Image forming apparatus, image adjustment method

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and image adjustment method that can achieve a good balance between improving image quality through adjustment processing to adjust image formation conditions and improving productivity in print image formation processing, depending on the situation. [Solution] In the image forming apparatus (100), the second image processing unit (52) can execute detection image forming processing by switching between a first mode in which a detection image is formed by the image forming unit (3) in an area outside the printed area of ​​the transfer body (26) during the execution of print image forming processing, and a second mode in which a detection image is formed by the image forming unit (3) in at least the printed area of ​​the transfer body (26) during the inter-page period from the completion of print image forming processing corresponding to one page until the execution of print image forming processing corresponding to the next page, based on preset switching conditions. The switching conditions include selecting the first mode when an abnormality is detected in the second detection unit (462, 463).

Claims

1. A first image processing unit performs a print image formation process that forms a print image in a predetermined print area on the transfer object based on image data to be printed, A second image processing unit capable of executing a detection image formation process by switching between, based on a preset switching condition, a first mode in which the image forming unit forms a detection image used for adjusting the image formation conditions in the image forming unit in an area outside the printing area of ​​the transfer body during the execution of the print image formation process, and a second mode in which the image forming unit forms the detection image in at least the printing area of ​​the transfer body during the inter-page period from the completion of the print image formation process corresponding to one page to the execution of the print image formation process corresponding to the next page, One or more first detection units for detecting the detection image formed in the printing area of ​​the transfer object, One or more second detection units for detecting the detection image formed in the region outside the printing area of ​​the transfer object, An adjustment processing unit that adjusts the image forming conditions in the image forming unit based on the detection result of the detection image by the first detection unit or the second detection unit, Equipped with, The switching conditions include selecting the first mode when an abnormality is detected in the second detection unit. Image forming apparatus.

2. The second image processing unit can be configured, according to user operation, to determine whether or not to execute the detection image forming process in the first mode when an abnormality is detected in the second detection unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. When the second image processing unit performs the detection image formation process in the second mode, it forms the detection image only in the printed area of ​​the transfer object. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The second image processing unit detects whether or not there is an abnormality in the second detection unit before executing the print image forming process or the detection image forming process, and switches between the first mode and the second mode based on the result of the detection and the switching conditions. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. One or more processors A first step is to perform a print image forming process in which an image forming unit forms a print image in a predetermined printing area on the transfer object based on the image data to be printed, A second step that can be executed by switching between a first mode, in which the image forming unit forms a detection image used to adjust the image forming conditions in the image forming unit in an area outside the printing area of ​​the transfer body during the execution of the print image forming process, and a second mode, in which the image forming unit forms the detection image in at least the printing area of ​​the transfer body during the inter-page period from the completion of the print image forming process corresponding to one page to the execution of the print image forming process corresponding to the next page, based on a preset switching condition, A third step of adjusting the image forming conditions in the image forming unit based on the detection result of the detection image, which is performed by one or more first detection units that detect the detection image formed in the printing area of ​​the transfer target, or by one or more second detection units that detect the detection image formed in an area outside the printing area of ​​the transfer target. An image adjustment method that performs the following: The switching conditions include executing the first mode if a failure is detected in the second detection unit. Image adjustment methods.

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