JP2003011464A - Imaging apparatus and its controlling method and program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfy both the imaging performance and the durability of a printer engine under such a state as the feeding interval of recording sheet is longer than the time required for the recording sheet to move through the sheet path of the printer engine. SOLUTION: A controller 110 controls the timing for stopping (post- processing) a printer engine 300 after the last recording sheet being imaged in the imaging apparatus is discharged based on a time out value, being set arbitrarily from an operating section 150, after the last recording sheet being imaged in the imaging apparatus is discharged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input means for inputting image information, and an output means for outputting the image information input by the input means onto a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium. An image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit for feeding a recording medium to the output unit, and a post-processing unit for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after discharging all the recording media existing in the output unit The present invention also relates to a control method, a program, and a storage medium of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus has been provided with a bitmap, PDL input from an input unit such as a reader unit and a receiving unit.
The printer engine conveys image data such as image data and faxes on a recording sheet (recording medium) and forms an image on the recording sheet. However, the control unit of the conventional image forming apparatus does not perform image formation. In order to perform the process, the printer engine is once activated, and when it is not necessary to form an image, the printer engine is stopped.

That is, when the printer engine is not yet activated at the stage of feeding the recording paper, the printer engine is once activated to eject all the recording papers in the machine. If there is no recording sheet in the machine and there is no recording sheet to be fed next, the printer engine is stopped. This is to prevent the printer engine from deteriorating, such as toner scattering in the machine, deterioration of the photosensitive drum, and deterioration of the intermediate transfer member due to idle rotation of the printer engine.

As an image forming apparatus using such a system, there is, for example, JP-A-2000-71569.

[0005]

However, when the interval between recording sheets is longer than the sheet path in the printer engine, that is, when the next sheet is fed after the sheet in the machine is discharged, the above-mentioned conventional method is used. In the image forming apparatus described above, the printer engine is once stopped, and then the printer engine is restarted, and then the sheet is fed, so that there is a problem in that extra post-processing and pre-processing occur and the performance is deteriorated. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to output input image information on a recording paper fed from a paper feeding section and to output the recording paper. For the printer engine that ejects the paper to the outside of the machine, set the printer engine stop (post-processing) timing that is executed after the last recording sheet during image formation in the machine is discharged to the last Delay control is performed so that the time-out value is set after the recording paper is ejected, so that the recording paper feed interval is longer than the time it takes for the recording paper to move through the paper path of the printer engine. Even so, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, a program, and a storage medium that can achieve both image forming performance and engine durability.

[0007]

The first aspect of the present invention is an input means for inputting image information (reader unit 200 shown in FIG. 1, network controller 121 shown in FIG. 4).
An output unit (printer unit 300 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting the image information input by the input unit onto a recording medium that is fed and discharging the recording medium; and supplying the recording medium to the output unit. Paper feeding means (paper feeding unit 3 shown in FIG. 1
10) and post-processing means for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output means after ejecting all the recording media existing in the output means (control device 110 shown in FIG. 1 (CPU1 shown in FIG. 4
12)) and control means (control device 110 shown in FIG. 1 (CPU 112 shown in FIG. 4)) for delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means.

A second aspect of the present invention is a setting means for allowing a user to arbitrarily set a time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means (the operation unit 150 (see FIG. 1)). The engine stop delay time setting screen shown in 20)) is provided.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that storage means (DRAM 116 shown in FIG. 4) for storing the time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means is provided.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the input means is a reading device (reader unit 200 shown in FIG. 1) capable of sequentially reading a plurality of originals, or a receiving device for receiving an image formed externally. (Network controller 121 shown in FIG. 4) is included.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an input means for inputting image information, and an output for outputting the image information input by the input means on a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium. An image having means, a paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium to the output means, and a post-processing means for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output means after discharging all the recording media existing in the output means The method for controlling a forming apparatus is characterized by including a delay step (step S1403 in FIG. 15) for delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, input means for inputting image information, and output for outputting the image information input by the input means on a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium. An image having means, a paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium to the output means, and a post-processing means for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output means after discharging all the recording media existing in the output means The forming apparatus is caused to execute a delay step (step S1403 in FIG. 15) of delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an input means for inputting image information, and an output for outputting the image information input by the input means on a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium. An image having means, a paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium to the output means, and a post-processing means for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output means after discharging all the recording media existing in the output means A program for causing the forming apparatus to execute a delay step (step S1403 in FIG. 15) for delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

[0014]

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image input / output system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, a reader unit (reader device; image input device) 200 optically reads a document image,
Convert to image data. Further, the reader unit 200 is
Scanner unit 21 having a function for reading a document
0, and a document feeding unit 250 having a function of conveying a document sheet.

A printer unit (printer device, printer engine; image output device) 300 conveys recording paper, prints image data as a visible image on the recording paper, and discharges the recording paper outside the device. The printer unit 300 also includes a paper feeding unit 310 having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes, a marking unit 320 having a function of transferring and fixing image data on the recording paper, and outputting the printed recording paper to the outside of the machine. Paper discharge unit 330 having a function to perform, and a finisher unit (finisher unit) that performs staple processing and sort processing
And 500.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a control device, which is electrically connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, and further, via the network 400, host computers 9401, 94.
02 is connected. Further, the control device 110 is
The reader unit 200 is controlled to read the image data of the document, and the printer unit 300 is controlled to output the image data to a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as recording paper) to provide a copy function. Further, the control device 110 converts the image data read by the reader unit 200 into code data and sends the code data to the host computer via the network 400, and the code data received from the host computer via the network 400 as an image. A printer function of converting to data and outputting to the printer unit 300 is provided.

