JP2008097456A - Image forming system, image forming apparatus and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an auxiliary power unit to be hardly deteriorated by reducing the frequency of charging and discharging of an auxiliary power unit to be used to quickly start a fixing device. <P>SOLUTION: When a user instruction for making the image forming apparatus form an image is inputted to a computer, the computer communicates with the image forming apparatus through a network, and the computer is made to function as an image formation control means for making the image forming apparatus form an image. When making the image forming apparatus form an image, the image formation control means transmits, to the image forming apparatus through the network, instruction data that generates heat in both first and second heaters to start the fixing device or generates heat only in the first heater to start the fixing device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention generates heat for fixing processing by the electric power stored in the auxiliary power device in addition to the heat generated by the first heater that generates heat for fixing processing by the power of the commercial power source when the fixing device is started up. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that causes a second heater to generate heat, an image forming system including the image forming apparatus, and a computer program.

Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a fax machine, a printing apparatus, and a multi-function machine, a first heater device that directly generates power from a commercial power source and generates heat in order to speed up the start-up process of a fixing device Separately, a second heater device is provided in the fixing device, and electric power is stored in advance from the commercial power source in the auxiliary power device, and power is supplied from the auxiliary power device to the second heater device when the fixing device is started up. Then, by driving this together with a first heater, a large amount of heat is generated in a short time, and the fixing device is quickly brought into a usable state (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-282821

  However, in the above prior art, the above-mentioned auxiliary power supply device constituted by a large-capacity capacitor or the like is repeatedly charged and discharged many times for rapid start-up of the fixing device, so that the auxiliary power supply device deteriorates. As a result, the lifetime was short and it was easy to win.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to reduce the number of times of charging / discharging of an auxiliary power supply device used for rapid start-up of a fixing device so that the auxiliary power supply device is hardly deteriorated.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary power supply device that stores electric power, a first heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power of a commercial power source, and heat for fixing processing generated by electric power of the auxiliary power supply device. When it is necessary to start up the fixing device having the second heater and the fixing device, only the first heater or both the first and second heaters are heated to start the fixing device. An image forming apparatus comprising a control means for raising the image, a user instruction accepting means for accepting a user instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to perform image formation, and when the user instruction is accepted by the user instruction accepting means, An image forming control unit that communicates with an image forming apparatus via a network and causes the image forming apparatus to form an image. When the image forming apparatus forms an image, both the first and second heaters generate heat to start up the fixing device, or only the first heater generates heat and the fixing device is And a computer that transmits instruction data for instructing whether to start up to the control unit of the image forming apparatus via the network.

  With this configuration, communication between the computer and the image forming apparatus is performed via the network, and image formation in the image forming apparatus is performed from the computer. At this time, the user moves from the location of the computer to the location of the image forming apparatus over a certain period of time, and picks up the output of the image forming apparatus, so that it takes a long time by driving only the first heater. Or the instruction data is transmitted from the computer to the image forming apparatus to heat both the first and second heaters and start up the fixing apparatus. Alternatively, an instruction is given as to whether only the first heater is heated to start up the fixing device. When this instruction is given, both the first and second heaters generate heat to start up the fixing device, and only the first heater generates heat to start up the fixing device. As a result, the number of times of heat generation of the second heater is reduced, the deterioration of the auxiliary power supply device in which the heat generated by the second heater is stored can be suppressed, and the life thereof can be extended.

  On the other hand, the invention described in claim 4 communicates with the image forming apparatus via a network when a user instruction for causing the computer to cause the image forming apparatus to perform image formation is input to the computer. The image forming control unit functions as an image forming control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to form an image. When the image forming apparatus causes the image forming apparatus to form an image, the fixing unit of the image forming apparatus includes a fixing power source for fixing processing. Either the first heater for generating heat and the second heater for generating heat for fixing processing by the electric power stored in the auxiliary power supply device are heated to start up the fixing device, or the first heater Instruction data for instructing the image forming apparatus whether to heat up only one heater and start up the fixing device via the network. Is a computer program to be sent to.

