Image formation device

Abstract

To enable performing a high-quality print processing to a continuous recording medium having an unprintable range.SOLUTION: When performing density and position adjustment processing using a continuous recording medium P, an image formation device 1 generates adaptive adjustment image data having arrangement of an adjustment pattern T properly assigned in accordance with a label length LB and a label gap length LG of the continuous recording medium P, and forms a toner image based on the adaptive adjustment image data. Therefor, the image formation device 1 forms the toner image based on the adaptive adjustment image data on an intermediate transfer belt 26, and a reading unit 28 reads the formed toner image, so that the image formation device can properly adjust the density or position of the toner image. In addition, the image formation device 1 can cause each adjustment pattern T based on the adaptive adjustment image data to be transferred within a range of a label PB in the continuous recording medium P, and adhesion or contamination of toner to a fixation unit 35 can be prevented in advance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and is suitably applied to, for example, an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium by an electrophotographic method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses that have been widely used include, for example, a control unit that generates print data based on a print job supplied from a predetermined upper device, a transport unit that transports paper as a recording medium, an image forming unit that forms a toner image based on the print data, a fixing unit that fixes the toner image onto the paper, etc. Also widely used as image forming apparatuses are those configured in an intermediate transfer system in which a toner image formed by the image forming unit is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt, and the toner image is then transferred from the intermediate transfer belt onto the paper.

[0003] In this image forming apparatus, for example, the density or position of the image printed on the paper may deviate from the appropriate value or range due to the ambient temperature or humidity, or the variation of various parts. In response to this, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which a predetermined adjustment pattern (density detection image) is formed outside the range of the recording medium in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the intermediate transfer belt (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this image forming apparatus, a reading unit consisting of a reflected light optical sensor or the like reads the adjustment pattern from the intermediate transfer belt, and based on the reading result, the density of the image formed by the image forming unit is appropriately adjusted, thereby enabling high-quality printing processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-227336 A (FIG. 11, etc.) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when an image forming apparatus is configured for so-called commercial use, it is configured in various ways according to its use and purpose. For example, an image forming apparatus may be configured to handle a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as a continuous recording medium) in which a plurality of sticker-like labels with adhesive attached to the backing are affixed in a line along the longitudinal direction of a roll of long die-cut label paper wound in a roll, that is, a backing paper made of a long release paper. The backing paper has a surface coated with a specific resin or the like so that the labels can be easily peeled off, making it difficult for a fixing unit to fix a toner image thereon.

[0006] Furthermore, in some image forming devices, due to demands for miniaturization, etc., it may not be possible to secure a sufficient area for forming an adjustment pattern outside the range of the recording medium in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt. In such cases, it is conceivable that the image forming device prints an adjustment pattern within the range of the recording medium in the width direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and adjusts the density of the image by reading this with a reading unit.

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned die-cut label paper, there are cases where a certain gap is provided between the labels in the transport direction. In such a case, in an image forming device, if at least a part of the adjustment pattern printed on this die-cut label paper is formed in the gap (i.e. on the backing paper), the toner formed on the backing paper cannot be fixed in the fixing unit, and there is a risk that the toner will stain the fixing unit, etc. In the following, in relation to the transport direction of the die-cut label paper, the range where the labels are affixed and where printing is possible will be referred to as the printable range, and the range where a gap is formed and where printing is essentially impossible will be referred to as the non-printable range.

[0008] When using this type of die-cut label paper, there is a problem in that the toner of the adjustment pattern may not be fixed properly in the unprintable areas of the image forming device, causing damage to the fixing unit, and there is also a possibility that the label paper that is transported later may be damaged by the fixing unit, which could result in a decrease in print quality or require maintenance work.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose an image forming apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing processing on a continuous recording medium having an unprintable area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve such problems, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using a continuous recording medium on which a plurality of printable ranges where printing is possible in the transport direction are formed, and on which non-printable ranges on which printing is essentially impossible are formed between the printable ranges, and is provided with a transport unit that transports the continuous recording medium in the transport direction, a medium information acquisition unit that acquires medium information, which is information relating to the printable ranges on the continuous recording medium, a memory unit in which adjustment images including a plurality of adjustment patterns are stored, an allocation determination unit that determines, based on the medium information, positions to allocate the adjustment patterns on the continuous recording medium so that each adjustment pattern in the adjustment image falls within the printable range, an image forming unit that forms images of the adjustment patterns so as to correspond to the assigned positions within the printable range of the continuous recording medium transported by the transport unit, a reading unit that reads the adjustment patterns formed using the image forming unit, and a control unit that adjusts the image forming unit based on the results of reading the adjustment patterns by the reading unit.

[0011] The present invention allocates each adjustment pattern of an adjustment image so that it falls within a printable range, and then forms an image using an image forming unit, thereby making it possible to avoid forming an image of the adjustment pattern in a non-printable range of a continuous recording medium. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the image forming unit based on the results of reading the adjustment patterns, and to prevent the developer that constitutes the image from being fixed in the non-printable range of the continuous recording medium and thereby soiling each part, or to prevent the developer from soiling other parts of the continuous recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of performing high-quality printing processing on a continuous recording medium having an unprintable area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a continuous recording medium. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of adjustment pattern image data. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of adjustment patterns on a continuous recording medium. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a density / position adjustment process procedure. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a density / position adjustment pattern generating process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a suitable adjusted image data generating process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a first allocation process procedure. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an adjustment pattern replacement process. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a second allocation process procedure. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing a third allocation process procedure. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a fourth allocation process procedure. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a fifth allocation process procedure. [Figure 15] 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams illustrating the allocation of adjustment patterns and blank spaces by a first allocation process. [Figure 16] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating the allocation of adjustment patterns and blank spaces by a second allocation process. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating the allocation of adjustment patterns and blank spaces by a third allocation process. [Figure 18]13 is a schematic diagram showing the allocation of adjustment patterns and blank spaces by a fourth allocation process. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a schematic diagram showing the allocation of adjustment patterns and blank spaces by a fifth allocation process. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] [1. Configuration of image forming device] 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured as an electrophotographic printer and is configured to print a desired color image, for example, on a long continuous recording medium P. The image forming apparatus 1 is broadly composed of a main body section 2 that performs printing processing on the continuous recording medium P, a supply section 3 that supplies the continuous recording medium P to the main body section 2, and a winding section 4 that winds up the continuous recording medium P after the printing processing.

[0016] For ease of explanation, in the following, the supply section 3 side will be referred to as the front side, the winding section 4 side as the rear side, the front side of the paper in Figure 1 will be referred to as the right side, and the rear side will be referred to as the left side. Furthermore, we will define upper and lower sides, and then explain each part.

[0017] The main body 2 is provided with a control unit 6 that performs overall control inside a rectangular parallelepiped housing 5. A display operation unit 7 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the main body 2. The control unit 6 is connected wirelessly or wired to a host device 100 (FIG. 2) such as a personal computer via a predetermined network (details will be described later).

[0018] The display operation unit 7 is configured as a touch panel that combines a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and an operation device such as a touch sensor. That is, the display operation unit 7 displays various information based on the control of the control unit 6. The display operation unit 7 also accepts touch operations by the user and transmits the contents of the operations to the control unit 6.

[0019] When the control unit 6 receives a print job including image data to be printed and print instructions from the higher-level device 100, it generates print data based on the print job and starts a printing process to print an image based on this data on the continuous recording medium P.

[0020] The continuous recording medium P is a so-called long sheet of paper, and has a sufficient length along the transport direction in which it is transported (more details will be described later). During the manufacturing process, the continuous recording medium P is wound around a cylindrical or columnar core material with a relatively small diameter, i.e., spirally, so that the continuous recording medium P is formed into a cylindrical shape with a relatively large diameter as a whole. Hereinafter, the portion of the continuous recording medium P that is wound around the core material and formed into a cylindrical shape is referred to as the supply roll portion PR1.

[0021] The supply section 3 rotatably supports the core material of the supply roll section PR1, and while appropriately rotating the supply roll section PR1, the continuous recording medium P is sequentially peeled off from the outermost portion of the supply roll section PR1 and supplied to the main body section 2.

[0022] The main body 2 has four image forming units 10 arranged in a line along the front-to-rear direction at the upper part inside the rectangular parallelepiped housing 5. From the front, the image forming units 10 correspond to the colors black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

[0023] Each image forming unit 10 is composed of a toner cartridge 11, an image forming main body 12, an exposure unit 13, etc. The toner cartridge 11 contains toner as a developer. The image forming main body 12 is provided with a photosensitive drum 14 and various rollers, all of which are rotatable. The exposure unit 13 is also called an exposure head, etc., and has a plurality of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes).

[0024] Based on the printing data supplied from the control unit 6, each image forming unit 10 appropriately exposes the photosensitive drum 14 using the exposure unit 13, and develops it using toner of each color, thereby forming a toner image of each color on the surface of the photosensitive drum 14.

