JP2008070531A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that performs color adjustment in accordance with a printing situation of a user.
In an image forming apparatus having a monochrome printing function and a color printing function, color adjustment at power-on is not performed when the number of color prints does not exceed a predetermined value since the previous color adjustment.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a monochrome printing function and a color printing function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a black and white printing function and a color printing function, color adjustment is performed in order to maintain print image quality.

This adjustment is performed regardless of the presence or absence of color printing, and color toner is consumed (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-10879 A

  However, in such a conventional apparatus, the specific gravity of black and white printing is high, and a user who hardly performs color printing causes a situation in which color toner or the like is reduced without performing color printing.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that performs color adjustment in accordance with a printing situation of a user.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a monochrome printing function and a color printing function, color adjustment at power-on is not performed when the number of color prints does not exceed a predetermined value since the previous color adjustment. It is.

  Further, the color adjustment at the time of power-on is not performed until a predetermined time elapses from the previous color adjustment.

  Also, in an image forming apparatus having a black and white printing function and a color printing function, when color printing is not executed until black and white printing continuously reaches a predetermined number, color adjustment at power-on is not performed. It is a thing.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation in which color toner or the like is consumed wastefully when the specific gravity of black and white printing is high and color printing is hardly performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an image system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This image system includes a network compatible color image forming apparatus MFP connected to a local area network LAN, m host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm, and a host computer apparatus PC locally connected to the network compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. It is configured.

  The network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP has a network print function for receiving a print command from the host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm via the local area network LAN, and the host computer apparatus using image data obtained by reading the original image A scan-to-email function for transferring to PC1 to PCm, a network-compatible image processing function for a network scanner function for transferring image data obtained by reading a document image to host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm using a predetermined protocol, and Various image processing functions such as a local print function for receiving a print command from the host computer apparatus PC, a local scanner function for transferring image data obtained by reading a document image to the host computer apparatus PC, and the like Those having an image forming function.

  The network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP also functions as a color copying machine.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process, a copying process, and a printing process for each part of the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. A system memory 2 includes a system control unit. 1 stores a control processing program executed by the computer 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is a network compatible color. The clock circuit 4 is for storing various kinds of information unique to the image forming apparatus MFP, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The color scanner 5 is for reading an original image with a predetermined resolution, the color printer unit 6 constitutes a tandem type color image forming apparatus, and the buffer memory 7 is printed by the color printer unit 6. The color image data to be stored is temporarily stored.

  The operation display unit 8 is for operating the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

  The image processing unit 9 performs predetermined encoding / decoding processing on a color image, and realizes scaling processing and other various image processing. The magnetic disk device 10 stores image data And various file data such as various software installed in the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP.

  The local area network interface circuit 11 is for connecting the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 12 receives other data via the local area network LAN. This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with the terminal device.

  The host interface circuit 13 is connected to the host computer apparatus PC and exchanges various data with the host computer apparatus PC.

  The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, color scanner 5, color printer unit 6, buffer memory 7, operation display unit 8, image processing unit 9, magnetic disk device 10, local area The network transmission control unit 12 and the host interface circuit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14.

  Here, in the present embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called TCP / IP, and more. This is performed by applying a combination with a higher layer communication protocol (so-called protocol suite). For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of an image forming system of the color printer unit 6. In this image forming system, color component image forming units that form images of a plurality of color components are arranged along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and the color component images formed by the plurality of color component image forming units are arranged. Tandem color image forming means for forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt by sequentially overlapping the intermediate transfer belt is provided.

  In the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is wound around transport rollers 22, 23, and 24 and is driven infinitely at a speed V in the direction of the arrow RA. Between the transport rollers 23 and 24 of the intermediate transfer belt 21, a cyan component image forming unit 26 for forming a cyan component image and a magenta component image are formed from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. A magenta color component image forming unit 27, a yellow color component image forming unit 28 for forming a yellow color component image, and a black component image forming unit 29 for forming a black color component image are provided.

