JP2013205703A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to accurately form the image of a particular object when consumption of developer is reduced during formation of an image.SOLUTION: Printing is adapted to be performed either by a toner save mode or by a normal mode. An image formation device includes: object determination processing means for determining whether particular object data is contained in printing data; data processing means for performing toner save processing for object data except a particular object and not performing toner save processing for data on the particular object when the toner save mode is set; and printing processing means for forming an image based on object data for which toner save processing is performed and object data for which toner save processing is not performed. The image of a particular object can be accurately formed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, for example, a printer, includes an image forming unit, an LED head, a transfer unit, a fixing device, and the like. A developing roller, a developing blade, a toner supply roller, a cleaning blade, a toner cartridge, and the like are disposed, and toner as a developer is accommodated in the toner cartridge.

  In the printer, when printing is performed, the surface of the photosensitive drum uniformly charged by the charging roller is exposed by the LED head to form an electrostatic latent image. The toner supplied from the toner cartridge to the main body of the image forming unit, that is, the image forming unit main body, is supplied to the developing roller by the toner supply roller, and the toner on the developing roller is thinned by the developing blade. The toner on the developing roller is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum.

  Subsequently, the toner image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer roller of the transfer unit, and is fixed on the sheet by a fixing device, thereby forming an image.

  By the way, there is provided a printer that can perform printing with reduced toner consumption when forming an image, that is, printing in a toner save mode.

  When the printer is instructed to perform printing in the toner save mode, the toner consumption is reduced with respect to data of various objects such as text, ruled lines, and images included in the print data received from the host computer. For example, a toner saving process is performed, and for example, logical values of a plurality of adjacent printing dots are calculated, only the image outline is extracted, and only the image outline is formed (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-44178

  However, in the conventional printer, when the print data includes pattern code object data as a specific object in which predetermined information is embedded, for example, grid mark pattern data, all objects If the toner save processing is uniformly performed on the data of (1), an image of the grid mark pattern may not be accurately formed on the printed matter. In this case, when the printed image is scanned by the scanner, the grid mark pattern cannot be correctly read and recognized by the code reader.

  Here, an information providing system that provides predetermined information by embedding tourism information in a grid mark pattern and reading and recognizing the grid mark pattern will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of use of an information providing system for providing tourist information, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the information providing system.

  In the figure, 101 is a personal computer, 102 is a scanner, 103 is an image of a printed matter, in this case, a map image. The personal computer 101 includes a control unit 110, a database 111, a display 112, and the like.

  The map image 103 is formed (printed) by a print-type steganography technique based on print data including grid mark pattern data, and is formed into a dot pattern constituting the map image 103, for example, for each point on the map. A grid mark pattern is included, and the latitude and longitude of each point are embedded in the grid mark pattern.

  In the database 111 of the personal computer 101, latitude / longitude is recorded in association with the grid mark pattern, and tourism information is recorded in association with the latitude / longitude. When the grid mark pattern is read by the scanner 102 and sent to the personal computer 101, the control unit 110 reads the latitude / longitude embedded in the grid mark pattern with reference to the database 111 and corresponds to the latitude / longitude. The tourist information is read and the tourist information is displayed on the display 112.

  Therefore, when grid mark pattern data is included in the print data, if the toner save process is uniformly performed on the data of all objects in the printer, some of the pixels forming the grid mark pattern are erased. In this case, the grid mark pattern cannot be accurately formed on the map image 103.

  As a result, in the information providing system, when the printed image is scanned by the scanner, the grid mark pattern cannot be correctly read and recognized by the code reader.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional printer and provides an image forming apparatus capable of accurately forming an image of a specific object even if the amount of developer consumed in forming an image is reduced. The purpose is to provide.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, printing is performed in the toner save mode by reducing the consumption amount of the developer, or printing is performed in the normal mode without reducing the consumption amount of the developer. ing.

  An object determination processing unit configured to determine whether the print data received from the host device includes data of a specific object set in advance; and when the toner save mode is set, the specific object If the toner save process is set for the data of the object other than the data processing means that does not perform the toner save process for the data of the specific object and the toner save process is set for the data of the specific object, And print processing means for forming an image based on the data of the object that has been performed and the data of the object that has not been subjected to the toner saving process.

  According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus performs printing in the toner save mode by reducing the consumption amount of the developer, or printing in the normal mode without reducing the consumption amount of the developer. ing.

