JP3788127B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

ここで、ｃｏｌｏｒは入力色（本実施例ではＹ（イエロー）、Ｍ（マゼンタ）およびＣ（シアン）の３色のうちのいずれかである）であり、ｉは入力レベルである。
【０２２４】
また、数１において、ｋは、色ごとに異なる定数であり、ＤｅｆＬｕｔの特定入力値に対する出力とする。本実施例では、８ビット入力に対し、入力値１４４でグレー濃度０．８付近が得られる設定にしてあり、この入力で正規化する。従って、ｋ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］は数２で表される。
【０２２５】
【数２】
ｋ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］＝ＤｅｆＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［１４４］
ＬＥＤプリンタを導入して最初に補正をするときには、ｋｃ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］＝ｋ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］であるため、このときの変換テーブルｌｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］は、デフォルト補正カーブ特性ＤｅｆＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］になる。
【０２２６】
次に、信号変換部９４にＴＰ信号を入力し、ＴＰ信号が示す画像を、変換特性作成部９９からロードした変換テーブルｌｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］に基づいてプリントし、プリント９７を出力する。
【０２２７】
図１６は、本発明の第１０の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【０２２８】
図１６において、Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃのそれぞれはイエロー、マゼンタ、シアンの各色を示す。また、添え字の数字は、各色のたとえば最低濃度から最高濃度までを２０段階に分けたときの何番目の濃度であるかを示すものである。
【０２２９】
オペレータは、ＬＥＤプリンタから出力された、図１６に示すようなプリント９７を、ＬＥＤプリンタの濃度測定部９８に挿入する。濃度測定部９８はプリント９７の所定位置の濃度を測定し、測定データＤｍｅｓ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］を変換特性作成部９９に対して出力する。
【０２３０】
変換特性作成部９９では、テストチャートのとおりの濃度の並びになった測定データが得られたかどうか等によって、測定データに異常（感光紙のカブリ、現像特性異常、オペレータによるテストチャートの挿入ミス等）がないかを調べ、異常がなければ次の処理へと進む。
【０２３１】
変換特性作成部９９では、次の処理として、補正カーブ（変換特性）ＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］および補正係数ｋｃ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］を算出し、算出結果を不揮発性メモリ１００に記憶する。補正カーブＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］および補正係数ｋｃ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］の算出方法については後述する。
【０２３２】
これまで説明した処理で補正は完了する。以降、通常のプリントの際には、補正カーブＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］を信号変換部９４にロードし、これを変換テーブルｌｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］として使用しプリントを実行する。
【０２３３】
なお、本実施例では、図１６に示したようなＹ、Ｍ、Ｃの各色のステップチャートを用いたが、本発明はこれに限られるものではなく、たとえば、Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃの各色が混在したグレーのステップチャートをテストチャートとして用いるようにしてもよい。
【０２３４】
次に、変換特性作成部９９において、補正カーブＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］および補正係数ｋｃ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］を算出する処理について説明する。ここでは、説明を簡単にするため、１色について説明する。従って添え字の［ｃｏｌｏｒ］は省略して示す。
【０２３５】
図１７は、画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【０２３６】
ここで、テストチャートの各色のｉ番目の目標濃度、テストチャートを出力するための信号変換部９４への入力値（ＴＰ信号）および濃度測定部９８による測定濃度のそれぞれを、Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］、ｐｗｍ［ｉ］およびＤｍｅｓ［ｉ］とする。Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］およびｐｗｍ［ｉ］は、低濃度〜高濃度のチャート順に対応して定義されており、Ｄｍｅｓ［ｉ］は信号変換部９４の入力値の順序に同期するように、各色チャートの主濃度を順に並べ替えたものとする。また、このテストチャートのプリントに用いた補正カーブをｌｕｔ［２５６］とする。
【０２３７】
このとき、ｉ番目の目標濃度を得るためのＬＵＴの値をＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｉ］とし、Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］がｊ番目の測定濃度Ｄｍｅｓ［ｊ］とｊ＋１番目の測定濃度Ｄｍｅｓ［ｊ＋１］との間にあったとすると、図１７に示す関係から、ＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｉ］は数３に示すようにして求められる。
【０２３８】
【数３】

この数３に示す処理を繰り返すことによって、（ｉ，ＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｉ］）の組み合わせをすべて求める。
【０２３９】
そして、これらの組データによって、信号変換部９４の入力と出力との関係が離散的に求められ、中間値については補間することによって求められ、これによって新たな合成補正カーブを求めることができる。得られたカーブは、前述のように、所定の入力値（上記の例では１４４）での出力値を補正係数として不揮発メモリ１００の所定の記憶領域に記憶され、さらに補正カーブも不揮発メモリ１００の所定の記憶領域に記憶される。
【０２４０】
得られた補正カーブが前述のＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］（１色分）となり、補正係数がＮｅｗＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［１４４］すなわちｋｃ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］である。
【０２４１】
なお、上記処理では目標濃度値Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］の間隔は不均等でよいため、たとえば、ハイライト部分の間隔を他の部分よりも細かく設定して、ハイライト部分のカラーバランスがより安定するようにするのが好ましい。
【０２４２】
次に、本発明の第１１の実施例について説明する。
【０２４３】
この第１１の実施例は、ＬＥＤプリンタによるプリント結果を常に安定させるために必要となるＬＥＤプリンタの内部における補正において、前述のようにチャネルごとの補正を行う場合に、より精度よく補正を行うものである。
【０２４４】
図１８は、本発明の第１１の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【０２４５】
信号変換部１０１は、入力された画像データまたはＴＰ信号を、内部のＬＵＴに基づいて露光量データに変換する。ここで、ＴＰ信号（テストパターン信号）とはテストチャートをプリントするための画像データである。ドライバ１０２は信号変換部１０１からの露光量データに基づいて露光のための光源のＬＥＤ１０３を点灯させる。プリント１０４はＴＰ信号が信号変換部１０１に入力されることによって感光紙にプリントされたプリント結果である。濃度測定部１０５はプリント１０４上の所定の位置の濃度を測定し、測定データを出力する。変換特性作成部１０６は、濃度測定部１０５からの測定データおよび不揮発性メモリ１０７に記憶された各種データに基づいて、信号変換部１０１で用いるＬＵＴを求め、信号変換部１０１に対して出力する。
【０２４６】
なお、たとえば、信号変換部１０１は図１に示したＬＢＢ２６ａ、２６ｂ、２６ｃであり、ドライバ１０２は図１に示したＬＤＢ３０ａ、３０ｂ、３０ｃ、３０ｄ、３０ｅであり、ＬＥＤ１０３は図１に示したＬＥＤアレイ基板３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃ上に配列したＬＥＤであり、濃度測定部１０５は図１に示した濃度計２３であり、変換特性作成部１０６は図１に示したＩＰＢ−ＣＰＵ６である。
【０２４７】
次に、この第１１の実施例の動作について説明する。
【０２４８】
前述のように、チャネルごとの補正では、現像特性の変動をマスターチャネル補正によって補正し、感材すなわち感光紙の違いによる特性の違いをペーパーチャネル補正によって補正する。各補正データは不揮発性メモリ１０７に記憶される。以下、マスターチャネル（ＭＣＨ）に対応する補正データを現像補正係数、ペーパーチャネル（ＰＣＨ）に対応する補正データを感材補正カーブおよび感材補正係数として説明する。
【０２４９】
なお、この実施例では、後述のように、ＰＣＨ用のテストチャートをプリントする際には、感材補正係数、感材デフォルト補正カーブおよび現像補正係数によって変換テーブルを生成し、ＭＣＨ用のテストチャートをプリントする際および通常のプリント時には、感材補正カーブおよび現像補正係数によって変換テーブルを生成する。
【０２５０】
初めに、マスターチャネル補正に関して説明する。
【０２５１】
ＭＣＨは、主に現像機に起因する、感度、カラーバランスの変動を補正する。現像特性の変動は従来から知られているように、各色露光量の制御によってほぼ補正できる。言い換えれば、各色ごとのスカラー量として補正値を保持すればよい。このため、ＭＣＨ値は各色ごとの係数値として保持する。
【０２５２】
ＭＣＨは、現像処理を同一にすることができる感材ごとに１つにすることができる。このため、１日に多種類の面質やサイズの異なる感材を使用する場合、感材ごとに現像特性の補正作業をいちいち行わずに、ＭＣＨ補正を１度行えばよく、補正作業を減らせるという効果がある。ＭＣＨは、現像特性の変動を補正するためのチャネルであるため、たとえば１日に１度行えばよい。
【０２５３】
以下、本発明の第１１の実施例におけるＭＣＨの補正について説明する。
【０２５４】
まず、オペレータが操作パネルからＭＣＨ補正の実行を指示すると、テストチャートをプリントするために、信号変換部１０１にテストチャートプリント用の補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］がロードされる。
【０２５５】
このテストチャートプリント用の補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］は、不揮発性メモリ１０７に現在記憶されている、感材補正カーブＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］と現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］とを用いて数４によって算出されるものである。
【０２５６】
【数４】

ここで、ｃｏｌｏｒは入力色であり、ｉは入力レベルである。
【０２５７】
次に、信号変換部１０１にＴＰ信号を入力し、ＴＰ信号が示す画像を、変換特性作成部１０６からロードした補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］に基づいてプリントし、プリント１０４を出力する。
【０２５８】
図１９は、本発明の第１１の実施例のＭＣＨ補正で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【０２５９】
図１９において、Ｙ、Ｍ、Ｃのそれぞれはイエロー、マゼンタ、シアンの各色を示し、ｋは３色を重ね合わせたグレーを示す。プリント１０４における各色は、変換特性ＴｃＬｕｔが単調性を有しているとき、プリント濃度が数５に示す大小関係を満たすように配置される。
【０２６０】
【数５】
ｃ０＜ｃ１＜ｃ２＜ｃ３＜ｃ４
ｍ０＜ｍ１＜ｍ２＜ｍ３＜ｍ４
ｙ０＜ｙ１＜ｙ２＜ｙ３＜ｙ４
なお、テストチャートにおいて、図１９に示すように各色を配置することによって、たとえば図２０に示すように各色を配置するのに比べて、補正の手間が少なくなるという効果がある。なお、図２０は従来のテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【０２６１】
オペレータは、ＬＥＤプリンタから出力された、図１９に示したプリント１０４を、ＬＥＤプリンタの濃度測定部１０５に挿入する。濃度測定部１０５はプリント１０４の所定位置の濃度を測定し、測定データＤｍｅｓ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］を変換特性作成部１０６に対して出力する。
【０２６２】
なお、本実施例では、濃度測定および測定濃度のチェックを、図１９に示したプリント１０４の列ごとに行う。すなわち、オペレータがプリント１０４を濃度測定部１０５に挿入すると、濃度測定部１０５では図１９に示した列ｒ１（ｋ０、ｍ３、ｍ２、ｍ１、ｃ３、ｃ２、ｃ１、ｙ３、ｙ２、ｙ１、ｋ０の列）のみを読み取って、測定濃度のチェックへと進む。
【０２６３】
測定濃度のチェックでは測定ミスの判定を行う。
【０２６４】
まず、プリント１０４の画像においてたとえば誤った列を読み取っていないかをチェックする（今回は、列ｒ２（ｋ０、ｙ４、ｙ０、ｍ４、ｍ０、ｃ４、ｃ０、ｋ１、ｋ２、ｋ３、ｋ０の列）が誤った列である）。これはテストチャートの各列の色配列を変えておけば容易に判定することができる。
【０２６５】
次に、感材の管理状態、履歴、現像機の汚れなどによる特性変動やカブリがないかを判定する。
【０２６６】
補正データを求める際、感材がかぶっていたり、局所的に特性が変化していたり、現像機が汚れていたりすると、正しい補正データが求められない。さらに、補正の方式次第ではその影響が次回以降の補正にまで及んでしまう。そこで、本実施例では、テストチャートの濃度を測定した段階で、補正データを求める計算を行う前に、この判定を行う。以下に、この判定の原理を説明する。
【０２６７】
列ｒ１にはｋ０で示される同じ濃度示すグレーデータが複数ヶ所（図１９では２ヶ所）にプリントされており、ｋ０の位置による色ずれが許容値よりも大きい場合には、感材の管理状態等による特性変動またはカブリであると判定する。色ずれは、２ヶ所のｋ０のそれぞれのＣＭＹ濃度を（ｋｃ１，ｋｍ１，ｋｙ１）、（ｋｃ２，ｋｍ２，ｋｙ２）としたとき、Ａ＝｜（ｋｍ１−ｋｃ１）−（ｋｍ２−ｋｃ２）｜、Ｂ＝｜（ｋｍ１−ｋｙ１）−（ｋｍ２−ｋｙ２）｜、色ずれ＝（Ａ^２＋Ｂ^２）^１／２によって求められる。
【０２６８】
上記のチェックにおいて異常がなかった場合、目標濃度の存在範囲についてチェックを行う。すなわち、各色濃度ｃ１〜ｃ３、ｍ１〜ｍ３、ｙ１〜ｙ３を判定する。ＭＣＨでは、Ｃ、Ｍ、Ｙの各色が誤差なくセットアップされたとき、目標濃度が上記３点のうちのいずれか２点間に含まれるようにプリントされている。この範囲に目標濃度が存在している場合には、濃度測定および測定濃度のチェックを終了する。一方、列ｒ１の範囲に目標濃度が存在していない場合には、オペレータがプリント１０４を濃度測定部１０５に再度挿入し、列ｒ２について濃度測定および測定濃度のチェックを行う。ただし、列ｒ２の測定濃度のチェックの際には、目標濃度の存在範囲についてはチェックを行わない。列ｒ２には列ｒ１からさらに外側の低、高濃度を含む点がプリントされている。
【０２６９】
さらに、列間でもｋ０部の濃度から色シフトを見て、感材の管理状態、履歴による特性変動やカブリがないかを判定する。
【０２７０】
テストチャートを、図２０に示したように、最低限補正に必要な情報を分散してしまうと、変動が少ない場合でもすべての列の濃度を読み取らねばならず、補正に要する時間、手間が、本実施例に比べて多くかかってしまう。また、図１９に示したように、列ｒ１といっしょに列ｒ２をプリントしておけば、列ｒ２が必要となったとき（ずれが大きいとき）に再度プリントする必要がなく、プリント時間の節約になる。
【０２７１】
なお、感材の管理状態、履歴による局所的な特性変動やカブリの判定は、ｋ０のような同じパッチを複数用意しなくても可能である。たとえば、濃度の読み取りを複数ヶ所で位置をずらして行い、色シフト量を比較する方法や、チャートがグレーステップであればステップをほぼ均等に２列に分散して配置し、チャートを読み取ったときのグループ間での色シフト量を比較する方法等がある。
【０２７２】
変換特性作成部１０６では、次の処理として、現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］を算出し、算出結果が所定範囲内であれば不揮発性メモリ１０７に記憶する。一方、新たに求めた現像補正係数と今までの現像補正係数との比（以下、「現像補正係数の補正率」という）が一定値を越える場合などでは、現像補正係数の補正率に応じ、以下の（１）〜（３）のように、その後の処理を異ならせる。
（１） 現像補正係数の補正率が±２０％未満のとき
算出結果の現像補正係数を不揮発性メモリ１０７に登録して完了する。
（２） 現像補正係数の補正率が±２０％以上、±３５％未満のとき
算出結果の現像補正係数を不揮発性メモリ１０７に登録するとともに、オペレータに対して再度補正を行うように促す。
（３） 現像補正係数の補正率が±３５％以上のとき
算出結果の現像補正係数を不揮発性メモリ１０７に登録せず、オペレータに対して再度補正を行うように促す。なお、（３）を繰り返すようであれば、補正値の初期化を行い、再度補正を行うように、オペレータに対し促す。
【０２７３】
現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］の算出方法については後述する。
【０２７４】
これまで説明した処理で補正は完了する。以降、通常のプリントの際には、新たな現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］が現像特性変動の補正に用いられる。
【０２７５】
次に、変換特性作成部１０６において、現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］を算出する処理について説明する。
【０２７６】
テストチャートの列ｒ１には各色主濃度が目標濃度０．６４、０．７６、０．９０付近の設定値となる３段のパッチが記録されており、列ｒ２には各色主濃度が目標濃度０．５３、１．０５付近の設定値となる２段のパッチが記録されている。セットアップ完了後、各階調でグレー濃度が維持されるよう、色ごとに設定値は異なってよい。
【０２７７】
特性のずれが大きく、列ｒ１のプリント範囲に目標濃度が存在しない場合には、前述のように列ｒ２のデータも用いる。列ｒ２のデータを用いても範囲該の場合には外挿によって推定する。
【０２７８】
プリントしたテストチャートの各パッチの濃度測定を行い、目標濃度０．７６がどの段とどの段の間に存在するかを求める。目標濃度としては、濃度０．７付近を選択すればよく、必ずしも０．７６でなくてもよい。
【０２７９】
図２１は、各色のチャートを濃度の低いほうから高いほうへ５段分並べて示す図であり、目標濃度が存在する範囲を説明する図である。
【０２８０】
図２１において、矢印は測定濃度に基づいた目標濃度が存在するチャートの段位置を示しており、パッチ内の数字は各パッチの目標濃度を示している。
【０２８１】
以上の処理で目標濃度の付近の２点の濃度を決定することができた。以下、現像補正係数を算出する処理について説明する。まず、目標濃度付近の２点の濃度から補間によってＭＣＨ補正値を計算する。ここでは、説明を簡単にするため、１色について説明する。従って添え字の［ｃｏｌｏｒ］は省略して示す。
【０２８２】
図２２は、画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【０２８３】
目標濃度０．７６の付近の２点の濃度のパッチを得るためのＴＰ信号および当該パッチの測定濃度を、それぞれ｛ｐｗｍ［０］、ｐｗｍ［１］｝、｛Ｄｍｅｓ［０］、Ｄｍｅｓ［１］｝とする。目標濃度がテストチャートの範囲外のときには、最も近いパッチ２つの測定濃度を代わりとする。
【０２８４】
また、現像補正係数と後述するペーパーチャネル（ＰＣＨ）の合成特性として得られるテーブルをＴｃｌｕｔ［２５６］とする。
【０２８５】
このとき、目標濃度を得るための補正カーブ上での値をｌｕｔ＿ｍｃｈとすると、ｌｕｔ＿ｍｃｈは数６で求められる。
【０２８６】
【数６】

現像特性が変動する前は、テストパターンの中央（画像データ入力値をｒｅｆとする）で目標濃度が得られていたはずであるから、このテストパターン信号（ＴＰ信号）をｐｗｍ［ｒｅｆ］としたとき、新しい現像補正係数ｍｃｈ＿ｎｅｗは数７で得られる。
【０２８７】
【数７】
ｍｃｈ＿ｎｅｗ＝ｌｕｔ＿ｍｃｈ／Ｐｃｈｌｕｔ［ｐｗｍ［ｒｅｆ］］
ここで、数４に示した関係を用いて整理すると、数８が得られる。
【０２８８】
【数８】

以上でＭＣＨの補正の説明を終わる。
【０２８９】
次に、ペーパーチャネル（ＰＣＨ）の補正に関して説明する。
【０２９０】
ＰＣＨは、感材の違い（たとえばロットの違い）によるばらつきを補正し、望ましい階調に設定する。ＰＣＨでは、デジタル処理の特徴を生かし、入力対出力濃度の関係が所定の階調になるような変換特性をチャネルとしてテーブル形式で保持する。補正データは感材種別に対応させて記憶する。
【０２９１】
また、ＰＣＨは、新しいペーパーをはじめて使用するときや、ペーパーのロットが変更されるときにセットアップを行い更新する。これから使用するペーパーに対するセットアップが１度もなされていないときは、デフォルト値として記憶されている初期テーブルからキャリブレーションを開始する。
【０２９２】
この際、デフォルトとして持つ補正カーブは、たとえば乳剤や面質に応じて複数用意しておいてもよく、感材種別に対応したデフォルトテーブルを不揮発性メモリ１０７から選択するようにしてもよい。
【０２９３】
以下、本発明の第１１の実施例におけるＰＣＨの補正について説明する。
【０２９４】
まず、オペレータが操作パネルからＰＣＨ補正の実行を指示すると、テストチャートをプリントするために、信号変換部１０１にテストチャートプリント用の補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］がロードされる。
【０２９５】
このテストチャートプリント用の補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］は、不揮発性メモリ１０７に現在記憶されている、感材補正係数Ｐｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］と感材補正デフォルトカーブＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］と現像補正係数ｍｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］とを用いて数９によって算出されるものである。
【０２９６】
【数９】

ここで、ｃｏｌｏｒは入力色であり、ｉは入力レベルである。
【０２９７】
また、ｋは色ごとに異なる定数であり、ＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔの特定入力値に対する出力であり、本実施例では８ビット入力に対し、入力値１４４でグレー濃度０．８付近が得られる設定にしており、この入力で正規化する。従って、ｋ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］は数１０で表される。
【０２９８】
【数１０】
ｋ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］＝ＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［１４４］
なお、初回は補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］として感材補正デフォルトカーブＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］をそのまま用いる。
【０２９９】
次に、信号変換部１０１にＴＰ信号を入力し、ＴＰ信号が示す画像を、変換特性作成部１０６からロードした補正カーブＴｃＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］に基づいてプリントし、プリント１０４を出力する。
【０３００】
このＰＣＨ補正で用いるテストチャートは、たとえば、図１６に示したテストチャートと同様の２０段程度のステップチャートでよいので、ここでは図１６を参照して説明する。
【０３０１】
オペレータは、ＬＥＤプリンタから出力された、図１６に示したプリント１０４を、ＬＥＤプリンタの濃度測定部１０５に挿入する。濃度測定部１０５はプリント１０４の所定位置の濃度を測定し、測定データＤｍｅｓ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］を変換特性作成部１０６に対して出力する。
【０３０２】
変換特性作成部１０６は、測定データを判定し、異常（ペーパーのカブリ、現像特性異常、ユーザーの誤操作によるデータ異常等）がないかを調べた後、以降の処理へと進む。
【０３０３】
変換特性作成部１０６では、次の処理として、変換特性（補正カーブ）を算出し、補正カーブおよび補正係数分の形で、結果を不揮発性メモリ１０７にＰＣＨ値として登録する。ここで、補正係数分はＰｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］＝ＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［１４４］として決定する。感材補正カーブＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］は算出した補正カーブである。
【０３０４】
以降、通常プリントの際は、たとえばペーパーカートリッジに印刷された、ペーパーのロット・種別などを識別するコード等から、同じペーパーと判定できる場合には、不揮発性メモリ１０７に登録されている補正カーブＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］をその感材用のＰＣＨとして使用する。
【０３０５】
再度補正を行う場合には上記処理を繰り返す。テストプリントの再には、現像補正係数と感材補正係数と感材補正デフォルトカーブとから生成された変換テーブルを信号変換部１０１にセットして、たとえば図１６に示した２０段程度のＹＭＣチャートをプリントする。このときの変換テーブルは数１１によって算出される。
【０３０６】
【数１１】

次に、変換特性作成部１０６において、補正カーブを算出する処理について説明する。ここでは、説明を簡単にするため、１色について説明する。従って添え字の［ｃｏｌｏｒ］は省略して示す。
【０３０７】
図２３は、画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【０３０８】
ここで、テストチャートの各色のｉ番目の目標濃度、テストチャートを出力するための信号変換部１０１への入力値（ＴＰ信号）、目標濃度および濃度測定部１０５による測定濃度のそれぞれを、Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］、ｐｗｍ［ｉ］およびＤｍｅｓ［ｉ］とする。また、このテストチャートのプリントに用いた補正カーブをＴｃｌｕｔ［２５６］とする。
【０３０９】
このとき、ｉ番目の目標濃度を得るためのＬＵＴの値をｌｕｔ＿ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］とし、目標濃度Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］がｊ番目の測定濃度Ｄｍｅｓ［ｊ］とｊ＋１番目の測定濃度Ｄｍｅｓ［ｊ＋１］との間にあったとする。
【０３１０】
補正カーブＴｃｌｕｔ［ｉ］は数１２で表される。
【０３１１】
【数１２】

ここで、（ＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｉ］×ｐｃｈ）／ＤｅｆＰｃｈＬｕｔ［１４４］の部分は、ＰＣＨ分であるので、Ｔｃ＿ＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｉ］と置きかえると、数１３のようになる。
【０３１２】
【数１３】
Ｔｃｌｕｔ［ｉ］＝Ｔｃ＿ＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｉ］×ｍｃｈ
また、図２３に示す関係から、ｌｕｔ＿ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］は、数１４に示すようにして求められる。
【０３１３】
【数１４】

ＰＣＨ値ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］は、ｌｕｔ＿ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］からＭＣＨ値を分離した値であるから、数１５となる。
【０３１４】
【数１５】
ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］＝ｌｕｔ＿ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］／ｍｃｈ
また、数１４と数１５とから数１６のようになる。
【０３１５】
【数１６】

さらに、数１３と数１６とから数１７のように、ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］が求まる。
【０３１６】
【数１７】

