JP2009029017A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately alter or create the arrangement and the sizes of the patches of an image quality adjustment pattern. <P>SOLUTION: On the basis of the contents of a ROM 18a and a HDD 18b stored with data 86 showing the sizes of the plurality of patches arranged in the image quality adjustment pattern, data 84 and 88 showing the arrangement of the patches, and data 82 showing the detecting range of the sensor of a detecting device 40 for detecting the densities of the patches, control is exerted so that a forming range 72 for the image adjustment pattern 96 is displayed on the display 30 together with the figure 70 of the outline of paper P on which the image quality adjustment pattern is to be formed, and also control is exerted so that the detecting range 78 is displayed on the display 30 together with the outline 76 of each patch. On the basis of an instruction input from a touch panel 28, the content stored in the HDD 18b is altered so that at least the data 84 and 88 showing the arrangement of the patches and the data 86 showing the size of each patch is altered. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  Conventionally, a plurality of patches that make up a patch pattern are displayed in three density regions, low, medium, and high, according to the tone value, and the number of patches of each density is indicated by the patch number adjustment button. An image processing apparatus that designates and generates a patch pattern based on the designated content is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By using the patch pattern generated by the image processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 for calibration, it is possible to perform calibration with higher accuracy for a portion that emphasizes gradation and a portion that is inferior in gradation expression of a printer. it can.

Further, conventionally, the second color gradation pattern output from the image output device based on the first color gradation pattern data is read by the image reading device, the second color gradation pattern data is obtained, and the data is compared. The size ratio between the first color gradation pattern and the acquired second color gradation pattern is obtained by the above, and the position of the data acquisition area in each color patch of the second color gradation pattern is obtained from this ratio. An image processing system that acquires gradation pattern data from second color gradation pattern data is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In the image processing system of Patent Document 2, even when the position and size of each color region (patch) constituting the gradation pattern output from the printer changes according to the setting conditions such as the resolution of the printer, each predetermined area Image data can be acquired from the reading area (each patch).
JP 2001-292330 A JP 2005-136645 A

  However, in the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and the image processing system described in Patent Document 2, when the size or orientation of a forming medium on which a pattern (image quality adjustment image) is formed, for example, the paper, is changed. There is a problem that it is impossible to form all the patches (each color region) constituting the pattern.

  The image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and the image processing system described in Patent Document 2 read a pattern formed on a forming medium by a scanner, and perform image quality adjustment processing based on the read pattern data. However, generally, each patch is read using a plurality of sensors for detecting the density or color of each patch, and image quality adjustment processing based on the read data of each patch is also performed. In this case, in the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and the image processing system described in Patent Document 2, when the patch detection state is unstable because the size of the patch is smaller than the detection range of each sensor. In addition, there is a problem that the size of each patch cannot be changed to an appropriate size.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image forming apparatus and a program capable of appropriately changing or generating the area arrangement and the area size of an image quality adjustment image. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the invention described in claim 1 is the size of the plurality of regions in the image for adjusting image quality in which the plurality of regions for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged. , Data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of density and color of the areas, and contents stored in the storage means Based on the control, the image quality adjustment image forming range is controlled to be displayed on the display unit together with the graphic indicating the outline of the forming medium on which the image quality adjustment image is formed, and the detection range is set together with the outline of the region. A control means for controlling the display means to display, and an instruction for changing at least one of the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas displayed on the display means are input. Stored in the storage means so that at least one of the data indicating the arrangement of the area and the data indicating the size of the area is changed based on the input means and the instruction input from the input means. And changing means for changing.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the control unit includes data indicating the size of the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which the plurality of areas are arranged, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and Based on the contents stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the density and the color of the area, the image quality adjustment is performed together with the graphic showing the outline of the forming medium forming the image for image quality adjustment Control is performed so that the image forming range is displayed on the display unit, and the detection range is displayed on the display unit together with the outline of the region. Thus, the display means displays the image quality adjustment image forming range together with the graphic indicating the contour of the forming medium, and displays the detection range along with the contour of the region. The user confirms the contents displayed on the display means, and inputs an instruction for changing the arrangement of the image quality adjustment image areas so that the formation medium includes all areas of the image quality adjustment image. In addition, an instruction for changing the size of the region is input from the input unit so that a necessary part of the region can be detected by the detection unit, for example, so that the size of the region is larger than the detection range. can do. Based on the instruction input from the input means, the changing means changes the storage content of the storage means so that at least one of the data indicating the area arrangement and the data indicating the area size is changed. The means stores an image quality adjustment image in which data indicating the arrangement of areas of the image quality adjustment image and data indicating the size of the area are appropriate.

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately change the region arrangement and the region size of the image quality adjustment image.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the formation is performed based on the contents stored in the storage means. A determination unit configured to determine at least one of determination of whether or not all of the plurality of regions can be formed on a medium and determination of whether or not a necessary portion of the region can be detected by the detection unit; In addition, the control means controls the display means to display information indicating whether or not the image quality adjustment image is inappropriate based on the determination result of the determination means. .

  Thereby, for example, when it is determined by the determination means that it is not possible to form the entire area of the image for image quality adjustment on the forming medium, and when it is determined that a necessary part of the area cannot be detected by the detection means In at least one of the cases, information indicating that the image quality adjustment image is inappropriate is displayed on the display means, and thus the user cannot form all areas of the image quality adjustment image on the forming medium. In the case where the necessary part of the area is not detectable by the detection means, it can be recognized that the image for adjusting the image quality is inappropriate.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of regions in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of regions for adjusting the image quality of an output image are arranged. Storage means for storing data indicating the size, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and data indicating a detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of density and color of the areas; and stored in the storage means And at least determining whether it is possible to form all of the plurality of areas on the forming medium and determining whether a necessary portion of the area can be detected by the detection unit. Based on the determination means for performing one determination, and the determination result of the determination means, data indicating the arrangement of the areas is changed so that all of the plurality of areas can be formed on the forming medium, or Change means for changing the storage contents of the storage means so that the data indicating the size of the area is changed so that a necessary part of the area can be detected by the detection means. .

  According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, the determination unit includes data indicating the size of the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which the plurality of areas are arranged, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and Based on the contents stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the density and color of the area, the image quality adjustment image area is formed on the forming medium for forming the image quality adjustment image. At least one of the determination as to whether or not all can be formed and the determination as to whether or not a necessary portion of the region can be detected by the detection means is performed. Based on the determination result of the determination unit, the change unit changes the data indicating the arrangement of the regions so that the entire region of the image quality adjustment image can be formed on the forming medium, or a necessary part of the region is detected by the detection unit. Since the storage content of the storage unit is changed so that the data indicating the size of the region is changed so that it is larger than the detection range of the detection unit, for example, the image for adjusting the image quality is stored in the storage unit. The image data for image quality adjustment in which the data of the area arrangement and the data of the area size are appropriate are stored.

  Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately change the region arrangement and the region size of the image quality adjustment image.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the changing means includes data indicating the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas. The history of changing at least one of the data indicating the data and the history of data indicating the detection range and the data indicating the contour of the forming medium are stored. It is a thing. Thereby, the data history indicating the arrangement of the area and the data history indicating the size of the area are stored in the storage means together with the data indicating the detection range of the corresponding detection means and the history of the data indicating the outline of the forming medium. By using the history stored in the storage unit, it is possible to easily obtain an image for adjusting the image quality of the arrangement and the size of the region suitable for the detection range of the specific detection unit and the contour of the specific formation medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the invention described in claim 5 provides the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged. A storage unit that stores data indicating a detection range of the detection unit to detect, a control unit that controls the detection range to be displayed on the display unit based on the content stored in the storage unit, An input means for inputting an instruction for setting the arrangement and the size of the area; and at least one of the array arrangement data and the area size data based on the instruction input from the input means And setting means for setting the stored contents of the storage means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit stores the data indicating the detection range of the detection unit that detects the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which the plurality of areas are arranged in the storage unit. Based on the stored contents, control is performed so that the detection range of the detection means is displayed on the display means. Thereby, the detection range of the detection means is displayed on the display means. The user confirms the content displayed on the display means and the detection means can detect the area, or the detection means can detect the necessary part of the area, for example, the detection range of the detection means. An instruction for setting the region arrangement and the region size can be input from the input means so that the region size becomes larger. Based on the instruction input from the input unit, the setting unit sets the storage content of the storage unit so that the data of the array of the region and the data of the size of the region are set. An image for adjusting the image quality in which the data of the arrangement of the area of the adjustment image and the data of the size of the area are appropriate are stored.

  Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the region arrangement and the region size of the image quality adjustment image.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 6, in the image forming apparatus of the invention according to claim 5, the setting means is a history corresponding to data indicating a detection range of the detection means, The storage content of the storage means is set so that a history of setting at least one of the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas based on the instructions input from the input means is stored. is there. As a result, the user can easily obtain an image for adjusting the image quality of the arrangement and the size of the area suitable for the detection range of the specific detection means by using the history stored in the storage means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the fourth or sixth aspect, wherein the history of the storage means is output to another image forming apparatus. It is. Accordingly, another image forming apparatus can easily use the output history to generate an image for adjusting the image quality of the arrangement and the size of the area suitable for the detection range of the specific detection unit or the outline of the forming medium. Obtainable.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a program that stores a plurality of areas in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of an output image are arranged. The data stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the size of the area, the data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the density and color of the areas Based on this, control is performed such that the image forming area for image quality adjustment is displayed on the display unit together with the graphic showing the outline of the forming medium for forming the image for adjusting image quality, and the detection range is displayed together with the outline of the area. An instruction for changing at least one of the arrangement of the areas displayed on the display means and the size of the areas is input. Means for changing the storage content of the storage means so that at least one of the data indicating the arrangement of the area and the data indicating the size of the area is changed based on the instruction input from the input means. To function as.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program of the invention according to claim 9 is a computer program product comprising: a plurality of regions in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of regions for adjusting image quality of an output image are arranged; Based on the content stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the size of the data, the data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of regions, and the data indicating the detection range for detecting at least one of the density and color of the regions, Means for determining at least one of determination of whether or not all of the plurality of regions can be formed on the forming medium and determination of whether a necessary portion of the region can be detected by the detection unit. Based on the result of the determination, data indicating the arrangement of the areas is changed so that all of the plurality of areas can be formed on the forming medium, or a necessary part of the areas As data indicating the size of the area to be detectable by the detection unit is changed, means for changing the stored content of said storage means, to function as a.

  In order to achieve the above object, the program of the invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged on a computer. A means for controlling the detection range to be displayed on the display means based on the content stored in the storage means for storing the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting, the arrangement of the areas, and the area Based on the instruction input from the input means for inputting an instruction for setting the size, the storage is performed so that at least one of data indicating the arrangement of the areas and data indicating the size of the areas is set. It is made to function as a means for setting the stored contents of the means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately change or set the region arrangement and the region size of the image quality adjustment image.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is connected to an external device 14 such as a personal computer via a LAN 12. The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image based on image data input from the external device 14 via the LAN 12 on a sheet as a forming medium, and outputs the sheet on which the image is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 10 supplies a user interface (UI) 16, an image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus 18, an image processing apparatus 20, an image output apparatus 22, a scanner unit 24, and paper P. A paper feed unit 26 for paper is provided.

  The image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus 18 executes a ROM 18a as a storage medium storing a basic program such as an OS, a program for executing an image quality adjustment pattern editing processing routine, which will be described in detail below, and various processing routines. HDD (hard disk drive) 18b as a storage medium storing a program for storing, CPU 18c for reading and executing the program from ROM 18a and HDD 18b, RAM 18d for temporarily storing data, and I / O (input / output) port 18e The ROM 18a, the HDD 18b, the CPU 18c, the RAM 18d, and the I / O port 18e are connected to each other via a bus 18f.

  Further, in the ROM 18a, as shown in FIG. 4, a paper feed unit 26 is provided as PDL data to be formed on the paper P described in a page description language (PDL) such as PS (Post Script). N, for example, data 76 representing the size of the paper P stored in each of four trays and data 78 representing the paper quality of the paper P are stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, the HDD 18b has N sensors (this book), which will be described in detail below as PDL data to be formed on the paper P described in a page description language such as PS. In the embodiment, for example, data representing each reading position of the sensor of the detection device 40 configured with N = 5), for example, data 80 representing the position coordinates of the four corners of the reading range, and the measurement guaranteed size of the sensor, that is, Data 82 representing a detection range (in this embodiment, for example, 10 mm × 10 mm) is stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the HDD 18b has an image quality adjustment pattern (image quality) for adjusting image quality as PDL data to be formed on the paper P described in a page description language such as PS. Data 84 representing the vertical and horizontal numbers of patches (regions) in the adjustment image), for example, the vertical number of patches “5” and the horizontal number of “3”, and the size of each side of one patch, For example, data 86 representing 5 mm in length × 5 mm in width, data 88 representing the positions of the four corners of each patch, and data 90 representing the YMCK tone values of each patch are stored. Note that these data stored in the HDD 18b can be changed according to the needs of the user. For example, when the sensor of the detection device 40 is changed, the user operates the touch panel 28 (to be described later) of the UI 16 so that the content is suitable for the read range of the sensor after the change. The contents of the data 80 and data 82 can be changed.

