Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that is less prone to liquid contamination of the medium after image formation and less prone to deterioration of the quality of the image formed on the medium. [Solution] When an image is to be formed on the communication side of a glossy postcard (T5, No), the status of image formation on the address side is acquired prior to image formation (T7). If the address side has not been image-formed (T8, image not formed), image formation is performed on the communication side unless image formation on the communication side is canceled (T10, No) (T11). If the address side has already been image-formed (T8, image formed), image formation is performed on the communication side (T12). The amount of ink per unit area used in T12 is greater than the amount of ink per unit area used in T11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium by attaching a liquid such as ink to the medium, there is a printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1. This printing apparatus can perform printing according to the glossiness of the surface of an optical disc (the surface of the medium) to be printed (image formed).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When another object comes into contact with the surface of a medium to which a liquid has adhered due to image formation, there is a risk of liquid stains occurring on the surface. Depending on the medium, the likelihood of this liquid stain occurring may be different between one surface and the opposite surface. In order to reduce the occurrence of such stains on the medium after image formation, it is conceivable to set the amount of liquid used in image formation to be small based on the surface where stains are more likely to occur so that stains are less likely to occur. However, when the amount of liquid used is small, the quality of the image formed on the medium may deteriorate.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a program in which liquid stains are less likely to occur on the medium after image formation and the quality of the image formed on the medium is less likely to deteriorate.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a medium transport unit having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, an image forming unit that performs image forming by depositing a liquid onto the surface opposite to the first surface, an image forming status acquisition unit that acquires the image forming status on the second surface of the first medium, where liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface is more likely to occur on the second surface opposite to it, before the image forming is performed on the first surface, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first image forming process that causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming on the first surface if the second surface has already been image formed, based on the image forming status acquired by the image forming status acquisition unit, if the second surface has already been image formed, and a second image forming process that causes the image forming unit to perform the image forming on the first surface if the second surface has not yet been image formed, and the amount of liquid per unit area used on the first surface is larger in the first image forming process than in the second image forming process.

[0007] An image forming system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising a computer and an image forming apparatus that can communicate with each other, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a medium transport unit having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, an image forming unit that performs image forming by depositing a liquid on the surface opposite to the first surface to form an image on the opposite surface, and a control unit, wherein at least one of the computer and the image forming apparatus acquires the image forming status on the second surface of a predetermined medium, in which liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface is more likely to occur compared to the second surface on the opposite side, before the image forming on the first surface is performed. The system includes an image formation status acquisition unit, and the control unit selectively performs a first image formation process and a second image formation process, which cause the image formation unit to perform the image formation on the first surface, according to predetermined conditions relating to the image formation. The first image formation process uses a larger amount of liquid per unit area on the first surface compared to the second image formation process, and at least one of the computer and the control unit determines the predetermined conditions based on the image formation status acquired by the image formation status acquisition unit, such that the first image formation process is performed if the second surface has already been image-formed, and the second image formation process is performed if the second surface has not yet been image-formed.

[0008] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a medium transport unit having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, an image forming unit that performs image forming by depositing a liquid onto the surface opposite to the first surface to form an image on the opposite surface, and a first image forming process and a second image forming process that cause the image forming unit to perform image forming on the first surface of a predetermined medium in which liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface is more likely to occur compared to the second surface on the opposite side, according to predetermined conditions related to the image forming. The system comprises a control unit and, in the first image forming process, the amount of liquid per unit area used on the first surface is larger than that used on the second image forming process, and the system causes the computer to perform an image forming status acquisition process to acquire the image forming status on the second surface before the image forming is performed on the first surface, and a condition determination process to determine predetermined conditions based on the image forming status acquired by the image forming status acquisition process, such that the first image forming process is performed if the second surface has already been image formed, and the second image forming process is performed if the second surface has not yet been image formed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] If the first surface of the medium is more prone to liquid contamination than the second surface, there is a concern that contamination may occur due to contact between the transporter's components and the image-formed first surface. In this case, performing image formation on the first surface after image formation on the second surface is less likely to result in liquid contamination than performing image formation on the second surface after image formation on the first surface.

