Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image forming device that is loaded with a plurality of recording agent containers storing recording agents of the same color, which can suppress an image quality from changing to stabilize a printing quality, even when the recording agent container that is used for forming an image on a recording medium, of the recording agent containers of the same color, is switched.SOLUTION: An image forming device 1 comprises a control part 100 that executes a prescribed second image adjusting process for a recording agent container whose expiration date for use is shorter, when an expiration date for use of the switched recording agent container is shorter than an expiration date for use of the recording agent container not switched; executes a prescribed first image adjusting process for the recording agent container whose expiration date for use is longer, when the expiration date for use of the switched recording agent container is longer than the expiration date for use of the recording agent container not switched; and executes a prescribed third image adjusting process for the recording agent container which is a non-conforming product, when the switched recording agent container is not a conforming product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus equipped with a plurality of recording material containers each containing recording material (ink or toner) of the same color. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, dual-container image forming devices equipped with multiple (e.g., two) recording agent containers containing recording agents of the same color have been proposed in order to reduce downtime caused by running out of consumables such as ink (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-066119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an image forming device equipped with multiple recording agent containers of the same color, if the recording agent container used to form an image on a recording medium is switched, the image quality formed on the recording medium may change, resulting in unstable print quality.

[0005] The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to suppress changes in image quality and stabilize print quality even when the recording material container used to form an image on a recording medium is switched for recording material containers of the same color. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording agent; a container loading unit that is loaded with a plurality of recording agent containers each containing a recording agent of the same color that is to be supplied to the image forming unit and that supplies the recording agent from each recording agent container; a supply mechanism that supplies the recording agent in the recording agent container loaded in the container loading unit to the image forming unit; and a control unit that controls the supply mechanism and the image forming unit to form an image on the recording medium.When the recording agent container that supplies the recording agent to the image forming unit is switched for a recording agent container of the same color, if the expiration date of the switched recording agent container differs from the expiration date of the switched recording agent container before the switch, the control unit executes a predetermined image adjustment process that enables appropriate image formation based on the expiration date, depending on the length of the expiration date of the switched recording agent container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when a recording material container is switched to one with a different expiration date from the previous one, a predetermined image adjustment process is executed to enable appropriate image formation based on the expiration date of the switched recording material container. As a result, even if the recording material container used to form an image on a recording medium is switched for the same color recording material container, changes in image quality can be suppressed and print quality can be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view showing the appearance of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the structure of the image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating the structure of a sub-device included in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4]10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1(A) is a front view showing the appearance of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(B) is a partial cross-sectional front view showing the structure of the image forming system.

[0010] The image forming system 11 includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a post-processing apparatus 4 connected to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that combines multiple functions, such as a copy function and a printer function, and forms an image on recording paper as a recording medium using ink as a recording material by an inkjet method. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main apparatus 2 that forms an image on recording paper, and a sub-apparatus 3 that is equipped with ink containers 31A to 31H (see FIG. 2) that contain ink and supplies the ink in the ink containers 31A to 31H to the main apparatus 2. The ink containers 31A to 31H are examples of recording material containers in the claims.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic structure of the sub-device 3 included in the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 can be equipped with multiple ink containers (two in this example) containing ink of the same color. As shown in FIG. 2, the sub-device 3 includes container loading units 32A to 32H that detachably load ink containers 31A to 31H, indicated by dashed rectangles. The container loading units 32A and 32B load ink containers 31A and 31B containing black ink, the container loading units 32C and 32D load ink containers 31C and 31D containing cyan ink, the container loading units 32E and 32F load ink containers 31E and 31F containing magenta ink, and the container loading units 32G and 32H load ink containers 31G and 31H containing yellow ink.

[0012] The container loading units 32A to 32H are provided with container covers 321A to 321H that open and close the loading openings of the container loading units 32A to 32H, respectively. Note that the ink containers 31A to 31H, container loading units 32A to 32H, and container covers 321A to 321H will hereinafter also be collectively referred to as the ink containers 31, container loading units 32, and container covers 321.

[0013] 3 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic diagram of the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, a document feeder 6, a document reader 5, an image forming unit 12, a container loading unit 32, an ink container 31, a paper feeder 14, a supply mechanism 33, an operation unit 47, a communication unit 9, and a storage device 8.

[0014] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is also an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and is equipped with a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5 one by one.

[0015] The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner and the like, and reads the document fed from the document feeding unit 6 or reads the document placed on the platen glass. The document reading unit 5 is also capable of sequentially reading multiple document images sent from the document feeding unit 6.

[0016] The following describes the case where a document is read by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory (not shown) or the like.

