Image formation control method, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Abstract

To reduce the load on an image forming apparatus required for processing for formation of a test image and update of data related to the test image.SOLUTION: A processor 81, when a test print event occurs, transmits test PDL data that is data representing a test image and information on a print condition in a page description language to an image processing apparatus 6 through a communication device 85 (S103). The processor 81, in response to the transmission of the test PDL data, receives raster data representing the test image and job data including the information on the print condition from the image processing apparatus 6 through the communication device 85 (S104). The processor 81, in response to the reception of the job data, causes a print device 5 to execute processing of forming the test image based on the raster data on a sheet according to the print condition (S105).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming control method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system for controlling a process of forming a test image on a sheet, the test image being used for adjusting print parameters. [Background technology]

[0002] An image forming apparatus may have a function of forming various test images on a sheet in order to adjust print parameters, and a user may adjust the print parameters according to the condition of the test images formed on the sheet.

[0003] For example, it is known that the image forming apparatus forms a color patch on a sheet in order to check the developed color (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The color patch is an example of the test image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-141409 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The imaging device upgrades various functions by downloading various programs or data from a cloud server through a network, and the contents of the test image and the printing conditions when the test image is formed are also subject to upgrades.

[0006] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus executes a print process of the test image based on raster data representing the test image. The data size of the raster data is large, and the computation load of the process of generating the raster data is large.

[0007] Therefore, when the image forming apparatus holds raster data representing the test image, the calculation load of the image forming apparatus for forming the test image is large, and further, the communication load of the image forming apparatus for updating the data related to the test image is large.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming control method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that can reduce the load on the image forming apparatus required for processing to form a test image and update data related to the test image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image formation control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a printing device that forms an image on a sheet and a communication device. The image formation control method includes a processor transmitting test PDL data, which is data expressing information on a test image and printing conditions in a page description language, to the image processing apparatus through the communication device when a test print event occurs. The image formation control method further includes the processor receiving, in response to the transmission of the test PDL data, job data including raster data representing the test image and information on the printing conditions from the image processing apparatus through the communication device. The image formation control method further includes the processor causing the printing device to execute a process of forming the test image based on the raster data on the sheet in accordance with the printing conditions in response to the reception of the job data.

[0010] An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes the printing device, the communication device, and the processor that realizes the image formation control method.

[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including the image forming apparatus, and an image processing device capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus, the image processing device including an image processing unit configured to receive the test PDL data from the image forming apparatus, convert the test PDL data into the job data, and transmit the job data to the image forming apparatus. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming control method, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming system that can reduce the load on the image forming apparatus required for processing to form a test image and update data related to the test image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control device of the image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for test print control in the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of registration data and test PDL data in the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of token definition data in the image forming system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0015] [Image forming system 100] An image forming system 100 according to the embodiment includes one or more image forming apparatuses 10 and an image processing device 6 capable of communicating with the image forming apparatuses 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0016] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a sheet storage unit 1, a sheet conveying device 2, and a printing device 5 (see FIG. 1).

[0017] The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a human interface device 800 and a control device 8. The control device 8 controls the sheet transport device 2 and the printing device 5.

[0018] The sheet conveying device 2 sends out the sheets 9 stored in the sheet storage unit 1 one by one to the conveying path 200. The sheet conveying device 2 further conveys the sheets 9 along the conveying path 200.

[0019] In this embodiment, the sheet conveying device 2 includes a primary conveying device 21, a belt conveying device 22, and a secondary conveying device .

[0020] The primary conveying device 21 sends out the sheet 9 from the sheet storage unit 1 to the conveying path 200. The primary conveying device 21 further conveys the sheet 9 along the conveying path 200, and sends out the sheet 9 to the belt conveying device 22.

[0021] The belt conveying device 22 takes over the conveyance of the sheet 9 from the primary conveying device 21. The belt conveying device 22 conveys the sheet 9 along the conveying path 200, and further sends the sheet 9 to the secondary conveying device 23.

