JP2009065614A - Image forming apparatus, control method of the image forming apparatus, and control program for the image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing suitable error detection. <P>SOLUTION: In the case where print data are facsimile data (S103: YES), detailed error detection (toner empty detection, cleaner error detection) is performed (S104). If any error is detected, the user is notified of the error, the print data are not erased, and reception of the print data is rejected. In the case where it is determined that the print data are not the facsimile data (S103: NO), printing is performed without performing the detailed error detection, and the reception of the print data is permitted. In the case where the print data are not the facsimile data, the detailed error detection is not performed but only simplified error detection (S101) is implemented, thereby reducing the time required until printing. When printing the facsimile data, on the other hand, the detailed error detection is implemented, thereby preventing a printing defect. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus capable of performing error detection, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program. .

Image forming apparatus (printable electrophotographic copying machine, electrophotographic printer, MFP (Multi
(Function Peripheral), a facsimile machine, etc.) are provided with an error detection unit for detecting an abnormality that has occurred during printing of image data.

Patent Document 1 below discloses a facsimile apparatus that transmits received image data to another facsimile when a serious error relating to printing is detected. When an error that can be recovered by the user is detected, the received data is left in the memory so that printing can be performed when no error is detected.
JP 2006-245743 A

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, since a serious error relating to printing is detected, it is possible to prevent print defects. However, since it takes time to detect an error, there is a problem that the printing time becomes long regardless of the type of print data.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate error detection. It is an object.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus determines whether the data to be printed is facsimile data, and the determination means determines that the data is facsimile data. In some cases, the first error detection execution means for executing detailed error detection before printing and the data to be printed without executing detailed error detection when the determination means determines that the data is not facsimile data. Printing means for performing printing.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a second error detection execution unit that executes simple error detection before printing when the determination unit determines that the data is not facsimile data.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus includes an image transfer member, a sensor for detecting the density of a toner patch on the surface of the image transfer member, and a cleaner that performs contact with and separation from the image transfer member to scrape off dirt on the image transfer member during press contact. Then, a predetermined toner patch is formed on the surface of the image transfer body and moved, and after a certain period of time, the presence or absence of the toner patch on the surface of the image transfer body is detected by a sensor, so that the cleaner contact state is separated. An identification means for identifying, and simple error detection is error detection of a fan, a motor, a fixing unit, a secondary transfer unit, etc., and detailed error detection is performed by forming a toner patch on the image transfer body surface, This is error detection in which the presence / absence of a toner patch is determined by a sensor in order to check the presence / absence of toner, and then the presence / absence of a toner patch is determined by a sensor in order to detect the contact / separation state of the cleaner.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus detects the density of the toner patch with a sensor before the toner patch passes through the cleaner. If it is determined that the toner patch is not present, the image forming apparatus forms a toner patch with another color developer, and again If the density of the toner patch is detected by the sensor and it is determined that there is no toner patch, the toner is empty.

  Preferably, after the toner patch passes through the cleaner, the image forming apparatus detects the contact / separation state of the cleaner by detecting the density of the toner patch with a sensor, and when the toner patch is not in the press contact state, the cleaner is in the press contact state. When the toner patch density is detected again by the sensor, the contact / separation state of the cleaner is detected. If not, the cleaner is abnormal.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus forms an image of the toner patch using a developing device having a large amount of remaining toner.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes switching means for detecting whether the data to be printed is PC data or facsimile data and switching whether to execute detailed error detection.

  Preferably, when the error is detected, the image forming apparatus notifies the user of the error without deleting the facsimile data in the memory.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an image forming apparatus includes: a determination step for determining whether or not data to be printed is facsimile data; and when the determination step determines that the data is facsimile data. An error detection execution step for executing detailed error detection before printing, and a print step for printing data to be printed without executing detailed error detection when the determination step determines that the data is not facsimile data. Is provided.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control program of the image forming apparatus determines whether the data to be printed is facsimile data, and when the determination step determines that the data is facsimile data An error detection execution step for performing detailed error detection before printing, and a print step for printing data to be printed without executing detailed error detection when the determination step determines that the data is not facsimile data And let the computer run.

