Image forming device, image forming system, and information processing device

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that a failure occurs when forming a foil, and to reduce the frequency of jams occurring in a foil printing device.MEANS: An mage forming device is configured to: select a first mode for forming a toner image used to stick a foil onto a sheet via the toner image; form the toner image on the sheet; receive information related to a margin area set as a region of the sheet on which no toner image is to be formed; and display a warning according to the information related to the margin area when the first mode is selected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Foil printing technology is used in the fields of bookbinding, commercial printing, card business, and plastic molding such as cosmetic containers. Letters or images made of foil can achieve a metallic feel and luster that is difficult to achieve with print. Foil printing is also used for holograms on credit cards. Patent documents 1 and 2 propose a foil printing device that forms a toner image on a sheet in advance and then transfers the foil onto the sheet using the toner image as an adhesive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-156723 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-116185 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the foil is adhered to the sheet via the toner, there is a risk that problems may occur when forming the foil depending on the toner image formed. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of problems occurring when forming the foil. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is, for example, a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming a toner image for adhering a foil onto a sheet via the toner image; an image forming means for forming the toner image on the sheet; a receiving unit for receiving information about a margin area of ​​the sheet that is set as an area on which the toner image is not to be formed by the image forming unit; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with information about the margin area when the first mode is selected by the selection means; The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having the above structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the possibility of defects occurring when forming the foil is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating an image forming system [Figure 2] Diagram explaining foil processing [Figure 3] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 4] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 5] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 6] Diagram explaining the controller [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 8] Diagram explaining toner images and margins [Figure 9] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 10] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 11] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 12] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 13] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 14] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 15] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 16] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 17] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 18] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 19] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 20] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 21] A diagram illustrating an image forming system [Figure 22] A diagram illustrating an image forming system [Figure 23] Diagram explaining the controller [Figure 24] Flowchart showing the control method DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0009] First Embodiment 1. Image forming system (foil printing system) 1, image forming system 1 includes image forming apparatus 100 and foil printing apparatus 120. Image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image on a sheet (also referred to as a recording material) S. Foil printing apparatus 120 prints foil on sheet S using the toner of the toner image as adhesive.

[0010] The image forming system 1 is a so-called offline system in which the foil printing device 120 is not mechanically connected to the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the sheet S on which the toner image is formed is ejected from the image forming apparatus 100 and then manually fed into the foil printing device 120 by a user (see the arrow in the figure). In another embodiment, an inline system in which the foil printing device 120 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 may be provided. In this case, the sheet S is automatically transferred from the image forming apparatus 100 to the foil printing device 120. In yet another embodiment, an integrated printing device in which the foil printing function of the foil printing device 120 is incorporated inside the image forming apparatus 100 may be provided.

[0011] 1-1. Image forming device Image forming apparatus 100 may be a color printer or a monochrome printer. In the example of Fig. 1, image forming apparatus 100 is a tandem full-color printer capable of forming full-color images using an electrophotographic method. Image forming apparatus 100 includes a cassette 5, a manual feed tray 6, a conveying unit 10, an image forming unit 20, a fixing unit 30, an operation unit 40, and a main control unit 101.

[0012] The image forming unit 20 is an image forming means including process units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K, an intermediate transfer belt 22, and a belt cleaner 29. The process units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K are arranged in parallel along the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 22 and form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images, respectively. The letters YMCK added to the end of the reference numerals in FIG. 1 may be omitted when describing matters common to all four colors. The intermediate transfer belt 22 is stretched and rotated around multiple rollers. As described below, toner images of the four color components are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 22 in a superimposed manner (primary transfer), thereby forming a full-color toner image. The intermediate transfer belt 22 carries and transports this full-color toner image to a secondary transfer position T2.

[0013] The cassette 5 is a storage unit that stores a stack of sheets. While FIG. 1 shows an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 includes only one cassette 5, the image forming apparatus 100 may include multiple cassettes 5 that can store sheets S of different types (for example, sizes, thicknesses, or whether or not they have a surface coating). In this case, the type of sheets S specified in each job is fed from the corresponding cassette 5. Note that the sheets S may also be fed from the manual feed tray 6 instead of the cassette 5. Furthermore, the image forming system 1 may include a paper feeder (not shown) separate from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0014] The conveying unit 10 is a conveying means including a conveying path and a plurality of rollers. A feeding roller 11 feeds a sheet one by one from the stack of sheets S in the cassette 5 to a conveying path 12. A conveying roller 13 conveys the sheet along the conveying path 12. A registration roller 14 sends the sheet S to the secondary transfer position T2 in synchronization with the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 22 reaches the secondary transfer position T2.

[0015] The process units 21Y, 21M, 21C, and 21K may have similar configurations, and are therefore referred to as process units 21. The process unit 21 includes a photosensitive drum 23, a charger 24, an exposure device 25, a developing device 26, a primary transfer roller 27, and a drum cleaner 28. The photosensitive drum 23 is a cylindrical image carrier that rotates counterclockwise in the drawing. The charger 24 may be, for example, a corona charger that irradiates charged particles by corona discharge, charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 to a uniform potential (e.g., a negative dark potential). The charger 24 may also include a discharge roller or wire. The exposure device 25 includes, for example, a semiconductor laser as a light source, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 by scanning the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 with laser light according to input image data. The developing unit 26 contains a developer made of toner and carrier therein, and supplies the developer to the photosensitive drum 23 to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 and form a toner image.

[0016] As an example, the developer may be a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner and a magnetic carrier. The toner may contain a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent (wax).

[0017] The primary transfer roller 27 is disposed at a primary transfer position T1 so as to face the photosensitive drum 23. A high-voltage primary transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 27, which transfers the toner image (yellow in this case) on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 to the intermediate transfer belt 22. The drum cleaner 28 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 23 after the primary transfer.

[0018] Similar to the process unit 21Y, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed in the process units 21M, 21C, and 21K, respectively, and these toner images are transferred onto the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 22 in order, superimposed thereon.

[0019] The outer secondary transfer roller 16 is disposed at the secondary transfer position T2 so as to face the inner secondary transfer roller 15, which is one of the rollers around which the intermediate transfer belt 22 is stretched. A high voltage secondary transfer bias is applied to the outer secondary transfer roller 16, and the full-color toner image carried by the intermediate transfer belt 22 is transferred to the sheet S that has reached the secondary transfer position T2 (secondary transfer). A belt cleaner 29 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 22 after the secondary transfer.

[0020] The fixing unit 30 is a fixing means disposed downstream of the secondary transfer position T2. ​​The fixing unit 30 has a fixing roller (or a cylindrical heating film) and a pressure roller, and fixes the toner image to the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred. The sheet S that has passed through the fixing unit 30 is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 (for example, to an output tray (not shown)).

