JP2004214975A - Composite image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make preferentially performable an image formation process relating to a function required by a user among the respective functions to the end. <P>SOLUTION: A composite image formation device is provided with a printing permission management means capable of respectively arbitrarily setting printing permission numbers Kc, Kf and Kp for the respective functions for two or more kinds of input image data for the respective functions as the printing permission number in a toner alarm period and permitting the image formation process for the respective functions over the two or more kinds of the printing permission numbers Kc, Kf and Kp for the respective functions. Even in the case that image output relating to the function of low priority for which the printing permission number for the respective functions is set small is inhibited, by permitting the image output relating to the function of high priority for which the printing permission number for the respective functions is set large, the image output relating to the function of the high priority is continued and the output of the function important to the user is secured. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a composite image forming apparatus including a plurality of types of image data capturing units.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a composite image forming apparatus capable of executing a plurality of types of image forming processes such as a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function by function has been widely used. The composite image forming apparatus includes a plurality of types of functional image data capturing units having different functional configurations, such as a scanner device and an external receiving device, and a plurality of functional image data capturing units through the functional image data capturing units. The image forming process is executed in the print recording unit for each function based on the type of input image data for each function.
[0003]
The image forming process at that time is performed using the toner stored in the toner storage unit, but if a sufficient amount of toner is not stored in the toner storage unit, a defect such as white spots may occur in the formed image. I do. Therefore, the toner remaining amount in the toner storage section is configured to be detected by the toner remaining amount detecting means, and the image forming step is performed when the toner remaining amount detected by the toner remaining amount detecting means falls below the reference value. A non-permission process for interrupting or prohibiting the execution of the print job is performed by the print permission management unit. However, if the non-permission processing is performed immediately after detecting that the remaining amount of the toner is low, the apparatus cannot be used at all until the preparation of the toner for replacement and replenishment is completed. An image forming process has been developed in which an image forming process for a predetermined number of printable sheets is permitted by a print permission management unit from when the remaining amount of toner falls below a reference remaining amount value.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the frequency and importance of the functions to be used are different for each user, but in spite of this, the conventional print permission management means detects a small amount of the remaining amount of toner based on one of the functions. When a certain number of image forming steps have been executed, subsequent image forming steps are prohibited irrespective of the above-mentioned function frequency and importance for each user. For example, if a user waiting for reception of an important facsimile uses a large number of copies immediately before use by another user, if the immediately preceding copy immediately inhibits the entire image forming process, This may lead to a situation where an important facsimile received image cannot be output.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite image forming apparatus capable of performing an image forming apparatus process relating to a function required by a user among functions in a priority order to the end.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of types of image data capturing units having different functional configurations and a plurality of image data capturing units through the respective image data capturing units are provided. Image forming means for performing an image forming process for each function based on the type of input image data for each function, and toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in a toner storage unit storing toner supplied to the image forming means And a print permission management means for permitting the image forming process in the image forming means by a preset print permission number during a toner warning period in which the remaining toner amount detected by the toner remaining amount detection means is lower than the reference remaining amount value. Wherein the print permission management unit determines the plurality of types of print permission sheets as the number of print permitted sheets during the toner warning period. The Function print permission number for each capacity by input image data to be set respectively, which over a plurality of types of function-specific print permission number of sheets minutes has a function to allow the image forming process by function.
[0007]
In the composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the image output related to the low-priority function in which the number of printable sheets for each function is set to be small is prohibited, the print permission for each function is prohibited. Since the image output for the high-priority function whose number is set to be large is permitted, the image output for the high-priority function is continued, and the output of the function important for the user is secured. It has become.
[0008]
Further, in the composite image forming apparatus according to claim 2 of the present invention, the print permission management means in claim 1 counts the number of sheets subjected to the image forming process for each function-specific input image data, and a function-specific counter. Comparing means for comparing the count values in the function-specific counters, based on a result of the comparing means when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detecting means falls below a reference remaining amount value, A function is provided for automatically setting the permitted number of prints for each function.
[0009]
According to the composite image forming apparatus of the second aspect having such a configuration, the number of printable prints for each function is automatically set in accordance with the actual use frequency, and the output of functions important to the user is performed. Are automatically secured, so that the convenience of the composite image forming apparatus is further greatly improved.
[0010]
Further, in the composite image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention, the print permission management unit according to the first aspect includes a function when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit falls below a reference remaining amount value. It has a function to display another non-permission state or permission state.