[0025] The intermediate transfer section 20 is disposed below each image forming unit 10 and is composed of a number of rotatable rollers, such as a drive roller 21, a driven roller 22, a secondary transfer roller 23, a tension roller 24 and four primary transfer rollers 25, as well as an intermediate transfer belt 26.

[0026] The drive roller 21 is disposed toward the rear within the housing 5. The driven roller 22 is disposed toward the front within the housing 5, and rotates by a driving force supplied from a drive motor (not shown). The secondary transfer roller 23 is disposed toward the bottom within the housing 5. The tension roller 24 is disposed forward of the drive roller 21 and above the secondary transfer roller 23.

[0027] The four primary transfer rollers 25 are disposed between the drive roller 21 and the driven roller 22, directly below each image forming unit 10 and facing each photoconductor drum 14. A predetermined high voltage is applied to the primary transfer rollers 25. For convenience of explanation, each primary transfer roller 25 is also referred to as a primary transfer unit hereinafter.

[0028] The intermediate transfer belt 26 is a flexible endless belt that is stretched so as to rotate while being in contact with the outside of the drive roller 21, the four primary transfer rollers 25, the driven roller 22, and the secondary transfer roller 23, and with the inside of the tension roller 24. A reading unit 28 is provided on the outer circumferential surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 26 near the driven roller 22. The reading unit 28 photographs the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 26, generates read image data representing the obtained reading result, and supplies the data to the control unit 6.

[0029] In the intermediate transfer section 20, while the intermediate transfer belt 26 is running by rotating the drive roller 21, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 14 of each image forming unit 10 to the intermediate transfer belt 26 by each primary transfer roller 25, and the toner image reaches the vicinity of the secondary transfer roller 23.

[0030] Meanwhile, in the lowest portion inside the housing 5, i.e., the portion below the intermediate transfer unit 20, a transport path W for transporting the continuous recording medium P is formed by a plurality of parts and the like generally along the front-rear direction. In the frontmost portion of this transport path W, i.e., the portion behind the supply unit 3, a transport unit 30 is provided.

[0031] The transport section 30 is composed of a plurality of transport rollers 31, a position detector 32, and a transport guide (not shown). The transport rollers 31 are arranged on the upper and lower sides of the transport path W, facing each other, and are rotated by a driving force supplied from a transport motor (not shown), to transport the continuous recording medium P backward. The position detector 32 has, for example, a light-emitting element that emits light and an optical sensor that receives light, and detects the position of each label PB on the continuous recording medium P.

[0032] Behind the conveying section 30, the secondary transfer roller 23 of the intermediate transfer section 20 described above is disposed so as to abut against the upper side of the conveying path W. A secondary transfer opposing roller 33 is disposed below the secondary transfer roller 23 at a position facing the secondary transfer roller 23. A predetermined high voltage is applied to the secondary transfer opposing roller 33. Hereinafter, the secondary transfer roller 23 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 33 are collectively referred to as a secondary transfer section 34.

[0033] This secondary transfer section 34 transfers the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the continuous recording medium P when the portion on the intermediate transfer belt 26 to which the toner image has been transferred reaches the secondary transfer section 34 and the continuous recording medium P reaches the vicinity of the secondary transfer section 34 along the conveying path W.

[0034] A fixing unit 35 is provided behind the secondary transfer unit 34. The fixing unit 35 has two rotatable rollers disposed at positions sandwiching the transport path W, and applies heat and pressure to the continuous recording medium P transported along the transport path W by the rollers. In this way, the fixing unit 35 can fix the toner image to the continuous recording medium P. The fixing unit 35 also has a cleaning member 35C for cleaning the rollers (described in detail later).

[0035] Discharge rollers 36 are provided behind the fixing unit 35. The discharge rollers 36 are configured similarly to the conveying rollers 31 of the conveying unit 30, and are rotated by a driving force supplied from a motor (not shown). As a result, the discharge rollers 36 advance the continuous recording medium P backward and discharge it to the rear side of the housing 5.

[0036] The winding unit 4 is disposed behind the discharge roller 36 in the housing 5. The winding unit 4 rotatably supports a core material aligned in the left-right direction, and rotates the core material in the direction of arrow R2 by a driving force supplied from a motor (not shown). As a result, the winding unit 4 winds the continuous recording medium P on which the toner image is printed around the core material, forming a cylindrical discharge roll portion PR2. Hereinafter, the series of processes of forming a toner image and transferring and fixing the toner image to the continuous recording medium P, i.e., the process of printing an image, will be referred to as a printing process.

[0037] Next, the circuit configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of Fig. 2. In the image forming apparatus 1, a control unit 6 that performs overall control of the entire apparatus is connected to a storage unit 41, a communication unit 42, the reading unit 28, the position detection unit 32, etc. In addition, a print image processing unit 45, a transport control unit 46, a primary transfer control unit 47, a secondary transfer control unit 48, a fixing control unit 49, etc. are also connected to the control unit 6.

[0038] The control unit 6 is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) and has a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown) as well as various circuits. The control unit 6 reads out and executes a predetermined program from the ROM, the storage unit 41, etc., to perform various processes related to printing, etc.

[0039] The storage unit 41 is a non-volatile storage medium such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive, and stores various programs, data, etc. Based on the control of the storage unit 41 and the control unit 6, it can also temporarily store, for example, a print job and print data generated based on the print job.

[0040] The communication unit 42 functions as an interface for a wired LAN (Local Area Network) conforming to standards such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3u / ab / an / ae, or a wireless LAN conforming to standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, etc. The communication unit 42 can transmit and receive various information to and from the higher-level device 100, a predetermined server device (not shown), etc.

[0041] The reading unit 28 reads an adjustment image (described in detail later) from the intermediate transfer belt 26 (FIG. 1) and transmits the obtained reading result to the control unit 6. The position detection unit 32 detects the presence or absence of the continuous recording medium P transported along the transport path W (FIG. 1) and transmits the obtained detection result to the control unit 6.

[0042] The print image processing unit 45 generates print data based on a print job received from the upper device 100, and supplies the print data to the exposure unit 13, thereby exposing an image based on the print data onto the photosensitive drum 14. The transport control unit 46 controls a transport motor (not shown) and the like to appropriately rotate the transport rollers 31 and the like in the transport unit 30, thereby transporting the continuous recording medium P.

[0043] The primary transfer control unit 47 controls the rotation of the primary transfer roller 25 and the voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 25 to transfer the toner image from the photoconductor drum 14 to the intermediate transfer belt 26 (hereinafter referred to as primary transfer). The secondary transfer control unit 48 controls the secondary transfer unit 34 to transfer the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the continuous recording medium P (hereinafter referred to as secondary transfer). The fixing control unit 49 controls the fixing unit 35 to fix the toner image transferred to the continuous recording medium P at an appropriate temperature.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit 6 reads out and executes a predetermined program from the storage unit 41, thereby forming a medium information acquisition unit 51 and an allocation determination unit 52 as functional blocks therein. The medium information acquisition unit 51 acquires information regarding various ranges, such as the length of the range in which a toner image can be printed on the continuous recording medium P, based on various data included in the print job received from the higher-level device 100. The allocation determination unit 52 performs a process of determining the arrangement of adjustment patterns, which will be described later.

[0045] [2. Configuration of Continuous Recording Medium and Adjustment Pattern] Next, the structure of the continuous recording medium P will be described. As shown in the schematic plan view of Fig. 3(A), the continuous recording medium P is configured as a die-cut label paper, with a backing paper PM made of so-called release paper and multiple labels PB made of so-called stickers. Incidentally, Fig. 3 shows the printable surface (hereinafter also referred to as the printing surface or front surface) of the continuous recording medium P as viewed from the front.

[0046] The mount PM is a release paper having a release surface that has been specially processed to enhance its releasability, and can hold an adhesive substance attached thereto while allowing the substance to be peeled off relatively easily. However, it is difficult to transfer or fix toner to the release surface of the mount PM, and images cannot be printed on the release surface. The mount PM is formed long and aligned along the running direction in the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, this direction will also be referred to as the running direction, the transport direction, or the sub-scanning direction.

[0047] Each label PB is formed in the same rectangular shape, and its front surface is configured as a printable printing surface, while its back surface is configured as an attachment surface to which a sticky adhesive is attached. Each label PB is aligned and attached to the front surface of the mount PM at equal intervals along the running direction (i.e., the conveying direction) in which the conveying unit 30 (FIG. 1) runs during printing, with the label period LK being one period.

[0048] Specifically, in the continuous recording medium P, a number of labels PB are aligned along the running direction on a backing paper PM, with a fixed length of label gap PG between them. Therefore, on the surface of the continuous recording medium P, in the running direction, there are alternately arranged printable areas AB where a toner image can be printed due to the presence of the labels PB, and non-printable areas AG which are equivalent to the label gap PG and where a toner image cannot be printed because the backing paper PM is exposed.

