JP5644845B2 - Image forming apparatus and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program thereof.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been used. The image forming apparatus includes a forming unit, and the image is formed on the object by transferring the image to the object to which the forming unit relatively moves. In such an image forming apparatus, the position of the image formed on the object by the forming unit may not coincide with the position of the planned image, and so-called misalignment may occur. In addition, the area of the image formed on the object by the forming unit may not match the area of the planned image, and so-called color shift may occur. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a correction process for preventing deterioration of image quality due to position shift, color shift, or the like is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In this correction process, the surface state of the target object is detected, the position where an image is formed on the target object is determined based on the detection result, and the correction process is executed, thereby causing a positional shift or a color shift. Suppress.

JP 2006-162652 A

  In the image forming apparatus, when the surface state of the object is deteriorated, or when the inside of the apparatus is at a high temperature or high humidity, the probability that the correction process is successful is reduced. In the conventional correction processing, even in such a case, for example, the correction processing is executed at the same frequency as usual by selecting a portion having a relatively good surface state. However, if the correction process is executed at the same frequency as usual in such a case, the number of times the correction process fails increases. As a result, the detection value that can be used for the correction process decreases, and the accuracy of the correction process decreases.

  The present specification discloses a technique for suppressing correction processing from being executed with low accuracy.

  The image forming apparatus disclosed in the present specification includes a forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object, and a first detection unit that detects a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit. A correction unit that executes a correction process for changing an image forming condition of the forming unit based on a detection result; a setting unit that sets an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit; A control unit that controls the correction process of the correction unit based on the setting of the unit, and the setting unit is set so that the frequency of execution of the correction process by the correction unit decreases as the correction accuracy decreases. To do.

  In this image reading apparatus, the correction unit is set so that the frequency of execution of correction processing by the correction unit decreases as the correction accuracy of the correction unit decreases. According to this image reading apparatus, even when it is evaluated that the correction accuracy of the correction unit is low, the number of times the correction processing fails can be suppressed to a low level, and the correction processing can be suppressed from being executed with low accuracy. it can.

  The image reading apparatus includes a storage unit that stores the correction accuracy and the execution frequency in association with each other, and the setting unit associates the correction accuracy stored in the storage unit with the execution frequency. The execution frequency may be set based on the relationship. According to this image reading apparatus, the execution frequency can be appropriately set based on the correspondence relationship between the correction accuracy stored in the storage unit and the execution frequency as compared with the case where there is no corresponding relationship.

  Further, the image reading apparatus includes a second detection unit that detects a surface state of the object, and the setting unit evaluates the correction accuracy based on a second detection result detected by the second detection unit. And when the said 2nd detection result does not satisfy | fill a reference | standard, it is good also as a structure set so that the said execution frequency may become low. In this image reading apparatus, when the surface state of the object is deteriorated so as not to meet the standard, the number of times the correction process fails is suppressed by setting the correction process to be performed less frequently. It is possible to suppress the correction process from being executed with low accuracy.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification, the first detection unit detects a forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object, and a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit. A correction unit that executes a correction process for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result; a setting unit that sets an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit; A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit, a third detection unit that detects at least one of temperature and humidity, a third detection result detected by the third detection unit, A storage unit that associates and stores information related to the first detection result of the correction process that is executed when the third detection result is detected, and the setting unit is stored in the storage unit Based on the above information Execution timing so that the correction processing by the correction unit is not executed when the information associated with the third detection result detected by the third detection unit does not satisfy a standard when the correction accuracy of the correction unit is evaluated. It is good also as a structure which sets.

  In this image reading apparatus, even when it is evaluated that the correction accuracy of the correction unit is low due to temperature and humidity, the number of times the correction processing fails is suppressed by setting so that the correction processing by the correction unit is not executed. It is possible to suppress the correction process from being executed with low accuracy.

  In the image reading apparatus, the third detection unit may be configured to detect at least one of temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus. According to this image reading device, the correction accuracy of the correction unit is evaluated based on the temperature and humidity inside the image forming apparatus, so that the correction process can be executed with higher accuracy than when based on the temperature and humidity outside the device. can do.

  In the image reading apparatus, the setting unit has changed from a case where the information associated with the third detection result detected by the third detection unit does not satisfy the criterion to a case where the information satisfies the criterion. In this case, the execution timing may be set so as to execute the correction process by the correction unit. According to this image reading apparatus, after the information about the first detection result has changed from the case where the reference is not satisfied to the case where the reference is satisfied, the correction processing by the correction unit can be executed, such as density shift or position shift. Can be prevented from occurring.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification, the first detection unit detects a forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object, and a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit. A correction unit that executes a correction process for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result; a setting unit that sets an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit; A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit; and a time measuring unit, the correction unit after the correction processing of the first image forming condition of the forming unit The second image forming condition correction process is executed, and the setting unit performs the correction process of the second image forming condition after the correction process of the first image forming condition timed by the timing unit is executed. In the measurement time until execution Accordingly, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition is evaluated, and the execution timing is set so as not to execute the correction process of the second image forming condition when the measurement time is longer than a reference time. It is also good.

