JP4093180B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates monochrome and printers and copiers for color to form an image, it is applied to a complex machine thereof, etc. Suitable imaging equipment on the basis of any image information.

  In recent years, black and white and color printers and copiers that form images based on arbitrary image information, and multi-function peripherals thereof are often used. For example, a monochrome image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit including an exposure unit, a developing device, a photosensitive drum, and a fixing device. The exposure means draws an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum based on arbitrary image information. In the developing device, a black toner agent is attached to the electrostatic latent image drawn on the photosensitive drum and developed. The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to a sheet and then fixed by a fixing device. As a result, an image can be formed on the paper fed from the paper feed tray.

  According to this type of image forming apparatus, warm-up processing is performed in order to maintain the fixing temperature of the fixing device constant when the power is turned on. Further, the process correction mode is executed during the warm-up process. The purpose is to maintain high image quality in the image forming system after completion of the warm-up process. Here, the process correction mode refers to an operation of correcting an image forming system that forms an image for process operation adjustment on a photosensitive drum and reads the image to adjust process operation conditions. The color image forming apparatus is subject to color registration correction, maximum image density (Dmax) correction, and gradation correction. However, the frequency of executing the correction process is high, and the time required for the correction process tends to be long. is there.

  Even in the process correction mode of a black and white image forming apparatus, a reference patch image is created on the photosensitive drum, and the density of the reference patch image is read to charge the image density, gradation, toner density, etc. And the image writing unit and the developing device are controlled. In general, the positional deviation occurs due to assembly tolerances of the image writing unit and the photosensitive drum. Further, it is considered that the exposure means and the support portion such as the photosensitive drum expand and contract due to a change in the outside air temperature due to a change in the outside air temperature or continuous use, causing a positional shift over time, which is considered to be caused by this.

  In relation to this type of process correction function, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus. According to this image forming apparatus, the image quality adjusting operation control device is provided, and when the heater for fixing reaches a predetermined temperature in the warming-up process when the power is turned on, the heater built in the heating roller for pressurization is heated. To stop. At the same time, an image quality adjustment operation is started. In this way, the time required for discharging the first copy when the power is turned on can be shortened.

  Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 disclose other image forming apparatuses. According to this image forming apparatus, initial setting, laser power adjustment, toner density control, maximum image density correction, tone correction, using a so-called warm-up processing time from when the power is turned on until the fixing temperature is reached. A developer preparation is performed. In this way, a copy image having an efficient and stable gradation and image density can be obtained without providing a special time.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses an image forming apparatus and an image forming method. The image forming apparatus includes a document reading unit, an image processing unit, an image forming unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the document reading unit to read a document during the warm-up process of the image forming unit. The image information obtained in step 1 is transferred to the image processing means. The image processing means stores the image information subjected to the image processing during the warm-up process in the memory. After the warm-up is completed, the control unit reads the image information from the memory and transfers it to the image forming unit. In this way, image information can be read without waiting for the end of warming up, and image forming processing based on the image information can be performed immediately after the end of warming up of the image forming means.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-114311 (page 4, Fig. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-095460 (Page 2, Fig. 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-333922 (2nd page, Fig. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-219317 (page 3, Fig. 2)

  However, the conventional image forming apparatus has the following problems.

  i. In recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, copying machines and the like with a short warm-up time have been developed. However, this type of image forming apparatus has sufficient time to execute image correction control that has been conventionally performed during the warm-up process. It has become a state that can not be secured.

  ii. According to Patent Document 1, when the heating heater reaches a predetermined temperature in the warming-up process when the power is turned on, heating of the heater built in the pressure heating roller is stopped and image quality adjustment is performed at the same time. The operation is started. For this reason, the image quality of the first copy when the power is turned on may be deteriorated.

  iii. According to Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, initial setting, laser power adjustment, toner density control, maximum image density correction, gradation correction, and developer preparation are performed using the warm-up time. However, when the warm-up time is shortened in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, when the user wants to use the copying machine or the like urgently, the correction operation time becomes long and the state in which the apparatus cannot be used becomes long. It is expected that it will fall into a situation.

  iv. According to Patent Document 4, the document reading process is executed during the warm-up process. However, depending on the execution timing of the process correction mode, it is predicted that power cannot be stably supplied to the fixing device during the warm-up process. . It is also necessary to reduce the power used for the process correction mode. On the other hand, high image quality must be ensured.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-described problem, and while the warm-up time is shortened, the execution timing of the process correction mode is devised so that the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured. , and to provide an image forming equipment which is adapted to the image quality of the first image forming job can be ensured.

In order to solve the above problems, the first image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information according to any of the image forming job, the image forming member An image forming unit that forms an image on the image forming body, and when the power is turned on, the image forming unit performs a warming up process, and during the warming up process , image information relating to an image forming job is input to the image forming unit A process correction mode in which an image for process operation adjustment is formed on the image forming body, and the process operation condition is read by adjusting the process operation condition. It has a simple correction mode that simplifies the correction, and the control means inputs image information based on whether or not image information is input during the warm-up process. If there, it is characterized in performing a simple correction mode during the warm-up process.

According to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image is formed on the image forming body based on the image information related to an arbitrary image forming job, the control unit includes the image forming body together with the power on. The warm-up process of the image forming unit is executed, and during the warm-up process , the input of image information related to the image forming job to the image forming unit is monitored, and when the image information is input during the warm-up process, the simple correction mode is To be executed .

Therefore, if an input of the image information in the U O over timing up process, without shifting to the process correction mode, perform the simple correction mode, etc., after the end of the first image forming job, to perform the process correction mode be able to. If no image information is input during the warm-up process, the process correction mode can be executed after the warm-up process is completed.

  As a result, while the warm-up time is shortened, fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the image quality related to the first image forming job can be secured.

A second image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information according to any of the image forming job, the image forming body having an image forming body The image forming means for forming an image on the image forming apparatus and the control means for executing the warm-up process of the image forming means when the power is turned on and monitoring the input of image information relating to the image forming job to the image forming means during the warm-up process. A process correction mode for forming an image for process operation adjustment on the image forming body, reading the image and adjusting a process operation condition, and a storage means for acquiring a correction value based on execution of the process correction mode, and storing and updating the correction value has a control means updates and stores the sequentially storing means a correction value based on the process correction mode, warm-of the next power-on During up process, when there is an input of the image information, without performing a process correction mode, reads out the correction value of the stored latest at the time of the previous power-off, of the image forming job based on the correction value An image forming process is executed.

According to the second image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the image is formed on the image forming body based on the image information related to an arbitrary image forming job, the control unit has the image forming body together with the power on. The warm-up process of the image forming unit is executed, and the input of image information related to the image forming job to the image forming unit is monitored during the warm-up process .

When image information is input during the warm-up process , the control unit executes the image forming process of the image forming job based on the latest correction value stored when the power is turned off the last time .

  Accordingly, the fixing power during the warm-up process can be ensured while the warm-up time is shortened, and the image forming process is executed based on the latest correction value acquired when the power is turned off last time. The image quality relating to the first image forming job can be ensured.

Third image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information according to any of the image forming job, the image forming body having an image forming body The image forming means for forming an image on the image forming apparatus and the control means for executing the warm-up process of the image forming means when the power is turned on and monitoring the input of image information relating to the image forming job to the image forming means during the warm-up process. A process correction mode for forming an image for process operation adjustment on the image forming body, reading the image to adjust process operation conditions, and a detecting unit for detecting an installation environment of the image forming unit and outputting installation environment information ; , and a storage means for the correction value obtained by storing updated based on the execution of the decision process correction mode by the control means, the control means, wo During timing up process, when there is an input of the image information, the process without executing correction mode, compares the installation environment information at the time of the previous power-off of the image forming means and the current installation environment information environmental difference Information is obtained, and the image forming process is executed based on a new correction value obtained by further correcting the latest correction value stored in the storage unit when the power is turned off last time according to the environmental difference information. .

  According to the third image forming apparatus of the present invention, when forming an image on the image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job, the detecting unit detects an installation environment of the image forming unit. To output installation environment information. Based on this assumption, the control unit does not execute the process correction mode during the warm-up process, and compares the installation environment information when the image forming unit was last turned off with the current installation environment information. Difference information is obtained, and an image forming process is executed based on a new correction value obtained by further correcting the latest correction value stored in the storage unit when the power is turned off last time according to the environmental difference information. Correction values based on the execution of the process correction mode are sequentially stored and updated in the storage means.

  Therefore, while the warm-up time is shortened, fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the latest correction value acquired when the power is turned off last time is further corrected according to the environmental difference information. Since the image forming process is executed based on the correct correction value, the image quality related to the first image forming job can be ensured.

According to the first image forming apparatus of the present invention, when an image is formed on the image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job, the warm-up process of the image forming unit is executed together with the power on, During the warm-up process, there is a control unit that monitors the input of image information related to the image forming job to the image forming unit, and this control unit executes the simple correction mode when the image information is input during the warm-up process. To do .

By this arrangement, in which the c O over zooming up time is shortened, it is possible to secure the fixing power in the warm-up process, moreover, it is possible to ensure the quality of the first image forming job.

According to the second image forming apparatus of the present invention, when an image is formed on the image forming body based on the image information related to an arbitrary image forming job, the warm-up process of the image forming unit is executed when the power is turned on. And a control unit that monitors input of image information related to the image forming job to the image forming unit during the warm-up process, and the control unit is configured to perform a process correction mode when image information is input during the warm-up process. the without running, it reads the latest correction value obtained at the previous power-off, it's also that perform image forming processing based on the correction value.

  With this configuration, while the warm-up time is shortened, the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the image forming process is executed based on the latest correction value acquired when the power is turned off last time. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the image quality related to the first image forming job.

  According to the third image forming apparatus of the present invention, when an image is formed on the image forming body based on image information related to an arbitrary image forming job, the process correction mode is not executed during the warm-up process. In addition, the environmental difference information is obtained by comparing the installation environment information when the image forming unit was last turned off with the current installation environment information, and the latest correction value acquired when the power was last turned off is further converted into the environmental difference information. Control means for executing the image forming process based on the new correction value corrected accordingly is provided.

  With this configuration, while the warm-up time is shortened, fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the latest correction value acquired when the power was last turned off is further corrected according to the environmental difference information. Since the image forming process is executed based on the new correction value, the image quality related to the first image forming job can be ensured.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 as each embodiment according to the present invention.
In this embodiment, when an image is formed on an image forming body based on image information related to an arbitrary image forming job, the image forming unit is warmed up when the power is turned on. The control unit that monitors the input of image information related to the first image forming job and determines the execution timing of the process correction mode based on the presence / absence of the input of the image information, and the execution determined based on the presence / absence of the input of the image information The process correction mode can be executed according to the timing, and if image information is input during the warm-up process, the simple correction mode is executed without shifting to the process correction mode, and the first image forming job is completed. The process correction mode can be executed later (first image forming apparatus).

  An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus that forms an image on an image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job. It is preferable. The image forming apparatus 100 constitutes a direct transfer type multifunction peripheral that obtains a monochrome image, and has an apparatus main body 101. The apparatus main body includes paper feed trays 30A and 30B, a document reading unit 11, a control unit 15, an image writing unit 60, an image forming unit (hereinafter also referred to as an image forming system) 70, and the like. A manual feed tray 63 is provided.

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) 40 is attached to the upper portion of the apparatus main body 101 and operates to automatically feed an arbitrary document. For example, the ADF 40 includes a document placement portion 41, a roller 42 a, a roller 42 b, a roller 43, a conveyance roller 44, and a paper discharge tray 46. One or a plurality of documents 20 are placed on the document placing portion 41. A roller 42 a and a roller 42 b are provided on the downstream side of the document placing portion 41. When the automatic paper feeding mode is selected, the document 20 fed out from the document placing portion 41 is rotated in a U shape by the downstream roller 43. To be conveyed. When the automatic paper feeding mode is set, the recording surface of the document 20 is placed upward by the document placement unit 41.

  On the other hand, an original reading unit 11 is provided in the main body apparatus, and an arbitrary original 20 is read and image information is output to the image forming unit 70. A reduction type image sensor is used for the document reading unit 11. Further, the document reading unit 11 reads the surface of the document 20 and outputs image information on the document surface (hereinafter referred to as document image data Din) when the document 20 is reversed in a U shape by the roller 43, for example. To be made.

  The image reading unit 11 includes a first platen glass 51, a second platen glass 52, a light source 53, mirrors 54, 55, and 56, an imaging optical unit 57, a CCD imaging device 58, and an optical drive unit (not shown). . The document 20 read by the document reading unit 11 is transported by the transport roller 44 and discharged to the discharge tray 46.

  The document reading means 11 is provided with a CCD image pickup device 58 constituting a reduction type image sensor, and an image processing means 21 is connected to an output stage of the CCD image pickup device 58 so that original image data Din after image processing is an image. It is output to the forming means 70. The image forming means 70 forms an image on the paper 30 fed out from one of the paper feed tray 30A, the paper feed tray 30B, the manual feed tray 63, and the like. The image forming unit 70 is an organic photosensitive drum (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) 71 as an example of an image forming member, a charger 72, a developing unit 73, a transfer unit 74, a separator 75, a cleaning unit 76, a transport mechanism 77, and a fixing unit. A device 78 is included.

  A charger 72 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 71, and the photosensitive drum 71 is uniformly charged in advance based on a predetermined charging potential. An image writing 60 is provided, for example, on the upper right side of the photoconductive drum 71, and a photoconductive drum 71 is exposed by being irradiated with a laser beam having a predetermined intensity based on the original image data Din after image processing. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  On the right side of the photosensitive drum 71, a developing unit 73 containing toner and carrier (developer) is disposed, and the electrostatic latent image exposed by the image writing unit 60 is developed with toner. Below the developing unit 73, a registration roller 62, paper feed trays 30A and 30B, and the like are provided.

  A transfer device 74 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 71, and a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 71 through charging, exposure, and development is transferred to a sheet 30 whose conveyance timing is controlled by a registration roller 62. Is done. A separator 75 is provided adjacent to the transfer device 74, and the paper 30 onto which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the photosensitive drum 71. A transport mechanism 77 is provided on the downstream side of the separator 75, and a fixing device 78 is provided at the end thereof. In the fixing device 78, the toner image transferred to the paper 30 is fixed. A cleaning unit 76 is provided between the transport mechanism unit 77 and the above-described charger 72 so as to face the photoconductive drum 71, and the toner remaining on the photoconductive drum 71 is cleaned.

  When duplex copying is selected in this example, an image is formed on one paper surface (front surface), and an image is also formed on the back surface of the paper 30 discharged from the fixing device 78. The sheet 30 discharged from the fixing device 78 is branched from the sheet discharge path by the branching unit 91, and the front and back are reversed by the lower reversing roller 92 and the reversing unit 93 constituting the sheet feeding unit 23. The sheet 30 passes through the reverse conveying path 94 and joins the normal sheet feeding path before the sheet feeding roller 61.

The paper 30 that has been transported in the reverse direction passes through the registration rollers 62 and is transported again to the transfer device 74, and the toner image is transferred onto the other surface (back surface) of the paper 30. The sheet 30 on which the toner image is transferred is fixed by the fixing device 78, is sandwiched between the discharge rollers 95, and is discharged to a discharge tray 96 or the like outside the apparatus. The time of forming these images, 52.3~63.9kg / m ² (1000 sheets) about thin and 64.0~81.4kg / m ² (1000 sheets) of approximately plain paper or a paper 30 83 .0~130.0kg / m ² (1000 sheets) about cardboard and 150.0kg / m ² (1000 sheets) about super thick paper is used. As process operating conditions (image forming conditions), it is preferable that the linear velocity is about 80 to 350 mm / sec, and the environmental conditions are set to a temperature of about 5 to 35 ° C. and a humidity of about 15 to 85%. The thickness of the paper 30 (paper thickness) is about 0.05 to 0.15 mm.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 has a control unit 15 and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 71 based on document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job.

  The control unit 15 is connected to the document reading unit 11, the image memory 13, the image processing unit 21, and the like. The document image data Din read by the document reading unit 11 is stored in the image memory 13 under the memory control of the control unit 15. The document image data Din stored in the image memory 13 is subjected to image processing by the image processing means 21. The document image data Dout after image processing is transferred to the image forming means 70.

  The image forming unit 70 includes the photoconductive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1, and forms an image on the photoconductive drum 71 based on the image forming mode or the process correction mode. Here, the image forming mode refers to an operation of forming an image on a predetermined sheet 30 based on the document image data Dout and outputting an image formed product. The process correction mode is an operation for forming an image for process operation adjustment on the photosensitive drum 71 and correcting the image forming system that reads the image and adjusts process operation conditions. A reference patch image for adjusting density and gradation is applied to the process operation adjustment image.

  In addition to the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1, the image forming means 70 includes a charger 72 facing the photosensitive drum 71, an image writing unit 60 for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 71, and a static A developing unit 73 that converts the electrostatic latent image into a toner image, a transfer unit 74 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 onto a sheet (transfer material) 30, and a fixing device 78 that fixes the toner image on the sheet 30 are provided. The process operation conditions described above include the rotational speed (process linear speed) of the photosensitive drum 71, the charging voltage in the charger 72, the laser emission intensity in the image writing unit (exposure means) 60, and the bias voltage in the developing device 73. In addition, there are cases where the voltage applied to the transfer device 74 and the separator 75, the temperature of the fixing device 78, and the like are included.

  In the process correction mode, a reference patch image is created on the photosensitive drum 71, and the density of the reference patch image is read to thereby correct the image density, gradation, toner density, etc. The unit 60 and the developing device 73 are controlled. This control is for finely adjusting the process operation conditions (fine correction processing).

  The above-described control unit 15 executes warm-up processing of the image forming unit 70 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of document image data Din related to the first image forming job after the power is turned on to the image forming unit 70. The execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on whether or not the document image data Din is input.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 executes the simple correction mode during the start sequence process related to the first image forming job immediately after the warm-up process is completed. The simple correction mode is a correction operation in which the correction contents of the image forming system are simplified as compared with the above-described process correction mode (coarse correction processing).

  When the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 executes the simple correction mode during the warm-up process, and executes the normal process correction mode after the end of the first image forming job. Note that if the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 executes the process correction mode immediately after the warm-up process is completed.

  An operation unit 14 is further connected to the control unit 15 and is operated to set an image forming mode or a process correction mode. In the image forming mode, an operation is performed to select one of the paper feed trays 30A and 30B, the manual feed tray 63, and the like. The operation unit 14 is also used when setting image forming conditions (process operation conditions). Image forming conditions, tray selection information, and the like are output to the control unit 15 as operation data D3.

  In addition to the operation means 14, a display means 18 is connected to the control means 15 so as to display image forming conditions and the like selected and operated by the operation means 14. For example, the image forming conditions are converted into display data D2 by the control unit 15 and output to the display unit 18. The operation means 14 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, and the display means 18 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel. In this example, a touch panel constituting the operation means 14 is combined with a liquid crystal display panel constituting the display means 18 to constitute a GUI (Graphic User Interface) type operation panel 48.

  The control unit 15 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 26, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 25. The ROM 24 stores system program data for controlling the entire apparatus. The RAM 26 is used as a work memory, and for example, temporarily stores control commands and the like. When the power is turned on, the CPU 25 reads the system program data from the ROM 24, starts the system, and controls the entire apparatus based on the operation data D3 from the operation means 14.

  Note that the control unit 15 controls the operation of the image forming unit 70 so as to form an image based on the content set by the operation panel 48 in the image forming mode. For example, the control unit 15 outputs the document image data Dout or the image data Din ′ after image processing to the image forming unit 70 to perform image formation control.

  In addition to the image forming unit 70, a communication unit 19 is connected to the control unit 15. The communication means 19 is connected to a communication line such as a LAN, and is used when communicating with an external computer or the like. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, the communication unit 19 is used to receive image data Din ′ from an external computer in the print mode.

  The control unit 15 is connected to a sheet feeding unit 23, and drives and controls the sheet feeding trays 30A and 30B shown in FIG. 1 based on a sheet feeding control signal Sf in the image forming mode. The paper feed control signal Sf is supplied from the control means 15 to the paper feed means 23. As the sheet feeding means 23, a feed roller (not shown), a motor for driving the sheet feeding roller, etc., and a drive control IC for driving the motor are used. The paper feed trays 30A and 30B and the like constitute a sheet set tray, and a paper 30 having a predetermined size and quality is set in the paper feed trays 30A and 30B.

  A sheet number counter 12 is connected to the control unit 15 so as to count the number of image formed articles related to the image forming job formed by the image forming unit 70. The sheet counter 12 outputs a sheet count signal S1 to the control means 15. The sheet count signal S1 is a signal indicating the number of image formed articles related to the image forming job.

  Next, an image forming process example of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described for the image forming method according to the present invention. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing image formation examples (Nos. 1 and 2) in the image forming apparatus 100 as the first embodiment according to the present invention.

  In this embodiment, on the premise that an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the original image data Din relating to an arbitrary image forming job, the image forming system is warmed up together with the power-on, and the image forming system The input of document image data Din relating to the first image forming job (hereinafter simply referred to as JOB) is monitored, and the execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on whether or not the document image data Din is input. This is for securing the fixing power during the warm-up process and ensuring the image quality of the first JOB.

  In this example, the case where the simple correction mode is executed after completion of the warm-up process and the case where the simple correction mode is executed before completion of the warm-up process will be described separately.

[Example 1A]
In this embodiment, when the image forming process starts after the warm-up process is completed, the simple correction mode is executed during the start sequence. In this example, when the warm-up process is completed, the simple correction mode is executed, and the process proceeds to an image forming job as it is. The process correction mode is executed after the end of the JOB. Note that, when the warm-up process is completed and the image forming process is not started, the process correction mode is executed immediately after the warm-up process is completed. The process operating conditions are as follows.

<Process operating conditions>
Process linear velocity: 320mm / s
Photoconductor: negatively charged OPC, drum diameter φ = 80 mm
Charger: Scorotron charging voltage -750V
Exposure means: Semiconductor laser, output 490μW (surface reference output)
Developer: negatively charged toner, contact development, development bias -600 V (surface reference output), sleeve diameter φ = 40 mm, magnet fixed,
Transfer device: corotron positive discharge,
Separator: Corotron negative discharge / AC superposition,
There is a function to assist separation by LED exposure at the same time as transfer,
Fixing device: induction heating method, 900 W, heating roller thickness 0.6 mm.

  Under these process operating conditions, the control unit 15 monitors the detection of the power-on information and waits for an image formation request in step A1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this example, the operation panel 48 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a power save button (not shown). For example, power-on information is generated by pressing the power save button of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sleeping state. The The power-on information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15.

  When this power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step A2 and the control means 15 starts a warm-up process. In this process, the temperature is raised by energizing a heater or the like in the fixing device 78 to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In step A3, the control unit 15 determines whether to start (start) the print sequence immediately after the warm-up is completed. At this time, the control unit 15 monitors the input of the document image data Din related to the first JOB to the image forming system simultaneously with the power-on. This monitoring is for determining the execution timing of the process correction mode based on whether or not the document image data Din is input. Control branches according to the monitoring decision result.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is started, the control unit 15 proceeds to step A4, and the control unit 15 notifies the fixing device 78 of “WU completion” or the like. And confirming the completion of the warm-up process, the process proceeds to step A5 to execute the simple correction mode, and the process proceeds to the image forming job (JOB). In this simple correction mode, a correction operation in which the correction contents of the image forming system are simplified as compared with the process correction mode is executed, and the image forming unit 70 forms an image based on the original image data Din for the JOB.

  For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60, This electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A 6, and the control unit 15 receives a “JOB end” notification or the like from the image forming unit 70. The “JOB end” notification is information indicating completion of the image forming process related to the JOB. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A8. In step A3 described above, if the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, that is, if the print sequence is not started, the control unit 15 proceeds to step A7 and proceeds to the image forming unit 70. Immediately after receiving a “WU completion” notification or the like, the process proceeds to step A8 and the control means 15 executes the process correction mode.

  The process correction mode is corrected more finely than the simple correction mode. At this time, the controller 15 creates a reference patch image on the photosensitive drum 71, and reads the density of the reference patch image, thereby correcting the image density, gradation, toner density, and the like. The image writing unit 60 and the developing device 73 are controlled. Thereafter, the process shifts to step A9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, and the apparatus 100 is set in a ready (READY) state to wait for another JOB to be input.

  In step A9 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, if a new job is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step A12. When a new job is input in step A9, the process proceeds to step A10, and the image forming process related to the job is executed. For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60, This electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  In step A11, the control unit 15 determines whether the job has been completed. At this time, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the image forming page related to the JOB is the last page. If the image forming page related to the JOB is not the final page, the process returns to step A10 to repeat the image forming process. When the image forming page related to the job is the last page, the process proceeds to step A12. The number of images formed (number of printed sheets) is counted by the number counter 12.

  When the job is completed in the above-described step A11, the process proceeds to step A12 to make an end determination regarding the image forming process. For example, the control unit 15 detects the power-off information and ends the image forming process. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step A9 and the above-described processing is repeated. The power-off information is generated when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 100 is pressed. The power-off information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15. The control unit 15 shifts the device 100 to the sleeping state based on the operation data D3. In the sleeping state, in addition to the monitoring function such as the CPU 25 and the clock function, a low power consumption mode for restricting energization is set.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the simple correction mode is executed after the warm-up process is completed without shifting to the process correction mode. After the end of the image forming job, the process correction mode is executed. Accordingly, the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured while the warm-up time is shortened, and the image quality related to the first image forming job can be secured.

[Example 1B]
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing other image forming examples (Nos. 1 and 2) in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the simple correction mode is executed during the warm-up process, and the normal process correction mode is executed after the first image forming job (1st JOB) immediately after the power is turned on. In this example as well, when the warm-up process is completed and the image forming process is not started, the process correction mode is executed immediately after the warm-up process is completed.

  Under these process operating conditions, the control unit 15 monitors the detection of the power-on information and waits for an image formation request in step B1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Also in this example, power-on information is generated by pressing the power save button of the image forming apparatus 100 in the sleeping state. The power-on information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15.

  When this power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step B2 and the control means 15 starts a warm-up process. In this process, the temperature is raised by energizing a heater or the like in the fixing device 78 to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In step B3, the control unit 15 determines whether to start (start) the print sequence immediately after the warm-up is completed. At this time, the control unit 15 monitors the input of the document image data Din related to the first JOB to the image forming system simultaneously with the power-on. Control branches according to the monitoring decision result.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is started, the control unit 15 proceeds to step B4 and executes the simple correction mode during the warm-up process. . In this simple correction mode, a correction operation in which the correction contents of the image forming system are simplified as compared with the process correction mode is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B 5, and the control unit 15 receives a “WU completion” notification or the like from the fixing device 78 and confirms the completion of the warm-up process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B6, the first image forming job (1st JOB) immediately after the power is turned on is executed, and the process ends. Regarding the 1st JOB, the image forming unit 70 forms an image based on the document image data Din.

  For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60, This electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Then, the control unit 15 receives a “1st job end” notification or the like from the image forming unit 70. The “1st JOB end” notification is information indicating completion of the image forming process related to the first JOB. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B8, and the control means 15 executes the process correction mode. In step B3 described above, the control unit 15 proceeds to step B7 when the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is not started. Immediately after receiving a “WU completion” notification or the like, the process proceeds to step B8 to execute the process correction mode.

  The process correction mode is corrected more finely than the simple correction mode. At this time, the controller 15 creates a reference patch image on the photosensitive drum 71, and reads the density of the reference patch image, thereby correcting the image density, gradation, toner density, and the like. The image writing unit 60 and the developing device 73 are controlled. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B9 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step B9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and the apparatus 100 is set in the ready state to wait for another JOB to be input. In step B9 described above, if a new job is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step B12. When a new job is input in step B9, the process proceeds to step B10, and the image forming process related to the job is executed. For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60, This electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Then, the process proceeds to step B11, and the control means 15 determines whether or not the job has been completed. At this time, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the image forming page related to the JOB is the last page. If the image forming page related to the job is not the final page, the process returns to step B10 to repeat the image forming process. When the image forming page related to the job is the last page, the process proceeds to step B12. The number of images formed (number of printed sheets) is counted by the number counter 12.

  When the job is completed in the above-described step B11, the process proceeds to step B12 to make an end determination regarding the image forming process. At this time, the control unit 15 detects the power-off information and ends the image forming process. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step B9 to repeat the above-described processing. The power-off information is generated when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 100 is pressed. The power-off information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15. The control unit 15 shifts the device 100 to the sleeping state based on the operation data D3. In the sleeping state, in addition to the monitoring function and the clock function of the CPU 25 and the like, the low power consumption mode for restricting energization is set.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 100 as the first embodiment of the present invention, control is performed when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job. The means 15 performs a warm-up process of the image forming means 70 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of the original image data Din relating to the first image forming job to the image forming means 70, and The execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on the presence / absence of input.

  Therefore, the process correction mode can be executed at the execution timing determined based on whether or not the document image data Din is input. At this time, in the case where the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the image forming unit 70 executes the simple correction mode or the like without shifting to the process correction mode, and after the end of the first image forming job. The process correction mode can be executed. Further, when there is no input of the document image data Din during the warm-up process, the process correction mode can be executed after the warm-up process is completed.

  As a result, while the warm-up time is shortened, fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the image quality related to the first image forming job can be secured.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment.
In this embodiment, when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din relating to an arbitrary image forming job, the process correction mode based on the execution timing determined during the warm-up process is executed, The acquired information (hereinafter referred to as correction information) D1 related to the correction value based on the process correction mode is sequentially stored and updated, and during the warm-up process at the next power-on, the process correction mode is not executed and the previous information The control unit 15 that reads the latest correction information D1 stored when the power is turned off and executes the image forming process based on the correction information D1 includes the fixing power during the warm-up process while the warm-up time is shortened. As well as the latest correction information D1 acquired when the power was turned off last time. There running image forming process, in which as the quality of the first image forming job can be secured (the second image forming apparatus).

  An image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 7 has a control unit 15 and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 71 based on document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job. The control unit 15 includes the document reading unit 11, the sheet counter 12, the image memory 13, the communication unit 19, the image processing unit 21, the sheet feeding unit 23, the operation panel 48, the image forming unit 70, and the like described in the first embodiment. In addition, a nonvolatile memory 16 is connected. In addition, since the thing with the same name and the same code | symbol demonstrated in the 1st Example has the same function, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 15 executes a warming-up process of the image forming unit 70 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of document image data Din by the first image forming job after the power is turned on to the image forming unit 70. The execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on whether or not Din is input.

  The non-volatile memory 16 is an example of a storage unit, and the correction information D1 based on the execution of the process correction mode determined by the control unit 15 is acquired and stored and updated. As the nonvolatile memory 16, a hard disk (HDD), an EEPROM, or the like is used. An HDD, an EEPROM, or the like is a memory that can rewrite data and does not erase data even when the power is turned off.

  In this example, the control means 15 executes the process correction mode based on the execution timing after the completion of the warm-up process, sequentially stores and updates the correction information D1 based on the process correction mode in the nonvolatile memory 16, and the next power-on During the warm-up process at that time, the process correction mode is not executed, and the latest correction information D1 is read from the nonvolatile memory 16 stored at the previous power-off, and the image forming process is executed based on the correction information D1. To do.

  Further, when the original image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 uses the latest correction information D1 stored when the power is turned off for the first image forming job. And the process correction mode is executed after completion of the image forming job. Also in this example, the control unit 15 executes the process correction mode immediately after completion of the warm-up process when there is no input of the document image data Din during the warm-up process.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts illustrating image formation examples (Nos. 1 and 2) of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment.
In this embodiment, during the warm-up process, the process correction mode is not executed at all, the correction information D1 at the previous power-off is stored in the nonvolatile memory 16, and the correction information D1 is stored after the next power-on. The first JOB image forming process is executed by using it. In this example, when the image forming process starts with the completion of the warm-up process, the first JOB executes the image forming process using the previous correction information D1, and the process correction mode is set after the end of the first JOB. Execute. Further, in the case where the image forming process does not start when the warming up process is completed, an example is given in which the process correction mode is executed immediately after the warming up process is completed.

  Under these process operation conditions, the control means 15 monitors the detection of power-on information and waits for an image formation request in step C1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this example, the operation panel 48 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a power save button (not shown). For example, when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 200 in the sleeping state is pressed, power-on information is generated. The The power-on information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15.

  When this power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step C2 and the control means 15 starts a warm-up process. In this process, the temperature is raised by energizing a heater or the like in the fixing device 78 to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In step C3, the control unit 15 determines whether to start (start) the print sequence immediately after the warm-up is completed. At this time, the control unit 15 monitors the input of the document image data Din related to the first JOB to the image forming system simultaneously with the power-on. This monitoring is for determining the execution timing of the process correction mode based on whether or not the document image data Din is input. Control branches according to the monitoring decision result.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is started, the control unit 15 proceeds to step C4, and the control unit 15 notifies the fixing device 78 of “WU completion” or the like. Is received and the completion of the warm-up process is confirmed, the process proceeds to step C5, and the control means 15 reads the correction information D1 from the nonvolatile memory 16 and sets it in the image processing means 21 and the image forming means 70. .

  At this time, the image processing means 21 executes a γ correction operation that keeps the gradation constant from the highlight to the maximum image density with the correction value based on the correction information D1 (tone correction processing). In the image forming unit 70, a correction operation for keeping a predetermined potential in the charger 72 constant is executed by a correction value based on the correction information D1 (photoconductor surface potential correction). Further, in the image forming unit 70, a correction operation for keeping the maximum image density in the developing device 73 constant is executed by the correction value based on the correction information D1 (maximum image density correction process).

  The correction information D1 described above is acquired based on the previous execution of the process correction mode determined by the control means 15, and is stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 and updated. In step C6, the control unit 15 executes the image forming process related to the first JOB immediately after the power is turned on. At this time, the image forming unit 70 forms an image on the JOB based on the corrected document image data Din. For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential after correction by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60. And the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Thereafter, the control unit 15 receives a “job end” notification or the like from the image forming unit 70. The “JOB end” notification is information indicating completion of the image forming process related to the JOB. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C8, where the control means 15 executes the process correction mode. At this time, the controller 15 creates a reference patch image on the photosensitive drum 71, and reads the density of the reference patch image, thereby correcting the image density, gradation, toner density, and the like. The image writing unit 60 and the developing device 73 are controlled. The control means 15 acquires a correction value, records the correction information D1 obtained here in the nonvolatile memory 16, and updates it. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C9 in the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step C3 described above, the control unit 15 proceeds to step C7 when the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is not started. Immediately after receiving a “WU completion” notification or the like, the process proceeds to step C8 to execute the process correction mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step C9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, and the apparatus 100 is set in a ready state to wait for another JOB to be input.

  In step C9 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, if a new job is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step C12. When a new job is input in step C9, the process proceeds to step C10, and the image forming process related to the job is executed. For example, in the image forming unit 70 after execution of the process correction mode, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and the image writing unit 60 electrostatically charges the photosensitive drum 71. The latent image is written, and the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  In step C11, the control unit 15 determines whether the job has been completed. At this time, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the image forming page related to the JOB is the last page. If the image forming page related to the job is not the final page, the process returns to step C10 to repeat the image forming process. When the image forming page related to the job is the last page, the process proceeds to step C12. The number of images formed (number of printed sheets) is counted by the number counter 12.

  When the job is completed in step C11 described above, the process proceeds to step C12 to determine whether the image forming process is completed. For example, the control unit 15 detects the power-off information and ends the image forming process. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step C9 to repeat the above-described processing. The power-off information is generated when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 200 is pressed. The power-off information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15. The control means 15 shifts the device 200 to the sleeping state based on the operation data D3. In the sleeping state, in addition to the monitoring function and the clock function of the CPU 25 and the like, the low power consumption mode for restricting energization is set.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 200 as the second embodiment of the present invention, control is performed when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job. The means 15 performs a warming-up process of the image forming means 70 having the photosensitive drum 71 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of document image data Din relating to the first image forming job to the image forming means 70. The execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on whether or not the document image data Din is input.

  The control unit 15 executes the process correction mode based on the execution timing, sequentially stores and updates the correction information D1 based on the process correction mode in the nonvolatile memory 16, and during the warm-up process at the next power-on, Without executing the process correction mode, the latest correction information D1 stored in the non-volatile memory 16 at the previous power-off time is read, and the image forming process is executed for the JOB immediately after the power-on based on the correction information D1. To do.

  Therefore, the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured while the warm-up time is shortened, and the image for the JOB immediately after the power is turned on based on the latest correction information D1 acquired when the power is turned off the last time. Since the forming process is executed, it is possible to ensure the image quality related to the first image forming job immediately after the power is turned on.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment.
In this embodiment, when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din relating to an arbitrary image forming job, the process correction mode is not executed during the warm-up process without executing the process correction mode. The environment difference information is obtained by comparing the previous installation environment information when the power is turned off with the current installation environment information, and the latest correction information D1 acquired when the power is turned off last time is further corrected according to the environment difference information. Control means 15 for executing the image forming process based on the correct correction information D1 so that the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured while the warm-up time is shortened, and is acquired when the power is turned off the last time. The image forming process is executed based on the new correction information D1 obtained by further correcting the latest correction information D1 according to the environmental difference information, and the first image forming It is obtained by allowing secure a quality of the blanking (third image forming apparatus).

  An image forming apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 10 has a control unit 15 and forms an image on the photosensitive drum 71 based on document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job. The control means 15 includes the document reading means 11, the number counter 12, the image memory 13, the nonvolatile memory 16, the communication means 19, the image processing means 21, the paper feeding means 23, and the operation panel 48 described in the first and second embodiments. In addition to the image forming means 70 and the like, the environmental sensor 17 is connected. In addition, since the thing of the same name and the same code | symbol demonstrated in the 1st and 2nd Example has the same function, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 15 executes warm-up processing of the image forming unit 70 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of document image data Din related to the first image forming job after the power is turned on to the image forming unit 70. The execution timing of the process correction mode is determined based on whether or not the data Din is input.

  The environment sensor 17 is an example of a detection unit, and detects an installation environment of the image forming unit 70 and outputs an installation environment signal S2. The installation environment signal S2 is output from the environment sensor 17 to the control means 15, and is converted from analog to digital to become installation environment information. As the environmental sensor 17, a temperature detection sensor, a humidity detection sensor, or the like is used. These sensors are mounted in the apparatus main body. The installation environment information is information indicating the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity of the device 300 and is recorded in the nonvolatile memory 16.

  During the warm-up process, the control unit 15 does not execute the process correction mode, but compares the installation environment information when the image forming unit 70 was previously turned off with the current installation environment information to obtain environment difference information. Then, the image forming process is executed based on the new correction information D1 obtained by further correcting the latest correction information D1 stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 at the time of the previous power-off according to the environmental difference information. For example, the control means 15 compares the in-machine temperature information at the previous power-off time with the current in-machine temperature information to obtain temperature difference information, and the latest correction information D1 stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 at the previous power-off time. Is further corrected according to the temperature difference information.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 relates to the first image forming job, and the latest correction information read from the nonvolatile memory 16 stored at the previous power-off time. The image forming process is executed based on the new correction information D1 obtained by further correcting D1, and the process correction mode is executed after the end of the first image forming job. In this example as well, when the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, the control unit 15 executes the process correction mode immediately after the warm-up process is completed.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are flowcharts illustrating image formation examples (Nos. 1 and 2) in the image forming apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment.
In this embodiment, during the warm-up process, the process correction mode is not executed at all, the installation environment information at the previous power-off time is compared with the current installation environment information, and the previous power supply is determined according to the environment difference information. The image forming process is executed using the correction value further corrected for the correction information D1 at the time of OFF.

  In this example, when the image forming process starts upon completion of the warm-up process, the first JOB after power-on executes the image forming process using the correction value further corrected for the previous correction information D1. An example will be given of the case where the process correction mode is executed after the end of the JOB. In this example as well, when the warm-up process is completed and the image forming process does not start, it is assumed that the process correction mode is executed immediately after the warm-up process is completed.

  Under these process operating conditions, the control unit 15 monitors the detection of the power-on information and waits for an image formation request in step E1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this example, the operation panel 48 shown in FIG. 10 is provided with a power save button (not shown), and power-on information is generated by pressing the power save button of the image forming apparatus 300 in the sleeping state. The power-on information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15.

  When this power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step E2 and the control means 15 starts a warm-up process. In this process, the temperature is raised by energizing a heater or the like in the fixing device 78 to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In step E3, the control unit 15 determines whether to start (start) the print sequence immediately after the warm-up is completed. At this time, the control unit 15 monitors the input of the document image data Din related to the first JOB to the image forming system simultaneously with the power-on. This monitoring is for determining the execution timing of the process correction mode based on whether or not the document image data Din is input. Control branches according to the monitoring decision result.

  In this example, when the document image data Din is input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is started, the control unit 15 proceeds to step E4 and the control unit 15 notifies the “WU completion” notification from the fixing device 78. And confirms the completion of the warm-up process, and proceeds to step E8.

  In parallel with these processes, if power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step E5, and the previous and current installation environment information is input. At this time, the control means 15 reads the previous installation environment information from the nonvolatile memory 16 and acquires the current installation environment information from the environment sensor 17. The installation environment information is information indicating the in-machine temperature and the in-machine humidity of the device 300.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step E6, where the control means 15 compares the installation environment information at the previous power-off time with the current installation environment information to calculate an environment correction value (environmental difference information). For example, the control means 15 obtains temperature difference information by comparing the in-machine temperature information at the previous power-off time with the current in-machine temperature information. The temperature difference information is a correction value for correcting the current in-machine temperature information.

  Then, the process proceeds to step E7, and the control means 15 corrects the correction information D1 at the previous power-off time according to the environmental difference information and obtains new correction information D1. For example, the control means 15 corrects the current in-machine temperature information by correcting and calculating the latest in-machine temperature stored in the non-volatile memory 16 according to the temperature difference information when the power is turned off last time.

  The control unit 15 sets the corrected correction information D <b> 1 ′ in the image processing unit 21 and the image forming unit 70. At this time, the image processing means 21 executes a γ correction operation that keeps the gradation constant from the highlight to the maximum image density based on the correction value based on the corrected correction information D1 ′ (tone correction processing). In the image forming unit 70, a correction operation for maintaining a predetermined potential in the charger 72 constant is executed by a correction value based on the corrected correction information D1 '(photoconductor surface potential correction). Further, the image forming unit 70 executes a correction operation for maintaining the maximum image density in the developing unit 73 constant based on the correction value based on the corrected correction information D1 '(maximum image density correction process).

  In step E8, the control unit 15 executes the image forming process related to the first JOB immediately after the power is turned on. At this time, the image forming unit 70 forms an image on the JOB based on the corrected document image data Din. For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential after correction by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60. And the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Thereafter, the control unit 15 receives a “job end” notification or the like from the image forming unit 70. The “JOB end” notification is information indicating completion of the image forming process related to the JOB. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step E10, and the control means 15 executes the process correction mode. In step E3 described above, the control unit 15 proceeds to step E9 when the document image data Din is not input during the warm-up process, that is, when the print sequence is not started. Immediately after receiving a “WU completion” notification or the like, the process proceeds to step E10 to execute the process correction mode.

  In this process correction mode, a reference patch image is created on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image forming means 70, and the control means 15 reads the density of the reference patch image, so that the control means 15 performs image density / gradation / toner density. The charging device 72, the image writing unit 60, and the developing device 73 are controlled so as to correct the above. The control means 15 acquires a correction value, records the correction information D1 obtained here in the nonvolatile memory 16, and updates it. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step E11 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, and the apparatus 300 is set in a ready state to wait for another JOB to be input.

  In step E11 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, if a new job is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step E14. When a new job is input in step E11, the process proceeds to step E12, and the image forming process related to the job is executed. For example, in the image forming unit 70 after execution of the process correction mode, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and the image writing unit 60 electrostatically charges the photosensitive drum 71. The latent image is written, and the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Then, the process proceeds to step E13, and the control means 15 determines whether or not the JOB has been completed. At this time, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the image forming page related to the JOB is the last page. If the image forming page related to the job is not the final page, the process returns to step E12 to repeat the image forming process. When the image forming page related to the job is the last page, the process proceeds to step E14. The number of images formed (number of printed sheets) is counted by the number counter 12.

  When the job is completed in step E13 described above, the process proceeds to step E14 to determine the end of the image forming process. For example, the control unit 15 detects the power-off information and ends the image forming process. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step E11 and the above-described processing is repeated. The power-off information is generated when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 300 is pressed. The power-off information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15. The control unit 15 shifts the device 300 to the sleeping state based on the operation data D3. In the sleeping state, in addition to the monitoring function and the clock function of the CPU 25 and the like, the low power consumption mode for restricting energization is set.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 300 as the third embodiment of the present invention, when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job, the environment is changed. The sensor 17 detects the installation environment of the image forming unit 70 and outputs installation environment information. On the premise of this, the control unit 15 does not execute the process correction mode during the warm-up process, and compares the installation environment information when the image forming unit 70 was previously turned off with the current installation environment information. Thus, the image forming process is executed based on the new correction information D1 obtained by further correcting the latest correction information D1 stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 according to the environment difference information. The correction information D1 based on the execution of the process correction mode is sequentially stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 and updated.

  Therefore, while the warm-up time is shortened, the fixing power during the warm-up process can be secured, and the latest correction information D1 acquired when the power is turned off last time is further corrected according to the environmental difference information. Since the image forming process is executed based on the new correction information D1, the image quality related to the first image forming job can be ensured.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment.

  In this embodiment, an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din relating to an arbitrary image forming job, and the starting time information of the developing device 73 as shown in FIG. Control that compares the information related to the set start reference value and executes the process correction mode when the elapsed time exceeds the start reference value regardless of the presence or absence of the process correction mode executed before the comparison With the provision of the means 15, the warm-up time is shortened, and even when the power is turned on again after a lapse of a certain time since the previous power-off, the image quality related to the first image forming job can be ensured. (Fourth image forming apparatus).

  An image forming apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 13 is a short warm-up type image forming apparatus with a warm-up time of less than 2 minutes. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 70 includes a photosensitive drum 71 that forms an image and a developing device 72 that develops the image formed on the photosensitive drum 71. The developing device 72 is provided with a start timer 27 as an example of a detection unit, and the timer 27 is connected to the control unit 15. The activation timer 27 detects a rising elapsed time from when the developing device 72 is turned on to a predetermined state, and outputs an activation elapsed signal S3 to the control means 15. The activation progress signal S3 is output from the activation timer 27 to the control means 15, and is converted from analog to digital to become activation (rotation) time information. The detection means is not limited to the activation timer 27, and may be one that detects the number of rotations of the developing sleeve rotating body constituting the developing device 72.

  Also in this example, the control unit 15 executes warming-up processing of the image forming unit 70 when the power is turned on, and monitors input of the original image data Din related to the first image forming job to the image forming unit 70 to thereby detect original image data. The image forming unit 70 is controlled based on whether or not Din is input.

  This control means 15 compares the startup time information of the developing device 73 with information related to a preset startup reference value, and if the rising elapsed time exceeds the startup reference value, the process correction executed before the comparison is performed. The process correction mode is executed regardless of the mode. As the activation reference value, for example, activation reference time = “2 minutes” is set. The process correction mode is executed when the rising elapsed time exceeds the activation reference time = “2 minutes”.

  In this example, the rising elapsed time of the developing device 73 exceeds the activation reference value, and the control unit 15 compares the remaining number of sheets related to the image forming job with a preset determination reference number, thereby forming an image. When the remaining number of jobs is less than the discrimination reference number, for example, less than 50, the process correction mode is executed after the end of the image forming job, and the remaining number of image formation jobs is greater than the discrimination reference number. For example, when there are 50 sheets or more, the image forming job is temporarily stopped and the process correction mode is executed, and then the image forming process related to the image forming job is restarted.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing image formation examples (Nos. 1 and 2) in the image forming apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment.
In this embodiment, even when the process correction mode is executed regardless of whether the warm-up process is performed or after the warm-up process, for example, when the rotation speed of the developing device 72 has passed a specified time, for example, 70% of the rising amount of charge of the developer. At the point corresponding to the above, the process correction mode is executed. In this example, when the remaining number of prints related to the image forming job (JOB) is small, the process correction mode is executed after JOB is completed. In the case where the number of remaining prints related to the job is large, an example is given in which the job is stopped halfway, the process correction mode is executed, and then the job is restarted.

  Using these as process operating conditions, the control means 15 monitors the detection of power-on information and waits for an image formation request in step F1 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this example, the operation panel 48 shown in FIG. 13 is provided with a power save button (not shown), and power-on information is generated by pressing the power save button of the image forming apparatus 400 in the sleeping state. The power-on information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15.

  When this power-on information is detected, the process proceeds to step F2 and the control means 15 starts a warm-up process. Here, the simple correction mode may be executed. Even in this process, the temperature is raised by energizing a heater or the like in the fixing device 78 to maintain a predetermined fixing temperature.

  In step F3, the control unit 15 starts (starts) the print sequence related to the JOB immediately after the warm-up is completed. At this time, the image forming unit 70 forms an image on the JOB based on the document image data Din.

  For example, in the image forming unit 70, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and an electrostatic latent image is written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image writing unit 60. The electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Further, the control means 15 monitors the number of prints related to the JOB at the same time as the start of printing. This monitoring is for determining the execution timing of the process correction mode based on the remaining number of prints.

  In parallel with these processes, the power-on information is detected in step F1, and at the same time, the process proceeds to step F4 to start the start timer 27 and count the rising elapsed time. At this time, the activation progress signal S3 is output from the activation timer 27 to the control means 15, and is converted from analog to digital to become activation (rotation) time information. In step F5, the control unit 15 determines whether or not two minutes have passed since the developing device 73 was turned on based on the activation time information. If two minutes have not elapsed since the power was turned on, the process returns to step F4 to continue the counting process of the rising elapsed time.

  In this example, the control unit 15 branches the control based on the result of monitoring the number of printed sheets and the result of monitoring the elapsed startup time of the developing device 73. When two minutes have passed since the power was turned on, the process proceeds to step F6, and the control unit 15 determines whether or not the remaining number of prints related to the JOB is 50 or more. If the remaining number of JOBs is 50 or more, the process proceeds to step F7 to interrupt the JOB. Then, the process proceeds to step F8, and the control means 15 executes the process correction mode.

  In this process correction mode, a reference patch image is created on the photosensitive drum 71 by the image forming means 70, and the control means 15 reads the density of the reference patch image, so that the control means 15 performs image density / gradation / toner density. The charging device 72, the image writing unit 60, and the developing device 73 are controlled so as to correct the above.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step F9 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 to restart the JOB. In step F <b> 10, the control unit 15 receives a “JOB end” notification from the image forming unit 70. The “JOB end” notification is information indicating completion of the image forming process related to the JOB. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step F13.

  If the remaining number of JOBs is less than 50 in step F6 shown in FIG. 14, the process proceeds to step F11 to complete all the JOBs. Thereafter, the process shifts to step F12 to execute the process correction mode. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step F13. Then, the process proceeds to step F13 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, and the apparatus 400 is set in a ready state to wait for another JOB to be input.

  In step F13 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, if a new job is not input even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step F16. When a new job is input in step F13, the process proceeds to step F14, and the image forming process related to the job is executed. For example, in the image forming unit 70 after execution of the process correction mode, the photosensitive drum 71 shown in FIG. 1 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 72, and the image writing unit 60 electrostatically charges the photosensitive drum 71. The latent image is written, and the electrostatic latent image is converted into a toner image by the developing device 73. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 71 is transferred to the paper (transfer material) 30 by the transfer device 74, and the toner image on the paper 30 is fixed by the fixing device 78. Thereafter, the sheet (image formed product) 30 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged onto a discharge tray 96.

  Then, the process proceeds to step F15, and the control means 15 determines whether or not the job has been completed. At this time, the control unit 15 determines whether or not the image forming page related to the JOB is the last page. If the image forming page related to the job is not the final page, the process returns to step F14 to repeat the image forming process. When the image forming page related to the job is the last page, the process proceeds to step F16. The number of images formed (number of printed sheets) is counted by the number counter 12.

  When the job is completed in the above-described step F15, the process proceeds to step F16 to make an end determination regarding the image forming process. For example, the control unit 15 detects the power-off information and ends the image forming process. If the power-off information is not detected, the process returns to step F13 to repeat the above-described processing. The power-off information is generated when the power save button of the image forming apparatus 400 is pressed. The power-off information becomes operation data D3 and is output from the operation means 16 to the control means 15. The control unit 15 shifts the device 400 to the sleeping state based on the operation data D3. In the sleeping state, in addition to the monitoring function and the clock function of the CPU 25 and the like, the low power consumption mode for restricting energization is set.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 400 as the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 71 based on the document image data Din related to an arbitrary image forming job, In the case where the power is turned on again after a lapse of a certain time from the time when the power is turned off, the starting time information of the developing device 73 and the information related to the preset starting reference value are compared by the control means 15, and the rising time has passed. When the time exceeds the activation reference value, the control unit 15 executes the process correction mode regardless of the presence or absence of the process correction mode executed before the comparison.

  In this example, when the elapsed time of rising of the developing device 73 exceeds the activation reference value, and the remaining number of image forming jobs is less than 50, the process correction mode is executed after the end of the image forming job. . When the remaining number of image forming jobs is 50 or more, the image forming job is temporarily stopped and the process correction mode is executed, and then the image forming process related to the image forming job is resumed. Accordingly, while the warm-up time is shortened, the image quality related to the first image forming job can be ensured even when the power is turned on again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous power-off. .

  In each embodiment, the black and white image forming apparatus 100 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to a color image forming apparatus.

  The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to monochrome and color printers and copiers that form images based on arbitrary document image data Din, multifunction devices thereof, and the like.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus 100 as each embodiment according to the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image formation example (part 1) in the image forming apparatus 100; 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming example (part 2) in the image forming apparatus 100. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example (No. 1) of image formation in the image forming apparatus 100. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another image formation example (part 2) in the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming example (part 1) of the image forming apparatus 200; 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming example (No. 2) of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image formation example (part 1) in the image forming apparatus 300; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming example (part 2) in the image forming apparatus 300; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system of an image forming apparatus 400 according to a fourth embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image formation example (part 1) in the image forming apparatus 400; 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image forming example (No. 2) in the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

11 Document reading means 13 Image memory 14 Operation means 15 Control means 16 Non-volatile memory (storage means)
17 Environmental sensor (detection means)
18 Display means 21 Image processing means 23 Paper feed means 27 Start-up timer (detection means)
48 Operation panel (operation means + display means)
60 Image writing unit 70 Image forming means 100, 200, 300, 400 Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job ,
Image forming means for forming an image on the image forming body having a front Kizo forming body,
Warming-up process of the image forming unit with the power-on is executed, during the warming-up process, and a control means for monitoring an input of the image information according to prior Symbol image forming jobs to the image forming means,
A process correction mode in which an image for process operation adjustment is formed on the image forming body, and the process operation condition is adjusted by reading the image, and a simple correction mode in which the correction contents of the image forming system are simplified compared to the process correction mode. Have
The control unit executes the simple correction mode during the warm-up process when the image information is input based on whether or not the image information is input during the warm-up process . The control means includes
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the image information is not input during the warm-up process, the process correction mode is executed immediately after the warm-up process is completed. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job ,
Image forming means for forming an image on the image forming body having a front Kizo forming body,
And it executes the warming-up process of the image forming unit with power-on, during the warming-up process, and a control means for monitoring an input of the image information according to prior Symbol image forming jobs to the image forming means,
A process correction mode for forming an image for process operation adjustment on the image forming body, reading the image to adjust process operation conditions, and a storage means for acquiring and storing and updating a correction value based on execution of the process correction mode And
The control means includes
Correction values based on the process correction mode are sequentially stored in the storage means and updated,
During the warm-up processing of the next power-on, when there is an input of the image information, without performing the process correction mode, reads out the correction value of the most recent stored at the previous power-off, the An image forming apparatus that executes an image forming process of the image forming job based on a correction value. The control means includes
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the process correction mode is executed immediately after completion of the warm-up process when the image information is not input during the warm-up process. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body based on image information relating to an arbitrary image forming job ,
Image forming means for forming an image on the image forming body having a front Kizo forming body,
Control means for warming up process of the image forming unit with the power-on is executed, during the warming-up process, monitors the input of the image information according to prior Symbol image forming jobs to the image forming means,
A process correction mode in which an image for process operation adjustment is formed on the image forming body, the image is read to adjust process operation conditions, and a detection unit that detects an installation environment of the image forming unit and outputs installation environment information When,
And storage means for storing update the correction value based on the execution of the previous SL process correction mode determined by the control means obtains and,
The control means includes
Comparison during said warming-up process, when there is input of the image information, without performing the pre-SL process correction mode, a previous installation environment information and the current installation environment information when the power-off of the image forming means And obtaining the environmental difference information, and executing the image forming process based on the new correction value obtained by further correcting the latest correction value stored in the storage unit according to the environmental difference information at the previous power-off. An image forming apparatus. The control means includes
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the process correction mode is executed immediately after completion of the warm-up process when the image information is not input during the warm-up process.

Images