JP2013081048A - Copying machine and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine capable of shortening a period from the starting operation of copying to the completion of the copying.SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 comprises: a reception unit 301; a reading unit 304; an image forming unit 306 which forms an image on a recording paper on the basis of document data generated by the reading unit 304; and a start-up timing determination unit 303 which when the reception unit 301 receives a copying instruction, determines the start-up timing of the image forming unit 306 and starts the image forming unit 306 with the determined start-up timing. On the basis of first information indicating a period required from the start-up of the reading unit 304 until a document to read is carried to a reading position and second information indicating a period required from the start-up of the image forming unit 306 until the recording paper is carried to an image forming position, the start-up timing determination unit 303 determines the start-up timing such that the image forming unit 306 starts between the start-up time of the reading unit 304 and the just moment before the starting time of the reading and such that the image forming unit 306 starts image forming on the recording paper after the starting time of the reading.

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying machine, and more particularly to a copying machine that reads a read original and forms an image on a recording sheet.

  A copying machine is used to form the same image as a read original on a recording sheet. In normal copy processing, first, an operator sets a read original, which is an object of copying (hereinafter also referred to as copying), at a predetermined location, and presses a copy start button (hereinafter simply referred to as start button). Thereafter, reading of the read document, generation of document data, temporary storage of document data on a recording medium, and image formation of document data on a recording sheet are sequentially performed. When data compression is used, more original data can be stored in a storage medium having a limited capacity.

  One index representing the performance of a copying machine is FCOT (First Copy Output Time). FCOT is defined as the time from when the operator presses the start button until the first copied recording paper is discharged, and the shorter the value, the higher the copying performance. Technological developments have been made to realize high-speed copy processing in which FCOT is shortened compared to normal copy processing.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of functional blocks inside the copying machine in the conventional normal copy process. The reading unit in FIG. 8 is a scanner, and the image forming unit is a printer. In the normal copy process, the reading unit performs start-up processing and read document conveyance, and after at least the first one-page document has been read, the image forming unit is activated to perform start-up processing, recording paper conveyance, and image formation. Done.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of functional blocks inside the copying machine in the conventional high-speed copy process. The reading unit in FIG. 9 is a scanner, and the image forming unit is a printer. In the conventional high-speed copy process, the image forming unit is activated when the activation process and the reading document conveyance up to the reading position are completed in the reading unit. Thereafter, in parallel with the start of the reading process in the reading unit, the image forming unit performs a start-up process, recording paper conveyance, and image formation. In this way, compared to the normal copy process, the FCOT can be shortened by the time required for reading by the reading unit.

  In order to shorten the FCOT, a technique is disclosed in which memory accumulation of document data generated by a scanner and document data transfer from the memory to the printer are processed in parallel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, there is a difference in the process speed between the scanner and the printer, and even when the process speed between the scanner and the printer does not match, it is possible to further shorten the FCOT by starting printing before the reading is completed. it can.

JP 2002-314663 A

  However, in the high-speed copying process of FIG. 9, the image forming unit is activated when the activation process and the read document conveyance up to the reading position are completed in the reading unit. The document has already been read by the reading unit, leaving room for shortening the FCOT.

  Further, Patent Document 1 does not attempt to shorten the FCOT by paying attention to the time required for the startup processing of the scanner and printer and the time required to convey the read original and recording paper. Compared to the time required for process processing, the above-described activation processing time and transport time are often long. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, it is required to further shorten the FCOT.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems, and pays attention to at least one of the time required for the start-up process between the scanner and the printer and the time required for conveying the read original and the recording paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine or the like that can effectively shorten the FCOT.

  In order to achieve the above object, a copying machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a copying machine that reads a read original and forms an image on a recording sheet, and receives a copy instruction and reads the read original. A reading unit that conveys the read original from the paper feeding position to the reading position, generates the original data at the reading position, and conveys the recording paper from the recording paper feeding position to the image forming position. An image forming unit that forms an image on the recording paper at the image forming position based on the generated document data, and when the accepting unit accepts the copy instruction, the start timing of the image forming unit is determined and determined An activation timing determination unit that activates the image forming unit at the activation timing, and the activation timing determination unit conveys the read document to the reading position after the reading unit is activated. On the basis of the first information indicating the time required for the recording sheet and the second information indicating the time required for the recording paper to be transported to the image forming position after the image forming unit is activated. The image forming unit starts up from the time when the reading unit starts up to immediately before the reading start time, which is the time when the reading unit starts reading the read document, and the image forming unit starts after the reading start time. The activation timing is determined so as to start image formation on the recording paper.