  An object determination processing unit configured to determine whether the print data received from the host device includes data of a specific object set in advance; and when the toner save mode is set, the specific object If the toner save process is set for the data of the object other than the data processing means that does not perform the toner save process for the data of the specific object and the toner save process is set for the data of the specific object, And print processing means for forming an image based on the data of the object that has been performed and the data of the object that has not been subjected to the toner saving process.

  In this case, when the toner save mode is set, the toner save process is performed on the data of the object other than the specific object, and the toner save process is not performed on the data of the specific object. Even if the consumption of the developer is reduced, an image of a specific object can be accurately formed.

1 is a block diagram of a print control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the usage example of the information provision system for providing sightseeing information. It is a control block diagram of an information provision system. It is a figure which shows the example of the image formed when printing is performed by the printing mechanism in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the dot gain and the gradation correction value for normal processing in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between dot gain and a tone correction value for toner save processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the host computer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing result in case the normal mode in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is set. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing result when a toner save mode is set according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the printing control system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the host computer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing result in case the normal mode in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is set. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result when a toner save mode is set according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a print control system in which a host computer as a host device and a printer as an image forming apparatus are connected via a network will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image formed when printing is performed by the printing mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  In the figure, 10 is a host computer, 20 is an electrophotographic color printer that forms a color image using toners as developers of four colors of black, yellow, magenta and cyan, and Nt is a host computer 10. This is a network that connects the printer 20 by wire or wirelessly.

  The host computer 10 includes a control unit 11 that collectively controls various modules based on a control program, a recording area for recording the control program and various data, a work area for various devices, and a print data A memory 14 used as a transmission buffer, a transmission unit 15 that transmits print data to the printer 20, and the like are provided. The control unit 11 includes an application data generation unit 12 that generates application data, a print data generation unit (print driver) 13 as a print data generation processing unit that generates print data, and the like. Is a mode setting processing means for setting a normal mode in which printing is performed without reducing toner consumption in the printer 20 and a toner save mode in which printing is performed with less toner consumption than in the normal mode. A setting unit 13a is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the mode setting unit 13 a is arranged in the host computer 10, but can be arranged in the printer 20.

  The printer 20 includes a control unit 21 that comprehensively controls various modules based on a control program, a ROM 26 as a first storage device used as a recording area for recording the control program and various data, RAM 30 as a second storage device used as a work area of the device and a buffer for temporarily recording data, a receiving unit 29 for receiving print data from the host computer 10, and forming an image (printing is performed) A printing mechanism 34 and the like.

  In the present embodiment, a printing mechanism for forming a color image is used as the printing mechanism 34. The printing mechanism 34 includes an image forming unit for each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, and an exposure device for each color. LED head, a transfer unit as a transfer device, a fixing device as a fixing device, and the like. Each image forming unit includes a photosensitive drum as an image carrier, a charging roller as a charging device, a developing roller as a developer carrier, a developing blade as a developer layer regulating member, and a developer supply member. A toner supply roller, a cleaning blade as a cleaning member, a toner cartridge as a developer storage chamber, and the like are provided, and toner is stored in the toner cartridge.

  In the printing mechanism 34, when printing is performed, in each image forming unit, the surface of the photosensitive drum uniformly charged by the charging roller is exposed by the LED head, and an electrostatic latent image as a latent image is formed. It is formed. The toner supplied from the toner cartridge into the image forming unit main body is supplied to the developing roller by the toner supply roller, and the toner on the developing roller is thinned by the developing blade. The toner on the developing roller is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the electrostatic latent image is developed to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  In this way, when each color toner image is formed on each photoconductor drum, each color toner image is sequentially transferred onto a sheet of paper as a medium by a transfer roller of the transfer unit to form a color toner image. Then, the color toner image is fixed on the paper in the fixing device, and a color image is formed.

  By the way, the print data transmitted from the host computer 10 includes data of objects such as text, ruled lines, and images, and when the printer 20 performs printing by the printing mechanism 34 based on the print data received by the receiving unit 29. As shown in FIG. 4, an image composed of text 41, ruled lines 42, image 43, and the like is formed. If the print data includes a pattern code such as a barcode, annot pattern, grid mark pattern, etc. as a specific object set in advance among the objects, for example, barcode data, the printing mechanism 34. In addition to the text 41, the ruled line 42, the image 43, etc., an image composed of the barcode 44 is formed.

