JP2010276770A - Image forming apparatus, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which cuts useless processing to prolong the lives of an image forming part, fixing part, and the like. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: a controller 120 which receives print data and conducts image drawing processing on the basis of the print data; and an engine 130 which conducts an image forming process which receives the image data on the drawn images, forms the images by using the image data, and transfers the images to paper sheets to fix them. The device includes a communication part which inquires the controller 120 whether print data under processing exist or not, when the engine 130 does not receive the image data from the controller 120 after elapse of a prescribed period of time, and then receives an answer from the controller 120. When receiving, from the communication part, the answer that print data under processing do not exist, the engine 130 shifts to termination processing of the image forming process. When receiving the answer that print data under processing exist, the engine 130 waits for the output of the image data from the controller 120 without shifting to the termination processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of omitting useless end processing time, a control method thereof, and a computer-readable program for executing the method.

  Page printers that can perform printing in units of pages are electrophotographic printers such as laser printers and LED printers that use LEDs for exposure devices. In this printer, printing is performed by executing a series of electrophotographic process processes such as paper feeding, charging, exposure, transfer, fixing, and paper discharge.

  A print request including print data expressed in a language called page description language (PDL) is sent from a PC or the like to the page printer. In this page printer, the controller installed in the printer analyzes the print data. Then, the drawing process is performed, the drawn page data is output to the engine, and the engine executes a series of processes such as paper feeding, charging, exposure, transfer, fixing, and paper discharge.

  The drawing process is performed by expanding print data described in PDL. However, in the case of print data composed of a plurality of pages, the data size is different for each page, and the development time is different. For this reason, the timing of outputting page data generated by rendering processing from the controller to the engine varies depending on the development time.

  Engine-side control receives page data from the controller, manages the time from the start of the printing process until the next page data is received, and if the page data is not received after a certain period of time, it is determined as the last page Then, a transition is made to the end processing mode of a series of electrophotographic processes.

  As described above, once the process is shifted to the process end process, even if the next page data is received during the end process, the next page data print process cannot be started immediately. As described above, since the next printing process can be started only after a predetermined process end processing sequence is executed, the timing is such that the next page data is received after the data size is large and the mode is shifted to the end processing mode. There was a problem that productivity decreased when there was data of.

  For jobs that you do not want to time out, such as when the print file is large and takes a lot of time for print processing, determine whether the job data is the final job packet, and wait for the job data to be received until it becomes the final job A printing apparatus having a function to do so has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Since this printing apparatus has a flag indicating whether or not the job is final in the packet of the received job data, it has a means for determining whether or not the flag is set in the packet. Is configured to have means for continuously receiving job data.

  The printer driver of the host generates and sends job data to the printing device, but sets a status flag indicating whether the printer driver is the final job data, and the printing device determines whether the job is the last job in the job data packet. Check the flag. If the flag is set, execute the timeout as scheduled. If not, forcibly continue waiting for reception from the host. For this reason, the printer driver needs to be configured to determine whether it is final job data and to set a status flag.

  In the printing device, the controller performs the drawing process and outputs the page data to the engine. However, when the timing for entering the end process of the electrophotographic process comes, the process proceeds to the end process, so the next page data print process It is not possible to determine whether to enter or to end printing. When the next page data comes, start-up processing is performed again, and print processing for the page data is started. Therefore, useless start-up processing and end processing are required.

  For this reason, it has been desired to provide an apparatus that can determine whether to start the next page data printing process or to move to the end of printing.

  The fixing unit for fixing is cleaned at the end of a print job at intervals of several hundred to several thousand pages. By regularly cleaning in this way, the life of the apparatus can be extended and an environmentally friendly product can be provided.

  When this cleaning process is being performed, it is desirable to be able to determine whether to continue this cleaning process or to enter the printing process for the next page data. Offer was also desired.

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention receives print data, receives a control unit (controller) that performs drawing processing based on the print data, receives image data of a drawn image, creates an image using the image data, An image forming apparatus including an engine unit (engine) that executes an image forming process for transferring and fixing on a sheet. When the engine unit does not accept image data from the control unit even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit Includes a communication unit that receives a response from the control unit, and the engine unit receives a response from the communication unit that there is no print data being processed. When the process proceeds to the end process of the image process and receives a reply that there is print data being processed, the process does not proceed to the end process and waits for the output of image data from the control unit It is formed.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether to enter the printing process of the page data that is the image data of the next page or to move to the end of printing, and it is possible to omit useless start-up processing and end processing, and the life of the apparatus This makes it possible to provide environmentally friendly products.