[0021] When double-sided printing is performed, the sheet S, on which a toner image has been formed on one side, is conveyed to the conveying path 17. There, the sheet S reverses its traveling direction and enters the double-sided conveying path 18. The sheet S returns to the conveying path 12 upside down. The toner image is transferred to the second side of the sheet S at the secondary transfer position T2. ​​The fixing unit 30 fixes the toner image to the second side of the sheet S by heating and pressurizing the sheet S again. The sheet S is then discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0022] The operation unit 40 is an operating means that provides a user interface to a user of the image forming system 1. The operation unit 40 includes, for example, a touch panel 41. The touch panel 41 displays images and information under the control of the main control unit 101, which will be described later, and accepts touch inputs by the user. Instead of (or in addition to) the touch panel 41, the operation unit 40 may include an output device (e.g., a liquid crystal display, a speaker) and an input device (e.g., a button, a switch, a keypad, a microphone).

[0023] The main control unit 101 is a control unit that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when an instruction to execute a print job is received, the main control unit 101 controls the image forming unit 20 to form an image on a sheet S based on input image data received from an external device. The external device here may be, for example, a personal computer (PC) or an external controller. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a document reading unit. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a multifunction peripheral. In this example, when an instruction to execute a copy job is received, the main control unit 101 controls the image forming unit 20 to form an image on a sheet S based on read image data generated by a scanner unit reading a document.

[0024] 1-2. Foil printing equipment (foil processing equipment) The foil printing device 120 includes a transport roller 111 , a discharge roller 112 , a heating roller 121 , a pressure roller 122 , a supply reel 131 , a collection reel 132 , and a discharge tray 140 .

[0025] The conveying roller 111 receives the sheet S on which the toner image has been formed and sends the sheet S to the bonding position T3. At the bonding position T3, the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are disposed so as to face each other. A foil sheet 150 consisting of foil and a film-like holding member that holds the foil is wound around the supply reel 131. The leading end of the foil sheet 150 is fixed to the recovery reel 132. The supply reel 131 and the recovery reel 132 suspend the foil sheet 150 via the underside of the heating roller 121 while maintaining a predetermined tension to prevent wrinkles from forming in the foil sheet 150. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the foil printing apparatus 120 may also include an additional suspension roller to stably maintain the tension of the foil sheet 150.

[0026] The supply reel 131 rotates clockwise in the figure and supplies the foil sheet 150 to the bonding position T3. The heating roller 121 heats the sheet S that has reached the bonding position T3. This melts at least one type of toner used as glue (adhesive) among the toners that make up the toner image. The pressure roller 122, together with the heating roller 121, presses the foil sheet 150 against the sheet S. This causes the melted toner to act as glue, and the foil on the foil sheet 150 adheres to the sheet S via the toner. The recovery reel 132 rotates counterclockwise in the figure and takes up the foil sheet 150. At this time, the foil on the foil sheet 150 peels off from the support member and is adhered to the sheet S, forming a foil image on the sheet S. The discharge roller 112 discharges the sheet S that has passed the bonding position T to the discharge tray 140.

[0027] 1-3. Foil FIG. 2(A) shows an example of the structure of the foil sheet 150. The foil sheet 150 includes a foil layer 251 and a backup layer 252. The foil layer 251 is a sheet-like layer made of a metal material. The metal material of the foil layer 251 may be, for example, aluminum, tin, silver, copper, chromium, nickel, gold, or iron, or an alloy of two or more of these (for example, nickel-chromium steel, bronze, or aluminum bronze). The backup layer 252 is a sheet-like layer made of resin that supports the foil layer 251. The resin material of the backup layer 252 may be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polypropylene (PP), polyethersulfone (PES), or polyimide (PI).

[0028] 1-4. Formation of foil images 2(B) shows an enlarged view of the vicinity of the bonding position T3 while the foil printing device 120 is operating. In this example, the sheet S on which the toner image TN is formed and the foil sheet 150 are sandwiched between the heating roller 121 located above the bonding position T3 and the pressure roller 122 located below the bonding position T3. The heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 rotate following the rotation of the recovery reel 132 driven by a motor (not shown), and transport the sheet S and the foil sheet 150 in the transport direction D1.

[0029] The surface temperature of the heating roller 121 is controlled so that the temperature of the toner in the toner image TN reaches its melting point. When the temperature of the toner reaches its melting point at the adhesion position T3, the toner melts, its viscosity increases, and it acts as an adhesive. The toner image TN is further pressed by the pressure roller 122 and adheres to the foil layer 251 of the foil sheet 150. Therefore, when the sheet S and the foil sheet 150 pass the adhesion position T3, the foil F1 of the foil layer 251 that contacts the toner image TN peels off from the backup layer 252 while remaining adhered to the sheet S. On the other hand, the foil F2 of the foil layer 251 that does not contact the toner image TN does not adhere to the sheet S and remains on the backup layer 252 while being collected by the collection reel 132. As a result, the foil layer 251 is selectively transferred to the sheet S according to the pattern of the toner image TN on the sheet S, forming a foil image on the sheet S.

[0030] 1-5. Relationship between jam and white space The conveying direction D1 is also the direction in which the sheet S is fed into the foil printing device 120. If the margin on the leading edge of the sheet S in the conveying direction D1 is not large enough, the sheet S will jam inside the foil printing device 120. This is because the foil layer 251 and the sheet S will not be able to be properly separated from the backup layer 252. Therefore, the size of the leading edge margin must be such that separation is successful. For example, the leading edge margin may be 1 mm or more. However, the required size of the leading edge margin may vary depending on the type, size, and usage environment of the sheet S. Therefore, the length of the leading edge margin may be 5 mm or more. The length of the leading edge margin may be specified in the instruction manual for the foil printing device 120.

[0031] 1-6.Foil printing mode The type of sheet S on which a toner image can be formed by the image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., size, thickness, basis weight, presence or absence of surface coating, etc.) may not match the type of sheet S that can be foil processed by the foil printing apparatus 120. Therefore, the foil printing apparatus 120 may not be able to use a sheet S on which an image has been printed by the image forming apparatus 100 in the normal printing mode. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 may be provided with a foil printing mode in which a toner image is formed on a sheet S that can be foil processed by the foil printing apparatus 120.

[0032] 3(A) and 3(B) are diagrams showing a user interface (UI) 300 for instructing the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print job from the operation unit 40 or a PC. Tab 301 is a setting screen for the normal printing mode. Tab 302 is a setting screen for the foil printing mode. In FIG. 3(A), the normal printing mode is selected. In FIG. 3(B), the foil printing mode is selected.

[0033] Menu 303 is a menu for specifying the image output method (e.g., print, send, save). Menu 304 is a menu for selecting the document size. Menu 305 is a menu for selecting the image output size for sheet S. Menu 306 is a menu for selecting the page layout (e.g., 1 in 1, 2 in 1). Menu 307 is a menu for selecting single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Setting section 308 is a UI for selecting whether to staple, whether to group, or whether to sort.

