JP6540448B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which forms a detection image on a continuous transfer medium and enables reading by a reading device.

When printing is performed by an image forming apparatus, an image is generally formed using an output profile adapted for the apparatus or a general-purpose output profile.
In such image formation, since the image quality changes, for example, the density balance changes due to a temporal change, etc., processing such as periodically performing image quality adjustment every time the number of sheets is output is performed.
In addition, there is a demand for printing with a target color or a standard target color desired by the user. For such a request, a color profile to be printed is acquired, and based on the color profile, an image to be printed is color-converted to enable printing. At this time, a color profile is applied to the print data, and the image quality adjustment is automatically performed so that the result falls within a predetermined range.

When the image quality adjustment is performed on a continuous sheet, it is necessary to scan a color measurement chart or the like with an external color measurement device. In order to read the color measurement chart by the color measurement device, it is necessary to cut out a part of the continuous sheet from the printed and wound continuous sheet to perform the color measurement.
In Patent Document 1, after printing an image on a continuous sheet, a cutting position mark is formed in an apparatus with post-cutting processing, and the cutting post-processing machine performs cutting at a position where the cutting position mark is detected or mark non-detection for a predetermined time. If the automatic cutting is performed at regular intervals and the patch output for adjustment is inserted during continuous paper output, the trimming mark is printed on the adjustment patch in order to prevent the adjustment position of the next print image from being shifted by the adjustment patch. It has been proposed to adjust the spacing of the positions appropriately.

JP, 2008-162170, A

By the way, in general, there is a margin amount (for example, within 8 cm from the reading reference point) of the leading edge of the sheet which is permitted in the colorimetric device. Some such color measurement devices cause an error if there is a margin longer than this. That is, it is necessary to cut off the colorimetric chart sheet from the continuous sheet so as to be within the margin amount which is permitted to the colorimetric device.
However, if you use the conventional device to perform a visual cut, the cut position may not be at the correct position and it may be determined as an error. Also, if you cut while measuring the distance each time you cut, production There is a problem that the sex declines.
In the patent document, although the trimming mark position is adjusted, the object is to prevent the trimming position of the next print image from being shifted, and the problem of the present invention can not be solved.

  The present invention has been made against the background described above, and relates to an image forming apparatus capable of forming a mark image for a detected image at an appropriate position of a continuous transfer medium.

That is, in the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
An image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
The predetermined distance is determined by the specification of a reading device that reads the detection image, and the predetermined distance is determined by an upper limit,
The mark image indicates cutting information of the continuous transfer medium,
The mark image shows a cut on the detection image side of the mark image,
The control unit may form a character image on the continuous transfer medium which prompts attention to cut the continuous transfer medium on the detection image side with respect to the mark image as well as forming the mark image. .

  In the invention of the image forming apparatus of the other form, in the invention of the form described above, the control section forms the character image on the front side in the transport direction with respect to the mark image.

The invention of an image forming apparatus according to another aspect comprises an image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
The control unit forms the mark image at the predetermined distance on the detection image of the first page, when forming the detection image on the continuous transfer medium in a plurality of pages along the main scanning direction. in the page of detecting image after than, and the rear side margin of the detection image of the previous page, and the distal end side of the margin of the detection image of the next page, the page between pages of these detecting image The total value of the image output image intervals is set to satisfy the predetermined distance.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of the other form, in the invention of the form described above, when the total value exceeds the predetermined distance, the control section generates an image for detection of the next page so that the total value satisfies the predetermined distance. Image shift to the front side in the transport direction.

The invention of an image forming apparatus according to another aspect comprises an image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
Wherein the control unit is configured to insert a page of mark images in the conveying direction front side of the page of the detecting image, if the formation position of the mark image exceeds a predetermined distance in the transport direction forward relative to the detecting image, the detection The detection image may be image-shifted to the front side in the transport direction so that the formation position of the mark image with respect to the image for imaging satisfies a predetermined distance.

The invention of an image forming apparatus according to another aspect comprises an image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
Has an operation unit,
The control unit is characterized in that the predetermined distance can be operated and input through the operation unit.
In the invention of the image forming apparatus of the other form, in the invention of the form described above, the control unit inserts a margin area in the sub scanning direction having a length that satisfies the predetermined distance at the front end in the transport direction in the detected image. The mark image is formed in an area.
In the invention of the other form, in the invention of the above form, the control section forms the mark image by an image having the same main scanning length as the image size in the main scanning direction of the transfer medium. Do.
In the invention of the image forming apparatus of the other form, in the invention of the form described above, the control unit forms the mark image only in a margin portion in the main scanning direction of the transfer medium.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the invention of the form, the control unit forms an image on the continuous transfer medium by superposing data of the mark image on data of the detection image. I assume.

Invention of the image forming apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the embodiment, the control unit may be formed in the continuous transfer medium by adding pages of the mark images on the page of the detecting image .

