CN112162472B

CN112162472B - Concentration correction method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN112162472B
Application number: CN202011166631.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邵哲
Original assignee: Zhuhai Pantum Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Pantum Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-27
Filing date: 2020-10-27
Publication date: 2022-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2040-10-27
Also published as: CN112162472A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a concentration correction method and equipment, wherein the method comprises the following steps: rotating an image carrier in a preset direction, wherein the image carrier comprises a first area and a second area; controlling a developing roller of an image forming module to rotate within a preset first period so that the image forming module forms a first image on a first area of the image carrier; controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a second period within a preset second period so that the image forming module forms a second image on a second area of the image carrier; detecting a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image; comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result.

Description

Concentration correction method and apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to image forming technologies, and in particular, to a density correction method and apparatus.

Background

In daily life, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, and the like are indispensable apparatuses in work, study, and the like. In the printing process of the printer, carbon powder is one of the indispensable materials, and if the carbon powder is lacking, the phenomenon that the printer cannot complete printing can occur. In current printer, the carbon dust is usually placed in the selenium-enriched drum or the ink horn of printer, and the user generally need take out selenium-enriched drum or ink horn in order to look over the carbon dust surplus from the printer, and the operation is very inconvenient, is unfavorable for the use.

In the existing color printer, since the toner amount detecting unit is not provided and the toner remaining amount is estimated by using the estimation method, the estimation result is inaccurate. In color density correction by a color printer, the color printer controls four color (e.g., KMCY) cartridges to form four images of corresponding colors on an image carrier, each image including a pattern of different density levels, and the color printer performs density correction by detecting the density of the pattern. Because the existing color printer determines the carbon powder content by using an estimation method, the carbon powder content is not accurate, so that the color printer detects the concentration of the pattern inaccurately, the phenomenon of correction error is easy to generate, the printing quality of the color printer is influenced, the false image that the carbon powder content is still sufficient is easy to generate, unnecessary waste of the residual carbon powder is caused, the printing progress of a user is delayed, and the use experience is poor.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present application provides a density correction method applied to an image forming apparatus including an image carrier and an image forming module for forming an image on the image carrier, characterized by comprising:

rotating the image carrier in a preset direction, wherein the image carrier comprises a first area and a second area;

controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate within a preset first period so that the image forming module forms a first image on a first area of the image carrier, wherein the developing roller includes a developing area including toner having a preset first content, the first image has a first density value determined by a first content of the toner of the developing area;

controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a second period within a preset second period so that the image forming module forms a second image on a second area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area includes toner having a second content, the second image has a second density value, and the second density value is determined by the second content of the toner of the developing area;

detecting a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image;

comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation, the first image includes a plurality of patterns, each of which includes the first density value.

In one possible implementation manner, the image carrier further includes a third area, and after determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result, the method further includes:

controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate within a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area includes a toner having a third content, and the third image has a third density value determined by the third content of the toner of the developing area;

detecting a third density value of the third image;

comparing the third density value with a preset second threshold value, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first, second, and third density values based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on a comparison result includes:

when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold, determining a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value, and correcting the density of the image forming module based on the density correction value;

and outputting a toner content abnormality indication when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold.

In one possible implementation manner, the controlling the rotation of the developing roller of the image forming module in the preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier includes:

and comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and if the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, controlling the developing roller of the image forming module to rotate in a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier.

In a second aspect, the present application provides an image forming apparatus comprising:

an image carrier rotating in a preset direction, the image carrier including a first area and a second area;

an image forming module for forming an image on an image carrier, the image forming module including a developing roller;

wherein the developing roller includes a developing region;

forming a first image on a developing region of the developing roller having a first content of toner for a preset first period, the first image having a first density value determined by the first content of toner of the developing region;

a developing region of the developing roller having a second content of toner for a preset second period, a second image being formed on the second region of the image carrier, the second image having a second density value determined by the second content of toner of the developing region;

a detection unit configured to detect a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image;

a judging unit configured to compare the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determine whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on a comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the image carrier further includes a third area, wherein the image forming module forms a third image on the third area of the image carrier in a preset third period, the third image has a third density value, the third density value is determined by a third content of the toner in the developing area, the detecting unit is further configured to detect a third density value of the third image, the judging unit is configured to compare the third density value with a preset second threshold, and determine whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first, second, and third density values based on a comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes:

a density correction unit configured to determine, when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value, the density of the image forming module being corrected based on the density correction value;

an output unit configured to output a toner content abnormality indication when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold value.

In one possible implementation manner, if the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold, the image forming module controls a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate in the preset third period, so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier.

