JP2010162742A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of print-processing a printing job at timing of a reduced electric power consumption in a print-processing operation. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming device accumulates the received printing jobs into a storage device (S101), and detects a temperature or the like as an environmental condition (S103). The image forming device calculates an electric power consumption when the print-processing is executed in the detected environmental condition (S105), to be compared with a preset electric power level (S107). The printing processing of the printing jobs is not executed when the calculated electric power consumption is higher than the set electric power level, to be held in an accumulated state until getting to the set electric power level. The printing processing is not executed and accumulates the printing job, even when receiving the printing job under that state (S113). The accumulated printing jobs are print-processed collectively (S109), at the time of the environment where the calculated electric power consumption comes to the set electric power level or less (YES in S107). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that prints once a print job is accumulated.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a copier, or an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) which is a combination of these, a preparatory operation such as potential formation of a photosensitive member is required at the start of image forming processing.

  At the end of the image forming process, an end operation such as resetting the potential of the photosensitive member is necessary. Therefore, in a conventional image forming apparatus that forms an image each time a print instruction is issued, if the number of prints is small, the number of preparatory operations and end operations increases, and the drive time of the image forming unit increases. This leads to an increase in power consumption and a deterioration in the life of an image forming unit such as a photoreceptor.

  In order to cope with such a problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-95146 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) is an image forming apparatus provided with a storage device such as a hard disk, and in the image forming apparatus, requested printing is performed. Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that temporarily stores jobs in a storage device without immediately executing them, cancels sleep at a predetermined time or when the amount of stored data reaches a predetermined amount, and collectively prints the stored print jobs. Yes.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-237554 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2) is an image forming apparatus having a storage device such as a hard disk, in which the requested print job is not immediately executed. An image forming apparatus that prints a print job that has been once stored in a storage device and stored in a time zone in which the unit cost of power cost is the lowest is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-95146 JP 2007-237554 A

  By the way, the power consumption in the image forming apparatus varies depending not only on the driving time of the image forming unit but also on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, input voltage to the image forming apparatus, and the like. This is because the resistance value of an operating mechanism such as a roller included in the image forming unit varies depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Specifically, when the temperature is high, the electrical resistance value increases, and the power required to operate the operation mechanism so as to ensure the required performance increases. Further, in an operation mechanism in which a material that cures at a low temperature is used, the frictional force on the contact surface increases, and the electric power required to operate the operation mechanism increases. Also, when the input voltage is low, the input current for generating the power necessary to ensure the required performance of the image forming unit increases, and the power consumption of the power supply board itself increases, so the conversion efficiency decreases. As a result, the required power increases.

  In Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, such environmental conditions and input voltages are not included in the determination of whether or not to perform the printing process. Therefore, even if the print processing of a print job is performed when certain conditions are satisfied with the image forming apparatuses disclosed in these documents, the power consumption may increase due to environmental conditions and input voltage. For this reason, even if the techniques disclosed in these documents are employed, there is a problem in that power consumption may increase or the life of the image forming unit may deteriorate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and provides an image forming apparatus that temporarily stores an instructed print job and prints the print job at a timing with low power consumption in the print processing operation. The purpose is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus performs an input unit for inputting a print job, a storage unit for storing a print job, and a print job stored in the storage unit. Print execution means for performing print processing, which is processing for print execution, level storage means for storing a power level for the print execution means, detection means for detecting environmental conditions of the image forming apparatus, and printing under environmental conditions Using the calculation means for calculating the power consumption when performing the printing process by the execution means, the power consumption calculated by the calculation means, and the power level stored in the level storage means, Control means for determining the timing and causing the print execution means to execute the printing process at the determined timing.

  Preferably, the calculation unit includes a characteristic storage unit that stores, as an environmental characteristic, a relationship of power consumption when the printing process is performed by the print execution unit with respect to an environmental condition, and the calculation unit is stored in the specific value storage unit. Power consumption is calculated using environmental characteristics.

