Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which forms an image by causing color material to adhere onto a print medium. The apparatus comprises a measurement component configured to measure an output density gradation characteristic of the apparatus, and a calculation component configured to calculate a color material consumption according to a dot pattern of a halftone image and the output density gradation characteristic.

Abstract: Disclosed are an image forming apparatus capable of correcting a color registration error and a method for correcting the color registration error. The image forming apparatus can include an image receptor, a light scanning unit having a plurality of light sources and one or more beam deflectors, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a color registration error correction unit configured to generate data about a color registration error based on a change in a light output value of the plurality of light source and to correct the color registration error between visible images formed on the image receptor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an alternative printing unit. The alternative printing unit performs alternative printing of a black image by mixing images of color materials of three colors of cyan, yellow, and magenta. The alternative printing unit includes a color material amount control unit that controls amounts of the respective color materials, which form the images of the color materials of the three colors, so as to be smaller than those at a time of normal printing.

Abstract: A full-color image forming apparatus for forming a toner image for each color on each image carrier, and for transferring the toner image onto a sheet, including: an image forming section for forming a correcting toner image for each color on a portion of an image carrier, wherein the portion corresponds to an interval between the successive sheets; and a control section for conducting a correcting operation of the toner image for each color, based on the correcting toner image which is formed by the image forming section, wherein, when the image forming section is possible to conduct an operation, if the image forming section is controlled to interrupt the correcting operation to use the correcting toner image yet to be formed, the control section controls the image forming section to form the residual correcting toner image, before the control section controls the image forming section to stop the operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which adjusts toner density in a developing device according to humidity. However, an image quality may decrease if the humidity changes between the time when a power source is turned off and the time when the power source is turned on. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus includes an absolute humidity calculator and a toner density controller for changing the toner density in the developing device in accordance with a difference between the absolute humidities. A storage controller controls the storing of an absolute humidity in a storage portion; and a toner removal controller controls the removal of residual toner particles from the developing device if a difference between an absolute humidity detected by the humidity detector when the power source is turned on and an absolute humidity stored in the storage portion is more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A multicolor marking platform may include a marking engine with a storage device storing color standard data, a non-black color separation station, marking process stations to selectively mark a color test pattern on a target substrate, and a color control logic with color control applications to selectively control color characteristics of the marking engine by controlling the non-black color separation station or a marking process station; and a spectral sensor to detect each color test pattern on the target substrate and provide corresponding color measurement data to the color control logic. The color control logic may selectively control the non-black color separation station or a marking process station in response to the color measurement data and the corresponding color standard data in relation to the selected color control application. Various embodiments of the multicolor marking platform and a method for controlling color in same are also provided.

Abstract: A printing system for producing prints from a print job is provided. The printing system includes first and second digital fronts ends as well as an image path. The image path communicates selectively with the first digital front end and the second digital front end, and receives (1) printable information from the first digital front end when the first digital front end and the image path are configured in a first mode, and (2) printable information from the second digital front end when the second digital front end and the image path are configured in a second mode. A selection system disposes the first digital front end and the image path in the first mode, or the second digital front end and the image path in the second mode.

Abstract: A technique of shortening the adjustment time of image forming conditions in accordance with the use status of each apparatus without degrading the image quality is disclosed. In a color image forming apparatus which has an adjustment unit that adjusts image forming parameters for setting image forming conditions, and which forms an image on a printing medium using the adjusted image forming parameters, the use log of the color image forming apparatus is collected, and at least one image forming parameter is selected in correspondence with the collected use log as an image forming parameter to be adjusted by the adjustment unit in next adjustment, by referring to a storage unit which stores, in correspondence with the use log, at least one image forming parameter to be adjusted by the adjustment unit.

Abstract: This invention has an object to process color balance adjustment at high speed in an image forming apparatus without depending on different feeding speeds for different printing materials. To accomplish this, an image forming apparatus of the invention detects color balances while a printing material on which toner patches are formed is fed on a second feeding path. Since images are formed on different types of printing materials at different feeding speeds, the image forming apparatus of the invention processes color balance adjustment at high speed without depending on the feeding speed at the time of image formation by switching the feeding speed on the feeding path.