[0010] Based on the above perspective, the present invention acquires the image formation status on the second surface before image formation is performed on the first surface. Based on the acquired results, if the second surface has already been image-formed, liquid contamination is less likely to occur, so image formation is performed on the first surface in such a way that the amount of liquid used is greater than when the second surface has not been image-formed. This realizes an image-forming apparatus that reduces the occurrence of contamination while also minimizing the degradation of image quality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the overview configuration of a printer according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the paper along the thickness direction where the image is formed in the printer. (a) corresponds to plain paper, (b) to regular glossy paper, and (c) to a glossy postcard. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printer. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes related to the image formation process performed by the printer. [Figure 5] This is an example of an image displayed on the touch panel display during the processing shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is another example of an image displayed on the touch panel display during the processing shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a printer system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the sequence of processes related to the generation of adjustment data performed by the PC. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a printer 10 according to the first embodiment, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the vertical direction is defined based on the state in which the printer 10 is installed for use (the state in Figure 1), the front-to-back direction is defined with the side of the housing 11 with the opening 13 provided as the front side, and the left-to-right direction is defined when viewing the printer 10 from the front side.

[0013] The printer 10 is a device that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet of paper S. The paper S that is the target of image formation in the printer 10 can be of three types, as shown in Figures 2(a) to 2(c): plain paper S1, regular glossy paper S2, and glossy postcard S3. Plain paper S1 is a single-layer paper made of chemical pulp. Both regular glossy paper S2 and glossy postcard S3 have a two-layer structure consisting of a base material L1 or L3 made of paper or the like, and an ink receiving layer L2 or L4 formed on the base material L1 or L3. In regular glossy paper S2 (corresponding to the "second medium" of the present invention), the surface C1 where the base material L1 is exposed is not the target of image formation, while the surface C2 where the receiving layer L2 is exposed (corresponding to the "third surface" of the present invention) is the target of image formation. In glossy postcard S3 (corresponding to the "first medium" of the present invention), both the surface C3 where the base material L3 is exposed and the surface C4 where the receiving layer L4 is exposed are the targets of image formation. Surface C3 of the glossy postcard S3 is the surface on which the image representing the address is formed, and surface C4 of the glossy postcard S3 is the communication surface. Hereinafter, surface C3 of the glossy postcard S3 will be referred to as the address surface C3 (corresponding to the "second surface" of the present invention), and surface C4 will be referred to as the communication surface C4 (corresponding to the "first surface" of the present invention). The address surface C3 and the communication surface C4 are opposite surfaces to each other.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the printer 10 includes a touch panel display 3, a paper feed tray 4, a paper output tray 5, a recording unit 6, a transport unit 7, and a control unit 8. The paper feed tray 4, the recording unit 6, the transport unit 7, and the control unit 8 are housed within the casing 11 of the printer 10. Within the casing 11, the paper feed tray 4 is positioned below the recording unit 6.

[0015] The touch panel display 3 (corresponding to the "notification unit" of the present invention) notifies various types of information by displaying characters, images, etc. on the screen. Further, when a finger or the like touches the screen, the touch panel display 3 detects the contact position and outputs the detection result to the control unit 8. Thereby, the touch panel display 3 can receive various user inputs. The user input received by the touch panel display 3 is transmitted to the control unit 8.

[0016] The paper feed tray 4 can support and accommodate a plurality of sheets S composed of any one of plain paper S1, normal glossy paper S2, and glossy postcards S3 in a stacked state. The paper feed tray 4 is insertable and removable in the front-rear direction with respect to the housing 11. The paper feed tray 4 has a support surface 4a for supporting the sheet S.

[0017] The paper discharge tray 5 accommodates the sheet S on which an image is formed by a recording head 63 (described later) of the recording unit 6. The paper discharge tray 5 is disposed above the front side of the paper feed tray 4 and is configured to move in the front-rear direction together with the paper feed tray 4.

[0018] The recording unit 6 has a carriage 61 and a recording head 63. The carriage 61 is supported by two guide rails 67a, 67b. The two guide rails 67a, 67b are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and each extends in the left-right direction. The carriage 61 is disposed so as to straddle the two guide rails 67a, 67b. The carriage 61 is reciprocally movable in the left-right direction, which is the main scanning direction, along the two guide rails 67a, 67b by the driving force of a carriage drive motor 31 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] The recording head 63 is mounted on the carriage 61 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 61. The recording head 63 discharges ink supplied from an ink cartridge disposed in the housing 11 from a plurality of nozzles provided on the nozzle surface on the lower surface. Thereby, an image is formed on the surface on the nozzle surface side of the sheet S.

