JP2019102924A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming system capable of efficiently adjusting an image to be formed.SOLUTION: An image forming system 24 includes a multifunctional device 11 for forming an image and a computer 41 connectable to the multifunctional device 11. The multifunctional device 11 includes an output sheet image reading unit 35, a reading control unit 53, and a multifunctional device network interface unit 18. The output sheet image reading section 35 reads an image of an output sheet output from an output port 26. When the sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming unit 15 is output to the discharge tray 25, the reading control unit 53 controls the output sheet image reading unit 35 to read the image of the output sheet. When a determination unit 54 determines that the image data is to be transmitted to the computer 41, the multifunctional device network interface unit 18 transmits the image data of the output sheet to the computer 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system.

  In an image forming apparatus represented by a multifunction peripheral, light is irradiated to a photosensitive member based on image data to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member. Thereafter, charged toner is supplied onto the formed electrostatic latent image to form a visible image, and then the image is transferred and fixed on a sheet, and the image is output to the outside of the apparatus.

  In the image forming apparatus, techniques relating to adjustment of the position of a color shift or the like of a formed image are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-331415 (Patent Document 1) and 2004-25784 (Patent Document 2). ing.

  According to the image processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, an operation control unit that outputs a pattern for confirming the recording position of an image corresponding to a recording paper size, and the control of the pattern by the operation control unit Format creation means for formatting to be printed on paper, image expansion means for expanding the pattern as an output image on the page memory, and print control for printing the image of the expanded pattern by the recording unit of the own machine And record using plain paper. The image processing apparatus comprises: error information input means for inputting error information of the recording position obtained by the measurement result of the output pattern image for recording position confirmation; error information storage means for storing error information of the recording position; And error information confirming means for confirming error information of the recording position.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 adjusts the print position adjustment amount based on a printed matter on which an identifier for selecting the pattern is printed on a pattern for visually identifying the shift amount from the reference timing. It is an image forming apparatus to be set. The image forming apparatus outputs the printed matter in which the reference identifier is associated with the pattern for identifying the deviation amount based on the recognized adjustment amount, and the pattern based on all the settable adjustment amounts is printed. And an adjustment amount printing unit.

JP-A-9-331415 Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-25784

  For example, in an image forming apparatus, the position of an image to be formed may be shifted or the image quality may need to be adjusted due to use over a long period of time. In preparation for such a case, a serviceman or the like regularly performs maintenance on the image forming apparatus to adjust misalignment or the like. Specifically, for the adjustment of the position of the image, an image for position adjustment is formed on a sheet and output. Then, the output sheet is read again by the document image reading unit provided in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus checks how much the position of the formed image deviates from the reference position. Thereafter, based on the check result, the positional deviation in the image formation is adjusted.

  Here, when an image for position adjustment is formed, it is necessary to read the output sheet again by the document image reading unit. In this case, although a set of output sheets is mainly performed by a service person or a user, such an operation may be complicated. That is, when adjusting the positional deviation or the like of the formed image, a serviceman or a user must stay around the image forming apparatus. Such a situation is also a factor of cost increase, so it is desirable to avoid it. That is, it is required to improve the efficiency in adjusting the positional deviation of the formed image and the image quality. The techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can not cope with such a case.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of efficiently performing adjustment of an image to be formed.

  An image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming apparatus for forming an image, and a computer connectable to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an output port, an output sheet image reading unit, a receiving unit, an image forming control unit, a reading control unit, a determination unit, and an image forming apparatus transmission unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output from the output port. The output sheet image reading unit reads an image of the output sheet output from the output port. The receiving unit receives a request for image formation by the image forming unit. The image forming control unit controls the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet when the receiving unit accepts the image forming request. The reading control unit controls the output sheet image reading unit to read the image of the output sheet when the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output to the output unit. The determination unit determines whether the image data of the output sheet read by the output sheet image reading unit is to be transmitted to the computer. The image forming apparatus transmission unit transmits the image data of the output sheet to the computer when it is determined by the determination unit that the image data is to be transmitted to the computer. The computer comprises a computer receiver. The image data of the output sheet transmitted from the image forming apparatus transmission unit is received.

