JP2019042953A - Image formation apparatus and image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To minimize the print number when printing a plurality of test charts.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: a printing unit; a storage unit which stores image data of a plurality of test charts; and a control unit which extracts the image data of the target test chart being the test chart to be printed and causes the printing unit to execute printing of the target test chart. The control unit generates image data of the integrated page obtained by integrating the image data of the plurality of target test charts when the plurality of pieces of image data of the target test chart exist and causes the printing unit to execute printing of the integrated page.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system for printing an image on a sheet.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus capable of printing a test chart for analyzing an image defect is known. Such an image forming apparatus is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

  Here, there are various types of image defects that can occur in the image forming apparatus. For this reason, in Patent Document 1, a plurality of test charts corresponding to a plurality of types of image defects are prepared in advance. And when analyzing the image defect which generate | occur | produced in the image forming apparatus, the test chart according to the said image defect is printed.

Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2007-281959

  For example, when an image failure occurs in the image forming apparatus, a plurality of test charts may be printed, and it may be desired to analyze the image failure generated in the image forming apparatus on the basis of the plurality of test charts. In this case, if the test chart is printed one by one on a sheet of paper, there arises a disadvantage that the consumption of the sheet increases. In addition, there is also a disadvantage that it takes time and effort to search for a sheet on which a target test chart is printed.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of minimizing the number of printed sheets when printing a plurality of test charts. I assume.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet, and a test chart of image data of a plurality of test charts registered in advance for analyzing image defects. The storage unit to be stored, the reception unit that receives an instruction to execute a chart print job, and the printing unit are controlled, and when the reception unit receives an instruction to execute a chart print job, printing is performed from image data of a plurality of test charts. And a control unit that causes a printing unit to execute a job of extracting image data of a target test chart that is a test chart to be printed and printing the target test chart on a sheet as a chart print job. When a plurality of image data of the target test chart exist, the control unit performs a coupling process for generating image data of a coupled page obtained by coupling the image data of the plurality of target test charts to one another, and prints the coupled page. Make the printing unit execute.

  An image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus for printing an image on a sheet of paper, and an image of a plurality of test charts registered in advance for analyzing an image defect, the image forming apparatus being communicably connected to the image forming apparatus. And a server for storing data per test chart. When receiving the chart print job execution instruction, the image forming apparatus transmits, to the server, chart information indicating a target test chart which is a test chart to be printed among the plurality of test charts. When the server receives the chart information, it extracts the image data of the target test chart from the plurality of test charts, and transmits the image data of the target test chart to the image forming apparatus to print the target test chart as a chart print job. The image forming apparatus executes a print job. When there is a plurality of image data of the target test chart, the server performs a combining process for generating image data of a combined page obtained by combining the image data of the plurality of target test charts with one another, and The transmission to the image forming apparatus causes the image forming apparatus to print the combined page.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, when a chart print job for printing a plurality of test charts is executed (in the case where there are a plurality of target test charts), image data of a combined page in which the image data of a plurality of target test charts are mutually connected is generated. Perform the combining process. By performing such a combining process, image data of a plurality of target test charts can be combined into image data of one page. As a result, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job can be minimized. When the image data of a plurality of target test charts are put together into image data for one page, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job is one.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to minimize the number of printed sheets when printing a plurality of test charts.

Schematic of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test chart printed by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test chart printed by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test chart printed by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test chart printed by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a test chart printed by the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the chart printing screen which the image forming apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention displays A diagram showing a flow of processing performed when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a chart print job execution instruction FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a test chart printed when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a combining process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a test chart printed when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a combining process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a test chart printed when the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a combining process.

<Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes an image reading unit 1. The image reading unit 1 executes a reading job for reading an original D and generating image data of the original D. The image reading unit 1 includes an optical system member such as a lamp 11 and an image sensor 12 for optically reading the document D. An optical member for reading the document D is housed inside a case (reading case) of the image reading unit 1. A contact glass CG is placed on the top surface of the reading case. Then, the image reading unit 1 reads the document D set on the contact glass CG at the time of execution of the reading job.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a printing unit 2. The printing unit 2 conveys the sheet P, forms an image (toner image) to be printed, and executes a print job for printing the image on the sheet P being conveyed. The printing unit 2 includes a sheet feeding unit 21, a conveyance unit 22, an image forming unit 23, an intermediate transfer unit 24, and a fixing unit 25.

