JP4444408B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that forms a color image and a monochrome image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general configuration for realizing a print function. That is, image data sent from the host computer 2104 or the network 2105 is input to the printer controller 2103 and sent from the printer controller 2103 to the printer engine 2102 in accordance with the operation of the printer engine 2102.
[0003]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which an image reading device 2501 is added to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and an image reading function is provided by connecting the image reading device 2501 via the network 2105 or directly to the host computer 2104. .
[0004]
Further, with the configuration shown in FIG. 3, a print function and a copy function can be realized. In other words, the reader (image reading apparatus) 2501 that reads an original image, the printer controller 2103 shown in FIG. 1, the controller 2602 that enables communication with the reader 2501, the output of either the reader 2501 or the controller 2602. It comprises a selector 2603 to be selected and a communication line 2601 between the reader 2501 and the controller 2602.
[0005]
In addition, even full-color image forming apparatuses have many functions for forming monochrome images, and there are many opportunities for forming monochrome images depending on the environment in which they are used.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Some full-color image forming apparatuses cannot be printed in the absence of color toner. However, in an environment where more monochrome or monocolor images are formed than full-color images, it is inconvenient that monochrome or monocolor images cannot be formed due to the absence of color toner. Even if a monochrome or mono-color image can be formed, for example, control such as toner density control is performed for all color components, so that there is a problem that extra time is required.
[0007]
The present invention is based on the remaining amount of the recording material of each color, and the image forming conditions using the reference image Adjustment The purpose is to execute efficiently.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.
[0009]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an image signal generating unit that generates an image signal; and an image formation that forms a visible image on a recording medium using a recording material corresponding to a plurality of color components based on the image signal. A remaining amount signal generating means for generating information relating to the remaining amount of the recording material corresponding to the plurality of color components provided in the image forming means, When performing a monochrome image forming operation using a recording material of a specific color component, Among the plurality of color components based on the remaining amount information Other than the specific color component When detecting that the recording material of at least one color is low, specific Adjusting the image forming conditions using the reference image corresponding to the color component of Other than specific color components And a control unit that does not perform adjustment of the image forming condition using the reference image corresponding to the color component.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
[Overall configuration]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
[0013]
Reader shown in Figure 4 Three In 01, 102 is a document table, 103 is a light source, 104 is a photoelectric converter such as a CCD, and 105 is an analog signal processing unit having functions such as analog / digital conversion. In the printer 201, 202 is a DC controller that performs paper conveyance control and image formation control, and 203 is an image forming unit. Also 10 1 Is a reader controller and 207 is a printer controller, both of which are built in the printer 201. 204 is an optional paper cassette deck, 205 is an optional sorter, and 206 is an optional controller for controlling the paper cassette deck 204 and the sorter 205.
[0014]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a host computer connected to the printer controller 207 on a one-to-one basis or via a network.
[0015]
Reader controller 10 1 Analog signal processor 105, reader Three 01 has a function of communicating with a motor controller (not shown) for reading a document image, a DC controller 202, and a printer controller 207. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the reader controller 10 1 Are arranged in the printer 201, and a cable for communicating with the DC controller 202 and the printer controller 207 is not provided outside the apparatus.
[0016]
[Printer configuration]
An outline of the printer 201 will be described with reference to FIG. A printer interface 211 communicates between the host computer 210 or the network and the printer controller 207. The printer controller 207 receives data sent via the host computer 210 or the network. This data is sent in various formats such as bitmap and page description language format. The printer controller 207 expands the received data in the memory and transfers the data to the DC controller 202 as raster format data.
[0017]
The DC controller 202 forms a visible image on the image forming unit 203 based on the video signal received from the printer controller 207, transfers and fixes the visible image on a recording sheet, and then discharges the image outside the apparatus. In order to realize such an image forming sequence, the DC controller 202 performs various controls, and also has a function of detecting the state of the printer 201 and notifying the printer controller 207 of it.
[0018]
● Video interface
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a video interface for connecting the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202, and FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining video interface signals. Signal exchange as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed between the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202. A signal preceded by “/” is a negative logic signal.
[0019]
The / PPRDY signal is a signal indicating that communication with the printer controller 207 is possible after power is supplied to the printer 201 and processing such as initialization processing is completed.
[0020]
The / CPRDY signal is a signal indicating that communication with the DC controller 202 is possible after power is supplied to the printer controller 207 and the initial processing or processing is completed.
[0021]
The / RDY signal is a signal indicating that a printing operation is enabled by a print start instruction (a / PRNT signal described later) from the printer controller 207. The condition for this signal to be true is that each part of the printer 201 is in a normal state, such as when the temperature of the fixing device reaches a predetermined temperature, there is no residual recording paper in the printer 201, and the polygon mirror rotates at a predetermined speed. This is the case.
[0022]
The / PRNT signal is a signal for the printer controller 207 to instruct the DC controller 202 to start or continue the printing operation.
[0023]
The / TOP signal is a synchronization signal that is sent from the DC controller 202 to the printer controller 207 and serves as a reference for vertical scanning of an image. The / PRNT signal is output from the printer controller 207, and is output after a predetermined time has elapsed. The / LSYNC signal is a synchronization signal that is sent from the DC controller 202 to the printer controller 207 as a reference for horizontal scanning of an image. Like the / TOP signal, the / PRNT signal is output from the printer controller 207, and a predetermined time is Output after a lapse.
[0024]
The / VCLK signal is a synchronous clock for the / VDOEN and / VDO signals described later, and is generated by the printer controller 207.