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the invention of the form described above, the control unit forms a page including the mark image and a margin area in the sub scanning direction on the continuous transfer medium. I assume.

Among the inventions of the image forming method of the present invention, a first embodiment is a detection image forming step of forming a detection image on a continuous transfer medium to be conveyed;
Forming a mark image on the transfer medium to be conveyed;
The detection image forming step and the mark image forming step are characterized in that the forming position of the mark image is set to be a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction forward of the detection image. Do.

In the second aspect of the invention of the image forming method of the present invention, a detection image forming step of forming a detection image on a continuous transfer medium conveyed.
Forming a mark image on the transfer medium to be conveyed;
The detection image forming step and the mark image forming step are characterized in that the forming position of the mark image is set to be a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction forward of the detection image. Do.

  That is, according to the present invention, the formation position of the mark image can be set to an appropriate position with respect to the detection image, and the operation can be performed without requiring the measurement operation each time, and the productivity is improved. effective.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the mechanical structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the electric block diagram in the image forming system containing an image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining restrictions of a cutting position at the time of forming a detection image on roll paper. Similarly, it is a figure explaining restrictions of a cutting position in the following detection image. It is a figure which shows the tearing-line image printed on the roll paper which forms a detection image. It is a figure which shows the cutting line image and the colorimetry chart screen which were formed in roll paper in one Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the cutting line image in the following colorimetric chart, and a colorimetric chart screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a tear line image with a character image used in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cut line image with a character image formed on roll paper and a color measurement chart screen, similarly. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the character image attached cutting-line image and the color measurement chart screen in the following color measurement chart. It is a figure which shows the piercing-through-line image and colorimetry chart which are printed with respect to the first colorimetry chart in other embodiment of this invention. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, it is a figure which shows the colorimetry chart printed as it is, without printing a cutting line image. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, it is a figure explaining the state which performs an image shift and prints a colorimetry chart, without printing a cutting line image. In another embodiment of the present invention, a blank area of a predetermined distance is added to the front in the conveyance direction of the color measurement chart, and a cutting line image is printed in this blank area. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, a margin area of a predetermined distance is added to the front in the conveyance direction of the colorimetry chart, and a cutting line image is printed in the margin area. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a page of a cut line image is inserted into a page of a color measurement chart and printed in another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, a state in which a page of a cut line image is inserted into a page of the colorimetry chart and printed will be described. FIG. 14 is a view showing a cutting line image printed only in a margin area in the main scanning direction in another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, in the next color measurement chart, a cut line image is printed only in the margin area in the main scanning direction. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an operation screen for adjusting the print position of the cut line image in another embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, it is a figure which shows what printed the cutting line image by the adjusted printing position. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, it is a figure which shows what printed the cutting line image by the adjusted printing position. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which prints the cutting line image in other embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a mechanical outline of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1A having an image forming section 13. The sheet feeding adjustment section 300 is connected to the front side of the apparatus body 1A, and the sheet feeding apparatus 200 is connected to the front side of the sheet feeding adjustment section 300. It is done. In this embodiment, roll paper is used as continuous paper, but the continuous paper is not limited to roll paper, as long as the paper is continuous, continuous slip paper, continuous slip Paper is also included. The continuous paper may be provided in a roll form or may be in an alternately folded form. The continuous paper corresponds to the continuous transfer medium of the present invention. The continuous transfer medium is not necessarily required to be paper.

  Further, the sheet discharge adjustment unit 400 is connected to the sheet discharge side of the apparatus main body 1A, and the winding device 500 is mechanically and electrically connected to the sheet discharge side of the sheet discharge adjustment unit 400. Further, a reader 600 is provided as an external device of these devices, and the reader 600 is provided with a colorimeter 60. The reading device 600 may be included in the image forming apparatus 1 or may be an apparatus different from the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this embodiment, although the image forming apparatus 1 is described as being configured by the apparatus main body 1A and the apparatus connected to the apparatus main body 1A, the type of the apparatus connected to the apparatus main body 1A, The number is not particularly limited, and the image forming apparatus may be configured by only the apparatus main body 1A. In that case, the image forming system may be configured with the apparatus main body 1A together with other apparatuses.

The sheet feeding device 200 has a function of storing, holding, and feeding a roll sheet S as a continuous sheet.
The sheet feeding adjustment unit 300 has a buffer function for absorbing a minute speed difference and deviation between the sheet feeding device 200 and the apparatus main body 1A. The discharge adjustment unit 400 has a buffer function to absorb a minute speed difference and deviation between the apparatus main body 1A and the winding device 500. A cutting unit for cutting the roll paper may be installed between the apparatus main assembly 1A and the winding device 500, or the cutting unit may cut off the paper offline.

