Image formation system, image formation device, control method, program

Abstract

To provide an image formation system, an image formation device, a control method, and a program by which printing in which the browsability, readability, and quality of contents are maintained can be easily performed on a printing material that uses a plurality of pieces of image data and involves a folding process.SOLUTION: An MFP 101 includes a printer 213 for printing print data on a sheet and a folding unit 104 for physically folding the sheet printed by the printer 213. If a print setting included in a print request includes designation of a sheet folding type when the print request including two or more pieces of image data and the print setting is received from a server 102, a position of a folding line of the sheet folding type is finely adjusted according to a user's input on a folding-position adjustment screen 800; and the print data are generated so that each of two or more pieces of image data included in the print request is disposed inside a plurality of folding surfaces formed on the sheet by the finely adjusted folding lines.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program, and more particularly to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, a control method, and a program that perform print processing of multiple images accompanied by folding processing of printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, it has been known to advertise products or services by printing advertising content on paper, such as direct mail, and sending it to customers by mail or other means. In recent years, efforts have been made to increase the purchase ratio by printing advertising content on paper media, such as invoices sent to customers, to increase the viewing rate compared to when the advertising content alone is sent. In addition, efforts have been made to further increase the purchase ratio by changing the advertising content to content that is likely to match the preferences of each customer to whom it is sent.

[0003] When printing such advertising content, multiple pieces of advertising content that differ for each customer are printed on paper. In addition, since these printed materials are sent by mail or the like, they are usually folded in thirds or fourths.

[0004] In order to improve the visibility, readability, and quality of the advertising content, it is sometimes desirable to lay out multiple pieces of advertising content on the paper so that they do not overlap with the folds created by the folding process. In Patent Document 1, the position of the printed characters is shifted so that they do not overlap with the folds. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-235072 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, Patent Document 1 does not take into account cases where the number of folds does not divide the paper completely equally, or cases where the setting value of the folding position adjustment function of the printing device must also be taken into account. Therefore, when taking these cases into account, it becomes necessary to determine the optimal arrangement of image data through trial and error of layout and printing including folding, and this work increases the effort and time required, and causes problems such as paper and toner consumption.

[0007] Furthermore, in advertising content, image data that makes extensive use of photographs and illustrations is often used as the content.

[0008] To avoid overlapping of such image data with the folds after folding, it is necessary to arrange the image data as printing data corresponding to the printing paper, taking into consideration the avoidance of overlap with the position of the folds after folding.

[0009] On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, only the relationship between the printed characters and the fold lines is taken into consideration, and therefore the layout of image data, which is often included in advertising content, cannot be determined with the relationship between the fold lines taken into consideration.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an image forming system, image forming device, control method, and program that can easily print content that uses multiple image data and involves folding processing while maintaining the viewability, readability, and quality of the content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming system according to claim 1 of the present invention is an image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding means that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, and the information processing device includes an image saving means that saves a plurality of image data and image specifying information that uniquely identifies the plurality of image data, an image selecting means that selects two or more image data from the plurality of image data saved in the image saving means, a print setting means that specifies print settings to be made by the printing unit, a paper folding type specifying means that specifies a paper folding type to be made by the paper folding means in the print settings, and a paper folding type specifying means that selects a paper folding type to be made by the paper folding means by the image selecting means. The image forming device is characterized in that it comprises a print request sending means for sending a print request to the image forming device, the print request including two or more selected image data and print settings specified by the print setting means, and the image forming device is characterized in that it comprises a print request receiving means for receiving the print request, a paper folding position adjustment means for fine-adjusting the position of the fold line of the paper folding type when the print settings included in the print request include a paper folding type specified by the paper folding type designation means, and an image layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned inside the multiple folded surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper folding type whose positions have been fine-adjusted by the paper folding position adjustment means.

[0012] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming device of claim 11 of the present invention is an image forming device having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding means that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit, and is characterized in that it comprises a print request receiving means that receives a print request including two or more image data and print settings, a paper folding position adjustment means that, when a type of paper folding is specified in the print settings included in the print request, fine-tunes the position of the fold line of the paper folding type, and an image layout means that generates print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned inside the multiple folded surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper folding type whose position has been fine-adjusted by the paper folding position adjustment means. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform printing that uses a plurality of image data and involves folding processing, while maintaining the viewability, readability, and quality of the content. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server appearing in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a customer information DB appearing in FIG. 1; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of an image information DB in the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen in the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting details screen in the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a folding position adjustment screen in the present invention. [Figure 9]8A to 8C are diagrams showing examples of three image data selected by a user from an image DB to be printed in the pattern on the folding detail setting screen of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a printout obtained by printing using pattern 3 on the folding detail setting screen of FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a print setting process executed in the server. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart of a printing process executed in the MFP. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the components described in the embodiment are merely examples of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these components.

[0016] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In this embodiment, a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter, MFP 101) having copy and print functions will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[0019] In FIG. 1, an image forming system 1 includes an MFP 101 and a server 102 (information processing device) that are connected to each other via a LAN 103.

[0020] The MFP 101 has a folding unit 104 (paper folding means) that physically folds printed paper. Note that the MFP 101 may not have the folding unit 104, but may be physically connected to an external folding unit and capable of communicating with each other.

[0021] Folding unit 104 is provided after the paper transport in MFP 101, and performs folding processing such as folding in thirds on the paper printed by MFP 101.

[0022] The server 102 includes a customer information DB 105 , an image DB 106 , and an image information DB 107 .

[0023] The customer information DB 105 (customer information storage means) is a database that stores information on customers who send paper media on which advertising content, notices, etc. are printed. Details of the information stored in this database will be described later.

