JP2001265191A - Modular structural type image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve productivity by performing scheduling optimum to a while system, to improve productivity, when forming an image adopting an intermediate transfer body on which a seam is present, and to improve productivity when successively forming the image with respect to recording paper in a different size. SOLUTION: This module structural type image forming device is provided with an image forming means forming image on a recording paper, and plural modules connected with the image forming means, and the image forming means is provided with a reference signal generating means for generating a reference signal with a time interval shorter than the time necessary for transferring the mage on the recording paper of the transportable smallest size, and moreover the mage forming means and each of the module perform the timing control, based on the reference signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a paper feed module,
The present invention relates to a module type image forming apparatus including a recording paper post-processing module and the like, and more particularly to a module type image forming apparatus that performs scheduling based on a reference signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-10358 has proposed a technique for performing scheduling in a repetition time limit of a sheet processing unit in an image forming apparatus configured as a module. In this prior art, a plurality of image processing resources including a finishing station that causes an image to be formed on a copy sheet at a predetermined periodic time interval, and each of these resources is electrically interconnected with the image processing resources. A controller sequencer for managing the operation of the resources, the sequencer sending a simultaneous ready status request signal for each resource, including the finishing station, and each resource being ready or not ready for the sequencer A completion response signal is sent back, and based on the ready or non-ready signal of each resource, the controller periodically skips the periodic time period or pitch, and takes a configuration in which the resources are synchronously put into the ready status. I have.

[0003]

However, there is a difference in productivity and the like between the main body of the image forming apparatus and each module, so that it is necessary to skip sheet scheduling. Since sheet scheduling is performed in units, skipping once will leave at least one image time.
Productivity is greatly reduced.

In addition, the main body of the image forming apparatus must perform timing control based on a predetermined reference signal due to restrictions on the image forming process. In the prior art, the module is notified only of the time limit of the paper processing unit. Therefore, optimal timing control in accordance with the image forming process cannot be performed in the entire system.

On the other hand, in recent color image forming apparatuses, instead of directly superimposing the four-color images on the recording paper, the four-color images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member, and the four-color images are once superimposed on the recording paper. In many cases, an intermediate transfer method for transferring the image to a medium is used. This intermediate transfer member may or may not have a seam (joint). If an intermediate transfer member without a seam is used, recording paper conveyance can be freely scheduled, thereby improving productivity. However, since an intermediate transfer member without a seam is expensive, an intermediate transfer member with a seam has to be adopted in an image forming apparatus that requires a reduction in cost.

When an intermediate transfer member having a seam is used, since an image cannot be formed at the position of the seam, a reference signal is generated at intervals obtained by dividing the intermediate transfer member by an integer, and processing is performed according to the reference signal. Are often adopted.

However, in such a system, if the interval generated by the integer division of the intermediate transfer member and the recording paper size do not match, the scheduling interval deviates from the optimal interval, and the productivity is reduced. .

In the color image forming apparatus, in order to perform color matching of four images, a method of scheduling internal operations by using a reference signal at intervals corresponding to the recording paper size as a trigger has been adopted in many cases. This reference signal is
Accuracy is required to superimpose the images and is generated based on a period generated by a device mechanism or an electronic circuit. Processing is performed inside the image forming apparatus based on the reference signal.

Conventionally, when image formation is continuously performed on recording paper of different sizes in such an image forming apparatus, a reference signal corresponding to the size of the preceding sheet is kept until all the processing of the preceding sheet is completed. , The process for the preceding sheet is performed, and thereafter, the process is switched to the reference signal corresponding to the size of the following sheet to perform the processing for the succeeding sheet.

However, in such an image forming apparatus, although the processing for the succeeding paper can be started in parallel with the processing for the preceding paper, the reference signal for the preceding paper is set to the reference signal for the following paper. Until the signal is switched, processing for the succeeding sheet cannot be performed. As a result, the productivity of image formation decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in an image forming apparatus composed of a plurality of modules having different productivity, optimal scheduling is performed by the entire system to improve productivity. The purpose is to: It is another object of the present invention to improve the productivity when forming an image using an intermediate transfer body having a seam and the productivity when continuously forming an image on recording paper of different sizes. I do.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a module type image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet; and a plurality of modules connected to the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a reference signal generating unit configured to generate a reference signal at a time interval shorter than a time required to transfer an image onto a recording sheet having a minimum transportable size; Each module employs a configuration for performing timing control based on a reference signal.

