Image forming apparatus and control method

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a control method enable a user to easily input information related to an image quality abnormality. An image forming apparatus of an embodiment includes an image forming section, a display section, a region specifying section, an overlapping position specifying section, and a transmission section. The image forming section forms a print image indicated by image data on a sheet. The display section displays the print image. The region specifying section causes a user to specify a region within the print image displayed by the display section. The overlapping position specifying section causes the user to specify an overlapping position at which a same shape region having a same shape as a specified region specified by the region specifying section is overlapped on the print image. The transmission section transmits user specification information indicating the specified region and the overlapping position to a higher-level apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and a control method. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, in image forming apparatuses, image quality on printed sheets could sometimes be abnormal due to printing misalignment or other issues. In cases of such image quality abnormalities, appropriate measures such as cleaning or component replacement were required, depending on the type of the abnormality.

[0003] Generally, because users are unfamiliar with image quality anomalies, they don't know how to handle them. Therefore, users ask service personnel, but without knowing the type of image quality anomaly, they cannot properly communicate it to the personnel. If service personnel cannot determine the type of image quality anomaly, they may not be able to bring the necessary components to address it when visiting the user. In this case, the service personnel need to visit again, thus increasing their service costs. Furthermore, for the user, the time wasted until they can use the image forming apparatus increases.

[0004] Therefore, it's possible for users to send images with abnormal image quality to service personnel. While this allows service personnel to identify the type of image quality issue, sending the image can sometimes pose security risks.

[0005] Based on this background, techniques have been proposed to determine the type of image quality anomaly without sending images with anomalies to service personnel. One such technique is an image forming apparatus that displays multiple images showing examples of image quality anomalies and allows a user to select from them. Furthermore, an image forming apparatus is known that allows a user to input the type of image quality anomaly and the location information where the anomaly occurred.

[0006] However, in the aforementioned techniques, user input operations can sometimes become complicated depending on the type of image quality anomaly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a technology that allows users to easily input information related to image quality anomalies.

[0008] The image forming apparatus of this embodiment includes an image forming unit, a display unit, a region designation unit, an overlap position designation unit, and a transmission unit. The image forming unit forms a printing image represented by image data on a sheet. The display unit displays the printing image. The region designation unit allows a user to specify a region within the printing image displayed by the display unit. The overlap position designation unit allows the user to specify an overlap position on the printing image where a region of the same shape as the specified region designated by the region designation unit overlaps with the specified region. The transmission unit transmits user-specified information representing the specified region and the overlap position to a host device.

[0009] The control method of the embodiment is a control method for an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms a printing image represented by image data on a sheet, the control method comprising: a display stage in which the display unit displays the printing image; a region designation stage in which the region designation unit causes a user to designate a region within the printing image displayed in the display stage; an overlap position designation stage in which the overlap position designation unit causes the user to designate an overlap position in the printing image such that a region of the same shape as the designated region designated in the region designation stage overlaps with the designated region; and a transmission stage in which the transmission unit transmits user-designated information representing the designated region and the overlap position to a host device. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a side view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 3A This is a diagram illustrating an example of thermal offset.

[0013] Figure 3B This is a diagram illustrating an example of thermal offset.

[0014] Figure 4A This is a diagram illustrating an example of ghosting.

[0015] Figure 4B This is a diagram illustrating an example of ghosting.

[0016] Figure 5A This is an example of a selection screen.

[0017] Figure 5B This is an example diagram showing a designated area screen.

[0018] Figure 5C This is a diagram showing an example of a screen with an overlapping position.

[0019] Figure 6 This is an example of a screen viewed by a service staff member.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of an image forming apparatus.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10…Image forming apparatus, 13…Control panel, 18…Printing unit, 100…Image forming control unit, 28…Developing apparatus, 32…Secondary transfer roller, 34…Fixing apparatus, 51…Arithmetic unit, 52…Storage unit, 53…Communication unit, 54…Image data unfolding unit. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, the user can easily input information related to image quality abnormalities. The image forming apparatus of the embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a side view of the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 In this device, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming control unit 100 and a printing unit 18. The image forming control unit 100 controls the printing unit 18, etc. The image forming control unit 100 controls the transport of the medium (hereinafter referred to as "sheet") in the printing unit 18. The control of the sheet transport refers to controlling the sheet transport timing, the sheet stop position, the sheet transport speed, etc.