  According to these inventions, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of performing appropriate error detection.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a central section of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to the drawing, the image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt 2, a photoreceptor 3, a developing device 4, an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5, a cleaner blade facing roller 6, a photoreceptor cleaner blade 7, and a primary transfer. Roller 8, exposure device 9, paper feed unit 10, timing roller 11, secondary transfer roller 12, fixing unit 13, paper discharge roller 14, cartridge 15, charging device 16, and environmental sensor 17 And a density sensor (image density detection sensor) 18.

  This image forming apparatus is a so-called four-cycle machine, and four cartridges 15 can be mounted on the developing rack of the image forming unit. By rotating the developing rack, the cartridge is sequentially moved to the developing position facing the photosensitive member 3 for development.

  The cartridge 15 includes a toner and a developing unit that develops the toner. Around the photoconductor 3, a charging device 16 for charging the photoconductor 3 and an exposure device 9 for exposing an image pattern are provided, and a toner image is formed on the photoconductor 3 by a process of charging, exposing, and developing one color at a time. Form. The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 2. In the case of color printing, toner images of four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 2.

  The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5 and the secondary transfer roller 12 are separated from the intermediate transfer belt 2 while the four color toner images are superimposed.

  After the four color toner images are overlaid, the secondary transfer roller 12 is brought into pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 2 until the leading edge of the toner image reaches the secondary transfer portion. As a result, the toner image is transferred to the paper to be conveyed.

  Further, when the trailing edge of the four-color toner image has passed through the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5, the intermediate transfer blade is pressed into contact, and the remaining toner is scraped off from the intermediate transfer belt 2. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred by the secondary transfer roller 12 is fixed by the fixing roller 13 and is discharged from the paper discharge roller 14.

  An image density detection sensor 18 is attached in the vicinity of the intermediate transfer belt 2. The image density detection sensor 18 irradiates the intermediate transfer belt surface with LED light, detects the reflected light, measures the toner concealment rate on the intermediate transfer belt surface, and detects it as the toner density on the intermediate transfer belt. .

  The image forming apparatus in the present embodiment performs control as follows.

  In receiving print data, it is determined whether reception is permitted. If the print data is permitted to be received, the print data is stored in the memory. Next, simple error detection of the apparatus is performed, and if no error has occurred, it is determined whether the print data is facsimile data.

  If the print data is facsimile data, detailed error detection is performed. If no error is detected as a result of the detailed error detection, printing is performed and reception of print data is permitted.

  If an error is detected as a result of the detailed error detection, the user is notified of the error, the print data is not erased, and the print data is rejected.

  When it is determined whether or not the print data is facsimile data, if it is determined that the print data is not facsimile data, printing is performed without performing detailed error detection, and reception of the print data is permitted.

  As described above, when print data is not facsimile data (PC (personal computer) data, etc.), detailed error detection is not performed and only simple error detection is performed, thereby shortening the time required for printing. To do.

  On the other hand, when printing facsimile data, detailed error detection is performed to prevent the FAX data from being lost by erasing the FAX data without performing printing correctly. When an error is detected, the facsimile data is not erased from the memory so that printing can be performed when no error is detected.

  With such a configuration, when receiving facsimile data, it is possible to prevent the FAX data from being lost by erasing the FAX data while printing is not performed correctly by detecting an abnormality of the apparatus through detailed error detection. When an error is detected, printing is not performed and the facsimile data is left in the memory, so that reprinting can be performed when no error is detected.

  Further, when PC data is received, the time required for printing can be shortened. Even if an apparatus error cannot be detected by printing from the PC, the data is stored in the PC, and the printed operator can determine the abnormality of the apparatus and print again.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the drive mechanism of the intermediate transfer belt 2.

  Referring to the drawing, the intermediate transfer belt 2 transfers the toner imaged by the photosensitive member. The image density detection sensor 18 detects the density of the image on the intermediate transfer belt. The intermediate transfer belt cleaner 5 scrapes off dirt on the intermediate transfer belt when pressed against the intermediate transfer belt.

  The photoreceptor 3 is a member that is charged with a high voltage by a high voltage power source and forms an image on the surface with a laser beam or the like. The primary transfer roller 8 transfers the imaged toner on the photoreceptor to the intermediate transfer belt. The secondary transfer roller 12 transfers the toner transferred to the intermediate transfer belt to a sheet.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control device of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus includes an image input unit (scanner) 101 that optically reads an arbitrary image and converts it into electronic data, and an image output unit (printer) 102 that prints the image data on a predetermined sheet. Further, it has a ROM 108, a work memory 109, and a control unit 107 inside.

