JP2011020277A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which confirms the elimination of faulty conveyance by conveying a recording medium while suppressing degradation of productivity of an image caused by the faulty conveyance, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: When confirming the elimination of the faulty conveyance of paper, if a position at which the faulty conveyance is detected by a plurality of paper sensors 54 provided in a paper conveyance path and detecting the faulty conveyance of each paper is a predetermined position, the paper is conveyed in a state where formation of an image based on image information being a printing object is stopped. If the position at which the faulty conveyance is detected is a position other than the predetermined position, formation of the image based on the image information is performed to the paper while conveying the paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, when the ON / OFF setting process for printing stain confirmation pattern printing and the printing stain confirmation pattern printing setting for printing immediately after paper jam recovery is set to ON on the setting menu of the display panel. There is described a print control apparatus for a printer in which a process for printing a print stain confirmation pattern when printing is resumed is described.

  Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus having a test print mode in which an image can be confirmed by a test print when the apparatus is stopped during continuous printing and the apparatus is started up again.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a method of detecting whether a paper is jammed during conveyance in a paper jam elimination detection method for detecting the elimination of a paper jam error occurring during conveyance of the paper, and removing the jammed paper. Detecting the presence or absence of operation of the transport system based on the work for, supplying the test paper for paper jam clearing confirmation to the transport system, determining whether or not the test paper is jammed in the middle of transport, Is described.

JP 2004-237629 A JP 2001-343872 A JP-A-8-108968

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program for confirming elimination of a conveyance defect by conveying a recording medium while suppressing a decrease in image productivity due to a conveyance defect.

  An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the invention is conveyed by a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium along a predetermined conveying path, an acquisition unit that acquires image information to be printed, and the conveying unit. An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image information acquired by the acquiring unit on the recording medium, a conveyance defect detection unit that detects a conveyance defect of the recording medium at each of a plurality of positions of the conveyance path, When confirming the elimination of the conveyance failure of the recording medium, if the position where the conveyance failure is detected by the conveyance failure detection means is a predetermined position, the state in which image formation based on the image information is stopped Alternatively, when the recording medium is conveyed in a state where the number of images to be formed is limited, and the position where the conveyance failure is detected is other than the predetermined position, an image is formed based on the image information. While and a, and control means for controlling said conveying means and said image forming means so as to convey the recording medium.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined position is a position at which fragments of the recording medium are likely to remain when a conveyance failure occurs, and the recording is performed. The apparatus further comprises a canceling operation detecting means for detecting a predetermined operation for eliminating the medium conveyance failure, and the control means is a period in which a predetermined operation detection period by the canceling operation detecting means is a predetermined period. In the following cases, the image formation is performed so that the image based on the image information is formed on the recording medium even when the position where the conveyance defect is detected by the conveyance defect detection unit is a predetermined position. It controls the means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a storage unit that stores recording media of at least one of different sizes and types, and confirmation of conveyance failure are performed. Receiving means for accepting designation of at least one of the size and type of the recording medium to be conveyed at the time, wherein the control means eliminates the conveyance failure of the recording medium designated by the accepting means from the accommodating portion. The conveying means is controlled so as to be conveyed for confirmation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the apparatus according to the third aspect further includes a plurality of discharge units through which the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit is discharged, and the control unit is designated by the receiving unit. An image based on the image information is formed on a recording medium for confirmation of elimination which is the same as the recording medium for forming an image based on the image information and is conveyed for confirmation of elimination of a conveyance defect. In this case, the elimination confirmation recording medium is ejected to the same ejection unit as the recording medium on which the image based on the image information is formed before the occurrence of the conveyance failure, and the recording medium designated by the receiving unit is When the recording medium is different from the recording medium that forms the image based on the image information, and the recording medium specified by the receiving unit is the same as the recording medium that forms the image based on the image information, and the recording for the cancellation confirmation If you do not form an image based on the image information to the body, it is to control the transport means to eject different ejection unit.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the predetermined position is a position where image quality deterioration of an image formed by the image forming means is likely to occur, and the control means However, when the position where the conveyance failure is detected is a position where the image is likely to deteriorate, the image forming unit is controlled to form a predetermined image for image quality inspection on the recording medium. It is.

  The invention according to claim 6 further includes parts replacement detection means for detecting replacement of the first replacement part which affects the image quality of the image by being replaced in the invention according to claim 5, When the control unit detects the replacement of the first replacement component by the component replacement detection unit, even if the position where the conveyance failure is detected is a position other than the position where the deterioration of the image is likely to occur, The image forming means is controlled to form a predetermined image quality inspection image on a recording medium.

  The invention according to claim 7 detects whether or not it is time to replace the second replacement part that affects the image quality of the image due to the accumulated dirt in the invention according to claim 5 or 6. A replacement time detecting means for performing the operation, and when the control means detects that the second replacement part needs to be replaced by the replacement time detecting means, the position where the conveyance failure is detected is the image. The image forming means is controlled so as to form a predetermined image for image quality inspection on the recording medium even in a position other than the position where the deterioration is likely to occur.

