JP4991377B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with at least one set of recording materials having the same hue and different lightness and capable of forming a tint block image. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of synthesizing and outputting a copy-suppressed copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image on the background of a document for the purpose of suppressing unauthorized copying or information leakage of an important document.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is known that uses a plurality of types of toners (dark toner and light toner) having different density levels, as described in Patent Document 1, for the purpose of further improving image quality. ing. By using multiple types of toner with different density levels in this way, further improvements in graininess and gradation reproducibility are realized from highlight (low density area) to halftone (medium density area). can do.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of security, receipts, securities, and certificates have been printed with a special pattern on the background that makes characters and images appear when copied so that they are not easily copied. There is. This special pattern is generally referred to as a “copy-inhibited tint block”, and a mechanism that prevents the original from being easily copied by copying is applied to achieve the effect of suppressing the copying of the original, although psychologically.

  In this copy suppression background pattern, as shown in FIG. 31, the same density of an area where dots remain after copying (hereinafter referred to as “latent image portion”) and an area where dots disappear after copying (hereinafter referred to as “background portion”). It consists of two areas. These two regions have substantially the same concentration in terms of macro. When observing from a distance of about 30 cm, which is called the distance of clear vision, it looks almost the same density, and the latent image portion and the background portion are difficult to separate and distinguish. At first glance, it is not clear that characters and images such as “copy” are hidden from the macro view, but they have different characteristics on a micro scale. This hidden character or image is called a “latent image”.

  In the implementation of the above-described copy-suppressing copy-forgery-inhibited pattern technology, print paper manufacturers have previously printed a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern including characters and images (latent images) such as “copy matter” in advance on special paper and sold it as copy-protection paper. It was. Then, government offices and companies purchased the copy-preventing paper and printed on the copy-preventing paper a document whose originality is to be guaranteed, thereby inhibiting the copying of the printed matter.

  The above-mentioned copy prevention paper is created by printing paper manufacturers by preprinting the background pattern on special paper, so there are cost disadvantages such as the cost of using special paper and the cost of preparing more than the required number of preprinted paper. Existed.

  On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, in recent years, a technique has been proposed in which a copy suppression copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is created by software, and a document in which the copy suppression copy-forgery-inhibited pattern is placed in the background is output by a laser beam printer or the like Has been. In this specification, this technique is referred to as “on-demand copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output method using a printer”. Furthermore, as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, a method for easily finding the optimum tint block parameter of the tint block density has been proposed.

  In this on-demand copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output method using a printer, a document having copy suppression copy-forgery-inhibited patterns placed on the background using plain paper can be output. Therefore, when necessary, a document having copy-suppressed copy-forgery-inhibited patterns placed on the background is output. be able to. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare copy prevention paper more than necessary as in the prior art. That is, the on-demand copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output method using a printer can greatly reduce the cost of paper compared to a conventional document copy suppression method using copy-preventing paper.

  Further, users of conventional copy protection paper can only use characters and images (latent images) that are prepared and hidden in advance, or characters and images (latent images) that are ordered and made by order.

  On the other hand, in the on-demand copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output method using a printer, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image including arbitrary hidden characters and images (latent images) is generated by software processing every time a user outputs, and output on demand by the printer. be able to. Therefore, according to this method, there is an advantage that hidden characters and images (latent images) can be freely customized.

  In the conventional copy prevention paper, the density of the latent image portion and the background portion is fixed, and the density of the tint block image cannot be changed according to the original. However, originally, the copy-inhibited background pattern has almost the same density in the latent image portion and the background portion at the time of output, and the density can be freely selected if it has the property that the latent image emerges when copied by the target copier. can do.

  In the on-demand copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output method using a printer, the copy-suppressed copy-forgery-inhibited pattern density can be easily changed.

An application that synthesizes and outputs a tint block may include a user interface that allows the user to select a tint block density. Thus, the user can first select the tint block density. Then, the application can execute test printing at the selected darkness, and can determine a parameter at which the densities of the latent image portion and the background portion are substantially equal at the time of output.
JP-A-8-171252 JP 2001-197297 A JP 2005-91730 A JP 2005-94327 A

  Conventionally, by using multiple types of toner (deep color toner and light color toner) with the same hue and different density levels, improvement in gradation in the low density area and suppression of toner consumption in the high density area There is an image forming apparatus for achieving this. Such an image forming apparatus has a color conversion table for each of the dark and light toners. However, in such an image forming apparatus, if a tint block image is formed using a color conversion table for forming an actual image (original image) as it is, the following problems may occur. That is, in this case, the tint block is formed by using a plurality of types of toners of dark color toner and light color toner. Usually, it may be difficult to form a tint block image on a transfer material without a dot shift of a toner image composed of a plurality of types of toner. Due to this dot misalignment, the tint block image in the latent image portion and the background portion cannot be adjusted to an appropriate density, or the tint block image density varies depending on individual differences of the image forming apparatus main body, environment, image information, etc. Sometimes. In particular, if a dot shift occurs in the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image portion, the latent image portion disappears, or the background portion that should originally disappear does not disappear, which greatly affects the image of the copy original. For this reason, with respect to suppression of dot deviation, the tint block image is required to have higher accuracy than the actual image.

  From the viewpoint of environmental considerations or the running cost of the apparatus, it is desired that the toner consumption is as small as possible.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress deterioration in quality of a tint block image due to dot misalignment of a tint block image and to reduce toner consumption in an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using at least one set of recording materials having the same hue and different brightness. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the above.

The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention develops an electrostatic image formed on a photoconductor with a first toner, and also forms a first image forming means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and formed on the photoconductor. A second image forming means for developing the electrostatic image with a second toner having the same hue as the first toner and having a lightness lower than that of the first toner, and transferring the toner image to a transfer material; An image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image in which a background pattern composed of a latent image portion and a background portion formed by dots smaller than the latent image portion is added to a document image, and outputs an image in which the background pattern is added to the document image In this case, the original image portion output on the transfer material is controlled to be formed with the first toner and the second toner, and the tint block portion is formed using only the second toner. And controlling the first image forming means and the second image forming means An image forming apparatus, characterized in that it comprises a control means.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using at least one set of recording materials having the same hue and different brightness, the deterioration of the quality of the tint block image due to the dot shift of the tint block image is suppressed and the toner consumption is reduced. Can be planned.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
[Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus]
First, the overall configuration and operation of an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

  In addition, in each drawing, the element which has the same or equivalent function and structure is attached | subjected the same code | symbol, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted as much as possible. In the following description, an image forming apparatus may have a plurality of elements having substantially the same configuration and function provided corresponding to different types of recording materials (specifically, toners). . If these elements do not need to be distinguished from each other, the subscripts Bk, LBk, C, and the like given to the reference numerals in the drawing to indicate that the elements are provided for any type of toner. LC, M, LM, Y, and LY are abbreviate | omitted and it demonstrates collectively.

  1 to 4 show an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of forming an image with at least one set of recording materials having the same hue and different brightness as an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. A schematic cross-sectional configuration is shown. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, a toner having the same hue and high brightness is referred to as a toner having the same hue and low density (light color toner). A toner having the same hue and low brightness is called a toner having the same hue and high density (dark toner). In particular, the image forming apparatuses 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 use a “dark toner” having a higher density and a “light toner” having a lower density as recording materials having the same hue and different densities. Two types of toner combinations having different densities are used. The image forming apparatuses 100a to 100d in FIGS. 1 to 4 can form images using toners having the same hue and different densities as follows. That is, the image density information is decomposed into image data for dark color toner and image data for light color toner. Light color toner is formed by image exposure based on image data for dark color toner and development using dark toner, and image exposure based on image data for light color toner and development using light color toner Form an image. Then, an image is formed by superimposing the dark color toner image and the light color toner image.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a monochrome image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. 1 includes a black (Bk) image forming unit 200Bk as a dark toner image forming unit that forms an image using a dark toner having a higher density among toners having the same hue and different densities. . In addition, the image forming apparatus 100b is a light black (LBk) (or gray) image forming unit 200LBk as a light color toner image forming unit that forms an image using a light color toner having a lower density among toners having the same hue and different densities. Have As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG. 1, the dark color developing unit that performs development using dark toner and the light color developing unit that performs development using light color toner have different Bk toners and Bk toners on different photosensitive drums 1Bk and 1LBk, respectively. An image is formed using LBk toner.

  The image forming unit 200 is provided with a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member, that is, a photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow A (clockwise). Around the photosensitive drum 1, there are a charging roller (charging device) 2 as charging means for charging the photosensitive drum 1, and an exposure device (this example) as exposure means (image writing means) for writing an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, a laser scanner 3 is provided. Further, around the photosensitive drum 1, a developing device 4 as a developing unit that develops an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1 and a cleaner (cleaning device) 7 as a cleaning unit that cleans the photosensitive drum 1 are provided. Yes.

  Further, an intermediate transfer belt 40 formed of an endless belt as an intermediate transfer member is provided facing the photosensitive drums 1LBk and 1Bk of the image forming units 200LBk and 200Bk. The intermediate transfer belt 40 is stretched around three rollers, that is, a driving roller 20, a supporting roller 21, and a backup roller 22 as a plurality of supporting members, and the driving roller 20 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow B in the drawing. It moves around (rotates) in the direction of arrow D in the figure.

  On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 40, a primary transfer roller (primary transfer device) 5 as a primary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1 of each image forming unit 200. The primary transfer roller 5 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40 and presses the intermediate transfer belt 40 toward the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, a nip (primary transfer nip) is formed at the primary transfer portion N1 where the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. A secondary transfer roller (secondary transfer device) 23 as a secondary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the backup 22 on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 40. The secondary transfer roller 23 is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 40 at a position facing the backup roller 22, and forms a nip (secondary transfer nip) at the secondary transfer portion N2 where the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. To do.

  In the image forming apparatus 100a shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of image forming units are arranged in the order for the colors LBk and Bk along the moving direction of the toner image transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40.

  The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charging roller 2 substantially uniformly (uniformly) with negative polarity in this example (for example, charging potential: −400 V). Next, the exposure device 3 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with laser light corresponding to the image information, whereby an electrostatic image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 (for example, exposure portion potential: −50 V).

  Next, the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed as a toner image by the developing device 4. The developing device 4 includes a developing sleeve as a developer carrying member that conveys toner as a developer to a developing unit facing the photosensitive drum 1. At the time of development, a predetermined developing bias (for example, DC: −250 V, AC: 1000 Vpp) is applied to the developing sleeve. Thereby, in this example, the negatively charged toner is transferred from the developing sleeve to the photosensitive drum 1 in accordance with the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1. In this example, the toner charged to the same polarity as the charged polarity of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied on the photosensitive drum 1 by a reversal developing method in which the toner is attached to the portion irradiated with the laser beam (the portion where the charge is attenuated). A toner image is formed.

