JP2007320150A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of controlling or reducing a consumption amount of a colorant to be consumed while retaining reproducibility of colors of output image data with respect to input image data. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus comprises a plurality of paper supply cassettes capable of housing recording media having different background colors, a color conversion means 2a for generating output image data from input image data according to a color profile obtained by considering the background colors of the recording media, and a color image forming means 3 for forming an image according to the output image data. The image forming apparatus further comprises a colorant consumption amount detection means 34a for detecting the consumption amount of the colorant by each of the background colors of the recording media based on the generated output image data, a colorant residual amount detection means 34b for detecting the residual amount of the colorant, and a recording medium selection means 34c for selecting the recording medium having the specific background color based on the detected consumption amount of the colorant and the detected residual amount of the colorant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes capable of accommodating recording media having different ground colors, color conversion means for generating output image data from input image data based on a color profile that takes into account the ground color of the recording medium, The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising color image forming means for forming an image based on converted output image data.

  Since the image forming apparatuses each have device-specific color characteristics, color reproducibility is impaired when image output is performed without performing any image processing on image data having the same RGB values. Therefore, color management, which is image processing for ensuring appropriate color reproducibility, is performed on input image data to generate output image data. Specifically, the color management is a device-independent L * a * b * so that input image data composed of RGB values depending on the input side device can be correctly transmitted between different devices. A color profile described for each device having different color characteristics, which is converted into output image data consisting of MCYK values depending on the output side device again based on the L * a * b * values. The L * a * b * value is converted from the RGB value, and the L * a * b * value is converted into the MCYK value by referring to the lookup table.

  By the way, Patent Document 1 selects one of a plurality of profile information corresponding to each of a plurality of reference print media so that an accurate color can be reproduced for an input image even when the ground colors of the recording medium are different. Then, input the image data that represents the image with gradation data for each pixel and convert the gradation data of each pixel based on various setting information included in the same profile information. A printing control apparatus that controls the printing apparatus to print an image based on image data configured from the plurality of profile information according to a printing medium to be printed by the printing apparatus. Profile selection means for selecting profile information, and colorimetric data acquisition means for measuring the ground color of the print medium to be printed and acquiring ground color measurement data corresponding to the ground color When the gradation data constituting the image data is converted based on various setting information included in the profile information selected by the profile selection means, the color conversion information related to color conversion in the setting information is measured as described above. Image conversion means for converting the same gradation data by reflecting the ground color measurement data acquired by the color data acquisition means, and control for printing an image based on the image data composed of the converted gradation data A print control apparatus is provided that includes a print control unit that performs printing, and ensures the reproducibility of the color of the output image data with respect to the input image data even when a print medium having a different ground color is used.

JP 2003-271327 A

  In general, since most of the input image data has a white background that occupies most of it, a white recording medium is often used for image output, and color materials such as toner and ink used for image formation are used. However, the amount is often assumed on the assumption that a white recording medium is used.

  Therefore, when the background color of the recording medium is other than white, the color used in the background of the input image data is reproduced although the color reproducibility is ensured by the technique proposed in Patent Document 1. In addition, a certain color material is consumed more than usual, and there is a possibility that an adverse effect such as image formation becomes impossible due to the lack of the color material at the time of the next image formation.

  In view of the above-described conventional disadvantages, the present invention is capable of adjusting the consumption of color materials to be consumed or reducing the consumption while ensuring the reproducibility of colors in the output image data with respect to the input image data. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first characteristic configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a plurality of supply media capable of accommodating recording media having different ground colors, as described in claim 1 of the claims. A paper cassette; color conversion means for generating output image data from input image data based on a color profile taking into account the ground color of the recording medium; and color image forming means for forming an image based on the converted output image data A color material consumption amount detecting means for detecting a color material consumption amount for each ground color of the recording medium from output image data generated by the color conversion means, and a color material Color material remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of color material, color material consumption detected by the color material consumption amount detecting means, and color material remaining amount detected by the color material remaining amount detection means Specific ground color In that it includes a recording medium selection means for selecting the recording medium.

  According to the above-described configuration, the recording used for image formation based on the consumption amount of the color material detected for each recording medium having a different ground color and the remaining amount of the color material of the image forming apparatus with respect to the output image data. By selecting the medium, the color material consumption can be controlled.

  As described in claim 2, the second feature configuration includes, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the color material consumption amount detection means, based on at least output image data corresponding to the background, of the recording medium. The point is to detect the consumption of the coloring material for each ground color.

  The background is the most used color, including the background, in the output image data, and the background has the most color material compared to the color material used for colors other than the background. Since it is used, most of the color material consumed in the image output based on the output image data is likely to be consumed in the background.

