JP2005081571A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which can give a desired surface state to various image prints, and can form a proper image by carrying out calibration in accordance with a difference of the surface state. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation apparatus has an image processing section comprising an image formation part, a density measurement part for recording a test chart for calibration to a sheet body by the image formation part and obtaining density measurement data, a calibration parameter calculating means which calculates a calibration parameter for carrying out calibration at the image formation part and an image conversion means for converting the image data by using the calibration parameter calculated by the calculating means and a surface treatment part. Surface treatment target gradation data in conformity to a surface treatment at the surface treatment part is set, and calibration at the image formation part is carried out by use of the surface treatment target gradation data and the density measurement data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention can impart desired surface properties to the surface of an image print obtained by various image forming methods, and by performing calibration according to the difference in the surface properties, there is a problem such as blurring of characters. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a proper image that does not occur.

Conventionally, image formation by various methods such as a silver halide photographic method, a heat developing method, an ink jet recording method, a thermal recording method, and an electrophotographic method has been actively performed. Conventionally, little is known about a technique for controlling the glossiness of the surface of an image print obtained by the various methods.
By the way, it has been proposed to control the surface properties of a photographic print by subjecting the photographic print to surface treatment using a heat roller having a smooth surface or a heat roller having a silk pattern on the surface (see Patent Document 1). ). However, in this case, the amount of heat applied from the heat roller to the photographic print is constant regardless of the type of the photographic print. Therefore, depending on the thickness of the photographic print, the amount of heat is not sufficient and the surface is sufficiently modified. There is a problem that is not. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to impart high gloss to the surface because the amount of heat applied from the heat roller to the photographic print is not sufficient, or even if it is sufficient, the subsequent cooling is not sufficient.

  In addition, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have no description regarding the surface treatment of the thermoplastic resin layer, and the image forming layer has been surface-treated by heating and pressing. However, even if only the surface of the image forming layer is subjected to surface treatment, the surface (interface) uneven shape pattern of the thermoplastic resin layer may affect the image forming layer surface over time, and a desired uneven shape pattern can be obtained. There wasn't.

  Furthermore, if the contact member is peeled from the sheet body at a high temperature, the uneven pattern of the contact member transferred to the thermoplastic resin layer and the image forming layer may be unintentionally plastically deformed due to another disturbance factor. There is also a problem that a surface coat layer (transparent clear layer) for improving glossiness is required as in Patent Document 2 and the cost is high.

  On the other hand, an electronic device comprising a thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the recording material and a gloss detecting means for detecting the surface gloss of the recording material, and changing the fixing conditions of the fixing device in accordance with the output value of each means. A photo printing apparatus has been proposed (see Patent Document 3). However, in this case, since the image print is not peeled off after sufficiently cooling after fixing, there is a problem that the surface gloss is not sufficient. Further, if it is applied to a photographic print of a silver halide photograph, there is a problem that blisters are generated in the photographic print.

In general, in many image forming apparatuses (printers) such as laser printers, thermal printers, copying apparatuses, etc., the individual image differences, changes with time, characteristic differences of each recording material lot, etc. are absorbed and the supplied image signals are converted. The apparatus is calibrated, so-called calibration, so that an appropriate image can be formed.
Calibration is usually performed as follows. A calibration test chart (calibration chart) in which patches of three primary colors such as C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are recorded in a predetermined format is output by the image recording apparatus. Next, the density of each patch in the chart is measured. Conversion conditions for converting the input image signal to the output image signal so that appropriate image recording according to the input image signal can be performed according to the density measurement data and the target gradation data indicating the target gradation characteristics. In addition, the conversion condition for converting the exposure amount signal into the output image signal is calibrated. In the image recording apparatus, a density measuring apparatus is arranged, and there are many apparatuses incorporating a function for performing such calibration.
For example, Patent Document 4 discloses that a print condition is determined using a lookup table (LUT) by measuring the density of a test pattern using a densitometer. Further, Patent Document 5 discloses a density measurement result and parameters (target density TD, PS-PDLUT, etc.) that match the characteristics of the recording material held in advance.

  However, in an image forming apparatus incorporating a surface property control mechanism, prints having different surface properties are produced even with the same recording material. Therefore, the density measurement value differs depending on the difference in surface properties, which hinders calibration. . That is, since the mat surface is highly diffusive, the density is observed to be lower than that of the glossy surface when measured at 0 degree with 45 degree incident light. For this reason, if the mat finish is set to the same target density as the gloss finish, the amount of coloring (recording) color material will be excessive in the mat finish, and image quality deterioration such as text blur will occur on the high density side. is there.

  Therefore, appropriate surface treatment can be performed according to the image print type and paper type to obtain an image with a desired gloss level, and calibration according to the difference in surface properties can be performed, causing problems such as character blurring. At present, an image forming apparatus capable of forming an appropriate image without causing any problem is not yet known.

JP-A-5-53288 JP 2001-054343 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-311506 JP 2001-324387 A JP 2000-241913

  The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and aims to solve the conventional problems and to solve the following problems. That is, the present invention can easily and easily impart desired surface texture to the surface of an image print obtained by various image forming methods, and performs calibration according to the difference in the surface texture to blur characters. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can form a preferable image within a range that does not cause the above problem, and that does not need to perform calibration work again even if the surface treatment is changed.

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet body, a calibration test chart is recorded on the sheet body by the image forming unit, and the density of the test chart is measured by a density measuring unit to obtain density measurement data A density measuring unit; a calibration parameter calculating unit for calculating a calibration parameter for performing calibration in the image forming unit; and an image converting unit for converting image data using the calibration parameter calculated by the calculating unit. An image processing unit including: a sheet body heating unit that heats a surface to be processed of the sheet body; a sheet body cooling unit that cools the sheet body in a state of contacting the contact member; and the sheet body heating unit. And a surface treatment for controlling surface treatment conditions in at least one of the sheet body cooling means. And a surface treatment unit having physical control means,
Surface treatment target gradation data corresponding to the surface treatment in the surface treatment unit is set, and calibration in the image forming unit is performed using the surface treatment target gradation data and the density measurement data. An image forming apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus described in <1>, an image is formed on the sheet body by the image forming unit. A calibration test chart is recorded on the sheet body by the density measuring unit, and the density of the test chart is measured by the density measuring means to obtain density measurement data. A calibration parameter calculation unit that calculates a calibration parameter for performing calibration in the image forming unit in the image processing unit, and image data is converted using the calibration parameter calculated by the calculation unit. The sheet body heating means heats the sheet body to be surface-treated. The sheet body cooling means cools the surface to be processed of the sheet body in contact with the contact member. For this reason, when the sheet body is peeled from the sheet body cooling means, the surface property of the contact member is transferred to the surface of the sheet body. At this time, since the image forming apparatus includes the surface treatment control unit, a processing condition in at least one of the sheet body heating unit and the sheet body cooling unit is controlled. In addition, the image forming apparatus sets surface treatment target gradation data corresponding to the surface treatment in the surface treatment unit, and uses the surface treatment target gradation data and the density measurement data to perform calibration in the image formation unit. Perform As a result, regardless of the type of sheet, etc., the desired surface texture can be easily and easily applied to the surface, and calibration according to the difference in the surface texture is performed, causing problems such as character bleeding. A preferable image can be formed as long as it is not present. Furthermore, even if the surface treatment is changed, it is not necessary to perform the calibration operation again.

  <2> Surface treatment target gradation data includes one surface treatment target gradation data in one surface treatment, the one surface treatment target gradation data, and another surface treatment target gradation data in another surface treatment. The image forming apparatus according to <1>, including the difference value data. In the image forming apparatus described in <2>, target gradation data suitable for other surface properties can be automatically set only by setting target gradation data for one surface property.

  <3> Surface treatment target gradation data includes target gradation data when surface treatment is not performed and difference value data between the target gradation data and surface treatment target gradation data when surface treatment is performed. The image forming apparatus according to <1>. In the image forming apparatus according to <3>, a density measuring unit (for example, a densitometer) can be provided in front of the surface treatment unit.

  <4> A calibration parameter is calculated by performing calibration in one of the cases where the surface treatment is performed and the case where the surface treatment is not performed, and the calibration parameter in the other surface treatment is calculated from the density measurement data in the calibration. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>. In the image forming apparatus described in <4>, test printing and calibration operations are performed only once, and time and materials can be saved.

  <5> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the sheet body heating unit heats the sheet body in a state where the processing target surface of the sheet body is in contact with the contact member. . In the image forming apparatus according to <5>, the sheet body heating unit heats the sheet body in a state where the processing surface of the sheet body is in contact with the contact member. For this reason, the sheet member is heated while being in contact with the contact member by the sheet member heating means, and the surface state of the contact member is transferred to the sheet member.

  <6> The sheet body according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein the sheet body is heated by the sheet body heating unit to a temperature equal to or higher than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic resin in the thermoplastic resin layer of the sheet body. This is an image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus according to <6>, the sheet body heating unit heats the sheet to a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point temperature of the thermoplastic resin in the thermoplastic resin layer of the sheet body. Thereby, the surface (interface) of the thermoplastic resin layer is easily plastically deformed, and the concave / convex pattern of the concave / convex forming means can be pressure-transferred to the thermoplastic resin layer even at a relatively low pressure. Furthermore, it is more preferable to heat at a temperature equal to or higher than the softening point temperature of the image forming layer.