  In this image reading apparatus, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition is increased based on the measurement time from when the correction process of the first image forming condition is executed until the correction process of the second image forming condition is executed. evaluate. In general, it is known that the shorter the elapsed time from the correction process performed immediately before, the higher the probability that the next correction process will be successful. In the present invention, it is possible to prevent the correction processing of the second image forming condition from being executed with low accuracy by using this action.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in this specification, the first detection unit detects a forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object, and a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit. A correction unit that executes a correction process for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result; a setting unit that sets an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit; A control unit that controls the correction process of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit, and the correction unit performs the second image of the forming unit after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming unit. The forming condition correction process is executed, and the setting unit evaluates the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition based on information on the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition, and Correction of one image forming condition If the information about the management results do not meet the criteria, it may be configured to set the execution timing so as not to execute the correction process of the second image forming condition.

  In this image reading apparatus, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition is evaluated based on the information related to the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition performed immediately before. According to this image reading apparatus, the number of times the correction process of the second image forming condition fails even when the information related to the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition performed immediately before is so low that the information does not satisfy the standard. The second image forming condition correction process can be suppressed from being executed with low accuracy.

  In the image reading apparatus, the first image formation condition correction process may be a density correction process, and the second image formation condition correction process may be a misregistration correction process. According to this image reading apparatus, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation correction process performed after the density correction process from being performed with low accuracy.

  The invention disclosed in this specification can be realized in various modes such as a control device, a control method, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods or devices, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. Can do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the correction processing in the image forming apparatus from being executed with low accuracy.

Side sectional view of the printer 10 Block diagram showing the control system of the printer 10 Flowchart showing the correction process of the printer 10 Flow chart for setting the correction interval H Flow chart for checking misalignment correction request Flow chart for checking density correction request Correction processing flowchart Perspective view of optical sensors 24, 26 and belt 36 Table showing the relationship between the reference strength Z and the belt deterioration degree K Table showing relationship between belt deterioration degree K and correction interval H Manual correction chart Block diagram showing a control system of the printer 110 A flowchart showing correction processing of the printer 110 Correction processing flowchart Table showing relationship between reference range X and correction history R Table showing relationship between reference range X and correction history R

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1. Overall Configuration of Printer FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printer 10 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 10 is a direct transfer tandem color laser printer that forms a color image using toners of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black), and is configured in a casing 12. ing. A supply tray 14 is provided on the inner bottom of the casing 12, and a sheet material 16 such as paper is stacked on the supply tray 14.

  When the sheet material 16 is supplied to the supply tray 14 by the user and stored in the casing 12, the sheet material 16 is lifted upward by the pressing plate 18 and pressed by the pickup roller 20. The sheet material 16 is sent to the registration roller 22 by the rotation of the pickup roller 20. The sheet material 16 is fed to the belt unit 30 after skew correction is performed by the registration rollers 22.

  The belt unit 30 includes a pair of support rollers 32 and 34, a belt (another example of an object) 36, and a plurality of transfer rollers 38. The belt 36 is provided between the support rollers 32 and 34, and both ends thereof are joined to form a ring shape. The transfer rollers 38 are arranged at equal intervals in the ring-shaped belt 36. The support rollers 32 and 34 are rotated counterclockwise by a motor (not shown), and the belt 36 is moved accordingly. The sheet material 16 delivered to the belt unit 30 moves together with the belt 36 as the belt 36 rotates.

  An image forming unit 40 is provided on the upper side of the belt unit 30. The image forming unit 40 includes a scanner unit 42 and a process unit 44. The scanner unit 42 (process unit 44) includes four scanner units 42 (process units 44) corresponding to four color toners. When each scanner unit 42 (process unit 44) is specified and indicated, an alphabet (Yellow: Y, magenta: M, cyan: C, black: BK) for identifying each color indicated by one or two characters after the illustrated number. ) The process units 44 are arranged at equal intervals at positions corresponding to the transfer rollers 38 of the belt unit 30, and the scanner units 42 are arranged above the corresponding process units 44.

  The scanner unit 42 controls each laser emission unit 46 based on each color image data sent from the computer 70 (see FIG. 2), and irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 50 provided in the corresponding process unit 44 with the laser beam L. To do.

  The process unit 44 includes a charger 48, a photosensitive drum 50, a developing cartridge 52, and the like. The charger 48 uniformly positively charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 50. The developing cartridge 52 is provided with a toner storage chamber 54, a developing roller 56, and the like. The toner accommodating chamber 54 of the developing cartridge 52 is filled with toner, and the toner in the toner accommodating chamber 54 is supplied onto the developing roller 56.

