Information processing system and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and program capable of acquiring less-noise binarized data as compared with acquiring binarized data by the use of one threshold when acquiring binarized data on a toner image with a plurality of colors differing in detection sensitivity.SOLUTION: An information processing system is configured to: detect a toner image with a plurality of colors formed on a medium to be detected by a reflection type detection device; acquire first binarized data by binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device based upon a first threshold; acquire second binarized data by binarizing the detection signal of the toner image by the detection device based upon a second threshold lower than the first threshold; and acquire third binarized data by putting data of the first binarized data in a section where data is absent in a set period or longer in the second binarized data together with the section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an image forming device that, when a different binary threshold is set for each color in color shift detection control, eliminates false detection of the amount of color shift due to the threshold not being changed in time when the density of the color shift detection pattern fluctuates.

[0003] Patent document 2 describes an image forming device that prevents an increase in the time required to adjust the misalignment of toner images and unnecessary toner consumption, even when noise is contained in the toner images used to adjust the misalignment of toner images of each color, without forming toner images for adjusting the misalignment of toner images of each color again.

[0004] Patent Document 3 describes an image forming apparatus that detects the position of an image position detecting toner image with high accuracy even when a density detecting means and an image position detecting means are used together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-117324 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-064964 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-042884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system and program that, when acquiring binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, can acquire binary data with less noise compared to acquiring binary data using a single threshold value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing system of a first aspect includes a processor, which detects a toner image of multiple colors formed on a medium to be detected using a reflective detection device, binarizes the detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binary data, binarizes the detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binary data, and for sections in the second binary data where there is no data for a set period of time or more, combines data from the same section in the first binary data to obtain third binary data.

[0008] An information processing system of a second aspect is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the processor removes pulse data having a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width from the third binarized data.

[0009] An information processing system of a third aspect is the information processing system of the second aspect, wherein the processor removes pulse data having a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width in a synthesis section in the third binarized data.

[0010] An information processing system of a fourth aspect is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the first threshold value is a value that enables detection of a color with the lowest detection sensitivity.

[0011] An information processing system of a fifth aspect is the information processing system of the fourth aspect, wherein the second threshold value is a value that allows detection of at least the color with the highest detection sensitivity.

[0012] The program of the sixth aspect causes a computer to execute the following steps: detecting a toner image of multiple colors formed on a medium to be detected using a reflective detection device; binarizing the detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binary data; binarizing the detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binary data; and, for sections in the second binary data where there is no data for a set period of time or more, combining data of the same section in the first binary data to obtain third binary data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the information processing system of the first aspect, when obtaining binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise compared to obtaining binary data using a single threshold value.

[0014] According to the information processing system of the second aspect, it is possible to remove pulse data that is considered to be noise.

[0015] According to the information processing system of the third aspect, pulse data that is considered to be noise can be removed with less processing than when removing pulse data with a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width in all sections of the third binary data.

[0016] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect, it is possible to detect toner images of all colors formed on the detection target medium.

[0017] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect, it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise than when detecting toner images of all colors formed on the medium to be detected and then obtaining binary data using a single threshold value.

[0018] According to the program of the sixth aspect, when obtaining binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise compared to obtaining binary data using a single threshold value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating an example of a toner image for adjusting misregistration in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical sensor in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a method of adjusting misregistration in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for acquiring binary data from a detection signal of an optical sensor. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for acquiring binary data from a detection signal of an optical sensor in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining a method of acquiring binarized data in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow when adjusting misregistration in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] [Image forming equipment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a storage section 12 for storing paper sheets PP, a transport section 11 for transporting the paper sheets PP along a transport path 19, and image forming units 30 and 50 for forming toner images to be transferred onto the paper sheets PP. The image forming apparatus 10 is an example of an information processing system according to the technology of the present disclosure.

[0022] The storage section 12 can be pulled out from the image forming apparatus main body 10A, which is the main body of the image forming apparatus 10, and stores paper PP.

