JP2009294634A - Image forming system, printer driver, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system for reproducing uniform gloss by forming transparent toner image on an entire surface of a sheet already output with easy operation, and to provide a printer driver and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system includes: a receiving means for receiving an image signal, and an image forming means for forming a toner image on a sheet by using color toner and the transparent toner based on the image signal received by the receiving means. The image forming system has a storing means for storing image data for forming a predetermined transparent toner image on a sheet to cover at least a part of a color toner image, and a selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of image forming modes including the image forming mode for forming the toner image in accordance with the image data stored in the storing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system that forms an image on a sheet, a printer driver that controls the image forming system, and a program.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method is widely known. Many products that form full-color images as well as black and white have been commercialized. In addition, as image forming apparatuses are used in various fields, there is an increasing need for image quality.

  As one of the elements for improving the quality of an image, it is required to give gloss expression. Specifically, a low gloss portion and a high gloss portion are mixed in the surface of the output product, or the entire image of the output product is uniformly finished with high gloss, medium gloss, low gloss, and the like.

  For example, an image constituting character information is made low in gloss and easy to read, and a gradation image such as a photograph or illustration is made high in gloss and improved in appearance. In addition, a part with high gloss is formed in the gradation image to make the expression emphasized. In addition, depending on the use of the output material, it is possible to use a low gloss and calm expression as a whole, or a high gloss and photographic expression as a whole.

  However, in the black single color or full color output produced by the known electrophotographic method, the white background without toner has the glossiness of the sheet used (low gloss), and the high density portion with a large amount of toner has the glossiness of the toner. (High gloss) and non-uniform gloss.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 proposes an apparatus for forming an image using transparent toner in addition to yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. In this apparatus, a transparent toner image is formed in a reversal area of a colored image to form a uniform image with little gloss difference.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-200551

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a transparent toner image formation pattern is generated based on the light / dark reversal data of the given image data, and this transparent toner image is image-formed. This complicates the operation.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming system, a printer driver, and a program capable of reproducing a uniform gloss by forming transparent toner on the entire surface of the output sheet with a simple operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives an image signal; and a color toner and a transparent toner on a sheet based on the image signal received by the receiving unit. An image forming system including an image forming unit capable of forming a toner image using image data for forming a predetermined transparent toner image on a sheet so as to cover at least a part of the colored toner image. Storing means; and selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of image forming modes including an image forming mode for forming a toner image in accordance with image data stored in the storing means. .

  In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a printer driver according to the present invention is a printer driver that is installed in a computer connectable to a printer and transmits data that can be processed by the printer, and the printer driver Display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions for the image, and a plurality of image forming modes including a gloss mode for uniformly increasing the glossiness of the entire image area on the setting screen displayed by the display means. A selection unit for selecting one of the image forming modes; and when the gloss mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data for the color toner to be printed is transmitted to the printer and the image for the transparent toner Transmission means for generating data and transmitting it.

  In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a program according to the present invention is a program for controlling an image forming apparatus, and includes image formation including a gloss mode that uniformly increases the glossiness of the entire area where image formation is possible. A program code for selecting one of the modes, and image data for colored toner to be image-formed when the gloss mode is selected, and an image for transparent toner And a program code of the step of generating and transmitting the data.

  According to the present invention, uniform gloss reproduction according to various uses can be achieved by a simple operation of outputting work according to image data and outputting only transparent toner to the entire output sheet.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of an image forming system, a printer driver, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image forming system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus A is a color complex machine having a copying function using an intermediate transfer member and a printer function.

  The image forming apparatus A includes an image forming apparatus main body A1 and a glossing processing apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus main body A1 has a full-color image forming unit and a fixing unit. The glossing processing device 20 may be an optional unit that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body A1, or may be integrated with the image forming apparatus main body A1.

(Image forming part)
The image forming unit includes an image forming process device that forms a visible toner image on a sheet such as plain paper or coated paper. An image reading apparatus 300 is disposed above the apparatus, and the image reading apparatus 300 reads image information of a document to be copied. The image information of the document read by the image reading device 300 is subjected to image processing, and the exposure unit 3 is controlled according to the image processed data. An operation unit 400 is provided on the side of the image reading apparatus 300, and the user operates the operation unit 400 to input various settings and instructions such as an image forming mode. Based on a selection or instruction information signal by a user, a control device 500 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like is an image composed of various process devices related to image formation, a fixing device, and a glossing processing device. Integrate and control the entire forming system.