  As a result, the image forming unit can be activated at a timing based on the first information and the second information indicating the time for conveying from the activation to the image forming position and the reading position, and image formation is started. The timing that can be done is also determined. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the start timing of the image forming unit by calculating backward from the timing at which image formation is started, so that image formation can be started earlier and image formation can be completed earlier than before. Therefore, the FCOT can be effectively shortened based on the first information and the second information.

  Preferably, the activation timing determination unit determines the activation timing of the image forming unit so that the image forming unit starts image formation on a recording sheet at the reading start time.

  Thereby, based on the first information and the second information, it is possible to make the reading start time of the reading unit coincide with the image formation start time of the image forming unit. In this way, it is possible to start image formation earliest and finish image formation earliest. Further, it is possible to form an image on the recording paper of the original data for one line read by the reading unit immediately after the reading. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Preferably, the copying machine further includes a control unit that acquires the first information from the reading unit and transmits the first information to the activation timing determination unit.

  Thus, the first information for each read document can be notified from the reading unit to the activation timing determining unit. Using this information, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimal timing. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Preferably, the first information includes an activation processing time of the reading unit and an original conveyance time which is a time required for the reading unit to convey the read original from the reading paper feeding position to the reading position. It consists of.

  Accordingly, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimal timing based on the activation processing time of the reading unit and the document conveyance time for the read document. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Preferably, the second information is a start processing time of the image forming unit and a time required for the image forming unit to transport the recording sheet from the recording sheet feeding position to the reading position. And recording paper transport time.

  Accordingly, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimal timing based on the activation processing time of the image forming unit with respect to the recording paper and the recording paper conveyance time. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Preferably, the second information varies according to the content of the copy instruction received by the receiving unit.

  Thus, even when the second information differs depending on the copy instruction or the like, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimal timing based on the second information for each copy instruction. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Preferably, the control unit is an instruction that the copy instruction received by the receiving unit needs to form an image based on the original data after reading of the read original of at least one page is completed. In this case, the activation timing determination unit is not operated.

  That is, the activation timing determination unit is not activated when copying is performed by the normal copy process. This is because it is not necessary to activate the activation timing determination unit during normal copy processing. As a result, the copy process can be executed with the minimum necessary function configuration.

  Preferably, when the copying instruction received by the receiving unit is an instruction that can form images sequentially from a portion where reading has been completed before reading of the read original of one page is completed. The image forming unit forms an image on a recording sheet without compressing the original data read by the reading unit.

  This enables copy settings that can be copied by high-speed copy processing (for example, simple copy that forms an image on the recording paper that is the same as the read original, and inversion that forms the image on the recording paper by reversing the black and white of the read original. In the case of copying, etc., copying can be performed at a higher speed than the normal copying process.

  Preferably, the image formation is performed when the copy instruction received by the reception unit is an instruction that requires an image to be formed based on the original data after the reading of the read original of one page is completed. The unit compresses the original data read by the reading unit, temporarily stores the compressed original data that has been compressed, reads the temporarily stored compressed original data, and reads the compressed original data that has been read out Data is decompressed to form an image on recording paper.

  As a result, copy settings that cannot be copied by high-speed copy processing (for example, rotating copy that rotates a scanned original to form an image on recording paper, and aggregation that aggregates a plurality of scanned originals to form an image on one page of recording paper. In the case of copying and copying with other image processing), copying can be performed by normal copy processing.

  Preferably, the image forming unit does not have a mechanism for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the recording paper during the conveyance of the recording paper.

  In other words, in order to activate the image forming unit at the activation timing determined by the activation timing determination unit, the image formation timing is set using a mechanism (clutch) that temporarily stops conveyance of the recording paper during conveyance of the recording paper. There is no need to adjust. Therefore, the FCOT can be shortened without using a clutch.

  The present invention can also be realized as an image forming method using a copying machine. It can also be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in the image forming method.

  According to the present invention, by adding a function to a general copying machine, the image forming unit can be activated at a timing based on the first information and the second information. Therefore, image formation can be started earlier and image formation can be completed earlier than before, and the FCOT can be effectively shortened.