  The toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is electrostatically applied on the intermediate transfer belt 40 by a voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 5 and having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this example). Transfer (primary transfer) is performed.

  After the primary transfer process is completed, the toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed and collected by the cleaner 7 and then charged substantially uniformly (uniformly) by the charging roller 2 again. And used for the next image formation.

  In the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG. 1, the above-described steps are sequentially performed in the LBk image forming unit 200LBk and the Bk image forming unit 200Bk when a real image (original image) is formed (at the time of original image formation). Thereby, first, the LBk toner image formed in accordance with the image information on the photosensitive drum 1LBk is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40. Next, similarly, a Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1Bk according to the image information is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40 so as to overlap the LBk image on the intermediate transfer belt 40.

  Next, the superimposed toner image of the two types of toner on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is applied by the secondary transfer roller 23 to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this example) is applied. Transfer (secondary transfer) is performed on the transfer material P.

  The transfer material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 at a predetermined timing by a transfer material supply unit (not shown).

  The intermediate transfer belt 40 that has finished the secondary transfer process removes toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the surface thereof by an intermediate transfer belt cleaner (intermediate transfer belt cleaning device) 30 as an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit. It is collected and used for the next image formation.

  The transfer material P carrying the toner image secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 40 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 40 and then conveyed to a fixing device 6 as a fixing unit, where it receives heat and pressure. As a result, the toner image on the transfer material P is fixed on the transfer material P. Thereafter, the transfer material P is discharged out of the image forming apparatus main body.

  The image forming apparatus 100 a in FIG. 1 is called a tandem type, and a plurality of image forming units are arranged, and one image can be formed by one rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 40. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100a having such a configuration has an advantage of being suitable for high speed.

In the tandem type image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 1, a dark color image forming means (second image forming means) for forming a dark toner image on the transfer material P having the following means is configured. The That is, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4 and the primary transfer roller 5, and the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the secondary transfer roller of the image forming unit using dark toner (second toner). 23 means. In addition, a light color image forming means (first image forming means) for forming a light color toner image on the transfer material P is configured with the following means . That is, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4 and the primary transfer roller 5, and the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the secondary transfer roller 23 in the image forming unit using light color toner (first toner). These means. Here, the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the secondary transfer roller 23 are common to the dark color image forming unit and the light color image forming unit.

  FIG. 2 shows another example of the monochrome image forming apparatus.

  Similar to the image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. 2 uses Bk toner, which is dark color toner, and LBk toner, which is light color toner, as toners having the same hue and different densities. However, the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. 2 does not have a plurality of image forming units unlike the image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. 1, and a plurality of developing devices 4 are provided for one photosensitive drum 1, Development is performed by different developing devices 4 using dark color toner and light color toner, respectively.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. 2 includes a rotary developing device 4A in which a plurality of developing devices 4 are arranged on a rotatable developing device support (rotating body). The rotary developing device 4A is provided with a Bk developing unit 4Bk that uses Bk toner that is dark color toner and an LBk developing unit 4LBk that uses LBk toner that is light color toner. By rotating the developing device support, the desired developing device 4 can be moved to the position facing the photosensitive drum 1 (developing position). As described above, in the image forming apparatus 100b of FIG. 2, the dark color developing portion that performs development with dark toner and the light color developing portion that performs development with light toner are at substantially the same position on the single photosensitive drum 1, respectively. An image is formed using Bk toner and LBk toner.

  In the image forming apparatus 100b of FIG. 2, the secondary transfer roller 23 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40 (secondary transfer position), and is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40 (retracted). Position). Similarly, the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 30 is movable between a contact position (cleaning position) that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40 and a separated position (retracted position) that is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40. ing.

  In the image forming apparatus 100b of FIG. 2, first, the LBk toner corresponding to the image information on the photosensitive drum 1 using the LBk developing unit 4LBk, similarly to the operation in each image forming unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG. An image is formed. Then, the LBk image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40 by a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner applied to the primary transfer roller 5 (positive polarity in this example).

  Next, the intermediate transfer belt 40 carrying the LBk toner image continues to rotate. At this time, since the secondary transfer roller 23 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 30 are retracted from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40, the LBk toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is not disturbed. The primary transfer process can be prepared.

  While the intermediate transfer belt 40 carrying the LBk toner image is rotating, the Bk developing unit 4Bk and the LBk developing unit 4LBk of the rotary developing device 4A rotate in the direction of arrow C, and the developing unit 4Bk It is arranged at the facing position (development position).

  Then, a Bk toner image corresponding to the image information is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 using the Bk developing device 4Bk in the same manner as when forming the Bk toner image. The Bk toner image is superimposed on the LBk toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 40 by a voltage (a positive polarity in this example) opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner applied to the primary transfer roller 5. Primary transfer is performed on the intermediate transfer belt 40.

  Each time the primary transfer process using each toner is completed, the toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is removed and collected by the cleaner 7 for the next image formation. Provided.

  Next, the retracted secondary transfer roller 23 returns to the secondary transfer position in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 40 in preparation for the secondary transfer process. The superimposed toner image of the two types of toner on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is transferred to the transfer material by the secondary transfer roller 23 to which a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner (positive polarity in this example) is applied. Secondary transferred onto P.

  The transfer material P is conveyed to the secondary transfer portion N2 at a predetermined timing by a transfer material supply unit (not shown).

  On the other hand, the retracted intermediate transfer belt cleaner 30 returns to the cleaning position in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 40 in preparation for the cleaning process of the intermediate transfer belt 40. The intermediate transfer belt 40 that has completed the secondary transfer process is subjected to removal of the toner remaining on the surface (transfer residual toner) by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 30 and recovery, and is used for the next image formation. .

  The transfer material P carrying the toner image secondarily transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 40 is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 40 and then conveyed to the fixing device 6 where the toner image is fixed on the transfer material P. . Thereafter, the transfer material P is discharged out of the image forming apparatus main body.

  The image forming apparatus 100b shown in FIG. 2 is called a one-drum type, and can form an image by a plurality of developing units on one photosensitive drum, and can form one image by a plurality of rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 40. Therefore, compared with the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG. 1, it is disadvantageous for speeding up, but since the number of parts can be reduced, it has advantages of low cost and downsizing (space saving).

  In the one-drum type image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 2, a dark color image forming means for forming a dark toner image on the transfer material P has the following means. That is, they are the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4 for the dark toner, the primary transfer roller 5, the intermediate transfer belt 40, and the secondary transfer roller 23. Further, a light color image forming means for forming a light color toner image on the transfer material P has the following means. That is, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the light-color toner developing device 4, the primary transfer roller 5, the intermediate transfer belt 40, and the secondary transfer roller 23. Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the primary transfer roller 5, the intermediate transfer belt 40, and the secondary transfer roller 23 are common to the dark color image forming unit and the light color image forming unit.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a color image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100c in FIG. 3 is a tandem type image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. 1 and capable of forming a full color image using at least one set of toners having the same hue and different densities.

  The image forming apparatus 100c in FIG. 3 uses the following combination of toners having the same hue and different densities, in addition to the Bk toner that is the dark color toner and the LBk toner that is the light color toner similar to the image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. Each combination is used. That is, dark toner and light toner, yellow (Y) toner and light yellow (LY) toner, magenta (M) toner and light magenta (LM) toner, cyan (C) toner and light cyan (LC) toner, respectively. is there.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 100c shown in FIG. 3 has a Bk image forming unit 200Bk, a C image forming unit 200C, an M image forming unit 200M, and a Y image forming unit as dark toner image forming units that form images using dark toner. Part 200Y. Also, the image forming unit 100c in FIG. 3 is an LBk image forming unit 200LBk, an LC image forming unit 200LC, an LM image forming unit 200LM, and an LY image forming unit 200LY as light color toner image forming units that form an image using light color toner. Have

  In the image forming apparatus 100c illustrated in FIG. 3, the plurality of image forming units includes LY, Y, LM, M, LC, C, LBk, and Bk colors along the moving direction of the toner image transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40. Are arranged in order.

  The operation for forming an actual image (original image) in the image forming apparatus 100c of FIG. 3 is substantially the same as that of the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG. 1 except that the number of image forming units is increased. That is, in the image forming apparatus 100c of FIG. 3, for example, when forming a full-color actual image (original image), each toner image of LY, Y, LM, M, LC, C, LBk, and Bk is sequentially transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. The primary transfer is performed by superimposing the image on the image 40. The formation of the toner image on each photosensitive drum 1 and the transfer of the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 40 are performed in the same manner as in the case of the LBk and Bk toner images in the image forming apparatus 100a of FIG.

  The superimposed toner images of the eight types of toner on the intermediate transfer belt 40 are secondarily transferred onto the transfer material P in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 100a in FIG. It is fixed.

  3 has eight image forming units, the image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the LBk image forming unit 200LBk and the LY image forming unit 200LY may be deleted to configure an image forming apparatus having six image forming units, and the combination of the image forming units is arbitrary.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of a color image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100d in FIG. 4 is a one-drum type image forming apparatus similar to the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. 2 that can form a full-color image using at least one set of toners having the same hue and different densities. .

  The image forming apparatus 100d in FIG. 4 uses the following combination of toners having the same hue and different densities, in addition to the Bk toner that is the dark toner and the LBk toner that is the light color toner similar to the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. Each combination is used. That is, dark toner and light toner, yellow (Y) toner and light yellow (LY) toner, magenta (M) toner and light magenta (LM) toner, cyan (C) toner and light cyan (LC) toner, respectively. is there.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 100d in FIG. 4 includes a Bk developing unit 4Bk, an LBk developing unit 4LBk, a C developing unit 4C, an LC developing unit 4LC, an M developing unit 4M, an LM developing unit 4LM, and a Y developing unit that are rotatably arranged. 4Y and LY developing unit 4LY. Similarly to the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. 2, each of the developing devices is mounted on a rotatable developing device support (rotating member) to constitute a rotary developing device 4B.

  The operation for forming an actual image (original image) in the image forming apparatus 100d of FIG. 4 is substantially the same as that of the image forming apparatus 100b of FIG. 2 except that the number of developing devices is increased. That is, in the image forming apparatus 100d of FIG. 4, for example, when forming a full-color actual image (original image), each toner image of LY, Y, LM, M, LC, C, LBk, and Bk is sequentially transferred to the photosensitive drum 1. Formed on top. The toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in the same manner as the LBk and Bk toner images in the image forming apparatus 100b of FIG. These toner images are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40 each time they are formed on the photosensitive drum 1. As a result, the toner images of LY, Y, LM, M, LC, C, LBk, and Bk are sequentially superimposed and sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt.

