JP2015222322A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to output a sheet in which an intended image formed thereon and fixed reliably, as quickly as possible, when receiving emergency information.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing section 11, an image forming section 15, a fuser 16, conveyance sections 12, 13, 14, and 17, a measurement section 51, a specifying section 52, and a conveyance control section 53. The measurement section 51 measures a first temperature of the fuser 16 at a time when the image forming apparatus recovers from sleep mode, and a first time required for the fuser 16 to reach a fixation ensuring temperature from the first temperature. The specifying section 52 measures a second temperature of the fuser 16 at a time when emergency information is received, and specifies a second time required for the fuser 16 to reach the fixation ensuring temperature from the second temperature, on the basis of the second temperature, the first temperature, and the first time. The conveyance control section 53 controls a medium to be recorded with an object image formed thereon to reach the fuser 16 at a time when the second time elapses from the measurement of the second temperature.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on information corresponding to emergency information (hereinafter referred to as an “emergency information image”) when emergency information is received. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image (toner image) on a sheet that is a recording medium, and a fixing unit that heat-fixes the image formed on the sheet. When the image forming apparatus receives emergency information, even if the temperature of the fixing device is lower than the fixing guarantee temperature, the image forming apparatus forms an emergency information image and heat-fixes the paper on which the emergency information image is formed ( (Hereinafter referred to as “emergency information sheet”). After that, the image forming apparatus waits until the temperature of the fixing device becomes equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature which is one of the guaranteed fixing temperatures, and again forms an emergency information image and heat-fixes, and then issues an emergency information sheet. Is output.

  Here, the fixing guarantee temperature is a temperature suitable for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the paper to the paper, and is a temperature that guarantees that the image after fixing does not disappear or rub. There are two fixing guarantee temperatures: a second fixing temperature and a first fixing temperature lower than the second fixing temperature. The first fixing temperature is a temperature at which fixing is guaranteed (a guarantee that an image after fixing is not erased or rubbed) is obtained for a small amount of printing, for example, printing of one sheet of paper, and is 160 ° C., for example. The second fixing temperature is a temperature at which fixing is ensured even when printing is continuously performed on a plurality of sheets, for example, 200 ° C.

JP 2012-078638 A

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the image of the emergency information is formed and heat-fixed again after waiting until the temperature of the fixing device becomes equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature. Output emergency information form.

  However, if the image forming apparatus waits until the temperature of the fixing device becomes equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature and then starts forming the emergency information image, the output of the emergency information sheet is delayed by the amount of the waiting time. . Here, the emergency information sheet includes information important for those who perform emergency evacuation. Therefore, the emergency information sheet is required to be output as soon as possible.

  Note that the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 quickly outputs an emergency information sheet by performing emergency information image formation and thermal fixing even when the temperature of the fixing device is lower than the fixing guarantee temperature. However, the emergency information sheet output in this way is not guaranteed to fix the image on the sheet, and the image formed on the emergency information sheet after output may be erased or rubbed. As described above, the information included in the emergency information sheet is important information for the person who performs emergency evacuation, and it is not preferable that the image formed on the emergency information sheet disappears or is rubbed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a sheet on which a target image is formed and fixing is guaranteed as soon as emergency information is received. It is to provide.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that forms a target image when emergency information indicating the occurrence of an emergency situation is received. The image forming apparatus includes a storage unit, an image forming unit, a fixing device, a transport unit, a measurement unit, a specifying unit, and a transport control unit. The storage unit stores a recording medium. The image forming unit forms an image on the recording medium. The fixing device thermally fixes an image formed on the recording medium. The transport unit transports the recording medium from the storage unit to the fixing device via the image forming unit. The measurement unit includes a first temperature that is a temperature of the fixing device when the image forming apparatus returns from the sleep mode, and a temperature until the fixing device reaches a predetermined fixing guarantee temperature from the first temperature. The first time, which is the time required for the measurement, is measured. When the emergency information is received in the sleep mode, the specifying unit measures a second temperature which is a temperature of the fixing device when the emergency information is received, and the second temperature and the first temperature are measured. Based on the temperature and the first time, a second time which is a time required for the temperature of the fixing device to reach the fixing guarantee temperature from the second temperature is specified. The conveyance control unit is configured to perform the conveyance so that the recording medium on which the target image is formed reaches the fixing device at a timing when the second time elapses from the time when the second temperature is measured. The conveyance of the recording medium by the unit is controlled.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus capable of outputting a sheet on which a target image is formed and fixing is guaranteed as soon as emergency information is received.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of correspondence management information according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for returning from sleep. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the emergency information reception process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims. In addition, all of the constituent elements described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solving means of the invention. The same code | symbol has shown the same component through several figures.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment forms a target image when receiving emergency information indicating the occurrence of an emergency such as an earthquake. The target image is, for example, an image including information that is desired to be output in an emergency (hereinafter referred to as “emergency output information”). In the present embodiment, the emergency output information includes a list of names and names of people who are in the management target location when the emergency information is received. The location to be managed is, for example, a room where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed.