  In the apparatus, for example, four image forming stations T and Y corresponding to toner image formation of four colors of T (transparent), Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) are provided. , M, C, K are juxtaposed in a substantially horizontal direction. Each of the image forming stations T to K has substantially the same structure except that the color of toner as a developer is different.

  In FIG. 1, a drum-shaped photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier is rotatably supported at each of the image forming stations T to K. Around the photosensitive drum 1, process means such as a charging roller 2 as charging means, an exposure unit 3 as image exposure means, and a developing device 4 as developing means are arranged. Further, a primary transfer roller 6 as a primary transfer unit and a cleaner 5 as a cleaning unit are installed.

  Further, an intermediate transfer belt 71 as an intermediate transfer member is rotatably provided so as to be in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. The intermediate transfer belt 71 is stretched between each roller of a driven roller 72, a secondary transfer counter roller 73, and a driving roller 74 driven by a driving motor.

  The primary transfer roller 6 is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 with the intermediate transfer belt 71 interposed therebetween. The driven roller 72 also serves as a tension roller and has a function of applying a required tension to the intermediate transfer belt 71. The secondary transfer counter roller 73 is disposed to face the secondary transfer roller 9 with the intermediate transfer belt 71 interposed therebetween. A cleaner 75 as a cleaning unit is installed downstream of the secondary transfer unit. Further, a secondary transfer bias voltage is applied to the secondary transfer counter roller 73 from a high voltage power source during the secondary transfer.

  Below the intermediate transfer belt 71, a cassette 100 for stacking and storing sheets is installed, and a pickup roller 101 for separating and transporting the sheets one by one is installed. The sheet fed by the pickup roller 101 is conveyed toward the registration roller 8 through a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 102. The registration roller 8 has a function of controlling the sheet delivery timing so that the timing at which the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 enters the secondary transfer portion matches the timing at which the sheet enters the secondary transfer portion. Is responsible.

  In the image forming unit configured as described above, image formation is performed as follows.

  All the process devices in the image forming unit operate (rotate) at a process speed of 130 mm / sec. The exposure unit 3 has an exposure scanning speed corresponding to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 at the process speed.

  First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 rotating in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 2, and laser light is irradiated from the exposure unit 3 in accordance with an image signal to form an electrostatic latent image. Is done. The electrostatic latent image is visualized by attaching a developer by the developing device 4. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 71 by applying a primary transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 6.

  The steps up to the above development are performed for each of the image forming stations T to K, and the toner images of the colors T to K are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71 so as to overlap each other. In other words, transparent, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed by the image forming stations T to K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 71 to form a color image. Subsequently, a secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer counter roller 73, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 71 is secondarily transferred collectively to the sheet fed to the secondary transfer unit. The sheet on which the color image has been transferred in this way is conveyed toward the fixing device 10 which is a fixing unit, and is subjected to a fixing process.

(Fixing part)
As shown in FIG. 1, a fixing device 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer portion in the sheet conveyance direction.

  The fixing device 10 includes a fixing roller 11 and a pressure roller 12. The fixing roller 11 and the pressure roller 12 are pressed to form a fixing nip portion. The applied pressure between the fixing roller 11 and the pressure roller 12 is a total pressure of 50 kg. The fixing roller 11 is configured as a laminate in which a rubber layer as an elastic layer and a fluororesin layer as a toner release layer are laminated on a hollow metal core made of metal such as aluminum (Al) or iron (Fe). A halogen heater as a heating source is installed inside the cored bar. As the heat source, for example, an IH method using electromagnetic induction heating can be used. The fixing roller 11 is connected to a drive motor via a drive gear train, and is rotated by rotational power output from the drive motor. The pressure roller 12 is a laminated body in which a rubber layer as an elastic layer and a fluororesin layer as a toner release layer are laminated on a hollow core metal like the fixing roller 11, and a heat source is provided inside the hollow core metal. Halogen heater is installed. For this heating source, the IH system using the electromagnetic induction heating can be used. The pressure roller 12 rotates following the fixing roller 11.

  In the vicinity of the surfaces of the fixing roller 11 and the pressure roller 12, a thermistor as a detecting means for detecting the respective temperatures is mounted. The energization on / off of the halogen heater inside the fixing roller 11 and the pressure roller 12 is controlled by the control device 500 based on the temperature detection signal output from the thermistor. In this embodiment, the fixing temperature of the fixing roller 11 is set to 180 ° C., the fixing temperature of the pressure roller 12 is set to 150 ° C., and the temperature is controlled by the control of the control device 500 so as to maintain the fixing temperature.