以上の処理を繰り返すことによって、（ｉ，ｐｃｈ２［ｉ］）の組み合わせをすべて求める。
【０３１７】
そして、これらの組データによって、信号変換部１０１の入力と出力との関係が離散的に求められ、中間値については補間することによって求められ、これによって新たなＰＣＨの合成補正カーブを求めることができる。
【０３１８】
なお、上記処理では目標濃度値Ｄｒｅｆ［ｉ］の間隔は不均等でよいため、たとえば、ハイライト部分の間隔を他の部分よりも細かく設定して、ハイライト部分のカラーバランスがより安定するようにするのが好ましい。
【０３１９】
得られた補正カーブを感材補正カーブＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［ｉ］として不揮発メモリ１０７を更新し、不揮発メモリ１０７の感材補正係数Ｐｃｈ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］をＰｃｈＬｕｔ［ｃｏｌｏｒ］［１４４］の値で更新する。
【０３２０】
次に、本発明の第１２の実施例について説明する。
【０３２１】
ところで、上述の各実施例で説明したような補正を行ったとしても、目標濃度からある程度以上ずれる場合には、露光・特性補正系に問題があるのか、それとも現像系に問題があるのかを判定する必要がある。なぜならば、現像系に問題がある場合、露光量補正によって補正できる分には限界があるからである。
【０３２２】
上述の各実施例で説明したような補正を行うことによって、現像液、ペーパーロット間の違いなどの補正が可能である。しかしながら、現像液が劣化してしまった場合、プリント結果における最高濃度が低下し、露光量の補正（露光時間やＬＵＴの補正）では補正しきれなくなってしまう。最高濃度が低下した場合の問題は、露光量が何等かの要因で低下しているのが原因なのか、現像液の劣化が原因なのかを容易に切り分けできない点にある。
【０３２３】
従来から、このような場合にはコントロールストリップを流す方法が知られている。ところが、このコントロールストリップを流す方法の場合、特別に露光された感光材料（ペーパー、印画紙）を用いるため、正確である反面、手間がかかるという問題がある。
【０３２４】
この第１２の実施例は現像液の劣化を判定することができるものであり、本実施例によれば、コントロールストリップを用意しなくても、簡便な方法で、適切なトラブルシューティングが行える。
【０３２５】
図２４は、本発明の第１２の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【０３２６】
まず、オペレーターがＬＥＤプリンタの操作パネル２１から現像液劣化判定用チャートの出力を指示すると、図２５に示すようなチャートがプリントされる（Ｅ−１）。
【０３２７】
図２５は、本発明の第１２の実施例において用いる現像液劣化判定用チャートを示す図である。
【０３２８】
図２５において、Ｙ、Ｍ、ＣはそれぞれＢ、Ｇ、Ｒの単独色でベタ露光されたパッチであり、ＫはＲ、Ｇ、Ｂの３色でベタ露光されたパッチである。
【０３２９】
次に、オペレータは、図２５に示した現像液劣化判定用チャートを濃度計２３に挿入し、濃度計２３では現像液劣化判定用チャートの各パッチの濃度を測定する（Ｅ−２）。このとき、図２５に示した現像液劣化判定用チャートのパッチＣについてはＣ濃度、パッチＭについてはＭ濃度、パッチＹについてはＹ濃度、パッチＫについてはＣ、Ｍ、Ｙの３色の濃度を測定する。
【０３３０】
次に、濃度のチェックを行う（Ｅ−３）。
【０３３１】
具体的には、パッチＣ、パッチＭ、パッチＹのＣ濃度、Ｍ濃度、Ｙ濃度と、パッチＫの黒濃度とを比較する。現像液が劣化すると、露光量は十分なのにも関わらず、感材が十分に現像されず、濃度が低下する。この現象は、印画紙の上層が発色しているほど顕著なため、黒の最高濃度付近が最も顕著に現れる。すなわち、印画紙において各色に発色する層のうちたとえばＹに発色する層が最下層であった場合、現像液が劣化していると、パッチＣ、パッチＭおよびパッチＹの単色ではそれぞれ所定の濃度が十分に得られていても、パッチＫでは最下層のＹ濃度が十分にあがらずに青みがかった黒になってしまう。
【０３３２】
このため、ステップ（Ｅ−３）における判定条件としては、ＣＭＹ濃度が所定の濃度に達しており、且つ黒のＹ濃度が所定値以下であることが挙げられる。この条件で判定が行われ（Ｅ−４）、正常である場合には、現像液が劣化していない旨をたとえば操作パネル２１のＬＣＤ２２にメッセージ表示する（Ｅ−５）。ステップ（Ｅ−４）で異常の場合すなわち上記条件に該当する場合には、現像液の劣化の可能性が高いので、その旨をたとえば操作パネル２１のＬＣＤ２２にメッセージ表示する（Ｅ−６）。
【０３３３】
次に、本発明の第１３の実施例について説明する。
【０３３４】
この第１３の実施例は、第１２の実施例と同様に、現像液の劣化を判定することができるものであり、本実施例によれば、コントロールストリップを用意しなくても、簡便な方法で、適切なトラブルシューティングが行える。
【０３３５】
第１２の実施例では、露光量を確認するために図２５に示したようなチャートをプリントしたが、本実施例はこの点に違いがある。すなわち、この第１３の実施例では、印画紙に外光によるカブリ露光が行えるように、たとえばＬＥＤプリンタの筐体に窓を設け、この窓からの外光によって印画紙を所定時間かぶらせ、このかぶらせた印画紙を現像し、現像結果を現像液劣化の判定に用いる。
【０３３６】
図２６は、本発明の第１３の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【０３３７】
まず、ＬＥＤプリンタの筐体に設けた窓（シャッタ等によって自動または手動で開閉可能にしておくとよい）からの外光によって印画紙を所定時間かぶらせる（Ｆ−１）。この所定時間は、カブリが十分に行われるだけの時間に設定するのがよい。
【０３３８】
ＬＥＤプリンタは、その後、かぶらせた印画紙を現像し（Ｆ−２）、外部に排出する。オペレータは、排出された印画紙を濃度計２３に挿入し、濃度計２３ではカブリ露光、現像を行った印画紙の濃度を測定する（Ｆ−３）。
【０３３９】
次に、濃度のチェックを行う（Ｆ−４）。本実施例では、印画紙において各色に発色する層のうちたとえばＹに発色する層が最下層であった場合、たとえばＣ濃度が所定値以上であり、且つＹ濃度が所定値以下である場合に、現像液劣化の可能性が高いと判定する。
【０３４０】
判定結果（Ｆ−５）が、正常である場合には、現像液が劣化していない旨をたとえば操作パネル２１のＬＣＤ２２にメッセージ表示する（Ｆ−６）。ステップ（Ｆ−５）で異常の場合には、現像液の劣化の可能性が高いので、その旨をたとえば操作パネル２１のＬＣＤ２２にメッセージ表示する（Ｆ−７）。
【０３４１】
ここでは、筐体に設けた窓からの外光によってカブリ露光行う方式を説明したが、その趣旨は、記録光源とは別の光源によって、印画紙に十分カブリ露光を与えることであり、外光による露光の代わりにたとえばプリンタ内にランプ等のＬＥＤとは別の光源を配置し、この光源によって印画紙を所定時間カブリ露光させてもよい。
【０３４２】
次に、本発明の第１４の実施例について説明する。
【０３４３】
ＬＥＤプリンタにおいて、プリントを行なう感光紙として長尺記録紙を用いた場合、上述のように、露光に先立ち記録紙を所望のサイズにカットする必要がある。
【０３４４】
このような方式において、ホストコンピュータから一旦はプリント開始の指示がきて記録紙を所望のサイズにカットした後、プリント中止の指示があった場合、従来は、カット済み記録紙に対して露光がされていないにもかかわらず、そのカット済み記録紙をそのまま排出してしまっていた。このため、従来は記録紙の無駄が生じてしまうという問題があった。
【０３４５】
そこで、この第１４の実施例では、このような記録紙の無駄を極力解消することを目的とする。
【０３４６】
図２７は、本発明の第１４の実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。
【０３４７】
図２７において、ホストコンピュータ１は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント開始を指示する画像記録開始指示手段１１０と、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して今回のプリントに必要な記録紙のサイズを送信する記録紙切断長指示手段１１１と、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して画像データを送信する画像データ送信手段１１２と、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント中止を指示する画像記録中止指示手段１１３とを有する。また、ＬＥＤプリンタ２は、ホストコンピュータ１からのデータを受けてＬＥＤプリンタ２の各部の動作を制御する制御手段１１４と、プリントに用いられる記録紙である長尺記録紙１１５と、長尺記録紙１１５を引き出して給紙する給紙手段１１６と、カットされた長尺記録紙１１５を排紙する排紙手段１１７と、引き出された長尺記録紙１１５を所望のサイズでカットする記録紙切断手段１１８と、カットされた長尺記録紙１１５に画像を記録する画像記録手段１１９とを有する。
【０３４８】
なお、たとえば、制御手段１１４は図１に示したＩＰＢ−ＣＰＵ６であり、給紙手段１１６は給紙ローラーであり、排紙手段１１７は排紙ローラーであり、記録紙切断手段１１８はペーパーカッターであり、画像記録手段１１９は図１に示した回転ドラム３６およびＬＥＤアレイ３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃ等の露光プロセスに用いられる構成である。
【０３４９】
次に、この第１４の実施例の動作について説明する。
【０３５０】
まず、オペレータがホストコンピュータ１を操作して、プリントを指示すると、ホストコンピュータ１の画像記録開始指示手段１１０は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント開始を指示する。また、記録紙切断長指示手段１１１は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して記録紙のサイズを指示する。さらに、画像データ送信手段１１２は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して画像データの送信を開始する。
【０３５１】
これらの指示を受けたＬＥＤプリンタ２の制御手段１１４は、給紙手段１１６および記録紙切断手段１１８に対して、記録紙切断長指示手段１１１から指示されたサイズに基づいて長尺記録紙１１５を引出してカットするように指示する。この指示を受けた給紙手段１１６は長尺記録紙１１５を必要な長さだけ引き出し、その時点で記録紙切断手段１１８が長尺記録紙１１５をカットする。
【０３５２】
次に、制御手段１１４は、画像データ送信手段１１２から受け取った画像データに基づいてカット済み記録紙１２０に画像記録するように画像記録手段１１９に対して指示するわけだが、この画像記録を行う前にホストコンピュータ１の画像記録中止指示手段１１３からプリント中止の指示を受けた場合には、画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の指示を行わないようにする。
【０３５３】
なお、制御手段１１４が画像記録中止指示手段１１３からプリント中止の指示を受けたのが、制御手段１１４が画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の指示を行った後だとしても、カット済み記録紙１２０にまだ画像記録がされていない状態であれば、制御手段１１４は画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の中止を指示し、本実施例が実現可能である。
【０３５４】
このとき、カット済み記録紙１２０にはまだ画像記録をしていないため、カット済み記録紙１２０の再利用が可能である。そこで、本実施例では、このように、ホストコンピュータ１から一旦はプリント開始の指示がきて長尺記録紙１１５を所望のサイズにカットした後、ホストコンピュータ１からプリント中止の指示があった場合、カット済み記録紙１２０を排出せず、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持して次のプリント開始の指示を待つ。
【０３５５】
この状態で、ホストコンピュータ１の画像記録開始指示手段１１０からＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して次のプリント開始が指示された場合、制御手段１１４は、記録紙切断長指示手段１１１からＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して新たに指示された記録紙のサイズと、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズとを比較する。
【０３５６】
この記録紙サイズの比較の結果、同じサイズであった場合には、制御手段１１４は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に対して、新たな画像データを記録するように、画像記録手段１１９に指示する。画像記録手段１１９によって、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持していたカット済み記録紙１２０に対する画像記録が完了したならば、制御手段１１４は排紙手段１１７を制御して画像記録済みの記録紙を排紙する。
【０３５７】
また、上述の記録紙サイズの比較の結果、記録紙切断長指示手段１１１からＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して新たに指示された記録紙のサイズが、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズよりも大きい場合には、保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に対して新たな画像を記録することができないので、制御手段１１４は、排紙手段１１７を制御してカット済み記録紙１２０をそのまま排紙し、長尺記録紙１１５を新たなサイズでカットして新たな画像の記録を実行する。
【０３５８】
さらに、上述の記録紙サイズの比較の結果、記録紙切断長指示手段１１１からＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して新たに指示された記録紙のサイズが、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズよりも小さい場合には、以下の３通りの処理のうちから、たとえばオペレータが選択することができるようにしておくとよい。これは、プリント結果の用途によって、画像が欠けないで記録されればよいような場合やサイズが一致していなければいけないような場合等があるため、オペレータが処理を選択することができるようにしておくと便利だからである。
（１）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のほうが新たに指示された記録紙のサイズよりも大きいので、新たな画像はカット済み記録紙１２０に入りきるが、完全に一致するサイズではないので、カット済み記録紙１２０には画像を記録せずに排紙する。
（２）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に新たな画像を記録して排紙する。
（３）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０を、新たに指示された記録紙のサイズにカットし、このカットされた記録紙に新たな画像を記録して排紙する。
【０３５９】
ところで、カット済み記録紙１２０をＬＥＤプリンタ２内に長時間保持していると、雰囲気や遮光の度合いによってカット済み記録紙１２０の特性が経時劣化するおそれがあるし、記録紙が薬品を含有する場合には、給紙手段１１６、排紙手段１１７または画像記録手段等の周辺構成に悪影響を与えるおそれがある。このため、カット済み記録紙１２０をＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持している時間が所定時間に達したならば、画像記録をせずに強制的に排紙するのが望ましい。このとき、カット済み記録紙１２０を強制排紙するまでの所定時間は、たとえばオペレータが設定し、変更可能にしておくのがよい。
【０３６０】
次に、本発明の第１５の実施例について説明する。
【０３６１】
第１５の実施例も、第１４の実施例と同様に、記録紙の無駄を極力解消することを目的とするものである。
【０３６２】
図２８は、本発明の第１５の実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。
【０３６３】
図２８において、ホストコンピュータ１は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント開始を指示する画像記録開始指示手段１１０と、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して画像データを送信する画像データ送信手段１１２と、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント中止を指示する画像記録中止指示手段１１３とを有する。また、ＬＥＤプリンタ２は、ホストコンピュータ１からのデータを受けてＬＥＤプリンタ２の各部の動作を制御する制御手段１１４と、プリントに用いられる記録紙である長尺記録紙１１５と、長尺記録紙１１５を引き出して給紙する給紙手段１１６と、カットされた長尺記録紙１１５を排紙する排紙手段１１７と、引き出された長尺記録紙１１５を所望のサイズでカットする記録紙切断手段１１８と、カットされた長尺記録紙１１５に画像を記録する画像記録手段１１９とを有する。また、本実施例においては、ＬＥＤプリンタ２の制御手段１１４が、画像データ送信手段１１２から受けた画像データに基づいて今回のプリントに必要な記録紙のサイズを決定する記録紙切断長決定手段１２１を有する。
【０３６４】
なお、たとえば、制御手段１１４は図１に示したＩＰＢ−ＣＰＵ６であり、給紙手段１１６は給紙ローラーであり、排紙手段１１７は排紙ローラーであり、記録紙切断手段１１８はペーパーカッターであり、画像記録手段１１９は図１に示した回転ドラム３６およびＬＥＤアレイ３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃ等の露光プロセスに用いられる構成である。
【０３６５】
次に、この第１５の実施例の動作について説明する。
【０３６６】
まず、オペレータがホストコンピュータ１を操作して、プリントを指示すると、ホストコンピュータ１の画像記録開始指示手段１１０は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対してプリント開始を指示する。また、画像データ送信手段１１２は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して画像データの送信を開始する。
【０３６７】
プリント開始の指示および画像データを受けたＬＥＤプリンタ２の制御手段１１４では、記録紙切断長決定手段１２１によって、受信した画像データの大きさに基づいて今回のプリントに必要な記録紙のサイズを決定する。
【０３６８】
そして、制御手段１１４は、給紙手段１１６および記録紙切断手段１１８に対して、記録紙切断長決定手段１２１によって決定したサイズに基づいて長尺記録紙１１５を引出してカットするように指示する。この指示を受けた給紙手段１１６は長尺記録紙１１５を必要な長さだけ引き出し、その時点で記録紙切断手段１１８が長尺記録紙１１５をカットする。
【０３６９】
次に、制御手段１１４は、画像データ送信手段１１２から受け取った画像データに基づいてカット済み記録紙１２０に画像記録するように画像記録手段１１９に対して指示するわけだが、この画像記録を行う前にホストコンピュータ１の画像記録中止指示手段１１３からプリント中止の指示を受けた場合には、画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の指示を行わないようにする。
【０３７０】
なお、制御手段１１４が画像記録中止指示手段１１３からプリント中止の指示を受けたのが、制御手段１１４が画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の指示を行った後だとしても、カット済み記録紙１２０にまだ画像記録がされていない状態であれば、制御手段１１４は画像記録手段１１９に対して画像記録の中止を指示し、本実施例が実現可能である。
【０３７１】
このとき、カット済み記録紙１２０にはまだ画像記録をしていないため、カット済み記録紙１２０の再利用が可能である。そこで、本実施例では、このように、ホストコンピュータ１から一旦はプリント開始の指示がきて長尺記録紙１１５を所望のサイズにカットした後、ホストコンピュータ１からプリント中止の指示があった場合、カット済み記録紙１２０を排出せず、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持して次のプリント開始の指示を待つ。
【０３７２】
この状態で、ホストコンピュータ１の画像記録開始指示手段１１０からＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して次のプリント開始が指示された場合、制御手段１１４は、記録紙切断長決定手段１２１が新たな画像データに基づいて決定したサイズと、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズとを比較する。
【０３７３】
この記録紙サイズの比較の結果、同じサイズであった場合には、制御手段１１４は、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に対して、新たな画像データを記録するように、画像記録手段１１９に指示する。画像記録手段１１９によって、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持していたカット済み記録紙１２０に対する画像記録が完了したならば、制御手段１１４は排紙手段１１７を制御して画像記録済みの記録紙を排紙する。
【０３７４】
また、上述の記録紙サイズの比較の結果、記録紙切断長決定手段１２１が新たな画像データに基づいて決定したサイズが、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズよりも大きい場合には、保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に対して新たな画像を記録することができないので、制御手段１１４は、排紙手段１１７を制御してカット済み記録紙１２０をそのまま排紙し、長尺記録紙１１５を新たなサイズでカットして新たな画像の記録を実行する。
【０３７５】
さらに、上述の記録紙サイズの比較の結果、記録紙切断長決定手段１２１が新たな画像データに基づいて決定したサイズが、ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のサイズよりも小さい場合には、以下の３通りの処理のうちから、たとえばオペレータが選択することができるようにしておくとよい。これは、プリント結果の用途によって、画像が欠けないで記録されればよいような場合やサイズが一致していなければいけないような場合等があるため、オペレータが処理を選択することができるようにしておくと便利だからである。
（１）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０のほうが新たに決定された記録紙のサイズよりも大きいので、新たな画像はカット済み記録紙１２０に入りきるが、完全に一致するサイズではないので、カット済み記録紙１２０には画像を記録せずに排紙する。
（２）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０に新たな画像を記録して排紙する。
（３）ＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持しているカット済み記録紙１２０を、新たに決定された記録紙のサイズにカットし、このカットされた記録紙に新たな画像を記録して排紙する。
【０３７６】
ところで、カット済み記録紙１２０をＬＥＤプリンタ２内に長時間保持していると、雰囲気や遮光の度合いによってカット済み記録紙１２０の特性が経時劣化するおそれがあるし、記録紙が薬品を含有する場合には、給紙手段１１６、排紙手段１１７または画像記録手段等の周辺構成に悪影響を与えるおそれがある。このため、カット済み記録紙１２０をＬＥＤプリンタ２内に保持している時間が所定時間に達したならば、画像記録をせずに強制的に排紙するのが望ましい。このとき、カット済み記録紙１２０を強制排紙するまでの所定時間は、たとえばオペレータが設定し、変更可能にしておくのがよい。
【０３７７】
なお、上述の第１４および第１５の実施例では、画像記録中止指示手段１１３がホストコンピュータ１に設けられているとしたが、本発明はこれに限らず、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に画像記録中止指示手段を設けてもよい。
【０３７８】
次に、本発明の第１６の実施例について説明する。
【０３７９】
ここまでの各実施例においては、画像形成の際に補正が必要となる要因のそれぞれをチャネルと呼んでこのチャネルごとに補正を行うようにし、現像機が原因の変動を補正するための補正量を求めるマスターチャネル補正と、感光紙の面質やロットごとのばらつきが原因の変動を補正するための補正量を求めるペーパーチャネル補正とについて説明した。この第１６の実施例では、このような画像の変動を補正するチャネルのほかに、ユーザーの好みによって画像を変化させることができるユーザーチャネル（以下「ＵＣＨ」ともいう）を設けている。
【０３８０】
従来は、このユーザーチャネルにおいて、画像全体の濃度を濃くしたり、薄くしたりすることはできたが、これはすべての濃度域（入力域）に対して行うものであった。
【０３８１】
図２９は、従来のユーザーチャネルにおいて、入力された画像データのレベルと出力する画像データのレベルとの関係を示す図である。
【０３８２】
図２９においてｋはユーザーが指定するパラメータである。ｋ＝０のときには入力＝出力となり、この場合、ユーザーチャネルによる補正が行われないことになる。また、たとえばユーザーがパラメータｋに１を指定した場合には、ユーザーチャネルにおいて、入力された画像データのレベルを、図２９に示すｋ＝１の直線に基づいて高めて出力する。
【０３８３】
図２９に示すように、従来はユーザーがパラメータｋを指定することによってユーザーの好みの濃度を得ることができたが、このパラメータｋによって変えることができるのは入力画像信号のレベルの全範囲にわたって露光量を変化させることのみであった。このため、従来のユーザーチャネルは、たとえば特定色のみを補正したい場合や特定濃度域のみを補正したいような場合には効果が得られないものであった。
【０３８４】
そこで、この第１６の実施例では、たとえば特定の色の特定の濃度範囲のみについて濃度の調整を行うことができるＬＥＤプリンタを提供することを目的とする。
【０３８５】
図３０は、本発明の第１６の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【０３８６】
ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２２は、後述するユーザーが入力したユーザー操作パラメータと、ＵＣＨ（ユーザーチャネル）用ＬＵＴとに基づき、所定の重み付けを行った変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］を生成する。ユーザー特定色補正部１２３は、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２２が生成した変換特性をロードし、入力された画像データをロードした変換特性ｆに基づいて補正して出力する。画像記録部１２４は、ユーザー特定色補正部１２３が出力した画像データに基づいて感光紙に画像記録を行う。
【０３８７】
なお、たとえば、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２２は図１に示したＩＰＢ−ＣＰＵ６であり、ユーザー特定色補正部１２３は図１に示したＬＢＢ２６ａ、２６ｂ、２６ｃであり、画像記録部１２４は図１に示したＬＥＤアレイ基板３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃである。
【０３８８】
次に、この第１６の実施例の動作について説明する。
【０３８９】
まず、オペレータが操作パネル２１からユーザーチャネルの補正の実行を指示すると、ＬＥＤプリンタ２はＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントする。
【０３９０】
図３１は、本発明の第１６の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【０３９１】
このＵＣＨ用テストチャートは、ＣＭＹの３色を合成して作成したグレーチャートであり、図３１に示すように、８ビットで表される２５６通りの画像データのレベルｉのうちの２０通り（２０段）についてプリントしたものである。
【０３９２】
この２０段のパッチの中には、画像データの濃度の最小値と最大値、すなわち、３色ともにレベルｉ＝０のパッチと３色ともにレベルｉ＝２５５のパッチが含まれるのが望ましい。ＵＣＨ用テストチャートの一例としては、たとえばレベルｉ＝（０、４、８、１８、３６、５４、７２、９０、１０８、１２６、１４４、１６２、１８０、１９８、２１６、２２６、２３４、２４４、２５０、２５５）（３色ともに同レベル）の２０個のパッチがプリントされたものにすればよい。
【０３９３】
また、このＵＣＨ用テストチャートは、ユーザー特定色補正部１２３において入力＝出力となるＵＣＨの補正が何らされていない状態でプリントされる。
【０３９４】
ユーザーは、プリントされたＵＣＨ用テストチャートを見て、色や濃度を調整したい段やその程度を、ユーザー操作パラメータとして、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して入力する。この入力の方法は、ホストコンピュータ１上で入力してＳＣＳＩによってＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して送信するようにしてもよいし、ＬＥＤプリンタ２の操作パネル２１から直接入力するようにしてもよい。入力されたユーザー操作パラメータはたとえば図１に示したメモリ９に記憶される。
【０３９５】
ここで色をｃｏｌ、ＵＣＨ用テストチャート中のパッチの段をｊとしたとき、ユーザーによるユーザー操作パラメータの入力によって、補正しない段も含め、各色、各段に対応する微修正データｋ＝ｆｉｎｅ［ｃｏｌ］［ｊ］が設定される。微修正データの値は、該当する段でのユーザー操作パラメータである。
【０３９６】
以降の説明では、ｊ＋１段のパッチのシアン濃度をやや薄くしたい場合について説明するが、複数の段について、また複数色について補正を行う場合についても同様の処理を複数行うものである。
【０３９７】
図３２は、ユーザー操作パラメータについて一覧に示す表図である。
【０３９８】
この図３２は、ｊ＋１段のパッチのシアン濃度をやや薄くしたい場合のユーザー操作パラメータを示すものである。ｊ＋１段のシアン濃度の項はやや薄くするために−１となり、他の項については修正しないため０となっている。
【０３９９】
図３３は、ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴの一例を示す図である。
【０４００】
ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴは、図３３に示すように、ユーザー操作パラメータｋに対応して複数用意され、たとえば図１に示したメモリ９に記憶されている。
【０４０１】
ユーザー特定色補正部１２２にロードする変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］（ｃｏｌは色、ｉは入力レベル）は、前述のように、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２３において計算される。
【０４０２】
ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２３では、ＵＣＨ用テストチャートの各段ごとに、ユーザー操作パラメータに対応したＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴの値を選択する。ただし、ＵＣＨ用テストチャートの各段は、画像データの入力レベルのすべてに対して設けられたものではないので、ユーザーが補正を指示した段とその前後の段との間を補間する必要がある。本実施例では、この段と段との間においてユーザー操作パラメータに対して所定の重み付けをして用いることによって補間する。ここでの重みｗは、たとえば数１８のように表される。
【０４０３】
【数１８】
ｗ＝（ｒ［ｊ＋１］−ｉ）／（ｒ［ｊ＋１］−ｒ［ｊ］）
数１８において、ｒ［ｊ］はｊ段における入力を示す。このとき、重みｗは図３４に示すようになる。
【０４０４】
図３４は、本発明の第１６の実施例における重みｗの一例を示す図である。
【０４０５】
なお、重みｗは、ユーザーが補正を指示した段で１となり、ユーザーが補正を指示しない段で０となればよいので、別の例として、図３５に示すような形のものでもよい。
【０４０６】
図３５は、本発明の第１６の実施例における重みｗの例であって、図３４とは別の例を示す図である。
【０４０７】
ここで、ユーザー操作パラメータと重みとの関係についてさらに説明する。
【０４０８】
図３６は、本発明の第１６の実施例における、ユーザー操作パラメータと重みとの関係について説明する図である。
【０４０９】
図３２に示したようなユーザー操作パラメータがユーザーから入力された場合、シアンの変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］（ｃｏｌ＝シアン）を作成するとき、図３６に示すように、ｊ＋１段に対応する入力ｒ［ｊ＋１］ではユーザー操作パラメータは−１が選択され、ｊ段およびｊ＋２段ではユーザー操作パラメータは０が選択される。いま、ユーザー操作パラメータに対応する、入力全域に対するＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴをｕｃｈ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］とすると、その中間、入力ｉがｒ［ｊ］≦ｉ≦ｒ［ｊ＋１］の範囲であれば、変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］として、ｊ段ではｕｃｈ［ｆｉｎｅ［ｃｏｌ］［ｊ］］［ｉ］が選択され、ｊ＋１段ではｕｃｈ［ｆｉｎｅ［ｃｏｌ］［ｊ＋］］［ｉ］が選択される（すなわち、重み１）。またｊ段とｊ＋１段との間では、重みに従った特性になるように、変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］は数１９に示すようになる。
【０４１０】
【数１９】

