Color correction method, image forming device, electronic equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a color correction method, an image forming device, electronic equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: determining the page number of image formation data which is already imaged at present; and when the number of pages of the image forming data of which imaging is started is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold value, executing color correction operation. If the problems of paper jam and the like occur before imaging of a certain page, the image forming medium which does not start to consume the carbon powder is not recorded; if the problems of paper jam and the like occur after a certain page starts to be imaged, the image forming medium which starts to consume the carbon powder can be recorded. Therefore, through the color correction method provided by the embodiment of the invention, the page number record of the color correction operation of the image forming device can be ensured to be more accurate and more accord with the actual demand, so that the color correction operation can be executed in time, the portrait quality is ensured, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of image forming technology, and in particular to a color correction method, an image forming device, an electronic device and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] An image forming device can present the image required by a user on an image forming medium. However, as the number of uses increases, the toner consumption in the image forming device gradually increases. At this time, the user's execution of image forming operations through the image forming device may cause the color of the image presented on the image forming medium to be too light or too dark, or the color of some color images may deviate from the color required by the user, or the position of a certain color image may deviate from the expected position of the color image.

[0003] In order to avoid this situation, a node is selected in the image forming process flow, at which the number of pages of image forming data is recorded, updated, and counted, and the number of pages is used to determine whether the color correction operation needs to be started. In the related art, this node is usually when the page imaging is completed, where the page imaging refers to the image being imaged on the image forming medium.

[0004] However, when the color correction method provided in the related art is used, when the image forming device stops suddenly due to a paper jam or a sudden power failure, the image forming data recorded by the image forming device will be less than the actual number of pages that consume toner because the page imaging has not been completed and the relevant nodes have not been reached at the time of the emergency stop. Since the number of pages recorded is less than the actual number of pages that consume toner, the timing of color correction is delayed, so that the quality of the image presented on the image forming medium cannot be guaranteed, affecting the user experience. In addition, when the image forming device receives the color correction instruction, the image forming device needs to first complete the image forming job that has completed the image analysis in the queue list. Therefore, the delayed timing of color correction will also result in a large number of images in the queue list that have completed the image analysis and are waiting to execute the image forming job. Due to the delayed timing of color correction, after the images in the queue list are presented on the image forming medium, the image quality is likely to be not guaranteed, thus affecting the user experience.

[0005] It should be pointed out that the information disclosed in the background technology section of this application is only intended to deepen the understanding of the general background technology of this application, and should not be regarded as an admission or suggestion in any form that the information constitutes prior art already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a color correction method, an image forming device, an electronic device and a storage medium, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that when there is a problem with the paper pickup roller, paper pickup fails or there is a paper jam, the number of pages of image formation data recorded by the image forming device will be less than the number of pages actually consumed by toner, thereby causing the timing of color correction to be delayed, making it impossible to guarantee the quality of the image presented on the image forming medium, and affecting the user experience.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a color correction method, which is applied to an image forming device, and the method includes:

[0008] determining the number of pages of image forming data for which imaging has currently begun;

[0009] When the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, a color correction job is performed.

[0010] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is first determined, and when the number of pages of the image forming data is greater than or equal to the preset page number threshold, the color correction operation is performed. It can be understood that when imaging has started, the toner will be consumed immediately. If a paper jam or other problems occur before a certain page starts to be imaged, the image forming medium that has not yet started to consume toner will not be recorded; if a paper jam or other problems occur after a certain page starts to be imaged, the image forming medium that has started to consume toner will be recorded. Therefore, through the color correction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, it can be ensured that the page number record of the color correction operation of the image forming device is more accurate and more in line with actual needs, so that the color correction operation can be performed in a timely manner, the image quality is guaranteed, and the user experience is improved.

[0011] In a possible implementation, determining the number of pages of image forming data that the laser scanning unit has currently completed scanning includes:

[0012] The determining the number of pages of image forming data that has currently started to be imaged comprises:

[0013] When image formation of each page starts, the value of the page number of the image formation data whose image formation has currently started is updated.

[0014] In the embodiment of the present application, when each page starts to be imaged, the value of the number of pages of image formation data that the laser scanning unit has currently completed scanning is updated. It can be understood that when each page starts to be imaged, the laser scanning unit starts to emit a light beam, the photosensitive drum starts to be exposed, and the toner then starts to adhere to the photosensitive drum, that is, the toner starts to be consumed at this time. Therefore, taking the time when each page starts to be imaged as a recording node can ensure the accuracy of the recording of toner consumption, thereby ensuring that the color correction operation is carried out in a timely manner.

[0015] In a possible implementation, when imaging of each page begins, updating the value of the number of pages of the image forming data that has currently begun imaging includes:

[0016] If a paper jam or other problem occurs before a page of image forming medium starts to form images, causing the image forming device to stop suddenly, the image forming medium will not consume toner, and the image forming device will not update the value of the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to form images.