[0020] The transport unit 7 transports the paper S inside the printer 10 and includes a paper feed roller 70, transport roller pairs 71-73, a platen 75, and guide members 16 and 17.

[0021] The paper feed roller 70 is positioned to contact the upward-facing surface of the uppermost sheet of paper S supported in the paper feed tray 4. The paper feed roller 70 rotates under the driving force from the paper feed motor 33 (see Figure 3), feeding the paper S in the paper feed tray 4 backward. The paper S fed out of the paper feed tray 4 by the paper feed roller 70 is then fed into the transport path 14 that extends from the paper feed tray 4 to the recording unit 6.

[0022] Each transport roller pair 71-73 includes two rollers that are in contact with each other and is configured to transport the paper S while gripping it between the two rollers. One of the two rollers that make up each transport roller pair 71-73 is a drive roller and rotates when driven by a drive force from the transport motor 34 (see Figure 3). The other of the two rollers that make up each transport roller pair 71-73 is a driven roller and rotates along with the rotation of the drive roller.

[0023] The transport roller pairs 71 and 72 are arranged in the front-to-back direction, flanking the recording unit 6. Transport roller pair 71 is positioned behind the recording unit 6, and transport roller pair 72 is positioned in front of the recording unit 6. Transport roller pair 71 feeds the paper S, which has been sent out from the paper tray 4 by the paper feed roller 70, along the D direction to the image recording area F facing the nozzle surface of the recording head 63. The surface of the paper S that was facing downwards when it was contained in the paper tray 4 now faces the nozzle surface of the recording head 63 above in the image recording area F. This surface corresponds to the surface opposite to the surface that was in contact with the paper feed roller 70. An image is formed on this surface by ink ejected from the recording head 63. Transport roller pair 72 receives the paper S fed by transport roller pair 71 and feeds it forward.

[0024] The transport roller pair 73 receives the paper S that has been fed by the transport roller pair 72. The transport roller pair 73 then ejects the received paper S into the output tray 5.

[0025] The platen 75 is positioned below the recording unit 6 and facing the nozzle surface of the recording unit 6. The platen 75 supports the paper S that has been transported to the image recording area F. The guide member 16 defines a transport path 14 that feeds the paper S from the paper feed tray 4 into the image recording area F.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 8 is electrically connected to the carriage drive motor 31, recording head 63, paper feed motor 33, transport motor 34, touch panel display 3, etc. The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81, memory 82, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 83, etc., and these work together to control the operation of each part, such as the carriage drive motor 31, recording head 63, paper feed motor 33, transport motor 34, and touch panel display 3.

[0027] Memory 82 is composed of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), flash memory, etc. Memory 82 stores programs executed by the CPU 81 and original image data A, which represents the original image to be formed. Original image data A shows the pixel values ​​of each pixel that makes up the original image. Original image data A also contains data indicating the conditions for image formation (such as the type of paper S). Memory 82 is used as a work area from which various programs are read and as a storage area for adjustment data B, which is obtained from original image data A and described later. ASIC 83 performs operations such as rewriting the image data.

[0028] The hardware, including the CPU 81 and ASIC 83 that constitute the control unit 8, executes various processes based on the program data and other data in the memory 82. These processes may be executed jointly by the CPU 81 and ASIC 83, or by either one of them alone. The processes will be described below.

[0029] The processing performed by the control unit 8 includes image formation processing, which involves controlling the operation of various parts within the device to form an image on the paper S. In the image formation processing, the control unit 8 generates adjustment data B. Adjustment data B is data that indicates the appropriate amount of ink to be ejected from the appropriate nozzle at the appropriate timing. Specifically, based on the original image data A, adjustment data B is generated as data that indicates the amount of ink to be ejected from the appropriate nozzle at the appropriate timing, according to the image formation conditions, based on the pixel values ​​of the pixels constituting the original image. The image formation conditions indicated by the original image data A include specifying the type of paper S and the surface of the paper S to which the image is to be formed. For example, the image formation conditions specify whether to use plain paper S1, regular glossy paper S2, or glossy postcard S3, and whether to use the surface C3 or C4 of the glossy postcard S3. The control unit 8 then generates adjustment data B so that an image having content suitable for these conditions is formed on the paper S. Details of the method for generating adjustment data B will be described later.

