JP2007096614A - Image forming apparatus and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and method capable of improving a timing for automatic adjustment so as to maintain an apparatus function according to automatic adjustment and alleviate a down time generated by automatic adjustment. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus 1000 discriminates an engine job which uses a printer engine 1001 from a non-engine job which does not use the printer engine 1001. While the engine job is executed in response to reaching of the printer engine 1001 to an automatic adjustment transition condition, the apparatus shifts to automatic adjustment. If a non-engine job transition trigger occurs since a non-engine job is discriminated, automatic adjustment is preceded and performed in response to reaching of the printer engine 1001 to a condition of shift in the number of counts (N) by a predetermined width (M). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, such as a multi-function copying machine and a printer, in which downtime caused by automatic adjustment is reduced.

  If you continue to use an image forming device such as a multi-function copier or printer, the status inside the device may change over time, and image quality and functions may not be maintained. Occurs. However, since this image quality and function adjustment operation requires knowledge of the image forming apparatus, if this adjustment operation is executed by the user, a large burden is placed on the user. Therefore, conventionally, the image forming apparatus is equipped with an automatic adjustment device that performs an automatic adjustment operation.

The automatic adjustment includes, for example, automatic registration for adjusting color misregistration, automatic density adjustment, and automatic toner replenishment amount adjustment, and is executed based on count data such as the number of prints and the pixel amount (video count) of image data. . Accordingly, the state of the image forming apparatus is automatically maintained without the user being concerned about the state of the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-125986 A

  However, the user cannot perform printing during the downtime caused by the automatic adjustment being performed. For example, when automatic adjustment is executed at the time of power-on or immediately after returning from the power saving mode to execute printing, until automatic adjustment is executed during the waiting time until printing can be executed. The waiting time is further added. Therefore, the downtime is longer, which causes dissatisfaction for the user.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of improving the timing of executing automatic adjustment, thereby maintaining the apparatus function by automatic adjustment and reducing downtime caused by automatic adjustment. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic adjustment execution unit that executes automatic adjustment, and an engine job that uses a printer engine and a printer that does not use the printer engine. A job determination means for determining an engine job; a trigger generation means for generating a non-engine job transition trigger when determined as the non-engine job; and the printer engine during execution of the engine job. Automatic adjustment transition means for shifting to the automatic adjustment in response to reaching the automatic adjustment transition condition, and the automatic adjustment execution means is configured so that when the non-engine job transition trigger occurs, the printer engine performs the automatic adjustment. The automatic adjustment is executed in advance in response to reaching a condition deviating from the adjustment transition condition by a predetermined width. And butterflies.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming method according to claim 7 is an image forming method including an automatic adjustment execution step for executing automatic adjustment, wherein an engine job using a printer engine and a printer engine not using the printer engine are used. A job determination step for determining an engine job; a trigger generation step for generating a non-engine job transition trigger when the engine job is determined; and while the engine job is being executed, the printer engine An automatic adjustment transition step for shifting to the automatic adjustment in response to reaching an automatic adjustment transition condition, and when the non-engine job transition trigger occurs in the automatic adjustment execution step, the printer engine performs the automatic adjustment transition step. The automatic adjustment is performed in response to reaching a condition deviating from the adjustment transition condition by a predetermined width. Prior to the and executes.

  According to the present invention, when the non-engine job transition trigger occurs, the automatic adjustment is performed in advance in response to the printer engine reaching a condition deviating from the automatic adjustment transition condition by a predetermined width. The execution timing can be improved, so that the device function by the automatic adjustment can be maintained and the downtime caused by the automatic adjustment can be reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1000 includes a printer engine 1001, an input device 1002 disposed on the printer engine 1001, and an automatic document feeder 1041 disposed on the input device 1002.

  The automatic document feeder 1041 automatically replaces documents and counts the number of documents.

  The input device 1002 includes a controller 1003, a reader unit 1040 connected to the controller 1003, and an operation unit 1043. The controller 1003 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1000 and develops print data to cause the printer engine 1001 to generate a print image. The reader unit 1040 reads an original with an image sensor and acquires image data. The operation unit 1043 inputs a user instruction to the image forming apparatus 1000 and displays a message from the image forming apparatus 1000 to the user. A network cable 1042 is connected to the controller 1003, and print data from an external network is sent to the controller 1003 via the network cable 1042.

