JP2005321620A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method to solving such problems that occasions of toner becoming empty in the midst of a printing operation are increased because of a large amount of toner consumption accompanying an operation of printing many pages and many copies, and that toner saving is always required until the remaining toner quantity reaches a certain extent, the toner is effectively used any time, irrespective of the remaining toner quantity, and the occasions of toner becoming empty are reduced in the midst of the printing operation. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with: an inputting means for inputting the number of sheets to be printed; a printing quality changing means for changing the printing quality based on the number of sheets to be printed inputted from the inputting means; and an image forming means for forming an image according to the printing quality changed by the printing quality changing means, then, the occasions of the sudden toner empty are reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of changing print quality.

  In recent years, the speed of printing (printing) of a copying machine has been remarkably increased, and accordingly, printing of multiple pages and multiple copies has increased. Since multi-page and multi-page printing involves a large amount of toner consumption, there is a problem that the chance of running out of toner increases during a series of printing.

In view of this, an image forming apparatus has been devised that includes a means that does not increase such opportunities in copying machines and the like. For example, the current remaining toner level is determined, and when the remaining toner level reaches the toner near end, the user can select saving mode recording and normal mode recording in which the image quality is lower than that in the normal mode. An image forming apparatus having a function has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-247013

  However, in the conventional techniques including the above technique, there is a problem that since the saving is not promoted unless the amount of toner is reduced to some extent, it is doubtful whether the toner is effectively used.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention intends to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method that can always use toner effectively regardless of the remaining amount of toner and can reduce the chance of running out of toner during printing. Is.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention is changed by the input means for inputting the number of prints, the print quality change means for changing the print quality based on the number of prints input from the input means, and the print quality change means. An image forming unit that forms an image based on print quality is a main feature.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce the chance of unexpected toner empty.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control panel unit 2, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4, a system controller unit 6, a memory unit 8, an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 10, a scanner unit 12, a printer unit 14, and the like. .

  The control panel unit 2 includes a numeric keypad 32 for inputting a desired number of printed sheets, a display unit 34 for displaying the number of input sheets and other set values, a start button 36 for starting printing, and the like.

The CPU 4 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the value input from the control panel unit 2 and the set value stored in the memory unit 8. Further, based on the number of prints input from the control panel unit 2, the image processing of the scanner image processing unit 24 of the scanner unit 12 and the printer image processing unit 42 of the printer unit 14 is controlled.
The system controller unit 6 exchanges image signals with the memory unit 8, the scanner unit 12, and the printer unit 14.
The memory unit 8 is a memory space including a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like. A preset set value or the like is stored. In addition, the scanner image data input from the scanner unit 12 is stored. The scanner image data stored in the memory unit 8 may be subjected to enlargement / reduction, rotation processing, and the like. In order to distinguish from the scanner image data input from the scanner unit 12, hereinafter, the image data output from the memory unit 8 will be referred to as memory image data.

  The ADF 10 conveys the document in synchronization with the scanner unit 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the scanner unit 12. The scanner unit 12 includes a scanner control unit 20, an image sensor 22, and a scanner image processing unit 24.

  The scanner control unit 20 exchanges control signals with the CPU 4 and controls the image sensor 22 and the scanner image processing unit 24. Further, it controls the output of the image signal from the scanner image processing unit 24 to the system controller unit 6. In addition, the operation of the ADF 10 is controlled.

  The image sensor 22 reads a document conveyed by the ADF 10 and generates document image data.

  The scanner image processing unit 24 performs image processing such as shading correction and γ correction on the document image data generated by the image sensor 22 to generate scanner image data.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printer unit 14.

  The printer unit 14 includes a printer control unit 40, a printer image processing unit 42, and a printer engine 44.

  The printer control unit 40 exchanges control signals with the CPU 4 to control the printer image processing unit 42 and the printer engine 44. It also controls the output of image signals from the system controller unit 6 to the printer image processing unit 42.

  The printer image processing unit 42 performs image processing such as color conversion, background removal, filtering, inking, and halftoning processing on the memory image data from the system controller unit 6 to generate printer image data.

  The printer engine 44 forms an image on a sheet based on the printer image data.

  Next, the outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the user inputs the number of prints from the numeric keypad 32 of the control panel unit 2 and presses the start button 36 of the control panel unit 2, the copying operation is started.

  When the start button 36 is pressed, the CPU 4 issues a scan start command, and the image sensor 22 reads the document under the control of the scanner control unit 20 (S1).

  The scanner image processing unit 24 performs image processing on the document image data generated by the image sensor 22 and generates scanner image data (S2).

  The scanner image data is stored in the memory unit 8. The memory unit 8 may be subjected to processing such as rotation and enlargement / reduction (S3).

  The printer image processing unit 42 performs image processing on the memory image data output from the memory unit 8 to generate printer image data (S4).

  The printer engine 44 forms an image on a sheet based on the printer image data (S5).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 performs image formation.