[0025]
The / VDOEN signal is a signal for the printer controller 207 to permit the DC controller 202 to input the image signal / VDO. The DC controller 202 detects whether the / VDOEN signal is true or false in synchronization with the / VCLK signal, and inputs the image signal / VDO if it is true. The / VDO signal is an image signal output from the printer controller 207. The / TOP signal is used as the reference for the vertical direction and the / LSYNC signal is used as the reference for the horizontal direction, and is output in synchronization with the / VCLK signal. The
[0026]
The / CCLK signal is output from the printer controller 207 as a synchronous clock when the printer controller 207 sends a command to the DC controller 202 and when the DC controller 202 returns a status to the printer controller 202.
[0027]
The / CBSY signal is a signal that indicates to the DC controller 202 that the printer controller 207 is transmitting a command using the / CMD signal. The / CMD signal is a signal used when the printer controller 207 sends a command to the DC controller 202.
[0028]
The / SBSY signal is a signal indicating to the printer controller 207 that the DC controller 202 is returning a status using the / STS signal. The / STS signal is a signal used when the DC controller 202 returns the printer status to the printer controller 207.
[0029]
The / CCRT signal is a signal for notifying the printer controller 207 that the state of the printer 201 has changed. When the printer controller 207 receives this signal, the printer controller 207 inquires what has changed in the state of the printer 201 using the / CMD signal. In response to this inquiry, the DC controller 202 uses the / STS signal to inform what has changed.
[0030]
● Image forming part
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming unit 203.
[0031]
A laser scanner 401 irradiates the photosensitive drum 402 with laser light corresponding to the / VDO signal output from the printer controller 207 by scanning in the main scanning direction with a polygon mirror. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 402 reaches the color developing unit 403 and the black developing unit 404 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 402 in the counterclockwise direction. An amount of toner corresponding to the charge on the photosensitive drum 402 is supplied from the developing units 403 and 404, and the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 402 is developed. Note that only the black developing device 404 is used when developing a monochrome image, and both developing devices 403 and 404 are used when developing a color image.
[0032]
The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 402 is transferred to the intermediate transfer drum 405 that rotates clockwise by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 402 counterclockwise. The transfer to the intermediate transfer drum 405 is completed with one rotation of the intermediate transfer drum 405 in the case of a monochrome image and four rotations in the case of a color image.
[0033]
On the other hand, the recording paper picked up from the upper cassette 408 or the lower cassette 409 by the pickup roller 411 or 412 and conveyed by the paper feed roller 413 or 414 is conveyed to the registration roller 419 by the conveyance roller 415. The recording paper is conveyed between the intermediate transfer drum 405 and the transfer belt 406 at the timing when the transfer to the intermediate transfer drum 405 is completed. Thereafter, the recording paper is conveyed by the transfer belt 406 and pressed against the intermediate transfer drum 405, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer drum 405 is transferred to the recording paper. The toner image transferred to the recording paper is heated and pressed by a fixing roller and a pressure roller 407 and fixed on the recording paper.
[0034]
The recording sheet on which the image is fixed is conveyed to either the face-up discharge port 417 or the face-down discharge port 418 specified in advance by the printer controller 207, and is discharged.
[0035]
Signal timing
FIG. 9 is a timing chart of signals exchanged by the video interface.
[0036]
First, when the printer controller 207 can output the / VDO signal, the / PRNT signal becomes true, and at the same time, the / VCLK signal used for transferring the / VDO signal is generated. On the other hand, the DC controller 202 performs various settings of the printer 201, and outputs the / TOP signal and the / LSYNC signal to the printer controller 207 when the / VDO signal becomes acceptable. The printer controller 207 outputs a / VDO signal and a / VDOEN signal in accordance with the / TOP signal and the / LSYNC signal.
[0037]
FIG. 10 is a timing chart of commands and status exchanged during the printing operation. First, the case where the / CCRT signal shown in the lower part of FIG. 10 is not used will be described.
[0038]
When the printer controller 207 wants to issue a command to the DC controller 202, the / CBSY signal is made true, and the command is sent by the / CMD signal synchronized with the / CCLK signal. The DC controller 202 that has received this confirms that the / CBSY signal is false, and then makes the / SBSY signal true, and returns a status corresponding to the command as a / STS signal synchronized with the / CCLK signal. Upon receiving this status, the printer controller 207 continues or interrupts the printing process in accordance with the state of the printer 201 indicated by the status.
[0039]
Next, the / CCRT signal will be described. The / CCRT signal is a signal that becomes true when a state change of the printer 201 designated by the printer controller 207 occurs in advance. For example, when the printer controller 207 generates “no paper”, it is preset to make the / CCRT signal true, and there is only one sheet of recording paper left. Is requested, the first sheet is processed as usual, but the DC controller 202 detects the state change at the stage when the image formation of the second sheet is started, and truly changes the / CCRT signal. The change of the / CCRT signal is transmitted to the printer controller 207. The printer controller 207 immediately issues a command for requesting a status indicating the presence or absence of paper in the paper feed unit to the DC controller 202 in order to know which paper feed cassette is in the “no paper” state. In accordance with this command, the DC controller 202 returns a status indicating the cassette in the “no paper” state to the printer controller 207. The / CCRT signal is cleared at the timing when the / SBSY signal becomes true.
[0040]
● Command / status exchange
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining more specifically the exchange of commands / status between the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202, and assumes the formation of a color image.
[0041]
The printer controller 207 requested to start printing from the host computer 210 or the like checks the ready state of the printer 201 with respect to the DC controller 202 while processing the print data. Next, the printer controller 207 issues a command for designating the paper feed stage of the recording paper, and further issues a command for requesting the size of the recording paper in the designated cassette. In response to these series of commands, the DC controller 202 returns a corresponding status.
[0042]
Next, the printer controller 207 issues a command for designating a paper discharge port, and issues a page mode designation command for designating the number of pages of an image to be formed. Finally, the printer controller 207 issues a command for designating whether the image to be formed is monochrome or color, and all settings on the printer 201 side are completed.
