JP2008022124A - Image forming system and printer calibration device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a general purpose printer calibration device which can be used commonly even for an image formation system having a plurality of image output devices of different target gradation characteristics. <P>SOLUTION: Each of printers 91, 92 has a section for storing target gradation characteristic data indicative of target gradation characteristics, respectively. A target gradation characteristic data acquisition section 302 acquires the target gradation characteristic data stored in the target gradation characteristic data storage of a printer selected as a calibration object by a printer selector 100 from two printers 91 and 92. A gradation correction data creator 303 compares the gray level between image data of a test image read out by means of a scanner 70 and the target gradation characteristic data acquired at the target gradation characteristic data acquisition section 302, and creates gradation correction data based on the comparison result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and a printer calibration apparatus.

  Conventionally, thermal recording systems, electrophotographic recording systems, ink jet systems, etc. have been used as recording systems for obtaining hard copies, such as copying machines and printers. In Japan, efforts are being made to improve image quality by taking advantage of their respective characteristics.

  In particular, the electrophotographic recording method uses electrostatic phenomenon of toner, which is a fine particle, so it is strongly affected by environmental changes and changes over time, and the image density varies slightly, or the image density varies depending on the machine used. There are differences. Therefore, in models that require a more stable image density in color image forming systems, the density of the test image formed on the paper is detected using image reading means such as a scanner device, and the image forming conditions are adjusted. Thus, calibration for obtaining a predetermined density has been widely introduced.

  This calibration creates a plurality of reference patches based on a plurality of input image signals on a sheet as a reference chart, detects the reference patch density created on the sheet, compares it with the target density, and detects the detected reference patch density. This is done by creating gradation correction data for correcting the input image signal so as to match the target density.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method for executing general printer calibration. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an image forming system provided with means for changing target gradation characteristic data so as to correct a difference in target gradation characteristics due to user's preference and printer device aging. ing.

JP 2004-112309 A JP 09-298664 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a versatile printer calibration apparatus that can be used in common for an image forming system having a plurality of image output apparatuses having different target gradation characteristics.

[Image forming system]
In order to achieve the above object, an image forming system according to the present invention includes a plurality of image output apparatuses including storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating respective target gradation characteristics;
An image reading device that reads a document and converts it into image data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Acquisition means for acquiring target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means of the selected image output apparatus among the plurality of image output apparatuses; and image data of the test image read by the image reading apparatus And a target calibration characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means, and a printer calibration apparatus comprising a creation means for creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
The gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means, and the gradation of the image data to be output to the selected image output means are the gradation correction data. A gradation correction device including gradation correction means for correcting based on the gradation correction data stored in the storage means.

  Preferably, the printer calibration apparatus may further include target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.

In addition, the image forming system of the present invention includes a plurality of image output means including storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating respective target gradation characteristics;
Image reading means for reading a document and converting it into image data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Obtaining means for obtaining target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means of the selected image output means among the plurality of image output means;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading means with the target gradation characteristic data obtained by the obtaining means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means;
Gradation correction means for correcting the gradation of the image data to be output to the selected image output means based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage means.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.

  The target gradation characteristic data storage means may be constituted by a nonvolatile memory.

  Further, the gradation correction data storage means may be constituted by a nonvolatile memory.

[Printer calibration device]
The printer calibration apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores target gradation characteristic data indicating each target gradation characteristic, and the selected one of the image output apparatuses selected from the plurality of image output apparatuses. Acquisition means for acquiring target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means;
Gradation correction means for correcting the gradation of the image data to be output to the selected image output apparatus based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage means.

Furthermore, the printer calibration apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores target gradation characteristic data indicating each target gradation characteristic, and the selected one of the image output apparatuses selected from the plurality of image output apparatuses. Acquisition means for acquiring target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data output means for outputting the gradation correction data created by the creation means.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.

  The target gradation characteristic data storage means may be constituted by a nonvolatile memory.

  Further, the gradation correction data storage means may be constituted by a nonvolatile memory.

