JP5838641B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a white fluorescent toner that absorbs ultraviolet rays and emits white light, and an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a color toner.

  Conventionally, when a color fluorescent image is formed on a recording medium, red (R), green (G), and blue (B) fluorescent toners are used. These fluorescent toners emit light of R color, G color, and B color, respectively, when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In Patent Document 1, an image of a desired fluorescent color is obtained by using these R, G, and B fluorescent toners and cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) color toners. A forming technique is disclosed.

  However, while it is required to form an image so that the human eye perceives the fluorescent color in an environment irradiated with ultraviolet light, in an environment irradiated with normal light, the image is made a different desired color. It may be required to allow the eyes to perceive. However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows a fluorescent color to be perceived in an environment irradiated with ultraviolet light, the image is displayed in an environment where normal light is irradiated without being irradiated with ultraviolet light. The problem is that the desired color is not perceived by the human eye.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 includes a white fluorescent toner that emits white light by absorbing ultraviolet light, cyan, magenta, yellow, of any one or more of the black and color toner An image forming apparatus that forms an image using the first color toner based on first image information representing an image perceived by a human eye in a fluorescent color when irradiated with ultraviolet light First color toner adhesion amount determination means for determining the amount, second image information representing an image perceived by the human eye when the ultraviolet illumination is not irradiated, and the first color toner adhesion amount determination means determined by the first second color toner adhesion amount determination unit, the second color toner adhesion amount determination means for determining the coating weight of the second color toner on the basis of the deposition amount of the color toners is determined by Recording medium with an attached amount of color toner A second color toner adhering means for adhering; and the white fluorescent toner adhering to a surface of the second color toner adhering by the second color toner adhering means opposite to the surface in contact with the recording medium. The first color toner is disposed on a surface opposite to the surface of the recording medium that is in contact with the second color toner of the white fluorescent toner adhered by the white fluorescent toner adhesion unit. And a first color toner adhering unit for adhering the first color toner of the adhering amount determined by the adhering amount determining unit.

The invention according to claim 4, for forming an image using a white fluorescent toner that emits white light by absorbing ultraviolet light, cyan, magenta, yellow, of any one or more of the black and color toner An image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus, the first image information representing an image perceived by a human eye in a fluorescent color when the image forming apparatus is irradiated with ultraviolet illumination . A first color toner adhesion amount determination step for determining an adhesion amount of one color toner, second image information representing an image perceived by human eyes when the ultraviolet illumination is not irradiated, and the first A second color toner adhesion amount determination step for determining the adhesion amount of the second color toner based on the adhesion amount of the first color toner determined by the color toner adhesion amount determination step; and the second color toner Determined by the adhesion amount determination process A second color toner adhering step for adhering an amount of color toner to the recording medium; and the white color toner adhering in the second color toner adhering step on the surface not in contact with the recording medium. A white fluorescent toner attaching step for attaching the fluorescent toner; and a surface opposite to the surface of the recording medium in contact with the second color toner of the white fluorescent toner attached by the white fluorescent toner attaching step, A first color toner attaching step for attaching the first color toner of the attachment amount determined in the first color toner attachment amount determining step is executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, the second color toner is attached to the recording medium, the white fluorescent toner is attached to the surface of the second color toner that is not in contact with the recording medium, and the white fluorescent toner is in contact with the second color toner. Since the first color toner is attached to the surface opposite to the surface of the recording medium, the human eye can perceive the desired fluorescent color in an environment where the ultraviolet illumination is applied, and the ultraviolet illumination is There is an effect that the human eye can perceive the color intended by the person who created the image even in an environment where the image is not irradiated.

2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram of information processing apparatus. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a control unit of the image forming apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a cross section of a toner layer formed on a recording medium. It is a figure which shows the relationship between color toner adhesion amount and white fluorescent toner adhesion amount. It is a functional lineblock diagram of an information processor. It is an example of the screen used as the interface for inputting fluorescence area information. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating fluorescence area | region information. It is a processing flow figure showing an outline of processing of an information processor. FIG. 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating an overview of processing of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process of determining the amount of first color toner attached. FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for determining the amount of adhesion of second color toner.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

<< Hardware Configuration of Embodiment >>
The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 that transmits various types of information to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a cross section of a toner layer formed on a recording medium. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit, a printer unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, a scanner unit 14, and a paper discharge unit 15.

  First, the hardware configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control unit includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, an HD (Hard Disk) 105, a network I / F (Interface). 106, an operation display panel 107, and a bus line 108.

  The CPU 101 executes a program. The ROM 102 stores information on the system startup program. The RAM 103 is used as a work area where the CPU 101 executes a program. The HDD 104 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the HD 105. The HD 105 is a storage device that stores data, and can be replaced with an external storage device such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), a CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The network I / F 106 is for transmitting / receiving various information to / from an external device such as the information processing apparatus 2, and the operation display panel 107 is for receiving an operation input from the user. The bus line 108 is for connecting the above parts.