[0034] 3B, menu 311 is a menu for selecting a sheet cassette. Button 312 is a margin setting button for calling up a margin setting UI. Button 313 is a button for calling up a UI used to set line width and character size.

[0035] It is difficult for the foil printing device 120 to foil stapled sheets S. Therefore, in the foil printing mode tab 302, the setting section 308 restricts the selection of stapling.

[0036] 4 shows another UI 400 displayed on the operation unit 40. A button 401 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 100 to switch from the normal printing mode to the foil printing mode. When the button 401 is pressed, the operation unit 40 may display a setting screen such as tab 302.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a margin setting UI 500. Margin setting sections 501, 502, 503, and 504 are UIs for setting the size (length) of the margins to be secured on each of the four sides (edges) of the sheet S. The margin setting sections 501, 502, 503, and 504 may include a display area that displays the current margin value, a button for increasing the margin, and a button for decreasing the margin. The user can manually set the margins by operating the margin setting sections 501, 502, 503, and 504. The margins set here may be referred to as "set margins." A default value may be assigned to the set margins on each side. For example, the default value may be a margin value that is less likely to cause paper jams in the foil printing device 120. This would eliminate the need for the user to change the margin settings.

[0038] The margin setting sections 501, 502, 503, and 504 may be arranged around a rectangle that resembles the sheet S. Furthermore, dashed lines indicating the edges of the margins may be displayed inside the rectangle that resembles the sheet S. The operation section 40 may move the display positions of the dashed lines according to the margin values ​​set in the margin setting sections 501, 502, 503, and 504.

[0039] 1.7 Controller (control system) 6 shows the controller of the image forming system 1. In addition to the loads shown in the figure, a motor, a power supply, and the like are connected to the main control unit 101, but since this is not the main point of the invention, illustration and description of these will be omitted here.

[0040] The main control unit 101 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 601, a memory 602, and a communication circuit 603. The memory 602 may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The CPU 601 executes control programs stored in the ROM area of ​​the memory 602 to realize various functions.

[0041] The UI unit 611 displays information on the operation unit 40 and accepts instructions and information input by the user via the operation unit 40. The image processing unit 612 converts print data written in a page description language (PDL) into image data and converts the color space of the image data. The image processing unit 612 may also enlarge, reduce, or rotate the image. The scaling unit 613 calculates the scaling factor of the image data. The margin calculation unit 614 calculates the margins to be secured on all four sides of the sheet S. The margin determination unit 615 determines whether the margins are smaller than a threshold value. The size determination unit 616 determines whether the size of the sheet S is smaller than a specified value. These functions may be implemented separately by integrated circuits provided outside the CPU 601 and capable of communicating with the CPU 601. The communication circuit 603 is an interface circuit used by the CPU 601 to communicate with the foil printing device 120 and the information processing device 650.

[0042] The image forming apparatus 100 may optionally communicate with an information processing apparatus 650. A CPU 651 of the information processing apparatus 650 executes an operating system (OS) and a printer driver stored in a memory 652 to control the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 651 communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via a communication circuit 653. The memory 652 is a storage device that may include a hard disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), or the like in addition to a ROM and a RAM. The display device 654 is, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays the UI 300 and the margin setting UI 500. The input device 655 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch sensor, and a microphone.

[0043] 1-8. Control in foil printing mode In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as image forming apparatus 100, margin values ​​are set automatically by CPU 601 or CPU 651 (automatic setting) or manually by a user (manual setting). Here, "automatic" means that the margin values ​​are set without any input from the user, or with a small amount of input (assistance) from the user.

[0044] As described above, if the sheet S is fed into the foil printing device 120 with the edge of the sheet S with insufficient margin (hereinafter referred to as the paper margin) at the leading edge, there is a possibility that a paper jam will occur within the foil printing device 120. Therefore, it is required that the paper margin be sufficiently large.

[0045] Figure 7 shows a control method for reducing the frequency of paper jams in the foil printing device 120. Figure 8(A) shows an example of image data. When a print job is submitted from the information processing device 650 or a print instruction is input from the operation unit 40, the CPU 601 executes the image forming program stored in the memory 602. The CPU 601 executes the following processes in accordance with the image forming program.

[0046] In S701, the CPU 601 determines whether the foil printing mode has been selected as the printing mode. If the foil printing mode has been selected, the CPU 601 advances the process from S701 to S702. If the normal printing mode has been selected, the CPU 601 advances the process from S701 to S711. In S711, the CPU 601 controls the image forming unit 20 to form a normal image on the sheet S. Here, the normal image is an image prepared by the user and is not to be subjected to foil processing.

[0047] In step S702, the CPU 601 displays the margin setting UI 500 on the operation unit 40 and accepts the margin setting input by the user. The CPU 601 saves the margin value set by the user (set margin Wset) in the RAM area of ​​the memory 602.

[0048] In S703, the CPU 601 determines whether a print instruction has been issued via the operation unit 40. For example, the CPU 601 may detect that a print button (not shown) provided on the margin setting UI 500 has been pressed. When a print instruction has been issued, the CPU 601 advances the process from S703 to S704.

[0049] In S704, the CPU 601 (magnification unit 613) reads the set margin Wset from the memory 602 and determines the magnification ratio based on the set margin Wset, the size of the image data, and the size of the sheet S. The magnification ratio is determined, for example, so that the entire toner image based on the image data can be transferred within the area remaining after excluding the four margins from the sheet S. Note that magnification refers to enlarging or reducing the size of the toner image based on the image data. The CPU 601 saves the magnification ratio in the RAM area of ​​the memory 602. The image processing unit 612 magnifies the image data according to this magnification ratio.

[0050] In S705, the CPU 601 (margin calculation unit 614) calculates the paper margin Wpaper based on the set margin Wset, the margin data Wdata in the image data, and the scaling factor. FIG. 8B shows the relationship between the set margin Wset, the margin data Wdata, and the paper margin Wpaper. The set margin Wset indicates the distance from each side of the sheet S to the corresponding side of the toner image 801 based on the image data. The margin data Wdata indicates the distance from the edge of the toner image 801 based on the image data to the actual toner image of a specified density. The paper margin Wpaper indicates the distance from the side (edge) of the sheet S to the actual toner image of a specified density.

[0051] Here, the four margins corresponding to the four sides are expressed as Wpaper_top, Wpaper_bottom, Wpaper_right, and Wpaper_left, and are calculated using the following formulas and stored in the memory 602.

