JP4347257B2 - Image forming apparatus control method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for correcting image forming characteristics of an image forming apparatus.

  There is known a calibration technique that stabilizes the quality of a formed image without depending on individual differences or environmental fluctuations in a printer. In the conventional calibration, image forming characteristics such as output density in the printer are controlled so as to match a preset target state.

  Further, when calibration is performed in a system in which a plurality of printers are connected, calibration processing is individually performed so that the characteristics of each printer are matched with a predetermined common target state. Thereby, the quality of the formed image in each printer can be made equivalent.

  However, even if the calibration is performed according to the target state in the printer, the obtained adjustment result does not completely match the target state, and usually includes some errors. Therefore, even when calibration is performed individually for a plurality of printers, an error between the adjustment result and the target state occurs in each printer. Therefore, for example, even when two printers are calibrated to the same target state, color differences corresponding to the errors of the other colors are generated in the colorimetric values of the common colors formed after the adjustment. As a result, there is a problem that proper calibration cannot be performed.

  In addition, the numerical value set as the target state is a design value or a measured value in a specific environment of a specific printer, so when actually calibrating multiple printers, each individual or use environment In some cases, it is impossible to adjust the printer characteristics to an ideal target state. In such a case, again, proper calibration is not performed.

The present invention makes it possible to match the image forming characteristics of the image forming apparatus with the image forming characteristics shown in the reference image chart prepared in advance, and to use the image reading unit to connect the test image and the reference image chart. An object of the present invention is to suppress placement errors in the image reading unit of the test image and the reference image chart when reading .

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a control method of an image forming apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a control method of an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading unit,
When a test image for calibrating correction conditions is formed on one side of the recording medium by the image forming unit, and the recording medium on which the test image is formed is placed on the other side of the recording medium Forming process for forming layout information of
A test image which is the formation, the reading step reads the standard image chart, using the same time the image reading unit is an image for calibrating the are and correction condition a previously prepared image,
And a calibration step for calibrating correction conditions for correcting image forming characteristics based on the read test image and reference image chart.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, an image forming apparatus control method according to a third aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, in the forming step, information indicating the placement position of the recording medium on which the test image is formed, and the placement position of the reference image chart on the other surface of the recording medium as the layout information. Is formed.

According to the present invention, the image forming characteristics of the image forming apparatus are not controlled so as to simply match the image forming characteristics of the image forming apparatus with a predetermined standard state, but the image forming characteristics of the image forming apparatus are set to the image forming characteristics indicated by the reference image chart prepared in advance. Can be combined. Furthermore, since the test image and the reference image chart are simultaneously read using the same image reading unit, the correction condition can be set without being affected by the reading characteristics of the image reading unit.
In addition, not only the layout information of the test image but also the layout information of the reference image chart is formed on the test image formed by using the image forming apparatus, so that mounting errors in the image reading unit of the test image and the reference image chart are suppressed can do.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment. In the figure, two printers 18 a and 18 b and a scanner 19 are connected to the computer server 10. This connection form is not particularly limited, and may be a direct connection or a network connection.

  The computer server 10 includes a central control device 11, a user interface (UI) 12, and a storage device 13. The storage device 13 stores and holds an output image 14, an input image 15, a reference image 16, and a printer correction table 17.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, instead of the printers 18 a and 18 b and the scanner 19, digital copying machines 21 a and 21 b are connected to the computer server 10. The digital copying machine 21a includes a printer 18a, a scanner 19a, and a control device 20a. The digital copying machine 21b includes a printer 18b, a scanner 19b, and a control device 20b.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the present embodiment is sufficient if there are two or more devices corresponding to printers and one or more devices corresponding to scanners, and the configuration shown in FIGS. It is not limited.

  Hereinafter, printer calibration in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a calibration image print instruction screen on the UI 12. In the figure, reference numerals 40a and 40b denote radio buttons for switching whether the calibration is performed by two printers or by one printer. In the present embodiment, a case where the radio button 40a indicating calibration of two printers is selected will be described as an example.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the calibration procedure of two printers in this embodiment.

  First, in step S80, the user sets the calibration image print to the two printers. Details of this will be described with reference to FIG.

