JP2006259147A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for setting a proper operation mode corresponding to a working environment. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus 10, either a low noise mode for preceding operation suppressing operation sounds or a high production mode for preceding high speed operation of image formation can be selectively carried out, and printing is carried out in a set operation mode. Number-of-times information indicating the execution number at each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode is stored in a Flash Memory 43. The operation mode of more numerous number-of-times in execution number indicated by number-of-times information is set by CPU 40 as a default operation mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which either one of a low noise mode that prioritizes an operation that suppresses the generation of an operation sound and a high production mode that prioritizes a high speed image forming operation can be selectively executed. Is.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as laser printers and electrophotographic copying machines have become widespread. In this type of image forming apparatus, when image formation (printing) is performed on a recording medium, each part of the image forming engine unit is appropriately driven, and a large number of motors are provided as drive sources for this purpose. It is common.

By the way, this type of image forming apparatus can selectively execute either an operation mode of a low noise mode that prioritizes an operation that suppresses generation of an operation sound or a high production mode that prioritizes a high speed operation of image formation. There is what was said. As a technique that can be applied to set an appropriate operation mode in this type of image forming apparatus, Patent Document 1 discloses that when a print unit (image forming engine unit) and a reader unit (scanner) that reads a document image are operated. The operation sound information indicating the magnitude of the operation sound generated is stored in advance, and the operation sound information generated when the print unit and the reader unit are operated is predicted based on the operation sound information. It is described that the low noise mode is selected as the default operation mode automatically or in response to a user's operation instruction when the loudness of the operation sound is higher than a predetermined level.
JP 2002-77488 A

  However, whether or not the user feels uncomfortable noise at the time of image formation by the image forming apparatus differs depending on the work environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed, but the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses Is not considered at all, there is a problem that it is not possible to set an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment. That is, for example, there are many workers in the daytime, so you want to suppress the operation sound, but in the nighttime hours, there are few workers, so you want to prioritize print productivity over suppressing the operation sound. The appropriate mode of operation is different.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of setting an appropriate operation mode according to a work environment.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, either one of a low noise mode that prioritizes an operation that suppresses the generation of operational noise and an operation mode that prioritizes a high-speed image forming operation mode. An image forming apparatus that is selectively executable and executes a set operation mode, and that stores frequency information indicating the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode And setting means for setting the operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number information as a default operation mode.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 can selectively execute one of an operation mode of a low noise mode that prioritizes an operation that suppresses generation of an operation sound and a high production mode that prioritizes a high speed operation of image formation. And the set operation mode is executed.

  Here, in the present invention, frequency information indicating the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode is stored in the storage unit, and the number of executions indicated by the frequency information is set by the setting unit. The more operating mode is set as the default operating mode. The storage means includes a RAM, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a compact flash (registered trademark), a microdrive (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), an SD card (registered trademark), and a memory stick (registered trademark). ), A portable memory such as an xD picture card (registered trademark), and a fixed storage device such as a hard disk.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the number of times information indicating the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode is stored in the storage means, and the execution indicated by the number of times information is performed. Since the operation mode with the larger number of times is set as the default operation mode, an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment can be set.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, as in the second aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores the number-of-times information for each operation mode for each divided period obtained by dividing a predetermined period by a predetermined time interval. And the setting means may set the operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-times information of the segment period corresponding to the time when the operation mode is set as the default operation mode.

  In the invention described in claim 2, it is preferable that the predetermined period is one day, one week, or one month as in the invention described in claim 3.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage means is a surface on which an image indicated by image data is formed on one side or both sides of a recording medium by executing one print job. Storing the number-of-times information for each of the operation modes for each number of divided surfaces divided in units of a predetermined number of surfaces in units, and the setting means records an image indicated by the image data as a print job The operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-times information of the number of section surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces to be formed may be set as the default operation mode.

  Further, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, as in the invention according to claim 5, the storage unit stores in advance default information indicating a default operation mode, and the setting unit If the total value obtained by summing the number of executions for each operation mode is less than a predetermined value, the operation mode indicated by the default information stored in the storage means may be set as the default operation mode.

