JP2006142770A - Image forming device, image forming method and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To optimize the queuing time until making an image forming engine stop while making a productivity and a lifetime extension of consumables compatible according to user's operating frequency. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation device 1 is equipped with a nonvolatile memory 7 for storing the queuing time from an image forming instruction sent from an image feeding device 10 becoming not issued to a sequential stoppage processing of the various functions of the image forming engine 7 being started and a control section 4 for starting the subtraction of the queuing time at the time of the image forming instruction becoming not issued and instructing the sequential stoppage processing of the various functions of the image forming engine 7 in the elapsed stage. In the device 1, during the period from starting the sequential stoppage operation of the various functions of the image forming engine 7 to stopping all functions, if the next image forming instruction has been sent from the image feeding device 10, the queuing time stored in the nonvolatile memory 7 is extended by the control section 4, however, if the instruction has not been sent, the queuing time stored in the nonvolatile memory 7 is shortened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming function having a function of sequentially stopping various functions of an image forming engine after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since there is no image forming instruction sent from the image supply apparatus. Regarding the program.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copying machine, image data sent from an image data supply device (image supply device) such as a computer or a scanner is processed, transferred as an image to a medium such as paper, and output. An image forming engine is provided. In particular, in an image forming engine that employs an electrophotographic system, a photosensitive member, a charging device that charges the photosensitive member, an exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, and a photosensitive member on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. Main functions include a developing device that forms a toner image, a transfer device that transfers the toner image onto a medium such as paper, and a fixing device that fixes the toner image transferred onto the medium by heating.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 are disclosed as techniques for controlling the stop of the image forming engine in such an image forming apparatus. That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for controlling the start / stop of printing according to the number of image data, and Patent Document 2 automatically stops a test operation when a predetermined time or more has elapsed. Technology is disclosed.

JP-A-8-272555 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-189059

  However, once the image forming engine in the image forming apparatus is stopped, it takes time until the image forming engine is restarted. Even if an image forming instruction is sent while the image forming engine is stopped, the image forming process cannot be performed immediately. Occurs.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the present invention provides a storage unit for storing a waiting time from when an image forming instruction sent from the image supply apparatus is lost until the sequential stop processing of various functions of the image forming engine is started, and when the image forming instruction is lost The image forming apparatus includes a control unit that starts subtraction of the waiting time stored in the storage unit and instructs the sequential stop processing of various functions of the image forming engine when the waiting time has elapsed. When the next image formation instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of various functions and the stop of all functions, the waiting time stored in the storage unit by the control unit is extended. However, if it has not been sent, processing for shortening the waiting time stored in the storage unit is performed.

  The present invention also starts subtraction of a preset waiting time when there is no image formation instruction sent from the image supply device, and sequentially stops the various functions of the image forming engine when this waiting time has elapsed. In the image forming method for starting the image forming apparatus, when the next image forming instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of the various functions of the image forming engine and the stop of all the functions. This is an image forming method in which the waiting time to be used next time is extended, and when it is not sent, the waiting time to be used next time is shortened.

  According to the present invention, a step of starting subtraction of a preset waiting time when there is no image forming instruction sent from the image supply device, and various functions of the image forming engine are sequentially performed when the waiting time has elapsed. In the image forming program including the step of starting the stop process, the next image forming instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of the various functions of the image forming engine and the stop of all the functions. If it has been sent, the waiting time to be used next time is extended, and if it has not been sent, the waiting time to be used next time is shortened.