  On the UI screen shown in FIG. 4, the first printer setting button 41a is pressed to select the first printer (or printer driver) and set printing conditions. The name of the selected printer is displayed in the column 42a. Next, the reference button 43a is pressed, and a file for calibration image to be printed by the first printer is selected with reference to a displayed file browser or the like. At this time, the selected file name 44a is displayed, and the same file name is also displayed in the initial state 44b. This eliminates the need to specify the file twice when outputting the same file from two printers. If a default file is set as the calibration image, there is no need to specify the file.

  Next, the second printer setting button 41b is pressed to select the second printer (or printer driver) and set printing conditions. The name of the selected printer is displayed in the column 42b. Basically, different printers are selected for the first and second units, but it is also possible to select the same printer as the first and second units and instruct calibration under different condition settings. Is possible. Unless otherwise specified, the same file is printed as the calibration image on the first and second units, but the file to be printed on the second printer may be specified separately by pressing the reference button 43b. Is possible. Thereby, for example, it can be used for the purpose of preparing different image data for different resolutions. When a file is designated by pressing the reference button 43b, the file name is displayed in 44b.

  When the output execution button 45 is pressed, the designated files are printed based on the settings from the two printers in step S81.

  Next, reference image designation in step S82 and scanner selection in step S83 are performed. Details of this will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the UI 12 when a printed calibration image is read from the scanner.

  First, the reference image for calibration is designated by the reference selection radio buttons 60a, 60b, 60c. That is, if the first printer output is used as a reference, 60a is selected, and if the second printer output is used as a reference, 60b is selected, or the average value of the first and second printer outputs. If 60 is used as a reference, 60c is selected. At this time, the layout when the calibration images printed by the two printers are placed on the document table of the scanner is displayed on the layout display unit 61 and shown to the user.

  Next, the scanner selection button 62 is pressed, and the user selects a scanner to be used for reading. At this time, information such as the name of the selected scanner is displayed in the 63rd column.

  When the input execution button 64 is pressed, image scanning by the scanner selected in step S84 is executed, and the read image data is stored as the input image 15 in the storage device 13 in the server 10.

  In step S85, image division based on the input image 15 and generation of a reference image are performed. First, an output scan image of the first printer and an output scan image of the second printer are extracted from the input image 15, respectively.

  If the reference selection radio button 60a shown in FIG. 6 is selected, the first printer output scan image is set as the reference image. Similarly, if 60b is selected, the second printer output scan image is set as the reference image. If 60c is selected, an image composed of an average value of the first printer output scan image and the second printer output scan image is generated and set as a reference image. The set reference image is stored as the reference image 16 in the storage device 13 in the server 10.

  In step S86, a printer correction table for performing color correction, for example, is created for each printer based on each output scan image using the set reference image as a target value. The created correction table for each printer is associated with each setting condition and stored as the printer correction table 17 in the storage device 13 in the server 10.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when calibration is performed for a plurality of printers, a target value is set based on the current print characteristics of the plurality of printers without setting a common target value in advance. Generate a value. By performing calibration in each printer so as to match the generated target value, it is possible to control so that the individual difference between the plurality of printers becomes small.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the radio button 40a is selected on the UI screen illustrated in FIG. 4 and calibration is performed between two printers. In the second embodiment, a case where a radio button 40b indicating calibration for one printer is selected will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a UI screen for issuing a calibration image print instruction in the second embodiment. In the figure, since the output from one printer is selected, the setting line relating to the second printer is grayed out and the button operation is disabled.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a calibration procedure of one printer in the second embodiment.

  First, in step S90, the user sets the calibration image print. Details of this will be described with reference to FIG.

  On the UI screen shown in FIG. 5, the printer setting button 41a is pressed to select a printer (or printer driver) and set printing conditions. The name of the selected printer is displayed in the column 42a. Next, the user presses the reference button 43a to select a calibration image file to be printed with reference to a displayed file browser or the like. At this time, the selected file name 44a is displayed.

  When the output execution button 45 is pressed, a designated file is printed based on each setting from the printer in step S91.

  Next, scanner selection is performed in step S92, and details thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the UI 12 when a printed calibration image is read from the scanner. The layout display unit 71 displays a predetermined reference image chart and a layout when the printed calibration image is placed on the document table of the scanner and is shown to the user. That is, in the second embodiment, the reference image chart needs to be prepared in advance. The user presses the scanner selection button 72 and selects a scanner to be used for reading. At this time, information such as the name of the selected scanner is displayed in the 73rd column.

