JP2009294562A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save the time and effort of setting up of a waste detection level, and set up the waste detection level without depending on the skills of an operator of an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a paper sheet based on a job setup input from an operation panel 120 for inputting the job setups and includes a waste detection part 13 detecting a waste of the paper on which the image is formed. The image forming apparatus has a waste detection threshold DB part 116 which stores a waste detection threshold database D1 and a user waste detection database D2 in which waste detection coefficients and the job setups are correlated, and forms the image by calculating the waste detection level based on the job setups input by the operation panel 12, the waste detection threshold database D1 stored in a storage means, and the user waste detection database D2. Based on a job end time setup table T7, the waste detection threshold database D1 and the user waste detection database D2 are updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, a paper on which a proper image is formed, that is, for example, whether it is free of dirt or misalignment, is determined automatically or by an operator, and the paper is determined to be defective in image formation. (Hereinafter referred to as Yale) is being removed. In order to automatically remove the deviation, for example, based on the positional deviation between the image on the front side and the image on the rear side of the paper printed on both sides, a positional deviation greater than a predetermined reference value (hereinafter referred to as a deviation detection level). If it occurs, it is determined that it is a rash.

  The deviation detection level varies depending on the use of the paper after image formation. For example, there is a case where it is desired to operate the image forming apparatus by giving priority to the processing speed over the position accuracy of image formation. When priority is given to processing speed, it is necessary to set a value larger than the normal detection detection level (that is, to loosen the standard for determining a detection error), and this change in the detection level was done manually. .

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867 discloses a detection unit that forms an image on a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying unit of an image forming apparatus and detects a sheet position in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. A technique provided for each of the path and the conveyance path on the back surface is disclosed. When the amount of misalignment of the paper detected by the detecting means is equal to or greater than a predetermined deviation detection level, the paper position is corrected. In addition, the deviation detection level can be changed by an operator input after image formation.
JP 2006-69738 A

  In the case of the technique described in Patent Document 1, in order to change the deviation detection level, an operator who is familiar with the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus performs an operation for changing the deviation detection level (for example, a service familiar with the structure of the image forming apparatus). Man). However, in an office or the like, there are cases where a person other than the skilled person wants to set, but it is difficult for a person other than the skilled person to set manually. This is because the deviation detection level varies depending on the paper type, output, usage, delivery date, and the like. Further, even if a skilled person sets the sag detection level, the sag detection level is reset every time an image is formed depending on the paper type or the like, and the troublesome operation of performing an input operation also occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to save time and effort of setting a detection detection level, and to detect the detection detection level without depending on the skill of the operator of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to set.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1
A setting input means for inputting job setting information;
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on job setting information input by the setting input means;
Detecting means for detecting the amount of positional deviation of the image formed on the paper by the image forming means;
A storage unit that stores a database in which a deviation detection coefficient for determining quality of an image formed on a sheet by the image forming unit is associated with setting information of the job;
Calculation means for calculating a deviation detection level based on job setting information input by the setting input means and a deviation detection coefficient stored in the storage means;
A determination unit that determines the quality of the image formed on the sheet based on the deviation detection level calculated by the calculation unit and the amount of positional deviation detected by the detection unit;
Is provided.

The invention according to claim 2 further includes a changing means for changing the sag detection level calculated by the calculating means in the invention according to claim 1,
The determination unit determines the quality of the image formed on the paper based on the deviation detection level changed by the change unit and the amount of misalignment detected by the detection unit.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,
The amount of misalignment detected by the detection means is stored in the storage means,
The apparatus further comprises display means for displaying the deviation detection level calculated by the calculation means and the positional deviation amount stored in the storage means.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claims 1 to 3,
The sag detection level when image formation by the image forming unit is completed is stored in the storage unit,
Update means for updating the database stored in the storage means based on the sag detection level stored in the storage means is further provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save the setting of the spot detection level and set the spot detection level without depending on the skill of the operator of the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail.
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a mechanical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 and a post-processing apparatus 2 connected thereto.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 12, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 30, an image reading unit 31, a printer unit 40, a paper feeding unit 50, and the like.

  The operation unit 12 includes a display unit 122 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and displays various operation input screens, device status display, operation status of each function, and the like.

  The ADF 30 is attached to the upper part of the image reading unit 31 so as to be openable and closable, and automatically feeds the documents placed on the document tray T0 one by one to the document reading position on the platen glass of the image reading unit 31. When the reading at 31 is completed, the document is discharged to the document discharge tray T1.

  The image reading unit 31 includes a platen glass, a light source, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like. The image reading unit 31 reads and reads an image of a document by forming an image of reflected light of the light scanned from the light source to the document and performing photoelectric conversion. The obtained image is converted into digital image data by an A / D converter. Here, the image includes not only image data such as graphics and photographs but also text data such as characters and symbols.

