JP4639962B2 - Calibration recommendation device, calibration recommendation method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a calibration recommendation device that recommends calibration timing of an image forming apparatus, a calibration recommendation method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as high-precision color printers have improved in performance, and even in business fields where high-precision print output is required, when calibrating page layouts and the like, an image forming apparatus can be used instead of output from a printing press Is used.

  However, in general, the output image quality of an image forming apparatus such as a color printer is affected by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, aging of parts, and the degree of wear. Furthermore, when image formation uses an electrophotographic system, the mixing condition of the developer and the toner also affects the image quality.

  Therefore, in order to suppress such a change in image quality, a process called calibration is performed. In this process, it is necessary to create a sheet (calibration sheet) on which a plurality of color patches are formed in the image forming apparatus and read the calibration sheet using a colorimeter or the like. That is, since it is troublesome because the user needs to perform work such as performing color measurement with a colorimeter, in many cases, the timing of calibration is left to arbitrary judgment of the user.

For this reason, for example, the user may not calibrate over a long period of time, or may calibrate intensively at one time, thereby achieving the original calibration purpose of maintaining a constant image quality It was difficult. In view of this, a device has been developed that issues a warning for urging the user at regular intervals (Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-318266 A

  However, the above-described conventional apparatus for prompting calibration merely prompts calibration at regular intervals, and therefore cannot prompt calibration at an effective timing. That is, for example, when calibration is performed in a room where the image forming apparatus is installed and the humidity is not stable, such as in the morning after the holiday, the calibration may be counterproductive, but the conventional method may be counterproductive. In the apparatus that prompts the calibration, the calibration is prompted when a certain time comes even in such a state, and the calibration cannot be prompted at an effective timing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a calibration recommendation device, a calibration recommendation method, and a program capable of prompting calibration at an effective timing. .

  The present invention for solving the problems of the above conventional example is a calibration recommendation device that prompts a user to calibrate an image forming apparatus, the means for determining a calibration recommendation timing, and the determined recommendation Means for determining whether or not the timing meets a predetermined avoidance condition, and means for presenting a calibration recommendation to the user when the determination does not match the avoidance condition. It is characterized by including.

  Here, the repelling condition includes a condition relating to at least one of a day of the week or a time zone, a condition relating to a predetermined environmental sensor installed outside the image forming apparatus, and a predetermined condition installed inside the image forming apparatus. It may be a condition including at least one of a condition relating to an environmental sensor, a condition relating to an operating state of the image forming apparatus, and a condition relating to a color material supply state in the image forming apparatus.

  Further, the present invention for solving the problems of the conventional example is a calibration recommendation device that prompts the user to calibrate the image forming apparatus, the condition relating to at least one of the day of the week or the time zone, A condition relating to a predetermined environmental sensor installed outside the image forming apparatus; a condition relating to a predetermined environmental sensor installed inside the image forming apparatus; a condition relating to an operating state of the image forming apparatus; and the image forming A means for determining whether or not a predetermined recommended condition including at least one of the conditions relating to the color material supply state in the apparatus is satisfied, and if the result of the determination satisfies the recommended condition And means for presenting a calibration recommendation to the user.

  The calibration recommendation device further includes means for detecting that the calibration has been performed in the image forming device, and the calibration is performed for a predetermined time after the calibration recommendation is made. If it is not detected that the operation has been performed, the calibration recommendation may be performed again.

  Furthermore, together with the calibration recommendation, a printed matter for calibration may be formed on the image forming apparatus. In addition to the calibration recommendation, an instruction to limit the shift to the power saving mode may be output to the image forming apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a calibration recommendation method for prompting a user to calibrate an image forming apparatus. The computer determines a calibration recommendation timing, and the determined recommendation timing includes: Executing a step of determining whether or not a predetermined repelling condition is met, and a step of presenting a calibration recommendation to the user when the repelling condition is not satisfied as a result of the determination. It is characterized by.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for executing a process for prompting a user to calibrate an image forming apparatus, wherein the computer determines a calibration recommendation timing and the determined recommendation timing. And a procedure for determining whether or not a predetermined repelling condition is met, and a procedure for presenting a calibration recommendation to the user when the repelling condition is not satisfied as a result of the determination. It is characterized by that.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set calibration avoidance conditions and recommendation conditions, and by determining whether or not to make calibration recommendations depending on whether or not these conditions are satisfied, it is effective. Calibration can be prompted at the timing.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The calibration recommendation device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized as a printer server 1 as shown in FIG. The printer server 1 is connected to a printer 2 which is an example of an image forming apparatus, and is connected to a client device 3 via a network.