FIG. 1 is an overview diagram showing an example of a copying machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the flow of normal copy processing and conventional high-speed copy processing of the copying machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the copying machine according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the functional blocks of the copying machine according to the embodiment (when the read preparation time is long). FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of functional blocks of the copying machine according to the embodiment (when the image formation preparation time is long). FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of functional blocks of a conventional normal copy process. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of functional blocks of a conventional high-speed copy process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connecting forms of the constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The invention is limited only by the claims. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims indicating the highest concept of the present invention are described as constituting more preferable embodiments.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a copying machine 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment. The copying machine 1 according to the embodiment includes, as a hardware configuration, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a CODEC (Coder Decoder) 14, an operation panel 15, a scanner. 16, a page memory (scanner memory) 17, a page memory (common memory) 18, a page memory (printer memory) 19, a code memory 20, and a printer 21.

  The CPU 11 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the ROM 12.

  The ROM 12 is a read-only memory that holds a control program and the like.

  The RAM 13 is a work area used when the CPU 11 executes a control program, and a volatile storage area that temporarily holds document data read by the scanner 16.

  The CODEC 14 is an encoding / decoding device that encodes original data read by the scanner 16 and decodes encoded original data.

  The operation panel 15 is a panel that receives an operation from the operator.

  The scanner 16 is a document reading device that reads the contents of a document.

  The page memory (scanner memory) 17 is a storage area for temporarily storing document data generated by the scanner 16.

  The page memory (common memory) 18 is a storage area used for high-speed copy processing, and temporarily stores generated document data for reading from the printer 21.

  The page memory (printer memory) 19 is a storage area for temporarily storing generated document data for reading from the printer 21.

  The code memory 20 is a storage area for temporarily storing document data encoded by the CODEC 14.

  The printer 21 is an image forming apparatus that reads document data from a page memory (common memory) 18 or a page memory (printer memory) and forms an image on recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment. The copier 1 according to the embodiment includes a reception unit 301, a control unit 302, a startup timing determination unit 303, a reading unit 304, a page memory 305, and an image forming unit 306 as functional blocks.

  The accepting unit 301 corresponds to the operation panel 15 in FIG. A receiving unit 301 receives a copy instruction from an operator including copy settings such as a read document size, a read resolution, a read magnification, the number of copies, and a recording paper size, and notifies the control unit 302 of the copy instruction.

  The control unit 302 corresponds to the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 in FIG. The control unit 302 determines whether the copy instruction received from the receiving unit 301 can be handled by high-speed copy processing. As a result, if it is determined that the copy setting cannot be copied by the high speed copy process, the copy is performed by the normal copy process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the copy setting can be copied by the high-speed copy process, the activation timing determination unit 303 is activated, the reading preparation time in the reading unit 304 is acquired from the reading unit 304, and the reading preparation time is activated. Notify the timing determination unit 303. Thereafter, a start notification is transmitted to the reading unit 304 and the activation timing determination unit 303. Here, the read preparation time means the sum of the time required for the activation process in the reading unit 304 and the read document conveyance (described later). The read preparation time is an example of first information.

  The activation timing determination unit 303 corresponds to the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 in FIG. The activation timing determination unit 303 is activated by the control unit 302. Upon receiving the reading preparation time from the control unit 302, the activation timing determination unit 303 determines the activation timing of the image forming unit 306 based on the reading preparation time and the image formation preparation time. Specifically, the activation timing is that the image forming unit 306 is activated and the reading is started from the time when the reading unit 304 is activated to immediately before the reading start time, which is the time when the reading unit 304 starts reading the read document. After the time, the image forming unit 306 is determined to start image formation on the recording paper. Further, upon receiving the copy start notification from the control unit 302, the activation timing determination unit 303 waits until the determined activation timing of the image forming unit 306 and transmits the start notification to the image forming unit 306. Here, the image formation preparation time means the sum of the time required for the activation process and the recording paper conveyance in the image forming unit 306. The image formation preparation time is an example of second information.

