JP2015212729A - Write processor, write processing system, optical scanner, image forming apparatus, and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform prescribed processing including transfer control processing and a fixation control processing, or reduce processing load for performing the prescribed processing.SOLUTION: The above object is achieved by a write processor that performs first write processing that is write processing performed on the basis of image data, including generating exposure data that is data for performing exposure on the basis of the image data, generating pixel data in all colors on the basis of the image data, performing prescribed processing based on the pixel data in all colors, and performing write processing for writing the exposure data; and second write processing including acquiring image data of a prescribed color among the pixel data in all colors of the first write processing, generating exposure data based on the image data acquired, and performing write processing of the exposure data generated according to the image data of the prescribed color.

Description

  The present invention relates to a writing processing device, a writing processing system, an optical scanning device, an image forming device, and an image forming method.

  Conventionally, a method of storing input image data using a storage unit having a plurality of storage areas and developing the stored input image data is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the conventional method, there are cases where there are processing that cannot be performed or processing with a large processing load because the location where the image data is stored for each color is divided.

  One aspect of the present invention is to perform predetermined processing such as transfer control processing and fixing control processing, or to reduce a processing load for performing the predetermined processing.

  In one aspect, a writing processing device that performs a writing process based on image data, the generation of exposure data that is data for performing exposure based on the image data, and all colors based on the image data First writing processing means for performing generation of pixel data, predetermined processing based on the pixel data of all colors, and writing processing that is processing for writing the exposure data, and the first writing The image data of a predetermined color is acquired from the pixel data of all the colors from the image processing means, the exposure data is generated based on the acquired image data, and the exposure data generated by the image data of the predetermined color is written And a second writing processing means for performing processing.

  Predetermined processing such as transfer control processing and fixing control processing can be performed, or a processing load for performing the predetermined processing can be reduced.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the image formation process by the image forming apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the composition of the optical scanning device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a data flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. It is a timing chart explaining an example of processing which acquires pixel data in the case of the conventional functional composition. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an example of processing for obtaining pixel data in the case of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<First Embodiment>
<Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus having a secondary transfer mechanism called a tandem method in color image formation, for example. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus 100 will be described as an example.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an intermediate transfer unit (not shown). The intermediate transfer unit has an intermediate transfer belt 10 which is an endless belt. The intermediate transfer belt 10 is placed on three support rollers 14 to 16 and rotates clockwise in the case of FIG.

  The intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 17 removes the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 10 after the image forming process is performed.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes a cleaning unit 13, a charging unit 18, a charge eliminating unit 19, a developing unit 29, and a photoconductor unit 40.

  In the case of FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 may represent each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) (hereinafter referred to as appropriate symbols in parentheses). Corresponding image forming devices 20.

  The image forming device 20 is installed between the first support roller 14 and the second support roller 15. The image forming apparatuses 20 for the respective colors are installed in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) in the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt 10.

  The image forming apparatus 20 can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 100. Details of the image forming device 20 will be described later.

  The light beam scanning device 21 irradiates the photosensitive drum of the photosensitive unit 40 of each color with a light beam for image formation.

  The secondary transfer unit 22 includes two rollers 23 and a secondary transfer belt 24.

  The secondary transfer belt 24 is an endless belt and is wound around the two rollers 23 and rotates. The roller 23 and the secondary transfer belt 24 are installed so as to push up the intermediate transfer belt 10 and press it against the third support roller 16.

  The secondary transfer belt 24 transfers the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 to a recording medium. The recording medium is, for example, paper or a plastic sheet. Hereinafter, a case where the recording medium is paper will be described as an example.

  The fixing unit 25 performs a fixing process. A recording medium on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing unit 25. The fixing unit 25 includes a fixing belt 26 and a pressure roller 27. The fixing belt 26 is an endless belt. The fixing belt 26 and the pressure roller 27 are installed so as to press the pressure roller 27 against the fixing belt 26. The fixing unit 25 performs heating.

  The sheet reversing unit 28 reverses the front surface and the back surface of the sent recording medium. The sheet reversing unit 28 is used when an image is formed on the front surface and then an image is formed on the back surface.

  In an automatic paper feeder (ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) 400, when a start button of an operation unit (not shown) is pressed and there is a recording medium on the paper supply table 30, the recording medium is contact glass 32. Carry over. The automatic paper feeder 400 activates the image reading unit 300 in order to read the recording medium on the contact glass 32 placed by the user when there is no recording medium on the paper feed tray 30.

  The image reading unit 300 includes a first carriage 33, a second carriage 34, an imaging lens 35, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 36, and a light source (not shown).