  In the present invention, when the next image forming instruction is sent while the various functions of the image forming engine are sequentially stopped after a predetermined waiting time has passed since the image forming instruction has disappeared. Since the next waiting time is extended and the next waiting time is shortened when it is not sent, the adjustment of the waiting time according to the use frequency of the user can be realized.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in the automatic stop determination of the image forming engine in accordance with the image supply capability of the image supply apparatus, it is possible to adjust the waiting time in accordance with the use frequency of the user, and the overall image formation in the image formation It is possible to achieve both improvement in productivity and long life of consumable parts of the image forming engine.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 performs predetermined processing on image data sent from an image supply apparatus 10 such as a scanner or a computer as a supply source of image data, and prints it on a medium such as paper. A communication device 2 that receives image data sent from the device 10, a non-volatile memory 3 that stores various setting information, a control unit 4 that controls each unit, and a ROM (Read Only Member) 5 that stores various processing programs. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 6 that temporarily stores work areas of various processing programs and various information, and an image forming engine 7 that forms an image on a medium based on image data.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming engine. The image forming engine converts image data into an optical signal by a laser exposure device (ROS) 71 and irradiates the photosensitive drum 71 rotating in the direction of the arrow. The surface of the photosensitive drum 73 is uniformly charged to, for example, −700 V by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface upon receiving light irradiation from the ROS 71.

  The electrostatic latent image is attenuated to, for example, about −200 V at the maximum density portion. At this time, when the laser exposure amount is changed, the potential of the electrostatic latent image is changed, and the finally obtained image density is changed. . As the photosensitive drum 73 rotates, the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the developing device 74. The developing unit 74 is filled with toner and a carrier for charging and transporting the toner, and the image density finally obtained is changed by changing the mixing ratio.

  Further, a developing bias voltage is applied to the developing roll 740 that conveys the toner and the carrier to the surface of the photosensitive drum 73, and a potential difference (developing contrast potential) created between the electrostatic latent image and the developing bias voltage is applied. The toner moves from the developing roll 470 to the surface of the photosensitive drum 73, and a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 73. At this time, when the development bias is changed, the development contrast potential changes, and the finally obtained image density changes.

  The charge of the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 73 by the developing device 74 is adjusted by the auxiliary transfer charger 710 and reaches the transfer device 75. On the other hand, the transfer belt 751 is stretched by a drive roll and a driven roll, and circulates in the direction of the arrow, so that a transfer portion is formed between the transfer belt 751 and the photosensitive drum 73.

  In response to the image recording instruction, the paper feeding unit selects one of the plurality of paper trays and conveys the paper on which the image is to be recorded to the transfer unit via the paper conveyance path. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 73 is transferred to the sheet conveyed to the transfer unit. At this time, a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner passing through the transfer roller 752 is applied to the transfer belt 751. Thereafter, the sheet is further conveyed to a fixing device 78 via a sheet conveying path, where the toner is permanently fixed to the sheet by heat and pressure. The sheet on which the toner is fixed on the sheet is discharged from the discharge roll to the outside of the image forming apparatus via the sheet conveyance path.

  Further, the developing device 74 is provided with a toner container for replenishing the toner consumed from the inside of the developing device 74 and a dispense motor for conveying the toner from the toner container to the developing device 74.

  The ESV sensor 79 measures the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 73 uniformly charged by the ROS 71 and the potential after exposure. A TC (Toner concentration) sensor 712 measures the toner concentration in the developing device 74. An ADC (Auto density control) sensor 711 detects the density of a toner patch for image density detection formed on the photosensitive drum 73.

  In this way, in the image forming engine 7 having various functional parts, each functional part is always activated so that the image forming process can be performed immediately when an image forming instruction is sent from the image supply device 10. It is desirable. On the other hand, when an image formation instruction is not sent for a certain period of time, each functional part is stopped to prevent parts from being consumed.

  Therefore, a certain waiting time is counted after the image forming instruction sent from the image transfer apparatus is lost, and when the next image forming instruction is not sent within the waiting time, the function stop processing of the image forming engine 7 is performed. To start. This waiting time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 3.

  The stop processing of the image forming engine 7 is performed by stopping the functional portions in a predetermined order from the viewpoint of protecting each functional portion. When the sequential stop processing of the image forming engine 7 is started, all functions are stopped. Processing continues until stops.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 4 appropriately adjusts the waiting time until the low-position processing is sequentially started in the image forming engine 7, and quick image forming processing in response to an image forming instruction, and the image forming engine 7 is characterized in that both stoppage of parts and prevention of parts consumption are achieved.