[0017] The following describes an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 12 includes ink heads for ejecting ink droplets of each color (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow), a print transport unit, and a dry transport unit. The image forming unit 12 forms an image on recording paper, which serves as a recording medium and is fed from the paper feed unit 14, using ink stored in ink containers 31 loaded in a container loading unit 32, using an inkjet method, based on image data generated by a document scanning operation, image data stored in an image memory, etc., and image data received from a computer connected via a network.

[0018] The printing transport unit has an endless transport belt that is used to transport recording paper facing the ink head.Like the printing transport unit, the drying transport unit also has an endless transport belt that is used to transport recording paper on which an image has been formed and allow the ink adhering to the recording paper to dry naturally.

[0019] The recording paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 12 is transported via the sub-device 3 (Figure 1) to the post-processing device 4 (Figure 1), where post-processing such as stapling is performed, if necessary.

[0020] The paper feed unit 14 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and further includes a pickup roller that picks up recording paper from the paper feed cassettes and feeds it to the image forming unit 12, a transport roller, a transport path, and a rotation drive mechanism for each roller.

[0021] Each container loading section 32 is provided with a container cover 321, a cover open / close sensor 322, a container sensor 323, an empty sensor 324, and an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader / writer 325. The cover open / close sensor 322 detects whether the container cover 321 is open or closed, and is, for example, a limit switch that turns on and off depending on whether the container cover 321 is open or closed.

[0022] The container sensor 323 detects the presence or absence of an ink container 31 loaded in the container loading section 32, and is, for example, a limit switch that turns on and off in response to the attachment or detachment of the ink container 31. The empty sensor 324 detects the presence or absence of ink in the ink container 31 loaded in the container loading section 32 (empty state), and is, for example, an optical sensor.

[0023] The RFID reader / writer 325 reads and writes from an RFID tag (not shown) attached to the ink container 31 loaded in the container loading section 32. A unique product serial number, color information, expiration date information, etc. are written to the RFID tag.

[0024] If the ink container 31 is a compatible product, the RFID reader / writer 325 can perform appropriate wireless communication with the RFID tag, but if the ink container 31 is not a compatible product, the RFID reader / writer 325 cannot perform appropriate wireless communication with the RFID tag and cannot obtain container information such as expiration date information for the ink container 31. A compatible product is one that meets the usage conditions for the image forming device 1 and allows the image forming device 1 to fully demonstrate its performance, such as a genuine or authentic product.

[0025] The supply mechanism 33 supplies ink in the ink container 31 loaded in the container loading section 32 to the image forming section 12, and has, for example, a syringe pump, multiple pipes, a valve, and a coil spring, and connects the ink supply port of the ink container 31 to the syringe pump via a pipe, and connects the syringe pump to the image forming section 12 via a pipe. The ink supply port is opened and closed by a valve, and the valve is biased by a coil spring.

[0026] The operation unit 47 includes various hard keys that are operated by the user, and receives instructions from the user, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, regarding various operations and processes that the image forming apparatus 1 can execute in response to the operation of the hard keys.

[0027] The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like to the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0028] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position. In this case, the touch panel functions as an operation unit.

[0029] The communication unit 9 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from external devices (for example, personal computers) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0030] The storage device 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various control programs, etc. The storage device 8 has a container information storage unit 81. The container information storage unit 81 is a storage area that stores container information related to the ink container 31 loaded in the container loading unit 32.

[0031] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100.

[0032] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage device 8. However, the control unit 100 can also be configured by a hardware circuit, without relying on the operation in accordance with the control program by the control unit 10. Unless otherwise stated below, the same applies to each embodiment.

[0033] The control unit 100 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the container loading unit 32, the ink container 31, the paper feeding unit 14, the supply mechanism 33, the operation unit 47, the communication unit 9, and the storage device 8, and controls the driving of each of these units and executes various processes required for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0034] For example, the control unit 100 analyzes the image data to be printed (RGB data), converts the image data to be printed into YMCK (yellow, magenta, cyan, black) data using a pre-prepared color table, and controls the supply mechanism 33 and the image forming unit 12 to form an image on the recording medium.

[0035] The control unit 100 switches the ink container 31 that supplies ink to the image forming unit 12 in accordance with instructions from the user received by the operation unit 47. For example, when switching the source of supply of black ink to the image forming unit 12 from ink container 31A to ink container 31B, the control unit 100 controls the coil spring of the supply mechanism 33 to close the ink supply port of the ink container 31A and open the ink supply port of the ink container 31B. Note that the control unit 100 may switch the ink container that supplies ink to the other ink container when the ink container that is currently supplying ink becomes empty based on the output of the empty sensor 324.

