JP2022174393A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the types of usable developing colors to reduce the frequency of replacing a developer unit.SOLUTION: An information setting unit 8d sets correspondence information representing the correspondence relationship between a plurality of original colors that are a plurality of predetermined basic colors included in images represented by print image data and one or more output colors selected from the colors of developer stored in a plurality of developer units 5. An image processing unit 8c replaces data of images in the plurality of original colors in the print image data with data of images in the corresponding one or more output colors according to the correspondence information. A control unit 8b causes a printing device 4 to execute processing of forming the images of the one or more output colors on a sheet by using the developer supplied from the corresponding developer units 5. The information setting unit 8d can set correspondence information for associating two or more of the original colors and one shared color that is the output color common to two or more of the developer units with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet using developer supplied from a plurality of developer units.

An image forming apparatus forms a color image on a sheet by forming an image of the developer supplied from a plurality of developer units each containing a single-color developer on the sheet. The color image is a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing a plurality of monochromatic images each having a different color.

For example, four developer units corresponding to four basic colors of Y (Yellow), C (Cyan), M (Magenta) and K (Black) are attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Also, the color image is formed on the sheet by synthesizing the monochromatic images of four colors.

The image forming apparatus may have a tandem structure including a plurality of electrophotographic imaging units. In this case, a plurality of monochromatic images of different colors are transferred from the plurality of image forming units to the intermediate transfer belt, and further the color images are transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to the sheet.

Further, it is known that the image forming apparatus having the tandem structure acquires information on the order in which four toner cartridges of different colors are installed, and forms four-color images in the order according to the acquired information. (See Patent Document 1, for example).

JP-A-2004-86055

By the way, there is a need to reduce the replacement frequency of the developer unit in the image forming apparatus. Also, in order to reduce the replacement frequency of the developer unit, it may be acceptable to reduce the types of usable development colors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of replacement of developer units by reducing the types of development colors that can be used.

An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of developer units, a printing device, an information setting section, an image processing section, and a control section. Each of the plurality of developer units contains a single-color developer. The printing device is capable of forming on a sheet a composite image obtained by combining a plurality of single-color images that are images of the developer supplied from the plurality of developer units. The information setting unit selects one from a plurality of original colors, which are a plurality of predetermined basic colors included in the image represented by the print image data, and the colors of the developer contained in the plurality of developer units. Sets the correspondence information representing the correspondence with one or more output colors. The image processing unit replaces the plurality of original color image data in the print image data with corresponding one or more output color image data according to the correspondence information. The control section causes the printing apparatus to perform a process of forming one or more of the output color images on the sheet using the developer supplied from the corresponding developer unit. The information setting section can set the correspondence information that associates the two or more original colors with one shared color that is the output color that is common to the two or more developer units.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the frequency of replacement of developer units by reducing the types of development colors that can be used.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of correspondence information setting processing in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a development color setting screen output to a display device in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example that embodies the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10]
The image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment includes an electrophotographic printing device 4 . The printing device 4 is capable of executing color printing processing for forming a color image on the sheet 9 . The sheet 9 is an image forming medium such as paper or a sheet-shaped resin member.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet container 2 , and a sheet conveying device 3 and a printing device 4 provided inside the main body 1 . The main body 1 is a housing that accommodates the printing device 4 .

The sheet conveying device 3 includes a sheet feeding device 30 driven by a motor (not shown) and a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 31 . The sheet feeding device 30 feeds the sheet 9 accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 2 to the conveying path 300 inside the main body portion 1 .

A plurality of conveying roller pairs 31 convey the sheet 9 along the conveying path 300 and discharge the sheet 9 from the conveying path 300 to the discharge tray 101 .

The printing device 4 forms an image on the sheet 9 conveyed along the conveying path 300 . The printing device 4 includes an exposure device 40 , an image forming device 4 x, a transfer device 44 and a fixing device 46 . The image forming device 4x includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, a drum cleaning device 45, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a tandem color image forming apparatus. Therefore, the printing device 4 includes four image forming devices 4x capable of forming images of toners 90 of different colors.

Further, the transfer device 44 includes an intermediate transfer belt 441 , four primary transfer portions 442 corresponding to the four image forming devices 4 x , a secondary transfer portion 443 , and a belt cleaning device 444 .

In the imaging device 4x, the photoreceptor 41 rotates and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 41. As shown in FIG. Further, the exposure device 40 writes an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 . Photoreceptor 41 is an example of an image carrier.

Further, the developing device 43 supplies toner 90 to the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. Note that the toner 90 is an example of a granular developer.

The transfer device 44 transfers the toner image onto the sheet 9 on the conveying path 300 . The primary transfer portion 442 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 .