  With the computer program having such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary power supply device of the image forming apparatus from deteriorating and extend its life.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an auxiliary power supply device that stores electric power, a first heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power from a commercial power source, and a fixing processing device that uses electric power of the auxiliary power supply device. A fixing device having a second heater for generating heat, and when the fixing device needs to be started up, heats only the first heater, or both the first and second heaters, to fix the fixing device. Control means for starting up the apparatus, and the control means causes both the first and second heaters to generate heat when a computer communicating via a network causes the image forming apparatus to form an image. Receiving instruction data from the computer to instruct whether to start up the fixing device or to heat up only the first heater and start up the fixing device. Heating of said first and second both heater shown is data, or the first image forming apparatus which makes up the fixing device in one of the heat generation of the heater only.

  According to the image forming apparatus having such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary power supply device from deteriorating and extend its life.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the image formation control unit includes a user instruction receiving unit that receives a user instruction to cause the fixing device to start up by causing the second heater to generate heat together with the first heater. When the user instruction is accepted by the user instruction accepting means, instruction data for starting the fixing device by causing the second heater to generate heat together with the first heater is transmitted to the control means, and the user instruction is 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein if it is not accepted by the user instruction accepting unit, instruction data for starting up the fixing device is generated by the heat generated only by the first heater to the control unit.

  With this configuration, the user can promptly start up the fixing device by giving the above-mentioned user instruction and causing the second heater to generate heat together with the first heater, and does not give the above-mentioned user instruction. Thus, the fixing device is started up only by the first heater, and the deterioration of the auxiliary power supply device can be suppressed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet, and an image reading unit that sets a medium and reads an image formed by the image forming unit from the medium. And when the image is read from the medium by the image reading unit and the read image is formed on the image forming unit, the control unit includes the first heater and the second heater. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device is started up by generating heat.

  With this configuration, when the image to be read by the user is read from the medium by the user, that is, when the user is at the image forming apparatus and cannot take a long time to start up the fixing device. Both the first and second heaters can generate heat to quickly start up the fixing device.

  The image forming unit includes, for example, a photosensitive drum that transfers a toner image formed on the surface onto a recording sheet.

  The “medium” includes, for example, an electromagnetic recording medium on which an image is recorded in addition to a sheet (original) on which an image to be imaged is represented. Specific examples of the latter include USB memory, card-type flash memory (so-called memory card), flexible disk, and the like.

  An electromagnetic storage medium such as a USB memory or a flexible disk, even if the image forming apparatus does not include a scanner or the like that reads an image from a document, and forms an image exclusively from an external device such as a PC. In the case where the image is read and image formation is performed, it is included in the image forming apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus according to claims 1 to 5 of the present invention may be an apparatus that can form an image of apparatus information stored therein and output it to a recording sheet or the like. When starting up the fixing device during the image formation, it is preferable that heat is generated by both the first heater and the second heater.

  According to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects of the invention, it is possible to prevent the auxiliary power supply device from deteriorating and extend the life of the auxiliary power supply device.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user can give a user instruction and heat the second heater together with the first heater to quickly start up the fixing device. Otherwise, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the auxiliary power supply device by starting up the fixing device only with the first heater.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an image to be formed by the user is read from the medium by the image reading unit, the user should be at the image forming apparatus and take a long time to start up the fixing device. If not, both the first and second heaters can generate heat to quickly start up the fixing device.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an image forming system 1.

  The image forming system 1 includes a multifunction device 200 (image forming apparatus) and a personal computer 100 (computer) connected to the multifunction device 200 via a network LAN. Hereinafter, the personal computer 100 is abbreviated as a PC 100.

  The PC 100 includes normal hardware resources as a personal computer, and may be a general-purpose product, for example, and includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a display device, a hard disk, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

  In the PC 100, a driver 110 (FIG. 3) for operating the multifunction device 200 is installed on the hard disk. That is, the software of the driver 110 is stored in the hard disk of the PC 100 and necessary settings are made for the operating system (OS). When the user performs a certain operation with the keyboard or mouse of the PC 100, the software of the driver 110 stored in the hard disk is activated by the OS, and the CPU 101 performs an operation according to the description content of the software of the driver 110. . Various device drivers for using various external devices connected to the PC 100 are installed in the PC 100, and the driver 110 is one of these installed drivers.

  A user of the PC 100 can cause the multifunction device 200 to print a document or an image created using application software such as a word processor or a web browser using the driver program 110. The driver 110 can send print job data 150 including image data 150 i of an image to be printed by the multifunction device 200 to the multifunction device 200 to cause the multifunction device 200 to print a desired image. The print job data 150 includes print control data such as the startup speed control command 150c shown in FIG. 1 in addition to the image data 150i described above.