  Therefore, in the fixing device 10, the toner image and the toner band on the sheet conveyed from the secondary transfer portion are fixed by heating and pressing at the fixing nip portion simultaneously, and the fixing process is performed.

  The temperature of the sheet fed from the fixing nip portion of the fixing device 10, that is, the “sheet peeling temperature” at which the sheet begins to peel from the roller surface is maintained at a high temperature of about 90 to 110 ° C., for example. That is, the fixing device 10 of the present embodiment is a “high temperature peeling method” in which the sheet starts to be separated from the fixing device 10 while maintaining a high temperature immediately after the sheet has passed through the fixing nip portion.

  The fixing device 10 of the present embodiment has been described as having a pair of rollers including the fixing roller 11 and the pressure roller 12. However, at least one of the fixing side and the pressure side is a roller member, and the other is an endless belt. Can be configured.

(Glossing treatment device 20)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a glossing processing device 20, which is an image glossing processing unit, is disposed as a main part of the present embodiment on the downstream side of the fixing device 10 along the sheet conveyance path.

  When a glossing mode is selected to output a required high gloss image on a sheet by a user's judgment operation, an operation signal is output from the control device 500 based on the glossing mode instruction signal, and the glossing processing device 20 is transmitted. In synchronization with the operation of the glossing processing device 20 being turned on, the sheet exiting the fixing device 10 in a high temperature state is conveyed toward the glossing processing device 20. The gloss processing apparatus 20 is configured as a cooling and peeling system that cools the conveyed sheet and smoothes the image surface of the sheet to increase the gloss of the image, and executes the gloss processing step.

  The glossing device 20 is configured by arranging an endless belt 23 having a high gloss surface, a pressure roller 22 that forms a nip portion with the belt 23, cooling devices 25 and 26 (see FIG. 1), and the like. Has been.

  The belt 23 has a function of transferring its high glossy surface following the surface of the toner image by heating while closely contacting the image surface of the sheet P, and the glossiness (60 °) is in the range of 60 to 100. Is used. However, the surface glossiness of the belt 23 can be arbitrarily selected according to the glossiness of the image required for the color multifunction peripheral of this embodiment as an image forming apparatus.

  A thermosetting resin such as polyimide, a heat resistant resin, a metal, or the like can be used for the base material forming the main body of the belt 23. A silicon rubber layer having heat resistance is formed as an elastic layer on the substrate. Fluorine rubber or the like can be used instead of silicon rubber. Further, a fluororesin layer is formed as a toner release layer on the silicon rubber layer.

  If the thickness of the belt 23 is too thin, the strength of the belt itself and pressurization for embedding the toner in the toner receiving layer will be insufficient, and if it is too thick, the amount of heat required for heating the belt will increase. May be insufficiently embedded. Therefore, a belt having a thickness of 100 to 300 μm is used here.

  The belt 23 is stretched between the heating roller 21 and the tension roller 24 so as to rotate around, and the heating roller 21 functions as a driving roller that rotates the belt 23. The heating roller 21 is formed as a hollow roller in which a metal core having a good thermal conductivity and a rubber layer as an elastic layer are provided thereon. The metal core is formed of an aluminum hollow pipe having a diameter of 44 mm and a thickness of 5 mm, and the rubber layer is formed of silicon rubber having a JIS-A hardness of 50 degrees and a thickness of 300 μm. In addition, a halogen heater as a heating source is installed inside the heating roller 21. A so-called IH system using electromagnetic induction heating can be used as this heating source.

  A thermistor as a detecting means for detecting the temperature of the belt 23 is installed in the vicinity of the outer surface of the belt 23 facing the heating roller 21. Based on the detection signal output from the thermistor, the control device variably controls the energization of the halogen heater, and the temperature of the belt 23 around the heating roller 21 is adjusted to maintain 130 ° C.

  The tension roller 24 is installed in a separation part where the sheet is peeled off from the belt 23 by the outer diameter curvature thereof. That is, the size of the tension roller 24 is set with a suitable roller diameter and curvature that can be peeled away from the belt 23 by the “waist strength” of the sheet itself.

  A pressure roller 22 is rotatably installed at a position facing the heating roller 21 with the belt 23 interposed therebetween, and the pressure roller 22 is rotated by friction by the circumferential rotation of the belt 23.

  The pressure roller 22 is formed as a hollow roller provided with a metal core and a rubber layer as an elastic layer thereon. The rubber layer is formed of silicon rubber having a thickness of 3 mm. A heating source such as a halogen heater is also installed inside the pressure roller 22, and the sheet is heated together with the heating roller 21. As this heating source, it is possible to use another system such as an IH system using electromagnetic induction heating.