As described above, since the timing control is performed in units of the reference signal having a time interval shorter than the time for transferring the image to the recording paper of the minimum size which can be conveyed, the image forming means is formed at a time interval shorter than the paper processing unit. And the timing of each module can be controlled. As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize the blank time that has occurred when the timing control is performed in units of paper processing as in the related art,
It is possible to improve productivity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the first aspect, a scheduling means for performing sheet scheduling based on a reference signal to create page information, and delivering the reference signal to each module. A reference signal distributing means, a page execution inquiry means for transmitting page information to the image forming means and each module, and inquiring whether or not the page can be executed; and And a page execution instructing means for instructing all modules to execute the page only when a response indicating that the page can be executed is received from the module.

As described above, the inquiry as to whether or not the image forming means and all the modules can be executed and the instruction to execute the page can be made based on the reference signal. The blank time that has occurred when sheet scheduling is performed in processing units can be effectively used, and productivity can be improved. Further, since the reference signal has a time interval shorter than a time for transferring an image to a recording sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed, a wasteful waiting time existing in the related art is eliminated, and the entire system is adjusted to the image forming process. Optimal timing control can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the second aspect, the page execution instructing means includes at least one of the image forming apparatus and each module.
If a response indicating that the page cannot be executed is received from one of the modules, or if no response is received within a time period in which the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times from one of the image forming apparatus and each module. Employs a configuration in which, after a reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, an instruction is given to the scheduling means to perform sheet scheduling again and create page information.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a response indicating that the page cannot be executed is received from at least one of the image forming apparatus and each module, or any one of the image forming apparatus and each module is received. If no response is received within the time period from when the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, after the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, sheet scheduling is performed again. Not performed. For this reason, wasted time caused by sheet scheduling in sheet processing units is eliminated, and productivity can be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the second aspect, a module having the longest execution start time required from when a page execution instruction is issued to when an image is transferred to a recording sheet is made. Is held, and a notifying unit that notifies the image forming unit and each module of the execution start time is adopted.

As described above, the execution start time is notified to the image forming means and each module. Therefore, the execution start time required from the time when the page execution instruction is issued to the time when the image is transferred to the recording paper is set to be the longest. Timing control can be performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the notifying means includes: a sheet feeding module furthest from the image transfer position on the recording sheet; The time required from the page execution instruction to the start of image transfer to recording paper between the image forming engine furthest from the image transfer position and the image transfer engine is held as the execution start time. A configuration for notifying the means and each module is adopted.

As described above, the execution start time is notified to the image forming means and each module, so that the paper supply module having the longest execution start time required from when the page execution instruction is issued to when the image is transferred to the recording paper is performed. And the image forming engine can perform timing control.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect, the notifying means includes a sheet feeding module furthest from the image transfer position on the recording sheet; A configuration in which the time required for transporting the recording paper is held as an execution start time between the recording paper post-processing module located farthest from the image transfer position and the execution start time is notified to the image forming unit and each module. take.

As described above, the execution start time is notified to the image forming means and each module, so that the sheet supply module having the longest execution start time required from when the page execution instruction is issued to when the image is transferred to the recording paper is performed. And the timing control according to the recording paper post-processing module.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when a seam exists in the intermediate transfer body, the timing at which the seam reaches the image transfer position corresponds to any reference signal. To detect
Based on this detection, when it is determined that the seam reaches the image transfer position during the processing on the recording paper, the scheduling is changed to start the processing on the recording paper when a reference signal immediately after passing the seam is received. A configuration including means is adopted.

As described above, it is predicted which reference signal the seam position of the intermediate transfer member corresponds to, and when the processing for the recording paper overlaps the seam, the processing of the recording paper is started from the reference signal immediately after the seam. By performing the scheduling, it is possible to improve the productivity when forming an image even when an intermediate transfer member having a seam is used.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when recording papers of different sizes are continuously conveyed, the processing for the preceding paper and the processing for the succeeding paper overlap. A preceding paper processing signal of a cycle corresponding to the size of the preceding paper and a succeeding paper processing signal of a cycle corresponding to the size of the following paper are generated based on the reference signal so that the minimum time interval does not occur. A configuration is provided that includes scheduling means for carrying out scheduling so as to convey the preceding sheet at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the preceding sheet processing signal and to convey the succeeding sheet at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the following sheet processing signal.

