JP2018072725A - Image formation apparatus, image formation system, image formation method and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly perform image quality adjustment on a transfer medium used in additional printing.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: an image formation unit which forms an image on a transfer medium; and a control unit which controls the image formation unit. The control unit includes: an image quality adjustment function of printing an adjustment image on the transfer medium and performing image quality adjustment of the image formation unit by receiving the image reading result of the adjustment image; and an additional printing function of printing an additional printing image so as to be overlapped on a base image printed on the transfer medium. When performing image quality adjustment on the transfer medium used in the additional printing, a portion or the whole of the adjustment image is printed so as to be overlapped on the base image or an adjustment base image different from the base image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and a control program capable of adjusting image quality and performing overprint printing on a transfer medium.

In the image forming apparatus, a technique for printing an adjustment image such as an alignment image or a color adjustment chart, reading the printed alignment image or color adjustment chart, and performing image formation adjustment is known. The adjustment image is often printed using a region that does not affect the output image of the job, that is, a margin.
For example, in Patent Document 1, a dedicated positioning mark is formed in a margin portion of a fixed sheet material in order to align the image positions on both sides of a sheet, the mark is read by a sensor, and the main scanning direction, sub-scanning direction, and rotation are read. Direction image position correction is performed.
In Patent Document 2, when printing an image on label paper, a margin where a job image on a sticker label paper is not printed is specified, a color adjustment patch is printed on the margin, and the color is measured with a colorimeter. This makes it possible to perform color adjustment.

JP 2000-305324 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-196334

By the way, when an image is formed on a sheet that has undergone special processing such as lame processing, there is a problem that the toner is not placed on the sheet as intended, and the color or the like cannot be reproduced correctly. Therefore, before the image is formed, the background image is printed in advance on the printing position of the paper, and the job image is additionally printed on the background image, so that even special processed paper can be printed with good color reproducibility. It is possible to do.
However, when image quality adjustment is performed on paper that has been specially processed, if the adjustment image is printed on the margin of the paper as described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, the adjustment image is applied to the paper. Since it is difficult to load, there is a problem that the adjustment image cannot be printed satisfactorily and it is difficult to appropriately adjust the image quality.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming control method, and a control program that can appropriately perform image quality adjustment on a transfer medium on which a base image is formed. The purpose is to provide.

That is, among the image forming apparatuses of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is:
An image forming unit for forming an image on a transfer medium;
A control unit for controlling the image forming unit,
The control unit prints an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receives an image reading result of the adjustment image, and adjusts an image quality of the image forming unit, and an underlying image printed on the transfer medium A reprint printing function for printing a reprint image on top of it, and
When image quality adjustment is performed using a transfer medium used for reprint printing, a part or all of the adjustment image is printed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit performs image quality adjustment based on an image reading result of an area where the background image or the adjustment background image overlaps the adjustment image. It is characterized by performing.

  Another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the present invention of the above aspect, the overprint image has the same shape as the background image and is entirely overlaid on the background image.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the present invention of the above aspect, the control unit may control the background image or the adjustment image when the normal adjustment image has a shape that fits in the area of the background image or the adjustment background image. If the image for adjustment is overprinted on the area in the background image and overprinted, and the normal adjustment image has a shape that exceeds the area of the background image or the background image for adjustment, the adjustment image is shaped to fit within the area. Is overprinted on the background image or the area in the adjustment background image.

In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, there are a plurality of background images or a plurality of background images for adjustment,
When the area where the background image or the adjustment background image overlaps with the adjustment image is insufficient for image quality adjustment, the control unit overlays the adjustment image on another background image or the adjustment background image. It is characterized by printing.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit may not increase an area where the base image or the base image for adjustment overlaps with the image for adjustment because the image quality adjustment is insufficient. In this case, the printing of the adjustment image is stopped.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit notifies the user that the adjustment is stopped when the adjustment image is stopped.

In another aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit.
The control unit registers a history of additionally printing the adjustment image in the storage unit.

  According to another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the present invention of the above aspect, the history includes a use location of a base image or a base image for adjustment.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the invention of the above aspect, the history includes a type of the adjustment image associated with the use location of the background image or the adjustment background image.

  In another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus, in the aspect of the invention, the control unit may print the adjustment image on a plurality of background images or the adjustment base images and obtain the reading result of the transfer medium. The image quality adjustment is performed by combining the read data of the background image or the adjustment background image.

  Another aspect of the invention of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the present invention of the above aspect, the transfer medium is a continuous transfer medium.

  The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the present invention of the above form, an image reading unit for reading an image formed on the transfer medium is provided.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the aspect of the invention, the image reading unit is a line sensor or / and a colorimeter.

  The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the present invention of the above form, the transfer medium has a surface specially processed.

  An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the aspect of the invention, the base image is a white plate.

Of the image forming systems of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising a management device that manages the image forming apparatus.
A controller that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus and manages the image forming apparatus;
The control unit prints an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receives an image read result of the adjustment image, adjusts image quality in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, and prints an upper image on the transfer medium. Control overprinting to print overprinted images on top of each other,
Further, when image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, control is performed so that a part or all of the adjustment image is printed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. It is characterized by.