An operation unit 150 is connected to the control device 110 and is composed of a liquid crystal touch panel, and provides a user I / F for operating the image input / output system 100.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300 shown in FIG. 1. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 250 is the reader unit 200.
In the document feeding unit, the documents are fed one by one in order from the beginning onto the platen glass 211, and after the reading operation of the documents is completed, the documents on the platen glass 211 are discharged to the discharge tray 219.
To be discharged to. When the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the lamp 212 is turned on and the movement of the optical unit 213 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the document at this time is reflected by the mirrors 214, 21.
5, 216 and a lens 217 guide the image to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218. In this way, the image of the scanned original is read by the CCD 218. The image data output from the CCD 218 is transferred to the controller 110 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

In the printer unit 300, a laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322, and causes the laser emission unit 322 to emit laser light according to the image data output from the control device 110. The laser light is applied to the photosensitive drum 323, and the photosensitive drum 323 is exposed.
A latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed on the. Developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 323 by the developing device 324.

Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, recording paper is fed from any of the cassette 311, cassette 312, cassette 313, cassette 314, and manual paper feed stage 315, and is fed to the transfer section 325. 331
Thus, the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the recording paper. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is the conveyor belt 32.
6, the toner is conveyed to the fixing unit 327, and the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 327 fix the developer on the image recording paper. afterwards,
The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 327 is conveyed by the conveying paths 335 and 334.
Is discharged through. Alternatively, when the print surface is reversed and discharged, the recording paper is guided to the conveyance paths 336 and 338, the recording paper is conveyed in the opposite direction, and passes the conveyance paths 337 and 334.

When double-sided recording is set,
After passing through the fixing unit 327, the recording paper is guided from the conveyance path 336 to the conveyance path 333 by the flapper 329, and then the recording paper is conveyed in the opposite direction, and the flapper 329 conveys the conveyance path 338 and the re-feeding conveyance path 332. Be led to. The recording sheet guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 332 passes through the conveyance path 331 at the timing described above and is fed to the transfer unit 325.

Further, 500 is a finisher section, and the recording paper discharged from the transport path 334 is the finisher section 5
00, and is first sent to the buffer unit 501. Here, the recording paper conveyed according to the case is wound around the buffer roller and buffered. For example, when the processing such as stapling performed in the downstream takes a long time, the transport speed of the recording paper transported from the main body can be kept constant by using this buffer unit, which helps to improve the throughput. It is possible.

After that, the recording paper is paired with a pair of upstream discharge rollers 50.
2. The pair of downstream discharge rollers 503 discharges the stack tray (discharge tray) 507a.

In the staple mode, immediately after the upstream end discharge roller pair 502 conveys the trailing edge of the recording paper, it is pulled back by the knurled belt 504 and discharged to the staple tray 505.

After a predetermined number of recording sheets are stacked, the stapling unit 506 performs a stapling process, and the sheet is discharged onto a discharge tray 507a by a downstream discharge roller pair 503.

The discharge tray has two bins 507a and 507b, which can be moved up and down in conjunction with each other by a drive unit (not shown).

In FIG. 2, the discharge tray 507 is shown.
Although the recording paper is at the position where the recording paper is discharged to a, it is also possible to move it upward and discharge it to the discharge tray 507b.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation unit 150 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 600 denotes an LCD touch panel, and main mode setting and status display are performed here. 60
Reference numeral 1 is a ten-key pad for inputting numerical values 0-9. An ID key 602 is used when the department number and the secret code mode are input when the apparatus is managed by the department.

A reset key 603 is used to reset the set mode. A guide key 604 is for displaying an explanation screen for each mode. A user mode key 605 is used to enter the user mode screen. An interrupt key 606 is used to perform interrupt copy.

A start key 607 is used to start the copy operation. Reference numeral 608 denotes a stop key, which is for stopping the copy job in progress.

Reference numeral 609 denotes a soft power SW (power switch)
Then, when it is pressed, the backlight of the LCD 600 is turned off, and the device falls to the low power state. 610 is a power saving key,
Press this to enter the power saving state, and press it again to return from the power saving state.

611 and 612 are function keys,
It is for copying and shifting to a box.

In FIG. 3, the standard screen for copying is displayed, and by pressing another function key 612, the standard screen for each function is displayed.

An adjustment key 614 is for adjusting the contrast of the LCD touch panel. Reference numeral 615 denotes a counter confirmation key. By pressing this key, a count screen for displaying the total number of copies used up to that point is displayed on the LCD.

Reference numeral 616 is an LED indicating that the image is being stored in the image memory while the job is being executed, 617 is an error LED indicating that the apparatus is in an error state such as a jam or a door open,
A power LED 618 indicates that the main switch of the apparatus is ON.

<Description of Control Device> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control device 110 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 111 is a main controller, which is mainly composed of a CPU 112, a bus controller 113, and various I / F controller circuits.

CPU 112 and bus controller 113
Controls the operation of the entire control device 110,
The CPU 112 operates based on the program read from the ROM 114 via the ROM I / F 115. The program also describes the operation of interpreting PDL (Page Description Language) code data received from the host computer and decompressing it into raster image data.
Processed by software.

Further, the bus controller 113 is provided for each I / O.
It controls the data transfer to and from F,
It controls arbitration and DMA data transfer when bus contention occurs.

Reference numeral 116 is a DRAM, which is a DRAM I / F 11
7 is connected to the main controller 111 and is used as a work area for the CPU 112 to operate and an area for accumulating image data.

121 is a network controller (N
I / F12 in the network controller)
3 is connected to the main controller 111, and a connector 122 is connected to an external network.
PD input from PC9401, 9402, etc.
L data and the like can be received. Ethernet (registered trademark) is generally cited as a network.

The CPU 112 DRA-receives the PDL data received by the network controller 121.
It can be developed on M116 and output by the printer unit 300. Further, FAX data and the like received from a public line by a modem unit (not shown) can be output by the printer unit 300 under the control of the CPU 112.