  Further, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, as in the invention according to claim 6, default information indicating a default operation mode is stored in the storage unit in advance, and the setting unit is stored. Sets the operation mode indicated by the default information stored in the storage means as the default operation mode when the ratio between the number of executions in the low noise mode and the number of executions in the high production mode does not exceed a predetermined ratio You may do it.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7 is the operation of either the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of the operation sound or the high production mode that prioritizes the high speed operation of image formation. An image forming apparatus in which a mode can be selectively executed and a set operation mode is executed, and a default operation mode is shown for each divided period obtained by dividing a predetermined period by a predetermined time interval. Storage means for storing default information in advance, and setting means for setting the operation mode indicated by the default information of the segment period corresponding to the time when the operation mode is set as a default operation mode.

  Thus, according to the seventh aspect of the invention, the default information indicating the default operation mode is stored in advance for each divided period obtained by dividing the predetermined period at a predetermined time interval in the storage unit, and the operation mode Since the operation mode indicated by the default information in the segment period corresponding to the set time is set as the default operation mode, an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment can be set.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 is the operation of either the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of the operation sound or the high production mode that prioritizes the high speed operation of image formation. An image forming apparatus in which a mode can be selectively executed and a set operation mode is executed, and an image indicated by image data is formed on one side or both sides of a recording medium by executing a print job once Storage means for storing in advance default information indicating the default operation mode for each number of divided surfaces divided in units of a predetermined number of surfaces in units of the number of surfaces to be recorded, and recording an image indicated by image data as a print job Setting means for setting the operation mode indicated by the default information of the number of sectioned surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces formed on the medium as a default operation mode. To have.

  As described above, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, every predetermined number of surfaces defined in units of the number of surfaces on which an image indicated by the image data is formed on one surface or both surfaces of the recording medium by executing one print job. The default information indicating the default operation mode is stored in advance in the storage means for each number of divided surfaces, and the number of divided surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces on which the image indicated by the image data is formed on the recording medium as a print job Since the operation mode indicated by the default information is set as the default operation mode, an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment can be set.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the number of executions indicating the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode is stored in the storage means, and the number of executions indicated by the number of times information is stored. Since the operation mode with the larger number is set as the default operation mode, it is possible to set an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 reads an image from a document placed at a predetermined reading position, acquires image data indicating the image, image data acquired by the scanner 11, and An apparatus main body 12 that performs image forming processing using various image data such as image data acquired from the outside, and a touch panel display that displays an operation menu, a message, and the like, and a transmissive touch panel is integrally provided on the surface ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as a “display”) 14 and a discharge tray 39 for holding a sheet 31 (see also FIG. 2) as a recording medium on which an image is formed and discharged from the apparatus main body 12.

  Note that in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a pressure-sensitive touch panel is used as the touch panel, and image formation is performed when the user touches the display surface of the display 14 with a fingertip (touch operation). Various operations can be instructed to the apparatus 10.

Further, the discharge tray 39 is provided with a sheet aligning mechanism 39A that aligns the stacked positions of the discharged sheets 31 so that two sides are aligned. Next, referring to FIG. Will be explained.

  As shown in the figure, the apparatus main body 12 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming engine unit 15 that performs an image forming process on a sheet 31, a sheet feeding tray 30 that stores sheets 31 before image formation, It has.

  The image forming engine unit 15 conveys the picked up paper 31, an image forming unit 20 that forms a toner image using an electrophotographic method, a pick-up roll 32 that picks up the paper 31 from the paper feed tray 30 one by one. Conveying rollers 33A and 33B, a registration roller 33C that feeds the paper 31 to a later-described toner image transfer position at a predetermined timing, and a conveying belt 34 that conveys the paper 31 on which the toner image has been transferred, and pressurization disposed opposite to each other A fixing device 36 that performs heat-fixing by sandwiching and conveying the paper 31 on which the toner image has been transferred by the roller 36A and the heating roller 36B, and a paper discharge roller 38 that discharges the heat-fixed paper 31 to the discharge tray 39. It is equipped with. In addition, the image forming engine unit 15 includes six motors 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E, and 35F as driving sources that are provided inside and drive each device.