[0030] The control unit 8 controls the drive of the carriage drive motor 31, recording head 63, paper feed motor 33, and transport motor 34 in the recording unit 6 and transport unit 7 according to the adjustment data B, thereby sending the paper S to the image recording area F and ejecting an appropriate amount of ink from the recording head 63 at an appropriate timing according to the adjustment data B. As a result, the image indicated by the adjustment data B is formed on the paper S. The recording unit 6 and transport unit 7 constitute the "image forming unit" of the present invention.

[0031] For plain paper S1 and regular glossy paper S2, an image is usually formed on only one surface by the image formation process. For glossy paper postcards S3, after the first image formation process, an image is formed on either the address side C3 or the communication side C4 and the postcard is ejected to the output tray 5, and then placed back into the feed tray 4. Then, a second image formation process is performed, and an image is formed on the side of the address side C3 or communication side C4 that has not yet had an image formed.

[0032] Incidentally, during the second image forming process for the glossy postcard S3, as the transport unit 7 transports the glossy postcard S3, objects on the transport path, such as the paper feed roller 70 and the transport roller pairs 71-73, come into contact with the surface of the glossy postcard S3. At this time, if an object comes into contact with the surface of the glossy postcard S3 to which ink has been applied by image forming, there is a risk that ink stains will occur on that surface. The receiving layer L4 that forms the communication surface C4 of the glossy postcard S3 is more susceptible to such ink stains than the base material L3 that forms the address surface C3.

[0033] Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of such staining occurring on the glossy postcard S3 during the second image formation process, it is conceivable to set a small amount of ink to be used during image formation. In this case, the amount of ink used is set based on the communication side C4, which is relatively prone to staining, rather than the address side C3, which is relatively less prone to staining, in order to ensure a reduction in staining. This reduces the amount of ink used to a degree that reliably reduces staining on both the address side C3 and the communication side C4. However, reducing the amount of liquid used may degrade the quality of the image formed on the medium.

[0034] Therefore, in this embodiment, the following configuration is adopted to prevent ink smudging on the glossy postcard S3 and to prevent a decrease in the quality of the image formed on the glossy postcard S3.

[0035] The control unit 8 executes the image formation process shown in Figure 4. First, the control unit 8 acquires the original image data A from an external device such as a PC (T1). Next, the control unit 8 determines the type of paper S specified by the original image data A (T2). If it determines that plain paper S1 is specified (T2, plain paper), the control unit 8 executes the image formation process for the plain paper S1 (T3). Specifically, the formation of an image based on the adjustment data B generated from the original image data A is performed on the plain paper S1. Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0036] If it is determined that regular glossy paper S2 is specified (T2, regular glossy paper), the control unit 8 performs an image forming process on the regular glossy paper S2 (corresponding to the "third image forming process" of the present invention) (T4). Specifically, an image is formed on the regular glossy paper S2 based on adjustment data B generated from the original image data A. In this process, the adjustment data B is generated such that the amount of ink q2 per unit area used on the surface of the regular glossy paper S2 is greater than q1. q1 is the amount of ink per unit area that would be used on the surface of plain paper S1 if an image forming process using the same original image data A were performed in T3. When the image forming process in T4 is completed, the series of processes is finished.