It should be understood that the second aspect of the present application is consistent with the technical solution of the first aspect of the present application, and similar advantageous effects are obtained in various aspects and corresponding possible embodiments, and thus, detailed description is omitted.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer program for performing the method of the first aspect when the computer program is executed by a computer.

In a possible design, the program in the fourth aspect may be stored in whole or in part on a storage medium packaged with the processor, or in part or in whole on a memory not packaged with the processor.

The concentration correction method and the concentration correction equipment can detect the carbon powder content, improve the user experience and avoid unnecessary waste of residual carbon powder.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a concentration correction method of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of images formed by a plurality of image forming modules according to an embodiment of the density correction method of the present application.

FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d) are schematic diagrams illustrating the detection of image density signal values in the density correction method of the present application;

fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are schematic structural views of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present application.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present application.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present application.

Detailed Description

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments section of the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present application only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application.

In the existing color printer, since the toner amount detecting unit is not provided and the toner remaining amount is estimated by using the estimation method, the estimation result is inaccurate. When the color density of the color printer is corrected, the existing color printer determines the carbon powder content by using an estimation method, so that the carbon powder content is inaccurate, the color printer detects the density of the pattern inaccurately, the phenomenon of correction error is easy to generate, the printing quality of the color printer is influenced, the false image that the carbon powder content is still sufficient is easy to generate, unnecessary waste of residual carbon powder is caused, the printing progress of a user is delayed, and the use experience is poor.

Therefore, the concentration correction method and the concentration correction equipment can detect the content of the carbon powder, improve the user experience and avoid unnecessary waste of the residual carbon powder.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a density correction method according to the present application, as shown in fig. 1, applied to an image forming apparatus including an image carrier and an image forming module for forming an image on the image carrier, the method including:

s101, rotating the image carrier according to a preset direction, wherein the image carrier comprises a first area and a second area.

The image forming apparatus may include a color printer, a multifunction printer, or the like, for forming an image such as text or a picture on an image forming medium, which may include a material such as paper, cloth, leather, film, or the like. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus may include an image carrier and a plurality of image forming modules for forming images of respective colors on the image carrier. The image forming module may include a toner cartridge, an ink cartridge, and the like. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus may include 4 image forming modules (may include 6, 8, or even more image forming modules in other embodiments) arranged in sequence, each of which may store toner of one color, such as black (K color), magenta (M color), cyan (C color), yellow (Y color), or the like, so that the image forming apparatuses may form images of the corresponding colors, respectively. In the use of the present embodiment, four of the image forming modules may sequentially generate a black image, a magenta image, a cyan image, and a yellow image, and combine to generate a color image. In other embodiments, the color images may be generated in other orders, or more than 2 color images may be generated simultaneously, which is not limited herein.

A representative example of the image forming apparatus includes a printer that prints an image received through communication on an image forming medium. However, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a printer, but may be a multifunction peripheral capable of performing a plurality of functions of printing, copying, scanning, and faxing.

The imaging media may include a plurality of pages, such as a first page, a second page, a third page, a fourth page, and so on, the pages having a size. Taking A4 printing paper as an example, the size of the page is 210mm x 297mm. The image carrier may comprise regions corresponding to the pages in which, in use, the image forming module generates an image, the image carrier transferring the image on the regions and forming a colour image on the corresponding pages.

In this embodiment, the image carrier, such as a transfer belt or a photosensitive drum, may include a first area and a second area, and the image forming apparatus may rotate the image carrier in a predetermined direction (e.g., counterclockwise or clockwise) so that the image forming apparatus may form images in different areas of the image carrier. Since the image carrier is a rotatable endless belt, different said areas may correspond to the same position of the rotatable belt at different periods of rotation, or different said areas may correspond to different positions of the rotatable belt at the same period of rotation. It will be appreciated that the image carrier may also comprise a third area, a fourth area, or more areas, etc.

For example, the image forming apparatus may further include an image acquirer for acquiring an image formed on a surface of an image carrier or an image forming medium, a controller, and an image processor for outputting corresponding image data to the controller based on the image, so that the controller controls the image forming module to form a corresponding image on the image carrier based on the image data, so that the image carrier may transfer the image and form a corresponding image on the image forming medium.

In the process of forming an image on an image forming medium by the image forming apparatus, the image forming module is used for generating an image (such as a toner image) on the image carrier, wherein the image can comprise a toner formed image, so that the image carrier transfers the image and forms a color image on the image forming medium, such as a color image formed on printing paper. Of course, the image forming apparatus may further include more image forming modules, and the image forming modules may also be used to generate images of other colors, without limitation.