従って、図３２に示したユーザー操作パラメータが指定された場合、結果として、ユーザー特定色補正部１２２にロードされる変換特性ｆ［ｃｏｌ］［ｉ］は図３７に示すようになる。
【０４１１】
図３７は、図３２に示したユーザー操作パラメータが指定された場合の、シアンについての変換特性の一例を示す図である。
【０４１２】
以上説明した処理によって、ユーザー特定色補正部１２２における入出力の新たな変換特性である階調変換カーブが生成できる。
【０４１３】
次回以降にユーザーチャネルの設定を行う場合には、すでに設定されているユーザー操作パラメータに変更を追加するか、新規にユーザー操作パラメータを設定するかを問い合わせ、ユーザー操作パラメータの変更を追加する場合には、すでに記憶してあるユーザー操作パラメータに応じた変換特性をユーザー特定色補正部１２２にロードしてＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントし、新規にユーザー操作パラメータを設定する場合には、初回と同様にユーザー特定色補正部１２２において入力＝出力としてＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントする。
【０４１４】
以上説明したように、この第１６の実施例によれば、ユーザーが変更したい濃度の範囲、色の範囲を簡単に指定することができ、その指定と全階調に対する変換特性とから階調の連続性を保ったまま、部分的な階調の変換を行うことができる。
【０４１５】
次に、本発明の第１７の実施例について説明する。
【０４１６】
本実施例も、第１６の実施例と同様に、ユーザーチャネル補正において特定の色や特定範囲の階調のみを補正しようとするものである。ただ、第１６の実施例ではＵＣＨ用テストチャートとして２０段のグレーチャートを用いたが、本実施例ではＣＭＹの各色のそれぞれについて５段ずつで合計１２５（５×５×５）段のカラーチャートを用いる。
【０４１７】
図３８は、本発明の第１７の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【０４１８】
ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２５は、ユーザーが入力したユーザー操作パラメータと、ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴ１２６とに基づき、補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴを生成する。
【０４１９】
ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴ１２６は、本実施例においては、３色のそれぞれについて９点ずつ合計９×９×９個の色変換情報を有するテーブルであり、デフォルトＬＵＴ１２６ａはデフォルトの色変換特性についてのテーブル、＋ＣＬＵＴ１２６ｂはデフォルトに対して色Ｃを増量した色変換特性についてのテーブル、−ＣＬＵＴ１２６ｃはデフォルトに対して色Ｃを減量した色変換特性についてのテーブル、＋ＭＬＵＴ１２６ｄはデフォルトに対して色Ｍを増量した色変換特性についてのテーブル、−ＭＬＵＴ１２６ｅはデフォルトに対して色Ｍを減量した色変換特性についてのテーブル、＋ＹＬＵＴ１２６ｆはデフォルトに対して色Ｙを増量した色変換特性についてのテーブル、−ＹＬＵＴ１２６ｇはデフォルトに対して色Ｙを減量した色変換特性についてのテーブルである。
【０４２０】
なお、本実施例では９×９×９個の格子点の色変換情報を有するＬＵＴを用いるが本発明はこれに限られるものではなく、たとえば１７×１７×１７や３３×３３×３３であってもよい。
【０４２１】
本実施例におけるＵＣＨ用テストチャートは、ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴ１２６の９×９×９個の格子点に対応する色変換情報を格子点１つおきにプリントするものである。
【０４２２】
色変換部１２７は、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２５から９×９×９の補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴをロードし、この補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴに基づいて、入力された（ｒ，ｇ，ｂ）形式の画像データを（ｃ，ｍ，ｙ）形式の画像データに変換して出力する。
【０４２３】
信号変換部１２８は、入力された画像データに基づいてＬＥＤ１３０を点灯させる露光量データを求め、ドライバ１２９に対して出力する。ドライバ１２９は、信号変換部１２８からの露光量データに基づいて露光のための光源のＬＥＤ１３０を点灯させる。プリント１３１は、５×５×５のテストチャートデータが色変換部１２７に入力されることによって感光紙にプリントされたプリント結果である。
【０４２４】
なお、たとえば、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２５は図１に示したＩＰＢ−ＣＰＵ６であり、ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴ１２６は図１に示したメモリ９に記憶したテーブルであり、色変換部１２７は図１に示した色変換部８であり、信号変換部１２８は図１に示したＬＢＢ２６ａ、２６ｂ、２６ｃであり、ドライバ１２９は図１に示したＬＤＢ３０ａ、３０ｂ、３０ｃ、３０ｄ、３０ｅであり、ＬＥＤ１３０は図１に示したＬＥＤアレイ基板３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃ上に配列したＬＥＤである。
【０４２５】
次に、この第１７の実施例の動作について説明する。
【０４２６】
まず、オペレータが操作パネル２１からユーザーチャネルの補正の実行を指示すると、ＬＥＤプリンタ２はＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントする。
【０４２７】
図３９は、本発明の第１７の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【０４２８】
このＵＣＨ用テストチャートは、図３９に示すように、ＲＧＢの各色を５段階ずつ用意し、それぞれを組み合わせて合計１２５（＝５×５×５）種類のパッチをプリントしたカラーチャートである。図３９に示したＵＣＨ用テストチャートは各色の画像データ０〜２５５の区間を（０，６４，１２８，１９２，２５５）の５点で代表させたものである。また、このＵＣＨ用テストチャートの各パッチに対応した色変換情報は図３８に示したデフォルトＬＵＴ１２６ａである。
【０４２９】
ユーザーは、プリントされたＵＣＨ用テストチャートを見て、色や濃度を調整したい段やその修正量（＋Ｃ、−Ｃ、＋Ｍ、−Ｍ、＋Ｙ、−Ｙ、変更なし）を、ユーザー操作パラメータとして、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して入力する。この入力の方法は、ホストコンピュータ１上で入力してＳＣＳＩによってＬＥＤプリンタ２に対して送信するようにしてもよいし、ＬＥＤプリンタ２の操作パネル２１から直接入力するようにしてもよい。入力されたユーザー操作パラメータはたとえば図１に示したメモリ９に記憶される。
【０４３０】
ユーザー操作パラメータとして入力された修正量に対応した色変換テーブル（ＬＵＴ）は、色変換の非線型特性を考慮した形で、好ましい出力が得られるように予め計算され、デフォルトＬＵＴ１２６ａ、＋ＣＬＵＴ１２６ｂ、−ＣＬＵＴ１２６ｃ、＋ＭＬＵＴ１２６ｄ、−ＭＬＵＴ１２６ｅ、＋ＹＬＵＴ１２６ｆおよび−ＹＬＵＴ１２６ｇとして用意されている。
【０４３１】
ここで、ユーザー特定色補正計算部１２５において、補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴは以下の２ステップで求めることができる。。
【０４３２】
（１）まず、最終的に得たい色変換テーブルの各格子点の１つおきの格子点１２５点については、ユーザー操作パラメータでいずれかが選択されているため、重みを１としてこの値を用いる。これによって、１２５点の新たな色変換テーブルが作成される。
【０４３３】
（２）次に、新たな色変換テーブルの格子点の数を９×９×９にする。（１）で決定した５×５×５点以外の、９×９×９点の入力に対応する格子点データを求める方法について以下に図４０を参照して説明する。
【０４３４】
図４０は、本発明の第１７の実施例において、９×９×９点の補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴを求める際、５×５×５点のＵＣＨ用テストチャートに存在しない点の位置を説明する図である。
【０４３５】
図４０において、白丸は５×５×５の格子点であり、黒丸は９×９×９の格子点であって５×５×５の格子点以外の点の例を示している。
【０４３６】
図４０に示すように、９×９×９の格子点であって５×５×５の格子点以外の点は、５×５×５の格子点のうちの８点からなる立方体の辺上、面上または内部に存在する。このため、９×９×９の格子点データの算出の際は、算出したい格子点を囲む５×５×５格子点の色変換情報に対して、指定された各点からの該当点までの近さに応じて重み付けを行って算出する。この重み付け演算は従来からよく知られている８点補間（たとえば求めたい点が８点からなる立方体の内部に存在する場合）、４点補間（たとえば求めたい点が８点からなる立方体の面上に存在する場合）や２点補間（たとえば求めたい点が８点からなる立方体の辺上に存在する場合）の重み算出方法によって求めることができる。
【０４３７】
なお、ここで注意しておきたい点について記述する。たとえば色変換部１２７において色変換を行う際は、格子点のデータから非格子点のデータを直接求めるために補間を用いているが、この補間は上述した９×９×９の格子点データを算出するための補間とは異なる。すなわち、上述した９×９×９の格子点データを算出するための補間は、５×５×５の格子点になく指定されていない格子点の色修正量を求めるために３次元補間を用いており、概念的にまったく異なるものである。
【０４３８】
次に、一例として８点補間によって重みを算出する場合について以下に説明する。
【０４３９】
該当する各格子点の値の算出は、その点を含む５×５×５の立方体格子点に設定された色修正量を重みとした、該当格子点の設定された色修正量に対する出力値との積和演算によって算出する。
【０４４０】
ここで、
ｒ、ｇおよびｂを、入力色とし、
ｃｏｌを、出力色とし、
ｓｅｌを、選択された修正量（＋Ｃ、−Ｃ、＋Ｍ、−Ｍ、＋Ｙ、−Ｙ、変更なし）（たとえば、変更なしのときはｓｅｌ＝０、＋Ｃのときはｓｅｌ＝１、−Ｃのときはｓｅｌ＝２、＋Ｍのときはｓｅｌ＝３、−Ｍのときはｓｅｌ＝４、＋Ｙのときはｓｅｌ＝５、−Ｙのときはｓｅｌ＝６）とし、
ｒｉ、ｇｉおよびｂｉ（ｉ＝０〜７）を、８点補間における（ｒ，ｇ，ｂ）格子点を囲む８点の格子（ｒｉ，ｇｉ，ｂｉ）の各要素とし、
ｗｉ（ｉ＝０〜７）を、立方体補間における、（ｒ，ｇ，ｂ）格子点に対する格子（ｒｉ，ｇｉ，ｂｉ）の８個の重み係数とし、
ｌｕｔ［ｓｅｌ］［ｃｏｌ］［ｒ］［ｇ］［ｂ］を、予め好ましい出力が得られるよう計算、用意してある修正用色変換テーブルの入力色ｒ、ｇ、ｂおよび出力色ｃｏｌに対応する出力とし、
Ｍｌｕｔ［ｃｏｌ］［ｒ］［ｇ］［ｂ］を、格子点（入力色ｒ、ｇ、ｂ）における出力ＬＵＴとしたとき、このＭｌｕｔ［ｃｏｌ］［ｒ］［ｇ］［ｂ］は数２０で表される。
【０４４１】
【数２０】