  Specifically, the next image formation instruction is sent while each functional part of the image forming engine 7 is sequentially stopped after a predetermined waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “in the stop processing time”). If the next waiting time is extended, the next waiting time is extended. If the next image formation instruction is not sent within the stop processing time, adjustment is made to shorten the next waiting time.

  In other words, the next image formation instruction within the stop processing time means that the waiting time is slightly shorter than the frequency of the user's image forming instruction, so the next waiting time is slightly extended. As a result, the next image formation instruction can be avoided within the stop processing time, and the image forming engine 7 can be made to function immediately.

  On the other hand, if there is no next image formation instruction within the stop processing time, the frequency of the user's image formation instruction is low, so the next waiting time can be shortened and the image forming engine 7 can be stopped early. It is done. As a result, parts consumption of the image forming engine 7 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the relationship between the presence / absence of an image formation instruction and the image forming operation. In other words, the image forming apparatus stores the Print instruction (image formation instruction) information transmitted from the image supply apparatus in a memory (RAM), and performs printing and paper discharge operations related to the Print instruction information. If the print instruction information is stored in the memory and the image forming engine is in a standby state (stopped state), a start-up process is performed. After the start-up, print and paper discharge operations are performed. Thereafter, when the last (last page) printing and paper discharge operation included in the Print instruction information is completed, the Print instruction information is deleted from the memory.

  Then, after a predetermined waiting time elapses from the stage when the print instruction information is deleted from the memory, the sequential stop processing of the image forming engine is started, and when all functions are stopped, a standby state is entered. In the present embodiment, the waiting time to be used next time is adjusted depending on whether or not the next print instruction information is sent and stored in the memory during the sequential stop processing of the image forming engine.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the image forming method according to the present embodiment. First, when the print operation is started, it is determined whether or not an abnormal stop factor has occurred (step S1). If an abnormal stop factor has occurred, the print operation is stopped (step S9). On the other hand, if an abnormal stop factor has not occurred, the print process is performed according to the print instruction information (step S2).

  After executing the print process and discharging the print paper, the print instruction information is deleted from the memory (step S3), and the stop waiting time T is set (step S4). The stop waiting time is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the contents are read to set the stop waiting time T.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is next print instruction information (step S5). If there is, the steps S1 to S4 are repeated, and the print operation is performed on the next print instruction information. If not, the stop waiting time T is subtracted (counted down) (step S6). The stop waiting time T is subtracted by the monitoring interval time after waiting for the monitoring interval time set in advance in the nonvolatile memory. The specific time is, for example, 10 milliseconds.

  If an abnormal stop factor occurs during the subtraction of the stop waiting time T (Yes in step S7), the print operation is stopped. If no abnormal stop factor has occurred (No in step S7), it is determined whether or not the remaining stop waiting time T is greater than 0, that is, whether or not the stop waiting time T remains. If it is larger (remains), steps S5 to S7 are repeated. Thus, if the next Print instruction information is sent before the stop waiting time T elapses, the Print operation can be performed on the Print instruction information.

  On the other hand, if the next print instruction information is not sent until the stop waiting time T elapses, the determination in step S8 is No, and the print operation is stopped (sequential stop processing of each function of the image forming engine) (step). S9). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not an abnormal stop factor has occurred (step S10). If it has occurred, the print operation is terminated. If not, it is determined whether or not the next print instruction has been received during the stop operation ( Step S11). That is, it is determined whether or not the next print instruction information has been sent during the sequential stop processing of each function of the image forming engine (within the stop processing time).

  If the next print instruction information is sent within the stop processing time, the stop waiting time stored in the nonvolatile memory is extended by a predetermined time (step S12). On the other hand, if the next print instruction information is not sent within the stop processing time, the stop waiting time stored in the nonvolatile memory is shortened by a predetermined time (step S13).

  Here, it is desirable that the extension of the stop waiting time is made longer than that of the reduction. Specifically, the extension is, for example, 1 second and the shortening is 1/100 second. This is because if the shortened portion is made larger than the extended portion, the stop waiting time will be drastically shortened, and the image forming engine is often stopped when the user requests a print instruction, which tends to cause a decrease in productivity. Because. On the other hand, by making the shortened portion smaller than the extended portion, the stop waiting time is gradually shortened, and it becomes possible to deal with in detail according to the frequency of the user's request for the Print instruction.

