JP2008173845A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can output a sample image appropriate for the confirmation of an image quality and facilitate the confirmation of the sample image. <P>SOLUTION: The sample image with which the quality of the image can be confirmed is automatically determined at predetermined periods, and the sample image is discharged to an address for discharging different from the other job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that outputs a sample image for checking image quality.

  In an image forming apparatus that outputs a large amount of printed material at high speed, the printed material output by the image forming apparatus is discharged and stacked on a stacking device called a stacker device. The stacker apparatus can stack about 5000 printed materials, and can automatically increase the efficiency of printing work by automatically stacking sequentially output printed materials on a predetermined stacking unit.

  During the image forming process by the image forming apparatus, the printed materials are discharged and stacked one after another to the stacker device in the order of output. Therefore, when the operator tries to confirm the image quality of the printed material stacked on the stacker apparatus during the image forming process, it is not possible to take a sufficient time for confirming the image quality unless the image forming process is temporarily interrupted. This significantly reduces the efficiency of printing work, and the purpose of adding a stacker device to the image forming apparatus to improve work efficiency is lost.

  Also, after a job for forming a plurality of pages or a plurality of copies of an image is completed, an operator may arbitrarily take out printed materials stacked on a series of stacker devices and check the image quality. If the image quality of the printed image is degraded, all the images formed after the printed matter must be discarded as defective products. In this case, the waste of the cost for creating the printed matter is large. Therefore, considering the cost, it is desirable to stop the image forming process at the time when a decrease in image quality is found in the printed matter.

  Thus, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are disclosed as techniques that enable confirmation of image quality of a printed matter even during execution of a job.

  According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, a color printer apparatus having a control function for automatically outputting a sample image print output based on test pattern image data provided for image quality confirmation in advance for every predetermined period is proposed. This eliminates the need for manual sample image output by the operator, and can increase the efficiency of the printing operation. On the other hand, since the operator can check the image quality at regular intervals, the image forming process can be interrupted when the deterioration of the image quality is confirmed, and a large amount of printing waste can be prevented.

According to Patent Document 2, the proposed image forming apparatus searches for image data of a page selected from jobs as test image data for image quality confirmation when a predetermined condition is satisfied, Separately, a sample image is formed. A control function for discharging the sample image so that the output destination of the sample image is different from the output destination of the job is provided. According to this image forming apparatus, even when a job is being executed, the operator can visually check the sample image and determine whether or not the image quality has deteriorated without interrupting the job for checking the image quality.
JP-A-8-197779 JP 2005-153374 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when executing a job intended for large-scale and high-speed printing, sample images are mixed in printed matter that is output one after another. In this case, since the operator confirms the sample image, it is necessary to extract only the sample image from a large amount of printed matter, which complicates the work.

On the other hand, in the technique of Patent Document 2, the sample image discharge destination is different from the job discharge destination, so that it is not necessary to extract the sample image from a large amount of printed materials. However, the output timing of the sample image is assumed to be performed when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the sample image output at this time is the same image as the job being executed.
Therefore, for example, when the image of the job being executed is an image with a low printing rate or a blank image on which no image is formed, the operator can use the output sample image as a judgment material for image quality degradation or the like. This is not possible, and an unnecessary sample image is output.

  An object of the present invention is to output a sample image suitable for image quality confirmation and facilitate confirmation of the sample image.