  The reading unit 304 is realized by the scanner 16 in FIG. The operator sets the read document at the reading paper feed position of the reading unit 304. Thereafter, the reading unit 304 notifies the control unit 302 of the read preparation time. When the start notification is received from the control unit 302, the startup process and the read document conveyance are performed. The reading unit 304 includes a reading control unit (not shown) that executes communication processing with the control unit 302 and processing for notifying the control unit 302 of the read preparation time. Here, the activation process includes a process that is necessary before the reading of the document is started. For example, the activation process of the software necessary to confirm the lighting of the reading head lamp and to realize the function of the reading unit is included. included. The read original conveyance is a process of conveying the read original from the reading paper feeding position where the read original is set to the reading position where the original starts to be read. Subsequently, the read original is read and stored in the page memory 305. In addition to the above-described processing, the startup processing may include processing necessary before starting the reading of the document. Note that the time required for transporting the read document may vary depending on, for example, the setting content of the reading magnification. That is, since the reading speed for reading a document at the reading position varies depending on the reading magnification, the speed at which the document is conveyed to the reading position also varies. Accordingly, the time for conveying the document to the reading position can vary depending on the reading magnification.

  The page memory 305 is realized by the page memory (common memory) 18 in FIG. The page memory 305 temporarily stores document data generated by the reading unit 304 reading a scanned document.

  The image forming unit 306 is realized by the printer 21 in FIG. When the image forming unit 306 receives a start notification from the activation timing determining unit 303, the image forming unit 306 performs activation processing and recording sheet conveyance. Here, the start-up process includes a process necessary before starting image formation on the recording paper. For example, a process of heating a heat roller to fix the image on the recording paper, and an image forming unit Includes software startup processing required to implement the functions. The recording paper transport is a process of transporting the recording paper from the recording paper feeding position, which is the position of the paper feeding cassette in which the recording paper is stored, to the image forming position, which is a position where image formation on the recording paper is started. For example, it varies according to the number of paper feed cassette stages determined by the settings of the read document size and the read magnification. Subsequently, the original data is read from the page memory 305, and an image is formed on the recording paper. In addition to the above-described processing, the startup processing may include processing necessary before starting image formation on the recording paper.

  Note that the image forming unit 306 according to the embodiment does not have a clutch that is a mechanism for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the recording paper during the conveyance of the recording paper. If the clutch is used, it is possible to stop the conveyance of the recording paper and start the image formation at a predetermined timing (image formation timing) when the starting process and the conveyance of the recording paper are completed. However, since the image forming unit 306 is activated at the activation timing determined by the activation timing determination unit 303, the copying machine according to the embodiment does not need to adjust the image formation timing using the clutch, and has a clutch. This is because there is no need.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the flow of normal copy processing and high-speed copy processing of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment. In normal copy processing, document data read by the scanner is temporarily stored in a page memory (scanner memory), and then the amount of document data is reduced by data compression (CODEC) and temporarily stored in a code memory. Thereafter, the original data is read from the code memory, decompressed (CODEC), temporarily stored in the page memory (printer memory), and an image is formed by the printer. In the case of aggregated copy, rotated copy, and the like, aggregated and rotated image processing is performed after reading of at least one page read document and generation of document data are completed. This image processing is performed between the page memory (scanner memory) and data compression (CODEC), or between the page memory (printer memory) and the printer. On the other hand, in high-speed copy processing, document data read by the scanner is temporarily stored in the page memory (scanner memory), then temporarily stored in the page memory (common memory), and is read line by line to form an image on the printer. I do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment. 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams of functional blocks of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 7, the processing part of steps S401 to S405 is the same as the corresponding part in FIG.

  First, the operator sets an original on the copying machine 1, makes copy settings such as the read original size, the read resolution, the read magnification, the number of copies, and the recording paper size, and then issues a copy instruction by pressing the start button. Do. At this time, the reception unit 301 receives the copy setting and notifies the control unit 302 of the copy setting (step S401).

  Next, the control unit 302 determines whether or not the copy setting received from the receiving unit 301 can be handled by high-speed copy processing (step S402). Here, the copy setting that can be copied by high-speed copy processing is a copy setting that can form an image on a recording sheet in order from the read-completed portion before the reading of one page of the read original is completed. That is. For example, a simple copy that forms an image on the recording paper that is the same as the read original, and a reverse copy that forms an image on the recording paper by reversing the black and white of the read original are included. The copy setting that cannot be copied by high-speed copy processing is a copy setting in which an image needs to be formed based on the original data after reading at least one page of the original and generating original data. That is. For example, a rotating copy that forms an image on a recording paper by rotating the read original, an integrated copy that forms an image on one page of recording paper by consolidating a plurality of read originals, and a copy that accompanies other image processing are included. .