  When an emergency situation occurs, a sheet on which an image including emergency output information is formed (hereinafter referred to as “emergency printed material”) is output by the image forming apparatus 100. By referring to, it is possible to easily grasp the number of persons and the number of persons in the management target place when the emergency information is received. Therefore, the person in charge can easily confirm the number of people at the time of emergency evacuation. Here, the emergency output information is important information for the responsible person or the person who performs emergency evacuation. For this reason, the emergency printed material is required to be output as soon as possible.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multi function peripheral (MFP). The image forming apparatus 100 has functions of a scanner, a copier, a printer, and a facsimile (FAX). The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 1 that forms an image on a sheet P that is a recording medium, an image reading unit 2 that reads an image of a document, a document transport unit 3 that transports a document to be read, and a user. And an operation panel 4 for operating the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming unit 1 includes a paper feed cassette 11 (accommodating unit), a paper feed roller 12, a transport roller pair 13, a registration roller pair 14, an image forming unit 15, a fixing device 16, and a discharge roller pair 17. And a discharge tray 18. The paper feed roller 12, the transport roller pair 13, the registration roller pair 14, and the discharge roller pair 17 are transport units that transport the paper P. The transport unit transports the paper P from the paper feed cassette 11 that stores the paper P to the fixing device 16 via the image forming unit 15. Further, the transport unit transports the paper P on which image formation and thermal fixing have been performed to the discharge tray 18. The paper feed roller 12 feeds the paper P from the paper feed cassette 11 one by one. The paper P fed out by the paper supply roller 12 is conveyed to the image forming unit 15 by the conveyance roller pair 13 and the registration roller pair 14.

  The image forming unit 15 forms an image on the paper P conveyed from the paper feed cassette 11. The image forming unit 15 includes a photosensitive drum 151, a charging device 152, an exposure device 153, a developing device 154, a transfer roller 155, and a cleaning device 156. The photosensitive drum 151 is a cylindrical rotating body, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface thereof. The charging device 152 charges the photosensitive drum 151 to a predetermined potential. The exposure device 153 outputs a laser beam based on the image data to expose the photosensitive drum 151, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the photosensitive drum 151. Examples of the image data include image data generated by the image reading unit 2 reading a document, image data received from an external computer via the communication network 300 (see FIG. 2), or external data via the communication network 300. Image data generated based on information received from a computer is used.

  The developing device 154 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 151 and develops it, and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 151. The transfer roller 155 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 151 onto the paper P. Specifically, the transfer roller 155 is pressed against the photosensitive drum 151 to form the first nip portion. When the paper P passes through the first nip portion, a predetermined voltage is applied to the transfer roller 155, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 151 is transferred to the paper P. The cleaning device 156 removes residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 151 after the transfer.