  <7> The sheet body according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the sheet body is cooled by the sheet body cooling unit to a temperature lower than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic resin in the thermoplastic resin layer of the sheet body. This is an image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus according to <7>, the sheet body cooling unit cools the thermoplastic resin layer of the sheet body to a temperature lower than the softening point of the thermoplastic resin. As a result, the concavo-convex pattern transferred (formed) to the thermoplastic resin layer is in a state where plastic deformation is unlikely to occur any more, and the desired concavo-convex pattern is reliably obtained by peeling the contact member in this state. be able to. Furthermore, it is more preferable to cool at a temperature lower than the softening point temperature of the image forming layer.

  <8> Surface treatment condition in which the surface treatment control means selects a magazine ID identification means for identifying the magazine ID of the magazine that houses the sheet member, and a surface treatment condition corresponding to the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identification means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <7>, further including a selection unit. In the image forming apparatus according to <8>, the magazine ID identifying unit identifies a magazine ID of a magazine that accommodates the sheet member. The surface treatment condition selection means selects a treatment condition corresponding to the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identification means. As a result, the surface treatment can be performed under appropriate conditions according to the type of the sheet body by previously associating the magazine ID with the sheet body stored in the magazine.

  <9> Based on the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identifying unit, the surface treatment condition selecting unit performs heating temperature, pressure, heating time and pressurizing time in the sheet body heating unit, and cooling in the sheet body cooling unit. The image forming apparatus according to <8>, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured with at least one processing condition selected from a temperature and a cooling time, and selected from a plurality of processing modes. In the image forming apparatus according to <9>, a plurality of processing modes in which conditions suitable for the surface treatment are set in advance for each type of the sheet body are prepared. Then, based on the magazine ID information, the surface treatment condition selection means selects a more appropriate treatment mode. As a result, an image having a desired glossiness can be easily obtained without causing defects.

  <10> The image forming apparatus according to <9>, wherein a magazine ID is assigned to each sheet type. In the image forming apparatus described in <10>, since the magazine ID and the sheet type are associated in advance, surface treatment can be performed under appropriate conditions according to the type of the sheet. it can.

  <11> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <10>, wherein the surface processing control unit includes an operation screen display unit configured to display a screen in which processing conditions can be selected. In the image forming apparatus according to <11>, by selecting a desired processing condition from a display screen by the operation screen display unit, a desired surface treatment can be performed under a more appropriate condition, and a desired gloss A degree image is obtained.

  <12> The surface treatment apparatus according to <11>, wherein the operation screen display unit displays on the screen a property including at least one of gloss and mat as a property after the surface treatment of the sheet body. In the image forming apparatus according to <12>, by selecting a property including at least one of gloss and mat from the operation screen by the operation screen display unit as the property after the surface treatment of the sheet body, An image having properties including at least one of gloss and matte is obtained.

  <13> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <11> to <12>, wherein the operation screen display unit displays the screen so that the sheet type can be selected. In the image forming apparatus according to <13>, by selecting the sheet body type, an appropriate surface treatment can be performed according to the sheet body type, and an image having a desired surface property can be obtained.

  <14> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <13>, wherein the contact member is an endless belt. In the image forming apparatus according to <14>, since the contact member is an endless belt, the sheet member in contact with the contact member is sufficiently conveyed while being conveyed to the position of the rotation roller. When the endless belt is stretched and conveyed to the position of a rotating roller that rotates and rotates the endless belt, the conveying direction changes greatly at the position of the rotating roller. Is done.

  <15> The image forming apparatus according to <14>, wherein the sheet body heating unit includes an endless belt, and a pair of heating rollers disposed so as to press the endless belt from the inside and the outside. It is. In the image forming apparatus according to <15>, the sheet member is brought into contact with the endless belt while being heated and pressurized by the pair of heating rollers.

  <16> The sheet body cooling means is disposed between the pair of heating rollers and a rotating roller that rotatably stretches the endless belt together with the pair of heating rollers, and is disposed in the vicinity of the endless belt. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <14> to <15>. In the image forming apparatus according to <16>, the sheet body is in contact with the contact member and is moved by the sheet body cooling unit from the pair of heating rollers to the position of the rotation roller. It is transported while being cooled and sufficiently cooled.

  <17> The surface treatment control means adjusts the cooling time by the sheet body cooling means by changing the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller and changing the time during which the sheet body and the endless belt abut. The image forming apparatus according to <16>. In the image forming apparatus according to <17>, when the surface treatment control unit shortens the distance between the pair of heating roller and the rotation roller, the time for the sheet body and the endless belt to contact with each other is shortened. Thus, the cooling time by the sheet body cooling means is shortened. Conversely, when the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller is increased, the time for the sheet body and the endless belt to contact with each other increases, and the cooling time by the sheet body cooling means increases.

  <18> The distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller is changed by moving the rotating roller and a stretching roller that rotatably stretches the endless belt together with the rotating roller. This is an image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus according to <18>, the endless belt includes a pair of heating rolls, a heating roll disposed inside the endless belt, the rotating roll, and the stretching roll. It is built. At this time, if the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller is shortened by moving the rotating roller toward the pair of heating rollers, the tension force of the endless belt becomes insufficient. Since the tension roller also moves, the tension force (tension) is appropriately maintained.

  <19> The sheet body cooling means can blow cool air, and the surface treatment control means adjusts the cooling temperature by the sheet body cooling means by changing the amount of cool air blown by the sheet body cooling means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <18>. In the image forming apparatus according to <19>, the surface treatment control unit changes the amount of cool air blown by the sheet body cooling unit capable of blowing cool air. Then, the cooling temperature by the sheet body cooling means is adjusted.

  According to the present invention, conventional problems can be solved, and desired surface texture can be easily and easily imparted to the surface of an image print obtained by various image forming methods, and calibration according to the difference in the surface texture An image forming apparatus that can form a preferable image within a range that does not cause problems such as character blurring and does not need to re-calibrate even if the surface treatment is changed is provided. it can.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image forming unit, a density measuring unit, an image processing unit, and a surface processing unit, and further includes other means as necessary, and the surface processing in the surface processing unit. Surface processing target gradation data corresponding to the image processing unit is set, and the image forming unit is calibrated using the surface processing target gradation data and the density measurement data.
Calibration in the image processing unit compensates for color reproducibility during image formation, so that when recording materials to be used are changed (including when the magazine is changed even if the type does not change), individual differences between devices, time In order to absorb a change, etc., and form an appropriate image according to the supplied image signal, it is usually performed. However, in the present invention, the recording material is not changed (the same recording material is used). However, if the surface treatment is different, the target surface gradation data is set according to the surface treatment, so that the optimum calibration according to the surface properties of the image print can be performed, and image blurring and other image quality Deterioration can be prevented.

<Image forming unit>
The image forming portion is not particularly limited as long as an image can be formed on the sheet body, and is a known image forming method, for example, an ink jet recording method, a thermal recording method, a silver halide photographic method, a silver halide. It is sufficient that an image can be formed by a digital photographic method, a heat development recording method, an electrophotographic method, or the like, and it can be appropriately selected from known image forming apparatuses.

  The control system in the image forming unit is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, in the case of a silver halide digital photographic printing apparatus, a laser exposure unit, a processor unit (development) Part, bleach-fixing part, washing part, and drying part), and the like, which are controlled by a ROM, CPU, RAM, etc. via an interface.

<Concentration measurement unit>
The density measuring unit records a calibration test chart on a sheet body by the image forming unit, and measures density of the test chart by a density measuring unit to obtain density measurement data.
The density measuring means includes a known densitometer that measures the density of the recorded image by irradiating the sheet body (recording material) with light and measuring the reflected light. As an example of the densitometer, an R light source that emits R light corresponding to the density measurement of the C patch of the test chart recorded on the sheet body (recording material) and a G light corresponding to the density measurement of the M patch are emitted. A G light source, a B light source that emits B light corresponding to the density measurement of the Y patch, a driver that drives the light source, a controller that controls the lighting of each light source by controlling the driver, a recording material, and a white reference A sensor that measures the amount of reflected light from the plate, and a signal processing unit that processes the output signal of the sensor and sends it as a density value (density measurement data) to the calculation unit.

  The calibration test chart is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the patches of the three primary colors C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are defined in a predetermined format. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a calibration test chart 202 in which images in which the density is adjusted stepwise for each color is arranged in a row of strips is preferable. The order of image arrangement is, for example, a six-stage image (C1 to C6 shown in FIG. 1) from high density to low density of C (cyan) color, and then from high density to low density of M (magenta) color. 6 (M1 to M6 shown in FIG. 1), and subsequently, a six-stage image (Y1 to Y6 shown in FIG. 1) of Y (yellow) color from high density to low density is tightly provided without gaps. A band-shaped color patch portion 214 is formed. Black reference position pointer patches 216 and 218 are provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the band-shaped color patch portion 214, respectively.

<Image processing unit>
The image processing unit includes a calibration parameter calculation unit and an image conversion unit, and further includes a correction data setting unit as necessary.
The calibration parameter calculation unit calculates a calibration parameter for performing calibration in the image forming unit.
The image conversion unit converts the image data using the calibration parameter calculated by the calibration parameter calculation unit.
Further, in the present invention, as described above, in addition to the calibration that is normally performed, in order to correct the deterioration of the image quality due to the difference in surface properties due to the surface treatment, the surface according to the surface treatment in the surface treatment unit. The processing target gradation data can be set to calibrate the image forming unit.