The invention described in claim 1
A printer unit for forming an image on paper based on job image data;
When image data of any page of the image data of the job is determined as test image data for a sample image, and whether or not the test image data is suitable for image quality confirmation and is suitable for image quality confirmation The printer unit forms an image of the sample image based on the determined test image data, and the discharge destination of the sample image formed by the test image data is different from the printed material imaged based on the job. A control unit for controlling to switch to the paper tip and eject paper;
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. If the printing rate of the temporarily determined test image data is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the sample image is formed by using the preset test pattern image data for checking the image quality instead of the temporarily determined test image data. It is characterized by doing.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1,
The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. When the printing rate of the temporarily determined test image data is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the image formation of the sample image is performed by using image data of a new page whose printing rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined value instead of the temporarily determined test image data. It is characterized by performing.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1,
The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. If the temporarily determined test image data is blank paper image data, the preset image pattern confirmation test pattern image data is determined as the sample image test image data instead of the temporarily determined blank image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formation of the sample image is performed based on the preset test pattern image data for checking the image quality.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1,
The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. When the temporarily determined test image data is blank image data, the image data of a new page is selected and determined as the test image data for the sample image instead of the temporarily determined blank image data, It is characterized in that a sample image is formed using test image data of a new page.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit performs image formation of the sample image every predetermined number newly counted from the page of the resumed job when the image formation by the printer unit is interrupted and resumed to resume image formation. It is a feature.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
When the controller restarts image formation after interruption of image formation by the printer unit, the controller performs image formation of the sample image every predetermined number newly counted from the resumed job page, Alternatively, an operation unit for switching whether to perform image formation of the sample image every predetermined number of sheets counted from the beginning of image formation is provided.

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the test image data for image quality confirmation is determined as the test image data from the image data of any page of the job, and the discharge destination to discharge the sample image is determined as the job. Output separately from the paper discharge destination. Further, when determining the test image data, it is determined whether or not the image data is appropriate for image quality confirmation.
Since it is possible to check the image quality of the printed matter during the execution of the job, it is possible to prevent a large amount of printing waste paper from being generated and to improve the cost. In addition, because the sample image itself output for image quality confirmation is output in consideration of the printing rate and the like, the sample image suitable for the image quality confirmation is output, so that printing loss of the sample image can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of an optimal embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes an automatic document feeder 10, a document reading device 20, and a printer device 30 as main components.

The automatic document feeder 10 conveys the documents D stacked on the document loading tray 11 one by one to the reading portion of the document reading device 20. When the document D is a double-sided document, the automatic document feeder 10 reverses the front and back of the document D after one side reading of the document D and transports the document D to the document reader 20 again.
Each component included in the automatic document feeder 10 includes a first paper feed roller 12 that sequentially conveys the document D stacked on the document loading tray 11 from the top, and a contact glass 21 that is a reading portion of the document D. The contact roller 13 for allowing the document D to pass through in close contact, the guide roller 14 for guiding the document D conveyed by the first paper feed roller 12 along the contact roller 13, and the document D passing through the contact glass 21. There are a switching claw 15 for switching the conveyance direction, a reversing roller 16 for reversing the front and back of the original D, and a paper discharge tray 17 for discharging the original D that has been read.

The document reader 20 reads an image from the document D conveyed by the automatic document feeder 10, generates image data representing the image, and outputs the image data to the control unit 101 (see FIG. 2).
Each component included in the document reading device 20 includes an exposure scanning unit 25 including a light source 23 and a mirror 24, and a line image sensor 26 that receives reflected light from the document D and photoelectrically converts the light amount signal into an electrical signal. And a condensing lens 27 that condenses the reflected light from the document D onto the line image sensor 26, and various mirrors that form an optical path for guiding the reflected light from the mirror 24 of the exposure scanning unit 25 to the line image sensor 26. 28 and a platen sensor (not shown) for detecting the document D on the platen glass 22.

The printer device 30 forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic process based on job image data.
The main components included in the printer device 30 include a laser unit 31 that outputs a laser beam that is turned ON / OFF according to image data, a photoconductor 32 on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, and a surrounding structure. The charging device 33, the developing device 34, the transfer device 35, the separation device 36, and the cleaning device 37 are provided.

  As other components, a paper feed unit 40 including a plurality of paper feed cassettes 41, a transport unit 50 that transports sheets stored in the paper feed cassette 41 one by one by the second paper feed roller 42, and a transport unit 50 The normal conveyance path 60a and the reverse conveyance path 60b for discharging the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 58 located downstream of the apparatus, the conveyance path switching claw 61 for switching the conveyance path of the sheet, and the front and back surfaces of the sheet are reversed. There are a reverse roller 62 for discharging the sheet, a sheet discharge sensor 63 for detecting the sheet output to the outside of the machine, and a sheet discharge unit 64.