[0023] The conveying section 11 includes, in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction, a delivery roll 13, a conveying roll 14, a pair of registration rolls 15, a conveying belt device 20, a fixing device 18, and a discharge roll 17.

[0024] The delivery roll 13 delivers the paper sheet PP stored in the storage section 12 to a transport path 19 that constitutes the transport section 11. The transport roll 14 transports the paper sheet PP along the transport path 19.

[0025] The pair of registration rolls 15 transports the sheet PP transported by the transport rolls 14 to a secondary transfer position TJ2 on the downstream side, which will be described later. The pair of registration rolls 15 sandwiches the sheet PP between a registration roll 15A and a pinch roll 15B, and transports the sheet PP downstream in the transport direction.

[0026] The conveyor belt device 20 transfers the toner images formed by the image forming units 30 and 50 onto the paper PP, while conveying the paper PP downstream in the conveying direction along the conveying path 19. Details of the conveyor belt device 20 will be described later.

[0027] The fixing device 18 has a pair of fixing rolls 16, and heats and presses the paper PP onto which the toner image has been transferred as it passes between the pair of fixing rolls 16, thereby fixing the toner image to the paper PP.

[0028] The discharge rollers 17 discharge the paper PP onto which the toner image has been fixed by the fixing device 18 to the discharge section 9.

[0029] The image forming unit 30 and the image forming unit 50 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 50 is arranged above the image forming unit 30. From another perspective, the image forming unit 50 is arranged downstream of the image forming unit 30 in the paper transport direction.

[0030] The image forming unit 30 forms toner images of special colors other than the basic colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), for example. The image forming unit 30 includes four image forming sections 32 and an endless intermediate transfer belt 40. The intermediate transfer belt 40 has the toner images formed by the four image forming sections 32 transferred thereto and is mounted so as to be rotatable counterclockwise when viewed from the front in FIG. 1.

[0031] The image forming units 32 include, for example, image forming unit 32P that forms a toner image of the special color pink (P), image forming unit 32S that forms a toner image of silver (S), image forming unit 32G that forms a toner image of gold (G), and image forming unit 32Gr that forms a toner image of the special color green (Gr). These four image forming units 32 are arranged in the following order from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 40 (the side closer to the support roll 44 described later): image forming unit 32P, image forming unit 32S, image forming unit 32G, and image forming unit 32Gr.

[0032] In the following description, the upstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 40 is referred to as the "upstream side in the rotation direction," and the downstream side in the rotation direction is referred to as the "downstream side in the rotation direction." That is, in the image forming unit 32, the image forming unit 32Gr is disposed on the most downstream side in the rotation direction. In addition, in the image forming unit 32, the image forming unit 32Gr is disposed at a position closest to the secondary transfer position TJ2.

[0033] In addition, when there is no need to distinguish between P, S, G, and Gr, they will be omitted.

[0034] 2, the image forming unit 32 includes a photoconductor 33, a charging member 34 that charges the surface of the photoconductor 33, an exposure device 35 that irradiates the charged photoconductor 33 with light, and a developing device 36 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed by the exposure light and visualizes it as a toner image. The developing device 36 has a developing roll 39, and a developing bias is applied to it.

[0035] Furthermore, primary transfer rolls 37P, 37S, 37G, and 37Gr are disposed opposite the photoconductors 33 with the intermediate transfer belt 40 interposed therebetween, and transfer the toner images formed by the image forming unit 32 onto the intermediate transfer belt 40. The intermediate transfer belt 40 is wound around a support roll 44 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 40 and a backup roll 42 that is disposed in a secondary transfer unit 74 on the upstream side, which will be described later. The photoconductors 33, the primary transfer rolls 37, and the intermediate transfer belt 40 form a primary transfer unit 70. The positions between the photoconductors 33P, 33S, 33G, and 33Gr and the intermediate transfer belt 40 are designated as primary transfer positions TP1, TS1, TG1, and TGr1, respectively.