[0049] In the following, the length of the label PB in the running direction is referred to as the label length LB, and the length of the label gap PG is referred to as the label gap length LG. The period at which the labels PB appear along the running direction is referred to as the label period LK. In other words, the relationship of the mathematical formula (LK=LN+LM) is established. Furthermore, the length of each label PB in the direction perpendicular to the running direction (hereinafter also referred to as the main scanning direction or width direction) is referred to as the label width WB, and the length of the exposed portion of the backing paper PM is referred to as the label width interval WG. In the following, the range on the label PB that can be printed in the width direction, i.e., the range equivalent to the label width WB, is referred to as the width direction printable range.

[0050] In the continuous recording medium P, the label width interval WG on each side may be the same, or the label width interval WG1 on the left side may be different from the label width interval WG2 on the right side, i.e., each label PB may be arranged in a position offset to the right or left side with respect to the backing paper PM. Also, in Fig. 3(A), the upper side is the leading side during conveyance, and the lower side is the trailing side. That is, the continuous recording medium P is conveyed in a posture in which the leading side is located at the rear side and the trailing side is located at the front side in the conveyance section 30 (Fig. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0051] 3B, there is also a continuous recording medium P2 in which a plurality of labels PB (for example, two) are arranged in the width direction. In this continuous recording medium P2, in the width direction, the label width WB1, which is the length of the leftmost label PB1, and the label width WB2, which is the length of the label PB2 to the right of it, may be the same as each other or may be different from each other. In this continuous recording medium P2, when the length of the exposed part of the backing paper PM is defined as the label width intervals WG1, WG2, and WG3 from the left side, the label width intervals WG1, WG2, and WG3 may be the same as each other, or may be partially the same as each other, or may be different from each other.

[0052] Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3C, it is assumed that n sheets of labels PB (where n is a natural number of 2 or more) are arranged in the width direction on the continuous recording medium Pn. Also, the label widths are WB1, WB2, ..., WBn from the left, and the length of the exposed part of the mount PM is the label width interval WG1, WG2, ..., WG(n+1) from the left. In such a continuous recording medium Pn, each label width WB1, WB2, ..., WBn may be all the same, or a part of them may be the same, or they may be different from each other. Also, in the continuous recording medium Pn, each label width WB1, WB2, ..., WBn may be all the same, or a part of them may be the same, or they may be different from each other.

[0053] Incidentally, continuous recording media P are manufactured with various values ​​for the label length LB of the label PB and the label gap length LG of the label gap PG in order to accommodate various uses. Thus, the print job supplied from the higher-level device 100 to the image forming apparatus 1 includes not only data representing the image to be printed, but also medium information, which is various information related to the continuous recording medium P to be used, such as the label width WB, label length LB, and label gap length LG. By reading out this medium information from the print job, the image forming apparatus 1 can appropriately print an image within the range of the label PB on the continuous recording medium P, i.e., the printable range AB.

[0054] Furthermore, on the back surface of the backing paper PM of the continuous recording medium P, i.e., the surface on which the labels PB are not affixed (hereinafter also referred to as the non-printing surface), a predetermined position mark (not shown) is printed in advance in accordance with the position of the leading edge of each label PB. This position mark is, for example, a tiny rectangle filled with black, and is also called a black mark. In the image forming apparatus 1, the position detection unit 32 (FIG. 1) of the conveying unit 30 detects this position mark, thereby accurately detecting the position of each label PB.

[0055] Next, the adjustment patterns will be described. The adjustment pattern image data D shown in FIG. 4 is stored in advance in the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1. The adjustment pattern image data D as an adjustment image is image data in which a plurality of (for example, four) adjustment patterns T (T1, T2, T3, and T4) are arranged inside a rectangular background portion B of a predetermined size. The adjustment pattern image data D is arranged so that the upper side in FIG. 4 corresponds to the leading side of the continuous recording medium P, and the lower side corresponds to the trailing side of the continuous recording medium P.

[0056] The background portion B is white and is an area without any images, patterns, etc. The four adjustment patterns T1 to T4 are each formed as a square that is relatively small compared to the background portion B. Each adjustment pattern T is positioned in the center of the background portion B in the main scanning direction and is disposed so as to leave a constant adjustment pattern gap TG between each of the adjustment patterns in the sub-scanning direction, i.e., so as to be equally spaced from each other.

[0057] In the following, the length of one side of the adjustment pattern T is referred to as the adjustment pattern length LP, and the length of the adjustment pattern gap TG in the sub-scanning direction is referred to as the adjustment pattern gap length LQ. Furthermore, the period at which each adjustment pattern T appears in the sub-scanning direction is referred to as the adjustment pattern period LS. In other words, the relationship of the mathematical formula (LS=LP+LQ) holds. Moreover, a combination of one adjustment pattern T and one adjustment pattern gap TG is referred to as one adjustment pattern set.

[0058] Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 1, in order to properly detect the density and position of the toner image based on the performance of the reading unit 28, etc., the minimum distance that should be provided between the adjustment patterns T in the sub-scanning direction is the adjustment pattern gap length LQ.

[0059] Moreover, the image data width WD, which is the length in the main scanning direction in the adjustment pattern image data D, is the maximum length along the main operation direction in a toner image that can be formed by the image forming unit 10, and is sufficiently larger than the adjustment pattern length LP. On the other hand, the image data length LD, which is the length in the sub-scanning direction in the adjustment pattern image data D, is equal to four times the value obtained by adding the adjustment pattern length LP and the adjustment pattern gap length LQ (i.e., the adjustment pattern period LS).

[0060] Furthermore, the four adjustment patterns T1 to T4 are filled in with different densities and are arranged so that the density decreases from the beginning to the end. That is, the adjustment pattern T1 with the highest density is arranged at the very beginning. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, the adjustment pattern T1 with the highest density is also referred to as the first adjustment pattern.

[0061] [3. Cleaning the fixing unit with cleaning materials] Incidentally, as described above, the fixing unit 35 is provided with the cleaning member 35C. When toner adheres to the roller of the fixing unit 35, the cleaning member 35C scrapes off the toner and cleans it. Therefore, for example, when the toner of the four adjustment patterns T1 to T4 is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the continuous recording medium P but is not fixed to the continuous recording medium P and adheres to the roller, the cleaning member 35C can scrape off the toner, i.e., clean it.

[0062] However, cleaning member 35C is a member that requires maintenance depending on usage. That is, after cleaning member 35C performs a process of scraping off an amount of toner corresponding to one set of adjustment patterns T1 to T4 from the roller a predetermined number of times (for example, twice), it becomes difficult for cleaning member 35C to properly scrape off new toner, and maintenance is required.

[0063] In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, even if the toner of the adjustment pattern T cannot be fixed to the continuous recording medium P, if the cleaning member 35C has been maintained, the process of transferring a set of adjustment patterns T1 to T4 to the intermediate transfer belt 26 and correcting the density, etc. can be performed a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice).

[0064] Therefore, the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 executes a process to correct the density, etc., each time a printing process is performed on a continuous recording medium P of a specified length, and does not execute the process to correct the density, etc., after maintenance of the cleaning member 35C becomes necessary.

[0065] For example, the control unit 6 prestores an initial cleaning count NCB, which is an initial value of the number of times that the cleaning member 35C can clean an amount of toner equivalent to one set of adjustment patterns T1 to T4, and also acquires a length LP1 of the continuous recording medium P in its running direction in an unused state together with a print job from the host device 100. Then, the control unit 6 calculates a density adjustment distance LP2 by calculation processing (LP1 / NCB), and performs processing to correct the density, etc. before starting printing processing on the continuous recording medium P and each time printing of the density adjustment distance LP2 is completed.

[0066] In this way, even if there is a risk that the toner of the adjustment pattern T will not be fixed to the continuous recording medium P in the fixing section 35 and will stain the roller, the image forming device 1 can perform a process to correct the density using the adjustment pattern T by taking into account the cleaning of the roller by the cleaning member 35C.

[0067] [4. Adjustment of density and position of toner image] In the image forming apparatus 1, when adjusting the density and position of a toner image, the image forming unit 10 transfers the adjustment pattern T to the intermediate transfer belt 26, which is then read by the reading unit 28, and the density and position of the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 are adjusted based on the obtained reading result. Therefore, for the purpose of adjusting the density and position of the toner image, the position at which each adjustment pattern T on the intermediate transfer belt 26 is transferred to the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34 has no effect.

[0068] For example, if the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) were printed directly onto the continuous recording medium P (FIG. 3) in the image forming apparatus 1, the result would be the state as shown in FIG. 5(A) (hereinafter referred to as the uncorrected print state MD0). In this uncorrected print state MD0, a portion of the adjustment pattern T extends beyond the label PB and overlaps with the label gap PG, and is transferred onto the backing paper PM.

