JP2000305327A - Printing device and control method for printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make freely settable the printing density adjusting period at a user's desirable time by setting arbitrarily the executing time of the printing density adjustment by an adjusting measure. SOLUTION: At the time of powering on a CLP 1600 being left in power off for a long time, a printing part control measure 7 detects a temperature of a fixing apparatus to be low enough by a fixing apparatus temperature sensor 8 and the first printing density adjustment is executed. Next by a user operation part 1530 a predetermined value regarding a density adjustment process executing timing is inputted. If 'a skip of the density adjustment after a short time power off recovery' is selected at the operation part 1530, a density adjustment order control measure 6 does not issue a density adjustment order 105 to a printing part 1500. On the other hand, when the printing is continued and the number of the printing reaches a predetermined number of sheets of density adjustment processing interval, a judgment is made whether it is in the middle of printing of the same job or not. And, if it is in the middle of printing of the same job, the printing is continued and if it is not in the middle of printing a density adjustment processing is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of automatically adjusting a printing density so as to maintain print quality, and a method of controlling the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional color laser beam printer capable of multi-value printing, the ON time of a laser beam for scanning a photosensitive drum is varied by a pulse width modulation circuit, and the diameter of a laser spot is adjusted. By controlling the amount of toner adhering, the gradation of each pixel is reproduced to realize multicolor printing. In terms of logic, the size of the laser spot diameter and the amount of adhered toner have a linear relationship. However, due to various environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and voltage fluctuation, the relationship is not completely linear. Unless the correction is made according to the conditions or the like, stable high-quality multicolor printing cannot be realized.

In order to calculate a print correction value which is a density correction value for printing to perform the above-described correction, a predetermined pattern is drawn on a photosensitive drum, toner is adhered, and the toner is applied to the toner by a density sensor. A print density adjustment function provided in a conventional printing apparatus measures the amount of adhesion and obtains a print correction value from a comparison with an expected value.

Hereinafter, an outline of a print density adjusting mechanism of a conventional printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a conventional printing apparatus. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

Referring to FIG. 10, reference numeral 1600 denotes a color laser beam printer which performs an actual printing operation with a controller 1000 having an image generating unit 1010 for generating print data 1551 which represents a print image by the size of a laser beam diameter. And a printing unit 1500.

The print density adjustment control unit 1 in the printing unit 1500
When a print density adjustment command 1552 is issued from the print unit 546 to the printing unit control unit 1541 and the toner density adjustment unit 1542, the print pattern for density adjustment determined by the printing unit control unit 1541 that controls the entire control in the printing unit 1500 is output. The pixel unit information is transmitted to the laser control unit 1543. The laser control means 1543 includes a laser diode 150
3 laser intensity can be controlled.

An electrostatic latent image of a print pattern for density adjustment is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506 by the laser beam emitted from the laser diode 1503 to the photosensitive drum 1506, and the toner of the toner cartridge 1515 is attached to the latent image. Thereby, the print pattern is developed.
The photosensitive drum 1506 rotates, and the toner density sensor 15
44, the toner density of the developed print pattern on the photosensitive drum 1506 is detected.

[0009] The toner density information detected by the toner density sensor 1544 is sent to the toner density adjusting means 1542 as feedback information 1553, and a predetermined value is compared with the feedback information 1553.
A voltage correction value 15 such that the toner density becomes equal to a predetermined value.
54 to the laser control means 1543.

As a result, the laser control means 1543
Is the laser diode 15 according to the voltage correction value 1554.
03 is controlled to provide an optimal image quality.

Reference numeral 1545 denotes a print number counter for requesting a print density adjustment control unit 1546 to issue a print density adjustment command when the number of prints reaches a specified number.

The print density adjustment described above is performed for yellow,
This is executed for each of the magenta, cyan, and black toners. Many of the color laser printers currently on the market are equipped with the print density adjustment function described above.To guarantee optimum print output, the printer automatically prints when the printer is turned on and after printing a specified number of sheets. The density adjustment is performed.

[0013]

However, the execution of the print density adjustment described above does not always end in a short time, but depends on the printing speed of the printing unit 1500.
It takes about 2 to 2 minutes. If the print density adjustment is set to be performed every time the power is turned on, the print density adjustment will be executed every time the printer power is turned off due to, for example, a paper jam, and the recovery time will be longer than usual. However, there has been a problem that the work efficiency of the user is reduced.

Further, when a printer that performs the above-described print density adjustment is used as a network printer in an office, a large number of copies of the same document may be printed. Is executed, if the number of prints reaches a specified number in the middle of the copy printing, not only the print processing is interrupted, but also the print color differs before and after the density adjustment processing is performed. There was a point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. A first object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that allows a user to arbitrarily set the execution time of a density adjustment process. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method of the printing apparatus, which can set a density adjustment time to a time desired by a user.