Note that the image forming apparatus may perform image density correction as the image forming apparatus performs tone recursive control. For example, the image forming apparatus may perform image density correction when external power is supplied to the image forming apparatus after the supply of external power is cut off or when the image forming module (such as a toner cartridge or an ink cartridge) is replaced.

In the concentration correction, the controller of the image forming device acquires a test pattern for concentration correction and generates a corresponding image generation signal, and sends the test pattern and the corresponding image generation signal to the image forming module, so that the image forming module forms a corresponding image on the image carrier, the image can comprise patterns with different concentrations, and the concentration of each pattern of the image is detected by a concentration sensor and a signal is output to the controller, so that the concentration correction is completed.

It is to be understood that the test pattern may be stored in an internal memory module of the image forming apparatus, or the test pattern may be stored in an external device connected (e.g., wirelessly or by wire) to the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus can acquire the test pattern from the external device, or the test pattern may be stored in a cloud from which the image forming apparatus can acquire the test pattern. The shape and size of an image formed on the image carrier by the image forming module are determined based on the test pattern.

Exemplary embodiments of the image forming module that forms an image (e.g., a toner image) on the image carrier are as follows, for example.

The image forming module may generate an image according to a control signal of the controller and image data of the image processor, and may include a photosensitive drum (organic photoconductor drum, OPC), a charging roller, an exposure device, and a developing roller.

The photosensitive drum may have a cylindrical shape, and may convert image data, which is an electrical signal, into an electrostatic latent image together with the exposure device, which will be described below.

The outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum may be charged with positive charge (+) or negative charge (-). In other words, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum may have electric polarity due to a voltage applied from the outside. When light is irradiated to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum charged in this manner, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum may be discharged. In other words, when light is irradiated to the charged peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum may lose electric polarity.

The charging roller may apply a voltage to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum so that the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is charged while the photosensitive drum is rotated. For example, the charging roller may apply a certain voltage to the outer circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum by a first power supply. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is charged with negative charges (-) and the potential thereof may be lowered. For example, when a voltage is applied to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum has a corresponding potential. The exposure device receives a page synchronization signal (page synchronization signal) for generating an image from the controller and image data representing the image from the image processor, and emits light to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum charged using the charging roller.

In detail, when the exposure device receives a page synchronizing signal (a control signal for generating an image) from the controller, the exposure device may emit light to the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum according to image data (image data representing an image) received from the image processor. For example, the exposure device may irradiate light to a portion where an image is generated from image data, and may not irradiate light to a portion where an image is not generated.

As described above, the portion of the charged outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum irradiated with light loses negative (-) charge. Further, the potential of the portion irradiated with light increases due to the loss of negative (-) charges. As a result, a latent image (i.e., an electrostatic latent image) caused by electrostatic charges is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. An electrostatic latent image is formed by negative (-) charges on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum and is not visually recognized.

In addition, the exposure device may include a Laser Scanner (LSU) or an LED Print Head (LPH). Here, the laser scanner may include a light source emitting light and a mirror rotated by a motor to reflect the light emitted from the light source using the rotating mirror, thereby scanning the light to the photosensitive drum. In addition, the LED print head may include an LED array to directly irradiate light to the photosensitive drum.

The developing roller may develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum by using toner. In detail, the developing roller may charge toner and supply the charged toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. For example, a preset voltage may be applied to the developing roller by the second power source. Further, when a voltage is applied to the developing roller, the toner can be charged by negative (-) charge. Further, the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum can be developed by the charged toner. In other words, toner adheres to exposed portions of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum due to electrostatic attraction, and toner does not adhere to unexposed portions. As a result, a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image can be generated on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum. As described above, the image generation module may generate a toner image on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum according to the page synchronization signal of the controller and the image data of the image processor.

The image carrier includes a transfer roller that can transfer the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum to the image carrier by electrostatic attraction. For example, a certain voltage may be applied to the transfer roller by a third power source. Further, according to the contact between the image carrier and the transfer roller, a certain voltage may be applied to a portion of the image carrier that is in contact with the transfer roller. As a result, the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the image carrier.

S102, controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate within a preset first period, so that the image forming module forms a first image on a first area of the image carrier, wherein the developing roller comprises a developing area, the developing area comprises toner with a preset first content, the first image comprises a first density value, and the first density value is determined by the first content of the toner in the developing area.

It is understood that the developing roller may be periodically rotated, and each period may include a preset period time, i.e., a time for which the developing roller is rotated for one period. The image forming module may form an image on the image carrier when the developing roller rotates for one cycle.