  In the cyan image forming unit 26, the surface of the photosensitive drum 26a is charged by the charger 26b, and the surface thereof is exposed by the cyan image light 30a output from the optical writing unit 30, so that the static image corresponding to the cyan image is obtained. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 26c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 26d. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 26a is neutralized by the neutralization device 26e.

  Further, in the magenta color image forming unit 27, the surface of the photosensitive drum 27a is charged by the charger 27b, and the surface is exposed by the magenta image light 30b output from the optical writing unit 30, thereby corresponding to the cyan image. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 27c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 27d. As a result, the cyan component toner image and the magenta component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 27a is neutralized by the neutralization device 27e.

  Further, in the yellow image forming unit 28, the surface of the photosensitive drum 28a is charged by the charger 28b, and the surface is exposed by the yellow image light 30c output from the optical writing unit 30, thereby corresponding to the yellow image. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 28c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 28d. As a result, the cyan color component toner image, the magenta color component toner image, and the yellow color component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 28a is neutralized by the neutralization device 28e.

  Further, in the black image forming unit 29, the surface of the photosensitive drum 29a is charged by the charger 29b, and the surface is exposed by the black (monochrome) image light 30d output from the optical writing unit 30, so that the black ( An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the (black and white) image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 29c, and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 29d. As a result, a cyan component toner image, a magenta component toner image, a yellow component toner image, and a black component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. A full-color toner image is completed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 29a is neutralized by the neutralization device 29e.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper 31 placed on the paper feed unit (not shown) is picked up by the pair of paper feed rollers (not shown) and conveyed in the direction of the arrow RB. In a state of being aligned with the full-color toner image on the surface, the image is sent to a transfer roller 32 that is in contact with the conveying roller 22, and the transfer roller 32 transfers the full-color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the surface. Is done.

  After the transfer, the transfer paper 31 is sent to the fixing device 33, where the full color toner image transferred onto the surface of the transfer paper 31 is thermally fixed, conveyed to a paper discharge unit, and discharged.

  Further, the transfer speed of the transfer paper 31 is equal to the moving speed V of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the linear speeds of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 26 a, 27 a, 28 a, and 29 a are equal to the moving speed V.

  The transfer positions of the cyan component image forming unit 26, the magenta component image forming unit 27, the yellow color component image forming unit 28, and the black component image forming unit 29 are the intervals on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Is set to L1. That is, the interval between the photosensitive drums 26a, 27a, 28a, 29a is L1.

  Further, the interval L2 of the transfer paper 31 is set to a value larger than the interval L1. The transfer paper 31 is, for example, A4 size paper fed in the direction orthogonal to the long side (LEF (Long Edge Feed)).

  The sensor SS is used when reading a test pattern and adjusting color density. The sensor SS reads a color misregistration detection pattern and detects a color misregistration amount.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of processing performed when an image is formed on one sheet of transfer paper 31 and discharged.

  First, it is checked whether or not color printing has been performed at that time (determination 101). When the result of determination 101 is YES, the measured color printing time interval is cleared (processing 102), and the printing time is saved ( Processing 103), the color continuous number counter is incremented (processing 104).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to perform color adjustment at power-on (decision 105). When the result of determination 105 is turned on, the power adjustment color adjustment flag is turned on (process 106). When the result of determination 105 is turned off, the power adjustment color adjustment flag is turned off (process 107).

  Next, the color accumulation counter is incremented (process 108), and color adjustment execution determination at the end of printing is performed (determination 109). When the result of determination 109 is on, the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is turned on (process 110). When the result of determination 109 is turned off, the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is turned off (processing 111).

  In the case of monochrome printing, when the result of determination 101 is NO, the color printing interval time is measured and stored (process 112), the value of the color continuous sheet counter is cleared (process 113), and the black continuous sheet number is determined. The counter value is incremented (process 114), the black accumulated sheet counter value is incremented (process 115), and the process proceeds to decision 109.

  Here, in the determinations 105 and 109, it is determined whether the color adjustment flag at power-on or the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is turned on / off under the following conditions.