  The paper feed unit 21 includes a pickup roller and a paper feed roller pair. The pickup roller feeds the sheet P accommodated in the sheet feeding cassette CA to the sheet conveyance path 20. The sheet feed roller pair conveys the sheet P fed to the sheet conveyance path 20 along the sheet conveyance path 20 together with the pickup roller.

  The transport unit 22 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs installed in the sheet transport path 20. The conveyance unit 22 conveys the sheet P fed to the sheet conveyance path 20 in the order of the printing position PP (transfer nip) and the fixing position FP (fixing nip). Then, the transport unit 22 discharges the printed sheet P on which the image is printed to the discharge tray ET.

  The image forming unit 23 includes image forming units 23K, 23Y, 23C and 23M respectively corresponding to black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C) and magenta (M). The image forming units 23 K, 23 Y, 23 C and 23 M respectively include one photosensitive drum 1, one charging device 2, one developing device 3 and one cleaning device 4. In addition, the image forming unit 23 includes the exposure device 5 that is used in common for each color. The image forming unit 23 receives toner replenishment from a container (not shown), and forms a toner image of each color on the surface of the corresponding photosensitive drum 1.

  The intermediate transfer unit 24 includes an intermediate transfer belt 241, a primary transfer roller 242 and a secondary transfer roller 243. The primary transfer roller 242 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 241 with the photosensitive drum 1. The secondary transfer roller 243 forms a transfer nip (the position of the transfer nip is the print position PP) with the intermediate transfer belt 241. The intermediate transfer unit 24 first primarily transfers the toner image formed by the image forming unit 23 to the intermediate transfer belt 241, and secondarily transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 241 to the sheet P.

  The fixing unit 25 includes a fixing roller pair. The rollers of the fixing roller pair form a fixing nip (the position of the fixing nip becomes the fixing position FP) by pressing each other. Then, the fixing unit 25 heats and presses the sheet P passing the fixing position FP, and fixes the toner image on the sheet P.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes an operation panel 3. Operation panel 3 receives instructions and settings from the user of the image forming apparatus 100 or a maintenance contractor. The operation panel 3 corresponds to a "reception unit".

  Operation panel 3 includes touch panel display 31. The touch panel display 31 displays a screen on which software keys are arranged, and receives a touch operation on a display screen (software key). In addition, a plurality of hardware keys 32 are provided on the operation panel 3. The hardware key 32 includes, for example, a start key that receives a job execution instruction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 4. The control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42 and an image processing circuit 43. The CPU 41 operates based on control programs and data, and performs various processes for controlling the respective units of the image forming apparatus 100. The memory 42 stores programs and data for operating the CPU 41.

  The image processing circuit 43 includes a dedicated circuit (ASIC) and a memory for performing various image processing (for example, enlargement and reduction processing, rotation processing, and the like) on image data. The control unit 4 uses the image processing circuit 43 to perform image processing on the image data of the image to be printed. Further, the control unit 4 uses the image processing circuit 43 to perform processing for generating image data of a combined page to be described later.

  The control unit 4 is connected to the image reading unit 1 and the printing unit 2, and controls the reading operation of the image reading unit 1 and the printing operation of the printing unit 2. The control unit 4 is also connected to the operation panel 3 to control the display operation of the operation panel 3 and to detect an operation performed on the operation panel 3.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a communication unit 5 and a storage unit 6. The communication unit 5 and the storage unit 6 are each connected to the control unit 4.

  The communication unit 5 includes a communication circuit, a memory, and a communication connector. The control unit 4 communicates with an external device using the communication unit 5. For example, a user terminal 200 used by a user of the image forming apparatus 100 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100 as an external apparatus.