  In the present embodiment, the pickup roll 32 is driven by the driving force transmitted from the motor 35A via the drive transmission path 37A, and the transport rollers 33A and 33B are driven from the motor 35B to the drive transmission path 37B and the drive transmission path 37C, respectively. The registration roller 33C is driven by the driving force transmitted from the motor 35C via the drive transmission path 37D. Further, the conveyance belt 34 and the fixing device 36 are driven by the driving force transmitted from the motor 35D via the drive transmission path 37F and the drive transmission path 37G, respectively. The motor 35D drives the transfer drum 29 and a roller provided on the photosensitive drum 22 and the developing device 28 included in the image forming unit 20 described later via a drive transmission path 37E. Further, the paper discharge roller 38 is driven by the driving force transmitted from the motor 35E via the drive transmission path 37H, and the sheet aligning mechanism 39A is driven by the driving force transmitted from the motor 35F via the drive transmission path 37I. To do.

  The image forming unit 20 is provided with a cylindrical photosensitive drum 22 that is driven to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 2 by the driving force from the motor 35D described above. A charger 24 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 22 is disposed around the photosensitive drum 22. Charging of the photosensitive drum 22 by the charger 24 is the first stage of a series of image forming processes. Further, a light beam based on a desired image is irradiated on the downstream side of the charger 24 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 22 in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 22 uniformly charged by the charger 24. A ROS (Raster Output Scanner) 26 for forming an electrostatic latent image is disposed on the photosensitive drum 22.

  Further, an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 22 is developed around the photosensitive drum 22 on the downstream side of the ROS 26 along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 22 with a toner to form a toner image. A developing device 28 to be formed is disposed. A transfer position with the paper 31 is located on the downstream side of the developing device 28, and a transfer device 29 is disposed so as to sandwich the paper 31 with the photosensitive drum 22. The transfer device 29 has a role of transferring a toner image on the photosensitive drum 22 to the paper 31 by applying a predetermined voltage.

  On the other hand, the paper 31 is taken out from the paper feed tray 30 by the pickup roll 32 in synchronization with the formation of the toner image, and is transported by the transport rollers 33A and 33B and the registration roller 33C and is sandwiched between the toner images by the transfer device 29. The toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 18 to the paper 31 by this nipping and conveying.

  The sheet 31 on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the nip portion between the pressure roller 36A and the heating roller 36B of the fixing device 36 by the conveying belt 34, and is subjected to heat fixing. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper 31 and a desired image is formed on the paper 31. The sheet 31 on which the image is formed is discharged to a discharge tray 39 by a pair of discharge rollers 38 disposed on the downstream side of the fixing device 36 in the sheet conveyance direction.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the main configuration of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 10 temporarily stores a CPU (central processing unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, a ROM 42 that stores various programs including a default mode setting processing program described later, and various data. A RAM 48, a flash memory 43 for storing an operation mode history information table, a user operation mode setting table, a profile setting table, a profile table, etc., which will be described later, a display driver 44 for controlling display of various information on the display 14, and a display 14 The operation input detection unit 46 that detects a touch operation, the scanner driver 50 that controls reading of an optical image by the scanner 11, and the motors 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E, and 35F described above are electrically connected to each other. And image formation An image forming engine control unit 54 for controlling the gin unit 15, and a RTC (Real Time Clock) 62 for performing counting the current time, the.

  The RTC 62 according to the present embodiment is supplied with driving power from a battery (not shown), and holds both date and time as time information.

  The CPU 40, RAM 48, ROM 42, flash memory 43, display driver 44, operation input detection unit 46, scanner driver 50, image forming engine control unit 54, and RTC 62 are connected to each other via the system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 40 accesses the RAM 48, the ROM 42, and the flash memory 43, displays various information on the display 14 via the display driver 44, grasps the content of the instruction by the user's touch operation on the operation input detection unit 46, Based on the control of the operation of the scanner 11 via the scanner driver 50, the control of the operation of each device of the image forming engine unit 15 via the image forming engine control unit 54, and the time information timed by the RTC 62 Each can be grasped.

