JP2009006634A - Image forming apparatus and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and its control method with improved productivity by minimizing the occurrence of intermittent operation. <P>SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, print data received from outside are developed into image data printable on a transfer sheet, the image data are transmitted to a printer engine part forming images by an electrophotographic process, to create printed matter. When next image formation process is not started even after a set time from finishing of image formation by the printer engine part, given post-processing of the printer engine part is started, and the set time is made changeable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention develops print data received from the outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, and transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that forms an image by an electrophotographic process, thereby creating a printed matter. And a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that develops print data received from the outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process, and creates a printed matter, for example, In a network-compatible printer, printer, multifunction device, etc., when the print data development is completed, the printer engine unit is notified of the print request, and the printer engine unit drives the device at the specified timing according to the print request. If there is no next print request, post-processing (static discharge or cleaning of the photosensitive member) is performed at a predetermined timing to stop the apparatus.

  Here, once the post-processing is entered, even if the next print request is notified, the printing operation cannot be started until the post-processing is finished. In some cases, the apparatus is temporarily stopped and then restarted. It is necessary to perform printing, and productivity is significantly reduced.

  In particular, in recent years, the operating speed of the printer engine section (number of printed sheets per minute) has improved, but the operating speed of the controller section for creating image data has not been improved so much. The possibility of occurrence is increasing.

As for what can cope with such a situation, for example, Patent Document 1 performs fixing heater control for reducing the waiting time when image development by the controller takes time, or Patent Document 2 In addition, a method for preventing a decrease in print duty due to image development processing time in the controller and extending the life of the device has been proposed.
JP 2007-65413 A Japanese Patent No. 3229621

  However, Patent Document 1 describes how to optimally control the fixing heater even when intermittent operation occurs, but the intermittent operation itself is not eliminated.

  In addition, in the case of Patent Document 2, a method is described in which the sequence control unit stacks the print start and starts the printing operation when the conditions are met, thereby performing continuous printing and extending the life of the apparatus. Since the print start is stacked, the first output (first print) may drop. In addition, when image data is large and time is required for image development processing, printing is performed one sheet at a time, so intermittent operation occurs depending on the timing, and productivity is reduced.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can suppress the occurrence of intermittent operation as much as possible and improve productivity, and a control method thereof.

  The present invention develops print data received from the outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, and transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that forms an image by an electrophotographic process, thereby creating a printed matter. If the next image forming process does not start even after the set time has elapsed since the end of image forming in the printer engine unit, the set time can be changed while starting the predetermined post-processing of the printer engine unit. It is a thing.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus creates prints by developing print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, and transferring the image data to a printer engine unit that forms an image by an electrophotographic process. When the next image forming process is started from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit until the set time elapses, the next image forming process starts and the image forming end of the printer engine unit ends. If the next image forming process is not started even after the set time has elapsed, predetermined post-processing is started, while the set time can be changed.

  Also, control of an image forming apparatus that creates prints by developing print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper and transferring the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process. When the next image forming process is not started even after a set time has elapsed since the end of image forming in the printer engine unit, the predetermined post-processing of the printer engine unit is started and the set time is changed. It is possible.

  Also, control of an image forming apparatus that creates prints by developing print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper and transferring the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process. When the next image forming process is started from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit until a set time elapses, the next image forming process is started and the printer engine unit If the next image forming process is not started even after the set time has elapsed from the end of image forming, predetermined post-processing is started, while the set time can be changed.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the engine unit can set the start timing of post-processing such as static elimination processing of the photosensitive member at the end of printing and stop processing of various motors, image development of frequently used print data Since the post-processing start timing can be set in accordance with the time, it is possible to prevent the apparatus from deteriorating its life and to prevent the productivity from being lowered by unnecessarily delaying the post-process start timing.

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

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an image system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  This image system includes a network compatible color image forming apparatus MFP connected to a local area network LAN, m host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm, and a host computer apparatus PC locally connected to the network compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. It is configured.