  Further, in the image output based on the output image data, the actual consumption amount of the color material of each color can be calculated from each dot constituting the output image data and its constituent color, but the calculation takes time. There is a risk of reducing the work efficiency of image formation.

  According to the above-described configuration, in order to detect the consumption amount of the color material for each background color of the recording medium from the output image data corresponding to at least the background, in the image formation performed based on the output image data, all the output image data Even if it is not analyzed, it is possible to detect easily and with high accuracy which color material is the color material consumed at the maximum for each recording medium having a different ground color.

  In the third feature configuration, as described in claim 3, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the recording medium selection unit is configured to consume the least amount of the color material detected. The point is that the recording medium of the ground color that minimizes the color is selected.

  When the remaining amount of a specific color material becomes zero, in general image forming apparatuses, image formation is often interrupted or prohibited until the color material is replenished, and image formation may be interrupted or prohibited. Even if not, the color reproducibility of the output image is remarkably lowered, and eventually it is necessary to perform image formation again after replenishment of the color material, which may waste the color material.

  According to the above-described configuration, the consumption of the remaining amount of the color material with the smallest remaining amount can be suppressed by selecting the recording medium of the background color with the least amount of the color material consumed with the smallest remaining amount. While preventing wasteful consumption of color materials, it is possible to output a large number of images without reducing the work efficiency of image formation.

  In the fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the recording medium selection unit may further include a remaining color material after consumption based on the output image data. The point is that a recording medium of a specific ground color is selected so that the amount is uniform.

  Instead of replenishing each color material independently, an image forming apparatus or the like in which several color materials are stored in one unit and the unit is mounted has zero remaining color material. When the color material of the other color is not zero, the color material cannot be replenished unless the unit is replaced. There is no waste.

  According to the above configuration, in order to control the remaining amount of the color material to be equal, instead of supplementing the color material of each color independently, several color materials are stored in one unit, The image forming apparatus or the like to which the unit is attached can use up all the color materials without generating color materials that need to be discarded.

  In the fifth feature configuration, as described in claim 5, in addition to the first or second feature configuration described above, the recording medium selection unit has the largest consumption of color material based on the output image data. The point is that a recording medium of a specific ground color is selected so as to reduce the number.

  According to the above-described configuration, since the color material consumption is the smallest, more images can be output with the same remaining color material, and the cost associated with image formation can be suppressed.

  In the sixth feature configuration, as described in claim 6, in addition to any one of the first to fifth feature configurations described above, when the remaining amount of any color material falls below a predetermined remaining amount. The recording medium selection means operates.

  Since detection of color material consumption based on output image data takes a load and time, when it is not necessary, it is more efficient to form an image without detecting the color material consumption. Even if image formation is performed when the remaining amount of the color material is sufficient, there is little possibility that the remaining amount of the specific color material will be zero, and there is little possibility of causing an adverse effect such that the next image formation cannot be performed. .

  According to the above-described configuration, when the remaining amount of any one of the color materials is lower than the predetermined remaining amount and the possibility of causing an adverse effect such as the inability to form the next image becomes high, the recording medium selection unit is operated. Colorant consumption can be adjusted or reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the consumption of the color material to be consumed or to reduce the color while ensuring the color reproducibility in the output image data with respect to the input image data. The device can now be provided.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an electrophotographic copying machine A, which is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, includes an image reading unit 1 that reads a document image as input image data, and an input read by the image reading unit 1. An output image data generation unit 2 that performs predetermined image processing on the image data to generate output image data, and an image is formed on recording paper that is a recording medium based on the output image data from the output image data generation unit 2 An image forming unit 3 that outputs the image data, an operation unit 4 including a hard key group such as a print key for starting a copying operation of the copying machine A and a numeric key for setting the number of copies, and a touch panel type color liquid crystal display unit, A network unit 5 that connects to a network and transmits / receives data to / from other terminal devices, and a system control unit 6 that is connected to the respective units via an internal bus and controls the respective units in an integrated manner. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the output image data generation unit 2 generates the input composed of RGB data generated by the image reading unit 1 of the copying machine A and having color characteristics unique to the image reading unit 1. Image data is converted into device-independent L * a * b * data with reference to a color profile for input image data described in accordance with the color characteristics of the image reading unit 1, and the image forming unit 3 The L * a * b * is converted into output image data composed of MCYK data having color characteristics unique to the image forming unit 3 with reference to the color profile for output image data described according to the color characteristics of From the terminal storing the color conversion means 2a for generating the output image data and the plurality of output image color profiles prepared in consideration of the ground color of the recording paper, the network 5, the color profile acquisition means 2b for acquiring the output image color profile corresponding to the recording paper stored in a paper feed cassette 32a described later, and the output image color acquired by the color profile acquisition means 2b. Color profile selection means 2c for selecting the output image color profile used for generating the output image data, taking into account the ground color of the recording paper used as the recording medium selected by the recording medium selection means 34c described later from the profile. Is provided.