In the surface treatment target gradation data, the surface treatment target gradation data includes one surface treatment target gradation data in one surface treatment, the one surface treatment target gradation data, and another surface in another surface treatment. Since it includes difference value data from the processing target gradation data, target gradation data suitable for other surface textures is automatically set just by setting target gradation data for one surface texture. This is preferable.
The surface treatment target gradation data includes target gradation data when the surface treatment is not performed and difference value data between the target gradation data and the surface treatment target gradation data when the surface treatment is performed. Therefore, it is preferable because a concentration measuring means (for example, a densitometer) can be provided in front of the surface treatment unit.
In this case, the target gradation data is set so that the recording color material amount is almost the same regardless of the surface treatment properties, so that the occurrence of defects such as character bleeding due to the increase in the recording color material amount can be suppressed. To preferred. Furthermore, when the increase in the recording color material does not cause a problem, the setting for increasing the amount of the recording color material in the surface treatment property having high diffusibility is preferable from the viewpoint of the image quality of the high density portion.
The target gradation data is a surface treatment property with high diffusibility. It is desirable to set a relatively lower density setting on the higher density side. This is preferable because the measured value of the concentration measuring means (for example, a densitometer) is more affected by the diffusibility as the concentration is higher, and the concentration value is observed to be lower.
A calibration parameter is calculated by performing calibration in one of the cases where the surface treatment is performed and the case where the surface treatment is not performed, and the calibration parameter in the other surface processing is calculated from the density measurement data in the calibration. Therefore, it is preferable in that the test print and the calibration operation are performed once, and time and materials can be saved.

  Specifically, when the calibration is performed, as shown in FIG. 2, the image signal of the calibration test chart is supplied from the data holding unit 44 to the image signal converting unit 40, and the image signal converting unit 40 receives the image signal. The image is converted with the set calibration parameter (print LUT), and the converted image signal is supplied to the driver 42. Accordingly, the test chart is exposed to the recording material, transferred to the recording material in the image forming unit, and the recording material on which the test chart is recorded is output to the tray. When performing calibration, the operator sets this recording material in a predetermined test chart supply unit and issues an instruction to start density measurement. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the operator giving an instruction to start density measurement. For example, when the recording material is set at a predetermined position, it is automatically read (after a predetermined time has elapsed). The operation may be started. Alternatively, if the test chart recorded on the recording material is sufficiently stable, the concentration measurement described later is performed between the time when the test chart is transferred from the recording material and the peeled recording material is transported to the tray. May be.

  When a start instruction is issued, the recording material on which the test chart is recorded is conveyed to the concentration measuring unit. In synchronization with this conveyance, the densitometer 24 sequentially turns on each of the R, G, and B light sources, measures the amount of reflected light from the white reference plate, and measures the reference amount of light. Next, the density of each patch of the test chart recorded on the recording material is measured, and the density measurement data is sent to the arithmetic unit of the exposure unit.

  At the time of normal calibration, the calibration parameter calculation unit 46 performs, for example, calibration calculation using the surface treatment target gradation data (target gradation data) and the supplied density measurement data, Based on the calculation result, the conversion condition in the image conversion means 40 is calibrated, for example, the printer lookup table (printer LUT) is rewritten. Here, the target gradation data indicates a target gradation characteristic, for example, an output target density for an input image signal, specifically, an appropriate density of each patch according to the surface property, The appropriate density of each patch with respect to the image signal of the test chart is illustrated.

  Normally, after such calibration is performed, the image output by the image forming apparatus is an appropriate image corresponding to the input image signal. However, appropriate calibration cannot be performed when the densitometer 24 has an error or when there is a difference in calibration due to apparatus characteristics of the image recording apparatus (calibration apparatus). As a result, there are inconveniences such as improper image density, strange color, and inability to properly express gray despite the calibration.

  In such an image recording apparatus, in such a case, for example, when a proper image cannot be output in spite of the calibration being performed a plurality of times, in a case where the proper calibration cannot be performed, the state of the image, etc. Accordingly, correction data for correcting density measurement data by the densitometer 24 can be input (set) using the operation panel 23 serving as (correction data) setting means. In the present invention, by including such (correction data) setting means, even if the densitometer 24 has an error or has a difference in calibration difference, these are preferably absorbed. Therefore, appropriate calibration can be performed stably. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to stably output a high-quality image that appropriately reproduces the input image signal.

With reference to FIG. 3, a description will be given of calibration using correction data set.
In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, as an example, LL (very low density), L (low density), M (intermediate density), and H (intermediate density) can be set for each of a plurality of different density areas. A total of five correction data set points (hereinafter referred to as set points) of H concentration (high concentration) and HH (very high concentration) are set. As described above, it is possible to perform calibration with higher accuracy by making it possible to set correction data according to a plurality of different density regions. A reference density is set for each set point. As an example, LL has a concentration of 0.25, and similarly, L has 0.5, M has 0.8, H has 1.1, HH has 1.6, Are set as reference density data.

  In addition, correction data setting restrictions are provided for each set point. As an example, only the correction data of ± 0.08 at the density D can be input at the set points LL and L. Similarly, only the correction data of ± 0.1 can be input at M and H, and ± 0.12 at HH. Only correction data can be entered. By providing such setting restrictions, it is possible to prevent the density inversion of the density measurement data of each patch when the correction data is set, and to perform appropriate calibration stably. In the operation panel 23 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, these correction data are displayed as numerical values 1000 times the density. That is, the correction data is set by the operator in a range of ± 80, ± 100, and ± 120 according to the setting limit for each set point.

Under such settings, the operator determines correction data for each set point for each color (C, M, Y) and inputs (sets) using the operation panel 23. The set correction data is supplied to the calibration parameter calculation unit 46. As an example, after giving an instruction to input correction data using the operation keys of the operation panel 23, a set point is selected using an arrow key, and a color is selected using a color key. Further, correction data is input using an increase / decrease key or a numeric keypad. Correspondingly, correction data setting is displayed on the display panel.
In the present invention, the correction data is not limited to the combination of all colors and set points (that is, 15 points). For example, the correction data “0” is set for a combination in which correction is considered unnecessary. Or an instruction such as “pass” may be input.

  The correction data determination method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the operator may determine the correction data appropriately by looking at the image output after calibration. Alternatively, the operator may determine as appropriate by looking at the test chart output last (which may be output again for determining correction data). As a particularly preferable method, by performing calibration repeatedly, the calibration is converged (ie, the same test chart is repeatedly output), and the density of each patch of the test chart output in this converged state is set as the reference density. The method of measuring with a meter and determining using the difference with the appropriate density | concentration of each patch is illustrated.

  Next, the recording material on which the test chart is recorded is output in the same manner as in normal calibration, set in a predetermined test chart supply unit, and an instruction to start density measurement is issued. Note that the output of the test chart may be performed prior to the setting of the correction data. Further, when there is a test chart output in a state where the calibration has converged, this may be used without outputting the test chart again.

  As in normal calibration, the recording material on which the test chart is recorded is sent to the density measurement unit, the density of each patch is measured by the density meter 24, and the density (density measurement data) of each patch is the calibration parameter. It is sent to the calculation unit 46.

  First, the calibration parameter calculation unit 46 corrects the density measurement data using the set correction data, and calculates corrected density measurement data (corrected density measurement data). The method for calculating the corrected density measurement data is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.For example, the correction data set at the set point closest to the reference density data is used as the density measurement data. Various methods such as a method of adding (or subtracting) can be used.

  As a preferable method of calculating the corrected density measurement data, the reference density data and the density measurement data are used to calculate the correction value by interpolating the set correction data, and using this correction value, the density measurement data is calculated. There is a method of correcting the above. For example, when the density measurement data is 0.9 (density D), the reference density at the set point M (reference density 0.8) and the set point H (reference density 1.1) and the density measurement data are Then, a correction value is calculated by interpolating the correction data set at both set points, and the density measurement data 0.9 is corrected using this correction value.

The interpolation method is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, various known methods such as linear interpolation can be used.
Hereinafter, an example of a method for calculating the corrected density measurement data when linear interpolation is used will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, the printer look-up table (printer LUT) converts the density value represented by the image data (PS) into logarithmic exposure data (PD) representing the logarithmic value of the exposure to the recording medium. A PS-PD lookup table (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “PS-PDLUT”) and a calibration lookup table (hereinafter referred to as “calib LUT”) for converting the logarithmic exposure data PD into the modulation signal MQ. And conversion characteristics are determined so that the conversion using the two types of lookup tables is realized by a single conversion.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conversion characteristics of the PS-PDLUT are the density values represented by the image data PS over the entire numerical value range of the image data PS (for example, 0 to 255 if the image data is 8 bits). Is associated with the logarithmic value of the exposure amount to the recording material represented by the log exposure amount data PD. This PS-PDLUT is prepared for each type of recording material in accordance with the logarithmic exposure amount-color density characteristic of the recording material.

  In the present invention, the image represented by the image data PS is converted to the target gradation by performing conversion from the image data PS to the log exposure data PD using a PS-PDLUT corresponding to the type of recording material on which the image is recorded and exposed. Logarithmic exposure data PD for exposure recording on a recording material can be obtained as a recorded image.

  On the other hand, the calibrate LUT is provided to convert the logarithmic exposure amount data PD into the modulation signal MQ and simultaneously absorb the logarithmic exposure amount-color density characteristics of the recording medium and the characteristics of the exposure recording unit 206. ing. In the present invention, a characteristic curve (curve indicated by a solid line in FIG. 5) representing a conversion characteristic from logarithmic exposure amount data PD of the caribule LUT to the modulation signal MQ is represented by a plurality of predetermined target densities TD [i] (present Corresponding to the target density value of the invention, i is a log exposure TPD [i] corresponding to a code for identifying each data: i = 1, 2,... Among logarithmic exposure amounts obtained by converting the target density TD [i] according to the quantity-color density characteristics, a plurality of (TNO-1) sections with TPD [2] to TPD [TNO-1] as boundaries Divide into Linear interpolation coefficients α [i] and β [i] are set for each section, and conversion characteristics in each section are expressed by the following formula using linear interpolation coefficients α [i] and β [i] for each section. Determined by (1).