  The network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP has a network print function for receiving a print command from the host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm via the local area network LAN, and the host computer apparatus using image data obtained by reading the original image A scan-to-email function for transferring to PC1 to PCm, a network-compatible image processing function for a network scanner function for transferring image data obtained by reading a document image to host computer apparatuses PC1 to PCm using a predetermined protocol, and Various image processing functions such as a local print function for receiving a print command from the host computer apparatus PC, a local scanner function for transferring image data obtained by reading a document image to the host computer apparatus PC, and the like Those having an image forming function.

  The network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP also functions as a color copying machine.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process, a copying process, and a printing process for each part of the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. A system memory 2 includes a system control unit. 1 stores a control processing program executed by the computer 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is a network compatible color. The clock circuit 4 is for storing various kinds of information unique to the image forming apparatus MFP, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The color scanner 5 is for reading an original image with a predetermined resolution, the color printer unit 6 constitutes a tandem type color image forming apparatus, and the buffer memory 7 is printed by the color printer unit 6. The color image data to be stored is temporarily stored.

  The operation display unit 8 is for operating the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP, and includes various operation keys and various displays.

  The image processing unit 9 performs predetermined encoding / decoding processing on a color image, and realizes scaling processing and other various image processing. The magnetic disk device 10 stores image data And various file data such as various software installed in the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP.

  The local area network interface circuit 11 is for connecting the network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 12 receives other data via the local area network LAN. This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with the terminal device.

  The host interface circuit 13 is connected to the host computer apparatus PC and exchanges various data with the host computer apparatus PC.

  The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, color scanner 5, color printer unit 6, buffer memory 7, operation display unit 8, image processing unit 9, magnetic disk device 10, local area The network transmission control unit 12 and the host interface circuit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the color printer unit 6.

  In the figure, the color printer unit 6 includes a printer controller unit 6a, an engine controller unit 6b, and an engine unit 6c.

  The printer controller unit 6a receives, for example, a command converted into a print language by a printer driver provided in the host computer apparatus PC via the system control unit 1, and receives a bitmap image in band units or page units. The image is developed into (image data) and transmitted to the engine controller unit 6b. The engine controller unit 6b controls the engine unit 6c at a predetermined timing in consideration of the electrophotographic process, paper conveyance, and the like to perform printing work. I do.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an image forming system of the engine unit 6 c of the color printer unit 6. In this image forming system, color component image forming units that form images of a plurality of color components are arranged along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer belt, and the color component images formed by the plurality of color component image forming units are arranged. Tandem color image forming means for forming a color image on the intermediate transfer belt by sequentially overlapping the intermediate transfer belt is provided.

  In the figure, the intermediate transfer belt 21 is wound around transport rollers 22, 23, and 24 and is driven infinitely at a speed V in the direction of the arrow RA. Between the transport rollers 23 and 24 of the intermediate transfer belt 21, a cyan component image forming unit 26 for forming a cyan component image and a magenta component image are formed from upstream to downstream in the transport direction. A magenta color component image forming unit 27, a yellow color component image forming unit 28 for forming a yellow color component image, and a black component image forming unit 29 for forming a black color component image are provided.

  In the cyan image forming unit 26, the surface of the photosensitive drum 26a is charged by the charger 26b, and the surface thereof is exposed by the cyan image light 30a output from the optical writing unit 30, so that the static image corresponding to the cyan image is obtained. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 26c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 26d. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 26a is neutralized by the neutralization device 26e.

  Further, in the magenta color image forming unit 27, the surface of the photosensitive drum 27a is charged by the charger 27b, and the surface is exposed by the magenta image light 30b output from the optical writing unit 30, thereby corresponding to the cyan image. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 27c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 27d. As a result, the cyan component toner image and the magenta component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 1 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 27a is neutralized by the neutralization device 27e.

  Further, in the yellow image forming unit 28, the surface of the photosensitive drum 28a is charged by the charger 28b, and the surface is exposed by the yellow image light 30c output from the optical writing unit 30, thereby corresponding to the yellow image. An electrostatic latent image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 28c and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 28d. As a result, the cyan color component toner image, the magenta color component toner image, and the yellow color component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 28a is neutralized by the neutralization device 28e.