[0036] When the cover open / close sensor 322 detects that the container cover 321 is open or closed, and the container sensor 323 detects that the ink container 31 has been loaded into the container loading unit 32 whose container cover 321 has been opened or closed, the control unit 100 reads and acquires the container information (product serial number, color information, and expiration date information) stored in the RFID tag attached to the ink container 31 via the RFID reader / writer 325. The control unit 100 stores the acquired container information in the container information storage unit 81. The control unit 100 also stores unused information indicating that the ink container 31 is unused in the container information storage unit 81.

[0037] If the ink container 31 is not a conforming product, the RFID reader / writer 325 cannot perform appropriate wireless communication with the RFID tag, and the control unit 100 cannot acquire the container information of the ink container 31, and therefore determines that the ink container 31 is a non-conforming product. On the other hand, if the control unit 100 is able to acquire the container information of the ink container 31, it determines that the ink container 31 is a conforming product. The control unit 100 also stores this determination result, i.e., conforming product information (information indicating whether the product is conforming or non-conforming), in the container information storage unit 81.

[0038] In addition, when an ink container that supplies ink to the image forming unit 12 is switched for ink containers of the same color, if the expiration date of the switched ink container varies compared to the expiration date of the ink container before the switch, the control unit 100 executes a predetermined image adjustment process that enables appropriate image formation based on the expiration date, depending on the length of the expiration date of the switched ink container.

[0039] When the ink container 31 that supplies ink as a recording material to the image forming unit 12 is switched for ink containers 31 of the same color, if the expiration date of the switched ink container 31 is shorter than that of the ink container 31 before the switch, the control unit 100 executes the predetermined second image adjustment process AD1 for the ink container 31 with a shorter expiration date as the predetermined image adjustment process. On the other hand, if the expiration date of the switched ink container 31 is longer than that of the ink container 31 before the switch, the control unit 100 executes the predetermined first image adjustment process AD2 for the ink container 31 with a longer expiration date as the predetermined image adjustment process. Note that the control unit 100 does not execute the image adjustment process if the expiration date of the switched ink container 31 is the same as the expiration date of the ink container 31 before the switch.

[0040] In addition, when the ink container 31 that supplies ink to the image forming unit 12 is switched for ink containers 31 of the same color, if the switched ink container 31 is not a suitable product, the control unit 100 executes a predetermined third image adjustment process AD3 for non-suitable products.

[0041] Next, an example of processing related to image adjustment by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. This processing is performed when the control unit 100 switches the ink container 31 in accordance with a user instruction received by the operation unit 47, and then the operation unit 47 receives a print instruction, such as a copy, from the user.

[0042] In addition, the following description will be given taking as an example the case where the ink container 31A containing black ink is switched to the ink container 31B. The same process is performed when switching ink containers of other colors.

[0043] The control unit 100 determines whether the ink container 31B after switching is the first to be used for printing, based on the container information (unused information) stored in the container information storage unit 81 (S1).

[0044] If the control unit 100 determines that the switched ink container 31B is being used for printing for the first time (YES in S1), it updates the unused information stored in the container information storage unit 81 to "used" (S2), and determines whether the switched ink container 31B is a suitable product based on the container information (suitable product information) stored in the container information storage unit 81 (S3).

[0045] If the control unit 100 determines that the switched ink container 31B is a compatible product (YES in S3), it determines whether the switched ink container 31B has a longer expiration date than the ink container 31A before the switch, based on the container information (expiration date information) stored in the container information storage unit 81 (S4).

[0046] If the control unit 100 determines that the ink container 31B after the switch has a shorter expiration date than the ink container 31A before the switch (i.e., the ink container 31B has an older manufacturing date than the ink container 31A) (NO in S4), it executes the second image adjustment process AD1 for the ink container with a shorter expiration date (S5), and stores the fact that the second image adjustment process AD1 has been executed on the ink container 31B as image adjustment information in the container information storage unit 81 (S6). Then, the process ends.

[0047] Ink stored in an ink container 31 with a short expiration date (old manufacturing date) may be more deteriorated than ink stored in an ink container 31 with a long expiration date, and the output image may be darker. Therefore, the control unit 100 performs, for example, as the second image adjustment process AD1, a predetermined second gamma correction that brightens the output image more than the predetermined standard gamma correction.

[0048] On the other hand, if the control unit 100 determines that the ink container 31B after the switch has a longer expiration date than the ink container 31A before the switch (i.e., the ink container 31B is not older than the ink container 31A in date of manufacture) (YES in S4), it executes a first image adjustment process AD2 for ink containers with a longer expiration date (S7), and stores the fact that the first image adjustment process AD2 has been executed on the ink container 31B as image adjustment information in the container information storage unit 81 (S6). Then, the processing ends. The control unit 100 performs, for example, a predetermined standard gamma correction as the first image adjustment process AD2.

