JPH10304217A - Image processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To improve operability and image reproducibility in continuous image formation. An image processing method for controlling an image forming process for continuously forming n images, wherein it is necessary to perform calibration while continuously forming the n images. In the image processing method, the image forming process is interrupted to execute a calibration process, and after the calibration process is completed, the interrupted image forming process is restarted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus for performing a calibration process during an image forming process for continuously forming n images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when there is a status (for example, low toner or low fixing oil) that may hinder image formation during continuous printing, a limit is set when designating the number of continuous prints. Overprinting is not performed continuously.

Further, a calibration technique for improving color reproduction in a color image output apparatus including a color page printer has not yet been established, but its necessity is high.

[0004]

In order to obtain an undetectable status detection timing during continuous printing, a limit is imposed on the number of continuous prints. There is a disadvantage that printing must be performed separately.

[0005] Also, if the calibration is not performed, the color of the image on the first page and the last page of the continuous printing may be different from each other.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and has as its object to improve operability and image reproducibility in continuous image formation.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image processing method according to the present invention is an image processing method for controlling an image forming process for continuously forming n images. If it is necessary to perform the calibration during the continuous formation of the image, the image forming process is interrupted and the calibration process is executed. It is characterized in that the forming process is restarted.

Further, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a calibration processing unit for performing a calibration process for setting a color correction coefficient, a status detection unit for detecting the status of the image forming unit, and a method for continuously outputting n images. If it is necessary to perform the calibration process during the image forming process to form the image, the image forming process is interrupted and the calibration process is performed. Control means for restarting the forming process.

[0009]

According to an embodiment of the present invention described below, in order to obtain the timing of status detection during continuous printing, the continuous printing operation is temporarily interrupted for each separately determined number of prints. By performing status detection and then restarting the continuous printing operation, the necessity of the operator performing printing in a plurality of times is eliminated, thereby improving operability.

At the above-mentioned status detection timing, by executing a calibration operation, it is possible to correct a color shift in continuous printing at that time.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
(N is an integer) represents an operation diagram when performing continuous printing of pages. During the printing of page n, the status of the image forming means (for example, the remaining amount of toner and the remaining amount of fixing oil) is detected after the printing operation is temporarily interrupted after the printing of page n. Here, it must be promised that even if errors occur in the status during the printing of n pages, these errors do not affect the operation at all during the printing of n pages. In this example, the calibration is executed following the detection of the status state. Similarly, even if the need for calibration occurs during n-page printing,
It must be promised that it will not significantly affect the image during its operation.

After executing these operations, the printing operation is restarted again, and this cycle is repeated until the desired N pages are printed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the image processing apparatus and peripheral devices of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration. 4 and 5, reference numeral 11 denotes a display such as a CRT, which displays character data and image data from the host computer 13. 12 is a keyboard,
The above-mentioned finally required number N is set. A printer interface 14 is used to connect the host computer and the printer 15.

The printer 15 is a printer such as a color laser beam printer, a color ink jet printer, and a color thermal transfer printer. This printer 1
In No. 5, the maximum number of sheets that can be set for continuous printing is n. Therefore, processing when the number N of the printers 15 larger than the maximum settable number n of the printer 15 is set by the keyboard 12 becomes a problem.

The control of the printer 15 by the interface 14 when performing continuous printing with the above settings will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the number of continuous prints N is input to the keyboard 12.
Is input (s1). The input number data N is sent to the interface 14, and it is determined whether or not N is larger than the number n that can be continuously printed by the printer 15 (s2).

In the case of N ≦ n, the printer 15 can continuously print N sheets, so this is executed (s3).
The image forming operation ends. On the other hand, if N> n, a command is first sent to the printer 15 to execute n continuous printing (s4). Then, it is determined whether or not the N sheets have been printed by the end of the continuous printing (s5). If not, the status of the printer is detected (s6). This status is a status that hinders the image forming operation of the printer, and includes, for example, a low toner amount, a low fixing oil, a jam, and no paper. If the status of the predetermined status is detected (s7), error processing (supplement of toner, fixing oil, etc., jam cover, paper supply, etc.) is performed (s8), and the status is detected again (s6). On the other hand, if there is no error, a calibration is performed to set the color correction coefficient to a predetermined value in order to guarantee a color shift (s9). And s4
By repeating Steps s9, N continuous printing can be performed without performing any special operation by the operator.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 described above, it is assumed that the need for calibration during printing of n pages does not significantly affect the image on the page to be printed during the operation. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, when the need for calibration occurs, it is necessary to execute the calibration immediately before the predetermined number n is reached.
After the printing of the i-th page (i = 1, 2, 3, 4,..., ni ≦ n), the continuous printing operation is temporarily suspended, and the status detection and calibration are executed.

That is, the necessity of executing the calibration is detected, and the status is detected and the calibration is performed with the number of sheets n ₁ , n ₂ , n ₃ , and n ₄ from the time when the printing is restarted until the necessity is determined. This ensures color stability.

As described above, when printing a plurality of pages continuously, the continuous printing is temporarily stopped in units of a separately determined number of prints, and the status of the image forming means is detected during the continuous printing. The desired number of pages can be freely set without imposing a limit on the number of prints specified by the operator, and printing can be performed automatically.

Further, by performing calibration at the above-mentioned status detection timing, it is possible to obtain a print result in which colors are unified on all pages.

[0022]

According to the present invention, the operability and image reproducibility during continuous image formation can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an operation diagram expressing the contents of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram expressing the contents of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the appearance of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Number of prints (N in the embodiment) setting means 2 Execution determining means 3 Printing means 4 Status detecting means 5 Calibration means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/46 H04N 1/46 Z

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for controlling an image forming process for continuously forming n images, wherein the calibration is performed while the n images are continuously formed. If necessary, the image forming process is interrupted to execute a calibration process, and after the calibration process is completed, the interrupted image forming process is restarted. 2. A calibration processing unit for performing a calibration process for setting a color correction coefficient, a status detection unit for detecting a status of the image forming unit, and a final image forming process for continuously forming n images. A control unit for interrupting the image forming process and executing the calibration process when it is necessary to perform the calibration process during the calibration process, and restarting the interrupted image forming process after the calibration process is completed. An image processing apparatus comprising: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising image forming means for forming an image.