  The printer engine 1001 includes an engine control unit 1004 that is connected to the controller 1003 and controls the printer engine 1001. The engine control unit 1004 drives the printer engine 1001 based on the control command of the controller 1003 and the image data to execute image formation. The engine control unit 1004 can notify the controller 1003 of the status of the printer engine 1001 and the like. Further, the engine control unit 1004 can notify the controller 1003 of configuration information such as an automatic adjustment transition condition of the printer engine 1001 when the printer engine 1001 is activated.

  The printer engine 1001 includes an intermediate transfer belt 1009 that rotates clockwise, image forming process units 1005 to 1008 disposed around the intermediate transfer belt 1009, and a pattern detection sensor 1013 disposed in the vicinity of the image forming process unit 1008. And further. The image forming process units 1005 to 1008 include a photosensitive drum, a primary charger, a laser exposure device, a developing sleeve, and a drum cleaner. Each of Y, M, C, and K image forming and position on the intermediate transfer belt 1009 Perform transcription. The intermediate transfer belt 1009 superimposes the images formed by the image forming process units 1005 to 1008 to form one color image. The pattern detection sensor 1013 detects a test pattern for automatic adjustment.

  The printer engine 1001 further includes a secondary transfer roller 1014 and an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 1015 arranged around the intermediate transfer belt 1009, a pre-registration roller 1016, a registration sensor 1017, and a registration roller 1018. The secondary transfer roller 1014 transfers the image on the intermediate transfer belt 1009 to a sheet. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 1015 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 1009 after the secondary transfer. Sheets fed from sheet feeding cassettes 1028 and 1029, which will be described later, and a POD deck are conveyed by a pre-registration roller 1016 and abutted against a stopped registration roller 1018 with reference to a registration sensor 1017 to form a registration loop. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed by the registration roller 1018 and the pre-registration roller 1016 in synchronization with the image on the intermediate transfer belt 1009 being sent to the secondary transfer position, and the sheet and the image are synchronized and sent to the secondary transfer roller 1014. As a result, secondary transfer is executed.

  The printer engine 1001 further includes a post-secondary transfer conveyance belt 1019, a fixing device 1020, an inner discharge roller 1024, a reverse flapper 1021, an outer discharge roller 1022, and a reverse vertical pass roller 1023. The secondary transfer conveyance belt 1019 conveys the paper after the secondary transfer to the fixing device 1020. The fixing device 1020 fixes toner or the like on the conveyed paper after the secondary transfer. The reverse flapper 1021 sends the paper to the external paper discharge roller 1022 when the fixed paper such as toner is discharged out of the apparatus, and sends the paper to the reverse vertical path roller 1023 when reversing both sides. The inner paper discharge roller 1024 supports and conveys the paper after fixing such as toner. The inner discharge roller 1024 has a one-way, and accelerates and pulls out the sheet in the transport direction while supporting the sheet. As a result, it is possible to perform reversal acceleration that widens the space for reversing both sides in the reversing portion of the reversing flapper 1021.

  The printer engine 1001 further includes a reverse roller 1025, a double-sided left roller 1026, and a double-sided right roller 1027. The reversing roller 1025 reverses the front and back by switching back and pulling out the paper during double-sided printing. The double-sided left roller 1026 and the double-sided right roller 1027 transport the paper that has been turned upside down by the reversing roller 1025 to the pre-registration roller 1016 again for backside printing, thereby enabling double-sided printing.

  The printer engine 1001 further includes paper feed cassettes 1028 and 1029, paper feed rollers 1031 and 1032 corresponding to the paper feed cassettes 1028 and 1029, vertical path lower rollers 1035 and 1036, and a manual paper feed roller 1037. The vertical path lower rollers 1035 and 1036 convey the paper fed by the paper feed rollers 1031 and 1032 to the pre-registration roller 1016. The manual paper feed roller 1037 conveys the manual paper to the pre-registration roller 1016.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 1000 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, a main part 2000 of an image forming apparatus 1000 is connected to a network I / F part 2036 that receives PDL data sent from a host, and includes a controller 1003 including a controller CPU 2030 and its peripheral devices, and a controller 1003. An engine I / F unit 2040 and a controller I / F unit 2015 are connected, and an engine control CPU 2010 and an engine control unit 1004 including peripheral devices are provided.

