JPH10198222A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the handling time of a user and to save the cost by inhibiting the output of an internal pattern in an automatic gradation correcting function, when it is judged that satisfactory results are not obtained even if an automatic gradation correction is executed. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a toner end sensor for detecting toner remaining in a toner hopper housing the toner supplied to a developing unit, a T-sensor for detecting the concn. of the toner in the developing unit and a potential control means for setting a potential control value abnormality flag, even if one of a laser light quantity, a developing bias and a grid voltage exceeds a proper range. During the end or nearly end of the toner (YES in the step S2) or when the concn. of the toner in the developing unit is not within the proper range (NO in the step S3) or the potential control value abnormality flag is set (YES in the step S4), the output of a test internal pattern and the automatic gradation correction are inhibited (S6, S8 and S10) and a reason for the inhibition is warned and displayed on an operational display part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an automatic gradation correction function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional automatic gradation function correction, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-69210, an internal pattern for test is first recorded on a copy paper in an image reproducing apparatus, and the copy is performed. There is a type in which an internal pattern is read by a photo sensor unit provided on a path where paper reaches a fixing device, and an automatic gradation correction function is prohibited according to the result.

[0003]

However, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the apparatus itself, such as insufficient toner or poor charging, even if the internal pattern is output and the automatic gradation correction is executed, the density of the internal pattern is not increased. Will be abnormal. Further, since automatic gradation correction is performed based on the internal pattern of abnormal density, reading of the internal pattern by the scanner does not provide a desirable result, such as prohibiting automatic gradation correction as being impossible to correct. Further, at that time, paper, toner, power for image forming operation and the like are consumed for forming the internal pattern, so that wasteful costs are incurred.

The present invention solves such a problem, and inhibits the output of the internal pattern in the automatic gradation correction function when it is determined that a satisfactory result cannot be obtained even if the automatic gradation correction is executed. Accordingly, it is an object to provide an image forming apparatus which can save a user extra time and save costs by not forming an image.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a recording means for recording an image on paper,
Reading means for reading an image recorded on a sheet; and causing the reading means to read an internal test pattern recorded on the sheet by the recording means, and automatically performing tone correction based on a read output from the reading means. Tone correcting means for performing, a detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the image forming material in the storage for storing the new image forming material, and an image forming material in the storage based on the detection output from the detecting means. Control means for prohibiting the execution of automatic gradation correction and the recording of the internal pattern when it is determined that all the ink has been consumed or the storage amount of the image forming material is close to a predetermined remaining amount. It is characterized by the following.

[0006] The recording means may be configured to record an image on paper by an electrophotographic method, the image forming material may be a new toner, and the detecting means may be configured to detect a remaining amount of toner in the housing. It is characterized by having.

[0007] Further, recording means for recording an image on a sheet by electrophotography, reading means for reading an image recorded on the sheet, and an internal test pattern recorded on the sheet by the recording means are read by the reading means. A tone correcting means for automatically performing tone correction based on a read output from the reading means, a toner density detecting means for detecting a toner density in a developing device, and a toner density detected by the toner density detecting means. And control means for prohibiting execution of automatic gradation correction and recording of an internal pattern when the density exceeds the optimum range.

[0008] Further, recording means for recording an image on a sheet by electrophotography, reading means for reading an image recorded on the sheet, and an internal test pattern recorded on the sheet by the recording means are read by the reading means. A tone correcting means for automatically performing tone correction based on the read output from the reading means, a developing device toner density detecting means for detecting the toner density in the developing device, and a toner image on the photosensitive member. Photoreceptor toner density detecting means for detecting toner density, measuring means for measuring the charged potential on the photoreceptor, measurement results of the measuring means, detection results of the developing device toner density detecting means, and photoreceptor toner density detecting means A potential control means for controlling the recording means to be in an optimum state based on the detection result, and whether a control target value by the potential control means is not an abnormal value. And a control unit for prohibiting the execution of the automatic gradation correction function of the gradation correction unit and the recording of the internal pattern when the determination unit determines that the abnormality is abnormal. And

With this configuration, it is possible to prohibit the automatic gradation correction in an environment where an image is not formed at an appropriate density of the internal pattern, so that the operator is not required to perform extra work.

