Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and program

Abstract

To swiftly start printing when an operation that can be omitted in some print jobs is included in an adjustment operation at the turning-on of power or while returning from an energy saving mode.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a detection unit that detects the amount of adhered toner of a toner image developed on a surface of an image carrier; a determination unit that determines an operation to adjust an image forming condition on the basis of job information that is information on a print job; and an adjustment unit that adjusts the image forming condition by using the amount of adhered toner detected by the detection unit and the adjustment operation determined by the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In image forming apparatuses that use electrophotographic printing technology, image density adjustment (process control) is performed at a predetermined timing when the power is turned on or when printing is performed, thereby maintaining a constant image density during printing. Also, in image forming apparatuses that are primarily used in offices, there is a demand for reducing "waiting time" (in this specification, this refers to the time required from power-on until printing is possible, or the time required after returning from energy-saving mode until printing is possible).

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses that by switching between process control 1, which creates and adjusts an image density adjustment pattern based on the temperature of the fixing device, and process control 2, which does not create an image density adjustment pattern, it is possible to provide stable image quality while reducing unnecessary "waiting time" when the fixing device has a short reload completion time. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technology, when the power is turned on or when returning from energy saving mode, image density adjustment is performed using all operations uniformly, which has the problem that printing cannot be started quickly even if the adjustment operations include operations that can be omitted depending on the print job.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to quickly start printing when the power is turned on or when returning from energy saving mode, if the adjustment operation includes an operation that can be omitted depending on the print job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the present invention comprises a detection unit that detects the amount of toner adhesion of a toner image developed on the surface of an image carrier, a determination unit that determines an adjustment operation for image creation conditions based on job information that is information about a print job, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the image creation conditions using the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit and the adjustment operation determined by the determination unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when the power is turned on or when returning from the energy saving mode, if the adjustment operation includes an operation that can be omitted depending on the print job, it is possible to start printing quickly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the printer unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the printer unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a toner pattern transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment operation including all operations. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment operation excluding the predetermined operation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a system control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a system control unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a printer unit 2, a reversing unit 60, and an operation panel 70. These units are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line, a communication network, or the like.

[0011] The printer unit 2 receives print job data from a DFE (Digital Front End) device, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), a scanner, a facsimile, etc. Then, the printer unit 2 executes printing in response to execution instructions from the received print job data or user operations on the operation panel 70, etc. The print job data includes job information indicating job attributes such as the number of copies to be printed, the number of pages, paper type, and print type, as well as image data. Paper type includes information such as plain paper, glossy paper, matte paper, and textured paper, and print type includes information such as color printing or monochrome printing, and single-sided printing or double-sided printing.

[0012] 1 shows a conceptual cross-sectional view of the printer unit 2 and the reversing unit 60. In the center of the printer unit 2, four drum-shaped photosensitive elements 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK are arranged in parallel at equal intervals in the horizontal direction as image carriers. The subscripts Y, M, C, and BK in the reference symbols indicate the colors yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. Hereinafter, these subscripts will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] The photoreceptor 3Y is, for example, an aluminum cylinder with a diameter of approximately 30 to 100 mm, with a photoconductive organic semiconductor layer applied to the surface, and is driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing. Around the lower periphery of the photoreceptor 3Y, in accordance with the electrostatic photographic process, are arranged in this order: a charging roller 4Y; a developing device 6Y having a developing roller (hereinafter also referred to as a "developing sleeve") 5Y as a developer carrier; and a cleaning device 7Y. These are housed together in a single housing to form a process cartridge, which is detachably attached to the printer unit 2. The photoreceptors 3M, 3C, and 3BK for magenta, cyan, and black images are similar, except that they use different toner colors.

[0014] An exposure device 8 for forming an electrostatic latent image is provided below each process cartridge. The exposure device 8 scans and irradiates laser light corresponding to image data for each color onto the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK, which have been uniformly charged by the charging rollers 4. A long, narrow space (slit) is provided between each charging roller 4 and each developing roller 5 so that the laser light emitted from the exposure device 8 can enter and reach the photoconductors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK. Although a laser scanning type exposure device using a laser light source, a polygon mirror, etc. is shown as the exposure device 8, an exposure device combining an LED array and imaging means can also be used.