  Preferably, the detection means detects temperature as an environmental condition, and the specific storage means has a relationship between temperature and power consumption when performing printing processing by the print execution means based on the driving load at the temperature as environmental characteristics. The storing and calculating means calculates the power consumption when the printing execution means performs the printing process at the temperature detected by the detecting means.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes an image carrier that carries a toner image on a surface thereof, and a cleaning unit that presses against the surface of the image carrier and cleans the surface of the image carrier. It is determined based on the temperature change of the frictional force with the surface of the image carrier.

  Preferably, the detection means detects temperature and humidity as environmental conditions, and the specific storage means applies to the print execution means when the print execution means performs the print processing at the temperature and humidity and the temperature and humidity as the environmental characteristics. The calculation means stores the power consumption when the printing process is performed by the print execution means at the temperature and humidity detected by the detection means based on the voltage to be printed. .

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a driving unit for executing printing of the print job, and the environmental characteristic is determined based on a temperature change and a humidity change of the electric resistance value of the driving unit.

  Preferably, the detection unit detects an input voltage as an environmental condition, the characteristic storage unit stores, as an environmental characteristic, a relationship between the input voltage and power consumption when performing the printing process by the print execution unit, and the calculation unit includes Then, the power consumption at the time of performing the printing process by the print execution means at the input voltage detected by the detection means is calculated.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a power supply unit that converts the input voltage to a predetermined voltage level and supplies the converted voltage to the image forming apparatus, and the environmental characteristic is the conversion efficiency of the input voltage in the power supply unit. , Based on the change due to the input voltage.

  Preferably, when the calculated power consumption does not exceed the stored power level, the control unit determines that the print job stored in the storage unit is a timing for performing the printing process, and extracts the print job from the storage unit. If the calculated power consumption exceeds the stored power level, the print job stored in the storage means is determined not to be printed, and the print job is stored in the storage means. Do not remove from.

  According to the present invention, the number of printing operation start preparation operations and end preparation operations in the image forming apparatus can be reduced. In addition, the print processing operation can be performed in a low power consumption state. For this reason, power consumption in the image forming apparatus can be suppressed, and deterioration of the life of the image forming unit can be effectively prevented.

1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of a hardware configuration of an image forming unit included in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control function for controlling printing processing in an image forming unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure of a control board among the control functions of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of a flow of a printing operation in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating specific print processing timings in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of characteristic values stored in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of characteristic values stored in the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of characteristic values stored in the image forming apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 101 according to an embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 103 connected to a network 102, and a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC) 104 as an information processing apparatus. Each of the image forming apparatus 103 and the PC 104 may be a plurality of units, and these are representatively represented as the image forming apparatus 103 and the PC 104. The network 102 may be a communication network using a public telephone line such as the Internet, or may be a communication network using a dedicated line such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Further, the present invention is not limited to the one that performs wired communication, and may perform wireless communication such as communication using infrared rays.

  The PC 104 generates a print job in which the document data is image data or the like by application software and transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 103 via the network 102 and also outputs an instruction signal instructing print processing of the print job. To do. The print job may be generated not only by the PC 104 but also by the image forming apparatus 103 itself. In accordance with the above instruction, the image forming apparatus 103 performs print processing at a predetermined timing on a print job transmitted from the PC 104 or a print job generated by the image forming apparatus 103 itself.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 103. Referring to FIG. 2, an image forming apparatus 103 stores a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated as CPU (Central Processing Unit)) 201 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 103, a storage device that stores programs executed by the CPU 201, and the like. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 that is a storage device that also serves as a work area for storing other information and program execution, and an image forming apparatus 103 are connected to a network 102 that is a communication network. A communication interface (hereinafter abbreviated as I / F) unit 204 for performing two-way communication, an image forming unit 205, a hard disk drive (hereinafter abbreviated as HDD) that is a storage device for storing print jobs such as image data. And an operation unit 207 including an operation panel and operation keys that function as a user interface. Wherein they are connected by a bus 208.