[0043]
Thereafter, the printer controller 207 generates a / PRNT signal. In response to the / PRNT signal, the DC controller 202 returns a / TOP signal and a / LSYNC signal after a predetermined time. The / VDO signal whose vertical scanning direction is synchronized with the / TOP signal and whose horizontal scanning direction is synchronized with the / LSYNC signal is transferred from the printer controller 207 to the DC controller 202 in synchronization with the / VCLK signal.
[0044]
Since FIG. 11 shows the operation of forming a color image, the / TOP signal for four CMYK colors is generated to form one color image. Then, after the last / TOP signal is generated, the / PRNT signal becomes false. As a result, the DC controller 202 detects that the print request has been completed, and proceeds to post-processing such as a cleaning operation of the intermediate transfer drum 405. Further, the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing roller 407 and is then discharged to a designated paper discharge port.
[0045]
Finally, the printer controller 207 confirms with the DC controller 202 that the recording paper is not in the transport state, that is, the state where the paper discharge has been completed, and enters the ready state until the next print request is generated.
[0046]
If an illegal condition such as recording paper jam, no paper, user door open, etc. occurs during the above printing operation, the DC controller 202 immediately notifies the printer 201 of the printer 201 error by the / CCRT signal, The printer controller 207 performs processing according to the abnormal state.
[0047]
[Configuration of reader controller]
FIG. 12 is a schematic view when the above-described printer 201 is equipped with a reader that optically reads an original image, converts it into a digital signal, and outputs it.
[0048]
Reference numeral 111 denotes a document feeder for transporting a document to a position for optically reading an image, and 112 denotes an optical reader. The document feeder 111 is driven in synchronization with the optical reader 112. When the document is transferred onto the document table glass by the document feeder 111, the optical reader 112 scans the document image and performs an appropriate optical process. The reflected light to which the signal is added is sent to the analog signal processing unit 105 having the photoelectric converter 104.
[0049]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of electrical connection among the printer controller 207, the DC controller 202, and the reader controller 101. That is, the reader controller 101 is disposed at an electrical intermediate position between the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202, and signals between the printer controller 207 and the reader controller 101, as well as the DC controller 202 and the reader controller 101, The signal between these signals has the same type of function as the signals shown in FIGS. These signals are slightly different from the signals shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Therefore, in the drawing, "C" or "P" is added at the beginning of the signal name as / CPPRDY or / PPPRDY for / PPRDY. However, in the following description, “C” and “P” at the beginning may be omitted.
[0050]
The reader controller 101 includes an image signal processing unit 11 6 The document scanning optical system control unit 113 controls the optical reading device 112, the document feeding control unit 114 controls the document feeding device 111, and the operation unit 115. A digital image signal representing a document image output from the analog signal processing unit 105 is a reader controller. 101 Is input to the image signal processing unit 902.
[0051]
Figure 14 shows the reader controller 101 It is a block diagram which shows the example of a structure.
[0052]
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 221 denotes a selector, which is an image signal processing unit 11. 6 Or an output signal sent from the printer controller 207 is selected and output to the DC controller 202. Signal systems switched by the selector 221 are / VCLK, / VDOEN and / VDO.
[0053]
222 is a serial communication controller that communicates with the DC controller 202, 223 is an input / output port that exchanges signals that complement the communication of the communication controller 222, and 224 is an interrupt controller. The interrupt controller 224 receives an image leading edge request signal / PTOP and / PCCRT indicating a change in printer status.
[0054]
225 is a serial communication controller that communicates with the printer controller 207, and 226 is an input / output port that exchanges signals that complement the communication of the communication controller 225.
[0055]
227 and 230 are gates, and are used to control whether or not / LSYNC and / TOP sent from the DC controller 202 are sent to the printer controller 207. A control circuit 228 having a gate function and a flag setting function is used for controlling / CCRT sent to the printer controller 207. Whether the / CCRT issued by the DC controller 202 is transmitted to the printer controller 207 is controlled by opening and closing the gates 227 and 230. Also, by setting a flag using the control circuit 228, / CCRT can be issued from the reader controller 101 to the printer controller 207.
[0056]
Each control and control of each block are performed by the CPU 229.
[0057]
[Copy operation]
Next, a color mode copy operation for reading a full color image of a document and printing out the color image will be described.
[0058]
When the copy start key in the operation unit 115 of the reader controller 101 is pressed, the reader controller 101 opens the gates 227 and 230 and the control circuit 228 for the copy operation, and sends the image signal processing unit 11 to the selector 221. 6 Select the output of. Next, the reader controller 101 checks the / RDY signal indicating the ready state of the DC controller 202 via the input / output port 223.
[0059]
Next, the reader controller 101 issues a command via the serial communication controller 222 and causes the DC controller 202 to perform various settings. Specifically, a command for designating the paper feed stage of the recording paper is issued, and a command for requesting the size of the recording paper in the designated cassette is issued. In response to these series of commands, the DC controller 202 returns a corresponding status. Next, a command for designating a paper discharge port is issued, a paper discharge port is determined, a page mode designation command for designating the number of pages of an image to be formed is issued, and finally, formation of a monochrome or color image is designated. Issue a command. Thus, all the settings of the printer 201 are completed.
[0060]
Subsequently, the reader controller 101 controls the document feeder 111 to supply the document on the document glass table, and then generates / PRNT for the DC controller 202. In response, the / TOP signal is returned from the DC controller 202 after a predetermined time, but this is processed by the interrupt controller 224 to operate the optical reader 112 so that an image signal synchronized with the / TOP signal is obtained. Let The reader controller 101 synchronizes the vertical scanning with the / TOP signal, synchronizes the horizontal scanning with the / LSYNC signal, reads the original image, and synchronizes the obtained image signal (/ VDO) with / VCLK to the DC controller 202. Forward to.
