JP2005164713A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which efficient image formation can be performed by reducing power consumption when receiving an instruction to perform image formation during a stand-by state in a power-saving mode for a fixing means. <P>SOLUTION: When the instruction to perform the image formation is received through an operation part in the power saving mode of the fixing part, a control part stops an image forming means from performing the image formation and accumulates the image data of a document read by a document reading means into an image data accumulating means until the count value of a counter reaches a predetermined value (S1 to S7). When the count value of the counter reaches the predetermined value (YES in S7), the fixing part is resumed from the power saving mode (S9), and the image formation is performed by the image forming part based on the image data accumulated in an HDD (S10 and S11). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and more particularly to control of an image forming operation when an image forming execution instruction is issued in a state where a fixing unit is in a power saving state.

Conventionally, in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, if an image forming operation is not performed for a certain period of time, the fixing apparatus for fixing the toner image on the recording paper is lowered to a predetermined temperature. Some have a power-saving mode for waiting (Patent Document 1). In the power saving mode, when the image forming execution instruction is input by the operation of the operation unit by the user in the power saving mode, the temperature of the fixing device is increased until the temperature rises to a temperature necessary for fixing the toner image on the recording paper. After returning, image formation is executed.
JP 2003-131464 A

  In the image forming apparatus, for example, even when the number of users of the image forming apparatus is small and a single user prints a small number of sheets, the temperature of the fixing apparatus is raised to a predetermined fixing temperature to form an image. The device is returned from the power saving mode. Therefore, a considerable amount of power is consumed to return the fixing device to a predetermined fixing temperature, but it is inefficient to return from the power saving mode by consuming a large amount of power for printing a small number of prints. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. When an image formation execution instruction is issued while the fixing unit is in a power-saving state, the image forming apparatus can reduce power consumption and perform efficient image formation. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming means for forming a toner image on a recording paper, a fixing means for thermally fixing the toner image formed by the image forming means to the recording paper, and the fixing means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that maintains a power saving state in which a predetermined temperature is lowered from a predetermined heat fixing temperature necessary for fixing a toner image on a recording paper;
An operation means for receiving an input of an image formation execution instruction by an external operation;
Counter means for counting the number of image formation jobs or the number of image formations based on the image formation execution instruction received by the operation means;
An original reading means for reading an image of the original;
Image data storage means for storing image data read by the original reading means;
When the image forming execution instruction is received by the operation unit while the fixing unit is in the power saving state, the control unit causes the document reading unit to read the document, and the image data is transferred to the image data. When the count value of the counter means reaches a predetermined value, the fixing means is returned from the power saving state, and the image data stored in the image data storage means is stored in the storage means. An image is formed on the image forming means.

  In this configuration, when the image forming execution instruction is received by the operation unit while the fixing unit is in the power saving state, the control unit causes the image forming unit to perform image processing until the count value of the counter unit reaches a predetermined value. The document image data read by the document reading unit is not accumulated in the image data accumulation unit without being formed, and the fixing unit is omitted when the count value of the counter unit reaches a predetermined value. By returning from the power state, image data stored in the image data storage unit is caused to form an image in the image forming unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit, when the operation unit receives a forced print instruction for image formation, the counter unit. Regardless of the count value, the fixing unit is returned from the power saving state, and the image forming unit is caused to execute image formation based on the forced printing instruction.

  In this configuration, when the forced printing instruction for image formation is received by the operation unit, the control unit returns the fixing unit from the power saving state regardless of the count value of the counter unit, and image formation based on the forced printing instruction is performed. Is executed by the image forming means to reduce the waiting time until the user executes image formation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming unit that forms a toner image on a recording paper, a fixing unit that thermally fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit to the recording paper, and the fixing unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to maintain a power saving state in which a predetermined temperature is lowered from a predetermined heat fixing temperature necessary for fixing a toner image on a recording paper;
Data receiving means for receiving image data to be subjected to image formation and an image formation execution instruction for the image data from an external computer;
Counter means for counting the number of image forming jobs or the number of image forming times based on the image forming execution instruction received by the data receiving means;
Image data storage means for storing image data received by the data receiving means,
The control unit stores the image data in the image data storage unit when the data reception unit receives image data and an image formation execution instruction while the fixing unit is in the power saving state. When the count value of the counter unit reaches a predetermined value, the fixing unit is returned from the power saving state, and the image forming unit forms an image with the image data stored in the image data storage unit. It is.