As described above, the relationship between the preceding sheet processing signal and the succeeding sheet processing signal is scheduled so that the processing for the preceding sheet and the processing for the succeeding sheet have a minimum interval that does not overlap. It is possible to improve productivity when forming images continuously on recording paper.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a module configuration according to the first aspect, the reference signal generating means generates a reference signal based on a photoconductor encoder clock.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having the module configuration according to the first aspect, the reference signal generation means generates a reference signal based on a transfer belt encoder clock.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the reference signal generating means generates the reference signal based on a laser scan synchronization signal.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the module type image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the reference signal generation means generates a reference signal based on a timer signal.

With these configurations, since the reference signal can be generated based on the periodic signal held in advance, there is no need to provide a means for newly providing a clock, and the cost can be reduced. it can.

[0033]

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a module type image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the module type image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder 5, a post-processing device 6, and an image forming apparatus interconnected to the scheduler 1 by a scheduler 1, communication lines 2, 3, and 4. A micro-pitch generating unit 8 provided in the apparatus main body 7.

The scheduler 1 performs sheet scheduling based on the reference signal generated by the micropitch generation unit 8, generates page information, and distributes the reference signal to the sheet feeding device and the post-processing device. Further, the generated page information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus main body, the sheet feeding device, and the post-processing device, and an inquiry is made as to whether the page can be executed. The scheduler 1 sends the page to the sheet feeding device and the post-processing device only when a response indicating that the page can be executed is received from the sheet feeding device and the post-processing device within the time when the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times. To execute

The micro-pitch generating unit 8 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 7 generates a reference signal at a time interval shorter than a time for transferring an image to a recording sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed. The sheet feeding device 5, the post-processing device 6, and the image forming apparatus main body 7 perform timing control based on the reference signal generated by the micropitch generation unit 8. Note that the micropitch generation unit 8 can adopt a configuration that generates a reference signal based on a photoconductor encoder clock, a transfer belt encoder clock, a laser scan synchronization signal, and a timer signal. As a result, the reference signal can be generated based on the periodic signal held in advance, so that it is not necessary to provide a new means for providing a clock, and the cost can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the module type image forming apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the micropitch generation unit 8 generates a reference signal (step S1), 1 is subtracted from the page counter (step S2). It is determined whether or not the page counter has become 0 (step S3).
Move to 2. If the page counter is 0 in step S3, page information is created (step S3).
4). Next, the created page information is notified to each module, that is, the sheet feeding device 5 and the post-processing device 6, and an inquiry is made as to whether the page can be executed (step S).
5). After waiting for a response (step S6), it is determined whether or not responses have been received from all the modules, that is, the sheet feeding device 5, the post-processing device 6, and the image forming apparatus main body 7 that the page can be executed. (Step S7), when a response indicating that the page cannot be executed is received from at least one of the sheet feeding device 5, the post-processing device 6, and the image forming device main body 7, or when the image forming device and each module If a response is not received within a time period in which the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times from any one, the page counter is set to 1 (step S8), and the process ends. On the other hand, in step S7, when a response indicating that the page can be executed is received from the sheet feeding device 5, the post-processing device 6, and the image forming apparatus main body 7, the plate pitch is set to "Enable" (step S9). ),finish.

On the other hand, the following processing is performed in parallel with these processings. When the reference signal is received from the micropitch generation unit 8 (step T1), the plate pitch is changed to “Ena”.
ble ”(step T2).
If the plate pitch is not “Enable”, the process ends. On the other hand, if the plate pitch is “Enbl
e ", an execution instruction is given to the sheet feeding device 5, the post-processing device 6, and the image forming apparatus main body 7 (step T).
3). Next, the page counter is set to the page size (step T4), and the process ends.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of scheduling based on such a reference signal. The vertical fine line is a reference signal generated by the micropitch generation unit 8. Page n
Was asked if it was feasible,
A non-feasible response was made at the time of the eleventh reference signal. For this reason, the scheduling is re-performed every time interval of the reference signal, and the inquiry is repeated during the twelfth to seventeenth reference signals. When there is a response that can be executed in response to the inquiry in the seventeenth reference signal, the processing for this page n is started when the thirty-ninth reference signal is present.

