JP2021117291A - Image forming apparatus, and method for controlling image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent a reduction in image quality of a print image, while reducing the frequency and time to keep a user waiting, and a maintenance method.SOLUTION: When a predetermined first condition is established for a process parameter related to formation of a print image (Yes side in step S11), and then when a second condition is established for the process parameter, the second condition including the first condition and having stricter establishment requirements than those of the first condition before a result of detection performed by a human sensor changes from when a person is detected by the human sensor (Yes side in step S13), an image forming apparatus causes an image forming unit to execute automatic maintenance processing or a simple maintenance processing whose processing time is shorter than that of the automatic maintenance processing (step S16 or step S17).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a method for controlling the image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus such as a printer, automatic maintenance processing for maintaining good image quality of the printed image, such as density correction of the printed image and replenishment of a developer, may be executed. Further, an image forming apparatus that suspends execution of the automatic maintenance process while the user is in the vicinity of the apparatus is known as a prior art (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-161713

However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-mentioned prior art, the automatic maintenance process cannot be executed until the user leaves the vicinity of the apparatus. Therefore, when the user uses the device for a long time, the image quality of the printed image printed during the use may deteriorate.

On the other hand, if the automatic maintenance process is executed every time a predetermined start condition is satisfied even though a user exists in the vicinity of the device, the frequency and time for the user to wait for the end of the automatic maintenance process increases. do.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a maintenance method capable of suppressing deterioration of the image quality of a printed image while reducing the frequency and time of waiting for a user.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit, a motion sensor, a first execution control unit, and a second execution control unit. The image forming portion forms an image. The motion sensor detects a person who exists within a predetermined detection range based on the own device. The first execution control unit is predetermined to the image forming unit when the person is not detected by the motion sensor when the first condition predetermined for the process parameters related to the image formation is satisfied. The automatic maintenance process is executed, and when the person is detected, the image forming unit is not allowed to execute the automatic maintenance process. The second execution control unit sets the first condition for the process parameter after the person is detected by the motion sensor when the first condition is satisfied and before the detection result of the motion sensor changes. When the second condition, which is included and the requirement for establishment is stricter than the first condition, is satisfied, the image forming unit is made to execute the automatic maintenance process or the simple maintenance process whose processing time is shorter than the automatic maintenance process.

The control method of the image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image, a motion sensor that detects a person existing within a predetermined detection range based on the own device, and the like. It is executed by the image forming apparatus including the following, and includes the following first execution control step and the second execution control step. In the first execution control step, when the first condition predetermined for the process parameters related to the formation of the image is satisfied, and the person is not detected by the motion sensor, the person is predetermined by the image forming unit. The automatic maintenance process is executed, and when the person is detected, the automatic maintenance process by the image forming unit is not executed. In the second execution control step, the first condition is set for the process parameter after the person is detected by the motion sensor when the first condition is satisfied and before the detection result of the motion sensor changes. When the second condition, which is included and the requirement for establishment is stricter than the first condition, is satisfied, the image forming unit executes the automatic maintenance process or the simple maintenance process whose processing time is shorter than the automatic maintenance process.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the image quality of a printed image while reducing the frequency and time of waiting for the user.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of execution control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of switching control processing executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Structure of image forming apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function and a copying function, as well as a scanning function for reading image data from a document and a printing function for forming an image based on the image data. The image forming apparatus 10 may be a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copier, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an ADF (automatic document transporting apparatus) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a control unit 5, and an operation display unit 6. It includes a motion sensor 7 and a storage unit 8.

The ADF 1 includes a document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, a document retainer, and a paper ejection section, and transports a document read by the image reading unit 2.

The image reading unit 2 includes a platen, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD, and can read image data from the document.