The toner images transferred from the four photoconductors 41 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 are four monochrome images, which are images of toner 90 supplied from four toner containers 5 respectively. The four monochromatic images are transferred from the four photoreceptors 41 to the intermediate transfer belt 441 so as to be synthesized on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 .

A composite image obtained by combining the four monochromatic images is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 by the four image forming devices 4 x and the four primary transfer units 442 .

The secondary transfer portion 443 transfers the composite image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 441 to the sheet 9 on the conveying path 300 . Thereby, the composite image is formed on the sheet 9 .

Toner 90 is supplied from a plurality of toner containers 5 to a plurality of corresponding developing devices 43 . The toner container 5 is a consumable item that stores the toner 90 and is detachable from the main body 1 . Each toner container 5 is an example of a developer unit.

In this embodiment, the number of toner containers 5 is the same as the number of imaging devices 4x. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 10, four toner containers 5 can be attached to the main body 1. FIG.

Normally, four toner containers 5 containing four basic color toners 90 of Y, M, C and K are mounted on the main body 1 . In this case, the synthesized image is a color image obtained by synthesizing the four monochromatic images of Y, M, C and K.

The four basic colors are colors of toner 90 that can be used in image forming apparatus 10 . In other words, the four basic colors are predetermined development colors that can be output from the image forming apparatus 10 .

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes four mounting portions 6 to which four toner containers 5 are mounted. Each toner container 5 is detachably attached to each attached portion 6 provided in the main body portion 1 .

In the present embodiment, the discharge tray 101 also serves as a cover portion capable of opening and closing an opening formed in the main body portion 1 . The toner container 5 is replaced while the discharge tray 101 is open.

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a cover closed detection unit 102 that detects a cover closed state in which the discharge tray 101 is closed. When the discharge tray 101 is opened and closed for replacement of the toner container 5, the detection state of the cover closed detection section 102 changes.

The drum cleaning device 45 removes waste toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 . A belt cleaning device 444 removes waste toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 441 .

The fixing device 46 fixes the toner image, which is the composite image transferred to the sheet 9, to the sheet 9 by applying heat and pressure.

As described above, the printing device 4 can form on the sheet 9 the composite image obtained by combining a plurality of single-color images, which are images of toner 90 supplied from a plurality of toner containers 5 .

Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control device 8 , an operating device 801 and a display device 802 .

The operation device 801 is a device that receives information input operations, and includes, for example, operation buttons and a touch panel. The display device 802 is a device that displays information, and includes, for example, a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display unit.

The control device 8 executes various data processing and control of the image forming device 10 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81 and peripheral devices such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) 82 , a secondary storage device 83 and a signal interface 84 . Furthermore, the control device 8 also includes a communication device 85 capable of communicating with other devices.

The secondary storage device 83 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 83 can store and update the computer program and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are employed as the secondary storage device 83 .

The signal interface 84 converts signals output from various sensors into digital data, and transmits the converted digital data to the CPU 81 . Further, the signal interface 84 converts the control command output by the CPU 81 into a control signal, and transmits the control signal to the device to be controlled.

The communication device 85 communicates with other devices such as a host device that transmits print jobs to the image forming device 10 . The CPU 81 communicates with the other devices through the communication device 85 .

The CPU 81 is a processor that executes various data processing and controls by executing computer programs. RAM 82 is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 82 temporarily stores the computer program executed by the CPU 81 and data output and referred to while the CPU 81 executes various processes.

CPU 81 includes a plurality of processing modules implemented by executing the computer program. The plurality of processing modules include a main processing section 8a, a print control section 8b and an image processing section 8c.

The main processing unit 8a executes control for starting various processes according to an operation on the operation device 801, control of the display device 802, and the like.

The print control unit 8b controls the sheet conveying device 3 and the printing device 4 to cause the printing device 4 to perform the color printing process.

The image processing section 8c generates print image data based on the print job received through the communication device 85 from the host device. The print image data is data representing an image to be printed by the printing device 4 .

The print image data represents a plurality of monochromatic images, which are images of a plurality of predetermined basic colors. In this embodiment, the print image data represents the four monochromatic images which are images of the four basic colors Y, C, M and K.

By the way, in the image forming apparatus 10, there is a need to reduce the replacement frequency of the toner container 5. FIG. Also, in order to reduce the frequency of replacement of the toner container 5, it may be allowed to reduce the types of development colors that can be used.

The image forming apparatus 10 has a function of reducing the frequency of replacement of the toner container 5 by reducing the types of development colors that can be used. The function will be described below.

The plurality of processing modules in the CPU 81 further includes an information setting section 8d (see FIG. 2). The information setting section 8d starts the corresponding information setting process when a predetermined unit replacement event occurs (see FIG. 3).