  The total pressure with which the pressure roller 22 cooperates with the heating roller 21 to sandwich the belt 23 is set to 50 kg (490 N) in this embodiment. The pressure roller 22 has a function of forming a nip portion with the belt 23, and the length of the nip portion along the sheet conveying direction is set to 5 mm.

  In the vicinity of the outer surface of the pressure roller 22, a thermistor is installed as detection means for detecting the temperature of the pressure roller 22. Based on the detection signal output from the thermistor, the control device variably controls energization to the halogen heater, and adjusts the temperature of the pressure roller 22 to maintain 90 ° C. in this embodiment.

  The sheet P that is sandwiched and heated and pressed by the nip formed between the belt 23 and the pressure roller 22 is kept in close contact with the belt 23 to the cooling region of the cooling devices 25 and 26 that are cooling means. It is conveyed. A cooling fan is used as the cooling devices 25 and 26, and the cooling region of the belt 23 is cooled by the cooling fan. The cooling devices 25 and 26 include an inner duct and an outer duct installed on the inner surface side and the outer surface side of the cooling region of the belt 23. The cooling air generated by the cooling fans 25 and 26 is configured to pass through the inside and outside ducts. The cooling devices 25 and 26 have their cooling capacities set so that the toner is cooled to a temperature near the glass transition point before reaching the position where the sheet P peels from the belt 23.

  The cooling devices 25 and 26 are not limited to the above-described structure including a cooling fan, and may be configured to cool by bringing a heat pipe, a heat sink, or a Peltier element containing a coolant such as water into contact therewith. Alternatively, the cooling devices 25 and 26 may be installed only on one side of the belt 23 and may be cooled only from one side of the belt 23.

  In the glossing apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, the peeling temperature at which the sheet P starts to peel from the belt 23 is sufficiently lower than that of the fixing device 10. While the fixing device 10 is a “high temperature peeling method”, it is a “low temperature peeling method” in which the sheet P starts to be peeled off at a low temperature.

  Therefore, the glossing apparatus 20 executes the following glossing process steps.

  The sheet P, which has been subjected to the fixing process by the fixing device 10 and is fed in a state of maintaining a high temperature of, for example, about 80 ° C., is conveyed toward the downstream glossing apparatus 20. The sheet P sent to the glossing processing apparatus 20 is heated and pressurized at the nip at the image surface. At this time, the toner image is heated to a temperature sufficiently higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner, specifically about 110 ° C.

  Thereafter, the sheet P is conveyed to the cooling region while being in close contact with the belt 23, and is cooled to, for example, about 50 ° C. below the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the toner until the temperature is lowered to the set temperature by the cooling devices 25 and 26. By performing the cooling process, the toner image after cooling is made highly glossy following the highly glossy surface of the belt 23. Then, the sufficiently cooled sheet P starts to peel off at the separation part with its own rigidity and stiffness. As a result, the solidified toner can be prevented from being roughened by causing irregularities on the image surface without transferring to the belt 23.

  The peeled sheet P can be output without a margin by cutting and removing the edge margin with a cutter 27 (see FIG. 1) as necessary.

  The sheet P that has been subjected to the above-described glossing process by smoothing is discharged out of the apparatus, and image formation on the series of sheets P is completed.

(Image data processing)
The image forming apparatus A includes a reception unit (network I / F) 501, a storage unit (HDD) 502, a selection unit (control device) 500, and an operation unit 400.

  The network I / F 501 receives a data file (image data) transferred from the PC.

  The HDD 502 is a storage device that temporarily stores image data received by the receiving unit and image data read by the image reading device 300. The HDD 502 stores image data in advance. Some of the image data form a predetermined transparent toner image on a sheet so that at least a part of the colored toner image is covered. More specifically, the HDD 502 stores image data for uniformly forming the transparent toner in the entire area where the sheet image can be formed. The whole area where image formation is possible is a range corresponding to an image formation possible area corresponding to the sheet size. When there is no margin, the whole area of the sheet is present, and when there is a margin, it is almost the whole area of the sheet. The HDD 502 stores a plurality of image data corresponding to the sheet size.

  The control device 500 causes one to be selected from a plurality of image forming modes including an image forming mode for forming a toner image in accordance with image data stored in the HDD 502. The user selects and prints out image data stored in the HDD 502 by the control device 500 as necessary.

