JP2014205264A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of updating a printing unit control program to the one that fits to a present ambient environment of the image formation device without using an external storage medium when updating the printing unit control program for controlling a printing unit.SOLUTION: A ROM 113a of a main control unit 110 stores a plurality of printing unit control programs P20 respectively corresponding to periods into which one year is divided, in advance. A ROM 122a of the printing control unit 120 deletes a printing unit control program P20 already stored when it becomes a predetermined date, and acquires a printing unit control program P20 corresponding to a period that arrives next of a period corresponding to the printing unit control program P20 deleted, from the ROM 113a to store.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet.

  Some image forming apparatuses include a main control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus, and a print control unit that receives a command from the main control unit and controls a printing unit (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  The main control unit and the print control unit each include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The ROM of the main control unit stores an overall control program for performing overall control of the image forming apparatus, and the ROM of the print control unit stores a printing unit control program for controlling the printing unit. The main control unit performs overall control of the image forming apparatus based on the overall control program. The print control unit receives an instruction from the main control unit and controls the print unit based on the print unit control program.

  The printing unit controlled by the printing control unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image, develops it, and transfers the developed toner image onto a sheet. Here, the resistance value of various rollers (such as a transfer roller) in the printing unit, the resistance value of the paper, and the charging characteristics of the toner vary depending on the ambient environment (temperature and humidity) of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in order to keep the image quality of the output image constant, it is necessary to switch the control of the printing unit in accordance with the change in the surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, a plurality of printing unit control programs corresponding to various environments are prepared, and the printing unit control program already stored in the ROM of the printing control unit is stored in the image forming apparatus according to a change in the surrounding environment of the image forming device. May be updated to a printing unit control program corresponding to the current ambient environment.

JP 2002-358177 A

  For example, an update printing unit control program may be stored in an external storage medium. In this case, whenever it is necessary to update the printing unit control program, an external storage medium storing the printing unit control program for update must be prepared and mounted on the image forming apparatus. Therefore, user convenience is poor.

  Further, if the user manually updates the printing unit control program, the printing unit control program may not be updated at an appropriate timing. In this case, since the printing unit is controlled based on a printing unit control program that is not suitable for the current surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus, the image quality of the output image is degraded.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. When updating the printing unit control program for controlling the printing unit, the present environment of the image forming apparatus is maintained without using an external storage medium. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can be updated to a suitable printing unit control program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet, and a first storage unit that stores an overall control program for performing overall control of the image forming apparatus, A main control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus based on the overall control program, and a second storage unit that stores a printing unit control program for controlling the printing unit, and controls the printing unit based on the printing unit control program A printing control unit that performs the above and a clocking unit that clocks the current date. The first storage unit stores in advance a plurality of printing unit control programs corresponding to each period divided into a plurality of periods according to changes in the temperature and humidity conditions of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed. Then, the second storage unit erases the previously stored printing unit control program when the date measured by the timing unit reaches a predetermined month and date indicating a change in the period, and erased the printing unit The printing unit control program corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the control program is acquired from the first storage unit and stored.

  In the present invention, as described above, a plurality of printing unit control programs each corresponding to each period divided into a plurality of periods according to changes in the temperature and humidity conditions of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed are the first of the main control unit. Pre-stored in the storage unit. For example, in the first storage unit of the main control unit, two printing unit control programs suitable for each period obtained by dividing one year into a predetermined period of low temperature and low humidity (or high temperature and high humidity) and a period other than the predetermined period Is stored in advance. Alternatively, there are mainly three or more printing unit control programs suitable for each period divided into three or more periods (for example, three periods of a low temperature and low humidity period, a normal temperature and normal humidity period, and a high temperature and high humidity period). You may memorize | store beforehand in the 1st memory | storage part of a control part. Then, the second storage unit of the print control unit erases the previously stored print unit control program when the date measured by the time measurement unit is a predetermined month and date indicating the change of the period, The printing unit control program corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the erased printing unit control program is acquired from the first storage unit and stored. As a result, the printing unit is controlled based on the printing unit control program suitable for the current ambient environment (temperature and humidity) of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the deterioration of the image quality of the output image due to the change in the surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus is suppressed.