  The fixing device 16 performs a fixing process for thermally fixing an image (toner image) formed on the paper P to the paper P. The fixing device 16 includes a heating roller containing a heating element and a pressure roller. The heating roller and the pressure roller are pressed to form a second nip portion. Then, as the paper P passes through the second nip portion, the toner on the surface of the paper P is melted and heated, and the toner image is fixed on the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge tray 18 by the discharge roller pair 17.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the image forming unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the document conveying unit 3, and the operation panel 4, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 5, a storage unit 6, and a data communication I / O. F (interface) 7 is further provided. The image forming unit 1 further includes a temperature sensor 19 that detects the temperature of the fixing device 16. The image forming unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the document conveying unit 3, the operation panel 4, the storage unit 6, and the data communication I / F 7 are connected to be able to communicate with the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives emergency information, the control unit 5 controls the image forming unit 1 to cause the image forming unit 1 to form an image including emergency output information. The control unit 5 includes a measurement unit 51, a specifying unit 52, and a conveyance control unit 53.

  The measurement unit 51 determines the temperature of the fixing device 16 (hereinafter referred to as “recovery temperature”) (first temperature) when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep mode and the temperature of the fixing device 16 from the recovery temperature. The time required to reach the fixing guarantee temperature (the first fixing temperature in this embodiment) (hereinafter referred to as “actual fixing waiting time”) (first time) is measured. Then, the measuring unit 51 registers the correspondence relationship between the measured return temperature and the actually measured fixing waiting time in the correspondence management information 61 described later.

  Here, the guaranteed fixing temperature is a temperature suitable for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the paper P to the paper P, and is a temperature that guarantees that the image after fixing does not disappear or rub. There are two fixing guarantee temperatures: a second fixing temperature and a first fixing temperature lower than the second fixing temperature. The first fixing temperature is a temperature at which fixing is guaranteed (a guarantee that an image after fixing is not erased or rubbed) is obtained for a small amount of printing, for example, printing of one sheet of paper P, for example, 160 ° C. The second fixing temperature is a temperature at which fixing is ensured even when printing is continuously performed on a plurality of sheets of paper P, and is 200 ° C., for example.

  The sleep mode is one of a plurality of operation modes of the image forming apparatus 100, and is an operation mode in which the image forming apparatus 100 is kept in a power saving state. In the sleep mode, the heater of the fixing device 16 is turned off, and the temperature of the fixing device 16 is lowered below the guaranteed fixing temperature. Accordingly, when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep mode, the image forming apparatus 100 waits until the temperature of the fixing device 16 becomes equal to or higher than the guaranteed fixing temperature in order to output a printed matter in which fixing is guaranteed. In the present embodiment, for a normal image other than an image including emergency output information, the image forming apparatus 100 performs a fixing process after the temperature of the fixing device 16 becomes equal to or higher than the second fixing temperature. On the other hand, with respect to an image including emergency output information, the image forming apparatus 100 is predicted to be actually at or above the first fixing temperature after the temperature of the fixing device 16 is at or above the first fixing temperature. Fixing process is performed.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 receives emergency information in the sleep mode, the specifying unit 52 measures the temperature of the fixing device 16 (hereinafter referred to as “reception temperature”) (second temperature) when the emergency information is received. To do. Based on the reception temperature, the return temperature, and the actually measured fixing waiting time, the specifying unit 52 changes the temperature of the fixing device 16 from the reception temperature to the guaranteed fixing temperature (in this embodiment, the first fixing temperature). Time (hereinafter referred to as “predicted fixing waiting time”) (second time) is specified.

  The conveyance control unit 53 controls conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance unit. In the present embodiment, the conveyance control unit 53 causes the paper P on which the image including the emergency output information is formed to reach the fixing device 16 at a timing when the predicted fixing waiting time elapses from the time when the reception temperature is measured. In addition, the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance unit is controlled.

  The storage unit 6 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a secondary storage device. The secondary storage device is, for example, a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or a flash memory. Various computer programs executed by the control unit 5 are stored in the ROM of the storage unit 6. In addition, correspondence management information 61 is stored in the storage unit 6. The correspondence management information 61 is information for managing a correspondence relationship between the return temperature and the actually measured fixing waiting time (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “correspondence relationship”). Details of the correspondence management information 61 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The functions of the control unit 5 and the functions of the measurement unit 51, the specifying unit 52, and the transport control unit 53 are realized by the control unit 5 executing various computer programs loaded from the ROM to the RAM. Instead of realizing the functions of the measurement unit 51, the specifying unit 52, and the conveyance control unit 53 with software, hardware that implements these functions may be mounted on the image forming apparatus 100.

