JP2006065125A - Image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system making flexible processing for a printing job in accordance with the number of printed sheets in the printing job to be performed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming system is constituted of: an image forming apparatus 45 having a process cartridge having a photoreceptor on which a latent image is formed and a developing means which develops the latent image formed on the photoreceptor; and a printing controller for controlling the image forming apparatus 45 to perform the printing job. The image forming apparatus is equipped with a developer amount detection means (IPU) 38 for detecting the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge, and a calculation means for calculating the round numbers of the number of sheets to be printed by using the image forming apparatus 45 from the amount of the developer detected by the developer amount detection means 38. The round numbers are calculated by a main controller 17 functioning as the calculation means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system including a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge, and a print control apparatus that executes a print job for the image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system including an image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge and a print control apparatus that issues a print job command to the image forming apparatus is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 is a print control capable of predicting and notifying whether or not a consumable material and / or a recording medium run out during a print job when a print job is issued to the printer device. A method and apparatus and a printing system are provided.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 provides a printing system that allows flexible and efficient printer selection reflecting the request of the providing user based on the status information of the current printer at the time of the print request.
Patent Document 3 provides a printing system that allows high-quality printing to be performed using a printing device in a nearby location even with a print request from a portable information terminal device whose position is unknown.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-217583 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-261533 JP 2002-189671 A

In Patent Document 1, when a print job is instructed, the amount of toner consumed to execute the print job is analyzed, and the amount of toner consumed to execute the print job is compared with the remaining amount of toner in the printer device. To do.
If the remaining amount of toner is insufficient, an error message is displayed to notify the operator. Otherwise, the printer device is used to execute a print job. In this method, the remaining amount of toner in the printer device is insufficient. Cannot execute a print job.
Also, in Patent Document 2, in a printing system including a printer and a workstation, the workstation collects printer status information such as the remaining amount of toner and whether or not a failure has occurred in response to a print instruction from a user.
The user can arbitrarily select a printer that satisfies the print condition and execute the print process. However, even in this method, if the remaining amount of toner in the printer is insufficient, the printer cannot be selected and the print process is not executed. Can not.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is composed of an image forming apparatus provided with a process cartridge and a print control apparatus that issues a print job command to the image forming apparatus, and a developer (hereinafter referred to as toner) included in the process cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming system that enables flexible print job processing according to the approximate number of printable sheets calculated from the remaining amount of print and the number of print jobs to be executed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 is an image having a photoconductor on which a latent image is formed and a process cartridge having a developing unit for developing the latent image formed on the photoconductor. In an image forming system including a forming apparatus and a print control apparatus that executes a print job for the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus detects a developer amount contained in the process cartridge. An amount detecting means and a calculating means for calculating an approximate number of sheets that can be printed using the image forming apparatus from the amount of developer detected by the developer detecting means.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the number of printable sheets calculated from the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge, the number of print jobs executed by the print control apparatus, and And determining means for determining whether or not the print job can be executed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the number of printable sheets calculated from the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge, the number of print jobs executed by the print control apparatus, and If the number of print jobs printed is greater than the number of printable pages calculated from the developer amount, the print job is executed by dividing the print number of print jobs with other image forming devices. An execution means is provided.