  In addition, by setting the storage destination of the plurality of printing unit control programs as the first storage unit of the main control unit, even if the storage capacity of the second storage unit of the print control unit is small, a plurality of prints are stored in the image forming apparatus. The part control program can be stored in advance. Therefore, when updating the printing unit control program, there is no need to prepare an external storage medium storing a printing unit control program suitable for the current surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus and attach it to the image forming apparatus. Become. Thereby, since a user's effort can be saved, a user's convenience improves. Furthermore, it is not necessary to previously store a plurality of printing unit control programs in the second storage unit of the printing control unit (there is no need to increase the storage capacity of the second storage unit of the printing control unit), thereby suppressing an increase in cost. You can also.

  According to the present invention, when updating a printing unit control program for controlling a printing unit, it is possible to update to a printing unit control program suitable for the current surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus without using an external storage medium. .

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement when the printing part control program is updated in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a color laser printer as an example.

(Overall configuration of image forming apparatus)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a paper feed unit 101, a paper transport unit 102, an image forming unit 103, an intermediate transfer unit 104, and a fixing unit 105. Note that each of the paper feeding unit 101, the paper transport unit 102, the image forming unit 103, the intermediate transfer unit 104, and the fixing unit 105 is a mechanism unit that prints an image on the paper P and outputs it. 106 may be referred to.

  The paper feed unit 101 includes a cassette 11 in which the paper P is stored, and supplies the paper P in the cassette 11 to the paper transport path 20. The paper feed unit 101 is provided with a pickup roller 12 for pulling out the paper P in the cassette 11 one by one. The paper feed unit 101 is provided with a pair of paper feed rollers 13 for supplying the paper P to the paper transport path 20 while suppressing double feeding of the paper P drawn from the cassette 11.

  The paper transport unit 102 transports the paper P along the paper transport path 20 and guides it to the paper discharge tray 21 via the intermediate transfer unit 104 and the fixing unit 105. The paper transport unit 102 includes a plurality of transport roller pairs 22 that are rotatably installed in the paper transport path 20. Among the plurality of transport roller pairs 22, one transport roller pair 22 is a registration roller pair 23. The pair of transport rollers 22 waits in front of the intermediate transfer unit 104 and sends the paper P to the intermediate transfer unit 104 at the same timing.

  The image forming unit 103 includes a toner image forming unit 31Bk for forming a black toner image, a toner image forming unit 31Y for forming a yellow toner image, and a toner image forming unit 31C for forming a cyan toner image. , And a toner image forming unit 31M (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a toner image forming unit 31) for forming a magenta toner image. The toner image forming unit 31 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, a developing device 3, and a drum cleaning device 4. The image forming unit 103 includes an exposure unit 32 for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1.

  The intermediate transfer unit 104 includes an endless intermediate transfer belt 41 and primary transfer rollers 42Bk, 42Y, 42C, and 42M (hereinafter simply referred to as a primary transfer roller 42) corresponding to black, yellow, cyan, and magenta colors. In some cases). The primary transfer roller 42 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 41 between the photosensitive drum 1 and a transfer voltage is applied from a high voltage power supply unit 123 described later.

  The intermediate transfer unit 104 includes a driving roller 43 and a driven roller 44. The driving roller 43 and the driven roller 44 stretch the intermediate transfer belt 41 together with the primary transfer roller 42. Further, the intermediate transfer unit 104 includes a secondary transfer roller 45. The secondary transfer roller 45 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 41 between the drive roller 43 and a transfer voltage is applied from a high voltage power supply unit 123 described later.

  The toner images of the respective colors (toner images on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1) formed by the image forming unit 103 are sequentially superimposed without deviation by applying a transfer voltage to the primary transfer roller 42, and the intermediate transfer belt. 41 is primarily transferred. Thereafter, the toner image primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 41 is secondarily transferred to the paper P by applying a transfer voltage to the secondary transfer roller 45.

  The intermediate transfer unit 104 also includes a belt cleaning device 46. The belt cleaning device 46 cleans the intermediate transfer belt 41 after the secondary transfer.

  The fixing unit 105 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred onto the paper P and fixes it. The fixing unit 105 includes a fixing roller pair 50 (a heating roller 51 and a pressure roller 52). The heating roller 51 incorporates a heater 53. The pressure roller 52 is in pressure contact with the heating roller 51. The paper P on which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressurized by passing through a fixing nip formed between the heating roller 51 and the pressure roller 52. As a result, the toner image is fixed on the paper P and printing is completed. Thereafter, the printed paper P is sent to the paper discharge tray 21.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation panel 107. The operation panel 107 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel. The operation panel 107 displays a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus 100, or displays a soft key that receives an input such as a print setting value.

(Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus)
As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, an image processing unit 112, a storage unit 113, a timing unit 114, and the like. The image processing unit 112 includes an ASIC dedicated to image processing, a memory, and the like, and performs various types of image processing (enlargement / reduction, density conversion, data format conversion, etc.) on the image data.

  The storage unit 113 includes a ROM (nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM) 113a and a RAM (volatile memory) 113b. The ROM 113a corresponds to the “first storage unit” of the present invention, and stores an overall control program P10 for performing overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. The overall control program P10 stored in the ROM 113a is expanded in the RAM 113b. The main control unit 110 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the overall control program P10.

  The timekeeping unit 114 is a chip dedicated to timekeeping (real-time clock), and operates while receiving power from the built-in battery while the main power is turned off. The main control unit 110 recognizes the current date and time based on the time measured by the time measuring unit 114.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the print control unit 120. The print control unit 120 includes a CPU 121, a storage unit 122, and the like. The storage unit 122 includes a ROM (nonvolatile memory such as a flash ROM) 122a and a RAM (volatile memory) 122b. The ROM 122a corresponds to the “second storage unit” of the present invention, is a memory having a smaller storage capacity than the ROM 113a, and stores a printing unit control program P20 for controlling the printing unit 106. The printing unit control program P20 stored in the ROM 122a is expanded in the RAM 122b.

  The print control unit 120 receives an instruction from the main control unit 110 and controls the printing unit 106 to operate under the operating conditions defined in the printing unit control program P20. For example, the print control unit 120 is connected to the image forming unit 103 that uses a high voltage in the printing unit 106 and the high-voltage power supply unit 123 for applying a voltage to various rollers (such as the primary transfer roller 42) of the intermediate transfer unit 104. Is done. Then, the print control unit 120 controls applied voltages to various rollers of the image forming unit 103 and the intermediate transfer unit 104 based on the printing unit control program P20. Further, for example, the print control unit 120 controls the toner charge amount in the developing device 3 based on the print unit control program P20, and controls on / off of the heater 53 for heating the fixing roller pair 50. To go.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to the panel control unit 130. The panel control unit 130 receives an instruction from the main control unit 110 and controls the display operation of the operation panel 107.

  The main control unit 110 is connected to a temperature / humidity sensor 115 for detecting the temperature / humidity around the image forming apparatus 100. The main control unit 110 detects the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 based on the output of the temperature and humidity sensor 115.

(Updating the printing unit control program)
The image forming apparatus 100 may be installed in a country (region) where changes in the environment (temperature and humidity) are small, or may be installed in a country (region) where changes in the environment are large. When the image forming apparatus 100 is installed in a country (region) where the environmental change is large, the printing unit 106 is controlled according to the change in the surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus 100 in order to suppress the deterioration of the image quality of the output image. It is better to switch the control.

  For example, the resistance values of various rollers (such as the primary transfer roller 42) of the image forming unit 103 and the intermediate transfer unit 104 and the resistance value of the paper P vary depending on the ambient environment (temperature and humidity) of the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, when the voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 42 is set so that a good image quality can be obtained in a high temperature and high humidity environment, a transfer failure occurs when the environment changes and the temperature becomes low and low humidity. In this case, if the voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 42 is reset so that a good image quality can be obtained in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the transfer failure is eliminated. However, when the environment changes again to return to high temperature and high humidity, the setting value of the voltage applied to the primary transfer roller 42 remains the setting value suitable for the low temperature and low humidity environment, so transfer failure Will occur. Accordingly, the control of the voltage applied to the various rollers of the image forming unit 103 and the intermediate transfer unit 104 (high voltage control) is not performed through the year, but a predetermined period of the year (for example, a low temperature and low humidity period). It is preferable to perform different control during periods other than the predetermined period.

  Further, when the ambient environment (temperature and humidity) of the image forming apparatus 100 changes, the charging characteristics of the toner also change accordingly. For example, the toner charge amount decreases under a high temperature and high humidity environment, and the toner charge amount increases under a low temperature and low humidity environment, so that the toner charge amount deviates from an appropriate value. If the toner charge amount is not an appropriate value, the toner may be unnecessarily scattered from the developing roller of the developing device 3 and the periphery of the developing device 3 may become dirty. Alternatively, the toner may remain attached to the developing roller of the developing device 3 and the image density may decrease. Here, the toner (two-component developer composed of toner and carrier) replenished in the developing device 3 is charged by contacting with the carrier by stirring. However, if the amount of toner in the developing device 3 is large, it takes time until the toner is sufficiently charged. For this reason, in an environment where the toner charge amount is difficult to increase (in a high temperature and high humidity environment), it is better to reduce the toner replenishment amount in the developing device 3 per one replenishment operation. In an environment where the toner tends to rise (in a low temperature and low humidity environment), it is not necessary to reduce the amount of toner replenished into the developing device 3 per replenishment operation. That is, the toner replenishment amount control (toner replenishment control) in the developing device 3 is not performed the same throughout the year, but a predetermined period of the year (for example, a low temperature and low humidity period) and a period other than the predetermined period. It is preferable to perform different controls.