[0015] Above the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK, there is provided an intermediate transfer belt 12 as a toner pattern carrier, which is supported by a plurality of rollers 9, 10, and 11 and driven to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 1. In this example, the intermediate transfer belt 12 is the toner pattern carrier; however, when the toner pattern on the photoreceptor 3 is directly detected, the photoreceptor 3 serves as the toner pattern carrier. When the toner image on the photoreceptor 3 is directly transferred to the recording medium, such as paper, while the recording medium is being conveyed, forming a toner pattern on the recording medium, the recording medium serves as the toner pattern carrier. The intermediate transfer belt 12 is common to each of the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK, and is disposed flat and nearly horizontal so that a portion of each of the photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK contacts the belt after the development process.

[0016] Transfer rollers 13Y, 13M, 13C, and 13BK are provided on the inner periphery of intermediate transfer belt 12, facing the respective photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK. A cleaning device 14 is provided on the outer periphery of intermediate transfer belt 12, for example, at a position facing roller 11. Cleaning device 14 is configured to remove unnecessary toner remaining on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 12. Intermediate transfer belt 12 is, for example, a belt whose base is made of a resin film or rubber with a thickness of 50 to 600 μm, and has a resistance value that enables the transfer of toner images from photoreceptors 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK.

[0017] A toner image is created on each photoreceptor 3 by a toner image creation unit consisting of a photoreceptor 3, a charging roller 4, a developing device 6, a cleaning device 7, and an exposure device 8, and these toner images are transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 12 by a transfer roller 13 so that they are superimposed on top of each other.

[0018] Within the printer unit 2, multiple stages of paper feed cassettes 23 and 24, two stages in this example, are disposed below the exposure device 8 so that they can be freely pulled out. Paper P as recording media stored in these paper feed cassettes 23 and 24 is selectively fed by corresponding paper feed rollers 25 and 26. The fed paper P is transported approximately vertically along a transport path 27 toward the secondary transfer position.

[0019] An endless conveyor belt 35 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer belt 12. Within the loop of the conveyor belt 35, a secondary transfer roller 18 serving as a secondary transfer means is disposed so as to face a roller 9, which is one of the support rollers of the intermediate transfer belt 12. The roller 9 and the secondary transfer roller 18 are pressed against each other with the intermediate transfer belt 12 and the conveyor belt 35 sandwiched therebetween, forming a predetermined transfer nip.

[0020] A pair of registration rollers 28 that time the paper feed to the secondary transfer position is provided on the transport path 27 immediately before the secondary transfer position. Above the secondary transfer position, a transport and discharge path 30 is formed that continues from the transport path 27 and connects to a paper discharge stack unit 29 at the top of the printer unit 2. A fixing device 31 having a fixing roller and a pressure roller, a pair of paper discharge rollers 32, etc. are arranged in the transport and discharge path 30.

[0021] Within the printer section 2, a toner container storage section 33 is provided in the space below the paper discharge stack section 29, which stores toner of each color used for each photosensitive member 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3BK and can transport and supply the toner to the corresponding developing device 6 using a pump or the like.

[0022] In the image forming apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, an operation of forming an image on a sheet P will be described. First, image data included in the print job data is converted into an output image signal and transmitted to the exposure device 8.

[0023] In the exposure device 8, a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser corresponding to image data for yellow is irradiated onto the surface of the photoreceptor 3Y, which has been uniformly charged by the charging roller 4Y, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 3Y. This electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner by a developing device 6Y into a visible image, which is then transferred by a transfer roller 13Y onto an intermediate transfer belt 12 that moves in synchronization with the photoreceptor 3Y.

[0024] Such latent image formation, development, and transfer operations are similarly performed sequentially on the photoreceptors 3M, 3C, and 3BK sides in a timely manner, resulting in a full-color toner image in which toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK) are sequentially superimposed on each other and carried and transported on the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0025] Meanwhile, paper P is fed from either paper feed cassette 23 or 24 and conveyed to registration roller pair 28 through conveyance path 27. Paper P is sent out from registration roller pair 28 in time with the full-color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 12, and the full-color toner image on intermediate transfer belt 12 is transferred onto paper P by the action of secondary transfer roller 18. Paper P with the transferred full-color toner image is conveyed by conveyor belt 35 to fixing device 31, undergoes fixing processing by fixing device 31, and is discharged onto paper discharge stack section 29 by paper discharge roller pair 32.

