Abstract: An image forming apparatus that can realize an image having adequate image quality, density and color, without provoking excessive consumption of a developer and reduction in productivity. Image formation is performed by forming a latent image on an image carrier based on image information, then developing and transferring the latent image. An image for adjustment on a portion is formed other than a portion on which the latent image is formed on the image carrier. The density of the image for adjustment is detected. Image density is adjusted based on the density of the detected image for adjustment. Image formation control is executed whereby density is adjusted when an image is formed. A printing rate that indicates the percentage of the image formation to a sheet used for image formation is calculated. When the printing rate is determined to be within a set range, the image formation control is executed at a set frequency.

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: An image forming apparatus is installed in a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a copying function of recording images continuously and a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from an external apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a first storing section which stores recording media before recording, a plurality of image forming sections which form images and record the images on the recording media, and a second storing section which stores the recording media after recording. The image forming sections are configured to selectively perform an operation of recording images on the recording media by individually performing an image forming operation in parallel, and an operation of recording images on one recording medium by performing the image forming operation by turns.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus being selectable between a four-color mode forming images using only cyan, magenta, yellow, and black toner and a six-color mode forming images using light cyan and light magenta toner in addition to the four-color toner, by automatically selecting the correction between density correction and gradation correction in the four-color mode and density correction and gradation correction in the six-color mode in accordance with an operation mode of the image-forming apparatus, variations in image density and gradation reproducibility can be effectively corrected for short and long periods in four-color and six-color modes.

Abstract: A printing system includes a marking engine which applies colorants to a print medium to render an image. The marking engine has a single pass color gamut which the marking engine is capable of rendering in a single pass of the print medium through the marking engine. The marking engine is capable of rendering an extended color gamut in a plurality of passes of the print medium through the marking engine. A control system is associated with the marking engine. The control system identifies an image which falls outside the single pass color gamut of the marking engine and schedules a plurality of passes for rendering the image.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus on which an image forming engine for forming a full-color image by using color materials corresponding to data of color tones on the basis of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) data is mounted. The image processing apparatus includes: a color converting component for converting R (red), G (green), and B (blue) data input from the outside to C(1), M(1), and Y(1) data which depends on a characteristic of the image forming engine; a lightness acquiring component for acquiring lightness from the C(1), M(1), and Y(1) data obtained by the conversion of the color converting component; a memory for storing a lightness-gray value characteristic table; a gray value reading component; a first arithmetic component for obtaining C(2), M(2), and Y(2) data; a K data generating component; and a second arithmetic component for calculating C, M, and Y.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a toner image forming unit that forms a toner image onto a recording medium; a controlling unit that controls the toner image forming unit such that a test image is formed on the recording medium; a sheet transfer unit that transfers the recording medium having the toner image formed thereon by the toner image forming unit; a fixing unit that fixes the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit onto the recording medium; an image detecting unit, disposed downstream from the image fixing unit along the sheet transfer unit, 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 apparatus for continuously printing plural images has an empirical calibration part that performs color calibration processing based on a test image printed on recording paper, a predictive calibration part that performs color calibration processing based on a reference value that has been determined in advance, and a controller that allows the empirical calibration part and the predictive calibration part to perform color calibration processing. In the case where recording paper is switched and plural images are printed, the controller allows the empirical calibration part to perform color calibration processing when predetermined type of recording paper is used, and allows the predictive calibration part to perform color calibration processing when recording paper of other type is used.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming section that forms an image onto a recording medium, a calibration section that performs a color calibration process based upon the image formed on the recording medium and a control section that, when a plurality of images are successively formed by the image forming section, reflects a result of the color calibration process by the calibration section on an image forming process at a timing when a continuity of the formed image or the recording medium is broken.

