Image forming device

Abstract

To execute image formation with an appropriate condition on a sheet in which a band part and a label part have different characteristics.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet including a first area for a band and a second area for labels on one sheet. The image forming apparatus comprises: image forming means that forms the image on the sheet; and control means that acquires first information on the characteristics of the first area and second information on the characteristics of the second area, and based on the first information and the second information, controls an image forming condition in forming the image on the sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to prevent mix-ups of patients or newborns in medical settings, bands displaying data such as the patient's name, age, blood type, etc. have been attached to the wrist or ankle of the patient to facilitate identification. Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a top paper forming a wristband made of woven or nonwoven fabric is temporarily attached to a backing paper via an adhesive layer, and the wristband is peeled off from the backing paper and wrapped around the wrist, etc. The wristband in Patent Document 2 is composed of a fabric (cloth) on which an image such as a barcode can be printed, and a fastener or adhesive.

[0003] Patent Documents 3 and 4 describe a banded sheet and a medical wristband that can be easily printed on with a printer. The printable banded sheet in these documents has, within a single sheet, a band portion that is processed into a band after printing, and a label portion where a label that can be attached to the band or the like is arranged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-137017 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-34366 [Patent Document 3] JP 2003-193308 A [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 6,641,048 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, it is known that in image forming devices such as copiers and multifunction devices, the appropriate conditions for image forming operations change depending on the characteristics of the sheet used as the recording material. Meanwhile, in the banded sheet described in the above document, since the material suitable for the band and the material suitable for the label do not necessarily match, it is conceivable that a sheet in which the band portion and the label portion are made of different materials is used. However, in the image forming device, the characteristics of the sheet used in the image forming device are not managed for each of multiple areas within a single sheet, and it is difficult to appropriately handle a sheet in which the band portion and the label portion are made of different materials.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming images under appropriate conditions on a sheet having different characteristics for the band portion and the label portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to Medical List The first area is for bands and A medical wristband that can be attached to the medical wristband and a second region for a label, the image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet; and a control means for determining a process speed at which the image forming means forms an image, based on a maximum value between the basis weight of the sheet in the first region and the basis weight of the sheet in the second region. 。

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a sheet having a first region for a medical wristband and a second region for the medical wristband on one sheet. bandan image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet including a second area for a label that can be affixed to a medical wristband, the image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet; a control means; and a reading device for reading an image on the sheet, the first area being an area where a sheet material for the medical wristband is temporarily attached to a mount, the first area including the medical wristband and a first outer frame portion surrounding the medical wristband, the second area being an area where a sheet material for the label is temporarily attached to the mount, the second area including a label and a second outer frame portion surrounding the label, the control means controlling the Medical List This image forming device is characterized in that by analyzing the read image read by the reading device from the sheet in a state where either the band or the first outer frame portion has been peeled off, and either the label or the second outer frame portion has been peeled off, the image forming device identifies the medical wristband in the sheet in the read image and executes a process to display on a display unit the setting direction of the sheet to be used for image formation. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to perform image formation under appropriate conditions on a sheet having different characteristics between a band portion and a label portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a controller of the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming control unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an image forming operation. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are a front view and a side view showing an example of a band sheet. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a subroutine (process speed determination) according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a subroutine (fixing temperature determination) according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining the pretreatment of the band sheet according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a sheet setting direction designation process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an image diagram showing an example of a screen display according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart showing a flow until print information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an image illustrating an example of a print item setting screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a sheet setting direction designation process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a screen display according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the device to which the present technology is applied and various conditions.

[0012] First, an overview of the image forming apparatus will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that forms an image on the sheet P by creating a toner image in an image forming section 10 that uses an electrophotographic process, transferring the created toner image to a sheet P in a secondary transfer section, and heating the toner image on the sheet P in a fixing unit 30 to perform a fixing process.

[0013] The image forming device 1 described in this embodiment is an A3-size full-color multifunction printer. The A3-size refers to a device capable of forming an image by conveying an A4-size sheet with its short side aligned with the sheet conveying direction (horizontal feed). The "image forming device" is not limited to the one described below, but may be a monochrome multifunction printer or a single-function printer equipped with only a printing function. In addition, the image forming device may be an A4-size device, not limited to an A3-size device. Furthermore, the image forming unit 10 is an example of an image forming means, and may be replaced with, for example, an inkjet-type image forming unit.

[0014] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a controller 100 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. The controller 100 functions as a control means that performs various controls, and plays a role in performing overall control of various configurations within the apparatus to execute image forming operations based on input printing information (e.g., image data, information on sheet characteristics, etc.).

[0015] The sheet P is a recording material used for image formation, and includes at least a sheet for creating an identification band such as a medical wristband (hereinafter, a band sheet). An example of a band sheet will be described later. The image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment can form images on various sheet materials that are different in main material, surface shape or sheet shape, surface treatment, cutting (hole punching or half-cutting), etc., in addition to band sheets. Examples of such sheet materials include plain paper, thick paper, plastic film for overhead projectors (OHT), coated paper, label paper, binder paper, tab paper, perforated paper (half-cut paper), and embossed paper.

[0016] The image forming section 10 includes four stations 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that create toner images using four colors of developers (hereinafter referred to as toner), namely yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and a fixing unit 30.