[0049] Furthermore, in S3, if the control unit 100 determines that the switched ink container 31B is not a conforming product (NO in S3), it executes the third image adjustment process AD3 for non-conforming products (S8), and stores the fact that the third image adjustment process AD3 has been executed on the ink container 31B as image adjustment information in the container information storage unit 81 (S6). Then, the process ends.

[0050] The ink contained in the non-compliant ink container 31 is of inferior quality compared to the compliant ink container 31, and there is a possibility that the output image will be dark. Therefore, the control unit 100 performs, for example, a third image adjustment process AD3, which is a predetermined third gamma correction that makes the output image even brighter than the second image adjustment process AD1.

[0051] Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines in S1 that the switched ink container 31B is not the first one to be used for printing (NO in S1), it references the container information (image adjustment information) stored in the container information storage unit 81 and executes the same image adjustment process as previously executed for that ink container (S9). After this, the process ends.

[0052] According to the above embodiment, when the ink container 31 that supplies ink to the image forming unit 12 is switched for ink containers 31 of the same color, image adjustment processing appropriate for the switched ink container 31 is executed. As a result, even if the ink container 31 used to form an image on a recording medium is switched for ink containers 31 of the same color, changes in image quality can be suppressed, and print quality can be stabilized.

[0053] In addition, in the above embodiment, a form in which gamma correction is used as the second image adjustment process AD1, the first image adjustment process AD2, and the third image adjustment process AD3 is described. However, as another form, multiple color tables may be prepared in advance, and the color table to be used may be changed depending on the expiration date of the ink container 31 after switching.

[0054] For example, the control unit 100 converts image data using a standard color table created as a standard as the first image adjustment process AD2, converts image data using a first special color table that makes the output image more vivid than the standard color table as the second image adjustment process AD1, and converts image data using a second special color table that makes the output image more vivid than the first special color table as the third image adjustment process AD3.

[0055] In yet another embodiment, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display information indicating which of the ink containers 31 of the same color loaded in the container loading unit 32 is supplying ink to the image forming unit 12, and information regarding the usage status of the ink containers 31. Information regarding the usage status of the ink containers 31 includes, for example, the usage time and the number of printed sheets.

[0056] This provides the user with information to help them decide whether to switch ink containers 31, making it easier for them to give instructions at the appropriate time to switch ink containers 31. Information indicating the usage time and number of printed sheets can be obtained by the control unit 100 counting the number of printed sheets while the printing process is being executed, and the control unit 100 stores the obtained information in the container information storage unit 81 as appropriate.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 4 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming unit 31 Ink container 32 Container loading section 47 Operation section 100 control section 473 Display section

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording material; a container loading section in which a plurality of recording material containers containing recording materials of the same color to be supplied to the image forming section are loaded, and which supplies recording material from each of the recording material containers; a supply mechanism that supplies the recording agent in the recording agent container loaded in the container loading section to the image forming section; a control unit that controls the supply mechanism and the image forming unit to form an image on the recording medium, When the recording agent container that supplies recording agent to the image forming unit is switched for a recording agent container of the same color, if the expiration date of the switched recording agent container varies compared to the expiration date of the recording agent container before the switch, the control unit executes a predetermined image adjustment process that enables appropriate image formation based on the expiration date, depending on the length of the expiration date of the switched recording agent container.

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording agent container that supplies recording agent to the image forming unit is switched for the recording agent containers of the same color, if the switched recording agent container has a longer expiration date than the switched recording agent container before the switch, the control unit executes a predetermined first image adjustment process for the recording agent container with a longer expiration date.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording agent container that supplies recording agent to the image forming unit is switched for a recording agent container of the same color, if the switched recording agent container has a shorter expiration date than the switched recording agent container before the switch, the control unit executes a predetermined second image adjustment process for the recording agent container with a shorter expiration date.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the recording agent container that supplies recording agent to the image forming unit is switched for a recording agent container of the same color, if the switched recording agent container is not a conforming product, the control unit executes a third image adjustment process that is predetermined for a non-conforming product.

5. A display unit; an operation unit that accepts input of instructions from a user, the control unit switches the recording agent container in accordance with an instruction from a user received by the operation unit; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display information indicating which of the recording agent containers of the same color loaded in the container loading unit is to supply recording agent to the image forming unit, and information regarding the usage status of the recording agent containers.

Images