  The superimposed toner image of the eight types of toner on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is secondarily transferred onto the transfer material P in the same manner as the image forming apparatus 100b in FIG. It is fixed.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 100d in FIG. 4 includes eight developing devices, but the image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the LBk developing device 4LBk and the LY developing device 4LY may be deleted to constitute an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device having six developing devices, and the combination of the developing devices is arbitrary.

  Here, some image forming apparatuses to which the present invention can be applied have been illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, but the embodiments of the image forming apparatus are not limited to those described above. .

  For example, a mode in which a tandem type and a one-drum type are combined can be considered. An image forming apparatus having an image forming unit in which a single developing unit is provided for a single photosensitive drum, and an image forming unit in which a plurality of developing units are provided for a single photosensitive drum. May be configured.

  The image forming apparatuses 100a to 100d in FIGS. 1 to 4 have been described as adopting an intermediate transfer method using an intermediate transfer body, but are not limited thereto. Instead of the intermediate transfer member, a direct transfer method using a transfer material carrier that carries and conveys a transfer material may be employed.

  For example, FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional configuration of an image forming apparatus 100e that employs the direct transfer method and has eight image forming units as in the image forming apparatus 100c of FIG. An image forming apparatus 100e in FIG. 5 includes a conveyance belt 50 formed of an endless belt as a transfer material carrier, instead of the intermediate transfer belt 40 of the image forming apparatus 100c in FIG. On the inner peripheral surface side of the conveying belt 50, a transfer unit serving as a transfer unit that faces the photosensitive drums 1 of the image forming units 200 and performs substantially the same function as the primary transfer roller of the image forming apparatus 100 c of FIG. 3. A roller 5 is provided. The transfer roller 5 presses the conveyance belt 50 toward the photosensitive drum 1. Thus, a nip (transfer nip) is formed at the transfer portion N where the conveyance belt 50 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. The transfer material P is supplied onto the conveyance belt 50 at a predetermined timing, and is preferably electrostatically attracted. As the conveyance belt 50 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow D, a plurality of types of toner are transferred from the photosensitive drums 1 of the image forming units 200 to the transfer material P carried on the conveyance belt 50 in each transfer unit N. The toner images consisting of are sequentially superimposed and transferred. Thereafter, the transfer material P is separated from the conveyance belt 50 and conveyed to the fixing device 6, where the toner image is fixed to the transfer material P.

  In this case, the dark color image forming means for forming the dark color toner image on the transfer material P is the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4, and the transfer roller 5 of the image forming unit using the dark color toner. Each means is configured. The light color image forming means for forming a light color toner image on the transfer material P includes the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the developing device 4, and the transfer roller 5 of the image forming unit using the light color toner. It is configured.

  Similarly, for example, when the direct transfer method is adopted in a one-drum type image forming apparatus such as the image forming apparatus 100d in FIG. 4, the conveying belt 50 is carried on the conveying belt 50 by rotating the conveying belt 50 a plurality of times. The transfer material P is conveyed to the same transfer portion a plurality of times. As a result, a toner image composed of a plurality of types of toner can be superimposed and transferred onto the transfer material P on the transport belt 50.

  In this case, the dark color image forming means for forming the dark color toner image on the transfer material P includes the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the dark toner developing device 4 and the transfer roller 5. It is configured. The light color image forming means for forming a light color toner image on the transfer material P includes the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, the light color toner developing device 4, and the transfer roller 5. Is done. Here, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller 2, the exposure device 3, and the transfer roller 5 are common to the dark color image forming unit and the light color image forming unit.

  Any of the above-described image forming apparatuses functions as a copying machine that forms (copies) an image in accordance with image information from an image reading means (not shown) that is provided in the image forming apparatus main body or is communicably connected. You may have. In addition to or in place of the above, any of the above-described image forming apparatuses forms an image according to image information from a host device (not shown) such as a personal computer that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus main body. It may have a function as a printer for (printing).

[Image processing system]
Next, the image processing system will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image processing system in the present embodiment.

  At the time of copying, an original image is read by an image reading means (reader) using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (F1A). At the time of printing, image data developed from a PDL (page description language) processing unit is transmitted from a computer or the like (F1B). In the case of color, it is an RGB signal, and in the case of monochrome, it is a V (luminance) signal.

  Next, the analog signal output and amplified from the CCD is A / D converted into a digital signal of 8 to 10 bits, and shading correction is performed, followed by image processing such as color space conversion, logarithmic conversion, black generation, and color correction. Performed (F2). Note that the image data may be read from the memory in which it is stored and subjected to similar processing.

  The image data obtained by the image processing (F2) is color-separated into each color (F3), and dark color toner image data (F4A) and light color toner image data (F4B) are created.

  The decomposed image data for dark color toner and light color toner are subjected to γ correction (F5A, F5B) for each toner, and PWM modulation (Pulse Width Modulation) (F6). In the PWM modulation, it is preferable that the dot is formed with large dots so as to improve dot reproduction in the highlight portion (low density portion) and the recording unit is enlarged. For example, for light color toner image data, two-pixel PWM is performed to increase the gradation, and the recording unit is increased. On the other hand, 1-pixel PWM is performed on dark toner image data because the resolving power is important. Note that intensity modulation or dithering may be used instead of PWM modulation.

  In accordance with the image data for dark toner and light toner for which PWM modulation has been completed, image exposure is performed on the photosensitive drum by the exposure device (F7).

  In an image forming apparatus using dark toner and light toner, it is desirable that there is a relationship between an output image signal and a density (reflection density) as shown in FIG. 7 between the dark toner and the light toner, for example. The density difference between the dark color toner and the light color toner is caused by the difference in the amount of pigment contained in the toner particles. The density of each toner depends on the image forming apparatus. In general, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7, the density of the dark toner is desirably set so that the maximum density (optical density) Dmax (H) = 1.3 to 2.0. In general, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 7, it is desirable to set the density of the light color toner so that the maximum density Dmax (L) = 0.2 to 1.0. Preferably, the density of the light color toner is 50% or less of the density of the dark color toner.

  More specifically, toners having the same hue and different concentrations are typically toners having the same spectral characteristics and different amounts of coloring components (pigments) contained in a toner based on a resin and pigment. Say. Here, the same hue means that the spectral characteristics of the coloring components (pigments) are the same, but even if they are not exactly the same, generally they are usually like magenta, cyan, yellow, black, etc. The range of colors that can be called the same color.

  Further, the toner particle size and the charge amount are preferably in the same level for the dark toner and the light toner.

  The gradation characteristics shown in FIG. 7 vary depending on the toner particle diameter, the color material contained in the toner, and γ conversion, but the gradient ratio can be designed to be the same for dark toner and light toner. Is preferred.

  For example, FIG. 8 shows a color conversion table of a typical example of color separation from a conventional dark color toner (Bk) to dark color toner (Bk) and light color toner (LBk) performed in image data color separation (F3). Shown in In the color conversion table of FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is the input image signal of the conventional dark toner (Bk) of the image data, and the vertical axis is the output image signal of the dark toner (Bk) and the light toner (LBk) of the image data. Yes, dark toner (Bk) is indicated by a solid line, and light toner (LBk) is indicated by a one-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 8, the output image signal of the light color toner (LBk) becomes large in the low density portion, and the output image signal of the dark color toner (Bk) is controlled to increase as the density goes to the high density portion. The output image signal of the light color toner (LBk) is preferably decreased from the middle density portion to the high density portion in order to keep the limit of the toner loading amount.

  Further, the color conversion table for color separation of the dark color toner and the light color toner as shown in FIG. 8 may be changed (has a plurality) according to the image data. Thus, for example, the color conversion table for dark toner and light toner is changed depending on whether the image data obtained by the image processing (F2) is a halftone image (photo image or the like) or a character image. can do. For example, FIG. 8 is a halftone image color conversion table, and FIG. 9 is a character image color conversion table. Depending on whether the image data is a halftone image or a character image, the composition ratio of dark toner and light toner is changed. change. That is, for halftone images, image data that increases the use of light color toner as shown in FIG. 8 is created to improve gradation, and for character images, dark toner is used as shown in FIG. It is preferable that image data that is used more frequently is created to produce a clear character image.

  Here, when only the dark color toner is used, it is not necessary to perform color conversion of the dark color toner image signal into the dark color toner and the light color toner, so the color conversion table shown in FIG. 10 is used. In this case, since the color conversion table of FIG. 10 can be set as input image signal = output image signal, the color conversion table can be omitted.

[Copy suppression background pattern]
Next, the copy suppression background pattern will be described. The copy-inhibited background pattern (background pattern image) in this embodiment is a special pattern in which characters and images appear when copied so that they are not easily copied on receipts, securities, and certificates from the viewpoint of security. Is the one printed on the background. This special pattern provides a mechanism that prevents the original from being easily copied by copying, and realizes an effect of suppressing (suppressing) copying of the original, although psychologically. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image has a background portion where the image disappears (not emphasized) when copied, and a latent image portion where the image appears to be emphasized (emphasized) because the image does not disappear after copying.

  As a system of an image forming apparatus in which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is established, for example, the following system is available. That is, if the dot size of the background portion of the output document is smaller than the reading limit of the reader, the image of the background portion is lost after copying.

  More specifically, the mechanism of the copier in which the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is established will be described.

  A solid line MA in FIG. 32 shows a copy resolution capability (copy MTF) of a general copying machine. If the number of lines (LPI = Line Per Inch), which is one of frequency information, is taken on the horizontal axis and the contrast (intensity) is taken on the vertical axis, the high frequency region cannot be reproduced. This phenomenon occurs due to factors such as reader MTF at the time of copying, image processing technique, halftoning, and resolution of image formation, but the tendency of copying MTF is the same tendency as each manufacturer and is a high-frequency component. The copy reproduction ability decreases. The number of lines here refers to the minimum value of the distance between the centers of gravity of isolated dots when an image is formed. In the case of image formation with the dot concentration type, the distance between the centers of gravity of adjacent isolated dots is constant, so the number of lines = the distance between the centers of gravity of isolated dots. A high line number has a short dot interval, and a low line number has a long dot interval. As described above, when the distance between the isolated dots is too close, the blank portion sandwiched between the isolated dots and the adjacent isolated dots influence each other, and the reader reads the outline of the isolated dots blurring (low density).

