Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and storage medium

Abstract

To quickly start image formation when an adjustment operation which can be omitted depending on an image forming job is included at the time of power-on or recovery from an energy saving mode.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a first determining unit configured to determine whether or not information of an image forming job received when a power supply is turned on or when an image forming apparatus is returned from an energy saving mode satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determining unit configured to determine whether or not an image forming condition is to be adjusted based on a detection result regarding image formation in a case where it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied; a first determining unit configured to determine an image forming condition by an adjusting operation in which the predetermined operation is excluded from a reference adjusting operation in a case where it is determined by the second determining unit that the image forming condition is to be adjusted; an image forming unit configured to form an image according to the determined image forming condition; a second determining unit configured to determine the image forming condition by using the reference adjusting operation after image formation is executed; and a second determining unit configured to determine that the image forming condition is not to be adjusted in a case where it is determined by the second determining unit that the image forming condition is not to be adjusted. And a third determination unit that determines the image forming condition without using the adjustment operation.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 uniformly using all operations, which has the problem that printing cannot be started quickly even when adjustment operations include operations that can be omitted depending on the print job, or when image creation conditions can be determined without using adjustment operations.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to start printing quickly when the power is turned on or when returning from energy saving mode, in cases where adjustment operations include operations that can be omitted depending on the print job, or when image creation conditions can be determined without using adjustment operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the image forming apparatus includes a first judgment unit that judges whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when returning from an energy saving mode, satisfies predetermined conditions; a second judgment unit that judges whether or not to adjust image forming conditions based on detection results related to image formation when the first judgment unit judges that the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions; a first determination unit that determines the image forming conditions using an adjustment operation that excludes a predetermined operation from a standard adjustment operation when the second judgment unit judges that the image forming conditions are to be adjusted; an image forming unit that forms an image based on the image forming conditions determined by the first determination unit; a second determination unit that determines the image forming conditions using the standard adjustment operation after image formation by the image forming unit is performed; and a third determination unit that determines the image forming conditions without using an adjustment operation when the second judgment unit judges that the image forming conditions are not to be adjusted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, 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, or if the image creation conditions can be determined without using the adjustment operation, it is possible to quickly start printing. [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 image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus. [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 a process for determining image-forming conditions through a reference adjustment operation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment operation in which a predetermined operation is excluded from the standard adjustment operation. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the first embodiment. [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 diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of the system control unit according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the adjustment procedure according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a system control unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functional configuration of the system control unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an adjustment procedure according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another example of the adjustment procedure according to the fourth 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) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an image forming unit A, a paper feeding unit B, an automatic document feeder (ADF) C, a reading unit D (flatbed scanner), a fixing device 20, a pair of paper discharge rollers 13, a paper discharge tray 14, a pair of reversing rollers 16, a duplex unit 17, etc.

[0011] The image forming section A includes four image forming sections 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K, an exposure device 9, a transfer device 3, and the like.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 1 has four image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K located in the center of the main body of the apparatus. Each of the image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K has the same configuration, except that it contains a developer of a different color: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), or black (K), which corresponds to the color separation components of a color image.

[0013] Each of the image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 5 as a latent image carrier, a charging device 6 that charges the surface of the photosensitive member 5, a developing device 7 that supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive member 5, and a cleaning device 8 that cleans the surface of the photosensitive member 5.

[0014] In Figure 1, only the photosensitive member 5, charging device 6, developing device 7, and cleaning device 8 that are equipped in the black imaging unit 4K are labeled with reference numerals, and the other imaging units 4Y, 4M, and 4C have the same configuration as the black imaging unit 4K, so their reference numerals are omitted.

[0015] In the image forming apparatus 1, an exposure device 9 that exposes the surface of the photoconductor 5 is disposed below each of the image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. The exposure device 9 has a laser light source (not shown), a polygon mirror 51a, an f-θ lens 51b, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 51c, etc., and is configured to irradiate the surface of each photoconductor 5 with laser light based on image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of each photoconductor 5.

[0016] In the image forming apparatus 1, a transfer device 3 is disposed above each of the image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. The transfer device 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 30 as an intermediate transfer member, four primary transfer rollers 31, a secondary transfer roller 36, and a secondary transfer backup roller 32. The transfer device 3 also includes a cleaning backup roller 33, a tension roller 34, and a belt cleaning device 35.

[0017] The intermediate transfer belt 30 is an endless belt, and is stretched around a secondary transfer backup roller 32, a cleaning backup roller 33, and a tension roller 34. Here, the intermediate transfer belt 30 runs (rotates) in a circular motion in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure as the secondary transfer backup roller 32 is driven to rotate.

[0018] The four primary transfer rollers 31 each sandwich the intermediate transfer belt 30 between themselves and a corresponding photoconductor 5 to form a primary transfer nip. A power source is connected to each primary transfer roller 31, and a predetermined direct current (DC) voltage or a predetermined alternating current (AC) voltage is applied to each primary transfer roller 31.

[0019] The secondary transfer roller 36 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 30 between itself and the secondary transfer backup roller 32 to form a secondary transfer nip. Similar to the primary transfer roller 31, the secondary transfer roller 36 is also connected to a power source, and a predetermined direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36.