  The target density TD [i] and the log exposure TPD [i] corresponding to the target density TD [i] are set separately for each type of recording medium. Initial values are set for the linear interpolation coefficients α [i] and β [i] corresponding to each section. Initially, the conversion characteristics of the calibrated LUT are set using preset initial values. The linear interpolation coefficients α [i] and β [i] are appropriately determined by calibration of the printer LUT (details will be described later). Updated.

  The storage means includes, as the printer LUT, PS-PD data representing the conversion characteristics of the PS-PDLUT, and parameters (linear interpolation coefficients α, β) defining the conversion characteristics of the calibration LUT for each type of recording medium. Each is memorized.

Next, printer LUT correction processing by calibration will be described.
In the correction of the printer LUT, the logarithmic exposure amount PDX [i] corresponding to the target density TD [i] is calculated based on the density measurement value D [n] by the auto calibrator 250, for example, by the following equation (2). (See FIG. 7A).

In the formula (2), n is a code for identifying each patch. Patch [n] and patch [n + 1] represent patches in which both patches are present at adjacent positions on the test chart (that is, patches having close density values). The logarithmic exposure amount PD [n] is a logarithmic value of the exposure amount when the portion corresponding to the patch [n] is exposed and recorded on the recording material when the test chart is created.
As is clear from FIG. 7A, the density range (log exposure PD [n]) from the density measurement value D [n] of the patch [n] to the density measurement value D [n + 1] of the patch [n + 1]. Logarithmic exposure dose PDX [i] corresponding to the target density TD [i] on the assumption that the logarithmic exposure dose-color density characteristic of the recording material in the exposure dose range from the log exposure dose to the log exposure dose PD [n + 1] is linear. Is estimated.

  Based on the obtained log exposure PDX, the linear interpolation coefficients αn [i] and βn [i] are estimated for each section of the calibrated LUT. Here, the αn [i] and βn [i] can be obtained by the following mathematical formula (3), for example.

  In the equation (3), αc [i] and βc [i] represent currently set linear interpolation coefficients. When the linear interpolation coefficients αc [i] and βc [i] are updated to the linear interpolation coefficients αn [i] and βn [i] obtained by the equation (3), the interval [i] determined by the equation (1) is updated. The conversion characteristic changes from the characteristic indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 7B to the characteristic indicated by the solid line.

  The deviation between the logarithmic exposure amount TPD [i] and the logarithmic exposure amount PDX [i] corresponding to the same target density TD [i] is caused by the change in the logarithmic exposure amount-color density characteristic of the recording medium or the exposure recording unit 206. This is caused by fluctuations in characteristics. On the other hand, in the above, linear interpolation coefficients αn [i] and βn [i] are obtained for each section in accordance with the exposure amount deviation for each section, and the conversion characteristics by the calibration LUT are corrected for each section. Therefore, it is possible to correct the calibrate LUT so that the above variation is absorbed with high accuracy.

  The linear interpolation coefficients αn [i] and βn [i] estimated and calculated for each section are substituted into the current linear interpolation coefficients αc [i] and βc [i], thereby updating the linear interpolation coefficients. The conversion characteristics of the calibrated LUT are corrected for each section using the interpolation coefficient. Then, the printer LUT that converts the image data PS into the modulation signal MQ is corrected (created) by integrating the calibration LUT with the corrected conversion characteristics with the PS-PDLUT, and the printer LUT of the storage means is updated and recorded.

  In the present invention, the printer LUT and the printer LUT correction processing are not particularly limited. The printer LUT may be corrected by a correction process other than the above using a printer LUT other than the above.

  Next, the calibration process of the laser printer unit 18 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and the control configuration diagram shown in FIG. The calibration process is executed, for example, when the laser printer unit 18 is installed, and the magazine 252 set in the laser printer unit 18 is replaced, the surface process is performed, or the surface process is changed. Or when the execution of calibration calculation is instructed by the operator, or periodically such as at the start of the day.

  First, in step 300, test chart image data is fetched from the ROM. In the next step 302, the test chart image data is converted into a modulation signal MQ using a printer LUT corresponding to the type of recording medium on which the test chart image is exposed and recorded. In step 304, the modulation signal MQ is output to the AOM driver, whereby the test chart image is exposed and recorded on the recording medium by the exposure recording unit. When processing such as color development is performed on the recording medium by the processor unit, the test chart image recorded by exposure is visualized and a test chart sheet is created.

  In step 306, it is determined whether the created test chart sheet has been inserted into the autocalibrator. If the determination in step 306 is negative, the process waits until the determination is positive. When the test chart sheet is inserted into the auto calibrator (Yes in Step 306), the process proceeds to Step 308.

  In step 308, the autocalibrator is instructed to measure the density of the test chart sheet and transfer the density measurement value data. As a result, the auto calibrator automatically measures the density of each patch on the test chart sheet and transfers the measured density value of each patch to the printer controller.

In step 310, correction processing as shown in the above example is performed on the printer LUT corresponding to the type of recording medium on which the test chart image is exposed and recorded based on the density measurement value of each patch transferred from the autocalibrator. I do. The printer LUT stored in the storage means is updated and stored based on the correction result of the printer LUT.
In step 312, a difference (density difference) with respect to the target density value of the measured density value of each patch measured in step 308 is calculated.

  In the next step 314, the accuracy of the printer LUT correction is determined from the calculated density difference at each patch (measurement point) according to the determination criterion stored in the ROM. At this time, if the density difference from the target density value is large, a small percentage value is indicated and it is determined that the correction accuracy is low. If the density difference is small, a large percentage value is indicated and it is determined that the accuracy is high.

  In step 316, the obtained correction accuracy (percentage value) is compared with a preset target accuracy to determine whether the calibration is good or bad. In the present embodiment, the target accuracy of printer LUT correction is set to 80%. Here, when the correction accuracy is 80% or more, that is, when the density difference between the density measurement value and the target density value is within 0.02 in all patches (measurement points), high-precision calibration is performed. The process proceeds to step 318. On the other hand, if it is less than 80%, it is determined that the calibration accuracy is low and sufficient results cannot be obtained, and the process proceeds to step 320.

  When aiming to correct the printer LUT with the highest possible accuracy, the density measurement error (accuracy 90%) by the correction autocalibrator, which is the correction limit of the printer LUT, may be used as the target accuracy.

  In step 318, a message indicating that the correction result is good, for example, “the result of density measurement and correction was good” is displayed on the display of the image processing unit, and the calibration process ends. As a result, the user is informed that the accuracy of the calibration is high and it is not necessary to perform calibration again.

  In step 320, a message indicating that the correction result is bad, for example, “The result of density measurement and correction is not yet within the management range. Please perform side print and density measurement.” Is displayed on the image processing unit. Is displayed.

<Surface treatment section>
The surface treatment section includes a sheet body heating unit, a sheet body cooling unit, and a surface treatment control unit, and further includes other units appropriately selected as necessary.

-Sheet body heating means-
The sheet body heating means is not particularly limited as long as the sheet body can be heated to a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin layer can be softened and deformed and can be deformed by pressurization. Can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, and examples thereof include those used as fixing devices in known electrophotographic apparatuses, and those having a pair of heating rollers are preferable.

  The contact member is not particularly limited in shape, structure, size, material, and the like, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a sheet cut into a desired size, endless Examples include belts. In the former case, it is advantageous in that the surface state can be changed for each of the cut sheets, and in the latter case, continuous processing is easy, and the contact member and the endless belt are easily separated. This is advantageous.

When the endless belt is used as the contact member, the endless belt preferably has a smooth surface. In this case, the surface of the sheet body can be arbitrarily formed with a matte surface, a glossy surface, or the like by appropriately changing the surface treatment conditions of the sheet body.
When the endless belt is used as the abutting member, the sheet body heating means includes the endless belt and a pair of heating rollers disposed so as to press the endless belt from the inside and the outside. Those are particularly preferred.

  The endless belt is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Preferred examples thereof include belts used in belt fixing devices in known electrophotographic apparatuses, and the materials and the like thereof. There is no restriction | limiting in particular and it can select suitably from well-known things. Note that the surface of the endless belt may be surface-treated with a surface treatment agent such as silicone or fluorine for the purpose of improving the peelability of the sheet.

  The pair of heating rollers is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, the pair of heating rollers can be appropriately selected from a pair of heating rollers used in a known electrophotographic apparatus. It is preferable to adjust the nip pressure, the heating temperature, and the like.

  With the pair of heating rollers, the nip formed between the pair of heating rollers is heated in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of heating rollers while the sheet member and the contact member are overlapped with each other. Pass while being. When the nip portion is pressurized, the sheet member and the abutting member pass through the nip portion while being heated and pressurized while being overlapped with each other.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as heating temperature by the said sheet body heating means, Although it can select suitably according to the said sheet body kind, For example, Usually, it is about 50-120 degreeC, and the said sheet body is a thermoplastic resin. When it has a layer, 80-110 degreeC is preferable, and when this thermoplastic resin layer is a polyethylene layer, 95-105 degreeC is more preferable. By the sheet body heating means, the surface property of the contact member is transferred to the boundary surface on the image forming layer side of the thermoplastic resin layer located on the image forming layer side of the sheet body and the image forming layer to form an uneven shape. Can do.

