Printer apparatus and print control program

Abstract

To perform stable ground tint printing regardless of the fluctuation of a toner residual amount.SOLUTION: A printer device 1 includes a control part which stores a correlative datum 101a between a toner filling amount and a cumulative value of printing dots, counts the cumulative value from a state that a toner unit is fully filled with toner, calculates a toner filling amount 102 in the counted cumulative value by using the correlative datum, and switches printing densities of the printing dots according to the calculated toner filling amount 102.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printer device and a print control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the electrophotographic method, in order to print a tint block image (hereinafter sometimes referred to as tint block printing) so that the tint block image stands out stably, the printing dot pattern (in other words, the dot spacing) is adjusted according to the cumulative amount of black dots to be printed.

[0003] Watermark printing is sometimes used in electrophotography. Watermark printing is a printing method in which a string of characters such as "Confidential" is printed over the entire printed document as "hidden text" that stands out when the printed paper is copied. Watermark printing achieves this by embedding a watermark of hidden text in the background of the document when printing a document file. By embedding a watermark in confidential documents, watermark printing can prevent the document from being copied, and is used to prevent unauthorized access, strengthen security, and prevent information leaks. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-198837 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-317825 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-130028 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In electrophotographic printing, the amount of toner inside the consumable print unit containing toner decreases depending on the amount of printing. When the unit is new and not printing, the toner level is close to 100%, and when the toner level is close to empty, the amount of toner remaining approaches 0%.

[0006] Generally, the more the filling amount, the higher the print density (in other words, the larger the dot diameter), and the less the filling amount, the lower the density (in other words, the smaller the dot diameter). This difference in density affects how the background pattern itself stands out.

[0007] For this reason, if the pattern is too dark, it will stand out when output from the printer (in other words, before copying), and if it is too light, the pattern may not stand out even when copied.

[0008] With normal printed character strings, the difference in print density due to differences in remaining toner (in other words, the difference in dot diameter) is unlikely to have a significant impact, but with watermark printing, this difference in density can have a significant impact depending on whether or not the watermark stands out.

[0009] In one aspect, an object is to perform stable tint block printing regardless of fluctuations in the amount of remaining toner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In one aspect, the printer device includes a control unit that stores correlation data between the toner fill amount and the cumulative value of the printing dots, counts the cumulative value from a state in which the toner unit is fully filled with toner, calculates the toner fill amount at the counted cumulative value using the correlation data, and switches the printing density of the printing dots according to the calculated toner fill amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In one aspect, it is possible to perform stable tint block printing regardless of fluctuations in the amount of remaining toner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of toner filled in a toner unit and the cumulative number of black dots. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the timing for changing the dot spacing pattern in an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of dot spacing patterns according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for changing a dot spacing pattern in an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer device according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a printing unit of the printer device illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [A] Embodiment Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments shown below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or application of techniques not explicitly stated in the embodiments. In other words, the present embodiments can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the spirit thereof. Furthermore, each figure does not intend to include only the components shown in the figure, but may include other components, etc.

[0014] [A-1] Description of the embodiment FIG. 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner unit and the cumulative number of black dots.

[0015] Generally, there is a tendency for the coverage rate of black dots to be proportional to the amount of toner consumed. Since the cumulative number of black dots printed corresponds to the amount of toner consumed, the remaining amount of toner can be estimated by counting the number of black dots printed.

[0016] Figure 1 shows the toner fill amount in the toner unit and the cumulative number of black dots when the toner unit is filled to 100% when 250g of toner is filled. In Figure 1, the vertical axis represents the toner fill amount (%) in the toner unit when 250g is 100% and the horizontal axis represents the cumulative number of black dots (billion dots) when printing at 240 dpi.

[0017] 1, when the filling amount is 100%, the cumulative number of black dots is 0 billion dots (see symbol A1), when the filling amount is 80%, the cumulative number of black dots is 400 million dots (see symbol A2), when the filling amount is 20%, the cumulative number of black dots is 1.6 billion dots (see symbol A3), and when the filling amount is 0%, the cumulative number of black dots is 2 billion dots (see symbol A4).

