Image forming apparatus, and image forming method

Abstract

To provide a technique that can facilitate appropriate image formation according to a wide variety of types of output sheets.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus forms image data on a sheet-like medium, and comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires setting information including width information indicating an effective range in which the image data in a width direction of the medium can be formed, and length information for switching a formation position of the image data in a length direction orthogonal to the width direction according to the type of the medium; and a formation unit that forms an image on the medium on the basis of the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for forming image data on a medium.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in enlargement printing or reduction printing of image data such as PDF using this type of image forming apparatus, printing is performed to match the size of the image data to a preset output paper, for example, an output paper with preset sizes in the width direction (short side direction) such as A3 or A4 and the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the width direction.

[0003] In such an image forming apparatus, it is not designed to easily perform appropriate image formation according to various types of output papers. Therefore, in some cases, the user has to finely perform printing settings, such as appropriately considering margins according to the type of output paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a technique that can easily perform appropriate image formation according to various types of output papers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment is an image forming apparatus that forms image data on a sheet-like medium, the apparatus including: an acquisition unit that acquires setting information including width information indicating an effective range in the width direction of the medium where the image data can be formed, and length information for switching a formation position of the image data in a length direction orthogonal to the width direction according to a type of the medium; and a formation unit that forms an image on the medium based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0009] (Configuration of the Image Forming System) The configuration of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the image forming system according to the present embodiment.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 1, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 2, and a server 3.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 forms image data created in a format such as PDF or JPEG acquired on an output sheet (medium). Examples of such an image forming apparatus 1 include a printer that forms an image on an output sheet by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, etc., and a multifunction peripheral (MFP). In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is a barcode printer that can be used as an in-line printer installed in a workplace or the like and can form a two-dimensional barcode or the like on an output sheet as image data. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can use a roll-shaped label sheet with a plurality of unformed labels to be printed attached thereto, or a label sheet having the entire upper surface to be printed, such as a receipt or a ticket, as the output sheet.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is connected to an information processing apparatus 2 and a server 3 so as to be capable of data communication via a network N such as the Internet or an intranet. The information processing apparatus 2 and the server 3 transmit print setting information (setting information) regarding printing of the image data input by the user together with the image data to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a label sheet based on the transmitted image data and print setting information. The information processing apparatus 2 is, for example, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal such as a smartphone or a laptop computer, or the like. Note that the information processing apparatus 2 may access the server 3 and transmit the image data and the print setting information to the image forming apparatus 1 via the server 3. The server 3 may be constructed as a cloud server.

[0013] Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may be connected to the information processing apparatus 2 via wired or wireless communication means. Examples of the wired communication means include Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, IEEE1394 [FIREWIRE (registered trademark)], LIGHTNING (registered trademark), and the like. Examples of the wireless communication means include short-range wireless communication such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark), cellular, Wi-Fi, and the like.

[0014] (Hardware Configuration) Next, the hardware configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a communication I / F (InterFace) 14, and a printer hardware 15.

[0016] The MPU 11 executes various programs such as the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), OS (Operating System), general-purpose applications, and programs for executing the image forming process (image forming method) described later, which are read from the ROM 12, a non-volatile memory area, by expanding them onto the RAM 13, a volatile memory area. Note that the ROM 12 also stores various data used for the image forming process, such as the definition data of the first to fourth setting prints described later. In the present embodiment, the MPU 11 and the RAM 13 cooperate to execute the image forming process described later. The communication I / F 14 is used for communication with the information processing apparatus 2 and the server 3.

[0017] The printer hardware 15 is hardware for performing printing on a label sheet. The printer hardware 15 includes, for example, a ribbon take-up motor for taking up an ink ribbon, a platen motor for driving a platen roller, a supply / discharge motor for supplying and discharging the label sheet, a print head having a heating element, etc., if it is a printer that sequentially feeds out only labels. Further, if it is a printer that cuts labels sheet by sheet, it further includes a cutter unit for cutting the label sheet. The printer hardware 15 is controlled by the MPU 11.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a communication I / F 24, and an input / output I / F 25.