  By the way, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a low noise mode that gives priority to an operation that suppresses the generation of an operation sound and a high-speed operation of the image forming process on the paper 31 as an operation mode when executing the image forming process. High-priority production mode is provided, and it is possible to set one of the operation modes on the operation screen displayed on the display 14 and execute the image forming process.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the operation mode of the low noise mode or the high production mode is counted during the image forming process and stored in the operation mode history information table.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation mode history information table according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the operation mode history information table divides a predetermined period (in this embodiment, one day (24 hours)) at a predetermined time interval (in this embodiment, one hour). And an area for storing the number of execution times each of the low noise mode and the high production mode is executed for each division period, and the number of executions for each division period corresponding to the time when the image forming process is executed is stored. Has been.

  Here, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to selectively specify the operation mode on the operation screen displayed on the display 14 as described above. It is possible to set the default operation mode displayed.

  In the present embodiment, a default operation mode is determined in advance by a user in a user operation mode setting table described later, and a default mode setting described later is based on the user operation mode setting table and the above-described operation mode history information table. The default operation mode to be selected is set by processing.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a user operation mode setting table according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, in the user operation mode setting table, the predetermined period is divided into the predetermined time intervals in the same manner as the operation mode history information table (see also FIG. 4). An area for storing the operation mode is stored. The user operation mode setting table is displayed on the display 14 by a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus, and a low noise mode or a high production mode is designated as a default operation mode for each division period by a touch operation on the display 14. Is possible.

  By the way, when the image forming apparatus 10 executes the image forming process, the image forming apparatus 10 generates operation sounds from the devices and the motors 35A to 35F provided in the image forming apparatus 10. The motors 35A to 35F generate a large operating noise when starting up to increase the rotational speed from zero, or at the time of starting down to reduce the rotational speed to zero, and when the rotational speed is suddenly increased or decreased, Engagement with gears (not shown) provided in the paths 37 </ b> A to 37 </ b> I and slipping of belts, rollers, etc. cause particularly loud operation noise.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, changes in the rotational speed at the time of starting and lowering of the motors 35A to 35F are controlled using profiles described later, and different profiles are used in the low noise mode and the high production mode. Used.

  In general, the motors 35A to 35F increase in operating noise as the rotational speed increases, but each has a rotational speed region in which the operating noise decreases. Both the low noise mode and the high production mode are used. During the image forming process, the operation sound is suppressed to a low level by steady driving at a predetermined rotation speed included in the rotation speed region.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a profile setting table for the low noise mode and the high production mode according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the profile setting table correlates profiles T1 to T24 used when the low noise mode and high production mode of the motors 35A to 35F are started up and shut down. The profile T1 is associated with the startup profile in the high production mode, and the profile T2 is associated with the shutdown profile. The profile T13 is the startup profile in the low noise mode, and the profile is the startup profile. T14 is associated.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a profile table according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the profile table stores pulse frequencies supplied to the motor at each stage of each profile (in FIG. 7, only profiles T1, T2, T13, and T14 are displayed). This stage indicates a period after starting up or starting down, and in this embodiment, one stage is 100 [ms].

  The profile T13 used in the low noise mode of the motor 35A increases the rotational speed more gently by increasing the pulse frequency than the profile T1 used in the high production mode, and is used in the low noise mode of the motor 35A. In the profile T14, the rotation speed is gradually decreased by decreasing the pulse frequency more gently than the profile T2 used in the high production mode. This suppresses the generation of operating sounds in the low noise mode.

  Next, the overall flow of operations during image formation on the paper 31 in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described. Here, a case will be described in which an image is read and printed from a document placed at a predetermined reading position by the scanner 11.

  The image forming apparatus 10 displays an operation screen on the display 14, and executes a default mode setting processing program to be described later as needed to display a low noise mode or a high production mode as a selection state as a default operation mode. .

