Printing device and control program

Abstract

To preferably perform a preview image display and an image printing process.SOLUTION: In an MFP 10, for each image printing process, when an image based on image data for each page of the image data for a plurality of pages is displayed as a preview image, a printing instruction for the image for each page is output. Alternatively, as the all image printing process, when an image based on the image data of all the pages of the image data for a plurality of pages is displayed as a preview image, a printing instruction of all the images is output. The image printing process and the all image printing process can be arbitrarily selected by an administrator of the MFP 10. This makes it possible to suitably execute the display of the preview image and the printing process of the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device that executes a printing process for an image, and a control program that is readable by a computer of the printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are printing devices that display an image based on image data as a preview image and then print the image. An example of such a printing device is described in the following Patent Document. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-147569 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to suitably display a preview image and print the image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the printing device disclosed in the embodiments is a printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, characterized in that the computer functions as an acquisition means for acquiring image data for multiple pages that can be displayed on the display interface, a first display control means for displaying an image based on image data for at least one page of the image data for the multiple pages on the display interface, and a print processing execution means for executing a print process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means when the display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition. Effect of the Invention

[0006] In the printing device and the control program disclosed in the embodiment, when the display state of the preview image satisfies the print start condition, the image print process is executed, thereby making it possible to preferably execute the display of the preview image and the image print process. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of MFP10. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the control program 32. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are diagrams showing preview display conditions, display information, print allowable conditions, and reset information. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 shows a condition confirmation screen 100. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 shows a preview screen 110. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows a first final preview screen 120. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 shows a reconfiguration screen 140. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process described below can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0009] 1 shows a block diagram of an MFP (an example of a printing device) 10 exemplified as an embodiment of the present application. The MFP 10 mainly comprises a CPU (an example of a computer) 12, a memory (an example of a memory) 14, an LCD (an example of a display interface) 16, an input I / F (an example of a user interface) 18, a reading unit 20, a recording unit 22, a modem 24, and a telephone line connection unit 26. These components are capable of communicating with each other via a bus 30.

[0010] The CPU 12 executes processing in accordance with a control program (one example of a control program) 32 in the memory 14. The control program 32 is a program for executing image formation processes such as scanning and printing. Hereinafter, the CPU 12 that executes the control program 32 may also be referred to simply by the program name. For example, the description "the control program 32" may mean "the CPU 12 that executes the control program 32."

[0011] The memory 14 also includes a data storage area 34. The data storage area 34 is an area for storing data necessary for executing the control program 32, etc. The memory 14 is configured by combining a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory detachably attached to the PC 10, a buffer provided in the CPU 12, and the like.

[0012] The memory 14 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media also include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. Non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, an electrical signal carrying a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a type of computer-readable medium, but is not included in non-transitory computer-readable storage media.

[0013] The LCD 16 displays various information of the MFP 10. The display of the present application is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and may be a display of another display type such as an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. The input I / F 18 is, for example, a touch panel that is integrally configured with the display, and accepts user operations on icons, buttons, etc. displayed on the display. Also, instead of a touch panel, hard keys, etc. may be used.

[0014] The reading unit 20 is a part that reads an image and executes a scan, and is, for example, a CCD image sensor, a contact image sensor, etc. As a result, the MFP 10 executes a scan process. The recording unit 22 is a printing mechanism, and is, for example, an inkjet head. The CPU 12 inputs a drive signal to the recording unit 22, and when the recording unit 22 is an inkjet head, it ejects ink from a nozzle in response to the input drive signal. As a result, the MFP 10 executes a print process.

[0015] The modem 24 modulates document data to be transmitted by the facsimile function into a signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 36 and transmits the signal via the telephone line connection unit 26, or receives a signal input from the telephone line network 36 via the telephone line connection unit 26 and demodulates the document data. In this way, the MFP 10 executes fax processing.

[0016] In this specification, the term basically refers to the processing of the CPU 12 according to the instructions written in the program. In other words, the processing of "judging", "extracting", "selecting", "calculating", "deciding", "identifying", "obtaining", "receiving", "controlling", "setting" and the like in the following description refers to the processing of the CPU 12. The processing by the CPU 12 also includes hardware control via the OS. In addition, "obtaining" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request. In other words, the processing of the CPU 12 receiving data without a request is also included in the concept of "the CPU 12 obtaining data". In addition, "data" in this specification is represented by a bit string that can be read by a computer. Data that has the same substantial meaning but different formats is treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. In addition, the processing of "command", "response", "request", and the like is performed by communicating information indicating "command", "response", "request", and the like. In addition, the words "command", "response", "request", and the like may be described as the information itself indicating "command", "response", "request", and the like. In addition, the processing by the CPU to determine whether or not information A indicates matter B may be described conceptually as "determining whether or not matter B is based on information A". The process by which a CPU determines whether information A indicates event B or event C is sometimes described conceptually as "determining whether it is event B or event C from information A."