[0017] If a paper jam or other problem occurs after a page of image forming medium begins to form images, causing the image forming device to stop suddenly, the image forming medium has begun to consume toner, and the image forming device will update the value of the page number of the image forming data that has currently begun to form images.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present application, if an emergency stop problem such as a paper jam does not occur when imaging begins, the value of the page number of the image formation data that has currently started imaging will not be updated. If an emergency stop problem such as a paper jam occurs after imaging begins, the value of the page number of the image formation data that has currently started imaging will be updated. The number of pages is recorded using the start of imaging as a node. Pages that have not consumed toner will not be recorded, and pages that have started to consume toner can be recorded even if a paper jam occurs later. As long as toner is consumed, it will be recorded as a criterion for whether to perform color correction. This is more in line with actual needs and the number of pages is recorded more accurately, so that color correction operations can be performed in a timely manner, image quality can be guaranteed, and user experience can be improved.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the performing of the color correction operation includes:

[0020] Before executing the color correction job, the image forming job is suspended.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present application, before the image forming device executes the color correction operation, the image forming operation is first suspended to ensure that the color correction operation and the image forming operation are not executed at the same time, thereby ensuring the quality of the color correction operation and the image forming operation executed by the image forming device and avoiding information confusion.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, before performing the color correction operation, the method further includes:

[0023] The image analysis job is suspended, wherein the image analysis job is used to analyze an image, and the analyzed image is used to sequentially perform an image forming job.

[0024] In the embodiment of the present application, the image forming device suspends the image analysis operation before executing the color correction operation, thereby controlling the number of images in the queue list waiting to execute the image forming operation. It can be understood that before the image forming device executes the color correction operation, all the image forming operations in the queue list need to be completed. In the embodiment of the present application, timely suspending the image analysis operation can reduce the number of images in the queue list, thereby ensuring that the color correction operation is carried out in time, and at the same time, the image quality on the image forming medium can be guaranteed.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0026] The value of the page number of the image forming data currently starting to be imaged is updated only when the number of pixel points of the image of each page exceeds the set pixel threshold and image formation begins.

[0027] In the embodiment of the present application, the page number is updated only when the number of pixels of the image exceeds the set pixel threshold and the tod on signal is sent. This can ensure to a certain extent that the page number will be recorded only when the powder consumption for each image formation reaches a certain level, thereby avoiding the start of color correction too early, reducing the waste of resources, and meeting the expectations of users.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0029] The color correction operation is suspended according to an abnormal signal of the image forming device, wherein the abnormal signal of the image forming device is used to indicate that the image forming device is abnormal.

[0030] In the embodiment of the present application, when an abnormality occurs in the image forming device, the image forming device generates an abnormal signal of the image forming device, and the color correction operation is affected, and the image forming device suspends the color correction operation. By using the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the color correction operation can be quickly suspended when an abnormality occurs in the image forming device.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the image forming device abnormality signal includes: a waste powder bottle abnormality signal, wherein the waste powder bottle abnormality signal is used to indicate that the waste powder bottle is abnormal, and the waste powder bottle is used to collect waste powder generated by the image forming device when performing image forming operations and / or color correction operations.

[0032] In the embodiment of the present application, when the waste toner bottle is abnormal, the image forming device uses an immediate stop method to suspend the color correction operation, thereby avoiding the generation of more waste toner. Since the color correction operation generates a lot of waste toner, the method provided in the embodiment of the present application can greatly reduce the risk of the waste toner bottle exploding.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, pausing the color correction operation includes:

[0034] The color correction operation is suspended and an alarm signal is output, wherein the alarm signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation is abnormal. The alarm signal can be used to remind the user that there is an abnormality in the waste powder bottle, so that the user can deal with the abnormality of the waste powder bottle in time.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the image forming device includes a data end and an engine end, and when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, performing a color correction operation includes:

[0036] When the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, the engine end sends a color correction request to the data end;

[0037] The data end sends a color correction instruction to the engine end according to the color correction request;

[0038] The engine side performs a color correction operation according to the color correction instruction.

[0039] In the embodiment of the present application, the image forming device includes a data terminal and an engine terminal, and the color correction operation is performed by the cooperation between the data terminal and the engine terminal in the image forming device. It can be understood that the data terminal of the image forming device is used to control the work of the engine terminal.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0041] The engine end sends a color correction abnormality signal to the data end according to the image forming device abnormality signal, wherein the image forming device abnormality signal is used to indicate that the image forming device is abnormal, and the color correction abnormality signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation cannot be performed normally;

[0042] The data end sends a color correction pause instruction to the engine end according to the color correction abnormality signal;

[0043] The engine end suspends the color correction operation according to the color correction suspension instruction.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present application, when the image forming device is abnormal, the color correction operation cannot be performed normally. At this time, the engine end sends a color correction abnormality signal to the data end. After receiving the color correction abnormality signal, the data end sends a color correction pause instruction to the engine end. The engine end pauses the color correction operation according to the color correction pause instruction. It can be understood that through the information interaction between the engine end and the data end, the operation status of the image forming device can be guaranteed to be consistent, the information synchronization can be guaranteed, and the user can quickly view the current working status of the engine end through the data end.

[0045] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an image forming device, including:

[0046] A determination module, used for determining the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged;

[0047] The control module is used to perform a color correction operation when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold. In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an electronic device, including:

[0048] processor;

[0049] Memory;

[0050] And a computer program, wherein the computer program is stored in the memory, and the computer program includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device executes any one of the methods described in the first aspect.