[0020] The optical sensor 50 irradiates light onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 on which a toner pattern (described later) is formed, and reads the reflected light to detect the reflection density of the toner pattern.

[0021] The belt cleaning device 35 has a cleaning brush and a cleaning blade that are arranged to contact the intermediate transfer belt 30. The waste toner collected by the belt cleaning device 35 is stored in a waste toner container via a waste toner transfer hose.

[0022] Image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a bottle storage section 2 on the top of the apparatus body, and four toner bottles 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K that store replenishment toner are removably attached to bottle storage section 2. Toner is replenished from each of toner bottles 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K to each of developing devices 7 through replenishment paths (not shown) provided between each of toner bottles 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K and each of developing devices 7.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a paper feed unit B at the bottom of the apparatus body. The paper feed unit B has a paper feed tray 10 that stores paper P (recording sheets) as recording media, a paper feed roller 11 that conveys the paper P from the paper feed tray 10, and the like.

[0024] In addition to plain paper, recording media include cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, and OHP sheets. The image forming apparatus 1 may also be equipped with a manual paper feed mechanism. In this embodiment, cardboard refers to paper with a basis weight of 160 g / m 2 This refers to the above papers.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 1 has a transport path R disposed within the apparatus body for transporting paper P from the paper feed tray 10 through the secondary transfer nip and out of the apparatus body. A pair of registration rollers 12 are disposed on the transport path R upstream of the secondary transfer roller 36 in the transport direction of the paper P, as timing rollers for transporting the paper P to the secondary transfer nip in a timely manner.

[0026] In the image forming apparatus 1, a fixing device 20 is disposed downstream of the position of the secondary transfer roller 36 in the conveying direction of the paper P, which applies pressure and heat to the paper P carrying an unfixed toner image to fix the toner image to the paper P.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a pair of paper discharge rollers 13 for discharging the paper P out of the apparatus body downstream of the fixing device 20 in the conveying direction of the paper P. The image forming apparatus 1 also has a paper discharge tray 14 on the top surface of the apparatus body for storing the paper P discharged out of the apparatus body.

[0028] Image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a branching member 15 between discharge roller 13 and fixing device 20. Branching member 15 is rotatably provided on the main body of image forming apparatus 1, and is configured to open to a first state shown in Fig. 1 in a single-sided mode in which an image is fixed only on the first side of paper P. Branching member 15 is also configured to move from the first state shown in Fig. 1 to a second state in which it is closed in the direction of the arrow in a double-sided mode in which an image is fixed on the second side of paper P after the image has been fixed on the first side.

[0029] That is, the branching member 15 is configured to selectively guide the paper P transported downstream of the fixing device 20 to either an external discharge path that discharges the paper P to a paper discharge tray 14 outside the device body, or a reversing path for double-sided printing. Here, the external discharge path is the path along which the paper P passes through the paper discharge rollers 13, and the reversing path is the path (double-sided reversing path 40) along which the paper P passes inside the double-sided unit 17, which will be described later.

[0030] The double-sided reversing path 40 includes a reversing roller 16 that switches back the paper P, which is provided downstream of the branching member 15, and a double-sided unit 17 that is provided between the reversing roller 16 and the registration roller 12. The double-sided unit 17 includes conveying rollers 42 to 44 and forms a reversing path for double-sided printing, and the paper P after the image is fixed on its first side is switched back by the reversing roller 16 and conveyed to the registration roller 12 via the conveying rollers 42 to 44.

[0031] The automatic document feeder C is provided above the reading unit D and automatically feeds and transports documents. Documents are transported one sheet at a time by the automatic document feeder C. The reading unit D exposes the document to light as it passes the reading position and reads the reflected light. The reading unit D may also read documents using flatbed reading, which reads documents while they remain fixed.

[0032] These reading processes are performed by a scan processing unit (described later). The read image data is then copied onto paper P by a print processing unit (described later), or sent to an external device via a network I / F (described later), and so on.

[0033] The operation panel 70 displays the current setting values, selected values, modes, etc., and accepts inputs from the user.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 1 receives print job data (print job data) from the reading unit D, an external DFE (Digital Front End) device, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), a facsimile, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 executes printing (image forming operation) 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 printing type, as well as image data. Paper type includes information such as plain paper, glossy paper, matte paper, and textured paper, and printing type includes information such as color printing or monochrome printing, single-sided printing, or double-sided printing. The print job is an example of an image forming job.

[0035] Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0036] When the image forming apparatus 1 starts an image forming operation, it rotates each photoconductor 5 in each of the image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K clockwise in the figure, and the surface of each photoconductor 5 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging device 6. The charged surface of each photoconductor 5 is irradiated with laser light from the exposure device 9, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of each photoconductor 5.

[0037] At this time, the image information exposed to each photoconductor 5 is monochrome image information obtained by separating a desired full-color image into color information of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. When toner is supplied by each developing device 7 to the electrostatic latent image thus formed on each photoconductor 5, the electrostatic latent image is developed (visible) as an image.

[0038] Furthermore, when the image forming operation is started, the image forming apparatus 1 rotates the secondary transfer backup roller 32 counterclockwise in the figure, and causes the intermediate transfer belt 30 to travel in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure.

[0039] In addition, the image forming device 1 forms a transfer electric field in the primary transfer nip between each primary transfer roller 31 and each photosensitive element 5 by applying a constant voltage or a constant current controlled voltage of a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner to each primary transfer roller 31.

