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

Abstract

To reduce the possibility that a failure occurs in adhesion of a foil according to a type of a sheet.MEANS: Selection means selects a predetermined printing mode for forming a toner image used to stick a foil onto a sheet via the toner image. Image forming means forms the toner image on the sheet. Reception means receives information related to a type of the sheet. When the predetermined printing mode is selected by the selection means, display means displays a warning according to information related to the type of the sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

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 in the adhesion of the foil depending on the type of sheet. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of problems occurring in the adhesion of the foil depending on the type of sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is, for example, a selection means for selecting a predetermined printing 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 means for receiving information regarding the type of the sheet; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with the information regarding the type of the sheet when the predetermined print 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 in the adhesion of foil depending on the type of sheet can be 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 the user interface [Figure 9] Diagram explaining the user interface [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the control method [Figure 11] A diagram illustrating an image forming system [Figure 12] A diagram illustrating an image forming system [Figure 13] Diagram explaining the controller 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. This temperature is, for example, 140°C to 180°C. 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. Type selection section 314 displays a list of selection candidates for selecting the type of sheet S, and accepts selection of one type from the multiple selection candidates.

[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 may limit the selection of stapling.

[0036] 4 shows another UI 400 displayed on the operation unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 100. 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 tab 302 or a setting screen such as the UI 500 shown in FIG.

[0037] The UI 500 shown in FIG. 5 may have menus 304, 305, 306, 311, a settings section 308, and a type selection section 315, as well as tabs 302.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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 described in a page description language (PDL) into image data and converts the color space of the image data. Furthermore, the image processing unit 612 may enlarge or reduce an image or rotate an image.

[0041] The type acquisition unit 613 acquires the type of sheet S specified in a print job received from the information processing device 650, or the type of sheet S specified via the operation unit 40. The type acquisition unit 613 also acquires the type of sheet S suitable for foil processing in the foil printing device 120 (recommended type) from the foil printing device 120 via the communication circuit 603. Alternatively, the type acquisition unit 613 may acquire the type of sheet S suitable for foil processing in the foil printing device 120 from the specifications, instruction manual, or web page listing the foil printing device 120 for the foil printing device 120.

[0042] The type determination unit 614 determines whether the type of sheet S specified by the user is suitable for foil processing in the foil printing device 120. The warning unit 615 displays warning information on the operation unit 40 or the display device 654 of the information processing device 650 when the type of sheet S specified by the user is not suitable for foil processing in the foil printing device 120. The print control unit 616 controls the image forming unit 20 in accordance with the print job.

[0043] These functions may be realized separately by an integrated circuit 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.

[0044] The image forming apparatus 100 may optionally communicate with an information processing device 650. A CPU 651 of the information processing device 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 UI 500. The input device 655 may include, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch sensor, and a microphone.

[0045] The CPU 651 may also include a UI unit 611, a type acquisition unit 613, a type determination unit 614, and a warning unit 615. That is, the CPU 651 may receive a selection of the type of the sheet S, determine the type, issue a warning, change the type, and so on, before transmitting a print job to the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the UI unit 611, the type acquisition unit 613, the type determination unit 614, and the warning unit 615 may be implemented by the printer driver.

[0046] 1-8. Control in foil printing mode The types of sheets S used in electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 are diverse. Therefore, there are types of sheets S on the market that are not suitable for foil processing (non-recommended types). For example, foil printing device 120 cannot apply foil processing using hot stamp foil sheet 150 to coated paper or glossy paper. Coated paper and glossy paper may contain latex (e.g., styrene-butadiene latex (SBR)). Such latex is primarily composed of a substance with a heat resistance temperature lower than the heating temperature of heating roller 121. During foil processing using foil printing device 120, the surface of coated paper or glossy paper softens due to the heat transferred from heating roller 121. Furthermore, pressure from pressure roller 122 is applied to sheet S and foil sheet 150. As a result, the foil layer 251 of foil sheet 150 may be thermally and pressure-transferred not only to the toner TN on sheet S but also to other surface areas of sheet S. On the other hand, plain paper, for example, is primarily composed of a substance with a heat resistance temperature higher than the heating temperature of heating roller 121. Such types of sheets S do not soften due to heat, and therefore foil processing defects are unlikely to occur. In this embodiment, coated paper and glossy paper are listed as types of sheets S whose main component is a substance with a heat resistance temperature lower than the heating temperature of heating roller 121, but this is merely an example.

[0047] 7 shows a control method for reducing foil processing defects caused by the type of sheet S. Note that reducing the frequency of foil processing defects will also reduce wasteful consumption of consumables (e.g., foil sheet 150 and sheet S).

