Image forming system and program

Abstract

To suppress a decrease in productivity due to colorimetry and medium detection.SOLUTION: An image forming system 100 includes an image forming part 35 (image forming device 30) for forming an image on a sheet. The image forming system 100 also includes a colorimetric part 56 (image reading device 50) that is movable in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper conveyance direction and measures the color of the image (color patch image G; see Fig.4) formed on the paper by the image forming part 35 before job is executed. The image forming system 100 also includes a first medium detection part 24 (medium detection device 20) that can detect a paper characteristic while a paper conveyance is stopped and detects the paper characteristic while the image is being measured by the colorimetric part 56.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known an image forming system that, when executing a print job, measures the color of a chart in which color patches are formed on a sheet by an image forming unit using a colorimetric sensor located downstream of the image forming unit, and performs calibration (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-118121 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such a system, if a larger number of color patches are used to improve color measurement accuracy, it is possible to perform color measurement by slowing down the sheet conveyance speed during color measurement. To further increase the number of colors, it is possible to form more patch images over the entire surface of the sheet and perform color measurement, but this would require further slowing down the sheet conveyance speed during color measurement. Slowing down the sheet conveyance speed in this way means the user has to wait longer until the job starts. On the other hand, in recent years, for more appropriate image formation, a media detection system has become known in which a media sensor installed on the sheet transport path detects the characteristics of the paper before image formation.Even in media detection, the sheet transport speed may be reduced to improve the detection accuracy of the paper characteristics. Therefore, when performing the above-described colorimetry and media detection when executing a print job, the paper is fed and media detection is performed, after which a patch image is formed on the paper and colorimetry is performed, which results in the user having to wait even longer until the job starts, thereby reducing productivity.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to reduce the waiting time a user has to wait until a job starts even when color measurement and media detection are performed, thereby improving productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the image forming system according to claim 1 comprises: an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a color measurement unit that is movable in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper conveyance direction and that measures the color of an image formed on the paper by the image forming unit before a job is executed; a first media detection unit capable of detecting paper characteristics while paper transport is stopped and detecting the paper characteristics while the image is being measured by the colorimetric measurement unit; Equipped with.

[0007] The image forming system according to claim 2 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The image forming unit includes: Image forming conditions for executing the job are set based on the color measurement result of the image by the color measurement unit and the paper characteristics detected by the first media detection unit.

[0008] The image forming system according to claim 3 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The first media detection unit At least one of stiffness, resistance, and surface properties of the paper is detected as the paper characteristics.

[0009] The image forming system according to claim 4 is the image forming system according to claim 1, a second media detection unit capable of detecting paper characteristics without stopping paper transport; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit The paper characteristics are detected while the image is being measured by the color measurement unit.

[0010] The image forming system according to claim 5 is the image forming system according to claim 1, a storage means for storing the type of paper used in the past and the paper characteristics detected at that time in association with each other; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the paper characteristics stored by the storage means; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit The paper characteristics are detected while the image is being measured by the color measurement unit.

[0011] The image forming system according to claim 6 is the image forming system according to claim 1, a storage means for storing predetermined standard paper characteristics; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the standard paper characteristics stored by the storage means; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit The paper characteristics are detected while the image is being measured by the color measurement unit.

[0012] The image forming system according to claim 7 is the image forming system according to claim 4, The second media detection unit At least one of the basis weight, size, moisture content, and thickness of the paper is detected as the paper characteristic.

[0013] The image forming system according to claim 8 is the image forming system according to claim 4, The second media detection unit After the image is formed by the image forming unit based on the paper characteristics, the paper characteristics are detected when the image is formed on the next paper; The color measurement unit If the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit when the image is formed on the next sheet of paper deviate from the paper characteristics when the image was formed on the previous sheet of paper based on the paper characteristics, color measurement for the next sheet of paper is interrupted.

[0014] The image forming system according to claim 9 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The first media detection unit is disposed upstream of the image forming unit.

[0015] The image forming system according to claim 10 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The color measurement unit a colorimeter that can move back and forth along the paper width direction, The paper is repeatedly conveyed and stopped, and while the paper is stopped, the colorimeter is moved along the paper width direction to measure the color.

[0016] The image forming system according to claim 11 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The color measurement unit a colorimeter that can move back and forth along the paper width direction, The paper transport speed is reduced from the normal speed, and the colorimeter is moved along the paper width direction to measure the color.

[0017] The image forming system according to claim 12 is the image forming system according to claim 1, The color measurement unit measures the color of the patch images that are arranged two-dimensionally.