[0040] Thereafter, as each photosensitive element 5 rotates, when the image of each color on the photosensitive element 5 reaches the primary transfer nip, the image forming device 1 transfers the image on each photosensitive element 5 onto the intermediate transfer belt 30 in a sequentially overlapping manner using the transfer electric field formed at the primary transfer nip.

[0041] In this way, the image forming apparatus 1 carries a full-color image on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 30. Furthermore, any toner remaining on each photoconductor 5 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 is removed by the cleaning device 8. Then, the surface of each photoconductor 5 is neutralized by the neutralization device, and the surface potential is initialized.

[0042] In the image forming apparatus 1, the paper feed roller 11 starts to rotate and sends out the paper P from the paper feed tray 10 to the conveyance path R. The conveyance of the paper P sent out to the conveyance path R is temporarily stopped by the registration rollers 12.

[0043] Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 starts rotating the registration rollers 12 at a predetermined timing, and transports the paper P to the secondary transfer nip in time with the image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 reaching the secondary transfer nip.

[0044] At this time, a transfer voltage of a polarity opposite to the toner charge polarity of the image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 is applied to the secondary transfer roller 36, thereby forming a transfer electric field at the secondary transfer nip. This transfer electric field then transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 30 all at once onto the paper P. Furthermore, any residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 30 that was not transferred to the paper P at this time is removed by the belt cleaning device 35 and transported to a waste toner container.

[0045] Thereafter, the paper P is transported to the fixing device 20, where the image on the paper P is fixed by the fixing device 20. The paper P transported from the fixing device 20 is guided in the discharge direction and the re-feed direction via a branching member 15 that switches between a path for discharging the paper P outside the device body and a double-sided reversing path 40.

[0046] In the single-sided mode, the branching member 15 opens to the first position described above, whereby the paper P is discharged by the paper discharge roller 13 onto the paper discharge tray 14 outside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0047] In the double-sided mode, the branching member 15 closes to the second state described above. As a result, the sheet P after the image has been fixed on its first side is guided to the double-sided reversing path 40. The sheet P guided to the double-sided reversing path 40 is switched back by the pair of reversing rollers 16, transported to the double-sided unit 17, and transported again to the pair of registration rollers 12 to be fed again.

[0048] As a result, the paper P is transported to the fixing device 20, and the fixing device 20 fixes the image on the second surface of the paper P in the same manner as on the first surface. The paper P is then discharged by the paper discharge rollers 13 onto the paper discharge tray 14 outside the main body of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0049] The above explanation is about the image forming operation when forming a full-color image on paper P, but it is also possible to form a monochromatic image using any one of the four image forming units 4Y, 4M, 4C, and 4K. It is also possible to form a two-color or three-color image using two or three image forming units.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The image forming apparatus 1 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The NB 203 and the ASIC 206 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 221 .

[0054] Of these, the CPU 201 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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).

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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).

[0061] Furthermore, the engine control unit 230 is made up of a scan processing unit 231 and a print processing unit 232 .

[0062] The controller 210 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, for example, controlling drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 70, image forming operations, reading of original documents, etc. The scan processing unit 231 reads original documents and generates image data. The print processing unit 232 includes a transfer unit that transfers an image using color materials such as a toner image onto a conveying medium such as paper P, a fixing unit that fixes the image, a heating unit or a drying unit, etc., and forms (prints) an image on paper P. The scan processing unit 231 or print processing unit 232 also performs image processing such as error diffusion and gamma conversion. The print processing unit 232 is an example of an image forming unit.

[0063] The paper P is an example of a conveying medium. The conveying medium may be other than paper, such as a film or a plastic sheet, as long as it is placed in the paper feed tray 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 and conveyed and output in accordance with an output instruction for the paper P.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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 including 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 accepts touch input from the user, and the user can 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 / off, etc. The operation keys 70b may also include input means such as a trackball or touchpad in addition to the numeric keypad.

[0066] 1 and 2 show an example in which the image forming apparatus 1 has an electrophotographic image forming mechanism, but the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment may have other image forming mechanisms such as an inkjet system or a 3D printing system. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and may be a device such as a copier or a facsimile.

[0067] 3 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 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.

[0068] The system control unit 1001 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The system control unit 1001 includes a job information processing unit 1011, a detection unit 1012, a first determination unit 1013, a second determination unit 1014, a first determination unit 1015, a second determination unit 1016, and a third determination unit 1017.

[0069] 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.

[0070] The detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion of the toner image developed on the surface of the photoconductor 5. 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 50. Here, the toner pattern is a test pattern formed by the first determination unit 1015 to adjust the image creation conditions.

[0071] When adjusting the image forming conditions, the charging bias and developing bias of the developing device 7 are switched, and the photosensitive member 5 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 5 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30 by the primary transfer roller 31. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the toner pattern transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 30.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The toner patterns are formed at three locations on the photosensitive member 5 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 in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt 30. In Figure 4, in each region, from top to bottom, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow toner patterns are formed, each consisting of 10 patterns with different densities.

[0074] 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 and a length of 7 mm in the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction of movement of the intermediate transfer belt 30 and is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the spacing between the patterns in the sub-scanning direction is 4 mm. The total length L of the gradation pattern is 434 mm, and the pitch L1 between the photosensitive drums is 110 mm.