[0037] If it is determined in T2 that a glossy postcard S3 is specified (T2, glossy postcard), the control unit 8 determines whether or not image formation of the address side C3 is specified using the original image data A (T5). If it is determined that image formation of the address side C3 is specified (T5, Yes), the control unit 8 executes the image formation process for the address side C3 of the glossy postcard S3 (T6). Specifically, image formation based on adjustment data B generated from the original image data A is performed on the address side C3 of the glossy postcard S3. Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0038] If it is determined that image formation on the address side C3 has not been specified (T5, No), the control unit 8 displays image IM1 shown in Figure 5 on the touch panel display 3 to obtain the status of image formation on the address side C3, and also allows the touch panel display 3 to accept user input based on image R1 (T7). Image IM1 contains the string "Have you printed the address side?". Image R1, which is part of image 1M1, contains the strings "Yes" and "No", and by touching either of these display positions with the user's finger, etc., the user input is made to select the status of image formation on the address side C3. The function of the control unit 8 to perform the process in T7 corresponds to the function of the "image formation status acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0039] Next, the control unit 8 determines, based on the user input in T7, whether or not image formation for the address side C3 has been completed (T8). If it determines that the user input in T7 is "No", that is, that image formation for the address side C3 has not been completed (T8, image not formed), the control unit 8 displays the image IM2 shown in Figure 6 on the touch panel display 3 to ask whether to cancel the image formation for the communication side C4, and also prompts the touch panel display 3 to accept user input based on image R2 (T9). Image IM2 contains the string "Do you want to cancel printing the communication side? (After cancellation, please print the address side)". The string "After cancellation, please print the address side" indicates information prompting the user to perform image formation for the address side C3 before image formation for the communication side C4. Also, image R2, which is part of image IM2, contains the strings "Yes" and "No", and by touching either of these display positions with the user's finger, user input is made to select whether or not to cancel the image formation for the communication side C4 (T9).

[0040] Next, the control unit 8 determines whether or not to cancel the image formation on the communication surface C4 based on the user input in T9 (T10). If the control unit 8 determines that the user input in T9 is "Yes", that is, to cancel the image formation on the communication surface C4 (T10, Yes), the control unit 8 completes the series of processes without performing the image formation process on the communication surface C4. If the control unit 8 determines that the user input in T9 is "No", that is, to not cancel the image formation on the communication surface C4 (T10, No), the control unit 8 performs the image formation process on the communication surface C4 (corresponding to the "second image formation process" of the present invention) (T11). Specifically, the formation of an image based on the adjustment data B generated from the original image data A is performed on the communication surface C4 of the glossy postcard S3. In this process, the adjustment data B is generated such that the amount of ink Q2 per unit area used on the communication surface C4 is smaller than Q1. Q1 is the amount of ink per unit area that would normally be used on the surface of glossy paper S2 if an image forming process using the same original image data A were performed in T4. The series of processes is completed when the image forming process in T11 is finished.

[0041] In T8, if it is determined that the user input in T7 indicates a selection of "Yes," that is, that image formation on the address side C3 has been completed (T8, image formation completed), the control unit 8 executes an image formation process on the communication side C4 of the glossy postcard S3 (corresponding to the "first image formation process" of the present invention) (T12). Specifically, an image is formed on the communication side C4 of the glossy postcard S3 based on adjustment data B generated from the original image data A. In this process, the adjustment data B is generated such that the amount of ink Q3 per unit area used on the communication side C4 of the glossy postcard S3 is smaller than Q1 and larger than Q2. When the image formation process in T12 is completed, the series of processes is completed.

[0042] According to the embodiment described above, the communication side C4 of the glossy postcard S3 is more prone to ink smudging than the address side C3. In this case, there is a concern that smudging may occur due to contact between the communication side C4, where the image has been formed, and any of the components of the transport unit 7, such as the paper feed roller 70 or the transport roller pair 71-73. In particular, the paper feed roller 70 is pressed against the paper S with a pressing force that ensures the paper S contained in the paper tray 4 is reliably fed out. When an image is formed on the address side C3 after the communication side C4 has been formed, the communication side C4, where the image has been formed, comes into contact with the paper feed roller 70. Therefore, ink smudging is likely to occur on the communication side C4 when the paper feed roller 70 feeds the paper S out of the paper tray 4. Conversely, if the image is formed on the communication side C4 after the image is formed on the address side C3, ink smudging is less likely to occur.

[0043] Based on the above viewpoint, this embodiment acquires the status of image formation on the address side C3 before image formation on the communication side C4 (T11 or T12 in Figure 4) (T7 in Figure 4). Based on the acquired results, if the address side C3 has already been image-formed, image formation on the communication side C4 is performed in such a way that the amount of ink used is greater than when the address side C3 has not been image-formed, as ink smudging is less likely to occur (T12 in Figure 4). Conversely, if the address side C3 has not been image-formed, image formation on the communication side C4 is performed in such a way that the amount of ink used is smaller than when the address side C3 has been image-formed (T11 in Figure 4). This reduces the risk of ink smudging occurring on the communication side C4 when image formation on the address side C3 is performed later. As a result, an image-forming device is realized that reduces the occurrence of smudging while also minimizing the degradation of image quality.