  The communication unit 5 is connected to a wide area network NT such as the Internet. The control unit 4 accesses the network NT using the communication unit 5. Connected to the network NT is a maintenance server 300 (corresponding to “server”) managed by a maintenance company. This enables transmission and reception of information between the image forming apparatus 100 and the maintenance server 300. For example, scan data obtained by scanning a printed matter of a chart print job described later is transmitted from image forming apparatus 100 to maintenance server 300.

  The storage unit 6 includes a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD or a ROM (for example, an EEPROM). The control unit 4 reads information from the storage unit 6 and writes information to the storage unit 6. For example, the storage unit 6 stores a database 61 and correspondence information 62 accessed at the time of execution of a chart print job described later.

  A storage device separate from the image forming apparatus 100 may be communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 100, and the storage device may function as the storage unit 6. For example, the storage device that functions as the storage unit 6 may be a maintenance server 300 managed by a maintenance provider. In this case, the control unit 4 accesses the maintenance server 300 using the communication unit 5 to read information and write information.

<Test chart print job>
(Type of test chart)
The image forming apparatus 100 is configured to be able to execute a chart print job, which is a print job for printing a test chart T (see FIGS. 3 to 7) for analyzing an image defect that may occur in the image forming apparatus 100. . The operation panel 3 receives an instruction to execute a chart print job. The execution instruction of the chart print job may be issued by the user of the image forming apparatus 100 or by a maintenance company.

  The test chart T is registered (prepared) in advance by the maker of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, a database 61 in which a plurality of the image data of the registered test chart T is stored for each test chart T is stored in the storage unit 6. Further, correspondence relationship information 62 in which an image defect corresponding to each of the plurality of test charts T is predetermined is stored in the storage unit 6. The database 61 and the correspondence relationship information 62 are also stored in the maintenance server 300.

  Here, the test chart T (T1 to T5) will be described with reference to FIGS. The test chart T mentioned here is an example, and various other test charts T are registered (prepared). 3 to 7 illustrate the sheet P on which the test chart T is printed.

  The test chart T (T1) shown in FIG. 3 is used for analysis of color misregistration as an image defect. By printing the test chart T1 on the paper P, it is possible to know the degree of color shift in the main scanning direction of each color other than the reference color (for example, black) with respect to the reference color (for example, black). Although not shown, there is also a test chart for analyzing color misregistration in the sub-scanning direction.

  The test chart T (T2) shown in FIG. 4 is used for analysis of color unevenness failure as an image failure. By printing the test chart T2 on the sheet P, it can be determined whether or not color non-uniformity defects occur in the main scanning direction for each color (the degree of color non-uniformity can be known). Although not shown, there is also a test chart for analyzing color unevenness in the sub-scanning direction.

  The test chart T (T3) shown in FIG. 5 is used for analysis of print position deviation as an image defect. By printing the test chart T3 on the sheet P, it can be determined whether or not a shift has occurred in the printing position (the degree of positional shift can be known).

  The test chart T (T4) shown in FIG. 6 is used to analyze a cleaning failure as an image failure. For example, if the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 is not sufficiently cleaned, that is, if a cleaning failure occurs, the print area A1 of the test chart T4 has a length corresponding to one rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 A part of the test chart T4 appears as an afterimage (ghost) in the area A2 separated by a corresponding distance. Therefore, by printing the test chart T4 on the sheet P, it can be determined whether a cleaning failure has occurred.

  The test chart T (T5) shown in FIG. 7 is used for analysis of density defects as image defects. The test chart T5 includes pattern images of a plurality of predetermined colors. By printing the test chart T5 on the sheet P, it is possible to know which color image among the plurality of colors has a density defect.

(Acceptance of execution instruction)
For example, the operation panel 3 is provided with a menu key as the hardware key 32. When the pressing operation on the menu key is performed, the operation panel 3 displays a menu screen (not shown) in which a plurality of items including the item “test chart” are presented as options. Then, when “test chart” is selected from the plurality of items, operation panel 3 displays a chart print screen 30 as shown in FIG.