[0025] Paper tray 516 is used to store sheet materials. Sheets can be made of materials such as paper or plastic film.

[0026] Printing unit 18 is an example of an image forming unit. Printing unit 18 performs image forming operations. For example, printing unit 18 forms an image represented by image data onto a sheet. In the following description, forming an image on a sheet is also referred to as printing. Printing unit 18 includes an intermediate transfer belt 21. In printing unit 18, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is supported by a driven roller 41 and a support roller 40, etc. Printing unit 18 rotates the intermediate transfer belt 21 in the direction of arrow m.

[0027] The printing unit 18 has four image forming stations 522, 622, 722, and 822. Each image forming station 522, 622, 722, and 822 is used for image forming of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black), respectively. The image forming stations 522, 622, 722, and 822 are arranged on the underside of the intermediate transfer belt 21 along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0028] The following description will use the Y (yellow) image forming station 522 from the image forming stations 522, 622, 722, and 822 as an example. Furthermore, image forming stations 622, 722, and 822 have the same configuration as image forming station 522, therefore detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0029] The image forming station 522 includes a charged charger 26, an exposure scanning head 27, a developing unit 28, and a photoreceptor cleaner 29. The charged charger 26, the exposure scanning head 27, the developing unit 28, and the photoreceptor cleaner 29 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 24, which rotates in the direction of arrow n.

[0030] The image forming station 522 includes a primary transfer roller 30. The primary transfer roller 30 is positioned opposite the photosensitive drum 24 across the intermediate transfer belt 21.

[0031] After the photosensitive drum 24 is energized by the charged charger 26, the image forming station 522 exposes it through the exposure scanning head 27. The image forming station 522 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 24. The developing apparatus 28 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 24 using a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier.

[0032] The primary transfer roller 30 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 24 onto the intermediate transfer belt 21 in one pass. Image forming stations 522, 622, 722, and 822 form color toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 21 via the primary transfer roller 30. The color toner images are formed by sequentially overlapping toner images of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The photoreceptor cleaner 29 removes any remaining toner from the photosensitive drum 24 after the primary transfer.

[0033] The printing unit 18 includes a secondary transfer roller 32. The secondary transfer roller 32 is positioned opposite the support roller 40 across the intermediate transfer belt 21. The secondary transfer roller 32 transfers the color toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the sheet material in a second transfer. Furthermore, in the following description, the term "toner image" can refer to either a color toner image or a toner image with only one color. The toner image can also be a toner image using a neutralizing toner.

[0034] Conveyor path 533 is the conveyor path from confluence section 544 to branch section 644. Conveyor path 633 is the conveyor path within the double-sided printing device 38, and is the conveyor path from branch section 644 to confluence section 544. Conveyor path 733 is the conveyor path from branch section 644 to paper discharge tray 20.

[0035] The leading edge of the sheet taken from the paper feed cassette 516 or manual paper feed tray 716 abuts against the portion of the two stopped positioning rollers 31. The tilt of the sheet abutting against the positioning rollers 31 is corrected. The image forming control unit 100 starts rotating the positioning rollers 31 in a manner that aligns with the position of the toner image on the rotating intermediate transfer belt 21, moving the sheet to the position of the secondary transfer roller 32. The image forming control unit 100 transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the sheet via the secondary transfer roller 32. The image forming control unit 100 conveys the sheet to the transport path 533 and fixes the toner image onto the sheet via the fixing device 34, thereby forming an image. The image forming control unit 100 discharges the sheet by conveying the sheet with the formed image to the transport path 733.