[0044] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the status of image formation on the address side C3 is obtained by querying the user (T7 in Figure 4). Therefore, the status of image formation on the address side C3 can be appropriately obtained. Note that the status of image formation on the address side C3 may also be obtained by other methods. For example, the status of image formation on the address side C3 may be obtained by imaging the address side C3 with an image sensor prior to image formation on the communication side C4, and then performing a process to recognize the image showing the imaging result.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, if it is determined that image formation on the address side C3 has not been performed before image formation on the communication side C4 (T8 in Figure 4, image not formed), user input is received to select whether or not to cancel image formation on the communication side C4 (T9 in the same figure). If it is determined that user input has been made to cancel image formation on the communication side C4 (T10 in the same figure, Yes), the image formation process for the communication side C4 is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to perform image formation on the address side C3 first and then perform image formation on the communication side C4. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of ink smudging on the communication side C4.

[0046] Furthermore, if user input indicating that image formation on the communication surface C4 is not to be canceled is received at T9 in Figure 4, the image formation process on the communication surface C4 is executed according to the user's request (T11 in Figure 4). Thus, in this embodiment, the image formation process is executed based on explicit user input indicating that image formation is not to be canceled. Alternatively, a process may be adopted in which the image formation process is executed if user input indicating that image formation on the communication surface C4 is not made for a certain period of time. Both such alternative processes and the process shown in Figure 4 correspond to "performing the second image formation process when the user input is not made" in the present invention.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if image formation on the address side C3 has not yet been completed when image formation on the communication side C4, image IM2 in Figure 6 is displayed on the touch panel display 3 (T9 in Figure 4). Image IM2 represents information prompting the user to cancel image formation on the communication side C4 and perform image formation on the address side C3 first. This further reduces the occurrence of ink smudging.

[0048] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for the standard glossy paper S2, image formation is performed only on the surface C2 formed by the receiving layer L2. Therefore, with the standard glossy paper S2, the transport unit 7 does not have the opportunity to come into contact with the surface C2 after image formation, and even if the amount of ink used on the surface C2 is increased, smudging is less likely to occur. For this reason, in the image formation process on the surface C2, the amount of ink used per unit area of ​​the surface C2 is greater than the amount of ink used per unit area in the image formation process on the plain paper S1 and the address side C3 and communication side C4 of the glossy paper postcard S3. Thus, the quality of the image formed on the surface C2 of the standard glossy paper S2 is ensured.

[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the paper feed roller 70 and the transport roller pairs 71-73 of the transport unit 7 each contact one surface of the paper S while transporting the medium. Therefore, there is a risk of ink contamination by these rollers. However, by performing the process shown in Figure 4, a device is realized that can reduce the risk of ink contamination by the rollers.

[0050] [Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, a printer system 100 according to a second embodiment, which is another embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figure 7. The printer system 100 (corresponding to the "image forming system" of the present invention) has a printer 110 and a PC 120 that can communicate with each other. The printer 110 has many components in common with the printer 10 in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are used for the common components, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0051] In printer 110, the difference from printer 10 lies in the control unit 108. Like control unit 8, control unit 108 performs image formation processing, causing the recording unit 6 to form an image on the paper S. The difference from control unit 8 is that control unit 108 does not perform the processing shown in Figure 4, but instead performs image formation processing based on adjustment data B from PC 120.

[0052] The PC120 (corresponding to the "computer" in this invention) has a display 121, an input unit 122, a CPU 123, and memory 124. The display 121 displays characters, images, etc. on the screen. The input unit 122 consists of input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and accepts user input.

[0053] Memory 124 is composed of ROM, RAM, etc. Memory 124 stores an image processing application consisting of a program executed by CPU 123. The program that makes up the image processing application can be distributed by recording it on a recording medium such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and can also be distributed by downloading it via a communication network such as the Internet. By executing processing based on the image processing application, CPU 123 edits documents, charts, illustrations, etc., according to editing instructions for images input by the user through the input unit 122, and generates original image data A that shows the editing result.