  The print job is input from the PC 104 via the communication I / F unit 204. Alternatively, it is generated in the CPU 201 in accordance with an operation signal from the operation unit 207. The input print job and the generated print job are stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 206.

  In this embodiment, the case where the image forming unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 103 is applied to a tandem digital color printer will be described.

  However, the image forming apparatus 103 is not limited to a printer, and may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction peripheral (MFP) that is a complex machine thereof. Further, the printing method is not limited to the tandem method, and is not limited to the digital method. Furthermore, it may be a monochrome machine instead of a color machine.

  The color tandem image forming unit 205 includes four color image forming units each including a developing device arranged along an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member, and each color toner image formed thereon. Is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt (primary transfer), and a multicolor image is formed by superimposing each color toner. Further, the image superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred onto a printing paper as a printing medium (secondary transfer), and output through a fixing process.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the image forming unit 205. The printer 1 is a tandem digital color printer, and forms a color image by sequentially superposing four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). .

  Referring to FIG. 3, an intermediate transfer belt 304 that is an intermediate transfer member suspended by a plurality of rotation rollers is disposed at a substantially central portion inside the image forming unit 205. The intermediate transfer belt 304 is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the drawing by the rotation of a plurality of rotation rollers. Along the intermediate transfer belt 304, cartridges corresponding to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are arranged. Each cartridge includes photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d, and developing units 308a, 308b, 308c, and 308d. A secondary transfer roller 305 is disposed at a position so as to form a pair with a rotation roller that suspends the intermediate transfer belt 304 from the inner side of the ring, with the intermediate transfer belt 304 and the sheet passing path interposed therebetween. A paper feed cassette 301 for storing printing paper is arranged below the image forming unit 205.

  When an instruction signal for instructing printing of a print job is input from the communication I / F unit 204 or the operation unit 207, the CPU 201 inputs a control signal to the image forming unit 205 together with the print job. In accordance with the control signal, recording media such as printing paper stored in the paper feed tray 301 are ejected one by one by the paper feed roller 302, and pass through the drive of a plurality of transport rollers (not shown) arranged in the paper feed path. The paper path is conveyed.

  In parallel with the paper feeding, the toners stored in the developing units 308a, 308b, 308c, and 308d for the respective colors are respectively in accordance with the control signals, and the photosensitive members 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d for the respective colors based on the image data that is a print job. The toner image is developed on the photosensitive member.

  A primary transfer roller (not shown) is arranged at a position that forms a pair with each of the photoconductors 303 a, 303 b, 303 c, and 303 d with the intermediate transfer belt 304 interposed therebetween, and applies a voltage to these photoconductors to the intermediate transfer belt 304. Then press. When the photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304 are in close contact with each other and a voltage is applied, the toner adhered as a toner image on the surface of each photoreceptor is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 304. This is called primary transfer.

  The printing paper conveyed through the paper passing path is conveyed to a position in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 304 with timing controlled by a timing roller (not shown). When the printing paper is conveyed between the secondary transfer roller 305 and the intermediate transfer belt 304 that are in pressure contact, a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 305 so that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 304 is transferred. Transferred to printing paper. This is called secondary transfer.

  A fixing device 306 is disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer position of the sheet passing path. The fixing device 306 includes a fixing roller (not shown) that forms a pair with the sheet passing path interposed therebetween, and applies heat and pressure to the printing paper conveyed between them. As the conveyed printing paper passes through the fixing device 306, the toner image secondarily transferred onto the printing paper is fixed on the printing paper. A paper discharge roller 307 is disposed on the most downstream side of the paper passing path, and the print paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 309 by the paper supply roller 307.

