Image formation apparatus and method

Abstract

To provide a preview function that enables a user to more easily determine the impact of print-related settings on a print result.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises: image formation means which forms a user image on a sheet on the basis of the print-related settings; and control means which causes display means to display a preview image related to the user image formed by the image formation means. The control means controls the display means so as to display two or more preview images corresponding to the different print-related settings without requiring the user to change the settings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique of presenting a preview image to a user when the user requests printing on a printing apparatus is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing server apparatus that can generate a preview image similar to a completed image of a printed matter of a remote printing service according to printing settings.

[0003] In addition, a technique of reading a sheet on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus with a reader and automatically adjusting image forming conditions based on the read image is also known. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of using a gamma curve generated based on the result of reading a gradation pattern formed on a sheet with an optical sensor for each of a plurality of color components constituting a color image to adjust density output conditions of an image forming apparatus. Patent Document 2 shows an example in which a gradation pattern is formed in a peripheral region of a sheet assumed to be separated by cutting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the preview function of the printing server device disclosed in Patent Document 1 was not capable of easily determining how a user should change the settings to obtain a desired printing result. For example, taking the example of automatic adjustment of image formation conditions described in Cited Document 2, some users may place content even in the peripheral area of the sheet. The user may place codes (e.g., serial numbers, one-dimensional barcodes, or two-dimensional barcodes) used for job management or content management, or unique color patches, etc. in the peripheral area of the input image. When the automatic adjustment setting of the image formation conditions is enabled and the user's content is placed at the position where a pattern for adjusting the image formation conditions (hereinafter referred to as an adjustment pattern) is formed, the adjustment pattern and the user's content image may overlap. Although the user can try to check whether the adjustment pattern overlaps with the content image by looking at the preview image, in a simple print preview, it may be difficult for the user to appropriately determine the presence or absence of overlap.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a preview function that enables a user to more easily determine the influence of printing-related settings on the printing result.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to one aspect, there is provided an image forming apparatus including: an image forming unit that forms a user image on a sheet based on printing-related settings; and a control unit that causes a display unit to display a preview image related to the user image formed by the image forming unit, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display two or more preview images corresponding to different printing-related settings without requiring the user to change the settings. A corresponding method is also provided.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a user can more easily determine the influence of printing-related settings on the printing result through the preview function.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 5A

Figure 5B

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Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10A

Figure 10B

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Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0011] <1. Overview of the System> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a host computer 10 and an image forming apparatus 100. The host computer 10 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network 20. The network 20 may be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. For example, the network 20 may include one or more of a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and a public communication line. Although FIG. 1 shows one host computer 10 and one image forming apparatus 100, the printing system 1 may include more host computers and image forming apparatuses.

[0012] The host computer 10 is a device that issues a printing job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100. As an example, the host computer 10 may be a terminal device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone having a user interface including a display. As another example, the host computer 10 may be a server device that receives a printing request from another terminal device (not shown) and issues a printing job. The printing job typically includes input image data representing a user image to be printed, as well as job parameters such as the number of copies to be printed, the type of sheet specified, and double-sided / single-sided.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that executes a printing job to form an image on a sheet. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 is a color laser printer capable of printing a color image by an electrophotographic method. In other embodiments, the image forming apparatus 100 may be any other type of image forming apparatus such as a monochrome laser printer or an inkjet printer.

[0014] <2. Configuration of the Image Forming Apparatus> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 110, a printer unit 120, a reader unit 150, a finisher 180, and a controller 200.

[0015] <2-1. Operation Panel> The operation panel 110 is a unit that provides a user interface (UI) including an input interface and an output interface. The input interface may include, for example, one or more of buttons, a numeric keypad, a touch panel, a switch, and a microphone. The output interface may include, for example, one or more of a display, a speaker, and a lamp. The operation panel 110 receives user input via the input interface and outputs the received user input to the controller 200. Also, the operation panel 110 outputs information generated by the controller 200 via the output interface (for example, displays an image on the display or outputs sound from the speaker). The user can instruct the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a job and change job-related settings, for example, by operating the operation panel 110.

[0016] <2-2. Printer Unit> The printer unit 120 is an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on at least one image forming condition. In the example of FIG. 1, the printer unit 120 includes paper feed trays 131, 132, image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K, an intermediate transfer member 146, a transfer unit 147, a fixing unit 148, and a cleaner 149.

[0017] Each of the paper feed trays 131 and 132 accommodates a stack of sheets. The paper feed trays 131 and 132 may accommodate the same type of sheets or different types of sheets. Although FIG. 1 shows two paper feed trays 131 and 132, the number of paper feed trays provided in the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to two. When a printing job is executed, the sheets are picked up one by one from the paper feed tray 131 or 132 (for example, the paper feed tray designated by job parameters) by the paper feed mechanism and conveyed along the conveyance path 133.

[0018] The image forming unit 140Y forms a yellow (Y) toner image on the intermediate transfer member 146. The image forming unit 140M forms a magenta (M) toner image on the intermediate transfer member 146. The image forming unit 140C forms a cyan (C) toner image on the intermediate transfer member 146. The image forming unit 140K forms a black (K) toner image on the intermediate transfer member 146. Since the image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K have the same configuration as each other, the configuration of the image forming unit 140Y will be described here as an example. The image forming unit 140Y includes a photosensitive drum 141, a charger 142, an exposure device 143, and a developing device 144. The photosensitive drum 141 is a drum-shaped photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer on its surface. The photosensitive drum 141 rotates about the drum axis in the direction of arrow R in the figure. The charger 142 uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 141. The exposure device 143 irradiates the photosensitive drum 141 with laser light according to the image data (here, representing a yellow image) input from the controller 200. The laser light output from the exposure device 143 scans the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 141 in the drum axis direction, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 141. In the following description, the direction in which the laser light scans (the depth direction in FIG. 1) is also referred to as the main scanning direction, and the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction on the surface of the drum or sheet is also referred to as the sub-scanning direction. The developing device 144 supplies (here, yellow) toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 141. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 141. The yellow toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 141 in the image forming unit 140Y is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 146. Further, the magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the surfaces of the respective photosensitive drums 141 in the image forming units 140M, 140C, and 140K are transferred to the intermediate transfer member 146 in order in a manner that they are superimposed on the yellow toner image. Thereby, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 146. The intermediate transfer member 146 is an endless belt member and rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure. The intermediate transfer member 146 conveys the full-color toner image to the position of the transfer unit 147 (transfer nip).