[0024] Image DB106 (image storage means) is a database that stores image data of images showing advertisement contents, notices, etc. Image DB106 mainly stores image data of advertisement contents such as products and services that customers stored in customer information DB105 are desired to purchase, and discount tickets to encourage the purchase of specific products. Image data in image DB106 is also stored together with an image ID (image identification information) that uniquely identifies each image data. Note that image DB106 does not have to be a database as long as it is a unit that manages image data together with information that uniquely identifies the image data. For example, image DB106 may be a file system with a hierarchical structure based on directories. In this case, the directory hierarchy and file name are information that uniquely identifies image data managed in image DB106.

[0025] The image information DB 107 (type information storage means) is a database that stores information such as the characteristics and types of the meanings and contents of the images for each image data stored in the image DB 106. Details of the information stored in this database will be described later.

[0026] It should be noted that customer information DB 105, image DB 106, and image information DB 107 may exist outside server 102 as long as they are capable of communicating with server 102 via a network such as LAN 103.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 101. As shown in FIG.

[0028] 2, the MFP 101 includes a control unit 200, a scanner 212, a printer 213, a folding unit 104, and an operation unit 211.

[0029] The control unit 200 is connected to the LAN 103, and includes devices such as a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a HDD 204, an operation unit I / F 205, a network I / F 206, a scanner I / F 207, a printer I / F 208, and a folding unit I / F 209. These devices are arranged on a system bus 210, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate data with each other.

[0030] The CPU 201 executes various control programs. Specifically, the CPU 201 starts up the MFP 101 based on a boot program stored in the ROM 203. The CPU 201 also reads out a control program stored in the HDD 204 and executes a predetermined process using the RAM 202 as a work area.

[0031] The HDD 204 stores various control programs including functions such as copying and printing, and also stores scan data read from the scanner 212 and print image data received by the network I / F 206 .

[0032] An operation unit I / F 205 controls data input / output communication to / from an operation unit 211 .

[0033] The network I / F 206 is connected to the LAN 103 and controls input and output of information via the LAN 103 .

[0034] A scanner I / F 207 inputs image data from a scanner 212 and also inputs and outputs scanner control data.

[0035] A printer I / F 208 outputs output image data to a printer 213, and also inputs and outputs printer control data.

[0036] A folding unit I / F 209 outputs a paper folding process instruction to the folding unit 104, and also inputs and outputs folding unit control data.

[0037] The operation unit 211 is an interface that includes an input device such as a touch panel or hard keys, and a display device such as an LCD or LED, and that inputs instructions from the user and displays information to the user.

[0038] The scanner 212 includes an optical reading device such as a CCD, and has the function of optically scanning a paper medium and reading it as electronic image data.

[0039] The printer 213 (printing unit) has a function of forming an image from electronic image data on a recording medium such as paper.

[0040] The folding unit 104 is installed after the printer 213, and has a function of performing a process of folding paper after an image has been formed by the printer 213. It can perform folding processes such as a two-fold, which folds the paper in half along the long side, a Z-fold, which folds the folded side in half again to the outside, and a three-fold, which divides the paper into thirds along the long side and folds each of the two outer parts inward.

[0041] The MFP 101 also has a print function of receiving electronic image data from an external information processing apparatus such as a server or a PC via a network via the LAN 103 and printing the data using a printer 213 .

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 102. As shown in FIG.

[0043] The server 102 is connected to the MFP 101 via a network such as a LAN 103, and transmits to the MFP 101 image data to be printed on paper and print setting data for that purpose.

[0044] In addition, in FIG. 3, the server 102 includes a control unit 300 , an operation display unit 307 , and an operation input unit 308 .

[0045] The control unit 300 is a control unit connected to the LAN 103, and includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a ROM 403, a HDD 304, an operation unit I / F 305, and a network I / F 306. These devices are placed on a system bus 309, and are connected to each other so that they can communicate data with each other.

[0046] The CPU 301 executes various control programs. Specifically, the CPU 301 reads out the control programs stored in the ROM 303 or the HDD 304, and executes predetermined processes using the RAM 302 as a work area.

[0047] The HDD 304 stores various control programs such as a printer driver that transmits print instructions together with image data and print settings to the MFP 101. In addition, data such as a customer information DB 105, an image DB 106, and an image information DB 107 are also stored.

[0048] The operation unit I / F 305 controls data output communication to an operation display unit 307 and data input / output communication from an operation input unit 308 .

[0049] The network I / F 306 controls input and output of information via the LAN 103 .

[0050] The operation display unit 307 is a display output interface for the user, which includes a display device such as an LCD or LED.

[0051] The operation input unit 308 is an interface equipped with input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, for inputting instructions from the user.

[0052] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a typical data structure of the customer information DB 105. As shown in FIG.

[0053] The customer information DB 105 is a database that manages information on customers to whom paper media with advertising content, notices, etc. printed thereon is sent, and stores customer ID 401, name 402, address 403, date of birth 404, gender 405, and area of ​​interest 406.

[0054] The customer ID 401 is an identifier (customer identification information) that uniquely identifies a customer. In association with this customer ID 401, information (information about the customer) such as name 402, address 403, date of birth 404, gender 405, and field of interest 406 is stored.

[0055] Name 402 is the name of the customer, and address 403 is the customer's address, which are used when sending paper media with advertisements or the like printed thereon by mail, etc. Address 403 is also used when the destination of an advertisement is limited to customers residing in a specified area, etc.

[0056] The date of birth 404 is the date of birth of the customer, and is mainly used to calculate the customer's age.

[0057] Gender 405 is the gender of the customer.

[0058] The field of interest 406 is information indicating what fields the customer is interested in based on the customer's past product purchase history, questionnaire response results, etc. For example, the information indicates what fields the customer is interested in or has preferences for in categories such as cooking, travel, housing, information appliances, entertainment and culture, and investment.