[0010] Further, the present invention is characterized in that a warning display means is provided for notifying a user that the automatic gradation correction has been prohibited when the automatic gradation correction is to be executed. With this configuration, the operator can be made to recognize that the condition of the image forming apparatus is bad.

Further, even if the automatic gradation correction is prohibited during the previous execution of the automatic gradation correction, if there is no abnormality when the automatic gradation correction is performed again, the prohibition is released and the internal pattern is output. I do. With this configuration, it is possible to execute the automatic gradation correction when the potential control is successful.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal structure of an image recording unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a photosensitive member, 2 is a charger for charging the photosensitive member 1, and 3 is a charging member. A grid 4 of the charger 2, an optical writer 4 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 1, a dustproof glass 5 for preventing dust such as toner from entering the unit of the optical writer 4, 6 Denotes a potential sensor for measuring the potential of the photoreceptor 1, 7
Indicates a developing device, and 8 indicates a developing sleeve. When a developing bias is applied to the developing sleeve 8, the developer and the toner stand like spikes between the photoconductor 1 and the developing sleeve 8, It becomes ready for development.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a developing paddle for stirring and mixing the developer and the toner in the developing device 7, reference numeral 10 denotes a T sensor for measuring the toner density in the developing device 7, and reference numeral 11 denotes a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 1. P sensor for detecting the toner amount of the transfer roller, 12 is a transfer roller,
Numeral 13 denotes a static eliminator for eliminating the residual potential of the photoconductor 1, and numeral 14 controls the laser light amount of the optical writer 4, the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 8, and the grid voltage applied to the charging charger 2 to optimal values. Potential control unit, 15 is a potential control unit
An IPU unit that sends a command signal to 14, 16 is an operation display unit, 17 is
A toner end sensor, which is provided in a toner hopper (described later) containing toner for supplying toner to the developing device 7 and detects the presence or absence of toner, 18 is an automatic gradation correction unit provided in the IPU unit 15, Is a scanner, 20 is a T sensor 10,
Shown is a system control unit which is connected to the IPU unit 15, the operation display unit 16, the toner end sensor 17, the automatic gradation correction unit 18, etc., and controls the entire apparatus.

The developing device 7 includes four sets of a developing sleeve 8, a developing paddle 9, and a T sensor 10. The developing unit 7a for yellow development, the developing unit 7b for magenta development, and the cyan developing unit 7b are respectively provided. A developing unit 7c for developing and a developing unit 7d for developing black are configured.

The photosensitive member 1 whose surface is uniformly charged by the charging charger 2 is irradiated with a laser beam whose image has been modulated from the optical writer 4 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 1. The toner from the developing unit 7a for developing yellow adheres to the latent image to form a toner image, and the transfer roller
The yellow toner image is transferred onto the recording paper wound around the sheet 12. Then, the toner on the photoreceptor 1 is cleaned, and the residual charge is removed by the charge eliminator 13 to form the same electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 again. Toner from the developing section 7b for magenta development adheres to this electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, which is transferred over the yellow toner image onto the recording paper wound around the transfer roller 12. You. Hereinafter, similarly, the cyan and black toner images are transferred onto the recording paper wound around the transfer roller 12, and the color image is fixed on the recording paper, and then discharged outside.

In the potential control section 14, the optimum light quantity of the optical writer 4, the developing bias, and the grid voltage are derived by calculation. At this time, if at least one of the laser light amount, the developing bias, and the grid voltage obtained by the calculation exceeds the appropriate range, the optimization has failed, and the potential control unit 14 sets the potential control value abnormality flag to an abnormal value. set. Further, the values in the previous calculation are used for the light amount, the developing bias, and the grid voltage. Then, if the value is successfully adjusted by using the value in the previous calculation, the potential control unit 14 resets the potential control value abnormality flag.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the toner hopper in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 denotes a toner hopper, 22 denotes a toner supply motor, 23 denotes an agitator for stirring toner, and 24 denotes toner to the developing device 7 side. And 25 indicates a diaphragm. The toner hopper section has four independent toner storage sections 26, 27, 28, and 29. The toner storage section 26 includes yellow toner, the toner storage section 27 includes magenta toner, and the toner storage section 28. Represents a cyan toner, and a black toner is stored in the toner storage section 29. When the toner hopper section is mounted on the developing device 7, the developing section 7a is in the toner storage section 26, the developing section 7b is in the toner storage section 27, and The toner storage section 28 includes a developing section 7c and a toner storage section.
29 corresponds to the developing unit 7d.