[0036] The image forming unit 50 has the same configuration as the image forming unit 30 except for the colors of the images it forms. The image forming unit 50 forms toner images of the basic colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

[0037] The image forming unit 50 includes four image forming sections 52 and an intermediate transfer belt 60. The intermediate transfer belt 60 has toner images formed by the four image forming sections 52 transferred thereto and is mounted so as to be rotatable counterclockwise when viewed from the front in FIG.

[0038] 2, the image forming section 52 has the same configuration as the image forming section 32 of the image forming unit 30 except for the color of the image formed. The intermediate transfer belt 60 and the primary transfer roll 57, which will be described later, also have the same configuration as the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the primary transfer roll 37 of the image forming unit 30. The other components of the image forming unit 50 are also the same as those of the image forming unit 30.

[0039] The image forming unit 52 includes an image forming unit 52Y that forms a yellow toner image, an image forming unit 52M that forms a magenta toner image, an image forming unit 52C that forms a cyan toner image, and an image forming unit 52K that forms a black toner image. The four image forming units 52 are arranged in the following order from the upstream side in the rotation direction (the side closest to the support roll 64, described later): image forming unit 52Y, image forming unit 52M, image forming unit 52C, and image forming unit 52K. In other words, of the image forming units 52, the image forming unit 52K is arranged furthest downstream in the rotation direction. Furthermore, of the image forming units 52, the image forming unit 52K is arranged in a position closest to the secondary transfer position TK2.

[0040] It should be noted that when there is no need to distinguish between Y, M, C, and K, they will be omitted.

[0041] The image forming section 52 includes a photoreceptor 53, a charging member 54, an exposure device 55, and a developing device 56. The developing device 56 has a developing roll 59, and a developing bias is applied to it.

[0042] Additionally, primary transfer rolls 57Y, 57M, 57C, and 57K are disposed at positions facing each photoconductor 53 with the intermediate transfer belt 60 interposed therebetween. The intermediate transfer belt 60 is wound around a support roll 64 and a backup roll 62 disposed in a downstream secondary transfer unit 76, which will be described later. The photoconductors 53, primary transfer rolls 57, and intermediate transfer belt 60 constitute a primary transfer unit 72. The positions between the photoconductors 53Y, 53M, 53C, and 53K and the intermediate transfer belt 60 are designated primary transfer positions TY1, TM1, TC1, and TK1, respectively.

[0043] Next, a detailed description will be given of the conveyor belt device 20. As shown in Fig. 1, the conveyor belt device 20 includes an endless conveyor belt 21, support rolls 22 and 23 that support the conveyor belt 21, and secondary transfer rolls 24 and 25 that are arranged in positions facing the backup rolls 42 and 62 with the intermediate transfer belts 40 and 60 interposed therebetween.

[0044] The secondary transfer roll 24 sandwiches the paper PP and the conveyor belt 21 between itself and the backup roll 42, and transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40 of the image forming unit 30 onto the paper PP. Similarly, the secondary transfer roll 25 sandwiches the paper PP and the conveyor belt 21 between itself and the backup roll 62, and transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 of the image forming unit 50 onto the paper PP.

[0045] The backup roll 42, the secondary transfer roll 24, and the intermediate transfer belt 40 constitute a secondary transfer unit 74. The backup roll 62, the secondary transfer roll 25, and the intermediate transfer belt 60 constitute a secondary transfer unit 76.

[0046] A transfer bias is applied to each of the secondary transfer rolls 24 and 25.

[0047] Further, the space between the intermediate transfer belt 40 of the image forming unit 30 and the conveyor belt 21 is defined as a secondary transfer position TJ2, and the space between the intermediate transfer belt 60 of the image forming unit 50 and the conveyor belt 21 is defined as a secondary transfer position TK2. The secondary transfer position TK2 is the most downstream secondary transfer position.