[0036] In the case of double-sided printing, the image forming control unit 100 transports the sheet with the image formed on its surface to the transport path 733. After the sheet passes through the branch section 644, the image forming control unit 100 turns the sheet back and transports it to the transport path 633. Thereafter, the image forming control unit 100 transports the sheet to the confluence section 544 via the transport path within the double-sided printing apparatus 38, and then to the transport path 533 via the positioning roller 31. Furthermore, the image forming control unit 100 fixes the toner image using the fixing device 34, thereby forming an image on the back side of the sheet. The image forming control unit 100 discharges the sheet by transporting the sheet with the image formed on the back side to the transport path 733.

[0037] Before the image formed in the printing unit 18 is transferred a second time at the secondary transfer roller 32, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 24 by the exposure scanning head 27. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 24 is transferred as a toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a first step. Furthermore, the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 in a first step is transferred a second time to the wireless tag sheet that is being transported to the position of the positioning roller 31.

[0038] Next, use Figure 2 A functional block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus of the embodiments.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In this device, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image forming control unit 100, a control panel 13, and a printing unit 18.

[0040] The control panel 13 includes input keys and a display unit. For example, the input keys accept user input. For example, the display unit is a touch panel. The display unit accepts user input and displays it to the user. For example, the control panel 13 displays items related to the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in a configurable manner on the display unit. The control panel 13 notifies the image forming control unit 100 of the items set by the user.

[0041] The image forming control unit 100 includes a computing device 51 and a storage device 52. The computing device 51 controls the control panel 13 and the printing unit 18 according to the image processing program stored in the storage device 52.

[0042] The computing device 51 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The storage device 52 is, for example, ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0043] The communication unit 53 controls the overall communication of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the communication unit 53 performs communication via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The communication unit 53 receives printing data (e.g., data described in a page description language) representing printed images from a host such as a PC (Personal Computer), and stores the received printing data in the storage device 52.

[0044] The image data unfolding unit 54 determines the printing conditions based on the printing data received by the communication unit 53 and stored in the storage device 52, thereby unfolding the data (such as raster data) that the printing unit 18 can print and storing it in the storage device 52.

[0045] The printing unit 18 includes the aforementioned fixing device 34, secondary transfer roller 32, and developing device 28, etc. Additionally, in Figure 2 Only shown in Figure 1 This is part of the configuration of the printing unit 18 described herein. The printing unit 18 forms an image on the sheet based on data stored in the storage device 52 by the image data unfolding unit 54.

[0046] Next, examples of image quality anomalies will be explained. In the following description, the image printed on the sheet by the printing unit 18 will be referred to as a printing image. The image actually printed on the sheet will be referred to as a sheet image. Specifically, the printing image is the image represented by the printing data described above.

[0047] Figure 3A , Figure 3B This diagram illustrates an example of thermal offset, one type of image quality defect. Thermal offset is an image quality defect caused by toner transferring to the rollers that make up the fixing unit 34, thus contaminating the image.

[0048] Figure 3A This is a diagram showing an image for printing. The image for printing includes image 210. Image 210 is an image representing a string such as "user prints image". Figure 3B This is a diagram showing an image of a sheet material that has undergone thermal displacement. The sheet material images include images 211 and 212.

[0049] Image 211 is a portion of the "user-printed image" transferred to the hollow roller constituting the fixing unit 34. Furthermore, image 212 is an image in which toner transferred to the fixing unit 34 is adhered to the rear half of the sheet that passes after image 211 has passed through the fixing unit 34. Therefore, thermal offset occurs when the image quality is abnormal at a position offset in the transport direction of the sheet on which the printed image is attached.

[0050] Figure 4A , Figure 4B This diagram illustrates an example of ghosting, one type of image quality defect. Ghosting is an image quality defect in which an electrostatic latent image of the printed image remains on the photosensitive drum 24, causing overlapping printing in subsequently printed images. This overlapping printing is common when the subsequently printed image is a halftone (light) image.

[0051] Figure 4A This is a diagram showing an image for printing. The image for printing includes image 220 and image 230. Image 220 is an image representing a string such as "user prints image". Image 230 is a diagram representing a solid-color image.

