JP2007041353A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a confirmation image during an image forming job and capable of confirming the positions of images and the quality of the images during the image forming job. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus capable of outputting an confirmation image includes: a confirmation image acquiring means to acquire confirmation image information; an output timing specifying means for specifying the timing of outputting the confirmation image based on the confirmation image information; a control means by which, during the output of a job image, an image forming means outputs the confirmation image at the timing specified by the output timing specifying means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that can output a confirmation image.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus used in the printing industry or the like is required to have a large print amount and a high quality output image. For this reason, if a spare bag is discovered after a large amount of print output, it must be reprinted after correction, which leads to unnecessary large consumption of paper and toner, so it is possible to test print job images (output confirmation images) Image forming apparatuses have been known.

As an example, an image forming apparatus that forms an image related to a job after outputting a confirmation image is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also known an image forming apparatus that permits a transition to a confirmation image output before starting a normal job and during a job interruption (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, there is known an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a confirmation image for designating an image density by designating a portion to be particularly noted when copying a document image, for example, around the fourth and fifth lines from the top. (For example, see Patent Document 3)
JP-A-8-106191 JP 2000-35730 A JP 2001-350373 A

  However, since the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs the actual copy (job output) after outputting the confirmation image, the confirmation image cannot be output while the job is being output, and urgent image formation is necessary. In some cases, there was a problem that it might not be in time. Further, since the tray for discharging the confirmation image paper is provided separately from the tray for discharging the normal job, there is a problem that the structure becomes complicated.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 can output a confirmation image even during normal job processing. However, as a timing, the confirmation image is displayed only before the start of a normal job and during job interruption. Since output is possible, there is a problem that a confirmation image cannot be output while a job is being output, and there is a possibility that it may not be in time when urgent image formation is required.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 3 specifies the fourth and fifth lines from the top of one page of the job that the user wants to check with particular emphasis in order to check the density variation in one page. However, it is difficult to check the suitability of the image position with respect to the paper by selecting an arbitrary page from a plurality of job pages. there were.

In view of the above problems, the present invention
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of forming an image of a urgent job with a simple configuration and confirming an image position and image quality even when a confirmation image is performed.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following.

(1) In an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a confirmation image,
Confirmation image acquisition means for acquiring confirmation image information;
Output time specifying means for specifying a time to output the confirmation image based on the confirmation image information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for causing the image forming means to output the confirmation image at a time designated by the output time designation means during output of a job image.

  (2) The confirmation image information includes either job image information or test chart image information, and selected job image information selected by an image information selection unit that selects either the job image information or the test chart image information. Alternatively, the selected test chart image information can be output as the confirmation image.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein the output timing designating unit is capable of selecting any timing including a predetermined number of copies, a predetermined number of copies, or an arbitrary timing.

  (4) The job image information includes information of one page or a plurality of pages, and information selected by an output page selection unit that selects a page to be output as the confirmation image can be output as the confirmation image. The image forming apparatus according to (2) or (3).

  (5) a plurality of paper discharge trays for stacking sheets, wherein the sheet carrying at least one of the selected job image information and the selected test chart image information is different from the sheet carrying a normal job image; The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a control unit configured to stack the paper tray.

  (6) The sheet carrying the confirmation image includes the control unit that discharges the confirmation image to a sheet discharge tray where the confirmation image can be seen. (1) to (4) Image forming apparatus.

  (7) When the confirmation image is output during the output of the job image, there is provided job interruption availability selection means for selecting whether to interrupt the output of the job image (1) to (6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  (8) When the job interruption enable / disable selection unit selects whether the job can be interrupted, the job is continued until the division of the number of copies of the image forming job is completed, and the job interrupted by restart input is continued. The image forming apparatus as described in (7) above.

  (9) After the selection of whether or not the job can be interrupted is selected by the job interruptability selection unit and before the restart input, at least one of image quality density and gradation can be corrected, and the confirmation image based on the correction can be corrected. The image forming apparatus according to (8), wherein output is possible.

(10) A page number related to the job that was output at the time of output of the confirmation image is added to the confirmation image, and the confirmation image with the page number added can be output,
A confirmation image based on the correction is added to the confirmation image based on the correction by adding a page number related to the job that was output at the time of outputting the confirmation image based on the correction, and adding the page number to which the page number is added. The image forming apparatus according to (9), wherein output is possible.

  (11) At the time of continuation start from the interrupted job break by the restart input, the paper is fed from the designated paper feed tray, and the paper carrying the normal job image is accumulated before the interruption. The image forming apparatus according to (10), wherein the image forming apparatus is stacked on a paper discharge tray.

  (12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), a sheet feeding device that feeds predetermined sheets based on a command from the image processing apparatus, and (1) to (11) And a post-processing device that discharges and stacks a predetermined sheet on a predetermined discharge tray based on the command of the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  (13) The image forming system according to (12), including the post-processing device capable of discharging and stacking a sheet carrying a confirmation image on a paper discharge tray visible from above the post-processing device. .

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained:
(1) By having an output timing designating unit for designating a timing for outputting the confirmation image and a control unit for outputting the confirmation image at the time designated by the output timing designating unit during the output of the job image. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can output a confirmation image during image formation relating to a job, and that can form an image of a job that requires urgent even if a confirmation image is performed.

  By enabling either a job image or a test chart image described in (2) to be output as a confirmation image so as to be switched, various confirmations such as confirmation of an image position and confirmation of image quality can be performed. .

  By making it possible to select the output timing of the confirmation image described in (3) for every predetermined number of copies, every predetermined number of sheets, or any time, it is possible to automatically output at various times.

  By making it possible to select a predetermined job image from among a plurality of page job images described in (4) as a confirmation image, various confirmations such as confirmation of an image position and confirmation of image quality can be performed.

  The plurality of trays for discharging the normal job described in (5) are provided, and the normal job image and the confirmation image are discharged to the different trays of the plurality of trays, respectively. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having a simple configuration that does not require a paper tray.