  Further, in the black image forming unit 29, the surface of the photosensitive drum 29a is charged by the charger 29b, and the surface is exposed by the black (monochrome) image light 30d output from the optical writing unit 30, so that the black ( An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the (black and white) image is formed. This electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 29c, and transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position by the transfer device 29d. As a result, a cyan component toner image, a magenta component toner image, a yellow component toner image, and a black component toner image are transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. A full-color toner image is completed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 at a predetermined transfer position. The residual charge on the photosensitive drum 29a is neutralized by the neutralization device 29e.

  On the other hand, the transfer paper 31 placed on the paper feed unit (not shown) is picked up by the pair of paper feed rollers (not shown) and conveyed in the direction of the arrow RB. In a state of being aligned with the full-color toner image on the surface, the image is sent to a transfer roller 32 that is in contact with the conveying roller 22, and the transfer roller 32 transfers the full-color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 21 onto the surface. Is done.

  After the transfer, the transfer paper 31 is sent to the fixing device 33, where the full color toner image transferred onto the surface of the transfer paper 31 is thermally fixed, conveyed to a paper discharge unit, and discharged.

  Further, the transfer speed of the transfer paper 31 is equal to the moving speed V of the intermediate transfer belt 21, and the linear speeds of the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 26 a, 27 a, 28 a, and 29 a are equal to the moving speed V.

  The transfer positions of the cyan component image forming unit 26, the magenta component image forming unit 27, the yellow color component image forming unit 28, and the black component image forming unit 29 are the intervals on the intermediate transfer belt 21. Is set to L1. That is, the interval between the photosensitive drums 26a, 27a, 28a, 29a is L1.

  Further, the interval L2 of the transfer paper 31 is set to a value larger than the interval L1. The transfer paper 31 is, for example, A4 size paper fed in the direction orthogonal to the long side (LEF (Long Edge Feed)).

  If the next printing request is not received from the printer controller 6a at the time when the primary transfer of the portions of the photosensitive member 29a and the intermediate transfer belt 21 is completed, the neutralization process of the photosensitive members 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d is started, The post-processing will be started.

  Once the post-processing is started, it cannot be interrupted, and even if a print request is instructed from the printer controller 6a during this time, the next printing operation can be performed until the predetermined post-processing is completed. This is not possible, and so-called intermittent operation is performed. That is, after the post-processing is completed, the engine unit 6c is once stopped and then started up again before performing the printing operation.

  The post-processing includes stop / cleaning of the elements of the image forming system and stepwise reduction of the power supply voltage of the high-voltage power supply unit.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of processing for determining the timing for starting post-processing.

  At the end of primary transfer of the final color (result of determination 101 is YES), a timer is first started (process 102), and then it is determined whether the next print request is notified from the printer controller 6a (determination 103). If there is a print request (the result of determination 103 is YES), the post-processing operation is not performed and the process ends.

  If there is no print request (the result of determination 103 is NO), it is determined whether the timer has passed a predetermined time (determination 104). If it has not elapsed (the result of determination 104 is NO), a print request is made. Return to the notification determination 103 and repeat the loop.

  If a print request is not notified before the predetermined time has elapsed and the result of determination 104 is YES, a post-processing operation is performed (processing 105).

  Here, the delay time from the end of the primary transfer to the start of post-processing, that is, the value of the predetermined time applied in the determination 104 can be arbitrarily set on the operation panel or the like (not shown) of the operation display unit 8. This makes it possible to set the time according to the printed material that is usually used.

  In addition, by setting the delay time inadvertently so that it can only be set in the serviceman mode so that the general user cannot perform the setting at that time, the life of the device will be shortened. Can be prevented.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method that does not wastefully shorten the life of the apparatus.

  In this case, the printer controller unit 6a notifies the print information when the image development is not finished but the print data is already queued. The engine controller 6b operates so as to wait for a predetermined time for the start of post-processing only when a print information notification is received.

  First, it is determined whether or not the next print request has already been notified at the end of primary transfer of the final color (result of determination 201 is YES), and if there is a print request (result of determination 202 is YES). ), The post-processing operation is not performed, and the process ends.