For example, the unit replacement event is an event that the cover-closed detection unit 102 changes from a state in which the cover-closed state is not detected to a state in which the cover-closed state is detected.

In the following description, a plurality of predetermined basic colors included in the image represented by the print image data are referred to as a plurality of original colors. In this embodiment, the plurality of primary colors are Y, M, C and K four basic colors.

The correspondence information setting process is a process of setting correspondence information D1 representing a correspondence relationship between the four original colors and one or more output colors that are the colors of the toner 90 contained in the four toner containers 5 ( 2 and 3).

The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a plurality of empty detection units 61 and a plurality of color detection units 62 . In this embodiment, the four empty detection units 61 and the four color detection units 62 are arranged on the four mounting parts 6, respectively.

The four empty detection units 61 detect the empty state of the toner 90 in each of the four toner containers 5 attached to the attached portion 6 . For example, the empty detection unit 61 is a transmissive optical sensor that detects when the level of the toner 90 in the toner container 5 has fallen below the lower limit level.

The four color detection units 62 are color sensors that detect the colors of the toner 90 contained in the four toner containers 5 attached to the attachment portion 6, respectively. The color detection unit 62 can detect which of the four basic colors of Y, C, M and K the color of the toner 90 is.

[Correspondence information setting process]
An example of the procedure of the correspondence information setting process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the following description, S1, S2, . . . represent identification codes of a plurality of steps in the correspondence information setting process. In the correspondence information setting process, first, the process of step S1 is executed.

<Step S1>
In step S<b>1 , the information setting section 8 d acquires four detected colors detected by the four color detection sections 62 . After that, the information setting unit 8d shifts the process to step S2.

<Step S2>
In step S2, the information setting section 8d outputs a color setting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 4 through the display device 802, for example. After that, the information setting unit 8d shifts the process to step S3.

For example, the color setting screen G1 is a screen that displays container number information D11, detected color information D12, original color information D13, and output color information D14. Furthermore, the color setting screen G1 also includes an OK icon g11.

The container number information D11 is information for identifying the four toner containers 5. FIG. The detected color information D<b>12 is information about colors detected by the four color detection units 62 . The detected color information D12 is associated with the container number information D11.

The original color information D13 is information representing the four original colors in the print image data. The output color information D<b>14 is information representing an output color selected from the colors of the toner 90 contained in the toner container 5 .

The output color is selected from four colors detected by the color detector 62 by operating the operation device 801 . The output color information D14 representing one or more output colors is associated with the original color information D13.

<Step S3>
In step S<b>3 , the information setting unit 8 d sets the correspondence information D<b>1 according to the operation on the operation device 801 and records the set correspondence information D<b>1 in the secondary storage device 83 . After that, the information setting unit 8d shifts the process to step S4.

In this embodiment, the information setting unit 8d sets information representing the correspondence relationship between the original color information D13 and the output color information D14 as the correspondence information D1 according to the operation of the operation device 801. FIG. In other words, the information setting unit 8d provides information representing the correspondence relationship between the four original colors and one or more of the output colors selected from the four colors detected by the color detection unit 62 according to the operation of the operation device 801. is set as the correspondence information D1.

The information setting unit 8d can set the correspondence information D1 that associates the two or more original colors with one common color that is the output color that is common to the two or more toner containers 5 .

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the output colors are M and K and the common color is M common to three toner containers 5. In the example shown in FIG. The information setting unit 8d confirms the setting of the corresponding information D1 when detecting an operation on the OK icon g11 on the color setting screen G1.

<Step S4>
In step S4, the print control unit 8b determines whether or not the common color exists in the correspondence information D1. If the print control unit 8b determines that the common color exists, the process proceeds to step S5, otherwise the correspondence information setting process ends.

<Step S5>
In step S5, the print controller 8b selects one target unit to be used for forming the monochromatic image of the common color from two or more toner containers 5 containing the toner 90 of the common color. After that, the print control unit 8b terminates the correspondence information setting process.

The print controller 8b selects the toner container 5 for which the empty state is not detected as the target unit. That is, the print control unit 8b excludes the toner container 5 in which the empty state is detected from the options of the target unit.

After the correspondence information D1 is set, when the print job is received from the host device through the communication device 85, the image processing section 8c generates the print image data based on the print job.

Further, the image processing unit 8c replaces the plurality of original color image data in the print image data with corresponding one or more output color image data according to the correspondence information D1.

Then, the print control unit 8b causes the printing device 4 to perform the process of forming one or more of the output color images on the sheet 9 using the toner 90 supplied from the corresponding toner container 5 . At this time, the print control section 8b causes the printing device 4 to perform processing for forming the image of the common color using the toner 90 supplied from the designated unit.