  The image reading unit 300 operates the first carriage 33 and the second carriage 34 in order to read the recording medium on the contact glass 32.

  The light source in the first carriage 33 emits light toward the contact glass 32. The light from the light source on the first carriage 33 is reflected by the recording medium on the contact glass 32.

  The reflected light is reflected toward the second carriage 34 by a first mirror (not shown) in the first carriage 33. The light reflected toward the second carriage 34 passes through an imaging lens 35 and forms an image on a CCD 36 that is a reading sensor.

  The image forming apparatus 100 creates image data corresponding to each color such as Y, M, C, and K based on information obtained by the CCD 36.

  When the start button of an operation unit (not shown) is pressed, the image forming apparatus 100 receives an image forming instruction from an external device (not shown) such as a PC (Personal Computer). Start rotating. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 starts the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10 when there is a facsimile output instruction.

  When the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 10 is started, the image forming device 20 starts an image forming process. The recording medium on which the toner image is transferred is sent to the fixing unit 25. The fixing unit 25 forms an image on a recording medium by performing a fixing process.

  The paper feed table 200 includes a paper feed roller 42, a paper feed unit 43, a separation roller 45, and a transport roller unit 46. The paper feed unit 43 may have a plurality of paper feed trays 44. The conveyance roller unit 46 includes a conveyance roller 47.

  The paper feed table 200 selects one of the paper feed rollers 42. The paper feed table 200 rotates the selected paper feed roller 42.

  The paper feed unit 43 selects one of the plurality of paper feed trays 44 and sends a recording medium from the paper feed tray 44. The sent-out recording medium is separated into one sheet by the separation roller 45 and is put into the conveyance roller unit 46.

  The conveyance roller unit 46 sends the recording medium to the image forming apparatus 100 by the conveyance roller 47.

  The recording medium is sent to the registration roller 49 by the conveyance roller unit 48. The recording medium sent to the registration roller 49 is abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. The recording medium is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 22 at a timing when the toner image enters the secondary transfer unit 22 and is transferred to a predetermined position.

  The recording medium may be sent from the manual feed tray 51. When the recording medium is fed from the manual feed tray 51, the image forming apparatus 100 rotates the paper feed roller 50 and the paper feed roller 52.

  The paper feed roller 50 and the paper feed roller 52 are separated from a plurality of recording media on the manual feed tray 51 into one recording medium. The paper feed roller 50 and the paper feed roller 52 send the separated recording medium to the paper feed path 53. The recording medium sent to the paper feed path 53 is sent to the registration roller 49. The processing after the recording medium is sent to the registration roller 49 is the same as when the recording medium is sent from the paper feed table 200.

  The recording medium is fixed by the fixing unit 25 and discharged. The recording medium discharged from the fixing unit 25 is sent to the discharge roller 56 by the switching claw 55. The discharge roller 56 sends the sent recording medium to the paper discharge tray 57.

  Further, the switching claw 55 may send the recording medium discharged from the fixing unit 25 to the sheet reversing unit 28. The sheet reversing unit 28 reverses the front surface and the back surface of the sent recording medium. The reversed recording medium is subjected to image formation on the back surface as well as the front surface, so-called double-sided printing, and is sent to the paper discharge tray 57.

  On the other hand, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is removed by the intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 17. When the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is removed, the image forming apparatus 100 prepares for the next image formation.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 100 may perform image formation using five or more colors. When the image forming apparatus 100 uses five or more colors, the number of the image forming apparatus 20 in the image forming apparatus 100 is changed according to the number of colors used.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an image forming process by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an intermediate transfer belt 10, an image forming device 20 corresponding to each color, a light beam scanning device 21 corresponding to each color, an intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 17, and a secondary transfer unit 22. .

  A light beam is incident on the image forming device 20 from the light beam scanning device 21. Details of the light beam scanning device 21 will be described later.

  The image forming device 20 performs an image forming process based on the incident light beam. There are five electrophotographic image forming processes: charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The image forming process is charging, exposure, development, and transfer.

  The image forming device 20 forms a toner image of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 10 in an image forming process. The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming devices 20 of the respective colors are overlapped in order to form a four-color toner image.

  A light beam modulated based on image data is incident on the photosensitive unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The charging unit 18 performs a charging process. The charging process is a process in which the charging unit 18 charges the surface of the photoreceptor unit 40.

  The charged photoconductor unit 40 is subjected to an exposure process by a light beam. The exposure process is a process for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor unit 40.

  The development unit 29 performs a development process. The development process is a process of forming a toner image by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor unit 40. The developing unit 29 is supplied with toner from a toner bottle (not shown).

  The toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10 by the transfer device 62.