[0052] Wpaper_top=Wset_top+Wdata_top×Ay...(1) Wpaper_bottom=Wset_bottom+Wdata_bottom×Ay...(2) Wpaper_right=Wset_right+Wdata_right×Ax (3) Wpaper_left=Wset_left+Wdata_left×Ax (4) Here, Ax represents the scaling factor in the horizontal direction, Ay represents the scaling factor in the vertical direction, and "top," "bottom," "right," and "left," which are assigned to each variable throughout the embodiment, represent the top, bottom, right, and left sides, respectively.

[0053] In S706, the CPU 601 (margin determination unit 615) determines whether at least one of the four paper margins Wpaper is smaller than a threshold value. If all of the paper margins Wpaper are equal to or greater than the threshold value Wth, the CPU 601 advances the process from S706 to S711 and forms a toner image on the sheet S. On the other hand, if at least one margin is smaller than the threshold value Wth, the CPU 601 advances the process from S706 to S707.

[0054] In S707, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) outputs warning information to the operation unit 40 or the display device 654 of the information processing device 650. The warning information includes, for example, a message or image indicating that there is insufficient margin on the paper or that a jam may occur in the foil printing device 120.

[0055] 9(A) and 9(B) show a warning UI 900 displaying warning information. As shown in FIG. 9(A), the warning UI 900 may display a warning message 901 indicating that the paper margin Wpaper provided on at least one side is insufficient. The warning message 901 may include information indicating the side with the insufficient margin, as well as the insertion direction of the sheet S to prevent paper jams. FIG. 9(B) shows a warning message 906 when all four paper margins Wpapper are below the threshold Wth value. In this case, the warning message 906 does not include information suggesting the insertion direction. This is because the paper margin is insufficient regardless of which of the four sides is used as the leading edge in the insertion direction.

[0056] The warning image 902 may include the numerical values ​​of the set margin or on-paper margin Wpaper set on each side, and a character (e.g., NG) or mark indicating which side has insufficient margin. The print button 904 is a button for instructing printing to be performed with the current margin settings. The cancel button 905 is a cancel button for resetting the margins.

[0057] In S708, the CPU 601 determines whether to print with the current settings. When the print button 904 is pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S708 to S709. On the other hand, when the cancel button 905 is pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S708 to S703, and displays the margin setting UI 500 on the operation unit 40 again.

[0058] In S709, the CPU 601 (margin determination unit 615) determines whether at least one of the four paper margins Wpaper exceeds the threshold value Wth. The CPU 601 (margin determination unit 615) may also determine whether at least one of the four paper margins Wpaper is equal to or greater than the threshold value Wth. If at least one margin exceeds the threshold value Wth, the CPU 601 proceeds from S709 to S710. If none of the four margins exceeds the threshold value Wth, the CPU 601 proceeds from S709 to S711.

[0059] In S710, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) outputs insertion direction information to the operation unit 40 or the display device 654. The insertion direction information includes characters or an image indicating that the edge on which a sufficient margin on the paper is secured should be the leading edge in the insertion direction.

[0060] 10A shows an insertion guide UI 1000 that displays insertion direction information. The insertion guide UI 1000 includes a warning image 902 and a guide message 1001. The guide message 1001 may include text or an image that indicates the insertion direction of the sheet S into the foil printing device 120 (e.g., which edge should be the leading edge).

[0061] 10(B) shows a warning image 902 or an image formed on a sheet S. A mark may be printed on the sheet S near the edge that should not be the leading edge. In the warning image 902, a mark may be displayed near the edge that should not be the leading edge.

[0062] In step S711, the CPU 601 controls the image forming unit 20 to perform printing on the sheet S.

[0063] According to the first embodiment, warning information is output to the user based on the paper margin Wpaper, which will reduce the frequency of paper jams in the foil printing device 120 caused by insufficient paper margins on the leading edge of the sheet S in the insertion direction.

[0064] 1-9. Variations In the above-described embodiment, the scaling factor is calculated so that the entire toner image based on the image data fits within the area remaining after subtracting the set margin Wset from the sheet S. However, this is merely an example. The scaling factor of the image data does not need to be changed. For example, the image processing unit 612 may adjust the image data so that the toner image is not printed in an area where the toner image based on the image data overlaps with the set margin Wset.

[0065] 11 shows another example of the warning UI 900. The warning image 902 includes an image for warning the user that a portion of the toner image based on the image data will be missing. The warning message 901 includes text for warning the user that a portion of the toner image based on the image data will be missing.

[0066] Second Embodiment 12 shows another example of the margin setting UI 500. The image forming apparatus 100 or the information processing apparatus 650 may receive, via the margin setting UI 500, input direction information regarding the direction in which the sheet S is input into the foil printing apparatus 120. Check box 1201 is a UI for selecting the top side as the leading edge. Check box 1202 is a UI for selecting the bottom side as the leading edge. Check box 1203 is a UI for selecting the left side as the leading edge. Check box 1204 is a UI for selecting the right side as the leading edge.

[0067] 13 shows a control method according to the second embodiment. Steps that have already been described are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. S702 is replaced by S1301. S706 is replaced by S1301.

[0068] In S1301, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) accepts the leading edge in the insertion direction and the set margin Wset input via the margin setting UI 500 displayed on the operation unit 40. The insertion direction information indicating the leading edge and the set margin Wset are saved in the memory 602. Thereafter, the CPU 601 advances the process from S1301 to S703. Furthermore, the CPU 601 advances the process from S705 to S1302.

[0069] In S1302, the CPU 601 (margin determination unit 615) checks whether the paper margin Wpaper secured on the leading edge side of the sheet S is smaller than a threshold Wth. It may also be determined whether the paper margin Wpaper is equal to or greater than the threshold Wth. If the paper margin Wpaper is equal to or greater than (exceeds) the threshold Wth, the CPU 601 advances the process from S1302 to S711. If the paper margin Wpaper is smaller than the threshold Wth, the CPU 601 advances the process from S1302 to S707.

[0070] 14 shows another example of the warning UI 900 displayed in S707. The leading edge mark 1401 includes an image or text indicating the edge designated as the leading edge among the four edges. The warning message 901 includes a message suggesting that the paper margin Wpaper designated as the leading edge is smaller than the threshold Wth. Furthermore, the warning message 901 may include a message suggesting a method for reducing jams. In this example, the message suggests enlarging the margin or changing the leading edge.

[0071] Here, when the print button 904 is pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S708 to S709. When the cancel button 905 is pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S708 to S1310. Therefore, the margin setting UI 500 shown in Fig. 13 is displayed on the operation unit 40, and the user can change the leading edge or enlarge the set margin Wset. Note that in S710, the insertion direction information selected by the user is displayed.

[0072] Third Embodiment In the second embodiment, if the paper margin Wpaper reserved for the edge specified as the leading edge is insufficient, the user can return from the warning UI 900 to the margin setting UI 500 and adjust the margin. However, the user may also be able to adjust the margin using an easier method.