[0019] The sheet picked up from the paper feed tray 131 or 132 is conveyed to the transfer nip in accordance with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer member 146 reaches the transfer nip under the control of the controller 200. The transfer unit 147 transfers the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer member 146 to the sheet at the transfer nip. The fixing device 148 includes a heater and a pressure roller. The fixing device 148 heats the toner image transferred to the sheet by the heater and applies pressure by the pressure roller. Thereby, the toner on the sheet melts and the toner image is fixed to the sheet. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 includes one fixing device 148, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a second fixing device used, for example, for increasing gloss or improving fixability. The cleaner 149 is disposed on the downstream side of the transfer nip on the orbit of the intermediate transfer member 146 and removes the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer member 146 after the transfer of the toner image.

[0020] The conveyance path 133 branches into conveyance paths 134 and 135 downstream of the fixing device 148. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 148 is once conveyed from the conveyance path 133 to the conveyance path 135. When the trailing edge of the sheet enters the conveyance path 135, the conveyance direction is reversed, and the sheet is discharged from the discharge roller 137 to the reader unit 150. Through such conveyance, the sheet is discharged in a state where the surface on which the image is formed faces downward (referred to as face down). When double-sided printing is performed, the sheet that has entered the conveyance path 135 is conveyed to the conveyance path 136, returns from the conveyance path 136 to the conveyance path 133, and passes through the transfer nip again in a form where the front and back are reversed. At the transfer nip, a toner image is formed on the back surface of the sheet by the transfer unit 147, and the toner image is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 148. The sheet on which images are formed on both sides is discharged from the discharge roller 137 to the reader unit 150.

[0021] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 receives various print-related settings that can affect the result of the printing operation in the printer unit 120. The print-related settings include, for example, settings regarding whether to print a pattern different from the user image on the sheet. An example of a pattern that can be formed on the sheet by the printer unit 120 according to the print-related settings is an adjustment pattern used for adjusting at least one image forming condition. Specifically, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has a function of automatically adjusting the image forming conditions in the printer unit 120. For the automatic adjustment of the image forming conditions, the printer unit 120 is enabled to form one or more adjustment patterns on the sheet together with (or separately from) the user image. As a first example, the image forming conditions include conditions regarding the density of the image formed by the printer unit 120. In this case, the adjustment pattern includes one or more gradation patterns (first pattern) used for automatic density adjustment. As a second example, the image forming conditions include conditions regarding the position where the user image is formed by the printer unit 120. In this case, the adjustment pattern includes one or more position determination marks (second pattern) used for measuring the displacement of the image forming position where the user image is formed on the sheet. The automatic adjustment of the image forming conditions using such adjustment patterns will be described in detail later. Also, some examples of patterns other than such adjustment patterns will be further described later.

[0022] <2-3. Reader Unit> The reader unit 150 is a reading means that optically reads a sheet and generates a read image. In the example of FIG. 1, the reader unit 150 includes a conveyance path 151, a conveyance roller 152, an original sensor 153, a platen glass 154a, a platen glass 154b, a conveyance roller 155, a first line sensor 156a, a second line sensor 156b, and a detection circuit 170. The conveyance roller 152 receives the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 and conveys the sheet along the conveyance path 151. The original sensor 153 may be a photo interrupter including, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the leading edge of the sheet that has passed through the conveyance roller 152. The first line sensor 156a optically reads the lower surface of the sheet passing over the platen glass 154a to generate read image data, and outputs the generated read image data to the detection circuit 170. The second line sensor 156b optically reads the upper surface of the sheet passing under the platen glass 154b to generate read image data, and outputs the generated read image data to the detection circuit 170. The first line sensor 156a and the second line sensor 156b may be, for example, CIS (Contact Image Sensor). The timing at which the first line sensor 156a and the second line sensor 156b read the sheet can be controlled by the controller 200 based on the timing at which the original sensor 153 detects the leading edge of the sheet. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first line sensor 156a and the second line sensor 156b from each other, they are collectively referred to as the line sensor 156 by omitting the alphabet at the end of the reference numeral. The conveyance roller 155 discharges the sheet that has passed through the platen glass 154b to the finisher 180.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the line sensor 156. Referring to FIG. 2, the line sensor 156 includes light sources 161a and 161b, light guides 162a and 162b, a lens array 163, and a plurality of sensor chips 164a, 164b,... (also referred to as a sensor chip group 164). Each of the light sources 161a and 161b may be, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that emits white light. The light guide 162a guides the light emitted from the light source 161a toward the sheet while diffusing it. The light guide 162b guides the light emitted from the light source 161b toward the sheet. The light guides 162a and 162b have linear optical paths parallel to the main scanning direction of the sheet, whereby the entire area of each line parallel to the main scanning direction of the sheet being conveyed is irradiated with white light. The lens array 163 is an optical system that forms an image of the white light reflected on the surface of the sheet on the light receiving surface of the sensor chip group 164. The sensor chip group 164 is a set of optical sensor chips arranged in a single row along the main scanning direction of the sheet. In the present embodiment, the sensor chip group 164 includes three rows of color filters for three color components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and corresponding three rows of photoelectric conversion elements. Each photoelectric conversion element receives the color component light that has passed through the corresponding color filter and generates a corresponding electrical signal. As a result, the line sensor 156 outputs an analog image signal representing the RGB image of each line constituting the read image of the sheet while the sheet is passing through the read position.