[0026] In the case of double-sided printing, the paper P after fixing is guided to the reversing path 36 by switching the switching claw 38, and the paper P after reversal is re-fed from the re-feeding path 37 to the pair of registration rollers 28 by switching the switching claw 39, thereby reversing the front and back of the paper P. At this time, a toner image to be the back side image is formed and carried on the intermediate transfer belt 12, and the toner image is transferred to the back side (second side) of the paper P, undergoes fixing processing by the fixing device 31, and is then discharged onto the discharge stack section 29 by the pair of paper discharge rollers 32.

[0027] Although the description has been given in the case of full-color printing, the operation is the same even when printing in a specific color or in black, except that there are photoconductors that are not used.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer unit 2. As shown in FIG.

[0029] The printer unit 2 includes a controller 210, a short-range communication circuit 220, an engine control unit 230, an operation panel 70, and a network I / F 250.

[0030] Of these, the controller 210 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 202, a north bridge (NB) 203, a south bridge (SB) 204, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 206, a local memory (MEM-C) 207, which is a storage unit, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 208, and an HD 209, which is a storage unit. Note that an SSD (Solid State Drive) may be used as the storage unit.

[0031] The NB 203 and the ASIC 206 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 221 .

[0032] Of these, the CPU 201 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1 including the printer unit 2. The NB 203 is a bridge that connects the CPU 201 with the MEM-P 202, the SB 204, and the AGP bus 221, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 202, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0033] The MEM-P 202 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 210, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 202b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0034] The SB 204 is a bridge for connecting the NB 203 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 206 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 221, PCI bus 222, HDD controller 208, and MEM-C 207.

[0035] The ASIC 206 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 206, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 207, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation and the like using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scan processing unit 231 and the print processing unit 232 via a PCI bus 222. Note that the ASIC 206 may be connected via an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394).

[0036] The MEM-C 207 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 209 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, forms, etc. The HD 209 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 209 under the control of the CPU 201.

[0037] The AGP bus 221 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing. The AGP bus 221 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 202 at high throughput.

[0038] The short-range communication circuit 220 also includes a short-range communication antenna 220a. The short-range communication circuit 220 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0039] Furthermore, the engine control unit 230 is made up of a scan processing unit 231 and a print processing unit 232 .

[0040] The controller 210 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 including the printer unit 2, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 70, reading of print results by the reading unit 131, and inspection of read data by the inspection unit 20. The scan processing unit 231 reads an image formed on a transport medium such as paper P to generate image data. The print processing unit 232 includes a transfer unit that transfers an image using color materials such as a toner image onto the transport medium such as paper P, a fixing unit that fixes the image, a heating unit or a drying unit, etc., and forms an image on the paper P. The scan processing unit 231 or the print processing unit 232 also performs image processing such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0041] The paper P is an example of a transport medium. The transport medium may be something other than paper, such as a film or a sheet of plastic, as long as it is placed in a paper feed tray provided in the printer unit 2 and transported and output in accordance with an output instruction for the paper P.

[0042] The network I / F 250 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 220 and the network I / F 250 are electrically connected to the ASIC 206 via a PCI bus 222.

[0043] The operation panel 70 includes a panel display unit 70a, such as a touch panel, that displays current settings, selections, modes, etc. and accepts input from the user, and operation keys 70b, such as a numeric keypad that accepts settings for image formation conditions such as density settings and a start key that accepts a copy start command. The panel display unit 70a is an example of a display unit. The panel display unit 70a accepts touch input from the user, allowing the user to use a finger or a pen to enter numbers into input boxes displayed on the screen, select from pull-down menus, turn check boxes on or off, and perform other operations. The operation keys 70b may also include input means such as a trackball or touchpad in addition to the numeric keypad.

[0044] Although FIG. 2 shows an example in which the printer unit 2 has an electrophotographic image forming mechanism, the printer unit 2 may have another image forming mechanism such as an inkjet type.

[0045] 3 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the printer unit 2. The printer unit 2 includes a system control unit 1001, a display control unit 1002, a network I / F control unit 1003, an external I / F control unit 1004, a storage unit 1005, a mechanism control unit 1006, a print job receiving unit 1007, an image processing control unit 1008, and a printing control unit 1009. Each of these units is realized by the CPU 201 or the ASIC 206 executing processing defined in a program stored in the MEM-P 202 or the MEM-C 207, etc.