The image forming unit 3 uses a developing agent to form a color or monochrome image based on the image data on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 forms an image on the sheet by an electrophotographic method using toner. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 3 has four image forming units 31 to 34 and four corresponding to the colors of Y (yellow), C (cyan), M (magenta), and K (black). Four toner containers 31A, 32A, 33A, 34A corresponding to the image forming units 31 to 34A, two optical scanning devices (LSU) 35, an intermediate transfer belt 36, a secondary transfer roller 37, a fixing device 38, and a paper ejection tray. 39 is provided. The image forming unit 3 may form an image by another image forming method such as an inkjet method.

The paper feed unit 4 includes a paper feed cassette and a plurality of transport rollers, and supplies a sheet to the image forming unit 3. The image forming unit 3 forms an image based on the image data on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4.

The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU 5A, a ROM 5B, and a RAM 5C. The CPU 5A is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM 5B is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU 5A to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM 5C is a volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU 5A. In the control unit 5, various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 5B are executed by the CPU 5A. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 is collectively controlled by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 may be composed of an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that collectively controls the image forming apparatus 10. You may.

The operation display unit 6 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information in response to a control instruction from the control unit 5, and an operation key or touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit 5 in response to a user operation. It has an operation unit such as.

The motion sensor 7 can detect a person existing in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the motion sensor 7 includes a pyroelectric infrared sensor.

For example, the motion sensor 7 is provided in the upper part of the housing of the image forming apparatus 10 so that the light receiving portion of the pyroelectric infrared sensor faces the space on the front side of the image forming apparatus 10. The motion sensor 7 can detect a person existing in front of the image forming apparatus 10 within a distance range corresponding to the light receiving sensitivity of infrared rays in the pyroelectric infrared sensor. Here, the range in which the pyroelectric infrared sensor can detect the heat source, which is defined by the orientation of the light receiving portion and the light receiving sensitivity of the pyroelectric infrared sensor, is the predetermined detection range in the present invention. This is an example.

The motion sensor 7 may be provided at a position different from the upper part of the housing in the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the motion sensor 7 may be provided on the ceiling or the like of the room in which the image forming apparatus 10 is installed. In this case, the motion sensor 7 may be connected to the control unit 5 by wire or wirelessly so as to be communicable. Further, the motion sensor 7 may be provided with the light receiving portion facing the space on the left side, the right side, or the rear side of the image forming apparatus 10. Further, the motion sensor 7 may include a camera capable of photographing the front side of the image forming apparatus 10 from the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the motion sensor 7 may detect a person existing in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 10 based on the image captured by the camera.

The storage unit 8 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the storage unit 8 is a storage device such as a flash memory, a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (registered trademark), an SSD (solid state drive), and an HDD (hard disk drive).

In the image forming apparatus 10, the density correction processing for correcting the density of the printed image, the image adjustment processing including the color shift correction processing for correcting the color shift of the printed image, and the image forming unit in which the remaining amount of the developer is reduced An automatic maintenance process for maintaining good quality of the printed image, such as the developer replenishment process for replenishing the developer, is performed.

For example, in the density correction process, a plurality of color patch images based on a plurality of predetermined density correction image data are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 36, and the colors of the color patch images are represented by a color sensor (not shown). Read. Then, the image forming conditions of each of the image forming units 31 to 34 are adjusted based on the reading result by the color sensor and the plurality of the density correction image data.

Further, in the color shift correction process, a plurality of color shift correction images arranged along the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 36 are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 36, and each of the color shift correction images is predetermined. The arrival timing to the detection position is detected by a timing sensor (not shown). Next, the image formation timing of each of the image forming units 31 to 34 is adjusted based on the detection result by the timing sensor. Then, these processes are repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times.

Further, in the developer replenishment process, the image is formed from the toner container corresponding to the image forming unit until the fullness of the developing agent is detected in the developing apparatus of the image forming unit in which the remaining amount of the developing agent is low. The unit is replenished with the developer.

Here, an image forming apparatus that suspends execution of the automatic maintenance process while the user is in the vicinity of the apparatus is known as a prior art.

However, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-mentioned prior art, the automatic maintenance process cannot be executed until the user leaves the vicinity of the apparatus. Therefore, when the user uses the device for a long time, the image quality of the printed image printed during the use may deteriorate.