  The function of each means of the output image data generation unit 2 includes a single or a plurality of CPUs constituting the output image data generation unit 2, a RAM that is a work area of the CPU, and each function executed by the CPU. The ROM or the like in which the execution program is stored is executed in cooperation.

  Here, the color profile refers to conversion data for conversion from a standard color space to a device-specific color space, and conforms to a profile format proposed by the ICC (International Color Consortium).

  The color profile for input image data includes a look-up table in which color characteristics such as gamma characteristics of the image reading unit 1 are described. The color profile for input image data is stored in the ROM of the output image data generation unit 2. Has been.

  The output image data color profile includes a look-up table described in consideration of color characteristics unique to the image forming unit 3, the ground color of the recording paper, and the like. It is acquired from the connected terminal in correspondence with the ground color of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 32a, and is stored in the RAM of the output image data generation unit 2. Here, the terminal connected to the network has a plurality of output image data color profiles described in consideration of various ground colors of recording paper in addition to color characteristics unique to the image forming unit 3. Stored as a lookup table.

  The output image data color profile will be further described. The copier A in this embodiment includes three paper feed cassettes 32a, and the recordings stored in the first, second, and third paper feed cassettes from the top. The color profile for output image data corresponding to the paper ground color is stored in the RAM as a color profile for first output image data, a color profile for second output image data, and a color profile for third output image data, respectively. It is.

  The image forming unit 3 feeds a toner image forming unit 30 that forms a toner image of each color component of MCYK on a photoconductor based on the output image data, and a recording sheet that is a recording medium to which the toner image is transferred. A transport section 32 that transports from the cassette 32a, a transfer section 31 that transfers the toner image onto the recording paper, and a heater (not shown) that inserts and installs the toner image transferred onto the recording paper. The image forming control unit 34 includes a fixing unit 33 that heats and melts the image on the recording paper by a fixing roller heated to a predetermined temperature and an image forming control unit 34 that controls each part of the image forming unit 3. The image format is formed by the cooperation of a single CPU or a plurality of CPUs, a RAM that is a work area of the CPU, and a ROM that stores an execution program of each function executed by the CPU. It controls the above units of Part 3. That is, the image forming unit 3 functions as a color image forming unit of the present invention.

  The toner image forming unit 30 includes a photoconductor 30a, a charging charger 30b that charges the surface of the photoconductor 30a along the circumferential direction of the photoconductor 30a, an exposure head 30c that generates an electrostatic latent image, and a coloring material. Yes, four developing devices 30d each provided with toner corresponding to each color of M (magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and K (black), and remained on the photoconductor 30a after transfer onto the recording paper A cleaner 30e for scraping off the toner, a neutralizing lamp 30f for neutralizing the surface potential of the photoreceptor 30a, and the like are arranged.

  Each of the three cassettes of the paper feed cassette 32a can store recording papers having different ground colors, and the user operates the operation unit 4 to store the color liquid crystal when storing the recording paper. Call up the “storage paper setting screen” on the display unit, operate the hard key group or touch panel, and use a colorimeter or the like to measure in advance the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3 and measure the ground of the recording paper. Along with the value of each color MCYK component, the size of the recording paper stored in each paper feed cassette 32a is input and stored in a non-volatile RAM provided in the image formation control unit 34, and the color profile acquisition means 2b With reference to this, the ground color of the recording paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 32a is acquired.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the “storage paper setting screen”, a paper frame for selecting the size of the recording paper to be stored from the pull-down menu and the background color of the recording paper to be stored in each paper cassette 32a are displayed as MCYK. A component value frame to be input as a component by the numeric keys of the hard key group, an “OK” button for confirming the input and completing the setting, and a “cancel” button for canceling the input and ending the setting operation are arranged. .