[0075] The reflection density of the toner pattern is detected by reflective optical sensors 50F, 50C, and 50R. 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 50C is installed to detect the pattern density in the central region, and the distance L2 between optical sensor 50C and optical sensors 50F and 50R is 160 mm. Also, in FIG. 4, symbol K indicates a reference point.

[0076] 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 5 from these reflection densities.

[0077] The first determination unit 1013 determines whether the job information extracted by the job information processing unit 1011 satisfies a predetermined condition, which will be described later. In this embodiment, based on the determination result, it is switched whether or not to determine the image creation conditions using a reference adjustment operation. Here, the reference adjustment operation is an adjustment operation that includes all operations, which will be described later, and is an example of a reference adjustment operation. The first determination unit 1013 is also an example of a first determination unit.

[0078] When the first determination unit 1013 determines that the job information satisfies a predetermined condition, the second determination unit 1014 determines whether or not to adjust the image creation conditions based on the detection results related to image creation, as will be described later. The second determination unit 1014 is an example of a second determination unit.

[0079] When the second determination unit 1014 determines that the image creation conditions should be adjusted, the first determination unit 1015 adjusts and determines the image creation conditions using an adjustment operation that excludes a predetermined operation from the standard adjustment operation. Because the predetermined operation is excluded from the standard adjustment operation, when the print processing unit 232 prints under these image creation conditions, printing can be performed more quickly than when the standard adjustment operation is used. The first determination unit 1015 is an example of a first determination unit.

[0080] The second determination unit 1016 adjusts and determines the image-forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation. As will be described later, the second determination unit 1016 determines the image-forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation before printing is performed when the job information does not satisfy a predetermined condition, and after printing is performed under the image-forming conditions determined by the first determination unit 1015 when the job information satisfies the predetermined condition. The second determination unit 1016 is an example of a second determination unit.

[0081] The third determination unit 1017 determines the image creation conditions without using any adjustment operation when the second determination unit 1014 determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted. Because no adjustment operation is used, when the print processing unit 232 prints under these image creation conditions, printing can be performed even more quickly. The third determination unit 1017 is an example of a third determination unit.

[0082] The first determination unit 1015 and the second determination unit 1016 adjust and determine the image creation conditions using the toner adhesion amount detected by the detection unit 1012 and a reference adjustment operation. Here, the image creation conditions include the charging bias applied to the charging device 6, the exposure energy of the light irradiated by the exposure device 9, and the developing bias applied to the developing device 7, and these image creation conditions are adjusted by the adjustment operation.

[0083] First, the processing of the second determination unit 1016 that uses the reference adjustment operation 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 energy saving mode, the image density is adjusted by adjusting the imaging conditions, thereby ensuring image stability.

[0084] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for determining image-forming conditions by adjusting the reference. First, after the optical sensor 50 is powered on in response to the start of the print processing unit 232, the second determination unit 1016 waits until the output of the optical sensor 50 stabilizes (step S101), and then waits until the developer stirring is completed (step S102).

[0085] 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 second determination unit 1016 obtains the relationship G 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 G 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 the XY plane and applying the least squares method.

[0086] If the relationship G acquired by the second determination unit 1016 does not satisfy the predetermined relationship (step S105: No), the controller 210 adjusts the toner concentration and returns the process to step S103 (step S106), repeating steps S103 to S106 until the relationship G satisfies the predetermined relationship. For example, the 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 the slope γ is larger than a target value, the toner concentration can be lowered, and if the slope γ is smaller, the toner concentration can be increased, thereby making the slope γ closer to the target value.

[0087] On the other hand, if the relationship G acquired by the second determination unit 1016 is a predetermined relationship (step S105: Yes), the second determination unit 1016 calculates a development potential that will result in the target toner adhesion amount from the relationship G (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).

[0088] Finally, the controller 210 forms a toner pattern under the determined image forming conditions, and the second determination unit 1016 checks whether the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit 1012 is a desired value (step S108).

[0089] According to the above procedure, the image forming conditions are adjusted and determined 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 standard adjustment operation described above are performed, it will take a long time before printing can begin. On the other hand, depending on the content of the job information, some operations can be skipped (excluded). Also, there may be cases where adjustment itself is unnecessary because the unused time is not long. In this embodiment, when the job information satisfies predetermined conditions, the image forming conditions are determined by excluding predetermined operations, as described below, from the adjustment operation. Furthermore, when the job information satisfies predetermined conditions and the above relationship G is a predetermined relationship, it is determined that adjustment of the image forming conditions is unnecessary, and the image forming conditions are determined without using any adjustment operation.

[0090] 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.

[0091] The predetermined operations excluded from the reference adjustment operation include, for example, at least one of the operations in the following items among the procedures of the adjustment operation in FIG. (1) An operation of waiting until the output of the optical sensor 50 that detects the toner concentration 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).

[0092] 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).

[0093] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment operation in which certain operations are omitted from the standard adjustment operation. In this example, all of the above items (1) to (4) are omitted (skipped) from the standard adjustment operation.