  As a result of the determination in step S402, if it is determined that the copy setting cannot be made by the high speed copy process (No in step S402), the copy is performed by the normal copy process (step S420). In the normal copy process, the activation timing determination unit is not activated, and the image formation is performed after the image formation unit is activated at a predetermined timing (for example, the timing at which a document for at least one page is read). Is called.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the copy instruction can be copied by the high-speed copy process (Yes in step S402), the copy is performed by the high-speed copy process. Hereinafter, the high-speed copy process will be described in detail.

  In the high-speed copy process, first, a process of notifying the read preparation time from the reading unit 304 to the control unit 302 is performed (step S403). Specifically, the control unit 302 notifies the reading unit 304 of a high-speed copy instruction. When the reading unit 304 receives the high-speed copy instruction, the reading unit 304 notifies the control unit 302 of the read preparation time. Here, the high-speed copy instruction is a notification for instructing that the post-notification copy is performed by high-speed copy processing, and includes a copy setting received by the reception unit from the operator.

  Next, a process of notifying the read preparation time from the control unit 302 to the activation timing determination unit 303 is performed (step S404). Specifically, first, the control unit 302 notifies the activation timing determination unit 303 of a high-speed copy instruction. Next, the control unit 302 notifies the activation timing determination unit 303 of the read preparation time.

  Upon receiving the high-speed copy instruction and the read preparation time, the activation timing determination unit 303 calculates the image formation preparation time. Specifically, the image formation preparation time is calculated as the sum of the recording paper conveyance time calculated from information such as the number of paper feed cassette stages in the copy setting included in the high-speed copy instruction and the start-up processing time of the image forming unit. The The activation processing time of the image forming unit may be set in advance in the activation timing determining unit 303 or may be notified from the image forming unit.

  Next, the activation timing of the image forming unit 306 is determined based on the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time (step S405). In order to determine the activation timing, first, a comparison is made between the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time. As a result, if the read preparation time is longer than the image formation preparation time, the image forming unit 306 is activated after waiting for the difference between the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time after receiving the copy start notification. And On the other hand, if the image formation preparation time is longer than the read preparation time, and if the image formation preparation time and the read preparation time are equal, the image forming unit 306 is activated immediately after receiving the copy start notification.

  Next, the control unit 302 notifies the reading unit 304 and the activation timing determination unit 303 of a copy start notification (step S406).

  Upon receiving the copy start notification, the reading unit 304 sequentially performs an activation process (step S407), a read document conveyance (step S408), and a read document reading (step S409). In reading the read original, the read original is read in units of lines and sequentially stored in the page memory 305.

  Upon receiving the copy start notification, the activation timing determination unit 303 waits as necessary based on the activation timing determined in step S405. Specifically, if the determination in step S405 is that the image forming unit 306 is activated after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that “waiting is necessary” (Yes in step S430). After waiting for a predetermined time (step S431), a start notification is transmitted to the image forming unit (step S432). On the other hand, if the determination in step S405 is that the image forming unit 306 is activated without waiting (No in step S430), the image forming unit is immediately determined. A start notification is transmitted to 306 (step S432).

  When receiving the copy start notification, the image forming unit 306 sequentially performs an activation process (step S433), recording sheet conveyance (step S434), and image formation on the recording sheet (step S435). In image formation, document data is read from the page memory 305 in line units, and images are formed sequentially.

  With the above series of operations, the start timing of the image forming unit 306 is determined according to the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the read preparation time is longer than the image formation preparation time, the image forming unit 306 is activated with a delay of the difference between the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time from the reading unit 304. To do. Thereafter, the activation process and reading document conveyance of the reading unit 304 and the activation process and recording sheet conveyance of the image forming unit 306 are performed in parallel. Then, reading by the reading unit 304 and image formation by the image forming unit 306 are started simultaneously. For example, when the read preparation time is 2 seconds and the image formation preparation time is 1.5 seconds, the image forming unit 306 is activated with a delay of 0.5 seconds from the reading unit 304, and the reading of the reading unit 304 and the image forming unit The image formation at 306 is started at the same time.