[0059] The customer information DB 105 may also store related information such as the customer's family structure and occupation, but details thereof will be omitted.

[0060] Note that the customer information DB 105 does not have to be a database as long as it is a unit that manages information together with information that uniquely identifies a customer. For example, the customer information DB 105 may be a file system with a hierarchical structure using directories. In this case, the directory hierarchy and the file name are information that uniquely identifies information about a customer managed in the image DB 106.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a typical data structure of the image information DB 107 in the present invention.

[0062] Image information DB 107 is a database that manages information (additional information) such as characteristics and types of meanings and contents of images for each image data stored in image DB 106. As shown in Fig. 5, image information DB 107 stores image ID 501, path / file name 502, target region 503, target age 504, target gender 505, and target field 506.

[0063] The image ID 501 is an identifier that uniquely identifies image data stored in the image DB 106. Information such as a path / file name 502, a target region 503, a target age 504, a target gender 505, and a target field 506 is stored in association with the image ID 501.

[0064] Path / file name 502 is information indicating the storage location of image data, and is used when retrieving image data from image DB 106. If the image data itself can be retrieved from image DB 106 using only the information in image ID 501, this information in path / file name 502 is not necessary.

[0065] Target area 503 is information indicating which area the content of the image data is intended for customers living in. The content of the image data is mainly advertisements, and for example, in the case of advertisements for houses or condominiums, target area 503 indicates which area the advertisements are intended for, such as the Kanto region, the Kansai region, or the whole country. By searching for information on target area 503 based on address 403 in customer information DB 105, it is possible to extract image data suited to the customer's address 403.

[0066] Target age 504 is information indicating the age group of customers for which the content of the image data is intended. For example, if the content of the advertisement indicated by the image data is automobiles or alcohol, the target age 504 is adults and above. Image data suited to the age of the customer can be extracted by searching for target age 504 by calculating the customer's age from the current date based on the date of birth 404 in customer information DB 105.

[0067] Target gender 505 is information indicating which gender of customers the content of the image data is intended for. For example, if the content of the advertisement indicated by the image data is cosmetics for women, the target gender 505 is female. By searching for this target gender 505 based on gender 405 in customer information DB 105, image data suited to the customer's gender 405 can be extracted.

[0068] Target field 506 is information indicating which field the content of the image data is intended for a customer who is interested in. This matches the classification type of interest field 406 in customer information DB 105. By searching this target field 506 based on interest field 406 in customer information DB 105, it is possible to extract image data suited to the interests and preferences of the customer.

[0069] Based on the information stored in the customer information DB 105 and the image information DB 107, the image forming system 1 extracts image data corresponding to the customer.

[0070] First, the customer to whom the paper on which the image data of the advertisement is printed is to be sent is identified. This customer identification is performed based on the customer ID input by the user to the control unit 300 in the server 102. Alternatively, another method may be used, such as reading a file containing the customer ID from the HDD 304.

[0071] Next, the control unit 300 acquires information such as the address 403, date of birth 404, gender 405, and area of ​​interest 406 of the target customer from the customer information DB 105 based on the customer ID information input by the user.

[0072] Furthermore, from the acquired information, the control unit 300 searches the image information DB for information such as target region 503, target age 504, target gender 505, and target field 506, and extracts multiple image IDs that match the target customer information.

[0073] Image data is obtained from the image DB 106 based on the information in the path / file name 502 from the extracted image ID.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 300 determines image data to be actually printed from the acquired image data. This determination may be performed by displaying a list of acquired image data on the operation display unit 307 and allowing the user to select from the list, or by setting the number at the stage of extracting image IDs and selecting from the top of the search match degree or randomly. At this time, if the print settings such as the folding type of paper have been determined, the number of image data may be determined from the folding type and the number of printed products. For example, if the folding type is three-fold, printing is performed on one side of the paper, and printing is performed on two sheets of paper, a total of six image data (three sides x two sheets) is determined as the image data to be actually printed.

[0075] Thereafter, the control unit 300 executes a control program called a printer driver to display a print setting screen 600 (print setting means) on the operation display unit 307 in order to perform print settings for the image data extracted by the user.

[0076] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a print setting screen 600, which is an example of the print setting screen in the present invention.

[0077] The user selects the finishing tab 601t when configuring various settings related to the print process, including the folding process for the paper after printing, on the print setting screen 600. With this selection, the print setting screen 600 switches to a finishing setting screen 601s.

[0078] The finishing setting screen 601s is a screen for setting what processing is to be performed on the paper after printing. The finishing setting screen 601s has a folding setting pull-down 602, an image folding surface arrangement check box 603, an image center arrangement button 604, an image maximization button 605, a folding details setting button 606, an OK button 607, and a cancel button 608. Basic settings such as the number of copies and paper size for printing are set on a different setting screen, but a description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] The folding setting pull-down 602 (paper folding type designation means) is a pull-down menu for setting the type of folding process to be performed on the printed paper. In addition to the option of "Saddle C fold" shown in the figure, folding types such as "two fold" and "saddle Z fold" can be designated. If no folding process is to be performed on the printed paper, the folding setting pull-down 602 should remain set to the default setting of "not set."

[0080] The image folding surface placement specification check 603 is a checkbox for setting whether or not to place an image of each image data to be printed inside the folding surface surrounded by the folding lines (creases) formed on the paper for the type of folding set in the folding setting pull-down 602. The image folding surface placement specification check 603 is enabled and can be set when some folding process is specified in the folding setting pull-down 602.

[0081] An image centering button 604 and an image maximization button 605 are radio buttons (print setting UI) that specify how to arrange the image within the folding surface when the image folding surface arrangement specification check 603 is checked.