[0094] First, the first determination unit 1015 waits until the developer stirring is completed (step S201). 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 50 (step S202). Next, the first determination unit 1015 acquires a relationship G between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion when each pattern is formed (step S203). Then, the first determination unit 1015 calculates a development potential that will achieve a target amount of toner adhesion using the acquired relationship G, and determines image creation conditions to realize this development potential (step S204).

[0095] 6 does not wait for the output of the optical sensor 50 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 makes it possible to significantly reduce the time required to adjust the image creation conditions compared to the standard adjustment operation described in FIG.

[0096] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to the present embodiment. First, when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on or returns from the energy saving mode, the job information processing unit 1011 extracts job information from the print job data (step S301), and the controller 210 starts the print processing unit 232 (step S302).

[0097] Next, the first determination unit 1013 determines whether the extracted job information satisfies a predetermined condition. If the job information does not satisfy the predetermined condition (step S303: No), the second determination unit 1016 performs adjustment using a standard adjustment operation (step S304) and determines the image creation conditions (step S305). Then, the print processing unit 232 executes printing using the determined image creation conditions (step S306).

[0098] On the other hand, if the job information satisfies the specified conditions (step S303: Yes), the image creation conditions are determined by adjusting the adjustment operation excluding the specified operation, or the image creation conditions are determined without adjustment, as follows:

[0099] If the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S303: Yes), the second determination unit 1014 determines whether or not to adjust the image-forming conditions based on the detection results related to image formation. More specifically, similar to step S103 in FIG. 5, the controller 210 forms a toner pattern, and the detection unit 1012 detects the amount of toner adhesion (step S308). The second determination unit 1014 acquires a relationship G between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit 1012 (step S309). The second determination unit 1014 then determines whether or not the relationship G is a predetermined relationship (step S310). If the relationship G is not the predetermined relationship, it is determined that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted, and if the relationship G is the predetermined relationship, it is determined that the image-forming conditions should not be adjusted.

[0100] If the relationship G is not a predetermined relationship (step S310: No), the first determination unit 1015 performs adjustment using the adjustment operation excluding the predetermined operation (step S311) and determines the image creation conditions (step S312). This reduces the waiting time.

[0101] After the print processing unit 232 executes printing (step S313), the second determination unit 1016 performs adjustment using the standard adjustment operation (step S314) and determines the image creation conditions (step S315). As a result, even if adjustment is performed excluding a predetermined operation, adjustment is performed using the standard adjustment operation after the first job is printed, and thereafter, printing is performed with image stability ensured regardless of the content of the job.

[0102] On the other hand, if the relationship G is a predetermined relationship (step S310: Yes), the third determination unit 1017 determines the image-forming conditions without performing any adjustment (step S316), and the print processing unit 232 executes printing (step S317). For example, if there is no deviation in density over time, the relationship G satisfies the predetermined relationship, and there is no need to adjust the image-forming conditions. In this embodiment, the image-forming conditions are determined without adjusting them in such a case, further reducing the waiting time. Note that in the process of determining the image-forming conditions in step S316, the image-forming conditions are determined so as to achieve the development potential calculated from the relationship G and the target toner adhesion amount, similar to step S107 of FIG. 5.

[0103] After the processes of steps S306, S315, and S317, the controller 210 puts the print processing unit 232 to sleep (step S307). Note that step S307 may be a procedure for putting the print processing unit 232 into a sleep, standby, energy saving mode, or other state.

[0104] As described above, according to this embodiment, for jobs that satisfy predetermined conditions, the image creation conditions are adjusted by omitting some of the adjustment operations, or the image creation conditions are determined without using any adjustment operations, so printing can be started quickly when the power is turned on or when the printer returns from energy saving mode. Also, if some of the adjustment operations are omitted, the image creation conditions are adjusted without omitting the adjustment operations after the job is completed, so that it is possible to print at the desired image density even for jobs that do not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0105] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, when job information satisfies predetermined conditions, image creation conditions are determined using predetermined predictions. In the following description of the second embodiment, explanations of parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0106] 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 does not include a second determination unit 1014, a first determination unit 1015, or a third determination unit 1017, but includes a fourth determination unit 1020.

[0107] When the job information does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, the second determination unit 1016 adjusts the image creation conditions using a standard adjustment operation. Furthermore, when the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions, the second determination unit 1016 adjusts and determines the image creation conditions using a standard adjustment operation that does not exclude the predetermined operation after printing is performed under the image creation conditions determined by the fourth determination unit 1020 described below. Note that the predetermined conditions in this embodiment are conditions that indicate jobs that do not often require image stability, similar to the predetermined conditions described in the first embodiment.

[0108] The fourth determination unit 1020 predicts the relationship G between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount, calculates the development potential at which a target toner adhesion amount is obtained using the predicted relationship G, and determines the image creation conditions to realize the calculated development potential. Note that the fourth determination unit 1020 is an example of a fourth determination unit.

[0109] The relationship G is, for example, the slope γ of an approximation curve that represents the relationship between the development potential and the amount of toner adhesion. In this case, a function γ(t) that represents the relationship between γ and the elapsed time t after the image-forming conditions are adjusted using the standard adjustment operation, or a table that represents the relationship between γ and the elapsed time t, can be obtained in advance, and the current γ can be predicted using such a function or table. For example, if γ(t) is expressed by the following equation (1), the slope γ1 after the time t1 has elapsed since the image-forming conditions were adjusted using the standard adjustment operation can be obtained by equation (2).