  Since the confirmation image described in (6) can be abolished in a visible tray, the check image can be checked without taking out the confirmation image paper from the tray, and productivity is improved.

  (7) By enabling the output of the job image to be interrupted when outputting the confirmation image as described in (8), it is possible to check the confirmation image discharged to the tray, and the problem can be confirmed by the check. In case it becomes possible to improve the problem at the time of interruption.

  Correction by correcting at least one of image quality density and gradation and enabling output of a confirmation image based on the correction after interruption of the job and before restart input described in (9) The result can be visually checked, and the problem can be improved at the time of interruption.

  By adding a page number related to the job to the confirmation image described in (10), it is possible to confirm later which confirmation image was output at which timing in the job, and it is easy to improve the problem at and after the interruption. Become.

  The correction position can be clarified by feeding paper (for example, colored paper) from the designated paper feed tray at the start of continuation from the interrupted job break described in (11). The problem can be easily improved at and after the interruption.

  (12) and (13), an output time designating unit for designating a time for outputting the confirmation image, and a control unit for outputting the confirmation image at the time designated by the output time designating unit during the output of the job image. By connecting a post-processing device capable of paper discharge to a paper output tray that can be viewed from the top when the confirmation image is conveyed, it is possible to output a confirmation image during image formation related to the job. It is possible to provide an image forming system that can form an image of a job that requires urgent processing even when an image is printed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the description in this section does not limit the technical scope of the claims or the meaning of terms.

  The confirmation image refers to an image for confirming the position of the image with respect to the sheet or confirming the image quality, the confirmation image output sheet refers to a sheet carrying the confirmation image, and the confirmation image information refers to the origin of the confirmation image. It refers to information (data).

  In a narrow sense, a job refers to image information of at least one unit, for example, a set of one or more units of a group of original images [units] read by an original reading unit. Further, it refers to a set of one or more units of a group of original images [units] read from the outside via a local area network [LAN] or the Internet.

  In a broad sense, it refers to the time until print output is performed based on the image information obtained by collecting one to a plurality of units. Further, the delimiter of the number of copies of the job indicates a delimiter of units constituting the job.

  In the following, simply referring to a job indicates a narrowly defined job.

  The job image information refers to information (data) that is the source of an image related to the job, and the job information refers to output condition information related to the job.

  First, the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeding unit 2 that picks up a set of collected originals, that is, originals related to a job one by one, conveys them to an image reading position, and discharges them. An image reading unit 3 to be read, an image forming unit 4 which is an image forming unit for forming a toner image based on the read image data, and a sheet of a predetermined size from the paper feed tray to be fed one by one A paper feeding unit comprising a capacity automatic paper feeding unit D, a paper feeding means 5 for transporting and feeding paper taken out by the large capacity automatic paper feeding unit D to a toner image transfer position, and paper carrying an image The reversal discharge / refeed unit 6 for reversing or re-transferring / feeding the image to the image transfer position, the reversal conveyance unit 7 for reversing the sheet, and a touch panel, operation switch, etc. job An operation panel 10 for inputting information on output conditions relating to information and confirmation images and displaying the status of the apparatus, Internet communication means C1 for communicating with an external server or the like via the Internet, LAN communication means C2 that communicates with a server and other image forming apparatuses via a LAN, paper feed apparatus communication means C3 that communicates with the paper feed apparatus 9, and post-processing apparatus 8. Post-processing device communication means C4 to be performed, storage means rewritable with the CPU, for example, a battery-backed random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) M1, an image formation control program, a communication control program, and the like are stored in advance. Non-volatile read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) M2 and various interface members, and the above-described automatic master Control means C for controlling the feeding means 2 to the post-processing device communication unit C4, and has a like.

  As will be described later, the operation panel 10, the Internet communication unit C1, and the LAN communication unit C2 may have a function as a confirmation image information acquisition unit, and the operation panel 10 outputs a confirmation image based on the confirmation image information. Output time specifying means for specifying the time to perform, image information selecting means for selecting either job image information or test chart image information, output page selecting means for selecting a page to be output as a confirmation image, and output of the job image are interrupted A function for selecting whether to interrupt the job or not.

  The operation will be described. When job information or the like is input from the operation panel 10 by an operator and an image formation activation instruction is input, the image forming apparatus 1 is activated. As a result, the automatic document feeder 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 separates a plurality of documents (not shown) placed on the document placing table 11 one by one by the document separating means 12, The image is conveyed to the image reading position by the conveying means 13.

  The original reading position is provided below the original conveying means 13 so that an original image as a job image can be read through the slit 21 of the image reading means 3.

  The document whose image has been read is discharged onto the document discharge table 15 by the document discharge means 14.

  Further, the document can be copied by placing the document directly on the platen glass 22.

  The image reading unit 3 includes a lamp 231 that irradiates a document through the slit 21, a first mirror unit 23 that reflects reflected light from the document, a second mirror unit 24, and an imaging lens that forms an image on an image sensor. 25 and a linear CCD 26 that photoelectrically converts a light image formed by the imaging lens 25.

  The analog signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the original image read by the CCD 26 is subjected to A / D conversion after analog processing, and appropriate image processing such as shading correction, filter processing, or γ correction is performed by an image processing unit (not shown). After being applied to form image information, it is temporarily stored in the RAM M1.

  Here, job image information and its job information may be obtained from an external server or personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) via the Internet by the Internet communication means C1, and further via the LAN by the LAN communication means C2. The job image information and the job information may be obtained from another image forming apparatus or server.

  As a result, it is possible to acquire job image information and job information from a PC, server, scanner or the like installed at a remote place or another floor.