  Further, the image forming apparatus further temporarily receives image data input from the communication unit 110 that communicates with the outside through a LAN or a telephone line, and input from the image input unit 101 or externally via the communication unit 110. An image memory unit 103 to store, an operation / display unit 104 for performing various operation inputs and displaying various setting information related to the operation, a compression / decoding unit 105 for compressing and decoding image data, and an electronic A mailer (e-mail transmission / reception application) 106 that transmits and receives mail, a file conversion unit 112 that performs various file conversions such as a file format of image data and an e-mail file format, and an external interface unit 111 for external connection Prepare.

  In practice, the work memory 109 and the image memory unit 103 share the same volatile memory. Based on an operation signal given in response to a command from the operation / display unit 104 by the user, the control unit 107 operates in accordance with a software program stored in advance in the ROM 108. The execution procedure of the software program in the image processing apparatus will be described later.

  The image input unit 101 includes an image sensor such as a CCD, a slider control unit, various image processing control units, and the like, and optically reads a document and converts it into an electrical signal.

  The image output unit 102 includes an engine control unit such as a laser or an inkjet, various image processing control units, and the like, and creates an output image on a recording sheet from an electric signal.

  The image memory unit 103 stores image data input from the image input unit 101 and image data input from the communication unit 110 and the external interface unit 111. Further, after the image data is compressed by the compression / decoding unit 105, the code data is stored.

  The operation / display unit 104 is a user interface unit including a numeric keypad, a start key, an LCD (liquid crystal display), and the like, and performs mode selection and simple key input operation.

  The compression / decoding unit 105 compresses the input image data as necessary, or decompresses the code data.

  The control unit 107 includes a CPU that controls the entire blocks 101 to 113 and peripheral circuits, and is connected via a system bus. The control unit 107 is connected to a ROM that stores control programs and control data, a RAM that is used for temporary storage of control variables, and the like.

  The communication unit 110 is connected to a network via a communication means using a telephone line (facsimile line) using a modem or NCU, or a LAN control unit (not shown), and transmits / receives image information and the like to / from other communication devices. I do. For example, data is received from an external image forming apparatus or facsimile via a line and printed by the image output unit 102, or data is received from a PC (personal computer) connected to the LAN and printed by the image output unit 102. Or do it.

  The user authentication unit 113 holds / sets authentication information for each of a plurality of users.

  The image forming apparatus performs simple error detection (first control) such as a fan, a motor, a fixing unit, and a secondary transfer unit in consideration of throughput when printing data from a PC.

  On the other hand, at the time of facsimile data printing, a toner patch is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer body before printing, and the presence or absence of toner is checked. That is, the presence or absence of the toner patch is determined by the density of the toner patch by the density detection sensor. Further, in order to detect the contact / separation state of the cleaner, the presence / absence of the toner patch is determined by the density detection sensor based on the density of the toner patch, and the contact / separation state of the cleaner is identified. Thus, during facsimile data printing, detailed error detection (second control) is performed.

  That is, the image forming apparatus detects whether the print data is PC data or facsimile data, and switches between the first control and the second control.

  In the second control, the image forming apparatus detects the density of the toner patch with the density detection sensor before the toner patch passes through the cleaner that scrapes off the dirt on the intermediate transfer member surface. If it is determined that there is no toner patch, a toner patch is formed by another color developer, and the density of the toner patch is detected again by the density detection sensor. Again, if it is determined that there is no toner patch, the toner is empty.

  In the second control, the image forming apparatus detects the density of the toner patch with the density detection sensor after the toner patch on the surface of the intermediate transfer body passes through the cleaner that scrapes off the dirt. As a result, the contact / separation state of the cleaner is detected, and if the contact / separation state of the cleaner is not, the control is performed so that the contact / separation state of the cleaner becomes the press-contact state. Again, the density detection sensor detects the density of the toner patch and detects the contact / separation state of the cleaner. Again, if the cleaner is not in pressure contact, the cleaner is abnormal.

  Note that the image forming apparatus may be configured to form a toner patch using a developing device with a large amount of remaining toner.