[0017] In the MFP 10, a plurality of image forming processes such as copy processing and scan processing can be executed. In this case, when the copy processing is executed, for example, an original is placed on the ADF (short for Automatic Document Feeder) of the MFP 10, and the original is read by the reading unit 20 to generate scan data. Then, a print processing of an image based on the scan data is executed, and whether or not to display an image based on the scan data as a preview image before the print processing is executed can be arbitrarily set as an authority of the administrator of the MFP 10. Furthermore, in the MFP 10, a condition for permitting the print processing of the image displayed as a preview image can be set as an authority of the administrator, and if the condition is established, the print processing is permitted. The process of the control program 32 executed at that time will be described in detail below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7.

[0018] Specifically, first, in MFP 10, an administrator of MFP 10 sets a condition as to whether or not to display an image based on scan data as a preview image before printing is executed (hereinafter referred to as a "preview display condition"), a condition for permitting printing of the image displayed as a preview image (hereinafter referred to as a "print permission condition") (an example of a print start condition), and the like. At this time, in MFP 10, a user ID is input via input I / F 18. Then, control program 32 judges whether or not the input user ID is registered as an administrator. At this time, if the input user ID is registered as an administrator, control program 32 judges that the user of MFP 10 has administrator authority (S100: YES).

[0019] Next, the administrator of the MFP 10 inputs the preview display conditions, and the control program 32 accepts the preview display conditions (S102). The preview display conditions include a parameter condition and a number of sheets condition, as shown in FIG. 8. The parameter condition indicates a parameter of a setting item during copy processing, and it is possible to set color copy and the number of copies as parameter conditions. When color copy is set as the parameter condition, an image based on the scan data is displayed as a preview image when a parameter indicating a print color of a setting item set by a user when copy processing is executed is set to color copy, as will be described later in detail. When the number of copies is set as the parameter condition, an arbitrary number of copies is set as the upper limit number of copies. When the number of copies of a setting item set by a user when copy processing is executed exceeds the upper limit number of copies set as the parameter condition, an image based on the scan data is displayed as a preview image. The number of sheets condition indicates an upper limit number of copies during copy processing, and an arbitrary number is set as the upper limit number of copies. When the number of sheets to be printed when the copy process is executed exceeds the upper limit set as the number of sheets condition, an image based on the scan data is displayed as a preview image. Note that, as the preview display condition, the administrator can set any one or more of the parameter condition color setting, the parameter condition number of copies to be printed, and the number of sheets condition. In other words, the administrator can set multiple preview display conditions.

[0020] Furthermore, the administrator of MFP 10 inputs display information, whereby control program 32 accepts the display information (S104). The display information is information indicating whether or not the preview display condition that has been met is to be displayed on LCD 16 when a preview image is displayed when the preview display condition is met. Therefore, when the administrator of MFP 10 wants LCD 16 to display the preview display condition that has been met when a preview image is displayed, the administrator inputs information indicating that the display of the preview display condition is enabled as the display information. On the other hand, when the administrator of MFP 10 does not want LCD 16 to display the preview display condition that has been met when a preview image is displayed, the administrator inputs information indicating that the display of the preview display condition is disabled as the display information. In this way, control program 32 accepts the input display information.

[0021] Furthermore, when the administrator of MFP 10 inputs the printing allowable conditions, control program 32 accepts the printing allowable conditions (S106). As shown in FIG. 8, the printing allowable conditions include an individual image printing allowable condition and an all image printing allowable condition, and either of these conditions is set. In this case, when the individual image printing allowable condition is set as the printing allowable condition, printing of an image corresponding to one preview image is permitted every time the preview image is displayed on LCD 16. On the other hand, when the all image printing allowable condition is set as the printing allowable condition, printing of images corresponding to all of the preview images is permitted by displaying all of the preview images on LCD 16.