[0110] γ(t)=A×t+B (1) γ1=A×t1+B (2)

[0111] Here, A and B are coefficients that are preset at a production factory or the like through experiments or the like. These values ​​may be dynamically changed depending on the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1. The above-mentioned prediction is an example of a predetermined prediction.

[0112] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. Operations in steps S401 to S407 in Fig. 9 are the same as those in steps S301 to S307 in Fig. 7, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] If the job information satisfies the predetermined condition (step S403: Yes), the fourth determination unit 1020 predicts the relationship G between the development potential and the toner adhesion amount by a predetermined prediction (step S408). Next, the fourth determination unit 1020 determines the image creation conditions using the predicted relationship G (step S409). In this way, the image creation conditions are determined without adjusting the image creation conditions using an adjustment operation, thereby reducing waiting time.

[0114] Next, the print processing unit 232 executes printing (step S410), and the second determination unit 1016 performs adjustment using the standard adjustment operation (step S411), and adjusts the image creation conditions (step S412).

[0115] After the processes of steps S406 and S412, the controller 210 puts the print processing unit 232 to sleep (step S407). Note that step S407 may be a procedure for putting the print processing unit 232 into a sleep, standby, energy saving mode, or other state.

[0116] As described above, according to this embodiment, for jobs that satisfy predetermined conditions, the image creation conditions are determined using predetermined predictions without adjusting the image creation conditions using adjustment operations, so printing can be started quickly when the power is turned on or when the printer returns from energy saving mode. Also, if printing is executed without adjusting the image creation conditions using adjustment operations, the image creation conditions are adjusted after the job is completed without skipping the adjustment operations, so that it is possible to print at the desired image density even for jobs that do not satisfy the predetermined conditions.

[0117] (Third embodiment) In the third embodiment, a predetermined condition, which indicates a job that does not require much image stability, can be selected from a plurality of conditions. In the following explanation of the third embodiment, explanations of parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be explained.

[0118] 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 first selection unit 1030, and a first determination unit 1013 performs determination based on a predetermined condition selected by the first selection unit 1030.

[0119] The first selection unit 1030 selects a predetermined condition from the plurality of conditions for excluding some of the adjustment operations. 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.

[0120] The first selection unit 1030 selects the condition selected by the user using the operation panel 70 or the like as the predetermined condition. Then, the same processing as in the first embodiment is executed using the selected predetermined condition. Note that, in the adjustment operations used by the first determination unit 1015, the predetermined operations to be excluded may be the same for all of the multiple conditions or may be different for each of the multiple conditions.

[0121] 10 shows the present embodiment applied to the first embodiment, but the present embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the system control unit 1001 according to the third embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that the system control unit 1001 includes a first selection unit 1030, and a first determination unit 1013 makes a determination based on a predetermined condition selected by the first selection unit 1030.

[0122] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the first selection unit 1030 selects a predetermined condition from a plurality of conditions (step S500). The following steps S501 to S517 correspond to steps S301 to S317 described in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, but in step S503, it is determined whether or not the job information satisfies the predetermined condition selected in step S500. The other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0123] 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the first selection unit 1030 selects a predetermined condition from a plurality of conditions (step S600). The following steps S601 to S612 correspond to steps S401 to S412 described in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment, but in step S603, it is determined whether or not the job information satisfies the predetermined condition selected in step S600. The other operations are the same as those in the second embodiment, and therefore will not be described again.

[0124] As described above, according to this embodiment, the predetermined condition can be selected from a plurality of conditions, so that the user can select a condition that prioritizes the first print time according to their needs.

[0125] (Fourth embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, it is possible to select in advance whether to adjust the image creation conditions depending on whether the job information satisfies predetermined conditions, or to adjust the image creation conditions regardless of whether the job information satisfies predetermined conditions. In the following description of the fourth embodiment, the description of parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted, and only parts that differ from the first embodiment will be described.

[0126] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a system control unit 1001 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the system control unit 1001 includes a second selection unit 1040 and switches the operation mode based on the mode selected by the second selection unit 1040.

[0127] The second selection unit 1040 selects either the first mode or the second mode. Here, in the first mode, as in the first embodiment, the image creation conditions are determined depending on whether or not the job information satisfies a predetermined condition. In addition, in the second mode, the image creation conditions are adjusted and determined by a reference adjustment operation regardless of whether or not the job information satisfies a predetermined condition. That is, in the first mode, the operation described in the first embodiment is turned on, and in the second mode, the operation described in the first embodiment is turned off.

[0128] The second selection unit 1040 selects the first mode or the second mode based on a user operation on the operation panel 70 or the like. If the first mode is selected, the system control unit 1001 executes the same processing as in the first embodiment. If the second mode is selected, the system control unit 1001 executes the image-forming condition determination processing using the reference adjustment operation regardless of the job information.

[0129] Note that while Fig. 14 shows this embodiment applied to the first embodiment, this embodiment can also be applied to the second embodiment. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the system control unit 1001 according to the fourth embodiment. The difference from the second embodiment is that the system control unit 1001 includes a second selection unit 1040 and switches the operation mode based on the mode selected by the second selection unit 1040. That is, in the first mode, the operations described in the second embodiment are turned on, and in the second mode, the operations described in the second embodiment are turned off.

