Information processing device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve usability in displaying a preview image according to an orientation of a display.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, as a list, preview images PV of a plurality of output target images indicated by image data, with predetermined images showing the output target images. The controller 100 determines whether the preview image PV corresponding to the predetermined image selected by a user becomes a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, on the basis of the orientation of the preview image PV and the orientation of the display 473 detected by a detection sensor, causes the display 473 to display the preview image PV coinciding in orientation with the display 473, and does not cause the display 473 to display the preview image PV not coinciding in orientation with the display 473.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

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, and the display screen of which can be rotated between portrait and landscape orientations. Patent documents 1 and 2 listed below describe 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 and down. Patent documents 1 and 2 listed below also describe a method of rotating and enlarging a preview image to match the orientation of the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-140504 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-054508 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Some image forming devices have a preview function that displays a preview image (e.g., an image showing the finished print) of an image to be output (e.g., an image to be printed) on a display unit. By displaying the preview image on the display unit, for example, a user can check the finished print state in advance.

[0005] In addition, some image forming devices have the function of displaying a list of multiple images to be output using predetermined images that represent the images to be output, such as thumbnail images (images smaller than preview images), and displaying preview images corresponding to thumbnail images selected by the user on a page-by-page basis.

[0006] Incidentally, when displaying a landscape (horizontally long) preview image, visibility is improved if the display unit is landscape and the display screen is landscape long because the size of the display screen can be used efficiently to display the preview image as large as possible, but if the display unit is portrait and the display screen is landscape long, the size of the display screen cannot be used efficiently and the preview image cannot be displayed large.

[0007] Similarly, when displaying a portrait (vertically long) preview image, if the display unit is in portrait orientation, the size of the display screen can be used efficiently, but if the display unit is in landscape orientation, the size of the display screen cannot be used efficiently.

[0008] Therefore, when preview images are mixed in landscape and portrait orientations, in order to use the display screen efficiently, the user must rotate the display unit to change the orientation of each image to match the orientation of the preview image, which is cumbersome for the user and reduces usability.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to improve usability when displaying a preview image depending on the orientation of a display unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; a rectangular display unit having long and short sides; a control unit that displays a list of multiple output target images on the display unit using predetermined images representing the output target images; a rotation mechanism that enables the display unit to be rotated between a landscape orientation in which the long side is the top and bottom and a portrait orientation in which the short side is the top and bottom; and a detection sensor that detects whether the display unit is in a landscape or portrait orientation, wherein the operation unit accepts a user selection of at least one of the multiple predetermined images displayed in a list on the display unit; and when displaying preview images of the output target images corresponding to the predetermined images selected by the instructions accepted by the operation unit on a per-image basis on the display unit, the control unit determines whether the output target images are in a portrait or landscape orientation, and displays on the display unit the preview images of the output target images in an orientation that matches the orientation of the display unit detected by the detection sensor, and does not display on the display unit the preview images of the output target images in an orientation that does not match the orientation of the display unit.

[0011] 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 display a preview image of the image that is the target of image formation by the image forming unit as the output target image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve usability when displaying a preview image depending on the orientation of the display unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to a first 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 a first 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 a state in which thumbnail images are displayed in a list on a display unit. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a preview display process performed in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a scroll display of a preview image. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll display of a preview image. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of a preview display process performed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which thumbnail images are displayed in a list on a display unit. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which thumbnail images are displayed in a list on a display unit. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a preview image displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] 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 the image forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main internal configuration of the image forming device according to the first 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 3A to 3G are diagrams illustrating an example of rotation of the display unit 473. The horizontally oriented display unit 473 shown in FIG. 3A rotates counterclockwise to become vertically oriented as shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D. The vertically oriented display unit 473 shown in FIG. 3D rotates clockwise to become horizontally oriented as shown in FIGS. 3E to 3G.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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).

[0031] 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).

