JP5628075B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming apparatus control method, program, and recording medium therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image according to image data on a recording material, and a control method for the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus (for example, an electrophotographic system) that performs print output based on image data, the output gradation characteristics of the apparatus change due to environmental changes such as temperature and humidity, parts consumption, etc. May be. For this reason, various tone correction means have been conventionally proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in an image forming apparatus that prints out an image according to image data, the print execution data is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a hard disk in order to increase the processing speed and improve the confidentiality when the same image is repeatedly printed out. A technique has been proposed in which reprinting is performed using the stored print execution data when a reprint instruction is received from the user (for example, Patent Document 2).

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 always provides an optimal image even when image quality deterioration occurs due to environmental changes or wear of parts in an image forming apparatus that performs reprinting using print execution data stored in a storage device. In order to obtain it, the print execution data and the density correction information are stored, and at the time of reprinting, the newly acquired current density correction information is compared with the stored density correction information. When both density correction information is different, density correction processing based on the current density correction information is performed on the image data to be printed to generate new print execution data, and printing is performed based on the new print data. A technique for outputting is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-56570 (published on February 24, 1998) JP-A-10-285388 (published October 23, 1998) JP 2006-82482 A (published March 30, 2006)

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 3 described above, since it is necessary to perform re-rendering (rasterization processing) after performing density correction processing on image data, these processes take time, and the speed of reprinting is increased. There is a problem that the merit is impaired.

  In addition, since density correction processing based on newly acquired current density correction information is performed, the image quality is different from the previous storage, and there is a problem that stable image quality reproduction cannot be performed. That is, since the state of the apparatus at the time of storage cannot be sufficiently reproduced, there is a problem that an image printed out at the time of storage cannot be faithfully reproduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reproduce image quality in an image forming apparatus that stores print execution data and performs reprint processing based on the print execution data. Is to increase.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus provided with image forming means for printing an image corresponding to the image data on a recording material based on the rasterized image data. An output characteristic acquisition unit that detects an image output characteristic of the image forming unit, a process control condition setting unit that sets a process control condition that is an operation condition at the time of print processing in the image forming unit, and the image forming unit. Storage means for storing print execution data, which is image data that has been subjected to initial print processing, and when the print execution data is stored in the storage means, initial printing of the print execution data acquired by the output characteristic acquisition unit The image output characteristic at the time of processing is stored in the storage unit in association with the print execution data, and the print execution stored in the storage unit When the reprinting process of the data is performed, the output characteristic acquisition unit detects the image output characteristic at the start of the reprinting process, and the process control condition setting unit stores the initial printing stored in the storage unit The image output characteristic at the time of processing is compared with the image output characteristic at the start of the reprint process, and based on the comparison result, the image output characteristic at the time of the reprint process is the image output characteristic at the time of the first print process. The process control condition applied to the reprint process is reset so as to approach the image processing unit, and the image forming unit performs the reprint process based on the process control condition reset by the process control condition setting unit. It is a feature.

  According to the above configuration, at the time of the initial printing process, the print execution data subjected to the initial printing process and the image output characteristic of the image forming unit detected by the output characteristic acquisition unit are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. Then, during the reprinting process, the output characteristic acquisition unit detects the image output characteristic of the image forming unit at that time, and the process control condition setting unit detects the image output characteristic at that time detected by the output characteristic acquisition unit and the storage unit Compared with the image output characteristics at the time of the first printing process stored in the above, and based on the comparison result, reprinting is performed so that the image output characteristics at the time of the reprinting process are closer to the image output characteristics at the time of the first printing process. Reset the process control conditions to be applied to the process. The image forming unit reprints the print execution data read from the storage unit based on the process control conditions reset by the process control condition setting unit. Thus, for example, even when the image output characteristics of the image forming means change between the initial printing and the reprinting due to changes in environmental conditions, parts consumption, etc., based on the print execution data read from the storage means The image at the first printing can be reprinted with good reproducibility. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform the rasterizing process on the image data again during the reprinting process, the time required for the reprinting process can be shortened. That is, the image formed at the time of the first printing can be reprinted with good reproducibility without reducing the printing speed.

  The image output characteristic may include at least one of an image density characteristic, a gradation characteristic, a dot reproduction characteristic, and a color reproduction characteristic of an image printed by the image forming unit.

  According to the above configuration, at least one of the image density characteristic, the gradation characteristic, the dot reproduction characteristic, and the color reproduction characteristic can be reproduced with the same image quality as that at the first printing.

  Further, the image forming unit includes a rotatable image carrier, a charging unit for charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposing the surface of the charged image carrier according to print execution data. An exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image according to print execution data on an image carrier, and a developing member that is disposed opposite to the image carrier, and applying a development bias voltage to the developing member A developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image by generating a potential difference between the electrostatic latent image and the developing member to cause toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image, and a transferred object; A transfer member disposed opposite to the image carrier via a toner image, and applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer member to transfer the toner image on the image carrier to the transfer target. And the above process control. When performing the reprinting process, the condition setting unit is configured to charge the surface of the image carrier by the charging unit, the exposure intensity of the image carrier by the exposure unit, the developing bias voltage applied to the developing member, and the transfer A configuration may be adopted in which at least one of the amounts of transfer current flowing through the transfer member is reset.