  For example, by operating the density adjusting unit of the copying machine, it is possible to erase all of the tint block portion or leave the entire background portion during copying. As indicated by the one-dot chain line MB in FIG. 32, when the density is adjusted on the dark side, the reproducibility on the high line number side is improved (the density drop of the copy original is small). As indicated by a two-dot chain line MC in FIG. 32, when density adjustment is performed on the thin side, the reproducibility on the low line number side is reduced (the density reduction of the copy original is large).

  As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 58-47708, a well-balanced spatial frequency and density range (halftone dot%) are achieved so that the background portion disappears and the latent image portion remains during copying. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be formed by selecting.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, an image forming system in which a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is established by adjusting the reader MTF (reader's reading resolution capability) is constructed. Specifically, if the resolution is 300 to 2400 dpi and the reader MTF (reader's reading and resolving capability) is 600 lpi or less, the tint block image is formed. In this embodiment, the leader MTF recommends 0.7 or less when the number of lines is 600 lpi, and is set to 0.7. At this time, if the number of lines in the background portion is about 200 lpi or more, the dots disappear after copying, and if the latent image portion is about 80 lpi or less, the dots remain after copying. For this reason, in this embodiment, the number of lines in the background portion is set to 206 lpi, and the latent image portion is set to 60 lpi. A method for changing the leader MTF is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-191830. The tint block image can also be formed by changing the degree of dot concentration. Concentrated dots and dispersed dots can be generated by dither processing using dither matrices having different numbers of lines and different characteristics.

  In a dither processing method using a dither matrix, in order to obtain a concentrated dot arrangement, a dot concentrated dither matrix (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-167810) may be used. Further, in order to obtain a dispersed dot arrangement, a dot dispersion type dither matrix (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-291468) may be used.

  When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated using the above-described dither processing, halftone dot processing with a low number of lines is suitable for the latent image portion and halftone dot processing with a high number of lines is suitable for the background portion. Furthermore, dither processing using a dot concentration type dither matrix is suitable for the latent image portion, and dither processing using a dot dispersion type dither matrix is suitable for the background portion. In the dot concentration type, the number of lines is determined by a period called a submatrix in the dither matrix as described in JP-A-11-331621. However, the dot dispersion type has a high resolution because dots are dispersed in the submatrix. It is an image. In the dot dispersion type, in order to change the density, the dot size is made small and constant, and the number of dots is increased. That is, in the case of a 600 dpi dot dispersion type dither, 1 dot 1 space (1 dot 1 space) is the minimum interval, and 300 lpi is the maximum number of lines (when not adjacent to each other).

  In this embodiment, the density of the tint block image is 0.7. A method for changing the leader MTF is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-191830.

  The tint block image can also be formed by changing the degree of dot concentration. Concentrated dots and dispersed dots can be generated by halftone processing using halftone dots having different numbers of lines or dither processing using dither matrices having different characteristics in terms of image processing.

  In this halftone processing, it is preferable to use a halftone dot with a low number of lines in order to obtain a concentrated dot arrangement, and use a halftone dot with a high number of lines in order to obtain a dispersed dot arrangement.

  In the dither processing method using a dither matrix, it is preferable to use a dot concentrated dither matrix in order to obtain a concentrated dot arrangement, and to use a dot distributed dither matrix in order to obtain a dispersed dot arrangement.

  Therefore, when a tint block image is generated by using the above-described halftone dot processing, halftone dot processing with a low number of lines is suitable for the latent image portion and halftone dot processing with a high number of lines is suitable for the background portion. When a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is generated using dither processing, dither processing using a dot concentration type dither matrix is suitable for the latent image portion, and dither processing using a dot dispersion type dither matrix is suitable for the background portion. Details of the dither processing will be described later.

  In this embodiment, the image corresponding to the background portion is designed so that dots are discretely arranged using a dot dispersion type dither matrix, and the image corresponding to the latent image portion is used using a dot concentration type dither matrix. Assume that the dots are designed to be concentrated.

  In general, a copying machine has a limit of image reproduction capability that depends on an input resolution for reading minute dots of a copied document and an output resolution for reproducing minute dots. Therefore, if there are isolated microdots in the document that exceed the input or output image reproduction capability of the copier, the microcopy cannot be reproduced completely in the copy, and the isolated microdots will be lost. End up.

  Specifically, large dots and a low number of lines in which dots are concentrated can be reproduced by copying. However, the number of high lines in which dots are concentrated or the number of high lines in which dots are dispersed cannot be reproduced. This causes a phenomenon in which a hidden image (latent image) emerges. Even if the dots dispersed by copying are not completely eliminated, they are also hidden when there is a clear density difference (density difference between the latent image portion and the background portion) after copying compared to the concentrated dots. The image (latent image) appears.

(1) Camouflage technology In addition, a technology called “camouflage”, which makes it difficult to distinguish hidden characters and images (latent images) in copy suppression background patterns, is well known. This camouflage technique is a method of arranging a pattern having a density different from that of the latent image portion and the background portion over the entire copy-inhibited tint block image. According to the camouflage technique, at first glance, a camouflage pattern having a density different from that of the latent image portion and the background portion is conspicuous, and the latent image is further inconspicuous.

  In addition, compared with a copy inhibition background pattern having no camouflage pattern, the copy inhibition background pattern having a camouflage pattern has an effect of giving a decorative impression to the printed matter. In this camouflage pattern, it is desirable that the dots inside the camouflage pattern disappear as much as possible after copying so that the latent image can be easily distinguished after copying. In the simplest case, camouflage can be realized by not hitting a dot at a location corresponding to the camouflage pattern.

(2) Regarding reader resolution and resolving power The resolution can be said to be a numerical value representing how much image information of an area can be exchanged with a signal. On the other hand, the resolving power can be said to be a numerical value representing how much reading ability is actually present and how much reproduction reproduction ability is present. Therefore, the resolution of the reader and the MTF (resolution) of the reader do not always match. For example, when a high-definition chart is read by a reader (resolution 600 dpi), there are many readers with a 300 lpi pattern and a contrast ratio of about 0.3 to 0.5. The contrast ratio is the desired line contrast ratio (contrast of 300 lpi chart / 2 white and black patch contrast of about 2 cm square) when the difference between the reading values of white and black patches of about 2 cm square is 1. The lower the contrast ratio, the more blurry it looks. The 300 lpi is a pattern of one pixel line and one space of 600 dpi. When the value of contrast 0.3 is binarized by dithering or the like, the above pattern does not appear (the line and space are output in white or black). From this, it can be understood that the resolution and MTF (resolution) are different.

  A high-definition chart can be created by DDCP (such as Digital Konsensus Pro manufactured by Konica Minolta Co., Ltd.) in which one pixel line and one pixel space of 600 dpi are completely formed of white and black. It can also be created with a film setter (such as GENASETT manufactured by Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.).

  The unit on the frequency side of the resolving power (MTF) is defined by the number of lines per inch, but may be defined by the number of lines per mm. Further, the vertical and horizontal MTF characteristics are also important, and it is difficult to exhibit the tint block effect in a system having a high MTF on one side.

(3) Concerning the density of the tint block image When the background portion is formed using the dot-concentrated dither matrix, the image must be formed with dots having a small dot size (dot diameter) even if the number of lines is the same. . This is because even if the isolated dot cannot be reproduced due to the MTF characteristics of the reader, if the macro density exceeds D = 0.25, the density is reproduced on the copy original. That is, the density of the background portion becomes high and it is difficult to understand the difference from the latent image portion. Therefore, it is recommended that D = 0.25 or less for the background portion. In this case, the halftone dot area ratio (solid is 100%) varies depending on the model, but is often 25% or less. Note that D is Density, and the light sources are STATUS A and Visual Density.

(4) Resolution characteristics (MTF characteristics)
A copying machine has a limit of image reproduction capability that depends on an input resolution for reading minute dots of a copied document and an output resolution for reproducing minute dots. If minute dots exceeding the limit of the image reproduction capability exist in the original, the minute dots cannot be completely reproduced in the copied material. This characteristic is dominated by the MTF characteristic of the leader. Furthermore, the lens material characteristics (polishing degree, material characteristics, etc.) and the flatness of the mirror affect the curvature of field, chromatic aberration, increase of diffused light, transparency, etc. MTF is determined.

  The higher the MTF (the higher the contrast ratio on the high line number side), the better. Many of the originals of the copying machine are halftone originals (printers and general offset printed matter), and when the halftone dots are read faithfully, they interfere with the dither processing on the printer side during output, and moire occurs. That is, moderately blurred leader MTF characteristics are optimal for a copying machine. Therefore, the contrast ratio is around 0.3 to 0.5 in a 300 lpi pattern.

  As described above, when a blurred line or dot is formed, it disappears by normal dither processing or γLUT (Look Up Table), or is reproduced smaller than the original dot.

  Furthermore, the standard mode of copiers is designed to skip the background of the original. If an attempt is made to reproduce the original faithfully, the paper color, wrinkles, curls, creases, etc. of the original are also reproduced (colored), and the image quality deteriorates. Further, since toner is used in unnecessary portions, there is no advantage in running cost. This background removal function is realized by optimizing a one-dimensional input / output relationship table called γLUT (making it difficult to highlight). For example, when copying a newspaper, it is used to copy only characters and set the background gray of the newspaper to be blown (set to white).

  Next, a method for forming a copy suppression copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image with the image forming apparatus will be described in more detail.

  Hereinafter, the dither matrix used to generate the background image is referred to as “background dither matrix”, and the dither matrix used to generate the image of the latent image portion is referred to as “latent image dither matrix”.

  The dither method is a method in which a multi-value output image signal is compared with a threshold value calculated according to a certain rule, and a binary image is output based on the magnitude relationship. The dither matrix is a threshold matrix in which thresholds for binarizing the output image signal by the dither method are two-dimensionally arranged.

  A binary image (threshold pattern) is obtained by binarizing the pixel value of the output image signal with the threshold value of the corresponding dither matrix. At this time, the obtained binary image has one bit (for example, 1) in the pixel value when the gradation of the output image signal is less than the threshold of the dither matrix, and the other bit (for example, 0) when the output value is equal to or greater than the threshold. ) Is assigned.

  In the following description, the binary image constituting the background portion is referred to as “background threshold pattern”, and the binary image constituting the latent image portion is referred to as “latent image threshold pattern”.

  In this embodiment, a combination of a background threshold pattern and a latent image threshold pattern, which is a pattern (binary image) constituting the background portion and the latent image portion, such that the density of the background portion and the latent image portion becomes equal when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed. Is determined in advance. Then, a background threshold pattern, a latent image threshold pattern, a latent image background area designating image which is a binary image designating a background part and a latent image part, and a camouflage area designating image which is a binary image designating a camouflage area are used. , Perform logical operations. As a result, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be generated at high speed and with a small amount of memory.