  Further, when the temperature around the image forming apparatus 100 is low, the temperature of the fixing roller pair 50 is likely to decrease. However, when the temperature around the image forming apparatus 100 is high, the temperature of the fixing roller pair 50 is difficult to decrease. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is low, in order to keep the temperature of the fixing roller pair 50 at an appropriate value, it is better to increase the ON time of the heater 53. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is high, it is not necessary to lengthen the ON time of the heater 53 so much as compared to when the ambient temperature is low. For this reason, on / off control (fixing temperature control) of the heater 53 is not performed in the same manner throughout the year, but differently in a predetermined period (for example, a low temperature period) of the year and a period other than the predetermined period. Is preferably performed.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, a plurality of printing unit control programs P20 corresponding to each period (season) divided into a plurality of periods according to changes in the temperature and humidity conditions of the environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed are prepared in advance. ing. In the present embodiment, one year is divided into two periods, a first period and a second period. For example, a period in which the temperature is low and low (for example, winter in Japan) is the first period, and a period other than the first period is the second period. Note that a period in which the temperature and humidity are high (for example, summer in Japan) may be the first period, and a period other than the first period may be the second period. One year may be divided into three or more periods (for example, three periods of a low temperature and low humidity period, a normal temperature and normal humidity period, and a high temperature and high humidity period).

  A plurality of printing unit control programs P20 that respectively define control methods for the printing unit 106 suitable for each expected temperature and humidity in the first period and the second period are prepared in advance. The control method of the printing unit 106 is a control method such as high-pressure control, toner supply control, and fixing temperature control. Hereinafter, the printing unit control program P20 for the first period may be referred to as a first program P21, and the printing unit control program P20 for the second period may be referred to as a second program P22.

  Here, the storage capacity of the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 is smaller than the storage capacity required for storing the first program P21 and the second program P22. Therefore, both the first program P21 and the second program P22 cannot be stored in the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 at the same time. Accordingly, only one of the first program P21 and the second program P22 is stored in the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120. Then, both the first program P21 and the second program P22 are stored in the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which the first program P21 is stored in the ROM 122a, but the second program P22 may be stored in the ROM 122a.

  The main control unit 110 then prints out the print control unit 120 when the time measured by the time measuring unit 114 is a predetermined date indicating the change between the first period and the second period (change in season). To update the printing unit control program P20. At this time, the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 erases the previously stored print unit control program P20, and the print unit control program P20 corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the erased print unit control program P20. Is obtained from the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 and stored.

  For example, it is assumed that the first program P21 corresponding to the first period has already been stored in the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120. In this case, when the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 reaches the transition from the first period to the second period, the first program P21 corresponding to the already stored first period is erased. Then, the second program P22 corresponding to the second period that comes after the first period is acquired from the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 and stored. Thereafter, when the transition from the second period to the first period is reached, the second program P22 corresponding to the already stored second period is erased. Then, the first program P21 corresponding to the first period that comes next to the second period is acquired from the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 and stored.

  A predetermined month and day (hereinafter, may be referred to as a scheduled update date) serving as a criterion for determining whether or not to update the printing unit control program P20 is a month and day near the boundary between the first period and the second period. Set to As a result, when the transition between the first period and the second period is reached, the printing unit control program P20 is updated.

  However, when viewed throughout the year, the low temperature and low humidity period (or high temperature and high humidity period) may become longer or shorter. For this reason, the operation panel 107 receives an operation for changing the scheduled update date to another month. In this case, the operation panel 107 corresponds to the “operation unit” of the present invention. As a result, for example, when the transition from the first period to the second period is expected to be delayed by several days to several tens of days, a new month and day that has passed several days to several tens of days from the previous scheduled update date are newly added. It can be set as a scheduled update date.