Of the image forming methods of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is a step of printing an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receiving an image reading result of the adjustment image, and performing image quality adjustment in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus. When,
A step of performing reprint printing for superimposing a reprint image on a base image printed on a transfer medium and printing,
When image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, the method includes a step of printing a part or all of the adjustment image on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. And

Of the control programs of the present invention, the first aspect of the present invention is a control program executed by a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus,
Printing an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receiving an image reading result of the adjustment image, and controlling image quality adjustment in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus;
And a step of controlling reprint printing in which a reprint image is overlaid on a base image printed on a transfer medium.
Further, when image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, a step of controlling printing in which part or all of the adjustment image is superimposed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately perform image quality adjustment with a transfer medium used for follow-up printing.

1 is a diagram showing a mechanical outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the mechanical outline of the image reading apparatus used for embodiment. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the mechanical outline of the image forming apparatus of another form. Similarly, it is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus. Similarly, it is a diagram illustrating a procedure for forming a plate and a reprint image on a sheet that has been subjected to lame processing by the reprint printing function. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the state which printed the chart according to the position of the plate. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of chart printing. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure when reading and adjusting a printed chart.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 and shows a mechanical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10, a large-capacity paper feed tray 20, and a post-processing device (FNS) 30. The large-capacity paper feed tray 20 is connected to the front side of the apparatus main body 10, and the post-processing device (FNS) 30 is connected to the rear stage side of the apparatus main body 10. In the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to transport and communicate paper between the apparatuses. The post-processing apparatus may be built in the apparatus main body 10.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is configured by the apparatus main body 10, the large-capacity paper feed tray 20, and the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 30, but the combination of the apparatus main body 10 and other apparatuses is as follows. It is not particularly limited. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus may be configured only by the apparatus main body 10 and the image forming system may be configured by other apparatuses.

  The large-capacity paper feed tray 20 stores paper. The large-capacity paper feed tray 20 has a transport path (not shown), and the paper is transported on the transport path and supplied to the transport path 13 of the apparatus main body 10. In this embodiment, the paper corresponds to the transfer medium of the present invention. In the present invention, the transfer medium is not limited to paper, and may be made of cloth or plastic.

  A scanner unit 130 including a CCD 131 and a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 16 are provided on the housing upper side of the apparatus main body 10. The CCD 131 can read a document set on the platen glass 17 and can read a document fed by a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 16 through a slit glass 18 for reading an ADF document. It is possible.

  Further, an operation display unit 14 provided with a touch panel on the LCD is provided at a position where the platen glass 17 is not located on the upper side of the apparatus main body 10. The operation display unit 14 can be operated by an operator and display information, and also serves as the display unit and the operation unit of the present invention. In the present invention, the display unit and the operation unit can be configured separately.

  A plurality of paper feed trays (1-3) 12 (three stages in the figure) are provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 10. Sheets are stored in the sheet feed tray (1-3) 12.

A transport path 13 is provided in the apparatus main body 10, and transport rollers such as the second paper feed roller 13 </ b> A are provided in the transport path 13. A sheet fed from the large capacity sheet feeding tray 20 or the sheet feeding tray (1-3) 12 is conveyed on the conveying path 13 by the second sheet feeding roller 13A or the like. In addition, a detection unit that detects an image on the sheet can be provided on the conveyance path 13 upstream of the image forming unit 15 after the sheet is introduced. When the alignment image and the preceding image are formed on the paper, it is possible to detect the alignment image and print a follow-up image in accordance with the preceding image.
An image forming unit 15 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 13 in the apparatus main body 10. The image forming unit 15 includes an LD 15A, a photoreceptor 15B, a charger 15C, a developing unit 15D, a transfer unit 15E, a fixing unit 15F, and the like.

  In the image forming unit 15, the charger 15C, the developing unit 15D, and the transfer unit 15E are arranged around the photoconductor 15B. The charger 15C uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 15B. The LD 15A irradiates the photoconductor 15B having a uniformly charged surface with a semiconductor laser to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 15B. The developing device 15D develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 15B with a toner material, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor 15B. The transfer unit 15E transfers the toner image on the photoconductor 15B to the sheet conveyed through the conveyance path 13. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 15B and conveyed to the fixing device 15F. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 15B is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). The fixing device 15F heats the conveyed paper and fixes the toner image transferred to the front surface side of the paper. In this way, image formation in the image forming unit 15 is performed.

Further, in the conveyance path 13, the reverse conveyance path 13B is branched on the downstream side of the fixing unit 15F. The reverse conveyance path 13 </ b> B merges with the conveyance path 13 at a position upstream of the image forming unit 15.
In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet on which the image is fixed is conveyed as it is through a post-processing device (FNS) 30. In the case of duplex printing, the fixed paper is switched back by the reverse conveyance path 13B, and a predetermined image is transferred to the back side of the paper by the image forming unit 15. The paper on which images are formed on both sides is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 30.

  The image forming unit 15, the paper feed tray (1-3) 12, the large-capacity paper feed tray 20, the transport path 13, transport rollers such as the second paper feed roller 13 </ b> A, and a motor (not shown) that drives the transport rollers are described later. The printer unit 150 can be configured.