Specifically, a certain content of toner exists on the developing area of the developing roller, the toner on the developing area can form a corresponding image on the image carrier, and the density of the image is determined based on the content of the toner. That is, at the first period, the developing roller rotates, the powder feeding roller feeds the powder to the developing area so that the toner content on the developing area is replenished to the first content, and then the first content toner forms the first image on the first area of the image carrier. In other words, the first image consumes the first content of toner, the first content of toner on the development area is transferred to a first area on the image carrier, and the first image is formed.

And S103, controlling the developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a second period within a preset second period, so that the image forming module forms a second image on a second area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area comprises toner with a second content, the second image has a second density value, and the second density value is determined by the second content of the toner in the developing area.

That is, at the first period, there is a first content of toner on the development area, the toner of the development area is consumed to form the first image, and the density of the first image is determined based on the first content. At the second period, the toner of the developing region is replenished to a second content to form the second image, the density of the second image being determined based on the second content.

It can be seen that the first image and the second image correspond to the same development area, the density of the first image is determined based on a first content of the toner on the development area at the first period, the toner of the development area is replenished to a second content at the second period, and the density of the second image is determined based on a second content of the toner on the development area at the second period.

It is to be understood that, at the first period, the first voltage input to the developing region by the image forming apparatus, the first content is determined based on the first voltage, and at the second period, the second voltage input to the developing region by the image forming apparatus, the second content is determined based on the second voltage.

In one possible implementation manner, the image forming apparatus includes a first image forming module, a second image forming module, a third image forming module, and a fourth image forming module arranged in sequence, each of the image forming modules forms the first image of a corresponding color on the image carrier during the first period, and each of the image forming modules forms the second image of a corresponding color on the image carrier during the second period.

In one possible implementation, each of the first image and the second image may include a plurality of patterns, each of the patterns includes the first density value, the patterns correspond to the development regions, the first density value includes a density of each of the patterns in the first image, and the second density value includes a density of each of the patterns in the second image. The adjacent patterns have a certain distance therebetween. It will be appreciated that the density, shape, size, spacing between adjacent patterns of the images may be the same. For example, the first image may include a first pattern and a second pattern, and the second image may include a third pattern and a fourth pattern. As shown in fig. 2, the image forming module forms a first image and a second image of four colors (e.g., KMCY) on the image carrier, respectively, the first image of K color including a first pattern (K1) and a second pattern (K2), the second image of K color including a third pattern (K3) and a fourth pattern (K4), the first image of M color including a first pattern (M1) and a second pattern (M2), the second image of M color including a third pattern (M3) and a fourth pattern (M4), the first image of C color including a first pattern (C1) and a second pattern (C2), the second image of C color including a third pattern (C3) and a fourth pattern (C4), the first image of Y color including a first pattern (Y1) and a second pattern (Y2), and the second image of Y color including a third pattern (Y3) and a fourth pattern (Y4).

S104, detecting a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image.

The image forming apparatus further includes a sensor, such as a density sensor, for detecting density values of the first image and the second image. In the present application, the sensor is configured to detect a density of a first image on a first area and a density of a second image on a second area of the image carrier, the sensor may be kept fixed, and the first area and the second area of the image carrier are rotated to positions corresponding to the sensor.

For example, the first density value may include a density value of the first pattern of the first image and a density value of the second pattern, and the second density value may include a density value of the third pattern of the second image and a density value of the fourth pattern.

In one possible implementation manner, the method further includes:

s105, comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result.

The preset first threshold may be stored in the image forming apparatus.

When the second density value is larger than the preset first threshold value, determining a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value, correcting the density of the image forming module based on the density correction value, and determining that the carbon powder content in the image forming module is sufficient so that the image forming apparatus can perform density correction. In the density correction process, the image forming apparatus determines a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value. For example, the image forming apparatus may store a first reference value and a second reference value, and determine a density correction value based on a difference between the first density value and the first reference value, and a difference between the second density value and the second reference value to complete density correction.

When the image forming device judges that the second density value is smaller than a preset first threshold value, determining that the toner content in the image forming module is lower than a normal value (namely the toner content is insufficient). When the toner content is insufficient, the image forming apparatus may terminate the density correction to avoid unnecessary waste of toner. The image forming device can prompt a user to replenish carbon powder in time.

It should be noted that the second density value can also be used to determine the carbon powder content in the image forming module.