  According to the above configuration, the charging potential of the surface of the image carrier by the charging unit, the exposure intensity of the image carrier by the exposure unit, the developing bias voltage applied to the developing member, and the transfer member during transfer By resetting at least one of the flowing transfer current amounts, the image at the first printing is reprinted with good reproducibility.

The transfer target is an intermediate transfer member that conveys the toner image transferred from the image carrier to a transfer position with respect to the recording material, and the image forming unit outputs a test image for detecting output characteristics to the intermediate transfer member. It is good also as a structure which forms on a transfer body and the said output characteristic acquisition part detects the image output characteristic of the said image formation means based on the test image formed on the said intermediate transfer body. In addition, the image forming unit forms a toner image corresponding to the test image for output characteristic detection on the image carrier, and the output characteristic acquisition unit is configured to output the test image formed on the image carrier. An image output characteristic of the image forming unit may be detected based on a toner image.

According to each of the above configurations, the image output characteristic of the image forming unit can be detected based on the test image.

  A control method for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is a control method for an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that prints an image corresponding to the image data on a recording material based on rasterized image data. A first output characteristic detecting step for detecting an image output characteristic of the image forming means when the image forming means performs the initial printing process of the image data; and an initial printing for performing the initial printing process of the image data by the image forming means. And a storage step for storing the print execution data, which is image data subjected to the initial print process by the image forming unit, and the image output characteristics at the initial print process detected in the initial output characteristic detection process in association with each other. The image output characteristics of the image forming means are detected when the print execution data stored in the storing step is reprinted by the image forming means. The second output characteristic detecting step, the image output characteristic at the time of the first printing process for the print execution data to be reprinted stored in the storing step, and the image output characteristic detected in the second output characteristic detecting step. And the operation of the image forming means during the printing process applied to the reprinting process so that the image output characteristic during the reprinting process approaches the image output characteristic during the initial printing process based on the comparison result A process control condition setting step for resetting a process control condition as a condition; and a reprinting step for performing a reprint process of the print execution data based on the process control condition reset in the process control condition setting step. It is characterized by that.

  According to the above method, at the time of the first printing process, the print execution data subjected to the first printing process and the image output characteristics of the image forming unit are stored in association with each other. Then, at the time of the reprinting process, the image output characteristic of the image forming means at that time is detected and compared with the stored image output characteristic at the time of the first printing process, based on the comparison result, The process control conditions applied to the reprinting process are reset so that the image output characteristic during the reprinting process approaches the image output characteristic during the initial printing process. The stored print execution data is reprinted based on the reset process control conditions. Thus, even if the image output characteristics of the image forming means change between the initial printing and the reprinting due to, for example, changes in environmental conditions or parts consumption, the print execution data stored at the initial printing is stored. Based on this, it is possible to reprint the image at the first printing faithfully with good reproducibility. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform the rasterizing process on the image data again during the reprinting process, the time required for the reprinting process can be shortened. That is, the image formed at the time of the first printing can be reprinted with good reproducibility without reducing the printing speed.

  The image forming apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program for causing the image forming apparatus to be realized by a computer by causing the computer to operate as the process control condition setting unit, and the program. A recorded computer-readable recording medium is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus control method according to the present invention detect and store the image output characteristics of the image forming unit at the start of the reprinting process when the print execution data is reprinted. Compare the image output characteristics during the initial printing process with the image output characteristics at the start of the reprinting process, and based on the comparison result, the image output characteristics during the reprinting process Reset the process control conditions to be applied to the reprinting process so as to approach the output characteristics.

  Therefore, the image at the first printing can be reprinted with high reproducibility based on the print execution data.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit provided in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of recording data including print execution data and output characteristic information recorded in the recording device in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of resetting process control conditions in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a color printer that forms a multicolor or single color image on a predetermined sheet (recording material) according to image data acquired from the outside will be mainly described. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to a color printer, the present invention can be applied to a monochrome printer, a color multifunction peripheral, a color copying machine, a monochrome multifunction peripheral, a monochrome copying machine, and the like.

(1-1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 2, a communication device 3, a storage device 4, a control unit 5, and an image forming unit 6.

  The operation panel 2 includes, for example, an operation input unit including a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and a setting button (none of which is shown). The operation panel 2 displays information corresponding to an instruction from the operation panel control unit 50 provided in the control unit 5 on the display unit, and displays information input from the user via the setting button. 50. Note that a touch panel in which a display unit and an operation input unit are integrated may be used as the operation panel 2. The user can input various information such as a processing mode, the number of printed sheets, and a paper size for the input image data via the operation panel 2. For example, an instruction to select print execution data to be reprinted from print execution data stored in the storage device 4 or an instruction to execute reprinting can be performed via the operation panel 2.

  The communication device 3 performs data communication with other devices (for example, a personal computer, a server device, etc.) connected via a network in response to an instruction from the communication control unit 51 provided in the control unit 5.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 receives image data such as characters, graphics, and photographs from an external device (for example, a personal computer, a server device, etc.) connected to a network in a page description language format. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 performs rasterization processing (processing for converting the image data into a raster format) based on the received image data to generate print execution data that can be printed, and according to the generated print execution data An image is printed. The processing method of the rasterizing process is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be used. The communication apparatus 3 receives rasterized image data (for example, image data rasterized by a printer driver provided in the external apparatus) from the external apparatus, and the image forming apparatus 1 prints an image corresponding to the image data. It is good.