  The formed toner images of respective colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 and transferred to a recording medium as one toner image.

  After the transfer, the neutralization unit 19 neutralizes the photoconductor unit 40, and the cleaning unit 13 removes the toner image.

  When the transferred toner image enters the secondary transfer unit 22, the medium is sent to the secondary transfer unit 22. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is transferred to the recording medium sent to the secondary transfer unit 22.

  The secondary transfer unit 22 transfers the four color toner images formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 to a recording medium. Thereafter, the fixing unit 25 performs a fixing process.

  The intermediate transfer body cleaning unit 17 removes the four color toner images after the transfer process.

<Optical scanning device>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an optical scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the light beam scanning device 21 of FIG. 2 as viewed from above. The light beam scanning device 21 has the same configuration as the light beam scanning device 21 for each color.

  The optical scanning device is, for example, a light beam scanning device 21. The light beam scanning device 21 includes an optical element 211 and a writing processing device 212. Less than,. The light beam scanning device 21 will be described as an example.

  The optical element 211 is a polygon mirror 11, an fθ lens 12, an LD (Laser Diode) control board 31, a folding mirror 37, a synchronous mirror 38, and the like. The optical element 211 is a synchronization lens 39, a cylinder lens 41, a synchronization sensor 54, and the like.

  The writing processing device 212 controls each element of the optical element 211 with a control signal, and controls scanning of the light beam. Details of the writing processing device 212 will be described later.

  The LD control board 31 has a light source that emits a light beam. The light source is, for example, an LD. Hereinafter, a case where the light source is an LD will be described as an example.

  Lighting of the light source of the LD control board 31 is controlled based on image data input to the image forming apparatus 100. The light beam emitted from the LD control board 31 passes through the cylinder lens 41 and is reflected by the polygon mirror 11. The polygon mirror 11 is rotated by a motor (not shown) and deflects the incident light beam.

  The light reflected by the polygon mirror 11 passes through the fθ lens 12 and travels toward the folding mirror 37. The light reflected by the folding mirror 37 enters the image forming device 20 for each color, and scans on the photoreceptor unit 40.

  At the end where writing in the main scanning direction is performed, the light that has passed through the fθ lens 12 is reflected by the synchronization mirror 38, passes through the synchronization lens 39, and enters the synchronization sensor 54. The synchronization sensor 54 detects the writing start timing in the main scanning direction from the incident light.

  The main scanning direction is a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium. The sub-scanning direction is the conveyance direction of the recording medium. Hereinafter, the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction will be described in the same manner.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100D1, a storage device 100D2, and a control device 100D3. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 100D4 and an I / F (interface) 100D5. Each hardware included in the image forming apparatus 100 is connected by a bus and transmits / receives data to / from each other.

  The CPU 100D1 performs calculations for realizing each process performed by the image forming apparatus 100 and controls each apparatus.

  The storage device 100D2 stores data, programs, settings, and the like used by the CPU 100D1 and the ASIC 100D4. The storage device 100D2 is a so-called memory or the like.

  The control device 100D3 operates each device such as the fixing unit 25 of FIG. 1 included in the image forming device 100 based on the control of the CPU 100D1 and the ASIC 100D4.

  The ASIC 100D4 is an electronic circuit that executes each process performed by the image forming apparatus 100.

  The I / F 100D5 is an interface for inputting and outputting data, parameters, user operations, and the like to the image forming apparatus 100. The I / F 100D5 is a connector for connecting to a network, an input device, or the like.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a control device 100D3, an ASIC 100D4, and an I / F 100D5. The image forming apparatus 100 may include a plurality of control devices 100D3, ASICs 100D4, and I / Fs 100D5.

  Note that the hardware configuration is not limited to the configuration of FIG. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may include a plurality of CPUs 100D1. Moreover, the connection of each hardware is not restricted to the connection by a bus. For example, instead of a bus, there may be hardware for connection using a serial I / F or the like.

  The ASIC 100D4 may be a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

<Conventional functional configuration>
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus.

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 100 forms the input image data in four color versions of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). As shown, each color plate exposes one plate with four light sources.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image development processing unit 100F1, a first writing processing unit 100F2, a second writing processing unit 100F3, an engine control unit 100F4, a light source driver unit 100F5, and an optical element unit 100F6. Have.

  In the case of a printer application, the image development processing unit 100F1 has a function as a so-called controller. The image development processing unit 100F1 has a function of a scanner or the like in the case of a copy application. The image development processing unit 100F1 performs a development process for inputting image data to the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image development processing unit 100F1 performs processing for converting the format of the image data into a format that can be processed later. The image development processing unit 100F1 is realized by, for example, the ASIC 100D4 in FIG.