When the toner supply motor 22 rotates, the agitator 23 rotates, and further transmits vibration to the diaphragm 25 to stir the toner. Further, by rotating the supply screw 24 via the gear, toner is supplied to the developing device 7 and the amount of toner in the toner storage units 26, 27, 28, and 29 decreases. The toner amount in the toner storage units 26, 27, 28, and 29 is detected by the toner end sensor 17, and based on the detection result of the toner end sensor 17, the system control unit 20 causes the toner hopper 21 to have no toner (toner end). ), Or when it is determined that the toner is running out (toner near end), at that point, the LED on the operation display section 16 is turned on to display the toner end, or after a specified number of copies have been made, the toner end Is displayed. Image recording is performed for each color, and four toner storage units 26, 27, 28, 29
Even if any one of them becomes the toner end, copying without using the toner end color is permitted.

Next, the automatic gradation correction in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, when there is a key input from the operation display unit 16 for executing the automatic gradation correction,
(S1), no toner end or toner near end has occurred (S2), the value of the T sensor 10 is in an appropriate range (S3), and the potential control value abnormality flag is not set (S4).
After confirming that all the conditions are satisfied, the internal pattern is output. Then, the internal pattern is read by the scanner unit 19, and a reference signal is created by performing predetermined image processing on the read result by the scanner 19, and based on the reference signal, the automatic tone correction unit 18 Is performed (S5). Here, when the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, the scanner unit 19 corresponds to an optical image reading unit (not shown) for reading a document, and sets a sheet discharged outside to the optical image reading unit. To read the internal pattern. When the image forming apparatus is an output-only printer, the scanner unit 19 is provided on a path until the sheet on which the internal pattern is recorded is discharged, and the internal pattern is read before the sheet is discharged outside.

There is no problem because the copying operation is prohibited at the time of toner end. However, at the time of toner near end, since the toner in the developing device 7 may be light, the toner density may be reduced during output of the internal pattern. It may be thinner than the appropriate range. Therefore, when the output value of the T sensor 10 is not within the proper range, the image is not formed at the proper density of the internal pattern, and the gradation may be shifted when the T sensor 10 enters the proper range. Therefore, when the potential control value abnormality flag is set, it is determined that the output internal pattern is inappropriate because development and the surface potential of the photoconductor 1 have not been optimized. For this reason, if at least one of the above conditions is not satisfied, the system control unit
20 disables automatic gradation correction (S6), (S8), (S1
0), and further the output of the internal pattern is prohibited. At this time, the operator is notified by displaying on the operation display section 16 that the automatic gradation correction is prohibited or by sounding a warning sound (S
7), (S9).

In the case of toner end or toner near end, a message prompting toner replenishment shown in FIG. 4 is written on the warning display as shown in FIG. If the toner density abnormality and the potential control value abnormality flag are set, the operator cannot recover, and the reason is described in the warning display as shown in FIGS.

Also, even if the automatic gradation correction has been previously prohibited, if there is a key input of the automatic gradation correction from the operation display unit 16, (S2), (S3), and (S4) in FIG. The conditions shown in () are checked each time. Thereby, even after the prohibition of the automatic gradation correction, the condition can be returned to the appropriate range or the gradation correction can be executed when the potential control is successful.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the toner end or the toner end occurs, when the toner density is not within the proper range, or when the potential control fails, the proper internal pattern is formed on the paper. By judging that it is not formed on the upper side and prohibiting the internal pattern of the automatic gradation correction, it is possible to reduce the cost without using the paper extra. In addition, since it is predicted that the internal pattern of the automatic gradation correction is not properly adjusted even if the internal pattern is read and calculated, by prohibiting the output of the internal pattern of the automatic gradation correction, the operator is not required to perform extra work. In addition, work efficiency can be improved.