  The background threshold pattern and the latent image threshold pattern are parameters for determining the density of the background portion and latent image portion of the tint block image at the time of forming the tint block image, and are specific components of the “background tint density parameter”.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing internal processing for generating a tint block image at the time of printing in this embodiment. This copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation is performed by a processing block group including a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, a composition unit 302, an image data processing unit 303, and an image forming apparatus 304 of the printer driver 300. In order to output an image from the image forming apparatus 304, the printer driver 300 is provided with an image forming apparatus 304, for example, and is application software installed on each computer that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 304. is there.

  First, an input background image 311, color information 312, processing area information 313, a latent image threshold pattern 314, a background threshold pattern 315, a latent image background area designation image 316, and a camouflage area designation image 317 are input to the tint block image generation unit 301. Is done. Then, the tint block image generation unit 301 generates and outputs a tint block image 318.

  The tint block image generation unit 301 performs image processing on the input background image 311 according to a predetermined rule, and generates a tint block image 318. The input background image 311 may be a multi-value image or a binary image. Further, the processing area information 313 is information indicating an area in the input image information where the background pattern embedding process is performed.

  The latent image background area designation image 316 is an image for designating a latent image portion and a background portion, and is configured with 1 pixel = 1 bit. One bit (for example, 1) of the latent image background area designation image 316 represents a latent image portion, and the other bit (for example, 0) represents a background portion. The camouflage area designating image 317 is an image for designating an area for decreasing the density in order to have a camouflage effect, and is configured with 1 pixel = 1 bit, like the latent image background area designating image 316. One bit (for example, 1) of the camouflage area designation image 317 indicates that it is not a camouflage area, and the other bit (for example, 0) indicates a camouflage area whose density is lower than that of the surrounding area.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the latent image background area designation image 316 and the camouflage area designation image 317. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 501 is an example of the latent image background area designation image 316. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 502 denotes an example of a camouflage area designation image 317.

  As described above, the latent image threshold pattern 314 and the background threshold pattern 315 are subjected to threshold processing of appropriate image signals with the threshold values of the latent image dither matrix and the background dither matrix, respectively, so that they are output as equal densities at the time of print output. Has been generated.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the latent image threshold pattern 314 and the background threshold pattern 315. In FIG. 13, 511 is an example of the latent image threshold pattern 314. 512 is an example of the background threshold pattern 315.

  Next, the tint block image 318 generated by the tint block image generation unit 301 is output to the synthesis unit 302.

  The combining unit 302 combines an input document image (actual image) 319 that is an image created by application software such as a computer and the generated copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 to generate a “copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output document image”. Note that, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 is used as it is as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output original image regardless of the input document image 319, it is not necessary to refer to the input document image 319 by the combining unit 302. At this time, the color matching process may be executed for each object constituting the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 or the input document image 319, and then the object constituting the input document image 319 and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 may be combined. As a result, the color matching process can be executed on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern composite output document image.

  Next, the image data processing unit 303 receives the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern combined output original image combined by the combining unit 302 as drawing information and sequentially converts it into a print command. At this time, image processing such as color matching processing, RGB-YMCBk conversion, and halftone processing is executed as necessary. Then, the image data processing unit 303 converts the data format that can be interpreted by the image forming apparatus 304 (for example, a data format described in a page description language or data developed into a print bitmap) as “background pattern composite output original image data”. Format) is transmitted to the subsequent image forming apparatus 304.

  The image forming apparatus 304 is the above-described black-and-white or color image forming apparatus, and outputs an output original tint block image 320 in accordance with information on the input tint block synthetic output original image data.

  Here, the case of a printer will be described as an example. The image forming apparatus 304 includes a printer controller and a printer engine (not shown). The printer controller performs the process shown in FIG. The printer controller analyzes a page description language (PDL) transmitted from a personal computer or the like, and develops corresponding patterns for drawing and printing commands in the page memory. Here, image processing (F2) such as RGB-YMCBk conversion and halftone processing is executed as necessary. Then, the contents of the page memory are converted into a video signal and output by a printer engine corresponding to the image forming apparatus described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an internal process of generating a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image at the time of copying in the present embodiment. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation is performed by a processing block group including the printer driver 300, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, the composition unit 302, and the image data processing unit 303 of the image forming apparatus 304. The difference from printing is that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, composition unit 302, and image data processing unit 303 are mounted on the printer controller in the image forming apparatus 304. The same is true of time.

  The tint block image 318 generated by the tint block image generation unit 301 is output to the synthesis unit 302.

  In the combining unit 302, an input original image 319 that is an image obtained by reading an original image (actual image) by an image reading unit using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD in a reader unit (image reading unit) (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 304. And the generated tint block image 318. As a result, the composition unit 302 generates a tint block composition output document image. Note that, when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 is used as it is as a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern output original image regardless of the input document image 319, it is not necessary to refer to the input document image 319 by the combining unit 302.

  Next, the image data processing unit 303 performs image processing (F2) such as color matching processing, RGB-YMCBk conversion, and halftone processing on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern combined output original image combined by the combining unit 302 as shown in FIG. Run. Then, the output original tint block image 320 is output according to the information of the input tint block synthetic output original document data.

(5) Flowchart Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the internal processing for generating the copy suppression background pattern will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an internal processing procedure of the tint block image generation unit 301 in the present embodiment.

  First, a tint block image generation process is started in step S101 through a user interface or the like. In step S102, the input background image 311, the latent image threshold pattern 314, the background threshold pattern 315, the latent image background area designation image 316, and the camouflage area designation image 317 are read.

  In step S103, an initial pixel for generating a tint block image is determined. For example, when the entire input background image is subjected to image processing in the raster scan order from the upper left to the lower right and is changed to a tint block image, the upper left is set as the initial position.

  Next, in step S104, the latent image threshold pattern 314, the background threshold pattern 315, the latent image background area designation image 316, and the camouflage area designation image 317 are arranged in a tile shape from the upper left of the input background image 311. Process. That is, a predetermined logical expression is calculated for the pixels of the input background image 311 to be processed, and it is determined whether or not to write the pixel value for the dot at the time of output. At this time, the pixel value corresponds to the input color information 312.

  Further, in the generated tint block image, an image having a size of the least common multiple of the vertical and horizontal lengths of the latent image threshold pattern 314, the background threshold pattern 315, the latent image background region specifying image 316, and the camouflage region specifying image 317 is the minimum of repetition. Unit. Therefore, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301 generates only a portion of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, which is the minimum unit of repetition, and generates a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 318 by repeatedly arranging the portions of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image in the size of the input background image 311. Processing time can be reduced.

  Next, in step S105, the calculation result in step S104 is determined.

  When the pixel value is written in step S105 (Yes), in step S106, the pixel value corresponding to the dot at the time of output is written. The pixel value can be changed according to the color of the tint block image. When it is desired to create a black background pattern, the processing target pixel of the input background image 311 is set to black. In addition, if the color is set to cyan, magenta, or yellow according to the color of the toner used by the image forming apparatus, a color tint block image 318 can be created.

  When the input background image 311 is 1 to several bits of image data per pixel, the pixel value may be expressed using an index color. The index color is an image data expression method in which a table of contents is set for color information that frequently appears in a target color image, and the value of each pixel is expressed by a table of contents number describing the color information. For example, index 0 is set to white, index 1 is set to cyan, etc., and a table of contents is set for color information that frequently appears in the target color image. For example, the first pixel value is a value of index 1, the second pixel value is a value of index 2,..., And the value of each pixel is expressed by a table of contents number describing color information.

  When no pixel value is written in step S105 (No), in step S107, it is determined whether all the pixels in the processing target area of the input background image 311 have been processed. If all the pixels in the processing target area of the input background image 311 have not been processed, the process proceeds to step S108, an unprocessed pixel is selected, and the processes of steps S104 to S106 are executed again. If processing for all the pixels in the processing target area of the input background image 311 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S109, and the image processing in the tint block image generation unit 301 ends. Through the above-described processing, a tint block image 318 obtained by performing image processing on the input background image 311 can be generated.

(6) Dot Placement Method Next, the dot placement method in the latent image portion and the background portion in this embodiment will be described in more detail.

  In this embodiment, a case will be described in which a latent image portion is generated based on a dot concentration type dither matrix and a background portion is generated based on a dot dispersion type dither matrix.

  A representative example of the dot concentration type dither matrix used when generating the latent image portion is a spiral dither matrix. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a 4 × 4 spiral dither matrix. The threshold values of the 4 × 4 spiral dither matrix are arranged in a spiral shape with numerical values increasing from the center.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained by performing threshold processing on a predetermined output image signal using the 4 × 4 spiral dither matrix of FIG. 17, 401, 402, and 403 indicate threshold patterns obtained by performing threshold processing on the output image signals 3, 6, and 9, respectively, using the dither matrix of FIG. The threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained here is a pattern in which each dot is arranged in a concentrated manner.

  On the other hand, a representative of the dot dispersion type dither matrix used when generating the background portion is a Bayer type dither matrix. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a 4 × 4 Bayer-type dither matrix. A threshold pattern generated by dithering an arbitrary output image signal with a Bayer-type dither matrix is designed so that each dot is dispersedly arranged.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained by performing threshold processing on a predetermined output image signal using the 4 × 4 Bayer-type dither matrix of FIG. 19, reference numerals 601, 602, and 603 denote threshold patterns obtained by performing threshold processing on the output image signals 2, 4, and 5 using the dither matrix shown in FIG. The threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained here is a pattern in which each dot is arranged dispersedly. In the Bayer type dither, there is a case where periodic texture (moire) due to the matrix becomes conspicuous when the size of the dither matrix increases, but there is an advantage that a periodic and beautiful pattern can be obtained at a specific gradation.

  In this embodiment, description will be made mainly on the case where a Bayer type dither matrix is used as the dither matrix used in the background portion. However, the present invention is not limited to the Bayer type, and other dot dispersion type dither matrices may be used. For example, a blue noise mask is an example of a dot dispersion type dither matrix. This is because all threshold patterns at an arbitrary gradation have blue noise characteristics (locally aperiodic and isotropic and low frequency components are small), and the pixel distribution forming the threshold pattern is random. Although there is high uniformity, graininess is not noticeable. Therefore, there is an advantage that a moire can be prevented and a visually preferable output pattern can be obtained. Further, although it is not a method using a threshold pattern, a configuration of a background portion using an error diffusion method is also possible. The error diffusion method has a disadvantage that it takes a long processing time, but has an advantage that an image having good visual characteristics in which dots are uniformly dispersed can be obtained.