  The program stored in the ROM 102 is configured so as to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD as an installable or executable file. Also good.

  Here, referring back to FIG. 1, the hardware configuration of the printer unit 12 will be described.

  The printer unit 12 includes a cartridge 121, a photosensitive drum 122, a charging unit 123, a developing unit 124, an intermediate transfer belt 125, a secondary transfer roller 126, a fixing unit 127, and the like. The fixing unit 127 includes a pressure roller 1271, a fixing belt 1272, and the like.

  The cartridge 121 contains cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K) color toner, and white fluorescent (WF) toner. Have five cartridges 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K, and 121WF. In the following, an arbitrary cartridge among the cartridges 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K, and 121WF is indicated as “cartridge 121”.

  The white fluorescent toner used in the present embodiment is colorless and transparent under normal illumination, and is a fluorescent toner that emits white light when irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Red (R), green (G), and blue (B ) Produced by mixing colored fluorescent toners.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is uniformly charged by the charging unit 123, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface based on image information received from the control unit. Further, the image is formed on the photosensitive drum 122 when the developing unit 124 attaches toner to the surface on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. The photoconductive drum 122 has five photoconductive drums 122C, 122M, 122Y, 122K, and 122WF corresponding to the types of toners of C color, M color, Y color, K color, and WF. In the following, an arbitrary photosensitive drum among the photosensitive drums 122C, 122M, 122Y, 122K, and 122WF is indicated as “photosensitive drum 122”.

  The charging unit 123 is determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112, the color toner adhesion amount determined by the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113, and the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 of the control unit. The surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is charged by contacting the photosensitive drum 122 and applying a voltage based on the amount of white fluorescent toner attached. The charging unit 123 includes five charging units 123C, 123M, 123Y, 123K, and 123WF corresponding to the types of toners of C color, M color, Y color, K color, and WF. In the following, an arbitrary charging unit among the charging units 123C, 123M, 123Y, 123K, and 123WF is indicated as “charging unit 123”.

  The developing unit 124 forms an image on the surface of each photoconductive drum 122 by attaching the toner in the cartridge 121 to the photoconductive drum 122 charged by the charging unit 123. The developing unit 124 includes five developing units 124C, 124M, 124Y, 124K, and 124WF corresponding to the types of toners of C color, M color, Y color, K color, and WF. In the following, an arbitrary charging portion among the developing portions 124C, 124M, 124Y, 124K, and 124WF is indicated as “developing portion 124”.

  The intermediate transfer belt 125 is conveyed while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 122, whereby an image is formed on the surface thereof. The intermediate transfer belt 125 transfers the image onto a recording medium after the image is formed on the surface.

  The secondary transfer roller 126 transfers the image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 125 to the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium conveyed from the paper feeding unit 13 described later between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the image. The recording medium on which is formed is sent to the fixing unit 127.

  The fixing unit 127 fixes the image on the recording medium sent from the secondary transfer roller 126, and includes a pressure roller 1271, a fixing belt 1272, and the like. The pressure roller 1271 presses the recording medium between the fixing belt 1272 (described later) and applies heat to fix the image on the recording medium. The fixing belt 1272 fixes the image on the recording medium by pressing the recording medium with the pressure roller 1271.

  The printer unit 12 is an example of a first color toner adhesion unit, a second color toner adhesion unit, and a white fluorescent toner adhesion unit.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the sheet feeding unit 13 will be described. The paper supply unit 13 supplies a recording medium such as paper to the printer unit 12, and includes a paper supply tray 131, a paper supply roller 132, a first paper supply belt 133, a registration roller 134, and a second paper supply belt. 135.

  The paper feed tray 131 accommodates a recording medium such as paper. The paper feed roller 132 takes out the paper stored in the paper feed tray 131 and places it on the first paper feed belt 133. The first paper feed belt 133 conveys paper and inserts it into the registration roller 134. The registration roller 134 feeds the paper inserted by the paper feed roller 132 between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 126. The second paper feeding belt 135 conveys again the paper on which the image has been fixed by the fixing unit 127 and inserts it into the registration roller 134.

  The scanner unit 14 reads image information written on paper or the like, and includes a contact glass 141 and a reading sensor 142. The contact glass 141 is for placing a sheet on which an image is written. The reading sensor 142 reads image information written on a sheet placed on the contact glass 141.

  The paper discharge unit 15 discharges the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the printer unit 12 and stores the discharged recording medium.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 2 includes a CPU 201 that controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 2, a ROM 202 that stores an information processing program, a RAM 203 that is used as a work area for the CPU 201, an HD 204 that stores various data, and an HD 204 that is controlled by the CPU 201. Various information such as an HDD 205 that controls reading or writing of various data, a media drive 207 that controls reading or writing of data to a storage medium 206 such as a flash memory, and various information such as a cursor, menu, window, character, or image are displayed on the display. Display I / F 208, network I / F 209 for transmitting data using a communication network, keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. A keyboard I / F 211 for controlling, a mouse I / F 212 for controlling a mouse for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like, and a CD-ROM 213 as an example of a removable recording medium A CD-ROM drive 214 for controlling the reading or writing of data with respect to the memory, and a bus line 210 such as an address bus or a data bus for electrically connecting the above components as shown in FIG. ing.