[0022] Furthermore, the administrator of the MFP 10 inputs the reconfiguration information, and the control program 32 accepts the reconfiguration information (S108). The reconfiguration information is information indicating whether or not a screen for reconfiguring the setting items when the print processing of the image corresponding to the preview image is permitted (hereinafter, referred to as a "reconfiguration screen") is to be displayed on the LCD 16. Therefore, when the administrator of the MFP 10 wants to display the reconfiguration screen on the LCD 16, the administrator inputs information indicating that the display of the reconfiguration screen is enabled as the reconfiguration information. On the other hand, when the administrator of the MFP 10 does not want to display the reconfiguration screen on the LCD 16, the administrator inputs information indicating that the display of the reconfiguration screen is disabled as the reconfiguration information. Note that the reconfiguration information is set only when the print permission conditions are set to the all image print permission conditions. In other words, only when the print permission conditions are set to the all image print permission conditions, the process of S108 is executed, and when the print permission conditions are set to the individual image print permission conditions, the process of S108 is skipped. The setting items to be reset on the reset screen are set according to the preview display conditions. That is, when the parameter condition color copy is set as the preview display condition, the setting items related to the print color can be changed on the reset screen. When the parameter condition number of copies to be printed is set as the preview display condition, the setting items related to the number of copies to be printed can be changed on the reset screen. When the number of sheets condition is set as the preview display condition, the setting items related to the number of copies to be printed can be changed on the reset screen.

[0023] In this manner, in the MFP 10, a user with administrator authority inputs the preview display conditions, display information, print permitted conditions, and reset information, and the control program 32 accepts the preview display conditions, display information, print permitted conditions, and reset information, thereby storing these conditions and information in the data storage area 34. Then, a copy process is performed by a general user, that is, a user without administrator authority, using the preview display conditions, etc. input by the user with administrator authority. The process at that time is described below.

[0024] In the MFP 10, when a general user executes a copy process, the control program 32 displays a copy execution screen (not shown) on the LCD 16 (S110). The copy execution screen displays input fields for inputting parameters of setting items during the copy process, and any parameter is set by a user's operation in the input field. The control program 32 then accepts the parameters set by operation in the input field (hereinafter referred to as "input parameters") (S112). Note that the setting items that can be input on the copy execution screen include a setting item indicating the print color, a setting item indicating the number of copies to be printed, etc.

[0025] In addition, an execution button is also displayed on the copy execution screen, and by operating the execution button (S114: YES), the control program 32 outputs a scan instruction to the reading unit 20 (S116). This starts a scan process of the document set in the ADF or the like of the MFP 10. Next, the control program 32 judges whether the input parameters correspond to the parameter conditions of the preview display conditions (S118). For example, if color copy is set as the parameter condition and the print setting item indicating the print color input as the input parameter is color copy, it is judged that the input parameters correspond to the parameter condition. In addition, if the upper limit number of copies is set as the parameter condition and the print setting item indicating the number of copies input as the input parameter exceeds the upper limit number, it is judged that the input parameters correspond to the parameter condition.

[0026] Then, when the input parameter corresponds to the parameter condition (S118: YES), the control program 32 judges whether the display information is information indicating that the display of the preview display condition is valid (S120). At this time, when the display information is information indicating that the display of the preview display condition is valid (S120: YES), the control program 32 displays the condition confirmation screen 100 shown in FIG. 9 on the LCD 16 (S122). The condition confirmation screen 100 displays a comment 102 indicating that a preview image will be displayed, and the preview display condition 104 determined to correspond in the process of S118. Note that, in the condition confirmation screen 100 in FIG. 9, the parameter condition color copy 104a, the parameter condition number of copies 104b, and the number of copies 104c of the number of sheets condition are illustrated as the preview display condition 104, but in the actual condition confirmation screen 100, only the preview display condition 104 determined to correspond in the process of S118 is displayed. That is, if it is determined in the process of S118 that only the parameter condition "color copy" is satisfied, only color copy 104a is displayed as the preview display condition 104 on the condition confirmation screen 100, and if it is determined in the process of S118 that the parameter conditions "color copy" and "number of copies" are satisfied, color copy 104a and "number of copies" 104b are displayed as the preview display condition 104 on the condition confirmation screen 100. This allows the user to recognize the reason why the preview image is displayed. Then, when the condition confirmation screen 100 is displayed on the LCD 16, the process proceeds to S124. On the other hand, if the display information in S122 indicates that the display of the preview display condition is disabled (S120: NO), the process of S122 is skipped, that is, the condition confirmation screen 100 is not displayed, and the process proceeds to S124.

[0027] Next, in S124, the control program 32 determines whether the print permission conditions are the individual image print permission conditions (S124). If the print permission conditions are the individual image print permission conditions (S124: YES), the control program 32 executes a subroutine for executing a print process according to the individual image print permission conditions (hereinafter, referred to as the "individual image print execution subroutine") (S126).