[0011]
According to the composite image forming apparatus of the third aspect having such a configuration, the non-permission state or the permission state of each function is visually recognized, and the usability of the user is further improved. ing.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, the entire image forming apparatus includes a print recording engine unit 100 that executes each operation of image formation, and a controller unit 200 that controls various operations in the print recording engine unit 100. Various control signals from a control processing unit 201 provided in the controller unit 200 are sent to the print recording engine unit 100.
[0013]
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201a of a control processing unit 201 provided inside the controller unit 200 includes a ROM 201b in which various control programs such as a print permission management unit described later are stored, and a ROM 201b during execution of the control program. The RAM 201c for temporarily storing various data is connected to the RAM 201c. Three types of image data capturing units 202a, 202b, and 202c having different configurations are connected to the control processing unit 201, respectively. Have been.
[0014]
The three types of image data capturing units in the present embodiment include a scanner unit (document reading device) 202a used for a copy (copy) function, a fax modem 202b for receiving image data from a telephone line network, and an external host. A printer interface 202c that receives image data from the apparatus is employed. Through each of these three types of image data capturing units 202a, 202b, and 202c, a plurality of types of function-based input image data are stored in the control processing unit 201. Is to be taken into. The function-specific input image data captured through each of these three types of image data capturing units 202a, 202b, and 202c is temporarily stored in an image memory 203 connected to the control processing unit 201.
[0015]
The control processing unit 201 is connected to a key input unit 204 that outputs an operation command signal, and is connected to a display unit 205 that displays an operation state of the apparatus and an operation message. The operation command from the input unit 204, the reception content from the fax modem 202b or the printer interface 202c, and the like are displayed on the display unit 205, and the input image data for each function obtained based on the operation command and the reception content. That is, after the above-described document read image data from the scanner unit (document reading device) 202a and the document reception image data from the fax modem 202b or the printer interface 202c are temporarily stored in the image memory 203, the controller unit The function accepted by the control processing unit 201 of 200 The order and priority of the input image data are considered as described later, and a video signal based on the function-specific input image data in an appropriate order determined by the controller unit 200 is sent to the print recording engine unit 100 side together with various control signals. It is sent out.
[0016]
At this time, the print recording engine unit 100 is configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example.
The function-based input image data and various control signals transmitted from the controller unit 200 are received and processed by the CPU 302 of the print recording engine unit 100 via the interface 301, and the laser scanner unit is operated in accordance with an output instruction from the CPU 302. The light modulation information 112 is emitted by the synchronous driving of the polygon mirror 111 of 110. The light modulation information 112 is imaged as a light spot on a photosensitive drum 121 as an image carrier provided in the process cartridge 120, and while the light spot is turned on / off, an axial direction of the photosensitive drum 121 ( An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the formed image is formed on the photosensitive drum 121 by reciprocating scanning in the main scanning direction). For the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 121, the toner stored in the toner storage container 122 a of the developing device 122 which is also provided integrally in the process cartridge 120 is controlled by the high-voltage controller 303. An unfixed toner image is formed by being supplied through the developing sleeve 123 by an underlying developing bias.
[0017]
On the other hand, on the lower side of the apparatus, recording papers P stored in a paper supply unit such as a paper supply cassette 130 are arranged, and the recording papers P in the paper supply cassette 130 are fed from a conveyance motor 304 to a paper supply clutch 305. The recording paper P is pulled out by a paper feed roller 131 which is driven to rotate through the recording paper P. When the front end of the recording paper P is detected by the TOP sensor 306, the above-described photosensitive drum is transported by the registration roller 132 at appropriate timing. The sheet is sent to a transfer area facing the drum 121.
[0018]
In the transfer area of the photosensitive drum 121, a transfer roller 133 is in contact with and arranged so as to contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The transfer roller 133 has a transfer bias under the control of the high voltage controller 303. Is applied, the unfixed toner image on the photosensitive drum 121 is electrostatically transferred onto the recording paper P by the transfer bias, and the trailing end of the recording paper P is detected by the paper discharge sensor 307. The image forming process for one page is completed. Further, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 121 after the transfer is separated so as to be scraped off by the sliding contact force of a cleaning blade 124 arranged so as to be in pressure contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and separated by the cleaning blade 124. The waste toner scraped off by the is stored in a waste toner storage unit 125 provided in the cleaning unit CU holding the cleaning blade 124.
