# US 2014/0192375 A1 · Image forming apparatus and image forming method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0192375 A1 - Document ID: US20140192375A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/108,525 - Filed: 2013-12-17 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08 - Assignees: Konica Minolta, Inc. - Applicants: Konica Minolta , Inc. - Inventors: Keisuke MORITA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192375A1 ## CPC - H04N 1/00045: {using a reference pattern designed for the purpose, e.g. a test chart} - G03G 15/55: {Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display} - G06K 15/025: {Simulating output on another printing arrangement, e.g. proof output (matching two or more picture signal generators or two or more picture reproducers H04N1/6052)} - H04N 1/00015: {Reproducing apparatus} - H04N 1/00031: {Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial (H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371)} - H04N 1/0005: {in service, i.e. during normal operation} - H04N 1/00055: {automatically on a periodic basis} - H04N 1/00082: {Adjusting or controlling (interrupting an operation H04N1/00915; inhibiting an operation H04N1/00925)} - G03G 15/5062: {by measuring the characteristics of an image on the copy material} - G03G 2215/00569: Calibration, test runs, test prints - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet on the basis of a job and a controller that manages the job and controls the formation of the image. The controller enables a sample discharge and determines whether to change a sample discharge interval which is set in the sample discharge on the basis of information related to the image when the job is executed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet on the basis of a job; and a controller that manages the job and controls the formation of the image, wherein the controller enables a sample discharge and determines whether to change a sample discharge interval which is set in the sample discharge on the basis of information related to the image when the job is executed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a document reading unit that reads a document image, wherein the information related to the image is related to the image read by the document reading unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller determines whether to change the sample discharge interval, using a change in predetermined information of the image in a predetermined unit of comparison as the information related to the image. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in a case where the job is set such that a plurality of copies of the image read by the document reading unit are output, when the output starts after the reading of the entire document is completed, the controller applies a change in the sample discharge interval to a first copy, and when the job is set such that the output starts while the document is being read, the controller applies the change in the sample discharge interval to a second copy. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image detection unit that reads an output image of the sheet having the image formed thereon, wherein the information related to the image is related to the image read by the image detection unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller determines whether to change the sample discharge interval, using a change in predetermined information of the image in a predetermined unit of comparison as the information related to the image. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, when the job is to output a plurality of copies, the controller uses the image read by the image detection unit as a reference image in a first copy, and in a second copy or subsequent copies, the controller compares the image read by the image detection unit with predetermined information of the reference image in a predetermined unit of comparison, and determines whether to change the sample discharge interval using the comparison result as the information related to the image. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller has a proof discharge function, uses the image read by the image detection unit as a reference image in the proof discharge of the job, compares the image read by the image detection unit with predetermined information of the reference image in a predetermined unit of comparison, in the main output of the job, and determines whether to change the sample discharge interval using the comparison result as the information related to the image. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller prints a density chart on a sheet when the job is executed, the image detection unit reads the density chart, and the controller determines whether to change the sample discharge interval using a density change in the density chart as the information related to the image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a smaller value when the density change is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value and determines to change the sample discharge interval to a larger value when the density change is less than a second predetermined value (where the first predetermined value is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value). ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the controller determines whether there is a contamination in the image read by the image detection unit, and when it is determined that there is a contamination, the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a smaller value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unit of comparison is a page or a copy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 3) The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined information is at least one of an amount of attached toner, density, and the position of a register mark of each page. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller compares the number of text pages with the number of photograph pages in the image included in the job, the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a smaller value when the number of photograph pages is equal to or more than a first predetermined number of pages, and the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a larger value when the number of photograph pages is less than a second predetermined number of pages (where the first predetermined number of pages is equal to or more than the second predetermined number of pages). ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines whether to change the sample discharge interval using coverage of the job as the information related to the image. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, in a case where the job is related to a monochrome image, when it is determined that the coverage of the image included in the job is low and is equal to or less than a first predetermined monochrome coverage value, the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a smaller value, and when it is determined that the coverage is high and is greater than a second predetermined monochrome coverage value (where the first predetermined monochrome coverage value is equal to or less than the second predetermined monochrome coverage value), the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a larger value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, in a case where the job includes a color image, when it is determined that the coverage of the image included in the job is high and is greater than a first predetermined color coverage value, the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a smaller value, and when it is determined that the coverage is low and is equal to or less than a second predetermined color coverage value (where the first predetermined color coverage value is equal to or greater than the second predetermined color coverage value), the controller determines to change the sample discharge interval to a larger value. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, during a change in the sample discharge interval, when the sample discharge interval is set to a sheet number cycle, the controller changes a cyclic number of sheets, and when the sample discharge interval is set to a copy-page cycle, the controller changes a cyclic number of copies, or the cyclic number of copies and the page cycle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs control such that an operation of making a sample discharge interval change process available and an operation of making the sample discharge interval change process unavailable can be selected. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller changes the sample discharge interval immediately after it is determined that the sample discharge interval is changed or when an instruction is received from an operator. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an operation unit that receives an operation input, wherein the controller performs control such that the sample discharge interval can be set by the operation unit. ### Claim 22 An image forming method of forming an image on a sheet on the basis of a job and enabling a sample discharge when the job is executed, the method comprising: acquiring information related to the image; and determining whether to change a sample discharge interval which is set in the sample discharge on the basis of the information related to the image.