  The operation unit 400 includes a display unit that displays an operation screen, and an instruction unit that instructs the display unit to execute an image forming mode.

(Image data printing with transparent toner and full surface coating)
The printing of image data using transparent toner and the entire surface coating will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation unit. FIG. 16 is an operation flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a screen for using “transparent” toner is prepared in the operation unit 400, and selection keys for “Print” and “Coat” are provided.

  First, output data is stored in the HDD 502 (S1). When the user selects “Print” (S2), the image data printing mode (Print mode) is entered, and the document file and image file stored in the HDD 502 of the image forming apparatus A as shown in FIG. A list is displayed (S3).

  By selecting data to be output as shown in FIG. 5A, the control device 500 generates video data as shown in FIG. 5B according to the designated data. The control device 500 handles video data with 8 bits, and generates video data converted into a value of 0 to 255 according to image data. As shown in FIG. 6, in this mode, the Y, M, C, and K image forming units do not operate, and the video data is sent to only the T (transparent) toner image forming unit and operates. A transparent toner image corresponding to the video data thus formed is formed and output (S5). Then, the sheet P on which the transparent toner image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus (S6).

  When the user selects “Coat” (S2), the mode is a mode (Coat mode) in which the transparent toner T is coated on the entire surface of the sheet P. When a sheet P on which an image as shown in FIG. 7A has been printed is set in the cassette 100 and executed (S7), the control device 500 does not use the output data file, but in FIG. 7B. Such video data is generated. In this case, 255 video data is supplied to the image forming unit of T (transparent) toner for the range corresponding to the image formable area corresponding to the designated sheet size. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 8, an output product coated with a transparent toner over the entire sheet can be output (S8). Then, the sheet P coated with the transparent toner on the entire sheet is discharged out of the apparatus (S9).

(Printing of image data with color toner and transparent toner, printing of image data with transparent toner only and full surface coating)
Image data printing using color toner and transparent toner, image data printing using only transparent toner, and entire surface coating will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver operation screen. FIG. 17 is an operation flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a screen for using transparent toner is prepared in the operation unit 400, and “4 color print”, “5 color print”, “transparent print”, “transparent coat”, and “glossy coat” are prepared. A selection key is provided.

  First, output data is stored in the HDD 502 (S1). When the user selects “4-color print” (S2), the 4-color image formation mode (4-color print mode) is entered, and a data file for a colored image can be designated. The control device 500 generates video data for Y, M, C, and K from the color image data file (S3) and supplies the video data to the image forming unit. When printing is started (S5), a full color image output as shown in FIG. 24 is obtained (S6). Then, the sheet P on which the full-color image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus without passing through the glossing device 20 (S10).

  When the user selects “5-color print” (S2), a 5-color image formation mode (5-color print mode) is entered, and a color image data file and a transparent image data file can be designated.

  The control device 500 generates Y, M, C, and K video data from the color image data file (S3), and generates transparent toner video data from the transparent image data file (S4). This is given to the image forming unit. When printing is started (S5), an output obtained by adding a transparent toner image to a full color image as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained (S6). Then, the sheet P on which the image obtained by adding the transparent toner image to the full color image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus (S10).

  When the user selects “transparent print” (S2), the transparent toner single color formation mode (transparent print mode) is entered, and a data file for a transparent image can be designated.

  The control device 500 generates video data for transparent toner from the data file (S4), and provides it to the image forming unit. When a sheet that has been output in color is set in the cassette 100 and printing is started (S5), as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet that has been output in color is overprinted with transparent toner (S7). The sheet P that has been output with the color overprinted with the transparent toner is discharged out of the apparatus (S10).

  When the user selects “transparent coating” (S2), a mode in which the entire surface of the transparent toner is coated (transparent coating mode) is set. When a color output sheet is set in the cassette 100 and executed (S5), the control device 500 generates video data without using an output data file. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to output an output product that is coated with a transparent toner almost over the entire sheet (S8). The sheet P coated with the transparent toner almost over the entire sheet is discharged outside the apparatus (S10).

  When the user selects “glossy coat” (S2), a mode (glossy coat mode) is set in which the transparent toner is coated on the entire surface and then glossed. When a color output sheet is set in the cassette 100 and executed (S5), the control device 500 generates video data without using an output data file. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to output an output product that is coated with a transparent toner almost over the entire sheet (S8). The sheet P coated with the transparent toner almost over the entire sheet passes through the glossing device 20 (S9), is subjected to a high glossing process, and is discharged outside the apparatus (S10).