[0048] 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 proceeds from S701 to S702. If the normal printing mode has been selected, the CPU 601 proceeds from S701 to S706. Here, a normal image is an image prepared by the user that is not to be subjected to foil processing.

[0049] In step S702, the CPU 601 (type acquisition unit 613) acquires type information for the sheet S. The type information is information that can identify the type of the sheet S (e.g., the general name, product name, product code, and surface material of the sheet S). As described above, the type acquisition unit 613 acquires type information for the sheet S used in the print job and type information for the sheet S that can be foiled by the foil printing device 120. These types may be stored in the memory 602 in advance or acquired in real time. In the latter case, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611) may display a tab 302 or a UI 500 on the operation unit 40 or the display device 654 to accept type information entered by the user. As illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 5, the UI unit 611 may display non-recommended type information (e.g., coated paper) and recommended type information (e.g., plain paper) in a distinguishable manner. In this example, plain paper is not highlighted, and coated paper is highlighted. The color of the text of the non-recommended type information may be different from the color of the text of the recommended type information.

[0050] In S703, the CPU 601 (type determination unit 614) determines whether the type of sheet S used in the print job is a type that can be foiled, based on the acquired type information. If the type of sheet S is a type that can be foiled, the CPU 601 proceeds from S703 to S706. On the other hand, if the type of sheet S is not a type that can be foiled, the CPU 601 proceeds from S703 to S704.

[0051] In S704, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611, warning unit 615) outputs warning information to the operation unit 40 or the display device 654. FIG. 8 shows a warning UI 800 for outputting warning information. The warning message 801 includes text or an image informing the user that a type suitable for foil processing has not been selected. In this example, the warning message 801 also includes a message for inquiring the user about whether to continue printing. The check box 802 is a UI for canceling repeated warning displays. The continue button 803 is a button for instructing the continuation of printing. The change type button 804 is a button for changing the type of sheet S.

[0052] In S705, the CPU 601 (UI unit 611, warning unit 615) determines whether to continue printing with the current settings. If it detects that the continue button 803 has been pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S705 to S706. On the other hand, if it detects that the type change button 804 has been pressed, the CPU 601 advances the process from S705 to S702 and accepts a change in type information.

[0053] In S706, the CPU 601 determines whether a print instruction has been input from the operation unit 40 or the input device 655. If a print instruction has been input, the CPU 601 advances the process from S706 to S707.

[0054] In S707, the CPU 601 (print control unit 616) controls the image forming unit 20 to form an image on the sheet S according to the print job. When steps S701 to S705 are executed by the CPU 651 of the information processing device 650, the CPU 651 transmits the print job to the image forming device 100. The CPU 601 executes printing according to the print job.

[0055] In this embodiment, the timing at which the warning UI 800 is displayed is before S706, but this is merely an example. The warning UI 800 may also be displayed between S706 and S707.

[0056] By displaying a warning when the user sets the type of sheet S in this way, it is possible to prevent the foil processing image from going to waste due to human error.

[0057] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a warning is output when a type of material that is not suitable for foil processing is selected. In the second embodiment, the selection of types that are not suitable for foil processing is restricted.

[0058] FIG. 9(A) shows an example of a tab 302 in which selection of types unsuitable for foiling is restricted. FIG. 9(B) shows an example of a UI 500 in which selection of types unsuitable for foiling is restricted. In these examples, the type selection unit 315 grays out types unsuitable for foiling and prohibits or does not accept selection by the user. Note that graying out is merely an example, and other methods may be used to restrict selection of types unsuitable for foiling. For example, the type selection unit 315 may not display types unsuitable for foiling.

[0059] Figure 10 shows a control method for reducing foil processing defects caused by the type of sheet S. Explanation of the steps shown in Figure 10 that are common to the steps shown in Figure 7 will be omitted. Here, S702 to S705 have been replaced with S1001 and S1002. That is, in the foil printing mode, S1001 and S1002 are executed.

[0060] In S1001, the CPU 601 or CPU 651 (UI unit 611) displays a UI (for example, the UI exemplified in FIG. 9(A) or FIG. 9(B)) on the operation unit 40 or the display device 654, which limits the type of selection.

[0061] In S1002, the CPU 601 or CPU 651 (UI unit 611) accepts the selection of the type through the displayed UI. Here, since types that are not suitable for foil processing cannot be selected in principle, only types that are suitable for foil processing are selected.

[0062] According to the second embodiment, a limit is placed on the types of printing that can be selected by the user, which reduces human error and allows the image for foil processing to be formed on the sheet S smoothly.

[0063] Third Embodiment In the first and second 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.