[0017] Each station has a drum 11, which is a drum-type electrophotographic photosensitive member used as an image carrier, and a cleaning member (not shown), a charging roller 12, and a developing unit 14 as process means for carrying out each step of the electrophotographic process on the drum 11. The toner storage chamber of the developing unit 14 stores toner of each color, which is carried by a developer carrier such as a developing roller.

[0018] A laser scanner unit 13 serving as an exposure means for the drum 11 is disposed near the image forming section 10, and a cassette 2 for storing sheets P is disposed below the laser scanner unit 13. Furthermore, a transfer unit 20 is provided above the image forming section 10.

[0019] The transfer unit 20 has an intermediate transfer belt 21, which is an intermediate transfer body, and a drive roller 22 that rotates and drives the intermediate transfer belt 21. In addition, four primary transfer rollers 15 are arranged parallel to one another inside the intermediate transfer belt 21. Each primary transfer roller 15 is arranged facing the drum 11 of each station 10Y to 10K with the intermediate transfer belt 21 in between. The contact portion (nip portion) between each drum 11 and the outer circumferential surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 is called a primary transfer portion.

[0020] A secondary transfer roller 25 is disposed on the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 21, facing the drive roller 22 with the intermediate transfer belt 21 in between. The intermediate transfer belt 21 contacts the secondary transfer roller 25, which is a transfer means, and this contact portion (nip portion) is called a secondary transfer portion. A belt cleaning device 23 is disposed on the outer side of the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 21 that is backed up by the tension roller.

[0021] The fixing unit 30 includes a pair of rollers that sandwich and pressurize the sheet P while conveying it, and a heating unit that heats the toner image on the sheet P (for example, a halogen lamp or an induction heating unit).

[0022] 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a conveying path Q (indicated by a dashed line in the figure) that supplies a sheet P supplied from a cassette 2 to an image forming section 10. In the conveying path Q, a feed roller 3, a separation roller pair 4, a registration roller pair 5, a secondary transfer roller 25, a fixing unit 30, and a discharge roller pair (not shown) are arranged in this order from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction of the sheet P. An outline of the image forming operation including the process operation by the image forming section 10 and the conveying operation of the sheet P in the conveying path Q will be described later.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 1 is also equipped with an image reader 40 as a reading device. The image reader 40 has a function of reading an image of an original document with a reader scanner 43, which is an optical sensor such as a CCD or CIS, and converting the image into an image signal. An original document feed unit 41 is mounted on the upper part of the image reader 40, which feeds original documents set on an original document tray 42 with the original document surface (surface to be read) facing upward, one by one in order starting from the leading page. The image reader 40 has a function of reading an original document image from the original documents conveyed one by one by the original document feed unit 41 with the reader scanner 43.

[0024] The reader scanner 43 includes a light irradiation unit (not shown) and an image sensor (not shown), and converts the document into an image signal by forming an image of the light reflected from the document on the imaging surface of the image sensor. The reader scanner 43 extends in the main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction) and can read an image from the entire document surface of the document transported by the document feed unit 41.

[0025] The image reader 40 can also read an original without using the original feeder 41. In this case, the user first lifts the original feeder 41 and places an original on the platen glass 45. When the user issues an instruction to execute reading, the reader scanner 43 reads the image by scanning the bottom surface of the original while moving in the sub-scanning direction from left to right in the figure.

[0026] As described later, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the reading operation of the image reader 40 using one of the sheets P used for image formation as an original, identifies the shape of the sheet P and the position of the identification band WB based on the read image, and further registers the sheet characteristics according to the layout. The "sheet characteristics" are sheet characteristics such as the basis weight, material, material quality, surface roughness, resistance, etc. of the sheet, and the width in the conveying direction of the identified shape.

[0027] [controller] The controller 100 that controls the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2. Note that in Fig. 2, the parts necessary for explaining the operation of this embodiment are mainly described.

[0028] The controller 100 includes a CPU circuit unit 101 having a calculation unit such as a CPU, a storage unit such as a ROM 102 and a RAM 103, and blocks (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109) that perform specific functions. The controller 100 functions as a control means that performs various controls by the CPU circuit unit 101 reading out a program stored in the storage unit. The ROM 102 is an example of a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium that stores a program for controlling the image forming apparatus 1 in a predetermined manner.

[0029] The controller 100 can also be connected to various components such as an external computer 200, such as a personal computer or a barcode reader, an input device such as an image reader 40, and an operation display unit 50, and is capable of exchanging signal information.

[0030] The controller 100 performs overall control of various configurations within the apparatus to perform image forming operations based on print information (eg, image data, sheet information, etc.) input from an external computer or input device.

[0031] The CPU circuit unit 101 generally controls each block (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109) by executing a program read from the ROM 102. The RAM 103 temporarily holds control data and is used as a working area for calculation processing associated with the control.

[0032] Next, detailed contents controlled by the CPU circuit unit 101 will be described for each block. The document feed control unit 107 controls operations related to the document feeding operation and transport operation of the document feed unit 41. The image reader control unit 106 controls the operation of the reader scanner 43 and the conversion process of analog image signals.

[0033] The image signal control unit 105 performs image processing on the analog image signal converted by the reader scanner 43. Specifically, this means that the image signal is converted into a digital image signal, then image processing is performed, and the digital signal after image processing is converted into a video signal and output to the image formation control unit 104. The image signal control unit 105 also performs image processing on the digital image signal input from the computer 200 via the external I / F 109.