Abstract: In an Image forming apparatus, a light color toner image forming unit that forms a light color toner image on a transfer medium has a first developing device which develops an electrostatic image on a first image bearing member to form the light color toner image on the first image bearing member. A first transfer member electrostatically transfers the light color toner image to the transferring medium member by abutting against the first image bearing member with the transferring member in a first abutting position. A deep color toner image forming unit that forms a deep color toner image on a transferring medium has a second developing device which develops an electrostatic image on a second image bearing member in a second developing portion to form the deep color image on the second image bearing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having: a transfer section which transfers a toner image onto an intermediate transfer body or a transfer material to form an image thereon; a selection section for selecting one mode among a plurality of modes including a first mode for forming the image by using a plurality of colors including a first color and a second mode for forming the image by using less number of colors including the first color than that of the colors in the first mode; and a control section for controlling the transfer section in order that a transfer rate of a toner image of the first color in the second mode is larger than that of a toner image of the first color in the first mode when toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer body or the transfer material by the transfer section.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes a developing unit to which a developing bias with an AC component superposed is applied, wherein the DC voltage of the developing bias is adjusted to set the detected density of a solid image at a specified value, the light amount of radiation for exposing an image area having a width of a few dots adjacent to the white paper is adjusted to set the detected density of an image developed under a peripheral electric field at a specified value, and the gradation density curve is regulated by alternately adjusting the DC voltage, the light amount of radiation for exposing the image area having a width of a few dots adjacent to the white paper, and the amplitude of the AC component until the detected density of a mesh point image having an area ratio from 60 to 80% falls within a specified range.

Abstract: During a first rotation of a photoconductor, latent electrostatic images for color correction processing patterns are formed on the photoconductor, and the latent electrostatic images are developed into the color correction processing patterns in each of four colors, and then densities of the patterns on the photoconductor are detected. During a second rotation of the photoconductor, each color of the patterns is recovered back into a developer device.

Abstract: A method for repositioning a mark on a belt after an image on paper registration process, which includes printing a test pattern, measuring at least one test pattern parameter, detecting a mark on a belt and detecting at least one imaging error associated therewith, using the at least one test pattern parameter and the at least one imaging error to determine the lateral distance required to shift a particular image to a desired location on the belt and shifting the image to the desired location.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises an image forming section that consecutively forms plural images on a plurality of recording media, a detecting section that detects, on the basis of an image formed in a storage medium, color development data indicating color development characteristics of the image, a warning control section that decides whether or not to issue warning information regarding the color development characteristics on the basis of the color development data detected by the detecting section and reference data which the color development characteristics are to reference, and a warning section that issues warning information regarding the color development characteristics in response to the decision by the warning control section.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and related method forms a color image on a transfer material. The apparatus is provided with a first optical sensor capable of detecting optical reflection characteristics of an unfixed toner image and a second optical sensor capable of detecting optical reflection characteristics of a toner image after fixation. A first forming step forms a mixed-color toner image including plural toners. A calculation step calculates, based on optical reflection characteristics of the mixed-color toner image detected by the second optical sensor, a condition that the mixed-color toner image becomes achromatic. A second forming step forms a toner image corresponding to the calculated toner mixing ratio. A processing step processes an output of the first optical sensor based on the optical reflection characteristics of the monochromatic toner image detected by the first optical sensor.

Abstract: A toner advisor apparatus and method for imaging systems includes an imaging device with a toner cartridge. More than one toner compartment in the toner cartridge is conformed to hold various toner colors. A cartridge scanner device is connected to the imaging system for scanning the more than one toner compartment. An analysis device is connected to the cartridge scanner device and to the imaging device for comparing the type of color required for a print job on the imaging device and the amounts of toner in the more than one toner compartment and for suggesting colors that optimize toner consumption. In one aspect of the invention, the analysis device is conformed to optimize toner consumption by suggesting colors that use nearly equal amounts of different toner colors over time.

Abstract: Disclosed are a shading correction method for a sensor capable of accurately detecting color tint of a toner patch without using any white-color reference to execute shading correction in the sensor, a shading correction apparatus for a sensor, and a color image forming apparatus. In the shading correction, light reflected by a rich K toner patch formed on a transferring material is detected, a shading correction value for the sensor is calculated based on detected data, and correction is executed using the shading correction value during operation for detecting a toner patch for color stabilization.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, a color toner patch for controlling density or chromaticity may be detected by a color sensor and fed back to process conditions so as to control density or chromaticity of a final output image. However, a white reference board for proofreading sensor output is expensive, and may have paper powder, toner or ink scattered thereon to become no longer usable as a reference board. The present invention provides a color identification method and a color image forming apparatus exploitable for density or chromaticity control by using a color sensor without using the reference board.

