JP2002062763A - Image forming apparatus, control method therefor and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a hard disk from impact by setting it in a standby mode for the hard disk, prior to the occurrence of impact when there is a possibility of man-caused impact on the hard disk. SOLUTION: After detecting that movable parts, such as a paper cassette and a document table cover have started to move, a CPU 123 alters the mode for the hard disk 7 to the standby mode that ensures high resistance to impact. After detecting that the movable parts have returned to their initial positions, the CPU 123 cancels the standby mode for the hard disk 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact when not in operation, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers have been widely used due to their many advantages such as high quality printing, quietness and high speed, and the field of desktop publishing has been rapidly expanded. It has been a factor.

In recent years, the amount of data to be handled has become enormous with the increase in resolution, speed, and color, and printers having a built-in hard disk device as storage means for fonts and control programs and work areas for calculations have been increasing. ing.

In the conventional image forming apparatus having a built-in hard disk as described above, a cushioning material for protecting the hard disk from vibrations and shocks generated from movable parts and vibrations and shocks received during transportation in a packaged state. In many cases, the hard disk is fixed by using such a method.

[0005] In particular, the magnitude of the impact generated when the user closes the paper cassette and the impact generated when the user closes the paper feeder varies depending on the user, and in some cases, becomes extremely large.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk, depending on the user, the power supply is often turned on continuously (for 24 hours, for example) without turning off the power. In such a situation, there is a possibility that the life of the hard disk may be significantly reduced, which actually causes a reduction in the life of the hard disk.

Therefore, general hard disks include:
There is a function called a standby mode or the like. In standby mode, it is expected that the rotation of the hard disk will be stopped to reduce power consumption, the life of motor bearings will be extended by stopping the motor, and that the life of the motor will be reduced by stopping the motor, thereby preventing a reduction in life. it can.

[0008]

However, the shock absorbing material cannot absorb the vibration. Conversely, a shock absorbing material that alleviates vibration tends to be unable to absorb shock, and has a problem that it is difficult to achieve both vibration and shock.

Further, the magnitude of the impact or the like generated when the user closes the access door or the paper cassette varies depending on the user, and in some cases, the magnitude may be extremely large. For this reason, the shock absorbing material may not be able to absorb the vibration in some cases, resulting in an increase in the failure rate of the hard disk. In particular, when a paper jam or paper empty which always occurs during actual use occurs, the user must open and close the door and the paper cassette to perform processing, and therefore, some measures are required.

In particular, it is difficult to design a shock absorbing mechanism when a large shock or vibration occurs, as in a large image forming apparatus.
There have been problems that the cost is high and the failure rate of the hard disk is increased.

A disadvantage of the above-described auto standby function is that, in some cases, the apparatus does not shift to the standby mode even though the frequency of use of the apparatus is low. For example, there is a case where a facsimile or print job arrives about once an hour when the standby transition time is set to one hour. If the transition to the standby mode is not made, there is a problem that the life of the hard disk is reduced.

Furthermore, even if the above-described standby mode is effectively used, the hard disk is usually shorter in life than the image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is desirable that the hard disk be replaced after being used to some extent. However, the life of the hard disk greatly varies depending on the use condition, so that it is very difficult to determine when to replace the hard disk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a first object of the first to twenty-seventh aspects of the present invention is to provide a paper cassette, a document table cover, a door, and the like. When it is detected that the movable portion has begun to move, the hard disk is changed to a standby mode that is strong against impact, and after detecting that the movable portion has returned to the original position, the standby mode is set for the hard disk. If there is a possibility that the hard disk may be impacted by releasing the hard disk, the hard disk is set to the standby mode prior to the occurrence of the impact and the hard disk can be protected from the impact. A control method and a storage medium are provided.

A second object of the present invention is to detect an abnormal state of the image forming apparatus main body and change the hard disk to a standby mode resistant to impact based on the result of the detection, so that a printer such as a paper jam or the absence of paper is detected. Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and storage medium capable of protecting hard disk from shock caused by opening and closing doors and paper cassettes by detecting an abnormal state of internal hard disk to switch to standby mode It is to provide.

Further, a third object is to start rotation of a hard disk when detecting that job data has arrived, and to stop the rotation of the hard disk after predetermined processing is completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a storage medium that can reduce a decrease in the life of a hard disk by efficiently shifting to a standby mode while suppressing a decrease in apparatus throughput.

A fourth object is to calculate a hard disk replacement time, to notify that the hard disk replacement time has come when the hard disk replacement time has passed, and to set the hard disk replacement time. If the time has passed, by changing the operation so that the frequency of use of the hard disk is reduced, it is possible to calculate the replacement time of the hard disk and notify the user or the like of the time,
An image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can be expected to reduce the possibility of failure of a hard disk until the hard disk is replaced by shifting to a mode for reducing the frequency of use of the hard disk after the replacement time has passed. And a storage medium.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hard disk (hard disk 7 shown in FIG. 1) having a mode (standby mode) which is strong against an impact when not in operation. The movable parts (the paper cassettes 204 and 205 shown in FIG. 2, the document feeder (document plate cover) 10 shown in FIG.
1, an image forming apparatus having a door (not shown), detecting means for detecting that the movable part has started moving and returning to the original position, and detecting means for detecting that the movable part has started moving. And a mode changing means (CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4) for changing the hard disk to a mode resistant to the impact when the operation is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the mode change unit, the hard disk has a mode resistant to the impact after the detecting unit detects that the movable unit has returned to the original position. Is to cancel.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the movable portion is a document plate cover (document feeder (document plate cover) 101 shown in FIG. 1).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the movable portion is a paper cassette (paper cassettes 204 and 205 shown in FIG. 1) which can be opened and closed at the time of paper supply.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the movable portion is a door (not shown) that can be opened and closed when a paper jam occurs.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus incorporating a hard disk (hard disk 1212 shown in FIG. 7) having a mode (standby mode) resistant to impact, an abnormal state of the image forming apparatus main body is detected. (A CPU 1202 shown in FIG. 7 detects with a / STS signal from the printer engine 1100) and a mode changing means (FIG. 7) for changing the hard disk to the shock-resistant mode based on the result of the detecting means. CPU 1202) shown in FIG.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the mode change means cancels the hard disk shock resistant mode after detecting that the abnormal state has been eliminated by the detection means.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the abnormal state is a paper jam state.