[0082] The image center placement designation button 604 is a button for the user to designate the placement of an image in the center of the folding surface. Note that if the original size of the image to be placed is large and the image would extend beyond the folding surface if placed in the center of the folding surface as is, the protruding portion of the image will be trimmed.

[0083] The image maximization button 605 is a button for the user to specify that the image is to be arranged so as to be maximized within the folding surface.

[0084] The image centering button 604 and the image maximization button 605 are set in a toggle manner, and one of them is always set.

[0085] The folding details setting button 606 is a button for displaying a more detailed setting screen for folding settings (folding details setting screen 700). The folding details setting screen 700 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0086] An OK button 607 is a button for confirming the print-related settings made on the print setting screen 600 and executing the print process.

[0087] A cancel button 608 is a button for closing the print setting screen 600 without finalizing the settings related to printing made on the print setting screen 600.

[0088] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a folding details setting screen 700, which is an example of a print setting details screen in the present invention.

[0089] The folding details setting screen 700 is displayed when the folding details setting button 606 is pressed on the print setting screen 600. The folding details setting screen 700 specifies more detailed settings for the type of folding specified on the folding settings pull-down 602 on the print setting screen 600. Therefore, on the folding details setting screen 700, the contents of the setting items differ depending on the type of folding specified on the folding settings pull-down 602. FIG. 7 shows, as an example, the folding details setting screen 700 when the folding type of "saddle C fold" is set on the folding settings pull-down 602 and the image folding surface placement specification check 603 is checked.

[0090] The folding details setting screen 700 has pattern selection buttons 701 to 704, an OK button 705, and a cancel button 706.

[0091] Pattern selection buttons 701 to 704 (image placement designation means: pattern designation UI) are radio buttons that allow the user to designate one of patterns 1 to 4 for the folding method and the image placement method (correspondence) in the setting for placing an image on the folding surface in a saddle C fold. Any one of the four pattern selection buttons 701 to 704 is set. A diagram showing each folding method and the image placement method is displayed on the pattern selection buttons 701 to 704.

[0092] The content and number of selectable patterns vary depending on the double-sided or single-sided settings, the orientation of the print paper, etc., but a description of this will be omitted. Here, an example is shown in which single-sided printing is set and the orientation of the print paper is landscape.

[0093] The pattern selection buttons 701 and 702 show patterns 1 and 2 in which the right folded surface of the paper overlaps the left folded surface of the paper in the saddle C-fold setting. On the other hand, the pattern selection buttons 703 and 704 show patterns 3 and 4 in which the left folded surface of the paper overlaps the right folded surface of the paper in the saddle C-fold setting. Also, the pattern selection buttons 701 and 703 show patterns 1 and 3 in which three image data that are ordered and instructed to be printed are arranged in order from the left as described later in FIG. Also, the pattern selection buttons 702 and 704 show patterns 2 and 4 in which these three image data are arranged in order from the right. The user selects one of these pattern selection buttons 701 to 704 to select a desired folding and image arrangement pattern from patterns 1 to 4.

[0094] An OK button 705 is a button for confirming the selection made on this folding details setting screen 700 and closing this screen.

[0095] A cancel button 706 is a button for closing this folding details setting screen 700 without confirming the selection made on this screen.

[0096] A user who has made print settings, including settings for post-print folding processing, on the print setting screen 600 and the folding detail setting screen 700 executes printing by selecting an OK button 607 on the print setting screen 600.

[0097] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a folding position adjustment screen 800, which is an example of the folding position adjustment screen in the present invention.

[0098] Folding position adjustment screen 800 is a screen that is displayed on operation unit 211 by control unit 200 (paper folding position adjustment means) of MFP 101 executing a setting value management control program. The user specifies fine adjustment of the folding position for the paper folding process on this folding position adjustment screen 800, which will be described later. The fine adjustment of the folding position can be set independently for each size of paper to be folded and for each fold type of the folding process. Fig. 8 shows an example of the adjustment screen when the paper size is A4 and the fold type is saddle C fold.

[0099] The folding position adjustment screen 800 has an upper surface position adjustment value 801 , a lower surface position adjustment value 804 , decrease buttons 802 and 805 , increase buttons 803 and 806 , an OK button 808 , and a cancel button 807 .

[0100] The upper surface position adjustment value 801 indicates a value that adjusts how much the folding position of the upper surface of the overlap in the saddle C fold is shifted from a specified value. The value of this upper surface position adjustment value 801 can be adjusted by using a decrease button 802 and an increase button 803.

[0101] The lower surface position adjustment value 804 indicates a numerical value for adjusting how much the folding position of the lower surface of the overlap in the saddle C fold is shifted from a specified value. The numerical value of this lower surface position adjustment value 804 can be adjusted by using a decrease button 805 and an increase button 806.

[0102] The numerical values ​​of these top surface position adjustment value 801 and bottom surface position adjustment value 804 are limited by the upper and lower limits of the folding position of a triple fold that can be mechanically achieved by the folding unit 104, and cannot be set to values ​​above the upper limit or below the lower limit. This makes it possible to prevent the edge of the folded part below the paper from overlapping with the folding position of the top surface and folding it on the inside, even if the top surface position adjustment value 801 is set to the maximum value and the bottom surface position adjustment value 804 is set to the minimum value.

[0103] An OK button 808 is a button for confirming the settings made on this folding position adjustment screen 800 and closing this screen.

[0104] A cancel button 807 is a button for closing this screen without confirming the settings made on this folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0105] When instructed to print with folding processing that places an image on the folding surface, the control unit 200 of the MFP 101 executes the image layout and folding processing in the print data, taking into account the folding position adjustment value set on this folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0106] In order to explain the relationship between folding specifications and the layout of image data on a printed matter, an example of image data and a printed matter with folding specifications will be shown.