Reference numeral 125 is a general-purpose high-speed bus, and an expansion connector 124 for connecting an expansion board and an I / O control unit 126.
And are connected. A general-purpose high-speed bus is generally a PC
I bus is given.

The I / O control unit 126 includes a reader unit 20.
0, Asynchronous serial communication controller 127 for transmitting / receiving control commands to / from each CPU of the printer unit 300
Are equipped with two channels and are connected to an external I / F circuit (scanner I / F 140, printer I / F 145) by an I / O bus 128.

The panel I / F 132 is connected to the LCD controller 131, and an I / F for displaying on a liquid crystal screen on the operation unit 150 and a key input I / F 130 for inputting a hard key or a touch panel key. Composed of and.

As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 150 has a liquid crystal display unit, a touch panel input device attached to the liquid crystal display unit, and a plurality of hard keys. The signal input by the touch panel or the hard key is transmitted to the CPU 112 through the panel I / F 132 described above, and the liquid crystal display section displays the image data sent from the panel I / F 132. The liquid crystal display section displays the function display, image data and the like in the operation of the image forming apparatus.

A real time clock module 133 is for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device, and is backed up by a backup battery 134.

Reference numeral 161 denotes an E-IDE interface (connector) for connecting an external storage device.
A hard disk or a CD-ROM drive can be connected via this I / F to write or read a program or image data.

Reference numerals 142 and 147 denote connectors, which are connected to the reader unit 200 and the printer unit 300, respectively, and are connected to the synchronized step serial I / F (143, 148) and the video I / F.
(144, 149).

Reference numeral 140 denotes a scanner I / F, which is a connector 14
The image is received from the reader unit 200, and is optimally binarized according to the contents of the processing in the subsequent process. The scanner bus 1 has a function of performing scaling processing of main scanning and sub-scanning, and a control signal generated based on a video control signal sent from the reader unit 200.
It also has a function of outputting to 41. Data transfer from the scanner bus 141 to the DRAM 116 is performed by the bus controller 1
Controlled by 13.

Reference numeral 145 denotes a printer I / F, which is a connector 14
7 is connected to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146, and is also connected to the main controller 111 via the printer bus 146. The image data output from the main controller 111 is subjected to a smoothing process to obtain the printer unit 30.
It also has a function of outputting to 0, and also has a function of outputting to the printer bus 146 a control signal generated based on the video control signal sent from the printer unit 300.

The transfer of the raster image data expanded on the DRAM 116 to the printer unit is controlled by the bus controller 113, and is DMA transferred to the printer unit 300 via the printer bus 146 and the video I / F 149.

<Description of Main Controller> FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main controller 111 shown in FIG.

401 is a processor core (CPU core; C)
PU), which corresponds to the CPU 112 shown in FIG. 4, and is connected to the system bus bridge (SBB) 402 via a 64-bit processor bus (SC bus).

The SBB 402 corresponds to the bus controller 113 shown in FIG. 4, is a 4 × 4 64-bit crossbar switch, and controls the processor core 401 as well as SDRAM and ROM having cache memory. It is connected to the memory controller 403 via a dedicated local bus (MC bus), and further has a G bus 404 as a graphic bus and a B bus 405 as an IO bus.
Connected to four buses in total. SBB4
02 is designed to ensure simultaneous parallel connections between these four modules as much as possible.
Further, the SBB 402 is a data compression / decompression unit (c
ode) 418 is also connected via a codec I / F.

The G bus 404 is a G bus arbiter (GB
A) 406 is cooperatively controlled and is connected to a scanner / printer controller (SPC) 408 for connecting to a scanner or printer.

The B bus 405 is cooperatively controlled by a B bus arbiter (BBA) 407, and the SPC4
08, a power management unit (power management unit; PMU) 409, an interrupt controller (IC) 410, a serial interface controller (SIC) 411 using a UART, a USB controller (USBC) 412, and a parallel interface controller using an IEEE1284 ( PIC) 413, LAN controller (LANC) 4 using Ethernet
14, LCD panel, keys, general-purpose input / output controller (PC) 415, PCI bus interface (PCI
C) It is also connected to 416.

Further, the PC 415 is connected to the operation panel 150 including the display panel and the keyboard shown in FIG.

<Explanation of Interrupt Controller> The interrupt controller 410 is connected to the B bus 405, integrates each functional block in the main controller chip and interrupts from the outside of the chip, and is supported by the CPU core 401. External interrupt,
And non-maskable interrupt (NMI). Each functional block includes a power management unit 409, a serial interface controller 411, a USB controller 412, a parallel interface controller 413, an Ethernet controller 414, a general-purpose IO controller 415, a PCI interface controller 416, and a scanner / printer controller 408.

<Description of Memory Controller> The memory controller 403 is connected to the MC bus, which is a local bus dedicated to the memory controller, and is a synchronous DRAM.
(SDRAM), flash ROM, and ROM are controlled.

<Description of System Bus Bridge> FIG.
6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system bus bridge (SBB) 402 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the SBB 402 includes a B bus (input / output bus) 405 and a G bus (graphic bus) 4
04, to provide interconnection between SC bus (processor local bus) and MC bus using a crossbar switch,
It is a multi-channel bidirectional bus bridge. With the cross bus switch, two systems can be connected at the same time, and high-speed data transfer with high parallelism can be realized.

The SBB 402 has a B bus interface 2009 for connecting to the B bus 405 and a G bus interface 2006 for connecting to the G bus 404.
A CPU interface slave port 2002 for connecting to the processor core 401, a memory interface master port 2001 for connecting to the memory controller 403, and a CODEC bus interface 2014 for connecting to the compression / expansion unit 418. Address switch 20 that connects the bus
03, including a data switch 2004 for connecting a data bus. Further, the cache invalidation unit 2005 for invalidating the cache memory of the processor core 401 is provided.