On the other hand, if the automatic maintenance process is executed every time a predetermined start condition is satisfied even though a user exists in the vicinity of the device, the frequency and time for the user to wait for the end of the automatic maintenance process increases. do.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, as described below, it is possible to suppress deterioration of the image quality of the printed image while reducing the frequency and time of waiting for the user. ..

Specifically, the ROM 5B of the image forming apparatus 10 stores in advance an execution control program for causing the CPU 5A of the control unit 5 to execute an execution control process (see the flowchart of FIG. 3) described later. The execution control program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be read from the recording medium and installed in the storage unit 8.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 5 includes a first execution control unit 51 and a second execution control unit 52. Specifically, the control unit 5 uses the CPU 5A to execute the execution control program stored in the ROM 5B. As a result, the control unit 5 functions as the first execution control unit 51 and the second execution control unit 52.

The first execution control unit 51 performs the automatic maintenance process on the image forming unit 3 when a person is not detected by the motion sensor 7 when the first condition predetermined for the process parameters related to the formation of the printed image is satisfied. If a person is detected, the image forming unit 3 is not allowed to execute the automatic maintenance process.

Here, the process parameters are, for example, the remaining amount of the developer in each of the image forming units 31 to 34, the number of prints by the image forming unit 3, and the like. For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, a plurality of the process parameters are stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage unit 8. For example, the control unit 5 updates each of the plurality of process parameters stored in the storage unit 8 each time the printing process is executed by the image forming apparatus 10.

Further, the first condition is predetermined for each type of the automatic maintenance process. For example, the first condition corresponding to the image adjustment process is that the number of prints by the image forming unit 3 reaches a predetermined first reference number. Further, the first condition corresponding to the developer replenishment treatment is that the remaining amount of the developer in any of the image forming units 31 to 34 is less than a predetermined first reference value. For example, the first reference number is 1000. The first reference value is 20%. The first reference number and the first reference value may be arbitrarily determined according to the user's operation on the operation display unit 6.

When any of the plurality of first conditions is satisfied, the first execution control unit 51 executes the automatic maintenance process corresponding to the satisfied first condition based on the detection result by the motion sensor 7. Judge whether it is possible or not.

Further, when a person is detected by the motion sensor 7 before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 is completed, the first execution control unit 51 interrupts the automatic maintenance process to obtain an image. It is possible to cause the forming unit 3 to execute a simple maintenance process whose processing time is shorter than that of the automatic maintenance process.

Specifically, when the human sensor 7 detects a person before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 is completed, the first execution control unit 51 starts executing the automatic maintenance process. If the elapsed time from the above does not exceed a predetermined reference time, the automatic maintenance process is interrupted and the image forming unit 3 executes the simple maintenance process. If the elapsed time exceeds the reference time, the automatic maintenance process is interrupted. I won't let you.

For example, the reference time is predetermined for each type of the automatic maintenance process. For example, the reference time corresponding to the image adjustment process is a time corresponding to 60% of the execution time of the image adjustment process (time from the start of execution of the image adjustment process to the end of execution). The reference time corresponding to the developer replenishment process is a time corresponding to 60% of the execution time of the developer replenishment process. In the image adjustment process, the density correction process and the color shift correction process may be executed at the same time or sequentially. Further, the reference time for each type of the automatic maintenance process may be arbitrarily set according to the operation of the user on the operation display unit 6.

For example, in the simple maintenance process corresponding to the density correction process, a smaller number of the color patch images than the density correction process is formed, and the color of each of the color patch images is read by the color sensor. Then, the image forming conditions of each of the image forming units 31 to 34 are adjusted based on the reading result by the color sensor and the plurality of the density correction image data.

Further, in the simple maintenance process corresponding to the color shift correction process, the number of times is smaller than that of the color shift correction process, the process of forming the color shift correction image, and the detection of each of the color shift correction images by the timing sensor. The detection process of the arrival timing at the position and the adjustment process of the image formation timing of each of the image forming units 31 to 34 based on the detection result by the timing sensor are repeatedly executed.