  If there is no print request (the result of determination 202 is NO), it is determined whether or not print information is notified (determination 203). If there is no notification (the result of determination 203 is NO), there is no printed matter, so that The processing operation (processing 207) is started.

  If the print information has been notified (the result of determination 203 is YES), the timer is started (process 204) and waits for the next print request to be notified until a predetermined time has elapsed (NO in determinations 205 and 206). (Loop), if a next print request is not notified within a predetermined time, the process times out (the result of determination 206 is YES), and a post-processing operation is performed (process 207).

  In this case, it can be assumed that the user cancels the printing after the printing information is notified. In this case, the start of the post-processing is delayed for a predetermined time even though there is no printed matter, and the life of the apparatus is wasted. It leads to shortening.

  In order to avoid such a situation, for example, when the printed matter is canceled after the printing information notification, the engine controller unit 6b notifies the cancellation of the printing information from the printer controller 6a. The post-processing operation may be started without waiting for a time timeout.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the engine unit delays the start timing of post-processing such as the charge removal processing of the photosensitive member and the stop processing of various motors at the end of printing, thereby reducing the time for image development processing in the controller unit. Even if it is necessary print data, a print request can be received before the start of post-processing, and a decrease in productivity can be prevented.

  In addition, by making it possible to arbitrarily set the post-processing start timing of the engine unit, it is possible to set an optimal post-processing start timing that matches the image development time of frequently used print data, and wastefully delays the post-processing start timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the life of the apparatus from being lowered and to prevent the productivity from being lowered.

  In addition, the delay time of the post-processing start timing can be set only when the state is changed to a special mode, so that the general apparatus user unnecessarily delays the post-processing start timing and causes a decrease in the device life. Can be prevented.

  In addition, only when the print information indicating that there is still a queued print is received from the controller unit, the engine unit delays the post-processing start timing, thereby delaying the post-processing start timing. It is possible to prevent a decrease in the service life and a decrease in productivity.

  In addition, by making it possible to arbitrarily set the post-processing start timing of the engine unit, it is possible to set an optimal post-processing start timing that matches the image development time of frequently used print data, and wastefully delays the post-processing start timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the life of the apparatus from being lowered and to prevent the productivity from being lowered.

  In addition, the delay time of the post-processing start timing can be set only when the state is changed to a special mode, so that the general apparatus user unnecessarily delays the post-processing start timing and causes a decrease in the device life. Can be prevented.

  In addition, if there is a cancellation of the print job being queued after the print request notification, the print information can be canceled, so that the life of the apparatus is reduced by delaying the start timing of post-processing even though there is no print job. Can be prevented.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network-compatible color image forming apparatus MFP. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a color printer unit 6. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system of an engine unit 6c of a color printer unit 6. FIG. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which determines the timing which starts a post-process. The flowchart which showed the other example of the process which determines the timing which starts a post-process.

Explanation of symbols

6a Printer controller 6b Engine controller 6c Engine unit

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that develops print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process, and creates a printed matter,
When the next image forming process is not started even after a set time has elapsed from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit, a predetermined post-processing of the printer engine unit is started,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the set time can be changed. An image forming apparatus that develops print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process, and creates a printed matter,
When the next image forming process is started from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit until the set time elapses, the next image forming process is started and set from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit. When the next image forming process does not start after a lapse of time, a predetermined post-processing is started,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the set time can be changed. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that develops print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process, and creates a printed matter. There,
When the next image forming process is not started even after a set time has elapsed from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit, a predetermined post-processing of the printer engine unit is started,
An image forming apparatus control method, wherein the set time is changeable. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that develops print data received from outside into image data that can be printed on transfer paper, transfers the image data to a printer engine unit that performs image formation by an electrophotographic process, and creates a printed matter. There,
When the next image forming process is started from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit until the set time elapses, the next image forming process is started and set from the end of image forming of the printer engine unit. When the next image forming process does not start after a lapse of time, a predetermined post-processing is started,
An image forming apparatus control method, wherein the set time is changeable.