  The storage device 4 stores various data handled by the image forming apparatus 1 (image data received from an external device, print execution data, output characteristic information of the image output unit 6, image data of a patch image described later, and the like). It is. The configuration of the storage device 4 is not particularly limited, and for example, a hard disk or the like can be used. Note that writing of data to the storage device 4 and reading of data from the storage device 4 are controlled by a storage control unit 52 provided in the control unit 5.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the image forming unit 6. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming unit 6 includes an exposure unit E, four sets of visible image forming units pa to pd, an intermediate transfer belt unit 10, a secondary transfer unit 14, a fixing device 30, an internal supply. A paper unit 16 and a manual paper feed unit 17 are provided.

  The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to a color image using each color of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, four sets of visible image forming units pa to pd corresponding to the respective colors are provided. The four color toner images formed by the four sets of visible image forming units pa to pd are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 provided in the intermediate transfer belt unit 10. The visible image forming units pa to pd have substantially the same configuration except that the color of the toner used for the development processing is different. The developing units of the visible image forming units pa, pb, pc, and pd contain black (B), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toners, respectively.

  In the visible image forming units pa to pd, charging units 103a to 103d, developing units 102a to 102d, and cleaning units 104a to 104d are exposed around photosensitive drums (image carriers) 101a to 101d that are rotatably provided. It is the structure arrange | positioned in this order along the rotation direction of the body drums 101a-101d.

  The charging units (charging means) 103a to 103d are for uniformly charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101a to a predetermined potential. In the present embodiment, a charging roller system (contact charging system) is adopted as the charging units 103a to 103d. However, the configuration of the charging units 103a to 103d is not limited to this. For example, a non-contact charger such as a corona discharge method may be used, or a contact charger such as a brush charger may be used. .

  The development units 102a to 102d perform development processing for developing the electrostatic latent images formed on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d with a developer. As the developer, for example, a non-magnetic one-component developer (non-magnetic toner), a non-magnetic two-component developer (non-magnetic toner and carrier), a magnetic developer (magnetic toner) and the like can be used.

  The developing units (developing means) 102a to 102d are provided with developing rollers (developing members) 105a to 105d arranged to face the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d, and a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105d. Yes. As a result, a potential difference (development potential) occurs between the portions (electrostatic latent images) exposed by the exposure unit E on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d and the developing rollers 105a to 105d, and an amount approximately proportional to the potential difference. The toner adheres to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d, and the electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d are developed. As described above, the toner adhesion amount on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d changes according to the potential difference between the portion exposed by the exposure unit E and the developing roller 105a.

  In the present embodiment, the developing bias voltage applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105 can be corrected based on process control condition correction information described later. Specifically, the development voltage control unit 64 provided in the control unit 5 controls the power supply means (not shown) based on the process control conditions set by the process control condition setting unit 67, thereby supplying power. The developing bias voltage applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105d is controlled by controlling the supply voltage from the means to the developing rollers 105a to 105d. As a result, the potential difference between the portions of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d exposed by the exposure unit E and the developing rollers 105a to 105d can be corrected to adjust the toner adhesion amount on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d. ing.

  The cleaning units 104 a to 104 d are for removing and collecting toner remaining on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101 a to 101 d after the toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 11.

  The exposure unit (exposure means) E exposes the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d charged by the charging units 103a to 103d according to the image data, thereby converting the image data on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d. A corresponding electrostatic latent image is formed.

  As the exposure unit E, for example, a laser scanning unit (LSU) including a laser irradiation unit 4e, a reflection mirror 8e, a condenser lens 5e, and the like is used. As the exposure unit E, for example, an EL or LED writing head in which light emitting elements are arranged in an array may be used.

  In the present embodiment, the intensity (exposure intensity) of exposure light corresponding to image data can be corrected based on process control condition correction information described later. The method for changing the exposure intensity is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known method can be used. For example, the exposure intensity may be variable by a pulse width modulation (PWM) method, and in that case, the process control condition setting unit 67 described later may set the exposure intensity by setting the PWM setting value. . As a result, the potential difference between the portions of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d exposed by the exposure unit E and the developing rollers 105a to 105d can be corrected, and the toner adhesion amount to the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d can be adjusted. . Note that both the exposure intensity of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d corresponding to the image data and the developing bias voltage applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105d may be corrected, or only one of them may be corrected. Also good.

  Further, in the vicinity of the visible image forming units pa to pd in the image forming apparatus 1, a temperature and humidity sensor 113 that detects the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere of the visible image forming units pa to pd is provided. The detection result of the temperature / humidity sensor 113 is transmitted to the control unit 5.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer belt (transfer object) 11, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller (tension roller) 11a, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller (tension roller) 11b, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 12, and an intermediate transfer roller. (Transfer member, transfer means) 13a to 13d are provided.

  The intermediate transfer belt 11 is an endless belt made of a film having a thickness of about 100 μm to 150 μm, and is stretched around the intermediate transfer rollers 13 a to 13 d, the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 11 a, and the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 11 b. 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. In addition, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d are transferred so as to sequentially overlap the intermediate transfer belt 11, and a color toner image (multicolor toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11. It has become so.