Next, the stacker apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
The stacker apparatus 200 includes a main stacking unit 210 and a sub stacking unit 211 as main mechanical components.
The main stacking unit 210 is a paper discharge tray that is housed inside the stacker device 200 and that can be loaded with a large amount of printed matter by including an elevating unit 213 that can be moved up and down. The elevator 213 is positioned at the top when no printed material is stacked, and descends as the printed material is stacked. The operator can take out the printed matter stacked on the elevating unit 213 by opening a door (not shown) of the stacker device 200.

  The sub stacking unit 211 is a paper discharge tray that is located on the upper surface of the stacker device 200 and is exposed to the outside. The operator can visually confirm the printed material stacked on the sub stacking unit 211 from the outside.

  As other constituent elements, a carry-in port 221 into which the printed material discharged from the image forming apparatus 100 is carried in, a main loading path 231 for conveying the printed material from the carry-in port 221 to the main stacking unit 210, and a printed material branched from the main loading route 231. Is switched from the main stacking path 231 to the unloading path 232. The unloading path 232 for transporting the prints to the unloading path 222, the sub stacking path 233 for branching from the unloading path 232 and transporting the printed products to the sub stacking unit 211, There are a main switching claw 241 to be performed and a sub switching claw 242 for switching the printed material from the carry-out path 232 to the sub stacking path 233.

  In the present embodiment, the case where only one stacker apparatus 200 is used is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two stacker apparatuses are used as the first stacker apparatus 200a and the second stacker apparatus 200b, and the image is displayed. The printed matter discharged from the forming apparatus 100 may be stacked on either the first stacker apparatus 200a or the second stacker apparatus 200b.

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 100.
The image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body unit 1, a scanner unit 2, a printer unit 3, a communication unit 4, and an operation unit 5 as main components.

  The main unit 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a DRAM control IC 103, an image memory 104, a reading processing unit 105, a compression IC 106, a decompression IC 107, a writing processing unit 108, and a counting unit 109.

  The control unit 101 reads out a system program stored in the storage unit 102, develops it in a RAM (not shown) in a central processing unit (CPU), and centrally controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the developed program. Further, the control unit 101 switches between the copy mode, the printer mode, and the scanner mode based on the operation signal of the operation unit 5 and the image data input via the communication unit 4, and switches to each mode stored in the storage unit 102. A corresponding processing program is read out and an image forming process is executed.

  The storage unit 102 includes an HD (Hard Disk), a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and the like, and includes a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus 100 and various processing programs that can be executed on the system program. The storage unit 102 stores setting information necessary for executing various processing programs, and stores post-execution data and the like.

  The DRAM control IC 103 controls reading of data into the image memory 104 and reading of data from the image memory 104. The DRAM control IC 103 is connected to the DRAM control IC 402 in the communication unit 4 via a PCI bus, and controls data input / output between the communication unit 4 and the main body unit 1.

  The image memory 104 is configured by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and includes a compression memory 104a and a page memory 104b. The compression memory 104 a temporarily stores data such as image data compressed by the compression IC 106 under the control of the DRAM control IC 103. The page memory 104 b temporarily stores image data output from the communication unit 4 under the control of the DRAM control IC 103, and temporarily stores decompressed image data to be output to the communication unit 4.

  The reading processing unit 105 converts the analog electrical signal read by the scanner unit 2 into digital data that can be processed in the main body unit 1 and outputs the digital data to the compression IC 106.

The compression IC 106 compresses the image data output from the communication unit 4 and the image data output from the reading processing unit 105.
The decompression IC 107 decompresses the compressed data output from the DRAM control IC 103.

  The writing processing unit 108 inputs image data subjected to image processing such as enlargement, reduction, rotation, and position change according to the instruction data output from the operation unit 5 or the communication unit 4 from the decompression IC 107 and calibrates as necessary. After processing and the like, the data is output to the printer unit 3.

  The counting unit 109 includes a paper feed counter that counts the number of paper feed pages, a sample output counter that counts the output cycle of sample images, and a paper discharge counter that counts the number of paper discharge pages. Count the number of sheets. This is used to output the number of objects to be recovered to the control unit 101 when an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs, or to output the output cycle of the sample image to the control unit 101.

The scanner unit 2 includes a scanner control unit 201, a CCD 202, and the like.
The scanner control unit 201 receives a control signal from the control unit 101 and drives and controls the CCD 202.

  A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 202 forms an image of reflected light of light that has been illuminated and scanned from a light source (not shown) and photoelectrically converts the read image, and outputs the read image data to the reading processing unit 105. Here, the image data includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

The printer unit 3 includes a printer control unit 301 and a printing unit 302.
The printer control unit 301 receives a control signal from the control unit 101 and drives and controls the LD based on the image data from the writing processing unit 108 to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.
The print unit 302 includes an LD (Laser Diode) (not shown), a photosensitive drum, a paper feed unit, a paper discharge unit, and the like. The printing unit 302 develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with toner, transfers and fixes the toner image onto a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit, and then discharges the sheet from the sheet discharging unit.

The communication unit 4 includes a communication control unit 401, a DRAM control IC 402, an image memory 403, an I / F 404, and the like.
The communication control unit 401 controls the operation of each unit of the communication unit 4 and transmits / receives data to / from the information terminal device I connected to the network N.

  The image memory 403 temporarily stores image data received from the information terminal apparatus I via the network N, image data output from the main body unit 1 through the PCI bus, and the like under the control of the DRAM control IC 402.

  The I / F 404 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 100 to connect to the information terminal apparatus I via the network N. The I / F 404 and the information terminal apparatus I connected to the network N according to an instruction from the communication control unit 401 Send and receive.

The operation unit 5 includes an operation control unit 501, an LCD 502 including a touch panel, and the like.
The operation control unit 501 receives a display signal from the control unit 101 and performs display control on the LCD 502. In addition, an operation signal input from the touch panel on the LCD 502 is output to the control unit 101.

  An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 502 displays various operation buttons, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like on the screen in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the operation control unit 501. The display screen of the LCD 502 is covered with a transparent sheet panel, and is configured by a touch panel that outputs position information input by touching with a finger or a dedicated stylus pen to the operation control unit 501 as input information.

  The stacker apparatus 200 includes a stacker control unit 251, a transport unit 252, a switching unit 253, an operation unit 254, a sensor unit 255, and a count unit 256 as main components.

  The stacker control unit 251 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (not shown). Based on a control signal from the control unit 101, the stacker control unit 251 performs operations of the transport unit 252, the switching unit 253, the operation unit 254, the sensor unit 255, and the count unit 256. Take overall control.

  The transport unit 252 includes a drive motor and a sensor for transporting paper in the main stacking path 231, the unloading path 232, and the sub stacking path 233.

  The switching unit 253 includes a driving unit that displaces the main switching claw 241 and the sub switching claw 242 and uses a solenoid or a motor as a driving source.

  The operation unit 254 includes an input unit and a display unit (not shown). These are used for a switch operation for lowering the elevating unit 213 to the lowermost part in order to take out a sheet from the main stacking unit 210, and a switch operation for lowering the elevating unit 213 when a paper jam occurs. . Also, when a paper jam occurs, the occurrence status is displayed.

  The sensor unit 255 includes various sensors such as a door sensor, a paper upper limit sensor, a stage lower limit sensor, a stage upper limit sensor, and a paper discharge sensor.

  The count unit 256 includes a paper discharge counter that counts the number of paper discharged normally to the stacker device 200. Based on the difference between the count value of the count unit 256 and the count value of the count unit 109 of the image forming apparatus 100, the number of sheets required for recovery can be calculated.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. Each process described below is executed in cooperation with the control unit 101 and various programs stored in the storage unit 102.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation screen 521 displayed on the LCD 502.
On the operation screen 521, characters indicating the apparatus status of the image forming apparatus 100 that “can be copied” are displayed at the upper center of the screen. On the right side, the count / set number of sheets, the remaining memory capacity, and the like are displayed. Various operation buttons for the operator to operate the image forming apparatus 100 are displayed at the bottom of the screen.