  On the other hand, the program according to the eighth aspect of the invention detects a recording medium conveyance failure at each of a plurality of positions on the recording medium conveyance path when the computer confirms the elimination of the recording medium conveyance defect. If the position where the conveyance failure is detected by the conveyance failure detection means is a predetermined position, the recording medium is loaded in a state where the image formation based on the image information is stopped or the number of images to be formed is limited. If the position where the conveyance failure is detected is other than the predetermined position, the conveyance unit and the image forming unit are controlled to convey the recording medium while forming an image based on the image information. It functions as a control means.

  According to the first and eighth aspects of the invention, when a conveyance failure of the recording medium is detected regardless of the position where the conveyance failure has occurred, the test paper is conveyed to confirm the conveyance failure. Compared to the case, it is possible to confirm the elimination of the conveyance failure by conveying the recording medium while suppressing the decrease in image productivity due to the conveyance failure.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the position where the conveyance failure is detected is a position where fragments of the recording medium are likely to remain, the formation of the image based on the image information is always stopped to remove the recording medium. The productivity of the image is improved as compared with the case where the image is conveyed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the user can eliminate the cost of the recording medium and the conveyance failure compared to the case where the recording medium to be conveyed when confirming the elimination of the conveyance failure is predetermined. In consideration of the accuracy of the confirmation of the recording medium, it is possible to specify the recording medium to be conveyed when confirming the elimination of the conveyance defect.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the recording medium to be transported with confirmation of the elimination of the conveyance failure is compared with the case where all the recording media to be conveyed with confirmation of the elimination of the conveyance failure are discharged to the same discharge unit. When the recording medium is different from the recording medium on which the image is formed based on the image information and when the image based on the image information is not formed on the recording medium, it is not necessary to remove the recording medium from the discharge unit.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, compared to the case where the test print is performed for confirming the image quality when the conveyance failure of the recording medium is detected regardless of the position where the conveyance failure occurs, It is possible to check deterioration of image quality while suppressing a decrease in image productivity due to conveyance failure.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, even if the first replacement part that affects the image quality of the image by being replaced is replaced, a test print is not performed for confirming the image quality. It is possible to check the deterioration of image quality.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the test print is not performed for confirming the image quality even when it is necessary to replace the second replacement part that affects the image quality due to the accumulated dirt. Compared with, it is possible to check the deterioration of image quality.

1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the image forming engine unit is pulled out by opening the casing according to the embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an electric system of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the positional information for jam confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the positional information for image quality confirmation which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the confirmation print setting screen which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the conveyance defect generation processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the screen which confirms the removal of the paper which became the conveyance defect which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the jam confirmation print processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the paper removal confirmation screen which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of an image quality confirmation print processing program according to the embodiment. It is a top view which shows an example of the image quality confirmation print inquiry screen which concerns on embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus including an external sheet feeding device and a post-processing device (so-called finisher) will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 reads an image from a document placed at a reading position, acquires image information indicating the image, image information acquired by the scanner 12, and image formation based on image information acquired from the outside. An apparatus main body 14 that performs processing, a touch panel display (hereinafter referred to as “display”) 16 that displays an operation menu, a message, and the like and is integrally provided with a transparent touch panel on the surface, and before an image is formed And a plurality of paper feed trays 20 in which a plurality of papers are stored. In the present embodiment, the paper corresponds to an example of a recording medium.

  The scanner 12 includes an automatic duplex document feeder, and sequentially reads images recorded on the document placed on the automatic duplex document feeder.

  In addition, the apparatus main body 14 includes an image forming engine unit 22 that forms an image on a sheet in a housing 13 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The image forming engine unit 22 forms an image by electrophotography using toner. In the present embodiment, the image forming engine unit 22 corresponds to an example of an image forming unit.

  Further, the display 16 is integrally provided with a transmissive touch panel on the surface, and various touches on the image forming apparatus 10 by the user touching (touching) the display surface of the display 16 with a fingertip. Operation is instructed.

  The image forming apparatus 10 has an external paper feeding device 30 that supplies paper to the image forming apparatus 10 and a function of performing post-processing on the paper on which an image is formed and discharged by the image forming apparatus 10. The post-processing apparatus 40 provided is connected.

  The paper feeder 30 is provided with a manual feed tray 32. In addition, the paper feeding device 30 is provided with a large capacity paper feeding unit 34 that accommodates a large amount of paper stacked therein.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, paper is selectively fed to the image forming engine unit 22 via the transport path 50 from each of the paper feed trays 20, the manual feed tray 32 of the paper feed device 30, and the paper feed unit 34. In FIG. 1, the conveyance path 50 through which the sheet is conveyed is indicated by a broken line.

  The image forming apparatus 10 forms an image on the paper transported through the transport path 50 by the image forming engine unit 22. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a reversing path 52 for double-sided printing. When performing double-sided printing, the sheet on which the image is formed on one side by the image forming engine unit 22 is reversed by the reversing path 52 and conveyed again to the image forming engine unit 22. As a result, images are formed on both sides of the paper.

  The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming engine unit 22 is conveyed to the post-processing device 40 via the conveyance path 50.