[0034] The image formation control unit 104 controls components related to the image formation operation based on the input video signal (the image formation control will be described in detail later). The operation display control unit 108 exchanges information between the operation display unit 50 and the CPU circuit unit 101.

[0035] The operation display unit 50 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, and an operation unit such as physical keys and a touch panel function unit of the liquid crystal panel. The operation display unit 50 outputs key signals corresponding to the operation of each key to the CPU circuit unit 101, and displays corresponding information on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 101.

[0036] [Image formation control unit] When the image forming apparatus 1 performs an image forming operation, the image forming control unit 104 executes desired control of each component involved in the image forming operation, and forms a full-color image on the sheet P.

[0037] 3 is a block diagram of the image formation control unit 104. The image formation control unit 104 has a CPU circuit unit 151 different from the controller 100. This CPU circuit unit 151 has a built-in ROM 152 and a RAM 153, and controls each component part (12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 30) involved in image formation by an image formation control program stored in the ROM 152. The RAM 153 temporarily stores each detection data for controlling the image formation process, and is used as a working area for calculation processing associated with the control.

[0038] The image forming operation controlled by the image forming control unit 104 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 4. When the image forming operation is instructed to be performed by the controller 100, the image forming control unit 104 first starts to rotate the drums 11 of the image forming unit 10 and the drive roller 22 of the transfer unit 20 at a predetermined speed in accordance with the image formation timing based on the print information. Specifically, the drums 11 are rotated clockwise in Fig. 1, and the drive roller 22 is rotated so that the intermediate transfer belt 21 rotates in a direction (counterclockwise in the figure) that rotates forward relative to the rotation direction of the drums 11.

[0039] Next, the image formation control unit 104 executes control of the toner image creation operation in each of the stations 10Y to 10K. In detail, first, the charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of each drum 11 with a predetermined potential and polarity. Next, the laser scanner unit 13 scans and exposes the surface of each drum 11 using a laser beam modulated according to an image information signal that resolves the image to be printed into monochrome images of each color of Y, M, C, and K, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image of each color. Next, the developing unit 14 electrostatically attaches toner to the drum 11 to develop the electrostatic latent image into a toner image. As a result, a toner image of each color is formed on the drum 11.

[0040] Next, the image formation control unit 104 executes operation control to superimpose the toner images formed on the drums 11 of each color on the intermediate transfer belt 21. In detail, a predetermined potential is applied to the primary transfer roller 15, and the toner image is electrostatically transferred from the drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the primary transfer unit. By executing this operation for each drum 11, a full-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 21 in which the toner images of four colors are superimposed. This toner image is carried to the secondary transfer unit by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 21. Note that toner that cannot be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 21 at the primary transfer unit and remains on the drum 11 is cleaned by a cleaning member (not shown).

[0041] Meanwhile, the image formation control unit 104 executes an operation of feeding a sheet P from the cassette 2 in parallel with the operation of the image forming unit 10 to create a full-color toner image. More specifically, the sheet P is fed one by one by the feeding roller 3 and the separation roller pair 4 in accordance with the image formation timing, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 5. Thereafter, in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21, the sheet P is conveyed to the secondary transfer unit.

[0042] Next, the image formation control unit 104 executes operation control to transfer the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the sheet P. In detail, at the timing when the toner image and the sheet P are transported to the secondary transfer unit, a secondary transfer bias of a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 25, and the toner image is electrostatically transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 21 to the sheet P. In other words, the toner image is transferred to the sheet P while the sheet P is being sandwiched and transported in the secondary transfer unit. The sheet P to which the toner image has been transferred is transported to the fixing unit 30. Note that the toner that cannot be transferred to the sheet P in the secondary transfer unit and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 21 is cleaned by the belt cleaning device 23.

[0043] After the secondary transfer, the image formation control unit 104 executes operation control to heat and pressurize the toner image on the sheet P by the fixing unit 30. The fixing unit 30 is controlled to raise the temperature to a temperature required for toner fixing when a print operation request is received, and then to maintain that temperature until the sheet P reaches the fixing unit 30. Note that the fixing unit 30 of this embodiment can change the target value of the fixing temperature during the fixing operation for one sheet P. For example, such a change in the fixing temperature can be made by adopting a configuration with high responsiveness of temperature control, such as using a cylindrical film with a smaller heat capacity than a roller as a heating member.

[0044] The toner image on the sheet P is melted by being heated and pressurized in a fixing nip portion (not shown) of the fixing unit 30, and then fixed to obtain a fixed image fixed on the sheet P. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 30 is transported to a discharge tray 9 by a pair of discharge rollers.

[0045] [Basic flow of image formation] 4, when performing an image forming operation, the image forming control unit 104 judges the execution conditions of the image forming operation based on the printing information notified from the controller 100 (S1), and performs the image forming operation based on the judgment result (S2). The targets of the image forming condition judgment (S1) include the process speed, fixing temperature, charging bias, exposure amount, developing bias, transfer bias, and cleaning bias.

[0046] The process speed is the speed at which the image forming section 10 forms an image on the sheet P (the length of the image formed per unit time in the sub-scanning direction), and is the peripheral speed of the drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 21, and defines the productivity of the image forming apparatus 1. The fixing temperature is the target temperature of the fixing unit 30 in the fixing process, and affects, for example, the fixability and gloss of the image.

[0047] The charging bias is a bias voltage of the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner, which is applied to the charging means (for example, the charging roller 12 in this embodiment) for the charging process. The exposure amount refers to the light quantity level of the light irradiated by the exposure means onto the surface of the photoconductor in the exposure process, and the larger the exposure amount is set, the larger the amount of light irradiated for the same image data. The developing bias is a bias voltage applied to the developer carrier for the developing process. The DC component of the developing bias is set to a potential of the same polarity as the normal charging polarity of the toner with respect to the potential of the image area of ​​the photoconductor (the exposed area in the case of the reversal development method). The transfer bias is a bias voltage of the opposite polarity to the normal charging polarity of the toner transferred to the primary transfer roller 15 or the secondary transfer roller 25. The cleaning bias is a bias voltage of the opposite polarity to the normal charging polarity of the toner, which is applied to a cleaning member that cleans the surface of the photoconductor.

[0048] The charging bias, the exposure amount, the developing bias, the transfer bias, and the cleaning bias affect the density and quality of the image that the image forming unit 10 forms on the sheet. EXAMPLES

[0049] A first exemplary embodiment (Example 1) will be described in detail below. First, a band sheet that can be used as the sheet P in this example will be described.

[0050] 5(a, b) show, as an example of the sheet P, a band sheet for making an identification band suitable for use as a medical wristband. When viewed from the front, the sheet P has a band portion A1 and a label portion A2. The band portion A1 is an area (first area in this embodiment) where the top paper for the band is temporarily attached to the backing BP via a weak adhesive, and an area (second area in this embodiment) where the top paper for the label is temporarily attached to the backing BP via a weak adhesive (FIG. 5(b)). The band portion A1 includes an identification band WB that is to be peeled off from the backing BP and the ends are fastened together to form a ring-shaped band. The label portion A2 includes a plurality of labels Lb that can be peeled off from the backing BP and affixed to an identification band or the like. Both the identification band WB and the labels Lb (and their outer frames) can be peeled off from the backing BP.

[0051] Here, the sheet characteristics of the band part A1 and the label part A2 do not necessarily have to be the same. For example, the band part A1 may be made of thick paper to provide strength, and the label part A2 may be made of relatively thin paper to prevent peeling when attached to a curved surface. In the illustrated example, the basis weight of the band part A1 including the backing paper BP is 130 gsm. The basis weight of the label part A2 including the backing paper BP is 100 gsm, and there is a difference in basis weight between the band part and the label part. Here, the difference in basis weight is exemplified, but the difference in sheet characteristics between the band part A1 and the label part A2 is not limited to this, and the following method can be used when there is a difference in any of the material, surface roughness, and resistance, for example.

[0052] [Details of Example 1] In the first embodiment, when an image forming operation is performed on a band sheet, the process speed is controlled based on the basis weight of the band portion A1 and the basis weight of the label portion A2 as a subroutine (process speed judgment) of the image forming condition judgment shown in S1 of Fig. 4. The contents of the process speed judgment will be described below with reference to Fig. 6.

[0053] When the sheet P used in the current image forming operation is a band sheet, the controller 100 obtains (acquires) sheet information representing the characteristics of the sheet P and notifies the image forming control unit 104 (S11). This sheet information includes information representing the basis weight of the band portion A1 and information representing the basis weight of the label portion A2. The information representing the basis weight of the band portion A1 is the first information in this embodiment, and the information representing the basis weight of the label portion A2 is the second information in this embodiment. However, the information is not limited to information representing the basis weight as a numerical value, and may be information (such as brand) that can identify the type of the band sheet, and can identify the basis weight by referring to basis weight data for each sheet type that is prepared in advance.

[0054] The sheet information may be obtained by any of the following methods. A method in which sheet information about the sheets P set in the cassette 2 is registered in advance by a user operation on the operation display unit 50. A method in which, when an external computer transmits an instruction to perform an image forming operation to the image forming apparatus 1, sheet information is transmitted as part of the data, and the controller 100 extracts the sheet information from the received data. A method of automatically identifying the type of sheet P from the image of sheet P read by the image reader 40, and specifying the basis weight by referring to basis weight data for each sheet type that is prepared in advance. A method of reading sheet information recorded in the form of a barcode or the like on the sheet P by analyzing the image read by the image reader 40 or by using a barcode reader. A method of measuring sheet P using a media sensor 60 (Fig. 1) and estimating information indicating the basis weight of the band portion A1 and the basis weight of the label portion A2 based on the measurement results. An example of the media sensor 60 is an optical sensor that irradiates light from one side of sheet P, detects the transmitted light on the other side of sheet P, and detects the reflected light on the same side as the light source.

[0055] Based on the obtained sheet information, the image forming control unit 104 judges which of the preset basis weight categories the maximum basis weight of the sheet P (the maximum value of the basis weight of the band part A1 and the basis weight of the label part A2) falls under (S12). In this embodiment, the basis weight categories are set to three categories: less than 90 gsm, 90 to 120 gsm, and more than 120 gsm. Then, from among the process speeds preset to three levels of full speed, half speed, and 1 / 3 speed according to the basis weight category, the value corresponding to the basis weight category judged in S12 is determined as the process speed for the current image forming operation (S13a, S13b, S13c). In this embodiment, the process speed "full speed" is set to 300 mm / sec, the "half speed" is set to 150 mm / sec, and the "1 / 3 speed" is set to 100 mm / sec.

[0056] Specifically, the basis weight of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 corresponds to one of the nine basis weight patterns a to i in Table 1, and the basis weight of the sheet P in each pattern is as shown in the column of "maximum basis weight", and the value in the column of "process speed" is selected. For example, in the case of a sheet P in which the basis weight of the band portion A1 is 130 gsm and the basis weight of the label portion A2 is 100 gsm as shown in Fig. 5, it corresponds to the basis weight pattern "b" in Table 1, and the process speed is set to 1 / 3.

[0057] [Table 1]

[0058] The advantages of this embodiment are explained below. Generally, a sheet with a large basis weight has a larger heat capacity than a sheet with a small basis weight, so if the process speed is too fast, the heat may not be sufficient in the thermal fixing unit 30, resulting in poor fixing. Therefore, when the basis weight of at least one of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (90 gsm), the process speed is set low to reduce the occurrence of poor fixing. This also reduces the amount of printed matter that is discarded due to poor fixing, contributing to resource conservation.

[0059] On the other hand, when the basis weights of both the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 are less than the threshold value, high productivity can be achieved by setting the process speed to a high value. Furthermore, in this embodiment, multiple basis weight threshold values ​​are prepared and more detailed control is performed to achieve both productivity and reduction of fixing failures.

[0060] In this embodiment, a method of controlling the process speed according to the basis weight information of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 is exemplified, but other characteristic values ​​(e.g., material, quality, surface roughness, resistance) may be used, and other image forming conditions may be controlled. For example, the fixing temperature may be determined based on the maximum basis weight of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 (in this case, unlike the second embodiment described below, the fixing temperature is the same for the band portion A1 and the label portion A2). This allows a fixing temperature to be set that satisfies the fixability of both the band portion A1 and the label portion A2. EXAMPLES

[0061] A second exemplary embodiment (Example 2) will be described in detail below. This Example is different from Example 1 in that, when performing an image forming operation on a band sheet, image forming conditions are changed within one sheet between forming an image to be recorded on the band portion A1 and forming an image to be recorded on the label portion A2.

[0062] In this embodiment, when performing an image forming operation on a band sheet, the fixing temperatures for the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 are controlled as a subroutine (fixing temperature judgment) of the image forming condition judgment shown in S1 of Fig. 4. The contents of the fixing temperature judgment will be described below with reference to Fig. 7.

[0063] When the sheet P used in the current image forming operation is a band sheet, the controller 100 obtains (acquires) sheet information representing the characteristics of the sheet P and notifies the image forming control unit 104 (S21). This sheet information includes information representing the basis weight of the band portion A1 and information representing the basis weight of the label portion A2. The information representing the basis weight of the band portion A1 is the first information in this embodiment, and the information representing the basis weight of the label portion A2 is the second information in this embodiment.

[0064] The controller 100 also acquires the length of the band portion A1 in the sheet conveying direction (hereinafter referred to as conveying direction width) and the conveying direction width of the label portion A2 as sheet information, and notifies the image formation control unit 104. For example, in the case of the sheet P shown in Figures 5(a and b), the conveying direction width of the band portion A1 is 50 mm, and the conveying direction width of the label portion A2 is 160 mm. Note that any of the methods described in the first embodiment can be used to acquire the sheet information.

[0065] Based on the acquired sheet information, the image forming control unit 104 determines which of the preset basis weight categories the basis weight of the band portion A1 corresponds to (S22). In this embodiment, the basis weight categories are set to three: less than 90 gsm, 90 to 120 gsm, and more than 120 gsm. Then, from among the fixing temperatures preset to three levels of 190°C, 200°C, and 210°C according to the basis weight category, the value corresponding to the basis weight category determined in S22 is determined as the fixing temperature for the band portion A1 in the current image forming operation (S23a, S23b, S23c).

[0066] The image forming control unit 104 also determines which of the preset basis weight categories the label part A2 corresponds to based on the acquired sheet information (S24). In this embodiment, as in the case of the band part A1, the basis weight categories are set to three: less than 90 gsm, 90 to 120 gsm, and more than 120 gsm. Then, from among the fixing temperatures preset to three levels of 190°C, 200°C, and 210°C according to the basis weight category, the value corresponding to the basis weight category determined in S24 is determined as the fixing temperature for the label part A2 in the current image forming operation (S25a, S25b, S25c). Specifically, the basis weights of the band part A1 and the label part A2 correspond to one of the six basis weight patterns in Table 2.

[0067] [Table 2]

[0068] For example, in the case of the sheet P shown in Figures 5(a and b), the band portion A1 has a basis weight of 130 gsm and a width in the conveying direction of 50 mm, and the label portion A2 has a basis weight of 100 gsm and a width in the conveying direction of 160 mm. In this case, assuming that the sheet P is conveyed with the band portion A1 at the leading edge side in the sheet conveying direction, the fixing temperature is set to 210°C while the range from the leading edge of the sheet P to 50 mm passes through the fixing nip, and thereafter the fixing temperature is set to 200°C. In other words, in this example, a "fixing temperature of 210°C" is set as the first image forming condition, and a "fixing temperature of 200°C" is set as the second image forming condition.

[0069] The advantages of this embodiment are described below. As described above, sheets with a large basis weight have a larger heat capacity than sheets with a small basis weight, and therefore the amount of heat required for the fixing process differs. Therefore, by setting appropriate fixing temperatures for each of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2, the occurrence of fixing failures can be suppressed. In addition, the amount of printed matter that is discarded due to fixing failures can be reduced, contributing to resource conservation.

[0070] In this embodiment, the fixing temperature is controlled according to the basis weight information of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2, but other characteristic values ​​(e.g., material, quality, surface roughness, resistance) may be used, and other image forming conditions may be controlled. For example, it is possible to set at least one of the charging bias, developing bias, exposure amount, transfer bias, and cleaning bias when forming the image to be finally recorded on the band portion A1 to a value different from the value when forming the image to be recorded on the label portion A2.

[0071] This embodiment may be combined with embodiment 1. That is, the process speed may be controlled based on the maximum value of the basis weight of the band portion A1 and the label portion A2 while changing the image forming conditions such as the fixing temperature between the band portion A1 and the label portion A2. EXAMPLES

[0072] A third exemplary embodiment (Example 3) will be described in detail below. The image forming apparatus 1 of Example 3 has a function of acquiring the layout of the sheet P using a reading device and instructing the user on the correct setting direction when the user is about to perform image formation using a band sheet. Note that, although an image reader 40 is used as the reading device in this example, an external scanner (not shown) or a smartphone (not shown) may be used as the reading device by communicating with the controller 100.

[0073] In this embodiment, before the sheet P shown in Figures 5 (a, b) is read by the reader scanner 43, the user performs preliminary processing in which he peels off either the identification band WB or its outer frame portion A1a, and peels off either the multiple labels Lb or their outer frame portion A2a.

[0074] 8(a) shows sheet P, which is a band sheet before pre-processing. Sheet P is A4 size, with the identification band WB arranged in a position extending in the long side direction in band portion A1 (first region), and multiple labels Lb arranged in label portion A2. The identification band WB and outer frame portion A1a (first outer frame portion) are made of the same material, and the multiple labels Lb and outer frame portion A2a (second outer frame portion) are made of the same material.

[0075] In the example of Fig. 8(a), the band part A1 is made of paper with a basis weight of 130 gsm and a thickness of 0.25 mm, and the label part A2 is made of paper with a basis weight of 100 gsm and a thickness of 0.23 mm. In other words, the thickness (material) of the band part A1 and the thickness (material) of the label part A2 are different.

[0076] FIG. 8(b) shows a state where the identification band WB and the label Lb are peeled off as a pre-processing pattern 1. That is, the identification band WB and the label Lb, which are the target parts (printing areas) of image formation, are peeled off to expose the backing paper BP. That is, a step is generated between the backing paper BP (paper thickness 0.10 mm) and the outer frame part A1a (paper thickness 0.25 mm) of the band part A1, and between the backing paper BP (paper thickness 0.10 mm) and the outer frame part A2a (paper thickness 0.23 mm) of the label part A2. For this reason, the position and shape of the identification band WB and the label Lb, which are the printing areas, can be easily identified by image processing that detects, for example, low-brightness parts as the boundaries between the identification band WB or the label Lb and the outer frame parts A1a, A2a from the read image read by the reader scanner 43.

[0077] 8(c) shows a state in which the outer frame portions A1a and A2a, which are portions other than the printing area, are peeled off from the backing paper BP as pre-processing pattern 2. Even with this method, a step is generated between the backing paper BP and the outer frame portion A1a of the band portion A1, and between the backing paper BP and the outer frame portion A2a of the label portion A2, so that the position and shape of the printing area can be identified from the read image of the reader scanner 43.

[0078] In this case, the printing area is easily identified by peeling off the top paper around the printing area to create a difference in thickness, but the printing area can also be identified by recognizing the difference in color and surface properties (gloss) between the backing paper BP and the top paper. By pre-processing in this way to the state shown in Fig. 8(b) or 8(c), it becomes possible to reliably read the position and shape of the identification band WB and label Lb, which are the printing area, with the reader scanner 43 by the step caused by the difference in paper thickness and the difference in the amount of light reflection on the surface caused by the difference in color and material.

[0079] For example, when a preprinted sheet having colored outer peripheries of the identification band WB and label Lb is used as the sheet P, the setting direction designation process described below may be performed without the user performing preprocessing.

[0080] The scanned image of the sheet P scanned by the reading device (or an external input device) is registered (stored) in the RAM 103 of the CPU circuit unit 101 by the image reader control unit 106 as information regarding the layout of the sheet P. The CPU circuit unit 101 notifies the user of the appropriate setting direction by displaying the scanned image on the operation display unit 50 in a state in which the scanned image has been rotated to an appropriate orientation. At this time, the CPU circuit unit 101 determines the orientation of the image to be displayed on the sheet P by performing image processing on the scanned image to identify the positions and shapes of the identification band WB and label Lb on the sheet P.

[0081] The procedure for the set direction designation process will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 9. The controller 100 reads out the layout image of the sheet P registered (stored) in the RAM 103 (S101), and detects the print area (identification band WB and label Lb) in the sheet P (S102). The print area can be detected by detecting the density difference between the part where the top paper is present and the part where the backing paper BP is exposed, and by detecting the step caused by peeling off the top paper as an edge. Then, the width of each print area included in the layout image of the sheet P is detected (S103).

[0082] In the case of a band sheet, the longitudinal width of the identification band WB is usually the longest among the printing areas included in the sheet P, and the width of the label Lb is shorter than that of the identification band WB. Although common information is often printed on the identification band WB and the label Lb, the identification band WB often needs to be longer than the label Lb in order to be used by wrapping it around the wrist, etc. Therefore, among the printing areas included in the layout image of the sheet P, the printing area having the maximum printing area width is determined to be the identification band WB (S104), and the position information of the identification band WB is transmitted to the operation display control unit 108 (S105). The operation display control unit 108 displays the setting direction of the sheet P relative to the cassette 2 on the operation display unit 50 (S106), and ends the process.

[0083] 10 shows a screen display Sc1 displayed on the operation display unit 50 in S106 of Fig. 9, which displays the setting direction of the sheet P relative to the cassette 2. The setting direction of the sheet P is specified such that the identification band WB is at the leading end side in the sheet conveying direction and the longitudinal direction of the identification band WB is perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction (sheet width direction).

[0084] The identification band WB needs to have a certain degree of strength to prevent tearing during use, and it is assumed that the band portion A1 should preferably use a thicker and stronger top paper than the label portion A2. In addition, the identification band WB, including the wristband, needs to be long because it is wrapped around a person or animal, and the identification band WB has the widest area among the printing areas included in the sheet P. When the above set direction is specified, the material of the sheet P is constant in the sheet width direction (main scanning direction during image formation), and the thickest part is located at the leading edge side in the sheet conveying direction. Therefore, compared to when the material changes depending on the position in the sheet width direction, the force received from the conveying rollers and conveying guides during sheet conveying is distributed symmetrically in the sheet width direction, and skew of the sheet is less likely to occur.

[0085] By specifying the above-mentioned setting direction, as described in the second embodiment, image formation can be performed under different image forming conditions for the band portion A1 and the label portion A2, making it possible to prevent image defects such as poor fixing.

[0086] [Printing procedure] 11 is an example of a flowchart showing the flow from when a user requests printing of image data to when print information is sent to image forming apparatus 1. Here, the explanation will be continued assuming that a user operates a personal computer to print image data created by an application (hereinafter, printing operation). However, this flow is not limited to printing operation, and the same can be said for the case of duplicating an original (hereinafter, copying operation).

[0087] The aforementioned printing information refers to information necessary for the image forming device 1 to form an image on a sheet, including not only the image data to be printed but also the printing items described below (e.g., sheet type, printing side, number of copies to be printed, paper feeding method, etc.).

[0088] When a user requests printing of image data via an application program, a print request is issued from the application to the printer driver. However, this request is not necessarily issued directly from the application to the printer driver, but may be issued to the printer driver via an interface provided by the operating system of the application. This print request starts a print processing procedure by the printer driver. In S201, the printer driver displays a screen (hereinafter, the print item setting screen) that prompts the user to set print items. Print items that can be set include the type of sheet and the paper feed method. Note that the print items specified here are merely examples, and are not limited to these items. After setting of the print items is completed, the process proceeds to S202, where the printer driver creates print information based on the set print items. Then, the process proceeds to S203, where the created print information is sent to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0089] Fig. 12 is an example of a print item setting screen 300 for the user to select and set print items in step S201 of Fig. 11. This screen includes a print layout display 301, a "number of copies" text box 302, "pages" radio buttons 303 and 304, a "start" text box 305, an "end" text box 306, and a "original size" pull-down menu 307. This screen also includes an "output size" pull-down menu 308, a "color mode" pull-down menu 309, a "sheet type" pull-down menu 310, and a "sheet type advanced settings" button 311. This screen also includes a "paper feed method" pull-down menu 312, a "print" button 313, and a "cancel" button 314. The layout display 301 displays the layout of the print and the sheet transport direction.

[0090] The following values ​​are set for each print item on the print item setting screen 300. The value entered in the "Number of copies" text box 302 is set as the number of copies to be printed. The values ​​selected or entered in the "Pages" radio buttons 303 and 304, the "Start" text box 305, and the "End" text box 306 are set as the print page range. When the "All pages" radio button 303 is selected, all pages of the data created by the user are set as the print page range. When the "Specify pages" radio button 304 is selected, the values ​​entered in the "Start" text box 305 and the "End" text box 306 are set as the print page range. The item selected in the "Original size" pull-down menu 307 is set as the size of one page of image data, and standard sizes such as "A4" and "LTR" can be selected. However, LTR is an abbreviation for letter size. The item selected in the "Output size" pull-down menu 308 is set as the size when the image data is output, and standard sizes such as "Same as original size" or "A4" and "LTR" can be selected. The item selected in the "Color Mode" pull-down menu 309 is set as the color mode when printing, and it is possible to select from "Auto (Color / Black and White)", "Color", and "Black and White".

[0091] An item selected in the "Sheet type" pull-down menu 307 is set as the type of sheet P used in image formation. For example, one of "plain paper", "thin paper", "heavy paper", "high-quality paper", "glossy paper", "inkjet official postcard", "postcard", "glossy postcard", "glossy film", "photo card", "T-shirt transfer paper", "back print film", "transparency film", "envelope", "label paper", "perforated paper", and "identification band" can be set. A "Detailed sheet type setting" button 311 is used when detailed sheet setting is required. An item selected in the "Paper feed method" pull-down menu 312 is set as the feeding method of sheet P used in image formation, and one of "automatic", "cassette", and "manual feed" can be set.