The printer unit 40 functions as an image forming unit, and forms an image corresponding to image data on a sheet by an electrophotographic process. The printer unit 40 includes a laser unit 410, an image forming unit 420, a fixing unit 430, a conveying unit 440, and the like.
The laser unit 410 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 charged by the charger 42 of the image forming unit 420 with laser light based on the input image data.
The image forming unit 420 includes a photosensitive drum 41 as an image carrier, a charger 42 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to a predetermined charge, and a developer (on the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41). A developing unit 44 for supplying and developing toner, a transfer unit 45 for transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 41 onto a sheet fed from the paper feeding unit 50, and a toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 And a cleaning unit 46 that removes water.
The fixing unit 430 heat-fixes the toner image formed on the paper in the image forming unit 420.
The transport unit 440 includes a transport roller 48, a transport belt 49, a transport path switching plate 401, a duplex transport unit 402, a paper discharge roller 403, and the like. Then, it is discharged to the post-processing device 2 through the fixing unit 430. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the deviation detection unit 13 (see FIG. 2) is installed in the conveyance path of the conveyance unit 440, and detects various deviations of the transfer paper P on which image formation has been performed. .

  Here, the printer unit 40 is configured using one or a plurality of detachable writing units 14 (see FIG. 2). The writing unit 14 collects one or a plurality of parts or members into individual assemblies. For example, the image forming unit 420 may be an image forming unit in which components or members constituting the image forming unit 420 are combined, and an ADU unit (Automatic Duplex Copy Unit) in which components or members forming the fixing unit 430 and the conveying unit 440 are combined. The writing unit 14 is configured to be detachable for each unit through the housing of the image forming apparatus 1, the writing units, or other components and a connection part (not shown). Since one or a plurality of writing units exist, for the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 shows a generalized expression as the writing unit 14.

  The paper feed unit 50 is a paper feed tray that stores paper for transferring images. In the present embodiment, the paper feed unit 50 is configured by three paper feed trays, an upper stage, a middle stage, and a lower stage.

  The post-processing apparatus 2 is a post-processing apparatus having various bookbinding functions, and includes a transport unit 63, a sub-compile unit 64, a clamp unit 65, a glue application unit 66, a square back forming unit 67, a booklet storage unit 68, and the like. .

The transport unit 63 transports the paper carried from the image forming apparatus 1 to the discharge tray T2, the sub-compile unit 64, or the square spine forming unit 67.
The sub-compile unit 64 stacks and stacks the image-formed sheets carried in from the image forming apparatus 1 as a bundle of one-part sheets.
The clamp unit 65 acquires and stacks the sheets stacked and collected in the sub-compile unit 64, and performs a clamping (hardening) process when the predetermined number of sheets is reached.
The glue applying unit 66 is located on the rear side of the apparatus, and advances when the glue is applied, and applies the glue to the lower part of the sheet bundle that has been clamped when the glue is moved backward.
The square spine forming unit 67 is located below the clamp unit 65, and is raised by placing the cover sheet supplied from the image forming apparatus 1, and affixing the cover sheet to the lower part of the sheet bundle to which the glue is applied, After forming the cover attached to the sheet bundle on the corner back, the formed booklet is conveyed to the booklet storage unit 68.
The booklet storage unit 68 carries the completed booklet.

  In the above description, the case where the post-processing device 2 is a post-processing device having various bookbinding functions has been described as an example, but post-processing having other functions such as punch hole processing, saddle stitching processing, folding processing, and the like. It is good also as an apparatus.

Next, a configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus control unit 11, an operation panel 12, a deviation detection unit 13, a writing unit 14, a mechanical controller 15, an image reading unit 31, and the like.

The apparatus control unit 11 includes a main CPU 111, a storage unit 112, a calculation unit 113, a sensor output processing unit 114, a display control unit 115, a droop detection threshold DB (Data Base) unit 116, and the like.
The main CPU 111 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the inside of the apparatus control unit 11 in an integrated manner. The main CPU 111 reads out the system program and various processing programs stored in the storage unit 112 in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 12 and develops them in the arithmetic unit 113, and the respective units of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the developed programs. Centralized control of operation. Further, the main CPU 111 functions as a determination unit that determines whether or not the paper on which an image is formed is based on a deviation detection level calculated in an image forming process described later.
The main CPU 111 calculates the blackening rate of the image data based on the image data input from the image reading unit 31. In the present embodiment, the blackening rate is calculated as the cumulative value of the number of black pixels in the image data / total number of pixels × 100%.

The storage unit 112 is a memory such as a hard disk, and stores various programs used by the main CPU 111 and parameters necessary for executing the programs.
The calculation unit 113 is configured by a CPU, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and performs various calculation processes based on data received from the main CPU 111.
The sensor output processing unit 114 receives various sag detection signals detected by the sag detection unit 13, converts them into digital data corresponding to the received signals, and outputs the digital data to the main CPU 111.
The display control unit 115 controls display on the operation panel 12, displays data received from the main CPU 111 on the display unit 122, and transmits an input signal input from the operation panel 12 to the main CPU 111.
The sag detection threshold value DB unit 116 functions as a storage unit and is configured of a large-capacity storage disk or the like. Remember. The configuration of the database stored in the spot detection threshold DB unit 116 will be described later.

The operation panel 12 includes an operation panel control unit 121, a display unit 122, and the like.
The operation panel control unit 121 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like, receives a control signal from the display control unit 115, and performs display control on the display unit 122. In addition, an operation signal input from the touch panel on the display unit 122 is output to the display control unit 115.
The display unit 122 functions as a display unit, and displays various operation screens, an image status display, an operation status of each function, and the like in accordance with an instruction of a display signal input from the operation panel control unit 121. On the screen of the display unit 122, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure type) touch panel in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern is configured, and the XY coordinates of a force point pressed with a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value. The detected position signal is output to the operation panel control unit 121 as an operation signal.