[0051] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium includes a stored program, wherein when the program is running, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located is controlled to execute any one of the methods described in the first aspect.

[0052] It can be understood that the image forming device provided in the second aspect, the electronic device provided in the third aspect, and the computer-readable storage medium provided in the fourth aspect are all used to execute the method provided in the present application. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0054] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an application scenario provided for an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a queue list of printers in a related technology provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a color correction method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a queue list of a printer provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 5 A flowchart of a method for performing color correction on an image forming device is also provided in an embodiment of the application;

[0059] Figure 6 A schematic flow chart of a method for handling an abnormality of a waste powder bottle provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of an image forming device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In order to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0063] It should be clear that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0064] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms "a", "said" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates other meanings.

[0065] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0066] To facilitate understanding, a specific application scenario is first exemplified below.

[0067] See also Figure 1 , is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. The image forming device is used to perform image forming tasks, such as generating, printing, receiving and sending image data, and examples of the image forming device include printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, and multi-function peripherals (MFP, Multi-Functional Peripheral) that perform the above functions in a single device.

[0068] As an example of an image forming device 100, the image forming device 100 includes photosensitive drums 101Y-K (i.e., 101Y, 101M, 101C and 101K), charging rollers 102Y-K (i.e., 102Y, 102M, 102C and 102K), developing rollers 103Y-K (i.e., 103Y, 103M, 103C and 103K), powder bins 104Y-K (i.e., 104Y, 104M, 104C and 104K), a transfer belt 105, a secondary transfer roller 106, a laser scanning unit (LSU, Laser Scanning Unit) 107, a heat roller 108, a pressure roller 109, a discharge roller 110 and a discharge paper box 111, etc. Generally speaking, the process box YK includes a photosensitive drum 101Y-K, a charging roller 102Y-K, a developing roller 103Y-K and a powder bin 104Y-K for containing toner.

[0069] The LSU 107 is in the form of a single LSU, including four optical paths, and the output voltage generated by the high voltage board (not shown) charges the LSU 107. The four charging rollers 102Y-K are used to charge the surfaces of the four photosensitive drums 101Y-K respectively, and the four optical paths of the LSU 107 respectively emit laser beams to form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 101Y-K. The four developing rollers 103Y-K are used to develop and form a color toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drums 101Y-K respectively. The image forming device 100 adopts a secondary transfer method, that is, the four photosensitive drums 101Y-K sequentially transfer the toner image to the transfer belt 105, and then the color toner image formed on the transfer belt 105 is secondary transferred to the paper via the secondary transfer roller 106. The secondary transfer roller 106 conveys the imaged paper to the nip area of ​​the heat roller 108 and the pressure roller 109. The heat roller 108 and the pressure roller 109 are used to fix the toner image on the paper. The heat roller 108 can be heated by ceramics. The heat roller 108 and the pressure roller 109 convey the fixed paper to the discharge roller 110. The discharge roller 110 discharges the paper to the discharge paper box 111 and stacks it. The image forming operation is completed.

[0070] It is understood that the image forming device 100 listed above is only an example, and the component composition and component arrangement of the image forming device 100 can be adjusted according to actual conditions without affecting the improvement ideas of the present invention. For example, the image forming device 100 may also include a photosensitive drum phase drive sensor, a motor, a discharge lamp, and a discharge needle.

[0071] In the related art, the number of pages of image forming data is recorded when page imaging is completed. Specifically, the toner colors of a color printer include: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K). In the embodiment of the present application, the exposure sequence of the photosensitive drum is: the photosensitive drum corresponding to the Y toner (hereinafter referred to as the Y photosensitive drum), the photosensitive drum corresponding to the M toner (hereinafter referred to as the M photosensitive drum), the photosensitive drum corresponding to the C toner (hereinafter referred to as the C photosensitive drum), and the photosensitive drum corresponding to the K toner (hereinafter referred to as the K photosensitive drum). When the exposure of the K photosensitive drum is completed, a page imaging end signal (tod down) is generated. Among them, the tod down signal is a vertical synchronization signal (Vertical Synchronization, VSYNC). The VSYNC signal is an important concept in computer graphics and display technology. It is a synchronization pulse signal sent by a display device (such as a monitor or TV) when a frame of animation is refreshed. This signal indicates that the display device has completed all line scans of the current frame and is ready to start displaying the next frame. Therefore, the tod down signal in the embodiment of the present application is a synchronization pulse signal sent by the image forming device when the refresh of the last frame is completed. In addition, the tod on signal mentioned below is a synchronization pulse signal emitted by the image forming device when the refresh of the first frame is completed. For color images, the tod on signal is a synchronization pulse signal emitted when the Y photosensitive drum starts to be exposed. If the M photosensitive drum starts to be exposed first in some printer models, then the tod on signal is a synchronization pulse signal emitted when the M photosensitive drum starts to be exposed. If the C photosensitive drum starts to be exposed first in some printer models, then the tod on signal is a synchronization pulse signal emitted when the C photosensitive drum starts to be exposed. If the K photosensitive drum starts to be exposed first in some printer models, then the tod on signal is a synchronization pulse signal emitted when the K photosensitive drum starts to be exposed. The present application does not limit the color of the photosensitive drum that the image forming device starts to expose first. For black and white images, the tod on signal is a synchronization pulse signal emitted when the K photosensitive drum starts to be exposed. That is to say, the timing when the tod on signal is emitted is the timing when each page starts to be imaged. After the tod on signal is emitted, the photosensitive drum starts to be exposed, and subsequent printing work starts. It will not be repeated in the following.