  The controller 1003 includes a controller CPU 2030, a reader control unit 2034, an operation unit 2035, a data storage 2037, an RIP unit 2038, and an image memory 2039 connected to the controller CPU 2030. The controller CPU 2030 is built in the controller 1003 and controls the controller 1003. The controller CPU 2030 includes a ROM 2031 that stores a control program for the controller 1003, a RAM 2032 that is used as a work area for control of the controller 1003, and a nonvolatile memory 2033 that stores various adjustment values. The reader control unit 2034 drives the image sensor and the automatic document feeder 1041 to read image data from the document. The operation unit 2035 transmits an instruction input from the user to the controller CPU 2030 and displays a message from the controller CPU 2030 to the user. The data storage 2037 temporarily stores the PDL data string received by the network I / F unit 2036. The RIP unit 2038 performs RIP development on the PDL data of each page and creates image data. The image memory 2039 stores image data read by the reader control unit 2034 and image data created by the RIP unit 2038.

  In this example, the RIP unit 2038 and the controller CPU 2030 are separate blocks. However, the control of the entire controller 1003 and the RIP work may be processed in parallel by multitask processing using a single CPU.

  The engine I / F unit 2040 communicates with the engine control CPU 2010 built in the engine control unit 1004 and transfers image data.

  The controller I / F unit 2015 exchanges control commands with the controller CPU 2030 built in the controller 1003 that processes image data and receives image data.

  The engine control unit 1004 includes an engine control CPU 2010 and image forming process units 2001 to 2004, a test pattern detection unit 2008, a registration adjustment unit 2009, a VSYNC generation unit 2014, and test pattern generation units 2017 to 2020 connected to the engine control CPU 2010. , An ITB control unit 2021, a fixing device control unit 2022, and a drive system control unit 2023. The engine control CPU 2010 is a CPU of the engine control unit 1004 built in the engine control unit 1004. The engine control CPU 2010 includes a ROM 2011 that stores a control program for the printer engine 1001, a RAM 2012 that is used as a work area for controlling the printer engine 1001, and a nonvolatile memory 2013 that stores various adjustment values. . The image forming process units 2001 to 2004 execute image forming using image data transmitted from the controller 1003 via the engine I / F unit 2040 and the controller I / F unit 2015. The VSYNC generation unit 2014 generates an image synchronization signal VSYNC, and sends the generated synchronization signal VSYNC to the controller 1003 via the controller I / F unit 2015 and the engine I / F unit 2040. At this time, the controller 1003 transfers image data in synchronization with the sent synchronization signal VSYNC, and synchronization between the controller 1003 and the engine control unit 1004 (printer engine 1001) is established. The test pattern detection unit 2008 sends a test pattern detection signal to a registration adjustment unit 2009 and an engine control CPU 2010 described later. The registration adjustment unit 2009 draws the synchronization signal VSYNC and the image forming process units 2001 to 2004 according to the signal detected by the test pattern detection unit 2008 and the instruction from the engine control CPU 2010 when the content of the automatic adjustment is auto registration adjustment. The image data to be adjusted is adjusted so that no color shift occurs. The test pattern generation units 2017 to 2020 send test pattern image data to the image forming process units 2001 to 2004. The ITB control unit 2021 drives the intermediate transfer belt 1009. The fixing device controller 2022 drives the fixing device 1020 and adjusts the temperature. The drive system controller 2023 controls the motors and solenoids to carry the paper and perform secondary transfer.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database of automatic adjustment conditions executed by the image forming apparatus 1000 of FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the leftmost column indicates the type of automatic adjustment, the second column from the left indicates the number of counters (N) as a condition for shifting to automatic adjustment, and the third column from the left shifts to automatic adjustment. The width (M) of the number of counters for the condition to be performed is shown, and the rightmost column shows the necessary time (seconds) for each automatic adjustment. The counter number width (M) is smaller than the counter number (N). Here, the number of counters (N) is used in the second column from the left, but the number is not limited to this. For example, the counter number of the video counter and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 1015 are not limited thereto. The number of times used may be used.