  The slip detection unit 13 functions as a detection unit and is installed inside the conveyance unit 440. The deviation detection unit 13 includes a bending detection unit 131, a deviation detection unit 132, a front / back accuracy detection unit 133, and the like, and is conveyed through the conveyance unit 440. Detects various creases (that is, a positional deviation amount) of the transfer paper P. In the present embodiment, the deviation detecting unit 13 detects the bending, deviation, and front / back accuracy of the transfer paper P on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 1 as a deviation. These detection methods may be known techniques that have been devised in many ways, and examples thereof include the configurations described below.

  The bending detection unit 131 includes a paper detection sensor that includes a photo interrupter, a photo sensor, and the like. The paper detection sensor detects the rotation of an actuator or the like that is pushed and rotated by the transfer paper P that is transported through the transport unit 440, and detects the bending of the transfer paper P. The bending of the transfer paper P is a value indicating how much the transfer paper P is bent from the transport direction.

FIG. 3A shows the configuration of the bending detection unit 131 in detail. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, the bending detection unit 131 includes two paper detection sensors (each of which is referred to as a paper detection sensor 131a and a paper detection sensor 131b).
The paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b are installed at an upper part or a lower part of the position where the transfer paper P is conveyed, and are installed at positions overlapping the positions of both ends of the transfer paper P. That is, the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b can detect the transfer paper P by detecting the rotation of the actuator or the like as described above. Therefore, while the transfer paper P is being detected, a corresponding signal is output to the sensor output processing unit 114.

FIG. 3B schematically shows output values of signals received by the sensor output processing unit 114 from the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b. When the output values of the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b are constant values, it indicates that the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b are detecting the transfer paper P.
As shown in FIG. 3B, when the difference in detection timing between the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b is small, it indicates that the transfer paper P is not bent. If there is a difference in detection timing between the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b, it indicates that the transfer paper P is bent.
In the sensor output processing unit 114, the bending of the transfer paper P is detected based on the time phase difference between the detection timings of the paper detection sensor 131a and the paper detection sensor 131b, the conveyance speed of the conveyance unit 440, and the like. In the present embodiment, the unit of bending is%, 0% is that there is no bending, and 100% is that the transfer paper P is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

The deviation detection unit 132 includes a light receiving unit 132a formed of a line CCD, a light emitting unit 132b formed of a light emitting diode array, and the like. The deviation detection unit 132 detects whether the transfer unit 440 is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer paper P (unit: mm).
FIG. 4A schematically shows the deviation detection unit 132. The deviation detection unit 132 is provided with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer paper P, and detects whether or not the transfer paper P has passed through the light emitting unit and the lower part of the light receiving unit. be able to.
FIG. 4B schematically shows a cross section of the deviation detection unit 132. As shown in FIG. 4B, the deviation detection unit 132 includes a light receiving unit 132a and a light emitting unit 132b. When the light receiving unit 132a receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 132b and reflected by the transfer paper P, the deviation detection unit 132 detects whether or not the transfer paper P has passed through the lower part.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, one end of the deviation detection unit 132 is set as the deviation sensor origin, and a normal position in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is determined according to the size of the transfer paper P. Since the deviation detection unit 132 can detect the position where the transfer paper P has passed, it can detect the edge of the transfer paper P. The sensor output processing unit 114 calculates how much the position of the edge of the transfer paper P received from the deviation detection unit 132 is deviated from a predetermined normal position, and outputs the calculated value to the main CPU 111. become.

The front / back accuracy detection unit 133 includes a sensor that detects a cutting mark M printed on the transfer paper P. The cutting mark M is a mark that is printed on the transfer paper P and serves as a mark when the transfer paper P is cut.
The front / back accuracy detection unit 133 detects the deviation of the front and back images printed on the transfer paper P. Specifically, the front / back accuracy detection unit 133 detects the deviation of the front and back images from the position of the cutting mark M printed on the transfer paper P. Therefore, the sensors constituting the front / back accuracy detection unit 133 are installed so as to sandwich both surfaces of the transfer paper P transported by the transport unit 440.

  FIG. 5A schematically shows the positional relationship between the cutting mark M printed on the surface of the transfer paper P and the surface input image G1. A surface input image G1 is printed on the surface of the transfer paper P (the region indicated by the slanted lines in FIG. 5A), and a mark for cutting the region of the surface input image G1 is shown in FIG. 5A. A cutting mark M is attached at such a position. The cut mark M is similarly applied not only to the front surface of the transfer paper P but also to the back surface.

  FIG. 5B schematically shows the deviation of the cut marks on the front and back of the transfer paper P. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the cutting mark M attached to the surface of the transfer paper P is set as a cutting mark M1a (the mark shown by the solid line in FIG. 5B). The attached cut mark M is set as a cut mark M1b (a mark indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5B). In the present embodiment, a deviation in the transport direction between the cutting mark M1a and the cutting mark M1b detected by the front / back accuracy detection unit 133 is detected as front / back accuracy (unit is mm). FIG. 5A shows four cutting marks M, but the cutting mark M detected by the front / back system detection unit 133 may be any one of the four, and the average value of the four front / back precisions is calculated. You may output with respect to the sensor output process part 114. FIG. The detection as the front / back accuracy is not limited to this, and a deviation between the cutting direction of the cutting mark M1a and the cutting mark M1b in the vertical direction may be detected as the front / back accuracy.