  Next, control of the scanner image processing unit 24, the printer image processing unit 42, the printer engine 44, and the like based on the number of printed sheets input from the control panel unit 2 will be described.

  In general office use, for example, when the number of printed sheets is small, such as one sheet or one copy, the printed object may be stored in a file. Later, it is conceivable to copy the stored paper as a manuscript. For this reason, for example, when the number of printed sheets is small, such as one sheet or one copy, the print quality may be improved in order to ensure image reproducibility.

  Conversely, when the number of printed sheets is as large as 10 or 10 copies, the purpose is often to distribute them as temporary materials. In that case, there may be no problem as long as the print quality can be read by the user.

  In view of these, in this embodiment, the control of the scanner image processing unit 24, the printer image processing unit 42, the printer engine 44, and the like is switched based on the number of prints input by the control panel unit 2.

  Control switching will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

  FIG. 5 describes the operation S2 of the scanner image processing unit 24 of FIG. 4 in more detail. A and B in FIGS. 4 and 5 correspond to each other.

  The CPU 4 determines whether the number of prints is one or plural (S41).

  If the number of prints is 1, the image processing of the scanner image processing unit 24 is set to the normal mode that is normal print quality (S42). The scanner image processing unit 24 performs scanner image processing in the normal mode on the document image data (S43).

  If the number of prints is plural, the image processing of the scanner image processing unit 24 is set to a toner save mode that can save the amount of toner used (S44). The scanner image processing unit 24 performs scanner image processing in the toner saving mode on the document image data (S45).

  The scanner image processing in the toner save mode means, for example, that the white reference value is lowered or the black reference value is raised at the time of shading correction, or that the high density portion is output slightly thinner at the time of gamma correction. .

  FIG. 6 describes the operation S4 of the printer image processing unit 42 in FIG. 4 in more detail. C and D in FIGS. 4 and 6 correspond to each other.

  The CPU 4 determines whether the number of prints is one or plural (S61).

  If the number of prints is 1, the image processing of the printer image processing unit 42 is set to the normal mode that is normal print quality (S62). The printer image processing unit 42 performs printer image processing in the normal mode on the document image data (S63).

  If the number of prints is plural, the image processing of the printer image processing unit 42 is set to a toner save mode that can save the amount of toner used (S64). The printer image processing unit 42 performs printer image processing in the toner saving mode on the document image data (S65).

  To perform printer image processing in toner save mode is, for example, thinning, thinning out pixels according to a predetermined rule, reducing contrast, raising the basis for background removal, extracting only the outline, Nin1 processing and so on.

  FIG. 7 describes the operation S5 of the printer engine 44 of FIG. 4 in more detail. D and E in FIGS. 4 and 7 correspond to each other.

  The CPU 4 determines whether the number of prints is one or plural (S71).

  If the number of prints is 1, the image formation of the printer engine 44 is set to the normal mode that is the normal print quality (S72). The printer engine 44 performs image formation in the normal mode based on the document image data (S73).

  If the number of prints is plural, the image formation of the printer engine 44 is set to a toner save mode in which the amount of toner used can be saved (S74). The printer engine 44 forms an image in the toner saving mode based on the document image data (S75).

  Performing image formation in the toner save mode means performing control to suppress the toner adhesion amount, for example, lowering the developing bias and laser intensity compared to the normal mode.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that reduces the chance of unexpected toner empty.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 includes a control panel unit 2, a printer controller unit 103, a CPU (central processing unit) 104, a system controller unit 106, a memory unit 108, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 10, a scanner unit 12, and a printer. Part 14 and the like.

  The control panel unit 2, the ADF 10, the scanner unit 12, and the printer unit 14 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, the same symbols are assigned and description thereof is omitted.

  The printer controller unit 103 communicates with the outside of the image forming apparatus 101, such as serial connection such as USB and RS-232C, parallel connection, and connection to a network, and prints from an external device such as an external personal computer or server. Print job data including printer control parameters including the number of sheets and print image data is received based on a predetermined protocol.

  Also, the received data is interpreted to create raster image data obtained by raster converting the print image data. In addition, identification information data about it may be created.

  Further, print control parameters are supplied to the CPU 104.

  The CPU 104 controls the operation of the entire image forming apparatus 101 based on printer control parameters input from the printer controller unit 103 and setting values stored in the memory unit 108. It also controls the output of raster image data input from the printer controller 103 to the system controller 106. For example, among the printer control parameters input from the printer controller unit 103, the raster conversion of the printer controller unit 103 and the image processing of the printer image processing unit 42 are controlled based on, for example, the number of printed sheets.

  The system controller unit 106 controls the exchange of image signals of the memory unit 108, the printer controller unit 103, and the printer unit 14.

  The memory unit 108 is a memory space including a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like. A setting value input from the printer controller unit 103 or set in advance is stored. Further, raster image data input from the printer controller unit 103 is stored. The raster image data stored in the memory unit 108 may be subjected to enlargement / reduction, rotation processing, or the like. In order to distinguish from raster image data input from the printer controller unit 103, hereinafter, image data output from the memory unit 108 will be referred to as memory image data.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the printer controller unit 103 includes a printer controller control unit 162, an interface unit 164, and a RIP (raster image processor) unit 166.

