JP2009276585A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus for optimizing the timing when a sample image paper sheet is ejected. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 comprises: an image forming unit 50 for forming a normal image on the paper sheet based on normal image data, and forming a sample image on the paper sheet based on sample image data; an ejecting unit 70 for ejecting the normal image paper sheet as the paper sheet on which the normal image is formed, and ejecting the sample image paper sheet as the paper sheet on which the sample image is formed; and a control unit 400 for implementing a process for ejecting the sample image paper sheet if a sample paper sheet ejecting condition as a condition for ejecting the sample image paper sheet is satisfied. The control unit 400 changes the sample paper sheet ejecting condition according to an environmental condition affecting the normal image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for discharging normal image paper and sample image paper.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet based on image data and discharges the sheet on which the image is formed is known. The image forming apparatus is, for example, a copying machine or a printer. When the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, the image forming apparatus acquires image data by reading an image from a document. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus is a printer, the image forming apparatus acquires image data from an external device such as a personal computer. In the following description, an image formed based on image data to be copied or printed is referred to as a normal image.

  Here, there may be a case where the image forming apparatus continuously discharges the paper on which the normal image is formed. For example, there are a case where image formation is performed based on image data for a plurality of pages, a case where image formation is performed for a plurality of copies based on image data for a single page, and the like. In such a case, in a situation where the quality of the image formed on the paper is abnormal, a large amount of defective output may occur. It is necessary to check whether there is an abnormality in the quality.

  For example, an image forming apparatus that discharges a sample image sheet that is a sheet on which a sample image is formed is known (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The image forming apparatus discharges sample image paper when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

The predetermined conditions are, for example, (1) the number of discharged normal image sheets that are sheets on which a normal image is formed reaches a predetermined number, and (2) the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus reaches a predetermined temperature. .
JP 2005-153374 A JP 2005-157015 A

  Here, factors that cause an abnormality on a normal image formed on a normal image sheet include environmental factors such as calibration processing, toner replacement processing, toner supply processing, environmental temperature, and environmental humidity.

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the predetermined condition is not particularly changed, and therefore the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged may not be appropriate. That is, there is a possibility that the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged is late (that is, the interval at which the sample image paper is discharged is long) in an environment where an abnormality tends to occur on the normal image. On the contrary, there is a possibility that the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged in an environment where an abnormality is unlikely to occur on the normal image.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can optimize the timing at which a sample image sheet is discharged.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first feature forms an image on a sheet. The image forming apparatus forms a normal image on a sheet based on normal image data and forms a sample image on the sheet based on sample image data, and the normal image is formed. A paper discharge unit (paper discharge unit 70) for discharging the normal image paper that is the printed paper and the sample image paper that is the paper on which the sample image is formed, and a sample that is a condition for discharging the sample image paper A control unit (control unit 400) that performs a process of discharging the sample image paper when a paper discharge condition is satisfied; The control unit changes the sample discharge condition in accordance with an environmental state that affects the normal image.

  According to such a feature, the control unit performs a sample image paper discharge process when the sample paper discharge condition is satisfied. The control unit changes the sample discharge condition according to the environmental state that affects the normal image. That is, the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged can be optimized by taking into consideration the environmental conditions that affect the normal image formed on the normal image paper.

  In the first feature, the environmental state is an environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus and an environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus.

  In the first feature, the environmental state is at least one of execution of calibration processing, execution of toner replacement processing, and toner supply processing.

  In the first feature, the control unit changes the sample discharge condition so that the sample image sheet is discharged more frequently when the environmental state is a state in which the normal image is likely to be abnormal. To do. The control unit changes the sample discharge condition so that the frequency of discharging the sample image sheet is low when the environmental state is a state in which an abnormality is unlikely to occur in the normal image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can dynamically optimize the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

  However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Outline of image forming apparatus)
The outline of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, it should be noted that the detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an automatic document feeding unit 10, an image reading unit 20, a paper tray unit 30, a paper feeding unit 40, an image forming unit 50, a fixing unit 60, a discharge unit. A paper unit 70, a reversing unit 80, an operation unit 90, and a detection unit 110 are included. The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a paper feeding device 200 and a post-processing device 300.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a user terminal 600 via a printer controller 500. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the printer controller 500 by a video bus 501. For example, the printer controller 500 is connected to the user terminal 600 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 601.