[0046] The system control unit 1001 controls the entire printer unit 2. The system control unit 1001 includes a job information processing unit 1011, a detection unit 1012, a determination unit 1013, and an adjustment unit 1014.

[0047] A job information processing unit 1011 extracts job information and image data included in print job data transmitted from a DFE device or the like.

[0048] The detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion of the toner image developed on the surface of the photoconductor 3. More specifically, the detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion using the reflection density of the toner pattern detected by the optical sensor 40. Here, the toner pattern is a test pattern formed by the adjustment unit 1014 to adjust the image creation conditions.

[0049] When adjusting the image forming conditions, the charging bias and developing bias of the developing device 6 are switched, and the photosensitive member 3 is exposed with the laser fully lit, and developed to form a gradation toner pattern (gradation pattern). The toner pattern formed on the photosensitive member 3 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12 by the transfer roller 13. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the toner pattern transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 12.

[0050] Generally, the toner pattern can refer to the entire gradation pattern, or to the individual patterns that make up the gradation pattern. Full lighting means that the area corresponding to the pattern in Figure 4 continues to be exposed to laser light without creating dots.

[0051] The toner patterns are formed at three locations on the photosensitive member 3 in the laser scanning direction (hereinafter referred to as the "main scanning direction"): front (F), rear (R), and center (C), that is, in the end and center regions perpendicular to the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 12. In Figure 4, in each region, from top to bottom, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner patterns are formed, each consisting of ten patterns with different densities.

[0052] The smaller the pattern size, the less toner is consumed. The pattern in this embodiment is rectangular, with a length of 5 mm in the main scanning direction, a length of 7 mm in the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 12 and perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and a spacing of 4 mm between the patterns in the sub-scanning direction. The total length L of the gradation pattern is 434 mm, and the pitch L1 between the photosensitive drums is 110 mm.

[0053] The reflection density of the toner pattern is detected by reflective optical sensors 40F, 40C, and 40R. The subscripts F, C, and R of the symbols indicate the front, center, and rear positions in the main scanning direction, respectively. These subscripts will be omitted below as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 4, optical sensor 40C is installed to detect the pattern density in the central region, and the distance L2 between optical sensor 40C and optical sensors 40F and 40R is 160 mm. Also, in FIG. 4, symbol K indicates a reference point.

[0054] The sensor detection area is preferably 2 mm or less. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the length of the pattern in the sub-scanning direction is 7 mm, but considering the number of data samples and the detection accuracy of the pattern edge, it may be about 5 mm. The length of the pattern in the sub-scanning direction is preferably in the range of 5 to 7 mm. The reflection density of each pattern can be determined from the sensor output of the pattern. The detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion of the toner image developed on the surface of the photosensitive member 3 from these reflection densities.

[0055] A determination unit 1013 determines an adjustment operation for the image forming conditions based on the job information extracted by the job information processing unit 1011, as will be described later.

[0056] The adjustment unit 1014 adjusts the image forming conditions using the detected toner adhesion amount and the determined adjustment operation. Here, the image forming conditions include the charging bias applied to the charging roller 4, the exposure energy of the light irradiated by the exposure device 8, and the developing bias applied to the developing roller 5, and these image forming conditions are adjusted by the adjustment operation.

[0057] Next, the adjustment process of the adjustment unit 1014 will be described. Generally, in the image forming apparatus 1, even if the image density is detected once and density correction is performed, the density may deviate over time, resulting in loss of image stability. In particular, the density tends to deviate when the image forming apparatus 1 has been left unused for a long time, so when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or when it returns from the energy saving mode, the image forming conditions are adjusted to adjust the image density, thereby ensuring image stability.

[0058] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment operation including all operations. First, after the power supply of the optical sensor 40 is turned on in response to the start-up of the print processing unit 232, the adjustment unit 1014 waits until the output of the optical sensor 40 stabilizes (step S101), and then waits until the stirring of the developer is completed (step S102).

[0059] Next, the controller 210 forms a toner pattern, and the detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion of the formed toner pattern (step S103). Subsequently, the adjustment unit 1014 obtains a relationship A between the development potential (the difference between the development bias and the surface potential of the image carrier) and the amount of toner adhesion when each pattern is formed (step S104). Here, the relationship A is, for example, the slope γ of an approximate line obtained by plotting the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion when each pattern is formed on an XY plane and applying the least squares method.