[0019] The CPU 21 executes various programs such as the BIOS, OS, general-purpose applications, and programs for executing image formation processing described later, which are read from the ROM 22, a non-volatile storage area, by expanding them onto the RAM 23, a volatile storage area. Note that various data used for image formation processing, such as data for the input screen of print setting information, is also stored in the ROM 22. In the present embodiment, the CPU 21 and the RAM 23 cooperate to execute the image formation processing described later. The communication I / F 24 is used for communication with the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 3. The input / output I / F 25 is used to connect input / output devices such as the display 251, the keyboard 252, and other mice to the information processing apparatus 2.

[0020] Since the server 3 can have a hardware configuration substantially the same as that of the information processing apparatus 2 in a broad sense, a detailed description of the hardware configuration here is omitted.

[0021] (Functional Configuration) Next, the functional configurations of the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an information acquisition unit 101, a setting determination unit 102, and an image forming unit 103 as functions. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the image forming apparatus 1 described above. The information acquisition unit 101 acquires image data and print setting information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2. The setting determination unit 102 determines which of the first to fourth setting prints to perform based on the acquired print setting information. Details of the first to fourth setting prints will be described later. The image forming unit 103 forms the image data on the label using one of the first to fourth setting print methods described later based on the acquired image data and print setting information.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a presentation reception unit 201 and a transmission unit 202 as functions. These functions are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the information processing apparatus 2 described above. The presentation reception unit 201 displays a print setting screen, which is an input screen for print setting information, on the display 251 and receives an input from the user. The transmission unit 202 transmits the input print setting information and the image data that the user wants to print out to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0024] (Image forming process) Next, the image forming process by the image forming system will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the image forming process according to the present embodiment. The image forming process according to the present embodiment is executed triggered by, for example, selecting a print button on the display screen of the image data in the information processing apparatus 2 in order for the user to print desired image data.

[0025] First, the presentation reception unit 201 of the information processing apparatus 2 presents a print setting screen on the display 251, prompts the user for input, and acquires each of the following information entered (S101). FIGS. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing the print setting screens in the initial state, the state in which the effective print length is valid, and the state in which the effective print length is valid and options for scale (scaling information) are displayed, respectively, on the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in the initial state, three items, an input field 41 for entering the effective print width (width information), a selection field 42 for selecting the validity / invalidity of the effective print length (length information), and a selection field 43 for selecting the scale, are displayed on the print setting screen.

[0026] The effective printing width indicates the width of the printable range (the length in the short side direction of the sheet) on the label sheet set in the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, when using as the output paper a label sheet on which a plurality of labels are attached at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the sheet, it indicates the width of each individual label. Hereinafter, such a label sheet will be referred to as an intermittent label sheet. On the other hand, when using as the output paper a label sheet whose entire upper surface is the printing target surface, the effective printing width is the sheet width of the label sheet. Hereinafter, such a label sheet will be referred to as a continuous label sheet. In the input field 41, numerical values of general effective printing widths are set in advance as default values, and 101.60 mm is set in FIGS. 7 to 9. Near the input field 41, an increase button 411 and a decrease button 412 are provided, and the value of the effective printing width can be appropriately changed by directly inputting a numerical value into the input field 41 or by pressing (clicking) these buttons.