  If the reading of the reading unit 304 is started earlier, a certain period of time occurs after the original data generated by the reading unit 304 is accumulated in the page memory 305 and is read by the image forming unit 306. This time can be adjusted by the activation timing determination unit 303, and is preferably as short as possible and ideally 0. On the other hand, if the image formation of the image forming unit 306 starts earlier, the original data to be image-formed does not exist in the page memory when the image formation is started, and the image formation cannot be executed. As described above, when the read preparation time is longer than the image formation preparation time, when the image forming unit 306 is activated so that the reading of the reading unit 304 and the image forming of the image forming unit 306 are started at the same time, image formation is performed earliest. Can be completed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, when the image formation preparation time is longer than the reading preparation time, and when the image formation preparation time and the reading preparation time are equal, the image forming unit 306 and the reading unit 304 are activated simultaneously and read. The activation process of the unit 304, the reading document conveyance, and the reading are sequentially performed. In parallel with this, activation processing of the image forming unit 306, recording sheet conveyance, and image formation are sequentially performed. For example, when the read preparation time is 2 seconds and the image formation preparation time is 2.5 seconds, the image forming unit 306 and the reading unit 304 are activated at the same time, and reading by the reading unit 304 and image formation by the image forming unit 306 are performed. Are performed in parallel.

  In this case, the document data generated by the reading unit 304 is accumulated in the page memory 305 and then read by the image forming unit 306. There is always document data to be image-formed at the time of starting image formation, and there is no time that can be shortened. Therefore, when the image formation preparation time is longer than the read preparation time, and when the image formation preparation time and the read preparation time are equal, the image formation is completed earliest when the image forming unit 306 is activated at the above activation timing. can do.

  As described above, the image formation can be completed earliest at the start timing of the present embodiment regardless of the size relationship between the image formation preparation time and the read preparation time. That is, the FCOT can be made the shortest.

  Note that after the activation timing determination unit 303 determines the activation timing of the image forming unit 306 (step S405), the activation timing may be notified to the image forming unit 306. In this case, in step S406, the control unit 302 transmits a start notification to the reading unit 304 and the image forming unit 306, and the image forming unit 306 that has received the start notification waits until the start timing and starts the start process. Thereby, the FCOT can be made the shortest as described above.

  A configuration in which the activation timing determining unit 303 and the image forming unit 306 are integrated is also possible as described above. In that case, new functional blocks having the functions of both the activation timing determination unit 303 and the image forming unit 306 realize the functions of the activation timing determination unit 303 and the image forming unit 306.

  When the reading preparation time fluctuates, the reading unit 304 displays a high-speed copy instruction (copy setting) notified from the control unit 302, device information (conveying speed information, etc.) of the reading unit 304 included in the reading unit 304. Based on the above, the read preparation time may be calculated, and the calculated read preparation time may be notified to the control unit 302. As a result, even when the read preparation time fluctuates, the start timing of the image forming unit 306 can be determined based on the read preparation time and the image formation preparation time.

  In the above description, the activation timing determination unit 303 determines the activation timing using the recording paper conveyance time calculated from information such as the number of stages of the paper feed cassette. If the recording paper conveyance time does not vary depending on circumstances, the activation timing may be determined using a preset recording paper conveyance time.

  Note that instead of the read preparation time in the present embodiment, read preparation time information including information indicating the read preparation time and information indicating a factor that causes the read preparation time to vary may be used. In that case, the same operation as that of the present embodiment is realized by using the read preparation time calculated based on the information indicating the read preparation time and the information indicating the factor that changes the read preparation time. The read preparation time information is another example of the first information.

  In addition, instead of the image formation preparation time in the present embodiment, image formation preparation time information including information indicating the image formation preparation time and information indicating a factor that fluctuates the image formation preparation time may be used. In that case, the same operation as that of the present embodiment is realized by using the image formation preparation time calculated based on the information indicating the image formation preparation time and the information indicating the factor that fluctuates the image formation preparation time. . The image formation preparation time information is another example of the second information.

  As described above, according to the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, at the timing based on the first information and the second information indicating the time for transporting from the start to the image forming position and the reading position. The image forming unit can be activated, and the timing for starting image formation is also determined. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the start timing of the image forming unit by calculating backward from the timing at which image formation is started, so that image formation can be started earlier and image formation can be completed earlier than before. Therefore, the FCOT can be effectively shortened based on the first information and the second information.

  Further, based on the first information and the second information, it is possible to make the reading start time of the reading unit coincide with the image formation start time of the image forming unit. In this way, it is possible to start image formation earliest and finish image formation earliest. Further, it is possible to form an image on the recording paper of the original data for one line read by the reading unit immediately after the reading. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  In addition, the first information for each read document can be notified from the reading unit to the activation timing determining unit. Using this information, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimal timing. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Even when the second information differs depending on a copy instruction or the like, the activation timing determination unit can activate the image forming unit at an optimum timing based on the second information for each copy instruction. Therefore, the FCOT can be minimized.