[0130] 15, when the second selection unit 1040 selects the first mode, the system control unit 1001 executes the same processing as in the second embodiment. Also, when the second selection unit 1040 selects the second mode, the system control unit 1001 executes the processing for determining the image-forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation, regardless of whether the job information satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0131] 16 is a flowchart showing an example of an adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the second selection unit 1040 selects the first mode or the second mode (step S700). The operations of the subsequent steps S701 and S702 are the same as steps S301 and S302 described in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment.

[0132] Next, if the first mode is selected, controller 210 proceeds to step S704 (step S703: Yes), and if the second mode is selected, controller 210 proceeds to step S705 (step S703: No). The operations of steps S704 to S718, which are executed when the first mode is selected, are the same as the operations of steps S303 to S317 described in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment.

[0133] On the other hand, in steps S705 to S708 that are executed when the second mode is selected, the image-forming conditions are adjusted and determined using the reference adjustment operation regardless of whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0134] 17 is a flowchart showing another example of the adjustment procedure according to this embodiment. First, the second selection unit 1040 selects the first mode or the second mode (step S800). The operations of the subsequent steps S801 and S802 are the same as steps S401 and S402 described in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment.

[0135] Next, if the first mode is selected, controller 210 proceeds to step S804 (step S803: Yes), and if the second mode is selected, controller 210 proceeds to step S805 (step S803: No). The operations of steps S804 to S813, which are executed when the first mode is selected, are the same as the operations of steps S403 to S412 described in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment.

[0136] On the other hand, in steps S805 to S808 that are executed when the second mode is selected, the image-forming conditions are adjusted and determined using the reference adjustment operation regardless of whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0137] Note that the mode selection in this embodiment may be configured to allow selection separately for a printer job and a copy job. That is, the second selection unit 1040 independently selects in advance a mode (mode PJ) when the job information indicates a printer job and a mode (mode CJ) when the job information indicates a copy job, based on a user's operation on the operation panel 70 or the like. When the job information indicates a printer job, the controller 210 switches on / off the operation according to the first or second embodiment depending on whether the mode PJ is the first mode or the second mode. Similarly, when the job information indicates a copy job, the controller 210 switches on / off the operation according to the first or second embodiment depending on whether the mode CJ is the first mode or the second mode.

[0138] Thus, according to this embodiment, it is possible to select a mode in which the operation according to the first or second embodiment is turned on or off, so that the user can select in advance whether to prioritize first print time or image stability depending on their needs.

[0139] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 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 modifications thereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within 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.

[0140] 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).

[0141] 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.

[0142] The programs of the embodiments may be provided in a state where they are pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0143] 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, first judgment unit 1013, second judgment unit 1014, first determination unit 1015, 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, first judgment unit 1013, second judgment unit 1014, first determination unit 1015, etc. are generated on the main memory.

[0144] 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.

[0145] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a first determination unit that determines whether job information, which is information about an image formation job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination unit that determines whether or not to adjust image creation conditions based on a detection result related to image creation when the first determination unit determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination unit that, when it is determined by the second determination unit that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted, determines the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation; and an image forming unit that forms an image under the image creation conditions determined by the first determination unit; a second determination unit that determines the image creation conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image formation by the image forming unit is performed; a third determination unit that determines the image creation conditions without performing an adjustment operation when the second determination unit determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted; Equipped with The image forming device is characterized in that, when the second judgment unit determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted, the image forming unit forms an image according to the image creation conditions determined by the third determination unit. <2> a first determination unit that determines whether job information, which is information about an image formation job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a fourth determination unit that determines image creation conditions using a predetermined prediction when the first determination unit determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; an image forming unit that forms an image under the image creation conditions determined by the fourth determination unit; a second determination unit that determines the image creation conditions using a reference adjustment operation after image formation by the image forming unit is performed; The image forming apparatus is characterized by comprising: <3> a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier; an exposure device for forming a latent image on the image carrier; a developing device that develops a toner image on the surface of the image carrier; a detection unit that detects the amount of toner attached to the toner image developed by the developing device, the first determination unit determines, as the image creation conditions, a charging bias applied to the charging device, exposure energy of light irradiated by the exposure device, and a developing bias applied to the developing device; the second determination unit determines not to adjust the image forming conditions when it determines that adjustment of the image forming conditions is unnecessary based on the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detection unit; <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <4> the predetermined prediction is a prediction of the relationship between a development potential for developing a toner image on the surface of an image carrier and an amount of toner adhered to the toner image; <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <5> the predetermined condition is a condition indicating a job that does not 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 predetermined condition is that 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 predetermined condition is that the type of image formation indicated by the job information is monochrome image formation; <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 include a condition that the type of paper indicated by the job information is plain paper, and a condition that the type of image formation indicated by the job information is monochrome image formation; <1> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <9> a first mode in which the image forming conditions are determined depending on whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions; a second mode in which the image forming conditions are determined regardless of whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions; The second selection unit further selects either <1> ~ <8> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <10> the second selection unit independently selects the first mode or the second mode when the job information is a printer job and when the job information is a copy job, <9> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <11> An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus, a first determination step of determining whether job information, which is information about an image formation job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination step of determining whether or not to adjust image creation conditions based on a detection result related to image creation when it is determined in the first determination step that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination step of determining the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation when it is determined in the second determination step that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted; a first image forming step of forming an image under the image forming conditions determined in the first determination step; a second determination step of determining the image forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image formation by the first image forming step is performed; a third determination step of determining the image-forming conditions without performing an adjustment operation when it is determined in the second determination step that the image-forming conditions should not be adjusted; a second image forming step of forming an image under the image forming conditions determined in the third determination step when it is determined in the second determination step that the image forming conditions should not be adjusted; The image forming method is characterized by comprising: <12> Computer, a first determination means for determining whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination means for determining whether or not to adjust image formation conditions based on a detection result relating to image formation when the first determination means determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination means for determining the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation when the second determination means determines that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted; an image forming means for forming an image under the image forming conditions determined by the first determining means; a second determination unit that determines the image forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image forming unit has performed image formation; a third determination means for determining the image creation conditions without performing an adjustment operation when the second determination means determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted; It functions as The image forming means is a program characterized in that, when the second judgment means determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted, the image forming means forms an image according to the image creation conditions determined by the third determination means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 1. Image forming device 3. Transcription device 9 Exposure equipment 20 Fixing device 30 Intermediate transfer belt 31 Primary transfer roller 50 Optical Sensor 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 1st judgment section 1014 Second judgment section 1015 First Decision Section 1016 Second Decision Section 1017 Third Decision Section 1020 4th Decision Section 1030 First Selection Section 1040 Second Selection Section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0147] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-021233