As described above, since the timing control is performed in units of the reference signal having a time interval shorter than the time for transferring the image to the recording paper of the minimum size capable of being conveyed, the image forming apparatus is provided at a time interval shorter than the unit of paper processing. The timing of each module such as the main body and the paper feeding device can be controlled.
As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize the blank time generated when the timing control is performed in the unit of sheet processing as in the related art, and it is possible to improve the productivity.

An inquiry as to whether the image forming apparatus main body and a module such as a paper feeder are executable,
Since the instruction to execute the page can be issued based on the reference signal, the blank time that has occurred when sheet scheduling was performed in units of sheet processing as in the related art can be effectively used, and It is possible to improve the performance. Further, since the reference signal has a time interval shorter than a time for transferring an image to a recording sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed, a wasteful waiting time existing in the related art is eliminated, and the entire system is adjusted to the image forming process. Optimal timing control can be performed.

Further, when a response indicating that the page cannot be executed is received from at least one of the modules such as the image forming apparatus main body and the sheet feeding device, or any one of the image forming apparatus and each module is received. If no response is received within the time period from when the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, after the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, sheet scheduling is performed again. Not performed. For this reason, wasted time caused by sheet scheduling in sheet processing units is eliminated, and productivity can be improved.

The execution start time of the module having the longest execution start time from when the page execution instruction is issued to when the image is transferred to the recording paper is held, and this execution start time is set to the sheet feeding device 5 and the rear. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for notifying the processing device 6 and the image forming apparatus main body 7. This is because the timing control is performed in accordance with the module having the longest execution start time from when the page execution instruction is issued until the image is transferred to the recording paper.

More specifically, between the paper feeding device furthest from the image transfer position on the recording paper and the image forming engine furthest from the image transfer position on the recording paper,
A configuration may be adopted in which the time required from the page execution instruction to the start of image transfer to recording paper is held as the execution start time, and the execution start time is notified to the image forming means and each module.

The recording paper is conveyed between a paper feeding device furthest from the image transfer position to the recording paper and a recording paper post-processing device furthest from the image transfer position to the recording paper. May be held as the execution start time, and the execution start time may be notified to the image forming means and each module.

As described above, the execution start time is set to
When the post-processing device 6 and the image forming device main body 7 are notified,
Timing control is performed in accordance with the sheet feeding device and the image forming engine, or the sheet feeding device and the recording sheet post-processing device, which have the longest execution start time required from when the page execution instruction is issued until the image is transferred to the recording sheet. It is possible to do.

Next, the processing when a seam is present in the intermediate transfer member will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing processing scheduling according to the conventional method, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing processing scheduling according to the present embodiment. When an intermediate transfer member having a seam is used, since an image cannot be formed at the position of the seam, a reference signal is generated at intervals obtained by dividing the intermediate transfer member into integers as shown in FIGS. Processing is performed according to the reference signal. In FIG. 4, A4
In order to process the L-size recording paper, the reference signal is created by dividing the intermediate transfer body into four equal parts. In FIG. 5, B4
In order to perform processing on S-size recording paper, the intermediate transfer member is divided into two equal parts to generate a reference signal. However, in the conventional method, as shown in FIG. 5, when the interval generated by the integer division of the intermediate transfer body and the recording paper size do not match, a blank time is generated for a while after the processing of the preceding paper is completed, so that the productivity is reduced. Will decrease.

In the process scheduling according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the position of the seam is predicted based on the reference signal generated by the micropitch generator 8.
That is, the processing reference signal 60 shown in FIG. 6 is a signal for performing processing on a B4S size recording sheet, and is determined based on the reference signal generated by the micropitch generation unit 8. As shown in FIG. 6, the processing reference signal 60 is generated at a time interval of seven reference signals. However, even if the third processing reference signal is issued, the processing reference signal 60 overlaps the seam, so that an image is formed on the recording paper. Can not do it. Therefore, the processing reference signal 60 is generated at a time interval shifted by four reference signals.

As described above, it is predicted which reference signal the seam position of the intermediate transfer member corresponds to, and when the processing on the recording paper overlaps the seam, the processing of the recording paper is started from the reference signal immediately after the seam. By performing the scheduling, it is possible to improve the productivity when forming an image even when an intermediate transfer member having a seam is used.