-Sheet body cooling means-
The sheet body cooling means is not particularly limited as long as the surface to be processed in the sheet body processed by the sheet body heating means can be cooled in a state of being in contact with the contact member. The cooling device can be appropriately selected from known cooling devices. Among them, those capable of supplying cool air and adjusting the cooling temperature and the like are preferable because the cooling conditions can be adjusted. In addition, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the number of said sheet | seat body cooling means, It can select suitably according to the objective.

  The position at which the sheet body cooling means is provided is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the sheet body cooling means is usually on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the sheet body by the sheet body heating means. . When the sheet body heating means includes the pair of heating rollers and the endless belt, the pair of heating rollers and a rotating roller that rotatably stretches the endless belt together with the pair of heating rollers. And in the vicinity of the endless belt. In this case, the sheet body is cooled by the sheet body cooling means while moving between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller.

-Surface treatment control means-
The surface treatment control means is not particularly limited as long as it can control processing conditions in at least one of the sheet body heating means and the sheet body cooling means according to the sheet body type, and a computer or the like is used. For example, a control system used in a known image forming apparatus or the like can be appropriately changed according to the purpose.

  As the surface treatment control means, for example, a magazine ID identification means for identifying a magazine ID of a magazine that houses the sheet member, and a surface treatment condition for selecting a treatment condition corresponding to the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identification means Those having selection means are preferred. In this case, if the sheet type and the magazine ID are related in advance, and the magazine ID and the processing mode are related in advance, an appropriate value is set according to the sheet type (for each type). This is advantageous in that processing modes can be automatically assigned.

  The surface treatment control means having the magazine ID identification means and the surface treatment condition selection means can be configured by connecting them via an interface, for example. In this case, the magazine ID identification means identifies Based on the magazine ID information, the surface treatment condition selection means reads a predetermined treatment condition or processing mode from a storage means (for example, ROM, HD, etc.) storing the treatment condition or treatment mode, and the CPU or the like The drive of each means in the surface treatment unit can be controlled.

  The surface treatment condition selection means is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a plurality of processes in which processing conditions (control parameter file) for processing the sheet body are defined. It is preferable to have a function capable of selecting a desired processing mode from among the modes, and the desired processing mode is selected from the plurality of processing modes based on the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identifying means. It is more preferable to have a function that can be used. In this case, it is preferable in that an appropriate surface treatment can be performed according to the sheet body type.

  As the sheet type, various types of sheets can be appropriately selected depending on the image forming method, but those having at least a thermoplastic resin layer are preferable, for example, for thermal recording for photographic prints. Preferred examples include a sheet, an inkjet sheet, an electrophotographic sheet, a heat developing sheet, a silver halide photographic sheet, and a silver halide digital photographic sheet.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said processing mode, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, it sets with at least 1 type of processing conditions. As the treatment mode, for example, the surface state of the sheet body obtained after the treatment is adjusted to gloss, matte shape, etc., for each sheet body type, or even for the same kind, for each product type. It is preferable to set about three types for each of the sheet body types so as to be able to.

  The processing conditions are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the sheet body cooling means such as heating temperature, pressure, heating time, and pressurizing time in the sheet body heating means More specifically, the temperature of the pair of heating rollers, the temperature of the heating roller disposed inside the endless belt, the heating that contacts the endless belt to form a nip portion. The temperature of the roller, the pressure of the nip, the air flow rate of the cooling fan in the cooling device, the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller, the rotational speed of the endless belt (the conveying speed of the sheet member), and the like. Can be mentioned.

  In the present invention, the surface treatment control means preferably includes, for example, an operation screen display means for displaying a screen so that treatment conditions can be selected. This is advantageous in that the operator can freely select the glossiness of the image obtained.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said operation screen display means, A well-known monitor screen etc. are mentioned. The display screen by the operation screen display means is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, as the glossiness after processing, a glossiness including at least one of gloss and matte is selected. In addition, as the sheet body, any one of a thermal recording sheet, an inkjet sheet, an electrophotographic sheet, a heat developing sheet, a silver halide photographic sheet, and a silver halide digital photographic sheet can be selected. , And the like, which are respectively displayed.

  Control of the processing conditions by the surface treatment control means can be performed by appropriately changing the driving of the sheet body heating means, the sheet body cooling means, and the like. Specifically, for example, the heating temperature in the sheet body heating means can be controlled by raising and lowering the electric power of the pair of heating rollers, and the sheet body can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of the pair of heating rollers. The heating time in the heating means can be controlled, and the cooling temperature in the sheet body cooling means can be controlled by raising and lowering the electric power of the cooling device to increase or decrease the amount of cool air blown, and the rotation of the endless belt The cooling time in the sheet body cooling means can be controlled by decreasing the speed or by increasing or decreasing the distance from the pair of heating rollers to the rotating roller in the endless belt.

-Sheet-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said sheet | seat body, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the sheet | seat for inkjet, the sheet | seat for thermal recording, the sheet | seat for heat development (For example, Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 6-130632 describes. ), Electrophotographic sheets, silver halide photographic sheets, and the like. The sheet member may be either before the image formation or after the image formation.

  The inkjet sheet has, for example, a porous color material-receiving layer on a support, and water-based ink (using a dye or pigment as a color material) and oil-based ink are used in the color material-receiving layer. An image is formed by absorbing liquid ink or solid ink that is solid at room temperature and melted and liquefied and used for printing.

  The electrophotographic sheet has, for example, at least a toner image receiving layer on a support, and the toner image receiving layer receives at least one of a color toner and a black toner to form an image.

  The heat-sensitive recording sheet has, for example, a structure in which at least a heat-meltable ink layer as an image forming layer is provided on a support, and heat is transferred from the heat-meltable ink layer by heating with a heat-sensitive head. Heat transfer sheet used in the method of melting and transferring onto a recording image-receiving sheet, and a structure in which an ink layer containing at least a heat-diffusible dye (sublimation dye) is provided on a support, heated by a heat-sensitive head A thermal transfer sheet used in a sublimation transfer method for transferring a thermal diffusible dye from an ink layer onto a thermal transfer recording image-receiving sheet, and a structure in which at least a thermal coloring layer is provided on a support, and heating by a thermal head And a thermosensitive material used in a thermoautochrome method (TA method) for forming an image by repeated fixing with ultraviolet rays.

  The sheet body has at least a thermoplastic resin layer on one side or both sides of the substrate, has an image forming layer on the thermoplastic resin layer, and further includes a surface protective layer, an intermediate layer, an undercoat layer, if necessary. Examples include a cushion layer, a charge control (prevention) layer, a reflection layer, a tint preparation layer, a storage stability improving layer, an adhesion prevention layer, an anti-curl layer, and a smoothing layer.

-Substrate-
Examples of the substrate include synthetic paper (polyolefin-based, polystyrene-based synthetic paper), high-quality paper, art paper, (double-sided) coated paper, (double-sided) cast-coated paper, polyethylene and other synthetic resin pulp and natural pulp. Mixed paper, Yankee paper, baryta paper, wallpaper, backing paper, synthetic resin or emulsion impregnated paper, synthetic rubber latex impregnated paper, synthetic resin internal paper, paperboard, cellulose fiber paper, paper support, polyolefin, polychlorinated Various plastic films or sheets such as vinyl, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene methacrylate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyimide, celluloses (for example, triacetyl cellulose), etc. Treatment to impart sex film or sheet was subjected to (e.g., processing such as to contain a pigment such as titanium oxide into the film), cloth, metal, glasses, and the like.
These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together as a laminated body.

Examples of the substrate further include JP-A-62-253159, pages (29) to (31), JP-A-1-61236, pages (14) to (17), JP-A-63-331648, Examples include the substrates described in Kaihei 2-22651, 3-56955, US Pat. No. 5,001,033, and the like.
As thickness of the said base | substrate, 25-300 micrometers is preferable normally, 50-260 micrometers is more preferable, 75-220 micrometers is still more preferable.
The stiffness of the substrate is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, a substrate close to a color silver salt photograph substrate is preferable for a photographic image receiving paper.

Various additives appropriately selected according to the purpose can be added to the substrate within a range that does not impair the effects of the present invention.
Examples of the additive include whitening agents, conductive agents, fillers, pigments such as titanium oxide, ultramarine blue, and carbon black, and dyes.

In addition, one surface or both surfaces of the substrate may be subjected to various surface treatments and undercoating treatments for the purpose of improving adhesion with a layer provided thereon.
Examples of the surface treatment include a glossy surface, or a fine surface, a mat surface, or a silk surface described in JP-A-55-26507, a corona discharge treatment, a flame treatment, a glow discharge treatment, a plasma treatment, and the like. And the like.
Examples of the undercoating treatment include the method described in JP-A No. 61-84443.
These treatments may be performed singly, or may be performed after performing the above-mentioned mold forming treatment or the like, or may be performed after the surface treatment such as the above-described activation treatment. It can be combined arbitrarily.

  In the substrate, a hydrophilic binder, a semiconductive metal oxide such as alumina sol or tin oxide, and carbon black or other antistatic agent may be applied on the surface or the back surface of the substrate, or a combination thereof. . Specific examples of such a substrate include a support described in JP-A No. 63-220246.

-Thermoplastic resin layer-
The thermoplastic resin constituting the thermoplastic resin layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polycarbonate, polyimide, Examples include triacetyl cellulose. Among these, polyolefin is preferable. These resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In general, the polyolefin is often formed using low density polyethylene, but in order to improve the heat resistance of the support, polypropylene, a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and low density polyethylene, It is preferable to use a blend of In particular, it is most preferable to use a blend of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene from the viewpoint of cost, suitability for lamination, and the like.