  In the case of colored toner, the image density increases in proportion to the amount of toner per area, but in the case of transparent toner, the density does not occur and is captured as a change in gloss. When the surface of the sheet is covered with the clear toner, the gloss does not change even if the amount of the clear toner is further increased. In the experiment of this embodiment, the glossiness of a sheet output by changing the amount of toner using gloss coated paper or matte coated paper was measured at 60 ° gloss by the JISZ8741 specular glossiness-measurement method. As an experimental result, as shown in FIG. 19, a substantially constant glossiness was obtained in a range of 60% or more with respect to the toner amount when 255 video data was given.

When any one of “5-color print”, “transparent print”, “transparent coat”, and “glossy coat” is selected, the toner applied amount of the transparent toner can be selected. The amount of applied toner here is the amount of toner per unit area on the recording sheet. The toner amount was set to 0.6 mg / cm ² when the maximum value of video data was 100% (255).

  As shown in FIG. 25, a transparent toner amount selection screen as a toner applied amount changing means is provided, and selection keys of “large”, “normal”, and “low” are provided.

The video data is generated so that the toner amount is 100% when “large” is selected, 80% when [normal] is selected, and 60% when “small” is selected. When the video data to 100% when the ^{0.60mg / cm 2, 80% 0.48mg} / cm 2, when 60% became 0.36 mg / cm ^2.

  When the toner application amount is selected on the transparent toner amount selection screen, the control device 500 adjusts the laser light applied to the photosensitive drum 1 from the exposure unit 3 according to the selected toner application amount, and the toner application amount. Is adjusted.

  When “Less” is selected, 153 video data, which is 60% of 255 with respect to the range corresponding to the image formable region corresponding to the designated sheet size (almost the entire sheet), is an image of T (transparent) toner. Give to forming part. In the image forming apparatus A according to the present exemplary embodiment, 2 mm is ensured as a blank area at the leading edge, the trailing edge, and the left and right edges of the sheet. Here, for the A3 sheet (210 × 420 mm), toner was formed in an area of 206 × 416 mm with margins removed. By doing so, it is possible to output an output that is coated with a transparent toner over almost the entire sheet as shown in FIG.

  The above method is practiced by executing a predetermined program on the general-purpose computer module 600 described in FIG. The process described in FIG. 2 is performed by computer module 600 and is performed by software instructions executed by computer 600. The software is stored in a computer readable medium including a storage device as described below, for example. The software is loaded into the computer from the computer readable medium and executed by the computer 600. A computer readable medium having a computer program recorded on such software or medium is a computer program product. By using the computer program product on a computer, it is possible to execute document layout editing, color data printing, and printing with transparent toner.

  An input device such as a keyboard 601 and a pointing device such as a mouse 602 is connected to the computer module 600, and an output device including a display device 603 and a local printer 604 is connected depending on the situation. The input / output interface 605 can connect the computer module 600 from the network connection 606 to connect to other computer devices. The network connection 606 is typically a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

  The computer module 600 generally includes at least one processor unit (CPU) 607, eg, a memory unit 608 composed of a semiconductor random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), and an INPUT / An OUTPUT (I / O) interface and an I / O interface 610 for a keyboard 601 and a mouse 602 are included.

  The storage device 611 generally includes a hard disk drive and a flexible disk drive. Although not shown in FIG. 20, a magnetic tape drive may also be used. The DVD-ROM drive 612 is provided as a nonvolatile data source. The computer module 600 communicates via the interconnection bus 613 according to an operating system such as GNU / LINUX or Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) or by a method according to a conventional operation mode of the computer system. Each component (reference numeral 605 to reference numeral 612) included in is used.

  FIG. 21 shows a printer driver screen. The printer driver setting screen 700 includes a Quality setting tab 701, an Output Method selection button 702, a ColorMode selection button 703, a Clear Toner Over Coating check box 704, an OK button 705, an image drawing area 706, and the like.

  Each item can be selected when the user presses (clicks) with a pointing device such as a mouse.

  An Output Method selection button 702 can select whether image data is printed out by a printer or stored in the HDD 502 built in the printer.

  A Color Mode selection button 703 is used to select an image forming mode for output, and can be selected from Auto Detect, Color, Black Toner, and ClearToner.

  The Clear Toner Over Coating check box 704 can be checked only when Clear Toner is selected for Color Mode.

  FIG. 22 shows a screen in which Clear Toner is selected. When Clear Toner is selected, the Clear Toner Over Coating check box 704 can be checked. If the OK button 705 is clicked without checking the ClearToner Over Coating check box 704, the image data is output in the transparent toner single color formation mode.