The post-processing device (FNS) 30 includes an image reading unit 31. The image reading unit 31 includes a line sensor using a CCD sensor or a spectrocolorimeter, and can read an image on the surface of a sheet and obtain a reading result.
The post-processing device (FNS) 30 has a post-processing unit (not shown), and can perform a desired post-processing on the paper conveyed from the device main body 10. In the present invention, the content of post-processing is not particularly limited, and desired post-processing such as stapling, punching, center folding, and bookbinding can be performed. In addition, you may not have a post-processing apparatus. Further, the post-processing device (FNS) 30 has a conveyance path (not shown). The paper on which the image is printed is transported on the transport path, and is discharged without post-processing or with post-processing.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10, a large-capacity paper feed tray 20, and a post-processing apparatus (FNS) 30, but the number of apparatuses constituting the image forming apparatus and The type is not particularly limited. For example, a plurality of post-processing devices may be provided, and a relay device or an image reading device may be provided between the devices. In addition, the image forming system of the present invention may be configured by combining the apparatus main body 10 and another apparatus, and the image forming system may be configured by the image forming apparatus 1 and an external apparatus 4 described later. Furthermore, the image forming system may be configured only by the external device 4.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the image reading unit 31 is provided in the post-processing apparatus (FNS) 30 and the image on the paper is read inside the image forming apparatus 1. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is different from the image forming apparatus 1. The image may be read by the apparatus.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 and the image reading apparatus 40 may be provided offline, and the image reading apparatus 40 may be used to read an image on a sheet.

  The image reading apparatus 40 includes a conveyance path 41 that conveys a sheet to be read. An upstream scanner 42, a downstream scanner 43, and a colorimeter 44 are provided in the vicinity of the conveyance path 41 in the order of sheet conveyance. It has been. The upstream scanner 42 and the downstream scanner 43 are constituted by line sensors such as CCD sensors, and the colorimeter 44 is constituted by a spectrocolorimeter. The upstream scanner 42 can read an image on the lower surface of the paper, and the downstream scanner 43 and the colorimeter 44 can read an image on the upper surface of the paper. The reading result acquired by the image reading device 40 is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming device 1, and the image forming device 1 can adjust the image quality of the image forming unit 15 based on the reading result received from the image reading device 40. it can. As image quality adjustment, desired adjustments such as gradation correction and alignment can be performed. The upstream scanner 42, the downstream scanner 43, and the colorimeter 44 correspond to the image reading unit of the present invention.

In the above description, the image forming apparatus 1 uses a cut sheet as a sheet, but may be an image forming apparatus that uses a continuous transfer medium.
Another form of image forming apparatus 1A using a continuous transfer medium will be described with reference to FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A includes an apparatus main body 50, a paper feed unit 60, and a paper discharge unit 70. The paper feed unit 60 is provided at the front stage of the apparatus main body 50, and the paper discharge unit 70 is provided at the rear stage side of the apparatus main body 50. Each device is electrically and mechanically connected, and paper conveyance and communication between the devices are possible.

  The paper feed unit 60 stores roll paper as a transfer medium, and can supply the roll paper to the apparatus main body 50. The roll paper corresponds to the continuous transfer medium of the present invention. The continuous transfer medium is not limited to roll paper, and any continuous paper can be used. For example, continuous form paper can be used. The material of the continuous transfer medium is not limited to paper, and may be cloth or plastic.

  A pouring type automatic document feeder (ADF) 55 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 50. The sheet fed by the casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 55 can be read by the CCD of the apparatus main body 50. The document can also be read through the platen glass on the upper part of the apparatus main body 50.

  An operation display unit 54 provided with a touch panel on the LCD is provided at a location above the apparatus main body 50 where the platen glass is not located. The operation display unit 54 can be operated by an operator and display information, and serves as both the display unit and the operation unit of the present invention. In the present invention, the display unit and the operation unit can be configured separately.

  The apparatus main body 50 has a conveyance path 52, and a conveyance roller is provided along the conveyance path 52. The transport roller is driven by a motor or the like (not shown), and the roll paper supplied from the paper feed unit 60 is transported along the transport path 52.

An image forming unit 51 is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 52. The image forming unit 51 includes a photoreceptor 51B for each color, a secondary transfer belt 51G, a transfer unit 51E, and a fixing device 51F, and further includes an LD 51A (shown in FIG. 4), a charger, a developing device (not shown), and the like. Have.
In the image forming unit 51, the charger, the developing unit, and the transfer unit 51E are arranged around the respective photoreceptors 51B. The charger uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 51B. The semiconductor laser is irradiated by the LD 51A to the photoconductor 51B whose surface is uniformly charged by the charger, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 51B. The developing device develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 51B with a toner material, and forms a toner image on the photoconductor 51B. The toner image formed on each photoreceptor 51B is transferred to the secondary transfer belt 51G, and the transfer unit 51E transfers the toner image on the secondary transfer belt 51G to the roll paper conveyed through the conveyance path 52. The roll paper to which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 51F. The toner material remaining on the photoreceptor 51B and the secondary transfer belt 51G is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown). The fixing device 51F heats the conveyed paper and fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the paper. Image formation is performed in the image forming unit 51 by the above procedure.

  A detection unit 53 is provided in the conveyance path 52 on the upstream side of the image forming unit 51. The detection unit 53 includes a line sensor that reads an image on a sheet. When the alignment image and the preceding image are formed on the roll paper, the detection unit 53 detects the alignment image on the paper. The control unit that has received the detection result of the detection unit 53 prints a follow-up image in accordance with the preceding image corresponding to the position of the alignment image. This function in the control unit is a reprint printing function.