[0073] 15 shows a control method according to the third embodiment. Steps that have already been described are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. S708 and S709 have been replaced by S1501 to S1503.

[0074] In S708, the user could press the Cancel button 905 to return to S1301 (manual margin adjustment, leading edge re-specification), or press the Print button 904 to proceed to S711 (print with current settings). In S1501, the user could also select automatic margin setting.

[0075] 16 shows a warning UI 900 according to the third embodiment. The warning UI 900 has an automatic margin setting button 1601. The user can adjust the margins in the warning UI 900 by pressing the automatic margin setting button 1601.

[0076] In S1501, when the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) detects that the automatic margin setting button 1601 has been pressed, the process advances from S1501 to S1502.

[0077] In S1502, the CPU 601 (magnification unit 613, margin calculation unit 614) calculates the set margin Wset and magnification ratios Ax and Ay so that the on-paper margin Wpaper of the side selected as the leading edge is equal to or greater than the threshold Wth. Here, the on-paper margin Wpapper can be calculated using equations (1) to (4). Therefore, by substituting the on-paper margin Wpapper for the threshold Wth, the following equation is obtained:

[0078] Wth= <Wset_top+Wdata_top×Ay···(5) Wth= <Wset_botom+Wdata_botom×Ay···(6) Wth= <Wset_right+Wdata_right×Ax···(7) Wth= <Wset_left+Wdata_left×Ax···(8) Therefore, the CPU 601 adjusts the set margin Wset or the scaling factors Ax and Ay so that the above formula is satisfied for the side selected by the user. Note that, since there are two variables in each formula, constraints may be imposed on one or both of the set margin Wset and the scaling factors Ax and Ay. For example, the set margin Wset may be maintained and only the scaling factors Ax and Ay may be adjusted. The scaling factors Ax and Ay may be maintained and only the set margin Wset may be adjusted. Alternatively, the set margin Wset may be adjusted so that the scaling factors Ax and Ay are maximized.

[0079] In S1503, the CPU 601 (magnification unit 613, margin calculation unit 614) updates the set margin Wset and magnification ratios Ax and Ay stored in the memory 602 to the new set margin Wset and magnification ratios Ax and Ay calculated in S1502. Thereafter, the CPU 601 advances the process from S1503 to S710.

[0080] In the third embodiment, the set margin is automatically changed on the warning UI 900. A UI (up and down buttons) or the like may be added to the warning UI 900 to allow the user to manually adjust the set margin.

[0081] <Fourth embodiment> The size of the sheet S that can be input into the foil printing device 120 may be input by the user in the image forming device 100 or the information processing device 650. Note that if one of the four sides of the sheet S is selected as the leading edge, it may be impossible to input the sheet S into the foil printing device 120. In this case, the UI unit 611 may provide a leading edge designation UI that prevents the user from selecting a side that is not recommended for selection as the leading edge among the four sides. This will prevent the sheet S from being input into the foil printing device 120 with the unrecommended side as the leading edge. As a result, reprinting of the toner image will also be suppressed.

[0082] FIG. 17 shows another example of the UI 300. The UI 300 has a size setting section 1700 that accepts the setting of the size of the sheet S that can be inserted. The size setting section 1700 may have an adjustment button 1701 that accepts the setting of the size of the short side and an adjustment button 1702 that accepts the setting of the size of the long side. This allows the user to input the size of the sheet S that can be inserted into the foil printing device 120 into the image forming apparatus 100. The CPU 601 may communicate with the foil printing device 120 to obtain the size of the sheet S that can be inserted. The CPU 601 may also search a web page that lists the specifications or instruction manual for the foil printing device 120 via the communication circuit 603 to obtain the size of the sheet S that can be inserted.

[0083] Figure 18 shows a control method according to the fourth embodiment. Here, steps S1801 to S1803 are added between S701 and S1301 shown in Figure 15. Note that explanations of steps that have already been explained will be omitted. If it is determined in S701 that the foil printing mode has been selected, the CPU 601 advances the process from S701 to S1801.

[0084] In S1801, the CPU 601 displays the UI 300 on the operation unit 40 and accepts the size of the sheet S that can be input into the foil printing device 120. The size information indicating the input size is stored in the memory 602.

[0085] In S1802, the CPU 601 (size determination unit 616) compares the input size with the length of each side of the sheet S set in the image forming apparatus 100 to determine whether the sheet S can be input into the foil printing apparatus 120. If the sheet S can be input into the foil printing apparatus 120, the CPU 601 skips S1803 and proceeds with the process from S1802 to S1301. If the sheet S cannot be input into the foil printing apparatus 120, the CPU 601 proceeds with the process from S1802 to S1803.

[0086] In S1803, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) restricts the selection of the leading edge in the margin setting UI 500. FIG. 19 shows another example of the margin setting UI 500. In this example, check boxes 1201 and 1202 are grayed out, restricting (prohibiting) the user from selecting the top and bottom edges as the leading edges. Also, check boxes 1203 and 1204 can be checked, allowing the user to select the left and right edges as the leading edges. The CPU 601 then advances the process from S1803 to S1301.

[0087] According to the fourth embodiment, the sides that can be selected as the leading edge are clearly displayed to the user based on the input size. In other words, the user is restricted from selecting sides that cannot be selected as the leading edge. This will prevent the formation of toner images on sheets S that cannot be input into the foil printing device 120, and will also reduce the frequency of reprinting.

[0088] Fifth Embodiment Fig. 20 shows a control method of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, input of the set margin Wset is restricted in the margin setting UI 500 so that the paper margin Wpaper does not become smaller than the threshold value Wth. S702 shown in Fig. 7 is replaced by S2001 to S2004. S705 to S709 are omitted.

[0089] In S2001, the CPU 601 obtains the minimum value Wset-m of the set margin Wset so that the top paper margin Wpaper is equal to or greater than the threshold value Wth.

[0090] Wset-m_left = Wpaper_left - Wdata_left×Ax (9) Wset-m_right = Wpaper_right - Wdata_right×Ax (10) Wset-m_top = Wpaper_top - Wdata_top×Ax (11) Wset-m_bottom = Wpaper_bottom - Wdata_bottom×Ax...(12) In S2002, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) displays the margin setting UI 500 on the operation unit 40 and accepts the selection of the leading edge.

[0091] In S2003, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) limits the leading edge margin in the margin setting UI 500 displayed on the operation unit 40. For example, the UI unit 611 prohibits or limits the set margin Wset from being smaller than the minimum value Wset-m, and allows input of a set margin Wset equal to or greater than the minimum value Wset-m. The CPU 601 then executes S703, S704, S710, and S711. In the fifth embodiment, the on-paper margin Wpaper is secured to be equal to or greater than the threshold value Wth when the user sets the margin. Therefore, steps S705 to S709 related to margin adjustment and warning are unnecessary.