<Description of PCI Bus Interface> FIG. 5
The PCI bus interface 416 shown in (1) is a block that interfaces between the B bus, which is a general-purpose IO bus inside the main controller, and the PCI bus, which is an IO bus outside the chip.

<Description of G Bus Arbiter and B Bus Arbiter> The G bus arbiter 406 and B bus arbiter 407 shown in FIG. 5 will be described below.

The G bus arbitration is a central arbitration method and has a dedicated request signal and grant signal for each bus master. The G bus arbiter 406 can program a control method.

As a method of giving priority to the bus masters, all the bus masters have the same priority, and a fair arbitration mode in which the bus right is impartially given, and one of the bus masters is given priority, and the bus master is given priority. You can specify either of the preferred arbitration modes to use.

The B bus arbiter 407 receives a bus use request of the B bus 405 which is a general-purpose IO bus, and after arbitration, gives a use permission to one selected master.
It prohibits two or more masters from accessing the bus at the same time. The arbitration method has three levels of priority, and a plurality of masters can be programmably assigned to each priority.

<Description of Scanner Controller / Printer Controller> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner / printer controller 408 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the scanner / printer controller 408 is a block which is connected to a scanner and a printer by Video I / F and interfaces with the internal bus G bus 404 and B bus 405.
The scanner controller 4302, the printer controller 4303, and the G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI) 4301 (4301A, 4301B) are roughly classified as follows.
It is composed of three blocks. Hereinafter, they will be described in order.

Scanner Controller 4302 The scanner controller 4302 is a scanner and video I
It is connected by / F and performs operation control and data transfer control. G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI) 4301
It is connected to A via an IF bus, and data transfer and register read / write are performed.

Printer Controller 4303 The printer controller 4303 is a printer and a video I.
It is connected by / F and performs operation control and data transfer control. It is connected to the GBI4301B via an IF bus, and data transfer and register read / write are performed.

G bus / B bus I / F unit (GB
I) 4301 G bus / B bus I / F unit (GBI) 4301A,
Reference numeral 4301B is a unit for connecting the scanner controller 4302 and the printer controller 4303 to the G bus or the B bus, respectively. G bus / B bus I /
The F units (GBI) 4301A and 4301B include a scanner controller 4302 and a printer controller 43.
03 independently, and is connected to both the G bus and the B bus.

CP bus The CP bus is a bus for directly connecting the image data of the scanner and the printer and the synchronizing signal for horizontal and vertical synchronization.

<Description of Power Management Unit> The main controller 111 is a large-scale ASIC having a built-in CPU. Therefore, if all the internal logics operate at the same time, a large amount of heat is generated, and the chip itself may be destroyed. In order to prevent this, the main controller performs power management for each block, that is, power management, and further monitors power consumption of the entire chip.

This power management is performed by each block individually. Information on the power consumption of each block is collected in the power management unit (PMU) 409 as a power management level. PMU409
Then, the power consumption of each block is summed up, and the power consumption of each block of the main controller is collectively monitored so that the value does not exceed the limit power consumption.

Paper feeding control in single-sided image formation and double-sided image formation will be described below.

First, the conveying path of the recording paper in the single-sided image formation and the double-sided image formation will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8A is a diagram schematically showing a conveyance path of recording paper in the printer unit 300 of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8B is one-sided printability recording in the front surface discharge mode. It is a figure which shows typically the conveyance path of paper, and (c) is a figure which shows typically the conveyance path of the recording paper of single-sided image formation by back surface discharge mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a transport path for transporting a recording paper whose both sides are moldable. Note that, here, the description will be limited to the case where the paper is fed from the manual paper feed stage 315.

In the printer section 300, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Alternatively, a conveyance path 331 that extends from the cassettes 311 to 314 shown in FIG. 2 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer section 325.
And a conveying path 335 for conveying the recording paper on which the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the outside (paper discharge bin) through a fixing unit (not shown), and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323. To convey the recording paper on which the recording medium has been transferred to a conveying path 338 or a conveying path 333 through a fixing unit (not shown), and to discharge the recording paper guided to the conveying path 338 to the outside. Of the photosensitive drum 323 by guiding the recording paper guided to the transport path 331 to the transport path 331.
And a transfer unit 325, and a re-feeding conveyance path 332 for re-feeding.

First, in the case of single-sided image formation, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), first, the recording paper S fed from the manual paper feed stage 315 passes through the conveyance path 331 and then the photosensitive drum 3
23 and the transfer unit 325. Then, after the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred onto the surface of the recording sheet S, the recording sheet S is sent to the fixing section, and the toner image is fixed on the recording sheet S by the fixing section. The recording paper S on which the image is fixed is discharged to the outside (paper discharge bin or paper discharge processing unit) via the transport path 335.

Further, in the case of performing the rear sheet ejection, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (c), the recording sheet S after fixing has the conveyance path 33.
After being guided to the transport path 338 via 6 once,
The sheet is discharged via 37. As a result, the recording paper S is discharged to the outside on the back side.

In FIG. 8, the surface marked with Δ on the recording paper S indicates the image forming surface.

Further, in the case of double-sided image formation, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the recording paper S fed from the manual paper feed stage 315 passes through the conveyance path 331, and then the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer portion 3 are transferred.
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred onto the surface of the recording paper S and then sent to the fixing unit. The recording sheet S on which the image is fixed by the fixing unit is guided to the conveyance path 333 via the conveyance path 336 and then to the re-feeding conveyance path 332.

Here, when double-sided image formation is performed on a plurality of recording paper sheets, a predetermined number of recording paper sheets S are sequentially fed. When a predetermined number of recording papers S are fed, the recording papers on the re-feeding conveyance path 323 pass through the conveyance path 331 and the photosensitive drum 3
It is re-fed to 23.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9B, the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the re-fed recording paper, and the recording paper on which images are formed on both surfaces is discharged to the outside through the fixing unit. To be done. Next, the recording sheet S next to the sheet 323 for re-feeding conveyance path is re-fed.