  An application setting area 521a is provided at the lower right of the operation screen 521. When the document reading button 5a displayed in the application setting area 521a is pressed, a sample output mode setting screen is displayed on the left side thereof. 521b is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the sample output mode setting screen 521b. As shown in FIG. 4, three setting buttons 5b to 5d are displayed on the sample output mode setting screen 521b.

The mode setting button 5b can perform three settings: “OFF setting” of the sample output mode, “cycle setting” of the sample image output, and “button output setting” of the sample output.
In “OFF setting”, it is possible to set so as not to output the sample image. In “cycle setting”, it is possible to perform setting so that the output of the sample image is executed for each cycle set by a cycle setting button 5c described later. In “button output setting”, the operator can output a sample image by pressing a sample output button (not shown) of the operation unit 5.

  With the cycle setting button 5c, the output interval of the sample image can be set in units of the number of pages of the printed matter, and can be set from the cycle from 1 to 9999 pages.

  With the recovery setting button 5d, if the job is interrupted due to a problem such as a paper jam during the execution of the job, the image forming process of the sample image is performed when the unprocessed job that has not been successfully processed is again processed. It is possible to set whether or not to include it.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of the image forming process of the image forming apparatus 100. When the operator turns on the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 101 executes various setting processes. The setting process here is an initialization process at power-on (step S1), a paper jam check before starting a job (step S2), and an idling process (step S3). After each of these processes, the image forming apparatus 100 enters a standby state.

  When various settings relating to the job such as paper size setting and number of copies setting are made by the operator during the standby state and a start instruction is issued thereafter (step S4; Yes), the control unit 101 forms an image relating to the instructed job. Start processing.

  The control unit 101 performs initial processing by initially setting operating conditions in accordance with the various settings set by the operator (step S5). In addition to the paper size and number of copies setting described above, for example, when the output cycle of the sample image is set to a predetermined number, for example, 200 pages by the operator (see FIG. 4), the control unit 101 initializes this setting. Is stored in the storage unit 102. In the image forming process in step S8 described later, when the number of processed sheets reaches 200 pages, the control unit 101 executes the image forming process of the sample image separately from the job, and discharges it to the sub stacking unit 211. The printer unit 3 is instructed.

  Next, the control unit 101 checks the presence / absence of image data to be recovered, and executes a recovery process for forming an image of the image data to be recovered if necessary (step S6). Image data to be recovered refers to image data that has not been formed and has not been processed because processing was interrupted during job execution.

  The recovery process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This process is executed when a problem such as a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as “jam”) occurs during execution of a job.

  The control unit 101 determines the presence / absence of image data to be recovered from the respective counts of the paper feed counter and the paper discharge counter included in the count unit 109 (step S61). The control unit 101 can count the number of image data to be recovered also in cooperation with the paper feed counter of the count unit 109 and the paper discharge counter of the count unit 256 of the stacker apparatus 200.

Here, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the output of the sample image during the recovery operation.
Q1 represents image data of the job, and the number represents the number of pages, and is composed of a total of 16 pages of image data. The output cycle of the sample image is set every 7 pages. When the job is not executed, the paper feed counter of the count unit 109 is “0”, the paper discharge counter is “0”, and the sample output counter is “7”.

  Q2 indicates that a jam has occurred when the image data for the sixth page is being formed, and the image data for the sixth and subsequent pages have become recovery target images. At this time, the paper feed counter is “6”, the paper discharge counter is “5” because paper discharge is executed for 5 pages, and the sample output counter is “2” by subtracting 5 pages from which paper was discharged from 7 pages. It is.

  Q3 and Q4 are the cases where the sample image is included in the image data on and after the sixth page to be recovered, and Q3 does not form an image of the sample image immediately after the occurrence of the jam and starts from the sixth page. A case where the output cycle of the sample image is newly counted and output is shown, and Q4 shows a case where the sample image is discharged while maintaining the cycle set initially. Accordingly, the sample output counter for Q3 is “7”, and the sample output counter for Q4 is “2”.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the description will be continued. If there is no image data to be recovered (step S61; No), that is, if no jam has occurred, the control unit 101 resets the sample output counter (step S62), and ends this process (RETURN). .