[0022] The secondary conveying device 23 takes over the conveying of the sheet 9 from the belt conveying device 22. The secondary conveying device 23 conveys the sheet 9 along the conveying path 200, and further sends the sheet 9 from the conveying path 200 to a downstream part (not shown). For example, the downstream part is a discharge tray, a post-processing device, an intermediate conveying device, or the like.

[0023] The printing device 5 executes a printing process. The printing process is a process of forming an image on a sheet 9 conveyed along a conveying path 200.

[0024] In this embodiment, the printing device 5 forms an image on the sheet 9 conveyed by the belt conveying device 22. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the printing device 5 executes the printing process by an inkjet method.

[0025] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 5 includes a plurality of inkjet units 51 corresponding to a plurality of colors, and a plurality of ink supply units 52.

[0026] The ink supply units 52 each supply ink of a different color to the inkjet units 51. The inkjet units 51 form an image on the sheet 9 by ejecting ink onto the sheet 9.

[0027] The printing device 5 may be a device that executes the printing process using a method other than the inkjet method, such as an electrophotographic method.

[0028] [Human interface device 800] The human interface device 800 includes an operation device 801 and a display device 802 .

[0029] The operation device 801 is a device that detects operations by a person. For example, the operation device 801 includes one or both of a touch panel and operation buttons.

[0030] The display device 802 is a device that displays various types of information. For example, the display device 802 is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display panel.

[0031] [Control device 8] The control device 8 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 81, a random access memory (RAM) 82, a secondary storage device 83, a signal interface 84, a communication device 85, and the like.

[0032] The secondary storage device 83 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 83 can store and update computer programs and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are adopted as the secondary storage device 83.

[0033] The signal interface 84 converts signals output by various sensors into digital data, and transmits the converted digital data to the CPU 81. Furthermore, the signal interface 84 converts control commands output by the CPU 81 into control signals, and transmits the control signals to the devices to be controlled.

[0034] The communication device 85 executes communication with other devices such as the image processing device 6 and the server 7 on the cloud through the network 60. The CPU 81 communicates with the other devices through the communication device 85. The network 60 includes a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like.

[0035] The CPU 81 is a processor that executes the computer program to perform various data processing and control operations. The control device 8 including the CPU 81 controls the sheet transport device 2, the printing device 5, and the like.

[0036] The RAM 82 is a computer-readable volatile storage device that temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 81 and data output and referenced by the CPU 81 in the course of executing various processes.

[0037] The CPU 81 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs, and the plurality of processing modules of the CPU 81 include a main control unit 8a and a print control unit 8b.

[0038] The main control unit 8a executes processes such as starting various processes in response to the occurrence of various processing events, which include operation events and reception events.

[0039] The operation event is an event that various processing request operations are detected by the operation device 801. The reception event is an event that various processing request commands are received through the communication device 85. The processing request includes a print request for requesting execution of the print process.

[0040] The print control unit 8b controls the sheet transporting device 2 and the printing device 5. The print control unit 8b controls the sheet transporting device 2 to thereby control the transport of the sheet 9.

[0041] Furthermore, the print control unit 8b causes the printing device 5 to execute the print process in synchronization with the conveyance of the sheet 9 by the sheet conveying device 2.

[0042] For example, when the print request is received by the communication device 85, the print control section 8b causes the sheet conveying device 2 to convey the sheet 9 and causes the printing device 5 to execute the print process.

[0043] [Image processing device 6] The image processing device 6 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, etc. The image processing device 6 includes a CPU 61, a RAM 62, a secondary storage device 63, a human interface device 64, and a communication device 65 (see FIG. 3).

[0044] The secondary storage device 63 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 63 can store and update computer programs and various data. For example, one or both of a flash memory and a hard disk drive are adopted as the secondary storage device 63.

[0045] The RAM 62 is a computer-readable volatile storage device that temporarily stores the computer programs executed by the CPU 61 and data output and referenced by the CPU 61 in the course of executing various processes.

[0046] The human interface device 64 includes an operation unit 64a and a display unit 64b (see FIG. 3). The operation unit 64a is a device that detects human operations such as a keyboard or a mouse. The display unit 64b is a device that displays various information. For example, the display unit 64b is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display panel.

[0047] The communication device 65 executes communication with an external device such as the image forming device 10 through the network 60. The CPU 61 communicates with the external device through the communication device 65.