[0028] In each image print execution subroutine, the control program 32 displays a preview screen 110 shown in Fig. 10 on the LCD 16 (S200). A preview image 112 is displayed on the preview screen 110. An image based on the scan data of the first document among the documents that have been read by the reading unit 20 is displayed on the preview image 112. That is, for example, when documents of multiple pages are set in the ADF, an image based on the scan data of the first page of the document is displayed on the preview image 112.

[0029] Also displayed on the preview screen 110 are a cancel button 114 and a send button (an example of an object) 116. If the cancel button 114 is operated (S202: YES), the process returns to S110 of the main routine. As a result, a copy execution screen is displayed on the LCD 16 instead of the preview screen 110. In other words, if the user checks the preview image 112 and does not want to print the image, the copy process of the document set in the ADF is canceled by operating the cancel button 114, and the copy execution screen is displayed on the LCD 16 to execute a new copy process.

[0030] Furthermore, when the next button 116 is operated on the preview screen 110 (S204: YES), the control program 32 outputs a print instruction to the recording unit 22 (S206). At this time, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the image displayed in the preview image 112. As a result, a print process for the image displayed in the preview image 112 is executed in the recording unit 22. That is, in the print process according to each image print permission condition, after the preview image 112 is confirmed on the preview screen 110, the next button 116 is operated to print the image displayed in the preview image 112.

[0031] Then, the control program 32 judges whether or not all the images of the originals have been displayed as the preview images 112 (S208). At this time, if all the images of the originals have not been displayed as the preview images 112 (S208: NO), the processes of S200 to S206 are repeated. That is, in the case where a document of a plurality of pages is set in the ADF, when the image of the first page of the original is displayed in the preview image 112, if the forward button 116 is operated, the image of the first page of the original is printed. Then, on the preview screen 110, the image of the second page of the original is displayed as the preview image 112. At this time, if the forward button 116 is operated, the image of the second page of the original is printed, and on the preview screen 110, the image of the third page of the original is displayed as the preview image 112. In this way, in the printing process according to each image printing permission condition, the printing process of the preview image 112 is executed every time the forward button 116 is operated on the preview screen 110, and new document images are sequentially displayed as the preview images 112. Then, when all the images of the originals have been displayed as preview images 112 (S208: YES), the image print execution subroutine ends, and the main routine also ends.

[0032] Furthermore, if the printing allowable conditions in S124 are not the individual image printing allowable conditions (S124: NO), that is, if the printing allowable conditions are the all image printing allowable conditions, the control program 32 executes a subroutine for executing printing processing in accordance with the all image printing allowable conditions (hereinafter referred to as the "all image printing execution subroutine") (S128).

[0033] In the all image print execution subroutine, the control program 32 displays the preview screen 110 shown in FIG. 10 on the LCD 16 (S300). That is, in the all image print execution subroutine, the preview screen 110 is displayed as in the individual image print execution subroutine. Then, if the cancel button 114 is operated on the preview screen 110 (S302: YES), the process returns to S110 of the main routine as in the individual image print execution subroutine. Also, if the forward button 116 is operated on the preview screen 110 (S304: YES), the control program 32 determines whether the next page of the document displayed as the preview image 112 on the preview screen 110 is the final page of the document (S306). At this time, if the next page of the document displayed as the preview image 112 is not the final page of the document (S306: NO), the processes of S300 to S304 are repeated. On the other hand, if the page of the document next to the page of the document displayed as preview image 112 is the final page of the document (S306: YES), the process proceeds to S308.

[0034] That is, for example, in the case where three pages of documents are set in the ADF, when the image of the first page of the document is displayed in the preview image 112, if the next page button 116 is operated, the image of the second page of the document is displayed as the preview image 112 on the preview screen 110, since the second page of the document is not the final page of the document (S306: NO). At this time, if the next page button 116 is operated, the image of the third page of the document is the final page of the document (S306: YES), and the process proceeds to S308.

[0035] In S308, the control program 32 judges whether the reset information is information indicating that the reset screen display is enabled (S308). At this time, when the reset information is not information indicating that the reset screen display is enabled (S308: NO), that is, when the reset information is information indicating that the reset screen display is disabled, the control program 32 displays the first final preview screen 120 shown in FIG. 11 on the LCD 16 (S310). The first final preview screen 120 displays a preview image 122, and the preview image 122 displays an image based on the scan data of the final page of the document. In addition, the first final preview screen 120 displays a cancel button 124 and a print button (an example of an object) 126. Then, when the cancel button 124 is operated (S312: YES), the process returns to S110 of the main routine. Furthermore, if the print button 126 is operated (S314: YES), the all image printing execution subroutine ends, and in the main routine, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction to the recording unit 22 (S130). At this time, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the images of all documents for which scanning has been completed. As a result, the images of all documents are printed. In this way, in the printing process according to the all image printing permission conditions, after the images of all documents are confirmed in the preview image 112 of the preview screen 110 and the preview image 122 of the first final preview screen 120, the print button 126 is operated to print the images of all those documents.

