Patent Publication Number: US-11650530-B2

Title: System, system control method, and storage medium for receiving input to improve a defect of a printed image

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a system, a system control method, and a storage medium. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     In the production printing market, an image forming apparatus capable of treating various types of sheets, such as thin paper, thick paper, coated paper, and a film, is used. In such an image forming apparatus, various pieces of sheet information, such as a name, a size, and a basis weight, are given to identify the type of each sheet. The sheets can be managed using a sheet list, and settings for the sheets to be fed to each sheet feeding stage can be made. 
     The sheet information includes attributes, such as a name, a size, a basis weight, and adjustment attributes. The adjustment attributes include adjustment values for a transfer voltage and an image position that enable printing under optimum conditions for the sheets with a high image quality and high printing accuracy. Since there is a wide variety of items to be adjusted, it may take time and effort to set an optimum value for a target adjustment item. Such a setting operation may include identifying items to be adjusted based on a symptom related to an image defect occurring in a printed material, adjusting and repeating test printing, and continuing until the symptom disappears. It takes time and effort for the adjustment of setting values for the respective adjustment items, which may place a great burden on an operator. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-281742 discusses a technique for simulating image defects, which may occur when a defect occurs in a component constituting an image forming apparatus, in various adjustment items, and displaying the image defects as assumed images. 
     The technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-281742 is effective to identify the component in which a defect occurs and to replace the component with another one, but knowing how to adjust values to fix a possible defect is not addressed. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a system includes a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display a plurality of display objects respectively corresponding to a plurality of symptoms of an image forming apparatus, and a selection unit configured to select one display object from among the plurality of display objects displayed by the display unit. The display unit is caused to display a screen for receiving, from a user, a value related to a predetermined item to be adjusted to improve a symptom corresponding to the display object selected by the selection unit. 
     Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a print system according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3 A  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment.  FIG.  3 B  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a top screen for a sheet management application to be executed by the print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for generating the top screen when the sheet management application is activated by the print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating an example of initialization processing for the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an example of a sheet setting management table included in the print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an example of a sheet feeding stage screen to be displayed when a sheet feeding stage button on the top screen is pressed in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates an example of an image defect list screen to be displayed when an “IF YOU HAVE A PRINTOUT LIKE THIS” button on the sheet feeding stage screen is pressed in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  each illustrate an example of an adjustment screen to be displayed when an image defect sample button on the image defect list screen is pressed in the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an example of an adjustment screen management table included in the print control device according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for generating the adjustment screen when the image defect sample button is pressed in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a print system  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
     The print system  100  includes an image forming apparatus  103 , and a print control device  102 . The print system  100  is communicably connected to a client computer  101 . The client computer  101  and the print control device  102  are communicably connected via a local area network (LAN)  110  with an Ethernet® cable  109 . The print control device  102  and the image forming apparatus  103  are connected via an image video cable  107  and a control cable  108 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus  103  is not directly connected to the LAN  110 . The image forming apparatus  103  and the client computer  101  communicate with each other via the print control device  102 . The image forming apparatus  103  may be connected to the LAN  110 . In other words, the image forming apparatus  103  may be connected to the client computer  101  to directly communicate with the client computer  101 . The client computer  101  activates an application program, for example, to send a print instruction to the print system  100 . The print control device  102  performs image processing in cooperation with the image forming apparatus  103 . 
     The image forming apparatus  103  is a multi-function peripheral including various functions. The image forming apparatus  103  is configured not only to perform image processing based on instructions from the client computer  101  and the print control device  102 , but also to copy data scanned by a scanner unit  104  and transmit the data to a shared folder. When the scanner unit  104  scans an image, an operation panel  105  receives various instructions from a user through various keys. The operation panel  105  displays various information, such as a scanning state, through a panel. A sheet discharge portion  106  receives a sheet on which an image is formed, and discharges the received sheet. 
     The print control device  102  includes a controller  300  and a display unit  111 . On the display unit  111 , information on the print control device  102  is displayed. The user operates a hardware operation button unit  112  of the print control device  102  to manipulate information displayed on the display unit  111 . The information displayed on the display unit  111  is used to display minimum required information (power supply operation and checking of an internet protocol (IP) address) for operating the print control device  102 . The print control device  102  is further connected with an external display device  113 , a keyboard  114 , and a pointing device  115 . The first exemplary embodiment illustrates an example of the print system  100  in which the print control device  102  and the image forming apparatus  103  are provided as separate systems. However, the processing of the print control device  102  may be included in the image forming apparatus  103 , and thus the print control device  102  may not be physically separated. The external display device  113  may include a position input device function, such as a touch pad, and may also have a function of the pointing device  115 . 
