Image processing system, image processing apparatus, and image processing method

Abstract

The present invention provides an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method that allow the user to set the settings of the setting items for image correction processing performed on the leading image region of image data to be printed on a sheet to the setting values ​​desired by the user. [Solution] The control unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 1 displays the anti-wrap setting screen D13 on the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12, and registers the settings for the anti-wrap process based on the setting items selected via the anti-wrap setting screen D13.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet by transferring and fixing a toner image onto the sheet based on an electrophotographic method. The image forming apparatus is provided with a heating roller that heats the toner image and a pressure roller that presses the sheet against the heating roller. The heating roller contacts and heats the toner image on the sheet at a predetermined fixing position on the sheet conveyance path to fix the toner image onto the sheet.

[0003] In this type of image forming apparatus, when the sheet is passed through the nip portion between the heating roller and the pressure roller, the toner at the leading edge of the sheet may melt and the leading end portion of the sheet may adhere to the heating roller, resulting in a sheet jam where the sheet wraps around the heating roller. In order to prevent such a sheet jam due to winding, it has been proposed to lower the density of the leading edge image area on the image data corresponding to the leading end portion of the sheet or to provide a margin in the leading edge image area of the image data (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the prior art described in the aforementioned patent documents does not allow users to change or adjust settings such as density reduction processing or margin settings for the leading image area during the printing process, which is inconvenient for users of image forming apparatuses.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, and an image processing method that enable the user to set the settings of the setting items for image correction processing performed on the leading image region of image data printed on a sheet to the setting values ​​desired by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image processing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction processing on the leading image region of image data to be printed on a sheet in an image forming apparatus, and a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction processing based on an external operation input.

[0008] An image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction processing with respect to the leading image region of image data to be printed on a sheet in an image forming apparatus, and a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction processing based on an external operation input.

[0009] An image processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method in which one or more processors perform an image correction step of performing a predetermined image correction process with respect to the leading image region of image data to be printed on a sheet in an image forming apparatus, and a setting step of setting setting items for the image correction process based on an external operation input. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to set the settings of the setting items for the image correction processing performed on the leading image region of the image data printed on the sheet to the setting value desired by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an image forming apparatus and an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus and an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a home screen, which is an example of an operation input screen displayed on the operation display panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a setting menu screen, which is an example of an operation input screen displayed on the operation display panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a print quality setting screen, which is an example of an operation input screen displayed on the operation display panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the setting screen for the fixing and entanglement prevention process displayed on the operation display panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a setting screen for adjusting the shift amount of the image shift process, which is displayed on the operation display panel of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for an anti-wrap process performed by an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for an anti-wrap process performed by an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure for an anti-wrap process performed by an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure for an anti-wrap process performed by an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiments described below are merely examples that embody the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0013] An image processing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a system that enables setting of setting contents (such as setting values and execution instructions) of predetermined setting items in the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 by an operation input by a user.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 100 is configured by an image forming apparatus 1 (an example of the image processing apparatus of the present invention). In the present embodiment, as an example of the image processing system of the present invention, a system configured by the image forming apparatus 1 is illustrated. However, for example, a system configured by the image forming apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus (not shown) that transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 1 and causes the image forming apparatus 1 to execute print processing may be used. The information processing apparatus is, for example, a personal computer, a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone, or a mobile phone.

[0015] [Image Forming Apparatus 1] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine equipped with functions such as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile. The image forming apparatus 1 performs a printing process of printing an image based on the input image data on printing paper (sheet) using toner. The image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to a multifunction machine, and may be a printer having a printing function capable of executing the printing process, a facsimile, a copier, or the like.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 prints an image on printing paper based on image data input from the outside or image data read by an image reading apparatus 11 disposed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises an image reading device 11, an operation display panel 12, an image forming unit 13, a fixing unit 14 (see Figure 2), a sheet storage unit 15, a paper discharge unit 16 (see Figure 2), and a sheet transport unit 7 (see Figure 2). Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 1 also comprises a control unit 17, a communication interface 18, and a storage unit 19. These components are housed in the housing 1A, which constitutes the outer cover and internal frame of the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the image reading device 11 is not shown in Figure 2.

[0018] The image reading device 11 is located on top of the image forming apparatus 1. The image reading device 11 is a device that reads an image from a document and generates image data to be used in the printing process.

[0019] The image reading device 11 optically reads the image of a document placed on a contact glass (document tray) (not shown), or the image of a document transported by the ADF 111 (see Figure 1). The image reading device 11 mainly consists of a light source that scans the reading surface of the document, and an image sensor such as a CCD or CIS that receives reflected light from the reading surface and converts it into an electrical signal.