  The UI 16, the image processing device 20, and the image output device 22 are connected to the I / O port 18 e of the image quality adjustment pattern editing device 18.

  The UI 16 includes a touch panel 28 for inputting user instructions or desired information, and a display 30 having a display device configured by an LCD or the like, and displaying contents based on the input information on the display device. ing.

  The image processing device 20 includes a controller drawing unit 32 that interprets print target data (PDL data) described in PDL input from the external device 14 or the image quality adjustment pattern editing device 18 and generates a raster image, and a controller A controller image processing unit 34 that performs color correction processing and γ correction processing on the raster image generated by the drawing unit 32 is provided.

  The image output device 22 includes an engine image processing unit 36 that performs screen processing on the raster image obtained from the controller image processing unit 34 and the raster image obtained by the scanner unit 24 reading a document, and generates image data. An engine 38 that forms an image based on the image data generated by the engine image processing unit 36 on a sheet P as a forming medium fed from the sheet feed unit 26, and a sheet on the conveyance path of the sheet P in the engine 38 The image quality adjustment pattern formed on the paper P includes a predetermined number N, for example, 5 sensors arranged so as to be aligned in the horizontal direction of the image quality adjustment pattern with respect to the image quality adjustment pattern formed on P. The density of each of the plurality of constituting patches is detected for each row of the plurality of patches arranged in the vertical direction (row direction) and the horizontal direction (column direction). Based on the detection results of the output device 40 and the detection device 40 and the image quality adjustment pattern data output from the image quality adjustment pattern editing device 18, the image quality of the image formed on the paper is set to an appropriate image quality. The image processing apparatus 20, the engine image processing unit 36, and the image quality adjustment processing unit 42 that controls the engine 38 are included.

  The engine 38 drives the ROS 46 for each color of YMCK based on the image data input from the engine image processing unit 36 for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The laser driver 44 for driving the ROS 46 and the laser driver 44 that is driven by the laser driver 44 to expose the surface of the charged photoreceptor 48 with exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 48 ( ROS (Raster Output Scanner) 46, a photoreceptor 48 rotating in the direction indicated by an arrow, a contact charger 50 for charging the surface of the photoreceptor 48, a toner cartridge 52 for supplying toner to the developer 54, and a static on the photoreceptor 48 The electrostatic latent image is developed with each color toner to form a toner image on the photoconductor 48, and the YMCK each color toner image on the photoconductor 48 is A primary transfer unit 56 for transferring to the intermediary transfer belt 58 is provided. The engine 38 includes an intermediate transfer belt 58, a secondary transfer device 60 that transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 58 to the paper P fed by the paper feed unit 26, and the toner transferred to the paper P. A fixing device 62 for fixing the image is provided.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  An image quality adjustment pattern editing process routine performed by the CPU 18c of the image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus 18 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, this image quality adjustment pattern editing processing routine is executed when a switch (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not an instruction to perform image quality adjustment processing is input from the touch panel 28. This instruction includes designation of the size of the paper P on which an image quality adjustment pattern for image quality adjustment is formed and the orientation of the paper P when forming the pattern.

  If it is determined in step 100 that an instruction to perform image quality adjustment processing is input from the touch panel 28, in the next step 102, PDL data of the sensing state of each sensor of the detection device 40 from the HDD 18b, that is, the reading range of each sensor. The data 80 representing the position coordinates of the four corners, the data 82 representing the detection range (measurement guaranteed size) of the sensor, and the PDL data relating to the image quality adjustment pattern, that is, the number of patches in the vertical and horizontal directions in the image quality adjustment pattern Data 84, data 86 representing the size of each side of the patch, data 88 representing the position coordinates of the four corners of each patch, and data 90 representing the YMCK tone values of each patch, and image quality adjustment. The paper quality 78 corresponding to the designated size paper P included in the instruction to be performed is stored in the ROM 18a. Read. In the present embodiment, the size of the designated paper P included in the image quality adjustment instruction is “A4”, the orientation of the paper P is “landscape”, and the paper quality 78 from the ROM 18a is “coated paper”. An example of reading is described.

  In the next step 104, image data and information data of the image quality adjustment pattern for interpreting the PDL data (data 84, 86, 88, 90) related to the image quality adjustment pattern read in step 102 and displaying the PDL data on the display 30 are obtained. Generate. In step 104, image data and information data indicating the contour of the detection range of the sensor for interpreting the PDL data (data 80, 82) of the sensing state of each sensor read in step 102 and displaying it on the display 30 are displayed. Generate. In step 104, image data indicating the paper quality “coated paper” for interpreting the PDL data “coated paper” of the paper quality 78 read in step 102 and displaying it on the display 30 is generated. Further, in step 104, the size “A4” and the orientation “landscape” to be displayed on the display 30 based on the information “size A4” and orientation “landscape” of the designated paper P included in the instruction are displayed. Image data and information of a graphic showing the outline of the paper P are generated.

  The image quality adjustment pattern information data is, for example, “5” as the number of vertical patches, “3” as the number of horizontal patches, and “5 mm” as the vertical length of the patches, for example. “, And the horizontal length of the patch, for example, information data indicating“ 5 mm ”. The graphic information data indicating the outline of the paper P is information data indicating, for example, “210 mm” as the vertical length of the paper P and “297 mm” as the horizontal length of the paper P, for example. . Furthermore, the information data indicating the contour of the detection range of the sensor is information data indicating, for example, “10 mm” as the vertical length of the detection range and “10 mm” as the horizontal length of the detection range, for example. .

  In the next step 106, the determination process shown in detail in FIG. 7 is executed.