以上説明した処理によって、新たな入出力の変換特性情報である色変換テーブルが生成できる。
【０４４２】
次回以降にユーザーチャネルの設定を行う場合には、すでに設定されているユーザー操作パラメータに変更を追加するか、新規にユーザー操作パラメータを設定するかを問い合わせ、ユーザー操作パラメータの変更を追加する場合には、すでに記憶してあるユーザー操作パラメータに応じたＭｌｕｔをユーザー特定色補正部１２２にロードしてＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントし、新規にユーザー操作パラメータを設定する場合には、初回と同様にデフォルトＬＵＴ１２６ａをユーザー特定色補正部１２２にロードしてＵＣＨ用テストチャートをプリントする。
【０４４３】
以上説明したように、この第１７の実施例によれば、ユーザーが変更したい色の範囲を簡単に指定することができ、その指定と全色空間に対する変換特性とから色の連続性を保ったまま、部分的な色の変換を行うことができる。
【０４４４】
次に、本発明の第１８の実施例について説明する。
【０４４５】
本実施例は、図１に示したようなホストコンピュータ１からの画像データをＬＥＤプリンタ２でプリントするプリントシステムにおいて、実際にプリントしたい画像のプリント結果を見て色調整等を行う場合に、手間や画像記録用紙の無駄等を低減することを目的とするものである。
【０４４６】
高画質で画像形成する際に、人間の肌色等の再現は非常に難しい。たとえば、スキャナやデジタルカメラ等の画像入力装置で読みこんだ画像等を、ディスプレイ等の画像表示装置で見ながら、任意の画像処理を行い、その後画像形成装置において目的の画像を形成するような場合、画像入力装置、画像表示装置さらに画像形成装置の固有の特性や装置ばらつきなどが存在し、実際の出力結果が想定していた出力結果と異なることが多々ある。
【０４４７】
また、ディスプレイ等の画像表示装置と写真や印刷など画像形成装置とでは方式が異なるため、画像の質感がまったく異なることも発生する。
【０４４８】
このため、画像形成装置において最良の出力を得るためには、画像処理で設定するパラメータを変更させながら画像形成を何度も繰り返さなければならない。従来行われていたこのような作業方式は、多くの時間がかかり、写真や印刷物等の画像形成された記録用紙を非常に多く消費し無駄にしてしまう。また、画像形成を複数回繰り返した場合に、過去にどのパラメータで画像を形成したのかが不明になってしまうこともしばしば発生する。この第１８の実施例はこのような問題を解決するものである。
【０４４９】
図４１は、本発明の第１８の実施例の処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【０４５０】
この第１８の実施例はたとえば図１に示したホストコンピュータ１において実現される。
【０４５１】
まず、図１に示したホストコンピュータ１の表示装置（たとえばディスプレイ）にプリントしたい画像を表示させた状態（Ｇ−１、Ｇ−２）で、この画像の一部領域あるいは全領域を選択する（Ｇ−３、Ｇ−４）。出力画像で、色再現や質感を確認したい領域は人間の肌の色などの画像の特徴的な一部分であることがほとんどである。ステップ（Ｇ−３、Ｇ−４）ではこの領域を選択する。本実施例では、確認し評価したい領域のみを出力することによって省資源化することが可能である。ここでの選択方法、選択領域の形状、選択領域の数は限定されるものではない。
【０４５２】
図４２は、図４１のステップ（Ｇ−３、Ｇ−４）において画像の領域選択する具体的な一例を示す図であり、（ａ）は画像全体を示す図、（ｂ）は選択された領域のみを抽出して示す図である。
【０４５３】
本実施例では、図４２（ａ）に示すように入力画像をディスプレイ上にプレビュー表示し、評価したい領域を矩形で指定するようにした。領域の指定はユーザー自身が判断して選ぶことができるようにするのが望ましい。選択領域の数は複数個指定することができ、当然のことながら画像全領域を選択することも可能である。
【０４５４】
そして、図４２（ｂ）に示すように、選択された複数個の画像は、その縦横比を比較し、必要があれば９０°回転処理を施して、自動的に並べ替えられ、出力面積が最も小さくなるように処理を施される。また、記録用紙上にどのように画像が並べられているかをディスプレイ上にイメージ表示するようにした。
【０４５５】
図４２（ｂ）のような形でディスプレイ上に表示される評価画像は、操作性向上のため、画像形成装置から出力される画像を画像処理パラメータからエミュレートした画像とし、画像形成装置から出力されるであろう画像に近い形で表示するようにした。
【０４５６】
図４１の説明に戻り、次に、最良と思われる画像処理パラメータを設定する（Ｇ−５、Ｇ−７）。この画像処理パラメータは、画像入力装置や画像形成装置などに依存し限定されるものではなく、入力画像を出力するために用いられるすべての画像処理に関するパラメータである。ここで、ステップ（Ｇ−５）までで作成した図４２（ｂ）に示したような選択領域を並べ替えた画像と、その画像に施した画像処理パラメータとを関連付けてデータベース化（Ｇ−６）しておくのが好ましい。
【０４５７】
画像処理パラメータとしては、カラーバランス、濃度、コントラスト、彩度、シャープネス、特定色（たとえばＲ、Ｇ、Ｂ、Ｃ、Ｍ、Ｙ、Ｋ、Ｗ（白）、Ｂｒ（茶））のカラー調整等における各種パラメータが挙げられる。ユーザーはディスプレイ画面を見ながら画像処理パラメータを変更し、最良と思われる画像処理パラメータを選択する。この選択が完了したならば（Ｇ−７）ステップ（Ｇ−６）のデータベース化を行うようにするとよい。このデータベースには、たとえば、入力画像の名称、データベース化した日時、画像処理パラメータ、評価用に画像出力をしたか否かを示す評価画像出力フラグ、画像全領域を実際に出力（いわゆる本番出力）したか否かを示す本番出力フラグが、評価用画像と対応付けられて記憶される。これによって、本番出力時に、ユーザーが新たに画像処理パラメータを設定しなおす必要がなくなる。また、後日同一の画像を出力したい場合、本番出力フラグを調べて出力済みであれば、評価画像出力をせずに本番出力が可能である。
【０４５８】
なお、上記の例では領域選択をしてから画像処理パラメータを調整するようにしたが、本発明はこれに限られるものではなく、画像全体を見て画像処理パラメータを調整し、その後に領域選択を行うようにしてもよい。
【０４５９】
図４１の説明に戻り、次に、別のオリジナル画像についても評価画像を作成するか否かをユーザーに尋ねる（Ｇ−８）。別のオリジナル画像について評価画像を作成せず、画像処理パラメータの再調整が不要の場合には（Ｇ−９）、評価画像を生成する（Ｇ−１０）。
【０４６０】
ステップ（Ｇ−１０）では、先に選択した領域の画像を画像形成装置に送信する画像データに変換する。この処理は領域選択の後で画像出力前であればいつ行ってもよい。さらにステップ（Ｇ−１０）では、先に調整して決定した画像処理パラメータ等の、データベースで画像に関連付けられて保存された関連情報を画像化し画像形成装置に送信する画像データに変換する。この関連情報は文字コードで画像形成装置に対して送信するようにしてもよい。この処理は画像処理パラメータ決定の後で画像出力前であればいつ行ってもよい。
【０４６１】
次に、ステップ（Ｇ−１１）では、画像形成装置（図１に示したＬＥＤプリンタ２）に対して評価画像や関連情報の画像データを送信し、画像出力を行う。画像出力結果の一例を図４３に示す。
【０４６２】
図４３は、本発明の第１８の実施例において画像形成装置から出力されるプリント評価画像の一例を示す図である。
【０４６３】
図４３は、１つのオリジナル画像について、画像処理パラメータを変えた４種類の評価画像を作成し、１枚の記録用紙にプリントした例である。図４３のＡはステップ（Ｇ−３）で選択された画像領域に対し、ステップ（Ｇ−５）で指定された画像処理パラメータで画像処理を施した画像である。また、図４３のＢは、図４３のＡのデータベースを文字の画像データにしたものであり、図４３のＡに対するものであることが分かるように、図４３のＡの下に配置してある。
【０４６４】
ユーザーは出力された評価画像を目視で評価し（Ｇ−１２）、たとえば図４３のように複数プリントされた評価画像の中から最良の画像を選択し、本番出力する画像を決定する（Ｇ−１３）。
【０４６５】
ユーザーは、ステップ（Ｇ−１３）で選択した評価画像で用いられた画像処理パラメータを採用し本番出力を実行する（Ｇ−１４）。
【０４６６】
ここで、図４３とは別の評価画像のプリント例について説明する。
【０４６７】
図４４は、複数のオリジナル画像のそれぞれにおける選択領域を示す図であり、（ａ）〜（ｄ）はそれぞれ別のオリジナル画像を示す図である。
【０４６８】
図４５は、図４４（ａ）〜（ｄ）に示した選択領域を１枚の記録用紙に画像形成した評価画像の一例を示す図である。
【０４６９】
ここで、図４４（ａ）〜（ｄ）に示すように、図４４（ａ）のオリジナル画像では領域Ａ、領域Ｂおよび領域Ｃが選択され、図４４（ｂ）のオリジナル画像では領域Ｄおよび領域Ｅが選択され、図４４（ｃ）のオリジナル画像では領域Ｆおよび領域Ｇが選択され、図４４（ｄ）のオリジナル画像では領域Ｈ、領域Ｉ、領域Ｊおよび領域Ｋが選択されたものとする。
【０４７０】
この場合、本実施例によれば、図４５に示すように、それぞれのオリジナル画像の選択領域の画像およびその画像の画像処理パラメータ等の情報を、１枚の記録用紙上に画像形成することもできる。このようにすれば、さらに省資源化が実現できる。
【０４７１】
なお、本実施例では、図１で示したホストコンピュータ１側で領域選択した画像データと、画像処理パラメータの画像データを作成した。ホストコンピュータ１からＬＥＤプリンタ２へ前述の画像データと画像処理パラメータ、画像を送る。ＬＥＤプリンタ２において画像処理パラメータで画像データを画像処理し、評価画像とした。本発明において評価画像をホストコンピュータ１とＬＥＤプリンタ２のどちらが作成するか、あるいは両方で作成するかは限定されない。ホストコンピュータ１で領域選択した画像データの作成と画像処理パラメータによる画像処理を行った評価画像の作成を行うようにしてもよい。あるいは、ＬＥＤプリンタ２に画像を表示する表示部を設け、ＬＥＤプリンタ２側で評価画像を作成するようにしてもかまわない。
【０４７２】
次に、本発明の第１９の実施例について説明する。
【０４７３】
本実施例は、たとえば画像の拡大や縮小等の複数の画素の情報に基づいて行う画像処理において、ブロック処理を行い、より少ないメモリ容量で実行可能とし、割り込みが容易に作成できるルーチンを提供することを目的とする。
【０４７４】
画像の拡大縮小方法は、バイリニア（双１次補間）の場合は周囲４点の画素データから、バイキュービック（双３次補間）の場合は周囲１６点の画素データから、拡大縮小後の画素データを作成する。
【０４７５】
通常、画素データは一旦、元画像用に全画素データをメモリ上に展開し、処理後の画像用のメモリを拡大縮小率に合わせて用意し、各画素について順々に演算を行っていく。
【０４７６】
しかし、このような方法であると、大量のメモリが必要となってしまうし、また、処理を開始した場合、途中で他の処理を実行するための割り込みを実施するためには特別な操作が必要となる。
【０４７７】
これを解決するため、本実施例では、拡大・縮小処理を行う領域をブロック化し、処理を実行するようにした。また、拡大縮小など複数の画素を用いて行う画像処理の場合、各ブロック化された境界での演算があるため、境界の画像データを内部バッファメモリに保存し、このバッファの情報をブロック間をまたがる処理に用いることによって、ブロック境界のない画像を得ることができる。また、画像データをブロックごとに用意し、画像処理を行う際に、用意する各ブロックに同じ画素データをダブらせて用意する必要はない。
【０４７８】
なお、本実施例の画像処理は、図１に示したホストコンピュータ１側で実行されてもよいし、ＬＥＤプリンタ２側で実行されてもかまわない。
【０４７９】
図４６は、本発明の第１９の実施例を実施する構成のブロック図である。
【０４８０】
図４６において、ＲＯＭ１３５は実行する画像処理のプログラムが格納されている不揮発メモリであり、ＣＰＵ１３６はＲＯＭ１３５に格納されたプログラムを実行し、データ処理、Ｉ／Ｆ１３７、ＲＡＭ１３８およびＲＯＭ１３５の制御を行うものであり、Ｉ／Ｆ１３７は外部との画像データや制御信号のやり取りを行うインタフェースであり、ＲＡＭ１３８は境界領域用メモリであって画像データ用ブロックメモリなどのランダムアクセスメモリである。
【０４８１】
ＲＡＭ１３８は、ＣＰＵ１３６によって管理され、ブロック化された画像データを記憶する画像データブロック１３８ｂの領域と、ブロック化された画像データの境界領域のデータを記憶する境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａと、画像処理後の画像データを保存する領域とを有する。
【０４８２】
Ｉ／Ｆ１３７は、ブロック化画像処理を行うための外部とのインタフェースである。図４６では制御信号用および画像データ用の２つのバスに分かれているが、制御信号と画像データとは同一のバス上を転送するようにしてもかまわない。制御信号としては、本実施例では、原画像サイズ、処理後画像サイズ、原画像の保存場所、終了フラグ等の、画像の情報や処理の状況などがやり取りされる。
【０４８３】
図４７は、本発明の第１９の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【０４８４】
また、図４８は、本発明の第１９の実施例における処理を説明する図である。
【０４８５】
まず、ステップ（Ｈ−１）では初期化処理を行う。ここでは、原画像サイズ、処理後画像サイズ、画像処理種別、ブロックサイズの指定などの画像処理に必要な基本情報を指定する。本実施例ではこれらの情報を以下のように決定して用いる。
（１）ブロックサイズ
本実施例においてブロックサイズは処理後画像用のブロックの大きさを指定し、このブロックサイズから原画像データ用のブロックサイズを決定した。また、これとは逆に、原画像データ用のブロックサイズを指定し、処理後画像データ用のブロックサイズを決定するようにしてもよい。さらに、原画像データ用に用意できる最大のブロックサイズと処理後画像データ用に用意できる最大のブロックサイズを指定し、原画像サイズと処理後画像サイズで計算される拡大率から、実際に使用する原画像用のブロックサイズおよび処理後画像用ブロックサイズを決定してもよい。
（２）原画像サイズ
境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａのサイズおよび拡大率の計算に使用した。
（３）処理後画像サイズ
原画像データ用のブロックサイズおよび拡大率を決定するのに使用した。
（４）画像処理種別
図４７のステップ（Ｈ−６）において、バイリニア、バイキュービックの選択に使用する。さらに、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａのサイズを計算するのに使用する。
【０４８６】
次に、図４７のステップ（Ｈ−２）では、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａを確保する。確保するサイズは画像処理の種別によって異なる。本実施例では、バイリニアの場合には画素１ライン分、バイキュービックの場合には画素２ライン分のバッファを確保するようにした。
【０４８７】
次に、ブロックに関する情報を設定する（Ｈ−３）。本実施例では、原画像ブロックの読み込みアドレス、保存アドレスを設定し、処理を開始する。現在のブロックの処理の完了を確認後、次のブロックの処理を開始させる。
【０４８８】
ステップ（Ｈ−４）では、処理の終了を判定し、最後まで処理が終了していればステップ（Ｈ−１１）へと進んで終了処理を行い、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａを開放する。ステップ（Ｈ−４）において、処理が終了していればステップ（Ｈ−５）へと進む。
【０４８９】
ステップ（Ｈ−５）では、原画像のブロック単位での読み込みを行う。本実施例では処理すべき原画像のあるメモリアドレスから画像情報を読み込んだ。
【０４９０】
次に、ステップ（Ｈ−６）では、画像種別によって実際に行う画像処理を決定する。バイリニアとバイキュービックとのように、画像処理演算がまったく異なる方式であっても、上位からのユーザーインタフェースはまったく同じにすることが可能である。また、本実施例によれば、バイリニアとバイキュービックとを別のルーチンに分割した場合のようにソースコードが大きくなり、プログラムサイズが大きくなってしまうのを回避することができる。
【０４９１】
ステップ（Ｈ−７）、（Ｈ−８）では、バイリニアとバイキュービックとのように、それぞれ異なった画像処理を施す。図４８に示すように、ブロックの境界の処理では、前のブロックの画像処理において読み込まれた原画像データが次のブロックの画像処理において必要となる。このような場合にも、ステップ（Ｈ−５）では前回読み込まれた原画像データは、今回は読み込まれない。このような次のブロックの画像処理において必要となる画像データは、前回のブロックの処理のステップ（Ｈ−１０）において境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａに保存されている。よって、今回の画像処理で必要だがステップ（Ｈ−５）で読み込まれない画像データに関しては、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａを参照して補い、画像処理を実行する。なお、図４８に示すように、最初のブロックの画像処理においては、処理に必要ないので、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａを使用しない。
【０４９２】
続いて、画像処理の結果を処理後画像へ書きこみを行い（Ｈ−９）、境界領域用バッファメモリ部１３８ａに、ステップ（Ｈ−５）で読み込まれた画像データのブロック境界部分をコピーする（Ｈ−１０）。
【０４９３】
以上の処理によって、本実施例では、たとえば画像の拡大や縮小等の複数の画素の情報に基づいて行う画像処理において、ブロック処理を行い、より少ないメモリ容量で実行可能とし、割り込みが容易に作成できるルーチンを提供することができる。
【０４９４】
次に、本発明の第２０の実施例について説明する。
【０４９５】
本実施例は、第１９の実施例と同様に、たとえば画像の拡大や縮小等の複数の画素の情報に基づいて行う画像処理において、ブロック処理を行い、より少ないメモリ容量で実行可能とし、割り込みが容易に作成できるルーチンを提供することを目的とするものである。
【０４９６】
図４９は、本発明の第２０の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【０４９７】
この第２０の実施例が第１９の実施例と異なる点は、画像処理種別がなく、実行する画像処理が１つに限定されている点である。従って、図４９のステップ（Ｉ−１）の初期化処理においては画像処理種別がなく、ステップ（Ｉ−５）の後にすぐにステップ（Ｉ−６）の画像処理が実行される。他の点において、この第２０の実施例は、先に説明した第１９の実施例と同様であるので、詳しい説明は省略する。
【０４９８】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、ＬＥＤプリンタ等の画像形成装置の総合的な改善を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の一実施の形態によるＬＥＤプリンタの制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】図１に示したＬＥＤアレイ基板上に配置されるＬＥＤの配列を示す図である。
【図３】図１に示したＬＥＤプリンタの第１の実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】図３に示した本発明の第１の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図５】本発明の第２の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図６】本発明の第３の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図７】本発明の第４の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図８】本発明の第５の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図９】本発明の第６の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１０】本発明の第７の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１１】省電力が可能なＬＥＤプリンタの第１の応用例の制御を示す状態遷移図である。
【図１２】省電力が可能なＬＥＤプリンタの第２の応用例の制御を示す状態遷移図である。
【図１３】本発明の第８の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１４】本発明の第９の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１５】本発明の第１０の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１６】本発明の第１０の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【図１７】画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【図１８】本発明の第１１の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１９】本発明の第１１の実施例のＭＣＨ補正で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【図２０】従来のテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【図２１】各色のチャートを濃度の低いほうから高いほうへ５段分並べて示す図であり、目標濃度が存在する範囲を説明する図である。
【図２２】画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【図２３】画像データと変換テーブルの出力値との関係すなわち補正カーブと、変換テーブルの出力値と測定された濃度との関係とを示す図である。
【図２４】本発明の第１２の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【図２５】本発明の第１２の実施例において用いる現像液劣化判定用チャートを示す図である。
【図２６】本発明の第１３の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【図２７】本発明の第１４の実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２８】本発明の第１５の実施例の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２９】従来のユーザーチャネルにおいて、入力された画像データのレベルと出力する画像データのレベルとの関係を示す図である。
【図３０】本発明の第１６の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３１】本発明の第１６の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【図３２】ユーザー操作パラメータについて一覧に示す表図である。
【図３３】ＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴの一例を示す図である。
【図３４】本発明の第１６の実施例における重みｗの一例を示す図である。
【図３５】本発明の第１６の実施例における重みｗの例であって、図３４とは別の例を示す図である。
【図３６】本発明の第１６の実施例における、ユーザー操作パラメータと重みとの関係について説明する図である。
【図３７】図３２に示したユーザー操作パラメータが指定された場合の、シアンについての変換特性の一例を示す図である。
【図３８】本発明の第１７の実施例の制御系の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３９】本発明の第１７の実施例で用いるテストチャートの一例を示す図である。
【図４０】本発明の第１７の実施例において、９×９×９点の補正済みＵＣＨ用ＬＵＴを求める際、５×５×５点のＵＣＨ用テストチャートに存在しない点の位置を説明する図である。
【図４１】本発明の第１８の実施例の処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【図４２】図４１のステップ（Ｇ−３、Ｇ−４）において画像の領域選択する具体的な一例を示す図であり、（ａ）は画像全体を示す図、（ｂ）は選択された領域のみを抽出して示す図である。
【図４３】本発明の第１８の実施例において画像形成装置から出力されるプリント評価画像の一例を示す図である。
【図４４】複数のオリジナル画像のそれぞれにおける選択領域を示す図であり、（ａ）〜（ｄ）はそれぞれ別のオリジナル画像を示す図である。
【図４５】図４４（ａ）〜（ｄ）に示した選択領域を１枚の記録用紙に画像形成した評価画像の一例を示す図である。
【図４６】本発明の第１９の実施例を実施する構成のブロック図である。
【図４７】本発明の第１９の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【図４８】本発明の第１９の実施例における処理を説明する図である。
【図４９】本発明の第２０の実施例における処理のフローチャートを示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１ ホストコンピュータ
２ ＬＥＤプリンタ
３ ＩＰＢ
４ ＳＣＳＩインタフェース
５ 画像メモリ
６ ＣＰＵ
７ 空間フィルタ
８ 色変換部
９ メモリ
１０ ＭＣＢ
１１ ＣＰＵ
１２ クロックジェネレータ
１３ ＣＳＢ
１４、１５、１６ ステッピングモーター
１７ ＤＣモーター
１８、１９、２０ ソレノイド
２１ ＯＰＢ
２２ ＬＣＤ
２３ 濃度計
２６ａ、２６ｂ、２６ｃ ＬＢＢ
２７ａ、２７ｂ、２７ｃ エレメント配列補正部
２８ａ、２８ｂ、２８ｃ ＬＵＴ部
２９ａ、２９ｂ、２９ｃ ＰＷＭ部
３０ａ、３０ｂ、３０ｃ、３０ｄ、３０ｅ ＬＤＢ
３１ａ、３１ｂ、３１ｃ、３１ｄ、３１ｅ 定電流ドライバ
３２ａ、３２ｂ、３２ｃ ＬＥＤアレイ基板
３３ａ、３３ｂ、３３ｃ サーミスタ
３４ａ、３４ｂ、３４ｃ ヒーター
３５ａ、３５ｂ、３５ｃ ファン
３６ 回転ドラム
３７ 主走査ＤＣモーター
３８ エンコーダ
３９ａ、３９ｂ、３９ｃ ＰＡＢ
１５４ 現像機
１５５ ＰＭＢ
１５６ ＣＰＵ
１５７ メモリ
１５８ ヒーター
１５９ ファン
１６０ ポンプ
１６１ センサ
１６２ 搬送モーター
１６３ シャッタ
１６４ Ｊユニット[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that forms an image by exposing, for example, silver salt photosensitive paper based on digital image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a digital printer that forms an image based on digital image data is well known. This image forming apparatus is used not only as a so-called printer, but also as an image forming unit such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.
[0003]
For such an image forming apparatus, various systems such as a laser system, an electrophotographic system, a thermal system, and an ink jet system are used, and image forming apparatuses employing these systems are widely supplied to the market.
[0004]
Among these, in image forming apparatuses that use ink, fine particle toner, etc. for image formation, although improvement in image quality such as sharpness and gradation is recognized, it is possible to make finer images. At present, there is a problem in the degree of color development, color developability, and the like, and there is a difference in image quality compared with a photographic image using a silver halide (silver salt) photographic light-sensitive material.
[0005]
In recent years, a silver salt photosensitive paper is used as a recording paper, and an LED (light emitting diode) that emits, for example, three primary colors of B (blue), G (green), and R (red) as a light source when the recording paper is exposed. An LED printer using the above has been proposed. According to this LED printer, an image having a quality close to that of a silver salt photograph image can be obtained, and has recently been in the spotlight.
[0006]
Further, the LED used as the light source for exposure in this LED printer can bring its emission wavelength close to the sensitivity range of conventional silver exposure photosensitive paper for analog exposure. There is an advantage that the photosensitive paper can be used as it is.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, although the LEDs used for exposure in the above-described LED printer have the advantages described above, in actual use, the conditions and accuracy of the light emission intensity, light emission distribution, etc. are appropriate in order to give appropriate exposure to the photosensitive paper. There must be, and the adjustment is complicated.
[0008]
That is, in an LED printer, a unit is generally configured by providing a plurality of LEDs for each color of B, G, and R, and an LED exposure head is configured by this unit. For this reason, when this LED exposure head is used, it is affected by luminance variations caused by variations in characteristics of individual LEDs in each unit, arrangement errors in the arrangement of a plurality of LEDs, etc. The light emission distribution etc. will fluctuate.
[0009]
Furthermore, since variations occur due to differences in LED characteristics themselves among the B, G, and R units, various inspections and adjustments of the units are indispensable for improving the quality of the print finish.
[0010]
Even if light emission for exposure can be properly performed, variations in photosensitive characteristics due to differences in the types of photosensitive paper and manufacturing lots, or deterioration of the developer when developing exposed photosensitive paper The influence of the state, developer temperature, development time, drying time, and the like, as well as the influence of environmental temperature, humidity, etc., are intricately related to the print quality.
[0011]
For this reason, it is necessary to make efforts to control the device in consideration of the above-mentioned various effects. However, not all combinations can be performed automatically, and test printing is performed after setting predetermined conditions before printing. It is the current situation that the user repeats changing the setting conditions by executing the results, and when trying to obtain a higher quality print result, complicated condition setting according to the test print result before starting printing In order for the user to set the conditions, not only knowledge about the operation method of the image forming apparatus but also high knowledge about characteristics of the photosensitive paper, development conditions, and the like is required.
[0012]
Furthermore, in order to provide a higher quality image that the user will be satisfied with, not only will the original image be reproduced very faithfully, but in some cases it may be modified by the user request, for example, partial color or density of the image, Even when the gradation is changed, the original image is enlarged or reduced, or the layout is changed by a plurality of images, the quality of the image of the entire print must be made high. However, in such a case, even if you try to set print conditions that take into account the print variations due to the above-mentioned various variations and differences in various conditions, the chart used for test printing is basically the color, density, gradation, etc. In the case of charts with different settings, it is not possible to judge because the chart does not correspond to the finished state of the actual changed part even if you look at the test print result, and print the image you want to print once under the conditions set as a result. Therefore, it was necessary to make a judgment by looking at the result, and until a satisfactory result was obtained, repeated wasteful printing was performed.
[0013]
For this reason, the image forming apparatus itself can be made a high-precision mechanism capable of realizing control corresponding to various image processing technologies, the memory configuration and the processing procedure can be improved to facilitate the operation of the image forming apparatus itself, and the test. The various charts used at the time of printing do not require a high level of knowledge, so that various conditions can be easily set and checked. Comprehensive improvements such as improvement so that the finish can be seen at a glance are desired.
[0014]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that comprehensively improves the above-described problems.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventionA recording paper cutting means for cutting a long recording paper in a size designated by an external size instruction means, an image recording means for recording an image on the recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means, and the recording A paper feed unit that transports the recording paper cut by the paper cutting unit to a position where the image recording unit records an image; and a paper discharge unit that discharges the recording paper at the position where the image recording unit records the image to the outside. In the image forming apparatus having the paper unit, the image recording stop instruction unit cancels the image recording after the recording paper is cut by the recording paper cutting unit and before the image recording is performed by the image recording unit. Is instructed, the cut recording paper is temporarily held inside, and the size instructed by the size instructing means is temporarily held in the next image recording. Based on the size relationship with the size of the cut recording paper, the image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the temporarily held cutting recording paper, or the temporarily held cutting completed Control means for determining whether to record an image at the time of the next image recording on the recording paper that is discharged and newly cut is provided.
[0038]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 1In the image forming apparatus described in the above, at the time of the next image recording, thesizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeThe image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper that is temporarily held only when the two match.
[0039]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 1In the image forming apparatus described in the above, at the time of the next image recording, thesizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper temporarily held.
[0040]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 1In the image forming apparatus described in the above, at the time of the next image recording, thesizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the temporarily held cut recording paper is used for the next image recording.sizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeThen, the image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper temporarily held.
[0041]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 1In the image forming apparatus described in the above, at the time of the next image recording, thesizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeAnd said temporary holdRecording paper sizeIs recorded on the cut recording paper that is temporarily held, or the image at the next image recording is recorded, or at the time of the next image recordingsizeInstructed by the instruction meanssizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the user can select whether to record an image at the time of the next image recording on the temporarily cut cut recording paper.
[0042]
  The present invention also provides a recording paper cutting method based on image data input from an external image data input means.sizeDetermine the recording paper cuttingsizeDetermining means and cutting of the recording papersizeDetermined by means of determinationsizeA recording paper cutting means for cutting a long recording paper, an image recording means for recording an image on the recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means, and a recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a paper feed unit that conveys to a position where an image is recorded by the image recording unit; and a paper discharge unit that discharges the recording paper at a position where the image is recorded by the image recording unit If the image recording stop instruction is instructed by the image recording stop instruction means after the recording paper cutting by the recording paper cutting means and before the image recording by the image recording means, the cutting is performed. The recorded paper is temporarily held inside and the recording paper is cut when the next image is recorded.sizeDecision means decidedsizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeThe image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the temporarily held cut recording paper, or the temporarily held cut recording paper is discharged and newly stored. Control means for determining whether to record an image at the time of the next image recording on the recording paper to be cut.
[0043]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 6In the image forming apparatus, the recording paper is cut at the next image recording time.sizeDecision means decidedsizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeThe image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper that is temporarily held only when the two match.
[0044]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 6In the image forming apparatus, the recording paper is cut at the next image recording time.sizeDecision means decidedsizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper temporarily held.
[0045]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 6In the image forming apparatus, the recording paper is cut at the next image recording time.sizeDecision means decidedsizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the cut recording paper temporarily held is cut off at the time of the next image recording.sizeDecision means decidedsizeAfter cutting according to the above, an image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper temporarily held.
[0046]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 6In the image forming apparatus, the recording paper is cut at the next image recording time.sizeDecision means decidedsizeAnd said temporary holdRecording paperofsizeIs recorded on the cut recording paper that has been temporarily held, or the recording paper is cut at the time of the next image recording.sizeDecision means decidedsizeOf the cut recording paper temporarily heldsizeIn the following cases, the user can select whether to record an image at the time of the next image recording on the temporarily cut cut recording paper.
[0047]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 1 to 10In the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above, the next image recording is performed even if a predetermined time elapses after the image recording stop instruction unit instructs the image recording stop and the cut recording paper is temporarily held inside. When there is no instruction, the temporarily held cut recording paper is forcibly discharged.
[0048]
  The present invention also provides:Claim 11In the image forming apparatus described above, the user can set a predetermined time from when the cut recording paper is temporarily held inside until the recording paper is forcibly discharged.
[0057]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0058]
Here, an example of an image forming apparatus will be described with reference to an LED printer that exposes silver halide photosensitive paper by an LED exposure head based on image data sent from a host computer and then develops it to obtain a print result.
[0059]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an LED printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0060]
The basic operation of the LED printer shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.
[0061]
First, the user selects an image to be printed on the host computer 1 shown in FIG. 1 and instructs printing. At that time, printing conditions such as density, color balance, contrast, and sharpness may be designated.
[0062]
The host computer 1 and the LED printer 2 are connected by, for example, a SCSI cable. Image data from the host computer 1 is transferred to the LED printer 2 via the SCSI cable, and an image processing board (in the LED printer 2) (Hereinafter referred to as “IPB”) 3 is temporarily stored in the image memory 5 via the SCSI interface 4 in 3. When printing conditions such as density, color balance, contrast, and sharpness are designated, these designated parameters are also transferred.
[0063]
When the transfer of the image data and the print conditions is completed, the host computer 1 transfers a print start command to the LED printer 2 via the SCSI cable. The LED printer 2 sends the received print start command to the CPU ( (Hereinafter referred to as “IPB-CPU”) 6. Upon receiving the print start command, the IPB-CPU 6 notifies the CPU (hereinafter referred to as “MCB-CPU”) 11 of the mechanical control board (hereinafter referred to as “MCB”) 10 of the start of the image size and the print sequence.
[0064]
At that time (or prior to these processes), the MCB-CPU 11 determines the paper type of the photosensitive paper currently housed in the LED printer 2 based on a signal from the magazine sensor substrate (hereinafter referred to as “CSB”) 13. (Sensitivity paper width, surface quality, photosensitive characteristics, etc.) are determined and notified to the IPB-CPU 6.
[0065]
The IPB-CPU 6 reads out the master channel correction data that has been implemented and stored in advance, the paper channel correction data and the LED light quantity calibration correction data according to the paper type determined in advance, from the non-volatile memory 9. LUTs (look-up tables) are calculated from the values and written to the LUT units 28a, 28b, 28c in the line buffer substrates (hereinafter referred to as “LBB”) 26a, 26b, 26c provided for each color of R, G, B. . When a print condition parameter is designated from the host computer 1, correction according to the value of this print condition parameter is further added.
[0066]
Here, the photosensitive paper accommodated in the LED printer 2 is a long roll paper and is accommodated in a paper magazine. When printing, the paper magazine corresponding to the image size is necessary. The photosensitive paper is pulled out and used.
[0067]
Further, when print condition parameters are designated from the host computer 1, the IPB-CPU 6 reads the spatial filter coefficients and the color conversion table according to those values from the memory 9 (or the spatial filter according to the print condition parameters). A coefficient and a color conversion table are obtained by a predetermined calculation algorithm), and are set in the spatial filter 7 and the color conversion unit 8 in the IPB 3 respectively. When the print condition parameter is not designated from the host computer 1, the IPB-CPU 6 sets a predetermined reference value in the spatial filter 7 and the color conversion unit 8 in the IPB 3.
[0068]
When the start of the print sequence is notified from the IPB-CPU 6, the MCB-CPU 11 drives the paper feed / discharge stepping motor 14, and the paper feed / discharge stepping motor 14 removes photosensitive paper having a length corresponding to the image size. The paper is pulled out from the paper magazine, and then the paper cutter motor 17 is driven to cut the photosensitive paper.
[0069]
The MCB-CPU 11 continues to drive the paper supply / discharge stepping motor 14 to convey the cut photosensitive paper to the rotating drum 36. If the cut leading edge of the photosensitive paper reaches the rotating drum 36, the MCB-CPU 11 operates the paper leading edge pressing mechanism by driving the leading edge pressing solenoid 18 to fix the leading edge of the photosensitive paper to the rotating drum 36. To do.
[0070]
Thereafter, while the drum rotating stepping motor 15 is driven to rotate the rotating drum 36, the paper supply / discharge stepping motor 14 is also driven to convey the photosensitive paper at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the rotating drum 36. When the trailing edge of the photosensitive paper reaches the rotating drum 36, the MCB-CPU 11 operates the paper trailing edge pressing mechanism by driving the trailing edge pressing solenoid 19 to move the trailing edge of the photosensitive paper to the rotating drum 36. Fix it.
[0071]
Thereafter, the drive switching solenoid 20 is driven to switch the driving source of the rotating drum 36 from the drum rotating stepping motor 15 to the main scanning DC motor 37, and the main scanning DC motor 37 is driven to start rotating the rotating drum 36. .
[0072]
The rotational speed of the rotating drum 36 is detected by a rotor encoder 38 attached on the rotating shaft of the rotating drum 36, and an output pulse signal from the rotor encoder 38 is input to the clock generator 12 in the MCB 10.
[0073]
The clock generator 12 multiplies the encoder pulse signal by PLL (Phase Locked Loop) control, supplies it to the LBB 26 as a dot clock, and notifies the MCB-CPU 11 of the rotational speed of the rotary drum 36. When the rotational speed of the rotary drum 36 reaches a predetermined rotational speed (for example, 600 rpm), the MCB-CPU 11 instructs the IPB-CPU 6 to start exposure.
[0074]
The IPB-CPU 6 sets the IPB 3 and LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c to the output mode, and starts exposure based on the image data temporarily stored in the image memory 5. The LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c output image request signals synchronized with the dot clock supplied from the clock generator 12 to the IPB 3.
[0075]
The IPB 3 reads the image data from the image memory 5 in synchronization with the image request signals from the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c, performs the spatial filtering process with the spatial filter 7, and the image data subjected to the color conversion process with the color conversion unit 8. The data is output as B (blue), R (red), and G (green) data to the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c. The element arrangement correction units 27a, 27b, and 27c in the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c perform element arrangement correction to be described later for each color, and the gradation conversion is performed by the LUT units 28a, 28b, and 28c in the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c. , LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c in the PWM units 29a, 29b, and 29c perform pulse width modulation (converting the level of image data into LED lighting pulse widths), and LED driver boards (hereinafter referred to as “LDBs”) 30a, 30b, A pulse signal is output to 30c, 30d, and 30e. The LDBs 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e have constant current drivers 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, and 31e, and on the LED array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c in the LED exposure head according to the input pulse signal. Each of the 96 LEDs arranged in the above is selectively driven with a constant current. The light emission pattern of each LED forms an image on a photosensitive paper fixed to the rotary drum 36 via a mirror and a lens in the LED exposure head.
[0076]
The MCB-CPU 11 drives the sub-scanning stepping motor 16 so that the LED carriage on which the LED exposure head is mounted is parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary drum 36 and synchronized with the rotation of the rotary drum 36, for example, the rotary drum 36 Move every 4 rotations by 4 pixels.
[0077]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an array of LEDs arranged on the LED array substrate 32a shown in FIG.
[0078]
Although FIG. 2 shows the LED array substrate 32a, the same applies to the LED array substrates 32b and 32c. That is, on the LED array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c, as shown in FIG. 2, a total of 96 LEDs 40 are arranged in four rows in a staggered manner, and 48 lines are simultaneously formed by rotating the rotary drum 36 once. Exposure. Each line is exposed by two LEDs. As the rotary drum 36 rotates once, the LED exposure head moves by 4 lines, so each line is exposed 12 times and exposed by a total of 24 LEDs.
[0079]
In the element arrangement correction of the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c, the data output timing is adjusted so that data at a predetermined position of the image is supplied to each LED in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary drum 36 and the movement of the LED exposure head. . Since each pixel is multiple-exposed 24 times by different LEDs, even if there is a variation in the output characteristics of each LED, the variation is averaged and the exposure unevenness is unlikely to occur.
[0080]
By the way, since the light quantity and emission wavelength of the LED change under the influence of temperature, a signal from the thermistor 33a in the LED exposure head so that the temperature of the LED array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c is always within a predetermined temperature range. Based on the above, an LED temperature adjusting unit (not shown) in the LDB 30 controls the heater 34a and the cooling fan 35a.
[0081]
The IPB-CPU 6 monitors the output states of the image memory 5 and the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c, and when the completion of the output of the entire image is detected, instructs the MCB-CPU 11 to discharge the exposed photosensitive paper. Upon receiving this discharge instruction, the MCB-CPU 11 stops the main scanning DC motor 37 and operates the drum stop brake to immediately stop the rotating drum 36 and drives the drive switching solenoid 20 to drive the rotating drum 36. After the source is switched to the drum rotation stepping motor 15, the drum rotation stepping motor 15 rotates the rotary drum 36 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction during exposure.
[0082]
When the rotating drum 36 rotates and the trailing edge of the photosensitive paper reaches the paper supply / discharge position, the MCB-CPU 11 drives the trailing edge pressing solenoid 19 to release the paper trailing edge pressing mechanism, and the photosensitive paper is transferred to the rotating drum. In addition to peeling from the sheet 36, the sheet feeding / discharge stepping motor 14 is rotated to rotate the sheet feeding / discharging roller in the sheet discharging direction, thereby starting the discharge of the photosensitive paper.
[0083]
If the rotating drum 36 and the paper supply / discharge roller are rotated so that the peripheral speed of the rotary drum 36 and the paper discharge speed of the photosensitive paper are the same, and the leading edge of the photosensitive paper reaches the paper supply / discharge position, The solenoid 18 is driven to release the paper tip pressing mechanism, and the photosensitive paper is removed from the rotating drum.
[0084]
Thereafter, the MCB-CPU 11 continues to drive the paper supply / discharge stepping motor 14 to rotate the paper discharge roller to convey the exposed photosensitive paper to the developing device 154 and prepare the drum for the next image exposure. The rotating stepping motor 15 is rotated to rotate the rotating drum 36 to a predetermined position and then stopped.
[0085]
When the CPU (hereinafter referred to as “PMB-CPU”) 156 of the developing device control board (hereinafter referred to as “PMB”) 156 detects the exposed photosensitive paper by the paper detection sensor 161 provided near the entrance of the developing device 154, the developing device The transport roller 154 is driven by the transport motor 162, and the photosensitive paper is sequentially transported at a constant speed through the developing tank, the fixing tank, the stabilizing tank, and the drying section, and then discharged.
[0086]
Next, the above-described LED light amount calibration will be described.
[0087]
Since the light quantity of the LED decreases with time, it is necessary to always correct the light quantity to a predetermined light quantity by the LED light quantity calibration process.
[0088]
When the power of the LED printer 2 is turned on, when a timer is started (so that printing is possible at a preset time), or the operator operates the operation panel (hereinafter also referred to as “OPB”) 21 to turn on the LED light amount. When the execution of calibration is instructed, the MCB-CPU 11 sends an LED light quantity calibration execution command to the IPB-CPU 6, and the IPB-CPU 6 instructs the MCB-CPU 11 to move the LED carriage to the photometric position.
[0089]
Upon receiving this instruction, the MCB-CPU 11 drives the sub-scanning stepping motor 16 to move the LED carriage to the photometric position. When the movement is completed, the MCB-CPU 11 notifies the IPB-CPU 6 that the movement is completed.
[0090]
When the IPB-CPU 6 receives the LED carriage movement completion notification, the IPB-CPU 6 instructs the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c to output a predetermined PWM signal, and outputs a photometry command to the MCB-CPU 11.
[0091]
Upon receiving this photometry command, the MCB-CPU 11 A / D converts photometric signals from the photosensor amplifier boards (hereinafter referred to as “PAB”) 39a, 39b, and 39c for each color of B, R, and G, and the IPB-CPU 6 Notify
[0092]
The IPB-CPU 6 performs a predetermined number of measurements while changing the PWM signal output value. When the predetermined number of measurements are completed, the IPB-CPU 6 notifies the MCB-CPU 11 of the completion of photometry, and also provides correction data for the LED to have a predetermined light amount. calculate. The correction data of the calculation result is stored in the memory 9 and used when obtaining the LUT to be stored in the LUT units 28a, 28b, and 28c of the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c as described above.
[0093]
Next, correction other than LED light quantity calibration will be described.
[0094]
Factors that cause fluctuations in the image of the print result that is formed and output by the LED printer 2 include changes over time in the developing machine and changes in the surface quality of the photosensitive paper, in addition to changes over time in the amount of LED light. It is done.
[0095]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, each factor requiring correction at the time of image formation is called a channel, and different correction is performed for each channel. In this way, when the factor occurs, it is sufficient to recalculate the correction amount only for the channel corresponding to the factor, and the number of times the correction amount is recalculated while operating the LED printer 2. There is an effect that it can be reduced. The channel correction will be described below.
[0096]
In the LED printer 2 of the present embodiment, a master channel correction for obtaining a correction amount for correcting the variation caused by the developing machine, and a correction for correcting the variation caused by the surface quality of the photosensitive paper and the variation from lot to lot. And paper channel correction to determine the quantity.
[0097]
First, master channel correction will be described.
[0098]
In principle, it is desirable to perform the master channel correction once a day before starting the printing operation by the LED printer 2.
[0099]
The operator operates the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2 to instruct to start printing a test chart for a master channel (hereinafter also referred to as “MCH”). When this instruction is input, in the LED printer 2, the MCB-CPU 11 instructs the IPB-CPU 6 to print the MCH test chart. In response to this, the IPB-CPU 6 reads the MCH test chart pattern from the nonvolatile memory 9 and develops it on the image memory 5. Subsequently, the IPB-CPU 6 instructs the MCB-CPU 11 to start a print sequence, and stores predetermined data in the color conversion unit 8 in the IPB 3 and the LUT units 28a, 28b, and 28c in the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c. . Thereafter, exposure, paper discharge, development, fixing, stabilization, and drying are performed in the same manner as normal printing, and printing of the MCH test chart is completed.
[0100]
When the MCH test chart is discharged from the LED printer 2, the operator operates the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2 to instruct density measurement of the MCH test chart, and the discharged MCH test chart is displayed on the LED printer 2. Insert into the densitometer 23. The MCB-CPU 11 controls the densitometer 23, measures the concentration at a predetermined position of the inserted MCH test chart, and notifies the IPB-CPU 11 of the measurement result.
[0101]
The IPB-CPU 6 calculates the MCH correction amount based on a predetermined algorithm and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 9. The LED printer 2 performs printing based on the MCH correction amount stored in the nonvolatile memory 9 in future printing.
[0102]
Note that the IPB-CPU 6 does not store the calculation result in the nonvolatile memory 9 regardless of the value, and if there is a possibility that the calculation result has a certain error or more, the calculation result is not stored. The MCB-CPU 11 notifies the MCB-CPU 11 to that effect without saving it in the non-volatile memory 9, and the MCB-CPU 11 displays the fact on the display unit 22 (for example, LCD) of the operation panel 21 to print the test chart and the density to the user. Prompt to take the measurement again.
[0103]
Next, paper channel correction will be described.
[0104]
In principle, the paper channel correction may be performed when new photosensitive paper is used. That is, when the first photosensitive paper that has been subjected to paper channel correction in the past is once removed and printed with a different photosensitive paper, the first photosensitive paper is used again. Printing may be performed with the correction amount obtained when paper channel correction has been performed in the past on photosensitive paper.
[0105]
The operator operates the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2 to instruct to start printing a test chart for a paper channel (hereinafter also referred to as “PCH”). When this instruction is input, in the LED printer 2, the MCB-CPU 11 instructs the IPB-CPU 6 to print the test chart for PCH. In response to this, the IPB-CPU 6 reads the PCH test chart pattern from the nonvolatile memory 9 and develops it on the image memory 5. Subsequently, the IPB-CPU 6 instructs the MCB-CPU 11 to start a print sequence, and stores predetermined data in the color conversion unit 8 in the IPB 3 and the LUT units 28a, 28b, and 28c in the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c. . Thereafter, exposure, paper discharge, development, fixing, stabilization, and drying are performed in the same manner as normal printing, and printing of the PCH test chart is completed.
[0106]
When the PCH test chart is ejected from the LED printer 2, the operator operates the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2 to instruct density measurement of the PCH test chart, and the ejected PCH test chart is displayed on the LED printer 2. Insert into the densitometer 23. The MCB-CPU 11 controls the densitometer 23, measures the density at a predetermined position of the inserted PCH test chart, and notifies the IPB-CPU 6 of the measurement result.
[0107]
The IPB-CPU 6 calculates the PCH correction amount based on a predetermined algorithm and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 9. Then, the LED printer 2 performs printing based on the PCH correction amount stored in the nonvolatile memory 9 in future printing using the photosensitive paper.
[0108]
Note that the IPB-CPU 6 does not store the calculation result in the nonvolatile memory 9 regardless of the value, and if there is a possibility that the calculation result has a certain error or more, the calculation result is not stored. The MCB-CPU 11 notifies the MCB-CPU 11 to that effect without saving it in the nonvolatile memory 9, and the MCB-CPU 11 displays that fact on the display unit 22 of the operation panel 21, and prints the test chart and measures the density again for the user. Encourage you to.
[0109]
The nonvolatile memory 9 stores PCH correction amounts corresponding to a plurality of types of photosensitive paper in association with photosensitive paper type codes read by the magazine sensor board (CSB) 13, and as described above, the host computer 1 When the image transferred from is printed, the type of photosensitive paper being used is determined by the CSB 13, and the PCH correction amount corresponding to this is read from the nonvolatile memory 9 and used.
[0110]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0111]
The photosensitive paper used for printing by the LED printer 2 changes its spectral sensitivity characteristics under the influence of the ambient temperature. For this reason, for example, when the temperature inside the printer is still low immediately after the LED printer 2 is turned on and when the temperature inside the printer has risen considerably after the power is turned on, the difference in spectral sensitivity characteristics of the photosensitive paper causes the LED Therefore, even when the exposure is performed with the same light amount, a difference occurs in the color of the print result.
[0112]
Therefore, in the first embodiment, the printing result is stabilized by keeping the temperature inside the LED printer 2 constant within a predetermined range.
[0113]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the LED printer 2 shown in FIG.
[0114]
The LED printer 2 includes an exposure unit 45 and a development unit 46. The exposure unit 45 cuts the photosensitive paper drawn out from the cartridge 47 into a desired size, and a cartridge 47 containing roll-shaped photosensitive paper. A cutter 48, a rotating drum 36 for exposing the photosensitive paper, an intake means 49 for sucking warm air from the developing unit 46 into the exposure unit 45, and an exhaust for discharging warm air in the exposure unit 45 to the outside. The developing unit 46 utilizes a developer tank 52 for developing the photosensitive paper exposed by the exposure unit 45, a drying tank 53 for drying the developed photosensitive paper, and heat of the developing unit. Thus, warm air generating means 51 for generating warm air is provided.
[0115]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
[0116]
In the developing unit 46, the warm air generating means 51 generates warm air using heat in the developer tank 52 and the drying tank 53.
[0117]
The exposure unit 45 is provided with a temperature detection unit 54 that detects the temperature in the exposure unit 45, and the temperature control unit 55 controls the intake unit 49 and the exhaust unit 50 based on the detection result by the temperature detection unit 54. To do. That is, the temperature control means 55 raises the temperature by introducing warm air into the inside by the intake means 49 when the temperature in the exposure section 45 is lower than the predetermined range, and exhausts the air when the temperature in the exposure section 45 is higher than the predetermined range. The temperature is controlled to be lowered by discharging warm air to the outside by means 50, so that the temperature in the exposure section 45 becomes constant within a predetermined range.
[0118]
In this embodiment, the temperature in the exposure unit 45 is adjusted using the heat of the developing unit 46. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a heater is provided in the exposure unit 45. The temperature in the exposure unit 45 may be adjusted by this heater.
[0119]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0120]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0121]
In the second embodiment, the temperature of the exposed portion is not adjusted, and even if there is a temperature change in the exposed portion, the print result is not changed.
[0122]
Image data from the image data generator 56 is converted into exposure amount data by a conversion table 58 in the data converter 57. At this time, the conversion table 58 is generated by the conversion table generating unit 59 based on the temperature in the exposure unit detected by the temperature detecting unit 54. The exposure amount data from the data conversion means 57 is input to the drive circuit 60, and the drive circuit 60 drives the exposure means 61 based on the input exposure amount data.
[0123]
According to the present embodiment, the exposure amount on the photosensitive paper can be varied according to the temperature of the exposed portion by doing in this way, so that the print result does not fluctuate due to the temperature of the exposed portion. can do.
[0124]
For example, the image data generation unit 56 is the IPB 3 shown in FIG. 1, the data conversion means 57 is the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c shown in FIG. 1, and the conversion table 58 is the LUT unit 28a, shown in FIG. 28b, 28c, the drive circuit 60 is the LDB 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e shown in FIG. 1, and the exposure means 61 is an LED arranged on the LED array substrates 32a, 32b, 32c shown in FIG. is there.
[0125]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0126]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0127]
Similarly to the second embodiment, the third embodiment also attempts to eliminate fluctuations in the print result even if there is a temperature change in the exposure section without adjusting the temperature of the exposure section.
[0128]
Image data from the image data generator 56 is converted into exposure amount data by the data converter 62. The drive circuit 64 receives the exposure amount data from the data conversion unit 62 and the exposure amount data generated by the exposure amount adjustment unit 63 based on the temperature in the exposure unit detected by the temperature detection unit 54. The The drive circuit 64 drives the exposure means 61 based on the two input exposure amount data.
[0129]
According to the present embodiment, the exposure amount on the photosensitive paper can be varied according to the temperature of the exposed portion by doing in this way, so that the print result does not fluctuate due to the temperature of the exposed portion. can do.
[0130]
For example, the data conversion means 62 is the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c shown in FIG. 1, and the drive circuit 64 is the LDBs 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e shown in FIG.
[0131]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0132]
In the fourth embodiment, the power consumption of the LED printer is reduced and the progress of the deterioration of the developer is suppressed.
[0133]
A developing solution used for development in an image forming apparatus having an exposure and development process changes in development characteristics depending on the temperature. Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus, the developer is warmed and development is performed at a predetermined temperature. The temperature of the developer that can be developed is relatively high, and power consumption by a heater or the like provided for warming the developer is large, and it is desired to reduce it. Further, the higher the temperature of the developer, the faster the deterioration proceeds.
[0134]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the heater for heating the developer and the circulation pump for circulating the solution so that the temperature of the developer does not vary depending on the location are reduced, and the developer is deteriorated. The purpose is to suppress progress.
[0135]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0136]
In the fourth embodiment, the unprocessed detection means 65 for detecting that the development process has not been performed for a predetermined time and the temperature of the developer are switched based on the time lapse signal of the detection result by the unprocessed detection means 65. Developer temperature switching means 66 for outputting a temperature switching signal of the developer, and developer temperature control means 67, 68 for switching the developer temperature based on the temperature switching signal from the developer temperature switching means 66, and a developer tank 52a. , 52b to control the temperature of the developer.
[0137]
In FIG. 7, only two developer tanks 52a and 52b are shown, but it goes without saying that a larger number of developer tanks may be provided in an actual LED printer.
[0138]
Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described.
[0139]
In the LED printer of this embodiment, the temperature of the developer is normally maintained at a first predetermined temperature at which development processing can be performed.
[0140]
The unprocessed detection means 65 monitors whether the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit and the development process is executed. If the development process is not performed for a predetermined time, the unprocessed detection means 65 is notified by a time lapse signal. Output.
[0141]
The developer temperature switching means 66, to which a time lapse signal indicating that the development processing has not been performed for a predetermined time, is input, outputs a temperature switching signal to the developer temperature control means 67, 68, thereby switching the temperature. Instruct.
[0142]
In the developer temperature control means 67 and 68 to which the temperature switching signal is inputted, the temperature of the developer in the developer tanks 52a and 52b detected by the thermistors 70a and 70b is the first predetermined temperature at which the development process can be executed. The heater and the circulation pumps 69a and 69b are adjusted so that the second predetermined temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature. The plurality of developer tanks 52a and 52b may be controlled to have different temperatures.
[0143]
According to the present embodiment, for example, when the LED printer is not used for a long time, the temperature of the developer is set to the second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature at which the development process can be performed, so that the consumption occurs. Electric power can be reduced. If the second predetermined temperature is set higher than room temperature, the temperature of the developing solution returns to room temperature faster than when the LED printer is turned off. There is also an effect that the development process can be executed. Furthermore, there is also an effect of suppressing the progress of the deterioration of the developing solution by lowering the temperature of the developing solution when not developing.
[0144]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0145]
The fifth embodiment is also intended to reduce the power consumption of the LED printer and suppress the progress of deterioration of the developer. This fifth embodiment is a drying tank in addition to the control of the fourth embodiment. It is intended to realize further reduction in power consumption by controlling the temperature of the liquid crystal.
[0146]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0147]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the same components as those in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0148]
In the fifth embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the fourth embodiment, a drying tank that outputs a stop signal for stopping the operation of the drying tank based on the time lapse signal of the detection result by the unprocessed detection means 65 A control stop means 71 and a drying tank temperature control means 72 for stopping the operation of the drying tank based on a stop signal from the drying tank control stop means 71 are provided, and the temperature of the drying tank 73 is controlled.
[0149]
Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described.
[0150]
In the LED printer of this embodiment, normally, the temperature in the drying tank 73 is increased by operating the heater and the circulation fan 74 so that the photosensitive paper that has been developed, fixed, and stabilized can be dried. Yes. That is, the drying tank temperature control means 72 detects the temperature in the drying tank 73 by the thermistor 75, and controls the heater and the circulation fan 74 so that the temperature in the drying tank 73 is suitable for the drying process.
[0151]
The unprocessed detection means 65 monitors whether the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit and the development process is executed. If the development process is not performed for a predetermined time, the unprocessed detection means 65 is notified by a time lapse signal. Output.
[0152]
The drying tank control stop means 71 to which the time lapse signal indicating that the development processing has not been performed for a predetermined time is input outputs a stop signal to the drying tank temperature control means 72, thereby stopping the operation of the drying tank 73. Instruct.
[0153]
In the drying tank temperature control means 72 to which the stop signal is input, the operation of the heater and the circulation fan 74 is stopped.
[0154]
According to the present embodiment, for example, when the LED printer is not used for a long time, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the electric power for raising the temperature of the drying tank.
[0155]
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0156]
The sixth embodiment is also intended to reduce the power consumption of the LED printer and to suppress the progress of the deterioration of the developer. This sixth embodiment includes a developer solution in addition to the control of the fifth embodiment. The power consumption is further reduced by controlling the heaters and the circulation pumps 69a and 69b to raise the temperature.
[0157]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0158]
In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the same components as those in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. .
[0159]
In the sixth embodiment, an unprocessed detection means 76 is provided in place of the unprocessed detection means 65 shown in FIG. 8, and a developer temperature control means is provided instead of the developer temperature control means 67 and 68 shown in FIG. 78 and 79 are provided, and a developer temperature control stop means 77 is further provided.
[0160]
The unprocessed detection unit 76 outputs a first time lapse signal indicating that the development process has not been performed for the first predetermined time, and the development process is performed more than the first predetermined time. When it is detected that it has not been performed for a long second predetermined time, a second time-lapse signal indicating that is output.
[0161]
The developer temperature switching means 66 outputs a temperature switching signal for switching the temperature of the developer based on the first time detection signal detected by the unprocessed detection means 76.
[0162]
The developer temperature control stop unit 77 outputs a stop signal for stopping the temperature rising operation of the developer based on the second time detection signal detected by the unprocessed detection unit 76.
[0163]
The developer temperature control means 78 and 79 switch the developer temperature based on the temperature switching signal from the developer temperature switching means 66 and the temperature rise of the developer based on the stop signal from the developer temperature control stop means 77. Stop operation.
[0164]
Next, the operation of the sixth embodiment will be described.
[0165]
The unprocessed detection unit 76 monitors whether the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit and the development process is executed, and if the development process is not performed for the first predetermined time, the first time The fact is output by the progress signal.
[0166]
The developer temperature switching means 66 to which the first time lapse signal indicating that the development processing has not been performed for the first predetermined time is input outputs a temperature switching signal to the developer temperature control means 78 and 79. To instruct the switching of the temperature.
[0167]
In the developer temperature control means 78 and 79 to which the temperature switching signal is input, the temperature of the developer in the developer tanks 52a and 52b detected by the thermistors 70a and 70b is the first predetermined temperature at which the development process can be executed. The heater and the circulation pumps 69a and 69b are adjusted so that the second predetermined temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.
[0168]
Further, the drying tank control stop means 71 to which the first time lapse signal indicating that the development processing has not been performed for the first predetermined time is input outputs a stop signal to the drying tank temperature control means 72. To stop the operation of the drying tank 73.
[0169]
In the drying tank temperature control means 72 to which the stop signal is input, the operation of the heater and the circulation fan 74 is stopped.
[0170]
Further, when the development processing is not performed for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, the unprocessed detection means 76 outputs that fact by a second time lapse signal.
[0171]
The developer temperature control stop unit 77 to which the second time lapse signal indicating that the development process has not been performed for the second predetermined time is input outputs a stop signal to the developer temperature control units 78 and 79. Thus, the stop of the temperature raising operation of the developer is instructed.
[0172]
In the developer temperature control means 78 and 79 to which the stop signal is input, the operations of the heater and the circulation pumps 69a and 69b are stopped.
[0173]
According to this embodiment, when the LED printer is not used for a long time, the temperature raising operation of the developer is stopped, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.
[0174]
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0175]
In addition, this seventh embodiment also enables the user to efficiently work using the LED printer while reducing the power consumption of the LED printer and suppressing the progress of deterioration of the developer. In the seventh embodiment, in addition to the control of the sixth embodiment, a timer function is provided for automatically starting the temperature raising operation when a predetermined time comes, and is necessary until the LED printer can be used. It is intended to shorten the time.
[0176]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0177]
In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the same components as those in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0178]
In the seventh embodiment, an unprocessed detection means 80 is provided instead of the unprocessed detection means 76 shown in FIG. 9, and an apparatus activation means 81 is further provided.
[0179]
When the unprocessed detection means 80 detects that the development process has not been performed for the first predetermined time, the unprocessed detection means 80 outputs a first time lapse signal indicating that the development process has not been performed for a first predetermined time, When it is detected that it has not been performed for a long second predetermined time, a second time-lapse signal indicating that is output. When the unprocessed detection unit 80 receives the activation signal from the apparatus activation unit 81, the unprocessed detection unit 80 stops outputting the first time lapse signal and the second time signal.
[0180]
The device activation means 81 outputs an activation signal when a preset time is reached.
[0181]
Next, the operation of the seventh embodiment will be described.
[0182]
The unprocessed detection unit 80 monitors whether the exposed photosensitive paper is conveyed to the developing unit and the development process is executed, and if the development process is not performed for the first predetermined time, the first time The fact is output by the progress signal.
[0183]
Further, if the development processing is not performed for a second predetermined time longer than the first predetermined time, the unprocessed detection means 80 outputs that fact by a second time lapse signal.
[0184]
The device activation means 81 outputs an activation signal when a preset time is reached.
[0185]
The unprocessed detection unit 80 to which the activation signal from the apparatus activation unit 81 is input stops the output when the first time lapse signal and the second time lapse signal are output.
[0186]
By this operation, the developer temperature switching means 66 stops outputting the temperature switching signal, and the drying tank control means 71 and the developer temperature control stopping means 77 stop outputting the stop signal, and all the temperature control means The heater, circulation pump, and circulation fan are operated to control the temperature so that development is possible.
[0187]
In this embodiment, the apparatus activation means 81 is configured to output an activation signal when a preset time is reached, but the temperature raising operation is completed at the preset time. In order to make it ready for development, a start signal may be output before the set time to start the temperature raising operation.
[0188]
Here, an application example of the LED printer capable of power saving shown in the fourth to seventh embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0189]
FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram showing the control of the first application example of the LED printer capable of saving power.
[0190]
If the power of the LED printer is turned on in the state 82 where the power of the LED printer is turned off, the LED printer transitions to a state 83 where the initialization process is performed. If the initialization process is completed in state 83, the process proceeds to state 84 in which the developing solution is adjusted to a developable temperature. If the temperature adjustment of the developer is completed in the state 84, the process shifts to a process waiting state 85 in which printing is possible. If a print start request is received in this state 85, a transition is made to the print state 86 to execute printing. If printing is completed in state 86, the process returns to state 85.
[0191]
When a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a print start request in state 85, the flow shifts to state 87 in which the temperature of the developer is adjusted to be lowered to the standby temperature. In this state 87, when the operation panel of the LED printer is operated (operation panel operation) or data is transmitted, the state transits to the state 84, and the developing solution is adjusted to a temperature at which development is possible.
[0192]
In state 85, when the operation panel of the LED printer is operated and a timer start request is made, the state transitions to state 88 in which timer start processing is performed. When the timer start process is completed in state 88, the process proceeds to a state of waiting for a timer 89 in which the temperature rising operation of the developing solution is stopped and the timer start time set in advance is awaited. In the state 89, when the timer activation time is reached or the timer is interrupted, the state transits to the state 83, and initialization processing is performed.
[0193]
FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram showing the control of the second application example of the LED printer capable of saving power.
[0194]
If the power of the LED printer is turned on in the state 82 where the power of the LED printer is turned off, the LED printer transitions to a state 83 where the initialization process is performed. If the initialization process is completed in state 83, the process proceeds to state 84 in which the developing solution is adjusted to a developable temperature. If the temperature adjustment of the developer is completed in the state 84, the process shifts to a process waiting state 85 in which printing is possible. If a print start request is received in this state 85, a transition is made to the print state 86 to execute printing. If printing is completed in state 86, the process returns to state 85.
[0195]
When a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a print start request in state 85, the flow shifts to state 87 in which the temperature of the developer is adjusted to be lowered to the standby temperature. In this state 87, when the operation panel of the LED printer is operated (operation panel operation) or data is transmitted, the state transits to the state 84, and the developing solution is adjusted to a temperature at which development is possible. In a state 87, when a certain period of time has passed without any operation of the operation panel or data transmission, the temperature rising operation of the developing solution is stopped and the timer is waiting to wait for a preset timer start time. Transition to state 89.
[0196]
In state 85, when the operation panel of the LED printer is operated and a timer start request is made, the state transitions to state 88 in which timer start processing is performed. When the timer start process is completed in state 88, the process proceeds to a state of waiting for a timer 89 in which the temperature rising operation of the developing solution is stopped and the timer start time set in advance is awaited. In the state 89, when the timer activation time is reached or the timer is interrupted, the state transits to the state 83, and initialization processing is performed.
[0197]
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0198]
In the eighth embodiment, a stable print result can be obtained even when the temperature of the developer is not exactly constant.
[0199]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
[0200]
FIG. 13 representatively shows the developer tank 52a among the plurality of developer tanks, but the same configuration can be adopted for the other plurality of developer tanks.
[0201]
As described above, the development characteristics of the developer change depending on the temperature. That is, when the temperature of the developer is lower, it is necessary to lengthen the time for immersing the exposed photosensitive paper in the developer. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time for immersing the exposed photosensitive paper in the developing solution is adjusted by varying the conveying speed of the photosensitive paper in the developing unit according to the temperature of the developing solution, and the developing result is made constant.
[0202]
In FIG. 13, the conveyance speed control means 90 outputs speed information for controlling the conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper based on the detection result by the thermistor 70a that detects the temperature of the developer in the developer tank 52a. The means 91 conveys the photosensitive paper by changing the conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper in the developing unit based on the speed information from the conveyance speed control means 90.
[0203]
For example, the transport speed control means 90 is the PMB 155 shown in FIG. 1, and the transport means 91 is the transport motor 162 in the developing machine 154 shown in FIG.
[0204]
Next, the operation of the eighth embodiment will be described.
[0205]
The conveyance speed control means 90 calculates an optimum photosensitive paper conveyance speed based on the temperature of the developer in the developer tank 52a obtained from the thermistor 70a, and operates the conveyance means 91 at the calculated conveyance speed. Output speed information. The transport unit 91 transports the photosensitive paper based on the speed information from the transport speed control unit 90.
[0206]
According to this embodiment, since the time for immersing the photosensitive paper in the developer can be changed based on the temperature of the developer, a stable print result can be obtained even in a state where the temperature of the developer is low just after the power is turned on. There is an effect that can be obtained.
[0207]
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0208]
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
[0209]
FIG. 14 representatively shows the developer tank 52a among the plurality of developer tanks, but the same configuration can be adopted for the other plurality of developer tanks.
[0210]
In the ninth embodiment, as in the eighth embodiment described above, a stable print result can be obtained even when the temperature of the developer is not exactly constant. In the eighth embodiment described above, the optimum conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper is calculated by the conveyance speed control means 90. However, in this ninth embodiment, the optimum conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper determined in advance according to the temperature of the developer. Is stored in a non-volatile memory, and the conveyance speed control means 93 reads information from the non-volatile memory to determine and output speed information.
[0211]
In FIG. 14, the conveyance speed information 92 is a non-volatile memory that stores the optimum photosensitive paper conveyance speed obtained in advance according to the temperature of the developer, and the conveyance speed control means 93 is the developer in the developer tank 52a. The conveyance speed is read from the conveyance speed information 92 based on the detection result by the thermistor 70a that detects the temperature of the paper, and the speed information for controlling the conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper is output based on the read conveyance speed. 91 conveys the photosensitive paper by changing the conveyance speed of the photosensitive paper in the developing unit based on the speed information from the conveyance speed control means 93.
[0212]
For example, the conveyance speed information 92 is the memory 157 in the PMB 155 shown in FIG. 1, the conveyance speed control means 93 is the PMB 155 shown in FIG. 1, and the conveyance means 91 is in the developing machine 154 shown in FIG. This is a transport motor 162.
[0213]
Next, the operation of the ninth embodiment will be described.
[0214]
The conveyance speed control means 93 reads the conveyance speed from the conveyance speed information 92 based on the temperature of the developer in the developer tank 52a obtained from the thermistor 70a, and speed information for operating the conveyance means 91 at the read conveyance speed. Is output. The transport unit 91 transports the photosensitive paper based on the speed information from the transport speed control unit 93.
[0215]
According to this embodiment, since the time for immersing the photosensitive paper in the developer can be changed based on the temperature of the developer, a stable print result can be obtained even in a state where the temperature of the developer is low just after the power is turned on. There is an effect that can be obtained. In addition, since the optimum conveyance speed corresponding to the developer temperature is obtained in advance and stored in the conveyance speed information 92, the processing time is shortened compared to calculating the optimum conveyance speed each time as in the eighth embodiment. There is an effect that can be done.
[0216]
Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0217]
In the tenth embodiment, correction within the LED printer, which is necessary for always stabilizing the printing result of the LED printer, is performed with higher accuracy.
[0218]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0219]
The signal converter 94 converts the input image data or TP signal into exposure amount data based on an internal LUT. Here, the TP signal (test pattern signal) is image data for printing a test chart. The driver 95 turns on the LED 96 of the light source for exposure based on the exposure amount data from the signal converter 94. The print 97 is a print result printed on the photosensitive paper when the TP signal is input to the signal conversion unit 94. The density measuring unit 98 measures the density at a predetermined position on the print 97 and outputs measurement data. Based on the measurement data from the concentration measurement unit 98 and various data stored in the nonvolatile memory 100, the conversion characteristic creation unit 99 obtains an LUT used by the signal conversion unit 94 and outputs the LUT to the signal conversion unit 94.
[0220]
For example, the signal converter 94 is the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c shown in FIG. 1, the driver 95 is the LDBs 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e shown in FIG. 1, and the LED 96 is the LED shown in FIG. The LEDs are arranged on the array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c, the density measuring unit 98 is the densitometer 23 shown in FIG. 1, and the conversion characteristic creating unit 99 is the IPB-CPU 6 shown in FIG.
[0221]
Next, the operation of the tenth embodiment will be described.
[0222]
First, when an operator instructs execution of correction from the operation panel, a conversion table (LUT) is loaded into the signal conversion unit 94 in order to print a test chart. This conversion table lut [color] [i] is calculated by Equation 1 using the current correction coefficient kc [color] and the default correction curve DefLut [color] [i] stored in the nonvolatile memory 100. It is.
[0223]
[Expression 1]