  In the first embodiment, as the image forming apparatus 100, an MFP (Multiple Function Peripheral) that forms an image on a sheet by an electrophotographic method is exemplified. However, the image forming method is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an ink jet method, a thermal transfer method, a dot impact method, or the like.

  In the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has a function of discharging a normal image sheet that is a sheet on which a normal image is formed and a sample image sheet that is a sheet on which a sample image is formed. As will be described later, the image forming apparatus 100 discharges a sample image sheet when a sample discharge condition is satisfied.

  The automatic document feeder unit 10 is a unit that conveys a document to be copied. Specifically, the automatic document feeding unit 10 includes a document placement tray, a document separation unit, a document transport unit, a document discharge unit, a document discharge tray, and a document reversing unit.

  The document placing tray is a tray on which the document is placed. The document separation unit separates and feeds the documents one by one when a plurality of documents are placed on the document placement tray. The document conveyance unit includes a roller group that conveys the document separated by the document separation unit to the image reading position. The document discharge unit discharges the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit to the document discharge tray. The document discharge tray is a tray on which the document discharged by the document discharge unit is placed. The document reversing unit reverses the front and back of the document in the duplex copying mode.

  The image reading unit 20 is a unit that reads an image of a document and generates image data. Specifically, the image reading unit 20 includes a platen glass, a lamp, a mirror unit, an imaging lens, and an image sensor.

  The platen glass is a table on which a document is placed when the document is copied without using the automatic document feeding unit 10.

  The lamp emits light applied to the document. In the case where the automatic document feeder unit 10 is used, the lamp irradiates the document with light through the slit. On the other hand, the lamp irradiates the original with light while scanning and moving along the lower surface of the platen glass in the case where the automatic original feeding unit 10 is not used. The mirror unit reflects the light reflected by the document and guides the light reflected by the document to the imaging lens side. The imaging lens forms an image of the light reflected by the mirror unit. Specifically, the imaging lens forms an image of light reflected by the document on the image sensor. The imaging element is a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD image sensor that reads light imaged by an imaging lens. An image signal taken out from the CCD image sensor is converted into image data as digital data through A / D conversion, shading correction, and the like.

  The paper tray unit 30 is a unit that stores paper. The paper tray unit 30 includes a plurality of paper feed trays, a plurality of paper feed rollers, a plurality of separation rollers, and a plurality of photo sensors.

  Each paper feed tray is a tray for storing a plurality of sheets. Each paper feed roller feeds the paper stored in the paper feed tray toward the separation roller. Each separation roller separates the sheets fed by the sheet feeding roller one by one. Each photo sensor detects whether or not the sheet has reached a later-described roller group.

  The paper feed unit 40 is a unit that feeds paper to the image forming unit 50. The paper feed unit 40 includes a plurality of roller groups, a conveyance roller, a registration roller, and a pre-transfer roller.

  The plurality of roller groups conveys paper sent from the paper tray unit 30 or the paper feeding device 200. The conveying roller conveys the sheet conveyed by the plurality of roller groups in the direction of the registration roller. Further, the conveyance roller conveys a sheet conveyed from a paper discharge unit 70 described later in the direction of the registration roller. The registration roller is an aura for aligning the leading edge of the sheet conveyed by the conveying roller, and conveys the aligned sheet to the pre-transfer roller. Note that the toner image formation by the image forming unit 50 is started at the timing when the sheet reaches the registration roller. The pre-transfer roller conveys the sheet conveyed by the registration roller to the image forming unit 50 side.

  The image forming unit 50 is a unit that forms a toner image on a sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 40 in accordance with the image data generated by the image reading unit 20. The image forming unit 50 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, a writing processing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a separation unit, a cleaning unit, and a conveyance belt.