  The first writing processing unit 100F2 and the second writing processing unit 100F3 convert the developed image data into exposure data in a format that can be read by an apparatus that performs exposure performed by the light source driver unit 100F5 and the like at the subsequent stage. Process. The first write processing unit 100F2 and the second write processing unit 100F3 are realized by, for example, the ASIC 100D4 in FIG.

  The engine control unit 100F4 controls each apparatus included in the image forming apparatus 100 and controls the entire apparatus. The engine control unit 100F4 performs, for example, I / O (input / output) control such as a motor, a clutch, and a power source, and power source control. The engine control unit 100F4 is realized by, for example, the CPU 100D1 of FIG.

  The light source driver unit 100F5 controls the LD control board 31 and the like in FIG. 3, and controls lighting of a laser diode or the like that is a light source included in the LD control board 31 in FIG. The light source driver unit 100F5 is a so-called driver for performing exposure. The light source driver unit 100F5 is realized by, for example, the control device 100D3 of FIG.

  The light source is not limited to a laser diode. The light source may be a laser diode array (Laser Diode Array), for example. The light source may be, for example, a VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) or a line head (line scan head).

  In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 5, each of the first write processing unit 100F2 and the second write processing unit 100F3 drives eight light sources. The configuration of FIG. 5 is a so-called high-speed configuration. The number of light sources per plate is determined based on the productivity of the image forming apparatus 100. In the case of a so-called low speed machine with low productivity, the number of light sources per plate may be one. In the case of a so-called medium speed machine with a medium productivity, the number of light sources per plate may be two. In the case where the number of light sources per plate is two and in the case of four plates, the number of light sources is eight, and the image forming apparatus 100 may include only the first write processing unit 100F2.

  In FIG. 5, which is a conventional configuration, the image forming apparatus 100 has a configuration in which a first write processing unit 100F2 and a second write processing unit 100F3 are connected in parallel as shown in the figure. The first writing processing unit 100F2 and the second writing processing unit 100F3 each acquire only predetermined color plane image data, and output exposure data for each color plane. In FIG. 5, the first writing processing unit 100F2 processes only the color data of yellow (Y) and magenta (M). In FIG. 5, the second write processing unit 100F3 processes only cyan (C) and black (K) color plane data.

<Functional Configuration According to One Embodiment of the Present Invention>
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 6 is different from the configuration of FIG. 5 in the connection configuration of the first write processing unit 100F2 and the second write processing unit 100F3. Further, the first writing processing unit 100F2 included in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. 6 is different from the processing performed by the first writing processing unit 100F2 of FIG.

  In the configuration of FIG. 6, the first writing processing unit 100F2 acquires four-color image data of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In the configuration of FIG. 6, the second writing processing unit 100F3 is connected to the first writing processing unit 100F2 and acquires color plane image data from the first writing processing unit 100F2. In FIG. 6, the image forming apparatus 100 is configured to connect a first write processing unit 100F2 and a second write processing unit 100F3 in a cascade as illustrated.

  Unlike the configuration of FIG. 5, the first writing processing unit 100F2 acquires 4-color image data to be used. Therefore, the first writing processing unit 100F2 can have four-color image data to be used. The first writing processing unit 100F2 can perform a predetermined process based on the four-color image data.

<Configuration related to write processing unit>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the data flow of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller 100F10, a page memory 100F11, and a writing processing device 212.

  The controller 100F10 has the function of the image development processing unit 100F1 in FIG. The controller 100F10 acquires image data from an external device such as a PC and an input device such as a scanner. In the case of a printer application, image data is input to the controller 100F10 by a printer driver of the PC when a print instruction is issued from the PC. The controller 100F10 performs a developing process for converting the acquired image data into a format of, for example, a bitmap (Bitmap) format. The controller 100F10 outputs the developed image data to the writing processing device 212.

  The page memory 100F11 generates a storage area that is a work area of the controller 100F10. The page memory 100F11 is realized by, for example, the storage device 100D2 of FIG.

  In order to write exposure data to the light source driver unit 100F in FIG. 6, the writing processing device 212 performs processing to convert the image data into a format that can be read by the light source driver unit 100F5 in FIG. The writing processing device 212 performs predetermined processing based on the image data. The write processing device 212 includes a first write processing unit 100F2 and a second write processing unit 100F3.

  The first writing processing unit 100F2 and the second writing processing unit 100F3 include a video input unit 100F21, a plotter image processing unit 100F22, and a pattern data generation unit 100F23. The first write processing unit 100F2 and the second write processing unit 100F3 include a data synthesis unit 100F24, a data array conversion unit 100F25, and an exposure data generation unit 100F27. The first writing processing unit 100F2 includes a pixel data generation unit 100F26 and a processing unit 100F28.