  If there is image data to be recovered (step S61; Yes) and the recovery setting for the sample image is “no recovery” (see FIG. 4) (step S63; No), the control unit 101 resets the sample output counter. (Step S62). In the example of FIG. 7, the state is Q3, and the control unit 101 resets the sample output counter from “2” to “7”. By resetting the sample output counter, it is possible to prevent the unreasonableness that the sample image is discharged immediately after the restoration even though the image quality is confirmed during the jam clearing operation. After resetting the sample output counter, the control unit 101 ends this processing (RETRUN).

  On the other hand, when the recovery setting is “recover” (step S63; Yes), the control unit 101 keeps the count value from the beginning of the sample output counter as it is (step S64), and outputs the sample image initially set. The paper is discharged every cycle, and the process proceeds to the next step (RETURN). In the example of FIG. 7, since the sample output counter is “2” in the state of Q4, the sample image immediately after the jam can be confirmed.

  After the recovery process, the process proceeds to step S7 in FIG. 5, and the control unit 101 performs a paper feed process (step S7).

The paper feed process will be described with reference to FIG.
When requesting a sheet for image formation, the control unit 101 acquires page information from the count unit 109 in order to determine the number of sheets in the job (step S71). .

  When the control unit 101 determines that the sample job image forming cycle corresponds to the cycle of image formation from the acquired page information in the job being executed (step S72; Yes), the discharge destination of the sample image to be imaged at this time is set as the sub-address. The loading unit 211 is set (step S73), and the sample output counter of the count unit 109 is reset (step S74). Thereafter, the control unit 101 makes a paper feed request to the printer unit 3 (step S77), and ends the processing (RETURN).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines from the acquired page information that the sample image does not correspond to the cycle for forming the sample image in the job being executed (step S72; No), the discharge destination of the job for which the image is formed at this time Is set in the main stacking unit 210 (step S75), and the sample output counter of the counting unit 109 is decremented by one page (step S76). Thereafter, the control unit 101 issues a paper feed request to the printer unit 3 (step S77) and ends the processing (RETURN).

  After the paper feeding process, the process proceeds to step S8 in FIG. 5, and the control unit 101 performs an image forming process (step S8).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the image forming process. Note that “test image data” is image data for forming an image of a sample image.
The control unit 101 acquires page information stored in the counting unit 109 when executing a job (step S81), and determines whether or not a page on which image formation is performed corresponds to a cycle of outputting sample images. (Step S82).

  When the page acquired from the count unit 109 corresponds to the cycle of outputting the sample image (step S82; Yes), that is, when the sample output counter is “1”, the control unit 101 determines the job being executed at this time. The image data is temporarily determined as test image data for the sample image, and it is determined whether or not the temporary test image data is suitable for image quality confirmation. The determination made by the control unit 101 at this time is made based on the printing rate of the temporary test image data or whether the temporary test image data is blank image data.

The reason why the print rate is used as a criterion for checking the quality of image quality is that there is image data to be output that has been imaged, but the number of pixels that are written on the paper is extremely small as the image data to be output. In addition, the output of the sample image for which the image quality cannot be confirmed is excluded.
On the other hand, the blank image is used as a material for judging whether image quality is appropriate or not, in order to prevent the output of unnecessary sample images because the image quality cannot be confirmed even if a blank image is used as a sample image, as in the case of a sample image with a low printing rate. .
However, when determining the suitability of image quality confirmation based on the printing rate, there is an actual situation that image data to be output is formed on a sheet, but a blank image is an inter sheet, an index sheet, etc. The above two judgment materials are different in that there is no image data to be formed.

  If the detected printing rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (step S83; Yes), for example, if the printing rate is 5% or higher, the temporary test image data is determined as test image data for the sample image, and this test image data Thus, an image is formed (step S84). As a result, this process ends (RETURN). The reference printing rate may be arbitrarily set by the operator from a printing rate setting button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 5 or when a character string is printed about 2/3 on A4 paper ( The storage unit 102 may store in advance the printing rate of about 5%. If the printing rate is around 5%, it is experimentally recognized that it is possible to confirm the image quality of the printed whole image and details.

