JP2010169738A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continue copying according to a user's need and evade the problem of deterioration in image quality arising from this continuation even when replacement of a consumable part or maintenance for the part is needed. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU in an image forming apparatus executes a program including: a step of stopping printing by displaying a maintenance forcing message that a photoreceptor drum reaches a replacement period (Yes in S104, S140) when copying power supply is recovered (Yes in S100); a step of displaying a maintenance notifying message until reaching an allowed value during a printing processing (No in S120, S122); a step of displaying a maintenance warning message until reaching a limit value during a printing processing (No in S130, S132); and a step of stopping printing by displaying a maintenance forcing message when reaching the limit value during the printing processing (Yes in S130, S140). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (typically, paper) by an electrophotographic method or the like, and in particular, a maintenance operation such as replacement or cleaning of consumables according to a user's image formation request. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus requested to a user.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the material of a photosensitive drum or the like used in the image forming apparatus gradually deteriorates due to use, or the function gradually deteriorates due to friction caused by rotation. To do. For such parts, a predetermined life is set for each part or for each unit, and by replacing the target part or unit before reaching the life, the image forming apparatus as a whole can function normally. It is managed to maintain. There are many parts to be replaced such as a photosensitive drum, a paper passing roller, a fixing roller web, and a toner supply container. These are collectively referred to as consumables.

  When such a consumable item reaches the end of its life, the image forming apparatus itself is stopped, a message is displayed on the display panel of the image forming apparatus indicating that the life has been reached, and the user is forced to replace the consumable item to be replaced. Management methods are often adopted. As a result, necessary replacements are made before consumables continue to be used beyond their lifetime and troubles occur, so that troubles can be avoided and the image forming apparatus can be used with high quality. .

  In such a management method, the image forming apparatus cannot be used suddenly during use. This may hinder the user's image formation request. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-45557 (Patent Document 1) discloses an image forming apparatus that can be used for a while even when the stop life is reached. This image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus that stops the apparatus and issues a consumable life warning when the detection value (count number) of replaceable consumables reaches a predetermined value (set number). The extended life amount is set based on the use state of the device after the product is exchanged until the predetermined value is reached, and the stop of the device is extended after reaching the predetermined value until reaching the extended life amount.

  According to this image forming apparatus, the extended life amount is corrected and set based on the use state of the apparatus from the replacement of the consumables to the time when the predetermined value is reached. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be prevented from suddenly being stopped during use, and can be used for a while after reaching the stop life, and the life under optimum conditions can be extended.

JP 2004-45557 A

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus can be continuously used for a while even after the replacement time of the consumables such as the photoconductor has been reached. At this time, if it is continuously used, the image quality gradually decreases. However, the image forming apparatus can be continuously used until a predetermined image forming time or a predetermined number of image formed sheets. As described above, since the image forming apparatus can be used continuously even after the replacement period of the consumables has been reached, the user who uses the image forming apparatus can perform the work in the middle of the image forming work. Is convenient without being stopped.

  In addition, it is necessary to maintain each part of the image forming apparatus in terms of maintaining a normal image forming function (image forming function with an original image quality), but not in terms of exchanging consumables. For example, if the document table is dirty, it is impossible to read an image normally, and if the charger is dirty, it cannot be normally charged. Therefore, it is necessary to clean these parts. Even when such maintenance work is required, it is convenient that the process is not stopped in the middle of the image forming work if it is processed in the same manner as the extension of the consumable replacement.

  However, for example, the working hours of the day (the main time during which the image forming apparatus is used) has ended, and the power of the image forming apparatus that has been used continuously has been turned off after the replacement period of consumables has been reached. Even when another user uses the image forming apparatus on the next day, the use in a state where the image quality is deteriorated is continued. Although the user who was used the previous day allowed the image quality to be lowered and continued the image forming work, the user who started using the next day may want to form an image with the original image quality. Such a user may feel dissatisfied with the result of image formation. In particular, if the user is not familiar with the image forming apparatus, the possibility of such dissatisfaction is further increased.