Abstract: A tandem-type image forming apparatus in which a photoreceptor for black is controlled to be contacted to an intermediate transfer member and the photoreceptors for colors are controlled to be separated from the intermediate transfer member in a case of forming a black and white image, is disclosed, including a current control part which controls so that in the case of forming the black and white image, when the intermediate transfer member is driven, a value of a current flowing to the motor is equal to the value of the current in the case of forming the color image. The current control part controls the value of the current by controlling a rotational velocity of the photoreceptor for black.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming unit that forms an image including at least one of a user-requested image and a test image onto a recording medium, a controller that controls the image forming unit to form a test image including a mixed color on the recording medium, a transporting path that transports the recording medium on which the test image is formed by the image forming unit, an image detecting unit disposed at the transporting path that detects the test image formed on the recording medium, and a calibration unit that performs a color calibration process based upon the test image detected by the image detecting unit.

Abstract: An image forming device has a full-color image formation mode to form a color image using color photoconductor drums and a monochrome image formation mode to form a monochrome image using a photoconductor drum. In the image forming device, a driving unit drives rotation of an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer transport belt. A control unit changes rotational speeds of the color photoconductors in a transition from the full-color image formation mode to the monochrome image formation mode to make a torque to the driving unit in the full-color image formation mode equal to a torque to the driving unit in the monochrome image formation mode. A separator unit separates the color photoconductors from the intermediate transfer belt or the transfer transport belt after the rotational speeds of the color photoconductors are changed by the control unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that processes image data to be output by an imaging apparatus. The image processing apparatus includes a target setting part for setting a target pertaining to imaging material saving that involves controlling the amount of imaging material used which target is set based on a designated condition, and a color reproducing condition adjusting part for adjusting a color reproducing condition for input color information based on the set target.

Abstract: An image forming device has image forming units 3-6, a transfer belt 7, a position detection unit 19, a concentration sensor 23, and an adjustment unit. A toner image is formed on the surfaces of the image forming units 3-6, and transferred onto the transfer belt 7. The position detection unit 19 detects a predetermined position on the surface of the transfer belt 7. On the predetermined position, the concentration sensor 23 detects first information relating to the color of the surface of the transfer belt 7. The concentration sensor 23 detects second information relating to the color of the pattern image that is formed on the predetermined position. The adjustment unit adjusts toner concentration at the time of forming an image based on the first information and the second information detected by the concentration sensor 23.

Abstract: A device and a method for improving the quality of prints using a printing device and system for carrying out a print job with a digital printing machine, preferably with a printing machine that works with a toner, in particular with an electrophotographically operating printing machine, whereby the sheets (1) are preferably printed by recto-printing and verso-printing, whereby the sheets (1) to be printed are divided into batches, and whereby, in the case of batches that are incompletely occupied with sheets (1), the slots of the missing sheets are replaced by an approximately sheet-sized toner field (3) on the transport belt (4) for the sheets.