[0048] The conveyor belt device 20 also includes a belt cleaning device 78 that cleans the conveyor belt 21. The belt cleaning device 78 performs cleaning downstream of the most downstream secondary transfer position TK2 in the paper conveying direction and downstream of an optical sensor 150, which will be described later. The position on the conveyor belt 21 that is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 78 is referred to as a cleaning position CL.

[0049] In this embodiment, the toner image BC used for misregistration adjustment has the pattern shown in FIG.

[0050] The toner image BC includes eight toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan, black, special pink, silver, gold, and special green. The toner images of each color have the same shape and include horizontal lines and diagonal lines that extend in the main scanning direction (the up-and-down direction in the figure) of the image forming units 30 and 50.

[0051] The toner images BC are arranged in three rows, each extending in the sub-scanning direction (left-right direction in the drawing) of the image forming units 30 and 50. The patterns in each row are the same, with black toner images BCK and toner images of colors other than black arranged alternately. The toner images are also arranged at equal intervals.

[0052] In this way, by using three rows of toner images BC extending in the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to independently adjust positional deviations at three locations in the main scanning direction (for example, both ends and the center).

[0053] The toner image BC for adjusting misalignment is formed as follows: First, as shown in Fig. 3(A), of the toner image BC, the pink toner image BCP, the silver toner image BCS, the gold toner image BCG, and the green toner image BCGr are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40.

[0054] Also, as shown in Figure 3(B), of the toner image BC, the yellow toner image BCY, the magenta toner image BCM, the cyan toner image BCC, and the black toner image BCK are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 60.

[0055] Finally, as shown in FIG. 3C, the toner image BC that has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belts 40 and 60 is secondarily transferred onto the conveyor belt 21, becoming a toner image BC for adjusting positional deviation.

[0056] 1, an optical sensor 150, which is an example of a detection device that detects a toner image BC that has been secondarily transferred onto the conveyor belt 21, is provided at a position facing the support roll 23 across the conveyor belt 21. The optical sensor 150 is a reflective detection device that detects the toner image BC by irradiating light onto the medium to be detected and detecting the light that is reflected back from the medium to be detected.

[0057] The optical sensor 150 is disposed downstream of the most downstream secondary transfer position TK2. From another perspective, the optical sensor 150 is disposed at a position where it can detect all of the toner images BC formed by all of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, 32W, 52T, 52S, 52G, and 52K.

[0058] The optical sensor 150 detects the toner image BC at a flat portion 21Q between the secondary transfer position TK2 and the upper support roll 23 around which the conveyor belt 21 is wound. In this embodiment, the optical sensor 150 detects the toner image BC at a position facing the support roll 23 in the flat portion 21Q.

[0059] The position of the optical sensor 150 is not limited to the above position, and in this embodiment, it is sufficient that it is placed at a position where it can detect the toner image BC upstream in the rotation direction of the most downstream secondary transfer position TK2 and upstream in the rotation direction of the cleaning position CL.

[0060] The optical sensor 150 of this embodiment has three detection units 150A, 150B, and 150C arranged at intervals along the axial direction of each roll, as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the detection units 150A, 150B, and 150C is disposed at a position corresponding to each row of the toner image BC for misalignment adjustment shown in Fig. 3.

[0061] The axial direction of each roll corresponds to the main scanning direction in the image forming units 30 and 50. The conveying direction of the conveyor belt 21 corresponds to the sub-scanning direction in the image forming units 30 and 50.

[0062] [Control Unit] Next, the control unit 80 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 80 is electrically connected to the image forming unit 30, the image forming unit 50, the communication unit 90, the nonvolatile memory 92, the supply device 120, the optical sensor 150, and the power supply device 159.

[0064] The control unit 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83, and an input / output interface (I / O) 84, which are connected to each other via a bus.

[0065] Here, the ROM 82 stores an image formation control program (not shown) that is executed by the CPU 81. The CPU 81 reads the image formation control program (not shown) from the ROM 82 and loads it into the RAM 83, thereby executing printing processing according to the image formation control program (not shown).