  As described above, it is desirable to continue the image forming work while avoiding the point that the image cannot be formed during the image forming work, regardless of whether the replacement work of the consumables or the request for the maintenance of the parts is requested. Problems (such as dissatisfaction felt by other users) that occur in the continuous state cannot be avoided.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to meet the needs of the user even in the case where such work is necessary in an image forming apparatus that requires work for exchanging consumables or cleaning a contaminated part. An image forming apparatus that can continue image formation and solve problems associated with continuation of image formation.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is configured to determine whether or not an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording sheet and either a consumable replacement operation or a component maintenance operation are necessary. Work determination means, request determination means for determining whether image formation requests by the user are continuously generated, and image formation requests by the user are continuously generated when work is required And control means for controlling the image forming means so as to permit image formation when there is a continuous image formation request by the user so that image formation is not permitted when there is no image.

  The control unit includes a unit for controlling the image forming unit so as not to permit the image formation when it is determined that the work is essential as a result of the image forming being permitted and the image forming being continued. Can be configured.

  The image forming apparatus can be configured to further include output means for outputting information for requesting the user to perform an operation when image formation is permitted. In addition, the image forming apparatus further includes an output unit for outputting, in a stepwise manner, information requesting the user to perform work according to the degree of work required when image formation is permitted. it can.

  The work determination means can be configured to include means for determining whether or not work is required based on either the number of formed images or the operation time.

  The request determination means can be configured to include means for determining whether or not image formation requests are continuously generated based on the operating state of the image forming apparatus. Here, when the image forming apparatus further includes a power switch, the request determination unit includes a unit for determining that the user does not continuously generate image formation requests when the power switch is turned off. Can be configured to include. Further, when the image forming apparatus further includes a means for shifting to the sleep mode or the power saving mode when the non-operating time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, the request determination means includes the sleep mode When the mode is shifted to either the power saving mode or the power saving mode, it is possible to include a means for determining that image forming requests by the user are not continuously generated.

  According to the present invention, even when it is time to replace a consumable item such as a photosensitive drum or when it is time to maintain a component such as a charging device, the user can respond to the user's request (continuous by the user). Image formation is continued). Thus, it is possible to avoid the point that image formation cannot be performed in the middle of the image forming operation even when the consumable replacement time or the parts maintenance time is reached. If the image forming apparatus is continuously used and the replacement of consumables or the maintenance of parts becomes essential, image formation is not permitted until the consumables are replaced or the parts are maintained. Further, when the image forming apparatus is continuously used, a message for informing the replacement or maintenance and a message for warning the replacement or maintenance are displayed step by step. Understand situations that are becoming unusable. In this way, problems when the image forming apparatus cannot be used can be suppressed.

  Further, once the continuous image formation request is interrupted, it is not permitted to form an image until the consumables are replaced or the parts are maintained because the time for replacing the consumables or the time for maintaining the parts is reached. In this way, it is possible to continue the image forming operation and avoid problems (such as dissatisfaction felt by other users) that occur in the continued state.

  As a result, in an image forming apparatus that requires replacement of consumables or cleaning of contaminated parts, even if such work is necessary, image formation is continued as required by the user. In addition, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can solve problems associated with continuation of image formation.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an image forming apparatus 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a simplified internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 150 illustrated in FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel 172 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel 172 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display panel 172 shown in FIG. 3.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated. In the following, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is provided with consumables that require replacement or parts that require maintenance such as cleaning, Any image forming apparatus having at least a copy mode may be used.

[Image forming apparatus]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of the image forming apparatus 150. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a simplified internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 150. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 150.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 150 includes a document reading unit 152, an image forming unit 154, a paper feeding unit 156, and a paper discharge processing device 158.

  Here, the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 150 is described by describing the operation in the copy mode.