Further, in the simple maintenance process corresponding to the developer replenishment process, the remaining amount of the developer is less than the value corresponding to the fullness in the developing apparatus of the image forming unit in which the remaining amount of the developer is reduced. The developer is supplied to the image forming unit from the toner container corresponding to the image forming unit until it is detected that the second reference value, which is larger than the first reference value, is exceeded. For example, the second reference value is 60 percent.

When a person is detected by the motion sensor 7 before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 is completed, the first execution control unit 51 always interrupts the automatic maintenance process. The image forming unit 3 may be made to execute the simple maintenance process. Further, when a person is detected by the motion sensor 7 before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 is completed, the first execution control unit 51 always interrupts the automatic maintenance process. It is not necessary to cause the image forming unit 3 to execute the simple maintenance process.

The second execution control unit 52 describes the first process parameter with respect to the process parameter after the person is detected by the motion sensor 7 when the first condition is satisfied and before the detection result of the motion sensor 7 changes. When the second condition, which includes the condition and has a stricter establishment requirement than the first condition, is satisfied, the image forming unit 3 is made to execute the automatic maintenance process or the simple maintenance process.

Specifically, the second execution control unit 52 determines in advance the number of times the second condition is satisfied each time the second condition is satisfied under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed. Judge whether or not the standard number of times has been reached. Then, when the second execution control unit 52 determines that the number of times the second condition is satisfied has not reached the reference number of times, the second execution control unit 52 causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the simple maintenance process. On the other hand, when the second execution control unit 52 determines that the number of times the second condition is satisfied has reached the reference number of times, the second execution control unit 52 causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the automatic maintenance process. For example, the reference number of times is five. The reference number of times may be arbitrarily set according to the operation of the user on the operation display unit 6.

Here, the second condition is predetermined for each type of the automatic maintenance process, similarly to the first condition. For example, the second condition corresponding to the image adjustment process is that the number of prints by the image forming unit 3 reaches the second reference number, which is larger than the first reference number. Further, the second condition corresponding to the developer replenishment treatment is that the remaining amount of the developer in any of the image forming units 31 to 34 is less than the third reference value, which is smaller than the first reference value. be. For example, the second reference number is 1500. The third reference value is 10%. The second reference number and the third reference value may be arbitrarily determined according to the user's operation on the operation display unit 6.

The second execution control unit 52 describes the process parameters after the person is detected by the motion sensor 7 when the first condition is satisfied and before the detection result of the motion sensor 7 changes. When the two conditions are satisfied, the image forming unit 3 may always execute the automatic maintenance process or the simple maintenance process.

[Execution control processing]
Hereinafter, the control method of the present invention will be described together with an example of a procedure of execution control processing executed by the control unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. Here, steps S11, S12 ... Represent the number of the processing procedure (step) executed by the control unit 5.

<Step S11>
First, in step S11, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the first condition corresponding to the process parameter is satisfied for any of the process parameters.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the first condition corresponding to the process parameter is satisfied for any of the process parameters (Yes side of S11), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S12. If the first condition is not satisfied for any of the process parameters (No side of S11), the control unit 5 controls the first process parameter corresponding to the process parameter for any of the process parameters in step S11. Wait for the conditions to be met.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 5 determines whether or not a person has been detected by the motion sensor 7.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that a person has been detected by the motion sensor 7 (Yes side of S12), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S13. If no person is detected by the motion sensor 7 (No side of S12), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S19.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the second condition corresponding to the process parameter is satisfied with respect to the process parameter for which the first condition is satisfied.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the second condition is satisfied (Yes side of S13), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S14. If the second condition is not satisfied (No side of S13), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S12.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 5 counts up the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues.

For example, in the image forming apparatus 10, the storage unit stores information on the number of times the second condition is satisfied, which corresponds to each type of the automatic maintenance process and indicates the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed. It is stored in a predetermined storage area of 8. In step S14, the control unit 5 counts up the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues by rewriting the content of the information on the number of times the establishment.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the number of times the second condition is satisfied has reached the reference number of times under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues.