[0027] The effective printing length indicates the length in the direction orthogonal to the width direction within the printable range of the label sheet (the longitudinal direction of the sheet: also appropriately referred to as the length direction), and in this embodiment, it can be switched between effective (fixed) and invalid (variable). "Effective" means setting the effective printing length to a fixed value. On the other hand, "invalid" means setting the effective printing length to a variable value. Specifically, when individual labels of a fixed size are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sheet like an intermittent label sheet, it is preferable to set the effective printing length to be effective. By setting it to be effective, the length of each individual label in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, that is, the effective printing length, is determined to be a predetermined fixed value, and the image data is printed based on the position of the value at approximately the center of the fixed value, in other words, the center position of the effective printing length. Therefore, the fixed value can also be said to be a value indicating a predetermined effective range in which image data can be formed. As shown in FIG. 8, when the effective printing length is selected as effective in the selection field 42, a fixed value input field 421 in which the fixed value can be appropriately changed is presented. Specifically, the fixed value can be changed by pressing the increase button 422 and the decrease button 423 near the fixed value input field 421 or by directly inputting a numerical value into the fixed value input field 421. In FIGS. 8 and 9, 25.40 mm is set as the fixed value.

[0028] On the other hand, when there is no distinction between individual labels, such as in a continuous label sheet, it is preferable to invalidate the effective printing length. By invalidating it, when continuously printing image data, it becomes possible to pack it in the sheet longitudinal direction, that is, to print while bringing them close to each other. The interval of the proximity is preferably settable. From the above, it can also be said that the effective printing length is for switching the formation position of the image data in the length direction according to the type of label sheet.

[0029] The scale indicates whether to enlarge or reduce the size of the image data for printing. In this embodiment, three selectable options, namely invalid, fit, and fit (reduce only), are set to be switchable. "Invalid" indicates printing without enlarging or reducing the size of the image data. "Fit" indicates enlarging and reducing the size of the image data. The criteria for these enlargement and reduction operations, if the effective printing length is invalid, are based on the original size of the image data and the effective printing width. That is, when the original size exceeds the effective printing width, the image data is reduced based on the effective printing width, and when it is less than the effective printing width, the image data is enlarged based on the effective printing width. On the other hand, when the effective printing length is valid, after maintaining the aspect ratio of the image data, enlargement and reduction are performed based on either the effective printing width or the effective printing length as a reference. At this time, when enlargement and reduction are performed based on either one as a reference, the image data may not fit into the other value in some cases. In such a case, the other side becomes the reference. For example, if it is preset to use the effective printing length as a reference and the image data is enlarged based on the effective printing length, and the width of the image data exceeds the effective printing width, then the enlargement is performed with the effective printing width as the reference. Here, the original size means the actual size set in data such as a PDF document. "Fit (reduce only)" indicates reducing the image data. When the original size exceeds the effective printing width, the image data is reduced based on the effective printing width, and when it is less than the effective printing width, the original size is maintained. "Fit (reduce only)" is preferably selected when handling image data such as barcode image data that may cause content loss when enlarged or may deviate from the reading range by the reader and lose its function when enlarged.

[0030] With these combinations of settings, various types of printing, in this embodiment, the first setting printing to the fourth setting printing described later becomes possible.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 6, after presenting the print settings screen, the transmission unit 202 transmits print setting information including the effective print width, effective print length, scale, and in some cases, information on fixed values, which are input and selected by the user, together with the image data to be printed to the image forming apparatus 1 (S102). Note that the image data to be transmitted also includes information on its size.

[0032] After the transmission, the information acquisition unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the image data and print setting information transmitted by the information processing apparatus 2 (S103). After the acquisition, the setting determination unit 102 determines whether the setting of the effective print length included in the print setting information is valid (S104). If it is determined that the setting of the effective print length is not valid and is invalid (S104, NO), the setting determination unit 102 determines whether to perform scale change of the image data, that is, enlargement or reduction, based on the print setting information (S105). In this determination, if the scale setting included in the print setting information is Fit or Fit (reduction only), it is determined that scale change is to be performed, and if the scale setting is invalid, it is determined that scale change is not to be performed.

[0033] If it is determined that scale change of the image data is not to be performed (S105, NO), the image forming unit 103 performs first setting printing for printing the image data of the original size based on the print setting information and the original size of the image data (S106), and the image forming process ends. Note that if the number of printed copies of the image data is set to a plurality, the first setting printing is performed for that number of copies. This is the same for the second to fourth setting printings described later.