[0019]
Further, the recording paper P carrying the unfixed toner by the above-described transfer operation is conveyed toward the fixing device 160 disposed close to and directly above the process cartridge 120. The fixing device 160 is provided with a fixing roller 161 and a pressure roller 162 as a heater, and performs a heat fixing operation under the temperature control of the fixing controller 308 by the fixing roller 161 and the pressure roller 162. As a result, the unfixed toner on the recording paper P is heated and melted, and as a result, the toner image is fixed and fixed on the recording paper P. The recording paper P on which the toner image has been fixed by such a heat fixing operation is discharged onto a discharge tray 170 at the top of the apparatus.
[0020]
Further, the remaining amount of toner stored in the toner container 122a of the developing device 122 is detected by a known toner remaining amount detecting device 400 as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, the antenna unit 401 is disposed so as to be embedded in the toner Tn so as to face the developing sleeve 123 of the developing device 122 described above. Is connected, and a capacitance detecting circuit 404 is also connected to a reference capacitor 403 supplied with a voltage from the power supply 126 of the developing sleeve 123. The capacitance output from the capacitance detection circuit 404 on the capacitor 403 side and the capacitance output from the capacitance detection circuit 402 on the antenna unit 401 side are compared by the comparator 405. Then, the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage container 122a is detected from the comparison result.
[0021]
The toner remaining amount detection signal from the toner remaining amount detecting device 400 is received by the CPU 302 of the print recording engine unit 100 described above, and the print permission management stored as a program in the ROM 309 connected to the CPU 302 is performed. By means, permission / non-permission of the image forming process in the print recording engine unit 100 is controlled as follows.
[0022]
That is, each time the image forming process for one page is completed, the print permission management unit executes the operation of detecting the remaining amount of toner using the above-described remaining toner amount detection device 400, and When a print end command for one page is notified from the print recording engine unit 100 to the control processing unit 201 of the controller unit 200, as shown in FIG. Is smaller than the reference remaining amount (step 51). If the remaining amount of toner is lower than the reference remaining amount and the toner warning period has started (Yes in step 51), the toner counter T is counted by 1 (step 52). If the remaining amount of toner is not less than the reference remaining amount (No in step 51), the toner counter T is cleared (step 53).
[0023]
In the print permission management means, each function (hereinafter referred to as a copy function, a facsimile function) for each of the above-described three types of image data capturing units, ie, a scanner unit (document reading device) 202a, a fax modem 202b, and a printer interface 202c. , Printer functions.), The number of permitted prints Kc, Kf, Kp for each function can be set arbitrarily. The print permitted sheets Kc, Kf, and Kp for each function are collectively selected as one combination from the assignment table shown in FIG. 6 based on the importance or priority for each user. I have. For example, when the user operates the key input unit 204 (see FIG. 1) to select the priority of each function in the order of the copy function, the fax function, and the printer function (COPY>FAX> PRINTER). Is the No. of the assignment table. No. 2 is selected, and the above-described print permission sheets Kc, Kf, and Kp for each function are set to Kc = 80 sheets, Kf = 60 sheets, and Kp = 30 sheets.
[0024]
After the setting of the number of permitted prints Kc, Kf, and Kp for each function is performed, a print prohibition process is performed by the print permission management unit as shown in FIG. In the print prohibition process, first, the value of the toner counter T (see FIG. 5) at the present time is compared with the print permitting number Kc for each function corresponding to the copy function having the highest priority (step 71). If T is greater than or equal to the permitted number of prints Kc by function related to the copy function (T ≧ Kc) (Yes in step 71), subsequent copy output and input of a new copy job are prohibited (step 71). Step 72). In response to the output prohibition command issued at this time, the print request command to the print recording engine unit 100 is stopped, and the image forming process by the copy function is immediately stopped. The remaining image data that could not be printed remains stored in the image memory 203, and the output of the remaining image data is resumed when the toner counter T is cleared after the toner is supplied next time. .
[0025]
On the other hand, if the current toner counter T is smaller than the print permitting number Kc for each function related to the copy function (T <Kc) (No in step 71), the copy output based on the subsequent copy request and Input of a new copy job is permitted (step 73).