  The engine unit is transferred with an image forming unit (charging unit, optical scanning device, developing unit, etc.) that uses image data, and a transfer unit (transfer unit) that transfers the created image onto a sheet. A fixing unit (fixing unit) for fixing the image on the paper, and the termination process is a process for stopping the application of voltage to the image forming unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit. It is set as the process which starts application of the voltage to.

  If the engine unit does not accept the rendered image data even after a predetermined time has elapsed from receiving a response from the communication unit that there is print data being processed, the engine unit proceeds to an end process and is useless. Power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus, based on the setting information set in advance, receives a reply that there is print data being processed by the communication unit during execution of the fixing cleaning process for periodically cleaning the fixing unit. The image forming apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether to continue or stop the fixing cleaning process.

  By including the determination unit, it is possible to determine whether the cleaning process is continued or the printing process for the next page data is started during the execution of the cleaning process. This makes it possible to provide environmentally friendly products.

  When the determination unit determines to stop the fixing cleaning process, and the engine unit receives image data from the control unit and executes the image forming process, the fixing cleaning process is resumed after the image forming process ends. . Thereby, the fixing unit can be sufficiently cleaned.

  The image forming apparatus can further include a time measuring unit that measures a cleaning time from the start to the stop of the fixing cleaning process and stores it as a measurement value, and each time the determination unit determines to stop the fixing cleaning process. In addition, the time measuring unit can measure the cleaning time, add the stored measurement value, and store it. By performing the cleaning only for a preset cleaning time and not performing the cleaning beyond that time, an extra cleaning process can be eliminated.

  The image forming apparatus further includes an instruction unit, and the instruction unit determines whether or not the measurement value stored in the time measurement unit exceeds a threshold value, and if it exceeds, fixing after the completion of the next image forming process. The engine unit can be instructed not to execute the cleaning process.

  In response to the instruction from the instructing unit to the engine unit, the time measuring unit can erase (clear) the stored measurement value. Thus, only one measurement value needs to be stored, data management is not complicated, and memory consumption can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, in addition to the image forming apparatus, a control method for controlling processing performed by the engine unit can be provided, and a computer-readable program for executing the method and a recording medium on which the program is recorded are also provided. Can be provided.

The figure which showed the structural example of the laser printer. The figure which illustrated the composition of the control system of a laser printer. The figure which showed the control flow of the whole printer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of interrupt control processing performed by the printer. FIG. 3 is an image forming sequence diagram when one sheet is printed. The figure which showed the image formation timing chart at the time of receiving the next page data before entering into an image formation process completion process. The figure which showed the image formation timing chart at the time of receiving the next page data after entering into an image formation process completion process. The figure which showed the image formation timing chart at the time of receiving the information that the next data in drawing process exists. The control sequence figure of the cleaning mode which implements cleaning regularly. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an IH fixing type fixing unit. The figure which showed each process performed with a printer in blocks.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a laser printer as an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This laser printer receives print data, performs drawing processing for each page based on the print data, writes using the page data of the drawn page, develops, transfers, and fixes a series of writing A main body unit 10 that performs basic sheet passing, a duplex unit 20 that reverses the sheet for performing duplex printing, a mailbox unit 30 that includes a plurality of sheet ejection units that eject paper after printing, and shifts and ejects the sheet. A finisher unit 40 for post-processing for sorting and stapling, and a paper feed unit 50 for managing paper feed to the resist.

  The main unit 10 includes paper feed rollers 11 a and 11 b for feeding paper from the paper feed unit 50, a registration sensor 12 for detecting paper fed by the paper feed roller 11 a, a photoconductor 13, and a photoconductor 13 An optical scanning device 14 that forms a latent image by irradiating a laser beam onto the developing device, a developing unit 15 that develops the toner by attaching toner to the formed latent image, and a toner image formed on the photoreceptor 13 is transferred to a sheet. A transfer unit 16, a fixing unit 17 for fixing the toner image transferred on the paper, and a cleaning unit 18 for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive member 13 after the transfer.

  The main body unit 10, the duplex unit 20, and the mail box unit 30 are respectively provided with solenoids 19, 21, and 31. The solenoids 19, 21, and 31 switch the paper transport destination according to the setting. For example, the solenoid 19 switches so that the sheet after fixing is conveyed to any one of the duplex unit 20, the mail box unit 30, and the finisher unit 40. The solenoid 21 performs reverse switching on both sides. The solenoid 31 is switched so as to discharge to either of the mailbox discharge units 32 and 33.

  Briefly describing the processing performed by the laser printer, paper feeding is started from the paper feeding unit 50 by the paper feeding roller 11a, and when the paper is detected by the registration sensor 12, the paper transport is once stopped there.