[0034] On the other hand, when it is determined that the scale of the image data is to be changed (S105, YES), the setting determination unit 102 determines whether or not a predetermined scaling condition is satisfied based on the print setting information and the size information of the image data (S107). The scaling condition in the present embodiment is that when the effective printing length is invalid, it is other than the case where "the scale setting included in the print setting information is fit (reduction only) and the width direction length in the original size of the image data is smaller than the effective printing width". On the other hand, when the effective printing length is valid, to these conditions, the case where the longitudinal direction length in the original size of the image data is smaller than the effective printing length is further added. When it is determined that the predetermined scaling condition is not satisfied (S107, NO), the first setting printing in step S106 is executed. This means that when it is determined that the predetermined scaling condition is not satisfied, although fit (reduction only) is set in the print setting information, the width direction length in the original size of the image data is smaller than the effective printing width. Therefore, since there is a possibility that the image data may be enlarged, the first setting printing is performed when it is determined that there is no scale change.

[0035] On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined scaling condition is satisfied (S107, YES), the image forming unit 103 performs second setting printing in which the image data is scaled and printed based on the print setting information and the original size of the image data, and the image forming process ends.

[0036] In step S104, when it is determined that the setting of the effective printing length is valid (S104, YES), the setting determination unit 102 determines whether or not to change the scale of the image data based on the print setting information in the same manner as in step S105 (S109). When it is determined that the scale of the image data is not to be changed (S109, NO), the image forming unit 103 performs third setting printing in which the image data is printed in the original size based on the print setting information and the original size of the image data (S110), and the image forming process ends.

[0037] On the other hand, when it is determined that the scale of the image data is to be changed (S109, YES), the setting determination unit 102 determines whether or not the above-described scaling conditions are satisfied based on the print setting information and the size information of the image data (S111). When it is determined that the predetermined scaling conditions are not satisfied (S111, NO), the third setting print in step S110 is executed.

[0038] On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined scaling conditions are satisfied (S111, YES), the image forming unit 103 performs the fourth setting print in which the image data is scaled and printed based on the print setting information and the original size of the image data (S112), and the image forming process ends.

[0039] The above-described first to fourth setting prints will be described in detail together with their print results. FIGS. 10 to 13 are diagrams for explaining the first setting print, the second setting print, the third setting print, and the fourth setting print according to the present embodiment, respectively. (a) in each figure shows the image data of the original size, and (b) shows the print result thereof. In addition, the symbol S in each figure indicates a label sheet, D indicates image data, and E indicates an output image output based on the image data D.

[0040] In the first setting print, the original size of the image data is applied in the longitudinal direction of the sheet, the substantially central position in the width direction is positioned at the substantially central position of the effective printing width, and printing is performed without changing the scale. Therefore, the image data D shown in FIG. 10(a) is printed without changing the size as shown as the output image E in FIG. 10(b). Further, as shown in FIG. 10(b), substantially the same intervals are defined on the left and right in the short side direction of the sheet. From this, in the first setting print, the image data D can be printed in the original size, and the substantially central position in the short side direction of the image data D can be positioned at the substantially central position in the short side direction of the label sheet S.

[0041] Also, the virtual line indicated by the one-dot chain line marked with the symbol C indicates both ends of the label in the sheet longitudinal direction and serves as a cutting line to be cut by a cutter or the like. In the first setting print, the image data D can be printed by being brought closer to the discharge-side tip in the longitudinal direction of the label sheet S, in other words, closer to the cutting line C. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the label sheet S from being cut excessively, that is, to prevent the label formed by being cut from containing too much blank space, and it is possible to effectively use the label sheet and thus reduce costs. Such a printing method is particularly useful in a label printer using a continuous label sheet.

[0042] Note that the MPU 11 may be configured to determine the cutting position (cutting line C) based on the print setting information. For example, the MPU 11 calculates the cutting position based on the length of the image data D in the sheet longitudinal direction in the original size or the scaled size, and automatically cuts the label sheet S using a cutter.