In FIG. 9, the surface marked with Δ on the recording paper S is the surface on which the image is first formed, and the surface marked with a semicircular shape is due to re-feeding. The imaged surface is shown.

The paper transport operation described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 is controlled by the controller 110 shown in FIG. 1 incorporated in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing communication between the control device 110 and the printer device 300 shown in FIG.

First, when printing one page, the control device 110 requests the printer device 300 to make a print preparation request 9.
Issue 01. Upon receiving the print preparation request, the printer device 300 starts fixing device temperature control and pre-printing processing such as pre-rotation. After the pre-print processing is completed, the printer device 300 issues a print preparation status 902 to the control device 110.

Upon receiving the print preparation status 902, the control device 110 issues a paper feed execution request 903 to the printer device 300 in order to request the paper feed of the recording paper.

Upon receiving the print execution request 906, the printer device 300 starts feeding the recording paper and issues the paper feed result status 904 to the control device 110. When an error such as paper out occurs, the printer device 300 notifies the control device 110 of the error based on the paper feed result status.

Printer device 300 that has fed recording paper
Next, when the sheet reaches the predetermined position, the print start permission (print start preparation completion 905) is issued. Upon receiving the print start permission (print start preparation completion 905) from the printer device 300, the control device 110 issues a print execution request 906 to the printer device 300 at the time when the image formation is actually possible, Request formation and fixing.
Then, the IM is transferred between the control device 110 and the printer device 300.
AGE hardware signal synchronization 907 is performed, and image formation and fixing are performed.

When the recording sheet on which the image is formed has one side, the printer unit 30 is ejected from the apparatus at the timing of ejecting from the apparatus, or when the recording sheet has both sides, one side is completed (intermediate tray ejection).
0 indicates the print result status 908 to the control device 110.
To issue.

When the recording paper is ejected to the outside of the machine and there is no subsequent output image, the control device 110 issues a print end notification 909 to the printer device 300, and the printer executes the post-processing after printing. Request the device 300.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the data structure of the recording paper which is controlled in the control device 110, among the data structure in the control device 110 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1000 is a recording paper (paper),
The recording paper 1000 has originals, which are a front original 1001 and a rear original 1002, respectively.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a data structure for managing the paper feed / discharge scheduling in the control device 110 shown in FIG.

First, there are three types of data structures for managing the sheet feeding / discharging scheduling in the control device 110: sheet feeding execution request waiting 1100, sheet feeding result status waiting 1101, and printing result status waiting 1102.

First, the paper feed execution request waiting 1100 is shown in FIG.
Recording paper 10 waiting to issue the paper feed execution request 903 shown in FIG.
00 for managing paper feed execution request 903
The recording paper 1000 awaiting issuance is hung in a list (list structure).

Further, waiting for paper feed result status 1101
Is the recording paper 10 waiting to be issued with the paper feed result status 904.
00 is for managing the recording paper 1000, and the recording paper 1000 awaiting the issuance of the paper supply result status 904 is hanging.

Further, waiting for print result status 1102
Is the recording paper 10 waiting for the issuance of the print result status 908.
00, and the recording paper 1000 awaiting issuance of the print result status 908 is hanging in a list (list structure).

In the paper feed result status wait 1101, it is determined that there is at most one recording sheet 1000, so the paper feed result status wait 1101
The list structure need not be limited to.

When the recording paper 1000 hangs under the control of the paper feed execution request waiting 1100, the control device 1
10 determines that recording paper can be fed to the printer device 300, and starts paper feed scheduling.

Hereinafter, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, a paper feed / discharge control procedure in the control device 110 in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the first control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
This corresponds to the operation performed when the control device 110 shown in (1) determines that the recording paper can be fed to the printer device 300, that is, when the document is confirmed by the reader device 200 or the PDL. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 112 shown in FIG. 4 based on the DRAM 116 or a storage medium (not shown). In addition, S1201 to S1207 in the figure indicate each step.

First, in step S1201, the control device 1
No. 10 is in a standby state until a paper feed request can be issued. If a paper feed request can actually be issued, the process advances to step S1202, and the printer apparatus 300 has already issued a print preparation request 9
It is checked whether 01 has been issued.

If it is determined in step S1202 that the print preparation request 901 has not been issued yet, it means that the pre-print processing has not been performed, and the step S12
In step S <b> 1204, the control device 110 issues a print preparation request 901 to the printer device 300.
Proceed to. Then, the control device 110 that has issued the print preparation request 901 waits for the print preparation status 902 from the printer device 300, and after the control device 110 receives the print preparation status 902 from the printer device 300 (that is, pre-print processing of the printer device 300). Is completed, the process proceeds to step S1205.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1202 that the print preparation request 901 has already been issued,
Since it is not necessary to issue the print preparation request 901, the process advances to step S1205.

Next, in step S1205, as shown in FIG.
It is checked whether or not the recording paper 1000 exists on the paper feed result status wait 1101 shown in 2. If it is determined that the recording paper 1000 exists, the process is interrupted and the process proceeds to the next paper feed request waiting step S1201. On the other hand, the recording paper 100 is displayed on the paper feed result status wait 1101.
If it is determined that 0 does not exist, the process proceeds to step S
Proceed to 1206. This is to prevent the paper feed preparation request 901 and the paper feed preparation status 902 from being nested in each page.

Next, in step S1206, a paper feed execution request 901 corresponding to the leading paper on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100 is issued to the printer device 300, and the flow advances to step S1207.