  According to such an image forming system, adjustment of an image to be formed can be efficiently performed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an appearance of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a multifunction peripheral included in the image forming system shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a multifunction device control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the case of adjusting the color shift of the formed image. It is a figure which shows an example of the formed output paper for image adjustment. It is a figure which shows an example of the reception screen displayed on the display screen contained in an operation part. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when performing job setting.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the appearance of an image forming system 24 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming system 24 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing a multifunction peripheral when the image forming apparatus included in the image forming system 24 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the multifunction peripheral 11. As shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, image forming system 24 includes a multifunction machine 11 as an image forming apparatus, and a computer 41 connectable to multifunction machine 11 via network 23.

Here, first, the configuration of the multifunction machine 11 will be described. The multifunction peripheral 11 has a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function, regarding image processing. The multifunction device 11 includes a multifunction device control unit 12, an operation unit 13 including a display screen 21, a document image reading unit 14 including an ADF 22, an image forming unit 15, two sheet feeding cassettes 16 a and 16 b, and a multifunction device A hard disk 17, an image forming apparatus transmission unit for connecting to the network 23, a multifunction device network interface unit 18 as an image forming apparatus reception unit, an ejection tray 25 as an output unit, and an output port 26 are provided. Incidentally, the MFP 11, the direction in which the sheet to be output is conveyed is indicated by an arrow D ₁ of the in Figure 3.

  The multifunction device control unit 12 controls the entire multifunction device 11. The multifunction device control unit 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, and includes a main storage memory 19 that temporarily stores data. In FIG. 3, the MFP control unit 12 is schematically indicated by a two-dot chain line. The operation unit 13 including the display screen 21 of the touch panel type displays information from the multifunction device 11 side, and also allows the user to input image forming conditions such as the number of copies and gradation, and power on or off. The document image reading unit 14 reads an image of a document set on an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22 as a document conveyance device for conveying a document or a mounting table. The image forming unit 15 uses the first sheet feeding cassette 16 a or the second sheet feeding based on the image data read by the document image reading unit 14 or the image data transmitted to the multifunction machine 11 via the network 23. The image is formed on the sheet set in the cassette 16 b and transported. The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is discharged from the output port 26 to the discharge tray 25.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming unit 15 provided in the multifunction machine 11 will be described in more detail. The image forming unit 15 includes an LSU (Laser Scanner Unit) 27, a transfer belt 28 as an intermediate transfer unit, and a secondary transfer roller 29 as a transfer unit. The LSU 27 is schematically indicated by an alternate long and short dash line. The multifunction machine 11 is provided with the so-called quadruple tandem image forming unit 15.

  The image forming unit 15 corresponds to four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and includes four photoreceptor units 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and four developing units including photoreceptors 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d, respectively. And developing units 33a, 33b, 33c, and 33d. In FIG. 3, the photosensitive units 31a to 31d and the developing units 33a to 33d are schematically shown.

  The LSU 27 exposes each of the four photosensitive members 32 a to 32 d based on the image data read by the document image reading unit 14 and the received image data. Electrostatic latent images are formed on the photosensitive members 32a to 32d based on the light of the components of the respective colors that have been exposed. By supplying toners of the respective colors from the developing units 33a to 33d to the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptors 32a to 32d, toner images are formed on the photoreceptors 32a to 32d. The toner images formed on the photosensitive members 32 a to 32 d are primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 28. The toner image primarily transferred onto the transfer belt 28 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet by the secondary transfer roller 29, fixed on the sheet by the pair of fixing rollers 34 a and 34 b, and discharged onto the discharge tray 25.

  Here, the multifunction machine 11 includes an output sheet image reading unit 35 that reads an output sheet image. The output sheet image reading unit 35 is provided downstream of the output port 26 in the direction in which the output sheet is output, and is opposed to the surface on which the image is formed on the output sheet. The output sheet image reading unit 35 irradiates light to the output sheet and receives the reflected light to read an image of the output sheet.