[0043] In the second setting print, the image data is scaled according to the effective printing width, and thereby the size of the image data in the sheet longitudinal direction is made to be the length corresponding to the scaled effective printing width and printed. Therefore, the image data D shown in Fig. 11(a) is scaled and printed while maintaining the aspect ratio as shown as the output image E in Fig. 11(b). Note that, as shown in Fig. 11(b), it is preferable in terms of label handling that the image data D is scaled to such an extent that a slightly same interval is defined on the left and right in the sheet short side direction. Also, although Fig. 11(b) shows an example in which the image data D shown in Fig. 11(a) is enlarged, when the image data D is reduced, for example, when the image data D shown in Fig. 11(a) is larger than the label sheet S, it is reduced to a good state as shown in Fig. 11(b).

[0044] From this, in the second setting print, the image data D can be scaled and printed, and the effect of effectively using the label sheet and thus reducing costs can also be achieved. Such a printing method is particularly useful in a label printer using a continuous label sheet.

[0045] In the third setting printing, the image data is positioned such that the substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of the sheet is at the substantially central value of the effective printing length (fixed value), and similarly, the substantially central position in the width direction is at the substantially central position of the effective printing width, and is printed without scale change. In other words, the image data is centered on the effective printing length and the effective printing width, and its center is positioned at the center of the label. L indicated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 12(b) represents the label on the label sheet S. From this, the image data D shown in FIG. 12(a) is printed without size change as shown as the output image E in FIG. 12(b). Further, in the third setting printing, as shown in FIG. 12(b), in the longitudinal direction and the short-side direction of the sheet, substantially the same intervals are respectively defined between the edge of the label L and the image data D.

[0046] From this, in the third setting printing, the image data D can be printed in the original size, and the image data D can be favorably positioned at the substantially center of the label sheet S. Such a printing method is particularly useful in label printers using intermittent label sheets, printers and multifunction devices using paper media such as A4 and A3 as output paper.

[0047] In the fourth setting printing, the image data is scaled according to the effective printing width, and thereby the size of the image data in the sheet longitudinal direction becomes the length corresponding to the scaled effective printing width and is printed. Therefore, the image data D shown in FIG. 13(a) is scaled and printed while maintaining the aspect ratio as shown as the output image E in FIG. 13(b). As a result, the gap between the image data D and the edge of the label L is reduced as compared with the third setting printing. As shown in FIG. 13(b), it is preferable in terms of label handling that the image data D is scaled to such an extent that a slightly same interval is defined on the left and right in the sheet short side direction. Further, in FIG. 13(b), an example in which the image data D shown in FIG. 13(a) is enlarged is shown, but when the image data D is reduced, for example, even when the image data D shown in FIG. 13(a) is larger than the label sheet S, it is reduced to a good state as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0048] From this, in the fourth setting printing, the image data D can be scaled and printed, and the image data D can be favorably positioned at substantially the center of the label sheet S. Such a printing method is particularly useful in a label printer using an intermittent label sheet, a printer or a multifunction device using a paper medium such as A4 or A3 as an output paper.

[0049] In the image forming process described above, it has been explained that only one type of image data D is printed, but it is also conceivable to continuously print a plurality of types of image data. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the formation of different image data for two types of label sheets according to an application example of the present embodiment. DA and DB shown in FIG. 14 are image data, EA is an output image output based on the image data DA, and EB is an output image output based on the image data DB. When the horizontally long image data DA and the vertically long image data DB as shown in FIG. 14(a) are to be continuously printed with the scale set to fit in the print setting information, the print result varies greatly depending on whether the effective print length is enabled or disabled. Specifically, when the effective print length is set to be effective, as shown as the output images EA and EB in FIG. 14(b), the image data DA and DB are uniformly reduced with respect to the label L, and particularly in the image data DB, the margin between the label L in the short side direction of the sheet is extremely large. On the other hand, when the effective print length is set to be ineffective, as shown as the output images EA and EB in FIG. 14(c), while the image data DA is reduced, the image data DB is enlarged, and the margins in both the longitudinal and short side directions of the sheet can be made extremely small.