In step S1207, a paper feed execution request 903 corresponding to the leading sheet of the recording paper 1000 on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100 is issued to the printer device 300, and the flow advances to step S1207 to enter the paper feed execution request 903. Wait for the feed result status of the corresponding recording paper 1000 11
The process proceeds to 01 and returns to step S1201 to wait for the next sheet feeding request.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing an example of the second control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
The operation corresponds to the operation performed when the control device 110 shown in (1) receives the paper feed result status 904 from the printer device 300. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 112 shown in FIG. 4 based on the DRAM 116 or a storage medium (not shown). In addition, S1301 to S1305 in the figure indicate each step.

First, the control device 110, the step S13.
In 01, the process waits for the paper feed result status 904 from the printer device 300. Printer device 30
Control device 1 that received paper feed result status 904 from 0
The process proceeds to step S1302, the recording sheet 1000 corresponding to the received paper feed result status 904 is changed from the paper feed result status wait 1101 to the print result status wait 1102, and the process proceeds to step S1303.

Next, in step S1303, the control device 1
In order to determine whether or not the next recording sheet can be fed, 10 checks whether or not the recording sheet 1000 exists on the sheet feed execution request waiting 1100, and if there is, a step S1304.
If not, the process returns to S1301,
It waits until the next paper feed result status 904 is received.

In step S1304, step S13 is performed.
According to the determination of 03, since the recording paper 1000 is present on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100, the control device 110 can determine that the next recording paper can be fed. Then, the paper feed execution request 9 corresponding to the leading paper 1000 on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100
03 is issued to the printer device 300, and step S130
Go to 5. In step S1305, step S130
In step 4, the recording paper 1000 that has issued the paper feed execution request 903 is transited to the paper feed result status wait 1101 and waits for the next paper feed result status 904.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an example of the third control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
The operation corresponds to the operation performed when the control device 110 shown in (1) receives the print result status 908 from the printer device 300. Note that the processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 112 shown in FIG. 4 based on the DRAM 116 or a storage medium (not shown). In addition, S1401 to S1405 in the figure indicate respective steps.

First, the control device 110 causes the step S140.
In No. 1, waiting for the print result status 908 from the printer device 300. Printer device 300
11 receiving the print result status 908 from the controller
For 0, the process advances to step S1402, the recording paper 1000 corresponding to the current print result status 908 managed on the paper feed result status wait 1102 is deleted, and the process advances to step S1403.

Then, in step S1403, the control device 110 controls the time specified by the user (see FIG.
8 to 20 until the engine stop delay time set by FIG. 20 elapses, and after that time elapses, step S
Proceed to 1404.

At step S1404, the controller 110 is activated.
Checks whether there is recording paper on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100, the paper feed result status wait 1101, and the print result status wait 1102. If it is determined that there is recording paper, the process directly returns to step S1401 and the next The print result status 908 is waited for.

If it is determined in step S1404 that there is no recording sheet 1000 on the print result status wait 1102, the process advances to step S1405 to issue a print end notification 909 to the printer device 300, and Start processing.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing the communication timing between the control device 110 and the printer device 300 shown in FIG. 1, particularly when the two-page original is continuously fed. The state of communication with the device 300 is shown. Hereinafter, description will be made in correspondence with the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, in step 1501, when the first page of recording paper is registered for the paper feed execution request waiting 1100, the process first proceeds from step S1201 to step S1202 shown in FIG. It is checked whether the preparation request 1510 has been issued, but since it has not been issued, the process advances to step S1203. In step S1203 shown in FIG. 13, the control device 110 issues a print preparation request 1510, and proceeds to step S1204,
Printing preparation status 1511 from the printer device 300
Wait for Upon receiving the print preparation status 1511, the control device 110 advances to step S1205, and checks whether or not there is a recording sheet on the paper feed result status wait 1101, but at this stage, the paper feed result status wait 11
Since there is no recording paper on 01, step S1206
Proceed to. In step S1206, a paper feed execution request 1512 corresponding to the leading paper of the recording paper 1000 waiting for the paper feed execution request 1100 is issued, and the process proceeds to step S1207.
The recording paper on the paper feed execution request waiting 1100 corresponding to the paper feed execution request 1512 issued in step S1206 is transitioned to the paper feed result status 1101.

Next, in 1502, consider the case where the second sheet of recording paper is registered for the paper feed execution request wait 1100. It should be noted that at the timing of this 1502, during the processing of the first page (step S120).
4 between step S1206). Since the process of waiting for the paper feed request is queued, actually after the step S1207 of the first page is finished, that is, 151
It will be implemented after 2 is issued.

First, steps S1201 to S1.
In step 202, it is checked whether the print preparation request 1510 has been issued to the printer device 300. Since the print preparation request 1510 has already been issued, the process advances to step S1205. In step S1205, it is checked whether or not there is a recording sheet on the sheet feeding result status wait 1101. Since the recording sheet corresponding to the first page already exists, the process proceeds to step S1201 and waits for the next sheet feeding request.

Next, in 1503, consider a case where the control device 110 is notified of the paper feed result status 1513 of the first page.

In step S1301 shown in FIG. 14, the process waits for the paper feed result status to proceed to step S1302. Waiting for the printing result status 1102 of the recording paper (here, the first page) corresponding to the feeding result status 1513
To step S1303. Step S1
In 303, it is checked whether or not there is a recording sheet on the sheet feeding execution request waiting 1100. However, since the recording sheet of the second page already exists, the process proceeds to step S1304, and the sheet feeding execution request 1514 of the second page is issued, Proceeding to step S1305, the recording sheet of the second page for which the paper feed execution request 1514 is issued this time is transited from the paper feed execution request wait 1100 to the paper feed result status wait 1101 and waits until the next paper feed result status.

Next, consider the case where the control device 110 is notified of the print result status 1515 of the first page at 1504.

Steps S1401 to S140
In step 2, the recording sheet for the first page is deleted from the print result status wait 1102. Next, in step S1403, the process stands by until the time designated by the user. Here, it is assumed that "0" seconds are designated. Next in step S14
04, wait for paper feed execution request 1100, wait for paper feed result status 1101, wait for print result status 1102
Check if there is a recording sheet in. Since the recording paper for the second page is still waiting for the print result status, the process advances to step S1401 to wait for the next print result, that is, the print result for the second page.