[0069] In the case of this uncorrected print state MD0, in the image forming apparatus 1, as in the case described above for the conventional image forming apparatus, the toner image cannot be properly fixed to the mount PM in the fixing unit 35, which may result in soiling of the fixing unit 35. In that case, in the image forming apparatus 1, as in the case described above, the continuous recording medium P subsequently conveyed to the fixing unit 35 will be soiled, resulting in wasteful consumption of toner and the continuous recording medium P and the need for maintenance work to clean the fixing unit 35.

[0070] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the position of each adjustment pattern T in the adjustment pattern image data D is appropriately assigned so that each adjustment pattern T does not overlap the label gap PG when transferred to the continuous recording medium P, as in the modified printing state MD1 shown in FIG. 5(B) which corresponds to FIG. 5(A).

[0071] [4-1. Density and position adjustment processing] Next, a specific density / position adjustment process procedure for adjusting the density and position of an image printed on the continuous recording medium P in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail. When the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print job from the upper device 100 instructing printing of an adjustment pattern, it reads out a density / position adjustment process program from the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2) and executes it. This causes the control unit 6 to start the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and proceeds to the first step SP1. In addition to medium information related to the continuous recording medium P, this print job also includes the adjustment pattern print count, which indicates the number of adjustment patterns T to be printed, and the like.

[0072] In step SP1, the control unit 6 executes a density / position adjustment pattern generation process as a subroutine (described in detail later) to generate image data of the density / position adjustment pattern modified to fit the continuous recording medium P, and then proceeds to the next step SP2. Hereinafter, the image data generated at this time will be referred to as "adjusted image data."

[0073] In step SP2, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the adaptive adjustment image data was generated in step SP1. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that a toner image of a density / position adjustment pattern based on the adaptive adjustment image data can be generated on the intermediate transfer belt 26, and that this can be used to adjust the position and density of the toner image. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP3.

[0074] In step SP3, the control unit 6 causes the image forming unit 10 to generate a toner image based on the adaptation adjustment image data and transfers (i.e., primary transfer) this to the intermediate transfer belt 26, and then proceeds to the next step SP4. In step SP4, the control unit 6 causes the reading unit 28 (FIGS. 1 and 2) to read the toner image (i.e., the density / position adjustment pattern) on the intermediate transfer belt 26, and obtains read image data representing the reading result from the reading unit 28, and then proceeds to the next step SP5.

[0075] In step SP5, the control unit 6 adjusts the density and position of the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 by appropriately adjusting various applied voltages and the timing of the exposure process in the image forming unit 10 based on the read image data, and then proceeds to the next step SP6.

[0076] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP2, this indicates that the toner image of the density / position adjustment pattern cannot be generated on the intermediate transfer belt 26 because the adaptive adjustment image data has not been generated, i.e., the position or density of the toner image cannot be adjusted. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP6. In step SP6, the control unit 6 ends the density / position adjustment processing procedure RT1.

[0077] [4-2. Density and position adjustment pattern generation process] Next, the density / position adjustment pattern generation process executed as a subroutine in step SP1 of the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 (FIG. 6) will be described. In step SP1 of the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1, the control unit 6 reads out a density / position adjustment pattern generation process program from the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2) and executes it. As a result, the control unit 6 forms the medium information acquisition unit 51 and the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) as functional blocks therein, starts the density / position adjustment pattern generation process procedure RT2 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and proceeds to the first step SP21.

[0078] Incidentally, the memory unit 41 stores the remaining number of cleaning times NCR, which is the number of times that the cleaning member 35C of the fixing unit 35 can clean an amount of toner equivalent to one set of adjustment patterns T1 to T4 before maintenance is required, for the cleaning member 35C of the fixing unit 35 at that time.

[0079] In step SP21, the control unit 6 reads medium information about the continuous recording medium P from the print job received from the higher-level device 100, and proceeds to the next step SP22. Specifically, the control unit 6 uses the medium information acquisition unit 51 (FIG. 2) to acquire from the print job the label length LB and label gap length LG of the continuous recording medium P, the label period LK and label width WB, and the position in the main scanning direction of the continuous recording medium P. This allows the medium information acquisition unit 51 to acquire the lengths of the printable range AB and non-printable range AG of the continuous recording medium P in the sub-scanning direction.

[0080] In step SP22, the control unit 6 reads out and cuts out a portion of the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) stored in the memory unit 41 that corresponds to the range of the label width WB, stores this in RAM, and then proceeds to the next step SP23. Hereinafter, the cut-out adjustment pattern image data D will be referred to as cut-out image data DC. At this time, the control unit 6 also reads out from the memory unit 41 information relating to the adjustment pattern length LP and adjustment pattern gap length LQ of each adjustment pattern T, the density of each adjustment pattern T, etc.

[0081] In step SP23, the control unit 6 determines whether the adjustment pattern T is included without any missing parts within the cut-out range. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the entire adjustment pattern T is included within the range of the label width WB, at least in the width direction. Furthermore, this indicates that there is no risk of the adjustment pattern T protruding from the label PB in the main scanning direction when the adjustment pattern T is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the label PB of the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34. At this time, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP24.

[0082] In step SP24, the control unit 6 determines whether the label length LB is equal to or greater than the adjustment pattern length LP. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that by appropriately adjusting the position of each adjustment pattern T in the sub scanning direction, one or more adjustment patterns T can be arranged to fit on one label PB. This also indicates that the adjustment pattern T can be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the label PB of the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34 so that the adjustment pattern T does not protrude into the label gap PG in the sub scanning direction. At this time, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP25.

[0083] In step SP25, the control unit 6 executes a suitable adjustment image data generation process as a subroutine (described in detail later) to generate suitable adjustment image data in which the position of each adjustment pattern T in the secondary scanning direction is corrected to suit the continuous recording medium P. Thereafter, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP26, ends the density / position adjustment pattern generation process procedure RT2, and returns to the original density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 (FIG. 6).

[0084] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP23, this indicates that when the adjustment pattern T is transferred to the label PB of the continuous recording medium P, at least a portion of the adjustment pattern T (for example, a portion of the adjustment pattern T1) will extend outside the range of the label width WB in the main scanning direction, which may result in soiling of the fixing unit 35. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP26.

[0085] Furthermore, if a negative result is obtained in step SP24, this indicates that when the adjustment pattern T is transferred to the label PB of the continuous recording medium P, at least a portion of the adjustment pattern T (for example, a portion of the adjustment pattern T1) may extend into the inter-label gap G in the sub-scanning direction, possibly causing damage to the fixing unit 35. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP26.

[0086] That is, in the density / position adjustment pattern generation process procedure RT2, the control unit 6 verifies whether the adjustment pattern T1 with the highest density falls within the range of the label PB. Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step SP23 or SP24, this indicates that the adjustment pattern T1 does not fall within the range of the label PB.

[0087] In step SP26, the control unit 6 determines whether or not toner corresponding to one set of adjustment patterns T adheres to the rollers of the fixing unit 35 and can be cleaned by the cleaning member 35C, specifically, whether or not the remaining number of cleanings NCR at this point in time is equal to or greater than the value "1." If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that even if each adjustment pattern T goes beyond the range of the label PB when transferred to the continuous recording medium P and soils the rollers in the fixing unit 35, it can still be cleaned by the cleaning member 35C. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP27.

[0088] In step SP27, the control unit 6 treats the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) as is as the adapted adjustment image data, and proceeds to the next step SP28. This means that each adjustment pattern T based on the adjustment pattern image data D is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 26, so that density and position adjustment processing can be performed appropriately later. This also means that at least a part of each adjustment pattern T will extend beyond the range of the label PB when transferred to the continuous recording medium P, causing dirt on the roller in the fixing unit 35, but will be cleaned by the cleaning member 35C. Incidentally, at this time, the control unit 6 updates the remaining cleaning count NCR by subtracting the value "1" from it.

[0089] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP26, this indicates that if each adjustment pattern T goes beyond the range of the label PB when transferred to the continuous recording medium P and soils the roller in the fixing unit 35, it cannot be cleaned by the cleaning member 35C, that is, each adjustment pattern T should not be formed or transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 26. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP28 without generating adaptive adjustment image data.

[0090] In this case, the control unit 6 returns to the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 (FIG. 6), obtains a negative result in step SP2, and moves to step SP6, so that the process of adjusting the density and position of the image is discontinued. From another perspective, even if the image forming device 1 receives an instruction to execute the density / position adjustment process from the upper device 100, specifically a print job with contents instructing printing of an adjustment pattern, there are cases where the density / position adjustment process is not executed depending on the continuous recording medium P set at that time. In other words, when the image forming device 1 determines that each adjustment pattern T will go beyond the range of the label PB when transferred to the continuous recording medium P, it reduces the frequency of executing the density / position adjustment process.