[0018] In order to solve the above problem, the program according to claim 13 comprises: a computer of an image forming system including an image forming unit for forming an image on paper, a color measurement unit that is movable in a paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and that measures the color of the image formed on the paper by the image forming unit before a job is executed, and a first media detection unit that is capable of detecting paper characteristics while paper transport is stopped; a control means for causing the first media detection unit to detect the paper characteristics while the image is being color-measured by the color measurement unit; Function as. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, even when color measurement and media detection are performed, the user's waiting time until the job starts can be reduced, thereby improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a media detection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color patch image. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a color measurement control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] [1. Image formation system configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming system 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a media detection device.

[0023] The image forming system 100 according to this embodiment includes a paper feeder 10, a media detection device 20, an image forming device 30, a conveyance relay device 40, an image reading device 50, and a finishing device 60. In the image forming system 100, a paper feeder 10, a media detection device 20, an image forming device 30, a conveyance relay device 40, an image reading device 50, and a finishing device 60 are arranged in this order from the upstream side along the paper conveyance direction (X direction).

[0024] [1-1. Paper feeder configuration] The paper feeding device 10 includes a control unit 11, a conveying unit 12, a paper feeding unit 13, and a communication unit 14. The control unit 11 is connected to the transport unit 12, the paper feed unit 13, and the communication unit 14 via a bus 15.

[0025] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU of the control unit 11 reads out a program stored in the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls each part of the sheet feeding device 10 in accordance with the loaded program.

[0026] The transport unit 12 transports the paper through a transport path that connects the paper feed unit 13 to the media detection device 20 . The paper feed unit 13 has paper feed trays that store paper sheets of predetermined paper types and sizes. The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from the media detection device 20 connected by a predetermined cable.

[0027] [1-2. Configuration of media detection device] The media detection device 20 is provided upstream of the image forming device 30 in the paper transport direction, and detects the characteristics of the paper transported from the paper feed device 10 . The media detection device 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a transport unit 23, a first media detection unit 24, a second media detection unit 25, and a communication unit 26. The control unit 21 is connected to the storage unit 22, the transport unit 23, the first media detection unit 24, the second media detection unit 25, and the communication unit 26 via a bus 27.

[0028] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of the control unit 21 reads out a program stored in the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls each unit of the media detection device 20 in accordance with the loaded program.

[0029] The storage unit 22 is configured by storage means such as a semiconductor memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a hard disk drive (HDD). The memory unit 22 stores, for example, the type of paper (paper type) used to detect paper characteristics in the past and the paper characteristics detected at that time, linked together. Here, the paper characteristics include the stiffness, surface properties, and resistance of the paper detected by the stiffness sensor 241, surface properties sensor 242, and resistance sensor 243 that make up the first media detection unit 24. The paper characteristics also include the size, thickness, basis weight, and moisture content of the paper detected by the size sensor 251, paper thickness sensor 252, basis weight sensor 253, and moisture content sensor 254 that make up the second media detection unit 25.

[0030] The transport unit 23 includes a first transport path 231, a second transport path 232, a purge tray 239 for discharging sheets to be purged, and the like. The first and second transport paths 231 and 232 each include a plurality of pairs of transport rollers provided along the transport path, and a drive motor (not shown) for driving these pairs of transport rollers. The first transport path 231 is the main transport path, and is connected to the transport path of the paper feeder 10 on the upstream side and to the transport path of the image forming device 30 on the downstream side. The second transport path 232 branches off from the first transport path 231 at a branch point BP. The second transport path 232 transports sheets to be purged to the purge tray 239 without passing through the image forming unit 35.

[0031] The first media detection unit 24 is arranged on the second conveying path 232 downstream of the branch point BP of the first conveying path 231, and detects the paper characteristics of the paper being conveyed on the second conveying path 232, using the second conveying path 232 as a detection area. As shown in FIG. 3, the first media detection unit 24 includes a stiffness sensor 241, a surface property sensor 242, and a resistance sensor 243.

[0032] The stiffness sensor 241 detects the stiffness of the paper by mechanically measuring the amount of displacement. The stiffness sensor 241 detects the stiffness of the paper from the repulsive force (rigidity) of the paper when the bottom end (free end) of the paper is pressed from the side by a pressing unit (not shown).

[0033] The surface property sensor 242 is a reflective optical sensor (specular reflection, diffuse reflection) that detects the surface property of the paper. The surface property sensor 242 detects the surface property of the paper based on the absolute value and ratio of the intensities of the detected specular reflection light and diffuse reflection light.

[0034] The resistance sensor 243 applies a high voltage between the front and back of the paper while the conveyance is stopped, and detects the electrical resistance (volume electrical resistance) of the paper from the value of the current that flows.