[0052] Figure 4B This is a diagram showing a sheet image that has produced a ghosting effect. Figure 4B This includes images 221 and 231. Image 221 is printed without any issues, maintaining the state of image 220. However, in image 232, a string such as "User Print Image" is printed as an overprint. Thus, thermal offset causes an image quality anomaly due to overprinting at a position offset in the transport direction of the printed image medium.

[0053] Thermal shift and ghosting are both image quality anomalies where an image reappears at its original size. Therefore, as before, inputting an image is cumbersome and difficult for the user. Furthermore, even if the user only specifies the location, they cannot communicate the specific type of anomaly to service personnel.

[0054] Next, the user interface for users to input information related to image quality anomalies will be described. This user interface description will use a sheet image with ghosting as an example. Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 5C This is a diagram showing the screen displayed on the display section of the control panel 13.

[0055] Figure 5A This diagram shows an example of a selection screen 250. Selection screen 250 is a screen for the user to select a printing image corresponding to a sheet image that has experienced image quality abnormalities. The image forming control unit 100 stores the printing image in the storage device 52 each time a print is made. Furthermore, the image forming control unit 100 stores the image forming conditions associated with printing the printing image in the storage device 52. The image forming conditions will be described later.

[0056] In selection screen 250, display the printing images for each job. Figure 5A In this case, display the printing images from both Job A and Job B. Additionally, Figure 5A The “user print image” and “A”, “B”, etc. in the printed image shown are not explanatory strings or symbols, but images printed on the sheet.

[0057] As an example, Assignment A is a four-page printed assignment. Printing images 251, 252, 253, and 254 represent the printing images in Assignment A. Printing image 251 represents the printing image of the first page, printing image 252 represents the printing image of the second page, printing image 253 represents the printing image of the third page, and printing image 254 represents the printing image of the fourth page.

[0058] As an example, assignment B is a printed page. Printing image 255 represents the printing image in assignment B. Printing image 255 represents the printing image of the first page.

[0059] As in task A, when a number of pages cannot be accommodated on selection screen 250, the printing image can be displayed via horizontal scrolling based on user input. Furthermore, the printing image for the next task in task B can be displayed via vertical scrolling based on user input. The user selects the printing image corresponding to the sheet image where the image quality is abnormal on selection screen 250.

[0060] If a print image is selected, the specified area will be displayed. Figure 5B This is a diagram illustrating an example of a region designation screen 260. Region designation screen 260 is a screen used by a user to designate a region within a printing image. Here, "region" refers to the area of ​​the image within the printing image that corresponds to the image in which the image an image anomaly has occurred, as included in the sheet image. In the following description, the image within the printing image that corresponds to the image in which the image anomaly has occurred will be referred to as the "anomaly source image."

[0061] Methods for specifying a region include drawing on the display device with a finger or stylus, etc., in a manner that includes an image of the abnormal source. As described above, since a touch panel is provided on the display device, the image forming control unit 100 can acquire the trajectory drawn with a finger, etc. The specified region is as follows: Figure 5B The area shown is region 261. If the specified region is completed, the user touches the specified completion button 262. Alternatively, it is preferable for the user to specify the region by drawing a closed curve, but if the trajectory drawn by the user is not a closed curve, the image forming control unit 100 interpolates the two endpoints of the trajectory with straight lines to make it a closed curve.

[0062] If the specified completion button 262 is touched, the screen at the specified overlapping position will be displayed. Figure 5C This is a diagram illustrating an example of an overlap position specification screen 270. The overlap position specification screen 270 is a screen used by the user to specify the overlap position of an area of ​​the same shape as the specified area specified by the area specification screen 260 on the printed image. Figure 5C The overlapping position specification screen 270 shown indicates the overlapping position specification screen after the overlapping position has been specified.

[0063] Methods for specifying the overlap position include the user touching the overlap position or dragging region 261 to the overlap position. The user specifies the overlap position that produces thermal offset or ghosting. If an overlap position is specified, the image forming control unit 100 displays the image drawn in the region of the specified area in the same shape region overlapping the overlap position. Thus, as Figure 5C As shown, the image of the source of the anomaly is displayed on the printed image.