  The video input unit 100F21 of the first writing processing unit 100F2 acquires four-color versions, that is, image data of all colors used by the image forming apparatus. The video input unit 100F21 of the second write processing unit 100F3 acquires two-color image data of cyan (C) and black (K) from the video input unit 100F21 of the first write processing unit 100F2.

  The video input unit 100F21 of the first writing processing unit 100F2 converts the acquired image data into four-color image data of toner colors yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Perform the conversion process. The video input unit 100F21 of the first write processing unit 100F2 converts the two-color image data of cyan (C) and black (K) from the converted image data into the video input unit of the second write processing unit 100F3. Output to 100F21. The video input unit 100F21 of the first writing processing unit 100F2 and the second writing processing unit 100F3 generates data corresponding to each light source to be exposed in the subsequent stage.

  The plotter image processing unit 100F22 performs image processing on the image data. The plotter image processing unit 100F22 performs image processing according to the engine characteristics of each image forming apparatus 100. The image processing includes, for example, edge processing for reducing the edge portion of the pixel in accordance with the toner adhesion characteristic, and aspect ratio correction for correcting the thickness of the vertical line and horizontal line due to the process characteristic. The image processing is, for example, smoothing correction for correcting jaggies such as diagonal lines.

  The pattern data generation unit 100F23 performs a process of generating test pattern data for performing various adjustments, corrections, and evaluations. The test pattern is, for example, a process pattern for density adjustment, a test pattern for color misregistration detection for detecting the degree of color matching of a plurality of colors, a pattern for performing engine characteristics and evaluation, and the like. The test pattern may be a special pattern for identifying an engine individual.

  The data synthesizing unit 100F24 performs a process of synthesizing the image data processed by the plotter image processing unit 100F22 and the test pattern data generated by the pattern data generating unit 100F23.

  The data array conversion unit 100F25 performs a process of converting the image data array in accordance with the light source driver unit 100F of FIG. For example, when the counter scanning optical system is used, the data array conversion unit 100F25 inverts the image data array in the main scanning direction.

  The exposure data generation unit 100F27 performs processing for generating exposure data that can be read by the light source driver unit 100F of FIG. The exposure data generation unit 100F27 generates exposure data by performing power modulation and PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) modulation when the light source to be exposed is, for example, a laser diode. The exposure data generation unit 100F27 generates 1-bit exposure data for controlling lighting when the light source to be exposed is, for example, a line head. The exposure data is data in which the gradation is improved by changing the area ratio in the sub-scanning direction.

  The pixel data generation unit 100F26 generates pixel data based on four-color image data of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The pixel data is data obtained by counting the number of dots that form an image in a predetermined area. That is, the pixel data is a total value obtained by counting the number of dots for image formation on the recording medium for a predetermined area for each color plate. For example, if the dot for image formation is “1” and the non-execution dot is “0”, the pixel data value increases as the number of dots for image formation increases. The pixel data has a particularly large value in the case of a dark color that uses many colors of the four-color version. Hereinafter, a case where the value of pixel data increases as the number of dots for image formation increases will be described as an example. The pixel data generation unit 100F26 outputs the generated pixel data to the processing unit 100F28.

  The pixel data is not limited to 1-bit data of “0” and “1”. The pixel data may be multi-value data of 2 bits or more. For example, when the image data is 4 bits, the image data is data indicating the depth of the density in 16 levels from “0” to “15” according to the depth of the density. The pixel data is data that is counted based on the image data at “1” to “15” in accordance with the depth of the density of “0” for the dot on which image formation is not performed and the depth of the image. May be.

  The processing unit 100F28 performs a predetermined process based on the pixel data. The processing unit 100F28 includes a transfer control processing unit 100F281, a fixing control processing unit 100F282, a failure prediction processing unit 100F283, a process control processing unit 100F284, and a toner supply control processing unit 100F285.

  The transfer control processing unit 100F281 performs a process for controlling the secondary transfer unit 22 of FIG. 1 based on the pixel data. The transfer control processing unit 100F281 controls a current used for transfer based on the pixel data. For example, in the case where the pixel data has a large value, the transfer control processing unit 100F281 increases the bias current value in order to increase the amount of toner to be transferred. That is, the transfer control processing unit 100F281 performs a process for controlling the bias current in order to control the amount of toner to be transferred based on the pixel data.