  A cleaner blade 310 for removing residual toner is installed on the photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304. The cleaner blade 310 is pressed against the photoconductors 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304, and scrapes off toner adhering to the surface.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control function for controlling printing processing in the image forming unit 205 in the image forming apparatus 103. The functions shown in FIG. 4 are realized when the CPU 201 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 202, writes it in the RAM 203, and executes it. A part of the function may be formed in the CPU 201. . Further, a part thereof may be formed by a hardware configuration.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the control function of image forming apparatus 103 includes an input voltage detection unit 401, an environment detection unit 402, and a control board 403. The high voltage substrate 404 and the motor 405 are included in the drive mechanism of the image forming unit 205. The motor 405 is connected to rollers that are driven during the printing operation, such as the above-described rotation roller, paper feed roller 302, and conveyance roller, and drives these rollers. The high voltage substrate 404 functions as a power supply substrate, converts the input voltage into a necessary power level, and applies a predetermined voltage to each part of the image forming unit 205.

  The input voltage detection unit 401 includes a detection circuit (not shown), detects a voltage input to the image forming apparatus 103 according to a control signal from the control board 403, and inputs a detection signal corresponding to the detected voltage to the control board 403. To do. The environment detection unit 402 includes a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor (not shown), detects the temperature and humidity, which are the environmental values in the image forming apparatus 103, according to the control signal from the control board 403, and detects according to the detected environmental value. A signal is input to the control board 403.

  The control board 403 includes a CPU 201, and determines whether or not it is time to cause the image forming unit 205 to perform print processing based on detection signals from the input voltage detection unit 401 and the environment detection unit 402. When it is time to perform the printing process, the control board 403 takes out the printing job from the HDD 206 and controls each part of the image forming unit 205 to execute the printing process for the printing job. That is, the CPU 201 included in the control board 403 executes a control program to determine whether or not it is a timing for performing a printing process using the detection signal. If the timing is reached, the printing stored in the HDD 206 is determined. The job is taken out and input to the image forming unit 205. Furthermore, a control signal for converting the input voltage into a predetermined power level and applying a voltage to each part is output to the high voltage substrate 404. In addition, a control signal for rotating at a predetermined rotation speed or for stopping the rotation is output to the motor 405. If it is determined that it is not time to perform the printing process, the control board 403 does not take out a print job from the HDD 206. Therefore, in this case, the print job is accumulated in the HDD 206.

  The cleaner blade 310 is made of a thermoplastic material. Therefore, when the temperature around the cleaner blade 310 is low, the cleaner blade 310 is cured, and the frictional force between the photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304 increases. As a result, when the inside of the image forming unit 205 is at a low temperature, the electric power required by the motor 405 for driving the photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304 increases.

  The electric resistance value of the circuit of the motor 405 also varies depending on environmental values such as temperature and humidity. For example, when the temperature is high, the electrical resistance value is high. For this reason, the control board 403 needs to set the applied voltage high in order to obtain the current necessary for the rotation of the motor 405 for driving the rollers while ensuring the performance of the printing process.

  Further, when the voltage input to the image forming apparatus 103 itself is low, the input current required to generate the power required by the image forming unit 205 in the control base 403 including the CPU 201 increases, and the control board 403 itself Power consumption increases, conversion efficiency decreases, and power consumption increases.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 103 controls the printing process in the image forming unit 205 so as to suppress the power consumption required for the printing process according to the environmental value such as temperature and humidity, and the input voltage. In the following description, environmental values such as temperature and humidity, and input voltage may be collectively referred to as “environmental conditions”.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the control board 403 for performing the above-described control. Referring to FIG. 5, control board 403 includes an input unit 501, a calculation unit 502, a characteristic value storage unit 503, a determination unit 504, and a set value storage unit 505. 5 are functions formed on the control board 403 when the CPU 201 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 202, writes it in the RAM 203, and executes it.

  The input unit 501 receives an input of a detection signal indicating the input voltage detected by the input voltage detection unit 401 or a detection signal indicating the environmental value detected by the environment detection unit 402, and the calculation unit 502 expresses the detection signal. Enter the environmental conditions.