  The photosensitive drum is a drum having a photoconductive photosensitive layer formed on the surface thereof, and is rotatably provided. As described later, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The charger uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum.

  The writing processing unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum according to the image data acquired from the control unit 400. Specifically, the writing processing unit includes a laser diode that emits laser light based on image data, and a scanning optical unit that deflects and scans the laser light. The emitted laser light is deflected and scanned by the polygon mirror of the scanning optical unit in a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the rotation direction (sub-scanning direction) of the photosensitive drum, and is imaged on the photosensitive drum. Expose the drum surface.

  The developing device forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum by reversal development of the electrostatic latent image. The transfer device has a transfer electrode for forming a potential difference with the photosensitive drum. Using this potential difference, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the sheet fed by the sheet feeding unit 40.

  The separation unit separates the paper on which the toner image is formed from the photosensitive drum. Specifically, the separation unit includes a separation electrode that performs corona discharge, and promotes separation of the paper by corona discharge. The cleaning unit cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum. Specifically, the cleaning unit removes toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The conveyance belt conveys the paper separated by the separation unit to the fixing unit 60.

  The fixing unit 60 is a unit that fixes a toner image formed on a sheet to the sheet by thermocompression bonding. The fixing unit 60 includes a heating roller, a pressure roller, and a cleaning web.

  The heating roller heats the paper on which the toner image is formed. The pressure roller conveys the sheet while holding the sheet between the heating roller and the pressure roller. Thus, the pressure roller presses the paper on which the toner image is formed. The cleaning web removes toner adhering to the pressure roller.

  The paper discharge unit 70 is a unit for discharging the paper on which the toner image is fixed. The paper discharge unit 70 is a unit that reverses the front and back of the sheet in the duplex copying mode. The paper discharge unit 70 includes a fixing discharge roller, a switching unit, a paper discharge roller, and a conveyance roller.

  The fixing discharge roller conveys the sheet conveyed from the fixing unit 60 to the switching unit side. The switching unit switches whether to discharge the sheet conveyed by the fixing discharge roller. Specifically, the switching unit switches the paper transport route to the discharge roller side in the single-sided copying mode. In the double-sided copying mode, the switching unit switches the paper transport route to the paper discharge roller side when toner image formation is completed on both sides of the paper. On the other hand, in the double-sided copying mode, the switching unit switches the sheet conveyance route to the reversing unit 80 side when the toner image formation on one side of the sheet is not completed.

  The paper discharge roller discharges the paper on which the toner image has been fixed to the post-processing apparatus 300 side. In the duplex copying mode, the conveyance roller conveys a sheet on which the toner image has not been formed on one side to the reversing unit 80 side.

  The reversing unit 80 is a unit that reverses the front and back of a sheet on which toner image formation has not been completed on one side. The reversing unit 80 transports the paper transported from the paper discharge unit 70 to the image forming unit 50 side. That is, the reversing unit 80 refeeds the paper to the image forming unit 50.

  The operation unit 90 is a user interface for operating the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 90 is configured by a touch screen, buttons, and switches in which a touch panel is superimposed on a liquid crystal panel.

  The detection unit 110 detects the environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus 100 and the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100. The detection unit 110 is, for example, a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor.

  The detection unit 110 detects calibration processing, toner replacement processing, and toner supply processing. For example, the detection unit 110 monitors an operation on the operation unit 90 and detects a calibration process. The detection unit 110 is, for example, a sensor that detects attachment / detachment of a toner cartridge that contains toner.

  The paper feeding device 200 is a device that accommodates a larger amount of paper than the paper tray unit 30. In a case where a large amount of normal image paper is discharged, the paper feeding device 200 is used instead of the paper tray unit 30.

  The post-processing device 300 performs post-processing of the paper on which the image is formed. Specifically, the post-processing device 300 includes a first paper discharge tray 310, a stacker 320, and a finisher 330.

  The first paper discharge tray 310 is a tray on which the paper discharged by the image forming apparatus 100 is placed.

  The stacker 320 stores sheets discharged by the image forming apparatus 100. The stacker 320 is used in a case where a large amount of normal image paper is discharged.