[0026]
Next, the above-described toner counter T (see FIG. 5) is compared with the number of printable sheets Kf for each function corresponding to the fax function having the second highest priority (step 74). If it is larger than or equal to the permissible number of prints per function Kf (T ≧ Kf) (Yes in step 74), the fax output based on the subsequent fax request is prohibited (step 75), and the toner counter T at the present time is decremented. If it is smaller than the per-function print permitted number Kf for the fax function (T <Kf) (No in step 74), the fax output based on the subsequent fax request is permitted (step 76). If the fax output is prohibited (step 75), the reception of the fax function itself is continued, and the image data received at that time is stored in the image memory 203.
[0027]
Finally, the above-described toner counter T (see FIG. 5) is compared with the permissible print number Kp for each function corresponding to the printer function having the lowest priority (step 77). If it is greater than or equal to the permitted number of separate prints Kp (T ≧ Kp) (Yes in step 77), the subsequent printer output based on the printer request is prohibited (step 78), and the toner counter T at the present time is set to the printer function. If it is smaller than the permissible print number Kp for each function (T <Kp) (No in step 77), the printer output based on the subsequent printer request is permitted (step 79). The permission command at this time is also notified to the host that sends out the image data.
[0028]
The display operation when the priorities of the respective functions are set in the order of the copy function, the fax function, and the printer function is performed, for example, as shown in FIG.
First, in a normal standby state where printing can be performed for all functions when a printing request is made, the message window is kept blank as shown in FIG. When a detection signal indicating that the remaining amount of toner is lower than the reference remaining amount is notified from the detecting device 400 (see FIG. 4), a warning period starts, and as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Immediately after entering the warning period, printout of all functions is still possible.
[0029]
After giving such a printable warning period, if the image forming process is further executed by a print request of any of the copy function, the fax function, and the printer function, for example, when 30 or more printouts are performed. The value of the toner counter T described above exceeds the permissible number of prints per function Kp relating to the printer function having the lowest priority, and a message indicating that printer output has been disabled as shown in FIG. 8C is displayed. . Further, from this state, when 30 or more image forming steps are executed in response to a print request of either the copy function or the fax function, the print permitting number Kf for each function relating to the fax function having the next lowest priority is set to the toner counter T. Is exceeded, and as shown in FIG. 8D, a message indicating that both the printer output and the fax output are not performed is displayed. Further, from this state, if the image forming process of 20 or more sheets is executed by the print request of the copy function, the value of the toner counter T exceeds the print permission number Kc for each function related to the copy function having the highest priority. As shown in FIG. 8E, a message indicating that all the output is not performed unless the toner is supplied is displayed.
[0030]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when image output relating to a low-priority function in which the permitted number of prints by function is set to be small is prohibited, the priority is set such that the number of permitted prints by function is set to be large. If the image output for the high-priority function is permitted, the image output for the high-priority function is continued, and the output of the function important to the user is secured. Convenience has been greatly improved.
[0031]
Next, a print prohibition process by the print permission management unit according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 will be described.
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the basic priority of each function is set in the order of the copy function, the fax function, and the printer function. First, when a print end instruction for one page is notified from the print recording engine unit 100 to the control processing unit 201 of the controller unit 200, the current toner remaining amount detection in the print recording engine unit 100 is performed. If the remaining amount of toner is not lower than the reference remaining amount and the remaining amount of toner is sufficient (No in step 91), whether the image forming process performed immediately before is the copy function (step 92), It is determined in order of the fax function (step 93), and any one of the corresponding copy counter Bc, fax counter Bf, and printer counter Bp is counted up by one (steps 94, 95, 96). By detecting these function counters Bc, Bf, and Bp, the number of output sheets used for each function when the toner is sufficiently present, that is, the frequency of the apparatus, can be determined. When the toner is sufficiently present, the toner counter T is maintained at 0 (step 97).
[0032]
When the toner remaining amount falls below the reference remaining amount and the toner warning period is entered (Yes in step 91), first, when the toner counter T is 0 (Yes in step 98), that is, Is detected, the function counters Bc, Bf, and Bp are compared (step 99), and the priority is determined based on the comparison result. Then, based on the determined priority, one combination in the allocation table shown in FIG. 6 is selected, and the number of print-permitted prints Kc, Kf, Kp for each function is set (step 100). . For example, when the comparison results of the function counters Bc, Bf, and Bp are Bp, Bc, and Bf, when the comparison result is No. from the assignment table in FIG. A combination corresponding to 6 is selected, and 60 sheets are set as Kp, 30 sheets are set as Kf, and 80 sheets are set as Kp.