Abstract: A method for generating a calibration product for an image producing device. The image producing device includes a plurality of toner stations and a transfer medium. Each toner station is configured to deposit an associated toner onto the transfer medium to thereby generate the calibration product. The method includes depositing a first toner from a first toner station onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from a first position relative to the plurality of toner stations to a second position. The method further includes depositing a second toner from a second toner station onto the transfer medium while continuing to deposit the first toner onto the transfer medium while moving the transfer medium from the second position to a third position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus lessens the sense of incongruity between CMY mixture gray and K monochrome gray so as to achieve an easy color adjustment. An adjustment sheet is printed by the image forming apparatus. The adjustment sheet has a reference pattern and a plurality of test patterns. The reference pattern indicates a reference concentration of gray and the test patterns indicates concentrations of gray within a predetermined concentration range including the reference concentration. The gray of the test patterns is a mixture of cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The gray of the reference pattern is monochromatic black. The test patterns are visually compared with the reference pattern so as to select one of the test patterns of which concentration matches the concentration of the reference pattern. The concentration of gray is adjusted in accordance with the concentration of the selected one of test patterns.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forming a full color image by plural color materials. An image of an original is color-separated so as to form a color separation signal, and the color separation signal is converted to a color signal corresponding to each color material. The color signal is color-corrected so as to correct a color mixing state of the plural color materials, and a color image is formed by the corrected color signal. A test image of single color is formed, and a density of the test image is detected. Control is performed on a correcting condition for color-correcting the color signed based on the detected density. The correction to the color signal is delayed until toner is supplemented to the developing device.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of color image formation with a plurality of color components, which solves a problem of increment of processing time in monochrome image formation due to correction on image formation conditions with predetermined patch formation. For this purpose, in case of monochrome image formation, even if a tonality control request flag is set, an image formation sequence is started without performing tonality control. Thus processing time can be reduced in monochrome image formation.

Abstract: The color toner application level is flexibly adjusted to save the toner consumption by lowering the developing bias voltage value while color balance is maintained by adjusting gamma characteristics. The toner save mode is invoked based upon the detection of substantially unequal toner consumption among color components.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of color image formation with a plurality of color components, which solves a problem of increment of processing time in monochrome image formation due to correction on image formation conditions with predetermined patch formation. For this purpose, in case of monochrome image formation, even if a tonality control request flag is set, an image formation sequence is started without performing tonality control. Thus processing time can be reduced in monochrome image formation.

Abstract: A system which utilizes plural image forming apparatus, equalizes gradation characteristics of images commonly output from such plural image forming apparatus. When the system includes three color copying apparatus, at first a test pattern image based on data from a pattern generator is output from the color copying apparatus. The prepared image is read by the reader of the color copying apparatus, and, based on the read data, the correction data of a table (LUT) are calibrated for obtaining density data for a laser beam. The calibration of the correction data of the color copying apparatus are conducted in a similar manner using, however, the reader of the same copying apparatus for reading the test pattern. It is therefore, rendered possible to exclude the influence of the difference in the reader characteristics on the calibration, and to equalize the gradation characteristics when the copying apparatus are used as printers.

Abstract: When data of one page is output for a predetermined amount, the host unit performs division of the printing data into a plurality of divided jobs a predetermined calibration on the basis of the calibration execution. For every divided job, the most recent calibration information from a printer-side is obtained. On the basis of the obtained calibration information, a density correction value of a .gamma. correction table is updated. Then, the .gamma. correction table performed calibration is used for performing printing of the divided jobs. By this, the printing apparatus performs a printing operation according to the printing job output from the host unit to enable appropriate calibration when a large amount is printed for the same information.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a plurality of image forming units for performing image formation using predetermined colors. A pattern image is formed by outputting specific pattern data to each image forming unit, density of the pattern image is measured and the gradation correction characteristics are controlled in accordance with the measure density. By performing processing in units of colors corresponding to the image forming units, color image formation having good color balance and gradation characteristics is attained over a long period of time. By controlling gradation correction characteristics in consideration of the density obtained by actually outputting the pattern image onto a recording medium, and reading the pattern image, color image formation having good density reproducibility is realized.

Abstract: An image data adjustment system is described which adjusts image data to be printed based upon the level of contaminants detected in the toner reservoirs. The system detects the level of contamination of a toner to be printed and adjusts the image data so that a compensating toner is also printed with the desired toner so that an intended print color is achieved despite contaminants in the toner.