[0035] In the second conveying path 232, a stiffness sensor 241 and a surface property sensor 242 are arranged upstream (below) of the resistance sensor 243. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the stiffness sensor 241 and the surface property sensor 242 are arranged in this order in the conveying direction (Z direction), but this order may be reversed.

[0036] The first media detection unit 24 stops the paper at each sensor position, performs detection, and sends the paper to the next sensor downstream. The next sensor measures the paper when the trailing edge of the paper is not clamped by the components (rollers, etc.) of the previous sensor (leaving the end open makes it easier for the components of the sensor to press the paper to fix the surface).

[0037] The second media detection unit 25 is disposed on the first transport path 231 upstream of the branch point BP, and detects the paper characteristics of the paper transported on the first transport path 2231 using the first transport path 231 as a detection area. As shown in FIG. 3, the second media detection unit 25 includes a size sensor 251, a paper thickness sensor 252, a basis weight sensor 253, and a moisture percentage sensor 254.

[0038] The size sensor 251 optically detects the size (shape) of the paper. The size sensor 251 is a line sensor that generates read image data by reading the paper being transported at a predetermined transport speed. The control unit 21 performs image processing on the obtained read image data for one sheet of paper to detect the edges of the paper (the positions of the four sides or the outer shape) and detect the size (shape).

[0039] The paper thickness sensor 252 detects the thickness of the paper by mechanically measuring the amount of displacement. When a sheet of paper is transported through the nip between the transport rollers, the shaft position of one of the driven rollers in the transport roller pair is displaced depending on the thickness of the sheet of paper. The thickness of the sheet of paper can be measured by measuring the height of this displaced shaft.

[0040] The basis weight sensor 253 is a transmissive and reflective optical sensor that detects the basis weight of paper. It includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and detects the basis weight of paper by measuring the attenuation (transmittance) of light passing through the paper and the amount of reflected light (reflectance). The light-emitting unit that constitutes the reflective optical sensor includes, for example, a blue LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits blue light, a green LED that emits green light, and a red LED that emits red light. Therefore, the basis weight sensor 253 can detect the color of paper based on the amount of reflected light of the light emitted by the blue LED, green LED, and red LED.

[0041] The moisture sensor 254 is a reflective optical sensor that detects the moisture content of paper. The moisture sensor 254 includes a first light-emitting unit that irradiates the paper with light (wavelength 1450 nm) that is absorbed by moisture, a second light-emitting unit that irradiates the paper with light (wavelength 1300 nm) that is not absorbed by moisture, and a light-receiving unit. The moisture sensor 254 measures the amount of light received (amount of reflected light) by both light-emitting units and detects the moisture content of the paper based on the ratio between the first amount of light received by the first light-emitting unit and the second amount of light received by the second light-emitting unit. The basis weight sensor 253 and moisture content sensor 254 are disposed downstream of the paper thickness sensor 252 on the first conveying path 231. The basis weight sensor 253 and moisture content sensor 254 are disposed side by side on the first conveying path 231 at the same position in the conveying direction (X direction) but at different positions in the width direction (Y direction). By doing so, the overall length of the second media detection unit 25 in the transport direction can be shortened, thereby reducing the space required.

[0042] The size sensor 251, paper thickness sensor 252, basis weight sensor 253, and moisture percentage sensor 254 detect paper characteristic information such as size, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture percentage while the paper is being transported without stopping the paper transported along the first transport path 231. This allows the second media detection unit 25 to detect paper characteristic information for each of the multiple sheets of paper being transported continuously when a print job is executed that involves continuous printing.

[0043] In the media detection device 20, when the second media detection unit 25 detects an inappropriate paper, the paper is switched to the purge path (second conveyance path 232) and conveyed to the purge tray 239. In this way, the inappropriate paper is not sent to the subsequent stage, and jams and image defects in the image forming device 30 can be prevented.

[0044] The communication unit 26 transmits and receives data between the sheet feeding device 10 and the image forming device 30, which are connected by a predetermined cable.

[0045] [1-3. Configuration of image forming device] The image forming apparatus 30 forms a color image by electrophotography based on image data obtained by reading an image from an original or image data of a job received from an external device (not shown). The image forming apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31 , a storage unit 32 , a conveying unit 33 , an operation display unit 34 , an image forming unit 35 , a fixing unit 36 ​​, and a communication unit 37 . The control unit 31 is connected to the storage unit 32, the conveying unit 33, the operation display unit , the image forming unit 35, the fixing unit , and the communication unit 37 via a bus .

[0046] The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of the control unit 31 reads out a control program stored in the ROM and loads it into the RAM, and controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 30 in accordance with the loaded program, and also controls the operation of the entire image forming system 100.