  The characteristic value storage unit 503 stores the power consumption required for the printing process under the environmental condition for each environmental condition as a characteristic value. The calculation unit 502 refers to the characteristic value stored in the characteristic value storage unit 503, calculates the power consumption when the printing process is performed under the detected condition, and inputs it to the determination unit 504.

  The set value storage unit 505 stores a set value (power level) of power consumption as a condition for performing the printing process. The set value may be stored in advance, may be set by operating the operation unit 207, or may be set by being input from the PC 104 via the network 102. . The determination unit 504 uses the setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 505 as a threshold value, and print jobs stored in the HDD 206 when the power consumption calculated by the calculation unit 502 is equal to or less than the setting value. Is determined to be the timing for performing the printing process, and if the calculated power consumption exceeds the set value, it is determined that it is not the timing for the printing process. The control board 403 takes out the print job stored from the HDD 206 based on the determination that it is the timing for the printing process in the determination unit 504 and inputs it to the image forming unit 205. The control board 403 generates a control signal for executing the printing process and outputs the control signal to the high voltage board 404 and the motor 405.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the power consumption required for the printing process under the environmental condition is stored in advance in the characteristic value storage unit 503 for each environmental condition as a characteristic value, and the characteristic value corresponding to the input environmental condition is stored. It is assumed that the calculation unit 502 calculates power consumption by reading. As another example, the calculation unit 502 may store a conversion formula for calculating the power consumption from the environmental condition, and calculate the power consumption by inputting the environmental condition into the conversion formula.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of the flow of the printing operation in the image forming apparatus 103. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 201 reading out a control program stored in the ROM 202, writing it in the RAM 203 and executing it, and controlling each unit shown in FIGS. The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started when the first print job is input in the image forming apparatus 103. The “first print job” refers to a print job that is input first and stored in the HDD 206 first when there is no print job stored in the HDD 206.

  Referring to FIG. 6, when the first print job, which is the first print job, is input via communication I / F unit 204 or by an operation on operation unit 207, CPU 201 determines that the first print job is the first print job in step S 101. One print job is stored in the HDD 206. In step S103, a control signal is output from the control board 403 to the input voltage detection unit 401 or the environment detection unit 402, and environmental conditions are detected. The environmental condition detected in step S103 is input to the input unit 501. In step S105, the calculation unit 502 stores the power consumption when the printing process is executed under the environmental condition in the characteristic value storage unit 503. It is calculated based on the characteristic value.

  In step S107, the determination unit 504 determines whether or not the power consumption calculated in step S105 exceeds the set value stored in the set value storage unit 505. As a result, if the calculated power consumption does not exceed the set value (YES in step S107), the determination unit 504 determines that it is time to execute the printing process. In this case, in step S109, the control board 403 takes out the registration job stored in the HDD 206 and inputs it to the image forming unit 205, and sends a control signal for performing the printing process to the high voltage board 404, the motor 405, and the like. Input to a drive mechanism included in the image forming unit 205.

  On the other hand, if the power consumption when the printing process is executed in the detected environment exceeds the setting value stored in the setting value storage unit 505 (NO in step S107), the determination unit 504 executes the printing process. It is determined that it is not time to perform. In that case, the control board 403 does not take out the print jobs that have been input and are once stored in the HDD 206, and returns to step S103 without performing print processing at that time for these print jobs. At this time, if a print job is further input (YES in step S111), the CPU 201 stores the input print job in the HDD 206 in step S113. Then, when the operation from step S103 is repeated and it is determined that the power consumption when the printing process is executed in the detected environment does not exceed the set value stored in the set value storage unit 505. (NO in step S107), the print job stored in the HDD 206 is taken out and printing processing is performed.