Abstract: A test page, system, and method are used to set a color density level of a laser printer, by producing a dot gain test pattern. The laser printer has at least one primary color. The dot gain test pattern is self-indicating and thus requires no external reference in order to determine a correct color density level. A preferred embodiment of the dot gain test pattern includes (a) a stable pattern having a color density which is stable with respect to changes in the laser printer operating conditions, and (b) a sensitive pattern having a color density which is sensitive to changes in the operating conditions, wherein the sensitive pattern in reference to the stable pattern indicates the density level of the laser printer for the at least one primary color.

Abstract: A method for providing color correction to a color marking engine for halftone and contone images includes the step of first generating a test pattern. This test pattern has a plurality of discrete images disposed thereon with the discrete images having characteristics that are correlated with parameters of the print job. In one mode, they relate to halftone images that have differing densities of dots, each less than 100% density. The images are correlated to different bit values for the same densities such that the maximum density value for the pixel is offset for different images. A user then views the different images and determine which one is closest to a true gray and then selects the offset bit value for that image as the marking engine offset. This can then be applied to that particular marking engine. This can be utilized for a plurality of marking engines (651) with a single RIP (650).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and cutting individual images from a web containing a plurality of images, the web having a magnetic media capable of retaining magnetically recorded data. The apparatus comprising a reader for reading magnetically recorded data contained on the magnetic media which provides information relating to the location of the images thereon; and a mechanism responsive to the information read by the reader and for performing an operation to the web in accordance with the information.

Abstract: When a color image is formed using exposure units, photoconductive drums, developing machines, transfer printing machines and the like, a color patch using each monochrome toner prepared for the above developing machines and a color patch formed by overlapping plural colors of toner are formed on a transfer medium as sample images. After the two types of color patches are fixed by a fixing roll, they are detected by a fixed image density sensor installed after the fixing roll. A control section corrects an image formation condition based upon difference in density between the two types of sample images.

Abstract: An improved method of electrophotographic color printing in which only a single pass of a drum or belt is needed for formation and transfer of the toner image onto a desired medium by utilizing a transparent drum or belt for the supportive member for the photoconductive material, and exposing from the inner side of the drum or belt. The invention includes, among others, a method of synchronous laser-beam exposure that provides improved registration of images, methods of exposure for small diameter drums, a method to achieve a longer-lived drum or belt, an improved fusing method, methods of improving the toning process, and methods to achieve an improved image quality.

Abstract: A system and method for color mixing control in a developing material-based electrostatographic printing system. A developing reservoir containing an operative solution of customer selectable colored developing material is continuously replenished with selectively variable amounts of basic color components making up the operative solution by controlling the rate of replenishment of various color components added to the supply reservoir. An optical sensor is used to measure the optical spectrum of the developed image so that the actual optical spectrum thereof can be brought into agreement with a target optical spectrum associated with a customer selectable color. The present invention may be used to mix a customer selectable color in situ, whereby approximate amounts of primary color components are initially deposited and mixed in the developing material reservoir and the resultant developed image is monitored and adjusted until the mixture reaches a target optical spectrum.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus having a plurality of developers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, a density sensor for detecting a developed control toner image, CPU and RAM. The apparatus performs a first control for image formation based on a density of a control toner image developed by a first developer, a second control for image formation based on a density of a control toner image developed by a second developer, and determining whether the second control is to be performed based on the density of the control toner image developed by the first developer.

Abstract: A multistation color electrophotographic printer having an erase lamp located opposed to or before the last physical developer housing, but after the first physical developer housing.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a temperature of a portion near an exposing unit to expose a photosensitive drum and a sensor for measuring a temperature in an apparatus other than the exposing unit are provided, thereby controlling a registration correction operation in accordance with a difference between outputs of those sensors. Thus, the registration correction operation can be always executed at the optimum timing and a good image can be continuously formed.

Abstract: A method and system for adjusting or calibrating the colors output by an image processing system such as a full-color digital copier. After the copier is calibrated, the color balance standard within the copier is set using the calibration information. A portion of the image is printed by the copier in various tones, adjusted relative to the color balance standard. The user then selects the color balance of the image having the most acceptable color balance. Calibration of the copier can be performed by scanning a gray-scale image and adjusting the parameters controlling RGB data within the copier based on the gray-scale image which was scanned. In order to adjust the color balance for specific colors contained within an image, the user manually selects points on the image and frames having the selected color are printed, scanned, and the scanned information compared to stored color information in order to adjust the color balance to accurately reproduce the color selected by the user.