[0020] As shown in Figure 2, the sheet transport unit 7 includes a paper feeding unit 30 and multiple pairs of transport rollers 31. The paper feeding unit 30 feeds the printing paper stored in the sheet storage unit 15 to the transport path 300 inside the housing 1A.

[0021] Multiple sets of transport rollers 31 are driven by a motor to rotate, and by gripping and rotating the printing paper to be transported, the printing paper is transported along the transport path 300. Furthermore, the multiple sets of transport rollers 31 discharge the printing paper from the exit 302 of the transport path 300 to the discharge tray 49. In the following description, the direction in which the printing paper is transported along the transport path 300 is referred to as the sheet transport direction D1. The direction perpendicular to the sheet transport direction D1 and along the transport path 300 (the direction perpendicular to the paper plane in Figure 2) is referred to as the width direction D2.

[0022] The image forming unit 13 performs a process (toner image formation process) to form a toner image on the printing paper according to the input image data, in accordance with the electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 13 forms the toner image on the printing paper that is transported along the transport path 300 by the sheet transport unit 7.

[0023] The image forming unit 13 includes an image forming unit 40, a light scanning device 46, and a transfer device 47. The image forming unit 40 includes a drum-shaped photoreceptor 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, and a drum cleaning device 45, among others.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is a tandem-type color image forming apparatus. Therefore, the image forming unit 13 is equipped with four imaging units 40 corresponding to four toners: yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Furthermore, the transfer apparatus 47 is equipped with an intermediate transfer belt 471, four belt transfer devices 472 corresponding to the four imaging units 40, a sheet transfer device 473, and a belt cleaning device 474.

[0025] In the image-forming unit 40, the photoreceptor 41 rotates, and the charging device 42 charges the surface of the photoreceptor 41. Furthermore, the optical scanning device 46 writes an electrostatic latent image onto the surface of the photoreceptor 41 by scanning with laser light. The photoreceptor 41 is an example of an image carrier.

[0026] Furthermore, the developing device 43 develops the electrostatic latent image as a toner image by supplying toner to the surface of the photoreceptor 41.

[0027] The transfer device 47 transfers the toner image to the printing paper in the transport path 300. In the transfer device 47, the belt transfer device 472 is a roller-shaped rotating body that transfers the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 41 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 471. As a result, a color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 471.

[0028] The sheet transfer device 473 is a roller-shaped rotating body that transfers the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 471 to the printing paper in the transport path 300. A driven roller is positioned opposite the sheet transfer device 473, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 471 is transferred to the printing paper at the transfer position between the driven roller and the sheet transfer device 473.

[0029] The drum cleaning device 45 removes toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor 41. The belt cleaning device 474 removes toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 471.

[0030] In the case where the image forming apparatus 1 is a monochrome image forming apparatus, there is only one image forming unit 40, and instead of the transfer device 47, a sheet transfer device 473 is provided at a position opposite the photoreceptor 41, and this sheet transfer device 473 transfers the toner image on the photoreceptor 41 to the printing paper in the transport path 300.

[0031] The fixing unit 14 fixes the toner image transferred to the printing paper to the paper by heat. The fixing unit 14 includes a heating roller 5, a pressure roller 6, a heating unit 50 such as an IH heater or a ceramic heater, and a motor (not shown) that rotates the pressure roller 6. The motor is driven and controlled by a motor driver 61 (see Figure 3) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. When the motor is driven, the pressure roller 6 rotates. The heating unit 50 is heated and controlled by a heater control unit 51 (see Figure 3) provided in the image forming apparatus 1. The heating unit 50 heats the heating roller 5.

[0032] The pressure roller 6 is rotatably supported while being biased toward the heating roller 5. In this embodiment, the pressure roller 6 is biased toward the heating roller 5 by a biasing member (not shown).

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, the pressure roller 6 forms a nip section between itself and the heating roller 5 through which the printing paper passes. The position where the nip section is formed is the fixing position where the toner image is fixed to the printing paper by the fixing unit 14.

[0034] The printed paper, on which the image has been fixed by the fixing unit 14, is sent to the discharge channel 301, which is formed downstream of the fixing unit 14 in the sheet transport direction D1 of the printed paper. The printed paper sent to the discharge channel 301 is transported toward the discharge tray 49 by a pair of transport rollers 31 provided along the discharge channel 301.