It is worth mentioning that the first density value may also be determined by an imaging parameter, such as a development voltage, and a first content of the toner of the development area, the second density value may also be determined by an imaging parameter, such as a development voltage, and a second content of the toner of the development area, and the third density value may also be determined by an imaging parameter, such as a development voltage, and a third content of the toner of the development area. The imaging parameters may include a first imaging parameter, a second imaging parameter, a third imaging parameter, and the like. When the toner content of the image forming apparatus is sufficient, the first density value of the first image is determined by the first image forming parameter and the first content, the second density value of the second image is determined by the second image forming parameter and the second content, and the third density value of the third image is determined by the third image forming parameter and the third content. When the toner content of the image forming apparatus is insufficient, the first density value of the first image decreases, the second density value of the second image decreases, and the third density value of the third image decreases.

It is worth mentioning that the toner on the developing area is consumed during the first period, and then the toner on the developing area is replenished with a certain amount of toner during the second period. If the content of the carbon powder in the image forming equipment is insufficient, in the second period, because the developing roller rotates for only one period, the content of the supplemented carbon powder on the developing area cannot reach a normal value, and the phenomenon that the content of the carbon powder is mistakenly considered to be sufficient because the originally insufficient carbon powder in the image forming equipment is supplemented to the developing area for multiple times due to the fact that the developing roller rotates for too many periods is avoided.

As shown in fig. 3 (a), in the case that the toner content of the image forming module of K color is sufficient, the method detects and obtains the density signal tables of the first image and the second image, wherein the first image and the second image each include two patterns, the horizontal axis coordinate is the image carrier rotation distance, and the vertical axis coordinate is the voltage signal value of the pattern. As shown in fig. 3 (b), when the toner content of the image forming module of K color is sufficient in the first period and insufficient in the second period, the method detects and obtains the density signal tables of the first image and the second image. As shown in fig. 3 (C), in the case that the toner content of the image forming modules of M color, C color and Y color is sufficient, the method detects and obtains the density signal tables of the first image and the second image corresponding to M color, C color and Y color. As shown in fig. 3 (d), when the toner content of the image forming modules of M colors is sufficient in the first period, the toner content of the image forming modules of C colors and Y colors is insufficient in the second period, and the toner content of the image forming modules of C colors and Y colors is sufficient, the method detects and obtains the density signal tables of the first image and the second image corresponding to the M colors, the C colors and the Y colors.

Note that the image forming apparatus stores a plurality of preset threshold values corresponding to different periods of the color and the same color, and for example, the preset threshold values may include a preset threshold value K1, a preset threshold value K2, a preset threshold value M1, a preset threshold value M2, a preset threshold value C1, a preset threshold value C2, a preset threshold value Y1, and a preset threshold value Y2. The preset threshold value K1 is compared with a density value of a K color third pattern (K3), the preset threshold value K2 is compared with a density value of a K color fourth pattern (K4), the preset threshold value M1 is compared with a density value of an M color third pattern (M3), the preset threshold value M2 is compared with a density value of an M color fourth pattern (M4), the preset threshold value C1 is compared with a density value of a C color third pattern (C3), the preset threshold value C2 is compared with a density value of a C color fourth pattern (C4), the preset threshold value Y1 is compared with a density value of a Y color third pattern (Y3), and the preset threshold value Y2 is compared with a density value of a Y color fourth pattern (Y4).

When the first period is used, the toner content of the image forming module is insufficient due to the formation of the first image, and when the second period is used, the image forming device can detect that the image forming module lacks toner in time so as to interrupt the concentration correction, avoid the unnecessary waste of toner and abandon the current concentration correction so as to prevent the phenomenon of correction error.

That is, the method judges whether the carbon powder content of the image forming device is sufficient or not by detecting the concentration of the second image formed in the second period, so that the detection result is more timely, accurate and reliable.

s301, controlling the rotation of a developing roller of the image forming module in a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area comprises a third content of toner, the third image has a third density value, and the third density value is determined by the third content of the toner in the developing area;

s302, detecting a third density value of the third image;

s303, comparing the third density value with a preset second threshold value, and determining whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first, second and third density values based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation, when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold, the controlling of rotation of the developing roller of the image forming module in a preset third period is performed so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier.

It can be seen that since the toner of the second content is consumed at the time of the second period to form the second image and the toner of the developing region is replenished to a third content at the time of the third period to form the third image, the density of the third image is determined based on the third content.

Further, in the step S303, when the second density value is greater than a preset first threshold, it is determined that the toner content of the image forming module is sufficient, and it is determined that the step S301 is performed to form the third image, where the density value of the first image, the density of the second image, and the density value of the third image may be used to determine a density correction value.