[program]
Further, the program of the present invention is stored in the storage means of a selected image output apparatus among a plurality of image output apparatuses provided with storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data each indicating a target gradation characteristic. Obtaining target gradation characteristic data, and
Outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the acquired target gradation characteristic data and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Causing the computer to execute a step of correcting the gradation of the image data to be output to the selected image output device based on the generated gradation correction data.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a storage capacity for storing a plurality of different target gradation characteristic data for an image forming system having a plurality of types of image output apparatuses having different target gradation characteristics. There is no need to add new target tone characteristic data even when there is an additional image output device, so there is no need for additional trouble, such as a versatile printer that can be used in common for multiple image forming systems. The effect that a calibration apparatus can be realized can be obtained.

[background]
First, in order to help understanding of the present invention, its background and outline will be described.

  As described above, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, calibration processing is performed to correct fluctuations in image density due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity and changes with time. The operation of the printer calibration apparatus that performs such calibration processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the start of the calibration process is instructed, the printer calibration apparatus outputs test image data composed of a plurality of reference patches having different densities to the printer unit and forms it on a recording sheet such as a printing sheet (S401). ). An example of this test image is shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the test image is composed of reference patches whose input image signal levels are 5% to 100%.

  When the user sets the recording paper on which the test image is formed on the scanner unit of the image forming apparatus and gives an instruction to start image reading, the scanner unit reads the test image (S402). Then, the printer calibration device detects the density of each reference patch from the image data of the read test image (S403). Then, the printer calibration device compares the detected density of each reference patch with the target density, and creates gradation correction data based on the comparison result (S404).

  An example of the gradation correction data created in this way is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the left scale on the vertical axis indicates the density, and the right scale indicates the output image signal level.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the measured image density obtained by reading the test image is higher than the set target image density. Therefore, in the printer calibration apparatus, gradation correction data that makes the density light is created, and gradation correction is performed based on the gradation correction data. Referring to FIG. 3, when the gradation correction of the measured image density is performed based on the gradation correction data, it can be seen that the corrected image density approaches the target image density.

  There are various types of printer apparatuses, but the color reproduction areas, which are color areas that can be reproduced, differ depending on the type of ink and toner used, the printing method, and the like. Therefore, the target gradation characteristics are also different in each printer. For this reason, when performing printer calibration of a certain printer device, target gradation characteristic data set for the printer device is required.

  If the printer calibration apparatus is used only in an image forming system limited to a predetermined printer apparatus, only target gradation characteristic data of the printer apparatus need be stored. However, when the printer calibration apparatus is used for an image forming system to which a plurality of types of printer apparatuses having different target gradation characteristics are connected, or a plurality of image forming systems each having a printer apparatus having different target gradation characteristics, It is necessary to store all target gradation characteristic data of the printer device to be calibrated, which requires a large storage capacity. Furthermore, when trying to apply the printer calibration apparatus to a printer apparatus other than the printer apparatus that was the object of calibration, troubles such as storing new target gradation characteristic data occur.

  That is, in such a printer calibration apparatus, all the target gradation characteristic data of the target printer apparatus is stored, so that a large storage capacity is required, or the printer apparatus storing the target gradation characteristic data. When performing calibration for a printer apparatus other than the above, there is a problem that it is troublesome to set new target gradation characteristic data and lacks versatility.

[Embodiment]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a system diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing system according to this embodiment has a configuration in which a terminal device 60, a scanner device 70, and printer devices 91 and 92 are connected via a network 80.

  The terminal device 60 is specifically a device such as a personal computer, and generates print data such as a print job and transmits it to the printer devices 91 and 92. The scanner device 70 functions as an image reading unit that reads a document and converts it into image data. The printer devices 91 and 92 operate as an image output device that receives print data transmitted from the terminal device 60 and outputs an image corresponding to the print data on a print sheet. The terminal device 60 also has a function of receiving image data read by the scanner device 70 and transmitting the image data to the printer devices 91 and 92 after performing image processing.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a specific configuration example of the printer device 91 in the image forming system of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the printer device 91 constituting the image forming system is described as a multifunction device having a scanner unit and the like and having a copying function, a printing function, and the like. Since calibration is performed with respect to the print function, description will be made here as a printing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer device 91 in this embodiment includes an image reading unit 50 and an image forming unit 40.