[0035] The operation display panel 12 is a user interface in the image forming apparatus 1 for displaying various information to the user and for accepting input of various settings by the user. The operation display panel 12 is an example of a predetermined display unit of the present invention. The operation display panel 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display having a touch panel as an operation unit. The operation display panel 12 displays various information according to control instructions from the control unit 17. The operation display panel 12 may also consist of a display unit such as a liquid crystal display and an operation unit including a plurality of operation keys, which are provided separately.

[0036] In this embodiment, various operation input screens D10-D14 (see Figures 4 to 8) are displayed on the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12. Operation input screens D10-D14 are input screens for inputting settings to enable or disable each function in the image forming apparatus 1, inputting settings for each function's setting items in the image forming apparatus 1, and inputting setting values ​​for each function's setting items. Operation input screens D10-D14 are examples of setting input screens of the present invention. By operating operation keys and the like that appear on operation input screens D10-D14, the user can enable the settings of each function, input settings for each function's setting items, and input setting values ​​for each function's setting items.

[0037] The communication interface 18 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a predetermined communication network via wired or wireless means, and is a communication interface for performing data communication in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol with an information processing device (not shown) such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone used by a user via the communication network.

[0038] The storage unit 19 is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory that stores various types of information. The storage unit 19 stores various control programs, such as a program for executing the anti-wrapping process described later (see Figure 10, etc.), data used in each of the aforementioned processes, screen data displayed on the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12, and various other types of data.

[0039] The control unit 17 provides overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the control unit 17 controls the toner image forming process, the printing process, the anti-wrap process, and other printing operations in the image forming apparatus 1, as well as the image reading process in the image reading device 11, and other scanning operations.

[0040] Incidentally, in the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, when the printing paper is passed through the nip between the heating roller 5 and the pressure roller 6, the toner at the leading edge of the printing paper may melt and adhere to the roller surface of the heating roller 5, causing the leading edge of the printing paper to stick to the roller and resulting in a sheet jam (wrap-around jam) where the printing paper wraps around the heating roller 5. Such sheet jams are more likely to occur when toner is present at the leading edge of the printing paper before fixing, and even more likely when a toner image corresponding to a so-called solid image is carried at the leading edge of the printing paper.

[0041] To prevent sheet jams caused by such wrapping, image correction processes are performed, such as image density reduction processing to reduce the density of the leading image region in the image data corresponding to the leading edge of the printing paper, and image shift processing to create a margin in the leading image region of the image data.

[0042] In the image processing system 100, it is desirable that the settings for the image density reduction process and the image correction process can be arbitrarily changed and adjusted according to the user's needs. If such changes and adjustments are not possible, users of the image forming apparatus 1 will be inconvenienced.

[0043] According to the image processing system 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to set the settings of the setting items for image correction processing performed on the leading image region of image data to be printed on printing paper to the setting values ​​desired by the user.

[0044] [Configuration of the control unit 17] The control unit 17 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The CPU is a processor that performs various arithmetic operations. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as control programs for causing the CPU to perform various operations is pre-stored. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile storage unit used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various operations performed by the CPU. The control unit 17 controls the image forming apparatus 1 by executing various control programs pre-stored in the ROM or storage unit 19 using the CPU.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 17 includes a reception processing unit 171, a screen display processing unit 172, a setting registration processing unit 173, a maximum margin determination unit 174, a wrap-around prevention processing unit 175, a jam determination unit 176, and the like. The setting registration processing unit 173 is an example of a setting processing unit of the present invention. The wrap-around prevention processing unit 175 is an example of an image correction processing unit of the present invention. The maximum margin determination unit 174 is an example of a maximum margin determination unit of the present invention. The jam determination unit 176 is an example of a wrap-around jam determination unit of the present invention.

[0046] The control unit 17 functions as one of the various processing units by executing various processes according to the control program using the CPU. Furthermore, the control unit 17 may include electronic circuits that implement some or more of these processing functions.

[0047] The reception processing unit 171 performs at least the processing required to receive user operations. The operations received by the reception processing unit 171 include, for example, operations to set various setting items in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0048] Specifically, the reception processing unit 171 accepts user operations when it receives an operation signal generated on the operation display panel 12 when the user taps (touches) the operation display panel 12. When a user performs a tap operation, an operation signal corresponding to this operation is input to the reception processing unit 171, and the reception processing unit 171 accepts the operation. The operation signal includes, for example, identification information to identify the icon on the operation display panel 12 that the user tapped, and information to identify the content of the operation.

[0049] The screen display processing unit 172 controls the display content of the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12.