  The automatic adjustment condition data in FIG. 3 is generated by the controller CPU 2030 based on the configuration information transmitted from the engine control CPU 2010 and stored in the memory.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of determination conditions for engine jobs and non-engine jobs executed by the image forming apparatus 1000 of FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the left column shows a non-engine job formed by the reader unit 1040 and the controller 1003 without using the printer engine 1001. The non-engine job includes a SEND function for receiving image data and transmitting it to the other party over the network. There is a FAX transmission function for transmitting data, a BOX input function for capturing data, and the like. On the other hand, the right column shows an engine job using the printer engine 1001, and the engine job has a COPY function, a PDL print function, a user manual adjustment function, and the like.

  The database in FIG. 4 is stored in advance in the ROM 2031 in the controller CPU 2030 and is used for job determination described later.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a control process for automatic adjustment shift executed by the image forming apparatus 1000 of FIG. The flow chart of FIG. 5 explains the control processing when executing one of the automatic adjustments (for example, auto registration and automatic gradation correction) shown in the leftmost column in FIG. This is executed by the controller CPU 2030 every time.

  In FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not an engine job is currently being executed (step S5010). If the engine job is being executed (YES in step S5010), whether the counter has reached the count number (N) (automatic adjustment) Whether or not the transition condition has been reached (step S5020). If the counter has not reached the count number (N), this process is terminated and the engine job is continued, and the counter has reached the count number (N). If so, automatic adjustment is executed (step S5030), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S5010, if the engine job is not in progress (NO in step S5010), it is determined whether or not the controller 2030 has a trigger for shifting to a non-engine job by an input from the operation unit 2035. If it is in a state of waiting for a trigger to shift to a non-engine job (NO in step S5040), the process ends. On the other hand, when a trigger for shifting to a non-engine job occurs (YES in step S5040), whether or not the counter has reached a predetermined value (N−M) obtained by subtracting the width (M) of the count number from the counter number (N). Is discriminated (step S5050). If it is determined in step S5050 that the counter has not reached the predetermined value (N−M), the present process is terminated. If the counter has reached the predetermined value (NM), automatic adjustment is performed. (Step S5030), the process is terminated.

  Here, “in engine job” means that an engine job using the printer engine 1001 has been received, or that the engine job has already been executed. Note that determination (step S5020) whether or not the automatic adjustment transition condition (count number (N)) has been reached and execution of automatic adjustment (step S5030) correspond to automatic adjustment during an engine job.

  According to the process of FIG. 5, when the engine job is not in progress (NO in step S5010), when the transition trigger to the non-engine job occurs (YES in step S5040), the counter of the printer engine 1001 satisfies the automatic adjustment transition condition. Even if the count number (N) has not been reached, if the count number (N) is less than the predetermined count number width (M), automatic adjustment is executed (step S5030). That is, when only the controller 1003 and the reader unit 1040 are used without using the printer engine 1001, the count of the printer engine 1001 reaches the automatic adjustment transition condition (count number (N)) for executing a predetermined automatic adjustment. If the number of counts is small (the width of the predetermined count number (M)), automatic adjustment is performed in advance, so that the standby time due to automatic adjustment does not occur when the printer engine 1001 is used next time. Therefore, downtime due to automatic adjustment can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the process of FIG. 5, since a predetermined count width (M) is provided for the automatic adjustment shift at the time of the non-engine job, the shift to the automatic adjustment is performed every time the job shifts to the non-engine job. It is configured not to bother the user or shorten the life of the image forming apparatus 100.

  According to the present embodiment, when a non-engine job transition trigger occurs, the printer engine 1001 reaches a condition that deviates from the automatic adjustment transition condition (count number (N)) by the width (M) of the count number. Accordingly, since the automatic adjustment is executed in advance, the timing for executing the automatic adjustment can be improved, so that the apparatus function by the automatic adjustment can be maintained and the downtime caused by the automatic adjustment can be reduced.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the power saving mode control process executed by the image forming apparatus 1000 of FIG. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a control process for preventing an increase in downtime by executing automatic adjustment in addition to the recovery operation when returning from the power saving mode.