  In this configuration, when the data receiving unit receives image data and an image formation execution instruction while the fixing unit is in the power saving state, the control unit waits until the count value of the counter unit reaches a predetermined value. The image data received by the data receiving means is not accumulated in the image data accumulating means without causing the forming means to form an image. When the count value of the counter means reaches a predetermined value, the fixing means is omitted. By returning from the power state, the image forming means causes the image forming means to form an image using the image data accumulated in the image data accumulating means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the control means receives a forced print instruction for image formation from an external computer by the data receiving means. Regardless of the count value of the counter unit, the fixing unit is returned from the power saving state, and the image forming unit executes image formation of image data to be image-formed by the forced printing instruction. It is something to be made.

  In this configuration, when the forced printing instruction for image formation is received by the data receiving unit, the control unit returns the fixing unit from the power saving state regardless of the count value of the counter unit, and the image based on the forced printing instruction is output. Formation is performed by the image forming means, and a waiting time until the image formation is performed by the user is reduced.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising display means for displaying various messages,
When the image forming execution instruction is issued when the fixing unit is in the power saving state, and the count value of the counter unit does not reach the predetermined value, the control unit executes the image forming execution. The display means displays that the image formation based on the instruction is not executed.

  In this configuration, when there is an image formation execution instruction when the fixing unit is in the power saving state and the count value of the counter unit does not reach a predetermined value, the control unit performs image formation based on the image formation execution instruction. Is displayed on the display means so that the user can recognize that the image forming operation based on the image forming execution instruction by the user is not immediately executed.

  According to the first and third aspects of the invention, the predetermined value serving as a threshold value as to whether or not the fixing unit returns from the power saving state corresponds to the power consumption when the fixing unit returns from the power saving state. By setting the number of image forming jobs or the number of image forming times, the inefficient operation of consuming a large amount of power for outputting a small number of prints and returning from a power saving state to perform image formation is eliminated. Power consumption at the time of formation can be reduced, and efficient image formation can be performed.

  According to the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, when there is a forced printing instruction for image formation, the fixing unit returns from the power saving state regardless of the count value of the counter unit, and the forced printing instruction is issued. Since the image formation based on this is executed, the user can immediately execute the image formation by inputting a forced print instruction to the operation means or by sending the forced print instruction from the external computer to the data receiving means. As a result, it is possible to obtain both the effect of reducing the power consumption when forming a small number of images and performing an efficient image formation, and the effect of enabling immediate image formation as necessary.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an image formation execution instruction when the fixing unit is in the power saving state, and an image based on the image formation execution instruction when the count value of the counter unit does not reach the predetermined value. Since the fact that the formation is not executed is displayed on the display unit, the user can recognize that the image forming operation based on the image forming execution instruction by the user is not executed immediately.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, a document reading unit 5 disposed on the top of the main body 2, and an upper side of the document reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  An operation unit 47 is provided at the front part of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 47 displays a start key 471 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a ten key 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. A display unit 473 formed of a liquid crystal display or the like having a touch panel function, a reset key 474 for resetting setting contents set in the display unit 473, and a stop key for stopping a printing (image forming) operation being executed 475 and a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 100 (FIG. 2). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the control unit 100.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes 461, a paper feeding roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feeding cassette 461 one by one, and transports the recording paper to the recording unit 40. And a recording unit 40 that forms an image on the conveyed recording paper.