[0050] According to the present embodiment described above, by simply acquiring the print setting information appropriately input and selected by the user, it is possible to appropriately form the image data on the output paper according to its type, for example, reducing the margin, performing scaling, etc. In particular, in addition to being able to enlarge and reduce the image data according to the effective print width, since the effective print length can be switched between effective and ineffective, that is, between fixed length and variable length, the length in the longitudinal direction of the sheet can be appropriately changed, and the switching is also extremely easy.

[0051] Note that in this embodiment, the image forming process (image forming method) executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The image forming process may be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 and the server 3. In that case, the server 3 may be provided with various functions of the information processing apparatus 2. It should be understood that the information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes not only the information processing apparatus 2 but also the server 3.

[0052] Also, in this embodiment, it has been described that the information acquisition unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires print setting information together with the image data from the transmission unit 202 of the information processing apparatus 2. However, the print setting information is information that can be stored in advance in the ROM 12 in the image forming apparatus 1 or a database (not shown) possessed by the image forming apparatus 1 or the server 3. Therefore, in step S103 of FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 1 may acquire only the image data from the transmission unit 202 by the information acquisition unit 101, and automatically read the print setting information from the ROM 12 or the database to perform the determination process in the subsequent S104. Further, when the information acquisition unit 101 acquires the print setting information together with the image data from the transmission unit 202, the previously stored print setting information may be updated.

[0053] In the above-described embodiments, programs (such as an image forming program) for realizing various functions of the image forming apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 2, and the server 3 are pre-installed in the image forming apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 2, and the server 3. However, the program may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium in a file or the like in an installable format or an executable format and provided. Here, the storage medium includes magnetic tapes, magnetic disks (such as hard disk drives), optical disks (such as CD-ROMs and DVD disks), magneto-optical disks (such as MOs), flash memories, etc., media detachable from the control device 7, and further media that can be transmitted via a network, including all media that can be read and executed by a computer such as the above-described image forming apparatus 1 and information processing apparatus 2. Note that examples of the medium that can be transmitted via a network include those stored on a computer such as an external server connected to a network N such as the Internet, and this is provided via the network N.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the invention have been described, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0055] 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Information processing apparatus 3 Server (information processing apparatus) 101 Information acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 103 Image forming unit (forming unit)

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming image data on a sheet-like medium, an acquisition unit that acquires setting information including width information indicating an effective range in which the image data can be formed in the width direction of the medium, and length information for switching the formation position of the image data in the length direction orthogonal to the width direction according to the type of the medium; a forming unit that forms an image on the medium based on the setting information acquired by the acquisition unit An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. The length information indicates either fixed or variable, when the length information indicates fixed, the forming unit forms the image data such that a substantially center in the length direction of the range where the image data can be formed in the length direction coincides with a substantially center in the length direction of the image data with respect to a predetermined effective range where the image data can be formed in the length direction; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The length information indicates either fixed or variable, when the length information indicates variable, the forming unit forms the image data continuously formed on the medium so as to be close to each other in the length direction The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The setting information further includes scaling information indicating whether to perform either enlargement or reduction of the image data and form it on the medium, when the length information indicates variable, the forming unit determines the length in the length direction of the image data to be formed on the medium based on the width information and the scaling information The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. An image forming method for forming image data on a sheet-like medium, wherein an information processing apparatus receives an input by a user of width information indicating an effective range in which the image data can be formed in the width direction of the medium, and length information for switching the formation position of the image data in the length direction orthogonal to the width direction according to the type of the medium, transmits setting information including the received width information and length information to an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus acquires the setting information transmitted by the information processing apparatus and forms an image on the medium based on the setting information An image forming method.

Images