Next, processing for forming images continuously on recording paper of different sizes will be described with reference to FIGS.
0 will be described. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing processing scheduling according to the conventional method. In the conventional method, there is only one processing reference signal. Therefore, when the sizes of the recording paper are different, the processing for the preceding paper is performed based on the processing reference signal corresponding to the size of the preceding paper until all the processing for the preceding paper is completed. afterwards,
The processing is switched to the processing reference signal corresponding to the size of the succeeding sheet and the processing for the succeeding sheet is performed. Therefore, although the processing for the succeeding sheet can be started in parallel with the processing for the preceding sheet, the processing for the succeeding sheet is performed until the reference signal for the preceding sheet is switched to the reference signal for the succeeding sheet. Can not do. As a result, the productivity of image formation decreases.

As shown in FIG. 7, after three processing reference signals 70 for the preceding paper are generated and the processing for the preceding paper is started, a processing reference signal 71 for the succeeding paper is generated. From the generation of the first processing reference signal 71 for the succeeding sheet to the start of the first processing for the succeeding sheet, FIG.
Medium and A time is required. Therefore, there is a blank for the time of A.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transport state when processing is performed on recording paper of each size. In the case where an integral multiple of the time interval for transporting one recording sheet of a certain size matches the time interval of the processing reference signal, that is, in the case of and in FIG. In the case where the integral multiple of the time interval for transporting is not compatible with the time interval of the processing reference signal, that is, in the cases of and in FIG. 8, a useless blank time occurs.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when recording papers of different sizes are continuously conveyed, the leading time processing and the succeeding sheet processing are performed in such a manner that the minimum time interval does not overlap. A preceding paper processing signal having a cycle corresponding to the paper size and a succeeding paper processing signal having a cycle corresponding to the succeeding paper size are generated based on the reference signal, and at time intervals that are integral multiples of the preceding paper processing signal. Scheduling is performed so that the preceding sheet is conveyed and the succeeding sheet is conveyed at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the following sheet processing signal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the scheduling according to the present embodiment. The time A shown in FIG. 9 from the generation of the first processing reference signal 91 for the succeeding sheet to the start of the first processing for the succeeding sheet is the same as in the conventional method shown in FIG. The preceding paper processing signal 90 and the following paper processing signal 91 are scheduled such that the processing for the preceding paper and the processing for the succeeding paper have the minimum time interval that does not overlap. For this reason, even if it takes time A in FIG. 9 from the generation of the first processing reference signal 91 for the succeeding sheet to the start of the first processing for the following sheet, the processing for the preceding sheet is actually performed. The processing of the succeeding sheet is started only after a time interval of one reference signal has elapsed after the end of the processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a transport state when processing is performed on recording paper of each size. One of a certain size
When the integral multiple of the time interval for transporting a sheet of recording paper conforms to the time interval of the processing reference signal, that is, in the cases of and in FIG. 8, no blank time occurs. In the present embodiment, even when an integer multiple of the time interval for transporting one recording sheet does not match the time interval of the processing reference signal, blank time occurs because scheduling is performed based on the reference signal. Absent.

As described above, the relationship between the preceding sheet processing signal and the succeeding sheet processing signal is scheduled so that the processing for the preceding sheet and the processing for the succeeding sheet have a minimum interval that does not overlap each other. It is possible to improve productivity when forming images continuously on recording paper.

As described above, in this embodiment, the timing control is performed in units of the reference signal having a time interval shorter than the time for transferring the image to the recording paper of the minimum size that can be conveyed. The timing control of the image forming unit and each module can be performed at short time intervals. As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize the blank time generated when the timing control is performed in the unit of sheet processing as in the related art, and it is possible to improve the productivity.

In the above description, the sheet feeding device 5 and the post-processing device 6 are described as being separate from the image forming apparatus main body 7, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, a configuration in which the sheet feeding unit and the post-processing unit are integrated with the image forming apparatus main body may be adopted.

[0060]

As described above, the module type image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a module including image forming means for forming an image on recording paper, and a plurality of modules connected to the image forming means. A configuration-type image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit includes a reference signal generating unit that generates a reference signal at a time interval shorter than a time for transferring an image to a recording sheet of a minimum size that can be conveyed; Each module employs a configuration for performing timing control based on a reference signal.