[0072] Obviously, when adopting this color correction method, that is, using the tod down signal as the node to record the number of pages of image forming data, when a paper jam occurs during the imaging of a certain page or a sudden power outage causes the image forming device to stop suddenly, the number of pages of image forming data recorded by the image forming device will be less than the number of pages actually consumed by toner, thereby causing the timing of color correction to be delayed, making it impossible to guarantee the quality of the image presented on the image forming medium, affecting the user experience.

[0073] The following is a detailed description of the above situation using the example of printing an image on paper. Assume that the original setting is to start color correction when the 100th page of paper is printed (that is, the set page threshold is 100), but when printing the 100th page, an emergency such as a paper jam or power failure suddenly occurs. Due to the emergency in the middle, the tod down signal of the 100th page cannot be issued. If the page count is performed at this time, the result of the count is 99 pages. Because 99 is less than 100, the color correction job will not be triggered at this time, but the toner has actually been consumed on the 100th page. In other words, the number of pages recorded by the printer is small at this time, but the actual amount of toner consumed is large. If the emergency is resolved, the printer continues to print. When the 101st page is printed, the tod down signal of the 100th page is issued. In other words, when the printer issues the tod down signal of the 100th page, the number of pages that actually consumed toner is 101 pages, so the actual toner consumption at this time is greater than the toner consumption corresponding to the number of pages recorded by the printer. In this case, since the color calibration is performed late, the quality of the image on the 101st page printed by the printer cannot be guaranteed, which affects the user experience.

[0074] Similarly, assuming that the original setting is to start color correction when the 200th page of paper is printed, but due to an emergency, the printing of pages 40, 50, and 90 is interrupted, then the tod down signals of these three pages cannot be sent normally. When the printer sends the tod down signal of page 200, the printer has actually printed 203 pages, that is, the amount of toner corresponding to 203 pages of paper has been consumed, and the actual amount of toner consumed is greater than the amount of toner corresponding to the number of pages recorded by the printer with the tod down signal as the node, that is, the actual amount of toner consumed is large. In this case, the image quality of pages 201, 202, and 203 printed by the printer cannot be guaranteed (image quality deviation and unstable toner concentration may occur), affecting the user experience. Of course, this is only an exemplary description and should not be used as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0075] In actual applications, when the number of image pages that the user inputs to be printed exceeds one page, when the image forming device performs the image forming job on the first page of the image, among the remaining images, if the image data has been parsed, these parsed image pages will enter the queue list in turn to wait for the image forming job to be executed. The image forming device will suspend the image forming job before starting the color correction job. However, if there are images in the queue list that have completed image parsing and are waiting for the image forming job to be executed, the image forming device will first complete the image forming job in the queue list and then perform the color correction job.

[0076] If the color correction method in the related art is used, the timing of color correction will be delayed, resulting in a large number of images in the queue waiting to be formed, and at this time, the effect of the toner on the image forming medium may have problems, so the image quality of the images in the queue presented on the image forming medium may not be guaranteed, thereby affecting the user experience. The following takes printing an image on paper as an example to explain the above situation in detail.

[0077] See also Figure 2 , is a schematic diagram of a queue list of a printer in a related technology provided by an embodiment of the present application. Assume that the color correction job is set to be performed after the 100th page is printed. Because the node for recording the number of paper pages in the page number record of color correction in the related technology is the tod down signal issued when each page of paper is printed, in the related technology, such as Figure 2 As shown, when the 100th page (image 1) starts to be imaged, the 101st page (image 2) enters the queue list. When the 100th page (image 1) is imaged, the printer will receive the color correction instruction, and at this time, the 102nd page (image 3) has entered the queue list. Therefore, after the 100th page image starts to be printed and before the color correction instruction is issued, there will be two (pages 101 and 102) images (image 2 and image 3) in the queue list waiting to be printed. After the tod down signal of the 100th page image is issued, because the printer needs to complete the execution of the parsed jobs in the print queue before executing the color correction job, that is, before executing the color correction job, the printer needs to print the images 2 and 3 in the queue list first. In other words, color correction should be started after the 100th page is printed to ensure that the subsequent printed images will not have adverse effects. However, since color correction needs to be performed after the two pages are printed, the image quality of these two pages of images presented on paper cannot be guaranteed (image quality deviation and toner concentration instability may occur), which affects the user experience. Of course, this is only an exemplary description and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection of this application.