The determination processing routine will be described. First, in step 200, the size and orientation of the designated sheet P and the image quality adjustment data determined based on the data 88 representing the position maps of the four corners of each patch read in step 102, etc. By comparing the size of the pattern, it is determined whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the designated size paper P. For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the size of the designated paper P is “A4” and the designated orientation is “horizontal”, the vertical length of the paper P is 210 mm and the horizontal Is 297 mm in length. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8A, the upper left position coordinates (X ₁ , Y ₁ ) of the patch 1 positioned at the upper left of the image quality adjustment pattern and the lower right position coordinates of the patch 15 positioned at the lower right. _{(X 15''', Y} 15''') and with, the vertical length of the image quality adjusting pattern _{(Y 15'''} -Y ₁₎ determined from the formula, as well as the length of the horizontal the _{(X 15'''} -X ₁₎ determined from the formula, the vertical length of the image quality adjusting pattern obtained _{(Y 15'''} -Y ₁₎ and the vertical length of the paper P sideways A4 And 210 mm, and the horizontal length (X _{15 ″ ″} − X ₁ ) of the obtained image quality adjustment pattern is compared with the horizontal length 297 mm of the A4 paper P in landscape orientation. It is possible to determine whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P of a different size.

  If a negative determination is made in step 200, that is, if all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern cannot be formed on the designated size paper P, it is determined in step 206 that the image quality adjustment pattern is inappropriate. The determination process is terminated with “NG” as information indicating the determination result.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 200, in the next step 202, data 86 representing the size of each side of the patch read in step 102 and data representing the size of the sensor detection range read in step 102 are displayed. 82 to determine whether it is possible to detect a necessary part of the patch by the sensor of the detection device 40. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the size of the patch is larger than the detection range of the sensor, the patch can be detected in a stable state, and a necessary portion of the patch is detected by the sensor of the detection device 40. However, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the size of the patch is smaller than the detection range of the sensor, the patch is detected in an unstable state. The necessary part of the patch cannot be detected. Based on the determination in step 202, whether or not the size of the patch is an image quality adjustment pattern appropriate for the detection range of the sensor, that is, a necessary portion of the patch can be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40. It can be determined whether or not it is possible.

  If the determination in step 202 is affirmative, that is, if the patch size is smaller than the detection range of the sensor and the sensor of the detection device 40 cannot detect the necessary portion of the patch, step 206 described above is performed. Proceed to

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 202, that is, if the size of the patch is larger than the detection range of the sensor, and the necessary part of the patch can be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40, the next step In 204, the determination process is terminated with “OK”, which is information indicating that the image quality adjustment pattern is appropriate, as a determination result.

  In the next step 108, image data and information data of the image quality adjustment pattern generated in step 104, image data and information data indicating the outline of the detection range of the sensor, image data indicating the paper quality, paper of the specified size and orientation The graphic image data and information data indicating the contour of P and the determination result in step 106 are output to the display 30.

  As a result of the processing in step 108, as shown in FIG. 10A, the display 30 shows information 500 indicating the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern and the number of horizontal patches of the image quality adjustment pattern. Information 502, information 504 indicating the vertical length of the patch, information 506 indicating the horizontal length of the patch, information 508 indicating the vertical length of the paper P, information 510 indicating the horizontal length of the paper P, measurement Information 512 indicating the vertical length of the guaranteed size (detection range), information 514 indicating the horizontal length of the measurement guaranteed size (detection range), information 516 indicating the determination result, and image data 700 indicating the paper quality are displayed. . For example, in step 102, “10 mm × 10 mm” as data 82 representing the size of each side of the sensor detection range (measurement guaranteed size) from the HDD 18b, data representing the vertical and horizontal numbers of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern. 84 is read as “5” in the vertical direction and “3” in the horizontal direction, and “5 mm × 5 mm” is read as the data 86 indicating the size of the patch, and the designated paper included in the instruction for adjusting the image quality is read. When the size of P is “A4”, the orientation of the paper P is “landscape”, and “coated paper” is read from the ROM 18a as the paper quality 78, the process proceeds to step 206, and the determination result is “NG”. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 10A, the information 500 indicating the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern is “5”, and the horizontal patch of the image quality adjustment pattern. "3" as the information 502 indicating the number of sheets, "5" as the information 504 indicating the vertical length of the patch, "5" as the information 506 indicating the horizontal length of the patch, and indicating the vertical length of the paper P "210" as the information 508, "297" as the information 510 indicating the horizontal length of the paper P, "10" as the information 512 indicating the vertical length of the detection range, and information 514 indicating the horizontal length of the detection range "NG" is displayed as information 516 indicating the determination result, and "coated paper" is displayed as image data 700 indicating the paper quality.

  In addition, the display 30 displays the formation range 72 of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 together with the graphic 70 showing the outline of the paper P on which the image quality adjustment pattern is formed, and the sensor measurement guarantee size (detection) together with the patch outline 76. Range) outline 78 is displayed.

  Further, in order to perform the image quality adjustment process, “pattern OK” 518 is displayed on the display 30 as a display for receiving an instruction to form the image quality adjustment pattern 96 on the paper P as displayed on the display 30.

  In addition, “pattern change” 520 is displayed on the display 30 as a display for receiving an instruction to change the arrangement of the patches and the size of the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 displayed on the display 30.

  Further, information 522 indicating the number of sheets P on which a divided image quality adjustment pattern, which will be described below, is formed is displayed.

  In the next step 110, the image quality adjustment pattern 96 is displayed on the paper P so that the instruction input from the user is displayed on the display 30 via the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern OK” 518. If it is determined whether or not it is an instruction to form, and a negative determination is made in step 110, in the next step 112, the instruction input from the user is transmitted via the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern change” 520. Then, it is determined whether or not it is an instruction to change the patch arrangement or patch size of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 displayed on the display 30.

  Here, the processing after step 110 will be described with an example. For example, when the content as shown in FIG. 10A is displayed on the display 30, all the image quality adjustment patterns 96 in the graphic 70 showing the outline of the paper P are displayed from the content displayed on the display 30. It can be confirmed that the patch is not included and that the contour 76 of the patch is smaller than the contour 78 indicating the detection range of the sensor. Further, the user can determine that the image quality adjustment pattern 96 displayed on the display 30 is an inappropriate image quality adjustment pattern by looking at “NG” in the information 516 indicating the determination result. Then, in order for the user to include all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 in the graphic 70, for example, the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 is “3” and the horizontal patches via the touch panel 28. For example, the length of the patch is “12”, and the patch 76 is larger than the contour 78 indicating the detection range of the sensor. An instruction is input so that the horizontal length of “12” becomes “12”, and the user patches the image quality adjustment pattern 96 displayed on the display 30 via the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern change” 520. When an instruction to change the arrangement and the size of the patch is input, a negative determination is made in step 110 described above, and an affirmative determination is made in step 112 described above. In the next step 114, the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern is “3” based on the input instruction for changing the patch arrangement and patch size of the image quality adjustment pattern 96. The image quality adjustment pattern PDL data (data) read from the HDD 18b in step 102 so that the number of patches is “5”, the vertical length of the patch is “12”, and the horizontal length of the patch is “12”. 84, 86, 88, 90), and returns to step 104 described above. In addition, when the description of the vertical length and the horizontal length of the patch of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed, the data representing the position maps of the four corners of each patch is corresponding to the change. The description of 88 is also changed.