  Note that a temperature / humidity sensor 115 for detecting the temperature / humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the main control unit 110. For this reason, the main control unit 110 may determine whether or not the change between the first period and the second period has been reached based on the output of the temperature and humidity sensor 115. In this case, the main control unit 110 corresponds to the “determination unit” of the present invention. For example, the main control unit 110 detects the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 based on the output of the temperature and humidity sensor 115 over a certain period after the date counted by the time measuring unit 114 is the scheduled update date. It is determined whether or not the transition between the first period and the second period has been reached. Then, the main control unit 110 instructs the print control unit 120 when it determines that the time between the first period and the second period has arrived after the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 becomes the update scheduled part. Then, the printing unit control program P20 is updated.

  For example, it is assumed that the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is the date indicating the transition from the second period to the first period. In this case, the main control unit 110 shifts to the first period when the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 enter a predetermined temperature and humidity range indicating that the temperature is in the first period over a certain period. Judge. In addition, for example, it is assumed that the date measured by the timing unit 114 is the date indicating the transition from the first period to the second period. In this case, the main control unit 110 shifts to the second period when the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 enter a predetermined temperature and humidity range indicating that the temperature and humidity are in the second period over a certain period. Judge.

  The operation when updating the printing unit control program P20 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is assumed that one of the first program P21 and the second program P22 as the printing unit control program P20 is stored in the ROM 122a of the printing control unit 120 at the start of the flowchart of FIG. Then, for example, when the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is switched in the power-on state, the flowchart of FIG. 3 starts. Alternatively, when the date and time counted by the timing unit 114 is switched in the power-off state, the flowchart of FIG. 3 starts at the first power-on after the date and time is switched.

  In step S1, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not the date and time measured by the time measuring unit 114 is a predetermined month and day (scheduled update date) indicating the transition between the first period and the second period. To do. As a result, the main control unit 110 does not update the printing unit control program P20 unless the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is the scheduled update date. On the other hand, if the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is the scheduled update date, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the main control unit 110 measures the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 based on the output of the temperature and humidity sensor 115 over a certain period. In step S3, the main control unit 110 determines whether or not the measured temperature and humidity for a certain period are within a predetermined temperature and humidity range (leading to a transition between the first period and the second period). Or not). At this time, if the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is the date indicating the transition from the second period to the first period, the main control unit 110 determines that the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 is high. It is determined whether or not a predetermined temperature and humidity range indicating the first period is within a certain period. When the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 is the date indicating the transition from the first period to the second period, the main control unit 110 has a constant temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus 100. It is determined whether or not a predetermined temperature and humidity range indicating the second period is within the period. As a result, if the measured temperature and humidity for a certain period are not within a predetermined temperature and humidity range, the main control unit 110 does not update the printing unit control program P20. On the other hand, if the measured temperature and humidity for a certain period are within a predetermined temperature and humidity range, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the main control unit 110 instructs the print control unit 120 to update the print unit control program P20. That is, the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 deletes the already stored print unit control program P20. Then, the printing unit control program P20 corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the deleted printing unit control program P20 is acquired from the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 and stored.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 3, step S2 and step S3 may be omitted. That is, if it is determined in step S1 that the date measured by the timekeeping unit 114 is the scheduled update date, the process may proceed to step S4 to update the printing unit control program P20.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes the printing unit 106 that prints an image on the paper P and the ROM 113a (first storage) that stores the overall control program P10 for performing overall control of the image forming apparatus 100. ROM 122a (second storage unit) that stores a main control unit 110 that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 100 based on the overall control program P10 and a printing unit control program P20 that controls the printing unit 106 And a printing control unit 120 that controls the printing unit 106 based on the printing unit control program P20, and a timing unit 114 that measures the current date. Further, the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 includes a plurality of printing unit control programs P20 (first program corresponding to each period divided into a plurality of periods according to changes in the temperature and humidity conditions of the environment in which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. P21 and the second program P22) are stored in advance. Then, the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 erases the print unit control program P20 that has already been stored when the time measured by the time measuring unit 114 becomes a predetermined date indicating the change of the period, The printing unit control program P20 corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the deleted printing unit control program P20 is acquired from the ROM 122a of the main control unit 110 and stored.

  In the present embodiment, the printing unit 106 is controlled based on the printing unit control program P20 suitable for the current ambient environment (temperature and humidity) of the image forming apparatus 100 by configuring as described above. Therefore, the deterioration of the image quality of the output image due to the change in the surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus 100 is suppressed.