A second object of the present invention is to execute the density adjustment processing after the printing of the same job is completed when the number of prints of the printing apparatus exceeds the set number of sheets at which the density adjustment processing is to be executed. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a control method of the printing apparatus that can print the same job without being interrupted by the print density adjustment processing, and that can reliably prevent a print color from being different in the same job.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing unit (printing unit 1500 shown in FIG. 5) for printing print data on a recording medium, and a method for maintaining print quality in the printing unit. A printing apparatus having an adjustment unit (toner density adjustment unit 1542 shown in FIG. 5) for adjusting the print density, wherein a setting unit (see FIG. 4) capable of arbitrarily setting the execution timing of the print density adjustment by the adjustment unit CPU 100
1).

A second invention according to the present invention has a control means (density adjustment command control means 6 shown in FIG. 5) for adjusting the print density by the adjustment means at the execution time set by the setting means. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the setting means includes an input from an operation means (an operation unit 1530 shown in FIG. 5) or an external device (a host computer 300 shown in FIG. 5).
The execution time is arbitrarily set by the command from 0).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the setting means sets the number of prints in the printing means as a parameter of execution timing of print density adjustment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determining means for determining whether or not the number of prints in the printing means has exceeded the number of prints set by the setting means (density adjustment command control means 6 shown in FIG. 5). Determining means (job counter 5 shown in FIG. 5) for determining whether or not the same job is being printed by the printing means; and performing the adjustment based on the determination result of the determining means and the determination result of the determining means. Control means (density adjustment command control means 6 shown in FIG. 5) for controlling the execution and non-execution of the density adjustment processing by the means.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the setting means selectively sets whether or not to perform print density adjustment after the power supply to the printing apparatus is shut off for a short time, and outputs the result of the selection by the setting means. Accordingly, a control means (density adjustment command control means 6 shown in FIG. 5) for controlling the execution and non-execution of the print density adjustment by the adjustment means when the power supply to the printing apparatus is restarted.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring unit (fixing unit temperature sensor 8 shown in FIG. 5) for measuring a temperature of a fixing unit of the printing unit, a measurement result of the measuring unit and a predetermined temperature. (A density adjustment command control unit 6 shown in FIG. 5) for comparing the print density adjustment execution and the execution of the print density adjustment by the adjustment unit when the printing apparatus is turned on, according to the comparison result of the comparison unit. Control means for controlling non-execution (FIG. 5
And a density adjustment command control means 6) shown in FIG.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing unit (printing unit 150 shown in FIG. 5) for printing print data on a recording medium.
0) and an adjusting means (toner density adjusting means 1542 shown in FIG. 5) for adjusting the print density so as to maintain the print quality of the printing means, wherein the print density is adjusted by the adjusting means. It has a setting step (step (3) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6) in which the execution time of the adjustment can be arbitrarily set.

A ninth invention according to the present invention has an adjusting step (step (11) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6) for adjusting the print density by the adjusting means at the execution time set in the setting step. is there.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, the number of prints in the printing unit is set as a parameter of the execution timing of print density adjustment, and the number of prints in the printing unit is set in the setting step. (Step (8) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6) for determining whether or not the number of printed sheets has exceeded the number of printed sheets, and a determining step for determining whether or not the same job is being printed by the printing means (shown in FIG. 6). Step (9) in the flowchart),
A selection step (step (9) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6) of selecting whether to execute the density adjustment processing by the adjusting means based on the determination result of the determination step and the determination result of the determination step. is there.

[0027]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before explaining the main parts of the present embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the structure of a color laser beam printer capable of outputting a high-quality image suitable for applying the present embodiment. I will explain while.

The printer to which this embodiment is applied is as follows.
It is not limited to color laser beam printers,
It goes without saying that a printer of another printing method capable of adjusting the print density may be used.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view for explaining the configuration of the printing apparatus shown in this embodiment. Here, the case of a color laser beam printer (CLP) 1600 will be described as an example. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the optical unit 1518 illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1600 denotes a CLP which receives code data and image data described in a printer language sent from an external host computer 3000, and based on the received data, forms one page of magenta (M). ), Cyan (C), yellow (Y), black (B
controller 1000 for generating multi-valued image data k)
And a printer that performs a recording by a series of electrophotographic processes of forming a latent image by scanning a laser beam modulated according to input multi-valued image data on a photosensitive drum, transferring the latent image to recording paper, and fixing the latent image. An engine (hereinafter, printing unit) 1500 is provided. Reference numeral 1530 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation, an LCD display, and the like are arranged.