  The image reading unit 50 includes a platen 51 on which an original is placed, a platen cover 52, a lamp 53 that irradiates light on the original on the platen, a sensor 54 that converts the received light amount distribution into an image signal, and an original that is irradiated from the lamp. The optical system 55 collects the reflected light reflected by the image on the original surface on the CCD sensor.

  The image forming unit 40 includes four image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K on which toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are formed. And the four image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K and the intermediate transfer belt 20 to which the toner image is primarily transferred and circulated, respectively, and the four image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K. The primary transfer rolls 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K that primarily transfer the formed toner images of the respective colors to the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the toner images that are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 are secondarily transferred to the paper P. Secondary transfer roll 15, three paper trays 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c that store paper P of different sizes, a manual feed portion 13 for manually feeding paper P, and a paper tray The paper P extracted from 12a, 12b, 12c or the paper P set on the manual feed section 13 is transported to the position where the secondary transfer roll 15 is disposed, and the toner image transferred onto the paper P is heated and heated. The fixing device 16 that fixes the toner image on the paper P by pressing, the transport roller 18 that discharges the paper P from the arrangement position of the secondary transfer roll 15 via the fixing device 16, and the paper P on which the toner image is fixed on one side And a transport roll 17 for transporting the paper to the position where the secondary transfer roll 15 is disposed again, and a first tray 31 and a second tray 32 for discharging the paper P on which the toner image is fixed.

  The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K respectively include photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K on which toner images are formed, and chargers 2Y and 2M that charge the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. 2C, 2K, exposure unit 3 that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating charged photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K with exposure light modulated based on an image signal, and electrostatic latent image Development that applies toner of each color to YMCK to form a toner image of each color, and develops an electrostatic latent image by applying toner of each color of YMCK charged by stirring the developer mixed with toner and carrier 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, and cleaning devices 6Y and 6M that clean toner remaining on the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K after primary transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 20. 6C, and a 6K. Note that there is a toner box 39 that stores toner of each color YMCK, and the toner of each color is supplied to the developing devices 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K at a predetermined timing.

  The intermediate transfer belt 20 is circulated and moved around a drive roll 21 that drives the belt, a driven roll 22, and a tension roll 23 that applies tension to the belt, and a unit 10Y that forms a Y-color toner image. A belt cleaning device 26 is provided on the upstream side. The image signal read by the image reading unit 50 is converted into an image signal for each YMCK color by the image processing unit 35.

  The printer device 91 of this embodiment includes a user interface 11 for selecting various image forming modes. When an image forming mode is selected on the user interface 11, the image forming mode is automatically set and image processing is performed. In the unit 35, the image signal read and converted by the image reading unit 50 is subjected to image processing in accordance with the selected image forming mode.

  Then, the exposure light modulated based on the image signal subjected to the image processing from the exposure unit 3 is irradiated to the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K included in each of the four units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on each photosensitive drum, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by each developing device 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, and a toner image of each color is formed. The toner images of the respective colors are superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the primary transfer rolls 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5K, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is transferred to the manual feed portion 13 by the secondary transfer roll 15. Alternatively, the image is transferred from the paper tray 12 to the paper P conveyed by the conveyance roll 14, further heated and pressurized by the fixing device 16, fixed on the paper P, conveyed by the conveyance roll 18, and the first tray 31 or the first tray 31. It is discharged to the second tray 32.