An image reading unit 56 is provided in the conveyance path 52 at a position downstream of the fixing unit 51F. The image reading unit 56 can be configured by a line sensor using a CCD sensor or the like, and can also be configured by a spectrocolorimeter, or a combination thereof. The image reading unit 56 may read an image on a sheet with a point using a colorimeter or the like, or may acquire an image on the entire sheet using a line sensor or the like. The read image is sent to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1A and used for image quality adjustment.
The image forming unit 51, the paper feeding unit 60, the conveyance path 52, the conveyance roller, a motor (not shown) that drives the conveyance roller, and the like constitute a printer unit of the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A. The paper discharge unit 70 can roll up and store the roll paper conveyed from the apparatus main body 50.

  In the image forming apparatus 1A, the image reading unit 56 is described as being provided in the apparatus main body 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image reading unit 56 is disposed at an arbitrary position downstream of the image forming unit 51. In addition, an apparatus having an image reading device may be provided outside the image forming apparatus 1A so that the image forming apparatus 1A can obtain a reading result of the image reading apparatus.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1A includes the apparatus main body 50, the paper feeding unit 60, and the paper discharging unit 70. However, the number and types of the devices constituting the image forming apparatus 1A are not particularly limited in the present invention. For example, the image forming apparatus may have only the apparatus main body 50, and the apparatus main body 50 and another apparatus may be combined to constitute the image forming system of the present invention. Furthermore, the image forming system may be configured by the image forming apparatus 1A and an external apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus 1A, or the image forming system may be configured only by the external apparatus.

Next, a functional description of the image forming apparatus will be given based on the block diagram of FIG. Each function can be applied to both the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1A.
FIG. 4 shows a circuit block of an image forming apparatus that functions as a digital multifunction peripheral (copier, printer, scanner) and a network configuration that constitutes the image forming system.
The image forming apparatus includes a digital copier main body and an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160. The digital copier body includes a control block 110, a scanner unit 130, an operation display unit 14 or an operation display unit 54, and a printer unit 150. An image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 processes data input from the outside.
An external device 4 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 through a network 3. The external device 4 includes an external control unit 400 and an external display unit 410, and the external control unit 400 can control the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 and the external apparatus 4 constitute an image forming system of the present invention. Note that the image forming system may be configured only by the external device 4.

  The control block 110 has a PCI bus 112. The PCI bus 112 is connected to an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the PCI bus 112. An image memory 120 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The image memory 120 includes a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122. The compression memory 121 is a memory for storing job management information and compressed image data such as a document. The page memory 122 temporarily stores page image data to be printed before image formation.

  An HDD 127 is connected to the PCI bus 112. The HDD 127 stores jobs and the like generated by the image forming apparatus 1 and the external apparatus 4. The HDD 127 can store a plurality of jobs. Each job includes information on the entire job, image data, and printing conditions. Further, the HDD 127 can store a history of additionally printing the adjustment image in the HDD 127. In this case, the HDD 127 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention. The history may include the location where the adjustment base image is used, the type of the adjustment image, and the like, and these may be stored in association with each other.

The control block 110 includes a control CPU 113, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113.
A ROM 114 and a nonvolatile memory 115 are connected to the control CPU 113. The non-volatile memory 115 stores initial print setting information of the image forming apparatus 1, output profile information, machine setting information such as process control parameters, various user setting values, and paper setting information (paper size, paper type) of each paper feed tray. Etc., a predetermined image quality standard), job management information, and the like are stored in a readable and writable manner. Further, in the non-volatile memory 115, information on the positional relationship between the alignment image and the preceding image, data for an adjustment image such as a patch, data related to the size and shape of the adjustment image, job Management information, control parameters for performing adjustment based on the read result of the adjustment image, and the like are stored. In the ROM 114, a program for causing the control CPU 113 to execute a predetermined operation is stored in a readable manner.

  The control CPU 113 can read the nonvolatile data in the ROM 114 and the nonvolatile memory 115, and can write desired data in the nonvolatile memory 115 as nonvolatile data. The control CPU 113 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the above-described machine setting information, print setting information, job management information, and the like.

The control CPU 113 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and constitutes a control unit of the present invention together with a program executed by the control CPU 113, a ROM 114, a nonvolatile memory 115, and the like. The control CPU 113 performs control to realize the image quality verification adjustment function. The control CPU 113 performs management control such as reservation and execution of jobs stored in the HDD 127 and the compression memory 121.
Data relating to jobs, paper setting information for each paper feed tray, paper profile information, control parameters for performing reprint printing, and the like are stored in a ROM, nonvolatile memory 115, HDD 127, RAM (not shown), and the like. The program executed by the control CPU 113 includes the control program of the present invention, and has an image quality adjustment function, a reprint printing function, and the like. The control program may be stored in a movable recording medium so as to be movable.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 113 so that serial communication is possible. The CCD 131 is connected to the reading processing unit 116, and image data read by the CCD 131 is processed by the reading processing unit 116. A compression IC 118 that compresses image data is connected to the reading processing unit 116, and the compression IC 118 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111.