In the method, the controlling the rotation of the developing roller of the image forming module in a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier includes:

That is, when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold, it is determined that the toner content of the image forming module is insufficient, and an abnormal toner content indication is output to prompt a user that the toner content is insufficient, the step S301 is not performed, the third image is not formed, the density correction is interrupted, and the current density correction result is discarded, so that unnecessary waste of the remaining toner of the image forming module is avoided. The indication of abnormal toner content may include a light flash, a light color prompt, a voice prompt, a visual display, etc.

Of course, based on the above method, the image carrier may further include a fourth area, and the method in this application may further include: controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a fourth period so that the image forming module forms a fourth image on a fourth area of the image carrier, wherein the toner of the developing area is replenished to a fourth content, the density of the fourth image is determined based on the fourth content, and detecting a fourth density value of the fourth image to determine whether the toner content in the image forming module is sufficient to determine whether the fourth image can be used for determining a density correction value.

It is to be understood that some or all of the steps or operations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other operations or variations of various operations may be performed by the embodiments of the present application. Further, the various steps may be performed in a different order presented in the above embodiments, and not all of the operations in the above embodiments may be performed.

As shown in fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the present application provides an image forming apparatus including:

an image carrier 110 configured to rotate in a preset direction, the image carrier including a first region and a second region;

an image forming module 120 for forming an image on the image carrier;

a first control module 131 configured to control a rotation of a developing roller of the image forming module in a preset first period so that the image forming module forms a first image on a first area of the image carrier, wherein the developing roller includes a developing area including toner having a preset first content, the first image has a first density value determined by a first content of the toner of the developing area;

a second control module 132, configured to control the developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a second period within a preset second period, so that the image forming module forms a second image on a second area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area includes a toner having a second content, and the second image has a second density value determined by the second content of the toner of the developing area;

a first detection module 141 for detecting a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image;

a first judgment module 151 that compares the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determines whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the first image includes a plurality of patterns, and each pattern includes the first density value.

In one possible implementation manner, the image carrier further includes a third area, and the apparatus further includes:

a third control module 133 for controlling the rotation of the developing roller of the image forming module in a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area includes a third content of toner, and the third image has a third density value determined by the third content of toner of the developing area;

a second detecting module 142, configured to detect a third density value of the third image;

a second determination module 152 configured to compare the third density value with a preset second threshold value, and determine whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first, second, and third density values based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes:

a density correction module 160 configured to determine, when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value, the density of the image forming module being corrected based on the density correction value;

a toner content determining module 170, configured to output a toner content abnormal indication when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold.

In one possible implementation manner, the third control module 133 is further configured to compare the second density value with a preset first threshold, and if the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold, control the developing roller of the image forming module to rotate in the third period, so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier.

It is understood that the image forming module 120 may correspond to the image forming unit 60 in the image forming apparatus or sub-modules included therein, the first control module 131, the second control module 132, the third control module 133, the first judging module 151, the second judging module 152, the density correcting module 160, and the toner content determining module 170 may correspond to the controller 30 or sub-modules included therein, and the first detecting module 141 and the second detecting module 142 may correspond to the sensor 80 or sub-modules included therein.

In a second aspect, as shown in fig. 5, the present application provides an image forming apparatus comprising:

an image carrier 110A rotating in a preset direction, the image carrier including a first area and a second area;

an image forming module 120A for forming an image on an image carrier, the image forming module including a developing roller;

wherein the developing roller includes a developing region;

a developing region of the developing roller has a second content of toner for a preset second period, a second image is formed on the second region of the image carrier, the second image has a second density value determined by the second content of toner of the developing region;

a detection unit 130A for detecting a first density value of the first image and a second density value of the second image;

a judging unit 140A configured to compare the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and determine whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value based on the comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the image carrier further includes a third area, wherein the image forming module forms a third image on the third area of the image carrier in a preset third period, the developing area of the developing roller has a third content of toner, the third image has a third density value, the third density value is determined by the third content of toner of the developing area, the detecting unit is further configured to detect a third density value of the third image, the judging unit is configured to compare the third density value with a preset second threshold, and determine whether to correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value, the second density value and the third density value based on a comparison result.

In one possible implementation manner, the apparatus further includes:

a density correction unit 150A for determining a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, the density of the image forming module being corrected based on the density correction value;

an output unit 160A for outputting a toner content abnormality indication when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold value.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present application, and as shown in fig. 6, the image forming apparatus may include an image acquirer 10, an image processor 20, a controller 30, a user interface 40, a storage unit 50, an image forming unit 60, a communicator 70, and a sensor 80.