[0047] The storage unit 32 is configured by a storage means such as a DRAM or an HDD. The storage unit 32 stores image data acquired by a scanner (not shown) and image data input from the outside via the communication unit 37. Note that this image data may be stored in a RAM included in the control unit 31.

[0048] The transport unit 33 includes multiple paper transport rollers that rotate while holding the paper, and transports the paper along a predetermined transport path. This transport path is connected to the transport path of the media detection device 20 on the upstream side and to the transport path of the transport relay device 40 on the downstream side.

[0049] The operation display unit 34 is installed on the top surface of the housing constituting the image forming apparatus 30, and has a touch panel that can be operated by touch, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and hard keys including various buttons such as numeric keys and a start button. The operation display unit 34 accepts input operations such as specifying paper size and paper feed tray. It also displays various information to notify the user, such as the status of the image forming system 100 and the status of each component.

[0050] The image forming unit 35 includes a charging unit, a photoconductor, an exposure unit, and a developing unit (not shown). After the charging unit applies an electric charge to the photoconductor, the exposure unit irradiates it with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor. The developing unit then visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor to form a toner image. The toner image is then transferred to an intermediate transfer belt, and the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt is transferred to the surface of a sheet of paper being transported at a predetermined timing. The sheet of paper with the transferred image is transported to a fixing unit 36 ​​located downstream of the image forming unit 35.

[0051] The fixing unit 36 ​​is composed of, for example, a pressure roller, a fixing roller, a belt, etc., and fixes the toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure to the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 35. The paper that has been fixed by the fixing unit 36 ​​is conveyed toward a conveyance relay device 40 connected downstream of the image forming device 30.

[0052] The communication unit 37 transmits and receives data between the media detection device 20 and the conveyance relay device 40, which are connected by a predetermined cable. The communication unit 37 also transmits and receives data to and from external devices connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0053] [1-4. Configuration of the carrier relay device] The conveyance relay device 40 relays and conveys the paper conveyed from the image forming device 30 toward the image reading device 50 on the downstream side. The transport relay device 40 includes a control unit 41, a transport unit 42, a reversing unit 43, and a communication unit 44. The control unit 41 is connected to the transport unit 42 , the reversing unit 43 , and the communication unit 44 via a bus 45 .

[0054] The control unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of the control unit 41 reads out a program stored in the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls each unit of the conveyance relay device 40 in accordance with the loaded program.

[0055] The transport unit 42 includes a plurality of paper transport rollers that rotate while holding the paper, and transports the paper along a predetermined transport path. This transport path is connected to the transport path of the image forming device 30 on the upstream side and to the transport path of the image reading device 50 on the downstream side.

[0056] The reversing unit 43 reverses the paper upside down on a switchback conveying path (not shown) included in the above-mentioned conveying path. The communication unit 44 transmits and receives data between the image forming device 30 and the image reading device 50, which are connected by a predetermined cable.

[0057] [1-5. Image reader configuration] The image reading device 50 reads the image formed by the image forming device 30 . The image reading device 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a conveying unit 53, a first scanner 54, a second scanner 55, a color measurement unit 56, and a communication unit 57. The control unit 51 is connected to the storage unit 52 , the conveying unit 53 , the first scanner 54 , the second scanner 55 , the colorimetric unit 56 , and the communication unit 57 via a bus 58 .

[0058] The control unit 51 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of the control unit 51 reads out a program stored in the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls each unit of the image reading device 50 in accordance with the loaded program.

[0059] The storage unit 52 is configured by a storage means such as a DRAM or an HDD. The storage unit 52 stores image data read by the first scanner 54 or the second scanner 55, measurement results by the color measurement unit 56, etc. Note that this image data, etc. may be stored in a RAM included in the control unit 51.

[0060] The transport section 53 includes a plurality of paper transport rollers that rotate while holding the paper, and transports the paper along a predetermined transport path. This transport path is connected to the transport path of the transport relay device 40 on the upstream side and to the transport path of the finishing device 60 on the downstream side.

[0061] The first scanner 54 and the second scanner 55 are configured as line sensors in which CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) are arranged in a line perpendicular to the paper transport direction (X direction) and parallel to the paper surface (paper width direction (Y direction)). The first scanner 54 and the second scanner 55 read the image on the paper being transported and output the obtained image data to the control unit 51. The first scanner 54 and the second scanner 55 can read across the entire width of the paper. The first scanner 54 reads the image on the first side of a sheet of paper on which images have been formed by the image forming device 30 on both sides. The second scanner 55 reads an image on the image-formed side of a sheet of paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 30 on one side, or an image on the side of a sheet of paper on which an image has been formed later by the image forming device 30 on both sides.