  In the second and subsequent steps 104, the image data and information data of the detection range of the sensor generated in the first step 104, the image data indicating the paper quality “coated paper”, the orientation is “landscape”, and the size is “A4”. The image data and information data of the graphic indicating the outline of the paper P are not generated again, and PDL data (data 84, 86, 88, 90) to generate image data and information data of an image quality adjustment pattern for display on the display 30.

  In the determination process in step 106 after the second time, in step 200, the size and orientation of the designated paper P and the positions of the four corners of each patch of the PDL data relating to the image quality adjustment pattern changed in the latest step 114 are determined. It is determined whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P having the specified size by comparing the size of the image quality adjustment pattern determined based on the data 88 representing the table. In step 202, the data 86 indicating the size of each side of the patch of the PDL data relating to the image quality adjustment pattern changed in the latest step 114 and the data 82 indicating the size of the detection range of the sensor read in step 102 are displayed. To determine whether the size of the patch is smaller than the detection range (measurement guaranteed size) of the sensor.

  If the determination result in step 106 is “OK”, the image of the image quality adjustment pattern generated in the process of the latest step 104 in the second and subsequent steps 108 to be processed next. Data and information data, graphic image data and information data indicating the contour of the detection range of the sensor generated in the first step 104, image data indicating paper quality generated in the first step 104, and The determination result of the determination process in the last step 106 is output to the display 30 together with the graphic image data and information data indicating the contour of the paper P of the designated orientation and size generated in the first step 104. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the display 30 displays “3” as information 500 indicating the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern, and information indicating the number of horizontal patches of the image quality adjustment pattern. “5” as 502, “12” as information 504 indicating the vertical length of the patch, “12” as information 506 indicating the horizontal length of the patch, and “210” as information 508 indicating the vertical length of the paper P “297” as the information 510 indicating the horizontal length of the paper P, “10” as the information 512 indicating the vertical length of the detection range, “10” as the information 514 indicating the horizontal length of the detection range, “OK” is displayed as the information 516 indicating the determination result, and “coated paper” is displayed as the image data 700 indicating the paper quality.

  When the content as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the display 30, all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 are included in the graphic 70 indicating the outline of the paper P from the content displayed on the display 30. It can be confirmed that it is included and that the contour 76 of the patch is larger than the contour indicating the detection range 78 of the sensor. Further, the user sees “OK” in the information 516 indicating the determination result, and determines that the image quality adjustment pattern 72 displayed on the display 30 is an appropriate image quality adjustment pattern.

  When the user inputs an instruction to form the image quality adjustment pattern 96 on the paper P as displayed on the display 30 via the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern OK” 518, the step If the determination in 110 is affirmative and the description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed in step 114 in the next step 116, each sensor read in step 102 as shown in FIG. The PDL data in the sensing state, the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern whose description is changed as shown in FIG. 11B, the size of the designated paper P as shown in FIG. The orientation and the PDL data representing the paper quality read in step 102 are associated with each other and stored in the HDD 18b as a history.

  In the next step 118, when the description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed in step 114, the controller drawing unit 32 of the image processing device 20 uses the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern whose latest description has been changed. If the description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern has not been changed in step 114, the image quality adjustment pattern PDL data read in step 102 is sent to the controller drawing unit 32 of the image processing unit 20. And return to the process of step 100.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the size of a plurality of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern (image quality adjustment image) in which a plurality of patches (regions) are arranged is shown. Based on the contents stored in the ROM 18a and the HDD 18b storing the data 86, data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of a plurality of patches, and data 82 indicating the detection range of the sensor of the detection device 40 that detects the density of the patches. The CPU 18c as the control means controls so that the formation range 72 of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 is displayed on the display 30 as the display means together with the graphic 70 showing the outline of the paper P (formation medium) on which the adjustment pattern is formed. At the same time, the CPU 18c as the control means displays the detection range 78 together with the patch outline 76 on the display 30. To your. Thus, the display 30 displays the formation range 72 of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 together with the graphic 70 showing the outline of the paper P, and the detection range 78 together with the patch outline 76. The user confirms the content displayed on the display 30 and gives an instruction to change the arrangement of the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 so that the paper P includes all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern 96. The size of the patch is set so that the size of the patch is larger than, for example, the detection range 78 so that a necessary part of the patch can be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40. An instruction to change can be input from the touch panel 28. Based on the instruction input from the touch panel 28, the CPU 18c as the changing means stores the stored contents of the HDD 18b so that at least one of the data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of the patches and the data 86 indicating the size of the patch are changed. Therefore, the HDD 18b stores data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of patches of the image quality adjustment pattern, and data 86 indicating the size of the patch as appropriate image quality adjustment patterns.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment can appropriately change the patch arrangement and the patch size of the image quality adjustment pattern.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, when the CPU 18c as the determination unit determines that it is not possible to form all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern on the paper P, and the patch In at least one of the cases where it is determined that a necessary part of the image cannot be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40, information “NG” indicating that the image quality adjustment pattern is inappropriate is displayed on the display 30. Therefore, when the user cannot form all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern on the paper P, or when the necessary part of the patch cannot be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40, the image quality adjustment pattern is not acceptable. Recognize that it is appropriate.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, the history of the data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of the patches and the data 86 indicating the size of each side of the patch is the sensor of the corresponding detection device 40. Are stored in the HDD 18b together with the history of data 80 and 82 indicating the detection range and the history of data indicating the size and orientation of the paper P, and the user uses the history stored in the HDD 18b to detect the detection range of the sensor of the specific detection device 40. In addition, it is possible to easily obtain an array of patches suitable for the size and orientation of a specific paper P and an image quality adjustment pattern of the size of the patches.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for example, when the content shown in FIG. 12A is displayed on the display 30 by the processing in step 108 of the image quality adjustment pattern editing processing routine, the details will be described below. As will be described, the image quality adjustment pattern 96 can be divided such that all the patches arranged in each of the divided image quality adjustment patterns 96 are included in the graphic 70. That is, for example, the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the first page of the forming medium is “3” and the number of horizontal patches is “5” via the touch panel 28. In addition to inputting an instruction, an instruction is input so that the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the second page of the forming medium is “2” and the number of horizontal patches is “5”. When the user inputs an instruction to change the patch arrangement of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 displayed on the display 30 via the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern change” 520, the image quality described above is used. In the adjustment pattern editing process, a negative determination is made in step 110, and a positive determination is made in the next step 112. In the next step 114, the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the first page of the paper P is determined based on the input instruction to change the patch arrangement of the image quality adjustment pattern 96. 3 ”, the number of horizontal patches is“ 5 ”, the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the second page of the paper P is“ 2 ”, and the number of horizontal patches is The description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern read from the HDD 18b in step 102 is changed so as to be “5”, and the process returns to step 104 described above. When the processes of steps 104, 106, and 108 are executed again, the formation range 72 of the image quality adjustment pattern 96 after the change together with the graphic 70 showing the outline of the paper P on which the image quality adjustment pattern for the first page is formed. Is displayed on the display 30 as shown in FIG. At this time, as the information 522 indicating the number of sheets P on which one image quality adjustment pattern is formed, information “2” indicating two sheets is displayed on the display 30.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration and the same processing as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that in the first embodiment, in the image quality adjustment pattern editing process, the user confirms the display 30 and arranges the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern. In the present embodiment, the patch arrangement of the image quality adjustment pattern and the patch size are automatically changed appropriately according to the processing.