Abstract: In a method for electrographic printing of color images on a final image carrier, charge images of the images to be printed are generated on a charge image carrier and are developed into toner images with toner, the toner images being transferred onto an intermediate carrier from which they are transfer-printed onto the final image carrier. The charge images for the individual colors of the color image are generated in succession on the charge image carrier and are developed into individual color toner images with color toner. The individual color toner images are transferred onto the transfer belt and are there collected atop of one another in a color collection cycle to form a complete color toner image. Before the transfer printing of the complete color toner image on the final image carrier, the final image carrier is pivoted onto the transfer belt, and after the transfer printing, the final image carrier is pivoted away from the transfer belt.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a color separation registration error in a multi-color printing system are provided. The system and method provide for instructing first and second color separations to mark a substrate with first and second fine-periodic-patch images to determine color separation registration error(s). The system and method further provide for determining whether at least an about half-period color separation registration error exists between the first and second color separations.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus for forming a color image by superposing component color images, a control device obtains position data representing a forming position of each of plural registration mark images for the component color images with respect to a positional reference value arbitrarily determined, divides the position data into each of a unit reference range representing a range in which one mark image is formed, converts the position data divided for each unit reference range into those based on respective reference values representing the front edge of the unit reference ranges, extracts the position data representing ranges common to the mutually overlapping ranges each of which is represented by a couple of position data corresponding to the rising and falling edges of a passage timing pulse as read position data of the mark image of the component color, and calculates the amounts of positional deviations of the component color images from one another on the basis of the position data extracted.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an image forming system is provided. The image forming system includes transparent toner image forming device configured to form a transparent toner image on a sheet on which a color toner image has been fixed and includes fixing device configured to fix the transparent toner image formed on the sheet. The control apparatus includes an obtaining means for obtaining information of a first part of a color toner image area on which transparent toner is to be applied with a first amount per unit area after the color toner image is fixed, and a control means for controlling the transparent toner image forming device to apply the transparent toner, with a second amount per unit area, on a second part of the color toner image area which is the color toner image area excluding the first part, after the color toner image is fixed. The second amount is smaller than the first amount.

Abstract: This invention has an object to process color balance adjustment at high speed in an image forming apparatus without depending on different feeding speeds for different printing materials. To accomplish this, an image forming apparatus of the invention detects color balances while a printing material on which toner patches are formed is fed on a second feeding path. Since images are formed on different types of printing materials at different feeding speeds, the image forming apparatus of the invention processes color balance adjustment at high speed without depending on the feeding speed at the time of image formation by switching the feeding speed on the feeding path.

Abstract: A tandem-type image forming apparatus includes a toner mark pattern forming unit configured to form a toner mark pattern; a sensor configured to detect the toner mark pattern; a first determining unit configured to determine presence or absence of color misregistration based on the detected result; and a color misregistration correcting unit configured to correct the color misregistration based on the determined result. The toner mark pattern includes paired toner marks disposed at different coordinates in the sub-scanning direction. One of the paired toner marks has their ends at different coordinates in the main scanning direction with respect to those of the other one. The first determining unit determines the presence or absence of the color misregistration in the main scanning direction based on the result of the detection of the paired toner marks.

Abstract: A misregistration amount detector in a tandem image forming apparatus having a conveying body configured to convey paper on which a color image is to be printed is disclosed. The misregistration amount detector includes an image creating part configured to create, on the conveying body, a first pattern for detecting the amount of misregistration of an image position related to a first color relative to an image position related to a second color other than the first color and a second pattern for measuring the conveyance speed of the conveying body, the first pattern and the second pattern being side by side in the conveyance direction of the conveying body, and a reading part configured to read the first pattern and the second pattern created on the conveying body by the image creating part.

Abstract: A deviation amount detecting device for use in an electrophotographic color image forming device is configured to detect whether a deviation for each of toner images of different colors on a transporting member takes place, based on position information which is stored as a result of reading of a first set of deviation detecting patterns by a pattern reading unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an image quality priority mode in which image density adjustment or image gradation control is effected to thereby give priority to the quality of an output image, and a speed priority mode in which gradation control is partly effected or is not effected to thereby output the output image within a short time can be selected by a user. A mode selection screen for selecting an image forming mode is displayed on the operating panel of the image forming apparatus. The image quality priority mode giving priority to the quality of image and the speed priority mode giving priority to speed are selectively displayed. When the user selects the image quality priority mode, and image control parameter is renewed immediately before image forming by image control, and the image forming is effected by the use of the renewed image control parameter, and when the speed priority mode is selected, at least part of the image control is not effected, but the image forming is effected.