The blend of the high density polyethylene and the low density polyethylene is used, for example, in a blend ratio (mass ratio) of 1/9 to 9/1. The blend ratio is preferably 2/8 to 8/2, and more preferably 3/7 to 7/3. When forming a thermoplastic resin layer on both surfaces of the support, the back surface of the support is preferably formed using, for example, high-density polyethylene or a blend of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene. The molecular weight of polyethylene is not particularly limited, but the melt index is 1.0 to 40 g / 10 min for both high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene and has extrudability. preferable.
In addition, you may perform the process which gives white reflectivity to these sheets or films. Examples of such a treatment method include a method of blending a pigment such as titanium oxide in these sheets or films.

-Image forming layer-
In the case of silver salt photography, the image forming layer corresponds to an emulsion layer that develops YMC. In the present invention, it means both an emulsion layer before an exposure phenomenon and an emulsion layer after an exposure phenomenon.
In the case of inkjet, it corresponds to an ink image-receiving layer that receives and holds ink. In the present invention, it means both an ink image-receiving layer to which no ink is attached and an ink image-receiving layer after ink is attached.
In the case of electrophotography, it corresponds to a toner image-receiving layer, and in the present invention, it means both a toner image-receiving layer with no toner attached and a toner image-receiving layer after toner adhesion.
The image forming layer and the thermoplastic resin layer may be the same.

  The surface treatment unit of the present invention can be suitably used for surface treatment (glossing, matting, etc.) of images formed by various image forming apparatuses. For example, a photo with a matte surface can be used as a photo with a glossy surface. The recorded image on hand can be easily changed to an image having a desired surface gloss (high gloss, medium gloss, matte, etc.).

-Other means-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other means, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, a control means etc. are mentioned suitably.
The control means is not particularly limited and includes those used in known image forming apparatuses. For example, the surface treatment means is driven or stopped to control the presence or absence of surface treatment of the sheet member. What can be done is preferred. The control means may not be provided independently, and the function of the control means may be achieved by the surface treatment control means in the surface treatment section.
In the case of including the control unit, if the control unit stops driving the surface processing unit, the image formed by the image forming unit is directly discharged from the image forming apparatus without passing through the surface processing unit. If the surface processing unit is driven, an image formed by the image forming unit is passed through the surface processing unit and subjected to surface processing, and then from the image forming apparatus. It can be discharged.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the surface of the obtained image can be in a desired state such as gloss (high gloss, medium gloss, etc.), mat, and the like. A plurality of different types can be obtained, and by performing calibration according to the difference in surface properties, it is possible to form an appropriate image that does not cause problems such as character bleeding.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

(Example 1)
The image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment includes an image forming unit (not shown), a density measuring unit, an image processing unit, and a surface processing unit.

In the first embodiment, the image forming unit is a silver halide digital photographic printing apparatus. A known silver halide digital photographic printing apparatus was used. That is, this silver halide digital photographic printing apparatus has a magazine connecting portion for inserting a magazine for accommodating an image recording medium so that the magazine can be inserted therein, and a latent image on the image recording medium based on image data in a frame memory as an image storage means. And a processor unit that performs development, bleach-fixing, washing with water, and drying. These are designed so that the drive is controlled by the control system shown in FIG. The image recording medium is the sheet body.
Moreover, the surface treatment part of this invention was used as said surface treatment part. This surface treatment unit is designed so that a sheet body (image recording medium) on which an image is formed by the image forming unit can be taken in and subjected to a predetermined surface treatment. In addition, the surface processing unit includes a detection sensor that can detect and identify a magazine ID of a magazine inserted into the magazine insertion unit in the image forming apparatus, and the detection sensor is in the vicinity of the magazine insertion unit in the image forming unit. Is arranged. In Example 1, a concentration measuring unit (a concentration meter) is provided after the surface treatment unit.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the surface treatment unit in this embodiment includes a sheet body heating unit 1, a sheet body cooling unit 6, and a control unit (not shown).

The sheet body heating means 1 includes a pair of heating rollers 2 a and 2 b and an endless belt 3.
Each of the heating rollers 2a and 2b has a built-in heater and is designed to be temperature adjustable. The heating roller 2 a is rotatably disposed inside the endless belt 3 and in contact with the inner surface of the endless belt 3. The heating roller 2b contacts the outer surface of the endless belt 3 and the outer surface of the endless belt 3 so as to press the heating roller 2a, and is rotatably disposed.

  The endless belt 3 has a mirror-finished surface, and is stretched by a heating roller 2 a and a rotating roller 4 and a stretching roller 5 disposed inside the endless belt 3. The rotation roller 4 can move the heating roller 2a in the conveyance direction A direction or the direction thereof. The stretching roller 5 is movable in the vertical direction when the endless belt 3 is positioned with the surface stretched between the heating roller 2a and the rotating roller 4 as the bottom surface.

  In this embodiment, the sheet body cooling means 6 is a cooling device with a blowing function, and is disposed inside the endless belt 3 and between the heating roller 2 a and the rotating roller 4.

  When the surface processing unit is first driven, the sheet body 10 to be processed is transported from the paper discharge tray in the image forming apparatus to the surface processing unit and moved. And it is made to insert in the nip part formed between a pair of heating rollers 2a and 2b. In addition, the conveyance of the sheet | seat body so far can be performed with a conveyance roller, a conveyance belt, etc., In this Example, it is designed to be performed with a conveyance roller. The sheet body 10 inserted into the nip portion is brought into contact with the surface of the endless belt 3 that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pair of heating rollers 2a and 2b. The rotating roller 4 and the stretching roller 5 may be rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the endless belt 3, or are designed to be driven to rotate and rotate the endless belt 3 together with the pair of heating rollers 2a and 2b. It may be possible. In this embodiment, the rotating roller 4 and the stretching roller 5 are designed as in the former.

  At this time, the heating rollers 2a and 2b are provided with a thermoplastic resin layer in the sheet body 10 shown in FIG. 11 (in this embodiment, the sheet body is electrophotographic image receiving paper, and the thermoplastic resin layer is provided on both sides of the support. The provided layer (polyethylene resin layer) and the image receiving layer provided on the layer are heated to a temperature at which softening is possible, and the sheet body 10 inserted into the nip portion is The thermoplastic resin layer is softened and heated to a deformable temperature at the part. In the nip, the thermoplastic resin layer is softened and deformable. At this time, since the nip portion is pressed by the pressing force of the heating roller 2b, both sides of the sheet body 10 are pressed when passing through the nip portion. At this time, the thermoplastic resin layer in the softest state in the sheet body 10 is deformed while being pressed by the pair of heating rollers 1, and both surfaces of the sheet body 10 are smoothed. At this time, the sheet body 10 is conveyed toward the conveyance direction A through the nip portion while being in close contact with the surface of the endless belt 3 due to the pressure of the nip portion.

  Next, the sheet body 10 is cooled by the cooling device 6 while being in close contact with the surface of the endless belt 3, and the thermoplastic resin layer is solidified. Then, it is conveyed as it is to the rotating roller 4. Since the conveyance direction A of the endless belt 3 changes by 90 ° C. or more at the rotating roller 4, the sheet body 10 is peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 3 that rapidly changes the conveyance direction. The sheet body 3 peeled off from the endless belt 3 is continuously conveyed along the conveyance direction A by a conveyance roller (not shown) or the like, and discharged to a discharge tray (not shown). The boundary surface of the thermoplastic resin layer of the sheet body 10 thus obtained and the surface of the image forming layer are mirror-finished by transferring the surface properties of the endless belt 3 (contact member), and become high gloss.

By the way, in the surface treatment unit of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the CPU reads the corresponding control parameter group (processing mode) via the interface based on the magazine ID information, and the control parameter ( The operating conditions of each means in the surface treatment unit, for example, the heating temperature of the pair of heating rollers 2a and 2b (preferably the temperature is increased when the sheet body 10 is thick) , Nip pressure (preferably constant even if the thickness of the sheet body 10 is thick), endless belt conveyance speed (when the heating of the endless belt 3 is insufficient or when cooling by the cooling device 6 is not sufficient, it is slowed down) Is preferable), the amount of cool air blown by the cooling device 6, and the distance between the heating roller 2a and the rotating roller 4 (when the surface to be processed of the sheet body 10 is to be glossed) Ku, to shorten preferred) controls the like in the case of matte surfaced. In the first embodiment, the CPU functions as the surface treatment control unit. As a result of the CPU being able to appropriately change the operating conditions of each means in the surface treatment unit, the surface treatment unit can obtain a sheet body that exhibits a desired surface state under optimum conditions.
When an image is formed by the image forming unit, surface processing conditions (for example, a surface processing mode based on the magazine) are sent to the image processing unit via the interface prior to image formation, which will be described later. As described above, the calibration parameter calculated by the calibration parameter calculation unit 46 of the image processing unit according to the surface processing is set in the image conversion unit 40 and the image processing is performed.

  Here, a specific example of processing for obtaining different surface states in the sheet body 10 will be described. FIG. 13 is an example of a control parameter file group for setting the processing mode. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, three types of processing modes can be set. “Luster_level 1” is a processing mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is “glossed (high gloss)”. “Luster_level 2” is a processing mode for “matting” the surface of the sheet body 10. “Luster_level 3” is a processing mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is “not processed”.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the processing mode “Luster_level 1”, surface treatment is performed by the surface treatment apparatus (“Surface” = YES), and the temperature of the heating roller 2a is set to 120 ° C. (“Temp_A” = 120), setting the temperature of the heating roller 2b to 80 ° C. (“Temp_B” = 80), setting the temperature of the heating roller 2b during continuous processing to 120 ° C. (“Temp_B” = 120), a pair of heating Setting the nip pressure between the rollers 2a and 2b high (“Press” = High), setting the power of the cooling fan of the cooling device 6 high (“Cooling_fan” = High), the endless belt cooled by the cooling device 3 is set as a processing condition to set the length of 3 long (“Belt” = Long) and to set the conveyance speed of the endless belt 3 to medium (“Speed” = Middle). In the processing mode “Luster_level 1”, since (“Belt” = Long) and the cooling time is sufficient, the surface to be processed becomes a glossed surface (high gloss). In this processing mode, the temperature of the sheet body surface is about 70 ° C.