[0048] The CPU 61 includes a plurality of processing modules that are realized by executing the computer programs, and the plurality of processing modules of the CPU 61 include a main processing unit 6a and an image processing unit 6b (see FIG. 3).

[0049] The main processing unit 6a receives and transmits data to and from the image forming apparatus 10 via a communication device 65. Furthermore, the main processing unit 6a controls a human interface device 64.

[0050] The image processing unit 6b executes various types of image processing based on the data received from the image forming apparatus .

[0051] The image forming apparatus 10 has a test print function for forming various test images on a sheet 9 in order to adjust print parameters. A user of the image forming apparatus 10 adjusts the print parameters according to the conditions of the test images formed on the sheet 9.

[0052] Meanwhile, the image forming device 10 upgrades various functions by downloading various programs or data from the cloud server 7 through the network 60. The contents of the test image and the printing conditions when the test image is formed are also subject to the upgrade.

[0053] On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the print process for the test image based on raster data representing the test image. The data size of the raster data is large, and the computation load of the process for generating the raster data is large.

[0054] Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 10 holds raster data representing the test image, the calculation load of the image forming apparatus 10 for forming the test image is large. Furthermore, the communication load of the image forming apparatus 10 for updating the data related to the test image is large.

[0055] In the image forming system 100, the image forming apparatus 10 and the image processing apparatus 6 execute a test print control, which will be described later. This reduces the load on the image forming apparatus 10 when forming the test image and updating data related to the test image.

[0056] An example of the test print control procedure will be described below with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

[0057] In the following description, S101, S102, ... represent identification codes of multiple steps in the processing executed by the CPU 81 of the image forming apparatus 10 in the test print control. S201, S202, ... represent identification codes of multiple steps in the processing executed by the CPU 61 of the image processing apparatus 6 in the test print control.

[0058] When a test print event occurs, the main control unit 8a of the CPU 81 starts the test print control. For example, the test print event is an event that occurs automatically every time the print process is performed on a preset reference number of sheets 9.

[0059] The test print event may also be an event in which a test print request is input via the operation device 801 or the communication device 85 .

[0060] <Process S101> In the test print control, first, the process of step S101 is executed. In step S101, the main control unit 8a obtains the registration data DT1 stored in the secondary storage device 83 in advance.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, registration data DT1 and token conversion data DT2 are stored in the secondary storage device 83 in advance.

[0062] The registration data DT1 is data including page description data PD1 and one or more tokens TX1 (see FIG. 5).

[0063] The page description data PD1 is data that expresses the test image and information on printing conditions in a page description language, for example, the page description data PD1 is data that expresses the test image and information on printing conditions in a postscript.

[0064] For example, the print conditions include a sheet type condition and an output surface condition. The sheet type condition indicates the type of sheet 9 on which the test image is to be formed. The output surface condition indicates whether the test image is to be formed on only one side of the sheet 9 or on both sides of the sheet 9.

[0065] The token TX1 is a character string common to multiple models of the image forming apparatus 10. The token TX1 is a character string substituting unique information of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the unique information includes the model name of the image forming apparatus 10 or the serial number of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the token conversion data DT2 represents a correspondence relationship between one or more tokens TX1 and one or more device unique data TX2 representing unique information of the image forming device 10. The token TX1 functions as a search key for identifying the device unique data TX2 in the token converted data DT2.

[0067] After executing the process of step S101, the main control unit 8a shifts the process to step S102.

[0068] <Process S102> In step S102, the main control unit 8a generates test PDL data TD1 based on the registration data DT1 obtained in step S101 (see FIG. 5).

[0069] The main control unit 8a generates the test PDL data TD1 by replacing the token TX1 in the registration data DT1 with the device unique data TX2 corresponding to the token TX1.

[0070] Therefore, the test PDL data TD1 includes page description data PD1 expressing the test image and the information on the printing conditions in a page description language, and device specific data TX2 corresponding to the token TX1 (see FIG. 5).

[0071] In this embodiment, the device unique data TX2 in the test PDL data TD1 represents a device information image that constitutes a part of the test image, that is, in the test PDL data TD1, the page description data PD1 and the device unique data TX2 represent the test image.