  In this way, by extending or shortening the stop waiting time stored in the non-volatile memory depending on whether or not the next Print instruction information has been sent within the stop processing time, the user can perform the next stop waiting. It becomes possible to use a waiting time that reflects the frequency of use.

  In other words, the fact that the next Print instruction information has been sent during the stop process after the preset stop wait time has passed means that if the stop wait time is a little longer, it is not necessary to start the stop process. Therefore, by extending the next stop waiting time, it is possible to keep the image forming engine activated and prioritize the response of the print processing.

  On the other hand, the fact that the next Print instruction information has been sent after completion of the stop process is likely to be infrequently used by the user. Therefore, the image formation engine is stopped earlier by shortening the stop wait time. However, there is no practical effect, and the consumption of parts can be suppressed.

  In this way, by optimizing the stop waiting time according to the usage frequency of the user, when the print instruction is frequently issued, the operation probability of the image forming engine is increased and the productivity is improved. If the frequency of requesting the Print instruction is reduced, the time during which the image forming engine is stopped becomes longer, and it becomes possible to give priority to extending the life of the parts.

  In this embodiment, since the stop waiting time is stored in the nonvolatile memory, it is possible to adjust the stop waiting time including the image supply capability before power off / on. In addition, by making the addition / subtraction values for extension / reduction of stop queuing time variable by the user interface, the weighting for the priority of “response to image supply capability” and “life extension of member life” can be changed. It is possible to flexibly cope with the target direction of the forming system and individual weighting settings for each job (Print / Copy / Fax).

  The above-described image forming method can realize each step as a program. That is, this program (image forming program) is executed by the CPU that is the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1, and the above-described image forming method is executed by executing the program. The image forming program can be stored and distributed in a predetermined medium or distributed via a network. Further, by installing an image forming program in the image forming apparatus as the function of the image forming engine is improved, it is possible to realize the image forming method according to the present embodiment that matches the function of the image forming engine, that is, the optimum adjustment processing of the waiting time. become.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining the structure of an image forming engine. 6 is a timing chart for explaining a relationship between presence / absence of an image formation instruction and an image forming operation. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming method according to the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Communication apparatus, 3 ... Non-volatile memory, 4 ... Control part, 5 ... ROM, 6 ... RAM, 7 ... Image forming engine, 10 ... Image supply apparatus

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing a waiting time from when there is no image formation instruction sent from the image supply device to when sequential stop processing of various functions of the image forming engine is started;
A control unit that starts subtraction of the waiting time stored in the storage unit when the image forming instruction is lost, and instructs a sequential stop process of various functions of the image forming engine when the waiting time has elapsed. In the image forming apparatus provided,
When the next image formation instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of the various functions of the image forming engine and the stop of all the functions, the control unit An image forming apparatus characterized in that the waiting time stored in the storage unit is extended, and if it has not been sent, the waiting time stored in the storage unit is shortened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an extended time of the waiting time is longer than a shortened time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile memory. An image forming method that starts subtraction of a preset waiting time when there is no image forming instruction sent from the image supply device, and starts sequential stop processing of various functions of the image forming engine when the waiting time has elapsed In
When the next image formation instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of the various functions of the image forming engine and the stop of all the functions, the waiting time to be used next time is set. An image forming method characterized by shortening the waiting time to be used next time when it is extended and not sent. The image forming method according to claim 4, wherein an extended time of the waiting time is longer than a shortened time. Starting subtraction of a preset waiting time when there is no image formation instruction sent from the image supply device;
In an image forming program comprising the steps of starting sequential stop processing of various functions of the image forming engine when the waiting time has elapsed,
When the next image formation instruction is sent from the image supply device between the start of the sequential stop operation of the various functions of the image forming engine and the stop of all the functions, the waiting time to be used next time is set. An image forming program characterized by shortening the waiting time to be used next time when it is extended and not sent. The image forming program according to claim 6, wherein the extended time of the waiting time is longer than the shortened time.

Images