[0066] Also connected to the I / O 84 are the image forming unit 30, the image forming unit 50, a communication unit 90, and a non-volatile memory 92. The communication unit 90 is an interface for mutual data communication between a terminal device such as a personal computer (not shown) and the image forming apparatus 10. The non-volatile memory 92 stores information necessary for the image forming apparatus 10 to perform an image forming operation.

[0067] The control unit 80 performs various controls to form a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the image forming unit 32 of each color in the image forming unit 30. Similarly, the control unit 80 performs various controls to form a toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 60 by the image forming unit 52 of each color in the image forming unit 50.

[0068] The control unit 80 also controls the developing biases applied to the developing rolls 39 and 59 of the developing devices 36 and 56. Furthermore, the control unit 80 controls the transfer biases applied to the secondary transfer rolls 24 and 25, respectively.

[0069] The control unit 80 also controls the timing, time, and amount of toner supplied from the toner cartridges of each color to the developing devices 36 and 56 .

[0070] Furthermore, the detection value of the toner image BC detected by the optical sensor 150 is input to the control unit 80. Then, based on these detection values, the timing of forming the toner image on the intermediate transfer belts 40 and 60 of the image forming units 30 and 50, specifically, the timing of exposure of the exposure devices 35 and 55, the developing bias applied to the developing rolls 39 and 59, the transfer bias applied to the secondary transfer rolls 24 and 25, etc. are controlled.

[0071] The details of various controls based on the detection value of the toner image BC detected by the optical sensor 150 will be described later.

[0072] [Image forming process] Next, an outline of the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

[0073] First, the control unit 80 controls each image forming unit 32 so that a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40 of the image forming unit 30. Similarly, the control unit 80 controls each image forming unit 52 so that a toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 of the image forming unit 50.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 80 applies a voltage to the charging members 34, 54, which charge the surfaces of the photoconductors 33, 53 to a predetermined potential. Next, the control unit 80 causes the exposure devices 35, 55 to irradiate light onto the surfaces of the photoconductors 33, 53 charged by the charging members 34, 54 based on image data acquired via the communication unit 90, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. As a result, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on the surfaces of the photoconductors 33, 53.

[0075] Next, the control unit 80 controls the developing devices 36, 56 to develop the electrostatic latent images formed by the exposure devices 35, 55, and visualize them as toner images. Furthermore, the control unit 80 controls the primary transfer rolls 37, 57 to transfer the toner images formed on the surfaces of the photoreceptors 33, 53 of each color onto the intermediate transfer belts 40, 60 in a superimposed manner.

[0076] In this way, in the image forming unit 30, a toner image in which, for example, special color pink, silver, gold, and special color green toners are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40. Similarly, in the image forming unit 50, a toner image in which, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toners are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60.

[0077] When the toner image is transferred onto the conveyor belt 21, the transfer area of ​​the conveyor belt 21 is sent to the secondary transfer position TJ2 under the control of the control unit 80. At this secondary transfer position TJ2, the conveyor belt 21 is conveyed between the backup roll 42 and the secondary transfer roll 24, so that the toner image on the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 40 is transferred onto the conveyor belt 21. Then, the transfer area of ​​the conveyor belt 21 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction to reach the secondary transfer position TK2 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0078] At this time, the control unit 80 adjusts the timing at which image formation begins so that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 of the image forming unit 50 is transferred and superimposed on the toner image on the transfer area of ​​the conveying belt 21 conveyed from the upstream side in the conveying direction.

[0079] Furthermore, when a toner image is transferred to paper PP, paper PP is sent from storage unit 12 to transport path 19 by delivery roll 13, and the transport timing is adjusted by registration roll pair 15 under the control of control unit 80, and then paper PP is sent to secondary transfer position TJ2. At secondary transfer position TJ2, paper PP is transported between backup roll 42 and secondary transfer roll 24, so that the toner image on the outer peripheral surface of intermediate transfer belt 40 is transferred to paper PP. Then, paper PP with the toner image transferred thereto is transported downstream in the transport direction to secondary transfer position TK2, which is also downstream in the transport direction.