  In the processing mode “Luster_level 2”, surface treatment is performed by the surface treatment apparatus (“Surface” = YES), the temperature of the heating roller 2a is set to 120 ° C. (“Temp_A” = 120), and the heating roller Set the temperature of 2b to 80 ° C. (“Temp_B” = 80), set the temperature of the heating roller 2b during continuous processing to 120 ° C. (“Temp_B” = 120), and between the pair of heating rollers 2a and 2b The nip pressure of the cooling device 6 is set high (“Press” = High), the cooling fan power of the cooling device 6 is set low (“Cooling_fan” = Low), and the length of the endless belt 3 cooled by the cooling device is set. The processing conditions are set to be short (“Belt” = Short) and to set the conveyance speed of the endless belt 3 to medium (“Speed” = Middle). In the processing mode “Luster_level 2”, since (“Belt” = Short) and the cooling time is not sufficient, the thermoplastic resin layer in the sheet body is peeled off from the surface of the endless belt 3 before completely solidifying. The surface to be processed becomes a matted surface. In this processing mode, the temperature of the sheet body surface is about 95 ° C.

  Further, in the processing mode “Luster_level 3”, the surface treatment apparatus does not perform surface treatment (“Surface” = NO) as a processing condition.

  The surface treatment apparatus in this embodiment can be designed so that three kinds of treatment modes can be automatically selected based on the ID of the magazine that accommodates the sheet body 10. In this case, the surface processing apparatus is provided with a sensor (not shown) as a magazine ID identifying means for identifying the magazine ID of the magazine that accommodates the sheet member, and this sensor is disposed on the magazine mounting portion in the image forming apparatus. Can do. When the sensor identifies the magazine ID, based on the identification result, the CPU as the processing condition selection means associates the magazine ID with the magazine ID in advance from the processing modes stored in the processing mode storage means. The selected processing conditions are automatically selected. Then, the CPU performs a surface treatment based on the processing conditions set in the processing mode.

  At this time, if the relationship between the magazine ID and the sheet body 10 accommodated in the magazine to which the magazine ID is assigned is determined in advance, a different surface treatment can be performed for each magazine ID. For example, even if there is one type of sheet body 10 (for example, only glossy photo paper), different surface treatments can be performed for each magazine (however, in this case, at least two types of magazine IDs that are different between the magazines are set) Need to be). On the other hand, even if the sheet 10 is a silver halide photographic sheet, if there are different product types (for example, glossy photographic paper, thick mat photographic paper, thin mat photographic paper, etc.), different surface treatments are performed for each product type. (However, in this case, it is necessary that different magazine IDs are set between the magazines).

  For example, when the magazine ID is A, B, C, and Z, as shown in FIG. 14, in the processing mode screen displayed by the CPU, when the magazine ID is “A”, the surface treatment process is performed. As a mode, “Luster_level 1” is selected by the CPU. When the magazine ID is “B” or “C”, “Luster_level 2” is selected by the CPU as the processing mode of the surface treatment. When the magazine ID is “Z”, “Luster_level 3” is selected by the CPU as the processing mode of the surface treatment. When the screen display by the CPU is as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 14, the processing conditions (control parameter file group) in each processing mode can be displayed on the next screen as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. These settings can be saved and changed as a control parameter file group. In this embodiment, when the sensor detects and identifies the magazine ID, based on the identification result, the CPU automatically selects the processing mode and colors the processing mode selected on the display screen. In which processing mode the surface treatment is currently performed can be visually confirmed.

The processing mode “Luster_level 1” is the surface treatment in the state shown in FIG. 10, and the processing mode “Luster_level 2” is the surface treatment in the state shown in FIG. In the processing mode “Luster_level 2”, (“Cooling_fan” = High) is changed to (“Cooling_fan” = Low) and (“Belt” = Long) is changed to (“Belt” = Short) with respect to the processing mode “Luster_level 1”. The processing conditions are the same except that they are changed to).
Incidentally, the change from (“Belt” = Long) to (“Belt” = Short) can be performed as follows, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the CPU shortens the distance between the heating roller 2a and the rotating roller 4 by moving the rotating roller 4 toward the heating roller 2a (arrow B direction). At this time, the tension force (tension) of the endless belt 3 is insufficient in this state, but the tension force (tension) of the endless belt 3 is appropriately maintained because the tension roller 5 also moves upward (arrow C). The When the distance between the heating roller 2 a and the rotating roller 4 is shortened, the time for the sheet body 10 conveyed while being in contact with the surface of the endless belt 3 to be cooled by the cooling device 6 is shortened. Further, the change from (“Cooling_fan” = High) to (“Cooling_fan” = Low) can be performed by the CPU reducing the amount of cool air blown by the cooling device 6 capable of blowing cool air.

  In the example described above, the property after the surface treatment is associated with the magazine ID detected and identified by the sensor. However, the sheet type may be associated with the magazine ID. In this case, a plurality of control parameter file groups in the processing mode shown in FIG. 14 are prepared for each magazine ID, and the properties (gloss selection) after the surface treatment are selected by the operator as shown in FIG. The surface treatment mode (“Luster_level 1”) is made to correspond to the properties after the surface treatment. Even if the properties are the same after the surface treatment, if the sheet type is different, the heat amount difference and the water content differ depending on the paper thickness. In this embodiment, when the sensor detects and identifies a magazine ID, based on the identification result, the CPU selects a control parameter file group for a processing mode corresponding to the magazine ID, and is then selected by the operator. The surface treatment mode is selected based on the properties after the surface treatment. In this case, the number of magazines can be saved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, it may be designed so that the operator can freely input paper selection and gloss selection on the display screen by the CPU as the operation screen display means. On the basis of the above, the CPU may select the processing mode and perform the surface treatment under the processing conditions set in the processing mode.

As described above, the surface processing corresponding to the processing mode automatically selected or manually input is performed (see FIG. 17), and an image having the surface glossiness corresponding to the processing mode is obtained. And even if it was the same kind of sheet | seat body, it was able to be set as the image which has the glossiness of a different surface only by changing a processing mode. Moreover, even with different types of sheet bodies, an image having the same surface glossiness could be obtained by simply selecting the same processing mode.
Further, the fine correction of the processing condition based on the environmental condition of the surface treatment can be performed only by additionally setting a correction condition based on the environmental condition during the processing mode.

  When performing calibration, as shown in FIG. 1, a calibration test chart 202 is used in which images in which the density is adjusted stepwise for each color are arranged in a single band. This calibration test chart includes a six-stage image (C1 to C6 shown in FIG. 1) from high density to low density of C (cyan) color, and then from high density to low density of M (magenta) color. 6 (M1 to M6 shown in FIG. 1), and subsequently, a six-stage image (Y1 to Y6 shown in FIG. 1) of Y (yellow) color from high density to low density is tightly provided without gaps. A band-shaped color patch portion 214 is formed. Black reference position pointer patches 216 and 218 are provided at the front end portion and the rear end portion of the band-shaped color patch portion 214, respectively.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the image signal of the calibration test chart is supplied from the data holding unit 44 to the image signal converting means 40, and the calibration parameters (print LUT) currently set in the image signal converting means are set. ) And the converted image signal is supplied to the driver 42. Accordingly, the test chart is exposed on the sheet body, transferred to the sheet body in the image forming unit, and a recording material on which the test chart is recorded is output. When performing calibration, the operator sets the output sheet body in a predetermined test chart supply unit and issues an instruction to start density measurement. When a start instruction is issued, the sheet body on which the test chart is recorded is conveyed to the density measuring unit. In synchronization with this conveyance, the densitometer sequentially turns on each of the R, G, and B light sources, measures the amount of reflected light from the white reference plate, and measures the reference amount of light. Next, the density of each patch of the test chart recorded on the sheet is measured, and the density measurement data is sent to the calculation unit of the exposure unit.

At the time of calibration, the calibration parameter calculation unit 46 performs a calibration calculation using, for example, the surface treatment target gradation data and the supplied density measurement data, and performs image signal conversion based on the calculation result. The conversion conditions in the means 40 are calibrated, and the printer lookup table (printer LUT) is rewritten. Here, the surface treatment target gradation data indicates gradation characteristics that are different targets depending on the surface properties, and is, for example, a target density TD of an output for an input image signal that varies depending on the surface properties.
Here, the density measurement data measured by the densitometer is stored, and when the surface treatment selection of the user I / F is changed, the target density is corrected and the printer LUT is calculated again. In this case, the printer LUT for all surface properties may be calculated at the time of density measurement, and the printer LUT may be stored.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18A, a parameter list that associates a magazine ID, an index to the image formation target data group, and an index to the surface treatment control parameter group is created.
Here, in the magazine ID “A”, the image forming surface data “2” and “Luster_level 1” are selected as the surface treatment mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is “glossed (high gloss)”, and the target Corresponding to the gradation data TD [2] [1], five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set.
For magazine ID “B”, image forming surface data “2” and “Luster_level 2”
"Is selected as the surface treatment mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is" matized ", and corresponds to the target gradation data TD [2] [2], and C (cyan), M (magenta), Y ( Yellow) for each of the five types of target densities TD are set.
For magazine ID “C”, image formation surface data “2” and “Luster_level 3”
"Is selected as the surface processing mode (basic parameter) when the surface of the sheet 10 is" not processed ", and corresponds to the target gradation data TD [2] [3], C (cyan), M (magenta) , Y (yellow), each of five types of target densities TD are set.
In the magazine ID “D”, the image forming surface data “1” and “Luster_level 1” are selected as the surface treatment mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is “glossed (high gloss)”, and the target gradation data Corresponding to TD [1] [1], five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set.
For magazine ID “E”, image formation surface data “1” and “Luster_level 2”
"Is selected as the surface treatment mode when the surface of the sheet 10 is" matized ", corresponds to the target gradation data TD [1] [2], and as shown in FIG. From “E”, five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set corresponding to the target gradation data TD [1] [2]. As shown in (C), the surface treatment control parameter is selected and the surface treatment is performed.
The details of the control parameter file group for each surface treatment mode are as described above.