  The printer server 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, and a clock 14. Here, the control unit 11 is a program control device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 performs a process for determining a calibration recommendation timing, a process for determining whether to avoid the timing, and a process for making a calibration recommendation. The contents of each process of the control unit 11 will be described in detail later.

  The storage unit 12 includes a storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage unit 12 may include a storage device such as a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores a program executed by the control unit 11. The storage unit 12 also operates as a work memory of the control unit 11 and holds, for example, a print job (image formation instruction) to be output to the printer 2.

  The communication unit 13 is a network interface or the like, and transmits and receives data to and from the printer 2 and the client device 3. The clock 14 keeps time and is read by the control unit 11. The clock 14 also functions as a calendar, and outputs date information, day information, and the like to the control unit 11.

  In addition, when a print job is received from the printer server 1, the printer 2 forms an image on a medium such as paper according to an instruction included in the print job and outputs the image. In addition, the printer 2 may include an environmental sensor S that measures an internal and external environment such as temperature and humidity inside and outside. In this case, the printer 2 uses the environmental information such as the temperature and humidity inside and outside the printer 2 measured by these environmental sensors S in response to an instruction received from the printer server 1 as a calibration recommendation device. Output to server 1.

  The client device 3 is a personal computer or the like, and sends an image formation instruction to the printer server 1 in accordance with an instruction operation from a user. The client device 3 includes a scanner or a colorimeter, and performs colorimetry of color patches on a calibration sheet formed by the printer 2.

  Here, the operation of the control unit 11 of the printer server 1 will be described. The printer server 1 is assumed to have repelling conditions set in advance based on instructions from the client device 3. Here, the repelling conditions include conditions relating to at least one of the day of the week or the time zone, conditions relating to measurement results of environmental sensors installed outside or inside the printer 2, the operating state of the printer 2, and the color material And at least one of the conditions relating to the supply state.

  As a specific example, the condition relating to the day of the week and the time zone is a condition such as “Monday, morning”. The condition of the measurement result of the environmental sensor installed outside or inside the printer 2 is, for example, a condition relating to the time change of the measurement result by the environmental sensor, and “the temperature measured this time and the temperature measured last time” The condition is that the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Furthermore, the operating state of the printer 2 is a condition such as a time after the printer 2 is turned on and the number of images formed.

  Also, in a color printer or the like, a color material holding unit that holds a color material supplies the developer with the amount of color material to be used, and the developer unit holds an image on the drum while holding a certain amount of color material. There is a case where a process of forming is performed. In this case, if the amount of the color material held on the developing device side is insufficient, for example, because the amount of the specific color material used exceeds the assumed amount, normal replenishment is performed from the color material holding unit. The color material is supplied to the developing device (in other words, rapid replenishment control) faster than the speed. During or immediately after such rapid replenishment control, the color material density may not be stable and is not suitable for calibration. Therefore, the conditions regarding the color material supply state may be included in the repelling conditions.

  For example, the control unit 11 acquires time information at the time of the previous calibration from the clock 14 and stores it in the storage unit 12 as the previous time, as in the conventional case. When the difference from the previous time stored in the storage unit 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the calibration recommendation timing is reached. Then, the control unit 11 starts the processing shown in FIG. 2 when the determined recommendation timing arrives, and whether or not a predetermined avoidance condition is satisfied (whether the recommendation timing matches the avoidance condition). (S1).

  For example, when the condition that the change in the internal temperature and humidity of the printer 2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value is set as the repelling condition, the control unit 11 causes the printer 2 to perform the predetermined timing (for example, periodically And (b) requesting to provide information on the measurement result of the environmental sensor, acquiring the environmental information acquired from the printer 2 in response to the request, and storing it in the storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 calculates the difference between the internal temperature information of the printer 2 and the internal temperature of the printer 2 included in the environmental information acquired this time among the environmental information acquired last time.

  In step S1, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value set as the avoidance condition. If the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the controller 11 does not make a calibration recommendation. The process ends.