  The PC 100 is an example of a computer connected to the multifunction device 200, and a plurality of computers similar to the PC 100 are connected to the multifunction device 200 and used.

  The print job data 150 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 (and FIG. 2) schematically for convenience of illustration. Specifically, the print job data 150 is configured as described in, for example, PDL (Page Description Language).

  The network LAN is a network that connects the PC 100 and the multifunction peripheral 200, and may be a local area network, or may include at least a part of a wider network such as the Internet.

  The multifunction device 200 is configured to set an original to be copied, an image reading unit 210 that reads an image of the set original, a paper feeding unit 220 provided with the recording paper P, and a recording paper P that extends from the paper feeding unit 220. An image read by the above-described image reading unit 210 or an image of the image data 150i transmitted from the PC 100 is formed on the conveyance path 230 and the recording paper P that is provided in the middle of the conveyance path 230 and is conveyed. An image forming unit 240 and a fixing device 400 that is provided on the downstream side of the image forming unit 240 in the middle of the conveyance path 230 and performs fixing processing of the formed image on the recording paper P. A discharge unit 250 that discharges the recording paper P on which an image is fixed by the fixing device 400 and a control unit 300 that controls each of these components are provided.

  The image reading unit 210 corresponds to an example of the “image reading unit” recited in the claims. Further, the image forming unit 240, the paper feeding unit 220, the transport path 230, and the fixing device 400 correspond to an example of “image forming unit”.

  The control unit 300 is an information processing device that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 300 controls the operation of each unit of the multi-function device 200 by executing software stored in its own ROM.

  The control unit 300 acquires an image of a document read by the image reading unit 210 and prints it. In addition, when the print job data 150 is received from the PC 100, the control unit 300 causes the image data 150i included in the print job data 150 to be printed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a fixing device 400 (FIG. 1) of the multifunction device 200 and a configuration of the multifunction device 200 for driving the fixing device 400.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing device 400 includes a first heater device 410 (first heater) and a second heater device 420 (second heater). The first heater device 410 generates heat when it is supplied with power from an AC input (commercial power supply) via the drive circuit 400d. The second heater device 420 generates heat by the electric power stored in the capacitor device 600. These two heater devices 410 and 420 are constituted by halogen heaters, for example. A fixing roller or the like is heated by these heater devices 410 and 420, and a fixing process is performed by the fixing device 400 (see FIG. 1).

  Capacitor device 600 is configured by connecting a plurality of stages of large-capacity capacitors in series, and is supplied with a rectified direct current obtained by rectifying an alternating current of AC input by a diode bridge from charging unit 620. In addition to storing electric power, the electric power to be stored is discharged from the discharge unit 630 to the second heater device 420 in a predetermined case described below, causing the second heater device 420 to generate heat. The capacitor of the capacitor device 600 is relatively easily deteriorated while being repeatedly charged and discharged. In the image forming system 1, the deterioration of the capacitor device 600 is suppressed.

  An example of the “auxiliary power supply device” described in the claims is shown by the capacitor device 600, the charging unit 620, and the discharging unit 630.

  The AC input does not have a large power supply capacity to drive the first and second heater devices 410 and 420 simultaneously. In the multi-function device 200, when the power is stored in advance in the capacitor device 600 from the AC input and the two heater devices 410 and 420 are to be driven simultaneously, the second heater device 420 stores the power stored in the capacitor device 600. The heater devices 410 and 420 can be driven simultaneously.

  The auxiliary power supply control unit 610 controls the charging unit 620 and the discharging unit 630 and other switches (not shown) to charge the capacitor device 600 from the charging unit 620 and from the capacitor device 600 through the discharging unit 630. The discharge to the second heater device 420 is controlled.

  The control unit 300 (FIGS. 1 and 2) inputs control signals to the auxiliary power supply control unit 610 and the drive circuit 400d, and sets the temperature of the fixing roller of the fixing device 400 to be suitable for executing the fixing process. Keep at temperature. Note that the controller 300 controls the temperature of the fixing roller only by the heat generated by the first heater device 410 except in the case described below.

  An example of the “control means” described in the claims is configured by the control unit 300 and the auxiliary power supply control unit 610 (fixing device drive control means 300x). The “control means” may be considered to include the drive circuit 400d.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional block configuration realized in the PC 100 and the control unit 300 of the multifunction device 200. Each of the PC 100 and the control unit 300 is an information processing device including a CPU that performs arithmetic operations, a memory that stores data, and the like. The function of the broken line) is performed. The functions realized in this way and the technical relationship between these functions will be described with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG.