  Further, by setting the storage destination of the plurality of printing unit control programs P20 to the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110, even if the storage capacity of the ROM 122a of the printing control unit 120 is small, the plurality of printing unit controls are included in the image forming apparatus 100. The program P20 can be stored in advance. Therefore, when updating the printing unit control program P20, an external storage medium storing the printing unit control program P20 suitable for the current surrounding environment of the image forming apparatus 100 is separately prepared and attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Work becomes unnecessary. Thereby, since a user's effort can be saved, a user's convenience improves. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to previously store a plurality of printing unit control programs P20 in the ROM 122a of the printing control unit 120 (it is not necessary to increase the storage capacity of the ROM 122a of the printing control unit 120), an increase in cost can be suppressed. .

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the first program P21 for the first period corresponding to the predetermined first period of the year and the second period other than the first period of the year are supported. Two second programs P22 for the second period are stored in advance in the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 as the printing unit control program P20 for update. Here, if the number of printing unit control programs P20 for update is large, there may be a case where they cannot be stored in the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110. For this reason, the number of printing unit control programs P20 for update is two, that is, the first program P21 for the first period and the second program P22 for the second period. However, if there is a margin in the storage capacity of the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110, the number of update printing unit control programs P20 stored in advance in the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110 may be further increased.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, an operation for changing a predetermined month and day (scheduled update date), which is a criterion for determining whether or not to update the printing unit control program P20, to another month and day. Is received by the operation panel 107 (operation unit). Here, when viewed throughout the year, the low temperature and low humidity period (or high temperature and high humidity period) may become longer or shorter. For this reason, it is better that the scheduled update date can be changed.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the temperature / humidity sensor 115 for detecting the temperature / humidity around the image forming apparatus 100 is provided, and whether or not the period has been changed based on the output of the temperature / humidity sensor 115 is determined. The main control unit 110 (determination unit) determines whether or not. Specifically, the main control unit 110 determines the image forming apparatus based on the output of the temperature / humidity sensor 115 for a certain period after the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 becomes a predetermined date (updated date). The temperature and humidity around 100 are detected, and it is determined whether or not a change in period has been reached. Then, when the ROM 122a of the print control unit 120 determines that the main control unit 110 has reached a change in period after the month and date counted by the timing unit 114 become a predetermined month and day (scheduled update date). The previously stored printing unit control program P20 is deleted, and the printing unit control program P20 corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the deleted printing unit control program P20 is acquired from the ROM 113a of the main control unit 110. Remember. Thus, for example, even if the date measured by the time measuring unit 114 becomes the date indicating the transition from the first period to the second period, if the actual temperature and humidity remain in the first period, the first The update from the first program P21 for the period to the second program P22 for the second period can be prevented.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 106 Printing part 107 Operation panel (operation part)
110 Main control unit (determination unit)
113a ROM (first storage unit)
114 Timekeeping unit 115 Temperature / humidity sensor 120 Print control unit 122a ROM (second storage unit)
P10 Overall control program P20 Printing unit control program P21 First program (printing unit control program for the first period)
P22 Second program (printing section control program for the second period)

Claims (4)

A printing section for printing an image on paper;
A main control unit that includes a first storage unit that stores an overall control program for performing overall control of the image forming apparatus, and that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus based on the overall control program;
A second storage unit that stores a printing unit control program for controlling the printing unit, and a printing control unit that controls the printing unit based on the printing unit control program;
A timekeeping section that measures the current date,
The first storage unit stores in advance a plurality of the printing unit control programs respectively corresponding to each period divided into a plurality according to a change in temperature and humidity conditions of an environment in which the image forming apparatus is installed.
The second storage unit erases and erases the printing unit control program that has already been stored when the date measured by the timing unit is a predetermined date indicating the change in the period. An image forming apparatus, wherein the printing unit control program corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the printing unit control program is acquired from the first storage unit and stored.   The plurality of printing unit control programs stored in the first storage unit include the printing unit control program for the first period corresponding to a predetermined first period of one year, and the first period of one year. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printing unit control program for the second period corresponding to a second period other than the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that receives an operation for changing the predetermined date to another date. A temperature and humidity sensor for detecting the temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus;
The temperature and humidity around the image forming apparatus is detected based on the output of the temperature and humidity sensor over a certain period of time after the date measured by the time measuring unit becomes the predetermined month and day, leading to a change in the period. A determination unit for determining whether or not
The second storage unit has already been stored when it is determined that the determination unit has reached the turning point of the period since the date measured by the timing unit has reached the predetermined date. The printing unit control program is erased, and the printing unit control program corresponding to the period that comes next to the period corresponding to the erased printing unit control program is acquired from the first storage unit and stored. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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