The image acquirer 10 may acquire an image formed on a surface of an image carrier (such as a transfer belt or a photosensitive drum) or an image forming medium (such as paper) and output image data corresponding to the acquired image. The image acquirer 10 may include: an image acquisition module 11 that acquires an image formed on a surface of an image carrier or an imaging medium; a file transfer module 12 for transferring a file D; a sensor moving module 13, a moving image acquisition module 11. The image acquisition module 11 may include a plurality of light emitting elements (e.g., photodiodes, etc.) arranged in a series and a plurality of photodetecting elements (e.g., photosensors, etc.) arranged in a series. Since a one-dimensional image can be acquired using a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a series as described above, the photodetectors are generally referred to as "linear image sensors".

The user interface 40 may interact with a user. For example, the user interface 40 may receive input from a user, such as a color/monochrome setting according to which the image forming apparatus acquires a color image or a monochrome image formed in an image carrier or an imaging medium, a resolution setting for acquiring an image formed in an image carrier or an imaging medium, and the like. The user interface 40 may include a plurality of buttons 41 via which predetermined user inputs are received from a user and a display 42 displaying various types of information.

The storage unit 50 may store a control program and control data for controlling the image forming apparatus and various application programs and application data via which various functions according to user input are performed. For example, the storage unit 50 may store an Operating System (OS) program for managing elements and resources (software and hardware) included in the image forming apparatus, an image reproduction program for displaying an image of a file, and the like. In particular, the storage unit 50 may store a test pattern for image density correction (tone recursive control (TRC)) or a test pattern for Automatic Color Registration (ACR). The storage unit 50 may include a nonvolatile memory in which a program or data is not lost even if power is turned off. For example, the storage unit 50 may include a magnetic disk drive (hard disk drive) 51, a semiconductor device drive (solid state drive) 52, or the like.

The communicator 70 may transmit data to or receive data from an external device. For example, the communicator 70 may receive image data from a desktop type terminal of a user or image data from a portable terminal of the user. The communicator 70 may include: a wired communication module 71 that transmits/receives data to/from an external device in a wired manner via a wire; a wireless communication module 72 that wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from an external device via radio waves. The wired communication module 71 may be an ethernet module, a token ring module, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication module, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) module, a point-to-point protocol (PPP) module, etc. The wireless communication module 72 may include a Wi-fi module, a bluetooth module, a ZigBee module, a Near Field Communication (NFC) module, and the like.

The image forming unit 60 may form an image on a printing medium according to image data. In detail, the image forming unit 60 may pick up the printing medium accommodated in the paper feeding tray, form an image on the picked-up printing medium, and discharge the printing medium on which the image is formed to the discharge tray. The image forming unit 60 may include a media transport module 61, an image forming module 62, and a fusing module 63.

The image forming modules 62 include the first image forming module, the second image forming module, the third image forming module, and the fourth image forming module.

The sensor 80 may acquire information related to a toner image generated using the image forming module 62. For example, the sensor 80 may sense a toner concentration forming a toner image, or may sense a pattern of the toner image. The sensor 80 may include: a first sensing module 81 sensing a toner concentration at which a toner image is formed and outputting an electric signal corresponding to the concentration of the toner image; the second sensing module 82 senses a pattern of the toner image and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed pattern.

The image processor 20 may analyze and process the image acquired using the image acquirer 10 or the image received through the communicator 70. Further, the image processor 20 may transmit an image to be formed on a printing medium to the image forming unit 60.

The image processor 20 may include a graphic processor 21 that performs calculations for processing an image and a graphic memory 22 that stores programs or data related to the calculations performed by the graphic processor 21. The graphics processor 21 may include an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) for performing calculations of image processing and a storage circuit for storing data to be used in the calculations or calculated data. The graphic memory 22 may include: volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), and the like; non-volatile memory such as read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and the like.

The controller 30 may control the operations of the image acquirer 10, the user interface 40, the storage unit 50, the image forming unit 60, the communicator 70, the sensor 80, and the image processor 20 described above. For example, the controller 30 may control the image processor 20 such that the image processor 20 transmits a one-dimensional image to the image forming unit 60, and control the image forming unit 60 such that the image forming unit 60 generates a toner image from the one-dimensional image transmitted by the image processor 20. In addition, the controller 30 may control the sensor 80 to sense the toner concentration of the toner image generated using the image forming unit 60, or control the sensor 80 to detect the pattern of the toner image generated using the image forming unit 60. The controller 30 may include: a control processor 31 that performs calculations for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus; a control memory 32 that stores programs and data related to the calculation operations performed by the control processor 31. The control processor 31 may include an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) that performs operations for controlling calculations of the image forming apparatus and a storage circuit for storing data to be used in the calculations or the calculated data. The control memory 32 may include volatile memory such as SRAM, DRAM, etc., and non-volatile memory such as read-only memory, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, etc.