  On the other hand, if the difference is less than the threshold value in the process S1, a calibration recommendation is presented to the user (S3). The control unit 11 further instructs a timer (not shown) to count a predetermined waiting time, and waits for the waiting time (S5). When the timer finishes counting the standby time, the control unit 11 checks whether the calibration sheet has been read in the client device 3 during the standby time, that is, whether calibration has been performed (S7). If it is determined that no action has been taken, the process returns to step S1 to continue the process.

  If it is determined in step S7 that the calibration has been performed, the recommended timing of calibration is determined, such as storing information on the time at which the calibration was performed in the storage unit 12 as the previous time. The processing is terminated after performing the processing for.

  As a method for determining whether or not calibration has been performed in step S7, for example, when the control unit 11 of the printer server 1 generates adjustment information of the printer 2 based on the result of reading the calibration sheet, The determination can be made based on whether or not the result of reading the calibration sheet is received from the client device 3. Otherwise, the client device 3 or the printer 2 sends a signal indicating that the calibration has been performed to the printer server 1 at the timing when the calibration is performed, such as reading a calibration sheet. The printer server 1 may determine whether calibration has been performed based on whether the signal is received.

  Also, here, after the calibration recommendation, if the calibration is not performed for a predetermined waiting time, the calibration recommendation (re-recommendation) is performed again. It is not limited to the waiting time indicated by. For example, conditions such as the number of images formed by the printer 2 may be used.

  Furthermore, after making the calibration recommendation, the control unit 11 may not output the print job to the printer 2 until it is detected that the calibration has been performed. In this case, the print job is held in the storage unit 12 as it is. Even when the print job is not output in this way, for example, from the client device 3 side, the user is specified by the information together with the information specifying the print job stored in the storage unit 12. For a print job, when an instruction is given that the density stabilization process by calibration is not necessary, the control unit 11 may output the specified print job to the printer 2.

  In the above description, the control unit 11 of the printer server 1 does not make a calibration recommendation at a timing that satisfies a preset avoidance condition. Instead, a preset setting is made instead. When the recommended condition is satisfied, the calibration may be recommended.

  That is, in this case, a condition for positively recommending calibration is set. As in the repelling condition, this condition includes a condition relating to at least one of the day of the week or a time zone, a condition relating to a measurement result of an environmental sensor installed outside or inside the printer 2, an operating state of the printer 2, And at least one of the conditions relating to the color material supply state.

  When the recommended condition is set in this way, the control unit 11 acquires time information at the time of the previous calibration from the clock 14 and stores it in the storage unit 12 as the previous time, for example, as in the past. In addition, it is determined that the calibration recommended timing is when the difference between the time held by the clock 14 and the previous time stored in the storage unit 12 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Then, the control unit 11 starts the processing shown in FIG. 3 when the determined recommendation timing has arrived, and whether or not a predetermined recommendation condition is satisfied (the determined recommendation timing matches the avoidance condition). (S11).

  For example, here, on the condition of the day of the week or time and the operating state of the printer 2, the recommended condition is “not in the morning on Monday” and “more than 30 minutes have passed since the printer 2 was turned on” Is set, the control unit 11 acquires day information and time information from the clock 14, and also acquires time information after power-on from the printer 2. It is assumed that the printer 2 provides information indicating an operating state such as an elapsed time since the power is turned on and the number of images formed on demand.

  The control unit 11 determines from the information acquired from the clock 14 or the printer 2 whether it is not in the morning on Monday and 30 minutes or more have passed since the printer 2 was turned on. And when this judgment is negative (when at least one of the determined recommendation timing is Monday morning or less than 30 minutes after the printer 2 is turned on is satisfied), The process ends without making a calibration recommendation.

  On the other hand, if the above determination is affirmative in process S11 (when the determined recommendation timing is not Monday morning and 30 minutes or more have passed since the printer 2 was turned on), the user is informed. On the other hand, a calibration recommendation is presented (S13). The control unit 11 further instructs a timer (not shown) to count a predetermined waiting time, and waits for the waiting time (S15). When the timer finishes counting the standby time, the control unit 11 checks whether the calibration sheet has been read in the client device 3 during the standby time, that is, whether calibration has been performed (S17). If it is determined that no action has been taken, the process returns to step S11 to continue the process.

  If it is determined in step S17 that calibration has been performed, the recommended timing for calibration is determined, such as storing information on the time at which the calibration was performed in the storage unit 12 as the previous time. The processing is terminated after performing the processing for.

  Also in this case, the condition for performing the recommendation is not limited to the waiting time shown here. For example, conditions such as the number of images formed by the printer 2 may be used.