[0080] At this time, the control unit 80 adjusts the timing for starting image formation so that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 60 of the image forming unit 50 is transferred and superimposed on the toner image on the paper PP transported from the upstream side in the transport direction.

[0081] The paper PP onto which the toner images of each color formed by the image forming unit 30 and the image forming unit 50 are superimposed and transferred is fixed by the pair of fixing rolls 16 of the fixing device 18, and then discharged by the discharge roll 17 to the discharge section 9 provided at the top of the image forming device main body 10A.

[0082] [Adjust position misalignment] Next, we will explain the so-called color registration control, which is the adjustment of the positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction of the images obtained by superimposing the toner images of the special colors pink, silver, gold, green, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black formed by the image forming sections 32 of the image forming unit 30 and the image forming sections 52 of the image forming unit 50. Note that the color registration control in this embodiment is performed by timing the exposure of the exposure devices 35 and 55.

[0083] Specifically, the toner image BC for adjusting the positional deviation transferred onto the conveyor belt 21 is detected by the optical sensor 150, and the exposure timing of the exposure devices 35P, 35S, 35G, 35Gr, 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55K is adjusted so that the toner image BC is positioned at a predetermined position.

[0084] Any method may be used to adjust the positional deviation, but in this embodiment, the positional deviation is adjusted as follows.

[0085] In this embodiment, the positional deviation is adjusted based on the black toner image BCK in the toner image BC for positional deviation adjustment, as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, the positional deviation of the toner images of the colors sandwiched between the two black toner images BCK (hereinafter referred to as toner images BCn of the other colors) is adjusted as follows.

[0086] Main scanning misalignment: "The center position of the centers of gravity of the diagonal lines of the two black toner images BCK" - "The center position of the centers of gravity of the diagonal lines of the other color toner images BCn" - "Misalignment in the sub-scanning direction"

[0087] Misalignment in the cross-scan direction: "The center position of the horizontal lines of the two black toner images BCK" - "The center position of the horizontal lines of the other color toner images BCn"

[0088] The above adjustment is performed for the special colors pink, silver, gold, green, yellow, magenta, and cyan, excluding black.

[0089] [Effect] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0090] As described above, the adjustment of misregistration in the image forming apparatus 10 is performed by detecting the position of each color in the toner image BC for misregistration adjustment detected by the optical sensor 150.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, the position of each color in the toner image BC is detected by binarizing the detection signal obtained by detecting the toner image BC using the optical sensor 150 using a predetermined threshold value to obtain binary data, and then identifying the position on the time axis of the pulse data for each color in the binary data.

[0092] Here, the lower the threshold value used for binarizing the detection signal, the more resistant it is to false detection due to noise in the detection signal, and the more noise can be reduced in the binarized data.

[0093] However, in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the toner colors include silver and gold. When these toner colors with high reflectivity are detected by the optical sensor 150, the drop in the detection signal is smaller than that of other toner colors.

[0094] Therefore, if the threshold value used when binarizing the detection signal is set too low, there is a risk that toner colors with high reflectance, such as silver and gold, will not be detected in the binarized data.

[0095] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the control unit 80 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment detects the toner image BC for adjusting misalignment formed on the medium using the optical sensor 150, and as shown in Figures 8 and 9, binarizes the detection signal of the toner image by the optical sensor 150 using a first threshold value to obtain first binary data, binarizes the detection signal of the toner image by the optical sensor 150 using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binary data, and for sections in the second binary data where there is no data for a set period or more, combines the data of the same section in the first binary data to obtain third binary data.