  In FIG. 6, when the image forming apparatus 1000 is in the power saving mode and the controller CPU 2030 determines that a job has occurred (YES in step S6010), the power saving mode is canceled (step S6020).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the generated job is a non-engine job (step S6030). If it is determined that the job is a non-engine job, the non-engine job is executed (step S6040), and the standby state is set (step S6090). The process shifts to the power saving mode (step S6100). If the counter reaches the value obtained by subtracting the width (M) of the count number from the counter number (N) in step S6040, automatic adjustment is executed simultaneously with the execution of the non-engine job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6030 that the generated job is an engine job, a recovery operation (return operation) from the power saving mode is executed (step S6005). This recovery operation is, for example, an operation for returning the temperature of the fixing device 1020 to a printable temperature.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the image forming apparatus 1000 is within the automatic adjustment transition condition (step S6060). If the image forming apparatus 1000 is within the automatic adjustment transition condition, automatic adjustment is executed (step S6070). The print job is started (step S6080), the standby state is set (step S6090), and the mode is shifted to the power saving mode (step S6100).

  On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S6060 is that the image forming apparatus 1000 is outside the automatic adjustment transition condition, the print job is started without executing automatic adjustment (step S6080), and is set in a standby state (step S6090), saving. Transition to the power mode (step S6100).

  Note that the recovery time (recovery operation) execution (step S6050) to automatic adjustment execution (step S6070) is downtime for the user.

  According to the processing of FIG. 6, when the generated job is a non-engine job (YES in step S6030), the counter reaches the value obtained by subtracting the width (M) of the count number from the counter number (N). By executing automatic adjustment simultaneously with execution of the non-engine job (step S6040), execution of automatic adjustment (step S6070) is omitted until the next automatic adjustment transition condition is satisfied (YES in step S6060). be able to.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 7A, since automatic adjustment is performed following the recovery operation from the power saving mode after receiving a print request, the waiting time (down time) until the start of the print job is long. It was.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, according to the present invention, automatic adjustment is performed in parallel during a non-engine job. Only the recovery operation is executed, and the print job start is accelerated.

  Therefore, the downtime when returning from the power saving mode is only the minimum required recovery operation, and the waiting time of the user can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the temporary print control process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  A control process executed by the controller CPU 2030 when a temporary print request related to a non-engine job is generated during automatic adjustment triggered by a non-engine job shift will be described with reference to FIG. A temporary print request related to a non-engine job is a message from the image forming apparatus 1000 that has printed information about error contents to a user when an error occurs during network transmission (SEND job) or FAX transmission (FAX transmission job). Means print. A plurality of types of automatic adjustment may occur at the same time, and the total adjustment time may become longer. In such a case, if a temporary print cannot be obtained unless all the automatic adjustments are completed, it is possible that the user of the non-engine job waits more than necessary. In order to avoid this, the following control process is executed.

  In FIG. 8, if temporary printing is necessary (YES in step S8010) and automatic adjustment of the non-engine job transition trigger is executed (YES in step S8020), the required time column (the rightmost column in FIG. 3). The total automatic adjustment time required for the automatic adjustment of the execution and the execution schedule calculated by adding the data in is compared with a predetermined time predetermined as a user standby limit (step S8030). As a result of the comparison, if the total automatic adjustment time is less than the predetermined time, the remaining automatic adjustment is finished and then a temporary print is output (step S8040), and this process is finished.

  On the other hand, if the total automatic adjustment time exceeds the predetermined time as a result of the comparison in step S8030, the automatic adjustment is interrupted at a predetermined timing, and then a temporary print is output (step S8050), and the planned automatic adjustment remains. (YES in step S8060), the remaining automatic adjustment is executed (step S8070).

  According to the control processing of FIG. 8, even when automatic adjustment is executed in advance with a non-print job transition as a trigger, a temporary print required by the user of the non-print job is executed without waiting more than necessary. It becomes possible to do.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, or the like). Is also achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention. .

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. An optical disc such as RW or DVD + RW, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code Includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the expanded function is based on the instruction of the program code. This includes a case where a CPU or the like provided on the expansion board or the expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of conditions for automatic adjustment executed by the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database of determination conditions for engine jobs and non-engine jobs executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart of a control process for automatic adjustment shift executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart of a power saving mode control process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining operations executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A shows the operation of the conventional image forming apparatus and FIG. 1B shows the operation of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 2 is a flowchart of a temporary print control process executed by the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

1000 Image forming apparatus 1001 Printer engine 1002 Input device 1003 Controller 1004 Engine control unit 1005 Image forming process unit 1006 Image forming process unit 1007 Image forming process unit 1008 Image forming process unit 1009 Intermediate transfer belt