[Calibration recommendation method]
Here, the calibration recommendation method in steps S3 and S13 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be performed by, for example, displaying the printer 2 or the client device 3 of the user to perform calibration. Good. Further, for example, an instruction to calibrate a preset mail address from the printer server 1 may be transmitted by e-mail.

  Here, for example, a server (attendance information server) that manages the user's presence status is installed and the user's presence status (present, If it is possible to obtain information on the absence, the email address of the user who is present, the email to the client device 3, or the display is output. Also good.

  Further, the control unit 11 may make a calibration recommendation and instruct the printer 2 to form a calibration sheet, which is a printed material used for calibration. In this case, if the printer 2 is to perform image formation immediately after outputting the calibration sheet, “Please perform calibration” on the display unit (not shown) of the printer 2 after the image formation. May be displayed. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user who has taken the printed matter output immediately after the output of the calibration sheet that the calibration should be performed.

[Relationship with printer power saving function]
Note that some recent printers 2 have a function (power saving mode) that stepwise stops the power supply to each part in the printer 2 when there is no image formation instruction for a certain period of time. In the printer 2 having such a power saving function, if the power supply to an element that easily affects the temperature inside the printer 2 such as a heater is cut off, the temperature inside the printer 2 changes to the extent that it affects the stability of the color material. This is not preferable in performing calibration.

  Therefore, the printer 2 may perform control for maintaining the power supply to the heater or the like (restricting the shift to the power saving mode) according to the instruction input from the printer server 1. In this case, when determining the calibration recommendation timing, the printer server 1 instructs the printer 2 to limit the transition to the power saving mode at a time point a predetermined time before the recommendation timing. When it is detected that the calibration has been performed, an instruction to cancel the restriction on the transition to the power saving mode is issued. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature change in the printer 2 and the change in the state of the apparatus at the time when the calibration is performed, and to perform the calibration efficiently.

  Further, the printer server 1 may issue an instruction to limit the transition to the power saving mode, for example, in relation to the avoidance condition and the time zone indicated in the recommendation condition, instead of the recommendation timing. For example, when the time zone from 11:00 to 13:00 is set as the recommendation condition, it may be instructed to limit the transition to the power saving mode in this time zone.

[Suppression of calibration by users]
Furthermore, the repelling conditions may be temporarily specified by the user. For example, when the printer server 1 receives an instruction for prohibiting the calibration recommendation from the client device 3, the printer server 1 recommends the calibration even when the avoidance condition is not satisfied at the recommendation timing or when the recommendation condition is satisfied at the recommendation timing. Do not do.

  Thereby, for example, it is possible to perform control corresponding to a case where the user wants to prevent density fluctuation due to calibration.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, calibration can be promoted at an effective timing.

1 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of a system including a printer server as a calibration recommendation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an example of a system including a printer server as a calibration recommendation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure showing another example of operation of a printer server as a calibration recommendation device concerning an embodiment of the invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer server, 2 Printer, 3 Client apparatus, 11 Control part, 12 Storage part, 13 Communication part, 14 Clock.

Claims (2)

A calibration recommendation device that prompts a user to calibrate an image forming apparatus,
Means for determining the calibration recommendation timing;
Determining the calibration recommendation timing, and outputting a command for restricting the transition to the power saving mode to the image forming apparatus at a time point a predetermined time before the determined recommendation timing;
Means for controlling the image forming apparatus not to output a print job until it is detected that calibration has been performed after performing calibration recommendation at the determined recommendation timing;
While the print job is controlled not to be output, the user is instructed that the print job specified by the information is not required to be density-stabilized by calibration along with the information specifying the print job. A means for outputting the print job specified by the information to the image forming apparatus;
Calibration recommendation device including A program for executing processing for prompting a user to calibrate an image forming apparatus,
Computer
Means for determining the recommended timing of calibration;
Means for outputting an instruction to limit the transition to the power saving mode to the image forming apparatus at a time point a predetermined time before the determined recommended timing when the recommended calibration timing is determined;
Means for controlling the image forming apparatus not to output a print job until it is detected that calibration has been performed after performing calibration recommendation at the determined recommendation timing;
While the print job is controlled not to be output, the user is instructed that the print job specified by the information is not required to be density-stabilized by calibration along with the information specifying the print job. A means for outputting the print job specified by the information to the image forming apparatus;
A program characterized by functioning as

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