[0024] The detection circuit 170 is a detection means for detecting each of one or more adjustment patterns used for automatic adjustment by searching for each in the read image when automatic adjustment of the image formation conditions of the printer unit 120 is performed. Typically, the search for each adjustment pattern is performed within a known limited search range where the adjustment pattern is assumed to exist, thereby shortening the processing time. The detection circuit 170 outputs the detection result for each adjustment pattern to the controller 200. For example, when automatic adjustment of density (density output characteristics) is performed, the detection result may indicate density-related information (e.g., the average value of luminance or density for each patch) for each detected adjustment pattern. When automatic adjustment of the image formation position is performed, the detection result may indicate measurement position information (e.g., absolute position coordinates or relative displacement from a reference position) for each detected adjustment pattern. An example of the detailed configuration of the detection circuit 170 will be further described later.

[0025] <2-4. Finisher> The finisher 180 is a post-processing means for performing post-processing on the sheet on which the image is formed. In the present embodiment, the finisher 180 receives the sheet discharged from the reader unit 150, conveys the sheet along the internal conveyance path, and discharges it to either the discharge trays 181 and 182 (e.g., the discharge tray specified by the job parameters). The post-processing performed by the finisher 180 may include one or more of sorting, cutting, stapling, sorting, and binding. For example, when the finisher 180 has a cutting mechanism (not shown), the cutting mechanism cuts the sheet to a specified size and separates the peripheral region of the sheet. The cut pieces of the sheet can be discarded into a purge tray (not shown) inside the finisher 180.

[0026] <2-5. Controller> The controller 200 controls the overall operations of the image forming apparatus 100 described above. For example, when a user instructs the execution of a print job, the controller 200 controls the image forming apparatus 100 to form a user image on a sheet based on input image data. Further, in the present embodiment, when executing a job in which automatic adjustment of image forming conditions is enabled, the controller 200 controls the printer unit 120 to form an adjustment pattern on the sheet. The automatic adjustment of image forming conditions may be executed, for example, when instructed by the user or when the execution timing arrives when it is set to be executed periodically. A more detailed configuration related to the automatic adjustment of image forming conditions will be further described in the next section.

[0027] <3. Automatic Adjustment of Image Forming Conditions> FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a more detailed configuration of the controller 200 related to the automatic adjustment of image forming conditions. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a more detailed configuration of the reader unit 150 related to the automatic adjustment of image forming conditions.

[0028] <3-1. Detailed Configuration of the Controller> Referring to FIG. 3, the controller 200 includes a communication interface 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a storage 214, a CPU 215, an operation interface 216, a printer interface 217, and a reader interface 218. These components are interconnected by a system bus 219.

[0029] The communication interface 211 is a communication means for the image forming apparatus 100 to communicate with the host computer 10 and other apparatuses via the network 20. The read-only memory (ROM) 212 is a non-volatile memory that stores, for example, one or more computer programs for the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The random access memory (RAM) 213 is a volatile memory that provides a temporary storage area for arithmetic operations to the CPU 215. The storage 214 is a large-capacity storage device such as, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage 214 stores computer programs and various data such as setting data and image data. The central processing unit (CPU) 215 is a processing circuit that realizes various control functions of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing the computer programs stored by the ROM 212 or the storage 214. In the present embodiment, the CPU 215 functions as an adjustment unit 221 and a UI control unit 222. The adjustment unit 221 adjusts at least one image forming condition of the printer unit 120 based on the detection result of the adjustment pattern in the read image generated by the reader unit 150. The UI control unit 222 causes the display means to display a preview image related to the user image formed by the printer unit 120. The display means here may be, for example, the operation panel 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 or the display of the host computer 10. The functions of the adjustment unit 221 and the UI control unit 222 will be described in detail later. The operation interface 216 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals between the controller 200 and the operation panel 110. The printer interface 217 is an interface for inputting and outputting data and signals between the controller 200 and the printer unit 120. The reader interface 218 is an interface for inputting and outputting data and signals between the controller 200 and the reader unit 150.

[0030] <3-2. Detailed Configuration of Reader Unit> Referring to FIG. 4, the reader unit 150 includes a document sensor 153, an image memory 159, a first line sensor unit 160a, a second line sensor unit 160b, and a detection circuit 170. The first line sensor unit 160a includes a first line sensor 156a, a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 157a, and a memory 158a. The second line sensor unit 160b includes a second line sensor 156b, a second ADC 157b, and a memory 158b.

[0031] The first ADC 157a converts an analog image signal (representing a read image of the first side of the sheet) input from the first line sensor 156a into read image data in digital format, and outputs the converted read image data to the detection circuit 170. The memory 168a stores correction values (for example, values corresponding to variations in the amount of light) used to equalize the amount of light for each element of the first line sensor 156a. The second ADC 157b converts an analog image signal (representing a read image of the second side of the sheet) input from the second line sensor 156b into read image data in digital format, and outputs the converted read image data to the detection circuit 170. The memory 168b stores correction values used to equalize the amount of light for each element of the second line sensor 156b. The image memory 159 stores read image data generated or processed in the reader unit 150. The detection circuit 170 is a detection means for detecting one or more adjustment patterns in the read image when automatic adjustment of the image forming conditions in the printer unit 120 is performed. The detection circuit 170 may be implemented as a dedicated processing circuit such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be implemented as a combination of a general-purpose processor and software.