  The user places the document at a predetermined reading position of the scanner 11, selects an operation mode of the operation screen displayed on the display 14 as necessary, designates the number of prints, and instructs to start printing. Here, since the user selects an operation mode as necessary, when the user is not conscious of the operation mode, the process is performed in the default operation mode. In general, since the user rarely intentionally switches the operation mode, the ratio of processing performed in the default operation mode increases.

  When an operation for instructing the start of printing is performed, the image forming apparatus 10 reads an image from a document by the scanner 11, acquires image data indicating the image, and stores the image data in the RAM 48.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the startup profile corresponding to the selected operation mode of the motors 35A to 35F, and increases the rotational speed of the motors 35A to 35F according to the stage set in the profile. When the rotation of .about.35F is performed and the rotation becomes steady driving, the respective devices of the image forming engine unit 15 are controlled based on the image data stored in the RAM 48 to perform image forming processing on the paper 31. When the image forming process is completed, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the falling profile corresponding to the selected operation mode of the motors 35A to 35F, and rotates the motors 35A to 35F according to the stage stored in the profile. Decrease speed and stop.

  FIG. 8 shows a graph showing changes in the rotational speed of the motor in the low noise mode and the high production mode.

  As shown in the figure, in the low noise mode, the motor rotation speed is gradually increased at the start-up and the motor rotation speed is gradually decreased at the start-up than in the high production mode. Is suppressed.

  Some motors can keep operating noise low over a wide range of rotational speeds, but such motors are generally expensive. For this reason, in this embodiment, the change in the rotational speed of the motor at the time of startup and at the time of startup is moderated to suppress the generation of operating noise. By driving at a small predetermined rotational speed, it is possible to suppress operation noise using an inexpensive motor.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the operation when the default mode setting processing program according to the present embodiment is executed will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the default mode setting processing program, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 42 in advance.

  In step 100 in the figure, the number of executions of each of the low noise mode and the high production mode in the segment period corresponding to the current time is read from the operation mode history information table (see FIG. 4). In the next step 102, the read times of the low noise mode and the high production mode are totaled, and it is determined whether the total value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (100 in this embodiment). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 104. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 106. This is because a certain amount of data is required to obtain an appropriate operation mode according to the work environment.

  In step 104, a ratio between the read number of times of execution of the low noise mode and the number of times of execution of the high production mode is obtained, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference of a predetermined ratio or more (in this embodiment, 40% or more). If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 106. The process of step 104 is a process for determining whether or not there is a significant difference between the number of executions in the low noise mode and the number of executions in the high production mode, and the number of executions in the low noise mode and the number of executions in the high production mode. In this embodiment, when one ratio is 70% or more and the other ratio is 30% or less, there is a significant difference.

  In step 106, the operation mode stored in the segment period corresponding to the current time is read from the user operation mode setting table (see FIG. 5), and the operation mode is set as the default operation mode. Thereby, an appropriate operation mode predetermined according to the current time can be displayed as a selected state on the operation screen displayed on the display 14.

  On the other hand, in step 108, the operation mode having the larger value among the number of execution times of the low noise mode and the number of execution times of the high production mode is set as a default operation mode. As a result, the operation mode frequently used in the segment period corresponding to the current time is set to the default operation mode on the operation screen displayed on the display 14, so the operation mode suitable for the work environment is selected. Can be displayed.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has one of the operation modes of the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of the operation sound and the high production mode that prioritizes the high speed operation of image formation. Printing is executed in the operation mode that is selectively executable and set, and the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode is stored in the storage means (here, the flash memory 43). The operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the frequency information is set as the default operation mode by the setting means (here, the CPU 40). It is possible to set an appropriate operation mode.

  Further, the storage means stores the number-of-times information for each operation mode for each divided period obtained by dividing a predetermined period at a predetermined time interval, and the setting means corresponds to the time when the operation mode is set. Since the operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-times information in the divided period is set as the default operation mode, an appropriate operation mode can be set according to the cycle of the work environment.

Further, in the storage means, default information indicating a default operation mode is stored in advance,
Since the setting means sets the operation mode indicated by the default information stored in the storage means as the default operation mode when the total value obtained by summing the number of executions for each operation mode is less than a predetermined value, Even when the amount of data for which an appropriate work environment can be obtained is insufficient, an appropriate operation mode can be set.