  The operation display units 14 and 54 include an LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 has a touch panel, and the operation unit control unit 142 controls the entire operation display unit. The operation display units 14 and 54 serve both as display and operation, and the LCD 141 is provided in the operation display unit 14 of FIG. The operation display units 14 and 54 correspond to the display unit of the present invention. The operation unit control unit 142 is connected to the control CPU 113 so that serial communication is possible. In the operation display units 14 and 54, under the control of the control CPU 113, settings relating to machine setting input and output such as print settings and operation control conditions in the image forming apparatus, and setting of paper information of each paper feed tray are performed by the LCD 141. (Size, paper type), output mode setting (for example, normal copy mode, confirmation copy mode), image quality adjustment setting, adjustment image shape setting, and the like are possible. Furthermore, the operation display units 14 and 54 can display desired information such as display of setting contents, a list of reserved jobs, and display of messages.

  Further, the decompression IC 125 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111, the write processing unit 126 is connected to the decompression IC 125, and the write processing unit 126 is connected to the LD 151A (laser diode) of the printer unit 150. The decompression IC 125 decompresses the compressed image data. The write processing unit 126 processes write data used for the operation of the LD 15A. In addition, the printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 152 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, and the like). The printer control unit 152 is connected to the control CPU 113 described above. ing. The printer control unit 152 operates according to a control command from the control CPU 113 and controls the printer unit 150.

  In addition, a DRAM control IC 161 of an image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 is connected to the PCI bus 112. The image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 receives image data or the like from the external device 4 on the network 3 by the image forming device 1 when the image forming device is used as a network printer or a network scanner, The image data acquired by the unit 130 is transmitted to the external device 4 or the like.

  In the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, an image memory (DRAM) 162 composed of a DRAM or the like is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. The image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 has a common bus, and a DRAM control IC 161, a controller control CPU 163, a LAN interface 165, and an HDD 166 are connected to the common bus. The controller control CPU 163 controls the entire image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the network 3.

The external device 4 can be used as a device that functions as a terminal, a management device that manages the image forming apparatus, and the like. The external device 4 includes an external device control unit 400 that controls the entire external device 4, and the external device control unit 400 can be configured by a CPU, a program that operates the CPU, a storage unit, and the like. The external device control unit 400 can also manage by communicating with the image forming apparatus. In this case, the external device control unit 400 can function as a control unit that manages the image forming apparatus. 4 corresponds to the management device of the present invention. The network 3 may be used as a WAN in addition to the LAN, and may be wireless or wired.
The external device 4 may directly control the image forming apparatus, or the control contents are instructed to the image forming apparatus, and the control contents are executed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the instruction contents. It may be.
In addition, other devices can be connected to the network 3. For example, the image reading device 40 can be connected to the network, and a reading result obtained by reading an image formed by the image forming device can be acquired from the image reading device 40. It is good. In this case, the reading result is acquired through the LAN interface 165.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.
First, a case where image data is captured will be described.
First, the case where the image forming apparatus 1 reads an image with the scanner unit 130 and generates image data will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the control CPU 113. The reading of the document may be performed by an automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 or may be performed by placing the document on the platen glass 137. The control CPU 113 operates according to a program and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation by the operation display unit 140.

The image data acquired by the CCD 131 is subjected to predetermined processing in the reading processing unit 116. Thereafter, after being compressed by the compression IC 118, it is stored in the compression memory 121 of the image memory (DRAM) 120 via the DRAM control IC 111. When image data is stored in the HDD 127, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is stored in the HDD 127 via the DRAM control IC 111.
In storing image data, printing conditions such as job setting information may be stored in association with each other.

Secondly, a case where image data is acquired from the outside, that is, a case where image data is acquired from a device connected to the network 3 will be described. Examples of the image data include data generated by an application program of the external device 4 or data generated by another image forming apparatus.
Image data input from the network 3 is received by the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 via the LAN interface 165 and temporarily stored in the image memory (DRAM) 162 and the HDD 166 by the DRAM control IC 161. Data in the image memory (DRAM) 162 and the HDD 166 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 111 via the PCI bus 112 and temporarily stored in the page memory 122. The data stored in the page memory 122 is sequentially sent to the compression IC 118 via the DRAM control IC 111 and subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111. When storing in the HDD 127, the data stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111 is stored in the HDD 127.

  It is also possible to receive job setting information and the like together with the image data, and each data relating to the job is stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 as job management information. In addition, as job setting information, information such as whether to perform reprint printing or whether to perform image formation on a sheet on which a plate is formed in advance, or on a sheet on which a preceding image is formed When performing reprint printing, information on the size and shape of the preceding image, information on the positional relationship between the alignment mark and the plate, the number of plates, and the like may be included. Note that when the preceding image is the background of the alignment image, it is referred to as a background image.

When printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 1, printing is performed according to the printing conditions of the job. First, based on the job management information, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the decompression IC 125 via the DRAM control IC 111 to decompress the data. When the image data stored in the HDD 127 is output as an image, the image data is temporarily stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111 and sent to the decompression IC 125 via the DRAM control IC 111 to decompress the data.
The decompressed data is sent to the write processing unit 126 via the DRAM control IC 111 to generate write data, and is written on the photoconductor 151B by the LD 15A. Further, in the printer unit 150, the printer control unit 152 that has received a command from the control CPU 113 controls each of the units such as the paper feed tray (1-3) 12, the large-capacity paper feed tray 20, the transport unit, and the image forming units 15 and 51. Control is performed. In the printer unit 150, image formation, transfer to paper, fixing, conveyance to the post-processing device (FNS) 30 and the paper discharge unit 70 by the conveyance path, post-processing in the post-processing device (FNS) 30 are sequentially performed. Is printed out.