Hereinafter, the operation will be described. The controller 1000 and the printing unit 1500 are connected by an interface signal line 1200. The main interface signals are / RDY signal, / PRNT signal, / TOP
Signal, a / LSYNC signal, a VDO7 signal to a VDO0 signal, a transfer synchronization signal VCLK, and the like. Hereinafter, the various signals will be briefly described.

The / RDY signal is a signal sent from the printing unit 1500 to the controller 1000, and the printing unit 1500 can start a printing operation at any time when the printing unit 1500 receives a / PRNT signal described later, or can perform a printing operation. This is a signal indicating that the state can be continued. /
The PRNT signal is sent from the controller 1000 to the printing unit 15.
00, which is a signal for instructing the start of the printing operation or the continuation of the printing operation.

The / TOP signal is a synchronization signal in the sub-scanning (vertical scanning) direction, and is sent from the printing unit 1500 to the controller 1000. The / LSYNC signal is a synchronization signal in the main scanning (horizontal scanning) direction,
00 to the controller 1000.

The VDO7 to VDO0 signals are image signals sent from the controller 1000 to the printing unit 1500, and indicate image density information to be printed by the printing unit 1500. The VDO7 signal is represented by the most significant bit, and the VDO0 signal is represented by the least significant eight bits. In the printing unit 1500, V
When the DO7 signal to the VDO0 signal are FFH, printing is performed at the maximum density of the developing toner color, and when the DOH signal is 00H, printing is not performed. Also, VD
The signals O7 to VDO0 are sent out in synchronization with the transfer synchronization signal VCLK.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
The operation at 500 will be described. Upon receiving the / PRNT signal from the printer controller 1000, the printing unit 1500 rotates the photosensitive drum 1506 and the transfer drum 1508 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. Subsequently, charging of the roller charger 1509 is started, and the potential on the photosensitive drum 1506 is uniformly charged to a predetermined value.

Next, when a recording sheet 1528 is fed from a recording sheet cassette 1510 to a transfer drum 1508 having a dielectric sheet stretched on a hollow support by a feed roller 1511, the recording sheet 1528 is fed at the same speed as the photosensitive drum 1506. To rotate in the direction of the arrow. When the recording sheet 1528 is supplied to the transfer drum 1508, the recording sheet 1528 is provided by a gripper 1512 provided on a support of the transfer drum 1508.
28, and the recording paper 1528 is transferred to the transfer drum 150 by the suction roller 1513 and the suction charger 1514.
8 is adsorbed.

At the same time, the toner cartridge (support for the developing device)
The four developing devices 1516M and 151 supported by 515
6C, 1516Y and 1516Bk, the developing device 1516M containing the magenta toner as the first toner is made to face the photosensitive drum 1506. Reference numeral 1516C denotes a developing device containing cyan toner, 1516Y denotes a developing device containing yellow toner, and 1516Bk denotes a developing device containing black toner.

On the other hand, the printing unit 1500 includes the transfer drum 15
08 detects the leading end of the recording paper 1528
17 and generates a vertical synchronization signal / TOP at a predetermined timing and sends it to the controller 1000.
The controller 1000 sets the first / T for the print page.
When the OP signal is received, magenta data as the first print color is read out at a predetermined timing from image data stored in a page memory in a RAM 1002 shown in FIG. The read 8-bit image data D7 to DO are sent to the printing unit 1500 in synchronization with the VCLK signal as VDO7 to VDO0 image signals.

VD output from controller 1000
The signals O7 to VDO0 are input to the pulse width modulation circuit 1501 as shown in FIG.
The laser drive signal VDO (six stages) is sent to the laser driver 1502. At the time of development, which will be described later, the amount of toner adhesion can be adjusted according to the pulse width of the laser drive signal VDO, thereby reproducing 256 shades of each color.

Next, in FIG. 2, a laser diode 1503 driven in accordance with the laser drive signal VDO is used.
The laser beam 1527 is deflected by a rotary polygon mirror 1504 that is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a motor (not shown), passes through an imaging lens 1505 disposed on the optical path, and scans the photosensitive drum 1506 in the main scanning direction. A latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506. At this time, the beam detector 1507 detects the scanning start point of the laser beam, and generates a / LSYNC signal, which is a horizontal synchronization signal for determining an image writing timing of main scanning, from the detection signal.

The above-described main scanning operation is repeated to
A magenta latent image for a page is formed on the photosensitive drum 1506.