  The mechanical control 15 is configured by a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, receives a control signal from the main CPU 111, and controls each unit constituting the printer unit 40.

Next, details of the data configuration of the deviation detection threshold value database D1 stored in the deviation detection threshold value DB unit 116 will be described.
FIG. 6 shows a deviation detection threshold value database D1 stored in the deviation detection threshold value DB unit 116. The sag detection threshold database D1 mainly includes a paper type table T1, a blackening rate table T2, an option table T3, and the like.

  FIG. 6A shows a data storage example of the paper type table T1. The paper type table T1 stores a coefficient for calculating a deviation detection level corresponding to the paper type (hereinafter referred to as a deviation detection coefficient). In the present embodiment, as described above, the deviation detection level indicates the bending, deviation, and front / back accuracy of the transfer paper P. The main CPU 111 calculates an error detection level based on the values stored in the paper type table T1 by an image forming process described later.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the paper type table T1 includes a “name” field, a “paper type detail” field, a “bend” field, a “deviation” field, and a “front / back accuracy” field.
The “name” field stores a name uniquely assigned to each record.
In the “paper type details” field, the paper type of the transfer paper P is stored.
In the “bend” field, a curvature detection coefficient (unit:%) of the bend of the paper type corresponding to the record is stored.
The “deviation” field stores the deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the deviation of the paper type corresponding to the record.
In the “front and back accuracy” field, a deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the front and back accuracy of the paper type corresponding to the record is stored.
In the example of data storage shown in FIG. 6A, if the paper type of the transfer paper P is “coated paper”, the deviation detection coefficient corresponding to “coated paper” has a bend of “0.5%” and a deviation. Is “1.0 mm”, or the front and back accuracy is “0.5 mm”.

FIG. 6B shows a data storage example of the blackening rate table T2. In the blackening rate table T2, a blur detection coefficient corresponding to the blackening rate is stored.
As shown in FIG. 6B, the blackening rate table T2 includes a “name” field, a “blackening rate detail” field, a “bend” field, a “deviation” field, and a “front / back accuracy” field. .
The “name” field stores a name uniquely assigned to each record.
The “blackening rate detail” field stores the blackening rate of the transfer paper P.
The “curvature” field stores a curl detection coefficient (unit:%) of the transfer paper P having a blackening rate corresponding to the record.
The “deviation” field stores a deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the transfer paper P having a blackening rate corresponding to the record.
In the “front and back accuracy” field, a deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the front and back accuracy of the transfer paper P having a blackening rate corresponding to the record is stored.
In the data storage example shown in FIG. 6B, if the blackening rate of the transfer paper P is “55”, the record whose “name” field is “B2” is referred to, and the curvature is “0. 7% ", the offset is" 1.5 mm ", and the front / back accuracy is" 1.0 mm ".

FIG. 6C shows a data storage example of the option table T3. The option table T3 stores a slip detection coefficient corresponding to an option of the transfer sheet P (in the present embodiment, a connection (bookbinding) option of the transfer sheet P is indicated).
As shown in FIG. 6C, the option table T3 includes a “name” field, a “connection option detail” field, a “bend” field, a “deviation” field, and a “front / back accuracy” field.
The “name” field stores a name uniquely assigned to each record.
In the “connection option details” field, connection options for the transfer paper P are stored.
In the “bend” field, a warp detection coefficient (unit:%) of a bend of the transfer sheet P of the connection option corresponding to the record is stored.
The “deviation” field stores a deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the deviation of the transfer sheet P of the connection option corresponding to the record.
In the “front and back accuracy” field, a deviation detection coefficient (unit: mm) of the front and back accuracy of the transfer sheet P of the connection option corresponding to the record is stored.
In the data storage example shown in FIG. 6C, if the connection option of the transfer paper P is “FS (straight stitching)”, a record whose “name” field is “B1” is referred to, and the curl is detected as the deviation detection coefficient. “0.6%”, the deviation is “1.2 mm”, and the front / back accuracy is “1.2 mm”.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the user spot detection database D2 stored in the spot detection threshold DB unit 116. As shown in FIG. 7, the user spot detection database D2 includes a spot detection coefficient table (installation location) T4, a spot detection coefficient table (requester) T5, a spot detection coefficient table (delivery date) T6, and the like.

FIG. 7A shows an example of data storage in the deviation detection coefficient table (installation location) T4. As shown in FIG. 7A, the spot detection coefficient table (installation location) T4 includes a “name” field, an “installation location” field, and a “spot detection coefficient” field.
The “name” field stores a name uniquely assigned to each record.
The “installation location” field stores the installation location of the image forming apparatus.
The “sag detection coefficient” field stores a value of a sag detection coefficient used in an image forming process described later.
In the example shown in FIG. 7A, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in “office”, a record whose value in the “name” field is “K4” is referred to, and “2. 0 "will be used.