Further, in the storage means, default information indicating a default operation mode is stored in advance,
When the ratio between the number of executions of the low noise mode and the number of executions of the high production mode is not more than a predetermined ratio, the setting unit sets the operation mode indicated by the default information stored in the storage unit as the default operation mode. Therefore, even if there is no obvious significant difference, an appropriate operation mode can be set.

  In the first embodiment, the operation mode history information table divides one day into one-hour units, and stores an area for storing the number of times the low noise mode and the high production mode are executed for each division period. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of times the low noise mode and the high production mode are executed may be stored every day of the week. The number of executions may be stored by dividing one week (168 hours) for each day of the week and a predetermined time interval. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which memorize | stores the frequency | count of execution dividing every month into every day or every day and a predetermined time interval. In general, the status of the work environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed periodically changes between one day, one week, and one month. Therefore, a more appropriate default operation mode is set according to the cycle of the work environment. Can be set.

  In the first embodiment, the case where one day is divided into one hour units has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one day is divided into units of 30 minutes in the daytime. The night time zone may be divided into several hours and the number of executions for each operation mode may be stored. By setting the time unit to be finer during the daytime, it is possible to set an appropriate default operation mode according to the work environment, and since the change in the work situation is scarce during the nighttime, go to the user operation mode setting table. The setting of can be simplified. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which memorize | stores the execution frequency of an operation mode only for the predetermined time slot | zone within one day.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, an example in which a default operation mode is set based on the number of pages on which an image indicated by image data is printed on a sheet 31 will be described. Since the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of an operation mode history information table according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the operation mode history information table is stored for each predetermined number of pages determined in units of the number of pages on which the image indicated by the image data is printed on the paper 31 in one print job instructed to be printed. (In this embodiment, for every 10 pages), each of the number of divided surfaces has an area for storing the number of times the low noise mode and the high production mode are executed, and in one print job The number of executions is stored for each number of divided surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces on which an image is formed.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a user operation mode setting table according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the user operation mode setting table is similar to the operation mode history information table (see also FIG. 10). The operation mode is set for each number of divided surfaces divided by the predetermined number of surfaces in units of surfaces. It has a memory area. The user operation mode setting table is displayed on the display 14 by a predetermined operation on the image forming apparatus, and a low noise mode or a high production mode is designated as a default operation mode for each predetermined number of screens by a touch operation on the display 14. Is possible.

  Next, referring to FIG. 12, the operation when the default mode setting processing program according to the second embodiment is executed will be described. In the figure, the same processes as those in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In step 150 in the figure, the scanner 11 reads an image from the original, obtains the number of faces for forming the image indicated by the image data stored in the RAM 48 on the paper 31, and obtains the number of faces from the operation mode history information table. Read the number of executions of the low noise mode and high production mode for the corresponding number of divisions.

  In step 152, the operation mode stored in the number of section planes corresponding to the number of planes of the image indicated by the image data is read from the user operation mode setting table (see FIG. 11), and the operation mode is set as the default operation mode. .

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment, the storage unit has the number of surfaces formed on one side or both sides of the recording medium of the image indicated by the image data by executing one print job. The number-of-times information for each of the operation modes is stored for each number of divided surfaces divided for each predetermined number of surfaces as a unit, and the setting unit forms an image indicated by image data as a print job on a recording medium Since the operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-parts-number information corresponding to the number of divided surfaces is set as the default operation mode, the number of surfaces on which an image is formed in one print job is set. Appropriate operation modes can be set when there are many and when there are few faces.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the total number of executions of the low noise mode and the high production mode is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is based on the number of executions stored in the operation mode history information table. Although the case where the default operation mode is set has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the operation mode stored in the user operation mode setting table may be always set as the default operation mode. Good. In this case, an appropriate operation mode determined in advance according to the work environment can be set. Further, it is not necessary to store the number of executions for each operation mode in the operation mode history information table, and the processing of the default mode setting processing program is simplified.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case has been described in which both the changes in the rotational speed at the time of starting up and lowering of the motor are moderated in the low noise mode, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead of this, only one of the startup time and the startup time may be made gentle according to the device driven by the motor. As a result, it is possible to perform startup and shutdown processing according to the device driven by the motor.

