JP2011183630A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming technique capable of suppressing lowering of productivity when performing image forming processing not to perform post-processing after performing image forming processing to perform post-processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 50 performs image forming processing to perform paper supply, write-in of a latent image, electrification, exposure, transfer of an image, fixing of an image and paper ejection. When it is instructed to perform post-processing, the post-processing is performed to paper which is conveyed to a finisher unit 54 after the image is fixed thereon by a body unit 51. An engine part 3 of the body unit 51 controls timing of paper passing so that an interval between paper ejection after the post-processing in the image forming processing to perform the post-processing and paper ejection after the image forming processing not to perform the post-processing may be shorter when performing the image forming processing not to perform the post-processing after the image forming processing to perform the post-processing than when performing the image forming processing to perform the post-processing after the image forming processing to perform the post-processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  There are image forming apparatuses that perform image forming processing by a series of electrophotographic processes such as paper feeding, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge. Some of these image forming apparatuses have a function of performing post-processing such as stapling, punch punching, and paper folding on the paper before discharging the paper on which the image is fixed. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). When post-processing is performed with such an image forming apparatus, compared to a case where post-processing is not performed, the distance for transporting paper becomes longer, and extra processing time is required for post-processing. For this reason, conventionally, in order to avoid mechanical or electrical restrictions, or to avoid the complexity of control by software, the image forming apparatus performs image forming processing immediately after image forming processing for performing post-processing. In this case, the control is performed so that the sheet is conveyed after completion of the sheet discharge by the former image forming process or at a timing close to the sheet discharge timing.

  However, when the image forming process immediately after the image forming process that performs the post-processing is an image forming process that does not perform the post-processing, the timing of paper conveyance with respect to the latter image forming process is the paper discharge in the former image forming process. It is not always necessary to match the completion. Nevertheless, if the paper transport timing for the latter image forming process is matched with the completion of paper discharge in the former image forming process, it takes more time than necessary to complete the latter image forming process. There was a risk that productivity would decrease. As the number of mixed image forming processes in which post-processing is performed and image forming processes in which post-processing is not performed increases, there is a risk that the productivity is significantly lowered. For example, the image forming process is usually performed without post-processing, and the productivity is affected if the image forming process for performing stapling as a post-processing on a bundle of a large number of sheets is performed occasionally. There is not much. On the other hand, when an image forming process for stapling sheets of 2-3 pages and an image forming process for not stapling sheets of 1-2 pages are alternately repeated, these image forming processes There was a risk that the productivity would be significantly reduced compared to the case where no was mixed. In addition, since the operation time (rotation time of the motor) of the image forming apparatus becomes long, there is a possibility that the production efficiency is lowered or the environment is adversely affected.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in productivity when performing an image forming process in which post-processing is not performed after image forming processing in which post-processing is performed. And an image forming method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process that performs paper feeding, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge. In the image forming process, when an instruction to perform post-processing on the paper to be discharged is given, processing means for performing post-processing on the paper, and after the first image forming process for performing the post-processing, When the second image forming process without the post-processing is performed, the first image forming process is performed as compared with the case of performing the third image forming process with the post-processing after the first image forming process with the post-processing. And a first control unit configured to control a sheet passing timing so that an interval between the paper discharge after the post-processing and the paper discharge after the second image forming process is shortened.

  The present invention also relates to an image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process for performing paper feeding, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge. The image forming apparatus includes a processing unit that performs post-processing on a sheet to be discharged in the image forming process, and a control unit when the execution of the post-processing is instructed. In the case where the second image forming process without the post-processing is performed after the first image forming process with the post-processing, the third image forming process in which the post-processing is performed after the first image forming process with the post-processing. Compared with the case of performing the step, the step of controlling the sheet passing timing so that the interval between the paper discharge after the post-processing of the first image forming process and the paper discharge after the second image forming process is shortened. It is characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity when performing an image forming process in which no post-processing is performed after an image forming process in which post-processing is performed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the finisher unit 54. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the controller and the engine unit. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the entire processing performed by the image forming apparatus 50 for each task. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing for interrupting. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure in which the engine unit 3 performs an image forming process in accordance with the image forming instruction data transmitted from the controller 2. FIG. 7 shows a comparison of sheet feeding timing in the normal productivity mode and the high productivity mode when an image forming process without stapling is performed after an image forming process with stapling as post-processing. FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing in which the engine unit 3 according to the second embodiment controls reception of a job for image forming processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing in which the engine unit 3 according to the third embodiment controls reception of a job for image formation processing.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First embodiment]
A laser printer will be described below as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus 50. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 50 includes a main unit 51, and optionally, a paper feed unit 52, a duplex unit 53, a finisher unit 54, and a mailbox unit 55. The main unit 51 includes a controller (not shown), an engine unit (not shown), an operation panel (not shown), a first paper feed roller R1, a registration roller R2, a registration sensor S1, and a photosensitive unit O1. A charging unit T1, a transfer unit T2, a cleaning unit C1, an optical system writing unit P1, a fixing heating roller F1, a fixing pressure roller F2, and a branch solenoid CL1, and the entire image forming apparatus 50. In the image forming process, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, and image fixing are performed, and paper feeding such as paper feeding, paper conveyance, and paper ejection is performed.