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus including automatic adjustment execution means for executing automatic adjustment,
Job discrimination means for discriminating between an engine job using a printer engine and a non-engine job not using the printer engine;
Trigger generation means for generating a non-engine job transition trigger when determined as the non-engine job;
Automatic adjustment shift means for shifting to the automatic adjustment in response to the printer engine reaching an automatic adjustment shift condition while the engine job is being executed,
The automatic adjustment execution means executes the automatic adjustment in advance when the non-engine job transition trigger occurs, in response to the printer engine reaching a condition deviating from the automatic adjustment transition condition by a predetermined width. An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an automatic adjustment transition condition initializing unit that initializes the automatic adjustment transition condition when the automatic adjustment is performed in advance.   3. The non-engine job is any one of a SEND job for network transmission, a FAX transmission job for FAX transmission, a BOX input job for fetching data, and a remote scan job for remote scanning. Image forming apparatus. A first mode with high power consumption and a second mode with lower power consumption than the first mode,
First transition means for transitioning to the first mode after a job has occurred in the second mode;
When the job generated in the second mode is determined to be a non-engine job and the non-engine job shift trigger is generated, the printer engine has not reached a condition deviated from the automatic adjustment shift condition by a predetermined width. In response, second transition means for transitioning from the first mode to the second mode after executing the non-engine job that occurred in the second mode;
When the job generated in the second mode is determined to be a non-engine job and the non-engine job shift trigger occurs, the printer engine reaches a condition deviating from the automatic adjustment shift condition by a predetermined width. And a third transition means for transitioning from the first mode to the second mode after the automatic adjustment is performed in advance. Image forming apparatus.   The job generated in the second mode is determined to be an engine job, and automatic adjustment is executed before the engine job is executed in response to the printer engine reaching the automatic adjustment shift condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. Automatic adjustment time prediction means for predicting the time required for the automatic adjustment;
When a print job occurs during the automatic adjustment, if the remaining time required for the predicted automatic adjustment is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the automatic adjustment is interrupted and the automatic adjustment is performed after the print job is executed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic adjustment restarting unit that restarts the rest of the image. An image forming method including an automatic adjustment execution step for executing automatic adjustment,
A job determination step of determining an engine job using a printer engine and a non-engine job not using the printer engine;
A trigger generation step for generating a non-engine job transition trigger when the non-engine job is determined;
An automatic adjustment transition step for shifting to the automatic adjustment in response to the printer engine reaching an automatic adjustment transition condition while the engine job is being executed,
In the automatic adjustment execution step, when the non-engine job transition trigger occurs, the automatic adjustment is executed in advance in response to the printer engine reaching a condition deviating from the automatic adjustment transition condition by a predetermined width. An image forming method.   8. The image forming method according to claim 7, further comprising: an automatic adjustment transition condition initializing step for initializing the automatic adjustment transition condition when the automatic adjustment is executed in advance.   9. The non-engine job is any one of a SEND job for network transmission, a FAX transmission job for FAX transmission, a BOX input job for fetching data, and a remote scan job for remote scanning. Image forming method. A first mode with high power consumption and a second mode with lower power consumption than the first mode,
A first transition step for transitioning to the first mode after a job has occurred in the second mode;
When the job generated in the second mode is determined to be a non-engine job and the non-engine job shift trigger is generated, the printer engine has not reached a condition deviated from the automatic adjustment shift condition by a predetermined width. In response, a second transition step of transitioning from the first mode to the second mode after executing a non-engine job that occurred in the second mode;
When the job generated in the second mode is determined to be a non-engine job and the non-engine job shift trigger occurs, the printer engine reaches a condition deviating from the automatic adjustment shift condition by a predetermined width. And a third transition step for transitioning from the first mode to the second mode after the automatic adjustment has been performed in advance. Image forming method.   The job generated in the second mode is determined to be an engine job, and automatic adjustment is executed before the engine job is executed in response to the printer engine reaching the automatic adjustment shift condition. The image forming method according to claim 10. An automatic adjustment time prediction step for predicting a time required for the automatic adjustment;
When a print job occurs during the automatic adjustment, if the remaining time required for the predicted automatic adjustment is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the automatic adjustment is interrupted and the automatic adjustment is performed after the print job is executed. The image forming method according to claim 7, further comprising: an automatic adjustment restarting step for restarting the rest of the image.

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