  The image forming unit 4 is a part for forming an image using an electrophotographic process, and uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 having a photoconductive photosensitive layer as an image carrier, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. A charger 32, which is operated based on image data after image processing, exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to form an electrostatic charge latent image and forms an electrostatic charge latent image, and a laser writing system 33, the photosensitive drum 31. A developing unit 34 that develops the latent electrostatic image formed thereon into a toner image, a transfer pole 35 that transfers the visualized toner image onto the paper, and an AC from the back surface of the paper on which the toner image has been transferred. A static eliminator 36 that performs corona discharge and promotes separation of the sheet from the photosensitive drum 31; and a cleaning unit 37 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 31 after the transfer process is completed. That.

  The fixing device 39 includes a heating source H, and includes a heating roller 390 that rotates independently around the heat source H, and a pressure roller 393 that rotates while being in pressure contact with the heating roller 390. A fixing discharge roller 51, a switching unit 52, and a discharge roller 53 for discharging the sheet to the outside of the apparatus, which are components of the refeed unit 6, are provided.

  In the image formation on the sheet by the image forming unit 4 and the fixing device 39, the photosensitive drum 31 rotating in the direction of the arrow is sequentially charged by the charger 32 by a driving unit (not shown), and then the laser writing system 33 is charged. The electrostatic latent image corresponding to the job image information is formed by dot exposure according to the above, and the electrostatic latent image is made into a toner image by the developing unit 34, and then supplied by the rotation of the registration roller 46 as the second paper feeding means. This is achieved by transferring the image onto the sheet P to be fed through the action of the transfer electrode 35 and then fixing the toner image on the sheet by the fixing device 39.

  The large-capacity automatic paper feeding unit D has paper feed trays D1 to D3 that can store a large amount of paper, and a pair of transport rollers (hereinafter also referred to as transport rollers) R1, R2, By R3, R4, and R5, a predetermined size and a predetermined type of paper P are fed from the paper feed tray selected according to the job information.

  The paper feed means 5 is a transport roller pair (hereinafter also referred to as a transport roller) R6 as a transport means for feeding paper P from the large-capacity automatic paper feed unit D to the image forming means 4, and the above-mentioned The registration roller 46, the pre-transfer roller 47, and the like are provided, and the paper P fed by the large-capacity automatic paper feeding unit D is fed to the image forming unit 4.

  Here, a known paper feeding device (not shown) capable of storing a larger amount of paper is connected upstream of the image forming apparatus 1, communicates with the image forming apparatus 1, and has a predetermined size from a predetermined paper feeding tray. Alternatively, a predetermined type of paper may be fed.

  The reverse paper discharge / refeed unit 6 is an area for reverse paper discharge of the paper P after transfer / fixing or for refeeding the paper P to the image forming apparatus 4 according to the double-sided image formation mode. The paper P discharged by the fixing discharge roller 51 passes through the upper surface of the switching unit 52, and the paper is discharged and stacked on the first paper stacking tray 54 having a large capacity by the paper discharge roller 53 which is a paper discharge unit.

  Here, the first paper stacking tray 54 is an upper tray and is provided at a position where the upper surface of the tray can be seen from above the image forming apparatus 1.

  The first paper stacking tray 54 and the lower second paper stacking tray 55 can be independently moved in the vertical direction in the figure by a moving means (not shown), and usually the paper is discharged to the first paper stacking tray 54. Alternatively, the first paper stacking tray 54 and the second paper stacking tray 55 may be moved so that, for example, confirmation copy paper is discharged and stacked on the second paper stacking tray 55.

  Further, a known large-capacity paper stacking device (not shown) is connected downstream of the image forming apparatus 1, and communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 to stack a predetermined sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus on a predetermined tray. You may do it.

  The control of the image forming apparatus will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first control mode of the image forming apparatus.

  A configuration relating to control of confirmation image output of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The operation panel 10 includes a touch panel, and includes an input unit 102 for an operator to input job information (for example, paper size information) and a display unit 101 for displaying the status of the image forming apparatus. And the input information of the input means 102 is input to the control means, and the display means 101 performs screen display based on the image display information relating to the confirmation image output transmitted from the control means.

  The operation panel 10 also serves as an output timing specifying means for specifying the timing for outputting the confirmation image. In addition, you may provide an output time designation | designated means separately.

  The image reading means 3 is one of the confirmation image reading means, and reads an original image that is one of the confirmation images and inputs it as job image information to the control means C.

  The Internet communication means C1 and the LAN communication means C2 are one of confirmation image reading means, and job image information, job information, and one of confirmation images from an external server or personal computer (PC) via the Internet or LAN. Is input to the control means C as job image information and job information.

  The sheet feeding device communication unit C3 that communicates with the sheet feeding device 9 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 and the post-processing device communication unit C4 that communicates with the post-processing device 8 are respectively fed by the sheet feeding device 9. It is connected to the apparatus communication means C3 ′ and the post-processing apparatus communication means C4 ′ of the post-processing apparatus 8 to exchange information relating to the sheet in particular, and the linked operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the paper feeding apparatus 9, and the post-processing apparatus 8 Is possible.

  Note that at least one of the image reading unit 3, the Internet communication unit C1, and the LAN communication unit C2 may be included.

  The RAM M1 is a battery-backed RAM, and includes various job image information, job information, confirmation copy image information, etc. input from any of the image reading means 3, the internet communication means C1, and the LAN communication means C2 by the CPU · C ′. Information (data) is stored / read out.

  ROM / M2 stores in advance an image formation control program, a communication control program, a test chart (for example, a density correction patch image, a gradation confirmation density chart image), which is one of confirmation images, and the like. Read by CPU · C ′.

  The image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charger 32, a laser writing system 33, a developing unit 34, a transfer electrode 35, a static eliminator 36, a cleaning unit 37, and the like, and various detection members (for example, paper) The detection result of the sensor) is input to the CPU · C ′, and various drive devices (for example, a motor and a solenoid) are controlled by the CPU · C ′ to perform image formation as described above.