[0062] The color measurement unit 56 includes a colorimeter (not shown) and a drive unit (not shown). The colorimeter is a spectrophotometer that detects the spectral reflectance of an image formed on paper for each wavelength and measures the color of the image. The drive unit slides the colorimeter in the paper width direction (Y direction) so that the colorimeter is positioned at a desired reading position when reading an image formed on paper by the colorimeter. An example of a drive source for the drive unit is a servo motor. 4, when the object of color measurement by the colorimetric unit 56 is a color patch image G formed in a matrix in the paper width direction and the paper transport direction, color measurement is performed for each color patch. In other words, the colorimetric unit 56 repeatedly transports and stops the paper P, and when the transport of the paper P is stopped, the drive unit slides the colorimeter in the paper width direction (Y direction), and performs color measurement of each color patch formed along the paper width direction.

[0063] The communication unit 57 transmits and receives data between the conveyance relay device 40 and the finishing device 60, which are connected by a predetermined cable.

[0064] [1-6. Finishing device configuration] The finishing device 60 performs finishing processes such as punching and hole punching on the paper conveyed from the image reading device 50 . The finishing device 60 includes a control unit 61 , a conveying unit 62 , a finishing processing unit 63 , and a communication unit 64 . The control unit 61 is connected to the transport unit 62 , the finishing processing unit 63 , and the communication unit 64 via a bus 65 .

[0065] The control unit 61 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU of the control unit 61 reads out a program stored in the ROM, loads it into the RAM, and controls each unit of the finishing device 60 in accordance with the loaded program.

[0066] The transport unit 62 includes multiple paper transport rollers that rotate while holding the paper, and transports the paper along a predetermined transport path. This transport path is connected to the transport path of the image reading device 50 on the upstream side and to a paper output tray 629 on the downstream side.

[0067] The finishing processing unit 63 performs finishing processes such as punching and hole punching on the paper. The communication unit 64 transmits and receives data to and from the image reading device 50 connected via a predetermined cable.

[0068] [2. Operation of image forming system] Next, the operation of the image forming system 100 will be described. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of color measurement control processing that controls color measurement performed by the color measurement unit 56. This color measurement is performed before a job is executed, along with detection of paper characteristics by the first and second media detection units 24 and 25, and is performed on a predetermined number of sheets (five sheets).

[0069] When the color measurement control process starts, the image forming system 100, under the control of the control unit 31, first determines whether the paper fed from the paper feed device 10 is the first paper of a predetermined number (five sheets) (step S1).

[0070] In step S1, if it is determined that the paper fed from paper feeder 10 is the first of a predetermined number (five) of sheets (step S1; YES), second media detection unit 25 detects the paper characteristics of that paper (step S2). Specifically, in step S2, size sensor 251, paper thickness sensor 252, basis weight sensor 253, and moisture percentage sensor 254 that constitute second media detection unit 25 detect the paper characteristics, namely, the size, thickness, basis weight, and moisture percentage of the paper.

[0071] Next, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 sets the image forming conditions when forming a color patch image G (see Figure 4), which is an image for color measurement, using the image forming device 30, based on the paper characteristics detected in step S2 (step S3).

[0072] Next, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 causes the image forming apparatus 30 to form a color patch image G under the image forming conditions set in step S3 (step S4).

[0073] Next, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 causes the color measurement unit 56 to measure the color of the color patch image G formed in step S4 (step S5).

[0074] Next, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 determines whether or not color measurement of the color patch images G has been completed for all of the predetermined number (five) of sheets (step S6).

[0075] In step S6, if it is determined that colorimetry has not been completed for all of the predetermined number of sheets (five sheets) (step S6; NO), the image forming system 100 returns the process to step S1 and repeats the subsequent processes.

[0076] Furthermore, in step S6, if it is determined that colorimetry has been completed for all of the predetermined number of sheets (five sheets) (step S6; YES), the image forming system 100 ends the colorimetry control process.

[0077] Also, in step S1, if it is determined that the paper fed from the paper feeder 10 is not the first sheet of a predetermined number (five sheets) (step S1; NO), the image forming system 100 determines whether the paper is the second sheet (step S7).

[0078] In step S7, if it is determined that the paper fed from paper feeder 10 is the second sheet of a predetermined number (five sheets) (step S7; YES), the second media detection unit 25 detects the paper characteristics of that paper (step S8). Here, the detection of paper characteristics performed in step S8 is the same as in step S2, in that the size sensor 251, paper thickness sensor 252, basis weight sensor 253, and moisture percentage sensor 254 detect the size, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture percentage of the paper.