     Sheet feeding units  116 - 1  to  116 - 8  (which may be collectively referred to as a sheet feeding portion  116 ) connected to the image forming apparatus  103  are configured to store printing sheets. When a print instruction is received, one of sheet feeding stages is selected and a sheet is fed from the selected sheet feeding stage. A number of sheet feeding units  116  is increased/decreased depending on a configuration of optional devises connected to the image forming apparatus  103 . 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus  103  according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
     A controller  200  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  201 . The CPU  201  loads control programs stored in a read-only memory (ROM)  203  or an external storage device  211  into a random access memory (RAM)  202 , and executes the loaded programs thereby to control an overall operation of various devices connected to a system bus  204 . The CPU  201  outputs an image signal as output information to a print unit (print engine)  210  connected via a print interface  207 , and receives an image signal input from the scanner unit  104  connected via a reading interface  212 . The CPU  201  controls the sheet feeding portion  116  connected to the print engine  210  via the print interface  207 , and acquires a state of the sheet feeding portion  116 . The CPU  201  can also perform communication processing with the print control device  102  via a LAN controller  206  and the control cable  108 . The RAM  202  mainly functions as a main memory and a work area for the CPU  201 . The external storage device  211 , such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and an integrated circuit (IC) card, is controlled for accessing by a disk controller (DKC)  208 . The HDD is used as a job storage area for storing application programs, font data, form data, and other data, temporarily spooling print jobs, and externally controlling the spooled jobs. The HDD is also used as a BOX data storage area for storing image data input from the scanner unit  104  or image data for print jobs as BOX data, referring to the image data from the network, and performing printing. In the first exemplary embodiment, the HDD can be used as an example of the external storage device  211 , and the HDD stores various logs, such as a job log, and an image log. The external storage device  211  may be, for example, a solid state drive (SSD). The operation panel  105  is connected to the controller  200  via an operation panel interface  205 , and thereby the user can input various information via software keys or hardware keys. A nonvolatile memory  209  stores various setting information set with a terminal via the LAN  110  or the operation panel  105 . A video interface  214  receives image data from the print control device  102 . 
       FIG.  3 A  is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print control device  102  according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
     The controller  300  includes a CPU  301 . The CPU  301  loads control programs stored in a ROM  303  or an external storage device  309  into a RAM  302 , and executes the loaded programs thereby to control an overall operation of various devices connected to a system bus  304 . The CPU  301  can communicate with the image forming apparatus  103  via a LAN controller  306  and the control cable  108 . The CPU  301  can also perform communication processing with the client computer  101  and the image forming apparatus  103  via a LAN controller  307  and the LAN  110 . The RAM  302  mainly functions as a main memory and a work area for the CPU  301 . The external storage device  309 , such as an HDD, and an IC card, is controlled for accessing by a DKC  308 . The HDD stores, for example, application programs, font data, and form data, and temporarily spools print jobs. The HDD is also used as a job storage area for performing raster image processor (RIP) processing on the spooled jobs and storing the processed jobs again. An operation unit interface  305  controls an interface between the controller  300  and each of the operation button unit  112  and the display unit  111 . The user uses the operation button unit  112  to input various information. The display unit  111  presents information to the user. A video interface  310  transmits RIP processed image data to the image forming apparatus  103 . A keyboard controller (KBC)  311  performs processing related to an input, such as information received from the keyboard  114  or the pointing device  115 . A display control unit  312  includes a video memory. The display control unit  312  renders data in the video memory based on an instruction from the CPU  301 , and outputs image data rendered in the video memory as a video signal to the display device  113 . 
       FIG.  3 B  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a software included in the print control device  102  according to the first exemplary embodiment. Functions of each unit illustrated in  FIG.  3 B  are achieved by the CPU  301  executing the programs loaded into the RAM  302 . 
     A system software  351  for controlling the print control device  102  includes a user interface (UI) control program  352 , a sheet management program  353 , a sheet feeding stage management program  354 , a network control program  355 , a job management program  356 , and a setting management program  357 . The UI control program  352  controls a screen displayed on the print system  100 . The UI control program  352  controls switching of a display of a display unit system for a message or a sheet size to be displayed on the screen based on the settings in the print system  100 . The sheet management program  353  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  to manage the acquired sheet information using a sheet setting management table  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7   . 
     The network control program  355  controls the communication with the image forming apparatus  103  via the LAN controller  306 . The network control program  355  also controls the communication with the client computer  101  located on the LAN  110  via the LAN controller  307 . The job management program  356  manages a print processing sequence and an order of jobs. The job management program  356  also manages jobs received by the print control device  102 , and controls data transfer for printing the received jobs to the image forming apparatus  103  via the LAN controller  306  or the video interface  310 . The setting management program  357  manages system settings for a sheet management system. Examples of the system settings include a language setting for messages to be displayed on the screen of the sheet management system, and a setting for the display unit system (millimeter or inch) for a sheet size, as indicated in a setting screen  800  described below. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example of a top screen  400  for a sheet management application to be executed by the print control device  102  according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
     The top screen  400  is a screen example in a state where information about the sheet feeding stages of the image forming apparatus  103  connected to the print control device  102  is displayed. On the top screen  400 , image data is rendered in the video memory based on an instruction from the CPU  301 , and the image data rendered in the video memory is output as a video signal to the display device  113  and is displayed on the display device  113 . 
     When the sheet management application is activated, the sheet management application acquires device configuration information about the image forming apparatus  103  and displays an appropriate image based on option information included in the acquired device configuration information.  FIG.  4    illustrates a state where eight sheet feeding stages are connected. Sheet feeding stage buttons  410  to  417  correspond to each of the sheet feeding stages. Sheet feeding portion open buttons  420  to  427  are buttons for instructing to open the respective sheet feeding stages. Specifically, a sheet feeding stage opens when a corresponding sheet feeding portion open button is pressed while the sheet feeding stage is closed. The sheet management application creates and displays the sheet feeding stage buttons based on information about the sheet feeding stages (sheet feeding stage information) of the image forming apparatus  103 , the information having been acquired at the start-up time of. Each sheet feeding stage button includes an area for displaying information, such as a sheet name, and the remaining number of sheets that are set for each sheet feeding stage. When the state of each sheet feeding state is changed by the image forming apparatus  103  and a sheet feeding stage state change event is received from the image forming apparatus  103 , the controller  300  acquires the sheet feeding stage information again. The controller  300  renders data again in a display area of the sheet feeding stage button based on the acquired sheet feeding stage information. 
     A sheet list button  401  is used for instructing to display a sheet list screen  430 . When the sheet list button  401  is pressed, the controller  300  according to the first exemplary embodiment displays the sheet list screen  430  on the frontmost surface of the screen. 