[0018] 2 is a flowchart illustrating the timing of changing the dot spacing pattern in this embodiment. Of the symbols A1 to A5 shown in FIG. 2, symbols A1 to A4 correspond to the timings of symbols A1 to A4 shown in FIG.

[0019] The dot spacing pattern is changed based on a threshold value of the cumulative number of black dots (or the amount of toner filled in). The threshold value may be adjusted depending on the mechanism of the printer device 1 (described later using FIG. 4, etc.) or the components of the toner.

[0020] As shown by symbol A1, when the cumulative black dot count is 0 dots, the toner unit is new and the toner fill amount is equivalent to 100%. At this timing, the print is often dark, so the background pattern printing area is also printed dark, which can cause the background pattern to stand out when output from the printer (in other words, before copying). Therefore, pattern #1, with a low density (for example, the first print density) and every 3 dots, is selected as an example of a dot spacing pattern.

[0021] As shown by symbol A2, when the cumulative number of black dots reaches 400 million, the toner fill amount is equivalent to 80% (in other words, the first threshold value). At this timing, the print is made at normal density. Therefore, as an example of a dot spacing pattern, pattern #2, which has a medium density (e.g., the second print density) and is spaced every two dots, is selected.

[0022] As shown by symbol A3, when the cumulative number of black dots is 1.6 billion dots, this corresponds to a toner fill level of 20% (in other words, the second threshold). At this timing, the print is often light, which means that the background pattern is also printed lightly, and the background pattern may not stand out even when copied after being output from the printer. Therefore, pattern #3, a high-density dot spacing pattern with every other dot, is selected as an example of a dot spacing pattern.

[0023] As shown by reference symbol A4, when the cumulative number of black dots reaches 2 billion dots, the toner filling amount is equivalent to 0%, and toner empty is detected.

[0024] Then, as shown by reference symbol A5, toner replacement is performed. The cumulative number of black dots is reset to 0, the toner filling amount becomes 100%, and the state returns to that shown by reference symbol A1.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dot spacing pattern according to the embodiment.

[0026] Symbol B1 shows a dot spacing pattern of every third dot as pattern #1, symbol B2 shows a dot spacing pattern of every third dot as pattern #2, and symbol B3 shows a dot spacing pattern of every other dot as pattern #3.

[0027] The dot spacing pattern may be changed only when printing a background pattern, without changing the print density (for example, the third print density) during normal printing. The background pattern is a pattern that makes specific characters or images stand out when copying.

[0028] [A-2] Example of functional configuration FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the software configuration of the printer device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0029] 4, the printer device 1 has, in the firmware 10, functions as a black dot cumulative value counter 111 and a background pattern determination unit 112. In addition, the printer device 1 stores, in the firmware 10, a determination information storage area 101, a corrected remaining toner amount value 102, and a background pattern storage area 103.

[0030] The determination information storage area 101 stores correlation data 101a between the toner filling amount and the black dot cumulative value, printer mechanism information 101b, and toner component information 101c.

[0031] The correlation data 101a corresponds to the graph shown in FIG. 1, which shows the relationship between the amount of toner filled in the toner unit and the cumulative number of black dots.

[0032] The printer mechanism information 101b is stored to correct the correlation data 101a in accordance with differences in print density depending on the model of the printer device 1, and includes information about the manufacturer and model number of the printer device 1.

[0033] The toner component information 101c is stored to correct the correlation data 101a in accordance with the difference in print density due to the toner components, and includes information on the manufacturer and model number of the toner unit.

[0034] The black dot cumulative value counter 111 includes a correction calculation unit 111a. The correction calculation unit 111a counts the number of printed black dots and calculates a remaining toner amount value (in other words, a toner filling amount) based on the correlation data 101a. The correction calculation unit 111a may also correct the correlation data 101a based on printer mechanism information 101b and toner component information 101c to calculate a corrected remaining toner amount value 102.

[0035] The background pattern determining unit 112 includes an adjusting unit 112a and a switching unit 112b.