For example, the control unit 5 refers to the establishment number information to determine whether or not the number of establishments of the second condition reaches the reference number under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed. to decide.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the number of times the second condition is satisfied has reached the reference number of times under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues (Yes side of S15), the control unit 5 performs the process. The process proceeds to step S17. Further, if the number of times the second condition is satisfied does not reach the reference number of times under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed (No side of S15), the control unit 5 performs the process in step S16. Migrate to.

<Step S16>
In step S16, the control unit 5 causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the simple maintenance process corresponding to the second condition.

The control unit 5 is said to be simple when the detection result by the motion sensor 7 changes during the execution of the simple maintenance process by the image forming unit 3, that is, when a person is no longer detected by the motion sensor 7. The automatic maintenance process may be executed instead of the maintenance process.

<Step S17>
In step S17, the control unit 5 causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the automatic maintenance process corresponding to the second condition. Here, the processes of step S13, step S16, and step S17 are an example of the second execution control step in the present invention, and are executed by the second execution control unit 52 of the control unit 5.

<Step S18>
In step S18, the control unit 5 resets the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues. Here, the processes of step S14, step S15, and step S18 are executed by the second execution control unit 52 of the control unit 5.

For example, the control unit 5 resets the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the condition that the state in which the automatic maintenance process is not executed continues by rewriting the content of the information on the number of times the establishment.

<Step S19>
In step S19, the control unit 5 executes the switching control process described below.

[Switching control process]
Next, an example of the procedure of the switching control process executed in step S19 of the execution control process will be described with reference to FIG.

<Step S31>
First, in step S31, the control unit 5 causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the automatic maintenance process corresponding to the first condition. Here, the processes of step S11 and step S12 of the execution control process and step S31 of the switching control process are examples of the first execution control step in the present invention, and the first execution control unit of the control unit 5 It is executed by 51.

<Step S32>
In step S32, the control unit 5 resets the number of times the second condition is satisfied under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed, as in step S18 of the execution control process. Here, the process of step S32 is executed by the second execution control unit 52 of the control unit 5.

<Step S33>
In step S33, the control unit 5 determines whether or not a person has been detected by the motion sensor 7.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that a person has been detected by the motion sensor 7 (Yes side of S33), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S34. If no person is detected by the motion sensor 7 (No side of S33), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S35.

<Step S34>
In step S34, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the start of execution of the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 does not exceed the reference time.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the elapsed time from the start of execution of the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 does not exceed the reference time (Yes side of S34), the process proceeds to step S36. Migrate. If the elapsed time from the start of execution of the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 exceeds the reference time (No side of S34), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S35.

<Step S35>
In step S35, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 has been completed.

Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the automatic maintenance process has been completed (Yes side of S35), the control unit 5 ends the switching control process. Further, if the automatic maintenance process is not completed (No side of S35), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S33.

<Step S36>
In step S36, the control unit 5 interrupts the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3, and causes the image forming unit 3 to execute the simple maintenance process corresponding to the automatic maintenance process. Here, the processes from step S33 to step S36 are executed by the first execution control unit 51 of the control unit 5.