Returning to FIG. 1, the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1506 is a developing device 1 containing the magenta toner.
516M to develop a magenta toner image. This magenta toner image is transferred to a transfer charger 1519.
As a result, the image is transferred onto the recording paper 1528 that is attracted to the rotating transfer roller 1508. At this time, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1506 without being transferred is removed by the cleaning device 1525. Through the above operation, a magenta toner image for one page is formed on the recording paper 1528.

Next, the toner cartridge 1515 is rotated so that the developing device 1516C containing cyan toner as the second toner is opposed to the photosensitive drum 1506. Subsequently, as in the case of magenta, the transfer roller 1
The detector 1517 detects the leading edge of the rotating recording paper 1528 while being sucked by the 508, generates a vertical synchronization signal / TOP, and sends it to the controller 1000. In response, the controller 1000 reads the cyan image data from the page memory of the RAM 1002. Hereinafter, by the same operation, the cyan toner image is transferred onto the recording paper 1528 so as to overlap the magenta toner image.

Further, similarly, a yellow toner image as a third toner and a black toner image as a fourth toner are transferred onto the recording paper 1528 in a superimposed manner to form a full-color toner image.

The recording paper 1528 to which all of the four color toner images have been transferred passes through a separation charger 1520, and the separation claw 1
The sheet is peeled from the transfer drum 1508 by 521, and is supplied to the fixing device 1523 by the conveyance unit 1522. At this time, the transfer drum cleaner 1526 cleans the surface of the transfer drum.

The toner image on the recording paper 1528 is melted and fixed by being heated and pressed by the fixing device 1523 to form a final color output image. Then, the recording paper on which recording has been completed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 1524.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of host computer 3000 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2000 denotes a host computer control unit. In the host computer control unit 2000, the program RO
M based on the document processing program stored in M
The image processing apparatus includes a CPU 2001 for executing document processing in which images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets and the like) are mixed, and the CPU 2001 controls each device connected to the system bus 2004 as a whole.

The program ROM of the ROM 2003 stores a control program of the CPU 2001 and the like, and the font ROM of the ROM 2003 stores font data and the like used in the above document processing.
The data ROM 003 stores various data (for example, overlay form data, background image data, and external characters) used when performing the document processing and the like. 2002
Denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 2001.

2005 is a keyboard controller (KB)
C) controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 3001 or a pointing device (not shown). 2006
Is a CRT controller (CRTC) that controls the display on a CRT display (CRT) 3002. Reference numeral 2007 denotes a disk controller (DKC) which controls access to an external memory 3003 such as a hard disk (HD) storing a boot program, various applications, font data, a user file, an editing file, and the like, and a floppy disk (FD). Reference numeral 2008 denotes a printer controller (PRTC) which controls the CLP 16 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 2009.
00, and executes a communication control process with the CLP 1600.

The CPU 2001 is, for example, a RAM 2
002 (rasterizing) of the outline font in the display information RAM set on the CRT
WYSIWYG on the 3002 is enabled. Further, the CPU 2001 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 3002, and executes various data processing.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic control configuration of CLP 1600 shown in FIG. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1001 denotes a printer CPU.
The control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 1003 or the extension ROM module 10
04, based on a control program and the like stored in the system bus 1005, and comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 1005, and print unit interface (I / F) 1
An image signal as output information is output to the printing unit 1500 connected via the 006. Also, this ROM 1003
The control program for the CPU 1001 is stored in the program ROM. RO for fonts in ROM1003
M stores font data and the like used when generating the output information, and the data ROM of the ROM 1003 stores overlay forms and external character information used on the host computer 3000.

The printer CPU 1001 has an input unit 1008
The communication processing with the host computer 3000 can be performed via the CLP 1600, and information and the like in the CLP 1600 can be notified to the host computer 3000. 10
Reference numeral 02 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, a page memory, and the like of the CPU 1001, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an expansion RAM module connected to an expansion port (not shown). Note that the RAM 1002 is used for an output information development area, an environment data storage area, and the like.

The expansion ROM module 1004 such as an IC card described above includes a memory controller (MC) 100
9 controls the access. The extension ROM module 1004 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 1010 denotes an image generation unit which is a printer CPU.
Reference numeral 1001 denotes hardware that assists in generating print data by calculation. Scaling of print data, rotation,
It has a function to perform high-speed processing such as color conversion and superimposition using a logic circuit. The operation unit 1530 includes switches for operation, an LCD display, and the like.

Also, the above-described expansion ROM module 1
The number 004 is not limited to one, and at least one or more may be provided so that an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different languages can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts. good. Further, a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation unit 1530 or the like. In addition,
As long as the function of the present invention is executed, LA or a single device or a system including a plurality of devices may be used.
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed via a network such as N.

