Image analysis – Image transformation or preprocessing – Changing the image coordinates
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-09
2001-04-24
Couso, Yon J. (Department: 2623)
Image analysis
Image transformation or preprocessing
Changing the image coordinates
C358S451000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222949
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and particularly to an image forming apparatus that can form an image of a size desired by a user.
2. Description of the Related Art
This application is based on Application No. 9-057883 filed in Japan, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
As a conventional image forming apparatus of such a type as described above, an image forming apparatus which has a continuous enlargement function is known. The continuous enlargement function is a function of, for example, enlarging an image of one original and forming the image on a plurality of sheets.
When a user utilizes the continuous enlargement function, the user selects a desired output size, from several output sizes according to the size of an original which has been set, and inputs the selected one. The image forming apparatus enlarges an image of the original according to the desired output size and forms the image on print sheets of the number larger than that of the original.
However, when the conventional image forming apparatus is used, the user can select and input, as an output size according to the size of an original, only the standard size of a print sheet such as A4 and B4 where an image is formed on an entire surface of the print sheet of the standard size.
In other words, once the number of print sheets used for one image formation is determined, the output size is only one for each standard size of the print sheet.
Therefore, when the conventional image forming apparatus is to change the size of an image of an original and forms the image on print sheets of the number different from that of the original, the image forming apparatus cannot form the image with an output size where, for example, the image is formed on each print sheet with an excessive margin space even if desired by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to prevent a user from erroneously making a setting for an image output apparatus having a function of continuously copying at variable scale magnification.
Another object of the invention is to form an image by continuously copying at variable scale magnification, with the magnification desired by a user, by an image output apparatus having a function of continuously copying at variable scale magnification.
Still another object of the invention is to form an image of an original correctly at a magnification desired by a user by an image forming apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming an image by continuously copying at variable scale magnification, with the magnification desired by a user, by an image output apparatus.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming an image by which an image of an original can be formed correctly at a magnification desired by a user.
Those objects of the invention are achieved by an image output apparatus having a function of continuously copying at variable scale magnification provided with components described below. Specifically, an image output apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image input unit for inputting an image; an input image size input unit for inputting a size of the image input to the image input unit; a calculation unit for calculating a range of a size of an image which can be output, based on the input size of the image; and a display for displaying the range of the size of the image which can be output, calculated by the calculation unit.
The range of the image size which can be output is calculated based on the input image size, and the calculated one is displayed. Therefore, the image output apparatus having the function of continuously copying at variable scale magnification can prevent a user from erroneously making a setting.
Preferably, the image output apparatus further includes: an output image size input unit for inputting a size of an image to be output; an image size change unit for changing the size of the image input to the image input unit based on the input size of the image to be output; and an output unit for outputting the image with its size changed.
The size of the image input to the image input unit is changed based on the input size of the image to be output. Therefore, an image can be formed by continuously copying at variable scale magnification, with the magnification desired by a user.
According to another aspect of the invention, an image forming apparatus includes: an image reader for reading an image of an original; an original image size detector for detecting a size of the image of the original; a calculation unit for calculating a range of a size of an image which can be output, based on the detected size of the image of the original; a display for displaying the range of the size of the image which can be output; an output image size input unit for inputting a size of an image to be output; an output image size controller for controlling such that input of a size out of the range of the size of the image displayed by the display is not accepted; an image size change unit for changing the size of the image of the original based on the input size of the image to be output; and an output unit for outputting the image with its size changed by the image size change unit.
The range of the size of the image which can be output is displayed based on the size of the original image, and an image is formed based on input of the output image size within the displayed range of the size. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can correctly form an image of an original at a magnification desired by a user.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5701138 (1997-12-01), Othmer et al.
patent: 5760912 (1998-06-01), Itoh
patent: 5796877 (1998-08-01), Gusmano
patent: 7-50777 (1995-02-01), None
patent: 8-95435 (1996-04-01), None
patent: 8-149232 (1996-06-01), None
Couso Yon J.
Minolta Co. , Ltd.
Sidley & Austin
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