  Next, the configuration of the MFP control unit 12 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP control unit 12. Referring also to FIG. 4, the multifunction device control unit 12 includes a receiving unit 51, an image formation control unit 52, a reading control unit 53, a determination unit 54, and an adjustment unit 55. The receiving unit 51 receives a request for image formation by the image forming unit 15. When the reception unit 51 receives a request for image formation, the image formation control unit 52 controls the image formation unit 15 to form an image on a sheet. The reading control unit 53 controls the output sheet image reading unit 35 to read the image of the output sheet when the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 15 is output to the discharge tray 25. The determination unit 54 determines whether to transmit the image data of the output sheet read by the output sheet image reading unit 35 to the computer 41. The adjustment unit 55 adjusts the data of the image adjustment received by the MFP network interface unit 18 so as to reflect the image formation in the image forming unit 15. These configurations will be described in detail later.

  Next, the configuration of the computer 41 will be described. A display 42, a keyboard 43 and a mouse 44 are connected to the computer 41. The display 42 displays information and data from the computer 41. Also, using the keyboard 43 and the mouse 44, the user inputs data to the computer 41 while confirming the screen displayed on the display 42.

  The computer 41 includes a computer control unit 46 for controlling the computer 41 itself, a computer transmission unit for connecting to the network 23 and a computer network interface unit 47 as a computer reception unit, and a computer hard disk 48 for storing data. The computer hard disk 48 also stores various data such as file image data. The computer control unit 46 includes a computer deriving unit 49 for deriving data of image adjustment in the image forming unit 15 from the image data of the output sheet.

  Next, the case of adjusting the color misregistration of the formed image using such an image forming system 24 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the case of adjusting the color shift of the formed image.

  Referring also to FIG. 5, first, the receiving unit 51 receives a request for image formation for image adjustment by the image forming unit 15 (in FIG. 5, step S11, hereinafter, “step” is omitted). When a request for image formation for image adjustment is received, it is determined whether transmission to the computer 41 has been received (S12). In this case, the determination is made based on whether the setting is “manual”, “auto”, or “full auto” set in the operation unit 13. In the setting of "manual", all operations of color misregistration adjustment are performed by so-called manual input by a serviceman or a user. In the “automatic” setting, a serviceman or a user sets an output sheet when the document image reading unit 14 reads an image formed for color misregistration adjustment. That is, at the time of setting of “manual” and at the time of setting of “auto”, a serviceman or the like must stay around the multifunction peripheral 11. In the setting of "full auto", it is determined that transmission to the computer 41 has been accepted (YES in S12). That is, when the determination unit 54 receives the setting for transmitting the image data of the output sheet to the computer 41 input by the operation unit 13, the determination unit 54 determines that the image data of the output sheet is transmitted to the computer 41. The setting of “full auto” can also be performed remotely, for example, from the computer 41.

Thereafter, the image forming unit 15 forms an image for image adjustment on a sheet and outputs the sheet (S13). The image data for this image adjustment is stored in the multifunction device 11, for example, the multifunction hard disk 17. In addition, data associated with image data for image adjustment, which is composed of color misregistration adjustment images 57a to 57k, 58a, and 58b, which will be described later, and data relating to a normal value, that is, a normal position, etc. Etc are stored. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the formed output sheet for image adjustment. Referring to FIG. 6, on the output sheet 56, a plurality of color misregistration adjustment images 57a, 57b, 57c, 57d, 57e, 57f, 57g, 57h, 57i, 57j, 57k, 58a, 58b are formed. . These are formed at intervals, and are configured by arranging rectangular patch images of four colors such as yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, respectively. When correcting color misregistration, for example, how far is the distance L ₁ between _one end 59 e of the color misregistration adjustment image 57 e and one end 59 f of the color misregistration adjustment image 57 f more than a reference length? It is determined whether or not there is a shift, and a color shift correction value is derived.

  Here, the image is read by the output paper image reading unit 35 for the formed output paper 56 (S14). That is, the image of the output sheet 56 shown in FIG. 6 is read. At this time, since the output sheet image reading unit 35 is provided at the above-described position, the image of the output sheet 56 has already been read when being discharged to the discharge tray 25.