[0092] According to the fifth embodiment, an input limit is imposed on the set margin Wset in the margin setting UI 500. As a result, it is guaranteed that the on-paper margin Wpaper is equal to or greater than the threshold value Wth.

[0093] Sixth Embodiment In the first to fifth embodiments, the foil printing device 120 is separate from the image forming apparatus 100. However, the foil printing device 120 may be coupled (connected) to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0094] 21 and 22 show an image forming system 1 including a foil printing device 120 and an image forming device 100 that are interconnected. FIG. 21 shows that the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are in contact with each other (foil processing state). FIG. 22 shows that the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are in a spaced apart state (a state in which foil processing is not performed). In other words, the contact state is used in the foil printing mode. The spaced apart state is used in the normal printing mode.

[0095] 23 shows the controller. The foil printing control unit 2301 controls the foil printing device 120.

[0096] When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a print job from the information processing apparatus 650 , it forms a toner image on the area on the sheet S to be foiled, and then conveys the sheet S to the foil printing apparatus 120 by the conveying unit 10 .

[0097] The CPU 601 (foil printing control unit 2301) controls the motor M1 to transition the heating roller 121 and pressure roller 122 from a separated state to a contact state. The foil printing device 120 thermo-pressure transfers the foil onto the toner image on the sheet S, and discharges the sheet S to the discharge tray 140. This forms a foil image on the sheet S. When the foil processing is completed, the CPU 601 (foil printing control unit 2301) controls the motor M1 to transition the heating roller 121 and pressure roller 122 from a contact state to a separated state. This limits or prohibits foil processing on sheets S that do not require foil processing.

[0098] Incidentally, when the image forming apparatus 100 and the foil printing apparatus 120 are connected, the orientation of the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 matches the orientation of the sheet S fed into the foil printing apparatus 120. In other words, the user cannot change the orientation of the sheet S output from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0099] Therefore, in the sixth embodiment, when the user inputs the edge that will be the leading edge, a toner image is formed on the sheet S so that the input edge becomes the leading edge. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 100 and the foil printing apparatus 120 are connected, a sufficient leading edge margin is ensured, making it less likely that paper jams will occur in the foil printing apparatus 120.

[0100] Fig. 24 shows a control method of the sixth embodiment. Here, the differences between Fig. 20 and Fig. 24 will be mainly explained.

[0101] If it is determined in S701 that the normal printing mode is selected, the CPU 601 advances the process from S701 to S2411. In S2411, the CPU 601 (foil printing control unit 2301) controls the motor M1 to separate the heating roller 121 from the pressure roller 122. Thereafter, the CPU 601 controls the image forming unit 20 to perform printing.

[0102] If it is determined in S701 that the foil printing mode has been selected, the CPU 601 advances the process from S701 to S2001, executes S2001 to S2004, and advances the process to S703.

[0103] The CPU 601 executes steps S703 and S704, and then advances the process to step S2401. In step S2401, the CPU 601 (image processing unit 612) rotates the image data so that image formation can be performed with the selected side as the leading edge. The orientation of the sheet S depends on the orientation (e.g., A4 / A4R) of the sheet S stored in the sheet cassette or sheet tray. Therefore, the sides that can be selected by the user are the top or bottom side, or the left or right side.

[0104] In S711, the CPU 601 controls the image forming unit 20 to form a toner image on the sheet S. In S2402, the CPU 601 (foil printing control unit 2301) controls the foil printing device 120 to perform foil printing on the sheet S conveyed from the image forming device 100.

[0105] In this way, even when the image forming apparatus 100 and the foil printing device 120 are connected, a sufficient margin is secured on the side selected as the leading edge (S2001 to S2004), thereby reducing paper jams in the foil printing device 120 due to insufficient margin.

[0106] Note that the above description is based on the assumption that the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are in contact with each other in the default state. However, this is merely an example. The heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 may be spaced apart in the default state. In this case, between S701 and S2001, the CPU 601 controls the motor M1 to bring the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 into contact with each other. Furthermore, after S2402, the CPU 601 controls the motor M1 to separate the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122. S2411 can be omitted.

[0107] In the sixth embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 100 and the foil printing apparatus 120 are connected, a limit is set on the margin setting (fifth embodiment). However, this is merely an example. Instead of the fifth embodiment, a warning may be issued when the leading edge margin is smaller than a threshold (second and third embodiments).