  As a result of the above operation, when the power consumption under the environmental conditions at that time calculated in step S105 exceeds the set value in step S107, the print process for the print job is not performed, and at a predetermined interval. The detection of environmental conditions is repeated. When the calculated power consumption becomes equal to or less than the set value, all print jobs stored in the HDD 206 are printed. The specific timing of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the bold curve represents the change in power consumption over time calculated as the printing process is performed under the environmental conditions at that time. It is assumed that the set value Vs is set as the power level for executing the printing process. An example of the set value Vs is 1000 W.

  First, when the image forming apparatus 103 receives an input of JOB1, the operation shown in FIG. 6 is started, and in step S107, the power consumption when the printing process is performed under the environmental conditions at that time is set. It is determined that the value is larger than the value Vs. For this reason, JOB1 is not immediately printed, but is stored in the HDD 206 in step S101, and detection of environmental conditions is repeated at predetermined intervals thereafter. In the meantime, JOB2 and JOB3 are input to the image forming apparatus 103. However, since both of the calculated power consumptions are larger than the set value Vs, they are accumulated in the HDD 206 without being immediately printed. As shown in FIG. 7, in the period I, steps S <b> 101 to S <b> 107, S <b> 111, and S <b> 113 are repeated and JOB <b> 1, JOB <b> 2, and JOB <b> 3 are accumulated in the HDD 206.

  When the period I ends while the steps S101 to S107, S111, and S113 are repeated, the power consumption calculated based on the environmental conditions at that time is determined by the determination of the step S107 performed immediately after the period I. It is judged as follows. In this case, in step S109, JOB1, JOB2, and JOB3 stored in the HDD 206 are collectively printed. Then, the series of operations in FIG. 6 ends. Further, in the period II after the period I, the calculated power consumption is equal to or less than the set value Vs. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 103 receives the input of JOB4 and JOB5, the operation illustrated in FIG. Each time, a printing process is performed.

  On the other hand, when period II ends and period III ends, the calculated power consumption is greater than the set value Vs. Therefore, for JOB6 and JOB7 for which the image forming apparatus 103 has received an input, as in period I, an immediate printing process is performed. Is stored in the HDD 206 without being performed.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 103, the input print job is collectively printed at the timing when the environmental condition becomes the power consumption equal to or lower than the set power by the above operation, and the power consumption is suppressed. be able to. Moreover, the deterioration of the lifetime of a drive mechanism can be suppressed by suppressing the frequency | count of a printing process.

  As described above, the environmental conditions include environmental values such as temperature and humidity, and input voltage. Therefore, the determination of the timing of specific print processing will be described below.

  For example, the control board 403 may determine the timing of the printing process using an environmental value that is a temperature as an environmental condition. In this case, the control board 403 outputs a control signal for detecting the temperature to the environment detection unit 402, and the input unit 501 receives the temperature input from the environment detection unit 402.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the characteristic value storage unit 503 stores power consumption for each temperature when the printing process is executed at the temperature as a characteristic value. The characteristic value for each temperature is mainly determined based on the temperature change of the frictional force between the cleaner blade 310 and the photoreceptors 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d and the intermediate transfer belt 304. As shown in FIG. 8, the characteristic value may be stored in advance, or may be stored as a conversion formula for obtaining the characteristic value from the temperature based on the temperature characteristic of the frictional force. Good. The calculation unit 502 reads the characteristic value corresponding to the input temperature from the characteristic value storage unit 503 or inputs the temperature into the conversion formula to calculate the power consumption at the temperature.