[0096] Here, the first threshold value is a value that allows detection of a color with the lowest detection sensitivity. Note that the "color with the lowest detection sensitivity" is a color that is most difficult to detect by the optical sensor 150, for example, a color with the highest reflectance of measurement light. The second threshold value is a value that allows detection of at least a color with the highest detection sensitivity.

[0097] The medium on which the toner image BC for adjusting the positional deviation is formed may be either the conveyor belt 21 or the paper PP.

[0098] The processing of the control unit 80 in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0099] First, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 9, the control unit 80 binarizes the toner image detection signal from the optical sensor 150 using a first threshold value to obtain first binarized data. In Fig. 9, white pulse data indicates normal pulse data, gray pulse data indicates noise data, and gray and hatched pulse data indicates inappropriate pulse data.

[0100] As described above, the first threshold value is set to a value that allows detection of the color with the lowest detection sensitivity, so the first binarized data includes data of all colors, including silver and gold.

[0101] Next, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 9, the control unit 80 binarizes the detection signal of the toner image by the optical sensor 150 using a second threshold value to obtain second binarized data.

[0102] As described above, the second threshold is set to a value lower than the first threshold and capable of detecting at least the color with the highest detection sensitivity. Therefore, although the second binarized data has less noise than the first binarized data, there is a risk that data for some colors may be missing.

[0103] Finally, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 9, the control unit 80 combines data from the first binarized data with data from the same section in the second binarized data for a section where there is no data for a set period or longer (the section surrounded by a dotted line in the figure) to obtain third binarized data. Note that in the lower part of Fig. 9, noise data is removed from the combined section, which will be described in detail later.

[0104] Here, we will explain in detail what is meant by "a section where there is no data for a set period of time or longer." Because the toner image BC for adjusting positional deviation has a periodic pattern, it is assumed that pulse data is generated periodically at regular intervals in the binary data.

[0105] On the time axis, the time from the falling edge of one pulse data to the rising edge of the next pulse data can be estimated from the pattern of the toner image BC.

[0106] Therefore, by setting the set period to a time that is longer than the time from the falling edge of one pulse data to the rising edge of the next pulse data, and shorter than the time from the falling edge of one pulse data to the rising edge of the next pulse data, it is possible to detect missing pulse data.

[0107] By performing the above processing, when obtaining binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise compared to obtaining binary data using a single threshold value.

[0108] In the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 80 may be configured to remove pulse data with a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width in all sections of the third binary data, as shown in the lower part of Figure 9.

[0109] Here, "pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width" refers to pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the pulse width estimated from the pattern of the toner image BC. Such pulse data is considered to be noise data.

[0110] The flow of processing when adjusting misalignment in the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.

[0111] First, in step S01, the control unit 80 determines whether or not to perform positional deviation adjustment. If it is determined in step S01 that positional deviation adjustment is not to be performed, the control unit 80 ends the process.

[0112] If it is determined in step S01 that misregistration adjustment is to be performed, the control unit 80 detects a toner image for misregistration adjustment using the optical sensor 150 in step S02.

[0113] Next, in step S03, the control unit 80 sets a first threshold value and a second threshold value.

[0114] Next, in step S04, the control unit 80 acquires the first binarized data and the second binarized data.

[0115] Next, in step S05, the control unit 80 combines data from the first binary data for a section in the second binary data where there is no data for a set period of time or more, to obtain third binary data.

[0116] Next, in step S06, the control unit 80 removes pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width from the third binarized data.

[0117] Next, in step S07, the control unit 80 obtains the amount of misregistration between colors from the third binarized data.

[0118] Finally, in step S08, the control unit 80 calculates correction values ​​from the amounts of misregistration between colors, adjusts the exposure timings of the exposure devices 35P, 35S, 35G, 35Gr, 55Y, 55M, 55C, and 55K, and ends the process.

[0119] [Variations] The image forming apparatus 10 has been described above as one embodiment of the information processing system of the present disclosure, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0120] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 80 is configured to remove pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width in all sections of the third binary data, but it may also be configured to remove pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width only in the synthesis section of the third binary data.

