JP2007225721A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an image forming apparatus capable of color image formation and monochrome image formation, in that each time image formation mode is switched, stable drive is required, which results in longer time required until the start of each image formation. <P>SOLUTION: When the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a copying machine, a copy mode is determined by determining a color key 6 or monochrome key 7 that has been depressed. Then, drive corresponding to the copy mode is stably performed. This shortens time required till a first copy. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

  In an image forming apparatus, prior to image formation, an image forming component that operates to perform image formation is activated to perform stable driving that stabilizes the operation (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

In stable driving, the speed of the driving motor, the speed of the polygon motor, the high voltage to be applied, the fixing temperature, and the like can be achieved. By performing such stable driving prior to the start of image formation, that is, before the start key is pressed, the image forming process can be started quickly after the start key is pressed.
JP 11-288181 A

  Since stable drive is intended to quickly enter image formation that follows subsequent to stable drive, in stable drive, each component for image formation operates at a speed equal to the operation speed operated during image formation. Is done. For example, when the image forming mode is “color mode”, each component for image formation is operated at a predetermined low speed in stable driving. When the image forming mode is the “monochrome mode”, each image forming component is operated at a predetermined high speed. In other words, when performing monochrome image formation, each component for image formation operates at a relatively high speed, and when performing color image formation, each component for image formation is relatively Since it is driven at low speed, the speed of stable driving is set in accordance with it.

  Further, when the image forming mode is switched after the stable driving, the stable driving is performed again in accordance with the switched image forming mode, and the image forming is executed after the stable driving.

  For this reason, when the image forming apparatus is capable of forming a color image and also capable of forming a black and white image, it is necessary to perform stable driving each time the image forming mode is switched. There has been a problem that becomes longer.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a main object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of quickly performing image formation after stable driving by performing useful stable driving.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus that activates each image forming component that operates to perform image formation prior to image formation and performs stable driving that stabilizes the operation, image formation is performed. Determining means for determining whether the mode is the first mode or the second mode; when the determining means determines the first mode, the first mode stable drive executing means for executing the stable drive at a predetermined low speed; An image forming apparatus comprising: a second mode stable drive execution unit that executes the stable drive at a predetermined high speed when the determination unit determines the second mode.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus has a copy mode selection means operated when functioning as a copying machine, and when the image forming apparatus functions as a copying machine, the copy mode selection is performed. When “color copying” is selected by the means, the determining means determines the first mode, and when “monochrome copying” is selected by the copying mode selecting means, the determining means is the second mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the color forming data is input when the image forming apparatus functions as a printer, the determining unit determines the first mode and black and white print data is input. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the second mode.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first mode is a mode for forming an image on special paper such as thick paper, and the second mode is a mode for forming an image on paper other than the special paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming mode is determined by the determining unit prior to the start of the stable driving. Then, in accordance with the determination unit determining the first mode or the second mode, switching between stable driving at a predetermined low speed or predetermined high speed is performed. Therefore, if it is assumed that the image forming mode will not be switched after the mode is determined, the image can be formed quickly, and the time until the first copy (first print) can be shortened.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus is used as a copying machine, selection means such as a selection button for selecting color copying or monochrome copying is provided. Therefore, according to the selection by the selection unit, the determination unit can determine the first mode or the second mode, and can perform stable driving based on the determination result.

  Therefore, after that, unless the copy mode is switched by the selection unit, the stable drive is validated, and image formation can be performed immediately following the stable drive.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the image forming apparatus functions as a printer, the printer cannot determine whether it is color printing or monochrome printing until print data is actually provided. Therefore, the determination unit holds the determination until the print data is given, and when the print data is given, the first mode or the second mode is judged based on the data, and the stable drive execution unit is judged. Stable drive according to the selected mode is executed.

  Therefore, the time until the first print can be shortened.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when an image is formed on special paper such as thick paper, glossy paper, or OHP paper, the processing is performed at a low speed, and the image is formed on the special paper by performing at a low speed. The first mode is determined so that the image is transferred and fixed satisfactorily. In the case of paper other than special paper, that is, plain paper, the second mode is determined.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration block diagram of FIG. 1 shows only the components related to control, which is a feature of the embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunctional image forming apparatus that can function as, for example, a copier and a printer. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 2. The control unit 2 is composed of a CPU or the like, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a document detection switch 3, a document cover opening / closing switch 4, and an operation panel 5. The document detection switch 3 is a switch that detects and outputs a signal when a document is set on the automatic document feeder when the image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder, for example. The document cover opening / closing switch 4 is a switch that outputs a signal when the document cover is opened and closed in order to set the document on a document reading table such as a platen glass of the image forming apparatus 1. Signals from the document detection switch 3 and the document cover opening / closing switch 4 are given to the control unit 2.

  On the operation panel 5, operation buttons for giving various setting signals and command signals to the image forming apparatus 1 are arranged. Among the operation buttons, there are a color key 6 for setting a color mode in order to perform full-color copying, a monochrome key 7 for setting a monochrome mode in order to perform monochrome copying, and an image formation start command. A start key 8 for giving is included. These key signals are given to the control unit 2.