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs, etc. The storage unit 8 also has an image storage unit 81, also called a user box, for storing image data representing an image to be output. The image data representing an image to be output may be image data obtained by reading an original document using the original reading unit 5, or image data sent from an external device such as a personal computer via the network interface unit 91.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] Furthermore, the control unit 100 controls the display of the display unit 473, and displays, for example, preview images (for example, images showing the finished image of the printed matter) of multiple images to be output (for example, images to be printed) indicated by the image data. Furthermore, the control unit 100 displays a list of the multiple images to be output on the display unit 473 using predetermined images representing the images to be output. The predetermined images are, for example, thumbnail images smaller than the preview images of the images to be output, or text images showing the names (file names) of the images to be output. However, the predetermined images are not limited to these images. Below, an example will be described in which the control unit 100 displays the multiple images to be output on the display unit 473 using thumbnail images as the predetermined images. In this case, the control unit 100 displays a list of the thumbnail images on the display unit 473 in the same orientation as the images to be output.

[0039] 5(A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of a state in which thumbnail images of a plurality of images to be output are displayed in a list on the display unit 473. Fig. 5(A) shows a state in which a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed in a list on the display unit 473 in landscape orientation, and Fig. 5(B) shows a state in which a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed in a list on the display unit 473 in portrait orientation.

[0040] The operation unit 47 receives a selection instruction from the user via, for example, a touch panel to select at least one of the plurality of thumbnail images TMB displayed in a list on the display unit 473.

[0041] The control unit 100 displays, for each image, a preview image of the image to be output indicated by the thumbnail image TMB selected by the selection instruction on the display unit 473. For example, as shown in the example of Fig. 6(A), the control unit 100 displays, on the horizontal display unit 473, a preview image PV corresponding to the image to be output indicated by the horizontal thumbnail image TMB marked "A". Also, as shown in the example of Fig. 6(B), the control unit 100 displays, on the vertical display unit 473, a preview image PV corresponding to the image to be output indicated by the vertical thumbnail image TMB marked "C".

[0042] Furthermore, control unit 100 determines whether the preview image is portrait or landscape, and based on the orientation of the preview image and the orientation of display unit 473 detected by detection sensor 476, displays on display unit 473 a preview image whose orientation matches that of display unit 473, but does not display on display unit 473 a preview image whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473. Control unit 100, for example, (i) determines that the preview image is landscape when the long side of the preview image is upside down, and determines that the preview image is portrait when the short side of the preview image is upside down, or (ii) determines whether the preview image is portrait or landscape based on the image aspect ratio of the preview image.

[0043] For example, when the operation unit 47 receives a selection instruction to select all 12 thumbnail images TMB as shown in FIG. 5(A), the control unit 100 displays preview images corresponding to the thumbnail images TMB (images marked A, B, E, H, I, J, K) that are oriented horizontally, the same as the orientation of the display unit 473, on the horizontally oriented display unit 473, but does not display the thumbnail images TMB (images marked C, D, F, G, L) that are oriented vertically, different from the orientation of the display unit 473, on the horizontally oriented display unit 473.

[0044] Similarly, when a selection instruction to select all 12 thumbnail images TMB as shown in FIG. 5(B) is received by operation unit 47, control unit 100 displays preview images corresponding to thumbnail images TMB (images marked C, D, F, G, L) that are oriented vertically, the same as the orientation of display unit 473, on vertically oriented display unit 473, but does not display thumbnail images TMB (images marked A, B, E, H, I, J, K) that are oriented horizontally, which is different from the orientation of display unit 473, on vertically oriented display unit 473.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of a first embodiment of the preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the preview display process in the image forming apparatus 1. This process is performed when the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to display a thumbnail of an image to be output, which is indicated by image data stored in the image storage unit 81.

[0046] The control unit 100 reads out image data representing the image to be output that is stored in the image storage unit 81 (S1), creates thumbnail images of the image to be output based on the read out image data (S2), and displays the thumbnail images in a list on the display unit 473 as shown in the examples of Figures 5(A) and (B) (S3).

[0047] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to select at least one thumbnail image (an instruction to display a preview) (YES in S5), the control unit 100 determines whether each of the images to be output indicated by the thumbnail image selected by the selection instruction is in portrait or landscape orientation (S6). For example, the control unit 100 determines whether each of the images to be output indicated by the thumbnail image is in portrait or landscape orientation by any of the following means: (i) determining whether the orientation of the output image is portrait or landscape from the created thumbnail image, (ii) determining whether the orientation is portrait or landscape from the image data of the image to be output itself, or (iii) temporarily creating a preview image from the image data of the image to be output and determining whether the orientation of the image to be output is portrait or landscape from the created preview image.

[0048] Next, based on the orientation of display unit 473 detected by detection sensor 476, control unit 100 sets only the output target images whose orientation matches that of display unit 473 as the display target for preview display (S7). Control unit 100 generates preview images of the output target images set as the display target, enlarges the preview images to match the orientation of display unit 473, and displays each image on display unit 473 in a scrollable state (S8).

[0049] When the user performs a flick or swipe operation on the display screen of the display unit 473 to instruct scrolling, and the touch panel receives an instruction based on the operation, the control unit 100 scrolls and switches the display of the preview image displayed on the display unit 473 in accordance with the instruction (S9).

[0050] Then, control unit 100 determines whether the orientation of display unit 473 has changed based on the detection result of detection sensor 476 (S10). If it determines that the orientation of display unit 473 has changed (YES in S10), it changes the display target of preview display by setting an item that was not included in the display target of preview display as a display target and removing an item that was included in the display target from the display target (S11). That is, when a preview image of an image to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 is not being displayed on display unit 473, if the orientation of display unit 473 changes and the orientation of the image to be output now matches that of display unit 473, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display the preview image of the image to be output that was not displayed because its orientation did not match that of display unit 473, in place of the preview image that was previously displayed (S11). After this, the process returns to S8.

[0051] On the other hand, if control unit 100 determines that the orientation of display unit 473 has not been switched (NO in S10), control unit 100 determines whether operation unit 47 has received a user operation to instruct the end of displaying the preview image (S12).

[0052] Furthermore, control unit 100 repeats the process from S9 until operation unit 47 receives an instruction to end the display of the preview image (NO in S12). When control unit 100 determines that operation unit 47 has received a user operation to instruct the end of the display of the preview image (YES in S12), control unit 100 ends the display of the preview image. After this, the process ends.

[0053] Also, in S5, if the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has not received an instruction to select at least one thumbnail image (preview display instruction) (NO in S5), it determines whether the operation unit 47 has received an instruction to end the display of thumbnail images (S13).

[0054] The control unit 100 repeats the process from S5 until the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to end the display of the thumbnail images (NO in S13). When the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has received an instruction to end the display of the thumbnail images (YES in S13), it ends the display of the thumbnail images. Then, the process ends.

[0055] In the case of scrolling preview images corresponding to 12 thumbnail images TMB as shown in Fig. 5(A), the orientations of the images to be output indicated by the thumbnail images TMB are both portrait and landscape, so if one attempts to display large preview images by making the most efficient use of the size of the display screen of the display unit 473, the user needs to rotate the display unit 473 for each image to match the orientation of the preview image (when the automatic rotation function for images to be displayed that matches the orientation of the display unit 473 is activated), as shown in the example of Fig. 8. That is, in this example, the user needs to rotate the display unit 473 a total of five times.

[0056] On the other hand, in this embodiment, when display unit 473 is in landscape orientation, only landscape preview images are displayed on display unit 473, and when display unit 473 is in portrait orientation, only portrait preview images are displayed on display unit 473. Therefore, as shown in the example in FIG. 9, the user does not need to frequently change the orientation of display unit 473, and it is sufficient to change the orientation of display unit 473 only once.