  An image quality adjustment pattern editing process routine performed by the CPU 18c of the image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus 18 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, this image quality adjustment pattern editing processing routine is executed when a switch (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on.

  Since Step 100 and Step 102 are the same as the contents described above, description thereof will be omitted. It should be noted that in the instruction for determining whether or not the input has been made in Step 100, the patch arrangement is performed when all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern cannot be formed on the paper P having the designated size and orientation. Is changed so that all patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P, or all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P by dividing the image quality adjustment pattern. One of the specifications regarding whether to deal with is included.

  In the next step 304, in the first processing, the image quality adjustment pattern determined based on the size and orientation of the designated paper P and the data 88 indicating the position table of the four corners of each patch read in step 102, etc. By comparing the size, it is determined whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P having the designated size. In the second and subsequent processing of step 304, the size and orientation of the designated paper P and the positions of the four corners of each patch of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern whose description has been changed in step 308 or step 310 described later. It is determined whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P having the specified size and orientation by comparing the size of the image quality adjustment pattern determined based on the data 88 representing the coordinates.

  If a negative determination is made in step 304, the designation included in the instruction is determined in the next step 306, and if the designation is a designation for changing the arrangement of the patches, the designated paper is designated in the next step 308. Data 80 representing the size and orientation of P and the position coordinates of the four corners of the reading range of each sensor read in step 102, data 84 representing the number of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern, and the size of the patch. For example, a position that can be read by a sensor from the size of the image quality adjustment pattern, the position of each patch, and the size of each patch determined based on the data 86 and the data 88 representing the position table of the four corners of each patch In addition, a large number of patches can be formed in the vertical or horizontal direction of the specified size paper P, and each patch is applied to the specified size paper P. So as to form Te, and change the description of the sequence of the patch of the PDL data of the image quality adjusting pattern, the flow returns to step 304.

  In step 308, for example, five patches are arranged in the vertical direction of the paper P based on the size and orientation of the designated paper P, the size of the defined image quality adjustment pattern, the position of each patch, and the size of each patch. If it is determined that the four patches can be arranged in the horizontal direction of the paper P, for example, the number of patches in the vertical direction is “5” and the number of patches in the horizontal direction is The description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed to “3”.

  On the other hand, if the designation included in the instruction is a designation to divide the image quality adjustment pattern in step 306, the size and orientation of the designated paper P in step 310 and each read in step 102. The data 80 representing the position coordinates of the four corners of the sensor reading range, the data 84 representing the vertical and horizontal number of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern, the data 86 representing the size of the patch, and the position coordinates of the four corners of each patch. From the size of the image quality adjustment pattern determined based on the data 88 to be represented, the position of each patch, and the size of each patch, for example, a position that can be read by a sensor is designated as described in detail below. In order to form a large number of patches in order from the first page in the vertical or horizontal direction of the paper P of the specified size, each patch is applied to the paper P of the specified size. The so as to form all, by changing the PDL data of the image quality adjusting pattern, dividing the image quality adjusting pattern, the flow returns to step 304. That is, in step 310, for example, the number of patches in the vertical direction is determined from the size and orientation of the designated paper P, the size of the defined image quality adjustment pattern, the position of each patch, and the size of each patch. If it is not possible to form all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern with 5 ”and the number of patches in the horizontal direction on the paper P, the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the first page of the paper P The number of vertical patches is “3”, the number of horizontal patches is “5”, and the number of vertical patches of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the second page of the paper P is “2”. The description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed so that the number of horizontal patches is “5”, and the process returns to step 304.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step 304, data 86 indicating the size of each side of the patch read in step 102 and the sensor detection range (measurement guaranteed size) read in step 102 in the next step 312. It is determined whether the size of each side of the patch is smaller than the detection range (measurement guaranteed size) of the sensor.

  If the determination in step 312 is affirmative, in the next step 314, the PDL of the image quality adjustment pattern described in PDL so that the vertical length and horizontal length of the patch are increased by a predetermined value, for example, 2 mm. The description of the data is changed, and the process returns to step 312 again. Note that the processing of step 312 after the second time includes the lengths of the vertical and horizontal sides of the patch indicated by the PDL data whose description has been changed in the latest processing of step 314 and the size of the detection range of the sensor read in step 102. It is determined whether or not the size of the patch is smaller than the detection range of the sensor by comparing with the data 82 representing the height.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 312, in the next step 316, as shown in FIG. 11A, the PDL data of the sensing state of each sensor read in step 102, as shown in FIG. 11B. The image quality adjustment pattern PDL data whose description has been changed in step 308, step 310, or step 314, and the size and orientation of the designated paper P as shown in FIG. The PDL data representing the paper quality is associated with each other and stored in the HDD 18b as a history.