[0033]
At this time, if the main number of sheets is the same, a basic priority is selected. For example, if Bf> Bc = Bp, the copy function has a higher priority in the copy function and the printer function. Because the degree is high, the No. from the allocation table in FIG. A combination corresponding to 4 is selected, and 60 sheets are set as Kc, 80 sheets are set as Kf, and 30 sheets are set as Kp.
[0034]
In this way, after the setting of the number of print-permitted prints Kc, Kf, and Kp for each function corresponding to the actual use frequency, the function counters Bc, Bf, and Bp are returned to 0 ( Step 101), the toner counter T (see FIG. 5) is incremented by 1 (step 102), and the toner counter T is similarly incremented until the small amount of toner is released.
[0035]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the setting of the number of printable prints Kc, Kf, and Kp for each function is automatically performed in accordance with the actual use frequency, and the output of a function important to the user is automatically performed. As a result, the convenience of the composite image forming apparatus is greatly improved.
[0036]
Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it can be said that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. Not even.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention can arbitrarily set the number of printable sheets by function for each of a plurality of types of input image data by function as the number of printable sheets during the toner warning period. The print permission management means for permitting the image forming process for each function over the print permission number for each of the plurality of types of functions is provided, and the image output for the low-priority function in which the print permission number for each function is set to be small is prohibited. In this case, the image output for the high-priority function with the large number of printable sheets for each function set is allowed, so that the image output for the high-priority function is continued. Since the output is secured, the image forming process for the functions required by the user among the functions is completed until the end. Can be performed prior to, it is possible to significantly improve the convenience of the composite image forming apparatus.
[0038]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the composite image forming apparatus, wherein the print permission management unit according to the first aspect compares the number of sheets on which the image forming process has been performed with the count value for each input image data for each function, and By automatically setting the permitted number of prints for each function based on the comparison result when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining amount detection unit falls below the reference remaining amount, each function corresponding to the actual use frequency Since the setting of the number of printable sheets is automatically performed and the convenience of the composite image forming apparatus is further improved, the above-described effects can be further enhanced.
[0039]
Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composite image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the print permission management unit is adapted to perform a function when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit falls below a reference remaining amount value. By adopting a configuration for displaying another non-permission state or permission state, the non-permission state or permission state for each function is visually recognized, and the usability of the user is further improved. Can be further increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a structure of a control device including a print permission management unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a structure of a control device of a print recording engine unit that performs an image forming process.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the overall structure of a print recording engine unit that performs an image forming process.
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating an example of a toner remaining amount detecting device.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sheet counter using a detection signal from a toner remaining amount detection device.
FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of an allocation table of setting examples of a user's functional priority and a per-function print permitted number.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a print prohibition process operation by a print permission management unit.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating a display example on the display device during the print prohibition processing operation in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the print prohibition processing operation by the print permission management means.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 print record engine
110 Laser Scanner Unit
121 photosensitive drum
122 Developing device
122a Toner storage container
123 Developing sleeve
200 Controller
201 Control processing unit
201a CPU (central processing unit)
202a, 202b, 202c Image data acquisition unit
302 CPU (Central Processing Unit)
309 ROM (print permission management means)
P Recording paper
400 Toner remaining amount detection device
401 antenna unit
402, 404 Capacitance detection circuit
403 Reference capacitor
405 comparator
Tn toner counter
Kc, Kf, Kp Permitted number of prints by function

Claims (3)

A plurality of types of image data capturing units having different functional configurations,
Image forming means for executing an image forming process for each function based on a plurality of types of input image data for each function captured through each of the image data capturing units;
Toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner storage unit storing the toner supplied to the image forming means;
In a toner warning period in which the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit is lower than the reference remaining amount value, a print permission management unit that permits the image forming process in the image forming unit by a preset print permission number,
In the composite image forming apparatus provided with
The print permission management means can set the print permission number for each function for each of the plurality of types of function-based input image data as the print permission number for the toner warning period, and over the print permission number for each of the plurality of functions. A composite image forming apparatus having a function of permitting the image forming step for each function. The printing permission management unit has a function-based counter that counts the number of sheets subjected to the image forming process for each function-based input image data, and a comparison unit that compares count values in the function-based counter,
A function of automatically setting the number of printable sheets for each function based on the result of the comparison unit when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit falls below a reference remaining amount value. 2. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The print permission management unit has a function of displaying a non-permission state or a permission state for each of the functions when the remaining amount of toner detected by the remaining toner amount detection unit falls below a reference remaining amount value. The composite image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

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