[0032] <3-3. Automatic adjustment function> The adjustment unit 221 of the controller 200 controls the printer unit 120 to form one or more adjustment patterns on a sheet for automatic adjustment of image formation conditions in the printer unit 120. The first example of the adjustment pattern is a tone pattern used for automatic density adjustment. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the tone pattern as the first example is formed on the sheet 300.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 5A, the sheet 300 includes a main printing area 310 and a peripheral area 315. The peripheral area 315 is an area surrounding the outside of the main printing area 310. The user's content to be printed is mainly arranged in the main printing area 310, but some content may also be arranged in the peripheral area 315. Four tone patterns 320Y, 320M, 320C, and 320K are formed in the peripheral area 315. The tone patterns 320Y, 320M, 320C, and 320K are used to adjust the density output characteristics of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively. Each tone pattern 320 consists of a patch area 321 and a mask area 322 surrounding the patch area 321. The patch area 321 is a non-blank area including a plurality of patch images of the corresponding color component, and the tone values can be different between these patch images. The mask area 322 is a blank area of the same color as the background color (for example, white).

[0034] The detection circuit 170 of the reader unit 150 detects each tone pattern 320 based on the read image data, extracts the patch area 321 in the detected tone pattern 320, and calculates the average pixel value (RGB value) for each patch image. Then, the detection circuit 170 outputs the average pixel value of each tone of each color component to the controller 200.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the detailed configuration of the detection circuit 170 according to the first example. Referring to FIG. 6, the detection circuit 170 includes a color selection unit 171, a left end determination unit 172, a range determination unit 173, a writing unit 174, a reading unit 175, and an average calculation unit 176.

[0036] The color selection unit 171 selects any one of the RGB color component images that make up the read image data. In order to detect the gradation pattern 320 with good accuracy, the selection of the color component here may be made according to the background color of the sheet (for example, the color component with the largest color difference from the background color may be selected).

[0037] The left end determination unit 172 determines the position of the left end of the patch region 321 of each gradation pattern 320 to be detected in the read image of the color component selected by the color selection unit 171. "Left" here corresponds to the upstream side in the pixel array along the line in the main scanning direction. For example, the left end determination unit 172 may scan the pixel values of each line of the read image in order and compare each pixel value with a predefined threshold value to determine the left end of the patch region 321. When the background color of the sheet is white, the patch region 321 may be detected when the pixel value (or luminance value) is below the threshold value. Note that the left end determination unit 172 may scan the pixel values of a plurality of lines simultaneously in order to improve the determination accuracy and determine the position of the left end of the patch region 321 using a plurality of pixel values.

[0038] The range determination unit 173 determines the range (hereinafter referred to as the cut-out range) of each patch image to be cut out from the read image based on the determination result by the left end determination unit 172. For example, assume that the determination result by the left end determination unit 172 indicates the position coordinates of the upper left corner of the patch region 321 of the gradation pattern 320Y described with reference to FIG. 5A. For the range determination unit 173, the sizes of the patch region 321 in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are known. Therefore, the range determination unit 173 can determine the cut-out range of the patch images of each gradation in the gradation pattern 320Y based on the position coordinates of the upper left corner and the known sizes. The cut-out range determined here may be, for example, a somewhat smaller range excluding the vicinity of the four sides among the patch images that make up the patch region 321.

[0039] The writing unit 174 cuts out patch images within each range determined by the range determination unit 173 from the read image (RGB image), and writes patch image data representing the cut-out patch images into the image memory 159. The reading unit 175 reads out the patch image data written into the image memory 159 and outputs it to the average calculation unit 176.

[0040] Based on each patch image data input from the reading unit 175, the average calculation unit 176 calculates the average pixel value (RGB value) of each gradation of the patch image (cut out from the read image) for the four color components of Y, M, C, and K. Then, the average calculation unit 176 outputs the calculated average pixel value to the adjustment unit 221 of the controller 200.

[0041] Based on the average pixel value input from the detection circuit 170, the adjustment unit 221 adjusts the density output characteristics of the image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K. The adjustment here can be performed using, for example, some conversion formula or look-up table that receives a set of average pixel values as input and outputs parameters that specify the adjusted density output characteristics. As an example, when the detection result of the gradation pattern 320Y indicates that the printing density is too low in the middle gradation range of the Y component, the adjustment unit 221 may increase the density output in the middle gradation range of the image forming unit 140Y. As another example, when the detection result of the gradation pattern 320M indicates that the printing density is too high in the low gradation range of the M component, the adjustment unit 221 may decrease the density output in the low gradation range of the image forming unit 140M.

[0042] A second example of the adjustment pattern is a position determination mark used for measuring the displacement (shift) of the image forming position where the user image is formed on the sheet. FIG. 5B shows a state where the position determination mark is formed on the sheet 350 as a second example.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5B, the sheet 350 includes a main printing area 360 and a peripheral area 365. Four position determination marks 371, 372, 373, and 374 are formed in the peripheral area 365. The position determination marks 371, 372, 373, and 374 are used to determine the displacement of the image formation position in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Each mark may have an arbitrary shape, which is circular in the example of FIG. 5B, but may also be a chevron mark as another example.

[0044] The detection circuit 170 of the reader unit 150 scans the read image data to detect each of the position determination marks 371, 372, 373, and 374, and measures the position coordinates (for example, the coordinates of the center of gravity position) of each detected mark. Then, the detection circuit 170 outputs the measured position coordinates to the controller 200. The adjustment unit 221 of the controller 200 adjusts the position on the sheet where the image is formed by the image forming units 140Y, 140M, 140C, and 140K based on the position coordinates input from the detection circuit 170. The adjustment here may include enlargement or reduction in addition to the translation in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. Also, the adjustment of the image formation position may be performed for each color component.

[0045] Note that the gradation pattern shown in FIG. 5A and the position determination marks shown in FIG. 5B may be formed on the same sheet, and both the adjustment of the density output characteristics and the adjustment of the image formation position may be executed. Also, the gradation pattern shown in FIG. 5A may be used also for the adjustment of the image formation position. Further, each adjustment pattern may be formed only on a single side of the sheet, or may be formed on both sides.