As described above, since the timing control is performed in units of the reference signal having a time interval shorter than the time for transferring the image to the recording paper of the minimum size capable of being conveyed, the image forming means is controlled at a time interval shorter than the paper processing unit. And the timing of each module can be controlled. As a result, it is possible to effectively utilize the blank time that has occurred when the timing control is performed in units of paper processing as in the related art,
It is possible to improve productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a module type image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the module type image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of scheduling based on a reference signal of the module type image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing processing scheduling according to a conventional method.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing processing scheduling by a conventional method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating processing scheduling of the module-type image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing scheduling by a conventional method.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance state when processing is performed on recording paper of each size by a conventional method.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing scheduling of the module-type image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance state when processing is performed on recording paper of each size in the module type image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Scheduler, 2, 3, 4 ... Communication line, 5 ... Paper feeder, 6 ... Post-processing apparatus, 7 ... Image forming apparatus main body, 8 ... Micropitch generator, 60 ... Processing reference signal, 90 ... Preceding paper processing Signal, 91 ... trailing paper processing signal.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Kyosuke Ishikawa, 2274 Hongo, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Reference) 2C061 AQ06 AR01 HJ03 HJ06 2H027 DA22 DA23 DA35 DA41 DB08 DB09 DC04 DC10 ED16 ED24 EE02 EE07 EE09 EE10 EF02 EJ11 FA04 FA05 FA10 2H032 AA15 BA09 BA12 BA23 CA02 CA15 9A001 JJ35 KZ42

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A module type image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet; and a plurality of modules connected to the image forming unit. A reference signal generating unit that generates a reference signal at a time interval shorter than a time for transferring an image to a recording sheet of a minimum size, wherein the image forming unit and each of the modules perform timing control based on the reference signal. A module type image forming apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A scheduling unit that performs sheet scheduling based on the reference signal to create page information; a reference signal distribution unit that distributes the reference signal to each module; A page execution inquiry means for transmitting to the modules and inquiring whether or not the page can be executed; and a response indicating that the pages can be executed from all the modules within a time period in which the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times. 2. The module-structured image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a page execution instructing unit that instructs all modules to execute the page only when the page is received. 3. When the page execution instructing unit receives a response indicating that the page cannot be executed from at least one of the image forming apparatus and each of the modules,
Alternatively, if no response is received from any one of the image forming apparatus and each of the modules within a time period in which the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, after the reference signal is transmitted a predetermined number of times, the scheduling unit 3. The module-structured image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an instruction to perform page scheduling again by performing sheet scheduling is given. 4. The module stores the execution start time of a module having the longest execution start time required from when the page execution instruction is issued to when an image is transferred to recording paper, and sets the execution start time to the image forming means. 3. The module-type image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify each of the modules. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit is configured to detect a distance between the sheet feeding module farthest from the image transfer position on the recording sheet and the image forming engine farthest from the image transfer position on the recording sheet. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a time required from the page execution instruction to the start of image transfer to recording paper is held as an execution start time, and the execution start time is notified to the image forming unit and each module. Module type image forming apparatus. 6. The notifying means between a paper feeding module furthest from the image transfer position on the recording paper and a recording paper post-processing module furthest from the image transfer position on the recording paper. 5. The module type image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a time required for transporting the recording paper is held as an execution start time, and the execution start time is notified to the image forming unit and each module. 7. When a seam is present in an intermediate transfer member, a timing at which the seam reaches an image transfer position is detected as to which reference signal, and based on the detection, the seam is detected during processing on recording paper. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a scheduling unit configured to change a scheduling so as to start processing on the recording sheet when a reference signal immediately after passing through the seam is received when it is determined that the sheet reaches the image transfer position. Module type image forming apparatus. 8. When a recording sheet of a different size is continuously conveyed, a period corresponding to the size of the preceding sheet is set so that the processing for the preceding sheet and the processing for the succeeding sheet have a minimum time interval that does not overlap. A preceding sheet processing signal and a succeeding sheet processing signal having a cycle corresponding to the size of the succeeding sheet are generated based on the reference signal, and the preceding sheet is transported at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the preceding sheet processing signal. 2. The module type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising scheduling means for performing scheduling so as to convey the succeeding sheet at a time interval that is an integral multiple of the succeeding sheet processing signal. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference signal generating unit generates the reference signal based on a photoconductor encoder clock. 10. The module type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reference signal generating means generates said reference signal based on a transfer belt encoder clock. 11. The module type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reference signal generation means generates said reference signal based on a laser scan synchronization signal. 12. The module type image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reference signal generation means generates said reference signal based on a timer signal.