[0079] Next, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 causes the first media detection unit 24 to detect the paper characteristics of the second sheet of paper (step S9). Specifically, in step S9, the stiffness sensor 241, the surface property sensor 242, and the resistance sensor 243 that constitute the first media detection unit 24 detect the paper characteristics, namely, the stiffness, surface property, and resistance of the paper. The detection of the paper characteristics of the second sheet of paper by the first media detection unit 24 takes time because the paper is stopped at each sensor position. However, during this time, the colorimetry unit 56 measures the color of the color patch image G for the first sheet of paper. In other words, while the color of the color patch image G for the first sheet of paper is being measured, the first media detection unit 24 detects the paper characteristics of the second sheet of paper. This allows for effective use of downtime caused by colorimetry.

[0080] Next, under the control of control unit 31, image forming system 100 determines whether there is a discrepancy between the paper characteristics of the second sheet detected in step S8 and the paper characteristics of the first sheet detected in step S2 (step S10). Specifically, the paper size, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture content values ​​detected by size sensor 251, paper thickness sensor 252, basis weight sensor 253, and moisture content sensor 254 are compared between the first and second sheets of paper. If there are two or more differences in the paper characteristics between the first and second sheets of paper that are equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that there is a discrepancy between the paper characteristics of the second sheet of paper and the paper characteristics of the first sheet of paper. On the other hand, if there are fewer than two differences in the paper characteristics between the first and second sheets of paper that are equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that there is no discrepancy between the paper characteristics of the second sheet of paper and the paper characteristics of the first sheet of paper.

[0081] In step S10, if it is determined that there is no discrepancy between the paper characteristics of the second sheet and the paper characteristics of the first sheet (step S10; NO), the image forming system 100 proceeds to step S6 and repeats the subsequent steps.

[0082] Furthermore, in step S10, if it is determined that there is a discrepancy between the paper characteristics of the second sheet and the paper characteristics of the first sheet (step S10; YES), the color measurement by the color measurement unit 56 of the image reading device 50 is interrupted (step S11). Then, the image forming system 100 ends the color measurement control process.

[0083] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S7 that the paper fed from paper feeder 10 is not the second sheet of the predetermined number (five sheets) (step S7; NO), image forming system 100 moves the process to step S4 and repeats the subsequent processes. In other words, if the paper fed from paper feeder 10 is the third to fifth sheet of the predetermined number (five sheets), the first and second media detection units 24 and 25 do not detect the paper characteristics, and color measurement unit 56 measures the color patch image G (see FIG. 4) formed on the paper.

[0084] In this embodiment, when the colorimetry control process ends with the determination that colorimetry for all of the predetermined number of sheets (five sheets) has been completed (step S6; YES), the first sheet of paper provides the detection result of paper characteristics by the second media detection unit 25 and the colorimetry result by the colorimetry unit 56. The second sheet of paper provides the detection result of paper characteristics by the first media detection unit 24, the detection result of paper characteristics by the second media detection unit 25, and the colorimetry result by the colorimetry unit 56. The third to fifth sheets of paper provide the colorimetry results by the colorimetry unit 56. Then, under the control of the control unit 31, the image forming system 100 sets the image formation conditions for executing a job based on the detection results of paper characteristics and the colorimetry results.

[0085] [3.Effects] As described above, the image forming system 100 of this embodiment includes an image forming unit 35 (image forming device 30) for forming an image on paper. The image forming system 100 also includes a colorimetry unit 56 (image reading device 50) that is movable in the paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and that measures the color of an image (color patch image G; see FIG. 4) formed on paper by the image forming unit 35 before executing a job. The image forming system 100 also includes a first media detection unit 24 (media detection device 20) that can detect paper characteristics while paper transport is stopped and that detects the paper characteristics while the image is being colorimetrically measured by the colorimetry unit 56. As a result, the first media detection unit 24 detects the paper characteristics while the image (color patch image G) is being measured by the colorimetry unit 56, thereby reducing downtime caused by colorimetry and media detection.

[0086] In addition, the image forming system 100 sets image forming conditions for executing a job in the image forming device 30 based on the color measurement results of the image (color patch image G) by the color measurement unit 56 and the paper characteristics detected by the first media detection unit 24. This allows the image forming conditions to be set appropriately when the job is executed, so that high-quality images can be formed when the job is executed.

[0087] Furthermore, the image forming system 100 detects at least one of the stiffness, resistance, and surface properties of the paper as the paper characteristics in the first media detection unit 24. This allows the image forming conditions to be set appropriately when a job is executed, so that high-quality images can be formed when the job is executed, and the paper characteristics described above can be utilized to appropriately transport the paper.