     A setting button  402  is used for instructing to display a screen for changing the system settings of the sheet management application. When the setting button  402  is pressed, the controller  300  displays the current system settings based on the system settings stored in the external storage device  309 . 
       FIG.  5    is a flowchart illustrating processing for creating top screen  400  when the sheet management application is activated by the print control device  102  according to the first exemplary embodiment. The sheet management application according to the first exemplary embodiment is operated on the print control device  102 , but instead can be operated on, for example, the client computer  101  in a same manner. In the present exemplary embodiment, there is an example described where the print control device  102  executes the sheet management application. The processing illustrated in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU  301  executing the programs loaded in the RAM  302  as described above. 
     This processing starts when the print control device  102  is activated. In step S 501 , the CPU  301  determines a model of the image forming apparatus  103  connected as a sheet management target. The CPU  301  determines the model of the image forming apparatus  103  and uses the determination result to create a device configuration screen for the top screen  400 , or to absorb specifications differences between models. In this case, the CPU  301  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  and acquires model information from the information sent from the image forming apparatus  103  in step S 607  illustrated in  FIG.  6    described below. The CPU  301  further determines the model of the image forming apparatus  103  based on model determination information held in advance. After the model of the connected image forming apparatus  103  is determined, the processing proceeds to step S 502 . In step S 502 , the CPU  301  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  and acquires device configuration information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the information sent in step S 609  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . The CPU  301  then determines the configuration of each device connected to the image forming apparatus  103 . The CPU  301  uses the determination result when the CPU  301  creates the device configuration screen on the top screen  400 , identifies information about each sheet feeding stage, or absorbs specifications differences between models. 
     In step S 503 , the CPU  301  acquires sheet feeding stage information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the image forming apparatus  103 . The sheet feeding stage information includes information about the configuration of each sheet feeding stage, such as a sheet feeding stage, a manual feed tray, and a long sheet tray, and information about sheets set for each sheet feeding stage. Further, the CPU  301  determines the sheet feeding stages connected to the image forming apparatus  103  as the sheet management target, and specifies a number of the connected sheet feeding stages. In step S 504 , the CPU  301  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103 . Further, the CPU  301  acquires, from the information sent in step S 611  illustrated in  FIG.  6   , sheet information set in each sheet feeding stage and information indicating whether the corresponding feeding stage can be automatically drawn out when one of the sheet feeding stage open buttons  420  to  427  is pressed. In step S 505 , the CPU  301  creates information about the sheet feeding stage buttons  410  to  417  to be displayed on the top screen  400 . In a case of creating the button information, if the corresponding sheet feeding stage can be automatically drawn out when the corresponding sheet feeding stage open button is pressed, the sheet feeding stage open buttons  420  to  427  are created and displayed on the sheet feeding stage buttons  410  to  417 , respectively. 
     In step S 506 , the CPU  301  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  and acquires sheet list information sent from the image forming apparatus  103  in step S 613  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . In step S 507 , the CPU  301  creates information about a sheet list screen  1300  to be displayed on the top screen  400 . Each piece of sheet information on the sheet list screen  1300  includes information indicating whether a setting for sheets to be fed to each sheet feeding stage of the image forming apparatus  103  can be made. Next, the processing proceeds to step S 508 . In step S 508 , the CPU  301  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  and acquires adjustment values for each adjustment from the information sent in step S 615  illustrated in  FIG.  6    so that the acquired adjustment values can be used to display adjustment value information on the sheet list screen  1300 . In step S 509 , the CPU  301  creates a character string to be displayed as the sheet information based on the adjustment values acquired in step S 508 . In this step, if the adjustment values are not changed from default values, “no adjustment” is displayed, and if the adjustment values are changed from default values, “adjust” is displayed. In step S 510 , the CPU  301  creates the top screen  400  based on the device configuration information about the image forming apparatus  103  acquired in steps S 501  and S 502 , the sheet feeding stage button information created in step S 505 , the sheet list information created in step S 507 , and the adjustment value information created in step S 509 . In step S 511 , the CPU  301  registers, in the print control device  102 , a transmission destination for change notification event processing to notify a change when the sheet feeding stage information and sheet information about the image forming apparatus  103  are changed for the image forming apparatus  103 . If the registration is successful, processing for waiting for a change notification event is performed. When the processing for waiting for the change notification event is carried out, the start processing ends. 
     The processing illustrated in  FIG.  5    described above is an operation to be performed when the sheet management application is activated. However, the sheet feeding stage information, sheet list information, adjustment values, and other information of the image forming apparatus  103  may be changed, as needed, while the sheet management application is used. Thus, updating of each information in association with communication between the sheet management application and the image forming apparatus  103  is also executed by the sheet management application, as needed. This updating is carried out regardless of a location in the image forming apparatus  103 . It is assumed that information is synchronized between the sheet management application and the image forming apparatus  103 . 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating initialization processing for the image forming apparatus  103  according to the first exemplary embodiment. The processing illustrated in the flowchart is achieved by the CPU  201  executing the programs loaded into the RAM  202  as described above. 
     In step S 601 , the CPU  201  acquires model information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the external storage device  211 , and creates the information as requestable data. In step S 602 , the CPU  201  acquires information about the configuration of each device connected to the image forming apparatus  103  from the external storage device  211 , and creates the information as requestable data. In step S 603 , the CPU  201  acquires sheet feeding stage information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the external storage device  211 , and creates the information as requestable data. In step S 604 , the CPU  201  acquires sheet list information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the external storage device  211 , and creates the information as requestable data. In step S 605 , the CPU  201  acquires adjustment value information about the image forming apparatus  103  from the external storage device  211 , and creates the information as requestable data. The processing for acquiring the adjustment value information is executed on all items that can be adjusted by the image forming apparatus  103 . 