[0060] If relationship A acquired by adjustment unit 1014 does not satisfy the predetermined relationship (step S105: No), controller 210 adjusts the toner concentration and returns the process to step S103 (step S106), repeating steps S103 to S106 until relationship A satisfies the predetermined relationship. For example, controller 210 can adjust the toner concentration of the developer by replenishing or consuming toner, and the slope γ of the approximate line described above can be controlled by changing the toner concentration. For example, if slope γ is larger than a target value, the toner concentration can be lowered, and if slope γ is smaller, the toner concentration can be increased, thereby making slope γ closer to the target value.

[0061] On the other hand, if the relationship A acquired by the adjustment unit 1014 is a predetermined relationship (step S105: Yes), the adjustment unit 1014 calculates the development potential that will result in the target toner adhesion amount from the relationship A (for example, the approximate straight line described above), and determines the image creation conditions (charging bias, exposure energy, development bias) to realize this development potential (step S107).

[0062] Finally, the controller 210 forms a toner pattern under the determined image forming conditions, and the adjustment unit 1014 checks whether the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit 1012 is a desired value (step S108).

[0063] The image forming conditions are adjusted according to the above procedure when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or when it returns from energy saving mode. However, if all of the operations included in the adjustment operation described above are performed, it takes longer before printing can start than if printing is performed after adjustment. However, depending on the content of the job information, some operations can be skipped (excluded). In this embodiment, if the job information satisfies a predetermined condition, the determination unit 1013 excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operation.

[0064] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, when the image forming apparatus 1 is turned on or returns from the energy saving mode, the job information processing unit 1011 extracts job information from the print job data (step S201), and the controller 210 starts the print processing unit 232 (step S202).

[0065] Next, the determination unit 1013 determines whether the extracted job information satisfies a predetermined condition, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S203: Yes), determines an adjustment operation in which the predetermined operation is excluded from the adjustment operation (step S204). On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied (step S204: No), the determination unit 1013 determines an adjustment operation in which the predetermined operation is not excluded from the adjustment operation (normal adjustment operation) (step S209).

[0066] The predetermined condition may be, for example, that the paper type indicated by the job information is plain paper or that the printing type indicated by the job information is monochrome printing. For example, when the paper type is plain paper, text printing is the primary task, so image stability is less important than when printing on paper other than plain paper, such as glossy paper, matte paper, or textured paper. Similarly, when the printing type is monochrome printing, text printing is the primary task, so image stability is also less important. In this way, if it can be determined based on the job information that the job does not require image stability, the predetermined operation can be excluded from the adjustment operation, thereby reducing the time required for adjustment. In other words, when printing on plain paper or monochrome printing, first print time, which reduces waiting time, can be prioritized over image stability. This reduces the waiting time for users.

[0067] The predetermined operations to be excluded include, for example, at least one of the operations in the following items among the procedures of the adjustment operations in FIG. (1) Waiting until the output of the optical sensor that detects the toner density stabilizes (step S101 in FIG. 5). (2) Operation of determining whether the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion is a predetermined relationship (steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 5). (3) Operation for adjusting the toner concentration when the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion is not a predetermined relationship (steps S106 and S103 to S105 in FIG. 5 are repeated) (4) An operation of confirming that the amount of toner adhesion when a test pattern is formed under image forming conditions determined from the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion is a predetermined amount (step S108 in FIG. 5).

[0068] The predetermined operation may include all of the above items (1) to (4), or may include some of the above items (1) to (4). The predetermined operation may also be changed according to predetermined conditions. For example, if image stability is less important when printing in monochrome than when printing on plain paper, the predetermined operation for the former may include some of the items (1) to (4), and the predetermined operation for the latter may include all of the items (1) to (4). Furthermore, the predetermined operation for monochrome printing on plain paper may be all of the items (1) to (4), and the predetermined operation for monochrome printing on paper other than plain paper or color printing on plain paper may be some of the items (1) to (4).

[0069] If the predetermined conditions are met, the adjustment unit 1014 adjusts the image creation conditions by performing adjustment operations that exclude the predetermined operations (step S205). This reduces waiting time. After printing is performed (step S206), the determination unit 1013 determines adjustment operations that do not exclude the predetermined operations (step S207), and the adjustment unit 1014 adjusts the image creation conditions by performing adjustment operations that do not exclude the predetermined operations (normal adjustment operations) (step S208). As a result, even if the predetermined conditions are met, normal adjustments are performed after the first job is printed, and thereafter, printing is performed with image stability ensured regardless of the job. Note that in this embodiment, the above-described steps S207 and S208 may be omitted.