  The finisher 330 performs sorting processing, punching processing, stapling processing, center folding processing, cutting processing, and the like. The finisher 330 discharges the paper subjected to these processes to the second paper discharge tray 331. The second paper discharge tray 331 is a tray on which the paper discharged by the finisher 330 is placed.

  The printer controller 500 receives a print job from the user terminal 600 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 601. The printer controller 500 analyzes the print job and transmits image data to the image forming apparatus 100 via the video bus 501.

  The user terminal 600 is a terminal such as a personal computer. The user terminal 600 transmits a print job to the printer controller 500 via a LAN (Local Area Network) 601. The print job is data instructing printing of an image designated by the user terminal 600, and is described in a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) such as PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe) or PCL.

(Function of image forming apparatus)
Hereinafter, functions of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 400 that comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 400 includes a communication I / F 410, an HDD 420, a memory 430, and a CPU 440.

  The communication I / F 410 is connected to the video bus 501 and acquires image data from the printer controller 500.

  The HDD 420 stores a control program, information regarding functions of the image forming apparatus 100, and the like.

  The memory 430 is configured by a semiconductor memory such as a DRAM. The memory 430 temporarily stores the image data acquired by the image reading unit 20 and the image data acquired by the communication I / F 410. In addition, a control program stored in the HDD 420 is expanded on the memory 430.

  The CPU 440 controls each component of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the control program developed on the memory 430. In the following, the operation of the CPU 440 related to the first embodiment will be mainly described. Therefore, it should be noted that a part of the operation of the CPU 440 is omitted.

  The CPU 440 instructs the image forming unit 50 to form a normal image based on the normal image data. The CPU 440 instructs the image forming unit 50 to form a sample image based on the sample image data.

  The normal image data is image data acquired by the image reading unit 20 or image data acquired by the communication I / F 410.

  The sample image data is image data for forming a sample image. Sample image data is stored in the HDD 420 or the like. The sample image is used to confirm whether an abnormality has occurred in the normal image. Therefore, the sample image is preferably an image such as a gradation chart that can easily grasp a change in image quality.

  Here, the CPU 440 instructs the formation of the sample image and the discharge of the sample image paper when the sample discharge condition is satisfied. In addition, the CPU 440 changes the sample discharge condition according to the environmental state that affects the normal image. Note that the CPU 440 acquires environmental information indicating the environmental state from the detection unit 110.

  The sample discharge conditions are: (a) the number of normal image paper discharged after the sample image paper is discharged reaches the number threshold, and (b) the time elapsed after the sample image paper is discharged is the time threshold. And so on.

  The environmental state includes an environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus 100, an environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100, a calibration process, a toner replacement process, a toner supply process, and the like.

  The CPU 440 changes the sample discharge condition so that the frequency with which the sample image sheet is discharged is high when the environmental state is a state in which a normal image is likely to be abnormal. Specifically, the CPU 440 decreases the number threshold set as the sample discharge condition. Alternatively, the CPU 440 shortens the time threshold set as the sample discharge condition.

  On the other hand, the CPU 440 changes the sample discharge condition so that the frequency with which the sample image sheet is discharged is low when the environmental state is a state in which it is difficult for the normal image to be abnormal. Specifically, the CPU 440 increases the number threshold set as the sample discharge condition. Alternatively, the CPU 440 increases the time threshold set as the sample discharge condition.

(Change of sample delivery condition)
Hereinafter, the change of the sample discharge condition according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the change of the sample discharge condition according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis indicates the environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus 100, and the vertical axis indicates the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100. The environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus 100 is expressed in ° C., and the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100 is expressed in RH%.

  As shown in FIG. 3, environmental temperature and environmental humidity define A zone, B zone, C zone, and Q zone.

  The Q zone is a range of environmental temperature and environmental humidity where the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is most stable. That is, when the environmental temperature and environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the Q zone, the normal image is most unlikely to be abnormal.

  The A zone is a range of environmental temperature and environmental humidity where the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 is most unstable. That is, when the environmental temperature and environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the A zone, the normal image is most likely to be abnormal.

  The B zone and the C zone are ranges of environmental temperature and environmental humidity where the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 becomes slightly unstable. That is, when the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the B zone or the C zone, the normal image is likely to be somewhat abnormal.

  In such a case, when the environmental temperature and environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the Q zone, the control unit 400 causes the sample discharge so that the sample image paper is discharged most frequently. Change the paper conditions. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “1000 sheets”.

  When the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the A zone, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition so that the sample image sheet is discharged most frequently. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “500 sheets”.

  When the environmental temperature and environmental humidity detected by the detection unit 110 are included in the B zone or the C zone, the control unit 400 sets the sample discharge condition so that the frequency of discharging the sample image paper is slightly higher. change. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “850 sheets”.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 4 to 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. This flow is stored in the HDD 420 by the CPU 440 when the power of the image forming apparatus 100 is turned on. The program is started by developing the program in the memory 430 and executing it.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step 10, the control unit 400 initializes settings of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step 20, the control unit 400 transitions to a state of waiting for normal image data. The normal image data is image data acquired by the image reading unit 20 or image data acquired by the communication I / F 410.

  In step 30, the control unit 400 determines whether normal image data has been received. When the normal image data is received, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 40. The control unit 400 returns to the process of step 20 when the normal image data is not received.

  In step 40, the control unit 400 starts an image forming process which is a process for forming an image on a sheet. Details of the image forming process will be described later (see FIG. 5).

  In step 50, the control unit 400 performs a paper discharge process for discharging the paper on which the image is formed.

  In step 60, the control unit 400 determines whether or not to end image formation based on the normal image data. The control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 70 when the image formation is finished. The control unit 400 returns to the process of step 40 when the image formation is not finished.

  In step 70, the control unit 400 instructs the post-processing device 300 to perform post-processing when post-processing is necessary. The post-processing includes sort processing, punching (punching) processing, stapling processing, center folding processing, cutting processing, and the like.

  Next, details of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, in step 41, the control unit 400 determines whether or not the sample discharge condition is satisfied. If the sample discharge condition is not satisfied, the control unit 400 proceeds to step 42. If the sample discharge condition is satisfied, the control unit 400 proceeds to step 43.

  In step 42, the control unit 400 forms a normal image based on the normal image data. The control unit 400 outputs a normal image to the image forming unit 50.

  In step 43, the control unit 400 forms a sample image based on the sample image data. The control unit 400 outputs the sample image to the image forming unit 50.

(Change processing of sample delivery conditions)
Hereinafter, the sample paper discharge condition changing process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 6 or 7 is a process executed by interrupting the flow shown in FIG. 4 at a predetermined cycle.

  First, a case where the sample discharge condition is changed according to the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step 110, the control unit 400 acquires environmental information indicating the environmental state from the detection unit 110. Here, the control unit 400 acquires the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step 120, the control unit 400 determines whether or not the sample discharge condition needs to be changed. If it is necessary to change the sample discharge conditions, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 130. If it is not necessary to change the sample discharge condition, the control unit 400 returns to step 110.

  For example, the control unit 400 determines that the sample discharge condition needs to be changed when the zone defined by the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity changes.

  In step 130, the control unit 400 determines whether or not the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity acquired from the detection unit 110 are included in the Q zone. When the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity are included in the Q zone, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 140. When the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity are not included in the Q zone, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 150.

  In step 140, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition to the first sample discharge condition. The first sample discharge condition is a condition where the frequency of discharging the sample image paper is the lowest. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “1000 sheets”.

  In step 150, the control unit 400 determines whether the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity acquired from the detection unit 110 are included in the A zone. When the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity are included in the A zone, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 160. If the environmental temperature and the environmental humidity are not included in the A zone, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 170.

  In step 160, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition to the second sample discharge condition. The second sample discharge condition is a condition in which the sample image sheet is discharged most frequently. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “500 sheets”.