  By the way, when printing is performed in the toner save mode, if toner save processing is uniformly performed on the data of each object such as the text 41, the ruled line 42, the image 43, and the barcode 44, the image of the barcode 44 is displayed. In some cases, the barcode 44 cannot be correctly read and recognized by the code reader when the printed image is scanned by a scanner (not shown) serving as a reading device.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when printing is performed in the toner save mode, the toner save process is not performed on the data of the barcode 44 of each object constituting the image. Yes.

  For this purpose, the control unit 21 analyzes the print data in command units, creates bitmap data as image data for each pixel, and which mode is selected from the normal mode and the toner save mode. A data analysis unit 22 as data analysis processing means for determining whether or not the pattern data is included in the print data, and if the pattern code data is included in the print data, the object is a pattern code Pattern code object determination unit 23 as an object determination processing means for determining whether the image is an object, display list creation processing for creating a display list representing what kind of object an image is formed based on print data Display as a means List creation unit 24, data correction unit 25 as data processing means for correcting bitmap data in units of display list, and raster lines set on the photosensitive drum based on the corrected bitmap data Data, that is, raster data, and the raster data is recorded in the page buffer 32 disposed in the RAM 30, and the raster data is read from the page buffer 32 and sent to the printing mechanism 34 for printing. A print processing unit 33 as a means is provided.

  The data analysis unit 22 is provided with a mode determination unit 22a as a mode determination processing unit. The mode determination unit 22a performs a mode determination process, and any one of a normal mode and a toner save mode is set. Judge whether it has been.

  The ROM 26 also includes a normal processing gradation correction table 27 in which normal processing gradation correction values used for correcting bitmap data when the normal mode is set, and a toner save. A toner save processing gradation correction table 28 in which a toner correction processing gradation correction value used for correcting bitmap data when the mode is set is provided.

  The RAM 30 further includes a reception buffer 31 that temporarily records received print data, the page buffer 32 that temporarily records raster data generated by the print processing unit 33, and the like.

  Next, the pattern code object determining unit 23 determines whether the print data includes pattern code data. If the print data includes pattern code data, the object is a pattern code object. A pattern code object search table for determining whether or not will be described. The ROM 26 is provided with a pattern code object search table as shown in Table 1.

  In the pattern code object search table, a character string representing a pattern code object and a type of pattern code object (hereinafter referred to as “pattern code object” in each table) are recorded in association with each other.

  The pattern code object determination unit 23 performs an object determination process, and determines whether the print data includes pattern code data corresponding to the character string depending on whether the character string is included in the print data. to decide.

  In this case, for example, when the print data includes the character string ESC DEL B, the pattern code object determination unit 23 determines that the print data includes barcode data, and the print data includes the character string Anoto. If “Font” is included, it is determined that the print data includes annot pattern data. If the print data includes the character string “Grid Layout”, the print data includes grid mark pattern data. Judge that

  Then, the pattern code object determination unit 23 determines whether the object is a barcode object, an Anoto pattern object, or a grid mark pattern object.

  By the way, in order to perform printing in the normal mode or the toner save mode and form an image, the display list creation unit 24 forms a display list as shown in Tables 2 and 3. Table 2 shows a display list for normal processing when the normal mode is set, and Table 3 shows a display list for toner save processing when the toner save mode is set.

  The display list includes object types for identifying text, ruled line, image, and barcode objects, black (Bk), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C when forming an image of each object. ) And the like, toner saving information indicating whether to perform toner saving processing, that is, whether or not to perform toner saving processing on each object data, and object images are formed. An area to be processed, that is, a drawing area. The drawing area is a rectangular area having a diagonal line represented by a line segment between two points A (x0, y0) and B (x1, y1) on the XY coordinates. (X0, y0, x1, y1).

  In the display list when the normal mode is set in the print data, the toner save information is turned off for all objects, and in the display list when the toner save mode is set, text, ruled lines, and images are displayed. The toner save information is turned on for the object of, and the toner save information is turned off for the barcode object.

  Next, a method for reducing toner consumption in the printing mechanism 34 will be described.