[0054] Furthermore, the CPU 123 performs the process shown in Figure 8, which generates adjusted data B from the original image data A by executing processing based on an image processing application. First, the CPU 123 receives user input through the input unit 122 to specify the conditions for image formation (T21). The conditions for image formation include specifying the type of paper S used for image formation, and specifying either the address side C3 or the communication side C4 when the paper S is a glossy postcard S3.

[0055] Next, the CPU 123 determines the type of paper S indicated by the image formation conditions input in T21 (T22). If it determines that plain paper S1 is specified (T22, plain paper), the CPU 123 generates adjustment data B for plain paper S1 from the original image data A (T23). Here, the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A is the same as the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A in T3 in Figure 4. The CPU 123 sends the adjustment data B generated in T23 to the printer 110 (T31). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0056] If T22 determines that standard glossy paper S2 is specified (T22, standard glossy paper), the CPU 123 generates adjustment data B for standard glossy paper S2 from the original image data A (T24). The process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A is the same as the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A in T4 in Figure 4. The CPU 123 sends the adjustment data B generated in T24 to the printer 110 (T31). Then the series of processes is completed.

[0057] If T22 determines that glossy postcard S3 is specified (T22, glossy postcard), the CPU 123 determines in T21 whether or not address side C3 is specified (T25). If it determines that address side C3 is specified (T25, Yes), the CPU 123 generates adjustment data B for address side C3 from the original image data A (T26). The process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A is the same as the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A in T6 in Figure 4. The CPU 123 sends the adjustment data B generated in T26 to the printer 110 (T31). Then the series of processes is completed.

[0058] If it is determined that the address side C3 is not specified (T25, No), the CPU 123 displays the image IM1 shown in Figure 5 on the display 121 and prompts the input unit 122 to accept user input based on the image R1 in order to obtain the status of image formation of the address side C3 (T27). Based on the user input in T27, the CPU 123 determines whether or not image formation of the address side C3 has been completed (T28). If it is determined that the user input in T27 indicates that image formation of the address side C3 has not been completed (T28, Image not formed), the CPU 123 generates adjustment data B for the communication side C4 from the original image data A (T29). The process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A is the same as the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A in T11 in Figure 4. The CPU 123 sends the adjustment data B generated in T29 to the printer 110 (T31). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0059] In T28, if it is determined that the user input in T27 indicates that image formation for the address side C3 has been completed (T28, image formation completed), the CPU 123 generates adjustment data B for the communication side C4 from the original image data A (T30). The process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A is the same as the process of generating adjustment data B from the original image data A in T12 in Figure 4. The CPU 123 sends the adjustment data B generated in T30 to the printer 110 (T31). Then, the series of processes is completed.

[0060] When adjustment data B is sent from PC 120 to printer 110, the control unit 108 of printer 110 executes image forming processing based on adjustment data B from PC 120. The image forming processing based on adjustment data B generated in T30 corresponds to the "first image forming processing" of the present invention. The image forming processing based on adjustment data B generated in T29 corresponds to the "second image forming processing" of the present invention. Adjustment data B corresponds to data representing the "predetermined conditions" of the present invention, in that the above two types of image forming processing are selectively executed according to it. The CPU 123 generating adjustment data B corresponds to "determining the predetermined conditions" of the present invention.

[0061] According to the embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, the image formation status on the address side C3 is acquired before image formation is performed on the communication side C4 (T27 in Figure 8). Based on the acquired results, if the address side C3 has already been image-formed, adjustment data B for the communication side C4 is generated so that the amount of ink used in image formation performed by the printer 110 is greater than when the address side C3 has not been image-formed (T30 in Figure 8). Conversely, if the address side C3 has not been image-formed, adjustment data B for the communication side C4 is generated so that the amount of ink used in image formation performed by the printer 110 is smaller than when the address side C3 has been image-formed (T29 in Figure 8). This reduces the risk of ink smudging on the communication side C4 when image formation is performed on the address side C3 later. As a result, an image-forming device is realized that reduces the occurrence of smudging while also minimizing the degradation of image quality.

[0062] <Other variations> Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description of embodiments, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0063] For example, in the second embodiment described above, as shown in Figure 8, if no image is formed on the address side C3 (T28, no image formed), image formation on the communication side C4 is performed without prompting the user whether to cancel image formation on the communication side C4 (T29 and T31). Alternatively, as in the first embodiment, the user may be prompted whether to cancel image formation, and image formation on the communication side C4 may be performed only if the user inputs that they do not want to cancel. In other words, the processes T9 and T10 in Figure 4 may be added to the process in Figure 8.