  The intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d are arranged on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d via the intermediate transfer belt 11 at positions between the opposing portions of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d and the developing units 102a to 102d and the cleaning units 104a to 104d. It arrange | positions so that 101a-101d may be opposed. The toner images on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 by applying a high voltage (+) opposite to the charging polarity (−) of the toner to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d. It has come to be.

  In the present embodiment, the amount of transfer current flowing between the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d and the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d at the time of transfer can be corrected based on process control condition correction information described later. Specifically, the development voltage control unit 64 provided in the control unit 5 controls the power supply means (not shown) based on the process control conditions set by the process control condition setting unit 67, thereby supplying power. By controlling the supply current from the means to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d, the amount of transfer current supplied to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d is controlled. As a result, the transfer characteristics of the toner images formed on the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d with respect to the intermediate transfer belt 11 can be corrected.

  A density sensor 112 that detects the density of the patch image (test image) transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11 at a position downstream of the intermediate transfer rollers 13 a to 13 d along the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 11. Are arranged so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 11. The configuration of the density sensor 112 is not particularly limited, and for example, a reflective optical sensor or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) can be used. The density sensor 112 may detect the amount of toner transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 11. The detection result of the density sensor 112 is transmitted to the control unit 5.

  As the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d, for example, rollers based on a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 18 to 110 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, etc.) are used. be able to. By providing such a conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 11. In this embodiment, the transfer electrodes (intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d) are formed in a roller shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a brush shape may be used.

  Further, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is conveyed to a facing portion between the intermediate transfer belt driving roller 11a and the secondary transfer unit 14, and is transferred onto a recording sheet conveyed to the facing portion. It has become.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 12 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 11, and removes and collects toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 11 without being transferred to the recording material.

  The fixing device 30 includes a fixing roller 31 and a pressure roller 34 that is pressed against the fixing roller 31 with a predetermined load. Then, the recording material on which the toner image is transferred by the secondary transfer unit 14 is fed to the pressure contact portion between the pressure roller 34 and the fixing roller 31 at a predetermined fixing speed and a predetermined paper interval, and is passed through the pressure contact portion. Thus, the toner image is fixed on the recording material by heat and pressure. The configuration of the fixing device 30 is not limited to this, and various conventionally known configurations can be used.

  The internal paper feeding unit 16 is for accumulating recording materials used for image formation. The manual paper feed unit 17 is provided on the side wall of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be foldable, and is for manually feeding a recording material. The paper discharge tray 18 is a tray on which the recording material on which an image has been formed is placed.

  The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a recording material fed from the internal paper feeding unit 16 by a pickup roller (conveyance roller) 16a, and a recording material fed from the manual paper feeding unit 17 by a pickup roller (conveyance roller) 17a. A paper conveyance path is provided for sending the material to the paper discharge tray 18 via the secondary transfer unit 14 and the fixing device 30. A large number of roller members (conveying rollers) r for conveying the recording material are arranged in the sheet conveying path.

  The control unit 5 controls the operation of each member provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and as shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel control unit 50, the communication control unit 51, the storage control unit 52, and the image formation control. A unit 53, a print execution data generation unit 54, and an output characteristic acquisition unit 55.

  The operation panel control unit 50 controls display on the display unit of the operation panel 2 and accepts an instruction from a user input via the operation panel 2.

  The communication control unit 51 controls the operation of the communication device 3 and performs communication with an external device connected via a network.

  The storage control unit 52 controls writing of data to the storage device 4 and reading of data from the storage device 4.

  The image forming control unit 53 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming unit 6 to form an image corresponding to the print execution data on the recording material, and forms a patch image described later on the intermediate transfer belt 11. A process for detecting the patch image by the density sensor 112 is performed. As shown in FIG. 1, the image formation control unit 53 includes a recording material conveyance control unit 61, a rotation control unit 62, an exposure control unit 63, a development voltage control unit 64, a transfer current control unit 65, and a temperature control unit 66. , And a process control condition setting unit 67.

  The recording material conveyance control unit 61 controls the operation of each conveyance roller (pickup rollers 16a, 17a, r, etc.) for conveying the recording material provided in the image forming unit 6, and the image forming operation of the visible image forming units pb to pd. The recording material is conveyed at a timing according to the above.

  The rotation control unit 62 rotates the rotation speeds of the rotating members provided in the photosensitive drums 101a to 101b, the charging units 103a to 103d, the developing units 102a to 102d, the intermediate transfer belt unit 10, the secondary transfer unit 14, and the fixing device 30. To control.

  The exposure control unit 63 controls the exposure intensity of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d by the exposure unit E.

  The development voltage controller 64 controls the development voltage (development bias voltage) applied to the development rollers 105a to 105d.

  The transfer current control unit 65 controls the amount of transfer current supplied to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d.

  The temperature control unit 66 controls the temperature of each part of the fixing device 30 by controlling the power supplied to a heating member (not shown) provided in the fixing device 30.

  The process control condition setting unit 67 determines the process control condition (print setting; the charging potential of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d by the charging units 103a to 103d, the exposure unit E based on the detection result of the current temperature and humidity by the temperature and humidity sensor 113. The exposure intensity of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d, the developing bias voltage applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105d provided in the developing units 102a to 102d, and the transfer current supplied to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d). In addition, the process control condition setting unit 67 resets (corrects) the process control condition based on output characteristic information acquired by an output characteristic acquisition unit 55 described later, as necessary.