[0070] On the other hand, if the predetermined conditions are not satisfied, the adjustment unit 1014 adjusts the image creation conditions by an adjustment operation that does not exclude the predetermined operation (step S210), and printing is executed (step S211). In this way, in this embodiment, the adjustment operation of the image creation conditions is determined according to the job information, and the image creation conditions are adjusted.

[0071] After the process of step S208 or step S211, the controller 210 suspends the print processing unit 232 (step S212). Note that step S212 may be a procedure of putting the print processing unit 232 into a sleep, standby, energy saving mode, or other state.

[0072] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the adjustment operation excluding certain operations. In this example, all of the above items (1) to (4) are excluded (skipped) from the adjustment operation.

[0073] First, the adjustment unit 1014 waits until the developer stirring is completed (step S301). Next, the controller 210 forms a toner pattern, and the detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion of the formed toner pattern based on the output of the optical sensor 40 (step S302). Next, the adjustment unit 1014 obtains a relationship A between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion when each pattern is formed (step S303). Then, the adjustment unit 1014 calculates a development potential that will achieve a target amount of toner adhesion using the obtained relationship A, and determines the image creation conditions to achieve this development potential (step S304).

[0074] 7, the adjustment operation does not wait for the optical sensor output to stabilize, does not adjust the toner concentration or form a toner pattern again even if the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion is not the specified relationship, and does not form or check a toner pattern under the determined image creation conditions. This allows the time required for the adjustment operation to be significantly reduced compared to the normal adjustment operation described in FIG.

[0075] In this way, according to this embodiment, when the power is turned on or when returning from energy saving mode, for jobs that do not require high image stability, some adjustment operations are skipped, allowing printing to start quickly. Furthermore, if some adjustment operations are skipped, normal adjustments that do not skip are performed after the job is completed, making it possible to print at the desired image density thereafter.

[0076] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, the predetermined condition for excluding a part of the adjustment operation can be selected from a plurality of conditions. In the following description of the second embodiment, the description of the parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0077] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a system control unit 1001 according to the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the system control unit 1001 includes a first selection unit 1015, and a determination unit 1013 excludes some of the adjustment operations based on predetermined conditions selected by the first selection unit 1015.

[0078] The first selection unit 1015 selects a predetermined condition for excluding some of the adjustment operations from the plurality of conditions. The plurality of conditions includes printing conditions that do not require much image stability. The plurality of conditions are, for example, a condition that the paper type indicated by the job information is plain paper and a condition that the printing type indicated by the job information is monochrome printing. The plurality of conditions may be three or more. For example, a condition that the printing type indicated by the job information is draft printing may be added to the above two conditions.

[0079] The first selection unit 1015 selects the conditions selected by the user using the operation panel 70 or the like as the predetermined conditions. Then, the determination unit 1013 determines the adjustment operation of the image formation conditions based on the job information extracted by the job information processing unit 1011 and the predetermined conditions selected by the first selection unit 1015. Specifically, the determination unit 1013 determines a normal adjustment operation in which the predetermined operation is excluded from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition, and the predetermined operation is not excluded from the adjustment operation when the job information does not satisfy the predetermined condition. Note that the predetermined operation to be excluded may be the same for all of the multiple conditions, or may be different for each of the multiple conditions.

[0080] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the first selection unit 1015 selects a predetermined condition from a plurality of conditions (step S401). The following steps S402 to S413 correspond to steps S201 to S212 described in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment, but in step S404, it is determined whether or not the job information satisfies the predetermined condition selected in step S401. The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0081] Thus, according to this embodiment, the predetermined conditions for excluding part of the adjustment operation can be selected from multiple conditions, so that the user can select conditions that prioritize first print time according to their needs.

[0082] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, whether or not to exclude some of the adjustment operations can be selected in advance according to the job information. In the following description of the third embodiment, the description of the parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only the parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0083] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a system control unit 1001 according to the third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the system control unit 1001 includes a second selection unit 1016, and a determination unit 1013 determines the adjustment operation based on the mode selected by the second selection unit 1016.