[0078] In view of the above problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a color correction method, which records the number of pages of image forming data when each page starts to be imaged, and then performs a color correction operation when the number of pages of image forming data is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold. It can be understood that as long as imaging starts, when the laser scanning device starts to emit a light beam, the toner will be consumed immediately. The time when imaging of each page starts in the present application is used as a node to record the number of pages. If problems such as paper jams occur before imaging of each page, the toner has not yet begun to be consumed, and this image forming medium will not be recorded; if problems such as paper jams occur after imaging of each page, the image forming operation consumes toner, and the image forming medium will be recorded. Using the time when imaging of each page starts in the present application as a node to record the number of pages is more in line with actual needs, that is, image forming media that have consumed toner will be recorded, and image forming media that have not consumed toner will not be recorded. Therefore, through the color correction method provided in the embodiment of the present application, it can ensure that the number of pages of the color correction operation of the image forming device is recorded more accurately, so that the color correction operation can be performed in time, the image quality is guaranteed, and the user experience is improved. Specifically, a detailed description is given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0079] See also Figure 3 , is a flow chart of a color correction method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method can be applied to Figure 1 The application scenario shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 As shown, it mainly includes the following steps.

[0080] Step S301: Determine the number of pages of image forming data for which image formation has currently started.

[0081] Specifically, by Figure 1 As can be seen from the application scenario shown, the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged is the number of pages of image forming media that have started to consume toner. The image forming device can determine whether the preset node requiring color correction has been reached by determining whether the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged has reached a preset page number threshold, thereby determining whether a color correction job needs to be performed.

[0082] In a possible implementation, when each page starts to be imaged, that is, when the tod on signal is sent, the number of pages of the image forming data is recorded, that is, the value of the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is updated. For example, before the image of the 50th page starts to be imaged, the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is recorded as 49, and when the image of the 50th page starts to be imaged, the page value is updated to 50. Similarly, before the image of the 100th page starts to be imaged, the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is recorded as 99, and when the image of the 100th page starts to be imaged, the page value is updated to 100. It can be understood that when each page starts to be imaged, subsequent toner will immediately adhere to the photosensitive drum, that is, the toner will immediately begin to be consumed. Therefore, using the node where each page starts to be imaged as the node for recording the number of pages of the image forming data can ensure the accuracy of the recording of toner consumption, thereby ensuring that the color correction operation is executed in a timely manner.

[0083] In a possible implementation, an image forming device includes a data end and an engine end. When the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, the engine end sends a color correction request to the data end; the data end sends a color correction instruction to the engine end according to the color correction request; and the engine end performs a color correction operation according to the color correction instruction. In an embodiment of the present application, the engine end is used to perform a color correction operation or an image forming operation, and the data end is used to control the operation of the engine end. Through the method provided by the present application, the data end and the engine end in the image forming device cooperate with each other to perform the color correction operation, which can ensure that the working state in the image forming device is carried out in an orderly manner.

[0084] Step S302: When the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, a color correction job is performed.

[0085] Specifically, a page number threshold is set for the image forming device in advance, and when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to the page number threshold, the color correction operation is performed. In a possible implementation, the page number threshold may be 50 pages (frequent frequency) or 100 pages (normal frequency); or in a possible implementation, the page number threshold is 500 pages (frequent frequency) or 1000 pages (normal frequency). It can be understood that frequent frequency means that the frequency of color correction is more frequent, and normal frequency means that the frequency of color correction is normal. Of course, this is only an exemplary description and should not be used as a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. By setting the page number threshold in advance, and then according to the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged recorded by the image forming device, the timing of color correction can be determined more scientifically, so that color correction can be started at the right time, and color correction will not be started until the image has a more serious adverse effect, thereby ensuring the effect of the image and the user's experience.

[0086] In a possible implementation, before the image forming device performs the color correction operation, the image parsing operation is suspended, and the image parsing operation is used to parse the image, and the parsed image is used to sequentially perform the image forming operation. It can be understood that the image after parsing is the image in the queue list. Before the image forming device performs the color correction operation, suspending the image parsing operation can effectively reduce the images in the queue list, thereby ensuring that the color correction operation is performed in a timely manner.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the image forming device suspends the image forming operation before executing the color correction operation. It can be understood that the method provided by the embodiment of the present application can ensure the quality of the image forming device executing the color correction operation and the image forming operation, and avoid information confusion.

[0088] In summary, when each page starts to be imaged, toner is consumed. If problems such as paper jams occur before each page starts to be imaged, the image forming medium has not yet started to consume toner, so the image forming medium that has not yet consumed toner is not expected to be recorded; if problems such as paper jams occur after each page starts to be imaged, the image forming medium has consumed toner, so the image forming medium is expected to be recorded. This application uses the time when each page starts to be imaged as a node to determine the number of pages of image forming data that have started to be imaged, thereby determining the timing of the start of color correction, and can obtain a more accurate timing when color correction should be triggered, avoiding poor image effects caused by untimely color correction, and improving the user experience.

[0089] The above situation is described in detail below by taking printing an image on paper as an example. Suppose the printer is set to perform color correction when printing 200 pages of images. Since the present application sends a color correction request based on the number of pages of image formation data that has started imaging, it can be understood that when the printer prints to page 200, as long as page 200 has started imaging, that is, the tod on signal of page 200 has been issued, the page number will be updated to 200 pages, and the printer will send a color correction request. Even if an emergency such as a paper jam or a sudden power outage occurs during the printing of page 200, since page 200 has been recorded when imaging began, the emergency will not affect the page count, so that the timing of color correction is the same as the expected timing.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present application, when each page starts to be imaged, a tod on signal is also sent out to indicate that the image forming operation for this page of image forming data has started. The timing when the image forming device sends out the tod on signal is when each page starts to be imaged. That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the number of pages of image forming data is determined when the tod on signal is sent out.