  Further, the threshold pattern for each gradation may not be generated based on the dither matrix. A background threshold pattern and a latent image threshold pattern may be generated for each gradation. In this case, there is an advantage that a threshold pattern with good image quality can be selected for each gradation.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram for comparing the area ratio of, for example, black pixels in the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern. As shown in FIG. 20, the vertical and horizontal sizes of the latent image dither matrix are XL and YL, and the output image signal gradation TL, and the vertical and horizontal sizes of the background dither matrix are XS and YS, and the output image signal. Let TS be the gradation. At that time, the ratio (PL) of black pixels in the latent image threshold pattern is PL = TL / (XL * YL), and the ratio (PS) of black pixels in the background threshold pattern is PS = TS / (XS * YS).

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the area ratio of the black pixels of the threshold pattern obtained by performing threshold processing on the output image signal with a dither matrix and the density when the threshold pattern is output. In the dither processing, the area ratio of the black pixels changes according to the gradation of the output image signal, so the horizontal axis in FIG. 21 may be regarded as the gradation of the output image signal.

  Here, the dither matrix (latent image threshold pattern) of the latent image portion and the dither matrix (background threshold pattern) of the background portion do not have to have the same side size, and may have different sizes. . For example, consider a case where the gradation characteristics of the latent image dither matrix and the background dither matrix have the same gradation characteristics as indicated by 801. In this case, regardless of the size of the dither matrix of the latent image portion and the dither matrix of the background portion, the density of the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern is approximately equal if the horizontal axis value (area ratio of black pixels) is substantially equal. It is possible to generate a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image that is equal and the latent image is not conspicuous. Here, regardless of the size of the dither matrix of the latent image portion and the dither matrix of the background portion, the value on the horizontal axis (area ratio of black pixels) is substantially equal, that is, PL and PS are substantially equal. This corresponds to using the values of the gradations TL and TS of the output image signal.

  However, in practice, the gradation characteristics of the latent image dither matrix and the background dither matrix are not necessarily the same due to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus.

  For example, the gradation characteristic of the latent image dither matrix is represented by a gentle S-curve as indicated by 802, and the gradation characteristic of the background dither matrix is represented by a steep S-curve as indicated by 803. In such a case, even if the area ratio of the black pixels of the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern is set to be approximately equal, the densities of the latent image portion and the background portion at the time of output are not the same.

  By appropriately adjusting the output image signal for the dither matrix of one or both of the latent image portion and the background portion, the density at the time of the other output can be made as close as possible.

  If the number of gradations that can be expressed by the latent image dither matrix or the background dither matrix is large, the density of the latent image portion or the background portion can be finely adjusted by adjusting the gradation of the output image signal.

  When the latent image dither matrix is a dot concentration type dither matrix as shown in FIG. 16, when the gradation of the output image signal is below a certain level, it becomes close to an isolated dot, and the latent image portion tends to disappear during copying. On the other hand, when the gradation of the output image signal exceeds a certain level, the dots are concentrated, and the clustered dots constituting the latent image are easily recognized clearly by human eyes.

  Therefore, in the latent image dither matrix, it is better to keep the gradation of the output image signal that can be taken within a certain range. In the latent image dither matrix as shown in FIG. 16, even if the size of the dither matrix is changed, if the gradation of the output image signal is the same, substantially the same concentrated dot arrangement can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to change the density per unit area by keeping the output image signal gradation for the latent image dither matrix constant and changing the size (number of lines) of the dither matrix.

  On the other hand, when the background dither matrix is a dot dispersion type dither matrix as shown in FIG. 18, the density can be changed while hitting dots uniformly throughout by changing the gradation of the output image signal. Therefore, it can be said that the background dither matrix having a wider gradation (that is, the dither matrix having a larger size) is superior in adjusting the density of the background portion.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing how a tint block is formed using the processing block of FIG. 11 or FIG. In FIG. 22, reference numerals 901, 902, and 903 denote a latent image threshold pattern, a background threshold pattern, and a latent image background area designation image, respectively, and 904 denotes a generated tint block image. Note that no camouflage pattern is introduced at the generation stage of the tint block image 904.

  In the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 904, as shown in a circled area 910, a dot in which the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern are merged at the latent image and background switching portion of the latent image background area designation image 903. A lump has been generated. This cluster of dots tends to occur when the latent image and background of the latent image background area designation image 903 are not synchronized with the size of the latent image threshold pattern. In addition, since the cluster of dots appears concentrated only in the portion where the latent image and the background of the latent image background area designation image 903 are switched, the outline of the latent image is conspicuous and there is a demerit that the effect of the copy suppression background pattern is reduced. Sometimes.

  Therefore, in order to generate a high-quality copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, it is preferable to perform a process so as not to cause a cluster of dots at the switching portion between the latent image and the background of the latent image / background region designation image.

  There is a boundary process as an example of preventing dot clumps from occurring at the switching portion between the latent image and the background of the latent image background area designation image. When this processing is used, a white background exists around the black pixels of the latent image threshold pattern unless they are at the edges of the image. This white background becomes a buffer zone, and the black pixels of the latent image threshold pattern do not touch the black pixels of the background threshold pattern, and the portion where the latent image designated by the latent image background area designation image and the background are switched may be noticeable. Disappear. Reference numeral 905 in FIG. 22 denotes a tint block image that has undergone boundary processing. No. 905 indicates that there is no cluster of dots in which the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern are merged at the switching portion between the latent image and the background. When the above-described boundary processing is added to the tint block generation unit 301, a latent image background area designating image is created by synchronizing the switching portion between the latent image designated by the latent image background area designating image and the background with the size of the latent image threshold pattern. Since it is not necessary, it is convenient for users.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a part of the tint block image generated by the tint block generation unit 301 by the boundary processing. When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image shown in FIG. 23 is generated, images 501 and 502 shown in FIG. 12 are used as the latent image background area designation image and the camouflage area designation image, respectively. Images 511 and 512 shown in FIG. 13 are used. The broken lines surrounding the images 501, 502, 511, and 512 indicate image boundaries and do not exist in the actual image. Since the tint block image in FIG. 23 has been subjected to boundary processing, there is no phenomenon that dots are solidified at the boundary between the latent image portion and the background portion, and it is difficult to distinguish the latent image portion.

  Next, the processing in the combining unit 302 that combines the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generated by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern generation unit 301 and the input document image (for example, a form or a certificate) will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a composition process of an input document image and a tint block image. In FIG. 24, 521 indicates text attribute data, 522 indicates graphic attribute data, and 523 indicates an image attribute copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image.

  The composition unit 302 provided in the printer driver or the printer controller of the image forming apparatus superimposes them in software according to the priority order for arranging the images 521 to 523. As a result, an image obtained by combining the text attribute data, the graphic attribute data, and the image attribute copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image as shown by 524 in FIG. 24 is generated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 24, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 523 having the image attribute is superimposed as the lowest layer compared to the data 521 having the text attribute and the data 522 having the graphic attribute. For example, at the position where the image attribute copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image 523 and the text attribute data 521 overlap, the text attribute data 521 is preferentially drawn. Accordingly, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is appropriately arranged in the background of the input document image, and the visibility of the text attribute data and the graphic attribute data is not deteriorated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 24, the tint block image 523 is an image having the same size as the input image. However, when it is desired to superimpose a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image only in a partial area, an input background image having a size corresponding to the partial area is input by the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, and only the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image matching the input image size is input. May be generated and combined with the input document image by the combining unit 302. The processing in the tint block image generation unit 301 can be speeded up by the size of the tint block image to be generated.

  Further, when a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is synthesized with an input document image that does not have a layer structure in which various images are already synthesized, for example, a specific pixel value region (for example, a white background region) of the input document image is detected, It may be configured to synthesize a tint block image only in that region.

[Toner used to generate tint block image]
By the way, as described above, a background pattern is formed using a color conversion table for forming an actual image (original image) in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of types of toner (dark toner and light toner) having different density levels. If this is performed, a problem of density unevenness due to dot misalignment may occur.

  In addition, when a background pattern is formed by mixing dark toner and light color toner, compared to the case where a background pattern is formed using only dark color toner, the amount of toner adhesion increases when forming a background pattern image having the same density, that is, Since the toner consumption increases, the running cost increases.

  One of the objects of the present invention is to improve the uniformity of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image density and prevent toner consumption in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of types of toners (dark toner and light toner) having different density levels. To reduce the amount. Another object of the present invention is to form a proper copy-suppressed copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image.

[Background pattern image formation control]
Hereinafter, the characteristic part of the present invention will be described.

  In this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using dark color toner and light color toner, as a method of reducing the tint block image density unevenness due to the dot displacement as described above and a method of reducing toner consumption, A tint block image is formed using only color toner.

  That is, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus includes a dark color image forming unit that forms an image using a recording material having a lower lightness among at least one set of recording materials having the same hue and different lightness, Light color image forming means for forming an image using a high recording material. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus can form a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image that suppresses copying by causing a contrast difference by copying. Further, the image forming apparatus further forms a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image including a latent image portion and a background portion, or a real image (original image) by the dark color image forming unit and / or the light color image forming unit according to each image information. It has control means that can be controlled. The control unit forms an image using each of the dark color image forming unit and the light color image forming unit when forming the original image, and forms the image using only the dark color image forming unit when forming the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image. Can be controlled. In the present invention, an image other than the special pattern that is a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is called a real image (original image).

  Typically, in a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, dots remain after copying with the target copying machine, and the dots disappear enough to cause the latent image portion to emerge as an image and the dots in the latent image portion to emerge as an image after copying. And a background portion. Before copying, the latent image portion and the background portion are set so that they cannot be distinguished at a glance. A real image (original image) is image information that is not a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image including a latent image portion and a background portion (a copy original for a copier, a character generated by application software on a computer for a printer, etc.) Or graphic image information). Typically, the actual image (original image) and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image are combined and output.

  In one embodiment, the image processing means for generating copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image information including a latent image portion and a background portion is realized by a printer driver installed in a host device communicably connected to the image forming apparatus. Then, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image information generated by the printer driver is input to the control means of the image forming apparatus. In another embodiment, image processing means for generating copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image information including a latent image portion and a background portion is provided in the image forming apparatus. Then, the tint block image information generated by the image processing means is input to the control means. In this case, a printer controller having functions as the image processing unit and the control unit may be provided in the image forming apparatus.