  By the way, in the printer 20, in order to form pixels of each color in the image forming unit of each color of black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, bitmap data composed of a plurality of bits, for example, 8-bit gradation data is created. Are sent to the LED head, and each LED of the LED head is caused to emit light based on the gradation value of the gradation data, whereby dots of a predetermined size are formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. Yes.

  In this case, the ideal shape of the dots formed on the photosensitive drum is square, whereas the shape of the dots actually formed is circular, and adjacent dots on the photosensitive drum are Therefore, when the supply of electrical energy to each LED is used as input and the size of dots formed on the photosensitive drum is used as output, the output is not proportional to the input, and the output is called dot gain. A change occurs.

  Therefore, a gradation correction processing unit (not shown) of the data correction unit 25 performs a gradation correction process to correct the electric energy supplied to each LED of the LED head for each image forming unit.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the gradation values 0 to 256 of the bitmap data created for each pixel by the data analysis unit 22 are set as the original gradation values, and the original gradation values are set to predetermined levels. By correcting (decreasing) the tone correction value, appropriate electrical energy is supplied to each LED.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dot gain and the gradation correction value for normal processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents input and the vertical axis represents output.

  In the figure, L1 is a line representing an ideal output that changes in proportion to the input, L2 is a line representing an output when a dot gain occurs, and L3 is a line representing an output for canceling the dot gain. It is. The difference between the output represented by the line L2 and the output represented by the line L1 is the dot gain. The dot gain increases as the input increases from 0 [%]. It becomes smaller as it approaches [%].

  Therefore, the difference between the output represented by the line L1 and the output represented by the line L3 is a gradation correction value for canceling the dot gain. The gradation correction value is increased as the input increases from 0 [%], and after the maximum value is taken, it is decreased as the input approaches 100 [%]. That is, the gradation correction value increases as the original gradation value increases from 0, and decreases as the original gradation value approaches 256 after taking the maximum value.

  By the way, as described above, when the size of the dots formed on the photosensitive drum is output, the output and the toner consumption are proportional, and when the output is large, the toner consumption is large and the output is large. When is small, toner consumption is small.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the normal mode is set, the tone correction processing by the tone correction value shown in FIG. 5 is performed, and when the toner save mode is set, the processing is shown in FIG. The toner save process is performed on the data of each object by performing the gradation correction process using the gradation correction value for reducing the toner consumption, which is different from the gradation correction value. For this purpose, the gradation correction value shown in FIG. 5 is recorded in the normal processing gradation correction table 27 (FIG. 1) in correspondence with the original gradation value as the gradation correction value for normal processing, and toner A gradation correction value different from the gradation correction value shown in FIG. 5 is recorded in the save processing gradation correction table 28 in correspondence with the original gradation value as the gradation correction value for the toner saving process. .

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dot gain and the tone correction value for toner save processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents input and the vertical axis represents output.

  In the figure, L1 is a line representing an ideal output that changes in proportion to the input, L2 is a line representing an output when dot gain occurs, and L11 is for reducing the amount of toner consumption. In addition, by reducing the dots formed on the photosensitive drum, the line represents an output set smaller than the ideal output, and L13 is a line representing an output for canceling the dot gain. The difference between the output represented by the line L2 and the output represented by the line L1 is the dot gain. The dot gain increases as the input increases from 0 [%]. %] Decreases.

  Therefore, the difference between the output represented by the line L1 and the output represented by the line L13 is a tone correction value for toner save processing for canceling the dot gain and reducing the toner consumption. The tone correction value for toner save processing increases as the input increases from 0 [%], and after taking the maximum value, decreases toward a predetermined value as it approaches 100 [%]. . That is, the gradation correction value for toner save processing is increased as the original gradation value increases from 0, and approaches 256 after taking the maximum value, as in the gradation correction value for normal processing. Therefore, it is reduced toward a predetermined value.

If the output represented by the line L1 is Q1, and the output represented by the line L11 is Q11,
Q11 = α · Q1 (the coefficient α is made smaller than 1)
To be. When the output Q11 is made smaller than the output Q1, toner consumption is reduced in proportion to the output Q.

  Accordingly, when the normal mode is set, toner save information is turned off for text, ruled line, image, and barcode objects, so that the gradation correction processing means refers to the normal processing gradation correction table 27. Then, the gradation correction value for normal processing corresponding to the original gradation value is read, and the original gradation value is corrected by the gradation correction value for normal processing for text, ruled line, image and barcode data ( Subtract) to make it smaller.