[0091] [4-3. Generation of adapted image data] Next, the adaptive adjustment image data generation process executed as a subroutine in step SP25 of the density / position adjustment pattern generation process procedure RT2 (FIG. 7) will be described. In step SP25 of the density / position adjustment pattern generation process procedure RT2, the control unit 6 reads out an adaptive adjustment image data generation process program from the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2) and executes it, thereby performing processes according to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14. Specifically, the control unit 6 first starts the adaptive adjustment image data generation process procedure RT3 in FIG. 8, and proceeds to the first step SP31. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the length refers to the length in the sub-scanning direction (i.e., the transport direction of the continuous recording medium P).

[0092] In step SP31, the control unit 6 initializes various variables to be used in the following processing, specifically the current printable length LC and the number of remaining adjustment patterns U, and proceeds to the next step SP32. The current printable length LC represents the length of the portion of the printable range AB of the currently focused label PB that is not yet assigned and can be printed, and the label length LB is set as its initial value. The number of remaining adjustment patterns U represents the number of unassigned adjustment patterns T among the number of adjustment patterns to be printed specified in the print job, and the number of adjustment patterns to be printed is set as its initial value.

[0093] In step SP32, the control unit 6 calculates the number of adjustment pattern sets (combinations of adjustment patterns T and adjustment pattern gaps TG) that can be placed within the current printable length LC, and proceeds to the next step SP33. Specifically, the control unit 6 calculates the number of possible periods Y by using the current printable length LC, the adjustment pattern period LS, which is the length of the adjustment pattern set, and the function floor() that performs rounding down processing, using the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2), by performing calculation processing according to the following equation (1).

[0094] Y=floor(LC / LS) ……(1)

[0095] In step SP33, the control unit 6 determines whether the number of remaining adjustment patterns U is equal to or greater than the number of possible arrangement periods Y. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the adjustment pattern set with the number of remaining adjustment patterns U (pieces) cannot be allocated within the printable range AB of interest. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP34.

[0096] In step SP34, the control unit 6 calculates the remaining printable length LR, which represents the length of the portion (hereinafter also referred to as the remaining portion) that would remain if an adjustment pattern set with the arrangementable periodic number Y (pieces) were allocated within the current printable length LC, as shown in Fig. 15(A), and proceeds to the next step SP35. Specifically, the control unit 6 calculates the remaining printable length LR by using the current printable length LC, the adjustment pattern period LS, which is the length of the adjustment pattern set, and the remainder calculation formula mod, using the allocation determination unit 52 (Fig. 2) to perform calculation processing according to the following formula (2).

[0097] LR = (LC mod LS) …… (2)

[0098] In step SP35, the control unit 6 determines whether the remaining printable length LR is equal to or greater than the adjustment pattern length LP, which is the length of the adjustment pattern T. If a negative result is obtained here, this indicates that neither an adjustment pattern set nor a single adjustment pattern T can be allocated within the remaining printable length LR, i.e., the maximum number of adjustment patterns T that can be allocated within the printable range AB under consideration is the arrangeable periodicity number Y. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP36.

[0099] In step SP36, the control unit 6 performs a first allocation process as a subroutine to allocate an adjustment pattern set with the arrangeable periodic number Y (pieces) within the printable range AB of interest. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts a first allocation process procedure RT5 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, and proceeds to the first step SP51.

[0100] In step SP51, the control unit 6, via the allocation determination unit 52 (Figure 2), allocates a space S1 of the remaining printable length LR to the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB under consideration, as shown in Figure 15 (B), and proceeds to the next step SP52.

[0101] The reason why the blank space S1 is allocated to the leading side of the printable range AB is to move the leading adjustment pattern T away from the leading edge of the printable range AB and to position it as close as possible to the center of the printable range AB. That is, in the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4), the first adjustment pattern T1 is arranged at the leading edge of the background portion B for the purpose of minimizing the number of labels PB used. However, if the adjustment pattern T is arranged close to the end of the printable range AB as shown in FIG. 15(A), a slight shift in the position where the adjustment pattern T is transferred to the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34 (FIG. 1) may cause a part of the adjustment pattern T to be transferred off the label PB onto the backing paper PM, which may result in soiling the fixing unit 35. Therefore, in this embodiment, instead of allocating the blank space S1 adjacent to the adjustment pattern gap TG, the blank space S1 is allocated to the leading side of the leading adjustment pattern T as shown in FIG. 15(B). In the following, the blank area formed in the printable range AB or the non-printable range AG is also called a blank area.

[0102] In step SP52, the control unit 6 sequentially allocates the arrangement possible periodic number Y (pieces) of adjustment pattern sets from the leading side of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP53. In step SP53, the control unit 6 allocates a space of the label gap length LG from the leading side of the unprintable range AG following the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP54.

[0103] As a result, the control unit 6 assigns adjustment patterns T with a possible periodicity Y (pieces) to the entire range of the printable range AB under consideration, as well as the entire range of the unprintable range AG in the label gap PG following the label PB, and also assigns an adjustment pattern gap TG to the end of each adjustment pattern T.

[0104] In step SP54, the control unit 6 executes, as a subroutine, an adjustment pattern replacement process for replacing the positions of the adjustment patterns T in the printable range AB of interest. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts an adjustment pattern replacement process procedure RT6 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 10, and proceeds to the first step SP61.

[0105] In step SP61, the control unit 6 calculates an end distance, which is the distance to the end of the printable range AB in the sub-scanning direction, for each adjustment pattern T arranged within the printable range AB of interest, and proceeds to the next step SP62. Specifically, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) to calculate the distance from that adjustment pattern T to the leading end and the trailing end of the printable range AB for each adjustment pattern T, and determines the shorter of these as the end distance for that adjustment pattern T. In step SP62, the control unit 6 checks the density of each adjustment pattern T arranged within the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP63.

[0106] In step SP63, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 to allocate each adjustment pattern T in the printable range AB to its respective positions, starting with the adjustment pattern T with the longest edge distance, in descending order of density. The control unit 6 then proceeds to the next step SP64, ends the adjustment pattern replacement processing procedure RT6, and returns to step SP54 of the original first allocation processing procedure RT5 (FIG. 9), before proceeding to the next step SP55. This allows the control unit 6 to replace the adjustment patterns T with those with high density so that they are placed at positions farther away from the edges of the printable range AB.

[0107] In step SP55, the control unit 6 ends the first allocation processing procedure RT5, returns to the original adapted adjusted image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8), and proceeds from step SP36 to the next step SP45. This allows the control unit 6 to generate adapted adjusted image data to which the arrangement possible periodic number Y (pieces) of adjustment patterns T and necessary blank spaces are assigned for the printable range AB of interest and the following unprintable range AG.

[0108] On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP35, this indicates that the adjustment pattern set including the adjustment pattern gap TG cannot fit within the range of the remaining printable length LR, but only the adjustment pattern T can fit within the range. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP37.

[0109] In step SP37, the control unit 6 determines whether the number of remaining adjustment patterns U is equal to or greater than the value (Y+1) obtained by adding the value "1" to the number of possible layout periods Y. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that all of the unassigned adjustment patterns T cannot be assigned to the currently focused printable range AB. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP38.

[0110] In step SP38, the control unit 6 calculates a second remaining printable length LR2, which represents the length of the portion that would remain if adjustment pattern T were placed within the range of the remaining printable length LR, as shown in Fig. 16(A), and proceeds to the next step SP39. Specifically, the control unit 6 calculates the second remaining printable length LR2 by using the remaining printable length LR and adjustment pattern length LP via the allocation determination unit 52 (Fig. 2) and performing calculation processing according to the following equation (3).

[0111] LR2=LR-LP ……(3)

[0112] In step SP39, the control unit 6 judges whether the value obtained by adding the label gap length LG, which is the length of the label gap PG (Fig. 3), to the second remaining printable length LR2 is equal to or greater than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ (Fig. 4). If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that, as shown in Fig. 16(A), if the adjustment pattern gap TG is allocated from the beginning of the portion corresponding to the second remaining printable length LR2, the end of the adjustment pattern gap TG will be within the range of the label gap PG (i.e., within the unprintable range AG) and will not reach the next printable range AB. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP40.

[0113] In step SP40, the control unit 6 performs a second allocation process as a subroutine to allocate an adjustment pattern set with the arrangement periodic number Y (pieces) and one adjustment pattern T to the printable range AB of interest, and further allocates an adjustment pattern gap TG over the unprintable range AG. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts a second allocation process procedure RT7 whose flowchart is shown in Fig. 11, and proceeds to the first step SP71.

[0114] 16(B), the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) to allocate a space S2 of a length obtained by subtracting the adjustment pattern gap length LQ from the sum of the second remaining printable length LR2 and the label gap length LG to the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB under consideration, and proceeds to the next step SP72. The reason for allocating the space S2 first here is the same as that for step SP51 in the first allocation processing procedure RT5 (FIG. 9).