Here, color is an input color (in this embodiment, one of the three colors Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan)), and i is an input level.
[0224]
In Equation 1, k is a constant that differs for each color, and is an output for a specific input value of DefLut. In this embodiment, for an 8-bit input, the setting is such that a gray density of about 0.8 is obtained with an input value 144, and normalization is performed with this input. Therefore, k [color] is expressed by Equation 2.
[0225]
[Expression 2]
k [color] = DefLut [color] [144]
When the LED printer is introduced and corrected for the first time, kc [color] = k [color], so the conversion table lut [color] [i] at this time is the default correction curve characteristic DefLut [color] [i]. ]become.
[0226]
Next, the TP signal is input to the signal conversion unit 94, the image indicated by the TP signal is printed based on the conversion table lut [color] [i] loaded from the conversion characteristic creation unit 99, and the print 97 is output.
[0227]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used in the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0228]
In FIG. 16, Y, M, and C indicate yellow, magenta, and cyan colors, respectively. Also, the subscript number indicates the density of each color when, for example, the lowest density to the highest density are divided into 20 levels.
[0229]
The operator inserts a print 97 output from the LED printer as shown in FIG. 16 into the density measuring unit 98 of the LED printer. The density measurement unit 98 measures the density at a predetermined position on the print 97 and outputs measurement data Dmes [color] [i] to the conversion characteristic creation unit 99.
[0230]
In the conversion characteristic creating unit 99, the measurement data is abnormal (sensitivity of the photosensitive paper, development characteristic abnormality, test chart insertion error by the operator, etc.) depending on whether or not the measurement data having the same density as the test chart is obtained. If there is no abnormality, proceed to the next process.
[0231]
The conversion characteristic creation unit 99 calculates a correction curve (conversion characteristic) NewLut [color] [i] and a correction coefficient kc [color] as the next processing, and stores the calculation result in the nonvolatile memory 100. A method for calculating the correction curve NewLut [color] [i] and the correction coefficient kc [color] will be described later.
[0232]
The correction is completed by the processing described so far. Thereafter, in normal printing, the correction curve NewLut [color] [i] is loaded into the signal conversion unit 94, and this is used as the conversion table lut [color] [i] to execute printing.
[0233]
In this embodiment, the step chart of each color of Y, M, and C as shown in FIG. 16 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, each color of Y, M, and C is A mixed gray step chart may be used as a test chart.
[0234]
Next, a process for calculating the correction curve NewLut [color] [i] and the correction coefficient kc [color] in the conversion characteristic creating unit 99 will be described. Here, for simplicity of explanation, one color will be described. Therefore, the subscript [color] is omitted.
[0235]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between image data and the output value of the conversion table, that is, the correction curve, and the relationship between the output value of the conversion table and the measured density.
[0236]
Here, the i-th target density of each color of the test chart, the input value (TP signal) to the signal converter 94 for outputting the test chart, and the density measured by the density measuring unit 98 are respectively represented by Dref [i], Let pwm [i] and Dmes [i]. Dref [i] and pwm [i] are defined corresponding to the chart order of low density to high density, and Dmes [i] is defined in each color chart so as to be synchronized with the order of input values of the signal conversion unit 94. It is assumed that the main concentrations are rearranged in order. The correction curve used for printing this test chart is lut [256].
[0237]
At this time, the value of the LUT for obtaining the i-th target density is NewLut [i], and Dref [i] is between the j-th measured density Dmes [j] and the j + 1-th measured density Dmes [j + 1]. Then, from the relationship shown in FIG. 17, NewLut [i] is obtained as shown in Equation 3.
[0238]
[Equation 3]