  According to the present invention, in an image forming system including an image forming apparatus having a process cartridge and a print control apparatus that issues a print job command to the image forming apparatus, image formation is performed from the remaining amount of developer contained in the process cartridge. By providing calculation means for calculating the approximate number of sheets that can be printed by the apparatus, the user can know the approximate number of sheets that can be printed by the image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the process cartridge 2 is attached to the image forming apparatus 1 in a detachable manner.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an optical system 1a, a paper feed roller 1b, a paper feed cassette 1c for storing recording paper 3, a transfer roller 1b, a fixing roller 1e, and the like. On the other hand, the process cartridge 2 includes a charging roller 2a, a developing unit and a toner storage unit 2b, a cleaning unit and a waste toner collecting unit 2c, a photoconductor 2b, and the like. The optical system 1a includes a polygon motor, a polygon mirror, an Fθ lens, a laser diode, a mirror, and the like.
An outline of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The recording paper 3 stored in the paper feed cassette 1c is conveyed to the photoreceptor 2d by the paper feed roller 1b. The photosensitive member 2d is driven to rotate in the clockwise direction. At that time, the photosensitive member 2d is charged by the charging roller 2a and irradiated with a laser beam from the optical system 1a to form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member 2d.
This electrostatic latent image is visualized by toner while passing through the developing means and the toner storage portion 2b. The visible image is transferred to the recording paper 3 conveyed to the photosensitive member 2d by the transfer roller 1d and conveyed to the fixing roller 1e. The visible image on the recording paper 3 is fixed, and is transferred to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1. Discharged.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the embodiment of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the operation unit 3 includes a liquid crystal touch panel (liquid crystal display) 4, a numeric keypad 5, a clear / stop key 6, a print key 7, a preheat key 8, a reset key 9, an interrupt key 10, a copy key, and a copy server key. Yes, the liquid crystal touch panel 4 displays function keys, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the information processing apparatus, and the like.
When the interrupt key 10 is pressed, the mode is shifted to the interrupt pressing mode. The interrupt mode is a mode in which copying is performed by temporarily interrupting a copying operation during execution or operation of a copying operation.
By setting this mode, the previous copy mode and the progress information in the middle of copying are stored in the nonvolatile RAM, the mode is shifted to the interrupt mode, and the mode is initialized.
When the interrupt mode is canceled after executing the copy operation, the mode and information stored in the nonvolatile RAM are restored, the state before the interrupt mode setting is restored, and the mode before the interrupt can be continued by restarting.
By pressing the initial setting key 11, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The state set when the paper size stored in the machine is set or when the mode clear key of the copy function is pressed can be arbitrarily set.
Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set.
When the preheating key 8 is pressed, the machine shifts from a standby state to a power reduction state, lowers the fixing temperature, or turns off the display of the operation unit 3. The preheating state means a low power state as referred to in the International Energy Star Program. In order to cancel the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key 8 is pressed again.
When the copy key is pressed, the original image can be copied. The copy server key is used to execute a copy server function for printing image data stored in the image memory. Details of the copy server operation will be described later.
The new reservation key 12 is used when performing reservation copying. When the job list key 13 is pressed, a list of active copy jobs is displayed. Details of the new reservation key 12 and the job list key 13 will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel when the copy key of the operation unit of the information processing (image forming) apparatus of the present invention is pressed. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 4, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black.
In addition, when it is necessary to specify the details of a function (for example, a scaling value for zooming), a detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel 4 uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