[0121] Furthermore, the number of image forming units provided in the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0123] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0124] [Note] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0125] (((1))) a processor; The processor: A toner image of multiple colors formed on a detection medium is detected by a reflective detection device, binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binarized data; a detection signal of the toner image detected by the detection device is binarized using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binarized data; For a section in the second binary data where there is no data for a set period or more, data of the same section in the first binary data is combined to obtain third binary data. Information processing system.

[0126] (((2))) The processor: In the third binarized data, pulse data having a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width is removed. The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0127] (((3))) The processor: In the synthesis section of the third binarized data, pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width is removed. The information processing system according to (((2))).

[0128] (((4))) The first threshold is a value at which the color with the lowest detection sensitivity can be detected. 1. An information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((3))).

[0129] (((5))) The second threshold is a value at which at least the most sensitive color can be detected. The information processing system according to (((4))).

[0130] (((6))) detecting a toner image of a plurality of colors formed on a detection medium by a reflective detection device; a step of binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binarized data; a step of binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binarized data; a step of acquiring third binarized data by combining data of the same section in the first binarized data with data of the same section in the second binarized data for a set period or more in the second binarized data; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0131] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0132] According to the information processing system (((1))), when acquiring binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, it is possible to acquire binary data with less noise than when acquiring binary data using a single threshold value.

[0133] According to the information processing system (((2))), pulse data that is considered to be noise can be removed.

[0134] According to the information processing system (((3))), pulse data that is considered to be noise can be removed with less processing than when removing pulse data with a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width in all sections of the third binary data.

[0135] According to the information processing system (((4))), it is possible to detect toner images of all colors formed on a detection target medium.

[0136] According to the information processing system (((5))), it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise than when toner images of all colors formed on the medium to be detected and then obtain binary data using a single threshold value.

[0137] According to the program (((6))), when obtaining binary data of toner images of multiple colors with different detection sensitivities, it is possible to obtain binary data with less noise than when obtaining binary data using a single threshold value. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10 Image forming device 11 Conveying section 12 Storage section 13 Sending Roll 14 Transport roll 15 Resist Roll Pair 16 Fixing roll pair 17 Ejection roll 18 Fixing device 19 Transport Route 20 Conveyor belt device 21 Conveyor belt 24, 25 Secondary transfer roll 30 Image forming unit 32 Image forming unit 40 Intermediate transfer belt 42 Backup Roll 44 Support Roll 50 Image forming unit 52 Image forming unit 60 Intermediate transfer belt 62 Backup Roll 64 Support Roll 78 Belt cleaning device 80 Control Unit 81 CPU 82 ROM 83 RAM 84 Input / Output Interface 90 Communications Department 92 Non-volatile memory 120 Feeding device 150 optical sensor 159 Power supply

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: A toner image of multiple colors formed on a detection medium is detected by a reflective detection device, binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binarized data; a detection signal of the toner image detected by the detection device is binarized using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binarized data; For a section in the second binarized data where there is no data for a set period or more, data of the same section in the first binarized data is combined to obtain third binarized data. Information processing system.

2. The processor: In the third binarized data, pulse data having a pulse width shorter than a set pulse width is removed. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: In the synthesis section of the third binarized data, pulse data having a pulse width shorter than the set pulse width is removed. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The first threshold is a value at which the color with the lowest detection sensitivity can be detected. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The second threshold is a value that allows detection of at least the color with the highest detection sensitivity. The information processing system according to claim 4 .

6. detecting a toner image of a plurality of colors formed on a detection medium by a reflective detection device; a step of binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a first threshold value to obtain first binarized data; a step of binarizing a detection signal of the toner image by the detection device using a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value to obtain second binarized data; a step of acquiring third binarized data by combining data of the same section in the first binarized data with data of the same section in the second binarized data for a set period or more in the second binarized data; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images