The embodiments shown in fig. 5 or fig. 6 provide an image forming apparatus that can be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in fig. 1 of the present application, and the implementation principle and technical effects thereof can be further referred to the related description in the method embodiment.

It should be understood that the division of the respective modules of the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 5 or fig. 6 is merely a logical division, and all or part of the division may be integrated into one physical entity or may be physically separated in actual implementation. And these modules can be realized in the form of software called by processing element; or may be implemented entirely in hardware; and part of the modules can be realized in the form of calling by the processing element in software, and part of the modules can be realized in the form of hardware. For example, the detection module may be a separate processing element, or may be integrated into a chip of the electronic device. Other modules are implemented similarly. In addition, all or part of the modules can be integrated together or can be independently realized. In implementation, each step of the above method or each module above may be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in a processor element or an instruction in the form of software.

For example, the above modules may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), one or more microprocessors (DSPs), one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), etc. For another example, these modules may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a System-On-a-Chip (SOC).

The image forming apparatus may further include a controller 30, a communicator 70, a storage unit 50, and the like, the controller 30, the communicator 70, and the storage unit 50 may communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transfer control and/or data signals, the storage unit 50 may store a computer program, and the controller 30 may call and run the computer program from the storage unit 50. The controller 30 may include a processor for executing the program.

The storage unit 50 may be a read-only memory (ROM), other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM), or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, etc.

In the above embodiments, the processors may include, for example, a CPU, a DSP, a microcontroller, or a digital Signal processor, and may further include a GPU, an embedded Neural Network Processor (NPU), and an Image Signal Processing (ISP), and the processors may further include necessary hardware accelerators or logic Processing hardware circuits, such as an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program according to the technical solution of the present application. Further, the processor may have the functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in the storage medium.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method provided by the embodiment shown in fig. 1 of the present application.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program, when the computer program runs on a computer, causing the computer to execute the method provided by the embodiment shown in fig. 1 of the present application.

In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may mean that a exists alone, a and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Wherein A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c may represent: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c or a and b and c, wherein a, b and c can be single or multiple.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, devices and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, any function, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a separate product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a portable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media capable of storing program codes.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure, and all the changes or substitutions should be covered by the protection scope of the present application. The protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A density correction method applied to an image forming apparatus including an image carrier and an image forming module for forming an image on the image carrier, characterized by comprising:

controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate during a preset first period so that the image forming module forms a first image on a first area of the image carrier, wherein the developing roller comprises a developing area, the developing area comprises a preset first content of toner, the first image has a first density value, and the first density value is determined by the first content of the toner of the developing area;

controlling a developing roller of the image forming module to rotate for a second period within a preset second period so that the image forming module forms a second image on a second area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area includes toner having a second content, and the second image has a second density value determined by the second content of the toner of the developing area;

comparing the second density value with a preset first threshold value, when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, determining a density correction value based on the first density value and the second density value, and correcting the density of the image forming module based on the density correction value;

and interrupting the concentration correction when the second concentration value is smaller than the preset first threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of patterns, each of the patterns comprising the first density value.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image carrier further comprises a third area, the method further comprising:

if the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value, controlling the rotation of the developing roller of the image forming module in a preset third period so that the image forming module forms a third image on a third area of the image carrier, wherein the developing area comprises a third content of toner, and the third image has a third density value which is determined by the third content of the toner in the developing area;

detecting a third density value of the third image;

comparing the third density value with a preset second threshold value, and correcting the density of the image forming module based on the first, second and third density values when the third density value is greater than or equal to the preset second threshold value.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises:

when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold value, outputting a toner content abnormality indication.

5. An image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:

wherein the developing roller includes a developing region;

a determination unit configured to compare the second density value with a preset first threshold value, and correct a density of the image forming module based on the first density value and the second density value when the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold value;

the image forming apparatus is further configured to interrupt density correction when the second density value is smaller than the preset first threshold.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first image comprises a plurality of patterns, each of the patterns comprising the first density value.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the image carrier further includes a third area, wherein if the second density value is greater than or equal to the preset first threshold, the image forming module forms a third image on the third area of the image carrier in a preset third period, the third image having a third density value determined by a third content of the toner of the developing area, the detecting unit is further configured to detect a third density value of the third image, the determining unit is configured to compare the third density value with a preset second threshold, and when the third density value is greater than or equal to the preset second threshold, correct the density of the image forming module based on the first density value, the second density value, and the third density value.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

9. A computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1-4.