  In the image forming unit 40, the charger 48 positively charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 50 when an image is formed on the sheet material 16 or the belt 36. Next, the laser beam L is irradiated from the laser light emitting unit 46 of the scanner unit 42 to the photosensitive drum 50. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image to be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 50 is formed.

  When the photosensitive drum 50 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed passes the toner supply position F with the developing roller 56, the toner carried on the developing roller 56 is in the range where the electrostatic latent image is formed. Supplied on the surface. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the photosensitive drum 50.

  When the photosensitive drum 50 on which the toner image is formed passes the transfer position I with the transfer roller 38, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 50 moves in the transfer position I by the negative transfer bias applied to the transfer roller 38. It is transferred onto the sheet material 16 (belt 36). As a result, an image is formed on the sheet material 16. Further, batches 92 and 94 (see FIG. 8) are formed on the belt 36. As the belt 36 moves, images of the respective colors are continuously formed on the sheet material 16 (belt 36). The image formed on the sheet material 16 is sent to a fixing device 58 to be fixed, and is discharged by a paper discharge roller 60 to a paper discharge tray 62 formed outside the casing 12.

  Optical sensors 24 and 26 and a cleaning roller 28 are provided below the belt unit 30. The optical sensors 24 and 26 are for detecting the batches 92 and 94 formed on the belt 36. As shown in FIG. 8, the optical sensors 24 and 26 are reflective optical sensors and are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the belt 36 indicated by an arrow 95.

  The cleaning roller 28 removes toner, paper dust, and the like attached to the belt 36. Here, the “adhered toner” includes batches 92 and 94 that are intentionally formed on the belt 36 in addition to the toner unintentionally adhered to the belt.

2. FIG. 2 schematically shows a control system of the printer 10. The printer 10 further includes an operation unit 86 and a computer 70, and the printer 10 is controlled by the computer 70. The operation unit 86 includes a plurality of buttons, and the user can perform input operations such as power on / off, a print start instruction, and correction settings. The computer 70 includes a memory 72 and a CPU 74. Various programs P for controlling the operation of the printer 10 are stored in the memory 72, and the CPU 74 realizes various functions of the printer 10 according to the programs P read from the memory 72.

  In the printer 10, four scanner units 42 (process units 44) corresponding to four color toners are provided in the image forming unit 40. If the image forming conditions such as the density and position of the image formed on the sheet material 16 by each scanner unit 42 (process unit 44) are not adjusted, the quality of the image formed on the sheet material 16 is deteriorated. Therefore, a program P for correcting the image forming conditions of each scanner unit 42 (process unit 44) is stored in the memory 72 of the computer 70, and the program P is executed under certain conditions. At that time, as shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 74 functions as a setting unit 76 and a control unit 78. Further, the CPU 74 functions as the changing unit 80, and the CPU 74 functioning as the changing unit 80 functions as the correcting unit 82 by operating in conjunction with the optical sensors 24 and 26. The correction unit 82 controls the image forming unit 40 and the like, and uses the reference strength Z, the belt deterioration degree K, the correction interval H, and the like stored in the memory 72, and the image forming conditions of each scanner unit 42 (process unit 44). Correct.

3. Formed Image Correction Processing With reference to FIG. 3, the image forming condition correction processing of the printer 10 will be described. This process is repeatedly executed after the printer 10 is turned on.
When starting the correction process, the CPU 74 confirms the correction setting input by the user (step S2). Next, the CPU 74 sets the correction interval H of the correction unit 82 (step S4).

In step S4, the CPU 74 functions as the setting unit 76 and executes the following processing shown in FIG.
The CPU 74 controls the optical sensors 24 and 26 to detect the surface state of the belt 36 (step S12). Specifically, the surface state of the belt 36 is detected by the optical sensors 24 and 26 while the belt 36 is moved. As shown in FIG. 8, the optical sensors 24 and 26 irradiate the detection area E on the surface of the belt 36 from the built-in light sources 24a and 26a, and measure the intensity of the light L reflected from the belt 36. The measurement result is transmitted to the CPU 74.

  Next, the CPU 74 selects a belt deterioration degree K based on the measurement result (step S14). At this time, an average value for one round of the belt may be obtained from the measurement result, and the deterioration degree K of the belt may be selected using the average value, or the lowest intensity value may be used among the measurement results for the one round of the belt. Good. The CPU 74 compares the measurement result transmitted from the optical sensors 24 and 26 with the reference intensity Z stored in the memory 72. In the memory 72, the reference strength Z is stored in association with the belt deterioration degree K as shown in FIG. The memory 72 is set such that the belt deterioration degree K decreases as the reference strength Z decreases. The belt deterioration degree K is lower than the initial state (belt deterioration degree K: “3”) when the belt 36 deteriorates and the measurement result measured by the optical sensors 24 and 26 decreases. The CPU 74 discriminates the reference strength Z to which the measurement result belongs, and selects the belt deterioration level K associated with the reference strength Z.