[0064] In addition, although the embodiments described above have described the application of the present invention to printers, the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention may also be applied to other image forming devices such as inkjet printers that eject ink from a head onto paper, or laser printers that deposit toner onto paper from a drum, such as printers, copiers, fax machines, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 6. Records Section 7. Conveying section 8, 108 Control Unit 10, 110 printers 70 Paper feed roller 71-73 Conveyor roller pair 100 Printer Systems 120 PC

Claims

1. The system includes a medium transport section having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, and an image forming section that forms an image on the opposite surface by applying a liquid to the surface opposite to the one surface, An image formation status acquisition unit acquires the image formation status on the second surface of the first medium, which is more prone to liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface compared to the second surface on the opposite side, before the image formation is performed on the first surface. It includes a control unit, The control unit, Based on the image formation status acquired by the image formation status acquisition unit, if the second surface has already been image-formed, a first image formation process is executed to cause the image formation unit to perform the image formation on the first surface; if the second surface has not yet been image-formed, a second image formation process is executed to cause the image formation unit to perform the image formation on the first surface. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the first image forming process uses a larger amount of liquid per unit area on the first surface compared to the second image forming process.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the image forming status acquisition unit acquires the image forming status on the second surface based on user input.

3. The control unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the second surface has not been image-formed, and a user input is made to cancel the image formation on the first surface, the image forming unit is not allowed to perform the image formation on the first surface, and when no such user input is made, the second image forming process is performed.

4. The information dissemination department, The system further includes an input unit that receives user input, The control unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, if the second surface has not yet been image-formed, the notification unit provides information prompting the user to perform image formation on the second surface first, and then the user input is received by the input unit.

5. The control unit, A third image forming process is performed on a medium having a third surface on which liquid contamination due to contact with the aforementioned member is more likely to occur compared to the second surface, and on a second medium on which image formation is possible only on the third surface, causing the image forming unit to perform the image forming process. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the amount of liquid per unit area used on the third surface in the third image forming process is greater than the amount of liquid per unit area used on the first surface in the first image forming process.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the member is a roller that conveys the medium while in contact with one surface of the medium.

7. An image forming system comprising a computer and an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with each other, The image forming apparatus is The system includes a medium transport section having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, and an image forming section that forms an image on the opposite surface by applying a liquid to the surface opposite to the one surface, It includes a control unit, At least one of the computer and the image forming apparatus is The system includes an image formation status acquisition unit that acquires the image formation status on the second surface of a predetermined medium, where liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface is more likely to occur compared to the second surface on the opposite side, before the image formation is performed on the first surface. The control unit, A first image forming process and a second image forming process, which cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming on the first surface, are selectively executed according to predetermined conditions related to the image forming. The first image forming process uses a larger amount of liquid per unit area on the first surface compared to the second image forming process. At least one of the computer and the control unit, An image forming system characterized in that, based on the image forming status acquired by the image forming status acquisition unit, the predetermined conditions are determined such that the first image forming process is performed if the second surface has already been image formed, and the second image forming process is performed if the second surface has not yet been image formed.

8. A program executed by a computer capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus is The system includes a medium transport section having a member that contacts one surface of the medium, and an image forming section that forms an image on the opposite surface by applying a liquid to the surface opposite to the one surface, The system comprises a control unit that selectively performs a first image forming process and a second image forming process, according to predetermined conditions relating to the image forming, which cause the image forming unit to perform the image forming process on the first surface of a predetermined medium in which liquid contamination due to contact of the member on the first surface is more likely to occur compared to the second surface on the opposite side, The first image forming process uses a larger amount of liquid per unit area on the first surface compared to the second image forming process. To the aforementioned computer, An image formation status acquisition process is performed to acquire the image formation status on the second surface before the image formation on the first surface is performed. A program characterized by executing a condition determination process that determines predetermined conditions based on the image formation status obtained by the image formation status acquisition process, such that the first image formation process is performed if the second surface has already been image-formed, and the second image formation process is performed if the second surface has not yet been image-formed.

Images