[0046] <4. Provision of a Preview Image> In the present embodiment, in order to enable the user to more easily determine the influence of print-related settings on the print result, the UI control unit 222 provides an improved preview function. For example, the printer unit 120 can form the above-described adjustment pattern for the automatic adjustment function by superimposing it on the image area where the user image of the sheet is formed. That is, the adjustment pattern can typically be formed in the peripheral area of the sheet as described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, but the peripheral area can at least partially overlap with the area where the user image is formed. Therefore, one or more adjustment patterns in the peripheral area may be in positional conflict with the content arranged by the user. For example, the user may arrange codes (e.g., serial numbers, one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes) used for job management or content management, marks serving as marks for operations such as cutting, or unique color patches, etc. in the peripheral area of the input image. Thus, the UI control unit 222 shall present the preview of each adjustment pattern to the user on the preview screen that presents the preview of the user image. In particular, in the present embodiment, the UI control unit 222 controls the display of the operation panel 110 or the display of the host computer 10 so as to display two or more preview images corresponding to different print-related settings without requiring the user to change the settings. For example, when the print-related setting is a setting regarding whether to print a pattern different from the user image on the sheet, the two or more preview images may include a first preview image in which a display object representing the pattern is superimposed, and a second preview image in which the display object representing the pattern is not superimposed. The pattern here may be the above-described adjustment pattern. In this case, the first preview image is a preview image generated by superimposing a display object representing the adjustment pattern on the user image. The second preview image is a preview image of the user image on which the display object representing the adjustment pattern is not superimposed. In the first preview image, the display position of each display object corresponds to the position on the sheet where the corresponding adjustment pattern is to be formed.The preview screen may be called from a print settings screen (or any other arbitrary settings screen) provided, for example, for setting a print job to be executed.

[0047] Note that print-related settings are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the print-related settings and the two corresponding preview images may include one or more of the following examples. ·First setting example: Print some pattern -First preview image: Includes the user image and the pattern superimposed on the user image -Second preview image: Includes only the user image (the pattern is not displayed) ·Second setting example: Do not print any pattern -First preview image: The same as the first setting example -Second preview image: The same as the first setting example ·Third setting example: Print trim marks -First preview image: Includes the user image and the trim marks superimposed on the user image -Second preview image: Includes only the user image (the trim marks are not displayed) ·Fourth setting example: Do not print trim marks -First preview image: The same as the third setting example -Second preview image: The same as the third setting example ·Fifth setting example: Print variable information (such as serial number or barcode) -First preview image: Includes the user image and the variable information superimposed on the user image -Second preview image: Includes only the user image (the variable information is not displayed) ·Sixth setting example: Do not print variable information -First preview image: The same as the fifth setting example -Second preview image: The same as the fifth setting example

[0048] In this section, several examples related to the display of preview images on the preview screen will be described in detail.

[0049] <4-1. Print Settings Screen> FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print settings screen 400 that can be provided by the UI control unit 222. Referring to FIG. 7, the print settings screen 400 includes a basic settings button 410, an automatic adjustment button 420, an automatic adjustment setting area 421, a post-processing button 430, a cancel button 431, and a print start button 432.

[0050] The basic settings button 410 is a button for calling up basic setting items of a print job. The automatic adjustment button 420 is a button for calling up setting items related to the above-described automatic adjustment function of the image forming apparatus 100. The post-processing button 430 is a button for calling up setting items related to the post-processing function of the image forming apparatus 100. The cancel button 431 is a button for canceling the issuance of a print job and closing the print settings screen 400. The print start button 432 is a button for issuing a print job and starting image formation by the printer unit 120. In the example of FIG. 7, as a result of the user operating the automatic adjustment button 420, the automatic adjustment setting area 421 is displayed on the print settings screen 400. The automatic adjustment setting area 421 includes a density adjustment checkbox 422, a position adjustment checkbox 423, and a preview button 424.

[0051] The density adjustment checkbox 422 is an object for enabling or disabling automatic density adjustment. The position adjustment checkbox 423 is an object for enabling or disabling automatic adjustment of the image formation position. In the example of FIG. 7, since the density adjustment checkbox 422 is on and the position adjustment checkbox 423 is off, only the automatic density adjustment is enabled. The operation of the preview button 424 is possible when at least one of the checkboxes 422 and 423 is on. For example, when only the density adjustment checkbox 422 is on and the user operates the preview button 424, a preview screen that provides a preview image including a tone pattern for density adjustment is displayed on the display.

[0052] <4-2. Preview Screen - First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the UI control unit 222 controls the display so as to display a first preview image including a display object representing an adjustment pattern and a second preview image of only the user image in parallel on the preview screen. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the preview screen 500 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the preview screen 500 includes an input preview area 510, a print preview area 520, a back button 531, a page number field 532, a page transition button 533, and a slider 534.

[0053] The input preview area 510 is an area for displaying a second preview image of only the user image. The user image includes one or more auxiliary contents 512 in addition to the central main content 511. In the example of FIG. 8, the auxiliary content 512 is a trim mark (also called a cutting arrow).

[0054] The print preview area 520 is an area that displays a first preview image with display objects representing adjustment patterns superimposed on the user image. In the example of FIG. 8, display objects 521Y, 521M, 521C, and 521K representing gradation patterns 320Y, 320M, 320C, and 320K are superimposed on the same user image as that displayed in the input preview area 510.

[0055] The back button 531 is a button for closing the preview screen 500 and returning to the print settings screen 400. The page number field 532 is a field that displays the total number of pages and the page number of the currently displayed page when the content to be printed spans multiple pages. The page transition button 533 is a button for transitioning the pages displayed in both preview areas 510 and 520 to the previous page or the next page. The slider 534 is an object that enables changing the scale of the preview images displayed in both preview areas 510 and 520 on the screen.