Next, an operation for adjusting image quality on a specially processed paper will be described.
In paper that has been specially processed such as lame processing, it is difficult for toner to be placed thereon, and reproduction of colors and the like is difficult. Therefore, when an image is formed on a specially processed paper, a background image such as white is printed in advance, and a reprint image is printed on the background image to improve color reproducibility. In addition, not only specially processed paper but also colored paper can be used, and after performing printing of a base image plate, additional printing can be performed in accordance with the base image.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure for forming a reprint image on a lammed paper.
When a star-shaped image is to be printed on the glittered paper P, a star-shaped white plate F (corresponding to a base image) is printed in advance at the position where the star-shaped image is printed. At this time, an alignment mark M for specifying the position of the plate is also printed at the same time. The plate is printed in accordance with the shape of the reprint image desired to be printed, but may be printed in a larger shape than the reprint image.

The image I is printed on the paper P on which the plate is printed by the image forming apparatus so as to be superimposed on the star-shaped white plate F by overprinting. When printing the image I, the position of the plate is specified by reading the alignment mark M in advance, and the image I is printed according to the position of the plate. The position of the plate may be specified based on reading of the mark M for alignment, or based on the position information of the plate included in the job data. The alignment mark M and the position of the plate have a predetermined positional relationship.
In FIG. 5, the star-shaped plate F corresponds to the background image of the present invention, and the star-shaped image I corresponds to the reprint image of the present invention. The function of printing a reprint image on the plate corresponds to the reprint printing function of the present invention.
In the example described above, the reprint image has the same shape as the plate and is entirely overlaid on the plate, but the shape of the reprint image and the shape of the plate may be different. For example, the shape of the plate may be a square, and the reprint image may be printed so as to fit within the plate area.

The printing of the plate F needs to be performed before the printing of the image I, and the printing of the plate F is usually performed by a machine different from the apparatus that prints the image I.
In the image forming apparatuses 1 and 1A described above, a plate is already formed on the sheet supplied to the image forming unit 15 or the image forming unit 51, and the sheet feeding tray (1-3) 12, the large capacity sheet feeding tray is formed. A sheet on which a plate is formed is stored in one of the trays 20, and a roll sheet on which a plate is formed is stored in the sheet feeding unit 60 of the image forming apparatus 1 </ b> A.

Next, the output paper density adjustment function will be described. In this embodiment, the output paper density adjustment function corresponds to the image quality adjustment function.
The output paper density adjustment function prints a chart (equivalent to an image for adjustment) on paper, measures the printed chart with a colorimeter, etc., and based on the measurement results, the color used in image formation according to the paper characteristics A function to perform correction is performed. The color reproducibility of the image can be increased by adjusting the output paper density.
However, paper that has undergone special processing such as lame processing is difficult to carry toner due to the effect of special processing, and it is difficult to print as expected. Therefore, when performing output paper density adjustment using paper that has been specially processed, even if the chart is printed on the processed paper, it is not printed accurately, and the adjustment result as expected cannot be obtained. Problems arise.

  Therefore, when the output paper adjustment function using the specially processed paper is performed, an adjustment image such as a chart is printed according to a preprinted plate for reprint printing, and the adjustment image Color correction of the image forming unit is performed based on the reading result. Accordingly, since a chart with high color reproducibility can be printed, color correction can be appropriately performed even on a specially processed paper. The chart is printed so that the chart overlaps part or all of the plate area, and adjustment is performed based on the reading result of the area where the chart and the plate overlap.

Also, instead of printing the chart on the plate for reprint printing, an adjustment plate (corresponding to the adjustment base image) different from the plate on which reprint printing is performed is provided in advance. The chart may be printed on the printing plate. Note that the base image for adjustment is preferably made of the same material as the base image in order to improve color reproducibility by image quality adjustment. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The output paper density adjustment function corresponds to the image quality adjustment function of the present invention, and the chart corresponds to the adjustment image of the present invention. However, in the present invention, the image quality adjustment function is not limited to color correction, and any adjustment may be performed based on the result of reading the adjustment image, and density correction or the like may be performed. It is not limited.

Further, when the size of the plate is small and a normal chart cannot be printed in the region of the plate, the shape of the chart may be changed according to the size of the plate and printed.
If the plate and chart overlap area is insufficient for image quality adjustment, the chart can be divided and printed on a plurality of plate areas. When printing on multiple plates, it is possible to combine the reading results after reading the patches by registering the number and position of the used plates, the type of the printed chart, etc. in the storage unit. Image quality adjustment can be appropriately performed in the main bodies 10 and 50. In the image quality adjustment, processing is performed by connecting the reading results of a plurality of plates. The process of combining the reading results together may be performed by the image reading unit or may be performed by the control unit of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where an adjustment chart is printed in accordance with the position of the plate.
FIG. 6A shows a case where a rectangular chart is placed on a plurality of plates. Here, the patches for each color included in the adjustment chart, that is, the patch PY1 (yellow), the patch PM1 (magenta), the patch PC1 (cyan), and the patch PK1 (black) are placed at the plate positions on the paper P. Printed together. Thus, when the size of the plate is small and the chart cannot be printed as it is on one plate, the chart can be divided into a plurality of patches and the patches can be printed on a plurality of plates.
The chart is printed over the plate, and the image quality adjustment is performed according to the reading result of the overlapping area.