[0088] The image forming system 100 also includes a second media detection unit 25 (media detection device 20) that can detect paper characteristics without stopping paper transport. The image forming system 100 also forms an image (color patch image G) in the image forming unit 35 (image forming device 30) based on the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit 25. The image forming system 100 also performs colorimetry on the image (color patch image G) formed by the image forming unit 35 in the colorimetry unit 56 (image reading device 50). The image forming system 100 also detects paper characteristics in the first media detection unit 24 (media detection device 20) while the image (color patch image G) is being colorimetrically measured in the colorimetry unit 56. As a result, an image (color patch image G) is formed based on the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit 25, and the color of the image (color patch image G) can be appropriately measured by the color measurement unit 56. This improves the accuracy of color matching before a job is executed.

[0089] Furthermore, the image forming system 100 detects at least one of the basis weight, size, moisture content, and thickness of the paper as paper characteristics in the second media detection unit 25. This makes it possible to appropriately form an image (color patch image G) that is measured by the colorimetric unit 56 by taking advantage of the above-mentioned paper characteristics.

[0090] Furthermore, in image forming system 100, second media detection unit 25 detects the paper characteristics when an image (color patch image G) is formed on the next sheet of paper after image forming unit 35 has formed an image (color patch image G) based on the paper characteristics. Furthermore, color measurement unit 56 interrupts color measurement on the next sheet of paper if the paper characteristics detected by second media detection unit 25 when an image (color patch image G) is formed on the next sheet of paper differ from the paper characteristics when the image (color patch image G) was formed on the immediately preceding sheet of paper based on the paper characteristics. This prevents color measurement from being performed on the next sheet in a state where the quality of the image (color patch image G) to be formed on the next sheet cannot be guaranteed, thereby preventing a decrease in color matching accuracy.

[0091] Furthermore, in the image forming system 100, the first media detection unit 24 is disposed upstream of the image forming unit 35 (image forming device 30). As a result, the first media detection unit 24 can detect the paper characteristics of the paper before the image forming unit 35 forms an image on the paper, and therefore can appropriately detect the paper characteristics.

[0092] In addition, the image forming system 100 has a colorimeter in the colorimetric section 56 that can move back and forth along the paper width direction, and repeatedly transports and stops the paper, and moves the colorimeter along the paper width direction while the paper is stopped to measure the color. This allows the color measurement unit 56 to measure not only images on lines along the paper transport direction, but also images on lines along the paper width direction, allowing color measurement by the color measurement unit 56 to be performed flexibly.

[0093] Furthermore, the image forming system 100 causes the color measurement unit 56 to measure the color of patch images (color patch images G) arranged two-dimensionally. This allows colorimetry of various colors to be performed on a single sheet of paper, thereby further improving the accuracy of color matching before executing a job.

[0094] [4. Other] The description of the above embodiment is an example of the image forming system and program according to the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The detailed configuration and operation of each part constituting the device may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0095] In the above embodiment, in step S3 of the color measurement control process (see FIG. 5 ), the image formation conditions for the color patch image G formed in step S4 are set based on the paper characteristics detected in step S2. However, this setting method is merely an example. For example, the image formation conditions for the color patch image G may be set using data stored in the storage unit 22 of the media detection device 20, which associates the type of paper (paper type) used in a previous paper characteristic detection with the paper characteristics detected at that time. In this case, specifically, when the first sheet of paper is fed from the paper feed device 10, in step S2, instead of detecting the paper characteristics of that sheet using the second media detection unit 25, the paper characteristics corresponding to the first sheet of paper (e.g., A4 plain paper) are obtained from the above data. Then, in step S3, the image formation conditions for forming the color patch image G are set based on the obtained paper characteristics. For example, if the paper characteristics corresponding to the type of paper fed from the paper feeder 10 are not stored in the above data, the image forming conditions for forming the color patch image G may be set based on preset standard paper characteristics (default values). In such a case, the standard paper characteristics are assumed to be stored in the above data.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the sensors 241, 242, and 243 that make up the first media detection unit 24 detect the stiffness, resistance, and surface properties of the paper, but one of these may be detected as the paper characteristic. Alternatively, two of the stiffness, resistance, and surface properties of the paper may be detected as the paper characteristic.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the sensors 251, 252, 253, and 254 that make up the second media detection unit 25 detect the paper size, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture content, respectively, but one of these may be detected as the paper characteristic. Also, two of the paper size, paper thickness, basis weight, and moisture content may be detected as the paper characteristic, or three of these may be detected as the paper characteristic.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first media detection unit 24 is arranged on the second conveying path 232, but it may also be arranged, for example, on the first conveying path 231, downstream of the second media detection unit 25.