  Next, the CPU 76 determines the correction interval H based on the selected belt deterioration degree K, and sets it to the correction interval H of the correction unit 82 (step S14). In the memory 72, a correction interval H is set in association with the belt deterioration degree K as shown in FIG. The memory 72 is set so that the correction interval H increases and the correction frequency decreases as the belt deterioration degree K decreases. That is, the correction processing is set not to be executed as the belt deterioration degree K decreases. The CPU 74 determines the correction interval H associated with the selected belt deterioration degree K, and sets this as the correction interval H of the correction unit 82.

  In the present embodiment, the correction interval H1 for density deviation correction of the first correction unit (that is, the first change unit 80a and the optical sensors 24 and 26) set by the first setting unit 76a is the sheet from the previous correction process. It is set using the number of prints of the material 16. In addition, the correction interval H2 for misalignment correction of the second corrector (that is, the second changing unit 80b and the optical sensors 24 and 26) set by the second setting unit 76b is the elapsed time from the previous misalignment correction. Is set using. In the present embodiment, the correction interval H is set under different conditions in the first correction unit and the second correction unit in order to perform correction processing according to each image forming condition. The correction interval H1 is from the initial state (correction interval H1: “30 minutes”, correction interval H2: “page 150”) when the belt 36 deteriorates and the measurement results measured by the optical sensors 24 and 26 decrease. So that the correction frequency decreases.

Next, the CPU 76 performs a check process for a misalignment correction request (step S6). The CPU 74 functions as the control unit 78 in step S6 and executes the following processing shown in FIG.
The CPU 74 confirms the misalignment correction setting confirmed in step S2 (step S22). The CPU 74 measures the elapsed time T1 from the previous misalignment correction, and compares the elapsed time T1 with the correction interval H2 when the misalignment correction setting is ON (YES in step S22) (step S24). . When the elapsed time T1 is equal to or shorter than the correction interval H2 (NO in step S24), the CPU 74 ends the misregistration correction request check process. When the elapsed time T1 exceeds the correction interval H2 (YES in step S24), the CPU 74 checks whether the correction interval H2 is equal to the maximum correction interval H20 (120 minutes) (step S26). When the correction interval H2 is equal to the maximum correction interval H20 (YES in step S26), the CPU 74 sets the manual correction request S to on (step S32). When the correction interval H2 is smaller than the maximum correction interval H20 (NO in step S26), the CPU 74 sets the misregistration correction request D to ON and ends the misregistration correction request check process (step S28). On the other hand, the CPU 74 also ends the positional deviation correction request checking process when the positional deviation correction setting is OFF (NO in step S22).

Next, the CPU 74 performs a density correction request check process (step S8). The CPU 74 functions as the control unit 78 in step S8 and executes the following processing shown in FIG.
The CPU 74 confirms the density correction setting confirmed in step S2 (step S42). The CPU 74 measures the number of printed sheets M of the printer 10 from the previous density correction. If the density correction setting is ON (YES in step S42), the CPU 74 compares the number of printed sheets M with the correction interval H1 (step S44). ). When the number of printed sheets M is equal to or less than the correction interval H1 (NO in step S44), the CPU 74 ends the density correction request check process. When the number of printed sheets M exceeds the correction interval H1 (YES in step S44), the CPU 74 checks whether the correction interval H1 is equal to the maximum correction interval H10 (300 pages) (step S46). When the correction interval H1 is equal to the maximum correction interval H10 (YES in step S46), and the manual correction request S is not set to ON in the positional deviation correction request check process, the CPU 74 performs the manual correction request S. Is set to ON (step S52). When the correction interval H1 is smaller than the maximum correction interval H10 (NO in step S46), the CPU 74 sets the density correction request U to ON, resets the number of printed sheets M (step S50), and checks the density correction request. The process ends. On the other hand, the CPU 74 also ends the positional deviation correction request checking process when the positional deviation correction setting is OFF (NO in step S42).

  When the correction interval H1 is equal to the maximum correction interval H10, or when the correction interval H2 is equal to the maximum correction interval H20, the CPU 74 sets the manual correction request S to ON (step S32). As shown in FIG. 10, when the correction interval H1 is equal to the maximum correction interval H10 (when the correction interval H2 is equal to the maximum correction interval H20), the belt deterioration degree K is small and the probability that the belt is deteriorated is high. In this embodiment, in such a case, the user's manual correction process is requested and the correction process by the correction unit 82 is refrained, so that the correction process by the correction unit is suppressed from being executed with low accuracy.

Next, the CPU 74 executes correction processing (step 10). The CPU 74 functions as the changing unit 80 (correction unit 82) in step S10, and executes the following processing shown in FIG.
The CPU 74 executes density correction processing prior to the positional deviation correction processing. In the misregistration correction process, the batches 92 and 94 are formed at a density equal to or higher than a specified density in order to accurately detect the positions of the batches 92 and 94 formed on the belt 36 using the optical sensors 24 and 26. There is a need. By executing the density correction process prior to the position deviation correction process, it is possible to suppress the position deviation correction process from being performed with low accuracy.