  Although the copying machine according to the embodiment does not have a clutch, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a copying machine having a clutch.

  As mentioned above, although the mounting method of this invention was demonstrated based on embodiment, this invention is not limited to this embodiment. Unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention, the form which carried out the various deformation | transformation which those skilled in the art can think to this embodiment, and the structure constructed | assembled combining the component in different embodiment is also contained in the scope of the present invention. .

  The present invention can be used as a copying machine, in particular, as a copying machine having a short time from a copying start operation to a copying completion.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 301 Reception part 302 Control part 303 Startup timing determination part 304 Reading part 305 Page memory 306 Image formation part

Preferably, the second information includes a start processing time of the image forming unit and a time required for the image forming unit to transport the recording sheet from the recording sheet feeding position to the image forming position. It consists of a certain recording paper transport time.

Claims (12)

A copying machine that reads a read original and forms an image on recording paper,
A reception unit for receiving a copy instruction;
A reading unit that conveys the read original from a reading paper feeding position to a reading position, reads the read original at the reading position, and generates original data;
An image forming unit that conveys the recording sheet from a recording sheet feeding position to an image forming position and forms an image on the recording sheet at the image forming position based on document data generated by the reading unit;
An activation timing determining unit that determines an activation timing of the image forming unit when the accepting unit accepts the copying instruction, and activates the image forming unit at the determined activation timing;
The activation timing determination unit includes first information indicating a time required from when the reading unit is activated until the read document is conveyed to the reading position, and the recording paper after the image forming unit is activated. Is a reading start time that is a time when the reading unit starts reading the read document from a time when the reading unit starts based on the second information indicating a time required until the image is conveyed to the image forming position The copying machine determines the activation timing so that the image forming unit is activated immediately before and the image forming unit starts image formation on recording paper after the reading start time. The activation timing determination unit
The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the start timing of the image forming unit is determined so that the image forming unit starts image formation on a recording sheet at the reading start time. The copying machine further includes:
The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that acquires the first information from the reading unit and transmits the first information to the activation timing determination unit. The first information is:
Activation processing time of the reading unit;
The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit includes a document transport time that is a time required to transport the scanned document from the scanning paper feeding position to the scanning position. The second information is:
Start-up processing time of the image forming unit;
The copying machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording paper conveyance time that is a time required for the image forming unit to convey the recording paper from the recording paper feeding position to the reading position. The copier according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 5, wherein the second information varies depending on a content of a copy instruction received by the receiving unit. The control unit is activated when the copy instruction received by the receiving unit is an instruction that requires an image to be formed based on the original data after the reading of the read original of at least one page is completed. The copier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the timing determining unit is not operated. When the copy instruction received by the reception unit is an instruction that can form images sequentially from a portion where the reading has been completed before the reading of the read original of one page is completed,
The copier according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image forming unit forms an image on a recording sheet without compressing the original data read by the reading unit. When the copy instruction received by the receiving unit is an instruction that requires an image to be formed based on the original data after the reading of the read original of one page is completed,
The image forming unit compresses the original data read by the reading unit, temporarily stores compressed original data that has been compressed, reads the temporarily stored compressed original data, and reads the compressed compression data The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the original data is decompressed to form an image on a recording sheet. The copying machine according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit does not have a mechanism for temporarily stopping the conveyance of the recording paper in the middle of conveying the recording paper. An image forming method using a copying machine,
A reception step for receiving a copy instruction;
A reading step of conveying a read original from a reading paper feeding position to a reading position and reading the read original at the reading position;
An image forming step of conveying the recording paper from the recording paper feeding position to the image forming position and forming an image on the recording paper at the image forming position based on the original data generated by the reading unit;
A startup timing determining step of determining a startup timing of the image forming unit when the receiving unit receives the copy instruction, and starting the image forming unit at the determined startup timing;
In the activation timing determination step, first information indicating a time required from when the reading unit is activated to when the read document is conveyed to the reading position, and the recording paper after the image forming unit is activated Is a reading start time that is a time when the reading unit starts reading the read document from a time when the reading unit starts based on the second information indicating a time required until the image is conveyed to the image forming position An image forming method for determining the activation timing so that the image forming unit is activated immediately before and the image forming unit starts image formation on a recording sheet after the reading start time.   A program for causing a computer to execute the steps included in the image forming method according to claim 11.

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