Abstract: Plural image forming sections transfer toner images of plural colors to a transfer target medium, so that a color image is formed on the transfer target medium. When a weight per particle of respective monochromatic toner particles calculated from a 50% volume average particle diameter of the respective monochromatic toner particles is m (kg), a charge amount per particle of the respective monochromatic toner particles calculated from a charge amount Q/M (C/kg) per weight measured by a suction type particle charge amount measuring device is q (C), and an average adhesive force between each of the monochromatic toner particles and each of the image carriers is F (N), F/q of the toner particle used in the image forming section in which order in transferring the monochromatic toner image to the transfer target medium is the first in the plural image forming sections is largest.

Abstract: An image forming system includes: an obtaining unit that obtains image information including a grey-level value of a pixel; a modifying unit that modifies the grey-level value of the pixel included in the image information obtained by the obtaining unit; a color image forming unit that forms on a recording medium a color image in accordance with information showing the color image including the grey-level value of the pixel modified by the modifying unit; and a transparent image forming unit that forms on the recording medium a transparent image overlapping the color image.

Abstract: A sub CPU of an image forming section forms a toner image based on test line data on an intermediate transfer belt, detects an inclination of the formed toner image for each color component, calculates an adjustment indicative value for correcting the detected inclination for each color component, and outputs the adjustment indicative values to the BK adjusting section, C adjusting section, M adjusting section, and Y adjusting section, respectively, of an inclination adjusting section. The BK adjusting section, C adjusting section, M adjusting section, and Y adjusting section generate, based on the respective adjustment indicative values obtained from the sub CPU, adjustment amounts for an inclination adjustment process to be executed on image data, execute the inclination adjustment process based on the generated adjustment amounts, and output the obtained image data to the respective LDs of an exposure unit.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus causes a light emitting unit to emit light to a superimposed pattern in which a black developer (Bk) is superimposed on a color developer (Y, M, C) as a background color, detects diffuse reflected light by a light receiving unit, calculates positional deviation among the colors using the black developer (Bk) as a reference color based on a detection result, and adjusts an image forming condition.

Abstract: The method and system for printer color calibration use a combination of a full-width array (FWA) or similar page-scanning mechanism in conjunction with a spectrophotometer color measurement system in the output path of a color printer for measuring colors with or without requiring any manual operations or operator involvement. The automatic color balance control system produces spatial tonal reproduction values for the primary colors by printing patches, measuring colors using the sensor combination and automatically readjusting the spatial tone reproduction curves until a satisfactory level of printed color accuracy and uniformity are obtained.

Abstract: A tandem-type color image forming apparatus forms a toner pattern and toner markers on an intermediate transfer member. Tone levels in the toner pattern vary in a sub scanning direction, and the toner markers which are a same color with the tone pattern each oppose, in a main scanning direction, a different one of the tone level portions in the toner pattern, each tone level portion representing a different one of the tone levels. Positions of the toner markers in the sub scanning direction are determined to detect densities in the toner pattern corresponding to the determined positions. Tone of image data is corrected in an image formation based on a relationship between the densities and the tone levels corresponding to the determined positions.