  When the toner save mode is set, toner save information is turned on for text, ruled line, and image objects, and toner save information is turned off for barcode objects. For the text, ruled line, and image data, the toner correction gradation correction table 28 is referred to, the gradation correction value for the toner saving process corresponding to the original gradation value is read, and the original gradation value is saved in the toner. The gradation correction value for processing is corrected and reduced, and the gradation correction value for normal processing corresponding to the original gradation value is referred to the normal processing gradation correction table 27 for the barcode object. Reading and reducing the original gradation value by the amount corresponding to the gradation correction value for normal processing.

  Next, the operation of the print control system will be described.

  First, the operation of the host computer 10 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in the host computer 10, when the application data generation unit 12 performs application data generation processing and generates application data based on an operation of an operation unit (not shown) by the operator, the print data generation unit 13 generates the print data. Processing is performed to generate print data based on the application data.

  At this time, when the operator operates the operation unit to select the toner save mode, the mode setting unit 13a performs a mode setting process to set the toner save mode, and among the commands included in the print data, The parameter p1 of the print setting command shown in Table 4 is set to 1.

  When the operator operates the operation unit to select the normal mode, the mode setting unit 13a sets the normal mode and sets the parameter p1 of the print setting command to 0.

  Subsequently, the transmission unit 15 transmits the print data to the printer 20.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The print data generation unit 13 generates print data.
Step S2 The transmission unit 15 transmits the print data to the printer 20 and ends the process.

  Next, the operation of the printer 20 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printer 20, when the reception unit 29 receives print data from the host computer 10 and records the print data in the reception buffer 31, the data analysis unit 22 performs data analysis processing, reads the print data from the reception buffer 31, and Analyze by command unit.

  Then, the mode determination unit 22a determines whether the toner save mode is set or not based on whether the parameter p1 is 1 or 0 in the print setting command among the commands included in the print data. Determine whether the mode is set.

  When the toner save mode is set, the pattern code object determination unit 23 refers to the pattern code object search table shown in Table 1 to determine whether or not the print data includes the character string of the pattern code object. If the character string of the pattern code object is included in the print data, it is determined that the object is a pattern code object. If the object data does not include the character string of the pattern code object, the object Is not a pattern code object.

  Subsequently, the display list creation unit 24 performs display list creation processing to create a display list. That is, when the normal mode is set, the display list creation unit 24 turns off the toner save information for all objects, and the toner save mode is set, and the object is a pattern code object. In this case, the toner save information is turned off, and when the toner save mode is set and the object is not a pattern code object, the toner save information is turned on.

  As described above, when the normal mode is set, the display list for normal processing as shown in Table 2 is displayed. When the toner save mode is set, the display list for toner save processing as shown in Table 3 is set. A display list is created.

  Subsequently, the data analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the analysis of the print data is finished. When the analysis of the print data is finished, a decoding processing unit (not shown) of the data correction unit 25 performs a decoding process and displays the display list. Decoding is performed, the toner save information in the display list is referred to, and whether or not the toner save process is performed on the data of each object is determined depending on whether or not the toner save information is ON for each object.

  When the toner save information is ON and the toner save process is performed on the object data, the tone correction processing unit refers to the toner save process tone correction table 28 and refers to the toner save process level. When the tone correction value is read, the original tone value is corrected with the tone correction value for toner save processing, the toner save information is off, and the toner save processing is not performed on the object data, the tone The correction processing means reads the normal processing gradation correction value with reference to the normal processing gradation correction table 27 and corrects the original gradation value with the normal processing gradation correction value.

  Next, raster data creation processing means (not shown) of the print processing unit 33 performs raster data creation processing and creates raster data for each object based on bitmap data composed of the corrected original gradation values. To be recorded in the page buffer 32.

  Subsequently, the decode processing means determines whether or not the display list has been decoded. When the display list has been decoded, a print execution processing means (not shown) of the print processing unit 33 performs a print execution process, Raster data is read from the page buffer 32, sent to the LED head, and printing is executed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print result when the normal mode is set in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the toner save mode set in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result when the user is in the print job.

  In the figure, 41 is text, 42 is a ruled line, 43 is an image, and 44 is a barcode.