In a ninth aspect according to the present invention, the abnormal state is a paper-out state.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving means (computer interface unit 5 shown in FIG. 1) for receiving job data from the outside via a predetermined communication medium, and the job data received by the receiving means. A conversion unit (formatter unit 6 shown in FIG. 1) for converting to image data, and a hard disk (hard disk 7 shown in FIG. 1) capable of storing the job data received by the reception unit and the image data converted by the conversion unit. Detecting means for detecting that the job data has arrived at the receiving means (detected by the CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4 via the interface 120), and that the job data has arrived by the detecting means. When the hard disk is detected, the rotation of the hard disk is started, and after a predetermined process is completed, the hard disk is rotated. Control means for controlling the motor rotation of the hard disk so as to stop the rotation of the disk (Fig. 4
And a CPU 123 shown in FIG.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control means stops the rotation of the hard disk after the conversion means has completed conversion of all job data (step S906 in FIG. 9). It controls the motor rotation of the hard disk.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the control means controls the hard disk so as to stop the rotation of the hard disk after the use of the hard disk is completed by the conversion means (step S905 in FIG. 9). This controls the rotation of the motor.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk (the hard disk 7 shown in FIG. 1), replacement time calculating means (CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4) for calculating the replacement time of the hard disk; When the time for replacing the hard disk has passed, there is provided notification means for notifying that the time for replacing the hard disk has come (the CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4 performs display control on a display unit (not shown)).

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the replacement time calculating means calculates the replacement time of the hard disk based on an elapsed time from the date of manufacture of the hard disk.

[0031] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the replacement time calculating means calculates the replacement time of the hard disk based on the cumulative power-on time of the hard disk.

In a sixteenth aspect according to the present invention, the replacement time calculating means calculates the replacement time of the hard disk based on the cumulative motor rotation time of the hard disk.

A seventeenth invention according to the present invention is provided with a control means (CPU 602 shown in FIG. 11) for changing and controlling the operation so that the use frequency of the hard disk is reduced when the time for replacing the hard disk has passed. Things.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image having a hard disk having a mode resistant to shock when not in operation, and having a movable portion which may artificially impact the hard disk. In the control method of the forming apparatus, a first detection step (step S501 in FIG. 5) for detecting that the movable section has started to move, and when detecting that the movable section has started to move, A mode change step for changing to a mode resistant to impact (step S502 in FIG. 5), a second detection step for detecting that the movable section has returned to the original position (step S503 in FIG. 5), A mode releasing step of releasing the hard disk resistant mode after detecting that the movable portion has returned to the original position (step S504 in FIG. 5). And it has a.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a built-in hard disk having a mode resistant to impact, in a detecting step of detecting an abnormal state of the image forming apparatus main body (step S801 in FIG. ) And a mode change step of changing the hard disk to the shock-resistant mode based on the detection result (step S8 in FIG. 8).
02).

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a receiving means for receiving job data from the outside via a predetermined communication medium, a converting means for converting the job data received by the receiving means into image data, In a control method of an image forming apparatus having a hard disk capable of storing job data received by a receiving unit and image data converted by the converting unit, a detecting step of detecting that job data has arrived at the receiving unit (FIG. 9) Step S903), a start step of starting rotation of the hard disk when it is detected that job data has arrived (step S904 in FIG. 9), and rotation of the hard disk after predetermined processing is completed. (Steps S905, S906 → S902 in FIG. 9).

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a hard disk, a replacement time calculating step (step S1001 in FIG. 10) for calculating a replacement time of the hard disk; And a notification step (steps S1002 and S1003 in FIG. 10) for notifying that the time for replacing the hard disk has come.

A twenty-second invention according to the present invention is provided with a changing step (not shown) for changing the operation such that the frequency of use of the hard disk is reduced when the time for replacing the hard disk has passed. is there.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image having a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact when not in operation, and having a movable portion which may give an impact to the hard disk artificially. The forming apparatus includes a first detection step (step S501 in FIG. 5) for detecting that the movable section has begun to move, and, when detecting that the movable section has begun to move, causes the hard disk to respond to the impact. Mode change step for changing to a strong mode (step S502 in FIG. 5), and a second detection step for detecting that the movable section has returned to the original position (step S503 in FIG. 5).
And a mode release step of releasing the hard disk resistant mode after detecting that the movable section has returned to the original position (step S50 in FIG. 5).
4) A program for executing the above 4) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detecting step (step S801 in FIG. 8) for detecting an abnormal state of an image forming apparatus main body in an image forming apparatus incorporating a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact. A program for executing a mode change step (step S802 in FIG. 8) of changing the hard disk to the shock-resistant mode based on the detection result is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner. .

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, a receiving means for receiving job data from the outside via a predetermined communication medium, a converting means for converting the job data received by the receiving means into image data, A detecting step of detecting that the job data has arrived at the receiving unit in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk capable of storing the job data received by the receiving unit and the image data converted by the converting unit (step S903 in FIG. 9) ), And a start step of starting rotation of the hard disk when it is detected that job data has arrived (step S904 in FIG. 9);
After the predetermined processing is completed, a stop step of stopping the rotation of the hard disk (steps S905 and S90 in FIG. 9).
6 → S902) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus having a hard disk, a replacement time calculation step (step S1001 in FIG. 10) for calculating the replacement time of the hard disk and the replacement time of the hard disk have passed. In this case, a notification step (steps S1002 and S1 in FIG. 10) for notifying that the time for replacing the hard disk has come.
003) is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a change step (not shown) for changing the operation so that the use frequency of the hard disk is reduced when the time for replacing the hard disk has passed. is there.

[0044]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It has a function.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a reader unit which reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to a printer unit 2 and an image input / output control unit 3. Printer unit 2
Records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a computer interface unit 5, a formatter unit 6, a hard disk 7, an image memory unit 8, a core unit 9, and the like.