  For example, the control board 403 may determine the timing of printing processing using environmental values such as temperature and humidity as environmental conditions. In this case, the control board 403 outputs a control signal for detecting the temperature and humidity to the environment detection unit 402, and the input unit 501 receives the temperature and humidity input from the environment detection unit 402.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the characteristic value storage unit 503 stores power consumption for each temperature and humidity when the printing process is executed at the temperature and humidity as a characteristic value. The characteristic values for each temperature and humidity are mainly the electrical resistance of the intermediate transfer belt 304, a roller for rotating the belt, a roller for printing paper conveyance, and a storage device such as the ROM 202, RAM 203, and HDD 206. The value is determined based on the temperature change or humidity change of the value, and relates to the voltage level to be applied to the roller or the storage device in order to perform the printing process at the temperature and humidity. The characteristic value may be stored in advance as shown in FIG. 9, or may be stored as a conversion formula for obtaining the characteristic value from the temperature and humidity based on the above factors. . The calculation unit 502 reads the characteristic value corresponding to the input temperature and humidity from the characteristic value storage unit 503, or inputs the temperature and humidity into the conversion formula, thereby calculating the power consumption at the temperature and humidity. .

  For example, the control board 403 may determine the timing of print processing using an input voltage as an environmental condition. In this case, the control board 403 outputs a control signal for causing the input voltage detection unit 401 to detect the input voltage, and the input unit 501 receives an input of the input voltage detection result from the input voltage detection unit 401.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the characteristic value storage unit 503 stores the power consumption for each input voltage when the printing process is executed with the input voltage as a characteristic value. The characteristic value for each input voltage is mainly determined on the basis of a change due to the input voltage in conversion efficiency when the input voltage is converted to a predetermined power level in the high-voltage board 404 functioning as a power supply board. The characteristic value may be stored in advance as shown in FIG. 10, or is stored as a conversion formula for obtaining the characteristic value from the input voltage based on the change in the conversion efficiency due to the input voltage. It may be. The calculation unit 502 calculates the power consumption at the input voltage by reading the characteristic value corresponding to the detected input voltage from the characteristic value storage unit 503 or inputting the input voltage to the conversion formula.

  In the above description, any one of the characteristic values of FIGS. 8 to 9 is stored in the characteristic value storage unit 503, and the control board 403 is any one of temperature, temperature and humidity, or input voltage as an environmental condition. The timing of the printing process is determined using the environmental conditions. However, as another example, the control board 403 may be configured to determine the timing of the printing process using any environmental condition. That is, the characteristic value storage unit 503 stores all the characteristic values of FIGS. 8 to 9, and which environmental condition is used to determine the timing of the printing process is set in advance on the control board 403. The control board 403 may determine the timing of the printing process using environmental conditions according to the setting. Which environmental condition is used is affected by, for example, the installation location of the image forming apparatus 103, and can be set by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 207 at the time of installation. May be. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 103 may be set when the image forming apparatus 103 is manufactured because it may be affected by the characteristics of the member used at the time of manufacture. By doing so, it is possible to determine the timing of the printing process by a method according to the situation in which the image forming apparatus 103 is used, and it is possible to further reduce power consumption.

  As another example, in step S105, the calculation unit 502 calculates power consumption using each environmental condition. In step S107, the power consumption with the highest calculated value is compared with the set value of the power level. Then, the timing of the printing process may be determined. By doing so, it is possible to determine the timing of the printing process by comprehensively using a plurality of environmental conditions, and it is possible to more effectively suppress power consumption.

  The environmental conditions are not limited to temperature, temperature and humidity, and input voltage, but may include other environmental values such as atmospheric pressure and vibration.

  Furthermore, in the above example, the timing of the printing process is determined by the control board 403 in the image forming apparatus 103, but it may be performed on the PC 104 side. In this case, the print job is stored in the HDD of the PC 104 (not shown). The PC 104 realizes the function shown in FIG. 5 by a CPU (not shown) executing a control program, and the image forming apparatus 103 detects an environmental value such as temperature and humidity and an input voltage in response to a request from the PC 104. By outputting to the PC 104, the calculation of power consumption in step S105 and the determination of whether or not it is the timing of the printing process in step S107 are performed. The print job is taken out and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 103 together with a control signal instructing execution of print processing.