  The interface member I / O serves as an interface between the input / output device and the CPU / C ', and can input information from the input device to the CPU / C', and can drive the output device by the CPU / C '.

  The control unit C of the image forming apparatus includes a CPU / C ', a RAM / M1, a ROM / M2, an interface member I / O, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart (first page) of the control mode of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a confirmation image output time selection screen as an example of a screen for selecting a confirmation image output time.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a confirmation image selection screen as an example of a confirmation image selection screen.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a job image designation screen as an example of a screen for designating a job image used as a confirmation image among job images.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a selection screen for checking whether or not a job can be interrupted when outputting a confirmation image, as an example of a screen for selecting whether or not to interrupt a job when outputting a confirmation image.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an example density chart of a test chart image.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart (second page) of the control mode of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart (third page) of the control mode of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart (page 4) of the control mode of the image forming apparatus.

  A control flow for outputting a confirmation image of the image forming apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In the confirmation image mode of FIG. 3, the image reading means 3 reads a job image (original image), and stores the read job image information in the RAM M1. (Step S101)
Here, when there are a plurality of jobs, job numbers are assigned in the order of reading, and one or a plurality of image information constituting one job is assigned page numbers in the order of reading (for example, job image information of n pages of N jobs). .

  In addition, communication with an external server or PC may be performed via the Internet communication unit C1 or the LAN communication unit C2, and job image information may be input from these.

Select the confirmation image output time and select whether or not to perform correction based on the confirmation image. Read correction / non-confirmation image output time selection screen information from the ROM M2, and display the correction presence / confirmation image output time selection screen. 200 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display means 101. (Step S102)
The contents information set by the operator and the correction presence / absence information are read out and stored in the RAM M1 among the job part 2002, the number of parts 2003, and the immediate part of the output timing of the confirmation image. (Step S103)
Specifically, the number of jobs (for example, 10 jobs) input to each job part 2002 with the numeric key 2001, the number of sheets (for example, 1000) input to the number of parts part 2003, or the immediate key is read. For example, if 10 jobs are set, a confirmation image is output every 10 jobs. If 1000 is set, a confirmation image is output every 1000 sheets. If an immediate key is set, a confirmation image is output immediately when a confirmation image output key (described later) is turned ON. Is output.

The confirmation image selection screen information and the selection information of the paper stacking tray for discharging the confirmation image are read from the ROM M2, and the confirmation image and the discharge tray selection screen 201 (see FIG. 5) are displayed on the display means 101. (Step S104)
It is determined whether or not job image information 2011 is selected on the confirmation image selection screen 201. (Step S105)
A case where job image information is selected (Y) and a job image is output as a confirmation image will be described below. A case where job image information is not selected (N) and a test chart image is output as a confirmation image will be described later.

When job image information is selected (Y), job image designation screen information for designating a job image to be output as a confirmation image is read from the ROM M2, and the job image designation screen 202 (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the display means 101. To do. (Step S106)
A job number (for example, j job) input to the job number section 2022 by the operator using the numeric key 2021 and a page number (for example, j page) input to the page number section 2023 are read, and the job number and page acquired in step 101 are read. The job image information corresponding to the read job number and page number is read from the numbered job image information and stored in the RAM M1. (Step S107)
The selection screen information on whether or not to interrupt the job when outputting the confirmation image is read from the ROM M2, and the selection screen 203 (see FIG. 7) whether or not the job can be interrupted when outputting the confirmation image is displayed on the display unit 101. (Step S108)
On the confirmation image output job suspendability confirmation screen 203, either the YES information 2031 or the NO information 2032 selected is read and stored. (Step S109)
Wait for the image formation start operation to be performed. (Step S110)
When the image formation activation operation is turned ON, image formation and output are performed based on the job image information. (Step S111)
The job number and job page are counted according to the output (for example, j page of j job). (Step S112)
The output time selection screen information selected in step S102 is read from the ROM M2, and it is determined whether or not it is for each job (step S113).
For each job (Y), it is determined whether the job count value counted in step 112 is equal to or greater than the job number (number) (for example, j jobs) stored and set in the RAM M1 in step S107. (Step S114)
If the counted job count values are equal or larger (Y), the designated job image information corresponding to the job number (for example, j job) and the page number (for example, j page) specified in step S107 and stored in the RAM M1 is read. . (Step S115)
If the counted job count value is small, (N) jump to step S111 for continuous output.

An image is output based on the read designated job image information corresponding to the job number (for example, j job) and the page number (for example, j page), and the paper stacking tray (for example, tray) selected on the discharge tray selection screen in step S104. 1 / A first paper stacking tray 54) is discharged. (Step S116)
Here, a discharge tray for a job output for a confirmation image (for example, j page of j job) may be automatically discharged to the first paper stacking tray 54 that can be viewed from the top. The normal output tray for job output performed in steps S111 and S120 and the output tray for job output for the confirmation image performed in step S116 may be switched to different paper stacking trays.

The job interruption possibility information stored in step S109 is read to determine whether or not to interrupt. (Step S117)
In the case of interruption, (Y) the output of the job image is stopped. (Step S118)
Here, the job output currently being executed may be continued, and the output of the job image may be stopped after completion.

  If not interrupted (N), the process jumps to step S120 to continue outputting the job image.

  In step S103, it is determined whether or not correction is stored (step S119). If YES (Y), correction processing is performed (step S120).

  The correction processing waits for a correction processing start command from the operator, and corrects at least one of known image quality density and gradation by the correction processing start command ON (for example, as described in JP-A-5-14728) Correction related to image quality density and gradation) is performed, and the designated job image output in step S116 is corrected based on the correction condition and output.

  Here, a page number related to the job at the time of output may be added to the image output by correcting the designated job image based on the correction condition.

  After completion of the correction, it is determined again whether or not correction is stored (step S121). If correction is performed (Y), the process jumps to step S120 to perform correction processing again.

If there is no correction (N) in step S119 and step S121, the process jumps to step S122 and waits for an image formation activation operation to be performed. (Step S122)
In the case of no correction (N) in step S119 and step S121, colored paper is fed from the paper feed tray designated by the operator (for example, a colored paper storage tray), and (the paper feed device 9 is connected). If it is, the color paper is fed from a predetermined tray of the paper feed device by communicating with the paper feed device). The post-processing device 8 collects the colored paper as a bookmark before and after correction on the top surface of the stacked paper. You may let them.

Image output / discharge is resumed based on job image information when the image formation activation operation is turned ON. (Step S123)
The job image information stored in step S101 is read out, and it is determined whether or not the job is completed. (Step S124)
If not completed (N), it is determined that the reading job has not been completed, and the process jumps to step S111 to output the incomplete job.

  When completed (Y), it is determined that the reading job is completed, and this program is completed. For example, the process jumps to a main routine (not shown).

Also, if each job is not selected in step S113, (N) jumps to step S201 (FIG. 9), reads out the output time selection screen information selected in step S102 from the ROM M2, and determines whether it is for each number of sheets. to decide. (Step S201)
If it is every number of sheets (Y), it is determined whether the page count value of the job counted in step S112 is greater than or equal to the page number (number) (for example, j pages) set in RAM · M1 in step S107. . (Step S202)
If the counted page count values are equal or larger (Y), the designated job image information corresponding to the page number (for example, j page) and the page number (for example, j page) specified in step S107 and stored in the RAM M1 is read. . (Step S203)
If the counted page count value is small, (N) jump to step S111 for continuous output.

An image is output based on the read designated job image information corresponding to the job number (for example, j) and the page number (for example, j page), and the paper stacking tray (for example, tray) selected on the discharge tray selection screen in step S104. 1 / A first paper stacking tray 54) is discharged. (Step S204)
Here, a discharge tray for a job output for a confirmation image (for example, j page of j job) may be automatically discharged to the first paper stacking tray 54 that can be viewed from the top. The normal output tray for job output performed in steps S111 and S120 and the output tray for job output for the confirmation image performed in step S116 may be switched to different paper stacking trays.

The job interruption possibility information stored in step S109 is read to determine whether or not to interrupt. (Step S205)
In the case of interruption, (Y) the output of the job image is stopped. (Step S206)
Here, the job output currently being executed may be continued, and the output of the job image may be stopped after completion.

  If not interrupted (N), the process jumps to step S208 to continue outputting the job image.

In step S207 to step S209, correction processing is performed in the same manner as in step S119 to step S121 described above. In the case of no correction (N) in step S207 and step S209, the process jumps to step 210 to perform an image formation activation operation. Wait for (Step S210)
When the image formation start operation is turned ON, image output / paper discharge is resumed based on the job image information. (Step S211)
The job image information stored in step 101 is read to determine whether or not the job is completed. (Step S212)
If not completed (N), it is determined that the reading job is not completed, and the process jumps to step S111 (X in FIG. 3) to output the incomplete job.

  When completed (Y), it is determined that the reading job is completed, and this program is completed. For example, the process jumps to a main routine (not shown).

If the number of sheets is not selected in step S201, (N) it is determined that an immediate confirmation image is output at the designated time, and the process jumps to step S301 (FIG. 10) to store the job stored in the RAM M1. Job image information corresponding to a number (for example, j job) and a page number (for example, j page) is read. (Step S301)
Wait for the confirmation image instantaneous output instruction to be input from the operation panel or the like. (Step S302)
When a confirmation image instantaneous output instruction is input, it is output based on the job image information read in step S301, and the paper stacking tray (for example, tray 1 / first paper stacking) selected on the paper discharge tray selection screen in step S104. The paper is discharged to the tray 54). (Step S303)
Here, a discharge tray for a job output for a confirmation image (for example, j page of j job) may be automatically discharged to the first paper stacking tray 54 that can be viewed from the top. The normal output tray for job output performed in steps S111 and S120 and the output tray for job output for the confirmation image performed in step S116 may be switched to different paper stacking trays.

The job interruption possibility information stored in step S109 is read to determine whether or not to interrupt. (Step S304)
In the case of interruption, (Y) the output of the job image is stopped. (Step S305)
Here, the job output currently being executed may be continued, and the output of the job image may be stopped after completion.

  If not interrupted (N), the process jumps to step S307 to continue outputting the job image.

In step S306 to step S308, correction processing is performed in the same manner as in step S119 to step S121 described above, and in the case of no correction (N) in step S306 and step S308, the process jumps to step S309 and an image formation activation operation is performed. Wait for (Step S309)
Image output / discharge is resumed based on job image information when the image formation activation operation is turned ON. (Step S310)
The job image information stored in step S101 is read out, and it is determined whether or not the job is completed. (Step S311)
If not completed (N), it is determined that the reading job is not completed, and the process jumps to step S111 (X in FIG. 3) to output the incomplete job.

  When completed (Y), it is determined that the reading job is completed, and this program is completed. For example, the process jumps to a main routine (not shown).

  A case will be described below in which job image information is not selected in step S105 (N) and a test chart image is output as a confirmation image.

  Examples of the test chart image include a density correction patch image, a gradation confirmation density chart image, and the like. The density chart screen 204 in FIG. 8 as an example thereof includes a gradation confirmation density chart 2041 and a test chart. A job page 2042 (for example, page 1234) of the job at the time of outputting the screen is displayed.

  Steps S101 to S308 are job images as images to be output as confirmation images, but Steps S401 and S308 are different from Steps S106 to S308 except that images to be output as confirmation images are test chart images after Step S401. Since it is substantially the same, for example, the illustration of steps S401 to S417 corresponding to steps S106 to S121 will be described with a greatly different part.

  The flow for outputting the test chart is composed of steps S401 to S417 and steps S201 to S209 shown in FIG. 9 and steps S301 to S308 shown in FIG.