  The data communication I / F 7 is an interface device for connecting to a communication network 300, for example, the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The control unit 5 acquires the entrance / exit management information 201 from the management server 200 connected to the communication network 300 via the data communication I / F 7. The entrance / exit management information 201 is information indicating a history of entrance / exit of a person at a management target location. The entrance / exit management information 201 includes, for example, data indicating the name of the person who entered the management target place or the person who left the management target place, and the date and time when the entrance or exit was performed. Based on the entrance / exit management information 201, the control unit 5 generates image data indicating a target image, that is, image data indicating an image including emergency output information.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an example of correspondence management information according to the embodiment.

  The correspondence management information 61 is information for managing the correspondence between the return temperature and the actually measured fixing waiting time, and is expressed in a table format as shown in FIG. 3, for example. The correspondence management information 61 includes a data field for the temperature 611 at the time of return, a data field for the actually measured fixing waiting time 612, and a data field for the update date 613. The return temperature 611 stores each value of one or more return temperatures having different values. The measured fixing waiting time 612 stores the measured fixing waiting time corresponding to each of one or more return temperatures having different values. The update date 613 stores data indicating the date (update date) when the value of the actually measured fixing waiting time is updated.

  For example, the data record 610A in FIG. 3 is a data record indicating a correspondence relationship regarding the return temperature of 0 ° C., and indicates that the actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the return temperature of 0 ° C. is 30 seconds. That is, the data record 610A indicates that it took 30 seconds for the temperature of the fixing device 16 to reach the first fixing temperature from the return temperature of 0 ° C. Accordingly, when the receiving temperature is 0 ° C., the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the data record 610A so that the temperature of the fixing device 16 is changed from the receiving temperature of 0 ° C. to the first fixing temperature 30. It can be predicted that it will take seconds. Further, the data record 610A indicates that the value of the actually measured fixing waiting time 612 of the record is updated on January 18.

  Further, for example, the data record 610B in FIG. 3 is a data record indicating a correspondence relationship with respect to the return temperature of 16 ° C., but values are still stored in the measured fixing waiting time 612 and the update date 613 of the record. Absent. That is, the data record 610B indicates that the actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the return temperature of 16 ° C. has not been measured yet.

  Hereinafter, processing performed by the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. In the present embodiment, the control unit 5 performs a sleep recovery process when the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep mode. The control unit 5 performs emergency information reception processing when the image forming apparatus 100 receives emergency information in the sleep mode.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for returning from sleep.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep mode (step S101: YES), the measurement unit 51 uses the temperature sensor 19 to measure the current temperature of the fixing device 16, that is, the temperature at the time of return (step S102).

  Next, the measurement unit 51 uses an RTC (Real Time Clock) included in the image forming apparatus 100 to determine the time required for the temperature of the fixing device 16 to reach the first fixing temperature from the return temperature measured in step S102. That is, the actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the return temperature measured in step S102 is measured (step S103). When the image forming apparatus 100 returns from the sleep mode, the heater of the fixing device 16 is turned on, and the temperature of the fixing device 16 rises with time.

  Thereafter, the measurement unit 51 registers the correspondence between the return temperature measured in step S102 and the actually measured fixing waiting time measured in step S103 in the correspondence management information 61 (step S104), and ends the sleep return processing. To do.

  Specifically, when the correspondence relationship related to the temperature at the time of recovery measured in step S102 is not yet included in the correspondence management information 61, that is, waiting for actual measurement fixing of a data record (hereinafter referred to as “target record”) indicating the correspondence relationship. When values are not yet stored in the time 612 and the update date 613, the measurement unit 51 newly registers the correspondence relationship. That is, the measuring unit 51 stores the value of the actual fixing waiting time measured in step S103 in the actual fixing waiting time 612 of the target record. Moreover, the measurement part 51 stores the data which show the present date which is an update date in the update date 613 of an object record.