Next, consider a case where the control device 110 is notified of the print result status 1516 of the second page at 1505.

Steps S1401 to S140
In step 2, the recording paper for the second page is deleted from the print result status wait 1102. Next, in step S1403, the time designated by the user (see FIGS.
Wait until the engine stop delay time set by 0). Here, it is assumed that “0” seconds have been designated as in the above. Next, the process advances to step S1404, and it is checked whether there is a recording sheet in the sheet feed execution request wait 1100, sheet feed result status wait 1101, and print result status wait 1102. Since there is no recording paper after the second page, the process advances to step S1405 to issue a print end notification 1517 to the printer device 300 and cause the printer device 300 to perform post-processing.

The sequence in the case of continuous sheet feeding has been described above. However, when a plurality of images are combined as one image as in the reduction layout which is one of the copy functions, it takes time to develop such as PDL. However, it is not always possible to issue the next paper feed execution request immediately after the paper feed result status is notified. Further, when there is a space between sheets, after receiving the print result status of the previous page and issuing a print end notification to the printer device 300, a paper feed request for the next page is made, and a print execution request is issued again. There may be cases.

In particular, when a paper feed request for the next page is made immediately after the print end notification is issued to the printer device 300, a print preparation request is again issued to the printer device 300. 300 post-treatments,
Since pre-processing will be executed extra, performance may not be extremely improved.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing the communication timing between the control device 110 and the printer device 300 shown in FIG. 1, particularly when a paper feed request for the second page comes immediately after the print result status for the first page. Is shown. Note that FIG. 17A shows step S shown in FIG.
When the print end notification delay time (engine stop delay time set by FIGS. 18 to 20 described later) designated by the user 1403 is “0”, FIG.
The case where the time is delayed by the time designated by 610 is shown.

As shown in the drawing, at the timing of 1601, at the end of printing the first page in FIG.
The print end notification 1650 is issued to the printer device 300. On the other hand, in FIG. 17B, the print end notification 1651 is scheduled to be issued at the timing of 1603 in order to delay the time designated by 1610.

Next, it is assumed that a print request for the next page (second page) is made at the timing of 1602.

In this case, since the print end notification 1650 has already been issued in FIG. 17A, the print preparation request 16
It is necessary to issue 60. On the other hand, FIG. 17 (b)
Then, the time designated by 1610 (see FIGS.
Since the issuance of the print end notification is delayed by the engine stop delay time set by 0), the paper feed execution request 1661 can be issued immediately.

Therefore, in FIG. 17A, printing of all pages is completed at the timing of 1605.
In (b), printing of all pages is completed at the timing of 1604. The time indicated by the difference 1620 is shown in FIG.
In (b), printing can be completed earlier than in FIG. 17 (a).

A user interface for setting the delay time for stopping the printer engine in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a user mode setting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel 600 of the operation unit when the user mode button 605 shown in FIG. 3 is selected.

By selecting the user mode button 605 shown in FIG. 3, the user can set the delay time for stopping the printer engine.

On this user mode setting screen, various settings of the image forming apparatus can be made. The user sets the timer 2 to set the stop delay time of the printer engine.
When 201 is selected (pressed), the timer setting screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed.

FIG. 19 shows the timer setting 22 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the timer setting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel 600 of an operation part when 01 is selected.

In this timer setting screen, a plurality of time-related settings can be set. As shown in the figure, there are various items on the timer setting screen, and when the user selects (presses) the right button 2301 displayed as the engine stop delay time, the engine stop delay time setting shown in FIG. 20 is set. Move to the screen.

FIG. 20 shows the button 2301 shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the engine stop delay time setting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel 600 of the operation part at the time of selection.

From this dialog, the user can set an arbitrary printer engine stop delay time. First, the current setting is displayed on the engine stop delay time setting display field 2401. Here, “0” seconds, that is, the delay of stopping the engine is not performed.

When the user wants to increase the delay time, the button 2403 is pressed. When the user wants to decrease the delay time, the button 243 is pressed.
02 is selected, the delay time is changed, and the button 2405 is pressed when the delay time is set in the control device 110, and the button 2404 is pressed when the delay time is not set (setting is invalidated (cancelled)).

By pressing the button 2405, the time displayed in the engine stop delay time setting display field 2401 is set as an area for storing the printer engine delay time in the control device 110 (the DRAM 116 shown in FIG. 4 or a hard disk not shown). Other storage media) such as
The control device 110 determines the printer device 300 based on the value.
Control.

18 to 20, the configuration for setting the engine stop delay time from the operation unit 150 has been described, but an external device, for example, the PC 9401, 9 shown in FIG.
It may be configured to set from 402 or the like.

With the above configuration, when the distance between recording sheets is longer than the paper path in the printer engine, that is, when the next recording sheet is fed after the recording sheet in the machine is discharged, the conventional image In the forming apparatus, the printer engine is stopped once, and then the printer engine is restarted, and then the sheet is fed, which causes extra post-processing and pre-processing, but in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the printer engine is stopped. If the next recording paper feed is started within the delay time, the extra post-processing and pre-processing such as stopping and starting the printer engine will not occur, so the user will not be able to output the output result from the printer engine. You get less time, and you get better performance.