  In the first and second embodiments, the operation mode is set based on the number of execution times of the low noise mode and the high production mode, and the rotation speed changes when the motor is started up and down in the low noise mode. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an image having a low noise mode for reducing the operating noise of the motor by reducing the rotational speed of the steady driving of the motor. You may apply to a formation apparatus. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In addition, the configuration (see FIGS. 1 to 3) of the image forming apparatus 10 described in the present embodiment is an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  The processing flow of the default mode setting processing program described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 9 and 12) is also an example, and it goes without saying that it can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Yes.

  Furthermore, the data structure of the operation mode history information table, user operation mode setting table, profile setting table, and profile table described in the present embodiment (see FIGS. 4 to 7, 10, and 11) is also an example. Needless to say, modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure inside the apparatus main body which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an electric system of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the operation mode log | history information table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one example of the data structure of the user operation mode setting table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the profile setting table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows one example of the data structure of the profile table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the change of the rotational speed of the motor in the low noise mode and high production mode which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is a flow which shows the flow of a process of the default mode setting process program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the operation mode log | history information table which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the user operation mode setting table which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flow which shows the flow of a process of the default mode setting process program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image forming apparatus 40 CPU
43 Flash memory

Claims (8)

Either the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of operation sound or the high production mode that prioritizes the high-speed operation of image formation can be selectively executed and the set operation mode is executed An image forming apparatus, comprising:
Storage means for storing number-of-times information indicating the number of executions for each operation mode of the low noise mode and the high production mode;
Setting means for setting the operation mode with the larger number of executions indicated by the number information as a default operation mode;
An image forming apparatus. The storage means stores the number-of-times information for each operation mode for each divided period obtained by dividing a predetermined period by a predetermined time interval,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets, as a default operation mode, an operation mode having a larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-times information of the segment period corresponding to a time when the operation mode is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined period is one day, one week, or one month. The storage means is for each number of divided surfaces obtained by dividing the image indicated by the image data in one execution of the print job into a predetermined number of surfaces in units of the number of surfaces formed on one side or both sides of the recording medium. The number of times information for each operation mode is stored in
The setting means sets, as a default operation mode, an operation mode with a larger number of executions indicated by the number-of-times information of the number of divisional surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces on which an image indicated by image data is formed as a print job The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. In the storage means, default information indicating a default operation mode is stored in advance,
The setting unit sets an operation mode indicated by default information stored in the storage unit as a default operation mode when a total value obtained by summing the number of executions for each operation mode is less than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. In the storage means, default information indicating a default operation mode is stored in advance,
When the ratio between the number of executions of the low noise mode and the number of executions of the high production mode is not more than a predetermined ratio, the setting unit sets the operation mode indicated by the default information stored in the storage unit as the default operation mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is set as follows. Either the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of operation noise or the high production mode that prioritizes the high-speed image forming operation can be selectively executed and the set operation mode is executed An image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing in advance default information indicating a default operation mode for each divided period obtained by dividing the predetermined period by a predetermined time interval;
Setting means for setting the operation mode indicated by the default information of the segment period corresponding to the time at the time of setting the operation mode as a default operation mode;
An image forming apparatus. Either the low noise mode that prioritizes the operation that suppresses the generation of operation noise or the high production mode that prioritizes the high-speed image forming operation can be selectively executed and the set operation mode is executed An image forming apparatus,
Default operation mode for each number of divided surfaces divided into a predetermined number of surfaces in units of the number of surfaces on which the image indicated by the image data is formed on one or both surfaces of the recording medium in one print job execution Storage means for storing in advance default information indicating
Setting means for setting, as a default operation mode, an operation mode indicated by the default information of the number of divisional surfaces corresponding to the number of surfaces on which an image indicated by image data is formed on a recording medium as a print job;
An image forming apparatus.

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