  The interface unit 164 performs communication with the outside of the image forming apparatus 101 such as serial connection such as USB or RS-232C, parallel connection, or connection to a network, and a printer including the number of prints from an external personal computer or server. Print job data including control parameters, print image data, and the like is received based on a predetermined protocol.

  The printer controller control unit 162 communicates with the CPU 104 and controls the interface unit 164 and the RIP unit 166. It also controls the output of image signals from the RIP unit 166 to the CPU 104. In addition, the interface unit 164 interprets the received data and supplies print control parameters to the CPU 104.

  The RIP unit 166 interprets the data received by the interface unit 164 and creates raster image data obtained by raster-converting print image data. In addition, identification information data about it may be created.

  The outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the interface unit 164 of the printer controller unit 103 receives print job data including printer control parameters including the number of prints and print image data from an external personal computer or server based on a predetermined protocol (S101). .

  The printer controller control unit 162 interprets the print job data received by the interface unit 164 and supplies print control parameters to the CPU 104 (S102).

  The CPU 104 controls the printer controller control unit 162 based on the number of printed sheets, and the printer controller control unit 162 controls raster conversion of the RIP unit.

  The RIP unit 166 interprets the data received by the interface unit 164 under the control of the printer controller control unit 162, and generates raster image data obtained by raster-converting the print image data (S103).

  The raster image data generated by the RIP unit 166 is transmitted to the system controller unit 106 via the CPU 104 and stored in the memory unit 108. The memory unit 108 may be subjected to processing such as rotation and enlargement / reduction (S104).

  The printer image processing unit 42 performs image processing on the memory image data output from the memory unit 108 to generate printer image data (S105).

  The printer engine 44 forms an image on a sheet based on the printer image data (S106).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 101 performs image formation.

  Next, control of the RIP unit 166 based on the number of printed sheets input from the printer controller unit 103 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a more detailed description of the operation S103 of the RIP unit 166 of FIG. F or G in each figure corresponds to each other.

  The CPU 4 determines whether the number of prints is one or more (S1031).

  If the number of prints is 1, the raster conversion process of the RIP unit 166 is set to the normal mode that is the normal print quality (S1032). The RIP unit 166 performs raster conversion processing in the normal mode on the document image data (S1033).

  If the number of prints is plural, the raster conversion process of the RIP unit 166 is set to a toner save mode that can save the amount of toner used (S1034). The RIP unit 166 performs raster conversion processing in the toner saving mode on the document image data (S1035).

  The raster conversion processing in the toner save mode means that, for example, pixels are thinned out according to a predetermined rule, lines are thinned, and image points are reduced compared to an image subjected to the raster conversion processing in the normal mode. It is.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can always use the toner effectively and reduce the chance of unexpected toner empty.

  In the present embodiment, the print quality is switched when the number of prints is one or plural, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is used in an organization where the frequency of saving as an original in each department is high, the print quality may be switched by separating an arbitrary number of sheets.

  The number of print quality switching intervals may be input from the control panel unit 2. For example, if the number of separators input from the control panel unit 2 is stored in the memory unit 8, the CPU 4 may refer to it later.

  In this example, the scanner image processing unit 24, the printer image processing unit 42, the printer engine 44, the RIP unit 166, and the like can be switched between the normal mode and the toner save mode. Therefore, switching may be performed.

  Here, the mode switching is performed in all of the scanner image processing unit 24, the printer image processing unit 42, the printer engine 44, the RIP unit 166, etc., but the same effect can be obtained even if any one or a combination of them is combined. be able to.

  Here, although switching is performed between two in each portion, there may be three, four, or more print quality switching. In addition to the normal mode and the toner save mode, if more than one mode is switched, finer toner usage control is possible.

1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a scanner unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer unit according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the scanner image processing unit according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the printer image processing unit according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the printer engine according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. The block diagram of the printer controller part of 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. The flowchart of operation | movement of the RIP part of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Control panel section 4, 104 CPU
6, 106 System controller unit 8, 108 Memory unit 10 ADF
12 Scanner unit 14 Printer unit 103 Printer controller unit

Claims (7)

An input means for inputting the number of prints;
Print quality changing means for changing the print quality based on the number of prints input from the input means;
Image forming means for forming an image based on the print quality changed by the print quality changing means;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a control panel unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit is a printer controller unit that receives data from an external device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print quality changing unit is an image processing unit capable of changing a print mode based on the number of printed sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is a printer engine capable of changing a print quality based on a print mode changed based on the number of printed sheets.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print quality changing unit is a printer controller unit including a RIP unit capable of changing a print mode based on the number of printed sheets. Enter the number of prints,
Change the print quality based on the number of prints entered,
An image forming method for forming an image on the basis of the changed print quality.

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