  On the other hand, if the detected printing rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value (step S83; No), even if the temporary test image data is confirmed as a sample image and discharged, the operator can reduce the image quality from the discharged sample image. It is difficult to judge etc. Therefore, the control unit 101 determines image data different from the temporary test image data as the test image data for the sample image, and executes image formation of the sample image using the determined test image data. (Step S85). As a result, this process ends (RETURN).

  Even when the temporary test image data corresponds to a blank image (step S83; No), the control unit 101 determines image data different from the temporary test image data as test image data for the sample image, An image forming process of the sample image is executed with the determined test image data (step S85). As a result, this process ends (RETURN).

  With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the image forming process of another sample image executed by the control unit 101 in step S85 of FIG. 9 will be described.

  The control unit 101 determines whether or not to form a sample image using the image data of the next page of the page corresponding to the temporary test image data for the sample image from the job being executed as the test image data (step S91). . For the image data of the next page of the temporary test image data, the control unit 101 reads out the image data of the next page from the image memory 104, and executes the process of step S83 in FIG.

When the image data of the next page is not formed as a sample image (step S91; No), the control unit 101 determines the test pattern image data prepared in advance as the test image data, and executes the image formation of the sample image (step S92). . Whether the sample image is output using the image data of the next page or the sample image is output using the test pattern image data is set in advance from the operation unit 5.
When the image data of the next page is formed as a sample image (step S91; Yes), the control unit 101 determines whether there is a next page of the page corresponding to the temporary test image data in the job being executed. Determination is made from the image data to be output stored in 104 (step S93).

  If there is no next page in the job being executed (step S93; No), the control unit 101 proceeds to the process of step S92 described above, and executes image formation of the sample image using the test pattern image data.

  When there is a next page (step S93; Yes), the control unit 101 acquires image data corresponding to the next page, sets this as new test image data, and determines whether this test image data is suitable for image quality confirmation. Judging.

  If the detected printing rate is equal to or less than the predetermined value or is a blank image (step S94; No), the process proceeds to step S93, and the control unit 101 sets new temporary test image data in the job being executed. It is determined whether or not there is a next page of the corresponding page (step S93).

  On the other hand, when the measured printing rate is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (step S94; Yes), the control unit 101 determines new temporary test image data as test image data for the sample image, and the determined test image. An image forming process of the sample image is executed based on the data (step S95).

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the output of the sample image when the temporary test image data is a blank image.
R1 indicates image data and page numbers to be output for all jobs including a blank image, and is composed of image data for a total of 16 pages. The output cycle of the sample image is set every 7 pages, and the 7th page indicates that it corresponds to a blank image.
R2 indicates that when the tentative test image data is a blank image, the image data of the next page of the blank image is confirmed and output as test image data for the sample image.

After the image forming process, the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. 5, and the control unit 101 performs a paper discharge process (step S9).
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the paper discharge process.
When the control unit 101 outputs a sheet on which image formation has been performed, in order to determine the number of sheets in the job, the control unit 101 cooperates with the count unit 109 or the count unit 256 to output page information. Obtain (step S101).

  When the control unit 101 determines that the sample job corresponds to the cycle of image formation from the acquired page information in the job being executed (step S102; Yes), that is, when the image forming apparatus 100 discharges the sample image. Resets the sample output counter (step S103). Thereafter, the control unit 101 performs a paper discharge process for discharging the sample image discharge destination to the paper discharge destination (sub-stacking unit 211) set in step S73 in the paper supply process (step S104), and the step of FIG. The process proceeds to S10.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 101 determines that it does not correspond to the cycle of image formation of the sample image from the acquired page information in the job being executed (step S102; No), that is, when the sample image is not discharged, the sample output The counter is decreased by one page (step S105). Thereafter, the control unit 101 performs a paper discharge process for discharging the paper discharge destination of the image of the job to the paper discharge destination (main stacking unit 210) set in step S75 in the paper supply process (step S106). The process proceeds to step S10.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after the paper discharge process, the control unit 101 proceeds to step S7 again and performs the process described above until the image forming process for all pages related to the job is completed (step S10; No). ). When the image forming process for all pages of the job is finished (step S10; Yes), this process is finished.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 101 determines the test image data from the image data to be output in any one of the jobs as the sample image for checking the image quality, and uses this as the sample image. Test image data, and the sample image is discharged to a discharge destination different from the discharge destination of the job.
Since the job output destination is different from the sample image output destination, the operator can easily pick up the sample image and check the image quality even during job execution. Job execution can be interrupted when confirmed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a large amount of printing waste paper from being generated, and cost can be improved.