  The recording unit 40 outputs an optical beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and a developing unit 44 that forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer unit 41 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit (fixing means) 45 that heats the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred and fixes the toner image on the recording paper, and a recording Conveying rollers 463, 464, etc. that are provided in the sheet conveying path in the section 40 and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. . In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the recording unit 40. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit (control means) 100 that controls operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 100 includes a document reading unit 5 including a scanner unit 51 that can read a document image including an exposure lamp 511 and a CCD 512, a sheet transport unit 411, and an image forming unit (transfer unit 41, optical unit). 42, the photosensitive drum 43, the developing unit 44, and the like, which corresponds to the image forming means in the claims) 412, and the recording unit 40 including the fixing unit 45 and the like are connected. The control unit 100 also includes an image memory 140 that temporarily stores document data read by the scanner unit 51, and an HDD that is a large-capacity storage device having a storage capacity capable of storing a large amount of document data. (Image data storage means) 150 is connected. When the operation unit 47 receives an image formation execution instruction from the user, the HDD 150 stores the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 5 under the control of the control unit 100. ing.

  The image processing unit 160 converts an analog image signal output from the scanner unit 51 into a digital image when image reading is performed by the scanner unit 51, performs image processing for improving image quality, and then converts the image into a compressed image. This compressed image is written into the image memory 140. The control unit 100 stores the compressed image written in the image memory 140 in the HDD 150 as data constituting a file to be document managed. At the time of printout, the data read by the document reading unit 5 and the data (compressed image) read from the HDD 150 are written to the image memory 140, and the image processing unit 160 decompresses the compressed data. Then, image processing according to the output state (separation such as laser exposure or LED exposure) is performed. For example, in the case of laser exposure, a laser signal (a signal for controlling the laser beam emitted from the exposure apparatus) is used. Perform analog modulation. The recording unit 40 (image forming unit 412) prints out based on the analog-modulated signal.

  The operation unit (operation means) 47 is used for inputting various instructions necessary for the operation of the multifunction machine 1 from an operator (user). The display unit 473 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like. The display unit 473 displays various operation messages necessary for the operation of the multi-function device 1 and various types of information on the registered document. And an operation key unit 476 including a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies. Note that the display unit 473 preferably includes a touch panel function and has a configuration in which an operator can input a necessary instruction by touching the touch panel. When a document is registered in the multifunction device 1 or when a registered document is read out and printed out, an instruction from the operator is input from the operation unit 47.

  The control unit 100 is connected to a counter 200 that counts the number of image forming jobs or the number of image formations based on an image forming execution instruction received from the user by the operation unit 47. The counter 200 counts the number of image formation execution instructions (image formation jobs) received by the operation unit 47, and the control unit 100 analyzes the contents of each image formation execution instruction received by the operation unit 47. Then, the number of times of image formation performed by the image forming unit 42 (for example, image formation on one side of a recording sheet is set to once, and in case of both sides is set to twice), image formation for one or a plurality of jobs is performed. The total number of times is calculated.

  When the fixing unit 45 is in a power saving state based on a program stored in an unillustrated ROM (or flash memory or the like), the control unit 100 receives an image formation execution instruction from the user through the operation unit 47. Then, the original reading unit 5 reads the original and the image data is stored in the HDD 150. When the count value of the counter 200 reaches a predetermined value, the fixing unit 45 is returned from the power saving state. The image forming unit 412 forms an image using the image data stored in the HDD 150.

  Further, the control unit 100 is a case where there is an image formation execution instruction when the fixing unit 45 is in a power saving state based on the program stored in the ROM, and the count value of the counter 200 is the predetermined value. If not, the display unit 47 displays that the image formation based on the image formation execution instruction is not executed.

  The control unit 100 also functions as a scanner controller 101, a facsimile controller 102, a printer controller 103, a copy controller 104, and a network controller 105 that control each function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1.

  The scanner controller 101 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the scanner unit. The facsimile controller 102 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls the facsimile communication unit 170 that adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 170 is provided with an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile that is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller 104 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation.

  The printer controller 103 performs operation control of each unit necessary for printer operation. The printer controller 103 includes a parallel I / F unit 181 that is connected to an external device by parallel transmission that transmits several bits at a time using a plurality of signal lines, and one bit at a time using a single signal line. A serial I / F unit 182 connected to an external device by serial transmission for sending data is connected.