The present invention realizes a function in which a user can arbitrarily set the execution timing of the density adjustment processing for guaranteeing print image quality in a print system including these units.

The details of each embodiment will be described below.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic control configuration of a printing apparatus shown in the present embodiment. Here, a host computer 3000 and a color laser beam printer (CLP) 1600 are connected. The printing system is described as an example. The same components as those in FIGS. 1, 4, and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.

In FIG. 5, the CLP 1600 is roughly composed of a controller 1000 and a printing unit 1500.

Reference numeral 1010 denotes an image generation unit, which is based on the print data 101 from the host computer 3000 and print data 10 representing a print image in terms of the amount of laser beam irradiation.
4 is generated. Reference numeral 4 denotes a number counter, which counts the number of print pages in the printing unit 1500. A job counter 5 counts the same document in the print data 101 as one job (JOB), and determines whether one job is under printing.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a printing unit control unit. When the condition set by the density adjustment time setting command 106 input from the operation unit 1530 is satisfied, the density is sent to the printing unit control unit 7 and the toner density adjustment unit 1542 in the printing unit 1500. An adjustment instruction 105 is issued. The controller 1000 includes the above-described image generation unit 1010, number-of-sheets counter 4, job counter 5, density adjustment command control unit 6, and the like.

The printing unit 1500 includes a printing unit control unit 7, a toner density control unit 1542, and a laser control unit 1 having the same functions as the printing unit control unit 1541 shown in the conventional example.
543, toner density sensor 1544, laser diode 1503, photosensitive drum 1506, toner cartridge 1
515 etc.

It should be noted that the printing unit control means 7 has a CLP 160
When the temperature of the fixing device 1523 shown in FIG. 1 is sufficiently lower than the standard operation default value based on the temperature information from the fixing device temperature sensor 8 of 0, the print density adjusting process is forcibly performed. .

The control process of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to a process of determining the timing of executing the density adjustment in the CLP 1600. Note that (1) to (1)
1) shows each step.

First, the CLP that has been powered off for a long time
When the power of the 1600 is turned on (1), the printing unit control means 7 shown in FIG.
Is detected to be sufficiently low, and the first print density adjustment processing is executed (2).

Next, the user inputs a set value relating to the execution timing of the density adjustment processing from the operation unit 1530 (3). These setting values have default values, and the printer operates normally with the printer default values even if the user does not set them. The values set by the user are not shown in the controller 1000 by the CPU 1001 shown in FIG. Stored in a non-volatile memory element such as NVRAM,
It is effective until changed thereafter.

In this embodiment, the setting items are
It is assumed that the user selects whether or not to execute the density adjustment processing after a short power-off, and inputs the number of prints indicating the density adjustment processing interval. The definition of the power-off for a short time is based on how many times the fixing unit temperature can be lowered from the operation default value (for example, −20 ° C.).
Is to be judged. In this embodiment, the user cannot change the temperature, but the temperature may be changed.

Then, when the power is turned on again due to an unexpected jam or a system hang-up during the printing operation (4), the "skip density adjustment after power-off recovery" is set by the setting input from the operation unit 1530. It is determined whether or not it is selected (5). If it is determined that it is not selected, a density adjustment process is performed (11), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (5) that "skip density adjustment after power-off recovery" has been selected, it is determined whether the temperature of fixing unit 1523 is sufficiently high (6). If it is determined that the temperature is not sufficiently high, the density adjustment process is performed (11), and the process returns to step (4). If it is determined that the temperature of the fixing device 1523 is sufficiently high, the process proceeds to step (7).

As described above, if “skip density adjustment after power-off recovery” is selected in operation unit 1530, density adjustment command control means 6 transmits density adjustment command 105 to printing unit 1
Since the power supply is not issued to the printer 500, unless the power-off time is too long and the temperature of the fixing device drops too much, the process waits for the temperature of the fixing device 1523 to enter the standby state without interposing the density adjustment processing, and immediately It is possible to return to the printing operation.

On the other hand, in step (7), printing is continued. If the number of prints reaches the number set in the density adjustment processing interval (8), it is determined whether or not the same job is being printed based on the flag value of the job counter 5. (9) If it is determined that the same job is being printed, printing is continued (10), and the process returns to step (9). If it is determined that the same job is not being printed, that is, the same job is not printed. If it is determined that the process has been completed, a density adjustment process is performed (11), and the process returns to step (4).

As described above, the density adjustment processing can be postponed until the printing of the same job is completed by the flag value of the job counter 5. When the density adjustment processing is executed, the count value of the number counter 4 is cleared.