The facsimile unit 4 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 9, and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 9, The compressed image data is transmitted via a telephone line.

The computer interface unit 5 is provided with a personal computer or a workstation (PC /
WS) 10 and the core unit 9. The PC / WS 10 is connected to the core unit 9 via a local interface (for example, a Centronics interface) or a network (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark)).
Control communication with

The formatter unit 6 develops code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 10 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The hard disk 7 is connected to the formatter unit 6 and stores programs and data. Also, the formatter unit 6
It is also used for temporarily storing expanded image data and the like.

The image memory section 9 temporarily stores data transferred from the PC / WS 10.

The core unit 9 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, facsimile unit 4, computer interface unit 5, formatter unit 6, and image memory unit 8.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the reader section 1, reference numeral 101 denotes an original feeder (original feeder) which feeds a paper original for copying or facsimile transmission onto an original platen (platen glass) 102 one by one in the order of the originals. After the original reading operation is completed, the original on the original platen 102 is discharged.

When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started, and the document is exposed and scanned. The reflected light from the original at this time is reflected by mirrors 105, 106, 10
7 and a lens 108 to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109. in this way,
The scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 109. The image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the core unit 9 of the image input / output control unit 3 after performing predetermined processing.

The user can also raise the original feeder 101 to place an original on the original platen 102, and the original feeder 101 is also a platen cover.

In the printer section 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a laser emitting section which emits a laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the reader section 1. This laser beam is applied to the photosensitive drum 202
And a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202.

In the portion of the latent image on the photosensitive drum 202,
The developer is attached by the developing device 203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of the laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from one of the paper cassette 204 and the paper cassette 205, conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer adhered to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper Transfer to The recording paper on which the developer is loaded is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207.

The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by a discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 sorts the recording paper by storing the discharged recording paper in each bin. The sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. If double-sided printing is set, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the re-feed conveyance path 210 is
Lead to.

When the multiplex recording is set, the flapper 20 is set so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208.
9 guides the sheet to the re-feeding conveyance path 210. Refeeding conveyance path 2
The recording paper guided to 10 is transferred to the transfer unit 2 at the timing described above.
06 is fed again.

The paper cassette 204 and the paper cassette 205 are openable and closable, and can be opened and closed at the time of paper supply or paper jam, so that paper supply or paper jam inside can be removed. Further, the printer unit 2 has a plurality of openable and closable doors (not shown), which can be opened and closed at the time of paper jam to remove paper jammed inside.

A sensor (not shown) for detecting the open / close of the paper cassette 204 and the paper cassette 205 and each door, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the open / close and attachment / detachment of the document feeder 101 (document table cover), and the attachment / detachment of the sorter 220. It has a sensor (not shown) for detecting, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the operation of the movable part that may give an impact, and the like,
It is assumed that the detection result of each sensor is notified to a CPU 123 (shown in FIG. 4 described later) in the core unit 9.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 110 denotes an A / D / SH unit.
The image data output from the CCD 109 is converted from analog to digital, and shading correction is performed.

The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is sent to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111.
To the core unit 9 of the image input / output control unit 3 via the interface 113.

A CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 in accordance with the contents set by the operation unit 115. For example, when the copy mode in which the trimming process is performed by the operation unit 115 to perform copying is set, the image processing unit 111 performs the trimming process on the image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110. Then, it is transferred to the printer unit 2.

When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode are transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 9. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116,
U114 performs control with reference to the memory 116.
The memory 116 is also used as a work area of the CPU 114. Further, the memory 116 has a non-volatile memory such as an NVRAM (not shown) therein.
Can be stored.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit 9 shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in the figure, image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to a data processing unit 121 via an interface (I / F) 122, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transmitted to the interface (I / F) 122. / F) 122 to the CPU 123.

The data processing section 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing.
The image data transferred to the data processing unit 121 from the facsimile unit 4 via the interface (I / F) 120 in accordance with the control command transferred from the reader unit 1.
The data is transferred to the computer interface unit 5.

The code data representing the image input via the computer interface unit 5 is stored in the I / F 1
20, the data is transferred to the data processing unit 121, transferred to the formatter unit 6, converts the data into a format called an intermediate code, and is developed from the intermediate code into image data in a bitmap format. After being transferred to the data processing unit 121, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2.

The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is
After being transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the / F 120, the data is transferred to the printer unit 2, the formatter unit 6, and the computer interface unit 5.

The image data from the formatter unit 6 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the I / F 120, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 5.

The CPU 123 performs such control according to a control program stored in the memory 124 and a control command transferred from the reader unit 1.

The memory 124 is also used as a work area of the CPU 123. Further, the memory 124 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) such as an NVRAM inside, and can hold various data.

As described above, processing combining the functions of reading the original image, printing the image, transmitting and receiving the image, storing the image, inputting and outputting data from the computer, and the like can be performed mainly on the core unit 9. It is possible.

Next, the operation of outputting data from the formatter unit 6 will be described.

First, when the formatter unit 6 performs output without storing data in the storage unit of the image memory unit 8,
The formatter unit 6 develops the data of the first page into bitmap data, transfers the data to the printer unit 2 via the bus, and performs printing. Similarly, the above operation is repeated until the last page.

When the formatter unit 6 stores data in the storage means of the image memory unit 8 and outputs the data, the formatter unit 6 develops the data of the first page into bitmap data and outputs the data to the image memory via a bus. Transfer to section 8. At this time, information such as the number of output copies and single / double-sided printing is also notified to the image memory unit 8.

Since the image memory unit 8 is specified for each job, it performs only the process of storing the bitmap data received from the formatter unit 6 in the storage unit. Similarly, the above operation is performed up to the last page, and the formatter unit 6 develops the data of the last page into bitmap data and transfers it to the image memory unit 8 via the bus.
Notify that this is the last page of the job.

The image memory unit 8 includes the formatter unit 6
Storing the bitmap data received from the storage means,
Upon receiving the notification that the page is the last page, the bitmap data of each page is transferred to the printer unit 2 and printed.