  The print execution data generation unit 54 performs image data (for example, image data in a page description language format) received from an external device in the case of initial printing (processing for performing printing based on newly generated print execution data). Gradation correction processing, halftone processing, and rendering processing (rasterization processing) are performed to generate print execution data composed of CMYK raster data.

  The output characteristic acquisition unit 55 acquires output characteristic information of the image forming unit 6 (information indicating image density characteristics, gradation characteristics, dot reproduction characteristics, and color reproduction characteristics) and transmits the information to the storage control unit 52. A method for acquiring the output characteristic information will be described later.

  In addition, in the case of reprinting (processing for performing printing based on print execution data stored in the storage device 4), the image formation control unit 53 prints a print target from the storage device 4 via the storage control unit 52. Output characteristic information (output characteristic information at the time of previous printing) corresponding to the execution data is read, and current output characteristic information of the image forming unit 6 is acquired from the output characteristic acquisition unit 55. Then, the process control condition setting unit 67 compares the output characteristic information read from the storage device 4 with the current output characteristic information. The process control conditions of the image forming unit 6 are corrected so that the image formed in the above can be faithfully reproduced. Each unit of the image formation control unit 53 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming unit 6 based on the print execution data read from the storage device 4 and the corrected process control condition, and the print execution data is stored in the print execution data. A corresponding image is formed on the recording material.

(1-2. Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1)
Next, processing performed in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when receiving a print instruction from an external device via the operation panel 2 or the communication device 3 (S1), the control unit 5 determines whether or not the print instruction is an instruction related to reprint processing (S2). This determination may be, for example, determined as the initial printing process when the instruction is a printing instruction from an external apparatus, and may be determined as the reprinting process when the instruction is a printing instruction from the operation panel 2. Alternatively, the user of the operation panel 2 or the user of the external device may specify whether it is a reprint process or an initial process.

  If it is determined that it is not a reprint process, that is, if it is determined that the process is an initial print process, the print execution data generation unit 54 performs a rendering process on the image data received from the external device, and performs a rasterization for each of the CMYK rasters. Data is generated, and gradation correction processing and halftone processing are performed on the raster data to generate print execution data (S3). Note that the gradation correction process and the halftone process are performed according to density correction information according to an instruction from the user, for example.

  Further, the process control condition setting unit 67 sets the process control condition of the image forming unit 6 based on the detection result of the temperature / humidity sensor 113 (S4). The process control condition setting unit 67 may set the current process control condition in consideration of the past setting history of the process control condition. Further, a patch image to be described later is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 under a predetermined process control condition, and the current process control condition is set based on the result of detecting the density of the patch image by the density sensor 112. Good.

  Further, the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 acquires the current output characteristic information (information indicating density characteristics, gradation characteristics, and dot reproduction characteristics) of the image forming unit 6 corresponding to the process control condition set in S4 (S5). ). Specifically, the image forming control unit 53 controls each unit of the image forming unit 6 based on the image data of the patch image (test image) stored in the storage device 4 and the process control condition set in S4. Then, a predetermined patch image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11. Then, the density of the patch image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 is detected by the density sensor 112, and the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 acquires the detection result as output characteristic information. Examples of the patch image include (1) solid density patches of CMYK colors, (2) intermediate density patches, dot patterns, and line patterns not subjected to halftone processing, and (3) primary colors (C, M , Y, K), secondary colors (CM, MY, CY, KC, KM, KY), and those including patches of tertiary colors (CMY, KCM, KMY, KCY) can be used. When the output of the exposure unit E is controlled in multiple stages by PWM control, the patch (2) may be formed for each stage.

  Note that the process of S3 and the processes of S4 to S5 may be performed in parallel. That is, the processing of S4 to S5 may be performed in the background of the processing of S3. When the processing of S3 and the processing of S4 to S5 are performed in parallel, the time required for printing an image corresponding to the print execution data on the recording material can be shortened. Moreover, you may perform the process of S4-S5 before the process of S3.

  Next, the storage control unit 52 stores the print execution data transmitted from the print execution data generation unit 54 in association with the output characteristic information transmitted from the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 in the storage device 4 (S6). . FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of data stored in the storage device 4 in S6. In the example shown in this figure, the data stored in the storage device 4 includes a data size 301 of output characteristic information, a data size 302 of print execution data, output characteristic information 303, and print execution data 304.

  Further, each unit of the image formation control unit 53 causes the image formation unit 6 to execute the print execution data transmitted from the print execution data generation unit 54 and the current process control conditions (here, the process control conditions set in S4). Are controlled to form an image corresponding to the print execution data on the recording material (S7), and the process ends. In addition, the process of S6 and the process of S7 may be performed in parallel, and the process of S7 may be performed before the process of S6.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S2 that the reprinting process is being performed, the operation panel control unit 50 or the communication control unit 51 selects the print execution data from the user (from the print execution data stored in the storage device 4). An instruction to select print execution data to be reprinted is received (S8). For example, the operation panel control unit 50 displays a list of print execution data stored in the storage device 4 (or a list of image data storing the print execution data) on the display unit of the operation panel 2, and the operation panel The user may receive a print execution data selection instruction input from the user via the operation unit 2. Alternatively, the communication control unit 51 causes the communication device 3 to transmit a list of print execution data stored in the storage device 4 (or a list of image data storing the print execution data) from the communication device 3 to the communication device 3. May receive an instruction to select print execution data from the user of the external apparatus received from the external apparatus.