  In the image processing unit in this embodiment, the target gradation data TD can be designed so as to be automatically selectable based on the ID of the magazine that houses the sheet member 10. In this case, the surface processing unit is provided with a sensor (not shown) as a magazine ID identifying means for identifying the magazine ID of the magazine that accommodates the sheet member, and this is arranged in the magazine mounting unit in the image forming apparatus. Can do. When the sensor identifies the magazine ID, based on the identification result, the CPU as the processing condition selection unit corresponds to the magazine ID in advance from the processing modes stored in the surface processing mode storage unit. The selected processing condition is automatically selected. Then, the CPU performs calibration based on the processing conditions set in the surface processing mode.

(Example 2)
In Example 2, image formation is performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that image processing is performed as shown in FIGS. 19A to 19D in Example 1.
In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19A, there is a parameter list that associates the magazine ID, the index to the image formation target data group, and the index to the surface treatment control parameter group. Has been created.
Here, magazine ID “A” to magazine ID “E” represent the same meaning as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, a target gradation data group corresponding to the index of the image formation target data group is set. For example, the image formation target data “1” corresponds to the target density TD [1], and five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set.
The image formation target data “2” corresponds to the target density TD [2], and five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set.
Here, a difference value parameter and a surface treatment control data group corresponding to the index of the surface treatment control data group are set.
The details of the control parameter file group for each surface treatment mode are as described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 19A, image forming surface data “1” and “Luster_level 2” (mat) are selected by magazine ID “E”.
The image forming surface data “1” corresponds to the target density TD [1], and five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set. “Luster_level 2” corresponds to the difference parameter δTD [2], and five types of target densities TD of C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) are set, respectively, as shown in FIG. As shown, a surface treatment control parameter is selected and surface treatment is performed.
Also in the second embodiment, calibration is performed based on the processing conditions set in the surface processing mode, and the printer lookup table (printer LUT) is rewritten. As a result, even if the surface properties change, it is possible to form an appropriate image without causing problems such as character bleeding.

(Example 3)
In the third embodiment, image processing is performed by setting a printer LUT having other surface properties from a test print having one surface property as shown in FIGS. 20A to 20C in the first embodiment. Except for the above, image formation is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20A, the surface property “1” (high gloss) is selected as the density measurement data from the magazine rack ID “E”. This high gloss printer LUT is created with the target gradation data TD of the matrix [1] [1] shown in FIG.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20A, “Luster_level 2” (mat) is selected from the user I / F, and a 2 (mat) printer LUT is created from the high gloss density measurement data. Then, the difference value data of the matrix [1] [2] is added to the target gradation data TD [1] [1] and created.
In this case, if the values of the off-diagonal terms [1] and [2] are 0 (zero), it means that the color development amount of the color material is the same (the same image forming unit is set) regardless of the surface property. . In this embodiment, the color development amount is set to be higher on the mat surface than on the high gloss surface. It should be noted that the color development amount can be appropriately set within a range in which character blurring or the like does not occur.
The values of off-diagonal terms [1] [3] and [3] [1] are 0 (zero). This means that the observed density difference due to the surface treatment is [1] [1] and [3] [3] if the color development is the same between the high gloss treatment and untreated.
In FIG. 20C, the rows represent the surface properties of the chart on which the concentration measurement was performed, and the columns represent the currently set surface properties.

  In the third embodiment, test printing and calibration operations are performed only once, time and materials can be saved, and even if the surface properties change, it is possible to form an appropriate image that does not cause defects such as character blurring. .

  In the case where the image forming unit is an image forming unit in which a color image is transferred to the sheet body as in the electrophotographic system, the color material is transferred to the sheet body instead of measuring the density of the printed test chart. A density measuring unit may be provided to measure the density of the previous color image. Thereby, the sheet body can be saved.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention can easily and easily impart desired surface texture to the surface of an image print obtained by various image forming methods, and performs calibration according to the difference in the surface texture, thereby A preferable image can be formed within a range in which inconvenience such as bleeding does not occur. Furthermore, even if the surface treatment is changed, an image can be efficiently formed without performing the calibration operation again.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calibration test chart in an image processing unit used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image processing unit in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the correction data setting means of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating the corrected density measurement data when linear interpolation is performed. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a calibration look-up table (calib LUT). FIG. 6 is a graph showing the conversion characteristics of PS-PDLUT in calibration. FIG. 7 is a graph for explaining correction processing of the printer LUT by calibration. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the calibration process of the laser printer unit. FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of a general silver halide digital photographic printing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of the surface treatment section of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a sheet body. FIG. 12 is a control configuration diagram of the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing mode in the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing another example of the processing mode in the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of control of cooling conditions in the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a control flow of the surface treatment unit of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a surface treatment mode in the image processing unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a surface treatment mode in the image processing unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a surface treatment mode in the image processing unit of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sheet body heating means (a pair of heating rollers)
2a Heating roller 2b Heating roller (Pressure roller)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Endless belt 4 Rotating roller 5 Stretching roller 6 Cooling device 7 Base paper 8 Polyethylene layer 9 Image forming layer 10 Sheet body 23 Operation panel 24 Densitometer 40 Image conversion means 42 Driver 44 Data holding part 46 Calculation part 202 Test chart for calibration 214 Color patch part A Transport direction B Movement direction C Movement direction

Claims (19)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet body;
A density measurement unit that records a test chart for calibration on the sheet body by the image forming unit and measures density of the test chart by a density measurement unit to obtain density measurement data;
Image processing comprising calibration parameter calculation means for calculating calibration parameters for performing calibration in the image forming unit, and image conversion means for converting image data using the calibration parameters calculated by the calculation means Sheet member heating means for heating the surface of the sheet member to be processed, sheet member cooling means for cooling the sheet member in contact with the contact member, the sheet member heating unit, and the sheet member cooling unit A surface treatment unit having surface treatment control means for controlling surface treatment conditions in at least one of
Surface treatment target gradation data corresponding to the surface treatment in the surface treatment unit is set, and calibration in the image forming unit is performed using the surface treatment target gradation data and the density measurement data. Image forming apparatus. The surface treatment target gradation data is a difference value between one surface treatment target gradation data in one surface treatment and the other surface treatment target gradation data in the other surface treatment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising data. The surface treatment target gradation data includes target gradation data when the surface treatment is not performed and difference value data between the target gradation data and the surface treatment target gradation data when the surface treatment is performed. The image forming apparatus according to 1. A calibration parameter is calculated by performing calibration in one of the cases where the surface treatment is performed and the case where the surface treatment is not performed, and the calibration parameter in the other surface processing is calculated from the density measurement data in the calibration. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet body heating unit heats the sheet body in a state where the surface to be processed of the sheet body is in contact with the contact member. The image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet body includes at least a thermoplastic resin layer and is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic resin constituting the thermoplastic resin layer by the sheet body heating unit. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet body includes a thermoplastic resin layer, and the sheet body cooling unit cools the thermoplastic resin layer to a temperature lower than a softening point temperature of the thermoplastic resin constituting the thermoplastic resin layer. . The surface treatment control means includes a magazine ID identification means for identifying a magazine ID of a magazine that accommodates the sheet member, and a surface treatment condition selection means for selecting a treatment condition corresponding to the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identification means. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: Based on the magazine ID identified by the magazine ID identifying unit, the surface treatment condition selecting unit is configured to perform heating temperature, pressure, heating time and pressurizing time in the sheet body heating unit, and cooling temperature and cooling in the sheet body cooling unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein processing conditions are selected from processing modes configured by at least one selected from time and set in plural. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a magazine ID is assigned to each sheet type. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface treatment control unit includes an operation screen display unit that displays a screen so that the surface treatment condition can be selected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation screen display unit displays a screen including a property including at least one of gloss and mat as a property after the surface treatment of the sheet body. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation screen display unit displays a screen so that a sheet type can be selected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is an endless belt. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the sheet body heating unit includes an endless belt, and a pair of heating rollers disposed so as to press the endless belt from the inside and the outside. The sheet body cooling means is disposed between the pair of heating rollers and a rotating roller that rotatably stretches the endless belt together with the pair of heating rollers, and is disposed in the vicinity of the endless belt. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15. The surface treatment control means adjusts the cooling time by the sheet body cooling means by changing the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller and changing the time during which the sheet body abuts the endless belt. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the distance between the pair of heating rollers and the rotating roller is changed by moving the rotating roller and a stretching roller that rotatably stretches the endless belt together with the rotating roller. . The sheet body cooling means can blow cool air, and the processing control means adjusts the cooling temperature by the sheet body cooling means by changing the amount of cool air blown by the sheet body cooling means. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images