[0061]
In this example, since the color mode is set, the reader controller 101 causes the optical reader 112 to scan one original image four times in response to the / TOP signal generated four times, and the CMYK for four colors. Output image signals sequentially. Then, after the final / TOP signal is generated, the / PRNT signal is set to false. As a result, the DC controller 202 detects that the print request has been completed, and proceeds to post-processing such as a cleaning operation of the intermediate transfer drum 405. Further, the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred passes through the fixing roller 407 and is then discharged to a designated paper discharge port.
[0062]
Finally, the reader controller 101 confirms with the DC controller 202 that the recording paper is not in a transport state, that is, a state in which the paper discharge is completed, and enters a ready state until the next print request is generated.
[0063]
[Print operation]
Next, a printing operation for printing out an image corresponding to print data input to the printer controller 207 will be described.
[0064]
When the above-described copying operation is completed, the reader controller 101 enters a ready state, and the gates 227 and 230 and the control circuit 228 are closed (a signal passes through) in order to enable a printing operation. Next, the reader controller 101 checks the / RDY signal indicating the ready state of the DC controller 202 via the input / output port 223. If the printer 201 is in the ready state, / RDY indicating that the printer 201 is in the ready state is sent to the printer controller 207 via the input / output port 226.
[0065]
Next, the printer controller 207 issues commands for making various settings. These commands are received by the serial communication controller 225 of the reader controller 101 and analyzed by the CPU 229. The CPU 229 issues a command via the serial communication controller 222 according to the analysis result, and causes the DC controller 202 to perform various settings. In response to these series of commands, the DC controller 202 returns a corresponding status. These statuses are received by the CPU 229 by the serial communication controller 222 and analyzed by the CPU 229. Then, the CPU 229 returns a status to the printer controller 207 via the serial communication controller 225. In this way, the reader controller 101 relays commands and status between the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202.
[0066]
Next, pudding T The controller 207 generates / PRNT, the reader controller 101 relays this, and / PRNT is sent to the DC controller 202. In response to this, after a predetermined time, / TOP and / LSYNC are generated from the DC controller 202, and the reader controller 101 relays this, and the reader controller 101 Will be sent / TOP and / LSYNC. Pudding T The controller 207 outputs / VDO synchronized with / TOP, / LSYNC, and / VCLK. The reader controller 101 relays this, and the printer 201 forms an image.
[0067]
[Difference in print operation and copy operation]
Here, a difference in image transmission timing between the print operation and the copy operation will be described.
[0068]
Although a detailed description of the configuration of the printer controller 207 is omitted, there is an image memory in which image data to be printed is stored in advance. Therefore, in the printing operation, the time required for the printer controller 207 to output / VDO with respect to / TOP sent from the DC controller 202 is only an electrical delay time.
[0069]
In contrast, in the copying operation, the optical reading device 112 is operated to read a document image and output image data. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15, an acceleration time is required from the state where the optical reading device 112 is stopped until the speed necessary for reading the document image is reached, for example, a time of about several hundred mS is required. Therefore, if the DC controller 202 outputs / TOP at the same timing as the print operation in the copy operation, there will be a delay of several hundreds of milliseconds until / VDO is obtained. There are the following two methods as countermeasures.
(1) In the copy operation, / TOP is output earlier than the print operation.
(2) Provide / RSTART signal for copy operation
[0070]
In order to perform the method (1), the configuration of the reader controller 101 may remain as shown in FIG. Optical The operation of the reading device 112 is started. In order to perform the method (2), the configuration of the reader controller 101 may be as shown in FIG. That is, / TOP output from the DC controller 202 is used only for the printing operation and is not input to the interrupt controller 224 of the reader controller 101. On the other hand, / RSTART, which is a signal that requests the start of the operation of the image reading device, is a signal that is necessary only for the copy operation. T There is no need to be sent to the controller 207.
[0071]
[Communication between controllers]
Next, communication between controllers will be described. As an example, a case where a setting command for the printer 201, for example, a paper feed cassette change command is issued from the printer controller 207 will be described.
[0072]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a command issuance sequence when the reader controller 101 is not present. In FIG. 17, the left side shows processing in the printer controller 207, and the right side shows processing in the DC controller 202.
[0073]
The printer controller 207 issues a paper cassette change command in step S1, waits for a response from the DC controller 202 in step S2, and determines whether or not the setting corresponding to the command has been executed in step S3. Then, the command issue sequence ends.
[0074]
On the other hand, when the DC controller 202 receives a command from the printer controller 207 in step S4, the DC controller 202 changes the setting corresponding to the command received in step S5, in this case, changes the paper cassette, and in step S6, the setting corresponding to the command ( The printer controller 207 is notified of whether or not the paper feed cassette has been successfully changed.
[0075]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a command issuance sequence when the reader controller 101 is present.
[0076]
In step S11, the reader controller 101 determines whether there is a command stored in the engine command queue. If not, in step S12, the reader controller 101 determines whether a command is received from the printer controller 207. If a command is received from the printer controller 207, it is determined in step S13 whether the command can be relayed.
[0077]
For example, if the DC controller 202 is not processing a command issued from the reader controller 101 to perform a copy operation, the command sent from the printer controller 207 can be relayed to the DC controller 202. In this case, the reader controller 101 relays the command received in step S14, waits for a response from the DC controller 202 in step S15, determines whether the setting corresponding to the command is executed in step S16, and in step S17 The printer controller 207 is notified that the setting corresponding to the command has been executed.