  That is, for example, as shown in the processing block of FIG. 11, at the time of printing, the image processing means including the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, the synthesis unit 302, and the image data processing unit 303 is realized by the printer driver 300. . Then, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image information generated by the printer driver 300 is input to an image forming apparatus (more specifically, a printer controller as the control unit) 304. For example, as shown in the processing block of FIG. 14, at the time of copying, the image processing means including the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 301, the composition unit 302, and the image data processing unit 303 is an image forming apparatus (more specifically, , Its printer controller) 304. Then, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image information generated by the image processing means is input to the control means which may also serve as the printer controller.

  More specifically, in the conventional image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using the dark color toner and the light color toner shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, for example, the color conversion table of the original image as shown in FIGS. Also used for. For this reason, the tint block image is formed by mixing dark toner and light toner. As a result, a dot shift (color shift) of the toner image formed by each of the dark color toner and the light color toner occurs, and there is a problem that the background pattern image density is not stable.

  FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram for explaining dot misalignment between dark toner and light toner.

  Reference numeral 531 in FIG. 25 indicates that two dots of dark color toner (for example, Bk, black portion) and light color toner (for example, LBk, gray portion) are arranged without dot displacement. Reference numeral 532 in FIG. 25 shows an example of a state where two dots of dark toner and light toner are arranged in a state where there is a dot shift.

  Compared with the density of the image indicated by 531 in FIG. 25, the density of the image indicated by 532 is reduced because the area of the light color toner is substantially reduced.

  The dot shift as described above is particularly noticeable in the tandem type image forming apparatus of FIGS. In a tandem type image forming apparatus, since a plurality of image forming units are arranged, there is a dot shift that occurs due to a positional accuracy shift of the image forming unit. Further, there is a dot shift that occurs when the friction coefficient between the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the photosensitive drum 1 changes (torque changes) depending on the toner amount for image formation (toner amount of the original image). Furthermore, there is a dot shift caused by a shift in image synchronization timing that occurs when a toner image composed of a plurality of types of toner is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40 in an overlapping manner.

  The one-drum type shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 has an advantage that the dot displacement caused by the positional accuracy is lighter than the tandem type because there is only one image forming unit (that is, the photosensitive drum 1). However, the dot shift due to the friction coefficient and the image synchronization timing is almost the same level as the tandem type.

  Here, the dot shift caused by the friction coefficient change will be described.

  When the amount of toner on the photosensitive drum 1 is large (when the amount of toner primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40 is large), the toner acts as a spacer between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 40 (spacer effect), and friction The coefficient decreases, and the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer belt 40 increases. In addition, when the amount of toner on the photosensitive drum 1 is small (when the amount of toner to be primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40 is small), the toner does not act as a spacer between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 40, so that friction is generated. The coefficient increases, and the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer belt 40 becomes slow. Accordingly, dot displacement occurs due to fluctuations in the rotation speed of the intermediate transfer belt 40.

  The dot shift caused by the image synchronization timing will be described.

  When a toner image composed of a plurality of types of toner is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40 in an overlapping manner, for example, the following various types of methods are used so that the images overlap in synchronization. First, there is a method of calculating the speed of the intermediate transfer belt 40 and taking the timing. Further, there is a method in which a reference position patch is formed with toner on the intermediate transfer belt 40, and the timing is detected by detecting the patch. Further, there is a method in which a reference member is added to the intermediate transfer belt 40, and this member is detected to take a timing. However, since any type of method has fluctuations and tolerances in image synchronization timing, misalignment of superimposed image synchronization timing occurs, and dot displacement due to this image synchronization timing deviation occurs.

  When the tint block image is formed only with the dark toner according to the present embodiment, the above-described dot shift does not occur, and thus the tint block image density unevenness caused by the dot shift does not occur.

  In the above description, the dot shift in the black copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image has been described. However, even in a full-color copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, the dot shift can be reduced by using only dark color toner.

  For example, when generating a red copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, yellow and magenta are mixed. Conventionally, four colors of yellow (Y), light yellow (LY), magenta (M), and light magenta (LM) are mixed. There is. In this case, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image density unevenness due to dot misalignment and further the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image color unevenness were large.

  Even in this case, the background pattern image is formed using only the two colors Y and M by using only the dark toner, so that the background pattern image density unevenness due to the dot shift and the background pattern image color unevenness can be reduced. I was able to.

  FIG. 26 shows dark toner dots 541 and light toner dots 542 set to the same density.

  From the relationship between the output image signal (area) and density in FIG. 7, the two dots of the dark toner dots 541 in FIG. 26 and the four dots of the light toner dots 542 in FIG. 26 have substantially the same density.

  Therefore, when forming a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image having the same density, the dots of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image are larger when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed with light color toner than when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed with dark toner. That is, when the tint block image is formed with the light color toner rather than when the tint block image is formed with the dark color toner, the toner consumption is increased and the running cost is increased.

  When a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed using only dark toner according to the present embodiment, the toner consumption can be reduced and the running cost can be prevented from increasing.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, by forming a tint block image using only dark color toner, dot misalignment is prevented to reduce tint block image density unevenness, and toner consumption is reduced to reduce running cost. can do.

  Next, a method for forming a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image using only dark toner will be described more specifically.

  Conventionally, since the color conversion table for the original image of FIG. 8 or FIG. 9 is also used for the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed with two types of toners, dark toner and light color toner, depending on the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image density. In contrast, in the present embodiment, for example, a color conversion table for a tint block image shown in FIG. 10 is used, which is different from the color conversion table of the original image shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an example of a color conversion table when only dark toner is used. When the tint block image is formed in this embodiment, the tint block image is formed using only the dark toner by using this color conversion table. Further, since the color conversion table shown in FIG. 10 is input image signal = output image signal, the color conversion table can be omitted. In this case, there is an advantage that the tint block image forming processing speed is improved. Compared to the case where the color conversion table shown in FIG. 8 is used, the toner consumption amount during the formation of a tint block image can be reduced to a maximum of half by using the color conversion table shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, different color conversion tables are used when an actual image (original image) is formed and when a tint block image is formed. When a tint block image is formed, a tint block image can be formed using only the dark color toner by using a color conversion table that uses only the dark color toner different from the actual image (original image) formation.

  FIG. 27 is an example of a color conversion table designed for the latent image portion of a tint block image. In the color conversion table of FIG. 27, the output image signal is set to be constant at a predetermined value with respect to an input image signal equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the output image signal is not decreased as the input image signal is decreased.

  According to the color conversion table shown in FIG. 27, since the lower limit density can be set so that the latent image portion does not become a predetermined density or less, the latent image portion can be set so as not to disappear during copying. There are advantages that are possible.

  FIG. 28 is an example of a color conversion table designed for the background portion of a tint block image. The color conversion table of FIG. 28 is set so that the output image signal is constant at a predetermined value with respect to an input image signal greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and the output image signal does not increase as the input image signal increases.

  According to the color conversion table shown in FIG. 28, the upper limit density can be set so that the background portion does not exceed a predetermined density, so that the background portion can be set not to remain during copying. There are advantages.

  Accordingly, the background portion and latent image of the tint block image are set so that the color conversion table of FIG. 28 is the color conversion table of the background portion of the tint block image and the color conversion table of FIG. 27 is the color conversion table of the latent image portion of the tint block image. The color conversion table may be set differently for each part.

  As described above, when forming a tint block image, different color conversion tables can be used for the latent image portion and the background portion of the tint block image. Thus, a more appropriate copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image can be formed by using a color conversion table corresponding to each characteristic, such as limiting the upper and lower density limits for the latent image portion and the background portion of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image.

  Actually, in the image forming apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4, when the tint block image was formed using only the dark color toner using the color conversion table of FIG. 10, the tint block image density unevenness caused by the dot shift did not occur. Further, when the tint block image was formed only with the dark color toner using the color conversion table of FIG. 10, it was found that the toner consumption can be reduced and the running cost can be reduced.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, in the image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using the dark toner and the light toner, only the dark toner is used when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is formed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image density unevenness caused by the dot shift, and to form a copy-inhibited copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image having a uniform density. Further, according to the present embodiment, the running cost can be reduced by reducing the toner consumption. That is, according to the present embodiment, in an image forming apparatus using a plurality of types of toners having different density levels, the uniformity of the tint block image density is improved, the toner consumption is reduced, and the tint block image which is an appropriate copy suppression image. Can be formed.

Example 2
Next, another embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The present embodiment can be applied to an image forming apparatus having the same basic configuration as that described in the first embodiment.

  First, a conventional background pattern density adjustment (background pattern density calibration) will be described.

  When a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image is actually formed using an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, the latent image portion and the background portion are not always output at the intended density due to various causes.

  Examples of the reason include the following. That is, the difference in the dither matrix that outputs the engine characteristics and threshold pattern of the image forming apparatus, the difference in each apparatus, the printing environment such as temperature and humidity, the durability of the engine, the difference in paper (media), the difference in the toner used by the apparatus The concentration instability depends on various conditions. That is, the optimum input gradation for each of the latent image portion and background portion dither matrix may differ depending on the image forming apparatus model, dither matrix, solid image forming apparatus, printing environment, paper, toner, etc. There is.

  Therefore, even when the engine characteristics and printing environment of the image forming apparatus are different, it is preferable to generate the tint block image after obtaining the latent image threshold pattern and the background threshold pattern that have substantially the same density at the time of output. However, it is practically difficult to automatically calculate the optimum latent image threshold pattern and background threshold pattern in consideration of all the fluctuation factors including fluctuation due to the printing environment.

  Therefore, before outputting the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, a function for obtaining a latent image threshold pattern and a background threshold pattern in which the densities of the latent image portion and the background portion are almost the same for each image forming apparatus, that is, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern density calibration function is implemented. It is preferable.

  As a method of implementing this tint block density calibration function, a method is conceivable in which the density is adjusted to be approximately equal by changing the gradation of the output image signal for one or both of the latent image dither matrix and the background dither matrix. .

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a background threshold pattern obtained by performing threshold processing with a dither matrix on the latent image threshold pattern and the gradations of a plurality of output image signals. In FIG. 29, reference numeral 551 denotes a latent image threshold pattern obtained by inputting gradation 6 with respect to a latent image dither matrix having 10 pixels on a side, and the area ratio of black pixels is 6%.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 29, reference numerals 552 to 554 denote background threshold patterns obtained by inputting gradations 12, 16, and 20 to a background dither matrix of 16 pixels on each side, and the area ratio of black pixels is 4. They are 69%, 6.25%, and 7.81%. Assume that the background dither matrix is 4 × 4 pixels, and the density adjustment is performed by changing the gradation of the output image signal with respect to the background dither matrix of 4 × 4 pixels. In this case, the area ratio of black pixels has only a range of 4 × 4 + 1 = 17 steps, and only a gradation change of about 6% steps can be given, so fine density adjustment cannot be performed.