Next, the hard disk 7 connected to the formatter unit 6 will be described.

The hard disk 7 stores in advance programs and data necessary for processing in the formatter section 6, and these are read out at the time of initialization or in accordance with job processing. It is also used for temporary storage of job data received by the computer interface unit 5, storage of temporary data at the time of image development, and storage of images generated after image development.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus having the above configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, the user operates the paper cassette 20
The operation of the image forming apparatus when opening and closing 4,205 will be described.

In this example, it is expected that an impact will occur when the paper cassette is closed. Therefore, before the paper cassette is closed, the hard disk is set to the standby mode in advance, and after the paper cassette is closed, the hard disk is closed. Cancel. Here, the standby mode of the hard disk is
This function stops the rotation of the motor and retreats the head to a place safe against shocks. When the hard disk is not operating, the mode is strong against shocks. In the transition to the standby mode, a motor (not shown) for rotating each disk (not shown) provided in the hard disk 7 is stopped according to an instruction from the CPU 123 and a magnetic head (not shown) is provided.
The standby mode is released by moving the disk to a predetermined evacuation position.
This is performed by driving a motor (not shown) that rotates the magnetic head and moving a magnetic head (not shown) to a predetermined position.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the first control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and corresponds to the flow of processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
This processing is performed by the CPU 123 shown in FIG.
Alternatively, the program is executed based on a program stored in another storage medium (not shown). Also, S501 to S
504 indicates each step.

First, in step S501, the paper cassette 2
A sensor (not shown) checks whether or not 04, 205 is opened (begins to open), and when it is determined that it is not open,
The process of step S501 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the paper cassette has been opened (opened), a standby command is immediately issued to the hard disk 7 in step S502 in preparation for an impact when the cassette is closed.

In step S503, it is determined whether or not the paper cassette has been closed. If it is determined that the paper cassette has not been closed, the process of step S503 is repeated. on the other hand,
If it is determined that the paper cassette is closed, there is no danger of receiving an impact by closing the paper cassette, and the standby command is released from the hard disk 7 in step S504.

In this embodiment, the processing when the paper cassette is opened has been described. However, when the original feeder is opened for copying or facsimile transmission or when a paper jam occurs, the jammed paper is removed. The present invention may be applied to a case where a door is opened to remove the door.

As described above, the user can detect that the movable part that may generate a shock has moved, and set the hard disk to the standby mode before the shock occurs, thereby improving the shock resistance. This is to prevent the occurrence of failure. Here, the standby mode of the hard disk is
This function stops the rotation of the motor and retracts the head to a safe place against impact. It takes several seconds to several tens of seconds to transition from the state in which the hard disk is operating to the standby mode, so that a time margin of ten and several seconds is required until an impact occurs.

As described above, when there is a possibility that the hard disk may be shocked artificially, the hard disk can be set in the standby mode before the shock is generated, and the hard disk can be protected from the shock.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
When it is detected that the movable part has started to move, such as when the paper cassette is opened, the hard disk is shifted to the standby mode and the movable part is returned to the original position, as when the paper cassette is closed. The configuration in which the standby mode is canceled and the hard disk is shifted to the normal mode when detected is described.However, when the abnormality of the device is detected, the hard disk is shifted to the standby mode and the abnormality cancellation of the device is detected. In such a case, the standby mode may be canceled to shift the hard disk to a normal mode. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a printing system using a laser beam printer to which the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 502 denotes a host computer, which starts a word processing program such as a word processor stored in a storage device such as a hard disk (not shown), and stores graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) and the like. Execute mixed document processing. The information of the created document is converted into print information described in a predetermined printer language for printing by the color laser beam printer 501 by a printer driver program (not shown). This print information includes character codes, vector information, image information, and the like. The converted print information is sent to the interface 50.
3 is sent to the laser beam printer 501.

The laser beam printer 501 receives the print information sent from the host computer 502 and generates image information composed of dot data (bitmap data) based on the print information.
200 (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a “controller”), modulates a laser in accordance with image information sequentially sent from the video controller 1200, and scans the modulated laser beam on a photosensitive drum to form a latent image. Printer engine 1100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer” or “engine”) that performs recording by a series of electrophotographic processes of forming, transferring this to recording paper, and then fixing it.
May be written).

The laser beam printer 501 may be provided with a card slot (not shown) so that an optional font card or a control card (emulation card) having a different language system can be connected in addition to a built-in font.

The video controller 1200 and the printer engine 1100 are connected by an interface signal line 300 (called a video interface).

Hereinafter, these interface signals will be briefly described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the symbol "/" added to the signal name indicates that the signal is low active.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the laser beam printer 501 shown in FIG. 6, and the same components as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a / PPRDY signal is a signal sent from the printer 1100 to the controller 1200, and is a signal for notifying that the power of the printer 1100 is turned on and the printer 1100 is in an operable state.

The / CPRDY signal is a signal sent from the controller 1200 to the printer 1100, and is a signal notifying that the controller 1200 is turned on and the controller 1200 is in an operable state.

The / RDY signal is a signal sent from the printer 1100 to the controller 1200,
This signal indicates that the printer 1100 is in a state where the printing operation can be started or a state where the printing operation can be continued whenever the printer 1100 receives a / PRNT signal described later. For example, when it is impossible to execute the printing operation when the paper cassette runs out of paper or the like, this signal becomes “false”.

The / PRNT signal is a signal sent from the controller 1200 to the printer 1100, and is a signal for instructing the start of the printing operation or the continuation of the printing operation. Upon receiving this signal, printer 1100 starts a printing operation.

The / TOP signal is a synchronization signal in the sub-scanning (vertical scanning) direction, and is sent from the engine 1100 to the controller 1200. Controller 1200
By transmitting image data in the sub-scanning direction in synchronization with this signal, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the paper in synchronization with the paper in the sub-scanning direction.

The / LSYNC signal is used for main scanning (horizontal scanning).
A direction synchronization signal, which is sent from the engine 1100 to the controller 1200.