  Further, in the second control, when toner empty or cleaner abnormality is detected, it is desirable to notify the user of toner empty or cleaner abnormality without erasing facsimile data in the memory.

  Since the image forming apparatus employs a configuration that also serves as a detection unit such as a sensor, the time required for the preliminary operation becomes long. When printing PC data, simple error detection is performed for the fan, motor, fixing unit, secondary transfer unit, etc. in consideration of throughput, and when printing facsimile data, a toner patch is formed on the intermediate transfer body surface before printing, In order to check the presence / absence of the toner, the density detection sensor determines the presence / absence of the toner patch, and in order to detect the contact / separation state of the cleaner, the detailed error detection is performed.

  In this way, when printing facsimile data, detailed error detection is performed even if the throughput is reduced, and detailed error detection is not performed in printing from a PC, and throughput is not reduced. Detailed error detection is performed at the time of facsimile reception, and printing is not performed at the time of error detection, and facsimile reception data is left in the memory. Thereby, the facsimile reception data can be printed when no error is detected.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating determination processing at the time of printing executed by the image forming apparatus.

  Referring to the figure, when print data is received, it is determined whether the print data is permitted to be received (S001). In the print data reception permission determination (S001), if the print data reception is permitted, the print data is stored in the memory (S002).

  In the print data reception permission determination (S001), if print data reception is prohibited, an error is notified to the user (S008). Thereafter, the processing from step S009 is executed.

  When the print data is stored in the memory (S002), it is determined whether an error has occurred during printing (S003). Details of this determination will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the error execution determination at the time of printing (S003), it is detected whether an error has occurred (S004). If no error is detected in error detection (S004), printing is performed (S005). If an error is detected in error detection (S004), the user is notified of the error (S008). Thereafter, the processing from step S009 is executed.

  After printing is performed (S005), the print data in the memory is deleted (S006). After erasing the print data (S006), it is determined that the printing is normally completed (S007). Thereafter, reception of print data is permitted (S011).

  When the error content is notified to the user in step S008 (S008), the print data in the memory is left without being erased (S009). Then, it is determined that printing has ended abnormally (S010). Thereafter, reception of print data is prohibited (S012).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing error detection processing (S003 in FIG. 4) during printing.

  Referring to the figure, error detection of devices such as a fan, a motor, a fixing unit, and a secondary transfer unit is performed before printing (S101). This is error detection completed in a short time, and simple error detection.

  After performing the simple error detection (S101), it is determined whether or not an error has occurred (S102). If no error has occurred as a result of the error occurrence detection (S102), it is determined whether the print data is facsimile data (S103). If an error has occurred as a result of the error non-occurrence detection (S102), the user is notified that an error has occurred (S111).

  As a result of the print data type determination (S103), when the print data is facsimile data, detailed error detection for detecting abnormality of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is performed (S104). If the result of the print data type determination (S103) is that the print data is not facsimile data, it is determined that no error has been detected (S107).

  After performing detailed error detection (S104), it is determined whether the toner is not empty (S105).

  If the result of toner not empty determination (S105) is toner not empty, it is detected whether an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error has occurred (S106). If the result of toner not empty determination (S105) is toner empty, it is determined that toner empty has occurred (S110).

  If the intermediate transfer belt cleaner error is not detected as a result of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner error detection (S106), it is determined that no error has been detected (S107). If an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error is detected as a result of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error detection (S106), it is determined that an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error has occurred (S109).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing error detection processing (error detection parallel processing) during printing.

  The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 may be executed instead of the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to the figure, before printing, it is determined whether the print data is facsimile data (S201).

  As a result of the print data type determination (S201), when the print data is facsimile data, detailed error detection is performed to detect an abnormality of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner (S202). If the result of the print data type determination (S201) is that the print data is not facsimile data, error detection is performed on devices such as a fan, a motor, a fixing unit, and a secondary transfer unit (S208). This is error detection completed in a short time, and simple error detection.

  After performing the simple error detection (S208), it is determined whether an error has occurred (S209). If no error has occurred as a result of the error non-occurrence detection (S209), it is determined that no error has been detected (S210).

  If an error has occurred as a result of the error non-occurrence detection (S209), the user is notified that an error has occurred (S211).

  After performing detailed error detection (S202), it is determined whether the toner is not empty (S203).