  The information processing program is a file in an installable or executable format, and may be recorded and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as the storage medium 206 or CD-ROM 213. .

<< Functional Configuration of Embodiment >>
Subsequently, the functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the color toner adhesion amount and the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount. FIG. 7 is a functional configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 2. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen serving as an interface for inputting fluorescent region information. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining fluorescent region information.

<Functional configuration of image forming apparatus>
First, the functional configuration of the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit includes an information receiving unit 111, a first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112, a second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113, a white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114, and a toner. A quantity storage unit 115 is included. The first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 includes a first image information conversion unit 1121 and a first under color removal unit 1122. The second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 includes a second image information conversion unit 1131, a second under color removal unit 1132, and a calculation unit 1133. The information reception unit 111, the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112, the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113, and the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 are stored in a program stored in the ROM 102 shown in FIG. It is a function or means realized by operating according to a command from the CPU 101. Further, the toner amount storage unit 115 is configured by the HD 105 shown in FIG.

  The information receiving unit 111 receives the fluorescent region information, the first image information, and the second image information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 via a communication network or the like. The fluorescent region information is information representing a fluorescent region in the image that emits light by irradiating ultraviolet light with WF toner attached and a non-fluorescent region that does not emit light even if irradiated with ultraviolet light without attaching WF toner. It is. The fluorescent region information is generated when a user performs an operation input from a predetermined interface provided in the information processing apparatus 2. The information receiving unit 111 is an example of a fluorescent region information receiving unit.

  Each of the first image information and the second image information is information representing an image to be formed on a recording medium such as paper, and is an electrical indicating red (R), green (G), and blue (B). It is shown using a color separation image signal. The first image information is information representing an image perceived by a human eye with a fluorescent color when the ultraviolet illumination is applied. The second image information different from the first image information is an ultraviolet illumination. It is information representing an image perceived by human eyes when not irradiated.

  Here, the reason why an image is formed on a sheet so that an image perceived by human eyes varies depending on whether or not ultraviolet illumination is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the conceptual diagram shown in FIG. 5, an M color toner layer is formed in contact with the recording medium. A WF toner layer is formed on the upper side of the M color toner layer. A C-color toner layer is formed on the WF toner layer.

  When this toner layer is irradiated with normal illumination instead of ultraviolet illumination, light passes through the C color toner layer and the M color toner layer and is scattered by the paper as shown in FIG. Since the scattered light is transmitted and absorbed by these color toners, the C and M colors are perceived by the human eye, and as a result, they appear blue.

  When the toner layer is irradiated with ultraviolet illumination, as shown in FIG. 5B, the ultraviolet light passes through the upper C color toner layer and enters the lower WF toner layer. When ultraviolet light is incident on the WF toner layer, the WF toner emits white light. The emitted light is emitted in all directions, and the light emitted in the upper layer is transmitted and absorbed by the upper C color toner. As a result, the C color is perceived by the human eye. Further, the light emission from the lower layer of the C color toner has an effect, and it appears to the human eye that the C color is emitted.

  Here, an example in which the M color toner layer is formed under the WF toner layer and the C color toner layer is formed on the WF toner layer has been described. However, for example, the C color is formed under the WF toner layer. The same applies to the case where the toner layer is formed and the Y color toner layer is formed on the WF toner layer. At this time, the fluorescent color Y is perceived by human eyes when ultraviolet illumination is applied, and green is perceived by human eyes when ultraviolet illumination is not applied.

  Further, a layer is formed under the WF toner layer by an M amount toner having an adhesion amount of 70% and a C color toner having an adhesion amount of 70%, and an adhesion amount of 20% C color toner and an adhesion amount of 50% is formed on the WF toner layer. The same applies to the case where a Y-color toner layer is formed. At this time, when UV illumination is applied, the human eyes perceive the color formed by the C-color toner having an adhesion amount of 20% and the Y-color toner having an adhesion amount of 50%, and the UV illumination is not irradiated. The human eyes perceive a color formed by 70% M color toner, an adhesion amount (70 + 20)% C color toner, and an adhesion amount 50% Y color toner.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the cartridge 121WF, the photosensitive drum 122WF, the charging unit 123WF, and the developing unit 124WF are arranged on the most upstream side with respect to the conveyance direction of the intermediate transfer belt so that the image forming apparatus 1 forms the toner layer as described above. Is placed. As a result, a color toner layer is first formed so as to be in contact with the recording medium, and a WF toner layer is formed thereon. Then, the sheet on which the color toner layer and the WF toner layer are formed is fed again by the second sheet feeding belt 135, and the color toner is attached again on the WF toner layer of the fed sheet. Thus, a state in which the WF toner layer is formed between the first color toner layer and the second color toner layer as shown in FIG. 5 can be realized.

  The first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 is based on the first image information received by the information reception unit 111, and the color toner adhesion amounts Vc1 and Vm1 for the C, M, Y, and K toners. , Vy1, and Vk1 are determined. The color toner adhesion amount is an amount of color toner to be adhered to form a pixel on the recording medium, and is a numerical value from 0% to 100%. The first image information conversion unit 1121 included in the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 performs color space conversion processing and the like, thereby red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. The image information including the electrical color separation image signal shown is converted into the color toner adhesion amounts Vc01, Vm01, and Vy01 of the C, M, and Y toners to be attached to form each pixel. The first lower color removal unit 1122 included in the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 has C, M, and Y color toner adhesion amounts Vc01 and Vm01 converted by the first image information conversion unit 1121. , Vy01 is subjected to under color removal (UCR: Under Color Removal) processing. As described above, the processing is performed by the first image information conversion unit 1121 and the first under color removal unit 1122, so that the C, M, Y, and K color toners are attached so as not to change the color tone. The quantities Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, Vk1 are determined. The C, M, Y, and K color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 are referred to as first color toner adhesion amounts. The first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 is an example of a first color toner adhesion amount determination unit.

  The second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 receives the second image information received by the information reception unit 111 and the color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, and Vy1 determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112. , Vk1, and second color toner adhesion amounts Vc2, Vm2, Vy2, and Vk2 that are the adhesion amounts of the C, M, Y, and K color toners to be deposited under the WF toner layer are determined. To do. The second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 is an example of a second color toner adhesion amount determination unit.

  First, the second image information conversion unit 1131 included in the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 performs color space conversion processing and the like, thereby performing red (R), green (G), and blue (B). Image information composed of electrical color separation image signals indicating the respective colors is converted into color toner adhesion amounts Vc02, Vm02, and Vy02 of the C, M, and Y toners to be adhered to form each pixel. The second under color removal unit 1132 performs under color removal (UCR) on the C, M, and Y color toner adhesion amounts Vc02, Vm02, and Vy02 converted by the second image information conversion unit 1131. (Under Color Removal) processing is performed. In this way, the processing is performed by the second under color removal unit 1132, so that the C, M, Y, and K color toner adhesion amounts Vc2 ′, so as to form an image without changing the color tone, Vm2 ′, Vy2 ′, and Vk2 ′ are determined.

  The color toner adhesion amounts Vc2 ′, Vm2 ′, Vy2 ′, and Vk2 ′ determined by the second lower color removal unit 1132 are the adhesion amounts of the color toners that are adhered to form the image represented by the second image information. is there. That is, the C color toner adhesion amount Vc2 ′ determined by the second lower color removal unit 1132 is the first color toner adhesion amount Vc1 above the WF toner layer and the second color toner below the WF toner layer. Is the total of the color toner adhesion amount Vc2. Similarly, the M color toner adhesion amount Vm2 ′ determined by the second lower color removal unit 1132 is the first color toner adhesion amount Vm1 above the WF toner layer and the first color toner adhesion amount Vm1 above the WF toner layer. This is the total of the second color toner adhesion amount Vm2. The Y color toner adhesion amount Vy2 ′ determined by the second lower color removal unit 1132 is the first color toner adhesion amount Vy1 above the WF toner layer and the second color toner adhesion amount Vy1 below the WF toner layer. The total amount of color toner adhesion Vy2. Further, the K color toner adhesion amount Vk2 ′ determined by the second lower color removal unit 1132 is the first color toner adhesion amount Vk1 above the WF toner layer and the second color toner below the WF toner layer. Is the total of the color toner adhesion amount Vk2.

  The calculation unit 1133 determines the second color toner adhesion amounts Vc2, Vm2, Vy2, and Vk2 to be adhered under the WF toner layer by the second image information conversion unit 1131 and the second lower color removal unit 1132. Calculation is performed by subtracting the first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 from the color toner adhesion amounts Vc2 ′, Vm2 ′, Vy2 ′, and Vk2 ′. That is, the calculation unit 1133 calculates the second color toner adhesion amount of C color as Vc2 = Vc2′−Vc1. Similarly, the calculation unit 1133 calculates the M color second color toner adhesion amount as Vm2 = Vm2′−Vm1. Further, the calculation unit 1133 calculates the Y color second color toner adhesion amount as Vy2 = Vy2'-Vy1. The calculation unit 1133 calculates the second color toner adhesion amount of K color as Vk2 = Vk2'-Vk1.

  Further, hereinafter, the “color toner adhesion amount determination unit” represents an arbitrary color toner adhesion amount determination unit among the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 and the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113. The “image information conversion unit” represents any image information conversion unit among the first image information conversion unit 1121 and the second image information conversion unit 1131, and the “under color removal unit” represents the first under color removal unit. 1122, an arbitrary under color removal unit of the second under color removal unit 1132 is represented.

  The white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 determines the amount of white fluorescent toner adhesion to be adhered to the region represented by the region information received by the information reception unit 111. The amount of white fluorescent toner attached is the amount of white fluorescent toner attached to each pixel of the recording medium, and is represented by a numerical value from 0% to 100%. The white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 is an example of a white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit.

  The toner amount storage unit 115 is a white color necessary for realizing a predetermined light emission luminance when an image is formed using the color toner with the color toner adhesion amount determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112. It stores the amount of fluorescent toner attached. In this embodiment, as described above, the fluorescent white toner is attached to the lower layer on the recording medium, and the color toner is attached to the upper layer. At this time, as the amount of the upper layer color toner attached increases, the amount of ultraviolet light absorbed by the color toner increases, and the amount of ultraviolet light reaching the lower layer white fluorescent toner decreases. Therefore, in order to realize a predetermined light emission luminance, as shown in FIG. 6A, the toner amount storage unit 115 stores the color toner so that the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount increases as the C toner adhesion amount increases. The correspondence between the adhesion amount and the fluorescent toner adhesion amount is stored. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, the toner amount storage unit 115 stores the color toner adhesion amount and the fluorescence toner adhesion amount so that the white fluorescence toner adhesion amount increases as the M color toner adhesion amount increases. I remember the correspondence. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 (3), the toner amount storage unit 115 sets the correspondence between the color toner adhesion amount and the fluorescent toner adhesion amount so that the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount increases as the Y color toner adhesion amount increases. I remember it.

<Functional configuration of information processing apparatus>
Next, the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the information processing apparatus 2 includes a transmission unit 221, a display control unit 222, an operation input reception unit 223, an image information storage unit 224, and a fluorescence region information generation unit 225. The transmission unit 221, the display control unit 222, the operation input reception unit 223, and the fluorescent region information generation unit 225 are operated by an instruction from the CPU 201 according to a program stored in the ROM 202 illustrated in FIG. A function or means to be realized. The image information storage unit 224 is configured by the HD 204 shown in FIG.

  The transmission unit 221 is realized by the network I / F 209 illustrated in FIG. 3, and transmits various types of information to the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication network. The display control unit 222 is realized by the display I / F 208 illustrated in FIG. 2, and performs control for displaying various information on the display device 23. The operation input accepting unit 223 is realized by the keyboard I / F 211 and the mouse I / F 212 shown in FIG. 3, and accepts various types of information input by the user using the keyboard and mouse.

  The image information storage unit 224 stores first image information and second image information representing an image formed on a recording medium such as paper. Based on the information received by the operation input receiving unit 223, the fluorescent region information generating unit 225 generates fluorescent region information indicating a region that emits light by ultraviolet irradiation.

  Here, an example of a screen displayed on the display device 23 by the display control unit 222 for the user to input an operation will be described with reference to FIG. The screen 231 includes an area selection unit 232, a confirmation button 233, and the like. An image represented by the image information is displayed in the region selection unit 232, and the user selects a region in the image using a mouse or the like. The confirm button 233 is used to confirm that the selected region is a fluorescent region when the user selects the region with the region selection unit 232 and then presses it.

  Here, the fluorescence region information will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows a part of an image including the character A surrounded by a dotted line in the image shown in the area selection unit 232 of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the letter A is selected and fixed as the fluorescent region. At this time, the fluorescence region information generation unit 225 creates information with a fluorescence flag of “1” or “0” added for each portion b where one pixel is formed. Specifically, the fluorescence flag “1” is assigned to the part b where the letter A selected as the fluorescence area is described, and the fluorescence flag “0” is assigned to the part b where the letter A is not described. Information on the fluorescence flag assigned in association with each part in this way is referred to as fluorescence region information.

<< Processing and Operation of Embodiment >>
Subsequently, processing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram illustrating an outline of the process of the information processing apparatus 2. FIG. 11 is a processing flowchart showing an outline of processing of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 12 is a process flowchart showing a process for determining the amount of the first color toner attached. FIG. 13 is a process flow diagram illustrating a process for determining the adhesion amount of the second color toner.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the display control unit 222 of the information processing device 2 displays an image on the display device 23 based on the second image information stored in the image information storage unit 224 (step S11). ). When the user selects an area to be fluorescent in the image displayed on the display device 23 under ultraviolet illumination using a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and presses the confirm button, the operation input receiving unit 223 selects the area by those operations. Information indicating the designated area is received (step S12). Subsequently, based on the information received by the operation input reception unit 223, the fluorescence region information generation unit 225 indicates a fluorescence flag indicating that it is a fluorescence region with respect to each part b1 constituting the selected region in the image. Match “1”. In addition, the fluorescence region information generation unit 225 associates a fluorescence flag “0” indicating that the region is not a fluorescence region with each portion b2 constituting the unselected region in the image. In this way, the fluorescent region information in which the fluorescent flag is associated with each part b in the image is generated (step S13). Then, the transmission unit 221 sends the second image information stored in the image information storage unit 224, the fluorescent region information corresponding to the second image information, and the first image information via a communication network or the like. It transmits to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S14). Since the first image information is information for forming an image in the fluorescent region represented by the fluorescent region information, an image based on the first image information is not formed in the non-fluorescent region. As described above, this means that the first image information is information representing an image perceived by a human eye with a fluorescent color when ultraviolet illumination is applied. This is because the image represented by the image information is not formed.