[0072] After executing the process of step S102, the main control unit 8a shifts the process to step S103.

[0073] <Process S103> In step S103, the main control unit 8a transmits the test PDL data TD1 generated in step S102 to the image processing device 6 through the communication device 85. After executing the process of step S103, the main control unit 8a shifts the process to step S104.

[0074] <Process S104> In step S104, the main control unit 8a receives the job data JD1 from the image processing device 6 via the communication device 85.

[0075] The job data JD1 is data received in response to the transmission of the test PDL data TD1. The job data JD1 includes raster data representing the test image and the information on the printing conditions included in the test PDL data TD1.

[0076] After executing the process of step S104, the main control unit 8a shifts the process to step S105.

[0077] <Process S105> In step S105, the print control unit 8b causes the printing device 5 to execute a test print process in response to receipt of the job data JD1.

[0078] The test print process is a process of forming the test image based on the raster data of the job data JD1 on a sheet 9 in accordance with the print conditions of the job data JD1.

[0079] By executing the process of step S105, the image forming apparatus 10 ejects the sheet 9 on which the test image is formed.

[0080] The user of the image forming apparatus 10 performs an adjustment action selected from a plurality of adjustment candidates depending on the state of the test image formed on the sheet 9.

[0081] For example, the plurality of adjustment candidates include operations to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute various adjustment processes on the operation device 801. For example, the adjustment processes include a head cleaning process, a print density correction process, a print position correction process, and the like.

[0082] After executing the process of step S105, the print control unit 8b ends the process of the image forming apparatus 10 in the test print control.

[0083] The processing of steps S101 to S103 is an example of a processing for realizing an image formation control method. The CPU 81 that executes the processing of steps S101 to S103 is an example of a processor that realizes the image formation control method.

[0084] Meanwhile, in the image processing device 6, the main processing unit 6a of the CPU 61 waits until the test PDL data TD1 is transmitted from the image forming device 10. When the test PDL data TD1 is transmitted from the image forming device 10, the main processing unit 6a executes the process of step S201.

[0085] <Process S201> In step S201, the main processing unit 6a receives the test PDL data TD1 from the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication device 65.

[0086] After executing the process of step S201, the main processing unit 6a shifts the process to step S202.

[0087] <Process S202> In step S202, the image processor 6b converts the test PDL data TD1 received in step S201 into job data JD1.

[0088] Specifically, the image processor 6b extracts the information on the printing conditions, the device specific data TX2, and the page description data PD1 from the test PDL data TD1, and further converts the page description data PD1 and the device specific data TX2 from the test PDL data TD1 into raster data representing the test image.

[0089] Furthermore, the image processor 6b generates job data JD1 including the extracted information on the printing conditions and the raster data, thereby converting the test PDL data TD1 into the job data JD1.

[0090] After executing the process of step S202, the image processing unit 6b shifts the process to step S203.

[0091] <Process S203> In step S203, the main processing unit 6a transmits the job data JD1 to the image forming apparatus 10 via the communication device 65.

[0092] After executing the process of step S203, the main processing unit 6a ends the process of the image processing device 6 in the test print control.

[0093] The CPU 61 that executes the processes of steps S201 to S203 is an example of a data processing unit.

[0094] In this embodiment, the main control unit 8a of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the version upgrade process when a data update event occurs.

[0095] The version upgrade process includes a process of acquiring new registration data DT1 from the server 7 on the cloud via the communication device 85, and updating the registration data DT1 in the secondary storage device 83 to the new registration data DT1.

[0096] For example, the data update event is an event in which an instruction to upgrade is input via the human interface device 800 or the communication device 85 .

[0097] Specifically, when the main control unit 8a of the image forming apparatus 10 or a host device (not shown) receives an upgrade notification from the server 7 via the communication device 85, the main control unit 8a executes an upgrade inquiry process.

[0098] The host device is an information processing device used by an administrator of the image forming device 10. The host device is capable of communicating with the image forming device 10 via a network 60.