  The network controller (data receiving means) 105 controls data transmission / reception performed between the multifunction machine 1 and a computer (external computer) on the network, as well as a site on the Internet. The network controller 105 transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the network I / F unit (data receiving unit) 210.

  Next, processing at the time of image formation by the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing at the time of image formation by the multifunction device 1. When the operation unit 47 accepts an input of an image formation execution instruction from the user (YES in S1), the control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 5 to read the document (S2), and the image data of the read document is HDD 150. (S3). Thereafter, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the fixing unit 45 is in a power saving state (S4). When the fixing unit 45 is not in the power saving state (NO in S4), the control unit 100 reads the image data of the original read in S2 from the HDD 150 (S10), and the image data of the image read from the HDD 150 is read. The image forming unit 412 is caused to form (S11).

  Further, when the fixing unit 45 is in the power saving state (YES in S4), the control unit 100 determines how many times the job is performed based on the content indicated by the image formation execution instruction received from the user by the operation unit 47. Whether or not to form is analyzed (S5), and the counter 200 is counted up by the number of times of image formation (S6). Whether the count value of the counter 200 after the count-up has reached a predetermined value (for example, 10 to 100 sheets, that is, the value of the number of times of image formation commensurate with the power consumption when the fixing unit is returned from the power saving state). Is determined (S7).

  When the count value of the counter 200 has not reached the predetermined value (NO in S7), the control unit 100 displays a message indicating that image formation is not performed on the display unit 473 (S12), and returns to the process of S1. If the count value of the counter 200 has reached the predetermined value (YES in S7), the control unit 100 resets the count value of the counter 200 (S8) and sets the heat roller temperature of the fixing unit 45 to the predetermined temperature ( (S9), that is, the fixing unit 45 is returned from the low temperature state of the power saving state to the fixing temperature at the time of normal image formation, and the HDD 150 is repeated by repeating the processes of S1 to S7 and S12. All accumulated image data is read from the HDD 150 (S10), and the image forming unit 412 is caused to form an image of the image data (S11).

  In S5 and S6, the number of image formations is analyzed based on the image formation execution instruction, and the number of image formations is counted up by the counter 200. However, the number of image formation execution instructions (the number of image formation jobs) ) May be counted up. Also in this case, the predetermined value of S7 is set to the value of the number of image forming jobs corresponding to the power consumption when the fixing unit returns from the power saving state.

  According to the above control, even when the image forming execution instruction is received by the operation unit 47 while the fixing unit 45 is in the power saving state, the control unit 100 does not wait until the count value of the counter 200 reaches a predetermined value ( Until the number of image formations or the number of jobs reaches a certain value), the image forming unit 412 does not perform image formation, and the document image data read by the document reading unit 5 is stored in the HDD 150. When the count value of the counter means reaches a predetermined value, the fixing unit 412 is returned from the power saving state, and the image data stored in the HDD 150 is formed in the image forming unit 412. The inefficient operation of consuming a large amount of power for print output and returning the fixing unit 45 from the power saving state to perform image formation eliminates the effect of reducing power consumption. It is possible to perform good image formation.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the process at the time of image formation by the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of control at the time of image formation by the multifunction device 1. In addition, about the process similar to 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, an image formation execution instruction is received by the operation unit 47 (S1), and image data of a document read by the document reading unit 5 is accumulated in the HDD 150 (S2 and S3). The control unit 100 determines whether or not the image formation execution instruction received by the unit 47 is a forced printing instruction (that is, an instruction to immediately execute image formation regardless of the count value of the counter 200) (S13). ). If the image formation execution instruction is a forced printing instruction (YES in S13), the control unit 100 counts up the counter 200 (S6) and determines whether the count value of the counter 200 has reached a predetermined value (S7). ) Is immediately skipped, the temperature of the heat roller of the fixing unit 45 is immediately raised to the predetermined temperature (about 170 to 180 ° C.) (S9), and the image data of the document read in S2 is read from the HDD 150 (S10). Then, the image forming unit 412 is caused to form an image of the image data read from the HDD 150 (S11).