Claims

1. a first determination unit that determines whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination unit that determines whether or not to adjust image creation conditions based on a detection result related to image creation when the first determination unit determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination unit that, when it is determined by the second determination unit that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted, determines the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation; and an image forming unit that forms an image under the image creation conditions determined by the first determination unit; a second determination unit that determines the image creation conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image formation by the image forming unit is performed; a third determination unit that determines the image creation conditions without performing an adjustment operation when the second determination unit determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted; Equipped with The image forming apparatus is characterized in that, when the second judgment unit determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted, the image forming unit forms an image according to the image creation conditions determined by the third determination unit.

2. a first determination unit that determines whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a fourth determination unit that determines image creation conditions using a predetermined prediction when the first determination unit determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; an image forming unit that forms an image under the image creation conditions determined by the fourth determination unit; a second determination unit that determines the image creation conditions using a reference adjustment operation after the image formation by the image forming unit is performed; An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. a charging device for charging the surface of the image carrier; an exposure device for forming a latent image on the image carrier; a developing device that develops a toner image on the surface of the image carrier; a detection unit that detects the amount of toner attached to the toner image developed by the developing device, the first determination unit determines, as the image creation conditions, a charging bias applied to the charging device, exposure energy of light irradiated by the exposure device, and a developing bias applied to the developing device; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second determining unit determines not to adjust the image forming conditions when it determines that adjustment of the image forming conditions is unnecessary based on the amount of toner adhesion detected by the detecting unit.

4. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined prediction is a prediction of a relationship between a development potential for developing a toner image on the surface of an image carrier and an amount of toner adhered to the toner image.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition indicating a job that does not require high image stability.

6. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the type of paper indicated by the job information is plain paper.

7. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is that the type of image formation indicated by the job information is monochrome image formation.

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 image formation indicated by the job information is monochrome image formation.

9. a first mode in which the image forming conditions are determined depending on whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions; a second mode in which the image forming conditions are determined regardless of whether the job information satisfies the predetermined conditions; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a second selection unit that selects one of the following:

10. 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second selection unit independently selects the first mode or the second mode when the job information is a printer job and when the job information is a copy job.

11. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus, a first determination step of determining whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination step of determining whether or not to adjust image creation conditions based on a detection result related to image creation when it is determined in the first determination step that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination step of determining the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation when it is determined in the second determination step that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted; a first image forming step of forming an image under the image forming conditions determined in the first determination step; a second determination step of determining the image forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image formation by the first image forming step is performed; a third determination step of determining the image creation conditions without performing any adjustment operation when it is determined in the second determination step that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted; a second image forming step of forming an image under the image forming conditions determined in the third determination step when it is determined in the second determination step that the image forming conditions should not be adjusted; An image forming method comprising:

12. Computer, a first determination means for determining whether job information, which is information about an image forming job received when the power is turned on or when the device returns from an energy saving mode, satisfies a predetermined condition; a second determination means for determining whether or not to adjust image forming conditions based on a detection result relating to image formation when the first determination means determines that the job information satisfies the predetermined condition; a first determination means for determining the image-forming conditions using an adjustment operation obtained by excluding a predetermined operation from a reference adjustment operation when the second determination means determines that the image-forming conditions should be adjusted; an image forming unit that forms an image under the image forming conditions determined by the first determining unit; a second determination unit that determines the image forming conditions using the reference adjustment operation after the image forming unit has performed image formation; a third determination means for determining the image creation conditions without performing an adjustment operation when the second determination means determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted; It functions as a program, wherein the image forming means forms an image under the image creation conditions determined by the third determination means when the second determination means determines that the image creation conditions should not be adjusted;

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