  Specifically, the controller controls the entire image forming apparatus 50. The controller controls communication with a host apparatus that is an external apparatus and includes image data and instructs execution of a job for image forming processing. It receives formation instruction data, edits image data, and instructs the engine unit to execute an image forming process using the image data as a job. The image formation instruction data also indicates whether or not post-processing is to be performed as a job. The image forming instruction data indicates various image forming conditions. When stapling is performed as post-processing, image forming conditions such as the number of sheets bundled together are shown. Further, the image data representing the image printed on the first sheet bundled together is associated with the image forming condition indicating the start of stapling, and the image printed on the last sheet bundled together is displayed. Indicating the end of stapling is associated with the represented image data as an image forming condition. The engine unit performs mechanical control of the image forming apparatus 50 under the control of the controller, and includes a registration sensor S1, a photoreceptor unit O1, a charging unit T1, a transfer unit T2, and a cleaning unit C1. The optical system writing unit P1, the fixing heating roller F1, the fixing pressure roller F2, and the branch solenoid CL1 are controlled to write the latent image, charge, expose, transfer the image, and fix the image in the image forming process. And the state of the image forming apparatus 50 is monitored. The operation panel includes an operation input unit such as an operation key, an operation button, or a mouse for inputting an operation from a user, and a display unit for displaying information. The internal configuration of the controller and engine unit will be described later. The first paper feed roller R1 conveys the paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 52 described later. The registration sensor S1 temporarily stops the conveyed paper. The registration roller R2 conveys the paper stopped by the registration sensor S1. The optical system writing unit P1 irradiates laser light to generate a potential difference between the irradiated portion and the non-irradiated portion, and the charging unit T1 sensitizes the toner on the developing roller (not shown) evenly attached from the potential difference. Development is performed by charging the body unit O1. As a result, an image is written on the photoreceptor unit O1. The photoconductor unit O1 transfers the image written thereon to the paper by the transfer unit T2. The cleaning unit C1 removes the toner remaining on the photoconductor unit O1 after the image written on the photoconductor unit O1 is transferred. The fixing heating roller F1 and the fixing pressure roller F2 fix the image transferred to the paper. The branch solenoid CL1 switches the discharge destination of the sheet on which the image is fixed to any one of the duplex unit 53, the mailbox unit 55, and the finisher unit 54, and discharges the sheet.

  The paper feed unit 52 has a paper feed tray (not shown), and controls the conveyance of the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the registration roller R2. The duplex unit 53 has a branching solenoid CL3, and reverses the sheet discharged from the branching solenoid CL1 when performing duplex printing by the branching solenoid CL3. The mail box unit 55 has a branching solenoid CL2, and the branching solenoid CL2 switches the discharge destination of the paper discharged from the branching solenoid CL1 to one of the paper discharge units E1 and E2, and discharges the paper. The finisher unit 54 discharges paper from the paper discharge unit E3 when it does not perform post-processing such as stapling, punch punching, or paper folding on the paper discharged from the branch solenoid CL1. Then, post-processing is performed, and the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit E4.

  An outline of the image forming process performed in the above configuration will be described. Under the control of the controller of the main unit 51 and the engine unit, the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 52 is conveyed by the sheet feeding roller R1, and temporarily stops at the registration sensor S1. Laser light is irradiated from the optical system writing unit P1, and a potential difference is generated between the irradiated portion and the non-irradiated portion, and the toner on the developing roller evenly attached is charged to the photosensitive unit O1 by the charging unit T1 from this potential difference. Development is performed. On the other hand, the sheet stopped by the registration sensor S1 is resumed at the timing when the image written on the photosensitive unit O1 is transferred by the transfer unit T2, and the image is transferred. After the transfer, the remaining toner in the photosensitive unit O1 is removed by the cleaning unit C1. Further, the image is fixed to the sheet after the transfer by the heat of the fixing heating roller F1 and the pressure of the fixing pressure roller F2. As a result, an image is formed on the paper. The sheet after fixing is conveyed to one of the discharge destinations of the duplex unit 53, the mail box unit 55, and the finisher unit 54 by the branch solenoid CL1. When the sheet is discharged to the duplex unit 53, the sheet is reversed by the lower branch solenoid CL3 and conveyed again to the registration sensor S1. Then, image transfer and fixing are performed again on the reverse side of the sheet. Further, when the paper is discharged to the mail box unit 55, it is discharged to one of the paper discharge sections E1 and E2 by the branching solenoid CL2. When the paper is discharged to the finisher unit 54, the finisher unit 54 performs post-processing as appropriate and discharges the paper.

  Here, an outline of the configuration of the finisher unit 54 will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in the figure, the finisher unit 54 performs stapling as post-processing. The finisher unit 54 includes a branch solenoid FSOL1, a staple unit STP1, and transport rollers RL1 to RL7 for transporting sheets. The branch solenoid FSOL1 switches the discharge destination to the paper discharge units E3 and E4 depending on whether or not post-processing is performed on the paper discharged from the branch solenoid CL1. A paper discharge sensor (not shown) is disposed in the paper discharge unit E4. When the paper discharge sensor detects that the paper has been discharged, it transmits paper discharge notification data indicating that to the controller of the main unit 51. As post-processing, the staple unit STP1 accumulates a plurality of sheets to be bundled, staples the accumulated bundle of sheets, and discharges the stapled sheets. In such a configuration, when the post-processing is not performed on the paper discharged from the branch solenoid CL1, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit E3 via the transport paths FR1, FR2, FR3. On the other hand, when the post-processing is performed on the paper discharged from the branch solenoid CL1, the paper is transported to the staple unit STP1 via the transport paths FR1, FR4, FR5, and the staple is performed as post-processing in the staple unit STP1. The paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit E4 via the transport paths FR6 and FR7. As described above, the conveyance path differs for the paper discharged to the finisher unit 54 when the post-processing is not performed, and when the post-processing is performed, the conveyance time becomes longer than when the post-processing is not performed. For this reason, when post-processing is performed, a difference in conveyance time from the case where post-processing is not performed and time for performing post-processing are extra than those in the case where post-processing is not performed.

  Note that the image forming process, post-processing, paper discharge destination and paper passing according to the discharge destination are controlled by the engine unit under the control of the controller. Here, the internal configuration of the controller and the engine unit will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 2 includes a host interface 6, a program ROM (Read Only Memory) 7, a font ROM 8, a panel interface 9, a controller CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11, and an option RAM 12. And an engine interface 13. The host interface 6 controls communication with the host device. The program ROM 7 stores various programs. The font ROM 8 stores font data used for printing. The panel interface 9 receives user operation input via the operation panel 5 and controls the display of information on the operation panel 5. The engine interface 13 controls communication with the engine unit 3. The controller CPU 10 implements various functions by executing various programs stored in the program ROM 7. For example, the controller CPU 10 generates image formation instruction data including image data and instructing execution of a job of image formation processing based on image formation instruction data received from the host device via the host interface 6. The data is transmitted to the engine unit 3 via the engine interface 13. Further, the controller CPU 10 receives paper discharge notification data from a paper discharge sensor provided in the paper discharge unit E4 and transmits it to the engine unit 3 via the engine interface 13. The RAM 11 stores various data and various programs. The option RAM 12 stores various data and various programs.

  The engine unit 3 includes an engine CPU 200, an interrupt unit 201, a RAM 203, an engine ROM 204, a flash ROM 205, an input port 208, an output port 210, a controller interface 211, an option interface 212, and an EEPROM 214. The engine ROM 204 stores various data and various programs. The flash ROM 205 stores various data and various programs. The engine ROM 204 implements various functions by executing various programs stored in the engine ROM 204 and the flash ROM 205. The interrupt unit 201 controls an interrupt to the engine CPU 200. The RAM 203 functions as a buffer register and stores various data and various programs. The EEPROM 214 stores various data such as data indicating a maintenance cycle. The input port 208 takes in the states of the dip switch 218 and various sensors 217 provided in the main unit 51 and sends them to the engine CPU 200. The output port 210 is a driver that drives each motor, each clutch, each high-pressure process, each solenoid, and the like provided in the image forming apparatus 50 under the control of the engine CPU 200. The controller interface 211 controls communication with the controller 2. The option interface 212 controls communication with an option that is detachably attached to the main unit 51. Options include, for example, a FAX unit and a scanner that perform FAX communication.

  Next, functions unique to the present embodiment realized by the engine CPU 200 of the engine unit 3 will be described. The engine CPU 200 includes a job reception unit, a mode setting determination unit, a post-processing determination unit, and a paper passing control unit. These units are generated on the RAM 203, for example, when the engine CPU 200 executes the program. The job receiving unit receives an instruction to execute image forming processing, and receives the above-described image forming instruction data from the controller 2. The mode setting determination unit determines whether the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode is set as the productivity mode in the image forming process. The high productivity mode refers to the case where image forming processing without post-processing is performed after image forming processing with post-processing, as compared to the case where a plurality of image forming processing with different post-processing is performed continuously. In this mode, the interval between the post-processing paper discharge after the image forming process and the paper discharge after the subsequent image forming process is shortened. The normal productivity mode means that when an image forming process that performs post-processing is performed after an image forming process that performs post-processing, the previous image is compared to a case where image forming processes that perform different post-processing are performed continuously. This is a productivity mode in which the interval between the paper discharge after the post-processing of the forming process and the paper discharge after the subsequent image forming process is not shortened. The productivity mode may be set according to an operation input from the user via the operation panel 5. In this case, the controller 2 notifies the engine CPU 200 of the set productivity mode when transmitting the image formation instruction data to the engine CPU 200. Alternatively, a register indicating either the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode may be provided in the engine unit 3, and the productivity mode may be set by rewriting the value of the register. The register value is rewritten by an operation input from the user via the operation panel 5. Then, the engine CPU 200 determines the set productivity mode by referring to the value of the register by the function of the mode setting determination unit.

  The post-processing determining unit determines whether or not the image forming process performed after the image forming process for performing the post-processing is a post-processing. The sheet passing control unit sets the mode setting when the post-processing determining unit determines that the image forming process to be performed after the image forming process to perform the post-processing is not to perform the post-processing and the high productivity mode is set. When the determination unit determines, the paper output after the post-processing of the previous image forming process and the paper output after the subsequent image forming process are compared with the case where a plurality of image forming processes for performing different post-processing are continuously performed. Paper feeding is controlled so as to shorten the interval. The sheet passing control unit determines that the normal productivity mode is set when the post-processing determining unit determines that the image forming process performed after the image forming process for performing the post-processing is not the post-processing. When the mode setting determination unit determines, compared to a case where a plurality of image forming processes for performing different post-processing are performed in succession, paper discharge after post-processing of the previous image forming process and Paper feeding is controlled without shortening the interval between paper ejection. In this case, specifically, when the paper passing control unit receives the paper discharge notification data transmitted from the controller 2 with respect to the paper on which the previous post-processing has been performed, the paper feeding control unit feeds the paper used in the image forming processing to be performed later. The paper feed is controlled so as to be performed.

  Next, a procedure of processing performed by the image forming apparatus 50 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the entire processing performed by the image forming apparatus 50 will be described for each task with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 50 performs initial setting after the power is turned on (step S1). Then, the image forming apparatus 50 checks the state of the engine unit 3 itself such as a maintenance request or an error occurrence (step S2). The image forming apparatus 50 controls the engine interface 13 and the controller interface 211 that are interfaces between the engine unit 3 and the controller 2 to receive a paper feed command, receive a resolution setting request, and specify a paper feed tray and a paper discharge destination. A switching request is received (step S3). Further, the image forming apparatus 50 controls a sequence such as a sheet passing timing and a high voltage on / off sequence (step S4). Further, the image forming apparatus 50 acquires or updates information on a target sheet on which image forming processing is performed (step S5). Further, the image forming apparatus 50 controls the execution of the image forming process (step S6). Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 50 repeats the processes in steps S2 to S6 until the power is turned off.

  Next, the procedure of processing for interrupting the above processing will be described with reference to FIG. The engine unit 3 determines, every predetermined time, whether or not an interrupt request has been generated by the function of the interrupt unit 201 (step S10). If the determination result is affirmative, the engine unit 3 performs the requested interrupt processing. It is executed by the engine CPU 200 (step S11). When an interrupt for image forming processing is requested, that is, when new image forming instruction data is transmitted from the controller 2 to the engine unit 3 while the engine unit 3 is executing the image forming processing, the engine CPU 200 The image data included in the image formation instruction data is expanded and edited. When the editing is completed, the job specified by the image formation instruction data is accepted.

  Next, a procedure in which the engine unit 3 performs an image forming process according to the image forming instruction data transmitted from the controller 2 will be described. Here, a case where the engine unit 3 performs image forming processing using new image forming instruction data after executing image forming processing for performing post-processing as a job will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When the engine unit 3 receives new image formation instruction data, the engine unit 3 develops and edits the image data included in the image formation instruction data, and checks the image formation instruction data (step S20). Whether the job instructed by the formation instruction data is to perform post-processing and, if it is to perform post-processing, whether to perform post-processing different from the post-processing performed in the previous job. Is determined (steps S21 to S22). When it is determined that the job does not perform post-processing (step S21: YES, step S22: YES), the engine unit 3 determines whether or not the set productivity mode is the high productivity mode (step S21). S23). When it is determined that the set productivity mode is the high productivity mode (step S23: YES), the engine unit 3 performs the sheet feeding timing as compared with the case where the image forming process for performing different post-processing is continuously performed. The paper used in the current job is fed so as to be faster (step S26).

Specifically, for example, the engine unit 3 feeds paper at the following timing. For example, the linear velocity is v (cm / s), the stapling processing time is Ts (s), the paper size in the transport direction is Lp (cm), and the transport distance from the registration sensor S1 to the staple unit STP1 Is L1 (cm), the distance conveyed from the staple unit STP1 to the paper discharge unit E4 is L2 (cm), the distance conveyed from the first paper feed roller R1 to the registration sensor S1 is L3 (cm), The distance conveyed from the sensor S1 to the paper discharge unit E3 is L4 (cm). At this time, assuming that the time taken for the last sheet bundled during stapling as post-processing to be conveyed from the registration sensor S1 to the paper discharge unit E4 is Tp1 (s), Tp1 is obtained by the following equation 1. It is done.
Tp1 = L1 / v + Ts + L2 / v + Lp / v (Formula 1)
It is.
On the other hand, assuming that the time taken for the leading edge of the paper used in the image forming process without stapling to be conveyed from the first paper feed roller R1 to the paper discharge unit E3 is Tp2 (s), Tp2 is expressed by the following equation (2). Is required.
Tp2 = (L3 + L4) / v (Expression 2)
Therefore, in order for the sheet used in the image forming process not to be stapled to be ejected from the finisher unit 54 without being overlapped after the last sheet bundled when stapling, the following Expression 3 is satisfied. It is necessary to.
Tp1-Tp2> 0 (Formula 3)
Therefore, in step S26, the engine unit 3 makes the gap between the former sheet and the latter sheet as short as possible when both sheets are ejected from the finisher unit 54 within the range in which Expression 3 is satisfied. Then, feed paper. The example of controlling the sheet feeding timing is not limited to this example. It should be noted that the time interval between feeding the former sheet and feeding the latter sheet after the image forming process without stapling after the image forming process with stapling as post-processing is stored in, for example, the flash ROM 205. It may be stored in advance, and the engine unit 3 may feed the latter sheet using the value of this time interval.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the set productivity mode is not the high productivity mode but the normal productivity mode (step S23: NO), the engine unit 3 notifies the paper discharge after the post-processing performed in the previous job. It is determined whether or not data has been received from the controller 2 (step S24). If the determination result is affirmative (step S24: YES), paper is fed (step S25). When it is determined that the job instructed to be executed by the new image formation instruction data is to perform post-processing belonging to the post-processing performed in the previous job (step S21: NO), in step S28, the engine unit 3 feeds the paper used in the current job. If it is determined that the job instructed to execute by the new image formation instruction data is to perform post-processing different from the post-processing performed in the previous job (step S22: NO), in step S27, the engine Unit 3 feeds the paper used in the current job in the same manner as in step S25. After feeding the paper in any one of steps S25 to S28, the engine unit 3 uses the edited image to perform latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge. Do.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a comparison of sheet feeding timing in the normal productivity mode and the high productivity mode when an image forming process without stapling is performed after an image forming process in which stapling is performed as post-processing. In the figure, an example is shown in which stapling is performed on three sheets. That is, in this example, the image forming process is performed on each of the three sheets, and the same post-processing is performed on each sheet discharged in each image forming process. Among them, the timing when the first sheet is fed is t1, the timing when the second sheet is fed is t2, the timing when the third sheet is fed is t3, The timing at which the third sheet is discharged is t4, and the timing at which the third sheet is fed is t5. After this stapling, when the image forming process without stapling is performed in the normal productivity mode, the timing at which the sheet is fed is the same timing as timing t5 at which the third sheet is fed or a timing close thereto. t6. On the other hand, when the image forming process is performed in the high productivity mode, the timing at which the paper is fed is t7. Therefore, when the image forming process without stapling is performed in the high productivity mode after the image forming process with stapling, the paper feed timing can be dramatically advanced. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity when performing an image forming process in which no post-processing is performed after an image forming process in which post-processing is performed.

  In the conventional technique, the control for transporting the paper is not complicated due to the setting in the finisher unit 54 and the mechanical and electrical restrictions such as the paper transport cannot be stopped after the registration sensor S1 of the main unit 51. When image forming processing without post-processing is performed after image forming processing with post-processing, the latter image forming processing is performed at the timing after paper discharge after post-processing in the former image forming processing or at a timing close thereto. The paper to be used was fed. The setting in the finisher unit 54 is, for example, adjustment of the mechanical size of the finisher unit STP1 in the staple unit STP1, adjustment of the position in the staple unit STP1 according to the size of the paper, or between the main unit 51 and the finisher unit 54. For example, adjustment in conveyance control for ensuring quality by adding a condition relating to a gap between sheets when an option is installed in the printer. For example, when the number of sheets to be bundled together when stapling is performed as post-processing is large (for example, when stapling is performed on a bundle of 100 sheets and image forming processing without stapling continues) In this case, the effect of the decrease in productivity is small, but the number of sheets to be bundled together when performing stapling is small (for example, 2 to 3 sheets), and image forming processing for post-processing and post-processing are performed. In the case where the image forming process is frequently mixed, there is a possibility that the productivity is extremely lowered.

  However, according to the present embodiment, even when an image forming process that performs post-processing and an image forming process that does not perform post-processing are mixed, production without causing complicated control of paper conveyance. It becomes possible to suppress the fall of property.

  In addition, since the high productivity mode and the normal productivity mode can be selectively set, the productivity of the image forming apparatus 50 can be controlled according to the use state of the user.

  Note that it is desirable that the size of paper that can be image-formed in the high productivity mode is limited to one size (for example, A4 size).

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus and the image forming method will be described. In addition, about the part which is common in the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, it demonstrates using the same code | symbol or abbreviate | omits description.

  In the present embodiment, the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode can be set as the above-described productivity mode for each type of image forming process. The types of image forming processing include, for example, processing for forming an image on a sheet based on image forming instruction data from the host apparatus described in the first embodiment (referred to as printer processing), and reading from a document by a scanner. A process for generating image data representing an image and forming the image on a sheet using the image data (referred to as a scanner process), or generating image data representing an image read from a document by a scanner, and using the image data There are a process for forming on a sheet (referred to as copy process) and a process for forming an image on a sheet using image data received by FAX communication (referred to as FAX process). The productivity mode described above is set for each of the printer process, the scanner process, the copy process, and the FAX process.

  The image forming apparatus 50 further includes a scanner, an ADF that feeds and discharges a document, a document table on which a document is placed, and a FAX unit (all not shown). In addition to the printer processing described in the first embodiment, In response to a user operation input via the operation panel 5, the image data representing the image read by the scanner is used to perform a scanner process or a copy process for forming an image on a sheet, or the image data received by the FAX unit is used. FAX communication processing for forming an image on a sheet is performed. The controller 2 of the main unit 51 causes the engine unit 3 to start a scanner process or a copy process in response to a user operation input via the operation panel 5, and the engine unit 3 causes the scanner to read an image from the document. The image data using the image is transmitted to the controller 2, the controller 2 transmits the image formation instruction data including the image data and image formation conditions to the engine unit 3, and the engine unit 3 transmits the image formation instruction data. Used to control the paper feeding, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper ejection described above. Further, the controller 2 acquires image data from the FAX unit, transmits image formation instruction data including the image data to the engine unit 3, and the engine unit 3 uses the image formation instruction data to supply the above-described supply. Paper, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge are controlled. The image forming condition indicates at least the type of image forming process. The same applies to printer processing. The image formation instruction data also indicates whether or not post-processing is to be performed as described above. In addition, the program ROM 7 of the controller 2 and the engine ROM 204 of the engine unit 3 perform an application program (application) for performing printer processing, an application for performing scanner processing, an application for performing copy processing, and FAX processing. Each of these apps is stored. The controller CPU 10 controls the engine unit 3 by executing each application, and the engine unit 3 executes each application under the control of the controller CPU 10 to perform printer processing, scanner processing, copy processing, and FAX processing. Control the execution of each.

  In this embodiment, the controller CPU 10 determines the productivity mode set for each process as one of the image forming conditions when controlling the execution of the printer process, the scanner process, the copy process, and the FAX process. Is sent to the engine unit 3. The engine CPU 200 of the engine unit 3 controls the paper feeding in the productivity mode specified by the image formation instruction data. The engine CPU 200 determines the priority of the image formation processing job performed by the image formation instruction data designated by the high productivity mode, and the priority of the image formation processing job performed by the image formation instruction data designated by the normal productivity mode. Set higher than priority. If the image formation instruction data instructing a job of a different type of image formation processing has been received, the engine CPU 200 controls the acceptance of the job according to the priority level, and controls the image formation processing to be performed. .

  Next, a procedure of processing in which the engine unit 3 controls reception of an image forming processing job will be described with reference to FIG. Step S20 is the same as that in the first embodiment. In step S20, the engine unit 3 performs image forming processing that does not perform post-processing when starting or during execution of image forming processing in accordance with image forming instruction data that instructs a job for image forming processing that does not perform post-processing. It is assumed that image formation instruction data for instructing a job is received. Then, the engine unit 3 develops the image data included in the image formation instruction data. In step S40, the image formation instruction that has not been developed yet and is being developed (or edited). Check if there is any other data. This check is performed, for example, by making an inquiry from the engine unit 3 to the controller 2 that grasps the development information of the image data, and referring to a response that notifies the development information from the controller 2 in response to this inquiry. If the engine unit 3 determines that there is no other image formation instruction data being developed (step S40: NO), it determines that there is other image formation instruction data being developed without setting the priority. In the case (step S40: YES), the productivity mode specified by the image formation instruction data received in step S20 is checked to determine whether the productivity mode is the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode (step S41). . If it is determined that the mode is the high productivity mode (step S41: YES), the engine unit 3 sets the priority of the job to be performed based on the image formation instruction data received in step S20 (step S42), and the normal productivity mode. (Step S41: NO), the priority of the job to be performed based on the image formation instruction data received in step S20 is set to the second place (step S43). When the development of the image data that has been developed is completed and a job to be received by the image forming process including the image data can be received (step S44: YES), the engine unit 3 The priority is confirmed, and if the priority is first, this job is accepted and control is performed to perform image forming processing. On the other hand, if the priority is not first, the engine unit 3 checks whether there is any other image formation instruction data for which image data is being developed at this time, and a new image formation instruction being developed. When it is determined that there is no data, the job is accepted and image formation processing is performed. When it is determined that there is new image formation instruction data being developed, the productivity mode of the job to be performed based on the image formation instruction data is checked. Then, the priority of each job is newly set, and the jobs are received in the descending order of priority, and the image forming process is controlled (step S45).

  According to the above configuration, the design of various applications for performing the image forming process is simplified, and the image forming process for performing the post-processing and the image forming process for which the post-processing is not performed are mixed. However, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity without complicating the control of conveying the paper.

  When the types of image forming processes are different, the basic settings are often different. For example, the pixel density setting in the FAX process is 400 DPI, while the printer process is set to 600 DPI. However, it is possible to set the productivity mode according to the type of image forming process in accordance with such a condition.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the image forming apparatus and the image forming method will be described. In addition, about the part which is common in the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment or 2nd Embodiment, it demonstrates using the same code | symbol or abbreviate | omits description.

  In the second embodiment described above, the productivity mode can be set for each type of image forming process, and the priority of the type of image forming process for which the high productivity mode is set is increased. In the present embodiment, when the high productivity mode is set, priority is set in advance for each type of image forming process. When an interrupt for an image forming process that is a new image forming process and the high productivity mode is requested during execution of the image forming process in which the high productivity mode is set, the image forming process that is being executed If the type differs from the type of image forming process requested to be interrupted, the engine unit 3 preferentially performs one of the image forming processes according to the priority of these types. For example, a copy process in which the high productivity mode is set, a copy process in which the high productivity mode is set, a printer process in which the high productivity mode is set, and a scanner process in which the high productivity mode is set. It is assumed that higher priority is set in order. Such priority values are stored in advance in the flash ROM 205, for example. This value may be set by a user operation input via the operation panel 5, for example.

  Next, a procedure of processing in which the engine unit 3 controls reception of a job for image forming processing will be described with reference to FIG. Step S20 is the same as that in the first embodiment. Here, in step S20, the engine unit 3 newly sets an image for instructing a job for image forming processing to be post-processed during execution of image forming processing to perform post-processing after the high productivity mode is set. It is assumed that the formation instruction data is received and an interruption of the image forming process is requested. In step S50, the engine unit 3 refers to the type of image forming process indicated by the image forming condition included in the image forming instruction data and determines whether or not the type is different from the type of image forming process being executed. To do. When the type is different from the type of image forming process being executed (step S50: YES), the engine unit 3 determines whether the productivity mode set for the image forming process requested to be interrupted is the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode. Is determined (step S51). If it is determined that the mode is the high productivity mode (step S51: YES), the engine unit 3 refers to the priority set in advance for each type of image forming process when the high productivity mode is set. In step S52, it is determined whether to give priority to the image forming process job requested to be interrupted or to give priority to the image forming process job being executed (step S53). For example, if the image forming process being executed is a scanner process and the image forming process requested to be interrupted is a copy process, the priority of the copy process is set higher than the priority of the scanner process. (Step S53: YES), the engine unit 3 determines to preferentially perform the job of the image forming process for which the interruption is requested, and controls to perform the image forming process (Step S54). That is, in this case, the image forming process requested to be interrupted enters a standby state and is performed after the image forming process being executed is completed. On the other hand, when the type of the image forming process being executed has a higher priority (step S53: NO), the engine unit 3 determines that the image forming process job for which the interrupt is requested is given priority. Then, control is performed to perform the image forming process (step S55). That is, in this case, the image forming process being executed is in a standby state, the image forming process requested to be interrupted is executed, and after the completion, the execution of the image forming process in the standby state is resumed.

  According to the above configuration, the design of various applications for performing the image forming process is simplified, and the image forming process for performing the post-processing and the image forming process for which the post-processing is not performed are mixed. However, it is possible to suppress a decrease in productivity without complicating the control of conveying the paper. In addition, it is possible to preferentially perform more urgent types of image forming processes by executing the image forming processes according to the priority of different types of image forming processes for which the high productivity mode is set. become.

[Modification]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Moreover, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Further, various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, various programs executed by the image forming apparatus 50 may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. . The various programs are recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) in a file in an installable or executable format. May be configured to be provided.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the image forming apparatus 50 only needs to perform at least one image forming process among copy processing, printer processing, scanner processing, and FAX processing.

  In each of the embodiments described above, when the size of the paper used when performing the image forming process without post-processing after the image forming process with post-processing is different from the size of the paper used in the image forming process with post-processing, Even if the high productivity mode is set, the image forming apparatus 50 may feed paper in the normal productivity mode. If the paper size is different, it is necessary to adjust the feed timing and change the setting conditions such as changing the target temperature at the time of fixing. By performing the sheet feeding, the conveyance control can be performed stably without complication.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 50 cancels the high-speed productivity mode and performs normal production when the execution of the image forming process job is not instructed for a predetermined time after the high-speed productivity mode is set. You may make it set to sex mode.

  In the third embodiment described above, the high productivity mode having the highest priority for a predetermined time is also set for the priorities of different types of image forming processes for which the high productivity mode is set. When the execution of the image forming job is not instructed, all priorities may be canceled. That is, when the high productivity mode is set, the priorities may be set to be the same for each type of image forming process. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent a delay in execution of a low-priority type image forming process.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, when the image forming process without post-processing is performed after the image forming process with post-processing, the type is different between the former image forming process and the latter image forming process. Even if the high productivity mode is set, the image forming apparatus 50 may feed paper in the normal productivity mode.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the image forming apparatus 50 can set either the high productivity mode or the normal productivity mode as the productivity mode. The high productivity mode may be automatically set when image forming processing without post-processing is performed after processing.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, examples of staples have been described as post-processing. However, post-processing is not limited to this, and for example, punch punching or paper folding may be used.

2 Controller 3 Engine section 5 Operation panel 6 Host interface 7 Program ROM
9 Panel interface 10 Controller CPU
12 Optional RAM
13 Engine interface 50 Image forming apparatus 51 Main unit 52 Paper feed unit 53 Duplex unit 54 Finisher unit 55 Mailbox unit 200 Engine CPU
201 Interrupt unit 204 Engine ROM
205 Flash ROM
208 Input Port 210 Output Port 211 Controller Interface 212 Option Interface E1, E2, E3, E4 Paper Discharge Unit S1 Registration Sensor STP1 Staple Unit

JP 2008-6629 A

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that performs an image forming process that performs paper feeding, latent image writing, charging, exposure, image transfer, image fixing, and paper discharge,
Processing means for performing post-processing on the paper to be ejected when instructed to perform post-processing on the paper to be discharged in the image forming process;
When the second image forming process without the post-processing is performed after the first image forming process with the post-processing, the third image forming with the post-processing after the first image forming process with the post-processing. Compared with the case where processing is performed, the timing of sheet passing is controlled so that the interval between the paper discharge after the post-processing of the first image formation processing and the paper discharge after the second image formation processing is shortened. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first control unit. When performing a second image forming process without post-processing after the first image forming process with post-processing, or performing a third image forming process with post-processing after the first image forming process with post-processing Compared to the first mode in which the interval is shortened and the second mode in which the interval is not shortened when the second image forming process without post-processing is performed after the first image forming process with post-processing. Further comprising setting means for setting
The first control unit performs the post-processing when performing the second image forming process without performing the post-processing after the first image forming process performing the post-processing and when the first mode is set. 2. The sheet passing timing is controlled after the first image forming process to be performed so that the interval is shortened as compared with the case of performing the third image forming process in which the post-processing is performed. Image forming apparatus. The setting means can set the first mode or the second mode for each type of the image forming process,
When performing a plurality of second image forming processes without performing the post-processing after the first image forming process performing the post-processing, when a plurality of types of the second image forming processes are different and one of the second images. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second control unit configured to perform control so that the second image forming process is preferentially performed when the first mode is set for the forming process. 4. Image forming apparatus. A priority is set for each type of the image forming process when the first mode is set,
The second control unit is configured to perform the first image formation when interruption of a plurality of second image formation processes not performing the post-processing is requested while performing the first image formation process performing the post-processing. When the types of processing and the second image forming processing are different, the first image forming is performed according to the priority set for each type of the first image forming processing and the second image forming processing. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein control is performed so that the processing or the second image forming processing is performed with priority. The setting unit cancels the setting of the first mode and sets the second mode when the image forming process is not performed for a predetermined time after setting the first mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The first control unit performs the second image forming process without the post-processing after the first image forming process with the post-processing, and includes the first image forming process and the second image forming process. When the types are different, the sheet feeding timing is controlled after the first image forming process for performing the post-processing without reducing the interval compared to the case of performing the third image forming process for performing the post-processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The first control unit performs the second image forming process without the post-processing after the first image forming process with the post-processing, and includes the first image forming process and the second image forming process. When the paper sizes are different, the sheet feeding timing is controlled without shortening the interval compared to the case where the third image forming process for performing the post-processing is performed after the first image forming process for performing the post-processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing for feeding paper, writing latent images, charging, exposing, transferring images, fixing images, and discharging paper,
The image forming apparatus includes a processing unit that performs post-processing on the paper to be discharged when the execution of post-processing on the paper to be discharged is instructed in the image forming process, and a control unit.
When the control unit performs the second image forming process without the post-processing after the first image forming process with the post-processing, the post-processing is performed after the first image forming process with the post-processing. Compared to the case where the third image forming process is performed, the sheet passing is performed so that the interval between the paper discharge after the post-processing of the first image forming process and the paper discharge after the second image forming process is shortened. An image forming method comprising a step of controlling the timing of the image.

Images