The / VDO signal is an image signal sent from the controller 1200 to the engine 1100, and the engine 1100 turns on / off the laser in response to this signal.
Turn OFF.

The / STS signal is a signal used when transmitting “status” from the printer 1100 to the controller 1200. “Status” is a serial signal composed of 8 bits.
The printer 1100 informs the controller 1200 of various states of the printer 1100, such as a wait state in which the temperature of the fixing unit has not yet reached a printable temperature, a paper jam state, or a paper cassette absence state. Information. A / CCLK signal described later is used as a synchronization signal when transmitting this signal.

The / SBSY signal is output from the printer 1100 to the /
“Status” is controlled by the controller 1 using the STS signal line.
This is a signal for indicating to the controller 1200 that the signal is being transmitted to the controller 200.

The / CMD signal is a signal used when transmitting a “command” from the controller 1200 to the printer 1100. The “command” is an 8-bit serial signal. For example, the controller 1200 instructs the printer 1100 to determine whether the paper feed mode is a paper feed mode from a cassette or a paper feed mode from a manual feed slot. Instruction information for giving an instruction. This signal will be described later as a synchronization signal for transmission.
The CCLK signal is used.

The / CBSY signal is output from the controller 1200
Sends a “command” to the printer 11 using the / CMD signal line.
00 is a signal for indicating to the printer 1100 that the data is being transmitted to the printer 1100.

The / CCLK signal is a synchronizing pulse signal for the printer 1100 to capture a “command” or for the controller 1200 to capture a “status”, and is output from the controller 1200.

Next, an image forming process in the printer 1100 will be described.

In the video controller 1200, 1
A host interface 201 communicates with the host computer 502 and receives the print information.

A CPU 1202 controls the entire video controller 1200. 1203 is a ROM, C
A control program for the PU 1202, font data, and the like are stored. Reference numeral 1204 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1202;
An image memory 1205 for storing image information for one page of printing generated by a drawing circuit 1206 described later is included. The RAM 1204 is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an additional port (not shown). The image memory 1205 has a capacity to store bitmap data for one page of printing.

Reference numeral 1212 denotes a hard disk device in which programs and data required for processing are stored in advance, and these are read out at the time of initialization or in accordance with job processing. It is also used to temporarily store job data received from the host computer 502, to store temporary data when developing images, and to store images generated after developing images. Further, optional font data and the like are also stored.

Reference numeral 1206 denotes a drawing circuit, which has a function of analyzing print information sent from the host and generating image information composed of the bitmap data for printing.

Reference numeral 1211 denotes an output buffer register circuit.
It has a function of temporarily storing image information read from the image memory 1205 and converting the image information into a signal synchronized with an image signal cycle to be sent to the printer engine 1100 for each main scanning line.

Reference numeral 1207 denotes an image processing unit.
05 and output buffer register 121
The image information input through the CPU 1 is subjected to processing such as smoothing and the like, and is sequentially converted into a video signal to be sent to the printer engine 1100 and output.

A printer interface 1208 is an interface circuit with the printer engine 1100. An operation panel 1209 allows the operator to directly perform various settings for the printer 1100 and operations such as test printing by operating the operation panel. Data transfer between blocks in the controller 1200 is performed via a system bus 1210.

Next, the process of generating image information in the color laser beam printer will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the host computer 5
02 is sent from the video controller 120 via the host interface 1201.
0 and temporarily stored in the RAM 1204. Next, the print information is input to the drawing circuit 1206.

The drawing circuit 1206 develops outline font data stored in the ROM 1203 and develops a vector of graphics based on a character printing command, a graphic drawing command, and printing information such as an image read from a photograph. To create bitmap image information.

The bitmap image information created in this way is sequentially sent to the image memory 1205 and stored. These data are stored in the hard disk device 1212 as needed.

As described above, when the image information for one page is prepared in the image memory, the video controller 1200 sends the image information from the printer engine 1100 as described above.
If the RDY signal is "true", the / PRNT signal is set to "true"
Then, the printer engine 1100 is instructed to start a printing operation.

On the other hand, in the video controller 1200, the / PRNT signal is received, and in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal / TOP output from the printer engine 1100 at a predetermined timing, the video memory 1205 outputs the main scanning first line. Image information is sequentially read out and input to an image processing unit 1207 via an output buffer register circuit 1211. Here, smoothing processing for smoothing edges of characters and figures is performed, and
8 to the printer engine 1100 as a video signal / VDO.

In the printer engine 1100, the / VD
It is known that a semiconductor laser is turned on / off in response to an O signal, a latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum, toner is adhered to the latent image to make it visible, and the toner image is transferred to a recording paper and then fixed. The recording is performed by the electrophotographic process described above.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An operation performed when an abnormality such as a paper jam or a paper outage occurs in the printer engine 1100 during the above-described recording operation will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the second control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In the case where an abnormality such as a paper jam or a paper outage occurs in the printer engine 1100 during the above-described recording operation. 7 is executed by the CPU 1202 shown in FIG. 7 based on a program stored in the ROM 1203, the hard disk 1212, or another storage medium (not shown). Note that S
Reference numerals 801 to S804 indicate each step.

When the above-mentioned abnormality occurs, the printer engine 1100 starts the / STS of the video interface 300.
The signal informs the video controller 1200 of the abnormality and sets the / RDY signal to "false" to stop the printing operation.

In step S801, when controller 1200 receives the abnormal status signal from engine 1100, controller 1200 sets hard disk drive 1212 in standby mode in step S802. Here, the standby mode of the hard disk is a function of stopping the rotation of the motor and retracting the head to a place safe against impact, and is a mode strong against impact when the hard disk is not operating.

This transition to the standby mode is performed by the CPU
A motor (not shown) for rotating each disk (not shown) provided in the hard disk device 1212 is stopped according to an instruction (standby mode instruction) from 1202,
The standby mode is released (transition to the normal mode) by moving a magnetic head (not shown) to a predetermined retracted position, and a motor (not shown) for rotating each of the disks (not shown) is released. It is performed by driving and moving a magnetic head (not shown) to a predetermined position.