  The fixing control processing unit 100F282 performs processing for controlling the fixing unit 25 in FIG. 1 based on the pixel data. The fixing control processing unit 100F282 controls the fixing temperature based on the pixel data. For example, when the pixel data has a large value, the fixing control processing unit 100F282 controls the fixing temperature to be high because the amount of toner to be fixed is large. That is, the fixing control processing unit 100F282 performs processing for controlling the fixing temperature in order to perform fixing at a temperature that matches the amount of toner to be fixed based on the pixel data.

  The failure prediction processing unit 100F283 performs processing for predicting a failure of the photoconductor unit 40 and the like in FIG. 1 based on the pixel data. For example, the failure prediction processing unit 100F283 grasps a location where the pixel data has a large value. A portion where the pixel data has a large value is likely to be a portion where consumption of consumables such as the photoreceptor unit 40 in FIG. The photoconductor unit 40 in FIG. 1 is often measured for failure by a sensor (not shown), but the entire area of the photoconductor unit 40 in FIG. 1 may not be measured. The failure prediction processing unit 100F283 obtains pixel data for a region where image formation is performed, so that failure prediction can be performed for a region that is not measured by a sensor (not shown) or the like.

  The process control processing unit 100F284 performs processing for controlling execution of various adjustments and corrections based on the pixel data. The image forming apparatus 100 performs adjustment and correction such as density adjustment and color misregistration correction based on the test pattern generated by the pattern data generation unit 100F23. When the amount of toner used is large, that is, when the pixel data has a large value, the image forming apparatus 100 tends to cause color misregistration and the like, and various adjustments and corrections are often required. For example, when the pixel data has a large value, the process control processing unit 100F284 changes the settings or performs various adjustments and corrections so as to shorten the cycle for performing various adjustments and corrections. Various adjustments and corrections are not limited to density adjustment and color misregistration correction.

  The toner replenishment control processing unit 100F285 performs processing for controlling the toner replenishment amount based on the pixel data. When the pixel data has a large value, a large amount of toner is consumed. Accordingly, the toner replenishment control processing unit 100F285 increases the toner replenishment amount when, for example, the pixel data has a large value.

  The processing unit 100F28 may calculate a dot coverage, which is a ratio of the number of write dots to the number of writable dots in one page, or a value for billing calculation based on the pixel data.

  Note that the processing unit 100F28 does not necessarily include all of the transfer control processing unit 100F281, the fixing control processing unit 100F282, the failure prediction processing unit 100F283, the process control processing unit 100F284, and the toner supply control processing unit 100F285. That is, the processing unit 100F28 may have at least one of the units.

  Since the first writing processing unit 100F2 obtains the four-color image data, it can generate pixel data that combines the four colors. That is, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 6, the first writing processing unit 100F2 can generate pixel data for all colors used by the image forming apparatus 100. The first writing processing unit 100F2 can perform a predetermined process based on the pixel data.

Second Embodiment
In the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is used as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the first write processing unit 100F2 that has performed predetermined processing based on pixel data in the case of the first embodiment is configured as an engine control unit 100F4 in FIG. That is, in the second embodiment, the processing unit 100F28 of FIG. 7 is configured by the CPU 100D1 and the like of FIG. The second embodiment is a writing processing system including, for example, the writing processing device 212 of FIG. 6 and an engine control unit 100F4.

  When the CPU 100D1 in FIG. 4 performs the predetermined process based on the pixel data, the CPU 100D1 in FIG. 4 acquires the pixel data from the pixel data generation unit 100F26 in FIG.

  The transfer control process, the fixing control process, and the toner replenishment control process, which are predetermined processes, are performed by acquiring pixel data for each region divided in the sub-scanning direction. Accordingly, pixel data is acquired for each predetermined area.

<Conventional functional configuration>
FIG. 8 is a timing chart for explaining an example of processing for acquiring pixel data in the case of a conventional functional configuration.

  FGATE_YSIG01 is a signal indicating an image area in which the first writing processing unit 100F2 in FIG. 7 performs exposure for the yellow color plate. FGATE_YSIG01 is a so-called high active signal in which the High state is asserted.

  Irq_YSIG02 is a signal indicating timing for acquiring pixel data of a region obtained by dividing the yellow color plate in the sub-scanning direction. Irq_YSIG02 is a so-called high active signal in which the High state is asserted.

  Count_YSIG03 is a signal indicating a memory for storing pixel data values for the yellow color plate.

  Similarly, FGATE_MSIG04, Irq_MSIG05, and Count_MSIG06 are signals for the magenta color plate. Similarly, FGATE_CSIG07, Irq_CSIG08, and Count_CSIG09 are signals for the cyan color plate. FGATE_KSIG10, Irq_KSIG11, and Black Count_KSIG12 are signals for the black color plate.

