG2 and the operation unit 47 accepts the user operation, the control unit 100 moves the display position of object OB2 in the partial enlarged image EG2 in accordance with the movement instructions from the user operation, as shown in the example of Figure 14(B), and also moves the display position of object OB2 in the entire image WG2.

[0056] Here, as shown in Fig. 14(B), moving the display position of object OB2 may cause the display area of the missing portion of the missing character to become blank SP. In this case, control unit 100 displays the character with the missing portion filled in as described above in partial enlarged image EG2 and full image WG2, as shown in Fig. 14(C). Control unit 100 then regenerates image data representing the image to be output with content changed to match the filling of the missing portion.

[0057] Next, a description will be given of a preview display process of an image to be output in the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a preview display process of an image to be output in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] The control unit 100 creates a preview image of the image to be output based on image data representing the image to be output (S1), and determines whether the created preview image is portrait or landscape orientation (S2).

[0059] Based on the above determination result and the detection result by detection sensor 476, control unit 100 determines whether the preview image is in portrait orientation and display unit 473 is in landscape orientation (S3).

[0060] If control unit 100 determines that the preview image is portrait and that display unit 473 is landscape (YES in S3), it creates a partial enlarged image EG by enlarging a predetermined range of the preview image (S4). Then, control unit 100 displays on display unit 473 an entire image WG1 showing the entire preview image and a partial enlarged image EG1 arranged horizontally (in the direction in which the long side of display unit 473 extends when display unit 473 is landscape), as shown in the example of Fig. 7(A) (S5). After this, the processing ends.

[0061] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the preview image is not in portrait orientation or that the display unit 473 is not in landscape orientation (NO in S3), it determines whether the preview image is in landscape orientation and the display unit 473 is in portrait orientation based on the above determination result and the detection result by the detection sensor 476 (S6).

[0062] If control unit 100 determines that the preview image is landscape and that display unit 473 is portrait (YES in S6), it creates a partial enlarged image EG by enlarging the predetermined range of the preview image (S7). Then, control unit 100 displays on display unit 473 an entire image WG2 showing the entire preview image and a partial enlarged image EG2 arranged vertically (the direction in which the long side of display unit 473 extends when display unit 473 is portrait), as shown in the example of FIG. 7(B) (S8). After this, the processing ends.

[0063] On the other hand, when control unit 100 determines that the preview image is not in portrait orientation and display unit 473 is not in landscape orientation, or the preview image is not in landscape orientation and display unit 473 is not in portrait orientation (NO in S3, NO in S6), control unit 100 displays preview images PV1 and PV2 on display unit 473 in the state shown in the examples of Figures 6(A) and 6(B) (S9). After this, the processing ends.

[0064] According to the above embodiment, a portion of the preview image of the image to be output is enlarged and displayed, making it easier for the user to check the details of that portion of the preview image without the need for operations such as enlarging the preview image. Furthermore, the entire image WG and the enlarged partial image EG are displayed side by side, and a range frame F1 indicating the enlarged portion is displayed superimposed on the entire image WG, making it easy for the user to understand which range of the entire image the enlarged portion represents. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to check the details of the preview image content with simple operations while grasping the overall picture of the preview image.

[0065] Furthermore, the display position of the range frame F1 can be changed or it can be enlarged or reduced, and the content displayed in the partially enlarged image EG changes accordingly, so the user can easily change the location where they want to check the details, making it even easier to check the details of the preview image.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 15 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 47 Operation section 100 control section 473 Display section 474 Rotation Mechanism 476 Detection Sensor

Claims

1. a rectangular display unit having long and short sides; a rotation mechanism that allows the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is at the top and a portrait orientation in which the short side is at the top and the bottom; a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape or portrait orientation; a control unit that displays a preview image of the image to be output on the display unit, the control unit determines whether the preview image is oriented vertically or horizontally; When the preview image is in portrait orientation and the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in landscape orientation, a full image showing the entire preview image and a partial enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined range of the preview image are displayed side by side on the display unit in a direction in which the long side of the display unit extends, When the preview image is in landscape orientation and the detection sensor detects that the display unit is in portrait orientation, the entire image and the partially enlarged image are displayed on the display unit side by side in a direction in which the long side of the display unit extends, When the entire image and the partially enlarged image are displayed side by side on the display unit, an area frame indicating the range is displayed superimposed on the entire image.

2. further comprising an operation unit for receiving input of instructions from a user; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit moves a display position of the range frame displayed superimposed on the entire image in accordance with an instruction to move the range frame received from the operation unit, and enlarges the range indicated by the moved range frame in the preview image to display it as the enlarged partial image.

3. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the size of the range frame and displays it in accordance with an instruction to change the range frame received by the operation unit, and enlarges the area indicated by the changed range frame in the preview image and displays it as the enlarged partial image.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein when the size of the enlarged partial image is enlarged to match the size of the range frame, the control unit reduces the size of the entire image in accordance with the amount of enlargement, and when the size of the enlarged partial image is reduced, the control unit enlarges the size of the entire image in accordance with the amount of reduction.

5. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the control unit detects an object in the image to be output, and when the operation unit receives a user operation instructing the object to be moved in the partial enlarged image, moves the display position of the object in the partial enlarged image in accordance with the movement instruction from the user operation, and also moves the display position of the object in the entire image, and further changes the image to be output in accordance with the movement of the object.

6. the control unit recognizes characters in the image to be output and detects missing characters that are partially hidden by the object; 6. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein when the missing portion of the missing character is displayed by moving the display position of the object, a complemented character image showing the character with the missing portion complemented is generated, and the complemented character image is displayed in the partially enlarged image and the entire image, and the output target image is changed to content corresponding to the movement of the display position of the object and the display of the complemented character image.

7. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, The control unit causes the display unit to display a preview image of an image to be formed by the image forming unit.

Images