[0056] In the example of FIG. 8, the four auxiliary contents 512 that the user arranged at the four corners of the user image are partially hidden by the display objects 521Y, 521M, 521C, and 521K, respectively. Just by looking at the image in the print preview area 520, the user may not notice such partial concealment. However, in this embodiment, since the user can compare the displays of the input preview area 510 and the print preview area 520, the user can easily notice that the four auxiliary contents 512 are partially hidden. The user who has viewed the preview screen 500 may disable the automatic adjustment function in the current print job, may relocate the auxiliary contents 512 to a position that does not overlap with any of the gradation patterns, or may change the setting of the position of the gradation patterns if possible.

[0057] As described above, each gradation pattern typically consists of one or more patch areas and a mask area surrounding those patch areas. Since the mask area is a blank area, as it is, there is a possibility that a user who views the preview image cannot recognize the existence of the mask area. Therefore, the UI control unit 222 may additionally display a frame indicating the outer edge of each mask area in the print preview area 520. In the example of FIG. 8, the dashed frames surrounding the display objects 521Y, 511M, 511C, and 511K correspond to the outer edges of the mask areas of each gradation pattern.

[0058] In addition, when the automatic adjustment of the image formation position is enabled, a display object representing the position determination mark described with reference to FIG. 5B may be displayed in the print preview area 520. None of the display objects is limited to the illustrated example. For example, each display object may be a simple box or icon indicating the range occupied by the corresponding adjustment pattern. Regarding the position determination mark, a frame indicating the outer edge of the mask area around the mark may be added to the display object on the screen.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of job execution processing that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in the present embodiment. In the following description, the processing steps are abbreviated as 'S'.

[0060] First, in S101, the UI control unit 222 of the controller 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 displays a preview screen related to the print job on the display of the host computer 10 or the operation panel 110 in response to a call by the user. Here, it is assumed that the function of automatically adjusting the image formation conditions is enabled, and the UI control unit 222 controls the display to display the first preview image and the second preview image in parallel on the preview screen. The first preview image is an image in which a display object representing the adjustment pattern is superimposed on the user image, and the second preview image is an image on which the display object representing the adjustment pattern is not superimposed.

[0061] Next, in S103, when the user instructs the start of execution of a print job, the UI control unit 222 receives the print job. The print job is received, for example, from the host computer 10 via the network 20 and the communication interface 211, or is generated according to a command input from the operation panel 110. The print job includes input image data representing a user image to be printed. At this time, a page counter p, which is a variable for identifying the page to be printed, is initialized to zero.

[0062] Next, in S105, the UI control unit 222 acquires the job parameters of the received print job. The job parameters include parameters for basic settings such as the number of copies to be printed, the type of sheet specified, and double-sided / single-sided, and also include a parameter indicating whether or not the automatic adjustment function is enabled for at least one image formation condition. The subsequent processing branches in S107 depending on whether or not the automatic adjustment function is enabled. If the automatic adjustment function is enabled (automatic adjustment is on), the process proceeds to S121. If the automatic adjustment function is not enabled (automatic adjustment is off), the process proceeds to S111.

[0063] When the automatic adjustment function is not enabled, in S111, the printer unit 120 forms the user image of the p-th page on the sheet under the control of the controller 200. Next, in S113, the page counter p is incremented (1 is added). Next, in S115, it is determined whether the execution of the print job is completed. For example, if the page counter p has not reached the total number of sheets to be printed, it is determined that the execution of the print job is not completed, and the process returns to S107. On the other hand, if the page counter p has reached the total number of sheets to be printed, it is determined that the execution of the print job is completed, and the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends.

[0064] When the automatic adjustment function is enabled, in S121, the printer unit 120 forms the user image of the p-th page on the sheet under the control of the controller 200. At this time, the adjustment unit 221 superimposes one or more adjustment patterns used for automatic adjustment on the user image.

[0065] Next, in S123, the line sensor 156 of the reader unit 150 optically reads the sheet on which the user image and the adjustment pattern are formed to generate a read image. Next, in S125, the detection circuit 170 of the reader unit 150 searches for each of one or more adjustment patterns used for automatic adjustment in the read image generated in S123 and detects each adjustment pattern.

[0066] Next, in S127, the adjustment unit 221 of the controller 200 adjusts the image formation conditions of the printer unit 120 based on the detection result input from the detection circuit 170. For example, when automatic density adjustment is enabled, the detection result input from the detection circuit 170 may indicate the average pixel value for each color component and each gradation, calculated based on the patch image of the gradation pattern detected in the read image. The adjustment unit 221 converts the average pixel value into a density value using, for example, a known conversion coefficient for each color component, and adjusts the density output characteristics of each image forming unit 140Y, 140M, 140C, 140K so that the density difference from the desired density is compensated. The conversion coefficient here is determined in advance based on the characteristics of the RGB color filter of the line sensor 156 and the CMYK density characteristics of the printer unit 120, and may be stored in the ROM 212. Note that the adjustment of the density output characteristics based on the reading of the gradation pattern or the patch image may be performed according to any known method. As an example, the adjustment unit 221 may update the look-up table referred to when converting the pixel value of each color component of the input image data into an output density value so that the density difference based on the detection result of the gradation pattern is compensated.

[0067] Next, the process proceeds to S113, and as described above, the page counter p is incremented (1 is added). Next, in S115, it is determined whether the execution of the print job has been completed. If it is determined that the execution has not been completed, the process returns to S107. On the other hand, if it is determined that the execution of the print job has been completed, the flowchart of FIG. 9 ends.

[0068] Note that, although FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing in which the adjustment pattern is superimposed on all pages of the user image, the adjustment pattern may be superimposed only on the first page (or any page specified by the user). The adjustment of the image formation conditions may be applied to subsequent pages of the same print job, or may be applied to subsequent print jobs.