FIG. 7B shows a data storage example of the sag detection coefficient table (requester) T5. As shown in FIG. 7B, the spot detection coefficient table (requester) T5 includes a “name” field, a “requester name” field, and a “spot detection coefficient” field.
Since the “name” field and the “spot detection coefficient” field are the same as the “name” field and the “spot detection coefficient” field in the slip detection coefficient table (installation location) T4, description thereof will be omitted.
The “requester name” field stores the name of the requester who has requested printing using the image forming apparatus 1.
In the example shown in FIG. 7B, when the requester who requested printing using the image forming apparatus 1 is “Company A”, the record in which the value of the “name” field is “N1” is referred to. “1.0” is used as the detection coefficient.

FIG. 7C shows a data storage example of the deviation detection coefficient table (delivery date) T6. As shown in FIG. 7C, the spot detection coefficient table (delivery date) T6 includes a “name” field, a “delivery date” field, and a “spot detection coefficient” field.
Since the “name” field and the “spot detection coefficient” field are the same as the “name” field and the “spot detection coefficient” field in the slip detection coefficient table (installation location) T4, description thereof will be omitted.
The “delivery date” field stores the delivery date of printing using the image forming apparatus 1.
In the example shown in FIG. 7C, when the delivery date of printing using the image forming apparatus 1 is “normal”, the record in which the value of the “name” field is “L1” is referred to, and an error detection coefficient is “ 1.0 "will be used.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of an image forming process when the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image. This processing is executed in cooperation with the main CPU 111 and the program stored in the storage unit 112 when an instruction for image forming processing is input to the operation panel 12. In this process, image formation is performed using the deviation detection level calculated based on the JOB setting contents (hereinafter simply referred to as JOB setting) input from the operation panel 12, and when the image formation is completed, The detection threshold database D1 is updated.
The following processing is executed by the main CPU 111.

  As shown in FIG. 8, first, the JOB setting of the image forming process is inputted by the input from the operation panel 12 (step S101). In the present embodiment, the JOB settings input in step S101 are paper type, connection option, blackening rate, and installation location. That is, in step S101, specifically, a paper type for performing image formation, a connection option, and the like are designated, and detailed settings for image formation processing are input. The blackening rate may be set by an input from the operation panel 12, or a value calculated by the image reading unit 31 reading a document when an instruction to start image formation is input. May be. By the processing in step S101, the operation panel 12 functions as a setting input unit.

Next, based on the JOB setting set in step S101, the sag detection level used in the JOB is calculated and set by being stored in the storage unit 112 (step S102).
In step S102, the deviation detection level is calculated and set by referring to the deviation detection threshold value database D1 and the user deviation detection database D2. Specifically, the paper type table T1 is referred to, and the value of the “curved” field (hereinafter referred to as A (α)) of the record in which the paper type set in step S101 and the value of the “paper type detail” field match. ), The value of the “offset” field (hereinafter referred to as A (β)), and the value of the “front and back accuracy” field (hereinafter referred to as A (γ)). Further, the blackening rate table T2 is referred to, and the value of the “curvature” field of the record in which the blackening rate set in step S101 is within the value range of the “blackening rate detail” field (hereinafter, B (α) ), The value of the “offset” field (hereinafter referred to as B (β)), and the value of the “front and back accuracy” field (hereinafter referred to as B (γ)) are extracted. Similarly, the option table T3 is referred to, the value of the “bend” field (hereinafter referred to as C (α)) of the record in which the connection option set in step S101 matches the value of the “connection option detail” field, “ The value of the “deviation” field (hereinafter referred to as C (β)) and the value of the “front and back accuracy” field (hereinafter referred to as C (γ)) are extracted.
Also, the spot detection coefficient table (installation place) T4 is referred to, and the value of the “spot detection coefficient” field (hereinafter referred to as “K”) of the record in which the installation place set in step S101 matches the value of the “installation place detail” field Is extracted). The extracted values (A (α), A (β), A (γ), B (α), B (β), B (γ), C (α), C (β), C (γ) , K) is used as a slip detection coefficient in the present embodiment.

In step S102 in the present embodiment, based on the above-extracted values, the sag detection level (bending α, offset β, front / back accuracy γ) is calculated and set by the following formulas. Note that the sag detection level calculated in step S102 may be calculated based on the JOB settings input in step S101 and the values stored in the sag detection threshold database D1 and the user sag detection database D2. Is an example and is not limited to this.

For example, the value shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the spot detection threshold database D1 and the value shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the user spot detection database D2. In step S101, the paper type is “print over”. In the case of “paper”, the blackening rate is “9 or less”, the option is “fold”, and the installation location is “PP”, the sag detection level is calculated by the following numerical values. By this processing, the main CPU 111 functions as calculation means.

  Next, the deviation detection level calculated and set in step S102 is displayed on the display unit 122 (step S103).

FIG. 9 shows an example of the sag detection level display screen G2 displayed in step S103. As shown in FIG. 9, the deviation detection level display screen G2 includes a bending tab B1, a deviation tab B2, a front / back accuracy tab B3, and the like.
In the example shown in FIG. 9, the curved tab TB1 is displayed on the sag detection level display screen G2. The bending tab TB1 includes a bending setting value display area TB1a, a bending setting value increase button TB1b, a bending setting value decrease button TB1c, a detail confirmation button TB1d, and the like.
In the bending setting value display area TB1a, the value of the deviation detection level (bending) α set in step S103 is displayed.
The curve set value increase button TB1b is an input button for increasing the value of the deviation detection level (bend) α displayed in the curve set value display area TB1a.
The bend setting value decrease button TB1c is an input button for decreasing the value of the deviation detection level (bend) α displayed in the bend setting value display area TB1a.
The detail confirmation button TB1d is a button for displaying a later-described bending detection history distribution screen G3.