[0107] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing image data 901 to 903, which are examples of three image data items selected by the user from the image DB 106 and to be printed in pattern 3 on the folding details setting screen of FIG.

[0108] This is image data with contents suited to the interests and tastes of a customer, searched based on information in customer information DB 105 and image information DB 107 when a specific customer ID is designated by the user. Here, an example is shown in which three images are searched, but if more than three images are searched, the user is prompted to select three images to actually print. Below, a description is given of a case in which image data 901, 902, and 903 are ordered to be printed in this order.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printout obtained by printing using pattern 3 on the folding detail setting screen of FIG.

[0110] Print data 1001 and 1011 are print data generated by control unit 200 of MFP 101 in order to print on paper. For the sake of simplicity, print data 1001 and 1011 are data equivalent to the same size as the paper to be printed on, and are printed on paper at this size.

[0111] Moreover, folding positions 1002, 1003, 1012, and 1013 indicate folding positions processed in the folding unit 104. These folding positions take into consideration the folding position adjustment value set on the folding position adjustment screen 800.

[0112] For the print data 1001 shown in Fig. 10(a), the fold setting is "Saddle C fold", the image fold surface layout designation is "Place" and "Centered layout", and the fold detail setting is "Pattern 3" (Fig. 7). The image data 1004-1006 are laid out so as to be placed in the center of each fold surface formed by the folding positions 1002 and 1003 while keeping the size of the original image data 901-903. The original image data 901-903 are laid out in the order in which they were numbered from the left.

[0113] For the print data 1011 shown in Fig. 10(b), the fold setting is "Saddle C fold", the image fold surface layout designation is "Layout" and "Maximize layout", and the fold detail setting is "Pattern 2" (Fig. 7). The image data 1014-1016 are laid out in a state where the original image data 901-903 is enlarged or reduced so as to be maximized vertically or horizontally within each fold surface formed by the folding positions 1012 and 1013. The original image data 901-903 are laid out in the order in which they are numbered from the right.

[0114] Conventionally, the user would select three pieces of image data from the image information DB 107 and lay out the three pieces of image data to create image data of the same size as the paper, which corresponds to the print data 1001 and 1011. However, it was difficult to determine the folding positions 1002 and 1003, etc., that take into account the value of the folding position adjustment, making it difficult to create the print data.

[0115] On the other hand, in the present invention, the user can select an appropriate image as the original image data simply by selecting a customer ID, and can easily generate a printout in which the original image data does not overlap with the fold lines simply by specifying the details of the folding process in each UI shown in Figures 6 to 8. This makes it easy to print the advertisement text and photos, which are the contents of the image, in a way that maintains the viewability, readability, and quality of the content.

[0116] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the print setting process executed in the server 102.

[0117] Each step in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is processed by the CPU 301 in the control unit 300 executing a control program stored in the HDD 304.

[0118] First, the control unit 300 waits for an input from the operation input unit 308 (step S1101), and if no instruction is input from the operation input unit 308 (NO in step S1102), the process returns to step S1101.

[0119] In step S1102, if an instruction is input from operation input unit 308 (customer designation means) (YES in step S1102), control unit 300 judges whether the instruction is an instruction for a customer ID (step S1103). If the instruction is not an instruction for a customer ID (NO in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1106. On the other hand, if the instruction is input from operation input unit 308 is an instruction for a customer ID (YES in step S1103), the process proceeds to step S1104.

[0120] In step S1104, the control unit 300 (image selection means) searches the customer information DB 105 and the image information DB 107 from the customer ID, and extracts the ID of image data having contents corresponding to the customer's hobbies and preferences. Specifically, first, the control unit 300 searches the customer information DB 105 for data of the corresponding customer ID, and obtains information such as the customer's address 403, date of birth 404, gender 405, and field of interest 406. Furthermore, using this information, the control unit 300 searches the image information DB 107 for information corresponding to each piece of information, and obtains the ID of the matching image data. For example, the control unit 300 searches the target field 506 of the data in the image information DB 107 using the information of the field of interest 406, and extracts the ID of the image data having the same field. It is also possible to search for information of corresponding image information using multiple pieces of customer information, and extract the ID of the image data that is the logical product of each piece of information. In addition, the number of image data IDs to be extracted may be a value separately set by the user, or a value according to the folding type and paper print settings.

[0121] In step S1103, it is sufficient to determine that an instruction input of information specifying a customer has been made from customer information DB 105, and that information does not have to be a customer ID, but may be, for example, the gender or field of interest of the target (customer) for whom the user wants to create an advertisement. In this case, information corresponding to the gender or field of interest selected in step S1104 is searched for in image information DB 107, and the ID of the matching image data is obtained.

[0122] In step S1105, the control unit 300 acquires image data from the image DB 106 based on the ID of the image data extracted in step S1104. Below, a case will be described where the image data acquired here are three pieces of image data 901 to 903 to be printed on paper. However, four or more pieces of image data may be acquired in step S1105. In this case, the acquired image data may be displayed on the operation display unit 307 so that the user can select them, and the user may select three pieces of image data from them.

[0123] In step S1106, control unit 300 determines whether the input from operation input unit 308 is an instruction regarding print settings. If it is not an instruction regarding print settings (NO in step S1106), the process returns to step 1101. On the other hand, if it is an instruction regarding print settings (YES in step S1106), the process proceeds to step S1107.

[0124] In step S1107, control unit 300 determines whether the instruction regarding print settings is a setting regarding folding settings. Specifically, the setting regarding folding settings includes the specification of folding setting pull-down 602 on print setting screen 600 and the selection of pattern selection buttons 701 to 704 on folding detail setting screen 700. If the setting is not a setting regarding folding settings (NO in step S1107), the process proceeds to step S1109. On the other hand, if the setting is a setting regarding folding settings (YES in step S1107), the process proceeds to step S1108.