[0036] The adjustment unit 112a adjusts the dot spacing pattern based on the printer mechanism information 101b and the toner component information 101c. The adjustment unit 112a may also change the dot spacing pattern in response to an instruction from a user who has viewed the print result of the tint block pattern.

[0037] The switching unit 112b switches among the multiple dot spacing patterns stored in the background pattern storage area 103 and applies them to printing the background pattern, depending on the corrected remaining toner amount value 102. Furthermore, when printing normal characters, images, etc., the switching unit 112b does not apply the dot spacing pattern stored in the background pattern storage area 103, but switches to a predetermined dot spacing pattern and prints.

[0038] [A-3] Example of operation The process of changing the dot spacing pattern in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart (steps S1 to S9) shown in FIG.

[0039] The black dot cumulative value counter 111 reads correlation data 101a between the toner filling amount and the black dot cumulative value, printer mechanism information 101b, and toner component information 101c (step S1).

[0040] The tint block pattern determining unit 112 reads image data including tint block data (step S2).

[0041] The black dot cumulative value counter 111 counts the number of black dots from the read image data for each sheet of paper to be printed (step S3).

[0042] The black dot cumulative value counter 111 corrects and calculates the remaining toner amount from the correlation data 101a based on the black dot cumulative value each time printing is performed, and outputs the corrected remaining toner amount value 102 (step S4).

[0043] The tint block pattern determining unit 112 determines the dot spacing pattern at the time of printing based on the corrected remaining toner amount value 102, the printer mechanism information 101b, and the toner component information 101c (step S5).

[0044] The tint block pattern determining unit 112 determines whether the printing object is tint block data (step S6).

[0045] If the printing target is not tint block data (see the No route in step S6), tint block pattern determination unit 112 causes normal data other than tint block data to be printed based on the initial settings (step S7), and the process of changing the dot spacing pattern ends.

[0046] On the other hand, if the printing target is tint block data (see the Yes route in step S6), the tint block pattern determination unit 112 switches to a dot spacing pattern adjusted based on the determination result (step S8).

[0047] The tint block pattern determination unit 112 prints the tint block data that has been read using the switched dot spacing pattern (step S9), and the process of changing the dot spacing pattern is then completed.

[0048] [A-4] Hardware configuration example FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a printer device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0049] The printer device 1 includes a control unit 110 and a mechanism unit 210.

[0050] The control unit 110 controls the mechanism unit 210 and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a memory 12, firmware 10, and a storage device 13.

[0051] For example, a solid state drive (SSD), a storage class memory (SCM), or a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used as the storage device 13. The storage device 13 may include a determination information storage area 101, a storage area for a corrected remaining toner amount value 102, and a background pattern storage area 103, all of which are shown in FIG.

[0052] The memory 12 is an example of a storage unit, and is illustratively a read-only memory (ROM) and a RAM. Programs such as firmware 10 and a basic input / output system (BIOS) may be written to the ROM of the memory 12. The software programs written to the memory 12 may be read and executed by the CPU 11 as appropriate. The RAM of the memory 12 may be used as a temporary storage memory or a working memory.

[0053] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor, and is a processing device that performs various controls and calculations. The CPU 11 realizes various functions by executing an OS and programs written in the memory 12. The CPU 11 deploys the functional configuration of the firmware 10 shown in FIG. 4 on the memory 12 and executes it. The CPU 11 may be a multiprocessor including multiple CPUs, a multi-core processor having multiple CPU cores, or a configuration having multiple multi-core processors.

[0054] The device for controlling the overall operation of the printer device 1 is not limited to the CPU 11, and may be, for example, any one of an MPU, DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. The device for controlling the overall operation of the printer device 1 may also be a combination of two or more of the CPU, MPU, DSP, ASIC, PLD, and FPGA. Note that MPU is an abbreviation for Micro Processing Unit, DSP is an abbreviation for Digital Signal Processor, and ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. Furthermore, PLD is an abbreviation for Programmable Logic Device, and FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0055] The mechanism section 210 includes a printing section 21 and a paper transport section 22 .