[0108] <Technical concepts derived from the embodiments> (items 1, 25) The image forming unit 20 is an example of an image forming means that forms a toner image on the sheet S, which is used in the foil printing apparatus 120 as an adhesive for adhering foil to the sheet. The operation unit 40, the input device 655, and the UI 400 are examples of a selection means that selects a first mode for forming a toner image for adhering foil to the sheet via the toner image. The operation unit 40, the input device 655, and the margin setting UI 500 function as a receiving means that receives information about margin areas on the sheet that are set as areas on which a toner image is not to be formed by the image forming means. The operation unit 40 and the display device 654 function as a display means that displays a warning in accordance with the information about the margin areas when the first mode is selected. This reduces the possibility of problems occurring when forming the foil. (Item 2) There are cases where the margin area (on-paper margin Wpaper) existing from the edge of the sheet S to the toner image 801 is smaller than the threshold Wth associated with the foil printing device 120. In this case, the operation unit 40 and the display device 654 may output warning information (e.g., warning UI 900, warning message 901, warning image 902). This reduces the frequency of jams occurring in the foil printing device 120. (Item 3) The threshold Wth may be the minimum margin specified in the instruction manual for the foil printing device 120. The instruction manual may specify the minimum margin that the user must ensure. (Item 4) The operation unit 40, input device 655, and margin setting UI 500 can function as input means for accepting input of the size of the margin area. The foil printing mode is an example of a first mode in which the foil printing device 120 forms a toner image used as a foil adhesive. The normal printing mode is an example of a second mode in which the foil printing device 120 forms a toner image that is not used as a foil adhesive. When the first mode is selected, the CPUs 601, 651 and margin determination unit 615 function as determination means for determining whether the size of the margin area calculated from the information input through the input means is smaller than a threshold value. In this way, a mode for foil printing may be provided. (Item 5) There may be cases where at least one of the four margins on the sheet S is smaller than the threshold value. In this case, warning information may be output. (Item 6) Of the four margins on the sheet S, one margin based on the leading edge of the sheet S in the direction in which the sheet S is fed into the foil printing device 120 may be smaller than the threshold value. In this case, warning information may be output. (Item 7) The warning information may include a warning image 902 that indicates which of the four margins on the sheet S is smaller than the threshold value Wth. (Item 8) Among the four margins on the sheet S, there may be a margin larger than the threshold value Wth. The warning information may include input direction information indicating that the edge of the sheet S closest to the margin should be the leading edge in the input direction of the sheet S into the foil printing device 120. (Item 9) There is a case where any of the four margins on the sheet S is smaller than the threshold value Wth. The warning information may include information suggesting that a jam may occur when the sheet S is fed into the foil printing apparatus 120. (Item 10) Of the four edges of the sheet S, there may be a case where the margin provided at the edge designated as the leading edge in the direction of feeding the sheet S into the foil printing device 120 is smaller than a threshold value. The warning information may include a message urging the user to enlarge the margin provided at the edge designated as the leading edge. The warning information may also include a message urging the user to re-designate another edge different from the edge designated as the leading edge. (Item 11) As shown in Fig. 10(B), the image forming unit 20 may form a character or mark indicating that the leading edge of the sheet S should be the leading edge in the direction of feeding the sheet S into the foil printing device 120, in one of the four margins on the sheet S that is larger than a threshold value. In Fig. 10(B), an X is used as the mark, but other images or characters, such as an arrow indicating the feeding direction, may also be used. (Item 12) 12, an input means (e.g., a check box 1201) may be provided that accepts input specifying the leading edge of the four edges of the sheet S in the direction in which the sheet S is fed into the foil printing device 120. The operation unit 40 or the like may output warning information when the margin from the leading edge specified through the input means to the toner image is smaller than a threshold value. (Item 13) The operation unit 40 or the input device 655 may receive input specifying the leading edge via an input screen including check boxes 1201 to 1204 provided corresponding to the four edges of the sheet S, respectively. (Item 14) The CPUs 601 and 651 and the margin setting UI 500 may function as an adjustment unit that adjusts the image data that is the source of the toner image so that the margins are enlarged when the margins are smaller than a threshold value, thereby reducing the occurrence of jams. (Item 15) The CPU 601, 651 may adjust the image data based on an instruction to enlarge the margins input by the user. In this way, the margins may be adjusted manually. (Item 16) The touch panel 41 and the display device 645 may function as a display unit that displays an input screen for receiving an instruction to enlarge the margins. The CPUs 601 and 651 may adjust the image data based on the instruction to enlarge the margins input through the input screen. (Item 17) The CPUs 601 and 651, the image processing unit 612, and the scaling unit 613 may reduce the toner image so that the margins are larger than a threshold value. (Item 18) As shown in FIG. 9, the CPUs 601 and 651 and the image processing unit 612 may omit the edges of the toner image so that the margins are larger than a threshold value. (Item 19) The adjusting means may rotate the toner image by 90 degrees so that the margin is greater than the threshold value. (Item 20) The CPUs 601 and 651 may have a manual mode in which the margins are enlarged based on margin values ​​operated by the user, and an auto mode in which the margins are enlarged without receiving any margin value operation by the user. Figure 16 illustrates the auto mode. (Item 21) The CPU 601 and the communication circuit 603 may transmit the warning information to an information processing device 650 that can communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 . (Item 22) The operation unit 40, the input device 655, and the size setting unit 1700 function as input means for accepting input of the size of the sheet S. The CPUs 601 and 651 may also function as determination means for determining, based on the size, which of the four edges of the sheet S can be designated as the leading edge in the insertion direction of the sheet S into the foil printing device 120. As illustrated in FIG. 19 , the operation unit 40 and the input device 655 may also function as reception means for accepting designation of which of the four edges of the sheet S can be designated as the leading edge in the insertion direction of the sheet S into the foil printing device 120. The operation unit 40, the input device 655, and the margin setting UI 500 accept designation of the leading edge for the edge determined to be designable as the leading edge among the four edges of the sheet S. The operation unit 40, the input device 655, and the margin setting UI 500 do not accept designation of the other edges not determined to be designable as the leading edge. (Item 23) The margin may be the sum of the first margin and the third margin. The first margin is a margin set in advance by the user (e.g., set margin Wset). The third margin is obtained by multiplying the second margin (e.g., Wdata) from the edge of the image data that is the source of the toner image to an image of a predetermined density by a scaling factor (e.g., Ax, Ay). (Item 24) 21, the foil printing device 120 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100. The foil printing device 120 may have a pair of rollers (heating roller 121, pressure roller 122) that adhere foil to the sheet S, and a motor (e.g., motor M1) that brings the pair of rollers into contact with each other or separates them. Motor M1 brings the pair of rollers into contact with each other in a first mode in which the image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image that is used as an adhesive for the foil in the foil printing device 120. Motor M1 separates the pair of rollers in a second mode in which the image forming apparatus 100 forms a toner image that is not used as an adhesive for the foil in the foil printing device 120. (Item 26) The operation unit 40 and the display device 654 may output warning information before the image forming unit 20 forms a toner image on the sheet S. (Item 27) The communication circuit 653 is an example of a communication means for communicating with the image forming apparatus 100 that forms a toner image on the sheet S. The display device 654 may output warning information when the margin from the edge of the sheet S to the toner image is smaller than a threshold value associated with the foil printing device 120 that uses the toner image formed on the sheet S as an adhesive for adhering the foil to the sheet S. (Item 28) As illustrated in FIG. 20 and other figures, the operation unit 40 and the margin setting UI 500 may limit the margin setting so that the margin is greater than a threshold value Wth associated with the foil printing device 120. (Item 29) The operation unit 40 and the margin setting UI 500 may accept margin settings larger than the threshold value, but may not accept margin settings smaller than the threshold value. (Item 30) The touch panel 41 or the like may function as a display means for displaying directional information indicating the direction in which the sheet S is inserted into the foil printing device 120 based on the margin setting. (Item 31) The operation unit 40 and the input device 655 function as input means for receiving input specifying the leading edge of the four edges of the sheet S in the direction in which the sheet S is fed into the foil printing device 120. The margin may be the margin from the edge specified as the leading edge of the four edges to the toner image. (Item 32) The operation unit 40 and the input device 655 may not accept the designation of an edge of the four edges of the sheet S where the margin is smaller than the threshold value Wth as the leading edge, and may accept the designation of an edge where the margin is larger than the threshold value Qth as the leading edge. (Item 33) The CPUs 601 and 651 may control the image forming apparatus 100 so that the orientation of the toner image on the sheet S is in accordance with the designation of the leading edge. (Item 34) The communication circuit 653 communicates with the image forming apparatus 100, which forms a toner image on the sheet S, which is used in the foil printing apparatus 120 as an adhesive for adhering the foil to the sheet S. The CPU 651 and the input device 655 accept the selection of the mode and also accept information regarding the margin area. When the first mode is selected, the CPU 651 and the input device 655 may limit the setting of the margin according to the information regarding the margin area.