  On the other hand, when the correspondence relationship regarding the temperature at the time of restoration measured in step S102 is already included in the correspondence management information 61, that is, when values are already stored in the actual measurement fixing waiting time 612 and the update date 613 of the target record, The measurement unit 51 re-registers (updates) the correspondence relationship. That is, the measuring unit 51 overwrites the actual measured fixing waiting time 612 of the target record with the latest measured fixing waiting time measured in step S103 and stores it. Further, the measurement unit 51 stores the update date 613 of the target record by overwriting data indicating the current date that is the update date.

  In this way, the correspondence management information 61 always stores the latest measured fixing waiting time. As a result, an error between the estimated fixing waiting time specified based on the actually measured fixing waiting time and the time actually required until the temperature of the fixing device 16 reaches the first fixing temperature from the temperature at the time of reception can be obtained. Can only be made smaller. Note that the actual measurement waiting time corresponding to a certain return temperature changes with time due to deterioration of the heating roller or the pressure roller.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the emergency information reception process.

  When the image forming apparatus 100 receives emergency information in the sleep mode (step S201: YES), the control unit 5 shifts the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 100 from the sleep mode to the emergency return mode (step S202). Here, the emergency return mode is one of a plurality of operation modes of the image forming apparatus 100, and is an operation mode for the image forming apparatus 100 that has received emergency information in the sleep mode to output an emergency printed matter as soon as possible. It is. When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the emergency return mode, the heater of the fixing device 16 is turned on, and the temperature of the fixing device 16 rises with time.

  Next, the specifying unit 52 uses the temperature sensor 19 to measure the current temperature of the fixing device 16, that is, the reception temperature (step S203).

  Next, the specifying unit 52 is required until the temperature of the fixing device 16 reaches the first fixing temperature from the reception temperature measured in step S203 based on the reception temperature measured in step S203 and the correspondence management information 61. The time, that is, the predicted fixing waiting time is specified (step S204).

  Specifically, if the correspondence management information 61 includes a correspondence relationship related to a recovery temperature (hereinafter referred to as “target recovery temperature”) having the same value as the reception temperature, the identifying unit 52 A measured fixing waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “target measured time”) associated with the target return temperature is specified as a predicted fixing waiting time. That is, when the target actual measurement time is measured, the specifying unit 52 predicts that the temperature of the fixing device 16 becomes the first fixing temperature when the target actual measurement time elapses from the time when the reception temperature is measured. Thus, the target actual measurement time is specified as the predicted fixing waiting time.

  On the other hand, when the correspondence relationship regarding the target recovery temperature is not included in the correspondence management information 61, the specifying unit 52 specifies the predicted fixing waiting time as follows. That is, the specifying unit 52 specifies the return temperature that is lower than the reception temperature and has a value that is closest to the reception temperature among the one or more return temperatures that are included in the correspondence management information 61. Then, the specifying unit 52 specifies the measured fixing waiting time (hereinafter referred to as “approximate measured time”) associated with the specified return temperature in the correspondence management information 61 as the predicted fixing waiting time. That is, if the target actual measurement time is not measured, the specifying unit 52 has already reached the first fixing temperature or higher when the approximate actual measurement time has elapsed since the reception temperature was measured. The approximate actual measurement time is specified as the predicted fixing waiting time.

  The measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the return temperature lower than the receiving temperature is specified as the predicted fixing waiting time for the following reason. That is, it is to avoid the fixing process from being performed as much as possible when the predicted fixing waiting time is too short and the temperature of the fixing device 16 has not yet reached the first fixing temperature. The measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the returning temperature closest to the receiving temperature among the one or more returning temperatures lower than the receiving temperature is specified as the predicted fixing waiting time for the following reason. . That is, the predicted fixing waiting time is made as short as possible while avoiding the temperature shortage of the fixing device 16.

  Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 53 includes emergency output information at the time when the temperature at the time of reception is measured, that is, when the predicted fixing waiting time specified in step S204 elapses from the time when the process of step S203 is performed. The conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance unit is controlled so that the paper P on which the image is formed reaches the fixing device 16.

  Specifically, first, the conveyance control unit 53 causes the conveyance unit to start primary paper feeding (step S205). By the primary paper feeding, the paper P is conveyed from the paper feeding cassette 11 to the registration roller pair 14 in front of the image forming unit 15.

  The control unit 5 acquires the entrance / exit management information 201 from the management server 200 while primary paper feeding is being performed, and an image showing an image including emergency output information based on the acquired entrance / exit management information 201 Data is generated (step S206). Note that the generation of the image data may be performed in parallel with the processing of step S202 to step S204.

  Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 53 causes the conveyance unit to start secondary paper feeding (step S207). By the secondary paper feeding, the paper P is conveyed to the fixing device 16 via the image forming unit 15. At this time, the image forming unit 15 forms an image including emergency output information on the conveyed paper P based on the image data generated in step S206. The fixing device 16 performs a fixing process on the conveyed paper P, that is, the paper P (emergency printed material) on which an image including emergency output information is formed.

  Here, the emergency printed matter reaches the fixing device 16 at the timing when the predicted fixing waiting time elapses from the time when the temperature at the time of reception is measured, and the fixing process for the emergency printed matter is performed at the timing. That is, the emergency printed matter reaches the fixing device 16 at a timing at which the temperature of the fixing device 16 is predicted to be the first fixing temperature, or at a timing at which the temperature is predicted to be equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature. A fixing process is performed on the.

  Thereafter, the conveyance control unit 53 controls the conveyance unit to discharge the emergency printed material on which the image including the emergency output information is formed and the fixing process is performed from the image forming apparatus 100 (step S208). Thereafter, the control unit 5 ends the emergency information reception process.

  According to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 determines the time required for the temperature of the fixing device 16 to change from the reception temperature to the first fixing temperature (predicted fixing waiting time) based on the actually measured fixing waiting time measured in the past. ). Then, the image forming apparatus 100 controls the conveyance of the paper P by the conveyance unit so that the emergency printed matter reaches the fixing device 16 at the timing when the predicted fixing waiting time elapses from the time when the reception temperature is measured. Accordingly, the emergency printed material reaches the fixing device 16 at a timing at which the temperature of the fixing device 16 is predicted to be the first fixing temperature or is predicted to be equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature. A fixing process is performed on the. Therefore, according to the configuration described above, the image forming apparatus 100 waits until the temperature of the fixing device 16 becomes equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature and then performs an emergency in a shorter time than the start of image formation including emergency output information. Printed material can be output.

  Further, in this embodiment, although it has not been confirmed before the fixing process that the temperature of the fixing device 16 is equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature, the timing at which the temperature of the fixing device 16 is predicted to become the first fixing temperature or The fixing process for the emergency printed matter is performed at a timing predicted to be equal to or higher than the first fixing temperature. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 can output an emergency printed matter that is guaranteed to be fixed.

  Incidentally, due to an error between the time actually taken until the temperature of the fixing device 16 reaches the first fixing temperature and the estimated fixing waiting time, the temperature of the fixing device 16 has not yet reached the first fixing temperature or more. There is a possibility that the fixing process is performed. However, since the estimated fixing waiting time is specified based on the latest measured fixing waiting time measured in the past, the error is considered not to be so large. Accordingly, the temperature of the fixing device 16 (processing temperature) when the fixing process is performed may be lower than the first fixing temperature. Even in this case, the processing temperature is close to the first fixing temperature. It is conceivable that an emergency printed matter that is guaranteed to be fixed is output.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the specifying unit 52 is lower than the reception temperature and has a correspondence relationship when the correspondence relationship regarding the target return temperature is not included in the correspondence management information 61 in step S204 of FIG. The measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the returning temperature closest to the receiving temperature among the one or more returning temperatures included in the management information 61 is specified as the predicted fixing waiting time. May be. That is, the identifying unit 52 sets a return temperature closest to the reception temperature among the one or more recovery temperatures included in the correspondence management information 61 (a recovery temperature higher than the reception temperature). The measured fixing waiting time corresponding to (including) may be specified as the predicted fixing waiting time. The specifying unit 52 may specify the predicted fixing waiting time in consideration of the update date of the actually measured fixing waiting time.