[0078]
On the other hand, for example, in a state where the reader controller 101 designates a paper feed cassette to perform a copy operation, if the paper feed cassette change command sent from the printer controller 207 is relayed to the DC controller 202, the copy operation is normal. Will not be executed. In such a case, the reader controller 101 stores the commands received in step S18 in the engine command queue in the reception order (issue order) without relaying the commands to the DC controller 202. Then, since a response to the command must be returned to the printer controller 207, the reader controller 101 notifies the printer controller 207 that the setting corresponding to the command is successfully performed in step S17.
[0079]
On the other hand, if there is a command stored in the engine command queue, the reader controller 101 determines in step S19 whether the command can be issued without affecting the copy operation. If it can be issued, the reader controller 101 issues the earliest command among the commands stored in the engine command queue in the order of issue in step S20, and the response of the DC controller 202 is sent in step S21. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the setting corresponding to the command has been executed. In step S23, the command is deleted from the engine command queue.
[0080]
If it is determined in steps S16 and S22 that the setting corresponding to the command has not been executed, error processing is executed in step S24.
[0081]
As described above, even in a configuration in which the reader controller 101 is inserted between the printer controller 207 and the DC controller 202, inconsistency occurs in operation and processing when a normal command is issued from the printer controller 207 to the DC controller 202. There is nothing.
[0082]
[Various controls]
Next, processing when the state change on the engine side, for example, a state where some error has occurred is notified from the DC controller 202 to the reader controller 101 by / CCRT will be described.
[0083]
The reader controller 101 and the printer controller 207 may have different status changes of the printer 201 to be known. For example, this is the case when a jam occurs on the recording paper being conveyed. If a jam occurs when the printer 201 is performing a copying operation, only the reader controller 101 needs to know this state change. Even if the printer controller 207 is notified of the occurrence of a jam, the printer controller 207 cannot perform an appropriate measure because it is not a jam during printing operation. Furthermore, if the printer controller 207 is to perform the same control as the reader controller 101, it will be redundantly installed with error processing software that the printer controller 207 does not have, including design man-hours, quality evaluation and software size, etc. A lot of waste will occur.
[0084]
Therefore, it is only necessary to notify the printer controller 207 of a state change in the printing operation and notify the reader controller 101 of the state change in the copying operation. However, in the copying operation, the printer controller 207 may want to know the change in the state of the printer 201. For example, it is necessary to notify the printer controller 207 of information such as a paper feed cassette change or no paper. In these, it is not necessary to strictly control the time from when / CCRT is issued in the DC controller 202 until processing is performed in each controller.
[0085]
Therefore, in the copy operation, / CCRT sent from the DC controller 202 is masked to the printer controller 207 using the gate function of the control circuit 228, and only the reader controller 101 receives it via the interrupt controller 224. To do. In the copying operation, the reader controller 101 performs the control shown in FIG.
[0086]
When / CCRT becomes true in step S31, the reader controller 101 issues a command for acquiring details of the state change to the DC controller 202 in step S32. In step S33, a response from the DC controller 202 is awaited, and details of the state change of the printer 201 are grasped from the status returned in step S34. In step S35, it is determined whether or not there is a state change to be notified to the printer controller 207. For example, the printer controller 207 is notified of a change in paper feed cassette or no paper. If the state change is not to be notified, error processing is executed in step S40.
[0087]
In the case of a status change to be notified, the reader controller 101 issues / CCRT using the control circuit 228 in step S36, and receives a command for inquiring details of the status change from the printer controller 207 in step S37. Wait, relay the status received from the DC controller 202 in step S38, set / CCRT to false in step S39, and execute error processing in step S40.
[0088]
On the other hand, in the printing operation, the gate function of the control circuit 228 is set to pass-through, and / CCRT issued by the DC controller 202 is relayed to the printer controller 207.
[0089]
● Copy and print operation control
Next, execution command control will be described. For example, the control of the reader controller 101 executed when the printer controller 207 issues a print request during the copying operation will be described.
[0090]
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining control when a print request is generated during a copy operation. At this time, the DC controller 202 forms an image based on the image signal / VDO sent from the reader controller 101. At this time, the paper feed cassette, the paper discharge port, the image forming mode, and the like have already been set by serial communication between the reader controller 101 and the DC controller 202.
[0091]
In FIG. 20, reference numeral 1301 denotes a reader controller buffer in which various setting values are stored. The setting value instructed by the reader controller 101 and the setting value instructed by the printer controller 207 are stored. A setting value designated by the reader controller 101 is set in the printer 201.
[0092]
Even if a print request is generated from the printer controller 207 during the copy operation, it is not preferable from the viewpoint of usability to interrupt the copy operation being executed and perform the print operation. Therefore, it is desirable to postpone the print request in such a situation until the copy operation is completed. However, / STS must be returned to / CMD from the printer controller 207. Therefore, the setting value for printing among the setting values of the buffer 1301 is set according to the request. Then, for those in which the setting value for copying and the setting value for printing are different, the reader controller 101 may instruct the DC controller 202 to set the setting after the copying operation is finished and before the printing operation is started.
[0093]
This process will be described as a specific example as follows. Assume that the upper cassette and the face-up discharge port are selected and the color image formation mode is set during the copying operation. Here, when a print request is generated from the printer controller 207, the print operation is postponed, but various settings can be made. Assume that this print request selects an upper cassette and a face-down discharge port and requests a monochrome image formation mode. Since the upper cassette is selected for both operations for the paper feed cassette, it is not necessary to change the paper feed cassette even when the copy operation is switched to the print operation. On the other hand, since the specifications for the discharge port and the image formation mode are different between the two operations, the reader controller 101 issues a command for specifying the discharge port and the image formation mode to the DC controller 202 when the copy operation is completed. To do.