Next, when the cause of the abnormality is removed by removing the paper inside the machine or replenishing the paper by the operator, the engine 1100 releases the abnormal status signal.

In step S803, the controller 1200 waits until the abnormality status signal is released, and when it is confirmed that the abnormality status signal is released, in step S804, the hard disk is switched to the normal mode, and the abnormality may occur in the middle of the page. For example, when the / RDY signal of the engine 1100 becomes "true", the page data is resent to the engine 1100, and the printing operation is restarted.

In this embodiment, the case where the abnormal state of the printer is a paper jam or no paper is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. Is applicable.

In the present embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a laser beam printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied to an electrophotographic recording apparatus of a system, and further to a recording apparatus of another process system.

As described above, in an image recording apparatus incorporating a hard disk device having a mode resistant to impact, an abnormal state (paper jam state, paper absence state) of the image recording apparatus is detected, and the image recording apparatus is operated in accordance with the detection result. The hard disk device is changed to the shock-resistant mode.Furthermore, when it is detected that the hard disk device is no longer in an abnormal state, the printer is released from the hard disk device in the shock-resistant mode. Since the internal hard disk device is switched to the standby mode upon detection, the hard disk device can be protected from an impact generated when a user opens and closes a door or a paper cassette for processing.

[Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the hard disk is shifted to the standby mode when a shock may occur in the hard disk has been described. Is detected, the standby mode of the hard disk is released, and if there is no job to be processed at the end of the job, the hard disk may be shifted to the standby mode. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the third control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the standby mode transition processing for the hard disk 7 when the print job is processed by the formatter unit 6 Corresponds to one example. Note that this process is executed by the CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4 based on a program stored in the memory 124 or another storage medium (not shown). Steps S901 to S906 indicate each step.

At step S901, the apparatus is initialized. As described above, when the device is initialized, the hard disk 7
The program and the data are read from the memory. After that, the hard disk 7 is not used until a print job arrives at the computer interface unit 5.

Therefore, in step S902, the hard disk 7 is shifted to the standby mode (that is, the rotation of the hard disk 7 is stopped). Step S903
In the computer interface unit 5,
Check to see if a print job has arrived. If it is determined that it has not arrived, the processing is performed again from step S903.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S903 that the print job has arrived at the computer interface unit 5, the standby mode of the hard disk 7 is released in step S904 (that is, the standby mode is canceled).
The rotation of the hard disk 7 is started). Thereafter, the hard disk 7 stores the job data received by the computer interface unit 5, temporarily stores the image data at the time of development, reads data necessary for the development, stores the formed image data, and the like. If new job data arrives during these processes, job data can be stored in parallel. This job data is subjected to image development processing sequentially after the previous image development processing ends.

Next, step S905 and step S905
In step 906, it is checked whether or not the hard disk 7 is no longer used in the job processing (use of the hard disk 7 has been completed), and the presence of an unprocessed job (job to be subsequently processed).

If it is determined in step S905 that the use of the hard disk 7 has not been completed, or if there is a job to be subsequently processed in step S906 (still,
If it is determined that processing of all jobs has not been completed), the processing of steps S905 and S906 is repeated,
After it is determined in step S905 that the use of the hard disk 7 has been completed, and it is determined in step S906 that there is no job to be processed subsequently (processing of all jobs has been completed), the process returns to step S902, and the hard disk 7 to the standby mode.

In the above description of the flowchart, when the arrival of the print job to the computer interface unit 5 is detected, the standby mode of the hard disk is released, and
When there is no print job to be processed at the end of the print job, the case where the hard disk is shifted to the standby mode has been described. In addition to the arrival of the print job in the computer interface unit 5, the facsimile job in the facsimile unit 4 In the reception of the job and the processing in the image memory unit 8, when the occurrence of a job is detected, the standby mode of the hard disk is released, and when there is no job to be processed at the end of the job, the hard disk is shifted to the standby mode. It is self-evident that it can be applied to

Also, in the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which, in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk, the transition / cancellation of the hard disk to the standby mode is controlled based on detection of the occurrence and completion of a job. Not only in the image forming apparatus but also in an information processing apparatus having a hard disk (for example, a personal computer or a workstation), the shift / cancellation of the hard disk to the standby mode is controlled based on detection of occurrence and end of a job for accessing the hard disk. It is also possible to configure so that

As described above, according to the present invention, when the occurrence of a job is detected, the standby mode of the hard disk is released, and when the end of the job processing is detected, if there is no job to be continuously processed, the standby mode is immediately started. An instruction to shift to F is issued. Also, in a normal facsimile or printer, there should be some time from when a job is detected until the hard disk needs to be used, and when the job is not being processed, the hard disk should be hardly used. I use.

As described above, by efficiently shifting to the standby mode while suppressing a decrease in the throughput of the image forming apparatus, a decrease in the life of the hard disk can be reduced.

[Fourth Embodiment] In the third embodiment,
The configuration for controlling the transition / cancellation of the hard disk to the standby mode based on the detection of the occurrence and the end of the job has been described. However, the image forming apparatus determines that it is time to replace the hard disk based on the cumulative operation time of the hard disk. You may comprise so that it may display on the operation part 115.
Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, it is determined that the time for replacing the hard disk has arrived based on the total operating time of the hard disk. This corresponds to an example of processing to be displayed on the operation unit 115 of the forming apparatus. Note that this process is executed by the CPU 123 shown in FIG. 4 based on a program stored in the memory 124 or another storage medium (not shown). Also, S1001-S
1003 shows each step.

First, in step S1001, the total use (operation) time of the hard disk 7 is checked (details will be described later).

In step S1002, the cumulative use time is compared with the replacement time set in advance in the nonvolatile memory in the memory 124 to determine whether the replacement time has been reached. If it is determined that the hard disk 7 has reached the replacement time, in step S1003, the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 115 displays that the replacement time has reached, notifies the user, and ends this task.