  In the following description, each functional block to be described is described as being realized by the CPU executing software, but at least some of the functional blocks are realized by hardware such as a sequencer, for example. Also good. In this case, only some functions of the functional blocks may be realized by hardware such as a sequencer.

  The control unit 300 stores control software for realizing the function of controlling the multifunction device 200 in the ROM, and the CPU of the control unit 300 reads out and executes the control software, thereby starting up the control unit 310. The function is played. The CPU of the control unit 300 also has a control function for controlling the image forming unit 240 (FIG. 1) by this control software, but the illustration of these functions is omitted.

  The startup control unit 310 performs startup processing of the fixing device 400. The start-up control unit 310 rapidly raises the temperature of the fixing roller of the fixing device 400 that has become a low temperature, such as room temperature, so that the fixing device 400 is quickly brought into a usable state. For this purpose, the start-up controller 310 drives not only the first heater device 410 but also the second heater device 420 at the same time to generate heat, thereby rapidly heating the fixing roller, and the fixing device 400. To launch rapidly.

  The start-up control unit 310 performs the start-up process of the fixing device 400 when the multifunction device 200 returns from the power saving mode. During the power saving mode, power is not consumed in the heater devices 410 and 420, and the fixing roller and the like of the fixing device 400 are at a low temperature such as room temperature. The start-up control unit 310 rapidly reheats the fixing roller of the fixing device 400 that has cooled down by simultaneously driving the two heater devices 410 and 420 when the multifunction device 200 returns from the power saving mode. Then, the fixing device 400 is started up.

  Details of the data structure of the print job data 150 will be described here. The print job data 150 includes a start speed control command 150c together with print image data 150i representing an image to be printed. The start-up speed control command 150c causes only the first heater device 410 that generates heat with AC input power to generate heat and starts up the fixing device 400, or causes the two heater devices 410 and 420 to generate heat simultaneously. Data in which the PC 100 instructs the start-up control unit 310 to determine whether to quickly start up the fixing device 400 or which one should be used is included.

  When the print job data 150 input from the PC 100 is printed, the start-up control unit 310 controls the two heater devices 410 and 420 based on the start-up speed control command 150c transmitted together with the image data 150i. The fixing device 400 is quickly started up by simultaneously generating heat, or the fixing device 400 is started up by generating heat only from the first heater device 410 that generates heat by AC input power.

  When the start-up control unit 310 prints an image read by the image reading unit 210, the start-up speed control command 150c is not received, so that the two heater devices 410 and 420 are always driven simultaneously. Let it be done.

  On the other hand, an application 120 such as a word processor and a printer driver 110 for causing the multifunction device 200 to print a document created by the application 120 are installed in the PC 100, and these software are stored in the hard disk. When the software is started by the OS, the CPU 101 reads out the software from the hard disk and executes the software, and operates according to the description contents of the software, thereby causing the functions of the application 120 and the driver 110, respectively. .

  The printer driver 110 is started by the application 120 when a user operating the application 120 gives a print instruction to the PC 100 with a mouse click or the like, and data such as an image or document to be printed is input from the application 120 and input. The multi-function device 200 is caused to print the document or the like. The printer driver 110 generates print job data 150 that causes the multifunction device 200 to print the acquired document and the like, and transmits the print job data 150 to the multifunction device 200 via the network LAN. Print the image.

  The printer driver 110 of this embodiment includes functions of a print setting determination unit 111, a job transmission unit 112, a command generation unit 113, and an image data generation unit 114.

  The job transmission unit 112 combines the start-up speed control command 150c generated by the command generation unit 113 and the image data 150i generated by the image data generation unit 114 into one data, and prints the print job data 150 as a network. By transmitting to the multifunction device 200 via the LAN, the multifunction device 200 prints the print job data 150.

  The image data generation unit 114 receives data such as a document to be printed from the application 120, generates image data 150 i, and outputs the generated image data 150 i to the job transmission unit 112.

  The application 120 requests the OS to start the driver 110 when an instruction to print a document or the like created by the application 120 on the multifunction device 200 is given by a user operation on the application 120 using a mouse or a keyboard. In addition, it has a function of outputting data such as a created document to the image data generation unit 114 of the activated driver 110.