When the job image is NO in step S105, that is, when the test chart is selected, the test chart image information is read from the ROM M2. (Step S401)
In steps S401 to S403 in FIG. 11, when there are a plurality of test charts, an arbitrary chart (for example, the density chart in FIG. 8) is designated. In steps S411 to S412, the designated test chart is output.

  Further, in the steps corresponding to steps S203 to S204 in FIG. 9, the designated test chart is read and output.

  Also, in steps corresponding to steps S301 to S303 in FIG. 10, the designated test chart is read and output.

  After stopping the output of the job image in step S414, it is determined in step S103 whether or not correction is stored (step S415). If YES (Y), correction processing is performed (step S416).

  The correction processing performed in step S415 automatically performs known correction related to image quality density and gradation (for example, correction related to image quality density and gradation as described in JP-A-5-14728). In other words, the detection related to the image quality density and gradation of the test chart is automatically performed, and the correction related to the image quality density and gradation is performed based on the detected value.

If there is no correction (N) in step S415, the process jumps to step S417 to wait for an image formation activation operation. (Step S417)
In the case of no correction (N) in step S415, colored paper is fed from the paper feed tray designated by the operator (for example, a colored paper storage tray), and (when the paper feeding device 9 is connected). Communicates with the paper feeding device to feed colored paper from a predetermined tray of the paper feeding device), and the post-processing device 8 collects colored paper as a bookmark before and after correction on the top surface of the stacked paper as a bookmark. good.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system in which a sheet feeding device, an image forming device, and a post-processing device are connected will be described.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet feeding device.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a paper feeding device connected to the image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, the sheet feeder 9 will be described.

  FIG. 12 shows a state in which the paper stacking table 913 that stores the paper P and moves up and down in the drawing is raised near the upper limit position, and the paper P is stored on the upper surface of the paper stacking table 913.

  First, the movement of the paper stacking base 913 will be described. One end portions of the lifting wires 914, 912, 916, and 915 are respectively locked by locking portions 917, 911, 918, and 919 on the upper portion of the sheet feeding device body. The other end is fixed to the lifting drive shaft 918. In the meantime, the moving pulleys 921, 924, 914, and 926 are suspended by the respective wires, and the paper stacking base 913 is fixed to the moving pulley.

  For this reason, the sheet stacking base 913 can be moved by rotating the elevating drive shaft 918 forward and backward.

  Specifically, the lifting wire 914 (916) whose one end is locked to the locking portion 917 (918) on each of the front side (back side) of the paper surface is a moving pulley attached to the paper transport downstream side of the paper stacking base 913. 920 (923) is wound, a pulley 921 (924) and a pulley 916 (917) supported by the sheet feeding device main body are wound, and a pulley 919 (925) disposed at one end of the lifting drive shaft 918 is further wound. ) And is locked. Further, on the front side of the paper (the front side of the paper), the lifting wire 912 (915) whose one end is locked by the locking portion 911 (919) is a movable pulley 914 ( 926), a pulley 915 (927) and a pulley 922 (928) supported by the sheet feeder main body are wound, a pulley 919 (925) coaxial with the pulley 918 is wound, and a lifting drive shaft 918 is further wound. Is wound around and locked by a pulley 919 disposed at one end of each.

The elevating drive shaft 918 supported by the sheet feeder main body is driven by a driving unit including a motor M ₁ and a drive transmission system G. By the forward / reverse rotation of the motor M ₁ , the elevating drive shaft 918 is rotated forward / reversely via the drive transmission system G comprising a gear train.

By driving the motor M ₁ , the lifting drive shaft 918 is rotated via a drive transmission system G including a gear train and the like. By the rotation of the lifting drive shaft 918, the pulley 919 fixed to the lifting drive shaft 918 winds and rotates the lifting wires 914, 916, 912, and 915.

  Lifting wires 914, 916, 912, 915, which are fixed at one end to the locking portions 917, 918, 911, 919, are wound around pulleys 921, 916, 924 and 917, 915 and 922, 927 and 928. Then, the intermediate movable pulleys 920, 923, 914, and 926 are raised / lowered. The moving amount of each moving pulley is ½ of the moving amount of each lifting wire. The paper stacking base 913 having four corners fixed to the movable pulleys 920, 923, 914, and 926 moves up and down at a movement amount and a speed that are ½ of the movement amount of the lifting wire.

  The paper stacking base 913 is guided by the guide groove portions 929 and 930 and is movable in the vertical direction.

  A one-dot chain line indicates a state where the paper stacking base 913 is lowered to the vicinity of the lower limit position.

The motor M ₁ is positioned so that the top surface of the paper loaded on the paper stacking base 913 or the paper stacking base is detected by the paper sensor S1 and the top surface of the paper is the lower surface of the separation roller 931 by the paper feeding device control means CZ. Rotational drive control.

Further, the separation roller 931 by being rotated in the arrow direction of the motor M ₂ at a predetermined timing by the paper feeding device control unit CZ, taken 1 the sheets P of the top surface.

Paper P taken out are intermediate roller 932, the discharge roller 933 is rotated in the arrow direction, is discharged from the discharge port 934 of the sheet feeding device 9 by the rotation of the motor M ₃ by the sheet feeder controller CZ, Paper is fed to the downstream image forming apparatus 1.

  Here, the sheet feeding device control unit CZ of the sheet feeding device includes a control unit C ″ configured by a CPU or the like, a communication unit C3 ′ of the sheet feeding device that communicates with the image forming apparatus 1, and a sheet feeding unit. ROM, M3, etc. for storing such a program.

  The sheet feeding device communication unit C3 ′ of the sheet feeding device is connected to the sheet feeding device communication unit C3 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the sheet feeding device control unit CZ is a sheet feeding device communication unit C3 of the image forming apparatus 1. Is received by the paper feeding device communication means C3 ′, and the paper P is picked up one by one as described above based on the paper feeding command and fed to the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the post-processing apparatus.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of a post-processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus. The post-processing device 8 will be described below.