Abstract: In a color misalignment detection method, an alignment pattern is obtained by designating a plurality of lines having line width and line intervals formed by superposing a line image of a black color as a reference color and a line image of a color other than the reference color, for example, a cyan line image, as one patch, and continuously forming these patches by shifting the relative position between the line images of the two colors by an optional quantity. An alignment pattern detection sensor has a light emitting diode and a photodiode. These elements are arranged along the scanning direction of the alignment pattern such that the photodiode can only receive diffused reflected light of reflected light from the alignment pattern. A spot shape of the light emitting diode and a spot shape of the photodiode are both formed in a square shape.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum, serving as an image carrier, develops the image using toners of a plurality of colors, and transfers a toner image onto a printing medium in accordance with an electrophotographic process. A toner consumption amount detection unit detects the toner consumption amount of each of the toners of the plurality of colors, a decision unit decides a color to be calibrated, based on the detected toner consumption amount of each color, a patch sensor detects the density of a patch of the decided color by generating the patch at a predetermined position on the photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier, and an adjustment unit adjusts the printing density of the color decided by the decision unit, based on the detected patch density.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of minimizing color mis-registration due to runout of gears is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive bodies having transfer points to transfer images onto a transfer object, a driving source to drive at least two photosensitive bodies of the plurality of photosensitive bodies, and a driving gear train to transmit driving power from the driving source to the at least two photosensitive bodies. The driving gear train includes photosensitive body shaft gears respectively connected to the photosensitive bodies driven by the driving source, and connecting gears to transmit the driving power to the photosensitive body shaft gears.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, the number of components and a size of the apparatus is reduced by realizing both functions for detecting a toner patch image to perform image quality adjustment and for performing precise color adjustment depending on a sheet color with one color sensor. The color sensor is disposed in a vicinity of a transport belt, a reference toner image is formed on the transport belt at a predetermined timing. A color of the reference toner image formed on the belt is detected by the color sensor to adjust development conditions. Further, the sheet is transported in a state where the transport belt is separated from a photoreceptor drum, and the sheet color is detected by the color sensor, and thereafter the transport belt touches the photoreceptor drum to transport the sheet to a transfer portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating the amount of color ink that will be used to print a print job element classify individual color drawing objects of the print job element in a pre-raster image process (pre-RIP) format into drawing object classes and apply predetermined rules associated with the drawing object classes to obtain color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects. Combination of color ink usage estimates for the individual color drawing objects yields a prompt and meaningful estimate of color ink usage for the print job element. The estimate of color ink usage for the print job element can be put to advantageous use in a pay-for-print service.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is constituted by a dark color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a lower lightness; a light color image forming station for forming an image with such a toner of the recording materials having the same hue and different lightness as has a higher lightness; and a control portion for effecting control so that an image to be emphasized by partly disappearing or by relatively and partly decreasing in density is formable substantially only with the toner having the higher lightness.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming devices attachable to and detachable from a housing, a transfer device including a transfer belt, an exchange detecting device configured to detect exchange of the image forming devices, a test pattern forming device configured to form, on the transfer belt, a test pattern including a plurality of marks formed by the image forming devices, when the exchange detecting device detects an exchange of the image forming device, an optical sensor configured to read the plurality of marks, and a checking device configured to determine whether reading by the optical sensor is performed correctly or not.

Abstract: A misregistration correcting unit correcting image misregistration on an endless belt in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an image creation part that creates on the endless belt misregistration correction pattern sets each including a pattern of mark groups each being one of a horizontal line mark group formed of horizontal line segment marks and an oblique line mark group formed of oblique line segment marks; a position detecting part that detects the mark positions; a position detection counting part that counts the number of the detected positions of each mark group and detects an abnormal mark group whose number of the detected positions is other than a prescribed number; a detection result storing part that stores information on the detected mark positions; and a misregistration calculating part that calculates the amount of misregistration based on the stored position information excluding that of the abnormal mark group.

