KR100781366B1 - Color image forming apparatus and method for auto color registration - Google Patents

Abstract

A color image forming apparatus and a method for auto color registration are provided to enable a user to vary an execution period of the auto color registration, thereby preventing unnecessary auto color registration from being executed and reducing the amount of used toner due to auto color registration. A color image forming apparatus includes a storing unit(120), a displaying unit, a user interface unit, a print engine unit(150), and a control unit(180). The storing unit stores a plurality of auto color registration levels and auto color registration periods. The displaying unit displays auto color registration levels. The user interface unit outputs one select signal among auto color registration levels. The print engine unit performs color print operation and executes auto color registration in every selected period. The control unit controls the storing unit and the print engine unit.

Description

Image forming apparatus capable of color printing and color matching method thereof {Color image forming apparatus and method for auto color registration}

1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus capable of color printing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface screen for allowing a user to select a cycle for executing color matching;

3 is a view for explaining color matching,

4A to 4C are diagrams for describing a color matching execution cycle for each level shown in FIG. 2, and

5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a color matching method of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: image forming apparatus 110: operation panel unit

120: storage 130: ROM

140: RAM 150: print engine unit

160: counter 170: communication unit

180: control unit 300: intermediate transfer belt

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of color printing and a color matching method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a color printing method that can perform color matching more efficiently by providing a plurality of cycles for color matching to be selected by a user. A possible image forming apparatus and a color matching method thereof.

An image forming apparatus capable of color printing performs auto color registration (ACR) for color matching. ACR is a function to match the sync of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and K (black) colors used for color printing.

According to the conventional image forming apparatus capable of color printing, it is determined that a mismatch situation occurs in which at least one of Y, M, C, and K colors is shifted by X dots in a horizontal or vertical direction when N print jobs are performed. Perform an ACR. Accordingly, the conventional image forming apparatus capable of color printing recovers the color matching level by periodically performing ACR every N prints. Mismatch conditions frequently occur when the color print quantity is above the reference value.

However, since the conventional image forming apparatus is designed to simply perform ACR after N-sheet printing, a case of performing an unnecessarily frequent ACR occurs. That is, even if the user's level of color matching is low, the image forming apparatus performs ACR every N sheets, and the user cannot use the image forming apparatus every time ACR is performed. I feel it. For example, even when a user typically requests printing with a small color area or uses only a mono printing method, the conventional image forming apparatus frequently performs ACR more than necessary since ACR is performed every set period.

In addition, since the level of color matching is different for each user or the characteristics of the document, it is inefficient to perform ACR periodically every N prints, and the image forming apparatus wastes toner by discharging waste toner every ACR. have.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, after providing a plurality of execution cycles of color matching is fixedly executed by a single set cycle, the user executes one The present invention provides an image forming apparatus and a color matching method capable of color printing which can reduce the amount of waste toner and efficiently perform color matching by selecting a cycle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of color printing, comprising: a storage unit configured to store each level set for each period for executing color matching and a color matching execution cycle corresponding to each level; A user interface unit outputting a selection signal for one of the levels; A printing engine which performs color printing and executes color matching at set cycles; And a controller configured to control the print engine to execute the color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the selected level.

The display apparatus may further include a display unit configured to display the respective levels for selecting the color matching execution cycle. The control unit may further include: selecting one of the levels displayed on the display unit by the user interface unit; Control the storage to store the level.

The user interface unit may adjust a color matching execution period corresponding to the selected level, and the controller controls the storage unit to store the selected level and the adjusted color matching execution period.

The control unit may further include a communication unit configured to communicate with a user terminal that outputs a selection signal for one of the levels, wherein the controller is configured to receive the selection signal for any one level from the user terminal. The printing engine is controlled to execute the color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the level selected by the terminal.

On the other hand, a color matching method of an image forming apparatus capable of color printing according to the present invention, the method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of color matching levels to perform color matching at different cycles; Storing the selected color matching level; And performing the color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the stored color matching level.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus capable of color printing according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 capable of color printing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an operation panel unit 110, a storage unit 120, a ROM 130, a RAM 140, and a print engine unit. 150, a counter 160, a communicator 170, and a controller 180.

The operation panel 110 supports an interface between the user and the image forming apparatus 100 and has a user input unit 112 and a display unit 114.

The user input unit 112 is a user interface that outputs a signal for selecting and requesting a function supported by the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, the user may request to enter a mode for selecting a color matching execution cycle by manipulating the user input unit 112. After entering the mode, a screen for selecting a color matching execution cycle on the display unit 114 ( When 200 is displayed, the user operates the user input unit 112 to select a level corresponding to a desired color matching execution cycle among the displayed screens 200. The selected signal is output to the controller 180.

Here, Auto Color Registration (ACR) is an operation for matching the sync of dots corresponding to Y, M, C, and K toner or ink when color printing, and is an X dot in a vertical or horizontal direction at a position to be originally positioned. By rearranging the misaligned dots, the desired color is accurately realized.