  The chart print screen 30 is a screen for receiving settings regarding a chart print job. For example, on the chart printing screen 30, selection acceptance of a test chart T to be printed among a plurality of test charts T is performed.

  On the chart print screen 30, a plurality of selection keys SK, which are software keys with text indicating the type of image defect, are arranged. FIG. 8 shows, as an example, a chart print screen 30 in which five selection keys SK corresponding to color misregistration, color non-uniformity defect, print position deviation, cleaning defect and density defect are arranged.

  When the operation panel 3 receives a touch operation on any of the plurality of selection keys SK, the control unit 4 detects the touch operation received by the operation panel 3 as a chart selection operation (corresponding to a “selection operation”). Then, the control unit 4 recognizes the image defect corresponding to the selection key SK which is the operation target of the chart selection operation, and determines that the test chart T necessary for analyzing the recognized image defect is selected. Normally, among the plurality of selection keys SK, the selection key SK corresponding to the image defect currently generated in the image forming apparatus 100 is the operation target of the chart selection operation. That is, the control unit 4 recognizes that the image defect corresponding to the selection key SK selected by the chart selection operation is the image defect currently occurring in the image forming apparatus 100.

  After the operation panel 3 receives the chart selection operation, when detecting the pressing operation on the start key (hardware key 32) of the operation panel 3, the control unit 4 sets the test chart T selected by the chart selection operation to the sheet P. The print unit 2 is caused to execute a job to be printed as a chart print job. Details will be described later.

  As described above, by displaying the chart print screen 30 on the operation panel 3 and receiving the chart selection operation, the test chart T necessary for analyzing the image defect currently generated in the image forming apparatus 100 is selectively printed. Can. In other words, it is possible to cause the control unit 4 to recognize an image defect (a test chart T necessary for analyzing the image defect) currently occurring in the image forming apparatus 100.

  The control unit 4 may automatically select the test chart T to be printed among the plurality of test charts T. In this configuration, acceptance of the chart selection operation by the operation panel 3 is omitted. That is, it is sufficient to instruct the operation panel 3 to execute the chart print job.

  In the configuration in which the control unit 4 automatically selects the test chart T to be printed among the plurality of test charts T, when the operation panel 3 receives a chart print job execution instruction, the control unit 4 Based on the current setting value, the image defect currently occurring in the image forming apparatus 100 is predicted.

  For example, the control unit 4 sets set values of voltages applied to various rollers installed in the image forming unit 23 and the intermediate transfer unit 24, and sets values related to scanning exposure by the exposure device 5 (light amount of laser light, exposure start timing, etc.) Setting values regarding fixing temperature of fixing unit 25, setting values regarding on / off timing of various heaters (such as heaters installed in photosensitive drum 1 and sheet feeding cassette CA), setting values regarding toner supply to developing device 3, various rotations Various setting values, such as setting values regarding a motor for rotating the body and setting values of each part when operating in a drum refresh mode for removing dirt attached to the photosensitive drum 1 are confirmed.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that toner fog has occurred before and maintenance of image forming apparatus 100 has been performed for that purpose. The toner fog is likely to occur when the toner flies from the developing roller of the developing device 3 toward the photosensitive drum 1 more than necessary. Therefore, when toner fog occurs, the amount of toner flying from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum 1 may be reduced.

  The amount of toner flying from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum 1 varies depending on the developing voltage (voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage on a DC voltage) applied to the developing roller. When the peak-to-peak voltage (set value) of the AC voltage applied to the developing roller is small, the force for peeling the toner from the carrier weakens, so the toner flying from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum 1 decreases. On the other hand, when the peak-to-peak voltage of the AC voltage applied to the developing roller is large, the toner easily flies from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum 1. That is, the toner easily adheres to the non-image area of the photosensitive drum 1 and causes the toner fog.