[0099] In addition, in the above embodiment, when performing colorimetry on the color patch image G (see Figure 4), the transport speed of the paper P may be reduced from normal, and when the transport speed of the paper P is reduced from normal, the colorimeter may be slid in the paper width direction to perform colorimetry on each color patch.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the color measurement control process (see FIG. 5), when the second sheet of a predetermined number (five sheets) is fed, the first media detection unit 24 detects the paper characteristics, but this is merely an example. The detection of paper characteristics by the first media detection unit 24 may be performed while color measurement is being performed on sheets fed earlier, and for example, the first media detection unit 24 may detect the paper characteristics of the third to fifth sheets of paper.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the image forming system 100 is exemplified as being applied to an image forming apparatus 30 that uses an electrophotographic printing method, but this is not limited to this and the system can also be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus or other image forming apparatuses that use other printing methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100 Image forming system 10 Paper feeder 11 Control section 12 Conveyor 13 Paper feed section 14 Communications Department 15 Bus 20 Media detection device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 23 Conveyor 24 First media detection unit 25 Second media detection unit 26 Communications Department 267 Bus 30 Image forming device 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 33 Conveyor 34 Operation display section 35 Image forming unit 36 Fixing section 37 Communications Department 38 Bus 40 Transport relay device 41 Control Unit 42 Conveyor 43 Reversal section 44 Communications Department 45 Bus 50 Image reader 51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Conveyor 54 First Scanner 55 Second Scanner 56 Color measurement section 57 Communications Department 58 Bus 60 Finishing equipment 61 Control Unit 62 Conveyor 63 Finishing Processing Unit 64 Communications Department 65 Bus

Claims

1. an image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet; a color measurement unit that is movable in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper conveyance direction and that measures the color of an image formed on the paper by the image forming unit before a job is executed; a first media detection unit capable of detecting paper characteristics while paper transport is stopped and detecting the paper characteristics while the image is being measured by the color measurement unit; An image forming system comprising:

2. The image forming unit includes: setting image forming conditions for executing the job based on the color measurement result of the image by the color measurement unit and the paper characteristics detected by the first media detection unit; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. The first media detection unit detecting at least one of stiffness, resistance, and surface property of the paper as the paper characteristic; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. a second media detection unit capable of detecting paper characteristics without stopping paper transport; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit detecting the paper characteristics while the image is being color-measured by the colorimetric unit; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

5. a storage means for storing the type of paper used in the past and the paper characteristics detected at that time in association with each other; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the paper characteristics stored by the storage means; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit detecting the paper characteristics while the image is being color-measured by the colorimetric unit; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

6. a storage means for storing predetermined standard paper characteristics; The image forming unit includes: forming an image based on the standard paper characteristics stored by the storage means; The color measurement unit colorimetry is performed on the image formed by the image forming unit; The first media detection unit detecting the paper characteristics while the image is being color-measured by the colorimetric unit; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

7. The second media detection unit At least one of the basis weight, size, moisture content, and thickness of the paper is detected as the paper characteristic.

5. The image forming system according to claim 4.

8. The second media detection unit After the image is formed by the image forming unit based on the paper characteristics, the paper characteristics are detected when the image is formed on the next paper; The color measurement unit If the paper characteristics detected by the second media detection unit when the image is formed on the next paper sheet differ from the paper characteristics when the image was formed on the immediately preceding paper sheet based on the paper characteristics, the color measurement for the next paper sheet is interrupted.

5. The image forming system according to claim 4.

9. the first media detection unit is disposed upstream of the image forming unit; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

10. The color measurement unit a colorimeter that can move back and forth along the paper width direction, The paper is repeatedly conveyed and stopped, and the colorimeter is moved along the paper width direction while the paper is stopped to measure the color.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

11. The color measurement unit a colorimeter that can move back and forth along the paper width direction, The paper is conveyed at a speed slower than normal, and the colorimeter is moved along the paper width direction to measure the color.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

12. the colorimetric unit measures the color of the patch image, which is the image, arranged two-dimensionally; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

13. a computer of an image forming system including an image forming unit for forming an image on paper, a color measurement unit that is movable in a paper width direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction and that measures the color of the image formed on the paper by the image forming unit before a job is executed, and a first media detection unit that is capable of detecting paper characteristics while paper transport is stopped; a control unit that causes the first media detection unit to detect the paper characteristics while the image is being color-measured by the color measurement unit; A program characterized by functioning as

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