A processing instruction output unit for instructing the printing device printing unit to perform the printing density adjustment process in the printing device image generation unit, and a process capable of setting the execution timing of the printing density adjustment process by a command from a printer driver on a printer panel or a host computer. A command setting unit, a print number counting unit for counting the number of prints, and a print job flag for determining whether a print job is being processed prevent abrupt interruption of the printing process unintended by the user, and a prompt ready state upon restart. It is possible to return to.

As described above, the printing apparatus shown in the present embodiment is provided with a means for allowing the user to arbitrarily set the execution timing of the print density adjustment processing. The adjustment process can be skipped, and the printer can be promptly returned to a usable state even when the power is unexpectedly turned off during use of the printer.

In the conventional printer, when the set number of prints is reached, printing is interrupted even during printing, and the process proceeds to the print density adjustment processing. Sets the execution timing of the print density adjustment processing for each print job, so that the print density adjustment processing is not interrupted during the copy printing of the same document, and the print color does not differ. be able to.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
Although the execution timing of the density adjustment processing is controlled based on the setting value related to the execution timing of the density adjustment processing set from the operation unit 1530, the setting value related to the execution timing of the density adjustment processing set from the operation unit 1530 and the host computer 3000 May be configured to control the execution timing of the density adjustment processing based on Less than,
The embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining a schematic control configuration of the printing apparatus shown in this embodiment. Here, a printing system in which the host computer 3000 and the CLP 1600 are connected is described as an example. 1, 4, 5, and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation will be described.
The printing unit 1500 has the configuration shown in FIG.

The CLP 1600 is a controller 1000
And a printing unit 1500.

The image generation unit 1010 generates print data 104 that expresses a print image in accordance with the amount of laser beam irradiation based on the print data 101 from the host computer 3000.
Generate The number counter 4 counts the number of print pages. The job counter 5 counts the same document as one job (JOB) in the print data 101, and determines whether one job is under printing.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a density adjustment command control means, which is a first density adjustment timing setting command 201 input from the CPU 2001 executing printer driver software on the host computer 3000 or a second density adjustment command input from the operation unit 1530. When the conditions set by the adjustment time setting command 202 are satisfied, the density adjustment command 105 is issued to the printing unit control unit 25 and the toner density adjustment unit 1542 in the printing unit 1500. The controller 1000
It has the above-described image generation unit 1010, number-of-sheets counter 4, job counter 5, density adjustment command control means 24, and the like.

Further, the density adjustment command control means 24
Density adjustment process unexecuted power-off period selection which is the lower limit temperature of the fixing device 1523 for selecting the power-off period in which the density adjustment when the P1600 is powered off is not executed. (When the temperature of the fixing device 1523 has dropped to the temperature, the density adjustment processing is executed) to the printing unit control means 25. The density adjustment unexecuted power-off period selection fixing unit temperature information is stored in the operation unit 1530 and the host computer 300
0, the first and second density adjustment timing setting commands 201,
202.

Further, the power-off period selection fixing unit temperature information for which the density adjustment processing has not been performed (hereinafter, the density adjustment non-execution temperature) is stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory in the printing unit control means 25 and is retained until it is overwritten next time. Shall be.

The printing unit 1500 includes a printing unit control unit 25 and a toner density control unit 1542, a laser control unit 1543, a toner density sensor 1544, a laser diode 1503, a photosensitive drum 1506, and a toner cartridge 1515.

The printing unit control means 25 inputs the temperature information from the fixing unit temperature sensor 8 of the fixing unit 1523 of the printing unit 1500 after the power is turned on, and if the fixing unit temperature is lower than the set density non-execution temperature. It has a function to forcibly execute the print density adjustment processing.

The control processing of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the second data processing procedure in the printing apparatus shown in the present embodiment, and corresponds to the processing for determining the timing for executing the density adjustment in the CLP 1600. Note that (1) to (1)
0) indicates each step.

First, the CLP that has been powered off for a long time
When the 1600 is powered on (1), the printing unit control unit 2
No. 5 detects that the temperature of the fixing device 1523 is lower than the set density adjustment non-execution temperature, and executes the first print density adjustment processing. (2) Next, the user inputs a setting value relating to the timing of executing the density adjustment processing from the operation unit 1530 or the host computer 3000 executing the printer driver. Of course, these set values have default values, and the printer operates normally with the printer default values even if the user does not set them, and the values set by the user are the CPU 10 shown in FIG.
01 is stored in a non-volatile memory element such as NVRAM in the controller 1000, and becomes effective until changed thereafter.

In the present embodiment, as the setting items, selection of whether to shorten or lengthen the power-off period in which the density adjustment processing is not executed, and the number of prints indicating the density adjustment processing interval are input. Further, the time information of the power-off in which the density adjustment has not been performed is converted by a cooling curve function of the fixing device temperature, and is transferred to the printing unit control means 25 as the density adjustment non-execution temperature.