  IRQSIG13 is an interrupt signal for requesting the acquisition of pixel data from the first write processing unit 100F2 and the second write processing unit 100F3 in FIG. 7 to the engine control unit 100F4 in FIG.

  In the case of the configuration of FIG. 5, the pixel data is generated for each color plate by the first writing processing unit 100F2 and the second writing processing unit 100F3 of FIG. The pixel data generated for each color plate is requested to be acquired from the engine control unit 100F4 in FIG. 6 at the generation timing, that is, the timing at which IRQSIG13 is asserted.

  The engine control unit 100F4 in FIG. 6 acquires pixel data for each color plane and generates pixel data for four color planes.

<Functional configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention>
FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining an example of processing for obtaining pixel data in the case of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FGATE_YSIG01 to IRQSIG13 are the same as those in FIG.

  The memory1SIG14 to the memory10SIG23 are signals indicating a memory for storing a calculation value obtained by adding up the pixel data of each color for calculating the pixel data of the four colors.

  In the memory1SIG14 to the memory10SIG23, the data “P1” to the data “P11” have the same values as the yellow pixel data, that is, “Y1” and “Y11” indicated by Count_YSIG03.

  In the memory1SIG14 to the memory10SIG23, the data “Q1” to the data “Q11” are values obtained by adding magenta pixel data to yellow pixel data. That is, the values of data “Q1” through data “Q11” are values obtained by adding the values stored in “M1” and “M11” indicated by Count_MSIG06 to data “P1” through data “P11”.

  In memory1SIG14 to memory10SIG23, data “R1” to data “R11” are values obtained by adding pixel data of yellow, magenta, and cyan. That is, the values of data “R1” to data “R11” are values obtained by adding the values stored in “C1” and “C11” indicated by Count_CSIG09 to data “Q1” to data “Q11”.

  In memory1SIG14 to memory10SIG23, data “S1” to data “S11” are values obtained by adding pixel data of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. That is, the values of the data “S1” to the data “S11” are values obtained by adding the values stored in “K1” and “K11” indicated by the Count_KSIG12 to the data “R1” to the data “R11”.

  In the case of the configuration in FIG. 7, the first writing processing unit 100F2 in FIG. 7 can calculate 4-color plane pixel data because there is 4-color version image data. As shown in FIG. 2, when image formation is performed in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, calculation of the four-color pixel data is performed by switching the memory for each area divided in the sub-scanning direction.

  In the configuration of FIG. 7, IRQSIG 13 is asserted at the timing when the four-color pixel data is calculated, that is, when the data “S1” to “S11” are calculated. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 7, the engine control unit 100F4 of FIG. 6 does not need to add pixel data of each color plane, and the calculation cost of the engine control unit 100F4 of FIG. 6 can be reduced.

  In the case of the configuration of FIG. 7, the cycle at which IRQSIG 13 is asserted can be quadrupled compared to the case of the configuration of FIG. 5 described in FIG. 8. That is, in the case of the configuration of FIG. 7, the number of times that the IRSIG 13 is asserted can be reduced to ¼ as compared with the configuration of FIG. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 can reduce the interrupt load to ¼ compared to the configuration of FIG. 5 and reduce the processing load due to the interrupt of the CPU 100D1 of FIG. it can.

  With the configuration shown in the first embodiment, the first writing processing unit 100F2 of FIG. 7 can generate 4-color pixel data. Based on the generated pixel data, the image forming apparatus 100 can perform predetermined processing such as transfer control processing and fixing control processing.

  With the configuration shown in the second embodiment, the engine control unit 100F4 in FIG. 6 can acquire four-color pixel data with fewer interruptions. Further, with the configuration shown in the second embodiment, the engine control unit 100F4 in FIG. 6 can reduce the processing load for calculating the four-color pixel data from the pixel data of each color plate. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can reduce the processing load related to the generation of the four-color pixel data for performing the predetermined processing by the configuration shown in the second embodiment.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Can be changed.