  After the photosensitive member 13 is charged by a charging unit (not shown), the photosensitive member 13 is irradiated with laser light from the optical scanning device 14 based on the received image data, thereby generating a potential difference between the irradiated portion and the non-irradiated portion. From this potential difference, the toner on the developing roller on which the toner is uniformly attached by the developing unit 15 is placed on the photosensitive member 13 and the development is performed by attaching the toner. By this development, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive member 13 and can be transferred to a sheet.

  The transfer unit 16 rotates the paper feed roller 11b at the timing to transfer the toner image onto the paper, starts transporting the stopped paper, and transfers the toner image onto the paper. After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photoconductor 13 is removed by the cleaning unit 18, and the photoconductor 13 prepares for the toner image to be formed again. The paper after the transfer is sent to the fixing unit 17, where heat is applied to the paper and pressure is applied to fix the toner on the paper.

  Thereafter, the paper is discharged to one of the paper discharge sections at a predetermined solenoid and sensor timing. Here, the paper discharge unit is any one of the duplex unit 20, the mail box unit 30, and the finisher unit 40.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the laser printer, illustrating the configuration of the control system. The printer 100 is connected to the host machine 200 via a network or a cable, and can receive image data from the host machine 200.

  The printer 100 receives an input from the user and displays an operation panel 110 that displays the current state, a controller 120 that performs interface control with the host machine 200 and print data editing control, machine control, image writing, and paper feed control. And an engine 130 that performs state monitoring and the like.

  The host machine 200 is a PC including a printer driver for converting data to be printed into PDL and transmitting the data to the printer 100, and transmits and receives data to and from the printer 100 according to various user operations.

  The controller 120 includes a host interface 121 that performs interface control with the host machine 200, a program ROM 122, a font ROM 123, a panel interface 124 that performs interface control with the operation panel 110, a controller CPU 125, a RAM 126, and an option RAM 127. And an engine interface 128 that performs interface control with the engine 130. These are connected to each other via a bus and further connected to a font cartridge 210 for storing various fonts.

  The program ROM 122 stores programs for editing image data and controlling the entire controller 120, and the font ROM 123 stores standard fonts used for printing. The controller CPU 125 executes various programs stored in the program ROM 122 to control data transmission / reception with the host machine 200, and controls the entire controller 120 by controlling image processing. The RAM 126 and the option RAM 127 are memories in which data such as programs and images for processing and control are developed.

  The engine 130 includes an engine CPU 131, an interrupt circuit 132, a controller interface 133, an option interface 134, a flash ROM 135, an input port 136, an output port 137, an EEPROM 138, an engine ROM 139, a RAM 140, a DIPSW 141, Each sensor 142, each motor 143, each clutch 144, and each high-pressure process 145 are provided.

  The engine CPU 131 performs overall control according to a program that controls the entire engine 130. The interrupt circuit 132 is a circuit that controls an interrupt state. The controller interface 133 performs interface control with the engine interface 128 provided in the controller 120. The option interface 134 performs interface processing for the option 220.

  The flash ROM 135 stores various programs and various data. The input port 136 performs input processing such as each setting condition related to image formation and the state of the apparatus. The output port 137 performs predetermined output processing for realizing the image forming process. The EEPROM 138 stores maintenance information and the like. The engine ROM 139 stores an engine control program and the like. The RAM 140 has a buffer register function and is used as a working memory.

  The DIPSW 141 performs switching setting such as a control mode. Each sensor 142 detects conveyance timing, temperature, toner density, and the like. Each motor 143 includes a main motor, a conveyance motor, and the like, and each clutch 144 drives or stops the paper feed rollers 11a and 11b, the registration rollers, and the like. Each high-pressure process 145 performs high-voltage application such as charging, transfer, and development. Further, the engine 130 is connected to an exchange unit 240 having an EEPROM 230.

  A control flow of the entire printer shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail. The printer 100 has a power button, and the power is turned on when the user presses the power button (step 300). After the power is turned on, the printer 100 first performs initial setting of each state (step 310). In this initial setting, an IP address of a PC or the like connected to the printer 100 is acquired, and configuration information and setting contents of the printer 100 are acquired.

  Next, the internal state of the engine 130 such as a maintenance request or an error occurrence is confirmed (step 320), and a paper feed request and resolution are transmitted between the controller 120 and the engine 130 via the engine interface 128 and the controller interface 133. Data such as a setting request, a paper feed port switching request, and a paper discharge port switching request, and a response to the data are transmitted and received (step 330). These can be performed, for example, by the controller 120 receiving data input by the user on the operation panel 110 and transmitting it to the engine 130.