  Further, the control board 403 of the image forming apparatus 103 determines the timing of the printing process and executes a process for executing the printing operation, and a PC 104 (not shown) when the PC 104 executes the above process. It is also possible to provide a control program itself to be executed by the CPU. Such a program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM, a RAM, and a memory card, and provided as a program product. You can also. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  The program according to the present invention is a program module that is provided as a part of a computer operating system (OS) and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Also good. In that case, the program itself does not include the module, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. A program that does not include such a module can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The program according to the present invention may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program such as a printer driver. Even in this case, the program itself does not include the module included in the other program, and the process is executed in cooperation with the other program. Such a program incorporated in another program can also be included in the program according to the present invention.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a hard disk and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. 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.

  101 image forming system, 102 network, 103 image forming apparatus, 104 PC, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 communication I / F unit, 205 image forming unit, 206 HDD, 207 operation unit, 208 bus, 301 paper feed Cassette, 302 Paper feed roller, 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d Photoconductor, 304 Intermediate transfer belt, 305 Secondary transfer roller, 306 Fixing unit, 307 Paper discharge roller, 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d Development unit, 309 Paper discharge Tray, 310 cleaner blade, 401 input voltage detection unit, 402 environment detection unit, 403 control board, 404 high voltage board, 405 motor, 501 input unit, 502 calculation unit, 503 characteristic value storage unit, 504 judgment unit, 505 setting value storage Department.

Claims (9)

An input means for inputting a print job;
Storage means for storing the print job;
Print execution means for performing a print process which is a process for executing a print on the print job stored in the storage means;
Level storage means for storing a power level for the print execution means;
Detecting means for detecting environmental conditions of the image forming apparatus;
Calculating means for calculating power consumption when the printing process is performed by the printing execution means under the environmental conditions;
Using the power consumption calculated by the calculation unit and the power level stored in the level storage unit, the timing of the printing process in the print execution unit is determined, and at the timing, the print execution unit An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that executes the printing process. The calculation means includes characteristic storage means for storing, as environmental characteristics, a relationship of power consumption when performing the printing process by the printing execution means with respect to environmental conditions,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the power consumption using the environmental characteristic stored in the specific value storage unit. The detection means detects temperature as the environmental condition,
The specific storage unit stores, as the environmental characteristic, a relationship between a temperature and power consumption when performing the printing process by the printing execution unit based on a driving load at the temperature,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates power consumption when the print execution unit performs the printing process at the temperature detected by the detection unit. An image carrier that carries a toner image on the surface;
A cleaning means for cleaning the surface of the image carrier in pressure contact with the surface of the image carrier;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the environmental characteristic is determined based on a temperature change of a frictional force between the cleaning unit and the surface of the image carrier. The detection means detects temperature and humidity as the environmental conditions,
The specific storage unit performs the printing process based on temperature and humidity, and a voltage applied to the printing execution unit when the printing execution unit performs the printing process at the temperature and humidity as the environmental characteristics. Remember the relationship with power consumption
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates power consumption when the print execution unit performs the printing process at the temperature and humidity detected by the detection unit. Drive means for executing printing of the print job,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the environmental characteristic is determined based on a temperature change and a humidity change of an electric resistance value of the driving unit. The detection means detects an input voltage as the environmental condition,
The characteristic storage means stores, as the environmental characteristic, a relationship between an input voltage and power consumption when the print execution means performs the printing process,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the calculation unit calculates a power consumption when the printing process is performed by the print execution unit at an input voltage detected by the detection unit. A power supply means for converting the input voltage into a predetermined voltage level and supplying the converted voltage to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the environmental characteristic is determined based on a change due to the input voltage of a conversion efficiency of the input voltage in the power supply unit.   When the calculated power consumption does not exceed the power level, the control unit determines that the print job stored in the storage unit is a timing to perform a printing process, and extracts the print job from the storage unit. When the print processing is executed and the calculated power consumption exceeds the power level, it is determined that it is not time to perform the print processing on the print job stored in the storage means, and the print job is stored in the storage The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is not taken out from the means.