  FIG. 23 shows a printer driver screen when Clear Toner is selected for Color Mode.

  When Clear Toner Over Coating is checked, it becomes a mode to coat the entire surface of transparent toner.

[Other embodiments]
Next, another embodiment of the image forming system, printer driver, and program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. About the part which overlaps with said 1st embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is an operation flowchart.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus dedicated to monochromatic image formation using transparent toner. The basic image forming process is the same as that of the image forming apparatus A of the first embodiment, and the image forming unit is composed of only one type of transparent toner. The main application of this apparatus is to perform so-called reprinting with a transparent toner on a sheet that has already been output in black or full color, or conversely with a transparent toner for decorative purposes on a white paper before printing. An image pattern is printed.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation unit according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, a screen for selecting a print mode is prepared in the operation unit 400, and selection keys for “Print”, “Coating”, and “Glossing” are provided.

  First, output data is stored in the HDD 502 (S1). When the user selects “Print” (S2), the mode for printing the image data (Print mode) is entered. As shown in FIG. 15, the document file and image file stored in the HDD 502 of the image forming apparatus A are displayed. A list is displayed (S3).

  By selecting data to be output as shown in FIG. 5A, the control device 500 generates video data as shown in FIG. 5B according to the designated data. The control device 500 handles video data with 8 bits, and generates video data converted into a value of 0 to 255 according to image data. Then, printing is started (S5). As shown in FIG. 6, in this mode, the Y, M, C, and K image forming units do not operate, and the video data is sent to only the T (transparent) toner image forming unit and operates. A transparent toner image corresponding to the video data thus formed is formed and output (S5). The sheet P on which the transparent toner image is formed is discharged out of the apparatus (S8).

  When the user selects “Coating” or “Glossing” (S2), the mode is such that the entire surface is coated with transparent toner. When a blank sheet or a sheet P on which an image has been printed is set in the cassette 100 and executed (S4), the control device 500 generates video data without using an output data file. In this case, 153 video data is given to the T (transparent) toner image forming unit for a range (substantially the entire sheet) corresponding to the image formable region corresponding to the designated sheet size. By doing so, an output product coated with a transparent toner can be output over the entire sheet as shown in FIG. 8 (S6).

  If “Coating” is selected, the sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is directly discharged out of the apparatus via the conveyance path E (S8). On the other hand, when “Glossing” is selected, the sheet on which the toner image has been fixed is conveyed to the glossing device 20 and subjected to high gloss processing via the conveyance path J (S7), and as a high gloss print. It is discharged out of the machine (S8).

  Although various embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus constituted by one device. For example, a computer system including a printer, a facsimile, a PC, a server, and a client.

  That is, a software program that realizes each function of the above embodiment is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus, and a computer included in the system or the like reads and executes the supplied program code. Achieved.

  Accordingly, the program code itself (printer driver) installed in the computer in order to realize the above-described functions and processing by the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functions and processes is also one aspect of the present invention.

  The printer driver is a printer driver that is installed in a computer connectable to the printer and transmits data that can be processed by the printer. A plurality of image forming modes including a display unit for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions for the printer and a gloss mode for uniformly increasing the glossiness of the entire image area on the setting screen displayed by the display unit When the glossy mode is selected by the selection unit, the selection unit that selects one of the image forming modes from the image data for the color toner to be printed is transmitted to the printer and the transparent toner Transmission means for generating and transmitting image data.

  The printer driver has a program for controlling the image forming apparatus. This program includes a program code for selecting one of image forming modes including a gloss mode for uniformly increasing the glossiness of the entire image formable region, and an image when the gloss mode is selected. A program code for transmitting color toner image data to be formed to the image forming apparatus, generating image data for transparent toner, and transmitting the image data.

  As long as the program code itself (printer driver) has a program function, the program code may be in any form, such as an object code, a program executed by an ink printer, or script data supplied to the OS.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, and a DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

  The program may be downloaded from a homepage on the Internet using a browser on a client computer. That is, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function may be downloaded from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer may be a constituent requirement of the present invention.

  Further, the program of the present invention may be encrypted and stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed to users. In this case, only the user who cleared the predetermined condition is allowed to download the key information to be decrypted from the homepage via the Internet, decrypt the program encrypted with the key information, execute it, and install the program on the computer May be.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the computer executing the read program. Note that an OS or the like running on the computer may perform part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Of course, also in this case, the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Based on the instructions of the program, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing. In this way, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized.