  According to such control, the user can promptly execute image formation by inputting a forced printing instruction to the operation unit 47. Therefore, the power consumption when forming a small number of images can be reduced and efficiency can be reduced. Both the effect of performing good image formation and the effect of enabling immediate image formation as required can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where an image of a document read by the document reading unit 5 is formed is described. However, the MFP 1 functions as a printer, and is externally connected via the network I / F 210. The processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can also be applied when image formation is performed based on image data received from a personal computer or the like. In this case, instead of deleting S2 from the processing of FIGS. 3 and 4 and performing the processing of S1, S5, and S13 based on the image formation execution instruction received by the operation unit 47, the control unit 100 Based on an image formation execution instruction received from an externally connected personal computer via the network I / F 210, the processes of S1, S5, and S13 are performed.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration and processing of the multifunction device 1 are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. However, these configuration and processing are merely examples, and the configuration and processing of the multifunction device 1 according to the present invention are described above. It is not limited to.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is described as the multifunction machine 1 having a printer function, a copy function, a fax function, and the like. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has a printer function, The image forming apparatus may be provided with only a copy function or a fax function.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing at the time of image formation by the multifunction peripheral. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing when an image is formed by the multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 41 Transfer part 42 Optical unit 43 Photosensitive drum 44 Developing part 45 Fixing part 47 Operation part 100 Control part 200 Counter 412 Image formation part

Claims (5)

An image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording paper, a fixing unit for thermally fixing the toner image formed by the image forming unit to the recording paper, and the fixing unit are necessary for fixing the toner image on the recording paper. In an image forming apparatus comprising a control unit that maintains a power saving state in which a predetermined temperature is lowered from a predetermined thermal fixing temperature,
An operation means for receiving an input of an image formation execution instruction by an external operation;
Counter means for counting the number of image formation jobs or the number of image formations based on the image formation execution instruction received by the operation means;
An original reading means for reading an image of the original;
Image data storage means for storing image data read by the original reading means;
When the image forming execution instruction is received by the operation unit while the fixing unit is in the power saving state, the control unit causes the document reading unit to read the document, and the image data is transferred to the image data. When the count value of the counter means reaches a predetermined value, the fixing means is returned from the power saving state, and the image data stored in the image data storage means is stored in the storage means. An image forming apparatus that causes an image forming unit to form an image.   When the forced printing instruction for image formation is received by the operation unit, the control unit returns the fixing unit from the power saving state regardless of the count value of the counter unit, and responds to the forced printing instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit performs image formation based on the image forming unit. An image forming unit for forming a toner image on a recording paper, a fixing unit for thermally fixing the toner image formed by the image forming unit to the recording paper, and the fixing unit are necessary for fixing the toner image on the recording paper. In an image forming apparatus comprising a control unit that maintains a power saving state in which a predetermined temperature is lowered from a predetermined heat fixing temperature,
Data receiving means for receiving image data to be subjected to image formation and an image formation execution instruction for the image data from an external computer;
Counter means for counting the number of image forming jobs or the number of image forming times based on the image forming execution instruction received by the data receiving means;
Image data storage means for storing image data received by the data receiving means,
The control unit stores the image data in the image data storage unit when the data reception unit receives image data and an image formation execution instruction while the fixing unit is in the power saving state. When the count value of the counter unit reaches a predetermined value, the fixing unit is returned from the power saving state, and the image forming unit forms an image with the image data stored in the image data storing unit. An image forming apparatus.   When the data receiving means receives a forced printing instruction for image formation from an external computer, the control means returns the fixing means from the power saving state regardless of the count value of the counter means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming unit causes the image forming unit to perform image formation of image data to be subjected to image formation by the forced printing instruction. A display means for displaying various messages is provided.
When the image forming execution instruction is issued when the fixing unit is in the power saving state, and the count value of the counter unit does not reach the predetermined value, the control unit executes the image forming execution. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays that the image formation based on the instruction is not executed.

Images