  When the offset tab TB2 is selected from the operation panel 12, a screen having the same configuration as that of the bent tab TB1 is displayed, and the deviation detection level (shift) β set in step S103 is displayed. Similarly, when the front / back accuracy tab TB3 is selected from the operation panel 12, a screen having the same configuration as that of the front / back accuracy tab TB3 is displayed, and the deviation detection level (front / back accuracy) γ set in step S103 is displayed. The screen that is displayed when the offset tab TB2 and the front / back accuracy tab TB3 are selected is substantially the same as the sag detection level display screen G2 shown in FIG. 9 (that is, when the bent tab TB1 is selected), and thus description thereof is omitted. .

Next, it is determined whether or not the start of image formation has been instructed based on the deviation detection level displayed on the deviation detection level display screen G2 (step S104). Specifically, an input from the operation panel 12 does not give an instruction to change the sag detection level, and it is determined based on whether or not an instruction to start image formation is input from the operation panel 12.
If it is not determined that the start of image formation has been instructed based on the deviation detection level displayed on the deviation detection level display screen G2 (step S104; NO), the deviation detection level is changed in accordance with an input from the operation panel 12 ( In step S105), the process returns to step S104. In step S105, specifically, the bend detection is detected by an instruction from the operation panel 12 to select the bend setting value display area B1a of the bend tab B1 and to increase the bend detection level (bend) α. The level (bending) α is changed. By this processing, the operation panel 12 functions as a changing unit.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the start of image formation is instructed based on the deviation detection level displayed on the deviation detection level display screen G2 (step S104; YES), image formation is started based on the deviation detection level. (Step S106). During image formation, the set deviation detection level (bending α, deviation β, front / back accuracy γ) and the value detected by the deviation detection unit are compared, and the transfer exceeds the deviation detection level. The paper P is judged to be spoiled.

  Next, it is determined whether or not image formation has been completed (step S107). If it is not determined that the image formation has been completed (step S107; NO), it is determined whether or not a change in the detection level has been input (step S108). Specifically, the user who has confirmed the history by displaying the deviation detection history distribution screen G3 by selecting the detail confirmation button B1d of the deviation detection level display screen G2 by the input from the operation panel 12, for example, This is performed by selecting the curve setting value display area B1a of the curve tab B1 on the level display screen G2.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the deviation detection history distribution screen G2 displayed on the display unit 122. In the example shown in FIG. 10, an example is shown in which a bending detection history is displayed as the deviation detection history distribution screen G3. When the bending detection history is displayed by selecting the detail confirmation button B1d of the bending detection tab B1 on the deviation detection level display screen G2, the deviation detection history distribution screen G3 includes a bending detection history distribution G3a and a return button G3b. The
In the bending detection history distribution G3a, the data of the bending rate detected by the bending detection unit 131 of the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed. The data of the bending rate detected by the bending detection unit 1 is stored in the storage unit 112, and the bending rate detected after the start of the image forming process (the “recent” indicated by the one-dot chain line of the bending detection history distribution G3a). And the past curve rate data accumulated in the image forming apparatus 1 (indicating the value of “cumulative” indicated by the solid line of the curve detection history distribution G3a). The user displays the bending detection history distribution G3a on the display unit 122, and determines that the bending rate detected after the start of the image forming process is high, whereby an input from the sag detection level display screen G2 is performed. It is possible to instruct the change of the deviation detection level such as the bending rate. Similar confirmation screens are displayed for other sag detection levels, that is, for the deviation and front / back accuracy.
The return button G3b is a button for giving an instruction to return to the sag detection level display screen G2 (referred to as being displayed on the display unit 122).

  If it is determined that a change in the detection level is input (step S108; YES), the change is made to the changed detection level, and image formation is continued based on the changed detection level (step S109). . Specifically, the deviation detection level stored in the storage unit 112 is changed to the deviation detection level determined to have been changed in step S108, and the remaining image forming processing is performed based on the changed value. become.

If it is not determined that the change in the detection level has been input (step S108; NO), the process returns to step S107.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the image formation is completed (step S107; YES), a database update process is performed (step S110).

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the database update process performed in step S110. As shown in FIG. 11, the deviation detection level at the end of image formation is stored (step S201). More specifically, the error detection level is stored by storing the error detection level when it is determined in step S107 that the image generation processing has been completed in the job end setting table T7 stored in the error detection threshold DB unit 116. Is memorized.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the job end setting table T7 used in the database update process. As shown in FIG. 12, the JOB end time setting table T7 includes a “JOB_NO” field, a “paper type” field, a “blackening rate” field, an “option” field, a “curved” field, a “deviation” field, and a “front and back” field. Consists of the "Accuracy" field.
In the “JOB_NO” field, a number assigned to the job number instructed to the image generating apparatus 1 in step S101 is sequentially stored. In the “paper type” field, the “blackening rate” field, and the “option” field, the paper type, blackening rate, and option for which the JOB corresponding to the record is set in step S101 are stored. In the “bend” field, “offset” field, and “front and back accuracy” field, the curvature α of the deviation detection level stored in the storage unit 112 at the time when it is determined in step S106 that the image generation processing has been completed, respectively. The offset β and the front / back accuracy γ are stored.
In step S201, the sag detection level when image generation ends is stored as a new record in a record in which no data is stored.