The winding device 500 has a function of winding and holding the discharged roll paper.
The reading device 600 performs color measurement by the colorimeter 60 while conveying the sheet. A spectral colorimeter may be used as the colorimeter 60, and the reading device 600 may read an image by a line sensor or the like. The point is that any image that can read a detected image and obtain a read result can be used. The reading result of the reading device 600 can be acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 and used for feedback in adjustment of image formation. The reading result may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network, serial communication, etc. Even if the reading result can be acquired by the image forming apparatus 1 through the removable storage unit. Good. Further, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to feed back the reading result to the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 13 for forming an image on a sheet in the apparatus main unit 1A, and an operation unit 140 for receiving information from the operator and displaying information is provided at the upper part of the apparatus main unit 1A. Have. The operation unit 140 may be configured separately from an input unit for performing an operation and a display unit for performing a display, such as a touch panel LCD, the input unit and the display unit are integrally configured. May be The image forming apparatus main body 1A has a control unit 100.

The image forming apparatus 1 has a conveyance path 22 from the sheet feeding device 200 to the sheet feeding adjustment unit 300 and the image forming unit 13, and further from the image forming unit 13 to the sheet discharge adjustment unit 400 and the winding device 500. .
In the transport path 22, the roll sheet S accommodated in the sheet feeding device 200 is fed.
In this embodiment, the conveyance portion is configured by the conveyance path 22, the conveyance roller, a motor (not shown) that drives the roller driven to rotate, and the like.

The image forming unit 13 has photosensitive members 15 respectively prepared for respective colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc.), and a charger, a writing unit, and a developing unit (not shown) are arranged on the peripheral line portions of the respective photosensitive members. It is set up. The photosensitive member surface charged by the charger is subjected to image exposure by a writing unit such as an LD based on image information of a document recorded in an image memory or the like, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive member 15 surface. The latent image is developed by a developing unit to form a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 16, and the image on the intermediate transfer belt 16 is transported by the transport path 22 through the secondary transfer roller 18 and transferred to the roll paper S. In the present invention, a color image forming apparatus having a photosensitive member for each color and an intermediate transfer belt has been described. In the present invention, the image forming apparatus is a monochrome image forming apparatus. It may be.
When the image is transferred onto the roll paper by the image forming unit 13, the image is fixed by applying heat and pressure by the fixing unit 19, and the roll paper is discharged and discharged out of the apparatus main body 1A. Part of the roll paper discharged to the outside of the apparatus main body 1A passes through the paper discharge adjustment unit 400 and is sequentially wound up in a roll shape by the winding device 500.

Next, a functional description of the image forming apparatus 1 will be made based on the block diagram of FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 mainly includes image data input / output between the digital copier having the control block 110, the scanner unit 130, the operation unit 140, and the printer unit 150, and the management apparatus 3 through the network 2. An image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 to be processed is provided.

  The control block 110 has a PCI bus 112, which is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 in the control block 110. Further, the HDD 119 is connected to the PCI bus 112 via the controller IC 118. The HDD 119 can store image data and the like.

Furthermore, the control block 110 is provided with a control CPU 113, and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113. Further, a non-volatile memory 115 is connected to the control CPU 113. The non-volatile memory 115 stores programs executed by the control CPU 113, setting data of the image forming apparatus 1, process control parameters, setting values of predetermined distances when forming a mark image, and the like. A plurality of set values of the predetermined distance may be provided in accordance with the colorimeter.
The control CPU 113 controls the whole of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a program, and grasps the state of the whole of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs conveyance control of roll paper, image formation control, and the like. That is, the control CPU 113 and the program operated by the control CPU 113 constitute the control unit 100 of the present invention.
An RTC (date and time data generation device) 125 is connected to the control CPU 113, and date and time data can be transmitted to the control CPU 113.

  The scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the control CPU 113 so as to be capable of serial communication, and receives control by the control CPU 113. The scanner control unit 132 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the same, or the like. The image data read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing in a reading processing unit 116. The read processing unit 116 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111.

The operation unit 140 includes a touch panel type LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The LCD 141 and the operation unit control unit 142 are connected, and the operation unit control unit 142 and the control CPU 113 can be serially communicated. It is connected to the. Control of the operation unit 140 is performed by the control CPU 113 according to the configuration. The operation unit control unit 142 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the same, or the like.
The operation unit 140 performs various settings for the apparatus main body 1A and the sheet feeding apparatus 200, and the control unit controls image formation and roll paper conveyance based on the settings.

  The operation unit 140 can input operation control conditions such as settings and operation commands in the image forming apparatus 1, and can further display setting contents, machine states, and information. It is controlled. The operation unit 140 can perform predetermined operations and the like. For example, setting of a predetermined distance of a mark image and setting of a margin length can be performed by the control CPU 113.