  For this reason, in the maintenance for eliminating the toner fog, the adjustment of the AC voltage applied to the developing roller is performed so that the flying amount of the toner from the developing roller to the photosensitive drum 1 is reduced. However, when such adjustment is performed, the image density may be low. Therefore, as a result of confirming each setting value, the control unit 4 predicts that a defect related to the image density is occurring when the setting value of the AC voltage applied to the developing roller is adjusted. In addition, since the setting value before adjustment is stored in the storage unit 6, it is possible to determine whether the adjustment of the setting value is performed by comparing the setting value with the current setting value.

  Then, when it is predicted that a defect related to the image density is occurring, the control unit 4 at least selects the test chart T5 as the test chart T to be printed. In this case, the test chart T5 is printed on the sheet P.

(Executing a job)
The control unit 4 sets the test chart T selected by the chart selection operation on the chart print screen 30 (see FIG. 8) as a print target (test chart T to be printed). Alternatively, the control unit 4 sets a test chart T corresponding to an image defect predicted to be currently generated based on the current setting value of the printing unit 2 as a print target. In the following description, a test chart T set as a print target is referred to as a target test chart and is denoted by a symbol TT to distinguish it from the test chart T not set as a print target.

  After setting the print target, the control unit 4 extracts the image data of the target test chart TT from the database 61 of the storage unit 6. Then, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to execute a job for printing the target test chart TT on the sheet P as a chart print job.

  When the control unit 4 sets two or more (plural) test charts T among the plurality of test charts T as a print target, the image data of the plurality of target test charts TT are stored from the database 61 of the storage unit 6 respectively. Extract. Then, in this case, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to print a plurality of target test charts TT.

  Here, when printing a plurality of target test charts TT, if one target test chart TT is printed on one sheet of paper P, the consumption amount of the sheets of paper P will increase. Furthermore, when a plurality of target test charts TT are divided and printed on a plurality of sheets of paper P, it takes time and effort to search for the sheet P on which the target test chart TT is printed.

  Therefore, when there are a plurality of target test charts TT, the control unit 4 generates image data of a combined page which is a page obtained by combining image data of a plurality of target test charts TT in order to reduce the number of printed sheets of chart print job. Processing (hereinafter referred to as combining processing) is performed. Then, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to print the combined page generated by the combining process.

  In the combining process, the control unit 4 sets arrangement positions (printing positions) of the plurality of target test charts TT in the combined page so that the number of printed sheets of the chart print job is minimized. At this time, the control unit 4 arranges the plurality of target test charts TT in the combined page so that the plurality of target test charts TT fit in one page, that is, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job becomes one. Set the position. In some cases, a plurality of target test charts TT may not fit on one page. In this case, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job may be plural. Alternatively, a plurality of target test charts TT may be contained in one page by making the size of the sheet P used in the chart print job larger than the currently set size.

  Note that, when only one image data of the target test chart TT is extracted from the database 61 of the storage unit 6, the control unit 4 generates image data of a page including only the extracted one target test chart TT, and printing Make part 2 print.

  The flow of processing performed by the control unit 4 after the operation panel 3 receives a chart print job execution instruction will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9 starts when the operation panel 3 receives a chart print job execution instruction.

  In step S1, the control unit 4 extracts the image data of the test chart T (target test chart TT) set as the print target from the database 61 of the storage unit 6. Further, in step S2, the control unit 4 determines whether there is a plurality of target test charts TT. As a result, when the control unit 4 determines that there are a plurality of target test charts TT, the process proceeds to step S3.

  If it transfers to step S3, the control part 4 will perform a coupling process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4. Even when the control unit 4 determines in step S2 that there is only one target test chart TT, the process proceeds to step S4 (the combining process by the control unit 4 is omitted). When the process proceeds to step S4, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to print the target test chart TT.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 10 to FIG. 12, the printed matter obtained when the combination processing by the control unit 4 is performed (when there are a plurality of target test charts TT) will be described.

  First, with reference to FIG. 10, the case where the test charts T1 (see FIG. 3) and T2 (see FIG. 4) are respectively set as print objects will be described. Here, the test chart T1 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is denoted by the code TT1, and the test chart T2 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is denoted by the code TT2.