  The post-processing device 40 includes a plurality of (three in this embodiment) discharge trays 42 (42A, 42B, 42C) from which sheets are discharged. In the following description, 42A to 42C are referred to as discharge trays 42 unless particularly distinguished. Each discharge tray 42 is provided with an offset function for changing the discharge position and discharging the sheet to a different position on the same discharge tray.

  As an example of the post-processing function, the post-processing device 40 includes, for example, a stapling function for stacking a plurality of sheets of paper and stapling, a punching function for opening punch holes at predetermined positions on the paper, and an end portion of the plurality of sheets. It has a booklet creation function that creates a booklet for each booklet. In the post-processing device 40, the paper stapled by the staple function or punched by the punch function is discharged to the discharge tray 42B, and the booklet created by the booklet creation function is discharged to the discharge tray 42C.

  The post-processing device 40 has a slip sheet function for inserting different sheets as slip sheets between sheets on which images are formed, and includes a slip sheet tray 44 on which the sheets to be slipped are stacked. .

  At a plurality of positions in the paper transport path 50, paper sensors 54A to 54U for detecting a paper transport failure (so-called jam) are provided. Hereinafter, the paper sensors 54 </ b> A to 54 </ b> U are referred to as a paper sensor 54 unless particularly distinguished. In the present embodiment, the paper sensor 54 corresponds to an example of a conveyance failure detection unit.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 opens and closes the housing of the apparatus main body 14 in order to be able to remove the sheet having the conveyance failure when the conveyance failure of the sheet occurs in the image forming engine unit 22, and the image formation is performed. The engine unit 22 can be pulled out.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the housing 13 of the apparatus main body 14 is opened and the image forming engine unit 22 is pulled out.

  The apparatus main body 14 is provided with a limit switch 15 that detects opening and closing of the housing 13. The limit switch 15 is turned on when the housing 13 is closed, and is turned off when the housing 13 is opened.

  The image forming engine unit 22 is provided with a toner cartridge 17 for supplying toner.

  FIG. 3 shows the main configuration of the electrical system of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 stores in advance a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, and various programs including a conveyance failure occurrence processing program, a jam confirmation print processing program, and an image quality confirmation print processing program, which will be described later. ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, RAM (Random Access Memory) 104 for temporarily storing various data, passage period information, time interval information, jam confirmation position information, image quality confirmation position information, chart, which will be described later Nonvolatile memory 106 for storing various types of information including image information and confirmation print setting information, display control unit 108 for controlling display of various types of information on display 16, and operation input detection unit for detecting a touch operation on display 16 110, connected to the network NET and external via the network NET Terminal devices (e.g., personal computer) includes a communication I / F unit 112 for transmitting and receiving the information.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 controls the image formation control unit 114 that controls the image forming process performed by the image forming engine unit 22 described above, and the rotation driving of the rollers (not illustrated) provided in the conveyance path 50 and the reverse path 52. A conveyance control unit 116 for controlling the conveyance of the sheet.

  The CPU 100, the ROM 102, the RAM 104, the nonvolatile memory 106, the display control unit 108, the operation input detection unit 110, the communication I / F unit 112, the image formation control unit 114, and the conveyance control unit 116 are mutually connected via the system bus BUS. It is connected. Therefore, the CPU 100 controls access to the ROM 102, RAM 104, and nonvolatile memory 106, displays various information such as operation screens and various messages on the display 16 via the display control unit 108, and a communication I / F unit. Control of transmission / reception of information to / from an external terminal device through 112, control of operation of the image forming engine unit 22 through the image formation control unit 114, and control of conveyance of paper through the conveyance control unit 116. Do each.

  Further, the CPU 100 grasps the operation content for the display 16 based on the operation information detected by the operation input detection unit 110, and the operation state of the image formation engine unit 22 based on various information derived by the image formation control unit 114. To figure out.

  Each paper sensor 54 is connected to the system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 100 grasps the detection result of the paper by each paper sensor 54.

  Further, a limit switch 15 is connected to the system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 100 grasps the opening / closing of the housing 13 based on the detection result by the limit switch 15.

  By the way, in the image forming engine unit 22 using the electrophotographic system, dirt is accumulated in the developing unit, the fixing unit, and the like as the image is formed, and the image quality is influenced by the accumulated dirt.

  Therefore, the image forming engine unit 22 includes a replacement time detection unit 22A that detects a replacement time of replacement parts that affect the image quality of the image due to accumulated dirt of a developing device, a fixing device, and the like. For example, the replacement time detection unit 22A counts the total number of prints printed after replacement parts are replaced, and compares the total number of prints with a predetermined replacement print number that requires replacement parts due to contamination. However, when the total number of printed sheets exceeds the number of replacement printed sheets, it may be detected that replacement is necessary.In addition, the electrical characteristics of the replacement part are detected, and the change in the characteristic is caused by contamination. When a predetermined replacement threshold that requires replacement is exceeded, it may be detected that the replacement is necessary. In the present embodiment, the developing device and the fixing device correspond to an example of the second replacement part.