[0069] According to the above-described first embodiment, before executing the print job, the user can easily confirm whether the content arranged in the user image overlaps with the adjustment pattern for automatically adjusting the image formation conditions by comparing two preview images displayed in parallel. That is, the user can easily determine on the screen the influence of the currently selected settings on the print result without having to change the print-related settings.

[0070] <4-3. Preview Screen - Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the UI control unit 222 controls the display so as to alternately display, in time sequence, on the preview screen a first preview image including a display object representing the adjustment pattern and a second preview image of only the user image. FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the preview screen 600 according to the second embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 10A, the preview screen 600 includes a preview area 610, radio buttons 630, a back button 531, a page number field 532, page transition buttons 533, and a slider 534. The preview area 610 is an area for selectively displaying the first preview image or the second preview image. In the example of FIG. 10A, display objects 521Y, 521M, 521C, and 521K representing the gradation patterns 320Y, 320M, 320C, and 320K are superimposed on the user image in the preview area 610.

[0072] The radio button 630 is a button for allowing the user to select whether to automatically switch the preview images displayed in the preview area 610 or to switch them according to user input (i.e., manually). In the example of FIG. 10A, automatic switching is selected. Therefore, the UI control unit 222 automatically switches the display of the first preview image and the second preview image on the preview screen 600 at regular intervals. When the UI control unit 222 switches the display of the preview area 610 from the first preview image to the second preview image and vice versa, it may apply effects such as fade-in or fade-out.

[0073] Note that when manual switching is selected in the radio button 630, the UI control unit 222 may switch the display of the first and second preview images according to a predefined user input (e.g., a touch or click on the preview area 610). Also, the radio button 630 may be omitted from the configuration of the preview screen 600. In that case, the display switching between the first preview image and the second preview image may always be performed automatically or can always be performed manually.

[0074] FIG. 10B shows a preview screen 600 similar to that of FIG. 10A, except that the display of the preview area 610 has switched to the second preview image of only the user image without the display objects 521Y, 521M, 521C, and 521K. Here too, the user image includes one or more auxiliary contents 512 in addition to the central main content 511.

[0075] In this embodiment, the user can easily notice that the auxiliary content is partially hidden by the adjustment pattern by comparing the first and second preview images that are alternately displayed over time within the preview area 610 at a fixed position. That is, the user can easily judge on the screen the influence of the currently selected settings on the print result without having to change the print-related settings. A user who views the preview screen 600 may disable the automatic adjustment function in the current print job, may rearrange the auxiliary content 512, or may change the setting of the position of the gradation pattern if possible. Also in this embodiment, the UI control unit 222 may additionally display, in the preview area 610, a frame indicating the outer edge of the mask area of each adjustment pattern.

[0076] The flow of job execution processing that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment may be the same as the flow described with reference to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, in S101, the UI control unit 222 causes the preview screen 600 to be displayed on the display of the host computer 10 or the operation panel 110 in response to a call by the user. Then, the UI control unit 222 temporally alternates the display of the preview area 610 between the first preview image and the second preview image on the preview screen 600.

[0077] <4-4. Variation> In the two embodiments described above, an example in which a display object representing an adjustment pattern is superimposed on the user image in the first preview image displayed on the preview screen has been described. However, in the overall display of the first preview image, it is not always easy to confirm the details of each adjustment pattern, and there remains a possibility that the user may overlook the overlap of the adjustment patterns with respect to the content in the user image. Therefore, in a variation, the UI control unit 222 may provide, on the preview screen, an enlarged display of the display object corresponding to each adjustment pattern and its vicinity when a predetermined user input is detected.

[0078] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the preview screen 700 according to this modification. Referring to FIG. 11, the preview screen 700 includes an overall display area 710, an enlarged display area 720, a back button 531, a page number field 532, a page transition button 533, and a slider 534. The overall display area 710 is an area for displaying the entire first preview image with display objects representing adjustment patterns superimposed thereon. The enlarged display area 720 is an area for displaying an enlarged image showing a part of the first preview image. The enlarged image displayed in the enlarged display area 720 may be an image showing an enlarged range in which one adjustment pattern conceals the user image.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 11, among the display objects of the four adjustment patterns shown in the overall display area 710, the upper left display object 521Y is selected as the object to be enlarged, and a frame 715 indicating the range to be enlarged is shown by a dashed line. The UI control unit 222 may make the display attributes (such as density, color, or thickness) of the frame 715 different from those of the frames indicating the outer edges of the respective display objects in order to prominently show that the display object 521Y has been selected. In the enlarged display area 720, a part of the first preview image within the range indicated by the frame 715 is displayed. The display object 721Y in the enlarged display area 720 is an enlarged version of the display object 521Y representing the gradation pattern 320Y. The dashed frame attached to the display object 721Y indicates the outer edge of the mask area of the gradation pattern 320Y. The user can clearly visually recognize that the display object 721Y conceals the auxiliary content 712 in this enlarged display, and can easily notice that if printing continues as it is, the gradation pattern 320Y is likely to conceal the trim marks.

[0080] When there are multiple adjustment patterns, the adjustment pattern to be enlarged and displayed may be selectable by the user on the screen. The magnification of the enlarged display may also be changeable through the operation of the slider 534. Such an enlarged display may be provided, for example, when any user input is detected on the preview screen 500 according to the first embodiment or the preview screen 600 according to the second embodiment.

[0081] <4-5. Preview Screen - Third Embodiment> Two or more of the various displays of the preview images in the above-described embodiments and modified examples may be provided as candidates for selectable display modes by the user. For example, when the first user input is detected, the UI control unit 222 may display the preview image in the parallel display mode described in the first embodiment, and when the second user input is detected, the UI control unit 222 may display the preview image in the alternating display mode described in the second embodiment. In the parallel display mode, the UI control unit 222 controls the display to display the first preview image and the second preview image in parallel on the preview screen. In the alternating display mode, the UI control unit 222 controls the display to alternately display the first preview image and the second preview image in time on the preview screen.