[0099] In the upgrade inquiry process, the main control unit 8a inquires of the administrator through the human interface device 800 as to whether the upgrade process is necessary.

[0100] In the upgrade inquiry process, the detection of an approval operation by the operation device 801 corresponds to the input of the upgrade instruction.

[0101] Similarly, in the upgrade inquiry process, the host device inquires of the administrator whether or not the upgrade process is necessary through a human interface device of the host device.

[0102] When an approval operation is detected by the human interface device of the host device in the version upgrade inquiry process, the host device transmits the version upgrade instruction to the image forming device 10.

[0103] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the main control unit 8a executes the processes of steps S101 to S103 when the test print event occurs.

[0104] In steps S101 to S102, the main control unit 8a acquires the registration data DT1 from the secondary storage device 83, and generates the test PDL data TD1 by replacing the token TX1 in the registration data DT1 with the device unique data TX2.

[0105] In step S103, the main controller 8a transmits the test PDL data TD1 to the image processing device 6 via the communication device 85.

[0106] Furthermore, the main control unit 8a executes the process of step S104 in response to the transmission of the test PDL data TD1. In step S104, the main control unit 8a receives job data JD1 corresponding to the test PDL data TD1 from the image processing device 6 via the communication device 85.

[0107] Furthermore, the print control unit 8b executes the process of step S105 in response to receipt of the job data JD1. In step S105, the print control unit 8b causes the printing device 5 to execute the test print process.

[0108] On the other hand, the image processing device 6 executes the processes of steps S201 to S203. In step S201, the main processing unit 6a receives the test PDL data TD1 from the image forming device .

[0109] In step S202, the image processor 6b converts the test PDL data TD1 into job data JD1. In step S203, the main processor 6a transmits the job data JD1 to the image forming apparatus .

[0110] The data size of the registration data DT1 is very small compared to the data size of the job data JD1 including the raster data. The registration data DT1 is an example of data related to the test image.

[0111] Therefore, by adopting the image forming system 100, the load of the version upgrade process for updating the registered data DT1 is reduced.

[0112] Furthermore, the process of generating the raster data representing the test image every time the test print event occurs is executed by the image processing device 6. Therefore, the processing load of the image forming device 10 every time the test print event occurs is reduced.

[0113] Furthermore, the device-specific data TX2 unique to each image forming device 10 is replaced in the registration data DT1 with a token TX1 common to a plurality of models of the image forming device 10. This allows one registration data DT1 to be shared by a plurality of models of the image forming device 10. As a result, the work and processing for upgrading the registration data DT1 is simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 2: Sheet transport device 5: Printing device 6: Image processing device 7: Server 8: Control device 10: Image forming device 64: Human interface devices 100: Image forming system 800: Human interface devices DT1: Registration data DT2: Token conversion data JD1: Job Data PD1 :Page description data TD1: Test PDL data TX1: Token TX2: Equipment specific data

Claims

1. 1. An image formation control method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a printing device that forms an image on a sheet and a communication device, comprising: a processor transmitting test PDL data, which is data expressing information on a test image and printing conditions in a page description language, to an image processing device via the communication device when a test print event occurs; receiving, from the image processing device through the communication device, job data including raster data representing the test image and information on the printing conditions in response to the transmission of the test PDL data by the processor; and causing the processor to execute a process of forming the test image based on the raster data on the sheet in accordance with the printing conditions in response to receiving the job data.

2. the image forming apparatus includes a non-volatile storage device that stores data expressing the test image and the information on the printing conditions in a page description language and device specific data expressing information specific to the image forming apparatus; When a data update event occurs, the processor acquires new registration data from a server through the communication device, and updates the registration data in the storage device to the new registration data; 2. The image forming control method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the test print event occurs, the processor acquires the registration data from the storage device, and generates the test PDL data by replacing the token in the registration data with the device-specific data.

3. a printing device for forming an image on a sheet; A communication device; 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: a processor that realizes the image forming control method according to claim 1.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 ; an image processing device capable of communicating with the image forming device, The image forming system includes: the image processing apparatus; a data processing unit that receives the test PDL data from the image forming apparatus; converts the test PDL data into the job data; and transmits the job data to the image forming apparatus.

Images