[0094]
In this way, the reader controller 101 not only postpones the print request in response to the print request from the printer controller 207, but also instructs the DC controller 202 to set different settings for the copy operation and the print operation. Judgment is made so as not to instruct setting again.
[0095]
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining control when a copy request is generated during a printing operation. In this case, from the viewpoint of usability, it is desirable that copying can be executed by interrupt processing by pressing a copy start button.
[0096]
In this case, / VDO sent from the printer controller 207 is sent to the DC controller 202. Assume that the print operation is set to the upper cassette, the face-down discharge port, and the monochrome image mode. Since the DC controller 202 can detect the end of the print request only when / PRNT from the printer controller 207 becomes false, it does not know how many sheets are to be printed. Here, it is assumed that four images are to be printed. If no copy request is generated from the reader controller 101, the DC controller 202 generates / TOP four times, and / VDO corresponding to the print image according to / TOP is transferred from the printer controller 207 via the reader controller 101 to the DC controller 202. Will be sent to.
[0097]
Here, it is assumed that a copy request for copying one color image occurs during printing of the second sheet. The reader controller 101 relays / PRNT issued by the printer controller 207 to the DC controller 202 and relays / TOP generated by the DC controller 202 to the printer controller 207. In this way, printing of the first image 1501 and the second image 1502 is executed as shown in the timing chart at the time of interrupt copying in FIG.
[0098]
When a copy request is generated while the second image 1502 is being printed, the reader controller 101 generates / CCRT for the printer controller 207. This / CCRT is sent by the reader controller 101 to the printer controller 207 in order to obtain control of the printer 201. In response to this / CCRT, the printer controller 207 issues a command for inquiring the details of the state change. In response to this command, the reader controller 101 returns a status indicating “copying in progress”. In this case, the printer controller 207 maintains / PRNT to be true and waits for / TOP to be received. Normally, after / PRNT is set to true, if / TOP is not received even after a predetermined time has passed, a time-out error occurs. However, if the status indicates "Copying in progress", the printer controller 207 is long enough. It is set to wait for time / TOP.
[0099]
On the other hand, the reader controller 101 that generated / CCRT corresponds to one image 1506 in synchronization with this / TOP without masking the next / TOP sent from the DC controller 202 and sending it to the printer controller 207. Execute interrupt copy by outputting / VDO. When the interrupt copy is completed, the reader controller 101 cancels the mask of / TOP, and the printer controller 207 outputs / VDO corresponding to the image 1503 and the image 1504 in synchronization with / TOP, so that the remaining two prints Can be executed.
[0100]
In this way, the reader controller 101 controls all of the control of the printer 201 and when the command should be issued, so that requests from the two controllers for one DC controller 202 can be appropriately processed. it can.
[0101]
● Control for setting information confirmation
Next, control when the printer controller 207 issues a command for confirming the setting information of the printer 201 will be described.
[0102]
When the printer controller 207 wants to check the setting information of the printer 201, the printer controller 207 issues a command for checking the setting information as / CMD. Upon receiving this, the reader controller 101 checks the buffer 1301 shown in FIG. 20, and if the setting information requested by the printer controller 207 is obtained from the buffer 1301, notifies the printer controller 207 of the setting information as / STS. If the setting information cannot be obtained from the buffer 1301, the reader controller 101 issues a command for confirming the setting information as / CMD, and relays the setting information returned from the DC controller 202 as / STS to the printer controller 207. To do.
[0103]
[Detect remaining amount of color toner]
FIG. 23 is a view showing a cartridge containing color toner. Reference numeral 2701 denotes a window through which light from an LED (not shown) inside the printer 201 is incident. The window 2701 is on the side surface of the toner container 2702 containing color toner. If there is color toner, the light from the LED is reflected by the color toner and reaches a toner remaining amount detection sensor (not shown) inside the printer 201. Further, if there is no color toner, the light from the LED is not reflected and does not reach the toner remaining amount detection sensor. Of course, as the color toner decreases, the amount of reflected light also decreases, so the amount of light reaching the toner remaining amount detection sensor also decreases. Therefore, the DC controller 202 can know the presence / absence of the color toner and the remaining amount from the output of the toner remaining amount detection sensor.
[0104]
[Black toner remaining detection]
FIG. 24 is a view showing a cartridge containing black toner. A piezo element (not shown) is connected inside the black toner cartridge. The DC controller 202 can monitor the signal from the piezo element and detect the presence and remaining amount of black toner from the change in the signal.
[0105]
[Control without color toner]
When the absence of color toner is detected, the printer engine control CPU 1202 of the DC controller 202 shown in FIG. 25 notifies the reader controller 101 of information on the absence of color toner via the video interface. The reader controller 101 that has received the information indicating no color toner displays the information indicating “no color toner” on the operation unit 115, sets the reading of the original image to the monochrome mode and executes the DC printing, and the DC controller. Designate monochrome image formation for 202.
[0106]
[Toner presence / absence display]
26 and 27 are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation unit 115. Reference numeral 3001 denotes a toner presence / absence display controlled by the reader controller 101. FIG. 26 shows that there are four colors of toner. In FIG. 27, the absence of yellow toner is detected, the display corresponding to 3001 yellow toner changes, and “no yellow toner” and “ Messages 3002 and 3003 are displayed saying “Can copy in black and white”.
[0107]
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a message indicating no toner displayed on the monitor of the host computer 210 when printing is instructed from the host computer 210. When a color print is requested from the host computer 210 in a state where there is no color toner, the reader controller 101 prints out information indicating no color toner. T The data is transmitted to the host computer 210 via the controller 207. The printer driver application running on the host computer 210 receives the information indicating no color toner and displays a message 3004 as shown in FIG. 28 on the monitor.
[0108]
FIGS. 29 and 30 are diagrams showing an operation screen for adjusting the color balance on the screen of the operation unit of the DC controller 202, for example. When the absence of yellow toner is detected, only monochrome printing is possible, and as shown in FIG. 30, the color balance of yellow, cyan, and magenta cannot be adjusted.
[0109]
[Density control]
Next, density control will be described.
[0110]
In an image forming apparatus, particularly a color image forming apparatus, if the density balance of each color component YMCK used for image formation is lost, an appropriate image cannot be output. The factors that cause the density balance to be lost are that it is impossible to control proper image formation with the initial settings due to an increase in the remaining charge on the photoconductor due to repeated image formation and changes in the temperature and humidity of the device environment. It is in. Therefore, concentration control is performed to keep the concentration constant for several parameters related to these factors.
[0111]
Parameters that can be detected by the printer engine control CPU 1202 of the DC controller 202 include a continuous stationary time in the standby state, the number of discharged recording sheets, and the number of images formed on the intermediate transfer drum 405. The printer engine control CPU 1202 monitors the output of environmental sensors (such as a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor) installed in the printer 201, so that environmental changes can be detected as parameters. When there is a change in the above parameters, the density of the entire output image often decreases. The main purpose of density control is to return this reduced density to an appropriate value.
[0112]
The printer engine control CPU 1202 constantly monitors whether or not the parameter change matches a predetermined condition. That is, when the cumulative number, the number of images, the continuous stationary time, the output of the environmental sensor, or the like, or changes thereof reach a predetermined value, it is determined that it is necessary to perform density control. Then, the reader controller 101 is notified using / CCRT and / STS that density control is necessary.
[0113]
When the reader controller 101 is notified of the necessity of density control, the reader controller 101 instructs the DC controller 202 to execute density control if it can be determined based on the operation status of the entire apparatus. In other words, if it is necessary to execute density control even during image formation, the reader controller 101 instructs the DC controller 202 to stop image formation and puts it into a standby state. After confirming that the printer 201 is in a standby state, the reader controller 101 instructs the DC controller 202 to execute density control.
[0114]
The printer engine control CPU 1202 waits for an instruction to execute density control from the reader controller 101, and starts density control when instructed. When the toner cartridge is replaced, the printer engine control CPU 1202 detects the operation of a support lever (not shown) for supporting the toner cartridge when the toner cartridge is mounted on the main body, so that the toner cartridge is replaced. Judge that. Naturally, whether the density control for black or all colors is executed by detecting the presence or absence of toner before and after the operation of the support lever and detecting the change from the toner-free state to the toner-containing state. Judging. Of course, when the replacement of the toner cartridge is detected, the printer engine control CPU 1202 starts the density control regardless of whether or not the execution of the density control is instructed from the reader controller 101.
[0115]
When the density control is started, the printer engine control CPU 1202 starts the printer engine and, when reaching a steady state, forms a density patch pattern corresponding to a predetermined density value on the intermediate transfer drum 405. The patch pattern is stored in advance in a ROM or gate array in the DC controller 202. The density of the formed patch pattern is read by a density sensor 420 (see FIG. 8) disposed in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer drum 405.
[0116]
The printer engine control CPU 1202 determines whether or not an appropriate density is maintained by comparing the density value of the patch pattern read by the density sensor 420 with the density value of the preset patch pattern. . If it is determined that the density is not appropriate, the intermediate transfer drum 405 or the like is cleaned, and the charging potential, development bias, and transfer bias, which are parameters for controlling the density of the output image, are adjusted, The patch pattern is formed again and its density is measured. By performing such control, the density can be maintained at an appropriate value.
[0117]
The density control described above is performed by, for example, yellow patch pattern at the first rotation of the photosensitive drum 402, magenta patch pattern at the second rotation, cyan patch pattern at the third rotation, and black patch pattern at the fourth rotation. Then, the density of each patch pattern is read.
[0118]
By the way, when it is detected that black toner remains but there is no color toner (any one color), in this embodiment, control is performed so that printing is performed only with black. Therefore, it is useless to control the density of the color toner in the above density control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the black toner patch pattern is formed and the density is read, so that only the black density control is performed, and the time required for the density control is shortened.
[0119]
Normally, density control when all the YMCK toners are present is executed for all colors. The development bias is set to several stages for each color patch pattern, patches corresponding to the development bias at each stage are formed on the intermediate transfer drum 405, and the density of each patch pattern is measured by the density sensor 420.
[0120]
FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the development bias and the measured density of the patch pattern to be formed. The horizontal axis represents the development bias values in several steps, and the vertical axis represents the density measured by the density sensor 420. The development bias value corresponding to the patch is calculated from the density value of the patch having values before and after the preset target density. From the calculated development bias value, the charging potential is also calculated by a predetermined calculation formula. At the time of image formation, the developing bias value and charging potential obtained by the above processing are set.
[0121]
The above process is performed for each color, and finally, the cleaning of the intermediate transfer drum 405 is executed and the process ends. In the configuration of this embodiment, when there are toners of all colors, it is necessary to form each patch for each YMCK color. Therefore, in the case of full color, patch formation processing for four colors, that is, four rotations of the intermediate transfer drum 405 is executed only by patch formation.
[0122]
Therefore, the density control shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31 is executed. Note that the processing shown in FIG. 31 is executed by the printer engine control CPU 1202.
[0123]
In the first step S51 of density control, the presence or absence of toner of all colors is checked. If there are toners of all colors, the above normal density control is performed in steps S53 and S54. That is, in step S56, the development bias is set to several stages to form a Y patch pattern for each stage, and in steps S57 to S59, the development bias is set to several stages to set each stage of M, Y, C, and K. A patch pattern is formed. In step S60, the density measurement of each patch pattern is executed, and the development bias value corresponding to the patch is calculated from the density value of the patch having values before and after the preset target density. In step S61, the charging potential is calculated from the calculated developing bias value, the intermediate transfer drum 405 is cleaned, and the density control is terminated.