[0084] The second selection unit 1016 selects either the first mode or the second mode. Here, in the first mode, if the job information satisfies a predetermined condition, the determination unit 1013 excludes a predetermined operation from the adjustment operation. In addition, in the second mode, the determination unit 1013 determines a normal adjustment operation as the adjustment operation regardless of the content of the job information. That is, in the first mode, the skipping of the adjustment operation described in the first embodiment is turned on, and in the second mode, the skipping of the adjustment operation described in the first embodiment is turned off.

[0085] The second selection unit 1016 selects the first mode or the second mode based on a user operation on the operation panel 70 or the like. When the first mode is selected, the determination unit 1013 determines the adjustment operation of the image formation conditions described in the first embodiment based on the job information extracted by the job information processing unit 1011 and predetermined conditions. When the second mode is selected, the determination unit 1013 determines, as the adjustment operation, a normal adjustment operation that does not exclude predetermined operations from the adjustment operation, regardless of the job information.

[0086] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the second selection unit 1016 selects the first mode or the second mode (step S501). The operations of the subsequent steps S502 and S503 are the same as steps S201 and S202 described in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.

[0087] Next, if the first mode is selected, the controller 210 proceeds to step S505 (step S504: Yes), and if the second mode is selected, the controller 210 proceeds to step S511 (step S504: No). The remaining operations of steps S505 to S514 are the same as the operations of steps S203 to S212 described in FIG. 6 of the first embodiment.

[0088] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to select a mode in which the skipping of adjustment operations is turned on or off, so that the user can select in advance whether to prioritize first print time or image stability according to their needs.

[0089] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, the functions of the determination unit 1013, first selection unit 1015, and second selection unit 1016 may be provided on the operation panel 70 instead of the system control unit 1001 of the printer unit 2. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These novel embodiments and their modifications are within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. Furthermore, components from different embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0090] The programs executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of each of the above-described embodiments are provided as files in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0091] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of each embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of each embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0092] The programs of the embodiments may be provided in a state where they are pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0093] The program executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of each embodiment has a modular structure including the above-mentioned units (job information processing unit 1011, detection unit 1012, determination unit 1013, adjustment unit 1014, etc.), and in terms of actual hardware, the CPU (processor) reads and executes the program from the above-mentioned recording medium, thereby loading the above-mentioned units onto the main memory, and the job information processing unit 1011, detection unit 1012, determination unit 1013, adjustment unit 1014, etc. are generated on the main memory.

[0094] Furthermore, each function of each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the above-described functions.

[0095] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> The image forming device comprises a detection unit that detects the amount of toner adhesion of a toner image developed on the surface of an image carrier, a determination unit that determines an adjustment operation for image creation conditions based on job information, which is information about a print job, and an adjustment unit that adjusts the image creation conditions using the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit and the adjustment operation determined by the determination unit, wherein the determination unit excludes a specified operation from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies a specified condition. <2> the determining unit determines an adjustment operation that does not exclude the predetermined operation after printing is executed when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition, and the adjusting unit adjusts the image creation conditions using the adjustment operation that does not exclude the predetermined operation; <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <3> The image forming apparatus further includes a charging roller that charges the surface of the image carrier, an exposure device that forms a latent image on the image carrier, and a developing roller that develops a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, and the adjustment unit adjusts the charging bias applied to the charging roller, the exposure energy of light irradiated by the exposure device, and the developing bias applied to the developing roller as the image forming conditions. <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <4> The predetermined operation excluded from the adjustment operation includes at least one of an operation of waiting until the output of an optical sensor that detects the toner concentration becomes stable, an operation of determining whether or not the relationship between the development potential, which is the difference between the development bias and the surface potential of the image carrier, and the toner adhesion amount satisfies a predetermined relationship, an operation of adjusting the toner concentration when the relationship between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount does not satisfy the predetermined relationship, and an operation of confirming that the toner adhesion amount when a test pattern is formed under an image creation condition determined from the relationship between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount is a predetermined adhesion amount. <3> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <5> the determining unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjusting operations when the job information indicates a job that does not often require image stability; <1> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <6> the determining unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the type of paper indicated by the job information is plain paper; <1> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <7> the determining unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the type of printing indicated by the job information is monochrome printing; <1> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <8> a first selection unit that selects the predetermined condition from a plurality of conditions, the plurality of conditions including a condition that the paper type indicated by the job information is plain paper and a condition that the printing type indicated by the job information is monochrome printing; <1> ~ <7> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <9> The apparatus further includes a second selection unit that selects either a first mode in which the determination unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition, or a second mode in which the determination unit does not exclude the predetermined operation from the adjustment operation regardless of the job information. <1> ~ <8> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <10> An image forming method executed by an image forming device, comprising: a detection step for detecting the amount of toner adhesion of a toner image developed on the surface of an image carrier; a determination step for determining an adjustment operation for image forming conditions based on job information, which is information about a print job; and an adjustment step for adjusting the image forming conditions using the amount of toner adhesion detected in the detection step and the adjustment operation determined in the determination step, wherein the determination step excludes a specified operation from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies a specified condition. <11> This program causes a computer to function as a detection means for detecting the amount of toner adhesion in a toner image developed on the surface of an image carrier, a determination means for determining an adjustment operation for image creation conditions based on job information, which is information about a print job, and an adjustment means for adjusting the image creation conditions using the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection means and the adjustment operation determined by the determination means, wherein the determination means excludes a specified operation from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies a specified condition. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Image forming device 2 Printer section 60 Reversal section 70 Operation Panel 210 Controller 230 Engine control unit 231 Scan processing section 232 Print processing unit 1001 System control unit 1011 Job information processing unit 1012 Detection unit 1013 Decision Section 1014 Adjustment section 1015 First Selection Section 1016 Second Selection Section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0097] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-021233