[0109] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1: Image forming system, 100: Image forming device, 120: Foil printing device, 40: Operation unit, 20: Image forming unit

Claims

1. a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming a toner image for adhering a foil onto a sheet via the toner image; an image forming means for forming the toner image on the sheet; a receiving unit for receiving information about a margin area of ​​the sheet that is set as an area on which the toner image is not formed by the image forming unit; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with information about the margin area when the first mode is selected by the selection means; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays the warning when the size of the margin area is smaller than a threshold value associated with a foil printing device that adheres the foil to the sheet via the toner image.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the threshold value is a minimum margin specified in an instruction manual for the foil printing apparatus.

4. The image forming apparatus further comprises: an input means for receiving an input of the size of the margin area; a determining means for determining whether the size of the margin area calculated from the information input through the input means is smaller than the threshold value when the first mode is selected from the first mode and a second mode in which a toner image that is not used as an adhesive for the foil is formed in the foil printing device; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the warning is displayed when the size of at least one of the four margin areas on the sheet is smaller than the threshold value.

6. The image forming device of claim 2, wherein the warning is output when the size of one of the four margin areas on the sheet, based on the leading edge of the sheet in the direction of insertion of the sheet into the foil printing device, is smaller than the threshold value.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the warning includes a warning image indicating a margin area of ​​a size smaller than the threshold value among four margin areas on the sheet.

8. 3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein the warning includes input direction information indicating that the edge of the sheet that is closest to a margin area of ​​a size larger than the threshold value among the four margin areas on the sheet should be the leading edge in the input direction of the sheet into the foil printing device.

9. 3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein if the sizes of all four margin areas on the sheet are smaller than the threshold, the warning includes information suggesting that a jam may occur if the sheet is fed into the foil printing device.

10. 3. The image forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein, when the size of the margin area provided at an edge designated as the leading edge in the direction of feeding the sheet into the foil printing device among the four edges of the sheet is smaller than the threshold value, the warning includes a message prompting the user to enlarge the margin area provided at the edge designated as the leading edge, or a message prompting the user to re-designate another edge other than the edge designated as the leading edge as the leading edge.

11. 3. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein the image forming means forms a character or mark indicating that the leading edge of the sheet in the direction of insertion into the foil printing device should be in a margin area larger than the threshold value among the four margin areas on the sheet.

12. The method further includes input means for receiving an input specifying a leading edge of the four edges of the sheet in the direction of feeding the sheet into the foil printing device, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the warning when the size of the margin area existing from the leading edge to the toner image specified through the input unit is smaller than the threshold value.

13. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the input unit receives the input of the designation of the leading edge through an input screen including check boxes provided corresponding to the four edges of the sheet.

14. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts the image data that is the source of the toner image so that the margin area is enlarged when the size of the margin area is smaller than the threshold value.

15. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting unit adjusts the image data based on an instruction to enlarge the margin area input by a user.

16. the display means is configured to display an input screen for receiving an input of an instruction to enlarge the margin area, 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting unit adjusts the image data based on the instruction to enlarge the margin area input via the input screen.

17. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting unit reduces the toner image so that the size of the marginal area is larger than the threshold value.

18. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting unit omits an edge of the toner image so that the size of the marginal area is larger than the threshold value.

19. 15. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the adjusting unit rotates the toner image by 90 degrees so that the size of the marginal area becomes larger than the threshold value.

20. The adjusting means is a manual mode in which the margin area is enlarged based on a margin value operated by a user; The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 , further comprising an auto mode in which the margin area is enlarged without receiving an operation of the margin value by the user.

21. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting the warning to an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus.

22. an input means for receiving an input of the sheet size; a determining means for determining, based on the size, one of the four edges of the sheet that can be designated as a leading edge in the sheet feeding direction relative to the foil printing device; a receiving means for receiving designation of the leading edge of the sheet in the feeding direction of the sheet into the foil printing device, among the four edges of the sheet; and 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accepting unit accepts the designation as the leading edge for an edge of the four edges of the sheet that has been determined by the determining unit to be capable of being designated as the leading edge, and does not accept the designation as the leading edge for any other edge that has not been determined by the determining unit to be capable of being designated as the leading edge.

23. The margin area is a first margin area set in advance by a user; a third margin area obtained by multiplying a second margin area from an end of the image data that is the source of the toner image to an image of a predetermined density by a scaling factor; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sum of

24. a foil printing device is connected to the image forming device, The foil printing device a pair of rollers for adhering the foil to the sheet; a motor for bringing the roller pair into contact with or separating the roller pair; The motor In the first mode in which the image forming device forms the toner image used as an adhesive for the foil in the foil printing device, the roller pair is brought into contact with the toner image; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roller pair is separated in a second mode in which the image forming apparatus forms a toner image that is not used as the adhesive for the foil in the foil printing device.

25. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 24; a foil printing device that adheres a foil to the sheet via a toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device; An image forming system comprising:

26. 26. The image forming system according to claim 25, wherein the display unit displays the warning before the image forming unit forms the toner image on the sheet.

27. a communication means for communicating with an image forming apparatus that forms a toner image on a sheet; a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming the toner image for adhering a foil onto the sheet via the toner image; a receiving unit for receiving information about a margin area of ​​the sheet that is set as an area on which the toner image is not to be formed by the image forming device; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with information about the margin area when the first mode is selected by the selection means; An information processing device having the above.

28. a selection means for selecting a first mode for forming a toner image for adhering a foil onto a sheet via the toner image; an image forming means for forming the toner image on the sheet; a receiving unit that receives information about a margin area of ​​the sheet that is set as an area on which the toner image is not formed by the image forming unit, When the first mode is selected by the selection unit, the reception unit limits the setting of the margin area in accordance with the information about the margin area.

29. 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the accepting unit accepts the setting of the margin area having a size larger than a threshold value, and does not accept the setting of the margin area having a size smaller than the threshold value.

30. 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising a display means for displaying direction information indicating a direction in which the sheet is inserted into the foil printing device based on the setting of the margin area.

31. The method further includes input means for receiving an input specifying a leading edge of the four edges of the sheet in the direction of feeding the sheet into the foil printing device, 29. The image forming apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the marginal area is a marginal area extending from the end designated as the leading end among the four ends to the toner image.

32. 32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the input means does not accept a designation as the leading edge of an edge of the four edges of the sheet where the size of the margin area is smaller than a threshold value, and accepts a designation as the leading edge of an edge where the size of the margin area is larger than the threshold value.

33. 32. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus so that the orientation of the toner image relative to the sheet is in accordance with the designation of the leading edge.

34. a communication means for communicating with an image forming device that forms a toner image on the sheet, the toner image being used in the foil printing device as an adhesive for adhering the foil to the sheet; a selection means for selecting a first mode of forming the toner image for adhering a foil onto the sheet via the toner image; a receiving unit for receiving information about a margin area of ​​the sheet that is set as an area on which the toner image is not to be formed by the image forming device, The information processing device, wherein the accepting unit limits the setting of the margin area in accordance with information about the margin area when the first mode is selected by the selecting unit.

Images