  Thereafter, the MFP network interface unit 18 as a MFP transmission unit transmits the read image data to the computer 41 (S15). Then, the computer network interface unit 47 as a computer reception unit provided in the computer 41 receives the image data from the multifunction machine 11 (S16).

  After receiving the image data, the computer derivation unit 49 derives an adjustment value from the received image data (S17). The computer derivation unit 49 calculates the deviation based on the data of the normal values of the color deviation adjustment images 57a to 57k, 58a and 58b stored in advance in the computer hard disk 48 of the computer 41, and adjusts the adjustment value from the deviation amount. Derive

  The derived adjustment value is transmitted from the computer network interface unit 47 as a computer transmission unit to the multifunction machine 11 (S18). The multifunction device network interface unit 18 receives data of the adjustment value transmitted from the computer 41 (S19).

  Thereafter, based on the received data of the adjustment value, the adjustment unit 55 provided in the multifunction machine 11 performs adjustment so as to reflect the data of the image adjustment when forming an image in the image forming unit 15 (S20).

  According to the image forming system 24 having such a configuration, since the image on the output sheet 56 is read by the output sheet image reading unit 35, the complicated operation of setting and reading the image on the output sheet 56 again is required. It does not occur. In addition, since the read image data is transmitted to the computer 41, it is possible to adjust the color shift of the multifunction device 11 at a location away from the multifunction device 11. Therefore, adjustment of the image to be formed can be efficiently performed.

  In the above embodiment, if it is determined in S12 that transmission to the computer 41 is not accepted (NO in S12), that is, if the setting of "full auto" is not made, first, An image for color misregistration adjustment is formed and output by the image forming unit 15 (S21). Thereafter, when the output image is read by the document image reading unit 14 by an operation by a serviceman or a user (YES in S22), adjustment values are derived together with the read image data (S23), and the adjustment values are reflected. (S24). That is, data of normal values of the color misregistration adjustment images 57a to 57k, 58a, 58b are stored in the complex machine 11, and the complex machine 11 reads the output sheet read by the document image reading unit 14 The image forming apparatus deriving unit for deriving image adjustment data in the image forming unit 15 from the image is provided. If the adjusting unit 55 determines that the image data of the output sheet is not transmitted to the computer by the determining unit 54, the image forming apparatus The data of the image adjustment derived by the deriving unit may be reflected when forming an image in the image forming unit 15.

  In the above embodiment, the color misregistration adjustment image is formed to adjust the color misregistration of the multifunction machine 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image quality of the multifunction machine 11 may be adjusted. It also applies to That is, when forming and outputting an image in the MFP 11, the image of the output sheet is read by the output sheet image reading unit 35. Then, the image quality is adjusted based on the data of the read image. Also in this case, not only from the multifunction machine 11 but also from a remote, for example, the computer 41 is possible.

  In this case, the image may be read according to the job possessed by the multifunction machine 11, or the image may be read in all image formation. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a reception screen displayed on the display screen 21 included in the operation unit 13. Referring to FIG. 7, the display screen 21 includes a display 61 of "print / output result transmission setting", a character 62a of "not transmit", and a side of the character 62a, and the setting is made by touch. A check box 63a for accepting, a character 62b of "according to the job setting", a check box 63b arranged next to the character 62b and for accepting the setting by touch, a character 62c of "transmit all", and a character 62c A check box 63c arranged on the side and accepting settings by touch, and a character 64 of "→ detailed setting of destination" are shown. When a check is input to the check box 63a, the image data read by the output paper image reading unit 35 is not transmitted to the computer 41. When a check is input to the check box 63c, all the image data read by the output paper image reading unit 35 is transmitted to the computer 41. When a check is input to the check box 63b, the display screen 21 transitions to the next display screen 21.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the display screen 21 when setting a job. Referring to FIG. 8, the display screen 21 includes a display 66 “Copy (extended setting)”, characters 67 “Send print result to specified transmission destination”, and sides of the characters 67. And a check box 68 for accepting settings by touch is shown. In this case, when copying as a job is performed, setting is made to transmit the print result to the computer 41 as the specified transmission destination. The printing result mentioned here refers to image data read by the output sheet image reading unit 35.