[0057] In this case, portrait preview images are skipped when display unit 473 is in landscape orientation, and landscape preview images are skipped when display unit 473 is in portrait orientation, but there is a risk that the user will not be aware of the fact that they have been skipped.

[0058] Therefore, when control unit 100 does not display a preview image whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 on display unit 473, control unit 100 may cause display unit 473 to display a message indicating that a preview image whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 will not be displayed on display unit 473, and may also cause display unit 473 to display a message indicating that preview images that were not displayed on display unit 473 due to the skipping will be displayed on display unit 473 by changing the orientation of display unit 473. For example, when the preview images marked "C" and "D" are skipped and the preview image marked "E" is displayed on display unit 473, control unit 100 displays message M1 on display unit 473 saying "Images have been skipped. To preview the skipped images, please rotate the display unit," as shown in the example of FIG. 10 .

[0059] According to the first embodiment, only preview images whose orientation matches that of display unit 473 are displayed, so the user can view only the preview images that are displayed large by making the most efficient use of the size of the screen of display unit 473, without the need for any special operation. To continue viewing multiple preview images, the user does not need to frequently change the orientation of display unit 473. Therefore, usability is improved when displaying preview images with good visibility according to the orientation of display unit 473.

[0060] Next, a second embodiment of the preview display process will be described. In the first embodiment described above, preview images of all images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 are not displayed on display unit 473. However, in the second embodiment, when the number of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 is small, preview images of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 are also displayed on display unit 473. In this respect, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described above.

[0061] In the second embodiment, when the number of output target images whose orientations do not match that of display unit 473 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold among the output target images corresponding to thumbnail images selected by a selection instruction received by operation unit 47, control unit 100 does not cause display unit 473 to display preview images of the output target images whose orientations do not match that of display unit 473. When the number of output target images whose orientations do not match that of display unit 473 is less than the predetermined threshold, control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display preview images of the output target images whose orientations do not match that of display unit 473. The threshold may be an absolute value of the number (e.g., 3) or a relative value indicating a proportion to the whole (e.g., 30%).

[0062] Next, a preview display process according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the preview display process according to the second embodiment. This process is performed when an instruction to display a thumbnail of an output target image indicated by image data stored in the image storage unit 81 is received by the operation unit 47.

[0063] The control unit 100 reads out image data representing the image to be output that is stored in the image storage unit 81 (S21), creates thumbnail images of the image to be output based on the read out image data (S22), and displays the thumbnail images in a list on the display unit 473 as shown in the examples of Figures 5(A) and (B) (S23).

[0064] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to select at least one thumbnail image (preview display instruction) (YES in S25), the control unit 100 determines whether each of the output target images indicated by the thumbnail image selected by the selection instruction is in portrait or landscape orientation (S26).

[0065] Next, the control unit 100 calculates the number N of images to be output whose orientation does not match the orientation of the display unit 473 detected by the detection sensor 476 (S27), and determines whether the calculated number N is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TH (e.g., 3) (S28).

[0066] When the control unit 100 determines that the number N is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (YES in S28), it executes the same processes as the processes S7 to S12 shown in FIG. 7, and performs skip display of preview images (S29).

[0067] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the number N is less than the threshold value TH (NO in S28), it sets the output target images indicated by all thumbnail images selected by the above selection instruction as the display target for preview display, regardless of the orientation of each output target image indicated by each thumbnail image (S30), and displays preview images on the display unit 473 in a scrollable state, enlarging each output target image to match the orientation of the display unit 473 (S31).

[0068] When the user performs a flick or swipe operation on the display screen of the display unit 473 to instruct scrolling, and the touch panel receives an instruction based on the operation, the control unit 100 scrolls and switches the display of the preview image displayed on the display unit 473 in accordance with the instruction (S32).

[0069] Then, the control unit 100 determines whether the orientation of the display unit 473 has changed based on the detection result by the detection sensor 476 (S33), and if it determines that the orientation of the display unit 473 has changed (YES in S33), the processing returns to S31.