  The print setting determination unit 111 is activated when the application 120 activates the driver 110, and determines print settings for printing in the multifunction device 200.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a print setting screen 111w that the print setting determining unit 111 displays on the display of the PC 100. The print setting determination unit 111 displays the print setting screen 111w including a title bar and buttons by inputting control data to a GUI (graphic user interface) function unit included in the OS of the PC 100, and the print setting screen 111w. Information on user operations such as clicks on is acquired from the OS, and the user operations are detected.

  The print setting determination unit 111 displays the print setting screen 111w shown in FIG. 4 and determines the print setting for printing in the multifunction device 200 based on a user operation on the print setting screen 111w. The determined print settings are, for example, the size of paper on which printing is performed, the number of copies to be printed, and the like.

  Then, the print setting determination unit 111 according to the present embodiment determines whether or not to quickly start up the fixing device 400 with the multifunction device 200 as a print setting based on a user operation on the setting screen 111w. If the check box 111c for selecting whether or not to execute rapid start-up is the default and the check is not checked by the user's click, the print setting determination unit 111 causes the fixing device 400 to perform the first heater device. If the check box 111c, which is in the non-check state by default, is checked, the quick start using the second heater device 420 is also performed. Decide that. The user of the PC 100 instructs the fixing device 400 not to start up quickly, or instructs the fixing device 400 to perform a quick start depending on whether the check box 111c is left unchecked in the default state or whether the check box is checked. can do.

  An example of the “user instruction accepting unit” described in claim 2 of the claims is configured by the print setting determining unit 111.

  The command generation unit 113 generates a startup speed control command 150c.

  When the print setting determination unit 111 determines that the fixing device 400 does not start up quickly, the command generation unit 113 does not start up rapidly but starts up the fixing device 400 using only the first heater device 410. A startup speed control command 150c is generated. On the other hand, when the print setting determination unit 111 determines that the fixing device 400 causes rapid startup, the command generation unit 113 drives the two heater devices 410 and 420 simultaneously to rapidly start the fixing device 400. A startup speed control command 150c to be generated is generated.

  The startup speed control command 150 c generated by the command generation unit 113 is transmitted to the copier 200 by the job transmission unit 112.

  Such software for the driver 110 is stored in the hard disk of the PC 100. This software corresponds to an example of a “computer program” recited in the claims. The driver 110 constitutes an example of “image formation control unit”.

  The software of the driver 110 is software that implements the print setting determination unit 111, the job transmission unit 112, the image data generation unit 114, and the command generation unit 113 on the PC 100. When the software of the driver 110 is executed by the CPU 101, the functions of the print setting determination unit 111, the job transmission unit 112, the image data generation unit 114, and the command generation unit 113 are combined to form the driver 110 of the present embodiment. The unique function of is played.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the image forming system 1. On the left side, processing performed by the driver 110 in the PC 100 is shown, and on the right side, processing performed mainly by the control unit 300 in the multifunction device 200 is shown.

  On the PC 100 side, in step Sa1, the driver 110 acquires from the application 120 data such as a document that is to be printed by the multifunction device 200. When the user gives a print execution instruction to the application 120 by operating the mouse or the like on the application 120, the application 120 requests the OS to start the driver 110 and transfers data such as a document desired to be printed to the driver 110. input.

  The application 120 and input hardware such as a keyboard of the PC 100 constitute an example of “user instruction receiving means” described in claim 1 of the claims. However, the part of the function of the image data generation unit 114 that receives an instruction that the application 120 performs to the image data generation unit 114 in response to a print instruction from the user is considered to be an example of the “user instruction reception unit”. You can also.

  In step Sa2, the driver 110 print setting determination unit 111 activated in step S1 displays a print setting screen 111w (FIG. 4) and acquires a user instruction using a mouse or the like.

  In step Sa <b> 3, the print setting determination unit 111 determines whether to cause the fixing device 400 of the multi-function peripheral 200 to quickly start up based on the user instruction acquired by the print setting determination unit 111 in step Sa <b> 2. As described above, if the user does not particularly operate the check box 111c and the check box 111c is left unchecked by default, the print setting determination unit 111 determines that the quick start-up is not performed, When the user checks the check box 111c, it is determined to quickly start up the fixing device 400.