  First, when the value of the color accumulation counter becomes larger than the threshold value 1 (for example, 200 sheets), color adjustment is executed at the end of printing or printing is interrupted (the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is turned on).

  Further, when the color continuous sheet count value is larger than a threshold value 2 (for example, 100 sheets), the color adjustment flag is turned on when the power is turned on.

  Also, even if monochrome printing is continuously executed and the conditions for color adjustment are met, color adjustment is not executed if the predetermined time has not elapsed since color printing was executed (color adjustment at power-on). Do not turn on the flag).

  Further, when the value of the black continuous sheet counter reaches a threshold value 3 (for example, 100 sheets), the color density adjustment that is performed when the power is turned on or when the energy is restored is set not to be performed (the power adjustment color adjustment flag is not turned on). .

  Further, when only black and white printing is performed and color printing is not executed for a certain period of time, that is, when the color printing interval time is larger than a predetermined value (for example, one week), the color adjustment flag at power-on is not turned on.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of color adjustment determination processing at power-on that is performed when the power is turned on and when energy saving is restored.

  First, it is determined whether the environmental change is large and color adjustment is necessary (decision 201). When the result of determination 201 is YES, it is checked whether the color adjustment flag at power-on is on (decision 202). When the result of determination 202 is YES, a predetermined color adjustment process (process 203; illustrated). Abbreviation).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the color adjustment determination process at the end of printing.

  First, it is checked whether the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is turned on (determination 301). When the result of determination 301 is YES, a predetermined color adjustment process (process 302) is executed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of processing executed at the start of printing.

  First, it is checked whether the printing operation at that time is color printing (decision 401). When the result of determination 401 is YES, it is checked whether the color adjustment flag at the end of printing is on (decision 402). If the result of determination 402 is YES, it is checked whether or not the user has set that color adjustment is to be performed prior to execution of printing when there is a request for color printing (determination 403).

  When the result of determination 403 is YES, after executing a predetermined color adjustment process (process 404), a print process designated for execution is executed (process 405).

  Further, when the printing operation at that time is monochrome printing, when the result of determination 401 is NO, when the result of determination 402 is NO, or when the result of determination 403 is NO, color adjustment is performed. Without performing the process, the process proceeds to process 405 to execute the print process designated for execution.

  In this way, color toner can be saved by refraining from performing color adjustment when there is little color printing. Further, color toner can be saved by not performing color adjustment for a certain period of time after color printing.

  In addition, since the color adjustment execution interval can be adjusted, the image quality can be maintained to some extent. Also, color toner can be saved by refraining from performing color adjustment when color printing is low.

  In addition, after color adjustment, when color printing continues continuously, color adjustment is executed by turning on the power or returning to energy saving, so that both color printing quality and toner saving can be achieved.

  Also, by performing color adjustment immediately before color printing, image quality can be maintained even if color adjustment is OFF for a long time. In addition, since whether or not to perform color adjustment immediately before color printing is set by the user, it is only necessary that the color be printed in color printing, and it is possible to follow the user's printing intention to print quickly anyway.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be similarly applied to other than the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to a color ink jet printer apparatus.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system of a color printer unit 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed when an image is formed on one sheet of transfer paper 31 and discharged. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of color adjustment determination processing performed when power is turned on and when power is turned on when energy saving is restored. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of color adjustment determination processing at the end of printing. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed at the start of printing.

Explanation of symbols

1 System Control Unit 2 System Memory 3 Parameter Memory 4 Clock Circuit 6 Color Printer Unit 8 Operation Display Unit SS Sensor

Claims (3)

In an image forming apparatus having a monochrome printing function and a color printing function,
An image forming apparatus, wherein color adjustment at power-on is not performed when the number of color prints does not exceed a predetermined value from the previous color adjustment.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color adjustment at the time of power-on is not performed until a predetermined time elapses from the previous color adjustment. In an image forming apparatus having a monochrome printing function and a color printing function,
An image forming apparatus, wherein color adjustment at power-on is not performed when color printing is not executed until black and white printing reaches a predetermined number continuously.