[0064] The overlapping position specification 270 can also specify color and transparency. Color refers to the color of the image displayed in the area overlapping the overlapping position. That is, it is the color of the image in the area actually printed as thermal offset or ghosting. The user can select a color or not select a color from the color selection button 272. The user can select any one of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), B (black), and W (white) as the color. If no color is selected, the user selects "Keep As is". Figure 5C In the example, it can select various colors from YMCKW, but the colors that can be selected can also be any color.

[0065] Transparency refers to the transmittance of the image displayed within the area overlapping the overlapping region. That is, it is the transmittance of the image within the area actually printed as thermal offset or ghosting. The user can select either semi-transparent or opaque via the transmittance button 273. Figure 5CAs an example, one can choose between semi-transparent and opaque, but it can also be any selection or specification method, such as specifying the transmittance as a percentage. Furthermore, the choice of color and the choice of transmittance can also be arbitrary.

[0066] If the user specifies an overlap position, selects a color and transparency, and touches the send button 274, the user-specified information is sent to a server (not shown). This user-specified information represents the area specified in the area specification screen 260 and the overlap position specified in the overlap position specification screen 270. The server is configured to be accessible to service personnel. By accessing the server, service personnel can view the user-specified information.

[0067] In addition to the area and overlapping position, the user-specified information includes the selected color (including "keep as is") and transmittance. Furthermore, the selection of color and transmittance can be arbitrary. If no color or transmittance is selected, the user-specified information includes a message indicating that no selection has been made.

[0068] In addition to user-specified information, condition information indicating image formation conditions is also sent. In this embodiment, image formation conditions may include transfer temperature, lifetime, single-transfer bias voltage, and printing direction. The transfer temperature is the temperature at which the toner image is fixed onto the sheet by the fixing device 34. The lifetime refers to the elapsed time, number of rotations, etc., since the start of use of the photosensitive drum 24. The single-transfer bias voltage refers to the voltage applied by the charged charger 26. The printing direction refers to the transport direction of the sheet when the printing unit 18 forms the image for printing on the sheet. These image formation conditions are just examples and are not limited to this.

[0069] As can be seen from the above, service personnel can browse areas, overlapping positions, colors, transparency, and image formation conditions. Figure 6 This is an example of a screen viewed by a service personnel. This screen is, for example, displayed on a PC (Personal Computer) or smartphone.

[0070] exist Figure 6 In the image, the service personnel browsing screen 300 consists of printing direction information 310, area information 321, abnormal image information 322, offset information 323, and various information bars 330. The printing direction information 310 uses arrows to indicate the printing direction in the image formation conditions. The area information 321 indicates the area specified in the area designation screen 260. The area is represented by a solid line.

[0071] Abnormal image information 322 indicates the overlapping position specified in the overlapping position specification screen 270. Abnormal image information 322 is displayed using the color selected in the color selection button 272 and the transmittance selected in the transmittance button 273. Furthermore, the area overlapping at the overlapping position is indicated by a dashed line. The offset indicates the amount (mm) of the offset of the area from the overlapping position relative to the printing direction.

[0072] The various information columns 330 display ID, username, color, transmittance, transfer temperature, lifespan, and primary transfer bias voltage. ID uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus 10. Username represents the name of the user of the image forming apparatus 10. Color represents the color selected by the color selection button 272. Transmittance represents the transmittance selected by the transmittance button 273. Transfer temperature, lifespan, and primary transfer bias voltage are the information described in the image forming conditions section above.

[0073] This allows service personnel to obtain detailed information about the anomaly. Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, area information 321 and abnormal image information 322 are displayed to service personnel, but the image content is not displayed at all, thus ensuring security. In addition, the server or image forming control unit 100 may have the function of inferring the cause of image quality abnormality from the printing unit 18 based on offset, color, and transparency, and display it on the service personnel viewing screen 300.