  When the double-sided printing mode is selected on the user interface 11, the paper P that is transported by the transporting roll 18 and has an image formed on one side is discharged to the first tray 31 or the second tray 32. The sheet P is switched back with the trailing edge of the sheet P as the leading edge, and is conveyed again by the conveying roll 17 to the position where the secondary transfer roll 15 is disposed. The toner image transferred to the other surface of the paper P by the secondary transfer roll 15 is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 16 and fixed on the paper P, and is transported by the transport roll 18 to the first tray. 31 or the second tray 32.

  Here, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, it is described that the calibration process is performed by reading the test image by the scanner device 70 connected to the network 80, but the scanner unit provided in the printer device 91 performs the calibration process. A calibration process may be performed by reading a test image.

  Further, the printer device 91 in the image forming system according to the present embodiment has been described based on a tandem printer device using the intermediate transfer belt 20, but the printer device 91 is not limited to the tandem configuration, and may have a multi-cycle configuration. The intermediate transfer belt 20 may be used instead of the intermediate transfer belt 20. Further, the present invention is not limited to the intermediate transfer method, and can be applied to a method of directly transferring to a recording medium carried on a paper conveyance belt or a recording medium conveyed by a roll.

Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 60 of the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal device 60 transmits and receives data to and from a CPU 68, a memory 69, a storage device 72 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a scanner device 70, printer devices 91 and 92, etc. via a network 80. And a user interface (UI) device 76 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 66.

  The CPU 68 controls the operation of the terminal device 60 by executing predetermined processing based on the image processing program stored in the memory 69 or the storage device 72.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the terminal device 60 realized by executing the image processing program.
The terminal device 200 of the present embodiment functions as the image processing device 200 when executed by an image processing program. The image processing apparatus 200 includes a screen processing unit 210 and a printer calibration apparatus 300.

  The screen processing unit 210 converts the multivalued image data from the printer calibration device 300 into binary image data.

A printer device selector 100 is provided between the image processing device 200 and the printer devices 91 and 92.
In the image forming system of this embodiment, a printer device to be used is selected by the printer device selector 100 based on an instruction from a user interface device (not shown). For example, when the printer device selector 100 has selected the printer device 91, the image data from the screen processing unit 210 is transmitted to the printer device 91, and the target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302 receives the target device of the printer device 91. Target gradation characteristic data is acquired from the gradation characteristic data storage unit.

  Further, the printer calibration apparatus 300 includes a test image data storage unit 301, a target tone characteristic data acquisition unit 302, a tone correction data creation unit 303, a tone correction data storage unit 304, and a tone correction processing unit. 305.

  The test image data storage unit 301 stores test image data including a plurality of reference patches having different densities.

  The target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302 is a target floor stored in the target gradation characteristic data storage unit of the printer device selected as a calibration target by the printer device selector 100 of the two printer devices 91 and 92. Acquires tonal characteristic data.

  The gradation correction data creation unit 303 compares the density of the test image image data read by the scanner device 70 with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302, and the comparison result. The gradation correction data is created based on the above.

  The gradation correction data storage unit 304 stores the gradation correction data created by the gradation correction data creation unit 303. The gradation correction data storage unit 304 may be configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  The gradation correction processing unit 305 determines the gradation of the image data to be output to the printer device selected by the printer device selector 100 based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage unit 304. to correct.

  Note that the gradation correction data storage unit 304 and the gradation correction processing unit 305 are not configured in the printer calibration apparatus 300, and the gradation correction data storage unit 304 and the gradation correction processing unit 305 constitute a gradation correction device. It may be configured to be independent from the printer calibration apparatus 300.

  The image forming system of this embodiment is an image forming system including two types of printer apparatuses 91 and 92 having different target gradation characteristics. In each of the printer devices 91 and 92, target gradation characteristic data indicating a target gradation characteristic is stored in the target gradation characteristic data storage unit.

  Next, a printer calibration operation in the image forming system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, at the time of executing calibration, a printer device to be calibrated is selected by the printer device selector 100 in accordance with an instruction from a user interface device of a printer calibration device (not shown) (S501). Then, the test image data storage unit 301 outputs a test image from the selected printer device via the screen processing unit 210 and the printer device selector 100 (S502).