FIG. 4 is a control configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a control configuration in the information processing (image forming) apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a control configuration centered on the main controller 17. The main controller 17 controls the entire information processing apparatus.
The main controller 17 includes a display for an operator, an operation unit 3 for performing function setting input control from the operator (see FIG. 3), a scanner control, a control for writing a document image in an image memory, and a control for image formation from the image memory. A distributed control device such as an image processing unit (IPU) 26 and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 27 are connected.
The main controller 17 is connected to a connection I / F 25 that is connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses and transmits and receives apparatus configuration and function information and information related to operation control.
The main controller 17 acquires information on the information processing apparatuses connected via the connection I / F 25 and controls the connection operation by setting the operation, or requests from other information processing apparatuses connected To control the operation of the aircraft.
The main controller 17 also functions as calculation means for calculating the approximate number of printable sheets from the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 2 (FIG. 1) detected by the CPU of the IPU 26 described later.
Further, the calculated number of printable sheets is compared with the number of printed sheets of a print job executed from a client PC which is a printing control apparatus, which will be described later, and a function as a determination unit for determining whether the print job can be executed, and a determination unit Prints the print job by dividing the print number of the print job with the other image forming apparatus when it is determined that the number of prints of the print job is larger than the printable number of sheets calculated from the developer amount. It also functions as an execution means. The processing operation executed by the main controller 17 will be described later.
Always monitor the status of both machines (supply end, jam, etc.) and review the distribution ratio of both machines so that the job ends for both machines as soon as possible. In the sort mode, distribution is performed in units of copies.
Each distributed controller and the main controller 17 exchange machine status and operation commands as necessary. A main motor 18 and various clutches 21 to 24 necessary for paper conveyance and the like are also connected.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image processing unit (IPU) shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, the reflection of light emitted from the exposure lamp is photoelectrically converted by a CCD image sensor 30 and converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 31.
The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 32 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 33. The image signal that has passed through the scaling unit 42 is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the scaling ratio and flows to the selector 34.
The selector 34 switches the destination of the image signal to the writing γ correction unit 41 or the (image) memory controller 35. The image signal that has passed through the writing γ correction unit 41 is corrected for writing γ in accordance with the image forming conditions, and is sent to the writing unit (optical system) 1a.
The image memory controller 35 and the selector 34 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions. Further, a CPU 38 for setting the image memory controller 35 and the like and controlling the reading unit (optical system) 1a and the writing unit 44, and a ROM 39 and a RAM 40 for storing programs and data thereof are provided. Further, the CPU 38 can write and read data in the image memory 36 via the memory controller 35.
The CPU 38 also functions as a developer amount detecting means for detecting the amount of developer contained in the developing means of the process cartridge 2.
The connection I / F 25 is connected to the data bus of the image memory memory controller 35 for transmitting and receiving image information, and is configured to be able to input and output data. Image information is transferred via the image memory 36 in accordance with the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatuses.
That is, at the time of image output, after image data is stored in the image memory 36 from the image memory controller 35, the data is sequentially read out from the image memory 36 according to the data transfer speed between the information processing apparatuses, and the data is transferred to the connected I / F 25. To do.
When outputting an image, the image data transferred from the connected I / F 25 is stored in the image memory 36, and then the image data is processed from the image memory 36 through the image memory controller 35 inside the apparatus. With the above-described configuration, it is possible to realize the coupling operation without being restricted by the functions of the information processing apparatus.
The image sent to the image memory controller 35 as a document image is sent to the image memory 36 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the image memory controller 35.
The reason why the image is compressed is that data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size can be written in the image memory 36 as it is, but in that case, the image memory 36 is used very frequently for one original image. By performing image compression, the limited image memory 36 can be used effectively.

In addition, since a large amount of original image data can be stored at one time, the stored original image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when the image is output, the data in the image memory 36 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the image memory controller 35. Such a function is generally called “electronic sort”.
Further, by using the function of the image memory 36, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the area of one transfer sheet in the image memory 36. For example, four document images are sequentially written in an area divided into four equal parts for one transfer sheet in the image memory 36.
As a result, it is possible to obtain a copy output in which four originals are combined into one transfer paper image and integrated. Such a function is generally called “aggregate copy”.
The image stored in the image memory 36 can be accessed from the CPU 38. Therefore, the contents of the image memory 36 can be processed, and for example, image thinning processing, image cutting processing, and the like can be performed.
For processing, the image memory 36 can be processed by writing data to the register of the image memory controller 35. The processed image is held in the image memory 36 again.
The image memory 36 is divided into a plurality of areas according to the size of the image data to be processed, and has a configuration capable of simultaneously executing input / output of image data. In order to enable input and output of image data to each divided area in parallel, the interface with the image memory controller 35 is connected by two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing.
As a result, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the area 2 while inputting (writing) the image to the area 1 becomes possible. Further, the CPU 38 reads the contents of the image memory 36 and can transfer the image data 43 to the operation unit 3 via the I / O port 37.
In general, since the screen display resolution of the operation unit 3 is low, the original image in the image memory 36 is subjected to image thinning and sent to the operation unit 3. The image memory 36 may use a hard disk to store a large amount of image data.
By using a hard disk, there is a feature that an external power source is unnecessary and an image can be retained permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of standard documents (format documents) with a scanner, this hard disk is generally used.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart of image signals in the selector shown in FIG. An image signal for one page in the selector 34 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 6, FGATE (frame gate signal) represents an effective period in the sub-scanning direction in one page of image data.
LSYNC (main scanning synchronization signal) is a main scanning synchronization signal for each line, and the image signal becomes valid at a predetermined clock after this signal rises. A signal indicating that the image signal in the main scanning direction is valid is LGATE (line gate signal).
These signals are synchronized with the pixel clock VCLK (pixel synchronization signal), and data of 8 bits per pixel (256 gradations) is transmitted for one cycle of VCLK. In this embodiment, the writing density on the transfer paper is 400 dpi, the maximum number of pixels is 4800 pixels for main scanning, and 6800 pixels for sub-scanning.
FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the image data formed on the transfer paper and the FGATE and LGATE signals. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the closer the image data is to 255, the more white the image is.
As for the accumulated printing method, when the copy server function is selected with the copy server key of the operation panel 3 in FIG. 2, the document list screen of the copy server in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal touch panel 4.
Touch the document you want to output from the document list. The touched document display is reversed and the selected state of the document is known. By pressing the start key 7 in this state, printing can be started in the registered print mode.