  Further, the specifying unit 52 may calculate an actually measured fixing waiting time that has not been measured yet, based on one or more correspondences included in the correspondence management information 61. For example, the correspondence management information 61 shown in FIG. 3 does not include the correspondence relationship regarding the return temperature of 16 ° C. In this case, for example, the specifying unit 52 is based on an actually measured fixing waiting time (28 seconds) corresponding to a return temperature of 15 ° C. and an actually measured fixing waiting time (20 seconds) corresponding to a return temperature of 17 ° C. The actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the return temperature of 16 ° C. may be calculated. For example, the specifying unit 52 determines the intermediate value (24 seconds) between the actually measured fixing waiting time (28 seconds) corresponding to the return temperature of 15 ° C. and the actually measured waiting time (20 seconds) corresponding to the returned temperature of 17 ° C. ) May be calculated as an actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to a return temperature of 16 ° C. Thereby, even when the correspondence relationship regarding the target return temperature is not included in the correspondence management information 61, the specifying unit 52 can calculate the actually measured fixing waiting time corresponding to the target return temperature, and the calculated time Can be specified as the predicted fixing waiting time.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the multifunction apparatus is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 100. However, the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the multifunction apparatus, and may be other apparatuses having an image forming function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 11 Paper feed cassette 12 Paper feed roller 13 Transport roller pair 14 Registration roller pair 15 Image forming part 16 Fixing device 17 Ejection roller pair 5 Control part 51 Measurement part 52 Identification part 53 Transport control part 6 Storage part 61 Correspondence management Information 200 Management server 201 Entrance / exit management information

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that forms a target image when receiving emergency information indicating the occurrence of an emergency,
A storage section for storing a recording medium;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium;
A fixing device for thermally fixing an image formed on the recording medium;
A transport unit that transports the recording medium from the storage unit to the fixing device via the image forming unit;
A first temperature which is the temperature of the fixing device when the image forming apparatus returns from the sleep mode, and a time required for the temperature of the fixing device to reach a predetermined fixing guarantee temperature from the first temperature. A measuring unit for measuring the first time;
When the emergency information is received in the sleep mode, a second temperature, which is a temperature of the fixing device when the emergency information is received, is measured, and the second temperature, the first temperature, and the first temperature are measured. A specifying unit for specifying a second time that is a time required for the temperature of the fixing device to reach the fixing guarantee temperature from the second temperature based on the time of 1;
The recording medium by the transport unit so that the recording medium on which the target image is formed reaches the fixing device at a timing when the second time elapses from the time when the second temperature is measured. An image forming apparatus. A storage unit that stores correspondence management information for managing a correspondence relationship between each of the one or more first temperatures having different values and the first time corresponding to the first temperature;
The measurement unit registers the correspondence relationship between the measured first temperature and the measured first time in the correspondence management information,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies the second time based on the second temperature and the correspondence management information.   In the case where a correspondence relationship regarding the measured first temperature is already included in the correspondence management information, the measurement unit is configured to associate the first temperature associated with the measured first temperature in the correspondence management information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the time is updated to the latest measured first time. The specific part is:
If the correspondence management information includes a correspondence relationship related to the first temperature having the same value as the second temperature, the first time corresponding to the first temperature having the same value is set to the second temperature. Identified as time,
When a correspondence relationship related to the first temperature having the same value as the second temperature is not included in the correspondence management information, the correspondence relationship is included in one or more first temperatures included in the correspondence management information. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first time corresponding to the first temperature closest to the second temperature is specified as the second time. 5. The target image is an image including the number and names of people who are in a location to be managed when the emergency information is received;
The control part which acquires entrance / exit management information which shows the history of a person's entrance / exit in the location of the management object, and generates image data which shows the object picture based on the entrance / exit management information is further provided. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.

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