  When the transmission unit 221 of the information processing apparatus 2 transmits the second image information, the fluorescent region information corresponding to the second image information, and the first image information to the image forming apparatus 1, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the information receiving unit 111 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives the second image information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 via the network, the fluorescent region information corresponding to the second image information, and the first image information. Accept (step S21).

  Next, the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 determines the first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 based on the first image information received by the information reception unit 111 ( Step S22).

  Here, processing performed by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the first image information conversion unit 1121 converts the first image information received by the information reception unit 111 into toner adhesion amounts of C color, M color, and Y color (step S221). Specifically, the first image information conversion unit 1121 performs processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, color space conversion, gamma correction, and the like on the first image information, so that C color, M The color toner and the Y color toner adhesion amounts Vc01, Vm01, and Vy01 are converted. Then, the first under color removal unit 1122 performs under color removal for the C, M, and Y color toner adhesion amounts Vc01, Vm01, and Vy01 calculated by the first image information conversion unit 1121. (Step S222). By performing these processes, the first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 are determined.

  On the other hand, the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 determines the WF toner adhesion amount Vwf to be adhered to the region forming the fluorescent color indicated by the fluorescence region information received by the information reception unit 111 (step S23).

  As described above, the greater the amount of color toner attached to the upper layer of the WF toner layer, the lower the emission luminance. Also, the greater the amount of WF toner attached, the higher the light emission luminance. That is, when the WF toner is uniformly attached to all parts of the region represented by the fluorescent region information, the emission luminance varies for each part of the image depending on the first color toner adhesion amount. Therefore, in order to make these emission luminances uniform, the image forming apparatus 1 attaches an amount of WF toner that corresponds to the amount of toner adhering to each of the C, M, and Y colors as shown in FIG. .

  Therefore, the toner amount storage unit 115 stores the WF toner adhering amount in advance corresponding to the adhering amount per unit area of the color toner as shown in FIG. 6 so that the emission luminance is uniform in the entire fluorescent region. Keep it. Then, the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 reads the WF toner adhesion amount corresponding to the color toner adhesion amount determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 from the toner amount storage unit 115 and reads it. WF toner adhesion amount.

  For example, when the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 determines that the C color toner adhesion amount Vc is 60%, the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 is shown in FIG. Referring to the toner amount storage unit 115 that stores the correspondence, the WF toner adhesion amount Vwf is determined to be 45%. When the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112 determines that the M color toner adhesion amount Vm is 40%, the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 is shown in FIG. Referring to the toner amount storage unit 115 storing the correspondence, the WF toner adhesion amount Vwf is determined to be 35%.

  Subsequently, the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 receives the second image information received by the information reception unit 111 and the first color toner adhesion determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112. Based on the amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1, second color toner adhesion amounts Vc2, Vm2, Vy2, and Vk2 to be adhered under the WF toner layer are determined (step S24). Note that this process is performed only for the region that emits light by ultraviolet irradiation indicated by the fluorescence region information received by the information receiving unit 111.

  Here, processing performed by the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the second image information conversion unit 1131 performs color space conversion processing or the like, so that the second image information is attached to each toner of C color, M color, and Y color for each pixel. Conversion to Vc02, Vm02, and Vy02 (step S241). The second lower color removal unit 1132 included in the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 includes C, M, and Y color toner adhesion amounts Vc02 and Vm02 converted by the second image information conversion unit 1131. , Vy02 is subjected to under color removal (UCR) processing (step S242). As described above, the processing is performed by the second image information conversion unit 1131 and the second lower color removal unit 1132, so that the C, M, Y, and K color toners are attached without changing the color tone. The quantities Vc2 ′, Vm2 ′, Vy2 ′, Vk2 ′ are determined.

  Then, the color toner adhesion determined by the second image information conversion unit 1131 and the second lower color removal unit 1132 by the calculation unit 1133 determines the adhesion amounts Vc2, Vm2, Vy2, and Vk2 of the color toner under the WF toner layer. The first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 are respectively subtracted from the amounts Vc2 ′, Vm2 ′, Vy2 ′, and Vk2 ′ (step S243).

  As described above, the first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1 are determined in step S22, the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount Vwf is determined in step S23, and the second color toner adhesion amount Vc2 is determined in step S24. , Vm2, Vy2, and Vk2 are determined, the printer unit 12 performs processing for forming an image based on the determined values.