  The control unit 2 includes a high voltage circuit 13 for applying a high voltage to each component for image formation that operates to perform image formation, such as a drive motor 9, a polygon motor 10, a charger 11, a transfer device 12, and the like. Controls the operation of the fixing device 14 and the like.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a printer, image data is given to the control unit 2 from a personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the control unit 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. A control operation that is a feature of this embodiment in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described in accordance with the flow shown in FIG.

  When the control operation starts, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a copying machine, first, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the document detection switch 3 is turned on (step S1) or the document cover opening / closing switch 4 is, for example, It is determined whether or not it is turned on (step S2). That is, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a document has been set at a document setting position of the automatic document feeder, or whether or not a document cover has been opened for document setting in step S2.

  On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, the control unit 2 determines whether or not the image data transmitted from the personal computer has been received (step S3).

  When used as a copying machine, the control unit 2 detects the copy mode in response to the document being set or the like (step S4). When the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, the print mode is detected based on the received image data (step S4).

  Specifically, this mode detection is performed as follows. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a copying machine, it is determined by determining whether the color key 6 or the monochrome key 7 on the operation panel 5 is pressed. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, the printing content included in the received image data is performed based on whether it is color or monochrome.

  As a result of the mode detection, if it is determined that the color mode is selected (YES in step S5), each image forming component is activated at a relatively “low speed” suitable for color image formation, and stable. Driving is performed (step S6).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the color mode is not selected, the image forming components are activated at relatively high speed to perform stable driving (step S7).

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a copying machine, the color key 6 and the black and white provided on the operation panel 5 are triggered by the setting of an original to be copied. By detecting which of the keys 7 is pressed, it is determined whether color copying or black-and-white copying is performed. Then, each component for image formation is activated at “low speed” or “high speed” according to the determination result, and stable driving is performed.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a printer, it is possible to determine whether the image data is color-printed or monochrome-printed from information included in the received image data. Each component for image formation is activated at “high speed” to perform stable driving.

  Normally, the image forming mode will not be switched after that, and subsequent copying or printing is performed at “low speed” or “high speed” in which stable driving is performed. By driving the elements, good color copying (color printing) or black and white copying (black and white printing) can be performed (steps S8 and S9).

  The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can achieve, for example, a black and white image forming speed of 40 sheets / minute when A4 size paper is targeted. On the other hand, in the case of color image formation, when A4 paper is used, it is 8 sheets / minute (a rate of 30 sheets / minute in terms of black and white). Therefore, when forming a black and white image, the image forming components are driven at a relatively high speed. When forming a color image, the image forming components are driven at a relatively low speed. It is driven by. For this reason, it is necessary to switch the driving speed of each component between a relatively low speed and a high speed depending on whether the image formation is color or monochrome.

  Further, when each component for image formation is driven at a low speed, it is necessary to perform a low-speed stable drive prior to the drive. Similarly, when monochrome image formation is performed, each component for image formation is driven at a relatively high speed. However, prior to the drive, it is necessary to perform stable drive at a relatively high speed.

  As described above, when the driving speed is switched, stable driving at the switched driving speed must be performed prior to image formation.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, in the case of a copying machine, the stable driving start timing is not determined after the copy start signal is given, but the copy mode is determined based on the document set or the like, and the determination result is determined. Stable driving was decided.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, the mode determination is performed based on the print content included in the received image data, and stable driving is started.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to accurately determine whether the image forming mode is the color mode or the monochrome mode, and it is possible to advance the start time of the stable drive.

  As a result, the time until the first copy or the first print can be shortened.

  When the copy output or print output is completed (step S10), the driving of each image forming component is stopped (step S11).

  Since the control is performed as described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can minimize the time from the start of stable driving to the start of copying or printing.

  That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 functions as a copying machine, the time until the first copy from when the start key 8 is pressed and the start of copying is instructed until the first copy is output is shortened. Can do.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used as a printer, it is possible to shorten the first print time from when image data is transmitted to when the first sheet is printed out.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first mode is described as “color mode” and the second mode is set as “monochrome mode”. However, the first mode is applied to special paper such as “thick paper copy mode” and “glossy paper copy mode”. Alternatively, an image may be formed.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a control unit 2 of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Control part 3 Document detection switch 4 Document cover open / close switch 6 Color key 7 Monochrome key 9 Drive motor 10 Polygon motor 13 High voltage circuit 14 Fixing device

Claims (4)

Prior to image formation, in an image forming apparatus that activates each component for image formation that operates to perform image formation and performs stable driving to stabilize those operations,
Determining means for determining whether the image forming mode is the first mode or the second mode;
When the determining means determines the first mode, first mode stable drive executing means for executing the stable drive at a predetermined low speed;
When the determining means determines the second mode, a second mode stable drive executing means for executing the stable drive at a predetermined high speed;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus has a copy mode selection means operated when functioning as a copier,
When the image forming apparatus functions as a copying machine,
When “color copying” is selected by the copy mode selection means, the determination means determines the first mode,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the “monochrome copy” is selected by the copy mode selection unit, the determination unit determines the second mode. When the image forming apparatus functions as a printer,
The determination means determines the first mode when color print data is input, and the determination means determines the second mode when monochrome print data is input. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   2. The mode according to claim 1, wherein the first mode is a mode for forming an image on special paper such as thick paper, and the second mode is a mode for forming an image on paper other than the special paper. Image forming apparatus.

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