  In the next step 318, when the description of the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern is changed in steps 308, 310, 314, etc., the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern whose latest description has been changed is used as the image processing apparatus. If the data is not changed, the PDL data of the image quality adjustment pattern read in step 102 is output to the controller drawing unit 32 of the image processing apparatus 20, and the process returns to step 100.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 18c as the determination unit stores the data 86 indicating the sizes of the plurality of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern in which the plurality of patches are arranged. Based on the contents stored in the ROM 18a and the HDD 18b as storage means for storing data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of a plurality of patches and data 82 indicating the detection range of the sensor of the detection device 40 for detecting the density of the patches. , Whether or not all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P as the forming medium on which the image quality adjustment pattern is formed, and a necessary part of the patch is detected by the sensor of the detection device 40 At least one determination of whether or not it is possible is performed. Based on the determination result of the CPU 18c as the determining means, the data 84 and 88 indicating the arrangement of the patches are changed so that all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern can be formed on the paper P, or The storage of the HDD 18b is changed so that the data 86 indicating the size of the patch is changed so that the necessary part of the patch can be detected by the sensor of the detection device 40, for example, larger than the detection range of the sensor of the detection device 40. Since the contents are changed, the data 18 and 88 indicating the arrangement of the image quality adjustment pattern patches and the data 86 indicating the size of the patches are stored in the HDD 18b.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment can appropriately change the patch arrangement and the patch size of the image quality adjustment pattern.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration and the same processing as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in the detection device 40 configured by a plurality of sensors. The example in which the density of the patch of the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the paper P by each sensor is detected and the image quality adjustment processing unit 42 performs the image quality adjustment processing using the detection result has been described. As shown in FIG. 14, a detection device 500 composed of a plurality of colorimeters is provided outside the image output device 22, and patches of image quality adjustment patterns formed on the paper P by the colorimeter in the detection device 500. The image quality adjustment processing unit 42 performs the image quality adjustment process using the detection result. In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the PDL data (data 80 and 82) of the sensing state of each sensor illustrated in FIG. 5A is used in the image quality adjustment pattern editing process has been described. In the present embodiment, as PDL data to be formed on a sheet P described in a page description language such as PS shown in FIG. 15, K detection devices 500 (in this embodiment, for example, K = 25). ) Data representing the reading positions of each of the colorimeters, for example, data 502 representing the position coordinates of the four corners of the reading range, and a colorimeter detection range (reading range, in this embodiment, for example, 10 mm × width × 10mm) is stored in the HDD 18b, and the PDL data (502, 504) stored in the HDD 18b is stored in the pattern editing process for image quality adjustment. That there are different.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, 2nd Embodiment, and 3rd Embodiment, and the same process.

  In the present embodiment, the difference from the third embodiment is that, in this embodiment, a predetermined number, as shown in FIG. For example, the contour 606 of each reading range (detection range) of 25 colorimeters, the number 608 in the vertical direction of each of the 25 colorimeters arranged (for example, the number = “5”), the number in the horizontal direction 610 (for example, number = “5”), longitudinal length 612 (for example, length = “10”) of the colorimeter detection range, and lateral length 614 (for example, length) of the colorimeter reading range = “10”), and the arrangement of the image quality adjustment pattern patch and the size of the patch differ depending on the user, as will be described in detail below.

  For example, since all the patches of the image quality adjustment pattern to be generated are detected by the colorimeter from the number of the displayed colorimeters in the vertical and horizontal directions (5 × 5), the patches are within 5 × 5. The user can input an instruction regarding the arrangement of the patches via the touch panel 28 so that the arrangement of the arrangement of the image is contained. For example, the user can input an instruction via the touch panel 28 so that the number of patches in the vertical direction is “5” and the number of patches in the horizontal direction is “5”.

  Further, the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the patch of the image quality adjustment pattern to be generated is measured from the vertical and horizontal lengths (10 mm × 10 mm) of the detection range of the displayed colorimeter. The user can input an instruction regarding the size of the patch via the touch panel 28 so that the detection range of the color device is longer than the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. For example, the user can input an instruction via the touch panel 28 so that the length of the patch in the vertical direction is “12” and the length of the patch in the horizontal direction is “12”.

  Then, in order to display the image quality adjustment pattern of the patch based on the input instruction on the display 30, the user operates the corresponding touch panel 28 on the “pattern display” 616, whereby the image quality adjustment pattern editing device 18. In addition, an instruction to display the image quality adjustment pattern of the patch on the display 30 based on the input instruction is output.

  The CPU 18c of the image quality adjustment pattern editing device 18 generates PDL data in which the image quality adjustment pattern of the patch arrangement and the patch size based on the input instruction is described in PDL, and stores the generated PDL data in the HDD 18b. (Set). The CPU 18c interprets the image quality adjustment pattern PDL data stored in the HDD 18b, generates image data to be displayed on the display 30, and outputs the generated image data to the display 30.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 16B, a total of 25 patches 626 of 5 in the vertical direction and 5 in the horizontal direction are displayed on the display 30.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the CPU 18c as the control unit detects the plurality of patches in the image quality adjustment pattern in which the plurality of patches are arranged. Based on the content stored in the HDD 18b that stores the data 502 and 504 indicating the colorimeter detection range, control is performed so that the colorimeter detection range of the detection device 40 is displayed on the display 30. Thereby, the display 30 displays the colorimeter detection range 606 of the detection device 40. The user can confirm the contents displayed on the display 30 so that the patch can be detected by the colorimeter of the detection device 40, or a necessary part of the patch can be detected by the colorimeter of the detection device 40. For example, an instruction for setting the patch arrangement and the patch size is input from the touch panel 28 as input means so that the size of the patch is larger than the detection range 606 of the colorimeter of the detection device 40. can do. Based on the instruction input from the touch panel 28, the CPU 18c as the setting means sets the storage contents of the HDD 18b so that the patch array data 84 and 88 and the patch size data 86 are set. The HDD 18b stores an appropriate image quality adjustment pattern including patch array data 84 and 88 and patch size data 86 set by the CPU 18c as setting means.

  Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to appropriately set the patch arrangement and the patch size of the image quality adjustment pattern.

  Further, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, the user can use the history stored in the HDD 18b, so that the arrangement of patches suitable for the detection range of the colorimeter of the specific detection apparatus 500 and An image quality adjustment pattern having the size of the patch can be easily obtained.