     In step S 606 , the CPU  201  determines whether an inquiry about model information has been received from the print control device  102 . If the inquiry about the model information created in step S 501  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is received (YES in step S 606 ), the processing proceeds to step S 607 . In step S 607 , the CPU  201  sends back the model information created in step S 601  to the print control device  102 , and then the processing proceeds to step S 608 . Even if the inquiry about the model information has not been received in step S 606  (NO in step S 606 ), the processing proceeds to step S 608 . 
     In step S 608 , the CPU  201  determines whether an inquiry about device configuration information has been received from the print control device  102 . If the inquiry about the device configuration information created in step S 502  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is received (YES in step S 608 ), the processing proceeds to step S 609 . In step S 609 , the CPU  201  sends back the device configuration information created in step S 602  to the print control device  102 , and then the processing proceeds to step S 610 . Even if the inquiry about the device configuration information has not been received (NO in step S 608 ), the processing proceeds to step S 610 . 
     In step S 610 , the CPU  201  determines whether an inquiry about sheet feeding stage information has been received from the print control device  102 . If the inquiry about the sheet feeding stage information created in steps S 503  and S 504  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is received (YES in step S 610 ), the processing proceeds to step S 611 . In step S 611 , the CPU  201  sends back the sheet feeding stage information created in step S 603  to the print control device  102 , and then the processing proceeds to step S 612 . Even if the inquiry about the sheet feeding stage information has not been received in step S 610  (NO in step S 610 ), the processing proceeds to step S 612 . 
     In step S 612 , the CPU  201  determines whether an inquiry about sheet list information has been received from the print control device  102 . If the inquiry about the sheet list information created in steps S 506  and S 507  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is received (YES in step S 613 ), the processing proceeds to step S 613 . In step S 613 , the CPU  201  sends back the sheet list information created in step S 604  to the print control device  102 , and then the processing proceeds to step S 614 . Even if the inquiry about the sheet list information has not been received in step S 612  (NO in step S 612 ), the processing proceeds to step S 614 . 
     In step S 614 , the CPU  201  determines whether an inquiry about adjustment value information has been received from the print control device  102 . If the inquiry about the adjustment value information created in step S 508  illustrated in  FIG.  5    is received (YES in step S 614 ), the processing proceeds to step S 615 . In step S 615 , the CPU  201  sends back the adjustment value information to the print control device  102 , and then the processing proceeds to step S 616 . Even if the inquiry about the adjustment value information has not been received in step S 614  (NO in step S 614 ), the processing proceeds to step S 616 . In step S 616 , the CPU  201  determines whether a request for registering transmission destination information for transmitting an event has been received from the print control device  102  when the state of the image forming apparatus  103  is changed. If the request for registering the transmission destination information is received (YES in step S 616 ), the processing proceeds to step S 617 . In step S 617 , the CPU  201  adds the print control device  102  as an event transmission destination, and then the processing proceeds to step S 618 . Even if the request for registering the event transmission destination has not been received in step S 616  (NO in step S 616 ), the processing proceeds to step S 618 . In step S 618 , the CPU  201  determines whether all the processes performed in steps S 606 , S 608 , S 610 , S 612 , S 614 , and S 616  are successfully finished. If all the processes are successfully finished (YES in step S 618 ), the CPU  201  determines that the initialization processing is finished and terminates the processing. If not all the processes are successfully finished (NO in step S 618 ), the processing returns to step S 606 . 
     The sheet feeding unit  116  according to the first exemplary embodiment is an example of a sheet feeding stage. The configuration of the sheet feeding stage  116  is not particularly limited, and sheet feeding stages of other mechanisms, such as an inserter, and a manual feed tray, may also be used. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  4   , for example, when the sheet feeding stage button  410  corresponding to a sheet feeding stage  1  is pointed by, for example, the pointing device  115 , the sheet setting screen for the sheet feeding stage  1  is displayed, so that the setting for sheets to be fed to the sheet feeding stage  1  can be made and the setting value for each set sheet can be changed. The other sheet feeding stage buttons  411  to  417  have same structures as the structure of the sheet feeding stage button  410 , and thus the description thereof is omitted. Although not described in detail in the present exemplary embodiment, examples of the sheet feeding stages include any type of stages, such as an inserter, and a manual feed tray. In the following description, a case where the pointing device  115  or the like is used to press a button while an application is operated is omitted. However, an input device, such as the pointing device  115 , is used during the operation. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an example of the sheet setting management table  700  included in the print control device  102  according to the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In the sheet setting management table  700 , the following information is registered in association with a sheet identification (ID) for identifying each sheet: size information, such as the name, basis weight, size, width, and height of each sheet, surface properties, and setting values for a plurality of adjustment items. Examples of the adjustment items include a sheet conveyance speed of a first fixing portion, a sheet conveyance speed of a second fixing portion, a magnitude of a transfer voltage, and an adjustable image position. However, the adjustment items are not limited to these examples. In this system, all of the adjustment items or some (including one adjustment item) can be adjusted using an absolute adjustment value or a relative adjustment value. The adjustments for these adjustment items are collectively referred to as adjustment of values corresponding to adjustment items. 