  If the result of toner not empty determination (S203) is toner not empty, it is detected whether an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error has occurred (S204). If the result of toner not empty determination (S203) is toner empty, it is determined that toner empty has occurred (S207).

  If the intermediate transfer belt cleaner error is not detected as a result of the error detection of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner (S204), it is determined that no error has been detected (S205). If an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error is detected as a result of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error detection (S204), it is determined that an intermediate transfer belt cleaner contact / separation error has occurred (S206).

  7 to 11 are timing charts showing details of detailed error detection.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the toner knot is empty and the cleaner is not abnormal in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state where the toner knot is empty, the cleaner is initially separated, and there is no cleaner abnormality in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where toner knot empty, cleaner initial separation state, and cleaner abnormality are present in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of toner empty, cleaner initial separation state, and no cleaner abnormality in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a toner empty and a cleaner initial separation state in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

  In each figure, the process in S1-S8 is demonstrated.

  <Processing of S1>

  The development rack is normally stopped at the standby position, and moves from the standby position to the development position in S1. At this time, the four cartridges move to the developing position for the cartridge with the largest remaining amount of toner.

  <Processing of S2 and S3>

  In order to form a toner patch, the developing motor is driven to develop output (S2), and primary transfer is performed (S3).

  <Processing of S4>

  The toner patch is imaged (S4). In this embodiment, the length of the toner patch is 10 mm.

  <Processing of S5>

  At the timing when the toner patch reaches the density sensor, the LED of the density sensor is caused to emit light to detect the toner patch (S5). The density sensor can input the density as an analog value. When the toner patch is dark, a voltage close to 0V is input, and when the toner patch is light, a voltage close to 5V is input.

  A 10 mm toner patch is read in a cycle of 10 ms. When the average value is 2.5 V or less, it is determined that there is a toner patch, and otherwise, it is determined that there is no toner patch. Since the toner patch has not passed through the intermediate transfer cleaner, if the toner patch is not present, it is determined that the toner is empty, the developing rack is moved to the developing position of the next cartridge having the remaining toner, and the sequence is started from S1. Resume.

  After restarting the sequence, if it is determined that there is no toner patch in all the color developing devices, it is determined that the toner is empty.

  In the example of FIG. 10, when it is determined that there is no toner patch in the toner patch detection (S5) (indicated by a dotted line), it is shown that the sequence is restarted from S1.

  In the example of FIG. 11, it is shown that it is determined that there is no toner patch in the toner patch detection (S5), and it is confirmed that the toner is empty.

  <Processing of S6>

  When the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is in pressure contact in the initial state, the toner patch is scraped off when reaching the position of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner. When the toner passes again through the density sensor, the toner patch is detected by the density sensor (S6).

  In the example of FIG. 7, since the toner patch is scraped off by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner (indicated by the dotted line in S6), it can be confirmed that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is in pressure contact.

  In the example of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, since the toner patch is not scraped off, it can be confirmed that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is separated (the presence of toner is detected in S6).

  <Processing of S7>

  If it is determined in the toner patch detection (S6) that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is separated, the intermediate transfer belt cleaner signal SL is turned ON for 100 ms in order to operate the intermediate transfer belt cleaner in the pressure contact state at the initial position. (S7) and press the intermediate transfer belt cleaner.

  In the examples of FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the toner transfer detection (S6) determines that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is separated, and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is operated to the pressure contact state at the initial position.

  <Processing of S8>

  When the toner patch passes through the density sensor portion again, the density sensor detects the toner patch (S8). If the toner patch detection (S8) determines that there is no toner patch, it can be confirmed that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is in pressure contact. After the intermediate transfer cleaner is brought into pressure contact, the intermediate transfer belt is operated at least once, and this control is terminated.

  If it is determined in the toner patch detection (S8) that there is a toner patch, it can be confirmed that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is separated, and it is determined that the operation of the cleaner is abnormal.

  8 and 10 indicate that the toner patch detection (S8) determines that there is no toner patch, and it has been confirmed that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is in the pressure contact state at the initial position.

  In the example of FIG. 9, toner is detected by toner patch detection (S8), it is determined that the intermediate transfer belt cleaner is separated, and it has been confirmed that there is an abnormality in the operation of the intermediate transfer belt cleaner. Yes.