  The DRAM control IC 111 is also connected to an image memory 120 composed of a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122. The image memory 120 stores image data acquired by the scanner unit 130 and image data acquired through the network 2. As described above, the image memory 120 is a storage area of image data, and stores image data of a job to be printed. Further, image data relating to a plurality of jobs can be stored in the image memory 120 by the DRAM control IC 111. That is, the image memory 120 can also store image data of a reserved job. The image data can also be stored in the HDD 119.

  The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to a compression / decompression IC 117 for compressing image data or decompressing the compressed data. A write processing unit 123 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The write processing unit 123 is connected to the LD 154A of the printer unit 150, and performs processing of data used for the operation of the LD 154A. The LD 154A is a generic term for LD for each color. Further, the printer unit 150 controls the conveyance unit including the image forming unit 13 and the conveyance path 22.

  The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 151 that controls the entire printer unit 150. The printer control unit 151 is connected to the control CPU 113 and receives control. That is, the printing operation is started / stopped according to the parameters given from the control CPU 113. The roll paper feed control unit 210 of the paper feeding device 200 and the winding control unit 510 of the winding device 500 are controllably connected to the printer control unit 151, and an instruction from the control CPU 113 is issued via the printer control unit 151. Control of roll paper conveyance and winding can be performed.

The DRAM control IC 161 of the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160 is connected to the PCI bus 112 connected to the DRAM control IC 111. An image memory 162 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161 in the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160. Further, in the image processing unit (print & scanner controller) 160, a controller control unit 163 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161, and a LAN control unit 164 and a LAN interface 165 are connected to the DRAM control IC 161. The LAN interface 165 is connected to the network 2.
The management apparatus 3 and other image forming apparatuses 4 and 5 are connected to the network 2, and can transmit and receive image data with the image forming apparatus 1.

  Furthermore, a LAN control unit 127 and a LAN interface 128 are connected to the control CPU 113, and the above-mentioned network 2 and other networks can be connected to the LAN interface 128. The management apparatus 3 and the like are connected to the network 2, and the management apparatus 3 has a management control unit 30 and a management operation unit 31, and controls the entire management apparatus 3 by the operation of the management control unit 30. . Furthermore, the management control unit 30 can manage the image forming apparatus 1 via the LAN interface 128. The management control unit 30 can be configured by a CPU, a program for operating the CPU, a storage unit, and the like. The management control unit 3 may be capable of instructing the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image or to indicate an image forming position. In this case, the management control unit 30 functions as a control unit of the present invention. When the management operation unit 31 sets a predetermined distance, the management operation unit 31 corresponds to the operation unit of the present invention. The network 2 may be further connected to the management device 3 or the like as a WAN.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, the procedure for accumulating image data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
When reading an image of a document by the scanner unit 130 and generating image data, the image of the document is optically read by the CCD 131 from the document by the scanner unit 130. At this time, the scanner control unit 132 that receives an instruction from the control CPU 113 performs operation control of the CCD 131. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to data processing is compressed by the compression / decompression IC 117 according to a predetermined method, and is compressed to the compression memory 121 or the HDD 119 via the DRAM control IC 111. Stored. The image data stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 119 can be managed as a job by the control CPU 113.

  When acquiring image data from the outside, for example, image data transmitted from the management apparatus 3 or other image forming apparatuses 4 and 5 through the network 2 is a controller control unit via the LAN interface 165 and the LAN control unit 164. The image data is stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 controlled at 163. The data in the image memory 162 is temporarily stored in the page memory 122 via the DRAM control IC 161, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111. The data stored in the page memory 122 is sequentially sent to the compression / decompression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111, compressed and processed, stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 119 via the DRAM control IC 111, and the control CPU 113 as described above. Management by

When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, that is, when used as a copying machine or a printer, the image data stored in the compression memory 121 or the HDD 119 is sent to the compression / decompression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 The image data can be printed on the roll paper S by developing the data and repeatedly developing the developed image data on the LD 154A in the writing processing unit 123.
When used as a copying machine, information such as printing conditions (print mode) set on the operation unit 140 is notified, and setting information is created by the control CPU 113. The created setting information can be stored in the RAM in the control CPU 113. Creation of detection image and designation of normal printing are also performed here.
When used as a printer, the printing conditions can be set by the printer driver in the management apparatus 3. The printing conditions set here are stored in the same manner as the image (management apparatus 3 → LAN IF 165 → image memory 162 → DRAM control IC 161 (controller) → DRAM control IC 111 (main body) → page memory 122).

Further, in the printer unit 150, control of each unit is performed by the printer control unit 151 that has received an instruction from the control CPU 113.
When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, printing conditions are set through the operation unit 140, and the control CPU 113 can control printing by this setting. The printing conditions can include the setting of the margin. In the image forming unit 13, the toner image written on each photosensitive member 15 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 16, and then transferred onto the roll paper S supplied by the paper feeding device 200 by the secondary transfer roll 18. It is fixed by The sheet on which the image has been formed is conveyed by the conveyance path 22 to the sheet discharge adjustment unit 400, and further wound on a roll by the winding device 500 on the downstream side and held. When there are a plurality of reserved jobs, the image output is sequentially performed according to the setting order.