     The sheet management program  353  can perform sheet information processing of editing, adding, deleting, and searching on the sheet setting management table  700 . The sheet setting management table  700  is used for managing sheet information for each sheet ID, and is stored in the external storage device  309  which is a nonvolatile area. Instead of storing the sheet setting management table  700  in the external storage device  309 , the sheet setting management table  700  may be stored in the external storage device  211  of the image forming apparatus  103 , and the print control device  102  may acquire the sheet setting management table  700  from the image forming apparatus  103  and store the sheet setting management table  700  in the RAM  302  during program execution. The sheet feeding stage management program  354  communicates with the image forming apparatus  103  to manage the acquired sheet feeding stage information. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates an example of a sheet feeding stage screen to be displayed when any one of the sheet feeding stage buttons  410  to  417  on the top screen  400  is pressed in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     A sheet feeding stage screen  800  is rendered in the video memory based on an instruction from the CPU  301 . The image data rendered in the video memory is output as a video signal to the display unit  111 , and the sheet feeding stage screen  800  is displayed. The sheet feeding stage screen  800  includes a sheet list display area  801  and a sheet information display area  802 . Further, the sheet feeding stage screen  800  includes a button  803  for displaying an image defect list screen illustrated in  FIG.  9   , a button  804  for displaying a setting screen for other sheet information (not displayed), an OK button  805 , and a cancel button  806 . The sheet feeding stage screen  800  also includes a pull-down menu  807  for selecting a sheet list display method, and a sheet search input area  808 . 
     The sheet list display area  801  is an area for displaying a sheet list. A sheet type is displayed in a column direction, and sheet information, such as an attribute of each sheet, is displayed in a row direction. In this example, a selected sheet type is highlighted to indicate which one of the sheet types is selected. When the sheet feeding stage screen  800  is displayed, the sheet that is set for the sheet feeding stage is selected on the sheet list display area  801 . When a sheet is selected from the sheet list display area  801 , information about the selected sheet is displayed in the sheet information display area  802 . When another sheet is selected in the sheet list display area  801  and the OK button  805  is pressed, the controller  300  makes a sheet setting for the image forming apparatus  103 . When another sheet is selected in the sheet list display area  801  and the cancel button  806  is pressed, the controller  300  closes the sheet setting screen without making a sheet setting for the image forming apparatus  103 . 
     Next, each item included in the sheet information display area  802  will be described. The first exemplary embodiment illustrates an example where only the sheet information frequently used by the user is displayed to improve the user-friendliness. Specifically, a sheet name, and various adjustment items are displayed; examples of the various adjustment items include image position adjustment, secondary transfer voltage adjustment, curl correction amount, glossiness/black quality adjustment, trailing edge white void correction, saddle stitching setting, and adjustment of air flow of a sheet separating fan. The sheet information display area  802  displays information indicating whether the currently selected sheet name and various adjustment values are changed from initial values set in the image forming apparatus  103 . If the sheet name and various adjustment values are not changed, “no adjustment” is displayed. If the sheet name and various adjustment values are changed, “adjust” is displayed. As for an item that can be adjusted from the print control device  102 , an adjustment button is displayed to display the corresponding adjustment screen. 
     The “IF YOU HAVE A PRINTOUT LIKE THIS” button  803  is a button for displaying the image defect list screen  900  described below. If an image defect occurs in a user environment and the user does not know how to deal with the defect, the user presses the button  803 . 
     The detailed adjustment button  804  is pressed to check information that is not displayed in the sheet information display area  802  and to change settings. 
     The pull-down menu  807  for selecting the sheet list display method displays options for filtering and displaying sheets to be displayed in the sheet list display area  801 . 
     The sheet search input area  808  is an area for inputting a keyword used for an operator to search a desired sheet type from among the sheet types displayed in the sheet list display area  801 . In the search input area  808 , an incremental search is available, and the search is automatically executed every time a character is input. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates an example of an image defect list screen is displayed when the “IF YOU HAVE A PRINTOUT LIKE THIS” button  803  on the sheet feeding stage screen  800  is pressed. 
     The image defect list screen  900  is rendered in the video memory based on an instruction from the CPU  301 . The image data rendered in the video memory is output as a video signal to the display unit  111 , and the image defect list screen  900  is displayed. The image defect list screen  900  includes an image defect list display area  901 , a slider bar  902 , and a close button  903 . 
     In the image defect list display area  901 , samples of image defects that may occur in the image forming apparatus  103  and explanations about the samples are displayed. Each of areas (e.g., image defect sample buttons  904 ,  905  and  906 ) in which a sample of an image defect and an explanation about the sample are displayed is a button. For example, when the image defect sample button  904  is pressed, an adjustment screen for improving the symptom corresponding to the image defect sample button  904  is displayed. The adjustment screen displayed when any one of the image defect sample buttons is pressed will be described with reference to  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C . 
     Since the image defect list display area  901  has a limited information display area, the entire area can be browsed by operating the slider bar  902 . 
     Thus, the configuration for visualizing and selectively displaying samples of image defects that may occur in the image forming apparatus  103  enables selection of a sample image similar to the image defect occurring in the user environment and enables the user to easily reach the adjustment screen for improving the symptom. 
     Since the symptom related to the image defect varies depending on the type of the image forming apparatus  103 , the image samples displayed in the image defect list can be changed depending on the model of the image forming apparatus  103  connected to the sheet management application. 
       FIGS.  10 A,  10 B and  10 C  each illustrate an example of an adjustment screen to be displayed when any one of the image defect sample buttons  904 ,  905  and  906  is pressed. In this example, when the image defect sample button  904  is pressed, a sheet conveyance adjustment screen  1000  for the first fixing portion illustrated in  FIG.  10 A  is displayed. When the image defect sample button  905  is pressed, a sheet conveyance adjustment screen  1001  for the first fixing portion illustrated in  FIG.  10 B  is displayed. When the image defect sample button  906  is pressed, a sheet conveyance adjustment screen  1002  for the first fixing portion illustrated in  FIG.  10 C  is displayed. 
     The UI configuration of each of the adjustment screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  will now be described. 