  Next, the storage control unit 52 reads out output characteristic information corresponding to the print execution data selected in S7 from the storage device 4 (S9).

  The process control condition setting unit 67 sets process control conditions based on the detection result of the temperature / humidity sensor 113 (S10). The process control condition setting unit 67 may set the current process control condition in consideration of the past setting history of the process control condition. Further, the patch image may be formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 under a predetermined process control condition, and the current process control condition may be set based on the result of detecting the density of the patch image by the density sensor 112. .

  Further, the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 acquires the current output characteristic information (information indicating density characteristics, gradation characteristics, and dot reproduction characteristics) of the image forming unit 6 corresponding to the process control condition set in S10 (S11). ). The output characteristic information acquisition method is the same as that in S5.

  In addition, you may perform the process of S8-S9, and the process of S10-S11 in parallel. That is, you may perform the process of S10-S11 in the background of the process of S8-S9. When the processes of S10 to S11 and the processes of S8 to S9 are performed in parallel, the time required for printing an image corresponding to the print execution data on the recording material can be shortened. Moreover, you may perform the process of S10-S11 before the process of S8-S9.

  Next, the process control condition setting unit 67 compares the output characteristic information at the first printing read from the storage device 4 in S9 with the current output characteristic information acquired in S11, and the two output characteristic information is different. It is determined whether or not there is (S12).

  If it is determined in S12 that the output characteristic information is not different, each part of the image formation control unit 53 causes the storage control unit 52 to read the print execution data at the time of initial printing read from the storage device 4 and the current Based on the process control conditions (here, the process control conditions set in S10), the operation of each unit of the image forming unit 6 is controlled, and an image corresponding to the print execution data is formed on the recording material (S7). finish.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S12 that the output characteristic information is different, the process control condition setting unit 67 resets the process control condition so that the current output characteristic information matches the output characteristic information at the first printing ( (S13). A method for resetting process control conditions will be described later.

  Then, each unit of the image formation control unit 53 converts the print execution data at the first printing read out from the storage device 4 by the storage control unit 52 and the current process control conditions (here, the process control conditions reset in S13). Based on this, the operation of each unit of the image forming unit 6 is controlled, and an image corresponding to the print execution data is formed on the recording material (S7), and the process is terminated.

(1-3. Method for resetting process control conditions)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process control condition resetting (correcting) method in S13.

  First, the process control condition setting unit 67 determines the current solid density (density detection result of the solid density patch formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11) and the initial printing based on the detection result of the density sensor 112 in S11 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the solid density is different (S21). If it is determined that the current solid density is the same as the solid density at the time of initial printing, the process proceeds to S24 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the current solid density is different from the solid density at the time of the first printing, the image formation control unit 53 controls each part of the image forming unit 6 to change the development bias voltage stepwise. A density patch is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and the density sensor 112 is caused to detect the density of each solid density patch (S22).

  Thereafter, the process control condition setting unit 67 performs the solid printing at the first printing based on the density detection result of each solid density patch in S22, the development bias voltage corresponding to each solid density patch, and the solid density detection result at the first printing. A developing bias voltage for obtaining the same density as the density is calculated for each color, and the developing bias voltage is reset based on the calculation result (S23). The calculation method is not particularly limited, but may be calculated by linear approximation, for example. Further, among the solid density patches detected in S21, a solid density patch having a density closest to the solid density patch at the first printing is detected, and the development bias voltage is set to the development bias voltage corresponding to the solid density patch. May be.

  As a result, when the current solid density is lower than the solid density at the first printing, the development bias voltage is corrected to a voltage higher than the current set voltage, and the current solid density is the solid at the first printing. If it is higher than the density, the developing bias voltage is corrected to a voltage lower than the current set voltage.

  Thereafter, the process control condition setting unit 67 determines whether or not the detection results of the intermediate tone patch, the dot pattern, and the line pattern are different from those at the first printing based on the detection result of the density sensor 112 in S11 of FIG. (S24). If it is the same as at the time of initial printing, the process proceeds to S27 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S24 that the detection results of the halftone patch, the dot pattern, and the line pattern are different from those at the first printing, the image formation control unit 53 controls each part of the image formation unit 6 to expose the exposure unit E. A plurality of intermediate gradation patches, dot patterns, and line patterns having different intensities are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and the density sensor 112 causes the density of each intermediate gradation patch, the dot gain of each dot pattern, And the line width of each line pattern is detected (S25).

  Thereafter, the process control condition setting unit 67 detects the intermediate gradation density of each intermediate gradation patch, the dot gain of each dot pattern, and the line width of each line pattern in S25, and each intermediate gradation patch and each dot. During the initial printing based on the exposure intensity corresponding to the pattern and each line pattern, the intermediate tone density of each intermediate tone patch at the time of initial printing, the dot gain of each dot pattern, and the line width of each line pattern The exposure intensity for obtaining the same intermediate gradation density, dot gain, and line width as the intermediate gradation density, dot gain, and line width is calculated, and the exposure intensity is reset based on the calculation result (S26). The calculation method is not particularly limited, but may be calculated by linear approximation, for example. In addition, it detects a set of halftone patches, dot patterns, and line patterns (a set of halftone patches, dot patterns, and line patterns formed with the same exposure intensity) that yielded the closest results during the initial printing, The exposure intensity may be set to a corresponding exposure intensity. In addition, priorities are assigned to the respective items of intermediate gradation density, dot gain, and line width, and the difference between the detection result in S25 and the initial printing for each of these items is within a predetermined range, and the item having the highest priority. The exposure intensity may be reset based on a condition that minimizes the difference between the detection result in S25 and the initial printing. In addition, when there are multiple levels of halftones, the optimum value of exposure intensity (exposure intensity that provides the same intermediate density as the initial printing) is calculated for each level, and the exposure intensity is regenerated for each halftone. It may be set.