All combinations of (i, NewLut [i]) are obtained by repeating the process shown in Equation (3).
[0239]
Based on these set data, the relationship between the input and output of the signal converter 94 is obtained discretely, and the intermediate value is obtained by interpolation, whereby a new composite correction curve can be obtained. As described above, the obtained curve is stored in a predetermined storage area of the nonvolatile memory 100 using the output value at a predetermined input value (144 in the above example) as a correction coefficient, and the correction curve is also stored in the nonvolatile memory 100. It is stored in a predetermined storage area.
[0240]
The obtained correction curve is the aforementioned NewLut [color] [i] (for one color), and the correction coefficient is NewLut [color] [144], that is, kc [color].
[0241]
In the above processing, the interval between the target density values Dref [i] may be unequal. For example, the interval between the highlight portions is set more finely than the other portions so that the color balance in the highlight portion becomes more stable. Is preferable.
[0242]
Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0243]
In the eleventh embodiment, in the correction inside the LED printer, which is necessary for always stabilizing the printing result by the LED printer, the correction is made more accurately when the correction is performed for each channel as described above. It is.
[0244]
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0245]
The signal converter 101 converts the input image data or TP signal into exposure amount data based on an internal LUT. Here, the TP signal (test pattern signal) is image data for printing a test chart. The driver 102 turns on the LED 103 of the light source for exposure based on the exposure amount data from the signal conversion unit 101. The print 104 is a print result printed on the photosensitive paper when the TP signal is input to the signal conversion unit 101. The density measuring unit 105 measures the density at a predetermined position on the print 104 and outputs measurement data. Based on the measurement data from the concentration measurement unit 105 and various data stored in the nonvolatile memory 107, the conversion characteristic creation unit 106 obtains an LUT used by the signal conversion unit 101 and outputs the LUT to the signal conversion unit 101.
[0246]
For example, the signal conversion unit 101 is the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c shown in FIG. 1, the driver 102 is the LDBs 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e shown in FIG. 1, and the LED 103 is the LED shown in FIG. The LEDs are arranged on the array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c, the density measuring unit 105 is the densitometer 23 shown in FIG. 1, and the conversion characteristic creating unit 106 is the IPB-CPU 6 shown in FIG.
[0247]
Next, the operation of the eleventh embodiment will be described.
[0248]
As described above, in the correction for each channel, the variation in development characteristics is corrected by master channel correction, and the difference in characteristics due to the difference in photosensitive material, that is, photosensitive paper, is corrected by paper channel correction. Each correction data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 107. Hereinafter, correction data corresponding to the master channel (MCH) will be described as a development correction coefficient, and correction data corresponding to a paper channel (PCH) will be described as a photosensitive material correction curve and a photosensitive material correction coefficient.
[0249]
In this embodiment, as will be described later, when a test chart for PCH is printed, a conversion table is generated based on the photosensitive material correction coefficient, the photosensitive material default correction curve, and the development correction coefficient, and the test chart for MCH is used. When printing the image and during normal printing, a conversion table is generated based on the photosensitive material correction curve and the development correction coefficient.
[0250]
First, the master channel correction will be described.
[0251]
MCH corrects fluctuations in sensitivity and color balance mainly caused by the developing machine. Changes in development characteristics can be substantially corrected by controlling the exposure amount of each color, as conventionally known. In other words, the correction value may be held as a scalar amount for each color. For this reason, the MCH value is held as a coefficient value for each color.
[0252]
One MCH can be used for each photosensitive material that can have the same development processing. For this reason, when using various types of photosensitive materials having different surface qualities and sizes per day, it is only necessary to perform MCH correction once without reducing the development characteristics for each photosensitive material, thereby reducing the correction work. There is an effect that. MCH is a channel for correcting fluctuations in development characteristics, so it may be performed once a day, for example.
[0253]
The MCH correction in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
[0254]
First, when the operator instructs execution of MCH correction from the operation panel, a test curve printing correction curve TcLut [color] [i] is loaded into the signal conversion unit 101 in order to print a test chart.
[0255]
The test curve print correction curve TcLut [color] [i] uses the photosensitive material correction curve PchLut [color] [i] and the development correction coefficient mch [color] currently stored in the nonvolatile memory 107. Is calculated by equation (4).
[0256]
[Expression 4]

Here, color is an input color and i is an input level.
[0257]
Next, the TP signal is input to the signal conversion unit 101, the image indicated by the TP signal is printed based on the correction curve TcLut [color] [i] loaded from the conversion characteristic creation unit 106, and the print 104 is output.
[0258]
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used for MCH correction according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
[0259]
In FIG. 19, Y, M, and C indicate yellow, magenta, and cyan colors, respectively, and k indicates gray in which three colors are superimposed. Each color in the print 104 is arranged so that the print density satisfies the magnitude relationship shown in Formula 5 when the conversion characteristic TcLut is monotonous.
[0260]
[Equation 5]
c0 <c1 <c2 <c3 <c4
m0 <m1 <m2 <m3 <m4
y0 <y1 <y2 <y3 <y4
In the test chart, arranging each color as shown in FIG. 19 has an effect that the labor of correction is reduced as compared with arranging each color as shown in FIG. 20, for example. FIG. 20 shows an example of a conventional test chart.
[0261]
The operator inserts the print 104 shown in FIG. 19 output from the LED printer into the density measurement unit 105 of the LED printer. The density measurement unit 105 measures the density at a predetermined position on the print 104 and outputs measurement data Dmes [color] [i] to the conversion characteristic creation unit 106.
[0262]
In this embodiment, the density measurement and the measurement density check are performed for each column of the print 104 shown in FIG. That is, when the operator inserts the print 104 into the density measuring unit 105, the density measuring unit 105 displays the columns r1 (k0, m3, m2, m1, c3, c2, c1, y3, y2, y1, k0 shown in FIG. 19). Column) only, and proceed to check the measured concentration.
[0263]
In the measurement density check, a measurement error is determined.
[0264]
First, it is checked whether, for example, an erroneous column is read in the image of the print 104 (this time column r2 (columns k0, y4, y0, m4, m0, c4, c0, k1, k2, k3, k0). Is the wrong column). This can be easily determined by changing the color arrangement of each column of the test chart.
[0265]
Next, it is determined whether there is any characteristic variation or fogging due to the management state of the photosensitive material, history, contamination of the developing machine, or the like.
[0266]
When obtaining the correction data, if the photosensitive material is covered, the characteristics are locally changed, or the developing machine is dirty, correct correction data cannot be obtained. In addition, depending on the correction method, the influence may affect the subsequent correction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, this determination is performed before the calculation for obtaining the correction data is performed at the stage where the density of the test chart is measured. The principle of this determination will be described below.
[0267]
In the row r1, gray data having the same density indicated by k0 is printed at a plurality of locations (2 locations in FIG. 19), and when the color shift due to the position of k0 is larger than the allowable value, the management state of the photosensitive material It is determined that the characteristic is changed due to the above or fogging. The color misregistration is represented by A = | (km1-kc1)-(km2-kc2) | = | (Km1-ky1)-(km2-ky2) |, color shift = (A²+ B²)^1/2Sought by.
[0268]
If there is no abnormality in the above check, the target density existence range is checked. That is, the color densities c1 to c3, m1 to m3, and y1 to y3 are determined. In MCH, when each color of C, M, and Y is set up without error, the target density is printed so as to be included between any two of the three points. When the target density exists in this range, the density measurement and the measurement density check are finished. On the other hand, if the target density does not exist in the range of the column r1, the operator inserts the print 104 into the density measurement unit 105 again, and performs density measurement and check of the measured density for the column r2. However, when the measured density in the column r2 is checked, the existence range of the target density is not checked. In the row r2, points including low and high densities further printed from the row r1 are printed.
[0269]
Further, the color shift is seen from the density of the k0 part even between the columns, and it is determined whether there is any characteristic variation or fogging due to the management state of the photosensitive material and history.
[0270]
As shown in FIG. 20, when the information necessary for correction is dispersed at least as shown in FIG. 20, the density of all the columns must be read even when the fluctuation is small. It takes much more than this embodiment. In addition, as shown in FIG. 19, if the column r2 is printed together with the column r1, it is not necessary to print again when the column r2 is necessary (when the deviation is large), thereby saving printing time. become.
[0271]
It should be noted that local characteristic fluctuations and fogging determination based on the management state and history of the photosensitive material can be performed without preparing a plurality of the same patches such as k0. For example, when density reading is performed at multiple locations and the color shift amount is compared, or when the chart is a gray step, the steps are distributed almost evenly in two rows and the chart is read There is a method of comparing the color shift amount between the groups.
[0272]
The conversion characteristic creation unit 106 calculates the development correction coefficient mch [color] as the next processing, and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 107 if the calculation result is within a predetermined range. On the other hand, when the ratio of the newly determined development correction coefficient and the development correction coefficient so far (hereinafter referred to as “development correction coefficient correction factor”) exceeds a certain value, Subsequent processing is varied as in the following (1) to (3).
(1) When the development correction factor correction factor is less than ± 20%
The development correction coefficient of the calculation result is registered in the nonvolatile memory 107 and is completed.
(2) When the correction factor of development correction coefficient is ± 20% or more and less than ± 35%
The calculated development correction coefficient is registered in the non-volatile memory 107 and the operator is prompted to perform correction again.
(3) When the correction factor of development correction coefficient is ± 35% or more
The calculated development correction coefficient is not registered in the nonvolatile memory 107, and the operator is prompted to perform correction again. If (3) is repeated, the operator is prompted to initialize the correction value and perform correction again.
[0273]
A method for calculating the development correction coefficient mch [color] will be described later.
[0274]
The correction is completed by the processing described so far. Thereafter, in normal printing, a new development correction coefficient mch [color] is used for correction of development characteristic variation.
[0275]
Next, a process of calculating the development correction coefficient mch [color] in the conversion characteristic creation unit 106 will be described.
[0276]
In the test chart column r1, three levels of patches are recorded in which each color main density has a set value in the vicinity of the target densities of 0.64, 0.76, and 0.90, and each color main density is recorded in the column r2. Two-stage patches having set values near 0.53 and 1.05 are recorded. After the setup is completed, the set value may be different for each color so that the gray density is maintained at each gradation.
[0277]
When the characteristic deviation is large and the target density does not exist in the print range of the row r1, the data of the row r2 is also used as described above. Even if the data of column r2 is used, the range is estimated by extrapolation in this case.
[0278]
The density of each patch of the printed test chart is measured to determine which level has a target density of 0.76. As the target density, the vicinity of density 0.7 may be selected, and it does not necessarily have to be 0.76.
[0279]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the charts of the respective colors arranged in five stages from the lower density to the higher density, and is a diagram illustrating a range where the target density exists.
[0280]
In FIG. 21, the arrow indicates the step position of the chart where the target density based on the measured density exists, and the number in the patch indicates the target density of each patch.
[0281]
With the above processing, it was possible to determine the density at two points near the target density. Hereinafter, processing for calculating the development correction coefficient will be described. First, an MCH correction value is calculated by interpolation from two points of density near the target density. Here, for simplicity of explanation, one color will be described. Therefore, the subscript [color] is omitted.
[0282]
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between image data and the output value of the conversion table, that is, the correction curve, and the relationship between the output value of the conversion table and the measured density.
[0283]
The TP signal for obtaining a patch having two points of density near the target density of 0.76 and the measured density of the patch are represented by {pwm [0], pwm [1]}, {Dmes [0], Dmes [1, respectively. ]}. When the target density is outside the range of the test chart, the measured density of the two closest patches is used instead.
[0284]
In addition, a table obtained as a composite characteristic of the development correction coefficient and a paper channel (PCH) to be described later is Tclut [256].
[0285]
At this time, assuming that the value on the correction curve for obtaining the target density is lut_mch, lut_mch is obtained by Equation 6.
[0286]
[Formula 6]

Before the development characteristics fluctuate, the target density should have been obtained at the center of the test pattern (image data input value is ref), so this test pattern signal (TP signal) was set to pwm [ref]. At this time, a new development correction coefficient mch_new is obtained by Equation 7.
[0287]
[Expression 7]
mch_new = lut_mch / Pchlut [pwm [ref]]
Here, when rearranged using the relationship shown in Equation 4, Equation 8 is obtained.
[0288]
[Equation 8]

This is the end of the description of the MCH correction.
[0289]
Next, paper channel (PCH) correction will be described.
[0290]
The PCH is set to a desirable gradation by correcting the variation due to the difference in photosensitive material (for example, the difference in lot). In the PCH, conversion characteristics such that the relationship between input and output density becomes a predetermined gradation are stored as a channel in a table format by making use of the characteristics of digital processing. The correction data is stored in correspondence with the sensitive material type.
[0291]
In addition, the PCH performs setup and updates when a new paper is used for the first time or when a lot of paper is changed. When the setup for the paper to be used has never been made, the calibration is started from the initial table stored as the default value.
[0292]
At this time, a plurality of correction curves as defaults may be prepared according to, for example, the emulsion and the surface quality, and a default table corresponding to the photosensitive material type may be selected from the nonvolatile memory 107.
[0293]
Hereinafter, correction of PCH in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0294]
First, when an operator instructs execution of PCH correction from the operation panel, a test curve printing correction curve TcLut [color] [i] is loaded into the signal conversion unit 101 in order to print a test chart.
[0295]
The test curve print correction curve TcLut [color] [i] is stored in the non-volatile memory 107, and the photosensitive material correction coefficient Pch [color] and the photosensitive material correction default curve DefPchLut [color] [i] This is calculated by Equation 9 using the development correction coefficient mch [color].
[0296]
[Equation 9]

Here, color is the input color and i is the input level.
[0297]
In addition, k is a constant different for each color, and is an output for a specific input value of DefPchLut. In this embodiment, for an 8-bit input, a gray density of about 0.8 is obtained with an input value 144. Normalize with this input. Therefore, k [color] is expressed by Equation 10.
[0298]
[Expression 10]
k [color] = DefPchLut [color] [144]
In the first time, the photosensitive material correction default curve DefPchLut [color] [i] is used as it is as the correction curve TcLut [color] [i].
[0299]
Next, the TP signal is input to the signal conversion unit 101, the image indicated by the TP signal is printed based on the correction curve TcLut [color] [i] loaded from the conversion characteristic creation unit 106, and the print 104 is output.
[0300]
The test chart used for this PCH correction may be a step chart of about 20 steps similar to the test chart shown in FIG. 16, for example, and will be described here with reference to FIG.
[0301]
The operator inserts the print 104 shown in FIG. 16 output from the LED printer into the density measurement unit 105 of the LED printer. The density measurement unit 105 measures the density at a predetermined position on the print 104 and outputs measurement data Dmes [color] [i] to the conversion characteristic creation unit 106.
[0302]
The conversion characteristic creation unit 106 determines the measurement data and checks whether there is any abnormality (paper fogging, development characteristic abnormality, data abnormality due to user's erroneous operation, etc.), and then proceeds to the subsequent processing.
[0303]
As the next process, the conversion characteristic creation unit 106 calculates a conversion characteristic (correction curve) and registers the result as a PCH value in the nonvolatile memory 107 in the form of the correction curve and the correction coefficient. Here, the correction coefficient is determined as Pch [color] = PchLut [color] [144]. The photosensitive material correction curve PchLut [color] [i] is the calculated correction curve.
[0304]
Thereafter, during normal printing, if the same paper can be determined from, for example, a code identifying the paper lot / type printed on the paper cartridge, the correction curve PchLut registered in the nonvolatile memory 107 is used. [Color] [i] is used as PCH for the sensitive material.
[0305]
When the correction is performed again, the above process is repeated. For the test print again, a conversion table generated from the development correction coefficient, the photosensitive material correction coefficient, and the photosensitive material correction default curve is set in the signal conversion unit 101. For example, the YMC chart of about 20 steps shown in FIG. Print. The conversion table at this time is calculated by Equation 11.
[0306]
## EQU11 ##

Next, a process for calculating a correction curve in the conversion characteristic creation unit 106 will be described. Here, for simplicity of explanation, one color will be described. Therefore, the subscript [color] is omitted.
[0307]
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between image data and the output value of the conversion table, that is, the correction curve, and the relationship between the output value of the conversion table and the measured density.
[0308]
Here, the i-th target density of each color of the test chart, the input value (TP signal) to the signal conversion unit 101 for outputting the test chart, the target density and the density measured by the density measuring unit 105 are respectively represented by Dref [ i], pwm [i], and Dmes [i]. The correction curve used for printing this test chart is Tclut [256].
[0309]
At this time, the value of the LUT for obtaining the i-th target density is lut_pch2 [i], and the target density Dref [i] is the jth measured density Dmes [j] and the j + 1th measured density Dmes [j + 1]. Suppose that it was in between.
[0310]
The correction curve Tclut [i] is expressed by Equation 12.
[0311]
[Expression 12]

Here, since the part of (DefPchLut [i] × pch) / DefPchLut [144] is for PCH, Equation 13 is obtained by replacing Tc_PchLut [i].
[0312]
[Formula 13]
Tclut [i] = Tc_PchLut [i] × mch
Further, from the relationship shown in FIG. 23, lut_pch2 [i] is obtained as shown in Equation 14.
[0313]
[Expression 14]

Since the PCH value pch2 [i] is a value obtained by separating the MCH value from lut_pch2 [i], Equation 15 is obtained.
[0314]
[Expression 15]
pch2 [i] = lut_pch2 [i] / mch
Further, the following Expression 16 is obtained from Expression 14 and Expression 15.
[0315]
[Expression 16]

Further, pch2 [i] is obtained as in Expressions 17 and 16 to 17.
[0316]
[Expression 17]