  Next, an example of forming a colorimetric chart image as a detection image on the roll paper S will be described based on FIG. In this example, there is a start chart band C10 along the main scanning direction that indicates the reading start position of the color measurement chart on the leading end side in the transport direction, and thereafter, the color measurement is extended in yellow over the entire screen area in the main scanning direction. A chart band and a colorimetry chart band that extends to the entire screen area in the main scanning direction with magenta are sequentially formed in the subscanning direction with the density lowered, and the measurement of the maximum density is performed again from the lowest density colorimetry chart band. A group of colorimetric chart band groups C11 in which the density is sequentially lowered from the color chart bands are formed. The start chart band C10 and the color measurement chart band group C11 form a color measurement chart, and the image thereof corresponds to a detection image in the present embodiment. In the margins in the main scanning direction, chart formation position marks P are formed in accordance with the respective charts.

Then, since the printed color measurement chart is read by the external colorimeter 60, the roll paper is cut with scissors or the like for each group of color measurement charts. The colorimeter 60 detects the start chart band C10 (black line portion) as the reading start position and performs color measurement.
In this example, according to the specifications of the reading device 600, it is necessary to perform cutting so that a margin of 8 cm or less on the front side in the transport direction is obtained with respect to the position on the front end side of the start chart band C10 in the transport direction. In the color measurement device 600, if the colorimeter 60 can not detect the chart within 8 cm from the leading edge of the roll paper, an error occurs. Note that this distance may change depending on the type of reader.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which two colorimetric chart pages are continuously formed with blanks. In the second colorimetry chart, a start chart band C20, a colorimetry chart band extending in the entire screen area in the main scanning direction by cyan, and a colorimetry chart band extending in the whole screen area in the main scanning direction by black alternate with each other. And the colorimetry chart band group C21 formed in line in the sub-scanning direction.
Also in the second colorimetric chart, it is necessary to cut out within 8 cm forward in the transport direction with respect to the position on the front end side of the start chart band C20 in the transport direction.

Next, an example of forming a mark image on the roll sheet S according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 5, a cut line image L0 is prepared. The cut line image L0 has the same main scanning length as the image size of the roll paper S in the main scanning direction.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the cut line image L0 described above as a mark image is printed within 8 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C10 in the transport direction. Within 8 cm at this time corresponds to the predetermined distance of the present invention. The cut line image L0 is superimposed and printed on the blank area of the image forming the color measurement chart.
The mark image is not limited to the line image. The same applies to the following.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7 for the continuous color measurement chart, the cut line image L1 is the entire mark area in the main scanning direction as a mark image within 8 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C20 of the next color measurement chart. It is formed by The distance within 8 cm at this time also corresponds to the predetermined distance of the present invention. The cut line image L1 is also superimposed and printed in the blank area of the image forming the color measurement chart. A colorimetric chart band group C21 is formed on the rear side of the start chart band C20.
In the present embodiment, at the time of output of the detection image, a mark instructing cutting is printed so that the margin amount from the leading end of the sheet after cutting falls within the allowable range of the colorimeter.
As a result, when outputting and cutting off the measurement chart of the roll paper, it is possible to cut off within the tolerance of the colorimeter, eliminating the trouble of considering the margin amount of the paper after cutting. The same applies to the following embodiments.

Moreover, it is necessary to perform cutting on the colorimetric chart side with respect to the cut line image so that the cut line image does not remain on the color measurement chart side. A character image that notes this point can be printed on roll paper.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 8, a character-marked cutoff line image LM0 is formed.
The character-marked cutout line image LM0 has a character image M0 prompting attention to cut on the colorimetric chart side with respect to the position of the cutout line image L0. The character-marked cut line image LM0 corresponds to the mark image of the present invention in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cut line image L0 of the character-lined cut line image LM0 is expanded over the entire screen area in the main scanning direction at a distance within 8 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C10 of the color measurement chart. It is formed.
The character image M0 is printed in the margin area in the sub-scanning direction on the front side in the transport direction with respect to the cut line image L0. This may cause false detection by the colorimeter if the character image M0 remains on the colorimetry chart side after being cut, and the cut-off line is actually a cut line for cutting along the line. It is a procedure to note that there is no.
FIG. 9 shows a state in which the character-line-cut line image LM0 is printed on roll paper.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, in the continuous color measurement chart, the character-cut out line image LM1 is prepared, and the cut-off line image L1 is within 8 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C20 of the next color measurement chart. Are extended and formed over the entire screen area in the main scanning direction, and a character image M1 for prompting attention is formed on the front side thereof.