  Next, the image forming control unit 53 controls each unit of the image forming unit 6 and applies patches of primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color based on the developing bias voltage set in S23 and the exposure intensity set in S26. The density is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 and the density sensor 112 detects the density of each patch (S27).

  Thereafter, the process control condition setting unit 67 determines whether or not the density of the primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches detected by the density sensor 112 in S27 is different from the density of each patch at the time of the first printing. (S28). If it is determined that the current primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patch density is the same as the density of each patch at the time of initial printing, the current transfer current value is maintained, and process control is performed. Terminate the condition reset process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S <b> 28 that the density of the current primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches are different from the density of each of the patches at the time of initial printing, the image formation control unit 53 determines whether the image formation unit 6 A plurality of primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches having different transfer current values by controlling each part are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11, and the density sensor 112 detects the density of each patch. (S29).

  Thereafter, the process control condition setting unit 67 determines 1 for the first printing based on the density detection result for each patch in S29, the transfer current value corresponding to each patch, and the density detection result for each patch at the first printing. The transfer current value for obtaining the density of the secondary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patch is calculated, the transfer current value is reset based on the calculation result (S30), and the process control condition resetting process is completed. To do.

  The method for calculating the transfer current value to be reset is not particularly limited, but may be calculated by linear approximation, for example. Also, a set of primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches with the closest results at the time of first printing (a set of primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches formed with the same transfer current value). ) And the transfer current value may be set to the exposure intensity corresponding thereto. In addition, priorities are assigned to the primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color items, and the difference between the detection result in S29 for each of these items and the initial printing is within a predetermined range, and the highest priority item. The exposure intensity may be reset based on a condition that minimizes the difference between the detection result in S29 and the initial printing. For example, the difference between the detection result in S29 for the primary color and the initial printing is within the first predetermined range, and the difference between the detection result in S29 for the secondary color and the initial printing is within the second predetermined range. The transfer current value may be reset based on the transfer current value that minimizes the difference between the detection result in S29 for the tertiary color and the initial printing. Thereby, it is possible to perform correction with an emphasis on the secondary color and the tertiary color while preventing the density of the primary color from changing extremely.

  Further, the transfer current value supplied to the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d may be set to a common value, or the transfer current value may be set individually for each of the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d. When the transfer current values are individually set for the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d, the primary color, secondary color, and tertiary color patches in which the combinations of the transfer current values for the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d are different in S29. And an optimum combination of transfer current values may be reset based on the density detection result of each patch.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 that detects the image output characteristic of the image forming unit 6, and the process control condition that is the operating condition during the printing process in the image forming unit 6. The process control condition setting unit 67 for setting the print execution data and the storage device 4 for storing the print execution data are stored in the storage device 4 in association with the print execution data and the image output characteristics at the first printing. Then, when performing the reprinting process, the output characteristic acquisition unit 55 detects the image output characteristic at that time, and the process control condition setting unit 67 determines the image output characteristic at the time of the initial printing process and the image output characteristic at that time. In comparison, the process control conditions applied to the reprinting process are reset so that the image output characteristic during the reprinting process approaches the image output characteristic during the initial printing process.

  Thus, for example, even when the image output characteristics of the image forming unit change between the initial printing and the reprinting due to changes in environmental conditions, parts consumption, and the like, based on the print execution data read from the storage device 4. The image at the first printing can be reprinted with good reproducibility. In addition, since it is not necessary to perform the rasterizing process on the image data again during the reprinting process, the time required for the reprinting process can be reduced. That is, the image formed at the time of the first printing can be reprinted with good reproducibility without reducing the printing speed.

  In this embodiment, the developing bias voltage (process control condition) applied to the developing rollers 105a to 105d, the exposure intensity (process control condition) of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d by the exposure unit E, and the intermediate transfer rollers 13a to 13d. Although the configuration for correcting the transfer current amount (process control condition) supplied to the printer has been described, the process control condition correction method is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the developing bias voltage, the exposure intensity, and the transfer current amount, the charging potentials (process control conditions) of the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d by the charging units 103a to 103d may be corrected. As a method for resetting the charging potential, for example, a method similar to the method for resetting the developing bias voltage described above can be used. In this case, a plurality of solid density patches having different charging potentials in stages are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 11 for each color, and the density sensor 112 detects the density of each solid density patch. The charging potential for obtaining the same density may be calculated and reset for each color. Further, the image formation control unit 53 controls the voltage supplied from the power supply means (not shown) to the charging units 103a to 103d, for example, thereby charging the photosensitive drums 101a to 101d with the charging units 103a to 103d. To control.

  Further, it is not always necessary to correct all of the developing bias voltage, the exposure intensity, the transfer current amount, and the charging potential, and at least one of these process control conditions may be corrected.