[0050] The screen display processing unit 172 displays, for example, various operation input screens D10-D14 (see Figures 4 to 8) on the display unit 12A.

[0051] The screen display processing unit 172 displays the home screen D10 shown in Figure 4 as the initial screen on the display unit 12A.

[0052] The screen display processing unit 172 can, for example, switch the information displayed on the operation display panel 12 to other information when the reception processing unit 171 receives an operation from a user. For example, when the reception processing unit 171 receives an operation to select a predetermined setting item, the screen display processing unit 172 displays an operation input screen corresponding to the selected setting item on the display unit 12A of the operation display panel 12 in accordance with that operation.

[0053] For example, when a user taps the settings menu icon A1 on the home screen D10 shown in Figure 4, the screen display processing unit 172 displays the settings menu screen D11 shown in Figure 5 on the display unit 12A. The settings menu screen D11 is an operation screen for selecting various setting items. When the settings menu screen D11 is displayed, the user can select the desired setting item on the settings menu screen D11, and the setting screen corresponding to the desired setting item can be displayed.

[0054] Furthermore, when a user selects any one of the setting items on the setting menu screen D11 shown in Figure 5, the screen display processing unit 172 displays the operation input screen corresponding to the selected setting item on the display unit 12A.

[0055] For example, when the user selects the "Print Quality Settings" setting item A2 on the settings menu screen D11, the screen display processing unit 172 displays the print quality settings screen D12 shown in Figure 6 on the display unit 12A. The print quality settings screen D12 is an input screen for making settings related to print quality that are applied to the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, it is a settings screen for setting image quality, color settings, eco-print settings, and anti-wrap settings to prevent the printing paper from wrapping around the rollers during fixing.

[0056] The display of the print quality settings screen D12 allows the user to configure various settings related to the print quality of the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1, and to display a settings screen corresponding to the desired setting item for print quality.

[0057] When the user selects setting item A3 for "Anti-wrap setting" on the print quality setting screen D12, the screen display processing unit 172 displays the anti-wrap setting screen D13 shown in Figure 7 on the display unit 12A. The anti-wrap setting screen D13 is a setting screen for setting items to suppress the occurrence of the aforementioned entanglement jam in the fixing unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 1. On the anti-wrap setting screen D13, the user can make various settings to suppress the aforementioned entanglement jam in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0058] The anti-wrap setting screen D13 displays several setting items A4-A7 for suppressing the occurrence of the aforementioned entanglement jam. Setting items A4-A7 are for setting various image correction processes performed by the anti-wrap processing unit 175, which will be described later.

[0059] For example, Image Rotation A4 indicates an image rotation process (an example of an image correction process) that rotates the image data to be printed. The image rotation process is an example of the second correction process of the present invention. The image rotation process is performed when the maximum margin region having the maximum margin is determined by the maximum margin determination unit 174, which will be described later, and rotates the image data so that the maximum margin region corresponds to the leading edge of the printing paper. By performing this process, the margin at the leading edge of the printing paper after toner image transfer is expanded.

[0060] Image shift A5 shows an image shift process (an example of an image correction process) for creating a margin at the leading edge of the printing paper on which the image data is printed. The image shift process is an example of the first correction process of the present invention. The image shift process is, for example, a process that expands the margin of the leading image region of the image data by shifting the image region other than the margin towards the trailing edge of the image data to be printed. Alternatively, the image shift process may be a process that expands the margin at the leading edge of the printing paper by, for example, advancing the timing at which the image writing start position on the printing paper reaches the transfer position by a predetermined time compared to the timing at which the leading edge of the toner image supported on the intermediate transfer belt 471 reaches the transfer position. By performing this process, the margin at the leading edge of the printing paper after toner image transfer is expanded.

[0061] Tip cut A6 refers to an image tip cut process (an example of image correction process) in which a portion of the leading image in the image area other than the margins of the image data to be printed is replaced with a colorless image. The aforementioned image tip cut process is an example of the first correction process of the present invention. By performing this process, the margin at the leading edge of the printed paper after toner image transfer is expanded.

[0062] Image reduction A7 shows an image reduction process (an example of an image correction process) in which the image data to be printed is reduced by a predetermined reduction ratio. The reference point for reduction is set, for example, at the center of the image data or at the trailing end of the image data. The image reduction process is an example of the first correction process of the present invention. By performing this process, the margin at the leading edge of the printed paper after toner image transfer is expanded.