[0036] Furthermore, in S308, if the reset information indicates that the display of the reset screen is valid (S308: YES), the control program 32 displays a second final preview screen (not shown) on the LCD 16 (S316). The second final preview screen is substantially the same as the first final preview screen 120, but displays not only a preview image, a print button, and a cancel button, but also a reset button. When the cancel button or the print button is operated, the same process is executed as when the cancel button 124 and the print button 126 are operated on the first final preview screen 120.

[0037] Furthermore, when the reset button is operated on the second final preview screen (S322: YES), the control program 32 displays the reset screen 140 shown in Fig. 12 on the LCD 16 (S324). This reset screen 140 displays a setting field 142 for resetting setting items according to the preview display conditions. Note that the reset screen 140 in Fig. 12 displays, as an example, a setting field 142a for resetting setting items related to print color, a setting field 142b for resetting setting items related to the number of copies to be printed, and a setting field 142c for resetting setting items related to the print side, but the actual reset screen 140 displays a setting field 142 for resetting setting items according to the preview display conditions determined to be applicable in the process of S118. In other words, if it is determined in the processing of S118 that only the parameter condition "color copy" in the preview display conditions is applicable, then only setting field 142a for resetting the setting items related to the print color is displayed on reset screen 140, and if it is determined in the processing of S118 that the parameter conditions "color copy" and "number of copies to be printed" in the preview display conditions are applicable, then setting field 142a for resetting the setting items related to the print color and setting field 142b for resetting the setting items related to the number of copies to be printed are displayed on reset screen 140.

[0038] Then, when any of the setting fields 142 is operated by the user (S326: YES), the control program 32 changes the input parameters to parameters corresponding to the operated setting field 142 (S328). This causes the reconfiguration screen 140 to be displayed according to the reconfiguration information, and the setting field 142 can be operated on the reconfiguration screen 140 to change the setting items corresponding to the preview display conditions. Note that if the setting field 142 is not operated (S326: NO), the process of S326 is skipped.

[0039] The reset screen 140 also displays a cancel button 144 and a print button 146. If the cancel button 144 is operated (S330: YES), the process returns to S110 of the main routine. If the print button 146 is operated (S332: YES), the all image print execution subroutine ends, and in the main routine, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction to the recording unit 22 (S130). At this time, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the images of all documents that have been scanned. As a result, the images of all documents are printed.

[0040] Note that the processes of S200, S300, S310, and S316 may be executed in parallel with the scan process according to the scan instruction output in S116. Therefore, in the processes of S200, S300, S310, and S316, when the preview screen 110, the first final preview screen 120, and the second final preview screen are displayed, the scanning process of the document displayed as the preview images 112 and 122 may not be completed. Therefore, in such a case, for example, a comment indicating that scanning is in progress is displayed at the position of the preview images 112 and 122, and a standby state is entered. Then, after the scanning process of the document displayed as the preview images 112 and 122 is completed, the preview images 112 and 122 are displayed.

[0041] In addition, in S118, if the input parameters do not meet the parameter condition (S118: NO), the control program 32 judges whether or not the scanning process of all documents set in the ADF or the like has been completed (S132). Then, if the scanning process of all documents has been completed (S132: NO), the control program 32 calculates the number of sheets to be printed when the printing process is executed based on the scan data after the scanning process has been completed (hereinafter, referred to as the "number of sheets to be printed") (S134). That is, the control program 32 specifies the number of sheets of documents that have been scanned, and calculates the number of sheets to be printed by multiplying the number of sheets of documents by the number of copies to be printed, which is the input parameter. Then, the control program 32 judges whether or not the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136). At this time, an upper limit number of sheets to be printed is set as a preview display condition, and if the number of sheets to be printed exceeds the upper limit number, it is judged that the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition.

[0042] Then, if the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136: YES), the process from S120 onwards is executed. Note that the process from S120 onwards when the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136: YES) is substantially the same as the process from S120 onwards when the input parameter meets the parameter condition (S118: YES), so only the differences will be explained. First, in the process of S122, the condition confirmation screen 100 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the LCD 16, but when the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136: YES), only the preview display condition 104 determined to be met in the process of S136, that is, the number of sheets to be printed 104c of the number of sheets condition, is displayed on the condition confirmation screen 100.