     Various adjustment screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A,  10 B and  10 C  are each composed of a descriptive text display area  1010 , a test page output function  1020 , an adjustment function  1030 , an OK button  1040 , a cancel button  1041 , and an apply button  1042 . 
     The descriptive text display area  1010  is an area in which the adjustment method for each adjustment is explained. The user performs various adjustment processes while reading the explanation. The test page output function  1020  includes a button  1021  for displaying a location where sheets are fed, and an “apply and print” button  1022  for outputting a test page. When the “apply and print” button  1022  is clicked, the controller  300  writes the current setting values into the sheet setting management table  700 , generates an optimum test chart for adjustment, and outputs the generated test chart. The test chart may be generated by the controller  200  of the image forming apparatus  103 , or may be generated by the controller  300  of the print control device  102 . The adjustment function  1030  includes a control function for changing the adjustment value for each adjustment item related to sheets. The adjustment function  1030  include, for example, a text box for directly receiving an input of an adjustment value, and a plus/minus button for increasing or decreasing the adjustment value. In addition, an adjustable range, such as (−128-+128), may be displayed. In the control function for changing the adjustment value for each adjustment item related to sheets, the adjustment may be carried out using not only the text box and the plus/minus button, but also, for example, a slider bar or a radio button. Further, a plurality of adjustment items may be displayed on one adjustment screen and adjustments for the plurality of adjustment items may be performed at once. 
     When the OK button  1040  or the apply button  1042  is clicked, the controller  300  writes the current sheet information into the sheet setting management table  700 . The controller  300  then transmits a sheet setting instruction for registering the information about the sheet setting management table  700  corresponding to the selected sheet for the image forming apparatus  103  in the corresponding sheet feeding stage. On the other hand, when the cancel button  1041  is clicked, the controller  300  closes this dialog without editing the information about the sheet that has been set when the adjustment screen  1000  is displayed. The apply button  1042  may be grayed out to prevent the apply button  1042  from being pressed before the adjustment value is changed by the adjustment function  1030 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the adjustment screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  are displayed from the sheet feeding stage screen  800 , and thus the sheet feeding stage to be adjusted is uniquely determined. While the present exemplary embodiment illustrates an example where “sheet cassette 1” is displayed on the button  1021 , the display is not limited to this example. For example, when a sheet is selected from the sheet list screen  430  and the adjustment screen is opened, the sheet feeding stages to which the sheet is fed may be displayed in a list and the user may select the sheet feeding stage to be adjusted. 
     Next, features of each adjustment screen according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described. 
       FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  each illustrate an adjustment screen for sheet conveyance adjustment of the first fixing portion. However, a control operation to be performed when a display item or a button on an adjustment dialog is pressed varies depending on which one of the image detect sample buttons is pressed. An example of the control operation will be described below. 
     Differences between messages to be displayed in the descriptive text display area  1010  will now be described. 
     On the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 A  to be displayed when the image defect sample button  904  is pressed, a message indicating that the symptom is improved when the adjustment value is changed to the “minus” side is displayed as indicated in an area  1011 . On the other hand, on the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 B  to be displayed when the image defect sample button  905  is pressed, a message indicating that the symptom is improved when the adjustment value is changed to the “plus” side is displayed as indicated in an area  1012 .  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  each illustrate an example of a display for adjustment of the value related to the adjustment item and a display of a message for prompting the user to change the value related to the adjustment item on the same screen. 
     Next, a difference in the test page output function  1020  will be described. 
     In a case of the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 A  to be displayed when the image defect sample button  904  is pressed, the “apply and print” button  1022  is pressed so that the symptom displayed on the image defect sample button  904  can be improved. Accordingly, for example, a printer prints out a solid image with a mixture of cyan 255 and magenta 255. On the other hand, in a case of the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 B  to be displayed when the image defect sample button  905  is pressed, the printer outputs the following image when the “apply and print button”  1023  is pressed. That is, the printer prints out a solid image with a single color of, for example, black  128  so that the symptom displayed on the image defect sample button  905  can be improved. This is an example of processing for displaying an instruction reception portion as a user interface for receiving a chart output instruction. The output instruction portion according to the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, a radio button or a checkbox for indicating whether to apply or not may be disposed, or a print button may be separately provided. 
     Next, a difference in a default focus position between the adjustment screens will be described. On the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 A , the default focus position is located on a minus button  1031 . This is because, while the symptom exists, it is highly likely that the symptom can be improved when the adjustment value is changed to the “minus” side. In contrast, on the adjustment screen of  FIG.  10 B , the default focus position is located on a plus button  1032 . This is because, while the symptom exists, it is highly likely that the symptom can be improved when the adjustment value is changed to the “plus” side. 
     As described above,  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  each illustrate an adjustment screen for sheet conveyance adjustment of the first fixing portion. The display item on the adjustment dialog or control operation to be performed when a button is pressed varies depending on which one of the image defect sample buttons is pressed. 
       FIG.  10 C  illustrates an adjustment screen to be displayed when the image defect sample button  906  is pressed. Similar to  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B , an optimum screen for improving the symptom is generated. Since the symptom can be improved by changing the sheet conveyance adjustment of the second fixing portion, a screen for sheet conveyance adjustment of the second fixing portion is displayed. In addition, it is highly likely that the symptom can be improved by changing the adjustment value to the “minus” side. Thus, a message  1013  is displayed, and a default focus position is set to the minus button  1033  so that the user can easily access the minus button  1033 . When an “apply and print” button  1024  is pressed, the printer prints out a solid image with a mixture of cyan 255 and magenta 255, which is similar to  FIG.  10 A . 
     As described above, an optimum adjustment screen for improving the symptom is displayed depending on the pressed image defect sample button. The user thereby can easily reach the adjustment screen and easily perform the sheets related adjustment only by following the operation displayed on the adjustment screen. 