The process of step S32 may be executed after the process of step S35. In this case, the establishment count information indicates the number of establishments of the second establishment condition from the end of the immediately preceding automatic maintenance process.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus 10, the detection result of the motion sensor 7 changes after the motion sensor 7 detects the person when the first condition corresponding to any of the process parameters is satisfied. Previously, when the second condition is satisfied for the process parameter, the image forming unit 3 executes the automatic maintenance process or the simple maintenance process. As a result, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the image quality of the printed image while reducing the frequency and time of waiting for the user.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, every time the second condition is satisfied, the number of times the second condition is satisfied reaches the reference number under the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed. Whether or not it is judged. When it is determined that the number of times the second condition is satisfied has not reached the reference number of times, the image forming unit 3 executes the simple maintenance process, and when it is determined that the number of times the second condition is satisfied has reached the reference number of times, the image forming unit 3 executes the simple maintenance process. The image forming unit 3 executes the automatic maintenance process. As a result, it is possible to reduce the frequency and time of waiting for the user as compared with the case where the automatic maintenance process is always executed when the second condition is satisfied. Further, as compared with the case where the simple maintenance process is always executed when the second condition is satisfied, it is possible to suppress the output of printed matter having deteriorated image quality when the user uses it for a long time. Is.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 10, when a person is detected by the motion sensor 7 before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit 3 based on the establishment of the first condition is completed, the automatic maintenance is performed. If the elapsed time from the start of processing execution does not exceed the reference time, the automatic maintenance process is interrupted, the image forming unit 3 executes the simple maintenance process, and if it exceeds the reference time, the automatic maintenance process is performed. Is not interrupted. As a result, it is possible to switch between continuation and interruption of the automatic maintenance process according to the progress of the automatic maintenance process.

1 ADF
2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feeding unit 5 Control unit 6 Operation display unit 7 Motion sensor 8 Storage unit 10 Image forming device 51 First execution control unit 52 Second execution control unit

Claims (6)

The image forming part that forms the image and
A motion sensor that detects a person who is within a predetermined detection range based on the own device, and a motion sensor.
When the first condition predetermined for the process parameters related to the image formation is satisfied, and the person is not detected by the motion sensor, the image forming unit is made to execute a predetermined automatic maintenance process, and the above-mentioned When a person is detected, the first execution control unit that does not cause the image forming unit to execute the automatic maintenance process, and the first execution control unit.
When the first condition is satisfied, the first condition is included for the process parameter after the person is detected by the motion sensor and before the detection result of the motion sensor changes, and the first condition is more than the first condition. When the second condition, which has strict requirements for establishment, is satisfied, the second execution control unit causes the image forming unit to execute the automatic maintenance process or a simple maintenance process whose processing time is shorter than the automatic maintenance process.
An image forming apparatus comprising. In the situation where the automatic maintenance process is not executed, the second execution control unit sets the number of times the second condition is satisfied to a predetermined reference number each time the second condition is satisfied. It is determined whether or not it has been reached, and if it is determined that it has not been reached, the image forming unit is made to execute the simple maintenance process, and if it is determined that it has been reached, the image forming unit is made to execute the automatic maintenance process. ,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. When the person is detected by the motion sensor before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit is completed, the first execution control unit interrupts the automatic maintenance process to form the image. It is possible to have the unit execute the simple maintenance process.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the person is detected by the motion sensor before the automatic maintenance process executed by the image forming unit is completed, the first execution control unit has elapsed from the start of execution of the automatic maintenance process. If the time does not exceed a predetermined reference time, the automatic maintenance process is interrupted so that the image forming unit executes the simple maintenance process, and if the time exceeds the reference time, the automatic maintenance process is not interrupted.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The image forming portion forms an image using a developer, and the image forming portion forms an image.
The automatic maintenance process includes both a density correction process for the image and a replenishment process for the developer.
The first condition and the second condition are conditions determined for each type of the automatic maintenance process.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus including an image forming unit for forming an image and a motion sensor for detecting a person existing within a predetermined detection range based on the own device.
When the first condition predetermined for the process parameters related to the image formation is satisfied, and the person is not detected by the motion sensor, the image forming unit is made to execute a predetermined automatic maintenance process, and the above-mentioned When a person is detected, the first execution control step that does not cause the image forming unit to execute the automatic maintenance process, and
When the first condition is satisfied, the process parameter includes the first condition for the process parameter after the person is detected by the motion sensor and before the detection result of the motion sensor changes. A second execution control step for causing the image forming unit to execute the automatic maintenance process or a simple maintenance process having a shorter processing time than the automatic maintenance process when the second condition with strict establishment requirements is satisfied.
A method of controlling an image forming apparatus including.

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