  In step Sa4, the command generation unit 113 generates a startup speed control command 150c. The command generation unit 113 generates a startup speed control command 150c according to the determination result of whether or not to perform rapid startup by the print setting determination unit 111 in step Sa3. In other words, when the print setting determination unit 111 determines not to perform rapid startup, the startup speed control command 150c instructing it is determined, and when it is determined to perform rapid startup, the rapid startup is performed. The command generation unit 113 generates a startup speed control command 150c for instructing startup.

  In step Sa5, the image data generation unit 114 generates the image data 150i based on data such as a document acquired from the application 120.

  In step Sa6, the job transmission unit 112 combines the start-up speed control command 150c generated by the command generation unit 113 in step Sa4 with the image data 150i generated by the image data generation unit 114 in step Sa5, and print job data. 150 is transmitted to the multifunction device 200.

  The PC 100 performs the processing of the above steps Sa1 to Sa6 and causes the multifunction device 200 to perform printing.

  The multi-function device 200 constantly executes the process shown on the right side of FIG.

  In step Sb1, the control unit 300 waits for the image reading unit 210 to read an image from a document or to transmit print job data 150 from the PC 100 via the network LAN (step Sb1: NO). That is, the control unit 300 waits for an image to be printed to be obtained. Note that the control unit 300 may perform a YES determination in step Sb1 only when a document is set on the image reading unit 210, or simply by a user standing in the vicinity of the multifunction device 200. Even if only 200 operation panels 211 (FIG. 1) are operated, an image to be printed may be acquired, and YES may be determined in step Sb1.

  In step Sb2, when it is specified in step Sb1 that there is an image to be printed (step Sb1: YES), the control unit 300 determines whether the multifunction device 200 is in the power saving mode. In the power saving mode (step Sb2: YES), the processing of steps Sb3 to Sb6 is performed and the control unit 300 starts up the fixing device 400. On the other hand, when it is determined that the mode is not the power saving mode but the normal mode (step Sb2: NO), the start-up process of steps Sb3 to Sb6 is not executed, and the control unit 300 immediately reads the image. The image to be printed read by the unit 210 or acquired as the image data 150i of the print job data 150 is printed (step Sb7).

  In steps Sb3 to Sb6, the start-up control unit 310 of the control unit 300 executes the start-up process of the fixing device 400.

  In step Sb3, the startup control unit 310 determines whether the startup speed control command 150c is acquired by the control unit 300 together with the image to be printed. Then, when the startup speed control command 150c is not acquired by the control unit 300 and the startup speed control command 150c is not in the control unit 310 (step Sb3: NO), the startup control unit 310 performs step Sb52. Then, it is determined that the fixing device 400 is rapidly started up as usual. In this case, the image to be printed is one read by the image reading unit 210. On the other hand, if start-up speed control command 150c is acquired by control unit 300 (step Sb3: YES), start-up control unit 310 performs processing in accordance with start-up speed control command 150c (steps Sb4 and Sb51). , Sb52).

  In step Sb4, whether the instruction content of the startup speed control command 150c acquired from the PC 100 to the control unit 300 instructs the MFP 200 to start up the fixing device 400 quickly, or does not make the startup quick. The startup control unit 310 determines whether to instruct.

  In step Sb51, when the startup speed control command 150c indicates that the startup speed control command 150c does not perform a quick startup (step Sb3: YES and step Sb4: NO), the startup control unit 310 Decide not to.

  On the other hand, in step Sb51, the start-up control unit 310 determines that the start-up speed control command 150c instructs to start up rapidly (step Sb3: YES and step Sb4: YES). Decide to launch. Note that step Sb51 is executed by the start-up control unit 310 even when the image read by the image reading unit 210 is printed (step Sb3: NO) as described above.

  In step Sb6, when the start-up control unit 310 determines not to perform a quick start-up in step Sb51 in accordance with the determination results in the previous steps Sb51 and Sb52, only the first heater device 410 generates heat. Therefore, when it is determined that the fixing device 400 is started up without discharging the capacitor device 600 to the second heater device 420 and the quick start-up is determined in step Sb52, the first heater is used. The second heater device 420 generates heat together with the device 410, and thus the fixing device 400 is started up while discharging the capacitor device 600 to the second heater device 420. The power saving mode is terminated by the processing of step Sb6, and the operation mode of the multifunction device 200 returns to the normal operation mode.

  In step S7, printing of an image read by the image reading unit 210 or an image of the image data 150i of the print job data 150 received from the PC 100 is executed.