  In the present embodiment, each unit (each block) provided in the image forming apparatus 1, in particular, the control unit 5 may be realized by software using a processor such as a CPU. In this case, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) that executes instructions of a control program that realizes each function, a ROM (read only memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (random access memory) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium on which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the image forming apparatus 1 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This is achieved by supplying the image forming apparatus 1 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Further, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  Further, each block of the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to being realized using software, but may be configured by hardware logic. Each block of the image forming apparatus 1 may be a combination of hardware that performs a part of processing and arithmetic means that executes software that controls the hardware and performs the remaining processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus that forms an image according to image data on a recording material, and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Operation panel 3 Communication apparatus 4 Memory | storage device (memory | storage means)
5 Control unit 6 Image forming unit (image forming means)
11 Intermediate transfer belts 13a to 13d Intermediate transfer roller (transfer member, transfer means)
53 Image formation control unit 54 Print execution data generation unit 55 Output characteristic acquisition unit 61 Recording material conveyance control unit 62 Rotation control unit 63 Exposure control unit 64 Development voltage control unit 65 Transfer current control unit 67 Process control condition setting unit 101a to 101d Photosensitive Body drum (image carrier)
102a to 102d Development unit (developing means)
103a to 103d charging unit (charging means)
105a to 105d Developing roller (developing member)
111 Intermediate transfer belt (transfer object)
112 Density sensor E Exposure unit (exposure means)

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus comprising image forming means for printing an image corresponding to the image data on a recording material based on the rasterized image data,
An output characteristic acquisition unit for detecting an image output characteristic of the image forming unit;
A process control condition setting unit for setting a process control condition which is an operation condition at the time of a printing process in the image forming unit;
Storage means for storing print execution data, which is image data subjected to initial print processing by the image forming means,
When storing the print execution data in the storage unit, the image output characteristic at the time of the initial print processing of the print execution data acquired by the output characteristic acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit in association with the print execution data,
When performing the reprint processing of the print execution data stored in the storage means,
The output characteristic acquisition unit detects the image output characteristic at the start of the reprint process,
The process control condition setting unit compares the image output characteristic at the time of the initial printing process stored in the storage unit with the image output characteristic at the start time of the reprinting process, and regenerates based on the comparison result. Reset the process control conditions to be applied to the reprinting process so that the image output characteristic at the time of the printing process approaches the image output characteristic at the time of the first printing process,
The image forming unit performs reprint processing without performing density correction processing on the print execution data read from the storage unit based on the process control condition reset by the process control condition setting unit. An image forming apparatus.   The image output characteristic includes at least one of an image density characteristic, a gradation characteristic, a dot reproduction characteristic, and a color reproduction characteristic of an image printed by the image forming unit. Image forming apparatus. The image forming unit includes a rotatable image carrier, a charging unit for charging the surface of the image carrier, and exposing the charged surface of the image carrier according to print execution data. An exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image according to print execution data on the body; and a developing member that is disposed opposite to the image carrier, and the electrostatic bias is applied to the developing member by applying a developing bias voltage to the developing member. A developing means that develops the electrostatic latent image by generating a potential difference between the latent image and the developing member to cause toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image and generate a toner image, and a transfer medium. And a transfer means for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the transfer member by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the transfer member. And
The process control condition setting unit, when performing the reprinting process, the charging potential of the surface of the image carrier by the charging unit, the exposure intensity of the image carrier by the exposure unit, and the developing bias voltage applied to the developing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a transfer current amount flowing through the transfer member during transfer is reset. The transfer body is an intermediate transfer body that conveys the toner image transferred from the image carrier to a transfer position for the recording material,
The image forming means forms a test image for output characteristic detection on the intermediate transfer member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output characteristic acquisition unit detects an image output characteristic of the image forming unit based on a test image formed on the intermediate transfer member. The image forming means forms a toner image corresponding to the test image for detecting output characteristics on the image carrier,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output characteristic acquisition unit detects an image output characteristic of the image forming unit based on a toner image of the test image formed on the image carrier. . A control method of an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit that prints an image corresponding to the image data on a recording material based on rasterized image data,
A first output characteristic detecting step of detecting an image output characteristic of the image forming means when the image forming means performs an initial printing process of the image data;
An initial printing step of performing an initial printing process of the image data by the image forming unit;
A storage step of storing the print execution data, which is image data subjected to the first print processing by the image forming means, and the image output characteristics at the time of the first print processing detected in the first output characteristic detection step in association with each other;
A second output characteristic detecting step of detecting an image output characteristic of the image forming means when performing the reprint processing of the print execution data stored in the storage step by the image forming means;
Comparing the image output characteristic at the time of the first print process with respect to the print execution data for performing the reprint process stored in the storage process and the image output characteristic detected in the second output characteristic detection step, and based on the comparison result Then, reset the process control condition, which is the operation condition of the image forming means at the time of the printing process, applied to the reprinting process so that the image output characteristic at the time of the reprinting process approaches the image output characteristic at the time of the first printing process. Process control condition setting step to perform,
A reprinting step for reprinting the print execution data without performing a density correction process on the print execution data stored in the storage step based on the process control conditions reset in the process control condition setting step; A control method for an image forming apparatus.   A program for operating the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computer functions as the process control condition setting unit.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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