  In the image forming apparatus 150, a document placed on a document placing table is read as image data by the document reading unit 152, and the read image data is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) composed of a microcomputer or the like shown in FIG. 300, various image processing is performed on the image data, and the image data is output to the image forming unit 154.

  The image forming unit 154 prints an image of a document indicated by image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 154 includes a photosensitive drum 222, a charging device 224, a laser scan unit (hereinafter referred to as “LSU”) 226, and development. A device 228, a transfer device 230, a cleaning device 232, a fixing device 234, a static elimination device (not shown), and the like are provided.

  The image forming unit 154 is provided with a main transport path 236 and a reverse transport path 238, and the recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 156 is transported along the main transport path 236. The paper feeding unit 156 pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette 240 or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 242 one by one and sends the recording paper to the main conveyance path 236 of the image forming unit 154.

  While the recording paper is being conveyed along the main conveyance path 236 of the image forming unit 154, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum 222 and the transfer device 230, and further passes through the fixing device 234 to be recorded. Printing on paper is performed.

  The photosensitive drum 222 rotates in one direction, and its surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 232 and the static eliminator and then uniformly charged by the charging device 224. For example, the charging device 224 is a maintenance target component.

  The LSU 226 modulates a laser beam based on the image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 in the main scanning direction with the laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222. To do.

  The developing device 228 develops the electrostatic latent image by supplying toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 222, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222.

  The transfer device 230 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 onto a recording sheet that passes between the transfer device 230 and the photosensitive drum 222.

  The fixing device 234 includes a heating roller 248 for heating the recording paper and a pressure roller 250 for pressing the recording paper. The recording sheet is heated by the heating roller 248 and pressed by the pressure roller 250, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording sheet is fixed on the recording sheet.

  A branching claw 244 is disposed at a connection position between the main conveyance path 236 and the reverse conveyance path 238. When printing is performed only on one side of the recording paper, the branching claw 244 is positioned, and the recording paper from the fixing device 234 is guided to the paper discharge tray 246 or the paper discharge processing device 158 by the branching claw 244.

  When printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper, the branching claw 244 is rotated in a predetermined direction, and the recording paper is guided toward the reverse conveyance path 238. The recording sheet passes through the reverse conveyance path 238, is reversed on the front and back, and is conveyed again to the main conveyance path 236. During the re-conveyance of the main conveyance path 236, printing on the back surface is performed and the recording paper is discharged. It is guided toward the paper tray 246 or the paper discharge processing device 158.

  The recording paper printed as described above is guided toward the paper discharge tray 246 or the paper discharge processing device 158 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 246, or on each paper discharge tray 168 of the paper discharge processing device 158. It is discharged to either.

  The paper discharge processing device 158 performs processing for sorting and discharging a plurality of recording papers to each paper discharge tray 168, processing for punching each recording paper, and processing for stapling each recording paper. For example, when creating a plurality of printed materials, each recording sheet is sorted and discharged to each paper discharge tray 168 so that a part of the printed material is allocated to each paper discharge tray 168. In addition, a punching process or a stapling process is performed on each recording sheet on the discharge tray 168 to create a printed matter.

[Hardware block]
Referring to FIG. 3, image forming apparatus 150 is further turned off from operation device 166 capable of setting each function relating to image forming processing, and ROM (Read Only Memory) 306 for storing programs and the like. A hard disk drive (HDD) 302 that is a non-volatile storage area capable of storing programs, data, and the like, and a random access memory (RAM) 308 for providing a storage area when executing the program, A non-volatile memory 304 that stores a life management counter value for managing the replacement time of consumable parts or the work (cleaning) time of maintenance parts of the image forming apparatus 150. Note that the non-volatile memory 304 is composed of, for example, a flash memory, and can hold data (in this case, a life management counter value) even when power is not supplied. The life management counter value may be stored in the HDD 302.

  The image forming apparatus 150 is further configured as a document reading unit 152, an image forming unit 154, an operation device 166, a ROM 306, an HDD 302, a nonvolatile memory 304 and a RAM 308, and a bus 310 connected to the bus 310. And a CPU 300 for realizing the general functions.

  The ROM 306 stores programs, data, and the like necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 150. The CPU 300 controls the image forming apparatus 150 according to the program and data stored in the ROM 306 and executes control related to each function of the image forming apparatus 150. The ROM 306 stores an allowable value and a limit value corresponding to the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304.

  Consumable parts of the image forming apparatus 150 include a photosensitive drum 222, a pickup roller (paper passing roller), a fixing roller, an intermediate transfer roller, an intermediate transfer belt, and a toner supply container. For example, in the case of the photosensitive drum 222, the life management counter value for managing the replacement time of the consumable parts includes the drum travel distance (the distance that the photosensitive drum 222 has rotated), the number of image formations, and the drum rotation time. In the case of a pick-up roller, there are the number of sheets to be passed, in the case of a fixing roller web, the number of sheets to be fed or the diameter of the roller, and in the case of a toner supply container, the number of sheets to be formed or the weight. Further, the maintenance work includes cleaning the document table, cleaning the charging device 224, cleaning various cleaning devices, and the like. These maintenance request times are also managed in the same manner as the consumable parts replacement time.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the consumable item whose replacement time is managed is the photosensitive drum 222, and that the replacement time of the photosensitive drum 222 is managed by the number of formed images. For this reason, the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304 is the number of formed images. This life management counter value is incremented by 1 every time an image is formed, and the memory is cleared when the photosensitive drum 222 is replaced with a new one. The memory may be automatically cleared when it is automatically detected that the photosensitive drum 222 has been replaced, or the memory may be cleared by performing a specific operation.

  For example, 20000 sheets of image formation, 21000 sheets of image formation as allowable values, and 22,000 sheets of image formation as limit values, for example, are stored in the ROM 306 as maintenance time (replacement time of the photosensitive drum 222) corresponding to the life management counter value. .

  The RAM 308 provides a function as a working memory that temporarily stores the results of calculation and processing by the CPU 300 and a function as a frame memory that stores image data.

  The CPU 300 executes a predetermined program to control the document reading unit 152, the image forming unit 154, the plate-like operation panel 170 and display panel 172 of the operation device 166, and the ROM 306, HDD 302, nonvolatile memory 304, and RAM 308. It is done by.

  The operation device 166 includes a plate-like operation panel 170 provided with a numeric keypad and other various operation buttons, which are arranged in the right region of the surface of the operation device 166, and the center of the operation device 166. And a display panel 172 configured from a small touch panel integrated liquid crystal display device, which is disposed in the left region of the unit. The operation panel 170 and the display panel 172 are held in one housing, and the operation device 166 is configured to be integrated as a whole.

  In the operation device 166, the display panel 172 displays the status of the image forming apparatus 150, the job processing status, replacement of consumable parts, a request for maintenance work, and the like. A selection button is displayed on the display area of the liquid crystal display device of the display panel 172. When the area where the selection button is displayed is pressed with a finger, the touch panel detects the pressed position. By comparing the display position of the selection button with the position where the touch panel is pressed on the program, the function setting, operation instruction, and the like of the image forming apparatus 150 are performed.

  In the case where the image forming apparatus 150 has only a copying function, a copy power switch is provided as a main power source, and the image forming apparatus 150 is a multifunction machine having a facsimile function in addition to the copying function. Since the main power cannot be turned off for facsimile reception, a copy power switch is provided separately from the main power. Further, the image forming apparatus 150 automatically turns off the copy power, enters the sleep mode, or enters the power saving mode when the copy power switch is turned on and is not operated for a predetermined time. . From such a hibernation state, the copy power switch is turned on or a specific button on the operation panel 170 is pressed to return from the hibernation state to enable copying. These are collectively described as the copy power supply is restored. It is assumed that the CPU 300 can operate even when the copy power switch is off.

  The image forming apparatus 150 determines whether image forming requests by the user are continuously generated based on the operating state of the apparatus. As described above, when the image forming apparatus 150 includes the copy power switch, the image forming apparatus 150 does not continuously generate image forming requests by the user when the copy power switch is turned off. Is determined. Further, when the image forming apparatus 150 has a sleep mode or a power saving mode, when the image forming apparatus 150 shifts to either the sleep mode or the power saving mode, image forming requests by the user are continuously generated. Judge that it is not.

Software configuration
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program executed by the image forming apparatus 150. The CPU 300 of the image forming apparatus 150 executes a program that realizes a general function as a computer or an image forming apparatus in parallel with a program that manages replacement of consumables. However, since the program is not directly related to the essential part of the present invention, the details thereof will not be described here.

  Referring to FIG. 4, at step (hereinafter, step is referred to as “S”) 100, CPU 300 (hereinafter simply referred to as CPU 300) of image forming apparatus 150 determines whether or not the copy power supply has been restored. judge. At this time, the CPU 300 determines that the copy power has been restored by turning on the copy power switch that has been turned off or by pressing a specific button on the operation panel 170 by the user. When the copy power supply is restored (YES in S100), the process proceeds to S102. If not (NO in S100), the process returns to S100.

  In S102, CPU 300 reads the life management counter value stored in nonvolatile memory 304. In S104, CPU 300 determines whether or not the maintenance time has been reached. The life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304 is the number of images formed after the photosensitive drum 222 is replaced with a new one. This life management counter value is compared with 20000 sheets that define the maintenance time (replacement time of the photosensitive drum 222) stored in the ROM 306, and when the life management counter value is 20000 sheets or more, the maintenance time is reached. It is determined that If it is determined that the maintenance time has been reached (YES in S104), the process proceeds to S140. If not (NO in S104), the process proceeds to S106.

  In S106, CPU 300 executes the printing process. At this time, every time one image is formed, 1 is added to the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304.

  In S108, CPU 300 determines whether or not the maintenance time has been reached. This process is the same as the process in S104, except that S104 is performed before the print process, whereas S106 is performed during the print process. If it is determined that the maintenance time has been reached during the printing process (YES in S108), the process proceeds to S120. If not (NO in S108), the process proceeds to S110.

  In S110, CPU 300 determines whether the printing process has been completed or not. When the printing process ends (YES in S110), this process ends. If not (NO in S110), the process returns to S106.

  In S120, CPU 300 determines whether or not the life management counter value has reached an allowable value (21,000 sheets). If the life management counter value reaches the allowable value (YES in S120), the process proceeds to S130. If not (NO in S120), the process proceeds to S122. In S122, CPU 300 displays a maintenance notification message on display panel 172. In the process of S122, as will be described later, the process waits until the user inputs confirmation information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S110.

  In S130, CPU 300 determines whether or not the life management counter value has reached a limit value (22,000 sheets) further stacked from the allowable value. When the life management counter value reaches the limit value (YES in S130), the process proceeds to S140. If not (NO in S130), the process proceeds to S132. In S132, CPU 300 displays a maintenance warning message on display panel 172. In the process of S132, as will be described later, the process waits until the user inputs confirmation information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S110.

  In S140, CPU 300 displays a maintenance forced message on display panel 172. At this time, printing is stopped.

[Operation]
The operation of the image forming apparatus 150 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS.

-Life management counter value is less than 20000 even after printing is completed-
When the copy power supply is restored (YES in S100), the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304 is read (S102), and the maintenance time has not been reached (NO in S104). Processing is performed (S106).

  Since the life management counter value does not become 20000 or more before the printing process is completed (NO in S108), the printing process is continued as it is, and the predetermined printing process is completed (YES in S110).

-Life management counter value reaches 20000 or more during printing process-
The copy power supply is restored (YES in S100), and the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304 is read (S102). At this time, the maintenance time has not been reached (NO in S104). Then, a printing process is performed (S106).

  If the life management counter value reaches 20000 sheets or more by the end of the printing process (YES in S108), it is determined whether or not an allowable value (21000 sheets) has been reached (S120). In this case, since the life management counter value has not reached the allowable value (NO in S120), a maintenance notification message is displayed on display panel 172 (S122). A display example at this time is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, if the photosensitive drum 222, which is a consumable item, has not reached the allowable value during the printing process, the consumable item replacement time has been reached (replacement time). Is approached).

  In this case, an “OK” button or the like is displayed together with the notification message. When the user confirms the notification message and presses an “OK” button, the image forming apparatus 150 can be used continuously.

  As described above, when the maintenance time is reached after the copy power supply is restored, the consumable replacement time set in advance is reached by making the image forming apparatus 150 continuously usable. Even in this case, if the user is using the image forming apparatus 150, the image can be continuously formed although there is a slight deterioration in image quality. It can be prevented that the image forming apparatus 150 suddenly stops and cannot be used. Note that when the notification message is displayed on the display panel 172, the user may replace the photosensitive drum 222 with a new one.

-Life management counter value reaches 21,000 or more during printing-
Since the life management counter value has reached 20000 sheets or more from the start of printing processing (that is, NO in S104), whether the allowable value (21000 sheets) has been reached. It is determined whether or not (S120). In this case, since the life management counter value has reached the allowable value (YES in S120), it is determined whether or not the limit value (22000 sheets) has been reached (S130). Since the life management counter value has not reached the limit value (NO in S130), a maintenance warning message is displayed on display panel 172 (S132). A display example at this time is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, if the limit value is not reached even if the allowable value is reached during the print processing work, a warning is given that it is time to replace the consumables. As shown in FIG. 6, on the display panel 172, it is time to replace the consumables, there is a possibility that the image quality may deteriorate if used as it is, and the image forming apparatus stops even during the job if the use is continued. A warning is displayed that includes

  In this case, an “OK” button or the like is displayed together with a warning message. When the user confirms the warning message and presses an “OK” button, the image forming apparatus 150 can be used continuously.

  As described above, after the copy power supply is restored, the image forming apparatus 150 is continuously put into a usable state when the maintenance time is reached. Accordingly, if the limit value is not reached even when the preset allowable value is reached, the user continues when the user is using the image forming apparatus 150 (although there is a slight image quality degradation). Thus, image formation can be performed. Further, since a warning message whose content is more detailed than the notification message is displayed on the display panel 172, the user can easily grasp the current state of the image forming apparatus 150. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the image forming apparatus 150 from being suddenly unusable and to inform the user that the time when the image forming apparatus 150 becomes unusable is approaching. Note that when this warning message is displayed on the display panel 172, the user may replace the photosensitive drum 222 with a new one.

-Life management counter value reaches 22,000 or more during printing-
Since the life management counter value has reached 20000 sheets or more from the start of printing processing (that is, NO in S104), whether the allowable value (21000 sheets) has been reached. It is determined whether or not (S120). In this case, since the life management counter value has reached the allowable value (YES in S120), it is determined whether or not the life management counter value has reached the limit value (22,000 sheets) (S130). Since the life management counter value has reached the limit value (YES in S130), a maintenance forced message is displayed on display panel 172 (S140). A display example at this time is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the allowable value is reached and the limit value is reached during the print processing work, the replacement work of the photosensitive drum 222 is instructed as a forced message.

  In this case, the forced message is displayed, but the “OK” button or the like is not displayed. The user cannot use the image forming apparatus 150 unless the photoconductor drum 222 is replaced and the life management counter value is cleared.

  As described above, the notification message and the warning message are displayed step by step, and a forced message is displayed to instruct the user to replace the photosensitive drum 222. Therefore, it is possible to continue the image forming work according to the user's image forming request, and to solve the problem that the image quality deteriorates as the image forming work continues.

-Life management counter value is 20000 or more when copy power is restored-
After the user's image formation request is interrupted and the copy power is turned off (in this case, the copy power is turned off, the copy power switch is turned off, the image forming apparatus 150 is shifted to the sleep mode, or When the image forming apparatus 150 shifts to the power saving mode), the copy power supply is restored (YES in S100), and the life management counter value stored in the nonvolatile memory 304 is read (S102). At this time, since the maintenance time has been reached (NO in S104), a maintenance forced message is displayed on display panel 172. A display example at this time is the above-described FIG.

  In this case, the forced message is displayed, but the “OK” button or the like is not displayed. The user cannot use the image forming apparatus 150 unless the photoconductor drum 222 is replaced and the life management counter value is cleared.

  In this way, for example, when the day's work is completed and the copy power of the image forming apparatus 150 is turned off and the copy power is turned on the next day, or once enters the sleep state or enters the power saving mode. When the user's continuous image formation request is interrupted and another image formation request is generated, for example, when there is a consumable item for replacement, the consumable item is replaced. Until then, the image forming apparatus 150 cannot be used. As a result, when a new user uses the image forming apparatus 150, it is possible to prevent the image formation from being performed in a state where the image quality is deteriorated due to the deterioration of the consumables. Can be done.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, even when it is time to replace the consumables typified by the photosensitive drum, the image forming apparatus according to the user's needs (continuously) When used, image formation is continued, and a message for informing the exchange and a message for warning the exchange are displayed step by step. If the life management counter value exceeds the limit value further accumulated from the allowable value, the image formation is not performed until the consumable is replaced. Further, once the continuous image formation request is interrupted, image formation is not performed until the consumables are replaced because the time for replacing the consumables has been reached. In this way, even when the consumable replacement time is reached, the problem that the image formation operation is continued while avoiding the point where the image formation cannot be performed in the middle of the image formation operation is continued (the other problems It is possible to avoid dissatisfaction that the user feels about the image quality.

  In the above-described processing of S104, the determination is made based on whether or not the life management counter value is 20000 or more, but it may be determined by comparing the life management counter value with a larger number of sheets. If YES in S104, the process proceeds to S140, and printing is stopped until a forced message is displayed and the photosensitive drum 222 is replaced. On the other hand, if copying is in succession, the limit value of 22,000 sheets has been reached (YES in S130), and the process proceeds to S140. This is because it is considered that the number of sheets to be compared with the life management counter value in S104 may be a larger number (for example, 22,000 which is a limit value) in order to obtain these consistency.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim in the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

150 Image forming device 166 Operation device 170 Operation panel 172 Display panel 300 CPU
302 HDD
304 Non-volatile memory 306 ROM
308 RAM
310 bus

Claims (8)

Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper;
A work determination means for determining whether any one of a consumable replacement work and a parts maintenance work is necessary;
Request determination means for determining whether image formation requests by the user are continuously generated;
In the case where the above work is necessary, when the image formation request by the user is not continuously generated, the image formation is not permitted when the user does not permit the image formation. An image forming apparatus including control means for controlling the image forming means so as to permit formation.   The control means includes means for controlling the image forming means so as not to permit image formation when it is determined that the work is essential as a result of image formation being permitted and image formation being continued. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit configured to output information requesting the user to perform the work when image formation is permitted.   The image forming apparatus further includes an output unit configured to output, in a stepwise manner, information requesting the user to perform the work according to a degree of the work required when image formation is permitted. The image forming apparatus according to 1.   5. The work determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the work determination unit includes a unit for determining whether the work is necessary based on either the number of image formation sheets or the operation time. Image forming apparatus.   The request determination unit includes a unit for determining whether or not an image formation request is continuously generated based on an operation state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus described. The image forming apparatus further includes a power switch,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the request determination unit includes a unit for determining that an image formation request by a user is not continuously generated when the power switch is turned off. The image forming apparatus further includes means for shifting to a sleep mode or a power saving mode when the non-operating time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time,
The image according to claim 6, wherein the request determination unit includes a unit for determining that an image formation request by a user is not continuously generated when the sleep mode or the power saving mode is entered. Forming equipment.

Images