  In this way, the start-up speed control command 150c is transmitted from the PC 100 to the multi-function device 200, thereby reducing the number of times of charging / discharging of the capacitor device 600, and thus making the capacitor device 600 difficult to deteriorate, so Can be achieved.

  At this time, the user who causes the multifunction device 200 to print from the PC 100 moves to the location of the multifunction device 200 and picks up the printed matter output from the multifunction device 200, so that the fixing is performed only by the heat generated by the first heater device 410. The start-up of the apparatus 400 is performed by transmitting the start-up speed control command 150c, so that the convenience of the user can be prevented from being lowered even if printing is delayed a little.

  On the other hand, when the installation location of the multifunction device 200 is very close to the installation location of the PC 100, or another user who acquires the printed matter output from the multifunction device 200 is separated from the user who operates the PC 100. When the user is nearby, the user of the PC 100 can cause the fixing device 400 to be quickly started up by the multifunction device 200 by checking the check box 111c on the setting screen 111w. Thereby, it is possible to switch whether or not the rapid startup is executed in detail according to the usage situation, and it is possible to ensure that the convenience for the user is not impaired.

  Hereinafter, other embodiments will be described.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, if the user of the PC 100 does not perform an operation for promptly starting up each time using the setting screen 111w (FIG. 4) every time the MFP 200 performs printing, the MFP 100 Although it was not possible to cause the machine 200 to perform rapid startup, whether or not rapid startup was performed in the previous printing is stored in the print setting unit 111 of the PC 100, and this is the default in the next printing. In the case where the rapid startup is performed last time, the print setting unit 111 defaults to the check box 111c of the setting screen 111w, and this time also unless the user performs an operation to clear this check. The rapid startup is automatically performed by the fixing device 400. Conversely, if the rapid startup is not performed last time, the check box is selected by default. 111c is set to not checked, as long as the user does not particularly checking newly add operation automatically rapidly launch This time may be as to prevent done by the fixing device 400. In this way, an appropriate operation can be easily performed.

  (B) The command generation unit 113 has a large size of the image data 150i of the print image. Therefore, the command generation unit 113 is relatively long for processing of the image data 150i in the PC 100 or the multifunction peripheral 200 and communication of the image data 150i through the network LAN. When time is required, a startup speed control command 150c for instructing not to perform rapid startup may be transmitted to the multifunction device 200. In this way, even if the fixing device 400 is started up for a long time only by the first heater device 410, the fixing device 400 is started up while the processing and communication of the image data 150i are taking a long time. Can be done so as not to delay the start of printing.

  In the above description, the image data 150 i and the startup speed control command 150 c are combined by the job transmission unit 112 into one print job data 150, and both are simultaneously transmitted to the multifunction device 200. However, the job transmission unit 112 may transmit a startup speed control command 150c to the multifunction device 200 prior to transmitting the image data 150i to the multifunction device 200. By doing so, the start-up control unit 310 may start the start-up process of the fixing device 400 at an early stage.

  (C) For each type of application 120 that is printed by the driver 110, the command generation unit 113 may store whether the image that the application 120 prints is a large size. For example, since a photo processing application prints an image with high precision and a large number of colors, the size of the printed image is large. The command generation unit 113 stores identification information such as the name of the application. When the stored type of application 120 causes printing, the command generation unit 113 generates a startup speed control command 150c that does not allow rapid startup.

  (D) The start-up speed control command 150c may finely instruct the length of the driving time of the second heater device 420. For example, when the check box 111c is not checked, the command generation unit 113 instructs the start-up speed control command to drive the second heater device 420 by starting up the fixing device 400 only for a predetermined time. While generating 150c, when the check box 111c is checked, a start-up speed control command 150c for making the drive time unlimited can be generated. In this way, it is possible to finely adjust the balance between shortening the startup time of the fixing device 400 and preventing deterioration of the capacitor device 600 that drives the second heater device 420. It should be noted that instead of instructing different driving times in two stages as described above, it may be instructed in more stages.

  (E) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image read from the original by the image reading unit 210 is printed has been described. However, the USB slot provided in the multifunction device 200 (“Image” described in the claims) The same applies when a so-called USB memory (an example of a “medium” in claims) is inserted into at least a part of the “reading means” and an image stored in the USB memory is printed. If the image in the USB memory is printed, NO may be determined in step Sb3, and the fixing device 400 may be quickly started up (steps Sb52 and Sb6).

  Although the multi-function device 200 has been described as an example of the image forming apparatus, other types of image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a fax machine, and a copier may be used instead of the multi-function device 200.