[0091] Regarding the above example, even if an emergency such as a paper jam or a sudden power failure occurs when printing the 200th page, since the tod on signal of the 200th page has been issued, the emergency will not affect the page count, so that the timing of color correction is the same as the expected timing.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the page count update in the present application is not only conditional on the issuance of the tod on signal. In actual operation, some image formation jobs consume very little toner. Exemplarily, some images may be blank pages that do not require any toner consumption at all, or some images have a very small image range of colored pixel points, so the toner consumption is also very small. If the page count value is updated every time the tod on signal is issued during image formation, these images with very little toner consumption will all be recorded in terms of page count, which will actually cause the color correction timing to be advanced. That is, the toner currently consumed is not much and color correction is actually not yet required, but since the recorded page count has reached the threshold, color correction is performed. The color correction timing is advanced unnecessarily, resulting in unnecessary resource waste, which is also not desired by users. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, in each page of the image formation job, the page count is updated only when the number of pixel points of the image exceeds a set pixel threshold and the tod on signal is issued. For example: In a certain image formation, the set pixel threshold is B. After parsing and distributing the image data, it can be known that the number of pixel points of this image is A, and A > B. Since the number of pixel points of the image is greater than or equal to the set pixel threshold, the page count will be updated when the tod on signal is issued during this image formation. Similarly, in another image formation, after parsing and distributing the image data, it can be known that the number of pixel points of this image is C, and C < B. Since the number of pixel points of the image does not exceed the set pixel threshold, the page count will not be updated when the tod on signal is issued during this image formation. It can be understood that the toner consumption of the image is positively correlated with the number of pixel points. The present application updates the page count only when the number of pixel points of the image exceeds the set pixel threshold and the tod on signal is issued (i.e., imaging starts), which can ensure to a certain extent that the page count is recorded only when the toner consumption of each image formation reaches a certain level, avoiding premature start of color correction and reducing resource waste, meeting the expectations of users.

[0093] When the image forming apparatus performs a color correction job, the image formation job will be paused. However, if there are images waiting to execute the image formation job in the queue list, the image forming apparatus will first complete the image formation jobs in the queue list and then perform the color correction job. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, when the tod on signal is issued, the page count of the image formation data is updated. If the page count after the update reaches the page count threshold, the color correction job will be executed. Compared with recording the page count at the tod down node, the trigger timing of the color correction job is advanced when recording the page count at the tod on node, which can make the number of images waiting to execute the image formation job in the queue list relatively small.

[0094] The above situation will be described in detail below by taking printing an image on paper as an example. Refer to Figure 4 , is a schematic diagram of a queue list of a printer provided in an embodiment of the present application. Assume that it is set to record the number of pages when image 1 starts to form (tod on signal is sent). If the number of pages reaches the set page number threshold, the color correction job is performed. When image 1 starts to form, only image 2 in the queue list has completed image analysis. If a color correction job is performed at this time, the printer will suspend the printing job and the image analysis job. That is to say, at this time, there is only image 2 in the queue list, and the color correction job can be started after image 2 is printed. It can be understood that, compared with the color correction method in the related art, the color correction method provided in the embodiment of the present application can ensure that the image forming device suspends the image analysis job earlier, so that the number of analyzed jobs queued in the print queue is not as many as in the related art, which actually advances the timing of the color correction job, ensures the quality of the image queued in the print queue, and improves the user experience. Of course, this is only an exemplary description and should not be used as a limitation on the scope of protection of the present application.

[0095] Corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides a flow chart of a method for an image forming device to perform color correction, taking printing as an example.

[0096] See also Figure 5 , is a flowchart of a method for performing color correction on an image forming device provided in an embodiment of the application. Figure 5 As shown, it mainly includes the following steps.

[0097] Step S501: The printing job starts.

[0098] Step S502: start imaging (tod on).

[0099] Step S503: Page count.

[0100] Specifically, the number of pages of image formation data for which image formation has started is determined.

[0101] Step S504: determine whether the current page number is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, if yes, execute step S506, if no, continue imaging.

[0102] Step S505: reporting a color correction request.

[0103] Step S506: Determine whether an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs, if yes, execute step S508, if no, execute step S509.

[0104] Step S507: The printer stops printing.

[0105] Step S508: Imaging ends.

[0106] Step S509: Turn off the photosensitive drum exposure (tod down).

[0107] Step S510: Determine whether the current page is the last page, if so, execute step S512, if not, execute step S502.

[0108] Step S511: Paper is ejected.

[0109] Step S512: The printing job ends.

[0110] For specific contents involved in the embodiments of this application, please refer to the above Figure 3 and Figure 4 For the sake of brevity, the description in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0111] In actual applications, when the image forming device is performing an image forming job, some abnormal situations may occur, and the image forming device needs to respond to the abnormal situation.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present application, if an abnormality occurs in the image forming device, the image forming device suspends the color correction operation according to an abnormality signal of the image forming device.