[0125] In step S1108, the control unit 300 updates the folding setting values ​​based on the instructed folding settings. Depending on the instructed folding settings, the control unit 300 also performs processing for displaying or hiding the finishing setting screen 601s and the folding detail setting screen 700.

[0126] Next, control unit 300 determines whether the input from operation input unit 308 is an instruction regarding other print settings other than the folding settings (step S1109). If it is not other print settings (NO in step S1109), the process proceeds to step S1111. On the other hand, if it is other print settings (YES in step S1109), the process proceeds to step S1110.

[0127] In step S1110, control unit 300 updates the instructed print settings, including basic settings related to printing such as the number of copies and the print paper size.

[0128] Furthermore, the control unit 300 determines whether the input from the operation input unit 308 is a print execution instruction (step S1111). Specifically, it determines whether the OK button 607 on the print setting screen 600 has been pressed. If it is not a print execution instruction (NO in step S1111), the process returns to step S1101. On the other hand, if it is a print execution instruction (YES in step S1111), the process proceeds to step S1112.

[0129] In step S1112, control unit 300 (print request transmission means) confirms the print settings, transmits the print settings and the image data acquired in step S1105 to MFP 101, issues a print request, and ends this process.

[0130] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the printing process executed in the MFP 101.

[0131] 12 is processed by the CPU 201 executing a control program stored in the HDD 204 in the control unit 200. Here, the flow of the printing process in the MFP 101 will be described, and the description of the setting process in the folding position adjustment screen 800 will be omitted.

[0132] First, the control unit 200 waits for a print request via a network such as the LAN 103 (step S1201), and if a print request has not been received from the server 102 via the network (NO in step S1202), the process returns to step S1201. On the other hand, if a print request has been received (YES in step S1202), the process proceeds to step S1203.

[0133] In step S 1203 , the control unit 200 (print request receiving means) receives the print setting values ​​and image data transmitted together with the print request, and temporarily stores them in the RAM 202 or the HDD 204 .

[0134] Furthermore, the control unit 200 judges whether or not the received print setting value has an in-folding surface placement setting (step S1204). Specifically, if the image folding surface placement designation check 603 on the print setting screen 600 is checked and the setting to place the image within the folding surface is enabled, it is judged that there is an in-folding surface placement setting. If not, it is judged that there is no in-folding surface placement setting. If there is an in-folding surface placement setting (YES in step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1205 to place the image so as not to overlap with the fold line of the folding process. On the other hand, if there is no in-folding surface placement setting (NO in step S1204), the process proceeds to step S1212 to print the image data on the entire print paper.

[0135] In step S1205, the control unit 200 calculates the folding position according to the type of folding process and paper size included in the received print settings, and calculates a numerical range that can be set as the folding position adjustment value. The control unit 200 then displays the folding position adjustment screen 800 showing the calculated results, and acquires the folding position adjustment value based on a user input on this screen. The folding position adjustment value is a setting value for fine-tuning the folding position set by the user on the folding position adjustment screen 800 displayed on the operation unit 211 at this time. From the print settings acquired in step S1203, a folding position adjustment setting value corresponding to the print paper size and folding setting type is acquired.

[0136] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the folding surface image maximization setting is set (step S1206). Specifically, this is to determine whether or not the image maximization button 605 on the print setting screen 600 is selected to maximize the image and place it inside the folding surface. If the image maximization button 605 is not selected (NO in step S1206), the process proceeds to step S1210. On the other hand, if the image maximization button 605 is selected (YES in step S1206), the process proceeds to step S1207.

[0137] In step S1207, the control unit 200 (second layout means) changes the size of the image data. This is done by first calculating the size for each folding surface, taking into consideration the paper size and fold type in the print settings, and the setting value for adjusting the folding position. Furthermore, the control unit 200 determines the image data to be arranged on each folding surface from the image layout pattern selection setting and the image data order, calculates the magnification for each image data that maximizes the vertical or horizontal length within the folding surface, and enlarges or reduces the image size to achieve that magnification.

[0138] Next, the control unit 200 (image layout means) lays out the image data to generate print data (step S1208). This is done by laying out and combining the image data resized in step S1207 according to the folding and image arrangement pattern settings set on the folding details setting screen 700, and generating print data corresponding to the paper size to be printed. Here, print data such as print data 1011 in which the image is enlarged or reduced to fit the folding surface is generated.

[0139] Furthermore, the generated print data is actually printed on paper (step S1209), and this process ends. If folding processing is included in the print settings, folding processing according to the set folding type is executed.

[0140] In step S1210, the control unit 200 executes an image cropping process. In this image cropping process, the image size is first compared with the size of the folding surface. If the image size is larger, the part that protrudes from the folding surface is trimmed by centering, and if not, the process proceeds directly to step S1211.

[0141] In step S1211, the control unit 200 (image layout means) lays out the image data to generate print data. Since the image maximization button 605 and the image center placement button 604 are in a toggle relationship, when the image maximization button 605 is not specified, the image center placement button 604 is specified. In this case, the control unit 200 (first layout means) lays out the image data so that it is placed at the center of the folding surface according to the folding and image placement pattern settings set on the folding details setting screen 700, and generates print data corresponding to the paper size to be printed. Here, print data such as print data 1001 in which an image is placed at the center of the folding surface is generated. Thereafter, the process of step S1209 is performed.

[0142] In step S1212, the control unit 200 lays out the image data relative to the paper size to generate print data. Since the folding surface layout setting is not set, the print data is generated by laying out each image data so that it is arranged one by one on the paper size. This is the same process as normal printing that is unrelated to the present invention, so a description is omitted. Then, the process of step S1209 is performed.