  Next, an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the description of the same configuration and the same processing as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment and the second embodiment is that in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in the detection device 40 configured by a plurality of sensors. The example in which the density of the patch of the image quality adjustment pattern is detected by each sensor and the image quality adjustment processing unit 42 performs the image quality adjustment processing using the detection result has been described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. Further, only the paper P having a specific size and orientation can be read, and the scanner unit 800 that acquires image data of the read paper P reads the image quality adjustment pattern formed on the paper P and acquires the acquired image quality. The difference is that the image data of the adjustment pattern is output to the image quality adjustment processing unit 42, and the image quality adjustment processing unit 42 performs image quality adjustment processing using the image data of the image quality adjustment pattern. In the first and second embodiments, the example in which the PDL data (data 80 and 82) of the sensing state of each sensor illustrated in FIG. 5A is used in the image quality adjustment pattern editing process has been described. In this embodiment, as the PDL data to be formed on the paper P described in a page description language such as PS shown in FIG. 18, the reading size (reading width) of the paper P that can be read by the scanner unit 800 is set. Data 900 (for example, “A4” (297 mm × 210 mm)) and the orientation (for example, landscape orientation) 902 of the paper P that can be read by the scanner unit 800 are stored in the HDD 18b. The difference is that PDL data (900, 902) stored in the HDD 18b is used.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first to fifth embodiments has been described above. In the first to fifth embodiments, from other image forming apparatuses (not shown) connected to the LAN 12, When the CPU 18c determines that the request for the history stored in the HDD 18b of the image forming apparatus 10 is in the image forming apparatus 10, the CPU 18c outputs the history stored in the HDD 18b to another image forming apparatus. May be. Accordingly, other image forming apparatuses are suitable for the detection range of the sensor of the specific detection device 40 or the colorimeter of the specific detection device 500 or the size and orientation of the specific paper P by using the output history. It is possible to easily obtain an image quality adjustment pattern having a patch arrangement and patch size.

It is the schematic which shows 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing functional blocks in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information of the paper memorize | stored in ROM in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating sensor information and image quality adjustment pattern information stored in the HDD according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image quality adjustment pattern editing process routine performed by the CPU of the image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a determination processing routine performed by a CPU of the image quality adjustment pattern editing apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the determination process in step 200 of the determination process routine in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection state at the time of detecting a patch with a sensor in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in the arrangement of patches (a change in layout) in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a history stored in an HDD in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining division of an image quality adjustment pattern in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the image quality adjustment pattern edit process routine which CPU of the image quality adjustment pattern edit apparatus in 2nd Embodiment performs. It is a figure which shows the functional block in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information of the colorimeter memorize | stored in HDD in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing setting of an image quality adjustment pattern patch according to a fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the functional block in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information of the scanner part memorize | stored in HDD in 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 16 UI
18 Image editing pattern editing device 18a ROM
18b HDD
18c CPU
18d RAM
28 Touch panel 30 Display

Claims (10)

Data indicating the size of the plurality of areas, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and density and color of the areas in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged Storage means for storing data indicating a detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the following:
Based on the contents stored in the storage means, control is performed so that the formation range of the image quality adjustment image is displayed on the display means together with the graphic indicating the outline of the formation medium on which the image quality adjustment image is formed, and Control means for controlling the detection range to be displayed on the display means together with the outline of the area;
An input means for inputting an instruction for changing at least one of the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas displayed on the display means;
Changing means for changing the storage content of the storage means so that at least one of the data indicating the arrangement of the areas and the data indicating the size of the areas is changed based on the instruction input from the input means When,
An image forming apparatus including: Based on the contents stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not all of the plurality of areas can be formed on the forming medium, and whether a necessary portion of the area can be detected by the detection means. A determination unit for performing determination of at least one of determination of whether or not;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display information indicating whether the image quality adjustment image is inappropriate based on a determination result of the determination unit. Data indicating the size of the plurality of regions, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of regions, and the density and color of the regions in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of regions for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged Storage means for storing data indicating a detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the following:
Based on the contents stored in the storage means, it is determined whether or not all of the plurality of areas can be formed on the forming medium, and whether a necessary portion of the area can be detected by the detection means. Determination means for performing determination of at least one of determination of whether or not;
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, data indicating the arrangement of the regions is changed so that all of the plurality of regions can be formed on the forming medium, or a necessary part of the region is detected by the detection unit. Changing means for changing the storage content of the storage means so that the data indicating the size of the area is changed as possible;
An image forming apparatus including:   The change means stores a history of changing at least one of the data indicating the arrangement of the areas and the data indicating the size of the areas, and includes data indicating the detection range and data indicating the contour of the forming medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage content of the storage unit is changed so that a history is stored. Storage means for storing data indicating a detection range of the detection means for detecting the plurality of areas in the image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged;
Control means for controlling the detection range to be displayed on the display means based on the content stored in the storage means;
Input means for inputting instructions for setting the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas;
Setting means for setting the storage content of the storage means so that at least one of the arrangement of the areas and the size of the areas is set based on the instruction input from the input means;
An image forming apparatus including:   The setting unit is a history corresponding to data indicating a detection range of the detection unit, and sets at least one of the arrangement of the regions and the size of the region based on the instruction input from the input unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage content of the storage unit is set so that a history is stored.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the history stored in the storage unit is output to another image forming apparatus. Computer
Data indicating the size of the plurality of areas, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and density and color of the areas in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged Based on the content stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting at least one of the image quality adjustment image and the graphic showing the outline of the forming medium forming the image quality adjustment image Means for controlling the display range to be displayed on the display means, and controlling the detection range to be displayed on the display means together with the outline of the region,
Based on the instruction inputted from the input means for inputting an instruction for changing at least one of the arrangement of the areas and the size of the area displayed on the display means, the data indicating the arrangement of the areas and the Means for changing the storage content of the storage means so that at least one of the data indicating the size of the area is changed;
Program to function as. Computer
Data indicating the size of the plurality of areas, data indicating the arrangement of the plurality of areas, and density and color of the areas in an image quality adjustment image in which a plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged Determining whether it is possible to form all of the plurality of areas on the forming medium based on the content stored in the storage unit storing data indicating a detection range for detecting at least one of Means for determining at least one of determining whether a necessary part of the region can be detected by the detection means;
Based on the result of the determination, data indicating the arrangement of the regions is changed so that all of the plurality of regions can be formed on the forming medium, or a necessary portion of the regions can be detected by the detection unit. Means for changing the storage content of the storage means so that the data indicating the size of the area is changed,
Program to function as. Computer
Based on the content stored in the storage means storing the data indicating the detection range of the detection means for detecting the plurality of areas in the image for image quality adjustment in which the plurality of areas for adjusting the image quality of the output image are arranged. Means for controlling the detection range to be displayed on the display means;
Based on the instruction input from the input means for inputting an instruction for setting the arrangement of the area and the size of the area, at least one of data indicating the arrangement of the area and data indicating the size of the area Means for setting the storage content of the storage means such that
Program to function as.

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