[0043] In addition, when the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136: YES), the processes of S200, S300, S310, and S316 are executed after the scanning process of all documents is completed (S132: YES), so there is no standby state as described above. In addition, in the process of S324, the reset screen 140 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the LCD 16, but in the reset screen 140 when the number of sheets to be printed meets the number of sheets condition (S136: YES), a setting field 142 for resetting the setting items according to the preview display condition determined to be met in the process of S136 is displayed. That is, the setting field 142 for resetting the number of sheets to be printed is displayed. However, the setting field is not a setting field for directly resetting the number of sheets to be printed, but a setting field for indirectly resetting the number of sheets to be printed. Specifically, a setting field 142c for resetting the setting items related to the printing surface is displayed. This is because, for example, if the setting item related to the printing side is set to single-sided printing and the number of sheets to be printed is 10, the setting item related to the printing side can be reset to double-sided printing, thereby changing the number of sheets to be printed from 10 to 5.

[0044] Except for this processing, when the number of sheets to be printed meets the sheet-count condition (S136: YES), the processing from S120 onwards is executed, thereby obtaining the same effect as when the number of sheets to be printed meets the sheet-count condition (S136: YES).

[0045] If the number of sheets to be printed does not meet the sheet count condition (S136: NO), the control program 32 outputs a print instruction to the recording unit 22 to print the images of all documents for which scanning has been completed (S130). As a result, the images of all documents are printed. In other words, if the input parameters do not meet the parameter condition (S118: NO) and the number of sheets to be printed does not meet the sheet count condition (S136: NO), the preview image is not displayed and the copy process is executed by operating the execute button on the condition confirmation screen 100.

[0046] The CPU 12 that executes S106 is an example of a first reception means. The CPU 12 that executes S132 is an example of an acquisition means. The CPU 12 that executes S130 and S206 is an example of a print processing execution means. The CPU 12 that executes S200, S300, S310, and S316 are an example of a first display control means and a second display control means. The CPU 12 that executes S204 is an example of a second reception means.

[0047] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0048] The control program 32 acquires image data for a plurality of pages, and displays an image based on image data for at least one page of the image data for the plurality of pages on the LCD 16 as a preview image 112. Then, when the display mode of the image displayed as the preview image 112 satisfies the print allowable conditions, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the image displayed as the preview image 112 to the recording unit 22. This makes it possible to execute a print process for the image confirmed by the user in accordance with the print allowable conditions.

[0049] Furthermore, control program 32 accepts print permission conditions input by the administrator of MFP 10, and stores the print permission conditions in data storage area 34. Then, control program 32 outputs a print instruction for preview image 112 to recording unit 22 in accordance with the print permission conditions stored in data storage area 34. This allows printing of the preview image according to the intention of the administrator of MFP 10.

[0050] Furthermore, when the control program 32 satisfies a print permission condition that an image based on image data of a predetermined page among multiple pages of image data is displayed as a preview image 112, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the image displayed as the preview image 112 to the recording unit 22. This makes it possible to execute the print process preferably.

[0051] The predetermined page is specified by the user's operation on the forward button 116 on the preview screen 110. This allows the user to specify a predetermined page according to his or her will.

[0052] Furthermore, when a print permission condition is satisfied that an image based on image data for each page among image data for multiple pages is to be displayed as an image of a specific page, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for the image for each page to the recording unit 22. This makes it possible to check the image for each page and then print the checked image for each page.

[0053] Furthermore, when the print permission condition that an image based on the image data of all pages among the image data for multiple pages is displayed as an image of a specified page is satisfied, the control program 32 outputs a print instruction for all images to the recording unit 22. This makes it possible to print the images of all confirmed pages after checking the images of all pages.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of a person skilled in the art. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, when an image based on image data of all pages of image data for multiple pages is displayed as preview image 112, an instruction to print the image is output. However, when an image based on image data of a predetermined ratio of pages of image data for multiple pages, for example, images of 5 pages, which is half of images of 10 pages, are displayed as preview image 112, an instruction to print the image may be output. Also, when an image including a large amount of text data among images for multiple pages is displayed as preview image 112, an instruction to print the image may be output.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the display state of an image satisfies the print permission condition, a print instruction is output for the image displayed as preview image 112, but a print instruction may be output for an image that is not displayed as preview image 112. For example, when images for five pages out of images for ten pages are displayed as preview images 112, a print instruction for the images for ten pages may be output.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a print instruction is output when the display mode of an image based on scan data during copy processing satisfies the print permission conditions, but a print instruction may be output when the display mode of an image based on image data stored in the data storage area 34 during print processing satisfies the print permission conditions. That is, during print processing, a print instruction may be output when any image data is selected by a user operation from the image data stored in the data storage area 34 and the display mode of an image based on the selected image data satisfies the print permission conditions. Also, a print instruction may be output when the display mode of an image based on image data acquired from a device different from the MFP 10 satisfies the print permission conditions.