  Then, the target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302 acquires the target gradation characteristic data stored in the target gradation characteristic data storage unit of the printer device selected by the printer device selector 100 (S503).

  Next, when the user sets the test image output to the scanner device 70 and gives an instruction to start image reading, the scanner device 70 reads the test image (S504). Then, the gradation correction data creation unit 303 detects the density of each reference patch from the image data of the read test image (S505).

  Then, the gradation correction data creation unit 303 compares the detected density of each reference patch with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302, and based on the comparison result, Tone correction data is created (S506).

  The gradation correction data created by the gradation correction data creation unit 303 is stored in the gradation correction data storage unit 304. The gradation correction processing unit 305 performs gradation correction on the print image data based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage unit 304. For this reason, the tone characteristics of the printing image data are corrected, and the tone characteristics of the image output from the printer apparatus match the target tone characteristics.

  According to the image forming system of this embodiment, even when two printer apparatuses 91 and 92 having different target gradation characteristics are provided, the target gradation characteristic data of each printer apparatus 91 and 92 is the printer apparatuses 91 and 92. Is stored within. Therefore, in the printer calibration apparatus 300, it is not necessary to store the target gradation characteristic data of each of the printer apparatuses 91 and 92, and a printer apparatus in which a different target gradation characteristic is set is added to the image forming system. Even in this case, it is not necessary to set the target gradation characteristic data of the added printer device in the printer calibration device 300.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a scanner device 70, an image processing device 220, a printer device selector 100, and printer devices 91 and 92.

  The image forming system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the image processing apparatus 200 is replaced with an image processing apparatus 220 with respect to the image forming system according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.

  The image processing device 220 in the image forming system of the present embodiment includes a screen processing unit 210 and a printer calibration device 320.

  The printer calibration apparatus 320 is different from the printer calibration apparatus 300 in the image forming system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that a target gradation characteristic data storage unit 306 is newly provided. .

  The target gradation characteristic data storage unit 306 is configured by, for example, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 302.

  According to this embodiment, even when the power of the image forming system is turned off and then on again, the target tone characteristic data acquisition unit 302 does not need to acquire target tone characteristic data again.

  In particular, the target gradation characteristic data storage unit 306 can store a plurality of target gradation characteristic data, and the target gradation characteristic data is acquired in advance from the target gradation characteristic data storage units of a plurality of printer apparatuses and stored. By doing so, it is not necessary to acquire target gradation characteristic data every time printer calibration is executed.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the case where the printer calibration apparatus is provided in the image processing apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the printer calibration apparatus is installed in the scanner apparatus. The present invention can also be applied in the same manner even when the printer calibration apparatus is provided independently from the image processing apparatus.

  Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a printer calibration apparatus is configured in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of printer apparatuses or capable of connecting a plurality of printer apparatuses.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the image forming system has been described using the case where two printer apparatuses 91 and 92 are provided. However, the image forming system includes three or more printer apparatuses. The present invention can be applied in the same manner even when the is configured.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when one printer device can be connected at a time, there are a plurality of printer devices that can be connected to the printer calibration device, and the printer device to be connected is selected from the plurality of printer devices. Even in this case, the same can be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the gradation correction data storage unit 304 and / or the gradation correction processing unit 305 is described using a configuration formed in the printer calibration apparatuses 300 and 320. The correction data storage unit 304 and / or the gradation correction processing unit 305 may be provided in the printer devices 91 and 92, respectively. When such a configuration is used, the printer calibration apparatus may be provided with a gradation correction data output function, and the printer apparatus may be provided with a gradation correction data input function.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform tone correction without passing the image data through the tone correction processing unit inside the printer calibration apparatus.