When the correspondence information D1 indicates the correspondence relationship between the original color information D13 and the output color information D14 shown in FIG. 4, the Y, M and C images represented by the print image data are formed on the sheet 9 as the M image. and the K image represented by the print image data is formed on the sheet 9 as the K image.

By adopting the image forming apparatus 10, it is possible to reduce the frequency of replacement of the toner container 5 by reducing the types of development colors that can be used.

Further, when the empty state of the target unit is detected, the print control section 8b selects a new target unit for which the empty state is not detected.

By selecting the target unit as described above, it is possible to replace the empty common color toner container 5 under the condition that the toner 90 remains in any of the common color toner containers 5 . be. In this case, there is a high degree of freedom in the timing of replacement of the empty common color toner container 5 .

Note that the print control section 8 b may select a new target unit for each sheet 9 . Further, the print control section 8b may select a new target unit each time a new print job is received.

Further, the print control unit 8b causes the printing device 4 to execute developer removal processing when the correspondence information D1 is changed. The developer removal process removes the remaining toner 90 from the portion of the printing device 4 corresponding to the toner container 5 where the setting of the output color is changed without supplying the toner 90 from the toner container 5. processing.

Here, of the four toner containers 5, the toner container 5 in which the setting of the output color has been changed is called a specific container.

In the developer removing process, the print control unit 8b keeps the supply mechanism of the toner 90 and the sheet conveying device 3 for all the toner containers 5 in a stopped state. Further, in the developer removal process, the print control unit 8b drives the four image forming devices 4x and the transfer device 44, and forms a solid image only in the image forming device 4x corresponding to the specific container. is executed by the printing device 4.

Further, the print control unit 8 b causes the primary transfer unit 442 to transfer the solid image onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441 . Further, the print control unit 8b causes the belt cleaning device 444 to remove the solid image from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 441. FIG.

By executing the developer exclusion process, mixing of different color toners 90 in the portion of the printing device 4 corresponding to the specific container is avoided.

[First application example]
The image forming apparatus 10 may not have the color detection section 62 . In this case, the information setting unit 8d sets the output color selected from the four basic colors for each of the four toner containers 5 according to the operation on the operation device 801 in step S3 of FIG.

Further, the information setting unit 8d sets the correspondence information D1 by setting the correspondence between the plurality of original colors and the set output colors.

[Second application example]
The correspondence information setting process in the image forming apparatus 10 and the control of the printing device 4 based on the correspondence information D1 may be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms a color image by an inkjet method.

2. Description of the Related Art In an inkjet image forming apparatus, a plurality of ink tanks are installed. The ink tank is an example of the developer unit.

Reference Signs List 1: main body portion 2: sheet storage portion 3: sheet conveying device 4: printing device 4x: image forming device 5: toner container 6: mounted portion 8: control device 10: image forming device 61: empty detection portion 62: color detection Department

Claims (5)

a plurality of developer units each containing a single color developer;
a printing device capable of forming on a sheet a composite image obtained by combining a plurality of single-color images that are images of the developer supplied from the plurality of developer units;
one or more output colors selected from a plurality of original colors, which are a plurality of predetermined basic colors included in the image represented by the print image data, and the colors of the developer contained in the plurality of developer units; an information setting unit for setting correspondence information representing the correspondence relationship between
an image processing unit that replaces the plurality of original color image data in the print image data with corresponding one or more output color image data according to the correspondence information;
a control unit that causes the printing apparatus to perform processing of forming one or more of the output color images on the sheet using the developer supplied from the corresponding developer unit; , an image forming apparatus capable of setting the correspondence information that associates two or more of the original colors with one shared color that is the output color common to two or more of the developer units. further comprising an empty detection unit that detects an empty state of the developer in each of the plurality of developer units;
The control section selects one target unit to be used for forming the monochrome image of the common color from the two or more developer units containing the developer of the common color, and 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an empty state is detected, the new target unit for which the empty state is not detected is selected. an operating device for receiving an information input operation;
a plurality of color detection units that detect colors of the developer contained in the plurality of developer units,
The information setting unit stores information representing a correspondence relationship between the plurality of original colors and one or more of the output colors selected from the plurality of colors detected by the color detection unit according to the operation of the operation device. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is set as . further comprising an operating device for receiving an information input operation,
The information setting section sets the output color selected from the plurality of basic colors for each of the plurality of developer units according to an operation on the operating device, and further sets the plurality of original colors and the set output color. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information is set by setting a correspondence relationship with colors. When the correspondence information is changed, the control unit corresponds to the developer unit in which the setting of the output color in the printing apparatus is changed without supplying the developer from the developer unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printing device is caused to execute a developer removal process for removing the remaining developer from a portion to be printed.

Images