[0057] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the processes shown in Figures 2 to 7 are executed by the CPU 12. However, these processes may be executed not only by the CPU 12 but also by an ASIC or other logic integrated circuit, or these processes may be executed by cooperation between a CPU, an ASIC, or other logic integrated circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10: MFP, 12: CPU, 14: Memory, 16: LCD, 18: Input I / F, 32: Control program

Claims

1. A printing device comprising a display interface, a computer, and a memory, The computer, a setting unit that receives an operation for inputting print start conditions and stores setting information indicating the input print start conditions in the memory; an acquisition means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface while the setting information stored by the setting means is stored in the memory; a first display control means for causing the display interface to display an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages; a print process execution means for executing a print process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means when the display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a print start condition indicated by the setting information stored in the memory and stored by the setting means; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

2. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; and make it work. moreover, Preview display conditions are predefined for print setting items, The computer, a first display control means for displaying, on the display interface, an image based on image data of at least one page among the plurality of pages of image data when parameters inputted for the image data satisfy the predetermined preview display conditions for the print setting items for which the preview display conditions are predetermined; a print process execution means for executing a print process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means when a display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

3. the preview display condition is determined in advance for a print color, which is one of the print setting items; The first display control means The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that when a predetermined preview display condition is satisfied, that is, the printing color parameters input for the image data indicate color, an image based on the image data of at least one page of the multiple pages of image data is displayed on the display interface.

4. the preview display condition is determined in advance for the number of copies to be printed, which is one of the print setting items; The first display control means The printing device according to claim 2, characterized in that when a predetermined preview display condition is satisfied, that is, a parameter for the number of copies to be printed input for the image data indicates a number of copies exceeding a predetermined number, an image based on image data for at least one page of the image data for the multiple pages is displayed on the display interface.

5. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; and make it work. moreover, The preview display conditions are preset for the number of prints, The computer, a first display control means for causing the display interface to display an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages when the number of prints of the image data satisfies a predetermined preview display condition; a print process execution means for executing a print process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means when a display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

6. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; and make it work. moreover, Preview display conditions are determined in advance, The computer, a first display control means for, when a predetermined preview display condition is satisfied, causing the display interface to display a screen including an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages and the satisfied preview condition; a print process execution means for executing a print process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means when a display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

7. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; a first display control means for causing the display interface to display an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages; and make it work. The computer further comprises: When the first condition is predetermined as a print start condition, an image based on the image data of the first page is displayed on the display interface, and when an operation for instructing printing is received in a state in which images based on the image data of other pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface, a print process of the image based on the image data of the first page is executed; When the second condition is predetermined as a print start condition, when an operation for instructing printing is received in a state where images based on the image data for all pages are displayed on the display interface, a print process of the images based on the image data for all pages is executed, and when an image based on the image data for any page has not yet been displayed on the display interface, a print process of the images based on the image data is not executed. A print processing execution means; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

8. The printing process execution means includes: When the first condition is predetermined as a print start condition, A printing device as described in claim 7, characterized in that when an operation to instruct printing is received while an image based on the image data of the first page is displayed on the display interface and images based on the image data of other pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface, a printing process is executed for the image based on the image data of the first page and the images based on the image data that have not yet been displayed on the display interface.

9. The printing process execution means includes: When the first condition is predetermined as a print start condition, A printing device as described in claim 7, characterized in that when an operation to instruct printing is received while an image based on the image data of the first page is displayed on the display interface and images based on the image data of other pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface, a printing process is executed for images based on the image data of the first page and all pages, including image data for which images have not yet been displayed on the display interface.

10. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; and make it work. moreover, Preview display conditions are determined in advance, The computer, a first display control means for, when a predetermined preview display condition is satisfied, causing the display interface to display a screen including an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages and the satisfied preview condition; a parameter changing means for changing a parameter inputted to the image data when an operation for changing a parameter inputted to the image data is accepted in a state in which an image is displayed on the display interface by the first display control means; a print process execution means for executing a print process to print an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means, based on parameters input to the image data, when a display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition; and make it work. The parameter changing means is A printing device capable of changing parameters related to predetermined preview display conditions, while leaving unchanged parameters not related to the predetermined preview display conditions.

11. The parameter changing means is 11. The printing device according to claim 10, wherein when the preview display conditions are predetermined for a print color, which is one of the print setting items, the parameters of the print color can be changed.