       FIG.  11    illustrates an example of an adjustment screen management table to be referred to when the adjustment screen is generated based on the selected image defect sample. The UI control program  352  can refer to an adjustment screen management table  1100 . The adjustment screen management table  1100  manages information for generating the adjustment screen for each image defect sample button. The adjustment screen management table  1100  is stored in the external storage device  309  which is a nonvolatile area. Instead of storing the adjustment screen management table  1100  in the external storage device  309 , the adjustment screen management table  1100  may be stored in the external storage device  211  of the image forming apparatus  103 . The print control device  102  may acquire the sheet setting management table  700  from the image forming apparatus  103 . The print control device  102  may also store the sheet setting management table  700  in the RAM  320  during execution of the program. 
     The adjustment screen management table  1100  includes information, such as an image ID  1101 , an adjustment item  1102 , a message  1103 , a chart type  1104 , and a number of output sheets  1105 . 
     The image ID  1101  is an ID to be assigned to each image defect sample button. With this image ID  1101 , it is possible to identify which one of the image defect sample buttons has been pressed. 
     The adjustment item ID  1102  is an adjustment item for improving the symptom when the image defect associated with the image ID occurs. For example, the adjustment item ID  1102  corresponds to the items, such as “sheet conveyance of first fixing portion”, and “conveyance adjustment of second fixing portion”, as described above with regard to the adjustment screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C . The message  1103  is a message to be displayed in the descriptive text display area  1010  illustrated in  FIG.  10 A . The chart type  1104  indicates a type of a chart to be generated and output when the “apply and print” button of the test page output function  1020  is pressed. 
     For example, in the case of  FIG.  10 A  described above, a solid image is printed with a mixture of cyan 255 and magenta 255, and in the case of  FIG.  10 B , a solid image is printed with a single color of black  128 . In other words,  FIGS.  10 A and  10 B  illustrate different charts, which enable the user to easily check whether the image detect to be resolved has been resolved. The chart that enables the user to check whether the symptom related to the image detect can be improved is a chart used for the user to check whether the symptom corresponding to the selected image sample button has been improved. The above-described charts are examples of the chart to be output with at least one of a color and an image for checking the symptom.  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  illustrate examples of the adjustment screen. 
     The number of output sheets  1105  indicates the number of output sheets of the chart. The number of output sheets  1105  is used to change the number of sheets of the chart to be output depending on the symptom. For example, if the symptom related to a certain image defect is not likely to occur on a first page of a printout but is likely to occur on a second page of the printout, the number of output sheets  1105  is set to “2”. This is an example where the chart that enables the user to check whether the symptom has been improved is output as a page that enables the user to check whether the symptom corresponding to the selected display object has been improved. Specifically, in a case where it cannot be checked whether the symptom is improved on the first page, but it can be checked whether the symptom is improved on the second page, at least the second page is output. For example, in a case of printing 100 pages, if it is sufficient to print only the fifth page, only the fifth page may be printed automatically or on condition that checking is executed by the user. 
     The items held in the adjustment screen management table  1100  are not limited to the items described above. For example, when a printing mode is switched between one-sided printing and both-sided printing depending on the symptom, more items may be added to the adjustment screen management table  1100 . 
       FIG.  12    is a flowchart illustrating processing for generating the adjustment screen when the “IF YOU HAVE A PRINTOUT LIKE THIS” butt  803  illustrated in  FIG.  8    is pressed and displaying the generated adjustment screen. The sheet management application according to the first exemplary embodiment is operated on the print control device  102 . However, the sheet management application may also be operated on, for example, the client computer  101 . The present exemplary embodiment illustrates an example where the sheet management application is executed by the print control device  102 . The processing illustrated in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU  301  executing the programs loaded into the RAM  302  as described above. 
     In step S 1201 , the model information determined in step S 501  of the sheet management application start processing illustrated in  FIG.  5    is used to display the image defect list screen  900  depending on the model of the connected image forming apparatus  103 . The image defect list screen  900  is continuously displayed until the “close” button  903  is pressed in step S 1202  or any one of the image defect samples is selected in step S 1203 . If the “close” button  903  is pressed in step S 1202  (YES in step S 1202 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1207 . In step S 1207 , the image defective list screen  900  is closed and the processing in this flowchart is terminated. If any one of the image defect samples is selected in step S 1203  (YES in step S 1203 ), the processing proceeds to step S 1204 . When the image ID  1101  is preliminarily assigned to each image defect sample button displayed in the image defect list display area  901 , which one of the image defect sample buttons is pressed can be identified in step S 1204 . 
     In step S 1205 , information about the adjustment item  102 , the message  1103 , the chart type  1104 , and the number of output sheets  1105  is acquired from the identified image ID  1101  with reference to the adjustment screen management table  1100 . In step S 1205 , the information acquired in step S 1204  is used to generate the adjustment screen corresponding to the selected image defect sample. In step S 1206 , the generated adjustment screen is displayed. 
     As the adjustment screen, for example, at least one of the screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  described above may be displayed. 
     An example of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is the image forming apparatus  103 . The image forming apparatus  103  controls processing for displaying a plurality of display objects respectively corresponding to symptoms related to image detect that have occurred or may occur in the image forming apparatus  103  on a display unit for displaying the display objects. An example of the display unit is the operation panel  105  of the image forming apparatus  103 , or the display unit  111  of the print control device  102  communicably connected to the image forming apparatus  103 . These display units are hereinafter collectively referred to simply as a display unit. Examples of the display objects include sample images displayed on, for example, the image defect sample buttons  904  and  906  illustrated in  FIG.  9   . Each display object may be represented only by a character string (with no sample image) as illustrated below the image defect sample button  904 . In this case, a sample image that can be easily identified by the user from a printout as illustrated in  FIG.  9    can be used. 