  When an image is formed based on such settings, the image is read by the output paper image reading unit 35 when copying is performed. Then, the data of the read image is transmitted to the computer 41. The computer 41 derives the image quality and the like of the output image from the received image data, and adjusts the image quality. The adjustment value is transmitted from the computer 41.

  Also with this configuration, the adjustment of the formed image, in this case, the adjustment of the image quality can be efficiently performed.

  In the above embodiment, regarding the job setting, when using the printer function, the print result may be set to be transmitted to the computer 41.

  In the above embodiment, the image data read by the output sheet image reading unit 35 may be simply transmitted to the computer 41. By doing this, the computer 41 can acquire data relating to the image quality of the image on the output sheet and use it for adjusting the image quality.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive in any respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  The image forming system according to the present invention is used particularly effectively when efficient image adjustment is required.

  11 MFP, 12 MFP control unit, 13 operation unit, 14 document image reading unit, 15 image forming unit, 16a, 16b paper feed cassette, 17 MFP hard disk, 18 MFP network interface unit, 19 main memory, 21 Display screen 22 ADF 23 network 24 image forming system 25 output tray 26 output port 27 LSU 28 transfer belt 29 secondary transfer roller 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, 31 d photoconductor unit 32 a, 32 b, 32c, 32d photoconductors, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d developing units, 34a, 34b fixing rollers, 35 output sheet image reading units, 41 computers, 42 displays, 43 keyboards, 44 mice, 46 computer control units, 47 computers Network interface unit, 48 computer hard disk, 49 computer derivation unit, 51 reception unit, 52 image formation control unit, 53 reading control unit, 54 determination unit, 55 adjustment unit, 56 output sheet, 57a, 57b, 57c, 57d, 57e, 57f, 57g, 57h, 57i, 57j, 57k, 58a, 58b Misalignment adjustment image, 59a, 59b end, 61, 66 display, 62a, 62b, 62c, 67 characters, 63a, 63b, 63c, 68 Checkbox.

Claims (5)

An image forming system comprising: an image forming apparatus for forming an image; and a computer connectable to the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus is
An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet;
An output port through which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is output;
An output sheet image reading unit that reads an image of an output sheet output from the output port;
A receiving unit that receives a request for image formation by the image forming unit;
An image forming control unit configured to control the image forming unit to form an image on a sheet when the image forming request is received by the receiving unit;
A reading control unit configured to control an image of the output sheet to be read by the output sheet image reading unit when the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit is output to the output unit;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the image data of the output sheet read by the output sheet image reading unit to the computer;
And an image forming apparatus transmission unit for transmitting image data of the output sheet to the computer if it is determined by the determination unit that the image data is to be transmitted to the computer.
The computer is
An image forming system, comprising: a computer receiving unit configured to receive the image data of the output sheet transmitted from the image forming apparatus transmitting unit. The request for image formation received by the reception unit is a request for image formation for image adjustment by the image formation unit,
The computer is
A computer deriving unit for deriving data of image adjustment in the image forming unit from the image data of the output sheet received by the computer receiving unit;
A computer transmission unit for transmitting the image adjustment data derived by the computer derivation unit;
The image forming apparatus is
An image forming apparatus reception unit that receives the image adjustment data transmitted from the computer;
The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjusting unit configured to adjust data of the image adjustment received by the image forming apparatus receiving unit at the time of image formation in the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that receives an input of information;
The determination unit is configured to determine to transmit the image data of the output sheet to the computer when receiving the setting to transmit the image data of the output sheet to the computer input by the operation unit. An image forming system according to claim 1 or 2. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the output sheet image reading unit is provided to face a surface of the output sheet on which an image is formed. The image forming apparatus comprises: an original image reading unit for reading an image of an original;
And an image forming apparatus deriving unit for deriving data of image adjustment in the image forming unit from the image of the output sheet read by the document image reading unit.
If the adjustment unit determines that the image data of the output sheet is not transmitted to the computer by the determination unit, the image formation unit generates the image adjustment data derived by the image forming device derivation unit. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

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