Abstract: The improved method of color correction control is capable of assuring the desired amounts of color correction at all times, thereby reproducing a high-quality image of good color balance even from an original image that is so much upset in color balance as to require that color filters for three primary colors be inserted into the optical path in greatly varying amounts. Seven tables are preliminarily constructed for each of the three primary colors that represent the relationships between the amounts of insertion of color filter into the optical path and the amounts of resulting color correction, three tables for the insertion of three single color filters, three for the insertion of any two filters and one for the insertion of the three filters in combination.

Abstract: An optical system assembling method in an image forming apparatus in which there are provided an image forming body around which a plurality of exposure device each having a linear exposure optical system to imagewise expose on the image forming body, and a plurality of developing device containing respective color toners different from each other which are superimposed on the image forming body to form a color toner image, the method further having the steps of: lighting the exposure optical system; forming an image emitted from the exposure optical system on a sensor which is disposed at a position corresponding to a photosensitive surface of the image forming body with respect to the exposure optical system; adjusting a position of the exposure optical system on the basis of a result of the image forming so that a focal point of the exposure optical system is coincident with a surface of the sensor; and fixing at the adjusted position the exposure optical system to an optical system supporting body provide

Abstract: Image processing apparatus and copying apparatus enhance the operability of color adjusting function. A plurality of image processing menus including modifying word representing contents of the image processings are concurrently displayed, and an adjustment state is displayed in a selected one of the displayed menus.

Abstract: In a color image forming apparatus, a test pattern is formed by a color toner and provided with multiple tones by a dither method. The toner density of the test pattern is accurately read by a simple structure and faithfully corresponds to the actual toner density.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to perform a well tonality reproduction according to a state of an image support body. In order to achieve the object, the present invention is featured by comprising the image support body for supporting an image which is to be formed on a medium, a signal generation means for generating an image signal representing the image, a detection means for detecting a value according to a membrane thickness of the image support body, and a conversion means for converting the image signal on the basis of the detected value according to the membrane thickness.

Abstract: In a multicolor electrostatic recording apparatus in which two or more different color toner images are superimposed by respective electrostatic recording units, each of the electrostatic recording units includes an electrostatic latent image carried, a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the carrier with a color toner, and a detector for detecting a density of the developed image on the basis of a detecting mark which is formed on the carrier as a part of the latent image and developed by the developer. A discriminator which compares the density data with an optional desired density value to discriminate whether the density data falls in an allowable range. A controller for feed-back controlling at least one parameter for determining the density of the developed image so that the density comes to be in the allowable range, when the density falls out of the allowable range.

Abstract: The improved apparatus for forming a color image by slit scan exposure has means for changing the position of a line sensor assembly relative to the shorter side of the slit light that has passed through a slit and means for constructing color filter tables that represent the relationships between the amounts of insertion of the color filters into the optical path and the quantities of the admitted exposing light on the basis of the measured data on the quantity of the slit light measured by using the line sensor assembly with its position being changed relative to the shorter side of the slit light.

Abstract: For enabling efficient two-side recording of images from plural image sources, there is provided a recording apparatus with plural image input devices for respectively entering image signals, a recording unit for recording images of the image signals entered from the plural image input devices, respectively on first and second sides of a recording medium, and a manual designation unit for setting the color mode of the image to be recorded by the recording unit, independently for each of the first and second sides.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for image reading or processing, that can precisely identify a particularly pattern, such as of banknotes or securities faithful copying of which is to be prohibited. The apparatus is provided with a detecting unit for detecting positional information of an original image, and a discriminating unit for extracting the pattern data of a certain part of the original image and discriminating whether the original image is the predetermined image, based on the similarity between the pattern data and the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting color and gray balance in a color printer, wherein a multicolored output sheet including a set of printer color balance adjustment instructions for performing color balance adjustments processor is produced by the print engine. A processor provides a color balance judging indicator, from to a scanned test pattern sheet in the case of a copier or from a memory electronically storing a test image. A controller is used to for transmit the set of printer color and gray balance adjustments to the processor.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus includes a controller to control an image carrier, plural chargers, plural image exposing devices, plural developing devices so that plural color toner images are formed one after another and superimposed on the image carrier, and a regulator to regulate a deviation in position among the plural color toner images.