Next, an example in which a mark image is formed only on the first color measurement chart will be described based on FIGS.
When the pages of the colorimetry chart are continuous, in the page of the first colorimetry chart, the cut line image L0 is a mark image within 8 cm from the leading edge of the start chart band C10 in the main scanning direction as in the embodiments. It is formed to extend over the entire screen area of the image.
In the next colorimetry chart, as shown in FIG. 12, the trailing edge margin area RM of the previous page, the margin area FM of the colorimetry chart page of the next page, and the page image output interval PI are provided. .
The following colorimetry chart calculates the total value of the sheet leading edge margin FM, the trailing edge margin RM of the previous colorimetry chart image, and the page image output interval PI before the colorimetry chart is output, as shown in FIG. If the calculated value is within 8 cm, the next colorimetric chart image is output as it is. Within 8 cm corresponds to a predetermined distance.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the total value of the distances exceeds 8 cm, an error may occur in the colorimeter depending on the cut position. The color measurement chart image (chart start band C20 and color measurement chart band group C21) is conveyed in the form of shaving the tip margin area of the next color measurement chart image so that the total value is within 8 cm which is a predetermined distance. Shift to the front side to perform image formation. As a result, cutting is performed within the range of the margin, so in the above setting, the distance between the next colorimetric chart and the cutting line is always within 8 cm. The same applies to the subsequent colorimetry charts.
In this example, lines other than the first color measurement chart are within 8 cm no matter where they are cut out, so lines for instructing cut out become unnecessary. In the first colorimetry chart, since a sagging occurs before output, it is always necessary to print a cutting instruction line.

In each of the above examples, the image is formed by superposing the image relating to the cutting line on the image page of the colorimetric chart, but a blank area is added in the sub scanning direction, and the cutting line image is added to the blank area. Superposition may be performed to combine.
In FIG. 14, a blank area AD0 within 8 cm is added to the image page of the color measurement chart, and the cutout line image L0 is formed in the blank area AD0. In this example, since the predetermined distance is satisfied in the margin area AD0, there is no problem even if the cut line image is formed at any position in the sub-scanning direction of the margin area AD0.

In FIG. 14, a blank area within 8 cm is added between the blank area AD0 of the previous colorimetric chart and the area of the subsequent colorimetric chart, and the cutout line image L0 is formed in the blank area AD0. Also in this case, the distance between the cutout line image L0 and the start chart band C10 is always within 8 cm.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, a blank area AD1 of 8 cm or less within the conveyance direction of the next colorimetric chart is similarly added to the next successive colorimetric chart page, and a cutting line is formed in this blank area AD1. An image L1 is formed.

  In each of the above examples, an image is formed by superposing an image relating to the cutting line on the image page of the colorimetry chart, but as shown in FIG. 16, the cutting line image is output before outputting the colorimetry chart image. A page image of only LP0 can be inserted and output. In this example, the total value of the page image output interval PI between the page of the cut line image LP0 and the page of the color measurement chart and the leading end margin area FM of the color measurement chart image needs to be within 8 cm.

The above-mentioned total value is calculated before outputting the colorimetric chart, and if it exceeds 8 cm, the colorimetric chart image is shifted in such a manner that the leading end margin area of the colorimetric chart image is removed. If it is within 8 cm, the next colorimetric chart image is output as it is.
Also in the next colorimetry chart, as shown in FIG. 17, the page of cut line image LP1 is inserted after the previous colorimetry chart, and the page image between the page of the cut line image and the page of the colorimetry chart The total value of the output interval and the front end blank area of the color measurement chart image is made to be within 8 cm. If it exceeds 8 cm, the color measurement chart image is shifted in such a manner that the leading end margin area of the next color measurement chart is removed in the same manner as described above.

In each of the above examples, although the cut line image is an image to be expanded to the entire image area in the main scanning direction, for example, only the margin part in the main scanning direction in the margin area of the sheet front end It may be printed on the
When cutting with another cutting machine instead of scissors, it is not necessary to print a line in all the main scanning directions, and only the starting point for cutting is required, so a mark for instructing cutting only at the main scanning end is printed You may do it.

  FIG. 18 shows the first colorimetry chart, in which cut line images l1 and l2 are formed at a distance of 8 cm or less with respect to the start chart band C10 only in the left and right blank areas LS and RS in the main scanning direction. Similarly, in the next colorimetry chart, the cut line images l1 and l2 are formed only in the left and right margin areas LS and RS in the main scanning direction at a distance within 8 cm with respect to the start chart band C20. It is. In the above example, the cutout line image is formed in the left and right margin areas in the main scanning direction, but may be formed in only one of the left and right.