     In the following description, a sample image may be replaced by a predetermined character string. 
     One sample can be selected from among a plurality of sample images displayed on the display unit. A plurality of character strings may be displayed and the CPU  301  may select a character string indicating one image defect from among the plurality of character strings. The CPU  301  may display, on the display unit, a display screen for adjusting a value corresponding to a predetermined adjustment item for improving the symptom corresponding to the selected sample image. For example, the screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  are used for the display screen. For example, when the user selects the image defect sample button  904  illustrated in  FIG.  9    with a mouse, and sends an instruction to the CPU  301 , the screen illustrated in  FIG.  10 A  can be displayed. Similarly, the screen illustrated in  FIG.  10 B  can be displayed when the image defect sample button  906  illustrated in  FIG.  9    is selected. The screen illustrated in  FIG.  10 C  can be displayed when the image defect sample button  906  illustrated in  FIG.  9    is selected. 
     A display for adjusting the value corresponding to the predetermined adjustment item to solve the symptom corresponding to the sample image will now be described in detail. For example,  FIG.  9 A  illustrates an example of a defect in the printed image in which wavy traces appear. An image “defect” is determined to be defective or not depending on a threshold value, and thus the image can also be considered to have defective possibility. These cases are collectively referred to as the “symptom” related to an image defect or an image that can be defective. In this case, the message in the descriptive text display area  1010  is displayed to solve the symptom related to the image defect A. The term “symptom” used herein means a phenomenon in which the apparatus seems to be influenced to some extent. The sheet conveyance of the first fixing portion is one of the adjustment items, and the adjustment value for the adjustment item can be input in the form of “+” or “−” from a reference value. The descriptive text display area  1010  displays the message indicating that the image defect is improved by changing the adjustment value to the “minus” side. Instead of inputting the adjustment value, the reference value may be increased or decreased to another value. In this case, a predetermined value is set as the reference value, and it is assumed that a message indicating that the predetermined value is increased or decreased is displayed. Although display examples for adjustment are described above using different methods, these are examples of the display for adjusting the value corresponding to the predetermined adjustment item improve the symptom corresponding to the sample image. Instead of directly displaying the message in the descriptive text display area  1010 , the messages displayed in the areas  1010 ,  1012 , and  1013  illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  may be omitted. For example, when the adjustment value is input to the “plus” button, the color of the value can be changed to red, and when the adjustment value is input to the “minus” button, the color of the value can be changed to blue. This can be considered as an example of the display for adjustment of the value corresponding to the predetermined adjustment item. Red and blue are color examples of the adjustment value. It is implied that red is used to prohibit the use of the item and blue is used to indicate that it is desirable to resolve the image defect. In other words, any method can be used, as long as it can be recognized how to adjust the value to improve the symptom corresponding to the image defect sample button  904  illustrated in  FIG.  9    on the screen for adjusting the value corresponding to the adjustment item using an absolute value or a relative value. 
     The CPU  301  may control the image forming apparatus  103  based on the value corresponding to the adjustment item that has been adjusted based on the operation related to the display for adjusting the value corresponding to the predetermined adjustment item displayed on the display unit  111 . For example, the adjustment value input with the pointing device  115  is transmitted to the LAN  110  under the control of the CPU  301 . Then, the adjustment value is received by the controller  200  via the control cable  108 . The adjustment value may be transmitted to the print engine  210  and may be controlled such that the sheet conveyance speed of the first fixing portion can be increased or decreased under the control of the CPU  201 . 
     The present exemplary embodiment can also be implemented as processing to be executed only in the image forming apparatus  103 . In this case, the operation of the CPU  301  described above may be performed by the CPU  201 . The adjustment screens illustrated in  FIGS.  8  to  10 C  can also be displayed on the operation panel  105 . The objects illustrated in  FIG.  9    can be selected through an input on the operation panel  105 . The operation panel  105  may be implemented by an input from a touch panel. Further, the operation panel  105  may include hardware keys, such as a numeric keypad, and various function hardware keys, and values may be input via the hardware keys. After a desired sample image or the like is selected on the operation panel  105 , the corresponding one of the screens illustrated in  FIGS.  10 A to  10 C  is displayed. For example, the adjustment value can also be input via the operation panel  105  on the screen displayed on the operation panel  105 . The adjustment value input on the operation panel  105  is transmitted to the print engine  210  and controlled so that, for example, the sheet conveyance speed of the first fixing portion can be increased or decreased, under the control of the CPU  201 . 
     The flow of the setting value for the adjustment item is similar to that when the sheet conveyance speed of the second fixing portion is increased or decreased as illustrated in  FIG.  10 C  and the OK button is pressed to continue the setting. 
     The processing for adjustment of each of the transfer voltage, the image position adjustment, and the like is performed in the same manner as described above. The first fixing portion and the second fixing portion are built in the printer engine  210 . An adjustment value for the transfer voltage and an adjustment value for the image position adjustment are used for controlling the printer engine  210 . 
     The CPU  301  and the CPU  201  are examples of a computer for executing various print control methods according to the present exemplary embodiment. As described above, according to the first exemplary embodiment, a list of image defects that may occur in the image forming apparatus  103  is selectively displayed with sample images, and an adjustment screen for prompting the user to perform an operation for resolving the selected image defect is presented to the user. This configuration enables the user to easily reach the adjustment screen for resolving the image defect occurring in the image forming apparatus  103  and to easily perform adjustment processing related to sheets only by performing the operation displayed on the adjustment screen. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiment(s) of the present disclosure can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD™)), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-158667, filed Aug. 30, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.