Abstract: A method for converting polarized color measured values to unpolarized color measured values or vice versa uses a computer. The conversion is carried out by the computer by using a pair of reference measured values determined in polarized and unpolarized form.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a developing unit for magenta contains magenta-type toner for pseudo full-color image forming whose chromaticity point is shifted closer to yellow hue on a chromaticity diagram, in comparison with genuine-magenta toner for full-color image forming, and likewise, a developing unit for cyan contains cyan-type toner for the pseudo full-color image forming whose chromaticity point is shifted closer to yellow hue on the chromaticity diagram, in comparison with genuine-cyan toner for the full-color image forming.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes a color-shift-detection-image forming unit, a color shift detector, a recording-material color-shift correcting unit and a conveyance-unit color-shift correcting unit. The color-shift-detection-image forming unit selectively forms a color-shift detection image on a recording medium or a first conveyance unit. The color shift detector detects color shift based on the color-shift detection image. The recording-material color-shift correcting unit performs color-shift correction based on the color-shift detection information corresponding to the color shift on the recording medium. The conveyance-unit color-shift correcting unit performs color-shift correction based on an amount of change in the color-shift detection information corresponding to the color shift on the first conveyance unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image for a latent image portion of which density is relatively higher with a dark color image forming portion, and forms an image for a background portion of which density is relatively decreased or of which image disappears, with a light color image forming portion, with respect to portions of forgery-preventing pattern image in which the density contrasts for the portions mutually differ after copying.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus which is capable of performing color misregistration correction, and registration of images and a recording sheet while reducing the toner consumption amount. An image forming section is caused to form a first reference image having a first density for adjusting a density of an adjusting image, and a second reference image having a second density different from the first density. A sensor detects the first reference image and the second reference image. The first density is determined as a density of the adjusting image, if an output signal level of the sensor at a time of detection of the first reference image is not lower than a predetermined value, and the output signal level of the sensor at a time of detection of the second reference image is lower than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An LD switch is turned ON to output image data outputted from an image processing section to a laser diode, and to irradiate a laser light to a photosensitive drum. The number of pixel dots included in the image data outputted from the image processing section is computed by line basis to detect an image density based on the total sum of the pixel dots of each color at a timing when the image data of Nth line is outputted from the image processing section. The detected image density is compared with a threshold value to turn OFF the LD switch at a timing when the image data of (N+?)th line is outputted when the image density is greater than the threshold value. This suppresses a variation in a rear-end-void length due to sheet slippage.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to cause a light emitting device to emit light, to cause a light receiving device to receive the light reflected by an object, and to produce a detection signal having a varying signal level responsive to an intensity of the received reflected light, a color misalignment correction unit configured to correct color misalignment resulting from positional misalignment between the developer images of respective colors on a transfer body by controlling an exposure unit in response to detected data indicative of the developer images detected in the detection signal, and an adjustment unit configured to identify a plurality of peak positions in the detection signal detected with respect to a single developer image and to adjust the detected data indicative of the developer images detected in the detection signal in response to difference in the peak positions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided that forms an image with liquid developer, and a method thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of photoconductors on which developer images having carrier rates different from each other are formed with corresponding liquid developers. An image transfer member is disposed to form transfer nips with the respective photoconductors in such a manner that the developer images of the respective photoconductors are overlappingly transferred onto the image transfer member according to a transfer order predetermined on the basis of the carrier rates thereof. The developer images from the respective photoconductors are moved to an image receiving medium.

Abstract: An image forming device to perform an auto color registration. The image forming device includes a print unit capable of performing a print job in accordance with a plurality of print modes, a color registration processing unit to perform an auto color registration (ACR), a storage unit to store color registration conditions for the respective print modes, and a control unit to control the color registration processing unit to perform the ACR in accordance with the color registration condition corresponding to the present print mode of the print unit. The color registration condition may be at least one of a color registration execution period, a color registration execution time, and a color registration pattern. According to the image forming device, the proper ACR can be performed by print modes.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including: image forming sections, each image forming section forming an image of a color component among plural color components under a predetermined condition, and forming a pattern of each color component for adjusting the condition; a detecting section that reads the formed patterns so as to perform a temporary detection and a main detection of a deviation from a reference under the condition; and a correction control section that determines whether the deviation of the temporary detection exceeds a predetermined threshold value or not, and when the deviation exceeds the threshold value, executes the main detection to fully detect the deviation so as to correct the condition, wherein the correction control section controls to form the pattern for the temporary detection, the number of the color components for the temporary detection being fewer than those of the patterns to be used for the main detection.

Abstract: A separating unit determines, for an image data, whether there exists black data, and generates density data from the black data when the black data exists, and generates color data from data other than the black data. A multinarizing unit converts the color data into multinary data. A magnification varying unit varies the density data and the color data multinarized, using a cubic function convolution method. A binarizing unit binarizes the color data varied, based on a predetermined threshold. An image forming unit prints the color data binarized and the density data varied, onto a recording medium.

Abstract: A method of adjusting primary color data values including producing color saturation adjusted primary color data values that depend on a relative amount of chroma in the initial primary color data values.