[0063] Density reduction A8 refers to an image density reduction process (an example of an image correction process) that reduces the density of the leading image in the image area other than the margins of the image data to be printed. The image density reduction process is an example of the first correction process of the present invention. This process reduces the amount of toner at the leading edge of the printing paper after toner image transfer.

[0064] When each of the image correction processes described above is performed, the amount of toner at the leading edge of the printed paper after toner transfer is reduced, thereby suppressing the aforementioned jam caused by toner melting at the leading edge of the paper.

[0065] The setting registration processing unit 173 performs setting processing to register the setting items for the image correction process based on the user's operation input to the operation display panel 12. The settings registered by the setting registration processing unit 173 are stored in the storage unit 19. During the printing process, the control unit 17 executes the image correction process corresponding to the settings stored in the storage unit 19.

[0066] The setting registration processing unit 173, via the anti-wrap setting screen D13 (see Figure 7), registers the image correction process to be executed during the printing process in the image forming apparatus 1 as the process corresponding to the selected setting item when the user selects one of the multiple setting items A4-A7 and taps the OK button A10.

[0067] In this embodiment, the processes for setting items A4-A7 are not executed in parallel, and setting items A5-A7 are configured so that any one of them can be selected. Furthermore, the image rotation process for setting item A4 is configured so that it can be executed in parallel with the processes for setting items A4-A7, and setting item A4 can be selected in overlap with the other setting items A4-A7.

[0068] Figure 7 shows the anti-wrap setting screen D13, which displays an example of setting items A4-A7, with image rotation A4 and image shift A5 selected. Note that when image shift A5 is selected, the other setting items A6-A7 are masked and cannot be selected.

[0069] Furthermore, when the correction amount setting button A11 is tapped on the anti-wrap setting screen D13, the screen display processing unit 172 displays the correction amount setting screen D14 shown in Figure 8 on the display unit 12A. The correction amount setting screen D14 is an operation screen for adjusting the correction amount in the image correction process. Figure 8 shows the correction amount setting screen D14, which allows adjustment of the image shift amount, when image shift A5 is selected on the anti-wrap setting screen D13 and then the correction amount setting button A11 is tapped.

[0070] The correction amount setting screen D14 is displayed, allowing the user to adjust the correction amount in the image correction process. For example, on the correction amount setting screen D14, the user can adjust not only the image shift amount for the image shift process, but also the cropping amount for the image leading edge cut process, the reduction ratio for the image reduction process, and the density reduction amount for the image density reduction process.

[0071] The maximum margin determination unit 174 performs a process to determine the maximum margin region among the edge image regions of the image data used for printing in the image forming apparatus 1. The maximum margin determination unit 174 determines the edge image region with the largest margin (maximum margin region) among the two edge image regions in the image data that correspond to the edges (front and rear) of at least two sides of the printing paper in the image data used for printing. Hereinafter, of the two edges of the printing paper, the downstream edge in the sheet transport direction D1 of the printing paper will be referred to as the front edge, and the upstream edge in the sheet transport direction D1 will be referred to as the rear edge.

[0072] The maximum margin determination unit 174 determines, for example, in the image data an image region having a density below a predetermined threshold as a background image region, detects the width of the background image region in the edge region of the image data corresponding to each edge of the printing paper, and determines the portion with the largest width as the maximum margin edge.

[0073] The anti-wrap processing unit 175 executes image correction processing corresponding to the setting items A4-A7 selected on the anti-wrap setting screen D13.

[0074] For example, if an image correction process corresponding to any of the setting items A5-A7 is selected and registered, the anti-wrap processing unit 175 will execute one of the selected image correction processes when the printing process is executed.

[0075] Furthermore, for example, if only the image correction processing (image rotation processing) corresponding to the setting item A4 is selected and registered, the anti-wrap processing unit 175 rotates the image data so that the maximum margin area determined by the maximum margin determination unit 174 corresponds to the leading edge of the printing paper. Note that if the maximum margin area is already in a position corresponding to the leading edge of the printing paper, the image rotation processing is not performed.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, if an image correction process (image rotation process) corresponding to setting item A4 and one image correction process from setting items A5-A7 are selected and registered, the anti-wrap processing unit 175 first rotates the image data so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the printing paper, and then performs the image correction process corresponding to one of the setting items A5-A7.

[0077] The jam detection unit 176 determines whether or not a jam has occurred when printing is performed in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, after the printing process is completed, the jam detection unit 176 determines whether or not a jam has occurred based on the detection signals from sheet sensors 8 and 9 provided in the transport path 300. Specifically, sheet sensor 8 is provided on the upstream side of the sheet transport direction D1 of the fixing unit 14, and sheet sensor 9 is provided on the downstream side of the sheet transport direction D1 of the fixing unit 14. The jam detection unit 176 determines that a jam has occurred if the leading edge of the printing paper is not detected by sheet sensor 9 within a predetermined time elapsed after the leading edge of the printing paper is detected by sheet sensor 8. Note that this determination process is merely an example, and other determination processes can also be applied.

[0078] [Anti-wrapping treatment] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 9 to 12, an example of the procedure for preventing entanglement in the printing process performed by the image forming apparatus 1, along with a method for preventing entanglement in the image forming apparatus 1 (an example of the image processing method of the present invention), will be described. The present invention can be understood as an invention of a method for performing one or more steps included in the aforementioned entanglement prevention process.

[0079] One or more steps included in the anti-wrap treatment described below may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, the execution order of each step in the anti-wrap treatment may differ to the extent that similar effects are produced.

[0080] The aforementioned entanglement prevention process is mainly performed by the control unit 17 of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the entanglement prevention process is performed by one or more processors corresponding to the control unit 17 executing a control program stored in the memory unit 19 or the like.

[0081] As shown in Figure 9, in step S11, the control unit 17 determines whether or not a print command has been input to the image forming apparatus 1. For example, it determines that a print command has been input when the start button on the operation display panel 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 is pressed, or when a print job is input from an external information processing device via the communication I / F 18.

[0082] In the next step, S12, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the anti-wrap setting has been registered.

[0083] If it is determined in step S12 that no anti-wrap setting is registered, the control unit 17 proceeds to step S15 without performing the processes in steps S13 and S14, and print processing is performed based on the input image data.

[0084] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the anti-wrap setting is registered, the control unit 17 performs the processing from step S13 onwards.

[0085] In step S13, the control unit 17 determines whether the amount of margin in the leading image region (leading image region) of the image data to be printed is equal to or greater than a preset amount. If it is determined that the amount of margin is equal to or greater than the preset amount, there is no need to perform image correction processing, so the control unit 17 proceeds to step S15 without performing the processing in step S14, and the printing process based on the input image data is performed.

[0086] On the other hand, if in step S13 the margin amount is determined to be less than the set amount, there is a possibility that the jam may occur, so in step S14 the control unit 17 performs image correction processing, and then performs printing processing based on the image-corrected image data (S15).

[0087] In step S12, if the anti-wrap setting is registered, the control unit 17 may execute the image correction process in step S14 without performing the determination process in step S13.

[0088] The image correction process in step S14 of Figure 9 will be explained below with reference to the flowchart in Figure 10.

[0089] As shown in Figure 10, in step S21, the control unit 17 determines whether the image rotation A4 setting item is set or not. If image rotation A4 is not set, the control unit 17 proceeds to step S22 and performs image correction processing according to the setting content of one of the other setting items A5-A8 registered by the setting registration processing unit 173, and then proceeds to step S15 (see Figure 9) and performs printing processing based on the corrected image data.

[0090] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the setting item for image rotation A4 is set, the control unit 17 determines the maximum margin area in step S23. In other words, it identifies the edge image area with the largest margin among the edge image areas corresponding to the four edges of the printing paper in the image data to be printed.

[0091] In the next step S24, the control unit 17 determines whether the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the printing paper. If the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the printing paper, there is no need to perform image rotation processing, so in the next step S22, the control unit 17 executes other image correction processing that has been set and registered, and then proceeds to step S15 (see Figure 9) to perform printing processing based on the corrected image data.

[0092] In step S24, if it is determined that the maximum margin area corresponds to the rear edge of the printing paper, the control unit 17 proceeds to step S25 and performs image rotation processing. In this case, the control unit 17 rotates the image data by 180 degrees so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the front edge of the printing paper.

[0093] Subsequently, in step S26, the control unit 17 determines whether the amount of margin in the maximum margin area of ​​the image data after image rotation processing is equal to or greater than the preset amount. If it is determined that the amount of margin is equal to or greater than the preset amount, there is no need to perform image correction processing, so the control unit 17 proceeds to step S15 (see Figure 9) without performing the processing in step S22 and executes the printing process based on the corrected image data.

[0094] On the other hand, if in step S26 the margin amount is determined to be less than the set amount, the control unit 17 proceeds to step S22 and performs image correction processing according to the setting content of one of the other setting items A5-A8 registered by the setting registration processing unit 173. After that, the control unit 17 proceeds to step S15 (see Figure 9) and performs printing processing based on the corrected image data.

[0095] As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the image correction processing that can be performed with respect to the leading image region of the image data printed on the printing paper in the image forming apparatus 1 can be arbitrarily set to the settings desired by the user.

[0096] In this embodiment, the user can also configure settings for multiple image correction processes applied to the leading edge image region of the image data to be printed. Specifically, the user can configure one of the following: an image shift process that changes the image density of the leading edge image region, an image leading edge cut process, an image reduction process, and an image density reduction process (all examples of first correction processes). The user can also configure an image rotation process that rotates the image data (an example of a second correction process). This allows the user to configure any desired process from among multiple image correction processes.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if image rotation processing is set, it is determined whether the maximum margin area in the image data corresponds to the leading edge or the trailing edge of the printing paper. If the maximum margin area corresponds to the trailing edge, the image data is rotated 180 degrees. As a result, the margin of the leading edge image area of ​​the image data after image correction is expanded, thereby suppressing the occurrence of jamming without causing a decrease in the image quality of the image data.

[0098] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the amount of margin in the leading image region of the image data after image rotation processing is less than the set amount, other pre-configured image correction processing other than image rotation processing is performed to further expand the margin in the leading image region. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of the aforementioned jamming.

[0099] In the above embodiment, Figure 9 illustrates an example of a process in which printing is performed when the anti-wrap setting is not registered. However, for example, as shown in Figure 11, if the anti-wrap setting is not registered, the process in step S13 may be performed, and if in step S13 it is determined that the margin amount is less than the set amount, in the next step S16 the anti-wrap setting screen D13 for setting the anti-wrap process may be displayed on the display unit 12A. In this case, in the next step S17 it is determined whether or not the anti-wrap setting has been registered, and if it has been registered, the processes from step S14 onwards are performed. On the other hand, if the anti-wrap setting is not registered in step S17, the printing process is performed without the image correction process in step S14.

[0100] In this configured embodiment, if the anti-wrap setting is not registered and there is a possibility of the aforementioned jam occurring, the anti-wrap setting screen D13 can be displayed to prompt the user to set the anti-wrap setting.

[0101] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 12, if it is determined that a jam has occurred during the printing process (S31), the control unit 17 may display the jam prevention setting screen D13 on the display unit 12A at a predetermined timing. For example, the control unit 17 displays the jam prevention setting screen D13 on the display unit 12A at the timing when the jammed printing paper is removed, or at the timing when a reprinting instruction is input after the removal of the printing paper.

[0102] In this configured embodiment, when reprinting, the user does not need to operate the operation display panel 12, and the anti-wrap setting screen D13 is automatically displayed.

[0103] In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the operation input screens D10-D14 are displayed on the operation display panel 12 of the image forming apparatus 1 and operated by the user. However, for example, the printer driver of the information processing device that sends a print job to the image forming apparatus 1 may display the operation input screens D10-D14 on the display unit of the information processing device. In this case, image correction processing is performed in the information processing device, and the print job including the image data after image correction processing is sent to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0104] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0105] <Note 1> An image forming apparatus includes an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction process on the leading image region of image data printed on a sheet, and An image processing system comprising: a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction process based on external operation input.

[0106] <Note 2> The image correction process includes a first correction process that changes the image density in the leading image region, and a second correction process that rotates the entire image data including the leading image region. The setting processing unit sets the setting items for the first correction process and the second correction process, respectively. The image processing system described in Appendix 1.

[0107] <Note 3> The image data further includes a maximum margin determination unit that determines, based on the image data, the maximum margin region among the image regions corresponding to the two ends of the leading or trailing end of the sheet, which has the largest margin. The image correction processing unit performs the second correction process on the image data so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the sheet when the maximum margin area is an image area corresponding to the rear end. The image processing system described in Appendix 2.

[0108] <Note 4> The image correction processing unit, when the margin of the maximum margin area is less than a predetermined set amount, performs the second correction process on the image data so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the sheet, and also performs the first correction process with respect to the maximum margin area. The image processing system described in Appendix 3.

[0109] <Note 5> The first correction process is one or more of the following: an image shift process that shifts the image data toward the rear end of the sheet; an image tip cut process that cuts out the tip image region of the image data corresponding to the front end of the sheet; a density reduction process that reduces the image density of the tip image region; or an image reduction process that reduces the image data by a predetermined reduction ratio. An image processing system as described in any of the appendices 2 to 4.

[0110] <Note 6> The system further includes a screen display processing unit that displays a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit, on which the setting contents of the aforementioned setting items can be entered. The setting processing unit sets the setting content of the setting item to the setting value entered by the operation input through the setting input screen. An image processing system as described in any of the appendices 1 to 5.

[0111] <Note 7> The aforementioned screen display processing unit, When a print instruction based on the image data is input to the image forming apparatus while the setting items have not been set by the setting processing unit, the setting input screen is displayed on the predetermined display unit. The image processing system described in Appendix 6.

[0112] <Note 8> The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that fixes the toner image on the sheet by heating the toner image on the sheet with a heating roller. The image processing system further includes a sheet jam determination unit that determines whether or not a sheet jam has occurred in which the sheet wraps around the heating roller when a printing process based on the image data is performed in the image forming apparatus. The aforementioned screen display processing unit, When the aforementioned jamming detection unit determines that a sheet jam has occurred, the setting input screen is displayed on the predetermined display unit. The image processing system described in Appendix 6 or 7.

[0113] <Note 9> An image forming apparatus includes an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction process on the leading image region of image data printed on a sheet, and An image processing apparatus comprising: a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction process based on an external operation input.

[0114] <Note 10> An image correction step in an image forming apparatus, in which a predetermined image correction process is performed on the leading image region of the image data to be printed on a sheet, A setting step that sets the setting items for the image correction process based on external input, An image processing method performed by one or more processors. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0115] 1: Image forming apparatus 5: Heating roller 6: Pressure roller 11: Image reading device 12: Operation display panel 12A: Display section 13: Image forming unit 14: Fixing section 17: Control Unit 18: Communication I / F 19: Storage section 50: Heating section 51: Heater control unit 61: Motor Driver 100: Image processing system 171: Reception Processing Department 172: Screen display processing unit 173: Setting registration processing unit 174: Maximum margin determination unit 175: Anti-winding treatment section 176: Jam Judgment Unit D10-D14: Operation Input Screen

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus includes an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction process on the leading image region of image data printed on a sheet, and An image processing system comprising: a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction process based on external operation input.

2. The image correction process includes a first correction process that changes the image density in the leading image region, and a second correction process that rotates the entire image data including the leading image region. The setting processing unit sets the setting items for the first correction process and the second correction process, respectively. The image processing system according to claim 1.

3. The image data further includes a maximum margin determination unit that determines, based on the image data, the maximum margin region among the image regions corresponding to the two ends of the leading or trailing end of the sheet, which has the largest margin. The image correction processing unit performs the second correction process on the image data so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the sheet when the maximum margin area is an image area corresponding to the rear end. The image processing system according to claim 2.

4. The image correction processing unit, when the margin of the maximum margin area is less than a predetermined set amount, performs the second correction process on the image data so that the maximum margin area corresponds to the leading edge of the sheet, and also performs the first correction process with respect to the maximum margin area. The image processing system according to claim 3.

5. The first correction process is one or more of the following: an image shift process that shifts the image data toward the rear end of the sheet; an image tip cut process that cuts out the tip image region of the image data corresponding to the front end of the sheet; a density reduction process that reduces the image density of the tip image region; or an image reduction process that reduces the image data by a predetermined reduction ratio. The image processing system according to claim 2.

6. The system further includes a screen display processing unit that displays a setting input screen on a predetermined display unit, on which the setting contents of the aforementioned setting items can be entered. The setting processing unit sets the setting content of the setting item to the setting value entered by the operation input through the setting input screen. The image processing system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned screen display processing unit, When a print instruction based on the image data is input to the image forming apparatus while the setting items have not been set by the setting processing unit, the setting input screen is displayed on the predetermined display unit. The image processing system according to claim 6.

8. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing device that fixes the toner image on the sheet by heating the toner image on the sheet with a heating roller. The image processing system further includes a sheet jam determination unit that determines whether or not a sheet jam has occurred in which the sheet wraps around the heating roller when a printing process based on the image data is performed in the image forming apparatus. The aforementioned screen display processing unit, When the aforementioned jamming detection unit determines that a sheet jam has occurred, the setting input screen is displayed on the predetermined display unit. The image processing system according to claim 6.

9. An image forming apparatus includes an image correction processing unit that performs a predetermined image correction process on the leading image region of image data printed on a sheet, and An image processing apparatus comprising: a setting processing unit that sets setting items for the image correction process based on an external operation input.

10. An image correction step in an image forming apparatus, in which a predetermined image correction process is performed on the leading image region of the image data to be printed on a sheet, A setting step that sets the setting items for the image correction process based on external input, An image processing method performed by one or more processors.

Images