[0074] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the image forming apparatus 10. This processing is triggered, for example, by a user's operation on the control panel 13. The image forming control unit 100 displays a selection screen (see reference). Figure 5A (ACT101). If the user completes the selection of the image for printing (ACT102: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 displays the area specified screen (see reference). Figure 5B (ACT103). If the user completes the area specification (ACT104: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 displays the overlap position specification screen (see...). Figure 5C (ACT105).

[0075] The image forming control unit 100 determines whether a color has been selected via the color selection button 272 (ACT106). If a color selection has not been completed (ACT106: No), the image forming control unit 100 proceeds to ACT108. On the other hand, if a color selection has been completed (ACT106: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 temporarily stores information indicating the selected color in the storage device 52 (ACT107).

[0076] The image forming control unit 100 determines whether the transmittance has been selected via the transmittance button 273 (ACT 108). If the transmittance selection has not been completed (ACT 108: No), the image forming control unit 100 proceeds to ACT 110. On the other hand, if the transmittance selection has been completed (ACT 108: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 temporarily stores information indicating the selected transmittance in the storage device 52 (ACT 109).

[0077] The image forming control unit 100 determines whether the overlap position has been specified (ACT110). If the overlap position has not been specified (ACT110: No), the image forming control unit 100 proceeds to ACT112. On the other hand, if the overlap position has been specified (ACT110: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 temporarily stores the information indicating the specified overlap position in the storage device 52 (ACT111).

[0078] The image forming control unit 100 determines whether the send button 274 has been touched (ACT112). If the send button 274 has not been touched (ACT112: No), the image forming control unit 100 proceeds to ACT106. On the other hand, if the send button 274 has been touched (ACT112: Yes), the image forming control unit 100 sends the user-specified information and image forming conditions (ACT113) and ends the process.

[0079] The image forming control unit 100 sends user-specified information to the server by referring to the information stored in storage device 52 in ACT107, 109, and 111. Furthermore, the image forming control unit 100 sends image forming conditions by referring to image forming conditions stored in storage device 52 associated with the printing image selected in ACT102.

[0080] In ACT107 described above, the image forming control unit 100 stores colors, but it can also display an area with the selected color if the display unit is capable of color display. In ACT108, the image forming control unit 100 stores transmittance, but it can also display an area with the selected transmittance.

[0081] The information sent as user-specified information, representing the region and overlapping position, can be, for example, image data representing the region and overlapping position, or vector data representing a closed line representing the region and overlapping position.

[0082] According to the implementation method described above, since the user only needs to specify the area and overlapping position, the user can easily input information related to image quality abnormalities.

[0083] While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and likewise within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus, characterized in that, have: The image forming unit forms a printing image represented by image data onto a sheet. The display unit displays the printed image; The region designation unit allows the user to specify a region within the printed image displayed by the display unit; The overlap position specifying unit allows the user to specify an overlap position where a region of the same shape as the specified region specified by the region specifying unit overlaps with the printed image. as well as The sending unit sends user-specified information representing the specified area and the overlapping position to the host device.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display unit displays an image depicted within the designated area in a region of the same shape that overlaps with the overlapping position.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The user-specified information includes the color and transmittance of the image within the same shape region displayed overlapping the overlapping position. The color and transmittance of the areas of the same shape are specified by the user.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In addition to sending the user-specified information, the sending unit also sends the image forming conditions for forming the printing image on the sheet.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, In addition to sending the user-specified information, the sending unit also sends the image forming conditions for forming the printing image on the sheet.

6. A control method, characterized in that, This is a control method for an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus comprising an image forming section for forming a printing image represented by image data on a sheet, the control method comprising: During the display phase, the display unit displays the image for printing; During the region designation phase, the region designation unit allows the user to designate a region within the printed image displayed by the display phase; In the overlap position specification stage, the overlap position specification unit causes the user to specify an overlap position where a region of the same shape as the specified region specified in the region specification stage overlaps with the printed image; and During the transmission phase, the transmitting unit sends user-specified information representing the designated area and the overlapping position to the host device.

Images