  Then, sequence control such as paper supply timing, power on / off to a high-voltage device that performs exposure, transfer, and fixing is performed (step 340), and processing for managing information on the paper to be printed (queue task) Is executed (step 350), and the printing process is controlled (step 360). Thereafter, the processing in steps 320 to 360 is repeated.

  Next, independently of the main sequence described above, an interrupt module is provided for time monitoring and control for performing each process, and this routine is entered at predetermined time intervals set by the engine CPU to perform necessary processes. The procedure of the interrupt control process performed by this interrupt module will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of interrupt control processing performed by the printer 100.

  When the power is turned on by the user (step 400), the engine CPU 131 provided in the engine 130 determines whether or not there is an interrupt request at every predetermined confirmation time (step 410). Interrupt processing is performed according to the request (step 420). The interrupt request is supplied from the host machine 200 and the operation panel 110 to the engine 130 via the controller 120, the controller interface 133, and the interrupt circuit 132, and is also supplied from the option 220 to the engine 130 via the option interface 134 and the interrupt circuit 132. Is done.

  As described above, the printer 100 executes a series of electrophotographic process processes such as paper feeding, charging, exposure, transfer, fixing, and paper discharge. In this embodiment, the engine CPU 131 and the interrupt circuit 132 provided in the engine 130 are used. The communication unit configured by the controller interface 133 and the flash ROM 135 inquires of the controller 120 whether or not the print data being developed exists when the timing to enter the process end process comes. Even if the controller 120 does not output the next page data to the engine 130, the controller 120 knows whether there is print data being processed corresponding to the next page data. The presence / absence is returned to the engine 130.

  If the response from the controller 120 received by the communication unit indicates that there is data, the engine 130 recognizes that there is a next data output, and does not enter the process end process, and maintains the current state. By holding the state here, if the next data comes, the printing process can be started immediately, so that the process end process that interrupts the process of the previous and subsequent page data can be omitted. By omitting this termination process, it is possible to reduce the downtime and continuously print without degrading the printing performance. These processes will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, the electrophotographic process will be described in detail with reference to an image forming sequence when one sheet is printed as shown in FIG. In the host machine 200, an application included in the host machine 200 is activated by the user, creates a document or the like by the user's input, and instructs the printer 100 to execute printing according to the user's instruction. At the time of the instruction, the host machine 200 converts it into PDL by the printer driver, and transmits it to the printer 100 as print data. The print data includes drawing setting, print setting information such as header information, footer information, font, color, number of rows, number of columns, and the like.

  The printer 100 receives the print data at the controller 120, interprets the drawing commands included in the print data one by one, and stores these drawing commands in the RAM 126 and the option RAM 127. Then, drawing commands are read one by one, drawing processing is performed, and the drawn pages are stored as page data in the RAM 126 or the option RAM 127. The engine 130 reads page data one by one and outputs it from the controller 120 to the engine 130. The page data is image data for one page. This page data also includes print setting information such as the above-described header and footer information, font, color, number of rows, and number of columns.

  When the engine 130 receives page data output from the controller 120 for each page, the engine 130 starts paper feeding, and starts charging the photoconductor 13 after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 5, the LO level is off and the HI level is on.

  This charging is performed by each high-voltage process 145 applying a voltage to the charging unit, and the charging unit gives a positive or negative charge to the photoconductor 13, and there are a contact method and a non-contact method. The contact system includes a charging roller and a charging brush, and the non-contact system includes a corotron type and a scorotron type.

  A voltage is applied to the developing unit 15 after elapse of a predetermined time from the start of charging, the developing bias is turned ON, a voltage is applied to the transfer unit 16 after elapse of a predetermined time, and the separation unit is further turned on after elapse of a predetermined time. Apply a voltage to and turn it on. Here, a period from when page data is received until this separation unit is turned on is referred to as an image forming process startup processing period (period A). These times are preset, and are stored as set values in a nonvolatile memory such as the engine ROM 139 of the engine 130.

  Thereafter, an electrostatic latent image is formed by irradiating the surface of the charged photosensitive member 13 by exposure with laser light based on the page data by exposure, and an opposite charge is applied to a portion where charge has not been lost by exposure. The toner having the toner is attached, and by transfer, a charge (bias) opposite to the toner is applied from the back side of the paper, the paper is attracted to the photoconductor 13, and the toner image on the photoconductor 13 is transferred to the paper and separated. Thus, the sheet opposite to the transfer is applied and the sheet adsorbed on the photosensitive member 13 is peeled off.

  Then, in the fixing unit 17, the toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed on the paper by applying heat and pressure, and the paper on which the toner image is fixed is discharged and printing is completed.

  If the next page data is not received after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the printing process using the page data, the process proceeds to an end process. In this termination process, the application of voltage is stopped in the order of turning on at the time of start-up, that is, in the order of the charging unit, developing unit 15, transfer unit 16, and separation unit, and the remaining current remaining on the photoconductor 13 is removed. Perform a cleaning process. The fixed time is also stored as a set value in a non-volatile memory such as the engine ROM 139 of the engine 130 at a preset time similarly to the predetermined time.

  Here, since the next page data has not been received before a certain period of time has passed, it is determined that there is no next page, and the period from when the charging unit is turned OFF until the end of the cleaning process is the end of the imaging process. This is called a processing period (period C). The period from the completion of the image formation process startup process to the start of the image formation process end process is that the image formation process is performed and the print process is executed. Called period B).

  FIG. 6 shows an image formation timing chart when the next page data is received before entering the image formation process end processing. The period A is the same, but since the next page data is received in the period B, even if the timing for starting the end process is reached, the end page is not entered and the next page data is processed. The state of period B is maintained without stopping the application of voltage to the high voltage devices such as the charging unit, the developing unit 15, the transfer unit 16, and the separation unit.

  That is, this is a case where the next page data is received from the controller 120 before the timing at which the engine 130 enters the image forming process end process. The engine 130 does not enter the end process, and the charging unit, developing unit 15, transfer The next printing sequence is entered with the unit 16 and the separation unit turned on.

  FIG. 7 shows an image formation timing chart when the next page data is received after entering the image formation process end processing. The image formation timing chart shown in FIG. 7 is a conventional example given for illustration. When the end process is entered, the process stops halfway and cannot immediately start the restart process. Therefore, the start process is performed after the end process is completed.

  That is, the engine 130 has already entered the end process and cannot immediately shift to the start-up process, and thus continues the end process to the end. When the end process is completed, the process proceeds to the image forming process start-up process in order to start processing the next page data. As described above, once the end process is performed, the printing operation cannot be started immediately even when the next page data is received. Therefore, the time until the end process is completed and the start-up process is completed becomes a loss time.

  In order to eliminate such a loss time, the present invention operates according to an image forming timing chart as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows an image formation timing chart in the case where the next page data is not received when the image formation process end processing start timing is reached, but information that print data being drawn is present is received. . The image forming process startup process is the same as described above.

  When the next page data is not received even after a certain period of time and the timing for entering the image forming process is reached, the engine 130 inquires of the controller 120 about the presence of print data being processed. The timing for inquiring is the timing when the end processing is started and when a certain period of time has elapsed since the printing processing of the page data was started.

  If there is no print data being processed, the engine 130 receives a response to that effect and proceeds to end processing. On the other hand, if there is print data being processed, the engine 130 receives a response to that effect, and does not proceed to the end processing, but remains ON with the voltage applied to the charging unit, developing unit, transfer unit, and separation unit. In this state, the controller 120 waits for the next page data to be output.

  If the next page data is not received after a certain time has passed even though a reply indicating that there is print data being processed is received, the engine 130 proceeds to the end process as fail safe. To do. It is preferable that the fixed time for the transition to fail-safe can be changed because it may vary depending on the characteristics of each machine, use conditions, and the like. The setting data for setting the time is preferably stored in, for example, a non-volatile memory such as the flash ROM 135 that can hold the memory without supplying power.

  So far, the process of determining whether to enter the end process or to wait for the output of the next page data has been described. However, in the printer 100, there is a process that is periodically performed, and by entering that process, It is necessary to determine whether to perform the process, enter the end process, or wait for the output of the next page data. Hereinafter, the process in that case will be described in detail.

  With reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 9, the control of the cleaning mode in which the cleaning is periodically performed will be described. This cleaning is not performed every time one page is printed, but is performed during printing, before printing, or after printing at a predetermined interval, for example, once every several hundred to several thousand pages. The purpose of this cleaning is mainly to maintain the state of the machine, that is, the print quality and prevent the machine from deteriorating. As an example of cleaning, the fixing WAX cleaning mode of the fixing unit shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

  First, a schematic configuration of an IH fixing type fixing unit will be described with reference to FIG. The sheet 400 on which the toner image is transferred passes through both the fixing roller 300 and the pressure roller 310 of the fixing unit 17, and the toner image is fixed on the sheet 400. Fixing is performed by heat from the fixing roller 300 and pressure from the pressure roller 310, and heat to the fixing roller 300 is given by the IH unit 320.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the WAX agent 410 included in the toner volatilizes and accumulates in the IH unit 320 every time printing is performed. The cleaning is performed by dissolving and flowing out the WAX agent 410 and the like contained in the toner by a fixing heating operation.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the timing for starting the end processing is when the predetermined number of sheets is reached and when the condition for entering the WAX cleaning mode is reached.

  When the condition for entering the WAX cleaning mode is reached and the timing for completing the printing process is reached, the WAX cleaning is started. If the next page data is not accepted during WAX cleaning, the WAX cleaning mode continues until the set cleaning mode end time and is completed.

  If the next page data is not received before a certain period of time has passed, the communication unit makes an inquiry and receives an answer as to whether or not the next print data exists. Also, when the above conditions and the timing at which the printing process ends are reached, WAX cleaning is started. This is because WAX cleaning is controlled independently of the image forming process.

  If the next page data is received before the WAX cleaning is completed, the WAX cleaning mode is stopped when the next page data is received. The state when the WAX cleaning mode is interrupted is memorized by setting the flag from 0 to 1, and this flag is checked when the print job for the next page data enters the timing to start the end process. If it is set to 1, the WAX cleaning mode is started again. When the WAX cleaning mode is complete, the flag can be changed to zero.

  When page data is received during WAX cleaning, a determination unit that can switch whether to continue or stop the WAX cleaning mode can be provided. The determination unit can be realized by, for example, setting to a DIP switch or a nonvolatile memory, and can determine based on setting information set in advance. Alternatively, the number of times page data is received during WAX cleaning is counted, and when the predetermined number of times is reached, the cleaning mode can be completed to the end without stopping halfway for the first time. The determination unit can be configured so that the number of times can be changed, and determination can be made based on setting information suitable for the user's usage environment and the like.

  This determination unit can be configured by the engine CPU 131, the interrupt circuit 132, the controller interface 133, and the flash ROM 135 included in the engine 130 when realized by setting in the nonvolatile memory, and when realized by a dip switch, The input port 136 and the DIPSW 141 can be configured. The process performed by the determination unit can be realized by configuring as a program and executing the program, similar to the process performed by the communication unit.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing each process performed by the printer 100. Each process is one of an image forming process startup process, an image forming process printing process, an image forming process end process, and a cleaning process as a special process that occurs at regular intervals.

  The process shown in FIG. 11A shows the flow of printing one sheet. In this process, the engine 130 accepts page data for one sheet, performs an image forming process startup process, subsequently performs an image forming process print process, and performs an image forming process end process.

  The process shown in FIG. 11B shows the flow when printing two sheets continuously. In this process, the engine 130 receives the first page data, performs the image forming process startup process, and then receives the second page data while performing the image forming process printing process. Therefore, after the first image forming process printing process is completed, the second image forming process print process is performed without performing the end process, and after the process is completed, the image forming process end process is performed. It is considered a flow.

  The process shown in FIG. 11C is a flow in which a cleaning process is performed after printing three sheets continuously. In this case, the second image forming process printing process is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 11B, while the third page data is received and the third image forming process printing process is performed. After completion, the image forming process is completed, and a cleaning process is performed in parallel therewith.

  Three examples have been described so far. In these examples, the next page data is already obtained before inquiring whether there is print data being processed at the final timing of the print processing on each page. Since it has been received, the process does not proceed to the end process, but enters the next print process and performs the fastest print process.

  However, this is only an example. As a result of the inquiry, (1) if neither the image forming process end process nor the cleaning process is entered, (2) the image forming process end process or the cleaning process is entered. When the cleaning process continues to the end even if the next page data is received during the cleaning mode, (3) the next page data is received during the cleaning mode, although the image forming process end process and the cleaning process are entered. In some cases, the cleaning process is interrupted and the process proceeds to the next printing process.

  The process shown in FIG. 11D is the same as in FIG. 11C. After the three sheets are printed continuously, the end process and the cleaning process are performed, and the fourth page is between the end process and the cleaning process. It shows the flow when data is received. The page data up to the third page is received before the inquiry is made, but the fourth page is received during the end processing after the inquiry.

  The communication unit inquires of the controller 120 whether there is print data being processed, and the controller 120 returns a response to the inquiry. From this answer, the engine 130 determines whether to maintain the print processing state as it is or to shift to an end process including a cleaning process. It can also be determined based on the number of times page data has been received, etc., and can be determined on the engine 130 side based on the setting of the DIP switch or the setting value stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  The determination result here is in the case of (3) above. When the inquiry is made, the image forming process end process and the cleaning process are started, and when the fourth page data is received, the image forming process end process is performed. And interrupt the cleaning process. The engine 130 uses a timer for monitoring and measuring the cleaning time, and stores the cleaning time T2 during this period in the RAM 140. After the processing of the fourth page data is completed, the print data being processed is displayed. If not, image forming process end processing and cleaning processing are performed again. The cleaning time T3 at this time is a cleaning time corresponding to a time obtained by subtracting the cleaning time T2 performed until the interruption from the set normal cleaning time T1.

  The timer and the RAM 140 constitute a time measuring unit, measure the cleaning time from the start of the cleaning process to the stop, and store the measured value.

  In the process shown in FIG. 11E, the data processing for the fourth page is heavy among the page data for the four pages, and the time between the third page and the fourth page does not become the fastest continuous printing. The determination result in (3) is the case of (3) above. After the printing process for the third sheet, an image forming process end process and a cleaning process are performed. If there is next page data in the meantime, the cleaning process is interrupted, and the cleaning time T2 performed so far is measured. Store the value.

  The cleaning time T3 when the printing process for the page data of the fourth sheet is completed and the image forming process end process and the cleaning process are performed is performed from the cleaning time T1 when there is no interruption until the previous interruption. It is set as a time obtained by subtracting the cleaning time T2, and the cleaning process is performed for that time.

  If the data processing of the fourth sheet and the fifth sheet is heavy and the fastest continuous printing is not performed between the fourth and fifth sheets, the determination result at the time of inquiry is the case of (3) above. Then, the process proceeds to an image forming process end process and a cleaning process. In either case, page data is received during the cleaning process. T4 and T5 are cleaning times when the cleaning is performed in the middle of the third and fourth sheets, and this value is stored. Then, after printing the final fifth sheet, the image forming process end process and the cleaning process are performed. The cleaning time T6 at this time is the time obtained by subtracting T4 and T5 from the entire cleaning time T1. It becomes. Note that if the total time of T4 and T5 is greater than T1, the cleaning process after the completion of printing the fifth sheet can be prevented from being performed.

  Such sequence control can extend the life of the machine by reducing the extra cleaning time.

  Such a process can be stored by the time measurement unit measuring the cleaning time and adding to the stored measurement value every time the determination unit determines to stop the cleaning process. That is, when the time T5 is measured, T5 is added to T4 stored so far and stored.

  The printer 100 can include an instruction unit, and the instruction unit determines whether or not the measurement value stored in the time measurement unit has exceeded a threshold value, and if so, cleaning is performed after the end of the next imaging process. The engine 130 can be instructed not to execute the process. Then, in response to the instruction unit instructing the engine 130, the time measurement unit can erase the stored measurement value.

  That is, the value obtained by adding T4 and T5 determines whether or not it exceeds T1, and if it exceeds, the cleaning process is considered to be completed, and the cleaning process is not executed after the next image forming process ends. The added value stored so far is erased (cleared).

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention notifies the controller whether or not to enter the image forming process end process when the timing to enter the end process comes after receiving the page data, and there is print data being processed from the controller. If the response indicating that there is print data is received, the process end processing is not entered, and the state of the printing operation is maintained, so that useless end processing time can be omitted. Even when the cleaning mode is in the middle of the process, it is possible to extend the life of the process and fixing by determining whether to execute this process or the next printing process.

  Further, by increasing the judgment criteria, it is possible to realize fine control, and it is possible to realize control for monitoring the stop time after recovery.

  Furthermore, by monitoring the cleaning time and memorizing the cleaning time performed so far each time it is interrupted, the control can be made more finely controlled, and a wasteful end process can be realized. .

  That is, the remaining time is calculated by applying an appropriate arithmetic expression that subtracts the stored cleaning time from the normal cleaning time, and the remaining time is calculated, or not performed when there is no remaining time. Thus, fine control can be realized.

  The present invention has been described with the above-described embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will conceive other embodiments, additions, changes, deletions, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be performed, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the operation and effect of the present invention are exhibited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body unit, 11a, 11b ... Paper feed roller, 12 ... Registration sensor, 13 ... Photoconductor, 14 ... Optical scanning device, 15 ... Developing unit, 16 ... Transfer unit, 17 ... Fixing unit, 18 ... Cleaning unit, 19 ... Solenoid, 20 ... Double-sided unit, 21 ... Solenoid, 30 ... Mailbox unit, 31 ... Solenoid, 32, 33 ... Mailbox discharge unit, 40 ... Finisher unit, 50 ... Feeding unit, 100 ... Printer, 110 ... Operation Panel, 120 ... Controller, 121 ... Host interface, 122 ... Program ROM, 123 ... Font ROM, 124 ... Panel interface, 125 ... Controller CPU, 126 ... RAM, 127 ... Option RAM, 128 ... Engine interface, 130 ... Engine, 131 ... Engine CPU, 132 ... Interrupt circuit, 133 ... Controller interface, 134 ... Option interface, 135 ... Flash ROM, 136 ... Input port, 137 ... Output port, 138 ... EEPROM, 139 ... Engine ROM, 140 ... RAM, 141 ... DIPSW, 142 ... each sensor, 143 ... each motor, 144 ... each clutch, 145 ... each high pressure process, 200 ... host machine, 210 ... font cartridge, 220 ... option, 230 ... EEPROM, 240 ... exchange unit, 300 ... fixing roller, 310 ... Pressure roller, 320 ... IH unit, 400 ... Paper, 410 ... WAX agent

JP 2006-205509 A

Claims (18)

A control unit that receives print data, performs drawing processing based on the print data, and receives image data of the drawn image, forms an image using the image data, and executes an image forming process for transferring and fixing the image on paper. An image forming apparatus comprising an engine unit,
When the engine unit has not received the image data from the control unit even after a certain period of time, the communication unit inquires whether there is print data being processed in the control unit and receives a response from the control unit Including
When the engine unit receives a reply from the communication unit that there is no print data being processed, the engine unit shifts to an end process of the image forming process and receives a reply that there is print data being processed. The image forming apparatus waits for the output of the image data from the control unit without shifting to the end process.   The engine unit includes an image forming unit that forms an image using the image data, a transfer unit that transfers the created image onto a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes the transferred image on the sheet, and the end The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process is a process of stopping application of voltage to the image forming unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit.   The engine unit shifts to the end processing when the image data is not received even after a predetermined time has elapsed since receiving a reply from the communication unit that there is print data being processed. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2;   During the execution of the fixing cleaning process for periodically cleaning the fixing unit, when the communication unit receives a reply that there is print data being processed, the fixing cleaning is performed based on preset setting information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether to continue or stop the process.   When the determination unit determines to stop the fixing cleaning process, and the engine unit receives the image data from the control unit and executes the image forming process, the fixing cleaning process is resumed after the image forming process ends. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a time measuring unit that measures a cleaning time from when the fixing cleaning process is started to when the fixing cleaning process is stopped and stores the measured time as a measured value. Each time the determination unit determines to stop the fixing cleaning process, the time measurement unit measures the cleaning time, adds it to the stored measurement value, and stores it.
The image forming apparatus determines whether or not the measurement value stored in the time measurement unit exceeds a threshold value, and if it exceeds, the fixing cleaning process is not performed after the next image forming process is finished. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an instruction unit that instructs the engine unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the time measurement unit erases the stored measurement value in response to the instruction unit instructing the engine unit. A control unit that receives print data, performs drawing processing based on the print data, and receives image data of a drawn image, forms an image using the image data, executes an image forming process for transferring and fixing the image on paper. An image forming apparatus comprising an engine unit, a control method for controlling processing performed by the engine unit,
When the engine unit has not received the image data from the control unit even after a predetermined time has passed, the control unit inquires whether there is print data being processed, and receives a response from the control unit; ,
When an answer indicating that there is no print data being processed is received, the process proceeds to the end process of the image forming process, and when an answer is received indicating that there is print data being processed, the process proceeds to the end process. And waiting for output of image data from the control unit.   The engine unit includes an image forming unit that forms an image using the image data, a transfer unit that transfers the created image onto a sheet, and a fixing unit that fixes the transferred image on the sheet, and the end The control method according to claim 9, wherein the process is a process of stopping application of a voltage to the image forming unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit.   11. The control according to claim 9, further comprising a step of shifting to the end process when the image data is not received even after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving a reply that there is print data being processed. Method.   During the execution of the fixing cleaning process for periodically cleaning the fixing unit, when the reply that there is print data being processed is received, the fixing cleaning process is continued based on preset setting information. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of determining whether to stop.   If it is determined in the determining step that the fixing cleaning process is to be stopped, the engine unit receives the image data from the control unit and executes the image forming process; and the fixing cleaning after the image forming process is completed. The method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of resuming processing.   The control method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of measuring a cleaning time from the start of the fixing cleaning process to the stop thereof and storing the measured time as a measured value. Each time it is determined that the fixing cleaning process is stopped in the determining step, the cleaning time is measured in the storing step, and added to the stored measurement value, and stored.
The control method determines whether or not the stored measurement value exceeds a threshold value, and if so, instructs the engine unit not to execute the fixing cleaning process after the end of the next image forming process. The control method according to claim 14, further comprising:   The control method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of erasing the stored measurement value in response to instructing the engine unit in the instructing step.   The computer-readable program for performing the control method of any one of Claims 9-16.   A recording medium on which the program according to claim 17 is recorded.