In each of the above examples, the predetermined distance of the mark image is described as being fixed. However, the formation position of the mark image may be adjustable.
FIG. 20 shows the mark image formation position adjustment screen 1400 drawn on the operation unit 140. As shown in FIG.
The mark image formation position adjustment screen 1400 has a ten key 1410 for setting a predetermined distance, a help display portion 1420 for explaining the operation content, and a current value display column 1430. The input value of the ten key 1420 is reflected in the current value by pressing the set button 1415. The set value is determined by pressing the “to print mode” button 1440.
For example, if +50 is set with the ten key 1410, the print position in the sub-scanning direction of the line instructing cutting is printed as 50 mm = 5 cm.
In addition, at the time of setting, 8 cm may be set as the maximum value so that input exceeding this may not be possible.

FIG. 21 shows the roll paper S on which the predetermined distance is determined by the value set on the mark image formation position adjustment screen 1400 and the cut line image L is formed. For example, when the predetermined distance is set to 5 cm on the mark image formation position adjustment screen 1400 of FIG. 20, the cut line image L0 is at a distance of 5 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C10 of the colorimetric chart according to this setting. It is extended and formed over the entire screen area in the main scanning direction.
Next, also in the colorimetry chart, as shown in FIG. 22, the cut line image L1 is formed so as to be extended over the entire screen area in the main scanning direction by 5 cm from the leading end of the start chart band C20 of the next colorimetry chart. Do.

Next, an example of a procedure for forming a mark image will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit. The control unit may be included in the image forming apparatus, or may be included in the management apparatus 3. The same applies to the following flowcharts.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s1), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired (step s2). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Next, a line image instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size is generated (step s3), and the sub-scanning direction position is acquired from the reading start position of each colorimetric chart (step s4). The reading start position is grasped by image formation control in the control unit.
Then, a line image indicating a cutting line is printed at a position of +8 cm (forward in the transport direction) with respect to the margin area of the leading edge of the sheet from the acquired sub-scanning position on each colorimetric chart image (step s5) The colorimetric chart job is output (step s6), and the process is ended.

Next, an example of printing attention characters will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s10), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired (step s11). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Next, a line image instructing to cut out the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size and a warning character image are generated (step s12), and the sub scanning direction position is acquired from the reading start position of each colorimetric chart (step s13). ). The reading start position is grasped by image formation control in the control unit.
Next, a line image is printed that instructs a cutting line with characters at a position of +8 cm (forward in the transport direction) to the margin area of the leading edge of the sheet from the acquired sub-scanning position on each colorimetric chart image s14), the colorimetric chart job is output (step s15), and the process is ended.

Next, an example in which the cut line image is formed only for the first colorimetric chart will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s20), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired (step s21). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Then, a line image instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size is generated (step s22), and the sub-scanning direction position is acquired from the reading start position of each colorimetry chart (step s23). The reading start position is grasped by image formation control in the control unit.

  Next, with respect to the first colorimetric chart, a line image instructing cutting is superimposed on a position of +8 cm (forward in the transport direction) from the acquired sub-scanning position to the margin area of the leading end of the sheet (step s24). Next, the sub-scanning direction length of the margin area of the sheet rear end of the first colorimetric chart image and the sheet front end of the next colorimetric chart is acquired (step s25). The acquired sub-scanning lengths and the page image interval (for example, 1 mm) are summed (step s26), and it is determined whether the total value is within 8 cm which is a predetermined distance (step s27). If it is within 8 cm (YES in step s27), the colorimetric chart job is output as it is (step s29), and the process ends. If the total value is not within 8 cm (NO in step s27), the image of the next colorimetric chart image is shifted in the subscanning direction of the sheet leading edge margin area by a length exceeding 8 cm from the total value (step s28). ). Thereafter, the colorimetric chart job is output (step s29), and the process is ended.

Next, a procedure for adding a margin to the color measurement chart and combining the cutout line image with the margin will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s30), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired (step s31). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Then, a line image instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size is generated (step s32), and the sub-scanning direction position is acquired from the reading start position of each colorimetry chart (step s33). The reading start position is grasped by image formation control in the control unit.

  Next, a margin is added to each colorimetric chart image from the acquired sub-scanning position to a position of +8 cm (forward in the transport direction) with respect to the margin area direction of the leading edge of the sheet (step s34). A line image instructing cutting is synthesized with the added margin area (step s35), a colorimetric chart job is output (step s36), and the process is ended.

Next, the procedure for inserting a line image page into the color measurement chart will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetric chart image is generated page by page (step s40), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired (step s41). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Then, a line image instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size is generated (step s42), and the generated line image page is inserted in front of each colorimetric chart image page (step s43). Next, the subscanning length of the paper leading end margin area of each colorimetric chart image is acquired (step s44), and the subscanning length of the paper leading end margin area of the colorimetric chart image and the page image interval (for example, 1 mm) are summed ( Step s45) It is determined whether the total value is within 8 cm (step s46). If it is within 8 cm (YES in step s46), the colorimetric chart job is output (step s48), and the process is ended. If the total value is not within 8 cm (NO in step s46), the color measurement chart image is shifted in the subscanning direction of the paper leading edge margin area by the length exceeding 8 cm from the total value (step s47). The chart job is output (step s48), and the process ends.