  When the normal mode is set, the toner save information for the objects of the text 41, the ruled line 42, the image 43, and the barcode 44 is off, and the data of the text 41, the ruled line 42, the image 43, and the barcode 44 is not displayed. No toner save process is performed. That is, the gradation correction processing means reads the normal processing gradation correction value by referring to the normal processing gradation correction table 27 and corrects the original gradation value by the normal processing gradation correction value. , Text 41, ruled line 42, image 43 and barcode 44 are formed.

  When the toner save mode is set, the toner save information for the text 41, ruled line 42, and image 43 objects is on, and toner save processing is performed on the data of the text 41, ruled line 42, and image 43. The toner save information for the barcode 44 object is off, and the toner save processing is not performed on the barcode 44 data.

  That is, when the toner save mode is set, the tone correction processing means reads the tone correction value for toner save processing with reference to the toner save processing tone correction table 28, and for toner save processing. The original gradation value is corrected by the gradation correction value, the text 41, the ruled line 42 and the image 43 are formed, the gradation correction value for normal processing is read with reference to the gradation correction table 27 for normal processing, The original gradation value is corrected by the gradation correction value for normal processing, and the barcode 44 is formed.

  As shown in the drawing, the toner save process is not performed on the data of the barcode 44 in both the case where the normal mode is set and the case where the toner save mode is set, and the same barcode is used. 44 images are formed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the toner save mode is set and the pattern code data is included in the print data, the object data other than the pattern code object is not processed. Since the toner save process is performed and the pattern code object is not subjected to the toner save process, not only the toner consumption can be reduced but also the pattern code object image can be accurately formed. it can.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S11 The receiving unit 29 receives print data.
Step S12 The receiving unit 29 records the print data in the reception buffer 31.
Step S13: The data analysis unit 22 analyzes the print data.
Step S14: The mode determination unit 22a determines whether the toner save mode is set. If the toner save mode is set, the process proceeds to step S15. If the toner save mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S17.
Step S15: The pattern code object determining unit 23 determines whether or not the object is a pattern code object. If the object is a pattern code object, the process proceeds to step S17. If the object is not a pattern code object, the process proceeds to step S16.
Step S16: The display list creation unit 24 turns on the toner save information.
Step S17: The display list creation unit 24 turns off the toner save information.
Step S18: The data analysis unit 22 determines whether the analysis of the print data has been completed. When the analysis of the print data is completed, the process proceeds to step S19, and when the analysis of the print data is not completed, the process returns to step S13.
Step S19: The decoding processing means decodes the display list.
Step S20: The decode processing means determines whether the toner save information is on. If the toner save information is on, the process proceeds to step S21. If the toner save information is off, the process proceeds to step S22.
Step S21: The gradation correction processing means reads a gradation correction value for toner save processing.
Step S22: The gradation correction processing means reads the gradation correction value for normal processing.
Step S23: The gradation correction processing means corrects the original gradation value.
Step S24: The raster data creation processing means creates raster data.
Step S25: The decoding processing means determines whether or not the display list has been decoded. When the display list decoding is completed, the process proceeds to step S26, and when the display list decoding is not completed, the process returns to step S19.
Step S26: The print execution processing means performs the print execution process and ends the process.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is provided and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a print control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, in order to reduce the drawing area of the pattern code object and reduce the consumption of toner as the developer, the control unit 21 of the printer 20 as the image forming apparatus, and A pattern code object mask area creating unit 35 is provided as a pattern code object mask area creating processing means.

  Next, the pattern code object determination unit 23 as the object determination processing means determines whether the print data includes pattern code data, and if the pattern code data is included, the object is a pattern code object. A pattern code object search table for determining whether or not it is possible to reduce the drawing area of the pattern code object will be described. The ROM 26 as the first storage device is provided with a pattern code object search table shown in Table 5.

  In the pattern code object search table, the character string representing the pattern code object, the type of the pattern code object, and the reduction availability information indicating whether the drawing area of the pattern code object can be reduced are associated with each other. Recorded.

  The pattern code object determination unit 23 determines whether the print data includes a character string of a pattern code object. If the pattern code object includes a character string, the pattern code object determination unit 23 determines that the print data includes the character string. It is determined that pattern code data corresponding to is included.

  Next, a display list created by the display list creation unit 24 as display list creation processing means will be described.

  That is, the display list creating unit 24 forms a display list as shown in Tables 6 and 7. Table 6 shows a display list when the normal mode is set, and Table 7 shows a display list when the toner save mode is set.