[0115] In step SP72, the control unit 6 sequentially allocates the arrangement possible periodic number Y (pieces) of adjustment pattern sets and one adjustment pattern T from the leading end of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP73. As a result, the value obtained by adding the length of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB to the label gap length LG becomes equal to the adjustment pattern gap length LQ.

[0116] In step SP73, the control unit 6 allocates a blank space of the adjustment pattern gap length LQ (i.e., adjustment pattern gap TG) from the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP74. As a result, the control unit 6 allocates the arrangement possible periodic number Y+1 (pieces) of adjustment patterns T to the entire printable range AB and the entire unprintable range AG following the printable range AB, and allocates an adjustment pattern gap TG to the trailing end of each adjustment pattern T.

[0117] In step SP74, the control unit 6 executes the adjustment pattern replacement processing procedure RT6 (Figure 10) as a subroutine, thereby replacing the arrangement of each adjustment pattern T within the printable range AB according to its respective density, as in the case of the first allocation processing procedure RT5 (Figure 9), and proceeds to the next step SP75.

[0118] In step SP75, the control unit 6 ends the second allocation processing procedure RT7, returns to the original adapted adjusted image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8), and proceeds from step SP40 to the next step SP45. This enables the control unit 6 to generate adapted adjusted image data to which the arrangement possible periodic number Y+1 (pieces) of adjustment patterns T and necessary blank spaces are assigned for the printable range AB of interest and the subsequent unprintable range AG.

[0119] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP39, this means that if the adjustment pattern gap TG is allocated from the beginning of the portion corresponding to the second remaining printable length LR2, the end of the adjustment pattern gap TG will not fit within the label gap PG and will extend into the next printable range AB, as shown in Figure 17. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP41.

[0120] In step SP41, the control unit 6 calculates a leading blank length LJ, which is the length of the blank space to be formed in the next printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP42. Specifically, the control unit 6 calculates the leading blank length LJ by using the adjustment pattern gap length LQ, the second remaining printable length LR2, and the label gap length LG through the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) and performing a calculation process according to the following equation (4).

[0121] LJ=LQ-LR2-LG ……(4)

[0122] In step SP42, the control unit 6 determines whether the value obtained by subtracting the leading blank length LJ from the label length LB, which is the length of the printable range AB (hereinafter referred to as printable range AB2) next to the printable range AB of interest (hereinafter referred to as printable range AB1), is equal to or greater than the adjustment pattern length LP. If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that the next adjustment pattern T can be placed in the printable range AB2 at a position adjacent to the end of the leading blank length LJ so as to fit within the printable range AB2, as shown in Figure 17. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP43.

[0123] In step SP43, the control unit 6 performs a third allocation process as a subroutine to allocate an adjustment pattern set with the arrangeable periodic number Y (pieces) and one adjustment pattern T to the printable range AB1 of interest, and further allocates an adjustment pattern gap TG to the unprintable range AG and the next printable range AB2. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts a third allocation process procedure RT8 whose flowchart is shown in Fig. 12, and proceeds to the first step SP81.

[0124] In step SP81, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) to sequentially allocate the arrangement possible periodicity number Y (pieces) of adjustment pattern sets and one adjustment pattern T from the leading end of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB of interest, and proceeds to the next step SP82. As a result, the value obtained by adding the length of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB1 (i.e., the second remaining printable length LR2) to the label gap length LG, which is the length of the unprintable range AG, is less than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ.

[0125] In step SP82, the control unit 6, via the allocation determination unit 52, allocates a space from the beginning of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB, the length being the sum of the second remaining printable length LR2 and the label gap length LG (i.e., a length less than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ), and proceeds to the next step SP83.

[0126] In step SP83, the control unit 6 allocates a space of the leading space length LJ to the leading portion of the next printable range AB2, and proceeds to the next step SP84. As a result, continuous spaces of the adjustment pattern gap length LQ are formed near the end of the printable range AB1, the unprintable range AG, and near the leading portion of the next printable range AB2.

[0127] In step SP84, the control section 6 causes the allocation determination section 52 to set the current printable length LC in the printable range AB2 to a value obtained by subtracting the leading blank length LJ from the initial label length LB, and then proceeds to the next step SP85.

[0128] In step SP85, the control unit 6 executes the adjustment pattern replacement processing procedure RT6 (Figure 10) as a subroutine to rearrange the arrangement of each adjustment pattern T in the printable range AB1 according to its respective density, as in the case of the first allocation processing procedure RT5 (Figure 9), etc., and then proceeds to the next step SP86.

[0129] In step SP86, the control unit 6 ends the third allocation processing procedure RT8, returns to the original adapted adjustment image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8), and proceeds from step SP43 to the next step SP45. This allows the control unit 6 to generate adapted adjustment image data that allocates the arrangement possible periodic number Y (pieces) of adjustment patterns T and necessary blank spaces to the printable range AB1 of interest and the following unprintable range AG, and further allocates necessary blank spaces to the beginning of the next printable range AB2.

[0130] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP42, this indicates that the next adjustment pattern T cannot be placed so as to fit within the printable range AB2 adjacent to the end of the leading blank length LJ in the printable range AB2 next to the printable range AB1 under consideration, as shown in Figure 18(A). In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP44.

[0131] In step SP43, the control unit 6 performs a fourth allocation process as a subroutine to allocate the adjustment pattern set with the arrangeable periodic number Y (pieces) and one adjustment pattern T to the currently focused printable range AB1, and allocates a margin to the remaining part and the next printable range AB2. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts a fourth allocation process procedure RT9 whose flowchart is shown in Fig. 13, and proceeds to the first step SP91.

[0132] In step SP91, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) to sequentially allocate the arrangement possible periodicity number Y (pieces) of adjustment pattern sets and one adjustment pattern T from the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB1 of interest, and proceeds to the next step SP92. As a result, the value obtained by adding the length of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB1 (i.e., the second remaining printable length LR2) to the label gap length LG is less than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ.

[0133] In step SP92, the control unit 6, via the allocation determination unit 52, allocates a space of a length equal to the sum of the second remaining printable length LR2 and the label gap length LG (i.e., a length less than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ) from the beginning of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB1, and proceeds to the next step SP93.

[0134] In step SP93, the control unit 6 causes the allocation determination unit 52 to allocate a space equivalent to the sum of the label length LB and the label gap length LG to the next printable range AB2 (and the following unprintable range AG), as shown in Fig. 18(B), and proceeds to the next step SP94. This makes it possible to reliably allocate the next adjustment pattern T in the subsequent processing within the printable range AB3 following the printable range AB2, that is, at a position that does not overlap the unprintable range AG.

[0135] In step SP94, the control unit 6 executes the adjustment pattern replacement processing procedure RT6 (Figure 10) as a subroutine to rearrange the arrangement of each adjustment pattern T in the printable range AB1 according to their respective densities, as in the case of the first allocation processing procedure RT5 (Figure 9), etc., and then proceeds to the next step SP95.

[0136] In step SP95, the control unit 6 ends the fourth allocation processing procedure RT9, returns to the original adapted adjusted image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8), and proceeds from step SP44 to the next step SP45. This allows the control unit 6 to generate adapted adjusted image data in which adjustment patterns T with the possible arrangement periodic number Y (pieces) and necessary blank spaces are allocated to the printable range AB1 of interest and the following unprintable range AG, and further allocates blank spaces to the entire range of the next printable range AB2.

[0137] In step SP45, the control unit 6 updates the current printable length LC and the number of remaining adjustment patterns U in accordance with the allocation of adjustment patterns T and blank spaces in the first allocation process, the second allocation process, the third allocation process, or the fourth allocation process, and returns to step SP32. Thereafter, as long as positive results are obtained in steps SP33 and SP37, the control unit 6 repeats the series of processes to sequentially allocate each adjustment pattern T and blank spaces.

[0138] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP33, this means that all unassigned adjustment patterns T, including the final adjustment pattern gap TG, can be assigned to the currently focused printable range AB. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP46.

[0139] If a negative result is obtained in step SP37, this means that all unassigned adjustment patterns T, except for the last adjustment pattern gap TG, can be assigned to the currently focused printable range AB. In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP46.

[0140] In step SP46, the control unit 6 performs a fifth allocation process as a subroutine to allocate all unallocated adjustment patterns T to the currently focused printable range AB. Specifically, the control unit 6 starts a fifth allocation process procedure RT10 shown in the flowchart of Fig. 14, and proceeds to the first step SP101.

[0141] In step SP101, the control unit 6 determines whether the number of remaining adjustment patterns U is equal to the number of possible periods Y, as in step SP37 of the adaptive adjustment image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8). If a positive result is obtained here, this indicates that an adjustment pattern set (a combination of adjustment patterns T and adjustment pattern gaps TG) with the number of possible periods Y (pieces) can be arranged in the printable range AB of interest, as shown in FIG. 19(A). In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP102.