  In addition, the image forming engine unit 22 includes a cartridge detection unit 22B that detects whether or not the toner cartridge 17 has been replaced. In the present embodiment, the toner cartridge 17 corresponds to an example of a first replacement part.

  Further, the CPU 100 grasps the detection result of the replacement time by the replacement time detection unit 22A of the image formation engine unit 22 via the image formation control unit 114, and replaces the toner cartridge 17 by the cartridge detection unit 22B of the image formation engine unit 22. Know the detection results.

  Next, detection of a conveyance failure in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment and an operation when a conveyance failure is detected will be described.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, when a sheet is conveyed along the conveyance path 50, each sheet sensor 54 has a passing period necessary for the sheet to pass through the position of the sheet sensor 54. Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, since the sheets are sequentially conveyed along the conveyance path 50 to the position of each sheet sensor 54, the sheets are detected sequentially at specific time intervals by the respective sheet sensors 54 along the conveyance path 50. The

  In the present embodiment, for each sheet sensor 54, a necessary passing period when the sheet passes without causing a conveyance failure is stored as the passage period information, and the conveyance path 50 without causing the sheet to become a conveyance failure. The time interval at which the paper is detected by each paper sensor 54 when it is conveyed along is stored as time interval information.

  When the sheet is transported to the transport path 50, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment counts the time period during which the sheet is detected by each sheet sensor 54 provided in the sheet transport path 50, and the time is measured. When the period is equal to or longer than the passage period indicated by the passage period information, it is detected that a conveyance failure has occurred at the position of the sheet sensor 54 where the sheet is detected for the passage period or longer. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment measures the time interval at which the paper is detected by each paper sensor 54 along the conveyance path 50, and the time interval at which the timed time is indicated by the time interval information. In this case, a conveyance failure has occurred between the paper sensor 54 that has become the time interval or more and the paper sensor 54 on the upstream side thereof. In the present embodiment, the time interval counted is the time interval. It is detected that a conveyance failure has occurred at the position of the paper sensor 54 that has become the time interval indicated by the information and the paper sensor 54 upstream one thereof.

  By the way, the image forming apparatus 10 sandwiches the sheet between the component and the main body at a portion where the component that is the conveyance path 50 needs to be pulled out from the main body when removing the paper having the conveyance failure. It is easy to tear off and leave fragments. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment pulls out the image forming engine unit 22 when the paper P is poorly transported between the image forming engine unit 22 and the main body as shown in FIG. The paper P is torn off and fragments are likely to remain. In addition, even between the image forming apparatus 10 and the paper feeding apparatus 30 and between the image forming apparatus 10 and the post-processing apparatus 40, when removing the paper that has failed to be transported, the paper is torn and residual fragments are generated. easy. In FIG. 1, the portion where fragments are likely to remain is even indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  Further, there are also limited places where image quality deterioration occurs due to residual toner or the like when a conveyance failure occurs. For example, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, image quality deterioration is likely to occur near the image forming engine unit 22 due to residual toner or the like, and is likely to occur near a transfer unit that transfers a toner image onto a sheet. In FIG. 1, a portion where image quality is likely to deteriorate is shown by a one-dot chain line.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the conveyance failure occurs, the identification information of the paper sensor 54 at a position where fragments are likely to remain is stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 as the jam confirmation position information, and the image quality is deteriorated. The identification information of the paper sensor 54 at the position where the image is likely to occur is stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 as the image quality confirmation position information.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the jam confirmation position information, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the image quality confirmation position information. In the present embodiment, the code of each paper sensor 54 is used as identification information.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, when a conveyance failure occurs, when the position where the conveyance failure occurs is a position where the remaining pieces are likely to remain, a confirmation print ( (Hereinafter referred to as “jamming confirmation print”), and when the position where the conveyance failure has occurred is a position where the image quality is likely to deteriorate, a confirmation print for confirming whether the image quality has deteriorated (hereinafter referred to as “image quality confirmation print”) Can be done.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can set conditions relating to the jam confirmation print and the image quality confirmation print from the confirmation print setting screen displayed on the display 16.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the confirmation print setting screen 120.

  The confirmation print setting screen 120 includes a radio button 122 for selecting whether or not to perform jam confirmation printing, combo boxes 124, 126, and 128 for selecting the size, paper quality, and mass of paper used for jam confirmation printing, And a radio button 130 for selecting an image to be printed for confirmation.

  The confirmation print setting screen 120 also includes a radio button 132 for selecting whether or not to perform image quality confirmation printing, a combo box 134 for setting the number of sheets to be subjected to image quality confirmation printing, and a print for confirming image quality. A radio button 136 for selecting an image to be selected, a combo box 138 for setting an image to be used as a chart, and combo boxes 140 and 142 for selecting the size, paper quality, and mass of the paper used in the image quality confirmation print, respectively. 144.

  The radio buttons 122 and 132 can be selected from “ON” and “OFF”, respectively. When “ON” is selected, the respective confirmation prints are valid, and when “OFF” is selected, the respective confirmation prints. Becomes invalid.

  The combo boxes 124, 126, and 128 are effective when “white paper” is selected with the radio button 130, and the size, paper quality, and mass can be selected.

  The combo boxes 124, 126, and 128 can select the size, quality, and mass of the paper used in the jam confirmation print, and can also select the same as the print job in which the conveyance is defective ("same as JOB").

  The radio button 130 becomes effective when any of the combo boxes 124, 126, and 128 other than “same as JOB” is selected, and content can be selected from “job continuation” and “blank paper”. "" Is selected, printing is continued from the image that caused the conveyance failure of the print job. When "Blank" is selected, a blank page is printed without forming an image.

  The radio button 136 can select one content from “job continuation”, “blank paper”, and “chart”. When “job continuation” is selected, printing is continued from an image that has a conveyance failure of the print job. If “Blank” is selected, a blank page is printed without forming an image. If “Chart” is selected, the combo box 138 is enabled, and the combo box 138 can select a chart image. The chart image is stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 106 as chart image information.

  The combo boxes 140, 142, and 144 are effective when “Blank” and “Chart” are selected with the radio button 136, and the size, paper quality, and mass of the paper used for the image quality confirmation print can be selected, resulting in poor conveyance. It is also possible to select the same as the print job (“same as JOB”).

  Conditions regarding the jam confirmation print and the image quality confirmation print set on the confirmation print setting screen 120 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 106 as confirmation print setting information.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  When copying with the image forming apparatus 10, the user places an original at the reading position of the scanner 12, specifies the paper size and the number of sheets on the operation screen displayed on the display 16, and then touches to instruct the start of copying. Perform the operation. In addition, when printing with the image forming apparatus 10, the user designates the paper size and the number of sheets on the external terminal device and instructs printing of the image information. The image information instructed to be printed is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 through the network NET together with information specifying the paper size and the number of sheets. In the present embodiment, the scanner 12 and the communication I / F unit 112 correspond to an example of an acquisition unit.

  When an operation to instruct to start copying is performed on the display 16, the image forming apparatus 10 reads an original by the scanner 12 and starts executing a print job for printing the read image on a specified size sheet. When image information is received via the network NET, execution of a print job for printing an image based on the received image information on a designated sheet is started.

  In the image forming apparatus 10, during the execution of the print job, the period during which the sheet is detected by each sheet sensor 54 provided in the sheet conveyance path 50 is counted, and the counted period is equal to or longer than the passing period indicated by the passing period information. In this case, it is detected that a conveyance failure has occurred at the position of the sheet sensor 54 where the sheet is detected for the passage period or longer. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 measures the time interval at which the paper is detected by each paper sensor 54 along the conveyance path 50 during execution of the print job, and the time interval indicated by the time interval information is indicated by the time interval information. In the case described above, it is detected that a conveyance failure has occurred at the position of the sheet sensor 54 that is longer than the time interval and the sheet sensor 54 that is one upstream.

  When the occurrence of a conveyance failure is detected, the image forming apparatus 10 executes a conveyance failure generation process by the CPU 100.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the conveyance failure occurrence processing program executed by the CPU 100. The program is stored in advance in a ROM 102 as a recording medium.

  In step 202, information relating to the position where the conveyance failure has occurred is displayed on the display 16 based on the message that the conveyance failure has occurred and the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure.

  In the next step 204, the counting of the elimination period until the conveyance failure is eliminated is started.

  In the next step 206, it is determined whether or not a predetermined operation for eliminating the conveyance failure has been detected. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 208. If the determination is negative, the step is performed again. The process proceeds to 206 and waits for detection of a predetermined operation.

  Here, when a conveyance failure occurs, the user removes the paper that has caused the conveyance failure based on the information regarding the position of occurrence of the conveyance failure displayed on the display 16. For example, when a paper conveyance failure occurs in the image forming engine unit 22, the user opens the housing 13 of the apparatus main body 14 and removes the image that has caused the conveyance failure, as shown in FIG. After the section 22 is pulled out and the paper P that has been poorly transported is removed, the image forming engine section 22 is housed in the apparatus main body 14 and the casing of the apparatus main body 14 is closed. In the present embodiment, as a predetermined operation for eliminating the conveyance failure, for example, the limit switch 15 detects that the housing of the apparatus main body 14 is once opened and closed. For other positions other than the image forming engine unit 22, as a predetermined operation for eliminating the conveyance failure, a limit switch or the like is provided at a portion that is opened and closed when removing the sheet with conveyance failure. The opening / closing operation may be detected. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a message indicating that a touch operation is performed when the paper having a conveyance failure is removed is displayed on the display 16, and as a predetermined operation for eliminating the conveyance failure, For example, a touch operation on the display 16 may be detected.

  In the next step 208, the counting of the cancellation period is completed.

  In the next step 210, it is determined whether or not the image quality confirmation print is valid (ON) in the image quality confirmation print setting of the confirmation print setting information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 212 and a negative determination is made. When it becomes, it transfers to step 230.

  In step 212, the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure is compared with each identification information stored in the image quality confirmation position information.

  In the next step 214, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure matches the identification information stored in the image quality confirmation position information as a result of the comparison in step 212, If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 216. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 218.

  In step 216, an image quality confirmation print process to be described later is executed. After the image quality confirmation print process is completed, the process proceeds to step 240.

  As a result, when the identified identification information of the paper sensor 54 matches the identification information stored in the image quality confirmation position information, the image quality confirmation print process is executed.

  On the other hand, in step 218, the replacement time of replacement parts that affects the image quality of the image due to the accumulated dirt based on the detection result of the replacement time detection unit 22A is grasped.

  In step 220, it is determined whether or not replacement parts that affect the image quality due to the accumulated dirt are necessary. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to 216. If the determination is negative, Control goes to step 222.

  As a result, even when the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure is not stored in the position information for image quality confirmation, if it is time to replace the replacement part that affects the image quality of the image due to accumulated dirt, Image quality confirmation print processing is executed.

  In step 222, it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 17 has been replaced based on the detection result of the cartridge detection unit 22B.

  In step 220, it is determined whether or not the toner cartridge 17 has been replaced. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to 216. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 230.

  As a result, even when the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure is not stored in the image quality confirmation position information, it is time to replace the toner cartridge 17 when the toner cartridge 17 is replaced and the image quality is not stable. If it is a time when toner spillage has an effect, image quality confirmation print processing is executed.

  In step 230, it is determined whether or not the jam confirmation print is valid (ON) in the setting of the jam confirmation print of the confirmation print setting information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 232 and the determination is negative. If YES, go to step 242.

  In the next step 232, the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure is compared with each identification information stored in the jam confirmation position information.

  In the next step 234, as a result of the comparison in step 232, it is determined whether or not the identification information of the sheet sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure matches any identification information stored in the jam confirmation position information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 236, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 242.

  In step 236, it is determined whether or not the cancellation period timed between the processing of step 204 to step 208 is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 242 and negative determination is made. If so, the process proceeds to 238.

  In step 238, a jam confirmation print process described later is executed. After the jam confirmation print process is completed, the process proceeds to step 240.

  Here, when a conveyance failure occurs at a position where the user can easily take out, the elimination period is shortened. When a conveyance failure occurs at a position where the user is difficult to take out, the elimination period is long, and fragments are likely to remain.

  Therefore, even when the identified identification information of the paper sensor 54 matches the identification information stored in the jam confirmation position information, the jam confirmation print is not performed within the predetermined period. The predetermined period may be determined in advance based on an experiment using an actual machine, a design specification of the image forming apparatus 10, or the like, and a setting change screen for setting and changing the predetermined period is displayed on the display 16. And may be changed.

  Thus, even when the identification information of the paper sensor 54 that has detected the conveyance failure is stored in the jam confirmation position information, the jam confirmation print process is not executed if the elimination period is equal to or shorter than the predetermined period.

  In step 240, it is determined whether or not the confirmation print has been normally completed. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 242. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 202 and the paper sensor that has detected the conveyance failure. 54 is specified.

  In step 242, the image forming process before the conveyance failure occurs is resumed, and the process ends.

  Next, the jam confirmation print process will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the jam check print processing program executed by the CPU 100. The program is stored in advance in a ROM 102 as a recording medium.

  In step 300, it is determined whether or not the same size ("same as JOB") of the print job whose size, paper quality, and mass are poorly conveyed is specified in the setting of the jam confirmation print of the confirmation print setting information, and an affirmative determination If YES, the process proceeds to step 302. If NO is determined, the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 302, the image printed on the paper with the poor conveyance is determined as an image for jam confirmation printing.

  In the next step 304, a paper having the same size, quality, and mass as the paper that has been poorly transported is determined as a paper for jam confirmation printing.

  In the next step 306, the discharge tray 42 to which the print job having the poor conveyance is discharged is determined as the discharge destination of the paper for jam confirmation printing.

  On the other hand, in step 310, the paper having the size, paper quality, and mass specified in the setting of the jam check print in the check print setting information is determined as the paper for the jam check print.

  In the next step 312, in the setting of the contents of the jam confirmation print of the confirmation print setting information, if blank paper is specified, the image for jam confirmation print is set to be absent (blank paper), and if the job continuation is specified, conveyance failure is performed. The image printed on the formed paper is determined as the image for jam confirmation printing.

  In step 314, a discharge tray 42 different from the discharge tray 42 that has discharged the paper in printing at the time of conveyance failure is determined as the paper discharge destination for the jam check print. In the present embodiment, for example, when the discharge destinations of the print jobs with poor conveyance are the discharge trays 42B and 42C, the discharge tray 42A is set as the discharge destination. For example, the discharge destination of the print job with poor conveyance is the discharge tray 42A. In this case, the discharge tray 42B is set as the discharge destination.

  In step 320, only one image for jam confirmation printing is printed on the paper for jam confirmation printing, and the image is ejected to the discharge destination for jam confirmation printing.

  As a result, if the same print job in which the size, paper quality, and mass are poorly transported is specified in the confirmation print setting information, the same paper as the paper that was printed when the transport failure occurred The image printed when the conveyance failure occurs is printed and discharged to the same discharge destination as the discharge destination of the print job having the conveyance failure.

  On the other hand, if the setting for the jam confirmation print in the confirmation print setting information is specified to be different from the print job in which conveyance is defective due to any of size, paper quality, and mass, the specified image is printed on the specified paper. As a result, the print job is discharged to a different discharge destination than the discharge destination of the print job that has failed. For example, when there is only one discharge tray 42 in the image forming apparatus 10 or when it is unavoidable to discharge to the same discharge destination as the discharge destination of the print job that has been poorly conveyed due to the size of the paper or the like. When a message to remove the sheet is displayed, the sheet may be discharged with an offset at the time of discharge so that it can be easily distinguished from the already discharged sheet.

  In step 322, it is determined whether or not a conveyance failure has occurred. If the determination is affirmative, the jam confirmation print process is terminated abnormally and the process returns to the conveyance failure generation process. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 324. Transition.

  In step 324, it is determined whether or not the discharge destination of the paper for jam check printing is the same as the print job in which the conveyance is defective. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 326, and the determination is negative. Completes the jam confirmation print process normally and returns to the conveyance failure generation process.

  In step 326, a paper removal confirmation screen asking whether or not the paper discharged by the jam confirmation print has been removed is displayed on the display 16.

  Here, if a paper for the jam confirmation print is ejected to the output destination where the paper was ejected in the print at the time of the transportation failure when the transportation failure occurs, the jam confirmation print is printed on the paper discharged until the transportation failure occurs. Paper will be mixed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the discharge destination of the jam confirmation print paper is the same as that of the print job in which the conveyance is defective, a paper removal confirmation screen is displayed on the display 16.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the sheet removal confirmation screen 350.

  The user performs a touch operation on the OK button 352 when the paper ejected by the jam check print is removed from the paper feed tray 20.

  In step 328, it is determined whether or not the OK button 352 has been designated. If the determination is affirmative, the jam confirmation print process is terminated normally and the process returns to the conveyance failure occurrence process. If the determination is negative, step 328 is performed. To wait for an instruction from the OK button 352.

  Next, the image quality confirmation print process will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows a flowchart showing the flow of the image quality confirmation print processing program executed by the CPU 100. The program is stored in advance in a ROM 102 as a recording medium.

  In step 400, it is determined whether or not job continuation is specified in the image quality confirmation print content setting of the confirmation print setting information. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 402, and the determination is negative. If so, the process proceeds to step 410.

  In the next step 402, the image printed on the paper with poor conveyance is determined as the image for quality confirmation printing.

  In the next step 404, a paper having the same size, quality and mass as the paper that has been poorly transported is determined as a paper for image quality confirmation printing.

  In the next step 406, the same discharge tray 42 as the discharge tray from which the sheet printed at the time of conveyance failure is discharged is determined as the discharge destination of the sheet for image quality confirmation printing.

  On the other hand, in step 410, in the setting of the image quality confirmation print content of the confirmation print setting information, if blank paper is designated, the image for quality confirmation print is set to none (blank paper), and if a chart is designated, it is designated. The chart image is determined as an image for image quality confirmation printing.

  In step 412, the paper of the size, paper quality, and mass specified in the image quality confirmation print setting of the confirmation print setting information is determined as the image quality confirmation print paper.

  In step 414, a discharge tray 42 different from the discharge tray 42 that has discharged the paper in the printing at the time of the conveyance failure is determined as the discharge destination of the paper for image quality confirmation printing. In the present embodiment, for example, when the discharge destinations of the print jobs with poor conveyance are the discharge trays 42B and 42C, the discharge tray 42A is set as the discharge destination. For example, the discharge destination of the print job with poor conveyance is the discharge tray 42A. In this case, the discharge tray 42B is set as the discharge destination.

  In step 420, the image quality confirmation print image is printed on the image quality confirmation print sheet by the number set in the image quality confirmation print of the confirmation print setting information, and is discharged to the image quality confirmation print destination.

  As a result, if job continuation is specified, the image that was printed when the conveyance failure occurred is printed on the same paper that was printed when the conveyance failure occurred. It is discharged to the same discharge destination.

  On the other hand, if a blank sheet or chart is specified, the specified paper remains blank, or the specified chart image is printed on the specified paper, and the output destination is different from the output destination of the print job that has a poor transport. Is discharged.

  The user checks the image quality by looking at the discharged paper.

  In step 422, it is determined whether or not a conveyance failure has occurred. If the determination is affirmative, the image quality confirmation print process is terminated abnormally and the process returns to the conveyance failure generation process. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 424. Transition.

  In step 424, an image quality confirmation print inquiry screen asking whether to execute the image quality confirmation print again is displayed on the display 16.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the image quality confirmation print inquiry screen 450.

  The user performs a touch operation on the re-execution button 452 when instructing to re-execute image quality confirmation printing, and performs a touch operation on the end button 454 when ending image quality confirmation printing.

  In step 428, it is determined whether or not the re-execute button 452 has been designated. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 400 to perform confirmation printing again, and if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 430. .

  In step 430, it is determined whether or not the end button 454 has been designated. If the determination is affirmative, the image quality confirmation print processing ends normally and returns to the conveyance failure occurrence processing. If the determination is negative, step 428 is performed. Migrate again.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 10 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to an inkjet image forming apparatus.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first replacement part is the toner cartridge 17 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the replacement part that affects the image quality of the image by being replaced. Any may be used. For example, an ink cartridge corresponds to an inkjet image forming apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the second replacement part is the developing device and the fixing device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the accumulated dirt affects the image quality of the image. Any replacement part may be used. For example, an inkjet image forming apparatus corresponds to a recording head that forms an image by ejecting ink.

  In addition, the conveyance failure occurrence processing program, the jam confirmation print processing program, and the image quality confirmation print processing program according to the above embodiment are stored in advance in a storage element such as the ROM 102 in addition to the form stored in the ROM 102 in advance. Via a form stored in a storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive), provided in a state stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, via wired or wireless communication means The present invention may be applied to a form that is distributed in such a manner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Scanner 14 Apparatus main body 15 Limit switch 16 Display 17 Toner cartridge 20 Paper feed tray 22 Image formation engine part 22A Replacement time detection part 22B Cartridge detection part 30 Paper feed apparatus 42 Discharge tray 50 Conveyance path 52 Reverse path 54 Paper Sensor 100 CPU
106 Non-volatile memory 112 Communication I / F unit 116 Transport control unit

Claims (8)

Conveying means for conveying the recording medium along a predetermined conveying path;
Acquisition means for acquiring image information to be printed;
An image forming unit that forms an image based on the image information acquired by the acquiring unit on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A conveyance failure detection means for detecting a conveyance failure of the recording medium at each of the plurality of positions of the conveyance path;
When confirming the elimination of the conveyance failure of the recording medium, if the position where the conveyance failure is detected by the conveyance failure detection means is a predetermined position, the state in which image formation based on the image information is stopped Alternatively, when the recording medium is conveyed in a state where the number of images to be formed is limited, and the position where the conveyance failure is detected is other than the predetermined position, the recording is performed while forming an image based on the image information. Control means for controlling the conveying means and the image forming means so as to convey the medium;
An image forming apparatus. The predetermined position is a position where the remaining of the recording medium is likely to remain when a conveyance failure occurs,
A cancellation operation detecting means for detecting a predetermined operation for eliminating the conveyance failure of the recording medium,
The control means is configured such that when a detection period of a predetermined operation by the elimination operation detection means is equal to or shorter than a predetermined period, a position where a conveyance defect is detected by the conveyance defect detection means is a predetermined position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is controlled to form an image based on the image information on the recording medium. A storage section that stores recording media of different sizes and types, respectively;
Receiving means for accepting designation of at least one of the size and type of the recording medium to be conveyed when confirming the elimination of the conveyance defect;
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the conveyance unit to convey the recording medium designated by the reception unit from the storage unit for confirmation of elimination of conveyance failure. . A plurality of discharge sections for discharging the recording medium transported by the transport means;
The control means is a recording medium for confirmation of elimination that is the same as the recording medium that forms the image based on the image information and that is conveyed for confirmation of the elimination of the conveyance failure. On the other hand, when forming an image based on the image information, discharge the recording medium for confirmation of elimination to the same discharge unit as the recording medium on which the image based on the image information is formed before the occurrence of a conveyance failure, When the recording medium designated by the accepting unit is different from the recording medium that forms the image based on the image information, and the recording medium designated by the accepting unit is the same as the recording medium that forms the image based on the image information The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the image based on the image information is not formed on the resolution confirmation recording medium, the conveying unit is controlled to be discharged to a different discharge unit. Place. The predetermined position is a position where image quality deterioration of an image formed by the image forming unit is likely to occur,
The control means controls the image forming means to form a predetermined image for image quality inspection on the recording medium when the position where the conveyance failure is detected is a position where the image is likely to deteriorate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is controlled. It further comprises component replacement detection means for detecting replacement of the first replacement component that affects the image quality by being replaced,
In the case where the replacement of the first replacement part is detected by the part replacement detection means, the control means may be a case where the position where the conveyance failure is detected is a position other than the position where the deterioration of the image is likely to occur. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming unit is controlled to form a predetermined image quality inspection image on the recording medium. It further comprises replacement time detection means for detecting whether it is time to replace the second replacement part that affects the image quality due to accumulated dirt.
When the replacement time detection means detects that the second replacement part needs to be replaced, the control means detects that the position where the conveyance failure is detected is other than the position where the deterioration of the image is likely to occur. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming unit is controlled so as to form a predetermined image quality inspection image on the recording medium even in the case. Computer
When confirming the elimination of the conveyance failure of the recording medium, the position where the conveyance failure is detected by the conveyance failure detection means for detecting the conveyance failure of the recording medium is determined in advance at each of the plurality of positions on the recording medium conveyance path. In the case of the designated position, the recording medium is conveyed in a state where the image formation based on the image information is stopped or the number of images to be formed is limited, and the position where the conveyance failure is detected is determined in advance. A program for functioning as a control unit that controls the transport unit and the image forming unit so that the recording medium is transported while forming an image based on the image information in a case other than the above position.

Images