  The display list includes object types for identifying text, ruled line, image, and barcode objects, black (Bk), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C when forming an image of each object. ) And the like, toner save information indicating whether toner save processing is to be performed on or off for each object data, a drawing area where an object image is formed, and a toner save mode are set The reduced drawing area representing the drawing area in which the barcode image is formed. The drawing area is a rectangular area having a diagonal line represented by a line segment between two points A (x0, y0) and B (x1, y1) on the XY coordinates. (X0, y0, x1, y1). The reduced drawing area is a rectangular area having a diagonal line represented by a line segment between two points A ′ (x10, y10) and B ′ (x11, y11) on the XY coordinates. 6 and 7 are indicated by (x10, y10, x11, y11).

  In the display list when the normal mode is set in the print data, the toner save information is turned off for all objects, and in the display list when the toner save mode is set, text, ruled lines, and images are displayed. The toner save information is turned on for the object of, and the toner save information is turned off for the barcode object.

  Next, the operation of the print control system will be described.

  First, the operation of the host computer 10 as a host device will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the host computer 10, when the application data generation unit 12 generates application data based on the operation of the operation unit by the operator, the print data generation unit 13 as a print data generation processing unit generates print data based on the application data. To do.

  At this time, when the operator operates the operation unit to select the toner save mode, the mode setting unit 13a as the mode setting processing unit sets the toner save mode, and among the commands included in the print data, The parameter p1 of the print setting command shown in Table 4 is set to 1.

  When the operator operates the operation unit to select the normal mode, the mode setting unit 13a sets the normal mode and sets the parameter p1 of the print setting command to 0.

  Subsequently, the transmission unit 15 transmits the print data to the printer 20.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S31 The print data generation unit 13 generates print data.
Step S32 The transmission unit 15 transmits the print data to the printer 20 and ends the process.

  Next, the operation of the printer 20 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the printer 20, when the reception unit 29 receives print data from the host computer 10 and records the print data in the reception buffer 31, the data analysis unit 22 as a data analysis processing unit reads the print data from the reception buffer 31. Analyze by command unit.

  The mode determination unit 22a as a mode determination processing unit sets the toner save mode depending on whether the parameter p is 1 or 0 in the print setting command among the commands included in the print data. It is determined whether the normal mode is set.

  When the toner save mode is set, the pattern code object determination unit 23 refers to the pattern code object search table shown in Table 5 and determines whether or not the print data includes the character string of the pattern code object. Determine whether the object is a pattern code object.

  Subsequently, the display list creation unit 24 creates a display list. That is, when the normal mode is set, the display list creation unit 24 turns off the toner save information for all objects, and the toner save mode is set, and the object is a pattern code object. In this case, the pattern code object search table shown in Table 5 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the drawing area of the pattern code object can be reduced. If the drawing area of the pattern code object cannot be reduced, the display list creation unit 24 can turn off the toner save information for the pattern code object and reduce the drawing area of the pattern code object. The pattern code object mask area creating unit 35 performs a pattern code object mask area creating process as a drawing area reducing process, reducing the pattern code object drawing area, setting a reduced drawing area, The display list creation unit 24 turns off the toner save information. When the toner save mode is set and the object is not a pattern code object, the display list creation unit 24 turns on toner save information for the object.

  As described above, when the normal mode is set, the display list for normal processing as shown in Table 6 is displayed. When the toner save mode is set, the display list for toner save processing as shown in Table 7 is set. A display list is created.

  Subsequently, the data analysis unit 22 determines whether or not the analysis of the print data is finished. When the analysis of the print data is finished, the decoding processing unit of the data correction unit 25 as the data processing unit decodes the display list. Referring to the toner save information in the display list, it is determined whether or not to perform the toner save process on the data of each object depending on whether the toner save information is ON for each object.

  When the toner save information for the object is ON and the toner save process is performed on the object data, the tone correction processing means of the data correction unit 25 refers to the toner save process tone correction table 28. The tone correction value for toner save processing is read out, the original tone value is corrected with the tone correction value for toner save processing, the toner save information for the object is OFF, and the toner data for the object is When the save process is not performed, the gradation correction processing means reads the normal process gradation correction value with reference to the normal process gradation correction table 27 and uses the normal process gradation correction value as the original. Correct tone values.