  The process in which the printer unit 12 forms an image will be described in detail. First, the printer unit 12 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 (step S25). Specifically, the charging unit 123 contacts the photosensitive drum 122 and applies a voltage to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 122. Then, laser light emitted from an exposure apparatus (not shown) is applied to the second color toner adhesion amounts Vc2, Vm2, Vy2, Vk2, and white fluorescent toner adhesion determined by the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 based on the WF toner adhesion amount Vwf determined by the amount determination unit 114. When the electrostatic latent image is formed, the developing unit 124 causes the toner contained in each cartridge 121 to adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, whereby the photosensitive drum A toner image is formed on the surface 122.

  Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 125 is conveyed while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 122. Then, the image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 (step S26). After the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125, the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is neutralized by a static eliminator. Further, the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 that has been neutralized is removed by a cleaner.

  Then, the fixing unit 127 fixes the image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 on the sheet (step S27). A process for fixing an image on a sheet will be specifically described. First, the paper feed roller 132 takes out the paper stored in the paper feed tray 131 and inserts it into the registration roller 134. The registration roller 134 feeds the inserted paper between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 126. The sheet fed between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 126 is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 126 and conveyed to transfer the image on the intermediate transfer belt 125. The Next, the pressure roller 1271 of the fixing unit 127 presses the sheet between the fixing belt 1272 and applies heat to fix the image on the sheet.

  When the image is fixed on the sheet by the fixing unit 127, the sheet feeding unit 13 conveys the sheet using the second sheet feeding belt 135 and inserts the sheet into the registration roller 134. The paper is fed again between the secondary transfer rollers 126 (step S28).

  On the other hand, when the image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 in step S25 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is neutralized by the static eliminator, the printer unit 12 receives the first color toner. Processing for forming an image is performed based on the adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1. First, the printer unit 12 forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 (step S29). Specifically, the charging unit 123 contacts the photosensitive drum 122 and applies a voltage to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 122. Then, laser light emitted from an exposure device (not shown) forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 based on the first color toner adhesion amounts Vc1, Vm1, Vy1, and Vk1. When the electrostatic latent image is formed, the developing unit 124 causes the toner contained in each cartridge 121 to adhere to the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, whereby the photosensitive drum A toner image is formed on the surface 122.

  Subsequently, the intermediate transfer belt 125 is conveyed while being in contact with the photosensitive drum 122. Then, the image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 (step S30). After the toner image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125, the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 is neutralized by a static eliminator. Further, the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 122 that has been neutralized is removed by a cleaner.

  Then, the fixing unit 127 fixes the image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 on the sheet (step S31). Since the specific process performed by the fixing unit 127 is the same as the process performed by the fixing unit 127 in step S27, the description thereof is omitted here. Finally, the paper discharge unit 15 discharges the paper on which the image is fixed to the paper discharge tray (step S32).

<< Supplement of Embodiment >>
In this embodiment, the information receiving unit 111 receives image information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2 via the network in step S21. However, the reading sensor 142 of the scanner unit 14 is placed on the contact glass 141. It is also possible to accept image information acquired from original paper or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission unit 221 transmits the image information stored in the image information storage unit 224 of the information processing device 2, but the image information storage unit such as the image information generated by the information processing device 2 The transmission unit 221 may transmit image information that is not stored in the H.224.

  Further, the first lower color removal unit 1122 does not perform the lower color removal process, and the color toner adhesion amount that the image forming apparatus 1 adheres the adhesion amounts Vc01, Vm01, and Vy01 converted by the first image information conversion unit 1121. May be determined as

  In addition, the second under color removal unit 1132 does not perform the under color removal process, and the color toner adhesion amount that the image forming apparatus 1 adheres the adhesion amounts Vc02, Vm02, and Vy02 converted by the second image information conversion unit 1131. May be determined as

  In the present embodiment, the information receiving unit 111 receives the fluorescent region information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 2. However, the fluorescence input by the user from an input device such as the operation display panel 107 included in the image forming apparatus 1. The area information may be received.

  In the present embodiment, the toner amount storage unit 115 stores the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount in advance, and the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 reads it to determine it as the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount. The white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 114 may determine the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount by executing a predetermined calculation based on the color toner adhesion amount determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit 112. Good.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 2 transmits the fluorescent region information to the image forming apparatus 1, but the fluorescent region information is generated when the user operates the operation display panel 107 included in the image forming apparatus 1. It may be done.

  In this embodiment, the second toner adhesion amount calculated by the calculation unit 1133 of the second color toner adhesion amount determination unit 113 may be smaller than zero. In such a case, since the present embodiment cannot be performed, the image forming apparatus 1 may send information notifying the information processing apparatus 2 to that effect. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may be controlled to display information notifying that on the operation display panel 107.