  (F) When the image forming system 1 includes a plurality of computers that cause the multifunction device 200 to perform printing, the multifunction device 200 performs rapid startup for each computer in accordance with the startup speed control command 150c from the computer. Whether or not to perform switching may be stored, and whether or not to follow the startup speed control command 150c from each computer may be changed according to the stored contents.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a fixing device and a configuration of a copying machine for driving the fixing device. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional block configuration realized by a PC and a control unit of a copying machine. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a print setting screen displayed on a display by a copier driver installed on a PC. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process in an image forming system.

Explanation of symbols

LAN network P recording paper 1 image forming system 100 personal computer (computer)
110 Printer driver (image formation control means)
111 Print setting determination unit (user instruction receiving means)
111c Check box 111w Print setting screen 112 Job transmission unit 113 Command generation unit 114 Image data generation unit 120 Application 150 Print job data 150c Startup speed control command (instruction data)
150i Print image data 200 MFP (image forming apparatus)
210 Image reading unit (image reading means)
211 Operation panel 220 Paper feed unit (image forming means)
230 Conveyance path (image forming means)
240 Image forming unit (image forming means)
250 discharge unit 300 control unit 300x fixing device drive control means (control means)
310 Start-up Control Unit 400 Fixing Device (Image Forming Unit)
400d drive circuit 410 first heater device (first heater)
420 Second heater device (second heater)
600 Capacitor device (auxiliary power supply)
610 Auxiliary power supply control unit 620 Charging unit (auxiliary power supply device)
630 Discharge unit (auxiliary power supply)

Claims (5)

Fixing having an auxiliary power supply device that stores electric power, a first heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power of a commercial power source, and a second heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power of the auxiliary power supply device An image forming apparatus and a control unit that heats only the first heater or both the first and second heaters to start the fixing device when the fixing device needs to be started. A forming device;
A user instruction accepting unit that accepts a user instruction to cause the image forming apparatus to perform image formation; and when the user instruction accepting unit accepts the user instruction, the image forming apparatus communicates with the image forming apparatus via a network, and An image forming control unit that causes the image forming apparatus to form an image, wherein the image forming control unit generates heat when both the first and second heaters are used when the image forming apparatus forms an image. Instruction data for instructing whether to start up the fixing device or to heat up only the first heater and start up the fixing device is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus via the network. A computer,
An image forming system comprising: The image formation control means
User instruction receiving means for receiving a user instruction for starting the fixing device by causing the second heater to generate heat together with the first heater;
When the user instruction is accepted by the user instruction accepting means, instruction data for starting the fixing device by causing the second heater to generate heat together with the first heater is transmitted to the control means, and the user instruction is 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein if it is not accepted by the user instruction accepting unit, the instruction data for starting up the fixing device by the heat generation of only the first heater is transmitted to the control unit. The image forming apparatus includes:
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper;
A medium is set, and an image reading unit that reads an image formed by the image forming unit from the medium, and
The control means causes both the first and second heaters to generate heat when an image is read from the medium by the image reading means and the read image is formed on the image forming means. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device is started up. Computer
When a user instruction for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image is input to the computer, the image forming apparatus communicates with the image forming apparatus via a network and causes the image forming apparatus to function as an image forming control unit. ,
The image forming control unit includes a first heater that generates heat for fixing processing by power of a commercial power source, and an auxiliary power source provided in the fixing device of the image forming apparatus when causing the image forming apparatus to form an image. Either the second heater that generates heat for fixing processing is heated by the electric power stored in the apparatus to start up the fixing apparatus, or only the first heater is heated to start up the fixing apparatus. A computer program for transmitting instruction data for instructing the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the network. An auxiliary power supply for storing electric power;
A first heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power from a commercial power source, and a fixing device that includes a second heater that generates heat for fixing processing using electric power from the auxiliary power device;
When it is necessary to start up the fixing device, the controller includes a controller that heats only the first heater or both the first and second heaters to start up the fixing device,
When the computer that communicates via the network causes the image forming apparatus to form an image, the control unit causes both the first and second heaters to generate heat and starts up the fixing device, or Instruction data for instructing whether to heat up only the first heater and starting up the fixing device is received from the computer, and the heat generation of both the first and second heaters indicated by the instruction data, or the An image forming apparatus in which the fixing device is activated by any one of heat generated by only the first heater.

Images