  In step 170, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition to the third sample discharge condition. The third sample discharge condition is a condition in which the frequency with which the sample image paper is discharged is slightly high. For example, the control unit 400 sets the sheet number threshold set as the sample discharge condition to “850 sheets”.

  Second, a case where the sample discharge condition is changed according to the calibration process, the toner replacement process, and the toner supply process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step 210, the control unit 400 determines whether a calibration process has been executed. That is, the control unit 400 determines whether or not the calibration process is detected by the detection unit 110. When the calibration process is executed, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 220. If the calibration process has not been executed, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 230.

  In step 220, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition to the fourth sample discharge condition. The fourth sample discharge condition is, for example, a condition that increases the frequency with which the sample image paper is discharged within a predetermined period after the calibration process is performed. For example, the fourth sample discharge condition is that the sample image sheet is discharged every time the number of normal image sheets discharged reaches 50 in the period until the number of normal image sheets discharged reaches 1000 sheets. .

  In step 230, the control unit 400 determines whether the toner replacement process or the toner supply process has been executed. That is, the control unit 400 determines whether the toner replacement process or the toner supply process is detected by the detection unit 110. When the toner replacement process or the toner supply process is executed, the control unit 400 proceeds to the process of step 240. If the toner replacement process or the toner supply process is not executed, the control unit 400 returns to the process of step 210.

  In step 240, the control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition to the fifth sample discharge condition. For example, the fifth sample discharge condition is a condition in which the frequency with which the sample image paper is discharged within a predetermined period after the toner replacement process or the toner supply process is performed. For example, the fifth sample discharge condition is to discharge sample image paper every time the number of normal image paper discharged reaches 20 in the period until the number of normal image paper discharged reaches 500. .

(Function and effect)
In the first embodiment, the control unit 400 performs sample image paper discharge processing when the sample discharge conditions are satisfied. The control unit 400 changes the sample discharge condition according to the environmental state that affects the normal image. That is, the timing at which the sample image paper is discharged can be optimized by taking into consideration the environmental conditions that affect the normal image formed on the normal image paper.

[Other Embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments, it should not be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may not be an MFP but may be an apparatus having only a printer function or an apparatus having only a copying function.

  The environmental state is not limited to the environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus 100, the environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus 100, the calibration process, the toner replacement process, and the toner supply process. Specifically, the environmental state may be another state as long as it affects the normal image formed on the normal image paper.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control unit 400 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the change of the sample paper discharge conditions which concern on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Automatic document feeding unit, 20 ... Image reading unit, 30 ... Paper tray unit, 40 ... Paper feed unit, 50 ... Image forming unit, 60 ... Fixing unit, 70 ..Discharge unit 80 ... Reversing unit 90 ... Operation unit 100 ... Image forming device 110 ... Detecting unit 200 ... Paper feeding device 300 ... Post-processing device 310... First discharge tray 320. Stacker 330 Finisher 331 Second discharge tray 400 Control unit 410 Communication I / F 420 ... HDD, 430 ... Memory, 440 ... CPU, 500 ... Printer controller, 501 ... Video bus, 600 ... User terminal, 601 ... LAN

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on paper,
An image forming unit that forms a normal image on a sheet based on the normal image data and forms a sample image on the sheet based on the sample image data;
A paper discharge unit that discharges the normal image paper that is the paper on which the normal image is formed and the sample image paper that is the paper on which the sample image is formed;
A control unit that performs discharge processing of the sample image paper when a sample discharge condition that is a condition for discharging the sample image paper is satisfied,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit changes the sample discharge condition in accordance with an environmental state affecting the normal image.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental state is an environmental temperature of the image forming apparatus and an environmental humidity of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the environmental state is at least one of execution of calibration processing, execution of toner replacement processing, and toner supply processing. The controller is
When the environmental condition is a state in which the normal image is likely to be abnormal, the sample discharge condition is changed so that the frequency of discharging the sample image paper is increased,
The sample discharge condition is changed so that the frequency of discharging the sample image paper is reduced when the environmental state is a state in which an abnormality is unlikely to occur in the normal image. Image forming apparatus.

Images