[0113] It is understandable that when an abnormality occurs in the image forming device, the color correction operation will be affected and cannot be performed normally. At this time, the image forming device promptly suspends the color correction operation to avoid other uncontrollable situations.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the image forming device includes a data end and an engine end. When the image forming device is abnormal, the engine end sends a color correction abnormality signal to the data end according to the image forming device abnormality signal; the data end sends a color correction pause instruction to the engine end according to the color correction abnormality signal; the engine end pauses the color correction operation according to the color correction pause instruction. The image forming device abnormality signal is used to indicate that the image forming device is abnormal, and the color correction abnormality signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation cannot be performed normally.

[0115] It can be understood that, through the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, through the information interaction between the data end and the engine end, the internal information of the image forming device can be synchronized to avoid information confusion.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the printer abnormality is an abnormality of the waste toner bottle, which is used to collect waste toner generated by the image forming device when performing image forming operations and / or color correction operations. Waste toner bottle abnormalities include waste toner bottle full, waste toner bottle detected as not installed, and waste toner bottle manually removed, etc. When waste toner bottle abnormalities occur, users are required to perform specific processing, otherwise there will be a risk of explosion (overflow after being full or blocking the waste toner bin, causing damage to the mechanical structure) or waste toner scattering outside the machine. In this case, the air or the vicinity of the waste toner bottle will be filled with waste toner during use, which may cause certain property losses or personal injuries.

[0117] In the related art, when the waste toner bottle is abnormal, no matter the image forming device is currently performing an image forming job or a color correction job, the abnormality processing will be performed after the current job is completed. According to this method, since waste toner is generated during the image forming job and the color correction job, the risk of the waste toner bottle exploding is increased.

[0118] In response to the above problem, in an embodiment of the present application, when the waste powder bottle is abnormal, the image forming device enters an abnormal mode and immediately suspends the color correction operation. The color correction operation will not be executed until the waste powder bottle is normal. When the waste powder bottle is abnormal, the image forming operation will not be executed after the image forming operation of the current page is completed.

[0119] It is understandable that since the color correction job generates more waste toner, suspending the color correction job in time can avoid warehouse explosion to the greatest extent, thereby ensuring the safety of the image forming device. Since the waste toner generated by the printing job is not as much as the color correction job, this application chooses to complete printing the current page of the printing job when an abnormality occurs in the waste toner warehouse.

[0120] In a possible implementation, when the color correction job is suspended, the image forming apparatus will record the abnormality of the current color correction job, and when the image forming apparatus recovers from the abnormality, the color correction job will be re-executed.

[0121] It is understandable that when the image forming device returns to normal, there is no need for the data end to send color correction instructions. The engine end of the image forming device automatically continues to perform the color correction operation, which can ensure that the color correction operation is performed in a timely manner, thereby ensuring the image quality.

[0122] In a possible implementation, the image forming device outputs an alarm signal while suspending the color correction operation, and the alarm signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation is abnormal. It is understandable that the alarm signal can remind the user that there is an abnormality in the waste toner bottle, so that the user can deal with the abnormality of the waste toner bottle in time.

[0123] Corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment, the embodiment of the present application takes printing as an example and provides a flow chart of a method for handling an abnormality of a waste powder bottle.

[0124] See also Figure 6 , is a flow chart of a method for handling an abnormality of a waste powder bottle provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, it mainly includes the following steps.

[0125] Step S601: Printing starts.

[0126] Step S602: Detect the job type.

[0127] Specifically, the engine side detects the type of job sent by the data side, and if it is a color calibration (hereinafter referred to as color calibration) job, step S603 is executed; if it is a printing job, step S610 is executed.

[0128] Step S603: receiving a color calibration operation instruction.

[0129] Step S604: Execute the color calibration function.

[0130] Step S605: the waste toner bottle starts collecting waste toner.

[0131] Step S606: Determine whether there is an abnormality in the waste toner bottle. If so, execute step S608; if not, execute step S607.

[0132] Step S607: Determine whether the color calibration is completed, if so, execute step S609; if not, execute step S603.

[0133] Step S608: the waste toner bottle stops collecting waste toner.

[0134] Step S609: The printer stops.

[0135] Step S610: receiving a print job instruction.

[0136] Step S611: Execute the printing function.

[0137] Step S612: the waste toner bottle starts collecting waste toner.

[0138] Step S613: Determine whether there is an abnormality in the waste toner bottle. If so, execute step S615; if not, execute step S614.

[0139] Step S614: Determine whether printing is completed, if so, execute step S619; if not, execute step S610.

[0140] Step S615: Continue printing the currently executed page.

[0141] Step S616: Continue to collect the waste toner of the current page.

[0142] Step S617: Paper is ejected.

[0143] Step S618: the waste toner bottle stops collecting waste toner.

[0144] Step S619: The printer stops.

[0145] Some of the specific contents involved in the embodiments of this application can be found in the above Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 For the sake of brevity, the description in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0146] It can be understood that the method for handling waste toner bottle abnormalities provided in the embodiment of the present application can avoid explosion or large amounts of toner spilling onto the external machine to a large extent, and the system has high stability, and the color correction operations and image forming operations are clearly classified and not prone to errors. The image forming device records color correction abnormalities and automatically performs color correction operations, which can avoid missing color correction operations and ensure image quality.