[0091] The setting value input from the operation unit 1530 and the setting value input from the host computer 3000 are not given a priority.
It is assumed that the latest information is always set by the PU 1001 overwriting the set value stored in the NVRAM (not shown).

Then, when the power is turned on again due to an unexpected jam or a system hang-up during the printing operation (4), it is determined whether or not the temperature of the fixing unit 1523 is lower than the preset density adjustment non-execution temperature. (5) If it is determined that the temperature of the fixing device 1523 is lower than the density adjustment non-execution temperature, the density adjustment processing is executed (10), and the process returns to step (4).

On the other hand, in step (5), the fixing device 15
If it is determined that the temperature of No. 23 is higher than the density adjustment non-execution temperature, the process proceeds to step (6).

As described above, as long as the temperature of the fixing unit 1523 is not lower than the preset temperature for which density adjustment has not been executed, the density adjustment command control means 24 does not issue the density adjustment command 105 to the printing unit 23. Without intervening processing,
It is possible to immediately return to the printing operation after waiting for the fixing unit temperature to be in the standby state.

On the other hand, in step (6), printing is continued. If the number of prints reaches the number set in the density adjustment processing interval (7), it is determined whether the same job is being printed based on the flag value of the job counter 5. (8) If it is determined that the same job is being printed, printing is continued (9), and the process returns to step (8). If it is determined that the same job is not being printed, that is, the same job is not printed. If it is determined that the processing has been completed, a density adjustment process is performed (10), and the process returns to step (4).

As described above, the density adjustment processing can be postponed until the printing of the same job is completed based on the flag value of the job counter 5. When the density adjustment processing is executed, the count value of the number counter 4 is cleared. The postponement of the density adjustment processing in the middle of the job is the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiments, the controller 1000 of the CLP 1600 capable of multicolor printing controls the density adjustment command control means 6 and 24 for instructing the printing unit 1500 to perform the print density adjustment, and executes the print density adjustment process. An operation unit 1530 or a host computer 3000 that executes a printer driver that can set a time, a number counter 4 that counts the number of prints, and a job flag 103 that determines that the same print job is being processed are provided.
It is possible to prevent interruption of printing processing due to unexpected density adjustment processing not intended by the user, to enable quick return to the ready state upon restart, and to prevent a change in image quality (color) in the same document.

[0098] The above embodiments may be combined and implemented.

Further, in the above embodiment, a color laser beam printer is described as an example. However, various printing apparatuses such as an image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic apparatus, a digital copying machine, a monochrome copying machine, and a color laser copying machine are described. Machine, laser beam printer, color laser printer, facsimile machine, multifunction copier with copy function and / or print function and / or facsimile function, etc., and control device for controlling various printing devices, information processing device, data processing The technology described in the present embodiment may be applied to an apparatus, a computer, and the like.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in a storage medium, such as version information and a creator, is also stored, and information dependent on an OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

The functions shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is also applicable to a case where a group of information including a program is supplied to an output device from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the readout program codes, and the OS (Operating System) running on the computer is executed based on the instructions of the program codes. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0110]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having printing means for printing print data on a recording medium, and adjusting means for adjusting print density so as to maintain print quality in the printing means, wherein the print density is adjusted by the adjusting means. Since there is provided a setting unit that can arbitrarily set the execution time of the adjustment, the print density adjustment time desired by the user can be set freely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the control means for adjusting the print density by the adjusting means at the execution time set by the setting means is provided, the print density adjustment can be executed at a time desired by the user.

According to the third aspect, the setting means arbitrarily sets the execution time according to the input from the operating means or the command from the external device, so that not only a user near the device but also a user of the external device. The execution timing of the print density adjustment can be set.

According to the fourth aspect, the setting means sets the number of prints in the printing means as a parameter of the execution timing of the print density adjustment. Can be set.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the determination means for determining whether the number of prints in the printing means exceeds the number of prints set by the setting means, and the printing of the same job is performed by the printing means. A determination unit for determining whether or not the density adjustment process is performed by the adjustment unit based on the determination result of the determination unit and the determination result of the determination unit. It is possible to prevent unnecessarily interrupted printing, and to reliably prevent printing colors from being different in the same job.

According to the sixth aspect, the setting means selectively sets whether or not to perform print density adjustment after the power supply to the printing apparatus is cut off for a short time, and according to the result of the selection and setting by the setting means. A control unit for controlling execution and non-execution of the print density adjustment by the adjustment unit when the power supply to the printing apparatus is resumed. Therefore, if the user selects the density adjustment process as unnecessary, unexpected power-off can be performed. Even if it occurs, it is possible to immediately return to the printing process.