[0064] 11 and 12 show an image forming system 1 including a foil printing device 120 and an image forming device 100 that are interconnected. FIG. 11 shows that the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are in contact with each other (foil processing state). FIG. 12 shows that the heating roller 121 and the pressure roller 122 are in a spaced 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 state is used in the normal printing mode. Motor M1 is a motor for switching between the contact state and the spaced state.

[0065] 13 shows the controller. The foil printing control unit 1301 controls the foil printing device 120.

[0066] 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 .

[0067] The CPU 601 (foil printing control unit 1301) 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 1301) 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.

[0068] The CPU 601 may obtain type information indicating the type of sheet S suitable for foil processing from the foil printing device 120 via the communication circuit 603.

[0069] The CPU 601, CPU 651 or type acquisition unit 613 may acquire type information indicating the type of sheet S that is not suitable for foil processing from the foil printing device 120 via the communication circuit 603. In this case, the type determination unit 614 will compare the type information selected by the user with the type information indicating the type of sheet S that is not suitable for foil processing.

[0070] <Technical concepts derived from the embodiments> (Items 1, 15) The image forming unit 20 is provided in the image forming apparatus 100 and is an example of an image forming unit that forms a toner image on the sheet S as an adhesive. The CPUs 601 and 651 are an example of a control unit that controls the image forming unit. The CPUs 601 and 651, the UI 40, and the like function as a selection unit that selects a predetermined printing mode for forming a toner image for adhering foil to the sheet via the toner image. The CPUs 601 and 651, the operation unit 40, and the input device 655 function as a reception unit that receives information regarding the sheet type. The CPUs 601 and 651, the warning unit 615, the operation unit 40, and the display device 654 function as a display unit that displays a warning according to the information regarding the sheet type when a predetermined printing mode is selected. This reduces the possibility of problems occurring in the adhesion of foil depending on the sheet type. (Item 2) The CPUs 601, 651 and type acquisition unit 613 may function as acquisition means for acquiring the type of sheet S on which a toner image is formed as an adhesive by the image forming apparatus 100. The CPUs 601, 651, warning unit 615, operation unit 40 and display device 654 function as output means for outputting warning information when the acquired type is a type that is not recommended for the foil printing apparatus 120. By outputting the warning information in this way, the user will be aware of types that are not recommended for the foil printing apparatus 120 and will refrain from selecting such types. (Item 3) The acquired type may be a type that is not recommended for the foil printing apparatus 120 (non-recommended type). In this case, the CPUs 601, 651, operation unit 40, input device 655, and warning UI 800 function as a receiving unit that receives input of instruction information regarding whether or not to continue forming a toner image on the sheet S by the image forming apparatus 100. Because there are a wide variety of types of sheet S, there may be coated paper that does not cause foil processing defects. The user may know such coated paper from experience. For such users, usability is improved by allowing printing to continue. (Item 4) As described using Figure 8, when instruction information indicating to continue forming a toner image on sheet S is input, image forming apparatus 100 may continue forming a toner image on sheet S of a non-recommended type. (Item 5) 8, the type change button 804 is an example of a receiving means for receiving input of instruction information regarding whether to change the type of the sheet S when the acquired type is a non-recommended type. This changes the type of the sheet S from a non-recommended type to a recommended type, which will reduce the likelihood of foil processing defects. (Item 6) As illustrated in Figures 3(B) and 5, when instruction information indicating a change in the type of sheet S is input, the operation unit 40 and the display device 654 may display a screen (e.g., UI300, UI500) for changing or resetting the type of sheet S. (Item 7) The type obtaining unit 613 may obtain the type of the sheet S on which the toner image is formed as an adhesive by the image forming apparatus 100 through a screen for setting the type of the sheet S (for example, UI300, UI500). (Item 8) As shown in Figures 3(B) and 5, the screen may visually distinguish between types that are not recommended for the foil printing device 120 and types that are recommended for the foil printing device 120. This allows the user to visually understand the difference between the recommended types and the unrecommended types. (Item 9) The non-recommended type of sheet S is, for example, a sheet whose main component is a component whose heat resistance temperature is lower than the heating temperature of the toner image by the foil printing device 120. (Item 10) The non-recommended type of sheet S is, for example, a sheet having a resin layer on the surface of the sheet S. (Item 11) Non-recommended types of sheets S are, for example, sheets containing latex. (Item 12) 9(A) and 9(B), the tab 302 and the UI 500 are an example of a receiving unit that receives input of the type of sheet S on which a toner image is formed. The CPUs 601 and 651 may restrict the input of non-recommended types through the receiving unit. In other words, the CPUs 601 and 651 function as a control unit that controls the receiving unit to restrict the input of types that are not recommended for the foil printing device. (Item 13) 9(A) and 9(B), tab 302 and UI 500 are examples of screens for receiving input of type information indicating the type of sheet on which a toner image is to be formed. Tab 302 and UI 500 may display recommended types as selectable candidates instead of displaying non-recommended types as selectable candidates (e.g., grayed out). (Item 14) When a predetermined print mode is selected, the CPU 601, 651 functions as a control means for controlling the receiving means so that a first type can be selected as the sheet type and a second type different from the first type cannot be selected, thereby reducing the possibility of problems occurring in the adhesion of foil depending on the sheet type. (Item 16) The communication circuit 653 functions as a sending means that sends a job to the image forming apparatus 100 for forming a toner image on the sheet S as an adhesive for adhering the foil to the sheet S in the foil printing apparatus 120. The CPU 651 functions as a control means that controls the image forming apparatus 100 through the communication circuit 653. The input device 655 functions as a receiving means that selects a predetermined printing mode for forming a toner image for adhering the foil to the sheet via the toner image, and receives information about the sheet type. The display device 654 functions as a display means that displays a warning in accordance with information about the sheet type when a predetermined printing mode is selected. (Item 17) When a predetermined print mode is selected, the CPU 651 may control the receiving unit so that a first type can be selected as the type of sheet, but a second type different from the first type cannot be selected.