[0143] In this way, the present invention makes it possible to easily create a paper-based printed matter such as a direct mail piece using a plurality of image data pieces showing advertisements with contents corresponding to the hobbies and tastes of a specific customer. In this case, even if the printed matter is folded for mailing, the plurality of image data pieces can be easily printed in a layout such that the folding lines do not overlap the image data pieces of the advertisements.

[0144] This makes it easy to prevent a decrease in the viewability, readability, and quality of the content when the content overlaps with the fold, for printed matter such as advertising content that involves folding.

[0145] Although the present invention has been described in terms of a case where the print settings include a "saddle C fold" setting, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is possible to easily print a printed matter that uses two or more pieces of image data and involves folding while maintaining the viewability, readability, and quality of the content. In other words, the present invention can be applied to print data that includes a "double fold" or more fold setting.

[0146] (Other embodiments) In this embodiment, a program for implementing one or more functions may be provided to a computer of the system or device via a network or storage medium, and the system controller of the system or device may read and execute the program. The system controller may have one or more processors or circuits, and may include multiple separate system controllers or a network of multiple separate processors or circuits to read and execute the executable instructions.

[0147] The processor or circuitry may include a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a data flow processor (DFP), or a neural processing unit (NPU).

[0148] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0149] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration, method, and program. (Configuration 1) An image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding means that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, wherein the information processing device includes an image storage means that stores a plurality of image data and image identification information that uniquely identifies the plurality of image data, an image selection means that selects two or more image data from the plurality of image data stored in the image storage means, a print setting means that specifies print settings to be performed by the printing unit, a paper folding type designation means that specifies a paper folding type to be performed by the paper folding means in the print settings, and a set of the two or more image data selected by the image selection means and the an image forming system comprising: a print request sending means for sending a print request including print settings specified by a print setting means to the image forming device, wherein the image forming device comprises: a print request receiving means for receiving the print request; a paper fold position adjustment means for fine-adjusting the position of the fold line for the paper fold type when the print settings included in the print request include a paper fold type specified by the paper fold type designation means; and an image layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned inside the multiple fold surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose position has been fine-adjusted by the paper fold position adjustment means. (Configuration 2) The image forming system described in Configuration 1, characterized in that the image layout means includes a first layout means that generates print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned at the inner center position of each of multiple fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type, the positions of which have been fine-tuned by the paper fold position adjustment means. (Configuration 3) The image forming system according to configuration 2, characterized in that, of the two or more image data included in the print request, image data whose image size is larger than the size of the folding surface on which it is to be placed is trimmed of any portions that extend beyond the folding surface when placed in the central position. (Configuration 4) The image forming system according to configuration 2 or 3, further comprising a second layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is enlarged or reduced and positioned inside each of a plurality of fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type, the position of which has been fine-tuned by the paper folding position adjustment means, so that the image data is maximized vertically or horizontally within each fold surface. (Configuration 5) The image forming system according to configuration 4, wherein the image layout means displays a print setting UI for allowing a user to specify whether print data is to be generated by the first layout means or the second layout means. (Configuration 6) An image forming system as described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, further comprising an image arrangement designation means for designating a correspondence between the two or more pieces of image data included in the print request and each of a plurality of fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose position has been fine-tuned by the paper folding position adjustment means, and the image layout means generates print data so that the two or more pieces of image data are arranged in accordance with the correspondence designated by the image arrangement designation means. (Configuration 7) The image forming system described in Configuration 6, characterized in that the correspondence has a plurality of patterns corresponding to the paper fold type, and the image layout designation means displays a pattern designation UI for a user to designate which of the plurality of patterns to use to generate print data, together with a diagram showing each of the plurality of folding patterns and how to arrange the two or more image data. (Configuration 8) An image forming system as described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, comprising a customer information storage means for storing, for a plurality of customers, information about each customer and customer identification information that uniquely identifies the plurality of customers in association with each other, a category information storage means for storing, for the plurality of image data stored in the image storage means, additional information about each image data and the image identification information in association with each other, and a customer designation means for designating a customer whose information is stored in the customer information storage means, wherein the image selection means acquires information about the customer designated by the customer designation means from the customer information storage means, extracts from the category information storage means a plurality of image identification information linked to additional information corresponding to the acquired information about the customer, acquires from the image storage means a plurality of image data uniquely identified by each of the extracted a plurality of image identification information, and selects the two or more image data from the uniquely identified plurality of image data. (Configuration 9) The image forming system described in Configuration 8, wherein the information regarding the customer includes at least one of the address, date of birth, gender, and area of ​​interest of each of the multiple customers, and the additional information includes at least one of the target area, target age, target gender, and target area of ​​each of the multiple image data. (Configuration 10) An image forming system according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that the paper folding position adjustment means displays a folding position adjustment screen for adjusting the position of the fold line for the paper folding type based on a numerical value input by the user, and the numerical value is mechanically limited by upper and lower limits of the folding position of the paper folding means. (Configuration 11) An image forming device having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding means that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit, characterized in that the image forming device comprises: a print request receiving means that receives a print request including two or more image data and print settings; a paper folding position adjustment means that, when the print settings included in the print request specify a type of paper folding, fine-tunes the position of the fold line for the type of paper folding; and an image layout means that generates print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned inside the multiple folded surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the type of paper folding whose position has been fine-tuned by the paper folding position adjustment means. (Method 1) A control method for an image forming system that connects an information processing device and an image forming device having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding means that physically folds the paper printed by the printing unit so that they can communicate with each other, the control method including, in the information processing device, an image saving step of saving multiple image data and image identification information that uniquely identifies the multiple image data, an image selection step of selecting two or more image data from the multiple image data that have been saved, a print setting step of specifying print settings by the printing unit, a paper folding type designation step of specifying the paper folding type in the print settings, and a paper folding method for selecting the two or more selected image data. a print request sending step of sending a print request including image data and the specified print settings to the image forming device, and in the image forming device, a print request receiving step of receiving the print request, a paper fold position adjustment step of fine-adjusting the position of the fold line for the paper fold type if the print settings included in the print request include the specified paper fold type, and an image layout step of generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned inside the multiple fold surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been fine-adjusted. (Program 1) A program executable by a computer, causing the computer to function as each of the means of the image forming system according to configuration 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1. Image forming system 101 MFP 102 Server 104 Folding unit 106 Image DB 200,300 Control section 213 Printer 600 Print setting screen 602 Folding setting pulldown 800 Folding position adjustment screen