  In this case, the control unit 4 performs, as a combining process, a process of generating image data of a combined page in which the image data of the target test charts TT1 and TT2 are combined with each other. As a result, image data for one page including the image data of the target test charts TT1 and TT2 is generated as image data of the combined page. Thus, when the printing unit 2 prints the combined page, the target test charts TT1 and TT2 are printed on one sheet of paper P.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a case where a test chart T5 (see FIG. 7) is set as a print target in addition to the test charts T1 (see FIG. 3) and T2 (see FIG. 4) will be described. Here, the test chart T1 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is attached the code TT1, the test chart T2 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is attached the code TT2, and the print target is The code TT5 is attached to the set test chart T5 (target test chart TT).

  In this case, the control unit 4 performs, as a combining process, a process of generating image data of a combined page in which the image data of the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT5 are combined with one another. As a result, image data for one page including the image data of the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT5 is generated as image data of the combined page. As a result, when the printing unit 2 prints a combined page, the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT5 are printed on one sheet of paper P.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the case where the test charts T1 (see FIG. 3), T2 (see FIG. 4) and T4 (see FIG. 6) are respectively set as print objects will be described. Here, the test chart T1 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is attached the code TT1, the test chart T2 (target test chart TT) set as the print target is attached the code TT2, and the print target is The code TT4 is attached to the set test chart T4 (target test chart TT).

  In this case, the control unit 4 performs, as a combining process, a process of generating image data of a combined page in which the image data of the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT4 are combined with each other. As a result, image data of one page including the image data of the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT4 is generated as image data of the combined page. Thus, when the printing unit 2 prints a combined page, the target test charts TT1, TT2, and TT4 are printed on one sheet of paper P.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the target test chart TT4 is printed on the sheet P, the area A of the sheet P needs to be blank in order to confirm the presence or absence of an afterimage (ghost). For this reason, the control unit 4 does not arrange another target test chart TT in the blank area A for confirming the presence or absence of an afterimage when performing the combining process.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment prints the image data of a plurality of test charts T registered in advance for printing an image on a sheet P and a plurality of test charts T registered in advance for analyzing an image defect. The storage unit 6 stored for each operation, the operation panel 3 (reception unit) receiving an instruction to execute a chart print job, and the printing unit 2 are controlled, and when the operation panel 3 receives an instruction to execute a chart print job A control unit that causes the printing unit 2 to execute a job of extracting the image data of the target test chart TT that is the test chart T to be printed from the image data of the test chart T and printing the target test chart TT on the sheet P as a chart print job And 4). When a plurality of image data of the target test chart TT exist, the control unit 4 performs a combining process for generating image data of a combined page obtained by combining the image data of the plurality of target test charts TT with one another. The printing unit 2 executes the printing of

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, when a chart print job for printing a plurality of test charts T is executed (in the case where there are a plurality of target test charts TT), a combined page in which image data of a plurality of target test charts TT are combined Perform combining processing to generate image data. By performing such a combining process, the image data of a plurality of target test charts TT can be organized into image data of one page. As a result, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job can be minimized. When image data of a plurality of target test charts TT are combined into image data of one page, the number of printed sheets of the chart print job is one.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 arranges the plurality of target test charts TT in the combined page so that the number of printed sheets of the chart print job becomes minimum when generating the image data of the combined page. Set the position. For example, when the number of target test charts TT is large, the control unit 4 sets the arrangement positions of the plurality of target test charts TT such that an interval between two adjacent target test charts TT becomes narrow. In this configuration, even if the number of target test charts TT is large, a plurality of target test charts TT can be included in one page (the number of printed sheets of the chart print job can be minimized). If the interval between two adjacent target test charts TT is narrow, it may be difficult to see the target test chart TT. Therefore, if the number of target test charts TT is small, the control unit 4 increases the interval between two target test charts TT adjacent to each other within a range in which a plurality of target test charts TT fit in one page.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 4 extracts the image data of the test chart T selected by the chart selection operation as the image data of the target test chart TT. In this configuration, a plurality of test charts T (target test charts TT) arbitrarily selected by the user are grouped into one sheet P by merely performing chart selection operation from the user of the image forming apparatus 100 or a maintenance contractor. Convenience is good because it is printed.