When the chart is printed on the plate, the patch shape may be printed according to the plate shape. FIG. 6B shows a case where a chart having the same shape is printed according to the shape of the plate. As a result, it is possible to use the entire area where the image quality adjustment has been printed without waste. In the case of the form as shown in FIG. 6B, the control unit acquires the shape of the plate beforehand from the image data of the job, and creates and prints a patch image that matches the shape of the plate.
Furthermore, as in the example of FIG. 5C, when the area of the plate is large and the normal chart can be printed as it is, the normal chart can be printed in the area of the plate.
In any case, the image reading unit reads the printed patch, and the control unit of the apparatus main body 10 or the apparatus main body 50 acquires the reading result of the area where the plate and the patch overlap, thereby adjusting the image quality based on the reading result. Can be performed.

Also, if the plate is small and the chart cannot be printed on one plate, and if the area where the plate area and the chart overlap cannot be increased, printing of the chart is canceled and the user is informed May be notified to cancel the adjustment.
For example, if there are not enough plates to print the chart, and even if the chart is divided, the amount of charts necessary for adjustment cannot be printed on the plate, the chart printing is stopped, Cancel the adjustment.

If the plate is too small to print the size of one patch on a single plate, color adjustment cannot be performed. Therefore, this is notified before adjustment starts, chart printing is stopped, and adjustment is performed. May be canceled. The determination may be performed by comparing the size of the plate with the size of the patch, or may be performed based on whether the size of the plate is less than a predetermined size. In any case, it is possible to form a case where it is difficult to form or read a patch, or a case where data that can be acquired by reading a patch is insufficient to perform adjustment.
The above notification can be displayed by the operation display unit. The notification may be performed by voice or transmission to an external device. The external device can display the transmission result.

  Further, when a chart is printed on a plate, a history of additionally printing the chart may be registered in a storage unit such as the HDD 127. The history may include a version usage location, a chart type associated with the version usage location, and the like. As a result, when the chart is read by the image reading unit, the position of the chart can be specified based on the registered use position of the plate and the type of the chart, and the reading of the chart and the adjustment based on the reading result can be performed. Can be done appropriately. Furthermore, when a plate that is a printed product that is a product is continuously provided on the paper, the image quality adjustment and the product can be easily distinguished.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a patch having a shape different from the shape of the plate is printed, the patch image may be read by removing an area that does not overlap with the plate. From the image data of the read patch, The patch area outside the plate may be excluded. For example, when reading the patches PY1, PC1, PM1, and PK1 in FIG. 6A, only the patch area on the plate may be read, or the area that does not overlap the plate after obtaining the reading result of the entire patch. May be used as image data for color correction. Thereby, color correction can be performed appropriately.

  Further, when the chart is printed according to the position of the plate, the number of plates used for printing the chart may be stored in the history. For example, when the charts are printed as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the number of charts on which no image is printed can be grasped by storing that four plates are used, and image formation is performed. It is possible to determine in advance whether or not there is a shortage of editions. In particular, when a continuous transfer medium such as roll paper is used, it is difficult to determine the number of unused plates, so it is desirable to store the number of used plates.

  Note that chart printing can be performed on a continuous transfer medium such as roll paper, and also on a discontinuous transfer medium such as cut paper. In the case of using cut paper, the position of the plate may be specified based on the distance from the edge of the paper without printing the mark M for alignment.

Next, the procedure for printing the chart in accordance with the position of the plate will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
When performing color adjustment, it is first determined whether a plate is printed on the paper (step s1). The determination can be made based on the input job data and image data obtained regarding the plate. In addition, the determination may be made by reading the surface of the paper. When the plate is not printed on the paper (step s1, No), the chart having a specified shape is printed on the paper as usual (step s11), and the chart printing procedure is terminated.
If a plate is printed on the sheet (step s1, Yes), the size and shape of the plate are specified with reference to the image data relating to the preceding image, and the number of plates used for printing the chart is determined (step s2). . The number of plates is determined by comparing the size of the plate with the size of the chart, and the chart is divided as necessary.

Thereafter, it is determined whether the size of the plate is equal to or larger than the size of one chart (patch) (step s3).
If the size of the plate is smaller than the size of one chart (patch) (No in step s3), the fact that chart printing cannot be performed is displayed (step s12). The display can be performed on the operation display units 14 and 54 or displayed on the operation display unit 410 of the external device 4 or the like. Instead of display, it may be performed by voice notification or transmission to an external device. When step s12 is completed, the chart printing procedure ends.
When the size of the plate is equal to or larger than the size of one chart (patch) (step s3, Yes), the conveyance of the sheet is started (step s4), and a mark (alignment image) on the sheet is detected by the detection unit. Reading and specifying the position of the plate (step s5). Further, the conveyance of the paper is continued (step s6), it is determined whether the plate is at a predetermined position (step s7), and if the plate is not at the predetermined position (step s7, No), the paper conveyance is continued (step s6). The determination in step s7 is repeated. The predetermined position can be set according to the image writing timing.