Claims

1. An information processing device; an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper on which printing has been performed by the printing unit; an image forming system in which The information processing device includes: an image storage unit for storing a plurality of image data and image identification information that uniquely identifies the plurality of image data; an image selection means for selecting two or more image data from the plurality of image data stored in the image storage means; A print setting unit for specifying print settings to be performed by the printing unit; a paper folding type designation unit that designates a paper folding type to be performed by the paper folding unit in the print setting; a print request sending means for sending to the image forming apparatus a print request including two or more pieces of image data selected by the image selection means and print settings designated by the print setting means; Equipped with The image forming apparatus includes: a print request receiving means for receiving the print request; a paper folding position adjustment means for finely adjusting the position of a fold line of the paper folding type specified by the paper folding type designation means when the print setting included in the print request includes the paper folding type specified by the paper folding type designation means; an image layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is arranged inside a plurality of fold surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been fine-adjusted by the paper folding position adjustment means; An image forming system comprising:

2. The image layout means includes:

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a first layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is positioned at a center position inside each of a plurality of fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been fine-tuned by the paper fold position adjustment means.

3. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein, of the two or more image data included in the print request, image data whose image size is larger than the size of the folding surface on which it is to be placed is trimmed of any portion that protrudes beyond the folding surface when placed at the central position.

4. The image layout means includes: The image forming system according to claim 2, further comprising a second layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is enlarged or reduced and positioned so as to be maximized vertically or horizontally within each of the multiple fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been fine-tuned by the paper folding position adjustment means.

5. The image layout means includes:

5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising: a print setting UI for allowing a user to specify whether the print data is to be generated by the first layout unit or the second layout unit.

6. an image layout designation means for designating a correspondence relationship between the two or more pieces of image data included in the print request and each of a plurality of fold surfaces generated on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been finely adjusted by the paper folding position adjustment means; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said image layout means generates print data so that said two or more pieces of image data are arranged in accordance with the correspondence relationship designated by said image arrangement designation means.

7. The correspondence relationship has a plurality of patterns according to the paper folding type, The image forming system according to claim 6, characterized in that the image arrangement designation means displays a pattern designation UI for allowing a user to designate which of the plurality of patterns to use to generate print data, together with an illustration showing how to fold each of the plurality of patterns and how to arrange the two or more image data.

8. a customer information storage means for storing, for a plurality of customers, information on each of the customers and customer identification information that uniquely identifies the plurality of customers in association with each other; a type information storage means for storing the plurality of image data items stored in the image storage means in association with additional information and the image specification information related to each of the image data items; a customer designation means for designating a customer whose information is stored in the customer information storage means; Have The image selection means includes: acquiring information about the customer designated by the customer designation means from the customer information storage means; extracting from the category information storage means a plurality of pieces of image-specific information linked to additional information corresponding to the acquired customer information; acquiring from the image storage means a plurality of image data uniquely identified by each of the extracted plurality of image identification information; The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the two or more image data are selected from the plurality of uniquely identified image data.

9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the information about the customer includes at least one of the address, date of birth, gender, and area of ​​interest of each of the multiple customers, and the additional information includes at least one of the target area, target age, target gender, and target area of ​​each of the multiple image data.

10. The sheet folding position adjustment means is displaying a folding position adjustment screen for adjusting the position of the folding line for the paper folding type based on a value input by a user; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said numerical value is limited by upper and lower limits of a folding position mechanically set by said paper folding means.

11. 1. An image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper on which printing data has been printed by the printing unit, A print request receiving means for receiving a print request including two or more pieces of image data and print settings; a paper folding position adjustment means for finely adjusting the position of a fold line of the paper folding type when the type of paper folding is specified in the print settings included in the print request; an image layout means for generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is arranged inside a plurality of fold surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been fine-adjusted by the paper folding position adjustment means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

12. An information processing device; an image forming apparatus having a printing unit that prints print data on paper and a paper folding unit that physically folds the paper on which printing has been performed by the printing unit; A control method for an image forming system in which In the information processing device, an image storage step of storing a plurality of image data and image identification information that uniquely identifies the plurality of image data; an image selection step of selecting two or more image data from the plurality of stored image data; a print setting step for specifying print settings by the printing unit; a paper folding type designation step of designating the paper folding type in the print setting; a print request sending step of sending a print request including the selected two or more pieces of image data and the specified print setting to the image forming device; is executed, In the image forming apparatus, a print request receiving step of receiving the print request; a paper folding position adjustment step of fine-adjusting a position of a fold line of the paper folding type when the specified paper folding type is included in the print settings included in the print request; an image layout step of generating print data so that each of the two or more image data included in the print request is arranged inside a plurality of fold surfaces formed on the paper by the fold lines of the paper fold type whose positions have been finely adjusted; A control method comprising:

13. A computer-executable program that causes a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming system according to claim 1.

Images