  When executing the density correction process, the CPU 74 first confirms the density correction request U (step S62). When the density correction request U is on (YES in step S62), the CPU 74 executes density correction processing (step S64). In the density correction process, as shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 74 controls the image forming unit 40 to form density correction batches 92 and 94 on the surface of the belt 36. The CPU 74 controls the optical sensors 24 and 26 to detect the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 in the range E1 where the batches 92 and 94 are formed. The CPU 74 changes the image forming condition of the image forming unit 40 so that the width value of the range in which the detected reflected light intensity exceeds the predetermined threshold value matches the reference width value. After executing the density correction process, the density correction request U is turned off (step S66). On the other hand, when the density correction request U is OFF (NO in step S62), the density correction process is not executed.

  Next, the CPU 74 executes misalignment correction processing. When executing the misregistration correction process, the CPU 74 confirms the misregistration correction request D (step S68). When the misregistration correction request D is on (YES in step S68), the CPU 74 executes misregistration correction processing (step S70). The CPU 74 detects the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 in the range E1 where the batches 92 and 94 are formed by the same process as the density correction process, and the detected reflected light intensity exceeds the predetermined threshold. The image forming conditions of the image forming unit 40 are changed so that the position in the moving direction of the belt 36 coincides with the reference position. After executing the misalignment correction process, the misalignment correction request D is turned off (step S72), the elapsed time T1 is reset, and counting of the elapsed time T1 is started again (step S73). On the other hand, when the positional deviation correction request D is OFF (NO in step S68), the positional deviation correction process is not executed.

  Next, the CPU 74 executes manual correction processing. When executing the manual correction process, the CPU 74 confirms the manual correction request S (step S74). When the manual correction request S is ON (YES in step S74), the CPU 74 controls the image forming unit 40 to print the manual correction chart shown in FIG. 11 on the sheet material 16 (step S76). FIG. 11 is a manual correction chart for correcting color misregistration.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the manual correction chart includes a plurality of identification marks 96 for manually correcting the image forming conditions (density and positional deviation) of the image forming unit 40. Each identification mark 96 includes a first identification mark 96a that adjusts an image forming condition between black and magenta, a second identification mark 96b that adjusts an image forming condition between black and cyan, and between black and yellow. A third identification mark 96c for adjusting the image forming conditions is formed. Each identification mark 96 a, 96 b, 96 c is arranged one by one on the left and right sides in the short side direction of the sheet material 16 (corresponding to the sub-main scanning direction of the belt 36) and the central portion of the sheet material 16.

  Next, the CPU 47 prompts the user to perform manual correction processing by displaying on a display provided on the operation unit 86 (step S78). When it is evaluated that the correction accuracy of the correction processing by the correction unit 82 is low, a certain correction accuracy is ensured by causing the user to execute manual correction processing. A user who notices the printing of the manual correction chart and the display on the display unit inputs a value relating to the positional deviation in association with each identification mark 96a, 96b, 96c. The CPU 47 corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit 40 in the main scanning direction of the belt 36 from the values input based on the identification marks 96a, 96b, 96c arranged on the left and right sides. Further, the CPU 47 corrects the image forming conditions of the image forming unit 40 in the sub-scanning direction of the belt 36 from the values input based on the identification marks 96a, 96b, 96c arranged at the center. After executing the above processing, the CPU 47 turns off the manual correction request S (step S80). When manually correcting the density correction, a manual correction chart for density correction different from that shown in FIG. 11 is printed, and the value of the density deviation confirmed by the user's visual observation is input. Density correction may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, the correction frequency is set to decrease when the belt 36 deteriorates and the measurement results measured by the optical sensors 24 and 26 decrease. That is, the correction process is set not to be executed. According to the present embodiment, even when it is evaluated that the correction accuracy of the correction unit 82 is low, the number of times the correction process fails can be suppressed low, and the correction process is suppressed from being executed with low accuracy.

<Embodiment 2>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 12 schematically shows a control system of the printer 110 according to the second embodiment. The printer 110 includes a temperature sensor 88 that detects the temperature Q in the printer 110. The CPU 74 has a function as a time measuring unit 84 that measures the time N when the density correction processing is executed. The memory 72 stores a reference time G that serves as a reference for the elapsed time T2 from the execution time N of the density correction process. Further, as shown in FIG. 15 a, the memory 72 stores a reference range X that is a reference for the temperature Q detected by the temperature sensor 88 in association with the correction history R of the positional deviation correction processing of the printer 10. The correction history R is a history indicating whether correction processing in the printer 110 has been performed normally. Here, “correction processing is not performed normally” means that, for example, the number of data that can be used in the correction processing is insufficient in the number of data detected using the batches 92 and 94, and the correction processing is interrupted. Means cases. In the reference range X and the correction history R stored in association with each other, for example, “◯” indicating that the correction is normally performed is stored in the correction history R for all of the reference range X prepared by the printer manufacturer as an initial value. ing. Therefore, when the correction process is executed and the correction is not normally performed, “x” is stored in the correction history R corresponding to the temperature at which the correction process is executed. As shown in the reference range X2, when all the correction processes executed in the reference range X2 have been normally performed so far, the correction history R corresponding to the reference range X2 remains stored as “◯”. On the other hand, as shown in the reference range X1, when the correction processing performed in the reference range X1 has not been performed normally until now, the correction history R corresponding to the reference range X1 is stored as “x”. The