According to the seventh aspect, a measuring means for measuring the temperature of the fixing device of the printing means, a comparing means for comparing the measurement result of the measuring means with a predetermined temperature, and a comparison result of the comparing means And control means for controlling the execution and non-execution of the print density adjustment by the adjustment means when the power of the printing apparatus is turned on, so that when the temperature of the fixing device is a sufficient temperature, It is possible to immediately return to the printing process.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: printing means for printing print data on a recording medium; and adjusting means for adjusting print density so as to maintain print quality in the printing means. In addition, since there is a setting step in which the execution time of the print density adjustment by the adjusting means can be arbitrarily set, the print density adjustment time desired by the user can be set freely.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since there is provided the adjusting step of adjusting the print density by the adjusting means at the execution time set in the setting step, the print density can be adjusted at a time desired by the user.

According to the tenth aspect, the setting step includes:
Determining the number of prints in the printing unit as a parameter of the execution timing of the print density adjustment, determining whether the number of prints in the printing unit exceeds the number of prints set in the setting step, A determining step of determining whether or not printing of the same job is being performed; and a selecting step of selecting execution or non-execution of the density adjustment processing by the adjustment unit based on the determination result of the determination step and the determination result of the determination step Therefore, it is possible to prevent unintentional printing interruption by the user and to surely prevent printing colors from being different in the same job.

Therefore, the print density adjustment timing can be freely set to a timing desired by the user, the same job can be printed without interruption by the print density adjustment processing, and the print color of the same job can be different. It has the effect that it can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a host computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic control configuration of the color laser beam printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic control configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic control configuration of a printing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a conventional printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Number of sheets counter 5 Job counter 6,24 Density adjustment command control means 7,25 Printing section control means 8 Fixer temperature sensor 1000 Printer control unit 1001 Printer CPU 1002 Printer RAM 1003 Printer ROM 1005 Printing section 1530 Operation section 1541 Printing section control means 1542 Toner density adjusting means 1543 Laser control means 1544 Toner density sensor 1600 Color laser beam printer 3000 Host computer

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2H027 DA10 DA12 DA23 DA41 DA46 DC14 DE07 DE10 EA02 EA12 EC06 ED02 ED06 ED16 ED24 EE02 EE08 EE10 EJ05 EK03 EK04 FA01 FA02 FA07 FA28 FA35 FA37 FB19 FD08 GA14 ZA07 2B030 BB06 AD03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus, comprising: printing means for printing print data on a recording medium; and adjusting means for adjusting print density so as to maintain print quality in the printing means, wherein the print density is adjusted by the adjusting means. A setting device capable of arbitrarily setting the execution time of the printing. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for adjusting a print density by said adjusting means at an execution time set by said setting means. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit arbitrarily sets an execution time according to an input from an operation unit or a command from an external device. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the number of prints in the printing unit as a parameter of the execution timing of the print density adjustment. 5. A determination unit for determining whether the number of prints in the printing unit exceeds the number of prints set by the setting unit, and a determination for determining whether the same job is being printed by the printing unit. 5. The control device according to claim 4, further comprising: a control unit configured to control execution and non-execution of the density adjustment processing by the adjustment unit based on a determination result of the determination unit and a determination result of the determination unit. Printing device. 6. The setting means selects and sets whether to perform print density adjustment after power supply to the printing apparatus is cut off for a short time, and supplies power to the printing apparatus in accordance with a result of the selection by the setting means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control execution and non-execution of the print density adjustment by the adjustment unit when the supply is restarted. 7. A measuring device for measuring a temperature of a fixing device of the printing device, a comparing device for comparing a measurement result of the measuring device with a predetermined temperature, and the printing device according to a comparison result of the comparing device. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling execution / non-execution of the print density adjustment by said adjustment means when the power of the apparatus is turned on. 8. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: a printing unit that prints print data on a recording medium; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a print density to maintain print quality in the printing unit. A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: a setting step capable of arbitrarily setting an execution timing of print density adjustment. 9. The control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an adjustment step of adjusting a print density by the adjustment unit at an execution time set in the setting step. 10. The setting step sets the number of prints in the printing unit as a parameter of the execution timing of print density adjustment, and determines whether the number of prints in the printing unit exceeds the number of prints set in the setting step. A judging step of judging; a judging step of judging whether or not the same job is being printed by the printing means; and a density adjusting process by the adjusting means based on the judgment result of the judging step and the judgment result of the judging step. 9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising a selecting step of selecting execution or non-execution of the printing apparatus.