The cumulative use time in step S1001 is calculated from the elapsed time from the date of manufacture (for example, stored in the hard disk at the time of factory shipment) read out from the hard disk 7 by the CPU 123. Even when the hard disk 7 is energized, it is calculated (accumulated) by the CPU 123 when the power supply time of the hard disk 7 is accumulated (at a predetermined timing, for example, when the power of the hard disk is turned off).
Even if it is calculated from (stored (updated) in a non-volatile memory in the memory 124),
Of the motor rotation time (calculated (accumulated) by the CPU 123 at a predetermined timing, for example, when the motor rotation of the hard disk is stopped, and stored (updated) in the nonvolatile memory in the memory 124). Good.

After this, after the hard disk 7 is replaced, it is necessary to initialize the cumulative time of the hard disk 7 (when the cumulative usage time is calculated from the cumulative power-on time or the cumulative motor rotation time).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the fact that the hard disk 7 has reached the replacement time is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 115. PC / WS10 connected via a network
You may comprise so that it may display on the screen (not shown) above.

As described above, it is possible to calculate the hard disk replacement time and notify the user or the like of the time.

[Fifth Embodiment] In the fourth embodiment,
Based on the total use (operation) time of the hard disk 7,
The configuration in which the user is notified that the replacement time of the hard disk 7 has come has been described. However, regarding the hard disk 7 connected to the formatter unit 6, after determining that the replacement time of the hard disk 7 has passed, the hard disk 7 is You may comprise so that it may transfer to the operation mode which is not used. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of the formatter section 6 of the image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes an interface (I
/ F) is a part for exchanging data and commands with the core unit 9. A CPU 602 exchanges data and commands with the core unit 9, converts code data into bitmap data, and the like.

Reference numeral 603 denotes a hard disk controller.
Control of the hard disk 7 and input / output of data are performed according to instructions from the CPU 602. 604 is a memory,
The CPU 602 stores the program to be executed, and is used as a temporary storage at the time of processing by the CPU 602.

The hard disk 7 has an execution program,
Character data is stored. Also, the CPU 602
When the storage capacity of the memory 604 becomes insufficient during the processing in step, data that is not frequently used is transferred from the memory 604 to the hard disk 7 and used as temporary storage.
Further, the bitmap data generated by the CPU 602 is temporarily stored in the hard disk 7 because of its large data size.

In the present embodiment, after the time to replace the hard disk 7 is determined, the operation is changed so that the hard disk 7 is not used as much as possible. The determination of the replacement time of the hard disk 7 is assumed to be the same as the determination described in the fourth embodiment.

As described above, the normal hard disk 7
Is used to temporarily store the bitmap data until the data is transferred to the core unit 9. However, the bitmap data is not temporarily stored, and is stored in the memory 604 until the data is transferred to the core unit 9. The CPU 602 changes the role of the hard disk 7 so that

Normally, the hard disk 7 is
4 is also used as temporary storage when the storage capacity of the hard disk 7 runs short, but the CPU 602 plays the role of the hard disk 7 so that the hard disk 7 is not used as temporary storage when the storage capacity of the memory 604 runs short. change.

With these changes, the frequency of use of the memory 604 is increased, and the memory use efficiency is reduced, so that the processing performance of the formatter unit 6 is reduced. However, the hard disk 7 is hardly used. Thus, the possibility of failure of the hard disk 7 can be reduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, the total of the motor rotation time of the hard disk is calculated, and when the total time becomes a certain value or more, the user and the service person are notified that the hard disk replacement time has come. . Then, the operation is changed so that the hard disk maintains the polar standby mode.

As described above, it is possible to calculate the replacement time of the hard disk and notify the user or the like of the replacement time.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, an image forming apparatus having a hard disk has been described as an example. However, not only an image forming apparatus but also an information processing apparatus having a hard disk (for example, a personal computer or a workstation) may be used. Etc.), based on the total operating time of the hard disk, notifies the user that the hard disk replacement time has come, or determines that the hard disk replacement time has passed, and then shifts to an operation mode in which the hard disk is not used as much as possible. You may make it.

As described above, the hard disk replacement time is calculated, and after the replacement time, the mode is shifted to a mode in which the hard disk is less frequently used. The possibility of doing this can be reduced.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the printer unit (printer engine) is of a laser beam system has been described as an example. However, in an electrophotographic system (for example, an LED system) other than the laser beam system, a liquid crystal shutter system may be used. The present invention is applicable to ink jet systems, thermal transfer systems, sublimation systems, and other printing systems.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, the program is An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data subordinate to various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network using a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0181]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the inventions of claims 5, 18, and 23, when it is detected that the movable part has started to move, the hard disk is changed to the mode resistant to the impact, and the movable part is returned to the original position. After the detection, the hard disk is released from the strong mode against the impact, so if there is a possibility that the hard disk may be impacted artificially, the hard disk is set to the standby mode before the impact occurs, and This produces effects such as the ability to protect the hard disk.

According to the sixth to ninth, nineteenth, and twenty-fourth inventions, the abnormal state of the image forming apparatus main body is detected, and the hard disk is changed to the shock-resistant mode based on the detection result. The internal hard disk drive is switched to the standby mode by detecting an abnormal state of the printer such as paper or paper out, so that the hard disk drive can be protected from the shock caused by the user opening and closing the door and paper cassette for processing. Has the effect of

According to the tenth, twelfth, twentieth and twenty-fifth inventions, when it is detected that the job data has arrived, the rotation of the hard disk is started, and after the predetermined processing is completed, the hard disk is started. Since the rotation is stopped, it is possible to reduce the life of the hard disk by effectively shifting to the standby mode while suppressing a decrease in the throughput of the apparatus.

According to the thirteenth to sixteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-sixth inventions, the hard disk replacement time is calculated, and when the hard disk replacement time has passed, it is notified that the hard disk replacement time has come. It is possible to calculate the replacement time of the hard disk and notify the user or the like of the time.