Next, the procedure for forming the cut line image only in the margin area in the main scanning direction will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s50), and the margin area size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is acquired on the left and right (step s51). Next, line images are generated each instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired left and right main scanning size margin areas (step s52), and the sub-scanning length of the reading start position of each colorimetry chart image is acquired (step s53) For each colorimetry chart image, superimpose on the left and right respectively a line image instructing cutting at a position of +8 cm from the acquired sub-scanning position to the margin area of the leading edge of the sheet (step s54) The chart job is output (step s55), and the process ends.

Next, a procedure for forming a cut line image by installation set on the operation screen will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is performed under control of the control unit.
First, each colorimetry chart image is generated page by page (step s60), and the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction is obtained (step s61). The control unit grasps the size of the roll paper in the main scanning direction.
Then, a line image instructing cutting of the same main scanning size as the acquired main scanning size is generated (step s62), and the sub-scanning direction position is acquired from the reading start position of each colorimetric chart (step s63). The reading start position is grasped by image formation control in the control unit.
Next, a line image for instructing a cutting line is printed on the position of the length set on the print position adjustment screen from the acquired sub-scanning position to the margin area of the leading edge of the sheet on each colorimetric chart image (step s64), the colorimetric chart job is output (step s65), and the process is ended.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, the content with respect to the said embodiment can be suitably changed, unless it deviates from the scope of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 image forming apparatus 2 network 3 management apparatus 13 image forming unit 22 conveyance path 30 management control unit 31 management operation unit 100 control unit 113 control CPU
140 Operation part 1400 Mark image formation position adjustment screen

Claims (12)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
The predetermined distance is determined by the specification of a reading device that reads the detection image, and the predetermined distance is determined by an upper limit,
The mark image indicates cutting information of the continuous transfer medium,
The mark image shows a cut on the detection image side of the mark image,
The control unit may form a character image on the continuous transfer medium which prompts attention to cut the continuous transfer medium on the detection image side with respect to the mark image as well as forming the mark image. Image forming apparatus. Wherein the control unit, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming the character image in the conveying direction front side than the mark image. An image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
The control unit forms the mark image at the predetermined distance on the detection image of the first page, when forming the detection image on the continuous transfer medium in a plurality of pages along the main scanning direction. in the page of detecting image after than, and the rear side margin of the detection image of the previous page, and the distal end side of the margin of the detection image of the next page, the page between pages of these detecting image the total value of the image output image interval, set images forming device you characterized in that so as to satisfy the predetermined distance. Wherein, if said sum exceeds said predetermined distance, claim total value, characterized in that the image shift in the conveying direction front side detecting image of the next page to satisfy the predetermined distance 3 Image forming apparatus as described. An image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
Wherein the control unit is configured to insert a page of mark images in the conveying direction front side of the page of the detecting image, if the formation position of the mark image exceeds a predetermined distance in the transport direction forward relative to the detecting image, the detection as the forming position of the mark image satisfies a predetermined distance with respect to use images, images forming device characterized in that the image shift in the conveying direction front side the detecting image. An image forming unit for forming an image on a continuous transfer medium;
A transport unit that transports the continuous transfer medium;
A control unit configured to control formation of an image by the image forming unit and conveyance by the conveyance unit;
The control unit has a detection image forming function of forming a detection image on the continuous transfer medium, and a mark forming function of forming a mark image on the continuous transfer medium.
When forming the detection image and the mark image on the continuous transfer medium, the position at which the mark image is formed is a predetermined distance ahead in the conveyance direction with respect to the tip formation position in the conveyance direction ahead of the detection image. Set as
Has an operation unit,
Wherein the control unit, the predetermined distance, images forming device characterized in that to enable an operation input through the operation unit.   The control unit inserts a margin area in the sub-scanning direction at a length that satisfies the predetermined distance at the front end in the conveyance direction in the detection image, and forms the mark image in the margin area. The image forming apparatus according to any one of to 6.   The image formation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit forms the mark image by an image having the same main scanning length as the image size in the main scanning direction of the continuous transfer medium. apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control unit forms the mark image only in a margin portion in the main scanning direction of the continuous transfer medium. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the control unit forms the image on the continuous transfer medium by superimposing the data of the mark image on the data of the detection image. apparatus. Wherein the control unit, the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 1 0, characterized in that formed on the continuous transfer medium by adding pages of the mark images on the page of the detecting image . The image according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the control unit forms a page including the mark image and a margin area in the sub scanning direction on the continuous transfer medium by adding the page. Forming device.

Images