[0056] The printing unit 21 prints characters and images including a background pattern. Details of the printing unit 21 will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0057] The paper transport unit 22 transports paper from a paper feed tray (not shown) through the printing unit 21 to a paper discharge tray (not shown).

[0058] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the printing unit 21 of the printer device 1 shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 7, the solid arrow indicates the direction of the paper transport path.

[0059] The printing section 21 includes a print unit 211 , a light-emitting diode (LED; exposure section) 212 , a photosensitive drum 213 , a transfer roller 214 , and a fixing unit 215 .

[0060] The print unit 211 includes a toner unit 211a, a toner 211b, and a developing roller 211c.

[0061] The toner unit 211a is filled with particles (toner particles, hereinafter simply referred to as "toner" for convenience) stored in the toner 211b.

[0062] The developing roller 211 c conveys a fixed amount of toner to the photosensitive drum 213 .

[0063] The charged surface of the photosensitive drum 213 is irradiated with light from an LED 212 in accordance with the print content.

[0064] The transfer roller 214 transfers the print content from the photosensitive drum 213 to the paper by transporting the paper between the photosensitive drum 213 and the transfer roller 214.

[0065] The fixing unit 215 is made up of, for example, two rollers, and fixes the print content transferred onto the paper by transporting the paper between these two rollers.

[0066] [B] Effect According to the printer device and print control program in the above-described embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be achieved, for example.

[0067] The determination information storage area 101 stores correlation data 101a between the toner filling amount and the cumulative value of the print dots. The black dot cumulative value counter 111 counts the cumulative value from when the toner unit is fully filled with toner. The black dot cumulative value counter 111 calculates the toner filling amount based on the counted cumulative value using the correlation data 101a. The tint block pattern determination unit 112 switches the printing density of the print dots depending on the calculated toner filling amount.

[0068] This allows stable tint block printing regardless of fluctuations in the amount of remaining toner. Also, there is no need to provide a sensor for measuring print density, so the printer device 1 can be manufactured with a simple configuration.

[0069] The black dot cumulative value counter 111 corrects the correlation data 101a using at least one of the printer mechanism information 101b and the toner component information 101c, and calculates the toner filling amount using the corrected correlation data 101a.

[0070] This allows the remaining amount of toner to be determined more accurately.

[0071] If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than a threshold, the tint block pattern determination unit 112 sets the print density to a first print density. If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold, the tint block pattern determination unit 112 sets the print density to a second print density that is higher than the first print density.

[0072] This allows accurate switching of the print density according to the amount of toner filled.

[0073] The tint block pattern determination unit 112 sets the print density to a first print density when the calculated toner fill amount is equal to or greater than a threshold and the printing object is a tint block pattern. The tint block pattern determination unit 112 sets the print density to a second print density when the calculated toner fill amount is less than a threshold and the printing object is a tint block pattern. The tint block pattern determination unit 112 sets the print density to a predetermined third print density regardless of the toner fill amount when the printing object is other than a tint block pattern.

[0074] This allows normal characters and images other than the tint block pattern to be printed at a constant print density.

[0075] The tint block pattern is a pattern that makes specific characters or images stand out when a copy is printed, and therefore makes it possible to properly make unauthorized copies of printed matter.

[0076] [C] Other The disclosed technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present embodiment. The configurations and processes of the present embodiment can be selected or combined as needed. In the above-described embodiment, the cumulative number of black dots is counted, but this is not limited to this. If the printer device 1 is capable of color printing, the cumulative number of dots of colors other than black may be counted and the print density of the colors other than black may be changed. As mentioned above

[0077] [D] Supplementary Note The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0078] (Appendix 1) storing correlation data between the toner filling amount and the cumulative value of the print dots; Counting the cumulative value from when the toner unit is full of toner; Using the correlation data, the toner filling amount is calculated based on the counted cumulative value; switching the print density of the print dots in accordance with the calculated toner filling amount; A printer device comprising a control unit.

[0079] (Appendix 2) The control unit correcting the correlation data using at least one of information about the printer device and information about the toner; In the process of calculating the toner filling amount, the toner filling amount is calculated using the corrected correlation data. 2. The printer device of claim 1.

[0080] (Appendix 3) In the process of switching the print density, the control unit If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than a threshold, the print density is set to a first print density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value, the print density is set to a second print density higher than the first print density. 3. A printer device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0081] (Appendix 4) In the process of switching the print density, the control unit If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value and the printing object is a tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the first printing density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value and the printing object is the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the second printing density; When the printing object is other than the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to a predetermined third printing density regardless of the toner filling amount. 4. The printer device of claim 3.

[0082] (Appendix 5) The background pattern is a pattern in which specific characters or images stand out when the image is copied and printed. 5. The printer device of claim 4.

[0083] (Appendix 6) storing correlation data between the toner filling amount and the cumulative value of the print dots; Counting the cumulative value from when the toner unit is full of toner; Using the correlation data, the toner filling amount is calculated based on the counted cumulative value; switching the print density of the print dots in accordance with the calculated toner filling amount; A printing control program in which processing is executed by a computer.

[0084] (Appendix 7) The computer correcting the correlation data using at least one of information about the printer device and information about the toner; In the process of calculating the toner filling amount, the toner filling amount is calculated using the corrected correlation data. 7. A print control program according to claim 6, which executes processing.

[0085] (Appendix 8) In the process of switching the print density, the computer If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than a threshold, the print density is set to a first print density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value, the print density is set to a second print density higher than the first print density. 8. The print control program according to claim 6, which executes processing.

[0086] (Appendix 9) In the process of switching the print density, the computer If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value and the printing object is a tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the first printing density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value and the printing object is the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the second printing density; When the printing object is other than the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to a predetermined third printing density regardless of the toner filling amount. 9. The print control program according to claim 8, which executes processing.

[0087] (Appendix 10) The background pattern is a pattern in which specific characters or images stand out when the image is copied and printed. 10. The printing control program according to claim 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1: Printer device 10: Firmware 11: CPU 12: Memory 13:Storage device 21:Printing Department 22: Paper transport section 101: Judgment information storage area 101a: Correlation Data 101b: Printer mechanism information 101c: Toner component information 102: Toner remaining amount 103: Background pattern storage area 110: Control unit 111: Black dot cumulative value counter 111a: Correction calculation unit 112: background pattern determination unit 112a: Adjustment section 112b: Switching section 210: Mechanism section 211: Print unit 211a: Toner unit 211b: Toner 211c: Developing roller 212: LED 213: Photosensitive drum 214: Transfer roller 215: Fixing unit

Claims

1. storing correlation data between the toner filling amount and the cumulative value of the print dots; counting the cumulative value from a state in which the toner unit is fully filled with toner; Using the correlation data, the toner filling amount is calculated based on the counted cumulative value; switching the print density of the print dots in accordance with the calculated toner filling amount; A printer device comprising a control unit.

2. The control unit correcting the correlation data using at least one of information about the printer device and information about the toner; In the process of calculating the toner filling amount, the toner filling amount is calculated using the corrected correlation data. The printer device according to claim 1 .

3. In the process of switching the print density, the control unit If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than a threshold, the print density is set to a first print density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value, the print density is set to a second print density higher than the first print density.

3. The printer device according to claim 1.

4. In the process of switching the print density, the control unit If the calculated toner filling amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value and the printing object is a tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the first printing density; If the calculated toner filling amount is less than the threshold value and the printing object is the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to the second printing density; When the printing object is other than the tint block pattern, the printing density is set to a predetermined third printing density regardless of the toner filling amount.

4. The printer device according to claim 3.

5. The background pattern is a pattern in which specific characters or images stand out when the image is copied and printed.

5. The printer device according to claim 4.

6. storing correlation data between the toner filling amount and the cumulative value of the print dots; Counting the cumulative value from when the toner unit is full of toner; Using the correlation data, the toner filling amount is calculated based on the counted cumulative value; switching the print density of the print dots in accordance with the calculated toner filling amount; A printing control program in which processing is executed by a computer.

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