  The post-processing device 8 includes a take-in port 70 for taking in the paper P discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 by the paper discharge roller 53, and a half-folding portion (hereinafter referred to as a half-folding portion) for folding the paper provided on the paper transport path. A pair of a first folding means (hereinafter also referred to as a first conveyance unit) 72 that is formed of an air suction method and conveys a sheet, a saddle stitching unit 73 that staples the sheet, for example, and a pair A second conveying unit 74 that conveys a sheet of paper, a third conveying unit 75 that conveys a sheet of paper and a roller, a cutting unit 76 that cuts the sheet with a cutter, and a stack for stacking the sheets A unit 77, a cover sheet feeder 78 for collecting and feeding cover sheets, a tray 79 for collecting sheets whose upper surface is visible from above the post-processing device 8, and the above-described unit. And a post-processing apparatus control unit CY for controlling Tsu bets like.

  Arrows F1, F2, F3, and F4 indicate four transport paths of the paper, F1 is a transport path of the paper that is transported based on the saddle stitching instruction, F2 is transported via the transport path F1, A sheet conveying path serving as a cover of a bundle of sheets stacked on the binding unit 73, F3 is a conveying path for conveying sheets that do not require saddle stitching to the tray 79, and F4 is integrated with the post-processing apparatus. This is a sheet conveyance path that requires post-processing in another post-processing apparatus that can be connected, and a large number of conveyance roller pairs (not shown) are provided on these conveyance paths.

  Reference numeral 700 denotes a switching unit that selectively releases (uses) one of the transport path F1 and the transport path F3, and the other switching unit 703 switches between the transport path F3 and the transport path F4. The operation is controlled according to the contents of the work command so as to selectively release either one.

  By the way, the thin folding unit 71 provided on the transport path F1 is a thin plate or knife provided to push the paper in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (horizontal left direction in the present embodiment). A pressing member 710 made of a plate-shaped plate material, an upper roller 713 that presses and sandwiches the paper pressed by the pressing member 710, and a lower roller 715, and the paper in the forward direction (in the transport direction according to the transport path, In this case, the transport roller 717 that rotates while being pressed against the lower roller to transport in the direction from the top to the bottom) is positioned downstream of the position where the roller group is located and is inserted into the transport path. A stopper 719 provided so as to be removable is provided.

  Then, the stopper 719 is made to face a position in the conveyance path corresponding to half from the nip position in the height direction between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 with respect to the size in the conveyance direction of the paper to be used. After the leading edge of the paper taken in from the take-in port 70 reaches the stopper 719, the forward rotation of the roller group is stopped.

  Next, the pushing member 710 pushes the sheet between the upper roller 713 and the lower roller 715 to make a crease in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, and then rotate the roller group again in the forward direction. The sheet is fed toward the saddle stitching portion 73.

  The first transport unit 72 includes a rotatable belt 720 provided with a plurality of holes, and a suction box 723 provided inside the rotatable belt 720 and connected to the suction means Su via a duct. Yes.

  Reference numeral 725 denotes a rotatable separation member made of a wire material such as a wire. The leading edge of the sheet conveyed in an adsorbed state on the lower surface of the rotatable belt 720 is forcibly struck from the inner side (upper side in the figure) to be separated. It has a function. M is a motor that drives the separating member 725.

  The saddle stitching unit 73 includes a stacking unit that stacks sheets conveyed via the first conveying unit 72, and the stacking unit includes a first guide member 730 (on the sheet receiver) provided on the upstream side and a downstream side. The second guide member 733 (of the paper receiver) provided in the main element is used as a main element.

  The first and second guide members 730 and 733 are made of a plate material disposed at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to a vertical plane, and the overall shape is a chevron shape. The end of the member has a gap.

  Further, the central portion of the second guide member 733 divided in the depth direction can be reciprocated by a predetermined distance from the illustrated position toward the upper right side.

  This is because the front end is made to enter the fold of the sheet bundle after the saddle stitching process is finished, and the sheet is folded between the belts of the second conveying means 74 while being in the form of a two-fold booklet.

  A needle receiving means 735 is fixed at a height position at a central position sandwiched between the first and second guide members 730 and 733, and is movably provided in a depth direction (front and back direction of the paper surface). The part is located in the gap in the top region of both guide members.

  Above the needle receiving means 735, a needle hitting means 736 is attached so as to be swingable about the shaft 737 with a predetermined gap and movable in the depth direction.

  The stapler composed of the needle hitting means 736 and the needle receiving means 735 has the ability to bind 100 sheets of paper, and two are prepared at appropriate intervals in the depth direction of the figure.

  The first and second guide members 730 and 733 and the leading end positioning stopper 739 position the sheet, the aligning means 738 aligns the sheet crease, and then activates the needle hitting means 736 and the needle receiving means 735. Thus, a booklet in which 100 sheets of paper are folded in half can be obtained.

  In addition, curl correction processing, drilling processing, and sorting processing can be performed by a known configuration (not shown).

  The sheet bundle, for which saddle stitching processing has been completed with the above-described configuration, is pushed up to the upper right by a part of the second guide member 733, and is gradually transferred to the second conveying means 74 in the form of a booklet, and the first The direction is changed by the action of the second conveying means and the third conveying means 75, and after the sheet is firmly folded in half, the cut edge is cut by the cutter 761 by the cutting section 76 and discharged to the stack section 77.

  The stack portion 77 is sequentially lowered in accordance with the loading amount, and a predetermined amount can be stacked.

  The post-processing device control unit CY includes a read-only program ROM M2 that stores a post-processing control program, a communication control program, and the like, a post-processing device communication unit C4 ′ that communicates with the image forming apparatus 1, A control unit C ′ or the like composed of a CPU or the like is included, and the above-described units and the like are controlled.