  However, as shown by 552 to 554 in FIG. 29, the background threshold pattern output from the dither matrix having a large number of expressible gradations can be finely adjusted by selecting the gradation of the output image signal. Suitable for density calibration.

  Next, an outline of a background pattern density test printing for realizing a conventional background pattern density calibration function will be described.

  The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern density test printing can be implemented in a printer driver or an image forming apparatus.

  For example, FIG. 30 is an example of a test printing sheet in which patches having different densities of the latent image portion and the background portion are two-dimensionally arranged. Each patch has a configuration including a latent image portion and a background portion, and may include a camouflage. Each patch in FIG. 30 shows a latent image portion at the center and a background portion at the periphery. Although the latent image background area designating image for designating the latent image portion and the background portion is a square, it is not necessarily limited to a square, and may be a character such as “invalid”. The latent image portion and the background portion May be arranged so that they can be easily visually determined, for example, by arranging them next to each other as separate patches.

  In the test print sheet of FIG. 30, the density of the background portion is changed with respect to the vertical direction of the paper. As a method of changing the density of the background portion, for example, when the size of the background dither matrix is 16 × 16 pixels, the gradation of the output image signal with respect to the background dither matrix as in the background threshold patterns 552 to 554 in FIG. There is a way to change. For example, by changing the gradation of the output image signal of the background dither matrix by four, the area ratio of black pixels in the threshold pattern changes by about 1.5%.

  Further, in the test printing sheet of FIG. 30, the density of the latent image portion is changed with respect to the horizontal direction of the paper. As a method of changing the density of the latent image portion, for example, there is a method of changing the size of the latent image dither matrix. For example, when the size of the latent image dither matrix is 10 × 10 pixels, if the threshold pattern is generated with the gradation of the output image signal set to 9, the area ratio of black pixels is 9%. Further, when the size of the latent image dither matrix is 12 × 12 pixels and the threshold pattern is generated with the gradation of the output image signal being 9, the area ratio of the black pixels is 6.25%. Further, when the size of the latent image dither matrix is 14 × 14 pixels, if the threshold pattern is generated with the gradation of the output image signal set to 9, the area ratio of black pixels is about 4.6%.

  As another method of changing the density of the latent image portion, there is a method of fixing the size of the latent image dither matrix and changing the gradation of the output image signal with respect to the latent image dither matrix. For example, by fixing the size of the latent image dither matrix to 10 × 10 and changing the gradation of the output image signal to 6, 9, and 12, the area ratio of black pixels in the threshold pattern is 6% and 9%, respectively. % And 12%.

  However, the output image for the latent image dither matrix should not be so small that the dots in the latent image portion disappear after copying and the required condition for the latent image portion that the dots remain even after copying is not satisfied. The gradation of the signal needs to be a certain level or higher.

  As another method for changing the density of the latent image portion, the latent image threshold pattern is generated by changing both the size of the latent image dither matrix and the gradation of the output image signal with respect to the latent image dither matrix. May be changed.

  30 using the test-printed sheet image output from the image forming apparatus, and an adjustment value in which the density of the latent image portion and the background part are substantially equal, and a copy sheet image obtained by copying (copying) the test-printed sheet in FIG. Then, an adjustment value is selected so that the latent image portion remains and the background portion disappears. Then, the user inputs the optimum adjustment value to the image forming apparatus or the printer driver, and the tint block density calibration is completed.

  In this embodiment, a tint block image is formed using only dark toner in an image forming apparatus having a tint block density calibration function and capable of forming an image using dark toner and light color toner. Thereby, the tint block image density unevenness can be prevented, and the tint block density calibration process can be performed quickly and appropriately.

  For example, consider the case where the output image signal is changed by changing the input image signal in the conventional color conversion table of FIG. In this case, there are a case where a tint block image is formed using only light color toner and a case where a tint block image is formed using a mixture of dark toner and light color toner. In particular, when a tint block image is formed by mixing a dark color toner and a light color toner, the tint block image density unevenness due to the dot shift described in the first embodiment may occur.

  For example, when the density relationship between dark toner and light color toner is as shown in FIG. 7, 2-pixel PWM is performed on the light color toner image data in order to improve gradation, and the recording unit is increased. To do. On the other hand, 1-pixel PWM is performed on dark toner image data because the resolving power is important. In the case of using a dither matrix, in order to output the density of one pixel of dark toner, a process for outputting two pixels of light toner is performed.

  Accordingly, the following problems may occur when a tint block image is formed by mixing dark and light color toners. That is, when the output image signal is changed by changing the input image signal of the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, if dark color toner dots and light color toner dots are unevenly distributed, there is a problem of moire or a problem that the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image dots appear to be double. Occurs. For this reason, arrangement processing is necessary so that dark toner dots and light toner dots are dispersed and arranged. Therefore, for example, the latent image dither matrix of FIG. 16 and the background dither matrix of FIG. 18 cannot be used as they are, and arrangement processing of dark color toner dots and light color toner dots is necessary. Therefore, the dot arrangement of the latent image portion and the background portion of the tint block image is complicated, and there may be a problem that time is required for the tint block image generation processing.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tint block image is formed only with the dark toner, thereby preventing the tint block image density unevenness caused by the dot shift. Moreover, the tint block density calibration process is performed by changing the input image signal by using the dither matrix shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 and the color conversion table as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 27 or FIG. By doing so, the tint block density is adjusted. This eliminates the need for toner dot arrangement processing, and the time required for the tint block image generation processing can be reduced to substantially the same level as that of a conventional image forming apparatus using only dark toner.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus can adjust the tint block image density by changing the dot size or the dot amount of each of the latent image portion and the background portion of the tint block image. Yes. That is, in this embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a tint block image density adjustment mechanism forms a tint block image with only dark toner. This prevents dot misalignment to reduce tint block image density unevenness and eliminates the need for dark toner and light toner dot arrangement processing, thereby improving the tint block image formation processing speed.

  The present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. For example, the numerical values such as the dither matrix and the color conversion table described above are examples for simplifying the description, and these numerical values are described. Can be arbitrarily determined according to the configuration and settings of the image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiments, the background pattern image is always formed using only dark toner. This is extremely advantageous because the above-described effects can be obtained. However, if desired, the image forming apparatus has a plurality of modes, such as a mode in which a tint block image is formed using only dark color toner and a mode in which a tint block image is formed using dark color toner and light color toner. Good. In this case, the control means described above appropriately selects a color conversion table used for forming a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image and a conversion table used for forming an actual image (original image) in accordance with an input mode selection instruction, and the like. The image of the real image portion can be formed respectively. The mode selection signal is input via an operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus or an operation unit of a host device such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus in a communicable manner.

  The present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus described in each of the above embodiments, and can be applied to other forms of image forming apparatuses such as any combination of the embodiments.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. It is a typical sectional view showing other examples of an image forming device to which the present invention can be applied. It is a typical sectional view showing other examples of an image forming device to which the present invention can be applied. It is a typical sectional view showing other examples of an image forming device to which the present invention can be applied. It is a typical sectional view showing other examples of an image forming device to which the present invention can be applied. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing system. 6 is a graph illustrating an example of a relationship between an output image signal (toner area ratio or toner adhesion amount) and an output image density. FIG. It is a graph which shows an example of the color conversion table which shows the relationship between an input image signal and an output image signal. It is a graph which shows another example of the color conversion table which shows the relationship between an input image signal and an output image signal. It is a graph showing an example of a color conversion table showing the relationship between an input image signal and an output image signal when only dark toner is used. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the internal process of a tint block image generation. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a latent image background area | region designation | designated image and a camouflage area | region designation | designated image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a latent image threshold value pattern and a background threshold value pattern. It is a block diagram which shows another example of the internal process of a tint block image generation. It is a flowchart figure which shows an example of the internal processing procedure of a tint block image generation part. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a 4x4 spiral dither matrix. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained by performing threshold processing on a predetermined output image signal using the spiral dither matrix of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a 4x4 Bayer type dither matrix. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating a threshold pattern (dot arrangement) obtained by performing threshold processing on a predetermined output image signal using the Bayer-type dither matrix of FIG. 18. It is a schematic diagram for comparing the area ratio of black pixels of a latent image threshold pattern and a background threshold pattern. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the area ratio of the black pixel of the threshold pattern obtained by carrying out threshold processing of the output image signal with a dither matrix, and the density when the threshold pattern is output. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a mode that a tint block image generation part produces | generates a tint block image. It is a schematic diagram of a part of a tint block image showing an example generated by a tint block image generation unit by boundary processing. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a composition process of an input document image and a tint block image. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a dot shift. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of dark toner dots and light toner dots that exhibit the same density. FIG. 10 is a graph showing another example of a color conversion table showing the relationship between an input image signal and an output image signal when only dark toner is used. It is a graph which shows another example of the color conversion table which shows the relationship between the input image signal when using only dark color toner, and an output image signal. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the background threshold value pattern obtained by carrying out the dither matrix threshold value process with respect to the latent image threshold value pattern and the gradation of a some output image signal. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a test printing sheet in which patches having different densities of a background portion and a latent image portion are two-dimensionally arranged. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image before copying (original) and after copying (copying). FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of a copy MTF.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Charging roller 3 Exposure apparatus 4 Developer 5 Primary transfer roller 6 Fixing apparatus 23 Secondary transfer roller 40 Intermediate transfer belts 100a to 100d Printer engine (image forming apparatus)
301 Copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image generation unit 302 Composition unit 303 Image data processing unit 304 Printer controller (image forming apparatus)
P transfer material

Claims (3)

  A first image forming means for developing the electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor with a first toner and transferring the toner image to a transfer material;
  A second image in which the electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor is developed with a second toner having the same hue as the first toner and having a lightness lower than that of the first toner, and the toner image is transferred to a transfer material. Forming means;
Have
  An image forming apparatus capable of outputting an image in which a tint block composed of a latent image portion and a background portion formed by dots smaller than the latent image portion is added to a document image,
  When outputting an image in which a background pattern is added to an original image, the original image portion output on the transfer material is controlled to be formed with the first toner and the second toner, and the background pattern portion is An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls the first image forming unit and the second image forming unit so that the second image forming unit is formed using only the second toner. The control means converts an input image signal into an output image signal by using different conversion tables when the original image portion is output on the transfer material and when the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern portion is output on the transfer material. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. Said control means, sometimes outputs and said latent image portion and the background portion on the transfer material, according to claim 1 or, wherein converting the input image signal using a different conversion table to an output image signal The image forming apparatus according to 2.

Images