It is a flowchart for demonstrating a calibration process. It is a figure which shows an example of the test image used for a calibration process. It is a figure which shows an example of the gradation correction data produced by the gradation correction data creation part 316. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a printer device 91 in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device 60 in the image forming system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer calibration apparatus in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration operation in the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printer calibration apparatus in the image forming system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K Photosensitive drum 2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K Charger 3 Exposure unit 4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K Developer 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K Primary transfer roll 6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K Cleaning Apparatus 10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Image forming unit 11 User interface 12a, 12b, 12c Paper tray 13 Manual feed section 14 Transport roll 15 Secondary transfer roll 16 Fixing device 17, 18, 19 Transport roll 20 Intermediate transfer belt 21 Drive roll DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 Follower roll 23 Tension roll 31 1st tray 32 2nd tray 35 Image processing part 39 Toner box 40 Image formation part 42 User interface screen 50 Image reading part 51 Platen 52 Platen cover 53 Lamp 54 Sensor 55 Optical system 60 Terminal device 66 Control bus 6 8 CPU
69 Memory 70 Scanner Device 72 Storage Device 74 Communication Interface (IF)
76 User interface (UI) device 80 Network 91, 92 Printer device 100 Printer device selector 200 Image processing device 210 Screen processing unit 220 Image processing device 300 Printer calibration device 301 Test image data storage unit 302 Target gradation characteristic data acquisition unit 303 Gradation correction data creation unit 304 Gradation correction data storage unit 305 Gradation correction processing unit 306 Target gradation characteristic data storage unit 320 Printer calibration apparatus S401 to S404 Steps S501 to S506 Steps

Claims (13)

A plurality of image output devices comprising storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating respective target gradation characteristics;
An image reading device that reads a document and converts it into image data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Acquisition means for acquiring target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means of the selected image output apparatus among the plurality of image output apparatuses; and image data of the test image read by the image reading apparatus And a target calibration characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means, and a printer calibration apparatus comprising a creation means for creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
The gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means, and the gradation of the image data to be output to the selected image output means are the gradation correction data. A gradation correction device comprising gradation correction means for correcting based on the gradation correction data stored in the storage means;
An image forming system.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the printer calibration apparatus further includes target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.   The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the target gradation characteristic data storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory. A plurality of image output means comprising storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating the respective target gradation characteristics;
Image reading means for reading a document and converting it into image data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Obtaining means for obtaining target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means of the selected image output means among the plurality of image output means;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading means with the target gradation characteristic data obtained by the obtaining means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means;
Gradation correction means for correcting the gradation of image data to be output to the selected image output means based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage means;
An image forming system.   5. The image forming system according to claim 4, further comprising target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.   6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the target gradation characteristic data storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory.   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the gradation correction data storage unit includes a nonvolatile memory. Target gradation characteristics stored in the storage means of the selected image output apparatus among a plurality of image output apparatuses provided with storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating respective target gradation characteristics An acquisition means for acquiring data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data storage means for storing the gradation correction data created by the creation means;
Gradation correction means for correcting the gradation of image data to be output to the selected image output device based on the gradation correction data stored in the gradation correction data storage means;
A printer calibration apparatus. Target gradation characteristics stored in the storage means of the selected image output apparatus among a plurality of image output apparatuses provided with storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data indicating respective target gradation characteristics An acquisition means for acquiring data;
Test image output means for outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Creating means for comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
Gradation correction data output means for outputting the gradation correction data created by the creation means;
A printer calibration apparatus.   10. The printer calibration apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising target gradation characteristic data storage means for storing the target gradation characteristic data acquired by the acquisition means.   The printer calibration apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the target gradation characteristic data storage means is constituted by a nonvolatile memory.   The printer calibration apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the gradation correction data storage unit includes a nonvolatile memory. Target gradation characteristic data stored in the storage means of the selected image output apparatus among a plurality of image output apparatuses provided with storage means for storing target gradation characteristic data each indicating a target gradation characteristic Step to get the
Outputting a test image from a selected image output device of the plurality of image output devices;
Comparing the image data of the test image read by the image reading device with the acquired target gradation characteristic data and creating gradation correction data based on the comparison result;
A program for causing a computer to execute a step of correcting the gradation of image data to be output to the selected image output device based on the created gradation correction data.

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