[0124]
On the other hand, if there is no toner in any one color, it is determined in step S52 whether there is black toner, and if there is, only black density control is executed in step S54 and thereafter. For other colors, default values are set, and patch pattern formation and density measurement are not executed. If there is no black toner, the density control is stopped in step S55, and default values are set for the charging potential, the developing bias, the transfer bias, and the like.
[0125]
By executing the density control as described above, it is possible to eliminate a waste of time required for the density control.
[0126]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the absence of color toner is detected, monochrome printing is possible if black toner is present. In addition, by giving the user a warning about the absence of toner including which color toner is absent, the user can immediately know the color toner that has been lost. A quick response to the absence of toner becomes possible. In addition, when there is no color toner and there is black toner, only black density control is executed, so that the time required for density control can be saved.
[0127]
In the above description, an example in which only a monochrome image is formed when the color toner that is a color recording agent is used up has been described. However, it is easy to extend the present embodiment to form a monocolor image that can be formed by using color toners other than the color toner that has been lost. This embodiment also includes the formation of a monocolor image when there is no color toner.
[0128]
The density control method is not limited to the above-described example, and a method of forming a gamma table by forming a multi-tone patch for each color may be used.
[0129]
[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.
[0130]
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.
[0131]
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.
[0132]
When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.
[0133]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image forming condition using the reference image is determined based on the remaining amount of the recording material of each color. Adjustment Can be executed efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general configuration for realizing a print function;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration obtained by adding an image reading device to the configuration shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration for realizing a print function and a copy function;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the printer shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a video interface for connecting the printer controller and the DC controller shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining video interface signals;
8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a timing chart of signals exchanged with the video interface;
FIG. 10 is a timing chart of commands and status exchanged during a printing operation;
FIG. 11 is a diagram specifically explaining the exchange of commands / status between the printer controller and the DC controller;
FIG. 12 is an overview diagram when a reader is attached to the printer;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of electrical connection among a printer controller, a DC controller, and a reader controller;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a reader controller;
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a delay in reading an original image by a reader;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a second configuration example of the reader controller;
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a command issuance sequence when there is no reader controller;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a command issuance sequence when there is a reader controller;
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a control example of the reader controller in a copy operation;
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining control when a print request is generated during a copy operation;
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining control when a copy request occurs during a print operation;
FIG. 22 is a timing chart for interrupt copying,
FIG. 23 is a view showing a cartridge containing color toner;
FIG. 24 is a view showing a cartridge containing black toner;
FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a printer engine control CPU of a DC controller;
FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of an operation unit of a reader controller;
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit of a reader controller;
FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of a message indicating no toner displayed on the monitor of the host computer;
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an operation screen for adjusting the color balance;
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an operation screen for adjusting the color balance;
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing density control;
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a relationship example between a developing bias and a measured density of a patch pattern to be formed.

Claims (7)

An image processing apparatus comprising: an image signal generating unit that generates an image signal; and an image forming unit that forms a visible image on a recording medium using a recording material corresponding to a plurality of color components based on the image signal. ,
A remaining amount signal generating means for generating information relating to the remaining amount of recording material corresponding to the plurality of color components provided in the image forming means;
When performing a single color image forming operation using a recording material of a specific color component, the remaining amount of the recording material of at least one color other than the specific color component among the plurality of color components is based on the information regarding the remaining amount. When detecting that small, the adjustment of image forming conditions using the reference image corresponding to a specific color component is executed, the adjustment of image forming conditions using the reference image corresponding to the color components other than the specific color component And an image processing apparatus characterized by comprising control means that does not execute. In addition, adjustment input means for adjusting the color balance for each of the plurality of color components,
When the control unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording material of at least one color other than the specific color component is small among the plurality of color components based on the information regarding the remaining amount, the control unit supports the recording material with the small remaining amount. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein operation of the adjustment input unit that adjusts a color balance of a color component to be performed is disabled. When the control unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording material of at least one color other than the specific color component is small among the plurality of color components based on the information regarding the remaining amount, the control unit supports the recording material with the small remaining amount. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating a color component to be displayed or a message indicating that image formation with a color component other than the recording material with a small remaining amount is possible is displayed. The image signal generation means includes a reading means for reading a document image, and an input means for inputting an image formation request and an image signal from an external device,
The control means provides information indicating the color component corresponding to the recording material with a small remaining amount or that the image formation with the color component other than the recording material with a small remaining amount is possible via the image signal generating means. 4. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the image processing device notifies the external device. The control means includes a detecting means for detecting a change in a parameter relating to image formation for determining the necessity of adjusting an image forming condition of the image forming means, and an adjustment for adjusting an image forming condition of the image forming means. and means, if the need to adjust the image forming condition is detected by said detecting means, an image according to claim 1, characterized in that the instruction to adjust the image forming condition on the adjusting means Processing equipment. The control unit corresponds to a color component of a color among recording materials corresponding to the plurality of color components based on the information on the remaining amount when performing a monochrome image forming operation using a recording material of a specific color component. When the remaining amount of recording material to be used is small, adjustment of image forming conditions for other colors and adjustment of image forming conditions for black are executed, and adjustment of image forming conditions corresponding to the color components of the recording material with the small remaining amount 6. The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein the image processing device is not executed. The control unit detects that the remaining amount of the recording material corresponding to the plurality of color components is low based on the information regarding the remaining amount, and when the adjustment of the image forming condition is instructed, the adjusting unit 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an instruction for setting a predetermined value of the forming condition is issued.