[0070] On the other hand, if control unit 100 determines that the orientation of display unit 473 has not been switched (NO in S33), control unit 100 determines whether operation unit 47 has received a user operation to instruct the end of displaying the preview image (S34).

[0071] If control unit 100 determines that operation unit 47 has received a user operation to instruct the end of displaying the preview image (YES in S34), this process ends. On the other hand, if control unit 100 determines that operation unit 47 has not received a user operation to instruct the end of displaying the preview image (NO in S34), the process returns to S32.

[0072] Also, in S25, if the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has not received an instruction to select at least one thumbnail image (an instruction to display a preview) (NO in S25), it determines whether the operation unit 47 has received a user operation to end the display of thumbnail images (S35).

[0073] The control unit 100 repeats the process from S25 until the operation unit 47 receives an instruction to end the display of the thumbnail images (NO in S35). When the control unit 100 determines that the operation unit 47 has received an instruction to end the display of the thumbnail images (YES in S35), it ends the display of the thumbnail images. Then, the process ends.

[0074] In this way, in the second embodiment described above, control unit 100 displays a preview image of an image to be output that has an orientation that does not match the orientation of display unit 473 detected by detection sensor 476, but this preview display is limited to cases where the number N of images to be output that has an orientation that does not match the orientation of display unit 473 is less than a predetermined threshold value TH, so that when the preview image is displayed, the user does not need to rotate display unit 473 many times in order to display the preview image to the fullest extent of the display screen of display unit 473.

[0075] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when displaying a preview image of an image to be output in an orientation that does not match the orientation of display unit 473, control unit 100 may cause display unit 473 to display a message M2 such as "Rotate to enlarge the preview image," as shown in the example of Fig. 12(A). When preview image PV is displayed on display unit 473 in landscape orientation as shown in Fig. 12(A), if display unit 473 is rotated to portrait orientation, preview image PV will be enlarged and displayed on display unit 473, making maximum use of the display screen, as shown in Fig. 12(B), and this is to inform the user.

[0076] Next, a preview display process according to the third and fourth embodiments will be described. In the first embodiment, even if a preview image is selected by the user, the preview image that does not match the orientation of the display unit is not displayed on the display unit 473. However, the third and fourth embodiments differ from the first embodiment in that the user is prevented from selecting an image that is not to be displayed on the display unit 473.

[0077] In the third embodiment, as shown in the examples of Figures 13(A) and (B), when displaying a list of thumbnail images, the control unit 100 does not display thumbnail images of preview images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit 473 on the display unit 473.

[0078] In addition, as a fourth embodiment, when displaying a list of thumbnail images, the control unit 100 displays thumbnail images of preview images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit 473 in grayout on the display unit 473, as shown in the examples of Figures 14(A) and (B).

[0079] Next, a preview display process according to the fifth embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the display of the preview image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user is switched to that of the display unit 473 by scrolling, but the fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that thumbnail images indicating output target images that can be switched to preview display are displayed together with the preview image.

[0080] In the fifth embodiment, when the control unit 100 displays preview images corresponding to thumbnail images selected by the user on the display unit 473 for each image, as shown in the examples of Figures 15(A) and (B), the control unit 100 displays at least one (here, three) of the thumbnail images selected by the above selection instruction, other than the thumbnail image indicating the preview image currently being displayed, together with the preview image on the display unit 473.

[0081] When operation unit 47 receives a selection instruction to select a thumbnail image that operation unit 47 is displaying together with a preview image, control unit 100 switches the preview image displayed on display unit 473 to a preview image of the image to be output that corresponds to the thumbnail image selected by the selection instruction. Control unit 100 causes display unit 473 to display the thumbnail image of the image to be output that has been displayed as a preview.