<< Effects of Embodiment >>
According to this embodiment, the second color toner is attached to the paper, the white fluorescent toner is attached to the surface opposite to the surface of the paper that is in contact with the second color toner, and the second color toner is contacted. Since the first color toner is attached to the surface opposite to the surface of the white fluorescent toner, the human eye can perceive the desired fluorescent color in an environment where ultraviolet illumination is applied, and the ultraviolet illumination is applied. Even in an environment where the image is not created, the human eye can perceive the color intended by the person who created the image.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the white fluorescent toner adhesion amount is determined based on the first color toner adhesion amount, the emission luminance of the fluorescent color of the formed image can be made uniform.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the white fluorescent toner is attached to the fluorescent region information, it is possible to form a fluorescent color only for the region desired by the user in the image.

1 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 HDD
105 HD
106 Network I / F
107 Operation Display Panel 108 Bus Line 111 Information Receiving Unit 112 First Color Toner Adhesion Amount Determination Unit 1121 First Image Information Conversion Unit 1122 First Under Color Removal Unit 113 Second Color Toner Adhesion Amount Determination Unit 1131 Second Image information conversion unit 1132 second under color removal unit 1133 calculation unit 114 white fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination unit 115 toner amount storage unit 12 printer unit 121 cartridge 122 photosensitive drum 123 charging unit 124 development unit 125 intermediate transfer belt 126 two Next transfer roller 127 Fixing unit 1271 Pressure roller 1272 Fixing belt 13 Paper feeding unit 131 Paper feeding tray 132 Paper feeding roller 133 First paper feeding belt 134 Registration roller 135 Second paper feeding belt 14 Scanner unit 141 Contact glass 142 Reading Sensor 15 Paper discharge unit 2 Information Management apparatus 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 HD
205 HDD
206 Storage media 207 Media drive 208 Display I / F
209 Network I / F
210 Bus line 211 Keyboard I / F
212 Mouse I / F
213 CD-ROM
214 CD-ROM drive 221 Transmission unit 222 Display control unit 223 Operation input reception unit 224 Image information storage unit 225 Fluorescent region information generation unit 23 Display device 231 Screen 232 Region selection unit 233 Confirm button

JP 2007-17718 A

Claims (4)

A white fluorescent toner that emits white light by absorbing ultraviolet light, an image forming apparatus for forming an image using cyan, magenta, yellow, and the color toner of any one or more of the black,
First color toner adhesion amount determining means for determining an adhesion amount of the first color toner based on first image information representing an image perceived by a human eye in a fluorescent color when irradiated with ultraviolet light. When,
Based on the adhesion amount of the first color toner which has been determined by the second image information and the first color toner adhesion amount determination means for representing an image to be perceived by the human eye when the ultraviolet lighting is not illuminated Second color toner adhesion amount determining means for determining the adhesion amount of the second color toner;
Second color toner adhesion means for adhering the amount of color toner determined by the second color toner adhesion amount determination means to the recording medium;
White fluorescent toner adhesion means for adhering the white fluorescent toner to a surface opposite to the surface of the second color toner adhered by the second color toner adhesion means in contact with the recording medium;
The white color toner adhered by the white color toner adhesion unit is determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination unit on the surface opposite to the surface of the recording medium that is in contact with the second color toner. A first color toner adhering means for adhering an amount of the first color toner adhered;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
White fluorescent toner adhesion amount determination means for determining the adhesion amount of the white fluorescent toner based on the adhesion amount of the first color toner determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination means;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the white fluorescent toner adhering unit adheres the white fluorescent toner of the adhering amount determined by the white fluorescent toner adhering amount determining unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
Has a fluorescent area information receiving means for receiving fluorescence area information indicating the image area to emit light by absorbing ultraviolet rays,
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the white fluorescent toner attaching unit attaches the white fluorescent toner to a region represented by the fluorescent region information received by the fluorescent region information receiving unit. A white fluorescent toner that emits white light by absorbing ultraviolet light, cyan, magenta, yellow color, the image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus for forming an image using the color toner of any one or more black There,
In the image forming apparatus,
A first color toner adhesion amount determination step of determining an adhesion amount of the first color toner based on first image information representing an image perceived by a human eye with a fluorescent color when the ultraviolet illumination is applied. When,
Based on the adhesion amount of the first color toner it is determined by the the second image information first color toner adhesion amount determination step of representing the image to be perceived by the human eye when the ultraviolet lighting is not illuminated A second color toner adhesion amount determination step for determining the adhesion amount of the second color toner;
A second color toner adhering step for adhering the amount of color toner determined in the second color toner adhering amount determining step to the recording medium;
A white fluorescent toner attaching step of attaching the white fluorescent toner to a surface of the second color toner attached by the second color toner attaching step that is not in contact with the recording medium;
The white color fluorescent toner adhered by the white color fluorescent toner adhesion step is determined by the first color toner adhesion amount determination step on the surface opposite to the surface of the recording medium that is in contact with the second color toner. A first color toner adhering step for adhering an amount of the first color toner adhering;
An image forming program that causes a computer to execute the above.

Images