An example of operation when printing is actually performed in the image forming system according to the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 45 and 46 are image forming apparatuses, reference numeral 47 is a client PC, and reference numeral 48 is a network connecting the image forming apparatus and the client PC.
The client PC 47 performs a process of issuing a print command to the image forming apparatuses 45 and 46 by an operation from the user. When the user executes a print command on the client PC 47, the client PC 47 first inquires the selected image forming apparatus 45 or 46 about the number of printable sheets.
The image forming apparatus 45 or 46 calculates the approximate number of printable sheets from the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 2 (FIG. 1), and notifies the client PC 47 of it. Upon receiving this notification, the client PC 47 informs the user of the number of printable sheets.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print dialog displayed on the screen of the client PC when a printer is selected on the client PC, a print page and the number of copies are input, and a print command is executed.
When the printer 45 is selected on the client PC 47, a print page and the number of copies are input, and a print command is executed, a print dialog as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the screen of the client PC 47.
As shown in FIG. 8, the approximate number of printable sheets for which information has been obtained by inquiring of the image forming apparatus 45 is displayed so as to be understood by the user using a print dialog.
When the OK button of the print dialog shown in FIG. 8 is pressed, data necessary for executing printing from the client PC 47 to the image forming apparatus 45 is sent, and the printing process is actually started.
Next, in the image forming system according to the present invention, an operation example when the number of sheets to be printed exceeds the printable number calculated from the remaining amount of toner will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation processing. First, the user sets print parameters in a print dialog displayed on the screen of the client PC 47 (S1).
When the OK button is pressed in the print dialog after setting the print parameters (S2), first, the client PC 47 inquires the selected image forming apparatus 45 or 46 about the number of printable sheets. The image forming apparatus 45 or 46 calculates the number of printable sheets from the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 2 and notifies the client PC 47 of it.
In response to this, the client PC 47 informs the user of the number of printable sheets. At this time, consider a case where the user inputs the number of prints exceeding the printable number displayed in the print dialog and presses the OK button.
After the OK button is pressed, the client PC 47 compares the number of prints ordered by the user with the printable number calculated from the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 45 or 46 (S3). If the number of prints is smaller than the number of printable sheets, a printing process is executed (S5).
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a dialog box including a message indicating that the number of printable sheets is exceeded. In step S3, if the number of prints is greater than the number of printable sheets, a dialog box including a message “Printing cannot be performed because the number of printable sheets has been exceeded” is displayed as shown in FIG. It is notified that printing is not possible (S4).
When the OK button is pressed in this dialog box, the print dialog as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed again, and the user can proceed with the print process by selecting another printer or reducing the number of prints. .