[0082] 15(A), when a portrait-oriented thumbnail image TMB marked with "C" is displayed on landscape-oriented display unit 473, even if control unit 100 receives a selection instruction to select thumbnail image TMB from operation unit 47, control unit 100 does not display a preview image of the image to be output indicated by thumbnail image TMB on display unit 473, because the orientation of the image to be output indicated by thumbnail image TMB differs from the orientation of display unit 473. In this case, control unit 100 may display thumbnail images indicating images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 in grayout on display unit 473.

[0083] In another embodiment, when the number of thumbnail images of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 among the thumbnail images selected by the user is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, control unit 100 may display the thumbnail images of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 in a grayed-out manner on display unit 473, as shown in an example of FIG. 16(A). When the number of thumbnail images of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 is less than the predetermined threshold, control unit 100 may not display the thumbnail images of images to be output whose orientation does not match that of display unit 473 in a grayed-out manner on display unit 473, but may display a preview image of the image to be output indicated by the thumbnail image in accordance with a selection instruction to select the thumbnail image in question on display unit 473, as shown in an example of FIG. 16(B).

[0084] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 16 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]

[0085] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 47 Control section 100 control section 473 Display section 474 Rotation Mechanism 476 Detection Sensor

Claims

1. an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user; a rectangular display unit having long and short sides; a control unit that displays a list of a plurality of output target images on the display unit using predetermined images that represent the output target images; 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 orientation or a portrait orientation, the operation unit accepts a user selection of at least one of the plurality of predetermined images displayed in a list on the display unit; The control unit When a preview image of the output target image corresponding to the predetermined image selected by the instruction received by the operation unit is displayed on the display unit for each image, an information processing device that determines whether the image to be output is portrait or landscape, and displays on the display unit a preview image of the image to be output that has an orientation that matches the orientation of the display unit detected by the detection sensor, and does not display on the display unit a preview image of the image to be output that has an orientation that does not match the orientation of the display unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the predetermined image as a thumbnail image that is smaller than a preview image of the image to be output, in the same orientation as the image to be output.

3. when the number of output target images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value among the output target images corresponding to the thumbnail images selected by the instruction received by the operation unit, the control unit does not display, on the display unit, the preview images of the output target images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit; 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the number of the output target images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit is less than the predetermined threshold, the preview images of the output target images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit are displayed on the display unit.

4. 4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein when the preview image whose orientation does not match that of the display unit is displayed on the display unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display a message indicating that changing the orientation of the display unit will improve visibility of the preview image.

5. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit does not display on the display unit the preview image of the image to be output whose orientation does not match that of the display unit, when the orientation of the display unit changes and the orientation of the image to be output matches that of the display unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display on the preview image of the image to be output that had not been displayed until then because its orientation did not match that of the display unit.

6. 6. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein when the control unit does not display the preview image of the output target image whose orientation does not match that of the display unit on the display unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display a display indicating that the preview image of the output target image whose orientation does not match that of the display unit will not be displayed on the display unit, and a display indicating that the preview image that was not displayed on the display unit will be displayed on the display unit by changing the orientation of the display unit.

7. 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when displaying a list of the thumbnail images, the control unit either displays the thumbnail images of the output target images whose orientation does not match that of the display unit in a grayed-out manner or does not display them on the display unit.

8. The control unit when the preview image of the image to be output indicated by the thumbnail image selected by the user is displayed on the display unit for each image, thumbnail images of the image to be output other than the image to be output whose preview image is being displayed are also displayed on the display unit; 3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein when an instruction to select a thumbnail image of an image to be output other than the image to be output being displayed as the preview image is received by the operation unit, the display unit displays a preview image of the image to be output indicated by the selected thumbnail image in place of the preview image that had been displayed up to that point.

9. The control unit When a thumbnail image of an image to be output other than the image to be output currently being displayed as a preview image is displayed, 9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein if the number of thumbnail images of the output target image whose orientation does not match that of the display unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the thumbnail images of the output target image whose orientation does not match that of the display unit are displayed in gray on the display unit.

10. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9; an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, The control unit controls the display unit to display a preview image of an image to be formed by the image forming unit as the output target image.

Images