  [Effects of the embodiment]

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, detailed error detection is performed at the time of facsimile data reception, and printing is not performed at the time of error detection. The FAX data is erased without being lost to prevent the FAX data from being lost. When PC data is received, only simple error detection is performed, so that the time required for printing can be shortened.

  [Others]

  The present invention can be implemented for an image forming apparatus such as an MFP, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

  Further, the processing in the above-described embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  In addition, a program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, and the program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card and provided to the user. You may decide to do it. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet.

  In addition, it should be thought that the said embodiment is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a central cross section of an image forming apparatus in one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a drive mechanism for an intermediate transfer belt 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating determination processing at the time of printing executed by the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing error detection processing during printing (S003 in FIG. 4). It is a flowchart which shows the error detection process (error detection parallel process) at the time of printing. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where toner knot empty and cleaner is not abnormal in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of toner knot empty, cleaner initial separation state, and no cleaner abnormality in intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where toner knot empty, cleaner initial separation state, and cleaner abnormality are present in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of toner knot empty, cleaner initial separation state, and no cleaner abnormality in intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a toner empty and an initial cleaner separation state in the intermediate transfer belt cleaner detailed error detection.

Explanation of symbols

  1 4-cycle color image forming apparatus, 2 intermediate transfer belt, 3 photoconductor, 4 developing device, 5 intermediate transfer belt cleaner, 6 cleaner blade facing roller, 7 photoconductor cleaner blade, 8 primary transfer section, 9 exposure device, 10 Paper feed unit, 11 Timing roller, 12 Secondary transfer unit, 13 Fixing unit, 14 Paper discharge roller, 15 Cartridge, 16 Charging device, 17 Environmental sensor, 18 Density sensor

Claims (10)

Determining means for determining whether the data to be printed is facsimile data;
First error detection execution means for executing detailed error detection before printing when the determination means determines that the data is facsimile data;
A printing unit that prints the data to be printed without executing detailed error detection by the first error detection execution unit when the determination unit determines that the data is not facsimile data. Forming equipment.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second error detection execution unit that executes simple error detection before printing when the determination unit determines that the data is not facsimile data. An image transfer body,
A sensor for detecting a density of a toner patch on the surface of the image transfer body;
A cleaner that performs contact with and separation from the image transfer member, and scrapes off the dirt of the image transfer member during pressure contact;
A predetermined toner patch formed on the surface of the image transfer body is moved, and the presence or absence of the toner patch on the surface of the image transfer body after a certain period of time is detected by the sensor. An identification means for identifying the state,
In the detailed error detection, a toner patch is formed on the surface of the image transfer body, the presence / absence of the toner patch is determined by the sensor in order to check the presence / absence of the toner, and then the toner is detected in order to detect the contact / separation state of the cleaner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein error detection is performed by the sensor to determine whether there is a patch.   Before the toner patch passes through the cleaner, the density of the toner patch is detected by the sensor. If it is determined that there is no toner patch, the toner patch is formed by another color developer, and the toner is again detected by the sensor. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the density of the patch is detected and it is determined that there is no toner patch, the toner is empty.   After the toner patch passes through the cleaner, the sensor detects the density of the toner patch by detecting the density of the toner patch. When the toner patch is not in the pressure contact state, the cleaner is operated to enter the pressure contact state. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a contact / separation state of the cleaner is detected again by detecting a toner patch density with the sensor, and an abnormality of the cleaner is detected when the state is not a pressure contact state. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a toner patch is formed using a developing device having a large amount of toner.   7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising switching means for detecting whether the data to be printed is PC data or facsimile data and switching whether to execute the detailed error detection. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when an error is detected, the user is notified of the error without deleting the facsimile data in the memory. A determination step of determining whether the data to be printed is facsimile data;
An error detection execution step for executing detailed error detection before printing when it is determined in the determination step that the data is facsimile data;
And a printing step for printing the data to be printed without executing the detailed error detection when it is determined that the data is not facsimile data in the determination step. A determination step of determining whether the data to be printed is facsimile data;
An error detection execution step for executing detailed error detection before printing when it is determined in the determination step that the data is facsimile data;
A control program for an image forming apparatus, which causes a computer to execute a print step for printing the data to be printed without executing the detailed error detection when it is determined that the data is not facsimile data in the determination step.

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