By repeating the above processing, all combinations of (i, pch2 [i]) are obtained.
[0317]
Based on these set data, the relationship between the input and output of the signal converter 101 is obtained discretely, and the intermediate value is obtained by interpolation, thereby obtaining a new PCH composite correction curve. it can.
[0318]
In the above processing, the interval between the target density values Dref [i] may be unequal. For example, the interval between the highlight portions is set more finely than the other portions so that the color balance in the highlight portion becomes more stable. Is preferable.
[0319]
The nonvolatile memory 107 is updated with the obtained correction curve as the photosensitive material correction curve PchLut [color] [i], and the photosensitive material correction coefficient Pch [color] of the nonvolatile memory 107 is updated with the value of PchLut [color] [144]. .
[0320]
Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0321]
By the way, even if the correction as described in each of the above embodiments is performed, if there is a certain deviation from the target density, it is determined whether there is a problem in the exposure / characteristic correction system or a problem in the development system. There is a need to. This is because if there is a problem in the development system, there is a limit to the amount that can be corrected by exposure amount correction.
[0322]
By performing the correction as described in the above embodiments, it is possible to correct the difference between the developer and the paper lot. However, when the developer is deteriorated, the maximum density in the print result is lowered and cannot be corrected by correcting the exposure amount (correction of exposure time and LUT). The problem when the maximum density is lowered is that it is not possible to easily determine whether the exposure amount is decreased due to some factor or the deterioration of the developer.
[0323]
Conventionally, a method of flowing a control strip in such a case is known. However, this method of flowing the control strip uses a specially-exposed photosensitive material (paper, photographic paper), which is accurate, but takes time.
[0324]
In the twelfth embodiment, deterioration of the developer can be determined. According to this embodiment, appropriate troubleshooting can be performed by a simple method without preparing a control strip.
[0325]
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
[0326]
First, when the operator instructs the output of the developer deterioration determination chart from the operation panel 21 of the LED printer, a chart as shown in FIG. 25 is printed (E-1).
[0327]
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a developer deterioration determination chart used in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
[0328]
In FIG. 25, Y, M, and C are patches that are solid-exposed with single colors of B, G, and R, respectively, and K is a patch that is solid-exposed with three colors of R, G, and B.
[0329]
Next, the operator inserts the developer deterioration determination chart shown in FIG. 25 into the densitometer 23, and the concentration meter 23 measures the density of each patch in the developer deterioration determination chart (E-2). At this time, for the patch C of the developer deterioration determination chart shown in FIG. 25, the C density, the M density for the patch M, the Y density for the patch Y, and the C, M, and Y densities for the patch K. Measure.
[0330]
Next, the density is checked (E-3).
[0331]
Specifically, the C density, M density, and Y density of patch C, patch M, and patch Y are compared with the black density of patch K. When the developer is deteriorated, the light-sensitive material is not sufficiently developed although the exposure amount is sufficient, and the density is lowered. Since this phenomenon becomes more prominent as the upper layer of the photographic paper is colored, the vicinity of the highest density of black appears most prominently. That is, in the photographic paper, for example, the layer that develops color Y in the lowermost layer is the lowermost layer. If the developer is deteriorated, each of the single colors of patch C, patch M, and patch Y has a predetermined density. Is sufficiently obtained, the lowermost layer Y density is not sufficiently increased in the patch K, resulting in a bluish black.
[0332]
For this reason, the determination conditions in step (E-3) include that the CMY density has reached a predetermined density and that the black Y density is not more than a predetermined value. Determination is made under these conditions (E-4), and if normal, a message is displayed on the LCD 22 of the operation panel 21, for example, that the developer is not deteriorated (E-5). If there is an abnormality in step (E-4), that is, if the above condition is met, the possibility of developing solution deterioration is high, and a message to that effect is displayed on the LCD 22 of the operation panel 21 (E-6).
[0333]
Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0334]
In the thirteenth embodiment, as in the twelfth embodiment, the deterioration of the developer can be determined. According to this embodiment, a simple method can be used without preparing a control strip. So you can do proper troubleshooting.
[0335]
In the twelfth embodiment, a chart as shown in FIG. 25 is printed in order to confirm the exposure amount, but this embodiment is different in this point. That is, in the thirteenth embodiment, for example, a window is provided in the housing of the LED printer so that fogging exposure by external light can be performed on the photographic paper, and the photographic paper is fogged for a predetermined time by the external light from this window. The fogged photographic paper is developed, and the development result is used to determine the deterioration of the developing solution.
[0336]
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processes in the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0337]
First, photographic paper is covered for a predetermined time by external light from a window (which can be opened or closed automatically or manually by a shutter or the like) provided in the housing of the LED printer (F-1). This predetermined time is preferably set to a time sufficient for fogging.
[0338]
Thereafter, the LED printer develops the fogged photographic paper (F-2) and discharges it to the outside. The operator inserts the discharged photographic paper into the densitometer 23, and the densitometer 23 measures the density of the photographic paper subjected to fog exposure and development (F-3).
[0339]
Next, the density is checked (F-4). In the present embodiment, for example, when the layer that develops color of Y in the photographic paper is the lowest layer, for example, when the C density is a predetermined value or more and the Y density is a predetermined value or less. Therefore, it is determined that the developer is highly likely to be deteriorated.
[0340]
If the determination result (F-5) is normal, a message is displayed on the LCD 22 of the operation panel 21, for example, that the developer is not deteriorated (F-6). If there is an abnormality in step (F-5), there is a high possibility that the developer will be deteriorated, and a message to that effect is displayed on the LCD 22 of the operation panel 21 (F-7).
[0341]
Here, the method of performing the fog exposure by the external light from the window provided in the housing has been described, but the gist is to provide the fog exposure sufficiently to the photographic paper by a light source different from the recording light source. For example, a light source other than an LED such as a lamp may be disposed in the printer, for example, and the photographic paper may be subjected to fog exposure for a predetermined time by using this light source.
[0342]
Next, a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0343]
In the LED printer, when a long recording paper is used as photosensitive paper for printing, it is necessary to cut the recording paper to a desired size prior to exposure as described above.
[0344]
In such a system, when an instruction to start printing is once given from the host computer and the recording paper is cut to a desired size and then an instruction to stop printing is given, conventionally, the cut recording paper is exposed. Despite this, the cut recording paper was discharged as it was. For this reason, there has been a problem that recording paper is wasted in the past.
[0345]
Therefore, the purpose of this fourteenth embodiment is to eliminate such waste of recording paper as much as possible.
[0346]
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0347]
In FIG. 27, the host computer 1 sends image recording start instruction means 110 for instructing the LED printer 2 to start printing, and recording paper cutting for transmitting the size of the recording paper necessary for the current printing to the LED printer 2. A length instruction unit 111, an image data transmission unit 112 that transmits image data to the LED printer 2, and an image recording stop instruction unit 113 that instructs the LED printer 2 to stop printing. The LED printer 2 receives control data from the host computer 1 and controls the operation of each part of the LED printer 2, a long recording paper 115 that is a recording paper used for printing, and a long recording paper A paper feeding means 116 for pulling out and feeding 115, a paper discharge means 117 for discharging the cut long recording paper 115, and a recording paper cutting means for cutting the drawn long recording paper 115 in a desired size. 118 and image recording means 119 for recording an image on the cut long recording paper 115.
[0348]
For example, the control means 114 is the IPB-CPU 6 shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed means 116 is a paper feed roller, the paper discharge means 117 is a paper discharge roller, and the recording paper cutting means 118 is a paper cutter. The image recording means 119 is configured to be used in the exposure process of the rotating drum 36 and the LED arrays 32a, 32b, 32c and the like shown in FIG.
[0349]
Next, the operation of the fourteenth embodiment will be described.
[0350]
First, when the operator operates the host computer 1 to instruct printing, the image recording start instruction unit 110 of the host computer 1 instructs the LED printer 2 to start printing. The recording paper cutting length instruction unit 111 instructs the LED printer 2 on the size of the recording paper. Further, the image data transmitting unit 112 starts transmitting image data to the LED printer 2.
[0351]
Upon receiving these instructions, the control means 114 of the LED printer 2 supplies the long recording paper 115 to the paper feeding means 116 and the recording paper cutting means 118 based on the size instructed from the recording paper cutting length instruction means 111. Instruct to draw and cut. In response to this instruction, the paper feeding means 116 pulls out the long recording paper 115 by a required length, and at that time, the recording paper cutting means 118 cuts the long recording paper 115.
[0352]
Next, the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to record an image on the cut recording paper 120 based on the image data received from the image data transmission unit 112. When an instruction to stop printing is received from the image recording stop instruction unit 113 of the host computer 1, the image recording unit 119 is not instructed to record an image.
[0353]
It should be noted that the control unit 114 receives the print stop instruction from the image recording stop instruction unit 113 even after the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to record an image. If the image recording is not yet performed at 120, the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to stop the image recording, and this embodiment can be realized.
[0354]
At this time, since the image has not yet been recorded on the cut recording paper 120, the cut recording paper 120 can be reused. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the host computer 1 once gives an instruction to start printing and cuts the long recording paper 115 to a desired size, the host computer 1 gives an instruction to stop printing. The cut recording paper 120 is not discharged but is held in the LED printer 2 and waits for the next print start instruction.
[0355]
In this state, when the next print start is instructed from the image recording start instructing unit 110 of the host computer 1 to the LED printer 2, the control unit 114 is instructed from the recording paper cutting length instructing unit 111 to the LED printer 2. The newly instructed size of the recording paper is compared with the size of the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2.
[0356]
If the recording paper sizes are the same as a result of the comparison, the control unit 114 records new image data on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2. The image recording unit 119 is instructed. When the image recording on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is completed by the image recording means 119, the control means 114 controls the paper discharge means 117 to discharge the image-recorded recording paper. To do.
[0357]
As a result of the comparison of the recording paper sizes described above, the size of the recording paper newly instructed to the LED printer 2 from the recording paper cutting length instruction unit 111 is the cut recording paper held in the LED printer 2. If the size is larger than 120, a new image cannot be recorded on the held cut recording paper 120. Therefore, the control means 114 controls the paper discharge means 117 to cut the cut recording paper. The paper 120 is discharged as it is, and the long recording paper 115 is cut to a new size to record a new image.
[0358]
Further, as a result of the comparison of the recording paper sizes described above, the size of the recording paper newly instructed from the recording paper cutting length instruction unit 111 to the LED printer 2 is the cut recording paper held in the LED printer 2. When the size is smaller than 120, for example, an operator may select from the following three processes. Depending on the use of the print result, there are cases where it is only necessary to record an image without missing, or cases where the sizes must match, so that the operator can select a process. This is because it is convenient.
(1) Since the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is larger than the newly instructed size of the recording paper, the new image will fit into the cut recording paper 120, but it will match completely. Therefore, the cut-out recording paper 120 is discharged without recording an image.
(2) A new image is recorded on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 and discharged.
(3) The cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is cut to the newly designated recording paper size, and a new image is recorded on the cut recording paper and discharged.
[0359]
By the way, if the cut recording paper 120 is held in the LED printer 2 for a long time, the characteristics of the cut recording paper 120 may deteriorate over time depending on the atmosphere and the degree of light shielding, and the recording paper contains chemicals. In such a case, there is a risk of adversely affecting the peripheral configuration of the paper feeding unit 116, the paper discharging unit 117, the image recording unit, or the like. For this reason, when the time during which the cut recording paper 120 is held in the LED printer 2 reaches a predetermined time, it is desirable to forcibly eject the paper without performing image recording. At this time, for example, an operator may set and change the predetermined time until the cut recording paper 120 is forcibly discharged.
[0360]
Next, a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0361]
Similarly to the fourteenth embodiment, the fifteenth embodiment aims to eliminate waste of recording paper as much as possible.
[0362]
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0363]
In FIG. 28, the host computer 1 sends to the LED printer 2 an image recording start instructing unit 110 that instructs the LED printer 2 to start printing, an image data transmitting unit 112 that transmits image data to the LED printer 2, and the LED printer 2. An image recording stop instruction unit 113 for instructing to stop printing is provided. The LED printer 2 receives control data from the host computer 1 and controls the operation of each part of the LED printer 2, a long recording paper 115 that is a recording paper used for printing, and a long recording paper A paper feeding means 116 for pulling out and feeding 115, a paper discharge means 117 for discharging the cut long recording paper 115, and a recording paper cutting means for cutting the drawn long recording paper 115 in a desired size. 118 and image recording means 119 for recording an image on the cut long recording paper 115. In this embodiment, the control unit 114 of the LED printer 2 determines the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121 that determines the size of the recording paper necessary for the current print based on the image data received from the image data transmission unit 112. Have
[0364]
For example, the control means 114 is the IPB-CPU 6 shown in FIG. 1, the paper feed means 116 is a paper feed roller, the paper discharge means 117 is a paper discharge roller, and the recording paper cutting means 118 is a paper cutter. The image recording means 119 is configured to be used in the exposure process of the rotating drum 36 and the LED arrays 32a, 32b, 32c and the like shown in FIG.
[0365]
Next, the operation of the fifteenth embodiment will be described.
[0366]
First, when the operator operates the host computer 1 to instruct printing, the image recording start instruction unit 110 of the host computer 1 instructs the LED printer 2 to start printing. Further, the image data transmission unit 112 starts transmitting image data to the LED printer 2.
[0367]
Upon receiving the print start instruction and the image data, the control unit 114 of the LED printer 2 determines the size of the recording paper required for the current printing by the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121 based on the size of the received image data. To do.
[0368]
Then, the control unit 114 instructs the paper feeding unit 116 and the recording paper cutting unit 118 to draw out and cut the long recording paper 115 based on the size determined by the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121. In response to this instruction, the paper feeding means 116 pulls out the long recording paper 115 by a required length, and at that time, the recording paper cutting means 118 cuts the long recording paper 115.
[0369]
Next, the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to record an image on the cut recording paper 120 based on the image data received from the image data transmission unit 112. When an instruction to stop printing is received from the image recording stop instruction unit 113 of the host computer 1, the image recording unit 119 is not instructed to record an image.
[0370]
It should be noted that the control unit 114 receives the print stop instruction from the image recording stop instruction unit 113 even after the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to record an image. If the image recording is not yet performed at 120, the control unit 114 instructs the image recording unit 119 to stop the image recording, and this embodiment can be realized.
[0371]
At this time, since the image has not yet been recorded on the cut recording paper 120, the cut recording paper 120 can be reused. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the host computer 1 once gives an instruction to start printing and cuts the long recording paper 115 to a desired size, the host computer 1 gives an instruction to stop printing. The cut recording paper 120 is not discharged but is held in the LED printer 2 and waits for the next print start instruction.
[0372]
In this state, when the next print start is instructed from the image recording start instruction unit 110 of the host computer 1 to the LED printer 2, the control unit 114 determines that the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121 is based on the new image data. And the size of the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 are compared.
[0373]
If the recording paper sizes are the same as a result of the comparison, the control unit 114 records new image data on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2. The image recording unit 119 is instructed. When the image recording on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is completed by the image recording means 119, the control means 114 controls the paper discharge means 117 to discharge the image-recorded recording paper. To do.
[0374]
As a result of the comparison of the recording paper sizes, the size determined by the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121 based on the new image data is larger than the size of the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2. If it is larger, a new image cannot be recorded on the held cut recording paper 120, so the control means 114 controls the paper discharge means 117 to discharge the cut recording paper 120 as it is. Then, the long recording paper 115 is cut with a new size, and a new image is recorded.
[0375]
Further, as a result of the comparison of the recording paper sizes described above, the size determined by the recording paper cutting length determination unit 121 based on the new image data is larger than the size of the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2. If it is small, it is preferable that the operator can select, for example, from the following three processes. Depending on the use of the print result, there are cases where it is only necessary to record an image without missing, or cases where the sizes must match, so that the operator can select a process. This is because it is convenient.
(1) Since the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is larger than the newly determined recording paper size, a new image can fit into the cut recording paper 120, but is completely coincident. Therefore, the cut-out recording paper 120 is discharged without recording an image.
(2) A new image is recorded on the cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 and discharged.
(3) The cut recording paper 120 held in the LED printer 2 is cut to the newly determined recording paper size, and a new image is recorded on the cut recording paper and discharged.
[0376]
By the way, if the cut recording paper 120 is held in the LED printer 2 for a long time, the characteristics of the cut recording paper 120 may deteriorate over time depending on the atmosphere and the degree of light shielding, and the recording paper contains chemicals. In such a case, there is a risk of adversely affecting the peripheral configuration of the paper feeding unit 116, the paper discharging unit 117, the image recording unit, or the like. For this reason, when the time during which the cut recording paper 120 is held in the LED printer 2 reaches a predetermined time, it is desirable to forcibly eject the paper without performing image recording. At this time, for example, an operator may set and change the predetermined time until the cut recording paper 120 is forcibly discharged.
[0377]
In the above-described fourteenth and fifteenth embodiments, the image recording stop instruction means 113 is provided in the host computer 1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the LED printer 2 is instructed to stop image recording. May be provided.
[0378]
Next, a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0379]
In each of the embodiments so far, each factor requiring correction at the time of image formation is referred to as a channel and correction is performed for each channel, and the correction amount for correcting the variation caused by the developing device. The master channel correction for obtaining the image quality and the paper channel correction for obtaining the correction amount for correcting the variation caused by the surface quality of the photosensitive paper and the variation for each lot have been described. In the sixteenth embodiment, in addition to a channel for correcting such image fluctuations, a user channel (hereinafter also referred to as “UCH”) capable of changing an image according to user's preference is provided.
[0380]
Conventionally, in this user channel, the density of the entire image could be increased or decreased, but this was performed for all density ranges (input ranges).
[0381]
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the relationship between the level of input image data and the level of output image data in a conventional user channel.
[0382]
In FIG. 29, k is a parameter designated by the user. When k = 0, input = output, and in this case, correction by the user channel is not performed. For example, when the user designates 1 for the parameter k, the level of the input image data is increased and output based on the k = 1 straight line shown in FIG. 29 in the user channel.
[0383]
As shown in FIG. 29, conventionally, the user can obtain the user's favorite density by specifying the parameter k, but this parameter k can be changed over the entire range of the level of the input image signal. It was only changing the exposure amount. For this reason, the conventional user channel cannot provide an effect when, for example, it is desired to correct only a specific color or only a specific density region.
[0384]
Accordingly, an object of the sixteenth embodiment is to provide an LED printer capable of adjusting the density only for a specific density range of a specific color, for example.
[0385]
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0386]
The user specific color correction calculation unit 122 generates a conversion characteristic f [col] [i] with a predetermined weight based on a user operation parameter input by the user described later and a UCH (user channel) LUT. The user specific color correction unit 123 loads the conversion characteristics generated by the user specific color correction calculation unit 122 and corrects and outputs the input image data based on the loaded conversion characteristics f. The image recording unit 124 records an image on the photosensitive paper based on the image data output by the user specific color correction unit 123.
[0387]
For example, the user specific color correction calculation unit 122 is the IPB-CPU 6 illustrated in FIG. 1, the user specific color correction unit 123 is the LBBs 26a, 26b, and 26c illustrated in FIG. 1, and the image recording unit 124 is illustrated in FIG. LED array substrates 32a, 32b and 32c shown in FIG.
[0388]
Next, the operation of the sixteenth embodiment will be described.
[0389]
First, when an operator instructs execution of user channel correction from the operation panel 21, the LED printer 2 prints a UCH test chart.
[0390]
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0390]
This UCH test chart is a gray chart created by synthesizing three colors of CMY, and as shown in FIG. 31, 20 types (20 of the level i of 256 types of image data represented by 8 bits (20 Printed).
[0392]
The 20-stage patch preferably includes a minimum and maximum density of image data, that is, a patch with level i = 0 for all three colors and a patch with level i = 255 for all three colors. As an example of the UCH test chart, for example, level i = (0, 4, 8, 18, 36, 54, 72, 90, 108, 126, 144, 162, 180, 198, 216, 226, 234, 244, 250, 255) (same level for all three colors) may be printed.
[0393]
Further, the UCH test chart is printed in a state where the user-specific color correction unit 123 does not perform any correction of UCH that is input = output.
[0394]
The user looks at the printed UCH test chart and inputs the step and the degree of color and density adjustment to the LED printer 2 as user operation parameters. This input method may be input on the host computer 1 and transmitted to the LED printer 2 by SCSI, or may be input directly from the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2. The input user operation parameters are stored, for example, in the memory 9 shown in FIG.
[0395]
Here, when the color is col and the stage of the patch in the UCH test chart is j, fine correction data k = fine [ col] [j] is set. The value of the fine correction data is a user operation parameter at the corresponding stage.
[0396]
In the following description, a case in which the cyan density of the j + 1 stage patch is desired to be slightly reduced will be described. However, a plurality of similar processes are performed when a plurality of stages and a plurality of colors are corrected.
[0397]
FIG. 32 is a table showing a list of user operation parameters.
[0398]
FIG. 32 shows user operation parameters when the cyan density of the j + 1 stage patch is desired to be slightly reduced. The j + 1 stage cyan density term is −1 to make it slightly thinner, and the other terms are 0 because they are not corrected.
[0399]
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UCH LUT.
[0400]
As shown in FIG. 33, a plurality of UCH LUTs are prepared corresponding to the user operation parameter k and stored in, for example, the memory 9 shown in FIG.
[0401]
The conversion characteristic f [col] [i] (col is a color, i is an input level) to be loaded to the user specific color correction unit 122 is calculated by the user specific color correction calculation unit 123 as described above.
[0402]
The user specific color correction calculation unit 123 selects the value of the UCH LUT corresponding to the user operation parameter for each stage of the UCH test chart. However, each stage of the UCH test chart is not provided for every input level of image data, so it is necessary to interpolate between the stage where the user instructs correction and the stage before and after that. . In the present embodiment, interpolation is performed by using a predetermined weight for the user operation parameter between the steps. The weight w here is expressed as shown in Equation 18, for example.
[0403]
[Formula 18]
w = (r [j + 1] -i) / (r [j + 1] -r [j])
In Equation 18, r [j] indicates an input in j stages. At this time, the weight w is as shown in FIG.
[0404]
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the weight w in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0405]
The weight w may be 1 when the user instructs correction, and may be 0 when the user does not specify correction. As another example, the weight w may be as shown in FIG.
[0406]
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of the weight w in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, which is an example different from FIG.
[0407]
Here, the relationship between the user operation parameter and the weight will be further described.
[0408]
FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between user operation parameters and weights in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0409]
When the user operation parameters as shown in FIG. 32 are input from the user, when the cyan conversion characteristics f [col] [i] (col = cyan) are created, as shown in FIG. In the input r [j + 1], −1 is selected as the user operation parameter, and 0 is selected as the user operation parameter in the jth and j + 2th stages. If the UCH LUT corresponding to the user operation parameters is Uch [col] [i] for the entire input range, conversion is performed if the input i is in the range r [j] ≦ i ≦ r [j + 1]. As the characteristic f [col] [i], uch [fine [col] [j]] [i] is selected in the jth stage, and uch [fine [col] [j +]] [i] is selected in the j + 1th stage. (Ie weight 1). Further, the conversion characteristic f [col] [i] is as shown in Equation 19 so that the characteristic according to the weight is obtained between the jth stage and the j + 1th stage.
[0410]
[Equation 19]