Claims

1. a detection unit that detects the amount of toner attached to the toner image developed on the surface of the image carrier; a determination unit that determines an adjustment operation for image forming conditions based on job information that is information about a print job; an adjusting unit that adjusts image forming conditions using the toner adhesion amount detected by the detecting unit and the adjusting operation determined by the determining unit, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the determination unit excludes a predetermined operation from the adjustment operation when the job information satisfies a predetermined condition.

2. the determination unit determines an adjustment operation after printing is executed, the adjustment operation not excluding the predetermined operation, when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the image forming conditions using an adjustment operation that does not exclude the predetermined operation.

3. a charging roller for charging the surface of the image carrier; an exposure device for forming a latent image on the image carrier; a developing roller for developing a toner image on the surface of the image carrier, 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the charging bias applied to the charging roller, the exposure energy of the light irradiated by the exposure device, and the developing bias applied to the developing roller as the image forming conditions.

4. The predetermined operations excluded from the adjustment operations are: an operation of waiting until the output of an optical sensor for detecting toner density becomes stable; an operation of determining whether or not a relationship between a development potential, which is a difference between the development bias and the surface potential of the image carrier, and the toner adhesion amount satisfies a predetermined relationship; an operation of adjusting the toner concentration when the relationship between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount is not the predetermined relationship; an operation of confirming that the amount of toner adhesion when a test pattern is formed under image forming conditions determined from the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion is a predetermined amount of toner adhesion; The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , comprising at least one of the following:

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the job information indicates a job that does not often require image stability.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the type of paper indicated by the job information is plain paper.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the type of printing indicated by the job information is monochrome printing.

8. a first selection unit that selects the predetermined condition from a plurality of conditions; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of conditions include a condition that the type of paper indicated by the job information is plain paper, and a condition that the type of printing indicated by the job information is monochrome printing.

9. a first mode in which the determination unit excludes the predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a second mode in which the determination unit does not exclude the predetermined operation from the adjusting operation regardless of the job information; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second selection unit that selects one of the following:

10. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus, a detecting step of detecting an amount of toner adhered to the toner image developed on the surface of the image carrier; a determination step of determining an adjustment operation for image forming conditions based on job information that is information about a print job; an adjusting step of adjusting an image forming condition using the amount of toner adhesion detected in the detecting step and the adjusting operation determined in the determining step, The image forming method, wherein the determining step excludes a predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the job information satisfies a predetermined condition.

11. Computer, a detecting means for detecting the amount of toner attached to the toner image developed on the surface of the image carrier; a determining unit for determining an adjustment operation for image forming conditions based on job information, which is information about a print job; and an adjusting unit that adjusts image forming conditions using the toner adhesion amount detected by the detecting unit and the adjusting operation determined by the determining unit, The program, wherein the determining means excludes a predetermined operation from the adjustment operations when the job information satisfies a predetermined condition.

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