[0071] 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]

[0072] 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 predetermined printing 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 means for receiving information regarding the type of the sheet; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with the information regarding the type of the sheet when the predetermined print 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 outputs the warning when the type is not recommended for a foil printing device that adheres the foil onto the sheet via the toner image.

3. 3. The image forming device according to claim 2, wherein, when the type is a type that is not recommended for the foil printing device, the accepting means further accepts input of instruction information regarding whether or not to continue forming the toner image on the sheet by the image forming device.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the instruction information indicating that the formation of the toner image on the sheet should continue is input, the image forming apparatus continues forming the toner image on the sheet of the type that is not recommended for the foil printing apparatus.

5. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the type is a type not recommended for the foil printing device, the accepting unit accepts input of instruction information regarding whether or not to change the type of the sheet.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said display means displays a screen for changing or resetting the type of said sheet when said instruction information indicating that the type of said sheet is to be changed is input.

7. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the accepting unit accepts information about the type of the sheet on which the toner image is formed as adhesive by the image forming apparatus through a screen for setting the type of the sheet.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the screen visually distinguishes between types of foil that are not recommended for the foil printing device and types that are recommended for the foil printing device.

9. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type of sheet not recommended for use in the foil printing device is a sheet whose main component is a component whose heat resistance temperature is lower than the heating temperature of the toner image by the foil printing device.

10. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type of sheet not recommended for the foil printing apparatus is a sheet having a resin layer on the surface thereof.

11. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the type of sheet not recommended for the foil printing apparatus is a sheet containing latex.

12. the receiving unit is configured to receive input of the type of the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit, The image forming apparatus further comprises:

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a control unit that controls the accepting unit so as to restrict input of types that are not recommended for the foil printing device.

13. the display means is configured to display a screen for receiving input of type information indicating the type of the sheet on which the toner image is formed by the image forming means, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit does not display types not recommended for the foil printing device as selectable candidates, but displays types recommended for the foil printing device as selectable candidates.

14. a selection means for selecting a predetermined printing 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 means for receiving information regarding the type of the sheet; a control means for controlling the receiving means so that, when the predetermined print mode is selected by the selection means, a first type can be selected as the type of the sheet, and a second type different from the first type cannot be selected; An image forming apparatus comprising:

15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, 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:

16. a transmitting means for transmitting a job for forming a toner image on a sheet as an adhesive for adhering a foil to the sheet in the foil printing device to an image forming device; a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus through the transmission unit; a receiving means for receiving information regarding a selection of a predetermined printing mode for forming the toner image for adhering the foil onto the sheet via the toner image and information regarding the type of the sheet; a display means for displaying a warning in accordance with the information regarding the type of the sheet when the predetermined print mode is selected; An information processing device having the above.

17. a transmitting means for transmitting a job for forming a toner image on a sheet as an adhesive for adhering a foil to the sheet in the foil printing device to the image forming device; a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus through the transmission unit; a receiving means for receiving information regarding a type of the sheet and a selection of a predetermined printing mode for forming the toner image for adhering the foil onto the sheet via the toner image; The control means controls the acceptance means so that, when the specified printing mode is selected, a first type can be selected as the type of sheet, and a second type different from the first type cannot be selected.

Images