Therefore, when the user operation parameter shown in FIG. 32 is designated, as a result, the conversion characteristic f [col] [i] loaded in the user specific color correction unit 122 is as shown in FIG.
[0411]
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of conversion characteristics for cyan when the user operation parameter illustrated in FIG. 32 is designated.
[0412]
By the processing described above, a gradation conversion curve which is a new conversion characteristic of input / output in the user specific color correction unit 122 can be generated.
[0413]
When setting the user channel after the next time, inquire whether to add a change to a user operation parameter that has already been set or to set a new user operation parameter. When the user-specific color correction unit 122 is loaded with the conversion characteristics corresponding to the user operation parameters already stored, the UCH test chart is printed, and the user operation parameters are newly set, the same as the first time. The user specific color correction unit 122 prints the UCH test chart as input = output.
[0414]
As described above, according to the sixteenth embodiment, it is possible to easily specify the density range and color range that the user wants to change. Partial gradation conversion can be performed while maintaining continuity.
[0415]
Next, a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0416]
Similarly to the sixteenth embodiment, this embodiment also attempts to correct only a specific color or a specific range of gradations in user channel correction. However, in the sixteenth embodiment, a 20-stage gray chart is used as the UCH test chart. However, in this embodiment, a total of 125 (5 × 5 × 5) stages of color charts are provided for each of the CMY colors. Is used.
[0417]
FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0418]
The user specific color correction calculation unit 125 generates a corrected UCH LUT based on the user operation parameters input by the user and the UCH LUT 126.
[0419]
In this embodiment, the UCH LUT 126 is a table having a total of 9 × 9 × 9 pieces of color conversion information for each of the three colors, the default LUT 126a is a table for default color conversion characteristics, and the + CLUT 126b is Table for color conversion characteristics with increased color C with respect to default, -CLUT 126c for color conversion characteristics with reduced color C with respect to default, + MLUT 126d for color conversion characteristics with increased color M with respect to default -MLUT 126e is a table for color conversion characteristics with the color M reduced relative to the default, + YLUT 126f is a table for color conversion characteristics with the color Y increased relative to the default, -YLUT 126g is a color Y with respect to the default Reduced color conversion characteristics It is a table about.
[0420]
In this embodiment, an LUT having color conversion information of 9 × 9 × 9 lattice points is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, 17 × 17 × 17 or 33 × 33 × 33. May be.
[0421]
The UCH test chart in this embodiment prints color conversion information corresponding to 9 × 9 × 9 grid points of the UCH LUT 126 every other grid point.
[0422]
The color conversion unit 127 loads the 9 × 9 × 9 corrected UCH LUT from the user specific color correction calculation unit 125, and inputs the (r, g, b) format based on the corrected UCH LUT. Are converted into (c, m, y) format image data and output.
[0423]
The signal conversion unit 128 obtains exposure amount data for lighting the LED 130 based on the input image data, and outputs the exposure amount data to the driver 129. The driver 129 turns on the LED 130 of the light source for exposure based on the exposure amount data from the signal conversion unit 128. The print 131 is a print result printed on the photosensitive paper when 5 × 5 × 5 test chart data is input to the color conversion unit 127.
[0424]
For example, the user specific color correction calculation unit 125 is the IPB-CPU 6 shown in FIG. 1, the UCH LUT 126 is a table stored in the memory 9 shown in FIG. 1, and the color conversion unit 127 is shown in FIG. 1, the signal converter 128 is the LBBs 26 a, 26 b, and 26 c shown in FIG. 1, the driver 129 is the LDB 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, and 30 e shown in FIG. 1, and the LED 130 is shown in FIG. LEDs arranged on the LED array substrates 32a, 32b, and 32c shown in FIG.
[0425]
Next, the operation of the seventeenth embodiment will be described.
[0426]
First, when an operator instructs execution of user channel correction from the operation panel 21, the LED printer 2 prints a UCH test chart.
[0427]
FIG. 39 shows an example of a test chart used in the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0428]
As shown in FIG. 39, the UCH test chart is a color chart in which five colors of RGB are prepared and a total of 125 (= 5 × 5 × 5) types of patches are printed. The UCH test chart shown in FIG. 39 is representative of five points (0, 64, 128, 192, 255) of the image data 0 to 255 of each color. Further, the color conversion information corresponding to each patch in the UCH test chart is the default LUT 126a shown in FIG.
[0429]
The user looks at the printed UCH test chart, and sets the step for adjusting the color and density and the correction amount (+ C, −C, + M, −M, + Y, −Y, no change) as user operation parameters. , Input to the LED printer 2. This input method may be input on the host computer 1 and transmitted to the LED printer 2 by SCSI, or may be input directly from the operation panel 21 of the LED printer 2. The input user operation parameters are stored, for example, in the memory 9 shown in FIG.
[0430]
The color conversion table (LUT) corresponding to the correction amount input as the user operation parameter is calculated in advance so as to obtain a preferable output in consideration of the non-linear characteristics of color conversion, and the default LUT 126a, + CLUT 126b, -CLUT 126c. , + MLUT126d, -MLUT126e, + YLUT126f, and -YLUT126g.
[0431]
Here, in the user specific color correction calculation unit 125, the corrected UCH LUT can be obtained in the following two steps. .
[0432]
(1) First, with respect to every other grid point 125 of each grid point of the color conversion table to be finally obtained, one is selected by the user operation parameter. . As a result, a new 125 color conversion table is created.
[0433]
(2) Next, the number of grid points in the new color conversion table is set to 9 × 9 × 9. A method for obtaining grid point data corresponding to inputs of 9 × 9 × 9 points other than the 5 × 5 × 5 points determined in (1) will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0434]
FIG. 40 illustrates the positions of points that do not exist in the 5 × 5 × 5 point UCH test chart when determining the 9 × 9 × 9 point corrected UCH LUT in the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
[0435]
In FIG. 40, white circles are 5 × 5 × 5 lattice points, and black circles are 9 × 9 × 9 lattice points other than 5 × 5 × 5 lattice points.
[0436]
As shown in FIG. 40, 9 × 9 × 9 lattice points other than 5 × 5 × 5 lattice points are on the side of a cube composed of 8 out of 5 × 5 × 5 lattice points. Present on the surface or inside. For this reason, when calculating 9 × 9 × 9 grid point data, the color conversion information of 5 × 5 × 5 grid points surrounding the grid point to be calculated up to the corresponding point from each specified point. Calculation is performed by weighting according to proximity. This weighting calculation is performed by well-known 8-point interpolation (for example, when a point to be obtained exists inside a cube consisting of 8 points), 4-point interpolation (for example, on a surface of a cube having 8 points to be obtained). ) Or two-point interpolation (for example, when the point to be obtained is on the side of a cube consisting of 8 points).
[0437]
The points to be noted here are described. For example, when color conversion is performed in the color conversion unit 127, interpolation is used to directly obtain non-grid point data from lattice point data. This interpolation uses the above-mentioned 9 × 9 × 9 lattice point data. This is different from interpolation for calculation. That is, the above-described interpolation for calculating the 9 × 9 × 9 grid point data uses three-dimensional interpolation to obtain the color correction amount of the grid points that are not specified and are not included in the 5 × 5 × 5 grid points. Is conceptually quite different.
[0438]
Next, as an example, a case where weights are calculated by 8-point interpolation will be described below.
[0439]
The calculation of the value of each corresponding grid point includes the output value for the color correction amount set for the corresponding grid point, with the color correction amount set for the 5 × 5 × 5 cubic grid point including that point as a weight. It is calculated by the product-sum operation.
[0440]
here,
Let r, g, and b be input colors,
col is the output color,
sel is the selected correction amount (+ C, -C, + M, -M, + Y, -Y, no change) (for example, sel = 0 when there is no change, sel = 1 when + C, -C Sel = 2, sel = 3 when + M, sel = 4 when -M, sel = 5 when + Y, sel = 6 when -Y)
Let ri, gi, and bi (i = 0 to 7) be elements of an eight-point grid (ri, gi, bi) surrounding the (r, g, b) grid point in 8-point interpolation,
Let wi (i = 0 to 7) be eight weighting factors of the grid (ri, gi, bi) for the (r, g, b) grid points in cubic interpolation,
lut [sel] [col] [r] [g] [b] is calculated in advance so that a preferable output can be obtained, and corresponds to the input colors r, g, b and output color col of the prepared color conversion table. And output
When Mlut [col] [r] [g] [b] is an output LUT at a lattice point (input colors r, g, b), this Mlut [col] [r] [g] [b] It is represented by
[0441]
[Expression 20]

Through the processing described above, a color conversion table that is new input / output conversion characteristic information can be generated.
[0442]
When setting the user channel after the next time, inquire whether to add a change to a user operation parameter that has already been set or to set a new user operation parameter. Load the Mlut corresponding to the user operation parameters already stored in the user specific color correction unit 122, print the UCH test chart, and set the new user operation parameters, the default is the same as the first time. The LUT 126a is loaded into the user specific color correction unit 122 and the UCH test chart is printed.
[0443]
As described above, according to the seventeenth embodiment, the user can easily specify the color range to be changed, and color continuity is maintained from the specification and the conversion characteristics for the entire color space. The partial color conversion can be performed as it is.
[0444]
Next, an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0445]
In this embodiment, in the printing system for printing the image data from the host computer 1 as shown in FIG. 1 by the LED printer 2, it is troublesome when color adjustment or the like is performed by looking at the print result of the image to be actually printed. The purpose is to reduce waste of image recording paper and the like.
[0446]
When forming an image with high image quality, it is very difficult to reproduce human skin color. For example, when an image read by an image input device such as a scanner or digital camera is viewed on an image display device such as a display, arbitrary image processing is performed, and then a desired image is formed on the image forming device There are inherent characteristics and apparatus variations of the image input apparatus, the image display apparatus, and the image forming apparatus, and the actual output result is often different from the expected output result.
[0447]
In addition, since the image display device such as a display is different from the image forming device such as a photograph or print, the texture of the image may be completely different.
[0448]
For this reason, in order to obtain the best output in the image forming apparatus, it is necessary to repeat image formation many times while changing parameters set in image processing. Such a conventional work method takes a lot of time, and consumes a lot of recording paper on which images such as photographs and printed matter are formed and is wasted. Further, when image formation is repeated a plurality of times, it is often unclear which parameter has formed an image in the past. The eighteenth embodiment solves such a problem.
[0449]
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the process of the 18th embodiment of the present invention.
[0450]
The eighteenth embodiment is realized, for example, in the host computer 1 shown in FIG.
[0451]
First, in a state (G-1, G-2) in which an image to be printed is displayed on a display device (for example, a display) of the host computer 1 shown in FIG. G-3, G-4). In the output image, the region where the color reproduction and texture are to be confirmed is almost a characteristic part of the image such as the color of human skin. In step (G-3, G-4), this area is selected. In this embodiment, it is possible to save resources by outputting only the area to be confirmed and evaluated. The selection method, the shape of the selection area, and the number of selection areas here are not limited.
[0452]
FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a specific example of selecting an image area in step (G-3, G-4) of FIG. 41, (a) is a diagram showing the entire image, and (b) is selected. It is a figure which extracts and shows only a field.
[0453]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 42A, the input image is previewed on the display, and the region to be evaluated is designated by a rectangle. It is desirable that the user can determine and select the area. A plurality of selection areas can be designated, and it is naturally possible to select the entire image area.
[0454]
Then, as shown in FIG. 42 (b), the plurality of selected images are automatically rearranged by comparing their aspect ratios and, if necessary, rotated by 90 °, and the output area is reduced. Processing is performed to make it the smallest. In addition, the display shows how the images are arranged on the recording paper.
[0455]
The evaluation image displayed on the display in the form as shown in FIG. 42B is an image emulated from the image processing parameters and output from the image forming apparatus for improving operability. It was made to display in a form close to the image that would be done.
[0456]
Returning to the description of FIG. 41, next, the image processing parameter considered to be the best is set (G-5, G-7). This image processing parameter is not limited and depends on the image input apparatus, the image forming apparatus, etc., but is a parameter relating to all image processing used for outputting an input image. Here, an image in which the selection areas as shown in FIG. 42B created up to step (G-5) are rearranged and the image processing parameters applied to the image are associated with each other to form a database (G-6). ) Is preferable.
[0457]
Image processing parameters include color balance, density, contrast, saturation, sharpness, color adjustment of specific colors (for example, R, G, B, C, M, Y, K, W (white), Br (brown)), etc. Various parameters are mentioned. The user changes the image processing parameters while viewing the display screen, and selects the image processing parameter that seems to be the best. If this selection is completed (G-7), the database in step (G-6) may be created. In this database, for example, the name of the input image, the date and time of the database, the image processing parameters, the evaluation image output flag indicating whether or not the image has been output for evaluation, and the entire image area are actually output (so-called actual output). A production output flag indicating whether or not the evaluation has been performed is stored in association with the evaluation image. This eliminates the need for the user to newly set image processing parameters during actual output. If it is desired to output the same image at a later date, the actual output can be performed without outputting the evaluation image if the actual output flag is checked and output has been completed.
[0458]
In the above example, the image processing parameter is adjusted after selecting the region. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image processing parameter is adjusted by looking at the entire image, and then the region is selected. May be performed.
[0459]
Returning to the description of FIG. 41, next, the user is asked whether or not to create an evaluation image for another original image (G-8). When an evaluation image is not created for another original image and readjustment of image processing parameters is not required (G-9), an evaluation image is generated (G-10).
[0460]
In step (G-10), the image of the previously selected area is converted into image data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. This process may be performed any time after the area selection and before the image output. Further, in step (G-10), related information stored in association with the image in the database, such as the image processing parameter determined by adjustment, is converted into image data to be imaged and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. This related information may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus by a character code. This processing may be performed any time after image processing parameter determination and before image output.
[0461]
Next, in step (G-11), the evaluation image and the image data of the related information are transmitted to the image forming apparatus (LED printer 2 shown in FIG. 1), and the image is output. An example of the image output result is shown in FIG.
[0462]
FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of a print evaluation image output from the image forming apparatus in the eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0463]
FIG. 43 shows an example in which four types of evaluation images with different image processing parameters are created for one original image and printed on one sheet of recording paper. A in FIG. 43 is an image obtained by performing image processing on the image region selected in step (G-3) with the image processing parameters specified in step (G-5). 43B is obtained by converting the database of FIG. 43A into character image data, and is arranged below A of FIG. 43 so that it can be applied to A of FIG. .
[0464]
The user visually evaluates the output evaluation image (G-12), selects, for example, the best image from among a plurality of evaluation images printed as shown in FIG. 43, and determines the image to be output in real time (G-). 13).
[0465]
The user adopts the image processing parameters used in the evaluation image selected in step (G-13) and executes the actual output (G-14).
[0466]
Here, a print example of an evaluation image different from FIG. 43 will be described.
[0467]
FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a selection area in each of a plurality of original images, and (a) to (d) are diagrams showing different original images.
[0468]
FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of an evaluation image in which the selected area shown in FIGS. 44A to 44D is formed on one recording sheet.
[0469]
Here, as shown in FIGS. 44 (a) to 44 (d), region A, region B, and region C are selected in the original image of FIG. 44 (a), and region D and region C are selected in the original image of FIG. 44 (b). Region E is selected, region F and region G are selected in the original image of FIG. 44 (c), and region H, region I, region J and region K are selected in the original image of FIG. 44 (d). To do.
[0470]
In this case, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 45, the image of the selected area of each original image and the information such as the image processing parameters of the image can be formed on one recording sheet. it can. In this way, further resource saving can be realized.
[0471]
In this embodiment, the image data of the area selected on the host computer 1 side shown in FIG. 1 and the image processing parameter image data are created. The above-described image data, image processing parameters, and image are sent from the host computer 1 to the LED printer 2. The LED printer 2 processed the image data with image processing parameters to obtain an evaluation image. In the present invention, it is not limited whether the host computer 1 or the LED printer 2 creates the evaluation image or both. The host computer 1 may generate image data selected for the region and an evaluation image that has been subjected to image processing using image processing parameters. Alternatively, the LED printer 2 may be provided with a display unit that displays an image, and the evaluation image may be created on the LED printer 2 side.
[0472]
Next, a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0473]
In this embodiment, for example, block processing is performed in image processing performed based on information on a plurality of pixels such as image enlargement or reduction, and a routine that can be executed with a smaller memory capacity and can easily generate an interrupt is provided. For the purpose.
[0474]
In the case of bi-linear (bilinear interpolation), the image enlargement / reduction method is obtained from pixel data of surrounding four points, and in the case of bicubic (bi-cubic interpolation), pixel data of the surrounding 16 points is used. Create
[0475]
Normally, all the pixel data is once expanded on the memory for the original image, and the processed image memory is prepared in accordance with the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the calculation is sequentially performed on each pixel.
[0476]
However, with this method, a large amount of memory is required, and when processing is started, a special operation is required to execute an interrupt for executing other processing in the middle. Necessary.
[0477]
In order to solve this problem, in this embodiment, the area for performing the enlargement / reduction process is blocked and the process is executed. In addition, in the case of image processing using multiple pixels such as enlargement / reduction, there is an operation at each block boundary, so the boundary image data is stored in the internal buffer memory, and the information in this buffer is transferred between blocks. By using it for the process which spans, the image without a block boundary can be obtained. Further, when image data is prepared for each block and image processing is performed, it is not necessary to prepare the same pixel data by doubling each prepared block.
[0478]
Note that the image processing of the present embodiment may be executed on the host computer 1 side shown in FIG. 1 or may be executed on the LED printer 2 side.
[0479]
FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing a configuration for carrying out the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0480]
In FIG. 46, a ROM 135 is a non-volatile memory in which an image processing program to be executed is stored. A CPU 136 executes a program stored in the ROM 135 and controls data processing, I / F 137, RAM 138 and ROM 135. The I / F 137 is an interface for exchanging image data and control signals with the outside, and the RAM 138 is a boundary area memory and a random access memory such as an image data block memory.
[0481]
The RAM 138 is managed by the CPU 136 and stores an area of the image data block 138b that stores the blocked image data, a boundary area buffer memory unit 138a that stores the boundary area data of the blocked image data, and image processing And an area for storing subsequent image data.
[0482]
The I / F 137 is an interface with the outside for performing blocked image processing. In FIG. 46, there are two buses for control signals and image data, but the control signals and image data may be transferred on the same bus. In the present embodiment, image information such as the original image size, the processed image size, the original image storage location, and the end flag are exchanged as the control signal.
[0483]
FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processes in the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0484]
FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining processing in the nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
[0485]
First, in step (H-1), initialization processing is performed. Here, basic information necessary for image processing such as specification of the original image size, post-processing image size, image processing type, and block size is designated. In this embodiment, these pieces of information are determined and used as follows.
(1) Block size
In this embodiment, the block size designates the size of the block for the processed image, and the block size for the original image data is determined from this block size. Conversely, the block size for the original image data may be designated and the block size for the processed image data may be determined. Furthermore, specify the maximum block size that can be prepared for the original image data and the maximum block size that can be prepared for the processed image data, and actually use them based on the enlargement ratio calculated by the original image size and the processed image size. The block size for the original image and the block size for the processed image may be determined.
(2) Original image size
This was used to calculate the size and enlargement ratio of the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a.
(3) Image size after processing
Used to determine the block size and magnification for the original image data.
(4) Image processing type
In step (H-6) of FIG. 47, it is used for selection of bilinear and bicubic. Further, it is used for calculating the size of the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a.
[0486]
Next, in step (H-2) in FIG. 47, the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a is secured. The size to be secured differs depending on the type of image processing. In the present embodiment, a buffer for one line of pixels is secured in the case of bilinear, and a buffer for two lines of pixels is secured in the case of bicubic.
[0487]
Next, information about the block is set (H-3). In this embodiment, the reading address and saving address of the original image block are set, and the process is started. After confirming the completion of processing of the current block, processing of the next block is started.
[0488]
In step (H-4), the end of the process is determined. If the process has been completed to the end, the process proceeds to step (H-11) to perform the end process, and the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a is released. In step (H-4), if the processing is completed, the process proceeds to step (H-5).
[0489]
In step (H-5), the original image is read in units of blocks. In this embodiment, image information is read from a memory address having an original image to be processed.
[0490]
Next, in step (H-6), the actual image processing to be performed is determined according to the image type. Even if the image processing operations are completely different, such as bilinear and bicubic, the user interface from the upper level can be made exactly the same. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid an increase in the source code and the program size as in the case where bilinear and bicubic are divided into different routines.
[0491]
In steps (H-7) and (H-8), different image processing is performed, such as bilinear and bicubic. As shown in FIG. 48, in the block boundary processing, the original image data read in the image processing of the previous block is required in the image processing of the next block. Even in such a case, in step (H-5), the original image data read last time is not read this time. The image data necessary for the image processing of the next block is stored in the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a in the previous block processing step (H-10). Therefore, the image data necessary for the current image processing but not read in step (H-5) is supplemented by referring to the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a, and the image processing is executed. As shown in FIG. 48, since the image processing of the first block is not necessary for the processing, the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a is not used.
[0492]
Subsequently, the result of the image processing is written into the processed image (H-9), and the block boundary portion of the image data read in step (H-5) is copied to the boundary area buffer memory unit 138a. (H-10).
[0493]
With the above processing, in this embodiment, block processing is performed in image processing performed based on information of a plurality of pixels, such as image enlargement or reduction, so that it can be executed with a smaller memory capacity, and an interrupt is easily created. Routines can be provided.
[0494]
Next, a twentieth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0495]
As in the nineteenth embodiment, this embodiment performs block processing in image processing performed based on information on a plurality of pixels, such as image enlargement or reduction, and can be executed with a smaller memory capacity. It is an object to provide a routine that can be easily created.
[0496]
FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processes in the twentieth embodiment of the present invention.
[0497]
The difference between the twentieth embodiment and the nineteenth embodiment is that there is no image processing type and the number of image processing to be executed is limited to one. Therefore, there is no image processing type in the initialization process of step (I-1) in FIG. 49, and the image process of step (I-6) is executed immediately after step (I-5). In other respects, the twentieth embodiment is the same as the nineteenth embodiment described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0498]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to comprehensively improve an image forming apparatus such as an LED printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of an LED printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an arrangement of LEDs arranged on the LED array substrate shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the LED printer shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a state transition diagram illustrating control of a first application example of an LED printer capable of saving power.
FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram showing control of a second application example of the LED printer capable of power saving.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used in the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between image data and an output value of a conversion table, that is, a correction curve, and a relationship between an output value of the conversion table and a measured density.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used for MCH correction according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional test chart.
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing charts of respective colors arranged in five steps from the lowest density to the highest density, and is a diagram illustrating a range in which a target density exists.
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between image data and an output value of a conversion table, that is, a correction curve, and a relationship between an output value of the conversion table and a measured density.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between image data and an output value of a conversion table, that is, a correction curve, and a relationship between an output value of the conversion table and a measured density.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a developer deterioration determination chart used in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the level of input image data and the level of output image data in a conventional user channel.
FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used in a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 32 is a table showing a list of user operation parameters.
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UCH LUT.
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a weight w in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of the weight w in the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, which is an example different from FIG. 34.
FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between user operation parameters and weights in a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of conversion characteristics for cyan when the user operation parameter shown in FIG. 32 is designated.
FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a test chart used in a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 40 illustrates the positions of points that do not exist in the 5 × 5 × 5 points UCH test chart when obtaining a corrected UCH LUT of 9 × 9 × 9 points in the seventeenth embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a process flowchart of an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
42 is a diagram showing a specific example of selecting an image area in step (G-3, G-4) in FIG. 41, (a) is a diagram showing the entire image, and (b) is selected. It is a figure which extracts and shows only a field.
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print evaluation image output from the image forming apparatus according to an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a selection area in each of a plurality of original images, and (a) to (d) are diagrams showing different original images.
FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an example of an evaluation image in which the selection area illustrated in FIGS. 44A to 44D is formed on one recording sheet.
FIG. 46 is a block diagram showing a configuration for carrying out a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in a 19th embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 48 is a diagram for explaining processing in a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a flowchart of processing in a twentieth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host computer
2 LED printer
3 IPB
4 SCSI interface
5 Image memory
6 CPU
7 Spatial filter
8 color converter
9 memory
10 MCB
11 CPU
12 Clock generator
13 CSB
14, 15, 16 Stepping motor
17 DC motor
18, 19, 20 Solenoid
21 OPB
22 LCD
23 Densitometer
26a, 26b, 26c LBB
27a, 27b, 27c Element arrangement correction unit
28a, 28b, 28c LUT section
29a, 29b, 29c PWM section
30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e LDB
31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e constant current drivers
32a, 32b, 32c LED array substrate
33a, 33b, 33c thermistor
34a, 34b, 34c Heater
35a, 35b, 35c fans
36 Rotating drum
37 Main-scanning DC motor
38 Encoder
39a, 39b, 39c PAB
154 Developer
155 PMB
156 CPU
157 memory
158 heater
159 fans
160 pump
161 sensor
162 Transport motor
163 Shutter
164 J units

Claims (12)

A recording paper cutting means for cutting a long recording paper in a size designated by an external size instruction means, an image recording means for recording an image on the recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means, and the recording A paper feed unit that transports the recording paper cut by the paper cutting unit to a position where the image recording unit records an image; and a paper discharge unit that discharges the recording paper at the position where the image recording unit records the image to the outside. In an image forming apparatus having paper means,
If the image recording stop instruction is instructed by the image recording stop instruction means after the recording paper cutting by the recording paper cutting means and before the image recording by the image recording means, the cutting is performed. A temporary recording sheet is temporarily stored, and based on the magnitude relationship between the size instructed by the size instruction means at the next image recording and the size of the temporarily stored recording sheet, the temporary recording sheet is temporarily stored. The image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the already cut recording paper, or the next image recording is performed on the recording paper to be ejected and temporarily cut. An image forming apparatus comprising control means for determining whether or not to record a time image. Only when the size instructed by the size instruction means at the time of the next image recording and the size of the cut recording paper temporarily held match the cut recording paper temporarily held, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an image at the next image recording is recorded. When the next size is instructed by the size instructing means at the time of the next image recording or less than the size of the temporarily held cut recording paper, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an image at the time of image recording is recorded. When the size instructed by the size instruction unit at the time of the next image recording is equal to or smaller than the size of the temporarily held cut recording paper, the temporarily held cut recording paper is used as the next image recording. sometimes after cutting to match the designated size from the size instruction means, to claim 1, characterized in that for recording an image during the next image recording on disconnected recording paper holding the temporarily The image forming apparatus described. Only when the size instructed by the size instruction means at the time of the next image recording and the size of the cut recording paper temporarily held match the cut recording paper temporarily held, Record the image at the next image recording,
Or
When the next size is instructed by the size instructing means at the time of the next image recording or less than the size of the temporarily held cut recording paper, Whether to record the image at the time of image recording,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image can be selected by a user. Recording paper cutting size determining means for determining a recording paper cutting size based on image data input from an external image data input means, and cutting a long recording paper to the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determining means A recording paper cutting means for performing image recording on the recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means, and the image recording means records an image on the recording paper cut by the recording paper cutting means. An image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit that conveys the recording paper to a position where the image is recorded and a paper discharging unit that discharges the recording paper at a position where the image is recorded by the image recording unit.
If the image recording stop instruction is instructed by the image recording stop instruction means after the recording paper cutting by the recording paper cutting means and before the image recording by the image recording means, the cutting is performed. The recording paper is temporarily held inside, and the temporary holding is performed based on the size relationship between the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determination means at the next image recording and the size of the cut recording paper temporarily held. The image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper that has been cut, or the temporarily held cut recording paper is discharged and the next recording paper is cut to the next time An image forming apparatus comprising control means for determining whether to record an image at the time of image recording. Only when the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determination means at the time of the next image recording matches the size of the temporarily held cutting recording paper, The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein an image at the time of the next image recording is recorded. When the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determining means at the time of the next image recording is equal to or smaller than the size of the temporarily held cut recording paper, the temporarily held cut recording paper is The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein an image at the next image recording is recorded. When the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determining means at the time of the next image recording is equal to or smaller than the size of the temporarily held cutting recording paper, the temporarily holding cutting recording paper is An image at the time of the next image recording is recorded on the cut recording paper temporarily held after the recording paper cutting size determining means cuts to the size determined at the time of image recording. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 . Only if the the next size disconnected recording sheet on which the image recording the recording paper cutting size determining means when is the temporary storage and size determined match against disconnected recording paper wherein are temporary storage To record the image at the time of the next image recording,
Or
When the size determined by the recording paper cutting size determining means at the time of the next image recording is equal to or smaller than the size of the temporarily held cut recording paper, the temporarily held cut recording paper is Whether to record the image at the next image recording,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the image can be selected by a user. If the image recording stop instruction is instructed by the image recording stop instructing means and the cut recording paper is temporarily held inside, and there is no next image recording instruction even after a predetermined time has passed, the temporary holding is performed. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cut recording paper is forcibly discharged. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a user can set a predetermined time from when the cut recording paper is temporarily held inside until the recording paper is forcibly discharged.

Images