With reference to FIG. 13, the image forming condition correction processing of the printer 110 will be described.
When starting the correction process, the CPU 74 confirms the correction setting input by the user (step S82). Next, the CPU 74 performs a check process for a positional deviation correction request (step S84) and a check process for a density correction request (step S86) without setting the correction interval H of the correction unit 82 as in the first embodiment. In addition, about the process of step S84, S86, it is the same as the process demonstrated using the same name in Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

Next, the CPU 74 executes correction processing (step S88). The CPU 74 functions as the changing unit 80 (correction unit 82) in step S88, and executes the following processing shown in FIG.
The CPU 74 first executes density correction processing. When the density correction request U is on (YES in step S92), the CPU 74 executes density correction processing (step S94).

  In the present embodiment, the correction interval H of the correction unit 82 is set at the same time when density correction processing is performed. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the CPU 74 detects the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 in the range E1 where the batches 92 and 94 are formed, the belt 74 in the range E2 where the batches 92 and 94 are not formed. The reflected light intensity is also detected at the same time. The CPU 74 executes density correction processing using the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 detected from the range E1 where the batches 92 and 94 are formed. Further, the CPU 74 uses the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 detected from the range E2 in which the batches 92 and 94 are not formed, to correct the correction interval H (in the first correction interval H1, the correction of the density correction process to be executed next time). Set the interval H1). The detection of the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 necessary for the density correction process and the detection of the reflected light intensity of the belt 36 necessary for setting the correction interval H can be performed at a time, and the time required for the correction process is shortened. The Note that the density correction process and the process for setting the correction interval H are the same as the processes described using the same names in the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

  After executing the density correction process, the CPU 74 turns off the density correction request U (step S96) and measures the time N during which the density correction process is executed (step S98). On the other hand, if the density correction request U is OFF (NO in step S92), the density correction process is terminated.

  Next, the CPU 74 executes misalignment correction processing. The CPU 74 confirms the positional deviation correction request D (Step S100). CPU74 performs the process demonstrated below, when the position shift correction request | requirement D is ON (it is YES at step S100). On the other hand, when the position deviation correction request D is OFF (NO in step S100), the CPU 74 ends the position correction process. When the misregistration correction request D is ON (YES in step S100), the CPU 74 controls the temperature sensor 88 to detect the temperature Q in the printer (step S102). The CPU 74 compares the detected temperature Q with the reference range X stored in the memory 72 (step S104). When the detected temperature Q is included in the reference range X corresponding to the correction history R “O” (YES in step S104), the CPU 74 proceeds to the next process (step S106).

  On the other hand, when the detected temperature Q is included in the reference range X corresponding to the correction history R “×” (NO in step S104), the CPU 74 performs the positional deviation correction process without turning off the positional deviation correction request D. Exit. In the present embodiment, when the correction history R is “x”, the misalignment correction process is not executed. When the correction history R is “x” and the correction process may fail, the correction process is not executed, so that the misalignment correction process is suppressed from being executed with low accuracy. In the present embodiment, by not turning off the misalignment correction request D in the above case, the temperature Q detected in the subsequent correction processing changes to the temperature of the reference range X corresponding to the correction history R “O”. Until then, the positional deviation correction request D is kept on. Thus, when the detected temperature Q changes to the temperature of the reference range X corresponding to the correction history R “O”, the positional deviation correction process is reliably executed.

  The CPU 74 stores the result of the density correction process performed immediately before. If the density correction process performed immediately before is performed normally (YES in step S106), the CPU 74 proceeds to the next process (step S108). .

  On the other hand, when the density correction process performed immediately before is not performed normally (NO in step S106), the CPU 74 turns off the positional deviation correction request (step S114) and ends the positional deviation correction process. When the density correction process performed immediately before is not performed normally, there is a high probability that the positional deviation correction process performed in the same procedure is not performed normally. By not performing the positional deviation correction process when the density correction process performed immediately before is not performed normally, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation correction process from being performed with low accuracy.