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 4, the ground color information relating to the recording paper of the main paper manufacturer whose MCYK component value is measured in consideration of the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3 is copied. The size of the recording paper stored in each paper cassette of the paper feed cassette 32a is stored by previously storing in the machine A, and the user operates the operation unit 4 to select the paper manufacturer and the paper model number. The background color or the like may be configured to be stored in a nonvolatile RAM provided in the image formation control unit 34.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image formation control unit 34 calculates the toner consumption for each color of toner included in the developing device 30d from the output image data for each ground color of the recording paper when performing image formation. Color material consumption amount detecting means 34a to detect and the toner remaining amount for each toner color of the developing device 30d are stored, and the toner consumption amount detected by the color material consumption amount detecting means 34a is stored as the stored toner remaining amount. And a toner that detects the remaining amount of toner for each toner color included in the developing device 30d by resetting the remaining amount of toner stored every time the developing device 30d is filled with toner to a full filling amount. A recording paper of a specific ground color is selected based on the toner consumption detected by the remaining amount detection means 34b, the color material consumption detection means 34a, and the toner remaining amount detected by the color material remaining amount detection means 34b. A recording medium selection means 34c for.

  The color material consumption detection means 34a detects the toner consumption for each background color of the recording paper from the output image data corresponding to the background. More specifically, the color material consumption detector 34a multiplies the total density data of each color obtained by adding the density data of each color of each pixel of the output image data by multiplying the total correlation data by a predetermined correlation coefficient. It is configured to detect a toner consumption amount for each toner color consumed in the output image.

  The color material remaining amount detecting unit 34b outputs a message to that effect to the system control unit 6 when any toner remaining amount of the developing device 30d falls below a predetermined remaining amount, and the color material remaining amount detecting unit 34b. In response to the output from the system controller 6, the copying machine A selects a recording paper having a different ground color stored in the paper feed cassette 32a to reduce the toner consumption amount. And the recording medium selecting unit 34c is operated, and the recording medium selecting unit 34c has the smallest amount of toner consumption with respect to the toner with the smallest remaining toner amount detected by the color material remaining amount detecting unit 34b. A background color recording sheet is selected.

  Further, when the toner with the smallest remaining amount of toner is replenished and the remaining amount of toner exceeds a predetermined remaining amount, the system control unit 6 that has received the output from the remaining amount of color material detecting means 34b receives the copying machine A. Is switched to the normal mode for selecting normal recording paper from the paper feed cassette 32a, and the recording medium selection means 34c is stopped.

  Hereinafter, image output of the copying machine A with respect to input image data will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the color material remaining amount detecting means 34b detects that any toner remaining amount in the developing device 30d falls below a predetermined remaining amount (S1), the copying machine A switches to a toner consumption reduction mode (S2). The recording medium selection means 34c is activated (S3).

  When the input image data is received in the toner consumption reduction mode (S4), the color conversion means 2a refers to the color profile for input image data and converts the input image data from RGB data to L * a * b * data. Further, the converted L * a * b * data is converted into MCYK data with reference to the first to third output image data color profiles (S6), and output to each. Image data is generated (S7).

  Based on the output image data, the color material consumption detection means 34a detects the toner consumption for each toner color consumed corresponding to the background of the respective output image data (S8), and the recording medium selection means. 34c selects a ground-color recording paper that consumes the least amount of toner with the least remaining amount detected by the color material remaining amount detecting means 34b (S9).

  The color profile selection means 2c selects the output image data color profile of the cassette for storing the recording paper selected by the recording medium selection means 34c (S10), and refers to the output image data color profile. Based on the generated output image data, the image forming unit 3 forms and outputs an image (S11).

  Another embodiment will be described below.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electrophotographic copying machine A is used as an example of the image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. However, the configuration using other image forming apparatuses such as an ink jet printer or a multifunction peripheral is used. It is also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming unit 3 outputs an image based on the output image data generated by referring to the color profile for output image data selected by the color profile selection unit 2c. The machine A is provided with a preview display means for displaying a preview screen on the color liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 2 based on the output image data, and displays a preview of the output image and confirms the preview screen before outputting the image. After that, the user may determine whether or not to execute image output.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color profile for output image data is stored in a terminal connected to the network as a plurality of look-up tables in consideration of various ground colors of the recording paper in addition to the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3. However, the output image data generation unit 2 may be stored in advance in the ROM. In this case, the copying machine A can be used even if it is not provided with the network unit 5 and is installed stand-alone.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color profile for output image data is connected to the network via the network unit 5 by the color profile acquisition unit 2b corresponding to the ground color of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 32a. The copying machine A is provided with a color profile correction unit, and is measured using the color meter or the like in consideration of the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3. Based on the value of the MCYK component of the ground color of the recording paper to be stored, the color profile correction unit corrects the color profile for specific output image data, and an output image corresponding to the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 32a. A configuration may be employed in which a data color profile is generated.