  When the input execution button 74 is pressed, image scanning by the scanner selected in step S93 is executed, and the read image data is stored as the input image 15 in the storage device 13 in the server 10.

  Thus, by simultaneously reading the reference image chart and the calibration image from the same scanner, an input image in which the influence of the scanner characteristics is similarly reflected can be obtained.

  Next, in step S94, a reference image and a printer output scan image are extracted from the input image 15, respectively. In step S95, a correction table is created based on the output scan image of the printer using the reference image as a target value. The created correction table is associated with the setting condition and stored as the printer correction table 17 in the storage device 13 in the server 10.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when calibration is performed on one printer, the printer characteristics are not simply controlled so as to match a predetermined standard state. A printer output correction table is created so that a print result of arbitrary image data and an arbitrary reference image chart are simultaneously read from one scanner and matched with input image data of the reference image chart. As a result, calibration that appropriately reflects the current print characteristics can be performed without being affected by fluctuations in the scanner characteristics.

  Note that the configuration of the image forming system in the second embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above, and one printer and one scanner may be used as shown in FIG. That is, as a configuration in the second embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one printer and scanner are provided.

<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment according to the present invention will be described below.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, when the printed calibration image is read from the scanner, the placement position on the document table needs to be thoroughly set. Therefore, the third embodiment is characterized in that when a calibration image is printed, a layout confirmation image is formed on the back surface thereof.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing on the back surfaces of the calibration images printed by two printers in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, both printers need to have a duplex printing function. In FIG. 10, 101 is a back side print image of the first printer output, and 102 is a back side print image of the second printer output.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a printed image 111 on the back surface when a calibration image is printed by one printer in the second embodiment. Again, the printer needs to have a duplex printing function.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, when a calibration image is output from a printer, a layout confirmation image is formed on the back surface of the calibration image. The user can be surely notified of the position to be placed on the table. Accordingly, a placement layout error on the document table is avoided, and as a result, appropriate calibration can be reliably performed.

  Note that the third embodiment not only enables the calibration shown in the first and second embodiments described above to be performed more reliably, but also loads and reads the actually printed reference chart on the document table of the scanner. The third embodiment is useful if it is configured to perform calibration.

<Other embodiments>
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even when applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the other structure of the image forming system in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image forming system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a print instruction | indication screen of the image for a calibration in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a print instruction | indication screen of the image for a calibration in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen when a printed calibration image is read from a scanner. It is a figure which shows the example of UI screen at the time of reading the image for a calibration printed in 2nd Embodiment from the scanner. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a calibration procedure for two printers according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the calibration procedure of one printer in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the back surface printing example of the image for a calibration in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the back surface printing example of the image for a calibration in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer server 11 Central control device 12 User interface 13 Storage device 14 Output image 15 Input image 16 Reference image 17 Printer correction table 18, 18a, 18b Printer 19, 19a, 19b Scanner 20a, 20b Control device 21a, 21b Digital copying machine

Claims (6)

A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading unit,
When a test image for calibrating correction conditions is formed on one side of the recording medium by the image forming unit, and the recording medium on which the test image is formed is placed on the other side of the recording medium Forming process for forming layout information of
A test image which is the formation, the reading step reads the standard image chart, using the same time the image reading unit is an image for calibrating the are and correction condition a previously prepared image,
And a calibration step for calibrating correction conditions for correcting image formation characteristics based on the read test image and reference image chart.   2. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a test image designation step in which a user designates an arbitrary image as the test image. In the forming step, information indicating the placement position of the recording medium on which the test image is formed and the placement position of the reference image chart are displayed as the layout information on the other surface of the recording medium. The method of controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein information is formed. An image forming apparatus including an image forming unit and an image reading unit,
When a test image for calibrating correction conditions is formed on one side of the recording medium by the image forming unit, and the recording medium on which the test image is formed is placed on the other side of the recording medium Forming means for forming the layout information of
A test image which is the formation, reading means for reading using the same time the image reading unit and the reference image chart, which is a picture for calibrating a is and correction condition a previously prepared image,
An image forming apparatus comprising: calibration means for calibrating correction conditions for correcting image forming characteristics based on the read test image and reference image chart.   A program that, when executed by a computer, realizes the image forming apparatus control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 5.

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