  Next, the CPU 74 calculates an elapsed time T2 from the execution time N of the density correction process, and compares it with the reference time G stored in the memory 72 (step S108). When the elapsed time T2 is shorter than the reference time G (YES in step S108), the CPU 74 resets the elapsed time T1 and starts counting the elapsed time T1 again after performing the misalignment correction process (step S110). (S111). Note that the misregistration correction processing is the same as the processing described using the same name in the first embodiment, and redundant description is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the elapsed time T2 is equal to or longer than the reference time G (NO in step S108), the CPU 74 turns off the positional deviation correction request (step S114) and ends the positional deviation correction process. In general, it is known that the shorter the elapsed time from the correction process performed immediately before, the higher the probability that the next correction process will be successful. In the present invention, when the elapsed time T2 from the execution time N from the density correction process performed immediately before is equal to or longer than the reference time G, the position shift correction process is not executed, so that the position shift correction process is executed with low accuracy. Is suppressed.

  The CPU 74 stores the result of the misregistration correction process. If the last misregistration correction process has been performed normally (YES in step S112), the density correction request U is turned off (step S114). . On the other hand, when the positional deviation correction process performed immediately before is not performed normally (NO in step S112), this result is stored in the correction history R. For example, when the temperature Q detected in step S102 belongs to the reference range X2, as shown in FIG. 15b, the correction history R corresponding to the reference range X2 is changed to “x”.

  The CPU 74 does not turn off the misalignment correction request D when the misalignment correction process performed immediately before is not performed normally (NO in step S112). In the present embodiment, by not turning off the misalignment correction request D in the above case, the temperature Q detected in the subsequent correction processing becomes the temperature included in the reference range X corresponding to the correction history R “O”. In the case of a change, the misalignment correction process is reliably executed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
For example, the image forming apparatus is not limited to a color printer, but may be, for example, a monochrome printer, a so-called multi-function machine having a copy function, or the like.

  In the second embodiment, an embodiment is described in which it is determined whether or not to execute correction processing based on the temperature in the printer 110. However, whether or not correction processing is to be executed based on humidity in the printer 110 has been described. It may be determined, and it may be determined whether or not to execute the correction process based on both temperature and humidity. The correction process for determining whether or not to execute is not limited to the positional deviation correction process. In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the color misregistration correction process is performed based on the temperature (step S104), but the density correction may be performed in the same manner.

The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.
In addition, the technology exemplified in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

10: printer, 16: sheet material, 24: optical sensor, 36: belt, 40: image forming unit, 70: computer, 76: setting unit, 78: control unit, 80: changing unit, 82: correcting unit, 84: Timekeeping section, 88: Temperature sensor, 92, 94: Batch, D: Misalignment correction request, U: Density correction request, S: Manual correction request, G: Reference time, H: Correction interval, K: Belt deterioration degree, R : Correction history, X: Reference range, Z: Reference strength

Claims (15)

A forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction unit that executes correction processing for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result of the first detection unit detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit;
A setting unit for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit;
A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit;
With
The setting unit stores a combination of execution frequencies of the correction processing by the correction unit corresponding to the correction accuracy, and the correction processing execution frequency by the correction unit decreases as the correction accuracy decreases. An image forming apparatus to be set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
A storage unit that stores the correction accuracy and the execution frequency in association with each other;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the setting unit sets the execution frequency based on a correspondence relationship between the correction accuracy stored in the storage unit and the execution frequency. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A second detector for detecting a surface state of the object;
The setting unit evaluates the correction accuracy based on a second detection result detected by the second detection unit, and sets the execution frequency to be low when the second detection result does not satisfy a standard. Image forming apparatus. A forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction unit that executes correction processing for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result of the first detection unit detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit;
A setting unit for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit;
A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit;
A third detector for detecting at least one of temperature and humidity;
A storage unit that associates and stores a third detection result detected by the third detection unit and information related to the first detection result of the correction process executed when the third detection result is detected;
With
The setting unit evaluates the correction accuracy of the correction unit based on the information stored in the storage unit, and the information associated with the third detection result detected by the third detection unit is used as a reference. An image forming apparatus that sets an execution timing so that the correction process by the correction unit is not executed when the condition is not satisfied. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,
The third detection unit is an image forming apparatus that detects at least one of temperature and humidity in the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
The setting unit performs correction processing by the correction unit when the information associated with the third detection result detected by the third detection unit changes from a case where the information does not satisfy the criterion to a case where the information satisfies the criterion. An image forming apparatus that sets execution timing so as to execute. A forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction unit that executes correction processing for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result of the first detection unit detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit;
A setting unit for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit;
A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit;
A timekeeping section,
With
The correction unit performs a correction process of a second image forming condition different from the first image forming condition of the forming unit after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming unit;
The setting unit is configured to form the second image based on a measurement time from when the correction process for the first image forming condition measured by the timing unit is performed until the correction process for the second image forming condition is performed. An image forming apparatus that evaluates a correction accuracy of a condition correction process and sets an execution timing so as not to execute the correction process of the second image forming condition when the measurement time is longer than a reference time. A forming unit that forms an image of a plurality of colors on a relatively moving object;
The image forming condition of the forming unit is changed based on a first detection result in which the first detecting unit detects a correction mark in which the mark of each color is continuous among the plurality of colors formed on the object by the forming unit. A correction unit that executes correction processing to be performed;
A setting unit for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit;
A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit;
With
The correction unit performs a correction process of a second image forming condition different from the first image forming condition of the forming unit after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming unit;
The setting unit evaluates the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition based on information about the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition, and information about the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition An image forming apparatus that sets an execution timing so that the correction process of the second image forming condition is not executed when the image quality does not satisfy the standard. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the correction process for the first image forming condition is a density correction process, and the correction process for the second image formation condition is a misregistration correction process. A forming unit that forms an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction unit that executes correction processing for changing the image forming condition of the forming unit based on a first detection result of the first detection unit detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming unit;
A setting unit for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction unit;
A control unit that controls correction processing of the correction unit based on the setting of the setting unit;
A third detector for detecting temperature;
With
The correction unit performs a correction process of a second image forming condition different from the first image forming condition of the forming unit after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming unit;
The setting unit corrects the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition at the predetermined temperature based on the information regarding the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition at the predetermined temperature detected by the third detection unit. The image forming apparatus sets the execution timing so as not to execute the correction process of the second image forming condition when the information regarding the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition does not satisfy the standard. In a computer used for an image forming apparatus,
A forming process for forming an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction process for correcting the image forming condition of the forming process based on a first detection result of detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming process;
A setting process for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction process;
A control process for controlling the correction process based on the setting of the setting process;
And execute
For the image forming apparatus, the setting process uses a combination of the execution frequencies of the correction processes corresponding to the correction accuracy and sets the execution frequency of the correction processes to be lower as the correction accuracy decreases. program. In a computer used for an image forming apparatus,
A forming process for forming an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction process for correcting the image forming condition of the forming process based on a first detection result of detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming process;
A setting process for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction process;
A control process for controlling the correction process based on the setting of the setting process;
A third detection process for detecting at least one of temperature and humidity;
A storage process for storing the third detection result detected by the third detection process in association with the information related to the first detection result of the correction process executed when the third detection result is detected;
And execute
In the setting process, the correction accuracy is evaluated based on the information stored in the storage process, and the information associated with the third detection result detected in the third detection process does not satisfy a standard. A program for an image forming apparatus that sets execution timing so as not to execute the correction processing. In a computer used for an image forming apparatus,
A forming process for forming an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction process for correcting the image forming condition of the forming process based on a first detection result of detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming process;
A setting process for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction process;
A control process for controlling the correction process based on the setting of the setting process;
A timing process for measuring the time between the correction processes;
And execute
In the correction process, a correction process of a second image forming condition different from the first image forming condition of the forming process is executed after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming process,
In the timing process, the time from the execution of the correction process of the first image forming condition to the execution of the correction process of the second image formation condition is counted,
In the setting process, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image formation condition is evaluated based on the measurement time measured by the time measurement process, and the second image formation is performed when the measurement time is longer than a reference time. A program for an image forming apparatus that sets an execution timing so as not to execute a condition correction process. In a computer used for an image forming apparatus,
A forming process for forming an image of a plurality of colors on a relatively moving object;
A correction process for correcting the image forming condition of the forming process based on a first detection result of detecting a correction mark in which each color mark is continuous among the plurality of colors formed on the object by the forming process;
A setting process for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction process;
A control process for controlling the correction process based on the setting of the setting process;
And execute
In the correction process, a correction process of a second image formation condition different from the first image formation condition of the formation process is executed after the correction process of the first image formation condition of the formation process,
In the setting process, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition is evaluated based on the information related to the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition, and the information related to the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition A program for an image forming apparatus that sets an execution timing so as not to execute the correction processing of the second image forming condition when the above does not satisfy the standard. In a computer used for an image forming apparatus,
A forming process for forming an image on a relatively moving object;
A correction process for correcting the image forming condition of the forming process based on a first detection result of detecting a correction mark formed on the object by the forming process;
A setting process for setting an execution timing for executing the correction process according to the correction accuracy of the correction process;
A control process for controlling the correction process based on the setting of the setting process;
A third detection process for detecting temperature;
And execute
In the correction process, a correction process of a second image forming condition different from the first image forming condition of the forming process is executed after the correction process of the first image forming condition of the forming process,
In the setting process, the correction accuracy of the correction process of the second image forming condition at the predetermined temperature based on the information related to the result of the correction process of the first image forming condition at the predetermined temperature detected by the third detection process. And a program for an image forming apparatus that sets an execution timing so as not to execute the correction process for the second image forming condition when the information regarding the result of the correction process for the first image forming condition does not satisfy the standard. .

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