  Here, there are various types of correction performed by the color profile correction unit. For example, the L * a * b * value of the input image data converted by the input image data color profile is set to the specific image. Using the color profile for output image data, L * a * b reflecting the L * a * b * value obtained by inversely transforming the MCYK component value of the ground color of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 32a. There is a method of correcting the value to a color profile for output image data that converts the value into an MCYK value of the output image data.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MCYK of the ground color of the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette 32a, which is measured with the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3 using a color meter or the like on the “storage paper setting screen”. Although the configuration is such that the component values are input, the configuration may be such that the values of the respective components in the other color systems of the recording paper are input. For example, RGB with the color characteristics of the image forming unit 3 taken into account. The value of the component may be input, and the value of each component of the L * a * b * color system that does not depend on the device may be input. In this case, it goes without saying that a color profile based on the color system to be adopted is prepared.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color profile referred to by the color conversion unit 2a is configured to use the L * a * b * color system as the device independent color system. It is also possible to use another color system that does not depend on the color system.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color material consumption amount detection unit 34a is configured to detect the toner consumption amount for each background color of the recording medium from the output image data corresponding to the background, but at least the output image data corresponding to the background. From the output image data, the toner consumption amount consumed in image formation may be detected for each ground color of the recording medium, such as detecting the toner consumption amount for each ground color of the recording medium. . In this case, when the number of objects for detecting the toner consumption increases, the time required for detection increases and the load for detection also increases, but an accurate toner consumption can be detected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium selection unit 34c is configured to select the ground-color recording paper that consumes the least amount of toner with the least remaining amount detected, but the image based on the output image data is selected. A recording paper of a specific ground color may be selected so that the remaining amount of toner after formation is uniform.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium selection unit 34c is configured to select the ground color recording paper that consumes the least amount of toner with respect to the detected remaining amount of toner. However, the toner based on the output image data is selected. A recording paper of a specific ground color may be selected so that the consumption amount is minimized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording medium selection unit 34c is configured to select the recording paper of the ground color that consumes the least amount of toner with the least remaining amount detected, but the color material remaining amount detection unit 34b. When the remaining amount of toner detected by the printer becomes the first predetermined remaining amount, a recording paper of a specific ground color is selected so that the toner consumption based on the output image data is minimized, and the first predetermined remaining amount is selected. Alternatively, when the second predetermined remaining amount is small, a ground-color recording sheet that consumes the least amount of toner for the smallest remaining amount may be selected.

  In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine A is switched to the toner consumption reduction mode and the recording medium selection unit 34c operates when the remaining amount of any toner in the developing device 30d falls below a predetermined remaining amount. However, it may be configured that the user manually switches the copying machine A to the toner consumption reduction mode and operates the recording medium selection means 34c. The machine A may always be operated in the toner consumption reduction mode, and the recording medium selection unit 34c may be always operated.

  The plurality of embodiments described above are not limited to being configured alone, but may be appropriately combined within the scope of the effects of the present invention.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the specific configuration of each part can be changed as appropriate within the scope of the effects of the present invention.

Functional block diagram of copying machine in this embodiment Illustration of the copying machine in this embodiment The figure used for description of the storage paper setting screen in the present embodiment The figure used for description of the storage paper setting screen in another embodiment Flow chart used to explain this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

2: Output image data generation unit 2a: Color conversion unit 2b: Color profile acquisition unit 2c: Color profile selection unit 3: Color image formation unit (image formation unit)
34: Image formation controller 34a: Color material consumption detection means 34b: Color material remaining amount detection means 34c: Recording medium selection means

Claims (6)

A plurality of paper feed cassettes capable of accommodating recording media having different ground colors, color conversion means for generating output image data from input image data based on a color profile taking into account the ground color of the recording medium, and converted output An image forming apparatus comprising color image forming means for forming an image based on image data,
Color material consumption amount detection means for detecting the color material consumption amount for each ground color of the recording medium from the output image data generated by the color conversion means, and color material remaining amount detection means for detecting the remaining amount of color material And a recording medium for selecting a specific ground color recording medium based on the color material consumption detected by the color material consumption detection means and the color material remaining amount detection means detected by the color material remaining amount detection means An image forming apparatus including a selection unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color material consumption amount detection unit detects a color material consumption amount for each background color of the recording medium from at least output image data corresponding to a background.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium selection unit selects a ground-color recording medium that consumes the least amount of the color material that is detected in the least amount.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium selection unit selects a recording medium having a specific ground color so that the remaining amount after consumption of the color material based on the output image data is equalized.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium selection unit selects a recording medium having a specific ground color so that a color material consumption based on the output image data is minimized.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium selecting unit operates when the remaining amount of any of the color materials falls below a predetermined remaining amount.

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