The display unit 114 displays a current operation state of the screen or the image forming apparatus 100 corresponding to the signal provided from the controller 180. The display unit 114 is implemented with a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT). In particular, when a mode for selecting a color matching execution cycle is selected by the operation of the user input unit 112, the display unit 114 displays a user interface screen as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the UI screen 200 is a screen for allowing a user to select a period for performing color matching. For example, the color matching execution cycle has three levels, that is, 'High, Normal, Low' levels. It is divided into, but not limited to.

The number displayed for each level is an initial value of a cycle for executing color matching set at the design stage of the image forming apparatus 100, and denotes the number of prints. That is, it means that ACR is performed after 150 sheets print for 'High' level, ACR is performed after 200 sheets print for 'Normal' level, and ACR is performed after 300 sheets print for 'Low' level. The initial value set for each level, that is, the number of prints is adjustable by the user. Here, the 'Low' level has a lower color matching level than the 'Normal' level, which is the basic level, and the 'High' level means that the color matching level is high because the ACR is performed more frequently than the 'Normal' level.

When the user manipulates the user input unit 112 to select 'High' (√) and adjusts the number of prints by adjusting ▲ or ▼, the print quantity of 150 sheets is adjusted upward or downward.

However, the controller 180 matches color when 'High' is selected (√) by the manipulation of the user input unit 112 and the number of prints changed by the adjustment of ▲ or ▼ is larger than the displayed number of 'Normal' levels. Since the execution cycle is incorrectly adjusted, a message is generated to guide the print quantity to be lowered to be displayed on the display unit 114. In addition, when 'Low' is selected (√) by the operation of the user input unit 112 and the number of prints changed by the adjustment of ▲ or ▼ is set smaller than the displayed number of 'Normal' level prints, the color matching execution cycle is performed. Since it is incorrectly adjusted, a message is generated to guide the increase of the number of prints so that the display unit 114 displays the message.

Referring back to FIG. 1, when a level for one color matching execution cycle is selected through the user interface screen 200 displayed on the display unit 114, the storage unit 120 selects the selected level and / or the adjusted execution cycle. Save it.

The ROM 130 stores various control programs necessary to implement the functions and operations of the image forming apparatus 100 and programs related to color matching execution.

The RAM 140 temporarily stores various data generated during the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

The print engine 150 color-prints the scanned image generated by the scanning unit (not shown) or the image data transmitted through the communication unit 170 from a user terminal (not shown) connected to the network. In addition, the print engine 150 executes color matching at intervals set under the control of the controller 180.

In order to perform a print job, the print engine unit 150 includes a color developer (not shown), that is, a Y developer, an M developer C developer, and a K developer, and at least one photosensitive drum (not shown), at least one. An optical photocopier (LSU, not shown) and an intermediate transfer belt (not shown) are provided, and the image is fixed on the printing paper by heating and pressing the printing paper to an appropriate temperature. Matters related to the printing operation and color matching are well known to those skilled in the art, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

However, when the color matching is briefly described with reference to FIG. 3, the print engine unit 150 scans the Y line, the M line, the C line, and the K line on a part of the plane of the intermediate transfer belt 300, respectively. 180 calculates the interval of each line scanned on the intermediate transfer belt 300 to determine the degree of deviation of the dots (that is, X dots). That is, if the calculated interval matches the reference value, the controller 180 determines that the color matching is maintained and finishes the color matching, while if it is determined that the calculated interval d is shifted by X dots from the reference value, the controller 180 180 controls the print engine unit 150 to perform color matching by the shifted X dots. For example, the print engine unit 150 scans light by moving the optical scanner (not shown) in the horizontal or vertical direction shifted by X dots, or by adjusting the position at which image data starts to be printed in the horizontal or vertical direction. Perform color registration.

The counter 160 counts the number of prints printed by the print engine 150 and provides the counting result to the controller 180.

The communication unit 170 communicates with a network-connected user terminal (not shown), receives image data from a device such as an external facsimile, and outputs the image data to the print engine 150.

The controller 180 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to a control program stored in the ROM 130. For example, when an entry to a mode for selecting an execution cycle of color matching is requested from the user input unit 112, the controller 180 generates a screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2 and then displays the display unit 114 on the display unit 114. Process as much as possible.

In addition, the controller 180 displays the screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 114, and then, if a color matching execution cycle and a level desired by the user are selected by an operation of the user input unit 112, the selected level and color. The matching execution cycle is stored in the storage 120.

In addition, the controller 180 controls the print engine 150 to execute color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the selected level. In more detail, the controller 180 determines the color matching execution cycle using the counting result provided from the counter 160 and automatically controls the print engine 150 when the counting result reaches the set number of prints. To perform color matching.

4A to 4C are diagrams for describing a color matching execution cycle for each level illustrated in FIG. 2.