12. The parameter changing means is 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the preview display conditions are predetermined for the number of copies to be printed, which is one of the print setting items, the parameter for the number of copies to be printed can be changed.

13. The parameter changing means is 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein when the preview display conditions are predetermined for the number of prints, a parameter that affects the number of prints can be changed.

14. The parameter changing means is 14. The printing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a parameter for selecting double-sided printing or single-sided printing can be changed when the preview display conditions are preset for the number of sheets to be printed.

15. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; and make it work. moreover, Preview display conditions are determined in advance, The computer, a first display control means for, when a predetermined preview display condition is satisfied, causing the display interface to display a screen including an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages and the satisfied preview condition; a parameter changing means for changing a parameter inputted to the image data when an operation for changing a parameter inputted to the image data is accepted in a state in which an image is displayed on the display interface by the first display control means; a print process execution means for executing a print process to print an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means, based on parameters input to the image data, when a display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies a predetermined print start condition; and make it work. The parameter changing means is A printing device characterized in that, when a first condition is predetermined as a print start condition, a parameter is not changed, and when a second condition is predetermined as a print start condition, the parameter is changeable.

16. A printing device comprising a display interface and a computer, The computer, acquiring means for acquiring image data for a plurality of pages that can be displayed on the display interface; a first display control means for causing the display interface to display an image based on at least one page of the image data of the plurality of pages; a print processing execution means for, when an operation to instruct printing is received in a state where images based on image data for all pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface but images based on image data for a predetermined percentage or more of the multiple pages of image data have been displayed on the display interface, executing a print processing of images based on the image data for the pages whose images have been displayed on the display interface, and not executing a print processing of images based on the image data in a state where only images based on image data for less than the predetermined percentage of pages have been displayed on the display interface; A printing device characterized in that it functions as a printing device.

17. The printing process execution means includes: A printing device as described in claim 16, characterized in that when an operation to instruct printing is received in a state in which images based on image data for all pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface, but images based on image data for more than a predetermined percentage of the image data for multiple pages have been displayed on the display interface, the printing device executes print processing of images based on image data for pages whose images have been displayed on the display interface and images based on image data whose images have not yet been displayed on the display interface, and when only images based on image data for less than the predetermined percentage of pages are displayed on the display interface, the printing device does not execute print processing of images based on image data.

18. The printing process execution means includes: A printing device as described in claim 16, characterized in that when an operation to instruct printing is received in a state in which images based on image data for all pages have not yet been displayed on the display interface, but images based on image data for more than a predetermined percentage of the image data for multiple pages have been displayed on the display interface, a printing process is executed for images based on image data for all pages, including images based on image data for pages whose images have been displayed on the display interface and image data based on image data whose images have not yet been displayed on the display interface, and when only images based on image data for less than the predetermined percentage of pages are displayed on the display interface, a printing process for images based on image data is not executed.

19. 19. The printing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined ratio is 50%.

20. The computer, a first reception means for receiving the print start condition via a user interface of the printing device; a storage control means for storing the print start condition accepted by the first accepting means in a memory of the printing device; and make it work. The printing process execution means includes: A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the print start conditions are read from the memory, and when the display state of the image by the first display control means satisfies the print start conditions, a printing process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means is executed.

21. The printing process execution means includes: A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that when the print start condition is satisfied, that is, when the display mode of the image by the first display control means displays an image based on image data of a specified page among the multiple pages of image data, a printing process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means is executed.

22. The computer, functioning as a second reception unit that receives, via a user interface of the printing device, an operation to designate an arbitrary page among the plurality of pages; The printing process execution means includes: The printing device according to claim 21, characterized in that when the print start condition is satisfied, that is, when the display mode of the image by the first display control means displays an image based on the image data of the specified page in response to the operation accepted by the second acceptance means, the printing process of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means is executed.

23. The first display control means each time the acquiring means acquires image data for one page of the image data for the plurality of pages, an image based on the image data for the one page is displayed on the display interface; The printing process execution means includes: The printing device according to claim 21, characterized in that when the print start condition is satisfied, that is, when the display mode of the image by the first display control means displays an image based on image data of a specified page among the image data for the multiple pages, the printing process of the image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means is executed.

24. The computer, When the first display control means displays an image based on the image data of the predetermined page, a display control unit that displays an object indicating an instruction for a printing process on the display interface; The printing process execution means includes: A printing device as described in any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that when the display mode of the image by the first display control means satisfies the print start condition of displaying an image based on image data of a specified page of the image data for the multiple pages, and when an operation on the object is accepted via a user interface of the printing device, a printing process of an image based on the image data acquired by the acquisition means is executed.

Images