  Instead of causing the image forming apparatus 100 (the control unit 4) to perform the combining process, the maintenance server 300 may perform the combining process. That is, the present invention may be realized by an image forming system including the image forming apparatus 100 and the maintenance server 300.

  In this case, when operation panel 3 receives an instruction to execute a chart print job, control unit 4 of image forming apparatus 100 uses test unit T to test chart T to be printed out of a plurality of test charts T (target test The chart information indicating the chart TT) is transmitted to the maintenance server 300.

  When the maintenance server 300 receives chart information from the image forming apparatus 100, the maintenance server 300 extracts image data of a target test chart TT indicated by the chart information. Further, the main server 300 transmits the image data of the target test chart TT to the image forming apparatus 100.

  Here, when there are a plurality of target test charts TT indicated by the chart information, that is, when a plurality of image data of the target test charts TT are extracted, the maintenance server 300 combines the image data of the plurality of target test charts TT with one another. A combining process (the same process as the combining process of the above embodiment) for generating image data of the combined page is performed. Then, the maintenance server 300 transmits the image data of the combined page to the image forming apparatus 100.

  When the control unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives the image data of the target test chart TT from the maintenance server 300, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to execute a job of printing the target test chart TT on the sheet P as a chart print job. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives the image data of the combined page, the control unit 4 causes the printing unit 2 to print the combined page.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the description of the above embodiment but by the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

2 Printing unit 3 Operation panel (reception unit)
4 control unit 5 storage unit T test chart TT target test chart

Claims (5)

A printing unit that prints an image on paper;
A storage unit that stores image data of a plurality of pre-registered test charts for analyzing an image defect for each of the test charts;
A reception unit that receives an instruction to execute a chart print job;
When the control unit controls the printing unit and the receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the chart print job, image data of a target test chart, which is the test chart to be printed, is extracted from image data of the plurality of test charts, And a control unit that causes the printing unit to execute a job of printing the target test chart on a sheet as the chart print job.
The control unit performs a combining process for generating image data of a combined page obtained by combining the image data of the plurality of target test charts when there is a plurality of image data of the target test chart, and the combining is performed An image forming apparatus, which causes the printing unit to print a page.   The control unit, when generating the image data of the combined page, sets the arrangement positions of the plurality of target test charts in the combined page so as to minimize the number of printed sheets of the chart print job. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When receiving the print instruction of the test chart, the receiving unit receives a selection operation for selecting the test chart to be printed from the plurality of test charts.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit extracts image data of the test chart selected by the selection operation as image data of the target test chart. The storage unit stores correspondence information in which image defects corresponding to each of the plurality of test charts are predetermined.
When the reception unit receives an instruction to execute the chart print job, the control unit predicts a currently occurring image failure based on the current setting value of the printing unit, and responds to the predicted image failure. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the test chart to be determined is determined based on the correspondence information, and image data of the determined test chart is extracted as image data of the target test chart. . An image forming apparatus for printing an image on paper;
And a server communicably connected to the image forming apparatus and storing, for each of the test charts, image data of a plurality of pre-registered test charts for analyzing an image defect.
When the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to execute a chart print job, the image forming apparatus transmits, to the server, chart information indicating a target test chart which is the test chart to be printed among the plurality of test charts.
When the server receives the chart information, the server extracts the image data of the target test chart from the plurality of test charts, and transmits the image data of the target test chart to the image forming apparatus, thereby the chart print job. Causing the image forming apparatus to execute a job of printing the target test chart on paper as
When there is a plurality of image data of the target test chart, the server performs a combining process for generating image data of a combined page obtained by combining the image data of the plurality of target test charts with each other, and the combined page An image forming apparatus for printing the combined page by transmitting the image data of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus.