JP2011189509A - Image forming apparatus and method for transmission processing of image data therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and a method for transmission processing of image data, suppressing the occurrence of an under-run error by measuring receiving speed of image data between an information terminal device and an image forming apparatus and performing transmission processing of the image data based on a result of the measurement. <P>SOLUTION: Data for measurement is transmitted from the information terminal device (S102). The image forming apparatus starts reception of the data for measurement (S103) and starts measurement of the receiving time (S104), and when the reception is completed, it calculates the receiving speed from the receiving time and an amount of the data for measurement(S106). Then, the amount of the image data in page units is transmitted from the information terminal device (S107). The image forming apparatus determines, based on the calculated receiving speed and the amount of the image data, whether or not the under-run error occurs (S108), and notifies the information terminal device of a result of the determination (S109 and S110). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that receives image data from an information terminal device and performs image forming processing, and an image data transmission processing method thereof.

  When image data created in an information terminal device is recorded on a recording medium such as paper by the image forming apparatus, the information terminal apparatus transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus via a network or the like, and the image forming apparatus receives the image data. The image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit, and the stored image data is transmitted to the image forming unit to perform image forming processing.

  When the received image data is transmitted to the image forming unit via the storage unit, if the amount of received image data is larger than the memory capacity of the storage unit, the storage process of the image data in the storage unit is performed. There may be a phenomenon in which it becomes impossible to catch up with the transmission process from the storage unit to the image forming unit, and there is no data to be processed during the image forming process, making it impossible to record an image. Such a phenomenon is generally referred to as an underrun error.

  As a preventive measure against the underrun error, for example, in Patent Document 1, in the process of receiving and transferring one page of data, the transfer start timing is set so that the writing of the received data to the buffer always precedes the transfer from the buffer. Describes that an underrun error is prevented by controlling according to the predicted data reception speed from the host. Further, in Patent Document 2, the processing time for transferring the print signal to the print engine for each page of image data is less than the processing time for sequentially developing the intermediate code data to bitmap data and storing it in the bitmap data storage means. Thus, it is described that whether or not an underrun error occurs is verified before starting printing with driving the print engine. Further, in Patent Document 3, when an underrun error is detected when data is output from a host and an image is output, the host is informed of the occurrence of an underrun error and is less likely to cause an underrun error. The point which controls to retransmit data below is described.

  In Patent Document 1, data transfer from the buffer is controlled based on the predicted data reception speed. However, since the actual reception speed between the host and the printer often varies depending on the situation, If the reception speed is lower than the predicted data reception speed, an underrun error occurs. When the transfer time and the storage time are verified as in Patent Document 2 and an underrun error is to be surely prevented, verification processing is required for each page, which takes time for image formation processing. In Patent Document 3, it is post-processing when an underrun error occurs, and it is difficult to reliably prevent the underrun error.

  Therefore, the present invention suppresses the occurrence of an underrun error by measuring the reception speed of image data between the information terminal device and the image forming apparatus and performing image data transmission processing based on the measurement result. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of performing the above and an image data transmission processing method thereof.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an information terminal device, an accumulation unit that accumulates image data transmitted from the information terminal device, and an image formation process based on the image data An image forming unit that performs image processing, and receives the image data from the information terminal device via the transmission / reception unit, stores the image data in the storage unit, and transmits the stored image data to the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls to measure the time from the start of reception of measurement data transmitted from the information terminal device to the completion of accumulation in the accumulation unit And calculating whether or not an underrun error occurs based on the reception speed and the amount of image data in units of pages transmitted from the information terminal device And tough, is characterized by comprising a notification unit for notifying the determination result of the determination unit to the information terminal device. Furthermore, the calculation unit uses preset data or image data for one page as the measurement data. Furthermore, the notification unit notifies the information terminal device of a reception speed measurement request every predetermined time when there is no image formation processing request from the information terminal device. Further, when the reception speed is measured based on the reception speed measurement request, the notification unit performs notification indicating that the measurement is not required for the reception speed measurement request from the information terminal device. It is characterized by. Further, the calculation unit stops the measurement when the reception of the measurement data is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of reception.
The information terminal device according to the present invention receives image data and stores the image data in the storage unit, and transmits the stored image data to the image forming unit to transmit the image data to the image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing. A terminal device that creates the image data and calculates a page data amount of the image data; a measurement data for measuring a reception speed for the image forming device; And a data transmission unit that transmits the image data when receiving a notification indicating that an underrun error does not occur from the image forming apparatus.
An image data transmission processing method according to the present invention receives image data from an information terminal device, stores the image data in a storage unit, and transmits the stored image data to the image forming unit to perform image formation processing. A processing method for calculating a reception speed by measuring a time from the start of reception of measurement data transmitted from the information terminal apparatus to completion of accumulation in the accumulation unit, and from the reception speed and the information terminal apparatus It is determined whether or not an underrun error occurs based on the transmitted image data amount in page units, and the determination result is notified to the information terminal device. In addition, preset data or image data for one page is used as the measurement data. Further, when there is no image formation processing request from the information terminal device, a reception speed measurement request is notified to the information terminal device every predetermined time. Furthermore, when the reception speed is measured based on the reception speed measurement request, a notification indicating that the measurement is not required is performed in response to the reception speed measurement request from the information terminal apparatus. Furthermore, the measurement is stopped when the reception of the measurement data is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of reception.

  The present invention has the above-described configuration, and calculates the reception speed by measuring the time from the start of reception of the measurement data transmitted from the information terminal device to the completion of storage in the storage unit. Since it is determined whether or not an underrun error occurs based on the amount of image data in units of pages transmitted from the apparatus, the occurrence of an underrun error can be determined based on the actual reception speed. If the image data transmission process is performed only when it is determined that an underrun error does not occur, the occurrence of an underrun error can be reliably suppressed.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration example regarding a control system of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a functional block configuration diagram relating to an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the system configuration example regarding an information terminal device. It is a functional block block diagram regarding an information terminal device. It is a processing flow in the case of transmitting image data from the information terminal device to the image forming apparatus. It is a processing flow in the case of measuring a reception speed in advance. It is a processing flow in the case of performing the image forming process by measuring the reception speed in advance. It is a processing flow which measures a receiving speed using the image data transmitted from an information terminal device.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and thus various technical limitations are made. However, the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and schematically shows a main part thereof.

  As illustrated, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed tray 4 that can store a plurality of recording papers P, a transfer belt 5 disposed above the paper feed tray 4, and a plurality of cartridges disposed along the transfer belt 5. (Electrophotographic process section) 6K, 6M, 6C, 6Y, an exposure device 11 disposed above them, and a fixing means 20 provided in the conveyance path 40 of the recording paper P are provided. Here, the color component colors are black (K), magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y), and there are four color cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y. A color toner image is generated.

  The recording paper P in the paper feed tray 4 is stored in a state where a plurality of sheets overlap each other, and is positioned at the top by a paper feed roller 2 that is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in the figure) during image formation. Are sequentially fed toward the transport path 40 and fed. The sent recording paper P is transported along a transport path 40 by a plurality of rollers 3, 7, 16, 21, 22, 18 and the like, and is discharged outside the apparatus.

  The transfer belt 5 is an endless belt that is an intermediate transfer body for transferring the toner images transferred from the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y onto the recording paper P. The secondary transfer driving roller 7 and the transfer belt that can rotate are used. It is wound around a tension roller 8. Among these rollers 7 and 8, the secondary transfer drive roller 7 is rotationally driven by a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, and a transfer belt 5 that is stretched along with a transfer belt tension roller 8 that is driven to rotate. It is supported so as to extend in the horizontal direction so as to face in the vertical direction. Accordingly, each of these rollers 7 and 8 and a driving source constitute a driving means for rotating and moving the transfer belt 5, and the transfer belt 5 is circulated between the rollers 7 and 8 in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise indicated by an arrow in the drawing). To rotate.

  The cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y are arranged on the upper surface side of the transfer belt 5 at predetermined intervals in order from the upstream along the rotation direction. As will be described later, the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y are cartridges in which a photosensitive unit including a photosensitive drum, a toner filling unit filled with toner, a developing device, a cleaning system, and the like are integrally docked. The toners of different colors are accommodated according to the colors of the images to be formed. Also, here, in order from the upstream side of the transfer belt 5, a first cartridge 6K that forms a black (K) image, a second cartridge 6M that forms a magenta (M) image, and a cyan (C) image. The third cartridge 6 </ b> C that forms the image and the fourth cartridge 6 </ b> Y that forms the yellow (Y) image are arranged in a line along the transfer belt 5.

  The exposure unit 11 applies laser beams 14K, 14M, 14C, and 14Y (indicated by dotted lines in the figure), which are exposure lights corresponding to image colors formed by the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y, to the cartridges 6K, 6M, It is an apparatus for irradiating predetermined positions 6C and 6Y. Therefore, the exposure device 11 includes a plurality of (here, four) light sources (not shown) that generate the laser beams 14K, 14M, 14C, and 14Y, and the like, and the laser beams 14K, 14M, 14C, and 14Y are The photosensitive members 9K, 9M, 9C, and 9Y of the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y are irradiated and exposed downward from the lower surface side.

  Next, the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y will be described. They have the same internal configuration except that the colors of the toner images to be formed are different, and are configured similarly. Therefore, here, the first cartridge 6K (black image forming unit) located on the most upstream side (right side in the drawing) of the transfer belt 5 is described as an example, and other colors for forming images of other colors are described. Description of the cartridges 6M, 6C, 6Y is omitted. In addition, regarding the respective components of the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y, the same components are assigned the same numbers, and thereafter, the above-described components corresponding to the colors formed by the cartridges 6K, 6M, 6C, and 6Y. These are distinguished by attaching the symbols K, M, C, and Y.

  The first cartridge 6K includes a photoconductor 9K that is a photoconductor drum provided facing the upper surface of the transfer belt 5, and a charger 10K, a developing device 12K, a cleaner blade 13K, and the like disposed around the photoconductor 9K. Has been.

  At the time of image formation, the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 9K is uniformly charged by the charger 10K in the dark, and is then exposed by the laser light 14K corresponding to the black image from the above-described exposure device 11, and the outer peripheral surface ( An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive surface. At that time, the exposure unit 11 controls the light emission of the light source of the laser beam 14K in accordance with the line image signal in the main scanning direction, for example, so that the generated light is used as a scanning beam at a predetermined cycle. Project to. At the same time, the photosensitive member 9K is moved (rotated) in the sub-scanning direction crossing the main scanning direction (the control in the sub-scanning direction is performed by the control of a motor (not shown) that rotates the photosensitive member 9K). Scan exposure of a two-dimensional image is performed.

  The developing device 12K develops the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 9K and visualizes it with black toner, and forms a black toner image on the photoconductor 9K. Thereafter, the toner image is transferred to the transfer belt 5 by the action of the primary transfer roller 15K disposed opposite the photoconductor 9K across the transfer belt 5 at the position where the photoconductor 9K and the transfer belt 5 are in contact (primary transfer position). 5 is transferred. As a result, a monochrome image is formed on the transfer belt 5 with black toner. On the other hand, after the toner image transfer is completed, unnecessary toner remaining on the outer peripheral surface is wiped away by the cleaner blade 13K and cleaned, and the photoconductor 9K waits for the next image formation.

  The transfer belt 5 onto which the black toner image has been transferred by the first cartridge 6K through the above process is rotationally driven by the rotation of the secondary transfer driving roller 7, and the portion (surface) on which the toner image is formed. It moves to the next second cartridge 6M located on the downstream side in the rotation direction, and conveys the toner image to its lower position. In the second cartridge 6M, a magenta toner image is formed on the photoconductor 9M by a process similar to the image forming process in the first cartridge 6K, and the black toner image formed on the transfer belt 5 is formed on the transfer belt 5. The toner image is transferred onto the toner image.

  Subsequently, the transfer belt 5 moves in order to the third cartridge 6C and the fourth cartridge 6Y located further downstream, and the cyan belt formed on the photoreceptor 9C is processed by the same process and operation as before. The toner image and the yellow toner image formed on the photoreceptor 9 </ b> Y are sequentially transferred while being superimposed on the toner image on the transfer belt 5. In this way, after the toner images of a plurality of colors are transferred and superimposed on the transfer belt 5 to form a full-color superimposed image (color image), the color toner image forming portion of the transfer belt 5 It moves to the position of the secondary transfer roller 16 with the rotation.

  Here, at the time of image formation, when forming an image of only black, the second to fourth cartridges 6M, 6C, 6Y are not operated, and the corresponding primary transfer rollers 15M, 15C, 15Y are respectively connected to the respective photoreceptors 9M, Retreat to a position separated from 9C and 9Y, and execute only the black image forming process by the first cartridge 6K.

  Further, in synchronization with the movement (rotation) of the transfer belt 5 described above, the conveying operation of the recording paper P along the conveying path 40 is also started. At that time, first, the recording paper P stored in the paper feed tray 4 is sequentially sent out from the uppermost position by the rotation of the paper feed roller 2, and the front side of the secondary transfer roller 16 at the position of the registration roller 3. Stand by (upstream in the transport direction). The rotation of the registration roller 3 is started when the toner image conveyed by the movement of the transfer belt 5 and the position of the recording paper P are positioned on the secondary transfer roller 16 (between the opposing secondary transfer drive roller 7). The registration roller 3 is rotated counterclockwise by a driving means (not shown), and the recording paper P is fed out.

  The recording paper P delivered by the registration roller 3 is conveyed toward the downstream side of the conveyance path 40 as the toner image on the transfer belt 5 is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 16 and is moved. Subsequently, the recording paper P is heated and pressed through a nip portion formed between a fixing roller 21 and a pressure roller 22 which are a pair of rotating members of the fixing unit 20, and the toner image is heated. It is heated and fixed by pressure. Thereafter, the recording paper P is discharged out of the image forming apparatus 1 (here, at the top) by a paper discharge roller 18 that is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction (here, clockwise) by a driving unit (not shown). .

  On the other hand, when performing double-sided printing on the recording paper P, before the recording paper P passes through the paper discharge roller 18, the paper discharge roller 18 is rotationally driven in the reverse direction (here, counterclockwise) to perform recording. The sheet P is sent out to the duplex conveyance path 41. In the double-sided conveyance path 41, the recording paper P is conveyed again to the registration roller 3 via the rotating double-sided roller 19. The recording paper P that has reached the registration roller 3 is fed again along the conveyance path 40 by the registration roller 3, and is transferred by the secondary transfer roller 16 to the surface opposite to the surface on which the image has been previously formed. The toner image is transferred from. Thereafter, a new toner image is heated and fixed by the fixing unit 20 in the same manner as described above, and the recording paper P is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 by the discharge roller 18.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration example regarding the control system of the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU 50 executes processing related to control based on a program stored in the memory 52. The operation panel 51 is used by a user to instruct the apparatus by operating keys or the like, and displays the state of the apparatus on a liquid crystal display panel. The memory 52 stores data necessary for control processing in addition to the above-described program, and the image memory 53 stores image data to be recorded by the image forming unit. The I / O 54 is an input / output unit that exchanges data with components such as a sensor, a motor, and a clutch, and the external I / F 55 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the information terminal device.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block configuration diagram relating to the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 60 controls the operation of the entire apparatus and performs transmission processing for receiving image data from the information terminal device and transmitting it to the image forming unit 64, and is realized by the CPU 50 and the memory 52. The transmitting / receiving unit 61 transmits / receives data to / from an external information terminal device, and is realized by the external I / F 55. The storage unit 62 stores image data to be recorded in the image forming unit 64 and is realized by the image memory 53. The operation display unit 63 performs user key operation input and various data display, and is realized by the operation panel 51. The image forming unit 64 performs the image forming process on the recording paper as described above, and is realized by each component that performs a series of processes such as paper feeding, toner image forming, transfer, fixing, and paper discharging. The storage unit 65 stores a program for performing operation control and data necessary for the control, and is realized by the memory 52.

  The control unit 60 temporarily stores the image data received from the information terminal device via the transmission / reception unit 61 in the storage unit 62, and transmits the image data stored in the storage unit 62 to the image forming unit 64 for image forming processing. Send processing as you do. For the transmission process, the control unit 60 measures the reception time of the image data from the information terminal device and calculates the reception speed, the calculated reception speed and the amount of image data per page transmitted from the information terminal device Functions as a determination unit 602 that determines whether or not an underrun error occurs and a notification unit 603 that notifies the information terminal device of a determination result related to the occurrence of an underrun error.

  The calculation unit 601 calculates the reception speed by measuring the time from the start of reception of measurement data actually transmitted from the information terminal device to the completion of storage in the storage unit 62. As measurement data, preset image data may be prepared, or data for one page of image data to be actually transmitted may be used as measurement data. In addition, if the reception is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of reception of the measurement data, the processing may be stopped because there is an abnormality.

  The determination unit 602 determines whether an underrun error occurs based on the reception speed measured by the calculation unit 601 and the amount of image data in units of pages transmitted from the information terminal device. The determination of the underrun error is made based on whether the image data reception process from the information terminal device to the storage unit 62 and the image data transmission process from the storage unit 62 to the image forming unit 64 are executed in a balanced manner. As for the reception speed, in the case of a communication state with a small fluctuation range, the reception speed measured once may be stored and determined using the stored reception speed.

  The image data reception process is determined based on the reception speed and the amount of image data per page. For the transmission process, the transmission speed from the storage unit 62 to the image forming unit 64 and the memory capacity of the storage unit 62 are set in advance. The value is stored in the storage unit 65 and is determined by these set values.

  Therefore, if it is determined that the image data reception process cannot keep up with the image data transmission process, it is determined that an underrun error occurs.

  The notification unit 603 notifies the information terminal device of the determination result of the determination unit 602. When the information terminal device receives a notification indicating that an underrun error does not occur, the information terminal device transmits image data for image formation to the image forming device. When a notification indicating that an underrun error occurs is received, the image data to be transmitted is processed so that the underrun error does not occur without transmitting the image data.

  Also, the notification unit 603 notifies the information terminal device of a reception speed measurement request every predetermined time using a period in which there is no image formation request from the information terminal device. Therefore, the latest reception speed can be actually measured without affecting the image forming process, and the occurrence of an underrun error can be accurately determined. When the reception speed is measured during a period when there is no image formation request, the next time there is a request for measurement of the reception speed from the information terminal apparatus, the information terminal apparatus indicates that the measurement is unnecessary. Make a notification.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration example related to the information terminal device. The CPU 70 executes processing related to control based on the program stored in the memory 73. The display 71 displays image data and the like, and the keyboard 72 is input by the user. The memory 73 stores data necessary for control processing in addition to the above-described program, and the hard disk 74 stores image data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The external I / F 75 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the image forming apparatus. Such a system configuration is the same as that of a known information processing apparatus such as a personal computer.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block configuration diagram relating to the information terminal device. The control unit 80 controls the operation of the entire apparatus, creates image data, transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus, and is realized by the CPU 70 and the memory 73. The transmission / reception unit 81 transmits / receives data to / from the image forming apparatus, and is realized by the external I / F 75. The storage unit 82 stores created image data and measurement data, and is realized by the memory 73. The operation input unit 83 is used to input a user's key operation and is realized by the keyboard 72. The display unit 84 displays data for performing image data creation processing and the like, and is realized by the display 71.

  The control unit 80 functions as a transmission data creation unit 801 and a data transmission unit 802 regarding the transmission processing of image data to the image forming apparatus.

  The transmission data creation unit 801 creates image data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus, calculates an image data amount for each page of the image data, and stores it in the storage unit 82.

  The data transmission unit 802 transmits the measurement data for measuring the reception speed and the calculated image data amount to the image forming apparatus. The transmission processing of the measurement data and the image data amount is also performed when there is a reception speed measurement request from the image forming apparatus. When receiving a notification indicating that an underrun error does not occur from the image forming apparatus, the data transmission unit 802 transmits image data to the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a processing flow when image data is transmitted from the information terminal device to the image forming apparatus. First, a reception speed measurement request is transmitted from the information terminal apparatus to the image forming apparatus (S100). At that time, the data amount of the measurement data is also transmitted from the information terminal device. When the measurement request is received, the image forming apparatus performs reception speed preparation processing (S101). In the preparation process, a timer for measuring the reception time is reset, and the received data amount is stored in the memory.

  The information terminal device reads the measurement data from the storage unit and transmits it to the image forming apparatus (S102). When the measurement data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus starts the reception process of the measurement data (S103) and starts the measurement of the reception time by operating the timer (S104). It is checked whether the reception process is completed (S105). If the reception process is completed, a reception speed calculation process is performed (S106). In the calculation process, the reception speed is calculated using the measured reception time and the data amount of the measurement data.

  Next, the amount of image data for each page of image data actually transmitted from the information terminal device is transmitted (S107). The image forming apparatus determines whether or not an underrun error occurs based on the amount of received image data, the calculated reception speed, the memory capacity of the storage unit set in advance, and the transmission speed from the storage unit to the image forming unit. (S108). Based on the determination result, a notification indicating that an underrun error occurs (S109) or a notification indicating that no underrun error occurs (S110) is transmitted to the information terminal device.

  In the information terminal device, the notification of the determination result of the underrun error is checked (S111), and when the notification indicating that the underrun error occurs is received, the image data transmission process is terminated, and the underrun error is detected. If a notification indicating that it does not occur is received, image data transmission processing is performed (S112). When the image data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus stores the image data in the storage unit (S113) and transmits the image data to the image forming unit to perform image formation processing (S114). When the image forming process for the received image data is completed, the process ends.

  By processing as described above, the actual reception speed is measured before receiving the image data to determine whether an underrun error occurs. When it is determined that no underrun error occurs, the image data is received. Therefore, even if the communication status between the information terminal device and the image forming apparatus varies, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of the underrun error and accompany the occurrence of the underrun error. Waste of paper and toner can be suppressed.

  FIG. 7 is a processing flow when the reception speed is measured in advance. The image forming apparatus checks whether a reception speed measurement request is transmitted from the information terminal apparatus (S200), and if not, checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed (S201). Then, when a predetermined time elapses when there is no measurement request from the information terminal apparatus, a reception speed measurement request is transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the information terminal apparatus (S202). When receiving the measurement request from the image forming apparatus, the information terminal apparatus transmits a reception speed measurement request to the image forming apparatus (S203). At that time, the data amount of the measurement data is also transmitted from the information terminal device. When the measurement request is received, the image forming apparatus performs reception speed preparation processing (S204). In the preparation process, a timer for measuring the reception time is reset, and the received data amount is stored in the memory.

  The information terminal device reads the measurement data from the storage unit and transmits it to the image forming apparatus (S205). When the measurement data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus starts the reception process of the measurement data (S206) and starts the measurement of the reception time by operating the timer (S207). It is checked whether the reception process is completed (S208). If the reception process is completed, a reception speed calculation process is performed (S209), the calculated reception speed is stored in the memory (S210), and the process is terminated.

  Further, when checking the completion of reception in step S208, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of reception (S211). If the predetermined time has elapsed, an abnormality notification is transmitted to the information terminal device (S212), and the process is terminated. By such processing, even when communication abnormality occurs during reception speed measurement, it is possible to notify the information terminal device at an early stage so as to grasp the abnormal state at an early stage, thereby minimizing downtime.

  By performing the processing as described above, if the reception speed is measured and stored in advance, the occurrence of an underrun error can be quickly determined based on the reception speed stored in the subsequent image forming processing.

  The information terminal device may be set to enable or disable the reception speed measurement request process, so that the user may select whether or not to measure the reception speed. By providing such a setting, even when a reception speed measurement request is automatically transmitted from the image forming apparatus, the measurement request is canceled in the information terminal device, and the reception speed measurement process is frequently performed. It is possible to suppress a decrease in communication quality due to this.

  FIG. 8 is a processing flow when the image forming process is performed by measuring the reception speed in advance. First, a reception speed measurement request is transmitted from the information terminal device to the image forming apparatus (S300). At that time, the data amount of the measurement data is also transmitted from the information terminal device. When the measurement request is received, the image forming apparatus checks whether or not the reception speed has been measured (S301), and if it has been measured, transmits a measurement unnecessary notification to the information terminal apparatus (S302), and proceeds to step S311. Performs underrun error determination processing. If the reception speed has not been measured, a reception speed preparation process is performed (S303).

  The information terminal device checks whether a notification indicating that measurement is unnecessary is received (S304), and if received, reads the measurement data from the storage unit and transmits it to the image forming device (S305). If the notification indicating that the measurement is unnecessary is not received, the process proceeds to step S310 without transmitting the measurement data, and the transmission processing of the image data amount is performed.

  In the image forming apparatus, when measurement data is transmitted, measurement data reception processing is started (S306), and a timer is operated to start reception time measurement (S307). It is checked whether or not the reception process has been completed (S308). If the reception process has been completed, a reception speed calculation process is performed (S309).

  The image data amount of the page data of the image data actually transmitted from the information terminal device is transmitted (S310). In the image forming device, the received image data amount, the calculated reception speed, the memory capacity of the storage unit set in advance, Underrun error determination processing is performed based on the transmission speed from the storage unit to the image forming unit (S311). Based on the determination result, a notification indicating that an underrun error occurs (S312) or a notification indicating that no underrun error occurs (S313) is transmitted to the information terminal device.

  In the information terminal device, the notification of the determination result of the underrun error is checked (S314). When the notification indicating that the underrun error occurs is received, the image data transmission process is terminated, and the underrun error is detected. If a notification indicating that it does not occur is received, image data transmission processing is performed (S315). When the image data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus stores the image data in the storage unit (S316) and transmits the image data to the image forming unit to perform image formation processing (S317). When the image forming process for the received image data is completed, the process ends.

  By performing the processing as described above, when the measured reception speed is stored, the underrun error determination process is performed using the measured reception speed, so the reception speed measurement process can be omitted. The image forming process can be executed promptly.

  FIG. 9 is a processing flow for measuring the reception speed using image data transmitted from the information terminal device. First, a reception speed measurement request is transmitted from the information terminal apparatus to the image forming apparatus (S400). At that time, the data amount of the measurement data is also transmitted from the information terminal device. When the measurement request is received, the image forming apparatus checks whether or not the reception speed has been measured (S401), and if it has been measured, transmits a notification indicating that the measurement is unnecessary to the information terminal apparatus (S402). In step S411, the underrun error determination process is performed. If the reception speed has not been measured, the reception speed preparation process is performed (S403).

  The information terminal apparatus checks whether or not a notification indicating that measurement is unnecessary is received (S404). If not received, the measurement data is read from the storage unit and transmitted to the image forming apparatus (S405). When the notification indicating that the measurement is unnecessary is received, the process proceeds to step S410 without transmitting the measurement data, and the image data amount transmission process is performed.

  In the image forming apparatus, when measurement data is transmitted, measurement data reception processing is started (S406), and a timer is operated to start reception time measurement (S407). It is checked whether the reception process is completed (S408). If the reception process is completed, a reception speed calculation process is performed (S409).

  The image data amount of the page data of the image data actually transmitted from the information terminal device is transmitted (S410). In the image forming device, the received image data amount, the calculated reception speed, the memory capacity of the storage unit set in advance, Underrun error determination processing is performed based on the transmission speed from the storage unit to the image forming unit (S411). Based on the determination result, a notification indicating that an underrun error occurs (S412) or a notification indicating that no underrun error occurs (S413) is transmitted to the information terminal device.

  In the information terminal device, the notification of the determination result of the underrun error is checked (S414), and when the notification indicating that the underrun error occurs is received, the image data transmission process is terminated, and the underrun error is detected. If a notification indicating that it does not occur is received, image data transmission processing is performed (S415). When the image data is transmitted, the image forming apparatus starts storing the image data in the storage unit (S416) and starts measuring the reception time as in step S407 (S417).

  Then, the image data is transmitted to the image forming unit at the timing when the image data necessary for the image forming process is accumulated, and the image forming process is started (S418). The image data is accumulated in the accumulation unit, and it is checked whether image data for one page has been accumulated (S419). When image data for one page has been received and storage has been completed, a reception speed is calculated based on the reception time taken so far and the amount of image data transmitted in step S410 (S420), and the calculated reception The speed is stored in the memory (S421). Thereafter, when the image forming process for the received image data is completed (S422), the process ends.

  By performing the processing as described above, since the reception speed measurement process is performed using the actually transmitted image data, the reception speed based on the latest communication status can be obtained, and the reception speed thus obtained can be obtained. If it is used and an underrun error is determined, it is possible to perform a highly accurate determination.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus, 2 ... Paper feed roller, 3 ... Registration roller, 4 ... Paper feed tray, 5 ... Transfer belt, 6K, 6M, 6C, 6Y ... AIO cartridge 7 ... secondary transfer drive roller, 8 ... transfer belt tension roller, 9K, 9M, 9C, 9Y ... photoconductor, 10K, 10M, 10C, 10Y ... charger, 11 ... Exposure unit, 12K, 12M, 12C, 12Y ... Developer, 13K, 13M, 13C, 13Y ... Cleaner blade, 14K, 14M, 14C, 14Y ... Laser beam, 15K, 15M, 15C, 15Y ..Primary transfer roller 16 ... Secondary transfer roller 18 ... Discharge roller 19 ... Double-sided roller 20 ... Fixing means 21 ... Fixing roller 22 ... Pressure roller.

JP 2000-168175 A JP 2002-025762 A JP 2001-026151 A

Claims (11)

  A transmission / reception unit that transmits / receives data to / from an information terminal device, an accumulation unit that accumulates image data transmitted from the information terminal device, an image formation unit that performs image formation processing based on the image data, and the image A control unit that receives data from the information terminal device via the transmission / reception unit, stores the data in the storage unit, and transmits the stored image data to the image forming unit to control the image forming process; An image forming apparatus provided, wherein the control unit calculates a reception speed by measuring a time from reception start of measurement data transmitted from the information terminal device to completion of accumulation in the accumulation unit A determination unit that determines whether an underrun error occurs based on the reception speed and the amount of image data in units of pages transmitted from the information terminal device, and a determination result of the determination unit An image forming apparatus characterized by comprising a notification unit configured to notify the information terminal device.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit uses preset data or image data for one page as the measurement data.   The said notification part notifies the measurement request | requirement of a receiving speed with respect to the said information terminal device for every predetermined time, when there is no image formation process request from the said information terminal device. Image forming apparatus.   The notification unit, when a reception speed is measured based on a reception speed measurement request, performs a notification indicating that no measurement is required for the reception speed measurement request from the information terminal device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit stops the measurement when the reception of the measurement data is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of reception.   An information terminal device that receives image data and stores the image data in an accumulating unit and transmits the accumulated image data to an image forming unit and transmits the image data to an image forming apparatus that performs image forming processing. A transmission data creation unit that calculates an image data amount in units of pages of the image data, and transmits measurement data and the image data amount for measuring a reception speed to the image forming apparatus An information terminal device comprising: a data transmission unit configured to transmit the image data when a notification indicating that an underrun error does not occur is received from the image forming apparatus.   An image data transmission processing method for an image forming apparatus that receives image data from an information terminal device, stores the image data in a storage unit, transmits the stored image data to an image forming unit, and performs image formation processing, the information terminal device The reception speed is calculated by measuring the time from the start of reception of the measurement data transmitted from the storage unit to the completion of storage in the storage unit, and the received data and the amount of image data per page transmitted from the information terminal device And determining whether or not an underrun error occurs, and notifying the information terminal device of the determination result.   The image data transmission processing method according to claim 7, wherein preset data or image data for one page is used as the measurement data.   9. The image data transmission processing method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when there is no image formation processing request from the information terminal device, a reception speed measurement request is notified to the information terminal device every predetermined time. .   10. A notification indicating that measurement is not required in response to a reception speed measurement request from the information terminal device when the reception speed is measured based on a reception speed measurement request. The image data transmission processing method described in 1.   11. The image data transmission processing method according to claim 7, wherein if the reception of the measurement data is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of reception, the measurement is stopped.

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