Further, when the test image data provisionally determined as test image data from the image data to be output in any one of the jobs is not suitable for image quality confirmation, the control unit 101 is the next page of the provisionally determined test image data. The image data corresponding to is determined as image data for a new sample image, and is discharged separately from the job discharge destination. On the other hand, the control unit 101 may use test pattern image data provided in advance as test image data for a sample image.
In order to make the sample image itself to be output as test image data for image data sample images to be output on any page of the job, the image quality of the image data to be output for jobs actually used is changed. Visual confirmation is possible.
On the other hand, if it is difficult to visually check the image data of any page of the job as image data for the sample image, for example, if the print rate is less than a predetermined value or a blank image, The test pattern image data is used to form a sample image and eject it, so that the operator can always obtain a sample image useful for checking the image quality at regular intervals.

Further, when a jam occurs during execution of a job, the control unit 101 performs switching control of whether or not to discharge a sample image immediately after the jam.
Since the operator can check the image quality of the printed matter at the time of the jam recovery operation, the control unit 101 can prevent the sample image from being output when the output of the sample image immediately after the jam is not required. Yes, efficient sample image output can be performed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a sample output mode setting screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an overview of image forming processing. It is a flowchart explaining a recovery process. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining discharge of a sample image during a recovery operation. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a paper feed process. It is a flowchart explaining an image formation process. It is a flowchart explaining the image formation process of another sample image. It is a schematic diagram explaining the image formation process of another sample image. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a paper discharge process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Control part 10 Automatic document conveying apparatus 20 Document reading apparatus 30 Printer apparatus 1 Main body part 2 Scanner part 3 Printing part 4 Communication part 5 Operation part 200 Stacker apparatus 210 Main stacking part 211 Sub stacking part

Claims (7)

A printer unit for forming an image on paper based on job image data;
When image data of any page of the image data of the job is determined as test image data for a sample image, and whether or not the test image data is suitable for image quality confirmation and is suitable for image quality confirmation The printer unit forms an image of the sample image based on the determined test image data, and the discharge destination of the sample image formed by the test image data is different from the printed material imaged based on the job. A control unit for controlling to switch to the paper tip and eject paper;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. If the printing rate of the temporarily determined test image data is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the sample image is formed by using the preset test pattern image data for checking the image quality instead of the temporarily determined test image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed.   The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. When the printing rate of the temporarily determined test image data is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the image formation of the sample image is performed by using image data of a new page whose printing rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined value instead of the temporarily determined test image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. If the temporarily determined test image data is blank paper image data, the preset image pattern confirmation test pattern image data is determined as the sample image test image data instead of the temporarily determined blank image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image formation of the sample image is performed based on the preset test pattern image data for checking the image quality.   The controller tentatively determines image data of any page of the image data of the job as test image data for a sample image for each predetermined number of sheets based on the number of printed materials to be imaged by the printer unit. When the temporarily determined test image data is blank image data, the image data of a new page is selected and determined as the test image data for the sample image instead of the temporarily determined blank image data, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sample image is formed using test image data of a new page.   The control unit performs image formation of the sample image every predetermined number newly counted from the page of the resumed job when the image formation by the printer unit is interrupted and resumed to resume image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   When the controller restarts image formation after interruption of image formation by the printer unit, the controller performs image formation of the sample image every predetermined number newly counted from the resumed job page, Alternatively, an operation unit for switching whether to perform image formation of the sample image every predetermined number counted from the start of image formation is provided. The image forming apparatus described in 1.

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