According to the seventeenth, twenty-second, and twenty-seventh inventions, when the time for replacing the hard disk has passed, the operation is changed so as to reduce the frequency of use of the hard disk. By shifting to the mode of lowering the frequency, it is possible to expect effects such as a reduction in the possibility that the hard disk will fail before the hard disk is replaced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a structure of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a reader unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a printing system using a laser beam printer to which an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the laser beam printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a formatter unit of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output control part 4 Facsimile part 5 Computer interface part 6 Formatter part 7 Hard disk 8 Image memory 9 Core part 10 Computer equipment (PC / WS) 123 CPU 124 Memory 101 Original feeder 204,205 Paper cassette

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP03 DF01 DF24 HJ07 HJ10 HK20 HQ21 HV01 HV32 2H027 DA26 DA38 DA45 DA50 DC14 DC18 DC19 ED30 GB11 HA01 HB01 HB02

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a hard disk having a mode resistant to an impact when not in operation; and a movable unit having a possibility of applying an impact to the hard disk artificially. Detecting means for detecting that the moving part has started moving and returning to the original position; and when the detecting means detects that the movable part has started moving, the hard disk is changed to a mode resistant to the impact. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode changing unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mode change unit detects that the movable unit has returned to an original position.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hard disk is released from a mode resistant to said impact. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable section is a document table cover. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable unit is a paper cassette that can be opened and closed when supplying paper. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movable portion is a door that can be opened and closed when a paper jam occurs. 6. An image forming apparatus incorporating a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact, comprising: detecting means for detecting an abnormal state of the main body of the image forming apparatus; and detecting the impact of the hard disk on the basis of a result of the detecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mode changing unit that changes to a strong mode. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mode change unit cancels the hard disk shock-resistant mode after the detection unit detects that the hard disk is no longer in an abnormal state. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the abnormal state is a paper jam state. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the abnormal state is a paper-out state. 10. A receiving means for receiving job data from the outside via a predetermined communication medium, a converting means for converting the job data received by the receiving means into image data, a job data received by the receiving means, In an image forming apparatus having a hard disk capable of storing the image data converted by the conversion unit, a detection unit that detects that the job data has arrived at the reception unit, and that the job data has arrived by the detection unit. When detecting the start of rotation of the hard disk,
An image forming apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling rotation of a motor of the hard disk so as to stop rotation of the hard disk after predetermined processing is completed. 11. The control unit controls the motor rotation of the hard disk so as to stop the rotation of the hard disk after all the conversion of the job data is completed by the conversion unit. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control means controls the motor rotation of the hard disk so as to stop the rotation of the hard disk after the use of the hard disk is completed by the conversion means. Image forming device. 13. An image forming apparatus having a hard disk, wherein replacement time calculating means for calculating replacement time of the hard disk, and notifying that the replacement time of the hard disk has come when the replacement time of the hard disk has passed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a notifying unit. 14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said replacement time calculating means calculates a replacement time of said hard disk based on an elapsed time from a date of manufacture of said hard disk. 15. The replacement time calculating means calculates the replacement time of the hard disk based on the cumulative power-on time of the hard disk.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said replacement time calculating means calculates the replacement time of said hard disk based on the cumulative motor rotation time of said hard disk. 17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising control means for changing the operation of the hard disk so that the usage frequency of the hard disk is reduced when the time for replacing the hard disk has passed. 18. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a hard disk having a mode resistant to an impact when not in operation; and a movable unit having a possibility of applying an impact to the hard disk artificially. A first detection step of detecting that the movable section has begun to move, and a mode change step of changing the hard disk to a mode resistant to the impact when detecting that the movable section has started to move, A second detection step of detecting that the movable section has returned to the original position, and after detecting that the movable section has returned to the original position,
A mode releasing step of releasing a mode resistant to the impact on the hard disk. 19. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact, comprising: a detecting step of detecting an abnormal state of a main body of the image forming apparatus; A mode changing step of changing the mode to a mode that is more robust to the image forming apparatus. 20. Receiving means for receiving job data from outside via a predetermined communication medium, converting means for converting the job data received by the receiving means into image data, job data received by the receiving means, In a control method of an image forming apparatus having a hard disk capable of storing image data converted by the conversion unit, a detection step of detecting that job data has arrived at the reception unit; and A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a start step of starting rotation of the hard disk when the detection is detected; and a stop step of stopping rotation of the hard disk after predetermined processing is completed. 21. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus having a hard disk, comprising: a replacement time calculating step of calculating a replacement time of the hard disk; and, when the replacement time of the hard disk has passed, it is time to replace the hard disk. And a notifying step of notifying the control of the image forming apparatus. 22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising a changing step of changing an operation of the hard disk after the replacement time of the hard disk has passed, so as to reduce the use frequency of the hard disk. . 23. An image forming apparatus comprising: a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact when not in operation; and a movable portion capable of applying an impact to the hard disk artificially. A first detection step of detecting that the movable portion has started, and a mode change step of changing the hard disk to a mode resistant to the impact when detecting that the movable portion has started to move; A second detection step of detecting that the movable portion has returned to the original position, and after detecting that the movable portion has returned to the original position,
A mode release step of releasing the hard disk from the mode resistant to the impact; and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the program. 24. A detecting step of detecting an abnormal state of a main body of an image forming apparatus in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk having a mode resistant to impact, and setting the hard disk to a mode resistant to the impact based on the detection result. And a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program for executing a mode change step of changing the mode to a program. 25. A receiving means for receiving job data from the outside via a predetermined communication medium, a converting means for converting the job data received by the receiving means into image data, A detecting step of detecting that job data has arrived at the receiving unit in an image forming apparatus having a hard disk capable of storing the image data converted by the converting unit, and detecting that the job data has arrived. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a start step of starting rotation of the hard disk; and a stop step of stopping rotation of the hard disk after predetermined processing is completed. 26. An image forming apparatus having a hard disk, a replacement time calculating step of calculating a replacement time of the hard disk, and notifying that the hard disk replacement time has come when the hard disk replacement time has passed. A storage medium storing a program for executing the notification step and a computer in a readable manner. 27. The storage medium according to claim 26, further comprising a changing step of changing an operation of the hard disk when the replacement time of the hard disk has passed, so that the usage frequency of the hard disk is reduced.