Further, by warning that the automatic gradation correction has been prohibited, the operator can be made to recognize that the condition of the image forming apparatus is bad. Can proceed.

Even after the automatic gradation correction is prohibited, the toner end, the toner near end state, the toner density state, and the potential control success / failure are checked every time the execution of the automatic gradation correction is requested. Automatic tone correction can be executed when the toner end or the toner near end is released, when the toner concentration becomes appropriate, and when the potential control is successful, so that stable image quality can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of an image recording unit in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an internal configuration of a toner hopper in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control when performing automatic gradation correction in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a message urging toner replenishment in the case of toner end or toner near end.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning display in the case of abnormal toner density.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a warning display when a potential control value abnormality flag is set.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 photoreceptor, 2 charger, 3 grid
4 optical writer, 5 dustproof glass, 6 potential sensor, 7 developer, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d developing section,
8: developing sleeve, 9: developing paddle, 10: T sensor, 11: P sensor, 12: transfer roller, 13: static eliminator,
14: potential control unit, 15: IPU unit, 16: operation display unit, 17: toner end sensor, 18: automatic gradation correction unit, 19: scanner unit, 20: system control unit, 21 ...
Toner hopper, 22: toner supply motor, 23: agitator, 24: supply screw, 25: diaphragm, 26, 27, 2
8, 29 ... toner storage section.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI G03G 15/08 115 G03G 15/08 115 H04N 1/407 H04N 1/40 101E

Claims (6)

[Claims] A recording means for recording an image on a sheet; a reading means for reading an image recorded on the sheet; an internal pattern for test recorded on the sheet by the recording means; A tone correction means for automatically performing tone correction based on the read output from the means, a detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the image forming material in the storage space for storing the new image forming material, and When it is determined that all the image forming material in the storage has been consumed or the storage amount of the image forming material is close to a predetermined remaining amount based on the detection output of An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that prohibits recording of an internal pattern. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is configured to record an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, the image forming material is a new toner, and the detecting unit is configured to detect a remaining amount of toner in the container. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A recording means for recording an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method, a reading means for reading an image recorded on the sheet, and an internal pattern for test recorded on the sheet by the recording means being read by the reading means. A tone correcting means for automatically performing tone correction based on a read output from the reading means, a toner density detecting means for detecting a toner density in a developing device, and a toner density detected by the toner density detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for prohibiting execution of automatic gradation correction and recording of an internal pattern when the density exceeds an optimum range. 4. A recording means for recording an image on a sheet by electrophotography, a reading means for reading an image recorded on the sheet, and an internal pattern for test recorded on the sheet by the recording means being read by the reading means. A tone correcting means for automatically performing tone correction based on the read output from the reading means, a developing device toner density detecting means for detecting the toner density in the developing device, and a toner image on the photosensitive member. Photoreceptor toner density detecting means for detecting toner density, measuring means for measuring the charged potential on the photoreceptor, measurement results of the measuring means, detection results of the developing device toner density detecting means, and photoreceptor toner density detecting means And a potential control means for controlling the recording means to be in an optimum state based on the detection result, and determining whether or not a control target value by the potential control means is an abnormal value. And a control unit for prohibiting the execution of the automatic gradation correction function of the gradation correction unit and the recording of the internal pattern when the judgment unit judges that the abnormality is abnormal. Image forming apparatus. 5. When performing an automatic gradation correction,
2. A warning display means for notifying a user that automatic gradation correction has been disabled.
5. The image forming apparatus according to 2, 3, or 4. 6. Even if the automatic gradation correction is prohibited in the previous execution of the automatic gradation correction, if the automatic gradation correction is not in an abnormal state when the automatic gradation correction is performed again, the prohibition is released and the internal pattern is output. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein