JP2022087196A - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of the occurrence of downtime which is not intended by a user when the user happens to input a job to an image forming apparatus while it is performing a condensation removal operation and the job that is inputted during the condensation removal operation is not started until the condensation removal operation finishes.

SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: restriction means for performing processing of restricting execution of printing processing while a condensation removal processing is being executed; display control means which, when a print job is received while a condensation removal processing is being executed, makes a display part display a selection screen for selecting whether to execute printing processing according to the print job or to abort it; and print control means which performs control of, if execution of the printing processing is selected, executing the printing processing after the condensation removal processing finishes, while if abortion of the printing processing is selected, canceling the print job.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

Related to the technology that restricts the execution of jobs while the dew condensation countermeasure process is being executed.

If the job is executed with dew condensation occurring in the image forming apparatus, printing may fail. Normally, the job data is deleted after printing, so if printing fails, the user cannot check the contents of the received data.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 receives an instruction from the user and performs a dew condensation removing operation. Further, if the job is received while the dew condensation removal operation is being performed, the dew condensation removal operation cannot be normally completed, so that the job is not printed during the dew condensation removal operation.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-93718

The user may submit a job even though the image forming apparatus is executing the dew condensation removal operation. Here, according to the technique of Patent Document 1, the job input during the dew condensation removing operation is not started until the dew condensation removing operation is completed, and downtime unintentional to the user occurs.

When the image forming apparatus determines that dew condensation may have occurred in the image forming apparatus, it receives a dew condensation removing means for executing the dew condensation removing process and a print job instructing the execution of the print process. When a print job is received while the dew condensation removing process is being executed, the receiving means for restricting the execution of the printing process is performed, and the printing job is being received while the dew condensation removing process is being executed. , A display control means for displaying a selection screen for selecting whether to execute or cancel the print process according to the print job on the display unit, and when the print process is selected, the dew condensation. It has a print control means for controlling to execute the print process after the completion of the removal process and cancel the print job when it is selected to stop the execution of the print process.

According to such a configuration, even if a job is submitted in a state where dew condensation can occur, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unintended downtime by the user.

Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP in the first embodiment The block diagram which shows the hardware composition of the printing part in 1st Embodiment. Software configuration diagram of the MFP in the first embodiment The figure which shows the arrangement composition example of the operation part in 1st Embodiment A flowchart showing the setting process of the dew condensation countermeasure mode in the first embodiment. A flowchart showing an execution process of dew condensation countermeasures (when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled) in the first embodiment. A flowchart showing an execution process (at startup) of dew condensation countermeasures in the first embodiment. Flow chart showing dew condensation removal processing in the first embodiment A flowchart showing the environment determination process in the first embodiment. A flowchart showing the increment process related to the environment determination in the first embodiment. A flowchart showing the timing determination process of the environment determination in the first embodiment. A flowchart showing a job execution confirmation process in the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the user inquiry screen in 1st Embodiment The figure which shows the example of the setting screen of the dew condensation measures mode in 1st Embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the means for solving the invention.

<First Embodiment>
The hardware configuration of the MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The MFP 10 according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus having a printing function and a fax function. However, the present invention can also be applied to an SFP (Single Function Printer) or the like having only a printing function.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 118. When power is supplied, the CPU 101 executes a boot program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 102. When the CPU 101 executes the boot program, the main program stored in the storage is loaded into the RAM (Random Access Memory) 103. The RAM 103 functions not only as a load location for the main program but also as a work area for the main program.

The display controller 104 controls drawing for the display unit 105. On the other hand, the operation controller 106 controls the input from the operation unit 107 equipped on the MFP. The operation unit 107 includes a numeric keypad, a cursor key, a one-touch key, and the like.

The reading unit 111 reads the original. The reading unit 111 is connected to the reading controller 110, and the CPU 101 communicates with the reading unit 111 via the reading controller 110.

Further, the printing unit 113 forms an image on the recording paper by an electrophotographic method. The printing unit 113 will be described later. The printing unit 113 is connected to the printing controller 112, and the CPU 101 communicates with the printing unit 113 via the printing controller 112.

The USB host controller 114 is in charge of USB protocol control and mediates access to a USB device such as a USB memory (not shown).

MODEM 115 modulates and demodulates signals required for facsimile communication. Further, the MODEM 115 is connected to an NCU (Network Control Unit) 116. The signal modulated by MODEM 115 is transmitted to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) via NCU 116.

NIC117 exchanges data bidirectionally with a mail or file server or the like via a LAN.

The MFP 10 of this embodiment includes an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) 109 as storage. The CPU 101 accesses the eMMC 109 via the eMMC host controller 108. The storage is not limited to the eMMC, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like may be used.

Next, the hardware configuration of the printing unit 113 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

When the power is supplied, the CPU 200 executes the control program stored in the ROM 201. The RAM 202 functions as a work area of a control program or the like. Further, the CPU 200 receives various instructions issued by the main program of the MFP 10 via the serial i / f203. Then, according to various received commands, the electrophotographic unit 205 and the paper transport unit 206 are controlled via the I / O 204 connected to the system bus 208. Further, the CPU 200 acquires the temperature measurement result by the temperature sensor 207 via the I / O 204. The fan 209 rotates when instructed to perform the dew condensation removal process to promote the removal of dew condensation. A heater or the like may be used instead of the fan for the dew condensation removal treatment.

Next, the software configuration of the MFP 10 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Each part shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 is a software module realized by the CPU 101 executing the main program loaded in the RAM 103 by the boot program described above.

In the main program, the execution of each module described later is managed and controlled by the OS (Operating System) 301. The device driver unit 308 is combined with the OS unit 301. The Device Driver unit 308 mediates communication with hardware devices such as the print controller 112 and MODEM 115.

The UI (User Interface) unit 302 provides various information to the user via the display unit 105 and the operation unit 107, and receives various instructions from the user. The display unit 105 is provided with a touch panel and can be configured to receive an operation instruction from the user.

The Job Controller unit 303 accepts jobs such as copy, print, and fax, and controls the execution of the accepted jobs.

The Storage unit 306 is a software module that physically stores and manages data such as images and user settings sent by facsimile or received by facsimile in the eMMC 109.

For example, in the MFP 10 of the present embodiment, when the Job Controller unit 303 accepts a fax job, the Scan unit 307 receives the job request and controls the reading unit 111 to scan the document. Then, the scanned facsimile image data is stored in the storage unit 306. The facsimile image data stored in the storage unit 306 is read out by the fax unit 304 and is facsimile-transmitted to the other party via MODEM 115 and NCU 116. Alternatively, the image data facsimile-received from the other party via MODEM 115 and NCU 116 is taken in by the fax unit 304 and stored in the storage unit 306.

The Print unit 305 sends various predetermined commands to the print unit 113 via the print controller 112, receives the state of the print unit 113, and controls the operation of the print unit 113. For example, when printing a facsimile received image, after sending a print command to the printing unit 113, the image file stored in the storage unit 306 is read out and the image data included in the image file is transferred to the printing unit 113. ..

The MFP 10 of the present embodiment includes a VM (Virtual Machine) / FW (Framework) unit 309. The extended application unit 310 is composed of an arbitrary program or the like written in a script language.

Next, a configuration example of the operation unit 107 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The start key 401 is a key for receiving a start instruction for printing processing. The clear / stop key 402 functions as a clear key while the device is on standby and as a stop key while the job is being executed. The numeric keypad 403 is a key used by the user to input a number. The area 404 is an area for displaying a screen for the user to make various settings for the MFP 10 in order to execute copying, fax transmission, and the like.

Next, the treatment related to the dew condensation countermeasure treatment in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

(Dew condensation countermeasure mode setting process)
First, the setting process of the dew condensation countermeasure mode will be described with reference to FIG. The process of FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 101 reading the program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing the program. Alternatively, some processing may be realized by hardware such as a circuit.

The user can operate the operation unit 107 to set to enable the dew condensation countermeasure mode. Here, the dew condensation countermeasure mode is a mode in which the MFP 10 executes an environment determination process for determining whether or not the environment is likely to cause dew condensation, and a dew condensation removal process for removing dew condensation. The dew condensation removing process is, for example, a process of rotating a fan 209 or turning on a heater to remove dew condensation. Alternatively, the process of waiting for a predetermined time sufficient for the dew condensation to disappear may be performed without using the fan 209 or the heater.

The details of the environment determination process will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. The details of the dew condensation removal treatment will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the present embodiment, the user can set whether to enable or disable the dew condensation countermeasure mode. Further, the user can set whether or not to restrict the execution of the printing process while the dew condensation removing process is being executed when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled. Only an administrator user who is authenticated based on a user ID or password may be able to make these settings.

During the dew condensation removal process, the dew condensation may not be sufficiently removed, which may reduce the print quality. For users who want to maintain print quality, even if a print job is accepted during the execution of the dew condensation removal process, the print restriction mode (print restriction setting) that restricts the job execution until the dew condensation removal process is completed is enabled. Can be set to. Further, even if the print quality is deteriorated, if it is desired to enable printing during the execution of the dew condensation removal process, the user can set the print restriction during the execution of the dew condensation removal process to be invalid.

In this embodiment, the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective, and the FAX data received while the dew condensation removal process is being executed is held in a memory such as the RAM 103 so that it will not be printed until the dew condensation removal process is completed. Limited to. Unlike a print job, fax data is difficult to input again when printing fails. This is because, in order to re-input the FAX data, the sender of the FAX is requested to transmit the data again. Therefore, the output of the FAX data is restricted during the execution of the dew condensation removal process which may deteriorate the print quality, and the FAX data held in the memory is printed after the dew condensation removal process is completed.

First, the user operates the operation unit to display the setting screen of the dew condensation countermeasure mode. The user can set whether to enable or disable the dew condensation countermeasure mode on the setting screen. Further, the user can set whether or not to enable the above-mentioned print restriction mode when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled. For example, when the user selects whether to enable or disable the dew condensation countermeasure mode, and then presses the setting confirmation button after selecting whether to enable or disable the print restriction mode, the selected content is activated.

An example of the setting screen is shown in FIG. Button 1401 is a button for effectively setting the dew condensation countermeasure mode. The button 1402 is a button for invalidating the dew condensation countermeasure mode. The button 1403 is a button for setting that only the memory retention of the FAX received data is executed during the execution of the dew condensation removal process and the execution of the print job is not restricted. The button 1404 is a button for setting to receive the FAX reception data in the memory and to suspend the execution of the print job while the dew condensation removal process is being executed. The button 1405 is a button for confirming the contents set on the setting screen.

The details of the setting process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 receives the setting contents via the operation controller 106 (S501). For example, the setting content is accepted at the timing when the above-mentioned setting confirmation button is pressed.

The CPU 101 determines whether or not the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled by the setting (S502). If the dew condensation countermeasure mode is not enabled, set according to the operation details and end the process.

On the other hand, when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled, the CPU 101 determines whether the print restriction mode is enabled (S503). As described above, the print restriction mode is a mode for restricting the execution of printing during the execution of the dew condensation removal process.

When the print restriction mode is effective (Yes in S503), it is stored in the eMMC 109 that the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective and the print restriction mode is effective (S504). In the present embodiment, when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled, the fax data memory retention function is also automatically enabled. Therefore, in step S504, it is stored in the eMMC 109 that the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective, the fax data memory holding function is effective, and the print restriction function is effective.

On the other hand, when the print restriction mode is not effective (No in S503), it is stored in the eMMC 109 that the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective, but it is stored that the print restriction mode is not effective (S505). Similar to step S504, when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled, the fax data memory retention function is automatically enabled. Therefore, in step S505, it is stored in the eMMC 109 that the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective and that the fax data memory holding function is effective.

When the process of step S504 or step S505 is completed, the dew condensation countermeasure mode setting process is terminated.

(Execution processing of dew condensation measures)
Next, the execution process of the dew condensation countermeasure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the dew condensation countermeasure process performed at the timing when the setting for enabling the dew condensation countermeasure mode is confirmed. Further, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a dew condensation countermeasure process performed when the power of the MFP 10 is turned off and then the power of the MFP is turned on after it is decided to enable the dew condensation countermeasure mode. ..

The CPU 200 executes the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 by expanding the program read from the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

First, the process of FIG. 6 will be described. The CPU 200 determines whether the setting for enabling the dew condensation countermeasure mode is confirmed (S601). The CPU 200 repeats the process of step S601 until the activation of the dew condensation countermeasure mode is confirmed.

When the setting for enabling the dew condensation countermeasure mode is confirmed (Yes in S601), the CPU 200 controls to start the dew condensation removal process (S602). The CPU 200 outputs a dew condensation notification to the program for performing the dew condensation removal process. The details of the dew condensation removal treatment will be described later with reference to FIG.

When the dew condensation removal process is completed, the CPU 200 determines whether it is the environment determination timing (S603). The environment determination timing is a timing for determining whether or not the temperature environment inside or outside the apparatus of the MFP 10 is in a state where dew condensation can occur. For example, the MFP 10 determines the environment at predetermined time intervals. For example, the temperature is measured every 10 minutes to determine whether or not dew condensation can occur.

If it is not the environment determination timing (No in S603), the CPU 200 repeats the process of S603 until the environment determination timing is reached. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is the environment determination timing (Yes in S603), the environment determination process is performed. The environment determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the environment is determined to cause dew condensation as a result of the environment determination process (S605). If it is not determined that the environment is such that dew condensation occurs (No in S605), the process returns to step S603. On the other hand, when it is determined that the environment is such that dew condensation occurs (Yes in S605), the CPU 200 notifies the program that performs the dew condensation removal process of dew condensation (S606). After that, the CPU 200 returns to the process of S601.

Next, the process when the MFP 10 is started while the dew condensation countermeasure mode is enabled will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the example of FIG. 6, the dew condensation removal process was started immediately when the dew condensation countermeasure mode was enabled, but in the example of FIG. 7, when the MFP 10 is started, the CPU 101 first performs an environment determination process and dew condensation. After it is determined that it is the timing at which the dew condensation occurs, the dew condensation removal process is started.

The CPU 200 executes the process of FIG. 7 by expanding the program read from the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

The CPU 101 starts the startup process of the MFP 10 when the power switch is operated from the state where the power of the MFP 10 is turned off and the power is instructed to be turned on. When the CPU 200 detects that the startup process has been performed (S701), the CPU 200 proceeds to the execution of the process in step S702.

Next, the CPU 200 determines whether the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective (S702). The CPU 200 can determine whether the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective by checking, for example, the setting contents of the dew condensation countermeasure mode set in the eMMC. If the dew condensation countermeasure mode is not valid, the dew condensation countermeasure execution process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the dew condensation countermeasure mode is effective, the CPU 200 determines whether it is the environment determination timing (S703). If it is not the environment determination timing (No in S703), the CPU 200 repeats the process of step S703. On the other hand, when it is the environment determination timing, the environment determination process is executed (S704). The details of the environment determination process will be described with reference to FIG.

Subsequently, the CPU 200 determines whether or not it is determined that the environment is such that dew condensation can occur as a result of the environment determination process (S705). If it is determined that the environment does not cause dew condensation (No in S705), the CPU 200 returns to the process of S703. On the other hand, when it is determined that the environment is such that dew condensation occurs (Yes in S705), the dew condensation removal process is executed (S706). When the dew condensation removal process is completed, the CPU 200 returns to the process of step S702.

(Condensation removal treatment)
Next, the dew condensation removal treatment will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 200 executes the process of FIG. 8 by expanding the program read from the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

When the program for the dew condensation removal process executed by the CPU 200 receives the dew condensation notification from the CPU 101 (S801), the fax memory reception control is performed according to the settings stored in S504 or S505 of FIG. If the print restriction mode is valid, print restriction is performed (S802).

Subsequently, the CPU 200 rotates the fan 209. Instead of rotating the fan 209, a heater (not shown) may be attached. Alternatively, both the fan 209 and the heater may be operated.

Next, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the predetermined time S1 has elapsed since the fan 209 started to rotate (S804). The CPU 200 repeats the process of S804 until the predetermined time S1 elapses. When the predetermined time S1 elapses (Yes in S804), the CPU 200 stops the rotation of the fan (S805). Then, the CPU 200 cancels the FAX restriction and the printing restriction executed in S802 (S806). When the restriction is lifted, the print processing or fax data printing that has been suspended for execution is executed. That is, these printing processes are executed after the dew condensation removing process is completed. Then, the CPU 200 outputs the dew condensation recovery notification to the program for determining the environment and ends the process (S807).

(Environmental judgment processing)
Subsequently, the environment determination process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The CPU 200 executes the processes of FIGS. 9 and 10 by expanding the program read from the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing the program. The environment determination process is started when the CPU 101 determines that it is time to perform the environment determination. The timing determination process will be described later with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 200 acquires the measurement result t (i) of the environmental temperature from the temperature sensor 207 (S901). In the present embodiment, the environmental temperature is the temperature inside the housing of the MFP 10. The CPU 200 acquires the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 207 as t (i).

Next, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the dew condensation removal process described with reference to FIG. 8 is being executed (S902). If the dew condensation removal process is being executed (Yes in S902), the CPU 200 proceeds to step S906. On the other hand, if the dew condensation removal process is not being executed (No in S902), the process proceeds to step S903.

In step S903, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the environmental temperature t (i-1) measured in the past is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature T1. If the environmental temperature t (i-1) is T1 or less (Yes in S903), the CPU 200 proceeds to step S904. On the other hand, when the environmental temperature t (i-1) is higher than T1, the CPU 200 proceeds to the process of step S906.

In step S904, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the difference between the environmental temperature t (i) and the environmental temperature t (i-1) measured before the predetermined time S1 is larger than the predetermined reference value D. When the difference is larger than the reference value D (Yes in S904), it is determined that the environment is such that dew condensation may occur in step S905. On the other hand, when the difference is equal to or less than the reference value D, the CPU 200 executes the process of step S906.

When t (i-1) is T1 or less (S903Yes) and t (i) -t (i-1) is larger than the reference value D (S904Yes), that is, at a relatively low temperature, the surroundings It means that the temperature has risen. Since it is estimated that the humidity increases with the temperature, it can be determined that there is a possibility of dew condensation. When it is determined that the environment is such that dew condensation may occur, the dew condensation removal process is started as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In step S906, the CPU 200 stores the environmental temperature t (i) acquired in step S901 in the RAM 202.

Subsequently, the increment process of t (i) of the environmental temperature will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 200 performs the timing determination process described with reference to FIG. 11 (S1001). If it is determined that it is not the environment determination timing, the CPU 200 repeats the process of step S1001.

On the other hand, when it is determined that it is the environment determination timing (Yes in S1001), i of the environment temperature t (i) is incremented (S1002).

When the process of step S1002 is completed, the CPU 200 proceeds to step S1003 and executes the environment determination process described with reference to FIG.

The above is only an example of a method for detecting the possibility of dew condensation, and other methods may be used. For example, the humidity inside the apparatus of the MFP 10 may be measured, and the occurrence of dew condensation may be determined based on the detected humidity. Not limited to the temperature and humidity inside the device, the temperature and humidity outside the device may be used for the determination.

(Timing judgment processing)
Next, the timing determination process for determining whether or not it is the execution timing of the environment determination process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 200 executes the process of FIG. 11 by expanding the program read from the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

The CPU 200 determines whether or not a predetermined time S2 has elapsed since the last time the environment determination process was performed (S1101). When the process of step S1101 is performed for the first time after the MFP 10 is started, it is determined whether the predetermined time S2 has elapsed since the MFP 10 was started.

When it is determined that the predetermined time S2 has elapsed, the CPU 200 determines that it is the environment determination timing (S1104).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time S2 has not elapsed, the CPU 200 determines whether the MFP 10 has recovered from the power saving state (S1102). When the MFP 10 recovers from the power saving state, the CPU 200 proceeds to step S1104 and determines that it is the environment determination timing. When the recovery event from the power saving state has not occurred, the CPU 200 determines whether the print job has been submitted (S1103). If there is no print job submission event, the CPU 200 returns to step S1101. On the other hand, when a print job is submitted, it is determined that it is the environment determination timing.

According to the above processing, the CPU 200 arrives at the environment determination timing when the predetermined time S2 has elapsed from the startup or the previous environment determination processing, when the MFP 10 returns from the power saving state, and when the print job is received. Judge that there is.

The determination method shown in FIG. 11 is only an example, and it may be determined that it is the environment determination timing when a factor other than the above occurs.

As described above, the dew condensation countermeasure treatment can be realized by the treatment described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11. An example in which each of the processes of FIGS. 5 and 11 is performed by either the CPU 101 or the CPU 200 has been described, but the execution subject is not limited to the above example. The process described as the process executed by the CPU 200 may be executed by the CPU 101. Alternatively, the CPU 200 may execute the process described as the process executed by the CPU 101. The CPU 101 may execute a part of the processing of one flowchart, and the CPU 200 may execute the other part of the processing.

(Job execution confirmation process)
Subsequently, the job execution confirmation process will be described with reference to FIG. The process of FIG. 12 is realized by the CPU 101 reading the program stored in the ROM 102 into the RAM 103 and executing the program. Alternatively, some processing may be realized by hardware such as a circuit.

The job confirmation process is a process of confirming to the user whether to execute the print job when a print job is submitted while the dew condensation removal process is being executed while the print restriction mode is enabled. If a print job is submitted while the print restriction mode is enabled and the dew condensation removal process is being executed, printing is executed after the dew condensation removal process is completed. Therefore, the user may not be able to obtain the printed matter immediately. In such a case, the user can obtain the printed matter faster by submitting the print job to another printing device that has not been subjected to the dew condensation removal process and executing the print job.

Therefore, in the confirmation process shown in FIG. 12, when a print job is submitted while the dew condensation removal process is being executed while the print restriction mode is enabled, the user inquiry screen is displayed on the display unit 105 and the job is displayed on the MFP10. Ask the user whether to execute with. Then, when the user instructs to cancel the job, the accepted job is canceled. Hereinafter, details will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the print job execution instruction has been accepted (S1201). If the print job execution instruction is not received, the CPU 101 repeats the process of step S1201.

When it is determined that the print job execution instruction has been accepted (S1201Yes), the CPU 101 determines whether the dew condensation removal process is being executed (S1202). If the dew condensation removal process is not being executed, the CPU 101 returns to the process of step S1201.

When it is determined in step S1202 that the dew condensation removal process is being executed, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the print restriction mode is set to be valid (S1203).

If the print restriction mode is not valid (NO in S1203), the CPU 101 proceeds to step S1208 and causes the printing unit 113 to execute the print job. In this case, the inquiry screen described later is not displayed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the print restriction mode is valid (Yes in S1203), the CPU 101 causes the display unit 105 to display the inquiry screen shown in FIG. 13 (S1204).

This inquiry is a notification screen for notifying the user that it may take time to execute the submitted job because the dew condensation removal process is being executed. Further, this inquiry screen is a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether to execute or cancel the submitted job. When the user presses the "Yes" button 1301, the job execution can be stopped. That is, the submitted job is canceled. On the other hand, when the user presses the "No" button 1302, the job execution continues. In this case, the job is executed after the print removal process is completed. For example, after the fan 209 finishes rotating by S1 for a predetermined time, the printed matter corresponding to the print job is output by the printing unit 113.

The content of the inquiry screen is not limited to the example of FIG. Instead of "yes" and "no", notations such as "cancel job" and "execute job" may be used. The inquiry screen 1300 may display the time required for the dew condensation removal process to be completed. By subtracting the time elapsed from the start of fan rotation to the present from the predetermined time S1, the time required for the print removal process to be completed can be calculated. The time calculated in this way is displayed on the inquiry screen. It may be displayed as the time required for printing to be possible, not as the time required for the dew condensation removal process to be completed.

In this way, when the CPU 101 receives the print job while the dew condensation removal process is being executed, the CPU 101 displays a selection screen for selecting whether to execute or stop the print process according to the print job. Display control is performed.

In step S1205, the CPU 101 determines whether to continue executing the submitted job. This determination is executed based on the input result of the inquiry screen. For example, when the user inputs an instruction to continue the job execution to the inquiry screen, it is determined that the job execution is continued, and the process proceeds to step S1206. On the other hand, when the user inputs an instruction to stop the execution of the job to the inquiry screen, it is determined that the execution of the job is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S1209.

In step S1209, the CPU 101 cancels the job and ends the process.

In step S1206, the CPU 101 keeps the submitted job held in the RAM 103. Then, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S1207 and determines whether the dew condensation removal process is completed. For example, the CPU 101 can determine that the dew condensation removal process is completed when the dew condensation recovery notification output in step S807 of FIG. 8 is given. When the dew condensation removal process is completed, the CPU 101 controls the printing unit 113 to execute the pending job.

According to the above processing, it is possible to notify the user that it may take time to execute the submitted job because the dew condensation removal processing is being executed. Further, when there is a possibility that it takes time to execute the job, the user can select whether to execute or cancel the once submitted job.

Then, when it is selected to execute the print process, the MFP 10 performs print control to execute the print process after the dew condensation removal process is completed. Further, the MFP 10 performs print control for canceling the print job when it is selected to cancel the execution of the print process.

In this way, the user can cancel the job if it takes time to execute the once submitted job. That is, it is possible to prevent the user from having to wait for a long time until the job is executed. That is, even if a job is submitted in a state where dew condensation can occur, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of unintended downtime by the user.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

101 CPU
113 Printing unit 200 CPU
209 fan 1300 inquiry screen

The image forming apparatus described in the present application is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and is a dew condensation removing processing means for executing a dew condensation removing process based on predetermined conditions, and at least during the execution of the dew condensation removing process. A first mode that controls not to execute image formation and displays an object that accepts a cancellation instruction of the job based on an instruction to execute a job accompanied by image formation during the execution of the dew condensation removal process, and the dew condensation. It is characterized by having a second mode that allows image formation even during execution of the removal process, and a setting means for setting.

Claims (1)

It is an image forming device
When it is determined that dew condensation may have occurred in the image forming apparatus, the dew condensation removing means for executing the dew condensation removing process and the dew condensation removing means.
A receiving means for receiving a print job instructing the execution of printing processing, and
While the dew condensation removing process is being executed, the limiting means for performing the process of restricting the execution of the printing process and the limiting means.
When a print job is received while the dew condensation removal process is being executed, a display control means for displaying a selection screen for selecting whether to execute or stop the print process according to the print job is displayed on the display unit. ,
If it is selected to execute the print process, the print process is executed after the dew condensation removal process is completed, and if it is selected to stop the execution of the print process, the print job is executed. An image forming apparatus comprising a print control means for controlling cancellation.

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