  When the position of the plate is at the predetermined position (step s7, Yes), the chart is printed at the position of the plate on the paper (step s8), and the position of the plate and the printed chart are stored (step s9). Thereafter, it is determined whether printing of a predetermined number of charts has been completed (step s10). The predetermined number is the number of charts necessary for color adjustment. When a predetermined number of charts are printed (step s10, Yes), the chart printing procedure is terminated. If the predetermined number of charts are not printed (step s10, No), the process returns to step s6, and the procedure after paper conveyance is continued.

Next, a procedure for adjusting by reading a printed chart will be described with reference to FIG. The following procedure is executed under the control of the control unit.
First, the reading position stored at the time of chart printing is acquired (step s20), and the number of printed charts is acquired (step s21). The reading position and the number of charts can be acquired from the chart information stored in step s9. Thereafter, it is determined whether the reading position of the sensor is the chart position (step s22). If the reading position is the chart position (step s22, Yes), reading is performed by the sensor (step s23). If it is not the position of the chart (step s22, No), it waits until it reaches the position of the chart.

  After reading with the sensor in step s23, it is determined whether the entire chart has been read (step s24). If the entire chart has not been read (step s24, No), the process returns to step s22 and the chart is read again. When all the charts are read (step s24, Yes), the read data is connected to adjust the image quality (step s25), and the chart reading procedure ends.

  According to the present embodiment, when image quality adjustment is performed on paper that has undergone special processing such as lame processing, the adjustment image is printed on the portion of the plate on which the toner can easily ride, so that adjustment is performed. The adjustment result can be obtained.

  The present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment and the drawings, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above description, and appropriate modifications to the above embodiment are made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1A Image forming apparatus 3 Network 4 External apparatus 10 Apparatus main body 13 Conveyance path 14 Operation display part 15 Image forming part 22 Conveyance path 31 Image reading part 40 Image reading apparatus 41 Conveyance path 42 Upstream scanner 43 Downstream scanner 44 Colorimetry Total 50 apparatus main body 51 image forming unit 53 detecting unit 54 operation display unit 56 image reading unit 110 control block 113 control CPU
114 ROM
115 Nonvolatile memory P Paper F Plate M Mark I for alignment image PY1, PM1, PC1, PK1 Patch PY2, PM2, PC2, PK2 Patch PY3, PM3, PC3, PK3 Patch

Claims (19)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a transfer medium;
A control unit for controlling the image forming unit,
The control unit prints an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receives an image reading result of the adjustment image, and adjusts an image quality of the image forming unit, and an underlying image printed on the transfer medium A reprint printing function for printing a reprint image on top of it, and
When image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, an image in which a part or all of the adjustment image is printed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs image quality adjustment based on an image reading result of an area where the background image or the adjustment background image overlaps the adjustment image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprint image has the same shape as the base image and is entirely overlaid on the base image.   When the normal adjustment image has a shape that fits in the background image or the adjustment background image area, the control unit performs overprint printing by overlaying the adjustment image on the background image or the area in the adjustment background image. If the adjustment image in the shape exceeds the background image or the area of the adjustment background image, the adjustment image having a shape that fits in the area is overprinted on the background image or the area in the adjustment background image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. There are multiple background images or background images for adjustment.
When the area where the background image or the adjustment background image overlaps with the adjustment image is insufficient for image quality adjustment, the control unit overlays the adjustment image on another background image or the adjustment background image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed.   The control unit stops printing the adjustment image when an area where the background image or the adjustment background image overlaps with the adjustment image is insufficient for image quality adjustment and cannot be increased. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit notifies the user that the adjustment has been canceled when the adjustment image printing is stopped. Having a storage unit,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit registers a history of additionally printing the adjustment image in the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the history includes a use location of a background image or an adjustment background image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the history includes a type of an adjustment image associated with a use position of the background image or the adjustment background image.   When the adjustment image is printed on a plurality of background images or adjustment background images and the reading result of the transfer medium is obtained, the control unit adjusts the image quality by combining the read data of each of the background images or the adjustment background images. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer medium is a continuous transfer medium.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image reading unit that reads an image formed on the transfer medium.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the image reading unit is a line sensor or / and a colorimeter.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer medium has a surface specially processed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base image is a white plate. In an image forming system including a management device that manages an image forming apparatus,
A controller that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus and manages the image forming apparatus;
The control unit prints an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receives an image read result of the adjustment image, adjusts image quality in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, and prints an upper image on the transfer medium. Control overprinting to print overprinted images on top of each other,
Further, when image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, control is performed so that a part or all of the adjustment image is printed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. An image forming system. Printing an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receiving an image reading result of the adjustment image, and performing image quality adjustment in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus;
A step of performing reprint printing for superimposing a reprint image on a base image printed on a transfer medium and printing,
When image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, the method includes a step of printing a part or all of the adjustment image on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. An image forming method. A control program executed by a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus,
Printing an adjustment image on a transfer medium, receiving an image reading result of the adjustment image, and controlling image quality adjustment in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus;
And a step of controlling reprint printing in which a reprint image is overlaid on a base image printed on a transfer medium.
Further, when image quality adjustment is performed with a transfer medium used for reprint printing, a step of controlling printing in which part or all of the adjustment image is superimposed on the background image or an adjustment background image different from the background image. A control program comprising:

Images