[0147] In a specific implementation, the embodiment of the present application also provides an image forming device.

[0148] See also Figure 7 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image forming device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the image forming device 700 includes: a determination module 701, used to determine the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged; a control module 702, used to perform a color correction operation when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold.

[0149] See also Figure 8 , is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the electronic device 800 includes: a processor 801, a memory 802 and a communication unit 803. These components communicate through one or more buses. Those skilled in the art can understand that the structure of the electronic device shown in the figure does not constitute a limitation on the embodiment of the present invention. It can be a bus structure or a star structure, and can also include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0150] The communication unit 803 is used to establish a communication channel so that the electronic device can communicate with other devices, receive user data sent by other devices or send user data to other devices.

[0151] The processor 801 is the control center of the electronic device. It uses various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire electronic device. It runs or executes software programs, instructions, and / or modules stored in the memory 802, and calls data stored in the memory to perform various functions of the electronic device and / or process data. The processor can be composed of an integrated circuit (IC), for example, it can be composed of a single packaged IC, or it can be composed of multiple packaged ICs with the same or different functions. For example, the processor 801 can only include a central processing unit (CPU). In an embodiment of the present invention, the CPU can be a single computing core or multiple computing cores.

[0152] The memory 802 is used to store the execution instructions of the processor 801. The memory 802 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk or optical disk.

[0153] When the execution instruction in the memory 802 is executed by the processor 801, the electronic device 800 can execute Figure 1 Some or all of the steps in the illustrated embodiments.

[0154] In a specific implementation, the present application further provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium may store a program, and when the program is executed, the program may include some or all of the steps in each embodiment of the simulation scene generation method provided by the present invention. The storage medium may be a disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "plurality" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and subsequent associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" and similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can be represented by: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0156] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in a combination of electronic hardware, computer software, and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0157] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0158] In several embodiments provided in the present application, any function can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium if it is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk, etc., and other media that can store program codes.

[0159] In this specification, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In particular, for the device embodiment and the terminal embodiment, since they are basically similar to the method embodiment, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description in the method embodiment.

Claims

1. A color correction method, characterized in that: Applied to an image forming device, the method comprises: determining the number of pages of image forming data for which imaging has currently begun; When the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, a color correction job is performed.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The determining the number of pages of image forming data that has currently started to be imaged comprises: When image formation of each page starts, the value of the page number of the image formation data whose image formation has currently started is updated.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When each page starts to be imaged, updating the value of the page number of the image forming data that has currently started to be imaged includes: If a paper jam or other problem occurs before a page of image forming medium starts to form images, causing the image forming device to stop suddenly, the image forming medium will not consume toner, and the image forming device will not update the value of the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to form images. If a paper jam or other problem occurs after a page of image forming medium begins to form images, causing the image forming device to stop suddenly, the image forming medium has begun to consume toner, and the image forming device will update the value of the page number of the image forming data that has currently begun to form images.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The color correction operation is performed, including: Before executing the color correction job, the image forming job is suspended.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: Before performing the color correction operation, the method further includes: The image analysis job is suspended, wherein the image analysis job is used to analyze an image, and the analyzed image is used to sequentially perform an image forming job.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When each page starts to be imaged, updating the value of the page number of the image forming data that has currently started to be imaged includes: The value of the page number of the image forming data currently starting to be imaged is updated only when the number of pixel points of the image of each page exceeds the set pixel threshold and image formation begins.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises: The color correction operation is suspended according to an abnormal signal of the image forming device, wherein the abnormal signal of the image forming device is used to indicate that the image forming device is abnormal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The image forming device abnormality signal includes: a waste powder bottle abnormality signal, wherein the waste powder bottle abnormality signal is used to indicate that the waste powder bottle is abnormal, and the waste powder bottle is used to collect waste powder generated by the image forming device when performing image forming operations and / or color correction operations.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The pausing the color correction operation comprises: The color correction operation is paused and an alarm signal is output, wherein the alarm signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation is abnormal.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The image forming device comprises a data end and an engine end, and when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, a color correction operation is performed, including: When the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold, the engine end sends a color correction request to the data end; The data end sends a color correction instruction to the engine end according to the color correction request; The engine side performs a color correction operation according to the color correction instruction.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The engine end sends a color correction abnormality signal to the data end according to the image forming device abnormality signal, wherein the image forming device abnormality signal is used to indicate that the image forming device is abnormal, and the color correction abnormality signal is used to indicate that the color correction operation cannot be performed normally; The data end sends a color correction pause instruction to the engine end according to the color correction abnormality signal; The engine end suspends the color correction operation according to the color correction suspension instruction.

12. An image forming device, characterized in that: include: A determination module, used for determining the number of pages of image forming data that has started to be imaged; The control module is used to execute a color correction operation when the number of pages of the image forming data that has started to be imaged is greater than or equal to a preset page number threshold.

13. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: processor; Memory; And a computer program, wherein the computer program is stored in the memory, and the computer program includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the electronic device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium includes a stored program, wherein when the program is executed, the device where the computer-readable storage medium is located is controlled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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