100 Image forming apparatus 100D1 CPU
100D2 Storage device 100D3 Control device 100D4 ASIC
100D5 I / F
100F1 Image development processing unit 100F2 First writing processing unit 100F3 Second writing processing unit 100F21 Video input unit 100F22 Plotter image processing unit 100F23 Pattern data generation unit 100F24 Data composition unit 100F25 Data array conversion unit 100F26 Pixel data generation unit 100F27 Exposure data Generation unit 100F28 Processing unit 100F281 Transfer control processing unit 100F282 Fixing control processing unit 100F283 Failure prediction processing unit 100F284 Process control processing unit 100F285 Toner replenishment control processing unit 100F4 Engine control unit 100F5 Light source driver unit 100F6 Optical element unit 100F10 Controller 100F11 Page memory 10 Intermediate Transfer belt 11 Polygon mirror 12 fθ lens 13 Cleaning units 14, 15, 16 Support roller 17 Intermediate transfer member cleaning unit 18 Charging unit 20 Image forming device 21 Optical beam scanning device 21F1 LD control unit 211 Optical element 212 Writing processing device 22 Secondary transfer unit 23 Roller 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing unit 26 Fixing belt 27 Addition Pressure roller 28 Sheet reversing unit 29 Developing unit 30 Paper feed base 31 LD control board 32 Contact glass 33, 34 Carriage 35 Imaging lens 36 CCD
37 Folding mirror 38 Synchronous mirror 39 Synchronous lens 40 Photosensitive unit 41 Cylinder lenses 42, 50, 52 Paper feed roller 43 Paper feed unit 44 Paper feed tray 45 Separating rollers 46, 48 Transport roller unit 47 Transport roller 49 Registration roller 51 Manual feed Tray 53 Paper feed path 54 Synchronization sensor 55 Switching claw 62 Transfer device 70 Line memory 200 Paper feed table 300 Image reading unit 400 Automatic paper feeder (ADF)
SIG01 FGATE_Y
SIG02 Irq_Y
SIG03 Count_Y
SIG04 FGATE_M
SIG05 Irq_M
SIG06 Count_M
SIG07 FGATE_C
SIG08 Irq_C
SIG09 Count_C
SIG10 FGATE_K
SIG11 Irq_K
SIG12 Count_K
SIG13 IRQ
SIG14 memory1
SIG15 memory2
SIG16 memory3
SIG17 memory4
SIG18 memory5
SIG19 memory6
SIG20 memory7
SIG21 memory8
SIG22 memory9
SIG23 memory10

JP 2007-290216 A

Claims (10)

A writing processing device for performing writing processing based on image data,
Generation of exposure data that is data for performing exposure based on the image data; generation of pixel data of all colors based on the image data; predetermined processing based on the pixel data of all colors; First writing processing means for performing writing processing that is processing for writing exposure data;
Image data of a predetermined color is acquired from the pixel data of all the colors from the first writing processing means, and exposure data is generated based on the acquired image data and the image data of the predetermined color is generated. And a second writing processing unit for performing exposure data writing processing. A writing processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus,
The predetermined process is:
In the image forming apparatus,
The writing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing processing apparatus is a transfer control process for controlling a current related to transfer of the image forming apparatus based on the pixel data. A writing processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus,
The predetermined process is:
In the image forming apparatus,
The writing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing processing apparatus is a fixing control process for controlling a temperature related to fixing of the image forming apparatus based on the pixel data. A writing processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus,
The predetermined process is:
In the image forming apparatus,
The writing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing processing apparatus is a failure prediction process for predicting a failure of the photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus based on the pixel data. A writing processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus,
The predetermined process is:
In the image forming apparatus,
The writing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing processing apparatus is a process control process that performs at least one of density adjustment and color misregistration correction based on the pixel data of the image forming apparatus. A writing processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus,
The predetermined process is:
In the image forming apparatus,
The writing processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing processing apparatus is a toner supply control process for controlling a toner supply amount related to image formation based on the pixel data of the image forming apparatus.   An optical scanning device comprising the writing processing device according to claim 1.   An image forming apparatus comprising the writing processing apparatus according to claim 1. A writing processing system having a writing processing device that performs writing processing based on image data, and a processing device,
The writing processing device comprises:
Generation of exposure data that is data for performing exposure based on the image data, generation of pixel data for all colors based on the image data, and writing processing that is processing for writing the exposure data are performed. First writing processing means;
Image data of a predetermined color is acquired from the pixel data of all the colors from the first writing processing means, and exposure data is generated based on the acquired image data and the image data of the predetermined color is generated. A writing processing device having a second writing processing means for performing exposure data writing processing;
The processor is
A writing processing system comprising processing means for acquiring the pixel data from the first writing processing means and performing predetermined processing. A writing processing method for causing a writing processing device to perform writing processing based on image data,
In the writing processing device,
Generation of exposure data that is data for performing exposure based on the image data; generation of pixel data of all colors based on the image data; predetermined processing based on the pixel data of all colors; A first writing process procedure for performing a writing process that is a process for writing exposure data;
Image data of a predetermined color is acquired from the image data of all colors used in the first writing processing procedure, and exposure data is generated based on the acquired image data, and is generated with the image data of the predetermined color And a second writing process procedure for performing the exposure data writing process.

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