  The ROM M2 stores in advance a control program related to post-processing, a program necessary for linked operation with the image forming apparatus, and the like.

  The post-processing device communication means C4 ′ of the post-processing device 8 is connected to the post-processing device communication means C4 of the image forming apparatus 1, and the paper fed from the control means C of the image forming apparatus 1 relates to the confirmation image. Confirmation image paper information on whether or not it is a paper (whether it is a paper related to a normal job) and job information are transmitted, and confirmation image paper is sent via post-processing device communication means C4 and post-processing device communication means C4 ′. Information and job information are input to the control means CY.

  When the control unit CY receives the confirmation image sheet information that the confirmation sheet is the sheet fed to the post-processing device, the control unit CY operates the switching unit 703 to release the conveyance path F3, and the confirmation image sheet to be conveyed is placed on the tray. The paper is discharged onto a tray 79 whose upper surface is visible.

  Further, the control unit CY causes the sheet to be conveyed to a necessary conveyance path according to the job information, performs post-processing according to the job information as described above, and causes the stack unit 77 capable of stacking a large capacity sheet to perform normal processing. Output and stack the job image paper.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the image forming system.

  In FIG. 14, 8 is a post-processing device, and 9 is a paper feeding device, each connected to the image forming device 1, and a job image or a confirmation image is sent to the paper P fed by the paper feeding device 9 by the image forming device 1. An image is formed and collected by the post-processing device 8.

  The sheet feeding device 9, the image forming apparatus 1, and the post-processing device 8 perform the above-described configuration and operation, and perform linked operation as the entire system.

  Note that the configuration and operation of the sheet feeding device 9, the image forming device 1, and the post-processing device 8 are individually and in conjunction with each other, and the description thereof is omitted.

  If necessary, a system operation may be performed by providing a plurality of paper feeding devices and post-processing devices.

  The monochrome image forming apparatus has been described above, but it goes without saying that it can also be applied to a color image forming apparatus.

1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram of the 1st control form of an image forming device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (first page) of a control mode of the image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the confirmation image output time selection screen of an example of the screen which selects the output time of a confirmation image. It is explanatory drawing of the selection screen of a confirmation image of an example of the screen which selects a confirmation image. It is explanatory drawing of the job image designation | designated screen of an example of the screen which designates the job image used as a confirmation image among job images. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a selection screen for selecting whether or not to interrupt a job when outputting a confirmation image, as an example of a screen for selecting whether or not to interrupt a job when outputting a confirmation image. It is explanatory drawing of the density | concentration chart of an example of a test chart image. It is a flowchart (2nd page) of the control form of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (third page) of a control mode of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (fourth page) of a control mode of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet feeding device. It is explanatory drawing of a post-processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of an image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Image reading means 4 Image forming means 5 Paper feed means 8 Post-processing apparatus 9 Paper feed apparatus 10 Operation panel 54 First paper stacking tray 55 Second paper stacking tray 79 Tray 101 Display means 102 Input means 200 Screen for selecting correction output / confirmation image output timing 201 Selection screen for confirmation image and paper discharge tray 202 Job image designation screen 203 Selection screen for determining whether or not to interrupt job when outputting confirmation image 913 Sheet loading table C control means CY control means CZ control means C1 Internet Communication control means C2 LAN communication control means C3 Paper feed device communication means C4 Post-processing device communication means D Automatic paper feed unit M1 RAM
M2 ROM

Claims (13)

In an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a confirmation image,
Confirmation image acquisition means for acquiring confirmation image information;
Output time specifying means for specifying a time to output the confirmation image based on the confirmation image information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for causing the image forming means to output the confirmation image at a time designated by the output time designation means during output of a job image. The confirmation image information includes either job image information or test chart image information, and selected job image information or a selected test selected by an image information selection unit that selects either the job image information or the test chart image information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein chart image information can be output as the confirmation image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output timing designating unit is capable of selecting any timing including a predetermined number of copies, a predetermined number of copies, or an arbitrary timing. The job image information includes information of one page or a plurality of pages, and information selected by an output page selection unit that selects a page to be output as the confirmation image can be output as the confirmation image. The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3. A plurality of paper discharge trays for stacking paper; and a paper carrying at least one of the selected job image information and the selected test chart image information and a paper carrying a normal job image are placed on different paper discharge trays. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that accumulates the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet carrying the confirmation image includes the control unit that discharges the confirmation image to a sheet discharge tray where the confirmation image is visible. 7. The job interruption enable / disable selection means for selecting whether or not to interrupt the output of the job image when the confirmation image is output during the output of the job image. The image forming apparatus described in 1. When the job interruption enable / disable selection unit selects whether the job can be interrupted, the job is continued until the division of the number of copies of the job being formed is completed, and the job interrupted by the restart input is continued. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. Before the restart input after the job interruption enable / disable selection means is selected, at least one of image quality density and gradation can be corrected, and a confirmation image can be output based on the correction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. A page number related to the job that was output at the time of output of the confirmation image is added to the confirmation image, and the confirmation image with the page number added can be output,
A confirmation image based on the correction is added to the confirmation image based on the correction by adding a page number related to the job that was output at the time of outputting the confirmation image based on the correction, and adding the page number to which the page number is added. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein output is possible. Paper discharged from the designated paper tray at the start of continuation from the job break that was interrupted by the restart input, and the paper carrying normal job images collected before the interruption The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image forming apparatus is stacked on a tray. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, a sheet feeding device that feeds a predetermined sheet based on a command from the image processing apparatus, and any one of claims 1 to 11. An image forming system comprising: a post-processing device that discharges and stacks a predetermined sheet on a predetermined discharge tray based on a command from the image forming apparatus described above. 13. The image forming system according to claim 12, further comprising the post-processing device capable of discharging and stacking a sheet carrying a confirmation image on a paper discharge tray that is visible from above the post-processing device.

Images