[0092] The above print items are stored in a hard disk (not shown) together with the image data to be printed as items constituting one print job. When the "Print" button 313 is pressed, the printer driver creates print information based on the image data and the print items and sheet settings set on this screen, and then transmits the created print information to the image forming device 1 and closes this screen. When the "Cancel" button 314 is pressed, the printer driver closes this screen and ends the process.

[0093] The embodiment 3 has been described above. This embodiment makes it possible to prevent poor image quality, sheet jamming, damage, and the like caused by incorrect setting orientation when forming an image on a band sheet. When using a sheet on which proper image formation is possible only when set in a specific direction, such as a band sheet, this technology makes it possible to provide an image forming apparatus that suppresses transport failures and unnecessary sheet disposal. EXAMPLES

[0094] A fourth exemplary embodiment (Example 4) will be described in detail below. In Example 3 described above, the controller 100 identifies the position of the identification band WB from the scanned image (layout image) of the sheet P. In this example, however, the user specifies the identification band WB from the layout image displayed on the operation display unit 50.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the setting direction designation process in this embodiment, and FIG. 14 shows a display screen Sc2 including a layout image of the sheet P displayed on the operation display unit 50.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU circuit unit 101 of the controller 100 reads out the layout image of the sheet P read by the image reader control unit 106 (S301), and displays the layout image of the sheet P on the operation display unit 50 (S302, FIG. 14). The user touches and specifies the identification band WB in the sheet P displayed on the operation display unit 50 (S303). The operation display control unit 108 registers the identification band position information in the sheet P specified by the user in the RAM 103 (S304). The CPU circuit unit 101 transmits the set direction of the sheet P to the operation display control unit 108 from the registered position information (S305). The operation display control unit 108 displays the set direction of the sheet P relative to the cassette 2 on the operation display unit 50 (S306), and ends the process.

[0097] In this manner, even by using a method for specifying the position of the identification band by user input as in this embodiment, it is possible to prompt the user to set the sheet in the appropriate setting direction. Therefore, as in the third embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that prevents poor image quality, sheet jamming, damage, etc., caused by incorrect setting direction, and suppresses transport failures and unnecessary sheet disposal.

[0098] (Other embodiments) In the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 4, a band sheet including an identification band WB that can be suitably used as a medical wristband is illustrated, but the use of the identification band WB is not limited to medical use. In addition, the present technology is applicable not only to band sheets, but also to cases where a sheet material including multiple regions of different materials is used in a single sheet.

[0099] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1... image forming apparatus / 10... image forming means (image forming section) / 40... image reader (reading device) / 50... operation section, display section (operation display section) / 60... media sensor / 100... control means (controller)

Claims

1. 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet including a first area for a medical wristband and a second area for a label that can be attached to the medical wristband, an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet; and a control unit that determines a process speed when the image forming unit forms an image based on a maximum value of the basis weight of the sheet in the first area and the basis weight of the sheet in the second area.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. An operation unit that receives an operation for inputting information to the image forming apparatus, the control unit acquires, via the operation unit, a basis weight of the sheet in the first area and a basis weight of the sheet in the second area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

3. a media sensor for measuring a characteristic of the sheet; the control means obtains the basis weight of the sheet in the first area and the basis weight of the sheet in the second area based on a measurement result of the media sensor.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

4. the control means acquires the basis weight of the sheet in the first area and the basis weight of the sheet in the second area based on information received from an external computer.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

5. a reading device for reading an image on the sheet; The control unit executes a process of displaying, on a display unit, a setting direction of a sheet to be used for image formation, based on the read image read from the sheet by the reading device.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

6. 1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet including a first area for a medical wristband and a second area for a label that can be attached to the medical wristband, an image forming means for forming an image on the sheet; A control means; A reading device for reading an image on the sheet; Equipped with the first region is a region where the sheet material for the medical wristband is temporarily attached to a mount, and includes the medical wristband and a first outer frame portion that surrounds the medical wristband; the second region is a region where the label sheet material is temporarily attached to the mount, and includes a label and a second outer frame portion surrounding the label; the control means executes a process of identifying the medical wristband in the sheet in the read image by analyzing a read image read by the reading device from the sheet in a state in which either the medical wristband or the first outer frame portion has been peeled off, and either the label or the second outer frame portion has been peeled off, and displaying on a display unit a setting direction of the sheet to be used for image formation.

1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

7. the image forming means includes a photoconductor, a charging means for charging the photoconductor, an exposure means for exposing the photoconductor, a developer carrier for carrying a developer and supplying the developer to the photoconductor, a transfer member for transferring the developer image formed on the photoconductor to a recording material, a cleaning member for cleaning the surface of the photoconductor, and a fixing unit for fixing the developer image transferred to the recording material to the recording material, When an image forming condition when the image forming means forms an image to be recorded in the first area is a first image forming condition, and an image forming condition when the image forming means forms an image to be recorded in the second area is a second image forming condition, the control means acquires first information on characteristics of the first region and second information on characteristics of the second region, and determines the first image forming conditions and the second image forming conditions based on the first information and the second information such that at least one of a charging bias applied to the charging means, a developing bias applied to the developer carrier, an exposure amount of the exposure means, a transfer bias applied to the transfer member, a cleaning bias applied to the cleaning member, and a fixing temperature of the fixing unit is different between the first image forming conditions and the second image forming conditions.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6,

Images