Further, by delaying the stop of the printer engine, toner scattering in the machine, deterioration of the photosensitive drum, and deterioration of the intermediate transfer member are likely to occur, but the delay time can be arbitrarily set by the user. It is also possible to use such a method that a user who wants to improve the performance rather than the deterioration of the printer engine delays the engine stop and a user who does not want the engine deterioration does not delay the engine stop.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the printer unit (printer engine) is a laser beam system has been described as an example, but an electrophotographic system (for example, an LED system) other than the laser beam system is also a liquid crystal shutter system. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus that performs a predetermined pre-treatment before printing, a predetermined post-treatment after printing, whether it is an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a sublimation method, or another printing method. it can.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus, the timing for stopping the printer engine is determined by the time-out value after the last recording sheet in the machine during image formation is ejected, and the time-out value is set by the user. By allowing the settings to be set arbitrarily, both image forming performance and engine durability are achieved when the recording paper feed interval is longer than the time it takes for the recording paper to move through the paper path of the printer engine. It is possible to provide the image forming apparatus.

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

FIG. 21 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.

Although not particularly shown, information for managing the program group stored in the storage medium, such as version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as the program, is stored. In some cases, an icon or the like for identification and display is also stored.

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

FIG. 13, FIG. 14 and FIG. 1 in this embodiment.
The function shown in 5 may be performed by the host computer by a program installed from the outside. In that case, the present invention is applied even when the information group including the 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. It is a thing.

As described above, the storage medium recording the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP of the system or apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by U) reading and executing 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, a hard disk, an optical disk, a 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.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above) performs a 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 in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that the processing includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it 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 apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

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

[0170]

As described above, according to the first and fourth to seventh aspects of the present invention, the input means for inputting the image information, and the image information input by the input means are fed. Output means for outputting onto the recording medium and discharging the recording medium; paper feeding means for feeding the recording medium to the output means;
And a post-processing unit for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after discharging all the recording paper existing in the output unit,
By delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means, when the paper interval of the recording medium is longer than the paper path in the printer engine (output device), that is, the next recording is performed after the recording medium in the machine is ejected. Even if a medium is fed, the output device is delayed from being stopped. Therefore, if the next sheet of recording paper starts to be fed within the delay time, extra post-processing such as stopping and starting the printer engine is performed. Since the pre-processing does not occur, the time when the user can obtain the output result from the printer engine is shortened and the performance can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the setting means is provided for the user to arbitrarily set the time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means. The start of post-processing for the output means can be delayed.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the storage means for storing the time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means is provided, the output means set in accordance with the usage pattern of the user is output. The delay control of the start of the post-processing can be easily reproduced.

Therefore, a user who wants to improve the performance delays the engine stop more than the deterioration of the printer engine such as the toner scattering in the machine, the deterioration of the photosensitive drum, the deterioration of the intermediate transfer member, and the user who does not want the engine deterioration. It is also possible to use it without delaying engine stop,
It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that achieves both image forming performance and engine durability in a state where the recording paper feed interval is longer than the time it takes for the recording paper to move through the paper path of the printer engine. There is an effect such as being able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image input / output system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing configurations of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control device shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a system bus bridge (SBB) shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a scanner / printer controller shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram schematically showing a conveyance path of recording paper in the printer unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a transport path for transporting a recording paper whose both sides are printable.

10 is a diagram schematically showing communication between the control device shown in FIG. 1 and a printer device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure of a recording paper, of which the paper feeding / ejection control is performed in the control device, among the data structure in the control device shown in FIG. 1.

12 is a diagram showing a data structure for managing paper feed / discharge scheduling in the control device shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a third control processing procedure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

16 is a timing chart showing communication timing between the control device shown in FIG. 1 and a printer device.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing communication timing between the control device shown in FIG. 1 and the printer device.

18 is a diagram showing a user mode setting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel of the operation unit when the user mode button shown in FIG. 3 is selected.

19 is a diagram showing a timer setting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel of the operation unit when the timer setting shown in FIG. 18 is selected.

FIG. 20 is an LC of the operation unit when the button shown in FIG. 19 is selected.
It is a figure which shows the engine stop delay time setting screen displayed on a D touch panel.

FIG. 21 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]

110 Control device (controller unit) 150 control panel 200 Reader device (reader unit) 300 Printer device (printer section) 400 LAN 9401 Host computer (PC) 9402 Host computer (PC)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP03 AR03 CK04 HJ04 HK19                       HN18 HQ20                 2H027 DA01 DA32 DA38 DC03 DC11                       DE04 DE07 DE09 EC06 EC10                       EC18 EC20 ED17 ED19 EE01                       EE02 EE07 EE08 EE10 EF11                       EF12 EF16 FA13 GA23 GA34                       GA47 GA54 GA56 ZA07                 2H072 AA17 AB12 BA12 BA13 CA01                       CA05 FC00 GA00 GA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting image information, output means for outputting the image information input by the input means onto a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium, and recording for the output means A sheet feeding unit for feeding a medium; a post-processing unit for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after ejecting all the recording media existing in the output unit; and a start of the post-processing by the post-processing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs delay control. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for allowing a user to arbitrarily set a time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing a time for delaying the start of the post-processing controlled by the control means. 4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes a reading device capable of sequentially reading a plurality of originals, or a receiving device for receiving an image formed externally. Image forming device. 5. Input means for inputting image information, output means for outputting the image information input by the input means onto a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium, and recording on the output means. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising: a paper feeding unit that feeds a medium; and a post-processing unit that performs a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after ejecting all recording media existing in the output unit, A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising a delay step of delaying the start of the post-processing by the post-processing means. 6. Input means for inputting image information, output means for outputting the image information input by the input means onto a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium, and recording on the output means. An image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit for feeding a medium and a post-processing unit for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after discharging all the recording media existing in the output unit, the post-processing unit. A program for executing a delay process for delaying the start of post-processing by. 7. Input means for inputting image information, output means for outputting the image information input by the input means onto a recording medium to be fed and discharging the recording medium, and recording on the output means. An image forming apparatus having a paper feeding unit for feeding a medium and a post-processing unit for performing a predetermined post-processing on the output unit after discharging all the recording media existing in the output unit, the post-processing unit. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing a delay process that delays the start of post-processing by.