[0142] In step SP102, the control unit 6 calculates a third remaining printable length LR3, which represents the length of the portion remaining when an adjustment pattern set with the remaining adjustment pattern count U (pieces) is allocated within the current printable length LC, and proceeds to the next step SP103. Specifically, the control unit 6 calculates the third remaining printable length LR3 by using the current printable length LC, the remaining adjustment pattern count U, and the adjustment pattern period LS, which is the length of the adjustment pattern set, through the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2), by performing a calculation process according to the following equation (5).

[0143] LR3=LC-(U×LS) ……(5)

[0144] In step SP103, the control unit 6 causes the allocation determination unit 52 to allocate a blank space of the third remaining printable length LR3 to the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB of interest, as shown in Fig. 19(A), and proceeds to the next step SP104. In step SP104, the control unit 6 causes the allocation determination unit 52 to sequentially allocate adjustment pattern sets of the remaining number of adjustment patterns U (pieces) from the leading end of the unallocated portion, and proceeds to the next step SP108.

[0145] On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP101, this indicates that an adjustment pattern set with the arrangement possible periodic number Y-1 (pieces) and one adjustment pattern T can be arranged in the currently focused printable range AB, as shown in Fig. 19(B). In this case, the control unit 6 proceeds to the next step SP105.

[0146] In step SP105, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 to sequentially allocate adjustment pattern sets with the remaining number of adjustment patterns U-1 (pieces) from the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP106. In step SP106, the control unit 6 uses the allocation determination unit 52 to allocate one adjustment pattern T from the leading end of the unallocated portion of the printable range AB, and proceeds to the next step SP107.

[0147] In step SP107, the control unit 6 allocates a blank space equivalent to the length of the unallocated portion in the printable range AB and the length of the unprintable range AG, and proceeds to the next step SP108. Specifically, the control unit 6, by the allocation determination unit 52, subtracts the length of the adjustment pattern period LS of the remaining adjustment pattern number U-1 (pieces) and the length of the adjustment pattern T from the current printable length LC, and allocates a blank space of a length obtained by adding the length of the label gap PG.

[0148] In step SP108, the control unit 6 executes the adjustment pattern replacement processing procedure RT6 (Figure 10) as a subroutine to replace the arrangement of each adjustment pattern T in the printable range AB according to their respective densities, as in the case of the first allocation processing procedure RT5 (Figure 9), etc., and then proceeds to the next step SP109.

[0149] In step SP109, the control unit 6 ends the fifth allocation processing procedure RT10 and returns to the original adapted adjustment image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8), then proceeds from step SP46 to the next step SP47 and ends the adapted adjustment image data generation processing procedure RT3. This enables the control unit 6 to generate adapted adjustment image data to which the remaining adjustment pattern number U (pieces) of adjustment patterns T and necessary blanks are assigned for the printable range AB of interest and the subsequent unprintable range AG.

[0150] [5. Effects, etc.] In the above configuration, when the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs density and position adjustment processing using a continuous recording medium P, the adjustment patterns T are appropriately allocated in position so that each adjustment pattern T is transferred to each label PB of the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer section 34.

[0151] That is, the image forming device 1 generates adapted adjusted image data in which a space of at least the adjustment pattern gap length LQ is provided between each adjustment pattern T in accordance with the label length LB and label gap length LG of the continuous recording medium P, and each adjustment pattern T is assigned within each printable range AB, and a toner image is formed based on this.

[0152] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can appropriately adjust the density and position of the toner image formed by each image forming unit 10 by forming adapted adjusted image data using each image forming unit 10 and transferring the data to the intermediate transfer belt 26, and then reading the data using the reading unit 28.

[0153] At this time, when the image forming apparatus 1 transfers the toner image formed based on the adapted adjustment image data to the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34, it can transfer each adjustment pattern T within the range of the label PB without causing it to extend beyond the backing paper PM. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to prevent toner from adhering to the fixing unit 35 and soiling the continuous recording medium P that is subsequently printed, and also eliminates the need for maintenance work such as cleaning the fixing unit 35.

[0154] Furthermore, if part of the adjustment pattern gap TG located at the end of the adjustment pattern T does not fit within the printable range AB, the image forming device 1 positions the part that protrudes from the printable range AB within the adjacent unprintable range AG (FIG. 16). This allows the image forming device 1 to keep consumption of the continuous recording medium P as low as possible while ensuring a space between each adjustment pattern T that is equal to or greater than the adjustment pattern gap length LQ.

[0155] Furthermore, in the first allocation process procedure RT5 (FIG. 9) and the second allocation process procedure RT7 (FIG. 11), the image forming device 1 does not allocate a blank space after allocating the adjustment pattern set (adjustment patterns T and adjustment pattern gaps TG), but allocates a blank space to the beginning of the unallocated portion and then allocates the adjustment pattern set. This allows the image forming device 1 to separate the adjustment pattern T that is allocated first from the vicinity of the end on the leading side, and prevents the toner from being transferred to the backing paper PM even if misalignment or the like occurs during transfer.

[0156] Moreover, in each allocation process such as the first allocation process procedure RT5 (FIG. 9), the image forming apparatus 1 allocates one or more adjustment patterns T and blank spaces to one printable range AB, and then executes an adjustment pattern replacement process procedure RT6 (FIG. 10) as a subroutine. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to position the adjustment pattern T with a high density toward the center of the printable range AB, away from the ends. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to keep the toner on the label PB even if the toner is slightly disintegrated due to vibration or the like when the toner image is transferred to the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer unit 34 or during transport after transfer, and the toner can be significantly reduced in possibility of spreading onto the backing paper PM.

[0157] In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 reads medium information from a print job supplied from the upper device 100, and acquires the label length LB, label gap length LG, etc. of the continuous recording medium P. This eliminates the need for the image forming apparatus 1 to have the user input the label length LB, label gap length LG, etc., and allows the density and position adjustment process to proceed efficiently and smoothly.

[0158] According to the above configuration, when the image forming apparatus 1 performs density / position adjustment processing using the continuous recording medium P, it generates adaptation adjustment image data in which the arrangement of the adjustment pattern T is appropriately allocated according to the label length LB and label gap length LG of the continuous recording medium P, and forms a toner image based on this. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can appropriately adjust the density and position of the toner image by forming a toner image based on the adaptation adjustment image data on the intermediate transfer belt 26 and reading it with the reading unit 28. Moreover, the image forming apparatus 1 can transfer each adjustment pattern T based on the adaptation adjustment image data within the range of the label PB on the continuous recording medium P, and can prevent toner from adhering to or soiling the fixing unit 35.

[0159] [6. Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the entire range of the label PB is the printable range AB, and the entire range of the label gap PG is the unprintable range AG in the sub-scanning direction (travel direction) of the continuous recording medium P. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the vicinity of the end of the label PB may be excluded from the printable range AB and included in the unprintable range AG.

[0160] Also, in the above-described embodiment, in each allocation process such as the first allocation process procedure RT5 (FIG. 9), one or more adjustment patterns T and blank spaces are allocated to one printable range AB, and then the adjustment pattern replacement process procedure RT6 (FIG. 10) is used to rearrange the arrangement depending on the density of the adjustment pattern T. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, in each allocation process such as the first allocation process procedure RT5, the adjustment pattern replacement process procedure RT6 may not be performed.

[0161] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a form has been described in which a blank space is allocated to the beginning of an unallocated portion in the printable range AB and then an adjustment pattern set is allocated in the first allocation process procedure RT5 (FIG. 9) and the second allocation process procedure RT7 (FIG. 11), etc. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a blank space may be allocated to the beginning of an unallocated portion in the printable range AB and then an adjustment pattern set may be allocated.

[0162] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first adjustment pattern T1 is arranged at a position adjacent to the leading edge of the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first adjustment pattern T1 may be arranged at a position away from the leading edge, for example.

[0163] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adjustment patterns T are arranged in the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) so ​​that the density is the darkest at the beginning. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the adjustment patterns T may be arranged so that the density is the lightest at the beginning, or may be arranged randomly.

[0164] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the adjustment patterns T in the adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) are all square and all have the same shape and size. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the adjustment patterns T may be various shapes such as rectangular or hexagonal, and the shapes and sizes of the adjustment patterns T may differ from one another. What is important is that the density and position of the toner image can be appropriately read by the reading unit 28.

[0165] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a single piece of adjustment pattern image data D (FIG. 4) is stored in the storage unit 41, and the adaptive adjustment image data is generated by sequentially extracting and allocating portions of the adjustment pattern image data D in the adaptive adjustment image data generation processing procedure RT3 (FIG. 8). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, image data in which the adjustment pattern image data D is divided for each adjustment pattern period LS or for each adjustment pattern T and each adjustment pattern gap TG may be stored in advance in the storage unit 41, and the adaptive adjustment image data may be generated by reading and linking these as appropriate.