Next, the number of data stored in the job end time setting table T7 is confirmed (step S202). In the present embodiment, the number of data to be confirmed in step S202 is confirmed by counting the number of records having the same value in the “paper type” field of the job end setting table T7, for example. Is done. For example, the number of data is obtained for each paper type, such as 100 records for the “paper type” field and “30” for the “rough paper” record. In addition, the number of records having the same value in the “blackening rate” field of the job end setting table T7 and the number of records having the same value in the “option” field may be counted.
It is determined whether or not the number of data confirmed in step S202 is equal to or greater than the number of set data stored in the storage unit 112 in advance (step S203). In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not 100 records are stored as the number of set data, that is, whether or not 100 records are stored in the job end setting table T7. The number of set data is variable.

  When it is determined that the number of data confirmed in step S202 is equal to or greater than the number of set data stored in the storage unit 112 in advance (step S203; YES), a new sag detection level is calculated (step S204). Specifically, based on the data stored in the job end time setting table T7, the maximum value obtained from the deviation detection level setting value distribution is calculated.

FIG. 13 schematically shows the deviation detection level set value distribution used in step S204. The example of FIG. 13 shows a case where the number of “reprinted paper” data is greater than or equal to the set number of data in step S203.
FIG. 13A shows the number of selections of the bending rate in the additionally printed paper. The horizontal axis represents the value of the “curvature” field of the record in which the value of the “paper type” field of the job end setting table T7 is “reprinted paper”. The vertical axis indicates the number of records in which the value of the “curved” field corresponds to the value of the horizontal axis among the records whose “paper type” field value in the job end setting table T7 is “reprinted paper”. Yes.
FIG. 13B shows the number of offset selections in the additionally printed paper. The horizontal axis is the value of the “offset” field of the record in which the value of the “paper type” field of the job end setting table T7 is “replenished paper”. The vertical axis indicates the number of records in which the value of the “deviation” field corresponds to the value of the horizontal axis among the records whose “paper type” field value in the job end setting table T7 is “reprinted paper”. ing.
FIG. 13C shows the number of selections for the front and back accuracy of the additionally printed paper. The horizontal axis represents the value of the “front and back accuracy” field of the record in which the value of the “paper type” field of the job end setting table T7 is “reprinted paper”. The vertical axis indicates the number of records in which the value of the “front and back accuracy” field corresponds to the value of the horizontal axis among the records whose “paper type” field value in the job end setting table T7 is “reprinted paper”. ing.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a value that maximizes the number of selections among the deviation detection levels distributed in the deviation detection level setting value distribution is calculated as a new deviation detection level in step S204. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, in step S204, the curve is calculated as “0.33%”, the deviation is “1.1 mm”, and the front and back accuracy is “0.8 mm”. It will be.

Next, the deviation detection threshold value database D1 is updated based on the new deviation detection coefficient calculated in step S204 (step S205), and the process ends. Specifically, when a new sag detection coefficient with the paper type “reprinted paper” is calculated in step S204 as described above, the “paper type details” field in the paper type table T1 of the sag detection threshold database D1. The deviation detection threshold is calculated by storing the new deviation detection level calculated in step S204 in the “curvature” field, “offset” field, and “front / back accuracy” field of the record whose value is “reprint paper”. Database D1 is updated. By this processing, the main CPU 111 functions as an updating unit.
On the other hand, when it is not determined that the number of data confirmed in step S202 is greater than or equal to the number of set data stored in the storage unit 112 in advance (step S203; NO), the process ends.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, by referring to the deviation detection threshold value database D1, the deviation detection level based on the JOB setting of the image formation processing is set, and image formation is performed. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to set the sag detection level regardless of the skill of the operator of the image forming apparatus 1, and it is possible to form an image with a constant quality even when the skill of the operator is immature. Further, since the spot detection level is calculated and set based on the JOB setting, it is not necessary for the operator to perform complicated setting input, and the operability when setting the spot detection level is improved.

  In addition, since the deviation detection level can be changed by inputting from the deviation detection level display screen G2 during image formation, the operator of the image forming apparatus 1 can set the deviation detection level even during execution of JOB. Can be changed. Therefore, the sag detection level can be appropriately reflected according to the judgment of the operator.

  In addition, by the input from the spot detection level display screen G2, the spot detection history distribution screen G3 can be displayed, and the past spot detection history of the image forming apparatus 1 can be displayed. Therefore, the operator of the image forming apparatus 1 can compare the JOB executed in the image forming apparatus 1 with the current JOB and determine whether or not the sag detection is increased. The judgment can be reflected.

Note that the description in the present embodiment described above is an example of a suitable image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the present embodiment, the curl, misalignment, and front / back accuracy of the transfer paper P is used as the deviation detection level. However, any deviation that can be mechanically discriminated in the image forming apparatus 1 may be used. Good.