[0082] As candidates for the display mode, one or more of the following display modes may also be selectable through the user interface: · Print preview mode · Input preview mode · Magnified display mode The print preview mode is a mode in which only the first preview image is displayed. The input preview mode is a mode in which only the second preview image is displayed. The magnified display mode is a mode in which the enlarged display of the adjustment pattern described in the previous section is performed.

[0083] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the preview screen 800 according to the third embodiment. Referring to FIG. 12, the preview screen 800 includes mode selection buttons 811, 812, 813, 814, 815, a preview area 820, a back button 531, a page number field 532, a page transition button 533, and a slider 534.

[0084] The mode selection button 811 is a button for selecting the print preview mode. The mode selection button 812 is a button for selecting the input preview mode. The mode selection button 813 is a button for selecting the parallel display mode. The mode selection button 814 is a button for selecting the alternate display mode. The mode selection button 815 is a button for selecting the magnified display mode. The preview area 820 is an area for displaying a preview image in the display mode selected through the mode selection buttons 811 to 815. In the example of FIG. 12, the mode selection button 814 is highlighted to indicate that the alternate display mode has been selected in response to the operation of the mode selection button 814. In the preview area 820 in the figure, a first preview image in which display objects 521Y to 521K representing adjustment patterns are superimposed on the user image is displayed, and this display can be switched at a certain period between the first preview image and the second preview image in the alternate display mode.

[0085] The flow of job execution processing that can be performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in this embodiment may be the same as the flow described with reference to FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the UI control unit 222 causes the preview screen 800 to be displayed on the display of the host computer 10 or the operation panel 110 in response to a call by the user in S101. Then, the UI control unit 222 controls the display so as to display a preview image in the display mode selected through the mode selection buttons 811 to 815 on the preview screen 800.

[0086] In this embodiment, before executing a print job, the user can check whether the content placed on the user image overlaps with the adjustment pattern while freely selecting one of a plurality of display modes that may include a parallel display mode and an alternating display mode. Therefore, it becomes even easier for the user to notice the overlap between the content of the user image and the adjustment pattern.

[0087] <5. Other Embodiments> The above embodiment can also be realized in a form of processing in which a program for realizing one or more functions is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0088] The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0089] 1: Printing system, 10: Host computer, 20: Network, 100: Image forming apparatus, 110: Operation panel (display means), 120: Printer unit (image forming means), 150: Reader unit (reading means), 170: Detection circuit, 180: Finisher, 200: Controller (control means), 221: Adjustment unit (adjustment means), 222: UI control unit (control means), 300, 350: Sheets, 320Y, 320M, 320C, 320K: Tone patterns (adjustment patterns), 371, 372, 373, 374: Position determination marks (adjustment patterns), 400: Print setting screen, 500, 600, 700, 800: Preview screens, 512, 712: Auxiliary content, 521Y, 521M, 521C, 521K, 721Y: Display objects, 811, 812, 813, 814, 815: Mode selection buttons

Claims

1. image forming means for forming a user image on a sheet based on print-related settings; control means for causing a display means to display a preview image related to the user image formed by the image forming means; comprising the control means controls the display means to display two or more preview images corresponding to different print-related settings without requiring the user to change the settings; an image forming apparatus.

2. the print-related settings include settings regarding whether or not to print a pattern different from the user image on the sheet; the two or more preview images include a first preview image in which a display object representing the pattern is superimposed, and a second preview image in which the display object representing the pattern is not superimposed; the image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. the control means controls the display means to display the first preview image and the second preview image in parallel on a preview screen; the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

4. the control means controls the display means to display the first preview image and the second preview image alternately in time on a preview screen; the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

5. the display of the first preview image and the second preview image on the preview screen is automatically switched at a constant cycle; the image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

6. the control means when a first user input is detected, controls the display means to display the first preview image and the second preview image in parallel on a preview screen; when a second user input is detected, controls the display means to display the first preview image and the second preview image alternately in time on the preview screen; the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

7. when a predetermined user input is detected, the control means controls the display means to display an enlarged image that enlarges and shows the range in which the pattern will conceal the user image; the image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

8. the pattern includes an adjustment pattern used for adjusting at least one image forming condition that can be formed on the sheet by the image forming means according to the print-related settings; the image forming apparatus is reading means for optically reading the sheet to generate a read image; adjusting means for adjusting the at least one image forming condition based on a detection result of the adjustment pattern in the read image generated by the reading means; further comprising; when the control means is set such that the image forming means forms the adjustment pattern on the sheet, the display means is controlled to display the first preview image on which a display object representing the adjustment pattern is superimposed and the second preview image on which the display object representing the adjustment pattern is not superimposed; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.

9. The adjustment pattern includes a non-blank area and a blank area surrounding the non-blank area, The display object includes a frame indicating an outer edge of the blank area, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The at least one image forming condition includes a condition related to a density of an image formed by the image forming means, The adjustment pattern includes a pattern used for density adjustment, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

11. The at least one image forming condition includes a condition related to an image forming position where the user image is formed by the image forming means, The adjustment pattern includes a pattern used for measuring a displacement of the image forming position, The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the image forming apparatus includes the display means.

13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising communication means for communicating with another apparatus including the display means.

14. A method executed by an image forming apparatus, forming a user image on a sheet based on print-related settings; causing a preview image related to the user image to be displayed on a display device before the user image is formed on the sheet; including; causing the preview image to be displayed on the display device includes controlling the display device to display two or more preview images corresponding to different print-related settings without requiring a change in settings by the user. A method including.

Images