[0166] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the adjustment pattern image data D is stored in advance in the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment pattern image data D may be generated in a print job including the adjustment pattern image data D in the higher-level device 100, and after the image forming device 1 receives the print job, the control unit 6 may read out the adjustment pattern image data D from the print job. Alternatively, the adjustment pattern image data D may be downloaded from a predetermined server device (not shown), for example.

[0167] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fixing unit 35 is provided with the cleaning member 35C, and the toner adhering to the roller is cleaned by the cleaning member 35C. Also, the remaining number of cleaning times NCR of the cleaning member 35C is stored in the memory unit 41, and even if the adjustment pattern T protrudes from the label PB of the continuous recording medium P, whether or not to perform the density / position adjustment process is switched according to the remaining number of cleaning times NCR. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the cleaning member 35C may be omitted from the fixing unit 35, the remaining number of cleaning times NCR may not be stored in the memory unit 41, and the density / position adjustment process may be stopped when the adjustment pattern T protrudes from the label PB of the continuous recording medium P.

[0168] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in step SP4 of the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 (FIG. 6), both the density and the position of the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 based on the read image data are adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, only one of the density and the position may be adjusted.

[0169] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the medium information (label length LB, etc.) is read and acquired from the print job transmitted from the higher-level device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the user may be allowed to read at least a part of the medium information via the display operation unit 7 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, for example, the label length LB, label gap length LG, etc. of the continuous recording medium P may be calculated and acquired based on the detection result by the position detection unit 32.

[0170] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit 6 reads out the density / position adjustment pattern generation processing program from the storage unit 41 (FIG. 2) and executes the density / position adjustment pattern generation processing procedure RT2 (FIG. 7), the medium information acquisition unit 51 and the allocation determination unit 52 (FIG. 2) are formed as functional blocks therein. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the medium information acquisition unit 51 and the allocation determination unit 52 may be configured as hardware.

[0171] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the density / position adjustment process procedure RT1 (FIG. 6) and other processes are executed in the control unit 6 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a part of the adaptively adjusted image data generation process procedure RT3 (FIG. 8) may be executed in the control unit 6, and the rest may be executed in a control unit (not shown) of the higher-level device 100, etc.

[0172] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is of an intermediate transfer type, and a toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 26, and then the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 26 to the continuous recording medium P in the secondary transfer section 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be of a direct transfer type, and the toner image formed by the image forming unit 10 may be directly transferred onto the continuous recording medium P.

[0173] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with four image forming units 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with, for example, three or less image forming units 10 or five or more image forming units 10.

[0174] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to the image forming apparatus 1 which is a single-function printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to image forming apparatuses having various other functions, such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having the functions of a copier or facsimile machine.

[0175] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a position mark is provided on the back surface of the continuous recording medium P, and the position detection unit 32 of the transport unit 30 detects the position mark to detect the leading position of the label PB. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the position mark may be omitted from the back surface of the continuous recording medium P. In this case, for example, the position detection unit 32 may detect the leading position of the label PB based on the light transmittance, reflectance, etc. of the continuous recording medium P.

[0176] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments. That is, the scope of application of the present invention extends to embodiments in which the above-mentioned embodiments and the other embodiments are combined in part or in whole in any manner. The scope of application of the present invention also extends to embodiments in which a part of the configuration described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments is extracted and replaced or diverted with a part of the configuration of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and other embodiments, or an embodiment in which a part of the extracted configuration is added to any of the embodiments.

[0177] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as an image forming apparatus by the conveying section 30 as a conveying section, the medium information acquiring section 51 as a range information acquiring section, the storage section 41 as a storage section, the allocation determining section 52 as a placement determining section, the image forming unit 10 as an image forming section, the reading section 28 as a reading section, and the control section 6 as a control section. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by a conveying section, a range information acquiring section, a storage section, a placement determining section, an image forming section, a reading section, and a control section having various other configurations. [Industrial Applicability]

[0178] The present invention can be used in an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a continuous recording medium P having a plurality of labels PB affixed to a mount PM, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0179] 1: image forming apparatus, 6: control unit, 7: display operation unit, 10: image forming unit, 20: intermediate transfer unit, 26: intermediate transfer belt, 28: reading unit, 30: transport unit, 32: position detection unit, 34: secondary transfer unit, 35: fixing unit, 41: storage unit, 42: communication unit, 51: medium information acquisition unit, 52: allocation determination unit, AB: printable range, AG: non-printable range, B: background portion, D: adjustment pattern image data, G: gap between labels, LB: label length, LC: current printable length, LG: label Label gap length, LJ...leading blank length, LK...label cycle, LP...adjustment pattern length, LQ...adjustment pattern gap length, LR...remaining printable length, LR2...second remaining printable length, LR3...third remaining printable length, LS...adjustment pattern cycle, P...continuous recording medium, PB...label, PG...label gap, PM...backing paper, S1...space, S2...space, T...adjustment pattern, TG...adjustment pattern gap, U...number of remaining adjustment patterns, W...transport path, WB...label width, WG...label width interval, Y...number of possible cycles.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image using a continuous recording medium on which a plurality of printable areas are formed in a conveying direction and on which non-printable areas that are substantially unprintable are formed between the printable areas, a conveying section that conveys the continuous recording medium in the conveying direction; a medium information acquiring unit that acquires medium information that is information regarding the printable range of the continuous recording medium; a storage unit in which an adjustment image including a plurality of adjustment patterns is stored; an allocation determination unit that determines positions to which the adjustment patterns in the adjustment image are to be allocated on the continuous recording medium so that the adjustment patterns are each contained within the printable range based on the medium information; an image forming unit that forms the images of the adjustment patterns so as to correspond to the assigned positions within the printable range of the continuous recording medium transported by the transport unit; a reading unit that reads the adjustment pattern formed by the image forming unit; a control unit that adjusts the image forming unit based on a result of reading the adjustment pattern by the reading unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. the adjustment image has blank areas between the adjustment patterns in the transport direction; The allocation determination unit allocates each of the adjustment patterns to the continuous recording medium such that a distance between the adjustment patterns in the transport direction on the continuous recording medium is equal to or greater than a blank length, which is a length of the blank area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. When a remaining portion resulting from arranging the same number of the adjustment patterns and the blank areas within the printable range in the transport direction of the continuous recording medium does not reach the length of the adjustment pattern, the allocation determination unit arranges the next adjustment pattern at the beginning of the next printable range.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

4. When a remaining portion resulting from allocating the same number of adjustment patterns and blank areas within the printable range in the transport direction of the continuous recording medium does not reach the length of the adjustment patterns, the allocation determination unit allocates the adjustment patterns on the leading side of the printable range, leaving a blank area having a length of the remaining portion therebetween.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. the medium information acquisition unit acquires information regarding the printable area and the unprintable area of ​​the continuous recording medium, The allocation determination unit allocates each of the adjustment patterns to the continuous recording medium such that a distance between the adjustment patterns allocated to the different printable ranges is equal to or greater than the blank length including the unprintable range in the transport direction of the continuous recording medium.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

6. The control unit reduces a frequency of performing a process of adjusting the image forming unit when a first adjustment pattern, which is one of the plurality of adjustment patterns, does not fall within a widthwise printable range in the continuous recording medium in a width direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

7. The first adjustment pattern is the adjustment pattern located at the forefront in the adjustment image in the transport direction.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,

8. the adjustment image includes a plurality of types of adjustment patterns each having a different density, The first adjustment pattern is the adjustment pattern having the highest density in the adjustment image.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,

9. the adjustment image includes a plurality of types of adjustment patterns each having a different density, When two or more adjustment patterns are arranged within one printable range, the allocation determination unit allocates the adjustment pattern with a higher density to a position closer to the center of the printable range in the transport direction.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

10. The control unit controls the image forming unit to adjust the density of the image formed by the image forming unit based on a result of reading the adjustment pattern.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

11. The control unit controls the image forming unit to adjust a position of the image formed on the basis of a result of reading the adjustment pattern.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

12. the control unit acquires a print job including the medium information and an instruction to print the adjusted image from a connected higher-level device; The medium information acquisition unit acquires the medium information from the print job acquired by the control unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

13. the continuous recording medium is provided with position marks at positions corresponding to the printable range on a non-printing surface opposite to a printing surface on which the image is formed by the image forming unit; the conveying unit has a position detection unit that detects the position mark from the non-printing surface of the continuous recording medium, The image forming unit forms images of the adjustment patterns in accordance with the assigned positions within the printable range of the continuous recording medium based on the position marks detected by the position detection unit.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

14. The continuous recording medium is a die-cut label paper having a plurality of labels attached to a backing paper. The label has a printing surface on which the image can be formed by the image forming unit, and an attachment surface opposite to the printing surface and having an adhesive having adhesiveness attached thereto, The mount has a release property with respect to the adhesive and includes a release surface to which the attachment surface of the label is attached.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

Images