  Next, the raster data creation processing unit of the print processing unit 33 as the print processing unit creates raster data for each object based on the bitmap data composed of the corrected original gradation values, and the page buffer 32. To record.

  Subsequently, the decoding processing unit determines whether or not the display list has been decoded. When the display list has been decoded, the print execution processing unit of the print processing unit 33 reads the raster data from the page buffer 32. , Sent to the LED head to execute printing.

  At this time, the print execution processing means forms a pattern code object in the reduced drawing area.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result when the normal mode is set according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a case where the toner save mode is set according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print result when the user is in the print job.

  In the figure, 41 is text, 42 is a ruled line, 43 is an image, and 44 is a barcode.

  As shown in the figure, the toner save process is not performed on the data of the barcode 44 in both the normal mode and the toner save mode, and the toner save mode is not performed. Is set, the barcode 44 is formed in the reduced drawing area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the toner save mode is set and the pattern code data is included in the print data, the object data other than the pattern code object is not processed. Since the toner save process is performed and the pattern code object is not subjected to the toner save process, not only the toner consumption can be reduced, but also the pattern code when the printed image is scanned by the scanner. It is possible to accurately form an image of the object.

  Further, when the toner save mode is set, the pattern code object is formed in the reduced drawing area, so that the toner consumption can be further reduced.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S41 The receiving unit 29 receives print data.
Step S42 The reception unit 29 records the print data in the reception buffer 31.
Step S43 The data analysis unit 22 analyzes the print data.
Step S44: The mode determination unit 22a determines whether the toner save mode is set. If the toner save mode is set, the process proceeds to step S45. If the toner save mode is not set, the process proceeds to step S49.
Step S45: The pattern code object determining unit 23 determines whether the object is a pattern code object. If the object is a pattern code object, the process proceeds to step S47. If the object is not a pattern code object, the process proceeds to step S46.
Step S46: The display list creation unit 24 turns on the toner save information.
Step S47: The display list creation unit 24 determines whether or not the drawing area can be reduced. If the drawing area can be reduced, the process proceeds to step S48. If the drawing area cannot be reduced, the process proceeds to step S49.
Step S48: The display list creation unit 24 reduces the drawing area.
Step S49: The display list creation unit 24 turns off the toner save information.
Step S50: The data analysis unit 22 determines whether the analysis of the print data has been completed. If the analysis of the print data is completed, the process proceeds to step S51. If the analysis of the print data is not completed, the process returns to step S43.
Step S51 The decode processing means decodes the display list.
Step S52: The decode processing means determines whether the toner save information is on. If the toner save information is on, the process proceeds to step S53. If the toner save information is not on, the process proceeds to step S54.
Step S53: The gradation correction processing means reads a gradation correction value for toner save processing.
Step S54: The gradation correction processing means reads the gradation correction value for normal processing.
Step S55: The gradation correction processing means corrects the original gradation value.
Step S56 The raster data creation processing means creates raster data.
Step S57: The decode processing means determines whether or not the display list has been decoded. When the display list decoding is completed, the process proceeds to step S58, and when the display list decoding is not completed, the process returns to step S51.
Step S58 The print execution processing means performs a print execution process and ends the process.

  In each of the above embodiments, a printer as an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine, and the like.

  In each of the above embodiments, a color printer has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a single color printer. In that case, the printing mechanism 34 includes one image forming unit.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

10 Host Computer 20 Printer 23 Pattern Code Object Determination Unit 25 Data Correction Unit 33 Print Processing Unit

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus that performs printing in the toner save mode with less developer consumption, or performs printing in the normal mode without reducing developer consumption.
(A) object determination processing means for determining whether or not print data received from a higher-level device includes data of a specific object set in advance;
(B) Data processing in which toner save processing is performed on data of objects other than the specific object and toner save processing is not performed on data of the specific object when the toner save mode is set Means,
(C) having a print processing means for forming an image based on data of an object for which toner save processing has been performed and data of an object for which toner save processing has not been performed when the toner save mode is set. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific object is pattern code object data in which predetermined information is embedded.   When the toner save mode is set, the data processing unit corrects the gradation value of data of an object other than the specific object with a gradation correction value for toner save processing, and the data of the specific object The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gradation value is corrected by a gradation correction value for normal processing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing unit forms the specific object in a reduced drawing area when a toner save mode is set.

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