Next, in the image forming system according to the present invention, the number of sheets to be printed exceeds the number of printable sheets calculated from the remaining amount of toner, but printing is possible by dividing and processing with other printers. The operation in this case will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation processing. First, the user sets print parameters in a print dialog displayed on the screen of the client PC 47 (S11).
When the OK button is pressed in the print dialog after setting the print parameters (S12), first, the client PC 47 inquires the selected image forming apparatus 45 or 46 about the number of printable sheets.
The image forming apparatus 45 or 46 calculates the number of printable sheets from the remaining amount of toner in the process cartridge 2 and notifies the client PC 47 of it. In response to this, the client PC 47 informs the user of the number of printable sheets.
At this time, consider a case where the user inputs the number of prints exceeding the printable number displayed in the print dialog and presses the OK button. After the OK button is pressed, the client PC 47 compares the number of prints ordered by the user with the printable number calculated from the remaining amount of toner in the image forming apparatus 45 or 46 (S13).
Here, when it is determined that the number of prints is smaller than the number of printable sheets, a printing process is executed (S15). If the number of prints is greater than the number of printable sheets, an inquiry is made to another printer (image forming apparatus 46 in this case) about the number of printable sheets (S14).

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a print dialog that can be divided and printed using two printers. As a result of the inquiry to the other printer, if the desired number of sheets can be printed by dividing and printing between the image forming apparatus 45 and the image forming apparatus 46, as shown in FIG. A print dialog is displayed, and division printing is proposed to the user (S15).
When the user presses the OK button (S16), the number of sheets displayed in the print dialog shown in FIG. 12 is divided by the image forming apparatus 45 and the image forming apparatus 46, and printing processing is performed.
According to the present invention, the image forming system includes image forming apparatuses 45 and 46 including the process cartridge 2 and a print control apparatus 47 that issues a print job command to the image forming apparatuses 45 and 46.
The approximate number of sheets that can be printed by the image forming apparatuses 45 and 46 calculated from the remaining amount of developer contained in the process cartridge 2 is compared with the number of print jobs issued from the print control apparatus 47. In addition, by including a determination unit that determines whether or not the print job can be executed, the user can know whether or not the image forming apparatuses 45 and 46 can execute the print job.
Further, the approximate number of sheets that can be printed by one image forming apparatus 45 calculated from the remaining amount of developer contained in the process cartridge 2, and the number of print jobs to be executed from the print control apparatus 47. If the number of print jobs printed is greater than the number of printable pages calculated from the amount of developer, the print job is executed by dividing the number of print jobs printed with other image forming apparatuses 46. By providing the execution unit, a user can execute a print job together with other image forming apparatuses even if the user cannot execute a print job with one image forming apparatus.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an embodiment of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a top view which shows the example of a display of a liquid crystal touch panel at the time of pressing the copy key of the operation part of the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a control block diagram which shows embodiment of the control structure in the information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the image processing unit (IPU) shown in FIG. 6 is a timing chart of image signals in the selector shown in FIG. 5. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print dialog displayed on the screen of a client PC when a printer is selected on the client PC, a print page and the number of copies are input, and a print command is executed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an operation process. It is the schematic which shows the dialog box containing the message of printable sheet number over. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an operation process. It is the schematic which shows the print dialog which can be divided and printed using two printers.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus, 2 Process cartridge, 2b Developing means, 2d Photoconductor, 17 Main controller (calculation means), 38 CPU (Developer amount detection means), 45 Image forming apparatus (printer), 46 Image forming apparatus (printer) 47 Print control device (client PC)

Claims (3)

  An image forming apparatus having a photoconductor on which a latent image is formed, and a process cartridge having a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the photoconductor, and printing for executing a print job on the image forming apparatus In the image forming system including a control device, the image forming device includes a developer amount detecting unit that detects the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge, and a developer amount detected by the developer detecting unit. An image forming system comprising: a calculating unit that calculates an approximate number of sheets that can be printed using the image forming apparatus from the amount.   The image forming apparatus compares the printable number of sheets calculated from the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge with the number of print jobs executed from the print control apparatus, and determines whether or not the print job can be executed. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that performs the determination.   The image forming apparatus compares the number of printable sheets calculated from the amount of developer contained in the process cartridge with the number of printed sheets of a print job executed from the print control apparatus. And a print execution unit that divides the print number of the print job with another image forming apparatus when the print job number is larger than the number of printable sheets calculated from the amount of developer. 2. The image forming system according to 2.

Images