  Moreover, although the spot detection threshold value database D1 mentioned the structure shown in FIG. 6 as an example, the spot detection threshold value database D1 should just calculate a spot detection level from a JOB setting, and is not restricted to the example shown in FIG. . For example, when the thickness of the transfer paper is set as the JOB setting, a table in which the thickness of the transfer paper corresponds to the deviation detection coefficient is held in the deviation detection threshold database D1.

  In addition, the calculation formula for calculating the sag detection level in the image forming process in the present embodiment is not limited to the example given in the present embodiment. What is necessary is just to calculate using the table of the spot detection threshold value database D1 and the user spot detection database D2, and when inputting a requester and a delivery date as a JOB setting, the spot detection coefficient is added to the formula given in the present embodiment. A value obtained by multiplying the “requester” field of the table (requester) T5 and the value of the “sag detection coefficient” field of the record whose job setting value matches, or the “delivery date” field of the problem detection coefficient table (delivery date) T6 A numerical value or the like obtained by multiplying the value of the “sag detection coefficient” field of the record that matches the JOB setting value may be calculated.

  Further, the screen displayed as the detection history of the sag detection level is not limited to the example as the bending detection history distribution screen G3 in the present embodiment. It is only necessary to display the history of the deviation detected by the image forming apparatus 1, and the history of the deviation detected in the image forming process with the matching JOB setting may be displayed.

  Further, the database update process executed in step S110 of the image forming process is not limited to the example of the present embodiment. It is only necessary to update the spot detection threshold database D1 and the user spot detection database D2 based on the history of the spot detection level used when executing the job of the image forming process. For example, based on the average value of the spot detection level setting value distribution, etc. The spot detection threshold value database D1 and the user spot detection database D2 may be updated.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each apparatus constituting the image forming apparatus 1 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mechanical configuration of an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows a bending detection part typically, (a) shows the positional relationship of the paper detection sensor which comprises a bending detection part, (b) is a figure which shows the output value of the signal which the paper detection sensor detected. . FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a deviation detection unit, where (a) illustrates a positional relationship between the deviation detection unit and transfer paper, and (b) illustrates a cross section of the deviation detection unit. It is a figure which shows a front-and-back precision detection part typically, (a) shows the cutting mark printed on a transfer paper, (b) is a figure which shows the cutting mark of the front and back of a transfer paper. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the spot detection threshold value database in this Embodiment, (a) is a data structural example of a paper type table, (b) is a data structural example of a blackening rate table, (c). Is an example data structure of an option table. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the user spot detection database in this Embodiment, (a) is a data structural example of a spot detection coefficient (installation place) table, (b) is the data of a spot detection coefficient (requester) table. It is a configuration example, and (c) is a data configuration example of a sag detection coefficient (delivery date) table. 5 is a flowchart illustrating image forming processing in the present embodiment. 6 is an example of a sag detection level display screen displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. 4 is an example of a bending detection history distribution screen displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the database update process performed in the image formation process of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a data structure of the JOB end time setting table used in a database update process. It is an example of the deviation detection level setting value distribution referred to in the database update processing, (a) shows the number of selections of bending, (b) shows the number of selections of deviation, and (c) shows the number of selections of front and back accuracy. Indicates.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Post-processing apparatus 11 Device control part 112 Memory | storage part 113 Calculation part 114 Sensor output process part 115 Display control part 116 Sag detection threshold value DB part 12 Operation panel 121 Operation panel control part 122 Display part 13 Sag detection part 131 Bending Detection unit 132 Deviation detection unit 133 Front / back accuracy detection unit 14 Writing unit 15 Mechacon 30 ADF
31 Image reading unit 40 Printer unit 410 Laser unit 420 Image forming unit 41 Photoconductor drum 42 Charger 44 Developer 45 Transfer unit 46 Cleaning unit 48 Transport roller 49 Transport belt 401 Transport path switching plate 402 Double-side transport unit 403 Discharge roller 430 Fixing unit 440 Conveying unit 50 Paper feeding unit 63 Conveying unit 64 Sub-compile unit 65 Clamp unit 66 Glue application unit 67 Square back forming unit 68 Booklet storage unit T0 Document tray T1 Document discharge tray T2 Discharge tray

Claims (4)

A setting input means for inputting job setting information;
Image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on job setting information input by the setting input means;
Detecting means for detecting the amount of positional deviation of the image formed on the paper by the image forming means;
A storage unit that stores a database in which a deviation detection coefficient for determining quality of an image formed on a sheet by the image forming unit is associated with setting information of the job;
Calculation means for calculating a deviation detection level based on job setting information input by the setting input means and a deviation detection coefficient stored in the storage means;
A determination unit that determines the quality of the image formed on the sheet based on the deviation detection level calculated by the calculation unit and the amount of positional deviation detected by the detection unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A change unit that changes the sag detection level calculated by the calculation unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not the image formed on the sheet is acceptable based on a deviation detection level changed by the change unit and a positional deviation amount detected by the detection unit. . The amount of misalignment detected by the detection means is stored in the storage means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a deviation detection level calculated by the calculation unit and the positional deviation amount stored in the storage unit. The sag detection level when image formation by the image forming unit is completed is stored in the storage unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an updating unit that updates the database stored in the storage unit based on the sag detection level stored in the storage unit.

Images