4A is a graph illustrating a case in which the color matching is performed every time the print engine 150 prints N sheets when the 'Normal' level is selected in FIG. 2, and the controller 180 controls the print engine 150. When N is printed, it is determined that the color matching error rate of the X dots is generated, and the print engine 150 is controlled to perform color matching.

4B is a graph illustrating a case in which the color matching is performed every time the print engine 150 prints (Nm) sheets (where m is a positive number) when the 'High' level is selected in FIG. 180 determines that a color matching error rate of (Xa) dots (where a is positive) occurs when the print engine 150 prints (Nm) sheets, and controls the print engine 150 to perform color matching. do.

FIG. 4C is a graph illustrating a case where the print engine 150 performs color matching every time (N + p) sheets (where p is a positive number) when the 'Low' level is selected in FIG. 2. The controller 180 determines that a color matching error rate of (X + b) dots (where b is positive) occurs when the print engine 150 prints (N + p) sheets, and performs a color matching. The unit 150 is controlled.

5 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a color matching method of FIG. 1.

1 to 5, when an entry to a mode for selecting a color matching execution cycle is requested from the user input unit 112 (S510), the controller 180 corresponds to each level and each level as shown in FIG. 2. After generating a screen 200 for selecting a color matching execution cycle, the display unit 114 is controlled to be displayed on the display unit 114 (S520).

After the screen 200 is displayed, if a color matching execution cycle corresponding to one level and / or level is selected by the user input unit 112 (S530), the controller 180 stores the selected level and execution cycle to be stored. The control unit 120 (S540).

In addition, the counter 160 counts the number of prints each time color printing is performed by the print engine 150, and the controller 180 determines when to perform color matching with reference to the counting result (S550).

When the counting result is the same as the color matching execution cycle selected in step S530 (S560), the controller 180 controls the print engine 150 to perform color matching (S570).

On the other hand, if the counting result is less than the color matching execution period selected in step S530, the controller 180 waits until the time when the counting result and the selected color matching execution period become equal.

The above-described present invention sets the period and / or level of color matching to be performed through the screen 200 as shown in FIG. 2, but is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention may be designed such that the user simply selects only the level for the color matching setting cycle in FIG. 2 and the setting period for performing color matching cannot be set by the user using only a fixed value.

In addition, the period for executing color matching may be selected not only by the user input unit 112 but also by a user terminal (not shown) such as a personal computer and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, it is preferable that the user terminal (not shown) and the image forming apparatus 100 are provided with a protocol and a program for setting a color matching execution cycle and recognizing it.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus capable of color printing and the color matching method thereof according to the present invention, by providing a user interface that allows the user to select a number of cycles for performing color matching, It is possible to vary. As a result, when the user's level of requirement for color matching is low, the user can prevent the color matching from being executed unnecessarily frequently by selecting a level corresponding to a period for causing the color matching to be long or a period for increasing the color matching. In addition, the amount of waste toner generated by color matching can be reduced.

In particular, when a user mainly prints a document having a small color gamut or prints a monotone document, the user can set a low level of color matching, thereby preventing color registration from being executed unnecessarily frequently as described above. Each time this is executed, the waiting time caused by not using the printing function can be reduced.

While the above has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, it is usually in the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (6)

A storage unit configured to set color matching intervals to store a plurality of levels representing the color matching level and a color matching execution cycle corresponding to each of the plurality of levels; A display unit for displaying the respective levels to select the color matching execution cycle; A user interface for outputting a selection signal for one of the displayed levels; A printing engine which performs color printing and executes color matching at set cycles; And And a control unit controlling the storage unit to store the level selected by the user interface unit, and controlling the print engine unit to execute the color matching at every color matching execution period corresponding to the selected level. An image forming apparatus capable of color printing. delete A storage unit configured to set color matching intervals to store a plurality of levels representing the color matching level and a color matching execution cycle corresponding to each of the plurality of levels; A user interface for outputting a selection signal for one of the levels, and adjusting a color matching execution cycle corresponding to the selected level; A printing engine which performs color printing and executes color matching at set cycles; And And a control unit controlling the storage unit to store the selected level and the adjusted color matching execution cycle, and controlling the print engine to execute the color matching every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the selected level. An image forming apparatus capable of color printing. A storage unit configured to set color matching intervals to store a plurality of levels representing the color matching level and a color matching execution cycle corresponding to each of the plurality of levels; A user interface unit outputting a selection signal for one of the levels; A communication unit communicating with a user terminal which outputs a selection signal for one of the levels; A printing engine which performs color printing and executes color matching at set cycles; And And a controller configured to control the print engine to execute the color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the selected level when the selection signal is received from one of the user interface unit and the user terminal. An image forming apparatus capable of color printing. In the color matching method of the image forming apparatus capable of color printing, Selecting one of a plurality of preset color matching levels representing the color matching level to perform color matching at different periods; Storing the selected color matching level; And executing the color matching at every color matching execution cycle corresponding to the stored color matching level. The method of claim 5, And the selected color matching level is selected and transmitted from a user terminal connected to communicate with each other via wired or wireless communication.

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