  By using the present invention, it is possible to form an output product in which a transparent toner is partially formed or a transparent toner coating is applied to the entire surface with a simple operation in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. It can also be used as high-value-added, high-quality printed matter in fields such as brochures, flyers, pops, and displays.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system. It is explanatory drawing of an operation part. It is explanatory drawing of an operation part. It is explanatory drawing of video data generation. It is explanatory drawing of transparent toner image formation. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of video data generation of transparent toner for the entire sheet. It is an explanatory diagram of a transparent toner coat for the entire sheet. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver operation screen. It is explanatory drawing of 5 color image formation. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of transparent toner overprinting on a color output sheet. It is an explanatory diagram of a transparent toner coat for the entire sheet. It is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the operation part which concerns on other embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the operation part which concerns on other embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of image data printing and full surface coating with transparent toner according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of image data printing using color toner and transparent toner, image data printing using only transparent toner, and entire surface coating according to the first embodiment. It is an operation flow figure of other embodiments. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between toner amount and glossiness. It is a block diagram of the computer module and peripheral device which execute a program. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver screen. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver screen in which Clear Toner is selected. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver screen when Clear Toner is selected for Color Mode. It is explanatory drawing of 4 color image formation. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a transparent toner amount selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

A ... Image forming apparatus A1 ... Image forming apparatus main body K ... Image forming station P ... Sheet T ... Image forming station 1 ... Photoconductor drum 2 ... Charging roller 3 ... Exposure unit 4 ... Developer 5 ... Cleaner 6 ... Primary transfer roller 8 ... Registration roller 9 ... Secondary transfer roller 10 ... Fixing device 11 ... Fixing roller 12 ... Pressure roller 20 ... Glossing device 21 ... Heating roller 22 ... Pressure roller 23 ... Belt 24 ... Tension roller 25 ... Cooling device 26 ... Cooling device 71 ... intermediate transfer belt 72 ... driven roller 73 ... secondary transfer counter roller 74 ... drive roller 100 ... cassette 101 ... pickup roller 102 ... conveying roller pair 300 ... image reading device 400 ... operation unit 500 ... control device 501 ... Network I / F
502 ... HDD

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving an image signal;
In an image forming system comprising: an image forming unit capable of forming a toner image on a sheet using colored toner and transparent toner based on an image signal received by the receiving unit;
Storage means for storing image data for forming a predetermined transparent toner image on a sheet so that at least a part of the colored toner image is covered;
An image forming system comprising: selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of image forming modes including an image forming mode for forming a toner image in accordance with image data stored in the storage means.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a toner application amount changing unit that changes a toner amount per unit area of the transparent toner image formed based on the image data stored in the storage unit.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores image data for uniformly forming a transparent toner on an entire area of the sheet where image formation is possible.   4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of image data corresponding to a sheet size.   5. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit that displays an operation screen; and an instruction unit that instructs the display unit to execute the image forming mode.   6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the colored toner includes at least toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. A printer driver installed in a computer connectable to a printer and transmitting data that can be processed by the printer,
Display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions for the printer;
In the setting screen displayed by the display means, a selection means for selecting any one of the image forming modes from a plurality of image forming modes including a gloss mode for uniformly increasing the glossiness of the entire image area;
When the gloss mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data for the color toner to be printed is transmitted to the printer, and the image data for the transparent toner is generated and transmitted. Printer driver. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus,
A program code for selecting an image forming mode from an image forming mode including a gloss mode for uniformly increasing the glossiness of the entire image formable area;
When the gloss mode is selected, the image data for the color toner to be imaged is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the image data for the transparent toner is generated, and the program code for transmitting the program data
The program characterized by having. A printer driver installed in a computer connectable to a printer and transmitting data that can be processed by the printer,
Display means for displaying a setting screen for setting print conditions for the printer;
Selecting means for selecting an image forming mode from a plurality of image forming modes including a mode for forming a previously formed image pattern with transparent toner so that at least a part of the colored toner image on the sheet is covered;
When the gloss mode is selected by the selection unit, the image data for the color toner to be printed is transmitted to the printer, and the image data for the transparent toner is generated and transmitted. Printer driver. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus,
A gloss mode that uniformly increases the glossiness of the entire area where image formation is possible, and a mode in which a previously formed image pattern is formed with transparent toner so that at least a part of the colored toner image on the sheet is covered. A program code for selecting one of a plurality of image forming modes including:
When the gloss mode is selected, the image data for the color toner to be imaged is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the image data for the transparent toner is generated, and the program code for transmitting the program data
The program characterized by having.